DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (IF I DID THEN I WOULDN'T NEED TO GO TO COLLEGE HAHA)

Ch.2 - D-Ranks and C-Ranks

"Man, this blows… I honestly though we're gonna go on some awesome mission and kick ass but instead we're stuck here doing odd jobs throughout the village!" Naruto complained.

"Well tough luck Naruto, this is what they gave us so suck it up and quit yapping about it since it won't do any good for us" Ino retorted to which Naruto sighed and continued to do his work.

After enduring for nearly 30 minutes, Naruto's frustration reached its peak. Feeling exasperated, he abruptly abandoned his previous task and swiftly formed a familiar hand seal. The energy around him shifted, and a sense of anticipation filled the air as his teammates looked on, curious about Naruto's next move.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! (Shadow Clone Technique)" Naruto exclaimed and in that very moment, a dozen copies of Naruto materialized around him, their presence created an overwhelming sight. Each clone stood ready, awaiting their creator's command. The sudden manifestation of this formidable force left both his teammates momentarily taken aback.

"I don't think Asuma-sensei would like to see us using jutsus to do this mission since we can make do without them…" Ino replied

"Relax Ino, besides Asuma-sensei didn't mention that using jutsus wasn't allowed right. If anything, this is on him" Naruto said with a hint of defiance causing Ino to pause in her tracks. As she prepared to make a rebuttal, she noticed a glimmer of truth in Naruto's remark. Recognizing that Naruto had a valid point, she decided to refrain from continuing the argument. Instead, she found a comfortable spot against the wall of the warehouse, settling herself down to relax and observe the unfolding events. Shino, sharing a similar sentiment, positioned himself against a nearby fence post, adopting a relaxed stance as he patiently awaited the outcome of their encounter.

"Alright then! You guys know what to do since well… All of you are me, so get to it!" Naruto told to his clones. They responded by saluting at him and quickly getting to work.

Naruto took a seat next to Ino, leaning against the wall as they both let out relaxed sighs. Engaged in their assigned chores, they found a momentary reprieve from the busyness of their tasks. Ino's attention turned to Naruto, who had joined her by the wall. She observed him for a moment, noting the ease with which he seemed to embrace the present moment.

"I wonder what kinds of missions the others are doing right now; I sure do hope they're doing crummy ones like us haha" Naruto mused.

"Sasuke-kun's team is probably already out there kicking ass somewhere out there" Ino replied.

"Ughhh… There you go again with the whole Sasuke-kun shtick, it's always Sasuke-kun this and Sasuke-kun that. It's like he's the only thing in your mind Ino, seriously…" Naruto groaned

"And what's your problem about that huh? You jealous?" Ino raised her eyebrow

"WHAT?! HAHAHA… Oh please, as if I'm jealous of that teme, it's just that all your Sasuke talk is kind of getting on my nerves, it's getting too repetitive"

"As if you're any better! You keep talking about ramen! You talk about Ichiraku Ramen, instant cup ramen, packaged ramen and who knows how many more types of ramen there are in this world. You keep going on and on and on about how delicious it is, it's not even that great! It's just boiled meat broth with salt and some toppings, big deal! Pudding is much better and that is a fact!" Ino rebutted.

"OHHH, you take that back Ino! Ramen is the best food there is and is leagues above your puny pudding!" Naruto replied.

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"YOU! Shino… which is better, ramen or pudding?" Naruto faced him

"Yeah Shino, which one?! Ino added

"I'd rather not get involved in your entire feud for the past few minutes, why? Because I think it is quite pointless…" Shino retorted.

Despite Shino's input, the two blondes persisted in their heated argument, their voices escalating in intensity. However, before their dispute could escalate further, their bearded sensei materialized in a flash with the use of a shunshin, his sudden arrival cut through the tension like a blade. The trio fell into an immediate silence as all eyes turned towards their sensei.

"What the heck is going on here with all this ruckus! And why are you three just sitting on your asses? Don't you guys have a job er- I mean mission to do?"

"Ah ha! So, it is a job and not a mission!" Naruto said

"Job, mission, tomayto, tomahto, whatever. But that's not the point, my point is why are you three not working?"

"Oh! I made clones to do our job for us besides its tedious Asuma-sensei" Naruto complained to which Ino agreed as well.

Asuma sighed and began rubbing his temples, "Look… This is part of of being a Genin, you have to work up to be able to be given higher ranked missions. But you gotta start at these kinds of stuff, am I understood? Cause even I did this shit when I was your age, even the Sandaime did D-Ranks in the past, ask him" Asuma explained.

