Chapter 29: Into the wave
Naruto was currently having lunch with Hana at a small ramen stand named Ichiraku's, it wasn't a five star restaurant nor a top rated food stand. But the food was quite appealing and wasn't overly expensive which was a plus since a shinobi's paycheck was very dependent on the rank and availability of missions, this date was an excellent chance for both of them to learn more about one another outside of their Shinobi lives.
Hana had found that while Naruto seemed cold and distant to others, he was actually a kind and caring person once you got to actually knew him. And Naruto discovered that much like Itachi Hana was somewhat of an odd ball in her clan.
While Hana retained the Inuzuka clan's unwavering loyalty to Konoha, she did not have the charge headfirst into battle mentality and was extremely humble when it came to her skills as a Shinobi, and if the accounts of Kakashi, Anko and Yamato were to go by anything than Hana was quite a powerful Shinobi in her own right especially when put together with her 3 dogs.
But before their date could continue any longer Naruto suddenly got a surge of memories, giving himself a moment to collect his thoughts. He realized the memory was from the clone assigned to the Hokage's office and the message was to report in person to the Hokage's office.
Naruto knew that if the Hokage wanted him personally in his office and not just a clone, than it was something serious. Quickly Naruto told Hana about receiving a message from the Hokage and him having to cut their date short because of it.
Hearing this Hana became skeptical of Naruto, fearing that he no longer wanting to have lunch with her and was just looking for an excuse to get out of the date.
But Naruto quickly assured her that was not the case and even promised to take her on as many dates as she wanted when the issue had been resolved. Though still slightly irked at having her date time cut short she accepted and allowed Naruto to pay for her food before leaving by hoping onto the rooftops.
Dashing over the rooftops he quickly came in sight of the Hokage tower, and flipped through the open window and landed next to the Hokage's desk in a kneeling position, with his head bowed Naruto said, "Here as commanded Hokage-sama."
The Hokage who was sitting at his desk just chuckled and said, "Ah Naruto-kun that was quick,"
Without lifting his head Naruto just answered, "I assumed the news was urgent so I came as quickly as possible, I was also in the area when I received the message."
Sarutobi just responded, "Good, good excellent you can stand now Naruto. I need you on a mission."
Naruto stood back up and looked around the room to discover that Team 8 with the exception of Kurenai was in the room. Naruto nodded to Team 8 as the Hokage handed Naruto a scroll.
Naruto opened it and read through it quickly to discover that it was a distress message from Team 7, apparently they had encountered a pair of C-classed missing-nin that are known as the Demon brothers of the mist. Naruto thought to himself, "It has only been a few hours and this has happened already."
Apparently Kakashi feared that they were just the welcoming party Gato hand sent and that they would soon send stronger opposition at them.
Closing the scroll Naruto said, "While I agree in sending backup for Team 7, I do not understand why you called me Hokage-sama."
Raising an eyebrow Sarutobi responded, "Isn't it obvious Naruto-kun, I want you to lead Team 8 and serve as backup for Team 7."
Naruto was slightly shocked at this statement, "Hokage-sama no offense to your judgment, but shouldn't a more experienced Shinobi lead this mission?"
The Sandaime just shook his head, "Your knowledge on the wave makes you invaluable to this mission, and while I would normally assign your respective Jonin sensei's to go with you. I need to have both Kurenai and Anko on standby for a possible mission in a few days."
Naruto just sighed and asked, "Are you sure about this Hokage-sama, this could potentially become a disaster and that there might be a chance that you will need to send out a recovery team for our bodies next."
Sarutobi shuddered slightly at Naruto's prediction, but he knew that this was a chance to instill some confidence in Naruto's skills. As strong as Naruto was he always had some doubt on his skill level and would often decline high ranked missions that he could definitely do with ease.
Heck Anko had to strong arm Naruto into most of the C-rank missions, but not even Anko could get Naruto to take an A-rank or even a B-rank yet. Even though Naruto could have easily completed the missions without any issues especially if Anko went along with him. But no more Mister nice Hokage Sarutobi wasn't going to ask Naruto to do this mission… he was ordering him to do it.
Sarutobi shut his eyes and leaned back on his chair for a moment than said to Naruto, "Yes I will take my chances with this mission since the probability of success is substantially higher than the failure chance. While I do not like to do this but I believe this trial by fire will greatly help you Naruto-kun."
Naruto took a deep breath and said, "Than by your command Hokage-sama I will lead Team 8 into the wave to backup Team 7."
"And with a smile too right Naruto-kun?" Sarutobi asked with a grin. Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Yes Hokage-sama…"
"Excellent, since I'm also promoting you to acting chunin for the duration of this mission, in case that the genin of Team 7 give you any trouble. And because I'm assigning you and Team 8 a secondary situational mission, The Hokage said as he threw 3 additional scrolls to Naruto, one being the backup mission scroll the second being an official report that said he was being promoted to Chunin till his return to Konoha. And the 3rd scroll Naruto opened and read through it.
"You want us to scout and if given the opportunity you want us to infiltrate Gato's mansion and assassinate him? Naruto asked.
Sarutobi just nodded and said, "Correct, even if Tazuna were to complete the bridge Gato could still either destroy it or take control of it after we leave Wave country. So I want him removed from wave country…. Permanently!
