Note: Italics denote mental thinking.

"Man, I can't believe that old hag gave me a D rank mission! I could be getting stronger, but instead I'm sitting my bum on a D rank mission!" Naruto slapped his bum for emphasis and continued to ramble on. Izumo and Kotetsu began to dread the long week ahead of them if this was what they were going to be hearing the whole time.

Kotetsu whispered to Izumo, "Remind me again why you wanted to bring him?"

Izumo laughed, "To annoy you of course."

Finally Izumo, Kotetsu, and Naruto made it to the village. Naruto stopped complaining when he saw the dirt-covered faces of children with rags that were meant to clothe them standing at the village entrance. None of them had expected to come to a village as poor as this.

Izumo was the first to step out of the trance. With softened eyes he understood why Tsunade had really sent them out on a voluntary mission. These people really did need help, but their conditions provided no means to afford any help. He was more than happy to be here. Stepping forward to the children he bent down to their level and smiled. "Hi. I'm Izumo." The children then began to smile and chatter.

Kotetsu explained to Naruto, "I remember this village. Years ago you wouldn't have seen it this way, but a number of wars have scarred this small village. It looks like this is going to be a long week for us."

Naruto didn't say anything. Kotetsu glanced at Naruto who was staring down at his own feet. "You know Naruto, these kids have a lot in common with you. Many of them don't have parents they can remember. That's something you can share with them and give them some hope." Naruto looked up to the kids and Kotetsu noticed a trickle of water drop to the ground from him. Kotetsu only smiled. He knew Naruto would find a way.

The trio made their way into the village taking an account of all the burned down homes and scarcity of food. Izumo looked back to Naruto and Kotetsu. "The first thing we should start off with is setting up a garden."

Naruto nodded firmly. "I'll make the biggest and best garden ever! Dattebayo!" Izumo and Kotetsu smiled at Naruto's enthusiasm.

"Just keep in mind we only have a week here Naruto. We can only spend a day or two on the garden." Izumo reminded Naruto.

Staring straight ahead at the kids, Naruto firmly replied, "Then that's all I need."

After talking with the village's elders, the trio prepared their camp. Izumo set down his pack close to his tent. "I'll be back in a few. I just want to check on something."

Kotetsu threw some sticks in the fire and continued on with his tasks. "Just be careful. The village's defense is broken down, so anyone can come through here unnoticed." Izumo nodded and waved at the two as he walked off.

Naruto sat next to the fire with his knees tucked to his chest as he stared off into the woods. Kotetsu came over and handed him a stick with some cooked jerky on the end.

"I brought these with me for traveling, but seeing that there's not much food for the villagers, we best be on our own. A shinobi needs his strength."

Naruto nodded and thanked him. He watched as Kotetsu crawled off into his own tent.

"Shinobi." He said to himself as he stared at the piece of meat and ripped a chunk with his teeth. There was a new determination written in his eyes.

Izumo kneeled next to the river. He had to walk a good ways to get to it, but at least there was a river. Putting his hands in the water, he tested the purity by steadily pulsing his chakra. Good. He stood and began his trek back to the camp.

Upon reaching the camp he saw the fire had been put out and guessed the others went to sleep. Deciding it would be safer to keep watch for the night, he decided to rest in a tree close by.