A/N - I will be adding some drama for Naruto and Anko. No worries, I've got a few neat things to add to make this arc interesting. Also, the reason behind Naruto being a sick to Anko will eventually be revealed during the arc. I hope you guys are enjoying it.
The next morning, Kiba woke up and found his fellow blond was missing. As he sat up and rubbed Akamaru's back, he proceeded downstairs with hope of finding his teammate.
To his surprise, nobody had woken up yet. Kiba walked towards the kitchen and noticed Naruto was outside in a meditative position.
When the Inuzuka ran outside, he greeted his fellow teammate. "Morning Naruto, how's it going?"Kiba asked.
"Morning Kiba. I'm actually not the boss. He's out training." Said the shadow clone.
"Huh? Oh, you're a shadow clone." Kiba said.
"Please inform Kurenai sensei that I have clones watching the perimeter to make sure nobody tries to attack. I've also got a few clones checking out the town for information in regards to Gato." Said the shadow clone.
"Okay. Good deal. Alright, well I'm going to get some breakfast. You want any?" Kiba asked.
"No thank you. The boss already ate." Said the clone of Naruto. Kiba nodded and returned inside where the rest of his team was at the table.
"What's Naruto doing out there?" Hinata asked while yawning.
"I guess he's meditating. Kurenai sensei, Naruto wanted me to inform Yo that he's got clones around, watching the house and gathering information around the town." Kiba said.
"I see. Alright, after breakfast, we'll do some training. Anko will be joining Tazuna at the bridge." Kurenai said.
The six of them were eating until a young boy, no older than eight entered the kitchen. "Grandpa, you can't go to work. You'll get hurt." The boy cried out.
Tazuna gave his grandson a sad smile. "Don't worry, Inari. Not only will the bridge get built, but I'll have some protection." Tazuna said to the boy.
"Miss Kurenai, I was planning to go around town today. Do you mind if one of your genin escort me?" Tsunami asked.
Kurenai thought about it. While she wanted to train her students, she also new that Tsunami could easily be attacked. "Yes, but I'm going to have my student, Naruto guide you. He'll be a shadow clone, but it will be enough to keep you guys safe." Kurenai said.
"Thank you." Tsunami said with a thankful expression.
When breakfast was over, Naruto's shadow clone agreed to escort both Tsunami and Inari, Anko left with Tazuna, and Kurenai took her team out to to train.
"Okay, as you are aware, Zabuza will return. I also have reason to believe that we'll fight that tracker ninja too. I want us to be as prepared as possible." Kurenai said.
"Yes, Kurenai sensei." The two genin said.
"Today we will work on elemental jutsu. I know you both like to train with your clan's style, but in the shinobi world, sticking to one style will actually put you at a disadvantage." Kurenai said.
"But sensei, don't you only use genjutsu?" Hinata asked.
"Yes, but I can also engage in taijutsu. Take Naruto for example. In the battle from yesterday, he used his snake summons, kenjutsu, shadow clones, elemental jutsu, and a few others. He didn't just rely on his Sharingan." Kurenai explained.
"Okay, sweet! But what elements are you going to teach us?" Kiba asked.
"This is a chakra paper. By applying chakra to it, we'll know what your affinity is. This will make teaching you elemental jutsu easier." Kurenai said as she handed the two a chakra paper.
"If it splits in half, you'll have a wind nature. If it catches on fire, you'll have a fire nature. If it turns to dust, you'll have an Earth nature. If it crumbles up, you'll have a lightning nature. Finally, if it is soaked, you'll have a water nature." Kurenai explained.
Kiba began applying chakra to the paper and suddenly, the paper turned to dust. "Sweet, I've got an Earth affinity like mom!" Kiba said.
Hinata died the same and noticed that part of her paper caught on fire and the other half crumbled up. "Huh? What does this mean?" Hinata asked as she activated her Byakugan.
"That means you have an affinity for Fire and Lightning. In other words, you will learn both Fire and Lightning pretty easy compared to the other natures." Kurenai explained.
"Anko sensei will help you with your fire nature. While I can get Naruto to help with your lightning and Kiba's Earth release." Kurenai continued on.
"However, we're going to work on a few elemental exercises that will help you manipulate your nature." Kurenai went on.
On the bridge, Anko was sitting on a few cinder blocks while she spun a kunai. To say she was bored, it would be an understatement. Occasionally, she'd play with some of the workers by flirting. But deep down, she'd die before giving a guy an actual chance.
"Anko was it?" Tazuna called out.
"What's up?" Anko asked as she raised an eyebrow.
"That boy. It's been on my mind since yesterday, but what is he?" Tazuna asked.
"What do you mean?" Anko asked.
"Well, I'm no ninja and I don't know anything about a ninja. However, while fighting, I was feeling a strange feeling that came from him. Yet, even that Zabuza guy didn't give off an aura like that." Tazuna said.
"I have no clue. Naruto has always been an enigma. You could say he's Konoha's most unpredictable ninja." Anko explained.
"I see." Tazuna said before returning to work.
Inside the city of Wave, Naruto's shadow clone was walking with Tsunami and Inari. While Naruto couldn't see through his clone, when the clone dispelled, Naruto would see the memories.
