Last time, Konoha's team 7 with Kakashi was currently doing a protection mission on a bridge builder name Tazuna. It was only after they arrived to Nami no Kuni that they were attacked by Zabuza. It was only when the battle between Kakashi's genin team and Zabuza was when Naruto and his team came to save the day. Now, after the Zabuza incident was settled, everyone went to Tazuna's house to figure something out.

Tazuna's house

Currently, everyone from what happened earlier from Zabuza's attack was sitting in the dining area of Tazuna's house. With them was also Tazuna's daughter, Tsunami. When Tsunami saw her father coming home, she was delighted to see that he was safe. She was surprised to see that her father not only brought home Konoha shinobi but also Kumo shinobi. After explaining to her daughter what happened, they all went to the dining area to discuss on why Kumo shinobi were here.

Kakashi was sitting at the table, continuing to rest from using his sharingon for a bit, while Yugito sat on the opposite of the table. Everyone had taken a place around the dining area which Sasuke leaned next to the wall behind Kakashi, eyeing all of the Kumo shinobi. Ko took to a corner of the dining area, watching everyone as well, but also making sure to note anything special that happens since he was certain that Danzo would wanted to know about this. Sakura sat next to her sensei to make sure that he was alright.

Like Sasuke, Naruto leaned on the wall behind Yugito, while keeping an eye on everyone. Samui did the same as Ko, just at the opposite corner from him so she can see what he was up to as well. Omoi sat at the other end of the table just watching both Yugito and Kakashi.

Tazuna sat at the opposite of Omoi, while his daughter stood near the entrance to the hallway. After a moment or 2, Kakashi decided to end this quiet moment.

"Alright… now that everyone's here, we can begin on why Kumo nin are here. Not that I'm ungrateful or anything, especially setting me free from that water prison, but I'm curious on knowing why you're here." Question Kakashi

Yugito took a moment before she spoke, "We're here to complete a mission that we were given." Answered Yugito

"And what mission would that be." Asked Kakashi

"I can't say, but it does probably involve with your mission." Said Yugito

"Oh… and what does your mission involved with our mission." Kakashi question

"You see… from the information we were given, we heard that Gatou would be here to kill some bridge builder." said Yugito as she explain on what happened when they got here in Nami no Kuni.

Once team 9 made it to the main land, Cee and Karui went back to Kumo with the chest. As they went back, Naruto, Samui, Omoi, and Yugito quickly went to Nami no Kuni to find the bridge builder. They then looked all over for someone to take them to the island. After finding someone, they then headed for the island.

When they got there, they quickly went to find the closest village to see where any bridge builder were living nearby, but were stopped when they found Kakashi fighting Zabuza. They then notice his genin team, while also seeing an old man. That was when they guessed that this old man was the bridge builder, where it led them to the present here and now.

"So you came here looking for me. Why is that?" Tazuna spoke up

"To get a big fish, we needed a taste morsel." Stated Naruto

Everyone looked at the masked kumo nin, wondering on what he meant, but Kakashi and Sasuke knew it. Kakashi then said, "Bait… you needed live bait and Tazuna is just the bait you need. The bait that well lure Gatou out from his hole and into the open… right?"

Yugito nodded and explained that they want to use Tazuna to lure Gatou out into the opened, or at least find someone that will lead them to Gatou, where they plan to integrate him on giving them the information they need as well as capture him for doing illegal activity in their home country that they were able to find out in the hideout they found.

"So…" Tazuna interrupted, "… in others words, you're here to go rid of Gatou" which Yugito explained that in a way, they are.

Tsunami argued at Yugito about how they're using her father as bait in order to get Gatou. Kakashi also kinda had to agree with Tsunami since their mission was to protect Tazuna. Tsunami was about to tell them to leave, when Naruto spoke up.

"If you let us stay here… we can provide an early warning system since even though you aren't part of our mission, we still need you alive to get him out into the open, plus we'll be helping your people by getting rid of your obstacle, Gatou, out of your country and in our prison or something."

When Tazuna heard this, he thought quietly for a moment. Tsunami was against it since it would be putting her father in even more danger, but Kakashi did give his 2 cents into the thought since he had to agree that Tazuna's life was already in danger, but having Kumo as an early warning for them was actually a good idea, especially since they're here and doing it for free besides that they will stick around anyway in the shadow's waiting for the opportunity that they want to find Gatou. After thinking it over, Tazuna gave them an answer.

