Chapter Nineteen: Voyage To Nami No Kuni

It's been two days since Naruto and Team 7 have left for Nami No Kuni to escort Tazuna the famous bridge builder to his home village. So far things have been calm if you can exclude Sakura trying to get Sasuke's attention but only to be ignored continuously. The blonde gave the girl his sympathy.

Why does she puts so much of her efforts and time on Sasuke, Naruto wondered while shaking his head, The guy virtually shows no interest in her whatsoever.

"I don't see why you're even concerned for that pink-haired harpy," Kyuubi mocked, "But then again that's you entirely, like your stupid father."

Shut up Kyuubi, Naruto said.

"If you're so concerned about her plight with Sasuke-chan," Kyuubi continued to mock, "End her torment by killing the bastard! Maybe then the harpy can do something useful with her time."

Naruto had a most annoyed look on his face while ignoring the great fox. Sasuke and Sakura soon turned and looked at Naruto questionably.

"What's wrong with you, dobe," Sasuke asked.

"No reason of any importance," Naruto replied.

"Whatever," Sasuke retorted, "Not like I care anyway."

"Then why did you ask in the first place," Naruto shot back. Sasuke chose to say nothing and turn back to the front. Soon, Naruto drowned Kyuubi's voice out of his mind, not wanting to be harassed by the fox monster. After a while, the seemingly calm atmosphere was about to change right about…

"Sakura-san, I have a question I've been meaning to ask you for quite some time now since we've been assigned to the same team with Kakashi-sensei," Sai said while Naruto pulled out a bottle of water and started drinking from it.

"And what would that be," Sakura asked.

"Are you into girls," Sai asked rather bluntly, causing Naruto to spew the water out of his mouth upon hearing the question. Kakashi raised an eyebrow on hearing that while Tazuna looked at the pair awkwardly. Sasuke looked at Sai funny for raising such a topic. Sakura was fuming and was ready to kill Sai as she emitted a bloodlust that promised unquestionable pain as she dashed and attempted to hit him while Sai ducked and dodged her coming assault.

"I'M NOT A LESBIAN YOU FREAKING HENTAI!," Sakura yelled indignantly as she tried to land her blows on Sai, "HOW DARE YOU ASK ME SUCH A PERVERTED QUESTION!"

"I'm not a pervert. What I asked was simply a question asked out of curiosity seeing how you're always wooing over dick-less over there," Sai replied while pointing to the now enraged Sasuke who too wanted to seriously hurt him. Naruto futilely did everything in his power to keep from cracking up while tears were forming and falling down his face after seeing what Sai was implying.

This is the group that's supposed to protect me, Tazuna grieved silently. Naruto by this time wiped away the tears from his eyes while trying to control his laughter. After a couple of moments Naruto regain his composure and got the laughter out of his system. As the group continued on their way, Yondaime was communicating with Naruto.

'I don't like this set up one bit Naruto,' Yondaime said suspiciously.

What set up, Naruto asked quizzically.

'This mission is presently too easy to be simply a C-ranked mission,' Yondaime answered, 'Somehow I sense that there's more to this mission than what's being let on to us.'

Yondaime's distrust of the supposed C-ranked mission only grew to higher levels as Naruto noticed to his side there was a small puddle of water. Kakashi also noticed the peculiar puddle of water a few feet from them.

A puddle, Naruto and Kakashi thought, It's basically summer time now and it hasn't rained for days.

Naruto and Kakashi turned back around and continued on their way. As they did, the puddle they just passed morphed into two ninjas with scratches on their forehead protectors. They wore black clothes and had huge gauntlets on, equipped with massive claws. They were connected by a sharp looking chain between the gauntlets. They jumped towards the group and wrapped their chain around Naruto who of course was behind everyone making him the easiest to attack.

"First one," the two ninjas said as Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, Sai and Tazuna whirled around in time before Naruto was shredded.

"Naruto!," Team 7 yelled out as Naruto's body parts rained down from the air and onto the ground in a cloud of smoke.

Taking out the strongest of us first, Kakashi thought as he and Sai placed their guard up in front of Tazuna when the ninjas turned their attention them.

"Second one," one of the two killers said as they rushed at Sakura with their chain in hand ready to do what they did to Naruto on her. That was until Sasuke jumped into the air, pulled out a shuriken and a kunai. He threw the shuriken at the chain. The shuriken brought the chain to a nearby tree, and Sasuke threw the kunai, lodging the chain into the tree. The two mist nins tried to pull it out, but it wouldn't budge.

