Naruto felt his eye twitch. He was nearing the end of his patience, the reserves of which had increased greatly since training to become a sage. However, he was also an Uzumaki, a clan which was feared for many good reasons – the most prominent of which was their impatience and short temper.
"So you want me to go on a babysitting mission, Kakashi-sensei?" he asked incredulously, a hint of irritation palpable in his voice.
"Yes," responded Kakashi apathetically, though on closer inspection he seemed to enjoy tormenting his former student.
"And why is it that I have to go?" retorted Naruto, a displeased look crossing his face in front of the Hokage. Not that Kakashi minded, he preferred his student treating him all the same, saying that it made him feel less old.
"Because you're going to a different dimension. Who better to send on this mission than the strongest shinobi?" replied the Sixth Hokage, hoping that flattery would be enough to encourage his former student.
Naruto, on the other hand, did not look to pleased at the prospect of being a glorified guinea pig. However, he also knew that he, out of everyone, would be able to survive in new, unknown world.
"Fine, I'll accept the mission. But I'll form my team," responded Naruto, making it clear he would not negotiate the condition any further. Seeing no reason to object, Kakashi lazily dismissed him with a nod and half-hearted wave of his hand, his other already grasping a particular orange book. Sighing at his former teacher's complete lack of shame, Naruto turned and exited the office, before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Sasuke was walking in the village, his lone black eye taking in the sights of the many shops and bustling people. Holding his hand, the best kunoichi of her generation walked, her short, neon ink hair bobbing as she walked. Sakura had surpassed all the medics that had existed before her, apart from Senju Hashirama. Her raw strength alone could crumble mountains if she so wished, and many were quick to run as fast as they could when her temper began to rise. Luckily for the village of Konoha, she had mellowed out a lot since her early teens and childhood, mostly due to the other kunoichi keeping her in check. Sasuke was sure that there was nothing he could do even with the Susanoo to hold her back if she decided that he needed some sense knocked into him.
"Naruto! Why did Kakashi want to speak to you?" asked Sakura, as their third teammate appeared beside them.
"He's got a mission for me, and I'm forming a team. I was thinking that you both could come along?" replied Naruto, his blue eyes shining in delight at seeing his friends. His blond hair was growing longer, and he ran a hand through the spiky mess.
"Keep us on the team roster, we'll meet you later. However, we're on our own mission right now regarding some sightings of white Zetsu masses," responded Sasuke, smirking at the disappointed look on his rival's face.
"Well, good luck then. I'm off to see if anyone else is available," responded Naruto, bidding them farewell before leaping onto a rooftop to resume his search for a team. Glancing at the streets, Naruto was able to remember everyone's face, a habit he had gained after eighteen years of extensive shinobi training. Spotting a familiar face in the crowd, Naruto grinned. Jumping off the rooftop, he landed neatly on his feet, before creeping before his target. Upon reaching his target, he encircled his arms around their waist before lifting them into the air, much to their surprise.
"Boo!" exclaimed Naruto, his excitement further fueled by the small squeal Hinata had made when lifted into the air.
"Naruto!" she responded, before turning around when he finally put her down and giving him a loving hug. Naruto eagerly returned her hug, kissing the top of her head as she relaxed her head against his broad chest.
"Where have you been? I was looking for you all day," she pouted, her voice slightly muffled. Softly stroking her long, dark and silky hair, Naruto replied.
"At the tower, Kakashi assigned me the weirdest mission ever. But tell me about your day- I'll fill you in later."
"I was visiting Tenten and her and I decided to see Neji-ni-san," responded Hinata, her voice choked with emotion at the mentioning of her late cousin. Naruto closed his eyes and held her tightly, they both knew there was no point of saying any words to each other. After all, 'I'm sorry' would do nothing to bring him back, and just worsen the pain for both of them. They both believed themselves solely responsible for his death, no matter how much their comrades tried to convince them otherwise.
"What did Kakashi-sama want with you?" asked Hinata, her voice soft and meek. She clearly did not wish to talk more about her deceased cousin, and Naruto obliged.
"There's been a new mission request from a different dimension. Kakashi asked me to take it since I'm one of the strongest shinobi out there, and I couldn't really refuse. I was going to ask if you'd like to accompany me on this mission?" responded Naruto, a small smile on his face as he looked at her delicate face.
"Sure! Who else do you have in mind?" said Hinata, touched that he would let her accompany him on what seemed to be a dangerous mission.
"I've asked Sasuke and Sakura, but they're already on a mission. However, Sasuke said they'll catch up with us once they're done. Apart from them, I haven't asked anyone," answered Naruto.
"What about a standby team?" asked Hinata, fearing the need for extra manpower. It would be fatal if they didn't have the necessary backup when they needed, and especially when they were travelling to an unknown, dangerous world.
"I'll ask Kaka-sensei to keep the Konoha Twelve on standby, as well as Yamato-taichou," replied Naruto, seeing the logic in her request, "but I want us four to go ahead first. You and I have a large chakra signature- so us two will head off, then have Sasuke and Sakura come afterwards. If we evade detection and then need backup, we will know we can resort to covert ops."
"Alright then, when do we leave?" asked Hinata, satisfied with the basic plan Naruto had drawn out.