Naruto bit his thumb in thought for a moment than nodded and walked over too Team 8 who just stood and watched the whole interaction between Naruto and their Hokage. "Team 8 you have 15 minutes to inform your loved ones of this mission and please pack enough clothes and basic supplies for 1 month there will be no need to bring a tent and sleeping bags are optional. Than meet up at the main gate for deployment….. I advise you do not make me come find you."
With that Kiba and Shino immediately ran out the door toward their respective homes. Hinata and Naruto quickly dashed back to the Hyuga compound to grab their gear, since Naruto often insisted they always keep a set of all the necessities for a mission sealed in a few scrolls they didn't really need to pack anything.
Grabbing the scrolls Hinata put them into her pack when Naruto wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled her into a hug. They stayed like this for a couple of seconds before Naruto released her and pressed his forehead against hers and said, "Hina-hime you do remember what I told you right? For the duration of this mission we cannot show affection in public. Our enemies will take advantage of this and use it against us so even when you address me it's temporary Naruto-sensei okay?
Hinata just giggled and caressed his face, "I didn't expect you to be so kinky Naruto-sensei."
Naruto let out a light snort than replied, "I'm serious Hina-hime."
Hinata leaned in and gave him a soft peck on the lips and said, "I know, I was just trying to lighten you up a bit. You always get so tense on missions."
Naruto ran his fingers over her lips just said, "I just want you to be safe Hime."
Hinata rested her head on his chest and answered, "I will, don't worry."
Naruto held her closer to his body while softly petting her hair for a moment before they both left the room and headed toward Hiashi's office to inform him of a mission they both had before they both left toward the main gate.
Arriving Naruto bought Hinata some snacks from a vender as she went over to a bench to inspect the scrolls their gear was sealed in, while Naruto walked over to the gate guards to sign-out Team 8.
As expected Shino was the next to arrive with Kiba being nearly late. After a quick run through of the twos supplies they took off with haste toward the direction of wave. Because Team 7 was traveling with a civilian than most likely they were just walking, and if Team 8 were to keep up a steady pace that didn't expend all their energy then they would be able to catch up in about an hour.
Around a Hour later
With Team 7
Kakashi was not having a fun time at all at the moment, currently he was stuck inside a water prison because of a foolish mistake he had made. And now was forced to watch as Zabuza toyed with his students using water clones.
While Sasuke believed himself to be strong and unbeatable that was anything but the truth as Kakashi watched Zabuza's clone throw and kick Sasuke around. If he wasn't in this situation Kakashi would almost find this humorous. Sakura on the other hand, who was supposed to be guarding the client, was now frozen and cowering in fear. Sai on the other hand was trying his best to fight off multiple of Zabuza's clones and while he was able to fight off a clone or two Sai was tiring quickly and was losing ground fast.
And lastly Tazuna was on his knees as he silently prayed to Kami above, as he tried to block out the fighting around him. Zabuza most likely wanted to bring the client back to Gato to be made an example of or he was just saving him for last.
A large clang marked when Sai had been disarmed of his tanto and was now forced onto his knees Sasuke and Sakura were faring no better, Sakura was still frozen in fear while Sasuke was spewing curses at the clone of Zabuza.
Another clone came up behind Sasuke and lifted him off the ground so he was now on his knees, the clone then planted a foot on his upper back and pulled both his arms backwards so now the back of his neck was exposed to Zabuza.
"So almighty Uchiha how does it feel to be on the brink of death, I guess in the end your name means really nothing…. Well actually at least I will be known from now on as the slayer of the last Uchiha of Konoha." The water clone of Zabuza said as he prepared to raise his blade to chop his head off.
"Fuck you! Let me go and I'll show you how to really use that sword and put you in your place." Sasuke yelled.
Zabuza just roared with laughter and said, "Maybe I should just keep you alive boy since you amuse me, but then I would have to cut your arms and legs off to insure you scamper off like the rat you are. But then again I rather not have to feed and care for your useless self."
Just as the clones of Zabuza was about to simultaneously bring their swords down onto the genin's necks, a whizzing sound buzzing sound and whirling sound in the air suddenly attracted the attention of Zabuza Team 7 and Tazuna.
An arrow ripped through the mist and destroyed the two clones that were standing over Sakura, a swarm of bugs emerged from the bushes around them and surrounded the clones holding down Sai and two whirlwinds of fangs burst out of the ground destroying the 2 clones standing over Sasuke.
Almost immediately Sasuke tried to rush at Zabuza who was standing on top of the lake but was stopped in his tracks when wooden stocks burst out of the ground wrapping and rooting Sasuke on the spot.
Kakashi eyes widened he saw the wood that bound Sasuke, only two people in the entirety of Konoha could use that ability. But only one of them could use it with such ease.
Zabuza's face broke out in a grin and said to nobody in particular, "My, my wont it be nice seeing him again!"
Kakashi thought to himself, "What, what in the world does he mean by that."
But before he could get any further into his thought Kakashi noticed the mist completely cleared to reveal Naruto and 2 of the 4 members of Team 8. Kiba and Naruto stood closest to them by the edge of the lake while Shino stood further behind them and the Hyuga heiress and Kurenai was unseen.
"A perfectly set team position, why couldn't my team act like this." Kakashi thought to himself. Suddenly he felt the water prison shudder for a moment and when he looked over at Zabuza he noticed that he had made a water clone to hold the prison instead of him and now the real Zabuza was heading to shore where Naruto was.
