Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Naruto Dragon Champion ❯ Medical Mission Part 2 ( Chapter 23 )

Naruto - The Twin Swords

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Naruto or any media involved.

Chapter 21

Part 2

Medical Mission…

( ): Thoughts

((“ ”)): Holy Talon's voice

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`No matter how many years pass…no matter how many battles are fought, and no matter which side wins…there is an unspoken rule that exists for all eternity…'

`Never leave your enemies alive…'

An old military saying of the Dagern infantry…

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Wave Country…

Naruto was busy enjoying the festive atmosphere and richness of the place as Wave Country was certainly different now from the last time he and the others came to this place. Back then it was a mess and in squalor and the people were no better…but now there was a vibrancy in the air and things seemed to be even more beautiful than before. He liked the fact that he was the one responsible for the change. The people were happy and the place was alive.

“Man…this place is cool…the whole country looks prosperous…hard to believe you and your team did all this Naruto.”

Kiba said as he and Akamaru were alongside Naruto as the blonde explored the city and Inari was along as well…the young boy was pointing out some of the new sights and the young boy was really proud of being with Naruto…and he was full of questions.

“So how are things back in Konoha? I heard that something really major happened there a few weeks before.”

“Yeah…right of the middle of our Chuunin exams…Sound and Sand attacked us and we were fighting for our lives there. And we won…but the village is in dire need of repair…and we lost the Hokage…”

“Oh…I'm sorry about that…”

Inari was not happy at the fact that Naruto's home of Konoha was attacked of all things…and he was not happy in the sense that he wasn't around to help Naruto…the blonde ninja did so much for his home and he was not around to help Naruto when his own home was in danger. Naruto saw that and assured Inari.

“It's all right Inari…we won and the new Hokage's a really good person and we're rebuilding now at the moment. Konoha will be back on its feet soon enough.”

Inari saw the smile on his hero's face and smiled back. The trio then arrived at a nearby fish market and the shop owner smiled at Inari and spoke.

“Hey there Inari…how are you doing?”

“Pretty good…by the way…I want you to meet my guests…Naruto Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka and his dog Akamaru from Konoha!”

The shop owner looked at the two Genin and smiled broadly at Naruto.

“Welcome to you both…especially to you Naruto-sama to my humble shop! You might not know me but I was among those who saw your battle with Gato and his men and I was there when you dealt with that corrupt and evil man…is there anything I can do for you?”

Naruto smiled and decided to buy something for them to eat back Tsunami's house and made some orders for fresh fish and crabs for the meal…he was able to reach for his wallet and gave some bills while the man gave a few back and replied.

“It's all right…I'm giving you a discount price Naruto-sama for all you've done here in Wave…enjoy them…they are fresh from the sea!”

“Thank you…we'll be seeing you sir!”

Naruto and the others headed back to Tsunami's house to bring the food they had bought and when they arrived…Tsunami smiled and took the items and worked her magic in the kitchen in her home while Inari and Naruto sat outside and traded stories about recent events while Kin, Sakura, and Hinata looked at the entire city on top of the roof of Tsunami's home.

Sakura was impressed about how different the Wave Country was when she was last here and smiled at that it was with the efforts of her team that it was accomplished utterly.

“The place has changed a great deal since I was last here…and to think I got hit by a pickpocket here a long time ago…”

“So…you and-N-Naruto-kun stayed here with Tsunami-san, Tazuna-san, and Inari-kun, Sakura-san?”

Hinata asked as she looked at the wonderful view of the entire Country and the capital city itself, she was happy that this place was vibrant and alive and to know that Naruto was treated like a hero and national icon made her feel happy for him.

“Yep…Inari used to be really frightened and would stand up for himself and Naruto was the only one who got him fired up. Inari was the one who got the entire Wave Country on our side to beat up Gato and his gang…and there…Naruto killed Gato in combat…the guy was no fighter and should have given up…but he refused Naruto had no other option but to fight.”

“So this Gato guy was Naruto-kun's first kill huh?”

Kin asked as she looked at the rest of the view of the entire Wave Country and the Feudal Lord's own complex…after hearing how run down and decrepit the

“Yes….”

“So what happened to that missing-nin from the Mist…the one you called Zabuza and his accomplice?”

Sakura shook her head at the memory of Zabuza and his companion. They never did find out what happened to Zabuza and that masked ninja who worked with him. All traces of him vanished…but she knew full well that someone like Zabuza would not remain hidden for long…he did make a promise to face off with not just Kakashi, but Naruto as well.

“We don't know…but I for one am not in the mood to meet him or that kid he has with him again…Sasuke-kun and Naruto-kun got pummeled before Naruto-kun got that sword Holy Talon and drove them off…and I saw him summon his first army here…it was great…”

The Kunoichi chatted together a bit more until Kurenai showed up and smiled at the trio.

“Time to grab some lunch girls…Inari-kun volunteered to keep an eye for the arriving boat that will be carrying the merchant convoy we'll be escorting so get ready to eat up.”

“Hai Kurenai-sensei!”

The four Kunoichi came into the house which had been remodeled and was really neat and clean…along with a small picture of Kaiza present with a smile and being there with Inari and Tsunami…the family had brought out the picture and cleaned it up for it to be re-hung again. Tsunami spent some time chatting with the group and was happy to meet Naruto again and Tazuna likewise was happy to see the blonde ninja and teased him that this time…he was traveling with a much larger number of beautiful ladies…making Hinata blush, along with Kin, while Sakura blushed as well while Kurenai merely smiled and drank her tea…

Naruto blushed about that comment and the two men grabbed some of the hot food and had a grand time…Naruto didn't tell them of all his adventures for the past few weeks…but Tazuna and Tsunami were aware of what had happened to Konoha when Sound and Sand attacked during the Chuunin exams…news traveled pretty fast and both father and daughter were relieved that things between Sand and Konoha were back to a normal situation. Kiba and Shino were also commenting on Tsunami's cooking and both Genin admitted that she was good cook. They also shared some stories with Tsunami and instead of being intimidated by Shino's mannerisms she smiled at him and this allowed the ninja group to relax a bit and when the meal of hot seafood, rice, warm tea, and cool water was over…the younger Kunoichi and Kurenai decided to help Tsunami clean up while Kiba and Akamaru went out to enjoy the breeze…while Shino decided to go bug watching…leaving Naruto alone to reminisce about past events and also to relax himself before the arrival of the convoy they had to escort.

It was then that Tsunami spoke to her guests…namely to Sakura as she knew Sakura from before.

“Naruto-kun's grown up a lot since I last saw him Sakura…how has he being doing?”

“Oh? He's fine…training hard as usual and amazing as it sounds Tsunami-san…he's training double hard and even going back to school! Back then he was the worst student ever…but now he's becoming a very good student…makes me wish he was like that back in the Academy back home instead of bumming around and causing trouble.”

“Hmmm…you seem to be liking this…back then you were not very nice to Naruto-kun…what's with the change of heart Sakura?”

Sakura blushed and then told Tsunami how Naruto had risked his life to save her and Sasuke from Orochimaru…Tsunami was shocked and so was Kurenai as they heard how Naruto had managed to fight Orochimaru and then hearing how he had saved Sakura from dying when Orochimaru's sword stabbed her in the stomach, and she told them how he had said he would save her once again if she was in danger…Sakura then told her of the duty she had of helping Naruto study along with how much she had seen him grow up…that was enough thought she made absolutely no mention of the fact that she had seen Naruto naked.

Tsunami smiled and then turned to both Kin and Hinata and spoke to the two of them on what was their tie to Naruto. Hinata was first and replied how much Naruto meant to her personally though she was very shy in saying her reasons…the others already knew…Sakura knew about Hinata's long time crush on Naruto, and so did Kin recently…but Kurenai knew more. Tsunami smiled warmly as the shy wallflower Hinata told them how much she admired Naruto but she had never gotten the chance to say anything until Naruto had changed and became more friendly with her…she surprised them all…even Kurenai when she told them that she and Neji were teaching some methods of the Hyuuga Gentle Fist to Naruto help him in his Taijutsu skills…earning a bit of a glare from both Sakura and Kin… and naturally she made no mention of the fact that like Sakura and Kin…she had seen her crush in his full glory.

