Naruto chronicles

Chapter 11

"Alright, Naruto. I guess I'll relent this time. I'll give you a C-rank mission..." said Hiruzen with a sigh as Iruka just smiled at his student.

"YEAH! FINALLY A REAL MISSION!" he yelled happily.

"Send Tazuna in," said Hiruzen to apparently no one, however the next moment a drunk man walked in, with a bottle of beer in his hand.

"So these runts are the ones protecting me? I don't think any one of these midgets will be able to do a good job," said the man as Naruto's eyes twitched.

"And... you're the client?" he asked as Sasuke tsked.

"Yes, brat. I am Tazuna, and my commission is to protect me on the way to the Land of Waves."

'Wave... as far as I remember, it's a brutal place that houses Zabuza of the hidden mist, Demon brothers, and a bunch of D-rank and C-rank mercenaries. Most people don't interfere in matters relating to that due to Gato, who's one of the richest and most influential people in the world...' thought Naruto as he looked at Sasuke, who nodded.

"Alright, we accept. Right, Kakashi sensei?" asked Naruto looking at him who was watching Tazuna suspiciously.

"Right, yeah we do," said Kakashi without giving away any of his internal feelings through his voice.

"Okay, Team 7, let's meet at the gate in an hour," the one-eyed ninja said as everyone except Naruto disperced.

"Why are you still here?" asked Kakashi.

"Ah, right sensei, I need to talk with Jiji about something," he replied as Kakashi sighed and left.

"Alright, Iruka, I suggest you take a break. And Anbu, disperse for now."

"So Naruto, go ahead, I know what you're thinking."

"Is this really a C-rank?" he asked as Hiruzen sighed.

"I suppose yes. That's what he offered. I think it's because he couldn't afford any higher pay. He's a bridge builder, constructing a bridge to the mainland, which would disrupt Gato's rule. As much as I want to help the wave, the council won't allow that, and since I am just holding the position of the Hokage for now, I am not able to override their decision. That is why I was apprehensive about giving you all this mission."

"You do remember that I and Anko sensei have run B-rank errands for you?" reminded Naruto as Hiruzen chuckled. He still remembered the day Naruto had approached him to ask for missions to earn money. Anko just used it as a chance to train him and help him get over his first kill early in life. He was strongly opposed to the idea, but he knew Naruto couldn't have a normal childhood, not in this village.

"I will trust your team with his protection. However, if push comes to a shove, you are to ask for backup, no bargains," said Hiruzen as Naruto nodded.

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Naruto had packed his stuff up and was moving towards the gate absentmindedly when he ran into someone.

"A-ah, s-sorry," he stuttered, expecting harsh comments and remarks.

"Watch where you're going kid," said a voice, though there was no malice behind it. He looked up to see Hiashi Hyuga, the head of Hyuga clan.

'He seems to have grown a Chakra pool bigger than the Low Jonin level... hmm... I see why Hinata is so interested in him...'

Hiashi Hyuga was a strict person. People could even call him cruel. however, that was just what year of Shinobi life did to him. He did care about his family, and not only for power. It was just that he had to prepare his children for the world out there.

"Ah, Hyuga sama," said Naruto bowing.

"No need to bow Naruto Uzumaki. I see you have a mission. I won't hold you for long," he said.

Naruto remembered Hinata telling him that her father thought of her as weak, and he remembered the burning hatred for the man. However, in front of him, he couldn't sense any malice.

"So, how is Hinata Chan?" he asked, biting his tongue at the 'Chan' he added. He couldn't let him find out that he was close to her, or their meetings could come to an end.

"She's doing well," he said, without any apparent emotion.

"A-ah..."

"Though I do see that she is down since the academy ended. I guess that relates to a lesser amount of time spent with you," he added, as Naruto's brain stopped for a moment.

He knew. Of course, he knew... he had the all-seeing eyes.

"O-oh... I hope you don't have any p-problem with her spending time with me..."

Hiashi sighed. He didn't, but many in his clan did have a problem.

"I don't. In fact, I would prefer she spend time with you rather than inside the compound. You seem to have a good head on your shoulder and strength to back up the talk you're always talking about becoming the Hokage. However, many in our clan are close-minded, and they do. If you don't mind, I would like to ask you the favor to help Hinata grow in strength."

"But she's pretty strong already!"

"Yes... she is. However not enough. I assume you're aware of the clan politics?" asked Hiashi as Naruto nodded.

"Hinata's progress with the Clan-specific jutsus has been slow, which is why the clan people are thinking of putting the caged bird seal on her. I want to prevent that, but for that, she needs to be strong," Hiashi explained.

"A-ah... I'll do my best then. thank you for entrusting her to me," said Naruto with a bow.

"Alright, now I believe we've talked a lot. You should go to wherever you were supposed to Naruto. I wish you luck in your mission."

Naruto nodded as he started walking. Contrary to his belief, he was actually a good person, he just was too battle-hardened.

"Hiashi sama, you are the clan head right?"

"Yes."

"Well, I believe the elders are just there to advise you, not enforce decisions. I think you should be strict with them, not Hinata."

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Hello everyone, hope you all liked this chapter.

Also, sorry for not updating it in a while, I had some real-life issues I had to deal with. Anyways, please vote, comment, and share.

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