Finally chapter 3…Took me a while to write this one. Yes the title of this chapter is so fitting. The main plot is about to start.... Please don't hold back from reviewing…

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Chapter 3

"A Beginning"

"Whoa…" said Sakura. "I can't believe he actually pulled it off."

"Yeah!! Yeah!! Go Naruto!!" yelled Lee.

While everyone was cheering, Naruto woke up shortly thereafter and was shocked to see that he had passed the test. In fact, he was speechless. But, after taking those dreadful weights of his feet, he smiled a bit, proud of himself. He was finally able to give everyone a brief glimpse as to how strong he'd become.

After congratulating everyone present, Guy, Lee, and Neji decide to go back to their busy schedules that they had for the day. But Sakura decided to stay with Naruto.

"So umm….why were you chasing me in the first place?' asked Naruto.

"Because." said Sakura. "You owe me…"

"Owe you what?"

"Dinner!! Don't you remember?"

For the past few days, Naruto hoped that he would never have to repay Sakura for buying him dinner. But now his luck had finally run out. He would have to buy her dinner or else he would feel a chakra infused fist going straight through him. But he had no money at all to buy her dinner. Though there was an option to talk his way into getting a free meal of Ramen. He could only hope that Sakura would accept it.

Somewhere in the forest

The 3-man squad continued to search the woods, even as it began to approach nightfall. About an hour had already passed, they found absolutely nothing. Just trees and a few forest animals. Were they out on a fools chase? Could the Byakugan really tell a lie or was there another explanation? Those were the thoughts of the three ANBU dashing from tree limb to tree limb. But without any luck, their search started to come to a close.

Two of the men were ready to give up and head back to the Village.

"This is a waste of time."

"No….there has to be something that we're missing."

"But….Sir. Where else can we look?"

"……….Underground."

Suddenly, The Shinobi placed his hand on the ground and his fingers, turned into wood. They slowly dug up the ground and went into separate directions.

"You never fail to amaze me Captain Yamato."

The Ichiraku Ramen Bar

"What do you mean I can't get a free bowl?! I'm your favorite customer… C'mon" said Naruto.

"No money….No Ramen. That's just the way it is." said Teuchi

After pleading for half an hour, Naruto turned his head to see a Sakura that he'd never saw before. At any moment he would be sent flying through the Ramen Bar....unconscious. He had to think smart and fast. Thankfully he saw Shikamaru walking past. He instantly had an idea.

'Hey Shikamaru!!"

"No Naruto……I don't have time. But I do need to tell you that—"

'No, no, no….wait!"

Seconds before Sakura decided to take a swing at Naruto, Teuchi decided to go ahead and give Naruto a free meal for him and Sakura. But Naruto would have to clean up his shop for the next two weeks. Naruto was so quick to accept this punishment that he forgot to hear the rest of it.

"Umm Naruto…" said Shikamaru-finally able to speak. "I just remembered something." He told Naruto that Lady Tsunade wanted to meet with him and Sakura and that it was important. After hearing this, Sakura and Naruto quickly ate their Ramen and thanked Teuchi for his kindness. They rushed right pass Shikamaru, and headed to Tsunade's they walked in, they we're surprised to see Kakashi there. He told Naruto and Sakura that he'd heard about their fantastic show of skills that day. Guy had been telling everyone in the Village just how well his training session had turned out. Boasting that Konoha's young ninja were indeed the best ever.

"I'm sure you guys will surpass all of us one day." said Kakashi. "But uh….are you here for the same reason I am?"

"Well…" said Sakura. "We were summoned on short notice."

"I take that as a yes."

Suddenly, Lady Tsunade walked in without saying a word and sat down at her desk.

She stared at three of them and started to speak abruptly.

"After careful consideration as to how much you two have grown over the years and the strong friendship you guys have.......Well to make a long story short; I now see a new Team Kakashi." said Tsunade.

"That's it?" said Naruto. "You only wanted to congratulate us?"

"Not just that….but I want you guys to be ready to go on more "team" missions. From now on, your gonna be used a lot more."

"Really?"

"Yes…..And I've got a good feeling that your first real mission will be here really soon."

The look in her eyes told Naruto everything he needed to know. Lady Tsunade now had a reestablished trust in them. But it seemed like she suspected something or was a little troubled. Kakashi was speechless through the whole dilemma. He already had a lot on his mind. Especially after hearing the news about the ANBU's brief mission in the forest. More important, the actual purpose of the mission. But after the meeting was over, Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi all went back to there homes…….prepared for whatever the Hokage would need them for.

The next day

Here the wind roared with sharp gust that showed no mercy whatsoever. The heat was worse. So intense that one would have to look twice, due to the distortion it caused. There was indeed no trace of life at all. Every path….every turn…….it was all the same. Blankets of Sand spreading as far as one could see. They made the heat worse as the light reflected off of them. But within this region life did exist….

"Who does He think he is, sending us to a place like this?"

"…………."

"Fine, BE that way………........Argh!! Do we really have to wear this in the Desert?'

"These robes cost a lot of money….now stop complaining."

"And if I don't, you'll murder me right?"

"........... please shut-up Hidan."

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In reality I cut this chapter in half. It was supposed to be longer but… Anyway I've finally reached the REALLY GOOD part of my story. All I have to say is……the next chapter will be EPIC.

Bran The Man