Preemptive Author's Note: Words in brackets ( [ ] ) are hand signs.

There was a voice at the edge of Naruto's perception doing the mental equivalent of poking him in the side. The young Chūnin was perfectly content to ignore the voice as it didn't belong to Hinata, wasn't announcing his promotion to Tokubetsu Jonin, or telling him that he had an urgent mission. Whatever the voice wanted, it could wait a few more minutes.

Besides, Naruto knew it wasn't a threat. His three disguised Kage Bunshin would have reacted to any hostile intruders.

"Damn it, brat!"

The sheer force of his somewhat obnoxious sensei's command caused Naruto to skyrocket out of his bed.

"What the heck, Ero-sennin?"

"Brat, time for you to act like a Chūnin," Jiraiya announced proudly. "I know you've been bitching at Kakashi for another high-ranking mission since Wave. Well, today is your lucky day."

"It is?" Naruto asked hopefully. "I'm being promoted again?"

Jiraiya rolled his eyes. "Not yet. You're coming with me on a mission. I'll brief you as we go. This is urgent…and B-rank."

"B-rank?" Naruto asked hopefully.

"Did I stutter, brat?"

Naruto shook his head and began the process of collecting his gear. Jiraiya decided to take advantage of his 'illustrious position as Naruto's mentor' and helped himself to the fridge. A somewhat reluctant, but still satisfied snicker escaped from Naruto's lips as Ero-Sennin realized Naruto's fridge was almost empty.

"What's going on in there, Ero-Sennin?" Naruto called out as he pulled his Flak Jacket on. There was the sound of a pen scratching on paper. The blond-headed Chūnin wasn't about to let the Toad Sage contribute to the world's porn supply from his kitchen. Jiraiya had his own desk for that, damn it!

"Writing some orders for when we get back. You will be going grocery shopping when this mission is complete. I'm not going to have you falling into the bachelor cliché on my watch."

The Uzumaki rolled his eyes as he put the last of his supplies in his go-bag. He quickly made a Kage Bunshin and motioned towards the window. The Clone instinctively knew what his creator was asking. As the Bunshin bolted towards the other end of Konoha, Naruto strolled into the kitchen.

"So, where is this mission going to be?"

Tenten was convinced something huge was up. She had gone to the Hyūga compound on several occasions. Mostly, visiting Konoha's strongest clan was all business. Neji had to be collected for missions by someone. It was obvious that until the Invasion that it couldn't be Lee. The rivalry between Lee and Neji had been pretty toxic until Naruto had beaten some sense and actual human emotion into Neji during the finals.

The current visit to the Hyūga Compound had nothing to do with Team Guy. The weapon's mistress had originally thought it had nothing to do with Neji.

'That was before I realized that the invitation came from Hiashi and that he used my family's name…'

Tenten was a bit rebellious. Her family was a civilian merchant clan. In fact, the young woman described them as civilian-tastic. Her mother didn't approve of Tenten's tomboyish-ness.

"Such…masculinity…will interfere with a proper match," was a refrain Tenten was infuriatingly familiar with.

'There's a difference between being a wife and a waif…' Tenten thought grumpily.

"Oi! Tenten!" Tenten heard Naruto call out. "What are you doing here?"

"Not really sure. What are you doing here?" Tenten questioned.

"I'm not exactly here…Clone," Naruto finished while 'helpfully' thumbing at his chest. "The Boss wanted me to let Hinata-chan know he had to leave on an urgent mission."

"So, the Hyūga are kosher with you two taking the next step from the Blood Vow?"

The Naruto clone chuckled. It was a mix of amused and vindictive. "There are four Hyūga who's opinion I care about whether I'm dating Hinata-chan or not. Luckily for me, they all approve."

"Is Hiashi-sama one of them?"

"Yup," Naruto confirmed. "Is that who you're meeting with?"

Tenten nodded, but didn't say anything. The Hyūga valued their secrets. A Cadet guard waved Tenten and Naruto in without a challenge. In fact, the guard was as…human…as the young kunoichi could remember a Hyūga being. Naruto and Tenten quickly separated inside the Compound. The clone of Naruto dashed off towards the residential wing.

Tenten pulled the message she had received from Hiashi out of her omnipresent weapons pouch. The head of the Hyūga made it clear their meeting was to be private. The young weapon's prodigy followed the directions and arrived at Hiashi's private office.

"Enter," Hiashi's voice strained through the door. "We have much to discuss Tenten-san and little time."

"Yessir," Tenten said so quickly her reply came out as a single word. She had never really met Hiashi-sama, but recalled the venom Neji once used when speaking of his uncle. "I came as soon as possible."

"For that," Hiashi said from behind his desk. "You have my gratitude."

Neji's kunoichi teammate got a good look at Hiashi for the first time. He, to put it mildly, looked like shit. Neji had expressed concern over the effects of Kumo's poison on his uncle. It appeared that Neji had decided that his life's mission was to make up for Lee's enthusiasm by understating everything.

