Hello! Here another chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter Ten

Silence reigned. Zabuza stared Silver down, his expression unreadable. Without a word his feet detached from the branch. In mid-air he flipped and landed in a crouch. "It's been awhile since someone referred to me by that title," said Zabuza. Tilting his head back he allowed the blood pooling in his head to migrate around his body.

"You know this guy?" asked Naruto.

The merchant reached for his head and took off his hat. He took a small black book from it. As he placed his hat back on he flipped through the pages. "Hidan, Kisame, Monju, Orochimaru… Oh, here we are." Silver offered a neutral smile. "Zabuza Momochi, an A-rank jonin formally of the Village Hidden in the Mist. A.K.A the Demon of the Mist. Became a missing shinobi when he performed a coup d'état on his village. Last seen wandering the lands in search of employment."

"So you're a jōnin?" asked the grass shinobi. If he had eyebrows he would had raised them.

Bowing, the merchant said, "Silver Dollar the Third, merchant and national guard of Konohagakure. These here are my genins. We have permission to be here. You on the other hand..."

Zabuza tapped a finger on his headband. "See this here? Unlike you I make my allegiance clear."

"Allegiances are as strong as words," said the merchant with a shrug. "Only dangerous when they have real meaning."

Heaving his blade forward, the rouge shinobi jabbed it at the merchant. "Believe what you want. It doesn't change matters in the least." To Naruto, the swordsman asked, "What's with the Buddha? Don't tell me you attacked this place for a hunk of wood."

"As I keep saying," said the merchant, "we didn't attack anyone."

"Yeah!" shouted Naruto. "So back off already. We're here to finish a job and you're standing in our way."

"And if I refused to move?" asked the swordsman.

Dashing forward, the blonde shouted, "Then I'll make you move!"

"Whiskers!" shouted Fu as she darted forward.

"Whiskers?" said Zabuza. A little chuckle escaped him.

Gritting his teeth, the blonde leapt into the air. "I'm not someone to laugh at!" Naruto went into a spin while extending out a foot. Shaking his head, the swordsman brought his sword forward. The blonde slammed his sole into the metal. As he pushed off he flashed hand signs.

A foxy grin formed while the blonde aimed his arm at the sword. Four brown snakes shot out and wrapped around the blade. Upon landing, the blonde shouted, "Ha! I got you now!" The snakes then pulled back.

The grin faded away to an annoyed scowl. Unmoved Zabuza stared at the snakes. "Come on guys!" shouted Naruto. Tugging on the blade, he said, "You're stronger than this." Glancing over his shoulder, he said, "Guys?"

Sitting on the ground, the merchant chomped down on a piece of pie. "Sorry, but this is your quarrel."

"Fu, Hinata," said Naruto as he looked their way. He deadpanned as he observed them eating pie. "Where the hell did you guys get desserts?"

"Ask the grass shinobi for forgiveness," said Fu without looking at her comrade. "The Grass can hang this over this Leaf."

"So much for my being a team!"

With his free hand the swordsman rubbed his chin. "I'll forgive you brat," said Zabuza, "but be quick with it."

"You're the one accusing people," said Naruto. Digging his soles into the earth, he tried to walk backward. "You should be apologizing to us!"

Shaking his head, the swordsman said, "Alright brat. Have it your way."

Zabuza whipped his sword upward. Yelping, the blonde flew off his feet. In one hand the grass shinobi twirled his blade. Faster and faster until it was nothing more than a blur. "Aw!" screamed Naruto and snakes in union. The blonde kicked his legs in an attempt to do something.

"Naruto!" shouted the snakes.

"Sorry guys!" shouted the blonde.

"We're leaving."

"Wait! Don't!"

The moment the snakes went poof Naruto flew away. "Aw!" screamed the blonde, his arms and legs flailing. Face first he slammed into the tree. Dropping to the ground, he groaned. A growl came from his throat as he scrambled to his feet. "Damn it," shouted Naruto. "You can't…"

Words stuck to his tongue. His mouth grew dry. He tried to shout at the swordsman standing over him. Yet the readied blade paired with a piercing gaze froze him. "Brat," said Zabuza, "I'm going shave off that attitude of yours."

With that said the sword snapped downward. Naruto's mind screamed at his body to move, yet his iced muscles couldn't obey. All he could manage was a squeak. It turned into an "ick" as something pulled him by the collar. A second later he found himself sitting on a mushroom.

