Chapter 4 - New mission! Land of the Waves!
𑁍༆꧁✧꧂༆𑁍
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"I can see it in your eyes, that you wanna get out
I can see it in your eyes, that you need it right now"
-Lil Peep
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In a luscious green forest on a bright sunny day, Team 7 was on a retrieval mission. The four Genin were hiding among the trees, tracking their target.
"Alright, there it is let's go!" Naruto shouted, making his other three teammates go after the target.
Kakashi spoke into his communication device, directing his team, "How far away are you from the target!?"
"Five meters." Naruto responded. "I can go at anytime."
"I'm ready too." Sasuke said in his usual cool voice.
"Me too." Sakura added.
"I'm also ready." Satoru said.
"Okay... Now!" Kakashi said as the four Genin rushed towards the target, Naruto getting there first.
"I got him! I got him! I got the cat!"
"Does he have a ribbon on his right ear?" Kakashi asked."
Sasuke stood off to the side, away from Naruto who was battle with the cat he captured. "Yeah, no doubt it's the target."
"Alright, lost pet 'Tora' acquired. Mission accomplished."
Naruto then suddenly started screaming into the communication device. "Can't we get some better missions than this?! I hate cats!"
Team 7 stood in the Hokage's office as they returned the cat, Tora, to her rightful owner, the wife of the Land of Fire's Damiyō.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen read off of a paper for their next mission. "Now, the next mission for Kakashi's Squad 7 is... helping to dig up potatoes."
Naruto suddenly jumped towards the Hokage, putting his arms in a 'X' position. "No! No! No! I wanna go on a real mission! Come on old man!"
Satoru hated to admit it... but he agreed with Naruto. He was tired of chasing cats and doing chores.
Iruka, who was sitting beside Hiruzen, stood up from his seat, slamming his hands down on the table in front of him. "Stupid Naruto! You're still a small Genin with no experience! Like everyone else, you start with simple missions to improve your skills and slowly climb up the ladder."
Satoru sighed as he watched Naruto argue. "Babysitting isn't a mission! It's just a stu-"
Kakashi then hit Naruto in the back of his head, stopping his pointless rant. "Knock it off Naruto."
"Naruto," The Hokage started, "It seems you don't known what a mission is... Listen! Many different request pour into our village everyday. They range from babysitting to assassinations. These request are carefully reported and analyzed to then be rated by their difficulty. The ranks are A, B, C, and D. We Ninja are also ranked by ability, Hokage, Jōnin, Chunin, and finally you, Genin. Ninja's received their missions based on their skills, experience, and how suited they are for the task. If the missions is successful, we receive the fee that comes from the client to support our village. Since you have just become Genin, you are given D rank assignments, of course... Huh?"
The Hokage stared dumbfounded as Naruto sat pointed away from him, describing the ramen he ate yesterday instead of listening to his lecture... "Silence!"
"Old man, you're always lecturing me, like you're my grandfather or something! I'm not a brat anymore! I'm a Ninja and I want a Ninja mission!"
Hiruzen chuckled, giving in to Naruto's request. "So be it, since you're so determined... I'll give you a C rank mission. You'll be bodyguards for someone on their way to the Land of Waves."
Naruto suddenly whipped his body around, his face shining with glee. "What?! Really?! Are we guarding a princess?! Or a big-shot lord?!"
"Don't be so hasty. Send in our visitor!"
A man opened the door behind the team, immediately making a remark. "What? A bunch of snot-nosed kids?!" He said, downing a bottle of alcohol. "And you, the small one with that idiotic look on your face... You really expect me to believe you're a Ninja?"
"What? Who's the small one with an idiotic look on his face?" Naruto laughed out loud as Satoru, Sasuke, and Sakura stood directly beside him.
Naruto then looked to his left and right, realizing he was the shortest. He then started to spit out profanities and threats towards the man as Kakashi had to hold him back.
The man took another big sip of alcohol before speaking. "I am Tazuna, veteran bridge builder. You must escort me back to the Land of Waves so I can continue building the bridge that will change the world. And I expect you to get me there safely, even if it means giving up your life."
Team 7, plus Tazuna, made their way through the village gates. Naruto yelling and screaming the whole time as Satoru just looked around thoughtfully.