"Miss Tsunami, is this because of Gato?" Naruto asked as he looked around at the poverty.
"Yes. It wasn't always like this. But when Gato came and took over, many of the shops started going out of business and many families were put on the streets." Tsunami said.
"I see. Tell me, why doesn't anyone stand up to the man. I mean, he's only human." Naruto pointed out.
The woman shook her head. "You see, my deceased husband tried standing up to him. Unfortunately, when he was killed, he died along with the hope of the people. In other words, the day that Kaiza died, it was the day that the Land of Waves lost hope." Explained the older woman.
Naruto frowned. "Miss Tsunami, you have my word. Before we return back to Konoha, we'll free Wave from the tyranny of Gato." Naruto said with determination.
"Hopefully the bridge will be complete soon. Once we have it up, Gato won't have any control over the trade route." Tsunami said.
"Don't worry." Naruto said with a bright smile.
That evening, the clones dispelled and when Naruto was at the table, he received memories of everything. This caused him to frown. "Kurenai sensei, can I speak with you?" Naruto asked his jonin sensei.
"Um, sure. Is everything alright?" Kurenai asked as they left the kitchen.
When they were on the back porch, Naruto sighed. "I saw the condition of this town. Kurenai sensei, can we request a second mission from the Hokage?" Naruto asked.
"A second mission? Can you explain a little more?" Asked the red eyed woman.
"I want to eliminate Gato. I believe that by eliminating him, we can free the Land of Waves and give Konoha a new ally." Naruto said.
Kurenai thought about what her student said. "Naruto, this is what I'm thinking. When the bridge is complete and Zabuza is defeated, we'll check out the situation. Once we see how things are going, we'll go from there, okay?" Kurenai asked.
Naruto nodded. "Yes sensei." Naruto said with a smile. The two returned back to the kitchen and Naruto sat down across from Anko, the two catching each others glance.
"Miss Tsunami, do you have any errands to run tomorrow?" Naruto asked.
"No, I got everything while we were out today." The woman said.
"Okay." Naruto said.
"Tomorrow, I'll go to the bridge with Tazuna. Anko, I want you and Naruto to assist Kiba and Hinata with their elemental training. Hinata has an affinity for both Fire and lightning, while Kiba has an affinity for Earth.
Naruto, you can help Kiba with his Earth and Anko, you can help with Hinata's Fire. We can worry about her Lightning nature when we're back in the village." Kurenai said.
"Yes, sensei." Naruto said while Anko gave her friend a glare.
"Alright." Anko said as she got up and started to leave the kitchen.
"Anko, where are you going?" Kurenai asked.
"For a walk. I'll be back later." Anko said as she left, leaving a confused group while Naruto frowned.
"Kiba, how did the leaf exercise go?" Naruto asked to break the awkward silence.
"Oh, I uh, I was able to turn it into dust." Kiba said.
"Good. I'll teach you one offensive and defensive jutsu." Naruto said.
"Thanks man." Kiba said.
"No problem. I'll also keep shadow clones around the house and a few in the town." Naruto said.
"Sounds good. Alright, I think it's time we get some rest." Kurenai said.
Everyone nodded and they proceeded to their rooms. When Naruto saw the girls go inside, he pulled Kiba aside.
"Hey, I'm going to go talk with Anko sensei. Tell Kurenai sensej if she's looking for me that I went out for a walk." Naruto said.
"Are you that's okay? I mean, she is kind sadistic." Kiba said as he remembered the sadistic attitude of Anko.
"Don't worry. I'll be back later." Naruto said.
"Alright man, see you later." Kiba said. Naruto then flashed out the house to prevent anyone from hearing him open the door.
"Okay, where did you go?" Naruto asked himself as he was searching for Anko's chakra signature. "Found you." Naruto said as he proceeded in that direction.
Anko was sitting in the pier, looking at the full moon shine down on the water. A small breeze ram across the area when a familiar presence caught her attention.
"You know, I used to watch the moon whenever I was younger." The blond said as he sat down next to the woman.
Anko remained silent as she continued gazing at the moon. Naruto smiled sadly. The two remained silent until Anko decided to speak to him directly for the first time in years.
"You abandoned all of us. Me, Yugao, Kurenai, Guy, Kakashi. We were your family and you left us like we were nothing." Anko said, not looking at the blond.
Naruto sighed. "I had no choice. I did what I had to do." Naruto said.
Anko's fist were clenched as she faced the blond. "You always have a choice. You left me and broke me worse than Orochimaru ever could have." Anko said.
"I stand by what I said. I had no choice." Naruto said as he stood up and proceeded to walk about to the house.
Anko quickly stood up. "Naruto." Anko called out. Naruto came to stop but didn't turn around.
"What is it?" Naruto asked.
"Do you even care about me, or was I really just a tool for you to use for your own benefit?" Anko asked.
Naruto stood silently as he thought about Anko's question. "Remember what I told you all those years ago?" Naruto asked in a calm tone.
Anko continued gazing at the blond's back as he killing intent was being leaked. As she was about to flick a kunai in a fit of rage, Naruto turned slightly and gazed with his Sharingan eyes.
"You're still such a child." Naruto said in a tone that made the air go cold. As he flashed away, Anko stood, dropping her kunai.