Exhausted and ready to dismiss his clones, Naruto let out a weary sigh. However, before he could disperse his replicated selves, Asuma's voice cut through the air, urging Naruto to hold off on dispelling them for the time being. Intrigued by his sensei's unexpected request, Naruto hesitated, allowing his clones to remain in existence, their presence lingering in the room as the anticipation grew. "You guys can have a break for a while so don't dispel your clones just yet Naruto. After all this is your 4th D-Rank for today, so I'm gonna leave you guys be for a moment and please while I'm away, avoid fighting. You guys should actually be getting along instead of fighting, alright?" Asuma said to which the three of them nodded.

"Okay good, I'll be right back" Asuma said and disappeared once more in a shunshin thus leaving the three of them alone once again.

"Hey uh Ino… Sorry about earlier, I might have gotten a bit carried away in the heat of our argument, gomen…" Naruto apologized.

"Well yeah I guess I did go too far as well, sorry Naruto. We all good now?" she asked and in response to her question, Naruto offered Ino a thumbs up and flashed her a mischievous, foxy grin. Caught off guard by his silly expression, a small smile tugged at the corners of Ino's lips. Despite their ongoing banter, Naruto's infectious charm managed to break through her initial resistance, evoking a genuine moment of amusement between them. It was a fleeting exchange, but it revealed a glimmer of camaraderie and a shared understanding beneath their playful facade.

"I believe your clones are about to be finished Naruto, I suggest making the most out of this break is a wise decision. We will need all the energy we have in the case Asuma-sensei gives us another D-Rank to do" Shino suggested. Naruto and Ino agreed as they relaxed for real this time.

- At The Hokage Tower -

Asuma and his students stood patiently outside the Hokage's office, anticipation bubbling within them. The man himself had requested their presence, prompting them to await his summons. Asuma rapped on the door, the sound echoing in the hallway, before gently pushing it open, revealing an aged figure seated behind a massive desk. The room was adorned with stacks of paperwork, a testament to the countless responsibilities that burdened the elderly Hokage.

"You wanted to see us Hokage-sama?" Asuma asked

"Ah yes yes, please come in. I gathered all of you here today to transfer a mission to your team"

"Okay, and what does this mission entail? And why our team? Not that I'm complaining just curious" Asuma asked

"It's okay if you don't want to, I can ask another team to-"

"NOOOOO!" both blondes yelled. "Come on Asuma-sensei! You're seriously blowing this!" Naruto complained to which Asuma sighed and the Hokage chuckled.

"We don't mind doing it Hokage-sama just wondering as to why you picked us" Asuma asked

"Well, your team did a remarkable job of doing a handful of D-Ranks in one day and I believe your teams deserves to do the very first C-Rank mission out of all the Genin teams this year. Not unless your students aren't up for the task" Hiruzen wondered.

"Hmmm… Perhaps they aren't ready yet Hokage-sama" Asuma added

"WHAT?! NO! NO! WE'RE INDEED READY HOKAGE-JIJI DATTEBAYO!, RIGHT GUYS?!" Overwhelmed by the situation, Naruto's panic took hold as he blurted out his question. Ino, mirroring his energy, voiced her agreement, her words brimming with urgency. Meanwhile, Shino, his usual composed self, simply nodded in silent agreement, embodying his characteristic stoicism. Each of them, in their own unique way, expressed their concern and readiness to face whatever awaited them.

A gentle chuckle escaped Hiruzen as he observed Naruto's reaction, witnessing the young shinobi's dismay at having his very first C-Rank mission taken away. The Hokage's weathered face softened, displaying a mix of amusement and understanding as he recognized the significance of this moment for Naruto. It was a lighthearted moment, a brief respite from the weight of their responsibilities, reminding them all that even the smallest setbacks could be met with laughter. "Seems like they are indeed ready, here is your mission scroll. That is all, all of you are dismissed" Hiruzen's voice carried a paternal warmth as he addressed his subordinates. They instinctively bowed in respect, expressing their gratitude to him. And with sincere appreciation in their hearts, they bid farewell to the Hokage and departed from his office, their minds filled with a renewed sense of purpose.

A weary sigh escaped Hiruzen's lips, "Looks like it's just you and me again." he said as his gaze fixed upon the mountain of paperwork that loomed before him. The burden of his position as Hokage weighed heavily upon his shoulders, a never-ending cycle of administrative duties and responsibilities.

- Outside By The Hokage Tower -

"So… What's our mission then Asuma-sensei? Is it going to be a rescue mission?… Oh! Maybe we're going to kick some enemy shinobi's ass!" Naruto said enthusiastically.

"Relax Naruto I am getting to it" Asuma replied as he opened the scroll and carefully read the contents. After a few minutes of waiting, Naruto couldn't wait to know what their C-Rank mission would be.

"Oh… You're going to love this" Asuma said in a cheeky tone

"Yahoo! We're going on an awesome mission dattebayo!"

