Kakashi's P.O.V.

It was mostly quiet as we sailed across the river into The Land of Waves. Naruto sat at the end of the boat, his back to us as he stared strait ahead, then Sakura off to his left and Sasuke beside Ginko. Tazuna sat behind me with Ginko sitting beside me, seeming to have fallen asleep as her head had fell lazily onto my shoulder not to long ago. I don't blame her, it is quite boring on this boat. I look over at the sleeping ten-year-old, seeing for the first time why Naruto calls her an angle, and felt a tug at my heartstrings as I thought of how much she looks like Anju, especially when she's sleeping.

"You two, father and daughter or something? Tazuna asked quietly, surprising me a bit. "Uh, no. Why do you ask?"

"Because she looks and acts like you," he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, a 'Duh' look on his face.

'The only thing we have in common is the hair color. She doesn't look anything like me.'

"No, we're not related. She is related to Naruto though," I whisper as I look at Naruto. "Uh-hu," Tazuna said disbelievingly. When I turned to look at him, I saw him giving me a 'Are you stupid?' look, making me glare at him slightly.

'Why doesn't he believe me?'

"This fog's so thick, you can't see anything," Sakura whispered to no one in particular. It was quiet for a moment before the man rowing the boat said, "The bridge isn't far now. Our destination's just ahead, The Land of Waves."

It wasn't long after that that the bridge came into view. It was awe-inspiring, and I was tempted to wake Ginko, but...

"Whoa! It's huge!" Naruto shouted, causing Ginko to suddenly stand in a battle stance I've never seen before, a kunai in hand as she looked around, somehow unaffected by the now rocking boat. The boat rower was the first to recover, saying, "What? Quiet! I told you, no noise! Why do you think we're traveling like this, huh? Cutting off the engine and rowing, moving through the dense fog so they don't see us." Ginko relaxed her stance and sighed as she put away her kunai and sat back down. "Gave me a damn heart attack," Ginko muttered and, like always, I slapped the back of her head.

"Ow," she whined as she rubbed the back of her head. "Watch your language young lady," I scolded. She looked up at me, still rubbing her head as she said, "Yes, sir."

It always confused me when she called me sir when I scolded her. I look at Tazuna and said, "Mr. Tazuna... before we reach the pier, I want to ask you something." I paused for a moment, making sure I had his attention before continuing, "The men who are after you, I need to know why. If you don't tell us, I'm afraid I'll have to end this mission when we drop you ashore."

He grunts, and it's quiet as me and the others wait for his response.

"I have no choice but to tell you. No, I want you to know the truth. Like you said, this is beyond the scope of the original mission. The one who seeks my life is a very short man who casts a very long and deadly shadow."

"A deadly shadow?" I ask and he grunts in agreement. "Hmm. Who is it?"

"You know him. At least, I'm sure you've hears his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping magnet, Gato."

Ginko gasped in horror, for what reason, I don't know. "Huh? Gato? Of Gato Transport? He's a business leader. Everyone knows him."

"Who? Who? What? What?" Naruto asked.

"Gato is a very powerful tycoon from a famous company, that's true. But below the surface, with the same ruthless methods he uses to take over businesses and nations, he sells drugs and contraband using gangs and ninja. It was one year ago when Gato first set his sight on The Land of Waves. He came to our island and used his vast wealth to take total control of our transport and shipping. Anyone who tried to stand in his way simply disappeared. In an island nation, a man who controls the sea controls everything. Finance, government, our very lives. But there's one thing he fears, the bridge. When it is complete, it will join us to the land, and that will break his control. I am the bridge builder," Tazuna finished, looking up at the bridge.

"So that's it. Since you're in charge of the bridge, you're standing in this gangster's way," Sakura said, making a valid point. "That means those guys we fought in the forest, they were working for Gato," Sasuke put in. Ginko stared intently at Tazuna, seeming to absorb all of the information she get while Naruto seemed confused.

"I don't understand. If you knew he was dangerous, knew he'd send ninja to eliminate you, why did you hide that from us?" I asked Tazuna, but it was Ginko who answered. "Because The Land of Waves is a small, impoverished nation. Even their nobles have little money. The common people, who are probably the ones building the bridge, can't pay for A or B ranked mission. It's too expensive." Tazuna nodded and said, "Yes, the squirts right. If you end the mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate before I reach home. But don't feel bad about that."

"Oh, but how could we not! Your sweet little grandson would be so devastated!" Ginko cried, leaning forward with a sad look in her eyes. It hurt to see her like that.

Tazuna nodded solemnly and said, "Yes, he would. He'd cry, 'Grandad! I want my Grandad!'," Tazuna cried, imitating a child poorly, making Sakura and Naruto groan. "Oh, and my daughter will condemn The Ninja of the Hidden Leaves, denouncing and blaming you for abandoning her father and living her life in sorrow," Tazuna added happily, making all my students but Ginko, who gasped, groan.

