Naruto: Sage of Konoha
Chapter 11
Building Bridges
"I can't believe this," cackled Tazuna as about one hundred Naruto's ran around using superior strength and speed to assist in building the bridge. There were whisker marked blondes running all over the place, carrying lumber and metal to the actual workers, keeping watch for Gato's thugs or any ninja attacks and even bringing lunch for the workers. "Our production rate has quadrupled! This is the best thing to happen since I discovered whiskey!"
"That's really high up on your list isn't it?" the real Naruto grumbled next to him, sitting cross legged on Gama's back while he meditated on his chakra control. Gamakichi was sitting in his lap, snacking on some bugs Naruto had caught with him that morning.
"Don't lip me!" snapped Tazuna. Gama released a croaking chuckle.
"Maybe Kakashi should know how the bridge is going," said Gamakichi, nodding wisely.
"I'll send a shadow clone to Kakashi-sensei to deliver a status report," said the Genin, summoning a clone and sending it towards his Sensei.
They had been at this for the last two days and the bridge was quickly nearing completion. Naruto had spent his time with Tazuna focusing entirely on learning better chakra control and practicing his Fuuinjutsu. Jiraiya had given him a work book to do during down time so he could learn a bit while on missions and it was serving him well. He was currently working on a new seal, but refused to tell anyone what it was.
At the same time, Kakashi had put Sasuke and Sakura to work on the tree climbing exercise in the woods to help their chakra control and hopefully boost their stamina. Sakura had finished on her first try, but Sasuke was still working at it, improving slowly with each try.
"Naruto-kun!" yelled a voice behind them. Naruto dropped his meditation and turned around, grinning as Nami ran up to him with a basket in her hands. Gamakichi groaned audibly and rolled his eyes. "Tsunami-san had me bring lunch for you both."
"Thanks," said Naruto, pulling out some sealed bowls of soup and handing one to Tazuna with a plastic spoon. The two of them opened their bowls and inhaled the smell of the soup. Fish stew with veggies and a fresh baked loaf of bread. They grinned at eachother and dug in, Nami, climbing onto Gama's back to eat her own lunch, some soup and bread. Tsunami had made extra for her.
The four of them ate in silence for a while until Naruto broke it.
"Tsunami-san is a really good cook," said Naruto.
"I don't know how you can eat that," said Gamakichi, popping a grub into his mouth and croaking in delight. Naruto flicked the back of his head and they glared at eachother.
"Her mother taught her," said Tazuna. "I can't cook worth shit myself."
Naruto chuckled and looked back at Nami.
"You like sitting on Gama?" he asked her.
"We aren't chairs," snapped Gamakichi, glaring in Nami's direction. "Not just anyone can meditate with toads."
"Shut up," said Naruto. Gamakichi croaked at him indignantly. "What is your problem?"
"Nothing," said Gamakichi, returning to his snack. "Nothing at all."
"Are you sure Gamakichi-chan?" asked Nami, looking over Naruto's shoulder. Gamakichi glared at her and she winced, sitting back down on Gama and eating some bread.
"So," she said after swallowing. "With your clones doing all the work, what are you up to?"
"Well," said Naruto. "I suppose I can tell you guys if you don't tell Sasuke because the moment he finds out he's going to be demanding I do it for him too."
"You can't just tell everybody!" said Gamikichi hotly. "If everybody knows then it's useless in a fight! You're too trusting of certain people."
"It's okay Gamakichi," croaked Naruto, patting the toad a bit too roughly on the head. "Nami and Tazuna are cool, so do you guys wanna hear about it?"
"It's a bad idea," said Gamakichi, but Naruto shoved him into his robe.
"What is it?" said Tazuna, drinking the rest of his soup and placing the container back in the basket.
Naruto drank the rest of his soup as well and tossed his bowl in with Tazuna's.
"I'm making a seal," he said. "To put all over my body. It'll react to a certain hand seal and I can charge chakra into the seal. It'll either make my body lighter or heavier depending on the hand seal."