"It won't come out," one of them said as Sasuke landed down on their gauntlets. Grabbing their gauntlets, he kicked them both in their faces both they moved and detached the chain off their gauntlets before dashing away from each other. One went after Sakura who now had her kunai out in front of her while the other went for Tazuna who was being guarded by Kakashi and Sai.

Sasuke moved speedily to intercept the Mist nin going for Sakura placing his guard up against him. Neither Mist nins however managed to reach their intended targets when Naruto popped between the two ninjas from out of nowhere and grabbed both ninjas with his arms wrapped around their necks in a vice-like grip, thus painfully stopping them in their tracks.

All but Kakashi were not only surprised that Naruto was in fact alive and in one piece, but that he single-handedly brought down and defeated two ninjas almost effortlessly.

Nice job Naruto, Kakashi smiled underneath his mask, That was a move worthy of myself if I do say so.

Naruto! He's alive, Sakura thought happily and relieved that Naruto wasn't dead.

Show-off, Sai gave a small smirk at Naruto while Sasuke looked at the blonde with a mixed expression of amazement and jealousy.

That dobe did…defeat my brother by himself…, Sasuke thought in forced acknowledgement,…It shouldn't be that big of a surprise that he took out ninjas who are far weaker than my older brother…

That was he and the other looked to see pieces of chopped logs lying where they thought Naruto was torn to pieces.

The dobe used Kawarimi No Jutsu, Sasuke thought, I should have known.

Naruto turned and walked off with the two ninjas in hand. A moment later though, Naruto stopped said, "Oi, Emo-Sasuke…" (A/N: Emo as in "emotional")

Sasuke scowled at the named Naruto gave him. Turning his head way, Naruto continued, "Nice job in taking on the ninjas. Though I must admit that I didn't think you had it in you to use yourself as a human shield to protect one of your, if not solely, greatest fangirl. I can only wonder what to make out of that knowing your character."

Sasuke scowled at the implication Naruto was making while the blonde simply grinned at the raven-haired Uchiha. Sakura however was in her own world after hearing what Naruto implied.

"THERE'S NOTHING TO WONDER ABOUT NARUTO!," inner Sakura yelled happily while jumping up and down, "IT'S TRUE LOVE! THAT HAS TO BE THE ONLY EXPLANATION!"

Sai looked over at Sakura, seeing that she was presently daydreaming.

Must be fantasizing about dick-less over there, Sai thought with a neutral facial expression.

"Anyway," Naruto continued as he turned to Kakashi and the others, "Good job all of you in holding your grounds against these two."

"Don't talk as if you're the one in charge dobe," Sasuke retorted, "You're not the Jounin here."

"Such ingratitude and after how I acknowledged your breath-taking performance," Naruto replied in sarcasm much to Sasuke's annoyance, "There's poison in these guy's nails. Should they have cut any of you, we would have had to open up the wound and leech out the poison before it turned fatal."

Sasuke said nothing in return as Kakashi turned to Tazuna and said, "I need to talk to you."

Naruto went and tied up the two Mist nins to a tree before Kakashi and the other joined the blonde after tying them up.

"These two are Chuunin level ninjas from the Mist Academy," Kakashi said, "They're known to keep fighting no matter what."

"Tell me kid," one of the Mist nins said, "How were you able to detect us?"

"Baka," Naruto retorted, "Any fool should know that a water puddle shouldn't exist in an area that hasn't had rain fall upon in it for days. Kakashi-niisan saw the puddle also, but allowed us to fight anyway."

"That is true," Kakashi admitted. Tazuna turned to the Jounin and interrogated, "Why did you allowed those kids to fight when you knew that?"

"If I was up to it, I could have killed those two in a blink of an eye. However," Kakashi explained before looking at the older man suspiciously, "Naruto and I needed to know who the target for those two was."

"What do you mean," Tazuna asked nervously.

"In other words," Naruto spoke seriously as he turned to Tazuna, "Were you being targeted, or was it somebody from our ninja group? Kakashi-niisan and the rest of us haven't heard anything about you being targeted by ninjas."

"Your request was for us to protect you from armed groups like gangs and robbers," Kakashi added, "This is a mission that's above B-rank. Our job was to support and guard you until you completed the bridge. If ninjas are our enemies-"

"Then it would be an expensive B-rank mission," Naruto finished for him. Kakashi nodded and continued, "We're sure you have your reasons however we're bothered if you lie in your request details. This wasn't part of the mission."

