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Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.
Chapter 8: All Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
Zabuza hated to admit it but he despised the quiet moments like this the most. One thing he enjoyed about Naruto's nature was that there were very few of those to be had, it was always 'train me' or 'let's do something fun.' However, for the moment the blonde was quietly meditating in a corner. It wasn't that he had come to appreciate the art, but with a shadow clone that would need to operate for days out in the field he couldn't push himself during training lest it dispel. Zabuza was tempted to poke him just to make sure he was still alive, considering how long it had been since the blonde had made a peep.
Ignoring the impulse to stir up the hornets' nest he was sure the boy would become, he did what it was he despised about these quiet moments. He let himself think about the past, more specifically a day over seven and a half years ago. The memory always started out the same way, with him running through the sewers of Kiri having just failed to kill the Mizukage. At the time Zabuza had just been glad he had taken the time to map out the sewers in case things did go south. As he ran, he thought about his fallen comrades especially knowing that he was the last true member of the Seven Swordsmen alive. He would never consider Kisame a member again after his betrayal; it was only because he had recently disappeared, after killing a feudal lord that, Zabuza and his other three compatriots had been able to attack the Mizukage. He hadn't bothered to include Raiga Kurosuki in that estimate either due to the man having been placed in the Swordsmen by the Mizukage not by Heishiro.
The plan had been perfect he and his three true swordsmen partners would assault the Mizukage directly while the jounin and chunin he had managed to convince to join up would take over key points of the village. He had been sure that with the Mizukage dead, everything else would fall into place. Unfortunately, they had been unable to deliver, once the Mizukage had gone three tails he had easily overpowered and killed two of his partners while seriously wounding the third. Dying the man told Zabuza to escape while he bought him enough time to get away, sending up the signal flare to let his fellow conspirators know that the plan had failed Zabuza entered the sewers.
Rounding the last corner and entering a branch of the sewer that led to a ladder connected to a disguised exit outside of the village Zabuza encountered the last person he wanted to or expected his fiancée, Mei Terumii. She was merely standing their blocking his path glaring silently at him with her jade eye that wasn't covered by her bangs. Her russet-red hair was short but having finally weaseled out of him that he preferred long hair had vowed to grow it longer. And, even more distressing she was dressed in her form-fitting blue battle gear.
Zabuza remembered thinking, "Kami, even pissed off she's beautiful."
His thoughts had turned to how he had first met her after being allowed to become a Kiri shinobi, all the other genin of the time had avoided him like the plague. Even the jounin shinobi had refused to take him as a student only two people had acknowledged him. The first was Heishiro-sensei who had boldly proclaimed he would turn the boy into one of the finest swordsmen Kiri ever fielded. The second had been Mei who as a young girl having recently graduated herself had asked if the reason he covered his face was because he was ugly. Naturally, it was not the smoothest beginning to what would be a long courtship. Finally after years of working together she had managed to sneak past his defenses and capture his heart. He supposed what had made him truly worthy of being her lover in her eyes was when he had found out her secret. That she possessed not one but two Kekkei Genkai. He had been surprised sure, but could have cared less, after all she had long since proven herself a valued companion and to be honest he had been smitten by her ever since they were younger.
The reason she was here glaring at him though, was because he hadn't included her in his plans. Not wanting to put her at risk for one, but also due to if the plan did fail and it ever came out one of the Mizukage's attackers had a blood inheritance then he was sure the bastard would use it as a way to engage in another round of purges to find others who had been hiding their true abilities. Also, she hadn't found the will to rebel just yet; always hoping things would somehow get better in the future. Zabuza knew better though, while he believed Kiri did have a bright future. The path to it was bathed in blood, something Mei had yet to accept.
Although, he had tried his best not to involve Mei, she had still known he was up to something. The night before she had asked him to come over to her apartment and begged him not to embark on whatever craziness he had planned. Eventually Zabuza had assured her he would consider her words, they had then made love before going to sleep. However, if they had been honest with each other they would have admitted that their love-making had been different from all the other times. It was the type two people shared when they expected not to see each other again. Once Zabuza was sure she was asleep he had left to meet up with his fellow conspirators, despite the fact that he knew she might come to hate him there was too much riding on the outcome of the battle to just quit for the sake of his own happiness.
Stopping in front of her Zabuza began to sweat a little. Mei may be one of the kindest kunoichi he had ever met, but when upset could just as easily kill a person as smile at them. While, it was up in the air about who was stronger, she could hurt him and worse delay him long enough for those pursuing to catch up.
"How did you know I'd come this way?" Zabuza asked.
"I noticed several old blueprints of the sewer network in your apartment," Mei answered still glaring at him, her voice icy.
"So you were snooping…," Zabuza tried to say but was cut off when Mei asked, "Why? You told me you wouldn't do anything."
"I promised to think about it," Zabuza corrected.
Her temper flaring Mei shouted, "Think about it! How long did it take you to think about it?" Tears began to leak from her eyes as she continued, "You didn't even wait a day."
"The plan was too far along to stop Mei," Zabuza said, "I couldn't just call it off, there was too much at stake."
"But what about us, we were supposed to get married," she said holding a hand over her heart.
"Face it Mei," Zabuza said sternly, "we could never truly be together in Kiri as it is now."
