Promises Kept

A/N: Before I begin let me once again thank everyone that voted in the Haku poll. For those that have not voted I’m sorry to say that the polls are now closed.

The results of the polls stand as 10 unanimous votes for Haku to live, 5 votes for Haku to remain male and 5 votes (including one phone in) for Haku to be female.

Since the results of the Male or Female poll was a tie I had to flip a coin. After taking the best four out of seven flips the final outcome resulted in Haku being Female. I apologize to everyone pulling for Haku remaining male and in all honesty I admit I was kind of looking forward to seeing how this story would turn out with a male Haku but I need to be fair to everyone.

I hope that the final results of the poll don’t upset anyone enough to stop reading the story and that what I have planned for the remainder of the story is enough to make up for it.

Now sit back and enjoy as Naruto’s career as a shinobi now officially begins.

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“What is the current distance from target?” a voice over the headset asks.

“Five meters to target,” another voice answers, “I’m ready anytime.”

“So am I,” a third voice says, “What about you Naruto?”

“I’m just waiting on the signal,” Naruto replies.

“Everyone’s in position,” the first voice acknowledges, “Then go.”

In one fluid movement Sasuke leaps out of the bushes startling the target into running towards Sakura who drops down from the tree she was hiding in forcing the objective to now dash towards Naruto who pops-ups from under his own cover causing the target to once again change direction only to find itself snared in a net dangling from the branch of a tree.

“Mission Accomplished,” Naruto grins as the three of them carefully approach the cat struggling to break free of the ninja wire constructed netting. “I can’t believe this dumb cat keeps falling for the same trap,” he says while trying not to laugh.

“Awaiting confirmation of target’s identity,” Kakashi calls over the radio. “Can you confirm the ribbon on the left ear?”

“Confirmed,” Sasuke answers, “Target identified as Tora.”

“Acknowledged,” Kakashi, says, “Congratulations Lost pet search Tora mission successfully completed.”

“This makes the third time this week we’ve had to catch this fur ball,” Naruto says as he and Sasuke secure the net with the still struggling cat to the center of a pole so they can carry the cat back without being scratched.

“Yeah,” Sakura agrees, “Teams Eight and Ten have also chased after it before although from what Hinata told me her team has been banned from ever taking the mission again after Akamaru and Tora got into a fight.”

“I heard about that,” Naruto chuckles as they approach the Hokage’s office. “And Team Ten’s also banned after Choji tried to squash it for ruining his chips.” They enter the mission room and hand the cat back to its owner before awaiting their next assignment.

The client paid for the mission before leaving, the Hokage looks over the list for their next assignments. “Okay your next missions are babysitting an elder’s grandson, shopping in the neighboring village and helping with potato picking,” he informs them.

“With all do respect Hokage-sama,” Naruto says getting everyone’s attention, “We’ve had enough of these low ranked, no risk missions. Give us a challenge,” he says. “The Chunnin exams are in a couple months and we’ve already completed twelve D Ranked missions when the requirement’s only 8. If we’re to have any hope of being taken seriously during the exams we need more experience.”

“I have to admit the dobe has got a point,” Sasuke says surprising everyone. “There has to be at least one C Ranked missions we can do.”

“And how about you Sakura-chan?” the Hokage asks smiling at the young kunoichi.

“I agree with Sasuke-kun and Naruto,” she answers, “Team Ten has already left for their C Ranked mission and Team Eight returned yesterday form successfully completing theirs.”

“Sounds like you’re busted Tousan,” Raven chuckles as he enters the room, “As it stands all of the Rookie Teams are currently tied at twelve D missions a piece with Team Seven being the only one not yet assigned a C Rank mission.”

“Hai,” the Hokage smiles as he picks up a new paper from his desk, “I was beginning to wonder how long it would take them.” He hands Kakashi the mission request before addressing the Team. “Your next assignment is an escort mission to the Land of Waves.”

“Really,” Naruto asks excitedly, “Who are we protecting a Daimyo, a Princess who?”