Kin was next and told Tsunami of her past association with Sound and how Naruto had saved her from committing suicide and helped her see beyond what she had learned in her former village and how Naruto had struggled to have her a place to stay and to start a new life…she owed Naruto a new life and a chance to be free from Orochimaru and that was why she was eternally grateful to Naruto for being there to save her from herself and give her a new home and she never regretted it for a moment…she also didn't mention that she had seen Naruto naked…like Sakura and Hinata.

Tsunami then asked Kurenai how she knew Naruto and the Jonin explained that she was not as familiar as Sakura, Kin, and Hinata when it concerned Naruto but admitted that she had changed her opinion of him when she had once thought of him as the class clown and now she saw him as a tough and highly talented ninja…of course…she was NOT going to mention the fact that she and Anko had seen Naruto completely buck naked in the hot-spring resort.

Tsunami smiled and sighed.

“My…Naruto-kun has truly come out on his own hasn't he? Once Inari-kun hears of this…his hero worship of Naruto will truly grow stronger.”

“Mom!”

The Kunoichi and Tsunami turned as Inari arrived and the young boy gasped and as soon as he got his breath into his body. The boy was excited and then told them that the convoy had arrived and was now waiting for them near the docks that Tazuna had set up weeks before, and the others including Naruto were already waiting outside. The Kunoichi smiled and walked out to meet with the merchant convoy as Naruto, Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino were waiting for them.

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Later…

The convoy had left Wave Country a few hours before and was now making the trip to drop off it's wares to buyers in Fire Country and then to both Konoha and the home city of the Feudal Lord…right now the rest of the guards were protecting the convoy while Kurenai's group were busy working…Hinata had her Byakugan ready while Kiba and Akamaru were moving about near the convoy to pick up any scents that could be described as enemy to the convoy. Sakura and Kin backed up the small guard contingent...and Naruto?”

He was currently working on recon duties ahead of the others...he was dressed not in his usual orange and blue ensemble but was decked in forest green and bark brown as he patrolled the forests nearby and was armed with his Reflex Bow and notched several arrows in the bowstring…ready to let loose with the arrows…he was being tracked by Hinata as she would serve as the eyes that watched his back…

Naruto had taken out several vials of liquid that had a special masking scent that made him blend into the forest and Kiba had to admit that both his nose and Akamaru's as well couldn't detect the blonde's scent when Kurenai asked them to test the liquid's smell as Naruto sprinkled it on his clothes and weaponry…along with the new outfit of green and black cloth and leather that Naruto had taken out…along with black cloth and leather to further shield himself from normal vision and to blend into the trees that were there around the paths they were currently taking. He also learned another spell from the Nature branch and that was known as Forest Skin that allowed him to blend in better with the forest and make it even harder to spot him…the spell also melded with his weapons…making it hard to see him even with his bow and arrows were there and ready to fire. As he explored the woods and kept silent…he recalled what he learned from his Ranger mentor.

The first rule of a Ranger was to keep his or her senses utterly alert and to use the land to his or her advantage…to wait for the right signs and then also to attack only if victory and a quick resolution to the battle was feasible. To strike fast and hard and eliminate the enemy as soon as the enemy revealed weakness and vulnerability…but to also be wary of traps and dangers, to watch for any sign of dangers. And to be wary of wild animals and threats that could be waiting in the undergrowth. He had some serious training and also learned how to fight and think like a Ranger…learning the way of the Falcon Rangers in swordsmanship and spear combat-mastery, along with tracking, hunting, and gathering wild herbs and more. He had passed the rudimentary basics and was not yet a fully fledged Falcon Ranger and was also determined to be basic apprentice in the way of the Steel Lancers by his own mentor.

Naruto watched over the forest and quickly made his way through the area by looking for the quickest and more effective paths to cut down his travel time exponentially and help him move ahead and protect the convoy…

They arrived at the first town hours later and Naruto quickly changed back into his normal clothes and rejoined the rest of Kurenai's team and watched as the merchants sold their wares to those who were interested in them…Naruto reached into his bag and took out some ramen cups and headed to a nearby inn and asked for some hot water to cook his food…and as soon as he was assured that his ramen was well cooked, he handed them to his team and they ate while keeping an eye on the merchants and watched out for threats from within the town and outside of it.

Kurenai then ordered the team to relax a for a bit and also to make routine patrols to make sure that there were no other people who had followed them into the town…Naruto and the others then divided into teams and Naruto was paired with Kiba and Akamaru, while Shino was paired with Sakura, and Kin was with Hinata…the Genin made their way to patrol the town and when the time came to head back…they were happy that there were no signs of anyone pursuing them at the moment. Their Jonin sensei however reminded them that they should not get too complacent in the situation they were in…just because there were no bandits at the moment certainly didn't mean that were won't be more in the coming future.

As soon as they were able to get the word that the merchants had sold the current quota of medical supplies, they packed up as they still had three more towns to visit before they would arrive in Konoha and then all the way to the Feudal Lord's capital city. Naruto was already dressed in his usual Ranger garb and headed out to scout for the convoy while the others would secure it. Naruto was still using his Ranger training and felt comfortable as he trekked through the forests…but he knew that sooner or later…the forests were going to fade and he would have to remove the disguises he had for the moment. But it was great to be doing those things as they kept him at the very peak of his game and that was needed.

He kept several arrows ready in his Reflex Bow and was ready to shoot and warn the rest of the convoy of a possible incoming attack…he hoped that it would not happen as the supplies were too valuable to be lost…but knowing that the cargo was indeed very tempting to many parties…including Orochimaru's own henchman Kabuto…there was going to be a fight sooner or later in the coming day…but for now…he was not in the mood for a soon to come battle.

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Later that day…

Naruto sighed a bit more as he was currently training alongside Hinata as they were currently taking a break from the travels of the convoy as the merchants and their guards were taking a break as well…they were nice enough folks…though there were a few of them that Naruto didn't quite like...but were okay. He put that aside as he and Hinata attacked the same target while Kiba and Akamaru watched and cheered the two on while Shino observed only…Sakura decided to do a routine check on the convoy's supplies to make sure that there would be enough for Konoha to use when they got there. Kin likewise was also looking at the two and couldn't help but admire Naruto's determination and feel jealous that she couldn't help Naruto out as Hinata had the time to train with him…

Kurenai likewise watched the pair working together and smiled bit…it surprised the Jonin at first when she recognized the Gentle Fist being taught to Naruto…she had heard that Hinata was helping Naruto in his training as a ninja…but she was not expecting that she was teaching the basic maneuvers of the Gentle Fist to him. Naruto didn't have any known blood inheritance traits, and he certainly didn't have the Byakugan so he couldn't unleash the full power of the Gentle Fist as he couldn't use the Byakugan in any way, shape or, form…but the Jonin had no doubt that with his growing abilities and his determination…Naruto would improvise and overcome his lack of the Byakugan soon.

The day wore on and things seemed to be settling down for the time being as the convoy and the merchants ordered a halt in the area to get to get some needed rest for their group and feed the oxen that pushed the carts filled with the supplies and materials. The ninjas maintained routine patrols as night fell and at the moment it was Naruto who was on patrol…while Kiba, Akamaru, Hinata, Shino and Kin were taking a break…while Kurenai was chatting with the merchant leaders on their next journey. Naruto was tired as he scanned the lands before him…his Reflex Bow in hand and notched with several arrows…but he focused not on his exhaustion…but on keeping an eye on the lands before him and making sure that despite his growing sleepiness…he was ready to fight at a moment's notice.

The full moon was out and that helped greatly until he went back to the camp and sighed as he sat down with the other Genin and he felt his stomach growl…

“Damn I'm hungry…”

“Here you go…pretty good trail mix this…”

Naruto took the box dinner from Sakura and quickly ate what was there…including rice, sashimi and vegetables…he ate the food with gusto and didn't hesitate to eat another serving from the camp fire and didn't mind when shy Hinata handed him another box dinner and so did Kin…Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino merely looked on with surprise as Naruto inhaled the food like a vacuum cleaner and then took a good long drink…Naruto finished the box dinners and as soon as the last crumb of food was gone…he sighed and held his large pot belly and spoke.

“Man I am full…I can't eat another bite.”

Hinata and Kin laughed at Naruto's content look and even Sakura couldn't help but giggle a bit at the utterly funny way Naruto looked and even Kiba and Akamaru were laughing…it was then that Kurenai appeared and smiled at the scene of her team getting along with Kakashi's own team…although Sasuke was not around at the moment….Kurenai then spoke to the group.

