Chapter Three: Landing Party
The mist had mostly cleared by the time they came within sight of the shore. It was a truly eerie sight, to see the ghostly image just visible. And though they were far from where his unit had landed before, Cloud felt ill at ease. The memory of his dead comrades troubled him.
Cloud found himself getting cold and had to utilize a warming materia to ensure. Naruto peered in interest as he did so. "What's that?"
"It's a warming materia," said Cloud. "Standard issue in a soldier's kit. It isn't any good for combat. But if you are freezing, it can warm you up. The water in the Land of Waves is very cold, so getting drenched was something we had to worry about."
"Why not just use jutsu?" asked Naruto.
"I'm a westerner," said Cloud. "I can't use jutsu."
"You're a soldier when you can't even use jutsu?" asked Sasuke, voice scornful.
"How many bandits have you killed, Uchiha?" asked Cloud.
Silence.
"My united killed over a hundred just today," said Cloud simply.
"How'd you do that?" asked Naruto. "Do you have some kind of super special combination attack? Or a special materia?"
"We caught them off guard and killed them while they couldn't defend themselves," said Cloud.
"That doesn't seem very honorable," said Sakura.
"It worked, didn't it?" asked Cloud.
"This coming from the guy who got waterlogged?" asked Sasuke.
"Fifteen for over a hundred is still good numbers," said Cloud. "And some of my comrades may be alive. I didn't see all of their bodies."
"Quiet," said the rower. "We're nearly at the pier."
The boat reached a pier on the outskirts of a town. There was a path leading away from it into the woods. No one seemed about, and Cloud looked around. He would not be taken off guard again.
"There's our dropoff point," said the rower. "Once we land, you should be able to make your way along the path unnoticed. Few people come by this way, anymore."
"Thank you for your help," said Tazuna. "Still, we'll have to be on our guard. Ninja may be able to see things that Gato's men won't."
Cloud felt a real sense of reluctance.
What was he doing out here? Shouldn't he break off from them and go home? But what if he did go back to the camp. At most, he'd be the lone survivor of a destroyed group—the sort of person who appeared in one scene and never came back. Cloud wanted to be a hero, to have his name in the papers.
No one would be looking for him, and a telegraph could be used to tell the Commander. And he might be able to find valuable information or something.
Either way, they reached the pier, and Kakashi got off first. Sasuke walked past him without a word, and Tazuna came after him.
"Actually, Naruto, there is something I have to speak to you and about," said Cloud as they got off the boat. "Tazuna hired you for a C rank when he knew full well it was a B or even an A rank. And, having learned he hired you under false pretenses, you continued."
"Yeah, what's the big deal?" asked Naruto.
"All of you could die. Just like my fellow soldiers," said Cloud, wondering if he even realized how much danger he was in.
"Nah, it's no problem," said Naruto. "We have Kakashi-sensei with us, and we're really strong. I've beaten a Chunin already."
"Did you at least renegotiate your contract?" asked Cloud. That is what Shinra would do.
"Re... uh... renegotiate?" asked Naruto in surprise.
"The Leaf Village sometimes prefers to do good work for small pay," said Kakashi-sensei. "In times of prosperity, goodwill is more valuable than money."
"Unless you all die and the Land of Waves falls anyway," noted Cloud.
"What are you complaining about?" asked Sasuke. "You're planning to use us to finish the mission you botched anyway."
"I don't think you three really understand who you are facing," said Cloud. "I saw a man cut in half by a sword. Another one was speared through the neck by senbon.
"That could easily happen to you without any warning if you aren't careful. You need to take this seriously and be on guard; otherwise, all of us could end up dead."
"Fine, now just shut up and stay in the back. And don't drag us down," said Sasuke.
Cloud said nothing else for a time. There didn't seem much else to say. A wealth of different concepts turned through his mind, but none of them were workable at the moment. He'd simply have to do what he could now.
"We'd better get inland quickly. I'd hate for one of Gato's patrols to spot us," said Tazuna.
"That would be wise," said Kakashi. "However, I think it's best if I took the lead. I'd like to be a bit more cautious going forward and avoid a fight with Zabuza if possible."
And so they walked.
Naruto, however, kept looking at Cloud and eventually fell to the back of the line to walk with him. The two of them entered a path with trees close at hand on both sides, and Naruto paused. "So uh, Cloud, what are you planning on doing now?"
