c6 Mission
After forming a team with Kakashi, Naruto knew that there would be many boring tasks, just like the endless D-rank chores described by the Third Hokage in the manga, but there was nothing he could do about it. However, whenever Naruto had free time, he would ask Kakashi about ninjutsu, especially after seeing Sasuke training so diligently during their earlier team exercises.
Kakashi took out the chakra nature test paper the same type used later when Naruto trained with Asuma and found that Naruto's basic attribute was the wind attribute. It seemed that this result had not changed because of his reincarnation. However, ninjas must develop their weaker chakra natures through continuous training. So Naruto asked Kakashi, "Teacher Kakashi, besides the basic attributes, are there other ways to master additional attributes, like how the Third Hokage was said to use all five?"
Kakashi replied: "Generally speaking, Genin must first master their primary chakra nature, which is the most efficient path to improving strength. But special cases exist." Kakashi said this while staring at Naruto, remembering how unusual Naruto's chakra reserves had always been. "Cultivating attributes you aren't naturally aligned with can be more than ten times harder."
But in Naruto's mind, difficult things were more interesting just like when he learned the Shadow Clone Technique despite repeated failures so he began practicing other attributes using the methods Kakashi taught. Considering the current situation, Naruto decided to train in fire and lightning first, similar to the chakra natures commonly used by Uchiha and Kakashi himself. Sure enough, it was not easy to practice attributes that were not his own natural affinity, but Naruto was a genius in his own reckless way, and with shadow clones his training speed increased dramatically. The supposedly difficult process became one where his improvement rate was at least ten times faster than ordinary people learning their basic attributes. After about a month, Naruto had achieved initial proficiency, so he approached Kakashi to learn real ninjutsu.
Kakashi taught Naruto three techniques: Wind Style: Gale Blade, a basic ninjutsu similar in principle to the sharp wind manipulation seen from Suna shinobi, which uses wind-nature chakra to create gusts that hinder vision and movement while generating thin cutting currents. Lightning Style: Electricity, which channels current along a conductor to shock the enemy, resembling a rudimentary form of Kakashi's own Lightning Release techniques. The last was the familiar Fire Style ninjutsu frequently used by Uchiha. These three techniques were not especially powerful, but much depended on who cast them and how well they were mastered. For example, the same Great Fireball Technique might be overwhelming in Sasuke's hands yet nearly useless if performed by someone with poor chakra control.
The chakra training had reached a temporary conclusion, and Naruto began to create shadow clones to refine these new ninjutsu. In fact, simply learning such jutsu was already easy for him, but he demanded perfect execution. Fortunately, with the advantage of mass clone training, the speed of improvement was considerable, similar to how he later mastered the Rasenshuriken.
While training, Naruto became increasingly dissatisfied with the missions. Catching cats like Tora or rescuing lost pets every day felt meaningless. So after completing another D-rank assignment, Naruto loudly proposed taking on a more difficult mission, and Sakura and Sasuke nodded, remembering how the Third Hokage explained mission classifications earlier. However, the Third Hokage disagreed and patiently re-explained the principles of the mission system.
Naruto knew the Hokage had his own rules and that missions were assigned strictly based on rank and confirmed ability, so he walked to the window and performed the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique that Kakashi had taught him. A massive fireball shot out of the window, and if this had been used against a real enemy, any ordinary Chunin would likely have been overwhelmed by its force.
Seeing Naruto perform such a powerful Fire Style jutsu, the Third Hokage silently thought to himself, "I didn't expect that he is showing talent comparable to prodigies like Itachi. To master a Fire Style technique to such an extent in just one month is extraordinary, especially for someone without a natural fire affinity." He slowly picked up the pipe in his hand and said, "In that case, I agree to let you take a C-rank mission. You will escort this old gentleman to the Land of Waves." Immediately afterward, a drunken, scruffy-looking man Tazuna the bridge builder stumbled into the room, just as he did in the original manga.
The difficulty of an ordinary C-rank mission was supposed to be manageable, but this one was different. This time Naruto would encounter Momochi Zabuza of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, a rogue shinobi infamous even among Hunter-nin. That was indeed a challenge for Naruto, who still lacked real combat experience. Especially since Naruto already knew that borrowing the Nine-Tails' chakra was harmful to his body and would never be used carelessly, defeating someone like Haku whose speed rivaled the deadly ice-based techniques of the Yuki clan would require real effort.
After preparing their gear, Team 7 set off on the escort mission. Naruto did not waste time arguing with the old man, unlike in the manga where he briefly lost his temper; instead, he simply gathered the necessary supplies, packed up the luggage, and departed together with his teammates. On the way, they talked and laughed, gradually syncing with one another's pace, and for a while there was no danger at all.
That lasted until they passed a lone puddle on the forest road. Naruto couldn't help becoming tense. On a clear day, a puddle that had not evaporated was impossible, meaning someone must have set it deliberately. Only a hidden enemy could be responsible. As soon as Team 7 walked past, two shinobi burst out the Demon Brothers of Kirigakure and used their chained gauntlet blades to seemingly "tear apart" Kakashi in an instant. Then they rushed Naruto. Even though this Naruto was stronger from earlier training, he had still never witnessed bloodshed directly, so nervousness surged up. But just as the attack came, he instinctively used the Substitution Technique and dodged.
Sasuke handled the situation with ease, countering the attackers' chain movement using shuriken and kunai. Because Sasuke had grown up exposed to the harsh reality of the Uchiha clan's duties, he remained far calmer than Naruto at that moment. However, the Mist-nin immediately abandoned Sasuke and lunged toward Tazuna, while Sakura assigned to guard the client froze in fear. At that critical instant, Kakashi reappeared, completely unharmed, and subdued the Demon Brothers in seconds. The one that had been "killed" before was only a cleverly prepared substitution log.
After neutralizing the attackers and confirming that their true target was Tazuna, Kakashi explained that the mission had clearly become at least B-rank and exceeded their original contract, so they were allowed to withdraw. Sakura, shaken by the attack, supported this idea. But Sasuke and Naruto, who had just confronted real danger for the first time, saw it as a rare chance to grow stronger and insisted on continuing.
When Tazuna confessed that he lacked the money to pay the proper mission fee, Kakashi considered Konoha's long-held humanitarian principles and the determination of the three Genin (Naruto and Sasuke insisted, and Sakura could not object), and decided they would continue. After a short rest, the group resumed their journey toward the Land of Waves. Having defeated the two lower-rank Mist-nin, it was certain that the main enemy, Zabuza himself, would soon appear. Even though Naruto's current strength was impressive, fighting a former ANBU-level swordsman like Zabuza without actual battle experience was still difficult. Fortunately, they had Kakashi, an elite Jonin, leading the team.
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