“I've just spoken with the convoy leader…they've sold a good portion of their wares in the town we passed so they are happy with the progress they're making…so much so they've given us all a bonus for helping the security…it's not much at the moment…but count your blessings as they come I always say…here…these are for you all.”

Kurenai then handed them small envelopes and the Genin found a handful of money bills…that was a great sign as they tucked them away and then Kurenai bid them a farewell as she took her turn to be on guard duty…The Genin decided to relax a bit but Naruto decided to warm up his brain a bit more on his lessons and was now with Sakura…who had brought with her a few books that Naruto needed to read and he read the books and would ask help from Sakura who was more than happy to help him out.

Later…Naruto decided to go get a quick shower…he had recently scanned the forest area before him and knew that there was a small river and a large pool of cool water nearby…he had decided to remove his armor and his clothes…leaving him only in his under shirt and short boxers…though he made sure to carry a kunai on the off chance he was attacked…he was rather sleepy from the food, and the extra studying he had done with Sakura's help…and even Hinata and Kin helped out…he looked at his companions who were currently sleeping with Shino's bugs on the alert…he had to give Shino credit…the bugs were extremely hard to find and would make perfect sentries…he then wondered just where his temporary Jonin sensei was. They had agreed to wake each other up and do routine patrols but for now…they were resting…

Naruto sighed as he sleepily made his way to the water fall…his hearing was enough to guide him to the location where he had found the water fall…but as soon as he walked into the water…his danger senses quickly kicked in as he was suddenly attacked as soon as the light from the full moon had faded. He had no idea what was going on…and without any other choice began to fight with his unseen attacker…

(Whoever this guy is…he's good!!!)

Naruto fought back as best he could but the light was not making things easy as he tried to move and fight…his senses were still drugged by lack of sleep and the sudden attack and the darkness as well and he was forced to fight as best he could in his current state…whoever it was that was fighting him was good as the person evaded his kicks and punches…along with his kunai…but it was when he punched the intruder with his free hand that he hit something…soft and pliable and covered in cloth.

“What the?!”

(Was I dreaming it…or was that a woman's?!)

Naruto had no time to react and even answer that question in his mind when he was suddenly knocked on his back and fell right down.

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Naruto gasped as he realized that he had just landed on his back in a pool of cool water coming from a nearby river…and he was now looking at just who he had attacked in the dark as the light of the moon was now back after the cloud passed…the second he saw just who he was looking at…he blushed bright red…

And the blushed matched the same blush and the eyes as Naruto found himself staring at a nearly naked…and soaked Yuhi Kurenai…

The Jonin had been taking a quick shower in the waterfall after doing her rounds of patrolling and had decided to cool down with a quick dip in the nearby pool of water when she heard the footsteps coming in and it was then that the cloud bank had covered the area and forced her to have to rely on the dim light to see the outline of her foe…she drew the kunai she had kept on her still present kunai holster and quickly moved in to attack…but the stranger appeared to be very talented to have evaded her attacks and fought her to a standstill…but she was not a Jonin for nothing despite being recently promoted and managed to knock her foe down and got ready to strike the attacker as the light revealed the person…

Only to reveal a half undressed Naruto who had gone to the lake to take a quick shower to deal with the heat of the forest…

Naruto looked at the nearly nude Kurenai who was only wearing a simple set of cloth garments to cover her bust and her…modesty…and both were soaked in water…along with her and despite Naruto's desire not to look…he was seeing the sexy and beautiful Kurenai in her undergarments and she was soaked in water as her hair was soaked as well as she held a kunai ready to attack him…

The two said nothing for a few more moments as the shock was still there…and then Naruto spoke slowly…

“K-K-Kurenai-sense?!”

Kurenai then spoke slowly…

“Naruto-kun…?”

That was enough to jolt Naruto to awareness and he covered his eyes and tried his best not to look at the nearly naked Kunoichi who was on top of him and in a VERY suggestive situation…Naruto tried not to do something perverted as wild ideas suddenly flooded his head as the image of the nearly naked red eyed Kunoichi was still there…

“K-K-Kurenai-sensei…please c-c-cover up…um…”

Kurenai then realized the situation they were in at the moment as she was only dressed in her undergarments after all…and she blushed even more as she realized that she was asking for trouble as she was still in a very suggestive position over Naruto. However…she suddenly couldn't help but speak slowly as the desire to tease undeniably attractive Genin below her was growing stronger…

“Naruto-kun…”

“Y-Y-Yes…”

“Don't be frightened…I won't hurt you…”

“B-B-But…I…”

“Do you find me ugly Naruto-kun? I'm hurt…”

That was enough to force Naruto to open his eyes and shake his head as despite the situation…the last thing he wanted to do was hurt the feelings of the undeniably attractive Kunoichi before him.

“No! I don't mean that…you're really attractive Kurenai-sensei! You're not ugly at all, you're very attractive and sexy…oh…oh kami…I said that out loud didn't I?”

Kurenai chuckled as she placed away her kunai and smiled at Naruto who was blushing bright red as she smiled at him…he was very handsome and very adorable when he was blushing bright red like that at the very moment…she then ran her fingers on Naruto's face…making him gulp…much to her amusement.

“Oh yes you did…and thank you…to tell you the truth Naruto-kun…you're the only guy who was brave enough to say that to me.”

“I…I…I am?”

“Oh yes…you have no idea how lonely I am…most guys don't approach me at all…”

“But why? I mean…you're a beautiful woman…and…”

“Beautiful…yes…but all the other men are too intimidated to be near me since I look this way, they think I am a goddess they can't approach…and while being called a Goddess is flattering…it can be really lonely…”

“Kurenai-sensei…”

Kurenai smiled as she reached Naruto's face and stroked him yet again…making him blush even more by the moment…he had NEVER been this close to a woman before…sure there was the time with Tsunade…but she was not nearly naked before him at the time…and Kurenai was…he couldn't help but admire how beautiful Kurenai was…sure she was not having her eye makeup and the red lipstick…but in the moment…that didn't matter to him as she was gorgeous no matter what.

Kurenai then smiled as she reached for his hands and touched his hands under water…making Naruto yelp as she felt the sword calluses there…they told her just how hard Naruto had been training and she felt intrigued as she lifted his hand out of the water and then smiled at the still blushing Naruto and teased him yet again.

“Don't be afraid of me Naruto-kun…I won't hurt you…your too kind hearted a boy to hurt…go ahead…touch me…”

Naruto nearly had a nose bleed that would have passed for a fountain at the thought of touching the nearly naked and soaked Kunoichi before him. Kurenai saw that and smiled gently at Naruto…

“Go ahead Naruto-kun…I won't hurt you…and I won't bring this up again…”

“But…what if the others…?”

Kurenai smiled and replied at that question.

“Don't worry…they are still resting from that training session and resting at the moment and we're a bit too far away…and I promise…I won't say anything about this to anyone…including Sakura, Hinata, and Kin…what happens here and now…will be between the two of us. Besides…you touched me already…or have you forgotten that punch you gave my chest?”

Before he could argue…Kurenai moved forward and she was even closer to him and he couldn't stop himself as he reached out with his hands and touched Kurenai's face…feeling the smooth skin of the Jonin who smiled and even blushed at his efforts…and she giggled.

“You have no idea how utterly cute you look right now Naruto-kun…”

Naruto blushed even more and Kurenai giggled at that…relishing this moment…no matter how scandalous it was when she thought about it…here she was…seducing a blonde teen no older than 12…but looked around 16, he was the crush of her student Hinata, becoming slowly a popular sight among the other females in Konoha as she had heard, and the favorite of the new Hokage Tsunade…she knew that if she was caught by anyone and the news got out…she was in serious trouble…

But she didn't care at the moment as she was enjoying the utter closeness she had with the blonde ninja…who couldn't help but blush even more as he moved his hands slowly past Kurenai's face and into her hair…finding her hair to be very nice to the touch…like silk…though why he thought that was off as he had never touched silk in his whole life before.

