Disclaimer: Naruto is the property of Kishimoto.
Chapter 5
Next day,
"When are we going to arrive sensei?" asked Kurenai.
They have travelled for one two days but still there was no sign of Rice country border. Kurenai was getting impatient.
"Just ahead of us Kurenai." Said Shikaku.
The team tree hopped for another thirty minutes and the outpost came into view.
'There is surely something wrong.' Thought Shikaku looking towards the outpost.
"It smells blood, a lot of blood." Said Naruto getting the scent first due to his heightened senses.
"Stay alert team. Don't engage in fight unless necessary. Our mission is to investigate only." Said Shikaku.
"Itachi." Said their sensei when the team neared the outpost.
Itachi nodded and activated his sharingan.
"Two shinobis with jounin level chaktra on the roof."
"And it looks like they have all ready noticed us." finished Itachi deactivating his sharingan.
'As I predicted we have to fight after all.' Thought Shikaku..
The team came to a halt when the two said man jumped before them..
"
Well well look at what we have here... two kids, an young and hot girl and their babysitter. Why don't you we have some with the girl after dealing with the others? Huh Takeshi." said the masked man.
"Stop fooling around Renji." Ordered the other named Takeshi.
'This Takeshi must be the boss.' Thought Shikaku.
"Itachi and Naruto you two take that mas wearing one." Said Shikaku while pointing towards Renji, "While me and Kurenai take the other."
"No fair want the girl." Said Renji but had to jump to his right as the ground splitted in two where he was standing.
Naruto erupted a wall separating the three from their sensei.
"Kids it looks like you both are out of luck today." Said Renji looking towards Itachi and Naruto.
A blade of wind rushed him but he extended his hand and the wind vanished without a trace leaving behind. Itachi had already released a large sphere of fire but it had the same fate as the wind.
"So you have some technique that sucks the chakra making ninjutsu ineffective against you." Stated Naruto.
"You are smart kid." Said Renji and smirked.
Soon he had to dodge a right uppercut punch made by Itachi.
'This kid is fast.' Thought Renji.
Itachi engaged Renji in a pure taijutsu battle but he could get a proper hit due to him half the size of Renji. He made some hits because the man was average in taijutsu but those hits lacked power. All the while Naruto was observing the taijutsu fight.
After some time,
"You are good but you can't beat me with taijutsu only." Said Renji arrogantly.
Itachi jumped back besides Naruto.
"Itcahi its time we get serious." Said Naruto.
Itachi nodded and activated his sharingan.
'What the...' thought Renji as Itachi appeared before him before he could blink and did a low leg sweep. Renji jumped up to dodge it but was unprepared for the painful kick he received on his chest from Naruto who upto now didn't even move.
Renji flew backwards but positioned himself landing on his feet. As soon as he touched the ground Itachi dashed towards him and hit him in his stomach with knee. Renji bent forward in pain.
Itachi was already behind Renji when Naruto appeared before him and hit him with a left hook. Renji's head moved backward and Itachi grabbed it exposing his throat. Naruto made a swipe with his hand embedded in wind chakra slitting Renji's throat.
Renji stared at his killers with disbelief as blood came out of his mouth and throat. Itachi released him and the corpse fell on the ground.
"So you had to use taijutsu after all." Said Itachi deactivating his sharingan.
"Didn't want to drag it. And you didn't use your genjutsu." Said Naruto.
Itachi shrugged in reply as Naruto touched the ground sinking the earth wall he made prior to the fight.
The earth wall disappeared to reveal Shikaku completing his Shadow Neck Binding Technique.
"Any problem kids." Asked Shikaku after he had killed Takeshi.
"No." Said Itachi and NAruto at the same time.
"Good lets check the outpost and move out." Ordered Shikaku.
Two days later, Hokage Tower.
"So you had to face two jounin level shinobis." Said the Hokage.
"Yes they had killed the chunins in the outpost. Unfortunately we were unable to interrogate them.
Hokage nodded and said, "Don't worry your team had performed well. Killing jounins are no ordinary tasks."
"Now you may leave."
Team 1 bowed and exited the Hokage office only to come face to face with the village elders Mitokade Homura and Utatane Koharu.
Hokage's Office,
"So do you think they are eligible." asked the alders.
"Yes they are more than capable. Although field promotions are only given during wars but such talents should not be wasted by keeping them genins.
"Its final Team 1 would be promoted to chunins." Said the Hokage.
Konoha Streets,
"Okays kids see you later." Said Shikau and shunshined away.
"So what do we do now?" asked Kurenai looking towards the boys.
"Sorry I have to be present at the Uchiha compound. So I must leave." Said Itachi and started walking away.
"Looks like we are alone. Lets have some food first." Said Kurenai.
Naruto nodded and said, "No barbeque."
Kurenai giggled and agreed with Naruto. Whenever sensei was there they had eat lunch at the Akimichi barbeque restaurant and that meant everyday.
"I know a good cafe. Lets go there." Said Kurenai.
Naruto nodded and looked towards a boy who was leering at Kurenai daring him to do anything. Kurenai observed the byplay and became slightly happy. She liked Naruto's protectiveness. When she had first met the boys they were cold and distant. But gradually they have opened upto her.
And especially Naruto. She just couldn't imagine how lonely Naruto must be. So yes she was concerned for him and as such had developed a weakness for him.
'And he is cute too..' thought Kurenai while glancing at him.
'No I shouldn't think about him that way. He is only 10 but hell he is going to one eye candy when he grows up.' Kurenai shook her head to clear such thoughts.
"Stupid hormones." mumbled Kurenai.
"Are you alright Kurenai?" asked Naruto.
"Yea of course. Lets go." Said Kurenai hurriedly and grabbed his hand.
Naruto quirked an eyebrow looking towards their hands.
Kurenai waited for him leave her hand but when he didn't do so she beamed and started to walk with Naruto.