'Man, this is my first time being out of the village, other than when the Uchiha brought me here I guess...' Satoru then looked over to Sasuke, they really didn't get along at first, but now, Satoru would almost consider him a friend. Almost... He didn't particularly like Naruto though. The boy was far too energetic and loud for him. He was almost like an annoying little brother. Satoru didn't mind Sakura much at all, sure her crush on Sasuke got annoying at times, but she was as smart as he was. He really liked that about her. As for Kakashi, Satoru just liked that he was strong. He thought the Jōnin could help him become stronger than his father...
"This is the first time I've ever left the village! I'm a traveler now! Believe it!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Hey! I don't feel okay with this little squirt guarding me. He's a joke!" Tazuna said to Kakashi, pointing at the Uzumaki boy.
"Don't worry, I'm a Jōnin, so you don't need to worry."
"Hey! Never insault a Ninja, it's a big mistake! Especially since I'm one of the best Ninja that ever lived! Someday, I'm going to become the Hokage! Then everyone, even you, will look up to me and respect me! My name's Uzumaki Naruto! Remember it well!!"
Tazuna took a sip of alcohol, side eyeing Naruto. "Pfft. Hokage are powerful and wise, you are puny and brainless. The day you become a Kage... I'll sprout wings and fly."
"Ah! Shut up! I'm willing to do whatever it takes to become Hokage! Then you'll have no choice but to acknowledge me!"
"I'll never acknowledge you squirt... Even if you become Hokage."
Satoru glared at the arrogant man. 'What an asshole... I may think Naruto is annoying, but I do admire his determination.'
Naruto then tried to run at Tazuna again, screaming profanities as Kakashi had to hold him back.
Satoru suddenly had a weird feeling in his stomach. It was almost as if someone was watching him, like he could somehow sense a menacing Chakra. He started to look around as suddenly the feeling slipped away. Only Kakashi noticed the boy's weird actions. Although, he decided not to question them.
The group of six continued their walk to the Land of Waves. Little conversations sprouting here and there.
Eventually, on a wide road surrounded by forests, Satoru noticed a puddle on the ground. Which he thought was weird, considering it hadn't rained in a while. Although, he just assumed it was his overthinking tendency shining through.
Suddenly, two men seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The both of them using some kind of chains to bind Kakashi.
"Huh?!"
"What?!"
"Got him! Do it now." One of the mysterious men called out. They then pulled on the chains, tearing through Kakashi's body.
"No Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto yelled, unaware of the mysterious men now behind him.
"Now it's your turn boy." The two men said, getting ready to attack a frozen in place Naruto.
Satoru quickly looked over to Sasuke, who just sent a nod to the other boy. Each of them knowing exactly what the other was thinking without having to exchange words. Both of them hastily jumped towards Naruto and the two unknown Ninja. Sasuke used his shuriken to stop the Ninja's chains from hitting Naruto, while Satoru rushed to grab the Uzamaki boy and carry him away from the attackers.
Sasuke then landed on the attackers arms, kicking both of them in the face. Satoru came in afterwards to throw kunai through their legs, hoping to slow them down.
Instead of the Ninja backing down, they rushed towards Tazuna and Sakura. Sasuke and Satoru quickly noticed this, jumping in front of the two to protect them.
But, before the attackers could reach them, Kakashi appeared and grabbed them both by the neck, rendering them immobile.
"Hi!" Kakashi said in his rare whimsical voice.
Both Sasuke and Satoru stared at him in shock, their thoughts in sync. 'Show off..'
Naruto looked at his Sensei in shock from where he laid on the ground. "Wha- but he was..." He then looked to where Kakashi was 'injured' and only saw multiple small logs. "He used Substitution Jutsu..."
"Sorry I didn't help you sooner Naruto. I didn't mean for you to get hurt. I just didn't think you'd freeze up like that." Kakashi apologized before walking towards his other companions.
Tazuna let out a big sigh of relief, a drop of sweat sliding down the side of his face.
"Good job Sasuke, Satoru. You two did great. And you Sakura, very smooth."
The Uchiha boy then looked behind him to a shaken up Naruto, a smug look present on his face. "You're not hurt, are ya... scaredy cat..?"
Just as Naruto was about to yell at Sasuke, Kakashi interrupted him. "Naruto, these Ninja had poison on the chains that were connected to their claws. You need to take the poison out quickly. You have to open the wound and remove the poisoned blood. Don't move around too much of it will go through your system faster."
