Chapter-6
Genma and his team were returning from their C-rank mission, none was happy, Taiga, Ken, and Yakumo was covered in the blood of the bandits they killed
Because everyone was silent, Genma decided not to use Hirashian of Taiga and instead choose to walk all the way back.
FUCK---
After walking for a few hours, they heard a voice and so they run towards it, only to find Team 8 (Kurenai team)
Kiba punched a tree with tears in his eyes, there were lots of dead bodies of supposed bandits if clothes are any indication
"Did we have to do it sensei, we could have not killed", said the usually quiet Shino even his face look like it's on the verge of tears
Hinata, on the other hand, was not even showing any movement, her head was down with bangs on her eyes, her hand was covered in blood, the blood of the people she killed
"Hinata", called Taiga
!!!
Everyone looked at the voice to find Team Genma
"Genma what are you doing here?", asked Kurenai
"We were returning from mission using this road, only to find-", Genma quite after seeing the kids
Taiga went ahead and hugged Hinata without a warning like it's the most natural thing in the world
"You are sad", said Taiga
She said nothing...
There is wetness on his shoulders, she is crying, he tightens his hug
"I hate killing," Hinata whispered.
"If you enjoyed it, you might as well be a monster, a demon."
His words wouldn't make anything of what happened disappear, and he knew that. It would stay with them until the very end. But he could try to ease her burden as best he could, to make it not quite so heavy on her heart and shoulders. Rationalization did that sort of shit.
"I killed six men," he continued, "men who stole, killed and raped. They enjoyed what they did. Even then, I didn't enjoy any part of it. Does it make me a monster?"
"No," she said quietly.
"What separates us from those we had to kill is that we did not take pleasure in it. There is no pleasure to be found in taking life," he remarked.
"I-I think you're right."
-------
Team 8 (Kurenai team) and Team 2 (Genma team) returned together from their respective C-rank mission, only to find Team 7 (Kakashi team) has taken an A-rank mission
Team 2 was to be sent as a backup team as soon as possible...
-------
Taiga briefly went his home, only to find it empty with a single letter on the desk
Dear Taiga,
Grandma has some very important business that's why I will be gone for some time, but if I don't return in 7 days then do not look for me, I have already taught you all that there is for you to know but it will depend on you how your skills will grow in the future, Remember our lessons child only with your own technique, you can grow the strongest. But these space-time techniques are forbidden for anyone else to learn and you shall never use these skills for fueling the war.
Remember this my child, Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. People will always fight, if they don't fight then they are not human, there will always be people who will be jealous of others, people who will think that life is unfair... Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means where parents don't have to see their child getting killed murdered for petty differences, where kids don't have to see the blood before they become adults.
I hope that you can accomplish this dream of mine.
Goodbye my Grandchild
"Grandma", muttered Taiga
-------
Kakashi let out a sigh as he rested on the bed after his fight a few hours ago. Chakra exhaustion due to overuse Sharingan always was a problem for him, however, thankfully he is not too exhausted.
This mission went from B-rank to A-rank now... Seriously, what Tazuna is thinking lying like this. If it was another Jonin, who was facing Zabuza, he would already be going to be dead now along with the entire squad.
Then again, not all Jonins are going to accept this mission. Kakashi must be pretty bored that's why he agreed to continue
Oh yeah, he knew the Hunter-nin before was fake. He just thought about it recently and found that it is really strange that Hunter-nin did not dispose of the body immediately but instead carried it away.
Hunter-nin, after all, always dispose of the body immediately the moment they catch their target.
"Kakashi-sensei, how is your condition?" Sakura asked as she came from the door and approached him.
Kakashi turned to Sakura, his team still was not being told about Zabuza might be alive. However, he knew he will have to tell them soon and now is the time.
"I'm fine... Only exhausted... Where's Sasuke and Naruto?" He asked.
"Sasuke-Kun and Naruto are patrolling around the house to check its safety," Sakura answered
"Sakura I want you to find the boys because I have to-"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door before it opened and revealed Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter.
"Kakashi-san? There are people, who are looking for you." Tsunami said, "They said they came from Konoha..."
"Eh? From Konoha?" Sakura asked in surprise.
"I asked for reinforcement after we faced Demon Brothers in the forest," Kakashi explained as he rose from his bed and took sit position, he was able to move, walk and run, but not very fast
"well, you can send them in."
