Tip Of The Spear
Chapter 11
...Was Yesterday
Kakashi Hatake sat and stared at the scroll Sasuke and Ami had brought back from their trip to give Naruto and his wife the news that Zabuza was still living. He was to send his hounds out to find an A to S class missing ninja and relay that information to Naruto. According to Sasuke their Hokage was going to talk to the man, "make him an off he can't refuse," Naruto had said. No other explanation was given, just making an offer. The masked man let out a cross between a deep breath and a sigh. That had been three days ago. One thing was for sure, Naruto was still unpredictable. Now he turned his attention to the six genin in front of him.
While the teens were all about high genin to low chunin they still lacked experience in dealing with someone like Zabuza and his accomplice. At the moment they were sparring with the taijutsu Naruto had brought back with him. Along with that he had been teaching the ones that had an affinity to earth jutsus to counter the Kiri nins water jutsus. The ones that had other affinities were trained up in those along with a C class earth jutsu, earth barrier technique, in order for them to have a chance to survive.
Sasuke with his family's fire jutsus would be a key member when they faced the man. That reminded the man, he needed to ask why Sasuke and Ami had returned slightly red faced and would stutter and change the subject when asked about the married couple. Sai had said nothing other to state that he had remained in the lobby to watch for Gato's men. Something had happened, Kakashi was sure, but exactly what he didn't know.
Finally the man looked a the position of the sun and called the session quits. Watching the genin walk toward the small camp they had set up near Tazuna's house he smiled. It was Sasuke and Lee's turn to hunt the food for the night's meal. He wasn't the only one smiling at the memory of Sasuke trying not to get sick as when he watched Sakura cut open and remove the guts of a small buck Naruto's clone had killed. While the boy still paled while dressing game he was getting better everyday. His girlfriend had gotten over the shock of not only killing but preparing their food that was fresh killed, Kakashi figured that with Sasuke it was lingering emotions inflicted on him by Itachi.
Watching for a short while Kakashi nodded and walked to the home of the bridge builder and the man's family. When Neji asked why they had to camp out and Kakashi stayed in the house Kakashi replied that his rank had it's privileges. In truth he would wake his original that had been sleeping all day. The Kakashi that had been training all day was a shadow clone. The real Kakashi had been up all night watching over the bridge builder and his family as well as checking on the genin.
It turned out that checking up on the kids was a waste of time. They had turned their camp into a reinforced fighting position. If you survived the traps on the perimeter you'd face three genin armed with automatic weapons backed by hand to hand specialists and wielders of some decent jutsus. They also had enough persons to have them stand three hour watches so no one was ever on watch alone and tired out. Kakashi figured they could live like that for the next month or two if need be.
Washing up after he entered the house Kakashi ate the evening meal in silence. Tazuna asked his guest how well he knew Naruto at some point and this took the ninja by surprise. How well did he know the blonde? He asked himself. The answer was easy for the first years of the boy's life. It was when he was returned that Kakashi felt out of touch with the boy. It still surprised him that Naruto would have resubmitted his last request to adopt the boy.
Kakashi wondered at that action as it made him feel undeserving. Naruto had been the one to push the adoption through even though at fifteen and an academy grad he was considered an adult. Kakashi was still dumbstruck at the teen's reason for the adoption, at some point Naruto and Sakura would have children. According to the blonde his children needed their own cool grandfather and he decided Kakashi was the right one for the job.
Kakashi often thought about who was actually the parent and who was the child in this cobbled together family. Most of the time it was Naruto that acted as if he were the parent that made sure Kakashi was on time for his meetings and appointments as well as pull him out of his guilt of surviving when the others in his team and family had died. While he kept his word and never ordered Kakashi to stay away from the memorial stone, Naruto did set limits on his visits. He could visit the stone on Sundays and Wednesday's after classes. That way, Naruto reasoned, he could let his team know what was going on instead of boring them daily with meaningless babble. If there was an afterlife and those there could hear and see what was going on in the world they'd left Naruto argued that Rin and the others would be upset that he'd not moved on.
As the man began to ready himself for another night of sentry duty there was a small puff of smoke as Pakun, Kakashi's favorite summon appeared. The small pug waved his front paw in greeting,
"Yo, I got something for your brat," the dog informed him.
"You found him? Well that's something I guess. I tell you Pakun, that boy and his schemes will be the death of me some day," Kakashi replied to the dog.
"Well, the boy was an adult in that other world. I'm surprised that he and his girl willingly came back," the pug opined to his master, "Especially the way they both were treated.
"Well could you do me a favor and take that to him? I'm not risking his mission by sending anymore of the genin over there to pass information," Kakashi asked.
"Sure boss, it'll take a few minutes. Anything else?"
"Wait and see if he has any orders for me and the genin," the jonin said just before the pug vanished in a cloud of smoke.
A few minutes later Pakun was in the Uzumaki's room informing them of the location of the man they had been tracking down. Naruto reached into a scroll before pulling out a small steak as a reward for the animal. As he listened to the dog Naruto made a mark on the map Ai had given him during their tour of the town.
"I know it's asking much but could you lead us there Pakun?" the teen asked the small dog as Sakura stroked his fur from his head to his tail.
"It'd be a big help if a strong and smart pup like you helped us out," Sakura softly said to the dog before bringing out the big guns of bribes, "You help us out and not only will I give you the largest fillet I can find but I'll hook you up with one of the Inuzuka clan's dogs."
At that the small dog grinned and ran towards the door waiting for the couple to gear up and follow him. Ten minutes later the trio were in the trees running from branch to branch. As they moved further from the edge of town the forest grew thicker. After a half hour Pakun slowed down and leaped to the ground. As he sat down the others landed next to him.
"The dog raised a paw and pointed to a clearing a few feet from where they stood, "There, other edge of the clearing is a large oak. The man you're looking for has a hide in the base of the tree. Sakura-chan, since I just had a snack I'm not that hungry so I'll take that fillet later. Good luck you two," with that the pug returned to his world.
Naruto nodded to the dog and then he and Sakura walked out into the clearing hand in hand stealing kisses as they walked to the tree that had been pointed out. Even though they were in their cammies they still acted as unaware genin out for a lovers stroll.
