Chapter 72:- Returning to the Village

"So, what do you all think about your first Mission? Is there any part of it that you found uncomfortable?" Kakashi asked his students as they left the land of waves behind them. In a few minutes, they were going to feet their feet on Land of Fire. It shouldn't take them much time to return to Konoha. 

Since they won't be escorting anyone, the whole team could move at full speed. 

"Honestly, this whole Mission has been a new experience for me. I learned many new things from this Journey. I have gained many valuable lessons and experiences." Naruto was the first one to reply.

He got to see a new side of Konan that he never saw in his previous world. He managed to finish the Story while having Haku and Zabuza. Gato was killed. The Land of Waves will soon become prosperous once again. Naruto couldn't ask for more. 

"If there is one thing that this Mission has taught me, it would be I am weak, and I need to get a lot stronger if I don't want to become a burden." Sakura honestly replied. Sakura has changed a lot. 

She was really honest and upfront about such things. In the past, she might never have admitted her weakness in front of others. This whole Mission has humbled her. Sakura was now a changed woman. 

In this Mission, Sakura has grown the most. Kakashi and Hanabi were very pleased to see the change in Sakura. 

"This mission was really fun. It was a really nice experience. I stayed outside of Land of Fire for the first time in my life. I was able to see a new side of the world." Hanabi thought about the lives of those people whom she and her team had left behind. 

Their lives were slow and peaceful. They lived on beautiful islands. Everyone, regardless of their age, worked hard to protect and provide for their family. It was a really beautiful thing in Hanabi's eyes. 

'There is still so much I have to explore. Hopefully, one day, I will be able to visit every corner of the world.' This was Hanabi's small yet secret dream that she never told anyone about. With all her responsibilities, she could not go on a world tour. It was only by becoming a Shinobi that she would be able to explore the whole world. 

"Though, one downside of this Mission would be the part where we had to take lives." Hanabi was still adjusting to that. She hadn't gotten used to killing. 

"That's very normal. Don't worry. You will get used to it." If Kakashi had not gone through this phase since childhood, his heart wouldn't have become this cold. Maybe seeing the corpse of his father made his heart even colder. 

"What about you, Sarada?" Kakashi did not forget about Sarada. He understood that Sarada wasn't a very talkative person. She is a very quiet and cold type of person. She was kind of like how he was in his childhood. 

Unlike his young self, although she was cold, that did not mean she did not care about her teammates. Although she did not speak, it did not mean she wasn't paying attention to her teammate's conversation. 

"It was alright. I loved the training sessions that we had in Land of Waves." Sarada's tone was neither warm nor cold. 

"Why are you lying, Sara-chan? I have seen you helping Miss Tsunami." Naruto looked at Sarada, teasing with a smile. 

"I was not...!!" she replied in a slightly loud tone, sounding flustered. 

"Oohhh..., really...!! Then I must have seen someone else, someone who looks exactly like you. Someone who has your hairstyle, hair color, height, body figure,....!!' The more Naruto continued, the more red her face became. To hide her embarrassed pace, she quickened her face and began leading everyone. 

She did not want to show her face to Naruto at times like this as she knew that he would mercilessly tease her.

'Now that's very interesting....!!' Although Kakashi knew that Sarada had a very soft spot for Naruto compared to others, he did not know their relationship was that deep. 

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In the afternoon of the second day, team 7 had officially returned to Hidden Leaf Village. Their mission only lasted for one and a half days, not even for three days. Since Naruto had resolved everything in advance by killing Gato in his own hands, their mission also ended very early.

'The Land of Waves has a special place in my heart due to many reasons. But mainly due to the fact the Land of the Waves was the first place that we went to together as a team.' Naruto thought with a pleasant smile on his face. He was very happy with the outcome of the village. Meeting Konan in the land of Waves was the most surprising part of this mission. Other than that, everything else was within his expectations.

This certainly wasn't going to be the last time. Naruto planned to visit the Land of Waves more frequently in the future. Especially now that he had his business there.

"Naruto, why are you spacing out?" Sakura asked, noticing that Naruto looked distracted. He was lost in his thoughts.

"Sorry, did I miss anything? I was just thinking about The Land of Waves." Naruto said while rubbing the back of his head.

