A/N- (chuckles nervously) Hey readers! Sorry for the delay in this chapter, but my friend, who took his laptop back, never sent me my file with all of my content in it, including a quarter-written new chapter. That actually isn't all that bad, since I'd been thinking about restarting the chapter anyway, but then my computer messed up AGAIN, so it had to be taken to Bestbuy AGAIN, and it was still having trouble when we got it back! So I, in all of my big ol' fluffy angriness, sat down and tried to fix it myself (and I do believe that I probably looked something a bit like a mad gorilla trying to do long division, and may have acted like it a few times), and I finally got my internet to working properly! So now I can once again bring you the quality chapters you've all grown to love (or maybe hate, or feel totally indifferent towards).

Anyway, we've hit the 100+ review mark! Thank you everyone who has reviewed thusfar, and I'm looking forward to what all of you have to say in the future!

Also, I am holding a contest. For information please read the A/N at the end of the chapter.

ja ne!

Chapter 15, The Iwa Mountain

It was another bustling day in the country of Wave, shopkeeps already up and hawking their wares to passer-by. It looked like a completely new town from the way it had been three years earlier when the tyrant Gato died and the great Naruto bridge was built. gone were the run-down, ramshakle buildingings that looked to be held together by nothing more than plywood and rusty tin, having been replaced as soon as Wave's economy had started to turn around. No longer were homeless beggers sitting on every street corner and ragged children in the street, now that everyone had jobs and the orphans who had lost their families to the Gato corperation were adopted. Yes, Wave had completely turned around, but that didn't mean that she had forgotten her heroes, and it couldn't be more obvious as people stopped to openly gawk as the of the said heroes walked right off the bridge and onto the main street, the legendary team seven, who had helped break the iron grip of Gato.

Team seven, of course, were not expecting the reception they got as they calmly sauntered into town, only to be beseiged by a huge crowd of cheering people who rushed up to them, crowding all about, completely ignoring everyone else who was crossing the bridge, including a kindly looking elderly man who was being assisted along by his loving son and daughter, as well as a pearl-eyed monk and his pineapple haired apprentice, whom went in the opposite direction of the hobbling Old man and his family.

Naruto, who was still unused to such attention and growing more and more uncomfortable by the second, finally threw his hands up into the air, knocking away all of the hands that were currently touching him. "Ok, what the heck is going on here?" He cried out over the throng of voices of praise, causing the people to quiet down as they backed up a bit.

"Now Naruto, calm down." Kakashi said calmly, never looking up from his Icha Icha book, seeming completely untouched somehow.

One man stepped forward, bowing deeply. "sorry for our rather abrupt greeting, but it isn't every day that our fair town's greatest heroes return to visit us." He said as several people nodded in agreement and broke out into murmurs.

Naruto looked confused. "Huh?" He grunted. "What the heck are you guys talking about? Tazuna lives here, doesn't he?" He asked.

Sakura groaned, resisting the urge to bop Naruto on the head. "He's talking about us Naruto." She answered, causing Naruto to start and turn towards her, a confused look on his face. "Think about it." She continued. "Yes, Tazuna built the bridge, but who protected him while he did? That would be us, so it's only natural that we would be considered heroes as well." She explained as it dawned on Naruto.

The man who had spoken up nodded. "Yes, that is true, but there is much more to it. You all gave us something that we hadn't felt in years because of that bastard Gato, a sense of hope that things would get better. You especially, Naruto-san. You instilled a seed of hope that grew in the heart of Tazuna's grandson Inari, a need for justice that spread to us all and helped us finally gather the courage to stand up to the thugs and criminals that had kept us down for so long. For that, you will always be counted as the great heroes of Wave." He explained. "So, what brings you back to our humble town? Surely nothing is wrong?" He asked plesantly, folding his hands behind his back.

Naruto was about to reply when Kakashi put a hand on his shoulder. "actually, things have been really hectic recently, so we decided to take a little break and come back here for a week or so to visit our friends." He lied, though his tone was so sincere that it would have been impossible to detect by any but the most seasoned of ninja. Naruto and Sakura, getting the message, nodded in agreement.

The man bowed again. "Very well, Kakashi-san. Would the three of you like a guide to show you around town? We could even show you the places that have either been named after or otherwise dedicated to you, they are some of the most popular spots in the entire town. For instance, our famous Naruto ramen stand is one of the most popular food stands we have." He told them.

