If there was one that he hated doing as a shinobi, it would have to be tracking an individual. Either through a forest or tailing them through a town, Naruto would forever despise following a person or tracking their movements after the fact. There were too many variables, too many moving parts that could throw off the trail and that was the end of it.

For someone like Gatō, who's movements were watched by every village for one reason or another, trying to find him was like hunting for a needle in a haystack. A small insignificant piece of metal hidden in a vast sea of hay; the common man wouldn't be able to find it. Not unless they would pull each piece of hay out and put them into a separate pile.

But that's why Naruto would bring a magnet.

Naruto could spend hours following leads, questioning locals, or even interviewing some hired goons to get the information he wanted. But that was time he did not want to waste. He'd rather go straight to the source and draw him out.

With access to Jiraiya's vast network of informants, Naruto was able to learn a great deal about Gato before even stepping foot into the Land of Waves. In this world of shinobi, knowledge was just as powerful as any ninjutsu. And when dealing with someone like Gatō, knowledge would be key. Naruto needed leverage. Threats of prosecution and death would do nothing to Gatō.

There was a not-so hidden warehouse off the dock in the Land of Waves that was a clear central hub for Gatō's illegal actions. Local authorities have been paid off to the point where they were practically guarding the man more than simply looking the other way. But for a man as vastly wealthy as Gatō, paying off authorities was chump change.

Naruto waited in the shadows of the day, learning patterns and understanding exactly what was going on. He logged everything he saw so that, at the end of all this, he could turn it in to Konoha authorities for Gatō to be arrested and brought to trial under a fair jury.

Hopefully, Gatō didn't have people paid off in Konoha too. That would suck.

Nightfall came and it was time to act. He pinpointed his infiltration right at shift changes between guards. Simple bandits and corrupt police were easy to slip by: even his genin team would have been able to get passed them without detection.

Once inside, he found a large and lavish office that overlooked the warehouse. He presumed it was Gatō's. Who else could it belong to? Darkness and silence were allies as he rummaged through files and desk drawers. A foolish hope is that he'd come across the answer for his mission, but a secret such as a mysterious poison maker would not be left in an unlocked drawer of an office in one of his many warehouses.

A location. A schedule. Something. I need something.

Papers were filled with nonsense. Files were nothing but documents that revealed nothing. It wasn't until he found a black book hidden underneath a false bottom in the bottom drawer. It was journal that kept track of certain accounts.

Gatō isn't just paying off elected officials or police officers, he knows their secrets. He's blackmailing people to get what he wants.

This was Naruto's ticket. He would blackmail the blackmailer.

The light flicked on. Naruto expected the unwelcomed guest to be a guard doing a nightly check or even Gatō himself.

Zabuza Momoichi was someone Naruto should have considered but not who he was expecting.

"Well, well, well...this is interesting. I never thought I would come face to face with the legend himself."

Naruto slide the black book into his back pouch, concealed by his poncho. He hoped the rouge shinobi for hire didn't notice. "Legend? I think your reputation is far more...noteworthy than mine."

"You, the man stronger than his own Kage, considers my reputation legendary? I'm honored." The massive sword, Kubikiribōchō, came crashing down over the desk. "But it seems your story will end today."

Zabuza wasn't a rogue ninja to ignore. His listing in the Bingo Book was an A-Rank shinobi. In comparison, Kakashi Hatake was listed as an A-Rank before his retirement. Kakashi was feared on a world level. Zabuza Momoichi would be no different.

"A man of your talents and reputation wouldn't be here in the Land of Waves without good reason. Tell me, what is your mission here? What does Konoha have against Gatō that they would send you?"

"I have no quarrel with Gatō. Neither does Konoha. I'm here of my own accord."

"That raises further questions."

Zabuza was no fool. Naruto Namikaze was not someone to he could easily fight. His strength and intellect were unmatched. There was a considerable gap in both power and speed. Zabuza knew he was a capable fighter but fighting against someone like Naruto Namikaze was foolish for most.

Which is why Zabuza wanted to fight this man. It would cement his legacy as the strongest swordsman in the guild.

"It is none of your concern, Zabuza. Just let me go and there won't be any trouble."

"See, that is where you're wrong. My money comes from Gatō, I am his muscle. Whatever your reason is for being here, as much as I hate that fat prick. You pose a threat to him, and it's my job to destroy threats to Gatō to and his company."

