Chapter 4 – Growing Issues

Jakken stood outside the room where the two elders were. He had asked for a meeting and he was granted it. He was a little surprised considering the reputation that his team earned, especially when it came to elder Koharu. After a while, he was told to enter the mission room. He entered and stood before the two elders. They looked at Jakken.

"You said that you have a request?" Homura asked.

"Yes, I was asking to be put on the squad that has the mission that may have been requested by the manager of the 'Neko' house." Jakken said, getting to the point. They checked through the mission's report and did find the request that he was talking about.

"Yes, we have assigned Shiranui Genma and Tatami Iwashi to the mission. Is there a reason you wish to join?" Koharu asked.

"It is a personal matter dealing with the person that they are tasked to find. We have been in contact for a few months. It has been this way since we escorted her that one time. I am an excellent tracker and can be helpful in finding her. I will not slow down them down in the slightest." Jakken said. The elders and a few council members were talking among themselves. After a moment, they faced him.

"Very well, we will grant you permission to join. Meet up with Genma and Iwashi in one hour. They will be informed of your assistance." Homura said.

"Understood, thank you elder." With that, Jakken left to get prepared.

XXX

"Come on kid, how much longer do you plan on not talking to me?" Jiraiya asked. The two were back on the road, heading to the next town. Since leaving, Naruto ignored the man. He knew why but he didn't think he would be this angry. Naruto continued to ignore him. Jiraiya just sighed before speaking again.

"Okay, yes, I should have mentioned that a group of S-rank criminals are after you for the Kyūbi. At the time, I thought it was the right thing to keep it from you, to protect you." Jiraiya explained.

"Oh yeah, that worked out great. Not only do I have the man who massacred his whole clan after me, I have a former member of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Nananin Shu with him." Naruto spat.

"Technically, Kisame was never a member but that's not the point. You did a good job in trying to escape and knocking out the Uchiha was a nice bonus. Look Naruto, right now, you aren't strong enough to handle them. After some one-on-one training with me, you will be ready for them." Jiraiya send with a grin.

"You're not going to just ditch me for a pair of pretty eyes are you?" Naruto asked.

"I make no promises. After all, I am the Gallant Jiraiya." He joked, making Naruto sigh. "Don't worry kid; you'll give the Akatsuki hell after some training." Naruto grinned as well and the two continued their mission.

XXX

Anko watched over Kakashi as he laid in bed, in a coma. She sighed in frustration as she watched his chest rise and fall. She narrowed her eyes at his prone form.

"I want to draw my sword and cut you up, you know that. How could you not tell me about a band of S-rank criminals after Naruto? I'm his sensei. I should have been informed. As soon as you wake up and Jiraiya gets back, I'm going to feed you both to my snakes." Anko said with a huff. She took some time to calm herself. Her expression got somber. "Just… get better stupid. I don't want to lose my reading partner."

With that said, Anko stood and left the room. She made her way out of the hospital so that she could take care of the hounds that were still in her apartment. As she exited, Gai came up with Sasuke. Upon seeing her, Sasuke broke free from Gai and got within Anko's personal space.

"Hey, I have an issue with your loser of a genin." Sasuke snarled. Anko gave him a look.

"I don't know you're talking about. I have no losers on my team." She said.

"That stupid blond had no business stopping me from my vengeance! Itachi was in my grasp! My clan could have been satisfied! My ambition could have been fulfilled and it isn't because that loser got in my way!" Sasuke shouted.

"What are you talking about? You look like that ass end of a beating. From your bruises and that broken wrist, you didn't even come close to killing Itachi. What make you think that a child, with only six months of ninja experience, could kill a shinobi who has had twelve? An ANBU at the age eleven, captain soon after, and you believe that you could have killed him. You're living in a dream world kid. Kakashi should have taught you better than that." Anko said and walked away from him. Sasuke was seething. How dare this woman tell him such things?

"If I see him again, I'm going to hurt him badly!" Sasuke exclaimed threateningly. Anko stopped and turned around to face him. By the look on her face, she did not look happy.

"Excuse me?" she asked softly.

"If I see Naruto again, I'm going to hurt him. I will end his career as a ninja!" he spat loudly. Everyone around them was stunned at the fury that Sasuke expressed. They were also shocked at how evil he sounded when he threaten Naruto. A few actually believed that he would keep his word and that scared them. That's when Sasuke felt pain like he has never felt before.

He spat out blood as Anko knee was driven into his chest. She drove her elbow onto his back, slamming him into the ground. That's when Anko stomped on his knee cap, snapping it. Sasuke screamed as the pain was unbearable. That's when Anko pulled his hair back and arced his neck.

"You have some nerve boy." Anko said with a deadly tone. She gave him a look that promised death. "I should slit your throat and let you bleed like a pig but you still have value to the village and it is the only reason you aren't dead. However, if you threaten any member of my team, if I see you near us, if you even breathe wrong, I will kill you, cut out your eyes and mail them to your brother." Anko then slammed his face into the ground, breaking his nose. Anko stood and walked away, no one was stepping in her way. A few couldn't even blame her for what she did.

Sasuke was carefully taken into the hospital to be treated for her injuries.

XXX

It took three and a half days to reach the island where Tenzen was living. When they entered the town, eyes were already on them. It only took a few hours before Unkai was summoned by the crime lord. Unkai stood before the man and was surrounded by his men. He looked on and saw the Kubikiribocho at his side.

"So, what is a Konoha team doing in my city?" Tenzen demanded.

"We are not here to cause any trouble. You are not on our radar. My name is Karama Unkai and I am here on behalf of our ward, Haku." Unkai said.

"Haku? Wait a minute, that masked kid who was with Zabuza? He's with you?" Tenzen asked.

