During the next couple of days that Kakashi was unconscious Sakura took the boys out for medical ninjutsu training that she'd promised them, of course that wasn't without leaving an innumerable amount of traps to protect the civilians though.
Especially Tazuna, who got three Naruto clones tailing him since they could go rather far from their original each of them loaded down with weapons of all kinds and a summons from Sakura, plus Hitomi who stayed with Tazuna, they could produce enough venom to kill an enemy.
"Okay first you want to establish chakra control Naruto has Kakashi-sensei taught you any chakra exercises yet" Sakura asked as they stood in the forest just a little ways away from the civilians house not wanting to go to far just in case.
Immediately the boy shook his head "Nu-uh what are chakra exercises Sakura-chan" Naruto frowned in confusion, lost already and they'd only just begun, Sakura wanted to scream in frustration at that.
But Sasuke pat her shoulder "Keep calm Sakura, chakra exercises help you improve your control over your chakra say for jutsu's if your below average your jutsu's aren't very effective but improve that control and you can make your jutsu's much stronger" Sasuke explained carefully.
Trying his best not to make it to confusion for the knucklehead "So how do I do these chakra exercises then" the blonde asked determined to get better for the sake of his friends and this mission and everyone who was counting on them to return home.
"You want to focus your chakra into your feet like this Naruto…then get a running start, don't use to much or to little chakra otherwise you'll fall or break the bark" the pinkette said, demonstrating for the boy and walking up the tree calmly to his awe.
When she was sure he understood, she dropped out of the tree and landed gracefully on her feet "My turn right, so how do you learn how to use medical chakra" the ebony haired preteen questioned knowing this training was going to be like hell on him.
As Naruto got started on trying to learn standard chakra control "Focus chakra into your hands I know you have a decent amount of control and then you must will it to heal something, this melon for example" Sakura instructed.
Demonstrating first like she had for Naruto, who kept continuously falling, using very little chakra for the technique, and healed the gash in the melon rind "Better go help knucklehead before he gets to frustrated" Sasuke snorted.
"Can't get it, I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong" Naruto sulked unhappy that he was already failing and now he would never be able to get better, Sakura smiled reassuringly then had him stand again.
In front of the tree and made him focus his chakra into his feet "Good, add just a little more chakra Naruto, feel that, remember the amount okay, now go" the rosette instructed gently in tune with chakra to the point she could feel how much other people used in jutsu's.
Naruto charged going straight up the tree to his surprise only to lose concentration and fall, luckily Sakura caught him "Wow that was totally awesome you know" the blonde blurted in awe that he'd managed after listening to some simple directions.
For the next three hours Sakura flitted back and forth between the two boys "Ugh I'm never going to get that down" the Uchiha groaned when they started back towards the civilians house for an early lunch and to check on their hosts and sensei.
The lone girl rolled her eyes "There you three are I was wondering when you'd make a return" Tsunami greeted with a kind smile, clearly doing some laundry as she had a basket under her arm that was full of dirty clothes.
"Need any help Tsunami-san" Sakura offered instantly without skipping a beat, polite to a fault but the woman waved her off, heading out back and giving them free reign in the kitchen since they had more than enough supplies to accommodate a small army.
With that Sakura got started on cooking "Sometimes I wonder about you Sakura-chan, how did you turn out so different" Naruto asked sheepishly not wanting to sound insulting but definitely curious about his friend.
"It was the way she was born knucklehead" Sasuke was the one to answer as Sakura focused on their afternoon meal, whipping up a glorious amount of food that would satisfy even the most pickiest of eaters i.e Inari if they were being honest.
Speaking of the little boy, he chose that moment to charge into the house "Your all gonna die, Gato's gonna kill you" Inari spouted his usual nonsense then disappeared up the stairs to his room just glad he wasn't being scolded since his mom was out back.
Protected by a scary amount of traps that had been set up courtesy of the shinobi in his house and when lunch was finished Tazuna decided to return and his entourage of clones disappeared in plumes of smoke "Don't know how you do it Sakura" Tazuna shook his head.
Eyeing the amount of food with wide eyes, stomach rumbling in hunger while she made individual plates for all of them and even went so far as to feed some nice juicy flies she'd caught to her summons in thanks for their hard work.
