Chapter 37: Leaving the Village, Sakura Instantly Eliminates the Demon Brothers?

"We've completed over fifty D-rank missions... Team 7 is really efficient."

"Among more than twenty other squads, we're far ahead."

"With Naruto here, that's only natural."

The Hokage took a slow puff of his pipe, recalling the time Naruto had used multiple shadow clones to swarm him shortly after learning the technique.

"The Wave Country mission should be suitable for them. With Kakashi leading, there shouldn't be any major issues."

Before long, there was a knock on the Hokage's office door.

"Come in."

As expected, it was Team 7.

"You've completed far more than the required D-rank missions. Even without comparing you to the new recruits, your efficiency ranks first."

"D-rank missions are no longer of much use to you. How about trying a C-rank mission?"

The Hokage glanced at Kakashi before calling toward the lounge adjacent to his office.

"Mr. Tazuna, the mission you requested has been accepted."

"Huh? What's going on? Why are they all just kids?"

An elderly man with a bottle of sake stumbled out, eyeing Naruto and his teammates with clear dissatisfaction.

This was the NPC who had triggered the Wave Country mission.

Naruto noticed the Hokage's subtle glance, signaling him about Konoha's interests in this endeavor.

Tazuna leaned against the wall, his eyes shifting to the Third Hokage.

"Hokage-sama, aren't they a bit too young? Can I really trust ninjas this inexperienced? That white-haired one looks somewhat reliable, at least."

The Third Hokage, feigning indifference, smiled kindly.

"No need to worry. Team 7 represents the elite of Konoha's new generation. Kakashi is an exceptional jonin. Since this is only a C-rank mission, you won't be encountering enemy shinobi. Their role is merely to escort you back. There won't be any problems."

"I-Is that so…?" Tazuna faltered, hesitant to argue further.

Indeed, it was just a C-rank mission.

But this Team 7 was not the same as in the original story.

Sakura immediately sensed something was off.

Tazuna kept emphasizing their age and seemed unconvinced of their abilities. His reaction when the Hokage mentioned "no ninja will show up" was unnatural, his nervous energy dissipating all at once.

Something was wrong. Was this mission a deception?

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, noticing the discrepancy as well.

The Hokage turned to Naruto and Kakashi.

"In that case, will you accept the commission to escort Mr. Tazuna to the Land of Waves and protect him until his bridge is completed?"

Naruto, catching the unspoken implications, nodded. "How will we ever improve if we keep doing D-rank missions? Team 7 accepts the commission."

Sasuke sneered, signaling his agreement. "Finally, something worthwhile."

"Then, Mr. Tazuna, do you have any further concerns?" The Hokage smiled.

Tazuna hesitated before sighing dramatically. "Fine! Since you little brats have accepted this mission, you'd better be ready to risk your lives to protect me until I finish building that bridge!"

His lack of confidence was evident.

"Since you've accepted, meet at the village gate in half an hour. Dismissed!"

After leaving the Hokage's office, Kakashi wasted no time issuing his orders.

"Assemble in half an hour. Don't be late."

Naruto waved and turned to leave, but quickly noticed Sasuke and Sakura following him.

"Why are you two following me? Aren't you going back to prepare? You'll need clothes, provisions, and supplies. We won't be returning for a while."

"Naruto-kun, did you sense something was off?" Sakura asked quietly.

"Of course. But don't worry. This is a good chance to hone our skills. Just go get ready."

Naruto waved them off, preparing to leave when he suddenly turned back.

"By the way, swing by my place later to grab some extra supplies. Sakura, bring enough clothes. We have to pack everything ourselves this time, and you can't skip your daily training."

Seeing Sakura's reluctant expression, Naruto chuckled.

"Thirty percent exercise, seventy percent diet. If you don't pack enough food, not only will your luggage shrink, but so will your stomach."

"No way!" Sakura protested. "Don't worry, Naruto! I've gotten way stronger thanks to our training!"

"Good. See you both later."

After parting ways, Naruto stopped by Team 8's meeting spot.

"That's the situation. I'll be gone for a while."

Kurenai hesitated. "...Can you come back soon?"

Her slight blush didn't go unnoticed.

"It shouldn't take too long. Hinata, come over for lunch as usual, and try Kurenai's cooking."

"W-Well! Naruto, be careful on your mission."

Hinata had grown bolder. Even she had picked up on his intentions.

Before leaving, Naruto pulled her into a hug.

At Team 10's training ground, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji were visibly upset at the news of his departure.

"But… but the delicious food…" Choji sniffled. "Naruto, you have to come back soon!"

Shikamaru sighed. "Such a drag… You've spoiled us, man. Now I can't eat my mom's cooking without feeling miserable."

"Naruto, be careful! There's definitely danger outside the village!" Ino warned.

Then, with a cheeky grin, she kissed him on the cheek. "Come back soon, and I'll have a special gift waiting for you~"

"I'll hold you to that."

As he walked away, Asuma, who had witnessed the entire exchange, looked like he had swallowed a bug.

Next stop: Tenten. She had already taken leave to help him pack.

Unlike the newer teams, Team Guy didn't need daily missions anymore.

Then, he visited Anko. No surprise, she was exactly where he expected her to be.

With her restricted from taking outside missions or anything concerning Konoha's interests, life had been difficult for her until the Fifth Hokage took office.

