Disclaimers: I don't own Naruto and that's final.
Author's notes: Oh my gosh! I can't believe the number of reviews flowing in my e-mail! You guys are all so kind and encouraging! I'm so happy! Alright! I can't reply to every review since there are a lot and I really want to start this chapter now. But please let me reply to some reviewers that really helped me a lot.
Pale Rider: I thank you very much! You don't know how your reviews mean to me. You really tell me those things that I need to clear up. And the result? Many people say it's interesting! Thank you a lot! I hope that you'll continue to help me work on this story! Thank you very much!
Ookima: Thank you for the support! I'm glad! I hope you update your fic soon! You're fics are so wonderful! I also can't wait for your next update!
Maliciously Creative: You are very supportive! I'm glad! I hope that I continue to please everyone!
To all other reviewers: I'm sorry if I'm not able to answer your reviews personally but you're really a terrible lot (note the happiness here)! I'm so happy actually! For only four chapters, I already got 80 reviews from all of you! Thank you a lot for your support!
Author: Alrighty then! Anyway, I have decided. I think that I won't put any kind of pairing here. Maybe hints will be showed. I've decided this to be a brotherly loyal relationship fic so I hope that's alright for you guys!
Warning #1: OOC-ness ahead! A lot of them! So don't blame me if you don't like it!
Warning #2: Sakura bashing ahead! I really don't like her so I'm sorry for Sakura fans out there, alright? I don't want to see a review saying on why am I bashing Sakura since I already warned you.
Note: I said in chapter one that this mission is Naruto's first mission, right? Well… it was my mistake. His current mission is his first single-man mission. All of his past missions were done as a group. So please forgive my mistake.
Chapter 4:
Naruto woke up earlier than usual the next day. He stretched his arms and went directly to the bathroom of his hotel room. He groaned. He won't be able to get an apartment until he becomes a registered leaf-nin.
After doing his daily routines, he opened his bag and changed his clothes again, which were still the same clothes that he wore the day before. 'Man… if I won't get a change of wardrobe soon, I'm gonna be sick.'
After putting on his clothes, he took his cloak off a stand and placed it on. He opened the curtains and admired the scenery. He sighed. "How long has it been ever since I savored a peaceful scenery like this?" He wondered out loud.
::I guess you never really savored a peaceful scenery before. Every time when you're starting to savor it, it's either the townspeople trying to kill you or Itachi and the Akatsuki calling you for another killing spree.::
Naruto sighed. /Well good morning too, Kyuubi./
::Morning, kit. Anyway, I can hear your stomach grumbling here. I suppose you would need to eat now for your survival training later on. You don't want to be late.::
Naruto chuckled. /Don't be such a mom, Kyuubi./
He heard Kyuubi snort. ::I'd rather prefer the term 'father' since I'm a male.::
/Fine./
::What do you want to eat then?::
Naruto's face beamed as he remembered the one food that he so adores ever since his childhood. "Ramen!"
::Shh… kit, people are still asleep.::
Naruto laughed nervously. /Sorry. Let's go!/
::Now don't scream on my ear.::
The blond placed the hood above his head and walked out of the hotel silently as he headed for the one ramen stand that he so adores. His face beamed in delight as he saw the stand still in business.
"Ichiraku!" Naruto was trying to calm his urge to run towards the ramen stand as he started to walk in a fast pace. Kyuubi sighed.
::Some things really don't change, do they?::
Naruto grinned. /Of course! Ramen is still the best food in the whole wide world! I even steal some ramen cups from the Akatsuki kitchen's cup boards when I had a chance./
Kyuubi snicked. ::Which was quite hard for your part since it's always Itachi doing the cooking for both of you and he hates ramen. It was you who insisted to keep the ramen cups in there.::
Naruto's grin grew wider. /Ahh… but now that I'm in Konoha, I'll be able to do the one thing that I enjoy that I can't do at the hideout./
::And what would that be, kit?::
/Maa… are you dumb, fox, or are you just doing this on purpose to annoy me?/
Kyuubi chuckled. ::Kit, I know that you are never annoyed when it comes to ramen.::
Naruto sat down on one of the stools as the owner turned to him. "Good morning! What would your order be?" He asked.
"I want a large bowl of miso ramen please." He ordered.
The man nodded as he started preparing his order. Kyuubi sighed at his kit's anticipation on eating the ramen. ::Kit, remember what we're here for.:: He reminded. Naruto sighed as his expression darkened.
/I know that. You don't need to remind me about it./ Naruto replied mentally.
