Chapter 6: Shifting Tides
Chapter Summary: Naruto decides to assert his independence, as Kakashi tries to mold Sasuke through personal training.
The Next Morning
Sakura sat up in bed, stretching her arms and yawning.
She cleared her throat and hopped off, landing on a bag on the ground, prompting her to jump back.
Wait, what?
She saw Naruto on the ground, now grasping his stomach.
"Why would you do this to me?...", he whined.
Sakura kneeled down, panicking.
She asked, "Shit, I'm sorry! Naruto, how much does it hurt?!".
Naruto answered, "It feels like someone just leapt onto my stomach...".
Sakura pouted.
Smartass.
She told him, "Alright, just stay here. I'll grab an ice pack for you, alright?".
Naruto whimpered affirmatively, and watched Sakura leave the room.
It was only a minute before she came rushing back into the room with an ice pack in-hand.
She kneeled next to Naruto again, and unbuttoned his pajama shirt, and place the pack on his stomach, lightly pressing down.
She ordered, "I'm gonna take a while in the bathroom, so just hold the ice pack down on your stomach. If the pain's still this bad when I come out, we're taking you to a doctor.".
This is bad - - getting hit in the gut like that, when he's not expecting it, it can be lethal! Oh, but all we can do for now is wait and see if it stops hurting after a while, that'll mean he's fine...
She sighed and rubbed her forehead, before rising to go into the bathroom, leaving Naruto lying in the sleeping bag.
Damn it, the day's just started and I'm already leeching off of Sakura...
Naruto felt a slight tingling sensation in his stomach, as the pain from the injury was completely overtaken by the coldness of the ice pack.
Bastard fox... Another one I rely on, damn.
Naruto leaned his head all the way back, letting go of the ice pack, leaving it on his stomach, as he was too lazy to remove it.
He lied there for minutes that seemed like seconds, occupying his mind with fantasies about his favorite shows, games, and people.
After a while - - ten minutes, by sight of the clock - - Sakura came out of the bathroom, walking over to Naruto.
She leaned in close and inquired, "Are you alright? Does it still hurt?".
Naruto blushed. Looking away, he answered, "Nope, not anymore...".
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank God. It would've been terrible if you were seriously hurt...".
Naruto sat up, picking up the ice pack and handing it back to Sakura.
He replied, "Whatever. I'm just gonna go to the bathroom, now.".
He rose, and made his way to the door as Sakura commenced her morning prayers.
After using the toilet, Naruto steeled his resolve in the bathroom.
I don't need anything from anyone! I'm gonna stop using Sakura's stuff!
He washed his hands with Sakura's liquid soap.
After I'm done using this soap!
He then washed his face with soap from Sakura's bar soap.
After I'm done using this soap!
He grabbed his own toothbrush.
I can finally stop using her stuff!
He then grabbed the toothpaste and squeezed out a pea-sized drop. Then it hit him.
After this toothpaste!
He wiped down his head and arms, as well as his feet, and washed his hands again.
Okay, seriously, after this soap!
He then dried off with one of Sakura's spare towels.
... After this towel! Geez, I really did forget everything important, didn't I?
Naruto left the bathroom, and checked his bags.
Oh, right. No jacket. This is some sort of sick cosmic joke.
He sighed, and shuffled over to the closet to grab Sakura's jacket that he'd borrowed.
After this jacket, nothing else!
He grabbed his frog wallet and opened it, finding that he only had a few coins left.
I wonder if that kid would give me that 50 ryo back... Nah, that's like, sacrilege.
He ran out the door, having left a note on the fridge regarding his whereabouts.
Just need to get back before noon...
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Public Market
The walk through town was oddly comforting for Naruto. Something about the Land of Waves made him feel safe and clean.
He scoured the arcade for any shops that would sell what he needed.
Toothpaste, liquid soap, bar soap, coat, towel, shampoo, sleeping bag. That's about it, I think.
Naruto spotted a convenience store.
Score!
He hopped in, and looked for what he needed.
But everything's in some foreign currency... Though I guess ryo are the foreign currency in this land. I wonder what the exchange rate is?
