3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3
The Wave of Destiny
By Legatorem
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction. Done for pure enjoyment. All rights and characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto. Also in 3-D format!
3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3=3
Act III: Genins, Genins, and Jounins!
Naruto yawned for what seem to be the umpteenth time. He glanced around the surrounding looking for any sign of his instructor. He was sitting on top of stump; he knew that he should've stayed in bed a bit longer, but that persistent urging of being on time seems to stick with him, well... when it suited him.
"Naruto, stop that!" Sakura chided. She was irritated that she had to wake up so early in the morning, and the jounin, didn't come the hour he said that he'd arrive. 'Oooh... I could just kick his ass, if I weren't so hungry!' the inner Sakura declared. What was worst, was Naruto's constant yawning, it was getting on her nerves.
"Damn woman.. Too early in the morning for your naggings," Naruto yawned again.
"WHAT?!" Sakura said outraged, 'WHO THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE IS!' Inner Sakura raged.
She kicked him on the shin.
"Oww!" Naruto yelp, "What was that for!" Then rubbing his shin, he muttered "damn flat-chested sasuke-obsessed freak…" He was about to continue when he felt a sense of bloodlust. He turned to face a scary expression on Sakura.
"It was about Ino, honest!" he said, and then began running as Sakura started after him.
"THE HELL YOU WERE!!!! PERVERT!!!"
She was about to finish him off, when Sasuke spoke.
"Hmmm… He's here." That was all he said.
Sakura forgot momentarily the insult, and greatly to Naruto's fortune, also himself, upon hearing Sasuke's voice. To her, it was like having a good night sleep being refreshed and ready to do work. And it washed that insult like it never happened, although she did glare at Naruto after the moment passed.
"It's about time," Naruto muttered. He was still reeling from the job that Sakura just put him through. 'She would've been a good ninja at this stage, if she wasn't so obsessed with Sasuke,' Naruto thought, as he wiped the side of his face. He remembered why he was yawning in the first place, it was Hokage fault. The Hokage had gotten Naruto back in the smelliest way, washing the village's dirty laundry. The thought of a night working through tower of dirty clothes did make him cringe.
Yet again, Naruto yawned loudly.
"Naruto!" Sakura hissed. It didn't seem right that he had to her partner. The only good thing that was being in this team was that she was also partnered with Sasuke. She found the little things that Naruto were doing was annoying, or else it could be that her nerves were expressing themselves in another way. But she still have to finish him off after the test, she couldn't allow him to get away with that insult.
'These are my teammates?' Sasuke thought unbelieving, 'They look like they're waiting for a field trip, then preparing to survive...' He glanced at Naruto, who currently, was nursing his bruises. 'Especially that dunce. Once the exercise begins, I'll ditch them, and go after the instructor myself.'
"Good Morning, Class!" Kakashi greeted his team.
"Finally…" Naruto announced, "When can we start! I want to get this test done over with! I want to get to the real mission, where the action is!"
"Hai.. Hai.." Kakashi said with a smile, "But first, concentrate on this test or else there will be no mission."
"Dunno see why I have to…" Naruto said stubbornly, "Couldn't you give us a mission and make that our test?"
"I agree with Naruto," Sasuke said, "I don't see the point wasting our time doing this exercise, when we could be doing a mission that could be equal and is not greater than this test could prove."
Naruto and Sakura glanced at Sasuke with surprised looks on their face.
'Sasuke…' Sakura thought worried.
"Valid points, but remember," Kakashi said, "It's better to find the fault in training, then in actual combat."
"Fine…whatever," Naruto said "Anything you place on my path, I'll beat it down!" expressing with a thumb up going down.
Kakashi sighed.
Then setting the alarm on the clock, Kakashi turn to face his students, "The clock is set to ring off at noon," He began, "Your objective is to get one of these," holding two small silver bells, "two silver bells before the timer hits."
Indicating to the stumps, "Anyone that doesn't retrieve a ball is instead tied up to a stump where I eat their lunch in front of them." he grinned, "And since there are only two bells, that mean that one of you are definitely heading for the stump."
"This also means that person who fails, is the first to go back to school disgraced."
He glanced at each of his student. He was surprised at each reaction, well namely two of them. Sakura had that nervous look, which was to be expected, but glancing at Sasuke and Naruto. There couldn't be anything more different. They were like polar opposite, Sasuke with a determined to overcome this obstacle to become stronger, whereas Naruto just gave a look of aloof, and bored, expression on his face. He was still yawning, and not showing any sign of worrying.
"You may choose any weapons you desire," Kakashi stated, "But you will attack as you are meant to kill or else you'll never stand a chance."
"But.. But that's so dangerous!" Sakura sputtered.
"Yawn… that's coming from a person that couldn't dodge an eraser.." Naruto said, 'I'm gonna get some ramen after this, hmm.. But what to choose.. Pork… Beef…' placing his hands behind his head, "You're gonna get yourself killed."
"Those who brag are usually weak," Kakashi said, "Now, let's forget the dunce, and start at my signal."
Striking a nerve, Naruto whipped out his kunai; ready to fling it at Kakashi. In an instant Kakashi was able to get behind him, and holding his throwing arm.
