Waves 8

Inari was shocked hearing about Naruto past "We aren't innocent either, because we both took the advice of a stupid fox, we also deeply hurt him and left him all alone when needed us the most."

"Because of a thing he had absolutely no control over, he was looked down on not only by the older generation but even the younger ones like us. People ridiculed him and stayed away from him."

"So he had a hard time making friends. So I believe that out of everyone here, Naruto-nii is the one that can understand your feelings the most. But you know, I never saw him crying because of that."

These words made Inari surprised, as Mito smiled sadly "He always does what he wants and believes, never letting anything deters him. He probably just like you cried until he had enough of it. When Naruto-nii said these words to you, It's probably a words he said to himself countless times in the past."

- Location Change - With Naruto "

Naruto was sitting at a top of a tree, he was meditating, he changed his clothes that were tattered from the training he did. He wore a long-sleeved black shirt and pants and wrap dark purple bandages around his arms, and black pants on his knees and both legs he wore white bandages. His long hair was loosely tied up to a bun which showed his usually hidden face clearly.

Time slowly passed and morning quickly arrived, The air was slowly washing Naruto long hair that was seemed to move at a perfect rhythm with the wind, the breeze seemed very peaceful.

Naruto slowly opens his eyes, he stood up as he looked down. His eyes seemed to be looking at someone, he jumped down and slowly reached the ground. His eyes drifted toward a girl, she was seemed to be disturbing herself as she picking up herbs.

The way she worked showed that she had experience and she knew what she came for. She had long hair, and wore a pink, sleeveless kimono, with pale red edges and decorated with small plum-colored swirls, that went to her ankles. Around her waist was a simple white obi tied in a bow, and she wore a pair of light brown sandals with dark straps. She also wore a dark-colored choker around her neck.

She slowly turned her head toward Naruto as their eyes meet, She slowly looked at Naruto from head to toe and she couldn't help but blush at his appearance. His face was something that you don't see a lot, he looked very handsome, exceptional even for a good-looking guy.

She took a deep breath and smiled "Hello." Naruto looked at her and simply said "Hello."

She continued "What are you doing here? So early in the morning?" Naruto furrowed his eyes for just a moment before smiling and saying "I'm training here. Who are you?"

The girl smiled and said "My name is Haku. You said you train here right? What about help me pick up some herbs? In exchange for your help, I will give you some and also give a bit of advice about how to use them, you are a shinobi, right? Medical Herbs are very important for your health and injuries."

Naruto smiled at her words "Huh? It's not a bad offer. Alright, why not?" He began helping her collect the herbs. While doing so they kept talking. "What is the reason you are training?" Naruto's attention was still at his work "I want to become strong."

She sighs and said "Why? You look quite strong right now." Naruto stopped and said "Not enough. I need to become stronger, much more." His desire for power was very visible in his eyes. "Your eyes, their thirst for power, I can understand that feeling, the feeling of want to become stronger."

"You also have a desire for strength?" Naruto replied, "What is your reason? You might think that we both share the seem emotion, but I don't believe so, our reasons might be different." Haku couldn't help but be an emotional "I want to become stronger, so I can protect someone important to me."

Naruto looked at her and said "I guess it's not a bad reason. It perhaps can take you even further in your path for strength." Haku's expression turned bright at Naruto's words. "But, It's not my reason, I have only one reason why I desire strength and it's to get strong enough to kill someone."

Haku couldn't help but blush as she thought to herself 'This guy..." But her emotion immediately dimmed as she remembered something, she bitted her lip and reached her hand toward her basket, while doing that she slowly walked to Naruto who was picking up.

She stood behind his back as her hand was seemed to be shaking, 'Why I am hesitating for?! He is an enemy, I need to...' Naruto voice then reached her ears "You shouldn't hesitate like that when you are in front of your enemy. One moment like that can get you killed."

She was shocked at Naruto's words 'When did he...' She wanted to react but In an instant, Naruto disappeared and appeared on the tree. He looked at here from above "You are the hunter-nin from that day right?" Haku gulped at his words "What are you surprised at? I knew from the beginning."

He looked at her smiled "Let's wait. We will engage you and Zabuza soon enough." Before disappearing, leaving behind sparks of lightning.

- Location Change - With Sasuke -

Sasuke was leaning on a tree. He was seemed to be very exhausted, his eyes were closed. "Training hard?" a voice wakes him up from his thoughts. He opened his eyes to see Naruto standing before him "Naruto? What are you doing here?"

Naruto's eyes looked on Sasuke's left hand that was deeply bleeding. "Sasuke, If you keep training so recklessly you won't gain anything." After taking a breath, Sasuke stood up and made his way to the tree, which was almost cut to its middle. He observed the damage and smiled.

'Good, just a bit more and I will perfect my Chidori.'

Naruto sigh and said, "I will help you out, but before that, you need to take a break, for the next two days, don't do anything." Sasuke didn't seem to react and was about to try again. When a swirl of leaves. In the middle of the swirl, Kakashi appeared. Kakashi caught both Sasuke and Naruto's attention.

"Sasuke, Naruto is right. You need to work on it slowly and not rush it. You only harming yourself by keeping training like that. From now on I will oversee all of your training until you perfect the Chidori." Sasuke bit his lip but said nothing. He knew that they are right. "Fine."