Arrival into the land of the sounds met Team 7 with the wildly lackluster landscapes and populace. Or lack of populace rather. The war, if it could be called that, had pushed many of the non-ninja out of the country, seeking refuge in the surrounding countries that didn't have one of the Great Five Nations as an enemy.
Naruto felt that the air in this country was different. Perhaps not the air literally, but his instincts were telling him that something was off. The mission to retrieve the old woman to heal the Third was too rushed and important for him to really think about much else besides finding Tsunade. But now? Naruto was feeling like something was at the edge of his senses, just waiting for him to let his guard down. He peered at his team to see if he was alone in this feeling.
Kakashi was the same as always, lightly informing Sasuke and Sakura of the methods of the ANBU and what to expect in working with them in an active operation. Sasuke was soaking the information up, he had expressed an interest in working in the black ops, but hadn't formally said his intention to join to Naruto or Kakashi yet. Sakura was listening and adding her own ideas to operation, though most of her suggestions were received with Kakashi mentioning that they had likely thought of such tactics.
Naruto moved forward, a bit away from his team's formation but not so far that he was outside of hearing range and spread his senses outward. Nothing, he couldn't tell if that was worrying or not, but at the moment he wasn't able to sense any other ninja in the area. His instincts were still telling him to be wary, but he couldn't find a reason to be. He'd stay on guard for now.
"Anything?" Kakashi asked lightly as the others caught up to them.
Naruto shook his head, "No, it's strange I feel like someone is watching me but there's no one around."
"Trust those instincts, Naruto. You've been in too many high-level missions to ignore them." Instructed Kakashi, "If you sense anything let me know. We're nearing the meeting point."
Sasuke and Sakura joined them. The four of them continued onward silently for the rest of the journey, all of them making sure to keep an eye sharp to the surroundings for ambushes. None of them forgot their first mission in unknown territory, Zabuza had gotten the drop on them quite spectacularly.
After a while they neared the area where they were supposed to meet with their ANBU contacts. At first it looked like an empty clearing but after a quick glance without his glasses he noticed there was a barrier in the area.
Naruto looked at the barrier with his Six-Eyes closely. It was a barrier jutsu that masked the area within in an area denial and obfuscating illusion. Naturally his eyes could preserve the barrier, it looked like wispy smoke hovering in the air around the small set of tents. It was a smart idea that Naruto never really considered, of course ANBU wouldn't just rest in the open.
"We're here." Announced Kakashi.
Sasuke activated his Sharingan and glared towards the barrier, "I see."
"Standard ANBU protocol for active warzone operations." Kakashi mentioned as he weaved through hand seals. "They likely know we are here, but I'll follow protocol." He finished the jutsu and placed his hand onto the ground.
Naruto observed the jutsu, it was a small pulse of chakra through the earth in a series of bursts. Likely some sort of morse code. After a moment the barrier was dropped and three masked ninjas greeted them.
They were tall and well built, but none of the features were that remarkable, without the masks of the ANBU Naruto thought they'd look like any other ninja from the Leaf. Their chakra was highly controlled and humming with anticipation, like they were on guard even while looking at them.
"Captain," greeted the center one, "it will be nice to work with you once more. The operation has proceeded much as expected. No sight of the traitors Orochimaru or Kabuto Yakushi. Sound Ninja are put to the sword and bases destroyed. Sixty percent of the country has been routed."
Sakura reeled back in surprise but didn't speak, like always Sasuke didn't have much to add.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck bashfully, "I'm no longer your Captain. What is our course of action? Lord Jiraiya is leading the operation we are here to support to cover more ground."
"If you have any sort of idea on the location of Orochimaru I'd like to know so I can go take a look. I'm not really interested in being in this country for very long." Naruto added bluntly. None of the ANBU had any reactions but the one on their left reached for a scroll in his hip holster.
"The operation was to close in on the center of the country to push anything noteworthy into one location as they fled our capture. Lord Jiraiya is assisting on the western side of the country; coordination is through Toads and summon scrolls." The ANBU presented Naruto with the scroll.