Raven can’t help but laugh at the boy. “Those are B and A Ranked Missions Naruto,” he tells his ward while still chuckling, “On a C Ranked Escort Mission the best you can hope for is to run into bandits, robbers and gangs.” He walks over to the Hokage’s desk and hands the old man a scroll. “Mission successfully completed,” he tells the Hokage, “The delegations from the participating villages will be arriving with in the week to go over the necessary arrangements.”

“Thank you Raven-san,” the Hokage says before Raven turns to leave the room. “Now then you three go pack for a week and meet Kakashi at the front gate in one hour,” he tells the Genin who nod before leaving to pack. Once they are gone he turns to Kakashi. “Though this is a Standard C Ranked Mission, be on alert,” he cautions the former ANBU Captain. “I’ve got a feeling that there is more to this mission then the client is telling us.”

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Naruto and the others were waiting when Kakashi walks up with an old man they assumed was their client. The man was carrying a bottle of sake and as he approached them he gaze a snort of disapproval. “I asked for shinobi body guards not a bunch of brats on a field trip.”

“I assure you Tazuna-san they are all well trained and more then capable of handling a normal C Ranked Escort Mission,” Kakashi tells the man. “Now then if there are no further objections let’s get moving.”

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They continue to walk for most of the morning and by mid afternoon they pass by a large puddle off to the side of the road. ‘That’s odd,’ Naruto thinks to himself.

‘That puddle’s not natural kit,’ Kyuubi warns him.

‘I agree,’ Naruto tells her, ‘A hot has it’s been lately there’s no way a puddle that size should even exist.’

Just then two figures leap out of the puddle and immediately charge towards Kakashi a spiked chain connects their clawed gauntlets. They wrap Kakashi with the chain and in one quick motion cut the famous Copy-nin in half before turning towards Naruto. “One down,” they say in unison.

Naruto freezes for a moment as he realizes what just happened. Before he can even think to about acting Sasuke leaps into the air and throws a shuriken followed by a kunai at the chain connecting the two, effectively pinning it to a tree before he lands on their gauntlets. Gripping the clawed weapons he performs a semi-handstand as he kicks the two would be assassins in the face forcing them to disconnect their chains.

The two attackers then move towards Tazuna in a pincer formation as Sakura steps in front of the bridge builder with a kunai ready to defend him with her life. “Sasuke,” Naruto calls out finally recovering from his momentary paralysis, “You take left, I’ve got right.” With a quick nod from his teammate the two boys move to intercept their targets.

Naruto draws his katana and brings the blade of the weapon down on the man’s clawed hand slicing through the metal with ease as his left foot moves around to deliver a powerful kick to the man’s face shattering his face mask and knocking him out cold.

Sasuke is unable to reach his opponent in time to engage in Taijutsu but is quick enough to send a handful of shuriken to the man’s shoulders and legs rendering him unable to fight as the throwing stars cut into muscle and sever tendons.

“Good job you three,” Kakashi says as he jumps down from the tree he had been hiding in since the attack began. “Secure the prisoners while I have a few words with out client.” The trio moves to comply with their Sensei’s instructions while the Jounin spoke with the bridge builder.

“Those two are Hidden Mist Chunnin,” Kakashi tells Tazuna, “These Shinobi are known to continue fighting no matter what.”

“How did you read our movements?” the conscious prisoner asks.

“On a sunny day like this when it hasn’t rained in days,” Kakashi answers, “There isn’t going to be a puddle.”

“If you knew that then why did you let the brats fight?” Tazuna asks.

“If I had wanted to I could have killed these two instantly but there was something I needed to find out.,” Kakashi tells him. “Who these two were after?”

“What do you mean?” asked Tazuna.

“Meaning, were they after you or one of us. We haven’t heard that there are shinobi after you. Our mission was to simply protect you from thieves or gangs. This has now become at least a B-class mission. This was supposed to be simple protection until you completed the bridge. If it were known that ninjas were after you, this mission would have been set as the more expensive B-rank. I’m sure you had a reason, but it causes problems when you lie about the mission. We are now operating outside of our duties,” explained Kakashi.