"Me either, just eat up alright while the food is still warm" the pinkette grinned, getting lost in her thoughts while they ate, planning out several back up plans just in case things went south and something she could practice while the boys were working on their tasks.
Naruto and Sasuke left her to her thoughts for the entirety of the meal "Oi Sakura-chan you gonna summon your spiders again" the blonde called when they were done eating and Tazuna had to get back to work on the bridge.
He'd already made his clones but Sakura was still lost in her own world, but at his call she gave a little jolt and straightened before speeding through a set of hand signs to summon four spiders, Hitomi in charge of communication as the group of clones trailed after Tazuna again.
"I still say your gonna die" the eight year old shouted hopping up from his seat at the table and running out the door as quickly as possible to avoid another scolding from his mother, he did however catch the start of the scolding.
As the woman opened her mouth "Damn it Inari how many times….ooh it's no use, I'm really sorry about him, he didn't use to always be like that you see" the blue haired woman sighed realizing her son was to far away now and unsure of what to do anymore.
"We understand Tsunami-san, something traumatic happened to him that's something Sakura and I can relate to" the ebony haired preteen said softly, seeing no harm in admitting that much since the woman wasn't part of their village.
Curious as she was about what that traumatic thing was they'd been through Tsunami didn't ask getting the feeling she wouldn't be told, while the genin traipsed out back to the forest again to continue their training after checking on the unconscious Jonin of course.
All the way up to dinner time "Thought I was never going to heal that stupid melon rind" Sasuke scowled looking plum exhausted as he plopped into a chair at the kitchen table, most likely ready to go to sleep right then and there.
"Lucky you Sasuke cause like Sakura-chan so kindly pointed out I have zero aptitude for being a medic since I can't even produce medical chakra like you and she can" Naruto huffed put out, oh well at least he'd tried.
"There are tons of things your bound to be better than Sasuke and I at, you just have to find them Naruto" Sakura assured, helping out with the evening meal for the second night in a row it was so ingrained into her after all.
Until the meal was all ready to eat in the nick of time the two missing males appeared and joined them round the table "Don't talk with your mouth full Inari" Tsunami scolded harshly making up for earlier when her son didn't mind his manners as he was supposed to.
Inari gulped and snapped his mouth shut "Going to my room" Inari jumped up as if he was on fire, vanishing from the table when he was done and flying up the stairs to his bedroom, slamming the door shut in the process.
"Please don't blame him alright, Gato killed his step father for trying to be a hero" Tazuna sighed unsure of what to do about his grandson, who'd really changed since that incident, Naruto straightened at that.
Baby blue eyes narrowing on his two friends, he'd always wondered why Sasuke had started living with Sakura but now he was slowly beginning to understand "Is that what happened to you Sasuke, did someone kill your parents, is that why you changed so much" the blonde asked.
Dread filling him as his stomach twisted itself into knots, Sakura flinched "Suppose there's no point in avoiding the question now since he's figured that much out Sasuke" the pinkette said looking utterly exhausted.
While Sasuke grit his teeth "Not just my parents, my entire clan" the raven haired preteen admitted quietly then stood and vanished to the guest bedroom he'd taken over unable to really continue the conversation.
Naruto's eyes rounded in horror the last thing he saw "Poor boy guess he wasn't kidding, but how did you get mixed up in it Sakura-san" the blue haired woman asked but when she didn't receive an answer she looked up and found the girl gone as well.
"Left right after Sasuke did" the bridge builder explained the girl's absence from the kitchen table, kitchen cleaned with all dishes washed and put away, Naruto sighed wishing he hadn't asked because now he couldn't get the truth out of his head.
Eventually he did go to bed as well like his two friends/temporary teammates, only for them to repeat everything the next day, him focusing on learning how the water walking exercise and Sasuke practicing with the melon again.
Before Sakura considered him ready to start practicing on a fish, flitting back to the house and bridge to check on their host and client to make sure they were doing alright, even checking on Inari without his knowledge.
On the third day that they'd been in the little village during breakfast a groan from upstairs reached their ears "Kakashi-sensei is awake finally" Naruto cheered excitedly, glad to have his sensei awake after two days of him being unconscious.
