Chapter 6 The Assassin in the Mist
-"They are Chuunin assassin known as The Demon Brothers from the Land of Water." Kakashi said as Squad 7 were looking at the tied up duo.
-"How did you figure it out?"- One of the brothers asked.
-"That puddle we passed a while ago, on a sunny day with no rain in the past few. It was completely obvious."- Kakashi said in a calm manner.
-"I also wanted to know who their target was."- As he said that he noticed the bridge builder tense a little.
-"What do you mean sensei?" Sakura asked.
-"Well they cloud have been after me, ninja on ninja or someone else."- He said as he turned to Tazuna.-"We need to talk."- making the expert bridge builder gulp.
They were about to leave when Kakashi heard Kira speak.
-"Do you want me to take care of them sensei?"-which made him pause for a moment before giving a slight nod. He turned to the other three Genin.
-"You better walk ahead."-they nodded as Kira stayed behind.
Squad 7 was seated in a small row boat along with the bridge builder as they sailed quietly through the mist. The engine was turned off and the only sound that was heard was the squeaking of the paddle at the end of the boat.
-"This fog`s so thick, you can`t see anything."- Sakura whispered.
-"The bridge isn't far now."- The fisher man said.-"Our destinations just ahead. The land of Waves."
-"Whoa! It`s hu.." Naruto wasn't able to finish the sentence as Kira clamped a hand over his mouth.
-"Be quiet, I told you no noise."-The man said.
-"Why do you think we`re traveling like this huh? Cutting the engine, moving through the fog? It`s so that they don't see us."-
-"Mr. Tazuna, before we reach the pier I want to ask you something, the men who are after you I need to know why. If you don`t tell us I'm afraid I'll have to end this mission when we drop you ashore.
-"I have no choice but to tell you, no I want you to know the truth. Like you said, this is beyond the scope of the original mission. The one who seeks my life is a very short man who casts a very long deadly shadow."-
-"A deadly shadow?"- Questioned Kakashi.-"Who is it?-"
-"You know him, at least I'm sure you`ve heard his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping magnet Gato."-
-"Huh? Gato? Of Gato Transport? He's a business leader, everyone knows him."-
-"Gato is a very powerful tycoon from a famous company that's true, but below the surface with same ruthless methods he uses to take over businesses and nations, he sells drugs and contraband. Using gangs and ninja. It was one year ago when Gato first set his sight on the land of Waves. He came to our island and used his wast wealth to take total control of our transport and shipping. Anyone who tried to stand in his way simply disappeared. In an island nation a man who controls the controls everything, finance, government, our very lives but there's one thing he fears. The bridge, when it is complete it will join us to the land and that will break his control. I am the bridge builder."- He said gazing at the almost completed bridge.
-"So that's it? Since you`re in charge of the bridge you`re standing in this gangster's way."- Sakura said looking with a calculating look at the bridge as well.
-"That means those guys we fought in the forest, they were working for Gato." Sasuke said as well.
-'They "were" working for him, not anymore.'-Kira thought.
-"I don't understand, if you knew he was dangerous, knew he'd send ninja to eliminate you, why did you hide that from us?"- Kakashi asked.
-"Because The Land of Waves is a small impoverished nation, even our nobles have little money. The common people who are building this bridge they can't pay for an A or B ranked mission. It's too expensive if you end the mission when you drop me ashore there will be no bridge, they'll assassinate me before I reach home…
But don't feel bad about that, of course my sweet little grandson will be upset, he`ll cry 'Granddad, I want my Granddad' "-Tazuna said imitating a child`s voice.
-And my daughter will condemn the ninja of the Hidden Leaf denouncing and blaming you for abandoning her father and living her life in sorrow. - He said making Naruto and Sakura feel worse. –"But oh well, it's not your fault forget it."- He finished making Squad 7 look at each other.
-"Well…"-Kakashi said scratching his headband.-"I guess we have no other choice, we`ll have to keep guarding you."- He said turning to Tazuna with a sweat drop.
-"Oh I'm very grateful."- Tazuna said as he turned back with a 'peace' sign smiling 'I win'.
A few minutes later the man who was rowing the small boat said:-"We`re approaching the shore. Tazuna we`ve been very fortunate no one has noticed us so far."
