I own my ideas anything that will get me sued obviously dose not belong to me. Side note was thinking about the battle themes of our Uzumaki witches here. For Naruto it'll be tomorrow is mine. For Kenshin it'll be Copacabana. For Kyō who I want to turn into a better version of like viola(not that you can really do worse) the potential is there so I think can make it work. But yea for him Cherry lips by garbage. And for Kanata as Cosmic Love by Nana Misuki. And though she's Eddy faction and as such not a witch Karin's would be murder on the dance floor.
"The target is headed your way Sakura be ready." Kakashi said from his position.
"Remember the target is skittish and likely to attack when spooked." Sakura nodded along from her place on the roof. She tracked the target and tried a genjutsu to make the him see a dead end. She jumped down and tried to approach quietly after the target showed they were caught in the genjutsu. This was the wrong move because as it turns out the target was just waiting to attack the girl, pouncing once she got within five feet of him. Sakura ducked out of the way and the target dashed passed her. "He's headed your way Naruto, DONT SCREW UP THIS TIME!" She screeched through the headset.
Ow…damn banshee the only reason I didn't catch her is because a certain someone decided to yell at me for "dragging out the mission", as if she and Sasuke actually had plans. Naruto thought annoyed. "On it the target is approaching." Naruto looked around for any potential witnesses. When the target came around the corner Naruto threw a kunai in her path, causing her to jump up. "Grosb!" Naruto called out. A portal opening in the sky to trap the target on a chain wrapped around her neck. Naruto held the pulley in one hand turned the target toward him with the other.
"Now I could release you pussy dearest, but you have to play nice. Can't have that cherry banshee in my case now can we. You know how loud she can get first hand."
Naruto got a meow in response.
"Don't take that tone with me I understand everything you say."
Again the cat meowed at him.
"We both know you'll just escape from your owner again. Why don't you do some of those tricks I taught you last time, hmm? Your a capable little demon spawn if I ever saw one, Tora." Naruto said.
The cat meowed again and moved her hind legs.
"Alright then, we'll see about getting Labolas to teach how they got wings. Something you would know if they ever let you back in their territory after they caught you stealing food." Naruto didn't mean to be harsh at all but when his good will and a rare moment of benevolence from his infernal partner was taken advantage of he found himself a little sour. Then again he also had to tem Tora's home life. If you could ever call a place with no food, little water, and constant abuse a home.
"We let you into our pride so you'll be taken care of, but remember to mind your manners next time yes?" He snapped his fingers and Torra was free she hopped into his arms and they set off to the rendezvous point. "Target acquired. Let's get back to the Hokages Tower." After regrouping at the rendezvous point team 7 hurried off to the Hokage's Tower.
"That makes a new record for Tora missions in a weeks whopping 78! Congratulations team 7, you know where to receive your pay an-" Minato was interrupted by a hard
"Ahem. Lord forth…is it possible that we can move forward with the missions." Sasuke said.
"Well what is it your asking Uchiha san? You know where to find the d list requests by now I'm sure. Genin are recommended to avoid solo missions to build teamwork. Are you and your team suddenly getting on…or are you doubting the leafs system regarding such matters." He asked.
Sasuke was quick to reply. "It's not that Hokage sama it's just it's almost been three weeks and we haven't done any…missions. How can we get stronger if we only pluck weeds, paint fences, and catch cats?!"
Naruto was slightly shocked at the outburst. The Uchiha was the least vocal in team 7, even when including Kakashi. So it begins, history loves to repeat herself. Minato was not alone in this thought it seemed. When he looked to Kakashi he could tell us was on the same train. "Well Sasuke, it's up to your sensei. Kakashi…do you think they're ready?" Minato asked.
"I believe…they are almost ready for a c rank." With that they were dismissed.
Sakura honestly couldn't care less she had things to do and remarkably Sasuke wasn't apart of it! Hey when did we start thinking like that about our Sasuke kun?! Love prevails over all!! That's what her inner Sakura told her but she wasn't too sure. She went to the one place where things were always clear. Where silly thoughts of inadequacy and holding back her true love…and Naruto…from getting stronger. Getting stronger, heh. Whatever happened to just getting strong enough t-.
"Oh hey, Sakura! It's been a while sense I saw you at the lumberyard! Your dads not here but I can let him know you stopped by later." A voice said shaking, Sakura out of her thoughts.
