Unlike normal, Sakura is the last to reach the gate – excluding Kakashi – a thoughtful expression on her face, (her parents are her parents, but they're also civilians and they don't quite understand Sakura or her friends, or even think like her and Sakura doesn't know what to do anymore because they're her parents and, well, she's lucky to have a family at all). Like the others, she's wearing her mission clothes rather than the Ninja Academy clothes she had been wearing the past few days, (it's a sign she isn't trying, because their teacher has not yet taught them and so she will not respect him until he does). Her pink hair held back by her hitai-ate, although a few strands have already slipped out. Upon reaching her teammates, she smiles, the previous expression sliding off her face, (she hides it). "You guys ready?" She chirps, settling her weight into her heels, (not ready to move because she doesn't believe she's in any danger). "I'm excited!"

"Naruto almost packed four containers of easy-to-make ramen," Sasuke reports, a quick look at Naruto betraying his amusement. "Iruka-sensei checked over our bags and said we had everything, though."

"In other words, we're ready!" Naruto says, bouncing on his toes. "This will be my first time out of Konoha proper!"

"Same for all of us, Naruto," Sakura says with a laugh. Glancing around, she wonders aloud, "Who do you think is our client?"

Takuma raises her snout and sniffs the air, before barking twice. "I hope it's the civilian over there," Sasuke says slowly, pointing subtly to his right at the woman with a hiking backpack.

"Bet you we're going to have the ol' drunkard," Naruto counters. "That's just our luck, isn't it? Bad teacher, bad client."

"If you just jinxed us," Sakura warns. Unzipping his dark green turtleneck jacket to reveal the light grey shirt beneath, Naruto laughs, unabashed, (unafraid, and this is not the false bravado of someone hopeful but someone who trusts those around him). "Naruto!"

"It can't be that bad," Naruto says. "It's a C-rank mission! It'll be better than a D-rank mission, even if we have to watch the old geezer."

"Standing around gossiping? Doesn't seem like very ninja behaviour," someone states, causing the trio of genins to whirl around, hands going for weapons, (but not quite getting there). Their teacher tilts his head at them. "Jumpy, are you? Come along and meet our client."

Exchanging a quick glance, the three follow after Kakashi towards the grey-haired man holding a bottle. "Tazuna-san," Kakashi says politely, "We are here to escort you to Nami no Kuni and guard you for the duration of the bridge construction."

Behind his glasses, the man's eyes widen. "I'm being escorted by a bunch of kids?!" Instantly, Takuma snarls and a frown fixes itself to Sakura's face, a softer version of Sasuke's scowl, (they are not kids and they have proven this time and time again to themselves).

"They're ninjas, Tazuna-san," Kakashi responds. "They're capable of handling a few bandits. And there is, of course, myself and I'm no slouch."

Tazuna swallows and does a quick survey of the four ninjas. "Of course, my apologies." Taking a gulp of his drink, he adds, "Shall we go?"

"Lead the way, Tazuna-san," Kakashi says, arm sweeping in a single gesture. With one last lingering look at the genins, Tazuna does so, one foot in front of the other and walks out of Konoha's grand gates without even glancing back. Behind him, Kakashi follows, book already out, bright orange cover standing out. The three genins leave the gates together, silent and wary, tense. This is their first C-rank mission and they are aware of the dangers outside of Konoha, (they are aware of the dangers in Konoha too, but they think themselves safe from such things).

"Surely we could be moving faster," Naruto whispers lowly. There's no response, and Sakura lets the conversation fade into background noise as she sweeps the path ahead with her eyes. At first, nothing seems off, until her eyes fixate themselves on a puddle reflecting the clear blue sky, (she is not dumb and they underestimate her observation abilities).

Whistling like a bird, Sakura takes a step closer to the bridge-builder. She knows that there's been no rain recently, the amount of D-rank missions completed involving irrigation have seen to that. Naruto and Sasuke don't drop their conversation, if anything it gets louder; Naruto grows whinier, Sasuke more aggrieved, (Sakura grows more proud, because they have grown – all of them). However, they take a position between Sakura – who remains next to the client – and the puddle, (it doesn't look like much, but this is a team working together without a doubt).

They're almost by the puddle now, but Sakura knows that the ninjas will probably wait until everyone's distracted – if there are ninjas; she could just be paranoid, (better paranoid than dead she's been told, and she will listen). "Tazuna-san," she begins, (thinking distract, distract, distract, but don't get distracted), "What's Nami no Kuni like?"

"It was beautiful, once," their client replies. "Nami no Kuni has many rivers and was once famous for its mangroves that were filled with all kinds of lifeforms. My bridge will bring my island's fame back! It's–"

Tazuna doesn't get the time to finish his sentence, two ninjas having leapt out of the puddle behind them during his spiel. Already whirling around, kunai in hand, Sakura settles into a defensive position in front of their client, Naruto and Sasuke on either side of her. The trio pause for a nanosecond, taking in the actions happening in front of them.

Kakashi is there, frozen, caught in a chain covered with spikes. On either side of him are missing-nins from Kirigakure, dark-haired and narrowed eyes, danger radiating from them like something visible, (this is danger, real and there, it cannot be avoided, this is their lives now – danger everywhere). The moment passes and everyone moves, the missing-nins jerk on the chains and there's a squirt of blood, a tearing sound that seems to catch in Sakura's ears and her stomach lurches because it's all too real, (and he's dead, dead, dead, but she can't afford to think–).

