*Several weeks had passed since the teamwork test, and the trio had completed several D-ranked missions, becoming more accustomed to working together as a team. Their latest mission was a simple one—a cat had gone missing, and they were hired to retrieve it.*
*Thanks to his divine gift of a perfect body, Naruto easily scaled trees and navigated through tight spaces that Sakura and Sasuke could not. He quickly spotted the cat perched high up in a tree, meowing pitifully. Naruto smiled to himself, knowing this mission would be a breeze.*
He cooked he appeared behind the cat and picked him up only for the cat to try and scratch his face off Which caused Naruto to hold him at a distance
*The cat hissed and scratched wildly, its tiny claws digging into Naruto's arms. He held it at arm's length, trying to avoid its angry swipes. Sakura and Sasuke watched from below, trying not to laugh at the sight of their teammate struggling with a small cat.*
"OK, can we please get a harder mission than this?"
*Sasuke crossed his arms, his eyes showing slight agreement with Naruto. Sakura tapped her foot impatiently.* "I have to agree with Naruto on this one," she said. "We've done nothing but D-rank missions for weeks. I want a C-rank at least."
*Naruto groaned, struggling with the angry cat.*
Back at the hokage Tower, they brought the cat to its owner and she started smothering it making the cat Very uncomfortable.
*The cat's owner thanked them profusely, but then proceeded to smother the poor animal with kisses and hugs. The cat looked absolutely miserable, its eyes wide and terrified as it was overwhelmed with affection. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke exchanged sympathetic glances. the third Hokage started speaking. " congratulations on completing another D rank mission other missions available are babysitting, helping with groceries painting fences-" before he could continue he was cut off
"No, can we please get a C rank mission please? I don't think I can take much more of this."
The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow at Naruto's desperate plea. Sakura and Sasuke both nodded in agreement behind him. The Hokage chuckled and looked through some papers on his desk.* "I see you three are ready for more challenging work," he said slowly.Iruka yelled in disagreement. " Lord third they just graduated last week. They are not ready."
"I'm pretty sure we are And I think that's for Kakashi To decide so Kakashi you think we're ready."
*Kakashi looked up from his paper, his trademark headband slightly askew. He looked at the three of them, then at Iruka's disapproving expression. He smirked, enjoying the small power struggle. "They're ready," he said simply, supporting Naruto's claim.*
*The Third Hokage nodded, satisfied with Kakashi's assessment. He pulled out a scroll and unrolled it, revealing several C-ranked mission requests. "Very well then," he said, scanning the list. "this one should be relatively easy you will have to protect the client until he gets home and finishes building a bridge."
"Who's the client?"
*The Third Hokage consulted the scroll again. " don't worry you're about to meet him in a few minutes." he said as the door slid open, revealing a man in his 70s to 60s. with a white beard and Known for his large beard, glasses, a pointed hat, and a towel draped around his neck with a beer bottle in hand. " a bunch of snot-nosed kids really."*The old man snorted, looking down his nose at the trio. "Great, just what I need," he muttered, his white beard twitching with annoyance. "A bunch of kids to protect me. This is ridiculous." He took a swig of his beer, eyeing them critically.*
*The old man snorted, looking down his nose at the trio. "Great, just what I need," he muttered, his white beard twitching with annoyance. "A bunch of kids to protect me. This is ridiculous." He took a swig of his beer, eyeing them critically.* " I am Tazuna is a master bridge builder and I expect you to get me home safely."
*Kakashi stepped forward, his sharingan flicking on as he analyzed the old man. "Mr. Tazuna," he said calmly, ignoring the man's rude demeanor. "My students are more than capable of protecting you. They've completed several D-ranked missions successfully."
*Tazuna scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "D-ranked missions? Protecting cats and delivering groceries? Please," he said dismissively. "I need someone who can handle real threats. Not a bunch of kids playing at being ninjas." He took another swig of his beer.*
I gave him a dark look. " You came here asking us for help be grateful we're even doing that."
*Tazuna blinked at Naruto's sharp retort, seeming taken aback by the boy's sudden anger. Kakashi raised an eyebrow, impressed by Naruto's stand. Sakura and Sasuke both looked surprised but approving. Tazuna cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed.*
"Well... I suppose you have a point," Tazuna grumbled, running a hand through his white beard. "I did come to you for help, after all. But don't think this means I'm impressed or anything." He finished his beer and tossed the empty bottle aside.* " Let's just get this over with."