Naruto then looked and saw the rest of her form…the reflected moonlight doing a good job of illuminating Kurenai's figure along with the droplets of water that were there on her body…only her undergarments shielded her modesty…but Naruto was not thinking about that as he found his eyes studying every feature of Kurenai's face and then he was staring at her red eyes…she looked very exotic with them…sure he had seen the Sharingan…but Kurenai's eyes were natural and they were attractive as well…

Kurenai laughed a bit and smiled as she blushed even more…

“Careful Naruto-kun…your making me blush again…”

“I can't help it…your really attractive Kurenai-sensei…”

“Thank you…and you are handsome Naruto-kun…even if you're so young…you can really be a heartthrob when you're older…you have very beautiful eyes…”

“S-S-So do you…Kurenai-sensei…”

“Flatterer…”

The Genin couldn't help but look down and saw Kurenai's…cloth covered breasts and the water making the cloth stick to her skin…making him blush bright red as he was staring at her clothe covered breasts…Kurenai saw that and teased him yet again.

“You've touched them already Naruto-kun…don't worry about it…go ahead.”

Naruto gulped and pleaded with the Kami that he would not faint that this moment and time as he slowly reached out…

However…the sounds of the camp with several guards moving about brought a stop to the whole thing that was going on and forced both Kurenai and Naruto to stop their actions…they looked at one another and realized that they would have to stop and both sighed as Naruto watched Kurenai step out of the water…and he saw her silhouetted by the moonlight and he nearly fainted as she turned and smiled at him in a very saucy way that made him feel his heart beat even faster…In a few moments…after picking up her clothing that she had draped on a few rocks nearby, Kurenai came out and smiled at Naruto and spoke to him…

“It's best we keep this between ourselves Naruto-kun…I don't want to be enemies with Hinata, she is my student…and she has always had a crush on you…and I know that you have feelings for Sakura, and Kin adores you for being there for her. I don't plan on fighting them…even if I am a Jonin…but I meant all that I've said to you…and thank you for being the kind young man you are…oh yes…I can't wait until your older Naruto-kun…maybe then I can be more open towards you.”

Naruto couldn't help but look at the Jonin and he felt like he was going to die with embarrassment as he understood that…As soon as he recalled the need for a shower he cleaned up and then as soon as he was done…he made it back to the camp and tried to get some sleep.

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The next day…

The rest of the gang woke up and Naruto did as well…though he woke up rather early and decided to get a cold shower…so as to stop his vivid imaginings due to what happened last night between him and Kurenai. He realized that he had been in what most young men would have only dreamed of in their wildest fantasies…

He met up with the others and couldn't help but look a bit flustered when Kurenai smiled at them…but her smile seemed brighter when she looked at him.

The convoy moved on as they still had a number of stops to make and deliver the goods…Naruto managed to put those thoughts out of his mind for the moment as he worked on his use of his Ranger skills and training as he was once more in recon duty…only this time…Hinata was coming along with him…Kurenai had decided to have Hinata cover Naruto and Naruto welcomed the company as he and Hinata moved ahead…with him acting as her guardian.

It was there that Hinata showed her own growth before Naruto as she kept up with him and he could see that Hinata had grown up. And for a moment…he wondered what Hinata would look like if she had grown up like either Tsunade or Kurenai…the moment he did just that…he lost his focus and slipped off the branch he was on and landed on his back with a huff.

“Naruto-kun!!!”

(Damn it Naruto…keep your damn focus on the mission…)

As soon as he opened his eyes…he found Hinata leaning over him…and the moment both of them realized the situation and Naruto blushed and so did Hinata…

(N-N-Naruto-kun is so handsome…)

Naruto was staring right at Hinata and couldn't help but realize that this was the absolute first time he had been THIS close to Hinata and seeing her eyes this close…he had to admit that the first time he had seen the Byakugan, it kind of made him a bit wary, but now as Hinata was looking at him he couldn't help but find the shy Hyuuga girl as very attractive…and for a moment…he wondered what would Hinata be like is she was grown up and not so shy…and before he could stop himself…an image of Hinata having the measurements and proportions of Kurenai suddenly popped uninvited into his head…and then before he could react…he saw Hinata in the same measurements as Tsunade and in the same outfit as Kurenai from last night.

The image of a full grown sultry, and downright sensual Hinata Hyuuga in her undergarments and covered in water with a very seductive expression on her face with a deep red blush burned it's way right into Naruto's brain and made him blush bright red as he mentally slapped himself for getting such images at a time like this.

(AAAUUUGHH!!!! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?! THERE'S NO WAY HINATA WOULD EVER DO THAT?!)

“A-A-A-Are you all right Naruto-kun?”

Hinata moved back as Naruto raised himself and groaned in answer.

“Yeah…just lost my focus for a minute there Hinata…ow…damn cut…”

Hinata gasped as she spotted the small gash on Naruto's arm that was the result of his slip and she quickly took out a small bandage and some salve and before Naruto could reach for his own medical supplies…Hinata bandaged him and he saw how much care Hinata placed on his wound and it made him smile a bit in spite of himself and that further told him that Hinata really cared about him and that was something that he found even more attractive…

“T-T-T-There…a-all done N-N-Naruto-kun.”

Naruto smiled and replied.

“Thanks Hinata, I will repay you someday…you're a real kind girl…can't wait to see you grow up to be a really strong ninja.”

“Thank you…”

Naruto and Hinata then resumed their work as they moved ahead of the patrol…Hinata with her Byakugan and Naruto with his Ranger training…it was at this point that the convoy arrived at a nearby town and this was yet another location for the merchants to ply their wares. And this allowed them to take their time and relax…Naruto managed to find a ramen store and used his money to buy himself some ramen and this time he had found a very good ramen shop and chow down as he went for everything that the shop had on selection…he then bought some extra ramen for his companions…Kurenai had heard rumors of Naruto's appetite when it involved ramen…but even she was surprised at how much ramen the blonde could stuff down his stomach. She couldn't help but smile as the others watched in amazement at the rapid pace the blonde would go when it came to munching down his favorite food.

The ninja group then got ready to leave the town and meet up with the rest of the convoy…however they were unaware of the fact that someone had managed to spot them and was able to determine what they were doing. The figure was wearing normal civilian clothes and apparently was a skilled operative to have avoided the ninja team and left the area…

However… the person was not unnoticed by Holy Talon as the sword then spoke to its master.

((“Master Naruto…we're being tracked…”))

Naruto frowned a bit as he spoke mentally to his companion and trusted ally.

(How many?)

((“One so far…probably a scout of some sort.”))

Naruto sighed as he realized that this meant that the enemy forces were soon to make their move…it won't be long before the convoy would soon be under attack by whoever the scout worked for…they couldn't attack them while they were in the town as it was inviting trouble in bucket loads but there was no doubt on his mind that as soon as they were out of town…things were going to get interesting…

They moved on and as soon as they reached a nearby valley the group decided to take another break as the convoy did the needed checks on the animals to see to their health and welfare. The merchant leader then gave another small bonus to the ninja group and Naruto took the time to take a break for himself on watch while the other ninja were also on patrol…this time however, he was surprised to see that Sakura had decided to follow him on the patrol on the outside of the valley…Kiba, Akamaru and Shino were on the middle…while Kin and Hinata were there in the convoy along with Kurenai…Naruto couldn't help but recall the incident from last night with the one he had recently with Hinata as he and Sakura did the outer perimeter patrol and couldn't help but wonder if he was losing his mind at the moment…Holy Talon heard that mental thought of it's master and couldn't help but chuckle a bit…that got Naruto's attention very quickly.

(What's so funny Holy Talon?)

((“It's the way your acting around the females in the group Master Naruto…while it is a normal thing for most young men your age as you are…nearing the stage of human growth known as puberty, you seem to be rather…shall we say…more innocent to say the least.”))

(Are you making fun of me?!)

((“No…it's just rather nice…remember what I said about me having several Masters who were similar to that old hermit ninja Jiraiya?”))

(Yeah I do…so what about them?)

((“I recall one Master…a human like you name Darc who used a special camouflage spell to enter a hidden spring at one point and…well, you can guess…”))

(He peeked on some women didn't he? Was he a dirty old man like the Pervy Sage?)

((“No…he was about the same age as your Jonin sensei…Kakashi, but unlike your sensei…he was the kind who preferred real women…suffice to say he got his reward when several women came to the spring for a bathing ritual…unfortunately…the women in question were a band of sword masters and they were far from happy to have a peeping tom in their midst…Dragon Champion or not…”))

(Ouch…so did he wind up being beaten?)

