To start this off, I have no affiliation with the creation of Naruto. The Original work of Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, and what I am working on is purely a Fan Fiction. Please support the original. That said, let us get to the story.
- let us start this chapter!-
Silence in the forest only broken as the three Genin swiftly moved through the trees. Quiet, only the simplest of movements to approach their target. A bush nearby shook; the three closed the distance in a split moment.
"How far is the target?" Kakashi spoke over their radio in another location altogether. The elite ninja's eyes were closed as he focused on his team.
"Five meters and closing. Everyone ready?" Naruto was excited to end the mission, as their target had run them through nearly half the town already.
"I'm in position," Uzume spoke up.
"Same" Sasuke peered over a branch to view for any escape routes it may take.
"Alright... GO!" Kakashi ordered.
In the instant following, the three broke away from their hiding place. Naruto charged before the others, the target spooked by the three ninja closing distance. Sasuke already cut off its escape, making it freeze in place. Naruto grasp wrapped the furred body of the feline escapee. Following hiss, claws exposed and met with Naruto's flesh.
"OW ow ow. Stop it!" Naruto cried out as the cat sliced at his face to escape. Uzume's finger lightly touched the feline and sent a small amount of chakra into its body. As violent as it was, the eyes became dazed before it went limp in Naruto's head. "What did you do to it?" Naruto was a little frightened that the cat was dead.
"Genjutsu: Hypnosis. I only compelled it to sleep until I released it." Uzume gently lifted the cat from naruto's hands. "It is so it, and you don't hurt each other." She snuggled the soft fur, the twins unable to have a pet simply because it was not part of the budget for their living arrangements. It was also possible that their apartment did not allow for pets, but she never checked.
"Remember, our quarry has a red ribbon on its right ear that says 'Tiger' on it. Make sure there is no mistake." Kakashi's voice came over the radio once more.
"Target confirmed." Sasuke checked the red ribbon on the cat, Uzume handling the oversized cat. The young shinobi was a little annoyed by the pain this cat gave them.
"Good. Mission: Find Missing Pet is completed. Let us meet up and head back to the main office." Kakashi ordered once more, taking the leisurely stroll as it was a simple mission. He remembered taking a few, but he rose through the ranks quicker than most Genin thanks to the war.
-Konoha Main Building-
"My poor little Tiger! Mommy was so frightened for you." The owner, a large woman who was dressed much fancier than most, called out as picked the animal from Uzume's hold. Pulling the cat close as she hugged it tightly. "So peaceful! You must have gotten so tired making these fine ninjas chase you."
Uzume was not sure if she should release the Genjutsu yet, the feline having escaped from its master before. It was likely they would have to chase the cat again if it escaped before payment was obtained. She thought it might be fun, but the others did not seem to enjoy chasing cats.
"Excellent. Now, what shall the next task for Team Seven, led by Kakashi, should be. Babysitting for the council elders? Running Errands to a neighboring Village? Help to dig sweet potatoes?" The elder ninja, the Hokage, spoke as he looked up. Naruto was not vocal, but the drop of his head and arms showed just what he thought of the missions. He at least paid proper respect around him, though he wished his memorial on the mountainside received the same treatment from time to time. "Naruto, you seem to have something to say about these missions."
Naruto's blue eyes lifted to look at the Hokage. Grumbling a bit before he stood up. "Permission to speak freely." Naruto knew that if he just said what he thought it would turn into a yelling match between him and Iruka. And his old teacher had proven more than once, Iruka was the champ of raising his voice.
"Granted." Hokage responded, his hand lifted up to keep Iruka from standing.
"I was hoping for something a bit more... I don't know. Impressive. These missions are supposed to build up experience, I know. But how does digging potatoes help you become a better ninja? How does babysitting or running errands? Finding lost pets even!" Naruto's eyes seem to plead to his former teacher and the Hokage. "These missions all feel like they don't test me. I was hoping that finishing this mission so quickly, as well as the five others we completed with success, that we might be given something with a bit more challenge."
The Hokage puffed on his pipe lightly, the embers brightened as he thought. "So, you feel you have proven yourself responsible enough for a higher rank mission, that you are adult enough to hand missions that could be important to the whole village." The Hokage attempted to put weight behind the missions he was asking for. "They are not meant to be 'a challenge' for you, they are missions of importance that could affect Konoha's standing with the people around us. It takes a level of growth and understanding that is needed. On average, ten to fifteen D rank missions are required before the first C rank mission is given."