Zabuza was quicker than Naruto would have expected. The speed with which he swings that massive broadsword was unnatural, something that size shouldn't move at that type of speed. He ducked under the thick blade, losing a single hair.

Dashing, Naruto appeared under Zabuza. It could have easily been a death blow, but Naruto chose to try and subdue his opponent. But the swordsman was prepared, he anticipated an attack from a weak spot. He quickly swung the blade around like a propeller, trying to stop any attack.

In an instant, Naruto reappeared by his preplaced kunai to save his arm from being forcefully removed from his body. Zabuza was quicker than he anticipated, he had better reaction time with that sword than most shinobi do regularly.

"...So, that's the infamous power of the thunder god, eh? I don't think 'instant' is really the best description. You don't even realize anything until after it's happened."

The jonin twirled the kunai around his finger, contemplating his next move. He was regretting breaking his cardinal rule for quick escape. He was overconfident in his abilities to slip in and out without detection.

A mistake Naruto would not be making again.

There was a sudden temperature drop as a rumble came from below. Support beams shattered and the office plummeted down to the floor. Naruto kept his footing while landing in ankle deep water.

Water? Where did this come from?

There was a water pipe that burst from the crushed support beams. And this water was not to Naruto's advantage. It was going to be his tomb.

"Makyō Hyōshō."

Several large mirrors of ice surround Naruto inside of dome, leaving barely inches between. A masked shinobi appeared in the mirror directly in front of Naruto, who he assumed was the caster.

"Kirigakure no Jutsu!"

A thick, heavily dense humid mist rolled through the small gaps, covering the area from sight. He knew where the mist was coming from, but the second shinobi was a surprise.

"The famous 'Hidden Mist' technique, the name couldn't be more accurate."

There was an echoing chuckle. "You aren't the only one who is famous. Unfortunately for you, no one has lived to tell the tale from my mist."

Zabuza was famous for executing his assassinations from this mist. The mist was so dense and thick that they would become disorientated and be easy prey for the man.

But Naruto was no ordinary shinobi. Or man.

"I'm aware of this technique, and what usually follows. I'm more curious about those ice mirrors. They are not that many ice users left, especially those with a kekkei genkai for it. Seeing how we're in the Land of Water, and the infamous massacre of the Yuki clan happened not too long ago. I'd say it's safe to say this masked shinobi is a surviving member...maybe the only surviving member."

"You know your history." The famous assassin chuckled again. "But even for someone like you, this dome is inescapable. This will be your tomb." Naruto sensed a shift in numbers. He couldn't tell how many more had just appeared but there was more than two now. "Haku...rain down upon him!"

"Yes, Zabuza."

No matter what coming was, Naruto did not have an escape. Rather than try and escape, he wanted to test a technique he's been thinking about. No better time than the present.

Chains quickly emerged from his back and arms, erupting into a dome of protection around their master. There were thousands of needles striking the adamantine chakra chains, only to simply fall to the ground. Some even were blunted from the impact against the rugged, tough chain.

"Zabuza...I cannot penetrate his defenses." There was one voice among the many reflections of the boy. Naruto could not figure out the real from the reflections.

The swordsman leapt into the fray, clashing his heavy broadsword against the chakra chains. With each strike of the broadsword, sparks shined through the thick mist. Once Zabuza realized that his attacks would not break through, he disappeared back into the mist.

"Chakra chains...you really are the heir to the Uzumaki lineage."

The mist quickly dissipated. There was no reason to keep the mirage up when his opponent's defenses were impenetrable.

"Haku...drop the ice mirrors."

At the order of his master, the hunter canceled out his chakra flow to the mirrors and they melted into giant puddles on the floor. The pair of hired rouge shinobi watched curious amazement as the chains slowly retracted into Naruto's form, leaving no trace of the ability.

"How should we proceed, Zabuza? It is two-on-one, we have the advantage."

"There is no advantage against him."

"Who is he exactly, Zabuza? You've been speaking highly about him this whole time."

Zabuza wanted to gloat confidence about their chances against this shinobi, but he knew there wasn't much he could do. Even with Haku by his side, Zabuza doubted they'd defeat him in a real fight.

"This is...Naruto Namikaze. He's considered Konoha's strongest shinobi. As much as I would like to go toe-to-toe with him, I'd be lying to myself about our strength differences."