That utter bastard.

She still liked him, though. A bit…maybe.

"Tenten-san, your family is an up and coming clan of successful merchants…and ambitious. They seek to marry you off to a noble clan."

"Yes." Tenten was certain this conversation was going to lead to an incredibly awkward place. She was fairly certain Neji had finally taken the freaking hints and was going to ask her on a date. Hiashi seemed to be set on speeding up the potential relationship to a speed once reserved for the Yondaime Hokage.

Hiashi clearly knew where this conversation was heading…and it really looked like he had done this before. Tenten wasn't sure she should be comforted that he knew what the Hyūga Clan Head knew what he was doing…or terrified that she was the second (or third) go-round.

"I will not live long. Once I am dead, the Hyūga Traditionalists will move to punish me for my years of manipulating them to protect my daughters. My preparations to safeguard Hinata are in motion…Neji needs protection. The Traditionalists, the fools, have begun investigating marrying Neji to an allied clan far from Konoha. The terms they have discussed would effectively end Neji's career. He would be promoted to Chūnin and spend the rest of his days with an insufferable harpy patrolling the trade routes of a backwater."

"That…that's…" Tenten struggled to find an appropriate word. Eventually, she decided to follow her gut. "Bullshit! Neji's the most talented shinobi of our generation! That would screw the entire village over! Can you imagine how that would tear Lee up? He's been ecstatic…well even more than usual…about Neji being his friend! Those two are going to be amazing!"

Hiashi was smiling. That…wasn't exactly what Tenten had been expecting. The smile also seemed nostalgic. 'Hiashi-sama has done this before!'

"I may have a solution to several of our quandaries."

Tenten gulped. "You're going to suggest Neji and I…"

"Sign a marriage contract, yes."

"A contract," Tenten whispered as she mulled it over. "doesn't sound too bad."

Hiashi nodded. "It is a solution to many of the current obstacles to your shinobi careers. I mean no disrespect, but I cannot see you as a housewife. You are a kunoichi first…a soldier and that is something to take pride in."

That was the first time a high-ranking shinobi had told her that she should take pride in herself. It was also the first time anyone higher ranking had basically said it was alright to want what she wanted.

'I'd be lying to myself if there wasn't part of me that wanted Neji,' Tenten confessed to herself.

"What do I have to tell my parents?"

The Hyūga Clan Head smiled. "That the Hyūga Clan is supremely interested in an alliance."

"My…my parents might have questions…"

"I will do my best to answer them. I am sure they would be eager to discuss them over a meal."

It was only due to the shock of the situation and realizing where she was that Tenten didn't snort. Her mother wouldn't be eager. Tenten's mom would probably move to camp out in the Hyūga compound to work out the details of the contract. The conversation continued a few moments longer, before Tenten decided that this was the best possible time to make a break for it.

'I can't believe how close Hiashi is to biting the dust. What the heck kind of poison did Kumo use to wreck him like that?'

There was nothing for Tenten to do for Hiashi. If Tsunade-sama could only slow and ease his passing, then Tenten was as useful, medically, as Lee and Guy were fashionably useful. Hiashi still seemed to be in complete control, which was good. That meant as long as he was alive, Neji had a chance to not be screwed over by the Hyūga Elders.

Tenten was half hoping to see Neji, but as she didn't see her teammate as she worked her way through the Hyūga home. The infuriating, poised, uh…handsome, and all around genius Hyūga Neji was nowhere to be seen. The kunoichi of Team Guy was curious to find out what Naruto thought about all this Hyūga craziness. The guy had beaten a Bijū. Hiashi playing match-maker couldn't be that crazy.

Alas, the two guys she was looking for weren't anywhere to be seen. 'Man, I wish I had the Byakugan sometimes.'

It was a bit of a hazy walk back to her house. She instinctively took the stairs to her mother's favorite sitting room. It was late in the morning and her mother followed a very specific schedule.

"Mother," Tenten said somewhat formally. The soldier knew instinctively where her mom would be. "I have returned from meeting with Hyūga Hiashi-sama."

Tenten's mother looked up from her paperwork. "What did Hiashi-sama wish to discuss?"

"He, uh, wants to set up a marriage contract between Neji and myself."

The reaction wasn't too surprising. That didn't mean Tenten wasn't scared a bit when her mom fainted.

Naruto's clone had a very specific purpose for its existence. It was to let Hinata know that the Boss was on an important mission. He was to fill Hinata-chan in on a few details and not be a jerk.

Unfortunately, his timing wasn't great. Hinata-chan was, besides being hot and probably Naruto's future wife, an incredible hard and dedicated worker.

The fact she was working with her team shouldn't have been surprising, but the clone wished the timing could have been better.