The Hokage stopped to pull another drag from his pipe and let the smoke out from his nose. He looked at Naruto once more. The young ninja clenched his fist. He then looked to Sasuke, whose gaze focused to the ground with a disappointed scowl. His gaze turned to Uzume, the young lady seemed to be the only one not disappointed by being denied a higher-ranked mission. "Kakashi, as an elite ninja who was an exception to this rule. Do you feel your team is ready for a higher rank mission?"
Iruka was surprised by the Hokage, even humoring their request. From the rate of success to be made into a team by Kakashi was already a long shot, Team seven being the first. He looked to the silver-haired Jonin, unable to read his face as the high ninja seemed lost in thought.
"Master?" Naruto spoke up as he pleaded for his Kakashi to back him up. His hopes that these missions bored Kakashi still, and that he would look for something more interesting.
Kakashi looked at the blond boy, the same lazy look that he always has. "I have reasons why they shouldn't. Many you already stated, Hokage." Kakashi lifted his hand to the back of his neck. "D Rank missions help develop the experience of how the system works. But it also has other benefits. Digging Potatoes can help develop muscles not regularly trained, as well as promote goodwill to the agricultural community. Babysitting for the council elders gives a chance of directly meet with essential members of the village and allows first-hand knowledge from those members when higher-ranked missions are made. Some tasks may be requesting a specific ninja because of previous experience."
Kakashi looked to the group and saw the defeat in Naruto, but his team leader was not finished. "And finally, the mission I would pick would be errands to neighboring villages. I do not think any of my team have ever left Konoha. Which means main roadways are uncommon knowledge to them. If they were forced to leave the village for any reason, they could easily get lost. Survival was still an option as they have had training. But what ninja gets lost going to the objective."
~Says the guy who is always late.~ Naruto and Sasuke both thought to themselves.
"Should I take that as a no?" The Hokage asked, confirming Kakashi's complete statement.
"Those are the reasons I feel they should not get a higher-ranked mission. But..." Kakashi savored the sudden brightening in Naruto's eyes. "Sasuke has shown skills in his first exercise that would imply that D Rank missions would squander his ability. Naruto has shown his skills become more apparent when pressure is put on him. His Taijutsu scores from the academy do not show the same talent he showed, for example. And Uzume, she is the one I am most worried about." Kakashi turned to his female team member. "She does not show confidence in her ability, which I fear will hold her back. But it is also because of her that many of the D Rank missions already taken were so successful. I believe a successful higher rank mission would prove her a reason to believe in herself more."
Uzume could not tell, but it felt almost like a smile came from her master. She remained quiet as she felt eyes on her again. Her mind raced as she wondered if Kakashi might still say no, only because of her now. Was she the reason the other two would be held back?
"If you ask me, after all those stated reasons... I would say I believe this team is capable of completing one of the lesser C Ranked missions." Kakashi admitted. "But still believe they have much to learn from D Ranked missions still."
The Hokage chuckled, puffing at his pipe some more. "Very well. I will allow for a C Rank mission to be granted to Team Seven. To protect an individual." Iruka was unsure of this sudden chance given, but he remained silent as the Hokage already made his choice.
"Who are we going to protect!?" Naruto's excitement was infectious, as Sasuke and Uzume were both interested in who would be their ward.
"Compose yourselves. I will introduce you now. Please, invite the client in." The Hokage motioned for one of the attendant ninja to bring in an older man.
He wore a Hachimaki rope, a symbol of courage and hard work, and sturdy cloths to show he was a man who worked hard. A bottle of booze in one hand as he looked at his wardens. "What is this? They all look like wet-nosed brats." The gruff man paused as he gulped down from his bottle. "Especially that midget over there. He has the face of an imbecile. I never knew Konoha to pull pranks and pretend kids are ninjas."
"Which one of us is he calling..." Naruto looked between his two teammates. Even Uzume had him beat by a few inches, though a growth spurt was sure to be on his way to make him tower over her soon enough. He felt his blood rush to his head as he suddenly realized just who the old man was talking about. "I'll show you the face of an imbecile!" Naruto roared with a fist clenched and raised.
"Naruto..." Uzume placed her hand on his shoulder, her brother turned to see she wanted him to calm down. Naruto sigh before he glared back at the older man. "Prove him wrong with the mission. Getting angry now will only make it more unbearable."
