An: Again thanks to everyone who reviewed and I can only hope this story continues to please. Your humble author S.o.t.A.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit
Chapter 10: Aftermath
Naruto and Haku were currently having lunch at a fancy restaurant enjoying the sudden reversal of their fortunes. It had turned out that Naruto's plan of temporarily pretending to be Gato had paid huge dividends. In the week since the tiny tycoon's death they had traveled all over Fire Country's coast cleaning out the banks Gato had kept his money in. The legal ones were all locate in fire Country and with the files they had procured from Gato's headquarters they could take their time with collecting the dead man's hidden assets located in Grass Country. It was the accounts people knew about that would dry up once word of his death spread.
Eating at one of the finer restaurants in Port City the two of them were dressed as rich citizens and were currently waiting for their food. Also, Zabuza who after making them wait in the town for a few days had said he was going to visit the brothel he liked and then would join them there.
Commenting on Zabuza's behavior Naruto said, "I don't get it. Why is it every time we visit this city does he make us wait here so he can visit the same prostitute?"
"Perhaps he has feelings for her," Haku supplied.
"Well she still takes all his money, he's always broke after visiting her," Naruto said, "He'd probably be a lot closer to his ambition if he stopped blowing it all on her." Shrugging his shoulders he said, "Oh well, he'd be hard pressed to go through all the millions we've stolen from Gato."
Turning toward Haku and leaning in conspiratorially Naruto asked, "So what are you going to do with your cut?"
Looking a little sheepish Haku said, "Well the thing is I already spent it."
"What?" Naruto said shocked, "How did you blow through all that money?"
"Well as I was buying these clothes I saw a charity for the local orphanage. Apparently it was in danger of being shut down because of a lack of funds." Haku said. "The head of the orphanage was trying to raise the money by asking for donations in the marketplace so I just gave it all to her."
"Wow Zabuza is right you are a bleeding heart." Naruto said.
"As an orphan yourself I figured you would have more sympathy for those of our ilk," Haku said a little offended.
"I do, but you probably gave them enough money to keep the orphanage going for years," Naruto said, "There is a thing as to much charity, especially if it puts you in the poorhouse."
"Perhaps, but our lives as missing-nin do not truly allow us the luxury of many possessions. Take these clothes we bought for instances, they were only purchased to help us blend in," Haku said holding up his sleeve showing off the expensive material. "Once we are back on the road we'll discard them to make room for more practical things."
"I guess, however," Naruto said holding up his fat frog wallet, "I like it when Gamachan is full like this."
Further discussion was put on hold by the arrival of the snooty waiter who couldn't understand with all the fine meals on the menu why the one kid refused to eat anything but ramen. He was further horrified that by the time he had handed the dark-haired boy his food the other one was already done and asking for more. Running back to the kitchen to try and sate the blonde's ravenous appetite he left the boys who wondered how long they'd have to wait for Zabuza.
Lady Gigi, better known as Mei Terumii, watched the man she loved as he sat on the bed putting his shirt back on. Lady Gigi was an alias she used when she conducted her secret business here. She and the lady who owned this particular establishment had long ago worked out an arrangement that allowed her to meet with Zabuza from time to time, generally when they would meet he'd give her the money that he had accumulated which she then used to secure warriors in their bid to kill the Mizukage. In the process of dropping off the money he and his boys had stolen from Gato, they had gotten a little side tracked.
Lying on her stomach naked, Zabuza's view of her backside was blocked by her long red-russet hair. Watching as he stood to grab his pants, she reflected on how much time she had missed with him because of her unwillingness to fight in the past.
With that in mind she said, "You must despise me don't you?"
A little perplexed by her mood swing Zabuza said, "If I do, I have a funny way of showing it considering how we spent the last few hours."
Looking away she said, "You know what I mean, if I had been stronger back then we could have been together all this time."
"Or you could be dead like the rest of my comrades, instead of being the blade pressed against Yagura's throat," Zabuza replied in his most soothing voice.
Mei giggled a little at the tone of voice he used, so Zabuza said wondering about her suddenly happier mood, "Now what?"
"It's just those boys of yours seem to have an effect on you," she said still giggling.
"I don't know what you're talking about." he said while sitting back down on the bed to put on his pants.
Getting up to press herself against his back she whispered into his ear, "They have made you far more sensitive, when we were younger instead of trying to soothe my feelings you would of told me to stop being a silly emotional woman."
Getting up and ignoring her laughter at her own remark he said, "Bah, read into it however you want."
"Thank you I will," she said in a childish manner, "but at least I know you'll be a good father, so I think I can love the kinder-gentler you too."
Doing what he normally does when not wanting to deal with his feeling which was ignoring them he went to grab his blade. Seeing this she said, "Do you have to leave so soon?"
"Afraid so, I told the boys I'd meet them by lunch. I'm already over an hour late so one of two things is going to happen. Either Naruto is bored out of his mind or the restaurant served ramen and the cooks are about ready to faint from trying to feed him," he said bending down to give her a passionate kiss.
Then after he fastened the blade to his back and turned to leave she asked, "Did you ever figure out what Heishiro-sensei meant when he said he was glad that you ended up with the Executioners Blade after exiting the Hall of Swords?"
"Yeah," he said.
Leaning forward in interest she asked, "Really, What did he mean? There are many who say you ended up with the weakest of the swords located in there."
Looking back at her he said with a smirk, "Maybe I'll tell you someday," and then left the room.
Whining she said to his back, "But, I want to know now." Then she came to a sudden realization and said, "Bastard, he didn't even tell me good-bye. Kami I love that man."
Her eyes looking at the scroll he dropped off she smiled as she thought, "And with the money inside this scroll we'll be able to topple Yagura and finally be together instead always having to sneak around." Getting under the covers she dreamed of a future we're Zabuza was thought of as the savior of Kiri instead of its greatest traitor.
When Zabuza reached the restaurant the site that awaited him was rather amusing, the table Naruto was sitting at was overflowing with discarded bowls. Also the look on the other patrons' faces ranged from amused to outright disgust. Taking a seat next to the boys Naruto took enough time from scarfing down his meal to ask, "Um, shouldn't you be disguised like us or something?"
