Naruto ch 29

Chapter 29

 

 

Opening his eyes fully Zabuza noticed the white walls and ceiling first, then how bright it was. Turning his head to the side he saw an outline of a person sitting near the bed, focusing on them his vision cleared and he saw the blond teen staring back at him.

Naruto watched the bandaged man slowly open his eyes, “Hello Zabuza.”

“Wh..ere…” Zabuza’s voice was gravely as he tried to talk.

Reaching over and picking up a glass of water with a straw in it Naruto leaned forward so he could place the straw between the man’s lips, holding the cup until he had swallowed several mouthfuls before removing it when Zabuza released the straw. “You’re in Whirlpool, in our main hospital,” starring into Zabuza’s eyes he figured the other would want to know how long he had been here, “Haku and the Dragon’s rescued you and your team two weeks ago. They also evacuated Mist, taking everything your people could find before destroying it, and the same day Haku rescued you he ended the war.”

Eyes wide in shock, Zabuza wondered how powerful Haku had become, he was glad he pushed the young man into joining Naruto and his family. After all if Haku had become powerful enough to stop a war he had failed to stop…smiling he glanced around the room before asking, “Where’s Haku?”

Naruto nodded as he stretched, “He’s with his squad as they deal with the mind healers. Today is their last session before being released back to duty,” glancing at the clock on the wall he shrugged, “he should be back in another half hour.”

Frowning Zabuza leaned back into the soft bed as wrapped his mind around the information, “Mind Healers?”

“Something we require of all those in the Dragon Warriors to go through when they end up being ordered to take a life.” Naruto shrugged, “the mind healers help them deal with the aftermath of all the killing they had to do.” Seeing the confused expression on Zabuza’s face Naruto tried to think of a way to explain. “You have to understand that a single Dragon Warrior has the power to destroy a village the size of Mist, and when they end up taking lives I want to make sure they can handle what they have done, I don’t want them bottling it up and losing touch with who they are.” Holding up a hand Naruto stared down at him, “Yes I know they are killers, all Shinobi are killers. But if a Dragon Warrior goes insane they have the power to destroy countries, so I prefer they deal with what they have to do without bottling it up until they break.”

Catching the look of understanding in Zabuza’s expression Naruto nodded, “Right. Where was I?” looking out the window Naruto continued the explanation, “I sent seven Dragon warrior into Water country with the order to end the war and retrieve you. I doubt there is more than a handful of soldiers left in Water and maybe if they are lucky double that number of Samurai survived the Dragons.” Looking back at Zabuza he stood, “frankly Water as a major power in the Elemental nations is history. Without a Hidden Village, and a Daimyo and his higher councilors and advisors it is pretty much a footnote in history.”

“Now what?” Zabuza frowned as he felt something strange being told his country and village ceased to exist.

“Now,” Naruto smiled back at the tired looking warrior, “Now you heal and I call Tazuna and a few others to see if Wave would like to have the new Hidden Village of Water in their lands.” Chuckling as he opened the door to leave, “After all we can’t let all that hard work you went through to turn your village around to be something anyone would be proud of go to waste can we.”

Stopping in the door Naruto looked back at the slightly shocked expression, “You have done too much for the good of your village to let it disappear…we just need to find you a new home.”

Zabuza watched the door close behind the person he was realizing could turn the world on its head by his words alone, smiling as he thought about building a new village. Now there was a challenge worthy of his talents.

 

Having burned the letter he had been given he hoped he was doing the right thing, looking up at the picture of the fourth on the wall he smiled, Naruto was in fact the protective giving boy he acted like during his deception. Who would have thought the two least likely people in the village were Naruto's spies. Then again knowing how they felt about the young boy, always treating him like something special he should have guessed. Watching Ebisu leave with his grandson he hoped that was still in time to catch them before they left, moving to the balcony he watched his grandson look back up at him from the street with a worried expression on his face.

The Third looked out over the village from his balcony off his office, a frown marring his face as he gazed at the villagers going about their daily business. The frown was for the people that should be down there going about their business but had left the village for their own protection, something he never thought would happen. Feeling someone enter the room behind him he glanced around before returning to staring at his beloved village, “Ibiki, what have you found so far?”

“I am not naive enough to think we have caught all the treasonous root members, but we have seriously reduced their numbers. To the point where we can say the Anbu and Jounin ranks are cleared of the traitors.” Ibiki told him as soon as he joined the Third on the balcony, “Hokage-sama we have found several spy’s with troubling information in the sweeps to ferret out Root, spy’s that belong to Orochimaru.”

