Chapter 22 C-Rank Mission

It had been a month since the Yithian Konohamaru revealed himself. So far there were many who found his behavior odd, though no one confronted him about this change in personality. The Hokage himself believed that Naruto was having an effect on his grandson so there was not much suspicion. The main difficulty was that ANBU would follow Konohamaru to protect him. Thus making it to the sewer quite difficult. Though he found a way around that. A rather painful looking way of erasing memories that looked like the ANBU were having a seizure. It was disturbing to watch as a child looks at the sight with a look of detached apathy. While Naruto was aware it was not truly Konohamaru it was still quite unsettling to see.

"So to the lab then", asks Konohamaru.

"Yeah, you know that can't be good for them", says Naruto pointing at the passed out ANBU.

"They will be fine, the false memories are implanted. Let us leave", says Konohamaru.

They make their way to the sewers to head toward the lab.

"So can I ask you something", asks Naruto.

"You may, though whether I answer or not is dependent on the question", says Konohamaru.

"I was wondering, why don't I go insane from everything going on around me", asks Naruto.

Konohamaru puts his hand to his chin.

"Well that is not really important information compared to my mission, I suppose I could reveal it", says Konohamaru.

They open the lab door walk in passing the clones and sit at a nearby table.

"The simple way of explaining it is that your mind is different form others, we noticed this quite quickly. While we are not aware how this happened we do know it was deliberate and that it happened very early in your life. Possibly when you first read from the Necronomicon. Despite the oddities of the book it does not have a will of it's own, not like life does anyway. It is aware but also apathetic. We believe that there is another force at work that has caused this", says Konohamaru.

Naruto crosses his arms thinking on that for a moment.

"I suppose that makes sense, I remember when I first found the book I fainted. When I woke up I was able to read. So logically who or whatever caused that is the force that caused this. Any ideas", asks Naruto.

"I'm sorry but we cannot disclose that information, I will say that we have several theories on what it might be. All of them are bad for you", says Konohamaru.

"Well at least I know something about what is going on with me, though I have to wonder why whatever did this would do it. It doesn't get easier does it, first Cthulhu now this. I'm basically an experiment for it", says Naruto.

"Or a pawn, many beings and entities out there are quite adept at manipulating events to further there plans", says Konohamaru.

"Comforting. Well thanks for sharing that bit of information", says Naruto.

"That was an old plan, with the changes to the future happening there was no reason not to tell you other than spite, which as a Yithian I do not have", says Konohamaru.

"They why argue with Xel", asks Naruto.

"I do not argue with him I disagree on an academic level. As intelligent as the Deep One is he is still a child compared to the most foolish Yithian to exist he is also violent and impatient. A hazardous combination", says Konohamaru.

"I didn't know Yithian's were so arrogant", says Naruto.

"We are not arrogant we are merely self-aware", says Konohamaru.

Naruto nods.

"Right tell me is any race as intelligent as yours", asks Naruto.

"Only the Great Old Ones and Outer Gods who can actually think and are not mindless beasts can be called such, though they are omniscient so it is hardly a fair comparison", says Konohamaru.

"I see, so how is that not arrogance", asks Naruto.

"If you do not see it then I will not explain it, believe what you want but in the end our race has compiled knowledge far beyond your understanding", says Konohamaru.

"You forget the difference between Knowledge and Intelligence", says Naruto with a smile.

Konohamaru glares at Naruto.

"This discussion is over", says Konohamaru.

Naruto softly laughs to himself. Naruto watches as Xel laughs as well causing Konohamaru to glare at him as well.

"As entertaining it is watching the filth squirm I have news", says Xel.

Naruto turns his head to him.

"What is it", asks Naruto.

"There is talks of an old man from Wave in Konoha requesting a C-rank mission for Konoha ninja to escort him back to wave. This could be our chance to get the Devine Flower for the reagent", says Xel.

"How did you find this out", asks Naruto.

"You would be surprised what people say while you listen below them", says Xel.

"He trudges around a sewer spying on the populace, and he calls me filth", says Konohamaru.

Xel growls at Konohamaru before Naruto begins speaking.

"I'm not sure Kakashi will believe us ready for a mission but I think I can try and get it. I am going to need some information on the mission. What are the details", asks Naruto.

"Not much, all I know is he paid the bare minimum for such a mission. Taking that into account it is possible a Genin team will be chosen", says Xel.

