CHAPTER – 7

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Anime.

AN: Thank you all those who showed their appreciation, it compels me to make it better and keep on writing. There were quite a few alerts in the last chapter and a few reviews. Thank you guys!

And let me tell you…those reviews made my day.

The OC that I use belongs to 'Scarease' (Yes, I'm talking about Emi). Thanks to him for the excellent OC.

"Talking"

'Thinking'

'Flashback'

It had been a few months since Naruto and team joined the Rebel Army. The decision turned out to be overly fruitful for them. The Rebel Commanders, and sometimes Mei herself, kept an eye on their training and gave extremely useful pointers from time to time, one of the useful perks of having a senior. Since they didn't have free time to watch over their training most of the time, and the fact that the team had Kakashi's scroll and several Kiri's scrolls to learn and train with. The schedule was in perfect sync.

The first thing that member of the team did, except Naruto, was increase chakra reserves. In about a month of pure taijutsu and chakra training, they all had a considerable amount of chakra reserve, capable of forming a couple or more shadow clones. Naruto meanwhile read the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing and Jiraiya's Book of Seals. Awkwardly enough, Naruto found himself attracted to seals. Since sealing required the knowledge of complex algorithmic patterns and matrices, Naruto had initially thought it wasn't his forte but after reading a thorough introduction of the subject, Naruto just wasn't able to detach himself from the book. He discovered the secret of the shadow clones from the Scroll of Sealing and shared it with his teammates.

Naruto and his comrades started using the shadow clones to their advantage. While they all made a couple clones, Naruto limited himself to only a dozen for reading and fuinjutsu; but during the workouts, his clones were endless.

Additionally, since they didn't have much information on the training scrolls for genjutsu and kenjutsu, Tayuya and Emi did regular training with some senior rebels who were expert in the particular field.

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It was high noon, a perfect time to cool down from the morning workout and read the Book of Seals, for Naruto at least. He was engrossed in the book when he was interrupted by a rebel.

"Mei-sama wishes to see Team Stampede, Naruto-san" he said. Naruto nodded and sealed the book in his storage scroll. He got up as the rebel left and glanced around the tent that Team Stampede had been allotted. Kisuke and Tayuya were chatting and Haku was laid down with his eyes closed. The blonde couldn't figure out if he was sleeping or not. Emi was most probably roaming around the camp.

"Guys, Terumi wants to see us" he said. The three of them nodded and got up to leave along with Naruto. It seems Haku wasn't sleeping.

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Emi was already present in the main tent when rest of the members of Team Stampede filled in. Mei was sitting on a chair with a couple of guards flanking her. She looked up from the scroll she was reading when they arrived.

"How is the training going on?" she asked casually. At getting positive responses, she continued "Well, I was thinking of giving you guys a mission. I think you all are ready. What do you think?" A grin found its way on the faces of each of them. Terumi smiled at the antics. She knew they were eager to test their skills after the prolonged training period.

"About damn time Terumi!" Naruto yelled.

"You can at least add 'san' Naruto…" she grimaced. The team gave a small chuckle at his caper.

"Never mind that" the blonde shrugged her off "What's our mission?" he asked anxiously. Mei became serious "It's a distraction mission. You are to distract the border patrol team of Kiri so that the main rebel team can sneak and rob one of the treasuries." She flashed a small map "This map contains the marked position of the outpost of the border patrol team. It takes a few hours to reach Kiri, so you will dispatch by evening, today. Make contact with the main team waiting at our outpost nearest to Kiri. That location is also marked on the map. The mission is to be executed at midnight. Any questions?"

"Any info on the border patrol team?" Haku asked "You will be given more info about it by the main team once you guys meet up with them. They shouldn't be much above your level" Mai clarified.

"Take this mission seriously. People's lives depend on it" She glared at them "Do not engage in a battle. Just distract and get the hell out. Understood?" It was more of a statement than a question. They all gave a quick, precise nod and dismissed.

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Naruto and other stocked themselves with a considerable amount of explosive tags and kunai, the cheapest and best way of distraction. After informing the gatekeeper, they departed from the camp at dusk. The team maintained a good formation along the way. They had already worked together in an endless amount of team training sessions, so that they could learn to work like a team smoothly.

