Last time, both Kumo and Konoha teams continue with the mission to find Zabuza or Gatou, which wasn't going to well. After some harsh words to Inari, Naruto left to go outside to cool off.

Late evening

It's been a few hours since the incident with N (Naruto), where Inari was outside on the porch that was over the water, looking at the night sky with a crescent moon with his arms over his legs in a cradle position. He sat there for a bit until he heard someone said, "Can I join you?"

Inari looked behind him to see Yugito. He nodded at Yugito, which she then went to sit right next to him. They were silent for a bit until Yugito broke the silence.

"1st, let me apologize about what happened earlier. N didn't mean any harm by what he said. He maybe a prodigy, he sometimes doesn't use his head." Said Yugito, which she gave Inari some time to think on what she said then continue.

"Tazuna-san told us about your dad. Like you, Naruto also grew up without a father. He never actually knew any of his parents. He grew up not knowing who his parents were. In fact, before he came into Kumo, he had a rough past, much worse than you since when we found him he was on the verge of death." Yugito explained

Inari eye were wide to know that N past was even more terrible than his own. Yugito then said, "Even though he survived, and cried some more after learning some truth about himself, he stopped crying and moved on." Inari eyes were now focusing on what Yugito was saying.

Yugito continue to speak about Naruto, "For the past couple of years, he had to work hard on how to learn to read, write and other stuff. Even when he was in the shinobi academy, he continue to push himself to get better for not only to gain the respect of the villagers, but also to prove, when the time comes, the whole world to acknowledge his existence." Said Yugito, before silently muttering, "Especially Konoha."

"As far as I can tell after all these years of difficulty that would be hard on any child, he just finally gotten sick and tired of crying…" Said Yugito, before looking at Inari, "… N knows what is means to be strong, just like you father. You probably may not know this, but N understands your feelings better than anyone else." Stated Yugito

After explaining, Yugito finished up her conversation with Inari, which she then took her leave, leaving Inari to think for a while.

Morning

Currently, everyone was outside. Kakashi was with his team, where they well go with Tazuna, while Yugito and her team, except Naruto, well go and search the final island that was nearby to see if it was either Zabuza's or Gatous hideout. Naruto is going to stay behind to keep an eye on Tsunami and Inari, just in case.

Once everything was set, they moved out. After everyone left, Naruto informed Tsunami that he is going to check out the area for bit to make sure there wasn't anyone suspicious lurking around or any of Gatou's men moving towards them.

Zabuza's hideout

In the hideout, Gatou's voice could be heard from the transmitter that was lying on the floor. Zabuza was now standing strong and ready for battle as well as his young subordinate.

"Shall we go Haku?" asked Zabuza

Haku replied, "Yes"

With Naruto

Naruto was silently leaping from tree to tree around the house from a distance of 700 yards distance. He kept a close watch on anything that looked weird or suspicious. As he leapt around the trees, he saw something around on the forest floor. He decided to investigate it.

Kakashi's group

Kakashi and the other that were walking with Tazuna hoped to see the workers of the bridge starting the construction work, but instead they saw a grimly sight. Right there in front of them, all of the workers were on the floor, injured.

Tazuna quickly went to one of them that were still conscious.

"Who did this?" Tazuna asked

The man answered, "A monster"

Once he answered it, the man clocked out, while Kakashi was having thought on who it was. At the same time as Tazuna, Kakashi and the genin were seeing on what happened on the bridge, 2 of Gatou's samurai guards were at the front of Tazuna's house, which Tsunami was in the kitchen cleaning the plates.

Kakashi had everyone go on guard, while also protecting Tazuna, since the mist that was around them was getting stronger and thicker, which Kakashi knew it was the Hidden Mist Jutsu. Everyone then heard what Kakashi suspected.

"Long time no see Kakashi. I see you're still with those brats… it looks like that one is trembling again. Poor kid." Stated Zabuza, which he was point at Sasuke

It was then that 6 Zabuza's appeared all around them, ready to strike. It was then that Sasuke replied, "I'm trembling…" looking up, showing his face of eagerness, "…with excitement."

Kakashi smiled, "Do it Sasuke." At that moment, Sasuke moved in incredible speed, to destroy all the Zabuza's which turned out to be Mizu no Bunshin (water clones). After the water clones were dealt with Zabuza and his subordinate came out.

"Hmm, he saw through the water clones. That brat has grown. It looks like a rival has appeared, Haku." Zabuza simple stated

"It does indeed." Answered Haku, wearing the kiri hunter nin mask.

Once Zabuza and Haku appeared, Kakashi said that his theory about Zabuza being alive was on the mark. He then saw his partner.

