*Knock-knock-knock*
The knock at the door interrupted my tea time. Special thanks to Shikamaru, who often gives me all sorts of teas. He says he has way too many anyway, so he dumps the extras on me to cut down on tea ceremonies at home.
"Coming!" I called out.
Two weeks had passed since we passed the bell test. Not a peep from Gramps, which was oddly suspicious. Could it be that after that incident, he really put me on total ignore?
Even at mission assignments and intakes, instead of him, it was either one of the elders or Iruka—which was weird, though considering he'd been acting as Academy director while Gramps was sick, maybe it was normal for him to be there. There were also a few city officials running around on errands for the clan heads. Overall, Konoha's governing council turned out to be pretty interesting in its structure. It's like both a "government," meaning executive power, and a "council," meaning legislative, collegial power. Can't overlook the Kage either, who's not just a military commander but a full Lord. A Lord who might not even attend meetings, or might, but every council decision still goes to him for signature anyway. Though the council can also issue orders to shinobi that must be followed immediately without Kage approval. Weird system... Gotta learn more about it in detail before jumping to conclusions.
"Uh, Sakura?" I said questioningly when I opened the door. Of all people, I wasn't expecting her...
"Good morning, Naruto." She gave a slight bow in greeting, holding some container tied with a pink cloth. She wasn't in her usual outfit but "civilian clothes." She had good taste, by the way. Some thin kimono-like jacket over a t-shirt with a knee-length skirt, and her long hair done up in some fancy style with clips.
I hadn't seen anything like that in my world, but it still had an Asian vibe somehow. On one hand, strict, with the hair piled up top, but on the other, the thin jacket showing the white t-shirt tucked into a gray skirt, the jacket barely reaching past the waist, skirt to the knees leaving legs partly bare, and summer slippers—classic, but specific on a girl.
Okay, damn...
Reminding myself she's twelve-something.
"Good morning..." I replied, looking down for a second. "Come in, or are you just dropping something off? We got a call?"
"No-no..." She raised her right palm in denial and smiled with eyes closed. "Everything's fine, full day off today, like the teacher promised."
"Phew..." I exhaled.
"I just... Um... Yeah, you're right, better if I come in."
"Ah, okay..." I shrugged. "Come on in." I gestured for her to enter and pointed to the shoe spot in the corridor as I started closing the door.
After taking off her slippers, she waited for me to close the door and walk ahead down the corridor. Manners, can't take 'em away from her. Shikamaru, when he came over, treated my place like a "no-fuss zone" and casually walked ahead in his shoes, rummaging through my kitchen cabinets for the tea he'd given me. I wasn't against it... I even liked that style back then, but now, seeing the difference, I had some doubts.
"Tea?" I asked as I led her to the kitchen and pointed to a stool.
"Sure." She nodded. "It's so... Clean here." She noted, looking around. True, despite being a slob in my past life, here with no internet, games, or even TV, there's not much else to do but keep house.
"I try." I replied, pouring pre-made tea from the kettle into a clay cup. Small coaster first, then the hot tea cup on top. All these fiddly bits are basic etiquette here. Lazy as I am, gotta follow it. We sat on cushions at the small kitchen table at the same time. Before that, she handed me the container with a slight bow, saying it was a thank-you gift for the bell test. Judging by her reaction, it wasn't easy for her, so I didn't tease—just accepted it like a normal person and set it on the table beside me.
"Tasty." She noted after sipping some tea.
"Yeah." I waved it off and sipped from my cup too. "So, spill—what brings you here?"
"Well, it's like this... We're a team now, and I can't ignore that you clearly don't like me being assigned with you and Sasuke. I came to apologize if I've offended you somehow and want us to be friends and a good team from now on."
"I see..." I said, sipping tea. Then I untied the cloth and opened the container to see what she'd brought. Some kind of treat—looks like they call it "Bento" here. Divided into sections with carefully packed portions of main and side dishes. This bento was really good. Lots of rice with bits of boiled egg, a fresh tomato sliced into 8 pieces separately, some boiled fish, and cucumber slices. I'd just woken up and was about to make breakfast, but looks like no need now. "Thanks." I said, closing the container and setting it on the table. Not planning to eat right now.
"Won't you try it?" she asked.
"Afraid I got nothing to offer back—I was just about to cook today, fridge is empty otherwise, and eating alone feels rude." I replied.
"Got it." She said a bit sadly.
"I'm sure it's delicious." I smiled.
