C-Ranked Mission

(Location: Konohagakure; Forest)

"Sasuke, point A."

"Sakura, point B."

"Naruto, point C."

The three Genin were assigned to a D-ranked mission. More specifically, the Catch Tora mission. The one mission that is dreaded by every ninja in the Hidden Leaf. 'I can't believe I am stuck chasing a cat. I would rather be at the Uzumaki Compound drinking tea with Tou-san and Gaa-nii.' Naruto thought. Naruto sighed as he watched Sakura getting scratched by Tora. 

"Mission complete. Let's head back to the Hokage's Tower." Kakashi said. Sakura screeched and she tried to pry the cat off of her. Naruto walked over to her and gently took Tora from her. He held her in his arms, scratching the back of her ears. A soft purring could be heard from the small cat. Naruto looked at his Sensei impassively. "Let's go." Naruto said. Kakashi blinked and walked towards the tower, his students walking behind him.

(Location: Konohagakure; Hokage's Tower)

Team Seven stood in front of the Hokage, Iruka, and a woman who asked for them to catch Tora. Naruto handed the cat to her owner. The Genin watched in sympathy as they watched Tora getting strangled. 'Now I see why she ran away.' Sakura thought. 'That poor thing. I wish I could save her. Tou-san would love someone to keep him company while Gaa-nii and I are away. Wait, that's it.' Naruto thought. 

As Naruto blanked out, Lord Third looked at him concerned. The Third knew he wouldn't be able to hear him, so he turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, has Naruto done anything unusual?" Lord Third asked. "As a matter of fact, he has. Naruto was suppose to be dead last. And, by the way he was fighting, he should've been Rookie of the Year. I'll admit, he fights well. He even got the bells from me. I also had to go full out. And I believe he was holding back." Kakashi concluded. "By how much?" Lord Third asked.

"By a lot." Kakashi said, eyes narrowed at the blonde. Naruto's eyes were a pale blue, his face was void of any emotion. Naruto blinked, his eyes returning to its normal color. He held his head and looked around a bit. "Oji-san, what animals would you prefer for an Uzumaki?" Naruto asked. Lord Third thought for a second. "I would suggest a bunny, fox, or a raccoon. Why do you ask?" Lord Third asked. Panic spread across Naruto's normal blank face. 

"Uh, n-nothing. Don't worry about it." Naruto stuttered. He cursed himself for stuttering. Lord Third looked at him suspiciously. "You may choose your next D-rank mission." Lord Third read off of a list. Naruto looked agitated. 'I could beat Oji-san in two seconds while holding back by seventy-five percent. I believe I deserve at least a C-ranked mission.' Naruto thought. Naruto sighed as he saw everyone looking at him. "I said that out loud, didn't I?" He asked. They nodded. 

"Look, Oji-san, can we please get a C-rank? I understand that these missions are for us to get better at teamwork, but these are too easy. Sasuke is Rookie of the Year, Sakura is Top Kunoichi, and Kakashi-sensei is the best Jounin in Konoha. We deserve at least one hard mission." Naruto said. Naruto's teammates stared at him. 'Did he just admit that I'm stronger than him?' Sasuke thought. 'Thank you, Naruto.' Sakura thought. 'Naruto, you're the strongest on the team, yet you never said anything about yourself.' Kakashi thought sadly.

Lords Third stared at his adoptive grandson. "Naruto, you just complimented your whole team. Yet, you left yourself out. Why?" He asked. Naruto just shrugged. "I'm the dead last. I don't even deserve to be on the team. I'm just the wink link." Naruto spoke truthfully. Lord Third sighed sadly. "Bring in Tazuna!" He yelled. A man carrying a sake bottle leaned on the door frame. "They are supposed to be my escorts?" Tazuna asked. 

Tazuna looked at the Genin and Jounin. He stood up straight when he saw a certain blonde. "Naruto?" He asked. "Old man?" Naruto questioned. Tazuna grinned. "How's Hiroki and Gaara?" Tazuna asked. "They're doing great." Naruto said. "How do you two know each other?" Sakura asked. "It's none of your business." Naruto said coldly. "Wow, kid. Last I saw you, you were an energetic ten year old." Tazuna said. 

"I still am, most of the time." Naruto said, muttering the last part. "Everyone go home and pack. We'll meet at the gate." Kakashi said, poofing away to his apartment. Naruto jumped out of the window and headed towards the Uzumaki Compound. "USE THE DOOR NEXT TIME!"

(Location: Uzumaki Forest; Uzumaki Compound)

Naruto walked inside, and saw his father and brother on the couch. "Tou-san! Gaa-nii!" Naruto called. They turned towards him and smiled at their ball of sunshine. "Hello, otouto." Gaara said, ruffling Naruto's head. "What are you doing here, kid?" Hiroki asked. "I'm about to go on a mission. So, I wanted to see if I could pack some of your old clothes." Naruto said. "Okay, kid." Hiroki said. He went to the basement, his adoptive children following close behind.