As they got to a few feet of Zabuza's hide a flurry of senbon hit the ground in front of them. The teens dropped into defensive crouches with their M4's at the ready only to point them at a girl a couple years older wearing a pale red trimmed pink kimono with spiral designs on it who was holding more senbon in her hands ready to throw.
"This is as far as you go, turn around and go back the way you came," she yelled.
Naruto stood and lowered his weapon, "Sorry, I can't very well do that. You're that hunter nin that dispatched Momochi-san. However, I have a feeling that he's alive. If that's the case, I'd like to speak to him."
"That's not possible, I will not allow you to harm him. Now go away!"
Looking at Sakura Naruto lowered his weapon all the way and swept it on it's sling behind him, as he did so Sakura copied his actions before speaking, "I know you think we're here to do him harm but that's not the case. I was the one that treated his injuries before you stuck those needles in him, please my husband just wants to talk to the man."
As the girl was about to reply a voice behind her sounded, "Haku, stand down. If they wanted to harm me you and I'd be dead already. That girl, she's a very good medic, you could learn from her. She was the one that patched me up before you put me under."
"So, you two want to talk huh? Fine, but not out here, inside. Less eyes and ears," as he spoke he turned and went back inside the tree.
Following Zabuza the teens walked down a flight of stairs with the now named Haku bringing up the rear. Finally the four stopped in a large room with two small sleeping chambers off to the side. It was dark but for the light of candles and the air was close making not only Naruto's but Sakura's sense of smell go nuts.
Turning to face the couple the man spoke up, "So, you wanted to speak to me. You have my curiosity up, so speak."
Naruto sketched a bow before answering, "Momochi Zabuza, you're a very interesting man. I did a lot of research on you after your fight with Kakashi and my genin. I want to know why you're working for Gato. It's not in your make up to support a petty tyrant like him even though he's from Kiri the same as you are."
"That's none of your busi.."
"Haku, enough. The man asked a legitimate question, one I ask myself often. I don't think I've had the pleasure of knowing your names youngsters," he said to his guests.
"Uzumaki Naruto and my wife, Uzumaki Sakura. I'm also the last of the royal line of the Uzumaki. So, I'm asking you again, why are you helping a man enslave the last of my lands and my people."
Zabuza looked at the teen in shock, "No! That's not possible, the royal line are all dead, they died out when Kushina-cha... You're lying, leave me be you fraud, you look nothing like any of the royal line. Uzushiro is gone, the clan destroyed or scattered The royal line died fifteen years ago."
Naruto was unfazed at the man's out burst. Looking him he began to speak, "You mentioned Kushina, you were going to say Kushina-chan. Only those close to the family would use that honorific so readily. You're not a Kiri native are you?"
Ignoring the teen's question Zabuza answered with his own, "Who are you really? Lady Kushina was the last of the line and she died the night the fox attacked. She died along with her husband and child. So who the hell are you?"
Naruto said nothing as he pulled a framed picture from ma seal on his chest, a seal located over his heart. Handing it to Zabuza he stayed silent as the man examined the people that were forever young behind the glass. There were two, a man with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes sporting a wide smile with one hand on his partner's shoulder while the other rested on her very pregnant belly. The woman had the red hair of the Uzumaki and entrancing violet eyes and was sitting on a chair of some sort one hand placed over the hand or her partner. On her face was very serene smile, a smile that Zabuza had not seen in ages. After a moment to allow Zabuza time to look at the picture the blonde teen spoke up,
"Uzumaki-Namekazi Naruto, son of Minato Namekazi and Kushina Uzumaki-Namekazi. Now answer the question, you're either a displaced citizen of Uzu or a clansman that's changed his name and is in hiding, so which is it?" Naruto asked as his eyes burned into the missing nins own eyes.
Zabuza returned the look before doing something Haku had never seen him do, he fell to his knees, "Kushina was a cousin, my mother was in the branch clan, Kushina grew up with me before she left for Konoha. When we were invaded Kiri took as many children as they could. They turned us into ninja or soldiers for the Lords armies. I kept my father's name but, despite my having my father's look I'm still an Uzumaki."
"What of your companion? Who is she aligned with?" Sakura asked.
"I'm loyal only to Zabuza-san. He rescued me from starving to death. He protected me from harm, from the purges, so I owe only him my loyalty," Haku answered.
Naruto nodded in understanding, "Very well, but, Haku was it? At some point you'll need to belong to something bigger than one man," now turning to the man in the room, "Zabuza, the man you're trying to kill is one of our family's retainers. The man is as much a part of the clan as you are, will you still kill him for money made on the backs of our people?"
Zabuza looked ashamed as he spoke, "No, but we need the money to fund the revolution in Kiri. The Mizukage is the one that would see Haku and everyone with a bloodline killed. You have to understand, what we were offered is enough for a year's worth of operations."
"So, you don't see the hypocrisy in all of this? You staging a coup and revolution against one tyrant while taking money and working for someone just as bad if not worse? Did you know that bastard has bought up the properties the food bank and orphanage sat and then turned them for his own use? Did you know Gato has put the orphans, all of them, on the streets? Sakura, tell him what you found when you looked over those kids," Naruto ordered as he glared at Zabuza.
"Everyone was suffering from malnutrition, signs of physical abuse and mistreatment," looking at Haku Sakura continued, "It gets worse, all the girls from age eight and up were all suffering from STD's. Haku, how do you think those girls got those infections?" at that question the other girl's eyes drooped to the ground and said nothing, "I'll tell you how, by selling the only thing they have of worth, their bodies. Girls as young as eight are letting anyone that has the money have sex with them so they have money to eat. Is that what you and your master are fighting for in Kiri? Why is it okay for it to happen here? In his homeland. Zabuza is letting that happen in Wave as long as he works for Gato."
"Is this true? Zabuza, is this the truth?" Haku asked with tears in her eyes.
Unable to meet her and the others gaze Zabuza sighed before he answered, "What do you want me to do? Kiri is bleeding because of the Mizukage. There's just me and a few hundred fighting against him, what am I supposed to do?"
"You start by doing what's right, how much is the bastard offering you?" Naruto asked.
