Previously on Naruto….
"Protect the bridge builder. And no matter what happens, stay out of this fight!" Kakashi yelled.
…
Sasuke froze. (That's impossible. The Sharingan belongs to the Uchiha Clan. My clan)
...
Peri reached into her back before grabbing a large shuriken. "SASUKE CATCH!" she yelled, throwing a large shuriken towards the Uchiha.
Catching the wind shuriken with one arm with a serious expression, "Wind Mill of Shadows!" Sasuke yelled, throwing the gigantic shuriken at him.
"Those stupid brats!" he growled releasing his water prison to dodge the incoming knife
…
Kakashi launched himself at the trees again, flashing out his Sharingan. A few seconds later, three unknown men fell to the ground unconscious. They were from the Foundation.
-Tazuna's House-
It's been three days since Team Seven's battle with Zabuza and Kakashi is still unconscious. He was now laying down on a mat with his students around him. "He's going to be a fine Father." a woman with long blue hair and kind eyes.
"Thank you Tsunami." Tazuna thanked his daughter.
"Yes thank you." Kakashi said now, sitting up and awake.
"Sensei no! You shouldn't be punishing yourself, you lost a lot of your chakra." Peri said, trying to get her teacher to lay back down. Just then a young boy ran into Tazuna in a giant hug, "Grandpa you're back!" the boy cheered, smiling up at him.
"Hey how have you been Inari?" Tazuna grinned.
"So who are these people, Grandpa?" the little boy asked.
"These Leaf ninjas are here to help me build the bridge I'm working on. They can get the job done much faster than an old man like me!" the bridge builder chuckled, patting the boy's back gently. Inari looked at the genin with a huge frown on his face almost in disbelief.
"Grandpa, they're all gonna die! There's no way they can beat Gato!" Inari spat.
"What did you say you brat!" Naruto growled, getting ready to hit him, but Kakashi stopped him. Tsunami came back to the living room and offered them lunch. There was salmon and onigiri with rice balls along with tea for the adults and milk for the children. Peri was wrapping a bandage around Kakashi's arm.
"Your sharingan, it takes up alot of chakra doesn't it? It leaves you in a state of fatigue, you probably shouldn't use it like that until you have mastered it." she said
"Haha, you're probably right, but right now that isn't an option. But thank you for helping me out." Kakashi chuckled.
(I don't get it, the sharingan is the kekkei genaki of the Uchiha Clan so why does sensei have it?) Peri thought to herself.
Just then, Pakkun came back into the house with a ninja of the Leaf Village's Anbu trailing behind the pug. "Pakkun, what did Lord Hokage say?" the copy ninja said.
"The hokage said he'll look into it and I actually have news for you. Sakura Haruno is being transferred to a different squad." the ninja hound said.
..
…
…
…..
…..
"WWWWWHHHHHHHAAAAATTTTT?!" Sakura and Naruto screamed.
"What do you mean! Why am I leaving?!" she screamed
"Ms. Haruno, you were only assigned to this team temporarily. Your class had the largest number of students graduating so we had to find another team that could. This is the first time we had a genuine team with four members and after Lord Hokage and Kurenai Yuki read your profile they strongly believed your talents would be best on her squad. I'm sure Iruka must have told you." the anbu said.
-Flashback-
"Alright, settle down everyone, it's time to announce the squads. Since there's a larger group, one of you will be temporarily placed on a team until further notice." Iruka said.
-End Flashback-
"B-B-But that's not fair!" the pink-haired wailed
"The decision has already been made. Please pack your things Ms. Haruno, we leave tomorrow. Your parents and your new team will be waiting for you." the Abnu said.
Sakura looked at her crush hoping that he would defend her and stop this from happening.
To the ravenette this was the greatest news he heard all day.
Sasuke hated Sakura. So to have the most irritating girl in the entire world leave his team? He wished they left today, he would pack the girl's bags for her.
-Leaf Village, Land of Fire-
Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting on his desk doing some paperwork. He just sent Pakkun back to the Land of Waves to report back to Kakashi with one of his anbu escorting the hound back. "I thought I already disbanded the Foundation. Just what is Danzo up to?" Hiruzen asked as he read Kakashi's report again.
