DISCLAIMER – Naruto and Naruto Shippuden belongs to Kishimoto alone. Anything resembling this fic is purely coincidence
Past
INNER SAKURA
Thoughts
Jutsu
The mission had continued as if nothing had happened. Despite the fact that Tazuna had lied to the fact that this mission was supposed to be a B-ranked mission, due to the fact that Tazuna is the target of hostile shinobi, Team 7, Kiba, and Hinata had decided to continue their mission. However, this time, the party had to keep their eyes and ears open to their surroundings for the duration of the trip.
Days had passed since the unexpected incident. After walking for a while, the group had decided to stop by at a riverside. "All right, everyone," Kakashi announced, "Let's take a break here."
Kiba gladly set the carriage into parking, before waving his arms around, trying to get the stiffness of moving heavy objects out of his muscles. "Man, I could use the stretching!" Akamaru hopped off from the carriage and yawn and stretched, before being picked up by Kiba.
"Hinata-san, let's go play in the river!" exclaimed the happy Sakura.
"S-sure!" replied Hinata, before she ran after Sakura to the river. Both girls removed their sandals, before dipping their feet into the river. Sakura and Hinata gasped and squealed in delight due to the natural cold temperature of the running water. Sakura and Hinata hopped around the river, trying to get used to the cold, before finally, their body had gotten used to the cold water running through their feet.
"This feels so good..." Sakura sighed in delight.
As the girls had begun walking around in the river, enjoying the water, Kakashi walked up to Naruto, who still had bandages wrapped around his left hand. "How are you feeling, Naruto?" asked Kakashi.
"I'm okay," replied Naruto, "My hand doesn't hurt anymore. Although, I have to admit, it was kind of scary, with that poison and all."
"Well, I can sympathize," chuckled Kakashi, "Here, let me check your bandages." Kakashi took Naruto's left hand and began unwrapping the bandages. After carefully unwrapping the bandages, Kakashi saw that Naruto's left hand had completely healed. Of course, the jonin knew the reason behind Naruto's healed cut.
"Well, it looks like your cut is completely healed," noted Kakashi, "I think it should be okay now."
"That's a relief," sighed Naruto.
While the party was giving themselves a well-deserved break, Sasuke took this opportunity to speak with Tazuna, who was sitting on his carriage of building supplies. "Hey, Tazuna," Sasuke called.
"What is it?" asked Tazuna.
"There's something I want to ask you." Sasuke dug into his pocket and took out the photograph of Itachi. The young Uchiha then showed the photograph of his older brother to the old bridge builder. "This man in the photograph, have you seen someone like him before?"
"Hmm...nope. 'Can't say that I have," answered Tazuna, as he eyed the photograph for a second, "Friend of yours or something?"
".........No," Sasuke answered, after a moment of silence, before walking away from Tazuna.
Sasuke walked up to a nearby tree to prop himself up against it. Seeing that there was nothing to do, the only thing for him to do was to just sit around until Kakashi gives the word to leave. Sasuke saw no point in acting like a child playing in the river, he didn't want to talk with Kakashi or Naruto, and Tazuna didn't know anything about Itachi. All that was left to do now is wait.
Sakura noticed Sasuke leaning up against a tree, just acting like his cool self. "Hey, Hinata-san, I'll be right back," Sakura notified.
"Okay," responded Hinata.
Sakura got out of the river and placed her sandals back on, before approaching her best friend, who was still leaning up against the tree. "Hey, Sasuke-kun, are you okay?"
"...I'm fine," assured the calm Sasuke.
"Why are you standing here all by yourself?" asked the curious Sakura.
"...There's not really anything for me to do," said Sasuke, "I'm just waiting for Kakashi's go-ahead."
"Well, you might as well relax for a while. We still have some time left," offered Sakura.
"I never relax," retorted Sasuke.
"Oh...well, that's too bad," smiled Sakura, "Do you mind if I sit right here, next to you?"
"...Do whatever you want," said Sasuke.
"Thanks." Sakura gently took her seat next to Sasuke, sitting at the base of the tree, next to the meditative Sasuke. "...So, how do you like the mission so far?"
"It's better than D-ranked missions," Sasuke simply answered, not saying much.
"Well, yeah, we did get to see a lot of action," Sakura simply smiled, "You were also amazing back there, Sasuke-kun. I never knew you were so strong."
"I train mostly in my spare time," said the calm Sasuke.
