These characters and images do not belong to me-they are credited to their respective creators. With nothing more to say, Let's start this story.
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Three days have passed, and not much has happened in those days. Just the only difference is that Sasuke finally finished his training, only leaving Naruto to finish. It was nighttime, and everyone would be at the dinner table; like always, Goku would be on his 5th plate of food while everyone else hadn't finished their first plate.
Sakura: Goku, you need to slow down the food isn't going anywhere, plus you need to leave some for the rest of us.
Tsunami: Don't worry, Sakura, there's plenty of food left. With the fish that Goku caught today and the wild boars from yesterday, we won't run out of food.
Goku: I know Sakura-chan, but I'm just starving.
Sakura's face would turn bright red, just of what Goku called her. Goku turned over to his side and stopped eating when he saw how red Sasuke's face was. With his hand, Goku would slowly pull back her hair, cover her face, and then place his forehead on hers.
Goku: Your face is a bit red, and your head feels a bit hot. It would be best if you rested tomorrow. You might have a cold and a fever. So don't worry me; Sasuke can go to the bridge and help Tazuna.
Kakashi: Huh, Goku, I don't think she's sick.
Goku: What do you mean she's not sick?
As he would look around the table, everyone would have sweat on their heads.
Kakashi: Let's finish our meals and get some rest.
Inari: Enough already! Why do you all try so hard to arrive at such a state? Even if you put forth the effort to train, there is absolutely no way that you could compete with Gato's soldiers! The weak will always come out on the losing end when competing against powerful people, no matter how cool the things they say or how much work they put in.
Naruto: Shut up. I'm not like you.
Inari: Stop talking! I'm sick of looking at you! You're sticking your nose even though you know nothing about the country! I'm not like you, who always behave foolishly and don't know anything about pain!
Naruto: So you're going to cry all day like the lead in a tragedy? Idiocy like you can cry forever! You crybaby, all that you are is a coward!
Sakura: Naruto, that's a bit too harsh!
Naru...
Goku: No, Sakura, trust me that he needs to hear that so he can move on, or he will always live in fear.
Naruto: Thank you for the food, and I'm heading out to finish my training.
Inari would stand and leave the kitchen table crying. Tsunami would run after him. The room fell silent. One would say anything as everyone who remained there turned their heads around and saw Goku continuing to eat.
Sakura: Really, how can you still eat after what just happened?
Goku: Sorry, but what happened? I wasn't paying any attention.
Sakura: The argument between Inari and Naruto.
Goku: Why were they arguing?
Sakura: Never mind, just finish your food. Why do you always lose track of what's happening around you regarding food, training, and fighting?
Goku: Sorry you said something, Sakura-chan.
Kakashi: As fun as seeing the two of you, I need to go and apologize to Inari and Tsunami.
Tsunami and Inari would go outside while Inari kept crying, and Tsunami would hug her son when Kakashi came up to them both to speak.
Kakashi: Got a minute? Naruto didn't mean any harm with what he said. He can be harsh, but he does not hate you. We heard the story about your father from Tazuna. Like you, most of my team knows pain. Goku never met his father; he died protecting the village he lived in. Goku's father died before he was born. Sasuke's whole family and clan were killed when he was five.
Naruto never had a father or a mother as a young child. He doesn't know either of his parents. Not only that. He didn't have a single friend growing up.
Inari: What?
Kakashi: However, I've never seen him sulk, be timid, or cry. He's always eager, wanting to be acknowledged by someone. If it's for the sake of that "dream," he always risks his life. He's probably tired of crying. So, he knows the true meaning of the word strong, like your father. Out of all of us, Naruto might understand your feelings the most about what Naruto said earlier. There's no mistaking that he's told himself that repeatedly.
The following day almost everyone was at the table for breakfast except Naruto and Goku.
Sakura: Good morning, everyone.
Tazuna: I'm surprised Goku hasn't returned from training. It's breakfast time, and Naruto didn't come back last night, either?