"Five million ryo, that's enough to support us for a year. Look, I hate doing this, and to be told about those kids? I'm sick to my stomach but I want to know what do you want from me?"
"You're an Uzumaki are you not? Swear fealty to me and I'll provide material and financial support to your revolution. You will also come to Konoha with me once this is over. When do you plan to move on the bridge builder?"
"In three days, but if I'm not to kill him why do you want to know?"
"We're going to give Gato a show of you failing in a most spectacular way, he's been marked for termination as is the town administrator. You may not remember the location of the clan compound but that little bastard has made his headquarters there. I'm planning to evict him either before or after the deadline for Tazuna. Stay here, the firepower my unit has is more than you can imagine and it's not based on chakra."
"Okay, I'll stay here until the time is right, how will I know when to act?"
"You'll get a visit from one of my foxes. Now, do you, Momochi Zabuza, swear fealty to your clan and clan head?"
Zabuza once again went to his knee and bowed his head, Haku doing the same, "I, Momochi Zabuza do swear fealty to my clan and clan head."
"Do you pledge to follow the orders of your clan head and act on his behalf when asked?"
"I do."
"Rise my clansman and cousin, once this is over you will be my representative in Kiri while you fight your rebellion. Until such time I want you and your underlings, the Daemon Brothers, for my bodyguard. You will find quarters in the Uzumaki compound while you stay in Konohagakure."
"As you wish my lord," Zabuza said with a smile on his face, "You remind me so much of your mother, I just want to know how come you and your wife are so powerful."
"Family secret but once we get back to the Leaf I'll fill you in. Zabuza, a war is coming, a very big one with Konohagakure in the cross hairs. Based on what we've learned we have three, maybe four years to be ready. I'm training my genin to be just as strong as a chunin. I will do all I can to protect my village and countries, that includes forging alliances with you and your rebels."
"I see, I do have one question though, you say your genin, what do you mean by that seeing that you're the same rank."
"Naruto was named successor to his father Minato Namekazi. My husband is not only the Uzukage and Lord of Uzushiro but the Fifth Hokage as well," Sakura explained.
At this Zabuza grinned, "I see, Namekazi named you his successor and I guess you're like your mother then and are doing your best to earn your position. Your mother, you know she wanted to be Hokage at one time, then she fell in love with your father. She was head over heels over him, funny thing too. When she first met the guy she didn't think he'd amount to much. I'll tell you the whole story another time. It was the last time I saw her before my visits were put to a stop by Kiri."
"I understand, take care cousin, Haku, I'll send a fox when the time to move is here or if you need to be informed of something. Just have something sweet for him or her to eat, Sakura spoiled them when we were growing up. One more thing," Naruto said, "it seems that Gato had moved everything he owns to Wave. When we kill him you'll get a share of his funds. The lions share will stay here and the rest to Konoha, but you should have enough for better arms, armor and supplies. That okay with you?"
"It's fine, we'll catch up with family stories later. Until we see each other cousin," with that Naruto then Sakura were swept into a tight hug.
As the pair made their way back to the town Sakura noticed that Naruto was bleeding from a deep pin prick. As she called his attention to it he waved her off stating that he knew. Zabuza had taken a sample of his blood, most likely to test on an Uzumaki seal to determine if he was telling the truth.
Meanwhile Zabuza was looking at the small vile of blood he had taken from the blonde. He was sure the kid was telling the truth, he had the looks of his long dead cousin such as the shape of his face as well as other Uzumaki traits like huge chakra reserves and a bright personality, but he had to be sure. Taking a drop of the blood he collected when he hugged the boy he placed it on a sealed scroll, one the he had been given shortly after Kushina had passed. A messenger toad had been the one to give it to him saying that only the blood of Kushina's child would open the seal.
As the blood touched the array the seal began to glow bright blue before it opened and fell away. Zabuza's hands shook as he saw hand writing that he had never thought to see anymore. It was in the childish scrawl of his favorite cousin. Haku noticed tears clouding the man's eyes as he read the contents.
Dear Zabu,
If you're reading this then I'm dead and you've met my son Naruto. I didn't plan on things turning out this way but the fox was let loose during my giving birth to him. He's been named his father's successor as well as his rightful position as Uzukage as well as Lord and clan head of the Uzumaki. He's also the jinchuriki of the Nine tailed fox as Minato will be sealing it in him in a few minutes.
I won't know the story of his youth but once he meets you in some way I want you to school him in the clan ways. I doubt that there will be others that will remember so it's your duty to make sure he's the best leader our clan has seen. As my last act as the ruler of our lands and clan I appoint you as his bodyguard. Watch over him and his wife Sakura. My close friend Mebuki Haruno and I had Minato issue a marriage contract to be enacted upon graduating from Konohagakure's ninja academy. This is a lifetime duty that only he can release you from.
Zabu, you were my closest friend when we were kids and my most favorite cousin. I wish that I could have seen you once more before all this but it was not to be. I have one dream for you and that is Kiri shed it's barbaric practices in the training of their ninja. I hope that at some point you'll be able to leave that dreadful place. Naruto should be able to give you a home in Konoha should you be in need of one.
Take good care of yourself and find a nice girl to settle down with.
With Love,
Your cousin Kushina
Seeing the tears in her masters eyes Haku spoke up, "Are you alright Zabuza, you look...sad for some reason."
"I am a bit sad, that letter was something I should not have been able to open. Not with that brat's blood but that's what happened. Start getting things ready to go and keep and eye out for that kid's signal."
"You... you don't believe him do you? I thought you said your clan was scattered to the winds and the leaders were all long dead."
"That I did, but that brat, he has Kushina's blood in him. He's my cousin's son and her last order as clan head is to watch over him and teach him the ways of the clan. Those orders are in the blood of my clan, I can't ignore them. Looks like we have a new job, making sure that brat is safe."
A few hours later Naruto and Sakura were scouting out his clan's old compound. There were five buildings all together surrounded by a large stone wall. The buildings themselves were not that large each one looking like it was mostly apartments with offices on the ground floors. The main building was slightly larger with a rotunda in the center housing the entrance way and three wings leading off from the back and both sides. The wings themselves were the same size as the other buildings but looked more like offices and archival facilities based on what Tazuna had said.