The trip went smooth. They planned to reach the outpost an hour before midnight, so that they have ample time to prepare for the assault.

When the team arrived in the desired clearing, a man with his face covered up was already waiting for them. "Give me the seal" he said extending his hand. Kisuke handed him a small seal given to them by Terumi. He studied the seal for a few minutes before nodding. He motioned for them to follow him.

The man led them atop a tree and through a genjutsu. The outpost was actually a small tent hidden among the braches of a thick tree under a genjutsu. The man opened the flap and motioned for them to go inside.

Inside the outpost was sitting a team of three men and a woman. One of the men had a surprised expression "Mei-sama sent a team of brats? Is this a joke?!" The kunoichi, who seemed to be the leader, said calmly "Shut it Hayato." She turned towards Naruto "Team Stampede… You have grown quite popular among the rebels. I didn't know Mei-san sent you. I'm Yui" Naruto nodded at the kunoichi. To him, she seemed fairly young to lead a team, but it would dub him as a projectionist if he doubted her "Yui-san…I assure you, we are capable of handling the assign task" Naruto bowed. Following his lead, the rest of his teammates bowed as well.

"No need for such formalities Naruto-san. We both are here for the same cause, and from the same group. Mei-san must have confidence in your team's abilities if she sent you." She motioned for all of them to sit "Make yourselves comfortable, we have much to discuss" they nodded and seated in a semicircle pattern.

Yui opened a map. Naruto groaned inwardly, there had been too much maps lately.

"This is a detailed map of Kiri. Here's the treasury which we will raid" she said pointing to place near the border. "And here" she dragged her finger to the border of Kiri "is where you will distract. We have watched the roaming patterns of the patrol team for quite a few days. They generally tend to stick to this place" Yui circled a particular place on the border.

"The patrol team is always a four men cell, among which usually two are Chunin and two are Genin. I suppose you can take care of them if something goes wrong?" After a positive response from them, Yui continued "All you have to do is take this team a few kilometres away from the border and by the time they return back, we will be done. After the mission, we will regroup at this outpost. Gather your equipment, we are leaving." She said and got up along with her team.

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Naruto was crouching on a tree branch beside Kisuke. The attack was about to begin in a few minutes. Since it was their first mission as a team and as rebels, they were all nervous. It was their chance to prove that they can do the assigned tasks to the rebels, and to prove to themselves that they had grown as a team and as individuals.

Their plan to distract the enemy patrol nins was rather straightforward; Haku, Tayuya and Emi will bombard the boundary wall with exploding tags attached to kunai and let the enemy patrol team chase them a few kilometres to a certain clearing, where a bunch of Naruto's shadow clones were waiting in order to engage the patrol team while Haku, Tayuya and Emi left. Meanwhile, Naruto and Kisuke were to be ready just in case things get ugly.

A simple plan, but effective nonetheless.

In a few minutes, Naruto and Kisuke heard a few explosions. 'It started' Naruto thought. He glanced at Kisuke, who nodded in return.

"Naruto!" Naruto's radio transmitter chirped. He became alert, there was something wrong.

"I'm listening Emi" he replied. "The situation is fucked up!" she yelled. Naruto and Kisuke stiffened. "What's happening there?" Kisuke asked. They heard a few groans and curses. It didn't take them long to realize that their teammates were getting thrashed. "There are three of them, three Jonins." Tayuya explained while catching her breadth "There's no way we can survive. It's an ambush!" she said. Naruto and Kisuke had already darted towards their teammates before Tayuya had completed her explanation.

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Emi was struggling to even defend herself properly. Everything had gone perfectly until they were ambushed.

"Fuck" she muttered as she avoided another blow from the opponent's kunai. Smirking, her opponents charged at her again. She had a feeling that he was toying with her, but she suppressed it hastily. She had never faced a full-fledged Jonin before, and to think the man in front of her was a Jonin sent a chill down her spine. He was ridiculously powerful. Avoiding yet another swipe, Emi got into a comfortable stance with her sword in front of her in a vertical position.

