It had taken their team two days to reach the Land of Waves. They had managed to reach and inn to spend their first night on the road and had booked two rooms for themselves. Kakashi had allowed Tenten to handle the arrangements allowing the girl to place both Naruto and Hinata in the same room.

Her plan might have yielded results. But she failed to understand that Naruto would fall asleep as soon as he hit the bed. About ten minutes before she even entered the room to find a snoring Naruto stretched out on the bed in his boxers.

Kakashi had to give the weapons master credit for trying. Though he had a feeling it was going to take a lot more than simple tricks to get past Naruto's obliviousness and Hinata's shy disposition.

The sky was overcast and it was clear last night had suffered heavy rains. The bridge connecting the island nation to the mainland was littered with puddles they just strode across using their chakra to keep their feet dry.

Kakashi would have felt more comfortable taking a boat to the island like he did last time he had visited this country. Walking across the long bridge he felt very exposed walking across this strip of concrete and steel. He of course could have suggested they enter the country by stealthier means but he figured that would have only served to unnerve the rest of his team.

They stepped off the bridge and entered the village and begun to explore the streets. Kakashi looked at his team.

"So who's hungry?"

Kumo stared at the leaf shinobi from his perch well hidden between two high buildings at a considerable distance.

"Can you see them?" asked Nenshō from inside the building his elbow propped on the windowsill. He had removed his armored hood and was running his fingers through his red hair. A kunai twirled in his hands and a small pile of cigarette butts had begun to pile on the windowsill.

"You know I can." He said not moving his body perfectly balanced on one of his chakra strings. Although Nenshō couldn't see Kumo's eyes through his tinted brass goggles he could tell he was focused on the Leaf Shinobi too far for his normal eyes.

"So what are we looking at?" He asked putting out another smoke. The bright side of working with Kumo was he could do most reconnaissance needed for several missions without leaving this spot. The downside to this was a drain on his chakra and a few hours of having to watch his back with almost nothing to do but empty a pack of cigarettes.

"Four man squad" he reported taking a draw off his pipe. "Two men two woman. She has a pretty large scroll on her back about a dozen smaller ones brown hair pulled up in two buns. And the other one's…. a Hyūga."

Neosho's brows went up. "Really?"

"She doesn't have a curse seal on her forehead… she's from the main branch."

He looked at his friend still focused on the Leaf team the slightest tinges of concern on his face. "You don't think they know about you?"

"If they were here for me they would have sent more of their clan members to handle the situation she's the only Hyūga member here." He explained letting a plume of smoke out. "Besides they don't even know about me. The only people that knew are dead."

"Or hunting the both of us." He reminded him leaning back and wishing sun would set faster. Word of their most recent kill had already begun to spread through the town and he wasn't interested in taking a night off of work because of a few foreign ninja. Especially one's that would love to get their hands on Kumo.

"Youngest male is blond with an orange and black pants jacket. Standard weapons nothing too interesting. The oldest has silver hair and… Sharingan… its Kakashi."

Nenshō stood up, "he's here?" he asked a clear excitement rising in his voice.

Kumo nodded, "It's possible the rumors caught his attention… we knew their deaths would attract attention."

He chuckled and slipped on his armored helmet. "But its Kakashi… this is just too perfect."

"Sit down… if we're going to do this it needs to be done right Nenshō. He did defeat out master after all."

"That why we need to face him" He growled, "Wherever our master is this is our chance to make proud. What is he doing?" he asked curious to learn more of his opponent.

"He's reading… an erotic novel."

"He's what?"

Hinata tried to ignore the stairs she and her companions were getting around the tea house. Their leaf village headbands were drawing attention around here. As they caught the attention of the villagers whispers spread. She had already caught mentions of another murder last night; apparently this body had been found next to Zabuza's grave his chest had been completely caved in.

Naruto had already finished his ramen and was waiting rather impatiently for everyone else to finish their meals. Hinata was enjoying her red bean soup while Tenten munched down on her dumpling. Kakashi hadn't ordered anything and sat reading his novel. Hinata was very sure she had seen that exact novel in Tenten's book collection before and decided she would ask about it later.

"You know Naruto… your impatience isn't going to make anyone eat their meals faster. If your unhappy waiting for us just order another bowl." Said Tenten looking outside to the dull grey sky not willing to speed through her meal.

"Sorry I'm just anxious. My first real mission was here in The Land of Waves I just want to get to the bottom of this."

Kakashi tore his eyes away from his book to look at Naruto then shifted his eyes to Hinata's empty soup bowl.

"Hinata, since you're finished you can head to the grave site with Naruto if you feel comfortable. He's the only one here who knows where it is after all."

"Really Kakashi Sensei!?" said Naruto

"It's getting dark and we don't want to miss a look at the scene when it's still somewhat fresh. Besides I have a few people I need to meet in town. Tenten and I will gather information while you and Hinata gather evidence at the scene. It should be easy with her Byakugan to sweep the area of evidence. Sound good for everyone?"

They all nodded and Naruto grabbed Hinata's hand rushing her out the door into the streets. Tenten smiled as she noticed her blush as being grabbed and yanked out by Naruto.

"When you finish your meal head to the towns in and book two rooms next to each other. I'll meet you in the town hall I'm expected to question a few people on the murders."

Tenten nodded, "Should I put Naruto and Hinata in the same room again?" she said wearing a rather mischievous grin.

Kakashi smirked, "I suppose it couldn't hurt."

Naruto led Hinata by the hand towards the forest clearing where he and Kakashi had buried Zabuza and Haku. Saskue hadn't bothered to help them he said they might as well dump the bodies in the ocean. He had no respect for his fallen enemies; it seemed like one of the many things the Uchiha refused to understand.

As he walked up to the forest clearing his pace slowed his eyes stood transfixed on the two graves. He clenched his fist and his grip on Hinata's hand tightened. He couldn't pin a single emotion as he looked at the graves. He had hated Zabuza he carried no doubts about him being scum. But he had watched him die avenging Haku had seem him shed tears for his fallen apprentice. He hated Zabuza but there was far more to him than meets the eye.

"Um… Naruto?" said Hinata turning his attention away from the two graves. He noticed he was squeezing her hand a bit too tightly. He apologized and let go of her fingers she clutched them in her chest her gaze turned to the soaked body off to the side. It was half submerged in mud and it looked like the mud had filled his chest.

She stepped up to the corpse and activated her Byakugan and focused in on it. She looked at the smashed spine and ribcage and shuddered.

"You ok Hinata?" Naruto asked placing a hand on her shoulder he looked at the bulging veins near her eyes framing her silver eyes.

She nodded and continued to scan the cadaver with her Kekkei Genkai. Aside from the collapsed ribcage the man's body was littered with razor think lacerations. "N-Naruto… this man's chakra system is extremely advanced. This man was trained to focus his chakra."

Naruto grabbed Hinata as a kunai passed over their heads he rolled and drew his own knife from his holster.

A tall ageing man stood on the road a tanto clutched in his right hand. "Who the hell are you?" asked Naruto taking a defensive stance.

"I should ask you the same thing kid" growled the man, "And why leaf shinobi have been killing off my friends."