*Kakashi nodded, satisfied with the outcome. "Alright, let's move out," he said, leading the way out of the Hokage Tower. The team fell into step behind him, with Tazuna bringing up the rear, still grumbling about "snot-nosed kids". Kakashi spoke to them. " meet us at the village gates in one hour pack whatever you might need." he said
*Naruto returned to his small apartment, quickly packing a bag with extra clothes, his favorite Roman, shuriken, kunai, and a few scrolls. He also grabbed some jerky and water pouches for the journey just in case he also grabbed five bowls of ramen putting it inside of his inventory. Sakura packed similarly, adding some extra makeup and hair ties.*
*Meanwhile, Sasuke returned to his luxurious home, his father's estate. He packed efficiently, his mind already focused on the mission. He included his favorite sword, several poison- coated shuriken, and his family's special fire- releasing scrolls. before he left, he looked at a photo of his family with his older brother scratched out.
*Kakashi, being a more experienced ninja, packed strategically - extra medical supplies, smoke bombs, wire traps, and his favorite book for downtime. He also took the time to sharpen his kunai and check his chakra levels before heading out.*
*An hour later, the team met at the village gates, their bags packed and ready. Kakashi looked them over, nodding approvingly at their preparedness. Tazuna was already there, looking impatient and annoyed. "Took you long enough," he grumbled, adjusting his towel.*
"We're right on time aren't we?"
"On time is being late in my book," Tazuna muttered, but Kakashi cut him off before Naruto could argue. "We're all set," Kakashi said, ignoring the old man's complaints. "Let's get moving."
*The team started walking, Kakashi and Tazuna leading the way, with Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke following closely behind. They soon left the village behind and entered the dense forest that surrounded it. The air was cool and damp, the sounds of birds and insects filling the air.*
*Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly, noting the out-of-place puddle on the dry forest path. Naruto caught his gaze and gave a subtle nod. Sasuke and Sakura seemed unaware of anything unusual, but Naruto positioned himself slightly between Tazuna and the puddle, his hand resting near his kunai pouch.*
*Tazuna walked confidently ahead, completely oblivious to the potential danger lurking in the seemingly innocent puddle. Sakura and Sasuke followed closely behind him, their focus on the path rather than any hidden threats. Naruto and Kakashi exchanged another silent glance, both sensing something was off.*
*As the group passed the puddle, two ninja figures burst forth, one of them quickly wrapping Kakashi in steel spiked chains that pulled taut, seemingly tearing him apart. The sudden attack caught everyone off guard. Tazuna yelped in surprise and stumbled back. Sakura screamed, "Kakashi-sensei!"
*Naruto reacted instinctively, his eyes widening at the sight of Kakashi's apparent demise. Without hesitation, he unleashed his powerful Fire Style: Fire Dragon Jutsu. A massive, serpentine dragon of fire erupted from his mouth, engulfing the two ninjas who had attacked Kakashi.*
*The two ninjas countered quickly, releasing a powerful Water Release Jutsu that collided with Naruto's Fire Dragon. Steam hissed as the fire and water clashed, canceling each other out. The sudden explosion of elements caught Sakura and Sasuke off guard, sending them stumbling back.*
*Without missing a beat, Naruto followed up with his signature Shadow Clone Jutsu. Multiple identical clones of himself appeared around the two enemy ninjas, confusing them and providing Naruto with numerical advantage. The clones quickly rushed the enemies, engaging them in close combat.*
"Water style :Water bullet Jitsu." said Naruto
*Naruto's clones simultaneously launched a barrage of water bullets at each enemy ninja, the pressurized streams slamming into them and making them stagger. One of them got hit square in the chest, sending him spinning backward.*
"Stop protecting the old man!" one of the enemy ninja snarled, recovering from the blast. "He's our target!"
"I.don't.care. Fire style: fire bullet" Said Naruto
*Naruto's eyes blazed with determination as he ignored the enemy's demand. Instead, he responded with a volley of Fire Style: Fire Bullets, launching scorching projectiles at the ninjas. The intense heat singed the trees behind them and forced the enemies to dodge vigorously.*
*As the enemies dodged, Naruto secretly activated his Ruler's Authority, an unseen force wrapping around one of the ninjas mid-dodge. The telekinetic grip lifted him off the ground and hurled him backward with incredible speed, slamming him into a nearby tree trunk with a resounding crack.*
"You did well, Naruto." Said Kakashi As he appeared beside Naruto, unscathed and smirking as if nothing unusual had happened. The sudden appearance of their sensei startled Sakura and Sasuke, who had been watching the intense battle with bated breath. Tazuna let out a relieved sigh, realizing Kakashi was alive.*
"you realize you could just you know told us you're going to fake your Death in order to get them to lower their guard but given how close they were I'll let it go."
*Kakashi chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair. "I thought it would be more effective if they truly believed I was dead," he explained. "It allowed us to catch them off guard and turn the tables. Plus, you handled yourself exceptionally well, Naruto."
"Yeah, and we know why they Attacked us isn't that right master bridge builder."