Back with chapter 8! Enjoy.
The return journey to Konoha was much quieter than the trek to the Land of Iron. Team 7 had accomplished their mission, and though the weight of their first real combat experience still lingered, they walked with a sense of pride and growth. They had faced real bandits and made difficult decisions, learning that being a shinobi wasn't just about training and glory—it was about making choices that sometimes left scars.
Naruto led the way, occasionally glancing back at his students. Kazaya, Ashi, and Hikari had been quieter than usual since the battle, but there was a strength in their silence. The events they had gone through had left them with a lot to process, but Naruto was proud of how they handled themselves. He knew this experience would make them stronger, both individually and as a team.
The familiar gates of Konoha came into view after a few days of travel, and Naruto stopped just before the entrance, turning to face his students.
"We're home," Naruto said, his voice warm but steady. "I want you all to go home and rest. You've earned it. But first, I'm going to check in with your families and let them know how well you did on your first big mission."
Ashi perked up slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "You're going to talk to them?"
Naruto nodded. "Yes, they deserve to know how well you all performed, especially since it wasn't an easy mission. You handled it like true shinobi, and I'm proud of each of you."
Kazaya, who had been the most affected by the battle, gave a small nod but remained silent. Hikari, though still reflecting on everything, smiled softly at Naruto's words.
"Thank you, Naruto-sensei," she said quietly. "We learned a lot."
Naruto gave them a reassuring smile. "Go home, get some rest, and I'll see you all tomorrow. We'll talk more during training."
With that, Naruto formed three Shadow Clones, sending one with each student to escort them home. It would give him time to check in with each of their families individually and provide personal insight into how they had handled the mission.
Naruto and his clone arrived with Ashi at the Inuzuka compound. As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, the familiar scent of wild animals and the sound of barking dogs filled the air. Tsume Inuzuka, Ashi's aunt and the head of the clan, stepped out of the main house, her sharp eyes quickly landing on Ashi and then on Naruto.
"Ashi!" Tsume called, her voice as gruff and commanding as ever. "Get over here! How'd it go?"
Ashi grinned, though her smile was slightly subdued after everything they had been through. "We did it, Aunt Tsume. We finished the mission."
Yuna barked in excitement, running around Ashi's feet in circles, still buzzing with energy despite the long journey home.
Naruto stepped forward, addressing Tsume. "Ashi did great, Tsume-san. She showed a lot of courage and quick thinking during the mission. She's got the strength of an Inuzuka, no doubt about it, poor bandits didn't stand a chance."
Tsume crossed her arms, giving Ashi a once-over before a wide grin broke across her face. "That's my niece. You're a true Inuzuka, Ashi—fierce and fearless. Bet you gave those bandits a good thrashing, huh?"
Ashi's confidence returned with her aunt's words, and she stood a little taller. "You bet! Yuna and I took down two of them together!"
Yuna barked again, her tail wagging furiously as if to confirm Ashi's words.
Tsume chuckled, her pride evident. "I knew you had it in you, kid. You and Yuna are going to make an unstoppable team."
Naruto smiled, watching the interaction. "She's got real potential, Tsume-san. I have no doubt that she'll be one of the best in her class before long."
Tsume ruffled Ashi's hair, her usual rough demeanor softening ever so slightly. "I always knew she'd make us proud. You hear that, Ashi? Keep at it, and you'll make the Inuzuka clan proud."
Ashi blushed slightly, nodding. "I will, Aunt Tsume. I promise."
Naruto nodded to Tsume, knowing that Ashi was in good hands. "I'll see her tomorrow for training, but for now, I think she could use some rest."
Tsume smirked. "Rest? Not likely. I'm going to hear every detail about how she kicked those bandits' asses."
Ashi laughed, the weight of the mission finally starting to lift from her shoulders as she shared the story with her aunt. Naruto's clone dispersed, knowing Ashi would be well taken care of.
xxx
Naruto's shadow Clone accompanied Kazaya to his home. The small, modest house stood at the edge of the village, tucked away from the bustle of the central district. As they approached the door, Kazaya's father, a stern, former shinobi, stepped outside to greet them. His expression was unreadable, but Naruto could see the tension in his posture. His mother, a soft-spoken woman with kind eyes, emerged behind him, her gaze filled with worry and anticipation.
