Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or this idea as it is a challenge fic by Narutoenthusiast
Chapter 7 - A Hunt
Two weeks after Team 4 began working on elemental techniques Hayama deemed them ready for their first C-rank mission. He wouldn't pick anything too difficult for his team but rather something to ease them into the danger of being a shinobi. After completing their morning practices and exercises Hayama took them to the Academy building to get their mission.
Walking into the administrative side they went to the Mission Assignment Desk to report in. They found the Hokage along with five chūnin and Umino Iruka Team 4's former academy instructor handing a mission to an older team of shinobi. When they were done Team 4 stepped up.
"Team 4 reporting in for a C-rank mission Hokage-sama" Hayama says.
"Ahh, Shirakumo-san, so you believe they are ready for the first serious mission then?" the Sandiame asks.
"Yes Hokage-sama, I was thinking a hunting mission perhaps. It would allow my team to ease into taking more difficult missions mixed in with the occasional D-rank" Hayama responds.
"Okay … I think there is something here that would work for your team. Iruka if you would find the scroll for the Nara mission request?" the Hokage directs the chūnin.
Iruka nods and digs through the pile of scrolls and finds the one he was looking for. He hands it to the Hokage who thanks the young man and then tosses the scroll to Hayama.
"I hope that mission will suffice" and he receives a nod "Goro-san please mark down Team 4 as having received the Nara mission" the Hokage orders.
The chūnin on his left opened a book with mission records and recorded the information. When it was done he closed the book back up and nodded to the elderly leader.
"May your mission be successful Team 4" the Hokage says dismissing them.
"Thank you Hokage-sama" all of Team 4 intones as they bowed and left.
None noticed the gaze the old man held on one particular member of the group. As Team 4 were leaving they bumped into another team of genin and their sensei also coming to collect a mission.
"Hey there Asuma. I didn't think you knew how to get out of bed before noon" Hayama joked with Team 10's sensei.
"Hahaha, real funny Hayama. You know how it is with missions around here. The good ones are all gone by then unless your lucky and knowing my luck we'd be stuck having to chase the Daimiyo's wife cat around all day" Asuma responds.
"I don't understand why Lady Shijimi doesn't just buy a new cat that will put up with her … loving ways" Hayama says.
"You don't have to tell me man. I remember the Daimyo asking her the same thing about that damn cat's predecessor and well he never asked again after the tongue lashing she gave him. The man is completely whipped by that woman … I don't really understand it myself" Asuma says after rubbing his beard a bit in thought.
"Talk like that some more and I'm sure you'll find out. Especially if you ever finally land red eyes and get her to give the old man another potential successor" Hayama responds with a grin.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah … your just jealous because she would never give you the time of day Hayama" Asuma retorts.
"I respect Yūhi-san as a fellow Konoha shinobi and comrade, but she's not my type" Hayama says quickly.
"Oh that's right … you prefer the domestic type … speaking of which, how is Kaede-san?" Asuma asked with a smirk as Hayama sputtered out a response.
While the two jōnin were talking the genin decided to catch up a little as well.
"Hey Chōji, Shika, and Ino! What are you guys doing here? Tomaru asked excitedly.
"Getting a mission …" Shikamaru responded although his eyes never left Naruto.
"What mission did you guys get?" Ino asked fishing for information.
"Sensei's allowing us to take our first C-rank mission because we're so awesome!" Tomaru boasts.
"What no way! Even Sasuke-kun hasn't gone on a C-rank yet!" Ino shouted.
"I guess that shows just how awesome we are, right guys" Tomaru says looking at his two team mates.
Fuki just shrugged him off while Naruto looked on non-committal about the whole thing.
"See, I knew you were lying Tomaru. You'll never be better at anything than Sasuke-kun!" Ino yelled at the boy.
"Guys back me up here" "come on please" "Naruto just tell her how sensei said how strong we were getting the other day" "Please bro … help me out here. Ino-chan is so beautiful and fun" "If she knew how much better I am now I'm sure I could get her to go out with me" Tomaru pleaded.