Naruto nods.

"Well looks like we have a chance, I hope that we just get that one. Kakashi has been training us long enough and Sakura is taking her training seriously. Hopefully we can convince him to get us a C-rank", says Naruto.

"So you are going to manipulate them again", asks Konohamaru.

"I am not manipulating them. I'm just leading the conversation to help us get the mission", says Naruto.

"So Manipulation then", says a Nearby clone which promptly dispels as Naruto throws a kunai at it.

"I am not manipulative", says Naruto angrily.

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks", says another clone.

Naruto shakes his head.

"I'm going home, I'll drop the hints to Kakashi on getting us a better mission", says Naruto.

On his way out he hears one clone speaking to him.

"Good luck with your manipulations", says the Clone.

Naruto only groans.

That night Naruto lays down for a moment to think on what he knows on the Devine Flower. While he knows what it looks like thanks to Hinata he knows very little on where it grows other than at wave. Should he search areas more dry or wet. He decided he would just leave those thoughts for another time. At least the thing glows. How hard could it be to find.

Naruto walks toward the Hokage Tower. His teammates already are waiting there.

"Hey", says Naruto.

"Hi Naruto", says Sakura.

Sasuke only nods.

"So another mission huh. You think we should try and get one that actually poses a challenge", asks Naruto.

"I don't think Kakashi-sensei thinks we're ready", says Sakura.

"Come on Sakura, we have been training all month, each of us are some of the most intelligent students among our peers, and our teammate is the rookie of the year, I think we should at least try", says Naruto.

"Can't hurt", says Sasuke.

Apparently tat was all the motivation Sakura needed.

"Alright we can at least try", says Sakura with vigor.

Naruto smiles as she literally leapt into the air. Then his smile faltered. No this was not manipulation, they have to be as bored from our missions as me. Thought Naruto to himself. They waited for about thirty minutes for Kakashi to arrive. They had all taken to arriving several hours after whenever he would say. Though he still arrives at least half an hour late. Naruto was beginning to wonder if he did it on purpose.

"Yo", says Kakashi.

"Hey Kakashi-sensei", says Sakura.

"So ready for your mission for today", asks Kakashi.

"Actually I was wondering, do you think we can get a mission a little more challenging. Something that will actually feel like we are doing some good for some reason other than chores and busy work", asks Naruto.

"We have only been a team for little over a month Naruto, do you really think you are ready for something more advanced", asks Kakashi.

"Do you really have to ask if I am sure on anything I think about", asks Naruto.

"Hmm, good point", says Kakashi.

"Come on sensei, it's not like we aren't good ninja", says Sakura.

"She's right sensei, We got Sasuke a genius ninja, rookie of the year to boot, Who has some of the best Taijutsu and Ninjutsu I have ever seen for a Genin and he had that as an academy student. Sakura who knows everything academic about ninja life and would know what to do in an emergency situation better than the guy who wrote the book, and me I know more about almost every single field of science than anyone in this village and could probably identify every single toxin and poison just by looking.", says Naruto.

"Also these D rank missions are tedious and annoying", says Sasuke.

"That to", says Naruto agreeing.

Kakashi thought about it for a moment. Most C-rank missions would be dangerous to Genin but the worst they would have to look forward to was bandits and even that was a low chance. Even if they did run into something worse Kakashi was more than capable of handling it.

"Alright, you convinced me. We'll try for our first C ranked mission", says Kakashi.

They head to the Hokage's office watching as the old man does paperwork looking like he would rather be anywhere else. He looked up at team 7 and smiled.

"Ahh, Kakashi, I see you have come for your mission, so what will it be. I hear that cat Tora escaped again", says The Hokage.

"Actually I think my team is ready for their first C-ranked mission", says Kakashi.

The Hokage looks at him for a moment then to the team.

"Are you sure of this Kakashi they have only been your pupils for a month", says The Hokage.

"Actually One month, Two weeks, and Six days. And in that time we have learned quite a lot", says Naruto.

The Hokage smiles at Naruto. He reaches into his desk and pulls out a simple scroll.

"As luck would have it we do have a mission that should suit your talents, It's an escort mission to wave", says the Hokage.

Naruto only smiles.

After a moment the door opens revealing an old man with a bottle of sake in his hand. He looks at the three before stopping at Naruto.