At least he was somewhere that the Boss was welcomed. The Cadets were really supportive of Naruto dating Hinata. Naruto's clone was not that dense as to think Hinata was the only reason he had so much support. The promise to Neji was definitely making the rounds. Hiashi's death would leave Hinata and Hanabi in charge. Word among the Cadets was that the Seal would be abolished or substantially altered sooner rather than later.

No wonder Shuichi hated Naruto's guts.

That thought boosted the clone's mood. He just wished someone was around. Hanabi was probably with her team and Kareia was supposedly off doing something scroll related.

'All three people I actually want to see are gone,' Naruto grumbled. He supposed he could try to see if Neji was around. "Eh, worth a shot."

If he was honest, Naruto honestly preferred wandering the Hyūga compound to his apartment. His apartment was pretty much just a place to sleep. Here at the Hyūga compound, Naruto had someone to come back to, and in this case, someone was coming home to him. That was worth as much to Naruto as his Flak Jacket.

Naruto tracked down Neji after asking a Hyūga he wasn't familiar with for directions. The Jinchūriki's Chūnin Exam Finals opponent was in a library studying something. Neji looked up from a book that Naruto thought was something about laws. The Chūnin didn't get a good look at it before Neji looked up.

"Naruto, it is good to see you here," Neji greeted Naruto with only a tiny bit of smugness. It was friendly though, so Naruto didn't take offense.

"Sup, Neji?" Naruto responded. "Have you seen Hinata-chan today?"

"Hinata-sama left at four this morning for dawn recon training with her team. I believe she will return shortly," Neji responded dutifully. "As for myself, Guy-sensei and Lee have left Konoha to represent our village in a ritualistic Strong Fist tournament. Tenten and I are on reserve until our sensei and teammate returns."

"Huh, Tenten was here earlier," Naruto's clone mentioned.

Neji nodded. "I was training and noticed that she arrived around the same time you did."

"You didn't go talk to her?" Naruto asked in shock. Neji and Tenten were teammates. It struck him as very odd.

The Hyūga genius looked…nervous. It honestly freaked Naruto out a tiny bit. "The situation is complicated."

"Complicated in that you like her?"

Neji blushed at Naruto's candid observation. Naruto only laughed harder which intensified the blush. It was a vicious, if hilarious, cycle. Maybe, the clone could wait around until Hinata-chan got back. Neji was going to be his brother-ish-in-law anyway.

"Alright, brat," Jiraiya said as they came to a halt somewhere outside Konoha. "It's time to fill you in on this mission. We've put it on the books as a B-rank, but odds are it'll be kicked up to A-rank. Asset Extraction is always a risky op."

"Even if the ranking isn't bullshit like Wave, odds are the bad guys are going to come after the 'Asset' anyway," Naruto added.

The Toad Sage smiled at his apprentice. "You're thinking like a real shinobi now. This Asset is definitely at risk, which is why we are extracting him in the first place."

Naruto nodded and gave his teacher a 'get on with it' look. Jiraiya continued to smile proudly at his student. The Chūnin vest, and being seemingly welded to Hiashi and the Hyūga, had given Naruto a booster shot of patience. Jiraiya could definitely advance a few plans now that Naruto had learned to mostly sit still when he needed to.

"The Asset is Kitoaji Takao. He is a mid-level bureaucrat in the town of Tanito. I know what you're thinking," Jiraiya revealed with raised hands to forestall Naruto's questions. "He's mid-level, he can't be that important. That's exactly why he's been such a vital asset. No one pays attention to him and he has access to a ton of info. Pretty much everything crossing the border from Rice Patties, Hot Water, Stone, and Rapids passes through Tanito eventually."

Naruto hummed as he thought over what Jiraiya had just told him. "So…he's important to Konoha because no one pays attention to him and he can send us this info without being noticed? Is he passing the info on for the thrill and to be acknowledged?"

"Hot damn, kid! I'm actually impressed. You'll be angling for a promotion before I can even get us back to Konoha at this rate!"

The newly promoted Chūnin flashed a confident, beaming smile at his perverted sensei. "Hey, I'm the Sixth Hokage. I have to step things up!"

"You are certainly doing that, kid," the Toad Sage promised his godson.

Haruno Sakura couldn't shake the feeling something was about to go terribly wrong in Tanito. So far, the mission had gone off without a hitch. Team Seven had been assigned to Courier Duty. Courier missions were usually pretty cushy, especially since corporations, guilds, and merchant houses rarely had the desire or muscle to tangle with shinobi. Sakura knew she was not exceptional, but she was confident enough in her skills to handle any average mercenary.

A part of her was actually hoping for a few mercenary bands. She knew Sasuke-kun was dependable. He was a prodigy and skilled shinobi. Kakashi-sensei was a legend. The only question mark on the team was Kōta. He truly was an unknown quantity.

'I never thought I'd be missing Naruto of all people…' Sakura grumbled silently.