"*Sigh* Fine, yes sensei said that Tomaru here has improved the most out of all of us and is well on his way to achieving his dream" Naruto says shocking the gossip queen.
"And …"
"And we have been given a C-rank to complete a mission requested by the Nara" Naruto finishes.
Tomaru quickly flashes a grin "See I told you so … say Ino-chan, how would you like to go out with me sometime" Tomaru asked.
"No way, loser I'd never go out with you or anyone other than Sasuke-kun!" Ino shouted.
"What?" "Why not?" Tomaru asked.
"Because he's the only man worthy of my love and devotion" Ino says dreamily as her thoughts drift to the Uchiha.
While those two were busy with their drama and with Fuki not caring about anything that was going on at the moment. Although Naruto could see she was watching the drama between Tomaru and Ino out of the corner of her eye.
'I thought she was an Uchiha fan girl as well. I'm surprised she's not fighting with Ino over it, but now that I think about it … that was mostly Ino and that pink haired girl … Sakura I think her name was' Naruto thought before he was broken from them.
"What did your mission request say?" Shikamaru suddenly asked.
Naruto shrugged, "Haven't red it yet. I'm sure sensei will tell us before or when we get there".
"I am unaware of any mission request being sent by my clan that would require anything above a D-rank" Shikamaru says.
Once again all Naruto could do was shrug. He then looked over at the last member of Team 10.
"You are Akimichi Chōji, right?" Naruto asked.
The Akimichi boy shook his head yes.
"Your clans own most of the restaurants in the village right?" Naruto asked.
Once again the pudgy genin nodded as he continued to eat his potato chips.
"I have a little extra money on me and was thinking of spending it on a nice meal. Where would you recommend I got?" Naruto asked.
At this Chōji stopped eating and gave Naruto a penetrating stare as if he was trying to look into his soul before his face softened.
"Depends, are you going by yourself or do you have a date?" the Akimichi boy asked.
"Umm … myself" Naruto answers.
"Fancy, exotic, or standard?"
" … standard I guess"
"Quality or Quantity?"
"Well quality, but I'd like to have both if possible" Naruto responds.
"Are you a meat eater, leaf muncher, or varied?"
"Varied, but I prefer meat"
"Then I recommend … Yakiniku Q, it's a Korean Gyū-Kaku-style yakiniku restaurant. We go there all the time!" the pudgy genin says happily with a large smile.
"Oh … I think I've seen that place. Actually I think I say you three there one day when I was going to train after our sensei let us off for the day" Naruto says.
"Yeah … I remember" Chōji says and then looks at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru at this point had turned away from everyone and seemed to be in his own world, but Chōji could tell his best friend was still looking on intently at the blond kid in front of him.
"Say … you wouldn't want to hang out some day and try a few restaurants. It feels a little weird going to eat some place by yourself you know?" Naruto asked.
"Sure, any time" Chōji responds.
"Cool, as thanks first plate of ribs are on me" Naruto says.
This of course was all he needed to say for Chōji to deem him as a cool guy and friend. Shikamaru could already feel his best friend leaving him for this … this … overachiever. He couldn't let that happen, but he was saved by Team 4's sensei.
"Hey you three, let's go we have a mission to complete. Say goodbye to your friends. I'll talk to you later Asuma" Hayama said as he started to walk away.
"Sure, see you at the jōnin lounge" Asuma said with a wave "and say hello to Kaede-chan for me" Asuma called.
Hayama stiffened slightly before calling to his team "hurry up you three" and moving even quicker to leave the building.
"See you Sunday Chōji. Bye Yamanaka-san, Nara-san, Sarutobi-san" Naruto says before leaving.
"Come on Ino-chan, just one date … please" Tomaru begged.
"No! Stop begging it's pathetic" she said before stomping off not acknowledging the rest of Team 4.
"Come on Tomaru, blonde said no and we have a mission" Fuki tries.
"B-b-but …"
"No buts, let's go" and with that Fuki dragged the boy out to join the rest of her team.
"Bye Naruto, see you Saturday!" Chōji says excitedly with a wave.
