It's been 3 months since we last saw Team 7, since this time skip, they've completed approximately 92 D-rank missions having a different mission each day and completing said mission that same day. As intended Kakashi wanted all three of them to complete enough missions to show they were all capable ninjas and in the future they could get higher ranking ones including C-rank missions as genins. After the D-rank missions where completed they would spend the rest of the day training, be it individual, team-based, or strategical/tactical advances to better prepare themselves for what's to come in the coming years as Konoha ninja.
Kakashi started them off slow, gathering each of their natural affinity's from chakra paper. Naruto being wind as he already knew, Sasuke being lightning like Kakashi, and earth for Sakura. Quickly going home for scrolls Kakashi came back with two jutsus each. Naruto got one offense jutsu called, Fūton: Kazekiri no Jutsu which the user can create one or several and deadly wind slashes from chakra or ninja tool. His last jutsu was defense which was, Fūton: Kiryū Ranbu which gave the user easy control of wind currents in their hands which can whip up loose dust, preforming a dust storm in the area.
Sasuke having lightning but also able to perform Fire techniques from his clan made Kakashi decide to give him one lightning offense technique, Raiton: Shiden which emits purple electricity on the hand and depending on the user chakra usage they can either disable or kill there enemy. The defense technique, Katon: Haijingakure no Jutsu which the user can expel chakra-infused ash that covers a wider area burning anyone who come into contact with it, it can also be used for creating a highly effective smokescreen or a deterrent from attacks.
Sakura being an earth type wasn't a problem it was her chakra, while normal control was good to see it was her chakra coils that were small and weak so Kakashi decided she had to get them stronger by taking chakra exercises, walking on water, tree's, being able to fight on top of water and creating one shadow clone. All an all, it was a pain in the ass for her but by the end of the third month, she felt stronger, her chakra coils felt better and she could perform one of the techniques given to her by Kakashi not to mention she could perform one shadow clone and fight side by side with it for a good six minutes before it dispelled. If Kakashi had one word to describe the first three months with his cute little genins it would be progress. 'They've all shown incredible progress more so Sakura then those two knuckle heads but they've all grown in their own ways but I was surprised Sasuke decided to show up these last few months, I'm guessing what I said and whatever Naruto said set him straight. Hmm, Naruto seems to be a bit more open now then he was day one as Team 7, all I can hope for is that he chose the right path too.' Kakashi couldn't help but stare at the back of the blonds head as all members of Team 7 where present in the hokage's office receiving yet another D-rank mission.
"Let's see here… Ah! Yes, here's another D-rank mission capturing Tora the cat, he's been located fleeing a local fish shop..."
"Hokage-sama please I beg you, I can't take anymore D-rank missions, and I don't think all three of us can take another one either!" begged Sakura confusing and surprising all the occupants around her. "I agree with Sakura Hokage-sama, we've almost completed 100 in the last 3 months, our team is more than qualified for-.."
"Now now students, no need to shout in front of the Hokage." Silencing up them both with his hands. 'Great, now im going to get it' Kakashi thought dreadfully as he looked at the Hokage awaiting his punishment for the outburst. The only thing that came was the Hokage's low chuckle. "You've trained a fine team no doubt Kakashi and it to me it seems they are eager to have a C-rank mission and they all look confident in there and each other's skill, what say you Kakashi? Do you think they are capable for such a mission?" They Hokage questioned awaiting Kakashi's answer. Having moved away from the two, Kakashi was next to Naruto getting stairs from 3 occupants also awaiting on his reply. Kakashi sighed.
"Hokage-sama, I'm confident on my father's name that my team is ready for this mission." Seriously swearing on his father's name was a true fact that Kaksahi believed in his team and they're skills, the Hokage happily realized. "All right Team 7, your C-rank mission is to escort Tazuna a bridge builder back to his country of Wave. Come in!" The hokage shouted, a few seconds later the door opened to reveal an openly drunk old-man in his late 50's but muscular from the bridges he's built, Tazuna or what Naruto could think that was reeked of booze making Naruto clench his nose out of irritation. 'Curse my high senses' Naruto silently cursed. Since he was born Naruto always knew he was different in some way then the people of Konoha be it the steers, the abuse, the heighten senses, being an outcast from pretty much everybody.
