(Author's Note: Apologies for the delay with this chapter, I'm not abandoning this story, I've just been reading the more recent manga chapters, and so wasn't able to focus on this story.)
"Kakashi sensei, are you alright?" Hinata asked when Kakashi suddenly collapsed to his knees.
"I'll be alright, that just took a lot out of me, I'll be fine after a little rest." Kakashi said. "Would it be alight if we spent a day or two resting at your home Tazuna?"
"After everything you've done, it's the least I could do to repay you." Tazuna said.
"Thanks." Sasuke said quickly before glancing back at the tree where the hunter ninja appeared.
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"What happened, are you telling me you failed?" Gato asked angrily as Haku walked in with Zabuza's body.
"Of course not." Haku said coldly. "Now if you excuse me I have something to attend to."
"Wait, you still have a job to do I'm paying you…" Gato began to say before Haku vanished. "That little punk, I'll teach him respect eventually."
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"Kakashi sensei, are you sure you're alright, I mean you're leg is pretty badly injured." Naruto said.
"Trust me Naruto, I'm fine, I just need some time to let myself heal, but more importantly I've decided to get in some training while we're here." Kakashi said calmly.
"What sort of training?" Sasuke asked with minor curiosity.
"Well, I think that the three of you should learn how to do this." Kakashi said before walking over to a tree, and proceeding to walk straight up the side.
"That's incredible, how did you do that Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asked eagerly.
"All it takes is using your chakra and matching it to the tree, just keep in mind that you need to be precise, too much and you'll damage the tree and fall, too little and you'll fail to even make it up one step, so ready to give it a shot?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah, and I'm going to make it to the top first try." Naruto said emphatically.
"Idiot, it won't be as easy as you think." Sasuke said.
"That's true, but maybe Naruto is more skilled than we think." Hinata said. "He did come up with the plan to save Kakashi sensei."
"Yeah, so just watch Sasuke." Naruto said before the three of them stepped up to separate trees.
Sasuke proceeded to run up a few steps before losing his footing and marking his spot with a kunai, Naruto took one step and landed on his back.
"Is this good sensei?" Hinata asked while standing near the top of the tree.
"Impressive Hinata, the Hyuga clan's chakra control is certainly impressive." Kakashi said with a smile.
"Wow, awesome Hinata." Naruto said. "Just wait, I'll get to the top before you know it."
"I know you will Naruto." Hinata said. Naruto-kun just complimented me, she thought with a smile.
Naruto and Sasuke continued climbing the trees for hours until finally they both reached the very top.
"I told you I'd make it Sasuke." Naruto said with a grin.
"True, but this is only the start." Sasuke said. "Anyway, we should head inside."
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"Wow, those two are dedicated, I'll give them that for sure." Tazuna said.
"Well that's just the kind of people Naruto and Sasuke are." Kakashi said. "Neither of them ever quit until they achieve what they're trying to do."
"What's that amazing smell?" Naruto asked as he and Sasuke walked into the room.
"That would be some soup, but I need some herbs from the forest, Naruto would you be a dear and grab those for me?" asked Tsunami.
"No problem, I'll be back before you know it." Naruto said before running off.
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"Alright, she wanted some of these, and some of these, and…" Naruto started to say when someone took the herb he was reaching for.
"Oh, did you need this?" asked a figure in a pink robe. "I'm sorry, but a friend of mine needs it for some medicine."
"Oh, no problem. I'll just grab another one." Naruto said. "Just tell your friend I hope they get better."
"I'm sure he will, you know I can't help but feel we've met before." the figure said.
"Well, soon enough everybody will know who I am." Naruto said with a grin.
"Well good luck with your dream." The figure said before getting up and turning away.
"Right, well maybe I'll see you later miss." Naruto said calmly.
"I'm a boy." the figure said before walking off.
What, that was a boy, Naruto thought in amazement. "Oh yeah, the herbs." he said before running off.
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"Where did you run off too?" Gato asked when Haku walked into the room.
"That's none of your concern, now if you don't mind I have something to attend to." Haku said before taking a small bowl and proceeding to mix several herbs together.
"You should learn your place." said one of the samurai in the room.
"Don't threaten me, or Zabuza." Haku said coldly before turning back to Zabuza and placing the mixed herbs into a cup of water and helping him to drink it.
"Haku, what happened?" Zabuza asked before looking around. "Oh I get it, well we still need to take down that bridge builder."
"Yes Zabuza, he should be at the bridge soon." Haku said.
"Alright, in that case we should move out." Zabuza said before walking to the door.
"Right." Haku said before walking out with him.
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"Alright, it's about time we move out, our mission isn't over until this bridge is completed." Kakashi said. "Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, let's go."
"Right." they all said together.
"The bridge is right over these hills, I'm sure everything will be alright though, especially with that man dead, it should be a restful day for you all." Tazuna said.
"I'd still be on my guard." Kakashi said as the four of them left for the bridge.
"This should be easy, I mean what's the worst that could happen Sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Look who's still around." said a voice from the bridge.
"This Naruto, this is the worst case scenario." Kakashi said before getting ready to fight.
(Zabuza has recovered, and now Haku is with him. Next chapter will begin the battle on the bridge. As always any reviews or critique is appreciated.)
