Review Responses:

Drums4life: Yes you will see.

MK loves NaruSaku: I'm guessing that you changed your name Narusaku? Well I gave Mikasu Mokuton because although it came from the Senju clan, you don't see any Senju that can use it. Also because Mokuton is pretty damn cool!

kidloco: You're going to have to read and find out.

McAwzome: Mokuton is Wood Release (style). Come on you should know that lol.

Naruto and Sakura arrived at the gate early to see the people they would be protecting. The caravan was filled with valuable supplies that Konoha was going to be trading for a large sum of money. It was very important that it reached its destination unmolested. While the caravan itself was normal enough, the people with it were another story. Most of them looked scared and jumpy while others were quite shifty and some seemed quite happy for reasons that could probably only be described as very bad. This was definitely a freelance caravan. Now as to why it was here puzzled the two shinobi. Normally freelancing caravans had their own outfit of hired thugs and mercenaries as protection. The fact that this one could hire shinobi meant they were doing quite well for themselves. Despite the shifty attitudes of most freelance caravans, they were reliable to pay what they owed. Naruto and Sakura decided to wait for the rest of their team before they introduced themselves. Naruto and Sakura found a spot on the rooftops to sit and wait for their three students. It was only ten more minutes before the three excited genin could be heard approaching. Several members of the caravan turned towards the voices and a dark expression fell upon their faces. They turned away in dismay and many went to the middle wagon where they removed several bundles of weapons and checked the condition of each one.

'So they protect themselves and trade. I see why they have so much extra money.' Naruto was fairly impressed that the merchants also fought their own battles. That would explain the look many had. Battle hardened and ready for almost anything. Rykuga appeared around the corner with Mikasu on his right and Nabitora on his left. They noticed the weapons in the traders hands and tensed slightly but continued forward, this time without making any noise. Naruto smiled at their alertness and motioned for Sakura to get next to him.

"I think we should get down there before our team kills the clients." Sakura nodded her agreement and the two leapt down in front of the genin causing Rykuga to yelp while the others jumped back slightly before relaxing at the sight of their senseis.

"Lets go meet the client." Naruto turned and found himself face to face with a behemoth. The man was at least seven feet tall and rippled with muscle. Hell his muscle had muscles! His head sported jet black hair which was buzz cut. His black eyes held a look of weariness and wisdom. He had a scar running from the left temple all the way to the right side of his neck, stopping just above where the artery was located. He had clearly had a close call. When he finally spoke his voice was deep and commanded respect.

"I am the man who hired you and I'm also the leader of this freelance caravan group. Call me Kazuki." The giant bowed slightly and Naruto returned the gesture before he introduced his team.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. My co-sensei is Sakura Haruno." Sakura also bowed before Naruto continued. "The red head is Rykuga Azu, the lazy girl is Mikasu Senju, and the broody blue haired boy is Nabitora Shiro." Each of the genin bowed as Naruto said their names, completely unfazed by his description of them. Kazuki grunted his reply and spoke to the caravan.

"Ok escort's here so lets move it!" It took 30 seconds for them to get stuff put away before the wagons began moving, starting the slow journey to the Wave.

"Didn't expect his team to be assigned."

"Is that going to be a problem?"

"No." The blade glinted in the moonlight as he removed it from its sheath. "Not a problem at all."

"Good. Make it fast. Orochimaru-sama wants the contents of wagon five intact. The rest doesn't matter."

"Survivors?" The dark haired boy asked.

"None."

After three days of travelling at a civilian's speed the bridge was finally in sight. A sigh of relief spread through the line of wagons and they put on a final burst of speed to reach the bridge. Upon arrival, Naruto paused and smiled at the plaque above the entrance.

"What is it Naruto?" Sakura asked before her gaze followed his pointing finger. She too smiled at the name.

The Great Naruto Bridge.

"Named in honor of the ninja that inspired an entire country to retake its freedom." Naruto read the plaque. Before they could say anything else a fireball engulfed the first wagon in the caravan.

"Squad form up on the wagons!" Naruto shouted and sprinted to the front just as another massive fireball was sent out by the lone figure on the bridge.