Haku was in disbelief. He had never heard his master speak like this before. "This shinobi is stronger than you?"

"Saying something like that would be foolish...unless you are talking about him. Yeah, I'd say he is." Dropping the threat in his voice, Zabuza sheathed his sword and strapped it in place with the clips on his back. "No alarm has been sounded, your presence here has yet to be discovered by anyone else but me and Haku. That will all change if you don't tell me exactly what it is you are doing here."

Naruto stood firm; he didn't want word of his presence here getting out. This journey was meant to be secret from the world.

"Do you plan to kill Gatō?" Zabuza was more concerned about his paycheck than the man himself.

"...No." And that was the truth. He had no intention of killing the criminal tycoon.

"Then what is it that you want here?"

Naruto sighed. "Keep your word about keeping this quiet. I don't need more trouble from my leadership."

That peaked Zabuza's interest. "So, you really are here without consent then."

"It's like I said, I'm here of my own accord. I just...need to talk to Gatō." He pulled out that black book he had found earlier. "He can have this back if he meets with me."

The rouge shinobi realized what that book was. Gatō would give up just about anything for that book. "...Haku, go inform Gatō he has a visitor coming."

The young tracker seemed hesitant, not truly understanding what was happening. But she followed her orders and vanished from sight, leaving the two shinobi alone in the warehouse.

"You truly want nothing from Gatō? Just to speak to him?"

The Konoha shinobi nodded. "Gatō is the only person that give me answers."

"What kind of answers are you hoping to get from him? Why should I trust you in the same room as him? For all I know, this is all a ploy to kill him."

"Zabuza...if I really wanted to kill Gatō, do you really think I would have searched his office for something like this? I would have killed him in his mansion, which is on the east side of the island, and done it without anyone knowing."

Remaining vigilant and distrustful, Zabuza motioned for his intruder to follow. The decorated assassin began leaping from building to building. Naruto kept up with ease. Once they reached the lavish mansion, the guards stepped aside and let the two shinobi walk in. They were unaware of who they had just let into their territory.

"Not a bad place to be employed." Naruto said, not sure why he tried to start conversation with a criminal.

"We don't stay in the main house. There's a bunkhouse for all the hired help."

"Ah." He didn't expect the criminal to engage either. What strange day.

At the end of a long, lavish hallway, there was a single door into an equally lavish office. There waited the man that Naruto was eagerly wanting to speak to.

"Hm." The criminal tycoon sipped from his glass. "When the girl came in and told me who wanted to speak to me, I thought she was confused. There was no chance that the Chain Master himself was here on my lonely island." Gatō smiled. "I'm honored to meet you...Naruto Namikaze."

"My reputation precedes me...I'm still trying to figure out if that is a good thing or not."

"Depends on the situation." Gatō reached and poured Naruto a drink. "Take a seat. I'm taking full opportunity of this. I will not let this opportunity go to waste."

"I'm not here for idle chitchat, Gatō. I need information." The book he stole from the desk appeared in Naruto's hand. "Tell me what I want to know, and I'll return this to you."

Gatō recognized the book and snickered. Naruto felt like he had won. "Please sit."

The decorated shinobi looked over his shoulder, making sure Zabuza nor Haku had moved from their positions in the room, before taking his seat in the lavish chair. "I'll be honest, this is not the reaction I was expecting."

"Were you expecting intimidation? Because I am not one to be intimidated. Many have tried, none have succeeded. I understand you have a power beyond my comprehension and that you would be able to kill me quicker than I could react. But that hardly scares me."

"What does scare you, Gatō?"

"Something you'll never have. Moving on, what answers do you seek that cause your search to find me?"

Again, the shinobi glanced behind him. He was cautious of their presence. He figured he wouldn't be left alone with Gatō. "What do you know about vanishing poisons?"

"I'm no scientist, Namikaze. I don't know anything about stuff like that."

"I mean do you know who can make something like that. That's what I'm referring to."

Gatō sipped his drink again, used to the bitterness. "And why would think I would know someone like that?"

"Because you are extremely well known for your atrocities, Gato."

"Nothing I've been accused of has even been proven in a court of law. Do not accuse me of something that cannot be proven. Now, come out with why you believe I have the answers or leave my home."

Naruto said nothing at first. He did not want to outright blurt his true reasoning for being here.

But if he wanted answers, Naruto would have to be honest.