He sighed.
Maybe I should ask the clerk... Nah, he'd just throw a highball to squeeze more money outta me, it's happened before!
His eyes widened as an epiphany hit.
But that only happened in the Hidden Leaf, where people know me and hate me! The people here have no earthly idea who I am... It's a clean slate!
He excitedly giggled, skipping over to the clerk.
He asked, "Ma'am, what's the exchange rate for ryo?".
The young lady smiled and answered, "1 ryo for 10 of ours.".
The boy checked his wallet again.
I've got 20 ryo... That's enough to get everything I need, and still have most of my money left over! Yippee!!
He quickly ran around the store, grabbing toothpaste, liquid soap and bar soap, and shampoo.
He was given a plastic bag to hold everything, and he scurried out of the shop, snickering all the way.
Coat, towel, sleeping bag, here I come!
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Another Half of an Hour Later
Naruto had long since bought everything he needed, and sent a shadow clone to drop it all off at Tazuna's house.
The boy was currently prancing around the village, proudly enjoying his newly-realized anonymity.
No one knows me, no one hates me! It's like, the same kind of people as the Hidden Leaf live here, but I've got the benefit of not housing a demon that ravaged this place...
His thoughts shifted.
The same kind of people...? Wouldn't that mean that everyone here is just as stupid as those assholes back home? I probably shouldn't try and revel in this regardless, I'm gonna be going back anyways...
He decided to walk back to Tazuna's house early.
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Meanwhile, in Tazuna's House
Kakashi sat with Sakura on the living room floor, watching cartoons with her.
He spoke up, "By the way, Sakura, I'm going to be testing Naruto again today...".
Sakura groaned, "Come on, give him a break...".
"You know I can't give a kid like Naruto a break.".
"Well, why do you need to tell me about it?".
"Because,", Kakashi replied, "You're a little too smart. You would've figured it out anyways, and possibly had an emotional reaction to it...".
Sakura asked, "What do you mean by 'emotional reaction'?".
"To put it simply, you and Naruto seem to go hand-in-hand in anger... When he's mad, you're mad. And I'd much rather deal with one surprised and annoyed genin than two. So, when I do test Naruto, just stay cool, alright?".
Sakura muttered, "Whatever.".
That's just cruel...
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When Naruto arrived at the house, he eagerly hopped and skipped into the living room, where he'd spotted Sakura and Kakashi, as Sasuke came down the stairs.
I'm still mad at them, but we've got a program to follow...
He approached his teammates, greeting, "Hey there, what's on the agenda?".
Kakashi swiftly responded, "I'll be working with Sasuke on his water-walking. You go with Sakura and help Tazuna build his bridge.".
Naruto scoffed.
"N- What?! I dunno how to walk on the water neither, so why're you only trainin' Sasuke? What's he got that I don't?!".
Kakashi told him, "It doesn't matter; these are my orders. Follow them, or I'll write you up for insubordination.".
Naruto twitched.
"Insubordination?! Are you just gonna hold that over my head forever, you one-eyed perv?! That ain't fair!".
Kakashi shrugged.
"Life isn't fair.".
Naruto fumed.
"F-fine, then fight me!".
Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi went wide-eyed.
The sensei asked, "What?".
Naruto reiterated, "Fight me!".
Now, Kakashi scoffed.
"Alright, let's fight, right outside the house!".
Let's see what this kid's really got.
The team all walked outside.
Sakura and Sasuke waited on the porch, as Naruto and Kakashi stood twenty paces across from each other in front of the house.
Kakashi stated, "You'll be lucky to even tap me with a fingernail.".
Naruto retorted, "I don't need luck.".
Kakashi counted down, "3... 2... 1! Fight!".
Naruto immediately summoned a dozen shadow clones.
The clones all spread out around Kakashi, and the man found himself surrounded by a clone of Naruto on all sides.
What is he thinking?
The Narutos all rushed towards Kakashi, who made quick work of them.
Though some managed to make good distance, Kakashi dispelled half of them with a fireball, and grabbed another Naruto by the leg to swing it around and dispel those remaining.
Kakashi taunted the Naruto he had grabbed, saying, "You lose.".