Seeing this giant intimidating man walk toward them Kiba shook slightly in fear, Naruto sensing this signaled for him to move back. Kiba immediately complied and took a few steps backwards away from Zabuza.
Shino and Hinata both watched the movements of Zabuza very carefully, both ready to respond in a moment if Zabuza were to make any sudden attacks on their squad leader. But none of that happened and Hinata lessened the tension of her bow string when she saw Zabuza take his sword and stab it onto the ground.
After a tense moment Zabuza said, "Well Shodai-gaki it's quite the pleasure to see you again, and might I say you've grown quite a bit in that time."
Naruto let out a light chuckle, "As you Zabuza let's just say I'm an early bloomer."
Zabuza responded with a chuckle of his own and said, "Obviously."
Naruto than questioned, "So Zabuza the reason you are attacking my fellow Konoha Shinobi, does it have to do with Gato?"
Zabuza raised an eyebrow and said, "So you know, while I don't necessarily like the man. A job is a job and funding a revolution isn't cheap you know…"
Naruto smirked, "Still chasing that goal aren't you?"
Zabuza nodded
"What if I gave you a proposition that was better than Gato's?" Naruto asked.
Zabuza just answered, "I'm listening."
Naruto responded slightly softer in a whisper so that nobody else would hear especially not the Uchiha, "I want you to go back to Gato and pretend you failed in killing the bridge builder, after that I ask you to help me layout the entirety of Gato's mansion where on a later determined date we will infiltrate the mansion kill Gato and you can take your share of his vast fortune."
Zabuza looked like he was deep in thought so Naruto decided to further persuade him slightly, "Unlike me Gato is not bound to the honor code of the Shinobi, if he is given the chance he will most likely betray you."
Zabuza narrowed his eyes at that thought and said, "Fine, we will do it your way. At least I can trust you."
Naruto just smiled and said, "I knew you would see it my way….. Oh by the way how are Haku and Kimimaro?
Zabuza's face instantly changed from a smile to anger as in a flash he had grabbed Naruto by the neck lifting him off the ground and began shaking him violently while yelling,
"DO YOU KNOW HOW ANNOYING HAKU GETS BECAUSE OF KIMIMARO!… IT'S ALWAYS POOR KIMIMARO THIS… POOR KIMIMARO THAT…. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO HARD IN TRAINING WITH KIMIMARO…. KIMIMARO LOOKS TIRED CAN WE REST! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I WANTED TO SLIT MY OWN THROAT JUST SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO HEAR HER WHINE… DO YOU
Before Zabuza could say any more or choke the life out of Naruto any longer he saw an arrow whizz through the air right at his head seeing he had no time to block it he released Naruto and jumped backwards, but what Zabuza didn't expect was a whizzing from behind him as he turned and saw a light blue icicle flying through the air from behind him just barely missing him and colliding with the arrow.
Within a blink of an eye there was a loud clang of metal and almost exactly where Zabuza was standing before was Haku and another girl who most likely was a Hyuga due to her Byakugan eyes.
Clashing and grinding their kunai's against one another's at eye level while using their other hands to try and help to push the opposition's kunai back.
Haku leaned against Hinata allowing her to gain some slight ground on the Hyuga heiress and gritted out too her, "Come on princess, my tiny rabbit gives me more of a workout then you are."
Hinata glared at Haku then directed more of her chakra into her arms so now she was now pushing Haku back, "Really now, if I do say so myself my sisters pet fox fights better than you do."
Things started escalating out of control badly as the grinding sound became louder and sparks were actually being produced by the two kunai's. Immediately both Zabuza and Naruto called out simultaneously.
"Hinata/Haku."
"STOP!"
They both instantly disengaged one another with Haku falling back to Zabuza's side but kept an offensive stance and Hinata while not taking her eyes off her Haku kneeled beside the already kneeling
Naruto and inspected his neck which still had the imprints of Zabuza's hands on it.
While Hinata wanted to fuss over him and hold him close to her to comfort him, she knew at this moment at least in public she couldn't do it so she took the next best route which was to take out her medicinal cream and offer it to Naruto to allow him to dab it on himself. Though Hinata would have liked to personally rub the cream on Naruto herself. "Giggle… Giggle… Stop Hinata it's not the time for that." Hinata thought to herself.
After handing Naruto her cream, Hinata resumed back her offensive stance and glared down the other girl.
Cough a couple of times to relax his throat, Naruto waved one of his hands and Zabuza sensed the water clone holding Kakashi dispel, turning his head toward the lake Zabuza noticed a wooden barge was now floating on-top of the water surface with a unconscious Kakashi laying on it.
Zabuza raised an eyebrow at that and said to himself, "Oops." Completely forgetting he was drowning the Jonin for the last few minutes. At this moment a slightly drenched and shivering Kimimaro appeared next to Zabuza. "I'm sorry Zabuza-sama I tried to stop Haku-chan but she bound me with her ice before I could react and dashed off to intervene."
Zabuza just grinned and said, "It's fine Kimimaro, the Shodai-gaki was inquiring about you two anyway.
Kimimaro tilted his head to inspect the now standing Naruto, he almost took a step back at how much he had changed since the last time they met. While Naruto was quite tall for his age when they first met standing around 4'7-4'9 he was now around a whopping 5'5 just a few years later.
