AN soo I was rewatching the wave arc, and I believe that the only way wave country could afford to build the bridge is if they have some form of a steel and cement industry. But to have those they would need a developed domestic economy that could well produce those resources, so I believe that my GDP and population estimates are pretty close to being accurate. Though the island of Wave will be about sixty-five miles or one hundred and four Kilometers.

Also, I really did forget that I adopted this story from Ebonpurlight so credit where credit is due and all that.

The carriage had left the walls of Konoha I felt strangely sad, or remorseful, this will be the last time I enter these walls as a comrade, as a member of the village of Konoha. I felt weird both relived from the hatred but cut off from the family that was the leaf village. I could feel someone tapping my shoulder repeatedly, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"What is it Daisuke?" I questioned. "When the horses tired out for the day I would like to teach you the proper way to act in the Fire Daimyos court; one wrong word and the land of Fire could declare war on Wave country." the older Samurai replied

"Ok I will learn how to act as a Daimyo, but, is there any way I could learn swordplay or additional chakra training, I would like to continue growing stronger even though I am not a ninja anymore." I replied to Daisuke

he nodded then spoke up, "I am quite worried because the Daimyo of fire is a shrewd, and pragmatic man he will most likely offer something for our nation's needs, but to exploit our nations trade industries much like Gato did." he paused to think for a moment

"Now that we have a daimyo; Wave can finally nationalize the holdings of Gato industries. When Gato came to Wave country, he moved everything from his headquarters, mineral rights across the elemental continent, and documents of ownership for Gato industries; the reason we even could nationalize his holdings is that Gato was a very greedy man." Daisuke paused to collect his thoughts and hear any questions I may have.

"Throughout his business life, he would slowly muscle out the other board members to ensure he could maximize profits and have complete control of how the business was run, by, the time Gato had come to Wave he was the sole controller of the company which allowed him to get away with murder."

Tazuna decided to speak up "Gato industries controls iron and gem mines in Stone country to farms in the land of Noodles. The fire daimyo might want to lease these resources from us on the down low to launder the supplies from his rivals right out from under their noses for a fraction of the cost."

"You don't need to tell me how much that would undercut the recovery of our nation." before I could continue there was a sharp knock from the driver "Mi'lord the horses are tired and need to rest we will need two more days to reach Keishi."

I got out of the carriage with Tazuna and Daisuke. I heard the rustling of leaves behind me, turning around I saw Hibiki kneeling before me.

"Lord Naruto, the area is clear my squad, and I will continue to patrol from the shadows." Hibiki informed. I nodded in response.

I heard Daisuke request for the Katana of the samurai in charge of the Ashiguru. I could bearly hear him explain to the Samurai field commander, that I need to learn swordplay. He approached me and knelt as he carefully handed me his blade. I thanked him while receiving the katana with care.

I strapped the Katana to my left side so I could have ease of access to the blade by my right hand. I turned around to face Daisuke and started to walk towards him. He had a calculating look, I could feel him watch my every movement with the eyes of a trained master; every flaw I had I felt was being laid to bear in front of him. he started to inform me what he will teach me

When I stopped five feet away from Daisuke, the Samurai smiled while speaking "I will teach you Gadan no Kamae the lower level stance it is used as a defensive position. You would be using your enemy's strength or hotheadedness against them." Daisuke took a moment to pause and see if I had any questions and continued

"The Gadan no Kamae you will attempt to parry your opponents and transition into a thrust through the heart of your foe, but, the Gandan no Kamae does not always need to counter with a thrust when done correctly the enemy will be to close to counter most strikes to the abdomen or a quick slice to the underarm." Daisuke finished his impromptu lesson

"but why are you teaching me a defensive posture first?" I questioned "Under most circumstances, yes, but, you are not the normal samurai you are a ninja. A ninja can use jutsu or chakra to aid their movements and empower their strikes. but I have killed many ninjas who DID not learn a proper sword style leaving themselves open; I would rather you do not befall the same fate."