Naruto retorted, "Think again!", and suddenly disappeared before Kakashi's eyes.
That was a clone, too?!
The man spun around, scanning for Naruto.
When he looked at where Naruto had started in the fight, he noticed a hole in the ground.
When did he?...
Suddenly, Kakashi felt his pants fall down, and a pinch on his thigh.
He looked behind himself, and saw that Naruto was the culprit.
He had created the clones, dug a hole, and distracted Kakashi with the clones until the opportunity came to sneak up on his sensei.
Sasuke watched in awe.
That's one lucky kid!
Sakura similarly went agape.
That was... Amazing?
Naruto teased, "I just pantsed you, and got you with two fingers. Guess that makes me doubly - - no, triply lucky!".
Kakashi sighed.
What am I going to do with this kid?
He swatted away Naruto's hand and pulled his pants back up, proclaiming, "You did better than I expected.".
Naruto remarked, "Haha, even you're not immune to tunnel vision, Stupid Sensei! Next time, I'm going for the thousand years of death!".
Kakashi chortled.
"You did make one mistake, though...".
"... What?".
"This trick isn't going to work on me again, Naruto. You'll need to come up with something different.".
Naruto groaned, "Ah, whatever I'll just--"
Probably shouldn't say it out loud!
He continued, "I'll just do something that's a secret from you. Yeah...".
Kakashi smirked.
This didn't go the way I thought, just hope it doesn't get to his head...
Naruto goaded, "I beat you, now you gotta let me train!".
Kakashi chuckled.
"We never made a deal like that, Naruto. You're going to the bridge, and that's final.".
"B-b- why?!".
"Because I said so!".
Naruto whined, "C'mon, what do I gotta do to convince you to train me?!".
Kakashi replied, "It's simple; just go to the bridge today, and maybe I'll train you tomorrow.".
"Maybe?".
"It's better than a 'no'.".
"It's worse than a 'yes'...".
Kakashi told Naruto, "Patience is a virtue...".
Naruto sighed.
"Whatever. See ya tonight.".
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Tazuna's Bridge
In order to speed up the work, and to make up for lost employees, Sakura had compelled Naruto to summon shadow clones to help build the bridge.
Though it took them some time to learn how to do things properly, and though the clones lacked the strength required for all the work, the project was breezing along.
In the meantime, Naruto and Sakura stood guard.
After a while, the duo spotted a familiar child walking about, wearing an old, but cleaner jacket.
That's... the scammer!
Naruto requested, "Keep guard, Sakura, I've gotta talk to that kid!".
He ran over to the boy, sliding in front of him to stop him.
Naruto questioned, "Remember me?".
The boy asked, "Why are you wearing a girl's coat?".
Naruto frowned.
I just bought a coat for myself today, and I already forgot to wear it. This kid doesn't need to know, though!
Naruto reprimanded, "Don't change the subject! You scammed me out of 50 ryo!".
The kid scoffed. "Why should I care? Assuming you're telling the truth...".
Naruto lectured, "It's just plain wrong! I know your family doesn't have a lot of money, but that doesn't excuse deceiving other innocent people to get their money!".
The kid retorted, "You gave it willingly.".
Naruto shot back, "I know, but I don't even care about that at the moment - - what I'm trying to say is that you should've just been honest, instead of spinning me that story about having glass bones and paper skin!".
The kid argued, "Would you have given me your money if I didn't feed you that story?".
Naruto argued back, "Honestly? I don't know! But the point is, acting like this is gonna do you no favors in the long run! It's a complete violation of private property, the very cornerstone of society!".
The younger child scoffed. "So what?".
"So what? So, if you continue down this path, your entire family's gonna get obliterated by a force of unbridled hate and you'll cap off a meaningless life with a meaningless death!".
The child jolted.
Naruto watched as he began shaking, tearing up, and sputtering.
Pretty soon, the young boy was full-on bawling.
"We just, we just don't have money!".
Naruto panicked.
Oh God, what am I gonna do?!
He looked around, and saw Sakura looking on in confusion.