Looking around Zabuza answered, "Don't worry about it. All these fools see is a bodyguard sitting at the table with his charges."But apparently Naruto didn't really care about the answer because he had went right back to eating after asking, so Zabuza doubted he heard the answer.
Suddenly the waiter put a plate in front of him, looking at it confused Haku said, "I figured you would be hungry after your activities so I took the liberty of ordering you something."
Nodding his head in appreciation Zabuza dug in eating quickly. After they all had their fill a rather happy waiter brought the bill. Zabuza passed it over too Naruto saying, "Here pay the man."
Naruto's mouth dropped as he said, "What? But, you got way more money than me."
Zabuza just shrugged as he said, "Spent it."
"You blew it all at the brothel," Naruto said incredulously, "how is that even humanly possible."
Shrugging Zabuza said, "You'll understand when you get older, now if you don't mind pay the man so we can get out of here."
Pulling out Gamachan, Naruto threw the necessary amount on the table before saying, "So where to now?"
"We'll be leaving The Land of Fire for the time being. After the ruckus we caused in Wave, I'm sure we'll have attracted the attention of Kiri's hunter-nin and who knows what the Hokage will send after us," Zabuza said. "I think we'll head west towards Grass Country for now to collect the hidden funds Gato has there." Leaving the restaurant the trio returned to the inn to grab their gear and began the journey towards Grass.
"So despite being defeated by Zabuza and his minions the bridge builder is still alive?" asked the Third Hokage with his back turned to them while looking over the village he loved so much.
"That is correct, sir," Asuma said while catching the grimaces that crossed his teams' faces.
"Well do to Tazuna's survival and the increased difficulty of the mission I suppose we can mark this as a success then," the Hokage said turning away from the window.
Despite the exhilaration that passed over his charges faces Asuma said, "Actually I would prefer that you didn't," ignoring the looks of betrayal he continued, "We don't deserve it because we were completely removed from play; it was only because they suspected Gato's intention for them that any of us survived, probably so as to not attract any undue wraith from you and the village."
"I see, very well. Team Ten you are dismissed," the Hokage said.
Shikamaru noticed Asuma had not moved said, "Aren't you coming Asuma."
Asuma reaching into his pocket said, "I'll catch up," then pulling out some money added," Here you guys go get yourselves some B.B.Q, my treat."
"But you just said we failed the mission Asuma-sensei," Ino said clearly confused considering Asuma only offered to treat after successful missions.
"Consider it a celebration of surviving after all the mission did get bumped up to A-ranked, sometimes surviving is success enough," Asuma said.
After Team Ten left the Hokage said, "Go join your team Asuma I'm sure everything I need to know is in the report."
"I'm afraid not, there are several details missing," Asuma said.
"Oh that's not like you, Asuma," the elder Sarutobi said while he moved towards his desk to sit.
Asuma said, "Well I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want a paper trail for what I'm about reveal." Then just before his father sat down he said, "The masked blonde that was with Zabuza is Naruto."
Sarutobi who was in the process of sitting froze in place for a moment before collapsing backwards into the chair. "I see, are you sure?"
"Positive during the fight I cut away one of the clones bandages. So unless there is another blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy out there with the same birthmarks on his face then I'd say it was definitively him," Asuma said.
"This is most troubling, what affect a man like Zabuza could have on Naruto is frightening to imagine," Sarutobi said gravely.
"To be honest sir, I think Naruto may be having a greater affect on Zabuza," Asuma said, "According to Tazuna we owe our lives to Naruto. He somehow managed to convince Zabuza to do the job without needlessly killing anyone until Gato proved his intentions. Also, to be honest I don't think they ever intended to kill me and my team. While it could be not to stir up trouble with Konoha, I believe Naruto still may have feelings for his old home."
"That does ease my mind greatly," the Hokage said, "However Konoha isn't Naruto's old home it is and will always be his home and it is time that he be made aware of that."
"So should I put a team together to take him from Zabuza?" Asuma asked.
"I'm afraid not," Sarutobi answered confusing Asuma so he explained, "The need for secrecy hasn't changed sending a team out even one composed of ninja I trusted would create a trail for those interested in the boy to follow."
"Then how do you plan…ahhh, him," Asuma said in understanding.
"Yes, with this new lead I'm sure he'll quickly be able to ascertain the location of Konoha's wayward son," Sarutobi said. Then though, "And with Naruto's return, perhaps he'll finally be able to forgive an old man for his failures."
Sakura was relieved to see the gates of Konoha coming into view. While the mission Teams Seven and Eight had been on had started out easy enough the end had been another matter. After the caravan split each Team had followed one of them. That part had gone off without a hitch unfortunately a group of bandits called 'The Hundred Thieves,' even though there had been only sixty of them, had targeted the caravan.
For the journey back each team had walked on a side of the caravan spread out. Kiba had been in front near the head of it with Sasuke in the middle and she had taken up the rear. On the other side it was Ami, then Shino and with Hinata at the end. Their senseis had pulled rank and were sitting comfortable in the lead wagon.
The bandits had waited until the caravan had linked back up before attacking. Upon the bandits showing up on both sides of the wagon Kakashi and Kurenai took up a position on the middle wagon; however they only seemed to be interested in observing, trusting in their teams to handle the bandits. As the battle had first started Kiba and Sasuke had quickly met the charging bandits in their attempts to outperform one another. This left them out of position to help Sakura as one of the bandits made his way to attack her and much to her embarrassment she froze.
She still couldn't completely understand why but as the bandit had closed with her she couldn't get any of her muscles to respond. Looking to her teammates and hoping one of them would rescue her she saw that Sasuke hadn't even noticed her predicament and while Kiba had he was too far away to help. Luckily for her Hinata who had activated her Byakugan had noticed and having easily handled the seven bandits she had initially faced came to her rescue.
Sakura had simply stood there unmoving as Hinata suddenly came sliding from under the wagon behind Sakura and then regaining her feet while spinning in front of her had struck the man in the chest with her Gentle Fist killing him on the spot. The half-dozen men who had followed behind the one she had killed seemed to be intent of getting revenge for their fallen comrade. Sakura was still amazed at how beautifully and effortlessly Hinata had dealt with the men. It had been like watching a dancer as she had nimbly avoided their blades and when she struck it had been with the speed of a viper as she shut down the men's ability to fight.
