Two days had passed since Team 7 left for Nami no Kuni to escort Tazuna, the famous bridge-builder, to his home village. Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Hanabi was in her room getting ready for her day at the ninja academy. She was fully dressed with all of her stuff ready to be taken with her. She went into her drawer to make sure she didn't forget anything, and, as she did so, her eyes fell upon a certain object that was there hidden underneath all of her neatly folded undergarments. She thought back to what happened two months ago…
(Flashback: Two Months Ago)
It was late at night, and Hanabi was in the library, studying some of the material Iruka gave her and the rest of the class to review. Most of it regarded the historic establishment of Konoha and its ninja system.
"Hanabi-sama," Neji said as he entered the library. The young girl turned to Neji.
"Yes?" Hanabi replied.
"Your father wanted me to tell you to get to bed," Neji said. "It's about that hour of night now."
Hanabi simply nodded in acknowledgment of his words as she put away her things and took them to her room before grabbing her towel and a clean sleeping kimono. She left the room and headed for the bathroom to wash up. After twelve minutes, she was done, and she dressed herself in her sleeping kimono before leaving the bathroom with the rest of her belongings.
Returning to her room, she closed and locked the door and threw her dirty clothes and towel into the laundry basket. She walked over to her mirror and looked at herself in it.
Underdeveloped, he says, Hanabi thought. I don't even know why I'm bothered by that comment when I know I'm younger than Neesan. But he did say that I have potential, whatever that meant.
She decided not to think on the matter further as she went and turned off the light in her room. Getting into her futon, she laid down with her head facing the ceiling. She sighed as she thought back to what happened the previous night when Naruto pranked her and threw her into the pond.
"That baka Naruto-kun," Hanabi remarked. "I'll hurt him the next time I see him."
"Why wait?" a voice said from her right. Hanabi gasped in shock as she turned to see a grinning Naruto sitting in meditation style by her head.
"You!" Hanabi retorted. "What are you doing in my bedroom?"
"Like I haven't been in your room before," Naruto remarked. Hanabi got out of her futon and stood up as Naruto did the same. Before he could get another word out, Hanabi punched him in the gut. Naruto grunted and doubled over from the impact even though he could have easily dodged the blow.
"You jerk! Do you know how much trouble you caused me because of your stupid prank? It was hard getting out of that mess you put me in with Neesan! I had to convince her that I was out scavenger hunting for lost items you set me up to find during the night. And I had to make her believe that the reason I was in the pond was because the next item was in there!" Hanabi explained angrily.
"I guess that explains why Hinata approached me earlier today about some scavenger hunting game I staged for you that night," Naruto commented. "I must admit, you have a good way of covering your ass, Hanabi."
"That's because of you and your cruel stunt!" Hanabi continued. "I ought to scream and yell that you're in my room just to get back at you."
"In that case, perhaps I should leave. A pity, really, especially since I had a present for you. Now I'll have to leave with-" Naruto was stopped when Hanabi grabbed him by the arm.
"What present?" Hanabi asked curiously.
"A peace offering," Naruto said. "I know my prank was to teach you the reality of what would happen if you were exposed as a ninja, which I acknowledged you as, my Little Nighttime Firecracker, but I never intended to make you cry in fear, and for that, I'm sorry."
"And you waited until this late to tell me? In my bedroom, even?" Hanabi asked incredulously.
"We're ninja, my Little Nighttime Firecracker," Naruto remarked. "Doing things in the shadows and cover of the night is what we do best. You should know that by now since you're good at getting something you want during this time of night."
Hanabi cheeks burned red at hearing Naruto's implication.
"You're such a pain," Hanabi snorted. "And a pervert, too."
"And you're a masegaki, among other things," Naruto shot back.
Naruto pulled out a small scroll and opened it. Hanabi looked to see the kanji for "gift" written on it.
"What's that?" Hanabi inquired. Naruto just grinned as he focused chakra into the scroll and caused it to let out some white smoke, releasing the contents that were sealed in it. When the smoke cleared, Hanabi gasped in total surprise to see what was in Naruto's hand.
"No…way…" Hanabi said lowly as she looked at the extra-large bottle of very expensive rare red wine Naruto was holding in his right hand, along with the two champagne flutes being held in his left hand. "Vineyard of the Olden! That imported red wine is only sold in one prestigious restaurant in this village and it's very costly. You have to have deep pockets to even sample a taste of that wine! Even my father rarely buys it because of its cost, and when he does, he won't share with anyone."
It surprised Naruto that Hanabi knew about the wine in his hands. He was sure that she had read up on many different kinds of wine and other types of liquor, but for her to know about this stuff…
"How did you manage to buy one?" Hanabi asked.
"I didn't," Naruto said. "It was given to me."
Hanabi looked at Naruto as if he grew two extra heads on his shoulders.
"The owner of that restaurant wouldn't just give you that big of a bottle of Vineyard of the Olden for free," Hanabi replied.
"He would if you have something on him that he doesn't want to become public knowledge," Naruto replied mischievously. "This extra-large bottle of the village's most expensive imported red wine was what he traded in exchange for my silence."
Hanabi knew that Naruto was good at blackmailing people. She realized that Naruto must have some deep dirt on that restaurant owner if it got him to give Naruto that wine free of charge just to keep him quiet.
"You're really good at what you do, Naruto-kun," Hanabi said, smiling and giggling. Naruto could have teased her about how she addressed him again, but he decided against it. Seeing her laugh and smile was his prize.
"How about a small drink?" Naruto suggested as he handed Hanabi one of the two champagne flutes before opening the bottle and pouring a small amount into her glass and some for himself. Hanabi took a small sip of the wine and licked her lips.
"Wow!" Hanabi cheered as quietly as possible. "This wine tastes really terrific! I thought I would only taste this wine when I got older!"
"You're fortunate you didn't have to wait that long," Naruto said as he sipped and savored the delicious taste of the wine. "To tell you the truth, my Little Nighttime Firecracker, you're the first person I've shared and drank wine with. I have never even done this with Hinata-chan."
Hanabi looked at Naruto in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? You mean to say that I actually beat Neesan at doing something like this with you before her?"
"When you put it that way..." Naruto remarked after he thought about it. "…I don't even know how to respond to that."
Hanabi giggled again before sipping the wine. "I forgive you, Naruto-kun. Just don't pull that stunt on me again."
