Chapter 22: Attack (Bonus)
With the indications given, the group observed their surroundings attentively for the first few minutes, but going a little deeper and being surrounded by a thick fog, they finally got bored and just stood still.
After a long time, Naruto took a piece of dried meat out of his backpack and took a bite, then looked at Tazuna and asked "Is this place always like this?"
"In summer the fog doesn't appear as much as in winter, but yes, generally everything is always covered in fog in the afternoons and evenings."
"The bridge should be visible soon" Waving the oar as he stared out into the fog, the man guiding the small boat continued "If we move around the side of the bridge we'll reach Wave Country"
"Wow..." In surprise as he spotted the giant bridge behind the fog, Naruto took a special look at the cranes and structures under construction and thought 'It's really weird how technology seems to be so good at certain things like this, while most of the world still seems to be in what the other world calls medieval age..."
"Tazuna-san..." Staring at the old man in front of him, Kakashi continued "Before we get to the port, I need you to be honest and fill us in on the whole situation."
"It's a complicated story..." With a complicated expression, Tazuna muttered.
"Start with the details of who's chasing you and why they're doing it."
"Sigh As you already found out, this mission is not what I said it would be" Nodding while sighing heavily, Tazuna continued "A terrible man is after me thanks to the bridge I built."
"Who is it?"
"The billionaire marine transporter, Gatoh."
"Gatoh? The one from the Gatoh company?" With surprise in his eyes, Kakashi asked quickly.
"Who is it?" Curious, Sakura asked towards Kakashi.
"He's the president of an overseas shipping company, one of the richest men in the world" Nodding, Tazuna continued "He may appear to be just another businessman on the surface, but clandestinely he uses gangs and ninja to smuggle drugs. His power is of such magnitude, that he constantly uses his forces to sink rival companies and even countries without receiving any punishment"
"He must have very important contacts"
"A little over a year ago he focused his sights on the Wave Country and seized power using his detestable methods... violence, blackmail and even murder" Clenching his fists, Tazuna continued "He quickly took maritime control of the entire country, and I don't know if you know this, but controlling the sea in a country consolidated by dozens of islands... is the same as controlling the entire country"
"Why would such a man want to kill him?" With confusion, Sakura asked.
"The bridge" Staring at the gigantic structure, Sasuke continued "Sea control will become meaningless if there is a route that will not only be safer, but may even be faster and at a much lower cost."
"Then you, as the boss in charge of the bridge construction, are their biggest target" Nodding with understanding, Kakashi continued "It's a miracle they didn't eliminate you before even gathering the workers"
"It's not like there weren't losses..."
"But I don't understand" Staring at Tazuna, Kakashi continued "If you knew which enemy was so strong, why did you hide the information? Do you really think a team doing C-Rank missions could take on these people?"
Lowering his gaze, Tazuna replied "The Wave Country is extremely poor, not even Lord King lives in good conditions... we all raised money to build this bridge, even the workers were willing to work completely for free for the cause... it's simply impossible for us to raise the amount of money Konoha is asking for on missions like these."
"..."
"If you guys quit the mission when we get there, I'll be killed without a doubt... surely while on my way home" Raising his gaze while looking at each of the group in front of him, Tazuna waved his hand disinterestedly and continued "But I don't blame them.... only my little 8 year old grandson alone will suffer and cry inconsolably every day of his life, while my daughter would live the rest of her life with hatred for all of Konoha and live a lifetime of loneliness and sadness, and only if Gatoh doesn't eliminate them to set an example."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"But it's not your fault" With a forlorn look, Tazuna turned his gaze towards the bridge and sighed heavily.
"Old man, we already said we'd take the mission, stop trying to be pitiful" Crossing his arms, Naruto snorted.
"We're almost there."
"Wow" Turning his gaze to his back, Naruto looked at the giant dark tunnel they were entering and asked "Elder, did you really plan all this?"
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" With a proud smile, Tazuna continued "If I make it through this and we manage to finish the bridge, I can finally have my first masterpiece."
"This is... beautiful" Ignoring the old man's boast, Naruto blinked dazedly and stared at the view beyond the bridge.
In front of them, dozens of wooden houses stood firm on the sea, while numerous trees stood in the middle of the salt water and adorned the whole place with a unique view.
"How did the trees grow? Shouldn't they have died from the salt?" Turning his gaze to Tazuna, Naruto asked.
"They're called Mangroves, and I'd say rather than trees, they're giant bushes."
Arriving next to a random house, the man in the boat looked at Tazuna and continued "This is as far as I can go."
"No worries, thank you very much" Nodding towards the man seriously, Tazuna stood up and got off the boat, being instantly followed by Kakashi and the group.
"Be careful" Looking sideways, the man started the boat's engine and quickly left.
"Mmmmm... it would be nice to live here" Intoxicated by the pleasant atmosphere, Naruto muttered.
"Alright, take me home safe and sound" Looking at the group, Tazuna continued "I trust you with my life, the happiness of my beautiful daughter and my adorable grandson."
'Cheeky old man' Laughing while shaking his head, Naruto stood next to Tazuna and they made their way with direction towards the forest.