Hiroki pulled out various dark colors. Those colors included maroon, green, orange, blue, and black. "Thanks Tou-san!" Naruto chirped. Hiroki laughed. "You better get going, kid." Hiroki said. "Okay. Oh, before I forget." Naruto pulled out a scroll with a seal on the inside. Naruto pulled out a basket. A bunny, raccoon, and a fox poked their heads out.  He handed Hiroki the bunny, he gave Gaara the raccoon, and he kept the fox. 

"It's just a thank you." Naruto said sheepishly. Gaara smiled at his new pet. "I'll name him Kaku." Gaara said with a smile. "Choko for this little fellow." Hiroki said. "I'll name my fox Kitsune." Naruto said with a smile. "Well, you have a mission. See you later, kid." Hiroki said. "Bye Tou-san! Bye Gaa-nii!" Naruto said, running out of the door. He had discarded his basket. Kitsune was on top of Naruto's head smiling into the wind. 

(Location: Konohagakure; Naruto's Apartment)

Naruto saw that he had nine minutes left. He changed into a dark orange, long sleeved muscle shirt, black ANBU pants, and black standard shinobi sandals. He packed a few apples and placed his clothes neatly in a bag. He looked at the time, less than one minute. He turned off the lights and headed to the front gates. 

(Location: Konohagakure; Front Gate)

He saw his teammates waiting for him. "Sorry I'm late. I had to ask my other Sensei for some clothes." Naruto said sheepishly. Sakura rolled his eyes. "Hn. Dobe." Sasuke grunted. Naruto rolled his eyes. "Are we going to the Land of Waves?" Naruto asked. Tazuna nodded. "Let's go." Kakashi said. 

(Location: Unknown) 

Team Seven and Tazuna walked down the trail towards the Land of Waves. Naruto felt traces of chakra. 'Feels like two Chunin.' Naruto thought. Naruto put Kitsune on his head and stiffened. He slipped his hand in his kunai pouch, ready to attack at any moment. Kakashi glanced at Naruto. 'Dead last? Not even Sasuke or Sakura noticed the traces of chakra.' Kakashi thought.

Naruto glanced around, trying to find the two Chunin. He felt something wet. He looked down and spotted a puddle. 'Eh, a puddle? Looks like I've found the two Chunin.' Naruto thought with a smirk. Naruto sent chakra to his feet and stomped the puddle. He sent Kakashi a secret smirk and looked ahead with a blank face. Two Chunin shot out and killed Kakashi. Naruto spotted traces of wood. 'Substitution.' Naruto thought.

Naruto pulled out his kunai and stood in a battle stance. He dashed toward one of the Chunin and kicked him in the gut. Naruto quickly punched him in the nose and hit a pressure point on his neck. Naruto saw Sasuke taking care of the other Chunin. "Sensei, you can come out now." Naruto said. "What are you talking about, dobe?" Sasuke asked. "Yeah, Kakashi-sensei is dead!" Sakura exclaimed. "Try having a bit more faith in our Sensei." Naruto said. 

"Naruto is right. Now, Tazuna, care to explain?" Kakashi asked, eyes narrowed dangerously. Tazuna gulped, beads of sweat rolled down his face. "Old man, you didn't have enough money, did you?" Naruto asked. Tazuna sighed and shook his head. "You're right, Naruto." He said. Naruto looked a him sympathetically. "Well, I'm continuing this mission. I will help you." Naruto said confidently. Kakashi looked at his student. "Let's continue." Kakashi said.

(Location: Uzumaki Forest)

"I think we're lost." Sakura said. Naruto looked around and paled. "What's wrong, dobe? Scared?" Sasuke smirked. "No, I'm not scared, but you should be." Naruto said. His teammates and Tazuna looked at him confused. "Why are foreigners here in the Uzumaki Forest?" A voice boomed out. Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke took out a kunai and stood in front of Tazuna. 

"Hiroki! Gaara!" Naruto called out. Two figures, one young and one a bit older with masks, jumped out of the trees and landed in front of Naruto. "Naruto? What are you doing here?" The redhead asked. "We're on a mission, but Kakashi-sensei got us lost." Naruto pouted. The older man chuckled. "Don't worry about it, kid." He said. "Naruto, you know your way around the forest. So, why didn't you lead them out?" The redhead asked. "Hiroki said to put up an act, so I did just that." Naruto said, crossing his arms.