They also saw three extra buildings two of which were crude by comparison while the last was a gaudy and tasteless mansion of sorts. No doubt Gato's lair. Naruto's blood boiled at the sight of that eyesore, it would be the first thing dropped when the time came. As the pair watched from their hide they waited until the sun went down. As that was happening Sakura unsealed her M14EBR or Enhanced Battle Rifle, it fired a larger 7.62mm round from a twenty round magazine compared to Naruto's usual M4/203 carbine.
She had mounted a infra-red laser pointer with a night scope tuned the laser's frequency. It would put an invisible dot on a target that only the sight and Naruto's NVG's (Night Vision Goggles) would 'see'. On the muzzle of the piece was a large suppressor, should Sakura have to take a shot the suppressor would dampen the sound of the shot. The bullet would still make a super-sonic crack but it would be a noise that, in this world at least, would be either ignored or at least dismissed as a sound that could be explained away. While not a true sniper rifle Sakura could do wonders with it. Naruto had changed into clothing that would be more effective in the dark of night.
He was going to do a close target recce, a penetration mission that would take him into the compound so he could get a read on the new buildings. One was obviously a bunkhouse the other was the cookhouse and dining hall. He needed information on those buildings because he would be conducting a raid later on with the other genin that had been issued firearms. He was in dark urban type cammies with a boonie cap over a black balaclava that only exposed his nose and eyes. Sakura had applied black and green face paint to his exposed facial skin while his hands were encased in black Nomex gloves.
His equipment was a load bearing harness with an M1911 in a drop holster. Magazine pouches for the pistol and one his pride and joys, a suppressed Ingram MAC 10 SMG, the second one was an M1Thompson SMG but that was at home in his and Sakura's personal armory. The machine pistol had a high rate of fire but a well trained shooter could use it effectively, and Naruto was very well trained. The suppressor would dampen the shot noise to the point that only the metallic sounds of the action and bolt would be heard. The suppressor also had an extra advantage, it added weight to the front of the SMG and in doing so lessened the climb of the muzzle should it be fired in a prolonged burst.
Naruto also wore a radio transceiver that used an earpiece that acted as both a microphone and earphone. He also carried several M67 grenades as well as two Claymore directional anti-personnel mines in seals on his skin under the sleeves of his shirt. The Claymores were remote detonated usually by wire and a handheld electrical generator called a 'clacker'. Sakura had modified them to use radios to send the fire signal. Naruto planned to plant these near the front and back doors to the bunk house. He also was carrying a pair of twenty pound satchel charges.
These were demolition explosives that when placed correctly would destroy a structure. All of the new buildings were raised off the ground and that would make it easy to place the charges. Seeing all her husband was taking with him Sakura raised an eye brow,
"Koi, this does not look like you're doing a CTR, are you planning to kill them all tonight and be done with it?"
"No, but the way I see it we'll get one shot at a CTR , maybe two before the raid. I figure why not place the Claymores and satchel charges now and have them ready to go. If we can do one more recce I'll place more," Naruto explained to his wife his reasons.
"Okay, but be careful. What channel are you going to set the Claymores and satchels?" she asked.
"Fourteen for the Claymores, how about twenty-one for the satchels?," he asked as he saw her nod her head Naruto continued, "Okay, I'm going to go through that opening in the wall over there, see it? I'll have a couple foxes get the sentry's attention, they're not all that alert as it is. Give me ten minutes to get down there and in position, I love you, never forget that," he finished as he kissed his wife as if it were for the last time.
"I love you to," Sakura replied as she leaned into her lover's kiss, "Last thing, turn your strobe on so I can track you. I don't want to miss and hit you if I have to fire. Stay safe my love."
"Don't I always?" Naruto answered with a grin before he covered his face and vanished into the dark.
Sakura settled in behind her scope and waited. Soon a flash was seen near Naruto's point of entry as yells and shouts near the main gate as a pair of foxes began to raise hell nearby. The commotion drew the thugs acting as sentries away from their posts and allowed Naruto entry. The IR strobe flashed it's steady beat of 15 per minute and would only appear in Sakura's scope. Sticking to the shadows the teen ninja and former SEAL began his recon of the compound.
Skirting Gato's mansion he approached the first of the remaining two buildings. It turned out to be the cookhouse. The building served several purposes, first it was the kitchen and dining facility for Gato's men. It also acted as a meeting hall in order to plan raids on the town and surrounding villages and hamlets. It's last purpose was as a recreational facility on the second floor, which consisted of a saloon and rooms for the prostitutes that had come with Gato when the man relocated from Kiri.
Naruto used the shadows to gain entry to the building having ascertained that there were no members of Gato's main force up this late. They were the same as the cartel soldiers Naruto had fought in his last years on Earth, untrained thugs looking to make a buck on the backs of others misery. Seeing an opportunity the blonde began to plant listening devices in the building as well as several cameras that would transmit to a hidden remote station he would set up about two miles away. The Elemental Nations were perfect for long range transmissions such as these as the Uzumaki's were the only ones that used transmitters that worked in the electromagnetic band of energy. All other 'radio' like devices used chakra to communicate over very short ranges and were easily disrupted and jammed with lighting based jutsus.
Determining that no one from Wave worked or were allowed in the building Naruto worked his way outside and then under the building. Opening up one of the demo charges he began to place the C4 plastic explosives in critical locations and daisy chaining them all with primacord. Unlike Iwa's "C" charges that their explosion corps utilize, this C4 was not chakra based. It was a plasticized chemical compound that turned a violent chemical reaction into a sudden release of thermal energy. It would be untraceable in this world just as chakra based explosives were on Earth. The explosives filled cord was then fitted with a length of safety fuse with a percussion igniter. The pull ring was then placed in a concealed location for later use. Finishing his task Naruto moved on to the next building.