"......Thank you, Sasuke-kun," Sakura spoke up, after a moment of silence.
"For what?" asked Sasuke.
"For help me and Kiba back there, when we were protecting Tazuna-san," replied Sakura.
"...Don't mention it," Sasuke simply replied.
Sasuke and Sakura regained their moment of silence once more, until they noticed Kakashi signaling everyone. "All right, everyone! Break time is over!" announced Kakashi, "Let's resume our mission."
"Yes sir!" responded the genins, minus Sasuke.
Sasuke and Sakura took back their backpacks that sat by the river. The two friends then proceeded to help Kiba and Hinata move Tazuna's supply carriage. Once again, the party set off to the Country of Waves, with Naruto playing the wannabe leader. Now that the party was fully rested, they now had the strength to move the carriage without having to take a break for a while.
After a long walk through the woods, day and night, the party had arrived at a docking station early in the morning, with some dock workers working on some boats, bringing in delivery supplies, etc. The ocean, leading to the Country of Waves, gave way to the morning mist, which blocked everyone's view of the ocean, as well as the distant lands ahead. Kakashi signaled the party to standby while he himself approached one of the dock workers.
"Who's in charge here?" Kakashi asked a dock worker.
"Who wants to know?" replied what happens to be a foreman.
"I'm a jonin from Konoha," Kakashi pointed out his forehead protector, "We're on an urgent mission and we need to get to the Country of Waves."
"The way there is full of mist, you can hardly see what's going on out there," warned the foreman.
"No need to worry, we have a certain girl who can guide us," assured Kakashi, as he eyed Hinata, "Besides, we can't afford to waste any time waiting. We need to get across as soon as possible, no exceptions."
The foreman sighed. As much as the foreman tried to warn, he realized there was no changing Kakashi's mind. "...What do you need?"
"We'll need three large boats to help carry some of the supplies we're delivering there as well, and one ferryman to help us get across. The rest of us can steer the boat ourselves," said Kakashi.
"All right, we'll get it ready," replied the foreman. Soon, the foreman began shouting orders to one of his workers, while Kakashi went back to his party.
"We're going to be going by boat from here on, so Sasuke, Sakura, Kiba, and Hinata, we're going to leave the carriage and carry the supplies ourselves for the rest of the trip," informed Kakashi.
"That's going to take a lot of manpower, Kakashi-sensei," noted Kiba, "Some of these supplies are heavy."
"Kiba's right," agreed Sakura, "It's going to take a long time for us to deliver all of these to our destination."
"No need to worry," assured Kakashi, "We have all the manpower we could get. Naruto, when we get across, I need you to use your Kage Bunshin to help carry some of the load."
"Roger!" Naruto exclaimed as he saluted Kakashi.
After the party came to an agreement, the foreman approached Kakashi and his party. "Everything is ready to go, sir," notified the foreman, "But I have to warn you, we can't use the engine all the way, so we're going to have to go by our oars instead."
"Why c-can't we use t-the engines?" asked Hinata.
"Trust me when I say this, but it will be much safer across. Just take my word for it," convinced the foreman.
"...Very well," nodded Kakashi, "Sasuke, Kiba, you'll have to row your own boats, but stay close."
"You got it," replied Kiba.
"All right, let's get to work," Kakashi ordered his party.
Kakashi stayed by Tazuna's side, while the genins were put to work in getting the boat set up and loading the supplies in. Naruto and Kiba helped Hinata carry some of the heavy supplies, considering Hinata's fragile physique. Meanwhile, Sasuke and Sakura helped each other load in some of the other supplies into the boat. Occasionally, while the genins were working, Sasuke would move away from the group to ask some of the dock workers. Unknown to the other genins, Sasuke would show the dock workers a picture of his elder brother, asking if any of them had sightings of him. Unfortunately, for the young Uchiha, Sasuke's search turned up nothing again.
Finally, Naruto, Kiba, and Hinata had loaded in the last of the building supplies into the boats. "Man, that was tiring," sighed the exhausted Kiba.
"Yeah, I'm starting to get cramps in my shoulder," complained Naruto, as he waved his arm in a circular motion to make the cramp go away.
"Um, t-thank you, Kiba-kun...N-Naruto-kun..." Hinata said shyly, blushing to the fact that Naruto was right next to her.
"No problem, Hinata," Naruto responded, "By the way, are you okay, Hinata? Your face is kind of red."
