Authors Note (A/N): I know. I know… it has been what seems like forever since I wrote up a chapter or even put in the effort for a story… years. But here I am. I am back. I am rewriting this story simply because… it needed it. The more I went over and thought I realized… It was by no means what I was wanting to picture. So this is it readers, followers, and reviewers. This is going to be the final product.
Foreword: Naruto "Jigsaw" Uzumaki will be put on hold as that was a sporadic idea, but not unwanted. I will be thinking over a story for it while I am doing this one. I will not set any guaranteed dates for it since I don't know when it could finally come to a finalization within my processes. Also of note, The Path Lightly Treaded will be deleted as I realized I am quite ready to go ahead with that one… and that I kinda lost interest in it. I am sorry to those readers of mine who disagree and maybe in the future I might bring it back but who knows. Alright everyone… Here is it. This is it…
Forgotten Inheritance
Prologue: They Who Became Ultimate Will Return…
Life. Such a simple word… but yet it carries with it an impossible amount meanings, reasons, convictions, hopes, dreams, warnings, and curses. Of course… that is just to name a few. In all regards… life is precious, no matter how terrible it ever seems to be, how frightening, enlightening, or enjoyable. It is a constant to the waking minds and the living organisms in this galaxy and possibly to the universe beyond here… but what do I know… I am but a simple construct in a vast space. My purpose is to record and catalogue all that I see, for what reason I may never know. I only know that my duty is this and that I need to complete it.
The paradox to that is I do not process that such a… completion will ever come about. If I am to record everything and catalogue it all… how long is that? To the end of my serviceable existence? Or just when something in programming notifies me that I am finished. Again… questions that I ask but only my Creators would know. In any case, no matter how much I process and… ponder… this I am but only a construct, and this is my assignment… but for how long?
Chapter I: Ancient Machinations Begin to Turn
'Mist… why is there so much mist?' Naruto couldn't help but asking himself as he glanced about the area, seeing barely much beyond those next to him, the ground below and ahead of him, and the shady and elusive forms of trees to the sides of him. It was everywhere and it was giving him a constant paranoid feeling at knowing he couldn't see much. While being the darkness was worse… this was a very close second to Naruto. He tightened his fists just a bit while keeping his ears in his prime focus, wanting to hear any unfriendly sound as possible while he eyed the tall, silver and spiky haired Jonin ahead of him.
Kakashi Hatake… in Naruto's small but highly detailed memory was a man of aloof and almost unpredictable motivations. While certainly experienced, if not for his age, rank, and what Naruto was able to read up on him before they left the village… as far as personality goes Naruto wasn't so sure the records were entirely accurate. That was if the man allowed the accurately record him. Shaking his head mentally, Naruto analyzed his Jonin Sensei once more.
Dressed in the deep blue full body suit typical of Konoha Shinobi along with the forest green Flak Jacket in the Jonin style to show his rank, along with a set of Shinobi sandals colored in the same deep blue and gloves with wrist protectors on his hands. The man would look almost like your average Konoha Jonin… if not for his gravity defying silver hair which spiked upwards and in a slight left slant should one be facing him. That and that he willingly chose to cover his right eye with the signature Hitai-ate of Konohagakure, which of course bore a leaf like symbol with a swirl for the main body, who show that he wasn't just your average Jonin. Taking a look at his records as well showed just how above average he was. This Naruto, being who he was, is privy to.
After doing his assessment on the man, Naruto let his eyes wander to his two fellow Genin comrades, that of Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha. Each having their own teenage problems, though far from different in severity, Naruto couldn't help the slight narrowing of his eyes as took them in. It made him sick sometimes. With all that he put up with back in the village, with his masquerade, his self training, and all the effort he put into his burgeoning career as a Shinobi… these two made him look like a laughing stock. In the end though he didn't fair as bad as some of the other teams after graduation thankfully.
Sakura Haruno, for a simple but accurate description, was what every good and self respecting Kunoichi in the Elemental Nations hated. While her situation as a civilian and not of a Shinobi family or clan didn't help her, it certainly didn't make her unable to become a decent Kunoichi. Instead, she focused more on her looks and physical appeal, which wasn't wrong for a Kunoichi. Of course, her obsession to become the most beautiful Kunoichi and spending all her time to do so rather than training and getting ready for her career did make shame on it. All of that effort to get one boy, one Sasuke Uchiha. What a waste…
She, of all things, was dressed in a combat dress that while flexible, would give her away when trying to seek cover or camouflage, though her pink hair didn't help that much either. Unlike a prospective Genin Kunoichi, she was physically unfit for the demanding requirement of being a Kunoichi, and thus couldn't run, jog, or walk for a while without needing a breather… a seriously long breather. She also currently used her Hitai-ate as a hair net to keep the pink bangs out of her face and eyes along with also showing the rather sizable forehead she possessed. To which Naruto couldn't help the immense confusion he gained when thinking about it. It would seem somewhat logical that a person with a slightly more massive brain than your average Human would be smarter and thus would be more serious… but it would seem to be the opposite in this case. Shaking his head mentally gain, Naruto resolved to think about it more at a later date.
