Previously on Naruto….

"Protect the bridge builder. And no matter what happens, stay out of this fight!" Kakashi yelled.

Peri had fair skin, milk-chocolate brown hair, and beautiful forest green eyes. She looked exactly like how Sasuke remembered.

"Sasuke! Peri! Come over here you guys, I have a plan to save Sensei!" Naruto said, pulling them closer to his side.

...

The blonde dug in his back before grabbing a large shuriken. "SASUKE!" he yelled, throwing it towards the black-haired Uchiha disappearing in a puff of smoke. Catching the wind shuriken with one arm with a serious expression, "Windmill of Shadows!" Sasuke yelled, throwing the gigantic shuriken at him. Zabuza's eyes widened, barely able to dodge it. Behind the shuriken reveals to be the real Naruto and throws a kunai right at Zabuza's eyes.

"Damn it!" he growled releasing his water prison to dodge the incoming knife

Kakashi launched himself at the trees again, flashing out his Sharingan. A few seconds later, three unknown men fell to the ground unconscious. They were from the Foundation.


-Tazuna's House-

It's been three days since Team Seven's battle with Zabuza and Kakashi is still unconscious. He was now laying down on a mat with his students around him. "He's going to be a fine Father." a woman with long blue hair and kind eyes.

"Thank you Tsunami." Tazuna thanked his daughter.

"Yes thank you." Kakashi said now, sitting up and awake.

"Sensei no! You shouldn't be punishing yourself, you lost a lot of your chakra." Peri said, trying to get her teacher to lay back down. Just then a young boy ran into Tazuna in a giant hug, "Grandpa you're back!" the boy cheered, smiling up at him.

"Hey how have you been Inari?" Tazuna grinned.

"So who are these people, Grandpa?" the little boy asked.

"These Leaf ninjas are here to help me build the bridge I'm working on. They can get the job done much faster than an old man like me!" the bridge builder chuckled, patting the boy's back gently. Inari looked at the genin with a huge frown on his face almost in disbelief.

"Grandpa, they're all gonna die! There's no way they can beat Gato!" Inari spat.

"What did you say you brat!" Naruto growled, getting ready to hit him, but Kakashi stopped him. Tsunami came back to the living room and offered them lunch. There was salmon and onigiri with rice balls along with tea for the adults and milk for the children. From the corner of her eye she saw him, Sakura, and Naruto looked at her with a weird look on their faces.

(She looks kinda pretty. I still like Sakura more, but she's kinda cute.) Naruto thought.

(Relax Sakura. Peri doesn't have long hair like I do so there's no need to worry.) Sakura reassured herself.

"Hey, is something wrong you guys?" she asked.

"You just look different without that genjutsu. Not that it's bad! I think you look great" Naruto commented

"I don't. You looked better with the genjutsu." Sakura sneered. The fangirl had to admit that the Senju was pretty and the last thing she wanted was competition for Sasuke's heart.

Peri slightly flinched her first clenched the hem of her short sleeved shirt. "You should take a good mirror." she gritted.

"EEEKK!" Sakura squeaked, holding her eye in pain. Peri loomed over her with a clenched fist before storming to the door.

"Peri! Wait and come back!" Kakashi called her but she ignored him slamming the door behind her.

…..

"Did Peri always look like she does now?" the Uzumaki asked glaring at him

"Idiot, of course she did." Sasuke sighed, taking a sip of his tea.

"How would you know that?!" the Uzumaki asked, glaring at him.

"We've known each other since childhood." Sasuke quickly ended the conversation.

(Why did Peri cover herself with genjutsu? She's terrible at it so why?) Sasuke questioned.

Just then, Pakkun came back into the house with a ninja of the Leaf Village's Anbu trailing behind the pug. "Pakkun, what did Lord Hokage say?" the copy ninja said.

"The hokage said he'll look into it and I actually have news for you. Sakura Haruno is being transferred to a different squad." the ninja hound said.

...

….

"WWWWWHHHHHHHAAAAATTTTT?!" Sakura and Naruto screamed in horror

"What do you mean! Why am I leaving?!" she screamed

"Ms. Haruno, you were only assigned to this team temporarily. Your class had the largest number of students graduating so we had to find another team that could. This is the first time we had a genuine team with four members and after Lord Hokage and Kurenai Yuki read your profile they strongly believed your talents would be best on her squad. I'm sure Iruka must have told you." the anbu said.

