Come the next day, Kakashi was still sleeping till afternoon. Naruto woke up well into the day only to find Sasuke and Sakura were on the steps nearing the room. He dispelled the clone on watch quickly and opened the door before they could.

"Good morning guys! How did you sleep?", Naruto asked.

They ignored him and invited themselves in. They were nearing Kakashi.

Well knowing their intent, Naruto intervened.

"You know he is just sleeping right? He woke up last night. He is not unconscious anymore. If you get too close, he will wake up with a kunai", Naruto warned.

"Shit! We should have done this when he was out. Why didn't you think to see his face Naruto?", Sakura asked.

"I was tired Sakura-chan", Naruto replied scratching his head.

"You are so weak, dobe", Sasuke teased.

"Sasuke, how is your injury?", Naruto asked truly worried.

"Not bad and I am not weak like you", Sasuke replied arrogantly making Naruto roll his eyes mentally.

"He won't survive 5 percent of what you experienced", kyubi was irritated by the Uchiha.

"As long as you are ok. Sasuke, when Kakashi sensei regained consciousness, he told to make the house safe like we did with tents. I think he means us to watch. What do you think?", Naruto asked feigning stupidity.

"I think he meant for us to set the trap around the house, dobe", Sasuke scoffed at Naruto.

'He has his moments but he is still the dobe', Sasuke thought to himself.

"You don't even know that Naruto?", Sakura sided with the Uchiha.

They went down to have breakfast and started on the traps.

'Well played, Naruto. You certainly know how to manipulate. I have confirmed you are wearing the mask od dead-last all this time. Now I have to know what your plan is', Kakashi thought barely awake.

Kakashi was sleeping until the genins started chatting. His body was still recovering so he decided to take rest.

Naruto came into the room after some time. He put a plate of food near Kakashi's futon and left.

'Naruto certainly is thoughtful', Kakashi mused. The last time someone cared remotely like this about Kakashi was another blonde with blue-eyes and a red headed prankster when he got injured on a mission. Now their son was doing the same.

Naruto was setting up traps and the kyubi decided to wake up.

'Good morning fox', Naruto greeted.

"Morning little human", kyubi greeted too.

'You are in good mood, I see', Naruto commented.

"You too. Your henge bracelet is ready. You went for run", kyubi stated.

'You mean we went for run. I may not have let you out physically. But I used your chakra to run and used my senses. You experienced something other than Konoha after couple of years. I could not sneak out after Iruka sensei gave me attention', Naruto added.

"Your skills have improved kid. And you can connect with the trees here too", the fox commented.

'I am not good enough yet. I have to complete the new jutsu. Yesterday, I tried to grow a plant, I grew a tree. I don't have control over wood release yet', Naruto pouted.

"Brat, you spent more time on tree walking first time you tried than your first time you trained wood release. It will get better. You don't have lot of yin energy remember. You will have to practice more. Use the time now", kyubi advised.

'I can't do that. I have something else to do. We have lot of time to train later. My clone scouted the village and found the village's condition. Today, I am gonna send some henged clones as civilians and make them settle as workers from nearby island. I will send them to assist people in the village secretly. I am going to enquire more about what Sandaime is upto. This Gato seems suspicious. I think he is more than what we know. I will find Zabuza and his little helper's hideout. After that, I will find a way to escape team training', Naruto replied.

"I will leave you to that", the fox grumbled.

'Don't worry kyubi. I have another reason for coming here. I think it is time to get into bounty book. What do you think?', Naruto asked with a smirk.

"Bounty book? I know what you are thinking. Brat, you are serious. When you first said I will bring peace to this world, I thought you were naïve. After seeing for years, I thought you matured. But you still seemed to hold on to that idea. This bounty book idea will give you lot of troubles even with altered identity. Are you really ready?", kyubi asked the twelve-year-old child with difficult life and ill-fated responsibilities.

'I am', Naruto replied confidently.

Kyubi didn't say anything in response just smirked.

'I would also like to know the connection between Uzumaki and Wave country people', Naruto expressed his thoughts to kyubi.