"Don't worry," Naruto assured as he ruffled her head. "I'll just have to think of something else to catch you with."
"You really are such a pain," Hanabi replied with a bit of annoyance.
Naruto grinned and gulped the rest of the wine down before handing her the rest of the bottle.
"This is yours to keep," Naruto said. "Savor every drop of it, my Little Nighttime Firecracker, because I don't know when I'll be able to get another one, and it sure as heck won't be anytime soon."
Hanabi took the bottle and looked at it. She set it and the champagne flute down by her futon, and, without thinking, she leaped and hugged Naruto tightly.
"Thank you so much, Naruto-kun," Hanabi said happily. Naruto held her briefly.
"Wow, Hanabi," Naruto teased. "I wasn't aware you could be this affectionate towards me. You really do care."
Hanabi jumped away from Naruto and recomposed herself, though a dark blush was present on her face.
"…Sorry," Hanabi said as she cleared her throat. "I got a little carried away. That's something not fitting for a Hyuuga of the Main House."
"You evidently have a side to yourself you don't want others to see," Naruto teased. "That's OK. You can always feel free to express that side of yourself whenever I'm around. By the way, how did your first day at the academy go?"
Hanabi sighed. "…It was dull. I used to believe that you were exaggerating about Iruka-sensei."
"Now you're truly seeing things from my point of view without the need for your Byakugan," Naruto teased.
Hanabi huffed as she folded her arms and turned her head away. "Whatever. You're still a pain, Naruto-kun."
"Likewise, you can be, too. So that makes us even," Naruto replied. "In any case, I'll take my leave now. You'd better find a good hiding spot for that bottle unless you want your father to find it."
"I'll think of something," Hanabi assured. "I've gotten this far without getting caught by them, have I not?"
"True, but don't become too overconfident," Naruto advised. "Sleep well, my Little Nighttime Firecracker, and do wake up sober."
Naruto body flickered out of Hanabi's room and back to his apartment, leaving the young girl alone again. Hanabi sighed in annoyance at Naruto's last words to her.
"That Naruto-kun," Hanabi mumbled. She turned her eyes to the bottle Naruto left for her as a present. She picked it up again and looked at it. "I could tell Neesan about this…" She thought for a moment and smiled. "But I think I'll keep this to myself. It'll be my own precious memory."
(End Flashback: Present Time)
Hanabi rarely drank the Vineyard of the Olden, only taking small sips of it every few weeks. She wanted to make the bottle last as long as possible. She had taken another sip of that wine four nights ago. She recalled what happened the night she did. It was still fresh in her memory.
(Flashback: Four Nights Ago)
It was late into the night. Hanabi, in her sleeping kimono, was in her bedroom awake, with her window blinds closed, lights turned off and door locked. Out in front of her was her champagne flute filled with a small amount of Vineyard of the Olden, which she was sipping little bits of after putting the bottle back in its hiding location.
"Savoring every drop, huh?" Naruto teased after he body flickered into her room. Hanabi turned around in surprise but kept her cool.
"How do you keep popping up like this?" Hanabi asked with a frown of annoyance.
Naruto grinned, and replied, "Ninja never reveal their most important secrets. It kills the element of surprise if they do."
"Why are you here?" Hanabi asked as she sipped her wine.
"I got a proposition for you, my Little Nighttime Firecracker," Naruto offered.
"It's not anything embarrassing, is it?" Hanabi asked suspiciously.
"Far from it," Naruto said, "I've been contemplating your taste for alcohol and liquor, and an idea came to mind, especially considering that you're adept at your clan's Juuken style."
"What are you getting at?" Hanabi asked.
"How would you like to put your taste for alcohol to use with your Juuken?" Naruto suggested.
"Excuse me?" Hanabi replied as she placed her champagne flute down on her desk.
Naruto reiterated, "How would you like to be the first Gentle Drunken Fist fighter or Drunken Gentle Fist fighter; whichever you want to call it? I've been giving it some serious thought for the past couple of weeks, a hybrid fighting style that fuses Drunken Fist with Gentle Fist."
"Is that even possible?" Hanabi replied cynically. "Our clan's fighting style is fine as it is."
"Perhaps," Naruto said. "But there comes a time when innovative steps must be taken in order to upgrade from the old ways to the new ones. There's nothing wrong with your clan's style, as it's held its ground and reputation for years. However, refusing to adapt and incorporate new ideas and possibilities while stubbornly choosing to stick to the old ways often times does more harm than good, especially when an enemy ninja learns to adapt to your style after many encounters and develops ways to counter you. By choosing to stick to the old ways instead of reforming and upgrading to new tactics, you leave yourself open to your enemies' in-depth familiarity with your style and counterattacks, which could lead to your defeat and, ultimately, your demise."
Hanabi found Naruto's logic hard to challenge as she tried to come up with a way to counter him.
"But you've never fought against a hardened experienced Juuken fighter, Naruto-kun," Hanabi said. "I'm sure there were times you sparred with Neesan, but I don't think you've gained much, if any, understanding of our clan's Juuken, since she loses to me in every spar we have."
Naruto removed his jacket, revealing his black T-shirt, and tied it around his waist before he stepped over and stood in front of Hanabi, which forced the young girl to look up at him.
"Fight me, right now," Naruto challenged. Before she could argue, Naruto reached out, grabbed Hanabi and body flickered with her out of her bedroom. Hanabi looked around and found that she was no longer in her bedroom, but in a secluded and dark training ground outside the village walls.
"Are you crazy! What are you doing?" Hanabi yelled in an uncharacteristic and frightened tone.
"Fight me!" Naruto challenged again as he backed away and assumed a fighting stance, "I'll spar with you using the Drunken Fist only. You'll fight me using your clan's Juuken. If you can hit me just once, then you can disregard everything I told you about my new plan for a new hybrid Juuken style."
Hanabi's right eye started twitching as she looked at Naruto in disbelief.
"Naruto-kun!" Hanabi growled angrily. "I'm cold! I'm barefooted! And I'm out here only in my sleep clothes!"
"If you're that angry, then do something about it," Naruto suggested with a shrug. "But if you don't wish to fight, then you can always walk back to the village. However, it'll be a very long walk back, and by now the main entrance is either closed or heavily guarded by the night watch and even from there it's a long walk to the Hyuuga manor. Plus, I highly doubt you want to explain how you even got out here, and, if you do, it'll only lead to more trouble for you when they ask what a ninja like me is doing in your bedroom drinking high-class wine with you."
