Underneath the Underneath

By: FlameXFullmetal

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

A/N: Well this would have been up sooner, however, this is the second time that I have had to try and type this out. I lost the files when my flash drive malfunctioned and I thought that I had saved the main file on my hard drive. Not a fun way to find out that you have to retype a whole chapter. So I apologize if the first half isn't all that good. I'm frustrated. Second I apologize that this chapter took this long to publish in the first place. A death in the family has forced my attention away from the stories. Anyway, let's get this show started!

XNaruHina: Yes he does already know the shadow clone, however, he still needed a valid reason to know it as at that point no one knew about the training he was getting. So by asking for it, no one could question how he knew it. He was not weak when he lost to Mizuki, Mizuki didn't take him for a weak child and instead of underestimating him he attacked like a true ninja. He used misdirection and false leads in order to place himself in a favorable situation to land a damaging blow on an exhausted Naruto. Thought I should answer your concerns.

AlphaMike369: Itachi is closer to his canon personality however, he will change at some point during the story and not die. I never liked that cop-out they gave in the anime or manga.

"hello" people (bijuu in human form) speaking

'hello' people (bijuu in human form) thinking/coded hand signals

"HELLO" bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity yelling

"hello" bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity talking

'hello' bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity thinking

hello jutsu

************Journey to Nami************

The odd team consisting of Konoha and Kumo were moving silently as they attempted to catch up to the information broker that was in possession of the scrolls that they had been tasked to retrieve. They had hoped that they were not too late to prevent anything from being sold to another country and to get the stolen scrolls for the Raikage back. Even the uncharacteristically loud Bee was silent as they moved. The team only communicated through the use of generic hand seals so that they could keep informed from the other group. Hinata was rapidly scanning the area with her byakugan while Naruto and Kimiko kept their senses open for trouble. After a few minutes, Hinata stopped on a branch and motioned towards the rest of the team.

'Four presences ahead. Three chunin level shinobi and one jonin. There is another weaker one farther than them.'

'Do they seem to notice us?'

'I would say yes.' Cursing in his head Kakashi mulled over his options carefully and then nodded.

'My team will act as the decoy to draw their attention. Bee takes your team around and catch up to the target. Naruto send a clone to guide them.'

'Hai.' As the team split up Naruto steeled himself for the coming battle. He knew that he would most likely have to kill again and while he didn't like it he knew that it was a necessary evil. Especially in the shinobi world, after all, no one became a kage with a clean record. As the team caught up to the nin ahead Kakashi nodded to himself. He was grateful that his years of experience had narrowed the reasons for the team ahead to be waiting for them and it seemed that he was right. Signaling to his team they fanned out and once everyone was in the position they struck aiming to kill their target's quietly. Sadly, the nuke-nin before them had better reflexes than that. As they say, 'no plan ever survives contact with the enemy'.

Kimiko was bored as she fought her opponent. As a millennia-old demoness, this was child's play even if she was trapped in the body of a human. A flash of light caught her attention from the corner of her eyes. As she glanced over to Hinata and Naruto's battle she laughed as the two genins caught their opponent with a well-timed fire and wind combination jutsu while their opponents were trying to recover from the flash bomb that Naruto had set off in their faces. Their battles done, they nodded to each other as the sound of chirping birds reached them and then turned to the direction that Bee's team went. Just as Kakashi rejoined his team Naruto smiled.

"Mission complete." He said, his clone having dispelled once Bee had the missing scrolls in hand.

"Well let's regroup and then we can find a place to make camp for the evening. We'll head for home in the morning."

"Hai!" The three chorused. In honesty, they could probably make some progress on the return home before dark but all three of them wanted to spend some more time in the presence of their friends if only for different reasons. Kimiko, in particular, wanted to catch up with her brother Gyuki.

The Next Morning...

