The Wizard Ninja |BOOK 1|

Chapter 8

We continued on, finally arriving at a dock. Everyone got on the boat until I remembered something. I was a dragon slayer now so that meant I would get motion sickness! Everyone looked at me expectantly. "What are you standing around for? Get in," Kakashi instructed. I shook my head. "I'll swim..." Kakashi sighed, walking up to me and dragging me on. "No!!" As soon as my feet touched the boat, I was over. I swung myself over the side of the boat, trying to keep the contents of my stomach actually in my stomach.

"This fog is so thick, you can't see anything!" Sakura whispered. "The bridge isn't far now. Our destination is just up ahead, the land of waves," said the boat guy. "Woah, it's huge!!" Naruto shouted as the fog cleared up. "Quiet! I told you, no noise! Why do you think we're traveling like this, huh? Cutting off the engine and rowing, moving through the dense fog so they don't see us!" Boat guy whisper-scolded. Naruto clamped his hands over his mouth in fright. 

"Mr. Tazuna, before we reach the pier, I want to ask you something," Kakashi started. Tazuna remained quiet. "The men who are after you, I need to know why. If you don't tell us, I'm afraid I'll have to end this mission when we drop you ashore." Tazuna closed his eyes, looking up. "I have no choice but to tell you. No, I want you to know the truth. Like you said, this is beyond the scope of the original mission. The one who seeks my life is a very short man who casts a very long and deadly shadow."

"A deadly shadow?" Kakashi repeated. "Hm. Who is it?" He asked. "You know him. At least I'm sure you've heard his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping magnet Gato." Kakashi's eyes widened slightly. "Huh? Gato? Of Gato transport? He's a business leader, everyone knows him!"

"Who who? What what?" Naruto wondered. "Gato. He's a very powerful tycoon from a famous company, that's true. But below the surface, with the same ruthless methods he uses to take over business and nations. He sells drugs and contraband using gangs and ninja. It was one year ago, when Gato first set his sight on the land of waves. He came to our island and used his vast wealth to take total control of our transport and shipping. Anyone who tried to stand in his way simply disappeared. In an island nation a man who controls the sea controls everything. Finance, government, our very lives. But there's one thing he fears: the bridge. Once it is complete, it will join us to the land and that will break his control. I am the bridge builder."

"So that's it. Since you're in charge of the bridge you're standing in this gangsters way," Pinky concluded. "That means those guys we fought in the forest, they were working for Gato," Duckbutt added. "I don't understand. If you knew he was dangerous, knew he'd send ninja to eliminate you, why did you hide that from us?" Kakashi asked. "Because the land of waves is a small impoverished nation. Even our nobles have little money. The common people who are building this bridge, they can't pay for an A or B ranked mission. It's too expensive. If you end the mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home. But, don't feel bad about that. Of course my sweet little grandson will be upset. He'll cry 'grandad, I want my grandad!'" Naruto and Sakura sulked at that. "Oh, and my daughter will condemn the ninja of the hidden leaves, denouncing you for abandoning her father and living her life in sorrow. Oh well, it's not your fault, forget it."

Kakashi sighed, scratching at his headband. "Well, I guess we have no other choice. We'll have to keep guarding you." Tazuna kept up his act. "Oh, I'm very grateful." I was about to comment on his guilt trip, but my motion sickness prevented me from doing so. 

"We're approaching the shore," said the boat guy. "Tazuna, we've been very fortunate no one has notice us so far." Tazuna looked up to him. "Nice going." And so, we reached the pier. As soon as the boat stopped I was the first to get off, stretching my limbs happily. "Thank god I'm off that deathtrap!" I exclaimed.