Chapter 12 Someone New In The Game.

The morning unfolded with a vibrant sunrise casting its hues across the Hidden Leaf, where Team 7, comprised of Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno, converged at their meeting point, ready to head to their training ground. Naruto, ever vocal, broke the silence.

"Think Kakashi-sensei's going to be late again today?" His frustration with their tardy sensei evident in his tone.

"Let him be, Naruto. When has he ever arrived on time?" Sakura sighed, sharing Naruto's exasperation with Kakashi's perpetual lateness.

"You're right, Sakura. Sigh! Today, I'm definitely going to push him for a better mission after our training, not some babysitting or grunt work," Naruto declared passionately, eyeing Sasuke and the villagers.

'Strange. Why are the villagers eyeing Sasuke with a mix of fear and curiosity? Has he done something? No, Sasuke's one of the most decent people I know,' Naruto pondered, recognizing the familiar gazes but dismissing any negative implications.

Arriving at the training ground, they found Kakashi absent and opted to settle near the central log. Time trickled by with the birds' melodies as a backdrop until their perpetually late sensei finally appeared.

From a nearby tree branch came a sudden "poof" sound, drawing the attention of the trio. Predictably, their sensei emerged, weaving a tale of assisting an old lady en route, met with immediate incredulity from Naruto and Sakura, tired of Kakashi's excuses.

"Cut me some slack, ma ma! Anyway, let's start today's training. Today, you'll face each other, not me," Kakashi revealed, his trademark eye-smile signaling an unusual twist to their activities.

"Facing each other? But that's not fair, Sensei. Sasuke could take down many powerful ninjas. What chance do Sakura and I have against him?" Naruto's confusion evident, unable to fathom the purpose.

"Yeah, Sasuke is practically the village's strongest after you and the Hokage. How could we possibly challenge him?" Sakura added, intertwining praise for Sasuke into her argument, drawing on her extensive knowledge within the Rookie 9.

Sasuke directed a question to Kakashi regarding the day's training. He speculated about a possible scenario where he'd face off against Naruto and Sakura using only Kunais and Shurikens. His confidence in his abilities was evident as he saw no way for his teammates to defeat him.

"Kakashi-sensei, am I to face Naruto and Sakura using only Kunais and Shurikens?" Sasuke inquired, wanting clarification about the day's exercise, knowing well the probable outcome.

"Maa, sometimes I wonder if you're psychic, Sasuke. You've got it. And Sakura and Naruto, get into position. You all know what to do once I say 'begin,' right?" Kakashi replied, injecting a light-hearted comment before initiating the day's training. However, beneath the facade, he pondered his encounter with Sasuke, a chilling memory that lingered.

- Flashback -

At dusk in the Uchiha district, outside the main house, Kakashi stood, hands in his pockets, anticipating someone's arrival. Soon, Sasuke approached, acknowledging Kakashi's presence.

"Yo! What favor do you need, Sasuke? It's not about team training, is it?" Kakashi greeted Sasuke, recognizing his intention.

"As I suspected, you are exceptional. You understood my hint, Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke acknowledged, revealing his awareness of Kakashi's identity.

"So?" Kakashi inquired.

"I'm planning to eliminate a member of Konoha's upper management, and anyone else who intervenes. I need your assistance," Sasuke stated bluntly, his face serious.

"What? Sasuke, did I hear you correctly?" Kakashi, still in disbelief, grappled with Sasuke's intention to harm a fellow Konoha member.

"Exactly as you heard. Also, don't worry; I've placed an anti-noise revelation sealing tag here," Sasuke reassured Kakashi, underscoring his determination and meticulous planning.

Swoosh!

Drip! Drip!

The tense confrontation led to a moment where Sasuke's blood dripped from his left hand. Kakashi attempted to strike Sasuke's left shoulder, but the skilled Uchiha anticipated and blocked the attack. Swiftly, Kakashi changed tactics, maneuvering a strike that Sasuke couldn't block due to his past ANBU experience, attempting to force Sasuke to evade.

Sasuke, however, had anticipated Kakashi's strategy, allowing the knife to pierce his left hand.

"Why are you doing this?" Sasuke queried in an icy tone, his intimidating eyes fixed on Kakashi, seeking an explanation for his actions.

"Because I've got every damn reason to do this," Kakashi spat, visibly seething. His furrowed brows portraiyed his intense anger.

"Understood," Sasuke replied in his trademark understated tone.

"That's all you've got to say?" Kakashi retorted, recalling Kurenai's warning. The person before him, this Sasuke, seemed as emotionless as described. His own brother had proven to be a monster, and now it appeared to run in the family.

Was it some sort of 'International Siblings Day'? If not, Kakashi was ready to declare it as such himself.

"No, there's more to say. It seems all it takes to enlist your help is a convincing reason. I'm certain you'll assist me," Sasuke stated, causing Kakashi to doubt it entirely. Him, helping to eliminate a member of the upper management? It felt like a tasteless joke. As Kakashi geared up to protest, Sasuke intervened, "Read this. I've spent a lifetime acquiring it."

With caution, Kakashi accepted the scroll, half-expecting a concealed weapon. As he delved into its contents, shock overtook him.

