AN| A big thanks to my new Beta Reader Rainpath of Thunderclan, who was of great help in editing this chapter.
The infiltration of the Kiri prison camp had seemed to go simply enough. Kakashi had stowed himself under a supply cart, using his chakra to anchor himself to the cart's bottom. He feared his silver hair would ruin any attempt of infiltration, so he had ditched his usual black face mask for a muddy brown balaclava that covered his whole head. He had held his breath when the cart was stopped for inspection. Fortunately the security of the camp seemed to be overconfident in their abilities and they didn't check under the cart.
When the cart stopped to unload its cargo, Kakashi silently lowered himself to the ground and waited until the guards turned away to carry off some of the supplies. Upon doing a quick inspection to ensure that there was no one around, he crawled out from under the cart and quickly buried himself within a bush. From the safety of the bush, Kakashi inspected the position of the sun lowering itself over the western horizon. He would only have to wait a half hour or so before he could begin the operation in earnest. Upon spying a single guard approaching his bush, he waited for the man to pass before he reached out from the bush and pulled the guard in with him. His hand clamped around the guard's mouth as he drew the trident kunai Minato had given to him as a gift and pressed it to his throat.
"Make a sound louder than a whisper," Kakashi whispered, "And you'll find yourself missing your throat." Kakashi could see sweat start to bead the man's skin. The guard was more a boy than a man, just a few years older than Kakashi in fact. "Do you understand?" The guard nodded. "Good. Give me your name and rank."
Kakashi carefully removed his hand from the guard's mouth. He seemed to believe Kakashi's threat, for when he answered, it was in a whisper. "Kyosuke Akamizu, Chunin."
"Kyosuke, where's Rin Nohara?"
"I think he's waking up." Sakura's voice was the first thing Kakashi heard as he came back to himself. "Kakashi-sensei are you okay?"
The silver haired jonin groggily opened his eyes, only to immediately shut the left one to avoid having his sharingan drain anymore of his chakra. "Water." He groaned. Sakura nodded and gestured to someone Kakashi couldn't see. A few moments later a woman he didn't know appeared in his field of vision holding a cup. Wearily Kakashi took the cup and reached up to pull his mask down to drink, only to touch his bare face. A look of confusion stretched across Kakashi's face.
"We had to take your mask off while you slept," The woman explained, "To give you some water so you didn't dehydrate."
'Well there goes my air of mystery.' Kakashi thought as he drank the water. It felt wonderful to his parched throat. "How long was I out?"
The woman answered. "Your students and my father brought you here two days ago. Sakura and I have been taking care of you since."
'Two days huh. No wonder I feel so stiff.' Kakashi tried to prop himself up on his elbows but found he lacked the strength. "My apologies for being such a burden miss…"
"Tsunami." The woman provided, "And don't worry about it. After you and your students saved my father, it was the least I could do."
Speaking of Tazuna and his students, "Where are Sasuke and Naruto?"
"They're with Tazuna, guarding him while he works on the bridge." Sakura stated.
"What time will they return?"
"They should be finishing up for the day." Tsunami said. "Inari." Kakashi turned to see a little boy wearing coveralls and a fisherman's hat step into the room. Tsunami's son, Kakashi guessed. "Could you go see if Grandpa and the others are on their way back?" The boy nodded before he ran off.
"Now then." Kakashi grunted as he pushed himself to his elbows, "Where's my mask?"
"You think Kakashi-sensei has woken up yet?" Naruto asked as he, Sasuke, and Tazuna walked back from the construction site. "I want to start training again as soon as possible."
"I agree." Sasuke replied, biting into the temptation to rattle Naruto's cage a little bit. "Ever since I started training with him, sparring with you has gotten way too easy."
"What was that you smug little bastard?" Naruto hissed, "In case you forgot, I beat you yesterday."
"Sakura said it was a tie."
"Oh come on, she's biased towards you and you know it."
While his two guardians argued, Tazuna couldn't help but smile. Ever since they had arrived back in town, the two children before him had been training with one another whenever they weren't busy watching over him. Having seen their fight against Zabuza and watched them train a few times, Tazuna had decided that he was wrong about them. They could definitely handle any thugs Gato sent. And once Kakashi was back on his feet, Tazuna was sure that even if Gato could hire another man like Zabuza, they meet would end up meeting the same fate. Things were finally looking up for their little country.
"Fine if that's how you want it we'll have a tie breaker when we get back." Naruto declared, a smile across his face.
"You're on." Sasuke replied as Tazuna's grandson Inari ran up to them.