Naruto opened the scroll, Sakura and Kakashi leaned over his shoulders to read along. So far, many bases held scientific research recovered by the ANBU for further investigation back in The Leaf. No notable opposition, there has been no sighting of the any of the guard present at the invasion, they've found the remaining three locations at the center of the country and were waiting on Team 7 before initiating the operation.
"Got it. So Jiraiya and I are taking a base while Kakashi and you all take another." Naruto said with a grin. "I bet that old Toad is betting he'll find Orochimaru, but I'll be taking that snakes head once and for all!"
"The operation will be as follows." The center operative spoke up again, "The Commander will be leading the assault on the northern most base, Captain Kakashi and the rest of Team 7 will accompany that force."
Sakura and Sasuke met eyes and nodded while Kakashi hummed quietly.
"Naruto Uzumaki will be taking the eastern base; the base has been scouted and has several of Orochimaru's strange experiments have been seen within. Jiraiya will be taking the western base." Briefed the center operative while pulling out a map of the area and gesturing the bases as mentioned. "Should Naruto Uzumaki or Jiraiya complete their base they are the rendezvous at the northern base to assist."
Naruto stretched and limbered up, "Well no time like the present. As I said, less time spent here the better!" He looked over the map one more time, "I'll go ahead and take down my base, knowing my luck there won't be anything of value there and it will be a waste of time."
Kakashi glanced at him, "Do still show caution, there are no limits to Orochimaru's trickery and depravity. I was there when we raided the bunker in the leaf ten years ago."
Sasuke frowned and looked over at Naruto, "If you find him-"
Naruto waived him off, "He and I will just have a meet and greet."
As the blond made to leave, he stopped and sighed, "Sasuke." He said getting the Uchiha's attention, "If you let go of all that rage and emotion and just act, you'll be much stronger. Otherwise you'll always be weak."
No one said anything else as Naruto sped off into the surround forests towards his target. Sasuke sat quietly, stunned, as the words echoed in his head. They were the opposite of the words he's been living by for his whole life.
"Let's get moving, we have to reach the northern base for the Commander to start the operation." Kakashi ordered lightly, despite no longer being the Captain, the three ANBU jumped into action. Such was the respect that former Captain of Squad Ro ANBU Operative 'Dog' still commanded.
Sasuke quickly shook off the lingering thoughts of Naruto's words and moved behind Kakashi towards their objective. All the while wondering if his teammate and aggravating friend was right.
Naruto, in Sasuke's opinion, wasn't and has never been a liar. When they were younger, he frequently boasted but that was more for his own self-belief rather than anything else. Nowadays Naruto was more honest than anyone, especially if the truth amused him. Sasuke knew that he wasn't as strong as he needed to be to exact vengeance on Itachi, but he never really thought about letting the undying hatred in his heart leave him.
"Are you ok, Sasuke?" Whispered Sakura as they traveled through the trees.
Sasuke gathered his thoughts and nodded, "Yes."
There wasn't much to add beyond that. He knew he had his own issues, but now was certainly not the time to address them. They were on a very dangerous mission, and he needed to be focused here.
He and Sakura were being used as a backup unit to Kakashi for the clearing. The Commander and three other operatives would be the second unit. Their sensei was apparently more than enough on his own and they were the competent enough that Jōnin Commander Shikaku Nara and Kakashi agreed that they were ready.
Sasuke would be honest and say that Sakura was nearly double her ability from the Chūnin exams several weeks ago. She'd been pushed beyond her limits by Naruto and Kakashi. The Six-Eyes gave them unparalleled insight into their deficiencies as ninja. His was that he was wasting chakra and time with how he molded his chakra for jutsu and enhancements. Sakura's was that she was just far behind and needed extra help to catch up. Now she was a capable combatant with a variety of coverage as a ninja.
Nearly an hour of travel the six of them made it to the rendezvous point. The ANBU commander was standing with his back to them as he read a scroll. A small toad at his feet stood waiting.
"Jiraiya is concerned with the loses. Seems the enemy is actively avoiding him. He will clear the base and meet here quickly." The Toad said with a gruff voice. "Please proceed with caution. Would you like me to deliver a message back?"