"Are you done with suicide?" asked the rescuer.

"Yes Silver," said Naruto. A tremble sneaked into his voice.

Leaning on his cane, the merchant grinned down at Naruto. "Do that again and death will claim another child." To Zabuza, he shouted, "As for you that was uncalled for."

"Maybe," said the swordsman. "But he was getting on my nerves."

"We're not looking for a fight," said Silver. His grin widened to reveal his teeth. An odd gleam flashed over his eyes. "But it's been awhile since I had a good fray."
"Sensei!" shouted the vertette. "What if he is of the Grass Village?"

"We'll sort it out when we get there," replied the merchant. "Of course, it depends on if our friend here will see reason."

"You've got two options," said the swordsman. "Surrender or be killed." Eyes narrowed into slits as he shifted his weight. "Be quick with your choice. I've got better places to be right now." Freezing in place, he tilted his head to the side. A smile formed under his bandages. "A coward, aren't we?"

Applying chakra to his feet, Zabuza leapt into the air. Seconds behind him a swarm of beetles leapt out from under blades of grass. A smirk formed as Fu ordered a group of insects to swarm out of her bag. Strands of black from nearby trees merged together to form another cloud. The three swarms headed toward the airborne shinobi and engulfed him. Fu's smirk faded as water doused her beetles. Stunned, the wet insects retreated back to their nest.

"What the?" said the vertette.

"Was that your grand scheme," a voice whispered in her ear. Muscles froze. Fu ordered her body to move, but it refused to obey. "Pathetic."

Giant clever ready, the grass shinobi swung down his blade. Something flickered in front of the vertette and flashed away with her, leaving empty air to be cut. When solid ground reappeared Fu collapsed to her knees. Air forced its way down into her lungs.

"Team thirteen gather up here," shouted the merchant. The vertette heard feet landing beside her.

"Fu!" exclaimed Naruto. The blonde grabbed her by the shoulder and whipped her around. "You alright?"

Ripping away, the vertette shouted, "That guy just tried to kill me."

"That's the point of being a soldier," said Silver. "Or a mercenary." Leaning on his cane, he examined the grass shinobi. "He kills the enemy of the state. In return he gets paid in cash, glory, and fame. You should know that by now. Anyhow, stay here. I'll deal with this trigger happy militant."

Silver flickered onto the ground. Taking a step back, he held his hand out in welcome. "Last chance Zabuza. As tempting as the price on your head is I've got a job to complete." Grinning, he added, "Then again, it's not wise to refuse Lady Luck's gifts."

"This Lady Luck has an odd sense of humor," said the eyebrow-less shinobi. With that said Zabuza charged. Blade readied he went into a skid and whipped his sword forward. With a roll of his eyes the merchant stepped away from the arching blade. In two steps he came forward and whipped his cane ahead.

Zabuza leaned away from the cane. He flipped his blade around in one hand and swung downward. Silver leapt away. Upon landing he reached into his jacket. As Silver pulled out a pistol the grass shinobi appeared over him. His blade sliced downward.

"Perfect," said the merchant. Whipping the pistol out, he aimed upward and fired. The bullet struck the blade. Sparks exploded out into licking flames. The startled grass shinobi pulled away, but not before his hand was toasted.

"Oh Zabuza," said the merchant in melodic tone. Spinning around, the swordsman lifted his blade. Too late he saw the spinning cane. Its blunt end slammed into his forehead.

As he stumbled back Silver rushed in on bent legs. His cocked fist shot forward and connected with the grass shinobi's cheek. His second fist followed, but Zabuza's arm rose to block it. Pulling his limb back, the grass shinobi made a jab with his elbow.

Silver ducked under it and slammed a fist into Zabuza's gut. "Is this…" started the merchant. He gritted his teeth as a knee slammed into his own. As he stumbled back he ducked under a swiping arm and leapt back.

Scooping his cane off the ground, Silver twirled it upward. He got into his familiar stance, using his hand as a counterweight. Zabuza stared down the smiling merchant. Placing his blade onto his back, he brought a hand in front of his face while the other stuck up into the air.

"Done playing around?" asked the merchant.

"Water Style," said the swordsman, "Mist Jutsu."

