章節 160: Chapter 11
3 months later
Teams 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11 were all standing in the Hokage's office. Everyone was wondering why they were all there at the same time. In the mean time each group was talking amongst themselves until the Hokage walked in. He calmly took his seat and then looked at the assembled group. "I've called you all here, because every year we have one joint mission that involves rookie gennin to promote team work and relationships that will serve you well during your time as shinobi. Unfortunately last years' group never got to experience that due to a few unfortunate incidents." The Hokage started. Naruto noticed two of the jonin lowered their heads. "In order to make up for what happened last year this years' group is larger than normal. Therefore I am giving you a higher ranked mission." Sarutobi said. He took notice of the shocked faces of everyone in the room except for Team 11. 'I expected as much. Team 11 is the only team with experience in tougher missions.'
He only meant for them to do C ranked missions that dealt with bandits, thugs, and eventually low ranked missing-nin. Instead, a few of their missions had turned into B and one A rank due to them fighting several B ranked missing nin, like Chinatsu Himotou who was B ranked. Mostly Yugao took out the higher ranked missing-nin since they only came upon more than one B rank missing-nin once. That time she let Naruto deal with one of the B ranks and even Yuudai and Kenta got in the act dealing with the C or lower ranked missing-nin and thugs, while she took out three jonin level missing-nin who questioned her skill due to her being a woman. 'Team 11 is certainly powerful. I have no doubt all 3 will attain chunin rank during the upcoming exam. I only hope when the other teams see how they work and their level of skill it might inspire them to improve or at least give them a measuring stick of sorts. I know their sensei's have most likely decided they would put them in the exams this year regardless, but most of them are not ready and Sasuke is unsuitable to be a chunin due to his issues. Although if he can get past the second part of the exam. I am sure he would put forth a good showing.' Hiruzen thought.
"Hokage-samma" Kakashi called out getting the old man's attention. "Oh right. The mission is initially being listed as a C-rank due to the client being low on funds. He has pledged to pay the difference of an A-rank when his village gets back on it's feet. The mission difficulty is easily B if not A rank. Your primary job is to protect Tazuna a bridge builder and his family, while he builds his bridge. Your secondary mission is to take out Gato of Gato Industries Inc., his thugs, and anyone else he hires if they are unwilling to stand down." Sarutobi states. "Hokage-samma you mean shipping magnate Gato?" Anko asked. "Hai, the very same. His illegal businesses are encroaching on Fire Country and his control of wave gives him access to shipping lanes that can cripple our economy if he isn't dealt with soon." He finished. The jonin's nodded in understanding. "I warn you Wave Country isn't a pretty place right now, because of Gato's illegal practices and you genin will see things that will change your view of the world. So prepare for the worst." Sarutobi says. Everyone nods understanding the warning.
Sarutobi pressed a button on his intercom and spoke. "Please send in Tazuna." He said to his secretary whose name escaped him. A minute later a man that looked to be in his late 50's or early 60's walked in the office. He was slightly over weight with a beer gut and looked to be drunk … and he was still drinking. 'What a lush. I am glad this is a joint mission, because it's going to take more than one team to keep this guy alive.' Naruto thought. "Is this *hiccup* what you are sending to *hiccup* defend me? This looks more *hiccup* like a group preparing for a field trip *hiccup* to the petting zoo than a group that's *hiccup* going to protect me with their lives." Tazuna says drunkenly. He quickly took another swig of his cheap alcohol.
Almost everyone just ignored the old drunk and turned to the hokage except for Kakashi who had to restrain Sakura from hitting the client. Kakashi leaned down and whispered to the girl so as not to draw any more attention. "Stop it Sakura. This is pathetic and unprofessional. You don't see anyone else acting like you." He said as he let go of her and she fell down to the floor. When she looked back up she saw no one coming to help as they continued on like she wasn't even there. Only Tazuna looked at her or more like looked down on her. She really felt small and pathetic now as she looked around at the rest of her classmates as even Ino and Ami seemed beyond her now. Then she looked at Naruto. 'It's his fault. He should be the idiot on the floor, while me and Sasuke-kun laugh at him.' She thought. Then she looked at her teammates. 'Sensei doesn't even care if I come to training or not and he hasn't taught me anything. Sasuke-kun hasn't agreed to go on a date with me and even said I wasn't worth his time one day after training.' Her thoughts paused as she looked at Ami her once fellow fan girl. 'She acts like she doesn't even like Sasuke-kun any more and is always sweaty and her hair is so unkempt. She's always going off with that Anko lady and training. At least she realizes that she can't possibly measure up to being worthy of Sasuke and knows when she's beat.' Sakura thought a smile on her face as she stood back up.