"Meet me in the tower at zero-eight-hundred hours. Kakashi said there'd be a further brief. Also, take this and seal as much clothes an equipment as you can, we'll probably need them," instructed Naruto, tossing her one of his specially developed storage scrolls. He found it surprising how easily the art of fuinjutsu had come to him, but then had simply shrugged it off when he learnt that his mother's clan was more than renowned for it. It was probably an inherited ability he thought nonchalantly, though he'd have loved his mother's chains as well.
"Uzumaki Naruto and Hyῡga Hinata, your mission is to travel to a dimension similar to ours, where instead of chakra and shinobi, they have magic and wizards. You will be under the command of a man known as Dumbledore Albus, who I believe will be arriving soon to further explain the mission to you," commanded Kakashi, his face stoic and serious. No sooner had he finished talking when Naruto and Hinata both felt a foreign presence entering the office. Quickly unsheathing a kunai each, they jumped behind the desk, standing on either side of the Hokage before even the ANBU had a chance to react. As they turned to where they sensed the presence, they saw an old man appear out of a strange swirl of mist, dressed in the most peculiar clothes. He was a tall man, with long flowing robes, a strange hat and the longest beard either of them had ever seen in their lives. Suddenly he pulled out a strange stick, causing their muscles to tense, unsure of what kind of weapon he possessed. There was one thing immediately apparent to the both of them though, whoever this man was, he was powerful. The man muttered something they didn't understand, before pointing the stick to himself as a blue light shot out the tip. Clearing his throat, the man spoke to them in a heavy, foreign accent.
"Good morning everyone. I do hope you'll excuse my rudeness for barging in here like I did, but I was running rather late, and when I got to the village, I couldn't help myself looking at the mountain with all the heads on it. Rather beautiful, I must say. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I believe I corresponded with a certain Mr. Kakashi?" enquired Dumbledore, his voice jovial.
"Welcome to Konoha, Dumbledore-san, though my name would be Mr. Hatake in your language. I trust your journey was uneventful?" responded Kakashi, signaling the shinobi to stand down.
"Oh yes, it was simply marvelous. I would also like to apologise, we usually say our last names last when introducing ourselves, and I hope you forgive my blunder," responded Dumbledore, having seated himself on an armchair brought by two ninjas.
"Professor Dumbledore, these are the two shinobi who will initially accompany you. They are amongst the finest, and will be joined by more of our elite later," informed Kakashi, waving off Dumbledore's apology.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto, Dumbledore-sama, and I'll be leading this mission. Accompanying me is Hyῡga Hinata, one of our most skilled shinobi. We are at your service," said Naruto, introducing himself and Hinata, both bowing.
"Very well. The mission is simple, I want you to guard a boy called Harry Potter. You see, he is being pursued by an evil wizard known as Voldemort, who wishes to kill him. You and your team will be hired undercover at Hogwarts and will be allowed certain privileges. Should you require anything, feel free to let me know. The duration of this mission, however, is almost an entire year. Any questions?" asked Dumbledore. Naruto and Hinata looked at each other before shaking their heads.
"We are ready to depart as soon as you wish, Kakashi-sama, Dumbledore-sama," responded Hinata, bowing to both.
"Rules of engagement: you are to abide by both our laws and the laws of the land, which Dumbledore will further brief you on. Dismissed," responded Kakashi, before nodding to Dumbledore and handing Naruto a scroll.
Withdrawing a goblet from his pocket, Dumbledore handed it to Kakashi before beckoning Naruto and Hinata to hold his robes. Saluting Kakashi, they quickly did as they were told, before being swept away, leaving an empty spot where they once stood.
Appearing in a rainy, wet alleyway, Naruto and Hinata stumbled a little as they tried to get their bearings, the effect of travelling through dimensions instantaneously whilst spinning being relatively new to them.
"I need to place a charm on you both so you can speak our language at will," remarked Dumbledore, causing the seasoned shinobi to narrow their eyes.
"Hinata, let him try it on me first. Watch my chakra system with your Byakugan!" ordered Naruto. They both knew that he could easily overpower any seal or curse mark, and Hinata was the most familiar with what a normal chakra system was supposed to look like. Trusting Naruto, Hinata activated her Byakugan, the familiar veins pulsing against her temples. As Dumbledore performed the spell she concentrated, making sure that his chakra flow remained steady. She continued her observation even after Dumbledore had finished, checking that Naruto had remained unharmed. Satisfied, she deactivated her Byakugan, before Dumbledore had a chance to look at her. She had no intention of divulging any information regarding her bloodline than necessary. Smiling, she allowed Dumbledore to perform the same spell on her, before testing the new words that flowed off her tongue with great difficulty.
"It'll be hard to talk in English for a couple of days, then your tongues should find our peculiar language a little easier," chuckled Dumbledore, his eyes filled with their usual mirth. Rubbing his hands together, he looked at the two shinobi in front of him. He saw that Hinata had Naruto's black jacket on, or rather, engulfing her, as she looked at Naruto with rosy cheeks. Naruto, however, didn't seem to mind, though Dumbledore could tell that standing in the rainy alleyway would do all of them more harm than good.
"Let us move onto our destination, it is rather nippy here. I'm sure that rain and cold weather are not common occurrences is Konoha. Besides, I must introduce you both to some people who are rather excited to meet you," said Dumbledore, ushering them along to the main road.