Naruto then looked down at his hand, fear spreading throughout his body at Kakashi's words.
"By the way, Mr. Tazuna, we need to talk..." Kakashi said ominously, before tying up the two Ninja. "These two are Shinobi from the Village Hidden in the Mist. Their specialty is relentless attack no matter the sacrifice.
"How did you know about our ambush?" One of the two Ninja questioned.
"That water puddle on a bright, sunny day, when it hasn't rained in weeks."
Satoru's eyes widened at Kakashi's words. His mind going back to when he thought that puddle was odd. 'I shouldn't have brushed that off. A Ninja must see through deception! My father is known as one of the most powerful Ninja to ever live... I have to get stronger if i'm ever going to kill him. I need determination as strong as Sasuke's. I have no clue who he wants to destroy so badly, but I can feel the hatred radiating from him when he speaks of that man. I will be as strong as Sasuke. I will be as strong as my father...'
Tazuna looked over to Kakashi. "If you knew about those Ninja, why did you leave these Genin to do the fighting?"
"Well, I could have killed these guys quickly... But then, we would learn nothing. I needed to know who their target was." Kakashi spoke, narrowing his uncovered eye at Tazuna. "And, what they were after."
"Hm? What are you getting at?"
"I wanted to know if they were after us, Shinobi attacking Shinobi, or if they were after you, the master bridge builder. When you put in your request, you asked for standard protection from robbers and highway men. You never mentioned Shinobi being after you, hunting you down. If we knew this, the mission would be B rank or higher... Meaning it would be more expensive. I don't doubt you had your reasons, but lying to us is unacceptable. We are now beyond the scope of this mission."
"Yeah, this mission is too soon for us. We're just Genin. We need to go back to the village right away. Naruto's wound also needs real medical attention as soon as possible." Sakura added.
"Hmm.. You may be right Sakura. Perhaps we should go back to the village." Kakashi responded, looking at Naruto.
Naruto suddenly pulled a kunai from his pouch, stabbing it through the wound on his hand, shocking everyone. Naruto stumbled backwards at the pain, gripping his hand. "Why am I so different?! Why am I always.."
Sakura ran slightly forward, worried for the yellow haired boy. "Naruto! What're you doing?!"
"I worked so hard to get here. I should be getting stronger... I've been doing so much special training, all to reach my dream! I'll never back down again and have someone else rescue me. I'll never run away. I won't lose to you guys, Sasuke, Satoru... Upon this wound, I make this pledge. Believe it! We're gonna continue this mission. I'll protect you Mr. bridge builder."
Kakashi took a step towards Naruto, reaching his hand out. "Um, Naruto, it was really cool how you used the kunai to take the poison out and all, but you lose anymore blood than that, and you'll bleed out."
A moment of silence over took the group before sweat started pouring out of Naruto's face. He then started to flail his arms around, screaming about how he didn't want to die.
Sasuke turned his head away from Naruto, a stupid look on his face. "Tch. He's still a loser."
Satoru gave the Uchiha boy's shoulder a playful shove, a small grin creeping on to his face. "Shut up, you're just salty that Naruto looked cooler than you when he gave that speech!"
"You don't know what you're talking about! You're a loser too!" Sasuke grumbled.
"Yeah, okay shorty!" Satoru giggled out, walking over to where Naruto was screaming.
"Show me your hand." Kakashi spoke, kneeling down in front of Naruto and taking his injured hand. 'The wound... It's already starting to heal. The Nine Tails...'
"Umm...?" Naruto's face began to turn purple as he whispered at Kakashi. "The serious look on your face is scaring me... Am I going to be okay??"
"Yes, don't worry. You're fine." Kakashi said, wrapping Naruto's hand in a bandage.
The group of six quickly got back on the road. The bright day turning into a dark night. They eventually had to get into a boat, crossing a the ocean to get to the Land of Waves.
The boat was gliding across the water, thick fog coating the air, making it extremely difficult to see.
Tazuna sat at the back of the boat looking ahead of them. "The bridge should be visible soon."
Naruto sat at the front of the boat, pooling his head out, trying to see further ahead of him. "Woah... the bridge it's huge."
"Mr. Tazuna, before we reach the bridge, I have a question." Kakashi announced. "The men who were after you, I need to know why. If you don't tell us, I'm afraid this mission will end as soon as we reach land."