The blonde rushed over to her, and asked, "I was just tryna teach 'im a lesson, not make 'im cry!".
Sakura facepalmed.
"You're an idiot.".
She grabbed him by the forearm, and pulled him over to where the younger child was crying.
She demanded, "Hey, kid. I'll give you 5 ryo if you stop crying!".
The crying boy immediately ceased, smiled, and held out his hand. He asked, "Money?".
Sakura hissed, "Yeah, right! I just wanted to show this doofus that he was about to fall for another one of your stupid scams. Shove off!".
The younger child sighed, annoyed, and walked away nonchalantly.
Naruto's eyes widened.
He exclaimed, "Wow, that's amazing!".
Sakura rolled her eyes and replied, "What's amazing is that you've survived this long.".
She pulled him back to the bridge.
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Meanwhile, in the Forest
Kakashi had led Sasuke to a waterfall.
He ordered, "Watch, and learn.".
The man proceeded to walk onto the water, and towards the waterfall.
Sasuke called out to him, "H-hey, you know you can't teach me if you're dead!".
He disappeared beyond the waterfall.
Sasuke rushed over to the edge, watching out for his sense.
We're too damn high... I am going to be sick!
He scanned the waterfall, trying to find Kakashi, and he eventually spotted the man walking down the waterfall as if it were even ground.
Holy shit!
Kakashi then stopped in the middle of the waterfall, and pulled out a small, round paper bag from his pocket.
He unfurled the bag, removed its contents, and put the bag back in his pocket.
Sasuke walked sideways to see what Kakashi had taken out.
He's... Eating a burger.
After finishing his burger, Kakashi sat down on the waterfall, before stretching himself out and laying flat on it.
Sasuke pouted.
He's just wasting my time!
After precisely five minutes - - Sasuke had counted - -, Kakashi stood up, turned around, and walked back up the waterfall.
Sasuke remarked, "You didn't do anything I haven't seen before, consumption of a wet burger notwithstanding.".
Kakashi replied, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. It's not that I didn't do anything you haven't seen before, it's that you haven't really seen what new thing I just did.".
"What?".
"Think about it, Sasuke. Everything that I just did. Really think about it.".
"...".
Kakashi teased, "Naruto would've gotten it by now. Maybe I should have brought him?".
Sasuke whined, "What? No! Just give me a second, I'll get it...".
Kakashi's patience grew thin.
He hinted, "Don't be embarrassed to say the first thing that comes to mind, Sasuke, even if it's obvious. Anything is better than nothing.".
Sasuke relented, "Alright, fine...! I guess... You walked down a vertical surface?".
Kakashi responded, "Very good. Go on...".
Sasuke continued, "You ate a burger, and lied down.".
Kakashi once again responded, "Good. Now, tell me what makes that different from before.".
Sasuke sighed with impatience, and responded, "Well, last time you just walked across a short distance, but this time you walked down a longer distance and performed other activities.".
"And what does that say about my use of water-walking?".
"You had to concentrate a lot more, and use more chakra than normal.".
Kakashi replied, "Exactly. That wasn't so hard, was it?".
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "How does that help me? It's obvious that you need to concentrate more.".
Kakashi sighed. "This is gonna take some time...".
He continued, "Alright, look, we'll start with this. The waterfall's loud, right?".
"Yeah...".
"And wouldn't that make it harder to concentrate on my chakra?".
"Sure...".
"So, how do I negate the sound of the water?".
"I guess you need to block it out somehow...".
"Exactly. Now, I'm skilled enough to block it out on my own, but a little genin like you might need some material assistance.".
"So... Earplugs?".
"Correct again, Sasuke. You're really getting the hang of this whole 'thinking' thing.".
Sasuke grumbled.
Kakashi sighed once again.
I wonder how long it's going to take him to realize he might need a blindfold, too...
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Tazuna's House, Midnight
Naruto once again slept in a sleeping bag for the night, albeit his own this time - - blue, because the store didn't have orange.
He looked up at the back of Sakura's head, his mind a whirlwind of mixed emotions.
Suddenly, the pink-haired girl turned around, looking stern.
She demanded to know, "Why are you staring a hole into the back of my head?".