Wisps of fine mist flooded from unseen sources. It build upon itself until a thick fog cloaked the area. It swallowed the grass shinobi, leaving not even the sound of his breaths. Planting his cane into the earth, the merchant scanned the fog. His eerie hum was the only sound to be heard.

"What the hell?" exclaimed Naruto. Dancing hazardously close to the mushroom's edge, he tried to peer through the fog. "Where did all these clouds come from? I can't see a thing."

"Who cares?" said Fu. Sitting near the edge, she waited for the last of her wet insects to return home. "Can you at least smell them?"

"Of course I can," shouted Naruto, "but that doesn't help to tell if they are alive or dead."

"G-guys," said the heiress, "I can see t-through the mist with the Byakugan."

Naruto darted up to the heiress. Using his loudest voice, he shouted, "Then tell us what is going on!"

Shrinking into herself, the heiress started to poke her fingers. Before she replied a hand forced the blonde to sit down. "Please tell us Hinata," said the vertette with a sigh. "Maybe we could use it to our advantage.

Leaning on his cane, Silver gazed into the mist, his eyes never moving from one particular spot. "It's been awhile since I've last seen this jutsu. If I remember correctly a skilled user can hide in plain sight while still aware of his surroundings. So tell me, how will you strike first? Will you target my kiddies up on the mushroom? Will you test my patience and see if I will rush about? Or will you come at me with the intent to kill?"

Silver closed his left eye while a hand reached for his monocle. Taking off the eyewear, he tucked it away into his coat pocket. "Come now my friend," said Silver with a kind smile. "This won't be fun if you don't do anything."

"Give me a moment," said Zabuza, "I'm still thinking about whether I should go for the liver or the kidneys."

"With that massive blade," replied Silver. "Why not lob off my head?"

As if solidifying from the mist Zabuza appeared to the right of the merchant. "Good idea," said the grass shinobi. With that said he brought down his sword. Yet all he got was the swoosh of the blade.

What? thought the grass shinobi.

"Oh Zabuza," a voice whispered in his ear.

Before the grass shinobi could respond he felt a stabbing pain in his neck. Looking down, he spotted the tip of a knife poking through his throat. "Silence kills, eh," said Silver. Head tilted downward he chuckled. "Only helps when the lips remain shut."

Feeling something wet on his hand, Silver glanced up. The smile faded into a confused frown. Instead of blood water trickled down his fingers. "Aw," said Silver with a small smile. "So the prey can still play."

Silver ripped the knife out of the clone. He twisted around and flicked it into the mist. Steel clashed against steel. A moment later Zabuza charged forward. Swinging his blade, he aimed for the legs. Silver smirked as brought his cane to his side. With a flick of the wrist he summoned a kunai and pressed it against the cane.

Cane met blade and the merchant dug his feet into the earth. Smiling, the merchant pulled away while Zabuza leapt back into the mist. Silence followed his footsteps. Silver hummed to himself as he twirled the knife between his fingers.

With speed and precision the grass shinobi darted out from the fog. He sliced repeatedly at the merchant, but Silver danced away from the attacks. Pulling away once more, Zabuza growled. How is he dodging my strikes, thought the grass shinobi. He can't possibility see them. The image of a bluette flashed into the grass shinobi's head. Is he commutating with her?

"None of my kiddies are in this fight," said the merchant. "And no, I don't have telepathic powers. If the Creator had given them to me I wouldn't need to read your motions. Then again I would also like wings and a darker skin tone. I mean look at me."

Turning toward the voice, Zabuza bit his tongue as he backpedaled. He swung his blade at the merchant, but Silver easily evaded it. Stepping forward, Silver yanked up his sleeve while still holding onto his cane. "See!" exclaimed Silver. "I'm as pale as a ghost."

Zabuza darted forward and swung his blade. While stepping back, Silver dropped his knife. "I should stop wearing this in battle," muttered the merchant as he threw off his hat. Ducking under another slice of the blade, he knelt down and grabbed hold of a severed arm. Just as the swordsman swung his sword the merchant swung the arm.

The sword severed the hand from the limb which flew into the grass shinobi's face. "Ugg," cried Zabuza. He smeared the splattered blood as he tried to wipe it away. "That's just low!" growled the swordsman. With a laugh the merchant swung the arm forward. Standing his ground, the swordsman caught the arm and yanked it away.