Hiroki sighed and picked up Naruto. He put him on his back and picked up Gaara. Hiroki turned to the Leaf nin and Tazuna. "Let's go, I'll lead you out." Hiroki said. "Who are you and what is your relationship with Naruto?" Kakashi asked. Hiroki stiffened a bit. "That's none of your business." Hiroki said. They continued on until they reached the end of the forest. Hiroki put down Naruto and Gaara. "Well, this is the end of the line." Gaara spoke.

"Try not to come back into our forest." Hiroki said agitated. "Thank you, and we'll try not to." Sakura said gratefully. "Naruto, good luck on your mission." Hiroki said, kneeling down to Naruto's height. "Thank you." Naruto said. He hugged Hiroki and Gaara. He stood beside his teammates and waved at them. They nodded their heads and disappeared. "Who were they?" Sasuke asked. "None of your business." Naruto said coldly. 

(Location: Land of Waves; Forest)

Naruto's eyes were darting around the forest in a fast manner. 'I feel two more chakra signatures. One is a Jounin. I may have to lose the act this time.' Naruto thought. 'Your teammates will get suspicious.' Kurama said. 'I know.' Naruto answered. Naruto felt a chakra signature to the left of him. He grabbed a kunai and threw it towards the signature. He walked up to the bushes and peered inside. 

A bunny, scared almost to death, was whimpering. "You baka! You scared her!" Sakura screeched. Naruto picked up the bunny and gently rubbed her fur. 'Hiroki would love her.' Naruto thought. "Duck!" Kakashi yelled. Naruto looked up and dodged the sword that could've pierced his abdomen. He sealed the bunny into his wrist. 

Naruto saw a man standing on the sword. "Zabuza Momochi. Demon of the Mist." Kakashi and Naruto said. "Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan. The Copy Cat Ninja." Zabuza said. "Everyone, protect Tazuna. I'll handle Zabuza." Kakashi said. Naruto stood in front of Tazuna, Sakura on his right and Sasuke on his left. "When you are not able to carry on, I'll take over." Naruto said, authority in his voice. Kakashi nodded. "It won't come to that." Kakashi said.

Soon enough, Kakashi was trapped in a water vortex. A clone of Zabuza standing in front of the Genin and Tazuna. Naruto sighed and summoned his sword. His sword's hilt was a dark orange while the blade was black. It was as long as eight inches. Zabuza looked at the sword with lust. "Well, isn't she a beauty. Sure you can use it?" Zabuza teased. Naruto's face was impassive, his normal blue eyes were now electric and sparkling with life. 

"Why don't you come and find out." Naruto said impassively. Zabuza's clone grinned and dashed toward Naruto, aiming his sword to swipe Naruto's head clean off. Naruto skillfully blocked it and held it there. He stared at the clone with a challenging look in his eyes. The clone smirked and drew away. This time, Naruto ran at him with an amazing speed, striking the clone's thigh. Naruto watched as the water clone turned back into water. 

Clones then circled Naruto. Naruto's eyes looked at each clone and then closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and dashed at the first clone. Naruto struck their hearts with no care. Once he finished the clones, he turned to Zabuza. "Do you believe I can use a sword now?" Naruto asked, his eyes turning back to their normal color. Naruto sealed his sword away and performed the correct hand signs.

"Water style: Tsunami." Naruto whispered. A giant tsunami began to form and drenched Zabuza. Naruto performed another set of hand signs. "Water style: Water dragon jutsu." He whispered again. The strength of the waves the two jutsus cause sent Zabuza hurling into a tree, freeing Kakashi. "I have plenty more chakra. Do you want me to keep toying with you, or kill you?" Naruto asked in his brother's usual monotone voice.  

Two paralysis needles struck Zabuza's neck. Naruto's eyes narrowed as he saw a boy, around his age, pick Zabuza up gently. "Thank you. I have been waiting for the right time to strike, you made my job easier." The boy said. "You're welcome." Kakashi said, giving him a closed eye smile. "Well, I must take him to get executed. Farewell." The boy disappeared. Naruto's eyes narrowed at the spot. 'Aren't hunter nin supposed to kill on spot?' Naruto asked himself. Naruto felt a hand on his shoulder. 

He looked to the right of him and saw Kakashi giving him a smile. "Great job, Naruto. You did awesome. You even held your own against a Jounin." Kakashi praised. Naruto's cheeks tinted pink at the praise. He looked away bashfully. "My house is just a few miles away. You four can rest there." Tazuna said. 

(Location: Kirigakure; Tazuna's House)

The Genin sat down at the dining table. "Hello, my name is Tsunami. Tazuna's daughter. And this is my son, Inari." Tsunami said. "My name is Kakashi Hatake and these are my students: Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Naruto Uzumaki." Kakashi said. "Thank you for escorting Father. Without him, the bridge would never be finished." Tsunami said. "What's so great about the bridge?" Sasuke asked. 

