Chapter 70

A New Mission

Naruto's growth had been carefully monitored by Konoha's higher-ups. His bond with his teammates, his ability to handle the moral weight of killing, and his overall development had all been scrutinized. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood by his window, puffing on his pipe as he reflected on Naruto's progress.

"Every time I see Naruto, I'm reminded of Minato," Hiruzen mused. "They're both like warm suns, radiating hope. Under Naruto's influence, this year's genin are shaping up to be the future of Konoha. They're all so talented."

Behind him, Danzo Shimura sneered but remained silent. He knew better than to argue with Hiruzen. If he wanted real power in Konoha, he would have to become Hokage himself.

Team 7's Frustration

After a series of mundane missions, Sasuke's patience had worn thin. "Why are we still doing these pointless missions? They're not helping me get stronger. I need to leave the village and take on real challenges."

Sakura, though less vocal, shared Sasuke's sentiment. Her expression made it clear she was tired of the routine.

Kakashi glanced at Naruto, who smiled gently. "Kakashi-sensei, I think our strength has surpassed that of typical genin. Even against chunin, we can hold our own. Maybe it's time for a more challenging mission."

Kakashi considered this. Naruto's calm and steady demeanor made him a reliable judge of their capabilities. "Alright," Kakashi said. "Let's head to the mission office and see if there's something more suitable."

The Mission Office

At the mission office, Team 7 encountered Tazuna, a gruff, drunken bridge builder from the Land of Waves. His first impression of the team was less than favorable.

"Why are they all kids? Can they even handle this? They don't look reliable," Tazuna grumbled, his words slurred.

Sasuke leaned against a tree, ignoring Tazuna entirely. Sakura busied herself organizing supplies for the mission, hoping for a chance to spend more time with Naruto. Naruto, however, simply observed Tazuna with a calm expression, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of irritation.

"Don't underestimate them," Kakashi said, his tone lazy but firm. "They're among the best genin in Konoha. They're more than capable of handling your mission."

Tazuna snorted. "We'll see about that."

Despite his outward bravado, Naruto sensed an undercurrent of fear in Tazuna. Why is he so uneasy? This is just an escort mission. What is he hiding? Naruto's sharp instincts told him there was more to this mission than met the eye.

The Land of Waves

The Land of Waves was a small, impoverished nation of scattered islands. Its economy had been crippled by the monopolistic control of a crime lord named Gato, who used fear and violence to maintain his grip. Tazuna's dream was to build a bridge connecting the islands, a project that threatened Gato's dominance. Unsurprisingly, Gato had sent assassins to stop him.

Tazuna, however, had concealed this critical information from Konoha, fearing the mission would be deemed too dangerous and rejected. He hoped that with Kakashi, a jounin, leading the team, they could handle whatever came their way.

As they set out, Kakashi assigned roles. Naruto, being the strongest, was tasked with personal protection, while Sasuke and Sakura were to guard Tazuna from a distance. The journey was slow, as Tazuna's age and physical condition limited their pace.

The Journey

Over the next week, the team made their way toward the Land of Waves. Kakashi maintained his usual lazy demeanor, though his sharp eyes missed nothing. Sakura, initially excited about the mission, soon grew bored with the monotonous scenery. She had hoped for a romantic camping trip with Naruto, but reality fell short of her expectations.

Sasuke, on the other hand, spent the journey practicing hand seals, determined to improve his skills. Unbeknownst to him, the future of ninjutsu would favor instant techniques, rendering his current efforts less impactful.

Naruto, however, enjoyed the journey. The scenery, though beautiful, paled in comparison to the vivid memories of his past—the blood-red moon, the birth of the Hollow, and the thrill of discovery. These memories fueled his desire to uncover the secrets of the ninja world.

The Ambush

As the team passed a shallow puddle, two ninjas suddenly emerged, their chains lashing out with deadly precision. Kakashi, caught off guard, was seemingly torn to pieces. The attackers turned their attention to Naruto, their bloodthirsty grins widening as they approached.

"This Kakashi really took his laziness to the extreme," Naruto thought, his expression calm despite the danger.

The ninjas lunged at Naruto, confident that the smiling, seemingly harmless boy would be an easy target. But Naruto's gentle demeanor was deceptive. As the chains closed in, his eyes glinted with a cold, calculating light.