"Heh, weird team" Asuma comments before moving to get his teams mission.
"Tomaru is such a pest. I don't know how Fuki puts up with him" Ino says loudly before following Asuma.
"I don't know … at least Naruto's cool and Fuki didn't seem as bad as she used to be" Chōji says before following his sensei and blond teammate.
Shikamaru just stood at the door way watching Team 4 walk away. He hadn't said anything as it would have just been too troublesome, but he wasn't happy.
'Damn that Naruto. First he's all attentive and energetic and now he's trying to get to Chōji. He probably wants to make him train and work out and … do stuff. Not on my watch Uzumaki, not on my watch. I won't let you corrupt my best friend and turn him into one of you. Even if I have to get up on Sunday to do it … between naps' the Nara thought.
Naruto and Team 4 made it to the Nara compound. It took them a minute to find someone willing to help them. They found most of the Nara men unable or unwilling to move enough to assist them with their mission or even explain what was going on. To their great relief they bumped into Shikamaru's mother as she was coming from the market.
After Team 4 helped her put her things away she led them to the Nara Forests where there mission would take place.
"Normally my husband or one of the clansmen tasked with caring for the deer here would explain the mission to you, but as you saw they are all … they're just too lazy to actually go and request a mission, the lazy bastards" she says angrily.
Team 4 tries not to laugh at the poor woman's misfortune, but only managed to keep it to a snicker.
"Sounds like the chief alright" Hayama remarks.
"*Sighs* Yes it does. I requested a team, because the last two mornings their have been deer carcasses found near the edge of the woods. We suspect it maybe a pack of wolves or maybe a tiger or something preying on the dear. It shouldn't be too difficult, but no one here was willing to stay up tonight to watch for whatever is doing this and stop it. Will your team be able to handle it" Yoshino Nara asks.
"It shouldn't be a problem. This is their first C-rank, but I'll be with them in case it's something unexpected or they have trouble Nara-san" Hayama responds.
"Okay I'll trust you to do your jobs them. Please be mindful of the deer and try not to use many destructive jutsu in the forest. The deer here aren't skittish, but we depend on them staying on these lands" Yoshino informs them.
"We'll do our best Nara-san, hopefully it won't be necessary" Hayama responds.
"I'll leave you too it then, thank you for your service" Yoshino says before leaving.
"Alright, we are going to set up camp in the middle of the forest so that way if anything happens we won't be too far away" Hayama orders them.
Team 4 moved deeper into the forest finding what Hayama deemed as the middle some time afternoon where the team then set up camp. Thankfully not knowing if the mission would be inside or outside of Konoha the team had packed for either situation and each had their own tent with enough supplies to last a week. Once the team had unpacked and set up their tents Hayama unsealed some precooked meat and they all ate sandwiches.
After they had all finished eating Hayama addressed his genin.
"Alright, this is a hunting mission a standard C-rank mission given to chūnin or experienced genin, but I figured you guys could handle it. This will serve to introduce you to the real world of the shinobi. The part hidden from most civilians the dark and bloody sometimes brutal world we ninja operate in. I don't know if any of you have an experience with hunting, but our mission is to eliminate whatever is killing the Nara deer at night. Can you handle it?" Hayama asked them.
Naruto immediately nodded as he was used to hunting for food at times. Fuki took a bit of time but she also nodded. She had never hunted before, but she was sure she could do it. Tomaru also quickly nodded. Like Fuki he had never hunted, but he was also sure he could do it.
'After all, it's not like we'll be killing a human' they all thought.
It was sad, but hunting animals for food and some times sport was natural. This wouldn't be for sport or food, but to protect another group of animals valuable to their community. They could do this.
Hayama nodded expecting them to want to continue if no other reason that complete their first slightly high profile mission.
"Okay then, whatever is doing this is doing it at night so for now rest up and be prepared to stay up very late tonight. If you need to catch a nap in your tent for a few hours, any questions or comments?" He asked them.
"Umm … sensei, what if we have to use the bathroom?" Tomaru asked.