"Huh, you'sh don't look very strong blond brat, are you'sh actually a ninja!?" Tazuna drunkenly blurted out to Naruto making him get irritated. "How about I show you-.." Kakashi stopped him, "Now Naruto, no killing the client." Sweetly stated Kakashi making Naruto stop. " when shall we depart?" Asked Kakashi politely. "The sooner the better" harshly replied Tazuna making his students look at Kakashi to see his reaction to the blatant disrespect but he showed none, "okay students, you have 30 minutes to come back to the main entrance to Konoha, dismissed."
"Hai!" they all three shouted before they vanished to their room to pack their gear.
(Main Entrance)
"You all ready?" Kakashi asked eye smiling to his students. With a nod of affirmative from all three, all 5 of them departed to Wave Country. The first hour was uneventful, Kakashi being the pervert he is was reading Icha Icha, Tazuna was just walking silently nervously glancing from side to side not going unnoticed by Kakashi. Sasuke was surprisingly talking to Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi noticed. Sakura of course trying to talk to him tried and somehow succeeded. 'Probably from the talk Kakashi and I had with him.' Naruto noticed as Sasuke looked quite interested in the conversation making Sakura continue on happily on whatever she was saying to him. Naruto just walked silently for the next hour until he saw a puddle on the ground confusing him since they haven't had rain for a few weeks now. Naruto looked at Kakashi trying to see if he saw it too, as always he was oblivious when reading his porn. Naruto looked at Sasuke and Sakura yet they were both still conversing with each other not seeing the puddle. Hell, Naruto looked at Tazuna to see if he saw it but he was currently drinking some more sake not caring about anything else, damn old geezer.
Keeping on guard as they pass the puddle Naruto feels ready for anything feeling an ambush vastly approaching but nothing happened. Naruto didn't know if it was paranoia or what but the next thing he knew he felt killer intent right behind him coming fast, turning around to defend himself, all he saw was Kakashi get teared into pieces by these two ninja wearing all black clothes, both having hand gauntlets with claws with a spiked chain attached to each other but can be detached as one of the ninja ran after Tazuna. Sakura acting quick got in front of the bridge builder securing his safety with herself, kunai at the ready. But as the ninja a got closer a giant fireball came after him making him cease his attack now focusing his attention at Sasuke who was smirking awaiting to test his strength. Unscrolling his katana he dashed a little ways away making sure they were away from Sakura and the client. "Brother, don't go after him just kill the target." The missing-nin said who was near Naruto watching his brother get ready to go after Sasuke. "Gozu! Their sensei is dead, we killed him now it's just three little genin we can kill them all!" The brother of Gozu, Meizu said crazily ready to kill Sasuke as he ran off after him.
"That damn Meizu, always trying to kill everyone, anyway move brat or I will be forced to kill you, it's my orders to kill that bridge builder." Gozu said coldly trying to give the brat some chance to see another day. "You must be stupid, no chance in hell am I letting you leave here alive, I'll avenge my sensei and you'll be sorry!" Naruto yelled letting it sink in that Kakashi is dead. 'Damnit, I should've said something! I knew it, I knew it! The puddle was a genjutsu.' Naruto was angry with himself he could've prevented this from happening, Kakashi even though a major pervert was a good teacher and made him Sasuke and even Sakura get stronger, and now…now he can't tell him that.
Naruto opening his eye's saw red, he quickly grabbed his knuckle knives using one hand seal he summoned five shadow clones all performing his new jutsu, "Fūton: Kazekiri no Jutsu!" All five clones started slashing their knuckle knives in the air making deadly and fast wind slashes directly at Gozu. "What! A genin doing element jutsus!?" Getting out of the way he saw no other way but to kill him, damn brat. Gozu having his hand gauntlets filled with poison and Naruto not knowing made him glee for his easy victory. Gozu flashing out of his eyes made Naruto on edge, he couldn't see him, and he looked up, not up there. He looked side to side around the forest but couldn't find him. "Two of you" Naruto pointed at the clones, "one go to this side and you go over there." The clones walked to each side of the forest each going in none dispelling. Suddenly the clone on the right dispelled releasing its memories inside Naruto, quickly he threw more giant wind slashes by himself destroying the trees. The clone on the left in the forest suddenly disappeared and Naruto looked left, just as he saw two kunai hit his remaining two clones.
