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Shioon's POV

Hayate and the bridge builder were waiting for them. Their sensei immediately checked over their bags. Approval was given to Shioon and a frown to Naruto.

Hayate said, "Naruto you and I will need to speak about your eating habits when we get back. Eating only instant ramen is far from healthy for a growing boy. Much less someone who is a ninja."

A bright red blush lit up the boy's face before he said, "I'm sorry sensei. Before I started earning money on mission's there wasn't enough for other food."

The pure anger that crossed the man's face made both boy's step back. Seeing their mistrust caused Hayate to gain control over his emotion. It took a few seconds of deep breathing to calm down.

Hayate apologized after a moment, "I'm sorry. The fact that the old man would be so blind makes me angry. You should have enough money so that you can eat good meals without having to struggle to keep your meals healthy."

Naruto shook his head despondently, "It's not just his fault. Shop keepers tend to raise prices for me. Sometimes they won't even let me shop in their stores."

That had even more anger in Hayate's brown eyes. Hayate snarled, "The Hokage and I will most certainly be having words when we get back."

Any further words that could have been exchanged was interrupted by Shikamaru. Like the other two his bag was checked to ensure he had enough provisions. Like Shioon he received a nod of approval.

Tazuna glared at the four of them as Hayate said, "We will be traveling in Charlie formation. Naruto and Shikamaru you will take up side protective positions. Shioon you will take the rear guard position while I lead. Any questions?"

"No sensei."

With that the three genin moved into their designated positions. Despite this being a simple escort mission they kept alert. If there was one thing Shioon knew to be the truth was that nothing was ever as it seemed.

They stayed alert even as a few hours had passed. Briefly they had stopped for lunch with the ninjas taking turns as guards. Shioon's eyes constantly scanned the area around them. His senses were on overdrive as they moved down the road.

In the late afternoon as they were making their way to first night camp they passed by a puddle. A frown crossed his face. Something wasn't right here but what was it?

Then it hit him. It hadn't rained in several days. Which meant that was not possible. Just as he turned to call out to Hayate he caught the man's eyes. There was the briefest shake of his head.

The message was clear. Don't say anything yet. Be ready for a fight. I want to see what they do.

Shioon grit his teeth annoyed but obeyed trusting the man's gut. If he thought it was best to wait and see he would listen. This time.

Two figures then came out of the puddle. An illusion then. One attacked Shioon with an iron like claw weapon. The other went straight for Hayate. Before their eyes Hayate was cut down by the claw before he could react. Shioon was able to block the first strike and kick the would be assassin in the ribs.

Another glance at Hayate showed he used a substitution jutsu. Good it would have been bad if he had been killed. Even if he wasn't actually an early teenager he was still in that kind of body.

An angry shout came from Naruto who was angered by the apparent loss of the one adult who cared about him. He attacked the ninja who had supposedly killed their sensei.

Shioon forced his ki to purify and it coursed over his body. The ninja took a step back in surprise. He used that hesitation in his favor. Using a foot technique he brought himself close to the ninja and slammed his fist into the diaphragm of the ninja. This knocked him out and his body into a nearby tree.

Shioon turned to help Naruto only to find him in Hayate's grasp and the other ninja unconscious. Shikamaru had done his job and had stood protectively in front of Tazuna. However he looked pale as this was his first encounter with battle.

"Tazuna," coughed out Hayate as he set Naruto back on his feet and making the bridge builder flinch, "You lied on your mission application. There is no way that this was a C-Ranking mission. We were attacked by enemy ninja. Give me one good reason why we should not abandon the mission."

Naruto and Shioon immediately set about to tying up the enemy ninjas. They were unconscious so it was fairly easily to tie them up. Then they switched to ensure the other's knots were secure.

Tazuna paled significantly as he tried to sputter out excuses. The four ninjas weren't having any of it.

"Why are Ninjas after you I thought you only needed protection from bandits?" Hayate demanded, "If you had been truthful this would have been a B-Rank mission at a minimum."

Tazuna looked between them his stance defensive. Seeing their looks however made his shoulders slumped.

He said not meeting their gaze, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied to you but I didn't have much of a choice. The Land of Waves doesn't have much money. We were barely able to scrape together the money for a C-Ranking mission."

Hayate's glare softened slightly. Now he simply looked tired as he checked the three genin. Not finding any injuries he contemplate what to do next.

After a moment he questioned, "Who is after you? Answer me honestly or you will be going on alone."

Tazuna swallowed before answering, "Gato. Gato is trying to kill me."

"The business tycoon? What could he possibly want with you?"

Tazuna said his eyes far off, "That's him. He may appear to be just a regular business man on the outside. But under the surface he is a mob boss. There is a huge criminal empire being run out of the Land of Waves and none of the other nations will help us. So he controls all of the shipping in our country."

Hayate and Sjioon sighed. They understood where this was going. If the look on Shikamaru's face was any indication he understood as well. Only Naruto looked confused.

"For a small island nation like us shipping is everything. Controlling the shipping means he controls our entire economy. Which is why this bridge is so important."

"Without the bridge he can continue to control your people," Shioon said, "If you can build the bridge then you can control your lives again."

Tazuna blinked at him, "That's exactly right. So I beg of you. Please help us."

Hayate contemplated the new information before he said, "Gato is unlikely to hire any worse ninjas than these. As such we should still be able to keep going. Unless you three would rather go home. There is no shame in admitting that you are not ready for this."

The three cried, "Absolutely not!"

Hayate's lips quirked up as he ordered, "Then back to formation."