Leaving the Village, Sakura Instantly Defeats the Demon Brothers?

"We've already completed more than fifty D-Rank Missions... Team Seven's efficiency is really high."

"The other teams have only done a little over twenty. They're far ahead."

"But with that child Naruto around, this level of efficiency is only normal."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe, recalling the day not long after he had taught Naruto the Multiple Shadow Clone, when Naruto had used it to surround him.

"Perfect. The Land of Waves mission suits them. With Kakashi there, nothing too serious should happen."

Before long, someone knocked on the Hokage's Office door.

"Come in."

"So it's Team Seven."

"You've completed more than your share of D-Rank Missions. Even compared with non-rookies, your efficiency ranks first."

"How about this? D-Rank Missions can no longer provide much training for you. Why not try a C-Rank Mission?"

As he said this, Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Kakashi.

Then he called softly toward the lounge off to the side.

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

"What's this supposed to be?"

"Why are they all brats?"

An old man carrying a sake bottle walked out.

He glanced at Naruto and the other two, then spoke with obvious displeasure.

This was the NPC who triggered the Land of Waves mission.

Naruto naturally noticed the look Sarutobi Hiruzen had given him.

The struggle for Konoha's interests had officially begun.

Tazuna leaned against the wall and looked at the Third Hokage.

"Say, Lord Hokage, aren't they all just brats?"

"Can ninja this young really be trusted?"

"That white-haired kid looks somewhat reliable, at least."

As if he had noticed nothing unusual, the Third Hokage maintained his kind smile and responded gently.

"Don't worry. Team Seven is among Konoha's elite new generation."

"Kakashi is also an exceptionally outstanding Jonin. It is only a C-Rank Mission; no ninja will appear. You only need to escort him home. There won't be any problems."

"Is... is that so?" Tazuna, who had planned to keep making a scene, suddenly lost confidence.

That was right. It was only a C-Rank Mission.

The current Team Seven was not the Team Seven from the original story.

Sakura was the first to notice something was wrong.

This old man kept emphasizing that they were brats and doubting their strength.

And when Sarutobi Hiruzen mentioned a C-Rank Mission, his expression had been far too unnatural.

Especially when he said, "No ninja will appear," Tazuna's aggressive momentum instantly vanished.

Something was wrong. Had he falsely reported the mission?

Uchiha Sasuke narrowed his eyes. He had noticed it too.

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Naruto and Kakashi again.

"In that case, will Team Seven accept this request to escort Mr. Tazuna back to the Land of Waves and protect him until the bridge is completed?"

"When will we ever grow if we keep doing D-Rank Missions? Team Seven accepts the mission."

After receiving Naruto's subtle signal, Uchiha Sasuke immediately gave a cold laugh and answered Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"In that case, Mr. Tazuna, do you have any other questions?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a smile.

Tazuna could not say anything more.

He could only stubbornly shout:

"I!"

"Tazuna, the famous bridge-building expert of the Land of Waves."

"Since you brats have accepted this mission, then gamble your lives to protect me!"

"Until I return home and finish building the bridge!"

Tazuna displayed his lack of confidence perfectly.

"Well, since you've accepted it, gather at Konoha's gate in half an hour."

"Dismissed."

After leaving the Hokage's Office, Kakashi immediately gave the assembly order.

He was afraid that if he spoke too late, he would become the one listening instead.

"Later."

Naruto waved and turned to leave.

However, after walking only a short distance, he realized Uchiha Sasuke and Sakura had been following him.

"Why are you following me?"

"Aren't you going back to prepare?"

"Clothes, rations, things like that. We won't be coming back anytime soon after leaving the village this time."

"Naruto-kun, did you notice something?"

"Of course. Don't worry, nothing will happen. It's time for some training too, so go back and prepare properly."

Naruto waved them off, intending to go tell the girls.

Then he suddenly turned back and added:

"Oh, right. Come to my place for rations first, then we'll head to the meeting point together."