The goofball had made Chūnin before any other member of Team Seven. He had really surprised everyone. Sakura would never admit this out loud, but she was honestly really happy for Naruto. Now that he wasn't harassing her, she would freely admit he was actually a nice…if boisterous…guy.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Sakura dashed up to Kakashi. "Sensei…"

"What is it, Sakura?"

She chewed her lip for a moment. "I can't shake the feeling something is up. I don't think the client is dishonest, but…"

Kakashi grinned behind his mask. That level of paranoia was perfectly healthy and was a positive sign in Sakura's development as a kunoichi. "What are your instincts saying?"

"Do we know anything about the situation in Tanito? Is there anything that would make the village hostile?" Sakura asked.

"Tanito is a major trading hub. There is the usual organized crime, but none of the Families would be dumb enough to mess with us. We are from Konoha, after all. Even if they are backed by a rival village, no one would be willing to risk a major war over attacking us. The threat of massive retaliation is a wonderful way to ensure politeness."

The pinkette pondered her teacher's words before smiling. "I'm still going to be careful. I don't want this to be another Wave."

"Don't worry," Kakashi said with a flourish. "We got through Wave. We'll get through this."

Her overt fears were quickly allayed. The rest of the trip into Tanito was actually pleasant. Kōta was painfully average, but a really nice guy. Sakura could get used to having him on the team.

Tanito was a small city, but was growing rapidly. Several trade routes converged on the city. That led to a city that was growing rapidly in both wealth and population. Unfortunately, the explosion of wealth was not even. The gap between 'haves' and 'have-nots' was incredible. That was a giant alarm bell for Team Seven. Wealth disparity of this level was a perfect breeding ground for crime and slums. Urban slums were among the best hiding places for missing nin.

"This could be an ambush," Sasuke spoke for the first time in a long time.

Kakashi remained in the impassive mask he had adopted the second Tanito could see the shinobi. "Our objective is three blocks to the North. We have to move."

Kōta was caught off guard by his new sensei's sudden change in demeanor, but recovered quickly. "Of course, Kakashi-sensei."

The three Konoha shinobi departed in perfect formation, but they were not unnoticed. A small child ducked into a service tunnel and ran at full speed to a small speakeasy. The young girl knocked on the door. "Message for Tsuneo-san."

"What?" A slightly older voice asked form the other side of the thick metal door.

"He said I'd get Ryō if I saw special headbands. I saw three that looked like leaves. One guy looked kinda scary. He only had one eye," the girl reported dutifully.

"Wait right there!" The young man shouted. Tamotsu quickly rushed to his leader's location. "Tsuneo-sama! Konoha shinobi! One of our pigeons just reported in. She…said one only has a single eye."

Tsuneo emerged from the shadowed alcove he was using as his bedroom. "One eye? That can only mean one thing…Hatake Kakashi! Find out who else was with him!"

"Of course, Tsuneo-sama!" Tamotsu responded with a bow and ran back to the door.

"Junko, babe, time to get up," Tsuneo spoke in a gentle tone to his lover.

The ebony-skinned kunoichi stretched luxuriously. "I heard. Hatake Kakashi…Konoha definitely knows we are after Kitoaji if they sent the Copy-Nin. Hopefully, he has his students with him."

"We can only hope. Attack the kids and throw that bastard off his game," Tsuneo agreed.

Tamotsu returned quickly. "There are two boys. One was wearing a blue shirt and white shorts. The other was wearing black pants and a black vest. The one girl had pink hair."

"That's most of Kakashi's team. Wasn't there a blond-haired kid that beat Gatō?" Junko asked as she emerged from the 'bedroom'.

"Rumor has it that kid is a favorite of the Hokage," Tsuneo shrugged. "Odds are he's been shifted to another job."

"Only Kumo has more nepotism than Konoha," Junko snorted. She turned to the furiously blushing Tamotsu. "Go get the others. Tell them to meet at Junction Four."

"S-Sure thing," the boy stammered and ran off.

Tsuneo rolled his eyes at the very beautiful and very naked kunoichi. "Did you have to tease the kid like that?"

"What? He's a loyal kid. Don't you think he deserves a reward?" Junko quizzed her partner.

"This was supposed to be a day off while the idiots did some scouting. I was looking forward to more than just one good fuck," the 'freelance' shinobi lamented.

Junko pressed up tight against Tsuneo. "More incentive to kill Kakashi and his brats, then. Think about all the bounty money. We could head south and retire. Only take jobs when we felt like killing something, spend the rest of the day on some tropical beach…"

"Kids?" Tsuneo prodded hopefully.

"At least four," Junko answered.

"I'm really going to kill that cock blocking Konoha asshole…" Tsuneo griped.

Uzumaki Naruto knew a fundamental fact of the universe. Pretty girls got a lot of attention but they could pretty much go wherever they wanted. He watched as one of his Sexy Jutsu'd shadow clones wandered through the market district noticed…but unnoticed.

