27 First C - Ranked Mission

[[[ Next day ]]]

After meeting at the usual place, Team 7 and Kakashi went towards the mission distribution hall to get their missions. Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto trio had hopeful looks on their faces.

"Please give us a good mission."

Sakura mumbled like she was saying a mantra. She was seriously fed up with doing miscellaneous things during these two months. Although Sakura tried to endure it, she was at her wits' end.

The same goes for Sasuke too, but for a different reason. He needed to hone his skills to get his revenge against his brother Itachi. But how can he achieve it by catching a cat?

"If they don't give us a good mission, let's protest."

Naruto said as he encouraged them to join in on his protest. He knew there was a bridge mission during this period. Naruto needed to somehow get it.

"I also agree that we need something more than just simple missions to improve."

Sasuke replied with a serious face, as always. However, his determination couldn't be hidden.

"I agree too, then. It's not like you two are going to listen to me anyway."

Sakura also chimed in.

Seeing them bickering, Kakashi just looked at them with a deadpan expression.

'What do they expect when they just graduated two months ago?'

Although Kakashi couldn't help but admit they improved many times faster than others in their age group, even Sakura's improvement was not slight.

***

[[[ Mission Distribution Hall ]]]

As they entered the hall, Naruto saw the third hokage sitting at the counter and several other ninjas working with documents. The hall was noisy from everyone coming and going after receiving their missions.

"Good day to you Kakashi."

Hiruzen spoke as he kept the documents he was reviewing on the table.

"Good day to you too, Lord third."

Kakashi gave Hiruzen a slight bow and came forward with the Team 7 trio. Hiruzen keenly observed the three from left to right, starting with Sakura.

Hiruzen took a set of papers with seals and started sorting them. After a few minutes, he was finished.

"Hmm… There are several D rank missions for you. Helping with potato digging, helping with watering plants, helping with shopping..."

He continued listing many miscellaneous tasks, which sounded very dull. Not being able to bear it, Naruto walked up to the counter.

"Can you please give us something better? A C-rank mission maybe?"

Hearing this, Kakashi grabbed Naruto and pulled him back to his place.

"I'm sorry for Naruto's behaviour," Kakashi said, scratching his head wryly.

"Haha, don't be. I have the perfect mission for you. It's a C-rank protection mission."

Kakashi was surprised, knowing Lord Third was willing to give out a C-rank mission for them. But he didn't question Hiruzen's decision as he accepted the document from him.

After finalizing the mission, they met with the builder they were assigned to protect. He was somewhat rude, but others didn't care much, except for Sakura, who looked like she would beat him up.

──────𖥔⋅⋅──❀──⋅⋅𖥔──────

The sunlight was strong, but that didn't matter much because of the cover they got from the massive trees around them.

The bridge builder, Tazuna, was walking in the middle of team 7. He had sweat dripping down from his body, which was increasing by the minute. He was breathing heavily, and his fists were clenched.

'Hmm… It seems he didn't tell us the full story.'

Thought Kakashi as he looked at the Tazuna, who was distracted by something. Kakashi knew it couldn't be anything good. Just as he felt that, a chain came toward him in the blink of an eye.

'I'll put up a little act to see how them react.'

Kakashi thought as he let himself get caught in the trap.

Everyone saw the scene of Kakashi being ripped to pieces and had horror in their eyes, except Naruto, who smirked. Looking at the demon brothers, 'Finally!!!'

"SASUKE GET A GRIP."

Naruto shouted as he ran towards one demon brother, deflecting the chain aimed at the bridge builder. Tazuna was now slumped on the ground, closing his eyes.

Sasuke woke up from the shock and ran towards the other assailant as he readied his kunai.

Seeing Sasuke returning to his senses, Naruto was reassured as he directed a heavy blow toward the enemy before him.

The demon brother had a mocking look on his face seeing a genin trying to harm him with his measly punch. However, he didn't expect that simple punch to contain such terror.

Now, the face of the demon brother Naruto was facing was pale as paper, having received Naruto's attacks. He was shaking all over as he readied his legs to run away.

Who wouldn't after receiving such a heavy blow? He didn't even think a brat could damage him this much with a single punch. But there was no room for regrets now.

