(And welcome to the new year, guys. Let's pray this one will be better than the last.)
After the confrontation with Zabuza, Squad Seven, Tazuna, Optimus, Megatron, Airazor, Waspinator, and Inferno were helping an unconscious Kakashi to Tazuna's home which was a nice little place by the sea.
As Tazuna knocked on the door, a beautiful young woman answered, "Dad, you're back." she gasped.
"Hey, Tsunami. You might wanna get the guest room ready. We got a man down." Tazuna explained.
Tsunami noticed Kakashi, but jumped at the sight of the Transformers, "What are-"
"They're friends. They helped protected me coming back." Tazuna assured her.
"Please, our sensei needs rest." Sakura pleaded.
Tsunami sighed, before smiling, "Come right in."
"Thank you, ma'am." Optimus thanked her.
"Yes, thank you." Naruto said, as they entered.
Later on Kakashi way laying on a futon in another room, as the others kept vigil over him. Soon enough the jonin started groaning before opening his normal eye.
"What happened? Where am I?"
"You're in Tazuna's home." Sasuke answered.
"As soon as you passed out, we got you here as quickly as possible." Airazor added.
"How do you feel?" Tsunami asked.
"Well, I've been better." he groaned.
"Overusing that Sharingan of yours did a number on you." Optimus noted.
"Yeah, well, sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures." Kakashi chuckled.
"Sensei, the fake tracker ninja got away with Zabuza." Naruto explained.
Kakashi sighed, "Great."
"Why would he even take the body if he killed him?" Sakura asked.
"Because he didn't really kill him, isn't that right?" Megatron asked Kakashi.
"No. Those needles he struck Zabuza with were senbon. The kind used in acupuncture. That tracker struck Zabuza in pressure points that would only make it look like he was killed." the cyclops explained.
"Which means they're probably crawling back to Gato." Tazuna suspected.
"Well, I don't think they'll be sending anybody else out so soon, so that gives us a moment to plan." Kakashi sat up, "Which means you guys will need more training."
"How can you train us when you're so exhausted?" Sasuke asked.
"Well, it's easy-"
"Grandpa!" a voice cried.
Running into the room was a little boy who embraced the old man, "Inari, good to see you." he patted the kids head.
"I was scared you weren't coming back!"
"Hey, I'm ok. These ninjas made sure I got home safely." Tazuna motioned to Squad seven.
As Inari looked at the group, his eyes widened in shock from the Transformers, "AHH!" he hid behind Tsunami.
"Don't worry, these guys helped too. You can trust them." Tazuna assured the boy.
"Greetings. I am Optimus Primal. This is Megatron, Airazor, Waspinator, and Inferno."
Inari stepped out to look at the and Squad seven, before turning to Tsunami, "Mom, they're gonna die!"
This claim took the ninja and transformers by surprise, "Excuse me?" Naruto asked.
"You're gonna die if you stick around here. Gato will make sure of that." Inari warned them.
"I beg your pardon?" Megatron asked feeling insulted.
"You should all just get out while you can!" Inari shouted, before running away.
"Hey!" Naruto called, but knew he wasn't coming back.
Waspinator crossed his arms, "Waspinator hates rudeness."
"I'm so sorry about Inari." Tsunami apologized.
"So as you were saying?" Sasuke asked Kakashi.
Meanwhile out in the forest, the fake tracker was removing the needles from Zabuza's neck. Suddenly without warning his eyes flung open and he sat up like a shot groaning.
"Well, that took less time than I expected." the fake said.
Zabuza growled, "Dammit, Haku, what the hell were you thinking?!"
"I was just saving your life."
"But did you have to hit me in the neck?"
"I had to ask fast. So what now?" Haku inquired.
"I'll rest, and then next time Kakashi and those metal freaks will pay." Zabuza promised.
"Well, we better also report this to Gato."
"I know." Zabuza replied, as he got up, and they started off.
Later at a compound in the darkest part of the forest stood Zabuza and Haku before a midget of a man, who was their employer Gato.
The man was pacing around looking very displeased, "So you were overpowered by one man, and a bunch of metal creatures? Pathetic! You're supposed to be one of the best assassins there are. And you failed me?"