"That's not true…," she began but was stopped when Zabuza said, "Really, how long have you had to hide your abilities huh? You've always went on about how you wanted kids, would you force them to live the same life you did. Also, what if one day the Mizukage finds out about your gifts and sends his Anbu to cart you away, well? Should I just stand back and do nothing?"
Raising her voice again Mei said, "Don't make this all about me, you're doing this to avenge Heishiro-sensei."
"Of course I am," Zabuza replied, "you know as well as I do he wanted to bring Kirigakure back to how it used to be."
"Yes," Mei said sadly, "but he never wanted it to be through bloodshed."
"Then it's never going to happen," Zabuza said reaching behind him he grabbed the hilt of his sword. "Mei it's up to you what happens here, you can stay and try to change the village Heishiro's way, you could come with me, or you can try and stop me from leaving."
Looking a little surprised by what he said Mei asked, "You'd fight me?"
"Yes," Zabuza said evenly despite how much it hurt him to say it, "until the Mizukage is dead I can't die or allow myself to be stopped, even by you."
Wrapping her arms around herself Mei, with tears in her eyes and unable to look at him she whispered, "Go."
Zabuza walked past her to the ladder and as he put a foot on the bottom rung she said with her back still turned, "Aren't you even going to say goodbye?"
"No," Zabuza said, "that would imply I won't ever see you again. I'll be back someday to finish what I started."
Although he couldn't see it, Zabuza knew there was a small smile on her lips as she whispered, "Bastard."
Having made his escape he had run into the Demon Brothers and after losing the shinobi that pursued them, they had gone their separate ways. He and Mei had managed to get in contact with each other after several years and had even managed to meet face to face on several occasions. Mei was the current face of dissention in the Mizukage's ranks quietly building a force that would topple his regime. They had long since set up drop off points for letters and other means of getting in touch with each other, after all Zabuza sent almost all the money he made to her in order to help fund her eventual rebellion.
Zabuza was pulled from his thoughts when he noticed Naruto twitch a little like he normal did when he received data from his shadow clones. Making eye contact with Zabuza he said, "We may have a problem."
Shikamaru was dragging behind the rest of his team ignoring the occasional call from Ino to pick up the pace. What was the Hokage thinking sending Team Ten on a mission like this so soon? Of course, ten years from now would have been too soon for the lazy genin. He believed it was because of the two teams that graduated along with Team Ten his worked together the best, especially if what he had heard from Ino and Asuma was true. According to what Ino heard from Sakura, Team Seven's Kiba and Sasuke were always trying to one up each other and as a result their teamwork was pretty low. While Asuma had said Kurenai was happy with her team except for one member and he didn't need a high I.Q. to figure out who she had to be complaining about.
Looking up Shikamaru thought, "Man, there aren't even any clouds to look at." From his position at the rear he was able to simply observe his team; Asuma was on point while Ino and Chouji were on either side of the client. Chouji was eating a bag of chips while walking and Ino was talking to the client Tazuna about his home. The client was making Shikamaru extremely nervous with the way he was acting. He wasn't acting like a man who had hired shinobi in case of trouble. No the way he constantly looked around him he acted like a man expecting trouble.
The more he thought about it the more it didn't make sense. Tazuna said he was just finishing a trip to buy supplies for the bridge he was constructing. Why hire shinobi for the last leg of the trip and then have them stay while he finished building it? His mind had spun him a couple of theories, the most prominent being that the bridge builder had angered someone who more than likely intended the man harm. That meant this mission was more than likely going to get a whole lot more troublesome than advertised.
He supposed he would ask Asuma about it later. Speaking of his sensei he noticed that his guard had suddenly gone up. It wasn't noticeable more of him just him loosening the clips on the holsters that held his trench knives in place. Shikamaru was also the only one that noticed with Ino still talking to Tazuna and Chouji happily munching on his chips. Looking for what had alarmed the jounin he didn't really see any threats until he noticed them approaching a single puddle of water on the ground. Once more he looked up at the sky and saw no clouds.
As Asuma passed the puddle Shikamaru tensed a little expecting something to happen but nothing did. Asuma stopped for a second to let Tazuna, Chouji and Ino get in front of him as he lighted another cigarette. When Shikamaru passed him he began to follow at the rear of the group. Shikamaru was tempted to look back at the puddle; however he didn't want to tempt fate so he kept his gaze straight ahead.
After the bridge builder and those accompanying him were far enough away the black and orange dressed Naruto ran up to the puddle. The Demon Brothers than emerged and Gouzu angrily demanded, "Why didn't you give the signal to attack."
Naruto unfazed by the eldest twin's anger said, "You're joking right? Did you honestly think you two stood a chance against a jounin?"
Meizu said, "We had the element of surprise."
Laughing Naruto said, "Oh Kami you're serious." Then getting serious he added, "Take a look at the road. What do you see?"
"Dirt," Meizu answered.
"Very good," Naruto said mockingly, "Now look to the sky do you see any rain clouds? No you don't do you because it hasn't rained in days. So let me ask you two idiots something. Don't you think a lone puddle of water on a sunny day stands out like a sore thumb?"
Gouzu getting even angrier said, "Look here you little punk…"
"No," Naruto said cutting him off, "you listen. You assured me you could handle the ambush part of the plan that's why I went on to scout ahead. But, what did I find when I came back, the two of you using that ridiculous jutsu. Had they not been so close when I returned, I would have kicked your asses myself. Now because of your amateurish tactic they may be on their guard."
