Team 7 and Tazuna kept on walking after their encounter with the Demon Brothers. They couldn't shake off their curiosities of how Naruto knew them.

Sakura couldn't hold back: "How did you know them Naruto? And why did they regard someone like you in such high esteem? It should have been Sasuke-kun!" said Sakura haughtily.

Naruto sighed. "You don't have to know about my life. All you need to know is that before the academy, I went outside of Konoha."

"Hn, dobe," grunted Sasuke. "When did you get so strong?"

Naruto smirked. "Nice to know that you regard me as someone strong, te-me. But the question you ask, I won't answer. One, I'm not obliged too and two, you don't need to know."

"Anyway," said Kakashi, interrupting them, "this has now become at least a B-rank mission. This was supposed to be simple protection until you completed the bridge.

If it was known that shinobi were after you, this mission would have been set as the more expensive B-rank. I'm sure you had a reason, but it causes problems when you lie about the mission rank. We are now operating outside of our duties."

"We aren't ready for this mission. Let's quit!" said Sakura shakily.

"Ne, ne, Sakura, that sounds like what a coward would say. Since Tazuna-san needs our help, shouldn't we go out of our way to help him? I say we continue the mission."

"Sensei...I...want to talk to you," said Tazuna seriously. "It's about this mission...You're right, this job is most likely outside of your duties. It turns out that a super dangerous man is after my life."

"Super dangerous man? Who?" asked Kakashi.

"You've probably at least heard his name before. The wealthy shipping magnate...a man named Gato."

"Huh? Gato...From that Gato Company? He's said to be one of the world's few extremely wealthy people."

"Yes...Officially he runs a large shipping company...But secretly he sells drugs and other illegal items, using shinobi and gang members to take over businesses and countries. He's a very nasty man.

It was about a year ago when he set his eyes on the Wave country. Through money and violence, he quickly took control of the country's shipping industry. Gato now has a monopoly on all business in the country. The only thing he has to fear is the completion of the bridge."

"I see," said Sakura thoughtfully, "Since you're building the bridge, you're in the way."

"Hn, so those shinobi were hired by Gato?" queried Sasuke.

Before Tazuna could reply, Naruto interrupted him.

"That guy is an idiot," he laughed. "Money does a lot, but it can't get you everywhere."

"If you're Gato it can," mumbled Tazuna.

Kakashi sighed. "What I don't understand is, if you knew shinobi could be after you, why did you hide that fact when you hired us?" he asked.

"The Wave country is super poor. Even the Feudal Lord has no money. Of course, we don't have much money either. Not enough for the expensive B-rank mission. Well, if you quit the mission now, I will be killed.

But...don't worry about it! If I die, my cute 10-year-old grandson will just cry for a few days. Oh yeah, and my daughter will live a life hating Konoha shinobi forever but it won't be your fault, not at all!"

Naruto eye-rolled. "Guilt-tripping isn't going to work, however, we will continue with this mission since it's the right thing to do. Besides, I need some action. I haven't had a chance to fight for a while now."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Team 7 and Tazuna arrived at the Wave port. Tazuna signalled for a boat and it came swiftly and quietly.

"The Wave Country is at the base of the bridge. We'll see it soon," informed the boatman.

Team 7 took in their surroundings.

"Wow! The bridge's huge!" exclaimed Sakura.

"Hey, be quiet. Why do you think we are hiding in the mist and not using the engine?" hissed Tazuna. "We'll be in big trouble if Gato finds us. Anyway, we'll be there soon."

"Tazuna," said the boatman, "It looks like we avoided detection so far but just in case, we'll take the route that has vegetation. It will make it harder to spot us."

"Thanks," said Tazuna gratefully.

Soon, they arrived and were on land.

"This is it for me. Good luck and goodbye," said the boatman.

"Yeah, super thanks," replied Tazuna. "Okay, now get me home safely," he said, facing Team 7.

"Yes, yes," said Kakashi, thinking that the next attack on Tazuna would be more troublesome as it would probably be a jonin level ninja.

Suddenly, Naruto heard the rustling of bushes. Quickly, he flung a senbon into the bush.

"Stop trying to act cool!" screeched Sakura. "There was nothing there!"

Naruto ignored her. In the corner of his eyes, he saw something

"That's a snow rabbit...Yet it's spring, what's with its colour? This is a rabbit used solely for body-switching. They're here," he smiled.

"Everyone, get down!" shouted Naruto and Kakashi at the same time.

Pierced into the trunk of the tree was a huge sword. On top of it stood a man.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't my favourite missing-nin, Zabuza Moomoochi!" exclaimed Naruto, flickering to Zabuza's side.

"Well, well, my fave, Naru-chan, back in Konoha now and living life out as some wannabe genin?" teased Zabuza.

"Yeah, lame, I know, but hey, what needs to be done needs to be done," drawled Naruto. "Anyway, come out Haku, we need to catch up."

A masked boy came out from hiding, leaping through the trees to reach stand next to Naruto and Zabuza.

"Long time no see Naruto-kun. I see you have been well."

"Drop the formalities Haku," sighed Naruto. "Polite as always."

While the three engaged in a deep conversation, Tazuna, Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura watched with interest. What exactly did Naruto do when he was out of Konoha?

"Anyway, Naruto, could you please tell us what's happening?" called Kakashi from below.

"Old friends I made when I was travelling," answered Naruto, as if it explained everything.

"Anyway, you guys do know that Gato is using you right? After you kill Tazuna, he will think his threat is eliminated and so he will hire other mercenaries to dispose of you. Gato is a scheming greedy man, he will hoard his money."

