Under the quiet canopy of the dense forest, sunlight filtered weakly through tangled branches, casting scattered patterns on the moss-covered ground. The air was still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. Hidden amidst the greenery, sharp eyes flickered warily from side to side—a creature alert, yet oblivious to the shadowy figures slowly closing in around it.

From behind a thick oak, Naruto peeked cautiously. His bright blond hair contrasted starkly against the shadowy surroundings, and he quickly ducked back each time the creature glanced in his direction. "Target located," he whispered into his communicator, glancing anxiously at the animal. "Whiskers in position."

Several meters away, Sasuke crouched low on a sturdy branch, obsidian eyes narrowed as he analyzed every twitch and movement. His muscles tensed slightly as the creature moved. "Duckass in position," he murmured calmly.

Hidden behind dense foliage directly opposite Naruto, Hinata quietly observed the animal, her pale eyes scanning with precision. A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she whispered, slightly hesitant yet determined, "Lavender in position."

Naruto stifled a snort at the codename Kakashi had given Hinata—far less threatening than his or Sasuke's, but he supposed it suited her gentle personality.

From their earpieces, Kakashi's bored voice crackled in, laced with slight amusement. "Alright, team, target is in the middle. Lavender-chan, confirm your position."

Hinata's cheeks flushed faintly at the nickname, but she took a calming breath and responded softly. "In position, Scarecrow. Awaiting further orders."

Nearly a hundred meters away, Kakashi leaned casually against a tree, watching with lazy interest. He flipped a page of his infamous orange book, smiling behind his mask. "Team 7, the target is to be captured alive and unharmed. Move."

Instantly, the team sprang into coordinated action. Naruto dashed forward with surprising speed, Sasuke leapt gracefully from the branch, and Hinata closed in silently, her gentle steps leaving no trace.

"I've got it!" Naruto yelled triumphantly, lunging for their elusive target.

But as the dust cleared, the triumphant look on Naruto's face quickly melted into disbelief and annoyance. In his grip was a very irritated, squirming cat, claws already sunk firmly into his face.

"Ow! You stupid cat!" Naruto yelped, holding the writhing feline at arm's length. "Why do you always scratch me?!"

Sasuke landed beside him gracefully, eyeing the cat with mild disgust before glancing toward Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, permission to roast this little monster?"

Kakashi chuckled, snapping his book closed. "Sorry, Sasuke, but we can't set the Daimyo's cat on fire. Mission successful. Let's head back."

Hinata smiled sympathetically, gently taking the feline from Naruto's grasp. "It's okay, Naruto-kun. Maybe she just doesn't like your whiskers."

Naruto pouted dramatically, muttering something about evil cats and biased teammates.

Hokage Office

A few minutes later, they walked into the Hokage's office, Naruto still rubbing his scratched-up cheeks. Sasuke smirked at his friend's misery, earning a glare from the blonde. Hinata stifled a smile, maintaining her composure as they approached the Hokage.

Hiruzen raised an amused eyebrow at Naruto's appearance but chose not to comment. "I trust the mission went smoothly?"

Kakashi eye-smiled lazily, nodding toward the Hokage. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Target secured unharmed—though Naruto took some damage."

Hiruzen suppressed a chuckle before gesturing to the chunin at his side. "Please inform the Daimyo's wife that her beloved Tora has been recovered."

As the door opened, a large woman wearing extravagant clothing bustled in, her eyes wide with joy. "Oh, my precious baby! Mommy missed you so much!"

Naruto grimaced as the woman scooped up Tora, crushing the cat in a suffocating embrace. The poor creature mewled desperately, scratching in an attempt to escape.

Sasuke watched with cruel amusement, enjoying the cat's suffering, while Hinata looked genuinely concerned. Naruto, on the other hand, burst into laughter, tears of amusement forming in his eyes. "Serves you right, you demon cat!"

The Daimyo's wife left the room, still squeezing the unfortunate feline tightly. Once the door closed, Hiruzen cleared his throat, shifting back to business. "Well done, Team 7. You've completed another successful mission. Now—"

"Jiji!" Naruto interrupted impatiently. "Can we have a real mission now? These stupid D-ranks are killing me!"

