“So Sakura, Did you get any information from that bandit last night?”

“Some. Apparently there are a lot more of them. Also, each group that go out have a messenger with them to report progress.”

“And what happened to the messenger?”

The group of four ninja were sat, with Tazuna and Inari, at the kitchen table eating breakfast. Tsunami was by the sink, washing various plates and pans from dinner the previous night.

“I killed him.”

“Well that’s helpful. So what will happen if he doesn’t report back then?”

“Well um … chances are we’ll find out soon …”

“Great.”

Kakashi stood and moved towards the window, lifting his headband and peering through the glass cautiously. The movement outside was obvious and hardly contained.

“Attacking in broad daylight? What kinda of idiot would do that?” Naruto joined his teacher and watched in amusement as the house was surrounded. “They’re not even trying to be quiet about it.”

“Get your asses out here now!”

The voice rang loud through the air and echoed across the surface of the water.

“If you don’t hurry, we’re just gonna have to come in!!”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t hurt yourself! Geez.”

Naruto walked through the door and out into the cold morning air; hand on his shoulder as he rotated his right arm. The two men by the door stood their ground as the blonde approached. One of them was tall with dark hair. A few battle scars lining his body, though it seemed none of them had been serious. He also had a confident and commanding air about him. No doubt the leader of this little excursion, if not leader of the entire group. Naruto noted all of this, along with a few other minor details, while Kakashi and the others watched from the door way.

“You took out some of our boys last night didn’t you? Well now we’re here for payback!” The man smiled arrogantly and there was a moment of cheering from his cohorts.

The blonde ninja stood, unimpressed, and pointed lazily over his shoulder at Sasuke.

“If you must know, it was that guy that killed most of them. But it’s not really in a bandit’s nature to care about something so trivial now is it?” Naruto smiled back cheekily at the bandit leader and shifted into a rather relaxed battle stance. “So where’s this ‘payback’?”

There was a loud yell and the bandits attacked.

--- --- --- --- ---

“Nee-san your storytelling sucks. Ow!!! What?”

“That aside, I apologise to all the mad, mad people who have been following this little story. For you have waited a long time for this new part. I’m hoping to get back into my fics now but I can’t make any promises. I’ll try and get part 25 out to you soon, but by now you should know what I’m like ^^’’’ So until next time: Sayonara!!! … Sasuke get back here!!!!”

-crash-

-bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep-

--- --- --- --- ---

Part 24 Owari~