Hello everyone! I wish all a Happy 2022, hoping we will finally slay this pandemic.

Then again, when people are resorting to cure covid by drinking their own piss instead of taking the damn shot, things are looking bad…

Oh well, let's put that aside: we made it to the end of the First Arc! (Unleashes Party Popper)

Hope you all enjoy!


The Land of Waves was normally regarded as a quiet island. With Gato's suppression, everyone knew their place, and kept their heads low.

However, this was not one of those nights. And they may never have one like that again.

The island came alive, people celebrating on the streets. Fireworks broke out, dancing was everywhere. Even some rather…adult activities were on the menu. It wasn't all fun and games though; with Gato being the de facto law enforcement, his properties were looted and set ablaze. Rumors came about of the councilmen going into hiding, having been in his pocket. Tazuna would later explain there would have been chaos whether Gato relinquished power willingly or not. And with the frustration of the natives building over the years, it needed release. Many of the able-bodied islanders volunteered to make sure nothing went too out of control.

All the while, Tazuna's closest friends and family celebrated in his home, Team 7 being the stars of the party.

Kakashi was slumped in his chair and covered in bandages, looking outright miserable it spite of everything going on around him. Sakura came out looking relatively okay, having a few bandages around her arms and forehead, with otherwise no serious injuries. Sasuke was almost as heavily bandaged as Kakashi, but was still relatively mobile.

The most surprising was Naruto. Like everyone else, he suffered injuries. He was treated, but after an hour or two of rest, he seemed fine, taking off his bandages and showing no visible reason for new ones. "Just how is it you don't have a scratch on you?" Sakura asked.

"I don't know." Naruto shrugged. "Good genes?"

"To be fair, that's actually plausible." Sasuke moaned. He then twitched sharply "Ngh! Maybe I should have stayed asleep."

"You've no one to blame but yourself." Naruto stated, matter of factly.

"You were trapped."

"Yeah, but you still didn't have to do that." Naruto shot back. "I probably would have been fine, his needles didn't affect me."

Naruto's head bent back as Sakura pinched his ear and pulled him in. "Baka! Don't push it! Next time it might be something you can't just shrug off!"

"Ow. Point taken." Naruto moaned. Satisfied, Sakura released him. "Still, that was too close for all of us." Naruto said.

"Well, we made it." Sasuke said. "Thanks in no small part to you."

Naruto began to chuckle, and suddenly hoped onto the table and pumped his fists. "First, those punks! Next, the Hokage title is mine!" The others, ignorant to how the ninja world worked, raised their mugs and cheered him. Naruto prepared to dismount, and turned around to land in his seat. However, he misjudged the distance and his foot slipped. "W-w-whoa!" Naruto fell over the table and onto the back of his head. Naruto moaned as the adults laughed.

"Here." Sakura said, helping him up. "Serves you right for being so cocky."

Naruto rubbed his neck. "I'll…I'll keep that in mind."

"Still, don't feel too bad." Tazuna smiled, as he took a puff from his pipe. "You saved us. If you hadn't gotten to those two, who knows how things could have turned out even under the best of circumstances. You probably saved a lot of lives through your words alone."

Naruto smiled, but then looked away. "I couldn't save them."

"For what it's worth, I think you did in the end." Tazuna said sincerely. "You unlocked something in them they buried for a long time. I'd imagine feeling that again, made them feel alive again. If only for a moment." Tazuna rubbed his chin. "Still, I'm concerned about Gato. He may have gotten away…"

"Tazuna?" One of the villagers came up to him. "A word?"

Tazuna out out his pipe with no hesitation. "A moment, kids. Enjoy the feast."

Kakashi had a feeling what was up. In spite of his condition, he forced himself up with his lone crutch and hobbled forward.


"Did you find him?" Tazuna asked.

The man, one of the island's divers, confirmed. "Yeah." He said. "Found him at the bottom of the bay. The kunai missed his heart; that's not what killed him…"

"He drowned." Tazuna finished. The diver nodded. "After everything he did to us, can't help but feeling sorry for him. Drowning IS a bad way to go." Tazuna rubbed his face, remembering the situation the crime lord put him in. "Does feel like karmic justice though." He then turned to the team, having a good time at the table. "Guess I should tell them…"

He then felt a firm grasp on his shoulder. Kakashi stood before him; despite how injured he was, he still made Tazuna feel so small. The only thing that did not freak him out was the firm, but amicable feeling of the ninja's hand. "Actually, I would prefer it if we kept quiet about this. I'll inform the Hokage in time." He too looked towards the young genin. "The first kill to most is a somber moment. For Naruto, this early, I fear it could destroy him."