Kimimaro bowed his head at the boy that had saved him from the Kiri-nin and persuaded Zabuza to take him along and care for him.
"It's an honor to see you again Shodaime-sama…."
Naruto sweat dropped and thought to himself, "All these years and they still call me that."
Naruto gave Kimimaro a smile and said to him, "As you Kimimaro, I hope you've grown stronger in your travels with Zabuza and Haku?"
Kimimaro just nodded and said, "Of course Shodaime-sama, I would never allow the most gracious opportunity you have given me to go to waste."
"That's good to hear," Naruto responded. Than Naruto turned around to survey the condition of Team 7, Sai though slightly bruised and beaten up was just sitting idly by on a rock sketching something, Sakura was still hiding behind a tree trunk slightly shaking while staring at them. Tazuna still had his hands clasped together in a praying posture, believing that Naruto and his team was Kami answering his call and if he stopped praying then they would vanish into thin air.
And Sasuke was still bound with a branch full of leaves thrust into his mouth to act as a gag so he wouldn't yell or demand things.
Turning back to Zabuza Naruto said, "So you know the plan right Zabuza?"
Zabuza nodded.
Naruto gave him a light smile and said, "Have Haku or Kimimaro come to Tazuna's house after a couple of days, and I will be scouting around the mansion and town as well.
So let's convey later on with the information we have both gathered. Oh and I think you guys should leave now the client and the pink hair girl looks like they are on the verge of releasing their bowels and having a heart attack at the same time."
Hearing this Zabuza decided to peer over Naruto's shoulder and give Tazuna and Sakura one more devilish grin before he vanished with Kimimaro and Haku in tow.
Seeing that they were gone Naruto did a down motion with his hands while pointing at Sasuke and the wood retreated back into the ground.
Sasuke coughed a few leaves out of his mouth then yelled, "YOU BASTARD! WHY DID YOU STOP ME FROM KILLING HIM AND TAKING HIS SWORD?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes at Sasuke and said to him, "Zabuza would have easily decimated you Uchiha…. By binding you up I was saving you from yourself, had I not stopped you Zabuza would have cleaved you in-half… And one more thing Uchiha I would watch your tone with who you're speaking too, cause at this very moment I am your commanding officer."
Sasuke spat out in Naruto's direction, "I AM A UCHIHA NOBODY COMMANDS ME, DON'T THINK YOUR SO SPECIAL BECAUSE YOU WERE GIVEN THE RANK OF ELITE GENIN BY THAT OLD FOO… GHACK"
Sasuke tried to finish but Naruto had dashed over to him wrapped his hand around his neck and lifted him off the ground, "Insult Hokage-sama again and I execute you for treason Uchiha, or I can just kill you and write it off on the mission statement as casualty during a mission. I implore you to not test my patience any further."
With that Naruto threw Sasuke onto the ground, than took out a scroll from his vest and unraveled it and showed it to Sasuke who was still on the floor. "Even if I was just an Elite Genin because your Jonin sensei is currently incapacitated thus I am authorized to take control of your team. But since you don't believe that is enough for you, Hokage-sama has already foreseen your stupidity and given me the rank of Acting Chunin so until Kakashi-sensei is healthy enough to lead Team 7 again I will be taking over…
Turning to look at Sai who was staring at him Naruto asked, "Do you have any problems with these arrangements Sai?"
Sai smiled at Naruto and answered, "Not at all Naruto-sensei. Since you are the strongest of all of us here then it would only make sense that you lead us."
Naruto gave him a nod than turned to Sakura who was glaring daggers at him, though still hiding behind a tree. Judging by her expression Naruto assumed she got the message so he walked over to the water's edge and pulsed his chakra causing the barge holding Kakashi to float towards the shore.
Once the barge reached the shore Naruto stepped onto it and kneeled down beside Kakashi and slapped him in the face a few times… no response.
Naruto than took his palm hovered it over his chest than slammed it while it was laced full of chakra right into Kakashi chest… it was pretty much a jukan strike but it had the correct effect as Kakashi coughed out some water through his mask don't ask how it happened and his eyes flickered open.
"Welcome back to the realm of the conscious Kakashi-sensei."
Blinking a few times to get rid of the water in his eyes, "Naruto?" Kakashi asked. Instantly he shot up and looked around.
"Where is Zabuza? Is the client okay?"
Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Don't worry Kakashi-sensei I've dealt with the issue of Zabuza and the client is currently fine, you on the other hand will be out of commission for a couple of days. You all but used up your chakra supply to prevent yourself from drowning and about….. now you should be feeling the after effects of that."
Right on cue Kakashi grasped his head, and had to be helped back down onto the barge by Naruto. After a moment the pain subsided slightly and Kakashi was able to say, "So what happens to the mission and the client now?"
Naruto replied, "Team's 7 C-rank mission will stay the same you will protect the client until the bridge is complete. Team 8's mission was to provide back-up to Team 7 and we have completed that mission."
"So you're leaving now?" Kakashi asked in a slightly worried tone.
Naruto shook his head and said, "No, Hokage-sama has promoted me to acting Chunin of Team 8 so we can do our secondary mission. But before I begin this mission I want to ensure that you are healthy enough to lead Team 7 again."
Kakashi let out a sigh, "Well that's a relief, I trust and agree with Hokage-sama's judgment of putting you in charge. There is no one else I have more faith in than you."
