azuna's house came into view as the two teams approached, with Asuma carrying the bridge builder over his shoulder. Tazuna's face had taken on a sickly green hue, the combination of chakra-enhanced speed and being jostled about clearly not agreeing with him.

As they neared the front door, it swung open to reveal a woman with long dark hair – Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter. Her eyes widened at the sight of so many ninja, but her gaze quickly locked onto Asuma. A faint blush colored her cheeks as she took in the rugged jōnin.

"Father!" Tsunami exclaimed, her worry momentarily forgotten as she stared at Asuma. "What... what's going on?"

Asuma gently set Tazuna down, flashing Tsunami a charming smile. "Nothing to worry about, ma'am. Just had to move your father here a bit quicker than he's used to."

Tsunami's blush deepened, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, I see. Thank you for taking care of him, Mister...?"

"Sarutobi. Asuma Sarutobi," he replied with a wink.

"Sensei!" Ino's shrill voice cut through the air. "Stop flirting! You already have a girlfriend!"

Asuma coughed, looking slightly abashed. "Right, of course. My apologies."

Tazuna, who had been hunched over trying to regain his equilibrium, straightened up with a groan. "Everyone made it safely, then? Thank goodness."

Tsunami's worry returned full force. "Safely? Father, what happened? Are you in danger?"

Before Tazuna could respond, Asuma stepped forward, his demeanor shifting to one of calm reassurance. "There was a small incident on the road, but nothing we couldn't handle. Your father is safe, and we're here to ensure it stays that way."

Just then, a small figure appeared in the doorway behind Tsunami. A young boy with spiky black hair and a fisherman's hat glared at the assembled ninja, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and defiance.

"It doesn't matter," the boy – Inari – spat. "Gatō will kill all of you. You should just leave now before it's too late."

Ino stepped forward, a condescending smile on her face. She reached out and patted Inari on the head. "Aw, don't worry, little guy. Big Sis Ino already beat up the bad ninja. You don't need to worry anymore."

Behind her, Naruto muttered, "You barely did anything in the fight."

Sakura elbowed him in the ribs, but Inari had already heard. His face contorted with anger, and he lashed out with his foot, aiming for Ino's shins.

To everyone's surprise, Ino moved with lightning speed. In a blur of motion, she dodged Inari's kick and somehow managed to scoop the boy up onto her shoulders. Inari blinked, momentarily stunned by the sudden change in perspective.

"Hey now," Ino said, her voice cheery but with a hint of steel beneath. "That's no way to treat your new protectors. How about you show us around the house so we can set up some defenses? You know, to be extra sure."

Inari's scowl deepened, but after a moment, he gave a reluctant nod. "Fine," he grumbled.

As Ino carried Inari into the house, Sakura watched with a mix of surprise and admiration. She leaned over to Chōji, whispering, "I didn't know Ino was so good with kids."

Chōji shrugged, munching on a bag of chips he'd produced from somewhere. "She's got a bunch of younger cousins. Guess she picked up some tricks."

Asuma clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, listen up. Ino, after you've secured the house, take Inari and show the rest of the genin around town. I want a quick patrol of the village."

Tsunami, who had been watching the proceedings with a bewildered expression, finally found her voice. "I... I don't understand. Father, what did you do to get so many ninja here?" Her eyes darted to Kakashi, who had pulled out his infamous orange book and was giggling softly to himself. A faint blush colored her cheeks again as she asked hesitantly, "Do I... need to do anything extra for them?"

Asuma's eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. "No, no, nothing like that! We're here on a mission, that's all. Professional ninja business."

"Right," Kakashi chimed in, not looking up from his book. "Very professional."

Asuma groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just... ignore him. Kids, get going on that patrol. The rest of us will discuss strategy here."

----------------------------------------

Sakura watched as Ino effortlessly leapt to the top of Tazuna's house, Inari clinging to her back with wide eyes. The young Yamanaka's movements were fluid and graceful, a testament to her dedication to training. Sakura couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration mixed with competitiveness.

"Impressed?" Shikamaru's lazy drawl pulled her attention away from Ino's display. "She's been pushing us hard in training. Says she won't let you get ahead of her again."