Pushing past the nausea in her stomach and fear in her mind is difficult, but Sakura pulls it off, (you move or you die, c'mon Sakura). Kakashi is dead but she can't waste her time right now, (you don't have time to mourn until the battle is over and you are still alive); there is no time for surprise, (because they are ninjas and nothing can ever be a surprise).

Sasuke darts forward, (attack), Takuma staying back with Sakura, (defend), and Naruto echoes Sasuke as he heads towards the other missing-nin, (attack). Even if Sakura is defending, that doesn't mean she is incapable of doing nothing. A kunai is in her hand and then in the air before she follows through with her thoughts, (sometimes your reflexes and instincts are better than any plans you can create in the moment). It nails the chain to the tree, and Sakura pulls out another kunai, teeth bared in a snarl. She waits, (either they come to her and her teammates fail or her teammates will succeed and they won't come for her).

However, in a smooth motion, both missing-nins release the chain connecting them, keeping the glove on. The break apart, one going left and the other heading right, moving faster than they had been moving previously, (no longer caught, but no one is surprised by their escape except Tazuna).

Heart pounding in his chest, Sasuke finds himself frozen as the missing-nin approaches. The scent of blood is heavy in his mind, (images of dead bodies and bloodstains and a massacre flash before his eyes and drape themselves over him like they own him), and he can barely breathe and he can do nothing but watch as his death speeds towards him and–

And then Kakashi is there, moving in a blur of blue and green and grey hair, (moving like a ninja of high calibre). Barely seeing the speed at which Kakashi moves, the blurred motions stop to reveal Kakashi tying both unconscious missing-nins to a tree. Breath tight in his throat, shoulders up to his ears, Sasuke coughs and gasps and hunches over himself, bile rising. A wet nose nudges his hand, and Sasuke crouches, burying his head in Takuma's coat. He swallows, then rises, (he is a ninja), but keeps a trembling hand buried in his ninken's fur, (don't show your nerves unless you can afford it).

After surveying the two ninjas tied to the tree, Kakashi turns to his students and Tazuna. "I've alerted a nearby Konoha patrol to these two," he says. "Sakura-chan, good defensive planning but remember if you aren't working with Takuma, he can be a hazard more than a help. Sasuke-kun and Naruto-kun, good initiative. Sasuke-kun, you cannot afford to freeze in the future. Understood?"

"Yes," Sasuke mumbles, looking down. However, Naruto is quick to step up beside him, reminding the Uchiha that he isn't alone and Sakura nods at him. Taking a deep breath, Sasuke centres himself and lifts him chin; he nods back, (they are in this together as a team and as friends).

"Now, Tazuna," Kakashi says as he looms over their client, "I think it's about time you stopped lying, don't you think?"

Tazuna stutters, face pale and eyes wide. "I- Yes. Right. Well." He pauses and Kakashi taps his own foot impatiently. "Nami no Kuni was prosperous for its commerce and trade that came through shipping. However, a man named Gatō took control of the shipping industry and completely monopolised all trade. He imposed heavy taxes on all of the residents, pushing us further into poverty. Breaking the hold Gatō has on my home will enable to economic stability we need to leave poverty behind us. If I create this bridge, I link my homeland to the mainland and create an alternative method to introduce trade. But Gatō knows of my bridge and wishes to kill me to prevent the bridge from being built."

The old man gets on his knees in front of the four Konoha ninjas. "Please, help me and my family and all of the residents of Nami no Kuni. Please! The lives of a whole island depends on it!"

"You lied about the mission ranking and purposely introduced a team of relatively young and unexperienced ninjas to a combat situation in which they might all die," Kakashi replies. "Why should we continue on our mission? We are within our rights to return to Konoha. We are within our rights to be paid for the incorrect mission rank as well."

"My poor grandson will weep when I never return! My lovely daughter will spend the rest of her days crying and mourning her father! Gatō will continue to rip everything from my people and leave them homeless, foodless, and leave them to die! Konoha ninjas are known for their kindness. Please! Please help me!" Tazuna cries out.

Kakashi tilts his head at his genins, who quickly realise that his decision is depending on their opinion. In response, the three genins form a small circle to quickly discuss their thoughts, (to discuss what they decide, because it's either all in agreement or they all return; it's altogether or nothing happens at all).

"I want to help," Naruto immediately says, (because he wants to help everyone he can, because he wants to be good, because he wants to prove he is more than the demon people see him as), "but I'm aware there are other things at play here."

Sakura nods in agreement. "The obvious benefit of taking the mission is that it'll earn Konoha a good reputation and more influence. The other benefit I'm seeing is that by taking the mission as a team, we earn ourselves a good reputation and influence outside of Konoha and position ourselves to be good candidates for being a chūnin, regardless of our experience or not."

"If we even survive," Sasuke replies, taking care to keep his voice soft, (don't let anyone overhear your discussions if they could be used against you, and remember civilians are not going to like speaking about death; they are not ninjas). "This mission is clearly dangerous with a high chance of death. Moreover, if Gatō is powerful than surely Konoha would have been aware of such a thing was happening, meaning that they've left it for a reason."

"That reason could just be that there'd been no missions in regards to it," Sakura argues. "If he's been using missing-nins, then people might not be aware that they've actually been hired by Gatō."

"That doesn't outweigh the fact that we might die on this mission! Especially if there are missing-nins, what if we find ourselves attacked by someone with jōnin or ANBU strength?" Sasuke hisses back, (he has a family now). "I refuse to leave behind Toru and die on him as well!"