"Chakra?" said Nami with a bit of confusion.
"Ignorant!" yelled Gamakichi from inside of Naruto's robes. "I told you!"
Naruto slapped his chest, silencing the little toad.
"Ninja magic," said Tazuna, getting Naruto to croak indignantly and puff out his cheeks.
"No!" he yelled, shaking his fist. "It's the life energy in our bodies that can be used to perform jutsu!"
"Ninja magic," said Nami, taking another bite of her bread.
"Screw you guys," said Naruto, crossing his arms. "I'mma bring sealing back! I'm gonna make it the greatest ninja art ever seen!"
"You're starting to sound like a diabolical wizard," said Nami blandly while she placed her bowl in the basket and picked it up, brushing crumbs off of her shirt. Naruto glared at her with disdain. Nami giggled and waved at them, running back to Tazuna's house to drop off the basket and dishes.
"She's cute," said Tazuna, stretching as one of his workers brought him some schematics.
"If you're into… brown hair… and boobs," grumbled Gamakichi, poking his head out of Naruto's shirt. He was in an incredibly bad mood lately.
"Yeah," said Naruto with a light blush, ignoring Gamakichi.
"Careful brat," said Tazuna. "Women are dangerous. They may seem sweet and innocent one second, and then boom! You're a daddy, and then bam! A granddaddy and then super whazam! You've got ninja's after your life and you're too drunk to figure out why!"
"Tazuna-san," said Naruto slowly. "Are you hiding a flask on you?"
"Shut up."
"I know what you mean about crazy women though. I've had my fair share."
Sakura was sitting on top of a branch in the forest while she gave Sasuke pointers on tree climbing. She was humming to herself and kicking her legs when she had a sneezing fit and fell out of the tree. Haku was sitting next to Kakashi on the forest floor and began giggling at Sakura's tumble.
"What's so funny?" screeched the pinkette, rubbing her butt painfully as she staggered to her feet.
"What's funny," said Haku. "Is you Konoha shinobi's amazing strength yet horrible clumsiness."
Kakashi looked over at Haku in surprise. The two of them were sitting cross legged against a tree. They didn't trust Haku by herself in the house with just Tsunami and Inari.
"Your mood seems to have improved," said Kakashi. Haku cleared her throat and looked at some bushes nearby.
"I am your prisoner," she said. "So I have to make the best of it."
"That's a shitty attitude," said Naruto as he leapt in from the trees above, landing in a crouch.
"Naruto," said Sakura loudly. "You're supposed to be protecting Tazuna-san."
"Don't worry Sakura," said Kakashi. "This is just a shadow clone."
"How can you make so many of those copies?" demanded Haku. She obviously still hated Naruto for beating her to a pulp.
"Trade secret," said Naruto who scratched the back of his head. "The bridge is going smoothly sensei. Tazuna-san said it should be done within the next few days."
"Good," said Kakashi. "If the bridge is finished then Zabuza will have no qualm with us."
"Untrue," said Haku. "Zabuza-sama wants to fight you again Kakashi-san. Badly. He will hunt you to the ends of the earth until you are dead."
"That's depressing," said the Jounin.
"Even if he doesn't get paid?" asked Naruto. Haku nodded.
"Good," said Sasuke from the highest branch of the tree he was told to climb. "We'll be ready for him. Without you backing him up, it'll be a cakewalk."
"Don't be overconfident Sasuke," said Kakashi. "It'll more than likely get you killed."
"I know I'm not on your level sensei," said Sasuke, sitting on the tree branch. So he had learned some humility. "But I can at least back you up."
"That's all I ask," said Kakashi with a smile.
"You people," said Haku, looking in between the four of them. "You are so… different."
"We're a team," said Naruto-clone, grabbing Sakura into a one armed hug. She glared evilly at him. "If we can't get along then we can't work together."