Then prepared to rush off only being stopped by a restraining hand on his shoulder "Don't go rushing Naruto, while Kakashi-sensei is now awake, he won't be doing much for the next week" Sakura reminded gently.
Paling a little Naruto calmed himself down exponentially "You three what happened how long have I been out" Kakashi fired off questions the moment they entered the guest room he'd been in since arriving in Tazuna's village.
"Relax Kakashi, you collapsed from overusing that sharingan of yours and two days" Sasuke answered truthfully still wondering about the sharingan the man possessed but keeping any extra questions to himself for the time being.
Kakashi let out a relieved sigh as Sakura knelt at his side, hands glowing a slightly darker green than he remembered had she really improved that much in just two days it was possible knowing how talented the girl was after all.
"What about Tazuna, is this his house" the silver haired Jonin asked seriously, worried about their client, who chose that moment to slid open the door and enter the room he was in, Tazuna was in completely good health to his relief again.
"You don't have to worry Kakashi, these kids have been taking very good care of us, my daughter, grandson and I, also I need to get to work on the bridge" the bridge builder chuckled seeing the bewildered expression in the man's eyes.
Immediately Naruto and Sakura snapped to, creating clones and summoning spiders before Tazuna was off "It's how we've been doing things, while Naruto and Sasuke have been training" the pinkette explained easily.
Sasuke and Naruto nodding "By the way I still need to scold you for doing something reckless like that" Kakashi remembered suddenly how she'd used her spider summons to inject a nonlethal dose of venom into Zabuza, freeing him.
Viridian orbs narrowed "While you might see it that way Kakashi-sensei I don't, I didn't unnecessarily put myself in harms way, anyway that's besides the point and I can for sure guarantee you won't be doing anything for a week" Sakura stood and put her hands on her hips.
Just a little shocked at how quickly the girl had turned the scolding around on him Kakashi felt like a child all over again "Oh yeah and who's the Jonin here definitely not you Sakura-chan" the silver haired male sulked.
"Ah true, but as a medic it's my duty to ensure your fit for missions and such, the fight overworked your chakra network system so as a medic I say you need to rest properly, leave training these two, to me for now okay" the pinkette stated simply.
Not really arguing just pointing out simple facts "I'm going to get Kakashi-sensei his breakfast" the blonde sped off, grabbing the tray from where Tsunami always put it and piled plates and glasses on it of their own breakfast.
Zipping back to the room carefully to find a sulking Kakashi, an exasperated Sakura and a seriously amused Sasuke "He's just a little upset that Sakura is so straight-laced when it comes to being a medic" the ebony haired preteen explained to Naruto.
Who placed the tray down for them to eat breakfast, then when they were done Sakura went to the extreme to make sure Kakashi was comfortable before the three of them left to conduct their own training out back in the forest like they had been for the last couple of days.
Sasuke immediately got started on healing the melon until Sakura stopped him "Since you've managed to complete the first exercise, it's time to move on to syncing your chakra up to a fish's chakra network" Sakura announced, heading over to the nearby pond.
Quickly catching a fish for Sasuke to use as practice "Right this is going to be such a pain in the ass to do" Sasuke sighed knowing she was right, he couldn't keep practicing on the damn melon the whole time if he wanted to learn how to do this properly.
"How about me Sakura-chan do I get to practice something new" Naruto bounced when she came to stand in front of him, before asking that he demonstrate the tree climbing exercise for her so she could see his progress.
Immediately he focused the proper amount of chakra into the soles of his feet, then got a running start at the tree, going straight up before dropping down in front of her, Sakura nodded pleased, while Sasuke let out a frustrated groan as he burnt the fish to a crisp with his chakra.
Naruto wished he hadn't asked to practice something new when Sakura led him over to the pond "Um Sakura-chan don't tell me your going to have me try to walk on water now right" the blonde gulped uncertain about this new task that lay before him.
"Good luck knucklehead and don't worry it's not that hard since you already have the tree climbing exercise down, just listen to Sakura and you'll be walking on water in no time" the ebony haired preteen grimaced.
Catching a fish and getting out of their way so he could continue training, maybe when they got back, he could ask for a letter of recommendation from the hospital himself, have Shibi sign it and be trained under a medic at the hospital as well.