Tazuna sighed, nodding in agreement. "Guess for all that power, he wasn't meant to be a ninja, is he?"

Kakashi only stared forward as he saw Naruto smile and laugh with his friends. He had expected Sasuke to kill first, but it felt fate had it in for Naruto too. He feared what would happen if Sakura was forced to kill. "Perhaps not." He agreed. "And that may be why we need him." The jonin carefully limped back towards the table.


Kakashi made his way back to the team. "Is something wrong, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked.

Kakashi breathed before opening his mouth. "Gato is missing."

Naruto's eyes widened. "He got away?!"

"It seems so." Kakashi sighed. "But I wouldn't worry. We decimated his army, and now that the islanders know they can fight back, Gato would not dare to return. Not without serious backing, and I don't think he will get it." He assured them. "Our mission is complete. Let us enjoy the festivities…" Kakashi groaned as he gripped his left. "But avoid opening your stitches, please."

Naruto nodded. Something was off… but then he was then distracted by Tazuna firmly clasping a hand on his shoulder. "Let's hear it for Naruto and his friends!" The bridge builder cheered.

"Here here!" Everyone raised their mugs. Naruto raised his own mug (of juice), and his teammates smiled for him, raising their drinks after.

Kakashi couldn't help but smile. "Enjoy, Naruto…you're not likely to be thanked for your missions later."


After a few days, everyone recovered enough to move. But before they left, they had one more thing to do: They had to lay Zabuza and Haku to rest.

The villagers agreed to help them, and put the two fallen nin in fresh graves within the park. Even though they had caused the islanders pain, they were also victims of Gato. Naruto and Sakura looked on, a bit shell-shocked; neither had seen a death before, Naruto oblivious to Mizuki's fate from a month and a half ago. As Kakashi had surmised, they never truly understood the consequence of death until this mission. Sasuke, though sympathetic, did not show any outward emotions. "I should have known." The jonin thought.

After lighting some incense, they all prayed. After a few minutes, Naruto spoke up. "Kakashi-sensei…is what Zabuza said true?"

"What was true?"

Naruto seemed to hesitate before speaking up. "Are we really just tools? Pawns to be discarded?"

Kakashi looked on, searching for an appropriate answer. "For many ninja, it is true." The others looked at him, Sakura in particular shocked at his answer. "Unfortunately, ninja by law are bound to their leader, and by extension, their clients. And often, neither one have the best interest of their ninja in mind. Failure to obey can result in exile, if you're lucky. More often than not, it results in death."

Naruto gulped, as he asked another question. "Did the old man ever force anyone to do something they didn't want to do?"

Kakashi straightened his back, as he sighed. "Have any of you heard of the White Fang of Konoha?"

Naruto blinked, clueless as predicted. Sakura answered "I heard him mentioned, but not much was written about him."

Kakashi seemed to be in deep thought. "The White Fang was one of Konoha's finest shinobi. If needed, he would be there in an instant." Kakashi snapped his fingers for emphasis. "He was an excellent fighter, and expert swordsman. And yet, he died in disgrace."

Naruto's eyes widened. "What?"

"During the 2nd Shinobi War, it was a time of famine. Our only ally was Kiri, where Zabuza came from. The White Fang was on a mission to fight the then Raikage. However, his teammates from childhood had been captured by Suna. He reversed course, and saved his friends, killing two powerful Suna Jonin in the process."

"That sounds amazing!" Sakura said in awe.

"Brace yourself." Sasuke warned her. "I've a feeling this doesn't have a happy ending."

"Indeed." Kakashi said. "He saved his friends. But when he abandoned his mission, the Raikage was able to carry put his plan and kill a dozen Konoha nin. The White Fang made a the choice to save his friends over his mission, and thus, condemned his comrades to death. He was shunned by the village, including those he rescued, and stripped of his rank." Kakashi turned away from the teens. "Among those that died because of him, was his own wife. And his son…"

Sakura noticed Kakashi momentarily clenched his fist, before relaxing it. "Point is, we are given orders. And you must treat those orders like they are for the good of everyone."