Sakura's expression softens, but Naruto speaks first instead. "If Konoha gains a better reputation and more influence, there's likely to be an increase in missions to Konoha. Moreover, Nami no Kuni would be in Konoha's debt if we continue on with this mission. That means that our relative daimyōs can create trade and an alliance. Plus, a levy can be placed on the bridge so Konoha gets the funds that weren't received from this mission due to its incorrect rank."

"Spoken like a true Hokage," Sakura teases, but the joke falls flat, Naruto's awkward laugh is quick to taper off. Their decision hangs in the balance, their decision impacts an entire nation and its people. Their decision is much bigger than them, and they're struggling to fully comprehend everything. They could die, but they might not. They may help Konoha or the three of them may die instead.

It partially comes down to the three considering the downsides and the upsides, considering the factors because they are – after all – ninjas. But that isn't all it comes down to, in the end. There's silence between all three of them for a second, and then Naruto turns to face Kakashi and Tazuna, his friends beside him.

(In the end, it comes down to a few things.)

"We'll do it, believe it!"

(Naruto was brought up lost and confused and struggling to survive in a world made cruel by circumstance and choice.)

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Tazuna says as he gets up. "I won't forget this!"

(Sasuke forged his personality with the death of a clan and the awkward love of a ninja reborn.)

With a few hand seals, Kakashi creates a solid clone beside him, who salutes and heads back to Konoha. "My clone will alert Konoha and ask for backup," he says.

(Sakura forever strived forward to meet her goals, to be more than anyone thought.)

"Let's go," Sasuke says, stepping forward with his team around him and beside him, eyes watching the path ahead of him.

(The three of them know danger, know the harshness of life, but they know love and peace as well. They know of danger, but danger itself remains unknown to them. They go because they are hopeful, and because they don't believe that the worst will happen; that terrible, terrible things won't happen to them.)

It takes them a few days to reach the shore of Hi no Kuni, during which time there are no more attacks. They've kept a rather slow pace, but each night they set up camp, Tazuna appears exhausted, so Sasuke assumes that the pace is only slow for ninjas, (and he still doesn't know how big the gap is between ninjas and civilians). There's a small jetty that looks like it will fall apart at the slightest touch. In his mind, Sasuke can imagine the six planks of wood buckling beneath him and sending him into the cool water.

Tazuna, though, doesn't appear worried about the pier breaking beneath him, instead walking across it, and ringing the bell on the end once. The sound echoes out, dampened by the white mist that comes rolling in. The silence feels heavy, (it feels like they are being watched, but Sasuke knows that is paranoia speaking). Around Sasuke, the only clear sounds he can make out is the waves lapping against the sand and the breathing of those around him.

Something else catches his attention, and squinting, Sasuke spots a boat coming towards the group. Appearing uncaring – or perhaps unknowing – of the danger it could present, Tazuna waits by the edge of the pier.

The boat pulls to a stop, a man with oars gesturing for the group to get in. Tazuna steps on, easily balancing as the small rowboat rocks with the movement. Naruto steps in after, Sakura reaching out to help steady him from her position on the jetty. After a second, Naruto regains his balance and quickly sits down, Sakura soon joining him. Taking a breath and mentally preparing himself to feel the chill of the water, Sasuke steps into the boat, bending his knees to keep his centre of gravity low. Soon enough, he sits down, a tap of the wood results in Takuma softly jumping in. The rowboat rocks once again, but doesn't overturn.

"It's good to see you're back, Tazuna-san," the man says as he starts rowing. Sasuke watches the shore become obscured by the fog and wonders if he'll ever see Konoha again, (or if he's going to die far from home with a goodbye his last words to Toru). "Process of the bridge has continued at the same rate, despite one person quitting."

"Bah," Tazuna spits. "They can quit, but this bridge will be done."

"We believe in you, Tazuna-san, but no one wants to risk their families."

"You don't think I know that?" Tazuna responds, glaring at the man rowing. "I know that better than most."

"I didn't mean it that way," the other Nami no Kuni native says.

"My apologies, then," Tazuna says. He turns his attention to the ninjas guarding him. "We're almost there. You'll be staying with my family whilst the bridge is completed. We have enough space, although you may be relying on your tenting gear in regards to having a place to sleep on."

"I'm sure we'll manage, Tazuna-san," Sakura says. "We've managed thus far." She shivers slightly, and glances around, clearly trying to peer through the sea fog that's obscuring everything. "Is this fog always around?"

"It rolls in from the sea," Tazuna explains, "It comes early mornings if it's cold enough or during the night. It comes from the south due to the open ocean that way. It should disperse soon enough with the morning sun. It won't stay for long."

Sasuke wonders what it would be like to live in such a place like this, with its silence and mist. It seems rather lonely and, well, boring. If he remembers correctly, Nami no Kuni have no ninjas, (he's no one if he's not a ninja). "Is that the bridge?" Naruto asks excitedly, breaking Sasuke out of his rumination. "It's massive!"

"That's the bridge," Tazuna says proudly. "It'll be the largest bridge ever created by the time it's completed. It also means we're almost at our drop-off point. Thank you Rikuto-san."

"Complete this bridge is all I ask," Rikuto, the rower, responds as the boat's prow rasps against the sand of the shore. Takuma is the first to jump out, landing on the sand rather than the water, and avoiding the sound of splashes. Sasuke follows quickly, and helps both of his teammates out, ensuring that no one trips out of the boat or on the loose sand.

Tazuna leaves last, thanking Rikuto again, before leading them forwards. "This is the backway to the village that goes past my house," he explains. "It's a small path and not often used, which makes it perfect when you don't want to get caught."

