Chapter 065

"Yo," Kakashi greeted as he entered the scene. Seeing Naruto's appearance he inquired, "Ran into one of Gatō's men?"

"You're the second person to ask," Naruto answered, "The only trouble I ran into earlier was some girl with the ego of Rock."

Kakashi's ear's perked up on hearing that, especially at how Naruto placed a particular emphasis on the word 'Rock.'

"But the problem was neutralized for now," Naruto assured. Kakashi said nothing, though some unwanted memories of the Iwa-Konoha War came to his mind. He dismissed the memories before looking at Naruto again.

"Good," Kakashi acknowledged, "No need to worry about a minor problem."

Of course the Jounin knew that Konoha and Iwa were not in good terms with each other and if Iwa was given a chance against Konoha they'd take it in a heartbeat. The Jounin decided not to worry about that for now and concentrate on other matters.

(Later That Night; Elsewhere)

"How do you feel Zabuza-san," said Haku was she sat at Zabuza's bedside dressed in complete hunter ninja garbs with the mask lying on the bed.

"A lot better. In a few hours I should be more than ready to move again. Go make certain the others are ready to move out early by morning. The blood of my enemies will pour over this country and their bridge of optimism," said Zabuza as he reached and grabbed his giant sword.

"I'll inform the others right away," said Haku bowing her head before taking her mask with her before doing what she was told to do.

(The Following Day)

The sun shone right onto Naruto's eyes, and it took a few minutes for him to blink away the weariness. He turned and looked at the clock.

Damn! I overslept, Naruto thought before jumping out of bed, running to the bathroom, getting washed, running back to get dressed and just as he was putting his flame-designed white vest on, he heard a yell from downstairs.

"Get away from my child!"

That was Tsunami-san. What going downstairs, Naruto thought before he sensed two unfamiliar chakras.

Detecting trouble, Naruto snuck out the window, and clung to the wall using his chakra. Making his way to the door, which was sliced to pieces, he looked in and saw two gruffy thugs, evidently low level samurais, holding and taking Tsunami hostage and leaving a partly crying Inari. Quickly hiding, Naruto watched as the two samurais came out, leading a tied up Tsunami.

A moment later though, Inari remembered Naruto's words, 'If you truly want to make that man in the picture proud of you if he were still alive then I suggest you find someone or something you value and fight to protect it.'

Naruto's right! Mom is someone worth protecting and fighting for just like grandfather is fighting in his own way. Kaiza-san did the same for us and this village because he felt we were something worth protecting and fighting for, Inari thought before he ran out the door.

"Let go of my mom you bullies," said Inari catching up tp them not far from the wooden bridge that was connected to the platform of their house to the mainland area of Wave.

"That brat is coming at us," said one of the samarais as he took out his sword ready to end Inari's life down in front of his mother's now tearing eyes who was now in fear for her son's life. Jumping and landing some distance between Inari and the samurai thugs, Naruto took out two of his kunais.

"Release her," Naruto commanded.

"What? You're one of those shinobi brats Tazuna hired," one of the samurais said.

"Let's kill him and be done with," the other said. His partner looked at threatened, "If you so much as move an inch then we'll kill your little brat!"

They then rushed at Naruto who led them away from Tsunami. Inari, seizing the opportunity, ran to his mother as fast as he could.

"Mom I'll save you," Inari said and untied her.

"Inari…," Tsunami said and hugged the boy.

(Meanwhile)

Getting them where he wanted, Naruto, being a good distance from them, grinned as the samurais rushed at him.

"Fools," Naruto said holding out his kunais and placing a seal marker on each of them. After creating a kage bushin, Naruto handed his clone one of his kunais before they began running towards the samurais as the samurais rushed at him. Timing it perfectly, the blondes threw their kunais at them, and seconds before the kunais passed the samurais, Naruto and his clone Shunshin'd to the kunais before grabbed the kunais again. The surprised samurais managed to half turn and see Naruto and the Kage Bunshin behind them before their throats were slashed. The kage bunshin puffed away and Naruto grabbed the spare kunai before removing the Shunshin seals from both kunais.

Inari and Tsunami, ran over to him, being careful not to step in the blood pool from the two dead samurais.

"Naruto-kun! Are you alright," Tsunami asked.

"I'm fine, thanks. If those two attacked here, maybe their other partners will attack the bridge where Kakashi-niisan and the others are. I'll clean up this mess before I go," Naruto said and made some Kage Bunshins. The clones picked up the two bodies and carried them out on the water. Naruto followed and made some hand seals speedily and…

"Katon: Gōkakyū No Jutsu (Fire Element: Grand Fireball Technique)," he called out and the massive fireball he blew from his mouth incinerated the bodies. When he was done, he dispelled the clones and walked back to the two. He noticed Inari looking slightly afraid.

"Don't worry Inari, I won't hurt you," Naruto reassured. Smiling, Inari said, "Thanks Naruto."

"No problem," Naruto replied as he turned in the direction of the bridge, "I must go now. Be careful, O.K.."

Naruto didn't give Inari or Tsunami a chance to respond at he turned and ran from the scene....