"Mom will want us to grab a few more items," Naruto stated in his assumed form.

Jiraiya, Henged to appear like a father to Naruto's disguise, looked down at the list. "If that shipment isn't in, we're going to be in so much trouble."

"Don't worry, it won't be that bad…Will it?"

The conversation appeared to be a normal father-son 'Oh god, mom is going to kill us if we screw this up' conversation. In reality, it was an on the fly code. Naruto was reporting he had a few transformed shadow clones running around. Jiraiya was complaining that Takao had decided that today of all days was the time to go off schedule. Naruto was asking how much of a crap-fest they were about to walk into.

"We're on a schedule," Jiraiya reminded the disguised Naruto. The answer was generic enough not to require the code. "But I think we need a break. Lunch?"

The mention of food caused a roar that was either a 'feed me' growl from a teenage stomach…or the Kyūbi roaring for its freedom. Neither shinobi was exactly sure what the source of the inhuman roar actually was.

"Lunch," Naruto readily agreed.

Master and apprentice strolled casually into a nearby restaurant. They quickly got a table and a menu.

"Let's not talk about our errand, brat," Jiraiya mentioned offhandedly.

"What do you want to talk about?" Naruto left the agreement and the 'Ero-Sennin' left unsaid.

Jiraiya leaned forward with a grin that promised embarrassing trouble. "How are things with the girlfriend?"

Naruto actually squawked in surprise at the question. The interaction between 'father and son' earned a chuckle from the waitress and one of the cooks who was out of the kitchen. "Really good," Naruto admitted. "Her dad seems to like me and her brother hasn't tried to kill me yet."

"That is half the battle, kid," Jiraiya assured Naruto.

The Uzumaki Chūnin really enjoyed moments like this. It gave him a taste of what he had been denied earlier in life. Naruto also got a positive example of how to interact with his future kids. That was one thing the shinobi craved more than anything; a family of his own. He had a lot of surrogates that he treasured beyond measure, but there was a fundamental spark missing.

Still, Naruto wouldn't trade the trajectory of how his life was going for anything.

Hinata, Kareia, and Hanabi were laughing as they entered the Hyūga Compound. They had all decided to meet up for brunch after training or working. The meal had been pleasant, and they actually did not mind returning to the Hyūga Compound for once.

Of course, the hope was that Naruto would be there.

Their hope was rewarded as they came across Naruto debating if the Rasengan and the Kaiten were in the same 'family' of jutsu with Neji.

"Hinata-sama, Hanabi-sama, and Kareia-san are here," Neji revealed with a smirk. "I believe they wish to speak with you."

"I'm not complaining," Naruto replied with a laugh. "We'll continue this debate later."

Neji smirked and bowed. "I'll be happy to prove you completely wrong when we resume."

"Whatever," Naruto responded with a snort of laughter and a wave of the hand. "Ladies!"

The girls seemed to enjoy the Naruto clone's theatrics. Hinata stepped forward. "How are you, Naruto-kun?"

"I'm good. Mind if we head over to that bench? I should fill you in on a few details," Naruto answered happily. The Uzumaki Chūnin led the girls to a bench and let them sit first. He flopped down in front of them with a broad, closed-eye grin. "I've got good news, and bad-ish news."

"Start with the bad," Hanabi chirped. "It'll make the good news better…hopefully?"

Kareia and Hinata nodded in agreement. Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his head in one of his trademark nervous tics. "I'm not Naruto in the technical sense…I'm a kage bunshin."

It didn't take a master of perception to notice the tinge of disappointment in each girl's face. The clone quickly reapplied the initiative and continued to relay his creator's message. "The Boss wanted me to let you know he's on an urgent high level mission. He left this morning and didn't have time to let you all know before Ero-Sennin dragged him off."

"Do you know when Naruto-kun will be back?" Kareia asked.

The clone shook his head. "I know that the mission has a lot of traveling, but I can't really say much more."

"I understand, Clone-kun," Hinata said in her 'heiress voice'. It was as much to prevent questions about a high-rank mission as to comfort her sister and friend. "What will happen to you?"

The clone grinned. "My orders are to spend the rest of the day with you lovely ladies and go 'poof' so the Boss can get the memories of the day. So…who wants to tell me how their day went?"

Kitoaji Takao nearly jumped out his skin when a very pretty blonde bumped into him as he left the bank. "Oh, sorry Oji-san!"

"I-I'm sure it was an accident," Takao stammered as the attractive gyaru strutted off. She only replied with a wave…and a sway of her short skirt.

The mid-level bureaucrat nearly jumped as he realized there was a small sheet of paper in his hands. He certainly didn't have that a moment ago! Nervously, he pulled out a book and sat on a nearby bench. Kitoaji slipped the paper in between the pages. It was a passage from one of the early "Icha Icha" novels. Takao struggled to contain his relief as he applied the cipher. He was being extracted by his mysterious handler.