Sakura: He's such a fool. He's been out every night, climbing trees. He might be dead already from using up too much Chakra.
Tsunami: I wonder if Naruto's okay. To think a child would be outside in the middle of the night.
Kakashi: Well, you don't need to worry. Although he may not seem to be, he's a full-fledged Ninja.
Sasuke: That idiot's probably all pooped out right about now. I'm heading out.
With Naruto.
Naruto would be passed out and sleeping in the middle of the forest ground. When someone would notice Naruto on the ground, the person would walk to where Naruto is and see he has a ninja headband, but then a voice would be heard from up above.
Goku: I wouldn't touch him if I were you. It's better to leave him alone and rest.
?: Sorry, I wasn't trying to do anything to him. I just find it somewhat strange to see someone sleeping in the middle of the forest.
Goku: What are you doing here?
?: I'm gathering medicinal herbs for healing injuries, sickness, and the like.
Goku: So what is your name, if you don't mind me asking?
?: My name is Haku. What about yours?
Goku: My name is Goku. Do you mind if you can show me what herds you have collected?
Haku would give Goku the basket to see the herbs she had gathered. Goku started helping her gather more herbs and sharing the new ones that would also help her.
Haku: Why are you helping me?
Goku: I was taught to help out others as a child. So when I can, I try to help out as much as possible.
Haku: What've you been doing in a place like this so early?
Goku: Training.
Haku: Could it be that you're a Ninja or something? What with that headband?
Goku: I am.
Haku: No kidding. You're great, aren't you? But why are you training?
Goku: As for me, I want to get stronger!
Haku: But you already look strong enough.
Goku: No, no! I want to get even stronger!
Haku: What for?
Goku: To protect my family and friends.
Haku: Do you have somebody precious in your life?
Goku: My mom and sister. It is because of them that I'm the person I'm today.
Haku: Then you are already strong.
Goku: What do you mean?
Haku: When a person has something precious they want to protect, that's when they can truly become strong. Well, Goku, thank you for helping me gather these herbs. Remember, when you have somebody precious to protect, you are vital to overcoming anything. I hope we meet again somewhere.
Goku: We will, and when we do, I'll show you how strong I am. Also, tell Zabuza I'll be waiting for him. I've been training all of these days.
Thisandcked Haku that Goku knew from the beginning who she was. But for some reason, she smiled and waved goodbye to Goku.
Goku: Sasuke, you can come out now.
Sasuke: How can a lower-class ninja like you track me down as a ninja elite?
Goku: Sasuke, your no ninja elite. You just learn to climb trees. Now your brother, on the other hand, is an elite ninja. All that you are is a spoiled brat of the village. You're nothing. Now grab Naruto and take him back to Tazuna's.
At Tazuna's house
Sakura: What in the world is Naruto doing? And Sasuke hasn't come back from his walk either.
Kakashi: Sakura come with me; let's go out and find where Naruto, Sasuke, and Goku are.
On their walk in the forest, they found all three guys. But they saw Goku and Sasuke arguing and Naruto sleeping on the ground.
Kakashi: What's going on here?
Sasuke: What's going on here is that his idiot let go of the ninjas that help Zabuza escape.
Goku: You could have stopped her while walking away, but you kept hiding behind the trees.
Kakashi: Enough, both of you. Goku, is this true what Sasuke is saying?
Goku: Yes, Kakashi sensei Zabuza should be ready to attack us again tomorrow.
Sakura: How do you know that?
Goku: Because I helped her gather some herbs too, and I saw the herbs she was using, and that led me to estimate Zabuza's recovery.
Sasuke: You're a fool for letting her go. You could have captured her and gotten information out of her.
Goku: I did get the information. I don't have to use force to make someone talk.
Kakashi: Okay, let's go back and start planning for tomorrow.
The next day we see Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke, and Goku at the bridge. Naruto was left behind, and he was still recovering from his training.