"Listen to your friend. I am Tazuna, a renowned bridge builder. And until I am back in my home country, and the bridge I am building there is completed, you are all expected to protect me. Even at the cost of your life." Tazuna's red cheeks from the booze did nothing to hide the seriousness in his tone. The old man staring down the kids, unsure if they could manage the task still.
"Alright, team, we will meet at the main gate in fifteen minutes. Go home, gather your needed essentials, and get ready to head out." Kakashi ordered the three pupils. They nodded before rushing away to gather supplies. "Tazuna, I will meet you there as well." Kakashi vanished, leaving the old man to be astounded by the speed that ninja just seemed to have.
-Main Gate of Konoha-
A large gate with a guard post and at minimum two shinobi ensured the coming and going villager and visitors alike. Strange looks were given to Naruto and Uzume. Naruto had a pack like he was going on a long journey, and Uzume looked lightly packed compared. A small bag that at best could carry a few days of rationing and a few small items. Her shuriken holster on her left hip showed she was prepared for possible combat. Sasuke and Kakashi also looked ready to travel, making it look like Uzume would be left behind.
"Alright! Road trip!" Naruto lifted a fist in cheer. A beaming smile as he turned to Uzume. "This will be the first time we have been outside of the village. You must be excited as well, right, Uzume?"
"Y-yeah." Uzume's tone was not very convincing. She looked at the opening world before her. Leaving the village had been a thought in the back of her mind. She knew at some point she would have to part from Konoha, but she hoped it wouldn't come for a little while longer. "It will be fun... I guess."
"Do I seriously have to put my trust in these two?" Tazuna was beginning to not like his chances of survival. It was not that he could decline them, though he was getting more people to protect them than he thought.
Kakashi sighed as Naruto and Uzume were not making the best impressions with the client. "There is no cause for concern. I am an Elite Jonin and will be joining the mission. You are getting more than you paid for with just that.
Naruto approached Tazuna with his finger pointed at the old man. "You are going to regret thinking so little of us, old man. Burn my name into your memory. I am Naruto Uzumaki, and I will be the Hokage someday!"
"Hokage?" Tazuna questioned as he sipped from his bottle once more. "Isn't the Hokage the best of your whole village? I can't imagine someone like you to get that title."
The older man belittled Naruto, only to raise his ire. "Yeah! Well, you just don't have an eye for greatness! I already know skills that will blow your mind. I wouldn't be surprised if I became the youngest Hokage! Then you will wish you were more respectful to me."
"Respect?" Tazuna looked up and down the blond boy in his orange jumpsuit. "Naw, even if you did become Hokage... I don't think I could respect a runt like you."
"Imma kill him." Naruto snapped, his collar caught by Kakashi as he was ready to charge the client.
"Knock it off, Naruto. No killing the man we have been sent to protect, idiot." Kakashi was getting tired of this bickering. "Let us get moving."
Unseen, two ninjas hovered in the tree line. Their target in view and beginning to head to the land of waves. Kid ninja with the quarry, nothing that could not be taken care of in a second. The assassins were quick to move to find a proper ambush location.
Hours pass with nothing exciting happening so far. Naruto chatting about how he could not wait to show off his skills now, maybe even show up a few Ninja from the land of waves. Kakashi taking the time to explain that Tazuna's home country did not have a Ninja Village, and it was unlikely they would run into a battle with another ninja. A lonely puddle in their path taken notice by Kakashi as they walked by, feeling his jacket tugged on soon after.
"Master Kakashi, when was the last rain?" Uzume asked Kakashi, the older shinobi amused that she took notice of the strange puddle as well.
"Worried to get wet? Don't worry, I don't think it is likely to rain soon. Head up with the others," Kakashi placed his hand to Uzume's back to usher her forward. "You three are acting as the head scouts, remember."
He was able to put just enough space, Uzume's eye reflected what he suspected. A ninja was over his head already, a spiked chain wrapped around his body just missing Uzume from being captured. Kakashi's eye widened in surprise. "One little piggy..." The two assailants called out, pulling as Kakashi's body was severed into many chunks. Uzume watched in horror as her master was killed before her, screaming out loudly and caught the attention of her team. "Two little piggies..." the two disappeared in an insane show of speed that the Genin would have to learn quickly to deal with. Naruto was between both ninja, the chain already poised the treat the young boy to the same treatment Kakashi got.
