"Okay everybody! Before we enter the town, I need to lay out the ground rules." said Naruto. He laid a map of the town on the ground. "The inn we'll be staying at is here, pretty close to the southwestern wall. To the SW outside the town is where the robots will be kept. That's our base camp. Domon and Rain will stay there. While we're in the town, Jen, you must stay in the backpack. If you have something to say, bump me and I'll listen as long as you whisper. Nobody can know you're in there. As soon as it's private, I'll let you know so you can come out. Sam, I know you're new in this world but act like you've been here your whole life. We can't attract attention." said Naruto.
"Naruto! What happened to your throw caution to the wind attitude?" asked Sam.
"Jen is my student. I need to be responsible." said Naruto. "Is everyone clear on the rules?" asked Naruto.
"Whatever, just bring back some food." said Domon.
"Right let's go nya!" said Jen. She closed the backpack, switched to Byakugan, and got comfortable.
As they entered the town, they noticed a festival was being thrown. Naruto saw a stand selling novelty items.
"I'll take all the water balloons and air filled rubber balls you got!" said Naruto. After paying for them and getting back on the main road, he felt a bump. "What is it Jen?" asked Naruto quietly.
"What are all these balls and ballons for nya?" whispered Jen.
"Later. Do you see a cheap food stand?" asked Naruto.
"About a mile due south by southwest nya. Looks like a traveler's shop nya. They've got food, blank tags for paper bombs and such nya, weapons and weapon care kits, a bigger tent nya, and some other stuff nya." whispered Jen.
It took until sunset to get to the traveler's stand. The stand was off by itself.
"What can I do for you?" asked the shop keeper.
"3 weapon care kits, enough food for 5 people for a week, 2 ninja tool packs, a first aid kit, a few blank tags, and a large roll of wrist tape." said Naruto.
"Naruto? It is you! I didn't recognize you for minute there." said the shopkeeper.
"Do I know you?" asked Naruto.
"C'mon Naruto! It's me, Inari!" said the shop keeper.
"Whoa! You got big. I haven't seen you since the bridge was finished. What're you doing here?" asked Naruto.
"I wanted to help ninja while they were traveling so, as soon as I was old enough, I left home and opened this stand. I travel with this stand from village to village selling stuff to ninja and other travelers cheap. That'll be ¥1000, thanks. Oh, and take this, on the house. This tent is pretty big so there will be more room since you have five people. So, where you headed?" asked Inari.
"Jen, it's okay. We can trust him. Come on out. Inari, if you scream, I'll have no choice but to knock you out." said Naruto. Jen popped her head out of the backpack.
"What is that?!" said Inari as quietly as he could.
"I'm Naruto sensei's pupil nya, Jen." said Jen.
"I was recently promoted to Chunin and assigned to train her. As for the way she looks, well, it's a long story." said Naruto.
"Do you sell any backpacks nya? This one is full and can't hold all that stuff nya." said Jen.
"Sure, this one's on me too!" said Inari.
"Thanks nya." said Jen.
"Anyways, this town's just the first stop on our training journey. Next were going to the Land of Rivers." said Naruto.
"Well that's too bad. Sand ninja have occupied that border. They're not letting anybody through." said Inari.
"What? Oh great!" said Naruto.
"Okay, you're all set. Good luck!" said Inari.
Naruto, Sam and Jen left Tanzaku Town and met up with Rain and Domon.
"You're late. We've already got a fire going." said Domon.
"Hey Rain nya! How's my Gundam doing nya?" asked Jen.
"Pretty good actually! We found a destroyed Mobile Suit out here that had hundreds of salvagable parts. I should be able to customize it now." said Rain.
"Cool nya! Now if you don't mind nya, I need to go change this wrist tape nya." said Jen. She hopped out of the backpack and behind a tree. She took off the leotard. Then she emptied her vest and laid both out on a stump. "Tora, ushi, tora, ushi, saru, saru, u, hitsuji, hitsuji, i, tori, saru, saru, tori, tori, tori, hitsuji, hitsuji, hitsuji, uma, ushi, uma! Water Style! Giant Vortex Jutsu!" A vortex of water appeared and hammered the clothes. Then she turned her wings to the wet clothes, lit her wings up, grabbed the tree in front of her and flapped. The clothes dried in no time. Then she took off the wrist tape and wrapped herself up in fresh wrist tape. Then she put on the clean leotard then the vest. "There nya!" Jen headed back to the others.
"Feel better?" asked Sam.
"Yeah nya! So when do I start the next step Naruto sensei nya?" asked Jen.
"Not yet, I've got everything planned out. As soon as we cross the border, then I'll tell ya!" said Naruto.
"What about those Sand Ninja?" asked Sam.
"Don't worry about that. I already sent a message to Grandma Tsunade." said Naruto.
Meanwhile, at the Leaf Village...
"Huh? A message from Naruto?" said Lady Tsunade.
"Yes m'Lady." said Shizune.
"Hmm... WHAT?! Sand Ninja?! Occupying the Fire/River border!?!" yelled Lady Tsunade.