"Wind Dancing Blade: Signum Cuts" she mumbled and the blade glowed in fluorescent blue. Emi began striking with extreme ferocity. At this point, she was desperate to land even a single cut on the Jonin's body. The opponent jumped back considerably to avoid getting cut. Using a single hand seal, he casted Hidden Mist Jutsu and vanished from sight. She heard a sharp sound and blood began to flow from her cheek. Cursing again, Emi gripped her katana tighter. The situation was bad.

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Tayuya was currently playing her most dangerous tune. Her Doki were attacking her opponent with full force. Using the element of surprise, she had used her 'Demon Revolution jutsu' and managed to drain some of the opponent's chakra. She had used her Genjutsu, 'Chains of Fantasia', but the Jonin had quickly dispelled it. Knowing her Genjutsu won't work, Tayuya was currently had her Doki use 'Demon Revolution Jutsu' to chase the opponent.

Tayuya grunted as she jumped off to another branch. Her opponent somehow always managed to get close to her to engage in a hand-to-hand combat, but she had somehow avoided him up till now. Suddenly the area became shrouded in a thick mist. Tayuya immediately used her Doki to surround herself, but it was too late. She felt a heavy blow on her stomach and she was launched off the branch she was standing in. Tayuya heard Emi talking to Naruto and the redhead instantly began to explain Naruto and Kisuke their situation. The situation was bad.

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Haku had warned the girls a few moments before the ambush had started. Ruining the element of surprise of the enemy had helped them greatly. Haku had trapped the Jonin in his Demonic Ice Mirrors and he was constantly attacking the enemy, but with no avail. The Jonin had proved that he had earned the rank by avoiding almost every senbon thrown at him. Haku had had a few of his projectiles embed the enemy Nin, but it was not hit on any critical spot. Haku noticed the mist, but it didn't bother him since he was already used to it.

Haku dived in for another attacked. He was about to use his kunai when the Jonin punched him in the gut. Haku coughed and stumbled a bit but managed to get back inside one of his mirror. The enemy had just defeated him in speed. He heard the girls talking to Naruto over the transmitter. Haku's face hardened. He will have to hold the opponent at bay till back up arrives. The situation was bad.

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Kisuke was running as fast as he can. He was already way ahead of Naruto. Now that he thought about it, they had no means of contacting the camp, so they were on their own. He doubted that even the five of them could take out three Jonins. Sending these thoughts at the back of his mind, he concentrated on rushing. Speed was his specialty after all.

After a few minutes of travel, he could see the chakra-laced mist. He slowed his speed down a little to observe. Kisuke heard the clashing sounds of metal and followed the sound.

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Emi's eyes were closed. Since she couldn't see in this mist anyway, she decided to close her eyes and concentrate on other senses. She could slightly hear when the Jonin was about to attack but her reflexes were slow in comparison. The Jonin gifted her with another cut on the biceps and she opened her eyes in frustration. She abruptly heard someone say "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough"

The mist abandoned the area around her and she saw Kisuke standing in front of her with his hands in a clapping position. The Jonin was standing a few metres beside her, and he looked pissed.

"About time you show up" she said, gaining confidence.

Kisuke winced a little at her condition. She had multiple over the body and a few bruises here and there.

"Now that I'm here, let's beat this bastard sick" he said. Emi smirked. She knew they stand very little chance against the man, but having someone by your side was always a confidence booster.

Kisuke with his two kunai and Emi with her katana charged at the Jonin. The combat was ferocious, with Emi and Kisuke's teamwork and the Jonin's skill with kunai. They managed to land a few kicks on him, but it didn't counted much. After blocking the latest strike from Emi, the man lashed out at her with a reverse hook kick, which sent her sprawling to the ground. Continuing the motion, he landed a solid right hook on Kisuke's jaw, tossing him head first.

They both got up and made eye contact. It was time for another strategy. This time, Emi rushed ahead and used 'Signum Cuts'. When the Jonin leapt away, Kisuke dashed near him and used 'Wind Style: Great Breakthrough" and launched the man while he was still mid-air, towards Emi. Emi gave the surprised a powerful horizontal swipe, but he blocked it with his kunai. She gritted her teeth and glanced at Kisuke. He was frustrated as well. Nothing seemed to work against him, but they had to do it somehow. Cursing, they both once again attacked the enemy Nin.