"What?" said Silver with an absent shrug. "Not like he was going to need it anymore." Once again Zabuza disappeared into the fog. Planting his cane down, the merchant's sole open eye stared off in the distance. "Come now my good friend. Haven't we learned our lesson yet?" Silence answered him.

A frown formed as an odd sound entering his ear. Leaning forward, Silver cupped a hand to his ear. The frown became puzzled as he turned toward the sound. "Water?" said the merchant.

"Water style," came a whisper that could have been the breeze, "Giant Vortex Jutsu."

"Oh my," said the merchant as he knelt down. His body melded with the earth. As Silver fell into the ground he could hear a deep roar. His head disappeared just as a vortex of water plowed into the earth.

For several seconds the merchant held his place while the earth vibrated. Once the shaking crested he shot back up to the surface in a crouch. When his hand touched a wet subject he yanked it away. Upon looking down a relieved expression appeared. With the tip of his cane Silver poke the puddle of water. He scanned the area to see a portion of it scoured out. Puddles of water were intermixed with blood.

A smile formed as Silver ducked under a sword strike. Twirling around, the merchant whipped his cane around and slammed it into Zabuza's side. Almost at once the swordsman lost color and collapsed into a pool of water.

Coming out of the spin, Silver scanned the area. To his annoyance he could hear several footsteps running around. Nearby something was rustling a bush. Grabbing his cane, the merchant unsheathed his blade.

"Come now Zabuza," said the merchant with a grin. He got into his familiar stance. "Water clones?" Twirling on his heel, Silver yanked back from an arching sword. Before its wielder moved Silver stepped forward and jabbed the attacker between the ribs. Just as the water poured out the merchant sensed someone from behind. Ripping the blade free, Silver sidestepped a swing. With a flick of his wrist he sliced a charka encased sword through the offender's neck.

Before Silver could think clones swarmed him. In pairs of two the Zabuzas charged him. In the same rapid succession they were dispatched. Each destroyed clone added water to the pool that soaked the merchant's feet.

Stabbing a clone though the chest, Silver laughed. "Come now Zabuza," cried the merchant. "I thought you stopped insulting me already."

"I have," whispered a voice.

Muscles tensed as Silver whipped his head to his right. A hand shot out of the mist. Below him the merchant felt his entire leg get wet. "Hey!" exclaimed the merchant as he looked down. Eyes widened as the pool of water he stood in shot up around him.

As the water engulfed his leg a sharp pain shot through the merchant's shoulder. "Really," moaned the merchant as he glanced back. He glared at the red snake biting him. With a yelp he was yanked backward into a nearby bush.

Growling, Zabuza released his jutsu to pursue. "Hey no-brow," shouted a voice.

"Hm," hummed the swordsman. As he turned around he looked to his right. No more than two yards from him stood Naruto with a hand above his hip and an arm thrust out. With a wide grin, he proclaimed, "I'm tired of watching you beat our old man around."

"I'm not old!" shouted the merchant. "And let go of me you oversized meat rope."

"Get ready to have your ass…" said the Naruto. It trailed off as a massive amount of pressure fell upon him.

Zabuza flickered in front of Naruto with his blade raised. Before the blonde could move it sliced through his body. "Idiotic brat," muttered the swordsman. His eyes widened as the brat poofed into smoke. "What? Uff!"

"Gotcha," shouted the Narutos as they dog piled the swordsman from above. They raised their kunai but were thrown back by a strong force. As they poofed away the swordsman turned to find the original. Whipping to his right, he swung his blade in front him to stop a palm strike.

A cold gleam shined in heiress's eyes as she beat away at the blade. Zabuza huffed in annoyance. He took a step back, raised his blade, and cleaved it into the heiress's chest. Instead of blood bugs pooled out of the wound. The girl smirked at the swordsman before bursting into beetles.

The swordsman yanked his sword back, but the beetles swarmed the blade, charging up the steel surface. Dropping the blade, the swordsman leapt away from the swarm.

"G-guys," said the quivering heiress, "it didn't work."

Legs dangling over the edge the vertette peered down into the fog. "Damn it. He's fast."

"I told you Hinata should have joined the attack," said Naruto.

"Big words from the guy hiding behind the trunk with the heiress."

Poking his head from behind the trunk, the blonde glared at the vertette. "I'm not hiding. I'm scanning the area to make sure it's clear."

