Kakashi is in a foul mood. A month almost passed since the survival training and he understood less and less about his team. Lord Third assigned them around 3 to 4 D-ranked missions every week while the rest of the days were used for training. Their teamwork improved greatly and Sakura was more eager to learn and train for the rest of the days. The missions they had were finished rather quickly courtesy of Naruto and his famed Shadow clones making the jobs proceed faster and efficiently. Thus, making more time for training.

What made Kakashi frustrated was, Naruto (blood clone) and Sasuke (blood clone) duly kept their stat as Genin (as per ordered by the originals) and revealed nothing. They were so normal that it seemed......abnormal. During training, they had followed his training instructions without much protests and completes them. Kakashi managed to questioned them on certain things like "You know how to use the sword?" or "What else can you do?" but they always dodged the subject or shrugged it off saying, "What do you think?" or "guess!" or "what makes you think I should tell you?" never really giving him an answer. They always had this playful smirk on their faces that infuriated him. (Guess who said which sentences!)

Other times, Kakashi tried to prod them into sparring with him so he could gauge their strength. The spars were......unsatisfactory......if he had to say anything about it. Not that he wasn't impressed, but he had the feeling that they were holding back. They were many times than he could count that the two surprised him. In fact, what irked Kakashi was that, whatever he did, he could not incite them to go all out and showcase their true abilities. That's right, even when he had to use the sharingan. What does that mean? To Kakashi, it meant that he wasn't good enough. Sasuke didn't react much to him having the sharingan either.

Kakashi felt like, while he spends the time training them, he never really got close to knowing them, or even gained their trust. Kakashi realized that apart from Sakura, the other two have not open up to him, despite his many attempts, making him feel miserable. Regarding training, Kakashi mostly worked on their stamina and body building, increase their proficiency in handling the kunai and shuriken and master the three basic ninjutsu; substitution, transformation and clones. In addition to Sasuke's training regimen, the training was helpful for mostly Sakura. Naruto and Sasuke simply found it boring and completes them without much feelings. But of course, for the two most powerful shinobi in the world, such meager level training would not arouse such excitement.

"Sakura's training is turning out well...should I move on to chakra control exercises next?" Kakashi mused. Kakashi had thought of giving each of them their own training regimen to develop their own fighting style. But the problem was, he still hasn't grasp Naruto's and Sasuke's combat prowess and their limits to start working on it. Since he lacked that knowledge, he couldn't begin. He could only work on their foundations. At the very least, Sakura benefited a lot from it so far.

At this dead end, Kakashi could only sighed in defeat and forwarded his concerns to the Third Hokage.

"......Hmmm, I understand where you're coming from, Kakashi," There was a brief pause.

"How about a higher ranked mission then? Clearly those D-ranked missions and daily training proved to be useless to make them budge. Tomorrow, after completing your D-ranked mission, have all your team members come to report to me then I will assign a C-ranked mission, during which you could assess them," Hiruzen offered.

"Are you sure, Hokage-sama?" Kakashi queried.

"Yes, I believe your team is ready. It will only be an escort mission. In order to evaluate them, you should not interfere with any of their fights with bandits and such if they would appear, as much as possible, unless their opponents are clearly out of their league," Hiruzen elaborate. Kakashi nodded.

"Well then, tomorrow..."

"KAKASHI-SENSEI!" Sakura screamed through the intercom, causing the silver haired Jounin to snap out of his thoughts while the other two connected in the line winced in pain, feeling their ears bleeding. Sasuke and Naruto's only thoughts would be,

"Why must we suffer from Sakura's torture inducing shrieks when we finally decided to show up for the mission?" they cried inside.

"Uh..uh...what is it?" was Kakashi's smart answer. Note the sarcasm. The three Genin face palmed.

"We are close to the target and are waiting for your instructions! Stop daydreaming!" Sakura brazenly chided. Kakashi began to sweat.

"Ah, right. Sorry about that. Distance?" Kakashi asked, his tone still lazy.

"5 metres," Sakura quickly replied.

"Hnn, also 5 metres...," Sasuke checked in.

"Same here!" Naruto reported too happily, feeling slightly impatient to get the mission over with. After all, Naruto knew exactly what comes next after this tiresome mission. He couldn't help but plastered a smile on his face. It will be the long awaited reunion with his old friends. At least, officially. Naruto felt bad about deceiving Kakashi though. He could feel from miles away how Kakashi always eyed him and Sasuke with curiosity oozing out like a deadly aura. So strong that it could compete with killing intents. But hey, according to the information he got through his spy network, and a couple stationed ANBU who were former ROOT turned SAA members, he did not have to demand a C-rank mission this time as the hokage is readily giving them one.