"Relax Naruto, now focus chakra into your feet, good just a little more, there that's perfect, the trick is not the amount though but to constantly reapply that same amount of chakra to your feet to complete the walking on water chakra control exercise" the rosette instructed.
Demonstrating and walking out onto the pond's surface with ease to Naruto's awe, who gulped and decided to wing it by charging head first like he usually did on anything, he made it five steps before he lost concentration over his chakra and promptly fell in.
After heaving himself onto dry land he tried the exercise again while Sakura headed over to Sasuke, "Think you could give me some pointers" Sasuke scowled, he was having a hell of a time just trying to understand how to sync his chakra up to a fish's chakra network.
"Of course Sasuke that's what I'm here for, right then close your eyes, sharpen your senses, feel that, it's the fishes, try to match your chakra with that and heal it" Sakura instructed carefully watching as Sasuke's hand glowed a dull green again.
Not as bright as it should be so she told him to increase the amount a little in the next second he matched his chakra to the fishes chakra and healed the fish, "I'm good don't worry about me Sakura-chan" Naruto waved her off when she came back to help him.
With that she went around the clearing picking herbs as the boys trained until it was time for lunch only then did they go back to the house "Your sensei has been kicking up quite the fuss" the blue haired woman informed them.
Holding out a tray that held their lunch on it, Sakura rubbed her temples, slanted a look to Sasuke, who nodded "Come on Dope" the Uchiha took the tray while Sakura headed over to the stove, pulling a pot from the cabinet to her right.
Then set to work on boiling the herbs she picked down into a liquid substance "What are you going to do with that Sakura" Tsunami asked in confusion watching the girl work, even adding a couple of herbs from her own stock.
Though she prepared them differently "It's medicine for Kakashi-sensei" the pinkette admitted lips pressed together, men were such children sometimes when it came to getting treated so she was going to give him a choice as she prepared a hypodermic needle and syringe.
Tsunami covered her mouth to keep from outright laughing as she realized what the girl was plotting against her sensei "Good luck Sakura" the blue haired woman cheered softly under her breath as Sakura finished up, cleaning the pot out, then with everything in hand marched upstairs.
Kakashi paused in eating when the missing genin entered the room "Is that what I think it is Sakura-chan" the blue eyed blonde of the group spied the needle attached to a syringe filled with a yellow looking substance.
"Your not giving me a shot" Kakashi said outright "I mean it Sakura-chan" the silver haired male tensed when she moved to sit at his side, only to start eating her cooling lunch, way to quiet which made him five times more warier than usual.
Until all the food had been devoured "Okay Kakashi-sensei I'm giving you two choices here, receive a shot or take this medicine in the glass either way you'll go to sleep to rest like your suppose to and will help you recover properly" Sakura folded her hands in her lap.
After setting the syringe and a glass before the man giving him the ultimate choice "Medicine is bitter and nasty though" Kakashi whined so unlike himself and Sakura reached for the syringe with needle, his eyes widened in horror.
Before she could prepare the needle for injection he snatched the glass and downed the contents of it in an instant definitely not wanting a shot, immediately his eyes drooped and soon he was snoozing the afternoon away peacefully resting properly now.
Sakura smirked in satisfaction, stowing the syringe away in her medical pouch "Very scary Sakura but I understand why you did it that way, because he was being stubborn" Sasuke snorted in amusement as they cleaned up after themselves.
On their way out the door Tazuna appeared a little on the late side so they stayed long enough to make more clones and summons spiders for the man "Yeah pretty sneaky to, to make him think you were going to give him a shot" Naruto sniggered.
Her brows raised "I wasn't joking Naruto, if push came to shove I would have given him the shot, regardless of his whining" the girl said in a no nonsense sounding tone of voice and Naruto instantly paled at that.
"Guess Kakashi-sensei should feel lucky you even gave him a choice" the blonde shuddered, setting to work on practicing the water walking exercise again, while Sasuke caught himself a fish to practice on that.
While Sakura sat and read from one of the books she'd brought along, drawing seals on blank tags, improving upon her fuinjutsu skills "Still scary though" the raven haired preteen piped in with a grimace as they all worked on their own individual things.
Until they decided to call it quits a few hours later and head back to the civilians house "Could you do me a favor Sakura, Inari came in covered in scratches, would you heal them for me, he's in his room" Tsunami asked the moment they stepped foot through the door.