Kakashi sighed heavily, shaking his head as Naruto continued to pout. Sasuke looked equally bored, arms crossed, clearly agreeing with Naruto for once. Hinata politely said nothing but nodded slightly in agreement.

Hiruzen shuffled through a pile of mission scrolls on his desk. A small, amused smile tugged at his lips as he began reading the list aloud.

"Alright, let's see what we have here... You could walk some dogs, babysit the merchant's child, weed the Yamanaka gardens, or perhaps—"

From somewhere outside the window, loud, frantic screams erupted.

"Tora! Come back! Someone stop that cat!"

Hiruzen paused, letting out a low chuckle as Naruto groaned dramatically, Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose, and Hinata looked mildly concerned.

"—or perhaps," Hiruzen continued smoothly, eyes twinkling with amusement, "you could recapture Tora again."

Naruto paled visibly, his eyes widening in horror. Sasuke snickered, clearly enjoying Naruto's misery, while Hinata offered him a sympathetic glance.

"No way!" Naruto exploded dramatically, throwing his arms up. "We're shinobi now, Jiji! We need something cool, exciting! You know, saving a princess or something!"

Kakashi snorted quietly, giving Naruto an amused glance. "Weren't you just complaining about missions being 'ridiculous', Naruto?"

Naruto immediately crossed his arms, scowling stubbornly. "I meant stupid missions! Not awesome ones like saving princesses!"

Hiruzen smiled patiently, though clearly amused at Naruto's antics. Before he could respond, Iruka, seated near the Hokage, stood up sharply.

"Naruto!" Iruka started, his tone firm yet caring. "You need to show respect. These missions aren't just chores; they're vital. They build foundational skills for new genin, teach you responsibility, and help Konoha's economy thrive. This isn't just about you."

Naruto stubbornly crossed his arms, puffing out his cheeks. "I don't care! I want a real mission."

Kakashi sighed softly, shaking his head. His lone visible eye turned toward the Hokage, a thoughtful glint hidden beneath his usual bored expression. "Hokage-sama, I do think Team 7 is ready for a C-ranked mission."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity piqued. "Are you certain, Kakashi?"

Kakashi nodded slowly. "They've improved quickly, and their teamwork has exceeded my expectations. I believe they're ready for a bigger challenge."

Iruka stood again, visibly concerned. "With all due respect, Kakashi-san, they're fresh out of the Academy. They still need experience with D-ranked missions."

Kakashi sighed softly, turning to Iruka with a gentle firmness. "Iruka, I understand your concern. But these three are no ordinary genin. I've seen their abilities firsthand. They're not just talented, they're exceptional. Trust me—they're ready."

Iruka hesitated, then sighed, lowering his gaze in quiet acceptance. "Alright. If you're sure, Kakashi."

Hiruzen chuckled warmly, reassuring Iruka with a gentle smile. "Relax, Iruka. Kakashi is one of our most experienced jonin. If he believes they're ready, then we must trust his judgment. Besides, Kakashi himself will be there with them."

Iruka nodded slowly, feeling reassured by the Hokage's words. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

Satisfied, Hiruzen turned towards the door, motioning to the chunin standing guard. "Please bring in Tazuna-san."

Moments later, the door opened and in stepped a rugged old man wearing worn clothes and a wide-brimmed hat. He carried the unmistakable smell of sake and had the weathered face of someone who'd seen better days.

Tazuna took one look at Team 7 and his expression instantly turned into a deep scowl. "What's this? I asked for shinobi, not some brats fresh out of school! They don't look like they could hurt a fly!"

Naruto's fists clenched, and Sasuke narrowed his eyes dangerously, clearly contemplating how many fireballs it would take to silence the man. Hinata shifted uncomfortably, clearly troubled by the hostility.

Kakashi placed a restraining hand on Naruto's shoulder, eye-smiling calmly. "Now, now, Naruto. We don't hurt our clients."