After the last bandit had fallen and without turning to look at her Hinata had said, "Pull yourself together Sakura. Or are you just playing at being a Shinobi?"
Then as quickly as she appeared she had bound over the wagon to attack some bandits who attempted to take advantage of her absence on the other side. She had managed to get herself moving to deal with the few that managed to get past Sasuke and Kiba. In the end she had managed to defeat two bandits. Hinata had led the pack with eighteen while Sasuke and Kiba had tied at twelve with Shino having bested ten. Even Ami had beaten her at six.
"Kami," she thought, "how pathetic. Is Hinata right, am I just playing at being a ninja?"She remembered entering the academy with such high expectations for herself but somewhere along the way she had apparently lost her focus on achieving those old goals of hers.
After the fight she had thanked Hinata only to receive an icy, "There is no need to thank me Sakura. I would do the same for any member of the Konoha." Guessing now wasn't the time to try and repair their friendship she had left her alone after thanking her again anyway. Deciding to just focus on finishing this mission she cleared her mind and followed the caravan.
Sasuke was still fuming about the results of the battle as they passed the main gates. First he had once again fallen short of Hinata. Thinking about the Hyuuga still enraged him as he thought, "How? How is she so much stronger than me? I have filled my heart with hatred and dedicated my life to avenging my clan but still the gap between us only seems to be widening. What gives her so much strength?"
The other person that bothered him was Kiba. While he found the boy tolerable and at times would even admit to enjoying his company what truly bothered him was that the gap in power between them was narrowing not growing. The battle had only proven that as they had taken down the same amount of bandits. When he had demanded that Kakashi stop wasting time and teach him some powerful jutsu the one-eyed jounin had admonished him. He had told him that teamwork was far more important than jutsus after all every person has weaknesses and teammates help cover those weaknesses. Sasuke had of course been less than satisfied with that answer.
If only he could unlock the Sharingan he wouldn't need Kakashi, he probably wouldn't even need Kohona. Then he could finally pursue the only thing that truly mattered to him killing Itachi. But he doubted that if Kohona continued to send him on weak missions like this one he would ever unlock it.
Once the caravan had reached its final destination Kakashi said taking charge, "Alright guys mission accomplished, Team Seven you are free to go, I'll give our report to the Hokage." Kurenai had given similar instructions to her team and then together they began to head to the Hokage's Tower.
Along the way Kurenai asked, "Kakashi may I ask you a question?"
"Sure why not," Kakashi answered while reading his book.
"Why didn't you step in to save Sakura?" Kurenai said having asked the question that had been bothering her ever since the battle; she had almost gone to help until she noticed Hinata moving to help the frozen pinkette.
"I would have had I needed to, however Sakura hasn't realized the dangers associated with our profession yet. I was hoping a close call would help her to understand," Kakashi said without looking away from his book.
"Still isn't it a little cold to gamble with her life like that?" Kurenai wondered aloud.
"Make no mistake Kurenai we are always gambling, take this mission for example. While basically a C-ranked one what if instead of normal bandits it was a gang of shinobi who attacked. Unlikely, perhaps but still a possibility, if that had been the case then both our teams may have been wiped out." Kakashi said. "Better she understand the hardships now and either she changes her ways or quits then on a mission when it's too late."
"You know you could just talk to her about it," Kurenai replied.
"True, but sometimes a bucket of cold water wakes a person up better than a gentle nudge," Kakashi countered.
"You know I noticed she has a talent for genjutsu I would be willing to take her under my wing," Kurenai offered.
"I'm sure you would, but I doubt you'd be willing to trade…hmm let's say… Hinata for her now would you," Kakashi said with a hint of levity.
Busted Kurenai said, "That wasn't who I had in mind."
Closing his book and giving an eye-smile he said, "I know and while I'm sure Sakura would end up appreciating the trade for the opportunities both as a ninja and personally that it would provide. That would mean I would end up with two problem children. Now wouldn't it. I'm afraid I'm not emotional ready to deal with such hardships."
Venting her frustrations Kurenai said, "I'm just not sure what to do with Ami, she is throwing off the teams dynamics and nothing I do seems to get through to her."
Shrugging Kakashi said, "I understand how you feel you saw Kiba and Sasuke out there. They completely left their teammate behind in order to prove who is better. Kiba at least tries with Sakura but Sasuke is convinced everyone else will just slow him down. Unfortunately, Kiba sometimes gets caught up in the need to prove he is Sasuke's equal, this competition between them does cause their strength to grow but it hinders their ability to work together efficiently."
"So what do you think we should do?" Kurenai asked.
"Obviously we need to find away to jump start the teamwork among our problem children and the rest of their teams, and if that doesn't work maybe take them out into the woods one day and make them disappear."
"Don't even joke like that, people might think you're serious," Kurenai said while thinking, "Although it is very tempting some days."
After receiving Kurenai and Kakashi's report on their missions Sarutobi dismissed them and then returned to his paperwork. Towards the end of his stack he saw a new law that he thought he had put the kibosh on, The Clan Restoration Act. He had vetoed it the first time the council had tried to push it through, it was a pointless law he felt considering that there was no law against having multiple spouses. After all the Fire Daimyo may have only been technically married to Madam Shijimi but he had several concubines.
While it wasn't a common practice it still existed, hell as Jiraiya had put it once, "I believe there is someone out there for everybody, and sometimes there's two. That's what I call hitting the jackpot." Of course Tsunade had then clobbered him for being a pervert.
He tried to stay out of how clans or even civilians wanted to conduct their relationships. The reason he had vetoed this particular piece of legislation hadn't anything to do with a moral indignation against it but the purpose it was passed. That was giving Sasuke another reason to think he and the Uchiha were indispensable to Kohona. The boy's ego was already quite large and giving him the impression that Kohona would be throwing its young women at him just to bring the clan back would hardly help matters.
However, there was a part of him that realized that he would probably be fine with it if someone had suggested the CRA be passed for the benefit of the Uzumaki. Thinking of the blonde boy he couldn't help but wonder how the past six years had treated him. He was glad to hear that Naruto had been responsible for Team Ten's survival at the battle in Wave. It showed that the blonde had not come to hate his home.