Sakura tried to punch the clone but he avoided it to keep himself from dispelling and having Naruto send a new one to scream at Sakura for wasting his time and making his point invalid.
"Are all leaf ninjas like this?" Haku asked Kakashi, who smiled.
"All of them," said Kakashi. "Even the Hokage."
"Your leader?"
"Hokage-jiji is awesome!" said Naruto, throwing his fists into the air and stamping around happily. "He buys me and Dad dinner sometimes when we share our research with him!"
"Research?" asked Haku. "Are you and your father weapons or jutsu developers?"
"Don't ask," called Sasuke. "You really don't want to know."
"They are authors," said Kakashi uneasily, scratching the back of his head.
"So Konoha is culturally diverse," said Haku. "Zabuza-sama and I come from Kirigakure. It is awful there."
"How bad is it?" asked Sakura, sitting across from Haku and their teacher. Naruto and Sasuke soon joined them. It had become a quirk of team seven to sit in circles with their legs crossed during team meetings and training sessions. Haku looked in between them a bit sadly. Not even Zabuza-sama would sit with her and talk like this.
"I have a kekkei genkai," she said. "Ice Release. The Mizukage has a policy where anyone with a Kekkei Genkai must be killed on sight, no questions asked. It's sparked a civil war in the Water Country and the side with kekkei genkai is losing. Zabuza-sama despises the Mizukage and his anti-bloodline policies, so he left, and took all of his followers with him. If Zabuza-sama stops Tazuna-san from finishing his bridge and kills you Kakashi –san, he'll have enough money to start a new faction, bring himself into the war and destroy the Mizukage's sick establishment."
She'd gotten excited during her little speech and cleared her throat.
"We've been in talks with the new village Otogakure and its Otokage to back us up since the Rice Country is close to Water Country."
"Who is the Otokage?" asked Kakashi.
"I don't know," said Haku. "I don't know his name, but I've met the man, and he's the most terrifying creature I've ever seen."
"So," said the Otokage, stepping slowly across Zabuza's bedroom, the missing-nin staring at the new arrival with a cold hard glare. "I managed to get here within a few days, and I brought my apprentice. His medical skills should get you out of bed quick enough. Now, tell me again about this Kakashi you mentioned in your letter. You say he has a Sharingan?"
"Yes," said Zabuza, staring right into the golden slitted eyes belonging to his would-be ally. "There's also an Uchiha on his team. I know because the kid wore their insignia on his back."
"Interesting," said the Otokage, licking his chops at the idea of getting his hands on full pair of Sharingan eyes. "What's in it for me if I help you?"
"You can have their eyes," said Zabuza. "I just want to kill Kakashi myself! Please! Otokage-sama!"
"We have an agreement," said the Otokage deviously. "But please. You may call me Orochimaru."
"I'm here!" griped Gato, walking in angrily. "Your little helper was no help to me at all Zabuza!"
Zabuza lurched forward and reached for Gato, his killing intent washing over the room and causing Gato to scream and stumble back, clutching at his chest. Orochimaru put a cold pale hand on Zabuza's arm, causing the missing-nin to look up at the Snake Sannin.
"Now now," said Orochimaru, pushing Zabuza's arms down. "Do not exert yourself too much. Now Gato-san, would you care to explain what happened?"
"Some kid on a giant fucking toad happened!" screeched Gato from his spot on the floor.
"Toad?" said Orochimaru with interest. "What did the child look like?"
"He was a short blonde kid with lines on his cheeks," whimpered Gato, still cowering under Zabuza's stare. "He and Zabuza's partner fought, but I don't know what happened. I got on a cargo ship and came here immediately."
Orochimaru stared at Gato for a long time, a frown marking his face. After a few moments of silence, the frown became a sinister smile, and Orochimaru began to laugh. And laugh. And laugh.
"This is bad," said Naruto. "There's no way that Otokage will let us waltz out of here alive."
"So?" said Sasuke. "We'll just have to stay and fight."