"Wha--? Oh...i-it's n-nothing... I-I-I'm okay..." Hinata assured, as she turned around, hiding her blush from Naruto.
Naruto raised one of his eyebrows with a puzzled look on his face. Weird...
"Kakashi, we're finished!" Sasuke informed Kakashi.
"All right," nodded Kakashi, "How is your Byakugan?"
"Oh, it's, um, n-not as g-good as N-Neji-nii-san's, b-but I k-know how to use it," replied Hinata.
"That'll do," nodded Kakashi, "While we're sailing, we need you to be on the lookout for us, since we can't see in the mist."
"I-I'll do my b-b-best," stuttered Hinata.
"That's all I ask," smiled Kakashi, "All right, everyone, let's head out."
Upon Kakashi's say-so, the party boarded their respective boats, ready to depart to a new land. A land that was very foreign to the genins. Sasuke took an oar in his hand and began to set sail with Sakura riding on the boat with him. Kiba used an oar to set sail as well, with Hinata going along for the ride. Meanwhile, Kakashi, Naruto, and Tazuna set sail on their own boat, with a ferryman helping them get across to the land.
Thanks to Hinata's Byakugan, the party were sailing smoothly across the ocean. Nothing disturbed them. The only thing that the party could hear was the sound of the ocean waves moving about. While the party were sailing, Tazuna was still on the lookout for any more shinobi that might come out to get him, just like the last time. Seeing this, Kakashi knew that there was more to Tazuna's story than he read...
The sun was barely rising, and the mist was not lifting at all. "We should be able to see the bridge soon," informed the ferryman, "If we continue alongside of the bridge, we should be in the Country of Waves soon."
While the party sailed through, it seemed as if the mist was about to give them a clear vision of what was ahead. "Oh my..." said the astonished Hinata, as she continued to watch through her Byakugan.
"So this is it." Kakashi realized what Hinata saw.
The upon moving through the mist, the party had finally gotten a clear vision of what Hinata saw. It was the bridge that Tazuna himself was building, towering over the entire party. There were a lot of construction vehicles around, ranging from cranes, bulldozers, trucks, etc. The bridge was still, obviously, under construction, but it was still amazing, especially with a bridge this big.
"It's so huge!" yelled the joyful Naruto.
"Hey, keep it down, kid!" scolded the ferryman, "We're using these boats and hiding in the mist right now. That's why we're using oars instead of our own engines to get across. You don't want to get caught, do you?"
"What are you afraid of, man?" scoffed Kiba, "There's no one out here."
"Tazuna, before we reach the pier, there's something I want to ask you," Kakashi spoke up, "It's about those two chuunins that tried to assassinate you, and their reasons behind it. Are you going to tell us what's going on, or shall we abort the mission by the time we get to the pier?"
Tazuna remained silent, with Kakashi and the rest of the party watching him intently. "...All right," Tazuna spoke after a moment of silence, "I'll tell you the whole story...more like, my story." Tazuna took the time to compose himself. "You're right, Kakashi. This entire mission is not in your job description. There is a man that is after my life."
"A man?" asked Kakashi, "Who is he?"
"You may have heard his name from somewhere," said Tazuna, "He's the head of a marine transportation company. A billionaire, named Gato."
"Gato?" Kakashi was surprised after hearing the name, "The same Gato of the Gato Company?"
"Who is he?" asked Sasuke.
"He's one of the richest men in this world," answered Kakashi.
"He's the head of the marine transportation company...on the outside at least," continued Tazuna, "But on the inside, that's a different story. Gato is actually a smuggler, who employs gangs and shinobis for his smuggling operations. Gato is a dealer of drugs and contraband. Aside from that, he is also a man who takes pleasure in takeover in other companies and countries. A year ago, he began to target the Country of Waves. Ever since, he's been using violence and his wealth as leverage against the people, and he easily took over the island's sea traffic and transportation. On an island, like the Country of Waves, if you control the sea, that means you control the wealth, politics, and even the people of this island. ...But there is one thing that Gato fears. He fears that the bridge will be completed. This bridge has been under construction for quite some time."
"I see now," realized Sakura, "As long as you're constructing this bridge, you're an obstacle to this Gato person."
"It all makes sense, now," said Sasuke, "Gato was the one who sent those shinobi after us."
"But what I don't understand is this: if Gato employs shinobis into his ranks, why did you fail to tell us that when you came to us?" questioned Kakashi.