After the civil war with so many lives lost and the Uchiha and Senju Clans were destroyed he personally disbanded the Foundation and removed Danzo from government power and from the council.
But Danzo was sneaky and extremely deceptive and he knew that better than anyone else. To make things worse, it could be possible that the council along with the elders were helping him from the shadows.
Whatever is going on he needs to get to the bottom of it and fast.
-Tazuna's House, Land of Waves-
The following day was bright and sunny, but to say that Naruto and Sakura were upset would be an understatement.
They were depressed.
Naruto was sad that he wasn't going to be with Sakura.
And Sakura was sad that she wasn't going to be with Sasuke. Iruka told them at the academy that Haruno was going to be temporarily on the team until they found her another team.
And deep down the girl had been hoping that they wouldn't find another team where she could stay with her crush. This was the closest she has ever been with Sasuke her whole life! Sure Sasuke doesn't talk to her that much and doesn't acknowledge her but at least he sees her!
And she hated the fact that Peri was going to stay with Sasuke!
Just thinking about it made her blood boil.
No way she was going to let some loser take HER Sasuke! Childhood friends or not!
(If we're going to be separated then I need to at least tell Sasuke how I feel. Then maybe even though we're on different team's he'll accept my feelings.) Sakura thought.
Walking over to the dark-haired boy who looked at her with a blank look. Peri was standing next to the boy and felt a stab of anger rise up inside her as the pink-haired girl walked over blushing.
(That tramp!) she growled
"S-Sasuke? I just...wanted to let you know that I liked you for a very long time and even though we're going to be on different teams. I-I want you to know I feel like you and I hope you can accept my feelings. So Sasuke...maybe...after this we can go one a date?" Sakura asked softly.
"No way. Leave me alone for good." Sasuke cooly replied
(I'll rip his head off!) Naruto growled
(That's harsh.) Kakashi and the Anbu flinched
Peri bit her lip to hide her laughter.
It was so quiet you could almost hear a twig snap. Sakura looked like she was going to cry, but tried to stay strong. "Y-You don't accept them now! I can wait! Just maybe we can do something together sometime."
"Never." Sasuke repeated before walking back to the house.
"SASUKE YOU JERK! COME BACK HERE!" Naruto yelled angrily, taking off after him.
…
The next day Kakashi gathered his three students outside into the small woods behind Tazuna's house. "Alright let's begin your training. Before we start, tell me what you know about chakra." the copy ninja asked.
"No need sensei Iruka-sensei told us all about catra!" Naruto grinned.
Everyone sweatdropped at the idiotic blonde.
"It's chakra not catra. So who wants to explain it?" he sighed.
Peri raised her hand with a bright blue and yellow stripe background behind her with a light bulb above her head.
"Listen up folks! So basically chakra is essential for all of the jutsu that shinobi use and for life. A shinobi can use it by combining physical energy or stamina and mental or spiritual energy together. By molding these two energies together a ninja can divide and scale their chakra in order to perform ninjutsu!" she finished.
"That's right good job Peri." he smiled
Naruto rolled his eyes. "What's the point knowing all of that! I mean we already use it, why do we need to know this stuff?"
"For once Naruto is right we already know how to use jutsu so what's the point of learning this?" Sasuke asked.
"No, you don't. Right now you're just wasting your chakra when you attack and that can be fatal in battle. Like Peri said, you need to know how to use the physical energy that comes from your body's cells and training and the mental energy from meditation. By combining the two of them together you can effectively use your jutsu without using too much chakra and with control, it will become more powerful." Kakashi explained.
"So how do we do that?" Peri asked
"By learning to mold and improve your chakra control." Kakashi answered.
"How do we do that?" Naruto asked
"By climbing a tree." Kakashi smiled cheerfully.
The trio face-planted the ground in a very comical way.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY CLIMBING A TREE?!" Naruto and Peri roared
Kakashi smirked at them and hobbled over to a tree with his crutches. Placing a foot on the tree bark the copy ninja walked up the tree much to the three genin's amazement.
"No way," Naruto whispered
(Oh! I remember this training exercise, Mom and Dad taught me how to do this!) Peri smiled
He stopped standing upside down on a branch looking down at Sasuke, Peri, and Naruto on the ground. "Do you understand now? If you want to be an excellent ninja you need to control your chakra. For this tree climbing practice exercise focus your chakra to the bottom of your feet. Feet are one of the body's key points and it's the easiest one to do." the gray-haired man explained throwing three kunai at them.