The heiress screamed, "It isn't!" Naruto and the heiress leapt away from their position. As the vertette stood up the grass shinobi darted after the bluette.

"Shit," shouted the vertette. "Whiskers!"

Landing on a mushroom, Hinata spun around. Her body shook as she took her stance. A moment later Zabuza flickered in front of her. She pulled away from the jabbing knife. Its point skimmed down her cheek.

Hinata then whipped forward with a palm going at the torso. Zabuza sidestepped the palm while drawing back a knee. He slammed it into the bluette's stomach. As she kneeled over he grabbed her by her neck and raised his knife.

The heiress glanced upward. Muscles turned to stone as she observed the man's chakra form a demonic clock around him. "Don't worry girl," said Zabuza, "I'll pluck your eyes out once you're dead." With that said the knife came down.

"Aw," screamed Zabuza. Sparks flew as the knife tore from his hand. Flickering in front of the grass shinobi, Silver slammed a rifle's butt onto his chest. The swordsman let go of Hinata as he stumbled back.

"Sorry I'm late," said Silver. Stepping forward, he took his hat off. "It took me a bit to get a snake off and to retrieve my hat." Silver placed his hat to his side. One handed he tossed the rifle in and the hat engulfed it.

Placing his hat back on, Silver flicked his right hand and a knife slide into the hand. He threw it at the retreating grass shinobi, but he dropped into the mist. "Wait here," ordered the merchant.

Silver flickered onto the ground. Taking the cane off his back, he unsheathed the sword. "While this game has been fun," said the merchant, "you're taking up too much time."

Off to his right Silver sensed an incoming being. Leaping back, Silver grinned at the dragon of water shooting by him. It slammed into a tree and burst apart. As the merchant twirled around he put the sheath onto his back. With a hand freed he started weaving signs.

Dashing out of the mist, Zabuza swiped a kunai at the merchant's throat. Silver flicked his blade upward and deflect the kunai. Finishing the hand sign, Silver took a step back and swiped the tip of his blade into the earth.

The grass shinobi started after Silver, but stopped when he glanced to the blade tip. Far more dust was kicked up then the thin blade should produce. In a whisper, Silver said, "Earth Style: Lion Pride."

From the earth a giant lioness of rock burst forth. A silent roar emitted from its mouth. Zabuza sprinted to the right. The lion brushed his arm, throwing him across the field. In mid-air he flipped around and skipped on two legs and a hand.

Off to Zabuza's left he heard the gravel cluttering to the ground. Pumping chakra to his feet, he leapt into the air. A second later a lioness came into view and crashed into the earth.

"Got you now!" shouted the merchant. A lion charged forth form the mist. Sitting on its mane the merchant smiled down at the grass shinobi. A crazed twinkle shined in his eyes.

Then a blur slammed into the lion's cheek. Knocked to his side Silver rolled a way before using chakra to glue a hand to the rock. His hand stuck but his lower half slid down the rough surface. Glancing downward, he sighed. The ground rushed up to greet the loin. Getting his feet under him, the merchant pushed off. Just as he landed on a tree trunk the lion slammed into the earth. Shards of earth and dust intermingled with the mist.

Landing in a crouch, the grass shinobi looked to the merchant. He started forward, but a voice said, "That's enough Zabuza." The swordsman halted. Eyes narrowed as he tried to peer through the mist.

"Hitomi," said the grass shinobi, "it took you long enough."

"Hitomi?" asked Silver with a smile. Shielding his eyes with his hand, he scanned the area. "Is that you?" Without warning the mist was disturbed. As it faded away a stocky figure emerged from the mist. Bright blue eyes promising harm stared at the merchant. Silver jumped off the tree and walked forward with open arms.

"Hitomi my dear. How have you…"

The figure disappeared in a blur. Pain exploded from the merchant's nose and he toppled onto his butt. A hand covered his nose as he looked up in shock at the figure. By now the mist cleared enough to reveal the blue dress hanging from the slender frame. Red ribbons tied the baggy sleeves to her wrist. The skirt was spilt down the sides. Short brown hair covered one of her blue-green hazel eyes. The headband tied to her waist told her allegiance as one of the grass.

Summoning a knife to his hand, Zabuza approached the two. "Thanks Hitomi. That idiot…"

The kunoichi held two fingers out to her comrade. "Stay," she ordered. Zabuza grunted but obeyed. Kneeling down, the kunoichi stared the merchant in the eye. She brought a fist to his forehead and knock her knuckles against it.