A radiant smile was beamed in her direction as Sakura pranced off to complete her new task "Did you ask her Tsunami" Tazuna inquired when his daughter returned to the kitchen, Naruto and Sasuke on his heels, the lone girl missing, while Tsunami nodded in answer.
Meanwhile Sakura had reached Inari's room and after knocking on the door the answer she received wasn't one she really wanted to hear "Go away I don't need help from someone who's going to die once Gato get's a hold of them" Inari snapped from the other side.
Her eye twitched and after focusing on the inside of the room body flickered in a swirl of cherry blossoms "Okay that's it Inari-san I've had just about enough of that crap from you" Sakura put her hands on her hips.
Slapping a soundproofing tag to the wall and activating it so she could talk to the little brat who'd been way to rude since the moment they first arrived, Inari gaped at her in shock before crossing his arms "It's true your going to die" the eight year old insisted.
"Yeah and how do you know that for sure, we managed to protect your grandfather from chunin level rogues and fight off a jonin level rogue as well all in a single day that was hired by Gato, we're shinobi, enduring anything is in the job description" the pinkette snapped.
Not having expected that she'd go off on him like that the boy flinched back "How can you be so certain look at the state that person is in that you've been taking care of since you got here" Inari yelled back tears pricking at his eyes.
And she had to remind herself that Gato had taken away someone important to this boy who was a mere child, he was only acting out like this from his trauma "Kakashi-sensei was reckless, he overdid things during his fight is all that wasn't Gato's fault, just his" Sakura explained gently.
Honestly surprised that she was suddenly acting differently Inari frowned "What but I thought you fought someone hired by Gato" the ebony haired boy asked in confusion, if it hadn't been Gato's fault then could he perhaps start to hope that these shinobi really would save them.
"We did technically but like I said Kakashi-sensei overdid it, anyway look Inari, I know what it's like to lose someone dear to your heart, I was the same age as you and I know the trauma of seeing someone die before my eyes so don't think your the only one suffering" the rosette admitted.
Eyes wide to the truth Inari felt like a horrible burst which started the waterworks in full "But I don't get how you can be so certain that everything will turn out alright in the end" Inari sniffled, tears pouring from his eyes.
The girl smiling gently while pulling him into a careful hug "Call it a feeling Inari-san, now how about I see to those scratches okay" Sakura soothed glad to have finally broken through to the boy and now he would stop being rude to them.
Inari nodded and her hands glowed a soft green, taking the pain away and healing the scratches he'd got from falling into a bush before they headed downstairs to eat dinner with the others "Thank you Sakura-chan" the blue haired woman said.
Sakura merely nodded taking the held out tray "Settled his differences with us didn't you Sakura" Sasuke smirked glad that his teammate had a way with words that it could convince anyone to do her bidding or give them a chance.
"Of course Sasuke, enough was enough with that being rude crap he was pulling on us and his mother, if I'd pulled half the stuff Inari has pulled, my mother would have slapped me upside the head for it" the pinkette shook her head.
Unfortunately Sasuke was in agreement on that with her "Your seriously not kidding about that, I thought Mrs. Haruno was pretty laid back" Naruto gaped in horror, then his mind flashed back to all the times the woman had whacked her husband over the head for making his stupid jokes.
That weren't even all that funny really but they laughed anyway cause it made them feel better sometimes "Exactly he gets it now" the Uchiha shook his head with a snort as Naruto paled at the realization that Mebuki was not as laid back as he thought she was.
"Scary females yeesh you know" the blonde shuddered as they entered the guest bedroom the Jonin sensei was staying in and found him wide awake, at their appearance though Kakashi started sulking like a little kid again.
And the lone girl rolled her eyes "Don't be such a baby Kakashi-sensei, you know it was for your own good" Sakura scoffed setting down the tray and passing out the plates before helping Kakashi into a sitting position with lots of pillows fluffed up behind him.
His sulking got worse at that "Mean" Kakashi huffed behaving like a child as well to her shock as an incredulous expression formed on her face, and she wondered what it was about men that had them acting like babies when it came to taking medicine or getting shots.