-"Nice going. - The old builder commented.
They passed through a tunnel which later showed the village, housed lined up on the water with a few trees that had their roots in it as well.
-"Yeah!"- Naruto said amazed at the sight.
When they got off the boat the rowing man said:-"That's as far as I go. Good luck."-
-"Right. Thank you for taking such a risk."- Tazuna replied to the man.
-"Just be careful."- The man said as he turned on his engine and sailed away. Tazuna turned to Kakashi.
-"OK. Take me to my home and I mean get me there in one piece."-
-"Right."- was what Kakashi said as Squad 7 started walking.
'The next ninja they send won't be Chunin they`ll be Jonin. Elite ninja with deadly skills.' Kakashi thought with a sigh.
As they walked Naruto kept glaring at Sasuke. 'Ugh, I'm not letting Sasuke get all the glory this time. Believe it.' He thought as he ran a bit ahead and threw a shuriken at a bush making all the others stop. After a small pause he mumbled:-"It was just a mouse."-.
Just before they all cloud start lecturing him Kira calmly walked up to Naruto and slapped him upside down on the back of his head.
-"Don't do that. Makes you an easy target."- she muttered but suddenly something caught her attention to the left and she saw that it had Kakashi`s too. Naruto also threw a kunai in that direction which fed up Sakura and she punched him in the back of his head.
-"What? Why`d you do that? Someone is following us I mean it!" Naruto said holding his head.
-"Yeah right. Quit lying and acting like a dumb kid! - She yelled at him as Kakashi went to check and saw a white rabbit twitching on the ground in fear. Sakura went to see what it was and gasped once she saw the rabbit.
-"Naruto look what you did!"
-"Waaah! I`m sorry little rabbit. I'm sorry."- He said as he cuddled the still shaken rabbit to his cheek.
-"All that fuss over a rodent. - Tazuna said and nobody notice that Kira had token out a kunai.
'That`s a snow rabbit, but the color. They only have white fur during winter. When the days are short and there`s little sunlight. This rabbit was raise indoors away from the light which can only be for one purpose, a replacement technique…So they`re already here.'
'No wonder the demon brothers failed in their mission. It's the Copy Ninja from The Village Hidden in the Leaves. Kakashi of the Sharingan.'
Suddenly Kakashi yelled:-"Look out!"- As a huge blade came spinning towards them.
Luckily they all managed to avoid the spinning giant sword in time and it lodged into a tree. When they looked at it they saw a person was standing on the handle of the sword.
'That must be…'Kakashi thought.
' A Hidden Mist headband.' Kira thought as she looked at the person.
'Here he is… my chance to shine. Believe it. I'm ready this time I'm not gonna lose to Sasuke.' Naruto was thinking as he took a glance at the raven haired Uchiha.
-"Well well if it isn't Zabuza Momochi. Rouge ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist."-Kakashi commented as he took a step forward.
-'I was right.'- Kira`s thoughts echoed out in her head.
-'Rouge ninja? Whatever! Nothing`s gonna stop me.' – Naruto thought as he hot ready to run up to the swordsman, but he was pulled back as a hand gripped the shirt around the scruff of his neck. He turned to see Kira holding him, just as he was about to ask why she did that Kakashi spoke:
-"Naruto get back. He`s not like those other ninja, he is in a whole new different league. If he`s our opponent I'll need this."-Kakashi finished reaching for his Leaf headband.
-""Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye. Did I get that right?"- Zabuza said attracting Sasuke`s attention-"It`s too bad but you`ll have to hand over the old man."-
'Sharingan? What is that? ' Naruto thought.
'What's he saying? Does he have some special power?' Sakura was also questioning in her head.
"Now quick! Manji formation. Protect the bridge builder, and stay out of this fight." Kakashi ordered the team. The team was a little confused.
"I taught you teamwork, now it's time you use it." Kakashi revealed his eye showing its red color and three red tomoes inside.
"Well, Looks like I get to see the Sharingan in action. This is an honor." Zabuza said turning towards Squad 7.
An unfinished update, I know but since it`s summer i`m going to a lot more active than before so here is some to sate your thirst.