"Oh no, thats ok. I actually came here for something else. If it's not too much trouble could you tell me if the grove I used to play in is still there?"
The man scratches is head for a bit before peeking up. "Why yes miss Haruno I'm sure you know the way. If your giving it another go I can loan you an axe." He said cheerfully.
"Thank you Amano san I'll be fine though!" She said before heading over to the grove. She was quick to find a certain tree, one that stood out. It was hollow one of the tallest and oldest trees in the place. What amazed her was that this tree, while old, wasn't grown by the first Hokage's jutstu. It was a natural part of the forest that made the village what it was. It was in this tree Sakura had hid one of her most treasured items. Inside the trunk of the tree were two axes. They were Identical in three ways: in color, in pattern(a deep red swirl, courtesy of an Uzumaki merchant), and in form.
"Let's hope you haven't gone dull after all these years." She said.
The next few hours were something like a fever dream for Sakura. She switched back and forth from present day to vivid flashbacks. It wasn't until after she'd cut down half the grove and finished hacking down another tree that she snapped out of it. "Heh I guess I have improved after all." She said.
"And it should stay that way. I remember when you could barely hold those axes, now look at you clearing groves like your old man." Sakura was surprised to see her father when she turned around.
I guess I was out here longer than I thought. Her father began to speak again.
"It was so hard to see you give up everything for that boy. But your mother said keeping out of it would help you decide what to do. That's how it was when we were Genin…when we quit." Sakura grimaced she had mentioned it once to her mother after her first year in the academy. Bringing it up always led to her mother shutting down, which took up all her fathers attention. "It's a peaceful time now and we thought you would be interested in other things like my work here or your mothers work on the council. Even if there was something else you wanted we would support it but the shinobi thing...it seemed superficial."
That had Sakura confused. Her dad was very patriotic as was her mother they were always asking her about her progress as a shinobi and while she took it to be them wanting her to change careers. Just like them.
"We were so proud but after your third year you stopped talking about your progress and your career. It was all about that boy, you even lost friends over him. It's why we wanted to pull you out and why we had doubts. But seeing you now it's amazing! I'm to see you working on your skills. Your mother will definitely be surprised, but I'm happy your doing things for you again. Ah I'm probably taking up your training time I should go."
Sakura felt a twinge of guilt stab at her heart. She came because she thought of what Sasuke needed or…what she thought he needed. When had she stopped thinking about herself. The why was easy, the why was in everything she did. It was in her diet, it was in her class, it was in her conflicts, and it was on her her team. It was her whole life, a boy who didn't even talk to her. She gripped the handles of her axes tightly. When the tears passed a new resolution took hold of Sakura. She'd never forget herself again.
Team 7 trained like usual for the next month or so but the intensity was different. The team worked together for combat scenarios and while it was good for the teamwork aspect the real experience was yet to be tested. So after cleaning out the gutters for five different houses team seven reported in for a new mission.
"It's great to see you all so eager for work! The problem is we have no more requests for the day. All of our D rank missions sq been assigned for the time being so you'll have t-" Sakura was growing irritated. Here again was another time she would sit quiet and do nothing.
No. Never again! "So will take a C rank mission then!" She yelled. When all eyes snapped to her a pink dusted her face but she still continued. "I-it's just…I know we're ready for it now! We can handle it whatever it is, we can do it! So just let us go…please." She spouted out. It was kind of jarring, sure she pushed a little harder in training with the team now but this new resolve for something other than Sasuke was new to the rest of team 7.
"Well Kakashi? It is still ultimately up to you." Minato said. The silver haired Jōnin was nose deep in one of his books when he answered with a head nod. Minato clapped his hands together and took out some paperwork.
"Alright I have one mission ready it's an away mission so we'll just need you to sign this contract. To avoid really pesky stuff just in case it goes sour." Naruto was the first to sign though after giving it a good read. Then Sasuke and Sakura. Kakashi was the last before Minato stamped the form and told them to come back the next day for a full briefing. When they did they found three notable things: the foul stench of cheap booze, the sound of heavy snoring, the source of it all being one old man in the Hokage's office.
"This is your mission. You will be escorting Tazuna san back to his home in wave country. It should be a week long trip max with no complications." The man, Tazuna, must've woken up during the briefing because he was suddenly very much awake and very…opinionated.
"These brats?! You couldn't find anyone else with the good money I'm paying you?! I mean HONESTLY what kinda scam is this? They probably aren't even real ninja!" He scoffed.