Morning came quickly and it wasn't five minutes later that the two teams had packed their gear and were bidding farewell to each other. Then both groups separated and went their own ways. Kakashi looked over at the blonde on his team and smiled. Despite what many would believe Naruto was taking everything that was thrown at him and only allowed it to make him stronger. Clearing his throat his team glanced towards him.

"Do you want to take the trip home slower so you can inspect that scroll before we get back or do you want to wait till we get back?"

"I'll look through it tonight." He decided quietly. Kakashi nodded and turned his attention back towards the direction of Konoha.

"I don't think I have to remind you that Konoha cannot legally take clan property from you though there will be those that want to."

"I know," Naruto replied making the jonin nod again. The team continued to travel in silence for a few hours before Kakashi spoke up again.

"I know that I may be placing a heavy burden on you three, however, I want to tell you that I have a lot of faith in you and your abilities. When the next chunin exams come around I will be entering you in them. As a result, your training is going to be picked up for the test. I already know that all three of you are far beyond chunin level at this point but making a motion for or waiting for a field promotion will only hinder you in the future. There is a minimum amount to time that needs to pass after field promotions before the next promotion can be done and I know that with a little more experience all three of you could be special jonin by now. I want to make you so strong that the only genin anyone will discuss after the exam is you three." The three genin almost fell out of the tree they were in when they heard the plans that the jonin had for them. Yes they knew that he had confidence in their abilities however, to make that much of an impression at a publicized exam would be nearly impossible.

"It is possible. Trust me."

Several days later...

As the team stepped through Konoha's walls they couldn't help but laugh at the expressions that they were getting. Sure they had been taking nothing but C-ranks since they graduated but that doesn't mean that they should be stared at like that. Shrugging they made their way to the mission hall and smirked at the Sandaime who looked exasperated.

"The mission was a success. There was only one problem but that was dealt with quickly and no it wasn't from our partner team, or the mission details we received from them." Kakashi said before the Sandaime could say anything. Nodding at the team Hiruzen leaned back in his chair.

"Very good. Did they make good on the scrolls that they mentioned?"

"Hai. I already have them in my possession." Naruto replied curtly.

"I see. How is your team holding up Kakashi?"

"We walked the last mile and a half Sandaime-sama." Hiruzen sweatdropped at the laziness that Kakashi had just admitted to.

"I see. Do you think that they are ready for something higher than what you have been being given?"

"Seeing as my team took out three chunin level opponents in maybe three minutes then I must say that they have been ready for a long time and denied the chance to prove it why?"

"Team ten finally took a C-rank mission. It was supposed to be a simple escort mission however, it seemed that the client lied to us. Asuma sent a messenger back asking for advice. The country truly needs the help and the client is truly sorry for what happened, however, the mission is out of team ten's skill set. He was going to abandon the mission and head home when Shikamaru pointed out that if we helped then we could potentially secure a trade alliance with Nami no Kuni. I was thinking of sending a different team when you came back. If I send you then your team could handle Gato while Asuma's team could return to the original mission of protecting the bridge that the client is building from bandits." The Sandaime explained. Naruto tilted his head in contemplation.

"How did they discover the lie?" Kakashi asked.

"They were attacked by the demon brothers who were after the bridge builder."

"I see. Didn't the bingo book last have them traveling with Zabuza?"

"I believe so yes."

'Dad? What would be the best course of action? I know that I would say go for it because they need help and they obviously had been denied before which made them feel like they had to lie. I suppose the trade alliance would be useful in the long run as well.' Naruto whispered mentally to his dad who was thinking over the situation.

'This is true. Nami is naturally rich in resources so the alliance would be beneficial to Konoha in the long run. However, the fact is that the client placed Konoha shinobi in danger and who knows what else is being kept from the team.' Minato mused.

'In that case, think about this rationally.' Kushina butted in. 'Uzu is off of the coast of Nami. You could head there on "clan business" and see if anything is left. Most specifically the clan's summoning scroll.' Minato and Naruto felt their eyes widen in shock as they realized what Kushina was hinting at.

'We have been trying to figure out a way to get there...'