The trio of genins exchange glances. Whilst Tazuna may think it's the perfect path to not get caught, the isolated nature of the path only means that it was more likely to be targeted, (fear lays thick on Sasuke's tongue; he doesn't want to die). "Civilians," Sasuke hisses to his friends. Sakura rolls her eyes and Naruto bumps his shoulder. He's glad that they both agree.

A simple hand gesture and Takuma leaps into the bushes, hiding himself and doing his best not to make noise. "This fog's making me nervous," Sakura admits a half-minute later. "There's no way to see if anything's coming and it pretty much dampens all the noise."

"I thought it was going to go soon," Naruto says, voice raising on the last word.

Tazuna looks up from where he'd been staring at his feet. He frowns, "It honestly should have gone by now." Just after he speaks, there's a loud rustle and a high-pitched squeal. Takuma exits the bushes with a white rabbit in his mouth.

Sasuke blinks in surprise, because Takuma doesn't hunt without reason or without orders. It hits him in that moment, and Sakura too, obvious in how she curses loudly.

"Down!" Kakashi shouts, and pulls Tazuna down beside him. Instantly, the three genins flatten themselves on the ground, (when someone says down you respond or you die). A sword passes over their head, eerie in the dim light offered by the sun's rays that manage to escape through the fog.

The sword ends up lodged in a tree, and between one blink and the next, a man reveals himself. He stands on the sword, leaning against the tree, surveying the four ninjas and their client. Nothing shows in his face or his body language, and the three genins get up, reaching for their kunais.

"Kiri-nin," Sakura whispers.

"Missing-nin," Sasuke counters. "Defensive positions go." The three genins shift, Naruto standing in front of Tazuna, Sasuke on the left, and Sakura on Tazuna's right.

"The Demon of the Hidden Mist – Zabuza Momochi," Kakashi says slowly. "You're a long way from Mizu no Kuni."

"Copy-nin," the missing-nin replies in a low baritone. "You're in my way."

"I do believe you're in ours," Kakashi returns, seemingly uncaring of the dangerous ninja in front of him, but he moves his hitai-ate. "Would you mind moving?"

Zabuza laughs, the noise only partially muffled by the bandages covering his face. "Even someone with your reputation cannot stop me from assassinating my target," he responds, eyes pausing on the group of genins and the civilian. "Especially with the weaknesses you have brought to this fight."

(Sasuke wants to rage against the label, because he is not weak and neither is Naruto nor Sakura, but he can't because in a battle between jōnins, he is a weakness, a liability, even if he doesn't want to be.)

Leaping off the sword, Zabuza grabs it in one hand and darts forward towards Kakashi. Easily dodging the first blow, Kakashi releases two kunais, and Zabuza jerks backwards.

The fog thickens and everything becomes hidden from view, (everyone becomes hidden).

"Be on your guard," Kakashi warns, not even looking over his shoulder. He waits, ready, and Sasuke feels somewhat comforted by that fact. He knows that Kakashi is fast, but he hasn't seen the jōnin fight against an enemy of Zabuza's calibre, and he can't help but feel - worried. As a genin, he knows he is a liability in this fight. Tightening his grip on his kunai, Sasuke amends his thought. He might be a liability, but he can also help if needed, (he's more than a weakness and a liability, he knows he is).

"Eight points I can attack that cause instant death," Zabuza says, his voice echoing in the fog and seeming to come from every direction. Behind Sasuke, Takuma swivels their head, trying to figure out where their opponent is. "The heart, the jugular, the spine, the–"

Takuma yelps as he's kicked away by Zabuza who lands behind the three genins, moving fast enough that they're unable to even turn to see the missing-nin. However, before he can kill Tazuna, Kakashi is there, pushing Tazuna out of the way and blocking Zabuza's attack.

Sasuke leaps back, but already the pair have moved away. Along with Naruto and Sakura, he takes a defensive position around Tazuna, eyes watching Zabuza and Kakashi fight. It's difficult to see what's going on, let along understand it, and in the back of his mind, Sasuke wonders if Toru can fight at such a high speed.

The fight seems to halt, and Sasuke feels his nerves die down as Kakashi slices a kunai through Zabuza's throat, except there's no bleeding and only water falls. The clone dies in silence – a memory calls itself to the top of Sasuke's mind, another fight with a water clone of Naruto's, and then he's focussing back on the fight.

Zabuza lands behind Kakashi, attempts to cut through Kakashi's spine, except Kakashi is also a water clone. The pair pause, once again, opposite one another and charge. Sasuke can't make out who has the upper hand, because the fight is happening so quickly. Suddenly, both ninjas are out on the water. In the next second, Kakashi is captured in a ball of water and Sasuke's mouth feels dry, (a weakness and a liability and now he has to fight).

(They're all going to die and it will be his fault).

"Sasuke!" Sakura says, voice tight, and Sasuke centres himself. They've planned for this. They knew that they would one day be faced with an enemy better than all of them – they are young and small, peacetime not-quite-soldiers and Konoha has a reputation for being soft. They know to use everything to their advantage.

"Got it," Sasuke says back. Chakra rises in his throat, a burn that doesn't actually exist. There are three water clones of Zabuza approaching, and Sasuke is really the wrong person to take them on, but he's currently all they've got. Flipping through hand seals, he calls, "Fire Release: Great Fireball!" The ball of fire is about the size of Sasuke's head and it slams into one of the clones, creating more steam and leaving two clones left to defeat. Then, there's no more time to attack, and Sakura is beside him as they desperately try to keep the clones at bay.

"Run!" Kakashi yells, and Sakura narrows her eyes. She doesn't listen, and neither do her teammates. She stands between Tazuna and one of Zabuza's clone, and does her best as the clone darts forward, (sometimes your best is not good enough, sometimes there are no second chances).