Sakura frowned as she watched Naruto's strobe light disappear into the building. This was what she hated even on Earth in their old lives. As part of her training she and Naruto would leave shadow clones at their base and then under a henge and cover of darkness make their way to either the city nearby or one of the ranches on the outskirts. They would then use only 'traditional' ninja tools and weapons as they stalked their target. They would use the shadows and stealth to gain entry into a house or other building. Once in they would split up and take down everyone that crossed their path only sparing any children they found. The kids would be put into a genjutsu and would be taken later to one of the orphanages that they volunteered at. The adults, from teens to elders were all slain. Naruto's foxes having gained all the information on the location that they could.
Before the operation Naruto and Sakura would create clones of themselves and as the clones made love as loud as they could they used the noise to talk to Asahina or Makoto about what was actually in the house they were interested in. Not one time did they ever have the foxes report that a grandfather or grandmother living there knew nothing about what their family was up to, in fact more than a few times they had to target a few of the older children as well, since those kids were willingly involving themselves.
So now as her husband stalked around the compound she had to wait and watch. Letting out a sigh of relief as his strobe reappeared before going under the building Sakura kept up her over watch on Naruto. As Naruto finished his task under the cookhouse he exited from the crawl space and began moving towards the bunkhouse. As he did Sakura tracked him all the way sighing as he let himself into the building via the back door.
Naruto was now walking through a laundry room as he stalked through the building. It was a three story affair with rooms off of a single hallway three persons wide. As he entered the passageway where the rooms were found he peeked into one of the rooms. It was outfitted with two sets of bunk beds meaning that each room could hold a maximum of four men. It was a setup he was familiar with since it reminded him of almost any barracks he had lived in. Still under his invisibility jutsu Naruto strolled up the only stairway in the building and looked over the final two floors.
Once again he worked his way under the building and began to set his demolition charges. He worked quickly as he knew Sakura-chan would get worried as soon as she lost sight of him. As he worked Naruto realized that the twenty pounds of explosives he had was not going to be enough. It would be enough to damage it, even collapse the lower floors, but that's not what he wanted. Reaching into a pouch he he fumbled through some scrolls until he found the one he was looking for. Grinning like a specter he unsealed four of the twenty M3A1 cratering charges stored there. These were forty pound shaped charged munitions designed to blast holes in reinforced concrete. The normal deployment was mounting the charges five feet above the road and when set off a hole nine feet deep and seven feet across would be made. Again Naruto grinned as he turned the charges to face upwards, while the normal standoff distance is five feet Naruto only had eighteen inches to work with. As he placed the first charge he figured it wouldn't matter as the directed blast would be going through wood flooring and supports. Unsealing two more for good measure he once again linked the explosives with primacord and placed the igniter where he could get to it later on.
As he exited the building Naruto began heading for an exit in the wall he had entered from. As he moved he heard a noise behind him. Turning he saw a Kiri ninja, a genin from the looks of it walking towards him. As the person got closer the ninja called out,
"Oi! What are you doing out this late? Lord Gato issued orders for curfew at 2100, you either have to be in the bunkhouse, cookhouse or on your way to one of them."
Naruto said nothing as he turned and walked toward the genin. The young ninja felt something was off as he looked at the figure coming towards him. First off he couldn't see the guy's face let alone any hair. Second, he had lots of strange looking equipment hanging from his strange looking clothing. As Naruto came closer the small voice in the back of the kid's head was screaming to get out of there.
Too late, Naruto was on him and in a few swift and quiet moves the genin was out like a light and being carried off by his attacker. Sakura just let out a sigh of relief as her lover took care of his problem and left the compound with a source of fresh intelligence.
Meeting up with Naruto in a nearby clearing Sakura checked over their prisoner. Both Leaf ninja had donned their gas masks and were still in their dark battle dress. Sakura had also put on her own balaclava as well as a genjutsu turning her hair a deep jet black and her eyes ice blue. In the low light they must have looked like daemons from hell to the genin that was just waking up while they were arguing in muffled tones.
"I don't care SO1, that was a stupid move bringing him here," a muffled female voice was heard, "what were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that we could get some fresh intelligence on that place since what we got from that wannabe samurai was shit. I mean, I could have killed him before leaving or was that what you wanted me to do HM1?" the male answered.
"No, that's not what... Oh look SO1, he's awake," the female exclaimed, "Good morning, well, not for a few more hours at least. You may as well be comfortable, my associate has taken you prisoner, so Kiri nin, what's your name anyway?"
"Hitoshi, Kusunagi Hitoshi," the prisoner answered.
"How old are you Hitoshi?" the male asked.
"Eleven, I'm eleven, I just graduated from the academy," he answered.
"I see, so you're here with a team huh?" the male asked before continuing on, "What are you doing in Wave? This is a protectorate of Konohagakure, you being here is an act of war. You don't want to be the cause of a war do you?"
At this the Hitoshi's eyes grew wide, "No, I mean I don't want to cause a war but we were sent here by the request of Lord Gato. He said we'd be needed to take care of someone in the town."
"Did he now," the female said as she looked the adolescent over, "Do you know who it is? You may as well answer..."
"Ja, Ve haf vays off making you talk," the male interrupted only to be hit by his partner before she berated him in a language he didn't understand.
"Stupid! Just what the hell were you thinking? Wait a minute, you weren't were you? No fucking war movies for a month you moron!" Sakura hissed in Spanish as she scolded her husband.
"Sorry my vixen, eh, what do we do about him?" Naruto said as he pointed to their prisoner.
"Who is your target?" the female asked again.
"I don't know his name but I think he's supposed to be from the royal line of this country."
"And why does Gato want him eliminated?"
"Something about him being the rightful owner of that place I was taken from."
"How many Kiri shinobi are there besides you?"
"Just my team but I did see one of the Seven Swordsmen the other day, I think it was Kisame-sama," the scared boy answered.
Looking at the boy the male captor sighed, "Okay, here's our problem, you are too young to be killed even though you're a ninja now. And we can't let you go so what do we do with you?"
"SO1?" the female asked as she had an idea, "Let the boy go. I'm sure he'll keep his mouth shut," at that the boy was vigorously nodding his head, "I mean, after all, he did sell out his team."
"Wait, what? What do you mean I sold out my team," the boy cried out.
The male laughed as he turned to look at the boy, "Well, not only did you admit that you're here with a team and it's strength, but you also gave us the mission objectives that your team has taken. What do you think will happen when your mission fails and you're the only one that can't account for his whereabouts tonight?"