Naruto's eyes had gone starry as he clasped his hands together in front of him. "Is their ramen good?"" He asked, practically drooling, he hadn't had real ramen since Ichiraku's!

Sakura sighed, slapping her forehead. "Great, just what he needs, a store named after him." She moaned.

The man turned his smile on Sakura. "Now Sakura-san, please don't say such things, don't you want to visit the Sakura Beauty Parlor? Your hairstyle and color are all the rage these days." He said plesantly, motioning around. Surely enough, many women in the crowd had their hair exactly like she did the last time they were in wave, with varying hues of pink.

Sakura blushed a bit. "Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to go look." she replied with a giggle.

Kakashi cleared his throat, getting ready to speak, when the man interuppted him. "And Kakashi-san! Would you care to come to Kakashi's Paradise? It is our top-selling adult bookstore, and we carry copies of the entire Icha-Icha series, including the ultra-rare Icha-Icha Heaven!" He exlaimed.

Suddenly, Kakashi's blush was even larger than Sakura's. "Heh heh... well, I guess a quick look-see couldn't hurt. You guys go see your places, and we'll meet up at Tazuna's in half an hour, ok?" He asked, his voice sounding almost pleading, he had to get his hands on that book!

Naruto sniggered. "Sure thing Kakashi-sensei, just don't take too long, ok guys?" He replied, getting nods from the other two. Looking arou d, he almost instantly spotted the Naruto Ramen Stand. "Ramen, here I come!" He exlaimed happily, leaping over the awed crowd and rushing towards it.

"Boys..." Sakura sighed, shaking her head as several of the girls giggled at the blonde's antics. "Sooo... Where's the beauty parlor?" she asked, several of the women jumping forward, eager to show her the way.

All of the remaining men just stood around, shuffling their feet or looking at different things. "Well... Shall we?" Kakashi asked, his tone conspirational. The man who'd been talking nodded, and all of them started towards Kakashi's Paradise, every one of them sporting small, perverted blushes. As they walked, Kakashi looked over, where a man who had stayed in the back of the crowd broke away and darted down an alley.

Neji and Shikamaru were wandering through the town, disguized as a monk and apprentice, greeting the civilians as they scoped out the layout of the area, commiting it to memory in case they needed to know later on. They found nothing amiss however, with absolutely no trace of the Gato company anywhere. They were about to make their way to where Kakashi had informed them Tazuna's house was when they passed a small bar where a group of five men where gathered, sitting close together as they whispered amongst themselves. Shikamaru's eyes narrowed slightly as he stole a glance at the men, nudging Neji in the side. "Yes, son?" Neji asked, turning his head to where he was looking at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru, in turn, pointed discreetly at the men in the bar, and Neji looked to where he was pointing. There, on the back of one of the men was an open pouch, in which an Iwa headband could be seen. Nodding to Shikamaru, Neji started for the bar, his partner following close behind. "exuse me, but could we get some water?" He asked politely as he and Shikamaru sat down at the bar, fairly close to the men, who shut up and cast glances over at the duo.

"Sure thing." The barkeep replied, going over to a sink and filling a pair of glasses, bringing them back and setting them before the two. "Ya sure ya want water? Why not somethin' a bit stronger?" He asked.

Neji shook his head, picking his glass up and sipping from it. "No, I'm afraid not. We are travelling monks, and as part of our vows, we swore never to drink alchohol." He replied, earning a nod from the barkeep as the men turned back to their conversation, though at an even lower tone than before.

"Excuse me father, but could I receive a blessing?" A deep baritone voice asked from just behind the duo as a shadow fell across them.

Surprized that anyone could sneak up on them like that, both Neji and Shikamaru turned around in their seats, seeing a man standing fairly close, a half-opened curtain not too far away revealing a bathroom. The man had to have been one of the largest that either had ever seen, standing maybe half a head shorter than Gai, and more heavily muscled than anybody they'd ever laid eyes on, with arms almost as thick as Shikamaru's waist and a girth that surpassed even Choji's, rippling muscles standing out tautly against the sleeveless shirt the man wore. He had a dark tan, and a friendly-looking face with a wide grin, his upper lip framed by a pencil-thin moustache and small, twinkling eyes. His dark hair was extemely short and nappy, being probably the curliest that either had ever seen, and though the man seemed friendly enough, both could sense that he practically screamed danger. "Why yes my son, you may." Neji said, saying a small prayer for the large man. "I must say, you are probably the largest man that I've ever laid eyes on." He said conversationally after he finished.

