Hokage : My Nine tails are getting more and more

Naruto personally chose this mission with a clear purpose in mind. For now, though, completing the task at hand came first.

The village chief explained the situation in detail, and Naruto quickly formulated a plan.

"We'll use Shadow Clones combined with the Transformation Jutsu to disguise as children—ideal bait for kidnappers," Naruto began confidently. "The Shadow Clones will lure them out, and once they show themselves, we'll strike."

Hearing this, the village chief felt a wave of relief. This blonde-haired boy seemed to know what he was doing. However, he couldn't help but ask, "Master Ninja, what will you do after the kidnappers take the bait?"

"Kill them, of course," Naruto replied without hesitation, his voice as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

The village chief was taken aback but quickly nodded. The unwavering resolve in Naruto's tone left no room for argument.

---

The Plan in Motion

The strategy went off without a hitch. These kidnappers, as it turned out, didn't take weekends off. Naruto's Shadow Clone had successfully drawn several of them into the open.

Hiding in the nearby grass, Team 7 observed their targets. Kakashi, always the vigilant mentor, whispered, "Those are rogue ninjas from the Mist Village. There's likely a Jōnin among them."

Naruto nodded. "Got it." Turning to Sasuke, he said, "Zilla, it's your show. Kill them all—leave one alive."

Sasuke clenched his fists, his Sharingan glinting as he looked at the thugs surrounding the Shadow Clone. "I don't need a reason to hate traffickers," he muttered, ready to move.

Yet something felt off. Sasuke paused. "Wait. Kakashi said there might be a Jōnin. What if I can't handle it alone?"

"Kakashi suspects a Jōnin might be here, not that there is one," Naruto reassured him.

Sasuke frowned, still hesitant. "If I go, what will the rest of you do?"

Sakura waved her hand dismissively. "We'll cover you from here!"

"That's too far!" Sasuke countered.

With a confident smile, Sakura patted her storage scroll. "Don't worry. If things go south, I'll throw these hundreds of ninja tools at them."

Sasuke's eyes widened in horror. "What?! I'd die too!"

Naruto smirked. "Die? You'd just be injured, and even that's unlikely. Come on, Zilla. Don't tell me you're scared."

Sasuke's pride bristled at the jab. "I'm not afraid!"

"Prove it," Naruto goaded. "When I count to three, you rush in. If not, don't ever say I taught you anything."

Stung by Naruto's words, Sasuke gritted his teeth, leapt out of the grass, and charged the kidnappers.

Naruto blinked in surprise. "Whoa, he actually went?"

Kakashi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're really letting him go in alone?"

Naruto shrugged. "Don't worry. He's a tough one. I've trained him myself."

---

Sasuke's First Move

Sasuke closed in on the three rogue ninjas, his Sharingan activated. Splitting into two Shadow Clones, he matched their numbers exactly.

The rogue ninjas scoffed at first, but their amusement turned to dread when they spotted Sasuke's Konoha headband.

"Damn it!" one of them cursed. "A brat from Konoha? This is bad!"

Konoha's team structure—a Jōnin leading three Genin—meant there were likely elite reinforcements nearby. The odds had suddenly shifted.

Sasuke moved swiftly, kunai in hand. One rogue swung his blade, mocking, "Pink eyes don't mean much if you're reckless!"

Sasuke didn't waste words. Using the Body Flicker Technique, he appeared behind the thug and drove his kunai into the man's neck.

"How does a kid...know Body Flicker?" the man thought before collapsing.

---

Facing the Remaining Two

The remaining two dispatched Sasuke's Shadow Clones and turned their focus on him. Recognizing Sasuke's skill, they moved cautiously, flanking him from both sides.

Sasuke retreated, his hands flying through seals. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

One ninja dodged instinctively, but the second felt a searing heat behind him.

Boom!

A massive fireball from Sasuke's hidden Shadow Clone engulfed the man.

"Ahhh!" the ninja screamed as flames consumed him. His companion quickly used Water Style to extinguish the fire, but the damage was done.

As the steam rose, the last ninja turned to flee, unwilling to risk further confrontation.

Sasuke, drained from the fight, watched the man escape. Disappointment flickered across his face. "If it were Naruto, he wouldn't let anyone get away," he thought bitterly.

---

Naruto's Intervention

Just as the rogue ninja sprinted away, a blur of golden light flashed past Sasuke. It was Naruto.

With blinding speed, Naruto caught up and punched the rogue ninja square in the chest.

Thud!

The man crumpled to the ground, coughing up blood.

Sasuke's jaw dropped. "How is he so fast? Even with my Sharingan, I couldn't follow him!"

Naruto turned to Sasuke, his expression smug. "Did you seriously think I'd let him escape?"

---

Reflection

As the dust settled, Kakashi stepped out from the grass. "Good teamwork," he said, though his tone carried a hint of disapproval. "But next time, try not to send a teammate alone into enemy territory."

Naruto shrugged. "Relax, Sensei. Sasuke's tougher than you think. Besides, I was watching his back the whole time."

Sasuke remained silent, processing everything. He hated being overshadowed, but he couldn't deny Naruto's skill.

"Next time," Sasuke vowed silently, "I'll be the one moving faster. Stronger."

---

Epilogue

The captured ninja was handed over to the village chief, ensuring the safety of the kidnapped children.

The villagers were overjoyed, showering Team 7 with gratitude.

As they departed, Naruto looked back at Sasuke with a grin. "Good job out there, Zilla. You're getting better."

Sasuke didn't reply, but his determined expression said enough.

In the world of ninjas, every mission was a stepping stone. This was just the beginning.

---

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