Tazuna remained quiet after hearing what Kakashi and Naruto were saying.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura spoke, "This mission is out of our league. We should return with more re-enforcements for this mission."

"There will be none of that," Naruto sternly interjected, "The four of us requested for a more challenging mission, and I'll be damned to back out of this now! I'm not one who turns his back on someone in need of our help! This mission is still on in spite of the situation that's now present before us!"

Everyone just looked at Naruto as he went over and punched both Mist nins, knocking them instantly unconscious before untying them. Grabbing both nins, Naruto started dragging them away.

"I won't be long," Naruto said as he walked away from the others with the two ninjas being dragged away.

"Where are you taking them," Sakura asked.

"Just go on ahead of me. I'll catch up later," was all Naruto said as he took away the ninjas. Sasuke was about to say something when Kakashi spoke up first, "It's best if we go on. I'm sure that Naruto will meet up with us in no time. He wasn't made Elite Genin for nothing after all."

Sasuke snarled on hearing that title addressed to Naruto. If anything, he felt that he himself deserved that title and not Naruto.

"I agree," Sai spoke for the first time after a period of silence, "Judging from Naruto's abilities, I'm positive that he'll make it back in no time."

With no further arguments, the group turned away continued on their way.

(Elsewhere)

Naruto brought the two ninjas to an area out of seeing and hearing range. The two Mist nins woke up to see Naruto standing in front of them after he tied them up to a tree again.

"Alright you two," Naruto said, "Tell me everything you know."

"Go to hell you little shit," said one of the Mist ninjas. Wordlessly, bit his thumb causing it to bleed. He did some hand seals, before slamming it down to the ground, saying, "Kuchiyose No Jutsu!"

There was a puff of smoke and after it cleared, there was a yellow and white female fox wearing purple elbow-length finger-less gloves standing on her two legs in between Naruto and the Mist nins. (A/N: think of Renamon from Digimon 03. I'm too lazy to think of an original character).

"Naruto-sama," the yellow fox greeted as she turned and bowed to Naruto.

"Rena," Naruto said, "Do your thing. I think they'll talk through more influential methods."

The fox nodded before turning to the Mist nins. She looked at them coldly before going over to them as she flexed her sharp claws. Doing a series of hand seals, Rena said, "Kongōseki No Arashi No Jutsu (Diamond Storm Technique)."

What followed next were two screaming men being severely pelted with sharp white diamond-shaped energy shards.

'You definitely spend too much time with Anko, Naruto,' Yondaime commented.

I'm just putting Anko-chan's teachings to practice, that's all, Naruto replied mentally before summoning vipers from out of his arms to use on the Mist nins, adding to the misery and pain the Mists nins were to suffer until they were willing to talk.

(Meanwhile)

Just then, huge, terror filled screams came, and the Genins except Sai and one bridge builder nearly jumped out of their skins.

"What…was that," Tazuna asked

"I have no idea," Sakura replied.

"Perhaps Kakashi-sensei knows," Sai said.

"Naruto's handy work," Kakashi simply remarked, "If anything, those two Chuunins are very miserable right now."

Sakura and the others could only wonder what it was Naruto was doing or did that was enough to make two Chuunin level ninjas scream with such fright and pain.

(A While Later)

The team and Tazuna found themselves in front of a water shore with a small boat and its captain in front of the group. It was evident that they would have to ride the both across the water.

A moment later, Kakashi turned to see Naruto running and catching up to them.

"Naruto," Kakashi greeted as the others turned to see the blonde rejoin the group.

"Naruto," Sakura asked, "What did you do with those two ninjas? We all heard loud screams a while ago."

"I had them tell me everything they knew," Naruto spoke before going cold, "Before causing their pain to cease."

It didn't take long to interpret what Naruto meant. The two Mist nins were dead. Sasuke, Sakura and Tazuna were shocked because of what Naruto said. Sai maintained a neutral expression.

"They won't be a problem to anyone anymore," Naruto stated, "As noted earlier, our client has been with holding information from us. Those Mist ninjas I tortured and killed were the two demon brothers. Those two brothers served a man named Momochi Zabuza who is being hired by someone else though the Mist nins didn't know whom. I'm sure Tazuna here can tell us more. The rank of this mission is in truth higher than C-rank. In truth this mission is B-rank if not A-rank."

Tazuna was now noticeably sweating out of sheer nervousness, "The kid is right. There's more to this than you all know…About a year and a half ago, Wave Country was a rich and prosperous country. Good to live in and everyone was happy. But then Gatō came."