"I tried my best."
"As for how I treat you..." I started, noticing her tense up. "No grudges or anger toward you. Just understand—Sasuke and I have trained together since his clan... Well... You get it." Her eyes widened big. "We have our plans, stuff to do, and we mesh well already. You're even below us in strength..."
"Getting in the way?" She said sadly, looking at the floor.
"Not what I meant. Believe me, like you, I want us to be a team, but it's not that simple."
"Weird hearing that, since it's because of you that Sasuke treats me like that." Damn...
"Because of me?" I poked my gray t-shirt. "Don't wanna remind you eavesdropping's rude at minimum." I raised my voice a bit. "And trying to badmouth me is hardly friendly."
"I wouldn't have anything to say about you if you didn't act so..." She started objecting and trailed off. Come on... Tell me how I act and try proving to yourself at least that your gripes aren't plain childish jealousy. Fate gave you a shot to get close to Sasuke, who you like so much, but some street rat who became his friend keeps blocking your tries. Before, I was just ignore-worthy, but now on the same team as Sasuke, I'm at least a serious obstacle, at worst someone whose opinion matters.
"Heh..." I exhaled and sipped more tea. "Sakura, believe me, I'm not your enemy. If you really wanna be part of our team, you'll have to rethink your priorities."
"I don't get it..."
"Simple. Set the right goals and figure out paths to them, like solving tough math problems."
"So you're saying my goals are wrong?" She crossed her arms. "Why's becoming part of the team wrong?"
"Becoming part of the team?" I smiled, repeating. "You don't give a damn about the team from Memorial Stone."
"Who're you to talk!" She yelled indignantly, slamming her palm on the table and jumping up. "Why do you act like you know everything about me and my goals?!" Here we go... "If I didn't wanna be on the team, think I'd come make up with you?!"
"Sit!" I slammed without getting up, dropping my voice as low as possible using a bit of chakra. One part of Transformation Technique is voice change. I tried shifting to my own voice from the other world, though I barely remembered it. But low adult male voice without full transformation... Impressive. At least I thought so from her reaction—mix of fear and surprise. That's the effect I wanted. Looking down a bit, she sat back anyway. "I'm not acting like I know everything about you, but your intentions are so obvious on close look it's kinda scary. You came to butter me up with this food. If you just wanted a serious talk, could've caught me right after the mission. You think you need my favor to get close to Sasuke. But like I said, I'm not walling you off—I don't care."
"I'm not..." She started denying but caught my gaze and realized better not. "Naruto, I really wanna be part of the team. Yeah, you're right, I like Sasuke, but he might not have been on my team. Either way, we'll work together—not just with Sasuke, but you and me too. That's why I came to you, not him."
"I see... So you wanna be on the team to get closer to Sasuke? Heh... That's not how it works."
"What's not?"
"Building bonds." I began. "Even if we work well as shinobi, it won't bring you closer to Sasuke one bit. That's why I said your goal's wrong. Think not about Sasuke first, but how and what you can add to our team. What you, me, and Sasuke lack. Not tripping us up isn't a 'get lost.' Would you trip us if you're useful in battle? If the team can't do without you, Sasuke can't ignore you. That's priority shift—don't think what the team gives you or your interests, but what YOU bring to become part of it."
"You talk like it's easy to get as strong as you and Sasuke right away. Though looking at it that way..."
"We didn't get here overnight either, and it's not raw power I need from you."
"Then what?"
"Figure it out yourself and solve it. I already ordered you 'don't trip us up,' but I'm not doing it all for you."
"I'm not asking you to do everything!" She yelled indignantly. "If not for your bloated ego..." she added almost whispering. "If you know the answer, help me."
"Denied." I replied, finishing my tea. Her face nearly twisted. "Why should I help you cozy up to Sasuke? You haven't even properly changed your goals."
"Who says?!"
"That's not how it works. Everything takes time."
"Enough already." She replied, downing her tea in one go, standing, and heading out. As she entered the corridor, there was a knock at the door.
"Uzumaki Naruto!" Some unfamiliar guy in standard Leaf gear addressed me when I opened the door. "Lord-Hokage requests your presence." Ah... Gramps's payback.
***
Standing before a four-meter wooden wall obstacle amid trees with targets on them, the black-haired boy closed his eyes, got into stance, and mentally shouted: "Sharingan!" His eyes turned from dark brown to bright red, with three pupils now. One normal in the center, the other two comma-shaped, starting to rotate around the central pupil before stopping abruptly.