'Amazing,' Sakura told herself as she saw her instructor holding Naruto hand, 'I didn't even see him move.'
Sasuke was equally impressed, 'So, this is what an elite Shinobi can do,' one side of his lip curled, 'Perhaps, this won't be a boring exercise after all.'
"Hold on," he said with a smile, "I didn't say go."
"But at least you stuck to kill," Kakashi said, still smiling, "So perhaps you've begun respecting me."
Naruto smiled slightly.
"So maybe… just maybe, I'm starting to like you three."
"And Now… ready… set…"
"GO!!!"
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
After some distance away from the starting point, Naruto found a branch to sit upon. He was quite please with his performance, "Maybe I should quit the Ninja Business and become an Actor," and his imagination went wild at the thought.
Shaking his head at those ideas, Naruto brought out the reason of his contentment. A book with the infamous title, 'Come Come Paradise' "Won't Kakashi-sensei be surprised." he said with a snicker."Which reminds me," he opened the book to page thirty-four, "I've been dying to find out what happened next… hehehe…" As he read, he thought about what he had to do, in order for his teammate and himself pass the test, then an idea lit upon his head, "heheheheheh… oh that's good…" Naruto liked that plan, he smiled gleefully. He knew what he had to do, and it would work out for the best, but before he set his plan in motion, he read some more of the book, since it was a classic.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A lone figure stood out in the open. Kakashi rubbed his neck, as he surveyed the landscape, "The basis of all Shinobi arts is to become invisible…"
'And all of them are well hidden…'
He continued watching the land to see any sign of his pupils. But all he noticed were just the breeze moving the limbs of the tree. 'This may be harder than I first thought.' he thought.
Sasuke positioned himself on the branch of the tall and denser tree. From his position he could be able to strategic plan out his tactics before he went on the offense. He knew that for the moment that he had to be play defense, or else, he would lose this round.
Sakura on the hand was lying on the ground from her location. She opted to stay close to the ground since most Shinobi would've chosen their location from the treetops. She knew that this was a good position; she knew that she wouldn't be caught thanks to the brushes covering her.
"IT'S TIME FOR THE MATCH TO BEGIN!" Naruto declared, "LET'S MAKE IT A REAL MATCH WORTHY OF THE GREATEST WARRIORS!" Naruto was standing a few feet away from Kakashi. He grinned as he had his arms wrapped together in front of chest.
"…"
"You're thinking of the wrong kind of match…" Kakashi said he was clearly surprised by the situation.
At his position, Sasuke could only tell himself how right he was about the dunce, 'That fool…' he thought. He knew that the jounin was going to beat the idiotic genin. One couldn't attack a ninja at that level straight on; he would have to fight him indirectly. Still, he wondered what that idiotic had up his sleeves; one wouldn't attack a jounin unless he had a plan.
He glanced at Naruto.
'Scratch that…' he told himself.
With a face like Naruto, it would be impossible that he would have a plan. He could guess that his plan was to attack the jounin head on, and hope that he could defeat the ninja.
'At least that dunce is helping,' Sasuke thought, 'watching this fight could allow for a weak point.'
And as the Naruto started his attack, Sasuke felt a tap on his shoulder. With a kunai on hand, Sasuke wiped around to be face to face with Naruto.
"What..!?"
Sasuke glanced back at the battlefield, where he saw Naruto attacking, yet when he turn back, he was face again with Naruto. It couldn't be possible there are two Naruto? It's not bunshin no jutsu? Two distinct bodies!? What kind of technique is it?
"Hey Sasuke come along, I have a plan!" Naruto whispered, "Hurry, while my bunshin is distracting Kakashi-sensei."
Back on the battlefield, Kakashi watched the blonde genin rushing up toward him. He knew that he didn't have to worry about fighting the genin. The blonde genin was hiding his true potential and skills, and until he becomes serious, Kakashi would just have to play around with Naruto.As he went to his pouch, he told Naruto "Ready for your first lesson? Your first ninjutsu skill is Tai-jutsu, the art of the trained body." but as he spoke, he sought out his book, he was going to teach Naruto a few things. When his hand went through the pouch, he found that it wasn't there. "What the…?!"
"Looking for this, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto said, holding the 'Come Come Paradise' book. "Hmmm… what an interesting book we have here.." He started opening the book.
Kakashi was impressed. He didn't see when Naruto removed his book from his pouch. But he knew it was when he stopped Naruto from throwing his Kunai at him. He couldn't allow himself to underestimate Naruto… even when he seem to be hiding his potential. "That book isn't for children!" Kakashi exclaimed, "Just hand over the book.""No… I think I'll read some of it…" Naruto declared jumping away, "If you want the book, then you have to catch me…" He landed on a branch, "Until noon time… heheh" and disappeared into the forest.
Rubbing his neck, Kakashi amended his initial assessment, "This will be harder than I thought."
Sakura watching the whole scene was surprised at Naruto skills. She didn't know how skilled Naruto was, 'Who is he?' she thought to herself. That Naruto on the field wasn't the same Naruto she knew from a couple of days before. Although, she didn't see Sasuke anywhere since they split up to their hidden position, 'I hope he's alright..' she thought.