"Ah, Yes. Uzoshio was called 'Land of Whirlpools'. You are in wave country. You might as well check if there are any connections. Konoha won't give you any information. They couldn't even protect Uzumaki temple outside your cursed village. Not that I care, but without Uzumaki support, Konoha wouldn't be as peaceful as it is now", kyubi supplied a crucial piece of information.

'What do you mean?', Naruto questioned.

"Find it yourself. I am going to sleep", kyubi closed its eyes.

'Oi, furball'

'Fluffy'

'Answer me , dammit'

'Lazy sadistic fox', Naruto grumbled and completed setting up traps. He created clones to do the said work and went back to the house.

Tazuna and his daughter Tsunami's were getting ready to go to buy groceries for the extra four ninjas.

"Tsunami-chan, you take some rest. I will go with Tazuna-san", Naruto offered. He wanted to help, and he also needed a legit reason to inform Kakashi any urgent information of his clones.

"You don't have to ninja-san", Tsunami told.

"It is ok. Call me Naruto. My emo teammate will protect you guys and Sakura will help you. I will go help Tazuna-chan. We can't go to bridge until Kakashi-sensei gives permission anyway", Naruto replied and went with Tazuna.

The wave country had a decent market place. There were small and midrange shops offering different things. But anyone could see there was a guarded look on everybody's eyes always expecting trouble. There were some small shops which were closed.

"Is there are some trouble?", Naruto asked Tazuna.

"Gato's henchman demands money from shopkeepers. They can't give much since people are already poor and business is in trouble", Tazuna replied.

"Tazuna-san, you go and buy things. I will come and help you carry them. I will meet you back in an hour. My shadow clone will help you carry things", Naruto said and created a shadow clone and left.

"Ninjas", Tazuna said shaking his head.

Naruto started roaming and found a weapon shop. He went inside and found some farming tools, fishing tools and weapons like knife, sword etc.,

"You sell weapons here?", Naruto asked.

"Some people needed weapons to protect them. You are new here? You should buy something to protect yourself", the shabby shopkeeper said looking for business.

Naruto was looking around and found some ninja clothes.

"Why do you have ninja clothes?", Naruto enquired.

"Oh! They were old ones. Once our family used to sell specialised clothes for ninjas from nearby island. They are all gone now. The times are bad and now I brought it out to scrape them to make something to sell", the shopkeeper replied.

Naruto guessed those ninjas were his clan ancestors from whirlpool country. He didn't want them to go to scrape as they were the last remains to his clan.

"I will take it. I want it made in two sizes. One for me and one for my friend. Do you also have any weapons of those ninjas?", Naruto asked. He wanted to learn using his clan weapons. Maybe he would be more suited to that style. It was in his blood after all.

"No, I don't. They made the weapons themselves. Come inside to take measurements", the shopkeeper asked him to enter inner room to take measurements.

Naruto created a clone of his true size. He has been hiding his original size with a henge all along. When he was injured one time, he was taken to Konoha hospital. When he was there, one of the elders of Konoha placed a seal that renders growth on him. The hokage didn't know this. Naruto himself didn't know until he was kidnapped once. When the kyubi lent its chakra for his escape, it also removed that seal. Later kyubi explained what it was and told he didn't like any seal on his host's body. It also advised him not to let others know his seal had been removed. From then, Naruto hid his growth by the orange jumper. Once he learnt seals, he sewed seals inside his ugly orange jumpsuit and just send constant chakra subconsciously to maintain henge. No one saw past the orange monstrosity.

In truth, Naruto was a healthy boy. He didn't have ripped abs and arms but he was stronger than the kids of his own age. He started working on his physical strength because when he was kidnapped they suppressed his chakra to stop him escaping. He understood he was useless without his chakra and started working on his physical strength. Later seeing Gai and Lee, he improved much better.

Both his chibi form and true form needed armour and this was his chance to get that without alerting Konoha people. Naruto went inside and gave measurements. After that he decided to pay upfront but the shopkeeper refused.

"There are some people who will come to collect money in three days. If you pay the full money now when they come, they will take away everything. Just pay some advance now and pay me after they left. It will take them another two weeks for them to come back. I can say I bought some things for shop and spent the money", the shopkeeper said.

Naruto accepted and paid one sixth in advance. He noted down few details in the market and went to the surrounding forest. He went deep inside the forest and made arrangements to inquire Sandaime's plan.