"Sakura, bring a few more changes of clothes. You'll handle all the luggage on the road. Daily special training can't be skipped."

Seeing Sakura's lifeless expression, Naruto smiled.

"Thirty percent training, seventy percent eating. You should hope there's plenty of luggage to carry. Otherwise, before long, it won't just be the bags that get flatter—your little belly will too."

"No way!"

"Don't worry, Naruto. After Tenten's special training, I'm much stronger now!"

"Dismissed."

After sending the two away, Naruto went to Team Eight's meeting spot.

"That's the situation. I'll have to trouble you during this time."

"Fine... Can you come back soon?"

After Kurenai Yuhi asked that, she turned her head away, though the tips of her ears were visibly red.

"It probably won't take too long. Hinata, keep coming to my place for lunch as usual. You can also try Kurenai's cooking."

"Okay! Naruto, be careful on the road."

Hinata had become much bolder. Mainly because even she had noticed something suspicious.

Before leaving, Naruto gave her a big hug.

When he arrived at Team Ten, the three of them were in low spirits upon hearing Naruto would be leaving the village for a while.

"Food... sob... Naruto, you have to come back soon!"

"What a pain... Naruto, you've spoiled our appetites. I eat Mom's cooking with tears streaming down my face now."

"Darling, be careful. There will definitely be danger outside the village."

Smack—

"When you come back, I'll have a present ready for you~"

"Come back soon~"

After bidding farewell to the increasingly well-developed Ino, Naruto glanced at Asuma, who had already been gloomy and now looked even more miserable, as though he had swallowed a fly after being force-fed romance.

At Team Three, Tenten had specifically taken leave to help Naruto pack his luggage.

Team Three were no longer rookies, so naturally they did not need to do missions every day during the first two months.

Next was Anko. There was no need to guess where that woman would be.

She could not take many missions, especially missions outside the village. She also could not accept missions involving Konoha's interests.

So, over the years, she had lived quite a difficult life.

It was not until the Fifth Hokage took office that things improved somewhat.

That was probably why she gained weight later on.

She became richer but still loved those cheap sweets. Unable to control her mouth, she ate herself into Red Soybean.

"What?"

"You're going out on a mission?"

Anko looked deeply unwilling, but she could only sigh.

"How about I secretly follow you?"

That was so like Anko.

"Don't mess around, Anko. It's not convenient for you to leave the village."

"Yugao is here too. I won't disturb you two any longer. It's almost time to gather, so I'm leaving."

After greeting Uzuki Yugao, who was also on leave, Naruto reminded Anko, "I'm not restricting how many sweets you eat, but after eating, you still have to properly finish the training plan I gave you. Understand?"

"Fine. Honestly, getting lectured by a little brat."

Anko gave Naruto another experience of suffocation.

"The tea leaves are dried. Go help Kurenai in the kitchen at noon. Drink some tea when you have free time. I'm off."

Mitarashi Anko stood before the dessert shop until Naruto's figure completely vanished.

"No way, Anko, you're practically turning into a wife-waiting stone."

"You... you aren't serious, are you?"

"Naruto is only twelve at most!"

"You're twice his age!"

Anko curled her lips. "Adults' business is none of a child's concern."

Uzuki Yugao's eye twitched. She was only two years younger than Anko, yet this woman used that line every time.

"Hmph, old woman, you won't even spare a child. Though he is quite handsome and generous, and... young, rich, handsome, and powerful... maybe it isn't impossible."

"Don't. Go find your consumptive ghost instead!"

Uzuki Yugao: "..."

At Konoha's gate.

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki stood guard.

These two gatekeepers were so formidable that even Pain had chosen to avoid the gate during his invasion.

Not far in front of them.

Team Seven had assembled.

Sakura carried an extremely exaggerated pack.

At a glance, anyone could not help worrying whether that Pink Hair girl with her skinny arms and legs would be crushed to death.

Strangely, the Pink Hair girl was still smiling, though her smile was somewhat terrifying.