"So what should we do?" Sasuke asked, taking a kunai.
"Channel your chakra down to your feet and run up the tree. Try to make it to the top of the tree while making your progress with the kunai." Kakashi said, walking down the tree. The three kids made a hand sign focusing their chakra down to their feet.
(I'm gonna beat Sasuke and make it all the way to the top!) Naruto grinned with determination.
"Alright let's do this!" the Uzumaki said
"3. 2. 1. CHARGE!" Naruto, Peri, and Sasuke yelled running up the trees.
….
It couldn't have been more disastrous.
Naruto fell immediately.
Sasuke made a little progress, but his foot splintered the bark causing him to fall back down.
"Seems like you guys don't have good control over your chakra." Kakashi noted reading his book.
"Give us a break! They didn't go over it too much-"
"Did you fall asleep in class?" the copy ninja asked
"...Maybe."
"Then that's why."
"WHAT?!"
"Wow, this is a lot of fun~!"
The three boys looked at the tallest branch and saw Peri sitting down with a silly smile on her face sticking her tongue out at them.
"Well, it looks like Peri has the best chakra control in the group. I guess she's the closest Hokage and the Uchiha isn't so great after all." Kakashi mused
The two boys glared at their sensei.
"Preach the truth Kakashi-sensei! After the Senju Clan are hailed as the strongest for a reason" Peri cheered with a fist bump.
Effortlessly, she swung down the branches and landed next to her teammates. "But to tell you the truth, I've already done this exercise with my parents before the war. So this was kinda a refresher. But I'm still going to train some more." Peri said
"But you already know how to do it." Kakashi said, testing her commitment.
The Senju stood in front of the tree she was previously sitting on and focused her chakra to her feet once again. "Practice makes perfect. And I want to get stronger." she said.
Both Sasuke and Naruto looked at her and at each other then backed up the trees as they sprinted towards it. The copy ninja looked at the boys from the corner of his eyes.
(There's a fire in their eyes. They don't want to lose." he smiled at the kids who were still training.
All three of them were just like his old teammates pulling away from his memories. He took out his favorite book and began to read. After a couple of minutes, Kakashi watched his female student help the other two with the training. Sasuke was starting to make some progress being able to reach higher almost to the top. Naruto wasn't having too much success, but he was starting to get the hang of it.
"Remember that channeling chakra feels like water running down your arms! So try to direct the chakra to your feet so it feels like you're wearing wet socks!" Peri called running up the tree again
"Yes ma'am!" Naruto saluted as he ran up his own tree
"Hn."
"DON'T GRUNT AT ME YOU DUCKBUTT!" she yelled.
"Don't call me that!" Sasuke snapped
"Why? Your hair is like a duck's butt!" Peri yelled, slipping off the tree and crash-landed on Naruto to the ground.
"OW!"
"Idiots. You guys are total losers, you know that?" Sasuke smirked, crossing his arms standing on the top of the tree.
"SHUT UP SASUKE!" Naruto and Peri yelled with comedical sharp teeth and bulging eyes
"And you guys are too loud."
"SHUT UP SASUKE!"
The Uchiha smirked down at his friends.
Friends.
Peri has been Sasuke's since childhood. Despite everything being taken away from them leaving them completely alone she hasn't changed a bit. She was loud and silly as always. Some even ask how they were friends since they are so different.
Sasuke and Peri just clicked. They always have. And even though he's never told her he was grateful for her.
But it wasn't just her that was a friend. Now Sasuke was seeing Naruto and that surprised him since neither one could stand each other at the academy.
Maybe it was because of how the three of them worked together to defeat Zabuza.
Or maybe it was because Naruto, just like himself and Peri. All alone with nobody there to greet him at home.
And for some reason he was fine with that.
From another tree top their sensei was watching what argument below with amusement.
(Looks like they are starting to get along.) Kakashi chuckled.
It reminded him of his genin team. There were a lot of friendly arguments but when it came to it the three of them worked together perfectly. They were his family.
(If only I was able to save both Obito and Rin.) he said sadly, hiding the tears that fell from his eyes.