"...If you know my legend, then you know about my parents. Well, there has been new evidence discovered." Naruto ruffled for Orochimaru's autopsy report for his mother. "According to my mother's autopsy, she was poisoned with a substance that was designed to vanish from her bloodstream. Fortunately, it did not follow through and now, after all this time, I have a lead to go on. This lead has given me the idea that something like this has been used by others. More specifically, bought by ours."

"I have never been..."

"No matter what you say, you are a criminal mastermind. This book proves it. You use blackmail to completely control the outcome of most things you encounter. That is not the point I'm trying to make."

Naruto placed the black book on the table. He didn't want there to be trouble. Just a simple exchange. He believed that Gatō was realizing this.

"Tell me what I want to know, and I'll give you this back."

Gatō took another sip. "Do you really believe that this book is my key to my empire? I have much more than a simple black book."

"No, I'd certainly hope not. But...it would be enough for Konoha begin an investigation into your businesses."

That was the last thing Gatō needed. He had enough heat on him as it was. His organization did not need Konoha coming for their businesses.

"...A vanishing poison? Now that I'm thinking about it...it's beginning to ring a bell." Gatō motioned for Naruto to have his whiskey. "Please, I insist, Namikaze. I will not engage in conversation unless we can share a drink."

With progress made, Naruto would play this game. Whiskey was never his first choice. "What do you know?"

"For plausible deniability purposes, I never meet or know the people that do these types of things. I don't even know the methods that they use. One day, there is a problem. The next day, there is no more problem. I have no knowledge of who these people are or where they come from. I know they exist."

"That gives me nothing."

"The only thing that connects me to any mercenary, outside of these two, would be the money. I can tell you where we drop off the money." Gatō wasn't used to spelling out his secrets to someone, regardless of ally or not. He ruffled through his pocket. "Here. There is a drop at this location. It's scheduled to happen in seven days."

"Smart. Use a neutral location for a money swap. Makes it harder to be caught."

"Glad to hear that a man of the law approves." Gatō chuckled. "Does this help your endeavors, Naruto Namikaze?"

"It gives me a direction. Which is better than the last twenty years." Naruto drank the last of the whiskey in one gulp, shivering from the strong taste and bitterness. "Thanks for the drink. I'll be in touch."

"You'll be in touch?"

"Absolutely. I bet you'll want this back." Naruto held the black book, revealing that he still had it.

Gatō swiped the book off the table. The pages were blank. He had been deceived. "Hey! We had a deal!"

"Reveal that I was here and Konoha will seize everything you own, Gato. I promise you that."

"Zabuza! Take him down!"

The cleaver sword was quick. A normal shinobi would have probably been beheaded without realizing. But Naruto Namikaze was no normal shinobi. Zabuza knew this well.

It did not surprise him that his target had vanished. His sword slammed into the wall without an ounce of blood on it.

"Bastard...he used that teleportation technique. He must have planted something back at the warehouse."

"Then go after him!"

"He's long gone, Gatō." Zabuza pulled the sword from the pillar. "Even Haku wouldn't be able to track his movements."

"Then what am I paying you for?! Useless mercenaries!" The criminal mastermind angerly chucked his glass at the wall. "That bastard has a book full of leverage on so many people. It's priceless! I need that book back."

"Relax, Gatō." Zabuza clipped his legendary weapon to his back. "We know where's he's going, Gatō. You just gave him the coordinates to that money drop. I'll intercept him there."

"Finally, good to see you use that brain of yours." Gatō readjusted his suit coat. "I don't wanna see you until you have that book. Now, leave."

Zabuza grumbled disgruntledly, motioning for Haku to follow, as he left the office. He hated his employer with a burning passion. He would kill Gatō without a second hesitation. But his money was good, and more than anything he could be making elsewhere.

If he wanted to achieve his goal of rebuilding the swordsman guild and the subsequent destruction of Kirigakure, money was something he needed to acquire. And he needed a lot of money.

"Get some rest, Haku. Come this time next week, we're fighting a legend."

-Konoha-

"Damn it! I hate that stupid cat!"

Konohamaru was nursing scratches all over his face and arms. Their latest D-Rank mission was one that would forever live on in infamy.

"No dude, that cat hated you." Katsuro laughed. "When I or Kai held her, she was as calm as could be."