Maize said trying to defend themselves, "If they knew we were there, why didn't they attack?"
"Do you really need me to explain it to you?" Naruto asked. "Fine, their only priority is the bridge builder. They weren't about to start a fight where he could get injured or killed if they could avoid it."
Sighing Naruto said, "Look forget it, what's done is done. I trust the two of you can make it back to Wave without being seen right?"
"And where are you going?" asked Meizu.
"I'm going to report our failure to Zabuza," with that said the clone dispersed leaving the Demon Brothers stunned.
"Gouzu, what the hell was that? Who in the seven hells is this Ronin character?" Meizu wondered.
"I don't know brother," Gouzu said just as confused, "let's just return to Wave and finish up this mission. I'm sick of Zabuza and his cronies' attitudes towards us."
Meizu nodded his head in agreement and then followed his brother as they took a less traveled path during their return to the tree-house hideout provided by Gato.
"We may have a problem."
Naruto then explained to Zabuza what had happened expecting to be reprimanded for his failure so he was surprised when Zabuza said, "Forget it, those two idiots have over ten years more experience then you, they should know how to set up a simple ambush. What I'm wondering is why didn't you give the order to attack?"
Naruto had gone over to one of the packs and began looking for something but answered, "I was hoping by not attacking we would convince the jounin that we were robbers and we let them pass for easier pickings."
"Good thinking," Zabuza said proudly, "So the bridge builder has a genin team assigned to him. Did you recognize anyone?"
"I think I went to school with one of the genin, but I can't remember his name," Naruto said having found the bingo book he was looking for and began scanning through the entries. Finding the one he was searching for he turned it around and said, "This was the jounin who was in charge."
Zabuza took the book from Naruto and read the entry then said, "Asuma Sarutobi, shit, just my luck a former member of the Twelve Guardians and the son of the Hokage." Sitting back in the couch he was sitting on Zabuza said, "We'll let them make it to Wave before making our move. When they arrive I want you to create some shadow clones, and henge them to look like villagers so we can learn what the genin are capable of."
Naruto nervously asked, "Um, Zabuza we don't have to kill the shinobi right."
"We'll try not to," Zabuza said, "the last thing I want, is to piss off the Hokage by killing his son, but we can't afford to fail this mission either understood. If we screw this up my reputation would be shot." Seeing that Naruto was still troubled he said, "Look Naruto if you don't want to be a part of this I'll understand."
Naruto shook his head no as he said, "That's okay, besides if I left it up to the Demon Brothers they'd probably kill them for sport. Well, I'm going to go get some training in."
Naruto left Zabuza alone in the hideout heading outside for some training. Zabuza got up from the couch and moved to the window. Looking outside he saw Naruto approach Haku and begin talking to him. Not for the first time Zabuza sent a few mental curses Gato's way. Had the little bastard not been so cheap, the bridge builder would be dead and they'd be on their way. Now though they would have to fight. If he didn't know better he would almost believe that Gato wanted Tazuna to get some ninja protection. Did Gato want them to fight and weaken each other so he could just finish off whoever was left standing? He would have to be on his guard the last thing he needed was to be betrayed by another client, after all he had almost lost Haku the last time. If Gato thought he would be able to dispose of him and his boys like trash after they completed the mission he'd learn the hard way what happened when you pissed of the Demon of Mist.
Shikamaru had waited until they had made it to an inn before approaching Asuma about his concerns. Walking up to the smoking jounin, who had banished outside by the innkeeper while he enjoyed his cigarettes, Shikamaru asked, "Hey Asuma, you got a minute?"
"Sure what's up Shikamaru," Asuma said not surprised the boy had approached him. He had been aware that his student had picked up on the out of place puddle and had put his incredible mind to work on solving the mystery behind it.
"Well to be honest, I don't think the client has been honest with us about what this mission entails," Shikamaru said confessing his worries, "and if there are ninja involved as that puddle we walked by today suggests I don't think we are ready for this."
Taking a drag from his cigarette and then blowing it out Asuma said, "Relax Shikamaru, there's a good chance whoever was on that road wasn't there for us if they were they would have attacked. However, I do agree that the client is hiding something from us. Unfortunately, until I have proof of that my hands are tied; we still have to honor our contract with him."
"Even if he lied to us about the dangers involved in the mission?" Shikamaru asked.
"Afraid so," Asuma said then added to put Shikamaru mind at ease," but don't worry when we stopped at the last town we passed, I sent a message to the Hokage about my concerns. He'll probably send someone to check out the area and then reinforce us."
"Do you honestly think another genin team will help?" Shikamaru asked.
"Oh I doubt he'll send another genin team, especially since Tazuna seems only to be able to afford us for as long as he needs at C-rank pay, which is why he probably has to lie," Asuma said. "No, I expect The Hokage will send a jounin under the pretense of investigating the suspicious activity we spotted in regards to the puddle and after making sure the ninja moved on the jounin will join us for the remainder of our mission."
Shikamaru still didn't look convinced so he said, "Besides, how do you think Chouji and Ino will respond if we pulled out of our first C-ranked mission and the client was murdered?"
