22 Chapter 21 By Ship

Bastion was at it again trying to damn up the waterfall when he realized, he needed a break. He has been at it for three weeks. Half of that was spent wondering when the Sasuke retrieval mission would begin, but Sasuke has the eternal Mongekyou. Why would he need Orochimaru? Bastion was certain Sasuke would become even more powerful in three years than after the original 3year time skip.

Would Madara even be a challenge? Of course, he would, it was Madara. No if anything Orochimaru and Kabuto will partner with the Akatsuki or at least Obito. They were all about the moon eye plan.

He left five shadow clones to continue with training. Bastion took a trip to the movies. One of the princess Gale movies were playing, so he decided to walk up the ceiling and join team seven. Sasuke caught him sneaking up and nodded. "Oh, hey Bastion did you take a break to see the movie too." Naruto practically yelled. The movie was really exciting him.

Bastion shrugged and stood with them. It was one of the cheesiest over acted movie he had ever seen. Worst of all with his sharingan active he would never forget it. Naruto was cheering the whole time, so it wasn't too bad. Kekashi showed up. "I'm glad you enjoyed the movie we have a mission to guard Yukie the actor who plays princess Gale." Kekashi said. Bastion perked up at the mission.

"Hey, do you think I could come along. I'm burnt out on training, a trip out of the village would really help." Bastion said, while making a shadow clone. It took off already aware of its mission.

"Where is it going?" Naruto asked.

"To ask Sensei if I can go." It'll dispel, and I will know. One poof later and he got the ok. "Sensei said I won't get paid, but it will be a great experience. So, can I go." Bastion said.

"Are you that tired of your waterfall training?" Kekashi said with a chuckle and eye smile. Bastion gave a hn. Sasuke nodded his approval and Naruto looked between them as if it was contagious.

"I'll take my custom golem it's a lot lighter than my others and much stronger." Taking out a scroll he unsealed his latest creation. Metal chakra conducting rods went through the golem to lightning proof it. This one had enough room for him to sit cross legged and a rolling cage inside. The rolling cage added another layer of protection against lightning jutsu. The golem was dressed in a leather duster, it wore a face mask, and had goggles over its eye. With gloves, pants, boots, and a scarf it looked human from a distance. Bastion quickly got inside, and the back hatch closed. Chakra strings connected him the the golems chakra network and when he closed his eyes, he was looking through the golem's great eye.

"Wow that is so cool, I want one then no one will call me short ever again." Naruto said. Bastion turned the golem's head 180 degrees to look at Naruto.

"Yea, it looks cool, but it takes a lot of earth release training to get to this level. Not to mention custom made clothes, most people don't get this big. But want to see something really cool." Bastion opened the duster to show tons of kunai, shuriken, and a few hand scythes. "I can hold a lot of gear and its no strain on me because this golem doesn't have muscles that get tired." Bastion said.

They left the village and began their journey to the land of snow.

The actress Yukie what could Bastion say about her, entitled bitch with a troubled past. That was true. A tough façade covering a frightened girl running away from her past. That was also true. She was a member of royalty and heir to an island nation. That didn't mean her shit didn't stink. "Hey, big man I bet you can't wait to send me back to that place. Let me tell you, you won't last a second against my uncle Doto." Yukie said.

They were on the ship traveling north. The temperature was dropping but Bastion couldn't feel it through his golem. He used a D rank wind release to cycle the air in the golem. Vents opened releasing hot air around the golem's shoulder and sucked in cold sea air. Bastion turned his gaze to the woman.

"Doto, I never met the man. I didn't get a chance to read any files on konoha's missions in the land of snow. But I do remember the files for this place were light compared to other lands." Bastion said.

"You're the only one without a headband. What does that mean?" Yukie asked.

"I'm merely an apprentice, I didn't go through the official channels to become a Konoha shinobi. I took a shortcut." Bastion said. Sakura was checking her kunai and shuriken. She had on a cape to help shield her from the cold.

Bastion could already see the design flaw in his current golem. It had no nerves or failing that any ability to sense when something has attached to his rock form. That meant anyone could place an explosive tag on him and he wouldn't know until it went off. He would have to see to that later.

"What does an apprentice do in Konoha?" Yukie asked.

"That's enough badgering Bastion already. Can't you see he's trying to relax. This is his first ship ride don't you think he wants to enjoy it?" Sakura yelled. Yukie smiled as if she found a weakness.

"I see you like him don't you. I can see why. He's tall mysterious, but you should know his type normally uses girls like you for free sex. Then he leaves and never turns his back." Yukie said in a confident tone.

Sakura smiled like she never has before. Bastion realized that it might not have happened before. Sakura had the edge. "Well, if you want him, I won't stand in your way. But there are laws against what your doing. I suppose a princess doesn't have to worry about them." Sakura said with a smile. She was blushing.

Yukie looked shocked and most likely thought Sakura was some deviant. Bastion fought to hold back his own laughter. "Oh, so you're the type that likes to fantasize about others. Well thank you and your right if this goes my way, who knows I might invite Bastion to my royal chamber." Yukie said with a wink.

Bastion turned to walk out. "Wait for me." Sakura shouted and followed behind him. The second they were out of earshot. Sakura burst out laughing. "That was the best now I know why Naruto likes to prank people." Sakura yelled into the wind. Bastion shrugged his shoulders. "Thank you for playing along. That was great."