"Well, that depends on several things," said Cloud, peering into the forests. "Tazuna, is there a telegraph anywhere in the Land of Waves?"
"Yes, there is one in a newspaper hall," said Tazuna. "Why do you ask?"
"Then I'll have to use it to get a message through to my superiors for further orders," said Cloud. It was really his duty and best bet at the moment.
"What if you can't reach them?" asked Naruto.
"Then I finish the mission myself, I guess," said Cloud. "Not like I can just go back empty-handed."
"And how are you going to do that?" asked Naruto.
For a moment, Cloud considered all this.
"Kill Gato," said Cloud after a moment. "He's the one paying the bills, so any ninja on his payroll should head to greener pastures. Then I'll probably only have to deal with ordinary thugs after that.
"We'll have our work cut out for me."
"You really plan to take out all of them by yourself?" asked Sakura. "Why not call for backup?"
"What do you think I'm trying to do with a telegraph?" asked Cloud. "I have to complete my promise somehow."
"Promise?" asked Sakura, blinking. "You made a promise to someone?"
"Yes," said Cloud, feeling somewhat defensive on the subject. "I promised a girl in my hometown, Tifa, that I would become a member of SOLDIER. Then I journeyed to the Land of Fire's capital of Midgar and applied.
"But I didn't make it in. They said that while my grades were good, my psychological profile was unstable. But, if I become a war hero, I might be able to get a field promotion."
"That is so romantic," said Sakura. "I wish I could make a promise like that with someone someday."
"Shouldn't you be looking your comrades first?" asked Kakashi.
"No point, they're probably all dead," said Cloud with a shrug. "And if they aren't, we're better off staying scattered until after Gato bites it."
And then they heard a scream.
"No! No, please! I didn't mean to be any trouble?" said a voice.
As one, they raced toward it ahead on the path.
"You think a mere apology is going to be enough for trespassing on our turf?" asked a voice. "Maybe we ought to take your daughter as compensation."
"No, no, please," said another voice, drawing near. "She is all I have. I'll give you my good, just don't-"
"Naruto, Sasuke, form up behind me, and let's go," said Kakashi. "Sakura, guard Tazuna."
They rounded the corner and saw a group of rough-looking men. They were surrounding a man and a girl, both wearing heavy packs. They had swords readied to strike. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto surged forward to attack them. The thugs turned in surprise before one of them took a kunai to the gut from Kakashi. Sasuke slashed another while Naruto knocked a third one flat. Cloud halted by Tazuna and looked around. Sakura was holding a stance but having no awareness.
Then his gaze turned on a man who rushed out of the woods. He must have darted away from them and now grabbed Sakura around the neck. "Stay where you are! I've got the girl! Don't move ah-"
Sakura slammed him in the gut with anan elbow and threw him over. Cloud observed, then swung his sword down to behead him. Sakura stared at the blood and shuddered, and Cloud looked to see one of them fleeing. Chasing after him, Cloud slashed his legs out from under him. He was dead by the time he hit the ground, but Cloud stabbed him again, just to be safe.
Then he walked back.
Naruto was staring; Sasuke looked at him in surprise. Kakashi looked to Cloud, and silence engulfed them as they faced one another. Eventually, Kakashi nodded to him, scarcely perceptible, and turned to his students.
"Well done, all of you," said Kakashi. "If every mission were performed like that, the Leaf would have conquered the world. Sakura, you reacted well, but you should have been aware he was coming. If a more skilled combatant had gotten the drop on you like that, you might have been in trouble.
"Sasuke, Naruto, excellent work.
"Cloud... nice sword."
"Thank you," said Cloud.
"Thank you so much for saving us, Master Ninja," said the merchant.
"It's no trouble," said Kakashi. "You can repay the favor by telling no one you saw us on this road."
Cloud moved over to the man Naruto had knocked down. Still breathing, which meant he had to die. He had seen too much, and he considered whether Naruto might want to kill him? Probably not, but Kakashi might expect him to make his first kill.
"I understand," said the man. "This will be the last time I try to run Gato's blockade. I've had several near misses like that one before." They hurried off.
"...Do you need any of these men alive?" asked Cloud.
"No, probably not," said Kakashi on reflex. Then he looked up as if realizing what he'd said. By that point, Cloud was raising his sword.
"Cloud! What are you doing?" said Naruto, catching his hand.