"Oh, well. It's not your fault. Forget it," he finished, making us all groan. I look from Tazuna to my students as Ginko turned to me, tears in her eyes, her hands clasped together. "Oh, Sensei, we can't just leave him. What about his people and his family? Please, Sensei, we gotta help them," she cried.

I felt my features soften as I thought, 'How can I no to a face like that? Not to mention what it would do to this country.'

"Well, I guess we have no other choice. We'll have keep guarding you," I said, turning to Tazuna, giving him a sad smile. "Oh, I'm very grateful," he said just as Ginko cried happily, her tears suddenly gone.

Ginko's P.O.V.

"Well, I guess we have no other choice. We'll have keep guarding you," Papa said, giving Tazuna a sad smile, just like I knew he would.

"Oh, I'm very grateful," Tazuna said as I cried out happily, my fake tears gone instantly, me and Tazuna sharing a smirk and a wink when the others weren't looking.

'Operation "Guilt Trip and Childish begging" is a success! Yay~'

"We're approaching the shore," The boat rower said as we neared the beginning of the bridge. "Tazuna, we've been very fortunate. No one has noticed us so far."

"Nice going," Tazuna replied just before we entered a tunnel. When we came out of the other side, I was amazed at the beauty of the small town. The ocean blue water, the floating homes, the Mangroves. It was beautiful in my eyes.

When we reached one of the docks, we stopped. Naruto was the fist out, followed by Sasuke, Papa, Sakura, me, and then Tazuna. They conversed for a moment before the rower started the engine and drove off, getting smaller the further he went.

Tazuna turned to us and said, "Okay. Take me to my home, and I mean get me there in one piece."

"Right," Papa said as we all turned to leave, Tazuna giving us directions every now and then. Some time after we got on land and away from the docks, heading further out to where most homes were, I noticed Papa looked worried. He must be worried about the fact that the next ninja we encounter will be a Jonin. To be honest, I'm worried as well. I didn't want anyone to get hurt, or worse, killed. I'll try my hardest to keep both my team and Tazuna alive.

"Sweetheart, I want you to remember something very important. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that, because love is the only thing that can turn any enemy into a friend and light the darkness in their world."

I sighed as I remembered Mama's words. She's right, and... I look up at Naruto. Hopefully we can change someone for the better before someone loses a life, whether it be the enemy's or one of ours.

I slow down until I'm beside Papa, and ask, "Yen for your thoughts?" He sighed and said, "I don't wish to worry you with-"

"I'm already as worried as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, but in some way, aren't we all? This mission just suddenly became an A-rank mission. That, and I can sense we're already being followed," I finished just as Naruto ran forward, looking around before throwing a kunai into the bushes, yelling, "Over there!"

Well, he not was wrong, but I'm sure it was just a random throw. That or just trying to show off.

"Hm. It was just a mouse," Naruto said nonchalantly. "Mouse? Yeah, right! Sakura said angrily. "Everyone can see through your stupid act! You're so obvious, it's embarrassing!"

"Naruto, those are kunai knives. They're dangerous!" Papa warned him as Tazuna began to growl. "Stop trying to scare me, you scruffy little dwarf!" Tazuna shouted loudly, making me yelp and grab my ears.

"Hey! Is someone hiding over there? No! They're over there!"

That's why I felt it. The deadly aura of Zabuza Momochi.

"Over there!" Shouted as I threw a marked senbon at the person, his kunai following not long after. I walked over to the bush as Sakura hit Naruto on the head, yelling, "That's it Naruto!"

I saw a white rabbit scared shit less with Naruto's kunai an inch above his head, his right ear and left leg twitching every now and then. I heard them arguing as Papa walked up behind me. "A snow rabbit. And the color's wrong for spring time, don't you think Sensei?" He nodded and walked away from the rabbit. I ignored the yelling behind me as I followed Papa. I look up into the trees where the chakra was and motioned for him to come out of his hiding spot with a smirk on my face.

'You can't hide from me, Zazu. You know that.'

Zabuza's P.O.V.

'Hmm. No wonder the Demon Brothers failed in their mission,' I thought as I grabbed the Executioner's Blade. 'It's the Copy Ninja from the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Kakashi, the Sharingan.' I look at the little girl next to him that resembled an angel greatly, seeing the smirk on her face as she motions for me to come out of hiding with her index finger.

I smirk at the little devil. 'Well, well, well. If it isn't Hell's Angel herself. She's grown since I last saw her.'

Kakashi's P.O.V.

"Look out!" Ginko and I yell at the other's just as a large sword comes flying at us. Everyone ducked just in time, the sword getting lodged into a tree, it's owner jumping onto it not long after, looking at us over his shoulder.