Pouting, the merchant said, "What?"

"Just making sure it isn't hollow," said Hitomi. Thrusting a hand at Zabuza's forehead, she said, "I know at times you're oblivious, but how could you miss that?"

"Oh," said the merchant. A sheepish grin appeared. "So he is a grass shinobi. I thought he might have borrowed it to pose as as one.

"Like you did that one time?" stated Hitomi with a shake of the head. "Thank god few shinobi do that."

"Hold on a sec," said Zabuza. Getting between the merchant and his comrade, he grabbed Silver by the collar and lifted him up. "You know Hitomi."

With an absent shrug Silver said, "I've worked for the Grass Village from time to time."

"Before you hitched up with the Leaf," said the kunoichi. Standing up, she thrust a thumb in the direction of the trees. "Speaking of which, are those genins up there your students?"

"Are they alright?" asked the merchant.

"Bruised and tied up," said Hitomi with a smile. "Better to find out why the Leaf are attacking us. Though I take it that wasn't the case?"

"Zabuza's a missing shinobi of the Mist," said Silver. "I didn't know he got a new village." Silver swiped his arm toward the massacre. "Your friend attacked us because he thinks we did this which we didn't."

"Your brats attacked me," stated Zabuza.

Huffing, the merchant stated, "As if Naruto could have done any real harm."

"Guys," said Hitomi, "why not head to our village and alert our Lord Goby of what happened." To Silver, she stressed, "If you've done no wrong I'm certain our lord would understand."

"Of course he would," said Silver as he thrust a hand into his pocket. From it he took out a passport. "I've got the permission right here. Fetch my kiddies for me and we'll have it settled out in no time."

"Give me a sec," said Hitomi. She flickered away for a second before coming back into view. She slammed the tied up team thirteen in front of their master.

A growl came from Naruto, but it faded when Zabuza cut the ropes. "Looks like we've got a misunderstanding," said the merchant. "Naruto. You still have that statue?" Grinning, the blonde pulled the Buddha from a coat jacket. "Let me carry it for a while. Best not to lose it."

"Sure," said the blonde.

With that said Silver threw the statue into his hat. As he did that the vertette ordered her bugs off the swordsman's blade. Once they cleared out the swordsman retrieved his blade. He took the lead while Hitomi brought up the rear.

"So what is the pecking order here?" asked Fu as they traveled through the trees.

"Depend on what you mean," Hitomi called from the back. "I'm a chūnin, planning on making jōnin soon, while Zabuza is jōnin. Zabuza, however, has only been part of the village for the past five or so years. If you're talking seniority I out rank him."

"Is it normal for villages to accept missing shinobi?" asked Fu.

"No," said the grass shinobi, "but he's a Swordsman of the Mist. He changed the graduation exam of the Mist Village." Receiving an odd stare, she said, "Long story short, graduation students killed each other to become shinobi. The last ones standing became shinobi."

"That sounds t-terrible," said Hinata.

"So how did no-brow change it?" asked Naruto.

"By slaughtering everyone in the graduating class before becoming a student."

Snorting, Fu said, "Really? Wasn't even a student and he killed how many people?"

"Over a hundred."

"Bullshit!" called Naruto. "Did he receive some special training or something?"

"Don't know," said Hitomi, "but he' a demon. Maybe the devil visited his home one night and gifted him the skill."

Jumping down from the trees, Zabuza landed in front of a grove of bamboos. Their shoots competed with the trees in height. Once Silver landed he strolled up to the grove. An arm blocked his path.

"Before we continue," said Zabuza, "you must be blindfolded."

"Come now," said Silver with a grin. "This isn't my first go around of the area." Receiving a pointed glare, the merchant shrugged.

"All foreigners will be blindfolded," stated the swordsman, "and the Hyuga will keep her dōjutsu off."

"Yes, yes," said the merchant. "Hurry up with the protocols.

From her pockets the grass kunoichi drew out several strips of cloth. Team thirteen tied them around their eyes. Their hosts checked to make sure that no cracks permitted sight. Not that Naruto needed it. Through smell alone he judged the distance between him and his friends.

Touch told him that someone grabbed him by the arm. Smell identified the person as the swordsman. Bamboo shoots groaned as they strolled through the forest. Silver held conversation with Hitomi who happily carried it.