Naruto scowled but relaxed slightly at his sensei's tone.

Kakashi faced Tazuna, his voice calmly authoritative. "Tazuna-san, my team may look young, but they're more capable than you realize. Besides, I'll be accompanying them personally. Given the mission only mentions bandits, a jonin and three genin are more than enough."

At the mention of "bandits," Tazuna paled visibly, glancing nervously to the side before quickly regaining his composure. Naruto and Sasuke shared a quick glance, silently noticing the suspicious reaction, but said nothing.

Tazuna recovered quickly, huffing in mild annoyance. "Fine, fine. Just make sure those brats don't slow me down."

Kakashi nodded calmly, ignoring Tazuna's muttering. "Then it's settled."

Turning to the trio, Tazuna straightened up dramatically. "I'm Tazuna, the super bridge builder of Wave Country, and I'm counting on you kids to keep me alive."

Naruto rolled his eyes, but Kakashi intervened quickly, sensing Naruto's impending response. "Naruto."

Naruto pouted but stayed silent, grumbling something quietly about annoying old men.

"Alright," Hiruzen concluded, leaning back comfortably. "Your mission is straightforward. Escort Tazuna-san safely back to the Land of Waves and protect him until his bridge is completed."

Kakashi nodded sharply. "Understood, Hokage-sama." He turned toward his team, his usual eye-smile returning. "Meet me at the village gates in thirty minutes. Bring enough supplies for two weeks."

Naruto's earlier annoyance vanished instantly, replaced by excitement. "Finally, a real mission!"

Konoha Gate

Three hours had passed, and Team 7, along with their increasingly frustrated client, Tazuna, remained standing by the Konoha village gate. Sasuke leaned casually against the wooden post, eyes closed in meditation, clearly used to Kakashi's infamous tardiness. Hinata quietly stood nearby, her patient expression unwavering despite the lengthy wait, while Naruto paced impatiently, grumbling under his breath about late sensei and annoying missions.

Finally, Tazuna lost his patience entirely, throwing his arms up in exasperation. "Hey! Brats! Where the hell is your lazy-ass sensei? We should've left hours ago!"

Naruto spun around sharply, pointing a finger accusingly at the bridge builder. "Oi! Don't yell at us, old man! It's not our fault Kakashi-sensei is late! He's always exactly three hours late to every training session!"

Tazuna sputtered, taken aback by Naruto's sudden outburst. Sasuke cracked one eye open, clearly amused, while Hinata nervously fiddled with her fingers, unsure of how to intervene.

Naruto huffed and lowered his finger, calming slightly. "You might as well get comfortable—this is how it is every day. He's always three hours late, no matter what."

Tazuna stared at the blond incredulously, mouth hanging open slightly. "What kind of idiot leaves his students waiting three whole hours?!"

Naruto crossed his arms and sighed deeply, shaking his head in resignation. "You haven't met Kakashi-sensei yet."

Just then, as if on cue, Kakashi appeared in a swirl of leaves, giving them his signature relaxed eye-smile. "Yo. Sorry I'm late—"

Naruto instantly glared at him, already irritated. Sasuke opened one eye, scowling in mild annoyance, while Hinata suppressed an amused smile. Tazuna pointed at Kakashi furiously, mouth wide open, about to yell again, but Kakashi calmly interrupted, hands raised placatingly.

"You see, an old lady needed help—"

Before he could finish his excuse, Sasuke cut in sharply, irritation evident in his voice. "Save it, Kakashi-sensei. We've heard them all already."

Kakashi chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, his lone eye curving happily as he gave Sasuke an approving glance. "Ah, you're starting to learn, Sasuke. I'm proud of you."

Naruto's eyebrow twitched. "He's learning what? To never trust you to be on time?"

Kakashi merely chuckled, completely unbothered, and began walking. "Come on, everyone. Let's go before Naruto explodes."

The team finally started moving, leaving the village gate behind. After they'd walked roughly two hundred meters, Naruto suddenly stopped, turning around to stare thoughtfully at the gates behind them. "Finally..." he whispered softly.