"Hm... I guess I have no choice but to tell you. Like you said, this is beyond the scope of your original mission. I'm being targeted by a very terrifying man. You guys are probably head at least his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world, the shipping magnate by the name of Gato."
Kakashi's eyes widened, a bead of sweat forming on his cheek. "Gato..? of the... Gato company..?"
"Who? Who? What? What?" Naruto asked, leaning forward. Satoru threw a quick side eye in his direction, telling him to shut it.
"Gato, he's a very powerful man from a powerful tycoon. But underground, he's a drug-trafficker who also does dealings in contraband using gangs and Ninjas. It was about a year ago that Gato set his sights on the Land of Waves. He used his wealth and violence to enter this country, and before anyone knew it, he had taken complete control of the island's maritime transportation and shipping. Anyone who tried to stand in his way, simply 'disappeared.' In an island nation, whoever controls the sea, controls everything. There is only one thing Gato fears... The bridge. Once it is built, it will connect the island to the mainland, eliminating his control."
"So, since you're overseeing the construction of this bridge, you're standing directly in this gangster's way." Satoru said, deep in thought.
"Yeah, that means those men we fought near that forest, they were Gato's men." Sasuke added.
"But I don't understand. If you knew he was dangerous and would try to send Ninja to kill you, why did you hide that from us?" Kakashi questioned.
"Because the Land of Waves is a small and poor nation, and even feudal lords have no money. Of course, the common people are even poorer. We can't afford to make requests of rank B or higher... If you drop this mission when we get to land, there's no doubt i'll be killed, and the bridge will be no more. But don't worry, only my sweet grandchild will cry out for me. And my lovely daughter will only hate the Hidden Leaves Shinobi for the rest of her life..."
'You're joking...' Satoru thought, deadpanning at the man.
"Well," Kakashi started, "I guess we'll have to keep guarding you."
"Oh, yes! I'm very grateful!"
After a fair bit of rowing, the group made it to the Land of Waves. As soon as they entered, all the fog disappeared, and the bright sky revealed itself.
Once they made it onto land, the Shinobi started to transport Tazuna to his home, hoping to get him there in one piece.
As they were walking down the road to Tazuna's home, Naruto suddenly ran in front of the group, throwing a kunai into the forest surrounding them, shocking everyone.
After he threw the kunai, Naruto let out a sigh of relief, pretending he wasn't just trying to show off. "Heh... just a mouse!"
"Quit trying to show off! There was nothing there in the first place!" Sakura yelled, pointing at the Uzumaki boy.
"Stop trying to scare me you scruffily little twerp!" Tazuna screamed.
Naruto then started to look around the forest. "Huh? A presence! I sense one over there!" He then looked in a different direction. "No... Over here!"
The yellow haired boy then finally picked a direction and threw a kunai there. "Over there!"
Sakura stormed over to Naruto, questioning his stupid actions. "Why did ya do that dummy!"
"What?! Someone really has been targeting us, I swear!"
"Hm... I actually agree with Naruto. I don't know what it is, but I keep feeling something strange, like we really are being followed." Satoru announced.
"Thank you Satoru!" Naruto said tearfully, running over to the Tsukinaga boy.
Kakashi walked over to where Naruto threw his kunai. Moving some bushes, he revealed a terrified little white bunny.
"What? A bunny?!" Naruto ran over to the small creature, taking it in his arms. "I didn't mean to... I'm so sorry!"
Satoru walked over to them, scratching the back of his neck in thought. 'It's way too early to see a rabbit with this coat color. It must be someone's pet... but, there are no houses in this particular area..' The Tsukinaga boy then looked up to Kakashi, seeing that he was most likely thinking the same thing.
"Everyone!" Kakashi yelled frantically. "Get down!"
A large sword suddenly flew through the air, missing the group by inches as they all threw themselves to the ground. The sword imbedded itself in a tree above the six. A large man landing on its hilt.
"Well, well... If it isn't Momochi Zabuza, a Rouge Ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist..." Kakashi said, taking a few steps towards the man.
'Here it is... This is my time! I refuse to lose to Sasuke or Satoru! Lets go!" Naruto thought as he ran towards the mysterious man, only to be stopped by Kakashi.
"You're in the way Naruto, get back."
"Huh? But why?!"
"He's not like those other Ninja. This man is in a whole other league." Kakashi then reached to the headband that covered his left eye, placing a hand on it, shocking everyone.