::You know, kit, I'm wondering. Why would the Akatsuki waste time on destroying one single shinobi village? What benefit would they get from it?::
Naruto sighed. /Konoha is considered as one of the strongest shinobi village and one of the largest in fact. Though even I refuse to believe it, the organization somewhat fear Konoha./
Kyuubi snorted upon hearing that. ::Fear Konoha? Hah! As if I'll believe that. I almost destroyed this village.::
/And what happened next? You were still defeated and sealed inside of me by the fourth hokage. That alone proves that they are strong. Upon the destruction of this village, the Akatsuki will lose one opposing force that might be a threat to them./ Naruto sighed.
/Even though I believe that this mission will just be a waste of time, it would also prove to be entertaining for me to see the people's horrified faces when the signal is given to me. I can finally have my revenge./
Kyuubi sighed. ::You can never really forgive them, can you?::
Naruto's eyes flashed in anger at what Kyuubi said. /Forgive them?! Are you crazy?! I would never forgive them for what they did to me! Add up what they did to Itachi-niisan as an added bonus! I would gladly see their wonderful destruction upon my very hands!/
::I understand what they did to you. But what have they done to Itachi?/
/They framed him, fox! That's why Itachi-niisan needs to live in a life of exile because of a crime that he had never committed! The massacre of the Uchiha clan was not his fault! He said that to me himself./
The kyuubi was quiet after that.
=Hideout=
"Itachi-san, you have been more quieter than usual." Kisame said as Itachi sat down on a huge rock on a cliff, giving them a full view of the Konoha village. Itachi sighed.
"I somehow regret lying to that child." He murmured.
Kisame was shocked at what he heard. Itachi was actually regretting something for goodness sake. He, however, stayed silent for Itachi to continue. "He believes that I was only framed for the massacre of my clan, which was a lie. I need to do that for him to join us. That child would never accept the company of another murderer after what he had gone through."
Kisame chuckled at what Itachi had just said. "Even though we turned him into an actual criminal as well. And as S-class one at that, though not written in the bingo book. At least, not yet." He said.
=Konoha=
"Arigato." Naruo said as he finished his last slurp of the ramen. He placed his pay on the counter and placed his mask back on his face. "Keep the change."
"Come back again!" The owner said as Naruto turned his back and went towards the forest. At the forest, in silent steps he walked - his heartbeat calm and his breathing not louder than a whisper. His face does not show a single bit of the emotion called nervousness.
Upon entering a clearing in the middle of the forest, he saw Sasuke standing in the middle, calmly surveying the area. His glance turned to a stare as his eyes reached Naruto.
The blond then walked towards him and raised an arm up to acknowledge the stare of his teammate. Sasuke nodded in reply and stared at him. Naruto walked up to him and sat down on the grass.
Naruto took his hood off his head to feel the cool breeze of the morning. He sighed and smiled slightly. "The breeze is very nice in the morning. Don't you agree, Uchiha-san?" He asked with a bright smile forming under his mask.
Sasuke merely nodded. Naruto sighed again, this time in annoyance, as he felt a familiar presence coming. A pink form was starting to get nearer and nearer towards them as they both don't need to think just to know that was Sakura.
Sakura smiled brightly as she saw Sasuke. "Ohayou Sasuke-kun!" She greeted brightly, but then frowned as she saw the blond. "Oha…" However, Naruto cut her off.
"I don't need your greeting." He said coldly.
"How come you're so rude?!" She demanded. Naruto turned his back from her and jumped up in a nearby tree branch and placed his hood back.
"Why don't you stop being such a nuisance for once and do something useful?" Naruto asked. Well… that was more of a statement than a question. Sakura crossed her arms and stood up.
"Ahh… I'm hungry. Who ate breakfast?" Sakura asked.
"I did." Naruto answered. Sakura huffed.
'I really don't like this guy.' Sakura thought.
A few hours later, Sasuke was still standing up with his arms crossed, Sakura was sitting on the grass grumbling, and Naruto was asleep on a nearby tree branch. "Argh!!! Where is Kakashi-sensei?!" She exclaimed.
Sasuke opened his eyes as Naruto did too. It seems that they both knew that Kakashi was already here. "Argh!!!" Sakura threw her kunais on a tree as Kakashi caught one of them.
"Well good morning too, Sakura." Kakashi greeted.
Sakura was already fuming up and it seems that Inner Sakura was the one in control. "You're late, Kakashi-sensei!" She exclaimed as smoke started coming out of her ears and nose.
Kakashi looked around to see Sasuke, but no Naruto. He glanced on the trees and found Naruto glaring at him from the tree branch. His faced seemed amused, and Naruto didn't like that look one bit.