((“Actually he was challenged to a duel by the women and he won…and managed to get a wife from one of the ladies in the spring…at least a few years later…but she was the only woman who had come close to beating him in fair combat…though it was hardly fair as she and her comrades had a very effective way to distract him…he was IN a spring after all…”))

Naruto couldn't help but shake his head as he had a very clear idea on what was it that Holy Talon was implying at the moment…and he decided not to think of that as the idea of having to fight a woman in a spring wearing Kami only knew what was not the healthiest of ideas and was no doubt extremely distracting to just about anyone else in the area. He sighed a bit at that and focused on the patrol.

Sakura then came next to him and spoke.

“Are you all right Naruto-kun?”

“What do you mean by that Sakura-chan?”

“You seem distracted at the moment…don't tell me you're thinking about that battle you had again and where…?”

Naruto shook his head and replied.

“Don't fret Sakura-chan…I'm all right and I am alive…just managed to think about this whole mission…I've got a felling things are about to get very exciting when the time comes.”

“You mean a bandit attack…don't worry…we're all ready for that.”

“I know…if anything gets out of hand Sakura-chan…I will be ready to help you all out.”

Sakura nodded but she replied back.

“I know that Naruto-kun…but I can take care of myself…I'm not the same Sakura you knew a while before…I am not going to let myself be helpless again…let me fight no matter what so I can prove that I'm not a burden to either you or Sasuke-kun.”

Naruto knew that Sakura was serious…he could sense that no matter what he said at this very moment she would not change her mind at all. He was impressed on how she and Ino had fought each other in the Chuunin Exams before and knew that Sakura wanted to be a strong ninja and he liked that a lot.

“You're never a burden Sakura-chan…you're going to be a great ninja someday…I have no doubts about that all.”

Sakura smiled as they went on their patrol and then they stopped as they headed back towards the convoy and Naruto could sense…with Holy Talon's aid that no one was attacking the camp, it was then that he and Sakura arrived to meet up with the others and they were now with the convoy…Sakura and Naruto then went to the lessons that Iruka had left them and the pink haired Kunoichi began to review the lessons to Naruto after an hour or two of work being done.

The two were near the convoy but apart from the others to have some privacy at the moment and Naruto couldn't help but look at Sakura as she smiled as they reviewed the lessons and then he couldn't help but imagine what Sakura would look like when she was older and she had no doubt in his mind that she would be a very attractive ninja when she was a bit older now…however the moment he thought that…he saw the same image of Sakura in her undergarments…the very same image of Kurenai when the incident happened and then she was now taking Kurenai and Hinata's place in the image and Naruto blushed bright red and was happy that Sakura was currently turning to see the sun set downwards towards the other side of the valley.

Naruto managed to stop thinking about that image but it was already implanted in his brain and he had to focus on other things to get the lessons done…and he did…however as he looked at Sakura again…he couldn't help but see the image of her in the same situation once again and the idea of her in a near nude state of dress and on top of him, smiling seductively at him and…

(AAAAAUUUUUGGGGHHHHHH! DAMN HORMONES!!)

The fact that Kin appeared and sat down with them and seating close to him and handing him some snacks certainly didn't help matters as he suddenly saw her in the same image…he had to admit that Kin did look nice…and no doubt she would look very attractive given a couple of years, and it didn't take long for him to imagine Kin in the same situation. The image of the former Sound Kunoichi in near nudity and giving him a seductive smile was beginning to really have an effect on the young man as he managed to keep calm but was having a rather hard time of it as well.

Later that night…he and the others went to sleep as the guards decided to take the watch for tonight to let the ninjas get their rest break…but Naruto took the time to set up a few wards and traps to make sure that the convoy was not suddenly attacked while they were all getting some needed sleep and Holy Talon was already alert as well and was already prepared to wake him up and warn him of any incoming danger to him.

----------

The next day…

Naruto woke up and felt like he had been plagued by dreams…but the dreams were of a different sort and they were not bad…it was the fact that he couldn't stop having them when he didn't want to have them that was very aggravating to him. The images were very interesting as he thought about the incident with Kurenai a few nights before and then he saw the images change…

First it was Kurenai who he was with, then it turned to Ayame, then it was Sakura he was with, then Hinata, then Kin, then Tsunade, then Shizune, then Temari, then Shizune, then Ino, then Tenten, even that crazy Jonin Anko was in the dream as well, and even Ino…the whole time he felt like he was in heaven because instead of any of the women going ballistic and beating the holy hell out of his sorry rear end…it was the other way around as they began to…

(AAAAUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!)

Naruto swore mentally as he banished such thoughts before they got to him yet again. He didn't need them at the moment as he was still doing his job as a Konoha ninja…and a Dragon Champion…but the effects of his very vivid imagination were already present as he looked at his boxers and mentally swore as there was a tent on them. He quickly calmed his mind once more with some calm breathing and then he felt his body relax and calm down and he felt his erection begin to fade…it was a good thing he was sleeping in a spare bunk near Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino and he knew that he was away from the ladies in the group at the moment…and they were not nearby because until he calmed down, the minute he saw them in his current state, he would suddenly react yet again…and the last thing he wanted was to face either Kurenai, Kin, Sakura, and Hinata with a blasted hard-on.

As soon as he was done and his body was now cool, he sighed and spoke…

“Thank Kami that's over and done with…”

He then turned and saw that Kiba and Shino, along with Akamaru were still sleeping at the moment and he was lucky that he didn't make too much noise to wake the two up…if he did, then there was no doubt in his mind that Kiba would be teasing him all morning and while he didn't think Shino would join in…he was not going to take the chance and wind up with even more embarrassment in the day. He turned and got into his clothes…not wearing his armor but taking Holy Talon with him and his Kunai pouch, and as soon as he was done, he then left to take in the fresh air as he left the tent and welcome the new day…He walked about for a bit and then smelled the food being cooked by the people of the convoy. Missed having the normal servings of ramen that he craved back in Konoha…but placed the thoughts aside and took some of the food…just as he spotted the others in his group finally waking up…he greeted Kurenai who smiled at him and in a rather…saucy fashion…no doubt she was teasing him yet again as she still had not forgotten the incident that happened between the two of them a few days before…making Naruto blush a bit, he gave her a bit of a smile and she smiled back even more…just as Sakura, Kin, and Hinata arrived, along with Kiba, Akamaru and Shino.

The blonde was now with the rest of his group and they were getting ready to move on…Naruto got on his gear and was about to move out with Shino on forward patrol when Holy Talon suddenly spoke to him via mental link.

((“We've got danger Master Naruto! I can sense several bands of people with foul intentions…and they appear to be after the medicine!”))

(How far are they from here?)

((“At least several hours, and there are a large number of them heading towards us…we need to intercept and deal with them before they arrive.”))

(How many are they?)

((“At least three groups at best…fairly large number there as well…no doubt they are well armed at the moment as well…they are still a fair distance from us at the moment.

Naruto nodded mentally and turned towards the direction of the bandits and then moved out…the looks on his face…serious and defiant was enough for the others in his group and the guards to know that something was seriously wrong at the moment.

“What is it Naruto?”

Kurenai asked as she saw the serious look, and Naruto turned and replied.

“I've got a feeling we've got bandits heading our way…I'll go ahead and slow them down a bit and head back here to you guys.”

Kurenai wanted to halt Naruto and prevent him from getting injured…but she knew that considering the fact that Naruto had begun to show great promise in the fields of Kenjutsu, Ninjutsu, and Taijutsu, along with the powers given to him by the sword…he was more than capable to taking care of himself. She was not the only one as Hinata, Kin, and Sakura were worried. Kiba and Shino got ready and the Aburame clan heir spoke.

“I'll accompany Naruto and support him from the rear.”

“Count me and Akamaru in…no way are we staying here!”

Akamaru yipped in agreement and Kurenai nodded, happy at least Naruto was going into battle with back-up; she then turned to Hinata and spoke.

“Hinata…I want you to use your Byakugan to track the bandits and make sure that we are sure about where they will attack us!”

“Hai Kurenai-sensei!”