Meanwhile, with everyone else the Hokage was close to killing a certain mask wearing jonin. "But Hokage-samma I'm a much better choice for leader of this mission." Kakashi practically whined. "Why would that be Hatake?" Sarutobi asked. "I'm more experienced than her, and my team especially Sasuke, is the best of the rookies so I should take point." He tries to reason. At that everyone including Tazuna who just met everyone and was nearly unconscious he was so drunk laughed. Ami wanted to kill her so called official sensei at this moment, while Sakura was confused about why everyone was laughing as in her opinion her Sensei stated the truth. The laughter stopped as the Hokage spoke to him in a calm even tone though you could almost feel the agitation beneath it. "Drop it Kakashi, these are your orders. Yugao is group leader, Asuma is second in command, Kurenai third, Anko fourth, Mimura Hamaki fifth, Naruto sixth, and then if all of the above are incapacitated or separated from the group then you are the leader." Hiruzen stated with a gleam in his eye when he mentioned Naruto being slotted ahead of him.
"This has got to be some joke? You expect me to take orders from that dobe?" Sasuke stated pointing at Naruto who just ignored both of the male members of Squad 7. "Yes, I do and if you have a problem with that then you are more then welcome to turn this mission down. There are more than enough teams present as is, but if you decide to accept and don't listen to him ..." Sarutobi paused letting the tension rise. "Then I will strip you of your rank and you will cease to be a shinobi." He finished glaring at the boy. Sasuke paled at the threat and quickly nodded. Since the council was disbanded and reformed Sasuke no longer got his way everywhere he went. The only people who did still treat him like he thought an 'Elite' Uchiha should be treated were his remaining family, fan girls, and Kakashi. He'd had quite a few knocks to his ego since then. Like when Ami beat him in a spar and when he demanded Anko teach him and drop the loser … well that didn't go well. Especially since Anko had begun to think of Ami like a little sister, although Ami refused to dress like her onee-chan (1). Unfortunately whenever it seemed like he was close to realizing the world didn't revolve around him Sakura, or Kakashi, or his remaining family would build him back up locking in the 'Elite' mentality.
Suddenly a shriek got everyone's attention and hand them covering their ears. "WHAT! YOU CAN'T DO THAT SASUKE-KUN IS THE BEST! MUCH BETTER THAN NARUTO-BAKA!" Sakura yelled. Before she could screech anymore Naruto took out a roll of duct tape, cut a strip, and slapped it on her mouth before going back to where he was standing. Before she could rip the tape off Sarutobi glared at the girl with a little KI. "Listen here Miss Haruno. You will learn to control that mouth or you will find yourself dropped from service as well. Naruto is 6th in command. That means you and the rest of the genin will listen to him if the situation calls for it. Other wise he is a fellow genin and not to be harassed in any way or he has permission to retaliate in any manner he sees fit. Also, his team will only receive orders from Yugao-san. The rest of you will listen to all the jonin and obey any orders they give you." Sarutobi orders and everyone nods in acceptance including a shaking still taped up Sakura. "Okay your mission will commence at 8a.m. and everyone better be on time." Sarutobi says looking at Kakashi. He receives another round of nods. "Okay everyone except Naruto dismissed and Tazuna I suggest you use tonight to sober up. Client or not I won't garuntee your safety if you show up tomorrow drunk." He finishes and Tazuna just waves him off and walks out followed by everyone else.
"What can I help you with Hokage-san?" Naruto asked when the room was cleared. "Have you thought about the council's proposal?" Sarutobi asked. "Yeah, the answer is no, and it will never change. In 3 years me and my kekkei genkai's are leaving and I will not leave innocent children behind in this hateful village." Naruto replied. "Naruto, I think the villagers have done their best to show they are sorry." Hiruzen states. 'He's right a few have even got down on their knees and kissed my feet a few times begging for forgiveness.' Naruto thought. "Wow so for a few months of relative peace and a little unwanted grovelling … I should forgive over a decade of abuse, beatings, torture, murder attempts, murders if only for a minute or two, poisonings, rapes, and other forms of things that happened to me under your watch?" Naruto asked incredulously. Sarutobi just blanched at every charge knowing they were true and more. 'Hell lesser men have snapped from just one or two of those things happening to them or someone they love.' Sarutobi thought. "Fine, but I pray one day you will forgive us and her." Sarutobi says. Naruto just stands there not replying. "I'll get to why I asked you to stay. I realize this will be your first mission outside of Fire Country. I need to ask that you keep our agreement and your heritage a secret and to only use … that chakra if you are in trouble." Sarutobi says. "I make no promises, but I assure you I won't go around indescrimently broadcasting it and I won't go around using it unless I need to for the time being." Naruto says as he walks out of the office and back to his still unfinished complex.
Next Day 7 : 50 a.m.