"Yes, he is under our protection and our banner. I know that you would not come after him while he is a Konoha shinobi. That would not make good business sense." Unkai said, earning a snarl from the crime lord.

"What do you want?" Tenzen demanded.

"I'm here to offer you a deal Tenzen. We know that you have Momochi Zabuza as your prisoner. We, of the Kurama clan, are here to pay for his freedom. We are willing to pay the amount that his bounty is reported in the bingo book." Unkai explained.

"Ha, that's pretty funny! Why would I do that when I have already made a deal with Kiri? They plan to pay double what you're offering. Still, I am a reasonable man. If you are willing to pay triple, I might be inclined to listen." Tenzen said with a grin.

"I'm sorry to say that will not happen. Do you truly believe that I am a man to be messed with Tenzen? You are nothing but a two-bit thug who got his power through greed and miss-deeds. A former member of the Water daimyo's court, reduced to being nobody. Am I supposed to tremble?" Unkai asked. Tenzen lost his grin and glared at the man.

"You just made a grave mistake." Tenzen said and motioned his men to attack. As they closed in, several vines erupted from the ground and ensnared everyone, including Tenzen. Unkai walked up to Tenzen and looked him in the eyes.

"You had your chance." Unkai said before vanishing. Once he was gone, the vines vanished as well. Tenzen looked around as saw no damage around him. He figured out that it must have been one of those illusions. Breathing hard and angry, Tenzen shot up with a start.

"Find these bastards and kill them all! Bring Zabuza here now! I will finish this once and for all!" he shouted. Everyone scrambled to do as they were told.

XXX

Zabuza was dragged before Tenzen. The man looked beat up and his bandages used as a mask were now gone. Forced to his knees, the man looked at his tormentor without fear. The crime lord was pacing angrily.

"What's the matter Tenzen? Having troubles?" Zabuza asked mockingly.

"Not as much as you are about to have. I have decided to cancel my deal with Yagura." Tenzen said.

"That isn't such a good idea. Yagura isn't someone you cancel on." Zabuza explained.

"Don't worry; I have a good relationship with Yagura. I am supplying his side after all. I think he will forgive me if I just kill you now. I will just give him your head and your sword." Tenzen spat. Snapping his fingers, one of his men grabbed the Kubikiribocho. He made his way in front of the kneeling Zabuza and stood in front of him.

"Well, I'm glad that you decided to use my sword. I prefer it that way." Zabuza said. Tenzen sneered at his smile. The henchman raised the large cleaver in the air. That's when Zabuza launched himself at the man while the sword was in the air. He bit into his neck while freeing his hands, which were bound. Ripping out the man throat, Zabuza caught the Kubikiribocho as it fell. The blade hit the ground with a thud, only because Zabuza's injuries. Tenzen and the men around him were shocked and in awe at what just happened.

"W-What the hell? How did you free yourself?!"

***Flashback***

Sitting in his cage, a worn Zabuza was just waiting. Tenzen told him about the deal he made with Yagura before he was called away. He knew that the end was coming. As he waited, he heard something. It was the sound of a body hitting the ground. He carefully stood up and looked to see what was going on. That's when the air shimmered in front of him and he received a surprise.

"Haku?" he asked. He looked behind him to see that girl from Nami no Kuni. He ignored her for now and turned back to Haku. "How did you know I was here?"

"Konoha's intelligence learned of your capture. How were you taken by Tenzen?" Haku asked.

"He hired a group from Kumo to capture me. They sent their 'hellcat' after me. So why are you here?" Zabuza asked.

"You know why Zabuza-sama. Despite serving a new master, it was you who saved me. You are my most precious person in the world." Haku said and handed him a small key. With that done, the two vanished, leaving no trace of their presence. Zabuza looked at the key before using his sharp teeth to make a cut on his hand. He tucked the key under his skin and waited. Something told him that he should be ready.

***Present***

"You shouldn't concern yourself about the how Tenzen." Zabuza said before raising his blade. He unleashed his killer intent, a vision of a demon appearing behind him. "You should be concerned about what is about to happen now!" With that, the Kirigakure no Kijin (Demon of the Hidden Mist) launched his attack.

XXX

The Kurama ninja and Haku waited in the area that they believed that Zabuza would come through. They all saw the collapse of Tenzen's castle. They all felt the chakra of Zabuza and had no illusions that Tenzen was now dead. It would not be long when Zabuza walked into the area. The Konoha shinobi prepared themselves as a percussion. Zabuza ignored them to face Haku.

"I'm glad that you are okay Zabuza-sama." Haku said with a bow. Zabuza just looked at him for a while.

"Well, despite it all, you are still my tool. You did your duties as I would expect from you." He said. Haku smiled at his words. Yakumo scoffed at what she heard.

"Still an insensitive ass," Yakumo muttered. Zabuza turned his attention to her and narrowed his eyes. Yakumo did the same, showing no fear of the man. That's when everyone heard a giggle.

"I like her. She has some spunk." A female voice said. Everyone pulled out their weapons and grouped up. That's when a very beautiful woman stepped out of the darkness. She had ankle-length auburn hair styled into a herringbone pattern with bangs. One of them was covering one of her green eyes. She was wearing a blue battle kimono that covered her mesh clothing. Upon seeing her, Zabuza went white as a sheet. Haku also looked afraid of this woman. This made the Kurama members wonder what was going on.

"Hello Zabuza." She said sweetly.

"T-Terumī… M-Mei…" Zabuza said with fear.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes: Sorry for taking so long with my chapters. I don't have any excuse for this. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy the new chapter. I will make an attempt to be faster at putting out more chapters every week.