Chapter 39: I Am the Employer
"That's far enough!"
Four kunai shot from the ceiling, embedding themselves in the floor between the two fighters, forcing Kakuzu and Raiga Kurosuki apart.
Nine figures leaped down from the shadows above, landing almost silently.
They wore uniform gear and different animal masks: a fox, a wolf, a snake...
"Gentlemen, you are all helpers I have invited here."
The leader, wearing a fox mask with a mocking, frozen smile, spoke.
Zabuza used the chance to retreat to Raiga's side, his Executioner's Blade held defensively. "Do you know these people?" he asked, his voice low.
Raiga shook his head, the lightning on his twin swords still crackling. "No. But based on their chakra signatures... none of them are small fry."
The fox-masked man chuckled. "Please, don't be so tense. We are merely here to mediate this... small misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?" Kakuzu snorted. "These two Mist trash attacked us, and you call it a misunderstanding?"
"Attacked?! Wasn't it you who spoke disrespectfully first?" Raiga roared, lightning flaring around him again.
"Disrespectful? I was merely stating a fact," Kakuzu retorted.
"Mr. Kakuzu, Mr. Raiga, arguing over who started it is meaningless. After all, your objective right now should be one and the same."
"The same objective? So you're just hired help, too?" Zabuza asked.
"No. I am the employer." The masked man said, tossing a thick stack of cash onto the floor. "This is the first payment. The rest will be paid upon completion."
Kakuzu let out a low, rough laugh, and his four masked monsters slowly retracted into his back. "Interesting. The employer is here in person? Fine, I'll give you face... for the money's sake."
"Then I wish you a pleasant collaboration."
After the nine Root members vanished as silently as they had appeared, Raiga cursed, "Bastards, playing all mysterious!"
Kakuzu was counting the deposit, his attitude completely different. "Save your breath. Preparing for the job is what matters."
After counting, he stuffed the thick wad of cash into an inner pocket of his robe.
He glanced at Raiga, who was still muttering. "Instead of wasting spit," Kakuzu said coldly, "you should be thinking about how to deal with the targets."
"Hmph. A few brats. Are they really worth all this trouble?" Raiga scoffed, swinging his twin swords, the lightning flashing in the dim shrine. "I could take care of them by myself."
Hidan, having finally broken free of the lightning jutsu, staggered to his feet, licking a wound on his arm. "Ah, Lord Jashin is going to love this feast!"
"Shut up," Kakuzu cut off his insane rant. "We follow the plan. No complications."
Raiga looked like he wanted to say more, but seeing Kakuzu's dark glare, he just snorted and walked to a corner of the shrine.
He sat cross-legged, his swords across his knees, and closed his eyes to rest.
The shrine fell silent, leaving only the sound of the drizzling rain.
Meanwhile, at the Konoha campsite.
Naruto tossed and turned in his sleeping bag, unable to sleep.
He quietly peeked his head out and saw that Sasuke wasn't in the tent either.
"Where'd that guy run off to..." Naruto mumbled, climbing silently out of his bag.
By the small stream at the edge of the camp, Sasuke was sitting alone on a rock, idly tossing a kunai.
"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto popped out from behind a tree. "What are you doing, acting all deep and broody in the middle of the night?"
Sasuke didn't even turn. "Dead-last. Stop bothering me."
"Tch. Like I'd want to bother you." Naruto pouted, but plopped down on a nearby rock anyway. "I'm just... just excited. Can't sleep."
Sasuke glanced at him. "Because you get to see your clan's ruins tomorrow?"
"Huh? How'd you know what I was thinking?!" Naruto asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Even an idiot could tell." Sasuke put his kunai away and stood up. "Just don't hold us back."
Naruto was about to retort, but he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
He whipped his head around, but saw only the swaying shadows of the trees.
"What's wrong?" Sasuke sensed his unease.
"N-Nothing." Naruto scratched his head. "Probably just nervous."
Sasuke scanned the dark forest.
After a moment, he said quietly, "Go back to sleep. And tomorrow... be careful."
"Huh?" Naruto looked baffled. "Are you... actually worried about me?"
"Shut up." Sasuke turned and walked back toward the camp. "I just don't want you dragging me down."
Naruto watched him go, then a grin spread across his face. "That guy... he's still such a jerk."
On a distant treetop, the figure in the fox mask silently vanished into the dark.
The next morning, the rain lessened.
The team packed up, ready to move out.
Naruto was crouching by the stream, washing his face. As he splashed the cold water, he was still replaying Sasuke's awkward "be careful" from last night, and he couldn't help but smile.
"What are you grinning about?" Sakura walked past, her medical pack slung over her shoulder. She saw him spacing out at his reflection and flicked his forehead. "Hurry up, or Kakashi-sensei will leave you behind!"
"Ow, ow, ow!" Naruto jumped up, rubbing his head. "I wasn't grinning! I was just wondering if I'll find any clues about my parents today!"
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward the ruins. That was the Uzumaki homeland. The only place he could touch the roots of his bloodline.
Kakashi folded his map. "We'll reach the Uzushiogakure ruins today. Everyone, maintain formation. No one acts on their own."
"Yes, Sensei!" they all replied.
After crossing the mountains between the Land of Fire and the Land of Whirlpools, the forest changed completely.
The forest on this side was a dense rainforest. Unlike in the Fire Country, the trees here were exceptionally tall; their massive trunks would take two or three adults to encircle. The canopy was so thick it blotted out the sky, with only a few slivers of sunlight managing to pierce the gloom.
"Whoa, the trees here are huge!" Naruto yelled, craning his neck back.
Sakura crouched down, observing the ground. "A lot of the plants here have thorns. Watch your step, don't get cut." She pointed to a plant with small purple flowers. "The sap from this flower is mildly toxic. If it gets in a cut, it'll cause swelling and itching."
Shikamaru leaned against a tree, comparing his map to his surroundings. "It's easy to get lost in a rainforest. Kiba, you and Akamaru take point. Keep us on track."
"Leave it to us!" Kiba slapped his chest. "Stick close, everyone! The vines here are thick, don't fall behind!"
Just as they were nearing their destination, Akamaru's ears shot up, and he let out a low, warning growl.
Kiba immediately raised his hand, signaling the team to stop. "Trouble ahead!"
"What is it?" Naruto eagerly pushed to the front, only to be yanked back by the collar by Sasuke.
"Idiot. Don't be reckless."
Kakashi's expression turned serious. "Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu!"
Eight ninken appeared around the group, fanning out in a defensive perimeter.
"Pakkun, southeast," Kakashi said in a low voice.
Pakkun sniffed the air. "Not human... a large feline, with cubs. But..." He lowered his voice. "Three hundred meters out. Fresh human tracks. Less than two hours old."
Asuma's chakra blades slid silently into his hands. "Looks like someone beat us here."
"Could it be... survivors from Uzushiogakure?" Sakura whispered.
"Neji! You're up first with the Byakugan! You and Hinata will take shifts," Guy ordered.
"Yes, Sensei!" Veins bulged around Neji's eyes. "The chance of survivors is low. Based on the chakra trails... I'm reading a squad of at least Jonin-level shinobi."
Inside the shrine, Kakuzu and Hidan slowly stood up.
"It seems our targets have arrived."