*Crack*

"AAAAAAAHHHH"

The demon brother screamed in agony at his bones being broken with every punch. His face was contorted with a look of horror. Blood was dripping down from the bone protruding from his arm. 'I must run away' He wanted nothing but to get far away from the monster.

On the other side, Sasuke was also battling with the other brother, who also had a heavy face. He wanted to help his brother, hearing his cries. But as Sasuke kept him away, he was helpless and could only watch his brother being tortured.

As the demon brother fought Sasuke, he felt a pull from behind. Only to see Kakashi, he thought of whom he killed. 'Sh*t' That was his only thought when he went unconscious. But his condition was much better than that of his poor brother, who faced Naruto.

Kakashi was surprised to see Naruto's fight.

'I don't think I would be able to get out scot-free if I received that punch,' he thought. However, he was a bit concerned about Naruto's lack of mercy. 'At least it will make him live longer in the Ninja World.'

Kakashi had a complicated expression on his face.

Meanwhile, Sakura's legs were wobbling as she stared at the scene of Naruto fighting. She couldn't help but vomit while running towards a nearby tree. She was pretty distressed after seeing such a gory scene.

Sasuke also had a hard time watching it, but he didn't look away. He knew they needed to do more than this in the future.

***

Now the demon brothers were tied up, and the one with broken arms had some bandages over his wounds.

"Aren't you going to tell us what that was all about?"

Kakashi asked as he glared at Tazuna, the bridge builder.

Tazuna was stuck in his place, hearing these questions. He knew he didn't have any choice but to come clean. 'I need their help,' he thought desperately.

After that, he told Kakashi about his current circumstances and the fact his life was threatened.

Not willing to abandon him, Kakashi told him he would take the mission anyway. It was primarily due to the guilt-tripping done by Tazuna.

So everyone started their journey again after someone from Konoha came to take in the demon brothers.

──────𖥔⋅⋅──❀──⋅⋅𖥔──────

They all walked towards the river that separated the 'land of waves' and got into a boat. The surrounding area was misty, and not much could be seen as they crossed the river. They could hear the sound of insects and some water skaters running over the water. All in all, the ride was peaceful.

However, that peace wasn't meant to last.

Just an hour into the journey. Kakashi and team 7 met with Zabuza Momochij. He had spiky black hair, and half his face was covered by a bandage-like mask. Zubuza's muscular body, along with his scars, gave others a feeling of suppression.

Zabuza didn't allow them to think as he threw his Kubikiribōchō toward the group. Everyone ducked their heads, avoiding the weapon swung in the air.

*Whoosh*

Not hitting anything, it impaled itself in a nearby tree. Zabuza jumped on top of it and set his eyes on Tazuna, as he needed to finish him off to complete the mission.

'So that's the copy ninja, huh?'

He thought as he shifted his attention to Kakashi, now in a battle-ready position.

While this was going on, Naruto was observing Zabuza with interest.

<Naruto's Pov>

As I ducked his weapon, I quickly spread my senses to check whether anyone was in the vicinity. I couldn't be more right, seeing someone wearing a mask secretly watching the battle from a distance.

'Hmm, so that's Haku, I believe.'

I subtly turned my attention to her without being obvious. She was in a battle-ready stance to intervene if needed. I knew that she would, without a doubt, even sacrifice herself to save Zabuza from her personality.

'That's what love does to a person.'

I thought as I turned my attention towards Zabuza again, who was staring at us menacingly.

Honestly, I didn't want him to die. He was a great warrior and someone who faced injustice. Yagura Karatachi's bloody rule was the reason for his current situation.

As I remember, he was only doing this to gather funds so he could attempt to overthrow Yagura Karatachi. The one who made the mist village a hell hole. Well, technically, Yagura Karatachi was manipulated. However, the fact he wanted to save his people remains the same.

'I need to lure them to my side. They might be useful in the future.'

That was my last thought as I got into a fighting stance.

I planned to pressure Zabuza just enough, so Haku needed to use her trick to save him. Then I'll 'educate' them after sneaking out at night.

'Thank god I learned about tracking seals from Kitsune.'

I thought as I recalled a certain Tsundere.

<Pov End>

{A/N :- Check out the author's note. Click on it if you are on a mobile device. Otherwise you can't see the whole discription}