Hinata glanced curiously at Naruto, noticing the thoughtful look on his face. "Naruto-kun? What's wrong?"

Naruto blinked and smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Nothing really, Hinata-chan. It's just... I've never actually left the village before. It feels kinda nice to finally see what's out there, y'know?"

Hinata smiled gently, nodding in understanding. Sasuke glanced sideways at Naruto but stayed silent, understanding more deeply than he'd admit. He'd also never stepped beyond Konoha's borders, yet unlike Naruto, he hid the slight excitement he felt under his usual indifferent mask.

The group continued walking quietly for a while, the rhythmic crunch of dirt beneath their feet filling the silence. Eventually, curiosity getting the better of her, Hinata turned her attention to Tazuna, breaking the comfortable quietness. "Tazuna-san, what can you tell us about the Land of Waves? I've never been there before."

Tazuna grunted softly, taking a sip from his sake bottle. "Well, girl, it's small—just a poor island nation with lots of water. Used to be prosperous, but nowadays it's pretty tough. No trade, no shinobi, nothing but poverty everywhere. Hell, we barely have enough to survive."

He sighed deeply, looking thoughtful for a moment. "I'm building this super bridge to change all that. It'll bring trade back, maybe even save our land."

Hinata nodded thoughtfully, her eyes wide with compassion. Naruto, listening quietly, tilted his head, noticing the genuine determination in Tazuna's voice. But then Tazuna continued, his tone becoming nostalgic and somewhat solemn. "Our country used to be beautiful and thriving when I was young. You know, we even had shinobi in those days—well, nearby at least. There was this one clan village, just off the coast from Wave… called Uzushiogakure."

Naruto's eyes immediately sharpened at that name. He moved closer, straining to catch every word. Tazuna didn't notice Naruto's sudden interest and continued thoughtfully.

"It was home to the Uzumaki clan, famous for their seals. Real powerful stuff. But when I was about your age, maybe twenty or so, the village was attacked and destroyed during the wars. I remember hearing about it—terrible business."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat. Uzumaki clan... That's where mom was from. His mind raced with possibilities, excitement, and nervousness filling him. Maybe… maybe I could visit Mom's home village. I could learn more about my family.

But reality quickly settled back over him. Kakashi-sensei would never allow him to wander off alone on a mission, especially one to another country. His mind spun quickly, settling on a familiar alternative.

I could send a clone instead...

Satisfied with his makeshift solution, he frowned slightly, knowing he had another complication. But I'll have to figure out how to convince Kakashi-sensei and everyone else to let me explore it later. Maybe after the mission...

Lost in thought, Naruto activated his communicator quietly. Deciding to focus again, he sharpened his senses, scanning the surrounding forest out of habit. The journey had barely started, but Naruto already felt the excitement tingling in his fingertips.

The group moved silently through the thick foliage, tension steadily rising. Naruto's gaze sharpened abruptly, eyes scanning the area ahead. Sasuke noticed the shift instantly. Hinata activated her Byakugan as soon as Naruto stiffened, veins pulsing around her lavender eyes.

Naruto turned toward Kakashi, their eyes locking momentarily, conveying the unspoken understanding. Kakashi merely gave a brief nod. Instantly, Naruto and Sasuke spread to either side of Tazuna, forming a triangular protective formation, while Hinata took position directly in front, her Byakugan flaring softly as she scanned the surrounding area. Kakashi silently hung back, alert and ready.

Naruto spoke quietly into the radio, his voice low and cautious. "There are two chunin level chakra signatures ahead, stay alert."

A while later, they reached a puddle in the road—unnaturally still and suspiciously clear. Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly, thoughts churning rapidly. Idiots. Hasn't rained in days. Do they think we're stupid?

Naruto glanced at Hinata, whose tense posture confirmed she'd also sensed something amiss. As they walked past the puddle, two shadows burst forth, chains rattling dangerously. In a flash, a metallic chain whipped around Kakashi, slicing him into shreds. Naruto felt his heart skip a beat, but relaxed when he spotted the substitution. Hinata breathed a shaky sigh, having barely caught the maneuver with her Byakugan.