Sakura's ears twitched in surprise. "Really? I didn't think she cared that much."

Shikamaru sighed, his expression a mixture of exasperation and fondness. "It's such a drag. But I guess it's working."

As the group of genin began their patrol of the village, Sakura marveled at how they must appear to the civilians. They bounded across rooftops with ease, their movements so swift that Inari could barely keep up with what was happening.

"Is this... normal for ninja?" Inari asked, his voice a mix of awe and lingering skepticism.

Ino grinned, her ponytail whipping in the wind. "This? This is nothing. We're still genin, you know. The weakest of active ninja."

Inari's eyes widened even further. "You're the weakest? But you're so fast!"

Sakura was about to respond when Ino suddenly tensed, her eyes narrowing as she focused on something in the street below. Two rough-looking men were cornering a woman, their intentions clearly malicious.

Ino motioned to Shikamaru, but before he could act, Sakura and Sasuke were already moving. They dropped from the rooftop, landing silently behind the thugs.

Sakura's enhanced hearing picked up the woman's frightened whimper, and she felt a surge of anger. Without hesitation, she tapped one of the men on the shoulder. As he turned, she delivered a swift kick to his solar plexus, sending him crumpling to the ground.

Beside her, Sasuke had already dispatched the other man with a series of precise strikes. The whole encounter was over in seconds.

As they rejoined the group on the rooftop, Inari stared at them in disbelief. "That was... amazing! If all ninja are this strong, why doesn't everyone become one?"

Ino set Inari down, her expression softening. "It's not that simple, kiddo. Being a ninja takes years of hard work and dedication. And it's dangerous."

Inari's face fell, his earlier excitement fading into a familiar melancholy. "I wish... I wish my dad had been a ninja. He would have been able to beat up all of Gatō's men if he was. He wouldn't have..." The boy's voice cracked, and suddenly he was crying, great heaving sobs that shook his small frame.

Ino knelt beside him, her voice gentle as she pulled him into a hug. "Hey, it's okay. Can you tell me about your dad?"

As Ino comforted Inari, Sakura watched with growing admiration. She recognized the technique Ino was using – a subtle form of interrogation designed to gather information while providing emotional support. It was far more advanced than anything they'd learned in the Academy.

Shikamaru had smoothly moved to distract Naruto, engaging him in a conversation about ramen recipes of all things. Meanwhile, Chōji continued munching on his chips, but Sakura noticed his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, keeping watch.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Sasuke's quiet voice startled her. He'd moved to stand beside her, his dark eyes observing the scene with interest.

Sakura nodded. "They work together so well. I guess that's what happens when you're the 15th generation of a team."

"Hn," Sasuke grunted in agreement. "The Ino-Shika-Chō formation predates the village system. They're practically born to work as a unit."

As they watched, Inari's sobs gradually subsided, and he began to speak. His voice was quiet, but Sakura's enhanced hearing allowed her to catch every word.

"My... my stepdad," Inari hiccupped. "He was so brave. He stood up to Gatō when no one else would. But then..." The boy's voice broke again, fresh tears welling in his eyes.

Sasuke stepped forward, his expression intense. "And what did you do?"

Inari looked up, confusion mixing with his grief. "W-what?"

"When Gatō killed your stepfather," Sasuke pressed, his voice hard. "What did you do?"

Sakura frowned, about to intervene, but something in Sasuke's eyes stopped her. There was a purpose behind his harsh words.

Inari's face crumpled. "I... I couldn't do anything. I'm weak. I'm not strong like you ninja."

Sasuke knelt in front of the boy, his gaze boring into Inari's tear-stained face. "Weakness can be overcome with dedication. The dead call for vengeance. How much do you hate Gatō?"

Inari's hands clenched into fists. "A lot," he whispered.

"How much?" Sasuke pushed.

"A lot!" Inari's voice grew stronger.

Sasuke continued to question him, his voice growing more intense with each query. "Would you train until your muscles burned? Would you push yourself beyond your limits? Would you face your fears head-on?"

With each question, Inari's responses grew louder, more passionate. The grief in his eyes was slowly being replaced by a burning determination.

Finally, Sasuke asked, "Would you do whatever it takes to protect your family and your village?"

