The Land of Waves Mission

"Sensei, what's our mission today?" Sakura asked curiously.

Kakashi glanced at the mission scroll. "Uh, today we have to catch a cat."

Naruto said excitedly, "All right, all right, sensei, remember what you just said. Once we catch the cat, we'll ask for a higher-level mission."

Kakashi smiled. "Sure. If that's what you want, no problem." He answered nonchalantly.

After describing the cat they were supposed to catch, he said, "Okay, let's go find it. The sooner we finish, the sooner I can ask the Third for a C-rank mission."

Naruto said confidently, "No need to make this complicated. Watch me." As the others looked on in confusion, Naruto took out a kunai and tossed it into the air. Then he formed a hand seal and said, "White Eye. Activate."

Then Naruto appeared in midair using the Flying Thunder God Technique. In an instant, the entire village of Konoha came into view. Kakashi marveled, "What a clever little guy. Heh."

Sasuke responded, "Yeah. Only Naruto like this is a worthy rival for me. If he weren't strong, he wouldn't be worthy of being my rival."

Looking at Sasuke, Kakashi thought, This one's a handful, too. He's still so young, yet he already has the Three-Tomoe and is proficient in all kinds of Fire Release Ninjutsu. Having two geniuses like these as students puts a lot of pressure on me as their teacher. Sigh. Kakashi grew troubled.

Teaching geniuses was the least satisfying thing in the world; it only made you feel inadequate. While Kakashi was brooding, Naruto had already returned. "Found it. I'll be right back." He left a kunai behind and vanished again, but soon reappeared with a cat in his hands.

Sakura exclaimed in surprise, "This is the target of our mission? You caught it so quickly!"

Kakashi explained, "Of course, Sakura. The Flying Thunder God is a Space-Time Ninjutsu known for its speed. It was invented by the Second Hokage. Other than the deceased Second and Fourth Hokage, Naruto is the only one who can use it."

Even more surprised by Kakashi's explanation, Sakura said, "I knew Naruto had been using this technique since he was little, but I had no idea he was this good. But if it's so powerful, why is Naruto the only one who can use it?"

Kakashi replied, "I don't know either. Ask Naruto if you want to find out."

Hearing Sakura and Kakashi's conversation, Naruto smiled. "It's nothing special. My father taught it to me, and I just happened to learn it. It's not that hard, really. You just have to sense the gaps in space, then use your chakra to form a Jutsu Formation that marks spatial coordinates."

Sasuke replied coldly, "Easy for you to say. Just sensing the gaps in space is beyond ordinary people. Otherwise, why couldn't I do it?"

Naruto smiled sheepishly. He had once taught the Flying Thunder God Technique to Sasuke and Hinata, but neither of them had managed to learn it, so they had eventually given up.

Naruto said awkwardly, "All right, I'll take everyone to see Grandpa Third. I left a marker in the Hokage Office earlier." As he spoke, he put a hand on Sakura and Kakashi's shoulders, while Sasuke obligingly placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

Sakura was still puzzling over what Naruto had said, about to ask him a question, when she suddenly felt weightless. She shut her eyes in fear, and when she opened them again, they were already outside the Hokage Office.

Still dazed, Sakura heard Naruto say, "Sakura, come on. We still have to turn in the mission."

Sakura came to her senses and caught up with the others. "So that was the Flying Thunder God Technique? I didn't expect it to be so fast. We got back to the Hokage Office in an instant."

Naruto said proudly, "Of course. That's why it's called the fastest Space-Time Ninjutsu."

The three of them went to the Hokage Office and turned in the mission. They all stared speechlessly at the cat named Tora, who was being held by Madam Shijimi, the wife of the Land of Fire's daimyo.

Sakura said weakly, "No wonder that cat ran away."

Naruto sighed. "Yeah. If I were that cat, I'd run away too." Sasuke didn't say anything, just nodded.

The Third looked at the mission scroll in his hand. "Then Team 7's next mission is..."

Before he could finish, Naruto interrupted him. "Old man, wait a minute. Kakashi-sensei, hurry up and ask the Third for a higher-level mission."

Kakashi looked at Naruto helplessly, then said to the Third, "Um, Lord Third, I'd like to take a C-rank mission."

The Third looked up in surprise. "Oh, Kakashi, you want to take them on a C-rank mission?"

Kakashi said, "Uh, yes, Lord Third. I think our team is strong enough to take on a higher-level mission. D-rank missions won't help them improve."

Iruka, standing beside the Third, said nervously, "Um, Kakashi, isn't it a little too soon? They only graduated a little over a month ago. Wouldn't it be dangerous to take on a C-rank mission so soon?"

Kakashi smiled at the nervous Iruka. "It's fine, Iruka-sensei. I'm with them, so they won't be in any danger."

Hearing Kakashi's reassurance, Iruka realized he'd been worrying too much. With a Jonin like Kakashi there, a C-rank mission wouldn't pose much danger to his students.