"Gatō," Sasuke inquired.

"The president of the Gatō Corporation; he's one of the wealthiest men in the world," Kakashi explained. Tazuna nodded and continued, "Officially he appears to be only a businessman; however he's really a criminal, using corruption and violence to take control and smuggle drugs, weapons and other valuables. He took control over Nami No Kuni by buying all the ports. He controls all sea travel and on an island that means you control the island itself. He takes all the money and Wave County has become a poor country with no hope.

"That's why I'm building the bridge. My bridge will connect us with the mainland, and we can prosper again. However Gatō fears my bridge because it would end his tyrannical seize over the country, and he wants to kill me to stop it. Therefore he hired several shinobis. I traveled to Konoha to get protection, but since we're so poor, we couldn't afford something other than a C-rank mission.

"You understand why I had to lie about the mission? It took everything our village saved up as a whole to even afford this type of mission as we can't pay for anything higher. Our country has been suffering through economic poverty."

"I see," Naruto said before turning to Kakashi, "What do you think Kakashi-niisan?"

"This mission is clearly A-rank," Kakashi stated, "This isn't the kind of mission I've trained my team for as of yet. However, we'll continue with the mission on one condition Tazuna."

"And what's that?"

"When your country gets back on its feet, you're to pay us the appropriate sum of money," Kakashi said and Tazuna nodded in agreement, "Thank you."

They all boarded the boat and started on their way to Nami No Kuni. The ride was spent in silence. Meanwhile Naruto was in deep thought as though his mind was off elsewhere in another world. His facial expression gave no indication as to what was going through his mind or how he was presently feeling. After a while, they arrived at the shore of their destination and got off the boat to continue on their way into Nami No Kuni by foot.

"All of you are welcomed to stay at my house as I got two extra rooms for both the girl and boys to use and a sofa for one of you three guys to sleep in," said Tazuna as he was showing them the way to his house through the trail, "I doubt any of you will find a hotel or anywhere else to stay that can promise a roof over your heads due to our village's economic crisis."

While walking through the dirt road trail to Tazuna's, Naruto was still contemplating everything that's been happening and hasn't said a word since the boat ride. Sensing a presence, Naruto snapped out of his train of thoughts as he pulled out his kunai from and threw it into a bush that was moving slightly nearly hitting a defenseless white rabbit now backed up into a tree. The end result had earned a yelling Sakura who attempted to hit him only for her fist to be effortlessly grabbed by Naruto in the process.

"Something's erroneous with this picture," Naruto noted while looking into the direction he threw his kunai, "It's a hot summer day and the color of that rabbit is white like snow. It shouldn't be out with that kind of fur. Which means…"

"EVERYONE GET DOWN!," Kakashi said quickly while he grabbed Tazuna, Naruto grabbed Sai, and Sasuke pulled down Sakura. Everyone got down to the ground in time as a large sword missed their heads.

"It appears that this new bunch is more aware of the dangers before them. No matter, you're all going to die here," said the dark voice of the man who appeared before the group standing with his giant sword.

"Momochi Zabuza, The Demon of the Bloody Mist I presume," Naruto calmly said as he and the others stood back up.

"Yes and just whom might you be, boy," said Zabuza inquired, "I'm impressed that you know of me."

"We had a little run-in with two of your friends," Naruto replied, "Sad for them their run-in with me was their last. Even Kisame gave me a better fight."

Zabuza's eyes widened by this; he now knew who the blonde was.

"You must be Godaime Hokage's son, Senju Uzumaki Naruto," Zabuza said.

"I'm impressed that you know of me," Naruto said repeating Zabuza's exact earlier words. Zabuza said, "Yes, rumors about your battle with Kisame have spread throughout all of Kirigakure. Amazingly, as skeptic as I am about these rumors, you've made quite an impression to everyone in holding your grounds against a former member of Kirigakure No Shinobigatana Nananin Shu and against Itachi."

Sasuke growled jealously at this. The very thought that Naruto's name and reputation and his encounter with Itachi and Kisame reached as far as Kirigakure angered him.

"Your skeptics are rather understandable," Naruto remarked, seeking to draw needless attention away attention from himself, "Whatever rumors you or anyone else might have heard about my ordeals with Kisame and Itachi were more than likely exaggerated. Itachi could have killed me; his mistake however was that he got careless and too sure of himself. Kakashi-niisan can testify to that."