Then she felt a tap on her shoulder.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
In a secluded area, the three members of team 7 sat at each corner of the hidden place. Sakura was on top of a fallen log, Sasuke, at the base of the tree, and Naruto on a stump. Naruto chose this location since he knew that no one would find them.
"Okay!" Naruto said, "Now that everyone is here, we can start our meeting."
Sasuke had a look of annoyance when he spoke "Get on with it, dunce." he couldn't believe that he allow himself to be brought to this place to hear the village idiot's masterful plan. And it still bothered him that the village idiot had an advance technique of the shadow replication.
"Naruto, what's the meaning of this?" Sakura asked, trying to break the tension between the love of her life, and the blonde idiot. And unfortunately she was sitting right between the two of them.
"Keep talking fanboy…" Naruto retorted, "To answer your question, Sakura-chan, I brought us here so we could make a plan. I, for one, have an excellent idea."
"A plan?" Sakura said.
"Yup, a plan," Naruto said, "Cause without one, we have no chance getting those bells from Kakashi-sensei."
Sasuke chuckled, "A plan you say?" he shot a glance at Naruto, "I believe your definition of a plan is rushing your opponent." he said without humor. "So tell me, dunce, how are you going to make this work?"
"With this!" Naruto pulled out a book, "the book that Kakashi enjoys reading all the time."
"How do you know that?" Sakura said.
"Uh.. Well who in their right mind would have a book in their pouch if they weren't going to read it. And obviously it's his favorite since look all the indents and smudge on the cover."
"Anyways, I have a great plan, we use this book as bait, and as he getting the book, we attack him." he said.
"That's your plan? Use the book as bait and attack him?" Sasuke retorted, "Why don't we give him our headband and go back to the academy."
"HEY! I don't hear you saying bright eyes!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Guys.. Guys.." Sakura said trying to mediate the two rivals.
"Hmph.. Fine.." Naruto said, "If you don't want to help, then me and Sakura can do the job, we'll get the bells, and you're will be the one send back packing."
"NARUTO!" Sakura hissed, "What the hell are you doing!?" she was pissed at Naruto, he was ruining her chances with Sasuke 'Damn that fox face! I'll like to rip out his intestines and choke him with it!' the inner Sakura ranted within.Sasuke and Naruto stared at each other down. Each was ready to strike at another, if it wasn't the test that was buzzing at their ears, they would've fought that very second. A small sneer appeared on Sasuke's face as Naruto back down, "Che.. Whatever," Sasuke said at last, "I don't need you nor do I need your plan." allowing himself to smile, "Beside you'll only get in the way, and that I don't need."
And as he turned to leave, he heard Naruto say something to him, "Here, catch," he tossed the book to him, "Don't say that I wasn't a team player."
"I don't need the book." Sasuke stated.
"Well, the plan won't work without the three of us." Naruto said, "Might as well give Kakashi the book back. Who knows perhaps that'll help us find the jounin faster?"
"Heh, I thought you could do it with Sakura," Sasuke stated, "beside, I don't need your charity."
"I did not lie nor was I offering."
Sasuke smiled bitterly.
"Good."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Naruto watched the survivor of Uchiha clan leave the sanctuary of their hiding place. He knew that his clone would've leaded the jounin somewhere close to this place. Sasuke would be meeting the instructor faster than he would expect.
"Phase 1 completed," Naruto said, after a few moment had passed "Man, that was too easy."
"Played like a fool." He always wanted to say that. He didn't remember exactly where he had heard that phrase, but he was sure that it was one of the corny sentences an enemy of his once said.
He turned to Sakura who was still standing at her place, Naruto glided over to her, "You played the role so well," he said kissing the right hand, "So well, I thought I was actually in the presence of Sakura."
The impostor dispels the disguise and another of Naruto's clone appeared, "Well, I thank you, you kind sir.." the Naruto clone said. They both laughed their head off. "You should've seen Sasuke face.. He was all blushing and stuff.. Thinking I was her…"
"Yeah… Yeah… enough of that," Naruto said waving it off, "We just have to wait for the other one to…" He stopped as he saw a blood dripping, almost corpse-like appearance of Sasuke appearing. He was currently holding the foaming body of Sakura. "Well, speak of the devil.."
"I think I over did it a bit.." he said sheepishly. The battle damaged Sasuke returned to his former form, yet another Naruto clone. "All that's better…"
And when he glanced at the other two Naruto, he rubbed his nose with a grin, "Phase 2 complete."
"Now, it's up to his hand now," Naruto said, "We'll see if we succeed or not."
"Yeah!" the other two Naruto responded. They disappeared leaving the lone Naruto in the hidden place. Naruto picked up Sakura, who still was foaming at the mouth, and placed her on his shoulder, he would follow Sasuke, to see the next stage of his plan in action.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sasuke could sense that he was near, and at that thought, he felt excited. Excited that he was going to fight a Shinobi that was on jounin level. He could prove how strong he had become, for the moment; Kakashi would be his measuring stick.
"I'm not like them." He said.