'That must be...' I thought as I stood up with the others, Ginko standing next to me.

"Well, well, if it isn't Zabuza Momochi, rogue ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist," I said out, trying to let the others know that ninja isn't to be messed with. I heard Naruto run up and I held my hand out, saying, "You're in the way. Get back."

"But why?"

"He's not like those other ninja. He's in a whole other league," Ginko said from beside me. "He's not to be underestimated."

"If he's our opponent, I'll need this," I said, reaching for my headband, hearing Naruto and Sakura gasp. "This could be treacherous."

"Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye. Did I get that right?" Zabuza asked. I didn't answer. "It's too bad, huh? But you'll have to hand over the old man.

"Sorry, but that's not an option. You're not going to be able to lay a finger on him if I have anything to say about it," Ginko said defiantly. Zabuza chuckled and said, "Still the strong willed little angel your mother raised you to be, hu Ginko? So much so that you won't even hand him over to me? I'm a little disappointed." I look over at Ginko and see the indifferent look on her face as I remember the conversation I had with Lord Hokage.

-----

"Lord Hokage, I'd like to talk to you about Ginko," I asked as we left Naruto and Ginko's apartment.

"Oh, what is it you'd like to know?" he asked around his pipe.

"Who are her parents?" I asked as I looked over at him. "I know that she's an Uzumaki, so one of her parents must be, but there aren't many left."

He stopped walking, staring intently ahead for a while before he said, "I'm in no place to give out information that Ginko does not want revealed, but yes, her mother was an Uzumaki, while her father..." he sighed before continuing again. "He is a man known for many things, non of which are for being a father. All I can say is that he is someone that she will always love and respect, no matter what, for she truly is a her daddy's little girl."

-----

'He could possibly be... could he?' I looked away from Ginko and back at Zabuza as I said, "Now quick! Manji formation! Protect the bridge builder, and stay out of this fight. I taught you teamwork. Now it's time to use it." I noticed Zabuza narrowed his eyes slightly at me as I raised my headband. "I'm ready," I say after opening my Sharingan, effectively activating it.

"Well, looks like I get to see the Sharingan in action," Zabuza said turning to face me before continuing. "This is an honor."

"Everyone keeps saying, 'Sharingan, Sharingan'. Will someone please tell me what Sharingan is?" Naruto asked in annoyance. Sasuke then began to explain a bit about the Sharingan, but I ignored it, keeping my focus on Zabuza instead.

Ginko's P.O.V.

"However, there's more to the Sharingan than that. A lot more," Sasuke finished as I continued to stare up at the man that me and Mama took care of while he was injured. The man who taught me how to use a katana and how to be a good swordsmen. The man that always told me to never take shit from anyone, no matter who they were.

The man who was like a second father to me, despite the fact that he now seems to be a cold hearted criminal.

"You got it right, boy. But you only scratched the surface. The Sharingan can analyze an opponent's technique, and then copy it to the smallest detail," Zazu said before a mist began to surround us.

"As for you, Jonin, in the Assassination Unit of the Hidden Mist, we had a standing order to destroy you on sight. Your profile was in our bingo book. It called you, 'The man who copied over 1,000 jutsu'. Kakashi, The Copy Ninja."

"Wow, that's so cool!" Naruto shouted, and I couldn't help be agree with him silently.

"Enough talking," Zazu said as he squat down on his sword. "I need to exterminate the old man, now." I pull out a kunai and run over to Tazuna, standing between Sasuke and Naruto.

I saw Zazu look at me for a moment before looking at Papa and saying, "So I'll have to eliminate you first, eh, Kakashi? So be it." He then pulled his sword out of the tree, jumping onto the water.

"He's over there!"

"Standing on the water!"

I sensed his chakra flare as he began to build up a large amount of chakra, his hands in the position for a Hidden Mist jutsu, the water swirling around him in small droplets

"Ninja art. Hidden Mist jutsu!"

'Why couldn't our opponent be a complete and total stranger? It would make this mission somewhat easier.'

**********
A.N.
Okay, this chapter was a bit harder, and I'm positive the next one will be even harder because it takes me a while to think of a good battle plan (seeing as how I think about those types of things a lot) and it's a bit difficult for me to describe and all that Jazz.

Also, I'm taking aɭɩcɟa's (She's on Quotev * www.quotev.com/29857896 *) suggestion into consideration, which, now that I think about it, would make me happy and maybe a few others as well, so I'm trying to figure it all out 'cause I was just gonna have them go on as usual and Zabuza would pass his sword down to Ginko, but if I keep them alive, especially Zabuza, it'll maybe possibly drive a few of you crazy, because when I read a fanfic, I love it when the author throws in confusion and it just throws everyone off, sending a few emotions threw the fan.

Soo, I hope you guy's like 'He Couldn't Possibly Be Her Father... Could He?'

~愛 Naomi