n

n

nAfter Kakashi finished explaining the situation to Yuna and Anko, the group made their way towards Tazuna's home. Tazuna told the group that they could stay there while he finished building the bridge. While they were walking, Sasuke was constantly glaring at Naruto, but Naruto completely ignored him. Naruto himself couldn't help but frown. He knew something was off, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

n

"What's wrong, Naruto? You seem to be unhappy about something.

"

n

"I don't know, nee-san. I just feel like something was off about the situation with Zabuza, but I don't know what.

"

n

"Oh, I see. You probably think so, because there really was something off. Kakashi said, that the hunter-nin took Zabuza away with him, but why would he do that? He could dispose of Zabuza's secrets right there. I guess that shinobi was Zabuza's ally and Zabuza is actually still alive.

"

nAs soon as Yuna finished her explanation, the whole group, except for Yuna, froze while Yuna was the only one who was still walking forward. She looked back at the group with confusion in her eyes.

n

"What? You hadn't figured that out yet.

"

nKakashi could only groan and facepalm.

n

"Yuna is right, probably. Why not just dispose of the body right there? Why use senbon to kill him? This whole thing is very suspicious. Zabuza is, very likely, still alive.

"

nWhile everyone was still in shock, the group reached Tazuna's house and were greeted by a young woman in her late twenties.

n

"This is my daughter Tsunami. Tsunami, these are the shinobi that were sent to protect me.

"

nTsunami gave everyone a polite greeting which was returned by the group. They made their way to the living room and sat down.

n

"We should start preparing for the next battle against Zabuza. I have no doubt that he will have some more reinforcements during the next battle. That hunter-nin will probably be there and maybe even more people. If another jonin appears, things will get really dangerous. Luckily, we got some reinforcements as well. Anko is a jonin just like me and Yuna…

"

n

"No need to worry about her strength. We spent last week raiding bandit camps and hunting missing-nins, so no worries.

"

n

"*Cough* What Anko wanted to say was that we patrolled the border and, completely out of coincidence, got into a few combat situations that couldn't have been avoided.

"

n

"AH! Yes! That totally is what happened. I… misspoke just now. Just forget about it. What Yuna said is 100% the truth.

"

nKakashi repeatedly looked from Anko to Yuna and after contemplating some more he simply decided to forget what he just heard. His instincts were telling him that, for the sake of his sanity, he shouldn't ask any questions.

n

"A-Anyway. It will take some time for Zabuza to be back on his feet, so we should get some training in while we have time.

"

n

"

"

"

"

"Training!?

"

"

"

"

"

nEven Anko couldn't help but wonder what kind of training could help someone get stronger in just a few days.

n

"Indeed. It might not make a difference if your enemy is someone like Zabuza, but it might give you an edge against other enemies we might face.

"

n

"That sounds really stupid.

"

nAll eyes in the room locked onto the little boy who just said that.

n

"Inari! You can't speak to our guest like that. They are here to protect your grandpa. This is Inari, my son. Please forgive what he just said.

"

n

"Mom, these people are just going to die, anyway.

"

n

"INARI!

"

n

"Oh my? Why don't you tell us why we are all going to die? You got me really curious.

"

nKakashi, immediately, got nervous when Yuna was the first to speak. He always had difficulties reading her intentions and never really understood her goals. He doubted that Yuna would actually attack a child that said something stupid, but he would rather be a little bit more cautious than to regret it later.

n

"Because there is no way you can win against Gatou.

"

nAlthough Inari said that with confidence, Yuna only looked at him with confusion. She turned her head and looked at Kakashi.

n

"Could you give me a little reminder of who Gatou is? Wasn't it Zabuza?

"

n

"

"

"

"…

"

"

"

"

n

"Err… He is the guy that hired Zabuza.

"

n

"Haa? Doesn't that mean he is just a moneybag?

"

nYuna looked back at Inari and was still completely confused by the situation until she finally understood what was going on.

n

"No way, you actually think Gatou is the threat? Pfft haha, you can't be serious.

"

nInari, naturally, got angry at how easily she dismissed Gatou's threat.

n

"OF COURSE, HE IS A THREAT! HE HAS BEEN TERRORIZING THIS LAND FOR A LONG TIME NOW!!!

"

n

"Haha, *phew* sorry about that, but you seem to have a little misunderstanding of how this world works. Gatou is a threat to you. Civilians. We shinobi don't give a ** about him. If Zabuza wasn't following his own code of honor, he would simply kill Gatou and all of his goons and take all the money he wanted. That would probably result in him being hunted with much more fervor than he currently is, but it could still easily be done. Remember this well, kid. Might makes right. No matter how much money or worthless goons you have, it takes only one powerful shinobi to take it all away.