"They may have seen us with the bridgebuilder and have to die," said Cloud. "If we let him go, he'll go to Gato with our description. One is wearing the symbol of the Uchiha Clan, and Kakashi Hatake is a legend.
"They could figure out who you are."
"But they already attacked us once," said Sakura. "So they must know who we are."
"Not necessarily," said Kakashi. "They may only know that their agents didn't come back. They assume that we went right back to the Leaf after foiling the attack in an ideal scenario. We want to keep Tazuna a secret as long as possible.
"And if they learn Sasuke is from the Uchiha Clan, they may know what kind of tactics we're likely to use."
"Better them than us," said Cloud. "Naruto, do you want to kill him, or should I?"
Kakashi sighed. "...I had planned to handle this myself.
"But, I suppose you'll have to learn this part eventually. Part of being a ninja requires the taking of life. A true ninja avoids killing whenever possible since collateral damage only causes problems.
"However, these men are bandits.
"They were already preying on the innocent and, if left to their own devices, will continue to do so. Even if Gato is defeated, they will probably just go into business for themselves. They've likely hurt a lot of people in the past. For their victims and the people they will harm, we must ensure he doesn't want.
"If you wish, Cloud and I will deal with this. Otherwise, draw your kunai."
Sasuke and Naruto shared a glance. "I'm not going to be held back by this," said Sasuke.
"...Neither am I. These guys are bad guys," said Naruto.
"Right, I uh... if you're really sure about this, Kakashi-sensei?" said Sakura.
"I am," said Kakashi. "Go for the jugular, like you've been trained."
Naruto drew out a knife and drove it into the man's throat. Blood seeped out, and he went still. He looked at his hand, covered in blood, and looked sad. "I did it.
"Did I do it right, Kakashi-sensei?"
"Yes, excellent work Naruto," said Kakashi. "Sakura here will be another time.
"Now, we should move on."
"So this is what it means to be a ninja," said Tazuna ruefully. "I don't think I'd survive in this world for long."
"Few people do," said Kakashi. "I've lost friends because they hesitated in battle. It's usually for the best if you get over this part early.
"Let's keep moving. Don't look at it if it troubles you."
Sakura looked disturbed as they walked. Cloud, however, simply kept on walking. To his surprise, however, Kakashi-sensei fell back to speak with him.
"You are a very calm young man, Strife," said Kakashi simply.
"I learned to do what needs to be done a long time ago," said Cloud. "I'm not like the others. I do what needs to be done to achieve greatness."
"Why work for Shinra, though?" asked Kakashi. "Someone as collected as you could easily make it in a ninja village. There are roles that don't require immense power. With your... composure, you could go far."
Cloud considered the offer.
Was he actually going to make it into SOLDIER at this point? He'd been told that he was incompatible with the procedure. "I'd have to complete my tour of service to Shinra, in any case," said Cloud. "I've got an obligation to finish my contract."
"Well, that is certainly the right thing to do," said Kakashi. "Word of advice, though; Don't get too deadset on doing the rational thing. It can ruin your life."
On they went for some time until the moon was hanging overhead. At last, Tazuna came to a large house sitting on a beach. Heading along a pier, they came to the door.
"Well, here we are, I guess. My home," said Tazuna, sounding relieved.
"Not yet, Tazuna," said Kakashi. "Someone might have decided to wait around for you. Let me take a look.
"You three, stay on guard."
And he darted away.
A moment or two later, Kakashi came back. "...Alright, we're good."
Tazuna knocked on the door, and presently a woman with blue hair answered. "Father, you're back." Her voice was relieved.
"Yes, I am Tsunami," said Tazuna. "These are the ninja I'd plan to bring back, please, show them hospitality.
"...Where is Inari?"
"He's up in his room now," said Tsunade. "I'll try to speak to him soon. Please, all of you come in."
"I'll stay as a lookout," said Cloud.
"Is that really necessary?" asked Sakura.
"You can take the next shift," said Cloud. "Standard procedure in operations is that someone always stands as a lookout. Ms. Tsunami?"
"Yes?" asked Tsunami, looking at him.
"Is there a ranged weapon I could use?" asked Cloud.
"We have a crossbow," said Tsunami.
"Can I borrow it?" asked Cloud.
"Yes, I'll see to it," said Tazuna.
Into the house went everyone else. Cloud, however, remained outside and watched for enemies until his shift was over.