Shikamaru simply replied with a, "Troublesome."
Chuckling Asuma said, "Yeah, I'm afraid you're going to learn pretty quick that being a ninja is a whole lot more troublesome than you could possibly imagine."
Suddenly Ino called out, "Hey you two hurry up, dinners been served, get inside before Chouji eats it all."
Asuma said laughing lightly, "Well you heard her we better get going if we want to eat tonight," but then getting serious added, "Just remember these fears you have Shikamaru, because when we get to Wave I plan to make your training even harder. We have to get you guys prepared for if there are ninja after Tazuna."
Sighing Shikamaru said, "Man this mission just keeps getting more and more troublesome," following Asuma inside Shikamaru preparing himself to once more enter the life and death struggle that was trying to get food from Chouji.
One of Naruto's shadow clones had reported that Tazuna and his shinobi escort had arrived in Wave that morning so Zabuza wasn't too surprised when Gato showed up at the hideout demanding to know why the bridge builder was still alive.
"…and you call yourself the Demon of Mist." Gato said, "More like a baby demon."
Zabuza having enough of the diminutive man's lip pulled his sword from behind the couch he was sitting on pointing it at Gato. His two bodyguards went for their swords but stopped when Naruto and Haku appeared behind them holding kunai to their throats.
Haku calmly said, "Please do not get involved. Let them work out their differences on their own." The bodyguards wisely pulled their hands from their blades.
Nodding to the dark haired boy Zabuza said, Thanks Haku." Then returning his attention to a sweating Gato he said, "First off, I never called myself the Demon of Mist it was a title I earned. Second, the reason the bridge builder is still alive is because you tried to haggle over price while the bridge builder was hiring these ninja. So if you want to get pissed at somebody get angry at the informant that couldn't tell he had hired a group of Leaf shinobi."
While frightened of the shinobi in front of him Gato refused to show it when he said while pointing at the recently returned Demon Brothers, "If I remember correctly I hired you not those two."
"Wrong you hired us as a group," Zabuza countered while lowering his sword, "and for one unarmed civilian they should have been more than enough, especially for what you wanted to pay."
"And yet you haven't done anything after one aborted attempt," Gato said angrily.
"Calm down," demanded Zabuza. "By my estimates we have at least two weeks before the bridge is completed. We'll be using that time to gather information on what these Leaf shinobi are capable of. When we are ready we will crush them in one decisive battle."
Gato replied, "Just make sure there are no more mistakes."
To which Zabuza said, "I'll keep that in mind, but thus far the only mistake I made was in trusting your information."
Done conversing with the missing-nin Gato spun around and walked past his two bodyguards leaving the hideout. Naruto was the first to speak saying, "What an asshole you managed to get us employed for Zabuza."
"Shut up brat. Have your shadow clones managed to learn anything else about our opposition?" Zabuza asked.
"Sorry," Naruto said, "after arriving at Tazuna's house they then left entering the forest. The jounin then picked a spot to watch both the house and his team. My clones would probably catch his attention if they went into the woods, even if they are disguised as villagers."
"Leave it to me," Haku stated, "I know the woods pretty well."
"Alright fine," Zabuza said, "I'll leave watching the team to you Haku. Naruto keep your surveillance of the town up. Let me know if any new faces appear."
Hearing the replies of, "Got it," and, "Understood," Zabuza lets the boys get to work. As he is about to leave the room Meizu asks, "Hey, what about us?"
"Just stay out of our way until we call on you," Zabuza said," It's time for the real shinobi to work."
Ino was alone in the woods taking a small break from training in the tree climbing exercise that Asuma had shown them the day before. She was resting by sitting against the tree she had attempted to climb. The boys had all headed back, pleased with their results, before leaving Asuma had told her to keep her wits about her and to not drop her guard. This new training was rather difficult for her and she was upset that even Chouji had managed to do it better than her. Heck, even Shikamaru had done better, so she had opted to stay and train harder.
Speaking of Shikamaru she had noticed something off about the Nara. For one when Asuma had sprung this new training on them minutes after arriving at Tazuna's house he hadn't even complained. He had even told her not to complain about it when she had raised a fuss over training so soon after arriving.
Then there was the training itself. Usually their training consisted of them using their family's techniques together to build up their teamwork. However this new training almost had an air of desperation to it, like Asuma was hoping they would finish it before something big happened. In any case she supposed she may be reading too much into the situation. So far this C-ranked mission was just as dull as any of the D-ranked ones they have had.
Hearing a twig snap, Ino snatched up the kunai she had been using to mark her progress and standing called out, "Whoever's out there had better come out." Hearing no reply she said, "I'm warning you, I'm a shinobi."