"Save your boasting after you've gotten the bells." Kakashi replied. He was leaning on the tree seemingly relax, but posed to strike at anytime. Kakashi could tell by the body language that Sasuke was a snake ready to strike at moment notice.Sasuke turned to face Kakashi, he pulled out the book, tossing it toward the jounin. Kakashi caught the book and replace it within his pouch. He gave a quizzing look at Sasuke.
"He said it served it purpose.""Ah.." Kakashi said nodding 'I wonder what Naruto meant by that…' the unpredictability that Naruto was displaying could be discerning. He would have to be on guard with that one. He gave Sasuke his full attention; he knew that he would have to deal with this one, before worrying about Naruto. 'At least,' he thought with a smile, 'he proving that he's worth an 'S' class mission.'
"The strength of the Uchiha Clan… the most elite family in the Konohagakure village… Uchiha Sasuke… I'm looking forward to it…" Kakashi stated, he could feel his left eye pulsing, 'Obito… I know…'
Sasuke drew a serious expression on his face. He was ready; he would defeat the jounin and become a step closer in defeating him. As part of the Uchiha Clan he could do no less, it was ingrained in his blood.
With quick reflexes, he launched his attack, throwing a half of dozen shuriken at Kakashi. Kakashi easily saw the attack, commented "A frontal assault is wasted here!" as he dodges. Sasuke grins, seeing that the true target wasn't the jounin, but the rope holding his trap. He played the jounin with the simple trick of feinting.
Kakashi noticed the snapping of the rope, and realized that he was positioned into a trap. Calling chakra into his legs, he propelled himself away from his current location just as the swarm of blades came rushing to him, only to embedding themselves to the bark.
But that wasn't Sasuke true attack, as he launched himself with a roundhouse kick toward Kakashi's temple. The jounin sense the attack coming, and blocked it with his left arm. But Sasuke continued the assault with right punch, which was caught by Kakashi's right hand. Kakashi could see that Sasuke's right kick beginning, and acted accordingly, by raising his left arm over his head to block.
The bells jiggled.
Kakashi saw the smirk on Sasuke, he knew that he had left himself opened to attack. He could see Sasuke's left hand reaching to take one of the bell from his waist. Fortunately, Kakashi just had to move his waist away. But Kakashi knew that last encounter was a close one, 'Sasuke is showing that he indeed is part of that elite family.'
They broke off, leaping to place distance away from the other. 'Damnit,' Sasuke thought, 'I was close… but now I know with a bit more time, can nab that bell easily.' He landed, already planning another plan to get close to Kakashi to take away the bells from him.
"I admit it," Kakashi said as he stood up, "You're not like the others… who still failed."
Sasuke smiled, "Who said that I failed?"
The bell jiggled.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sakura woke up from her comatose state; she blinked trying to orient herself to her current surrounding. "Wh--what happened?!" she said, "Last think I saw was…" and she remember that tap on her shoulder. She turned to see a mutilated Sasuke reaching for her, asking her to help him. Before she freaked out… and she mused, that she passed out. "Sasuke don't die!" she yelled rather dramacially, "Where did you go!"
She heard an explosion and saw smoke appearing overhead. She saw that it wasn't far from her location, and when to investigate. As she reached the place where the explosion originated, she saw that Sasuke and Kakashi were battling it out.
'Those hand seal.. Uma.. Tora..' She gasped, 'those are too advanced for him to use!'
But unbelievably, Sasuke pulled it off, by achieving the Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu. She saw a huge fireball appear from Sasuke's fingers. 'Sasuke-kun is so cool!' she thought with admiration, 'Show that jounin whose boss!'
Obviously, Kakashi was impressed and surprised that Sasuke could handle such an advance technique at his age. He knew that he needed to counter Sasuke's attack with his own. And he disappeared just as the large flame came rushing at him.
Sasuke glanced around, 'He's gone!' he searched his surrounding, 'is he behind me… above me? Where did he go!?'
He felt the ground quiver, 'BELOW!!'
Hands shot up, grabbing his ankles and pulling him into the ground, "Doton! Shinjuu Zanshu no jutsu!"
Sasuke couldn't believe he allow himself to be caught in that trap, as he felt his whole body enter the ground. He looked up to see Kakashi crouching over him, smiling, "Lesson number two, Ninjutsu,"
"But at least as you predicted, your performance were head and shoulder above of your companions" Sasuke had an irritated face.
"Sasuke!?" she leaped up, "I have to help him!"
Kakashi glanced to see Sakura, "Hmm…?"
'Crap!? What am I doing?!' Sakura thought as she was running, 'I leaped before I thought of a plan!'
The jounin stood there, and then, disappeared like ashes into the wind. That scene stopped the genin dead on her track. 'What did he do?' she thought, 'Genjutsu!? Most likely!'
She had to stay on guard, with genjutsu one didn't know what illusion could be thrown. She felt something crawling on her legs, and saw bugs on her legs. "AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
"BUGS BUGS!!!" she screamed, "Get them off of me!!!" she attacked the nonexistent bugs.
Naruto appeared behind her, "Dispel!"
"Naruto?!" Sakura said in surprise.
"I'm taking those bells!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Then come and take them." Kakashi simply said.