Naruto nodded as he knew that the Byakugan would really come in handy in this situation…Hinata would serve as the eyes that watched their back and the perimeter so as to make sure the bandits didn't get the drop on them. The blonde ninja was now in his armor and grabbed his Reflex Bow and readied several arrows for combat and went ahead towards where Holy Talon had sensed the bandits…with Shino and Kiba, along with Akamaru behind him…the trio arrived up the nearby hill and spotted the incoming band… Naruto quickly used the same spell he had used before in the Chuunin Exams and the invasion of Sand and Sound.

“PIERCING VISION!”

The same light appeared in his eyes and he then decided to see just how many threats there were in the first bandit group…

At least thirty strong and wielding a large number of weapons and no doubt ready and willing to use them. Kiba and Akamaru were ready and so was Shino and then Naruto decided to try a few spells that were low in terms of Mystic Fire needs but very lethal in terms of use…he channeled his energy into the arrows and then the tips of the arrows glowed a pale violet and then Naruto released them into the air…

“PARALYSIS ARROW!”

The arrows hit several of the bandits and sure enough…they were suddenly unable to move as if they were stopped cold and frozen into place by the shots fired by Naruto as they hit them dead center. The blonde ninja then took out several more arrows and began to fire them at the crowd of bandits in a very rapid but calm pace…taking several more out with good accuracy, though he was not that skilled an archer yet as some of his shots missed their targets…but with the bandits being as bunched up as they were at the moment…it hardly mattered at this point as even stray arrows would hit their targets well.

The bandits continued to attack and charged right at the three ninja…Shino used his Destruction Bugs to confuse and blind his foes and strike at them as well…while Kiba and Akamaru used their Double Transformation Jutsu to even the odds a bit more…Kiba had already fed Akamaru a red soldier pill and the little puppy was now ready to fight as the two used the Inuzuka clan's signature Taijutsu fighting style to even up the odds in the battle that they were in at the moment. Naruto provided the long range support for the battle…Shino would provide the cover and the defensive power…while Kiba took the offensive attacks.

Several bandits came closer and were armed with cross-bows and took aim at Naruto with their weapons…the blonde ninja spotted them and quickly fired three arrows at them…taking out the bandits…but another had a rapid repeating crossbow in his arsenal and was already firing at Naruto…forcing Naruto to dodge and weave from them bolts…cutting off his chances of firing any retaliatory shots…the bandit fired another bolt and this was suddenly intercepted by Shino…who took the bolt in the chest…and the succeeding bolts struck him in the head and the shoulder.

The bandit grinned but the grin left his face when Shino broke apart into Destruction Bugs…showing that Shino had used the same clone technique he had used on Kankurou before during the battle in the forest when he, Kin, Shikamaru, Sakura, and Naruto pursued Sasuke when the Uchiha had pursued Gaara and his siblings. This allowed the Shino to attack with his bugs and defeat the bandit before he could fight back…Another bandit got knocked aside with his buddies as Kiba and Akamaru attacked them with the same technique that they had used against Naruto in their battle in the Chuunin Exams.

Naruto nodded and focused on providing ranged support to the two Genin from the rear…relying on his Ranger training to pick the right targets and to hit the exact spots where his arrows could do the most damage on the many foes that were heading towards them. He used normal arrowed for the moment and then reverted to using the more powerful arrows that were imbued with Mystic Fire to augment their powers in combat. He fired three arrows which glowed deep blue and white for a second as he fired them.

“ICE ARROWS!!!”

The arrows…imbued by Water Magic quickly proved themselves to be worthy of the namesake as they hit their targets and several bandits found themselves covered in ice with the arrows and unable to move and fight properly as they felt their limbs beginning the freeze up from the magic that was imbued into the arrows.

Naruto then sensed another band of attackers while he supported Kiba and Shino…he knew that there were other groups of bandits in the area and while he wanted to engage them in combat he knew that he could ill afford to cut his support to his team-mates as he loaded several more arrows at the bandits. Several more fell to his shots and the Genin were given a break when the bandits pulled back.

Kiba smiled and spoke confidently.

“Serves them right for thinking they could get the drop on us!”

Akamaru barked…while still in his Henge form of Kiba…but Shino was not convinced at the moment as he looked on.

“Don't relax yet Kiba…I've got a feeling they'll be back for more…”

And sure enough…the bandits came back and were in larger numbers as well. Kiba growled and replied.

“I hate it when you're right Shino…”

“Keep it cool you two. Here they come!”

Naruto replied as he quickly took aim with his arrow and fired…killing another bandit who was apparently an officer of the bandits…the man halted and clutched Naruto's arrow that was in his throat and pitched forward with a loud cry as the blonde ninja loaded another arrow and enchanted his arms to further his strength and into the arrow shot.

“PIERCING SHOT!”

The arrow flew true and straight and with enough power and force…the arrow managed to slice through one bandit…and right into another one behind him…and yet another, and another…allowing Naruto to down several bandits with only one shot. The shot impressed Shino and Kiba as they focused on defending Naruto as he provided the long range support with that Reflex Bow of his…however they were into the action as several more bandits closed in…Kiba fired several shuriken and took down others while the rest tried to avoid his shuriken…allowing Akamaru and him to attack in close range.

Shino's bugs provided defense and attack to his other team-mates…but Naruto wondered just what the other bandits were going to do…he could tell that these guys before them were meant to be distractions and decoys…so where were the rest of them at the moment?

He got his answer when Holy Talon spoke to him.

((“Master Naruto…the other bandits have made their move! They are heading right for the convoy at this moment…they are planning to use a pincer attack?”))

(Pincer attack?)

((“It's an attack from all sides like a crab's pincers when it grips something…the other bandits plan to surround us and crush us all in one fell swoop.”))

(Great…just what we don't need at this moment!)

----------

Back at the convoy…

Hinata looked through her Byakugan and was impressed as she saw Naruto calmly firing arrows at the bandits but she quickly turned away when she spotted three more bandit groups coming right at them from the sides of the valley…they had avoided Naruto, Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino and were now heading towards them.

“Kurenai-sensei! We have several more of them heading our way!”

Kurenai nodded…she trusted Hinata's Byakugan quite well and she knew that Hinata did as well. She then took out her kunai and looked at both Sakura and Kin…the pink haired Kunoichi had her kunai ready in both her hands and Kin got her Senbon ready for combat. Hinata likewise got ready to fight with her family Gentle Fist Style as the guards got ready to fight…the groups before them were not that numerous…but with them attacking on both sides…this was going to be a rather tough fight.

Hinata knew that this was going to be a hard mission for her and this time, there was great danger involved…but she knew that she had to give everything she had in order to prove that she had indeed become a strong and brave ninja to her family and to herself…Naruto-kun was here and she wanted to prove to him that she was strong as well.

Kin knew that this was going to be a hard mission but she looked forward to it as she readied her Senbon with bells, and so was Sakura as she got ready with her weapons and focused herself in the battle ahead of her and the others with her…this was going to be a very serious and dangerous battle…just like the time in both Wave Country when Gato was in power…and when the Sand and Sound ninja attacked Konoha.

Sure enough the bandits arrived and were charging right for them all as the guards also got ready to fight for both the cargo and their lives…the men and women there showed some fear but they trusted the Konoha ninja who were with them at the moment…even though the Genin were still pretty young at the moment.

Kurenai quickly made her Genjutsu and bound several of the much faster bandits and held them tight…allowing her to defeat them quickly…they were not in the very same league as Itachi and that gave her the edge in restraining them quickly and using her kunai to take them out quickly in time as she moved on and fought with several bandits…some of the lecherous men in the band looked at her and it annoyed her that she was getting ogled at by the men who as she could smell…REALLY needed to take some serious baths at the best moment. The Jonin placed the thoughts aside as she continued to lash out with her kunai and her fists and kicks as several more bandits were knocked aside by the female Jonin. She quickly leaped upward and landed away from some of the bandits and then used her Genjutsu once more and managed to take out several more bandits as she quickly moved back to support her other comrades and she saw another bandit aiming with a bow and she quickly fired a kunai…not at him in particular…but the bow string and the kunai sliced the bow-string…rendering his bow useless.

Hinata used her Byakugan to aim for the vital areas of the bandits coming right at her and she managed to evade the attacks of the bandits as they tried to finish her off quickly…some of them commented how nice it would be to have her as a plaything and that made her angry as she quickly fought back with several powerful but soft looking attacks…she knew that she had to be stronger for herself, her family, her village, and for her Naruto-kun and did her best to defend herself effectively as she was able to incapacitate several more bandits with several quick and precise blows.

