Naruto was skipping on the street of Konohagakure.
Well, to be fair, he had done a lot of useful things during the last week.
He had finally completed his wind element training. Still not as good as his father , but hey, it's just a week and he already got it to that level.
Kurenai was very surprise with the skill level that Naruto and Hinata displayed. If she had to judge than the Kyuubi nailed it by saying they had Jonin level skills. Their team was in fact comprised by one jonin-sensei, two green jonins and a poor gennin lost in the middle. Naruto, Hinata and Kurenai would never leave Shino behind so they began focusing more on him so he could be brought up to speed.
Naruto with the help of Kurenai started on Kage level exercises for his chakra control. He had two exercises that he needed to do to bring his control to the highest level possible. The first was waterfall climbing, this exercise allowed, when mastered, the user to control vast amounts of chakra with great precision, since climbing a waterfall is extremely hard. The last exercise allowed one to have perfect chakra control almost rivaling Tsunade the Slug Sannin.
This particular exercise was rather practical to perform. The user deposited a chunk of sand with multiple colors in his hand. The point of the exercise was to separate and align the sand by color using only chakra. It was considered mastered when the user managed this in less than 10 seconds.
Hinata didn't have any weakness per say, she had overall good skills whether it be in Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, genjutsu or even kenjutsu. Her chakra control was flawless since it was a basic requirement for her juuken (Gentle Fist) or her own version the Flowing Fist.
Shino however was another different level. His Taijutsu was low-gennin level since he was a long-range fighter, their typical weakness. His Ninjutsu was the three basic academy Jutsus coupled with his clan's. His genjutsu was nonexistent. Overall he was about mid-gennin in skill. However they would change that, Naruto placed a few restriction seals on him since it was too abrupt if he started using gravity seals.
They decided to start his elemental training since everyone on his team already had theirs mastered. Surprisingly he had Earth and Water, both defensive elements. His team was the perfect storm off offense and defense. In fact his natures served him well above anyone else. As a long range fighter normally his weakness would be close combat which was solved by his training and affinities.
Along with all this training they also did teamwork exercises. One of the things that made Konoha as the strongest in the elemental nations was their notion of teamwork and loyalty above all else. Their teamwork was excellent, neither of them had any problems with each other.
Currently we find Team 8 or Team Kurenai heading towards the hokage's office after a morning of training. I should clarify the last statement, it was training for Naruto, Hinata and Kurenai but for Shino one would call it torture. The poor gennin was driven to the ground in order to gain the physical attributes he needed.
Hokage's Mission Assignment Room
The old hokage was sitting in the middle of the table smoking on his pipe while handing missions to the shinobi. To his left side was Iruka, the school teacher of the students of team 8. The hokage was deep in thought remembering his prime, the thrill of the fights and the adrenaline pumping through his system.
Not many shinobi have the privilege of growing old. The shinobi's life expectancy was actually around 30 years, and reaching old age was very rare. However any shinobi that reached such age began to reminisce all they did in their life. Shinobi since birth are trained to fight and fight they do. It is all they know throughout their lives. There is no greater death then death at the hands of your enemy in the mist of battle. However being taken by old age it isn't something any warrior would want.
Minato Namikaze, The fourth hokage of Konoha and hailed has konoha no kiiroi Senkō, (konoha's yellow fash). The man that had ended the 3rd great ninja wars and lived has been reduced to nothing but a paper pusher. Don't get me wrong, he loved his village and his place as hokage.
"Dad, we want a C-rank mission."
Minato blinked. It's not like he was surprised, though. He had expected Naruto to ask for this, considering where and when he was from.
"I agree," Hinata added. "No offense, but all those chores we have been doing since last week made me sick."
"Besides," Shino chimed in. "A team has to complete at least five D-ranks before they can advance to C-ranks, right Hokage-sama? Well, Team 7 has fulfilled the minimum requirement!"
"Well, I guess that's true…" the Hokage scratched his head. "But I'm afraid the last C-rank mission of this week was taken by Team 7 yesterday. Maybe if you return next week, there will be a mission available for you. So then, how about you just do some more D-ranks while waiting?"