Rolling her eyes all the while as they ate "Ridiculous keep acting like that and she really will give you a shot instead of giving you a choice" Sasuke snorted again, giving the warning to the man who was still sulking.
Kakashi paled at that and quickly straightened up his act "No nonsense like usual then" Naruto grinned thoroughly amused by the antics of his friends and sensei, who'd seemed so serious until this mission but now he was showing them another side that was much friendlier as they ate.
Before all the food was gone "I assume you'll get some proper rest right so I don't have to make more medicine for you right Kakashi-sensei" the rosette narrowed her eyes as she placed everything neatly on the tray once they were done.
"Of course Sakura-chan what do you take me for" the silver haired Jonin grumbled under his breath huffily that he was being treated like a brat, he knew she was right, but he didn't like sitting still for any amount of time.
Sakura smiled at that "Good, just do as I say Kakashi-sensei and maybe in a couple of days you can join us downstairs or outside while we train out back in the forest" the fuscia haired girl quipped giving him incentive to behave.
As they left the room "Kami the look on his face" the blonde laughed helping to clean up after himself and put the kitchen back to rights, never having seen that sort of expression on his sensei before and completely amused over it.
"Perhaps now he'll take you seriously when you tell him to get some rest" the ebony haired preteen chuckled under his breath as they finished up and then they went to bed after taking showers so they didn't stink up the covers or futons they were using from sweat.
~Two days later~
Kakashi hobbled down the stairs on crutches courtesy of Tsunami "Looks like Sakura gave you the okay huh Kakashi" Tazuna commented eyeing the man who'd been quite the obstinate patient since he'd woken up.
"I'm going to go out and watch them train today" Kakashi admitted while three clones from Naruto were made and four spiders were summoned by Sakura, so that Tazuna would have his entourage of protection at his beck and call.
Tazuna chuckled at that "Take care Naruto-ni, Sakura-nee, Sasuke-ni" Inari waved having really changed his tune after his little chat with Sakura to his mother's absolute relief, he was staying in that day to help her around the house even.
With that after breakfast they all split up, the shinobi heading into the forest while Tazuna and his entourage of clones headed for the bridge "Mm maybe we could spar today, test our concentration atop the water" Sakura mused when they reached the spot they'd been using to train in.
Both boys stared at her in horror "Come on your really trying to kill us aren't you Sakura" Sasuke groaned knowing there was no way they were going to get out of it now that she'd suggested the training that would be necessary in the future probably.
"Why me to, I've only been practicing a few days after all and I still fall in every fifteen to twenty minutes" Naruto complained but Sakura gave them no choice in the matter instead pointed while Kakashi leaned against a tree reading an orange book.
Moments later the three of them were stood atop the pond sparring intensely against each other "It occurs to me that none of you realize that Zabuza is actually alive" the silver haired Jonin announced an hour later when they were taking a quick break.
Sakura's head snapped in his direction, emerald orbs wide "Actually Kakashi-sensei I was the first one to figure it out, the placement of the throwing needles, they hit a pressure point in Zabuza's neck that temporarily stopped his heart allowing him to fake his death" the pinkette pipped in.
"And she already told us so you're a little late on the warning Kakashi" the Uchiha of the group snorted flopping back exhausted after the harsh sparring session they'd just went through, he'd even fallen in a couple of times.
"Yeah, yeah Kakashi-sensei that's why we're training so hard right now so that when it's time to face him again we won't be so useless in the fight" the blonde the only original genin of his burst out looking like he had lots of extra energy to spare.
Then twenty minutes later they were at it again, sparring intensely atop the water until it was lunch time "Heavens what on earth were you three doing out there, your soaked through to the bone" Tsunami screeched at their waterlogged appearances.
Just relieved that they weren't covered in injuries, she wasn't sure she'd be able to take it really having grown a little attached to the genin who'd went above and beyond to protect them "Just training Tsunami-san, sorry for dripping water everywhere" Sakura apologized.
Having lost her concentration once since Kakashi had thrown a kunai at her which had taken her off guard, Tsunami nodded in understanding just as a plume of smoke filled the air and a spider larger than her hand appeared on the table before the girl.
She let out an almighty scream "Someone kill it" the blue haired woman yelled eyes flying around looking for anything that would kill the giant spider now sitting on her kitchen table while Sakura blinked then grabbed up her summons before the woman found what she was looking for.