"If you had just listened to me, Konohamaru, Tora wouldn't have attacked you like that. You were holding her all weird and she didn't like it." Kai took a sip of her drink. She was enjoying their after-mission trips to Ichiraku. "Lady Shijimi told you that Tora doesn't like being held by her belly. You should have listened better rather than ogle the Hokage's aid."

"I was not ogling, I was admiring her work. And when did you become the animal expert?" Stubbornness was Konohamaru's best attribute. "Bah! It doesn't matter. The mission is over with. Only two more weeks of this."

Team Thirteen was taking the punishment for their sensei's actions better than anticipated. And, in fact, Naruto believed it was doing more good than bad for their teamwork and comradeship. They were acting like more of a team.

They were arriving together to the mission briefings: that was first thing Naruto noticed. The teamwork during the missions had increased as well. They were finishing tasks as a single unit.

In their time off, they were spending more time together. In a much more relaxed setting, Naruto saw them hanging out and having fun. His students were getting along, and it seemed to be enjoyable.

Seeing them like that reminded Naruto of his genin days with Kiba and Ino. No one could pull the three of them apart. They did everything together. It wasn't just team bonding; they were each other's family.

Naruto missed those days just as much as he missed his parents.

"You should consider yourself lucky, Konohamaru. Back when I was genin, that lady owned a bobcat. And that slick son of a gun was a lot faster than a house cat. And stronger too."

The three genin shuttered at the idea of that lady being able to domesticate an animal like a bobcat.

"How could she have owned something like that? It sounds illegal." Kai pointed out.

"She's a part of the Fire Daimyo's immediate family. She could ignore rules like that."

"That's not how that is supposed to be." Katsuro hated entitlement.

"Never said it was right. That's just how it goes."

"...She probably smothered that thing to death." Konohamaru could only imagine what it was like to be shoved into that lady's massive bosom.

A good chuckle from the jonin. "No. Actually, we never caught it. It disappeared in the Forest of Death. Per our orders about that place, we weren't allowed to follow. That's why she went out and bought Tora from a local shelter here in Konoha."

"That bobcat was a lucky one." Konohamaru finally started eating his ramen. He liked to wait for his food to cool down, he hated eating extremely hot foods. "Ahhhh! This makes up for all that trouble!"

Food is the great equalizer.

The month-long punishment against his team for his actions was nearly half over. While the day-to-day grind was near unbearable, his students were handling it well. He couldn't be prouder.

And by the end of this, there will be some new leads to follow. I hope my clone is getting somewhere.

-Later that night-

The cool breeze drifted through the open window on the warm summer's night. Ino flipped the page of her smutty book while Naruto studied another scroll of his father's, one he had probably read a hundred times over by now. This was what their nights consisted of. Peace and blissful enjoyment.

This was what Ino appreciated the most. These types of nights were some of her happiest memories with Naruto. With the craziness of their lives, the calm nights together were very much needed. Whether it be reading side by side or trying to best each other in a game, these were the times that Ino loved the most.

Ino wouldn't trade them for the world.

She looked up from her book, her lover looked lost in thought. Just like he had been over the last few nights. "Something on your mind?"

"...Yeah, you could say that."

She immediately closed her book. "What's going on?"

"I haven't heard from Pervy Sage." Worrying about his master was a feeling he never thought he'd know. "I'm getting a bad feeling."

"Why are you worried? Master Jiraiya never checks in. He just shows up when he needs something from you." Ino had grown accustomed to how the Sannin would just come in and out of their lives. It was months, even years, between contact.

"...I don't know. Something isn't sitting right. He was going to that temple. It should have been a quick stop."

"It probably was and nothing noteworthy happened."

Naruto knew Ino was just trying to assurance him that everything was fine, and he might be overthinking this. "...Maybe I should go there. Make sure for myself."

"You are under a strict village restriction, Naruto!" Ino berated, she hated/loved how stubborn he could be. "You can't leave the village for any reason. Maybe if you didn't threaten the Hokage..."

"I know that Ino." He did not want another lecture from her about that. "It's just...this isn't sitting right."

It was rare that Naruto was ever worried. And it seemed ridiculous to worry about one of the Sannin. "Maybe you're just on edge because what happened with Lord Hokage and everything with your parents. You should take a break. You've been reading your father's scrolls every night for hours."

"I'm trying to see if I missed anything. Now that I know they were poisoned, I need to keep looking. I need to find any clue, any shred of evidence, I can that'll get me closer to finding out who did this."