Naruto smiled down at Kakashi and said, "Get some rest sensei I'll have Team 7 carry you the rest of the way to the clients house."
Kakashi just chuckled as Naruto stood up, "They won't like the sound of that." Naruto just answered with a snort and a laugh, "I know they won't."
Using his Mokuton abilities Naruto formed a Kakashi sized stretcher and turned to Team 7, Sasuke was tending to his wounds while the apparently recovered Sakura was attempting to help him. Help that he denied again and again. And Sai was caring for his own wounds as well.
Walking over to the group Sakura and Sasuke immediately leered at him, Naruto ignored their glares and said, "Sasuke, Sai when you two finish with your wounds move Kakashi-sensei too the stretcher I have provided and you two will carry him to the clients house…."
Sasuke snarled at him, "Why do I have to do it, not only am I injured but I'm an Uchiha people carry us around not the other way around. So why don't you be a proper leader and order the mutt and the bug boy to do it."
Sakura deciding to add her part at defending her true love added on, "Yeah you're obviously too stupid to lead a team, you should just hand that power over to Sasuke-kun he'll know what to do."
Naruto decided to ignore Sakura's comment and said, "I selected you two because like you said Uchiha you are injured, therefore if a combat situation were to take place than you would be at a disadvantaged compared to Kiba and Shino who are both battle ready… And one more thing it matters little if I am an incompetent leader or not understand this, this setup is not a democracy when I lead a team it instantly becomes a dictatorship with me being at the top so when I give a command I expect it to be followed. Failure to comply will result in harsh consequences."
With that Naruto left Team 7 leaving the last bit for them to dwell on and walked over to Tazuna. Glaring down at the praying old man Naruto said, "You can stop praying now Tazuna, Though if you don't give me a good excuse to why you lied to us about this mission than I'll really give you something to pray about.
Tazuna pleaded, "Please Shinobi-sama you have to understand Wave country is poor we don't have the necessary funds to pay for a higher rank mission, the services of Shinobi aren't cheap. Please understand how desperate we are in Wave, there are families that are now starving and homeless because they gave me what little funds they had in order to pay for my journey and this mission."
Naruto's glare lessened but it was still a glare nonetheless, "While your story is heart wrenching, your actions could have attributed to the death of multiple Konoha Shinobi. I may not necessary like all of them but they are still fellow Shinobi…
Naruto took a step closer to Tazuna and the man immediately tensed up, at the moment Tazuna did not know whether to be scared or happy that this new Shinobi was so much more serious about his job when compared to the scarecrow.
"But just to let you know any other Shinobi village would have executed you on the spot and left your body for scavengers, I'm tempted to do the same but the Hokage was gracious enough to allow your transgression to slide and even comprise a secondary mission for my team in order for your country to one day stand back on its own two feet."
"What is that secondary mission if I might ask Shinobi-sama?" Tazuna asked with wide eyes.
Naruto just answered, "To kill Gato…"
Tazuna's eyes widened even further and sputtered out, "What…"
Seeing that Team 7 had moved Kakashi's body onto the stretcher so Naruto turned to Tazuna and said, "I cannot reveal mission details too you Tazuna, all you need to do is build your bridge and we will take care of the rest."
Thus the journey to Tazuna's house continued, it was another long hour of whining and complaining from the Uchiha before they reached Tazuna's house. This was a small shack if one could call it that, it sat on top of stilts placed into the water.
Crossing the wooden pathways that led over the water to the house, they weren't even halfway across the pathway when the door to Tazuna's house bust open and out ran a woman in her late twenties. She immediately ran over to Tazuna and hugged and cried into his shoulder. "Father you're home!"
Tazuna softly patted his daughter on the back and said, "Tsunami everything is okay now, I've bought help to Wave country."
Just as Tsunami went over hug Naruto, he raised his hand to stop her. "Madame… Please these shows of sentiment are inappropriate, if you wish to thank us than I require a room for my injured comrade." Naruto said as he stepped aside slightly to show the two male members carrying Kakashi on the stretcher.
"Oh" Tsunami said as she let out a gasp and placed her hands over her mouth. "Right away please come inside." With this she quickly hurried them inside the house before shutting the door and leading the two boys carrying the stretcher into one of the guest's rooms.
After Naruto took a quick look over of Kakashi with his extremely limited medical skills, as he was heading down the stairs too the dining room where Team 7 and Team 8 was he heard Kiba and Sasuke arguing.
"I am an Uchiha, I am the one that is deserving to stay inside this house. Mutt's like you and the bug boy should stay outside. But Hinata on the other hand can stay with me in my room." Sasuke said with a smirk.
Kiba snarled at Sasuke and said, "Not happening Uchiha… We were the ones that had to come save your puny behind so we should have the honors in the house, and Hinata would rather drown herself than share a room with you."
Sasuke glared heavily at him and replied, "Nobody was asking you mutt I was commanding you…..
"THAT IS ENOUGH." Naruto yelled as he walked down the stairs, "Remember your place Uchiha I am the one in charge of this mission not you….. And Kiba I expected better of you, that is no need to argue with fools….."
Sasuke snarled in Naruto's direction but did not further provoke him. Naruto turned to Shino and asked, "What was the issue they were arguing about Shino?"