But, he was left with more questions than answers. How long had he been with Zabuza? Would he leave the Demon of Mist if given a chance? Would they have to take him by force and if so would he come to hate Konoha for it? Finally was Zabuza aware of Naruto's tenet and if so what purpose sinister or otherwise did he have for the boy?
Closing his eyes and sighing he thought, "So many ways I've failed you my boy. Would I be doing so again by taking you from someone who seems to have acknowledged you?"
Turning his eyes back to the folder he read the name of the councilor who managed to override his veto. "Councilwoman Haruno," he said quietly to himself. He was a bit surprised that the women would pass a law that almost guaranteed that should her daughter succeed in capturing young Sasuke's heart that she may become just one of many, but he figured the woman was just hedging her bets in case one of the other girls was the victor for the last Uchiha. Whether it was for political means or just to help her daughter to achieve her dream of being with Sasuke he couldn't say. The woman was smart, personable, and also very shrewd, he was quite sure Sakura's keen intellect came from the woman. The only thing she reacted to poorly was anything to do with the nine-tailed fox including the boy who contained it.
Musing that it was often the ones that most people wrote off as worthless or hated that often proved to be the most indispensible. He had been guilty of that once with his own disciple Jiraiya. Upon meeting the three young would-be Sannin he had immediately disregarded Jiraiya as a buffoon and while the boy could and still acted the fool he had proven to be the most reliable of the trio, while the one he had put all his hopes into turned out to be the greatest traitor since Madara Uchiha. Naruto was the same, the village may disregard him but Sarutobi was convinced the boy was just as irreplaceable and necessary to Konoha's future as Jiraiya had been to its past and present.
To no one in particular he said, "If only people truly understood the service you provided to the village already Naruto, this law would be called the NRA."
"Well that's the trouble this village has always had, it always recognizes it's hero to late to truly appreciate them," said a voice from his window.
Startled Sarutobi turned to see his disciple Jiraiya lounging across the window sill. Dressed in his usual garb the toad sage took a drink from a gourd that Sarutobi presumed was filled with sake. "Jiraiya how long have you been there?" Sarutobi asked.
"Long enough to read over your shoulder that the village passed a law to offer up its women to resurrect a clan that is better off dead and gone instead of demanding to find one of its true heroes," he replied bitterly.
Trying to lighten the mood Sarutobi said, "Funny, I thought you would be happy with such a passing you could petion to start a clan yourself and with your reputation you…"
"Can you just get to what was so damn important that you summoned me here? I had to bribe Gamabunta with fifty crates of Fire Water Sake to get him to transport me here from Demon Country," Jiraiya said irritably.
Disappointed in the fact that his disciple still refused to forgive him for Naruto's disappearance he said, "Yes forgive me, but I'm sure you'll be glad when you hear the reason. We have a clue as to where Naruto was at least as far as a week ago. "
"What I haven't heard anything. Is the source reliable?" Jiraiya said excitedly having not received news about his godson in over six years.
"Quite, it was Asuma who ran across him in a mission recently and as to the reason you haven't heard anything he seems to have fallen in with a missing-nin named Zabuza Momochi," Sarutobi said and then went into the details of the Wave mission.
"So I trust I'm allowed to pursue this fully then?" Jiraiya finally asked after absorbing all the details.
"Yes, I don't care what it takes, bring the boy home Jiraiya," Sarutobi answered.
Nodding his head Jiraiya walked to the window and leapt out. Getting up from his chair and watching his old student run down the street with an exuberance that he hadn't seen in the Toad Sage in over six years he smiled. Yes, he had meant what he said he would make a deal with a demon if it meant bringing Naruto home.
Jiraiya couldn't believe it as he ran through the village, after six years finally a lead. He had scoured half the globe for the boy the fact that he turned up in Wave was a blow to his pride as a spymaster but it filled him with relief that the boy was alive. The idea that he would end up in the hands of a missing-nin was something he had never even surmised. Well it didn't matter now, with a starting point and the name of the man he was traveling with Jiraiya would be able to find out everything he needed to about both Zabuza and his movements. Once outside the village he created several shadow clones, each would take a different path in hopes of stumbling onto their trail while he himself would start at Wave.
Naruto was bored, plain and simple. After leaving their inn they had dressed as travelers and were currently walking to Grass. Since the majority of their travel to Grass would be through the Land of Fire, Zabuza wanted them to keep a low profile so no tree hopping. That meant a journey that may have taken a week at most was going to take considerably longer. However, that wasn't even the worse restriction. No, that was the no training one. Well actually as Zabuza had put it, "If I even catch you thinking about training, I'll erase your very existence am I clear."
All Naruto could do was nod his head, of course he did think about training but at one point Zabuza had looked back at him and glared so he quickly stopped for fear that he had learned to read minds. He was amazed at how when you were used to doing things a certain way suddenly being unable to do them made you truly appreciate that you could. He doubted he would ever really get used to moving at a normal pace after years of needing to move quickly, but as Zabuza had warned, they may be wanted men in Fire Country and needed to keep a much lower profile than usual. As such he wasn't even allowed to wear his wraps, so to cover his birthmarks they had just rubbed a little dirt over them as Zabuza said, "Sometimes the simple tricks are the best ones," the fact that nobody even looked twice at them was proof of that. So hunkering in for a long journey he turned his mind to more constructive tasks like counting the number of steps he took today.
In a secret base located in Grass Country, the spy Tsukino made her way towards her master's chamber having finally found a lead on the man her mastered charged her with locating. Entering the chamber she immediately dropped to one knee as she gazed upon her master who was sitting in a throne like chair flanked by two of the Sound Ninja Five.
"Lord Orochimaru," she said without making eye contact.
"Ah Tsukino, it has been quite some time since I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance. I was beginning to doubt you would ever return," Orochimaru said causing Tsukino to grimace a little at disappointing the Sannin. "I trust you have something of value to report on the task I gave you."
"Yes my lord," she said eager to please her master, "Zabuza was recently in Wave and I believe he is currently making his way towards Grass Country."
"Oh and what do you base this on, thus far you have had very little luck in locating him," Orochimaru said dangerously.