The scroll unveiled a sinister plot:

Mission: Operation Reputation Erosion

Objective:

Danzo plans to engineer a fabricated crisis, forcing Sakumo Hatake to abandon a crucial S-rank mission in favor of rescuing his comrades. The intent is to smear Sakumo's reputation, portraying him as valuing personal connections over village responsibilities, aligning with Danzo's clandestine motives.

Kakashi was thunderstruck. "This... it's an official document. How in the world did you get this, Sasuke?"

Sasuke's lips curved into a small smirk. "It's exactly as you read. I seek vengeance against that bastard and to avenge my clan," he revealed, dropping yet another bombshell. Kakashi found himself utterly taken aback. But soon, he began piecing things together, theorizing intensely.

"Uchiha clan? How does it fit in? Wait, when Uchiha Shisui died..." Kakashi's mind raced at unprecedented speed.

"Since Shisui's death, Danzo has been concealing his right eye. There are rumors about how he lost it in a battle, but that might not be the truth. He possesses Shisui's eye, doesn't he? With Itachi, they probably schemed this. But what I can't fathom is..." Kakashi's thoughts tumbled out, a whirlwind of mixed emotions swirling within.

Today, the truth about his father's demise hit Kakashi like a truck, all thanks to the conniving old hawk, Shimura Danzo. It was a bitter revelation: Danzo not only had a hand in his father's death but also played a sinister role in the Uchiha Massacre alongside Itachi. Yet, there were unconnected dots lingering in the shadows.

"Well, you're right, but not entirely," Sasuke remarked, exuding the kind of coolness befitting a legend-the last Uchiha, Uchiha Sasuke, and the fourth-generation demon, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

"Okay, lay it out," Kakashi urged, keen to fill in the gaps of his knowledge. Sasuke divulged, skimming over certain details.

"So it was indeed Danzo's doing. Both our parents. No, in your case, your entire clan," Kakashi expressed, a relieved smile gracing his face. Sasuke found himself puzzled by Kakashi's sudden shift. Was this Kakashi even real? If not, Sasuke had to brace himself.

"Haha! I genuinely thought you were a monster, Sasuke. Turns out, you're just a normal, albeit slightly older, kid. That's my hunch," Kakashi quipped, a touch of irony in the air. Sasuke misinterpreted Kakashi's smile, thinking it meant he was phony. Unfazed, Kakashi continued.

"I'm relieved because Itachi wasn't a traitor. He used to work with me in the ANBU days, you know. We were good friends," Kakashi reminisced, earning an "oh!" from Sasuke, recalling his own ANBU days. It was the time he'd offered help to Itachi, which was declined. In hindsight, Itachi probably needed it the most. Kakashi now comprehended the immense suffering Itachi must have endured, a grim realization of the world's twisted nature.

"Okay, count me in. What's the plan?" Kakashi asked, feeling a newfound surge of determination.

"Truth is, I believe you and I are more than enough to take him down. Even I alone could manage, but he has it," Sasuke explained.

"Mangekyo Sharingan of Shisui Uchiha, right? The Kotoamatsukami, the ultimate Genjutsu," Kakashi remarked with a frown, concerned. "Any countermeasures?"

"Yeah, I've got it. All we need is to bolster our battle strength. And for that, I have her," Sasuke replied confidently.

- Flashback End -

"Okay, commence," Kakashi ordered, positioned with Sasuke on one side, and Sakura and Naruto on the other, ready for action. Naruto and Sakura darted towards Sasuke with astonishing Genin speed. As they closed in, Naruto slowed, allowing Sakura to surge ahead.

Her right jab unleashed a flurry of attacks resembling a machine gun. Then, like a sniper, she threw a left hook with impeccable technique, briefly catching Sasuke's attention. However, in a split second, Sasuke deflected and swiftly countered, redirecting her momentum and delivering a forceful kick.

"Ugh," Sakura groaned as she hit the ground, but she quickly rose to her feet, a determined smile on her face. Sensing Naruto's impending attack, Sasuke anticipated the move.

As Naruto roared, "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Sasuke swiftly assessed the potential threat. His instincts kicked in, guiding him to draw his kunai and skillfully deflect the incoming barrage of kunai and shurikens launched by Sakura. With a masterful display of precision, he countered by hurling the kunai back at Sakura, who managed to deflect them with considerable effort.

Tapping Naruto's incoming jab with ease, Sasuke then swiftly dispatched the clone by slamming it to the ground, all the while encouraging his teammates. The clones continued their onslaught, only to meet Sasuke's relentless taijutsu head-on, each one being dismantled.

"Is shadow clone your only move?" Sasuke taunted, knowing Naruto might have something up his sleeve.

"Tch," Naruto cursed inwardly, planning his next move.

Just when Sasuke anticipated another clone, Naruto surprised him. Sasuke launched an uppercut and a right hook in quick succession, but Naruto's incredible reaction speed allowed him to evade. Sasuke followed with a straight kick, blocked by Naruto, prompting Sasuke to step back.

"He might have more tricks," Sasuke muttered quietly.

