Shizukana's P.O.V.

We all turned to face the participant. As soon as I saw who it was, I internally groaned. It was the same guy who insulted us and left his bill at the tea shop. Oh great. Immediately, he and Naruto recognized each other and yelled in surprise. Sasuke was visibly irritated and Sakura was having a hard time believing her eyes.

"You!" Naruto said pointing at the newcomer. "Wait till I get my hands on you." He said walking towards the runner. Without hesitation, I quickly walked and stood in front of Naruto.

"Naruto, I know you've heard this but you can't kill the person we're supposed to protect," I said making him pout at me. I just raised my eyebrow at his dramatics.

"You're just like Kakashi Sensei." He said making me mockingly gasp. Naruto smiled and forgot all about his grudge until the runner started talking.

"Jirocho-San. Who are they?" He asked looking at us with hate. Both of us walked towards Sasuke and Sakura.

"They are the ninja who will be escorting you," Jirocho-San said making the runner widen his eyes. He then turned to us and gave us a nasty glare to which Naruto and Sasuke returned it. "Now, play nicely Idate," Jirocho-San mentioned, making me sigh in defeat. This mission just got so much harder.

Timeskip.

Sasuke and Sakura went into town to do a little perimeter check to see if the village has any vendettas against the Wasabi family. Naruto and Idate were locked in a room to get to know each other and try not to kill on sight. I stayed with Jirocho-San and got to know more details on the mission like the previous races and how things may turn out. I wanted to know just how far will the Wagarashi family go.

I thanked Jirocho-San and stepped out of the room. I needed to find Sakura and Sasuke so I brought my hands together and Hiraishined to their location. I had marked Sasuke with a temporary tag which will fade after a few hours. Sasuke reluctantly accepted it. "I can handle things," Sasuke said, staying silent as he walked off.

I Hiraishined and looked around to find Sasuke beating three men up. I also found Sakura helping an old lady. Probably some goons of the Wagarashi family here to show that they intend on winning the race. "Sasuke," I called out, making the Uchiha pause before looking at me. "I told you to keep a low profile," I said making him just shrug at me before shoving the man towards his colleagues.

"Leave before I crack your skull," Sasuke barked with a fierce glare, making the goons gulp before limping away. I walked towards Sasuke and flicked him in the forehead, annoyed by his actions.

"We have to talk about this thing right now. You can't threaten people like that." I said while he was rubbing his forehead. I smirked before saying, "If you're gonna threaten someone, you need to practice. Petty insults aren't gonna do it." Making Sasuke smirk a bit.

Sakura walked towards us and started telling me about how those goons were from the Wagarashi family and how they trashed that lady's store and threatened to hurt her. I looked at Sasuke and nodded approvingly. If there was no reason to start a fight, then Sasuke would have been wrong. But this was an instance where even I would have reacted in the same way as Sasuke.

"Let's go. It's time for the mission." I reminded. As I noticed people leaving their houses and many of them were having an anxious look on their faces. We can't let the Wagarashi family win. No matter what.

After 10 minutes, we made it to the starting point of the race to find Naruto and Idate standing still. The fact that they were standing next to each other shows that they have gotten to the point where they can bear each other's existence.

The crowd parted and made a wide pathway. The place was decorated for a perfect celebration, but the faces of the people didn't seem to give off that aura too. The commentator announced that the race was about to start. So Idate, my team, and I walked to the starting line. I looked to the right to find the opposite family's runner standing with no escort at all. What are they playing at? Maybe a sneak attack?

Naruto and Sakura stood in front of Idate while Sasuke and I stood behind Idate, surrounding him. I leaned towards Sasuke and whispered into his ear. "Stay on full alert. The other runner may be planning a sneak attack," I declared, making him widen his eyes slightly before glancing at the other runner. He then looked at me and nodded. Sasuke passed the message over to Sakura and Naruto, nodding in approval of the message.

"Representing the Wasabi family, Idate Morino." The Commentator said causing the citizens who supported the Wasabi family to cheer. Morino? As in Ibiki Morino? Are they related? Before. I could ponder anymore, a loud bang was heard and cheers were heard. I snapped out of my trance and looked around.

Without hesitation, I started following Idate. The runners were fast but any full-fledged ninja could keep up.

The race was simple, head from Port Degarashi and sail to the neighboring island, where the Modoroki Shrine is. There, the runners will pick up the Ryoku Jewels and head to the Great Todoroki Shrine. The first one there wins the race. All we had to do was follow Idate and make sure he gets to the Todoroki Shrine in one piece. But instead of running to the port, Idate took a left and headed away from the port.

"Idate, I suppose you have a plan," I said, causing him to glare at me. He ignored me so I looked at Sasuke. "Either he plans to run away or he has an idea. But that doesn't mean the opposite team won't attack us. Be on full alert. I'm gonna head in front and clear the front." I said, making Sasuke nod but then narrowed his eyebrows.

"The Wagarashi family must have seen the four of us. They'll get suspicious if they see you missing." Sasuke said making me nod. I looked around and scanned the tree line. I took a deep breath before smirking.

"I know what Idate's planning on doing. I'll leave a clone and just as normal as you have been during the start of the race." I said. I didn't wait for Sasuke's reply. I made a shadow clone and used the Body Flicker Technique, moving towards a tree nearby.

My shadow clone took my place and no one except Sasuke's noticed the transition. After a few seconds, I started running and teleporting, passing the group and finding myself nearing a cliffside. There was a small house and three men were fighting. Without hesitation, I ran towards it and interrupted the fight. Two men dressed in black shinobi clothes were attacking an old man.