Frowning slightly suddenly, Sasuke stopped suddenly and turned his gaze to the bush beside him.
"What's wrong?" looking at Sasuke with confusion, Sakura asked.
"I felt something."
Approaching the bush calmly, Kakashi stared at the rabbit trembling in fear next to the Kunai and frowned slightly, then fell silent for a moment and looked around.
'This I remember everything' Staring at the rabbit, Naruto looked up and carefully scanned every tree in the place.
"Get down everyone!"
'Here it comes!' Shrinking his pupil to the max as adrenaline pumped his blood, Naruto quickly turned his gaze back and watched the giant sword rapidly approaching towards them, only to swallow saliva with difficulty and focus entirely on the sword.
Taking a step back and leaning forward slightly, Naruto raised his hands forward and stalling his breath, he firmly grasped the dull edge of the sword.
"Ugh!" Being dragged back violently, Naruto gritted his teeth hard as a sharp pain enveloped his palms and arms, but even so, a fierce smile formed on his face as he felt his body stop recoiling.
"Naruto!" Pulling a kunai from her clothing, Sakura quickly stood up and positioned herself defensively as she looked at Naruto with concern.
Thud
"I'm fine" With the musculature in his arms swollen and his veins expanded to the limit, Naruto could no longer bear the weight of the sword and dropped it as he thought 'This must weigh around 200 kilos'.
"Hoh, I didn't expect them to stop my sword" Suddenly appearing from the forest, a man walked calmly towards them as bandages covered half of his face.
"Well, well, if it isn't Momichi Zabuza, the banished ninja from the mist village" Giving Naruto a quick glance and lowering his gaze to the sword on the ground, Kakashi turned his gaze to the man and commented casually, then bringing his hand to his bandana and lifting it up.
'I'll finally see it' With a rare emotion, Naruto stared at Kakashi's face and his eyes glowed at the crimson hue as the three unforgettable tomes encircled the pupil.
"I guess you're Kakashi, the one who possesses the Sharingan" Without stopping his approach, Zabuza commented with the same nonchalance as Kakashi, then looked at the frozen Tazuna and continued "Sorry, I have to kill the old man."
"Attention, everyone in defensive position from the swastika" Without taking his eyes off Zabuza, Kakashi continued "Protect Tazuna-san and don't interfere in the battle."
Taking a step to his side, Naruto stood on the giant sword and nodded as he commented towards the stunned Sasuke and the visibly tense Sakura "Guys, doubts for another time, focus on the client"
"Yes!" clenching the kunai in her hand tightly, Sakura nodded.
"..." Blinking for a moment, Sasuke looked at Naruto and nodded as he positioned himself properly.
"I'm honored to see the Sharingan that is so much talked about" Stopping a few feet away from the group, Zabuza continued "When I was in the Mist Village Killer Commando, I got information from you and added you to my list of the people I wanted to take on."
"Mn?" noticing the mist starting to surround them, Naruto turned his gaze towards Zabuza and couldn't help but smile again as a cold sweat formed on his forehead 'The presence he has is no joke'
"I have to kill that old man at all costs, and apparently I'll have to get past you first, Kakashi, but first..." Suddenly crouching down, Zabuza continued "Let me take back what's mine."
"Careful!" quickly turning his gaze back, Kakashi's gaze trembled at the sight of Zabuza suddenly appearing in the center of the group, but before he could panic, suddenly two kunais quickly aimed for the man's neck.
Quickly disappearing from the center of the formation and appearing in the distance, Zabuza raised his eyebrows and looked carefully at Sasuke and Naruto "Hoh...so it was no coincidence that they were able to stop my attack"
"You're fast, but predictable" With a slightly mocking voice, Sasuke returned to his position and commented.
"Hah!" With a bulging vein on his forehead, Zabuza asked coolly "Looks like you want to die first, no?"
With a sudden horrified look, Sasuke's hands visibly trembled as he unconsciously took a step backwards.
With even more sweat on his forehead despite having exerted almost no force, Naruto took a step towards Sasuke and held his shoulder firmly as he looked at him seriously "No one will die today."
Turning his gaze to Naruto, Sasuke watched his face for a moment and nodded awkwardly, then inhaled deeply and repositioned himself, but having a slight pallor on his face.
With a relieved sigh, Kakashi approached his group and commented towards Zabuza "Didn't they teach you that a swordsman should never drop his weapon?"
Snorting, Zabuza disappeared and reappeared above the sea next to the forest, then formed several seals and started to rise up through a sudden pillar of water that appeared under his feet.
"Disappearance in the mist..." Being surrounded more and more with mist, slowly Zabuza's body began to disperse, and in a matter of seconds, he disappeared from everyone's gaze.
"Sensei!" Turning her gaze to Kakashi who stood beside her, Sakura exclaimed with concern.
"Momoichi Zabuza belonged to the elite assassins known for their silent assassinations, and as his reputation indicates, his skills allow him to assassinate in minimal time and in total silence" Looking carefully around, Kakashi continued "You might be dead before you even realize it, so don't let your guard down!"
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