Sasuke was quick to take action leaped into the air drawing a shuriken and kunai. With a snap of his arm, the star caught the chain to a nearby tree. A kunai impacting the insanely small center of the Shuriken and locked the chain in place. Naruto was not about to wait for Sasuke, though. His back still the assassins, but his fingers crossed.
"Shadow Clone!" Four more Naruto appeared in a puff of smoke. Two low to the ground and leg swept the attackers, unable to react in time as they were distracted by being stuck to the tree. Their faltered stance force the two to disconnect their chain and roll before launching themselves forward. The other two clones attempted to intercept but were dispatched by the claws that both ninjas used for weapons. Sasuke landed behind him, upset that Naruto ruined his attack, and now the two were relatively unharmed.
One headed straight for Tazuna, his claw spread wide and ready to strike. Sasuke moved quickly to intercept as the two clones of Naruto charged at the ninja's flank. The second one rushed at Uzume, still frozen from the scene she witnessed. Even as the gory chunked of bloody flesh turned to a broken up stump before her eyes, the vision of her master's death stuck to her mind on how quickly everything could end.
"Uzume!" Naruto called out as his body launched itself toward the curved assault of the enemy. Forgoing his own safety, he pushed his legs to slide between his sister and the assailant. He lifted his arm as the metal claws tore open his jumpsuit's sleeve and scraped over something metal.
"An armguard hid under his jacket?" The symbol of the Mist on the man's forehead protector. He then pushed forward; his claw forced forward as he aimed to scratch the boy even if it was a little. Naruto groaning as the stronger man forced his arm back and caught the tips of the claw into his shoulder and arm before tearing open his jacket. The man at first looked like he had retreated, but the truth was that Kakashi clotheslined the ninja. The elite ninja then vanished in a flash, taking advantage of the other enemy ninja caught up in facing three opponents that kept him from his target. Kakashi had obtained enough information from his suspicion, and questioning was much more comfortable when the enemy was captured. The second opponent knocked unconscious with a swift strike by Kakashi and ended the ambush.
Naruto sighed in relief that Kakashi was not actually dead. Sasuke was unpleased that he couldn't have continued to battle the higher ranked ninja. It was finally a chance of real combat experience, something he knew he really needed. Tazuna felt a sense of relief with their victory.
"Good work, Sasuke, and Naruto." Kakashi's voice finally reached their ears. Praise as he was glad the two of them could work so quickly to get battle-ready. His eyes turned to Uzume, the young girl's violet eyes weld up with tears. "Uzume, I am sorry you had to be so close to that. I need you to calm down." Kakashi had to remind Uzume the ninja code, to hide their emotions from their opponents. "Naruto, stay still. Their claws are poisoned, moving unnecessarily will make it spread. I will give you medical attention soon. First, Mr. Tazuna..."
"Y-yeah?" Tazuna could feel the coldness of Kakashi's tone.
"I have a few questions. Sasuke, help me tie these men up." Kakashi finished his statement. The two shinobi placed the backs of their opponents to a tree and tied a rope around their bodies before they woke up surrounded by the Konoha ninja. Kakashi took a few moments to review the information he could gather from their appearance. "They appear to be Chunin level ninja from the land of the Mist. Ninja renowned for its capability to fight to the very end. Even at the cost of their own lives."
"You must have observed us, and turned our ambush against us." One of the Kirigakure ninja.
"It had not rained in several days, there should have been no puddles on the roadway. Even a Genin noticed the flaw in your tactic." Kakashi mocked the Chunin, as it was a joke that they failed to consider the weather when they show their hiding method.
"If you knew that, why would you let those creeps attack?" Tazuna announced his complaint. If it was not for the quick action of the boys, he could have easily been killed.
"I could have killed them at any time." Kakashi's eye focused on the bridge builder. "But... I needed to find out who their real target was."
"What do you mean by that?" Tazuna was unaware of what Kakashi meant, but a cold sweat was forming as they were too close to Konoha. It was likely that if his bodyguard learned of the truth of the possible threat already.