- Konoha's Gate -

"This stinks… Honest to Kami I thought we're going on some action-filled mission. But no, we're just gonna deliver some stupid message" Naruto stated.

"You think that sucks, what I hate is how long Asuma-sensei is taking to prepare. How long does it take for someone to pack their things?…" Ino complained.

"I believe it is best not to dwell on things that we don't like and focus on the mission ahead of us" Shino added.

Both blondes sighed in resignation, deciding to release their frustrations and not dwell on the matter any longer. Shino had a point - there was no use in whining about things they couldn't change. They chose to embrace the present and face their upcoming challenges with a fresh perspective.

Shortly after, a pair of Konoha shinobi returned to their post at the village gate, their duty calling them back. One of the guards, noticing their purposeful demeanor, inquired, "Heading out on a mission?" he asked.

"You bet dattebayo!" Naruto replied

"What mission though?" The guard's curiosity piqued, he directed his question to Naruto, who responded with a nod. "We've been assigned to deliver a message to some Kusa shinobi at the border of Hi no Kuni (Land of Fire)" Naruto replied, his voice filled with a sense of duty.

"I see… Well where is your Jounin-sensei then?…" said the man who's wearing a bandana with a metal plate sewn on to it with Konoha's symbol engraved on it.

"He'll be here, I hope…" Naruto replied.

"Why? Is your Jounin-sensei Kakashi? If so… He might take a while" the man said

"Nah, it's Asuma-sensei"

"Ahhh I see, he's a great shinobi if you ask me, just be careful not to pick up his habit of smoking, that'll kill you one day though"

"He won't listen to us, I already told him that earlier, and so did Kurenai-sensei" Ino added.

"Well, he's probably addicted to smoking, can't be helped though, it's quite understandable for shinobi to develop their own coping mechanisms to deal with stress, I mean even the Hokage smokes himself" he said to the three kids.

"How'd you know Asuma-sensei smokes though?… Uhhh… Sorry I don't know your name" Naruto apologized.

The man waved it off and introduced himself, "The name's Kamizuki Izumo and the guy beside me is Hagane Kotetsu"

"Yo!" said Kotetsu

"I assume both of you are Jounin judging from the fact that you guys were flak jackets much like Asuma-sensei" Shino interjected, offering his input, only to be promptly corrected by the duo.

"We wish but nah, we're both Chunin. Though I get where you're coming from but both Chunin and Jounin were flak jackets so there's that" Kotetsu explained

"I see I was mistaken" Shino replied.

"Is this your first mission out of the village?" Izumo inquired, and Ino nodded in agreement.

"I see, you guys nervous?" he asked

"A bit / Kinda? / Not at all!" Shino, Ino and Naruto said respectively in unison.

"Well as your senior, my advice is just to take it easy and pay attention to everything and you'll do just fine" Izumo said.

"Oh! And remember to not pick up Asuma's habit of smoking, after all some Genin take after their sensei due to prolonged exposure" Izumo replied.

Shortly after Izumo's statement, the mentioned man arrived on the scene, cigarette dangling from his lips, adding an ironic touch to the situation. "Speak of the devil" Kotetsu chuckled. The duo nodded in acknowledgement of Asuma's presence, Asuma did so as well.

"You runts ready?" he asked, all three of them nodded, add the fact that Naruto exclaimed at the top of his lungs "LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD DATTEBAYO!"

- Outside Konoha: At the edge of Hi no Kuni -

Team 10 leisurely made their way towards the western border of Hi no Kuni (Land of Fire), taking nearly a day to reach their destination. Despite their relaxed pace, they managed to maintain a decent speed, ensuring they wouldn't keep the Kusa shinobi waiting for long.

As they arrived at the designated meeting spot, Shino, Ino, and Naruto patiently awaited Asuma's arrival. It seemed that the Kusa shinobi had requested a discussion with their sensei before their departure, prompting the brief wait.

"Honestly I expected more from this mission" Naruto said

"Like what?…" Ino asked

"Y'know… Some action" Naruto replied.

Ino's intense gaze bore into Naruto, leaving him feeling a bit perplexed and prompting him to contemplate the reason behind her reaction.

Shino chimed in, cautioning Naruto against recklessly seeking danger. "Seeking danger is not a wise thing to do Naruto, why? Because the possibility of perishing is still there, I am certain none of us would like that to ever happen" he emphasized.

Naruto defended his words with a hint of stubbornness in his voice. "I was just saying," he retorted, not one to back down easily.

Ino, feeling the weariness of their travels, eagerly expressed her longing for a refreshing shower. "I can't wait to get back to Konoha. I feel sticky and musty," she admitted, her tone hinting at her discomfort.

Naruto, genuinely curious, questioned why toiletries weren't considered essential for ninjas. "Isn't hygiene important too?" he pondered aloud, his curiosity shining through.