-Flashback-

"Alright, settle down everyone, it's time to announce the squads. Since there's a larger group, one of you will be temporarily placed on a team until further notice.." Iruka said.

-End Flashback-

Sakura looked at Sasuke hoping that he would defend her and stop this from happening. But he just continued to eat his meal as if nothing was happening to her sadness.

Personally, the Uchiha didn't really care for the girl.

To him, she was just another annoying fangirl that never left him alone but wasn't that every girl? Well maybe not every girl since Peri and that Hyuga never bothered him.

To put it shortly Sasuke was happy that Sakura was leaving.

-Leaf Village, Land of Fire-

Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting on his desk doing some paperwork. He just sent Pakkun back to the Land of Waves to report back to Kakashi with one of his anbu escorting the hound back. "I thought I already disbanded the Foundation. Just what is Danzo up to?" Hiruzen asked as he read Kakashi's report again.

After the civil war when the Uchiha and Senju Clans were massacred he personally disbanded the Foundation and removed Danzo from government power and from the council. But Danzo was sneaky and extremely deceptive and he knew that better than anyone else. To make things worse, it could be possible that the council along with the elders were helping him from the shadows.

Whatever is going on he needs to get to the bottom of it and fast.

-Tazuna's House, Land of Waves-

The following day was bright and sunny, but to say that Naruto and Sakura were upset would be an understatement.

They were depressed.

Naruto was sad that he wasn't going to be with Sakura.

And Sakura was sad that she wasn't going to be with Sasuke. Iruka told them at the academy that Haruno was going to be temporarily on the team until they found her another team. And deep down the girl had been hoping that they wouldn't find another team where she could stay with her crush. This was the closest she has ever been with Sasuke her whole life! Sure Sasuke doesn't talk to her that much but at least he acknowledges her.

And she hated the fact that Peri was going to stay with Sasuke!

Just thinking about it made her blood boil.

No way she was going to let some loser take HER Sasuke! Childhood friends or not!

(If we're going to be separated then I need to at least tell Sasuke how I feel. Then maybe even though we're on different team's he'll accept my feelings.) Sakura thought.

Walking over to the dark-haired boy who looked at her with a blank look. Peri was standing next to the boy and felt a stab of anger rise up inside her as the pink-haired girl walked over blushing.

"S-Sasuke? I just...wanted to let you know that I liked you for a very long time and even though we're going to be on different teams. I-I want you to know I feel like you and I hope you can accept my feelings. So Sasuke...maybe...after this we can go one a date?" Sakura asked softly.

"No way." Sasuke cooly replied

(I'll rip his head off!) Naruto growled

(That's harsh.) Kakashi and the Anbu flinched

It was so quiet you could almost hear a twig snap. Sakura looked like she was going to cry, but tried to stay strong. "Y-You don't accept them now! I can wait! Just maybe we can do something together sometime."

"No way." Sasuke repeated before walking back to the house.

"SASUKE YOU JERK! COME BACK HERE!" Naruto yelled angrily, taking off after him.

After Sakura thanked Kakashi she followed the Anbu as they made their journey back to the village. And for some reason the anger Peri was feeling disappeared. She began to internally freak out, there was no way she was falling in love with Sasuke.

They were friends. That's it.

…..

The next day Kakashi gathered his three students outside into the small woods behind Tazuna's house. "Alright let's begin your training. Before we start, tell me what you know about chakra." the copy ninja asked.

"No need sensei Iruka-sensei told us all about catra!" Naruto grinned.

Everyone sweatdropped at the idiotic blonde.

"It's chakra not catra. So who wants to explain it?" he sighed.

Peri raised her hand with a bright blue and yellow stripe background behind her with a light bulb above her head. "Listen up folks! So basically chakra is essential for all of the jutsu that shinobi use and for life. A shinobi can use it by combining physical energy or stamina and mental or spiritual energy together. By molding these two energies together a ninja can divide and scale their chakra in order to perform ninjutsu!" she finished.

"That's right good job Peri." he smiled

Naruto rolled his eyes. "What's the point knowing all of that! I mean we already use it, why do we need to know this stuff?"

"For once Naruto is right we already know how to use jutsu so what's the point of learning this?" Sasuke asked.