Kin used her Senbon to wound several of the bandits and also her own supply of shuriken and kunai…she also used her trademark Senbon with bells to further confuse the bandits and allow her to get her attacks in and to make sure that they were kept off balance…allowing her to attack with impunity…but she was careful not to get overconfident with her attacks and her abilities as she was still a Genin…besides…she had no intention of dying today and was going to fight her hardest. The bandits were also acting perverted as they leered at the former Sound Kunoichi and it made her blood boil at that and gave her an even better reason to bash them all to the ground with her Taijutsu and Sound Jutsu as well.

Sakura was also using her skills and physical training to even up the odds…she used her own Bushin training to her advantage along with the Replacement Jutsu to even things out…several bandits that tried to attack her found themselves either hitting clones or were hitting each other as their comrades were then in the pink haired kunoichi's place when she used the Replacement Jutsu to change places with them and she used her kunai to even the odds. The bandits commented on her hair and called her a weird if very pretty catch…she was not happy as she gave them a piece of her mind at that those words and bashed them to the ground.

The women and the guards were fighting their best as more bandits came at them and by Kurenai's estimation…there must be at least three to four large bandit groups in the area at the moment and no doubt several other reserve groups… this puzzled Kurenai greatly as she fought off three more attackers.

(Why are there so many of them…bandits aren't this numerous and this organized…something is off.)

It was then that Kiba, Akamaru and Shino returned, much to the relief of the others…but they were all somewhat surprised when they saw that Naruto was not with them at the moment. And they then saw him facing off with several other bandits on the top of the hill. Kurenai then spoke for herself and the others on asking what Naruto was doing there by himself.

“Kiba, why aren't you, Akamaru and Shino with Naruto?!”

“He said he can hold the line by himself for the time being and sent us here to back you up…the stubborn guy thinks he can hold off an army by himself!”

Kiba replied as Shino spoke.

“Naruto was right you know…we need to be here to help the others…and with his skills and usage of Kage Bushin, he can hold his own.”

Kiba nodded and spoke.

“All right…but let's all hope he's going to be all right…Kage Bushin can only go so far in a fight…Neji's already proven that before when he and Naruto fought.”

The group got ready as more of the bandits came on the scene and headed towards them…the female Genin, Kin, Sakura, and Hinata hoped that Naruto would be safe…and so did Kurenai…but they knew that they had to trust him to survive…it was going to take a lot than an army of bandits to beat him after all. The fight was renewed as the rest of the bandits wasted little time and headed right for the convoy…while others were focused on Naruto who was still firing his arrows at the groups that came before him.

----------

Back with Naruto…

The bandits who were facing Naruto wasted no time as they knew how dangerous he was with his bow…but they were confident that they had the advantage as they surrounded the blonde ninja at the moment and denied him any chance to be able to help his fellow ninja. Naruto gritted his teeth and focused on them as he knew that they were his current concern…he had no doubts in his mind that his fellow ninja could take care of themselves and Kurenai was going to make sure that she would be there to support her team along with Sakura and Kin.

He then took out one of his short spears and unleashed the weapon and spun it around and parried a bandit's own spear…the blonde ninja recalled some moves with the spear and blocked aside a thrust aiming for his face…he then thrust his spear into the ground and moved forward and was in the air for a moment and he pulled out his spear and then lashed out with a powerful swing that sent the spear smashing right into the bandit's face!

WHACK!!!!

The man was sent flying backward by the blow into his fellow bandits and Naruto quickly blocked another attacker with his spear's shaft and landed a solid elbow into the face of another bandit and then retaliated with a swift kick in the balls…knocking the man over with a massive cry of pain…and Naruto finished it off with a knee to the chin…just as he leaped into the air and landed a series of kicks into the faces of several others and he quickly lashed out with his spear…the weapon's middle blade missed the two men…but the blades on the sides didn't miss at all as the two men were badly wounded by the attack and Naruto kicked both of them and he lashed out with his still extended short spear and used the butt of the spear to hit one of the bandits in the crotch and dropped him like a sack of potatoes and he used the spear's shaft to knock another bandit down with a sweep to the legs. He then managed to deal with several bandits coming at him in single attacks…The blonde ninja then turned away and managed to move away towards the convoy which was still under attack… however the bandits wanted nothing like that and several more intercepted Naruto…just as he was arriving to support the others.

The blonde ninja got his still present spear and managed to take down several…even using his spear like a javelin to take out one of the bandits and he quickly rushed in and attacked with his Taijutsu…using his training in the normal forms of Taijutsu and what he had learned from both Neji and Hinata in the use of the Gentle Fist fighting style of the Hyuuga clan. The attacks proved to the real difference maker as he was able to hit the enemies fast and hard and make sure that each hit he gave them was going to be effective and halting them all cold and out of the fight for sure…he however had to move away as he was attacked by another band of bandits and he was able to get his spear from the man he had hit…and he quickly used a spell that he found very useful as he landed on the ground and he quickly summoned the Mystic Fire to power the spell…keeping in mind to keep his use of Holy Talon's Mystic Fire or Dragon Fire reserves to a minimum and rely on his skills at this stage of the fight as to make sure that Holy Talon would be able to recover on it's own.

“ENTANGLING VINES!!!!”

The bandits had no time to react when massive vines suddenly burst forth from the ground and lashed onto their arms and legs…both holding them into place and also restraining them as the vines not only bound their legs but also their arms as well.

CLANG!!!!

Naruto gritted his teeth as he held off the two bandits…one armed with a pair of heavy swords and the other with a massive club with his two spears while Kiba and Akamaru, along with Shino, Hinata, Sakura, Kin, and Kurenai were fighting their own opponents who were attacking the convoy…while being supported by the guards of the convoy at the moment. He quickly pushed his attackers aside and got some fighting room and blocked the club wielding attacker and then jabbed with his other short spear to wound the attacker…

The bandit roared at his wound on the arm…but before he could attacked…Naruto jabbed his spears into the ground and leaped into the air and landed behind him and lashed out with a powerful smash on the head with the spears still in his hands…sending the guy flying and right into several other bandits. He then blocked another attacker with both speared and managed to push the bandit back and twirled his spears at high speed and managed to force the bandit and his companions away and he then leaped into the air and smashed right into them and taking out several of them and managed to injure the rest. He quickly combined both short spears and made a double spear staff and used it to fight off several more attackers…the ninja swung his weapon at high speed and created a powerful vortex like shield to defend himself and also to suddenly attack.

He used his lessons from his Steel Lancer mentor and managed to even up the odds and then tried a new tried a new trick that he had developed during his training in the arts of magic and also his reviewing in the Academy…He placed aside his combined spear for a moment and the made the hand signs for his favored jutsu but mumbled something as well…uttering a spell under his breath.

“KAGE BUSHIN JUTSU!!!!”

The Kage Bushin and Naruto were now armed with the combined short spears and attacked the bandits…several of the bandits were knocked out cold by Naruto and his clones…until one of them was suddenly stabbed by multiple attackers…the bandits grinned…but the Kage Bushin smiled and suddenly burst into a massive firestorm and it was enough to send several bandits running away with themselves or body parts and hair on fire. The other attacking bandits were also surprised when their own targets burst into flame and caught them off guard.

Naruto grinned as he managed to knock back several bandits and blocked another attacker…his fusion of the Fire Branch spell Fire Flash and his Kage Bushin was really paying off and he was even more eager to try other Spell/Kage Bushin fusions later on…but he focused on the here and now as he then spun his spear staff to block several barrages of crossbow bolts and arrows fired at him by several bandits, he quickly separated his spears, returned them to their stored form and quickly took out his Reflex Bow and then notched arrows of his own and quickly relied on his Ranger training and fired his shots at his attackers.

His Ranger training paid off nicely as he was able to hit his foes with deadly accuracy and either wound them in such a way that they could never use their weapons or render them unable to move in the quickest ways…he however did make some mistakes as he was not all that used to using a bow and some of the bandits did manage to evade his arrows…he moved and fired as best he could and quickly recalled his Ranger mentor's training and pulled out yet another bunch of arrows and then focused himself and with a single fluid motion unleashed a barrage of arrows that filled the sky as he was engaged by several bandits…and then more came right at him…a veritable army…too many for one Ranger in training to take on alone.