Tsunami nodded before she left the door and Sakura turned to him.
"Whom did you request for help, Sensei?" She asked.
"Backup Team..." Kakashi answered with an eye smile.
And as if called, the door opened and revealed the members of the Backup Team with its leader. Kakashi smirked and Sakura gasped when recognized the familiar people.
-------
"So let me get this straight, you fought Zabuza, got careless as a result got trapped in Suirō no Jutsu (Water Prison Technique) then your boys set you free and you beat him. However, afterward, there was Hunter-nin intercepted your fight by killing Zabuza with senbon into his neck and took his body away?" Genma asked Kakashi, who sat in the bed.
"Pretty much so..." Kakashi answered with a nod.
"You should know that Hunter-nin always disposes the body on the place immediately, right? That was their protocol to ensure the safety and secret of their village." Genma commented.
"You are right on that, Genma, I didn't think about it because I was quite exhausted at that time. I was barely able to run at my prime speed." Kakashi admitted and defended himself at the same time.
-------
Right now Team 2 and Team 7 currently sat in the room, where Kakashi rested. After a brief introduction, Sakura went to call Sasuke and Naruto back to the meeting.
"What's the point talking about this anyway, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked with a scowl "Zabuza is dead, his body got carried by that hunter ninja, right?"
"The Dobe is right, Kakashi-sensei... If there is a thing we should talk it is better to be about handling Gato..." Sasuke grunted while crossing his arms, Sakura also seemed to agree while the rest of the two teams who are not confirmed of the situation didn't say a thing
"That's where you are all wrong..." Genma stated, gaining all Genin's attention "Tell me Sasuke, what was that Hunter-nin weapon again?"
"Senbon..." Sasuke said and Genma nodded.
"True, it is common to target neck since it was a vital point of our body, however, the problem is this Hunter-nin weapon was Senbon. Senbon's real purpose is acupuncture medical treatment rather than attacking because its power is low. This Hunter nin should have used kunai or shuriken rather than senbon if he/she wished to kill Zabuza…"
"So you are saying that the Hunter nin did not kill Zabuza? But Kakashi-sensei checked Zabuza's body and made sure he is dead!" Naruto argued.
"Do you know there are few acupuncture points in a body that if you get stabbed in will only make you look like dead?" Genma asked and this time all Genin froze.
"Are you telling me... Zabuza was only placed in the death-like state? Then, that Hunter-nin is Zabuza's ally!" Sasuke concluded with wide eyes.
"You got that right, Uchiha..." Genma remarked "An expert in Senbon use can easily put their target into a coma or death-like condition if they want, its purpose is actually to sedate the patient if there is no sedative when it's needed. However, if people play it right, it could be used to fool enemies, like in this case." he told all before turning to Kakashi.
"W-Wait! Wait! Wait! Aren't you all being too much? There's no guarantee that man is still alive! You even checked the body!" Tazuna said as one could tell he was now quite panicked and no one can really couldn't blame him, he just got hunted by super ninja that was able to summon giant dragon of water and blast away a portion of the forest.
"As Genma said, there is a big chance he was put into a near death-like state," Kakashi said, crushing the hope that Tazuna has as the old man cringed.
"Speaking about death-like situations, Kakashi your two dogs were found in that state and Demon Brothers went missing," Genma told him and Kakashi snapped his neck to him quite fast.
"What?!" Kakashi asked with pure surprise and worry.
"The ANBU already taken care of them, don't worry, they will be fine. However, it is a big chance the one that put them in that state is the same person who helps Zabuza." Genma reassured Kakashi as he knew the Dog summon was really close to him.
The silver-haired man let out a breath of relieve at that. He then pinched his nose bridge before clearing his throat.
"So... We have Demon Brothers back, Zabuza and one of his mysterious allies that is very skilled in human anatomy," Kakashi concluded.
"Two Chunin, one Elite Jonin Shinobi and one solid Jonin against one Jonin, one Elite Jonin and six Genin... That isn't fair, right?" Sakura asked in a slightly frightened tone.
"Well... If you put it that way..."