"Naruto, you can come down now." Kakashi called.
Naruto jumped down the tree and landed gracefully on the ground. Sakura huffed again. "Show off." She murmured. Naruto, however, heard her and decided to shrug it off. He cast another glare at Kakashi.
"Let's get this over with." The blond said with impatience.
Kakashi smiled under his mask as he took an alarm clock and placed it on top of a log. "This alarm clock is set for twelve. Your mission will be to get one of these bells from me. The one who doesn't get a bell won't get any lunch." He explained.
Sakura and Sasuke both have this 'oh darn it' look.
'So that's why he didn't want us to eat breakfast.' Sasuke thought.
'Great. I really need to end my diet soon.' Sakura thought.
However, Naruto had a calm expression and crossed his arms. "No problem. I ate breakfast." He said. 'Hmm… two bells only. That means one will be left out. Anything to say, Kyuubi?'
::Three words: Good luck kit.::
/Gee… thanks. That was very encouraging. I'm just as strong, if not a bit weaker, as Kakashi-sensei and Kisame. Ahh… Kyuubi?/
::Yeah?::
/Can I use the new jutsu that you taught me now?/
::No. Save that for Orochimaru or when really needed.::
/Awe… alright. But can I use the other jutsus that you taught me?/
::Sure.::
/Yoshi!/
"Ehem." Kakashi cut off his thoughts. "Start!"
The three jumped away. Kakashi chuckled. 'At least they know how to hide.' He thought as he started walking.
Naruto was hiding on top of a tree as he used a camouflaging cloth to hide himself. He decided to wait until Kakashi falls into one of his traps.
Thirty-minutes passed…
He then heard a high pitch scream from somewhere in the forest. He recognized the voice as Sakura's. He narrowed his eyes. 'So Sakura had been Kakashi-sensei's first victim. I gotta go and check it out.'
Naruto took his camouflaging cloth away and dashed towards the area where he heard Sakura's shout. He saw her unconscious in the middle of a clearing. He sighed in annoyance seeing that there was nothing interesting to see in there.
Just then, he heard a crash.
He turned to look into his right to see Sasuke attacking Kakashi with taijutsu and Kakashi blocking all of his attacks. He smirked at Sasuke's performance. 'Hn. How will you be able to defeat Itachi-niisan if you're still that weak? You need more experience, Uchiha.'
'Hmm… shall I go and help him out?'
Pause.
'Nah. Maybe later.'
He watched Sasuke kick and punch until by that time that he almost got hold of the bells. However, Kakashi noticed it in an instant and pulled back. "Sigh… because of you, I lost time to read my book."
Naruto's eyes narrowed in annoyance. 'What a pervert. But then again…' His eyes suddenly turned into amused archs (sp?). 'That was nice to watch. Sasuke almost got hold of the bells. He's a bit like Itachi-niisan.'
He turned back to look at Sasuke and Kakashi in time when Sasuke started to perform a few handseals. "Katon: Gyoukyaku no Jutsu / Ryuuka no Jutsu (a/n: Which attack was it?)!"
Kakashi seemed shocked for a while, seeing how a mere genin can use such a technique. Sasuke then blew fire towards Kakashi, burning the place where he stood. Naruto's eyes narrowed as he gasped.
'Kakashi-sensei's not there. Where is he?' Naruto wondered.
As Sasuke finished his attack, he was shocked to see Kakashi not in the spot where he stood. 'Nani? Where is he?' Sasuke wondered as he searched frantically over.
Naruto concentrated in hopes to find their perverted sensei. His eyes widened as he felt a familiar presence underground. "Uchiha! Move!" Naruto then went out of his hiding place and pushed Sasuke just in time when Kakashi's hand appeared from underground.
Kakashi's hard went underground again and before the two even noticed it, Kakashi held hold of Sasuke's foot and pulled him underground. Naruto, fortunately, managed to jump away before his foot got held, quickly took out another camouflaging cloth and hid himself under the bushes.
Now, Sasuke's head was the only one sticking out of the ground. Kakashi chuckled. "You can't move now, can you?" He mocked. Sasuke 'grred' and turned away. Kakashi then stood up.
"Now for Naruto."
'Now!'
He first made a clone and told him to go and fight Kakashi but stay in defencive. The clone nodded and jumped down.
Naruto the clone jumped down to face Kakashi one-on-one. Kakashi looked amused at this. "You want to fight? Then come on." He cooed. The fight then started. (a/n: I'm sorry. I'm a bit lazy to write out the whole fighting scene.)