He leaped forward and up about five meters with a flip. Flying head-down, he crossed his arms over his chest, four kunai in each hand. Spinning additionally around his axis, he swung his arms, scattering the kunai every which way—it seemed stupid, but at high speed he drew another kunai and hurled it harder and faster into one. Colliding, the two kunai altered each other's trajectories. The boy tucked and landed flawlessly on his feet on the other side of the wall with a somersault. Each kunai stuck in a target's dead center. But that wasn't enough. In a second, he focused, sensing chakra threads from his fingers to those kunai, formed seals, closed his eyes again, and mentally said: "Fire: Multi-Ignition Technique." A flame sparked over his tiger-seal fingers, and the targets with embedded kunai burst into bright fire simultaneously.
"It worked!" he thought, surveying the result. "Finally, I can light them all at once! Naruto was right. Again...". Inhale-exhale, eyes back to normal, sweat beading on his forehead, breathing heavy. "Damn... This thing really strains the body. Gotta get used to it. Even if not battle-ready yet, using Sharingan is a big step forward."
"Sasuke-kuuun!" A girl's voice called from behind the trees.
"What's she doing here?" he thought, and after the second call, decided to show himself.
Sasuke stepped out without hiding his presence. Unbuttoned field shirt with headband tied on head, black t-shirt, dark blue pants tucked into black combat boots. Hands in unbuttoned shirt pockets slightly covering belt pouches. Sleeves above elbows showing forearm weights, plus a belly belt with internal weights.
"Oh, Sasuke..." Sakura noticed him and, waving, headed over, carrying a pink-cloth-tied container. "Training?" she asked smiling.
"What do you want?" he replied with a question.
"Well, figured since you're training on a day off, you could use a snack. Here." She offered the container.
"Thanks." He looked down a couple seconds, then took it. "How'd you know where I was?"
"Naruto." She said, raising her index finger, and Sasuke's eyebrow twitched nervously.
"Damn... Decided to rat me out after all? Shit..." he thought.
"I tried making up with him, but Lord-Hokage suddenly summoned him, and he said: 'Better go bug Sasuke instead, he's at training ground five. Well, wanted to go yesterday, but I'm taking a full day off today, so don't wait.'"
"Wait... You said Hokage-sama summoned him?"
"Uh, yeah... That's what the shinobi who came for him said. Naruto quickly dressed, grabbed his stuff off the clothesline, and bailed, leaving me at the door." She replied, seeing Sasuke's worried face. "I don't get what Hokage-sama sees in Naruto, but he's talked to him personally a few times even in the academy. And now this summon... Something wrong, Sasuke?" she asked as he stared at the sky, lost in thought.
"Sorry, gotta run." Handing back the food container, he bolted toward the village in bounding leaps.
"Hope he wriggles out, but just in case I should be there too. Worst case, beg Hokage-sama not to kick Naruto out, but hope it doesn't come to that."
***
The old geezer's office hadn't changed since our graduation when Sasuke and I were dragged here after the Mizuki fight. Except they'd dumped some paperwork here—table edges and nearby space buried in papers and folders. Near the Hokage portraits, stacks of dozens of scrolls and books. Can't miss the new chandelier, fresh ceiling whitewash, and parts of walls. Oh, new windowsill too...
"Lord-Hokage! Per your orders, escorted Uzumaki Naruto." The guy reported crisply, kneeling at the entrance and glaring disapprovingly at me for not reacting to Gramps's greeting.
"At ease..." Gramps replied, removing his pipe from his mouth and setting it on the desk holder. "Leave us."
"As you command, Lord-Hokage." He replied and left, giving me another disapproving look, but couldn't reprimand me. Where Hokage stays silent, no opening your mouth—and the guy knew it well.
"Good morning, Naruto." Gramps tried smiling in greeting.
"Morning." I nodded, staying by the door and just staring at him. Properly, I'd say something like "Good morning, Lord Hokage" and bow hello—or better, kneel like the guy on entry and report "arrived per orders."
But this wasn't an order...
As an independent combat unit, I don't exist for Hokage. There's Team Seven, with Uzumaki Naruto attached. Official commander: Kakashi. All orders go through him, as do official directives, reprimands, punishments, rewards, and any other Gramps whims re: service—in his presence only. No need to summon me at all. Whatever he wants, tell Kakashi, who'll pass what he deems fit, in the amount he deems fit.
