Chapter 5- A Mission on Waves
Naruto and his team had been completing numerous D-rank missions, all of which Naruto felt like were a waste of his skills. Most- no forget that. ALL of the missions didn't even require him to take out his Zanpakuto. Naruto was dying to get some action in. He almost used his Zanpakuto on Tora, the cat of the Fire Daimyo's wife, since this was the tenth time the cat had escaped and he decided he would just put it out of its misery. However, Kakashi managed to talk him down after he promised Naruto that they wouldn't do this mission again. Naruto wasn't too happy in sparing the cats life, but he didn't have to deal with it again he was satisfied. Upon returning the cat, the Daimyo's wife crushed it with a hug and paid so she could leave.
"Old man, this crap pile of work you call 'Missions' is not what I thought I was going to be doing when I graduated," said Naruto, crossing his arms at the old Hokage.
"I understand that these aren't really ideal missions, but they are essential to the village's financial survival," said the Sandaime, getting a frustrated sigh from Naruto, and his teammates, as they were also tired of getting these chores.
"Isn't there any other missions that would require me to actually consider it difficult?" asked Naruto, getting a little edgy with not being able to put all his training in Las Noches to use.
"Well, there is this one C-ranked mission that we have here. Says a bridge builder from Wave country needs a team to protect him while he makes his way back home so he can finish a bridge," said the Sandaime, looking back over the mission description.
"Sounds better than walking a dog or pulling out some old woman's weeds," said Sasuke, who also got annoyed with all the ridiculous missions.
"Okay then, bring out the client," said the Sandaime, hand motioning two chunin to go retrieve the builder.
What came out was a old man holding onto a bottle of alcohol and seemed just a little drunk.
"What is this? I pay you guys to give me top protection and you give me a Cyclops, a emo looking duck butt haired kid, and a huge forehead, pink haired monster," said the bridge builder, earning himself some ugly looks from Sasuke and Sakura, while getting a snicker from Naruto.
"Got anything to comment on me?" asked Naruto, as he was dying to see what else to see what this guy could come up with.
"Nice outfit," said the bridge builder, giving Naruto a thumbs up while Naruto chuckled and Sakura and Sasuke got even more steamed.
"Mr. Tazuna, you only had enough money for a low rank protection. Besides, you said bandits and robbers were the only things that were after you on your way home. So, I think that you are in good hands," said the Sandaime, smiling at Tazuna, who just rubbed the back of his head.
"Shall we go then, Mr. Tazuna?" asked Kakashi, while Tazuna gave a sigh before nodding.
They left out through the leaf village gates and headed out to Wave country. The way there, Sasuke didn't say much, Sakura tried to get his attention, Kakashi rolled his eyes, Tazuna drank the rest of his drink, but Naruto was thinking. He was thinking about the Espada and his Fraccion. He wondered what had happened to them, and if he would see them again. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw a puddle in the road. Now normally, that's not to out of the ordinary. However, it hasn't rained here in a good month or so. Naruto smirked as he stepped past the puddle. Only to turn around sharply, and stab the puddle in the center. Tazuna, Sasuke, and Sakura looked at him like he was crazy until blood formed out of puddle and two masked figures jumped out.
'Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that,' thought Kakashi, as he brought a kunai.
"You little brat! How'd you find out?" asked one of the masked guys, bringing out his clawed hand that was chained with his counterpart.
"Next time, transform into something other than a puddle of water. Especially since it hasn't rained here in a month," said Naruto, drawing his Zanpakuto.
"So kiddy has a sword. Lets see if you can actually use that thing," said the other attacker, charging at Naruto with his teammate following.
"Sasuke, Sakura, protect the bridge builder," said Kakashi, charging in to give Naruto a hand.
Sasuke was a little reluctant, but decided not to get on Kakashi's bad side. Sakura had no problem staying out of the fight. Naruto blocked one of the attackers while the other one was going to attack from behind, but was cut off by Kakashi and his kunai. Naruto spun around and kicked the behind attacker over Kakashi's head. When he was sent flying, Kakashi cut the chain connecting the two. Naruto then took the one he kicked by the throat and slammed against the ground. With that one unconscious, Naruto looked for the other one, only to find that Kakashi had him tied up to a tree after he beat him.
"You know I could have taken both," said Naruto, a little disappointed that Kakashi stepped in during his battle.
"I know, but I'm not really one to sit back while my students have all the fun," said Kakashi, giving an eye smile.
"Anyway, why don't we find out who this guy is," said Naruto, looking over at the masked man.
"These two are the Demon Brothers of Kiri. The one you took out is Meizu, and the one we have here is Gozu. They were both apart of Kiri, but defected a while back. Now they're just a bunch of missing-nin," said Kakashi, Naruto nodding at the information.
"So, what do a couple of missing-nin like yourselves want with the old man?" asked Naruto, getting close to Gozu.
"We were assigned to kill the old man so he couldn't finish his bridge," said Gozu, seeing Naruto frown at him.
"Mind if I ask who sent you?" asked Naruto, hearing Gozu scoff at him.
"You're gonna run into him sooner than later punk. Then, you and your squad members are gonna die," said Gozu, letting out an evil chuckle as Naruto frowned even more.
"We'll see about that," said Naruto calmly before knocking out Gozu with a hit to the head.
"Something you forgot to mention back in Konoha?" asked Kakashi, looking at Tazuna, and everyone else doing the same.
"*Sigh* I guess there's no reason to keep it from you anymore. A businessman by the name of Gato has been oppressing my village. Gato runs a shipping magnate, which is our only way of getting supplies in and out of our country. If I complete my bridge, it will open a different way of trading with different countries, and get us free Gato's grip on our country. Gato knows this, and has been trying to keep me out by any means necessary. I only had enough money for a C-ranking on my task, which is why I said that only bandits and thieves were the only ones after me. I tricked you, but you have to understand, my village won't survive while Gato remains in power. I'm not asking you to stay with me. If you want to leave and stop the mission you can," said Tazuna, while Kakashi looked back from him to his squad.
"What to do you guys think?" asked Kakashi, while everyone was in thought.
"Well, I wanted action, so I guess I've got it. Plus, this guy and his country are in a real bind. It wouldn't feel right with me to just let innocent people suffer. I'm in!" said Naruto, getting a nod from Kakashi.
"Sure, it'll help me prove that I am an elite," said Sasuke, getting an approving nod from Sakura.
'Oh brother,' thought Naruto rolling his eyes.
"I guess it's settled then. Tazuna, we will protect you until the bridge is completed," said Kakashi, earning a smile from Tazuna.
"Thank you," said Tazuna, walking with the rest of them back to Wave country.
(Zabuza's Hideout)
"The Demon Brothers failed, Zabuza. I am paying you top dollar for your services, and you fail me," said Gato, but was cut short by Zabuza pointing his executioners blade at his neck.
"Calm yourself. I see that it was a mistake to send them, and I will see to this matter… personally," said Zabuza, smiling underneath his bandages.
(A/N: Sup! I have some news. It has become painfully clear that I cannot be working on two different stories at the same time. Therefore, Kitsune of Las noches will be put on Hiatus until Uniting the Jinchuuriki is over. Some of you may agree, and some of you may be upset. The bottom line is that this just makes thing easier on me. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review and tell me what you think. Till next time.)