Naruto: A Second Chance

Chapter VII

Kakashi stood next to his students in silence, an invisible irk mark forming on his head. Naruto and Sasuke were at it again, and Sakura wasn't helping any with her talk of how stupid and childish the two of them were, her hands balled into cute fists at her sides.

The Hokage had a stern visage, but said nothing. In great contrast with his students, the old man had an abundance of patience and Kakashi felt bad for the Hokage, as such an everlasting amount had to be earned by enduring such annoyances for many-- many-- years.

"Ahem." The Hokage cleared his throat expectantly, giving Kakashi's students a pointed look. Sakura hushed up, but Naruto was still babbling away to an irritated Sasuke who was just as prepared to retort.

Kakashi sighed silently behind his mask and gave a short glance to Ki, who was standing to his other side. The operative hadn't moved a muscle, hadn't said a thing. He hadn't even breathed loudly enough to be heard.

Kakashi almost wanted to beg the operative to do something-- anything-- anything to get these cheeky-faced, loud-mouthed Genin to be quiet and stand at attention; then actually pay attention.

"Silence!" Iruka, who had been standing by the Hokage's side silently until now, said-- very-- loudly, somehow managing to get Naruto and Sasuke to quiet down.

"Thank you, Iruka," the Sandaime spoke into his pipe, taking what Kakashi assumed was a calming breath of tobacco before letting out a puff of smoke. He put down the pipe and picked up his pen.

He wrote something down. "Naruto," he spoke. The Kyūbi container looked up. "You're sure about this? Do you have complete confidence in yourself and in your team?"

Kakashi was sure that Naruto should not be the one answering that question.

Naruto gave his megawatt grin. "You better believe it, old man! We may not get along all the time, but me, Sasuke, and Sakura have got each other's back!" The blonde haired boy chuckled then, and slid a sly finger under his nose as he smirked, "And if things ever go south, we have an ANBU operative we can always rely on," Kakashi felt his heart swell comically large. He knew his team cared about him. Naruto suddenly fist pumped. "Kī-san to save the day!"

Kakashi died inside.

Hiruzen, satisfied with Naruto's ambition, scribbled some last few lines onto the open scroll on his desk. He handed it to a surprised Iruka, who begrudgingly gave it to Kī. Kakashi cried silently in a far off corner.

This was just getting ridiculous. Was he even here?

"Your mission is to protect a bridge builder named Tazuna from the Land of Waves. You'd best be off to collect your things now. Tazuna will be here in not too long."

- - - - -

The old man, Tazuna, was clearly desperate. At least that was what Naruto found. His steps were more of a stagger, his eyes were bleary and unfocused, and the man reeked of booze. His clothes were definitely those of a humble and poor bridge builder being threatened by an assassin; they were worn, and torn, and old.

He stepped up to the Genin team and Naruto had to steel himself to keep from wrinkling his nose. Not only did he reek of booze, he clearly lived on an impoverished area full of mud. Knowing the Wave, that was likely to be exactly where he came from; Naruto, despite himself, did not want to offend the client.

"What're these brats doing here?" the old guy grumbled, a drunken slur making his words almost indiscernible.

"They're my Genin students and the team that will be escorting you to Kiri." Kakashi explained cordially, masking his distaste for the man well. He was honestly more indifferent than distasteful though.