While she supported Naruto full heartedly, Ino would truthfully never fully understand the obsession Naruto held for his parents' death. It was traumatic, for obvious reasons. But, from a psychology standpoint, it was borderline obsessive and unhealthy.

The trauma of his parents' death is what drove Naruto train harder than the rest, to be better than everyone else. Ino was convinced that Naruto did not have all that natural talent he would still be the strongest. His drive was next level. His sheer will power alone was something she knew very little about.

While that feeling was something Ino did not truly realize, Naruto's drive and compassion was something Ino so deeply loved about him. It was captivating to watch and be around. His 'never say never' attitude was inspiring, no mountain was too high for him.

There was nothing impossible for him.

That's why Ino believed Naruto could do anything.

Ino pulled her troubled lover into a tender embrace. Naruto slowly wrapped his arms around his world.

In the uncertain world with a troubling future, the two lovers knew that they could survive anything as long as they had each other.

With fate being the only thing that could tear them apart.

-Bamboo Village-

Through the thick bamboo forest, there was a small village hidden in the Land of Hot Water. Most of the buildings in the village were made from the bamboo that surrounded it. And because of the dense forest around this village, it was extremely isolated. Even harder to get to.

Even with the coordinates, Naruto had trouble navigating through the bamboo to find this place. He had to hand it to Gato; Bamboo Village was the perfect place for money drops.

Naruto found a fairly hidden vantage point over the designated point for the drop. He had no idea who was coming to collect or who was making the exchange. For now, he was going to play the waiting game.

Night had fallen and the hustling villagers had retired to their homes. There were no souls in sight. Now would be the perfect time for the exchange to happen.

Like clockwork, two individuals began approaching each other. Naruto couldn't make out faces from the illumination of the moon. He did note that the money carrier was significantly taller than the receiver. And they both had duffle bags.

Could be a child. I really hope I'm wrong about that.

There were no words spoken, barely a glance between them. A moment of hesitation before they exchanged bags. And just as swiftly they exchanged bags, they disappeared into the thick bamboo. If Naruto wasn't there to witness the exchange, he would have been none the wiser.

Gotta follow the shorter one.

Staying high above, Naruto tracked the individual through the bamboo forest. It was either due to lack of experience or as simple as being a clumsy person, Naruto was able to easily follow this person through the dense vegetation. For hours, Naruto followed his target, never losing sight.

When the forest of bamboo finally came to an end, there a mountainous area that seemed to hold a great deal of trade and travel. There were many roads and paths that led throughout the mountain range. And with the dense forest behind them, the moon light could shine more to show who it was that Naruto was following.

Unreal. It is a kid.

The kid took the path less traveled. A move that surprised the jonin in the shadows.

He continued to follow his target for quite some time. There was still no one around. Where in the world was this person going?

Then there was another in the road. A cloaked individual that was patiently waiting.

"Were you followed, Kawaki?"

"No, sir. I did everything just like you instructed."

"Very good." The individual took the bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Amado will be glad to see that you can be trusted in Dark Thunder Group's endeavors."

Dark Thunder? Never heard of them. Amado must be the leader if he's being talked about like this.

The two members of this 'Dark Thunder' group continued the path. Naruto jumped down from the vantage point once they were out of view. The jonin quickly wrote down everything that had transpired in a journal before beginning to follow.

Battle senses kicked in. Instantly, Naruto vanished from danger. A massive cleaver sword flew wildly into the bamboo, slicing dozens before coming to a stop deep in the vegetation.

There was a sigh from the jonin. "I had a feeling you guys might have followed me here."

Zabuza and Haku stood ready to fight across the path. The Demon of the Mist yanked on a wire and Kubikiribōchō came flying back into his grasp.

"Just hand over Gatō's book and we'll be on our way."

Naruto could tell Zabuza did not want to fight. He could see it in his eyes. A slight ping of guilt. But sympathy for his enemies was not something he could afford. Naruto had his own agenda. He made a promise to himself that nothing would stand in his way when it came to finding out what happened to his parents.

"...Sorry, can't do that." Two kunais appeared in Naruto's hands. "I've got my own goals, Zabuza. I can't let myself be bogged down by these thoughts. If you stand against me...I must take you down."

For all their strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages, this battle was over before it even started.

-Konoha-

"Good work, team!"