As Boomboks sang in my world...
"No matter what happens
Or who you become,
Rise in the morning—do a hundred squats
And read the charter!"
"Still mad at me over that misunderstanding?" Gramps asked, feigning surprise. Yeah, he couldn't miss even basic polite address from me.
"What grudge? About what?" I countered.
"Well, you didn't greet me, so I thought..."
"You chat up every burglar with full etiquette?" I slammed, and his face changed sharply.
"Naruto, understand..." He started, clasping hands at chin. "Most obvious and crude conclusions, though valid, aren't always right, and I really don't want them swaying your decisions."
"Bla-bla-bla..." I replied crudely. "Lord Hokage... Let's respect each other's time. No need to convince me of anything, or me listen, vice versa. Words don't interest me. Only actions... Couldn't miss you've paid me excessive attention lately. Recently convinced it's clearly unhealthy. Your motives don't interest me. You won't tell me shit now anyway, and even if, no reason to believe you. What's a lie worth to someone who broke into another's home and dared touch their stuff? What's such a person's word worth? Such a Lord? My take: disgrace. Your smoothing attempts with talk, dodging responsibility—bigger disgrace."
"Heh..." Gramps exhaled at end of my speech. He was clearly tense. "Too loud words, Naruto. For disgrace, it needs to be known."
"It's known to you, Lord Hokage. And me, and you know what I know. Live with it, and if that's all, I won't waste more time here." I said and tried turning.
"Wait, Naruto! I didn't dismiss you."
"Oh yeah?!" I spun back snarling. "You didn't summon me! No mentor here, and I'm not full shinobi yet. Wanna give orders? Summon Kakashi—till then, spare me the intimidation tries!"
"Heh..." He exhaled again, dropping hands to desk. "Naruto, please, hear out an old man who was kind to you—if you remember not just the bad." Hit me, old man... Now if I just bail, I'll look like the asshole regardless. "I had serious reasons for that, not excusing it. Shouldn't have entered your home without permission, I apologize for the misunderstanding." He half-stood, nodded slightly, sat back. "After you soloed Mizuki, older and more experienced... You get why I had to learn more about you than others. Including that way. Not justifying, but want you to understand, not just judge by dry law on paper."
"Lord Hokage, I still see no accountability. How respect someone dodging responsibility with words? Even if I get your motive and believe you, it means nothing. What'd Hyuga say if you snuck into their estate on their turf?" Gramps tensed again. "Silent? Thought so. Your apologies worthless, no basic respect even. Screw me personally, I'll live... But disrespecting all Uzumaki through me. Your teacher's wife, First Lord-Hokage's, and other Uzumaki who gave lives for Konoha."
"And how should I answer for this...?" Probably wanted "minor slip" but caught himself. "For the disrespect?"
"Hm..." I thought, staring at ceiling. "Could pay compensation from personal funds, say." Gramps's face nearly twisted. "No scary face, Lord Hokage. Any clan'd demand similar."
"But you're no clan!"
"Oh, stripping my name? Expect written order revoking Uzumaki name—fear no one'd get it, and it'd raise real village questions. Lord strips orphan boy's name..."
"Don't twist it. You know that won't happen."
"Denying me clan rep, spitting on ancestors' memory again, right into First Lord-Hokage's wife's grave. What'd he say?"
"So how much?"
"How much? Dunno... Hundred thousand Ryo plenty."
"HOW MUCH?!" Gramps yelled, jumping up, but cooled quick and sat.
"Naruto, you get that's... Khm... Huge money."
"Not for you, Lord Hokage. Such sum from personal funds good reminder of accountability, and I'll forget this annoyance."
"I see..." Gramps leaned back. "Mmm..." He pondered. "And what for?"
"Lord Hokage, as I said, respect time..."
"Fine, Naruto. Compensation coming, but henceforth..." He pulled a notepad sheet from desk drawer, started writing. "No more accountability gripes or incident mentions from you." Finished, handed me the paper.
"What incident?" I smiled, taking it.
***
On the way back, in the corridor on the first floor of the Kage building, I ran into Sasuke with a stunned look on his face. Apparently Sakura had told him about the old man's summons. I didn't mention the compensation, or he'd have a heart attack. Telling him everything was fine, I headed straight to the bank, where I did get my money—though I still had to ask Teacher Iruka to witness the whole thing and open an account in my name. At twelve and a half, I didn't have the right to do it without an adult guarantor. Iruka was pretty shocked when I explained the situation. I decided not to lie and, when asked where the money came from, told him straight up and showed him the paper signed by the old geezer. I didn't share the details, though, saying the old man had asked me not to blab about it on every corner. He hadn't said it outright, but it was obvious.