By this time, Hanabi was fuming with her fists clenched tightly and her Byakugan fully activated. It amazed her that in spite of her well-known calm and collective character and demeanor, Naruto could press her buttons this much to incite this kind of behavior.
"Damn you!" Hanabi said lowly, before she yelled, "DAMN YOU, NARUTO-KUN!"
In a rage, Hanabi rushed at Naruto with the aim to strike the chakra points on his body. Resorting to Drunken Fist, Naruto acted like a stumbling, giddy drunkard while evading all of her strikes. Growing angrier, Hanabi increased her speed and charged at him with precise aim. But just as before, Naruto seemingly stumbled and staggered all around Hanabi, whose attacks failed to land a blow on him. A moment later, Hanabi was smacked on top of her head, causing her to yelp from the hit before she backed away and rubbed her head.
"C-munn Na…Nanabu-chan," Naruto said mockingly as though he was a smiling and blushing drunk, "Eben Hinata-chan show mo effort an grace."
"I'll show you some effort!" Hanabi retorted as she charged at Naruto.
"Yu so cute when angwee," Naruto said in a slurred voice.
"Shut up!" Hanabi yelled as their attack-evade dance resumed. A few minutes later, Naruto stumbled backwards and fell to the ground on his back, appearing to have fallen asleep. Hanabi raced at him to strike him while he was down. Standing over him, she moved in to attack, but each time she thrust her hand down at him, Naruto, while still looking to be asleep, would move back and forth and side to side to avoid her hits, which ended up only hitting the dirt. Naruto then slipped away from underneath her before speedily standing back up in a drunken sleepwalking position.
By this time, Hanabi was trying to catch her breath.
"Nana-Nanabu-chan," Naruto said in the same fashion as before.
"It's Hanabi!" Hanabi retorted.
Naruto smiled and blushed. "Why so angwee? Show me a sumile on dat face."
"Damn it! You're a real pain in the ass!" Hanabi remarked.
Again Naruto smiled toothily. "Naughty little wine girl has potty mouth! Your Naruto-kun will spank!"
"You wouldn't dare!" Hanabi defied.
"Co-Comere Hanabi-chan," Naruto stuttered as he now took the offense and went after Hanabi. The young Hyuuga was hard-pressed trying to dodge all of Naruto's rapid assaults that kept coming at her relentlessly. Many of his hits made their way through her defenses and landed hits on her, although they did no real harm or injury to her. They were more like smacks and light jabs to her sides, stomach and chest cavity area. The next thing Hanabi knew, Naruto smacked her hard on her butt. She screamed for a second as she stopped and rubbed where Naruto spanked her.
"I told you Naruto-kun will spank naughty little potty mouth wine girl," Naruto said in a mock-drunk tone. Hanabi gave Naruto a death glare.
"You're so dead!" Hanabi growled.
"Me not dead," Naruto said as he staggered from side to side. "Me awive." He covered his eyes. "You is bwind little wine girl."
"I've had just about enough of you!" Hanabi retorted as she used her remaining strength to battle Naruto again. Her pace was sluggish and less precise as fatigue and soreness were taking effect on her. The blond evaded all of her attacks and sidestepped her at every convenient moment. Naruto spanked her again, causing her to yelp loudly before she stopped and massaged her rear again while catching her breath.
"Do you understand what I mean now, my Little Nighttime Firecracker?" Naruto asked. She looked at Naruto with anger-filled eyes, as her pride wouldn't let her admit that she lost to Naruto in their very first match against each other.
"The Hyuuga clan in general pride themselves on their Juuken style," Naruto said. "But over the course of time, while studying and watching Hinata-chan, you, Neji, and others of your clan, I learned to adapt to your clan's style, and developed ways to counter you Hyuugas. If I learned to do this, what makes you think that, somewhere down the line, others won't develop their own ways to counter you guys? In spite of all of your training, you couldn't even land a blow on me because I learned to upgrade my style of fighting to counter yours."
Hanabi wanted to give a retort, but she couldn't think of a thing to say as Naruto's words were circulating through her mind; not to mention, her butt was still a little sore. Naruto went and held Hanabi before he body flickered with her back to her bedroom.
"It's been a long night for you, and I know you must be tired and worn out," Naruto said. "I'm not expecting an immediate reply from you about my offer. I'll give you some time to think things over. Let me know when you decide what you want to do."
Naruto picked up her champagne flute and drank the rest of her wine. Putting the champagne flute back down, he then body flickered from her room, leaving Hanabi alone with much to think about. While she stood there to think about things, she found that she, in fact, had found some answers to her questions about Naruto that Hinata refused to give her. A certain satisfactory smile appeared on her face as her curiosity about who Naruto truly is became more aroused. At the same time, though, Naruto's match with her and his words to her afterwards planted a seed of interest in his offer, and it led her to question if her clan's Juuken was completely reliable.
(End Flashback: Present Time)
Hanabi was still debating with herself about whether she ought to accept Naruto's offer, but she also wondered how he was able to learn the Drunken Fist so fast, when he was said to be the worst at everything in his class.
So much about him is a mystery, Hanabi thought. He's like a living embodiment of inconsistencies that only Neesan understands, and she refuses to tell me the truth about who Naruto-kun really is. She gave a determined smile. Well, who needs Neesan? I'll learn and find out the truth about the real Naruto-kun on my own, even if I must go beyond the sight of my Byakugan.
Hanabi got the rest of her things together before making her way out of her room, heading for the ninja academy.
(Meanwhile; Far From Konoha)
So far, things had been calm, and no trouble had arisen for the team. Naruto was continuing his pace at the front of the group until he noticed that there was a small puddle of water. Kakashi also took note of that peculiar puddle of water that was a few feet from them.
A puddle of water out here? Naruto and Kakashi thought. It's summertime now, and no rain has fallen for days.
Naruto and Kakashi turned back around and continued on their way. As they did, the puddle they just passed morphed into two ninja. They wore black clothes, and each sported a single huge metal gauntlet, equipped with massive claws covered with poison. They were connected by a sharp-looking chain that extended from one gauntlet to the other. They jumped towards the group and wrapped their chain around Kakashi, who, of course, was behind everyone, making him the easiest to attack.
"First one," the two ninja said as Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna turned around to see Kakashi torn to pieces.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura cried out as Kakashi's body parts rained down from the air and onto the ground in a cloud of smoke.