Naruto frowned. "I don't like that." Crossing his arms, his frown turned into a scowl. "I don't like that at all."

"Naruto…we did good here." Kakashi told him, looking at him honestly. "The Hokage is a good man. He does everything in his power to not only succeed in the missions, but to make sure we come home alive. And he has done his best to make sure none of us would do anything inhumane."

"I understand that." Naruto said. "But after meeting Zabuza and Haku, I realize not all of us are that lucky." Naruto placed his hands on his hips. "I'll go along with this. For now." Naruto then smiled at Kakashi. "But know this, Kakashi-sensei! Once I'm in charge, there will be significant changes!"

Kakashi sighed. He could barely suppress his smile as he turned around, making sure his team didn't catch it. "If you make it…I hope so." Kakashi walked on ahead.

As Naruto followed, Sakura ran up to him. "You liked them, didn't you?"

Naruto sighed, still smiling. "Sorry, Sakura-chan. I know they hurt us, tried to kill us. But I can't help but feel bad for them." He looked up to the sky. "I truly think if circumstances were different, they could have been good people. Maybe even friends."

"If this is the path you choose, you will need allies." Sasuke walked up to him. " 'Cause you will make enemies."

"Hey, I'm not talking about a rebellion!" Naruto protested.

"Didn't say you were. But my father once said, 'Sometimes politics is a graver conflict than war."

The other two looked at him stunned. "Your Dad is a wise man, Sasuke-kun." Sakura said, putting her hands together.

Sasuke only looked away. Naruto blinked; it seemed Sakura's compliment hurt him somehow.


Finally, the day came for Team 7 to leave. Kakashi insisted he was well enough to walk, and none of the genin protested. They stood at the center of the bridge, facing the island. Tazuna, Inari, and the rest of the islanders faced them. "Sorry 'bout the bridge." Naruto smiled nervously, scratching his head. The scars of the battle were present in the concrete, and the railings were still in the ocean. At this point everyone would have to be cautious about how they traversed the bridge.

"Don't worry about it." Tazuna smiled, much chipper than he had been in years. "Your mission was to protect me. And in spite of a few hiccups, you succeeded." They suddenly heard a cable snap, near where Gato fell over. Tazuna sighed. "Okay, a LOT of hiccups." Tazuna corrected himself. "But my point stands. You not only protected me, but everyone. The bridge may be a wreck, but we can rebuild."

"Not only that, but you helped me remember why Papa gave his life for us." Inari cut in. "Now, I'm no longer afraid to do what's right. I don't resent Papa for doing his best anymore. I'm thankful." Inari cried, but it was tears out of happiness. "I think Papa was still protecting us. Through you. So, thank you." Inari bowed, and the other islanders followed.

Naruto began to blush, and Sasuke looked away nervously. "Boys, bow." Sakura insisted. "It's rude to not return it." Team 7 bowed back.

As they rose Tazuna announced "Hey Naruto!" Naruto blinked, showing his attention. "The others and I talked it over, and we came up with a name for the bridge."

"Oh." Naruto said, "That's nice."

"We're calling it the 'Great Naruto Bridge.'" Tazuna announced to the surprise of all the ninja. "What do ya say to that?"

Naruto's eyes widened in shell-shock. "Wha-?!"

"I'll be honest, I expected nothing from you." Tazuna said. "But against all odds, you never gave up. You not only exceeded expectations, but your courage allowed others to grow stronger around you." Tazuna crossed his arms as his grin widened. "That was why I made this thing in the first place. So, how 'bout it?" He repeated.

Naruto's eyes watered. He cried before, but this was different. To be recognized, praised…it was everything he wanted, and yet he realized he never actually believed he could ever achieve this! Naruto bowed again without any prodding from Sakura this time. "T-thank you." Naruto choked out, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

"Thank you, Tazuna-san." Kakashi said as he put his hands together, bowing slightly. "You were the best client I ever had. You had a wonderful dream, one for everyone to enjoy and worth protecting, My students couldn't have asked for a better first mission." He relaxed, and said "Still, it is time we took our leave. We must continue our recovery in Konoha, and soon our next mission will await." Kakashi waved to his students. "You all did great. Now, let us finish this journey and begin a new one."