Sensing Naruto's current skill set leaned towards close combat, Sasuke saw the wisdom in creating distance. But this was all part of Sasuke's strategy. When Naruto rushed, Sasuke matched his speed and threw a left jab, easily dodged by Naruto. Sasuke followed with a powerful straight kick, which Naruto narrowly evaded, staying within Sasuke's expectations.

As Naruto found himself facing Sasuke's back, he smiled, launching a straight punch. Sasuke deftly avoided it, delivering a backhanded strike to Naruto's jaw. Subsequently, Sasuke aimed an upper front kick at Naruto's head, a move Naruto anticipated, safeguarding his head with his hands, leaving his abdomen exposed-a critical error.

"I see, that's what he was aiming for," Kakashi observed from the sidelines.

As Naruto prepared to counter, Sasuke swiftly delivered a brutal punch to his solar plexus, eliciting a pained cry. Naruto hit the ground, writhing in agony but not rendered unconscious, as Sasuke hadn't aimed for that level of incapacitation. Seeing Naruto down, Sakura, acknowledging her diminishing prospects, conceded defeat.

"I give up," she admitted, realizing her limitations in the current situation, a surge of self-doubt creeping in as she evaluated her usefulness. Her eyes landed on someone she had once considered inferior, a boy who now proved his worth beyond hers.

With the practice match concluded, Kakashi announced, "You've all gained valuable experience over the past few days. Tomorrow, I'll guide you in addressing your weaknesses. For now, let's wrap up and focus on today's missions." The agreement was unanimous among the trio.

'Well, I'm sorry Kakashi-sensei, but starting from tomorrow, our very first C-rank mission is on the horizon.' Sasuke kept his thoughts hidden, fully aware of the future, having already seen Tazuna, the man from the Land of Waves, wandering around the village.

- After Several Hours -

In the sunny afternoon of Konohagakure, a squad could be spotted in a forested area, in hot pursuit of a specific target.

"Sasuke here, reached point B," Sasuke communicated through their device, confirming his position in the ongoing mission.

"Sakura here, at point C," Sakura echoed, indicating her successful arrival.

"Naruto here, also at point B," Naruto chimed in, on time this round, showcasing his growing proficiency and improved punctuality, a shift from his previous tendencies in the canon storyline.

"Distance from your target?" Kakashi inquired.

"5 meters," all three replied in unison, signaling their readiness.

"Alright, go for it," Kakashi directed, a seriousness underlining this seemingly routine D-rank mission. Despite its low rank, this assignment was crucial for the village's economic stability and for enhancing the team's cohesion and skills.

Receiving the go-ahead, they darted toward their target, which turned out to be the infamous lost cat of the Fire Country's Feudal Lord, Tora. Successfully securing the feline, they headed to the Hokage Office to claim their well-deserved reward.

"Now, for your next task, it could be minding the chief counselor's three-year-old, assisting his wife with shopping, or taking a stroll with..." Hiruzen began outlining available D-rank missions, only to be interrupted by Naruto.

"I'm not doing those sissy missions. I want a real challenge. I've grown past being weak and useless. I've improved," Naruto asserted, signaling his transformation from the ineffective child he once was.

This proclamation drew looks of pride from Hiruzen and Iruka. "I suppose I can't deny that. Well, then, I think I have a C-rank mission for you. Kakashi, do you think they're ready?"

Naruto's eyes lit up with the prospect of his first C-rank mission, Sakura exhibited slight concern at the potential encounter with dangerous enemy shinobi, while Sasuke had his own pragmatic thoughts.

'Okay, time to make some money, I guess.'

"I believe they're ready, Lord Hokage. Sakura is operating at a high Genin level, Naruto at a Chunin level, and Sasuke, well, he's on an elite Jounin tier. I foresee no issues," Kakashi assured, detailing the power levels of his three Genin.

"Alright, bring him in," Hiruzen directed, summoning their client. Hearing the word 'him,' Naruto's curiosity piqued. 'Him? Not a princess, then?'

The sound of the door opening drew everyone's attention as an elderly man entered, holding a bottle of wine. He glanced at Team 7, particularly Naruto, and voiced his discontent.

"Hey, look at that little squirt, who'd even consider him a ninja?" The old man glared fiercely in their direction. Noticing he was the shortest, Naruto swiftly made a beeline towards him.

"I'm gonna get you, you old geezer," Naruto threatened, about to rush in, until Kakashi intervened, "Hey, who tries to off their own client?" Naruto squirmed, attempting to break free from Kakashi's grip.

Observing this exchange were two separate groups.

"So, he's the Fourth Hokage's legacy, huh? He's definitely not living up to his father's reputation, based on his behavior," one person commented, as if they'd stumbled upon something intriguing.

"Yet, there's a certain charisma about him, although that boy, the supposed Last Uchiha, emits an aura reminiscent of that deceased prodigy. Is he a reincarnation as well?" He mused, hinting at a situation growing increasingly fascinating.

The other observers were none other than Dazai and his team.

"Looks like they're about to face something a bit more challenging. I wonder how they'll handle it," Dazai remarked, intrigued by the team's forthcoming mission and devising his own subtle plan.

SAKURA HARUNO = 3990

GENIN LEVEL.