Perhaps that explained the weight gain in later years.

Though wealthier, she still clung to cheap sweets and lacked self-control. Hence, all the dango.

"What? You're going on a mission?" Anko huffed. "How about I follow you in secret?"

Typical Anko.

"Come on, Anko, you know that's not an option."

He greeted Yugao, who was on leave nearby, before turning back to Anko.

"I won't stop you from eating sweets, but you need to stick to the training plan I gave you. Got it?"

With that, he left, making his way toward the main gate.

The mission was about to begin.

Mitarashi Anko stood outside the dessert shop, watching Naruto's back until he completely disappeared from sight.

"No way, Anko, you're like a wife waiting for her husband to return."

"You... You're not serious, are you?" Uzuki Yugao raised an eyebrow. "Naruto is only twelve! You're twice his age!"

Anko pouted. "Children should stay out of adult matters."

Yugao's eye twitched. She was only two years younger than Anko, yet her friend always used age as an excuse.

"Hmph, old woman, you didn't even let a kid go. But... he is quite handsome and generous. Young, rich, strong... Hmm, maybe not impossible."

"No! Go find your tuberculosis ghost!"

Uzuki Yugao: "..."

At Konoha's main gate, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki stood guard. They were the so-called "gate gods"—not even bothering to fight when Pain attacked.

A short distance ahead, Team 7 assembled.

Sakura struggled under the weight of an oversized backpack, her thin arms barely supporting it. Strangely, she was smiling—but there was something unsettling about her expression.

"Well... whatever. Alright, let's go!" Kakashi finally commanded.

With that, the four of them moved out, protecting Tazuna at the center as they passed through the village gates.

Naruto hadn't walked far when he sensed two hostile presences.

Then came the sound of whispering from the trees above.

"Master Naruto, there are two sneaky-looking guys watching you!"

"Master Naruto, grant us strength so we may deal with them!"

"Use the branches to strike them with the Thousand Years of Death!"

"Yes, yes, they definitely look like bad guys!"

"....."

Naruto quickly communicated with the voices in his mind, instructing them not to act.

As they traveled, Kakashi took the time to explain the reality of the ninja world to Team 7. It became painfully clear that Konoha's education system kept its students in the dark. Their heads were filled only with the Will of Fire, leaving them unaware of the world's true dangers.

Soon, the group left Konoha's borders.

The weather was clear, yet a puddle of water lay suspiciously ahead.

Every member of Team 7 noticed it immediately.

Kakashi remained calm—he trusted his team to catch on, so there was no need for him to intervene.

Sasuke smirked. A puddle on a clear day? How obvious.

Sakura, burdened with her luggage, instinctively moved closer to Naruto.

Naruto inwardly admired their patience. They had held back their reaction all this time.

However, in the original story, both of these guys were taken out without any resistance.

The first ones to appear were the Demon Brothers.

As the five of them stepped past the puddle, a figure slowly emerged from within.

Snap, snap—

Chains rattled as another figure leaped out.

For an average rookie Genin—or even a slightly experienced one—this ambush might have worked.

But they had chosen the wrong targets.

Within moments, the Demon Brothers rushed forward and "killed" Kakashi in an instant.

Naruto gasped dramatically, putting on a show.

Then, in another blink, they "killed" him too.

One by one, every Konoha ninja fell.

"Old man, you're next."

"Oh?" Tazuna, who had been trembling moments before, suddenly let out a strange chuckle.

Before the Demon Brothers could react, their vision distorted.

Their eyes widened in horror. Though they remained fully conscious, their bodies were completely restrained by countless vines.

"Damn it, an illusion...! When did it happen?!"

No matter how much they struggled, they could only tremble in place, utterly unable to break free.

In reality, the group had never even stepped past the puddle.

"Well done, Sakura. Your genjutsu has improved a lot," Kakashi praised.

Sakura remained silent, her eyes sharp with focus.

"Not bad, though a little slow. Sasuke, go ahead and tie them up. They'll break free in about twenty seconds."

"Yes!" x2

Kakashi: "???"

It was clear that this Sakura was far stronger than her original counterpart. She was making full use of her abilities—undoubtedly thanks to Kurenai's and Tenten's training.

"Damn you, Konoha shinobi!" one of the Demon Brothers spat. "Trying to extract information from us?!"

Snap—

Before anyone could react, both men crushed the poison capsules hidden in their mouths.

Tazuna's eyes widened in shock.

"Kirigakure ninja," Kakashi muttered, recognizing their allegiance. He then turned his gaze toward Tazuna.

The old man shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny.

"Well, the mission continues. Let's move."

They walked in silence for a while. The air grew tense.

Finally, unable to bear the weight of his guilt any longer, Tazuna spoke up.

"Actually... those two were after me."

As he explained the situation, Kakashi remained unsurprised. He simply sighed and said calmly:

"Mr. Tazuna, I think you have some explaining to do."

"This is not a C-rank mission."

"You do realize that lying about a mission's details—especially if it leads to a ninja's death—carries serious consequences, don't you?"

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Konoha—

Bang! The door slammed open.

"Hiruzen! Why would you—"

Before Danzo could finish, the Hokage cut him off with a cold glare.

"Danzo, I am the Hokage."

Bang! The door slammed shut in his face.