The man nodded, grinning. "Yes, and you are probably the first Hyuuga that I've ever laid eyes on." He replied, causing the group of near-by ninja to tense. "what are you doing so far from home, Hyuuga-san?" The man continued.

Neji nodded. "Yes, I was once a part of that clan, but I forsook that name and all of the pomp that came with it when I joined the clergy. As to why I am here, I am accompanying my apprentice on his pentience journey, visiting all of the lands, as I did with my own master some years ago." He replied. "Why are you here? I do not believe that I have seen Iwa ninja on this side of Fire Country's borders in quite some time." He continued.

The large man nodded, shooting a glare at his comrades. "yes, we are Iwa nin. We were contracted for a mission that just happened to take us through Wave, and we decided to stop for a drink. we were hoping to travell incognito, but it seems that my companions have been a bit careless. Ryo Tensai, at your servecies." He said, extending his right hand.

"Minori, and this is my apprentice, Hanya." Neji replied with a smile, shaking the man's hand, then Shikamaru. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Tensai-san, but if you will exuse us, it is time for my apprentice and myself to continue our journey, for the life of a monk is full of work helping those in need and spreading the word of faith. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I pray that you and your comrades shall be safe on your mission." He said, bowing his head as he and Shikamaru stood up.

Ryo bowed as well. "That it was monk-san. Thank you for the blessings and I hope that you and your apprentice shall have a safe journey as well." He replied with a friendly tone, walking the two to the entrance-way.

When they were a fair distance away from the waving man, Shikamaru cast a glance towards Neji. "This is bad, we've gotta report to the others right away that there are Iwa nin in the town." He whispered out of the corner of his mouth.

Neji mearely nodded silently and the two set a round-about course for Tazuna's occasionally looking ove their shoulders to see if they were being followed.

Ryo watched as the two disappeared around the corner of a building before he walked back into the bar, his friendly smile turning into a scowl. Looking down, he saw the open pouch of one of his men, where his Iwa headband could clearly be seen. "You damned idiot, are you trying to throw our mission off?" He asked, smacking the man in the back of the head.

"S-sorry suh-sir!" The man apologized shakily, rubbing the back of his head as he fastened his pouch closed.

Ryo snorted in disgust, crossing his arms as he glared at the barkeep. "Are we gonna have any trouble out of you, or will you keep your trap shut?" He asked.

"Hey, I didn't see nothin', I didn't hear nothin'." The barkeep replied, washing an empty cup as Ryo nodded.

Suddenly a man burst into the small bar. "S-sir! Konoha ninja just showed up!" He reported, coming to a halt in front of Ryo.

Ryo grumbled under his breath. "I know, there seems to be an infestation of 'em." He said. whirling around, he whipped his hand out, and the next thing anyone knew, the surprized barkeep was sinking slowly to the ground, a kunai lodged in his throat. "Hide the body, then lets move, we've gotta report." He said, grabbing a closed sign that he spotted, hanging it on a small nail on one of the outer support beams.

Naruto sighed happily, getting ready to start on his fourth bowl that the smiling cook put down before him when he sensed someone sit down beside him and order a bowl of miso ramen. Looking up, Naruto was surprized to see the largest man he'd ever seen sitting beside him. He was at least a head taller than any one else he'd ever seen, so heavily muscled that he'd make anyone else seem small by comparison, with fists so large they looked like they were as big as Naruto's head! His face was friendly looking, set with laugh-lines and wrinkles that only came with age. He had a neatly-trimmed grey beard and long, strangly hair that hung down from where it was receding all the way down to the base of his neck. "WHOA! YOU'RE HUGE!" Naruto exlaimed, pointing up at the man.

The man threw his head back, bellowing laughter. "And you, my little friend, are short! How's the air down there?" He teased, grinning.

"Hey, that ain't funny!" Naruto grumbled, slurping down his ramen. "another pork please!" He called out.

"I thought it was pretty funny." The jolly giant chuckled, eating his own ramen. "That's a Leaf headband, isn't it? Does that mean that your a ninja?" He asked, pointing at Naruto's forehead protector with his chopsticks.

Naruto grinned and was about to answer when the cook butted in. "Why yes he is! Naruto-san is a hero of our country, and one of the greatest ninja ever! As a matter of fact, both this stand and the great bridge that has brought us so much prosperity are named after him!" He exlaimed, causing Naruto to blush a bit at the praise as he continued to grin, scratching the back of his head.

