A Long Journey

"Woo! Let's go!!!" Naruto exclaims, looking side to side.

"What are you so excited about?" Sakura questions.

"Cause I've never left the village before." He explains

"Am I really going to be safe with these brats?" Tazuna asks

"I'm a Jounin, also John is the only person to get a bell from me. So rest assured you are safe." Kakashi chuckles.

"Old man! Don't mess with ninjas! I'm incredible!" Naruto gets defensive and points at the client. "One day I'll be Hokage, my name is Naruto Uzimaki! Don't forget it!"

"Hokage is the village's number one ninja right?" Tazuna asks, "I doubt someone like you could become it. Even the puppet guy has a higher chance of becoming it."

"Not likely, especially since I don't want to have such a responsibility. And I'm limited on what I can do, putting me at a disadvantage." You turn to the client, and then to Naruto.

"Well shut up, old man! I'm prepared to do anything to become Hokage. And once I do you will acknowledge me!"

"No I won't you brat, even if you to become Hokage."

You walk for some time before suggesting "Sensei, would you mind guarding the back with me?"

"If you wish." Kakashi get's your hint and you drop behind a bit.

"I feel like there is an intent to kill, although I can figure out where it is coming from. Should I use the chakra shield on Tazuna?" You lower your voice.

"It would be the best, but do it quickly." Kakashi returns with the same tone.

You nod and use the perfected chakra shield on him, and as you do so two people rise from a puddle and attack Kakashi. They wrap him in chains.

"What the hell?" Naruto exclaims.

They yank the chains as one says, "One down."

"Now the puppeteer." the other one says as they charge you.

You grab your puppet off your back and instantly put it into action. But it never stood a chance, instantly getting chopped up by their claws.

For once in a long time anger boils inside of you, "You bastards."

"Don't do anything rash, John." Sakura snaps your trance in anger.

"You're right, and I'm sorry but I'm practically useless now." You sigh and move back, letting Naruto take over.

He attacks and the assassin keeps dodging. And the other charges you, Sakura, Sasuke, and Tazuna. Sakura jumps in from on Tazuna and you stand beside her. But as soon as he gets close Kakashi restrains him. All the while you just realize he took out the other one too.

You sigh and sadly pick up the two halves of the puppet's head. "I'm going to have to carve myself another one."

You pack the head away and see Naruto stab himself with a kunai, as he gives a small speech.

As soon as Kakashi says he'll probably die from blood loss instead of poisoning Naruto flips out. "I don't want to die!" He blabbers on and on.

But as soon as Kakashi finishes Tazuna says, "I need to talk to you sensei. It's about this mission, it is most likely outside your duties. And I am being hunted by a very dangerous man."

"Dangerous?" The white haired male asks.

"You've probably heard his name before, Gatou." Tazuna continues.

"From the Gatou company? He's said to be one of the few richest people in the world." Kakashi looks bewildered.

"To sum it up, he doesn't want the bridge to be complete, so he can stay in power. So he is trying to kill me." Tazuna shortens what might have been a long paragraph.

Kakashi goes to say something, just to be guilt tripped by Tazuna.

"But without your help I would die, but don't worry about that as my ten year old grandson will just cry for a week or two. Oh, and my daughter will live a sad life, and hate the leaf ninjas forever."

"Well I guess we have **** but to protect you until you at least get back to your village." Kakashi caves in.

Some Time Later

You sit on a boat, and hold the puppet's head in your hands. "It's okay, John." Sakura tries to cheer you up.

"No it's not, without a puppet I'm mostly useless and will only drag you guys behind. And it will take a week or two to at least make a temp. puppet." You sigh in defeat for the first time.

"But you also aced the the cloning exam." She brings up.

"Just leave me alone for a bit." You sigh and continue to stare at the head.

And before you know it you're at a dock.