Sasuke manages to block Zabuza's clone's first strike, but the second sends him stumbling backwards and he takes a cut to his shoulder in response, (he doesn't notice). However, Sasuke knows that even stumbling he can do something, (Toru taught him that even falling you can turn your vulnerable position into one that allows you to attack). He throws his kunai and leans back further, the moment his hands touch the damp ground, he pushes himself forward. Chakra strengthens his blow and his feet slam into Zabuza's clone.

Drenched, but victorious, Sasuke looks at Sakura who lays on the ground, completely soaked, with her eyes closed. Heart pounding in his chest, but then Tazuna is checking her pulse and meets Sasuke's gaze. "She's alive," he says, sounding distraught and Sasuke nods. There's no time for anything else.

(Sometimes there are no second chances and sometimes you die, but sometimes you're lucky.)

Naruto leaps out of the bushes and throws a shuriken at Zabuza. The missing-nin easily dodges, even standing on water. Teeth bared, Sasuke flips through a bunch of hand seals. "Body Replacement Technique!" He takes the place of the shuriken, twisting. Landing on the water, his chakra pushes him out of the water, not steady but holding him for a bare second, (he hasn't been taught this but they all know the basics). It's all the time he needs to go through six hand seals and shout, "Fire Release: Great Fireball!"

The fire flies true, straight at Zabuza, and Sasuke goes through the water, immediately kicking out as he tries to get his head above water. Despite his best efforts, salt water floods his mouth and he's spitting it out the moment he can breathe again, (and he can breathe and he isn't dead and they did it).

A half glance is all he needs to see that Zabuza had released Kakashi and the pair are fighting once again, except now it's clear that Kakashi has the advantage of Zabuza. One swim stroke and then another, and then Sasuke's out of the water and back beside Naruto, the cut on his shoulder a sting that he ignores.

Naruto stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Sasuke, Takuma at behind Tazuna, who is crouching beside Sakura as if he can protect her, (Sasuke knows that Tazuna can't, but he's hopeful now).

Ninjutsu after ninjutsu clashes together, a battle of water and wind and lightning and earth. It pauses, for a moment, each ninja rushing through a multitude of hand seals, motions blurring together. Kakashi clearly finishes first, and from the ocean, a dragon made of water rises. It lifts into the sky and slams forward, crashing into Zabuza and smashing him against a tree. The water disperses then, and Zabuza is slowly trying to stand, even as Kakashi rushes forward.

Nonetheless, Kakashi pulls up short as three small weapons fly past his cheek, (silent and deadly, but he is not dead – none of them are dead). They accurately land on Zabuza's neck, and another ninja reveals themselves on a branch. They're wearing a mask, and from the mask alone Sasuke can tell that they're a hunter-nin for Kirigakure. Naruto doesn't say anything, so Sasuke assumes he's figured out the same, (Sakura is silent, but she isn't dead).

"Thank you, ninja-san," the masked ninja says, leaping down and picking up Zabuza, throwing him over their shoulder. "I will take things from here." In a blur of motion and speed, the two disappear from sight.

Sasuke only turns when he sees a thump and sees Kakashi lying face down on the ground. "He collapsed," Tazunza says, frazzled and wide-eyed.

Naruto looks at Sasuke, and he's sure they're both pale faced. They're genins, and not experienced enough to be leading any kind of mission, except – perhaps – D-ranks. "Tazuna-san, how far away is your house?" Sasuke asks, (they will lead anyway). "Naruto, do we know what's up with Sakura?"

"Nearby," Tazuna says.

"She's just unconscious, no lump or cut on her head," Naruto reports, (there's no one else left). "Between the pair of us we can probably carry Kakashi-sensei…"

"I can carry Sakura-chan," Tazuna says, picking up the girl in question. Naruto and Sasuke nod, and working together, manage to lift Kakashi. "This way."

(They will make do.)

Two kilometres west of his target, Jakkaru calls one of his summons to him. "Takeo-san," he greets.

"Toru-san," the cockroach says in respond, leaping onto Jakkaru's shoulder. "There are five ninjas in the building you asked about. Two are doing separate patrols, one is outside the doors of your target, and the other two are wandering randomly. I doubt you will have any problems with them."

"Thank you for your help," Jakkaru says. Takeo nods and disappears in a burst of smoke. Checking over his weapons and securing his mask once again, Jakkaru suppresses his chakra and heads towards the building, (Uzushio or Konoha ANBU doesn't matter – he is ANBU and the mission is all there is).

Over the past few days, Jakkaru has surveyed the building and stalked his target. He's quickly running out of time to finish his mission on time. However, he's not too worried. It would be fairly easy to assassinate his target via poison from his summons. But the mission parameters had stated that the target couldn't be killed through poison, which – now that he thinks about it – is probably why Jakkaru had been sent.

The building is now in sight, and Jakkaru lets the henge encompass his body. Waiting, he scans his surroundings and then the building itself. A flicker of chakra to his eyes, and his eyesight improves tremendously. Due to the chakra boost, he's able to spot the form of one of the patrolling ninjas.

Kunai in hand, he slips into the shadows and ghosts around the building, taking care to remain on the edge of the trees where he's most hidden, and also most comfortable, (because sometimes comfort is safety, and being comfortable does not mean being lax). It's easy to hear the ninja coming before Jakkaru sees them; they are loud when hopping from tree branch to adjacent tree branch. Or, perhaps, not quite loud – but Jakkaru has grown up in Konoha (Uzushio) surrounded by trees (the ocean) and he's grown accustomed to the Konoha silence of tree-jumping.

