Chapter 62 First real mission

Naruto listened closely as Tazuna spoke. The old man’s words became clearer now, filled with real fear and sadness.

Tazuna explained how Gato, the bad guy, had taken over everything.

He controlled the ships, the trade, and even the people’s lives.

No one could buy or sell without Gato’s say-so.

The bridge was their only hope. It would break Gato’s control and bring life back to the Land of Waves.

But Gato wouldn't let that happen easily.

He had thugs, strong fighters, and anyone who stood against him faced terrible danger.

Tazuna himself had been threatened many times.

His family, his daughter, and his grandson Inari, were all in danger because he was trying to build this bridge.

“He sent his men after me,”

Tazuna confessed, his voice shaking.

“They ambushed me on the road. I barely got away. That’s why I came to the Leaf Village, hoping for protection. But I lied. I said it was a C-rank because I knew they wouldn’t take an A-rank mission to a poor place like mine. We don’t have enough money for that.”

He looked down, ashamed.

“I’m sorry, kid. I just… I don’t know what else to do.”

Naruto’s smile didn’t disappear. Instead, it became a bit wider, showing he understood.

He reached out and patted Tazuna’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it, old man. I get it. You were just trying to protect your people.”

He thought about the hidden dangers Tazuna had just spoken of.

This mission was indeed far beyond a simple C-rank. It was a true challenge, a real ninja mission with serious risks.

And it was exactly what he and his team needed.

The next morning, Team 7 stood before the Third Hokage.

Sakura was still grumpy about another D-rank. Naruto was excited. He had spoken with Kakashi earlier, explaining his conversation with Tazuna.

Kakashi, as usual, listened calmly, his single visible eye showing a hint of interest.

“Lord Hokage,”

Kakashi began, his voice calm,

“Naruto had an interesting encounter last night. It seems Mr. Tazuna’s mission might be a bit… more than a D-rank.”

Sakura looked confused.

“What are you talking about, Kakashi-sensei? It’s just chasing a cat or pulling weeds.”

Naruto stepped forward.

“No, Sakura. Tazuna needs a bridge built, but a bad guy named Gato is stopping him. Gato has strong fighters, and he’s threatening Tazuna and his family. This isn’t a simple D-rank. It’s an escort mission, but it’s really much more dangerous. It’s at least a C-rank, maybe even an A-rank.”

The Third Hokage looked at Naruto, his eyes thoughtful. He knew Naruto had a way of seeing things others missed, especially after the bell test.

“An A-rank, you say, Naruto? That’s a serious claim. What makes you think so?”

Naruto explained what Tazuna had told him, how Gato had sent thugs after him, and how he was trying to hide the true danger to get a cheaper mission.

He didn't mention his special senses or his cultivator training, keeping those secrets to himself.
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, a puff of smoke leaving his pipe.

He looked at Tazuna, who shifted nervously.

“Mr. Tazuna,” the Hokage said, his voice firm, “is what Naruto says true? Did you lie about the mission’s difficulty?”

Tazuna swallowed hard. He looked at Naruto, then at the Hokage.

“Yes, Lord Hokage. I’m sorry. We don’t have much money in the Land of Waves. I… I thought if I said it was a low rank, you would take it. Gato is a very dangerous man. He has control of everything. If the bridge isn’t built, my village will suffer even more.”

Sakura gasped.

“You lied to the Hokage? That’s not right!”

Satsuki remained silent, her expression unreadable, but a faint flicker in her eyes showed she was paying close attention. This was the first time she’d seen a mission change ranks like this.
The Hokage sighed.

“Very well. Because of the deception, this mission is now officially ranked as a C-rank. Team 7, you will escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves and protect him while he builds his bridge. Be aware, this could be more dangerous than a typical C-rank. You will need to be ready for anything.”

Naruto beamed. This was exactly what he wanted. A real mission, with real stakes.

Later that day, Team 7 stood at the village gates, ready to leave. Tazuna stood with them, looking a bit more sober and nervous now that the truth was out.

“Alright, team,” Kakashi said, his eye crinkling in his usual smile. “This is our first real mission outside the village walls. From here on out, we’re in enemy territory, possibly. Stay alert, and follow my orders.”

Sakura, still a little upset about the deception, looked at Tazuna. “So, you’re really sure about this, old man? We’re going to a dangerous place because you lied?”

Tazuna hung his head.

“I know I messed up. But please, believe me, my people really need this bridge. It’s their only hope.”

Naruto stepped forward.

“Don’t worry, Sakura. We’ll protect him. That’s what ninjas do, right? And besides, this sounds like a lot more fun than pulling weeds.”

He winked at Tazuna, who managed a small, grateful smile.
The journey began.

For the first few hours, it was quiet. They walked along a winding road, surrounded by tall trees.

Sakura complained about her feet, while Satsuki kept her eyes sharp, scanning their surroundings.

Naruto was humming his tune again, enjoying the fresh air and the feeling of adventure.

Kakashi walked slightly ahead, his hands in his pockets, seemingly relaxed, but Naruto knew his sensei was always watching, always ready.

They passed through a small village. Naruto noticed how quiet it was.