"I assume you're Kakashi of the Sharingan eye..." Zabuza spoke, looking down on the group. "Did I get that right?"
Sasuke and Satoru's eyes widened at the mention of the Sharingan.
"It's too bad, but you'll have to give me that old man."
"Quick! Get in Manji formation you guys!" Kakashi ordered. "Protect the bridge builder... And stay out of this fight! I taught you teamwork, and now it's time to use it." Kakashi then pulled up his headband, revealing the Sharingan.
"Well, isn't this interesting. It looks like i'll get to see the rumored Sharingan in action. This sure is an honor..."
"Everyone's been saying Sharingan, Sharingan, Sharingan! What is it?!" Naruto said frantically.
"Sharingan..." Sasuke started, "a rare power that resides in the eyes. The user of this Visual Jutsu or Dōjutsu, is said to easily comprehend any Genjutsu, Taijutsu, or Ninjutsu and reflect the attack back on the attacker. The Sharingan is an extremely rare Dōjutsu and there's a lot more than that to it... A lot more."
"You got it right boy." Zabuza spoke, still standing on the hilt of his sword. "But that's not all. The Sharingan can analyze an opponent's techniques and copy them. As for you, Jōnin, in the assassination unit of the Hidden Mist, we had a standing order to kill you on sight. In my bingo book, it had lots of information of a man who copied over one thousand Jutsu... Kakashi the Copy Ninja."
'But the Sharingan is a special trait that only occurs in a select few of the Uchiha Clan... My clan. Could he somehow be..?' Sasuke thought, looking at Kakashi.
"Well, that's enough talking. I need to exterminate that old man."
At Zabuza's words, the Genin of Team 7 then surrounded Tazuna, Sasuke in front of him, Naruto to the left, Sakura to the right, Satoru behind him.
"But, it seems I'll have to kill you first Kakashi. Hm, so be it." Zabuza quickly pulled his sword out of the tree, jumping off of it and landing on top of the lake beside them.
"He's standing on the water, over there!" Sakura pointed out.
'His Chakra control must be amazing. He just landed on the water from falling so high in the air... and with that massive sword he has...' Satoru thought, internally cursing himself for having horrible Chakra control.
Zabuza performed two hand signs with each of his hands. "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu." As soon as he said that, Zabuza disappeared in a cloud of fog.
"He'll come after me first, so you guys don't have to worry." Kakashi said in a stoic tone.
"But Sensei, who is he?" Sakura questioned.
"Momochi Zabuza. He was apart of the Hidden Mist Anbu. He is known as a 'the silent killing' technique expert. As it's named, it happens in an instant without any noise or warning. It's so fast that before you know it, your life's already been taken from you. I haven't fully mastered my Sharingan, so I can't fully neutralize it. So, don't lower your guard! Just know, if we fail, we'll only lose our lives."
"Huh?" Sakura said, shocked. "How can you be so carefree about it?!"
The fog around the land started to get thicker and thicker, making it hard to see more than a few feet in front of of your face.
After a long moment of silence, Kakashi made a hand sign, then expelling Chakra to clear the fog. Sensing his team's unease, Kakashi turned around, flashing them a quick smile. "Don't worry guys, I'll protect you with my life. I refuse to let my comrades die."
Suddenly, Zabuza appeared in front of the Genin protecting Tazuna, getting ready to strike. But, in an instant, Kakashi got to him, blocking the strike and stabbing him with a kunai. Only for water to pour out of the wound instead of blood.
"Sensei! Behind you!" Satoru yelled, alerting Kakashi of the real Zabuza.
The water clone disappeared, leaving only the real Zabuza, who swung his massive sword at Kakashi.
"Die!" As Zabuza's sword cut through Kakashi, only water appeared, then falling to the ground. 'What? A water clone? Even in this fog, he saw through my illusion and copied it in an instant?!'
"Don't move..." Kakashi said, appearing behind Zabuza with a kunai to his neck. "You're finished!"
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Extra Information
—Naruto sees Satoru as an annoying older brother
—Sasuke considers Satoru more as a rival than a friend, just like he sees Naruto
—Sasuke despises the nickname 'shorty,' considering Satoru is only three inches taller than him
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Author's note
I wanna skip this battle so bad for some reason but i'm not gon do it 😞
Words: 4167