Chapter 10.
Raze It To The Ground.
The Chunin of Team Seven sat on Naruto's old couch. The Orders from their Hokage replaying in their minds. This was the first time they'd been ordered to attack another major village's military, or anything of a major village. It was a daunting task that had been put on their shoulders. They were being ordered to destroy an outpost of Iwa's. The destruction of the buildings was not the issue, Hiro and Naruto would see to that with Fuinjutsu and large scale Ninjutsu. That might be the fun part, but the Chunin were struggling with the amount of killing they were being called to do.
"It's our job. We may not like it, I do not, but Iwa tried to strike the first blow. The Hokage tried to be diplomatic and reach a non-violent resolution. The Tsuchikage remained silent." Naruto reasoned aloud. He got up and walked to his kitchen. He opened his fridge, on the left side sat a small pouch of high quality finely cut pipe tobacco. He grabbed said pouch and retrieved his pipe from the rack where it hung. He proceeded to put a pinch in the bowl and light it with a match. "Well Sasuke, what's your take on this mess? We are going to be in the thick of the fighting. You've been silent all morning." The sole Uzumaki stated. Sasuke looked up from the written copy of the orders. He nodded, " I agree with your take on it. Iwa struck first. The Hokage didn't wait very long for the response. In this regard waiting for any longer would risk making us look weak." Sasuke stated with a sedated expression. Sakura sipped her coffee and sighed both at the taste, who knew Naruto was great with coffee, and the topic of discussion.
She made her opinion known. "We are going to stay together at all times. I don't care what some random Jounin tells us. We stick next to each other. Now what was our proposed entry and exit points for this mission?" She left the couch for the kitchen as well. A small bottle of sake was calling her name and while she usually ignored it's call today, she wouldn't. They shipped out tomorrow and she wouldn't be having any alcohol for the foreseeable future. Sasuke took the opportunity to ask Naruto for a match. He'd bought a pack of cigarettes and intended to have one. Sasuke channeled and cycled chakra through his lungs. This prevented any damage that would occur. He rarely smoked in the field or while on mission.
Naruto took a long draw on his pipe; he was contemplating the mission and what would or possibly could happen. He'd been activated as Konoha's Jinchuriki. That carried responsibility. If he didn't appear strong and capable it would reflect badly on him and his team. It would also reflect badly on his village. All three things he would not allow to exist. He was going to be Hokage one day and it was paramount to bring nothing but prestige to his home village.
In another part of the village, Kakashi and Hiro had just finished a rather intense bout of ninjutsu work. Kakashi was thankful for Hiro's help on chakra nature work, something he'd had trouble with in the past. Raiton was his main affinity and while that'd never change, he could learn the other elements to an acceptable standard. With Hiro's help he was learning Fuuton, it was harder than the others due to it being the opposite of lightning on the element scale. He would never master all five as the Sandaime had but he could be more versatile with the ones he did have. Hiro had suggested that he completely master Raiton and start on Fuuton. Kakashi knew that he would now have no trouble fighting on the caliber of the best in the village. He knew the trade off though he would spar with Hiro and get his Taijutsu to its absolute best. Kakashi helped Hiro be a far sharper and more subtle ninja. Together they had reached a level that the Hokage had been very surprised to see.
*Flashback Three Weeks ago*
Hiruzen was immediately glad he asked the two Jounin of Team Seven to make their spars bi-weekly. He had for the last five months been able to track the progress of the two. Also, they had started giving his old muscles the workout they sorely needed. His students had been his last good spar, not anymore, for Hiro and Kakashi had reached the level. Sannin. Hiruzen for the longest time thought that he would die before he witnessed the Leaf produce more Shinobi of that level. He was immensely happy to have been proven wrong. He dodged a vicious kick from the Uzumaki, starting to feel sweat gather on his brow brought a grin to the old Kage's face. Finally someone to once again push his limits. He took his taijutsu to the next level. Once again, his two opponents did not disappoint. They were able to keep up. He knew that they would push him, but he was also helping them by providing a superior opponent. Kakashi set the ground alight with a very subtle fire jutsu that Hiruzen saw but was set upon by Hiro once more. The Uzumaki let his chakra presence be felt, Hiruzen was reminded of his younger days spent sparing with Tobirama Senju. Kakashi got up close and personal giving the Sarutobi nostalgic feeling of fighting the White Fang. While the Hokage knew that the two were far from being able to beat him they'd eventually get there.
*Flashback over*
"How do you think the Chibi's are handling the orders for our mission? I know they'll take the mission as we are not allowed to say no but… well it's a lot to think on." Hiro asked Kakashi wanting his partners thoughts on the matter. Kakashi merely 'hmmed' and didn't elaborate further. Real helpful that was. Hiro looked at the other ninja with an exasperated visage. "Come on Kakashi, they're probably gonna ask us for advice." Hiro stated. Kakashi shook his head. "No, I don't think they will. They're smarter than you think. Naruto will probably ask us about his new responsibilities but as a group they'll be fine. Sasuke and Sakura will stick to Naruto like glue and in turn he won't let harm come to them… they might need to blow off some steam after though. Well at least that's what I would do." Hiro had put everything he had to give into making his Team unstoppable. The three Chunin fought with skill above their rank. Most Jounin would find themselves in trouble if they took on all three by themselves.