"No, you don't. Right now you're just wasting your chakra when you attack and that can be fatal in battle. Like Peri said, you need to know how to use the physical energy that comes from your body's cells and training and the mental energy from meditation. By combining the two of them together you can effectively use your jutsu without using too much chakra and with control, it will become more powerful." Kakashi explained.

"So how do we do that?" Peri asked

"By learning to mold and improve your chakra control." Kakashi answered.

"How do we do that?" Naruto asked

"By climbing a tree." Kakashi smiled cheerfully.

The trio face planted the ground in a very comical way.

"Please tell me you're joking?" Peri sweatdropped.

Kakashi smirked at her and hobbled over to a tree with his crutches. Placing a foot on the tree bark the copy ninja walked up the tree much to the three genin's amazement.

"No way," Naruto whispered

"He's climbing the no hands!" Peri gasp.

He stopped standing upside down on a branch looking down at Sasuke, Peri, and Naruto on the ground. "Do you understand now? If you want to be an excellent ninja you need to control your chakra. For this tree climbing practice exercise focus your chakra to the bottom of your feet. Feet are one of the body's key points and it's the easiest one to do." the gray-haired man explained throwing three kunai at them.

"So what should we do?" Peri asked, taking a kunai.

"Channel your chakra down to your feet and run up the tree. Try to make it to the top of the tree while making your progress with the kunai." Kakashi said, walking down the tree. The three kids made a hand sign focusing their chakra down to their feet.

(I'm gonna beat Sasuke and make it all the way to the top!) Naruto grinned with determination.

"Alright let's do this!" the Uzumaki said

"3. 2. 1. CHARGE!" Naruto, Peri, and Sasuke yelled running up the trees.

It couldn't have been more disastrous.

Sasuke used too much chakra and got his foot stuck. While Naruto didn't use enough chakra and facepalm the bark. The only one that made progress was Peri who was sitting at the top of the tree laughing. "WHAT?!" Naruto screamed in disbelief.

"Hello down there~!" she sang, waving.

"Well, looks like Peri's closer to being the Hokage huh. After all, not even the Uchiha could beat the Senju Clan." Kakashi said.

"Preach the truth Kakashi-sensei!" Peri cheered with a fist bump.

Sasuke and Naruto looked at each other then backed up the trees as they sprinted towards it. The copy ninja looked at the boys from the corner of his eyes.

(There's a fire in their eyes. They don't want to lose." he smiled at the kids who were still training.

All three of them were just like his old teammates pulling away from his memories. He took out his favorite book and began to read. After a couple of minutes, Kakashi watched his female student help the other two with the training. Sasuke was starting to make some progress being able to reach higher almost to the top. Naruto wasn't having too much success, but he was starting to get the hang of it. "Remember that channeling chakra feels like water running down your arms! So try to direct the chakra to your feet so it feels like you're wearing wet socks!" Peri called down from the top where she was sitting

"Yes ma'am!" Naruto saluted

"Hn."

"DON'T GRUNT AT ME YOU DUCKBUTT!" she yelled

"Don't call me that!" Sasuke snapped

"Why? Your hair is like a duck's butt!" Peri yelled, slipping off the tree and crash-landed on Naruto to the ground.

"OW!"

"Idiots. You guys are total losers, you know that?" Sasuke smirked. Crossing his arms standing on the top of the tree.

"SHUT UP!" Naruto and Peri yelled with comedical sharp teeth and bulging eyes

Even though they were dumb he didn't mind in fact he was starting to enjoy their company.

Especially Peri.

Ever since his older brother killed their parents and their clan five years ago, he has blocked out everyone from his life, but for some reason he couldn't cut his best friend out of his life.

And for some reason he was fine with that.

From another tree top their sensei was watching what argument below with amusement.

(Looks like they are starting to get along.) Kakashi chuckled.

It reminded him of his genuine team. There were a lot of friendly arguments but when it came to it the three of them worked together perfectly. They were his family.

(If only I was able to save both Obito and Rin.) he said sadly, hiding the tears that fell from his eyes.

Time Skip

Tazuna and Peri went into town to buy some groceries for tonight's dinner. "So where are the other two boys?" he asked.

"I finished before them so they're still training. I will probably do some more once we get back." she replied and felt a small tug on her pants. Behind her was a scared eight-year-old boy wearing torn up clothes and no shoes.