"YES!" Inari screamed, his voice echoing across the rooftops. "I'LL DO ANYTHING!"

A smirk tugged at the corner of Sasuke's mouth. "Then you know what you have to do."

Inari stared at Sasuke, his chest heaving, tears still streaking his face but a new light in his eyes. He nodded, a small, determined gesture.

Ino gently picked up the exhausted boy. "I think that's enough excitement for one day. Let's get you home, okay?"

As they made their way back to Tazuna's house, Sakura found herself deep in thought. Part of her worried that Sasuke had been too harsh, pushing Inari to confront his grief and anger so directly. But another part of her wondered if this was exactly what the boy needed – a spark to ignite his will to fight back against the oppression that had crushed his spirit.

She glanced at Sasuke, who was walking slightly apart from the group, his expression unreadable. Sometimes she forgot how deeply the loss of his clan had affected him, how it drove every decision he made. In Inari, perhaps he saw a reflection of his younger self – lost, angry, and in desperate need of a purpose.

----------------------------------------

The dimly lit hideout reeked of salt and mildew, a damp cave carved into the cliffs overlooking the sea. Zabuza lay on a makeshift bed, his muscular torso wrapped in bandages. The wound in his side throbbed, a constant reminder of his encounter with Kakashi and Asuma. He gritted his teeth, frustration simmering beneath his stoic exterior.

Gatō's nasally voice grated on Zabuza's nerves as the short, portly man paced back and forth, his cane tapping an irritating rhythm on the stone floor. "I hired you to kill one measly bridge builder! How hard can that be for the so-called 'Demon of the Hidden Mist'?"

Zabuza's eyes narrowed, killing intent radiating from him in waves. "Two elite jōnin weren't part of the deal," he growled. "You said it would be an easy job, in and out."

Gatō sneered, emboldened by the presence of his two hulking bodyguards. "Excuses, excuses. I'm beginning to think your reputation is overblown, Zabuza."

The Demon Brothers, crouched in the shadows, bristled at the insult. Haku, standing silently by Zabuza's bedside, clenched his fists, ice crystals forming in the air around him.

"Zabuza-sama," Haku murmured, a question in his tone.

Zabuza held up a hand, silencing his protégé. "One of those elite ninja," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "is the son of the Hokage."

That gave Gatō pause. The businessman's beady eyes widened behind his small, round sunglasses. "What? How the hell did that old drunk get such high-profile protection?"

Zabuza shrugged, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at his wound. "Doesn't matter. What matters is that I can still do the job." He fixed Gatō with a predatory gaze. "But I've had to call in reinforcements. Which means I'll need a bigger paycheck."

Gatō's face reddened, his mustache quivering with indignation. "You have some nerve, demanding more money when you haven't even completed the original contract!"

"You want results?" Zabuza snarled. "This is what it'll take. Your choice, Gatō."

The businessman began to pace again, muttering under his breath. "This is too much attention... if he kills the Hokage's son, it'll bring down heat I don't need..." He whirled to face Zabuza. "New plan. Get rid of them without killing them. I don't care how, just make them leave."

Zabuza stared at Gatō, his expression deadpan. "I'm the master of Silent Killing," he said slowly, as if explaining to a child. "Not silent capturing."

Gatō threw up his hands in exasperation. "Figure it out! You're supposed to be some kind of genius ninja, aren't you?" He paced for a few more moments, his mind racing. Finally, he turned back to Zabuza. "Forget about Tazuna for now, unless you get an ideal opportunity. Focus on sabotaging the bridge instead. Wreck it, delay its completion. Keep those Konoha ninja distracted."

He jabbed a stubby finger at Zabuza. "You should at least be able to manage that much, right?"

Without waiting for a response, Gatō stormed out of the cave, his bodyguards lumbering after him.

Silence fell over the hideout. Zabuza closed his eyes, processing this new information. "Interesting," he mused aloud.

Haku stepped closer. "Zabuza-sama?"

"This change in goals," Zabuza explained, his eyes still closed. "I assumed Gatō was trying to force the daimyō to appoint him as chancellor, to become the de facto ruler of Wave Country." He opened his eyes, meeting Haku's concerned gaze. "I thought he was just being short-sighted in his treatment of the people, but this... this means he has another goal entirely."