Satisfied he came back to the meeting point and helped Tazuna with his bags.

"Tazuna-san, you said you knew Uzumaki people. Can you share more?", Naruto asked during their return home.

"They were good friends with people of Wave country. To be precise, the ruled this place. They were from Ushio, a nearby island. The guarded these small islands from all five nations. When they were still alive, we were all happy. The business was thriving and since this island is bigger and closer to mainland, they made the port here their business base. They are closed group people though. If you aren't an Uzumaki, you can't enter their island. When the weather was worse one time, the sea almost swallowed this island we are standing on. The Uzumakis stood guard and controlled the sea and saved us. To show our gratitude, we offered them lot of things but instead they asked for small piece of land where they could build a temple. They said some Uzumakis left their island. Due to safety concerns, they would not be allowed in the island anymore, but it should not stop them from coming to temple. So, they built a temple on this island. It is at the other end of the village inside the forest. I dropped some good quality wood for them as a token of gratitude. I will show you later", Tazuna explained and Naruto was happy to know more about his mother's clan. His clan.

"That would be great. Thanks, Tazuna-san. I have another request for you though", Naruto said.

"Whatever I speak with you, whatever you see I am doing, don't tell my team. They wouldn't understand. I will give you my word though, like my ancestors, I will save this island from this bad season too. But I can't do that explicitly due to certain reasons. So, keep my secret?", Naruto asked.

"Thanks. I understand. It is that arrogant boy and loud girl with you, isn't? But your sensei seems to be good though", Tazuna accepted.

"They aren't bad. Just bad to me. I don't understand it either. When the other people curse me, there is a reason. It was a misplaced blame but at the least, they have one. These two though, didn't lose anything because of me, but still, they are hostile. I am not responsible for their difficulties but still gets blamed. My sensei isn't bad but he is voluntarily ignorant. He was once like me too. He knows once he supports me, they will become more hostile when he isn't around. So, he won't interfere unless they cross a line. Trust me, you may think he isn't good after he got easily injured. I can assure you, he is worth every bit of that one and half million in bingo book. If we weren't there distracting him, he wouldn't waste killing the clones and killed that swordman then and there", Naruto replied.

"You and your sensei got the short end of the stick with those two kids", Tazuna sighed and Naruto smiled.

When they reached home they could see Sasuke practising some jutsu and Sakura watching him.

Naruto became aware Kakashi was awake and went to see him after dropping off groceries.

"Hiya sensei, how are you?", Naruto asked to the Kakashi who sitting with his back to the ball. The plate near him was empty.

"It is just chakra exhaustion Naruto. I may not be able to use jutsus for couple of days", Kakashi replied and Naruto nodded his head.

He went to clear the plate and Kakashi looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Where are others?", Kakashi asked.

"Oh right sensei! Sasuke and Sakura are outside. I will call them. Wait", Naruto replied and left before Kakashi could say something.

Moments later, all three entered the room. Sakura loudly expressed her concerns while Sasuke 'hn'ed.

Naruto knew they couldn't delay any longer and decided to play idiot.

"Ano sensei, what is a hunter-nin? That guy was only my age", Naruto started.

'As if you don't know', Kakashi rolled his eyes internally but continued anyways.

"Hunter-nin is someone who disposes bodies of ninjas", Kakashi started and explained while they listened attentively.

"Sensei, but the hunter-nin didn't dispose the body. That means, IS ZABUZA STILL ALIVE?", Naruto ended with a loud outburst.

"Naruto baka, what are you saying? He is dead. Right, sensei?", Sakura half-asked, half-hoped.

"No Sakura. He is right. Zabuza is still alive and hunter-nin is helping him", Kakashi explained.

"Are you sure, sensei?", Sakura asked and Naruto shaked his head in annoyance.

"Yes", Kakashi confirmed.

"What do we do now?", Sakura asked.

"I am still not recovered. You rest today. Tomorrow we will train", Kakashi advised.

All of them accepted and left to help Tazuna. After five minutes, Kakashi asked Naruto for water from the room.

Naruto brought water upstairs to their room.

"Here you go sensei", Naruto gave it to him. Kakashi asked him to put it down.

