More Than A Name (Naruto Fanfiction)

Mercy

Chapter 4: Mercy

The genin of Team 7, filled with anticipation, waited near the main gate of Konoha. They had attended training the previous day, their minds buzzing with questions about their first C rank. Anko had given them no details, only instructing them to gather the standard week's worth of mission supplies and meet at the gate the next day.

"What do you guys think we will do on this mission? "Naruto asked, his mind racing with curiosity, trying to fill the void while they waited for their teachers to arrive.

"I have no idea," Sasuke said, leaning against a nearby building.

"We're probably going to save a few kingdoms or something and a princess along the way."

Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Naruto, the mission is a C rank; we probably are just doing security or clearing out a bandit camp."

"Come on, Sakura, get more imaginative. That's way too boring."

"Naruto, I'm not talking about a random scenario; I'm just telling you what the mission will probably be like."

"Yeah, but I'm like trying to ask what you hope happens on our first mission.

Sakura thought for a moment.

"I hope it goes like an ordinary C rank; we are strong, but this will be the first time we leave the village, and I don't want any of us to get hurt."

Naruto, still unhappy with her answer, turned to Sasuke.

"What do you hope happens, Sasuke?"

"I hope we come across foes that can truly test how far our abilities have come. No form of sparing will match actual life-and-death situations."

"So you hope we fight someone super strong," Naruto said, simplifying Sasuke's statement.

"If anyone is going to fight someone super strong, it will be one of us. "

The genin turned around to see Anko and Kakashi walking toward them.

Sakura gave Anko a disappointed look.

"I expect Kakashi sensei to be late, but not you, I hope you aren't picking up his bad habits. "

"Jeez, mom, calm down. We just had to discuss last-minute details with the Hokage. "

"So, what is our mission," asked Sasuke.

"We will tell you more about it when we are on our way. The place we need to go is not far from here, and if we leave now, we'll get there by midday.

"Keep a moderate pace; ensure you don't want to strain yourselves," said Kakashi

Team 7 exited the gates of Konoha and began to jump through the trees toward their destination; after a few minutes, Anko explained the mission's details.

"Our mission is to investigate the disappearance of a caravan near the border of the Land of Tea."

"Who paid for the mission?" Asked Sakura,

Anko proudly looked at Sakura. "That is the number one question you need to ask when you are on missions; depending on who's paying, it can provide insight into how they want the mission done and what you can get away with.

"Get away with what?" Sakura asked as she raised an eyebrow

Anko waved her hand, dismissing her question, "Don't worry about that; you'll know when you get older. Anyway, this is one of the many we get from the mercantile guild; they often hire leaf shinobi for anything dealing with their caravans. We are heading to the trading post where they were last spotted."