Taking out the team leader first, Naruto thought as he and Sasuke placed their guard up in front of Tazuna when the ninja turned their attention toward them.
"Second one," one of the two killers said as they rushed at Sakura with their chain in hand, ready to do what they did to Kakashi once again. That was until Sasuke jumped into the air and pulled out a shuriken and a kunai. He threw the shuriken at the chain. The shuriken brought the chain to a nearby tree, and Sasuke threw the kunai, lodging the chain into the tree. The two attackers tried to pull it out, but it wouldn't budge.
"It won't come out," one of them said as Sasuke landed down on their gauntlets. Grabbing their weapons, he kicked them both in their faces before they detached the chain and dashed away from each other. One went after Sakura, who now had her kunai out in front of her, while the other went for Tazuna, who was being guarded by Naruto.
Sasuke moved speedily to intercept the Mist nin going for Sakura, getting ready to stop him. Neither of the Mist nins managed to reach their intended targets, however, when two shadow clones of Naruto suddenly appeared and knocked the two Mist nins in their jaws with their feet. The two killers were flipped backwards, and, as they flew, the two clones exploded on them, burning them partially as they were sent flying further into the nearby trees before crashing hard into them, causing them to fall to the ground. They two ninja were in too much pain to move.
Sasuke and Sakura were shocked to see that Naruto's clones had exploded violently in flames instead of just bursting into white smoke.
That jutsu! Sasuke thought. How did Naruto learn it?
"Nice job everyone," Kakashi smiled underneath his mask as he appeared from the bushes. "You three made effective use of your teamwork before Naruto delivered the finishing blow."
"Kakashi-sensei! You're alive!" Sakura said happily, relieved that Kakashi wasn't dead.
"Is it that obvious?" Kakashi remarked while Sasuke looked at him with a mixed expression of amazement and curiosity. That was when he and the others looked to see pieces of chopped logs lying where they thought the scarecrow had been torn to pieces.
Kawarimi no Jutsu, Naruto thought. Why am I not surprised?
Naruto turned and said, "Yo Sasuke. I must admit that you surprised me. I didn't think you had it in you to use yourself as a human shield to protect Sakura. I guess you took Kakashi-sensei's words about not abandoning your comrades to heart."
"Whatever, Dobe," Sasuke replied. Sakura, blushing, was about to say something, but Sasuke had already left and turned his attention back to Kakashi. Kakashi was examining the two ninja Naruto had immobilized.
"There's poison in these guys' claws," Kakashi pointed out. "Should they have cut any of you, we would have had to open up the wound and leech out the poison before it turned fatal."
Sasuke said nothing in return as Kakashi turned to Tazuna and said, "I need to talk to you."
The others joined Kakashi after tying up the two wounded ninja.
"These two are Chuunin-level ninja from the Mist Village," Kakashi said. "They're known to keep fighting no matter what."
"Tell me. How were you able to detect us?" one of the two asked.
"You dumbasses!" Naruto mocked. "Any fool should know that there shouldn't be a puddle in an area that hasn't had rain for days!"
"That's true," Kakashi admitted.
Tazuna turned to the Jounin and asked, "Why did you allow these kids to fight when you knew that?"
"If I wanted to, I could have killed those two in the blink of an eye. However," Kakashi explained before looking at the older man suspiciously and finishing, "I needed to know who their target was."
"What do you mean?" Tazuna asked nervously.
"In other words," Naruto answered for Kakashi as he turned toward Tazuna, "were you being targeted, or was it somebody from our team? Kakashi-sensei and the rest of us haven't heard anything about you being targeted by ninja."
"Your request was for us to protect you from armed groups like gangs and robbers," Kakashi added. "This is a mission that's above C-rank. Our job was to support and safeguard you until you completed the bridge. If ninja are our enemies, then it would be an expensive B-rank mission. We're sure you have your reasons. However, we're in trouble if you lied in your request details. This wasn't part of the mission."
Tazuna remained quiet after hearing what Kakashi was saying.
"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura spoke. "This mission is out of our league. We should return to the village for reinforcements."
Sasuke was about to say something when…
"No!" Naruto strongly interjected. "The three of us requested a more challenging mission, right? I'll be damned if we turn back now, and I'm not one who turns his back on someone in need of help! We should continue this mission!"
Kakashi spoke up, "As passionate as you are about this, Naruto, it would be best to know exactly what we're up against before we continue. And for that, we need more information."
The Jounin took out some rope and tied up the two wounded ninja before hauling them away.
"I won't be long now," Kakashi said as he walked off into the bushes until he was out of sight.
"What is he going to do?" Tazuna asked.
"Pry information out of those two," Naruto replied. "I wish I could be there to watch. I could have learned something."
Sasuke then remembered something he wanted to ask. "Naruto?"
"What is it?" Naruto replied.
"Those clones you made that exploded on those two ninja," Sasuke inquired, "they weren't your standard kage bunshin, were they?"
"Actually, they were. They just used a kinjutsu only Bunshin can use, called Bunshin Daibakuha no Jutsu," Naruto explained.
"Those weren't jutsu taught at the academy," Sakura stated.
"No, they weren't," Naruto said. "I'm the only one from our class that has the massive chakra reserves needed to use them without risk of dying from chakra exhaustion."
"When did you learn that jutsu, and who taught it to you?" Sasuke asked in a manner that showed he wanted answers.
"How I learned it doesn't concern you," Naruto replied, attempting to brush Sasuke off.
Sasuke retorted, "It does concern me, seeing as it was my brother who came up with it! No one else but him uses it! Did he teach it to you?"
"Whether or not he did is irrelevant," Naruto replied in the same tone.
"Don't play with me, Naruto!" Sasuke replied angrily. "That jutsu isn't yours!"
"If Itachi felt you were strong enough and worthy of learning that jutsu, then maybe he'd have taught it to you," Naruto replied. Sakura saw the rage that built up in Sasuke after hearing Naruto's stinging and insulting remark. The Uchiha was far from pleased to learn that Naruto was somehow learning B- and A-class kinjutsu without fear of deadly repercussions, whereas he was only adept at a few fire jutsu, some taijutsu, and other basic abilities.
Things were about to get ugly between the two male Genin, but Kakashi appeared from the bushes and went over to the group.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura called out as the others turned to see the Jounin rejoin the group.