The commander rolled the scroll up before throwing it over his shoulder to Kakashi who caught it silently and began reading.
"No." Stated the Commander, "We will continue as planned, five of our brothers are dead to the enemy. Are you confident they will be enough." He said towards Kakashi while gesturing to Sakura and Sasuke.
Kakashi closed his eyes sadly, "A shame to lose so many on an operation like this, but unfortunately not unexpected with who we're dealing with."
He turned to the commander, "My team will be enough." He assured him with a nod.
"Very well, we will begin immediately." Stated the commander while gesturing to the three ANBU that traveled with them.
Sasuke took a breath and steadied himself. Even though he'd been on an A-Rank mission, Wave was more him keeping close to Kakashi and hoping to survive. Now he was expected to hold his weight and take the fight to Orochimaru's forces. Next to him he noticed Sakura was gathering her wits as well.
"Listen closely." Whispered Kakashi to them both as the ANBU in the distance gathered around their commander. "This is going to be different than anything you both have experienced. We will be moving quick and killing everything in our path."
The weight of his words hit the both of them immediately. Sakura was unsteady for a second before hardening herself and nodding. Sasuke didn't find it hard to wrap his head around ending the enemy, he'd dedicated his life to vengeance after all.
"What we encounter will not be human, unless we come across the elite guard, codenamed Sound Four or Orochimaru himself. They are twisted amalgamations of science and sickness. Killing them is putting them out of their misery, Naruto confirmed that they aren't able to be saved."
Sasuke reached behind him and laid his hand on his sword. The newest addition to his arsenal. He was ready.
"Let's go."
Kakashi nodded and turned towards the north towards the edge of the forest. In the distance was a large field that had rolling hills and through the center a rapid river that sliced through the valley and hills. If one didn't know what lay hidden under the ground, it would look like a picturesque landscape that was worthy of painting. But towards the southern portion of the river in the valley lay a large boulder that was their entrance.
Team 7 watched as the Commander and his unit opened the seals hiding the entrance. After a moment, part of the boulder faded away revealing a dark tunnel and staircase leading down.
Sasuke and team 7 hung back then followed after the ANBU. Inside was a dimly lit hallway with small torchlight guiding the way.
"This is where we separate." Announced the ANBU commander.
Sasuke watched as the four ANBU melted into the ground and moved via Earth Jutsu deeper into the base. He chided himself for not watching with his Sharingan as Earth jutsu was an area he was sorely lacking in, knowing only a few jutsu he'd seen used by Kakashi in training.
"We will proceed, I'll lead, Sasuke you have the rear, Sakura the center." Commanded Kakashi as they moved deeper into the base.
Minutes of travel into the base through what seemed like an endless series of hallways eventually gave way to a wide-open room littered with torches on the walls.
"Wait." Whispered Kakashi before in a heartbeat he pulled a kunai and swiped it into the air next to him.
Sasuke, Sharingan triggered, noticed a small needle parried from the kunai and looked towards where it was launched. His eyes, a pair of two tomoe Sharingan, were able to track the trajectory of the needle to see a strange beast whose left hand had dozens of holes that were soon spitting out needles towards them.
Kakashi was already moving, blitzing towards the enemy and slashing through its throat. An arc of blood shooting into the air.
Sasuke wasn't able to really observe any longer as his eyes caught another beast. It was large, with thick muscles and rock like fists. Pulling his blade and speeding forward towards his opponent he weaved around the first attack and lashed out with his blade.
The beast roared in agony and slammed both fists into the ground forcing Sasuke to jump back as the ground cracked. Sakura slammed a hand onto the ground and the area beneath the beast shone with a yellow hue before exploding in a shower shrapnel. Sasuke wordlessly weaved three seals and swiped a hand enshrouded with lightning releasing a shower of needles of lighting towards the beast still reeling from the earth jutsu.
Sasuke's eyes saw the beast fall to its knees and shot forward. He then plunged his blade through the eye of the beast, finishing it off once and for all.