"You didn't miss a thing," Sakura replied with a small smile.

"Still, I did not expect you to get so attached to that place."

"Well, it's a special place. The people of that place are really strong." Naruto said with a smile.

"Now, as the most successful businessman in the Land of Waves, I naturally feel a strong connection to that place," Naruto said with a smirk.

"I nearly forgot that you're a rich businessman now," Hanabi said while giggling.

"So, should I start calling you 'Young Master' from now on?" Hanabi asked in a teasing tone.

"Maybe the word 'Boss' would fit me more.' Naruto replied with a grin.

"Boss Naruto....!!" Just saying that, Hanabi giggled. Hearing this, Sakura also giggled with Hanabi.

Meanwhile, Sarada imagined Naruto in a black suit. 'He would look quite good in suits.' Suddenly, Sarada does not wish Naruto to start wearing suits as she does not want more girls to look at him.

While chatting, team 7 walked through the village entrance.

"As the Team Leader, I will go ahead and see Hokaga-sama. You four can go home for now." Kakashi wanted his students to rest as he could see that Hanabi and Sakura looked somewhat mentally tired and worn out from this long journey.

This was their very first long journey outside of the Land of Fire.

"All right! Thank you, Sensei!" Naruto couldn't wait to head home and see his mom. He missed her a lot.

-

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Scene Change_____

Kakashi briefly reported everything that happened during this mission. He also reported the level of maturity that Naruto and his students showed in this mission. After reporting everything, Kakashi silently stood before Hiruzen.

Last night, while everyone slept, Kakashi used a clone to write a summary of what happened in the mission. However, he deliberately kept some details to himself. Rather than writing these details in the summary, he just informed Hiruzen about it. That way, fewer people would have access to this confidential information.

"Good job, Kakashi!" Hiruzen closed the scroll while sighing.

Kakashi silently nodded his head.

"Kakashi, I want to ask you a question."

"Please, go on!"

"Do you think your team is balanced as a 4-genin squad? By balanced, I mean, can they work together effectively as a team?" After all, this was the first time he had done something like this. If the team was not balanced, then one of them would need to quit the team.

Previously, the potential member was going to be Sakura. But hearing about the change in Sakura's attitude has made Hiruzen doubtful whether he should really make her quit team 7.

Kakashi remained silent for a second. It looked like he had thought a lot before opening his mouth.

Around 10 seconds later, Kakashi replied in a heavy tone. "To be honest, in such a short period of time, I have grown fond of this team. I am genuinely curious and also excited to see the amazing future that each member of this team has. But that's just my personal biased opinion."

"As a four genin-squad, I think they perform excellently in the field. The core of this team is undoubtedly Naruto. Without him, this whole four-genin squad thing would not have worked in the first place."

"I feel that thanks to him, everyone in the squad has found their rightful places." Hearing this, Hiruzen was surprised.

"Hanabi is the eyes of this team. Sakura is the Healer and also supports this team. Sarada and Hanabi are also the body of this team. When both of them work together with Sakura's support, they can even defeat a Chunin."

"While Naruto is the soul of this team. He glues the three girls together. I have noticed that he is very experienced with the outside world. He can handle any tough situations very calmly."

"His experience makes him the perfect leader of this team. And I think that without even needing to be said, everyone sees him as the Leader."

"What makes this team even more flexible is Naruto's power. He can act on his own and also with the other 3."

"The unique Jutsu and the mysterious Crystal Style technique that he possesses allow him to transition from being an offensive leader to a supportive team member. In short, Naruto is like a chess piece that could be put in any position, and he will fit perfectly in that position."

"Even the cold-hearted Sarada is attracted to Naruto. Naruto is so bright that he can befriend anyone."

Hearing all this, Hiruzen closed his eyes in satisfaction.

"Very well!!" Hiruzen opened his eyes with a smile.

"I would even dare say that each member of team 7 is the future leader of Konoha. They are the future of Konoha."

Hiruzen nodded his head and said nothing about it. But in his heart, he had decided to give more attention and resources to this team.

"Team 7 will receive the reward of B-rank mission completion. Also, your team will be given a 2-day break."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Hiruzen just nodded his head.

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