"Hey! No need to be negative like this!" Naruto shouted in a positive manner "Sasuke and I can kick those Demon Brothers asses! Taiga along with all other genins here can deal with Zabuza mysterious ally! Kakashi-sensei and Genma-sensei can handle Zabuza !!" He stated proudly with a grin to encourage all and it did as Sakura seemed to look more confident.
"You two defeated Demon Brothers?" Taiga asked with a blink, clearly surprised "Not that I doubt your two's skills, but..."
"Taiga is right." Kakashi continued "You two may be able to defeat Demon Brothers, but you were able to because they underestimated you and were surprised. Your next encounter against them will be different..." He said with a grim look.
"And don't forget that the enemy can possibly get extra reinforcement." Ken added his opinion, which made everyone turn to him this time, " Because this is Gato, one of the biggest investors in Elemental Nations. And, now he focused himself on the Wave, I am sure he already spotted us and seeing Zabuza and his group lost against yours, then he is going to rent extra ninja because of how Zabuza will win if there is our reinforcement when he lost against only your group?"
"Very sharp one you have, eh, Genma?" Kakashi asked with an amused eye smile.
"You don't have any idea..." Genma snorted in the same amusement.
"I hate it when you're like this...", Yakumo said in a deadpan tone.
"What do you mean by that? I always talk like that", said Ken
"When you act like some kind of guy, who always brings bad news to us and makes the whole group down to negative!", said Yakumo
"Guys, Please, We are having a weird conversation now, you guys can flirt later", Said Taiga slightly annoyed
"I'm not flirting", said Yakumo with a red face
"Okay! Okay! As if it's amusing to watch you three bickering!" Kakashi comes and interjects the conversation, there was a smile behind his mask, clearly, he was amused by the antic "Right now, cast that aside, we need to discuss what we are going to do..."
"Training, of course." Taiga responded "This situation is not that bad... We are not losing, in fact, we may be equal."
"Umm, Taiga-san. I'm not trying to be negative here, but will small training help us? I mean, we are facing experienced Shinobi here." Sakura said in a worried tone
"Sakura-san, Sasuke and Naruto could take down Demon Brothers. True, it was only by surprise, but surely they can do that again. If they improved so far, then they will catch them by surprise again..." Ken reassured with a smile.
"Ken is right." Kakashi chimed in "A small power can make a big change if used in the right time." He agreed with ken as he gave him a nod.
"Don't worry, Sakura-chan! Everything will be fine!" Naruto declared with a reassuring grin
-------
"The mood of your team is bad, it's very bad, did something happened", asked Kakashi to Genma after everyone else left the room
"They had their first kill", said Genma
"That Explains", said Kakashi with a nod
"But about the situation, as the kid said, there might be reinforcement, are two of us really enough?", asked Kakashi
"Don't worry Kakashi, we are going to live, we have Taiga with us after all", said Genma with a smirk
"You really think a single genin, straight out of Academy is going to make a difference", said Kakashi
"He is not an ordinary Genin Kakashi, he has the will of fire and the legacy of fourth"
"Legacy of fourth?", asked Kakashi bewildered
"He is really proficient in Flying Raijin", said Genma
!!!
"HE WHAAAAAAATTTT"
-------
Next day everyone started their training, everyone started their Chakra Control training, well all except Taiga who is born with perfect chakra control and Yakumo whose bloodline allow her to be far more proficient in chakra control
-------
(In a secluded Forest)
Snake → Horse → Rat → Ram
"Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder" (Level 3 variation)
With that, the tree in front of him disappeared and appeared in the previously marked position
"I don't understand why you keep practicing this technique, doesn't Ame-no-Ukihashi do the same thing, not to mention much-much faster", came the voice Of Genma from behind
Taiga shook his head, "This is not how it's used Sensei, Ame-no-Ukihashi does not store anyone living and Guiding thunder is the much faster and better, look I will show you!!"
He made the hand sign in a blurring manner and Genma with a flash appeared to a previously marked position
!!!
"How the hell did I end up here?"
"Guiding thunder can send anyone or anything whose chakra I sense to a marked seal location", continued Taiga
"Though It can be much faster, if I can only use it without a single hand sign, not to mention I have this excellent Idea Sensei, I am sure if I can learn Guiding Thunder without a hand sign, I can turn this move from A-rank to an S-rank, I will call it Flying Raijin: Thunder Mirror..."