"The bridge will help the people of Kiri. Our village is very poor. The bridge is our only hope." Tazuna said. Naruto's face turned from impassive to serious. "We'll help you no matter what." He said. Tsunami smiled. "Thank you." She said. "Why do you even try? You're just going to die. Gato's too strong." Inari said.

Naruto turned to him, an eyebrow arched in confusion. "Excuse me?" Naruto asked through clenched teeth. "You heard me! None of you know true pain! You don't know the way our village lives, feels, or has to suffer through!" Inari yelled, tears rolling down his face. Naruto stood up and glared at the child. 

"Oh yeah? At least the people in your village has food on the table. At least the people in your village doesn't have to worry about being killed when they go out at night. At least the people in your village isn't scared to the point where they can hardly sleep at night. At least the people in your village doesn't have scars everywhere on their bodies caused by their fellow villagers. Because if they have, then they suffer the exact pain I do." Naruto spoke coldly.

Everyone looked at Naruto in shock. Sakura was the first to recover. "Yeah right. You probably just made that up." She said smugly. Naruto glared at her and pulled off his shirt. The words 'Monster' and 'Demon' and many more were carved into his skin. Sakura gasped in horror. "Believe me now?" He asked. Naruto put his shirt on. He walked towards the door. 

"Sensei, may leave?" Naruto asked politely. Kakashi blinked and nodded slowly. Naruto turned to Tsunami and Tazuna. "I apologize for being rude." Naruto gave a short bow and left. Kakashi sighed. "I am very sorry." Kakashi said. Inari ran to his room, slamming the door close. Tsunami looked after her son. "No, I should be the one apologizing. Inari shouldn't have said that. He was out of place." Tsunami said.

"I can't believe Naruto has that many scars." Sakura said. "He hasn't been a Ninja for long and our only missions were D-ranked. And, those are only chores." Sasuke said. "Naruto has lived a bad life. That's why he's so determined to become Hokage. So he can make sure nothing that had happened to him, happens to no one else." Kakashi said. 

At that moment, Naruto ran into the dining room. Splotches of dirt on him. He fell to his knees and started panting. "Oh my! What happened?" Tsunami asked concerned. She ran over to him and tried to rub the dirt off of him. He growled. "Sensei, Zabuza is still alive and he ambushed me." Naruto said. "He wants to fight us tomorrow on the bridge." He continued. 

Kakashi's eye widened. "Okay. Everyone wash up and head to bed. We're going to need all of our energy for tomorrow." Kakashi said. "Hai." The Genin said. They did as they were told and went to sleep.

(Location: Kirigakure; Bridge)

Tazuna, Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto just finished fighting Zabuza, Haku, Gato, and his goons. Zabuza and Haku died honorable deaths. Gato, and some of his goons, died and are probably with Satan himself. Team Seven stood in front of the villagers of Kiri. "Thank you, Ninja of the Leaf." Tazuna said. Inari cried and latched his arms around Naruto. "I'm going to miss you, Naru-nii!" He cried. 

Naruto sighed and sat him down. He crouched down to his height and ruffled his hair. Naruto pulled a green forehead protector with an Uzumaki swirl on it out of his pocket. He tied it around Inari's forehead. Inari's appearance changed. He wore a dark green, long sleeved muscle shirt, black ANBU pants that ended at his ankles, and black standard shinobi sandals. 

The crowd looked at them. "I, Naruto Uzumaki, grant you full access to the Uzumaki Forest and the Uzumaki Compound. I now name you Inari Uzumaki, younger brother of me, Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto said with a smile. Inari looked at Tsunami and Tazuna. Tsunami and Tazuna nodded. "Farewell, Inari. We'll miss you." They both said. Inari hugged them close and then ran to me.

I picked him up and placed him on my hip. "Time to take you home, otouto." Naruto said.

(Location: Uzumaki Forest; Uzumaki Compound)

Naruto walked threw the doors of the compound, Inari safely secure on his hip. "Tou-san! Gaa-nii!" Naruto called. Hiroki and Gaara ran towards him. They spotted Inari and gave Naruto a confused look. "Tou-san, this is your new son. Inari Uzumaki." Naruto spoke confidently. Naruto sat Inari down and watched as Inari walked up to Hiroki.

"Tou-san?" Inari asked. Hiroki nodded. "Hello, squirt. My name is Hiroki Katsu, or in other words, Hiroki Uzumaki. This is your oldest brother, Gaara of the Sand, or in other words, Gaara Uzumaki. Gaara and Naruto are twins that were separated at birth. I adopted them and trained them to become powerful Ninjas." Hiroki said. "Can I become a Ninja too?" Inari asked.

Hiroki smiled. "Of course." He said. Gaara looked at his new little brother. 'He is like a mixture of Naruto and I. He will fit in just fine.' Gaara thought.

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Kitsune's name sound like Tsunade's. 

Moonlight0628

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