"I...I...oh Kami, what do I do?"
"We're going to release you once we're out of your sight, this seal I'm placing on you will prevent you from telling anyone about tonight's activities. Hopefully they won't kill you, now, sleep," Naruto said as he activated the seal on the boys neck.
Hitoshi woke up in his bed wondering how he got there. His roommate just glared at him, "You know, it's bad enough that you went next door to 'become a man' with one of those girls but, did you have to come back so late and then have a nightmare?"
"Nightmare? Huh, it was just a nightmare then," the boy sighed in relief.
"Hitoshi, what are you mumbling about?" the roommate asked.
"Nothing, nothing at all. Just...just watch what you drink over there, it really fucks with your mind," the boy said as he started to get ready for the day.
Naruto and Sakura returned to the inn and checked out at daybreak telling the owner where they could be found. The men understood and vowed to keep their new location secret. Naruto thanked them and then he and Sakura left a shadow clone of each other to provide any ill wishers a target. With that they left for Tazuna's house.
To say Kakashi and the others were surprised at when the couple arrived at their location would be an understatement. Ami and Sasuke took one look at the couple and turned bright red causing Kakashi to once again wonder what exactly happened when he sent them to relay that message to Naruto. The rest had big smiles as their future leader and his wife were spotted. Tsunami invited them inside saying they were just in time for dinner. While the meal was simple it was delicious and filling, Naruto having asked what the food situation was and finding out that the family's larder was being augmented by what ever game the ninjas could hunt as well as what few fish they could catch. Naruto promised that they would have more than enough fish by the end of the next day.
By now the small boy at the end of the table slammed his fist onto the tabletop, "I've had it with you Konoha ninjas! All you do is eat our food and act like you've nothing to worry about! None of you know pain or suffering! You're all safe in your village with everyone looking out for all of you, well, this isn't your village. This is Gato's land now and you all will die! There are no heroes!" he yelled before pointing at Naruto, "And you! Our lost prince, where were you when Gato took over and began killing everyone that stood up to him? I bet you were off in your big house being pampered by your loving public!"
Naruto look at the boy holding his hand up to stay Sakura's reply. Slowly he finished chewing his venison before wiping his mouth, "I don't know what suffering is huh kid? I may not, but I'll tell you this, you ain't suffering you little shit. Look around you, you have your mother and grandfather, who, by the way is risking his life by building that damn bridge to free your sorry ungrateful ass and secure yours and this whole country's future. You also have a roof over your head and food in your stomach, so tell me, just how are you sufferring because I don't see it."
"Naruto..." Kakashi began but was cut off by the blonde.
"No, he's a grown boy, I mean when I was at what age was it Sakura? Five, six years old when we finally had our apartment after living on the streets for a year? But no, we didn't suffer did we? Hey, Bastard, what about you? You were about this kids age when your family was all wiped out in front of you weren't you?" the blonde asked as he glared at the kid.
"Yeah, I think I was, what is he about eight?" came the reply.
"I suppose those orphan girls that in town that have to sleep with strangers so they can get enough money to eat are having the time of their lives while you're here suffering, huh? I got news for you boy, this is my land, I'm the boss here and Gato is going to pay for this outrage, that I promise. But you, you'd rather cower in fear, roll over and wait to die. You fucking disgust me you little coward," with that he stood up and turned to go, "Tsunami-san, excuse my manners and behavior. The meal was wonderful, Sakura, pops, Sasuke, I'll be outside."
With that he walked out the back door as he reached the porch he unsealed a pack of smokes, his last pack of Marlboro in fact, 'time to have the foxes send a resupply,' he thought before he lit one up. Sakura smelt the smoke and frowned, even though the vice wouldn't kill him like normal people she still hated it, mostly because she'd start wanting one as well. It was a bad habit both had picked up while in the Navy, the both smoked to relieve stress from combat and having to pick the specwar guys up in hot LZ's. Hearing a sniff she turned and looked at the boy, Inari she recalled, as his mother spoke up,
"Surely he's exaggerating, he's the last prince of Uzushiro. Konoha would have taken good care of him, and what was that about our orphans? The orphanage here is the best on the continent."
Kakashi shook his head, "Naruto...his parents died when the fox attacked, his mother died in childbirth and his father fighting the fox. Because of enemies his parents had made his identity was a state secret, no one knew, not even Naruto himself. That boy was very unlucky for the first six years of his life, see, he was the only child born the night Konoha almost died."
"The villagers didn't see him as a baby boy and later a child, they believed that he was the fox that had been reincarnated into a human. For six years they all tried to finish the job 'the Fourth started'. Meaning they tried to kill him far too many times to count. Sakura-chan here," he paused and pointed to the girl, "her parents threw her out at age four because she became friends with the boy. Even though her parents were supposed to take him in should something happen to his folks they believed the lie about the boy. They also tried to supr..."
"They tried to suppress the marriage contract they pressured Naruto-kun's parents into agreeing with. Naruto-kun and I are husband and wife and have been for years. We both lived a hellish life until our first sensei rescued us and made sure Naruto was educated in all areas of leadership, how to conduct a war or when to show mercy," Sakura said interrupting Kakashi before continuing,
"As for the orphans, Onodera sold the orphanage to Gato who promptly kicked the kids out and either fired or had the staff killed when they complained. The girls are being treated for various STDs and are in a safe place. Onodera is to be executed once he's been arrested and interrogated."
Tsunami looked at the girl before she spoke up, "If Onodera is a traitor why is he still running free?"
"If he was to taken in now we'd tip off Gato that something was up and the man would bunker down in the old Uzumaki compound," Sakura answered.
Just as she finished there was a brilliant light in the windows facing town as a loud and strong shock wave hit the building. Sakura smiled as she heard an exited yell from outside, nothing cheered Naruto up better than ramen or a huge explosion. The others were on their feet and on guard making her smile wider,
"Before you all ask, that was the first blow of liberation, Inari, the dock area, more specifically the old food bank has just been leveled. My sneaky husband must have given his clones a roll of charge 25 exploding tags to go with the incendiary grenades he handed them. We were going to blow the old orphanage but decided against it, I mean those kids will need a home to return to after this is over."