But before Shino could answer Naruto, Tsunami said "It is my fault Shinobi-san, as you see our house isn't very large and I didn't expect there to be two teams accompanying my father. So I wasn't prepared for this, the issue is that there just isn't enough room's to support all these people…"
Tsunami finished with a slightly flinch when Naruto directed his eyes over to her, with a confused look Naruto asked, "And what of the guest house in the back?"
Returning the confused look Tsunami asked, "Guest house? We don't have a guest house."
Naruto walked over to the back door and beckoned them to come outside, the members of both Team 8 and 7, Tazuna, Tsunami and a little boy by the name of Inari followed Naruto into the back of the deck of the house. Where they looked out in the sea Tsunami said, "As I told you Shinobi-san there is nothing out here except the sea…"
Naruto continued to look out into the sea, "Madame I insists it's right there." Naruto said as he pointed at the water some fifteen meters away from the house.
Just as Sasuke was about to say something about Naruto being crazy and hallucinating, Naruto flipped his hand over so his palm was facing up and slowly lifted his hand as a loud rumble was suddenly heard emanating from the depths of the sea. The water began to churn as Tazuna's house shook to its very core, if he wasn't so engulfed in the spectacle happening in the sea he would have definitely feared for the integrity of his house.
All but Hinata's jaws fell to the floor as a large 2 story house rose out of the ocean, after it completely rose up wooden planks connected Tazuna's house to his newly constructed Guest house.
"Like I said guest house…" Naruto said "Now if you don't mind Tsunami-san, me and Team 8 will be renting your guest house for
the duration of this mission. Is that okay with you?"
Tsunami still in shock just nodded, Sakura than said. "Wait a minute what do you mean only you and Team 8?"
"Isn't it obvious Haruno Team 7 will stay in Tazuna's main house, while Team 8 will rent out their guest house." Naruto answered.
"Why do you get to stay in the new house, while we have to stay in the old one?" Sakura shrieked
Naruto raised an eyebrow at her and said, "Really now Haruno you don't want to waste your precious Uchiha's efforts now do you? Did he not have a whole argument with Kiba just now about who will be staying inside Tazuna's house? Well since he insisted it so badly than he shall have it… Also Team 7's mission is to protect the client and his family would it not be more logical to do it by living as close to them as possible?"
Sakura just glared at him seeing that it would be impossible to win an argument against Naruto.
Seeing that Sakura wasn't going to argue with him any longer Naruto walked over to the door of the newly constructed house and said, "Team 8 let's call it a day, running here nonstop has been tiring so get some rest and we will begin surveillance tomorrow.
As Team 8 retired into the new house, the remaining audience was still slightly in shock at the magnitude Naruto's powers.
But while most of them were in a shock and awe, one of them was in anger and hate. Sasuke's fists were clenched in resentment, every time Sasuke thought he was coming even remotely close to matching Naruto in terms of skill. Naruto just grew stronger and faster and his progress just never seemed to slow down. It was absurd how Naruto had all this strength and power while he as an Uchiha had nothing compared to him.
The next day
An hour or two after sunup
Screaming… who in the world was screaming this bloody early in the morning.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Instantly both Team 8 and 7 were at the front of the house and were joined by Tazuna, Tsunami, Inari and even Kakashi as they witnessed as Naruto and 3 of his clones dragged a man by his hair up the wooden pathway, Naruto didn't say anything to anybody as he dragged the man around the back of Tazuna's main house to the platform in between the guest and main house. Where he was tied to a wooden cross Naruto had just raised out of the wood.
After the clones had tied the man tightly onto the cross, Naruto told them to get him a bucket and fill it with salt water. The clone ran off to get the bucket while Naruto walked up to the man in a cold voice he asked, "Where are the other hideouts?"
The captive wasn't going to just spill his guts to some boy, he was one of Gato's right hand men there was no way some boy was going to break him. "Buzz off you punk ass…."
A loud smack resonated as Naruto backhanded his prisoner mid-sentence. Naruto repeated in the same cold voice, "Where are the other hideouts?"
The prisoner laughed in Naruto's face, "Is that the best you can do punk? How about you let me loose and I'll show you how to really torture somebody." He said with a grin
Naruto narrowed his eyes and took out a Kunai from his pouch; this got the man's attention as Naruto saw him flinch slightly.
"You really going to think that thin piece of steel will change anything boy." The man said trying to keep his strong composure. "Just wait till I get out and kill you, then I'll add that cute little brunette you have over there to my collection."
Naruto didn't know what trigger this hatred swelling up in him at the very moment; he had been trained to combat emotions out in the field. Itachi spent so much time teaching him how to hold back his feelings. But what this scum had just said to him and what Naruto saw earlier today made his very blood boil.
Thump, Thump
Thump, Thump
Thump, Thump
Naruto's heart beat was loud and his vision was soon becoming blood red, while usually Hashirama wouldn't approve of Naruto using Kurama's chakra in a non-battle environment, even he was so disgusted by this man actions that he just allowed Kurama's chakra free reign to pass into Naruto's body.
And yet while Naruto would like nothing more than to tear this man to pieces, he held most of Kurama's chakra back, knowing there would be consequences if he went full Kyubi mode on this filth.
But still there were changes to his body, his eyes changed from cerulean to a slightly glowing blood red, his nails elongated into charge claws and his two canines sharped and lengthened and his whisker marks became slightly more pronounced.