As Team 7 crossed back over to the mainland, Inari felt a tear drop again. "Gramps…" Inari choked. "Will we see them again?"

"Inari…" Tazuna said as he placed a firm hand on Inari's shoulder. "I don't doubt it for a second."


The team got ready to run like they did on the way over, but Kakashi held his hand out. "No running. Not today." He needn't say anymore; he still hadn't fully recovered. Just as well, Sasuke thought. He wasn't sure he was up to it either.

"I'm in no hurry, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto said. "But how-?"

"There's a wagon stop on the way." Kakashi said, pointing forward. "We'll hitch a ride there."

If it's good to complicate, then both of us are doing fine…

For a moment, the team walked in silence. However, Naruto eyed Sasuke, and began to sneer. "It's lucky you've got me on this team, eh, Sasuke?"

Just keep your eyes on your part, and leave me alone to mine…

Sasuke looked to him, and raised his head slightly. "Sure. The distraction was helpful."

If it's good to instigate, we're a fast horse, bet on us….

A blood vessel popped in Naruto's head. "What'd you say, teme?!"

I'm not calling you an animal, I think we just fight too much…

"Oh, will you two grow up?!" Sakura interrupted. "I swear, the two of you together regress to half your age when you start talking!"

Come on, in spite of this, we're doing just fine

Even diamonds start as coal

The two boys looked away, refusing to acknowledge the other. The two eyed each other, and Sasuke ultimately relented. "Thanks." He said.

Give us time to shine

Even diamonds start as coal


We're both aligned in frame of mind, but circumstance's got us good.

"Seriously though, could've used a fireball." Naruto quipped as the team waited on the bench. The civilians stared at Kakashi with his mask, who just smiled and waved weakly.

"Yes, and we could have done with more subtlety." Sasuke shot back.

"I think we all have areas where we can improve." Sakura said, trying to mediate this conversation.

And now you're seeing a side of me I wished no one ever would

"Will you guys just get off my case!" Naruto snapped. "I'm trying, okay?!"

Yeah if it's right to pick a fight, we're fingers in a sugar bowl

"Maybe you should understand we're trying to help you!" Sasuke snapped back.

Kakashi sighed as he saw the two boys look away from each other. Guess he had no choice but to step in. "Stop being so stubborn, you two. You care about one another, and this mission was a wake up call for you both." Naruto and Sasuke slightly relaxed. "If nothing else, I'd say that alone is progress." Kakashi added. "In the future, you need to turn your disagreements into strength."

Love isn't perfect, even diamonds start out as coal

Sakura smiled as she saw them finally loosen up, and bumped fists. "They'll never admit it, but they're good friends. Maybe more."

In spite of this, we're doing just fine

Even diamonds start as coal

Finally, the wagon pulled up, two oxen pulling it. Kakashi rose, but was having difficulty. The two boys immediately went under his shoulders to support him before he could fall. "Thanks."

Give us time to shine

Even diamonds start as coal

Even diamonds start as coal

Sakura pulled out a blanket, laying it on the wagon for Kakashi to lay down. "This mission…was almost a disaster." He said. "You weren't ready for this kind of thing, but we all made it out alive. We just might make it in the long run."

Yeah, we're incomplete, and infantile

Even diamonds start as coal

The genin smiled, and nodded.


Give it time girl, the fire feels divine

Sakura rubbed her hands before she put them near the campfire they had going. The wagon took them as far as Kakashi could afford, and they camped out again for the night.

The sweetest things, they burn before they shine

She looked to Naruto, doing pushups. It looked like he was about to collapse, sweating profusely in spite of the cool temperature.

We think way too much (We think way too much)

She then looked to Sasuke, who just stared out into the night sky, in deep thought. She asked if everything was okay, but he brushed her off as usual.

Look at us losing touch! (Now we're losing touch)

Naruto then sat next to her, presenting a protein bar. "Inari gave these to us. They're not as good as candy, but I think it beats those pills."

Sakura closed her eyes and smiled, as she gratefully accepted the bar. Sasuke finally came back to join them by the fire, sitting next to Sakura on her opposite side.

