Kakashi POV
Observing Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura all pull out their kunai and guard Tazuna gave me a little relief since it appeared that they did remember that it was their mission to protect him.
I was a little worried about Tachibana-kun facing three genin at once but seeing how Maruboshi-san was calm about it, I didn't step in to help him.
My eyes drifted to the person who clashed with Maruboshi-san and relaxed.
'It seems the two team leaders are only chunin. While the team members are just genin.'
'Were these the people that were watching us last night?'
'Or are they the team sent after gathering information about our group?'
Then looking at the team leader who was in a clash with me, I thought about what he'd said earlier.
'If he's here to take me out, he's probably a master of the wind element which counters my best, the lightning element.'
'But isn't he too weak? I don't even need to use the Sharingan for this. Do they really think I'll die to a chunin?'
'Or do they want to use this incident to raise a fuss and ask for compensation once again from Hokage-sama?'
'It's better we don't kill them. But they're Kumo shinobi, they'll either kill themselves or die trying if they're captured.'
Before I could think any further, my enemy took a quick step to close the distance between us as he used one of his hands to weave a seal.
'Wind Release: Vacuum Blade?'
'Damn…can't let them see I can use elemental jutsu for now, or they'll be on my heels begging me to teach them something 'cool'.'
I spat out the three senbon hidden within my mouth and blinded the guy, the pain made him lose focus on making his seals but before he could scream, I sliced his head.
Looking back at Maruboshi, I found his enemy was down for the count too.
Surprisingly, Tachibana had defeated his three enemies quicker than my team.
'Ah. The scene's quite gory. Well, at least those on my team will grow from seeing it. Hopefully, Sasuke takes this in to improve, and isn't held back by his memories of the Uchiha massacre.'
'And Sakura…well…whatever.'
Turning to Maruboshi-san, I nodded to him indicating that we could interrogate the person he'd captured since I could tell there weren't any more enemies around the area.
So we moved deeper into the forest where I set a simple barrier to stop any sounds from leaking out.
"Why do you want Tazuna?" Maruboshi-san asked calmly, but despite the pain that he was feeling from Maruboshi-san pressing down on his wound, the man refused to speak.
At least, until I started to pierce senbons under his nail.
"Arrghhh!!!!"
"Tell me and we can end this." Maruboshi-san calmly asked again.
The Kumo shinobi looked at us with hatred in his eyes and finally spat out a few words, "He has a bounty on his head. It doesn't matter what you do for him. We've already taken his family hostage, he'll walk over to us himself once he realises you aren't interested in saving his family."
"Oh?" I was surprised, 'Internal conflict in the Land of Waves?'
Maruboshi-san figured out seemingly the same things so he asked another question, "Are any other shinobi villages involved in this? Like Kirigakure?"
"Hehe~ Scared aren't you? Afraid that it'll turn into another war you can't afford? All you cowards can do is kill off our teams one by one by framing other villages! Can't fight us face to face because that's what you are! Cowards!!"
Maruboshi-san stabbed a kunai into the chunin's head, killing him and that was when I noticed Tachibana-kun standing outside the barrier lost in his own world.
I took down the barrier and Tachibana asked us a question, "Have they taken the people of Land of Waves hostage? Or perhaps someone who doesn't like Tazuna has sold out the village to Kumo in exchange for benefits like becoming the daimyo or something?"
Colour me surprised but I hadn't realised Tachibana-kun was this smart.
'Is his divination also something he uses to cover up the fact that he has a great head?'
Maruboshi-san confirmed Tachibana's question and he immediately took advantage of the situation to stop the mission.
'Unfortunately, we can't leave so easily. The Hokage explicitly ordered us to see that this mission was completed to the end. It shouldn't have been so complicated, but given that the ANBU will arrive to help us later, it should be easy to complete.'
'Tachibana-kun is quite selfish though. Not someone I'd leave my back to. But I doubt anyone who's not a genius would be able to survive without being at least a little selfish.'
'Hmm…I should pay more attention to his warnings next time.'
Tazuna appeared at the same time and interfered with Tachibana's plan so I took him away. Maruboshi-san would likely want to speak to him alone.
Soon the team was together once again and we were on our way to the Land of Waves. Faster than before since Tazuna was in a hurry, but not by much since he couldn't run like us.
We should be able to get on the boat prepared for us at the border by the end of the day today and we'll be in the Land of Waves by tomorrow morning.
'But if shinobis from Kumogakure have taken over the Land of Waves, it'll be a bit difficult. Especially with Naruto.'
'What should I send Naruto to do while I infiltrate the ranks of Kumo shinobi to gather more information about their purpose?'
'Guarding Tazuna would be a nice mission to give him.'
'If I'm quick enough I can return in time before he starts to get bored.'
'I can even ask Maruboshi-san to help train Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura in chakra control.'
'Or I could simply get them to do reconnaissance to gather information about where Tazuna's family is captured and free them.'
'They'll probably create a ruckus in the process, but I'm sure Tachibana-kun will be able to take care of it and keep them safe, he seems reasonable.'
Suddenly I felt someone gaze at me as if they were trying to bore a hole through my back.
I followed the gaze and found Tachibana frowning as he was looking at me.
'Did he guess I was going to stick him with the job of guarding Team Seven?'
'How sharp.'
I turned around and continued walking anyway, 'Not like he can refuse.'
Tazuna remained silent on the rest of our journey, even when Naruto did silly things to take his mind off of what I'd made him and his teammates do, but my attention was usually on Tachibana-kun.
As we moved closer and closer to the Land of Waves, I found him cracking odd jokes with Naruto. As if he was trying to avoid thinking about something tragic that would happen soon.
I would catch him occasionally glancing at Maruboshi-san and me with pity before he'd switch it up with a bright smile as he continued talking with Naruto.
Initially, I thought he was another broody Sasuke, but he's probably a realist. He knows something we don't.
'Another divination?'
'Well even if I'm going to die, I'll finally be with Obito and Rin.'
'I just have to make sure Naruto and Sasuke are fine before I do so…maybe even Sakura so that fire burns on or whatever. It would probably start another war if the Jinchuriki died on a mission. Hokage-sama would probably reanimate my corpse only to kill me again.'
'....Would dad meet me in pure land too?'
'I wonder if he'd be proud of all that I've achieved. Or disappointed that I came back to meet him so soon.'
'....he'd probably be disappointed that I didn't spend enough time with his Kenjutsu style.'
'Whatever.'