"Calm down Tsunami, it's a summons not something you can kill" the gray haired elder soothed trying to get his daughter to stop screaming and plotting to off Sakura's spider summons, he doubted she'd be happy about that.
While Mibojin was simply confused "Never mind that what are you here for Mibojin" Sasuke questioned of the red legged spider summons leader curious as to why he was popping up now and not a couple days ago.
"On Sakura-sama's command I have been searching for Gato's hideout, thirty minutes ago I found it, he's planning on betraying the rogue he hired" Mibojin informed his summoner and her current teammates along with the civilians and Jonin sitting around the table.
Eight year old missing as he was in his room since lunch wasn't quite done yet "Even if Zabuza is a bad guy he doesn't deserve that" Naruto frowned looking to his sensei for direction on what to do now.
Kakashi grimaced behind his mask "Can you send a few of the smaller spiders to take out Gato now Sakura, Mibojin is to large, he'd be noticed but not the younger ones" the silver haired Jonin requested of the girl.
Who'd grown up under the influence of Shisui Uchiha, that's why she was so different, that's what he thought anyway but he didn't know that her being different was how she was actually born as Sakura pressed her lips together.
"Sure I can Kakashi-sensei, what about Zabuza and that fake hunter nin that's in league with him" the pinkette inquired while summoning four more of her smaller spider summons, Shiruki, Ashi, Irome and a new one that she hadn't met yet by the name of Rera.
Gave them instructions and in a poof of smoke all five spiders were gone "Perhaps we can bargain with him to leave old man Tazuna alone if given enough incentive" the blonde piped in with a great idea hopefully anyway.
"Think about it, Gato is pretty rich right, with him taken out of the game, all that money would be left right, so what if we used that, pay Zabuza off and be done with it" Sasuke snapped his fingers in realization that they had a way to keep Tazuna safe without exerting themselves.
It wasn't an easy option to consider really "Naruto and I will go collect the money when Mibojin returns, I'm sure he won't stop at getting rid of Gato, but all of the man's hired thugs as well, then once we return, Sasuke and Sakura will go barter with Zabuza" Kakashi decided in the end.
Considering the rogue should still be recovering like he himself was and all they had to worry about was the fake hunter nin, who wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his master "But their just children Kakashi-san, how can you send them off on their own like that" Tsunami burst out.
Horrified of the plan that was being formed "Once you become a shinobi you're considered an adult Tsunami-san, we'll do it because this is the best way to resolve things peacefully" Sakura commented worried that things wouldn't go right but willing to go through with the plan anyway.
"Just be careful that's all I'll say alright" Tazuna grimaced, itching to drink his fears away that none of them would make it back despite having seen the spider summons in action, they could still fail in taking out all of the thugs and Gato himself.
Less than two hours later Mibojin returned "Gato is dead, so are all his thugs, do you have need of me for anything else Sakura-sama" the spider informed seriously glad that he was able to make things easier for his summons.
"Yes two things, show Naruto and Kakashi-sensei the way to Gato's hideout, then find out where Zabuza is" the fuscia haired preteen instructed, promising to give the spider a huge reward for doing all the hard work that he had been since they'd left the village.
Mibojin accepted his new orders with ease "Guess we'll be back soon" Naruto gulped fearful but willing to do his part in this plan as well, with that they were gone in a poof of smoke, body flickering to wherever Gato's hideout was.
Twenty minutes was all it took to acquire the accounting information to Gato's money, now it was Sasuke and Sakura's turn "Please be careful you two" the blue haired woman pleaded with the twelve year old's and they nodded.
"It's this way Sakura-sama, Sasuke-san" Mibojin instructed as they prepared themselves to head into the enemies strong hold, then in a flurry of cherry blossoms to Kakashi's immense surprise because he hadn't know the girl could use the body flicker technique they were gone.
Deep within the forest in a matter of minutes "Irome is in place on the rogue's partner, with that I wish you good luck Sakura-sama, Sasuke-san" then the leader of the red legged spider clan disappeared to wherever he was summoned from.