In a flash Naruto slammed the hilt of the Kunai into the man's nose shattering it beyond repair, there were some gasps from the audience. But Sasuke who had been rudely awoke was cranky and pissed at the moment so in his usual Uchiha ignorance he yelled out, "What the hell Naruto fucking leave that civilian alone so we can all go back to sleep you idiot."
Kakashi flinched at this and instantly move to reprimand Sasuke, but before he even could limp over to him. Naruto let out a loud growl than with an uppercut he cleaved off the man's entire left arm along with the wood it was bound too with his claws.
The man let out a blood curdling scream as it took a moment for his brain to process what just happened.
Horror washed over the faces of everybody present as Naruto turned around and everybody saw his new features.
Tsunami immediately covered her son's eyes and dragged him into the house. Tazuna felt like he wanted to throw up as he watched the severed arm soar in an arch than land in the water.
Both Kiba and Shino took a step back as they had never seen Naruto this angry and would definitely redouble their efforts to protect Hinata least they be targeted by his rage next.
Hinata just softly stared into Naruto's eyes with concern and love knowing that if necessary she would have to step in to stop him from losing control.
Sakura had straight up fainted on the spot, and Sasuke well… he had lost control of his bladder and ruined his nightclothes.
At this point Sasuke had come under the full bearing of Naruto's killing intent and so desperately wished that he had not said anything in the first place. But what scared Sasuke even more was when Naruto said in an almost demonic voice, "Uchiha…. What did I say about questioning my actions or pushing my buttons?"
Sasuke gulped as he felt even more killing intent bear down on him, Zabuza's was nothing compared to this, this felt like pure demonic evil something….. Not human. So it pained Sasuke greatly when he uttered out, "My bad…"
Naruto turned back to his prisoner who was unconscious from the pain, Naruto motioned for the clone that had gone to get the pail of salt water and immediately the clone splashed the man in the face with it.
The man instantly woke from the shock of the 'salt' water and started howling uncontrollably while crying in pain, as harsh as the pain was the man knew that he was going to bleed out in a couple of minutes then it would be all over.
But Naruto would give him no mercy as he placed his palm right on the stump where his arm had once been putting a tiny amount of force on the wound Naruto growled, "I'm going to ask you again….Where are the other hideouts."
If one thing the prisoner was he was stubborn as he remained unwilling to spill his secrets and believed that Naruto could do no worse to him and that soon he would be dead and the blonde brat's mission would be a failure.
Sadly Naruto had other plans for him as he pumped Kurama's chakra into the palm that was on the man's wound and instantly burning fleshing and charring sounds could be heard as the man once again let out a horrific scream as the wound was being cauterized to all but stop the blood from pouring out.
The man was on his last rope; his body could take no more the blonde brat had all but halted his death and prolonged his suffering under his hands. It was at this moment his will had finally cracked and he basically involuntarily told everything to the boy.
"There's one in the abandoned coal mine… the warehouse at the far end of the city… a little unknown cave a mile north of the pier… and the largest one is inside Gato's dungeon beneath his house."
Naruto clenched his fist harder with every location the man listed, his nails digging into the palm of his hand. In a flash Naruto had put his fist through the man's chest and now held his heart in his hand.
Clenching it Naruto leaned in and whispered to the man, "Take your last moments of comfort… and know that what I did to you now will be minuscule compared to the punishment the Shimigami will invoke on scum like you for all eternity."
With his piece said Naruto ripped the man's heart out of his chest and set it ablaze with Kurama's chakra. Then with a wave of his hand the cross separated from the rest of the wooden platform which allowed his clones to pick it up and throw it and the man's body into the sea.
Without saying a word to anybody Naruto's clones dispelled and he walked into the house he created yesterday. Though Kakashi was curious of what Naruto was interrogating the man for, he knew that Naruto would tell him eventually and at the moment Naruto just needed to vent his emotions out.
So Kakashi turned to Team 8 and 7, "Let's give Naruto a moment guys, since we are all up already why don't we begin some training… But I want somebody to watch over Naruto, so Hinata why don't you go see if he needs anything." Kakashi said knowing that possibly the only person that could comfort Naruto right now was Hinata.
Hinata nodded and entered the house and followed Naruto's chakra trail up to his room. His door was slightly ajar and she heard running water, knocking on the door a few times she entered closed the door behind her and saw Naruto exiting the bathroom his face and hands were soaked with water… he whispered out, "Hinata…."
Hinata quickly strode over to him where he sank down on his knees and wrapped his arms around her thighs and pressed his face onto her stomach. "Tell me what happened my love." Hinata said in her softest kindest voice.
It was a moment before Naruto said anything but it was in a very depressed tone, "Last night I left after midnight for a basic scouting mission around for the layout town, I stumbled upon 3 men who by
their shady looks I assumed to be somehow involved with Gato. So I followed them for a while from the shadows….. They led me to run down Inn deep in the woods, whice I was able to infiltrate with relative ease turns out it was a processing center for Human trafficking more specifically for young girls."
Naruto felt Hinata tense up as her grip on his hair which she had been stroking affectionately tightened, but Naruto continued his story, "I was able to quickly dispose of most of the lackeys keeping watch over the children, quickly freeing them I was attacked by a young red haired girl who thought me to be another one of Gato's minions. A short while later after I had assured her I was trying to help them instead of enslaving them she informed me that her story was much like the story of other girls with her."