"Because, in truth, we are a poor country," answered Tazuna, "Even the feudal lord doesn't have money to support us." Kakashi realized it now. Now it all makes sense to the jonin. "Even we don't have much, either. We just don't have that kind of money to request a B-ranked mission or above. If you back out now, Gato will surely succeed when he takes my life... But, I wouldn't blame you. Although, it would send my eight-year-old grandson crying and crying and crying until he can't cry anymore." Sakura and Naruto gave Tazuna a weird look when the bridge builder became overdramatic. "As for my daugher, she will surely be holding Konoha responsible for my death and live a lonely life." Everyone grumbled over with the man's facts. "But, I wouldn't blame you."
As much as Kakashi disliked the man over stating these facts, he realized that he had a point. Backing out now would not only have consequences for Tazuna's life, but also Konoha's reputation for years to come. "Well, I guess we have no choice..." sighed the defeated Kakashi.
"I can't believe you, Tazuna," said the resentful Kiba.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that from you, Kakashi," smiled Tazuna. Score one for the "bad guy."
"We're almost there," the ferryman announced quietly. Ahead of the party, they were about to come across a canal. "Tazuna, it looks like we haven't been noticed yet."
"Thanks for the help," said Tazuna.
Soon enough, the party guided their boats into the canal system.
It was dark, and the only thing that illuminated their path was the series of lights that led all the way down to the end of the tunnel. Light appeared at the end, which means that the morning sun is about to appear.
The party soon found themselves outside of the tunnel, in time to see the sun shining above them. The port town was a view to behold. Although it was quiet, due to the fact that it was too early to be working, it was certainly a nice view from where they were. Naruto took in the view in astonishment.
"This is a nice view," commented Kiba, as he continued rowing.
"I'll say," agreed Naruto.
After taking in the sight of the port town, the party docked their boats to a nearby docking area. Kakashi and Naruto got off of their boat. "You ready, Naruto?"
"Ready when you are," responded Naruto.
Kakashi and Naruto formed a standard hand seal. Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! With a big puff of smoke, several clones of Naruto and Kakashi appeared before the party. "All right, everyone. Help carry the load," Kakashi ordered clones.
With assistance with the genins, Naruto and Kakashi got the load of building supplies from the boat. Because there were still heavy boxes to carry, Naruto and Kakashi kept their Kage Bunshins around to carry most of the heavy loads.
"This is as far as I go," informed the ferryman, "I hate to say this, but you guys are on your own from here on."
"We appreciate the help," said Kakashi.
"Thanks again," said Tazuna, as he bid farewell to the ferryman, who began sailing back with the two other boats tied behind his. "All right, take me back home," Tazuna requested the party.
"All right, let's go," responded Kakashi. While Kakashi carried some of the load, as well as the genins and his clones, Kakashi sighed as he realized something about the recent events. If they're going to attack again, they're going to send jonin level instead of chuunin levels instead. ...Well, it looks like it can't be helped...
Meanwhile, in some kind of secret hideout, Gato, along with some of his henchmen, consisting of hired shinobis and thugs, sat face to face towards someone who hid his face in the shadows.
"Zabuza should be on his way to that bridge builder," informed Gato to the mysterious person sitting across from him, "Are you sure he was the right person to send?"
"Everything will go according to plan, Gato," the mysterious shinobi assured, "You and Zabuza are alike. Though you are just a business man from the underworld, and he is an outcast of his own people, the two of you have ambition. Both of you desire power, and will do whatever it takes to grab that power. Zabuza may be an out-of-control genius of murder, but with him helping you, you will surely get what your heart desires."
"Heh, I don't like Zabuza myself, but I like the way you put it," smirked Gato, "But tell me, how will this benefit you? After all, it was you who told me that that Tazuna person was going to build his so-called bridge, and ruin my business operations. What do you get out of this?"
"Being that that answer is strictly confidential, I will tell you this: my purpose in this operation is neither money nor power," the mysterious shinobi replied, "I'm after something that is of far more value than money and power. And this operation will spark the beginning of everything."
"Neither money nor power, eh?" said Gato, "Well, you're a strange kind of business man. Speaking of money and power, you do remember our end of the bargain, right? If I get rid of the bridge builder, I gain access to all the trade routes around the world, right?"
"Don't worry, Gato," the mysterious shinobi waved off, "Provided that the assassination is a success, you will have your reward."