"Then go into the woods far away from the camp site, dig a trench and go if you have to squat, and remember to bury it before you leave. If it's dark then take a flashlight with you and be mindful of the deer"
"Hai, sensei … but what do we use for toilet paper?" Tomaru responded.
"Then use leaves or a flat rock. I know this has the potential to be your first overnight mission, but you guys really should have learned all of this in survival training"Hayama says.
"Sorry sensei"
"It's okay Tomaru. I would prefer you ask these things instead of not asking and jeopardizing a mission or getting yourself hurt" Hayama responds.
Tomaru nodded, but he could tell the other two had been listening as well.
"Anything else?" He asked.
He received three head shakes.
"Okay then, be ready at sun down and until then relax a bit" Hayama says before walking into his tent to rest a bit.
The three genin followed their leaders example and also headed for their own individual tents. It just so happened Naruto was the first to crack and need to use the was as he was finishing up covering the small trench with dirt and unused leaves that he got the feeling he was being watched.
He stood and turned his body a full 360 degrees to try and find any movement in the brush. Unfortunately there were too many trees and shrubbery not to mention it was dusk now so the available light was diming. Naruto reached down into his kunai pouch secured to the waist of his pants as he stood turning slowly.
He turned sharply to his left to find nothing, but the rustle of a few leaves. He relaxed as the tension was slowly overwhelming him. But the feeling of being watched wasn't leaving him and deciding he had enough Naruto slowly made his way back towards the campsite.
When he did he met the eye of a deer that was standing in front of him.
"Oh, hey Mr. Deer. Was it you that was watching me?" Naruto asked feeling silly for getting so spooked.
Of course the deer didn't respond making him feel even dumber. He went to put away the kunai when he saw a bit of panic in the deer's eyes and turned to find an impossibly large tiger bearing down on him. It gave off a loud deafening roar causing the deer to run and birds to rise into the sky causing more noise as they squawked and screeched into the darkening sky.
Acting on reflex Naruto used his Jinton release to move from his spot as the Tiger barreled through the area he was just occupying. His movement was so instantaneous the tiger didn't have time to react before Naruto flung his kunai at the over sized beast hitting it dead in the neck. The tiger could do little more than collapse as it suffocated on it's own blood.
Naruto stood watching a little detached as he watched the beast die. It wasn't until his team showed up that he snapped out of it.
"Naruto! Are you alright?" Hayama asked.
"Y-yeah … I'm alright sensei" Naruto slowly responded.
"What happened here?" Hayama asked.
"I … don't know. I was just finishing up after defecating when I felt something watching me. I thought it was a deer that had some how gotten behind me when I sensed it panic and turned to find this tiger attacking me from my blindside. I managed to move out of the way and out of reflex through a kunai I was holding at it when it collapsed" Naruto answered.
Hayama turned to look at the tiger again.
"I'm glad your alright Naruto. It seems like some how this thing escaped from Training Ground 44 where the giant tigers are kept locked in" Hayama informs them.
'Damn, I bet it was Anko. She probably forgot to lock the gate behind her after her latest visit to that place. She can be so clueless sometimes. How many times does the Hokage have to warn her about the standard safety protocols in place about that area. I don't understand why he allows her such leeway with that place anyway …' Hayama goes onto rant in his mind.
"Giant Tigers!" Tomaru shouted "… why would Konoha have a place that has giant tigers?" he asked shakily.
He received no answer. Fuki stood beside Naruto watching him and then glancing at the tiger wondering how he managed to kill it so quickly. They had run here as soon as they heard the roar thinking the beast had come back before dark to kill more deer. Imagine their surprise when they see their teammate standing next to a giant tiger corpse laying in a large pool of apparently it's own blood.
Hayama checked to make sure it was dead then sealed it in a scroll. It wasn't common knowledge, but some people thought certain tiger body parts held medicinal or other value. He was sure the Nara would be interested in it's corpse.