"Alright… since you people are going after Gatou you can stay here however you must make sure that my daughter as well as my grandson is safe while you are here. That's my only request."

"That agreeable... We'll begin checking it out area around the house then around the island to see if we can find anyone that knows Gatou or for any hide out he might have here." Stated Yugito

After they settle the manner, the tensions around them fade, but Kakashi was thinking using this moment to settle something that was racking his nervous, like he missed something. Ko notice this, which he asked.

"Oh it's nothing Ko, I just got this feeling that something's wrong." Stated Kakashi

"About what?" asked Sakura

"It's about Zabuza. I feel like there was something wrong about it." Answered Kakashi

"Like what. You saw the hunter nin take down Zabuza. You even checked to see if he was dead." Said Sakura

"That's right, but I can't shake the feeling about it." Replied Kakashi

Sasuke then spoke that he was more interested with that hunter nin, since he felt that the nin was just as young as him, maybe a little older. Kakashi explained that this was the shinobi world where there could be shinobi as young as them, but as powerful as himself. He then went to explain on what are hunter nin are since that is what he is as well as their field of expertise.

"Man, who would have ever thought that someone that young used senbon needles to kill a guy like Zabuza. He must be really strong." Stated Sakura

"Yeah…" replied Kakashi with concern

It was then; he finally understood why he was having this feeling since talking about the hunter nin gave him the answer to his suspicious feeling. Yugito, who was watching Kakashi acting strangely, also got the picture since the conversation they were having also got her interest. It wasn't until Kakashi acted suspiciously that Yugito was also able to figure out. Before anything could be said, Naruto stated.

"I also must admit that the hunter nin must also be pretty good, especially his acting as he carried Zabuza away."

This confirmed Kakashi's own theory, along with Yugito since if a genin was able to figure it out, and then it must be true.

Sakura was confused on what Naruto said, "Excuse, but what do you mean "his acting"?"

Kakashi decided to answer Sakura's question, "It's simple Sakura, Zabuza isn't dead… he's very much alive."

This got everyone's attention since Kakashi just made a startling announcement, which Yugito only nodded to confirm Kakashi's statement. Sakura wanted to know on what he meant.

"Well Sakura… remember what I said about the hunter nin. What did he do to Zabuza's body?" asked Kakashi

Sakura answered, "How could we know. That mask guy took the body away."

"Yeah… if he needed proof of his work, he could have just taken the head. As well, remember the weapons he used, what were they?" question Kakashi

Sasuke stated that it was sembol needles which he quickly realized. Samui and Omoi, who were listening to the conversation, also came up with the same conclusion that everyone was talking about.

Sakura panic about Kakashi's statement, while Ko remained neutral about it, while Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Yugito only sighed, while Naruto kept himself calm, while Samui had her cold attitude. Omoi was his usual self as he started to mutter about the worst case scenario.

Outside

The masked hunter nin had brought Zabuza to a hidden clearing, where the mist was clearing up, in order to remove the senbol needles that were lodge on his neck. Before he could get to it with one of his medical tools, Zabuza woke up and stop him.

"That's alright, I'll do it myself." Yelled Zabuza as he removed the bandage wraps around his mouth.

The mask nin replied, "Welcome back from the dead, Zabuza-sama."

Zabuza sit up and pulled the needles out of his neck, "Damn, you're as brutal as ever."

"Oh! You shouldn't be so rough to yourself. If you continue to pull the needles out like that… you'll really die." Stated the masked nin

Zabuza looked annoyed at his accomplice, "How long are you going to weak that stupid mask?"

The mask nin nodded at Zabuza's request to reveal that the boy was instead a very pretty girl. It was then that Zabuza complained on how his companion put him in a death state in a very dangerous method. After some explanation on why she hit Zabuza in such a deadly spot, as well some resting advice from him, Zabuza couldn't help but complement his partner for staying so calm and pure, especially since she was a kid.

"Hm… taking on Kakashi was simple, but seeing Kumo nin coming to their aid was a surprise to me." Stated Zabuza

"Your right, will you be alright next time." Asked the girl

"Next time, I will not only defeat Kakashi, but if those Kumo nin interfere again… I take them out as well." Stated Zabuza

Tazuna's house

As Kakashi explained to everyone about Zabuza still being alive, Tazuna didn't look as convinced as Kakashi.