Iruka said sheepishly, "I was worrying too much. Sorry for the trouble, Kakashi."

Kakashi smiled. "Heh, it's nothing." The Third glanced at Naruto and Sasuke and thought Iruka had a point. D-rank missions wouldn't do much to help Naruto and Sasuke improve.

Over the past few years, the Third had kept close track of how much Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata had improved, even if nobody else knew.

Naruto alone was already as strong as an Elite Jonin. If he had more experience, he might even have surpassed the average Kage Level. Sasuke and Hinata were both Jonin-level as well. A C-rank mission would be no problem for them; even an A-rank mission would be just the right level of difficulty.

So the Third said, "As it happens, I have a C-rank mission for you." He found the mission details and continued, "The mission is to escort someone to the Land of Waves."

When Naruto heard "Land of Waves," he thought back. I think there was a mission like this. It involved a rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist Village and a boy named Haku. Never mind. I'll find out when we get there.

While Naruto struggled to remember, a booze-smelling middle-aged man walked in.

The Third said, "Mr. Tazuna, they'll escort you back to the Land of Waves."

Tazuna drank from his bottle and looked at the three children in front of him. "What? They're all kids. Are they really up to the job? Especially that shortest one—he looks like an idiot."

Naruto was about to laugh, then realized he was the shortest one. His mood soured. What a rude client. He'd called him short and stupid—what an insult.

Naruto appeared behind Tazuna with a dark look on his face and held a kunai to his neck. "Do you think we're qualified to protect you, Mr. Tazuna?" Tazuna broke into a cold sweat.

Kakashi said helplessly, "Naruto, what are you doing? If you kill the client, it'll hurt the village's reputation, and you'll lose your ninja status."

Naruto smiled and lowered the kunai. "I know that, Kakashi-sensei. I'm just proving how strong I am. Isn't that right, Mr. Tazuna? Do you think we're strong enough to protect you now?"

Tazuna wasn't stupid. He chuckled nervously. "Heh, yes, yes. I'm sure you'll get me safely to the Land of Waves." Anyone could tell how forced his laughter was.

Kakashi didn't press the issue. After accepting the mission, he said, "Then we'll meet at the village gate tomorrow."

He said goodbye to the Third and left. The other three left too. Sasuke and Sakura went home to tell their families about the mission and prepare a few things, while Naruto went to the Hyuga Clan compound to tell Hinata.

As soon as he arrived at the Hyuga compound, he ran into Hanabi. Naruto smiled. "Hanabi, heading out?"

Hanabi looked at Naruto as he approached. "What are you doing here, you big idiot?" Naruto was deeply wounded by her words.

For some reason, ever since he'd met Hanabi, she'd always called him a big idiot. He didn't know why; it wasn't as if he'd done anything to offend her.

Naruto said helplessly, "Nothing. I came to see Uncle Hiashi. And Hanabi, how many times have I told you not to call me an idiot? I haven't even done anything to you, so why do you keep calling me one?"

Hanabi turned her head away haughtily and huffed. "Because I feel like it. What are you going to do about it? You big idiot. Every time you come here, it's to see my sister, and you always make up such lousy excuses. Do you think I don't know?"

Naruto said awkwardly, "Is it that obvious?"

"What do you think?" Hanabi said scornfully. Naruto could only scratch his head and grin sheepishly.

Hanabi muttered under her breath, "And you say you're not an idiot. You're obviously acting like one."

Actually, Hanabi cared about Naruto. They'd known each other since they were little, and he was dating her sister. He was one of the few people she cared about, though she would never admit it.

Then she asked haughtily, "So, what do you want?"

Naruto knew that despite Hanabi's haughty exterior, she was just worried about him.

So he smiled. "Heh, it's nothing much. I'm leaving the village for a mission, and I might be gone for a few days. I came to say goodbye to your sister, and to visit Uncle Hiashi and our little Princess Hanabi."

Hearing him, Hanabi hastily turned away, her face a little flushed. She deliberately put on a haughty air. "As if I care about you, you big idiot. My sister and Father are in the living room. Go in by yourself." With that, she hurried off.

Naruto called after her, "I'll bring you back a present."

"Whatever. I don't want one," Hanabi huffed.

She walked even faster and soon disappeared from Naruto's sight. Naruto smiled and shook his head, then headed inside. Halfway there, he ran into Neji Hyuga, who was practicing.

Naruto greeted him with a smile. "Neji, you're here. I haven't seen you much lately."

Neji turned around and, seeing Naruto, replied coldly, "You again, sticking your nose into other people's business. What do you want?"

Naruto smiled. "Nothing. I came to see Uncle Hiashi and Hinata."

Neji said nothing and went back to training. Seeing how cold he still was, Naruto could only sigh. He was just about to go over and say something when Neji stopped training and walked toward the entrance.

It was obvious he didn't want to talk to Naruto. Watching Neji's back, Naruto felt helpless.