Naruto looked at Konohamaru with a grin. "Trying to get the jump on your enemy is smart. But screaming 'Ambush' during your ambush kind of defeats the point of your ambush. Plus, most ninja worth their weight in salt would've heard you from a mile away. You need to work on controlling your footfalls and breathing. The main thing about a surprise attack is that it must be a surprise. Get it?" Naruto told the three Academy students in front of him. They tried to catch him off guard but had failed miserably. He bid them a farewell and went back home. Sakura and Sasuke were spending the night before their mission. It was going to be one last night of frivolity before what promised to be ridiculously bloody work.
*Two Weeks Later*
Things had not gone according to mission parameters, the team met enemy ninja one hundred kilometers from Konoha. The also met Team Nine, alongside of which they carved a bloody trail towards their mission target .Naruto had killed more ninja and regular soldiers than he even dared to begin trying to count. He was starting to see why the Hokage looked weary while giving orders such as these. Naruto had watched fellow Leaf ninja die. The first time he saw a comrade actually die his rage peaked, resulting in him and his Team slaughtering the Iwa-nin platoon. The enemy had been a mix of Chunin and Genin level ninja. Team Seven alongside Team Nine, Kakashi and Hiro dispatched their foes with brutal efficiency. The boy called Rock Lee had earned Naruto and Sasuke's respect by dominating his foes with naught but fist and feet. The Hyuga and the one called Tenten were also deadly in close or long range. Might Guy gave their group the 'halt' sign.
"Yes, what is it Guy?" Hiro inquired. The group was needed twenty-two kilometers south of their current position to re-enforce a few Chunin platoons of Leaf ninja. "We should rest, we'll be no help if we get there exhausted." Guy said popping his neck a few times. Hiro looked at the group. For the last eight days they'd been fighting with less than two hours of sleep a night. Guy might be crazy, but he was a phenomenal teacher and one hell of a squad leader. Kakashi nodded,"Alright we take a thirty minute break . You six patch each other up, drink some water and eat some rations. Do not sit down. Stretch out and get ready to keep going." He ordered keeping his sense's sharp and his guard up.
Thirty minutes went by too fast in Sasuke's opinion but alas such is life. Him and Sakura had stuck to Naruto like glue. Naruto was never more than twenty feet from them. They slept in the same tent, and all ate at the same time. Kakashi's prediction was spot in the money Hiro realized. Every enemy that got to close to Sakura or Sasuke, Naruto would kill without a moment's hesitation. Naruto suddenly flashed through hand signs. "Fuuton: Chiteki Omo Ikari", eight melon sized balls of cutting wind left Naruto's mouth. The Iwa-Chunin who thought he had hidden well, was killed when the wind cut him into dozen of bloody pieces. The ninja in question had a scroll in hand as he died. Hiro grabbed the scroll and checked for any fuinjutsu traps. The few he found were easily broken. "Fuin: Aka Omo Kagayaki. (Fuin Red Lords Brilliance). He then opened the scroll to find orders from the Jounin commander of Iwa. Quickly reading them he was able to get a picture of Iwa's movement in this part of Tsuchi No Kuni. Hiro flashed through the hand seals: Ino,Inu,Tori,Saru and Hitsuji. "Ninpo:Kuchiyose!" Hiro barked out. A large jet black wolf appeared. "Yes Hiro-sama?" it asked politely. Hiro handed it the scroll while ordering "Akari run this to the Hokage. He needs this as fast as you can get it there. If any one tries to stop you in the village tell them it's from Squad Uzumaki."
*Three Days Later*
The group had finally made it to the border outpost that they were tasked with destroying. Squad Uzumaki sat five kilometers from the outpost, which was almost the size of a large town. "How are we going to do this?" Neji Hyuga asked tiredly. He was exhausted and wanted to be done with this. He hadn't eaten anything with real flavor in over a fortnight, his teammates were also tired. The group of nine Leaf ninja sat in a very small clearing far from the road or other points of interest. "Me and Naruto have the entry handled. Now intelligence says this outpost has about sixty Iwa-ninja and maybe three to four platoons of regular soldiers. The ninja will be expecting us to attack at night so that's why we won't be attacking at night. We will attack at mid-day. The regular soldiers will be active during that time, kill them fast. After we enter we go full force. Do not show mercy for you will receive none. Now Kakashi and Guy are going to pair up and before the attack set traps around the outpost. Sasuke, Sakura you two will group up with Lee and Tenten, stick with them during the ensuing fight. Neji, you are with me and Naruto. You will show us the weakest point of their walls. Till then, take a rest and sleep lightly." Hiro ordered.
Rock Lee woke up wishing he were back home, it wasn't the hard ground that bothered him, no it was the fact that he hadn't seen home in over a month. The others woke shortly after him. "Are we all ready? We only get on shot at this." Might Guy intoned with finality. Everyone nodded. The squad had rested four hours. Naruto, Neji and Hiro set off after Guy and Kakashi took off. The four remaining Leaf ninja dashed towards their waiting spot. Soon the bloodletting would begin. All nine Leaf ninja knew they would have to fight as if the Shinigami was after them. Thinking on it Naruto realized if anyone fucked up today they'd probably get the answer to that question.
"Fuuton: Aka Omo Hageshi Toboe!
Katon: Utsukushi Hakai!
Authors Note: Well here you go chapter 10 mutha fuckas! Bask in my ever growing writers prowess! Bask I Say! Or send money. I have bills.