"What did you do with those two ninja?" Sasuke asked.
"I had them tell me everything they knew," Kakashi spoke. "They'll no longer pose a threat."
It didn't take long to interpret what Kakashi meant. The two Mist ninja were dead.
"As noted earlier, Tazuna has been withholding information from us. Those Mist ninja were the Demon Brothers. Those two served a man named Momochi Zabuza, who was in turn hired by someone else. They didn't know who, but I'm sure Tazuna does. The rank of this mission is indeed higher than C-rank. It's an A-rank."
Tazuna was now noticeably sweating. "You're right. There's more to this than you all know…About a year and a half ago, Nami no Kuni was a rich and prosperous country, and everyone was happy living there. Then Gatō came."
"Gatō?" Naruto inquired.
"The president of Gatō Corporation. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world," Kakashi explained.
Tazuna nodded and continued, "Officially he's only a businessman. However, he's actually a criminal, using corruption and violence to take control and smuggle drugs, weapons, and other valuables. He took control of Nami no Kuni by buying all of our country's ports. He controls all sea travel, and on an island, that means you control the island itself. Nami no Kuni has become a poor country with no hope.
"That's why I'm building the bridge to connect Nami no Kuni with the mainland. With that bridge, my people and I can prosper again. However, Gatō fears my bridge, because it would end his tyrannical control over the country, and he wants to kill me to put a stop to its construction. Naturally, he hired a few shinobi. I traveled to Konoha to get protection, but since we're so poor, we couldn't afford anything more than a C-rank mission.
"You understand why I had to lie about the mission? It took everything our entire village could save to even afford this type of mission, and we can't pay for anything higher. Our country has been suffering through severe economic poverty."
"I see," Naruto said before turning to Kakashi and asking, "What do you think, Kakashi-sensei?"
"This mission is clearly an A-rank," Kakashi stated. "This isn't the kind of mission I've trained you three for yet. However, we'll continue with the mission on one condition, Tazuna."
"And what's that?" Tazuna asked.
"When your country gets back on its feet, you're to pay us the rightful amount of money," Kakashi said, and Tazuna nodded in agreement.
The team assumed their previous formation around Tazuna, with Kakashi in the back, Naruto in the front, and Sasuke and Sakura watching Tazuna from the sides. The group continued on their way until they found themselves at the shore, where they found a small boat and its captain waiting for them. It was evident that they would have to ride the boat across the water.
They all boarded the boat and started on their way to Nami no Kuni. The ride was spent in silence. After a while, they arrived at the shore of their destination and got off the boat to continue on their way to Tazuna's house by foot.
"All of you are welcomed to stay at my house. I've got two extra rooms for you to use and a sofa if there's not enough room," said Tazuna as he showed them the way to his house through the forest.
While walking down the dirt road to Tazuna's, Naruto remained silent, deep in thought about something. He snapped out of it when he sensed a presence. He pulled out a kunai and threw it into a bush, nearly hitting a defenseless white rabbit that was now backed up into a tree. Everyone turned to Naruto after he pulled that stunt.
"What's the deal, Naruto?" Sakura asked.
"Something's wrong here," Naruto pointed out while looking into the forest. "It's summer and the color of that rabbit is white."
"It was kept indoors," Sasuke realized. "Which means-"
"EVERYONE GET DOWN!" Kakashi shouted while he grabbed Tazuna. Sasuke pulled Sakura down and Naruto hit the dirt as well. Just in time, too, as a large sword barely missed removing their heads.
"It appears that this new bunch is more aware of the dangers before them. No matter, you're all going to die here," said the dark voice of the man who appeared before the group, standing with his giant sword.
"Momochi Zabuza, Demon of the Bloody Mist, I presume," Kakashi calmly said as he and the others stood back up. "A former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist."
Zabuza took a good look at the team in front of him. He then took a better look at Kakashi.
"Copycat Ninja Kakashi," Zabuza stated. "I've heard of you as well, though I question if what they say of your abilities is true."
Sasuke saw that Kakashi was once again called Copycat Ninja, just like what Naruto called him.
"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, watch over Tazuna and keep him safe! I'll handle this," stated Kakashi, lifting up his head protector and revealing a single Sharingan.
The Sharingan! thought Sasuke with a puzzled expression. But how? So, that's why he's called Copycat.
Zabuza let out a gravelly chuckle. "During my days in Kirigakure's assassination squad, our bingo books had your information. It says you're the ninja who copied over a thousand jutsu! Capture or kill by whatever means possible."
Is Kakashi-sensei that great of a shinobi? Sakura asked herself.
"I don't understand! The Sharingan is a bloodline limit that appears only in the Uchiha clan. Could he be…How could Kakashi-sensei have the Sharingan?" Sasuke wondered out loud.
"Enough talk," said Zabuza. "I have a job to do."
"What's your role in all this?" Kakashi inquired.
"I was hired to kill the old man over there. Now, hand him over and I'll let the rest of you go free," Zabuza said confidently. Naruto snorted, and he, Sasuke, and Sakura formed a protective circle around Tazuna. Kakashi stood his ground before Zabuza.
Taking a deep breath, Naruto dropped his perverted goofy character and replaced it with one not known by his team.
"It seems I have to kill you first, Kakashi. So be it," Zabuza said. "I'll make fish bait out of your Genin after I'm through with you."
He held his large sword and vanished, then reappeared on the water not far from them.
"Ninpou: Kirigakure no Jutsu," Zabuza said and the fog thickened, lowering the visibility nearly to zero.
"Damn," Sakura cursed. "I can't see anything!"
"Be quiet. He'll kill you before you know it if you don't keep your voice down," Kakashi said.
"Who is he?" Sakura asked
"Momochi Zabuza is a rogue ninja from Kirigakure no Sato," Kakashi explained, "He killed over 100 ninja before he even got his Genin rank. He's known as the Demon of the Bloody Mist, and, trust me, you don't want to get in a fight with him."
"How do you know this?" Sakura asked.
"I have my ways," Kakashi answered plainly. "Momochi Zabuza is renowned for his silent killing technique. Silent killing is a way of killing that is executed in a flash and in absolute silence. In some cases, you are dead before you realize it. So don't let your guard down."
Team 7 tightened their grip on the kunai they'd pulled out. Naruto made two kage bunshin that took advantage of the mist to keep out of sight from everyone while taking care of what they had to do.