Turning around the Third frowned at Ibiki, what is Orochimaru up to now he thought. Moving back to the office he sat down behind his desk as he tried to come to terms with what he heard. “What are their orders and how badly have we been compromised?”

 

It was time Teuchi thought as he looked around the small Ramon stand that had been his home the past ten years, “Ayame have you finished packing everything into those sealing scrolls yet?”

Walking out of the empty back room Ayame gave it one last look over her shoulder before sighing, she had spent so much time here it had almost seemed like home to her. Smiling she handed the scrolls to her father and nodded, “I’m going to miss this place.”

Placing his hand on his daughters shoulder Teuchi smiled, “I know, but it is time to go home. Our mission is over and for better or worse the Leaf will have to make its own way from now on.” Shouldering his pack he smiled as he locked the door behind them, “It will be good to spend more time with our family than a few hours at night and the weekends.” Chuckling as they started for the main gate, “Your uncle Moshi will finally be able to take his vacation once we get home.”

Laughing quietly Ayame looked back at the small Ramon stand one more time before smiling as she walked along next to her father, he was right it would be good to go home for good.

 

Ebisu stood at the main gate with his hand on the honorable grandson’s shoulder; he did not have to look up to see the team of Anbu around the rooftops guarding them. It had become a necessity because one night last week another attempt on the honorable grandson’s life almost succeeded, Hokage-sama had decided it was too dangerous for him to remain in Kohona. But it galled him to no end to have to hand off the protection of the honorable grandson to a Ramon cook, snorting in disgust at the thought, it’s not like he was a Shinobi or anything how the hell was he supposed to protect the grandson of the Hokage the most powerful Shinobi in the village?

Stiffening up as he spotted the two he had been told to hand over his charge to he stepped in front of them blocking their path, “Teuchi-san…” swallowing his anger and pride he bowed his head slightly. “Hokage-sama has a request for you. He wishes to entrust his grandson to you as you travel …” frowning as he looked up through his glasses, the Hokage had never told him where the two were traveling to so how in the world did he think those two could keep the honorable grandson safe?

Ayame looked up at her father to take her queue off of him, eyes widening slightly as she saw his hand flipping that flap on his vest, she realized  their plans had changed as her own hand went to the slit in her jacket where her own Hitate was hidden.

“I see,” Teuchi frowned as he looked around at the Anbu stationed around the gate, ignoring the Jounin instructor for now. Going back to stare at the young boy standing nervously next to the Jounin he sighed inwardly, well he told himself he was told to use his own initiative. But then again this was the Hokage’s grandson.

Flipping open the flap on the pocket Teuchi pulled out his Hitate and rank pin, tying the Whirlpool Hitate to his arm he looked into Ebisu’s shocked face as he affixed his Jounin rank pin to his collar, knowing his daughter was doing the same and securing her Chuunin pin to her shirt, “I understand. We will see to Konohamaru’s safety from here on out.”

Ayame smiled as she saw the shocked looks on everyone’s faces, “Come on Konohamaru we need to get a move on.” Looking down at the awe filled face she grinned, “Do you think you can run through the trees or should I carry you?”

 

Sasuke was leaving the meeting he and Shino had to attend as proctors of the Chuunin exam when he spotted her lurking in the shadows across the street. Once again he was being stalked by fan girls, or one fan girl by the name of Haruno Sakura. Sighing he succumbed to the inevitable, “Sakura why are you following me?”

Finally my Sasuke-kun is talking to me, now I can finally get my dream date. After all he’s a Chuunin now, he so strong and powerful, the best out there. Smiling she slinked across the street to stand within touching distance of the black haired god,  “Sasuke-kun I came by so we could go out and get something to eat and catch up, surely you want to tell me all about your passing the Chuunin exam.”

Pinching the bridge of his nose Sasuke glared at the pink haired pest that seemed to not understand the words not interested, “Sakura, I do not have time to be bothered by such trivial things. I have duties to perform and if you plan to enter the Chuunin exam you should be training, not being disqualified for attempting to get close to one of the exam proctors.” Glare turning hateful, hoping she would get the message, “besides, as I told you before I am not interested in you. And under no circumstances would you be considered as one of the mothers of my children…now leave me alone.”

Speaking of the bitches Sakura thought before smiling sweetly, “Where are the two Kunoichi, what’s there name again? I’ve not seen them around since you’ve gotten back. Did you decide they aren’t going to work out?” yeah like I would be so much better she thought than those losers. I mean like really don’t they care for what they look like at all.

