Chapter 5
Genma and his team were returning from their C-rank mission, none was happy Taiga Ken and Yakumo was covered in the blood of the bandits they killed
Because everyone was silent, Genma decided not to use Hirashian of Taiga and instead choose to walk all the way back
FUCK---
After walking for a few hours, they heard a voice and so they run towards it, only to find Team 8 (Kurenai team)
Kiba punched a tree with tears in his eyes, there were lots of dead bodies of supposed bandits if clothes are any indication
"Did we have to do it sensei, we could have not killed", said the usually quite Shino even his face look like it's on the verge of tears
Hinata, on the other hand, was not even showing any movement, her head was down with bangs on her eyes, her hand was covered in blood, the blood of the people she killed
"Hinata", called Taiga
!!!
Everyone looked at the voice to find Team Genma
"Genma what are you doing here?", asked Kurenai
"We were returning from mission using this road, only to find-", Genma quite after seeing the kids
Taiga went ahead and hugged Hinata without a warning like it's the most natural thing in the world
"You are sad", said Taiga
"And you are here like always, Hugging me Like you do whenever I am sad", said Hinata
There is wetness on his shoulders, she is crying, he tightens his hug
"I hate killing," Hinata whispered.
"If you enjoyed it, you might as well be a monster, a demon."
His words wouldn't make anything of what happened disappear, and he knew that. It would stay with them until the very end. But he could try to ease her burden as best he could, to make it not quite so heavy on her heart and shoulders. Rationalization did that sort of shit.
"I killed six men," he continued, "men who stole, killed and raped. They enjoyed what they did. Even then, I didn't enjoy any part of it. Does it make me a monster?"
"No," she said quietly.
"What separates us from those we had to kill is that we did not take pleasure in it. There is no pleasure to be found in taking life," he remarked.
"I-I think you're right."
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Team 8 (Kurenai team) and Team 2 (Genma team) returned together from their respective C-rank mission, only to find Team 7 (Kakashi team) has taken an A-rank mission and they are being sent as back-up teams as fast as possible
"Sensei, why are 2 teams being sent to do this A-rank mission, shouldn't one team be enough?", asked Ken
"No, although 1 team should be enough but you guys would surely be dead by the time we would be able to do something and also This A-rank will provide you with much more needed experience, that's why there are 2 teams one for your safety and another for sure completion of the mission", Said Genma
(If Haku wanted she could have killed Naruto, Sasuke, even Sakura before Kakashi could do a thing) (Of course not considering Naruto is a freaking Jinchirukki)
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Taiga briefly went his home, only to find it empty with a single letter on the desk
Dear Taiga,
Grandma has some very important business that's why I will be gone for some time, but if I don't return in 7 days then do not look for me, I have already taught you but it will depend on you how your skills will grow in the future, also I have left a black book under my pillow, that's your father and mother left for you as their sole Inheritance but remember these space-time techniques are forbidden for anyone else to learn and you shall never use these skills for fueling war.
Goodbye my Grandchild
"Grandma", muttered Taiga
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Kakashi let out a sigh as he rested on the bed after his fight a few hours ago. Chakra exhaustion due to overuse Sharingan always was a problem for him, however, thankfully he is not too exhausted.
This mission went from B-rank to A-rank now... Seriously, what Tazuna is thinking lying like this. If it was another Jonin, who was facing Zabuza, he would already be going to be dead now along with the entire squad.
Then again, not all Jonin are going to accept this mission. Kakashi must be pretty bored that's why he agreed to continue
Oh yeah, he knew the Hunter-nin before was fake. He just thought about it recently and found that it is really strange that Hunter-nin did not dispose of the body immediately but instead carried it away.
Hunter-nin, after all, always dispose of the body immediately the moment they catch their target.
"Kakashi-sensei, how is your condition?" Sakura asked as she came from the door and approached him.
Kakashi turned to Sakura, his team still was not being told about Zabuza might be alive. However, he knew he will have to tell them soon and now is the time.
"I'm fine... Only exhausted... Where's Sasuke and Naruto?" He asked.
"Sasuke-Kun and Naruto-Kun patrol around the house to check its safety," Sakura answered
"Sakura I want you to find the boys because I have to-"
Suddenly, there was a knock of the door before it opened and revealed Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter.
"Kakashi-san? There are people, who are looking for you." Tsunami said, "They said they came from Konoha..."
