It will never stay the same [Part-45]

Saki didn't think that she'd have another mission in Konoha again.

'I hate long term missions.'

She had complained a lot about her last mission to Nita but of course, he'd give her another mission like the last one.

However, this one was different than usual.

It would be her last mission that she would ever take. She could be free after fulfilling the terms of the contract after all.

Although she knew that these few months she had for the mission would be her last few months alive as well. She had known the future-knowing man for years now. She knew that he planned to get rid of her tonight.

'Not only does he have Mokuton... He's also teamed up with Uchiha Madara. I can't do anything but go with his wishes and pretend like I'm stupid if I want to at least have these last few months.'

Sighing at her terrible luck, she made her way to meet with her targets this time.

*Those who don't know the value of loyalty can never appreciate the cost of betrayal.*

--- --- --- --- ---

They all had noticed how Ura was openly observing them till now. No, actually...

He was just staring at them.

'What the hell...?'

Veronica got a chill as she wondered about what her teacher was going to do this time.

"What are we doing today?"-Tanaka

Tanaka seemed to have had enough of their little staring contest as he asked his teacher. His face had a small frown and Veronica briefly wondered what was going on with him, seeing as his chakra was completely calm unlike what his body language and face dictated.

"We're going to be going on our first C ranked mission! I do hope you all packed some clothes for yourselves. We'll be out of the village for a few days, maximum being a month."-Ura

As soon as the three heard his words, they all had shock written on their faces. They all had been D ranked missions for a while along with their training so they did hoped for a C rank mission soon. They didn't think that they'd get one so soon though.

<What's the mission about?>

"Well, our client wants us to have a look at the current situation in the land of sea. We'll be going through the land of waves so that you all can get more experience travelling on a mission. Be sure to pack most of the heavy things in scrolls, if you find yourself not having enough scrolls then come to me."-Ura

The team nodded at their sensei's words as they went on their way to pack up. Tanaka and Veronica decided to walk together to shop for a few things.

'I'm guessing he'll train us there too, aside from us gaining experience. But letting us go to the land of sea? It is still dealing with some runaways from Mist... Maybe it's the benefit of being in a special team.'

[Maybe. Don't let you guard down; Danzo might be planning to snatch some students from this batch.]-Tobirama

'I know. I'll be careful.'

She stopped for a bit when she heard something. They were some very familiar voices.

"All Kakashi-sensei has us doing is just running errands all day!"-Naruto

Naruto whined loudly in frustration. Tanaka looked quite amused at the sight of team 7.

"We all know that Naruto. But after 10 more E-rank missions, we'll be able to get D-rank missions and maybe even a C rank one."-Sakura

Sakura looked quite annoyed by Naruto's constant complaining.

"I- we, should be able to do at least 8 more missions today."-Sasuke

"10?! Only 8 for today? I can do more than 15 missions in a day!"-Naruto

Naruto smirked towards Sasuke, and Sasuke returned that with a glare. Although that only seemed like a pout in Veronica's eyes.

"Haaah?! Naruto, Sasuke can do a lot more than you. Besides you can't even do one mission without us! Don't you remember how you ruined the garden just now?"-Sakura

Naruto had tick marks when he heard Sakura praise Sasuke and how he was reminded of what had happened in the garden.

"I can do so! I just have to use the Shadow Clone jutsu!!! Believe it!"-Naruto

'... They've really grown.'

[Yup, they finally realized the usefulness of Naruto's shadow clone jutsu.]-Matatabi

Their personalities were still chaotic but they had still grown. They had learned how to use their brains. Honestly, that was the only thing Veronica had expected from them. She didn't expect for them to suddenly turn into mature adults with just her involvement in their lives.

[This must be why Kakashi isn't complaining much.]-Matatabi

'Probably.'

Ignoring them, she went on her own way to buy the things she'll need for the trip. Tanaka silently followed after her.

'Let's see, I'll need some winter clothes which I can comfortably train in. I'll refill my usual ninja supplies and take a weapon of choice too since I'm here. For now, I think a sword will do for me.

Do I need something else as well? Maybe I should pack some firewood and food in scrolls.'

Deciding on her course of action, she started her small shopping trip.

"Oh right, Naruto said something like being able to create small storage seals now."-Tanaka

That caught her attention. Veronica had told the blonde general information about the Uzumaki clan but never did anything to train him in fuinjutsu like she currently was doing, under Tobirama. She did think that Kakashi might help him out but wasn't sure of it.

<And how do you know that?>

"I heard him yelling it out in excitement yesterday."-Tanaka

They were done fairly quickly and stored all of their stuff in a storage scroll she had borrowed from Kakashi. She would never tell him that it wasn't because she had misplaced hers, but because she had used it as a table leg.

Veronica sent a shadow clone back to the team's meeting spot while she herself headed towards the infamous Team 7.

"Yo."-Veronica

She had quickly appeared behind Sakura to surprise her and surprisingly, it seemed to have worked on all three of them.

"Kakashi-sensei?!"-Naruto/Sakura

A confused look made its way on her face as she wondered how exactly they seemed to have mistaken her for Kakashi. The three paused for a minute before a realization dawned on them.

"You hang out with Kakashi-sensei too much."-Naruto and Sakura

She was quite shocked to see Sasuke secretly nodding with the statement but decided to ignore it.

<Whatever. What are you guys doing here?>

"Oh, we're doing some shopping for a mission. How about you? We haven't seen your team doing any chores like the others."-Sakura

<Well, we've only commissioned a couple of D-rank missions till now.>

"But you need at least 30 E-rank missions to be able to do a D-rank!!! And you NEED to complete some D-ranks for taking the Chunin exam Veronica! Also, you need at least ONE C-rank!!!"-Naruto

<Well, our teacher has only been training us since we graduated to Genin.>

The three thought about their teacher when Veronica said that. He had only started to build up their stamina.

"Well, our team will be taking a D-rank mission by tomorrow! Believe it!!!"-Naruto

<Didn't we just become Genin? And you're gonna be taking a D-rank mission by tomorrow?>

"Hn. Naruto and shadow clones."-Sasuke

Veronica almost scoffed at that. Sasuke actually cared to answer the question for her when someone else could've done so too.

'Whatever. At least they aren't idiots.'

After a few more minutes, she felt her clone's memories reach her. It seemed as though they would be leaving in an hour, at most. She sighed at how nobody was ever trying to hide the fact that some teams were more special than others. She sometimes thought of how the other 'Genin ANBU' were doing.

Continuing to walk leisurely as she passed by the regular locals, she paused.

[That man...]-Tobirama

'Yes. That man might be one of the few who we were looking for.'

She glanced at the seemingly normal man going the opposite direction from her. Her innocent smile widening as she focused on her 'target practice'.