Kakashi: Goku, do you sense anyone yet?
Goku: No, Kakashi sensei, not yet.
Sasuke: This is a waste of time. I could be out there training.
Kakashi: That's enough, Sasuke. Keep working with Tazuna and keep an eye open if someone shows up.
Naruto: I overslept! Hey hey! Where is everyone?
Tsunami: Naruto. Your Sensei wanted you to rest and relax.
Naruto: I knew it. They left me behind. I'll be back. Darn it! They could've woken me up!
Naruto would run back to the room to change out of his pajamas and into his orange jumpsuit and start running out the door towards the bridge where everyone was at. While going from tree to tree, Naruto notices a dead animal that has been beaten badly.
At the Bridge.
Goku, Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi would be helping Tazuna and his remaining workers finish the bridge. Then all of a sudden, Goku would drop the lumber he was carrying.
Goku: Kakashi, they're here. I can sense them. Mr. Tazuna, you better tell your workers to leave this area because they are here.
A mist would start to cover the whole bridge. They are making it difficult for someone to see.
Kakashi: Everyone, get ready. I knew he was still alive. He couldn't wait for round 2.
Sakura: Kakashi sensei, it's Zabuza. This is his Hidden Mist Jutsu.
Zabuza: Sorry I kept you waiting, Kakashi. I see you've still got those brats with you. That one is still trembling. Pitiful.
Said Zabuza appearing in front of everyone using his water clone Jutsu
Sasuke: I'm trembling with excitement.
Kakashi: Go on, Sasuke.
Sasuke would jump at Zabuza, finishing all of his water clones.
Zabuza: Ooh, so you could see they were water clones, huh? The brat's improving. It looks like you've got a rival, Haku.
Haku: Maybe, but he's not the one I want.
Zabuza: You mean other brats? Well, you can't have him. I have a score to settle with him and Kakashi.
Kakashi: Well, well. It seems Goku's prediction was right on the money. It was all an act with a cute little mask.
Tazuna: So I guess all about being a tracker ninja protecting her village was a bunch of bull.
Kakashi: They look pretty friendly to me. They've been pulling scams like that for a long time.
Sakura: She got some nerve, facing us again after pulling that trick.
Kakashi: And hiding behind a mask. Who does she think she's fooling?
Goku: You guys. She pretty much fools all of you. Plus, do you want to talk about hiding behind a mask, Kakashi sensei?
Sasuke: Enough talking. I'm taking her out. Who does she think she's fooling, hiding behind that mask like some clown?
Sakura: Sasuke, you're so cool.
Haku: He's Impressive. Even though they were just one-tenth the strength of the original water clone jutsu, he did destroy them all.
Zabuza: However, you made the preemptive move. Now use it.
Haku: Right.
In an instant, Haku disappears, preparing her attack against Sasuke.
At Tazuna's house, we see two armed thugs breaking in through the front door. One of the thugs would grab Tsunami by force and drag her outside while the other went in to look for the kid. When he found the boy, he took him outside of the house.
Thug #1: Tie them up, and let's go.
Thug #2: No, Gato only requested one hostage. You can dispose of the kid.
Tsunami: No, wait, please don't hurt my son. I'm begging you. He's just a boy. I'll do anything. Just, please don't hurt him.
Thug #2: Looks like your mom came through for you, kid. Lucky.
Thug #1: What a waste. I was in the mood to cut something.
Thug #2: Give it a rest. You already drew blood today. Let's get her out of here.
The thugs would tie Tsunami's hands behind her with a rope and force her to walk.
Inary: I'm sorry, mom, I'm too weak. I couldn't do anything. I don't want to die. I'm a coward.
The final words brought back the memory of the arguments that he and Naruto had had, during which Naruto had called him a coward. This would motivate Inary to fight back against the thieves. But instead, Naruto suddenly appears in front of the thugs and Inary at that moment. Naruto would easily knock them out in no time.
End of Chapter.