A promise is a promise until

Yeah, in spite of this, we're doing just fine

Even diamonds start as coal


Kakashi was finally starting to regain his mobility; he couldn't go at full speed, but he managed to get the genin to run, which they gladly did, following him. "Even as hurt as I am now, had we done this back then, they still wouldn't have been able to keep up."

Give us time to shine

Even diamonds start as coal

Though still behind, they were no more than 5 meters away from him. Kakashi smiled. "They're coming along. Perhaps…they have a chance."

Even diamonds start as coal

Sasuke was still in the lead, but Naruto wasn't far behind. They were both giving their all, each one refusing to betray his weakness. Sakura suddenly began to catch up; she still had a ways to go, but now the gap between her and the boys was much smaller.

Yeah, we're incomplete and infantile

Even diamonds start as coal

Finally, the plateau and surrounding mountains that housed Konoha at its top came into view, as did the other mountains. "We're almost there!" Naruto shouted in excitement. "We're almost home!"

As they entered the surrounding forest, this time sticking to the ground, Sasuke asked "Are we going to have to climb up?"

"Normally." Kakashi replied. "But not today. We're taking the elevator."

"We had an elevator?!" Naruto exclaimed.

They stepped onto a wood platform right at the base of the mountain wall, where Kakashi pulled on the rope. The gears turned, and they slowly rose to the top.


"I see." Hiruzen said as he looked over the report. Kakashi and his genin stood at attention as they awaited his thoughts. Putting the scroll down, he addressed them personally. "My apologies. I knew Tazuna was in trouble, but I never imagined it would escalate like this. Even the most vile of men are normally hesitant to hire missing nin; it's considered akin to taming a tiger."

Hiruzen pulled out a paper and put a stamp on it, confirming the mission as complete. "I must commend you, all of you. Not only for succeeding in your mission, but making it out alive. Kakashi, you have done a fantastic job of leading your team and protecting them."

"If I may be frank, Hokage-sama…" Kakashi began. "…we had too many close calls to my liking."

"Spoken like a true leader." The Sandaime replied in satisfaction. "Congratulations are due to you three as well." He said, addressing the genin. "You were promised a simple bodyguard mission that turned into an A-class mission, if not higher. And not only did you survive, you bravely faced your adversaries with true courage. I will see to it your pay is adjusted accordingly."

Naruto chuckled, scratching his head. "I suppose you didn't have to go through something like this?"

Hiruzen stopped his writing, and put his pen down. He seemed to be in deep thought…


30 years ago…

The sun rose, its rays etching through the trees. A younger Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned against one, holding his abdomen as he breathed heavily. He won a decisive victory against an enemy, but not unscathed. A young girl with blond hair tied in a ponytail and a teal kimono placed her hands over his left arm, a green energy bubble between them. "That's much better already. Thank you, Tsunade." He said. "You do your great uncle proud."

The girl named Tsunade smiled, and nodded. She was a novice medic, yet her research in medical ninjutsu already put her adult peers to shame. He also saw the makings of a great fighter in her.

"Orochimaru," He addressed another of his students, a boy in a gray kimono with a purple rope belt, the knot on his back. He had long black hair, but otherwise looked rather unremarkable. Even so, he had 2 of the highest scores in the academy, tied with Tsunade herself. And based on what he observed from the battle, the academy was a poor metric of his true potential. Orochimaru stopped sharpening his tsurugi sword to look at him. "Excellent." Hiruzen finished. "As expected." Orochimaru simply nodded in acknowledgment. If there was one thing Hiruzen didn't like about this amazing kid, it was his complete absence of emotion. It may have had something to do with the death of his parents. Hiruzen thought of counseling him, but felt he wasn't best qualified. "He'll open up," he told himself. "Earned praise can do wonders."

He then looked to his last student, and for a moment paused. The boy in question had thick white hair, was a shade darker than most of the others, and sported red eye liner under hi eyes, purely cosmetic on his part. He also wore an azure kimono over his black ninja attire. This kid was a handful. He was near the bottom of the graduating class, and was boisterous and loud; generally considered the opposite of what shinobi should be. He had trouble getting through to this kid. On top of that, the boy's actions nearly got him killed; it was only thanks to Tsunade he even survived. Currently, he laid back and chuckled staring at the local Ninja Illustrated he had.

