Naruto: Stormborn Uzumaki

The Hokage's office was bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun, but the atmosphere inside was anything but calm. Team 7 stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi, their faces a mix of frustration and exhaustion. In Iruka's arms squirmed Tora, the infamous demon cat, who had once again proven why she was the bane of every genin's existence.

"I can't believe we spent three hours chasing that stupid cat!" Sakura groaned, her hair disheveled and her clothes covered in scratches.

Sasuke crossed his arms, his expression dark. "This is a waste of time. We're not here to play fetch with animals."

Naruto, however, was oddly cheerful. "Hey, at least we got some exercise, right? And Tora's not so bad once you get to know her!" He reached out to pet the cat, only to have his hand swatted away.

Hiruzen chuckled, puffing on his pipe. "Ah, the trials of being a genin. You'll look back on these days fondly, I assure you."

Kakashi, leaning against the wall, gave a lazy smile. "They'll learn. Eventually."

Sasuke's pride flared. "We're not here to waste time on petty missions. Give us something real."

Sakura nodded in agreement, though her enthusiasm was more about supporting Sasuke than any desire for danger. "Yeah! We're ready for something tougher!"

Naruto and Kakashi exchanged a look, both dumbfounded by their teammates' audacity. Iruka, standing nearby, cleared his throat. "Do you two realize who you're talking to? This is the Hokage, not some mission desk clerk."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, and a wave of killing intent filled the room. Sakura and Sasuke froze, their bravado evaporating instantly. "You will show respect," Hiruzen said calmly, though his tone left no room for argument. "Now, Kakashi, do you believe your team is ready for a C-rank mission?"

Kakashi shrugged. "They're green, but they've got potential. I'll keep them in line."

Hiruzen nodded and gestured to the door. "Bring him in."

The door opened, and a disheveled man stumbled into the room. He reeked of alcohol and had a mocking grin plastered across his face. "So, these are the brats who're supposed to protect me? Ha! You've got to be kidding me!"

Naruto raised an eyebrow, instantly suspicious. "Who's this guy?"

"Tazuna," Hiruzen introduced. "A bridge builder from the Land of Waves. He's requested an escort to his home."

Tazuna laughed, pointing at Sakura and Sasuke. "You two look like you've never seen a fight in your life. And you—" He turned to Kakashi. "What's with the mask? Trying to hide your face because it's too ugly?"

Kakashi's eye curved into a smile, though his tone was dry. "Charming."

Tazuna's gaze finally landed on Naruto. For a moment, his mocking demeanor faltered, as if he sensed something different about the boy. But he quickly recovered, waving a hand dismissively. "Whatever. Just get me home in one piece, alright?"

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Kakashi, Naruto, I trust you'll handle this mission with the utmost care."

Kakashi nodded. "Understood."

Naruto saluted with a grin. "Don't worry, old man. We've got this."

---

Two hours later, Team 7 assembled at Konoha's gate. Naruto had spent the time saying goodbye to those closest to him. Tsunade had ruffled his hair and reminded him to stay safe, while Mikoto had given him a packed lunch. Biwako and Shizune had wished him luck, and he'd even tried to find Yuugao and Anko, only to learn they were on missions.

Now, standing with his team, Naruto felt a surge of excitement. This was it—their first real mission.

Kakashi glanced at his team. "Alright, everyone ready?"

"Let's just get this over with," Sasuke muttered.

Sakura nodded, though her nerves were evident. "Ready."

Naruto grinned. "Let's do this!"

---

The journey started peacefully, with Tazuna grumbling about the pace and the heat. But as they approached a dense part of the forest, Naruto's **Six Eyes** picked up on something unusual—a puddle on the road, despite the lack of recent rain.

He subtly signaled to Kakashi, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. Kakashi had already sensed the hidden threat.

"Keep moving," Kakashi said casually, though his tone carried a hidden warning.

As they passed the puddle, two figures burst out, their chains whipping through the air. They targeted Kakashi, wrapping him in their chains and slicing him in half.

Sakura screamed, and Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. But Naruto remained calm, his Six Eyes seeing through the illusion. "It's a genjutsu," he muttered.

The attackers, the Demon Brothers, turned their attention to Tazuna. "You're next, old man!" one of them snarled.

But before they could strike, Naruto and Sasuke moved. Naruto's **Gale Palm** sent one brother flying, while Sasuke's shuriken forced the other to retreat.

Kakashi appeared from the trees, his book in hand. "Good job, you two. But next time, try to keep your reactions under control."

Sakura glared at him. "You could've warned us!"

Kakashi shrugged. "Where's the fun in that?"

---

As they continued their journey, a heavy mist rolled in, reducing visibility to almost zero. Naruto's **Six Eyes** glowed faintly, allowing him to see through the haze. He tightened his grip on his tanto, his senses on high alert. Sasuke and Sakura stood beside him, their breathing shallow but determined. Kakashi, ever calm, observed the situation with his Sharingan eye exposed.

