18 The Wave *part 4* (2/2)

Naruto was deep in thought. He knew that he had no chance against a man who could go toe to toe with his sensei. What's more, Kakashi had almost been defeated and whereas it not for the timely intervention of him Zed, and Sasuke and Zabuza underestimating then they would have definitely lost. ”Don't you think you're overthinking this?” asked Tazuna, now worried that that really strong ninja might actually be coming back. ”I mean, hunter ninja is supposed to kill a missing ninja.”

”One of the shinobi rules is to always prepare for the worst possible scenario.” Kakashi stated. ”And even if Zabuza is dead, it just means that Gato is likely to hire an even stronger ninja. Either case points to the fact that we need to prepare.”

”But…what can we do?” asked Sakura, frightened of even the thought of seeing Zabuza again. This whole mission had gone from bad to worse for her, and she was starting to feel completely overwhelmed. ”I mean, we're just genin, and you can barely even move!” ”Hehe.” Kakashi chuckled, ”You guys will be doing some training.” ”Huh?! Training?!” Sakura said in surprise, ”Sensei, what's a little training gonna do!”

”Sakura…who saved me while I was trapped in that water prison?” Kakashi asked in a slow tone, the question was rhetorical but it was obvious the point he was trying to get across. ”You guys have all improved a great deal.” The cyclopean Jonin looked over at Naruto and gave him an eye smile. ”Naruto, you've improved the most.” Naruto just nodded before saying. ”Well, I have strong summons to help me.”

”Obviously this is just training for you guys to get better,” Kakashi continued, ”Even if I train you, you won't be able to best Zabuza without me.” ”But sensei, if Zabuza is alive he could attack at any time!” Sakura protested. ”So should we be training...” ”Don't worry,” Kakashi assured her. ”You have to remember Zabuza was injured too. On top of that, he was put into a death-like state. His body will take a while to recover from something like that. So we'll train until then.”

”Finally!” Naruto said, breaking out into a grin. ”I didn't think you were ever gonna train us sensei!”

”Ma, Naruto I have trained you guys.” Kakashi defended himself.

”Yeah, in teamwork exercises, and even then you continue reading that porn of yours. or had us train in that chamber in the cryptography room” Naruto shot back. ”I'm talking about training to up our individual skills.”

”Teamwork is important, and that was a mission, it's different,” Kakashi said with a small shrug.

”I don't deny that teamwork is important sensei, and we did get stronger from the training manuals we were given.” Naruto resisted the urge to roll his eyes. ”However, we both know that individual ability is just as important. If we can't even fight properly on our own merits, it won't matter if our teamwork is flawless. And you know that had Zabuza not underestimated us because we were kids, Sasuke and I would have been killed before we even had time to blink.”

Kakashi conceded that point with a nod. Naruto was right, individual skills were important. However, the silver-haired jonin had wanted to pound the idea that teamwork was the most important aspect of a shinobi. ”Why do you guys even bother?” Everyone turned to the source of the new voice to see a depressed looking little kid of about six to eight years of age. He had blue coveralls on over a yellow shirt and a fishing hat on his head. ”Oh! Inari! Where were you!” Tazuna asked in greeting, holding out his arms as Inari ran to give him a hug. ”Welcome back grandpa,” Inari said, before glaring over at the Konoha ninja. ”Inari, say hello to these people.” Tsunami said, placing her hands on her hips. ”They're the ninja that protected grandpa.”

”But mom, they're just going to die,” Everyone looked surprised when Inari said that, except Naruto who was just annoyed that he now had to deal with this little shit, who calls their dad a liar after he gets crucified? Tazuna and Tsunami just sighed. ”There's no way they can beat Gato.”

”Man this kid's more emo than you are, Sasuke,” Naruto commented, receiving an angry grunt from his Uchiha teammate. ”Listen here kid, just go to bed and leave these problems to the adults.

Kakashi sweatdropped at his blond student's attitude. Inari turned around and made his way to the door, ”If you don't want to die you should leave.” ”Inari...” Tsunami mumbled in a worried voice.

”I'm going to look at the ocean,” Inari said before leaving, slamming the door shut on his way out.

”I'm sorry about that,” Tazuna said in a depressed voice as he looked over at the Konoha ninja.

”Whatever...” Was all that came from Naruto.

The blond shook his head, ”Anyway, I think I'll be going to get some rest.” ”In that case, there are a few extra rooms for you on the right if you want to take one of them, Tsunami said helpfully. Naruto gave her a smile, ”Thanks.” He left his team, moving to one of the rooms Tsunami had said was open. As he passed by Inari's room he heard crying. ”…Tou-san.” Naruto just ignored, walking to one of the open rooms again.