The bells jiggled.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The battle ended before it started as Kakashi fell to the ground. Naruto was stand next to him holding the two silver bells. Naruto was quite pleased about his plan working. His tactics performed perfectly, in manipulating Sasuke to attack Kakashi, and handing the book, and freaking Sakura, in order for the deception to work. He transformed himself into a tick and snuck himself inside the book. And while Kakashi and Sasuke were fighting, he used that time to reach the bells, where he waited for the time when Sakura would distract Kakashi, allowing him to steal the bells from him. He almost blew it when he heard Kakashi-sensei's joke.
"Sakura catch!" Naruto said as he flung one of the bells to Sakura, then he walked over to Sasuke who was still hammered into the ground. Sasuke glared when he saw Naruto's amused expression on his face. "Here, Sasuke," handing the bell on his head, "Although I couldn't hand this to your, I know you'll still get ahead."
"That's not funny, Naruto…" Sasuke grumbled. He broke free of the ground; he knew that he was manipulated. But he couldn't say it to Naruto, with anyone else watching them. It would've made him looked weak. And that something he couldn't tolerate. "Here," He tossing the bell back to Naruto. "I told you, I don't need your help, I can get it my own."
'Wow… Sasuke-kun is strong…' Sakura thought, although she looked at her bell. "Here Naruto…"
"What… are you guys doing?"
"We don't want your help, Naruto…" Sasuke said, "If I accept this, then that mean I couldn't do it alone, and that would make me look weak." He glanced at Naruto, "I need to become stronger, and having people helping me will blunt my edge. So give it back to Kakashi sensei or whatnot.. I'm getting the bell on my own."
"Ahem.." Kakashi coughed.
Member of team 7 turned their attention to Kakashi. "Well, I have an announcement to make." he announced, "Witnessing the events, I just want to say.. You all pass."
"What?!"
"Allow me to explain," Kakashi said, "Well, the test wasn't to get the bells.. Well it was.. But the true purpose of it was to see if you could work as a team."
"But Kakashi-sensei there was only two bells!" Sakura exclaimed"Yes, those two bells were to cause strife within your group, making your work against your teammates then working with them." Kakashi explained, "But you three… demonstrated… however indirectly, that you could work together. And each of you gave up their bells for the other."
"Cause, being in a mission, teamwork is the essential." Kakashi gave a look at his pupil, "You made placed in a situation where you will have to make a difficult choice, because of the lack of teamwork."
"Those that don't care about their teammates are lower than trash in my book." Kakashi spoke with a grave tone.
"Well that it's for today, team 7" he gave them thumbs up, "Your duties will commence tomorrow."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"How far away is the target?" Kakashi said in a low voice.
"Five meters and closing.." Naruto spotting the target from his location.
"I'm in position.." Sasuke confirmed.
"So am I." Sakura signaled.
"GO!" Kakashi ordered his team.
Naruto leaped into the fray, he was going to catch this thing if it killed him. "HAI--YAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" He yelled. He was followed closely behind Sasuke and Sakura.
The target never stood a chance.
Sasuke reported in, "Target Captured."
"Remember, the target has a ribbon around its right ear." Sasuke glanced at the cat that was clawing at Naruto's face. "Damnit Kitty, My face isn't a pin cushion!" he said trying to hold the cat in his grips.
"Target confirmed."
"Then the mission: Missing Pet is completed."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Man.. This is boring…" Naruto stated, "I don't why we have to do these mission… especially that last one… that one took almost forever…"
"Well it would've been sooner, if you haven't gotten in your pint size brain to make such a complex plan in the first place." Sakura retorted.
"That and scaring the cat into the forest… dunce." Sasuke stated.
"Well I didn't see you making offering suggestion, fanboy."
"Now… Now…" Kakashi said trying to mediate his group, "We need to HQ and report in, and pick up our next assignment."
"I hope they don't give us another dumb one…" Naruto said, although he did enjoy these easy mission, these missions were driving him insane, He knew that he need something challenging, something that would test his skills, he was jounin, crying out loud. If he still on this path, he could feel himself reverting back into that twelve year kid.
When they arrived, Naruto was surprised at the quickness of the damiyo's wife as she snatched up her poor Tora. 'Man… I feel sorry for the cat; I think I should've left it in the forest…'
Sakura was having a similar thought.
"Yo, old man, what's our next mission?" Naruto stated impatiently. "Naruto! Show respect to the hokage!" Iruka exclaimed. "I will when he give us a decent mission!" Naruto retorted, "So what's our next mission!?"
The Third chuckled mirthlessly, "Team 7... Team 7... Baby-sit for the council of elders, to run errand to the neighboring village to help dig sweet potatoes.""What the hell!?" Naruto exclaimed, "Sorry! Nope! Ain't doin' that crap!" Naruto snapped upon hearing his latest mission assignments. "Give us something to test our skill.. Give us some action! Give us a real mission!!" He huffed, "I didn't become a ninja just do menial work! If I wanted to do that, I would've been a janitor!"
'He does have a point.' Sasuke thought.