"Eh? From Konoha?" Sakura asked in surprise.
"I asked for reinforcement after we faced Demon Brothers in the forest," Kakashi explained as he rose from his bed and took sit position, he was able to move, walk and run, but not very fast
"well, you can send them in."
Tsunami nodded before she left from the door and Sakura turned to him.
"Whom did you request for help, Sensei?" She asked.
"Backup Team..." Kakashi answered with eye smile.
And as if called, the door opened and revealed the members of Backup Teams with its leaders. Kakashi smirked and Sakura gasped when recognized the familiar people.
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"So let me get this straight, you fought Zabuza, got careless as a result got trapped in Suirō no Jutsu (Water Prison Technique) then your boys set you free and you beat him. However, afterward, there was Hunter-nin intercepted your fight by killing Zabuza with senbon into his neck and took his body away?" Genma asked Kakashi, who sat in the bed.
"Pretty much so..." Kakashi answered with a nod.
"You should know that Hunter-nin always disposes the body on the place immediately, right? That was their protocol to ensure the safety and secret of their village." Kurenai commented.
"You are right on that, Genma, I didn't think about it because I was quite exhausted at that time. I was barely able to run at my prime speed." Kakashi admitted and defended himself at the same time.
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Right now Team 2 Team 8 and Team 7 currently sat in the room, where Kakashi rested. After a brief introduction, Sakura went to call Sasuke and Naruto back to the meeting
"What's the point talking about this anyway, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked with a scowl "Zabuza is dead, his body got carried by that hunter ninja, right?"
"The Dobe is right, Kakashi-sensei... If there is a thing we should talk it is better to be about handling Gato..." Sasuke grunted while crossing his arms, Sakura also seemed to agree while the rest of the two teams who are not confirmed of the situation didn't say a thing
"That's where you are all wrong..." Kurenai stated, gaining all Genin attention "Tell me Sasuke, what was that Hunter-nin weapon again?"
"Senbon..." Sasuke said and Kurenai nodded.
"True, it is common to target neck since it was a vital point of our body, however, the problem is this Hunter-nin weapon was Senbon. Senbon's real purpose is acupuncture medical treatment rather than attacking because its power is low. This Hunter nin should have used kunai or shuriken rather than senbon if he/she wished to kill Zabuza…"
"So you are saying that the Hunter nin did not kill Zabuza? But Kakashi-sensei checked Zabuza's body and made sure he is dead!" Naruto argued.
"Do you know there are few acupuncture points in a body that if you get stabbed in will only make you look like dead?" Genma asked and this time all Genin froze While Hinata's eyes widened, "Yes, Hinata, it's the same as your taijutsu style and since you studied Hyuuga style since young tell is there a way to fake the death?," asked Genma while Hinata nodded affirming the situation
"Are you telling me... Zabuza was only placed in death-like state? Then, that Hunter-nin is Zabuza's ally!" Sasuke concluded with wide eyes.
"You got that right, Uchiha..." Kurenai remarked "An expert in Senbon use can easily put their target into a coma or death-like condition if they want, its purpose is actually to sedate the patient if there is no sedative when it's needed. However, if people play it right, it could be used to fool enemies, like in this case." She told all before turning to Kakashi.
"W-Wait! Wait! Wait! Aren't you all being too much? There's no guarantee that man is still alive! You even checked the body!" Tazuna said as one could tell he was now quite panicked and no one can really couldn't blame him, he just got hunted by super ninja that was able to summon giant dragon of water and blast away a portion of the forest.
"As Genma and Kurenai said, there is a big chance he was put into a near death-like state," Kakashi said, crushing the hope that Tazuna has as the old man cringed.
"Speaking about death-like situations, Kakashi your two dogs were found in that state and Demon Brothers went missing," Genma told him and Kakashi snapped his neck to him quite fast.
"What?!" Kakashi asked with pure surprise and worry.
"The ANBU already taken care of them, don't worry, they will be fine. However, it is a big chance the one that put them in that state is the same person who helps Zabuza." Kurenai reassured Kakashi as she knew the Dog summon was really close to him.
The silver-haired man let out a breath of relieve at that. He then pinched his nose bridge before clearing his throat.
"So... We have Demon Brothers back, Zabuza and one of his mysterious allies that is very skilled in human anatomy," Kakashi concluded.
"Two Chunin, one Elite Jonin Shinobi and one solid Jonin against one Jonin, one Elite Jonin and four Genin... That isn't fair, right?" Sakura asked in a slightly frightened tone.
