The following day, in the Hokage's office, the three members of Team 7 followed behind Kakashi, waiting for the person who would be requesting their mission.
"Hey, why aren't they here yet?"
Hearing Sasuke's complaints, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only laugh it off.
"Don't worry, Sasuke, the client will be here soon. I've already sent someone to urge them."
"All right."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi say this, Sasuke could only helplessly shut his mouth and wait obediently.
It seemed that she noticed Naruto, Naruto quietly to the side.
Hiruzen Sarutobi then asked Naruto some more trivial questions.
" Naruto, how have you been lately?"
"That's good, Hokage... Lord Hokage."
Naruto really didn't want to play along with this old guy. If he hadn't been waiting for Orochimaru, he could have sent the old man away long ago with his strength. He was just afraid that his interference would cause too many changes in the Shinobi World. If Hiruzen Sarutobi by now and Orochimaru hadn't come, it would be too difficult for him to find him in the Shinobi World.
Otherwise, we'd give that old bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi face and call him Hokage, but if we don't, we'd just send him to his grave.
Seeing that Naruto didn't really want to talk to him, Hiruzen Sarutobi wisely shut his mouth and stopped trying to embarrass himself.
A short while later, an old man who was completely drunk pushed the door open and entered.
Ignoring everyone's reactions, he gulped down a large mouthful of wine.
"Come on, come on, I'll punish myself with a drink first."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the office smelled alcohol.
Naruto pinched his nose in disgust, his brows furrowing. The smell was pungent, with a cheap, industrial alcoholic odor.
"Tch, what's this? Sending a bunch of brats to protect me? Excuse me for being blunt, but are these kids really up to the task? Aren't they old enough to be breastfeeding?"
The three of them were somewhat displeased by what Tazuna said.
Sasuke took direct action, instantly appearing in front of Tazuna. With a high kick, his heel grazed Tazuna's bottle, sending him flying.
Seeing Sasuke's gloomy face, Tazuna instantly sobered up. This kid's eyes were terrifying. He felt that if he dared to say another word, this kid would really kill him.
"Ahem, I'm clumsy with words, I deserve to be hit. Don't take it personally with a drunk old man like me."
As Tazuna said this, he slapped himself twice.
"Alright, Sasuke, come back here. Don't be rude to your client."
Only after Sasuke returned to the group did Tazuna dare to breathe heavily. That was really dangerous. Is this Konoha? It was really dangerous. Even a little brat could give him such a sense of pressure.
Then your own affairs will be settled, right?
"Alright, let's get going."
Kakashi quickly rallied everyone to set off. Although he also noticed something was off about the client, he had no choice but to lead his team. With him there, there shouldn't be any problems. Besides, Naruto and Sasuke were quite strong.
At the very least, both of them have the strength of a Chunin, and they can protect themselves.
Regarding Kakashi's speculation, Naruto could only say that it was narrow-minded and limited in scope. He considered Kakashi to be at least a Kage -Kage Level, and could be considered invincible throughout Shippuden.
If it weren't for the search for Orochimaru, that sixth brother, he would have already gone on a killing spree. The fact that he's still holding back is entirely due to his conscience.
"Can you really protect me all the way to the Land of Waves? I'm a bit timid and easily feel insecure."
"You may not know, but the Land of Waves is very dangerous right now."
"If it weren't for me, the entire Land of Waves might have perished."
Kakashi was speechless at Tazuna's incessant chatter; wasn't this old man talking way too much?
Sasuke also frowned at Tazuna, somewhat displeased; why did this guy talk more than he did?
Hinata and Naruto didn't react much, as if they didn't care about Tazuna's behavior.
"Oh, sir, I know you're in a hurry, but don't worry. My men are very capable. Even if they can't handle it, I'm still here. We will definitely protect our employer's safety."
Although Kakashi knew that there was something wrong with the mission that Tazuna had asked him to do, he still patiently comforted him.
"Alright, let's hurry up and set off. The road will be difficult to travel after dark."
Their journey to the Land of Waves began the moment they stepped out of Konoha.
As Naruto passed by the main gate, he glanced at Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki. Were these the guys known as the gatekeepers of Konoha?
When Pain invaded Konoha, he didn't dare use the main gate. Was it because of those two?
There doesn't seem to be anything special about it.
But then I thought of the two gatekeepers created by Rubik's Cube. Although they were only C-rank ninjas, their strength was quite impressive, especially in the no-holds-barred mode, where they were practically godlike.
Sasuke hummed a little tune and sang a song as he walked at the very front of the group.
How can I best describe you? What would be the most fitting comparison to make you truly special...?
Seeing Sasuke so relaxed, Kakashi couldn't help but remind him.
" Sasuke, you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times on the road. What you're doing is dangerous."
"Hey, hey, I know, don't spoil my fun. Where were we singing just now?"
Distracted by Kakashi, Sasuke completely forgot his lines.
Every word you uttered felt like a knife wound cutting into my heart.
"Aww, we've arrived here. Wait, I don't think I know this song, Naruto."
Sasuke turned around and saw Naruto looking at him with a mischievous grin. Only then did he realize that he had been tricked by Naruto.
"Alright, alright, let's hurry on our way."
From afar, the group spotted a puddle, its surface shimmering in the sunlight.
" Zhuzi, come here, come here."
"Oh? Naruto, you noticed too?"
"Hmm, where's Hinata? You noticed her a while ago, didn't you?"
Hinata nodded, veins bulging at the corners of her eyes; her Byakugan had already spotted the enemy in the water.
"What should we do?"
Sasuke asked Naruto, who was already itching to fight; this seemed to be the first time he'd encountered an enemy.
"Bomb them with those damn Italian cannons."
"Receive."
Sasuke pulled a coin from his pocket, aimed the Railgun at a puddle in the distance, and fired it. With a loud bang, the puddle exploded, followed by pieces falling from the sky.
Kakashi's mouth twitched as he watched Sasuke's Ninjutsu display terrifying destructive power. He wondered if he himself would have been reduced to ashes if he'd been hit.
Tazuna, standing nearby, turned pale with fright and couldn't help but run to a tree, where he vomited violently.
"Well done."
Sasuke extremely arrogant upon hearing the praise.