Two men stood before them now, dangerous and fierce. Their tattered cloaks hung loosely over metal gauntlets, each claw tipped sharply with lethal intent. Their masked faces and gleaming, merciless eyes radiated cruelty, their chains still dripping suspiciously.

"One down," the taller one growled, eyes narrowing viciously toward Tazuna. In an instant, both charged forward.

Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a rapid glance, nodding. Each took off toward an enemy, leaving Hinata firmly protecting Tazuna. Sasuke met his opponent head-on, eyes blazing crimson with his Sharingan active, while Naruto charged the other, hands already flashing to his scrolls.

Sasuke instantly engaged his opponent, smoothly dodging the brutal swipe aimed at his chest. With calculated precision, he maneuvered closer, waiting for an opening. Across from him, Naruto dropped into a stance, gravity and excitement blended in his expression. The shinobi opposite Naruto swung his metal-clad gauntlet viciously, aiming for Naruto's throat, but Sasuke, glimpsing Naruto's intent, quickly refocused on his own enemy.

Hinata's eyes strained briefly, ensuring Tazuna was shielded behind her petite frame, palms open and prepared to intercept any threats.

Naruto's eyes sharpened as his attacker lunged forward recklessly. Without hesitation, he surged, pivoting gracefully as he landed a devastating hook kick against the man's skull, sending him staggering backwards. In one fluid motion, Naruto's hand shot toward his seal-covered wrist, swiftly drawing and unsealing his sword. Infusing the blade with wind chakra, Naruto slashed at the ninja before him, the blade humming sharply with chakra. The Demon Brother instinctively raised his metal gauntlet to block, only to stare in horror as the chakra-enhanced blade sliced effortlessly through his gauntlet—and his hand beneath it.

A piercing scream tore from his lips, agony etched clearly across his masked face. He fell unconcious due to the pain.

"Meizu!" Sasuke's opponent yelled.

Meanwhile, Sasuke had closed the gap, using the distraction, his fingertips crackling with electricity. The remaining one snarled, swinging his clawed gauntlet desperately. Sasuke dodged effortlessly, eyes flashing dangerously as he noticed a lapse in the enemy's stance. Without missing a beat, he struck the man's solar plexus with pinpoint accuracy, sending lightning through his fingertips.

"Lightning Style: Fingertip Paralysis!" Sasuke called calmly, feeling his chakra pierce the shinobi's chest, forcing his body to stiffen violently before collapsing unconscious to the ground.

Naruto smirked, gripping his blade firmly, the wind chakra dissipating as he turned toward Sasuke, breathing heavily. "Not bad, Sasuke."

Sasuke merely scoffed lightly, shaking out his fingers. "Could say the same to you, Dobe."

Behind them, Hinata relaxed slightly, though her guard remained alert, still protecting Tazuna. Kakashi reappeared moments later, stepping calmly from the shadows, hands casually in his pockets as if nothing dangerous had occurred.

"Well done, Team 7," Kakashi said casually, observing the defeated shinobi with mild interest. "Seems you're all capable enough."

Naruto shot Kakashi a look, exasperation clear in his expression. "Were you ever gonna step in, Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi shrugged casually, eye crinkling in amusement. "You seemed to have it handled."

Naruto grumbled under his breath, something suspiciously like "lazy sensei," before turning his gaze back toward the unconscious men at their feet. Hinata released a quiet breath of relief, deactivating her Byakugan slowly.

Kakashi slowly walked over to Tazuna, his expression serious. "These two are known as the Demon Brothers—Chunin from Kirigakure," he said calmly, nudging one of the unconscious shinobi lightly with his foot. "They're infamous for never leaving a mission unfinished once assigned."

Naruto glanced sharply at Kakashi, annoyance flashing across his face. "If you knew how dangerous they were, why didn't you jump in sooner, Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi sighed softly, eye crinkling. "I wanted to see how you'd handle yourselves in a real fight, Naruto. You all passed with flying colors."