The people looked tired, their faces filled with worry. It reminded him of what Tazuna had said about Gato’s control.

“See?”

Tazuna said, pointing to a merchant packing up his goods.

“Gato makes it hard for everyone. He takes everything they earn. The bridge will change that.”

As they continued, Naruto’s keen senses picked up something.

A faint tremor in the ground, a subtle shift in the wind. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for him. He slowed his steps, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Sensei,” Naruto said, his voice low, “we’re not alone.”

Kakashi stopped, his visible eye scanning the forest.

“Oh? What do you sense, Naruto?”

“Two of them,”

Naruto replied, pointing to a thick patch of bushes ahead.

“Hidden, but not very well. Coming from behind that thicket.”

Sakura and Satsuki looked confused.

They didn’t sense anything. Tazuna looked even more nervous.

Suddenly, two figures burst from the bushes.

They wore strange arm guards with blades attached, and their faces were covered.

They were clearly ninjas, not just thugs. They moved fast, aiming straight for Tazuna.

“Get back, Tazuna!” .

Kakashi yelled, pushing the old man behind him.

The two enemy ninjas attacked. One aimed a bladed arm guard at Kakashi, while the other tried to flank him and reach Tazuna.

Kakashi moved with incredible speed, blocking the first attack and deflecting the second. His movements were fluid, graceful, and deadly.

He was clearly a powerful ninja.
Sakura looked on in shock.

Satsuki, however, reacted quickly.

She pulled out a kunai and threw it, forcing one of the attackers to dodge, momentarily breaking his attack.

Naruto didn’t move as quickly as Kakashi or Satsuki.

He watched, observing the enemy, assessing their movements.

He could have ended this fight in an instant, but he wanted to see how his team would handle it.

This was their first real test.

The two enemy ninjas, seeing their initial surprise attack fail, began to work together, trying to trap Kakashi.

They moved like a well-oiled machine, their bladed arm guards flashing in the sunlight.

“Sakura, Satsuki, protect Tazuna!”

Kakashi ordered, his voice calm even in the middle of the fight.

Sakura, though scared, nodded and stood in front of Tazuna. Satsuki moved to flank the second attacker, ready to strike.

Naruto finally decided it was time to step in, but in a way that wouldn’t reveal his true strength. He moved with a burst of speed, not using chakra, but pure physical power honed by his cultivation.

He appeared behind one of the attackers, subtly tripping him without making it obvious. The attacker stumbled, giving Kakashi an opening.

Kakashi didn’t miss the chance. He moved in, a blur of motion, and quickly took down the first attacker.

The ninja cried out as he hit the ground, unconscious.

The second attacker, seeing his partner fall, hesitated for a moment.

That was all Satsuki needed. She moved in, swift and silent, and delivered a precise kick that sent the second ninja sprawling.
The fight was over almost as quickly as it began.

Two unconscious ninjas lay on the ground.

Kakashi looked at Naruto, a hint of surprise in his visible eye.

“Naruto, good timing. You created a distraction.”

He then turned to the unconscious ninjas.

“These are Chunin from the Hidden Mist Village. They’re called the Demon Brothers. This confirms it. This mission is far from a C-rank. Tazuna, you really did undersell this.”

Tazuna looked pale, his eyes wide with fear.

“I told you, Gato is dangerous! He’ll send more. Stronger ones.”

Sakura looked at the unconscious ninjas, then at Kakashi.

“Hidden Mist ninjas? Why are they after Tazuna?”

“Because Gato hired them,”

Kakashi said grimly.

“He wants to stop this bridge. And if he’s sending Chunin, it means he’s serious. This mission is now officially an A-rank. We need to decide. Do we continue, or do we go back to the village?”

Naruto stepped forward.

“We continue. We promised to protect Tazuna, and we will. Besides,” he added, a mischievous grin on his face, “This is finally getting interesting.”


Satsuki nodded slowly.

“I agree. We should continue. This is a real test.”

Sakura looked at her teammates, then at Kakashi. She was scared, but she also felt a surge of determination.

This was what it meant to be a ninja. “Okay,” she said, her voice a little shaky, but firm. “We continue.”

Kakashi looked at his genin, a proud smile on his face, hidden under his mask.

“Alright, Team 7. Let’s go. But from now on, stay even more alert. The real challenge has just begun.”

They tied up the unconscious ninjas and continued their journey.

The atmosphere had changed. The casual stroll was gone, replaced by a tense alertness. Every rustle in the trees, every shadow, seemed to hold a hidden threat.

Naruto continued to lead the way, his senses sharper than ever. He could feel the spiritual energy of the world around him, the subtle shifts that told him when danger was near.

He knew the Demon Brothers were just the beginning. Gato wouldn’t give up easily.

As they walked, Naruto thought about his step-mother, Daji. She would have loved this. The thrill of the chase, the cunning of the enemy, the chance to prove their strength.

He remembered her words, “The greatest adventures are always the most dangerous, little fox.”

He was ready. This was his first real mission, his first chance to truly make a difference in this world.

He would protect Tazuna, help build that bridge, and show everyone, including himself, what he was capable of.

The Land of Waves awaited, and so did the challenges that would forge Team 7 into true ninjas.