From out of the woods stepped a young, well either one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen or the prettiest boy. She decided to go with boy based in how he was dressed in dirty male civilian clothes with his long black hair tied back. The boy said lightly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
When Naruto had reported that only the two boys had accompanied the jounin back Haku had decided to try and talk to the girl. After years of traveling with Naruto he had quickly learned that if he didn't want to be confused as a girl he should wear more manly clothes. He could still hear Naruto's laughter when after completing a mission he had bought himself a kimono to celebrate. He just wished it hadn't been bright pink. When he had shown it to Naruto and Zabuza they had just looked at each other and then Naruto had asked him, "Do you like being confused with a girl?" Zabuza had chuckled at the remark, Naruto had then taken the kimono from him, wrapped it around himself and henged to look like Haku with his hair down. Sure enough Haku had to admit the kimono probably hadn't been a good idea. He had returned it the next day for a dark blue one, but he wasn't surprised that Naruto had secretly bought the one he had just returned. He would occasionally pull it out to tease him, like Naruto had when Haku had said he needed to change his clothes before he left to approach the girl genin. When he emerged from his room he had found Naruto was standing there with the pink kimono. He said, "I think you should wear this, she might comment on your fashion sense," taking the joke in good humor while one day swearing to have his revenge on the blonde prankster. Haku had left for the woods, leading up to here with the blonde girl just staring at him with her mouth open.
Ino realized she was just gaping at the angelic looking boy, so closing her mouth she said, "You didn't startle me. I'm just surprised there is someone else out in these woods so late."
"Oh I heard people in the woods while I was out gathering herbs," the boy said.
A little suspicious Ino asked, "And you would be?"
"Forgive me, my name is Haku," he said smiling at her.
Ino felt her cheeks coloring a little, but reminded herself she only had eyes for Sasuke. She said, "I'm Ino. Do you live in the village?"
"No," Haku answered, "I live out here in the woods."
"Why?" Ino asked puzzled.
Shrugging his shoulders Haku answered, "It isn't like the people living in the village are much better off than me. Gato has pretty much run this country into the ground." Looking at her headband he asked, "Are you here to save us from him?"
Ino shook her head no saying, "We were hired to protect Tazuna while he finished his bridge."
"I see, then you are here to save us from Gato," seeing Ino's confused look he continued, " you see the bridge Tazuna is building will free this country from Gato's grip. That is why he will stop at nothing to prevent it from being finished."
"Wow, Tazuna didn't say anything about that," Ino said clearly shocked at the revelation.
"I'm not surprised," Haku stated, "it's probably all he could afford to hire you for a simple escort and protection mission. I mean if your superiors knew about Gato they would probably of charged a far higher price for your services."
"Really," Ino asked.
"Absolutely, after all a person like Gato wouldn't send just thugs after Tazuna but shinobi as well," Haku then added, "I wish you the best of luck against Gato's men."
Haku then turned and began to head back the way he had come from. Ino was floored she decided to head back earlier then she planned to, she needed to inform Asuma about this.
When Haku returned he found Zabuza and Naruto waiting for him in the hideout's central room the Demon Brother's where also there but off to the side near the bar. "Well?" Zabuza asked.
"I was able to talk to one of the genin. A girl by the name of Ino," Haku stated. "Based on the fact that their jounin-sensei has only recently begun to instruct them in the basics of tree climbing the genin must be recent graduates. Furthermore, I informed her of Gato's intentions towards the bridge builder."
"What!?" said Gouzu but was quickly silenced when Zabuza roared, "Shut the hell up."
But Gouzu sick of Zabuza's attitude said, "No first you mock my brother and me for the ambush we set up and then we find out this idiot gives away the fact someone is after the bridge builder and you're cool with it."
Naruto looking over the couch at Gouzu said, "How have you survived this long when you are so dumb?"
"Watch it punk," Meizu said coming to his brother's defense while rising from the stool he was sitting on slightly.
"Oh scary," Naruto said clearly anything but.
Zabuza deciding to explain Haku's reasoning to the pair said, "That was then, this is now. Apparently your little trick with the puddle has put them on guard."
"You can't know that," said Meizu.
"Of course I can," Zabuza countered. "If you have just made the journey from Konoha to Wave and your job is to watch over the bridge builder then you sit back and relax until he begins working on the bridge. You don't immediately take your team out and begin training them in chakra control unless you're trying to get them ready for something."
"Yeah, well he might as well have well just come out and said that there are shinobi after the guy,' Gouzu countered.
"I did," Haku responded.
Naruto laughed at the twins' stunned faces. Haku ignoring the blonde explained, "The girl didn't know about Gato, this means it's likely the bridge builder lied about the mission he hired them for. If that is the case then it's possible by making them aware of his deception they'll pullout leaving him defenseless."
"All in all it's a gamble," Zabuza said, "but considering they already suspected we could gain far more than we lose."
Dinner at the Tazuna homestead was a quiet affair, after Ino had dropped the bombshell about Gato being after Tazuna. Asuma had demanded that he explain himself, seeing he was trapped and that his protection may just decide to leave Tazuna had come clean about the whole messy affair. How Gato after gaining a monopoly of Wave's shipping business was slowly bleeding the country dry. He explained that the bridge he was building was meant to free his home from Gato's control. When Asuma told him he should have been honest from the start Tazuna countered he couldn't take the chance of Konoha charging him more for it services. All his capital was tied up in the bridge, all he had been able to afford was the C-ranked mission they had been assigned.
However, he then decided to fight dirty by saying it was alright if they left. He was an old man after all; he would die with dignity even if it would destroy his daughter and grandson. Faced with that and the sad look on Tsunami's face it was no wonder Team Ten chose to continue the mission.