I took three kunai and threw them at the ninja. One kunai hit the neck of one of them and the other two landed on the other ninja's shoulder and hand. Both of them yelled in pain before one of them fell to the floor and the other one stepped back. I gently grabbed the old man and grabbed the other ninja and dragged them away.

I punched the ninja in the face, effectively knocking him out. I looked at the old man and smiled. "Are you all right?" I asked making the man nod. I nodded and dragged the unconscious ninja to a corner and tied him up. The other dead ninja, well we were on a cliff so I just threw him off. Not heartless, just don't want anyone to see that.

The team arrived after a few minutes and they were confused with what was happening. Sakura, Naruto, and Idate kept glancing at my clone and then at myself. With a flick of my hand, the clone puffed into thin air, making everyone realize that I had gone ahead to clear the path.

"Okay, Idate. The ship is ready and we can cross now." I said making him widen his eyes in surprise.

"How did you know?" He asked.

I just smiled. "I smelt the ocean." That was all I said and he nodded but deep inside I could see some other emotion. Once everyone was on the ship, I approached the team and Idate. "There is a ninja who is currently tied up. We can't bring him on the ship for questioning so I will stay behind and make him talk. You guys go ahead and I will meet you mid sail." I said.

"How are you gonna meet us?" Sakura asked.

"Take this," I said handing her my marked kunai. "I will be able to teleport to that marker."

Once everything was explained, the ship left the pier and I turned towards the ninja. I walked to him, bending on one knee, bringing my eye line to his. "I'm gonna ask you a simple question. Who do you work for?" I asked with a sickly sweet voice. The Ninja, who I'm going to call 'Sammy', just glared at me.

I took a deep breath and stood up. I looked behind me to find the old man watching me. I smiled sincerely at him. "Why don't you head to the Todoroki Shrine with the rest of the citizens. Just in case they send back up." I suggested making the man nod and quickly scuttle away from the cliffside. I returned my focus on Sammy.

"Now. I'll ask you one more time. Who do you work for?" I asked glaring at Sammy. He gulped before composing himself.

"Like I'll tell a pathetic excuse for a ninja." He said. He then spat on the floor. I sighed in defeat. I can't do this anymore. I tried but if he is relenting, then. I bent down and grabbed the kunai that was lodged in his shoulder and twisted. Sammy screamed in pain as I twisted the kunai harder. The scream would make a grown man flinch.

"How about now?" I asked letting go of the kunai. He nodded and winced when he shifted on his position against the tree. Finally. "So?" Now he knows that I'm not joking

"The W-Wagarashi Family." He stuttered. I almost felt pity for him. Keyword: almost. If I had not come sooner, Sammy and his wet buddy would have killed the ship's owner.

"No shit Sherlock," I said making him look at me in confusion. Right. This world has no idea of Sherlock. I shook my head before replying, " I knew that. But the Wagarashi family hired a ninja to sabotage the Wasabi family's runner. So who is he?" I asked.

"I don't know." He said, making my blood boil.

I brought my face closer to his and seethed in anger. "Hey. I have already wasted my time. Now, do you want to end up like your buddy who is probably floating around somewhere, or do you wanna tell me, and maybe I will spare your life."

" Rokusho." He said closing his eyes in fear. "His name is Aoi Rokusho." I smiled and patted Sammy's head.

"Good," I said standing up and walking over the edge of the cliff. I turned back to look at Sammy. "Bye." I waved before teleporting to the ship.

As soon as I felt the deck of the ship, I open my eyes to chaos. Naruto and Sasuke were fighting two people in yellow jumpsuits.

My eyes darted towards Sakura who was defending Idate while trying to fend off another person in a yellow jumpsuit. What are they trying to cosplay? a Banana or something?

Without hesitation, I unsheathed my sword and ran towards Sakura. I plunged my sword through the abdomen of the guy who was in the jumpsuit.

He yelled in pain but I silenced him but hitting him in the head with my elbow. I turned to Sakura and scanned her for injuries. She was fine except for a few minor scratches. I did the same for Idate and he seems to be angered by that. "I can take of myself." He said before running towards the helm of the ship. I was about to argue back when I felt something drip on my face. I touched it to find a back oily substance on my face.

I looked around to find the guy I stabbed leaning against the railing of the ship with his hands in the ram seal. I widened my eyes and yelled at Sasuke. "Sasuke. Don't use a fire Jutsu. It's raining oil." He looked at me and nodded. I looked back to the ninja who caused the rain to find him on his ship with a smug smile. I didn't like the smile on his face so my eyes moved to his hands. He was holding an arrow that was lit on fire.

"Off the ship," I yelled to everyone who was now standing a few feet away from me. "Now."

"Idate, go first. We'll follow you." Sasuke replied. At that, Idate looked at him and scoffed.

"So you can abandon me? No way in hell I'm going first." He stated, smiling mirthlessly.

I looked at my team. "Get to shore. Try to find the others if you get separated." I said. I then turned to Idate and wordlessly grabbed his collar and jumped off the boat. Just as my legs brushed the water, I saw the arrow soar through the atmosphere. With a hushed prayer, I closed my eyes and felt the salty waters of the ocean overwhelm me.

Konichiwa!

I'm Hoshi, Andy's new editor

Hope all of you like the new chapter, Andy and I worked hard on it!

A/N. Hey guys. As you know I have a new editor^^ Let's welcome Hoshi into the family.

So, I really have to apologize for not updating sooner. I have no excuse as to why I didn't update. I just didn't have the feeling to write. I suppose you call it a writer's block. But hopefully, I am gonna get back into the weekly schedule. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Ciao...