Professor Fluff: Yeah, I know. But, this is my first story so I am trying to take suggestions from the reviews without making any major decisions. But, since there are no reviews, I suppose I will try to write more. Also, as a student, I am more used to writing 800-900 words essays. Thanks for the review, really appreciate it!
X-X
It had been 3 weeks since he had become the sensei of team ten. The three of them were coming along nicely. Since, somehow, the three of them already knew of the tree walking exercise, he had taught them the water walking exercise. He thought that Naruto would have some problems controlling his chakra as the sheer amount of it was crazy, but no. The boy had somehow managed to control his chakra very precisely. So, all in all, he should have been feeling proud, right? No. He was feeling shocked. Why, you ask? Because it had been three whole weeks of D- rank missions, and none of them had complained. Not even once. Shikamaru was happy with what he was doing, Naruto was happy that he was earning, so he could save up money for a new house and Ino had, surprisingly, taken to follow the lead of Shikamaru and Naruto.
So, now they were standing in front of the hokage and, he was trying to convince his cute genin how new genin should argue with their jonin sensei to get some "cool" missions. Well, they did not budge. But enough was enough. He was done with D ranks, so they were going to take a C- rank, whether his students liked it or not.
"Yes, hokage-sama. My team and I wish for a C-rank mission." Asuma said, trying to hide his indignity.
"your team, you say?" The hokage said, looking towards the genin.
The genin promptly shook their heads, and just as Ino tried to voice their decision, Asuma glared at her. And the glare was enough to shut the three of them.
"Yes, my team and I, Hokage-sama." Asuma said.
"Well then, a C-rank is in order, I suppose." He said, looking towards the pile of documents in front of him. "Hmm." the hokage murmurred as he tossed a file towards Asuma. "There has been an influx of sudden disappearances in the land of hot water. We believe that there is a group of bandits have set their camps there. You are to find and eliminate them." The hokage said.
"The land of hot water it is, then." Asuma said, accepting the mission. Then, he looked towards the genin and said. "Pack your bags for 2 weeks, we leave tomorrow at 8 in the morning." and dismissed them.
X-X
Naruto was happy. Moving through the dense forest, he could see several new species of birds, and he loved them all. Right now, he was caressing a sparrow while an owl was sleeping on his shoulder. Yeah, his summon owls could sleep like that. They were pretty cool. He had summoned this one because he was a sensor type summon. Even though he was sleeping, he would wake up the moment he would feel any new chakra around. All in all, he was enjoying the C-rank mission.
"Say, Naruto." Ino said, grabbing his attention. "How do you manage without sleeping?" she questioned. Ino had relaxed around him now. Even though he did not talk a lot, he was not a bad person. Just socially awkward, she supposed. And he probably did not even know that he was socially awkward.
"I do not need to 'manage' without sleep." He replied, forming quotes in the air. "Not sleeping is simply easier." He concluded.
"You always say that, but you never tell us what that means." she huffed. At this point, both Shikamaru and Asuma were trying to listen while pretending indifference.
Naruto sighed and said, "Well, when I 'sleep', I end up in my mind."
Ino blinked and asked, "And, what's wrong with that?" she sounded very curious.
"You would not want to spend full nights in front of a mass of oppressing chakra, which is full of hatred, would you?" He asked. "And on top of that, I am somewhat of a sensor, so if I go there, I am constantly anxious for an upwards of 6 to 8 hours, and that just makes me worse than not sleeping at all." He finished.
"Ah, well, I suppose not." She had nothing more to say.
The squad fell into a somewhat comfortable silence after this.
X-X
"Poor bastards." Naruto sighed out.
A gang of bandits had tried to attack them for their food and material possessions on their way to the land of Hot Waters. Coincidentally, they were a gang of three. So, Asuma thought they would be good first kills for his students. Naruto had killed the bandit easily enough. Shikamaru, too, understood what needed to be done. But, Ino was currently sobbing after her first kill and Asuma was consoling her.
Naruto and Shikamaru were cleaning their kunai in a nearby stream. "So, first kill?" Shikamaru questioned.
"Yeah." Naruto said, not really caring.
X-X
"Ah, yes. A very good morning to you, shinobi-san."
The lord of land of hot waters was an old goat. He was dressed in pristine royal blue robes, fitting of a noble. Had a moustache, fitting of a noble. And had an annoying verbal tick, again, fitting of a noble.
"Good morning to you too. I am Asuma Sarutobi, and this is my team: Uzumaki Naruto, Nara Shikamaru and Yamanaka Ino, in order." Asuma said, introducing everyone.
"Ah, yes. A very promising team, it seems. I was not expecting the son of the Hokage himself." he said.
"We will do our best, if you could tell us where the suspected site is, if the pleasantries are done, of course." Asuma said, trying to get to the point.