"What was her story?" Hinata asked.
Naruto buried his face further into Hinata's jacket and continued, "There were some girls whose families were driven into poverty by Gato's company and were in a way forced to sell their children into slavery. Others…. Were just kidnapped from their homes and families."
"What a monster." Hinata said.
"That's not even the worst." Naruto said as he began shaking in rage and clenched the cloth of Hinata's pants tightly. Hinata didn't say anything she really didn't want to hear what was worse than buying and kidnaping children, but she knew she was the only source of comfort for Naruto.
"After I created a couple of clones to lead the prisoners to somewhere safe, the same red headed girl told me that were other places like this and I had to find them to save her friend… I asked if she knew were the other hideouts were, but all she could tell me was that if I wanted to find them I would have to find the leader because only he knew where they all are… I searched through the entire inn for him but instead of finding the leader I found inside the manager's office of the inn a young girl leashed to the mangers desk she could be no more than 9…"
"No…" Hinata said with a gasp
"I walked over to free her from her bindings, but when I got close enough to her she instantly latched her hands around the top of my pants trying to pull them down. She had this gazed look in her eyes as she said to me, "Master…. How shall I pleasure you today?" Naruto said choking up at the end as tears slowly filled his eyes.
"I tried everything I could to reach her, but again and again every time I approached her all she wanted to do was give me sexual pleasure in some form. Even when I asked her for her name, all she said to me was whore… slut….. bitch…. Slave…" Naruto said each word quieter as he allowed his head to slip out of Hinata's slackened hands so his forehead was now resting on top of Hinata's feet, his hands clenched into fist as he slammed them into the ground leaving 2 indentations in the wood.
"There was no hope for her… her mind was too shattered… her body already destroyed… I had no choice… how could they… she was only 9!"
Naruto heard a sharp intake of air from Hinata as she took a step back which caused Naruto's forehead to fall onto the floor with a thud. Naruto thought Hinata hated him for what he had to do, he thought that she would never want to be with a monster like him again.
But those thoughts were driven out his mind when he felt her hands lift his face up, Hinata was now kneeling directly in front of him with tears clearly flowing from her eyes. "Do you hate me? Do you think me a monster?" Naruto asked in a pained voice.
"No" Hinata whispered as she shook her head, "What you gave her was mercy my love, you freed her soul from the torture she faced. Those who did that to her were monsters not you."
A feeling of relief washed over Naruto as he cried into Hinata's lap, Hinata softly patted his head as she watched the love of her life so exposed, so hurt, so in pain. It broke her heart to see this happen to him. After another 5 minutes Hinata moved both of them to his bed and snuggled him into her chest again much like that night a couple of weeks ago, Naruto being both emotionally and physically drained fell asleep instantly while Hinata took a bit longer as she played what Naruto had said to her over and over again in her mind.
Naruto's dream
Where was he? Naruto looked around and he instantly recognized he was inside the manager's office at the Inn again. Instantly he turned his head over to the desk where the girl was supposed to be, she had long dark brown hair with her bangs parted. And too Naruto's horror he watched himself from an out of body view as he stood over the girl with his katana drawn.
Naruto watched as he reached forward and grabbed the back of the girl's head and moved his katana so the tip was pressed lightly against her chest where her heart was. The tears in his eyes were evident of the pain he was in but the girl on the other hand was still smiling… believing that her master had accepted her again.
It was at this moment she leaned in and Naruto closed his eyes and thrust the arm holding the katana forward piercing her heart and through her back.
She let out a loud audible gasp while Naruto just hugged her to his body as he cried into her hair, even now she was still so disillusioned, "Master?" she painfully asked as trickles of blood flowed from her mouth.
All Naruto could say was… "I'm sorry…."
Pulling the Katana from her body, Naruto stumbled out of the office and threw up onto the floor as he closed the door behind him. Wiping a drip of vomit on the side of his lips he allowed Kurama's hatred to engulf his body and he headed back toward the entrance of the Inn and found a wire that connected to a silent alarm. Purposely tripping it he hid back into the shadow and waited for around 15 minutes before the man he assumed to be the leader and 5 of his lackeys arrived.
Jumping out of the shadows and surprising them he completely obliterated the 5 minions letting their blood bathe the walls of the inn, Naruto stalked toward their leader with hatred flowing throughout his body. Knocking the man out with a chop to the neck he dragged him away before more reinforcements came.
As Naruto watched as he dragged the man out of the inn he was pulled from his dream and back into reality, he slowly detached himself from Hinata as to not wake her and walked into the bathroom stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower. As he allowed the warm water to flow around his body he pressed his forehead against the walls and cried.
Why did this girl's death hit Naruto so hard… Why was it that he couldn't get her face out of his head?
Clutching his hair in annoyance Naruto's eyes immediately burst open in realization…
It was how much that girl reminded him of Hanabi, her looks… her age… her smile…
How would he ever look Hanabi in the face ever again?
Longest chapter yet, wanted to do the entire wave arc in one chapter but seeing how long this was decided to split it into two parts.
As for the description of Tazuna's house, I actually had to look it up on the internet and discovered that actually he didn't live on the land like how many of the stories describe it, but he lived in a stilt house in the sea, (Source Chapter 16 Page 10 of the manga)