"I don't think that I would have an issue with Zabuza. My skills have skyrocketed since training this team. Furthermore, my genin have already proven they can take out a jonin if they work together. Once we assassinate Gato that would stop any further ninja from showing up. I say we take the mission if my genin agree." Kakashi finally said out loud.

"You know I don't have any issue with this myself," Kimiko added in making Hiruzen sweatdrop.

"While I am nervous about the mission and the level of the opponents Kakashi-sensei is right. If the three of us work together we should be fine." Hinata added. "Plus if the opponent is stronger than us we merely need to stall until one of the jonin can assist us." Hiruzen nodded at the sound argument.

"I want to go. If not only to help the people of Nami but because I want to head to Uzu once our part of the mission is complete. There are some clan matters I need to resolve in Uzu and since Nami and Uzu are so close it is an ideal time." Naruto piped up making everyone look at him. After a few minutes, Sarutobi nodded at the boy knowing that even if he wanted to he couldn't interfere in clan business.

"Then head out when you are ready and I will send the reply to Asuma to let him know to stay put until you arrive." Kakashi nodded and the team took off towards the gate.

'I'm getting too old for this.' Hiruzen thought.

With Asuma's team...

The silence was near deafening for the team as they waited for the Sandaime's response. Asuma knew that even if his old man wanted to continue the mission he would most likely send more experienced ninja, jonin at least to take over and they could head home. If not then they would lose a potential ally in Nami. What he didn't expect was a small monkey to climb into his lap. Taking the scroll and uttering a quick thanks he read through it. Then read through it a second time.

"What the hell is the old man thinking?!" He exclaimed making his team and Tazuna to look at him.

"What's wrong sensei?" Ino asked. Ever since the incident at the academy, she had been trying to get herself back into acceptable shinobi condition and while she knew that she was much stronger than she was, she also knew the mission was beyond their skill level. Hearing Asuma's exclamation made her more than a little worried.

"We are to remain here until back-up arrives and then continue the mission." Choji's mouth fell open as he heard the reply and he felt a little nauseous.

"Doesn't he realize that we are not ready for a mission of this caliber?!" Ino nearly screamed, half in fear and half in irritation.

"Those are his orders. Then there is the matter of who he is sending that has me concerned."

"Who is it?" Shikamaru asked. Asuma was rarely ever concerned about something so this may have become more troublesome.

"Team eleven."

"No way are they ready for a mission this high of a level!" Ino yelped. "I know that Naruto got a lot better, but there is no way that Hinata will be able to keep up with Kimiko and him. Besides no one knows just who Kimiko is yet!"

"There are plenty of people who know Ino, it is just above your pay grade is all." Asuma countered. He remembered asking his dad and once and was told that he would be informed if and only if he took over as clan head.

"Now that you mention it I haven't seen team eleven getting any missions since graduating," Choji spoke.

"Team eleven has gotten permission to take only C-rank and higher missions due to their skill level and training that Kakashi has put them through. Apparently, Kakashi has been training them for that very purpose. He thinks that his team could become the next sannin and don't want to waste their potential."

"Are they really that strong?" Tazuna asked quietly. He truly did feel bad about that deception. However, he had no choice in the matter. If he had known that they send the younger less experienced ninja to do the lower missions he would have tried something else. Somehow he would have gotten the money for at least a B-rank no matter how hard it was. Yet, now he was being told that the Hokage was going to let the mission continue despite the lie. He was even sending a second team of more experienced...genin... Suddenly the prospect seemed less attractive.

"I have no idea. I have never seen their team train. However, if they have received the ability to skip the starter missions then they must be more skilled then the rest of the genin." Asuma mused. That seemed to end the conversation as the team waited silently for Kakashi to arrive. A few hours and the sound of a twig snapping signaled the arrival of the other team.

"Yo!"

"That was fast," Asuma commented.