 “Miyuki and Yumi are still in Whirlpool, I did not want them traveling when they have so recently become pregnant with my children,” Sasuke turned away, she was not important, and that little bit of information could not hurt him because the mothers of his children were safe. Glancing up at the sky he hurried away he had a lunch meeting with a young Kunoichi who just might be what he was looking for as one of the mothers of his future children.

Sakura stood in the street fuming, blood dripping from her clenched hands from her nails digging into the palms of her hands, anger and killing intent leaking out of her causing villagers to suddenly remember other engagements elsewhere. Those bitches, how dare they touch my Sasuke-kun, to touch him there. I’ll kill them, them and their evil spawn.

Catching the sudden killing intent from behind him Sasuke glanced over his shoulder as he turned the corner to see Sakura was the one giving off the killing intent. Taking in her posture, the blood dripping from her fists and the anger and killing intent he wondered if it would be safe to bring his children back to Konoha after all. Deciding to talk to the Hokage about it this afternoon he continued on so he would not be late.

On the opposite end of the street there was an old man watching the happenings, he thought to himself it might be time to help the Haruno girl out. After all if she could get the Uchiha under her control and he controlled her…well a powerful clan would be a welcome addition to the real council.

 

“Zabuza-sama you’re awake,” Haku smiled happily as he walked into the hospital room and saw his precious person sitting up in bed eating.

Looking up Zabuza smiled as he watched the person who he had come to think as a son, enter the room. Nodding his smile faded away, “Haku how many made it?”

Pulling the chair over Haku sighed, he would have to ask this first thing, looking down briefly his voice was quiet, “Seven hundred. We were able to save seven hundred villagers and Shinobi from Mist; right now they are recovering in the outside village. Now that you are awake and stable it might be a good idea to move you to the outside hospital so your people can see you’re still alive and the Mizukage.”

Examining Haku with a critical eye Zabuza nodded, “I have been thinking.” Looking out the window to see the well manicured gardens he put his thoughts into some type of order. “I think we should relocate to Sea Country, Wave is nice and all but way to close to Fire country and Konoha to be viable.” Nodding to himself he pushed the sheets back as he slid his feet to the floor, he had been in bed way to long as it was. “Yes, Sea would be better if they would accept us, we would be able to grow and prosper.”

Moving to the small closet next to the door Haku quickly gathered up Zabuza’s uniform and handed it over, “Once you have drafted your letter to the lady Daimyo of Sea Country I will have one of the dragons deliver it for you. We will help you as much as we can when you build your new hidden village…” trailing off Haku moved to the window and looked out, “Something big is happening in the outside world. Naruto feels someone or some group is trying to start off another great war.”

“So what help you can give me might be limited,” Zabuza fastened his weapons pouch to his belt.

“Yes,” Haku turned away from the window, “unless it is rather soon, we might not be able to give you as much help as we would like.”

Nodding Zabuza moved towards the door, “Then we need to get moving. After all if there is someone out there wanting war I need to get my village settled and defended so we have time to prepare.”

 

Teuchi kept a hand on Konohamaru as they walked out of sight of the walls of the Leaf village eyes scanning ht surrounding forest, “Ayame change of plans we are going to use the escape route to make sure no one follows us or gets another chance at young Konohamaru here.”

Choosing her words carefully Ayame glanced at the canopy searching for the people she knew were following them, speaking in code so those following them wouldn’t have a clue she grabbed her father’s pack so he could pick up the young boy, “the closest air stream is half an hour’s run to the west.”

“Konohamaru I know this is frightening for you,” Teuchi knelt down as he felt the others getting closer to their position. “I need you to be brave for me, your grandfather entrusted your safety to me and Ayame and I plan to get you to Naruto-sama safely, but you have to trust me.” Looking into the young boy’s eyes he smiled when he nodded. “Good I want you to climb up onto my back and hold on as tight as you can.”

Standing up Teuchi glanced at the trees behind them and smirked, the fools would not be able to catch them, “Ayame we will hit the air stream at a run, so make sure you time the seals correctly for dragon flight.”

“Don’t worry about me old man, my timing doesn’t suck like yours,” Ayame smirked as she took off running, once her muscles warmed up she pushed her chakra into her legs and really started to fly through the treetops.

Chuckling Teuchi took off after his daughter after dropping one of Naruto-sama’s experimental reactive notes behind, triggering it when he put on his own burst of speed.

Chuckling as he held onto the young boys legs he glanced behind him to see a beautiful sight, a large fireball had taken out several of the pursuers. Catching sight of the plain white masked men following them he glanced sideways at his daughter, “It looks like some of the Root operatives which means they have not all been ferreted out.”