"It won't be that simple," said Kakashi. "If Zabuza returns with a single Jounin, we might not make it out of here."
"So what do we do?" asked Sakura, looking in between her teammates.
"We'll just have to call for backup," said Kakashi. "Naruto, summon the fastest toad you know."
"Got it," said Naruto, summoning a small red toad named Kosuke to his side.
Kakashi took out a sealing scroll.
"The files on Gato's opium trading is in this," he said. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small pad and pencil, writing down a quick note. "Take this scroll and note to the Hokage, and no one else."
"Got it," said Kosuke, vanishing in a puff of smoke.
"What did that note say?" asked Naruto.
"It was a call for backup," said Kakashi. "I have a feeling that the battle for the bridge may get a bit intense."
"And our last fight with Zabuza wasn't?" said Sakura sarcastically.
"Oh be quiet," said Naruto, putting his hands behind his head. "We'll be fine. Maybe the Hokage will be extra cool and send a bunch of ANBU!"
"Maybe," said Kakashi. He really hoped they didn't send Maito Gai.
When Nami got home that night, she brought dinner for her mother and sister again. This time it was shrimp dumplings and a salad for each of them.
"Mom!" she called as she entered the house. "Tazuna-san gave us dinner again!"
"That's wonderful," said a middle aged woman, plump with graying hair from the front room. She looked to be sweeping while her brother played with a few toys. "They've been so kind to us. Our vegetables will be back soon though, so we'll be able to repay the favors."
"That's good," said Nami, laying on the couch and picking up a book. It was an adventure novel she'd borrowed from her uncle down the road, about a ninja trying to break the curse that was constantly talked about in the book. Tale of the Gutsy Ninja.
"You like books like that?" her mother asked, reading over her shoulder.
"Not really," she said. "But you remember the accident at Gato's office?"
"Yes," said her mother. "Ninjas from another country went after Gato. I'd never wish death on anyone, but I hope they can at least run him out of here."
"Me too," said Nami. She hadn't told her mother about Naruto. He'd made her promise to keep his mission a secret. She continued her reading. "I heard a ninja wrote this book."
"I didn't know ninjas wrote books," her mother said, resuming her sweeping.
"Yea," said Nami, turning the page. "Uncle Inoh said it was written by one of the strongest ninjas in the Leaf. Jiraiya."
"Oh I've heard of him," her mother said, sounding a bit judgmental. "He writes dirty books! I hope that isn't one of them!"
"No," said Nami quickly. "This was written way before that."
"I'll take your word for it," said her mother. "Why are you so fascinated with ninjas? Because of what happened to Gato?"
"No," said Nami, shifting into a more comfortable position. "I just wonder if there are any ninjas like the guy in this book. A… Mom, what's the word for a person who has like… ideas where only good and cool stuff like heroics are the right thing?"
"An idealist?"
"Yeah," she said. "I wonder if there are any idealist ninjas."
"There could be," said her mother. "But I don't want to see my little girl being romanced by some ninja."
Nami giggled and continued reading.
The next day, Naruto was meditating on the bridge again with Gamakichi in his lap.
"Hey Naruto," said Gamakichi. "Do you… like girls?"
"Of course," said Naruto, his eyes shut.
"Well... would you ever… forget about me because of a girl?"
"No," said Naruto, looking down into his lap. "What would make you think that? Is that why you've been so bitchy lately?"
"I don't know," said the toad sounding depressed. "We've been buddies as long as I can remember, and now you've got eyes for that girl. She's not even a toad!"
"I'm not a toad!" said Naruto.
"Yeah, toads aren't that ugly!"
"I'll kill you!" Naruto tried to smack Gamakichi but the toad latched onto his face causing them both to tumble off of Gama's back. Gama silently rolled his eyes.
Naruto and Gamakichi rolled around on the ground for a bit until Naruto finally managed to pull him off.
"What the hell is your problem?" shouted Naruto.