Sasuke now found it hard to believe that Naruto didn't brag about how his reputation against a former member of the Shinobigatana Nananin Shu and Itachi became that wide known, but instead refuted it.

"Copycat ninja Kakashi," Zabuza stated, "I heard of you as well though I question if what they say of your abilities are true."

"Naruto, help the others keep Tazuna safe! I'll handle this," stated Kakashi, lifting up his head protector and revealing the Sharingan.

The Sharingan, thought Sasuke with a puzzled expression.

Zabuza said, letting out a gravelly chuckle, "During my days in the Hidden Village of the Mist's assassination squad, our bingo books had your information. It also said: The ninja who copied over 1,000 jutsus! Capture or kill by whatever means possible."

Is Kakashi-sensei that great of a shinobi, Sakura asked herself.

"I don't understand! The Sharingan is bloodline limit that appears in only in the Uchiha clan. Could he be…How could Kakashi-sensei have the Sharingan," Sasuke said silently.

"Enough talk," said Zabuza, "I need to kill that old geezer and fast."

"What's your role in all this," Kakashi inquired.

"I was hired to kill the old man over there. Hand him over and I'll let the rest of you go," Zabuza said confidently. Naruto snorted and Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai formed a ring around Tazuna. Kakashi stood his grounds before Zabuza, as did Naruto.

"But it seems I have to kill you first, Kakashi. So be it," Zabuza said, held his large sword and vanished. He reappeared on the water not far from them.

"Ninpou: Kirigakure No Jutsu," Zabuza said and the fog thickened, making sight almost impossible.

"Damn," Sakura "I can't see anything."

"Be quiet. He'll kill you before you know it if you don't keep your voice down," Naruto said.

"Who is he," Sakura asked

"Momochi Zabuza is an exiled shinobi from the Village Hidden in the Mist," Naruto explained, "He killed over 100 ninjas, and he wasn't even a Genin at the time. He's known as the Demon of the Bloody Mist, and trust me; you don't want to get in a fight with him!"

"How do you know this," Sakura asked.

"I forced the information out of the two demon brothers I tortured earlier today," Naruto answered with no emotions, causing Sakura to shudder in fear of him.

"Momochi Zabuza is also renowned for his "silent killing" jutsus. "Silent killing" is a way of killing that is executed in a flash and in absolute silence. In some cases, you are dead before you realize it," Kakashi explained, "So don't let your guard down."

Team 7 tightened their grip on the kunais they had pulled out.

"Eight places," came Zabuza's voice, seemingly from everywhere.

"Huh," Sakura said

"The larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular vein, kidney, brain and heart. Now, which vital organ do you want to get struck at," Zabuza asked, bloodlust filling his voice.

Kakashi sent out a wave of his own killer intent, so much that even the three Genins under his charge felt disturbed by it.

"What…is this feeling," Sakura asked, her voice quivering.

"This is the feeling that comes when two strong ninjas do battle. Their bloodlust…it is so great that it can make weak minded people commit suicide to escape," Naruto explained calmly while being unaffected by the waves of killing intent. Zabuza suddenly appeared right in the middle of the ring, in front of Tazuna.

"DIE!," Zabuza yelled and swung his sword, but Kakashi was fast enough. He pushed his three Genins out of the way and stopped the sword while stabbing Zabuza with a kunai.

"Uuuugghh." Zabuza said, but instead of blood, water poured out of the wound. Sasuke, Sakura and Sai lay on the ground, staring at Zabuza. Naruto's voice snapped them out of it.

"Mizu Bunshin," Naruto said and Zabuza smirked before collapsing into a puddle of water. Another Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi.

"DIE!" he yelled again as he swung his sword and cut Kakashi in two. But Kakashi turned into water as well.

"Huh? A Mizu Bunshin," Zabuza said in surprise and felt a kunai at his throat.

"It's over," Kakashi commanded

"Sensei," Sai and Sakura yelled happily. Then Zabuza started to laugh, He copied my jutsu.

"It's over? I don't think so," Zabuza said and dissolved into water.

"Another Mizu Bunshin," Sakura yelled surprised. Another Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi with a downward strike with his sword. Kakashi used his kunai to block the massive sword. Zabuza tried to strike Kakashi with his own kunai, however Kakashi jumped away. Zabuza followed up with slashes that Kakashi barely evaded. Kakashi threw his kunai towards Zabuza, but he dodged it. Kakashi then vanished and appeared on top of the water, doing seals. Zabuza smirked and vanished. Kakashi suddenly jumped over some shurikens launched at him and crouched down on top of the water when he landed. Zabuza appeared behind him.