I saw Daisuke draw his blade and I copied him "Hold the blade, so your right hand is just below the handguard, and your left hand is just above the pommel. Your right hand will be delivering the power behind your strikes, while your left hand provides control to the blade. Then place your right foot forward while your left is placed behind you; seventy percent of your weight is on your back foot while the last thirty percent is on the front foot. Move the blade, so it points downward with the handle being level with your belt line on your body." Daisuke instructed.

I followed the Samurai's instruction to the letter. Daisuke walked around me nodding he returned to standing in front of me. "We will be using the back of the blades to practice. Normally we would use Bokken which is a properly weighted wooden training sword, but we will have to make do. we will have a practice match before I begin training you, that will tell me where I need to work on in your form." Daisuke instructed

I nodded while taking a readying breath. Daisuke held his blade above his head, his feet positioned like mine are. Daisuke charged attempting to make a downward slice to my right shoulder, I quickly moved back bringing my blade up to strike his left armpit. Daisuke turned to the right and used the back of his sword to hit me on the upper thigh, this caused me to stumble in mid-slice; he capitalized on this and brought his pommel down on my right hand deadening the limb. Before I could try to move the front of the blade was at my throat. "Yield the battle, my Lord," Daisuke commanded

"You have two reasons why you lost, first when I charged you, I intentionally left my self open so you could parry and counter that I would have no hope of countering. Instead, you dodged while not necessarily a bad idea with that style you immediately counter-attacked leaving yourself open and I quickly counter-attacked bringing you down as you obviously felt." Daisuke paused to recollect his thoughts "And your second mistake is your inexperience which is understandable as to why you lost this match."

I was then shown the various Katas involved in the Gandan no Kamea. Regrettably, we had many more practice matches; I think my bruises have bruises.

"Mi'Lord, the horses, are ready we will need to depart if we want to reach Keishi in three days." My advisors and my self boarded the carriage began the trip to the capital of fire country.

_Danzo POV in Konoha_

"Danzo do you know why I wanted to meet you?" Noburu asked calmly while he sat in my desk. "The letter from the Lord Hiroshi said I had a new opportunity?" I could see Noburu smirk "The Daimyo needs information he needs eyes on the ground that you have, and he needs someone as a member of the council of Konoha to better understand the level of autonomy that Konoha experiences." Before I could answer Mr. Noburu continued for me "The Lord of this land, wants absolute loyalty from HIS ninja. Do you understand?"

I couldn't help but nod and ask a question "Why did the Fire Daimyo allow the Kyuubi Jinchuriki to leave his service?" Noboru started laughing and responded while chuckling "Even I am unsure, but if I had to guess Lord Hiroshi is tired of his ninja acting like rogue operatives, and the country of Wave just facilitated an easier way to ensure the village of Konoha would not start a fourth shinobi world war."

I was shocked but what choice do I really have if I refuse. The Daimyo will not bail me out when I have worked against the Hokages will, I could be executed like what Sarutobi had wished. My decision was made for me "I will work for the Fire Daimyo as an informant." I said while bowing

Noburu smiled "Right your first task is to ensure that Konoha will not interfere in Wave country and to bring the standards of the ninja program back to the second shinobi war."

I nodded in agreeance before we could continue we heard a ROOT member cough "Why are you interrupting Noburu and I?" I spoke with an undertone of veiled anger.

"Lord Danzo we discovered a rat skulking about listening into your discussion. What should I do with him?" as he spoke two other ROOT ANBU dragged a male with a burlap sack over his head a dropped him before me.

"Hmm let's see who is behind his mask," I asked no one in particular; while grabbing the sack over his head and roughly ripping it off his head reveling Inoichi.

well, this is a surprise I did not realize that Tsunade would send someone to follow me so soon... well this just means I can test out a new seal on this poor sod.

"You won't get away with this you can not just kill me and expect it to be swept under the rug," Inoichi said

"Ha, you think I'm going to kill you. bring me some Chakra ink and a brush." I said as I let out a dark chuckle, Noburu in the back had directed an operative to bring him some wine and a glass.

"Do be thorough with cleaning this mess up, it could decide whether or not you have a continued tenure with our Lord." He asserted calmy as a glass of wine was handed over to him.

