𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐒 & 𝐏𝐀𝐖𝐍𝐒; 𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒! 𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐎 𝐱 𝐍𝐁! 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑

[ ８ ]

霧の暗殺ーAssasin of the Mist

__________

__________
Your team sailed through the calm waters with fog surrounding them. "This fog's so think, you can't see anything." Sakura commented as Naruto sniffed.

The driver then spoke up to break the silence, "The bridge isn't far now. Our destination's just ahead, the Land of Waves" Over the boat stood a tall and unfinished bridge with various construction tools.

Naruto's eyes beamed with amazement, "Whoa! It's huge!"

"What she said." You shrugged.

The boat driver scolded, "What? 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."

Naruto had his hands over his mouth as the rest looked surprised. "Mr. Tazuna... Before we reach the pier, I want to ask you something. 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." Kakashi announced as you and your team stare at him.

He lifts his chin after a minute and started talking. "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."

Kakashi and you creased your eyebrows, "A deadly shadow? Hm. Who is it?"

"You know him. At least, I'm sure you've heard of his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world," Before he could continue, you started adding it up.

Short man + Wealthy + long and deadly shadow = Gato.

He continued, "The shipping magnet, Gato." Kakashi's eyes widen at the mention of the name. "Huh? Gato? Of Gato Transport? He's a business leader. Everyone knows him."

"Who? Who? What? What?"

You sweat drop, "I guess not everyone does."

"Gato is 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 businesses 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. When 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," Sakura muttered, hand on her chin thoughtfully. "Since you're in charge of the bridge, you're standing in this gangster's way."

Sasuke looked towards the team, "That means those guys [name] and their creature pet killed in the forest, they were working for Gato." Naruto put two fingers on his head and let all the information sink in.

"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?"

... Yeah, why?