Bowing her head further Tsukino said, "I know my lord. I am sorry to have disappointed you for so long, but Zabuza is a hard man to find. It is one of the reasons Kiri's Hunter-nin seem to be always one step behind him. The reason I believe he is on his way here is after he killed Gato several of the merchant's legitimate accounts have been emptied after his death. The most recent in Port City in The Land of Fire, I believe that Zabuza is on his way here due to Grass Country being notorious for allowing criminals to set up their less then legal accounts in its banks."
"Still," the Sannin said disappointedly, "unless you know what banks to watch your information is useless."
"Please forgive me for correcting you my lord," Tsukino said carefully afraid of rousing her master's anger, "but that isn't necessarily the case."
More amused than angry Orochimaru said, "Is that right, well why don't you enlighten me."
"Yes my lord, all of Gato's legitimate finances were located along the coast of Fire Country, Zabuza had to move quickly before word of his death spread to empty those accounts. However the ones rumored to be located here would be under alias so there is no need for him to rush. Furthermore, due to his recent victory over Leaf shinobi he would wish to be cautious for the long trek from Port City to Grass Country's border."
Pulling out a rolled up map she held it up from here kneeling position for her master to take. One of the Sound Ninja five who was flanking Orochimaru stepped forward to take the scroll from her, she couldn't remember the person's name but she was the only female among the group. The girl handed the map to Orochimaru and he said, "Thank you Tayuya."
Unrolling the map he saw one of the routes it depicted was highlighted. Looking over the map at the kneeling woman he said, "I take it, you believe he will travel along this route then?"
"Yes my lord," Tsukino said nodding, "due to the upcoming Chunin Exams, Konoha has tightened its patrols along the northern and western border to provide security for the genin making their way there to participate, so traveling as ninja would attract attention. However that route is quite popular with travelers and with the increased traffic if they acted as civilians they would probably go unnoticed. In any case almost all the roads to Grass Country pass through the crossroad indicated on the map. A team should be able to pick them out and then wait for the right moment to make contact."
Rolling the map up satisfied with Tsukino's logic Orochimaru said, "Very good, I will let someone else make contact with Zabuza you are dismissed."
Bowing Tsukino backed out of the room, once gone he turned to his other bodyguard and said, "Jiroubou, go and fetch Kimimaro for me would you."
A short time later Jiroubou returned with Kimimaro. Kneeling before his master while Jiroubou retook his place behind Orochimaru Kimimaro said, "You sent for me Lord Orochimaru."
Smiling at the boy Orochimaru said, "Yes, I would like you to take four squads and watch over the crossroads marked on this map. You are to look for Zabuza Momochi and his two young charges, once you spot them approach them and bring them here."
"What if they refuse my lord?" Kimimaro asked.
"I'm afraid then you'll have to insist," Orochimaru said making his hidden meaning clear.
"It shall be done," Kimimaro said then stood leaving the room to assemble the men he would take with him.
Grunting Jiroubou said, "If you ask me it's like finding a needle in a haystack after all they could be henged to look like anyone."
"What are you trying to sound fucking stupid, lard ass," Tayuya said, "if you were paying attention that area will be heavily patrolled by Leaf shinobi, no way they'd walk through there fucking henged. One of the patrols might notice and stop them to figure out what the fuck they were up too."
All Jiroubou said in response was, "Young ladies shouldn't cuss like that Tayuya."
Snorting she responded, "Well how about I come over there and shove my fucking fist down your throat. Is that acceptable behavior, lard ass?"
Jiroubou's response was stopped when Orochimaru harshly said, "Would you two stop your senseless bickering."
Receiving a pair of, "Yes Lord Orochimaru," the Sannin went back to plotting for the arrival of Zabuza. In actuality he didn't need the man, no his true interest lay with the young boy he had with him. He had a strong suspicion that the boy was the missing jinchuriki of the nine-tailed fox, and while they were already in the process of securing the Sand's young weapon. Having another jinchuriki to throw at the Leaf would be a nice touch to his plan. Not to mention the agony it would cause the Third when he saw the boy attacking the village he loved so much. Naturally there was the problem the boy may not want to help with his plans but Orochimaru could be very persuasive. One way or the other, the boy would do what he wanted.
Jiraiya was lounging in a gentlemen's club located in Port City called From Dusk till Dawn. He was being his usual over the top self dropping large sums of money when from behind him he heard, "Hey did you hear? Gato's dead." Turning his head towards one of the ladies on his side he said some trivial thing to her while his true attention focused on the pair of well dressed businessmen in the booth behind him.
The businessman that was being addressed said, "What, no shit, when?"
"Like almost two weeks ago. Man, you must be behind the times," the other one said noticing his friend getting paler and paler. "What's the matter you're starting to look like a ghost?"
"Several days ago, Gato walked into my bank and cleaned out the account he had with us." The man answered. "Damn it, when my boss finds out shit is going to hit the fan."
No longer paying attention to the pair he said to the young woman who was entertaining him, "Well my dear it's been fun but I have got to go."
"Aw do you have too?" she said while assuming a pose that pressed her breasts together showing even more cleavage in the revealing clothes she wore for her profession.
Getting a lecherous grin he said, "Well maybe I can stay for a few more," but then his face got serious and he said aloud to himself, "No I must be strong, " and then addressing the young lady, "I'm afraid duty calls."
Quickly leaving the club before his baser instincts could lead him astray he thought to himself as he walked to his inn, "It's as I thought they're cleaning out Gato's accounts, it appears I just missed them too."
He had come to Port City after arriving in Wave and finding Gato's headquarters burnt to the ground. Apparently the building had caught fire the night Gato died. Figuring that Naruto and the others were the ones to do it he guessed with how slow news tended to travel among civilians that they were trying to clean out the merchant's accounts.
Port City was the largest of Gato's known accounts so the question was, had it been the first or last of the accounts raided by Zabuza. Considering the other banks had been closer to Wave he figured it had been last on his list of banks to visit. So the next question he needed to figure out was where they would head next and the answer he kept coming up with was Grass Country. Grass was a relatively weak nation and although it was allies with Konoha they were negotiators or politicians at heart, that meant that they always kept their options open and they liked to operate on the fringe. So if you were the head of a criminal organization like Gato it would be the ideal place to store the vast sums of cash he made illegally.