Naruto sheepishly answered, "Well, I was just thinkin'...".
The pair stayed silent.
They read each other's faces, finding regret and timidity in the eyes.
With these very eyes, they communicated that they both felt the need to have a candid conversation.
Sakura opened up with, "I apologize, for calling you a pest.".
Naruto shuffled in his bag.
He uttered, "O--oh...".
"And I'm not just saying it out of pity; it should've been obvious back when I said it, and I should've realized sooner, but I get that it was wrong of me to do that.".
"Okay...".
"'Okay'? Is that all?".
"I just-- I dunno how to respond to that; no one's ever apologized to me before...".
"Oh. Really?".
"I mean, for minor inconveniences, sure; like an accidental bump, but never for hurtin' my feelin's or nothin', even though I really would've appreciated that.".
"That's just terrible. I'm sorry people seem to be so rude to you - - including me.".
"Well... Thanks for apologizing... I should apologize, too, for bein' so short with ya.".
"...".
"...".
"Naruto, you can come back up in the bed if you want, you know. I never wanted you out of it to begin with.".
"But I already bought the sleeping bag...".
"Come on, isn't it cold down there? I know it is up here.".
"O--okay...".
Naruto flipped over.
However, before he could crawl out of the sleeping bag, Sakura ordered, "No, wait...".
Before Naruto could even ask what for, he felt Sakura squeezing against him into the bag, before wrapping her arms around him.
Naruto, through minor struggling, managed to turn around and face the girl, meeting her eyes only a few inches away from his own.
Naruto couldn't tell, being so close, but Sakura blushed, inadvertently blowing onto him and making his heart jump as she whispered, "Don't say anything!".
Their lips brushed as Sakura moved her head up and towards the side of his face, laying her cheek onto the side of his neck.
She told him, "I'll be nicer to you from now on, okay? Just don't be afraid to tell me if I'm crossing any lines.".
Naruto only nuzzled up in response.
She's kinda squeezing me, but I like it...
She could've sworn that he purred before dozing off.
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The Next Morning
As Sakura's alarm gently built up, her eyes creaked open. She rubbed out some of the crust with her free hand, and batted her eyelashes.
She pulled her other arm out from under Naruto, and told him, "Hey, it's time to wake up, Naruto. Come on...!".
Naruto unintelligibly whined in refusal.
Sakura shook him, pleading, "I don't want you to adopt Sensei's tardiness, wake up!".
Naruto whined again, this time in a longer, droning, "Nnnnnnno...".
Sakura considered pressing on, but decided against it.
Damn it, he's too cute like this! Not that he's cute or anything-- whatever!
She gently spoke, "Alright, fine. I'll snooze the alarm... But we'll have to brush and wash our faces at the same time, and we'll have to skip breakfast. So don't complain later!".
She sighed, then crawled back all the way into the bag, embracing Naruto again in a cuddle - - though she would vehemently deny it if asked about it.
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At the Waterfall, Two Hours Later
Donning a blindfold, earplugs, nose plugs, a scarf, a beanie, knee-high socks, high boots, thick cargo pants, a heavy coat, a scarf, winter gloves, and even a ball gag (courtesy of Kakashi), Sasuke stood at the edge of the river.
No more distractions! I can do this.
Kakashi stood and watched.
Somehow, being on this end of the deal is more humiliating. Is this how Minato-sensei felt? If a truly merciful God exists, He'd kill me right here and now.
Sasuke stepped forward, and immediately landed in a pratfall into the shallow end of the river.
Kakashi had an epiphany.
That gives me an idea...
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An Hour Later
After countless attempts and failures at stepping onto the river water, Sasuke had had enough.
He ran back to the land, ripping off his accessories and tossing them into or onto the bag he'd brought them in.
He spoke, "Look, I know you told me to be patient, Sensei, but this is just ridiculous!".
He turned around, and saw that he had been speaking to the wind.
He called out, "Sensei?...".
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Meanwhile, at Tazuna's Bridge
Just like the day before, Naruto and Sakura guarded the bridge, with Naruto's shadow clones being put to work on the bridge.