Everyone was at the gate including a grumpy Tazuna who was suffering from withdrawal symptoms after not having any Sake except for Naruto. Despite the fact he wasn't late Team 7 and Tazuna were becoming impatient. The rest were looking at Kakashi in disbelief that not only was he on time for once, but early. Ten minutes later Naruto showed up with a different look. Naruto was wearing a Forest green shirt that had two black columns with green leaves seemingly falling down them, a Kelly green jonin style vest, Forest green anbu style pants, and brown civilian style running shoes with the chakra conducive metal in the bottoms and tip of the shoes. He also had a single katana strapped to his back and his hair wrapped in black silk. Naruto looked at the assembled group taking notice of the aggravated looks the client and Team 7 were giving him, and what he now recognized as lustful stares from a few of the ladies present but he didn't care.
"Okay now that everyone is here let's head out." Kakashi said giving Naruto a small glare. "Actually, first order of business is an equipment check." Yugao said. "Everyone take out your packs and show me what you are bringing with you." Yugao ordered. One by one all the genin took off their packs and showed what they were bringing on the mission. Only Ino and Sakura had to be given an extra pack, which they grumbled about having to carry as they looked for someone to pawn it off on. Yugao then turned to her own team, but instead of packs they each pulled out scrolls and showed her they were carrying a stores' worth of clothes, weapons, food, and other items. "You each remember to keep a few kunai and shuriken on you right?" Yugao asked. "Hai Sensei. Naruto finally got around to putting the seals on our vest and clothes after our last mission." Katsu answered. Kurenai took that moment to enter the conversation. "What are you talking about and where is your equipment?" She asked in a commanding tone.
"We're fine Kurenai-chan. Naruto taught the other two how to make their own sealing scrolls and tattoos. They're extremely convenient when you need to haul a lot of stuff, but don't want to be weighted down." Yugao explained. Kurenai nodded and walked back to her team. Yugao turned and walked with her team to the front of the unusually large gathering. "Okay everyone. I know this an unusual situation having more than one team on a single 'C' ranked mission, but we need to get along. To that end I welcome all of you to come to me with complaints, suggestions, and ideas. I will not tolerate any mean spirited or derisive comments directed at anyone in this group. So please behave and let's show Tazuna-san here what Leaf shinobi are all about. Now I want my team up front and the rest of you to fill in behind them while the jonin will stay behind you and support you if needed. Tazuna feel free to choose a genin bodyguard and stick by them please." Yugao orders.
Tazuna didn't waste any time and moved beside Naruto. 'I don't know what it is, but something about this blonde kid tells me he'll keep me safe.' Tazuna thought. "Okay Naruto you know what to do." Yugao says. Naruto nods and forms his favorite seal and without even calling the name 5 more Naruto's appear and then take off into the trees. Katsu, Yuudai, and Naruto with a quickly following Tazuna walked through the gates. Soon after the other genin walked behind them with the jonin following them. A mile or so down the road the group settled into a comfortable pace. The group was mostly quiet except for a few. Katsu and Yuudai were talking to each other, Kiba was trying to start a conversation with all of the young kunoichi failing miserably as even Hinata ignored him, Sakura had moved up to the front after being harshly turned down by Sasuke and was engaging Tazuna in meaningless chatter, Ino and Ami were talking to each other, and the jonin were in their own conversation mainly about one genin.
"I hope you will allow me to train Naruto during the time our teams are together Yugao-chan." Kakashi states more than asks. "It's not up to me. You will have to ask Naruto himself if he wants to." Yugao replied. "Yugao, you're his sensei you are supposed to be setting the rules and telling him what to do." Kurenai chides butting in. "Kurenai, Naruto is arguably one of the best teammates I've ever had. He listens to whatever I tell him, but being a mindless drone would be the worst thing possible for him. He's young, but has a good mind and has shown talent equal to Itachi at a similar age." Yugao says gaining shocked looks from Asuma, Hamaki, and Kurenai. Kakashi just ignored her statement altogether believing Sasuke was the best. "When we do team training Katsu and Yuudai have to team up to spar with him. I'm the one he usually spars with and he can even hold his own against me in kenjutsu for five minutes. Did you know he could have legitimately requested to skip being a genin and be appointed as a Jonin?" Yugao asks. "He can't be that strong." Kakashi says. "Well, how about we let him and the genin handle whatever foe or foes we face first?" Yugao proposes. "Sure, but if it looks like for even a second they can't handle it then I'm stepping in. I can't let Sasuke get hurt." Kakashi replies. 'Are Sasuke and porn all he thinks about?' The other jonin thought shaking their heads. "Now you see what I have to deal with on a daily basis." Anko says glaring at the silver haired pervert. She gained nods of sympathy from the four other sensei's.