"Shinra Tensei!"

The fireball dissipated and Naruto transformed his right hand into a cannon.

"Asura Attack!"

His body rocked with the recoil of the shot. The ball of energy almost hit but the figure slid under it and began charging directly towards the group. Before he could say or do anything he heard Kazuki order his men to charge. About 20 went out with the first group, all armed and trained. When the two sides collided Naruto watched with a newfound respect for his enemy. The person weaved gracefully between targets. He never wasted time with unneeded sword play, striking accurately and lethally. It took 15 seconds for the 20 men to be cut down and the figure continued to approach. Naruto charged out to meet the enemy.

As soon as the blonde was a good distance away five shinobi appeared around the caravan. Sakura recognized them from the bingo books.

"The Sound Ninja Five."

It didn't take long for her fight to get underway.

Naruto heard the sounds of combat behind him but knew he had to fight the opponent he was charging towards. Sure he could help his team in their fight but a man as strong as his mystery opponent wouldn't sit back and watch the action. No he would want to be right in the middle of it. It was better to take care of him first. He was curious as to the identity of his combatant but soon he would be able to see his face. A series of quick hand signs from his foe produced a third fireball which forced Naruto to drop to the ground and slide under the fire. Naruto lifted his cannon arm as soon as he could and almost fired. The only thing that stopped him was the Sharingan eye staring at his own and the promise he had made to Sakura.

"Sasuke?"

The Uchiha didn't have anything staying his attack which was executed in the form of a downward slice with the hope of splitting Naruto's skull in half. Naruto sent out a small push that forced the blade back and slammed a foot into Sasuke's stomach. Sasuke coughed but grabbed his leg and went to break his knee. Naruto stopped him with another Shinra Tensei and rolled to his feet. He returned his hand to its normal state and watched the Uchiha get up.

"It seems I didn't kill you last time. I'll correct that mistake here and now." Sasuke retrieved his sword and started to run lightning chakra through it. Naruto unsealed his own from his wrist and ran wind chakra through his sword. Without any other words the two charged and clashed metal on metal. Sasuke was slightly shocked when Naruto's sword began to cut through his own before he remembered something.

'Lightning is weak to wind!' The black haired boy barely pulled his sword away when Naruto kneed him in the stomach and swept his legs out from under him. Sasuke slammed into the ground and rolled just as Naruto was about to knock him out. Five powerful signatures suddenly appeared behind him and he ducked just as they landed beside the injured Uchiha.

"Did you get it?" Sasuke asked in between breaths.

"No. We were beaten back but managed to kill at least a third of them. We also think one of the dead may be a Konoha shinobi. Last I checked she was near death after fighting off three of us." The man tossed aside what looked like a blood covered bone sword and Sasuke nodded.

"We will see you soon Naruto." Sasuke smirked before they disappeared. Naruto immediately bolted back to the wagons. When he arrived bodies were everywhere. Kazuki's left arm was bandaged but he still helped attend to the wounded or would help rescue teams bring in the injured. He was looking for his team frantically. The words of one of the shinobi rang clearly in his head. Close to death.

"Sakura?! SAKURA!" He was ready to make an army of Kage Bunshin when he heard a voice.

"Over here Naruto." He followed the voice to where he heard it from and seen an awful sight. Sakura was wounded everywhere but had given herself quick medical treatment. She now had her healing hands hovering over the bodies of his three genin. Each one had suffered a nasty assortment of wounds except for Nabitora. When he asked Sakura about that she explained that all of his wounds were internal. Realizing that Sakura couldn't do anymore, Naruto quickly created three clones and had them carefully bring his genin into the town. After an hour two figures appeared on the bridge. Upon closer inspection Naruto realized that the figures were Tazuna and Inari. Tazuna approached Naruto with a sad smile.

"This isn't the kind of welcome a hero deserves. I'm very sorry."

AN: Yeah it's a short chapter but I decided to try and do something original instead of just doing another Team 7 Wave mission thing like many others. Please tell me how you like it. As always please Read, Review, and Enjoy!