The large man whistled. "Whoa, that's impressive! So your really that strong of a ninja, huh?" He bent down, peering at Naruto closely, rubbing his chin. "Hmmm... you look familiar... you wouldn't happen to be related to Minato Namikaze, the famous Fourth Hokage of Konoha, would you?" He asked thoughtfully.

Naruto blinked as he looked up at the man. "Huh?" He asked, squinting, crossing his arms over his chest. "Nah, I don't think so." He replied.

The large man looked surprized. "Are you sure? You look enough like him that you could pass off as his son!" He exlaimed.

Naruto's eyes widened a bit and he grinned. "Thanks, the Fourth is my idol!" He replied happily. "Nah though, I don't have any parents, they both died the night the Kyuubi attacked." He looked down into his ramen.

The large man reached down, clapping Naruto on the back. "There there, my new little friend. The attack of the Kyuubi was a tragedy that was felt throughout all of the elemental countries, and the Fourth Hokage is hailed as a hero almost everywhere for stopping that menace. I am sorry for your loss." He said solemnly.

Naruto grinned up at the man. "Naw, don't worry about it. They're in a better place now, and I don't even know who they were anyway." He replied.

The man's eyebrows rose. "Really? Well, if they were still alive, I'm sure they would be proud of you, you seem like a good kid. What brings you here anyway?" He asked.

"I'm on a vacation with my team. It's been pretty hectic lately, and we decided to take some time off and come back to visit a friend of ours, who used to be a client." The blond replied, sticking to Kakashi's lie.

The large man nodded as he ordered another bowl. "Well, a ninja's life can be a tough one. What is your name?" He asked.

Naruto grinned. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, Konoha's number one prankster ninja, and future Hokage!" He exlaimed, causing the man to bellow with laughter again.

"Well, I expect you to reach that far, Uzumaki-kun!" The man replied, matching Naruto's grin.

A feeling of new friendship and comrade surrounding the resteurant, both men, one young and one fairly old, turned back to their ramen, eating in comfortable silence.

Tazuna was lazing on a beach chair on the dock just outside of his house, half asleep as he held a fishing pole loosely in one hand. So comfortable was he that he didn't even notice anyone approaching until a shadow fell across his face. Cracking one eye open, He gazed up, only for both eyes to widen to almost comical proportions as he stumbled to get up and only succeeding in falling out of his chair. "Kakashi, Sakura! What brings the two of you here?!" He exlaimed, shooting to his feet as he gaped at his two friends, who'd met back up with one another on the road to his house. Just then, the bobber on Tazuna's line dipped beneath the water and the pole jerked violently as the fish that bit started to fight, pulling Tazuna, who was already off balance, onto one foot as he struggled.

Sakura giggled at the old man's antics as Kakashi flipped through a shiney new Icha Icha Heaven. "Well, to be truthful Tazuna-san, we're here on a mission. It seems that the Gato company is up to it's old tricks again. They tried to hire us to kill you, but we turned down the mission and were assigned instead to come and make sure that everything was alright." He stated simply.

Tazuna blinked, aborbing the information. "Really? That's bad. We've just now fully recovered and started booming, if the Gato company decided to do something now, it would mean disaster!" He exlaimed, worried as he reeled in the fish.

Kakashi waved his hand. "Don't worry Tazuna-san, that's why we're here, to see that it isn't happening, and to stop it if it does. Otherwise, we'll report back to our village and send another, larger force out to build an outpost here. You have become valuable trading allies after all." He replied nonchalantly.

Tazuna nodded, and was about to thank them, when three poofs of smoke erupted, causing the old bridge builder to almost fall over again as Gai, Lee, and Tenten appeared, having shed their disguizes of a loving family. "wh-who the-?!" Tazuna pointed a shaky finger at the trio.

Kakashi snapped his book closed. "Let me introduce you to our comrades, this is one of the other jonin on the mission, Might Gai, along with two of his students, Rock Lee and Tenten. Guys, this is Tazuna, the bridge builder we protected a few years ago." He said, introducing them to one another.

"It is nice to meet you." Gai said as they all bowed to one another. "Kakashi, we've got a problem. While scouting the town we spotted a large group of Iwa nin who were obviously trying to hide their identity. It may be nothing, but there's just too large of a risk for us to dismiss them." He said.

Kakashi nodded. "I spotted a few myself, we'll need to approach this carefully, find their commander, and try to find out what's going on." He reasoned.