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

The Demon Brothers emerged from the shadows, their chains clinking softly. "What should we do, Zabuza-sama?" Gozu asked.

Zabuza's lips curled into a predatory smile beneath his bandages. "Follow him. Find out what he's really up to. But be discreet – we can't afford to tip our hand just yet."

Meizu nodded. "Understood. We'll report back as soon as we have something."

As the brothers slipped out of the cave, Haku turned to Zabuza. "And what about us, Zabuza-sama? Shall I begin preparations to sabotage the bridge?"

Zabuza shook his head. "Not yet. We need more information before we make our next move." He shifted on the bed, grimacing as pain lanced through his side. "Besides, our reinforcements should be arriving soon. We'll wait and see what she has to say about all this."

Haku's eyes lit up. "You mean...?"

"Yeah," Zabuza grunted. "Mei should be here within the next day or two. Things are about to get a lot more interesting in Wave Country."

Meanwhile, back in Tazuna's house, the combined forces of Team 7 and Team 10 were settling in for the night. The atmosphere was tense, everyone acutely aware of the danger that still lurked beyond their makeshift defenses.

Sakura sat on the porch, her enhanced hearing allowing her to keep watch while the others rested. Her long ears twitched at every sound – the rustle of leaves, the distant crash of waves, the soft breathing of her teammates inside.

Footsteps approached, and she turned to see Sasuke joining her. He sat down beside her, his dark eyes scanning the treeline.

"You should be resting," Sakura said softly. "Your shift isn't for another few hours."

Sasuke shrugged. "Couldn't sleep."

They sat in companionable silence for a while, the weight of their mission hanging heavily between them. Finally, Sakura spoke. "What you said to Inari earlier... do you really think it was the right thing to do?"

Sasuke was quiet for a long moment. When he answered, his voice was low, tinged with an emotion Sakura couldn't quite place. "Sometimes, anger is the only thing that can push you forward. It gives you a purpose when everything else has been taken away."

Sakura's ears drooped slightly. "But is that healthy? To be driven by anger and the desire for revenge?"

"It's not about health," Sasuke said, his fists clenching. "It's about survival. About making sure that what happened to you never happens to anyone else again."

Sakura reached out, hesitating for a moment before placing her hand over his. To her surprise, he didn't pull away. "I understand," she said softly. "But Sasuke... you're not alone anymore. You have us – me, Naruto, Kakashi-sensei. We're here to help you carry that burden."

Sasuke's eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, Sakura saw a flicker of vulnerability in their depths. Then it was gone, replaced by his usual stoic mask. But he didn't move his hand from under hers.

"Hn," he grunted, turning his gaze back to the forest. But Sakura felt some of the tension leave his shoulders, and she allowed herself a small smile.

----------------------------------------

Asuma gathered the genin teams together after their morning meal, his expression serious. "Alright, listen up. We're going to rotate who's protecting the bridge and who's guarding the house or training. This way, we keep everyone fresh and alert."

Shikamaru's brow furrowed. "Is that wise, sensei? Splitting our forces like that?"

Asuma nodded, understanding the young Nara's concern. "It's a valid question, Shikamaru. But consider this – the wound we gave Zabuza should take him out of commission for at least a couple of weeks, if he doesn't just bow out altogether."

He glanced at Kakashi, who was leaning against a nearby tree, his visible eye focused on his ever-present book. "Having both Kakashi and myself here is a major risk for him. As a missing-nin, even one trying to maintain a reputation for reliable work, it's not likely he'll stick his neck out too far. He might harass us a little, but at this point, it's just not worth it for him."

The genin nodded, absorbing this information. Naruto looked like he wanted to argue, probably disappointed at the prospect of less action, but a sharp look from Sakura kept him quiet.

Asuma clapped his hands together. "Now, let's get to training. Kakashi mentioned he hadn't taught you the tree climbing exercise yet, so we'll start there."

Before Asuma could continue his explanation, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura exchanged glances. Without a word, they walked to the nearest trees and began climbing vertically, their feet adhering to the bark with chakra.

Asuma blinked, then sighed. "Let me guess – you already knew this before he got you?"

