Naruto was sprawled out on the Hokage's office floor, groaning dramatically.
"Old man, please, I'm begging you! No more stupid chores!"
Hiruzen chuckled, puffing from his pipe. "So, you're saying you're tired of D-rank missions?"
"YES!" Naruto shouted. "Give us something real! A mission where we actually fight bad guys!"
Sasuke, standing nearby with his arms crossed, said nothing, but his silence was agreement. Sakura, on the other hand, seemed hesitant. "Naruto, we might not be ready for that yet…"
Kakashi watched the conversation unfold, considering his next move. In the original story, this was when they'd be given the mission to escort Tazuna, the bridge builder. Should he follow the same path? Or should he choose something different?
After a moment, he decided—no point in completely derailing things.
Hiruzen exhaled. "Very well. Since your team has completed a good number of D-rank missions, I will approve your request."
Naruto jumped up, pumping his fist. "YES!"
Hiruzen gestured to Iruka, who scanned the mission list before handing Kakashi a scroll. "Your team will be escorting a client to the Land of Waves. It's a C-rank mission—there shouldn't be any enemy ninja involved, just some possible bandits or wild animals."
Naruto beamed. "Haha! Finally!"
The door opened, and in walked an old man with a straw hat and a bottle of sake in hand. He took one look at Team 7 and scoffed.
"Hah?! These brats are supposed to protect me?" He took a big swig of his drink. "They look like they'd die the moment they stub their toes!"
Naruto bristled. "Hey, old man! I'll have you know I'm gonna be Hokage one day! So show some respect!"
Tazuna eyed him, unimpressed. "Yeah, yeah, whatever, kid."
Kakashi sighed. It begins.
Preparing for Departure
After receiving their mission details, Team 7 was dismissed to gather supplies. Kakashi watched them go, already mentally preparing himself for what was coming.
This mission isn't as simple as it looks. Zabuza and Haku are waiting.
If he followed the script, things would eventually lead to Naruto and Sasuke's first real brush with death. But now that he was here, he had the chance to prepare them differently.
And he would.
Morning of the Journey
The next day, Team 7 gathered at the village gate. Tazuna stood nearby, looking as grumpy as ever.
Naruto yawned. "Man, I'm pumped! We finally get to do something cool!"
Sasuke adjusted his backpack. "Just don't slow us down, dobe."
Sakura frowned. "You two are already bickering?"
Kakashi strolled in at a leisurely pace, reading his book as usual. "Alright, everyone here? Good. Then let's go."
With that, Team 7 took their first steps outside the Hidden Leaf, heading straight toward a mission that would change their lives forever.