The group had walked a couple of miles at what felt like a snails pace to Naruto, but their job was to protect Tazuna so outside of carrying the man, which he wasn't willing to do, their was little to be done about their current pace. As Naruto was growing bored with everything one of his clones popped out of existence giving him the information. Naruto didn't even go through the pretence of using hand seals as he molded the correct amount of chakra and a Kage Bunshin appeared right in front of him shocking all the genin who noticed. The bunshin instantly ran off into the forest. The genin that noticed tried to question him, but Naruto just took out a scroll, started reading it silently, and kept walking. The rest of the group minus Team 11 bristled at being brushed off like that, but kept walking.
*8 : 00 p.m.*
The group had made it to the half way point and surprisingly or unsurprisingly depending on who you were it wasn't Tazuna who collapsed forcing them to stop. No, that honor went to Ino and Sakura, but seeing as it was dark out they all stopped anyway. They were close to the sea separating the island of Wave from the mainland. Setting up camp all the teams separated the duties needed to set up their individual camps. Tazuna chose to stay with Team 11 and camp out with them. Naruto had sent a few clones to get some water from a nearby lake, while he and his teammates setup their tents along with Yugao. Naruto set up an extra tent for Tazuna although he complained about theirs being nicer than his since it was a regular tent. Team 11's tents were made of a thick dark material that could withstand a knife strike. The floor of the tents is leather covered by a black plush carpet. They didn't even need sleeping bags just sheets and pillows. They each had silk sheets with big fluffy comforters and goose down pillows.
The reason for such luxury was Team 11 frequently slept outdoors many nights due to the various C and occasional B ranked missions they took. They each built up a nice bank account due to the money they received for completing such missions and spent the money on luxury items like the tents, sheets, comforters, pillows, etc. that would make missions more bearable. Needless to say the other teams were jealous and seeing their looks Team 11 proceeded to the second part that accompanied setting up their tents, which was enacting several barrier, protection, and silencing seals so they couple sleep without concern. The seals were attuned to their chakra so they didn't need to worry about anyone or anything getting in while they weren't looking or them being kept out as well. Only the other members of Team 11 could enter the tents. Naruto could already see a few of the girls (Sakura, Ino, and surprisingly Hinata) rushing towards his tent intent on claiming it for their own use. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Naruto called out. They of course ignored him intent on enjoying such luxuries themselves and damning him to stop them or throw them out when they did get in. When they got to close to the tent the seals activated … well they didn't appreciate being sent flying into the nearest tree. Sakura and Ino turned to curse at Naruto only to find he wasn't even there to laugh at them and neither was Hinata who managed to stop before hitting the barrier. They tried a few more times meeting with the same results before they limped back to their own tents.
Naruto had walked away to the sea and out onto the water as he looked up at the moon. "You can come out now." Naruto says without looking away from the moon. Hinata made her way out of the tree line and onto the water. She walked up beside him and looked up at the moon as well. "What was that about back there?" Naruto asked. She knew he meant the tent and replied, "Can't blame a girl for trying." They both laughed and then returned to their peaceful moon gazing. Naruto took his eyes off the moon to look over at his friend. "You have shown yourself to be a strong and beautiful woman Hinata since you've dropped your mask of shyness" Naruto tells her. Hinata turns to face him looking into those beautiful clear blue eyes that always made her want to melt. "I wish it were something as simple as a mask Naruto-kun" Hinata replies almost in a whisper as her gaze dropped.
Naruto decided to change the subject noticing the sadness in her voice. "So were you intending to kick me out into the cold like those other two?" Naruto asked teasingly. Hinata blushed, but quickly lost it and then seemingly vanished until Naruto felt her breast pressed against his back as she stood on her toes to whisper into his ear, "and who said I was going to kick you out". It was Naruto's turn to blush at that as she walked around him until she was in front of him again eyes locked. They looked into each others eyes almost searching deeply within the other until Naruto suddenly looked away. He had seen the deep love that was welling up inside of her for him and he knew he had to tell her. Hinata was confused and saddened by the fact he looked away. She had never known Naruto to do that to anyone even if he was badly hurt he always if only defiantly looked the person in their eyes.
"Hinata … about the other night when we were supposed to have our talk" Naruto started. Hinata remembered that night. She heard that team 11 was returning from a successful C-rank mission, not that the people she over heard talking about it were doing so in a positive manner, and she had gone to the gate on the day they were supposed to arrive back in town. Team 11 had made great time finishing a C turned B rank mission in 5 days. She would have missed them re-entering the village if she hadn't forced herself to wake up early and skipped breakfast with her father and sister(no big loss) to be there as the team passed through the gate. She smiled brightly at Naruto and moved to his side as they walked towards the Hokage tower. They talked about nothing important until Team 11 reached the Hokage's office and she had to wait outside for them to deliver their report. She retook her position by Naruto's side when they left half an hour later as she tried to talk to him, but he didn't really seem to be listening to her. When they got close to his apartment she noticed him freeze and lock eyes in front of him. Hinata looked to where he looked and saw a somewhat tall red haired woman with dark purple eyes who also seemed to be frozen. Naruto only broke out of his daze to address Hinata asking her to postpone their talk for another time. She reluctantly agreed and looked at the woman again before leaving even though part of her was demanding answers and wanted to refuse his request.
