The Ninja and The Rose

Zabuza

Everything was calm as they rode on a boat through the foggy ocean.

"This fog's so thick, you can't see anything." Sakura proclaimed looking around.

"The bridge isn't far now, our destinations just ahead, the Land of Waves." the guy that's moving the boat said.

Everyone looks as they come across the unfinished bridge. "Whoa! it's huge!" Naruto exclaimed.

"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 puts his hand to his mouth to be quiet for the rest of the ride.

Kakashi looks at Tazuna "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.."

The old man stayed silent for 4 seconds before saying "I have no choice but to tell you." he looks up at them "No, I want 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 curious on what he meant.

"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."

Both Kakashi and Ruby looked at him in total shock "Gato? of Gato Transport? He's a business leader. Everyone knows him" they said in shock.

"Who? who? what? what?" Naruto asked excitedly.

"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 business and nations, he sells drugs and contraband using gangs and ninja."

"It was one year ago when Gato first set his sights 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."

He looks up at his bridge "I am the bridge builder."

"So that's it, since you're in charge of the bridge, you're standing in this gangster's way." Sakura said understanding the situation now.

"That means those guys we fought in the forest, they were working for Gato."

Naruto looks down in thought halfway getting it.

"I don't understand, if you knew he was dangerous, knew he'd send ninja to eliminate you, why did you hide it from us?" Kakashi demanded.

"Because the Land of Waves is a small, impoverished nation." he answered looking down.

"Even our nobles have little money." He added.

Ruby winces "Ouch. That's harsh."

Which got her got a elbow to the arm from Kakashi.

"The common people who are building this bridge, they can't pay for an A or B mission. it's too expensive. If you end this mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home."