_Naruto POV Keishi_

"WOW, the capital is so big!" I exclaimed, but I was drowned out by the cacophony of the city. "Before we meet with the Daimyo I would like to purchase a Katana. I just don't feel right taking one of my Samurai's sword. Tazuna and Daisuke would you two prepare our place of residence and inform the fire Daimyo of our arrival."

" Hibiki you are with me." Hibiki nodded and fell in behind me as I started rambling through the city looking for a blacksmith to craft my Katana. I was interested "Sooo Hibiki why did you decide to join me and become one of my ninjas?"

"I was selected by Lord Danzo as I was the least valuable ROOT operative in his cadre, I had no Kekkei Genkai that would be lost from Konoha, and I was an orphan who would not be missed. I am only a tool for Danzo and now you; I am a tool for your use when I dull I expect to be thrown away at your discretion."

I turned around and lightly hugged Hibiki who I could feel lightly flinch under my hold so I let her go and try to console her "You are a human, not some tool that will collect rust. I want a friend, not a tool I want someone that Wants to protect Wave like a family that our country is, you are a member of our family that is Wave." I declared with sincerity I could see she was confused "This is a new experience for me I like the other members of ROOT are prohibited to feel emotion." she explained

"I order you to start to learn how to experience emotions, it will take a long time, but you will regain your emotion one day." I lightly order Hibiki

She nodded unsurely "I will attempt to learn how to experience human emotions." she stated more like a question, but this is a start.

We started walking the streets of Keishi until I noticed a wooden sign hanging above the street, Katashi's forge and weapon shop. As I entered, I could hear the pounding of metal and smell the hot oil that is used to quench the blades.

We waited for the sound of the hammer to subside. I then called out "Hello is the master of the forge in?" a large man whose face was covered in soot, the smith was shorter than I thought he would be, looked to be standing at a height at 5'2" he had brown eyes with white hair. A slightly scraggly beard and his face had some small burns the unnamed man bowed lightly.

"Welcome to Katashis forge, we sell all forms of weapons and take custom orders." I thought for a moment before I gave my request "Can you make a custom samurai blade for me?" "Yes, I could what do you want it made out of?"

I lightly nudged Hibiki she seemed to understand what I was implying "My Lord wants a high-quality chakra conducting Katana as well as a Tanto of the same make as the Katana." She informed the smith of the needed specifications.

"Ok, that will be expensive, chakra conducting steel is very expensive as is, but you want a katana, and a Tanto made from it." he paused and went to his counter and pulled out his records. "Well, that would be 450,000 Ryo to purchase the blades. I am assuming you don't want to wait six months for the blades to be finished, so I have included a shipping and transportation fee in the total price." Katashi told us calmly.

I almost gagged 450,000 Ryo is the same as three A-rank missions "Why is it so expensive?" Katashi took a labored breath "kid the blade could easily cost double but to be honest, you remind me of a fox." Hibiki and I tensed a little as he continued with a sigh "My wife and I were traveling through the forest forty years ago to reach the capital, see we used to live outside Tanzaku Gai when she went into labor. Usually, I would have no problem I had helped deliver my two younger brothers, but, a bear had smelled the blood and came for an easy meal. I had started praying to any kami or spirit to save my wife and our child; when two strangely colored silver foxes came barreling out from behind us and somehow made the bear chase after them. It may be silly to some Lord, but I will all ways worship the great nine-tailed fox for saving my wife our daughter and myself from death."

I breathed a sigh of relief and released a small chakra pulse summoning one of my ROOT Chunin "Go find Tazuna and bring him here." I ordered softly

when Tazuna arrived, he looked dizzy and a little sick, but there was a second Chunin with him "Tazuna, please pay Katashi for my new sword." Tazuna after looking at the bill he nodded and handed him the money.

the Chunin at the door coughed "Lord naruto the Lord Hiroshi has summoned you to the palace." I nodded "Hibiki would you come with me as my shadow." she nodded while I grabbed the Chunin on the shoulder and the world exploded in a blur of colors.

ending athors note

the Kitsune can represent rice, fertility, prosperity, productivity, and, as messengers for the god of rice.