"It's okay Naruto-kun, I knew it must have been important for you to break our agreement" Hinata replied. "So who was she?" Hinata asked after a few seconds of silence. "She … is my mother" Naruto answers. "Mother? I thought you were an orphan?" Hinata questioned. "It's not something I want to talk about right now" Naruto says turning to look at the moon again. "O-okay" Hinata replies stuttering for the first time in months. 'Gah, every time I get near him my mouth and body betray me. I need to calm down and just ask him before it's too late' Hinata thinks. Taking a couple of deep breaths Hinata graps Naruto hands and looks deep into his eyes. "Naruto-kun I love you so much. Why can't we be together?" Hinata asks him giving him a teary eyed look.
Naruto stood there and studied the girl … no young woman in front of him. Naruto sighed. 'She probably won't accept what I tell her, but she has to know the truth' Naruto thought. "There are many reasons unfortunately Hinata, none of which are about me not liking you enough or finding you unattractive, because I think your beautiful. Like I said earlier you're becoming a beautiful and strong woman with each passing day. It's just you're a Hyuuga for one thing." Naruto says gaining a deep blush from the heiress before it changes to a confused look. "What does me being a Hyuuga have to do with anything?" Hinata asks. Naruto decided to walk back to land with Hinata following close behind waiting for an answer. Once they reached the shore Naruto started, "I hate your clan Hinata" Naruto says simply. Hinata stood their frozen the shock and pain clearly written on her face. "W-Wh-Why d-do y-ou h-hate m-m-my clan?" Hinata asks her old self reappearing at his declaration. "I know you are one of the few our age who know of my constant companion" Naruto says. Hinata nods and says, "Y-y-yes I h-heard m-my f-father t-talking about y-you one day".
"I don't think of the Kyuubi as a burden … anymore, but since the day I was born the council including the clan heads have been trying to have me killed or under their thumb. Your father and clan are prominent among them. Where some clans calmed down and saw the truth of the situation … others including your father have continued to persecute me. They have gone so far as to accuse, charge, and convict me of stuff I didn't do in the hopes of getting me executed" Naruto rants. Hinata gasps at that information, but other wise stays silent head down thinking over what he's said. "Now if that were all it was I would simply hate your father. Thanks to Kyuubi I can separate the man from his actions or the actions of another. I hate your clan as a whole, because they have been apart of the 'fox' hunts and abuse I've suffered even the branch members who you would think would know about suffering behind a seal, but not you who has never done as much as raise your voice even when I've done something wrong" Naruto continues.
"I-I I am sorry for the abuse you suffered at the hands of my f-f-family …" Hinata began to apologize, but was stopped. "Stop Hinata. It's a nice gesture, but it is not your place to apologize for the sins of others. You have done nothing I need to forgive". Naruto tells her. "Then w-why c-can't we be t-t-together?" Hinata asks looking into his eyes. "Because Hinata, I made an agreement with the Daimiyo, Hokage, and Council that they get my services for 3 years and then I get to leave" Naruto informs her. "WHAT!" Hinata yells surprising Naruto who's never heard her be that loud about anything. "Y-you can't. W-wh-what about me! I love you Naruto-kun!" Hinata declared louder than Naruto ever heard her speak. "Thank you Hinata, that means a lot to me, but I have to go. I hate the leaf village, I have a strong dislike for my stupid father and his self-sacrificing ways, and I hate the people of the leaf minus a mere handful that don't deserve my hatred of them. I have to go Hinata before that hate turns me into the very monster they tried so hard to make me. In 3 years I will turn my back on the leaf never to return and I could never ask you to leave your family for me, because I know that despite everything they've done to you and how they make you feel you still love and cherish them" Naruto tells her.
Hinata just crumpled into him and cried knowing he spoke the truth. Naruto tried to comfort her the best he could, but never receiving such comfort himself (that he remembers) he could only hold her which was enough for Hinata who hadn't even received that since her mother died. A few minutes later Hinata looked up at Naruto with tear filled eyes and asked, "P-pl-please N-N-Naruto-kun d-don't leave me?" Naruto looked at the girl in his arms and sincerely wished things were different, but they weren't. "I'm sorry Hinata-chan. I don't know what I did to deserve such love from a beautiful and kind person like you, but I have to leave. I can't love you like you deserve to be loved, because it will only hurt you more in the end. I'm sorry Hinata, but I promise I will always be your friend even if I'm a million miles away and do my best to help you while I'm here. Besides, I bet you'll find a great guy who will love you with all of his heart one day and you won't even remember me." Naruto says with a smile. Hinata wipes her tears away and just presses further into his chest. "Your wrong Naruto-kun you'll always be the only man for me, but I understand and promise to be a good friend that you can trust" Hinata says softly. Naruto gives her a bright smile that makes Hinata melt and want to stay in his arms forever, but such bliss wasn't meant to be. Their teams were probably already searching for them so they needed to get back.