Sitting around the dinner table Asuma took a look at each of his team members. Ino wasn't really aware of how dangerous the situation had just become. While Gato could easily hire from a ninja village he would more than likely simply hire missing-nin and nothing was more dangerous or desperate then missing-nin. Chouji on the other hand was nervous, but Asuma knew that he trusted in him not to let them get in over their heads. Then there was Shikamaru and if Asuma was honest with himself the only one of his team he felt was remotely ready for the trial that was likely ahead.
He was tempted to send his team home without him but if missing-nins were involved he couldn't trust them not to ambush them after they left. Either to simply kill them or use them as potential hostages to get access to Tazuna and knowing that most villages, even Kohona, would never allow such a negotiation to happen they would end up dead regardless. He guessed he would just have to trust in them and hope they rose to the occasion.
Noticing a figure discreetly looking into the kitchen window Asuma said, "Thanks for the delicious meal. Think I'll go outside to enjoy a quick smoke."
"You should quit Asuma-sensei those things will kill you," Ino said.
Jokingly Asuma responded, "I doubt I'll live long enough for these to be the cause of my death Ino."
Walking out onto the front porch he moved towards the far corner before saying, "So the Hokage sent you Hayate.
Just on the other side of the corner of the house Hayate coughed lightly and said, 'Yes, it has been awhile Asuma."
"Yeah," Asuma said, "Though, I wish the reunion could be under better circumstances."
"So you know about Gato then?" Hayate asked.
"We just found out today," Asuma said between puffs of his cigarette. "Was there any sign of the ninja I mentioned?"
"No sorry," answered the coughing jounin, "I checked all around the area, but I'm afraid there was no sign of them."
Taking a particularly long drag from his cigarette Asuma said after blowing the smoke out of his lungs, "I was afraid of that. It means they were more than likely targeting Tazuna, it also means they're cautious not something I want to see in an adversary." Scanning the town from the porch, but only seeing an old beggar who didn't seem to be paying them any attention Asuma said, "Whoever it is probably already has eyes on us."
Coughing lightly in the shadows Hayate asked, "How do you want to handle this?"
Thinking for a moment Asuma said, "Stay out of sight for now, when Gato makes his move, he'll hopefully be caught unaware by your sudden arrival."
"Understood," Hayate said before shunshining away.
Taking one last drag of his cigarette before heading inside to talk with the eavesdropping Shikamaru, he said, "Did you hear all that Shikamaru."
Shikamaru gave up trying to look innocent and said, "Enough is that the backup the Hokage sent? Who is he?" Then commenting on how sickly he sounded said, "Is he going to be alright, he sounded pretty sick?"
"Yeah that's him," Asuma said, "Don't worry he's actually one of the best swordsmen in all of Kohona. Whoever Gato sends after us won't know what hit them." He then thought, "If only I was as confident as I sounded."
After a few hours the old beggar eventually wandered off before quietly dispelling when he was sure no one was around. Naruto having received the new information made his way to where Zabuza was training with Haku, not at all alarmed by the recent turn of events. The additional jounin would pose a problem sure, but now that they knew about him they could factor him into their plans.
Hinata was waiting at the front gate having been the first to arrive for her team's first C-ranked mission. Ever since Ami had heard that Team Ten had received one two weeks ago she had pestered the Hokage into assigning them one also. He had finally relented, but Hinata believed that it was due to it being a joint mission with Team Seven not Ami's insistent whining. Their mission was to escort a large caravan through the Land of Fire. The reason two teams were needed is because at a predetermined point the caravan would split into two separate ones. Then after picking up various artifacts along their individual routes they would meet back up and head to Kohona to sell them. It sounded rather dull, but she was still excited because this would mark the first time she had ever left the village for any significant period of time. Although traveling with Ami would probably be a pain, but she wasn't going to let it bring her down.
Hinata had heard from Kiba about the test he had to take in order to become a genin and she could only be glad that all Kurenai-sensei had wanted them to do was track her down. It had been relatively easy since as soon as they had met up the day after introducing themselves and Kurenai-sensei had explained their task Shino had tagged her with a female beetle which led them straight to her. When she had tried to use a genjutsu to fool them Hinata had used her Byakugan to see through it and had promptly touched her as instructed. Ami for the most part had just been along for the ride, not to say that she didn't complain the entire time. She imagined if they had been given the bell test Ami would have refused to work with them even after the rules had been explained just to spite her.
Furthermore, there was just something about the purple-haired girl that bothered Hinata more than her attitude. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it had to do with how Ami moved and talked at times, as if they were familiar yet different. The end result was a feeling she usually had when something was on the tip of her tongue. She was sure she would figure it out if she just concentrated on it long enough.
"Is the reason you have not noticed my approach a result of your excitement for this mission Hinata," Shino's said surprising Hinata who quickly spun around facing the bug user.
"Shino, don't startle me," Hinata said clutching her chest.
"It was not my attention to surprise you, nor were my methods of approaching you particularly stealthy," Shino said with a raised eyebrow.
"You're right," Hinata said smiling," I guess I was letting my mind wander."
"May I inquire as to what had so captivated your attention?" Shino asked.
However, Hinata's reply was interrupted by Kiba calling out, "Well, long time no see you guys," followed by a small bark from Akamaru.
Giving Kiba a light hug who then said, "If that's the type of greeting I get after a few weeks of not seeing you maybe I should see what happens after a few months."