Turning to her father in law Sakura switched to English, all members of the Genin Pool were required to learn the language as a form of secure communication, it was something that was to be done, no questions asked and the members learned very quickly, "Naruto is having a bad time right now, his PTSD is acting up. A lot of things we witnessed in town brought back some very bad memories. Not just from the Leaf but from our training trip as well. He's going to need time, fuck, he's outside with a cigarette, the last time he had one was four days before we arrived at the village gates. We'll set up our tent outside away from everyone else, I may have to use the silencing seals and a genjutsu so we don't disturb everyone's sleep tonight..."
"You think?" snarked Ami as Sasuke was trying hard not to laugh, "You should've remembered the other day, I don't think they heard you on this side of town."
Sakura just did what her husband would have done, she shot Ami the finger and grinned at her a grin that hinted of mischief, "You know Ami, I could forget about the jutsus and make you and Tenten feel deprived and the boys inadequate," standing up she turned to leave but not before thanking Tsunami for the dinner.
Tenten, who had been quiet the whole time turned to Ami and asked, "What did she mean, make us feel deprived Ami?"
"Well, think about it, what would a couple be doing that would require a silencing and privacy jutsu?" the blue haired girl asked.
"Well, I wouldn't kno...Oh Kami! He finally grew into it?" Tenten screamed out in shock.
Ami and now Tsunami looked at her waiting for an explanation, "What grew with him Tenten?" Ami finally asked. By now everyone was curious about what had been said.
"Well, when I was in the orphanage with Naruto, he and I along with a few other kids were playing show and tell and we got kind of curious about each others bodies, Tenten began, "Well, one of the other girls asked one of the other boys to show his privates. He did and Naruto, not liking being second to anyone pulled his pants down and his...ummmm...member was as big as a boy about nine or ten. Not that I would know!" she hastened to add.
Tsunami looked at the girl before she spoke up, "So, if he was that gifted when he was that young...my Kami! He must be..."
"Like a mule," Ami said interrupting the older woman.
Kakashi grinned under his mask, he knew along with the medical staff that treated Naruto along with the Third just how gifted the teen was. He may have his mother's personality but he had his father's looks, hair and physique.
"So... my cute little genin, is that why you and Sasuke 'I'm never embarrassed' Uchiha were so red the other day?"
"Yes and we will never talk about that day again, understand Sensei?" the onyx eyed genin added.
That night Naruto and Sakura sat with their friends near the camp fire. Only Kakashi was allowed to stay in the bridge builders house because of his rank and experience as an ANBU agent. The genin asked why Naruto and Sakura had to live outside and not in the house with Kakashi. The answer was simple, according to Kakashi, they, as genin had not earned the right to sleep inside. "Besides", the man said, "it builds character".
The couple didn't mind, in fact as far as Sakura was concerned Naruto needed this time with his friends. The last few days had opened lots of old wounds and Naruto needed to find his center as it were. The time he spent with Sasuke and Lee especially would help. Sakura was never sure of Neji, the teen was just unreadable, that is when he's not on his soapbox ranting about a person's fate. Time would tell with the Hyuga.
Around midnight Naruto and Sakura finally turned in and slept very peacefully. Sakura figured it was because her husband was going to see the liberation of his lands and people in the coming days. They had one more CTR to do and this one, according to her husband would be involving Sasuke, Ami, Tenten and Neji. These teammates had been trusted to be issued firearms and so they would be the ones that would look over two targets that night.
Earlier they had talked and joked with their friends about most everything. Unfortunately the topic soon turned to their sex life. It was a matter of time Sakura thought, evidently Kakashi had figured it out and Ami had spilled the beans. Sasuke, surprisingly, was very quiet throughout the conversation. Sakura wondered if it his silence was connected to what he saw the afternoon he and Ami had paid a visit to the couple.
Once the fun and games were over the planning began. With Zabuza agreeing to void his contract with Gato the only worry was Kisame Hogashi and the Kiri genin squad. While it was no surprise Gato had sent for a hit team the question was what was another of the Seven Swordsmen doing in Wave?
Once some of the planning had been done it was time to turn in. To everyone's relief the Uzumaki's either put up the jutsus as promised or they were too tired to do anything. Even though the couple were not on the watch bill or had training they were up at first light. As Sakura began to prepare breakfast Naruto was seen heading towards the shoreline with a large net secured to his back and a heavy looking bag in his hands.
A few minutes had gone by when the morning stillness was shattered by a muffled explosion followed by an exited yell. Sakura smiled, nothing cheered Naruto up better than him blowing something up, well that and making love, but today he had to settle for blowing things up. That's not to say everyone else was happy about his actions. Sasuke, Lee and Neji all ran to where the detonation had occurred just in time to see Naruto pulling the fuse lanyard from a stick grenade.
"Dope," came Sasuke's voice as the girls slowly joined him and the others, "what are you doing?"
Naruto tossed the device into the water and began counting, "3...2...1," WHUMPH! SLASH! "Fishing, why?" he answered with a very innocent look on his face.
Sasuke frowned at the answer, "How can you get fish by..." he trailed off as the blonde picked up the net and began scooping a school of fish that was floating to the surface.
Holding in a laugh Sakura grew curious, "Koi, where in the wold did you get those potato mashers? I don't remember you taking anything like them as trophy's."
"You're right, I didn't but uncle had the cousins get some from the source," Naruto replied referring to Kurama and the other foxes by code. That way any unfriendly ears would be led to believe that Naruto and Sakura had unknown family members that provided them with the exotic equipment.
Sakura just sighed when she saw the amount of fish already collected in a large basket. Knowing her husband he wouldn't stop until it was full. Sure enough there was another splash as another grenade was tossed in. By now Lee had joined in and was scooping up the stunned fish with the net. After another ten minutes the basket was full and the group was returning to camp.
Once the fish was divided between the shinobi and Tazuna's house it was time to go to work. Naruto ans Sakura had made a sand table with toy houses to represent the buildings in the compound. Once everything was set up they began to plan for the next CTR and if they can locate them, the team led by Naruto will snatch the genin team from Kiri. Kakashi was not that happy about what Naruto planned to do but as he went over things he realized that it was not only doable but they could possibly gain fresher intelligence if they could grab the whole team. Just as they were finishing up one of the smaller foxes used to send messages appeared, reading the note Naruto frowned and began to make changes to the mission.