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When Naruto arrived at the scene, he saw Kisuke and Emi double-teamed against a Jonin. He glanced in the other direction to find Haku's Demonic Ice Mirrors and Tayuya struggling against a Jonin. Naruto made two scores of Shadow Clones and sent them to help Haku while he himself rushed towards Tayuya.

Tayuya was sprawled down on the ground when Naruto got to her. His face twisted with agony when he saw her badly bruised. He stretched his hand and she took it while sighing with relief. Tayuya got up and noticed his expression.

"Don't worry. We can take the fucker together" she said, giving him hope. Naruto gave her a confident nod.

Naruto created a huge number of shadow clones, which simultaneously attacked the Jonin while Tayuya guided her Doki, looking for an opening and exploiting it. The plan failed miserably when the Jonin started using Ninjutsu and sliced through the clones without batting an eye. Naruto clones used several Taijutsu combos and some Ninjutsu combos, but it was rendered useless against the opponent. Growling, Naruto formed a Rasengan and charged at the enemy himself after making a dozen Shadow Clones to guard Tayuya, much to her irritation.

Seeing the original coming, the Kiri Jonin hastily formed a Water Dragon and lashed out at Naruto, who barely dodged the dragon by substituting himself with a clone. Several of the clones made a Rasengan and growled, making it difficult for the man to spot the original one. The assault began and after several minutes of dodging and weaving through the crowd, the Jonin finally got hit by one of the Tayuya's Doki. The force threw him and he smashed a tree, narrowly saving his head from the collision. The man got up in rage and made several Water Clones. His clones charged at the mob while he himself made Twin Water Dragons.

The Water Clones easily cleared the field, leaving only a score of Naruto clones behind. Naruto and his clones had managed to dissipate most of the man's Water Clones, but a few still remained. The clones backed up to guard the Jonin. The Jonin smirked and began a series of hand-seals.

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Haku saw the batch of Naruto clones coming to help him and he eased up a bit. A dozen Shadow Clones entered the mirror dome, ready to pounce at the enemy while the others stood outside. The clones began trying to grab the Jonin so that he couldn't avoid Haku's senbons but the end result was pathetic, with the clones unable to land even a single hit on the enemy in the confined space. Haku growled, his expert hands being unable to land a clean senbons hit. After several minutes of struggle, Haku finally managed to hit the Jonin on his shoulder with the help of Naruto clones. It wasn't deadly, but it was painful.

The man grunted in pain and snapped. He snatched the senbons from his shoulder and threw it on the ground. He formed about a dozen hand-seals with unbelievable speed and yelled "Water Style: Scald!" A blast of boiling water hit the dome, instantly bursting the clones. The Jonin changed the hand-seal and reshaped the water in the form of a few drills. The drills smashed the Ice Mirrors. After a few moments, the mirrors cracked. Haku's eyes widened as he made an escape from the dome but the enemy had his path blocked. The Jonin landed a solid side-kick on his ribs, making the kekkei-genkai user cluck in pain as he fell to the ground. Haku was struggling to get to his feet when he heard the Jonin fighting Tayuya and Naruto yell "Water Style: Waterfall!"

As waves of water filled the area with unimaginable speed, Haku watched as the waves swallowed Tayuya and Naruto and all the clones vanished in a puff of smoke. With not enough time to escape, he glanced at Emi and Kisuke, who were shouting at him frantically to get away. Haku closed his eyes as he felt the waves sweep him off the land.

Horrified, Kisuke and Emi looked at each other. They tried to escape but the three Jonins had regrouped and blocked their path. The Jonins attacked in a Taijutsu combination, hitting them ruthlessly. They fell to the ground in a few moments and were completely helpless when the waves crashed upon them.

AN: This chapter is a little short, but it felt right to end it there.

If you find any mistakes or plot-holes, feel free to correct me.

Smell ya later.