"Well... honestly. All right, let's go!"

At Kakashi's command, the four surrounded Tazuna and walked out through Konoha's gate.

They had not gone far when Naruto sensed two waves of malice approaching.

Then came the voices from the trees.

"Lord Naruto, two shifty-looking men have been watching you!"

"Lord Naruto, grant us strength and let us deal with them!"

"We can use Secret Technique: Thousand Years of Death from behind with our branches!"

"Yes, yes, those two don't look like good people."

"..."

Naruto hurriedly communicated with them through his thoughts and told them not to make a move.

Along the way, Kakashi began teaching Team Seven about the Ninja World.

From this, it was clear that Konoha's education was rather closed off.

Rookies knew nothing about the dangers of the Ninja World. Their heads were filled only with the Will of Fire.

Soon, the five left Konoha's territory.

The weather was clear, yet a puddle appeared ahead.

Almost instantly, every member of Team Seven noticed it.

Kakashi naturally showed no reaction. He believed the three would definitely notice it, and there was no need for him to act in such a minor situation.

Uchiha Sasuke's lips curled into a smile.

The rain had stopped and the skies were clear. I was back in business!

Since Sakura was carrying the luggage, she moved directly closer to Naruto.

Naruto truly admired their patience.

They had actually endured the whole way.

But in the original story, Uchiha Sasuke could probably solo these two without taking any damage.

Zabuza's subordinates were only this capable.

Next to appear were—the Demon Brothers!

After the five crossed the puddle, a figure slowly emerged.

Crack, crack—

The chains rattled.

Another figure appeared by the puddle.

If they had been assassinating ordinary rookie genin, or even seasoned genin,

they would probably have succeeded.

But they had chosen the wrong opponents.

By the way, wanted to become a Chunin?

What a joke. So what if you took first place?

Wouldn't it still come down to a single word from the Konoha Higher-ups?

The Demon Brothers worked together flawlessly and took Kakashi out in an instant.

Naruto was scared stupid, while Sasuke started showing off.

But in the next moment, they were killed in return.

In just a few breaths, all the Konoha ninja had died.

"Old man, you're next."

"Is that so?"

Tazuna, whose face had been full of terror, suddenly gave a strange laugh.

Then, the world in the Demon Brothers' eyes underwent a drastic transformation.

Their eyes widened. Their minds were clearly awake, yet countless vines had already bound their bodies.

"Damn it, Genjutsu... When did it happen?!"

No matter how hard they struggled, all they could do was make their bodies shake harder. They could not break free at all.

In reality, the five of them had not even passed the puddle.

"Nicely done, Sakura. Your Genjutsu has improved a lot."

Kakashi praised her.

Sakura gave no response.

"Not bad. Though you were a little slow. Sasuke, go tie them up. They'll break free of the Genjutsu in about twenty seconds."

"Yes!" x2

Kakashi: "???"

Clearly, Sakura was far stronger now than she had been in the original story.

She had played to her strengths, and of course, she had also received help from Kurenai Yuhi and Tenten.

"Damn it, you cursed Konoha ninja!"

"Trying to get information out of us?"

Crack—

The moment the two broke free of the Genjutsu, they crushed the poison in their mouths.

Tazuna's eyes widened.

"Hidden Mist ninja... This mission really isn't simple."

Kakashi immediately exposed their identities, then glanced at Tazuna.

Tazuna felt incredibly guilty under his gaze.

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

After walking for quite a while, the atmosphere became subtle.

Unable to bear the guilt brought on by that atmosphere, Tazuna finally spoke.

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

After he explained, Kakashi showed no surprise. He merely said calmly:

"Mr. Tazuna, I think you should explain yourself."

"This mission is not a C-Rank Mission."

"You should know what happens if falsely reporting a mission leads to ninja casualties."

Elsewhere.

Bang—the door flew open.

"Hiruzen, why did you let the Jinchuriki—"

Before he could finish, "Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Bang—the door shut.