"I know," answered Zabuza. "Haku and I are just working for him for fun. After all, we have nothing better to do. We planned on killing him anyway, didn't we Haku?"

"That's right, Gato's such a bore."

"Okay, Tazuna-san. Please lead the way to your home," said Naruto, jumping off Zabuza's sword and landing on the floor gracefully, much to the surprise of Sakura and Sasuke.

After all, they were only used to a clumsy, foul-mouthed and loud Naruto.

"Are you sure that we can take the people who are targeting me back to my home?" asked Tazuna worriedly.

"It's fine. I'm sure they rather work for us and get something good out of it then work hard in vain for Gato."

"Alright, let's go!"

A day had passed since the start of the mission. Surprisingly, Kakashi bonded very well with Zabuza and Haku. Kakashi and Zabuza had enlightening talks about Come Come Paradise while Naruto caught up with Haku. The two had so many in common: their knowledge of anatomy and their style of taijutsu.

Sasuke just seethed about how Naruto was stronger than him while Sakura tried desperately to get his attention.

At dinner, Kakashi addressed the group.

"Alright, Sasuke and Sakura need to train to prepare to fight against Gato and his mercenaries. Tomorrow, we're going out into the forest to train. But...there is a catch. I'm not going to be the one teaching you, it's going to be...Naru-chan!"

"What?! Huh? Why me? I don't want to train them."

"Yeah, why does Naruto have to train us. Sasuke-kun is so much stronger than him," screamed Sakura.

Kakashi just gave her one of his irritating eye smiles.

"Urgh, fine, but I hate you," groaned Naruto. "Meet me at five tomorrow, if you're late, prepare for a surprise."

It was still dark. Naruto didn't sleep that day. Instead, he went outside and meditated and talked with Kurama.

Naruto was still meditating when it was five. It was only until Sakura screamed at Naruto for ignoring them that he glared at her and told him that he was meditating.

"Anyway, today you will be doing tree climbing," he said.

"What kind of training is that? We already know how to climb trees. This sounds so boring," whined Sakura.

"Well," stated Naruto coldly, "maybe if you could shut up and listen to the end and then you will know what I'm talking about. This isn't normal tree climbing: you will climb without using your hands.

How you may ask? Well, by gathering the right amount of chakra at the bottom of your feet, you can easily climb trees vertically. it's almost if you were just walking up it."

"Wait a minute, how is learning how to climb a tree going to make us stronger?"

"Listen closely. Here's the main part. The purpose of this training is to learn how to control and utilise your chakra correctly so you won't tire yourself out as quickly during battle. If you master this exercise, you should be able to successfully use any jutsu, theoretically."

"Well, if you're so good at this, why don't you show us?" said Sakura haughtily.

Naruto sighed then proceeded to walk up the tree in ease.

"See? Do you get why I'm qualified to teach you guys now?" drawled Naruto. "Anyway, use kunais to mark your progress. See if you can reach the top. Well, I can't teach you anymore, this is something you have to learn with your own body. You guys won't be good enough to just walk up the tree at first so try to get some momentum and try running up the tree. Got it? Okay, I'll leave a blood clone here so I can still supervise you while I do my things. Later!"

With that, he conjured a clone and the real Naruto flickered away.

Sasuke ran swiftly up a tree but after a few metres, he fell back down.

"Too much chakra ad the wood cracks but too less and you don't stick at all," thought Sasuke, annoyed.

After many attempts, he lay on the ground, exhausted.

"Come on Sasuke! You can do better than that!" encouraged Naruto.

Sasuke got off the ground and ran up the tree again. This time, he made it to the 5-metre mark.

"Good job!" praised Naruto who was interrupted by Sakura.

"This is pretty easy!" exclaimed Sakura, sitting on a branch.

"Well, good job, but let me let you in on a secret," said Naruto, body flickering right next to her.

"The reason you can control your chakra so easily is that you have much smaller chakra reserves then Sasuke. If you want to impress Sasuke, I suggest you run up and down the tree continuously until you have nearly run out of chakra. This way, your reserves will gradually grow and then you can impress Sasuke with your strength."

"Okay! I'll do this for Sasuke-kun!" said Sakura, motivated.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was now dinner. Kakashi sheepishly asked about the training session with Sasuke and Sakura. Naruto groaned in frustration. "You're lucky I had a blood clone to supervise them while I sparred with Haku otherwise I would have killed you already."

"Mah, mah, sorry Naru-chan," said Kakashi sheepishly.

Soon after, dinner was finished. Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter, was busy washing the dishes while Zabuza, Haku, Kakashi and Naruto were playing cards that Naruto brought along in his sealing scroll, Sasuke was meditating and Sakura was looking at the house.

"Hey, why do you have a torn picture on the wall? Inari-kun was staring at this during dinner. It seems like someone purposely removed the person that was in the picture," asked Sakura curiously.

"It's my husband," replied Tsunami.

"And the man called the hero of the city..." said Tazuna.

Inari walked out of the room.

"Inari, where are you going? Inari!" called Tsunami anxiously then she turned back to Tazuna. "Father I have told you not to talk about that man in front of Inari!"

"What's wrong with Inari-kun?" asked Sakura.

"There seems to be some kind of explanation..." said Kakashi bluntly.

"What happened to the brat," probed Zabuza.

"Inari had a father not related by blood. They were very close, like real father and son...Inari would laugh a lot back then...But...Inari changed...since the incident with his father..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hey reader-chans! Here's a double update to make it up for not being active last week. So sorry for that, please forgive me!

CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, please.

Did you enjoy the chapter? Hopefully, I didn't modify and change Naruto's personality and relationships with others too much. Thank you for all the reads so far. :)