"Kazaya," his father said, his deep voice calm but edged with concern. "You're back. How did the mission go?"
Kazaya hesitated, his eyes downcast for a moment. He had been carrying the weight of the battle since it happened, and now, standing before his parents, it felt even heavier. "It was… hard," he admitted, his voice low. "But we completed it."
Naruto, sensing the need to guide the conversation, stepped forward. "Kazaya did incredibly well. He faced something difficult during the mission—something most shinobi don't experience this early in their training—but he handled it with strength and maturity."
Kazaya's father, whose stern expression didn't soften, looked his son up and down. "What happened?" he asked, his voice steady.
Kazaya hesitated, glancing at Naruto before speaking. "I… killed someone. A bandit. I didn't mean to—it just happened in the heat of battle."
His mother, standing behind his father, gasped softly, bringing her hand to her mouth in shock. Kazaya's father, however, remained still, his eyes fixed on his son. He didn't respond immediately, but Naruto could sense the weight of his thoughts.
"You took a life," his father said slowly, his voice firm but not harsh. "That is something every shinobi has to face at some point. It's not easy, and it shouldn't be. But it's part of this life."
Kazaya's mother stepped forward, her expression filled with concern. "Kazaya… I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Are you alright?"
Kazaya, his voice tight with emotion, nodded slightly. "I don't know if I'm alright. I didn't think it would feel like this. I didn't want to kill him."
Naruto, seeing the conflict in Kazaya's eyes, stepped in again. "Kazaya did what he had to do to protect himself and his team. It's a hard lesson, but he showed incredible composure. It's normal to feel conflicted about what happened, but this is part of the shinobi life. You learn from it, and you move forward."
Kazaya's father crossed his arms, his eyes still locked on his son. "This is what we trained you for, Kazaya. To make sure you survive. The fact that you feel the weight of it—that's good. It means you understand the responsibility. But you can't let it stop you from moving forward. You protected your team, and you came back alive. That's what matters."
Kazaya looked up at his father, the harshness of his words softened by the understanding that followed. His mother, still worried, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You're not alone in this," she said softly. "We're here for you."
Naruto smiled, satisfied with how Kazaya's family was handling the situation. "You've raised a strong shinobi. He's going to go far, and he's learning what it means to be part of a team."
Kazaya's father gave a small nod, his voice gruff but filled with respect. "Keep doing what you're doing, son. And don't lose sight of why you're doing it."
Kazaya, though still processing his emotions, gave his father and mother a small but meaningful nod. "I won't."
After a few more quiet words of reassurance, Naruto's clone dissolved, leaving Kazaya with his family, knowing that they would support him as he continued to grow.
xxx
Naruto arrived at Hikari's home alongside her clone. When they stepped through the door, Hikari's mother, Haruka, was waiting with open arms, and to her surprise, her father had returned home earlier than expected from his travels. A tall, broad man with the rough hands of a merchant but the gentle demeanor of a father, he was waiting by the door with a proud smile on his face.
"Hikari!" her father called out, wrapping her in a tight embrace as soon as she stepped inside. "You're back! And right on time."
Hikari's eyes widened in surprise, her tired face lighting up for the first time in days. "Dad! You're home!"
Her father chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. "I told you I'd be back in time to hear all about your first big mission. I'm so proud of you, Hikari."
Her mother, Haruka, watched the reunion with soft eyes, but like any parent, she had been worried about her daughter's safety. "We were worried about you," Haruka said, stepping forward to join them. "But I knew you'd handle it."
Hikari, though still tired from the mission, managed a small smile as she pulled away from her father. "It wasn't easy. It was… harder than I thought. But we completed the mission."
Naruto, standing just behind her, addressed her parents. "Hikari did an incredible job. She was level-headed and decisive, even when things got tough. You should both be very proud of her."
Her father's chest puffed with pride as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "We've always known she was special. Smart and capable. You've made us very proud, Hikari."
Haruka nodded, her eyes glistening slightly with unshed tears. "It sounds like you've grown a lot. I always knew you were going to be a great shinobi."
Hikari blushed, her usual composed demeanor softening in the warmth of her parents' praise. "Thank you. I couldn't have done it without my team—and Naruto-sensei."
Naruto smiled, glad to see Hikari's family so supportive. "She's well on her way to becoming a great leader. She's got the instincts, and I'm excited to see her grow even more."