"Baka! Suirou No Jutsu (Water Prison Technique)," Zabuza said. A blue sphere formed around Kakashi with Zabuza holding onto the sphere.

"You can't get out of this prison. With you moving around, I'll have a much harder time killing the old man. So just kick back and watch me kill your precious students," Zabuza said and a Mizu Bunshin appeared in front of him. But before it could take one step, it was destroyed by several kunai thrown by Sakura, Sai and Sasuke from different directions.

"If you think it will be that easy, then you are wrong," Sasuke said. Zabuza huffed and created more Mizu Bunshins.

"Well, you aren't as useless as I thought, but you can't beat this many Bunshin," Zabuza said. But then two of the Bunshins dissolved after being hit by a couple of shurikens in courtesy of Naruto.

"Hey Kakashi-niisan! When do you plan on getting your ass out of that sphere," Naruto yelled. Zabuza's eyes widened when Kakashi in his prison popped away.

"Sorry Zabuza, but did you think I would let that jutsu hit me? Please, I know it myself and recognized it immediately. Don't underestimate me," Kakashi's voice came from everywhere and suddenly the water under the Mizu Bunshins rose up and destroyed them. Then Kakashi appeared in front of Zabuza. He threw a punch towards Zabuza's face, but he evaded, countering with a kick towards Kakashi's stomach. It connected and Kakashi popped out in a cloud of smoke.

"What? Kage Bunshin," Zabuza was surprised. But his surprise turned to fright when he heard Kakashi's voice call out, "Suiton: Suikoudan No Jutsu (Water Shark Missile Technique)."

A shark made of water speed towards Zabuza, who jumped away while doing seals. Kakashi also did the same seals as Zabuza and in unison they called out, "Suiton: Suiryuudan No Jutsu (Water Dragon Bullet)."

Twin dragons of water rose up from the water under the combatants, and battled for supremacy. They ended up destroying each other. When the water dragons were destroyed, a slightly tired looking Zabuza stood in front of Kakashi, who grinned although his face didn't show any humor.

"It's time to die Zabuza," Kakashi said and formed some seals so fast that Zabuza couldn't keep up. A masked person watching, did see the seals however, and prepared for Kakashi's move.

"Suiton: Daibakufu No Jutsu (Grand Waterfall)," Kakashi said. The water below him started to spin before rising and forming a spinning funnel towards Zabuza.

"What? This can't be," Zabuza yelled before he was swallowed by the water. The funnel of water continued to spin and move through the forest, Zabuza being thrown into different directions inside the water before finally getting slammed into a tree. The masked person disappeared in a swirling mist.

Several kunai flew and lodged themselves in Zabuza's arms and legs.

"Now you die," Kakashi said. Suddenly two long needles flew trough the air and struck Zabuza. He fell down with a shocked expression.

"Hey, you were right. He did die," a masked person said, standing on a tree branch not far from where Zabuza fell. Kakashi appeared next to Zabuza and checked his life signs.

"He really is dead," Kakashi said and looked at the masked person, who bowed at him. As soon as Kakashi checked the dead man for a pulse to confirm it a Mist Hunter ninja appeared to take care of the body.

"I am most appreciative of you handling Zabuza for me as I don't think I could have handled him on my own. If you'll excuse me I'll take the body out of your hands," said the hunter-nin earning a suspicious gaze from Naruto as she picked up the body.

"Just a moment; why don't I help you in properly disposing the body? Both here and now," said Naruto as he started gathering chakra into his hands making the hunter-nin apparently panic before quickly disappearing with the body in a swirl of wind and leafs.

"Just as I suspected," Naruto said lowly to himself, "That was no hunter-nin as she would have taken care of the body then and there."

'Which means Zabuza is still alive,' Yondaime said, 'But from the wounds he sustained he should be out for at least a week giving me time to prepare you. When Zabuza returns it will be with more help than that fake hunter-nin by his side.'

Kakashi collapsed to the ground before Sasuke and the others ran over to him.

"The Sharingan is amazing," Naruto said, "However it puts a lot of strain on the body and it drains a lot of chakra."

Going over to Kakashi, Naruto bent down and lifted him up. Sai came over and helped him carry Kakashi.

"Thanks," Naruto said to Sai who nodded his head in return.

"After what you guys just did it would be my honor to have you guys stay with me," said Tazuna who was very impressed with how the situation was handled as they all headed to his house to rest and regain their strength that they had lost in the battle.