'He wants me to head to…the fish market? There is nothing there! Why in the heck would I go to there? Well...I do need some food for tonight…'

Little did Takao know, his handler was very aware he needed some food for the evening. The fish market was also a fairly open area with lots of traffic. Masters of infiltration such as Jiraiya, and talented amateurs like Naruto, could enter and exit such a public place in a drunken sleep.

Once again, the shell game that was the intrigue surrounding Kitoaji Takao was evolving in a direction Inuzuka Kiba would probably call 'a complete and total shitstorm'.

Tamotsu gulped as he looked to the small 'force' Tsuneo-sama had put him in charge of for the ambush. He was leading three other 'trainees' for the 'clan'. Tsuneo had provided instructions to overwhelm the kunoichi and the no-name kid. Manabu and his twin, Manami, were tasked with handling the Uchiha. Tsuneo-sama and his wife would lead the most experienced members of the 'clan' in an attempt to handle the legendary Hatake Kakashi. The remaining six members of the 'clan' had the most important task of all: kill Kitoaji Takao.

Tamotsu saw the Konoha team enter the market from the east. They were heading towards a food stall. A cart across the plaza was knocked over by a number of kids playing football. The owner started yelling at the kids and was gesturing wildly.

It was the signal.

Tamotsu's team wasn't to engage until Tsuneo-sama got the drop on Hatake Kakashi. The waiting was easily the worst part. Tamotsu had faith in his semi-adopted family, but even as a young unaffiliated shinobi, Tamotsu was well aware of the legend of Hatake Kakashi.

A speeding torrent of water heralded the opening of the assault.

[Now!] Tamotsu signed. [Katsuro and Kiyoko! Start with the kunoichi. She's been with Kakashi since the beginning!]

The twins unleashed their 'Earth Ripple' Jutsu and Tamotsu couldn't help but smile as the kunoichi was knocked off her feet. Tamotsu signed for his 'team' to suppress the kunoichi with shuriken. Phase two was in process. Manabu and Manami were two of the most skilled shinobi in the 'Clan' and Tamotsu couldn't help but feel his spirit soar at the sight of them engaging the Uchiha. Confident in his clanmates, Tamotsu ordered Katsuro and Kiyoko to join him in attacking Kakashi's other two students.

"I knew this would happen!" the pink-haired kunoichi cried out as she struggled to dodge the shuriken being thrown by Tamotsu's team.

'She talks too much,' Tamotsu thought sardonically as he began to engage the kunoichi in taijutsu. It was honestly shocking how completely average a ninja from one of the Great Shinobi Villages could be. She blocked a few strikes, but after a couple of feint kicks Tamotsu managed to land a pretty solid punch to her cheek. Katsuro was having similar success against the nondescript Konoha shinobi while Kiyoko was providing support where and when it was necessary.

'I know she hates staying back, but she's our clan's apprentice healer. She's too valuable to risk,' Tamotsu thought. 'Maybe I'll leave an opening for this kunoichi to get away so Kiyoko-chan can get a few licks in herself…'

As Kōta and Sakura were hard pressed by the missing-nin, Uchiha Sasuke was recording a new jutsu with his Sharingan. The Wind Release: Air Bullet was an easy technique to copy, but it was not an easy technique to dodge. Sasuke could only grit his teeth in pain as he was knocked off his feet by the powerful technique. The Sharingan was a powerful weapon in his arsenal, but as with the match against Rock Lee, Sasuke just couldn't keep up physically.

'If I can't beat these missing-nin trash, how far behind that man am I?'

"Finally nice to meet you, Kitoaji-san," Jiraiya greeted, by way of a Shadow Clone, after delivering the extraction code phrase.

"N-Nice to finally meet you," Kitoaji returned the greeting.

"Now," Jiraiya continued seamlessly. "We don't have time to really have a chat as you have an entire clan of missing-nin working for your bosses. They want to kill you. Lucky for you, my apprentice and I are here. We're pretty damn good at this whole Shinobi thing."

"You can protect me in a fight?" the bureaucrat asked hopefully.

"If we have to," Naruto finally spoke up from hanging on the ceiling. "The best thing that could happen is that we slip out of here and avoid the scary people trying to kill us."

"But," Kitoaji started.

Naruto grinned. "If we sneak away, you won't be in any danger. Trust us."

Konoha's spy nodded after several moments of thought. "I will trust you."

"We're not going to let you down. Collect a few things you will need and bring them to your kitchen," Jiraiya ordered.

As the objective dashed off to get a few items of personal importance, Naruto turned to his teacher. "Just how much trouble is this going to be?"

"For us? Not all that much. The originals have the short end of the stick here," Jiraiya explained. Kitoaji returned with a number of items. Jiraiya quickly sealed the various items in a Storage Scroll. "Well, Mister Kitoaji, shall we depart?"