The ninja leaps, and Jakkaru darts out of his hidden place. He flies through five hand seals, and by the time, he's reached the enemy ninja – who is now aware of him – his chakra is humming, ready to attack. His fingers brush his enemy's shoulder, and then the enemy tries to stab him. However, it is already too late and Jakkaru's sleeping genjutsu has taken hold of them. He places them on the ground, (mercy can be given, can be afforded here, and so Jakkaru – ANBU or not – will give it where he can).

Now is the time to move, so Jakkaru – still beneath a henge – heads towards the building. At the top of the building is the other patrolling ninja, so Jakkaru quickly scales the building with the help of his chakra. Silent, he reaches the top and clambers over. For a brief moment, he goes unnoticed, and then the other ninja attacks, katana in hand. Chakra pulsing, he launches through the same five hand seals from earlier, and with the chakra buzzing beneath his skin, he stops the blade with his hand. It skates against his gloves, but the katana conducts his chakra and his enemy drops, asleep, (mercy offered once again).

Divulging the ninja of weapons, (mercy can be given, but there's no reason to be overconfident), the Konoha ANBU takes them and heads into the building itself through a window that he forces open. This time, he's unlucky, as there's a ninja just inside the hallway who spots him coming in. They fight.

It's messy and Jakkaru does everything he can to ensure that the fight remains silent. His opponent flares their chakra, but Jakkaru's target is a civilian and won't notice, (it's almost certain the other ninjas will come for him, but that is a future problem). Blocking a fist, he dodges a kick and then sweeps his enemy's legs from underneath them. The other falls, twisting, but it's simple to unsheathe his sword and rest it on the collarbone of his enemy.

His opponent looks up at him, harsh breathing filling the air, but holds still as if awaiting judgement. It's clear they are a Kirigakure ninja, but whether one that remains loyal to Kirigakure or not is unknown. Jakkaru's hand clenches around the hilt of his sword, because Kirigakure killed his people and ruined Uzushio, (but the people of now are not to blame for yesterday's actions).

A smooth motion later, and Jakkaru is moving quickly, leaving the unconscious ninja behind him, (it is a mercy in his mind). There's a minute before he's found by the other two ninjas who attack without warning. Back to the wall, he decides to stop this from becoming a taijutsu fight that wakes up his target.

It takes less than a second for him to think of what he wants. Snapping his hands out, he commands, "Fūin!" His two opponents collapse, each with a Paralytic Seal, (Uzushio is in his blood). He stoops, knocking them out with the hilt of his kunai, and removes the seals before continuing on. The layout of the building – that he had been given back in Konoha before he had even left – had showed that the last room on the second floor is where he should be looking for his target.

Sneaking into the room is easy with no one left to oppose him. He pauses by the edge of the man, staring at the noble woman who is wanted dead for some reason or another. Slipping through six hand seals, he places a hand on her neck and waits. Beneath his fingers, her pulse skyrockets before growing weaker and weaker and finally petering out.

Mission complete, Jakkaru leaves the room and the building behind. Three kilometres south of the island his target had been on, Jakkaru (Uzukage, Toru Mizushima, ANBU Commander) pauses.

He swerves west, away from Konoha, and towards something he can barely make out through the trees. Breaking out of the threes, stumbling, Jakkaru finds himself staring at a ruined clan compound with Uzushio's broken symbol on its wall, (and it could almost be Uzushio). Resting a hand on the symbol, he swallows and channels the slightest bit of chakra into it. The symbol glows for a second before flickering out. It doesn't glow again, (will Uzushio ever rise again).

Caught between Konoha and Uzushio, Jakkaru hesitates before leaping over the damaged wall in a single bound, (Konoha calls to him but Uzushio is who he is). A single look tells him that this place has been abandoned and in ruins for quite some time, long enough for nature to start reclaiming it.

His gaze falls on a bird on the ground, wing at an uneven angle. Even with his terrible chakra sense, he can tell that the bird has a used chakra system. Heart beating a futile song in his chest, he picks up the bird gently. It's not conscious, so it's easy for Jakkaru to heal its broken wing (kindness in an ANBU; there is a reason Uzushio chose him). The moment he's done, the bird decides to wake up.

It screeches loudly, and instantly takes to the skies, leaping out of Jakkaru's hands. "Wait, Hagoromo-san!" Jakkaru says, hoping against the odds that he's right, (that this is connected to Uzushio in some way). The bird turns, hovering in the air out of reach, but gazes down at him. "The Hagoromo Clan," he begins, voice cracking, (fear and worry and love wreaking havoc on his vocal chords). "Did they survive this?"

The bird lands on a piece of rubble. "Who are you?" It says, tilting its head. "How do you know of my clan?"

"Uzushio," Jakkaru says. "I'm- I'm Uzushio's." The bird remains quiet, and he quickly realises that saying he's Uzushio's isn't enough. "The sea never dies."

The nintori flaps its wings twice. "I am Haruko. Follow me, I will take you to the clan."

"Thank you," Jakkaru says, but the bird has already taken off and his words are lost in the wind. Following the bird isn't easy, but he keeps pace, even with his mind stuck on the Hagoromo Clan. Alike to Konoha's Inuzuka Clan, the Hagoromo Clan worked with an animal partner – birds. Largely the Hagoromo Clan worked in Uzushio as messengers, often being those in Uzushio's outposts so they could get messages back to Uzushio quickly, (Uzushio fell anyway).