"Excuse Miss, do you have any money?" the little boy squeaked. Peri nodded and immediately gave him some money and the lunches that she made for her teammates. She would just have to make them more later, the small boy gave her a hug before running off to his siblings giving her the food. "Wasn't that your lunch?" Tazuna asked her.

"I'm not really hungry. Besides, I know how those little kids feel." Peri trailed off, she had only one family member left. But it was the same family member that spent all of her family's fortune on gambling for who knows how many years and now there's nothing left. There were times where Peri didn't have anything to eat and she had to go to the food drives in the Leaf Village to eat, especially if there was a bad harvest.

And it wasn't just her going to those food drives, Sasuke came with her too. A couple times she even saw Naruto going there too.

Peri looked around the town and frowned, the townspeople looked completely miserable and devoid of any happiness. No wonder Tazuna was so determined to finish the bridge. This was the only way to save his people.

"I hope you finish the bridge soon Mr. Tazuna, for everyone's sake." Peri said.

"Me too." the bridge builder replied looking at his friends with tears in his eyes. He was determined to finish the bridge; there was no way he would let Kaiza's death be in vain.

-Later that night-

Tsunami called everyone in for dinner. Peri was sitting next to Kakashi while Sasuke and Naruto were sitting across from each other having a good eating competition. A tick mark appeared on the brunette's forehead annoyed at her teammates.

"CUT IT OUT!" she screamed

"No, I have to eat." Sasuke argued, wiping his mouth.

"And I have to eat more than him!" Naruto yelled, stuffing his mouth. You could practically see the lightning in their eyes. But that changed when their faces turned green and hurled up their stomachs. Peri grimaced at the sight, punching the two boys on the head. Honestly, she cared for Naruto and Sasuke a lot, but they were complete idiots when it came to their rivalry. Knowing the tension, Kakashi asked about the torn photo. "That was a photo of my son-in-law, Kaiza. He was trying to fight Gato before he was killed." Tazuna said grimly.

Just then Inari stormed out of the dining room and ran to his room slamming the door. Tsunami gave her father a stern glare before following her son to comfort. "It was his idea to build a bridge to the mainland and we both decided that this was the only way to defeat Gato once and for all." he continued

"So that's why Gato is after you." Naruto said

"Yes. I'm sorry for deceiving you and putting your lives in danger. But this land is poor, not even our feudal lords have money so paying for a higher rank mission is impossible. But I make this up to you somehow, it's getting late so follow me and I'll show you to your rooms." Tazuna said, leading the group up the stairs. There were two guest rooms, the boys shared one guest room while Peri stayed in the other room alone before they all went to sleep for the night. The following day Sasuke, Peri, Kakashi, and Tazuna made their way to the bridge. Leaving early that morning Naruto was still asleep so they left him behind only leaving a note with him. Since their previous battle with Zabuza and told them that he was still alive Kakashi ordered them to patrol the village so far there hadn't been any sightings of him.

Finally, the group made it to the bridge only to be met with a terrible sight.

"W-What is this?!" Tazuna gasped

All of his construction workers were bloodied and unconscious.

"Is that how you thank me? You should be grateful I didn't kill them, Tazuna." a familiar gruff voice chuckled.

A thick mist rose from the sea circling around them. Zabuza and a mysterious masked boy came from the thick mist.

(Zabuza!) Sasuke and Peri exclaimed

"Peri and Sasuke protect the bridge builder!" Kakashi yelled, activating his sharingan.

"So that's the Copy Ninja's sharingan? It's an honor to see it in person." the masked boy said softly.

"And it seems like there are a few people. All the better let's wrap this up quickly so Gato can give us our money." Zabuza chuckled evilly.


Author's Note

Zabuza is back! And the fate of the Land of Waves hangs in the balance!

Will Team Seven be able to defeat the evil Zabuza? And who is this mysterious boy that has appeared?

And about Sakura.

I think it's safe to say that everyone hates her. To those who do like her though I'm sorry and yes it was always the plan to put her on Kurenai's team. But she is still going to be in the story, she's not going to be killed off or anything.

And what do you think about Sasuke and Peri being childhood friends?

I want to thank everyone reading and please stay safe during the pandemic. Most importantly have a great day!

~SenjuPrincess~