Zabuza growled, "I had not anticipated the appearance of those other creatures."
"Silence!" Gato ordered, "I don't want excuses. I want Tazuna dead. Get the job done, or you're finished!"
Haku frowned, and was ready to jump in only to be held back by Zabuza. Haku stood down, and the two walked away.
"Is money really worth putting up with his smart mouth?" Haku asked.
"Relax, Haku. Next time it won't be for him, It'll be for myself." Zabuza promised.
Later on, Naruto was out by a clearing training with several of the Transformers. He was dodging some strikes from Cheetor, as the maximal spoke.
"Man, talk about a mission gone crazy."
"I know. A simple escort turned into a fight against a deadly assassin." Naruto said, as he blocked a punch from Cheetor.
"You and your team were fortunate, Naruto." Tigatron said.
"Indeed, if not for us, Kakashi would've surely fallen much quicker." Megatron stated.
"I wager Kakashi could've still held his own even if we weren't there." Optimus retorted.
"Regardless. Zabuza and that tracker make a deadly combination," Naruto said, "When they return, and they will we all need to be ready."
"Agreed." Optimus nodded.
That night at Tazuna's, everyone was seated before a table, and enjoying a home cooked meal courtesy of Tsunami. Optimus, Megatron, Cheetor, and Rattrap were off to the side monitoring things.
Tsunami looked to them, "Are you sure you won't join us?"
"Thank you, Ms. Tsunami, but we do not require sustenance like food." Optimus replied.
Rattrap turned to Squad Seven, particularly Sasuke and Sakura, "So we heard from Naruto, Kakashi's got ya on a new training regimen. Walking up trees, was it?"
"That's right," Sasuke confirmed, "Naruto said he learned it already while on his travels. So I got some catching up to do."
"Shouldn't be a problem for you." Rattrap noted.
"What about you, Sakura?" Cheetor asked.
"I made it on my first go." Sakura said proudly.
"Seriously?" Rattrap asked in disbelief.
"It's true." Sasuke admitted sounding bitter.
"Impressive." Optimus commended her.
"Lot good it'll do ya." Inari grumbled.
The group turned to him, "You know it ain't nice to grumble, kid." Naruto said.
Inari looked at the group with anger in his eyes, "You should've left when ya had the chance! Now you're just gonna die!" he bolted from the room.
"Sheesh! What's his malfunction?" Rattrap asked.
Tsunami and Tazuna sighed, as the old man spoke, "You have to excuse Inari, but the state of our country has been particularly tough for him."
"Why is that?" Megatron asked.
Tsunami explained, "A few years back I married another man named Kaiza, who taught Inari about bravery and to be a hero. But when Gato moved in, Kaiza took a stand against him, and that cost him his life."
Naruto and the Transformers were in shock, as Tsunami continued, "And since that day, Inari's lost all hope and believes anyone who tries to take a stand will only be killed."
"Poor kid." Cheetor said.
"Hopefully once the bridge is complete Inari can be at ease again." Tazuna hoped.
"Then we must do whatever it takes to see to it the bridge is finished." Optimus said.
"Even if Gato sends Zabuza to stop us again." Naruto added.
"Thank you all for what you're doing for our country's sake." Tazuna said gratefully.
After dinner, Naruto was outside using a communicator to speak to Airazor and Waspinator who were back at the HQ in Konoha.
"You want us to locate Gato's HQ?" Airazor asked.
Naruto nodded, "Even if the bridge is complete what's to stop Gato from destroying it through other means? Our best chance is to take him out and his goons. He can't be too far if he's set up shop here in the Wave country."
"But how can we even find him?" Waspinator asked.
"You still have Zabuza's signature stored in your memory banks, do you?"
"Of course." Airazor confirmed.
"Then look for him. Find Zabuza, you'll find Gato. Maybe even the Tracker ninja."
"As you wish, Naruto." Airazor replied.
"We'll begin tomorrow." Waspinator said.
"Good." Naruto ended the transmission.
And with that, Naruto went inside to get some much needed rest, for he knew the inevitable rematch with Zabuza and his partner was approaching.
(And there you have it. I'll see you all next time.)