"Wait, what's going on?" Tazuna asked, looking confused.

Kakashi sighed. "It looks like there's a force of Iwa ninja that have infiltrated the town. we're definitly going to have to stay to keep an eye on them, and maybe fight them if needed. Don't worry Tazuna-san, everything will be fine, but I'm afraid we're going to need your home as a base of operations again." He replied.

Tazuna nodded, and was about to say something, when Shikamaru and Neji showed up. "We've got a troublesome problem guys." Shikamaru stated, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it up.

"Let me guess, Iwa nin?" Kakashi asked, flipping his book back open.

"Yes." Neji replied while Shikamaru nodded. We ran into a sizable group of them, as well as who I believe was their leader, a large, heavily muscled man who identified me as a Hyuuga. I was able to cover though, and we wern't followed." He followed through with his report.

When Neji mentioned the man, Gai's eyes widened and Kakashi looked up with a shocked look on his face, snapping his book closed. "A large, heavily muscled man?! What did he look like? What was his name?!" Gai asked.

Shikamaru blew a long plume of smoke. "Well, he was about a half-head shorter than you Gai-sensei, and he introduced himself as Ryo Tensai, why?" He asked suspiciously.

Gai sighed with relief as Kakashi opened his book again. "There's a certain ninja from Iwa who became almost as infamous as the Fourth Hokage was during the thrid great war. He was huge, a monster of a man, with a natural strength that is said to surpass even Lady Tsunade's legendary prowess. Back during that war, when I was still a genin, I and my team ran into him, and he defeated all of us soundly without even taking a scratch, and he's also the only man to have ever been known to have fought with the Fourth during that war and survived, taking a Rasengan to chest that almost killed him, but he refused to fall, protecting his comrades, who were near dead. The Fourth spared him for his valor and we went on to win, but that man is still regarded as a legend and an S ranked ninja. Where I have been Konoha's number one taijutsu expert for a little over ten years now, He's held a similar title in Iwa for close to thirty. If it was he who was here leading the other ninja, then things would be a lot harder, he's a vetran with more experience than almost any ninja alive." He explained.

All of the others stood there, looking at Gai with looks of disbelief on their faces, who in the world could be strong enough to get that kind of reaction from both Gai-sensei AND Kakashi-sensei?! "Gai-sensei, what was the name of that man?" Sakura asked, surprized that there was anyone who was stronger than her master Tsunade.

Gai looked out across the lake. "That man's name is Genbu Hikari, otherwise known as the Iwa Mountain, the man who has never been knocked down." He said gravely.

At the Naruto Ramen Stand, both Naruto and his new friend got up, their bellies stuffed with ramen as they sighed with content. "Heh, it was nice ta meet'cha, it's always good to run into another ramen lover." Naruto said with a grin as he reached up.

The large man returned the grin and reached down, shaking Naruto's hand firmly. "That it was Uzumaki-kun. I hope you and your friends enjoy your vacation, and I hope we can have ramen together again before you have to leave, you are excellent company." He replied.

Naruto laughed. "Sure thing! Sorry, but I've gotta run, see ya!" He exlaimed, taking off. Realizing something, the young blond skidded to a halt as he whirled around, spotting the back of his large friend. "Hey, I never got your name!" He called out.

The large man turned, a small look of surprize on his face before he grinned at Naruto. "My name's Genbu! Genbu Hikari!" He replied with a friendly wave before continuing on his journey.

Naruto turned around as well. "Genbu Hikari huh? He seems like a pretty awsome guy." Naruto said to himself with a grin as he took off towards Tazuna's.

-End-

A/N- Well, how was the chapter?!

Anyway, here's the contest- a challenge to write a Dragonball/Harry Potter crossover where Harry dies during childbirth, then, soon after, baby Goku's space-pod lands in the Potter's back yard, almost as a gift from God.

the story can go any way you please, and it can be comedy, drama, action, etc.

You'll be graded on spelling, length (chapter length for multi-chapter stories, overall length for one-shots), description, and how well it's written.

The winner will get to create an original character for this story, though broken characters will be asked to be remade. Your character can be of any type of either the Bleach or Naruto universe, and will be put in accordingly.

Please submit the name of your story to me in a PM, and it will be judged by myself and a panel of hand-selected judges.

The contest will last until August 25th, though it doesn't matter if your story is complete or not.

If ya wanna enter, cool! I'm looking forward to it!

-Ranmawho1