"Eight places to choose from," came Zabuza's voice, seemingly from everywhere.
"Huh?" Sakura said.
"The larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular vein, subclavian artery, kidneys, and heart. Now, which vital organ should I strike?" Zabuza asked, blood-lust filling his voice.
Kakashi sent out a wave of his own killer intent, so much that even Tazuna, Sasuke, and Sakura felt disturbed by it.
"What…is this feeling?" Sakura asked, her voice quivering.
"This is the feeling that comes when two strong ninja do battle. Their blood-lust…it's so great that it can make weak-minded people commit suicide to escape it," Naruto explained calmly, being unaffected by the waves of blood-lust. Zabuza unexpectedly appeared right in the middle of the ring, in front of Tazuna.
"DIE!" Zabuza yelled as he swung his sword, swiftly slashing Tazuna's head off as his headless body stumbled backwards before falling to the ground with the head rolling a couple of feet away before stopping.
"No!" Sakura screamed in fright and shock.
"DAMN IT!" Sasuke cursed, seeing that their client was killed right in front of them. Zabuza's smile was pasted behind his mask.
"I win!" Zabuza said triumphantly. Then, Tazuna's body and head burst into a cloud of smoke and vanished.
"What?" Zabuza said with a perplexed expression. "A kage bunshin? But when?"
Taking advantage of Zabuza's confused state, Kakashi rushed at him and stabbed him with a kunai.
"Uuuugghh," Zabuza groaned, but instead of blood, water poured out of the wound. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto stared at Zabuza. Kakashi's voice snapped them out of it.
"Mizu bunshin," Kakashi acknowledged, and Zabuza smirked before collapsing into a puddle of water. Another Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi.
"DIE!" he yelled again as he swung his sword and cut Kakashi in two. But Kakashi turned into water as well.
"Huh? A mizu bunshin?" Zabuza shouted in surprise. An instant later, he felt a kunai at his throat.
"It's over," Kakashi commented blandly.
"Sensei!" Sakura cried out happily.
Zabuza started to laugh, He copied my jutsu. "It's over? I don't think so," Zabuza said as he, too, dissolved into water.
"Another mizu bunshin?" Sakura yelled, surprised, as Naruto started gathering wind chakra around his body. Suddenly, Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi, making a downward strike with his sword.
"Kaze Sokudo Chikara," Naruto called out as he ran towards Zabuza at incredible speed and body-slammed into the man. Zabuza was sent flying off the ground away from the Kakashi. As Zabuza was still airborne, Naruto followed up with a swift punch to Zabuza's face. The rogue skidded off the ground a couple of times before crashing straight into a tree in his path, bursting into a pool of water.
"Terrific," Naruto remarked sarcastically. "A mizu bunshin again."
Zabuza appeared and got ready to strike Naruto. Naruto saw this, however, and readied himself to counter Zabuza at the last second. However, Kakashi, being fast enough, came and used his kunai to block the massive sword. Zabuza, in return, tried to strike Kakashi with his own kunai, but Kakashi jumped away. Zabuza followed up with slashes that Kakashi barely dodged. Kakashi threw his kunai towards Zabuza, but he evaded it. Kakashi then vanished and appeared on top of the water, doing a set of hand signs. Zabuza smirked and vanished. Kakashi suddenly jumped over some shuriken launched at him and crouched down on top of the water when he landed. Zabuza appeared behind him.
"Baka! Suirou no Jutsu (Water Prision Technique)!" Zabuza said. A sphere of water formed around Kakashi with Zabuza holding onto it.
"You can't get out of this prison, so just kick back and watch me kill your precious students," Zabuza said, and a mizu bunshin appeared in front of him. But before it could take one step, it was destroyed by several kunai thrown by Sakura and Sasuke from different directions.
"If you think it'll be that easy, then you're wrong!" Sasuke said. Zabuza huffed and created more mizu bunshins.
"Well, you aren't as useless as I once believed, but you can't beat this many bunshins," Zabuza said. But then two of the bunshin dissolved after being struck by a couple of shuriken, courtesy of Naruto.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei! Get your ass out of that damn sphere," Naruto yelled. Zabuza's eyes widened when the Kakashi in his prison popped away.
"Sorry Zabuza, but did you think I would let that jutsu hit me? Please, I know it myself and recognized it immediately. Don't underestimate me," Kakashi's voice came from everywhere and suddenly the water under the mizu bunshins rose up and destroyed them. Then Kakashi appeared in front of Zabuza. He threw a punch towards the man's face, but he evaded, countering with a kick towards Kakashi's stomach. It connected and Kakashi popped in a cloud of smoke.
"What? Kage bunshin?" Zabuza was surprised.
But his surprise turned to fright when he heard Kakashi's voice call out, "Suiton: Suiryuudan no Jutsu!" (Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique)
A dragon made of water sped towards Zabuza, who jumped away while making hand-seals. Kakashi made the same seals as Zabuza, and in unison they called out, "Suiton: Suiryuudan no Jutsu!"
Twin dragons of water rose up from the water under the fighters and battled for supremacy. They ended up destroying each other ultimately. When the water dragons were destroyed, a slightly tired looking Zabuza stood in front of Kakashi, whose face didn't show any humor.
"It's time to die Zabuza," Kakashi said and formed some seals so fast that Zabuza couldn't keep up. A masked person watching did see the seals, however, and prepared for Kakashi's move.
"Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu (Grand Waterfall Technique)," Kakashi said. The water below him started to spin before rising and forming a spinning funnel that headed straight towards Zabuza.
"What? This can't be!" Zabuza yelled before he was swallowed by the water. The funnel of water continued to spin and move through the forest. Naruto wasted no time as he quickly ran and followed after the spiraling water vortex through the forest while Zabuza was being thrown in different directions inside the water before finally getting slammed into a tree. Zabuza found it difficult to move after the harsh impact into the tree, and being violently spun around added to his disoriented state. A masked person who was in hiding watching the fight the entire time disappeared in a swirling mist.
As Naruto was reaching Zabuza, he pulled out several kunai and threw them into Zabuza's arms and legs.
"Now die!" Naruto said as he extended his right arm and prepared to finish Zabuza off with a soon-to-be-formed Rasengan. Suddenly, two long needles flew through the air and struck Zabuza. He fell down with a shocked expression.