"Heh heh, you know what? I think you and I are going to get along just fine..." Gato smiled evilly.
The party continued to travel through the woods in the new foreign land that they had just landed on. While carrying the loads with them, Sasuke seemed to be faring well, as his natural walking speed seems to be catching up to Naruto's slow-paced walk. Naruto felt an enormous amount of resentment and jealousy, dating back to when Sasuke proved to be more powerful than Naruto when he fought those two chuunins. I'm not going to let Sasuke outdo me like the last time. Naruto took point ahead of the party and looked left and right for any sign of enemies, when there is obviously no sign of them around. Suddenly, the party heard rustling in a nearby bush. "Over there!" Naruto immediately threw his kunai into the bush, alerting everyone, but Sasuke...only to hear nothing but a squeak. "Oh, it's just a mouse."
Sakura, Kiba, and Tazuna were beyond relieved, they were completely enraged by Naruto's complete lack of common sense. "Don't show off when you know there's nothing there!" scolded Sakura.
"What were you thinking, stupid!?" yelled the angry Kiba.
"Naruto, you shouldn't waste your kunais like that," advised the disappointed Kakashi.
"Naruto-kun..." Hinata said quietly.
"Hey, you little midget! Are you trying to give us a heart attack!?" yelled the enraged Tazuna.
"But I see someone hiding over there," Naruto continued searching, "No, wait, over there?" Kakashi and the rest of the party heard another rustling from behind another bush. "No, over there!" Naruto threw another kunai into another bush, hoping to defeat a hidden enemy to outshine Sasuke in front of everyone.
"Will you cut it out!?" Sakura came up behind Naruto and gave him a well-deserved scolding punch to Naruto's head.
"B-b-but I could have sworn I sense someone there," Naruto reasoned.
"Yeah, well then why are you just throwing your kunais wherever you please!?" demanded Kiba. Kakashi noticed something strange behind the bush where Naruto threw his last kunai. Behind the bush, there was a white rabbit that was frightened out of its life, with a kunai pinned up against a tree above its head. Sakura, Kiba, and Naruto looked to where Kakashi was looking, only to find the frightened white rabbit. "Now look what you've done, stupid! You could have killed the little guy!"
"Naruto, how could you!?" scolded Sakura.
"Oh my God!" exclaimed the shocked Naruto, as he realized his ultimate mistake, "I'm so sorry, rabbit. I didn't mean to." Naruto picked up the rabbit in his arms, trying to comfort the still frightened rabbit.
As Kakashi watched Naruto comfort the rabbit, he noticed that something was out of place. Sasuke walked up to see the white rabbit as well, and he noticed something about it as well. Sakura noticed the two shinobi eyeing the rabbit as well. "Is there something wrong, Sasuke-kun?" asked Sakura.
"It's the rabbit," replied Sasuke, as he narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"What about it? It's just an ordinary rabbit, isn't it?" asked the confused Sakura.
"Not exactly, Sakura," said Kakashi, "It's a snow rabbit."
"A snow rabbit?" said the surprised Sakura, "What would it be doing out here?"
Kakashi looked around the place in suspicion. They only have white fur during the winter. ......That can only mean that it was raised in a place where the sun isn't a bother for a replacement technique.
Suddenly, Akamaru started barking loudly, alerting Kiba. "What is it, boy?"
Akamaru continued barking about, until Kakashi realized why the puppy was barking. "Everyone, get down!" As if on cue, a spinning blade charged towards the party.
Kakashi dove for Tazuna, attempting to shield the old man from the incoming blade. Sasuke did the same for Sakura, ducking with her from the incoming blade. Kiba shielded both Naruto and Hinata from the attack, keeping them on the ground, until the incoming blade pinned itself to a tree, high in the air.
With the blade pinned to the tree, a shinobi appeared out of nowhere, standing on the handle of his gigantic sword. Kakashi seemed to recognize who this shinobi is. You're... "I recognize you," Kakashi spoke up, "You're Momochi Zabuza, a missing-nin from the Hidden Village of the Mist. Everyone, stand back. He's not like the guys we fought."
"You must be Copy Ninja Kakashi, the Sharingan user," said Zabuza.
Sasuke looked at Kakashi when he heard the name "Sharingan user." Since when could Kakashi use the Sharingan?
"I'm only here for the old man," announced Zabuza, "Hand him over, and I might let you all live."
To be continued...