"Ah, yes. The pleasantries are, indeed, done." the noble said. "The suspected site is a cave towards the land of rice, the south, that is. Blood has been spotted there several times, and people have disappeared from there, too." he finished.
"We will depart, then. Thank you for the information." Asuma said.
"Ah, yes. You should, indeed, depart, I suppose." He said.
X-X
The sight was gruesome. There was blood splattered everywhere and Ino could have sworn that she saw an eyeball rolling. There were marks of bodies being dragged everywhere and it seemed like the culprit used a sharp weapon, as there were scratch marks on the trees around.
"Be on guard, and lets move forwards." Asuma said.
An eerie silence was set on the squad as they entered the cave. Since nothing was visible, Asuma summoned a ball of fire on his hand, and oh boy. How they wish they could have unseen this. There were bodies upon bodies lying around. Some full, some half. Some could hardly be called bodies. At first glance, Naruto could count 8 heads lying around.
"And what might you be doing in my den?" A voice questioned.
All of them turned around to see the owner of the voice. He had medium-length grey hair that was slicked back and distinctive purple eyes. He wore no shirt, had bandages wrapped around his stomach, wore maroon pants with long, black shinobi sandals (each bearing an attached zipper).
"We are Konoha Shinobi, and from the looks of it, we are here to kill you." Asuma said.
"Ah, in that case, my name is Hidan, a servant of Lord Jashin. And you." He said, pointing towards the squad, "Shall be my next sacrifices." And with that said, he rushed towards Asuma.
"Scatter and take advantage of our numbers!" Asuma shouted.
The genin scattered. Naruto taking the front, Shikamaru as a support and Ino at the back, waiting for the perfect spot to use her clan's ability. While they formed their formation, Asuma had pulled out his trench knives and was engaging the, now named, Hidan in a taijutsu fight. Asuma was clearly the superior fighter, but the guy, Hidan, just would not stay down.
"Wind style: Gale palm" Naruto exclaimed, and sent a concentrated force of wind towards the shirtless guy.
Hidan dodged the jutsu and pressed forwards to attack Asuma. Well, atleast he tried to.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu: Success."
And before he could think any further, a trench knife was embedded through his heart.
Now assured of their victory, Shikamaru released the jutsu and moved to gather with his team.
"Well, that's that I suppose." Asuma said. "Good work, you th-." his eyes widened and he leaped towards Naruto. It seemed he was too late. Somehow, the guy was still alive and he was going to stab Naruto in the back with his scythe.
Just as the scythe was about to make contact with Naruto's skin...
CLANK.
A sound of metal hitting metal was heard. No, Asuma had not reached there on time. So, what had stopped the scythe?
Naruto's eyes were wide, it was the first time he had been so close to dying. But, there was a glowing purple chain, growing from his back, that had stopped the scythe from hitting him. The chain wrapped around Hidan's hand and threw him across the cave.
"What is that?" Ino questioned, flabbergasted.
"To hell if I know." Naruto replied, just as surprised.
Naruto extended his hand and the chain curled inside his palm, like it wanted to be petted. Naruto obliged the chain and it shivered. Before anything else could happen, Hidan stood up again.
"Why won't you blasted creatures die already?" He exclaimed, frustrated.
"Ash release: Fire blast." Asuma said as he released a gust of ash towards Hidan and burnt it.
The explosion was great, but as the smoke gusted away, Hidan stood there, with only his clothes damaged. Seeing the opportunity, Ino capture him In her mind transfer jutsu.
As soon as Naruto realized that Ino had captured him and Asuma was still winded, he blitzed towards the shirtless guy and cut his head off. Still weary of any tricks, he remained on guard.
"You fucker, what did you do?" An angry voice exclaimed.
Naruto stiffened, expecting an attack, but it did not come. When the team gathered around the, now talking, head, they could not help but exclaim in surprise. Not wanting to wait for any further tricks, Asuma sealed the head and the body in separate scrolls.
X-X
"Ah, yes. It is done then?" The annoying Lord asked.
"Yes, it was a Jashin worshipper. He is taken care of." Asuma replied.
"Ah, yes. A Jashin worshipper. I suppose thanks are in order, then. Would you like to stay overnight for a feast?" The lord questioned.
"A generous offer, but I will have to decline. We must leave as soon as possible." Asuma said.
"Ah, yes. Duty calls, I suppose. You have our thanks. Please do visit us again."
"The pleasure was all ours. We hope to see you again." Asuma said, and commanded his team to leave for their way back home.
X-X
AN: this was pre- akatsuki hidan. I thought he would be a good challenge. This was my first fight scene, so do tell me what I should do to improve.
A question, should I start with chunin exams next, or another mission?
Until next time!