The three nodded, Naruto grinning sheepishly, Sasuke looking smug, and Sakura offering an apologetic smile.

Asuma chuckled, shaking his head. "Kakashi can be a bit of an annoyance to work with sometimes." He turned to the stunned members of Team 10. "Well, looks like we'll have to step it up a notch. How about water walking? Have you learned that yet?"

Team 7 shook their heads, and Asuma grinned. "Perfect. Let's head to the nearby stream, and I'll give you a quick rundown."

As they walked, Asuma explained the principles behind water walking. "It's similar to tree climbing, but you need to constantly adjust your chakra output to match the ever-changing surface of the water. Too little chakra, and you'll sink. Too much, and you'll create ripples that'll destabilize you."

Reaching the stream, Asuma demonstrated, stepping onto the water's surface as easily as if it were solid ground. The genin watched in awe, even Sasuke looking impressed.

"Alright, your turn," Asuma said, stepping back onto the bank. "Remember, start slow and focus on maintaining a steady chakra flow."

The genin approached the water's edge, determination etched on their faces. Sakura and Ino, with their excellent chakra control, were the first to attempt it. They stepped onto the water, wobbling slightly but managing to stay afloat.

"Nice work, girls," Asuma praised. "Now try moving around a bit."

As Sakura and Ino began cautiously walking on the water's surface, their competitive spirits kicked in. Soon, they were racing each other back and forth across the stream, each trying to outdo the other.

"Watch your footing, Ino-pig!" Sakura called out, her enhanced senses giving her an edge in balance.

"Worry about yourself, Bun-butt!" Ino shot back, but there was a playful glint in her eye.

The boys, meanwhile, were having a harder time. Naruto, in his excitement, kept using too much chakra and creating small geysers beneath his feet. Sasuke, frustrated at not mastering the technique immediately, was gritting his teeth in concentration. Shikamaru muttered "troublesome" under his breath but diligently kept at it, while Choji's larger frame made balancing more challenging.

Asuma watched them for a while, offering advice and encouragement. Satisfied that they were making progress, he turned to Kakashi, who had been observing silently.

"Can we talk?" Asuma asked quietly. Kakashi nodded, and they moved a short distance away, still keeping the genin in sight.

Asuma's expression turned serious. "Something's not adding up here, Kakashi. The information Ino got from Inari and the picture Tazuna paints... it seems off."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, encouraging Asuma to continue.

"Wave was prosperous before Gato arrived," Asuma explained. "And when I spoke with the local daimyo about the bridge, he seemed unconcerned one way or the other."

Kakashi frowned. "That is strange. Surely the daimyo would have a vested interest in his country's economic stability."

Asuma nodded. "Exactly. While the villagers might not have had the funds to hire a team to deal with Gato, the daimyo certainly did. He could have made enough trouble that Gato wouldn't have found it worth the effort."

"Which means..." Kakashi trailed off, his visible eye narrowing.

"The daimyo is being bribed," Asuma finished. "And Gato's actions are being done in such a way that it doesn't risk him supplanting the Wave daimyo."

Kakashi sighed, closing his book with a snap. "I hate political matters like these."

Asuma chuckled without humor. "I know more than I want to, thanks to having been part of the Fire daimyo's court and being the son of the Hokage."

They stood in silence for a moment, watching as Naruto created a massive splash, drenching a sputtering Sasuke.

Kakashi tilted his head, considering. "Next time you go to negotiate, take Naruto with you."

Asuma blinked in surprise. "Naruto? Why?"

"He actually wants the damn hat," Kakashi explained, amusement coloring his voice. "He was even talked into doing the team's paperwork 'for practice'."

Asuma's eyebrows shot up. "I thought that was just you being lazy."

Kakashi's eye crinkled in a smile. "Oh, it was. But it still serves a purpose. The boy needs to learn about the less glamorous side of being Hokage, and this mission might provide some valuable lessons."

Asuma nodded slowly, seeing the logic. "Alright, I'll take him along. It'll be interesting to see how he handles it."

Their conversation was interrupted by a shout of triumph. They turned to see Naruto standing proudly in the middle of the stream, a wide grin on his face.