Sakura looked dismayed, and annoyed at the loud blonde boy in her group, 'what a pain…' she thought, 'unlike Sasuke-kun'
Kakashi could only shake his head; he knew that those missions were given to team 7 as protection. Even if the incident in the forest happened a couple days, the thought of Orochimaru appearing like that without warning, but a dark mood on the village. These missions were given as a mean to protect Naruto from danger that Orochimaru could produce. He was being watched, and since it was in the village, it was the easiest way to keep him safe. Naruto was lucky that he could do missions.
"Hmph.. You think I'm still that loud mouth troublemaker!" Naruto said, "If you give me a real mission, I'll prove what really do!"
'What you can really do?' The Third Hokage thought, 'So let's see how much potential you have Naruto.' And at the amazement of team 7, The Hokage said "Fine, if you put it that way, then I'll give team 7 a mission of the chuunin level. This mission is to protect our client from harm until need of bodyguard are no longer required."
"Alright!"
"But with one condition."
"What's that?!"
"You allow another team to accompany you."
"SAY WHAT!?"
'That figures…' were the collective thoughts of team 7.
The Hokage smiled, "Seriously, Naruto do you think with a Shinobi of your record going to get off doing a mission of protecting a person, and not be liable for it?" and when he saw Naruto dumbfounded expression, "As I thought, Naruto, when we give out mission, we are liable for anything happen within the mission. Anything we do has a potential to make this village look bad and ultimately weak."
The Hokage gave Kakashi a glance before continuing.
"Having you, protect our client, wouldn't be reasonable, just having one team. So, to keep the rate of success up, I giving you and your team, support if you will."
"If I don't agree.."
"Then I guess you don't want the mission…"
"Fine! I take it!" Naruto said angrily, "So who the client we're protecting?"
"That would be me."
The team 7 turned to look at a drunken old man, "The name's Tazuna, I'm an architect renowned." he glanced at the genins, "These can't be possibility be ninja, especially the midget, he has the look of an imbecile."
"Hahha.. Who's the midget.." Naruto asked. He glanced to his teammate, but he saw that they're taller than him. 'Oh… yeah… what would be me… since I don't get that growth spur until..'
"Midget!?" Naruto yelled, "Who you calling a midget you drunken fat old geezer!"
"Fat!?" Tazuna exclaimed, "This isn't fat, this is 100% pure muscle here!" pounding on his belly, "which you seem lacking in the upstairs department!"
"Why you!? I'll kill you!" Naruto swiped at the old geezer, but he was held back by Kakashi. "Naruto, it doesn't look good for us, if we kill our client."
"I don't care.. One swipe.. One swipe…!"
"This is going to be a long trip…" Kakashi commented.
Sakura and Sasuke agreed.
=-=-=-=-=-=
"Why are we waiting here again?" Naruto said impatiently, he wanted to do this mission. And not for the reason they thought, not at all. Within this mission, he knew that he would cross path with Hidden Mist's silent demon, Momochi Zabuza, and his prodigy, Haku. It was for that reason he wanted to get to the country of Waves. He wanted to speak with Haku, to tell him, there was another way. One he didn't need to continue, for which the path that he was on would lead to his death. It was the least he could do for the boy that taught him so much, in a short period of time. If it wasn't for Haku, he wouldn't realize how he could call up his power consciously for others.
"Hurry up… Hurry up…" he said pacing.
"There's no rush, Naruto," Kakashi said, "We have all the time of the world." which the old man snorted, "You may, but I don't, I have a deadline to meet… and all this loitering isn't helping." He glanced at Naruto, "Am I really expected to trust my life on his hand?! He added after witnessing the impatient look on Naruto face. "… Is he emotionally stable?"
"Listen here, Old geezer!" Naruto declared, "Don't underestimate this ninja! Especially one that is going to become the next Hokage! And that'll happen cause I'm strongest there is!"
"In your dream, kid" Tazuna commented, taking a sip of his drink. "Why are we waiting for another team? I'll be damned if I'm getting charged extra for this?""What I'll kill you… OWWWW!!!"
Naruto rubbed his head as Kakashi stood over him, "I told you, no threatening the customer." He turned toward Tazuna, "Team 8 should be here in a few moments, and nope, the extra ninjas assigned are a courtesy of the Hokage."
"Courtesy.. Huh?" Tazuna said with a skeptic look on his face, "I hope you're not pulling quantity over quality."
Kakashi smiled uneasily as he tried to reason with the client. He wondered what reasoning was going through the Hokage's mind when he knew that Orochimaru could be going after Naruto. That was the point for those missions to watch over Naruto. 'Unless, he's planning to use Naruto as bait, and see if Orochimaru is actually after Naruto.'
He turned toward the gates to see Kurenai and her genins arriving on the scene. "Well now that team 8 is here, we can move on in this collaboration." Kakashi said.
Both jounins eyes met for a brief moment, conveying more than what was said. She understood the underlying meaning that he expressed with a slight nodded. They knew that this wasn't a going to be a picnic.
He saw what the newest Jounin had under her care, some of the most powerful bloodline in the Konoha village. Shino of the Aburame Clan, members of this clan mentally use the Kikai insect to fight their battles. Kiba of the Inuzuka Clan, whose loyalty and fiery are match by their dog companions whom they fight with side, and Hinata of the Hyuuga Clan, the most powerful clan in Konoha, second to the Uchiha Clan, she possesses the Advanced Bloodline eye ability, Byakugan. Each clan was unique with their skill and all the same just as deadly when they fought.
