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Chapter 4: Steady Progression
Bitch-work, bitch-work, and more bitch-work.
After the first few D-rank missions, Naruto had bestowed upon the D-rank missions the name of bitch-work. Naruto was aware of his low status as a genin, but these missions didn't require any kind of shinobi ability. Even though one didn't need shinobi ability to perform the bitch-work, Naruto still used his shadow clones and his burst step, when applicable, to complete these missions as quickly as possible.
Kakashi had told the genin of team seven that when they finished their daily "bitch-work", he would train them. The training had started off simple enough: basic chakra control exercises and strength-building. Then, it elevated as Kakashi's expectations were set high.
"You three are very talented. The small stuff won't do much for you guys, so we'll hop right into the advanced training." Kakashi had said with his signature eye-smile.
Kakashi began teaching Sakura some basic and advanced genjutsu, stating that she had a natural aptitude for anything that required picture-perfect chakra control. Kakashi never seemed so harsh as when he was training Sasuke. Constantly, Kakashi would try to throw Sasuke into situations that would hopefully awaken his Sharingan. Sasuke hasn't awakened his Sharingan yet, but his eyes are definitely beginning to evolve. With his experience in kenjutsu, Kakashi began taking Naruto through rigid day-to-day sword practice. Kakashi taught Naruto had to use multiple types of blades: large swords, thin swords, dual swords, and various others. Naruto was pleased with the results.
In terms of personal affairs with the team, Sakura was still afraid of Naruto and would avoid doing anything she feared might set him off, Sasuke was very perceptive of Naruto's increasing skills and he saw Naruto as something of a rival, Naruto was indifferent, and Kakashi was still observing Naruto closely.
Currently, team seven, after completing their bitch-work for the day, met up with Kakashi for their daily training. At this point, they were accustomed to Kakashi's tardiness, so they would either take the time they had to relax or warm-up.
"Yo." Kakashi said simply as he seemingly appeared out of thin air. Before any of them could say anything, Kakashi reached into his pocket and pulled out three pieces of paper.
"What are those things for?" Sasuke asked, leaning up against a tree with his hands in his pocket.
"You guys are aware of the five elements, right?" Kakashi asked his students receiving nods in response, "These papers are used to discover your elemental affinity." He handed the pieces of paper to his students. "Just channel you chakra into the paper. If it crumples, then your affinity is lightning. If it burns, your affinity is fire. If it splits, your affinity is wind. If it dampens, your affinity is water. And if it turns to dust, your affinity is earth."
Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto channeled chakra into their papers. Sasuke's paper crumpled, Sakura's turned to dust, and Naruto's split then burned.
'Does this mean I have a natural affinity to fire and wind.' Naruto thought excitedly.
"That is only because I have a natural affinity to fire. Originally, your affinity was to wind. When you absorbed my chakra, you gained fire and kept wind. Be grateful, human." The Kyuubi's voice sounded in Naruto's head.
"What's the best element, Kakashi-sensei?" Sasuke questioned as he took note of Naruto's apparent double elemental affinity.
"There's no dominant element. Each element can be beat by another. Fire is strong against wind, but weak against water. Wind is strong against lightning which is strong against earth which is strong against water. Also, if you use lightning correctly, it can be strong against water." Kakashi answered, then looked over to Naruto, "You have a double affinity, and fortunately for you, wind and fire can be used in conjunction."
Naruto smirked to himself.
"Luckily, I know some jutsus from every element." Kakashi said, smiling. Sakura smiled back, Naruto smirked, and Sasuke said, "Hn."
"Sakura, I'll be teaching you Earth Style: Mud Wall. Sasuke, I'll teach you Lightning Style: Lightning Shadow Clone and later, I'll teach a jutsu I, myself, have created, and Naruto, I'll teach you Wind Style: Great Breakthrough and the Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu." Kakashi explained.
Kakashi made two shadow clones and paired them off with the genin.
Naruto made use of his shadow clones and managed to learn the two jutsu within two days. Sasuke was able to learn the Lightning Clone within one day, and Sakura learned the Mud Wall within two days. In addition, Kakashi taught Naruto and Sasuke how to channel chakra into their weapons and told them to get creative with how they use it.
*Two Days Later*
'This is hell. I mean really hell. I think I'll just kill this damn cat so I never have to see it again.' Naruto thought, actually flexing his hands and readying his claws.
"Target in sight. Prepare for capture." Sakura said professionally through her walkie talkie.
"Sakura, you're taking this way too seriously. It's just a cat, barely even worth any effort." Sasuke said into his walkie talkie.