"The silver man's awake." He told them, looking at them with his dispassionate eyes. It took the two genin a moment to realize that Inari was talking about Kakashi.
"How's he doing?" Naruto asked in rapid fire succession, "Can he move? Is he a cripple? Oh God he's a cripple isn't he? Why? Why are the fates so cruel?" His questions were only stopped by a hard thump to the back of his head. "What the hell was that for?"
"For being a loud mouth idiot." Sasuke replied before turning to the small child. "How is our sensei?"
"How should I know?" Inari looked to his grandfather. "I'm going down to the docks." As the small boy left Tazuna just shook his head.
"What's his problem?" Naruto asked rubbing the back of his head.
"It's a long story." Tazuna said. "Now come on. Tsunami should have dinner ready by the time we get back, and I'm sure your sensei wishes to speak with you." But Naruto was looking after the boy heading to docks.
"You guys go on ahead I'll catch up." Naruto said as he moved.
"Kakashi will be expecting us," Sasuke reminded him.
"With all the times that guy's been late, I think he can suffer to wait a few minutes." Naruto countered. Sasuke could only shrug in response.
"Try not to get your ass kicked this time." Sasuke called after him. Naruto gave Sasuke the one fingered salute as he walked away. Sasuke chuckled. When he saw Tazuna's questioning stare he shrugged, "It's a long story."
When they got back to the house, they found Kakashi sitting at the main table in the dining room with a plate of food before him. He was wearing his mask again and Sasuke couldn't help but wonder if Kakashi felt naked without it. He wasn't wearing his flak jacket and gloves to the dinner table, so why keep the mask? In the end, Sasuke decided it didn't matter as he took a seat next to Sakura. 'Let the man keep his strange mask fetish. Just so long as he helps me get stronger.'
"Where's Naruto?" Kakashi asked upon noticing the blond was missing.
"I think he went down to the docks." Sasuke said as he started loading food onto his plate.
"What's he doing down there?" Sakura asked, her face slightly red from the fact that from all the empty seats, Sasuke chose the one next to her.
'If it's anything like last time he's getting strangled by now.' Sasuke thought before saying. "I think he wanted to talk to Inari about something."
Kakashi nodded, "Well hopefully he gets back soon." In the back of his head Kakashi couldn't help but feel like there was a very crucial detail he was missing.
When Naruto found the docks, Inari was sitting on the edge hugging his knees to his chest. 'Well this seems familiar.' Naruto thought as he walked up behind Inari. "You ok?"
The boy jumped slightly at Naruto's voice. When he turned around Naruto could see that his eyes were puffy from crying. "I'm fine." The child lied as he hurriedly tried to wipe his eyes clear. "Why wouldn't I be?" Naruto raised an eyebrow before gesturing to his eyes. Inari just sniffed before he turned back to the water. Naruto figured the boy wanted to be left alone, and he should probably respect that.
'But when have I ever taken the hint?' Naruto thought as he sat down next the boy. "You know a friend of mine used to always go down the docks at Konoha whenever he got upset." In truth Sasuke still does. "I never really bought it when he told me nothing was wrong either. So you sure you don't want to tell me what's up? Maybe I could help."
"It's none of your business!" Inari shouted, fresh tears flowing down his cheeks. "And unless you can turn back time there's nothing you can do to help! So just shut up and leave me alone!" With that Inari stood up and ran off, leaving Naruto alone.
"Turn back time huh?" Naruto said as he watched Inari run off. "If only I could kid. If only."
It took Naruto about ten minutes to find his way back to Tazuna's. When he finally walked through the door he found everyone sitting around the dinner table eating. "Sorry I'm late." Naruto said as he took the last empty seat across from Inari, "Glad you guys didn't wait for me to eat."
"Well I figured if we ended up waiting for you, all of Tsunami's hard work cooking for us would've gone to waste." Kakashi teased, his plate already cleared. All three of his students just glared at him.
"Sensei, do you know the definition of irony?" Sakura asked. Kakashi just smiled.
"Anyway, now that I'm awake it's about time we got back to training." Kakashi stated. "Tomorrow morning we'll start working on your chakra control."
"How are we going to do that?" Naruto asked, excited at the prospect of training.
"It's a surprise." Kakashi stated, his eye smiling as always. All three of his students looked at him skeptically. "But that's for tomorrow, tonight we should have a little R&R. Naruto could you help me back to my room."
"But I'm not done eating." Naruto protested with his mouth full of half chewed food.
"Ugh, Naruto you're so gross." Sakura gagged, "Finish chewing your food before you talk."