Hiruzen quickly turned to Tsunade. "How is it?"

"Just…about…done!" Tsunade withdrew her hands, and Hiruzen rubbed where the wound once was. "It may still hurt a bit, so please be careful sensei."

Hiruzen nodded. "Tsunade, Orochimaru. Please go gather some firewood."

"It's morning." The problem child said in confusion.

"Now that is an epitome of not seeing the forest for the trees," Orochimaru quipped, still not smiling.

"What?!"

"It means sensei wants to talk to you alone, dum-dum." Tsunade sighed, giving him a stern look.

The kid just gave her the stink-eye, and quipped "Or maybe he's trying to say he doesn't want flat-chested little girls on the team." He finished by blowing her a raspberry.

There was a pause, as Tsunade's brow twitched. Hiruzen sighed as he tried to settle in the brief calm before the storm. Tsunade suddenly went berserk as she stomped on the boy's body. While Orochimaru acted indifferent, the boy and Tsunade couldn't stand one another. Hiruzen personally enjoyed watching this, but still, he had to be the adult here. "I better stop this before she sends him to the center of the earth." "Okay Tsunade, that's enough. I think you made your point."

Tsunade relented and turned, leaving the boy in a crater the shape of his body that had to be 12 centimeters deep. His twitching was the only indication her was still alive. "C'mon, Orochimaru!" She huffed. Orochimaru followed her, leaving their teacher to the student.

Hiruzen sighed "When are you going to grow up, Jiraiya?" Jiraiya sat up, scowling at him. "I've tried to instill the tactics of the ninja into you, and instead of hiding, you leave yourself out in the open to be attacked!"

"Yeah, and it was because of me you guys were able to take advantage of him!" Jiraiya shot back.

"You call that stupid dance a distraction?!"

"I don't know; what would you call being frozen and stupefied for 5 seconds?! Trust me, I counted! I expected you guys in 3, tops!"

Hiruzen grabbed his face and groaned. The most infuriating thing about Jiraiya was that he tended to break most of the norms of ninjutsu, get himself into trouble, and YET…he often made his way work. This mission was more dangerous than the Hokage said it would be. Not his fault; even the best of intelligence can make mistakes. The opponent was on Hiruzen's level, and had an apprentice to back him up. It was because of Jiraiya's unorthodox methods that they managed to etch out a win. But it was so risky, too risky for the future to his liking. "You could have been killed." Hiruzen sighed. "Jiraiya, I don't deny I like your thinking outside box. You have great ideas, but you are too eager to field-test them. If you're not careful, your next mission will be your last."

Jiraiya sighed. "You know how I was even able to get close to him in the first place?" Jiraiya made his signs: the tiger, the ram, and finally, the snake. Jiraiya suddenly turned invisible, almost.

Hiruzen could make him out from his close proximity, but from a distance this was a great camouflage, bending the light around him! "Jir-Jiraiya!" He exclaimed in amazement. "Incredible! Where did you learn this?!"

Jiraiya chuckled, crossing his arms behind his head and chuckling as he undid it. "I invented it!"

"Really?!"

"Yeah!" Jiraiya confirmed. "Couldn't get close to the woman's baths otherwise!"

Hiruzen's face went from ecstatic to disgust in no time as he whacked the boy across the head. "You fool!" He shouted. "You invented this technique for your lecherous vices?!"

Jiraiya rubbed his head and grumbled. "You wouldn't be saying that if you came with me."

"I sincerely doubt that!"

"Biwako-san goes there."

Hiruzen stopped. Biwako was considered one of the most beautiful kunoichi of their generation. Many of Hiruzen's peers courted her, and she brushed them all off like fleas.

"She likes to go Fridays." Jiraiya said. "Around 7."

Hiruzen felt his face flush as he looked away. "You promise?"

Jiraiya smiled, feeling victorious.


Hiruzen cracked a small smile at the memory. "Something like that." He said. Signing off the last sheet relevant to the mission, he said "Anyway, you have earned your break."

"Come again?" Naruto asked.