"Well... If you put it that way..."
"Hey! No need to be negative like this!" Naruto shouted in a positive manner "Sasuke and I can kick those Demon Brothers asses! Taiga along with all other genins here can deal with Zabuza mysterious ally! Kakashi-sensei Kurenai-sensei and Genma-sensei can handle Zabuza !!" He stated proudly with a grin to encourage all and it did as Sakura seemed to look more confident.
"You two defeated Demon Brothers?" Taiga asked with blink, clearly surprised "Not that I doubt your two's skills, but..."
"Taiga is right." Kakashi continued "You two may be able to defeat Demon Brothers, but you were able to because they underestimated you and were surprised. Your next encounter against them will be different..." He said with a grim look.
"And don't forget about enemy can possibly get extra reinforcement." Shino added his opinion, which made everyone turn to him this time "Why? Because this is Gato, one of the biggest investors in Elemental Nations. And, now he focused himself on the Wave, I am sure he already spotted us and seeing Zabuza and his group lost against yours, then he is going to rent extra ninja because how Zabuza will win if there is our reinforcement when he lost against only your group?"
"Very sharp one you have, eh, Kurenai?" Kakashi asked with amused eye smile.
"You don't have any idea..." Kurenai snorted in the same amusement.
"I hate it when you're like this...", Kiba said in a deadpan tone.
"What do you mean by that? I always talk like that"
"When you act like some kind of guy, who always brings bad news to us and makes the whole group down to negative!", said Kiba
"K-K-Kiba-Kun please d-don't fight"
"I'm not", said Kiba
"Okay! Okay! As if it's amusing to watch you three bickering!" Kakashi comes and interject the conversation, there was a smile behind his mask, clearly, he was amused by the antic "Right now, cast that aside, we need to discuss what we are going to do..."
"Training, of course." Taiga responded "This situation is not that bad... We are not losing, in fact we may be equal."
"Umm, Taiga-san. I'm not trying to be negative here, but will small training help us? I mean, we are facing experienced Shinobi here." Sakura said in a worried tone
"Sakura-san, Sasuke and Naruto could take down Demon Brothers. True, it was only by surprise, but surely they can do that again. If they improved so far, then they will catch them by surprise again..." Ken reassured with a smile.
"Ken is right." Kakashi chimed in "A small power can make a big change if used in right time." He agreed with ken as he gave him a nod.
"Don't worry, Sakura-chan! Everything will be fine!" Naruto declared with a reassuring grin
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"The mood of your two teams is bad, it's very bad did something happened", asked Kakashi to Genma and Kurenai after everyone else left the room
"Both teams had their first kill", said Kurenai
"That Explains", said Kakashi with a nod
"But about the situation, like the kid said there might be reinforcement, are three of us really enough?", asked Kurenai
"Don't worry Kurenai, we are going to live we have Taiga with us after all", said Genma with a smirk
"You really think a single genin is going to make a difference", said Kurenai with a scowl
"He is not an ordinary Genin Kurenai, he has the will of fire and the legacy of fourth"
"Legacy of fourth?", asked Kakashi bewildered
"He is really proficient in Flying Raijin", said Genma
!!!
"HE WHAAAAAAATTTT"
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Next day everyone started their training, everyone started their Chakra Control training, well all except Taiga who is born with perfect chakra control and Yakumo whose bloodline allow her to be far more proficient in chakra control
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(In a secluded Forest)
Snake → Horse → Rat → Ram
"Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder" (Level 3 variation)
With that, the tree in front of him disappeared and appeared in the previously marked position
"I don't understand why you keep practicing this technique, doesn't Ame-no-Ukihashi do the same thing not to mention much faster", came the voice Of Genma from behind
Taiga shook his head, "This is not how it's used Sensei, Ame-no-Ukihashi does not store anyone living and Guiding thunder is the much faster and better way look I will show you!!"
He made the hand sign in a blurring manner and Genma with a flash appeared to a previously marked position
!!!
"Guiding thunder can send anyone or anything whose chakra I sense to a marked seal location", continued Taiga, "Though It can be much faster if I can use it without a single hand sign not to mention I have this excellent Idea, Sensei I am sure if I can learn Guiding Thunder without a hand sign, I can turn this move from A-rank to an S-rank, I will call it Flying Raijin: Thunder Mirror..."