I don't own Naruto
Chapter 2
For the first two weeks after team 7 was formed, Kakashi had them doing a couple D rank missions and and teamwork training. After the first 3 days of this Sasuke and Sakura got irritated with Kakashi. Naruto had offered real training after showing the results of his training and the choice was pretty easy. Team 7 explained that they were training together anyway and Kakashi allowed them to do their own training during their normal teamwork training time. Kakashi approved of what Naruto was teaching them and thought that their teamwork would get better this way. Naruto got Sakura to increase her chakra reserves through water walking and Sasuke was increasing his control though water walking. Naruto also had the team wearing training weights to increase their speed, strength, and stamina. Naruto had also gotten used to being a girl. He had dropped his transformation to buy some girl clothes, civilian and ninja. His female ninja attire consisted of black shorts that go down to the knee and a short sleeved black shirt. There was also a dark orange stripe coming from under the arm and down to the knee. The civilian outfit was a skirt and sleeveless shirt in different colors.
Today was the day that team 7 was going to receive their C rank mission that turns into an A rank mission. During the two weeks Naruto had convinced Sarutobi to allow them to do the mission because the benefits far outweighed the risks. Besides the risks decreased with team 7's extra training and Naruto's knowledge.
"Hello team 7. Ready for more D rank missions?" Sarutobi asked
"Actually, you think we could a C rank mission this time?" Naruto asked
"If Kakashi thinks your ready?" Sarutobi said as he cut off Iruka.
"The extra training that they have been putting themselves through and their improved teamwork is more than enough to handle a low C rank mission. And if it's not then I'm there as well." Kakashi said as Sarutobi nodded
"Alright Iruka would you please get Tazuna for me?" Sarutobi said as Iruka followed his order
One minute later an old man entered the room and he appeared drunk.
"These are the bodyguards I've hired? They're a bunch of kids." Tazuna said
"Don't worry Tazuna. They are ninja and are more than capable of a simple C rank mission." Kakashi explained as he led Tazuna out of the room and told his team to meet at the village gates.
2 hours later
Team 7 walked over to the gate with small bags. Naruto came over and taught them how to use sealing scrolls.
They arrived and immediately headed out of the village and toward the land of Waves.
"Guys, I have something that I have to tell you when we return to Konoha." Naruto said
"Why can't you tell us now?" Sakura asked. She still had her crush on Sasuke, but she treated Naruto friendly now.
"I don't have a reason, I just want to wait until we get back." Naruto said. "Besides it's a big secret and should only be revealed within Konoha's walls."
Sasuke just grunted and Sakura nodded while thinking what could be so important about this one secret.
After a long time walking Naruto and Kakashi noticed the puddle on the ground. Sakura was thinking about Naruto's secret and Sasuke was thinking about more training.
After Kakashi was the last person to pass the puddle the Demon brothers appeared from their genjutsu.
One brother threw the other and they wrapped their chain around Kakashi and ripped him to pieces. Sasuke and Sakura were shocked, but Naruto wasn't. Naruto and Sasuke immediately jumped to action, while Sakura jumped in front of Tazuna.
Sasuke threw a kunai and shuriken combo to lodge the chain that the brothers shared to a tree. A Naruto appeared behind each brother and sweep kicked their legs, while at the same moment Sasuke landed on the gauntlets and kicked the brothers back. The brothers immediately recovered and headed for Tazuna. Naruto quickly nodded to Sasuke and they both jumped in front of Sakura, ready to take the blow for her.
A second after the demon brothers appeared in front of Sasuke and Naruto, ready to strike, Kakashi appeared with the brothers in a one armed chokehold each.
"Good work team. Though I am concerned. What was that last nod for?" Kakashi asked
"I was making sure that Sasuke knew that you used the substitution jutsu and also got him to follow me to Sakura." Naruto said
"How did you know that I used the substitution when the demon brothers did not? Also how did you convey all that to Sasuke?" Kakashi asked
"It was how he looked at me. It showed confidence even though we both knew we couldn't beat the demon brothers. He didn't tell me to follow him, but when he moved towards Sakura I caught on that he wanted us to jump in front of her." Sasuke explained
"With that kind of teamwork and actions in the face of danger you guys deserve to be chunin now. Too bad your skill isn't there yet." Kakashi said as the team looked down at his comment. "Im pretty sure that by the upcoming chunin exams you'd be ready to be promoted."
That last comment instantly brightened the faces of team 7.
Kakashi created a shadow clone who took the brothers into the woods, "Why did you lie to us Tazuna?" Kakashi said
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Tazuna said
"This is a C rank mission. We weren't supposed to face ninja at all. The highest threat is supposed to be bandits and thugs." Naruto said while Sakura nodded.
"Explain now." Kakashi demanded
"I lied because my village is poor. We can't afford anything above a C rank mission. A man named Gato came in and took control of everything. I can't describe the evil he's done to my home. That's why I'm building the bridge. My bridge will take away Gato's power over us and free us. That's why I beg you to help us and forgive my lie." Tazuna said as he got to his knees
"We're a team so we have to decide. What do you say team?" Kakashi asked team 7
"We didn't come this far just to turn back." Sasuke said with a smirk
"They really need us." Sakura said
"Then let's continue to the land of waves!" Naruto exclaimed as he led the group onward.