"You know Naruto," Kakashi whispered into the blonde's ear, "During my battle with Zabuza, you could have jumped in at anytime."

"What," Naruto retorted back in a whisper, "And miss the chance to see you in action? As if!"

(Three Hours Later)

They arrived at Tazuna's place, a nice plain house by the riverside. Waiting there was Tazuna's daughter Tsunami, a woman in her thirties with long dark hair and an attractive, but stern face.

"Tsunami! I'm so glad to see you. They're the good ninjas from Konoha that protected me," Tazuna said and introduced the team from Konoha, each of them bowing back in response.

"Thank you for helping father," Tsunami said smilingly. Kakashi, though exhausted, nodded along with Naruto, while the Genin beamed with pride at Tazuna's next words.

"They're really strong, and they didn't even depart when they learned that they will be up against really strong enemies here," Tazuna said.

"But why you all decided to continue the mission," Tsunami asked as they headed into the house, "We only had enough for a C-rank, and this must be more than that."

"Forsaking and abandoning people in need is dishonorable and cowardly. Below courage there is nothing. Words from our renowned Yondaime Hokage," Naruto said seriously. Tazuna and Tsunami looked a little mystified but didn't ask any more questions.

"Kakashi-niisan needs a place to rest," Naruto said.

"I doubt I'll be able to move for a week," Kakashi replied.

"I have two extra rooms for you all," Tazuna said, "The young girl can sleep in one of the rooms while your sensei and two of the boys can share the room and one can have the living room couch to sleep on for the night."

"That'll do. I'll stay on guard duty over the house during the night to ensure everyone gets some rest," said Naruto knowing he could make a Kage Bushin if he had to and then sleep by a tree with summoned foxes to watch over him and the house, though the others, except Kakashi, weren't aware of his fox summoning contract with Kyuubi. Naruto and Sai carried Kakashi to one of the spare rooms Tazuna was leading them to.

(A While Later)

Naruto, Sakura, Sai and Sasuke were in the room with Kakashi as he rested. Tazuna and Tsunami later entered the room while the others watched Naruto check on Kakashi's condition, healing whatever injuries the Jounin sustained. While healing Kakashi, Naruto was in deep thought and remained silent for most of the time. The others noticed and got a little worried when Naruto didn't say a thing to anyone.

"Um, Naruto? Is something wrong," Sakura asked. Naruto seemed to snap out of his thoughts and looked at her before turning to the others.

"Question Sakura: What is a hunter-nin," Naruto asked.

"Special ninjas that hunt down and dispose of missing-nins," Sakura replied.

"And how do they dispose of their target," Naruto asked.

"They kill their target and destroy the body," Sasuke replied.

"Where," Naruto asked.

"Um, I don't know," Sakura and Sai replied at the same time.

"How should we know? The only hunter-nin we have seen took Zabuza's body away," Sasuke said and Naruto nodded.

"That's the point," Naruto said, "Usually hunter-nins dispose of the body on the spot, and if she needed evidence, she only had to take Zabuza's head and sword. Also, the weapon was a long needle, which isn't very dangerous. No, that hunter-nin didn't kill Zabuza, she helped him. Zabuza is alive."

"What," the Sakura and Tazuna yelled. Sasuke and Sai just stayed quiet and listened.

"But Kakashi said he was dead," Tazuna said.

"I did," Kakashi admitted weakly, "But it's possible to put someone in a near-death state. A hunter-nin knows the human anatomy very well, and it would be easy to make someone seem like they were dead."

Naruto nodded before standing up.

"He is alive, and he will be back soon," Naruto said, "I should think we have about a week or two, based on the injuries and how long it takes to get better from a near-death state."

Kakashi sat up and looked at his Genins.

"Sensei, how are you going to prepare for this before it's too late? You can't move for a while," Sakura asked. Kakashi chuckled and replied, "I'm going to make you, Sasuke and Sai go through some training."

Sasuke took note that Naruto was left out of the equation.

"What about Naruto," Sasuke inquired, "Is he going to take part of our training session?"

"Naruto is not my student therefore it's not my responsibility to train him," Kakashi said, "And like I said before, he wasn't made "Elite Genin" for nothing."

Sasuke scowled again at that title; it made him feel outranked by the person whom he always regarded as the village clown.

"But sensei," Sakura asked, "Even if we train, it won't be very helpful. The enemy gave you problems even with you using the Sharingan."