However, the real Naruto went towards Sasuke, crouched, and then grinned. "I won't ask if you need my help since I know you'll decline so I'll help you without asking whether you like it or not."
With that, Naruto dug his hand under the ground. In came Sakura who saw Sasuke in his state, screamed then fell unconscious again. "Is she really a shinobi?" Naruto wondered out loud.
"For once, I'll agree with you Uyoma." Sasuke said.
Naruto turned back at Sasuke and continued to get him out. After a few seconds, the Uchiha was out of the grave. "I need to go." Sasuke said.
Naruto placed one hand on his hip as the other one dangled along on his side. "Ano sa… Sasuke. Wanna team up on Kakashi-sensei? That would make it easier for us to get the bells." He offered.
Back at Kakashi and the clone, Kakashi then managed to plant in a clean direct punch at the clone's chest, but then gasped as the clone poofed into smoke. 'Kage bunshin? Well… it seems that Uyoma Naiki is one interesting kid.'
Kakashi then relaxed as he went back to the clearing. Seeing that the real Naruto and Sasuke were having a conversation, Kakashi decided to hide behind a tree and listen.
"So… what? Agree to team up to get the bells or not?" The blond asked.
"No." Sasuke replied coldly.
"Why?"
"All of you would only be a bother." The Uchiha replied. Naruto felt his blood boiling in annoyance at Sasuke. He sighed.
"I know that there's more to that answer, Uchiha. So spit it out." Naruto demanded with one raised eyebrow.
Sasuke was silent for a moment before answering as a soft breeze flew around them. "Only I could kill that man." Sasuke said that was no louder than a whisper.
Naruto, however, heard what he said clearly but decided to let him think that he didn't hear what he said. He tilted his head in fake confusion. "Nani?"
"Because of him," Sasuke started. "All of them were killed… all… of them were…"
CRING!!!
"Drats! We wasted a lot of time." With that, Sasuke walked away. Naruto sighed in annoyance as he started to walk away as well and passed by the still unconscious Sakura. He sighed again for the seemingly hundredth time in annoyance.
'What the heck?! I got one angst-filled Sasuke, a lovesick Sakura, and a perverted-Kakashi. I guess that Sasuke would be one of the problems that I might encounter, considering all of his angst and anger towards Itachi-niisan.' He thought as he carried Sakura on his back.
::If you realized it, kit, you are actually not that different with Itachi's 'foolish little brother'.::
/How so?/
::Both of you have that 'angst-filled life' as you put it. You hate Konoha and he hates Itachi. His whole clan was killed, and you were almost killed. Both of you even have the same attitude. Though you're a bit more violent than he is.::
Naruto smirked at Kyuubi's last line. /Thank Kyuubi. That was a real compliment./ No sarcasm was heard in that voice. It seems that he was even delighted at the fact that Kyuubi said that he has more violent than Sasuke.
::Hmm… kit is even happy about what I said. Well… I guess that was because of my influence.:: Kyuubi thought, being extra careful not to let Naruto hear his thoughts.
/Well… I wouldn't call myself violent, actually. To tell you the truth, I don't even know how to say what my attitude is. I always get an emotion-to-attitude change time by time. I can't really describe my own attitude. I just can't put my finger to it./
He heard Kyuubi chuckle. ::Let's end our talk for a moment and see if you really passed.::
A few minutes later, the three of them were sitting down on the grass with Kakashi in front of them. "I can see that you're all hungry. Well… all except one I see." He said. The three of them huffed.
"Well… I have some good news and bad news. The good news is you don't need to go back to the academy." He said.
Sakura was instantly jumping up and down in happiness. The two other boys, however, felt that under this relieved feeling, something else will be going on. "The bad news is… none of you passed. Well… with the exception of Naiki." Kakashi announced.
"What?! We failed?! Why?!" Sakura exclaimed.
Kakashi chuckled again. "I see that you still don't know what this training is about. Naiki, would you say what this training is all about?"
"My pleasure, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto said with deep sarcasm. "It's all about teamwork." He said.
Kakashi nodded. "And unfortunately, only you could see that. The two of you are totally unworthy to be ninjas."
With that, Sasuke dashed towards him in anger. However, with a puff of smoke, Sasuke was below Kakashi with him on top. Kakashi's foot was pushing Sasuke's face to the ground with his one hand holding Sasuke's arm on his back.
"Stop it! You're hurting Sasuke!" Sakura exclaimed.
At that point, Naruto's patience has already reached its limit. "Shut up, Sakura!" He exclaimed. Sakura glared at him.
"And why should I?!"