Team 7 groaned. Well, except for Kurenai, of course.
Suddenly, the door to the mission control burst open.
"Hokage-sama! Team 7, led by jonin Kakashi Hatake requires reinforcement for their escort mission to Wave! During their mission, they were ambushed by the Demon Brothers of Kirigakure!"
"Dad! We will take that mission!"
The sudden outburst of Naruto shocked everyone in the room.
Iruka was the first one to revive from the shock. "Don't be a fool Naruto! That mission shall be declared at least B-rank, and there's no way you're qualified enough to take it!"
"Does it look like I FUCKING care?" Naruto snapped back in anger. He didn't even realize that he had just sworn in front of Iruka-sensei and everyone, but as he said, he didn't care. "Right now my friends are in danger, and you expect me to just sit back and watch them die? Someone had taught me before: Those who abandon their comrades in need are lower than trash. No matter what you say, I will not sit there and leave my friends alone to die!"
Iruka was almost thrown off balance. Not only because of Naruto's retort. Something about the boy was making him feel… uneasy. The Naruto in front of him right now was not the same Naruto he used to know. Never before had he seen Naruto so angry. And mature, too. Those words could not be the words of a mere newly graduated genin.
"Very well. Team 7 accepts the mission, Hokage-sama."
Iruka almost fainted. "But… but Kurenai…"
"Iruka, remember that those three are not your students anymore," Kakashi cut him short. "They are my soldiers now, and I know what to do with them. I believe they can handle whatever they are going to face in a mission like this. Besides," he gave an eye smile, "they have me with them."
Iruka seemed like he wanted to say some more, but he was cut short again, this time by the Hokage. "Very well Kurenai, I hereby assign the mission to give Team 7 reinforcement as Team 8's first official B-rank. I expect you to depart within one hour, without any delay. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Realizing the seriousness of the event, Hinata and Shino rushed out of the room back to their respective homes for preparation.
An hour later, Team 8 assembled at the main gate of the village, fully equipped.
"Alright everyone, this is the first high-ranked mission you are about the take part in," she said in an unusually serious tone. "I have to tell you, this is not like any mission you have done before. It will likely include fighting, injuries, and even death. Are you sure you really want to do it? If you don't, you can turn back and go home right now, and I will not make you hold any responsibility."
No one budged. Kurenai nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Now if everyone is ready… GO!"
The command echoed through the woods around, and the four shinobi took off.
Few Hours Later With Team 7
Team 7 had just left the boat that they used to cross into the Wave. Everyone was walking at civilian pace since they had Tazuna with them. Tazuna was as he put a 'super amazing bridge builder'. They were traveling in diamond formation, Sasuke in front, Sakura and Kiba to the sides and Kakashi in the back with Tazuna in the middle of them.
They were walking calmly but they had their guard up since Kakashi warned them about a possible Jonin encounter. Suddenly Kiba sensed someone in the bushed and quickly picked and threw a kunai into it.
"IDIOT, stop playing with kunai" – Sakura yelled
"I'm not playing I thought someone was there." – Kiba replied and went to check the bush only to find a small white rabbit.
"Kiba you idiot, you almost killed this poor rabbit" – Sakura said and that sent Kakashi thinking. "Uhm, white fur on spring that's strange, unless with was used as aKawarimi (Substitution Technique)."
"GET DOWN" – Kakashi yelled and everybody hit the deck with Kakashi dragging Tazuna. Just as he yelled above them a huge broad metal sword flew by their heads and got stuck in a tree. Moments later on top of the sword appeared a person.
He was a tall and noticeably muscular man with pale skin, short spiky black hair, brown eyes, and small eyebrows. He was wearing bandages like a mask over the bottom half of his face. Under his mask, he had a relatively narrow jaw line and jagged-teeth. He wore his forehead protector sideways on his head.
"What's this, a bunch of kids playing ninja" – the shinobi said.
"Momochi Zabuza, A-Rank nukenin from Kirigakure known as Demon of Kirigakure (Mist Village)" – Kakashi said preparing to face him in battle.