Naruto huffed, crossing his arms stubbornly, but secretly felt a glow of pride at the compliment. Sasuke looked satisfied, while Hinata simply nodded, relieved that they had proven themselves.

Kakashi then turned toward Tazuna, his voice lowering seriously. "But their presence changes things. This mission just jumped to at least a B-rank."

Tazuna paled visibly under Kakashi's sharp gaze, swallowing nervously as he struggled to avoid eye contact.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes suspiciously, noting the old man's uneasy reaction. Kakashi sighed deeply, facing Tazuna directly. "Care to explain, Tazuna-san?"

The bridge builder began fumbling with his words, clearly uneasy. "You see... The truth is, our country's broke. We've been taken over by a criminal named Gato."

Sasuke tilted his head slightly. "Who's Gato?"

Surprisingly, Naruto answered, voice unusually serious. "Gato's one of the richest businessmen in the world. Officially, he controls a huge shipping company and runs several important ports. But," Naruto paused grimly, "unofficially, he's made his fortune from smuggling illegal goods. That business is what actually got him among the top five richest."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow in surprise, impressed by Naruto's knowledge, while Hinata turned to Naruto, her expression a mix of admiration and curiosity. "How do you know all this, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto shrugged modestly. "I've read a lot of books recently. Plus, I've been studying how different villages and economies work. If I'm gonna become Hokage one day, I gotta understand this stuff."

Hinata smiled warmly at him, while Kakashi's eye filled with pride.

Tazuna sighed heavily, finally breaking the tense silence. "Gato's turned our peaceful country into hell. Wave has nothing left—not even the daimyo can afford shinobi protection anymore. The bridge I'm building is our only hope. It'll reconnect us to the mainland and help us break free from Gato's control. But he'll do anything to stop it—so, we didn't have any choice but to lie."

Naruto's eyes sharpened in determination. He stepped forward, voice firm and resolute. "We can't abandon them, Kakashi-sensei. They need us. We have to help!"

Sasuke nodded in agreement, his eyes burning with quiet excitement. "He's right. It's a chance to test ourselves against stronger enemies."

Hinata hesitated briefly, but eventually nodded with gentle resolve. "I... I want to help, too. They deserve our support."

Kakashi glanced over his students, a proud gleam in his eye. "Well then, it's decided. We'll continue the mission." With a sharp bite to his thumb and a swift set of seals, he slammed his palm onto the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"

In a small puff of smoke, a tiny pug appeared. Kakashi crouched down, speaking quietly. "Pakkun, report back to Hokage-sama. Inform him of the Demon Brothers' attack and request backup if necessary."

"Got it," Pakkun replied lazily, vanishing instantly into the trees.

Turning back to his team, Kakashi straightened. "Alright. Let's move quickly."

After crossing through mist-shrouded paths, the team boarded a small boat, silently gliding toward the Land of Waves. Naruto glanced around nervously, unable to shake the strange sensation in his chest. "Hey, Tazuna-san, is the mist usually this thick?"

Tazuna shook his head, adjusting his hat nervously. "It's usually foggy, sure, but not like this. But don't worry—my house isn't far from where we'll land."

As they disembarked, Naruto instantly sharpened his senses, his body tense. Something felt off. Every muscle in his body tightened suddenly. Without hesitation, he flung a kunai into the nearby bushes, startling the group.

The team quickly rushed toward the bushes, weapons at the ready. Naruto sighed in embarrassment as they discovered only an innocent, frightened rabbit trembling beneath the kunai embedded in a tree.

Before anyone could relax, Sasuke stiffened, instincts screaming at him to move. Hinata gasped softly, her Byakugan flaring. Kakashi's voice rang out sharply, though the team was already moving.

"DUCK!"

Instantly, all three genin dropped to the ground, dragging Tazuna down with them, just as a massive, cleaver-like blade flew inches above their heads, slicing cleanly into a nearby tree with a heavy, resonating thunk.

Naruto's heart hammered loudly, eyes wide as he stared at the imposing blade.

"Well, well," came a cold, sinister voice from atop the blade. "If it isn't Kakashi of the Sharingan."