4 hours and a long quiet boat ride later
Team 7 and Tazuna were walking until Naruto instinctively threw his kunai at the place where he knew Zabuza had been before he substituted with the white furred bunny.
"And your reason for doing that was?" Sasuke asked
"The same reason we should be getting down!" Naruto exclaimed as he tackled Sasuke and Sakura, while Kakashi tackled Tazuna. A huge sword flew past their heads and into a tree.
"A brat was able to notice me? I must be slipping, or he's good." A figure said as he landed on the blade
"Zabuza Momochi, demon of the mist." Kakashi said
"Kakashi Hatake, the copy nin." Zabuza said
"Manji formation team. Protect tazuna. This guy is a lot stronger than the demon brothers and I'll have to fight him seriously." Kakashi said as he lifted up his forehead protector. This action revealed his Sharingan eye.
"I'll give you one chance. Hand over the bridge builder and I'll spare your lives." Zabuza said over his shoulder
"No deal!" Kakashi said seriously
"Remove your weights!" Naruto ordered
"Why Naruto?" Sakura asked
"They will only slow us down. Sensei is right, this is a serious fight and we don't need to be holding back, so we can better defend ourselves and Tazuna should Zabuza come straight for us." Naruto said back as they complied, Sasuke being the first one to start.
"Your loss. Hidden Mist jutsu!" Zabuza said as he jumped onto the water with his blade in his hand. A mist started to surround them.
Team 7 moved in closer and stood alert, waiting to react to any move made by Zabuza. Zabuza started to speak to his enemies, but it sounded like it was coming from everywhere at once. A second later Zabuza appeared inside the team's defensive formation. Naruto, who expected this, and Sasuke, who reacted quickly, both struck Zabuza with their kunai in the blink of an eye, while Sakura grabbed Tazuna and jumped back (AN: I'm not making Sakura weak, just smart enough to know to get out of the way. She could have attacked too, but then Tazuna would have still been in striking distance and realistically Sasuke and Sakura don't know that Zabuza is using a water clone.)
After the strike Zabuza turned to water. The real Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi ready to strike him with his blade. The blade tore through Kakashi, but he also turned to water. The real Kakashi appeared behind Zabuza with a kunai on his throat.
"It's over." Kakashi said
"Tell me Kakashi. What are you teaching those brats? By their looks they look like freshly graduated genin and yet they act like experienced shinobi." Zabuza said
"Honestly nothing, but that doesn't concern a dead man." kakashi said as he cut through Zabuza's neck, but he turned out to be a water clone too. The real Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi and swung his blade again. Kakashi ducked the blade, but Zabuza let the blade hit the ground and used the handle as a means to turn his body and kick Kakashi toward the water.
Kakashi fell into the water. When he emerged he realized that something was off about the water. He understood a second too late as he was captured in Zabuza's trap.
"Water prison jutsu!" Zabuza said
"Oh no, he's captured sensei." Sakura said in shock.
"This doesn't look good." Sasuke said
"Water clone jutsu!" Zabuza said as he created a clone
"Run! Protect the bridge builder. Get out of here." Kakashi said from the water prison.
"Guys, I have a plan. Sakura wait for an opening then strike the clone. Come on Sasuke!" Naruto said as he and Sasuke rushed towards the water clone.
Naruto and Sasuke attacked the clone with a taijutsu assault, but the water clone was able to easily defend himself. The clone thought of Sakura as useless because she wasn't fighting, but that was a big mistake as Sasuke jumped back after Naruto got kicked backward. Sakura found her opening and threw three kunai and shuriken at the clone.
"I'm not done yet. Sasuke!" Naruto said as he threw a demon wind shuriken towards Sasuke.
Sasuke smirked as he realized Naruto's plan. Sasuke jumped in the air and threw the shuriken at the real Zabuza.
Sakura's kunai and shuriken assault was blocked by Zabuza, but it was just a distraction. The Naruto that threw Sasuke the shuriken, backflipped to his feet and threw a kunai at the clone. The clone was too busy commenting on Sasuke for throwing the shuriken at the original Zabuza. The clone was destroyed easily and it momentarily distracted Zabuza before he caught the shuriken at the last second.
"Nice plan brat, I almost didn't catch it..." Zabuza said as the smirk he was wearing after catching the shuriken instantly disappeared as he jumped over the second shuriken.
Zabuza was about to speak but he was cut off.
"Behind you!" Naruto said as the shuriken transformed back into Naruto and threw a kunai at Zabuza, who released the water prison and dodged the kunai.
"Why you little brat!" Zabuza said as he attempted to throw the demon wind shuriken at the standing Naruto, but was stopped by Kakashi.
"Good job team, now it's my turn." Kakashi said as he started to battle.
The ensuing fight continued same as canon except Naruto looked directly at Haku as he left and nodded in his direction. Sasuke and Sakura thought it was weird, but decided to question Naruto later.