"Aren't you thinking too much? Hunter-nins are supposed to kill missing-nins." Tazuna stated

Kakashi plainly said, "No, with all this suspicion we'll have to be prepared. That's a shinobi rule." He then went brought his head down and thought out loudly, "Plus, whether Zabuza is dead or alive, there's no guarantee that Gatou hasn't hired anymore stronger shinobi."

Yugito looked at Kakashi, "Hm… this is a tough one for you Kakashi-san. If you don't count on us, then it would be virtually a 1 on 1 battle. The only things me and my team can offer is just securing Tazuna's family and give you an early warning. If Zabuza was standing against us on getting to Gatou, then we could be of some support, but if not then you are on your own." She stated which Kakashi nodded.

It was then that Sakura spoke up on what she heard Kakashi said, "Um… Kakashi-sensei… When you say prepared. What did you mean by that? Do you have a strategy on how to beat Zabuza?"

"Sort of…" Kakashi replied as he looked at his team, "… you guys will receive training." Kakashi said

Sakura was wondering on what Kakashi meant which he explained that because of this encounter, he notice that his team wasn't up to snuff yet, especially since if it wasn't for the Kumo team, they probably be killed. Kakashi thought with the proper training, they well have a better chance of defeating Zabuza and his possible partner.

Sakura wasn't so confident since she thought that Zabuza might sneak attack them again, but Kakashi put that thought away since he explained that putting a person in a death-like state would take a toll on the body which would take several days to recover from it.

Sasuke smiled at the thought of training to get stronger, which Kakashi notice. After everything was set and done, Kakashi went back to Yugito.

"Well, now that we have the matter with Zabuza dealt with as well as everything that's happened, we can have a proper introduction with each other. I'm Hatake Kakashi, jounin from Konoha. These are my students, Uchiha Sasuke, Harune Sakura and Ko." Kakashi pointed at each one.

Yugito did the same, "My name is Ni Yugito, jounin of Kumo. This is my temporary team, team 9, Omoi, Samui and N (Naruto's codename)." which each one nodded to Kakashi and his group to indicate on who they we're.

It was then that Kakashi actually took a good look at N, more precisely his cerulean blue eyes. He saw that N's eyes weren't piercing, but he can still see so much in them. He can see that N had passion, strength, determination, power, focus, patients, desire and many other types of emotions. But he also saw pain of some kind.

Kakashi wasn't the only one to see N, Sasuke also looked at N and couldn't help but keep his eyes on him. Like Kakashi, Sasuke saw N and couldn't help but want to fight him since he can tell that N was strong.

Naruto notice the looks that Kakashi and Sasuke were giving him. Naruto thought that Kakashi was seeing him because of what he did earlier with his bow, while Sasuke looked at him like he was eager to fight with him. He voice out his opinion.

"What is Uchiha-san? Why are you looking at me like that?" question Naruto

"I'm curious about you, since even though you're using a bow, you're strong. Fight me." Asked Sasuke

Everyone looked at Sasuke with their own opinion. Kakashi just sighed since Sasuke was like that, and knew that he was driven to get more powerful to kill his brother. Naruto looked at Sasuke plainly before he said, "No".

Sasuke wasn't pleased about it, "Why not… you scared or something. Well it wouldn't be the 1st since I am an Uchiha, but don't worry. I won't cause you too much damage after all I'm konoha's top genin and this years "Rookie of the Year"." Sasuke stated

"I'm also Kumo's "Rookie of the Year" and the reason I don't want to fight you is because I don't fight unnecessary battles on missions since it could cause a problem later. Plus, I only fight when there a reason worth fighting for, not for my own personal sense of superiority like you Uchiha-san." Stated Naruto

Sasuke narrowed his eyes on what Naruto said to him since he practical told Sasuke that he was nothing more than a spoiled brat. Sakura looked angry at N for what he told Sasuke. Before things would go out of hand, Kakashi decided to end this and said to his team to prepare for tomorrow morning, which they acknowledge. Yugito ordered her team on start checking the perimeter to see if there were any signs of spies or something like that since she wanted to get the jump on their target before he can.

Till Next time

P.S. I'm putting up a poll for Naruto's summoning creature which are currently a Dragon and a Wolf. i hope you all vote on what type of creature he'll summon. Also I don't mind if you guys giving any other animals to add to this poll since I will not place it up until Monday. So if any of you have any suggestions, then please fill free.