"Do you want to tell me something Naruto? You were busy this morning. Thanks for stopping them from removing my mask. I am still not recovered enough to lift my limbs", Kakashi asked fishing for some information.

"Sorry sensei. I have to say you woke up otherwise they wouldn't listen. But it seems you were awake though", Naruto replied.

"No worries. Did you set enough traps?", Kakashi inquired.

"Yes sensei. I also wanted to inform you don't have to worry. There was no Zabuza or the hunter-nin in the island for long distance. If they are in Wave country they must be in other side of the village", Naruto explained.

"How do you know that?", Kakashi asked remembering last night adventures of Naruto.

"I went with Tazuna-san to buy groceries in market place. I sent some clones to check. They were not there and I didn't smell them anywhere near", Naruto replied.

'He came well prepared. Smart', Kakashi thought.

"Very good Naruto. That helps. Send some clones later to the bridge to scout. Don't confront anybody", Kakashi instructed.

"I will sensei. Let me help Tsunami-chan to cook first. There are lot of us and Sakura cannot boil hot water without burning it. You take rest and recover. I will bring food later. Read your orange book if you are bored", Naruto said and left.

Kakashi hummed with a smile under his mask.

'Thoughtful sarcastic idiot', Kakashi commented internally.

Naruto left a clone to help Tsunami and left through the window. Not long away he saw a child looking at the house.

"Oi, who are you?", Naruto asked.

"That is my house. Why are you here?", the rude child asked.

"You must be Inari. I am Naruto. We are here to help your family", Naruto replied and Inari scowled.

"You can't help us", Inari, Tsunami's son said and ran.

Naruto didn't follow him but proceeded to the bridge. The bridge was yet to complete. It would take at least one month to finish at current pace. He must lend a helping hand to finish it faster. He then went to the port and looked at the ships at the sea. The sea in itself attracted his attention. The sea painted a picture of sleeping wild animal. No one know when it will attack.

He then made some scouting arrangements to find out Zabuza's hide-out and proceeded to train. He changed into his true form and started practicing his speed. Though he had training ground in Konoha, he could only practice speed in Forest of Death. It wasn't always easy. He had to find Anko's schedule and try to practice without anyone knowing. Now it got little better with trees helping but it was still hectic.

Naruto went to the nearby island and started practicing both his chakra sensing skills with speed and reflexes. It was to raise his awareness while fighting. He was training for hours and started to meditate after some time. He started to connect with trees. When compared to others, Naruto must meditate regularly to increase his chakra control. He got more and more sense of his chakra and chakra of trees.

Every living being had chakra in small amount. Some people naturally had more aptitude to improve that. Some others had less aptitude and some have more chakra by nature. Naruto had more and had to work on controlling it. Since he was a sensor he could easily find out when he loses control and could measure chakra output and use it appropriately. It helped to avoid chakra poisoning, chakra burns and chakra exhaustion.

Chakra burns or sickness was when you use concentrated chakra instantaneously. Chakra exhaustion was where you deplete your chakra before you recharge. Kakashi wore gloves while using Chidori to avoid chakra burning. Chakra exhaustion was what happened when he fought Zabuza. Chakra poisoning usually occur to people who use genjutsu or space-time jutsu. That was to say that there was chakra spent but it had no physical manifestation like water, fire, wind etc., So the overuse in this way caused chakra poisoning resulting in physical and mental issues to lot of people in old days.

Naruto started sensing chakra and found Zabuza and his little helper's chakra in the main island on the remote side. Now that he knew where they were he could assess their condition. He also found lot of small chakra signals in one building. Naruto concluded it must be Gato's building.

Later he started practising his new jutsus. Once finished, Naruto came to the main island. On his way, he found the Zabuza's helper chakra in the village in one of the medicine shops.

He didn't follow that person and went home.

He took dinner back to Kakashi's room.

"So how was your day?", Kakashi asked Naruto.

"Oh, I helped Tsunami-chan to make dinner sensei and-", Naruto started and Kakashi interuupted rudely.

"Not your clone's day Naruto, yours. So, how is Wave country?", Kakashi asked him not willing to play anymore games.

Naruto's fake smile faded and he looked at Kakashi with a straight face.

Is it time to tell the truth? Can I tell him? Can I trust him?