"Oh, look if it isn't Sharingan no Kakashi" - the shinobi now indentified as Zabuza said. "Just hand me the old man and you can go"
"You know I can't do that Zabuza" – Kakashi said and lifted his hitaiate revealing a fully matured sharingan in his left eye.
"I get the sharingan right in the beginning, I'm honored" – Zabuza said, removing his sword and making a few hand seals he said "Kirigakure no Jutsu (Mist Technique)". The air started becoming thicker and after a few seconds the whole area was covered in a thick mist. Kakashi barely managed to see his own hands right in front of him.
"Team, keep your senses sharp. Zabuza is a master of the silent killing technique" – Kakashi said and his entire team shivered.
"I demand you show your face Zabuza and face me" – Sasuke yelled. A jonin was someone he could try is power on and once he defeated him, he would be closer to killing his brother.
"Are you serious?"- Zabuza asked rhetorically projecting his voice around the area not to reveal his position. Zabuza started unleashing KI (killer intent) and Sasuke started shivering. Sasuke couldn't take it anymore and brought his kunai to his neck preparing to kill himself.
"Relax Sasuke, I won't let my teammates die" – Kakashi said reassuring his team.
Suddenly Zabuza appeared in the middle of Sasuke, Kiba and Sakura that were guarding Tazuna. He brought his sword and started a horizontal slash ready to kill them all.
However Kakashi was faster and impaled Zabuza revealing him to be a Mizu (Water) Bushin. Another Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi and cleaved him in half only to Kakashi burst into water.
Zabuza seeing this suddenly felt sharp metal to this throat, he slowly turned and saw Kakashi with a kunai ready to kill him. However Kakashi wasn't expecting this Zabuza to be a clone. Seeing the Zabuza in front of him burst into water he looked around only to be met with a fierce kick to his stomach sending him crashing into a nearby lake.
Zabuza shunshined to Kakashi and went through a couple of hand seals and said "Suiton - Suirou no Jutsu (Water Prison) ". The water around Kakashi started to erupt and circled around him trapping him. Zabuza stood there with his hand on the water sphere holding Kakashi in place.
"Shit, I got caught"– Kakashi thought. "Everyone, take Tazuna and run. His Mizu Bushins can't go too far from the original" – Kakashi said. His team was in a bad place, he could only hope his backup arrived in time.
"Zabuza can't stand up to me, I'm an elite" – Sasuke said and dashed forward heading to the enemy. Zabuza create a few Mizu Bushins. Sasuke engaged in a Taijutsu fight with him but quickly realized it was a bad idea. Sasuke couldn't keep up with Zabuza speed and strength. The battle was over quickly when Zabuza gave a strong kick to Sasuke that sent him crashing to the trees hard. Sasuke couldn't even get up and could barely breathe.
"You should have run when you had the change. You can't even scratch me" – Zabuza said. The arrogance of that boy got him killed. Zabuza clone picked his sword and went to finish the job. Sakura was shaking, she barely managed to stand up and Tazuna was already on the floor, his legs gave out.
Kiba seeing Sasuke in danger ran towards Zabuza. Sasuke maybe be an idiot and an arrogant bastard but he couldn't let him be killed. Kiba arriving near Zabuza went for punch but Zabuza simply caught his wrist and with the other hand lifted Kiba by the neck and started punching him relentlessly. After a few punches he simply threw him to the ground.
Zabuza was making his way to Sakura who was still frozen in place. Sakura knew she couldn't match Zabuza. She only graduated because of her good chakra control and book smarts.
All hope seemed lost until Zabuza heard
"Katon: Ryuka no Jutsu (Dragon Fire Technique)". Zabuza didn't have time to dodge as a stream of hot fire came from the woods completely obliterating the clone. In front of Tazuna and Sakura arrived Naruto, Hinata, Shino and Kurenai. Naruto looked around and it didn't look good. Kakashi was trapped inside water prison and Sasuke and Kiba were on the ground injured.
A/N- The voting for the harem is currently a draw (7 yes and 7 no)
So I guess I'll wait for another week till you guys decide.
like it?
RR
NepTunEXD out