Laughing lightly at Kiba's comment she crouched down and scratched Akamaru behind the ear. Hinata then said, "I would probably forget all about you then," laughing at the pout Kiba gave her while he said, "Man that's cold," Akamaru then barked at her which then addressing the dog in her cutest voice said, "Of course, I could never forget about you Akamaru."
While Hinata continued to pet Akamaru, Shino asked, "Has your time as a genin met with your expectations Kiba?"
"Hell no," Kiba answered, "Kakashi-sensei is always late and Sasuke has the world's biggest chip on his shoulder. Sakura's the only decent one but she spends all day fawning over Sasuke, although she has asked about you a few times Hinata."
That got Hinata's attention straightening up she asked, "What did she want to know?"
Scratching his cheek Kiba answered, "Just the usual stuff, like how you're doing and things like that. I told her that since I haven't really talked to you since making genin, I didn't really know. Maybe she wanted to know if your sensei has been teaching you guys more than Kakashi-sensei has been teaching us. So far he hasn't taught us any jutsu and he only recently showed us how to climb trees with chakra."
"Actually that is about were our own level of instruction is Kiba," Shino said. "As Kurenai-sensei put it, due to our recent graduation and the tasks we are to perform generally taking place in or near Kohona, building teamwork is more important than jutsus or chakra control."
"Man and I thought Kakashi-sensei was just being lazy," Kiba said.
Unexpectedly a hand appeared on his shoulder and a voice said, "Don't worry Kiba, soon you'll be wishing I was as lazy as I appear, when your more strenuous training begins."
"Kakashi-sensei," Kiba said spinning around, "You're on time? I figured we'd have to wait a couple of more hours before you showed up."
Giving an eye smile Kakashi said, "Nice attempt at changing the subject Kiba. Besides it's not like I could keep the client waiting now is it."
"Actually, I believe it had to do with the Hokage threatening to ban those books you read Kakashi," Kurenai said approaching the group.
Putting his hand behind his head Kakashi replied, "Well that may have had something to do with it."
Crossing his arms Kiba said, "I knew it was too good to be true that you were turning over a new leaf."
Kurenai looking around said, "Hmm, we're still three short, while I know Ami will show up at the last possible moment. I hope your other two students haven't begun taking after you in regards to being prompt Kakashi."
Chuckling lightly while rubbing the back of his head Kakashi said, "They'll be here on time," and then thought, "At least I hope so. I don't know what I'll do if the Hokage took Make-out Paradise from me."
Sakura had arrived shortly after Hinata but not ready to try and straighten out her friendship with Hinata had simply hung back and observed. Seeing Kakashi show up she decided to meet up with her team. Running up and acting like she was out of breath she said, "I'm not late am I? When I saw Kakashi-sensei here I thought I remembered the wrong time or something."
"Is it really so hard to imagine me being on time?" Kakashi asked.
As if fate wanted to answer the question for him Sasuke approached from the opposite direction and said, "Kakashi's here? Were we given the wrong time to meet?"
Kiba who's chuckling at Sakura's statement turned into full-blown laughter. While Kakashi simply said, "I guess so."
Once Ami showed up, and much like Kurenai predicted it was at the last minute, Teams Eight and Seven took off to meet with the caravan's leader. As they made their way to the man to listen to the schedule they would be keeping to, Kurenai wondered if she was doing the right thing. The truth was she didn't think her team was ready for even a C-ranked mission, well Hinata and Shino were, but she knew the Chunin Exams would be coming up soon and she needed them to get the minimum number of missions in before it was time to recommend teams. She needed to do something drastic in order to jump start the teamwork among Hinata and Ami, she was gambling on the added pressures of the exams without having a jounin-sensei to watch over them would be the catalyst they needed. Though to be honest the fault laid mostly with Ami, the few times it had almost turned physical between the two girls was when Hinata would stop ignoring the comments coming from the purple haired girl and would verbal put her in her place. She could only hope that she was not making a big mistake in hoping the exams would help straighten out her team.
Unbeknownst to Kurenai, Kakashi was thinking along the same lines. In order for his team to be eligible for the Chunin Exams they needed a C-ranked mission under their belts having done more than enough D-ranked ones. He knew the Chunin Exams could be dangerous, but what he was hoping was that by facing strong competition Kiba and Sasuke would realize that they were stronger together rather than separately. Also, maybe seeing the strong kunoichi the exam would almost certainly feature would get Sakura to ditch the fan-girl attitude that she had and really knuckle down with her training. So he figured that even if his team was crushed in the Chunin Exams that it would be a learning experience, well if they survived.
Listening to Gato's complainants was beginning to feel like a full time job to Zabuza. After the Leaf shinobi had shown up his team had spent the past couple of weeks observing them at every available opportunity, which of course Gato refused to understand. The man refused to accept that when it came to battle it wasn't always the strongest ninja that came out on top, but the one who was better prepared. The businessman expected results right away and as such he was currently venting his frustrations to Zabuza.
"When I hired you I expected results not you sitting around this hideout playing hide and go seek with the ninja Tazuna hired," Gato said red faced with anger.
Naruto who had taken up position next to the entrance behind Gato's bodyguards said, "Settle down Shorty."
Turning to face the blonde Gato said, "I told you not to call me that. But, maybe you need a lesson in manners." His guards grabbed for their swords with Naruto quickly responding in kind.