"Yes! As soon as possible! My life is in your hands, master ninja!" The bureaucrat bowed.

Jiraiya's clone threw his arms in the air. "FINALLY!" The exuberant outburst caused the civilian to flinch and Naruto to let a bark of laughter fly. "Finally, some respect!"

Kakashi had long since uncovered his Sharingan. The missing-nin assailing Team Seven were varied in skill and experience. However, the leader of this merry band of fuck-wits had planned this ambush well. Six Jonin-level opponents had attacked Kakashi at the opening of the battle. There were four currently alive, but one was crippled and hopefully bleeding to death.

The vindictive and bloodthirsty mood coloring the Copy-nin's thoughts was easy enough to explain. These missing-nin had pissed Kakashi off. They were systematically targeting his students. The Jonin were timing attacks so that Kakashi saw his students take several telling blows. It was clear their strategy was to piss Kakashi off enough to where he made a mistake. Of course, they hadn't counted on his Sharingan.

'Hang on, everyone,' Kakashi seethed.

As Kakashi was trying to defeat his opponents quickly, Uchiha Sasuke was being pushed beyond his limits. A new onslaught was unleashed by his opponents, and all that was keeping Sasuke alive as his Sharingan.

'When I survive this, I will emerge stronger,' Sasuke repeated the mantra as he managed to deflect another blow from one of his assailants. His momentary triumph was rewarded by a powerful kick to his already bruised ribs. Against his will, he pulled up in pain. Sasuke created an opening that even his Sharingan couldn't compensate for. An Air Bullet Jutsu hit him square in the chest and sent him flying.

'At least I copied it…' Sasuke's thoughts were fluid and impossible to keep truly coherent. This was not how he expected to die.

As a failure. 'That idiot Naruto will probably…'

"Well, brat! It looks like we got here just in time! Wonder what that makes us?" the booming voice of the Sannin Jiraiya silenced the din of battle. His fiercely radiating Killing Intent added to the overwhelming power of his presence.

"Big Damn Heroes, Ero-Sennin!" the surprisingly welcome voice of Naruto echoed across the battlefield.

Jiraiya laughed as the missing-nin took a step back. "Ain't. We. Just."

"Grab the Uchiha!" one of Sasuke's opponents cried out.

"That's a no," Naruto countered…from behind the Chūnin level opponent. A swirling ball of chakra, the famed Rasengan, crashed into the back of the missing-nin. An explosion of gore was one of the last things Sasuke saw before slipping unconscious.

Haruno Sakura came to outside of the town with a weary sigh. "Kakashi-sensei…"

Kakashi was sipping a canteen nearby. "Yes, Sakura? How are you?"

"Been better. Concussed, probably…" Sakura pointed out. "Permission to say 'I told you so'?"

Kakashi chuckled. "Permission granted."

"Kakashi-sensei, I told you so."

The Copy Nin chuckled. "I'm glad you've developed a sense of paranoia. It is a healthy thing to have."

"Thanks, sensei." Sakura looked away. "Are…Are Sasuke-kun and Kōta-san alright?"

"Jiraiya-sama and Naruto are taking Kōta back to Konoha using the toads. He was hurt pretty bad. Sasuke hasn't woken up yet," Kakashi explained.

"Kōta-san? How badly?" Sakura asked in concern.

Kakashi sighed. "Extreme concussion and several broken ribs. If Naruto and Jiraiya-sama hadn't shown up, Kōta would have died."

"Sensei, that sounds a lot worse than an 'extreme concussion' and a few broken ribs…" Sakura pressed.

"Clever girl," Kakashi praised.

Unbeknownst to the other remaining members of Team Seven, Uchiha Sasuke had awakened and come to a decision.

Tsunade had given up on expecting anything normal from Uzumaki Naruto a long time ago. The latest mission was a B-rank, but Naruto, and his old lech of a teacher, had somehow succeeded beautifully in their primary mission, arrived just in time to save Team Seven and medically extract Kōta, defeated almost an entire clan of missing-nin, and all of that was two full days ahead of schedule.

'I really need to have Naruto clear out a casino for me…' Tsunade joked to herself.

Jiraiya would give his report later as Tsunade had ordered the Toad Sage to track down information on the Missing Nin Clan. Almost all had fled once Jiraiya and Naruto had arrived, but two had managed to be captured. The young Chūnin was smiling as Tsunade entered her office. The Senju Princess couldn't ignore the fact that Naruto had been sizing up (and sitting in) her chair the entire time Tsunade had been out of the room.

"I hope you enjoyed the feel of the chair. You're still probably a few years out, kid. Nice work on the transformed Kage Bunshin. It took me a second to notice the four disguised as plants, a picture, and a trash can."