I took about thirty thousand for myself and left the rest in the Konoha bank.
With money in hand, I immediately went to the market and bought a ton of stuff, starting with food. I filled the refrigerator completely, and along the way left my jacket for rush repairs at the tailor's store. I also bought a full set of elite gear. About twenty kunai made of very high-quality steel that could absorb chakra with a good edge. I got an extra body armor like the ANBU guys wear. It wasn't my size, so it'd be for growing into. Thanks to proper nutrition and stretching, I'm already taller than canon Naruto at this age. I'm about 152 cm, which is pretty good. Sasuke's about the same height, while Sakura's the shortest of us for now, but among the girls she's almost the tallest at 150 cm. Shuriken, new wire, more explosives—which I'd solemnly wasted during the test. I also ordered something like a local grill for home. A little pan for lighting coals, built into a special table. Simple principle: pour in the coals, turn on the gas canister, light it, heat the coals, turn off the gas. That way I could grill meat at home... Bliss...
After all that, I still had five thousand left. Satisfied, I headed home, thrilled about the day off—and I really needed the day off.
It turns out, it's only in anime that ninja catch cats and pick up trash from rivers.
In reality, ninja work is almost full-on military service.
Nobody's paying five thousand per team for a D-rank mission that's basically just a regular cleanup you could round up the upper academy classes for, or the orphanage kids. And that's how it usually went—we got nothing extra for it on top of our studies, treated like a mission.
Real D-rank missions turned out to be guard shifts patrolling specific village districts... or guarding the training ground perimeter during mine and explosive work. Sometimes even better, like catching a giant bear that escaped from the Forest of Death. Over those two weeks, we also guarded the central hospital—not much, just a full 24-hour shift with only four hours of sleep total. A shift isn't just standing post, either. In downtime, you'd patrol around the hospital or help the doctors with chores. Always carrying stuff back and forth, assembling and disassembling things, and so on... Delivering docs from posts and hourly reports to HQ were part of it too. Kakashi, who was supposed to handle the reports, solemnly fucked... left it all on our shoulders and only showed up occasionally to check.
In two weeks, we completed seven missions of that rank. Should've been six, but the bear thing was extra, and Kakashi signed us up without a second thought.
Along the way, we found a use for Sakura too... She had the best handwriting out of all four of us, including Kakashi. She handled all the reports and dispatches, so we collegially decided to let her sleep an extra couple hours during shifts at night.
The last mission was patrolling, and we got the red-light district, where all sorts of scum wander at night. Kakashi gave us full carte blanche, and we tied up anyone who even slightly overstepped. We also stopped everyone after six PM for document checks on all patrols. Patrols don't usually do that, but we were happy to. I was lazy, sure, but it was fun. Considering I'd started wearing weights again on missions, my muscles were begging for rest, and today was an unload day.
The bento Sakura brought me was pretty tasty, by the way. Wonder if she made it herself?
Over those two weeks, Sasuke and I fully mastered the water-walking technique Kakashi showed us during the test. We couldn't not react to his Jesus parody. Sasuke got it way better than me, though. The next day, during another mission (patrolling inside the walls), Sasuke pulled off the mass ignition technique I'd come up with. Going forward, I planned a full overhaul of his combat style accounting for future fights and enemies as I remembered them. But you always have to keep in mind that my actions could change the course of events, so I was also counting on new styles for me and Sasuke being universal.
Extending chakra threads to kunai was obvious, but I wasn't sure it'd work. In the end, it should make something like a fire pillar. Right now, I was more focused on techniques for Sasuke since he had innate fire affinity he could use without much strain. I wasn't rushing my own elemental training. First, I had doubts about wind affinity now that Naruto's soul wasn't in this body—everything could change sharply. Plus, I needed to do something about the sword; my skill level was far from even basic combat-ready. The Fox's chakra issue was open too, waiting its turn, but Sasuke and fire were priority.
Using Sasuke as an example, we proved fire wasn't just for parodying "dad's breath" from the mouth. After a couple dozen tries, Sasuke pulled off something like a witcher's Igni. I straight-up stole it from the Hyuga's air palm. If they can attack with air, why can't an Uchiha attack with chakra from the palm, adding fire release?