Naruto then had an idea and quickly summoned more of his Kage Bushin…

“TAJUU KAGE BUSHIN!!!”

Before the dumbfounded bandit army was a veritable army of Naruto clones and the real Naruto…the ninja and his clones got read as half of the three thousand clones suddenly followed several odd gestures as the original ninja and then slammed their hands on the ground…

To the shock of the bandits…the ground glowed deep blue and the clones and Naruto pulled out shields from the earth using alchemy to create the shields from the metals underneath them and which comprised the earth itself…the shields were all in silver-grey and shaped like diamonds with a rising middle and lower parts on the sides and had the symbol of Konoha on them with a sword behind it and a Dragon flying in a roar behind both. The half of the clone army that has the shields suddenly took out their short spears as Naruto shouted.

“First Line…Spear Wall Formation!!!”

The clones shouted and placed the shields in their hands their speared were now on the shields…ready to thrust outward to stab anyone foolish enough to get close to them…leaving the bandits stunned and shocked as they stared at the wall of shields and spears.

The clones behind all took their Reflex Bows and notched in their arrows and half of them were aiming forward at the bandits while the other clones armed with their bows aimed upwards and in the moment of it all…Naruto gave the command as he and his clones' unleashed hell.

“ARROW STORM!!!!”

The arrows were unleashed the bandit forces were shocked out of their skin when they looked up and saw myriads of arrows coming right at them, nearly blocking out the sun and hordes of arrows heading right for them…and they did the only thing they could…They ran all the way back as the entire area was filled with arrows and many bandits who were not able to move fast enough were quickly hit hard many died with others were severely wounded, by the arrows fired by Naruto and his Kage Bushin, which he quickly dispersed and then took his own shield with him and slung it on his back quickly and held it in place with chakra…he moved out and began to fire several arrows towards some other bandits that were heading straight towards the convoy and also attacking his fellow ninja…

He managed to take several of them out of the picture as he rushed in to help the others…placing away his Reflex Bow and got ready to leap in. He could tell that despite the pincer move…the bandits had not counted on Kurenai's gifts in the art of Genjutsu and Taijutsu…she might not have done very well against Itachi…from what he had heard…but she was more than a threat to simple bandits.

Kiba and Akamaru were using the same trick with the smoke pellets to confuse their foes while Shino used his bugs to shield his team-mates and confuse his enemies. The others were also doing fine as Sakura was beating away several more bandits, Hinata stunned them and

It was then when the bandits were moving back to regroup that Naruto suddenly heard a whirling sound and he instinctively ducked and looked to find a certain sword imbedded in a nearby tree…he recognized it anywhere…just as the mist suddenly came right at him and the rest of the convoy…this was certainly not looking good and it was then that he heard a familiar voice.

“Nice to see you again after so long kid…you've grown a lot since I last saw you…”

(You've got to be kidding!!!)

Naruto quickly rolled out of the way as he felt danger coming his way and saw the familiar face before him as the ninja aimed his massive sword before him and smiled underneath the mask.

“Good to see that you've' gotten better than before in our last fight…now we get to have the chance to catch up on what we missed out on in the Land of Waves before…and this time I get to finally have the money I need to make my dreams come true…and you are in my way.”

Naruto growled as he placed aside his reflex Bow and took out both his shield and Holy Talon and faced…Zabuza once more.

Sakura and the others were about to move in as the guards assured them that they were all right and help Naruto but they were able to move back to avoid several razor sharp Senbon and then out of the mist appeared yet another face who readied more Senbon to fight them with…in this case however…this one wore a mask…

Sakura gasped at this and shouted as she recognized the masked arrival.

“YOU AGAIN?!”

Haku nodded a bit behind his mask and replied.

“It's a pleasure to see you as well…though your other companions are unknown to me…I cannot let you pass through here…Master Zabuza has another chance at fulfilling his dreams…and I will not let any of you try and stop him.”

Sakura, Kin, Hinata, Kurenai, Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino got ready as Haku made the hand signs and summoned the ice needles from the water in Zabuza's nearby mist and got ready to fight with the other Genin and the Jonin got ready to fight as well with him. The Chuunin level youth got ready to fight in this battle…he knew his duty…to distract the others to allow Zabuza the chance to catch up with an old debt that he had to settle with Naruto.

The two of them still had a dream that had to be realized and he was not going to let the dream fade no matter the situation. They had been given another chance to do this and he was not going to let it slip away…though their new employers made him rather uneasy.

Elsewhere…

“So what is the situation?”

“The bandits have fallen back…wasteful trash…not that we can blame them for that…that blonde ninja really gave them a beating…the Mist Swordsman's engaged him now and I think the two of them are about to fight…though I can't be sure with all this fog before us.”

“That is Zabuza's chosen style of attack…hide in the mist and strike…that is how he was able to advance to Jonin Rank before he went rogue…he is good and not someone to take lightly…even by Naruto-kun.”

“I see…but what of Zabuza's companion? As far as we have gathered he is the last of his clan and bloodline…he certainly has some promise.”

“That he does…I have talked it over with our Master and he will be interested in an experiment to pass the time until the medical supplies are in our hands…for now we watch…have the men ready to move in just in case…there are a LOT of viable subjects to gather here….Orochimaru-sama will be very busy if this works out.”

“As you command Kabuto-sama. All ninja prepare to move only on direct orders!”

“Hai!”

Kabuto nodded as he and his Sound Ninja detachment were hidden and waiting for the outcome of the battle before them, the men and women in the Sound ninja team were all eager to do the will of their Master and his subordinate at the slightest command. The personal Medic-nin of Orochimaru waited and pushed up his glasses as he touched his stomach and his legs…areas where Naruto had wounded him before…he had recovered but nursed a new respect for Naruto and a rivalry as well.

(So Naruto-kun…you have truly changed…you use your Kage Bushin in ways even I couldn't have thought possible…but now you face a skilled fighter like Zabuza…and you are in his chosen jutsu....how do you plan to fight your way out of this one? This is a good chance for me to see what you have been doing these past few weeks…and how you have progressed. Now Naruto-kun…show me your true power!!)

In the mist…

Zabuza readied his newly re-forged and reinforced sword and held it at the ready for battle…he knew that he couldn't clash blades with Naruto and had to rely on new maneuvers and tactics to win…and he had a few already to use in battle…this was going to be a challenge indeed…he had hoped to fight both Naruto and Kakashi…but he couldn't get too greedy. He had once and it nearly cost him…but this time he was prepared.

“Are you ready brat?!”

Naruto calmed himself and readied both sword and shield and replied.

“Give me your best shot!”

Both ninja moved in to attack…Zabuza with his sword on his side and ready for a massive and deadly swing...and Naruto with his shield in front of him and Holy Talon at the ready…as they both charged…there was a loud roar from both of them as they were ready for a serious fight.

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To be continued…

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Sorry it took me a while and this is kind of short…but after that disaster with Typhoon Frank things have been very hectic as of late…the town's recovered more now and internet is slowly being restored and so is mine, and things are back on track at the moment, and my family and relatives are all right…the town will take time to get get back to the old state it was before this whole mess and a LOT of people have suffered both physically and mentally from the flood. The expenses needed to rebuild the town and the province I live in are huge at the moment but we are all alive and all right.

Naruto now has a new jutsu …the Fire Kage Bushin…essentially a suicidal Kage Bushin that is inscrolled with a powerful Fire Flash spell that works like a grenade…allowing Naruto to lure in his foes and devastate them or injure them greatly, and it costs less chakra as Naruto has developed enough skill to use less chakra than before and can tap into the Kyuubi's chakra to amplify the powers he has.

As you can see…we had some interesting scenes between Kurenai and Naruto first and then some scenes between the other girls and Naruto before we got down to the bandits making their moves on the convoy…after all…there's major profits involved if those supplies were taken and if your wondering just how in the heck did Zabuza come back along with Haku…

Then that's my surprise…they had to appear somewhere in the story at some point and considering the time skip sine they were last seen in Wave Country…you can bet that the two of them would have come up with some new jutsu of their own to off set and stand up with Naruto and his companions…And it seems that Orochimaru and Kabuto have been able to hire Zabuza and Haku to attack the convoy…how will the battle turn out for either side?

We'll find out on the next chapter of Medical Mission so hold on and enjoy!