Her father gave Naruto a firm nod, a deep sense of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you for guiding her, Naruto. We're lucky to have you as her sensei."
Naruto smiled softly, giving a small bow of respect. "It's my honor."
After a few more heartfelt exchanges, Naruto's clone dispersed, leaving Hikari with her family to celebrate her return. As he left, Naruto felt confident that she would continue to thrive with the support of her parents.
After ensuring that all his students were safely home, Naruto made his way to the Hokage Tower for his debrief with Kakashi. The familiar office, filled with scrolls and paperwork, was a sight that always brought back memories for Naruto. As he stepped inside, Kakashi looked up from his desk, his usual calm demeanor in place.
"Naruto," Kakashi greeted, his visible eye crinkling into a smile beneath his mask. "Back from your mission, I see. How did it go?"
Naruto took a seat across from Kakashi, his expression thoughtful. "The mission went well overall, but it was tough for the kids. They ran into a group of bandits. It was their first real fight."
Kakashi nodded, his expression serious. "And how did they handle it?"
"They did great," Naruto said, pride evident in his voice. "They worked together, followed their training, and got through it. But it was hard for them. Kazaya ended up taking a life, and it hit him hard. They're all processing it."
Kakashi leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "That's not an easy thing to experience on your first mission. But it sounds like you handled it well. This is the life of a shinobi, and they've learned an important lesson. They're lucky to have you as their sensei."
Naruto smiled, though there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "I just want them to be prepared for what's ahead. They're strong, but they've still got a long way to go."
Kakashi nodded. "They'll get there, especially with you guiding them. You've done well, Naruto. Keep up the good work."
With the debrief complete, Naruto stood, giving Kakashi a nod before heading out. As he left the Hokage Tower, he felt a sense of satisfaction. His team had faced a difficult challenge, and they had come out of it stronger. There was still much for them to learn, but Naruto had no doubt that they would grow into the fine shinobi he knew they could be.
xxx
As the sun began to set over Konoha, Naruto made his way toward his own home. The streets were calm, the village peaceful after a long day. His thoughts drifted back to his students and everything they had gone through on the mission. Despite the challenges, he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for Team 7.
When he finally reached his home, the warmth of the familiar surroundings greeted him. The smell of a home-cooked meal wafted from the kitchen, and as Naruto stepped inside, he saw Hinata waiting for him, her soft smile lighting up the room.
"Welcome home, Naruto-kun," she said gently, stepping forward to greet him.
Naruto's face softened as he pulled her into a warm hug, breathing in the comfort of her presence. "It's good to be home, Hinata-chan."
Hinata pulled back slightly, looking up at him with concern. "How was the mission? I can tell it was hard."
Naruto sighed softly, though his smile never faltered. "Yeah, it was. The kids handled it well, but it wasn't easy for them. Kazaya… he had to take a life, and it hit him hard."
Hinata's eyes softened with understanding as she placed a hand on his chest. "That must have been difficult for him. But I'm sure he'll grow from it. He has you to guide him."
Naruto nodded, his voice gentle as he spoke. "I just want them to be prepared. Being a shinobi is hard, and I want them to get to their best potential."
Hinata rested her head on his shoulder, offering him silent comfort. "You're doing everything you can for them, Naruto-kun. You're a great sensei, just like how Kakashi-sama and Jiraiya-san was for you."
Naruto chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her tighter. "I'm trying my best, But it's not as easy seeing them go through things like this."
Hinata pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, her expression filled with love and reassurance. "I know it's hard. But they're learning from the best. They'll be okay."
Naruto smiled down at her, his heart full. "I love you, Hinata-chan. Thank you."
Hinata blushed slightly, but her smile remained radiant. "I love you too, Naruto-kun."
The two stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's warmth and comfort, before Naruto finally spoke again.
"I'm ready to relax now," he said with a small laugh. "I think I've earned it."
Hinata smiled, nodding as she led him toward the kitchen. "Dinner's ready. Let's sit down and eat together."
As they sat down to share their meal, Naruto felt the weight of the mission begin to ease. He knew there would be more challenges ahead, both for him and his students, but for now, he was home. He was with Hinata, and everything felt right.
A/N: I feel Naruto would want to check in with each of his students families to set them at ease and praise how they did on their first mission. Thanks for reading!