"After completing their first mission above D-rank, genin are allowed a week off at least." Hiruzen explained. "You will still attend Ibuki's class, but otherwise we allow you a sabbatical in order to recover." Naruto groaned at still having to attend the class. "Now, rest well! More missions will be on the horizon soon! And given your performance on this one, I will have high expectations for you all in the future!"


"Do you have the week off as well, sensei?" Sakura asked as they stepped outside.

"More or less." Kakashi said. "Jonin are usually on call every day, but because of the injuries I've sustained, yes, Hokage-sama is letting me take it easy as long as you three will." Holding out his hand, he said "Anyhow, enjoy your time off." Kakashi walked further along as he pulled out his Make Out Paradise book and began to read again. Under his mask, his skin was flushed for a more…euphoric reason. "Now I can TRULY enjoy my book, the way it was meant to be." He began to walk rather briskly towards his apartment.

Back with the rest of the genin, Naruto stretched and cracked his joints. "Well, I'll see you guys later." Naruto smiled back at his teammates. "Let's do our best for the next mission, whenever it comes. Right?" Sakura nodded enthusiastically, Sasuke just gave an affirmative smirk. "See you then!"

As Naruto walked off, Sakura then shouted "Whatever you do, don't push yourself! Remember, Hokage-sama wants us to rest!"

"Don't worry, Sakura-chan!" Naruto waved back. "After what we went through, I'm going to be sleeping and goofing off all week!"

Sakura pouted. "Damn it, Naruto! That's not what I meant! Even when you do the right thing, you go too far with it!"

Sakura then turned to Sasuke. "So, Sasuke-kun…" Sakura stopped herself for a moment. Her subconscious said "Usual tactics won't work! But…perhaps we can pull THAT…" No, that wouldn't work, right? She saw it in her Dad's Sunday paper….

"…how have you been feeling since the fight?"

She didn't notice Sasuke tense up slightly as she spoke, but upon hearing the second part of her sentence, he relaxed. "Fine." Sasuke answered, looking straight ahead.

"So far so good…" Sakura thought, preparing the next question."How's the weather going to be this week?"

"Fine."

"Could you give me some tips on the shuriken and taijutsu sometime this week?"

"Fine."

"How 'bout we go out for date this Friday?" Sakura did her best to keep her voice even on this one.

"Fine." Sasuke answered. His stride slowed down, and his head shot up as his eyes widened, realization having dawned on him. "Wait, what-!"

"Yes!" Sakura pumped her fist. She skipped backwards facing him. "I'll see you Friday at six! You know where I live!" Sakura disappeared by the corner, taking a moment to wink at him.

Sasuke just stared, as his hand trembled. "Friday will interfere with my meeting…" Suddenly, he relaxed and smirked. "Clever girl…"


And that will be that! So… (Turns to Team 7) Congratulations you three! You made it!

Naruto pumps his arms: Yeah! Now next, is the chunin exams!

Me: Uh, yeah, about that…we're not doing that here.

Team 7 freezes: What?

Me: At least, not yet. From here, we're REALLY branching away from the canon material.

Sakura: But I still get my date with Sasuke-kun!

Me: (Silence)

Sakura: What?

Me: I didn't say anything.

Sakura: But, it's happening. Right?

Me: Uh…it will, and it won't.

Sakura: Cracks knuckles

Me: Please, you're not at Shippuden level yet. (Ducks under shuriken) What?!

Sakura: I still carry lethal weapons!

Me: (Hides behind table while boys restrain her). Um, anyway. Point is, branching off in new directions. Exciting!

Anyway, you may have noticed those lines in Italics. They're the lyrics to Incubus' song "Diamonds and Coal" I'll admit, I may not have the best taste in music at times, but I felt the song fits here (plus I heard Incubus was very popular in Japan back in the day, so maybe it would go well). I would like feedback on how I integrated the lyrics into the scenes.

I've already alluded to Kakashi's father and his failures here. In addition, I made it so that his own wife died in the mission he abandoned. I also introduced the Sanin, albeit in their younger years.

One thing I want to point out is that Orochimaru in his youth, at least in this universe, looks normal. His adult form will be more canon-compliant and explained.

Also, Biwako is Hiruzen's wife. Jiraiya helped his sensei find his soulmate…and probably nearly got both of them killed in the process.

So, I will see you all again soon!