Nothing Special

Chapter 2

As the journey continued, they were being transported on a boat, it was extremely foggy and they were told to be very silent.

" This fog's so thick, you can't see anything," Sakura commented.

" The bridge isn't far now," the boat rower informed. " Our destination's just ahead, The Land of Waves." They all looked up to see a half-completed bridge.

" Whoa!" Naruto shouted. " It's huge!"

" What? Quiet," the boat rower demanded. " 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 covered his mouth as everyone looked at Tazuna and the boat rower.

" Mr. Tazuna..." Kakashi began. " 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 man grunted and everyone looked at him for an answer.

" I have no choice but to tell you," Tazuna answered as he lifted his head before opening his eyes. " 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 cats a very long and deadly shadow."

" A deadly shadow?" Aceso asked softly.

" Who is it?" Kakashi asked.

" You know him. At least I'm sure you've heard his name before," Tazuna assured. " He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping magnet, Gato."

" Huh? Gato? Of Gato Transport?" Kakashi asked. " He's a business leader. Everyone knows him."

" Who? Who? What? What?" Naruto asked.

" Gato is a very powerful tycoon from a famous company, that's true," Tazuna confirmed. " 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 Waves. He came to our island and used his vast wealth to take 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 concluded. " Since you're in charge of the bridge, you're standing in this gangster's way."

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

" Ahh, hmm," Naruto sounded.

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

" Because The Land of Waves is a small, impoverished nation," Tazuna answered. " 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 then began to imitate a child. " Grandad! I want my Grandad!" Sakura and Naruto groaned. 

' He is guilt-tripping us and it's working,' Aceso thought to herself.

" Oh, and my daughter will condemn The Ninja of the Hidden Leaves, denouncing and blaming you for abandoning her father and living her life in sorrow," Tazuna continued. They all groaned more. " Oh, well. It's not your fault. Forget." They groaned and sighed as we looked at each other.