Ino shrugged, not having a definite answer. "Who knows? If I were Hokage, I'd make sure things change," she declared, her determination seeping into her words.

Naruto's face lit up with excitement. "Leave it to me when I become Hokage, dattebayo!" he exclaimed, his trademark grin widening.

Ino chuckled at his enthusiasm, teasingly reminding him to take it easy. "Well one step at a time buster, in the off chance you do become Hokage, I'm counting on that Naruto. Though I do think Sasuke will become the Hokage" Ino fantasized thus adding fuel to Naruto's competitive spirit.

Shino, always composed and logical, chimed in with his own insight. "Toiletry isn't considered essential because missions often take priority over personal hygiene," he explained calmly. "Ninjas rarely have the luxury of time for such things."

Their conversation flowed as they waited for their sensei's return, their lighthearted banter keeping their spirits high.

After a brief wait, Asuma finally returned, clutching a new scroll in his hands. Ino's impatience got the better of her as she questioned him, "What took you so long, Asuma-sensei?"

"Apologies for the delay," Asuma replied calmly. "I had an important discussion with the Kusa shinobi."

Curiosity sparked within Naruto, and he couldn't resist asking for details. "What did you discuss?" he inquired eagerly.

Asuma took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "It seems there is synchronized movement along the border of Hi no Kuni," he explained. "There's an organization of thugs and bandits causing trouble. The Hokage wants to confirm this information with neighboring villages, as they will also be affected."

The young shinobi absorbed the gravity of the situation, comprehending the potential consequences. Naruto, surprising his team, ventured a guess. "So, Hokage-jiji will send teams to investigate further, right?"

Asuma was taken aback by Naruto's insight. The boy's perceptiveness exceeded his initial expectations. "Not bad, kid," he thought to himself, impressed by Naruto's observation skills. Nevertheless, he pushed aside his surprise, recognizing that his students often held hidden depths.

"Well, now that our task here is complete, it's time to head back home," Asuma declared, breaking the momentary silence. The group gathered their belongings and began their journey back to Konoha, determined to report their findings and await further instructions.

- Konoha's Gate -

The team arrived back at the village gate, where they were greeted by the familiar duo they had encountered before.

"Yo, how did the mission go?" Izumo asked, his curiosity evident.

Naruto shrugged and responded, "It went fine, although it was a bit underwhelming."

Izumo raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Naruto's comment. "Oh? In what way was it underwhelming?" he inquired.

Naruto explained that he had anticipated more action and excitement, hoping for some thrilling battles. This elicited laughter from Izumo and Kotetsu, who understood the sentiment.

Kotetsu chimed in, adding, "You'll get your fair share of battles soon enough. You'll be wishing for missions as laid-back as this one."

Asuma gathered the attention of his team, commending their efforts. "Great job, kids. Congratulations on completing your first C-Rank mission as shinobi," he praised. He then informed them of their upcoming training session at the training grounds, asking if they had any questions or concerns.

With no hands raised or voices heard, Asuma concluded, "None? In that case, you're all dismissed." The team nodded in acknowledgment as Asuma swiftly disappeared using shunshin, leaving them behind.

Naruto couldn't help but daydream about Asuma's disappearing act. "Damn... I wish I could do that too. I would look so cool," he fantasized.

Ino, ever practical, suggested, "Then ask Asuma-sensei to teach you that, Naruto."

Naruto smirked at her suggestion. "I doubt he'll easily teach me that jutsu. But hey, I have an even better jutsu than that," he boasted.

Intrigued, Ino asked, "Oh, really? You mean your crummy Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique)" Ino couldn't help but tease him. "My Shintenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Change Technique) is much cooler," she asserted.

This ignited a spirited argument between the two blondes, each defending their own jutsu's superiority.

"WHAT?! My clones are much cooler than your mind jutsu whatchamacallit!" Naruto said with confidence.

"IT'S NOT!"

"IT IS!"

"IT'S NOT!"

"IT IS!"

"IT'S NOT!"

Meanwhile, Shino observed the exchange quietly, keeping to himself. Izumo approached him sympathetically. "I'm sorry you have to put up with them," he empathized.

Shino responded calmly, "I'm getting used to it."

Kotetsu chuckled and reassured Shino, "Don't worry, they'll grow on you. That's a certainty."

(A/N: That is all for the second chapter, I think I'm gonna stick to a 2-3 thousand word count for each chapter to make it lighter for myself. In "Meet the Uzumakis" I made some that reached 7k which is quite a lot, in my opinion, tho I do tend to get burnt out doing those plus it might be too long. Another reason is the length of each chapter is inconsistent with one another so yeah haha. I do apologize for some grammar mistakes/errors as I do not have immaculate grammar haha but I did hope y'all enjoyed this one, cheers ^^)