"Sakura," Kakashi said, "All of you helped me out during my battle with Zabuza. You're all growing rapidly."

An eight-year-old boy wearing green overalls, a hat that shadowed his eyes and a depressed attitude walked into the room. Everyone turned to look at the boy.

"Who are you," Naruto asked.

"Inari where were you," Tazuna asked as the boy went over to the old man and hugged him.

"I'm home grandpa," Inari said. Tsunami scolded, "Inari, say hello to them. These are the ninjas who escorted your grandpa."

Inari turned to look at Kakashi and the group. The young boy snorted, "It doesn't matter. They will die anyway. There's no way they can win against Gatō."

"What's that," Naruto said indignantly.

"If you don't want to die, then you should go home," Inari replied as he started walking away.

"Where are you going," Tazuna asked. Inari stopped and said, "I'm going to watch the ocean."

The boy continued walking and went on his way, leaving the other behind.

"Ah, forgive him. He has been like that since a…an unfortunate incident sometime ago," Tazuna said.

(Later)

Naruto was walking down from the room they had when he heard sobbing coming from Inari's room.

"Huh," Naruto asked himself and stealthily opened Inari's door. The little boy's room was simple; it had a bed in a corner and a desk in front of a window. On top of the desk Inari sat, crying and staring at a picture. Naruto walked up behind the boy, too silent to be noticed and looked at the picture. It was a man with dark hair, a kind smile and a cross shaped scar on his jaw. It was clear that the man meant a lot to Inari. Naruto didn't know what to do other than try and comfort the boy. He laid a hand on his shoulder and Inari nearly jumped out of his skin.

"What…oh, it's you! What do you want," Inari asked coldly

"Who is that," Naruto asked, pointing to the picture.

Inari began, "That's none of your-"

"If you don't want to tell me, fine, but you will never feel better than you did a moment ago if you keep it inside," Naruto interrupted before exiting. Inari looked at him before looking at the picture. Tears started to fall again.

(The Following Day)

Kakashi, using crutches, was in the forest with Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Sai. He was going to have them practice chakra control by having them practice tree climbing (A/N: by this time all of you should know this so I'll spare you all the details). Although Naruto healed Kakashi's injuries however, the Jounin was still weakened from the depletion of chakra when he used the Sharingan against Zabuza.

"Naruto, since you have already done and mastered this exercise, you'll guard Tazuna today at the bridge while I help the others with tree walking," said Kakashi while standing high on the side of one of the trees he walked up on, "We'll switch between guard duty from time to time. You have the first watch, so make tracks."

"See you guys later," said Naruto as he went on his way. Sasuke and the others were perplexed, unable to determine when Naruto learned and mastered tree walking when they didn't know such a jutsu exist. After Naruto was out of sight…

'This would be a good time to practice your taijutsu and ninjutsu Naruto,' Yondaime suggested, 'Create some Kage Bushins and send one of them to Tazuna and another to guard Tsunami and Inari while you and the rest of your clones head to another sector of this forest to train.'

Naruto did as Yondaime advised. One of his clones went over to where Tazuna was and another hurried over to where Tsunami and her son were. When that was all done, the blonde and the rest of his clones hurried into the forest and trained.

(Later That Day)

'Naruto' yawned while stretching slightly. He had been guarding Tazuna alone for most of the day, since Kaksshi had gone to train his team. His 'twin' was keeping his watch on Tsunami and Inari. So, 'Naruto' spent the majority of the day alone, watching the workers on the bridge.

"You look bored. Where are the others," Tazuna asked, briefly stopping in his work.

"They're training. Kakashi-niisan said we'll switch between guarding you, and obviously I got chosen first."

Just then Kakashi appeared next to 'Naruto.'

"How's everything," Kakashi asked, to Tazuna or 'Naruto,' he didn't tell.

"Boring," 'Naruto' replied. Tazuna chuckled and got back to his work.

"That's guard duty in a nut shell," Kakashi retorted. They both watched as one of the workers walked up to Tazuna. After a brief conversation, Tazuna yelled, "What? You want to quit?"

Kakashi and 'Naruto' looked at each other before Kakashi sighed.

"That's right. With the danger of Gatō, people would understandably fear for their lives," the worker said. 'Naruto' frowned at the man's cowardice but remained silent. This was going to be a long week, if not two…

Zabuza is still alive and in hiding. Team 7 is presently in training with Kakashi, as is Naruto with Yondaime. Will this be enough to help everyone in Nami No Kuni be free from Gatō's tyranny? Find out next time.