He could see why the Hokage chose this team to accompany them.
They would provide the perfect camouflage as a group of junior ninja on a typical mission. Kakashi wondered the Hokage's reasoning in allowing Naruto to be onboard with the mission. He knew that Naruto would eventuality have to face some powerful adversity. For the moment, with an S-class criminal lurking about, Kakashi believed that this wasn't the time. 'Still, there no time like the present…' But Kakashi had to wonder if they were going to be trail by an Anbu team, he couldn't believe the Hokage not having a plan of sort. His eyes glanced at the surrounding, 'How come I don't see any of them.'
He hoped that this mission will go over smoothly.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Hidden within the covering of the shadow, pair of eyes watches the group. One of them edged closer for a better look, and slightly shook his head in quiet disgust.
"This will be too easy." The first one said.
"Yes, but remember our objective." The second responded.
"This is a waste of our talent."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that."
"Eh?" the first quirked, "You know something what is it…"
"Nothing at all," the second said, the eyes falling upon his target, "Just an advice that our master told me."
"Tell me…" the first insisted.
"Let's just say, that this won't be a boring mission as you first thought." the second said with a smile.
"Really…" a soft chuckle escaped his throat, "Well, I hope what you say is true."
"But you will forget that," the second stated, "Remember we're here to grab and run. Not fight. We have the other two for that."
"What? Those two weak idiots that they laid upon us?" the first replied with disgust.
"Weak to us," the second replied, then indicating toward the group, "Not to them."
"If those are too much, I don't see how this will be a fun job…"
"Appearance can be deceiving, and I know that along them, he'll give us that excitement we'll need."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Kiba Inuzuka could tell anyone that he wasn't happy with this assignment. And the reason was for that displeasure of this mission was that he had to share it with another group. And not only that, their real mission was to accompany team seven as they do their mission. In his eyes accompany was synonymous to babysitting, and that, what ultimately irked him.
To his left was Shino Aburame, one creepy guy with sunglasses that as long as he known him hadn't say anything more than fifty words. 'That guy thought he was so cool, just because he act all silence and wears those stupid shades.' Kiba thought.
Shino stopped, watching something far off. "Hmmm."
Kiba stopped, "Yo, bug boy, what the hold up?"
"Nothing" Shino said, "I'm going to back."
"Whatever…" Kiba said watching Shino walking to the back. Strangely, that were the two jounins were currently located.
To his right was Hinata, it was hard to imagine her as an Hyuuga, since she was so timid, that she would do anything you would ask her to do. The only thing that made her a Hyuuga was her eyes.
He scratched his head in puzzlement as he watch Hinata twitch her finger in a nervous state. He didn't know what was up with that girl lately. Even since the team got this assignment, she had been more nervous and timid than usual. That constant thumb twitching was getting on his nerves.
"Stop it…" he said."What?" Hinata uttered startled.
"The twitching… It's getting on my nerves…" He said, he indicated at her hands.
Hinata glanced at her hand, then realizing her nervous gesture; she blushed and quickly placed her hand inside her pockets.
And that was his team that he had to work with. A creepy guy with glasses, and a timid girl with white eyes. He had his work cut out for him. But he would tell himself that he would make the best of it.
The client, that old man, Tazuna was drinking as it was the end of the world. It seemed that he had a bottle on hand each time he finished with the last one. He smelled badly of alcohol, Kiba had to rub his nose to sniff out the scent from lingering.
Kiba watched his 'comrade' walking in front of him. Sakura, the girl smartest girl in their class, but she was a sasuke-obsess freak second to the blondie Ino.
But it made him smile that Uchiha Sasuke, the rookie of the year, and Mr. Popular; he couldn't get a mission without someone babysitting him. So much for talent, Kiba said with some satisfaction. Then there was Naruto, the class clown, that one he could understand the need for supervision, but still… "Man, I could be spending my time better doing something else instead of babysitting." Kiba commented.
Kiba saw that the village idiot stop, and then whipping around at him, "What did you say?" he said, "Cause I know that a flea bitten wouldn't insult this team!"
Hinata flinch with Naruto sudden appearance as it were. She blushed at the close proximity of her crush being near her. Fortunately for her, neither boy saw her reactions.
Kiba growled at the insult and restated his commented, "Obviously, the hokage needed someone with high skill and intelligence to keep you baby safe."
"Watch your mouth dog breath," Naruto growled, "I happen to know that there isn't a thought between your ears."
Hinata tried to stop them for arguing, but being too timid; her words were lost in the argument.
"What was that...? I thought I heard a runt saying something!" Kiba insulted back.
"Runt!?" Naruto said belligerent, "I wouldn't be overconfident drool face."
Each of them glared at the other, their argument would've continued, if Naruto didn't sense something approaching them. Quickly forgoing his debate against dog-boy, he droved away his location, pulling both Kiba and Hinata with him.
"What the hell, Naruto!" Kiba shouted. He was going to continue shout at Naruto, when he felt and heard a large impact. Dust rose from the crater, a silhouette could be screen behind the screen of debris.