To further convince himself of his logic there was a major road that led from Port City to the border of Grass and with all the increased traffic due to the upcoming Chunin Exams a couple of extra travelers could easily slip through the patrols whose job it was to make sure the genin heading to Kohona to participate arrived okay. That would mean they would have to travel as civilians which in turn meant if he hurried he could get in front of them. Creating a shadow clone and quickly dispelling it, so that the clones he had searching through the Land of Fire would learn what he had and begin to tighten the net he had cast. Reaching his inn he quickly gathered his belongings and began the journey to Grass.
Zabuza and his boys had just crossed the High Plains Crossroads and as the name suggested the surrounding area was just high grassy plains. The cover they were using should one of the many patrols that had been in the area asked was that they were a father and his two boys returning from a trip to Port City. Zabuza wasn't wearing his wraps around his face but his sword was hidden in bundle of wood he was carrying on his shoulders.
Unfortunately, ever since passing the crossroads they had picked up a tail. Naruto hadn't noticed not being nearly as good as Haku or Zabuza at detecting such things, but he didn't need to be, not when he had teammates he could rely on. He had become aware of their unwelcomed followers when Haku gave him a sign that only three people knew, and at this point they could have whole conversation with just their body language with nobody else being the wiser. The sign was get prepared, we are being followed and Zabuza added with a subtle shift of his fingers that there were at least sixteen of them.
Naruto gave the sign that meant message received and began running through different scenarios. Whoever these guys were they weren't Leaf Shinobi they would have already made their move. That left a couple possibilities one hunter-nin had once again caught up to them or they were shinobi who had turned into bandits. The third possibility was that whoever they were had somehow recognized Zabuza and may want to recruit them. It had happened before various missing-nins banding together in hopes of becoming stronger, the few times people had approached Zabuza he always sent them packing. Sometimes though they didn't take kindly to being rejected and would try to force them into their gangs they just got sent packing a little harder than the rest. Whatever these guys wanted they would wait until they could approach them with at least a small degree of security from prying eyes. Looking down the path ahead he saw that the grasslands was giving way to a forest, these guys would probably wait till then to confront them.
After entering the forest Zabuza gave the sign that basically said now, as they went for their weapons. Zabuza pulled the string on the bundle and snatched his blade from the falling sticks. Haku pulled several concealed senbon while Naruto brought out the kunai he had stashed in his sleeve since his ninjato was currently sealed in a scroll in his backpack.
Calling out, Zabuza said, "Alright, we know you're out there so show yourselves."
A dozen men in grey camouflage and masks appeared in the trees surrounding them. None of them were wearing any headbands so they had no idea who they represented. From behind one of the trees appeared a young man with white hair. He was wearing a light purple shirt with sleeves that went past his hands, he also was wearing black pants and had a rope tied in a bow on his back.
Although he didn't remember the boy himself Zabuza instantly recognized the clan the boy hailed from as he said surprised, "A Kaguya!? I though your clan was wiped out after it attacked Kirigakure."
"Almost I'm the last of my clan," the boy said.
"I see," Zabuza said while eyeing him and the men in the trees, "What pray tell does the last of the Kaguya want with me?"
"You may refer to me as Kimimaro and I was sent by my master to escort you to him," Kimimaro said.
"And who would your master be?" Zabuza asked.
"I'm not at liberty to say," Kimimaro answered ," he wishes to meet you face to face to discuss the option of acquiring your services and doesn't wish for any of the many rumors surrounding him to color your judgment."
Eyeing the men surrounding him and his boys Zabuza said, "I take it I'm not being given the option of refusing."
"That is correct," the Kaguya informed.
Raising his hand in a after you gesture he said, "Then lead the way."
Kimimaro took to the trees with Zabuza and his boys following behind. The speed at which they traveled surprised Zabuza so he asked, "I know were close to Grass's border, but aren't you concerned about running into a Konoha patrol moving this quickly."
Not even looking behind him Kimimaro said, "My master is well informed and knows all of Konoha's patrol routes."
Silence again settled over the group as Zabuza took stock of the situation they were in. The four squads had taken up a diamond formation around his group. Kimimaro was traveling just in front of them with one of the squads even further ahead of him. The other three squads were arrayed around them with one on each side and the last covering the rear. All of the squads were far enough away that the three of them couldn't easily slip out of their containment.
Whoever Kimimaro's master, was Zabuza was sure he didn't want to meet the man considering the conditions with which he was being forced to meet him under. Zabuza was sure that this man wouldn't take no for an answer. That meant they would need an exit strategy for if things got dicey. Informing Haku and Naruto via the secret language they had developed after years of working together he told them to prepare for Plan E.
After about ten more minutes of travel Naruto said, "Hey you, the guy with the funny eyebrows."
"My name is Kimimaro."
"Yeah whatever," Naruto said, "How much longer?"
"We are almost there," the Kaguya replied.
"Well how long is that? I've got to pee something fierce," Naruto replied
Sighing at the boy's manner Kimimaro said, "About fifteen more minutes."
"Nope, not going to make it," Naruto said while dropping to the ground.
The four groups tensed to attack but a sign from Kimimaro told them to simply take up defensive positions around them and then he said, "Just be quick about it."
Saying, "aye-aye," Naruto then reached for his fly in front of Kimimaro who quickly said, "Not here, find some cover."
"Well I thought you might be worried I'd try and pull a fast one on you while out of your sight." Naruto said while heading behind the bushes Kimimaro indicated. While behind the bushes he made a grand display of enjoying his release. After coming out of the bushes while pulling up his fly he said, "Ahhh, that's better."
Kimimaro was obvious in a hurry to get going again but stopped when Haku said, "I'm sorry but I would like to take this opportunity to go as well," he then quickly disappeared into the same bushes Naruto had just vacated.
Turning to Zabuza, Kimimaro asked dryly, "How about you do you also need to go?"
"I'm good but thanks for asking," Zabuza replied
A few seconds later Haku rejoined them so Kimimaro said, "I trust there will be no further delays."
"Nope I'm good," Naruto said while Haku just nodded.
After everyone had moved on Naruto stepped out of the bushes and watched over the ice mirror that Haku had made from the water he had poured out of his canteen. Hoping that they wouldn't need to use Plan E but like Zabuza always said, "It pays to always have an exit strategy."
