Cherry Blossoms | A Naruto FanFic

Chapter Sixteen: Descent to the Land of Waves

In a cloud of smoke, Kakashi Hatake in the flesh appears. He looked rather happy, sad, disappointed, and stoic which was a weird sight to see.

Just then, Tazuna came behind the tree looking noticeably better but lessened. He slowly walked towards Team Seven and Kakashi while nearly stumbling a bit.

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?! I feel sick to the stomach and I felt like something was crawling out of my asshole," Tazuna said, completely unaware that he admitted to the fact he shit his pants in front of other people.

Kakashi sighed and looked around, it was clear his presence eased some worries and fear they felt.

Sasuke looked less pale than before and seemingly found new strength as he managed to get upright.

Natsumi was definitely better, her tears had stopped but still left tear stains with her also finding new strength in the comfort in their sensei's presence.

Then Kakashi turned his gaze towards Naruto, his problem child. He single handedly managed to traumatize not only his teammates but his client.

"Before this happened, I sensed those two shinobi hiding in the puddle and decided to put you to the test. I've realized I wasn't the only one that noticed as Naruto had also" Kakashi started off saying, catching everyone's attention off the bat.

"While I'm definitely proud of Sasuke, I'm a little saddened that Natsumi didn't help in the battle, but no need to beat yourself up by that. This is your first shinobi combat experience with an actual person, I didn't expect anyone but Naruto to actually put up a fight to defeat those adversaries" Kakashi analyzed the two numbers of team seven, before shifting his gaze to his current problem child.

"And you Naruto, while I don't disapprove of your decision to kill the enemy shinobi. I'm disappointed in the method of killing, you not only left the client open to be killed but flashy killed your opponent which could've ended in the death of your teammates as well. What do you have to say for yourself?" Kakashi said to Naruto.

The elder brother of Natsumi Uzumaki didn't answer the question, he felt all the eyes of his teammates and client on him waiting for an adequate response.

However, he didn't respond to the question and simply started to walk to Kakashi. During the walk, he sheathed his blade and was directly to the side of Kakashi making sure only Kakashi could hear him.

"Could've."

— Three Hours Later —

The Land of Waves and the Land of Water are relatively close together, which makes water travel extremely difficult because of the massive amount of mist around the area.

Lucky, due to Tazuna's contacts and well reputation in the community, he managed to secure himself an expert boatsman who can take him and Team Seven through the mist and water to the Land of Waves.

"What a thick mist, I can't see ahead by much," Natsumi said, her voice softened from its usual loud sound.

"We should see the bridge soon, the entire future of this country is dependent on this bridge, shinobi. So I'll ask you all to protect this bridge to the utmost," the man guiding team seven along the ocean to the Land of Waves said.

Eventually, the outline of a massive metal figure could be seen in the distance. Eventually the mist cleared up enough for them to see the massive metal bridge.

"WOW!! IT'S HUGE!!" Natsumi said while observing the massive bridge. "Hey! Quiet down. Why do you think we're using the mist to hide and not even using the engine? We'll be killed if Gatō catches us," quickly said the man who led the boat, Natsumi closed her mouth while Naruto had the exact reaction and widened his eyes. He looked at the man with sharp eyes.