"The mask one… he's obviously Zabuza's comrade standing right next to him and all." Said Kakashi

It was then that Sasuke stepped forward and said that he'll fight him.

"Tricking us with that stupid act… I hate bastards like that the most." Sasuke explained

Sakura looked at Sasuke with hearts in her eyes as she saw Sasuke's determination and cool look on his face. Kakashi sighed at Sakura still having her fan girl mode on. They then heard Ko said that he'll back up Sasuke since he explained that it would be more efficient to take the mask shinobi on together than 1 on 1.

Sasuke told Ko to wait 1st before he gets in his way. Sasuke walked forward, which Haku quickly disappeared. Sasuke was barely able to defend himself . Sasuke used a kunai, while Haku used a senbon needle.

With Tsunami

Tsunami was finishing up cleaning the table when she heard slicing noises coming from wall behind her. She looked behind to see 2 people wearing katanas coming into the hole they made at the wall to enter the house.

One of them said, "Are you Tazuna's daughter? Sorry by you're coming with us." With an evil look and grin.

It was then that Inari heard the commotion which he went to investigate it. He saw 2 of Gatou's men coming towards his mother. When they heard Inari coming towards them, they turned to see him. One of them threaten that they only needed one hostage, which they started to click on their blades, showing that they wanted to slice Inari up. It was then Tsunami deal with them saying that she'll kill herself if her son was going to be killed, which they left him alone and took her instead.

As Tsunami was being taken away, Inari was apologizing to his mother as he hid in a corner for what is happening to her. He then started to remember on what N called him, as well as the conversation with Yugito, as well as the words his father once told him.

It was then that he decided to fight back since everyone around him was getting the courage to stand up and protect the ones or things they hold dearly. Inari went outside to see the 2 men just about to take his mother away. He demanded that they let his mother go or he'll beat them up.

Tsunami yelled at Inari to not do anything foolish, but the 2 men didn't care, which they prepared for Inari as he came running towards them. The 2 men were about to draw their swords to kill Inari, but everyone was surprised on what happened next.

The 2 men were a quarter away from fully drawing their swords when 2 arrows pierced below their right shoulders then at the forearm of their right arms then sending them to the ground with the arrows pinning them to the wooden walkway that lead to Tazuna's house. Both men screamed in pain, which they then tried to use their left hand to help them break free, but it was also disabled when 2 more arrows pierced through the middle of their left hand. The arrows went even deeper into the wood than the one in their shoulders.

Both men cried in pain until they went unconscious, since even though the arrows didn't hit any vital areas, they were still in a lot of pain for a bit until the lightning in the 2nd arrow shots had lighting going through them.

Both Tsunami and Inari were surprised on what happened. It was then that they heard, "Geez kid… next time you're going to attack someone makes sure you have some kind of shield or usable weapon to defend yourself from sword attacks since you wouldn't last very long. Think before you act."

They both turned to see N standing behind them with his bow in his left hand. He walked up as he continues to say, "… oh well, considering since you created a divergent for me to have clear shots at them, I say it went well." Before he looked down at the 2 unconscious men, "… these types of men are an embarrassment to samurais since samurai never take on innocent people."

"N-san" called out Tsunami, which gaining his attention, "How did you know these samurai were coming here?" Tsunami asked

"Oh, remember that I decided to scout the area. I found this cut up boar in the forest. Along with it, the area was cut up that would come from a sword, most likely from a katana. I found more cuts leading towards the house, which is where I figured that these guys must be coming after you 2. But that's in the past now. I think now your father might be proud at what you've done kid." Said N as he looked at Inari

Inari smiled as but then began to cry. Naruto and Tsunami heard Inari say that he wasn't going to cry anymore. It was then that Naruto said, "A guy who doesn't cry is strong, but a guy that cries in front of others is a called man in any happy situation."

Inari was happy to hear Naruto say that it was alright for all men to cry for happy moments like this. It was then that Naruto said, "If they attacked here, then the bridge could also be in danger. I'm also willing to bet that Gatou would appear there as well. This is the chance that I've been waiting for. Now then Inari you're in charge of the fort here. Keep your mother safe." Said Naruto

"Right N-san" which he saw Naruto run towards the bridge. As he ran, he hoped that Yugito and the rest of his team would return soon since he gets the feeling that this battle is going to be fierce.

Till next time

P.S. My poll for Naruto's family summoning creature will last until next week on monday morning. So vote now.

P.S.S this has been bugging me, but all of you have to agree with me that Sakura's parents were completely different from what we all thought, especially Sakura's mother, who I thought would have pink hair, or similar to appearance from both of her parents.