*Secret base some where in Wave Country*
"What do you mean you haven't killed the bridge builder yet!" A squat, but well dressed man yelled. "Just what I said Gato, the man is still alive and headed this way" Said a very tall dark haired man that had his face wrapped in bandages and a sword almost as long as he was tall strapped to his back. "What are you going to do to rectify this situation?" Gato asked angrily. "There's nothing I can do for now" The tall bandaged man replies. "What! Why!" The little man shouted. "The reason is simple. You waited too late to hire me and my group" The man responds. "Look here Zabuza I paid you a lot of money to get this done and I expect results" Gato sneers. "And you'll get them, but thanks to your haggling over the price … the old man was able to make it to the leaf village where he hired ninja protection. Now normally this wouldn't be too much of an issue especially since you said the bridge builder probably only had enough money to hire a team of gennin and their jounin sensei. However, Tazuna must have got one hell of a discount as my subordinates counted five teams and six jonin among them. I'm good, but even using all of your little henchmen I would still need to call in a few favors to get the job done, which means I need more cash and time" Zabuza says firmly.
"Unacceptable, I've paid you and I expect you to do what I paid you for" Gato says angrily. "Look if money is so important to you then why not wait until after they finish the bridge? The leaf-nin will go home then I sneak in take out the old man and we blow up the bridge. This way you get what you want, I get what I want, and more importantly my team survives to see another pay day" Zabuza replies questioningly. "Look you just leave the thinking to your betters 'Demon of the Mist', because you obviously don't understand the situation and why this needs to be done now not after the bridge is built. If that were the case I wouldn't have wasted my money and sent my thugs to do it" Gato says condescendingly with air quotes as he says demon of the mist. "Then make me understand little man" Zabuza says losing his patience with the portly man.
Gato is close to tearing his hair out in frustration, but decides to oblige the much taller missing-nin. "I have spent a lot of time and money destroying the spirit and mind of these people until they were nothing but whimpering dogs who won't challenge my authority on anything. They were so close to breaking before that old bridge builder gave them hope with his silly idea of reconnecting with the mainland to circumvent me. If Tazuna dies before his bridge can be built then all hope dies with him, but if the bridge is finished even if Tazuna dies and the bridge is destroyed they'll still have hope that they can do it again. Hope that will lead to them defying me again and setting back my plans to conquer Wave country before I move onto to other countries ripe for the picking. So you see I can't afford for them to grow a back bone and I can't afford for Tazuna to finish this bridge" Gato says finishing his lecture.
Zabuza for his part just nodded at the little man and rubbed his chin for a moment. "Okay I understand why this is so important to you, but that doesn't change the fact there are 21 ninja headed this way and that 'hope' you want to crush will only grow if me and my team get our asses killed in some half assed attempt at an assignation. Trust me I've already had it happen to me once" Zabuza says glaring at the little man. "FINE!" Gato shouts. "Get who ever you need to finish this and I'll pay the cost, but hear me Zabuza if that bridge is finished before the bridge builder is dead then our deal is off and you'll have to deal with your help on your own" Gato says trying to stare a hole through the man. Zabuza nods and disappears in a puff of smoke as the little man scurries out of the building cursing with his lackeys in toe. 'Mark my words Zabuza … you will regret this' Gato thought. Unbeknownst to the two a puff of smoke went off in the warehouse they met at signaling our hero to their plans.
*At the Campsite*
Naruto and Hinata arrived back at the campsite just in time for dinner as Hinata joined Naruto's team and ate a clone prepared meal of steak, flavored rice, and melonpan. In her mind this was their first date as she just wasn't prepared to let go despite what she told Naruto. Naruto was in the middle of cleaning up when his two clones from earlier dispelled informing him of everything they learned. He quickly went to Yugao who was in her tent reading and told her what his clones found out. Yugao quickly gathered the other jounin and let them know before gathering the genin to explain what was going on. She had Naruto tell them what his clones over heard. As soon as he was finished there were a million questions.
"How did the dobe happen to hear this when he was with us the whole time?" Sasuke questioned. "My clones are shadow clones, which work well for gathering intelligence as the user learns what the clones learn when they dispel. When we started this trip I had five of them surround us as they moved through the trees looking out for any danger. They came across two shady looking men about five miles away from Konoha who were setting a trap of some kind. However, when the men saw how many of us there were they canceled the rather weak looking genjutsu covered trap and observed us until we got close to the river. At that point they walked across the river to Nami no Kuni where they met up with their leader a man named Zabuza and another person who may or may not be a missing-nin who later met up with Gato who I assume is their employer" Naruto says laying the whole thing out.