"That thing was tough." Muttered Sakura as she looked around the room. "Sensei finished two of them already."
Sasuke flicked the blood off of his blade and nodded, his eyes surveying the area to find any hint of another monster. It was a miniscule flicker of chakra, but Sasuke was able to notice it thanks to his eyes and moved quickly and tackled Sakura out of the way of a massive tail piercing through the group right into the air where Sakura was previously standing.
Gathering themselves to their feet they watched as another monster, longer limbs with wicked claws and a spiked tail. It's body clearly started from a woman, but he'd be hard pressed to call her human any longer.
Sakura shot forward, her fists holding a pinkish hue of her innate chakra. The clawed beast screeched as it met her charge. A massive claw swiped at Sakura, it's size nearly that of her torso. A smooth lean back avoided the eviscerating strike, she then followed with a counter to the stomach. Right at the moment of impact the chakra enhancing her fist erupted causing a devastating blow of force that compounded with Sakura's incredible, yet strangely natural power.
The screeching clawed beast was knocked back half a dozen meters before it dragged itself back forward and shot back towards Sakura. Five hand seals and a burst of chakra caused the beast to be met with three pillars of earth rising from the ground impacting it in the leg chest and head.
Sakura tossed a kunai with an exploding tag at the reeling beast that exploded in the monsters face. Sasuke, who was about to jump in when the first blows were exchanged, could only watch the battle with a feeling of pride in his teammate and partner. She'd come a long way from the spectator she was during Wave.
The screeching beast fell to the ground in a bloodied heap, blood pooling around it as most of its upper torso was blown away in the explosion.
They surveyed the area around them for a moment before relaxing their guard. Kakashi, who'd been culling the beasts around the edge of the open room, made his way to them.
"Great work, putting two of them down at your level is impressive. Your run of the mill Chūnin would be hard-pressed to accomplish that without injury." He complemented them with his trademark eye-smile.
Sasuke felt the low hum of pride at his sensei's words, but he could see the pride in Sakura's eyes. She'd confided in him that she felt a tremendous shame at her performance during the exams, so to be told she'd performed beyond the standard today meant a great deal for her.
"How do we proceed from here?" He asked.
Kakashi peered around the room in response. "We'll need to keep moving. If anyone is here, they'll know we are as well after all that." He mused lightly. Sasuke winced, he knew that if the snake was here and not interested in fighting, he'd have likely ran off already.
"That may be a good thing." Sakura said getting their attention. "First, the ANBU won't be as loud as us, so they'll likely be even harder to detect as whoever might be here will focus on us. Second, if Orochimaru is here and doesn't wish to fight he'll go to another base and the other two have Lord Jiraiya and the knucklehead in them."
Kakashi beamed at his student. "Well reasoned! That is precisely why we'll be moving forward through that hallway." He said while gesturing to a dark passage off to the side that was opposite of the way they came in. "Now we make noise. The commander already expected us to get the attention and will be acting accordingly."
Sasuke rotated his arm and took a breath, "Then let's go, sooner we clear this area the sooner we can go back up Naruto in case he needs us."
"Could we back him up if he needed help?" Asked Sakura with a blink.
Naruto smashed the head of another beast into the ground. That made fifteen since arriving. If he were to bet on it, he'd guess that this base was just a storage for these things.
POP POP POP
Naruto grunted and let out a sigh. His three shadow clones popped, and he got the intel that they'd cleared their quadrant of the base and there was no sign of Orochimaru, Itachi, or anything noteworthy. That would mean that the other two bases likely held the snake. He'd need to hurry, he didn't want Jiraiya having all the fun!
Just his luck a whole lot of nothing.
Hopefully the his team weren't in over their head. Knowing the general luck of team 7 when it came to their missions...he wouldn't hold his breath.
Jiraiya grabbed a clawed hand out of the air, twisted the limb till he felt it break then through the beast to the floor caving its skull in from the impact. He'd managed to clear most of the base and was met with a complete lack of anything or anyone noteworthy.