True to his word roughly fifteen minutes later they arrived at an opening in the ground that had steps leading to an underground base. As they walked through the base they came across a cafeteria area, Zabuza seeing all the men and women gathered there said, "You guys look like you are gearing up for something big."
"I'm sure my master will be able to answer any questions you may have about our operations here," was all Kimimaro replied. Deciding that any further attempts to pry information from the Kaguya would be futile he decided to wait until he met this mysterious master the boy kept talking about.
Haku was looking at the gathered people none of them wore headbands or other means to identify from what village they hailed. What they all did have in common was they wore similar black and grey camouflage pants with only a few variations in the shirts they wore. Also, many of them appeared to be about the same age as him. His gaze stopped though when his eyes settled on a girl that was wearing the same camouflaged pants as everyone else and a green vest. Her hair reached down to the back of her knees and was tied at the bottom with a bow. Her dark eyes met his and then she gave him a little scowl when she noticed him just staring at her. The look she gave him made him realize he was gawking so he turned towards the others and saw he was in danger of being left behind so he hurried to catch up.
When the boy who had been staring at her ran off Kin turning back to her teammate who was going on about his theory of what Orochimaru was up to. Although, she was still really thinking about the implications behind the handsome boy she had just seen so she missed it when Zaku said, "I'm telling you Lord Orochimaru is gearing up for something big."
"And I'm telling you to be quiet," her other teammate Dosu said, "Lord Orochimaru will tell us what is going on when the time comes. Until then we have to focus on the task we were given which is preparing for the Chunin Exams."
"Screw you." Zaku retorted, "Who died and made you leader."
"Nobody," Dosu replied calmly but with an edge of warning, "I'm in charge because I'm stronger than you, even with those wind cannons you've been outfitted with."
Swallowing nervously Zaku said, "Take it easy, I'm just messing around, besides the only thing I'm worried about is Kin not pulling her weight."
Surprised at the lack of response Zaku said addressing the girl, "Hey you hear me I said you're the dead weight of our team."
Regaining her focus Kin responded, "I'm sorry I don't listen to weakling that needed to become science experiments in order to become stronger."
Zaku was about to retort when Dosu asked, "What is it Kin? Is there something about that boy that troubles you?"
"Not anything about him per say," she answered while biting her bottom lip while thinking on how to phrase the rest of her answer, "I guess there have just been a lot of new faces around here lately. I feel that we aren't being told the whole truth about what is happening around us."
Zaku looked about ready to spit fire about her doubting Orochimaru's intentions, but the more level-headed Dosu said, "Trust in Lord Orochimaru, Kin. He has given us this strength for a reason."
Kimimaro had escorted them to a large ornate door, he then turned towards them and said, "Leave your packs with the guards," and then addressing Zabuza said, "The sword will have to stay with them as well."
Zabuza wasn't having any part of that as he said, "This blade goes where I go. If your master doesn't like that then you brought us a long way for nothing."
Kimimaro was about to respond when the door opened and a silky voice said, "That's quite alright Kimimaro; let him keep his blade if it makes him feel more comfortable."
"As you wish Lord Orochimaru," Kimimaro said.
Zabuza's eyes widened in shock at the name, one of the legendary Sannin was this boy master. A cold chill went up his spine as he followed Kimimaro into a darkened room. He could see the Sannin sitting on a throne flanked by a boy with six arms and another that looked like he had another head growing out of the back of his neck. After they all entered the room the door shut behind them, glancing behind him he saw no one there. Naruto took the words out of his mouth when he said, "Neat trick."
"Why thank you. It may be a little theatrical but it helps maintain the mood I aim for," Orochimaru said smiling. "I must say for a man called The Demon of Mist I thought you'd have more of a presence to you."
Ignoring the minor insult Zabuza replied, "Titles such as those are just names others give to you to explain their own fears." Zabuza then pressed on attempting to show despite the fact he was sure the man before him probably possessed greater strength he wouldn't be intimidated by it said, "But, I doubt you summoned us here to bask in my presence so how about we get down to business."
Kimimaro looked like he was about to attack till Orochimaru said chuckling, "Quite right, however before we get down to business as you put it perhaps you would like a moment to freshen up? Your one associate looks to be quite pale."
Looking at Haku, who was beginning to show the strain of the Ice Doorway Jutsu he had set up when they had stopped. Knowing that if these proceedings took too long Haku would go into chakra exhaustion and the jutsu would collapse trapping them here Zabuza said, "He'll be fine; he just has a weak constitution."
"My how heartless," Orochimaru said his voice tingling with amusement, "but as you wish. To put it bluntly I have a little operation in the works and believe you and your young associates will help make it a success."
"What does this operation entail?" Zabuza asked.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you just yet, however I can promise you that you will be richly rewarded," Orochimaru said.
"So let me see if I understand the situation, you force us here, then tell me you want to hire me but won't tell me what for," Zabuza said then added, "Sounds to me like you're jerking me around."
Laughing lightly which set Zabuza on edge Orochimaru said, "Well to be honest you don't interest me at all, however the nine-tail brat you have with you interests me a great deal. As a matter a fact I think I'll just kill you and take him myself."
Orochimaru opened his mouth and his tongue lashed out towards Zabuza who had drawn his blade while jumping in front of Haku. As it traveled towards him it transformed into a snake which in turn opened its mouth and the legendary sword Kusanagi appeared as he attempted to impale Zabuza with it. However before the sword reached him Naruto stepped in front of Zabuza taking the full brunt of the attack.
"Foolish boy would you really trade your life for his," Orochimaru said confused at the boys actions.
"Don't worry I'm not really here," the rock clone of Naruto said as he began to expand in preparation of the Frag Clone Explosion Jutsu.
Zabuza used his blade as a shield as he said, "Do it now Haku."
Haku quickly summoned another ice mirror connecting it to the one he created earlier. He was almost blown off his feet though when the clone exploded but Zabuza quickly grabbed him and ran through the mirror. After the smoke cleared Orochimaru caught a glimpse of Zabuza and the boys on the other side of the mirror before the connection broke down and the mirror collapsed. He had been protected by the barrier Kimimaro and the others erected before the clone exploded.
"What an interesting jutsu," Orochimaru said referring to the Ice Doorway Jutsu, "Also, I wonder when the Kyuubi brat managed to make the rock clone."