Turns out—he can. But he had to learn one-handed seals on top of it, while concentrating chakra in the other hand for the attack. We scorched his palm a few times bad, but then it went well. A one-handed fire salvo covered seven to ten meters; two hands, twenty-five.
Kakashi couldn't pass by experiments in the spirit of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. He told us we were two idiots doing it all wrong, of course, adding major safety tweaks and tips on chakra control. The chakra threads idea was actually his, not mine. He also helped Sasuke with his Sharingan, advising on markers and giving him a map for the new vision, explaining clan library textbook stuff in detail.
Two weeks later, we finally got that cat-catching mission for the Daimyo's wife—ruler of the Land of Fire.
For me, it was a good chance to solidify mass shadow cloning, which I did.
Canon Naruto could summon around a thousand or a bit more clones? With my new chakra control, I didn't hit that—thought it was overkill anyway—but for the cat, in front of a stunned audience of Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi, I summoned 250 clones, my absolute record so far. The cat was caught in fifteen minutes.
Including assembly and mission handoff time, we even got a bonus. Eight thousand for the team instead of five.
The jonin-sensei took half, leaving four thousand for the three of us. The old geezer was there for the handoff.
"Looks like you're cracking these missions like nuts, huh, kids?" he said to us.
"Always happy to serve, Lord Hokage." We three replied, bowing in sync.
"Heh-heh... What do you think, Kakashi—could your team handle an out-of-village mission one rank up?"
"You can see for yourself, we've got a team of geniuses here. I think they're ready." Kakashi said, glancing at us.
Damn it, I wanted to avoid the Land of Waves and clashing with Zabuza and Haku. Remembering what awaited us, I tensed up hard. Looks like canon would force its way through—even without Naruto whining, we couldn't dodge this mission. Backing out now would be too suspicious, and my vote didn't count for shit.
"Then I assign you a C-rank mission." The old man announced, introducing our client we'd protect all August until construction finished. He clarified the mission: escort and guard. We don't engage first, but if the protectee's attacked, we can use force up to killing the attacker. Meeting Tazuna, who was a bit tipsy but trying to act sober, we exchanged looks and gave the go-ahead when Kakashi asked about agreement. The jonin signed the contract for us and said assembly at the gates tomorrow at eight AM. We finished at three PM today. Plenty of free time—eat your heart out.
***
Showing up right on time, we beheld a MIRACLE!
Turns out Kakashi can be punctual. Wanted to tease him, but not in front of the client.
In my backpack, I had spare underwear and underclothes, sleeping bag, some food from home, one pack of rations, and a neatly folded poncho-tent for rain. Kakashi said raininess was normal in the Land of Waves.
Sadly, no intercity buses in this world—or any tourist transport, it seems. Carriages existed, but at best they'd take you by cart to the next village or so. Most of the way was on foot. In our case, the whole way except the sea part. Tickets for the ship from port city Oren were already bought.
Even so, marching the main road till evening meant we wouldn't reach the port. At 18:00 per plan, we'd camp in the forest no matter what, though I'd rather push two or three more hours and find an inn in a nearby village.
We headed southeast, hitting the nearest settlement on the main road after ten kilometers—two hours. We all topped up water there. Kakashi didn't need to, but this trip showed how green we were. I drank almost half my supply in those two hours. So I bought more; Sakura didn't hesitate and got extra too. Maybe because we chatted nonstop while walking, looking like a real team from outside. Except Tazuna... If Kakashi at least tried to keep conversation, Tazuna just drank. When Kakashi banned booze outright, he tried sneaking some in town—but nope. I ratted him out to Kakashi instantly, earning him the final warning. Chinese or Japanese... Hell if I know with Kakashi.
Tazuna was clearly anxious, drowning it in alcohol. I tried bringing it up, but Sasuke and Sakura figured he was just scared of Kakashi—hard to argue. I'd shit myself too seeing that guy roaming my hometown. Remember how I said Iruka looks tough? Kakashi in his loadout, tactical belt, pouches, backpack, mask, and one eye looked not just tough—straight terrifying. On one hand, real soldier—nice to see. On the other, intimidating in the worst way. Kakashi intimidated by presence alone.