Tough stems abruptly stopped brushing against them. Jerked forward, Naruto stumbled away from an iron grip. "Take off the blindfolds," ordered the swordsman. The blonde tore off the piece of cloth. He blinked in confusion.

Aside from his comrades there was nothing there. Just a small clearing with holes dotting the area. Fu strolled over to a hole as she looked around. "Is this some type of a joke?" asked the vertette.

Hitomi appeared behind the vertette. "Nope," was all she said before shoving Fu forward. Yelping, Fu stumbled into the hole and disappeared.

Chuckling, Silver strolled over to the same hole. "Come along kiddies," said the merchant. With that said he hopped into the hole.

Naruto looked down into the gaping passage. Sunlight permitted several feet of earth wall to be seen. Darkness obscured the rest. To Hinata, he shouted, "Last one there has to clean Rubric's shit."

A grin stretched across his face as the blonde jumped into the hole. His heel hit a curved surface and slipped from under him. Landing on his back, the kistune hanyō slid into the darkness. Rushing air tugged at his skin and hair. His excited screams reverberated around him. For an unmeasurable, yet quick, time he soared through the darkness.

Light popped out of nowhere and he plowed into it. The brightness took away sight, but the blonde knew that he was falling. His hind end planted down onto a soft object. A quick sniff told that it was hay.

"I always enjoyed that," said a familiar voice.

Once his eyes adjusted Naruto scanned the room. It was nothing special. A small opening with hay littering the floor. By the exit stood a couple of grass shinobi with eyes trained on the new arrivals. Off to Naruto's right stood Silver, Fu, and Hitomi.

"Yeah," said the blonde as he stood up. "Let's do that a…" From behind a mass slammed into his back. With a yelp the blonde slammed face first into the floor.

"Oops," said the grass kuniochi. "I forgot to mention you should move as soon as you land. Which means right now."

A bit stunned the heiress sat up. "Hm," said the bluette.

"Hinata," said a voice. Looking down the bluette cheeks heated up. Right under her laid the blonde. "Please get off."

"Sorry!" shouted the bluette. She scrambled away. Once free of the burden Naruto crawled toward his group. Just in time to not get plowed by a flying swordsman.

Getting to his feet, the swordsman said, "We're heading straight to the administrative building. Stay with us at all times." Humming a cheerful tune, the merchant strolled to the exit. "Are you deaf?" Zabuza called after the merchant.

Silver waved a hand over his shoulder. "Yes, yes. I'm going to see Goby right now." To the guards, he said, "Hey Jin, Minsa. How you two been doing?"

"Well for the most part," said Jin with a kind smile. "As always nothing exciting to report. Are you escorting the Leaf shinobi?"

"In a sense. I'm their jōnin."

"You settled with a village?" asked Minsa with a grin.

Walking passed the guards, Silver said, "Only because of necessity."

Storming forward, Zabuza got in front of the merchant. He glanced over his back to check if he the village's guests followed. Paths of hard rocks formed between buildings of bamboo. Many of the structures were only a story or two high, but the high rocky roof could have permitted more.

Villagers strolled through the streets. Many of them paused to greet the merchant who gleefully chatted with them. Zabuza or one of his genin constantly needed to drag him away.

Despite being underground sunlight lit the area. In places lights were needed to chase away shadows, but even without the lights one could see just fine. After a fifteen minute walk the grouped learned why. A long, wide gap in the carven walls allowed sunlight to pour in.

While next to the hole, the heiress peered out. A couple hundred feet away from the hall stood a wall of black rock. Looking up or down were hundreds of feet of empty air. A river divided the ravine.

The group walked alongside the gap to a building tucked into a corner of the cavern. Like many others it was built from bamboo. The square building was a story tall with a small outshoot on top of its tilted roof. Printed onto that outshoot was the symbol of the grass.

No guards could be seen, but Naruto could smell them. Once inside Zabuza lead them to a lobby. An old man position behind a counter politely told them that Lord Goby would see them in a moment. After a few minutes the elder stated that they could go in.

As Silver entered the room he threw his arms out in a welcoming manner. "Goby," said the merchant. "How is the mastermind of the grass doing?" The group crossed a mostly empty room. Several portraits and weapons hung on the walls. Small piles of paper made a home on a desk. Behind them one could see the back of a chair.

"Its Lord Goby," said a voice.