"Because I told you so." Naruto said in a more calm voice with a hint of danger coming out. "I hate to break it to you Haruno-san, but you are just a prissy little sad excuse for a ninja and you'll stay that way if you don't change your ways."
"Why you…?!"
"Naiki's right. Sakura, all you thought about was Sasuke. You never give others any importance. And you." Kakashi said as he pressed onto Sasuke's head more. "You think that your teammates are all just bother. It is true that individual strength is important for a shinobi, but what matters more is team work." Kakashi said.
'Wait a minute. There are only two bells.' Sakura thought. "Wait Kakashi-sensei. We may get to work to get the bells, but only two of us will pass. We all have worked for the bells but the distribution is not equal." She said.
Kakashi nodded. "Yes. Part of this exam is to see how you will fight among yourselves. For example…" He then got a kunai out and placed it on Sasuke's neck.
"Naruto, kill Sakura or I'll kill Sasuke." Kakashi said.
Sakura started to panic while Naruto still had his calm expression. "B-b-but sensei…" Sakura stammered.
"For one thing, Kakashi-sensei, I can assure you that would never happen. And besides I couldn't really careless if one of them dies. I'm sure that there are more suitable genins that are fitted to be a ninja." Naruto answered.
Kakashi nodded. "Good answer. But that is what could happen. If you become a shinobi, I assure you that you will face decision-making that may cause you your lives. I can see that you are not yet fitted to be a ninja, since you are still children." He then stood up and walked over to a stone tablet.
"Look here. In this tablet are the names of shinobi heroes. My best friend's name is carved in there too. They died while serving." Kakashi said.
Their face went downcast. "Then it means they died on a mission." Sakura murmured.
Kakashi nodded and faced them. "Alright. I'll give you another chance. To those who want to continue, go and eat. Except Sakura because of her noisiness." Kakashi said. "Don't feed her, or else you'll automatically fail. Even you Naiki."
"Sure sensei."
With that, he left as Sasuke and Naruto started eating. Sakura stayed sitting down in the middle of the group with her stomach grumbling.
Naruto sighed and placed his lunch box in front of her. Sakura was shocked. "Uyoma-san… why? You'll fail."
"Even if I fail, I'll easily pass again. Even though I really don't like you, you need to eat, or else you won't be able to help us. When that happens, you'll be more of a nuisance than you already are." Naruto said as closed his eyes. "Eat."
"Uyoma's right." Sasuke pipped in. "After this we'll all work to get those bells." He said.
"But…"
"Shut up, Haruno-san and eat. I'm not hungry since I ate breakfast this morning. You need food more than I do." Naruto said as he stared at her with a look that says eat-or-I-might-use-drastic-measures-on-you.
Sakura gulped first before she took the lunch box and glanced a look at both Naruto and Sasuke. Seeing their nods, she ate.
'Uyoma-san's a bit nice after all.'
"And what do you think you're doing?!" Kakashi demanded as he made a few handseals. The sky darkened as thunder and lighting started crashing down.
"How dare you defile my orders! You shall all be punished! Now… any last words?" Kakashi said.
"Kakashi-sensei, get real. You're the one who said it. You said that we were a team. We look out for each other." Naruto said with a calm voice and face.
Sasuke nodded. "Naiki's right. We're a team and that means we are one." He said.
Sakura nodded as well with a determined nervous face. "Yeah! We are one!" She exclaimed as inner Sakura was starting to take control. (a/n: Inner Sakura thingies here are just for fun, alright?)
"What? You are one?" Kakashi then glanced at the three genins-to-be and placed his hands on his laps then smiled. "You passed!"
"N-nani?"
"You heard him clearly. We passed." Naruto said with a smirk.
"YEAH! WE PASSED!" Sakura exclaimed in joy. Sasuke had a slight smile while Naruto was smirking.
"You are all now official genins and tomorrow will be the start for the missions of Team seven!" Kakashi declared.
Sasuke and Naruto were quiet as Sakura continued to jump up and down. Naruto smirked darkly to himself.
'Part one of the mission: Completed.'
Author's notes: So… how's this? I read this chapter again and again so I hope that I did well. I hope that you all liked this. Yes. I cancelled the being-tied-in-the-log-if-you-failed part of the test. It's rather unusual for the Akatsuki hideout to have kitchens, ne? But if they don't have a kitchen, how will they cook their food? I think having a kitchen somewhere is needed. Don't you think? Whew! At last they're all genins! Now Naruto is ready to start part two of the mission! Anyway, like it? Hate it? Please tell me your comments and suggestions. Reviews please!