"

nInari was completely stunned by that. In his mind, Gatou was invincible, but now, someone, who doesn't even see him as a threat, appeared . His eyes scanned the shinobi in front of him and stopped at Kakashi, who seems to be the leader of the group.

n

"Is this true?!

"

nKakashi was a little stunned by him suddenly becoming part of this conversation. He threw a glare at Yuna, but she somehow seemed to have managed to get into a very deep and interesting conversation with Naruto since she finished her speech, three seconds ago. Kakashi could only awkwardly scratch his head and answer the question.

n

"Well… truth be told, I don't really care about Gatou either. If I wasn't unsure whether there was another jonin level guard I would probably sneak into his base and get rid of him in a day or two.

"

nInari was completely shell shocked by that revelation. The invincible image he had of Gatou slowly started to crumble. He unsteadily walked up the stairs of the room and disappeared into the next floor.

nYuna could see the worried look on Tazuna and Tsunami's faces, so she decided to reenter the conversation.

n

"Don't worry about him. The first step to getting rid of a demon is to stop believing that it is invincible. Inari is currently taking that step and needs some time to think things through.

"

nEveryone was looking at Yuna in disbelief after that explanation.

nAnd you are calling me a big softy?

n'I have already mentioned it rather early, but I dislike seeing children suffer. Inari is different from Sasuke. He might act tough, but he is probably crying every night due to whatever he has experienced. If a few words can help him get out of that, then why not?'

nYeah, that might be, but I am still calling you a big softy.

n'Fine, whatever.'

nKakashi was the first one to regather his wits.

n

"Yuna, did you…do that on purpose?

"

nYuna only looked at him with confusion in her eyes.

n

"Did what on purpose? I only told the stupid brat how the world works. Power over money, that's how it is.

"

nKakashi noticed how dismissive Yuna was about all that just happened and actually started to think that this was a coincidence as well.

n'There is no way that is actually the case. She even analyzed the situation for Tazuna and Tsunami after all. It is really impossible to get a read on her.'

nWhile Kakashi was still thinking Yuna stood up and stretched a little.

n

"I am going for a wal… *cough* I mean I am going to scout out the terrain around the house. See you later.

"

n

"Sure, have fun, Yuna.

"

n

"See you later, nee-san.

"

n

"Yup, see you soon, Anko, Naruto, and the rest of you as well.

"

nAfter giving her farewells, Yuna casually walked out of the house while everyone except for Naruto and Anko looked at her completely dumbfounded.

n

"W-wait a moment, Anko. Is it really okay to let Yuna leave like that?

"

n

"Mhh? Yeah? Why wouldn't it be okay, Kakashi? She knows what she is doing.

"

n

"Nono, that is not what I am talking about. Aren't you supposed to be her sensei? Why do you allow her to leave just like that?

"

n

"Oh! Now that you mentioned it, I was indeed supposed to be her sensei, huh? Since we spent the last week having fun together, I totally forget about that. By the way, did you know that Yuna can spit out a senbon needle hard enough to pierce through two bandits at once? And I am not talking about the squishy parts. Nope. Straight through the head.

"

nNaruto's eyes immediately shone in excitement.

n

"Ohh, I know about that one. Once while we were sparring against each other nee-san actually managed to hit both me and Hinata with the same senbon. It took me quite a while to realize where that senbon even came from.

"

nAnko's eyes also started to become excited.

n

"You are her little brother, right? I bet there are a ton of abnormal stories about her. Come on, tell me a few and in return, I will tell you how our… uhh… border patrol mission went.

"

n

"Haha, that's a deal. Guess I will just start. So, there was this one time…

"

nWhile Naruto and Anko started to exchange stories, Kakashi had no idea what to do about the situation. While Anko and Naruto didn't seem to be worried about Yuna at all, he couldn't help but feel worried. Naruto actually noticed that and couldn't help but chuckle a little.

n

"Hehe, what are you so worried about, Kakashi-sensei? Nee-san has been fighting everything around her pretty much from the start. Even if she gets trapped in a dangerous situation, she will just escape it.

"

nAlthough Kakashi was reluctant to admit it, he could only nod his head in agreement. Someone who could escape from an ANBU at the age of three, naturally, wouldn't be caught easily.

nThe remaining people in the room, meanwhile, looked at the people currently talking in disbelief. Naruto and Anko's stories about Yuna were already unbelievable enough, but Kakashi actually seems to acknowledge them as well, while basically admitting that, even if a jonin were to appear, she would survive the encounter.

nThe most affected by all of this was actually Sasuke, who clenched his fist again and again.

n'How did she get this strong? No. It isn't just her. Naruto also got much more powerful after he left the academy. What kind of secret do they have? Did they discover something? Some kind of secret power. A secret way to increase your strength, maybe? I need to know. I absolutely need to find out about it and use it myself. This and my hatred should be enough to finally surpass Itachi.'

n