…
"I'm glad there was a medical kit at the store." Peri smiles.
"Why did you buy it?" Tazuna asked
The girl was asked by her sensei to escort the bridge builder into the town to get groceries for tonight's dinner, while in the store she saw a small medical kit on the shelf. "Well, since Zabuza's still alive I bought this just to be prepared." she explained
"Guess that makes sense. So where are the other two boys?" he asked.
"Sasuke and Naruto are still training with Kakashi-sensei." she replied and felt a small tug on her shirt.
Behind her was a scared eight-year-old boy wearing torn up clothes and no shoes.
"Excuse Miss, do you have any money?" the little boy squeaked. Peri nodded and immediately gave him some money and the lunches that she made for her teammates. She would just have to make them more later, the small boy gave her a hug before running off to his siblings giving her the food.
"Wasn't that your lunch?" Tazuna asked her.
"I'm not really hungry. " she answered
She looked around the town and frowned, the townspeople looked completely miserable and devoid of any happiness. No wonder Tazuna was so determined to finish the bridge. This was the only way to save his people.
"I hope you finish the bridge soon Mr. Tazuna, for everyone's sake." Peri said.
"Me too." the bridge builder replied looking at his friends with tears in his eyes. He was determined to finish the bridge; there was no way he would let Kaiza's death be in vain.
-Later that night-
Tsunami called everyone in for dinner. Peri was sitting next to Kakashi while Sasuke and Naruto were sitting across from each other having a good eating competition. A tick mark appeared on the brunette's forehead annoyed at her teammates.
"CUT IT OUT!" she screamed.
"No, I have to eat." Sasuke argued, wiping his mouth.
"And I have to eat more than him!" Naruto yelled, stuffing his mouth. You could practically see the lightning in their eyes. But that changed when their faces turned green and hurled up their stomachs.
Peri grimaced at the sight, punching the two boys on the head. Honestly, she cared for Naruto and Sasuke a lot, but they were complete idiots when it came to their rivalry.
Kakashi asked about the torn photo. "That was a photo of my son-in-law, Kaiza. He was trying to fight Gato before he was killed." Tazuna said grimly.
Just then Inari stormed out of the dining room and ran to his room slamming the door. Tsunami gave her father a stern glare before following her son to comfort. "It was his idea to build a bridge to the mainland and we both decided that this was the only way to defeat Gato once and for all." he continued
"So that's why Gato is after you." Naruto said
"Yes. I'm sorry for deceiving you and putting your lives in danger. But this land is poor, not even our feudal lords have money so paying for a higher rank mission is impossible. But I made this up to you somehow, it's getting late so follow me and I'll show you to your rooms." Tazuna said, leading the group up the stairs. There were two guest rooms, the boys shared one guest room while Peri stayed in the other room alone before they all went to sleep for the night.
The following day Sasuke, Peri, Kakashi, and Tazuna made their way to the bridge. Leaving early that morning Naruto was still asleep so they left him behind only leaving a note with him. Since their previous battle with Zabuza and told them that he was still alive Kakashi ordered them to patrol the village so far there hadn't been any sightings of him.
Finally, the group made it to the bridge only to be met with a terrible sight.
"W-What is this?!" Tazuna gasped
All of his construction workers were bloodied and unconscious.
"Is that how you thank me? You should be grateful I didn't kill them, Tazuna." a familiar gruff voice chuckled.
A thick mist rose from the sea circling around them. Zabuza and a mysterious masked boy came from the thick mist.
(Zabuza!) Sasuke and Peri exclaimed
"Peri and Sasuke protect the bridge builder!" Kakashi yelled, activating his sharingan.
"So that's the Copy Ninja's sharingan? It's an honor to see it in person." the masked boy said softly.
"And it seems like there are a few people. All the better let's wrap this up quickly so Gato can give us our money." Zabuza chuckled evilly.
Author's Note
Zabuza is back! And the fate of the Land of Waves hangs in the balance!
Will Team Seven be able to defeat the evil Zabuza? And who is this mysterious boy that has appeared?
And about Sakura.
I think it's safe to say that everyone doesn't like her. To those who do like her though I'm sorry and yes it was always the plan to put her on Kurenai's team. But she is still going to be in the story, she's not going to be killed off or anything.
~SenjuPrincess~