Naruto pouted. "I thought I was getting better…"

"Naruto," Tsunade said with a sigh. For all Naruto's confidence, a great deal of it was still a front raised from early in his life as an outcast. "You are getting better. How many shinobi have been in and out of the Tower today? Shizune and I have not received any reports of your infiltration. I noticed it because, hello, Sannin!"

"Oh," Naruto chuckled. "I guess I've had such a good run of things, I expected to be invincible."

The Hokage reached into her desk and pulled out a pair of saucers and some sake. "That is a horrible mistake for anyone. You are never invincible. Thinking that way is one of the worst mistakes anyone, shinobi or otherwise, can ever make. Always seek to improve, be proud of what you have accomplished, but never think you are invincible."

"Yes ma'am." It was honestly not just the right thing to say in this situation, but the only thing to say in this situation.

"Now," Tsunade said while pouring two saucers of sake. "A congratulatory toast to a successful mission and your little deal with the Hyūga."

"I, uh, I've never had alcohol before..." Naruto hedged.

The Godaime Hokage waved off Naruto's lame protest. "I chose one that's closer to water than anything. Besides, you're an Uzumaki, brat. The metabolism you've been blessed with means you'd have to drink half of Konoha's alcohol supply before you get drunk."

Naruto was well aware that Tsunade was using exaggerated humor. "O-okay..."

"To the future," Tsunade announced the toast.

"The future," Naruto parroted. The two drank...and Tsunade laughed uproariously at Naruto's reaction. "You drink this stuff...all the time...why? Baa-chan, did you give me paint thinner?"

"I promise that I did not give you paint thinner," Tsunade answered earnestly. Naruto visibly relaxed, and that was Tsunade's cue. "It was nail polish remover."

"Are you trying to poison me?! I only sat in the chair for a few seconds!"

The explosion from the younger shinobi caused the legendary kunoichi to howl with laughter. "It's not nail polish remover, Naruto. Worse, I gave you really cheap rotgut sake. Even worse, it's Jiraiya's favorite brand!"

"Almost everyone I know is insane..." Naruto grumbled. "So...should we actually do our jobs now, or..."

"Not yet, I'm not done enjoying this moment where I pranked an Uzumaki!" Tsunade crowed. After a few more minutes of relentless teasing, the Hokage calmed down and began the debriefing. Naruto ran through every facet of the mission. The serious nature of Tsunade's questions and observations pushed the earlier shenanigans out of Naruto's mind.

"Is there anything else, Baa-chan?" Naruto asked, exhausted from being put through the ringer.

"Other than to call me Hokage-sama during briefings? No, Chūnin Uzumaki, I do not require anything else," Tsunade replied.

Naruto got up, actually bowed, and headed for the door. "That's as close as you're going to get, Baa-chan!"

"Get out of here before I make up my mind whether to finger-flick you all the way to Iwa or tell you I'm proud of you!" Tsunade called after Naruto as he left.

"Don't make me sneak into your office and destroy that sake!" Naruto countered back.

Tsunade threw back her head in laughter. "Be my guest. I hate that crap!"

'Uzumaki Naruto, you are the kindling that keeps the Will of Fire burning.' The Hokage smiled. Her village was going to be in good hands after she retired. Naruto's greatest strength was his ability to create hope. The Fifth Hokage was determined to safeguard that strength.

The fact that Naruto went to the Hyūga complex instead of his apartment didn't dawn on the Chūnin until Kō ushered him towards Hiashi's office. Naruto wasn't nervous about his 'summons' anymore. Instead, he was eager to see the head of the Hyūga Clan.

'I still need to figure out where he got that desk...' Naruto thought. There was no way the Uzumaki shinobi would admit it publicly, but Hiashi's desk was much cooler than Baa-chan's desk.

"Good afternoon, Naruto-san," Hiashi said in greeting. "Please, take a seat."

"Thanks, Hiashi-sama," Naruto replied with a smile in his words. "Having a good day?"

The Hyūga Clan head nodded. "I am not suffering many ill effects today."

'Today,' the younger ninja thought. "That's awesome."

Hiashi simply nodded and the light caught his features, revealing how ashen-faced he truly was. "Kō mentions you were quite eager to speak with me in confidence."

'I'm always confident...' Naruto thought in confusion. Brushing the feelings aside, Naruto pushed forward. "I've been thinking about Hinata-chan and your offer a lot. I'm going to marry Hinata."

Author's Note: Hey guys! Guess what this is! An actual flipping update! I was honestly a bit burnt out on Naruto, but I'm slowly coming back around.

A thought I've had recently is perhaps creating a Discord Server for my various fics. That way you can hound me to keep working on fics, uh, check in on the progress of the fics. At first, it'd probably be my more popular fics, general off topic, fic recommendations, etc. If you think that's a good idea, let me know in one of the reviews. If you think it's a terrible idea, let me know too.

Please consider leaving a review!