Tazuna took a small break, and approached the genin.
He told them, "Using them clones was a mighty fine idea; we're well ahead of schedule!".
Sakura did a curtsy and bragged, "They're his clones, but it was my idea.".
Naruto complained, "I'm hungry.".
Immediately, Sakura grabbed him in a headlock and scolded him.
"I told you that you needed to get up, but NOOOOO, you just wanted to sleep! See why you should listen to me?!".
Naruto cried, "Yes, yes, Ma'am! I understand now, please let go of meeee!".
Sakura obliged, and Naruto rubbed his neck.
The trio's attention was then diverted to the bridge, where an apparent mutiny was occurring.
Every single one of Naruto's clones had stopped working.
A cacophanous chorus of Naruto demanded, "I'm hungry! Gimme food now!".
After being commanded to do as such by Sakura, Naruto dispelled all of his clones.
Tazuna announced, "Alright, then. Early lunch, everyone!".
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Forest, Afternoon
Sasuke had been wandering for several hours, attempting to find Kakashi.
Not only did he flake on me, he took my lunch, too! I'm going to be sick...
He finally came back around to the waterfall, albeit on the bottom this time.
It was there that he spotted Kakashi standing vertically on the water, a mere six feet high, holding a lunch box.
Kakashi remarked, "I was wondering when you'd get here; lunchtime was hours ago.".
Sasuke growled.
I bet he wasn't even standing there the whole time! Why's he doing this?!
He shouted, "Give me my lunch, Sensei!".
The sensei replied, "You want lunch? Come and take it! All you've got to do is walk on the water, and reach up!".
Sasuke began shouting curses and slurs at the man, who remained nonchalant.
Kakashi informed, "I can't hear you, Sasuke! The water's too loud! Maybe if you come closer, I'll understand what you're saying!".
Sasuke fumed.
In his anger, he rushed forward onto the water, only to slip in and fall.
Just the same as before.
Kakashi yelled, "Don't let your anger cloud you! Just focus on the walking!".
Sasuke balled his hands into fists, collecting dirt and rocks into his palms, which he let go of as his hands opened up again.
He whimpered, and pushed himself back into a standing position.
In a scratchy voice, he lambasted, "Haven't you learned by now that your stupid tricks don't work, Sensei?! All you ever do is piss me off and leave me no better than I was before I even knew what I was supposed to be doing! Quit messing with me!".
Kakashi wistfully soaked in the monologue.
Is this generation really so... Pissy? I was much tougher at this age. Maybe I'm not doing it right?
Kakashi responded, "It worked for me! And I didn't even have the advantage of a prestigious clan, nor their techniques and chakra rituals, the way you have!".
Sasuke looked down.
This asshole just doesn't get it!
He kicked rocks, growling and choking up on his words.
He shouted again, "I don't care about this stupid training! It would've been better if you left me at the bridge, and brought Naruto instead! He'd put up with this bullshit!".
Kakashi sighed.
That's exactly why I brought you and not him...
Kakashi dropped down from the waterfall, landing gracefully onto the rushing river below.
He walked towards Sasuke, holding the lunchbox.
As Sasuke reached out to grab it, he felt Kakashi tug back for a moment.
He looked up to find Kakashi staring at him in disappointment.
Kakashi simply stated, "All you had to do was try.".
He then let go of the box, sending Sasuke stumbling, as he proceeded to walk away.
He told the boy, "You might want to leave some of that for tomorrow - - it's almost dinnertime!".
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The Next Day
After all of Team 7 had gotten ready, Kakashi stopped Naruto at the porch.
He requested, "I've got a bad feeling about today, Naruto. Please just stay here for today, alright?".
Naruto complained, "Why me?!"
The sensei answered, "Because I trust you to take care of Tsunami and Inari while we're away. I'm not messing with you this time, I really mean it. Please just stay here.".
Naruto grumbled, but accepted.
And with that, Tazuna followed Team 7 - - sans Naruto - - out of the house and towards the bridge.
I've been playing Ryu Ga Gotoku aka Yakuza games for the past few months. They're my life now.
Hope you enjoyed! Leave a review :)