"What's your problem?" Gamakichi shouted back.
"You started this!"
"I'll finish it!"
They stared at eachother for a moment and Naruto dropped Gamakichi onto the ground and they stared at each other for a moment before turning back to back.
"You're jealous," said Naruto.
"You're a traitor," said Gamakichi.
"Why would you even think that?" croaked Naruto, rounding on the small toad, who turned back to him.
"Girls!" said Gamakichi coldly. "They ruin everything!"
"They do not!" said Naruto. "They are the ultimate pass time."
"You would think that you peeper."
"You always peep with me!"
"That was before you actually liked a girl!"
"Grow up!"
"I'm four inches tall!"
"Yeah, that's why you can't eat anything bigger than a pillbug!"
"Shut up! My food is a lot better than your shitty ramen!"
Naruto went wide eyed. That was a low blow.
"You shut your mouth," said Naruto, inching as close to Gamakichi's face as he could.
"I'd say the same but you're always sucking in those slimy, smelly, shitty noodles."
Naruto was shaking now. Gamakichi smirked, knowing he'd won. He turned around and began hopping towards Tazuna's house.
"Come and see me when you've decided to come back to the men's side of the bath house!"
Naruto crossed his arms and sighed.
"What was that about?" said Sakura, who was walking with Nami towards Naruto.
"Nothing," Naruto snapped. "Gamakichi is just being an asshole."
"He doesn't seem to like me very much," said Nami, watching the little toad hop across the bridge.
"Ignore him," said Naruto. "What 's up?"
"We brought lunch," said Sakura. "I'm finished with my training and Sasuke is doing water walking exercises with Kakashi-sensei."
"That's cool," said Naruto, taking a sandwich from Sakura and digging into it. His mood was just plain sour today.
"Are you sure you're okay?" asked Nami.
"I'm fine!" he snapped, staring at his sandwich.
Nami wasn't convinced, but let the issue drop, joining the two Genin for lunch.
"You are very talented Uchiha-san," said Haku with a light smile as she watched him run laps around the surface of a pond by Tazuna's house.
"Thanks," said Sasuke, not looking at her.
"It's a good thing too," said Kakashi. "I got a very talented team. I hardly have to teach them anything."
Kakashi's nose was buried in his book as usual. Haku noticed the title and figured she'd have to find a copy for herself if it was that good.
"I'm glad I won't have to fight again then," said Haku with a light laugh.
"How the hell did Naruto beat you so badly anyway?" asked Sasuke.
"His team work with that toad was remarkable," she said bluntly. "I didn't stand a chance after he got me angry."
"He got you mad?" asked Sasuke, looking at her and stopping for a break and a drink of water. "If he has any talent, it's there."
"You respect him?" asked Haku.
"I didn't always," replied Sasuke, sitting next to her and looking at the pond. "But he got into my head one day, and it ended up with us fighting and his dad treating our class to lunch. Don't ask me how."
Haku giggled at that.
"After he convinced me to work with him during our final test to become Genin," said Sasuke slowly. "He showed me what it's all about. Don't get me wrong."
"What?" asked Haku with a quizzical expression.
"I don't plan on being a team player forever," he said. "I just need to get strong so I can get revenge on the guy that killed my clan."
"So you're an avenger," said Haku with a laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Sasuke, glaring at her.
"Oh nothing," said Haku, waving her hand. "It's just that… you remind me of Zabuza-sama. He's an avenger too. You just lack the murderous intent."
"You calling me weak?"
"Not at all," said Haku, looking into the water with a serene look on her face. "You have a goal, just like him. But you aren't a murderer. You have what it takes Uchiha-san. I believe that. But you lack the cold blooded killing intent that a real avenger needs."
"Killing intent is well and good," said Kakashi. He'd been watching their exchange closely. "But you don't need to be cold blooded. Do I look cold blooded to you?"
"No," said Sasuke, looking at his sensei.
"Does the Hokage seem cold blooded?"