"Look, Kakashi-sensei! I did it!" he yelled, waving his arms excitedly. The movement disrupted his chakra flow, and he promptly sank like a stone.

As Sakura and Sasuke fished out their spluttering teammate, Kakashi and Asuma shared a look of fond exasperation.

"Well," Asuma said, "at least things won't be boring."

Kakashi nodded, his eye crinkling in amusement. "With Naruto around? Never."

As the day progressed, the genin continued to practice their water walking. By late afternoon, even Naruto was able to maintain his balance for extended periods, though he still occasionally lost focus and took an unexpected dip.

Asuma called them in, noting their exhausted but satisfied expressions. "Good work, all of you. You've made excellent progress today."

Ino, wringing water out of her long ponytail, grinned at Sakura. "I totally won our last race."

Sakura had removed her leggings and gloves to let her fur dry easier and was basking in the setting sun. "In your dreams. I was at least a step ahead."

Before their friendly bickering could escalate, Asuma cleared his throat. "Alright, let's head back to Tazuna's house. We'll discuss the guard rotation for tonight and tomorrow."

As they walked, Naruto fell into step beside Kakashi. "Hey, Kakashi-sensei, when are we going to learn some cool jutsus? Water walking is great and all, but I want to learn something that'll really knock Zabuza's socks off!"

Kakashi eye-smiled at his enthusiastic student. "Patience, Naruto. Mastering the basics is crucial. Besides, you never know when being able to walk on water might save your life."

Naruto pouted but nodded, accepting the wisdom in his sensei's words.

Back at Tazuna's house, the two jōnin gathered their teams in the main room. Tsunami bustled about, preparing dinner, while Inari watched the ninja from the corner, his expression a mix of curiosity and lingering skepticism.

"Here's how we'll handle the rotations," Asuma began. "Team 10 will take the first shift at the bridge tomorrow morning. Team 7 will guard the house and continue training. We'll switch in the afternoon."

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Asuma or I will always be at the bridge, while the other stays here. No solo heroics, understood?" He fixed each genin with a stern look, lingering on Naruto, who had the grace to look sheepish.

"What about night patrols?" Shikamaru asked, his sharp mind already analyzing potential weaknesses in their defense.

"Good question," Asuma replied. "We'll have two-person teams patrolling in shifts. I'll take first watch with Shikamaru, then Kakashi with Sasuke, followed by Sakura and Ino, and finally Naruto and Choji."

The genin nodded, accepting their assignments without complaint.

As they settled in for dinner, Asuma caught Naruto's eye. "Naruto, I'd like you to come with me tomorrow when I go to speak with the daimyo again."

Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "Me? Really?" He looked at Kakashi, who nodded encouragingly.

"Yes, you," Asuma confirmed. "Consider it part of your Hokage training."

Naruto's face lit up with excitement. "Awesome! I'll show that daimyo what a future Hokage can do, believe it!"

Sakura rolled her eyes fondly at her teammate's enthusiasm, while Sasuke merely grunted, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

As they ate, conversation flowed freely, the genin discussing their progress with water walking and speculating about what challenges they might face in the coming days. Inari, drawn by their camaraderie, slowly edged closer, listening intently.

Noticing this, Naruto grinned and waved the boy over. "Hey, Inari! Want to hear about the time I painted the Hokage Monument? It was my greatest prank ever!"

As Naruto launched into his tale, embellishing liberally, Inari's eyes grew wide with a mix of disbelief and admiration. Even Tsunami paused in her work to listen, a small smile playing on her lips.

As night fell, the first patrol headed out, with Asuma and Shikamaru melting into the shadows around the property. The others settled in to rest, each lost in their own thoughts about the challenges that lay ahead.

Sakura, her enhanced hearing on high alert, found sleep elusive. She sat by the window, her keen eyes scanning the darkness outside. Sasuke joined her silently, his presence a comforting warmth at her side.

"Do you think Zabuza will really stay away?" she asked quietly, her ears twitching at every night sound.

Sasuke was quiet for a moment before responding. "It doesn't matter. We'll be ready either way."

Sakura nodded, drawing strength from his confidence. As they sat together, keeping their silent vigil, she just basked in the moment.