Saving her breath Ayame nodded as she pushed more chakra into her legs, she only needed to hold it for a short time, and afterwards she could collapse once they made it through the transfer seal. Nodding her head towards the clearing to their left she started to form the seals she would need to activate the reverse summoning seal. Adding two extra seals which compensated for height, since her father would be in mid jump, she pulled away, two steps, now three steps ahead of her father and his passenger.

Completing the last seal she hit the ground with her hands pushing the chakra into the hidden seal and jumping up to catch her father’s leg, yelling out a nonsense Jutsu to confuse their pursuers, “Dragon Flight…Fly.”

The Root operatives skidded to a halt in the clearing, swearing as the two supposed civilians flickered before disappearing from sight. Punching the nearest tree in anger he spat out, “We lost them. Dammit…Return to base.” Looking around the clearing he felt something, not sure what it was but it felt powerful, and what the hell was this dragon flight Jutsu. Not to mention what the hell was the air streams they were talking about, glancing one more time at the clearing he kicked a log across the ground in anger before turning and leaving.

 

Knock…knock…

Naruto looked up from his desk where he was studying the information Jiga and his council had given him earlier during their weekly update meeting at the sound of knocking on his doorframe. “Teuchi,” spotting the second figure entering the room he sat up, “Ayame, I did not expect the two of you for another…” trailing off as he spotted a third person walk into his office he stared in shock before barking out, “What happened, is the Old Man alright?”

Teuchi sighed as the youngster rushed Naruto and jumped into his arms, the fear he had been holding back finally getting the better of him as he ran to Naruto-sama.

Holding onto to Konohamaru tightly as the young boy trembled in his arms he looked up in anger at Teuchi who spoke up first, “the Hokage is alright. The problem is his grandson.” Pointing to the young boy in Naruto's arms he frowned, “Konohamaru has been the target of several assassination attempts, to the point his grandfather no longer thinks it is safe to keep him in Konoha. Last week they were able to almost get past two squads of Anbu to get to Konohamaru.”

Starring at the two in confusion Naruto noticed Ayame was shaking and having trouble standing, “Sit down both of you.” Reaching around the young boy in his arms he pushed the intercom button on his desk, “I need a team of medic-nin’s in my office immediately.”

“Naruto Nii-san is grandpa going to be alright?” Konohamaru looked up as he slid off of Naruto's lap.

“I’m not sure Konohamaru, but I’ll send one of my people back to check up on him,” Naruto nodded as he sat back in his chair and smiled as Jiga practically teleported into his office, several medic-nin’s stationed in the mission office half a second behind him. Pointing at Ayame he watched the medic-nin’s quickly start to scan her for injuries.

Looking up with a frown on his face the medic stared at Ayame briefly, “What did you do to your legs to get them in this kind of condition; your muscles are practically shredded?”

“Pushed one hell of a large amount of chakra into them so we could escape the Root Anbu operatives chasing us,” Ayame snapped out as she grimaced as the medic-nin started to heal her legs.

Looking at Konohamaru but not really seeing him Naruto thought about what little bit he had heard, it was all part of a bigger picture, the only problem was he was not sure what the picture was supposed to look like. “For now Konohamaru you will stay with me at my family’s estate. We’ll get you signed into the academy tomorrow so you don’t fall behind,” seeing the small smile on Konohamaru’s face Naruto pushed the intercom button again, “I need a academy team for escort duty to my office please.”

Chuckling at the sounds of running coming from the hall Naruto pulled a blank scroll out of the bin as three out of breath last year’s skidded to a halt in his office.

“Team twenty one reporting as ordered Uzumaki-sama…”

Grinning as the team saluted him, “At ease you three.” Glancing at Konohamaru who looked like his eyes were going to pop out from surprise he covered his chuckle with the noise of closing one of his desk drawers. “I need you three to show Konohamaru here around town. Make sure he gets what he needs for the academy, and then afterwards drop him off at my estate.”

“Um…Naruto Nii-san,” Konohamaru fidgeted before looking at Naruto, “I don’t have any money with me, grandpa didn’t send anything so it would be easier to move quickly.”

Pulling another scroll out of the bin Naruto quickly jotted down some instructions, handing it over he smiled at Konohamaru, “That’s okay Konohamaru; I’ll cover things for now, until my messenger gets back from your Grandpa.” Looking over at the academy team he smiled, “Make sure Konohamaru gets several sets of clothes to wear while you’re at it.” Giving Konohamaru a slight nudge he made shooing motions, “Go on you four get a move on, I’ll see you at supper Konohamaru, we’ll talk more after supper.”

Waiting for the four to hit the street level Naruto turned back from the window where he was watching for them to come out of the citadel, “What in the nine levels of hell is going on in Konoha?”