The chair spin around to reveal a man in his thirties. Dark gray eyes matched his fat lips in a neutral expression. His blonde hair was cut close to the scalp. A flak jacket opened up to show a blue shirt with a red dot. Around his right forearm he wore his shinobi headband.

"And it's good to see you Mr. Silver. It's been some time now. I take it that Fu and her team have been taking up time."

"Of course," said Silver with a flick of a hand. "Taking care of a girl while coordinating a team and shop can be stressful."

"Hold on a sec," said Fu. Stepping forward, she said, "You know who I am?"

"Yes," said the shaved man. Leaning forward, he rested a chin on a fist. "Fu Dollar, former resident of the Waterfall Village and daughter of a village head. You were kidnapped,"- Silver cleared his throat- "rescued by some reports, by Silver Dollar. You have a potty mouth when angered and have a mean streak. I take it that disguise is to keep strangers from bugging you."

Wide eyed Fu tucked her fists into her pockets. "How do you…"

"I told him," said Silver with a shrug. "By letter."

"What?" shouted the vertette.

"He's a friend of mine and I like to keep touch. Is it wrong to trade information?"

"And before you ask," said Goby. "I know about you two, Hinata, Naruto." As he said that his eyes landed on the named people. "While it is nice to meet in person, I doubt Zabuza dragged you here for chats."

Stepping forward, the swordsman said, "I caught these four among a group of slaughtered people."

"We were only there to carry out a mission," said the merchant. From his pocket he took out a piece of paper. As he handed it to Goby he talked. "A person in your territory requested assistance in returning stolen property. We came and tracked the people down. When we got there someone else had killed them off. Whether they were bandits or misfortunate travelers is beyond me."

Grabbing the paper, Goby scanned through it. "I take it Zabuza attacked you."

"In his defense one of my genin attacked first," said the merchant.

"So what was it that was stolen?" From his hat Silver took out the statue. Goby stared at the piece of wood. "Silver, I'm going have to request that you stay in the village."

"Because?"

"While I believe you," said Goby, "you did try to wound Zabuza."

"Kill more like it," said Hitomi. "I got there just in time to stop his last jutsu."

"Due to that Zabuza's case does have some merit. Until we investigate the matter you will be detained in the village."

"You can't do that!" shouted Naruto.

"Yeah," said Hinata with a sigh, "he can do t-that. We're in t-their country and under t-their laws."

"This is purely formality," said the village head. "Once we figure out what is going on you will be free to go. Silver, I'm also going to have to take that statue."

Placing the Buddha on the table, Silver said, "Understood."

"Mr. Zabuza," said Goby. The grass shinobi stood at attention. "You live in a large house. Care to shelter Mr. Silver and his team?"

"That's a departure from protocol," said the swordsman.

"Maybe," said Goby, "but these are Leaf shinobi. I'd rather not handle our dear allies roughly without reason. Until then allow them to board at your house. Last I heard you could keep a large family in it."

"I can," said Zabuza. In a whisper, he added, "Not that I want one."

"Hitomi, go gather a team and return to the crime scene. Zabuza will join you soon enough."

"Yes sir," said the kunoichi. With that said Hitomi flickered away.

"Okay Silver," said the lord, "who did the crime?"

"Ask Hinata," said Silver with a smile. "We were hiding behind a mound when it occurred."

Goby offered the heiress a cool smile. Poking her fingers together, Hinata said, "Well, there were t-two of them. I couldn't g-get a good look at one of them for they wore clothing c-covering their entire body. One of them was flying in the air. His skin was f-fair and he had l-light brown hair with w-white eyes."

"White eyes?"

"You couldn't tell where the iris and the sclera begin and end, but you could see the pupil."

"And the person who was flying. Was he using any jutsu?"

Hinata opened her mouth, but paused. A frown formed as her face wrinkled. "Actually, I didn't see any chakra flow."

"No chakra flow?" said the merchant.

"He had chakra in his body," clarified the heiress, "but he wasn't using it."

"Odd," said Goby with a shrug, "but nothing to worry about. Do have a good day. I've got work to return to."

"Come on brats," said Zabuza.

As the group left the room Goby picked up the statue. He twirled his chair around. Holding the statue to his face he turned it in his hands, his keen eyes examining all the small details. "Interesting," said Goby with a small frown. "Interesting indeed."

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