The bird dives down in the clearing up ahead, and Jakkaru follows in a cautious manner, pausing uncertainly on a branch. However, seeing an Uzushio clan pulls him forward, and he steps into the clearing, into the light, (out of hiding).

"Jakkaru-san?" Someone says tentatively. "Is that you?"

Shrugging, Jakkaru responds, "In essence, yes."

"Uzushio died," the same person says, approaching him.

Raising his hand to his mask, Jakkaru debates it for a brief second, but then he reminds himself that this is Uzushio. These people are his and won't betray him, (he hopes; a betrayal from Uzushio would be the end). He takes off his mask. "Uzushio did not die," he counters, lifting his chin. "Kirigakure slaughtered our people and tried their best to destroy us. They failed. They expected us to fall quietly and Uzushio did not want to. They thought they could kill the sea but the sea never dies."

"You are not our Toru," the Hagoromo member says with a shake of her head. "You are not Uzushio's."

Chakra in his fingers, Toru Mizushima (Uchiha) (Uzumaki) (Jakkaru) sketches a seal in the air. "Uzushio did not want to die," he says as he continues to draw Uzushio's symbol. "She didn't want me to die either, so she stopped me."

"That… makes no sense."

Toru watches the seal glow in mid-air before disappearing. "No, but the oldest seals, we never knew what they did, what they could do. Besides, we all knew that Uzushio wasn't just a location. She was sentient."

"How do we know you are who you say you are?"

Toru meets the woman's eyes, chin lifted and shoulder squared, (sometimes hope is all you have). "You can't. All you have his hope and something that seems impossible. You have to choose whether you believe it. Uzushio did not die and she will… she will live again. Uzushio brought me back for a reason. This time no one will destroy us."

The woman bows her head, and she's clearly speaking for all the Hagoromo Clan members. "Uzukage-sama," she says, voice a coarse whisper. "You have come to us."

"Hoshiko-chan," Toru says, eyes alight as he recalls the ten-year-old genin who had only recently graduated when Uzushio had been attacked. "You have done well." He looks around, seeing faces he knows and faces he doesn't, but they are all his regardless since they are Uzushio's. "You have all done well. Survive for a bit longer, and Uzushio will call you home soon enough."

"Thank you, Uzukage-sama," Hoshiko says, wiping away tears. "It will be good to have a home again."

Once again, Toru is caught between Konoha and Uzushio, his past and his future, his two separate lives are converging, and he knows this could never have been avoided, (but it would have been easier). He slips on his mask, (he returns to being Jakkaru because that is easier), and calls one of his summons. "Toru-san," Yamato greets. "What need do you have of me?"

"Can you stay with this clan, Yamato-san?" Toru asks. "I will have reason to send them messages eventually, but for now, we need some way to keep in contact."

The cockroach turns to face the Hagoromo Clan members and nods. "I will do as you ask, Toru-san."

One of the children is already laying on the floor in front of Yamato. "You can talk!" They say cheerfully. "Do you wanna be my new friend?"

The cockroach crawls onto the child's outstretched hand, causing the child to laugh. "Sure," the cockroach decides. "You will have to carry me wherever you go, though. My legs are short."

"Same!" The child says excitedly as they sit cross-legged on the ground. "But I'm gonna be the bestest ninja Uzushio has ever seen because we're Uzushio-nins."

(Uzushio's fall has not ruined everyone's innocence and sometimes stories are the strongest things in the world.)

A smile on his face, Toru meets Hoshiko's gaze. "I will be in touch, and you know how to contact me now," he says. Slipping on his mask once again, he adds, "I have to go, though. There are others depending on me."

"Who are you now?" Hoshiko asks. "Who are you?"

"Who I have always been," Toru responds. "I am Jakkaru and I am Toru. I am me." He doesn't know if that's the response Hoshiko was waiting for, but he's aware that he's on a time limit. And, more importantly, seeing the children of the Hagoromo Clan has reminded him of Naruto and Sasuke waiting back in Konoha, and he's been hit with an urge to be in Konoha.

(He's running away from Uzushio but not towards Konoha.)

An hour after darkness has fallen, with Jakkaru back in Hi no Kuni, he enters one of Konoha's hidden safe houses. His head's in disarray from earlier, because he is torn and he is confused. He had rushed his words, and worry and fear had twisted themselves around his bones like chains. He'd been uncertain about what to say, didn't know if they would believe him, (but they had, they had and he loves them all the more for it), didn't know if they would trust him. He had spoken and he can't even remember what he had said. He doesn't know what he did or what he said but he left Yamato with them.

He had spoken with them and then ran, ran from fear and from love and from trust, ran from Uzushio. Even now, hours later, there's something disgusting in his stomach and something acidic bubbling in his chest. He feels nauseous without actually feeling nauseous.

When he had remembered he is Uzushio's, he had felt alright, felt safe, felt loved, but finding the people of Uzushio desperate for a home and stuck in a country whose people had tried to kill them many times… He feels terrible, and he doesn't know why. Not feeling up to eating, he decides to try and meditate, soothe his thoughts and feelings and centre himself. His mindset is all off, a mix of Toru and ANBU, Uzushio and Konoha. He's being torn in two and he doesn't know where to go. There is no middle ground for any of this.

Closing his eyes, he breathes, (in; out; in; out; breathe, Toru-kun; you're alive, focus on that, everything else will come when it will). Beneath his skin, his chakra moves restlessly, wanting an outlet but not provided with one. But, it's also more than that. Chakra remembers, it is both Toru Uchiha-Uzumaki and Toru Mizushima; it is Toru and Jakkaru; ANBU Commander and jōnin; ANBU and chūnin. It is a son, a brother, a family member, a clan member.