"Were they after you, or one of us ninja." Kakashi's turned to face Tazuna directly. "There was no word of any Shinobi seeking your life. The mission request given to Lord Hokage was to have an escort protect you from roving bandits and thieves." The elite stared down the older man, daring him to interrupt. "In any case, it is clear that his mission should have been labeled as a B rank or above. Protecting you from ordinary dangers while you finish your bridge would be a simple task." He watched as Tazuna looked down in shame, the elite could see there was a hidden reason for the false information. "If you are expected to be a target of ninja assault... then it is beyond question that this would have been classified and priced as a mission for elite ninja. You may have had your reasons for not telling us the truth. But it is not good to conceal information from those you're asking for help. As it is, this task now falls beyond the boundaries of the mission."
An imposing silence settled between the group, Kakashi looked to the others. Naruto roared suddenly. "Sorry, I needed to get that out of me." the young man sighed out as he calmed himself back down. "Let us release this poison, and continue our way to the Land of Waves." Naruto peeled off his jacket top, showing that it was not armguards that protected him. What was wrapped around his wrist was weights. The boy sat down as he removed the first from his wounded arm.
"What are you talking about, Dunce. Kakashi just made it clear that this mission is beyond what we are being paid for." Sasuke coolly argued against Naruto's claim.
"Yeah, I heard. But I also know we were charged with Tazuna's protection. I am not about to back down from my first C rank mission because of one ninja assault." The blond smiled at the Uchiha. "Besides, I didn't think you would give up so quickly for a challenge. Worried? I might start progressing faster than you already." Naruto enjoyed the fact he could jab into the top student in the class pride and make Sasuke's cool exterior falter slightly with a glare.
"Naruto..." Uzume spoke up, shivering as she recovered from the sight of death. Her mind finally came to terms to allow her to speak up. "I don't... I..."
"Don't worry, Uzume. I will protect you like I always have. This time I won't wear my weights, so I will be able to get to you faster. That and my clones will be all over the battlefield next time." Naruto laughed as he placed his hand to her shoulder. "You couldn't be safer."
Kakashi couldn't really approve of Naruto's boasting to put the others in danger. But part of him didn't feel right, leaving Tazuna to fend for himself against ninja. It was strange for this man to have such enemies when his mission is to build a bridge. There had to be more, and it was still possible that Tazuna did not know of such threats. The old man did make it to Konoha without a scuff, making it more likely that the ninja assaults are new. He squatted himself beside Naruto, kunai ready to let his blood flow freely. The young ninja had too many wounds to let the poison set. "Naruto, you-"
"You said it yourself, Master Kakashi." Naruto peeled off the last weight from his leg, piled the four he had on each limb before him. "I show more and more promise when put under pressure. This mission would be best for an elite ninja, which we have with you. You have Genin you personally thought were capable with a C Rank mission. There should be no problem... under one condition."
"Condition?" Sasuke questioned, finding it odd for Naruto to try and demand a condition after claiming he would help.
"Old man, you have to tell us everything. Otherwise, we walk back." Naruto called out to Tazuna. "And don't make Uzume have to use Genjutsu on you. Then you might spill more than you want." He chuckled before wincing out. Kakashi's kunai finally opened the wound slightly to allow enough blood to flow out. "Yow! I didn't think it would hurt that bad."
"Teaches you to wear weights while on a mission. Next time leave them at home." Kakashi warned, pulling out a bandage to wrap Naruto's arm and shoulder. "Better start talking, Tazuna. I much rather begin moving as soon as possible. You are going to have to convince me to follow you."
-Hideout of Zabuza Momochi-
"Failed!? What do you mean failed!?" Screamed a squat man in a business suit. Tinted glasses barely hide the fury in his eyes. His gestures of frustration usually would put fear into most men. But the man being battered by the loud voice was unfazed. "I pay top dollar because of your supposed superior skills!"
The man sitting lazily on a couch did not like the fact his, and his men's skill was being questioned. Only a moment of warning and the squat man shifted his step before almost being cleaved in two by a gigantic blade more than twice his own size. "Quit your whining. I, with this neck cleaving blade, will take the hit myself." His voice was cold, but a hint of excitement at the thought of his Chunin level subordinates taken down. A challenge to really test his own skills.
The squat man's voice trembled as the blade tip was only an inch away from his face, held by the mighty arm of the best ninja in the land. "Yessir! But are you sure? With the failure of the demon brothers, your opponents will be more on guard. They must have ninja of tremendous skill as well."
The cold and unamused glare landed on the man once more. "Remember who you are talking to. I am Zabuza Momochi, the demon ninja who hides in the Mist." Zabuza let out a small bit of his bloodlust and watched the little man and guard shiver in fear to be the flesh that the blade tested its edge-on.
