Chapter 54

Dinner with guests were supposed to be fun, because you can fun chats with them. But With Tazuna's family there was only silence, except for the sound of the song of the chopsticks and the rice bowl.

'' I think your train paid off. '' Kakashi broke the silence, '' I am also very impressed by you Sakura. ''

What they were talking, was about the tree walking technique Kakashi taught his team. And using her superb chakra control, Sakura was the first to learn it.

The pink haired girl was basking with the praise from her master, Naruto saw that it was quite a meaningless training.

There was a dangerous Ninja with a huge sword, comming for them in a few days, not to mention that he has a helper.

'' In just a few more days, the bridge will be finished. I have you all to thank for that. '' Tazuna said, '' I never got the chance to ask you, but why did you stay to protect me, even after I lied to you to bring you here. ''

'' Those who stray from the path of Justice have no courage, '' Kakashi said, '' but under the wings of a strong leader, cowardice cannot survive. ''

Tazuna and Tsunami were visibly confused by what he said.

'' That was a quote from the first Hokage. '' Kakashi clarified.

As Naruto was quietly eating his meal, he cast his gaze on Inari. The boy had not even touched his food. His eyes were watery, almost to point that tears could come out at any time.

''But why? '' He said, his voice filled with confusion as his tears fell on the table.

'' Hmm? ''

Inari slammed the table and stood up, '' All this stupid training is just a waste of time ! Gato's got a whole army, they'll beat you down and they'll destroy you. These cool things you say they dont mean anything. No matter what you do, the strong will always win and the weak will always lose. ''

'' Can it down brat. '' Naruto said, '' being pessimistic won't help you. ''

'' Why don't you just keep quiet ! '' Inari retorted, '' Seeing you makes me sick ! You know only to disappear during the day and come back only to eat you meals. You don't know anything about this country, you're just butting in. You don't know how it feels like to be treated like dirt. ''

'' So, anything else you want to add. '' Naruto simply didn't a fuck what the brat said, for during his entire childhood he was treated even less that the dirt people tread on.

'' You just complain about your problems, and do nothing about, just like some helpless damsel in a drama. '' Naruto said stunning Inari, '' Atleast we are doing something here, while you... you just whine and let those bastards fuck you and your country as much as they want. Man, your lucky your step-father is dead otherwise he would be ashamed of the disappointment of a son he left behind. ''

When Inari heard this, he hung his head not looking at Naruto, his tears flowing uncontrollably.

'' Naruto you have gone to far ! '' Sakura scolded Naruto, '' He is just an innocent child. ''

'' Innocent my ass ! '' Naruto said, raising his voice. '' All I see here Is a spineless coward. '' Naruto finished his meal and got up, '' Just looking at a coward like you makes me sick. '' Naruto said in a cold tone as he left the room.

There were things that Naruto despise the most, and cowards was one of them.

Later that evening, Inari was sitting outside, crying. That was until he heard someone coming. '' Can I talk to you ? '' Kakashi asked.

Inari did not reply, but Kakashi took his silence as an answer and he sat beside him. Kakashi looked at the long bridge that extended from this country and was almost reaching the other side.

Kakashi then looked at the young boy, and he want to give him some sympathy.

'' Naruto can be a little harsh sometimes... well he is always harsh everytime. '' Kakashi said and he rubbed the back of his neck correcting himself as he describes about Naruto.

'' But I believe he doesn't hate you... Your grandfather told us what happened to your father. You see, Naruto grew up without knowing who his parents are, also everyone in the village hated him. ''

That got Inari's attention, then Kakashi continued, '' Still, I have never ever seen him cry or sulk over a problem he faced. He never gives up and will not stop until he finds a solution for his problems. But most of all, he is very brave and running away is never an option for him. I know you are scared of Gato, but if you want things to get better, crying will not help you. You must stand up and face your problem. ''

' Bravery? ' Inari said to himself, how can he be brave.

'' Although Naruto's words were cruel, but if you want to know how to be brave, Naruto can tell you how to. '' With that Kakashi stood up and left Inari to himself.

Inari doesn't know how to be brave, not anymore since his father died, since he was brutally murdered before his very eyes. He wants to be brave, but he is afraid of dying.

'' So you want help huh? '' a voice said behind him. He turned to see Naruto sharpening his gaint sword on top of the roof.

Inari eyes never met Naruto's but he wanted to know something, '' Can I be brave? '' Inari said in a quiet voice, but Naruto heard it.

'' Can you be brave? you ask? hmm. '' Naruto mused as he still was sharpening his sword. '' Who knows. ''

'' Please I need an answer ! '' Inari was practically begging, '' that man said that can help me to be brave. ''

'' You want to be brave ? '' Naruto stopped sharpening his sword, and leaped down from the roof, landing infront of Inari.

Inspecting the sharpness of his blade, he said '' What is the one thing you love the most? ''

'' Huh? ''

'' Is there something in this God forsaken country, that you love? That you would be willing to die for, as long as it is safe. That you would gladly kill anyone to keep it safe. Is there anything like that Inari? ''

Inari though about it, and his family comes into mind. '' My mother and my grandfather? ''

'' That's good enough. '' Naruto said, '' So now, what would you do, if there is someone trying to rape your mother and someone was killing your grandfather. '' Inari imagined this horrifying sight in his mind and he felt very angry for some reason.