“You’re right, this job is most likely outside of your duties,” Tazuna admits. “It turns out that a super dangerous man is after my life.”

“Super dangerous man?” asked Kakashi as his visible eyebrow rose upwards. “Who?”

“You’ve probably at least heard his name before,” said Tazuna, causing Naruto’s ears to swivel in his direction to catch every word, “the wealthy shipping tycoon…a man named Gatou.”

Kakashi’s eye widened and he exclaimed, “Huh! Gatou, from that Gatou Company? He’s said to be one of the world’s few extremely wealthy people.”

“Yes, officially he runs a large shipping company, but secretly he sells drugs and other illegal items, using ninja and gang members to take over business contracts and countries. He’s a very nasty man. It was about a year ago when he set his eyes on the Wave Country. Through money and violence, he quickly took control of the country’s shipping industry. Gatou now has a monopoly on all business traffic in the country. The only thing he has to fear now is the completion of the bridge,” said Tazuna.

Sakura frowned, “Since you’re building the bridge you’re in the way.”

“So, those ninja were hired by Gatou?” asked Sasuke.

“But what I don’t understand is if you knew ninjas could be after you, why did you hide that fact when you hired us?” asked Kakashi.

“The Wave Country is super poor,” Tazuna tells them. “Even the Daimyo has no money. Of course, we don’t have much money either, not enough for the expensive B-rank mission,” said Tazuna.

Team 7 stared at the bridge builder for a minute before he said, “Well, if you quit the mission now, I will definitely be killed. But, don’t worry about it! If I die, my cute ten-year-old grandson will just cry for a few days! Oh yeah, and my daughter will live a sad life hating Konoha shinobi forever. But it won’t be your fault, not at all!”

“Let’s go,” Naruto says dropping down from the tree branch he had been sitting in while listening to the adult.

“Naruto this is out of your league,” Kakashi tells him. “By all rights we should head back and report this to Hokage-sama.”

Naruto stands there and closes his eyes. “A True Shinobi is a warrior that fights till his final breath ,” he says, “A True Shinobi is a protector that defends the weak with all his might. A True Shinobi is a friend who values the lives of those he cares for above his own. A True Shinobi honors his word and upholds his vows though it may cast him his life. This is my nin-do my ninja way,” he tells them, “For this is the Code of the True Shinobi.”

“Like the dobe said ‘Let’s Go’,” Sasuke says moving to stand beside Naruto.

“They’re right,” Sakura adds, “Those people need our help so we should continue the mission.”

“Well, I guess we have no choice. We will protect you at least until you get back to your country,” Kakashi says almost beaming with pride.

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A/N: I admit I was reading the manga while writing this chapter but hell what did you expect since it’s been like forever since I saw this episode. What did you all think of The Code of the True Shinobi? I just elaborated and reworded Naruto’s nin-do but I think it was pretty cool. Anyways Zabuza’s entrance and fight will be in the next chapter as will Haku’s first appearance in the story. Depending on the length of the chapter I may have her interact with Naruto then or wait until the next chapter. Oh and don’t worry Sasuke’s still a Teme for a few more chapters I just didn’t feel like bashing him in this one. Besides when you’re in the middle of a battle and then facing possibly having to abandon a mission it pays to go with the flow. I mean can you imagine how embarrassing it would be if the other rookies finished their C Ranked mission and you had to bail because your Sensei thought your bickering proved you couldn’t handle it. Also the thought of the mission now being at least B Ranked would be worth some major bragging rights.

Again I apologize to those that voted for a living male Haku but that’s how things go sometimes. I hope that you enjoy the rest of the story so far and will continue to read and show your support even with a female Haku.

By the way what level do you think Haku is anyways? Hehe… New poll open for the next three to four chapters.

Haku’s Level:
High Chunnin
Special Jounin
Jounin
ANBU

Until Next time.

Later
~Raven~