Sasuke was the least expressive, only letting out a "hn" to show what he felt. Sakura was burring mad you could practically see the smoke rising from her head. HE SAID WHAT!!! In her persona screamed. Naruto was the one who caught the old man's attention. He appeared calm at first but when you took note of the floating hair and menacing scowl.
"Look here you drunk idiot. You'll be just fine. If you're still worried about our abilities, I know a way we can make the trip much easier for you." Naruto said cooly.
Tazuna wouldn't let himself be treated like a joke by some kid so he fell right into the trap and opened up his mouth…again. "OH YEAH BRAT, how do you go about that. Some fancy ninja trick, huh?!" Naruto luaghed at this and got in the man's face to poke the bear one last time.
"Nothing fancy. Oh no, we'd just punch your lights out every time you open up your mouth!" The argument was cut short with a reprimand of the Genin's behavior and told to go home to pack.
Naruto was walking back to the Uzumaki compound when he spotted team 13. He jogged up to the group and started chatting.
"Hello Hinata chan, what have you been up to lately. I bet you did some really awesome training stuff,right. Oh! Rio, Yakuma, and Kurenai sensei. Hello to you too!"
The group sweat dropped sans Hinata. "Hello Naruto, we just got back from training. We did some sparring and took up all our time today." She said.
"Wow you must be pretty winded Hinata chan!" He said starting to check on her.
"Oh, yes it was quite strenuous but I gave it my all."You seem fine now though! Her tem thought in unison.
"I get you there, but it's finally paying off ya know! We're going on a mission out of the village tomorrow." Hinata almost deflated at this but she had to remember her dignity. Only for a little while she kept telling herself. "Well than to celebrate let's spar when you come back, ok?" Naruto gladly excepted and went home to pack.
"Mom! You here?"…Looks like it's just me then. Naruto went to his room and activated a seal. A deep purple swirl spun into existence, much like the ones used to enter Purgatorio. He stepped into it and appeared in an underground workshop.
"It looks nicer than the last time I came here you three." Naruto said to the group infront of him. Three familiar faces looked back at him.
The tallest of the mixed faction trio was a green eyed boy named Ichiro. Then there was a boy with purple eyes. Dull so a failed attempt at entering his whirlpool I guess. He was named Niibashi and was the shortest. In between the boys heights was an Eddy girl Misaki. Her darker red hair was tied up in a bun with an ink brush.
"Oh hey Naruto! We were just testing out a magical experiment. Niibashi was a great help as always but maybe some infernal energy will get the results we're looking for. You wouldn't mind right? It'll only be a couple hours of stu" and that's where he had to stop her.
"Sorry Misaki playing doctor will can happen after you guys get fixed up around here. Anyway I'm actually here to let you all know that I'm going away on a mission. Kyō should be available for whatever you guys might need. You are sharing the space after all." He said.
"Well that's just until we get past our trial period! The pig tailed maniac came by here earlier convinced that he was onto something about the infusion of a demon into his sword. Bt wait! If you're going out of the village I should give you this." Ichiro said.
He went deeper into the cavern like workshop and got a sealing tag. "This only has a 2 uses one for the trip here and one to leave similar to the seals that we use for this place and to get to Uzu but the seal burns up if we push it more than twice. The array is slightly unstable but that's the best we can manage with the magic that creates this space." Naruto nodded at his explanation anf thanked the self proclaimed research group for their help and went back home.
"Alright your all packed? You didn't forget anything, you have enough money, and you pack extra scrolls?" Kushina asked her son. She was excited about his career as a ninja going so well but she couldn't help but be a little frantic about her only child going away for so long.
"Yes mom I've got everything I need. Visit auntie Mikoto for me while I'm gone. I've already eaten so I should catch up with my team. Don't worry I'll be great, believe it! Bye!!" He said before running out to meet the team at Konoha's eastern gate. The rest of team seven sans Kakashi was there with the client.
"Hey where's the one with the mask, shouldn't he be with you brats?!" Tazuna grouched.
"I'm right over here no need to worry yourself." Kakashi said from behind the client.
"Ahhh, ahem-I mean ok then why are we still standing around here let's go!" Sakura and Naruto snickered at the man's initial reaction while Sasuke rolled his eyes. Team 7 was finally off to their first real mission in the land of waves. Hopefully they were as prepared as they believed themselves to be.