"Hey, you were right. He did die," a masked person said, standing on a tree branch not far from where Zabuza fell. Kakashi appeared next to Zabuza and checked his life signs.
"He really is dead," Kakashi said, then looked at the masked person, who bowed to him.
"I am most appreciative of your defeating Zabuza for me. I really don't think I could have handled him on my own. If you'll excuse me, I'll take the body," said the tracker, earning a wary gaze from Naruto as she picked up the body.
"Wait a minute, let me help get rid of his body," offered Naruto.
"Thank you, but I can handle it from here. Besides, I'd have to kill you if you stumbled upon one of my village's secrets while I dissect him," the tracker replied before quickly disappearing with the body in a swirling mist. Naruto's eyes narrowed, but he made no comment. Kakashi collapsed to the ground before Sasuke and Sakura ran over to him.
"The Sharingan has interesting abilities," Kakashi said. "However, it puts a lot of strain on the body, and it drains a lot of chakra."
Going over to Kakashi, Naruto made two kage bunshins and had them take Kakashi off Sasuke and Sakura's hands.
"By the way, Naruto, where's Tazuna?" Kakashi asked.
"Up there," Naruto said as he pointed up to the top of one of the trees. The group looked up to see a Naruto clone standing on one of the branches with Tazuna on his back, high up in the tree. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura saw that none of the trees actually had any lower branches for Naruto or his clones to use to climb up.
"How did your kage bunshin get Tazuna and himself up there without any branches near the ground?" Sakura asked.
"A hook and some rope, Sakura," Naruto lied. "Nothing special, really. He held onto my clone as my clone climbed the tree."
What Naruto didn't tell them was that his clone scaled the tree using chakra with Tazuna holding onto him. The clone held onto Tazuna and performed a smokeless shunshin with him and teleported over to Naruto.
"Shunshin no Jutsu…when did you learn that?" Sakura asked.
"Must I be questioned every time I improve?" Naruto remarked. "Rather than questioning me, you ought to be proud and complimenting me. I'm sure you'd have done that if it were Sasuke."
Sakura wanted to give a retort, but Kakashi cut in, "Swopping Tazuna with one of your disguised clones was a nice trick."
"After Zabuza made that mist, I took advantage of our imposed inability to see our surroundings and made two clones. I had one of them henge into Tazuna, while the other one took our client and hid with him high up in the trees while keeping watch over him. That way, we were able to deal with Zabuza without fear of Tazuna getting hit in the crossfire or Zabuza finding another chance to attack Tazuna."
Naruto untied his orange jacket from around his waist and placed it back on normally.
"You really thought that through, Naruto. Excellent job," Kakashi complimented. "In general, you've all done well."
"Thank you, everyone. I would be honored to have you guys stay with me," said Tazuna. Naruto's third kage bunshin popped as the group headed to Tazuna's house to rest and regain the strength that they had lost in the battle.
(Three Hours Later)
The group finally arrived at Tazuna's place, a nice plain house by the riverside. Waiting there was Tazuna's daughter, Tsunami, a woman in her thirties with long dark hair and an attractive but stern face.
"Tsunami! I'm so glad to see you. These are the good ninja from Konoha that protected me," Tazuna said, introducing the team from Konoha, each of whom bowed back in response (minus Kakashi, who was still being carried).
"Thank you for helping my father," Tsunami said, smiling. Kakashi, though exhausted, nodded along with Naruto, while the Genin beamed with pride at Tazuna's next words.
"They're really strong, and they didn't even leave when they learned that they will be up against really tough enemies here!" the old man boasted.
"But why did you all decide to continue the mission?" Tsunami asked as Tazuna and the others headed toward the house. "We only had enough for a C-rank, and this must be more than that."
"Forsaking and abandoning those in need is both dishonorable and cowardly. Plus, we wanted a tough mission to strengthen ourselves," Naruto said with a bit of seriousness, then he gave a perverted smile. "And seeing a beautiful young maiden of the ocean's waves like yourself before my eyes is my undeserving reward for accepting such a dangerous mission. Surely someone of your feminine grace can't possibly be any older than twenty-two."
Sasuke and Sakura groaned in annoyance, seeing that Naruto was back to his old perverted antics again.
"Ugh…thank you…I guess," Tsunami could only say with a blush while feeling both faltered and embarrassed that she was being flirted with by someone less than half her age. Tazuna chuckled at his daughter's situation and Naruto's behavior in admiring Tsunami. "I think my daughter is a little too old for you boy."
"No maiden beauty that I'm a foreigner to is ever too old for me to admire and appreciate," Naruto countered. That comment got Tazuna to laugh louder while Tsunami's embarrassment only increased.
"You're shameless Naruto," Sakura scolded with a scowl.
He's dating Hinata who should be with someone better and yet this two-timing pervert flirts with women much older than him! I don't know what she sees in him! "Kakashi-sensei needs a place to rest," Sasuke stated returning the focus back on Kakashi's needs as everyone now entered the house.
"I doubt I'll be able to move properly for a week," Kakashi replied.
"I have two extra rooms for you all," Tazuna said. "The young girl can sleep in one of them, while your sensei and the boys can share the other."
Naruto's two kage bunshin handed Kakashi over to Sasuke and Sakura.
"We'll go outside to keep watch over the house," one of the clones said. Naruto nodded as he followed the others to one of the spare rooms Tazuna was leading them to. The clones went outside to be on guard.
(A While Later)
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were in the room with Kakashi as he rested on a futon. Tazuna and Tsunami later entered the room as well. Naruto was deep in thought and remained silent for most of the time.
"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura," Kakashi said. "I have a few questions for you guys."
"What are they?" Sasuke asked.
"What is a tracker ninja?" Kakashi asked.
"Special ninja that hunt down and dispose of rogue ninja," Naruto replied.
"And how do they dispose of their target?" Kakashi asked.
"They kill their target and destroy the body," Sasuke replied.
"Where?" Kakashi asked.
"Um, I don't know," Sakura replied.
"How should we know? The only tracker ninja we've seen took Zabuza's body away," Sasuke said. Kakashi nodded.
"That's true…and that's what's been bothering me since Zabuza's defeat," Naruto said, causing the others to focus on him.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.
"From what I know, trackers dispose of the body on the spot, and if she needed any evidence that her job was done, she only had to take Zabuza's head and sword," Naruto explained.
"Also," Kakashi jumped in. "The weapons she used were senbon needles, which aren't very dangerous. That tracker didn't kill Zabuza, she helped him. Zabuza is alive."
