The Uchiha Princess

~. Chapter - 23.~

"This fog's so thick, you can't see anything" Sakura whispered. Makaira was peacefully taking a nap since they were pretty safe at that time but Kakashi and Sasuke knew that she was still conscious of everything happening around her and her senses would be heightened since she knew there was no point trying to look through the thick fog, instead, she was relying on her other senses for danger. Sakura rolled her at the girl's sleeping figure, 'to think she was the one giving us lecture about being serious about our training. Now look who's serious!"

"The bridge isn't far now. Our destination's just ahead. The Land of Waves" says the man rowing the boat. The bridge comes to sight. They all look up, astonished.

"Whoa! It's huge!!" Naruto yelled. " Quiet. I told you, No Noise. Why do you think we're travelling like this, huh? Cutting off the engine and rowing? Moving through the dense fog? So they don't see us." scolded the man who was rowing the boat. Naruto placed a hand over his mouth

"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 Sensei explains as they all look at Mister Tazuna.

He stays silent for a moment

"I have no choice but to tell you," he said.

"No, I want you to know the truth. As 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? Hmm. Who is it?" Kakashi Sensei asks

"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 magnate, Gato" says Mister Tazuna

Kakashi Sensei's eyes widen as he said, "Huh? Gato? Of Gato Transport? He's a business leader, everyone knows him."

"Who, who? What, what?" Naruto asks

"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 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. I am the bridge builder" Mister Tazuna explains

"So that's it since you're in charge with the bridge, you're getting in this gangster's way," says Sakura

"You're a threat to his control," Makaira spoke from her stop without opening her eyes.

"That means, those guys we fought in the forest, they were working for Gato" Sasuke added, "Ahh, hmm" Naruto scratches his head, can't find anything to add.

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

"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... Buuut, don't feel bad about that, of course, my sweet little grandson will be upset, he'll cry 'Grandad, I want my Grandad!'"

Sakura and Naruto looks at him, sweats dropping

"Oh. And my daughter will condemn the Ninja of the leaves, denouncing and blaming you for abandoning her father and living her life in sorrow"