"Alright. Get ready. 1...2...3...GO!" Kakashi whisper shouted through the intercom. Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto quickly jumped from their respective hiding places towards their target. Naruto being the fastest, reached the famous demon, Tora the cat first, tackled the creature and swiftly tossed it to Sasuke, the latter being good with cats, before getting himself merciless scratched. Tora struggled in Sasuke arms for a while before calming down and purrs under Sasuke's calming strokes.

There was a brief pause.

"I can never understand how you managed to do that...," Naruto sweat dropped. Cats never seemed to like Naruto. Suddenly, he wondered if Cats and Foxes don't get along. Reaching this train of thought, Naruto couldn't help but feel slightly gloomy. He misses his old pal, Kurama. The big guy still deep in slumber since they first came back from the future. Noticing Naruto's change in mood, Sasuke passed the cat to Sakura who was ogling about how cute the cat is, and walked up to his hokage, clasping the blonde's shoulder and asked with his eyes, "You okay?"

Naruto, who had his head down, watching the ground, looked up at him with a grateful smile.

"Thanks. Just missing the furball...," Naruto explained kindly in a soft mutter. Sasuke nodded in understanding, giving the blonde a reassuring smile. At this, Naruto felt his shoulder relaxed, only noticing it then that he was stiff. The interaction between them of course did not go unnoticed by Kakashi who was watching them like a hawk. The silver haired Jounin narrowed his one eye. Naruto and Sasuke glanced at him but offered no explanation. Kakashi couldn't help but sigh. He wondered when they would start believing him with their secrets...whatever it is...however insignificant of a secret it is...he wanted to know.

"Does the subject have red ribbon tied around its neck?" Kakashi decided to let the matter go for now, like the rest of the time, and turned to Sakura to confirm the capture of their target.

"Yes. Confirmed to be Tora the cat," Sakura replied with a smile as she patted the cat lovingly. Kakashi nodded.

"Then mission complete. Let's head back to the hokage tower to complete our report," Kakashi surmised.

-At the hokage tower.

Hiruzen was having a glaring contest with an opponent that appeared nothing short of innocence. Paperwork. His long-time enemy that does not cease to attack him day after day, endless. He wished that he could burn all those paper works to ashes. But no, his responsibilities as the third hokage and leader of the village won't allow it.

Hiruzen sighed. He had supposed to be long retired from such position. But the fourth hokage's death forced him to take the seat again, tiring him mentally if not physically. He's an old man for crying out loud! But No~, Jiraiya refused the position as many times as it was offered while Tsunade...well, he does not even know where she is...

Before Hiruzen could sigh again, a knock came at his office door. The God of Shinobi quickly straighten his posture, resting his elbows on the table as he rests his chin on his intertwined fingers. He cleared his throat and using his Kage voice, permit entry to the visitors.

"Come in," Hiruzen beckoned, already expecting a certain team. True enough, team 7 arrived with the ever so famous topic between Kakashi and himself recently, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. There is another hot topic that he had with Shikaku regarding Shikamaru and how the Nara heir had seemingly change the structure of the Council through his father. Shikaku was late to notice, but he noticed nonetheless. Not that Hiruzen minded about the whole thing. In fact, he was glad that he could finally get rid of all the incompetent fools that only add headaches to his already hectic life. Shikaku also mentioned about Danzo trying to...connect with him...or something along those lines. Weird...But he ought to not think further on the young Nara or Danzo at the moment, focusing on the people in front of him.

Kakashi duly reported the completion of their D-ranked mission and returned Tora the cat to the Daimyo's wife, with Naruto waving a white handkerchief in pity for the little creature as it was squeezed to death by the lady, wiping away fake tears. Sasuke remained expressionless at his spot, slightly behind Naruto while Sakura gave sympathetic look and seemingly understood in her inner mind why the cat always runs away and went missing.

"Good work team, now..." Hiruzen began but trailed off when he saw Naruto looking around questioningly as if searching for something...or is it someone. Hiruzen decided to ask.

"What's wrong, Naruto-kun?" Hiruzen asked with a kind smile. Naruto's attention turned to Hiruzen with a small smile.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just...where's Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked good naturedly. The blonde was sure that in the previous timeline, Iruka was present when they got their first C-ranked mission, scolding him about the absurdity of the demand. Naruto eyed two certain obscured spots in the hokage's office where the stationed SAA members are hiding. There were three other ANBU members stationed and hiding around the office, protecting the hokage and would appear as soon as the hokage calls for them. (There were five ANBU members guarding the hokage, two of which belonged to the SAA.) The office hasn't changed much over the years to the one of his in the future, except for small differences.