"How did you know it was a trap that used genjutsu?" Kurenai asked. "They made it look like a big puddle was in the middle of the road" Naruto answered. 'A puddle in the dry spell we've had. If I ever meet the two idiots who tarnished the good name of genjutsu I'll castrate them' Kurenai thought with an evil smirk that made Naruto a little nervous. He didn't have time to think about it though as another question was fired at him from Asuma this time. "You said they water walked to Wave? How did your clones follow them then?" Asuma questioned. "When I created that clone while we were walking it took over following the two men who I assume were chuunin level missing-nin with another clone that was already following them. One henged into a fish and followed them by swimming across and the other waited until they crossed and got into the trees before he water walked and then caught up with them soon after" Naruto explained. "Wait you know how to water walk?" Kakashi questioned in disbelief while glaring at Yugao for teaching the demon something he hadn't taught Sasuke. "Learned it years ago, but that's getting off point" Naruto replies.
"Wait you learned water walking years ago? That would mean you learned it while you were still in the academy" Shikamaru questioned. Sasuke was glaring red hot daggers at the blonde. 'What else has the dobe hidden from me? First it was those swords, then he became really fast and strong, and now there are all these techniques he claims to have known for awhile. I need to find out what else he's hiding' Sasuke thought. Naruto just looked at Shika and smirked. "I wasn't the only one hiding their skills in the academy was I Nara-san?" Naruto questioned the lazy genious who muttered "troublesome" and feigned ignorance. Just as Sasuke was about to interrogate Naruto Yugao decided to ask something, "Naruto what did this Zabuza look like?" She asked. "Let's see he was about 6 feet 4inches tall, had bandages covering most of his face, and had a huge sword that was about as long as he was tall strapped to his back" Naruto answered. The jounin gave each other a knowing look.
"Naruto the man you just described is Zabuza Momochi former Seven Swordsman of the Mist and an A rank missing-nin" Yugao informs him and the other genin. The others were shocked into silence though some for different reasons. 'Finally I'll have a true test of my abilities' Thought one delusional revenge obsessed boy. 'I'll be fine Sasuke-kun will save us' Thought another delusional emo boy obsessed pink haired fan girl. 'I'll have to hurry and teach Sasuke more jutsu' Thought a mask wearing porn addicted silver haired jounin. 'This is my chance to show who's the real alpha dog around here' Thought a mangy, smelly, girl obsessed dog boy while his ninken wished he had listened to his brothers and sisters and hid when his master was picking his partner. 'This mission just got a lot toughter' Thought everybody else.
"So what else did you hear Naruto-kun" Asked Yugao receiving a small glare from Hinata who didn't want anyone to call her Naruto-kun Naruto-kun. "That our numbers have made Zabuza change plans and is now waiting for extra help to arrive though Gato made it known he wouldn't get paid if he didn't get the job done before the bridge was finished and not after" Naruto informs. 'That's good to know. That means Tazuna will be safe once he finishes his bridge' Yugao and the other jounin thought. "Actually I have an idea if you want to listen" Naruto says. Yugao nods for him to continue. "Well, after thinking over what I heard and my clones saw. It seems like Zabuza won't be able to bring enough help for him to challenge us if we can get the bridge up in a week or so. I would like to help speed up the construction with my shadow clones, which will give Tazuna more than enough workers to complete the bridge" Naruto says. Yugao thought it over and liked the idea then turned to Tazuna. "What do you think Tazuna-san?" Yugao asked. "I'd appreciate all the help I can get right now. Gato's tactics have made it hard to find decent help and caused some of them to run off. Do you really think you can handle it boy? It's hard work" Tazuna says. Naruto just smiles and gives the man a nod.
"You mentioned that Zabuza said something about thugs Gato has?" Asuma asked Naruto who nodded. "Then we need to deal with them first. If we can at the very least reduce the number of men he has he'll panick and force Zabuza's hand before he's ready while also reducing any additional threat we may face" Asuma explains. "I like that as knowing how Gato operates he'd probably wait until right after we fought Zabuza's group and have his thugs take us on when we're tired and low on chakra" Yugao says getting nods from the other jonin. "Well, it's pretty late and we need to be in Wave early tomorrow so get some rest. Naruto please create some clones to establish a perimeter around the camp and a few more to rove around the area" Yugao says. Naruto does as asked after dispelling the clones he created earlier and then everyone heads off to sleep.