"That's enough," Zabuza shouted. Haku who had been standing next to Zabuza just sighed at Naruto's provoking of Gato. Addressing the businessman Zabuza said, "I've told you, we'll move on my schedule not yours, got it."
"And how much longer must I wait before you're ready to move?" Gato asked. "According to my spies the bridge is almost finished."
"Don't worry, we've made our preparations tomorrow will be the last sunrise the bridge-builder ever sees," Zabuza said.
"You better deliver Zabuza," Gato warned.
Gato then turns and leaves. Zabuza is about to comment on Naruto's attitude but first said to the Demon Brothers who had remained by the bar throughout his conversation with Gato, "Hey you two get lost."
"Where are we supposed to go?" Gouzu asked angered at being dismissed.
"I don't care, just away from here," Zabuza replied.
The Demon Brothers where in the storage room located on the grounds of the hideout, when Gato who had been hoping for just such an opportunity to approach the Brothers entered the room and said, "It's such a shame to see the famous Demon Brothers dismissed like common help." Looking behind him at his two bodyguards Gato said, "Wouldn't you agree boys?" to which his men simply nodded in agreement.
"Is there something you want, Gato?" the eldest of the twins asked taking charge.
"Zabuza and his two little punks are too big for their britches and need t be taken care of, if you get my drift," Gato replied.
"Forget it, there is no way the two of us could defeat Zabuza," Meizu said ignoring his older brother's glare.
"You won't be alone; I'll have men stationed nearby to help after the bridge maker dies. Besides, he'll be worn out from fighting the Leaf shinobi, unless of course you think he's going to have you two handle it. However, it seems to me he thinks rather lowly of you and will have you doing little to nothing tomorrow," Gato said with a small smirk seeing his words were registering with the pair.
Gato then added, "And to sweeten the deal, I'll split the bounty Zabuza has on his head with you two fifty-fifty and hire you two on retainer. How's that sound?"
Both brothers looked at each other before Gouzu said, "Sounds like we have a deal to me"
Smiling Gato said, "Excellent."
As Gato and his men left the hideout to return to his headquarters one of his bodyguards asked, "Are you really going to split the bounty with those two Mister Gato?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Gato said dismissively, "I fully expect them to die fighting against Zabuza, and if they don't the rest of the men will finish them off. Now as for you two, I want you pay a visit to Tazuna's house tomorrow and bring me his daughter in case the bastard Tazuna manages to survive. It'll be nice to have something over his head, and if he doesn't make it we can always put her to work in one of my brothels." Receiving two affirmatives from his men Gato smiled secure in the feeling tomorrow was going to be a great day.
Once the Demon Brothers had left Zabuza asked Naruto, "Mind telling me what that was about back there? Are you looking to pick a fight with Gato so you can kill him?"
Not receiving an answer but knowing he hit the nail on the head due to the masked blonde's inability to look him in the eye. But then Naruto blurted out, "I don't want to do this."
"Fine, I'll have the Demon Brothers handle your part of the plan,' Zabuza said.
"That's not what I mean," replied the distressed blonde, "I mean we shouldn't do this."
"Kami boy," Zabuza said throwing his hands in the air, "You know I need the money."
"Come on Zabuza you have to admit Gato is acting fishy," Naruto said just as passionately, "First his spies where able to tell us what road Tazuna was taking back home, but they conveniently forget to mention he had shinobi protection. Then he keeps pestering us to attack before we're ready, he's setting us up to fail. Besides I don't want to kill Tazuna he's a good man who is single handily trying to breathe life into this country."
Looking at Haku and not really needing to ask, since the answer was clearly on his face, but Zabuza did so anyways, "I take it you're in agreement with him on this."
Haku said, "I agree with Naruto. I would prefer not to kill the man, especially since it does appear Gato intends to betray us at some point."
"Look I have to go through with this," Zabuza said ignoring the looks of disappointment from the two boys, "all I have is my reputation. If I start backing out of jobs I'll lose that and the means to raise money for my next attempt on the Mizukage. So if you want to sit this one out, then do so but I can't."
Naruto however wasn't going to just give up said, "What if we compromise?"
"I doubt Gato is going to be satisfied by just roughing up the bridge builder," Zabuza said not seeing where the boy was going.
"That's not what I mean," Naruto said. "If Gato intends to betray us, it will be after he believes that Tazuna is dead right?" Seeing Zabuza nod his head he continued, "So all we need to do is convince him we killed him and then see what happens. If nothing does and Gato pays us you can kill him then, but if I'm right then we'll have to probably kill Gato anyway. There'll have been no point to killing Tazuna then."
"That's all good in theory," Zabuza said, "but I think you forgot about the Leaf shinobi that'll be between us and him. Do you think if you ask them sweetly enough they'll just hand him over so you can gamble on Gato being a scumbag?"
"I haven't forgotten about them,' Naruto replied, "just hear me out I have a plan."
Deciding it couldn't hurt to hear Naruto out especially since he had the same sneaking suspicion about Gato. Besides killing the bridge builder would draw attention to him and while it would have been worth it if they were getting paid. If they were going to get screwed why do Gato's dirty work? With that in mind Zabuza said, "Very well I'm listening, but it had better be a spectacular plan understood?"
Smiling underneath his wraps Naruto said, "Believe it!"