Sasuke and Sakura at the side, sweat dropped.

Both Kakashi and Hiruzen raised their eyebrows at this. There was nothing wrong with the question itself, but...

"Iruka is at the academy, of course. Why? Were you expecting him to be here, Naruto-kun?" Hiruzen asked with a slight edge to it. Prodding the blonde to maybe slip something. At this, Naruto felt like he was caught red handed but easily fixed himself.

"He he he, I just thought of asking him to treat me to Ramen!" Naruto improvised as he laughed sheepishly, rubbing his neck. Hiruzen raised his eyebrows further, if it was possible. Seeing as he could get nothing from the blonde, he decided to let it go and resumed speaking.

"Now then team 7. Seeing you're ...... improvements in the reports of your trainings and missions, I have concluded that you are ready to take on your first C-ranked mission," Hiruzen paused for effect, as he eyed each of the members of team 7. Kakashi looked as lazy as he could be, his porn book in hand. Sakura looked excited, her eyes gleaming strangely, probably relieved that they are no longer doing those tiresome D-ranked missions. At least, he hoped that was the case. Naruto had a foxy grin while Sasuke simply smirked with a knowing look. Hiruzen sighed. As he thought, he couldn't decipher anything from their expressions, no matter how suspicious he feels about them.

"It will be an escort mission. You are to escort Tazuna-san return to his village in the land of waves and protect him until he finishes the bridge that he is constructing, Cat...bring him in," Hiruzen ordered.

As soon as he spoke, the door behind them opened and in came an old man in a green Kimono, a towel hanging around his neck. A bottle of Sake in his hand while the older man's face was red from being drunk. As soon as he entered, a waft of alcohol scent filled the office causing the occupants to scrunch their nose at the strong smell.

"What's this? I got a bunch of brats to protect me?!" the older man called Tazuna slurred. Team 7 held their tongue and amply narrowed their eyes at the man in scrutiny.

"Don't worry. I am a Jounin," Kakashi said as he eye-smiled. Tazuna scoffed and turned away, not saying anything more, thankfully.

Hiruzen cleared his throat, effectively bringing their attention to him.

"Tazuna-san, please rest assured that they are most capable of protecting you. I kindly ask you to not underestimate us shinobis," Hiruzen said, his tone a bit dark, almost threat worthy. Tazuna gulped and started sweating. The drunken man edged back step by step until he was up against a wall...and nodded. Hiruzen smiled. (People! He's the hokage! Do not mess with him! He's known as the God of Shinobi for a reason!)

Hiruzen then turned towards Kakashi to take over and the latter nodded in affirmation.

"Okay team. Pack your bags for a trip of at least two weeks then meet at village's entrance gate in two hours," Kakashi said boringly and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

"See you later Sasuke-kun! Naruto!" Sakura squealed a bit at Sasuke then left to pack her things but before she could stepped out of the office, Sasuke stopped her by clasping her shoulder then whispered in her ears.

"Don't bring any unnecessary stuff. Bring a canteen of water, medicines, some clothes and adequate amount of weapons. Danger lurks in every corner at the outside world, so be sufficiently prepared...either your equipment, mind and body...," Sasuke advised though his tone of voice sounded more like a warning. Sakura turned red from the close proximity between her and her crush and nodded slowly before Sasuke let her go. Sakura left with hot steaming smokes coming out of her ears. Seeing her reaction, Sasuke felt oddly satisfied but wondered in worry if any of his words actually registered in the pink haired kunoichi's mind. Naruto who was watching from the side lines sweat dropped and shook his head at the scene. Naturally, Naruto understand that a battle awaits them so Sasuke had every right to worry about his future wife.

"Hey, Sasuke-teme! Let's go grab some lunch first! We need the energy, yeah?" Naruto beckons. Sasuke turned to his hokage and nodded. They had prepared for this mission beforehand, so they were already packed. Their belongings safely kept in storage seals.

"Bye Old Man! Wish us luck!" Naruto shouted with glee then left with Sasuke in full sprint, racing each other.

"Good luck, Naruto-kun. Show me what you can do...," Hiruzen smiled kindly then morphed into a smirk at the last sentence. Meanwhile, two unsuspecting ANBU shared a look with one another and smiled knowingly.

"This time will be slightly different....let's play to our heart's content. Zabuza...Haku...see you again soon......this will be fun!" Naruto merrily thought as he ran sluggishly in Genin speed to the Ichiraku's, Sasuke followed closely behind him, as always.