"So, let me get this straight, you're taking both teams and not only scouting the compound but also trying to snatch another genin team? Are you sure this will work?"
"For the last time, yes it'll work, the risk is higher since more people are taking part but it's still acceptable. If I didn't think this would work I'd be the first one to scrap it," the blonde answered, "Besides, the mission has changed, it'll be a full scale raid."
"What?" Kakashi exclaimed, " When did this happen? I thought this was another scouting mission. Who's on what teams then," Kakashi asked knowing this entire mission was on the bubble. The boy may be his son and sometime student but ever since Naruto and Sakura had returned to his life he's felt as if he's become the student and they're the teachers. Not that it was a bad thing, it was just...not what he expected.
"Sakura will be on over watch with Neji supporting her," Naruto began, "First squad will be Lee, Tenten and Sai. They will be assaulting the barracks to grab that Kiri team as well as killing any of Gato's men. After that they'll pull fuses and split. Sakura will remote detonate the cookhouse."
"And the second team and their objectives?"
"Sasuke, Ami and myself. I plan on getting into the little bastards house and taking all I can," Naruto said but it was his next statement the chilled Kakashi's blood, "And if the opportunity presents itself, take the fuckers scalp and balls."
"Okay, now tell me, what made you change the mission timeline?"
"Remember those freighters in the harbor? The ones sitting low in the water?" Naruto asked. Seeing his adopted father nod he continued, "I just got word from the underground, you know, Tazuna's people. Anyway they just sent word, those ships are carrying about one hundred each of Kiri shinobi. That would be the only way that team that's hunting me got here so fast."
"Shit, that means Kiri is planning on taking Wave from under Konoha's nose," Kakashi yelled as he realized the implications of Gato's presence in Wave. All it took was one traitor to let him in and the town administrator, Onodera had done just that.
Naruto turned to the masked ninja, "Pops, you'll be staying here, I've sent for Zabuza and his partner. They'll stay hidden but will be here to back you up, okay?"
"You really trust him?" Kakashi asked not fully convinced of the man's change of heart.
"He's family, blood related, I trust him as much as I trust you or Sakura-chan," Naruto explained, "Once this is done you'll have the whole story, just trust me if you can't trust him," with that Naruto walked away to gather Sakura up. They had their own mission to complete before the raid began.
A/N:
Okay, first let me say sorry for the delay in getting this out. As it is, I actually scrapped all of the story past Naruto's meeting with Zabuza, twice. I just could not get it to feel right. I actually had to set this chapter aside for a few days until I could deal with it again. Obviously this is not the end of the Wave arc but the mission will close out in the next update.
Now to answer a few questions that you may have regarding Zabuza. First thing you need to remember is that canon was thrown out the window so that may make his relationship to Naruto easier for you accept. Over the years I've read several stories where Zabuza was either an uncle or cousin to Naruto through Kushina. This, along with a story Zabuza tells of the fall of Whirlpool to team 7 (I believe it's in ANBU Genin) gave me the idea that Zabuza is related to Kushina and they stayed in touch for quite a few years until the Mizukage began to get paranoid. Anyway, Naruto needs to lean all he can about his clan and that is what his mother has tasked her cousin to do.
I know I changed Naruto's reaction to Inari's whining to where he's harsher than in canon. I did that on purpose, this is not canon Naruto, this Naruto has seen too much as has Sakura and after spending a few days seeing what the people in the town are going through he's not going to put up with a sniveling brat. I also felt that Naruto in this story would not go out and destroy a forest to blow off steam so, yes boys and girls, Naruto smokes. So does Sakura, I was not going to have her smoke or tolerate Naruto smoking at first but then I got to thinking. When I was in the fleet and working on the Saratoga's flight deck I was, like my fellow Roof Rats, constantly stressed out so to deal with it I not only smoked at least two packs a day but also had a dip of Copenhagen in my mouth when I couldn't light up. I figured that Naruto and eventually Sakura would pick up the habit. For some reason I got a picture in my mind of Sakura in her cammie trousers and brown T-shirt watching the baby genin train with a cup of coffee in her hand and a cigarette in her mouth. I also pictured her having a smirk on her face like Revy in Black Lagoon, a smirk or smile that promises pain if you screw up.
And once again for bankai777, Since Konan is a part of Akatsuki she may or may not show up in this story, however, as she is Nagato's companion she may make an appearance but let me make this very clear to you and anyone else that has a thing for Naruto hooking up with older women. It won't happen, period. The only girls older than him that I would consider hooking him up with are Temari and Fu. That said and I've stated this before, IF and I mean IF Naruto goes into the CRA he will only have two more wives if that many. As a condition to the CRA Sakura has say over who is let into her family, no one is going to get close to Naruto unless she see's that they care for Naruto for being Naruto not because of wealth or status. So, rule of thumb is this, if they are connected to Akatsuki, older than him or were part of filler arcs unless I can use the premise, Naruto is not going to be jumping into the sack with every girl or woman he meets.
One last thing because I know someone is going to ask, Karin will be introduced and be made a part of the clan. Whether she falls for Sasuke is something I haven't put much thought into. I'm happy with Ami being the guy's love interest, remember, like Naruto this is not the Sasuke from canon and he's actually getting to the point of showing emotion is proof of that. Now, for the other red head, Tayuya. She will also be part of the Uzumaki clan and with Jiraiya's help Naruto will help her with a troublesome hickey a certain snake gave her.
Holidays are coming up with the first one in the USA, Thanksgiving, this Thursday so I won't start working on the final chapter for Wave until the weekend. Right now I am a ball of nerves as my family's Civic was totaled earlier this week. No, I or my wife were driving at the time but the car is wrecked and will have to be replaced. This will be another bill I can barely afford but it's looking like I'll have to look for a job and reenter the work force. This is not how I expected my retirement to be.
So, to my American readers Happy Thanksgiving and to the rest of you I wish you all the best and a happy weekend.