"Forgive me, Lord Orochimaru," Kimimaro said, "I have an idea of when. The blonde boy deceived me and must have made it when he claimed he wanted to use the bathroom."
"My how gullible of you Kimimaro. However, you can make it up to me by bringing him back here, remember I want the Kyuubi boy alive and if you can bring back the Hyouton user as well then please do so. I have no need of Zabuza however."
"As you command, Lord Orochimaru," Kimimaro said with barely controlled anger at being made a fool out of in front of Orochimaru. He hastily left the room to rally the forces stationed there to hunt down the trio, as he made his way down the hall he was suddenly seized by a coughing fit. Noticing the red splotches of blood in his hand he wiped it on his pant leg sure that whatever was wrong with him could wait till later.
As Zabuza and Haku came through the mirror Naruto said, "I take it we need to run now."
"That is an understatement," Zabuza said as he began to carry the drained Haku on his back and jumped into the trees with Naruto right behind him.
"Damn it," Zabuza thought, "just as everything was beginning to go smoothly, this crap comes along to screw it all up for us. What the hell does that bastard want Naruto for, I mean it looked like he was gearing up for an invasion. But who, Grass perhaps. I'll think about this later, right now we have to put as much distance between us and that psycho as possible."
Back at the hidden base a shadow clone of Naruto was watching as hundreds of shinobi came pouring out of the stairwell. The clone spotted Kimimaro flanked by three guys and a girl, who were dressed similarly as the Kaguya, suddenly the girl pointed at the clone and the one with six arms spit a substance into his hand and threw it at the clone nailing it in the gut causing it to dispel.
"Hey Zabuza, the clone I had watching the base was just dispelled," Naruto said.
"How bad is it? Do I even want to know?" Zabuza asked.
"Well you remember that time during kunai practice when I accidently hit that beehive? It kind of reminded me of that," Naruto said.
On Zabuza's back Haku chuckled a little at the memory of the Naruto running around frantically as the bees tried to get revenge on the boy for the damage to their home. But for Zabuza it got the message across the whole damn base was probably after them now and while they may have a head start their enemies probably knew the terrain, so they would probably be able to head them off. They needed a way to slow down pursuit without getting bogged down and allowing their pursers to get in front of them.
Just then an idea hit him, their enemies may know the terrain but he doubted they knew it well enough to traverse it a break-neck speeds in a fog. While the Hidden Mist Jutsu generally was used to cover a local area with Naruto's chakra reserves he could probably create enough fog to cover the whole country. It would slow them down too, but they had plenty of practice in maneuvering through the fog silently he doubted Orochimaru's men could claim the same thing.
"Naruto, how's your chakra holding up?" Zabuza asked.
"Its fine two clones didn't even put a dent in it," Naruto replied.
"Good I want you to pour as much chakra into the Hidden Mist Jutsu as you can while sustaining it for as long possible got it. Cover this whole damn country in fog."
Immediately, doing as he was told Naruto began to pour as much chakra as he could into the jutsu. Although they couldn't see it the results, they were astounding as people would say it was the foggiest day in Grass Country's history and that person could walk border to border and still be not be able to find their way out of it.
After several hours and a few near misses they had made it back to the Land of Fire and set up camp for the night. Naruto was currently passed out from exhaustion having just released the jutsu. For Zabuza however it was gut check time, the truth was he was worried. It was bad enough having the Mizukage as an enemy but to also have Orochimaru, he wasn't sure he could survive that. Against the Mizukage he had the advantage after all he knew how Kiri's forces thought, but Orochimaru was different. The Sannin was also a missing-nin who had survived having Kohona after him for far longer than Zabuza could claim. That meant he knew the tricks of the trade so to speak such as where he could go to escape pursuit.
Hearing someone approaching he gave Haku the sign to hide. The boy quickly roused Naruto and the two took up ambush positions in the nearby trees. After a few minutes a large man dressed in red with a scroll tied to his back and wearing wooden geta on his feet stepped out of the darkness.
The man seeing Zabuza, who was still dressed as a civilian, smiled and said, "Boy what crazy weather were having today, that fog came out of nowhere and got me all turned around. You wouldn't mind if I warmed myself up by your fire would you?"
Naturally, Zabuza wanted to tell the man to get lost but he was sure the man wasn't just a simple traveler and probably wouldn't take no for an answer so he just made a noncommittal grunt. Taking it as a yes, the man sat opposite of Zabuza.
The man asked, "So where you heading?"
"Don't know," Zabuza said gruffly, "the trip I had planned was suddenly canceled due to some unforeseen complications."
"Oh what kind of complications?" the man asked.
"The none of your business kind," Zabuza replied.
"Hey just trying to make a little friendly conversation no need to bite my head off," the man said while reaching into his shirt which caused Zabuza to tense a little as he quickly suppressed the urge to reach for his blade hidden behind the log he was sitting on. Pulling out a gourd he took a sip then asked, "By the way you didn't happen to pass a group with a blonde-haired boy with whisker like birthmarks on his face did you?"
That did it for Zabuza reaching behind the log he pulled his blade out swinging it at the man who easily dodged while jumping back. However Zabuza did catch the gourd which turned into smoke telling Zabuza the man in front of him was a shadow clone. The clone tried to say, "Hold on I just want to talk," but was dispelled by the hail of kunai and senbon that hit him.
"Great more people interested in Naruto," Zabuza thought. The worst case scenario he came up with was that the man worked for Orochimaru. Another scenario he came up with was that somebody from the Wave mission had recognized Naruto, which meant the Hokage was now after them too. However, Zabuza could make that work for him, after all Orochimaru's operation may involve Kohona, and while Zabuza didn't think the forces in the base they had escaped from would be sufficient to topple the Leaf Village. A jinchuriki would be a big step in the right direction, which would explain Orochimaru's interest in Naruto if he believed he could harness that power.
The truth was with Orochimaru after them he didn't like their chances. However Zabuza believed that considering Naruto's seemingly close ties with the Hokage he could arrange some sort of deal. "After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend right?" he thought.
Seeing Naruto and Haku come out of the woods he said, "Grab your stuff Naruto we're leaving."
Naruto the only one that still had his pack considering the other two left theirs in the base asked, "Where we going?"
"Konoha."