42 Meeting with Zabuza

The team went to Tazuna's house after the battle. Since no one was injured, everyone was in high spirits.

However, while they were resting inside Tazuna's house, Kakashi felt an extreme sense of unease. He had felt this unease before; it meant that he had overlooked something very important.

After thinking about it, Kakashi quickly realized that the mist ninja Zabuza might still be alive. Hence, he told the whole team about his conjecture.

"Is that really true, Kakashi sensei?! What should we do to prepare then? He might come back!" Naruto looked worried.

Sasuke also seemed to be worried about Zabuza coming back to attack them.

"I'll assign training for you guys," Kakashi explained. "You three have already grown so much that we can already beat Zabuza without getting too injured. If you just become a little bit stronger, we will definitely win without getting a scratch."

Naruto totally agreed with this point and wanted to brag about his growth.

But, the little kid Inari came in and told everyone that he didn't believe that they could win against Gato and his men.

"Say what, you little brat! I'm a person who's gonna become an awesome Ninja! How can I not win against some mean men?" Naruto retorted, but Inari still gave his downcasted replies, making Naruto angry.

Yasui looked at Inari and didn't say anything. His words won't get through to Inari anyways, so he felt that there's no use in talking.

…

…

Kakashi led the whole team to the forest near Tazuna's house. He explained the basic concepts of walking on trees to the squad.

But while Kakashi walked on the trees, Yasui also walked on the tree with Kakashi, much to Naruto and Sasuke's surprise.

Kakashi expected this. After all, Yasui seems to have gotten all of the basics down. He can even walk on water.

"AHH! How are you able to do it already, Yasui!?" Naruto screamed at the top of his lungs, making Sasuke deaf.

Nonetheless, Sasuke was also curious as to how Yasui also mastered the technique. Is it that easy?

Yasui looked at Kakashi to see if he'll explain for him, but no, he did not.

He explained to the two: "I've been practicing chakra control ever since I was 8 years old. If you remember, I can also walk on water, and doing that is even harder than walking on trees."

"Yasui is correct. But you two must learn how to walk on trees before you walk on water. Doing it the other way around just messes things up." Kakashi jumped down from the tree and looked at Yasui: "You will stay here and give tips to the two. I'm a little tired, so I will go back and rest."

Yasui nodded, and he also jumped down to the ground.

It wasn't that Kakashi wanted to be lazy and not teach his students. It's just that he is worried that Tazuna's family will be attacked while nobody is back there guarding them.

"You guys channel chakra onto your feet and try running up the trees. Use your kunais to mark your progress." Yasui gave them the task and sat down on the ground.

"ALRIGHT!! I'll definitely be able to do this before Sasuke!!" Naruto went and ran up the tree.

Sasuke became a little quiet after hearing that Yasui had already been training himself in these things since he was 8 years old. Isn't that when the Uchiha clan was massacred? What is he preparing himself for exactly? What is the truth that he is going to tell him?

Sasuke couldn't help but wonder. But, he already made a promise to Yasui. He had to get stronger first before he gets to know the answer. And clearly, he is not even as strong as Yasui yet. He couldn't even walk on trees.

So, he channeled chakra onto his feet, and he also ran up the tree with Naruto.

…

…

While Naruto and Sasuke were busy training, Yasui ran into the woods after leaving a shadow clone on the training ground.

He had left to track Zabuza down because he wanted to talk with the guy. If possible, he wanted to prevent Zabuza from seeking death with Haku.

From what he understands, they aren't bad people, especially Zabuza. The reason that Zabuza is even doing these jobs for Gato in the first place is to gather funds to create another coup against the 4th Mizukage Yagura.

Deep down inside Zabuza, he actually had a heart that is warmer than some individuals. He is a complex character, a man who was hardened by his experiences but still had a sense of justice. He was also a kind and caring person that would sacrifice himself to get revenge for the people he loved.

One of the reasons that he wanted to overthrow the 4th Mizukage in the first place is due to the fact that he dislikes the bloody mist's traditions.

Yasui quickly followed the tracking seal, and he arrived deep in the forest. A massive building that was built there came into Yasui's view. The whole thing was being supported by trees and cables.

Yasui activated his Sharingan and scanned for any movements in the windows of the massive building. He then transformed into a copy of a person he saw and infiltrated the building.

Once inside, Yasui continued to follow the tracking seal. He then proceeded to quietly and carefully make his way through the corridors, avoiding any people if he could. When he isn't able to pass through certain doors due to guards, he would put them in a false surrounding Genjutsu before proceeding forward.

He just walked on by as if he's a ghost. The guards weren't even ninjas, so they didn't know that they were under genjutsu.

He would very much like to kill everyone and just end the charade, but he isn't Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha. He does not yet have the qualifications to go against the world.

If he went crazy and started attacking the organization, he would certainly die after exhausting all of his Chakra. What the civilians lack when compared to Ninjas, they make it up with numbers.

He eventually reached the room that Zabuza is currently residing in, but he heard shouting from inside. Yasui made sure to hide well and listened.

"UWAHH!! I-It's gonna break…!!" Gato's scream echoed through the walls.

"I will break it…! I'm ticked off!!" Haku's yell could also be discerned.

"R-Remember well that there'll be no place for you here if you fail next time! I'm leaving!" Gato's voice once echoed in the room before he exited. His face looks twisted due to the pain that he suffered.

He had come here to threaten Zabuza to stop resting and go and kill Tazuna. However, the Haku kid ended up interfering and his arm was almost broken.

Yasui was camouflaged into the wall, and Gato and his two swordsmen just walked past him after they came out of the room. They were so angry that they didn't even close the door.

Haku was very quiet in the room after Gato left.

He came by to Zabuza's side and Zabuza spoke to him: "Haku, you did something unnecessary."

In Zabuza's hand is a kunai. If Gato had laid a hand on him or Haku, he would have killed the man this very instant. Even if he had to battle his way out, he would do it.

"I know that you can handle Gato, even in your condition… But it's too early to take down Gato right now. If we make trouble here…We will be pursued by the Hidden Mist Trackers again. We must restrain ourselves for now." Haku smiled at Zabuza. He broke Gato's arm because for one, he didn't like Gato's tone. And two, he didn't want Zabuza to kill Gato.

If that really happens, he's afraid that they might not have a place to hide from the Hidden Mist.

"Yes. You're right." Zabuza sighed. If only he was stronger, he wouldn't need to be in this situation.

"Zabuza." Yasui's voice came from the door.

"WHO!?" Haku stood up and turned around. He didn't even sense the presence of the person at the door.

Zabuza also looked at the door. He was too tired to even get up, much less be vigilant.

Yasui slowly walked in with his hands up to show that he didn't mean any harm. He then opened his mouth: "I've come to bargain."