"Alright team, it seems like our mission might have been completed but just in case there are more of them we'll continue with the stakeout as planned …"
Meanwhile, at the Nara residence Nara Shikamaru had just come home after spending the afternoon hanging with Chōji trying to get him to forget meeting up with the blond Uzumaki. He had no luck as the Akmichi seemed excited about spending Sunday with his nemesis. He had even decided to come home a little early after his last failure at getting Chōji to change his mind, something that rarely happened.
"Hey mom … I'm home" Shikamaru called out quietly hoping she wouldn't hear him.
"Welcome home Shika, I'm in the kitchen come sit down and talk to me" Nara Yoshino called to her son.
"… troublesome" Shikamaru says.
"What was that?" Yoshino called.
"Coming mom" Shikamaru quickly responded.
Shikamaru sat and pretended to listen as his mom prattled on about this, that, and nothing he cared about.
"Shika … Shikamaru … Nara Shikamaru! Are you listening to me!" Yoshino shouted.
"Yeah mom, I'm listening" Shika responded.
"Then what did I just say?" she asked angrily.
"…" Shika found it best not to even try lying.
"I thought so. *Sigh* Why can't you be like that nice Uzumaki boy" she scolds.
This instantly caught his attention as he focused in on his mother, which creeped her out a bit at the unusual intensity at which he was looking at her.
"Did you say Uzumaki … as in Uzumaki Naruto?" he asked.
"Yes, he was here to do the mission I requested a team for and no one here would get off their butt long enough to help them. I had some groceries with me and Naruto-kun asked if I needed any help. I tried to tell him I was okay, but he insisted he should help me. He was such a kind young man and even asked me questions about my day and what I do. We talked a bit as he and his team helped me put everything away and when I led them to the forest to tell them about the mission"
Shikamaru for a brief second flashed red as he squeezed his fists feeling like he wanted to punch something or someone.
"You should get to know him. That young man has a good head on his shoulders and he was so polite. Honestly you could really stand to be a little more like him Shika …"
At this point Shikamaru turned and walked away ignoring his mother calling for him to come back.
'Damn you Uzumaki, even in my own home I can't escape you now. That's it, this requires … action' Shikamaru thought as he grinned darkly.
In the morning Team 4 went to the Nara clan heads house to report in. Team 4 had stayed up all night watching over the deer and occasionally checking the forest for more tigers, but when the sun came up there was nothing extra to report. When they consulted the Nara about what happened they were surprised to find they had suspected all along it was tiger that some how escaped Training Ground 44. The mission was stamped complete and they went back to the assignment desk and turned in their report and received their pay.
Hayama in the report gave Naruto extra credit for actually killing the beast along with the bonus they received from the Naruto whom were indeed interested in harvesting the carcass of the tiger. With that done Team 4 went their separate ways with Hayama giving them the day off.
As Naruto walked home to get some more rest before he would do more training later in the day he thought back on the mission. He swore that even throughout the night he kept feeling as though something was periodically watching him. It was weird and unnerving, but it had stopped as soon as they left the Nara compound so he shrugged it off as nothing important.
Unknown to Naruto he had indeed been watched or stalked all night and was still being stalked. The tiger had not been the actual predator preying on the Nara deer. The tiger that attacked him when it did had unintentionally given the predator that had been preying on the deer an alibi. It would avoid the deer for now as it didn't want to draw any attention to itself just yet. Besides, there were other easier creatures to hunt if it needed to.
But now it was on the scent of another kind of prey. A very interesting creature from what it saw in the forest. If what he saw was real the perhaps it's own mission was finally over. It stood watching the boy walk home and planned on how to test it's quarry soon, very soon.
Hello everyone! I hoped you enjoyed the latest chapter of Speed Unlimited. Next chapter Naruto will meet his first summon creature. This update came a bit quicker than expected so it may be awhile before I focus back on this story.
To make up for that I am releasing my latest brainchild soon. It's my first official crossover fic. It's based in the Naruto world, but most of it takes place after the time skip.
I will be responding soon to all of your reviews, so I hope they were favorable. I'm trying to update a number of my stories and hope fans of those won't feel slighted or unappreciated.
For those looking for a good challenge look up Narutoenthusiast, Challenger, or Dracohalo117.
Until next time dear reader :)