Properly chastised Naruto swallowed his food before continuing. "Why not have Sasuke help you out? He's almost done with his."
"There's something I want to talk to about." Kakashi clarified, "Unless you want me to teach Sasuke about a super cool jutsu instead of you." What followed was the single most impressive display of speed eating anyone present had ever seen, as Naruto practically inhaled his entire plate in a single all-consuming gulp. His food gone Naruto was out of his chair and practically dragging Kakashi to his room.
"So what's this cool jutsu you were talking about?" Naruto asked as he helped lower Kakashi onto his bed. "Is it that giant water dragon you used on Zabuza?"
"Actually it's one you already know." Kakashi replied. "The Wind Claws I believe Arashi named them. Would you mind doing the jutsu for me?"
"Sure." Naruto said, slowly going through the hand seals. Once he finished he held out his right hand as a jagged line of wind chakra ran along each finger. With the jutsu performed in front of him Kakashi examined Naruto's clawed hand.
"Hmm, the claws are a little too jagged to be used as intended." Kakashi told him, "With these you'll scratch but not slice."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, a little upset he wasn't using his brother's jutsu properly.
"Wind chakra is one of the most difficult natures to master, especially in our village where it's so rare." Kakashi explained, "It requires refinement in order to maximize its cutting potential. How does the Jetstream jutsu affect your target?"
"The wind pushes against the target with the force of a strong punch." Naruto answered, "You told me so yourself."
"I did, but that's only at the beginner's level. As you get more skilled in refining your wind, each little current in the Jetstream will be capable of cutting a man to the bone. A master of that jutsu can clear an entire section of forest with a single breath. The same principle applies to every type of wind nature jutsu. Including this one." Kakashi noticed that Naruto looked lost in thought.
"So how do I get better?" he finally asked.
Kakashi smiled, "Well fortunately for you I happen to be adept at some wind jutsu, and I even helped your brother create this one, so I can help you build a foundation while we're here. Once we get back to Konoha I'll introduce you to a friend of mine who has your chakra nature. He'll help you a lot more than I can. Now go finish eating, I'm sure you're still hungry."
"Thank you sensei." Naruto bowed before he left the room. Before he reached the door however he turned to Kakashi with questioning look on his face. "Kakashi Sensei?"
"Yes Naruto?" Kakashi asked as he moved to lie down on his bed.
"How well did you know Arashi?"
Kakashi looked at his blonde student, "What do you mean?"
"You said you helped Arashi develop the Wind Claws. And when he di… went missing, I was told you were leading the team that searched for him."
Kakashi was silent for a moment. "Your brother was a good friend to me. I'm sorry I wasn't able to save him."
"It's not your fault." Naruto assured him, "You did your best."
'It just wasn't enough.' Was the unspoken truth said by both of them.
"Promise to teach Naruto a new jutsu and he's suddenly the greatest student ever." Sasuke chuckled as he and Sakura watched the blonde drag Kakashi to his room.
"Shame he was never this excited to learn at the academy." Sakura commented, "He might've actually been close to top of the class." For a moment the two imagined the 'dead last' student as a studious young man. The two of them laughed at the shared mental image of Naruto with large glasses, and his pants pulled high over his stomach. A few minutes later Naruto came back to the table.
"So what did Kakashi want to teach you?" Sasuke asked.
"He said he was going to help me with my wind style jutsu." Naruto answered somberly as he put more food on his plate. The tone did not go unnoticed by his teammates.
"What's wrong Naruto?" Sakura asked, "You're usually so excited about new training."
"What? Nothing's wrong." Naruto said, a forced smile appearing on his face. "Just hungry is all."
"I don't know why you guys are even bothering to stick around." Inari muttered, stabbing his food with his chopsticks. The three Konoha genin looked over to the young boy. "It doesn't matter what kind of training you do. Gato is still gonna kill you all if you don't get out of here."
"Oh please we already beat Zabuza." Naruto huffed, "I doubt Gato has anyone else like him under his employ. We'll be fine."
"Would you just shut up?" Inari shouted at the blonde, tears flowing from his eyes. "You don't anything about how terrible Gato is! He'll have you all killed then punish the rest of us for your stupidity!"
"Inari that's enough!" Tazuna said, slamming his fist down on the table.
"No." Naruto cut in, "Let him talk. I want to hear what he has to say."
"You all think you're strong. Gato's got enough men to take you all out." Inari continued. "He's made an example of everyone who's ever stood up to him and you'll be no different. Just like my father, you'll all die and things will be even worse for us."