"Yeah well, we had just got home from a joint mission with another country so we were already packed. Besides that I make my team carry all of their supplies on them sealed in scrolls. They are only allowed to take them off to sleep, bath and do inventory." Kakashi said shrugging. Choji, Ino, and Shikamaru looked past the jonin to see the three genins standing at perfect attention and silently waiting orders. Although, it seemed as if Kimiko was annoyed with the whole thing.

"Kakashi you aren't training them to wartime standards are you?" Asuma said as he took a look at the genin behind his comrade.

"Not intentionally. However, whatever I throw at them in training they take it and then demand more. I'm always increasing their regimen. I think lately I have to increase it every few days to accommodate their growth. Admittedly, while I am not teaching them any heavy duty jutsu or jonin level anything, they are progressing fast. They are required to fully master a technique or principal before moving on though." The cyclops replied much to Asuma's ire. After what had happened to Itachi had been an unspoken agreement that no one would push the genin to advance too fast. That way they wouldn't have another massacre and yet Kakashi seemed to already have his genin at almost jonin level in a few months. If that wasn't pushing them he was a pink baboon.

"Anyway, the scroll said that you would further explain your orders when you arrived."

"Hai. You are to continue with the original C-rank to protect Tazuna and the bridge from bandits. Meanwhile, my team will handle any shinobi and eventually assassinate Gato himself to eliminate the threat." Kakashi replied blunt and to the point.

"Assassination for genin?!"

"Correct. They have already had their first kills and an assassination may be necessary for them to perform later on it is beneficial to expose them to it early. This way they will test their stealth and I will see what needs to be worked on for missions that require the utmost secrecy."

"You are really going to go with the trial by fire method aren't you?"

"Naturally. These three learn best that way. Anyway, we will travel away from the group hidden in view so that any further threats don't know of our presence. Continue as planned." Kakashi ordered as his team disappeared into the leaves.

"That settles it, Kakashi is insane." Asuma moaned into his hand. The genin shook their heads as they started further towards Nami, not knowing what was in store for them.

The trip was quiet and if there was anything that could unnerve the genin team more it was silence. Ino and Shikamaru were getting jumpy and Choji's nervousness could be seen in the amount that he was eating. Still, as they crossed the water and then headed off on foot once more they only seemed to get more anxious. They hadn't seen nor heard Kakashi's team ever since they left the camp. That was also unnerving to them. Ino remembered that Iruka-sensei once said that the more experience ninja was able to handle movement without sound but he had also said that for genin it was nearly impossible. Yet here was team eleven proving him wrong and doing so as if it was second nature to them. Ino was broken from her musings as she was tackled to the ground by Choji and she cursed for letting herself get distracted.

"Zabuza Momochi. So I was right and a jonin was next." Asuma hissed through his teeth. Before Zabuza could say much of anything another figure flew from the trees and landed on the ground in front of the nuke-nin.

"What happened?" Zabuza demanded. Normally he would have acted surprised at Haku coming out of hiding so quickly but the fact that he had been attacked worried him.

"Sorry, Zabuza-sama. They have a second team. They were able to sneak up on me." Zabuza growled. He had not expected that from Konoha nins and the fact that they had actually played dirty somewhat excited him.

"Asuma take your team and the bridge builder and keep going my team will handle Zabuza and his friend," Kakashi said as they dropped from the treeline. As Asuma was about to argue Kakashi shot him a glare.

"Remember your orders. You deal with bandits, we deal with ninja." Asuma reluctantly nodded and headed off into the distance with Tazuna and his team in tow.

"So I have to get through you and your genin eh Kakashi?"

"Naturally. If you can that is."

***********T.B.C.*************

A/N: Hello! Yes, I know that I may have rushed the last mission but it wasn't meant to be anything good. Mostly a way to build relations with Kumo and get Naruto some clan scrolls. I hope that the chapter isn't too bad. As I mentioned above I had to re-write this chapter as it got deleted. I still have to rewrite the next chapter for another one of my stories. Anyway, as always if you see any grammar, spelling or punctuation that I missed in my proofread that bothers you feel free to point it out. Ja ne!