There were roughly a dozen beasts, men and woman twisted by the curse mark and wicked science, stomping around waiting for something to spark their ire. Jiraiya made quick work of all of them with a little bit of stealth and force. Nothing flashy he'd done what he needed to and was ready to rendezvous with the commander.
"Knowing my luck, Orochimaru's cunning, and just the general nature of a mission like this. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes off the rails soon." Jiraiya said to himself as he employed an earth to quickly leave this underground base to make his way to the northern one.
Hopefully it was Naruto that was being ambushed by Orochimaru and his potential Akatsuki allies and not Kakashi and the ANBU. One his own Kakashi could hold his own he was sure but not with the two greenhorns.
Kakashi crept forward deeper into the base. He'd been met with a few more beast but far fewer than he was expecting. Counting the three he took out, the two his students finished and the ones they encountered while clearing the base they hadn't even encountered ten in total, and they have over half the facility cleared.
It was becoming a bit unsettling. Almost like he was being led somewhere without much resistance.
He turned his eyes towards his students and noticed that while lightly injured from some hits they were fine and ready for more. The beasts were a good test of their mettle for sure. Hopefully the only one they'd encounter this mission. If he had his way, Naruto or Jiraiya were dealing with Orochimaru right now in one of the other bases.
The hallway opened up once more, a massive room twice the size of the one they were in earlier. The scale of the open room was similar to that of the building that hosted the preliminaries during the Chūnin exam. Lining the walls were more torches filling the room with light.
At the far end of the room, gazing at them with a gleeful smile while sat atop a stone throne was Orochimaru.
On his left and right, his elite guard the Sound Four. Kakashi chided himself for hoping for an easy mission. Nothing with team 7 was ever easy.
"Welcome Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura." Orochimaru's chilling voice echoed through the room. "I'd hoped to have some little ANBU rats to fill my belly. But I'm more than pleased with you three."
"I can't say I'm all that pleased to see you." Kakashi said lightly while readying his chakra, he was about at eighty percent of his full capacity. More than enough for most opponents. Sasuke and Sakura were clearly taken off guard but were standing firm.
He looked at them silently for a moment before tilting his head curiously, "I have to wonder, teams from The Leaf consist of four and I'm aware of who it used to be on your team. Tell me, where is that troublesome foolish blond?"
"He's dead." Sasuke said flatly. "He fell down the stairs and broke his neck."
Sakura nodded, "He was trying to avoid a black cat that walked in front of him." She said sadly.
If Kakashi wasn't in front of one of the most deadly and horrible traitors of the leaf he might have shed a tear in pride at their snark. "Shameful really." He added because why not.
Orochimaru was amused by their words if his grin was anything to go by.
"Is that so? Well then, I suppose it's back to the original plan of harvesting the Sharingan from Sasuke here. Itachi was a bit prickly when I asked for his you see." He mused as he took a step forward.
Orochimaru grinned, "Tell me Kakashi, are you confident in your team facing mine? Are you confident in facing me?"
If Kakashi was back home in a mission briefing and was asked that question. He'd say no, it wasn't good planning to put him against Orochimaru, anyone could die to a throat slash, but the odds weren't in his favor.
Mix in the four guards staring at his students like they were on a dinner plate, and he would have likely said 'no' without much fanfare. But in the actual situation, faced with odds like this and back up he knew was on its way.
Well there was only one answer.
"Of course, why else would we be here?" Kakashi said with an eye smile.
Woo that was fun. I'm sure everyone wanted more. But really if I did continue it'd be much too long, or I'd rush the battle and climax. Naruto deserves more of the spotlight for this mission, but this was the others in team seven's chance to shine.
Sasuke and Sakura are strong for sure, they'd taken out beast that would lay waste to a standard Chūnin without a scratch, though only in one on one and two on one situations.
Let me know your thoughts!
I have a new laptop ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you I didn't know I had the worst MacBook pro ever in the 2018 intel model, but the apple people said that was their worst one chalk full of issues. It worked fine for me till this year but whatever now I have a shiny new one and I'm happy!
Oh and go check out my other story, it's a RWBY one and I'm having a lot of fun writing it and would love some feedback!