"Stay close," Kakashi warned. "This guy's not like the others."

A deep, mocking laugh echoed through the mist. "Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja," Zabuza's voice boomed. "I've heard a lot about you. But these brats… they're nothing more than cannon fodder."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."

Zabuza materialized from the mist, his massive **Kubikiribōchō** (Executioner's Blade) resting on his shoulder. His presence was overwhelming, his killing intent palpable. "Let's see how long you last."

---

Zabuza moved faster than anyone expected, his blade slicing through the air with a deafening roar. Kakashi intercepted the attack, his kunai clashing against Zabuza's sword. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the ground.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura—stay back!" Kakashi ordered, his voice sharp.

But Naruto wasn't about to sit on the sidelines. "We're a team, Kakashi-sensei. We fight together."

Zabuza smirked. "Brave words, kid. Let's see if you can back them up."

---

Naruto darted forward, his tanto gleaming in the dim light. He aimed a precise strike at Zabuza's side, but the rogue ninja deflected it effortlessly. Zabuza countered with a sweeping slash, forcing Naruto to leap back.

"Not bad," Zabuza admitted. "But you'll need more than that to scratch me."

Naruto grinned. "Oh, I'm just getting started."

He formed a series of hand seals. "Lightning Release: Thunderbolt!" A bolt of lightning shot from his hand, striking Zabuza's blade. The electricity coursed through the metal, forcing Zabuza to drop it momentarily.

"Sasuke, now!" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke didn't need to be told twice. He launched a barrage of shuriken, each one aimed with deadly precision. Zabuza dodged most of them, but one grazed his arm, drawing blood.

---

Zabuza's expression darkened. "You brats are starting to annoy me."

He formed a hand seal, and the mist thickened even further. "Silent Killing Technique."

Zabuza vanished into the mist, his presence becoming undetectable. Naruto's **Six Eyes** allowed him to sense Zabuza's movements, but even he struggled to keep up.

"Stay close!" Naruto warned his teammates. "He's coming."

Zabuza appeared behind Sakura, his blade raised. But before he could strike, Naruto intercepted him, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks.

"You're fast," Zabuza admitted. "But not fast enough."

He kicked Naruto back, sending him skidding across the ground. Sasuke tried to attack from the side, but Zabuza caught his wrist and threw him into a tree.

---

Kakashi finally stepped in, his Sharingan spinning. "Enough."

He and Zabuza clashed in a flurry of strikes, their movements too fast for the genin to follow. Kakashi's precision and Zabuza's brute strength were evenly matched, but Kakashi's experience gave him the edge.

"You're good," Zabuza admitted, breathing heavily. "But I'm better."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "We'll see."

---

Naruto pushed himself to his feet, his body aching but his determination unwavering. He formed a series of hand seals, channeling his chakra into his tanto. The blade crackled with lightning, its glow cutting through the mist.

"Sasuke, Sakura—cover me!" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke nodded, launching another round of shuriken to distract Zabuza. Sakura used her chakra-enhanced strength to create a diversion, slamming her fist into the ground and sending debris flying.

Naruto charged forward, his lightning-infused blade aimed straight at Zabuza. The rogue ninja blocked the attack, but the force of the lightning sent him stumbling back.

---

Naruto didn't let up. He pressed the attack, his movements fueled by sheer willpower. Zabuza, caught off guard by Naruto's relentless assault, left an opening. Naruto seized the opportunity, slashing Zabuza's side with his tanto.

Zabuza grunted in pain, his hand clutching the wound. "You little—"

Before he could finish, Kakashi appeared behind him, kunai at his throat. "It's over, Zabuza."

---

Just as Kakashi was about to deliver the final blow, a flurry of senbon needles rained down from above, forcing Kakashi to retreat. A figure landed gracefully between Zabuza and Team 7, their mask glinting in the dim light.

"Hunter-nin," Kakashi muttered, his tone wary.

The figure removed their mask, revealing a young, androgynous face. "I'll take it from here," Haku said, their voice calm but firm.

Zabuza smirked, despite his injury. "Took you long enough."

Haku ignored the comment, their focus on Team 7. "You've done well to injure Zabuza, but this is as far as you go."

Naruto stepped forward, his tanto still crackling with lightning. "We're not done yet."

Haku's eyes softened slightly. "You're brave, but this fight is over."

With a wave of their hand, Haku created a wall of ice, separating Team 7 from Zabuza. By the time the ice melted, both Zabuza and Haku were gone.

---

Kakashi sighed, sheathing his kunai. "They're gone."

Naruto clenched his fists, frustration was evident on his face. "We almost had him."

Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You did well. Zabuza's not an easy opponent."

Sasuke and Sakura nodded in agreement, though their exhaustion was clear.

As they made their way to Tazuna's home, Naruto couldn't shake the image of Haku's calm demeanor. "Who was that?" he asked.

Kakashi's expression was grim. "A hunter-nin from Kirigakure. This mission just got a lot more complicated."

---