"No," said Sasuke.
"Listen to me when I say this Sasuke," said Kakashi. "And do not take this advice for granted. Never forsake a friend's hand when it is offered to you. And never give up on the power of a comrade. Strength in numbers is how a ninja works. Even Zabuza knows this."
"It's true," said Haku.
"Yes," said Kakashi, clearing his throat. "Cold bloodedness may work for some. But it won't work for the shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. Our power comes from each other. Its how every Hokage we've had thinks. Its how we've come out on top of every war we've gone into. Remember Sasuke. Our bonds are what make us people. I know you want revenge on your brother. But you won't get there alone. Someday you will be strong enough to confront him. And I hope you'll allow me, Naruto and Sakura to be by your side when that day comes."
Haku stared at Sasuke for a while as the Uchiha watched the water as he mulled over Kakashi's words. Then he stood up.
"Thanks Sensei," said Sasuke, turning to look at Kakashi. "I'm going to get back to training."
"Mhm," grunted Kakashi, returning to his book. Haku watched Sasuke run out onto the water.
"These Leaf Shinobi," she thought to herself. "Are strange. I hope Zabuza-sama will listen to me. I leave tonight after all."
She looked down at her bandaged body. She also hoped the Leaf sent adequate backup. Gato was not worth her time, or Zabuza's time any more.
Several Days Later
Jiraiya and Tsunade stood side by side in the Hokage's office as Sarutobi went over Kakashi's letter for the third time. Kosuke sat on his desk patiently, croaking as the midmorning heat began to fill the room. The files containing information on Gato's opium trade were sitting next to an opened sealing scroll, Sarutobi's pipe smoking idly from its ashtray.
"So," said Sarutobi. "As you've read in those files and in this note, it appears I've unwittingly sent Kakashi and his team of Genin on an A-ranked mission. Obviously, I can't help but look at you here Jiraiya, as I could have sworn that we had a spy network for this kind of thing."
Jiraiya didn't falter under his sensei's venomous attack on his skills as an informant for Konoha. This was partially his fault as all of his efforts lately had been focused on Orochimaru's whereabouts and nothing else. Well, there was a group Orochimaru had ties with for several years, but he didn't have enough to go on to make it a concern for Sarutobi.
"I'm sorry Hokage-sama," said Jiraiya. "But my eyes have not been trained on Gato or Wave Country. My primary concern has been Orochimaru."
"Not anymore," said Sarutobi. "Right now your prime concern is the safety of my ninja, including your son. "
"What are your orders?" said Tsunade, crossing her arms. Normally she would ignore a summons from her old sensei, but when it concerned her Naruto, it was paramount.
"From what we've found out in the last year," said Sarutobi, tossing them a folder. "Is that Zabuza Momochi has entered talks with Otogakure over the conflicts in Kirigakure no Sato. It seems that the Mizukage has gone so mad that he is slaughtering anyone with kekkei genkai. Otagakure wants those kekkei genkai, so Zabuza wants them to enter the conflict and overthrow the Mizukage. While his intentions are noble, it appears that Gato is in on this deal. I want you two to investigate personally. Rendezvous with Team 7 at the bridge being built by Tazuna. If you hurry you can be there in three days. Now go!"
The two Sannin nodded and vanished as they Body Flickered away.
"Who are you Otokage?" whispered Sarutobi, reading through information reports. Needless to say, the Professor had a bad feeling.
It looks like the Hokage is sending some major reinforcements! Will they be enough to stop Orochimaru and Zabuza? Will Gato be brought to justice? Will Gamakichi and Naruto ever be friends again? Only time will tell!
102 reviews 150 favorites and 205 story alerts? I'm really happy you guys like this story so much. Not only that, the feedback I've received has really shaped the story into what it is today. If you have any ideas, any at all, please do not hesitate to leave them in a review or in a PM!
Sorry for the late post. I'll have the next chapter up tomorrow. Until then!