*Next Day Wave Country*
The group was up with the first rays of sunlight and at the rendezvous point where they would meet with Tazuna's contact a couple of hours later. Unfortunately they ran across another problem. "Look I'm sorry Tazuna, but I can only risk taking you across once. Those who can't fit on the boat will have to find another way across and I can only take four or five of you across" The boatman tells them. "That is a problem" Yugao says. "The way I see it there is the flashy way of solving this issue in which way may not even need the boat and then there is the simpler, but possibly dangerous way" Naruto says to Yugao. "Who asked you Naruto-baka!" Sakura shouted her fists shaking. This was met with … nothing as everyone continued on like she wasn't there. "Well the flashy way is those of us that can summon do and we all go across on the summons. The real idea is 4 genin plus Tazuna get on the boat, while those of us who can water walk across carry those that aren't on the boat and can't water walk piggyback style" Naruto says.
The choice was obvious even if Naruto was right about their being a slight danger to it. "Okay, but who gets in the boat and who gets carried?" Yugao questions Naruto. "I'd say Kiba and Choji would ride with Tazuna if they can't water walk. Sorry Choji, but it would be hard to carry you all the way across a river the size of this one, and well Kiba stinks" Naruto says, which gets a nod from everyone. "Hey!" Kiba shouts. "I do not stink!" He yells out and everyone ignores him. Choji just nods in understanding although he doesn't like it either. "Okay that's two in the boat who else?" Yugao asks looking for volunteers, but receives none. "How about we determine this another way. How many of you know how to water walk?" She asks the genin. To the other jounin's surprise Team 11 raised their hands and unsurprisingly no one else did even though one more did know the technique. 'Maybe I should have raised my hands and impress Naruto-kun that way. No if I did then I might be forced to carry Ino or worse Sakura. This way maybe Naruto-kun carries me' Hinata thought gleefully.
The jounin talked amongst theirselves for a moment before a decision was reached. "Okay the following people get in the boat … Kiba & Akamaru, Choji, Shino, and Sakura" Kurenai says taking an authorative command once again. "What! Why I am being lumped with those losers?" Sakura shrieked. "Simple … You are annoying" All six jounin said decisively. Sakura shut up for once making everyone thankful that the girl seemed to finally get it. That being said Hinata got her wish as Naruto bent down in front of her and let her climb up on his back. Anko took Ami, Asuma took Ino, Kakashi of course took Sasuke, Yuudai took the kunoichi of team 4 as he had a slight crush on Choji's cousin Akamichi Emi, Hamaki took one of the boys on his team Kurama Osamu, Katsu was stuck with Shikamaru who grumbled 'troublesome' about being carried by a dude his age, and Naruto created a clone that tookUchiha Haru one of the few surviving Uchiha who's parents never developed the famed Uchiha kekkei genkai so no one thinks he will attain it and last member of team 4. The group silently crossed the water and reached land … a little too soon for a certain Hyuuga who was enjoying riding Naruto. She had dirty little fantasies about doing this when she could get him alone again as they crossed the river unknown to the blond though he wondered why his lower back felt a little damp, but crossed it off as having something to do with the mist.
The group made it to Tazuna's house without any conversation except for directions from Tazuna and no encounters with enemy shinobi. After greeting Tazuna's daughter Tsunami all the jonin and Naruto gathered in Tazuna's office with Tazuna and Tsunami to discuss living arrangements, while the genin went to the living room. "Tsunami-san how many teams could you accommodate here in your house?" Yuugao asks. Tazuna was a bit put out at not being asked, but understood as his daughter was the one who kept things running in their household. "I think we can house two teams sorry we can't do more, but I'm sure the town would be willing to reimburse you for the cost of your hotel stay once we get back on our feet" Tsunami replies hoping they won't leave. "That's fine Tsunami-san" Yuugao replies. It was about what she was expecting anyway.
"This is what we'll do. We'll all stay here with 3 teams sleeping in tents surrounding the house. My team will of course be one of the teams outside and take the back yard" Yugao starts. "My team has no problem with staying outside and will take the front" Kurenai said. "Team 4 will take the side facing the woods as both your teams should be able to cover the other side" Hamaki says. "Thanks Kurenai-chan and Hamaki-san. We'll rotate every two days so that everyone takes turns being inside with the client except for my team that will stay outside near the house. We know Zabuza is watching us so we can't afford to let our guard down. He could make a preemptive strike before his help even arrives. With that said Naruto I wanted you here so I could ask you to keep about 20 clones surrounding the house and forest. I only want them to stay out of sight and observe unless someone comes around wether they look like ninja or not and inform you then you inform us" Yugao says. Naruto nods and after being followed by Tazuna and Tsunami leaves to complete his tasks.
They waited for Naruto and their clients to leave and closed the door before they continued. "So what do we do about Gato?" Kakashi asked seriously. "First we rest for today, tomorrow morning we'll scout the town and surrounding area out, tomorrow evening we train the kids, and tomorrow night we strike at Gato" Yugao informs everyone. She waits until she receives nods from everyone. "Anko and Hamaki I have a mission for you" Yugao starts.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票