Sakura laughed, thoroughly embarrassed, "Yeah, you're right Sasuke. I-"
"Let's just grab this stupid cat and get this over with!" Naruto interrupted impatiently.
"Whenever you're ready." Sasuke responded, not intimidated.
"Alright...Now!" Naruto commanded as he and his team jumped from their hiding spots. Their target jumped in surprise and tried to escape, but it was futile. Naruto latched onto the cat and held him down while Sasuke reported to Kakashi the successful mission.
The team reported to Hiruzen, the 3rd Hokage. They listened as he explained the available bitch-work, but Naruto had enough.
"No! There's no way in hell I'm going to do any more bitch-work! I swear if you don't give me at least a C-rank mission I will wre-"
"There is a C-rank escort mission available. The mission is to guard a bridge-builder on his way back to Wave and protect him while he builds the bridge. You may encounter some bandits along the way, but it is nothing you young shinobi can not handle. This is better than 'bitch-work', isn't it." Hiruzen interrupted Naruto. He was planning to give them a C-rank mission very soon, anyway.
"Well, yeah. Thanks old man." Naruto said, relaxing. His ears picked up the sound of uneven footsteps heading in their direction. He crinkled his nose as he caught the heavy scent of alcohol, "We got a drunkard heading towards us." Naruto warned everyone in the room.
Less than a minute later, an elderly man stumbled through the door holding onto a bottle of sake. He took a swig and glanced at the attendants of the room. His eyes rested on one in particular: a certain fox-eared shinobi.
"Damn, I really gotta lay off the sauce if I'm seeing a fox-human hybrid." The intoxicated man slurred as he struggled to maintain his balance.
Naruto sighed, "Someone please tell me this drunkard isn't the guy we're supposed to guard." Naruto looked at the Hokage for confirmation who only nodded.
"I'm Tazuna, master bridge builder. And I asked for shinobi to protect me, not a bunch of brats." Tazuna stated.
In the blink of an eye, Naruto burst stepped behind Tazuna and kicked the back of his knees, sending him to the ground. Naruto grabbed Tazuna's hair and turned his head so they were eye-to-eye. Tazuna was sobered up.
"Let's get one thing straight, you drunken bastard. Age isn't a factor when you're a shinobi. I'm more than qualified to take on this mission. Also, I don't recommend insulting me if you want to live. I've had enough of that as it is." Naruto whispered in a harsh voice so only Tazuna could hear him. With that said, Naruto let him go and walked back over to his team.
Naruto pretended to listen as Hiruzen and Kakashi scolded him for threatening a client.
Later, after Naruto packed all his necessities threw on his dark red sleeveless shirt, baggy black pants, black sandals, and short-sleeved black high collar jacket, and his arm warmers, he left his apartment and headed towards the main gate.
His team was waiting for him and Kakashi was on time.
'Or maybe I'm just late.' Naruto thought without much concern. Naruto looked over and noticed Tazuna glaring at him. Naruto just glared back.
"Let's head out." Kakashi said simply. Everyone fell in line with him.
After walking for about an hour, with little conversation, Naruto smelled other people nearby, but he disregarded it. Kakashi noticed a puddle on the ground and raised his guard.
Sometime later, the group was surprised by chains that shot out from behind the trees and latched onto Kakashi and tore him apart.
The three genin were shocked and horrified by what just happened to their sensei. Naruto quickly made the hand sign for the Shadow Clone jutsu and produced two clones. Sakura quickly made the hand signs for the Mud Wall and a wall appeared that protected both her and Tazuna.
The attackers quickly charged and tried to attack Naruto's blind spot, but before they reached their destination, two of the Narutos burst stepped to meet them head on, each with one of their two blades drawn and charged with wind chakra. They swung the chakra-empowered swords and broke through the metal claws the attacking shinobi wore and severed the arms. The attackers recoiled in pain while Sasuke made his move and attacked one of the attacking shinobi, incapacitating the enemy. The real Naruto flashed through the hand seals for the Fireball Jutsu and unleashed a fairly large fireball that engulfed the enemy, ending his life.
After the fight, Kakashi appeared from behind the trees with slightly shocked, and mostly proud expression on his face. He had thought he would have to step in and save one of his team, but they handled the situation very well.
"Excellent job, guys, very smooth and efficient." Kakashi praised. Kakashi then turned to regard Tazuna who was the picture of nervousness and guilt, "Tazuna, we need to have a talk."
Review if you wanna be a cool mofo! This guy loves feedback of all kinds. I'm really going to enjoy Naruto having fire and wind ninjutsu.