"So that's it huh?" Naruto asked, "Your dad's killed by a man with a few thugs and you just give up on standing up for yourself? You just roll over and let him boss you around. Well fuck that. If I was like you I never would've been able to live with myself."
"Naruto!" Sakura shouted. "That's going too far!" Naruto didn't say another thing as he left his food covered plate and went to the room that he and Sasuke shared. A few moments of awkward silence passed before Inari pushed away from the table and, sobbing, left the room.
"Inari. Come ba..." Tsunami started going after her son.
"Wait." Sasuke cut her off, while standing from his own seat. "Let me talk to him." Tsunami looked doubtful but after some assurance from Sakura she nodded her consent.
Sasuke found Inari sobbing on the porch with his knees hugged to his chest. "Mind if I sit with you?" the Uchiha asked, startling the younger boy with his sudden appearance. Inari said nothing, so Sasuke took it as a 'if you want to' and sat next to the boy. "Naruto can be a bit rash but he means well. He understands what you had to go through."
"How would he or any of you know what I've gone through?" Inari snapped, "Your families are all waiting for you back at your village. Mine could be gone any day here."
Sasuke's expression saddened. "Well that's where you're wrong." Inari looked over to the young Uchiha, confused, "Sakura definitely has her parents waiting for her back at Konoha, and Kakashi might have someone, though I rather doubt it, but as for Naruto and myself… Naruto was orphaned at a young age. All he had to look after him was his older brother. That is until about five years ago. Naruto's brother, Arashi, was sent on a mission to capture a very dangerous criminal. This criminal was guaranteed much more dangerous than your Gato, and Arashi was a skilled ninja. He killed Arashi on that mission. No body was recovered so Naruto never even got to say goodbye. That day I think is when Naruto decided that he wouldn't ever give up."
"What did the criminal do?" Inari asked.
Sasuke had to fight the tears back, "He killed my entire clan. My mother and father, my aunts and uncles, everyone. From men as old as your grandpa to children younger than you. That monster killed everyone except me."
Inari was horrified by what Sasuke was telling him, "Who was this monster?" he asked, voice trembling, using Sasuke's word for him.
Sasuke looked Inari in the eyes, "He was my brother. So believe me when I say you aren't alone when it comes to the pain of losing someone you love. Naruto and I have both gone through what you have. Now the question is what will you do, and this goes for your country as a whole. Will you give up and let the monsters you fear rule your life? Or will you unite and stand up to them and fight them off." Sasuke gave Inari a gentle pat on the shoulder before he went back inside. Inari stared after the Uchiha and dried his eyes. He was done crying.
When night fell Kyosuke led Kakashi through the prison camp. While he was being led Kakashi memorized the route they were taking it probably wasn't the most effective route, in fact Kyosuke was probably trying to get him either lost or caught by a passing patrol, but it was all Kakashi had so he'd make the most of it. Surprisingly Kyosuke didn't lead him to any traps or ambushes and within a few minutes they were standing in front of a cage with a young woman chained up inside.
"Rin?" Kakashi whispered, just loud enough for the brunette prisoner to hear. Slowly the girl lifted her head and Kakashi found himself looking into the eyes of his target.
"Kakashi?" Rin asked. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm getting you out of here." Kakashi replied, "Open the door." Kyosuke nodded as he slowly reached for his keys. Once he unlocked the door he cautiously turned to Kakashi and stared at him quizzically.
"So what now Kakashi?" Kyosuke asked knowing what was about to happen.
"I'm sorry." Kakashi said as he pulled out a shuriken.
"As am I." Kyosuke responded reaching into a pocket on his flak jacket.
In a flash the two ninja had both thrown their weapons. Kakashi's shuriken cut into Kyosuke's neck and cut the carotid artery, while two senbon needles buried themselves into Kakashi's shoulder. Kyosuke fell to the ground and Kakashi remained standing. Within moments Kakashi had freed Rin, who promptly removed the two needles and checked if they were poisoned.
"You're lucky." Rin stated after confirming they weren't, "He was trying to put you in coma. A few more inches to the left and they would've hit your neck."
"Wouldn't that kill me?"
"Not with senbon." Rin stated. "Senbon can rarely kill."
Kakashi woke up with a start. "Oh no." he muttered as he recalled his fight with Zabuza. Why hadn't he seen it before? ANBU destroy their targets body on sight, immediately. The child had carried Zabuza, dead weight away from the battlefield.
"Senbon can rarely kill."
There was no doubt in Kakashi's mind. Zabuza Momochi was still alive.
Zabuza is still alive which means it's time for Naruto and friends to train like there's no tomorrow. Next Time: A Land of Heroes Part 2: Advancement