Continuing, we went over four hours without breaks, covering almost all topics except personal ones. Midday sun baked our heads. I was up front now, Kakashi covering rear. He rotated us in the marching column periodically. Sakura always second for some reason; him first or last. Then, mid-road, I spotted a big puddle. Calling it weird was an understatement. I went straight to Kakashi and whispered it clearly wasn't natural in the hot summer day. He praised my observation, but shot down heating it with fire techniques (just in case), saying we can't attack till the enemy does.
Hiding in a puddle ain't illegal!
Bullshit, but that's reality.
Warning the team, I went ahead again after we passed it. Soon as Kakashi passed and got twenty meters away, chains-shuriken burst from it, binding our sensei—then two cloaked demons leaped out, turning his body into mincemeat in one move. Or so it seemed to us all. Sakura yelped; Tazuna froze mouth agape as they charged him.
I made three clones who grabbed Tazuna under the arms and bolted forward a couple long jumps. I drew my sword, assuming stance, waiting for one to try passing me. They yanked the chain and lunged at Sasuke ahead of Kakashi—but the bastards got unlucky.
Sasuke body-flickered mid-air, hurling a shuriken that nailed their chain to a tree. He'd clearly infused it heavy with chakra—insane first throw. He landed on their giant gauntlets, handstanding and smashing both faces with a double kick—but that wasn't enough. He formed seals at fantastic speed—I couldn't even read them. Chain snapped from tension as he landed; spreading arms, he hosed them with fire from each hand. The fiery stream blasted them back, but it didn't help. They were good at substitution, bulleting out of their mud-covered bulky cloaks. They ignored me completely. One airborne, one ground-bound—both at Tazuna. Each had a kunai in right hand for the kill; en route, they curved thrown kunai and shuriken at the target.
Sakura snapped out, beating my shadow clone by a second—hurling eight shuriken two-handed like a pro. She knocked every enemy weapon mid-flight aimed at our shell-shocked builder. Drawing her leg-holster kunai, she full-dashed to my clones laying the client down, assuming stance. Sasuke body-flickered in front of her even faster, shielding her from the roadside runner charging Sakura. Under the noise, nobody noticed the airborne one vanish—though he should've hit first. Half-second before I'd attack, Kakashi appeared, grabbing the second loser's throat and slamming his face into the ground. He pinned the guy's head underarm; bulging eyes said he felt shitty...
All on pure taijutsu, not even winded. Damn monster... Faster than when he snuck behind me in the bell test.
Saying I was stunned is putting it mildly.
"Mr. Tazuna, I have some questions for you." Kakashi declared in a no-nonsense tone, after tying the two idiots to a pine and chatting with them. He banned us from approaching, ordering us strictly to stay with the client.
Tazuna seemed even more scared and spilled everything. Said he'd lied, that ninja had been hunting him awhile. Kakashi said that bumped it to B-rank. We were hired for thieves, bandits, random threats, and escort deterrence. Guarding from other shinobi was a whole other level—not ours.
Full-on early termination question arose.
"Teacher Kakashi, we're not ready for this, so why discuss it? We should head back to the village and deliver Mr. Tazuna to Lord Hokage." Sakura said. First time I agreed with her 146%. Whatever came next, I didn't want to tangle with Zabuza and risk my hide—not one bit—though real combat experience was nowhere else. And without it, further gains would be dubious.
"What about you two?" Kakashi asked.
"Does it matter?" Sasuke said. "From what happened, you could solo a mission like this. No point retreating when we can get this experience—when else?" Fuck...
"I think it's unjustified risk." I said. Everyone stunned... Kakashi, Sakura—who clearly didn't expect support from me. Sasuke eyed me like enemy of the people. "What? Think about it—why risk our lives? If we don't even get paid extra, I see no point..."
"So that's how it is... Two against one." Kakashi summed up. "Looks like we head back."
"Naruto... Step aside." Sasuke rose from his pack. I sighed, and we stepped away...
"Well? Got something to say?"
"You chickening out?" He went straight for the jugular.
"Don't bait me. Don't you get we got no business here?"
"So you'd rather go back to village patrols and bullshit? We're way past genin level now—this is our chance to see how strong we are... How can I match my brother if I can't even handle a mission like this..."
"It's not the mission—get it. Kakashi'll do all the work anyway; we'll just waste time and energy for no real reward."
"So rewards are all you care about? The rest doesn't matter to you?"
"No, but..."
"Then why back down when the chance drops?"
"Fine... Fuck it!" I caved. "But mark my words—this'll end shitty..."
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: patreon.com/Granulan