"What the hell is wrong with your eyes", asks the man.

Naruto sighs. Well at least he was going to wave.

"This is Tazuna, he is a bridge builder from wave, he is here for an escort back to his home so he may complete his bridge", says The Hokage.

Immediately Naruto was suspicious, he thought for a moment. why would the guy leave Wave unguarded but want to go back guarded, why leave at all. There were better places than Konoha to collect materials for building. Closer areas to. There was the possibility he was attacked by bandits on the way here and wanted some form of protection. Though Tazuna did not appear to have been attacked in such a manner. However Naruto did not voice his thoughts. He was going to go where he needed and putting suspicion on the man would probably get them a different mission. This was his chance to get the Devine Flower and he was not going to let it pass him by.

After the meeting Kakashi informed them the would leave the next day. This gave Naruto time to prepare. Sneaking into the sewer to get to the old lab. Once there he found Konohamaru and Xel arguing about the Plasma Turrets once again. It was remarkable how long they could argue on a single topic. Then again as they were both immortals they would most likely care little for time. They stopped there argument as Naruto walked in.

"Did you get the mission my lord", asks Xel.

"I did. We leave to wave tomorrow. I came here to get some supplies. I brought several storage scrolls to hold the chemistry equipment. It's for analysis of the flower but I can always pass it off as a way to make some low level medicine should they find it odd I brought it. Also Xel, I want you to dispel tomorrow. If I am in Wave I may need your help", says Naruto.

"Good, it will be refreshing to be rid of the Deep One", says Konohamaru.

Xel glares at him for a moment before turning to Naruto.

"I understand my lord. I will help you however I can", says Xel.

"Good, how goes the Shoggoth work", asks Naruto.

"The lab has been expanded to the size requested and he is almost finished making it a worthy laboratory. The old room no longer looks like a cave. Though the architecture is to Elder Thing for my tastes", says Xel.

"That race at least had a culture and art worth appreciating, unlike the foul places you called home", says Konohamaru.

"Be silent Yithian, I tire of your voice. Perhaps I should rip your vocal chords out", says Xel.

"Behave you two. That's another reason I need you to come with me Xel. Who knows what would happen if you two were both here alone", says Naruto.

Konohamaru crosses his arms.

"Believe what you wish, though I could control myself quite easily. Unlike the Deep Ones. Either way I shall depart to my home. I need to bathe the stink of the Deep One from me", says Konohamaru.

Xel growls again.

"Xel, be nice. He is just a little cranky. Let him get to his nap", says Naruto.

Konohamaru glares at Naruto before leaving with his nose in the air.

"You have more patience than I, my lord. In any event I shall fetch your equipment. once in wave. If we are lucky We can begin training you to use your Eldritch form. Your body has already adapted quite well with the help of the fox. We shall see if it is enough", says Xel.

Naruto nods as Xel leaves to gather the equipment.

"Is there any other news Xel", asks Naruto.

"There is some news, the Biometric scanner for the door and containment module are almost complete. It seems as if your clones have sped up the process considerably. They tell me it will be complete soon, then only those you wish can enter that door", says Xel.

"That's great news. I'll add yours, Konohamaru, and my biometrics to the machine", says Naruto.

"Or just yours and mine my lord", says Xel.

"Xel Konohamaru can still help, while he can't tell us things to come he is more than willing to reveal useful information that can help us", says Naruto.

"Information that is more than likely in the Necronomicon", says Xel.

"Even if that is true, The Necronomicon has an infinite number of pages. I flipped through it yesterday and got to the hundred thousandth page. I wasn't even reading it I just hoped that the pages would end. It would take years to find out important information that Konohamaru probably already knows", says Naruto.

"Very well my lord", says Xel reluctantly.

"Besides with there being another player at work other than Cthulhu and no one knowing who or what it is we need all the help we can get", says Naruto.

"I understand my lord, I just cannot stand that pathetic Great race. To this day I wish for their extinction. If only the flying Polyps could have finished their job", says Xel.

Naruto only shakes his head.

The next morning as they prepared for there departure Naruto was reading books on botany hoping some information on the Devine flower could be found. They waited for a good thirty minutes before Kakashi and Tazuna came into view.

"So are you ready to head out", asks Kakashi.

"Yes we are", says Naruto looking at his team.

Then they head out the gates to head for wave.