His chakra is the roaring ocean and the pouring rain, the soft drizzle and the bubbling brooks. His chakra is the cutting wind that's cold and sharp, ever-changing and unpredictable, yet strong. His chakra is water and wind, but for all of its strength and danger, it is also comforting. It is never anything but what it is. It cannot hide its true nature.

(He cannot hide who he is forever.)

A crackle interrupts his thoughts, and he surfaces out of his meditation, feeling steadier. He doesn't know what his path will be or what his future plans are, but he knows who he is. He is who he has always been and that hasn't changed even in the face of revelations recently encountered. He is Toru Uchiha, Toru Uzumaki, Toru Mizushima, and he loves Konoha and Uzushio. The day Konoha doesn't need him will be the day that Uzushio rises again, (the day Sasuke doesn't need him will be the day he leaves; Naruto's never really needed him, besides, Naruto has Iruka).

"Konoha ninjas, please report in," the radio crackles again, and Jakkaru picks up his end.

"This is shinobi #012182," he reports, "to Konoha."

"Shinobi #012182 this is Konoha. What is your distance to Nami no Kuni?"

"Roughly half a day's run," Jakkaru responds, wondering what's wrong and why he's been called in.

"Wait a moment, shinobi," the unknown caller says. There's a shuffling on that end of the radio, and then a voice Jakkaru knows well speaks.

"This is kunoichi #0122777, our immediate superior is on a mission, so I'm here in their stead. Understood?"

"Hai," Jakkaru responds, tension fading from his body as he hears Sora's voice. "What am I needed to do?"

"A C-rank mission has gone wrong in Nami no Kuni and requires additional support. You are allowed to take whatever actions you deem are necessary to ensure the safety of the genin team and their teacher. You are to do this as yourself, obviously, and are allowed to reveal your identity to those of a correct rank," Sora replies. "The mission has been re-evaluated to be an A-rank mission."

"Understood," Jakkaru replies, shaking off his ANBU mindset.

"Good luck," Sora says, "and enjoy the sea, I've heard that it's lovely this time of year." The radio turns off and Jakkaru Toru nods to himself. Sora had given him the phrase that told him everything was fine. Changing quickly to his chūnin gear, Toru stores his ANBU mask in his storage seals. It's half a day's run to Nami no Kuni normally, but Toru doesn't want to be responsible for the death of an entire genin team, so he plans to run a bit faster than normal.

He makes it to Nami no Kuni in eight hours.

Team Kakashi finally receives a C-rank mission, but it takes a turn for the worse. With both Sakura and Kakashi unconscious, Naruto and Sasuke are on their own with Tazuna and are all too aware of the dangers after them. Meanwhile, Jakkaru finishes his mission and finds old Uzushio citizens. His dream to restore Uzushio is no longer so far out of reach, but before he returns to Konoha he is given new orders. He has no idea who awaits him in Nami no Kuni.

We all need some Uzushio in our lives.

I'm still struggling with the characterisations of Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura. I think I'm in that between stage, where I'm caught between one version of them and the next, even if I don't know what versions I'm caught between.

Oh no, I forgot to put in any of the bracket parts. Well, guess who's going to go add probably a few hundred words to this. It added 800 words roughly.

So, Sasuke freezing when attacked was something I wanted to put in because how could the massacre not fuck him up in some way? He gets through it by Zabuza's attack, but he still paused initially.

You can already see the differences from canon to this part, but also some of that is due to the fact I can't be bothered checking out canon events and points so I'm going off what I remember and what I feel works. Somethings (as you see later) are similar, because Konoha may have changed but that doesn't mean the rest of the world has.

Tazuna acts different but that's because I don't know what exactly he said in canon so I went with what felt right and fit well.

The debate the three genins have is great because you see their personalities and thoughts there, and also how much work Naruto has put into thinking about being a Hokage.

Also, Sasuke kept thinking about the pier because it's so badly made and he is all too aware of the fragility of human life.

I got to show the differences in civilian thoughts and ninja thoughts which was fun! I liked exploring that clear distinction. It's interesting, to say the least.

The fight with Zabuza went differently because Naruto has no shadow clones. However, Toru taught him the water clone because he had the chakra needed for it, although he can only create one. Sasuke defaults to the fireball because it's his best ninjutsu, even against water.

The fight ends differently to canon, with Sakura out. It adds more drama to it all, and kinda makes it more realistic. Also, Sakura is defending because she is the best at defending. Naruto is the chakra tank and Sasuke is the taijutsu person and Sakura is the healer, she needs to be protected so she can heal their injuries. It's all good though, she'll have some good fighting scenes later, I'm sure (I definitely want her to, because she is badass and deserves more fight scenes).

Okay, so with Jakkaru's mission, I will be honest. I was 1000 words short of where I wanted to be, so I thought I'd start that part even though I was originally planning to leave it for the next chapter... And then it just grew? And grew some more.

The assassination bit is something I need to explore in Ocean's Own Stories, but I just haven't gotten around to writing it just yet, but I'll get there. I swear! Essentially, Jakkaru's in the bingo book for his assassinations.

Uzushio came back! Toru wants to bring Uzushio back! I am excited because I have been leading up to this for a bit. This is really only the start. Also, yeah, the writing for that scene was awkward and I didn't know what to do about it and I have so many issues with it. I tried to explain myself in the following bit, I don't know how well that worked. I'm no happy with it regardless.

On another note, I have under 10 hours until I'm on a plane and flying elsewhere, so I'm going to do my best to go write another above 5000 word chapter; I hope you enjoyed this!