The jonin sensei towered over his exhausted students. They had just completed a rigorous gauntlet of training drills; unlike anything they had ever done before. Naruto was slightly surprised none of them were puking yet.

"Those drills sucked!" Konohamaru called out. "Are you trying to kill us?!"

"Endurance needs to be built up over time. There will be times when a battle is drawn out to the point that the deciding factor will be which one of you has better endurance." Naruto could recall numerous times that a battle came down to who could endure longer. Those battles were the ones he learned the most from.

Katsuro was feeling the effects of the strenuous drills the most. Uchiha's were known to have terrible endurance. He turned away and let his lunch loose.

There it is.

Kai turned away from the sight. She couldn't stand vomit. The mere sight of regurgitated food would be enough to make her retch. Konohamaru, on the other hand, couldn't have been bothered less. He was too worn out to care.

"I think that's enough for today. You guys have worked hard this week. With tomorrow being a mandatory day off, you guys have definitely earned it."

"Thank you, sensei." Kai responded while the other two genin did not.

"Have a good night, team. See you bright and early Monday morning."

Their jonin sensei vanished from sight. Konohamaru was quick to start complaining, like he always did when their mentor left them.

"Man, I cannot take this anymore!" He shouted frustratedly. "These D-Rank missions are so mind numbingly boring!"

While Kai and Katsuro could find common ground on that, they would never admit to it.

"This training is unreal." Katsuro wiped his mouth clean. He felt so gross. "I'm having a really hard time keeping up with you guys."

Kai forced herself to stand up. Being hunched over while heavy breathing negated oxygen from reaching the muscles. She needed to recover faster than Konohamaru and Katsuro. Her training was nowhere close to finished. "It's like what Naruto sensei said. Endurance helps in a fight."

Konohamaru glanced up at his female teammate. "You've been weirdly optimistic lately. What gives?"

"What do you mean, Konohamaru?" Kai was adjusting her back into a pony. She needed more air to cool off.

"You've been...different ever since we got back from the Land of Snow. You're acting different. You have this weird mood about you."

"...I don't follow." She didn't want to admit how right Konohamaru was.

"I don't know. You're just...acting weird. You have this optimism but, at the same time, you such a stonewall to me and Katsuro. Did we do something wrong?"

"No."

"Are you mad at us?"

"You've done nothing wrong, Konohamaru."

"Is it your time of the month?"

"Seriously?!" Kai shouted incredulously, her cheeks turning a shade of red from embarrassment. "Never ask a woman that! That is unbelievably inappropriate, you jackass! Just get the hell away from me!"

"Jeez, sorry. Never mind then." Konohamaru turned and began walking away. "I'll see you guys' Monday."

As the heir to the Sarutobi clan cleared the training area, Katsuro was finally able to compose himself enough. There was no more food spew back up. "That was...harsh."

"He deserved it." Kai didn't want to dwell on this. "He should have never asked something like that."

"...He's not wrong, Kai. You have been acting differently."

There was a deep sigh from the girl. She just wanted this to end. "I just have a lot on my mind, okay? You don't need to worry."

Katsuro was less persistent than Konohamaru. If Kai didn't to share, then he would respect that. "If you say so. I'll see you Monday morning then."

The Uchiha slowly left the training grounds, hoping that Kai would call out and tell him something. Much to his dismay, she did not. Katsuro trotted home by himself.

Now alone, Kai felt the guilt quickly creep in.

I shouldn't have yelled at Konohamaru like that. He meant well. And Katsuro...they both are just concerned. I just...don't know what to do.

How was going to tell them that she had a monster inside of her?

That question would be pondered later. Her second training session was about to begin.

"Your teammates are concerned for your wellbeing. Are they going to be a distraction?"

A voice appeared from thin air. Her ROOT mentor, assigned by her grandfather, never seemed to far away.

"...No sir."

The mask always threw her off. It was mostly blank with abstract symmetrical designs. It was creepy and off putting.

"Good." The mentor tossed a sheathed tanto to his student. "Today, we learn how to handle a weapon. It is standard practice for a ROOT member to be able to handle any and all weapons. Familiarize yourself with the weight and where it will be most comfortable for you to draw it from. You have ten minutes."

Kai quickly did what she was told. She found it best to mimic her mentor and strap it to her back, directly over her right shoulder. She could easily sheath it and not stab herself because it was a tip-less blade.

"...I'm ready, Sai."