"Shadow Clones won't save you y'now" Naruto suddenly felt a lot of deep scratches cutting all around his body causing Naruto to bleed around. "Damn that hurt, where the hell is this guy I can't even see him?" Naruto was trying to sense his Chakra but he was good at silencing it so he could not be detected. Naruto cursed, making split decision choice Naruto, "Fūton: Kiryū Ranbu!" outstretching his hands Naruto started to control the wind currents turning up the dust, adding a bit more chakra he made the current start going wild as he made a dust storm causing Sakura and Tazuna to back away, because of the dust it made trying to kill the blond brat harder for Gozu as he was using an invisible jutsu to conceal his physical body and lowering his chakra to the point where no genin can see him but this storm made his jutsu dispel as he couldn't concentrate with all the dust and hold the jutsu at the same time. When the storm got to the point of hardly being able to see, Gozu knew he had to leave or else. Before he could move he got held in place a shadow clone held on to him for dear life before he dispelled.
"GET OFF ME BRAT!" Gozu was hating this kid every second he fought him. Trying to kick the clone off he realized he couldn't move his other leg as another clone came to hold him down. Then a good 20 Naruto's ran in the dust storm holding Gozu down all shouting, "NOW!" Not a second later a good 10 wind slashes came at Gozu and the clones who were all smirking ready for this guy to get the same fate as Kakashi-sensei. When the dust storm and white clouds from the clones dispelling vanished Naruto saw a bloody black mess. This guy didn't even look human anymore. Naruto was about to touch the man but it turned into a log.
"Substitution!?" 'Crap I was sure I got him' Naruto was clearly losing Chakra and he felt tired and sluggish for some reason making it hard to keep his concentration. Gozu came rushing out of the woods not looking too good as he was hit by the attack but got out in time before and serious damage was dealt as his mask was broken showing the wind slash scar on his chest go to his face all bloody. "Crazy-ass kid! Now I'm really gonna kill him, my poison should be in affect now, ill win this in no time." Said Gozu rushing out the forest ready to kill Naruto. Naruto was panting fast now, he's never felt this tired before as he was seeing everything in two making him want to vomit. When he saw Gozu rushing him with his Gauntlet ready to pierce his heart he was truly scared. 'Come on move! Move damnit MOVE!' Naruto was trying his hardest to start moving but he couldn't as he watched a faraway two Gozu getting closer ready to kill him 'I don't want to die, I can't die.' All he could do was watch, watch as Gozu got closer having a wicked smirk. "I'm going to die…" Naruto whispered.
(5 minutes earlier)
Kakashi was hiding near a bush concealing his chakra intent on what his student could do in a situation like this not like he was cold-hearted as he also had to figure out who these missing-nin where targeting as it was Tazuna. Meaning that this whole mission just got complicated. Wanting to see Sasuke's fight made Kakashi giddy as he wanted to see his improvement but he just couldn't stop watching Naruto fight. 'While he was intelligent like his father and made that cute speech about avenging me, he's like his mom too always being brash and on the fly like that sand storm technique. I'm glad he inherits them so much.' Beamed Kakashi watching his fight unfold but when he saw how sluggish and how unnaturally tired he looked, it made Kakashi worry. What made it worse was that Gozu was coming at Naruto from a dangerous speed. Realizing that Kakashi better interfere if he wanted to save his sensei's son's life he better do it now. When he quickly got near them he saw an astonishing sight. Naruto wasn't feeling tired and somehow countered the gauntlet and had Gozu in a chock hold.
Walking up to Naruto eye-smiling he said, "Good job there Naruto I really thought you were dead, now you can let him go no-..." Kakashi stopped dead in his tracks. What he saw made him remember the night 13 years ago, the kyuubi.
Naruto woke up on his back looking at a strange and unfamiliar ceiling. Getting up he saw what looked like to be a sewer resembling to the one they have in Konoha as he used the sewer system often as a young kid to hide from his pranks. But this tunnel being distinct as it had only one way to walk. Walking in knee deep water that wasn't cold nor hot, and didn't make his clothes or legs/feet wet. He felt drawn to the last room, upon entering it he saw a huge cage looking to be 3 stories high. "What the hell, where are am I?" What was this place… Hell?
"hehehe" a low but thunderous chuckle resounded through the whole place shaking it making Naruto a bit unsteady. "Oi, who are you and where are we!?" Naruto was getting impatient, if this is hell than it sucks. All of a sudden two enormous Red slitted eyes out of the darkness of the cage looking right at Naruto as if piercing his very soul. Shaking a little bit Naruto didn't know what to do, "W-who are you?" Seeing the scared brat made him happy as his big white fangs appeared as if glowing from the dark freaking out Naruto even more.