Then Naruto continued, '' Would you just stand there while your mother and grandfather screams for help, or would you pick up any weapon you can find and kill those bastards ? ''

Inari had no answers. He was confused on what to choose.

'' Remember this well... '' Naruto said, '' True strength comes to one, if they have something to protect. And if someone tries to harm that something you want to protect... destroy them without mercy. ''

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'' Sorry Tazuna-san, but I am quitting. '' One of Tazuna's bridge building friends came to him and decided to quit building the bridge.

'' What are you saying? '' Tazuna roared in anger, '' The bridge is almost complete, why do you want to quit now? ''

'' Look Tazuna-san, the very reason why I'm still working now is because of our friendship, but I'm afraid that if I continue doing this, Gato's men will not spare me and my family. ''

'' Well shit went down real fast. '' Naruto said as he spectate the scene.

Today was the boy's turn to gaurd Tazuna, while Sakura stayed back at his house and Kakashi was doing some special work.

'' You need any help old man ! ? '' Naruto called for Tazuna's attention.

'' Well of course I need help, but I don't think the three of you are enough. '' Tazuna said.

'' Well, '' Naruto got up, '' You two let do something useful. '' Naruto said to Sasuke and Sai.

'' Hn, it's atleast better than just sit and gaurd the client. '' Sasuke said.

'' I also agree with the Emo lord. '' Sai said earning a glare from Sasuke.

'' Alright then. '' Naruto then created more that twenty clones and they began to help Tazuna with building the bridge.

As they all listened to Tazuna's instructions, the construction of the bridge was going faster than they expected.

'' With this the bridge will be complete in three days ! '' Tazuna was a very happy man that day.

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Early morning, Inari was going to the washroom to do his buisness. He then saw Naruto, fully armed for combat.

'' Where are you going? '' He asked.

'' Oh. Good morning brat, I'm going hunting a bit. '' Naruto responded.

'' Why ? ''

'' Your mother had been feeding me for the past five days and I want to pay her back somehow. Maybe a wild boar would be fine. So, tell that one-eyed masked scarecrow ok. '' With that Naruto left.

When all of team 7 and his family were gathered for breakfast, Inari told them what Naruto told them.

All of team 7 went to bridge with Tazuna inorder to gaurd him.

They went to the bridge, happily chatting with each other except for Sasuke.

But there was someone waiting for them at the bridge... It was Zabuza.

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'' You sure this is the place right? '' One rogue ronin asked his partner.

'' Yeah. '' his partner said as they reached the front door.

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' Is there something in this God forsaken country, that you love? That you would be willing to die for, as long as it is safe. ' Inari still remembered these words from Naruto, as they were etched in his memory.

He loved his mother and grandfather, and he would do anything for them. But he was weak, he could not lift a sword nor he could swing it to kill his enemies.

As he contemplating about his weakness, he heard his mother screaming. He ran to the kitchen to see his mother on the floor with two large men with Katanas.

His mother saw him, and she feared for his safety. '' Inari run! ''

'' I didn't know that there was someone else in the house, what should we do with the kid? '' One of the Ronin said.

'' We were told to take only one hostage, just kill him. '' the other said.

Inari was petrified with fear, he was going to die, he could not even scream for help nor could he run away.

'' Leave my son alone! just take me. '' Tsunami tried to bargain her captors.

'' Sorry lady, but we were told to take you only. '' The Ronin said, '' Plus letting him live, will cause some problems, so he has to die. Go kill him. ''

'' No!!! '' Tsunami tried to get up, but she was quickly silenced with a stomp to her head.

As they Ronin was approaching him, Inari's instinct told him to run away to save his life, but some thing stopped him.

' Is there something in this God forsaken country, that you love? That you would be willing to die for, as long as it is safe. That you would gladly kill anyone to keep it safe. Is there anything like that Inari? '

'' L-leave my mother alone! '' Inari screamed.

'' Oh, this brat got some guts. '' the ronin said with a sadistic smile. '' Let me cut you up and see how brave you are. ''

' Would you just stand there while your mother and grandfather screams for help, or would you pick up any weapon you can find and kill those bastards ? '

Inari took a log as a weapon, with a childish warcry he charged at the Ronin.

'' Die brat! '' The ronin swung his sword at, Inari's neck.

Time seemed to slowed down, as the blade came closer and closer.

But before it could do anything, Naruto quickly came infront of Inari, with a quick strike he stabbed the Ronin neck with his clawed hand, impaling him and instantly killing him.

'' Just on time. '' Naruto said, then he looked at the other Ronin. '' I advice you to let the woman go. Otherwise your fate will be more worse than this scum over here. ''

Naruto went closer and closer towards the ronin, while dragging the corpse of his friend along with him. The ronin, simply went into his sword stance.

'' Looks like you want to die as well. '' Naruto threw the corpse towards the ronin. With an unbelievable reflex, he swung his sword and cleaved through the corpse, but failed to see Naruto's arm comming straight to his face.

Naruto placed the ronin in his iron claw. Wasting no time, he crushed his skull with a disgustingly loud crack.

'' Che I dirtied my hand. '' Naruto spat in disgust, he turned to see Inari looking at him with surprise etched on his face.

'' That was some brave shit brat. I'm proud of you. ''

Inari was glad, he was glad that this was over, that he could protect his mother. His eyes were watery, as tears were slowly flowing from his eyes.

'' You're a hero kid, your father would be so proud. '' Naruto said as he pats his head. '' Alright, now I got to save your old geezer, so take care. ''