"What?" Sakura and Tazuna shouted in surprise. Naruto and Sasuke just stayed quiet and listened.
"But you said he was dead!" Tazuna said.
"I did," Kakashi admitted weakly. "It's possible to put someone in a temporary death state, though. Trackers know the human anatomy very well, and it would be easy for them to do that."
Naruto nodded before standing up.
"He is alive, and he will be back soon," Kakashi said. "I should think we have about a week or two, based on his injuries and how long it takes to recover from a near-death state."
Kakashi sat up and looked at his Genin.
"Sensei, how are you going to prepare us for this before it's too late? You can't move for a while," Sakura asked.
Kakashi chuckled and replied, "I'm going to make you, Sasuke, and Naruto go through some training."
"But sensei, even if we train, it won't be very helpful. The enemy gave you problems even with your Sharingan," Sakura said.
"Sakura," Kakashi said. "All of you helped me out during my battle with Zabuza. You're all growing and improving rapidly."
An eight-year-old boy wearing green overalls and a hat that shadowed his eyes walked into the room. Everyone turned to look at the boy.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked.
"Inari, where were you?" Tazuna asked as the boy went over to the old man and hugged him.
"I've been here all this time, Grandpa," Inari said.
"Inari, say hello to them. These are the ninja who escorted your grandpa," Tsunami said warmly.
Inari turned to look at Kakashi and the group. The young boy snorted, "It doesn't matter. They'll all die anyway. There's no way they can win against Gatō."
"Excuse me?" Naruto replied indignantly.
"If you don't want to die, then you should go home," Inari replied as he started walking away.
"Where are you going?" Tazuna asked.
Inari stopped and said, "I'm going to watch the ocean."
The boy continued walking and went on his way, leaving the other behind.
"Ah, forgive him. He has been like that since a…an ill-fated incident some time ago," Tazuna said.
(Later)
Naruto was walking down from the room they had when he heard sobbing coming from Inari's room.
"Huh?" Naruto mumbled to himself as he quietly opened Inari's door. The young boy's room was modest; it had a bed in a corner and a desk in front of a window. On top of the desk Inari sat, crying and staring at a picture. Naruto walked up behind the boy, too silent to be noticed, and looked at the picture. It was a man with dark hair, a kind smile, and a cross-shaped scar on his jaw. It was clear that the man meant a lot to Inari. Naruto didn't know what to do other than try to comfort the boy. He laid a hand on the boy's shoulder, and Inari nearly jumped out of his skin.
"What…oh, it's you! What do you want?" Inari asked coldly
"Who's the guy in the picture?" Naruto asked, pointing at said object.
"What's it to you?" Inari began. "It's none of your-"
"If you don't wish to tell me, fine, but you'll never feel better than you did a moment ago if you keep it inside," Naruto interrupted before exiting. Deciding to step outside, Naruto went over to the sandy shores to gaze at the ocean. In all his life, he had never seen the ocean before, though he'd seen many pictures of it. This was his first time, and he was enjoying the fresh, enchanting smell and the breeze of the open, crystal-clear ocean with the sun shining over him. The waves of the ocean were splashing against his feet, causing wet sand to get in between his toes.
Too bad Hinata-chan isn't here to enjoy this with me, Naruto thought to himself as he pictured himself holding Hinata in his arms while watching the sun set over the ocean. Snapping back to reality, Naruto cleaned the sand from his feet and out of his sandals. Turning around, he went back to the house and over to where his clones were. He dispelled them and absorbed all of their memories and experiences. From what he saw, nothing happened while they were on guard.
Just as he was about to summon more clones, something caught his eye on his right. He turned his head, and, from a distance, he caught sight of someone in the woods, a very attractive young woman hiding behind one of the large trees.
"Mother?" Naruto wondered before shaking his head to come back to his senses. "What am I saying? Idiot! My mother died years ago!"
Naruto took a better look at the woman, and, though the unknown woman resembled his mother, Naruto soon saw that there were noticeable differences. From what Naruto was able to make out, she had dark eyes and long red hair tied in a braided ponytail in which she wore a white headband. She wore a purple, sleeveless kimono with yellow trimmings held closed by a traditional obi with a long, streaming bow tied to it, mesh armor underneath it, and a short white skirt. He also noted that she was barefooted.
Who is that hot-looking woman? Naruto wondered as a blush and toothy smile appeared on his face and he started to approach the woman. As he got closer, Naruto felt something flow through his being, and it only got stronger as he got closer to her. He couldn't explain it. The feeling wasn't threatening or harmful in any way. Instead, this new feeling gave Naruto a sensation of harmony and familiarity with the unknown redhead.
What is this strange feeling? Naruto wondered as he stared back at the woman.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked loud enough for the woman to hear. "Tell me your name."
He got no reply, as the woman was now backing away from the tree she was hiding behind and into the woods beyond.
"Wait!" Naruto called out as he ran after the woman. When he got to the tree she was hiding behind, he saw that she was already gone.
"Where did she go?" Naruto asked aloud to no one in particular.
"Who are you looking for?" Tazuna asked as he approached the blond.
Naruto turned to Tazuna and inquired, "Do you know of a really gorgeous woman with long, braided red hair?"
The old man looked at Naruto, baffled. "I have never seen such a woman living here in Nami no Kuni." Tazuna said, then gave a perverted smile. "But if such a woman did live here, I'd have loved to have met her."
This bothered Naruto greatly. He was sure that the woman he saw was no illusion, as the feeling he felt was too strong to ignore, and he couldn't dispel it. Though Naruto was unaware of the Legacy Seal imprinted inside of him, it had reacted to the woman…but why?
Naruto and the others' first mission turned out to be an A-rank mission. Zabuza is still alive and in hiding with unfinished business. Team 7 and Kakashi made it to Tazuna's house, but new mysteries have surfaced. Who is the unknown red-haired woman Naruto saw, and why was she watching him? Will Naruto find out who she is or will he be left to sink in his current pool of confusion? Will Kakashi and Team 7 be enough to help everyone in Nami no Kuni be free from Gatō's tyranny? Will Hanabi accept Naruto's offer in creating the first Drunken Fist/Gentle Fist hybrid? Find out next time!
Note: Masegaki is a term used to describe a child that acts more like an adult in some ways, which is how Naruto sees Hanabi.