"Who am I you ask?" Earning a nod from the blond. "I'm you."
"Wait, you're me? That's not possible." "Of course it is, I'm your pain, you sorrow, your anguish, your. Suffering" it gleefully told him as a red bubbling chakra starts crawling out from the cage. "I'm all of those things, in other words… I'm Darkness, you're darkness." Its canines growing wider and wider from its smirk. The red bubbling chakra consumed Naruto, he tried to fight it but it was useless as the more he struggled the more he felt relaxed as this chakra was a the warmest blanket in the coldest of night and it had a lot of raw power which was pure evil and foul but instead it made Naruto actually like this feeling, and when Naruto realized this as he opened his eyes Kakashi was in his face trying to get him to release Gozu from his tightening grip. Releasing him he saw if he held on for any more time Gozu would be dead. "Naruto, are you all right, your eyes…" Naruto didn't realize it at first but when he looked he could see everything, as if his regular vision was hazy but this vision, he could see everything around him, every detail, every insect and animal. "I'm… fine just need to rest I guess." He looked back at Naruto and realized his eye's where back to his normal blue. 'That was strange, anyway I better tie up Gozu and check on Sasuke.' Doing just that Kakashi tied Gozu up as Sakura healed him and Naruto so he didn't die from Naruto's inflicted wounds and so Naruto can continue to keep going on this mission.
Seeing Sasuke fighting Meizu while looking like he had the upper hand made Kakashi eye-smile as he's seeing the growth in his students. Getting closer he saw Sasuke say something out of ear shot and performed the "Raiton: Shiden" as he rushed Meizu with a perfectly purple lightning in his left hand he saw Sasuke run forward and Meizu did too meaning this was the last attack. Sasuke connected his left hand to Meizu's left shoulder paralyzing his whole body as Sasuke was pierced in the gut by the gauntlet meaning curtain death as Meizu was as happy as one could be as they just got paralysed, until 'Sasuke' poofed out of existence revealing to be a shadow clone. "What!?" he couldn't say much more as Sasuke ran behind him piercing his heart from the back, his Sharingan spinning wildly. As Sasuke left him there to rot he was greeted by Kakashi, "Yo, Sasuke good fight, how do you feel?" referring to his first kill. "I'm an Uchiha, and I'm a ninja it's what we do Sensei, besides didn't you die?" Bluntly asked Sasuke. "Well I figured it a good idea to let you guys fight to test yourself and to prove me right if you guys where capable of this mission. Also how'd you learnt the shadow clone jutsu?" Eye smiled Kakashi.
"Where's Naruto and Sakura? I assume they took care of the other nin and…. I learned it from Sakura…" "Oooh is that so Sasuke-chan, hehe, yeah Naruto defeated him and Sakura protected Tazuna." Leaving out the eye situation with Naruto. "You should go check on them both, Naruto's a little banged up and you could make more chit-chat with your girlfriend, Sasuke." Kakashi teased causing a small blush to form on Sasuke, "She's not my girlfriend and I will check on them, glad you're not dead sensei!" Yelled a running Sasuke as he wanted to check on his friends. Sending a ninja bird to fly back home and inform the Hokage that the mission has become a good B-rank to A-rank mission from these missing nins and to come collect one of the Demon Brothers and possible more ninja including a possible Jonin, heh this is Team 7 they can handle it no problem.
"Alright Tazuna time to explain yourself" told Kakashi as he made no room for a negotiation. Tazuna told them everything, how Wave became very poor from Gato's invasion with his thugs and money trying to force him to stop the bridge to make the country of Wave prosper again and even as far as how Gato killed his Son-in-Law in front of the whole town even his un-biological child, Tazuna's grandson Imari. "Well Team 7, what do you guys want to do?" Kakashi asked.
All three of them talked it out to each other deciding. "We-We've decided to help Tazuna and his people against Gato." Stated Naruto still a bit weak from the poison as the rest of Team 7 agreed with him further making Kakashi proud. He eye-smiled, "All right, Team 7 lets head out."
Hello all! I've had crazy ideas with this story so i've been working on it and finished it with a smile on my face! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please leave feedback! Again thank you and have a great day/night!