Leaving the two genin on their own "We're heading in Kakashi" the Uchiha whispered to Kafu, who relayed the information back to Hitomi who was sitting on the Jonin's shoulder this time, since Irome was currently unavailable.
Sneaking into the hideout was no easy task without alerting the man they were there until they were stood before him "What the devil, Haku kill them now" Zabuza snarled furious that they'd been infiltrated by two genin brats.
"Zabuza if I were you I'd retract that order, or I'll order my spider summons to kill him" the pinkette warned bluffing really, Irome could only inject a nonlethal dose of venom into his targets, worst case scenario Haku got sick, but Zabuza didn't know that which gave them the upper hand.
Eyes wide Zabuza jerked his head seeing that the two genin held all the cards in their hands since he couldn't really fight right now and he refused to lose his carefully molded tool "What do you want from us, we're not going to stop going after Tazuna's head" Haku frowned.
Clearly disturbed that he hadn't sensed them in the first place "And if we were to offer you something as incentive would you leave Tazuna-san alone then" Sasuke questioned hands deep in his pockets, nervous but staying calm since she was with him.
"There's nothing that you could offer me other than the bridge builders head on a silver platter to serve up to Gato" the rogue from Hidden Mist growled immediately rejecting the idea of giving up on going after the bridge builder, he needed that money after all.
What he didn't expect was for the girl to smirk "And if I told you that Gato was dead, along with all his thugs and that I was currently in possession of his funds would you give up then if I offered it to you" Sakura held out the scroll.
Only jerking it back when Zabuza struggled to get out of the bed "You'd give all that money to us to keep Tazuna safe" the ebony haired teenager that was Zabuza's partner asked in confusion, never having thought this would happen, not in a million years anyway.
Sakura nodded "He has a family, a daughter and a grandson, this land deserves better, also Gato wasn't planning on paying you anyway Zabuza, he was going to kill you, my summons told me so when I asked him to find where Gato was hiding and spy on him" the rosette admitted.
"Do we have a deal then" the Uchiha asked seeing the impact the news had on Zabuza and the teenager named Haku, they were shocked into disbelief that the man would betray them like that just because they'd failed once.
It was a hard decision to make until the rogue growled in frustration "Fine just don't expect any favors in the future stupid brats, now get that damn summons of yours off of Haku" Zabuza snarled unhappy that he'd been outwitted.
Even if they were technically saving his and Haku's lives really "By the way I was bluffing earlier, the leader of my summons is the only one that can kill with just one bite, while the rest are to young" Sakura announced plucking Irome from Haku's shoulder.
Freaking the teenager out because he hadn't noticed despite discretely looking himself over earlier "Is that what you did to Zabuza-sama during your fight five days ago, had one of them bite him" Haku inquired carefully still a little freaked out.
"Pretty much, come on Sakura, lets go, I'm sure Naruto's about to burst a vein out of worry" Sasuke snorted, Sakura handed over the scroll that was filled with Gato's funds for his corporation, took Sasuke by the hand and in a swirl of cherry blossoms was gone.
Body flickering a great distance back to Tazuna's house "We report the mission is complete" the rosette announced when they marched inside to the kitchen where everyone barring Inari was still sitting waiting for the news.
"So then Tazuna's safe from anymore rogues coming after him" Tsunami breathed out a sigh of relief pleased that there had been a much easier way of resolving their problems and that hope would truly come back to this land now that Gato was dead.
"How did you manage to convince that Zabuza guy to give up on killing me anyway" Tazuna asked in confusion, surely it hadn't come down to just the money being the only incentive to quit going after him.
Sasuke grit his teeth "Once Sakura told him that Gato was planning on offing him, he was all to happy to accept the deal, he seemed to care for his partner on a small degree as well" the raven haired preteen added.
Naruto blew out a breath "Now we can finish up this mission and go home right" the blonde looked to his sensei, who shook his head "But why" he sulked unhappy, even though this mission was technically his fault.
"We still have to protect Tazuna, others might come after him for revenge, Gato probably had a lot more thugs than what was at the hideout after all" the silver haired Jonin explained and Tazuna gulped realizing that it wasn't over just yet.
And he wasn't quite out of the woods either as dinner got started on courtesy of the two females, Inari was called down to eat and the lot of them went to bed, in the case of the genin though they took showers after a long day of working hard.