The group turned their eyes toward the impact.
A gluttonous voice spoke, "Playtime."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A few moments went by since the voice last spoken. Stream of dust continued to rise to the air, effectively screening the figure on the other side. A silhouette of the mystery figure could vaguely be seen.
The jounin's eyes caught one another for a brief moment, before returning their attention to the possible threat. They wondered what kind of threat would emerge from the cloud of dust.
Behind the jounins, Tazuna held his hand in anger. He had recognized the voice that came from the cloud. He felt fear that crept within him, and he was ashamed. But he couldn't do anything.
Suddenly, the figure emerged from the brown rising cloud. The appearance of the stranger seen to match smoothly with the voice that came along with it. Huge hands clenched as if readying for a race. And bones crackled around his broad shoulders and arms that were wide as a tree trunk. They were supported by a round body that was standing on short stocky legs.
The head was round like the body, with hair absent. One could believe he never had hair to begin with. Covered completely with white paint, face sported symbol that were etched vertical on one side of his face. Ruddy yellow eyes watched the group with a sneering confidence.
"Hey you Ninja!" Tazuna said, "He's an enemy go after him!"
"Eh..?" Kakashi said, "if he attacks us, then we will... but not before."
"But you have to," Tazuna said angrily, "I'm your client, and I'm ordering you to do it."
Kakashi turned to him, "Is there any reason for this?"
"Yes.."
"Explain... later"
"Thank you."
"Kakashi…" Kurenai said incredulous.
But Kakashi waved her off, "I'll handle this, just protect our client."
Kurenai nodded at the senior jounin.
Kiba was the first to stand up, "what this…?" he said with a cocky tone, "A clown come to play with us?" Rubbing his nose, "I don't think this fight will last that long…" He glanced over his shoulder, "Hey, Old Man, I'll beat him down for you."
"Kiba! Don't be a fool!" Kurenai said, "This opponent is too much for you!"
"Ha, I think I can handle this clown." He crouched down to position himself, then declaring "I'll beat him down in three easy steps!"
"Ninpo! Shikyaku no Jutsu!"
The group watched as Kiba became physically stronger. His nail grew longer, his teethes and his body seemed more powerful than usual. He was becoming a beast. Then standing on all four limbs, Kiba whistles for Akamaru. The small dog ran up on top of Kiba's Head. Kiba tossed a pill to his companion, and ate one himself. "Watch and learn.""Juujuin Bunshin!"
Suddenly there was two Kiba, one of top of another.
They launched their attack, "Ninpo! Gatsuuga"
A duo became a pair of whirlwind, moving around attacking everything that was in their path. They began circling around the stranger at an extreme pace. But the stranger stood there nonchalant, just staring at the jounins with that maddening sneer.
And just as Kiba was going to strike, the stranger's arms shot out, extending twenty feet, slamming head on with Kiba's attack. To Kiba it felt like running head on to a steel wall at full force. He knew that some of his ribs were broken. The hand wrapped around him, and he felt himself going downward. He hit the ground hard, and body feeling every itch of it.
"Kiba!" Kurenai said concerned, followed by Hinata's timid shout "Kiba-kun!"
The stranger was standing above Kiba, the sneer never leaving his face. He smashed his foot on genins face, with a sickening crack sound being heard. The genin cried out before collapsing unconscious. The stranger arm unwrapped itself from the genin's body, return to its original length and size. "I do hope, one of you do provide some kind of entertainment."
Naruto looked at the stranger with pure anger.
"By the way," the stranger spoke, "the name's Shiasawa Oogui"
=--=-=-=-=-=-=
End of Act III Part I
A/N:
First off, My Thanks to the reviewer, cause I do appreciate the input and supports from you, guys. I like reading them as much I like writing this!
And to X2Darklord, for being my beta-reader, and putting up with my lack of sense of humor.
Anyways, like you could see, I place up, half of a chapter, so this chapter isn't complete, I'll have the second half in early july, at the least. I would've put all the chapter up but my computer memory got all wiped and I had to reset everything, losing the chapter, this part I send to my prereader, so I luckly I had that. this chapter if completed would've been longest.. I writtern.. about 44 page! cries
Anyway, my impatient got the better of me, and I started writing crap, and I starting again.. so I stopped myself, and posted this up.. so I could get a time out, before I start writing again. I strive for quality when I'm patient that is.
Replies to my readers:
Zsych: Well, when I was doing the time thing, I was thinking more of the back to the future way of doing things. I did throw in a bit of that Quantum Mechanics, but to a degree. So I kinda of using the BTF rules here..
Reader: Ah, that basically the point, ya.. the same thing does happen in a different way..:p
that's it.. for this chapter.
Pairing..
Hmm... not in this time.. there won't be... hmm.. perhaps.. future glimpse.. we could see something.. in the horizon.. but not in this time.
Anyway, that it's for my rambling... everything has a purpose.. so don't bug out and take it in.. basically.. or something..
Techniques:
Juujin Bunshin - Beast Clone
Shikyaku no Jutsu - Quadupled Beast strength.. or something similar..
Gatsuuga - Beast Fang