Finally setting his gaze on the last of the Genin he was partnered with Naruto couldn't help the slight scowl that overcame his features, both from his act and actual dislike of the superiority complex brat. Sasuke Uchiha, the Last Loyal Uchiha of Konoha, the Survivor of the massacre. So many titles for one so young, but all of them hardly meaningful when one was allowed a true encounter with the prick. His personality, or lack thereof, was of a spiteful, arrogant, and generally cold asshole. He disregarded everyone as insignificant, and only cared of power and those who had it, so as to get power for himself. His goal, oh his goal, was to kill a certain man. That of being Itachi Uchiha. His older brother and the only other living Uchiha in the world. The one who killed all the others besides Sasuke. Naruto didn't gather much in his brief explorations into the Shinobi Records about the man. Only that he was highly skilled, highly dangerous, and not much pointed to the reasons as to why he killed all of his clan.
By Sasuke's own words, to be exact, it was because "He wanted to test his strength…". In Naruto's honest opinion, a line full of bullshit and garbage. If he wanted to test his strength then he would seek to kill the Hokage or someone else who was way more powerful, like that of the Sannin. Instead… he killed his whole clan. Shaking his head mentally again, it would seem his analysis wasn't shared among most but what did Naruto care. If things progressed like how he wanted… Naruto wouldn't be around the little prick when he committed suicide going after his brother.
Glancing said boy over, Naruto had to begrudgingly acknowledge that the little ass at least was serious about his career. Training had certainly developed the necessary muscles and bones to engage in combat, that along with the Jutsu the Uchiha displayed during the Genin test, given by Hatake of course. Dressed in a high collared loose blue shirt bearing the Uchiha Crest, a fan with a white bottom and red top, on the back along with white cargo shorts, white arm warmers, Shinobi sandals, and the Kunai Pouch at his side, he at least looked somewhat the Genin.
Then again, looking over his own person Naruto wanting to shake his head disgustedly. An orange jumpsuit with badge and tassel on one of his shoulders… hardly that of a Shinobi. Even with the baggy style and the Kunai Pouch that he had, along with various other unmentioned weapons inside his jacket it still was orange. The only suitable reason he wore this was to help towards getting his stealth up to par. There was no argument it did that but because of his facade… he had to keep wearing it. Only until something that would cause it to be destroyed could he argue why he rid himself of it. Maybe after this mission they were on?
Speaking of that… Naruto glanced behind them to the elder aged man named Tazuna. Looking like your average sea faring civilian along with the rope tied around his head and the conical straw hat, it was slightly surprising to discover the man was an engineer rather than a fisherman. Of course, in Naruto's experiences, appearances were deceiving.
In any case, the mission was supposed to be a calm C rank, just escort and leave. But now, since that encounter with those two Kirigakure Missing Shinobi, and the discovery of a man by the name of Gato who was tyrannical… it turned into a stay and liberate a country B rank mission. If Hatake is also to be believed… possibly A rank since last night they discussed that those two were last seen with several Jonin rank Shinobi during the small rebellion in Kiri sometime ago.
All unwelcome thoughts and here they all were. One Jonin, three Genin, and a bridge builder. Thus, Naruto cleared his mind and let his thoughts and focus come back to the fore, and his paranoia active as he continued to try and listen as well as visually see anything in the mist. He lightly felt the Shuriken Pouch on his rear, feeling the heaviness of a fully loaded pouch. Good… at least he could be of some use should Hatake get into it with a Jonin…
Just then his eyes snapped to a figure in the mist as well as the sound of human breathing. They were watching and waiting. Too coincidental. Quickly producing three Shuriken from said pouch Naruto tossed them with practiced accuracy to which Kakashi's eye focused on as they pass him from behind and made three solid thunks on wood. Naruto narrowed his eyes at the sound while Sakura looked slight frightened.
Kakashi and Sasuke moved forwards to see if a kill was made, parting some bushes. Instead what they found was a white rabbit looked as if it had a literal heart attack. Sakura, upon seeing this frightened animal, did the only thing she thought was right.
Next thing Naruto know was the sound of rushing air, a fist hitting the top of his face, and then finally hitting the ground face first. How he hated having to fall for that.
"Damn it Naruto! What the hell was that! You scared the poor thing!" she yelled at the downed comrade before hurrying over to rabbit and petting it to calm it down. But Naruto and Kakashi were thinking the same thing as one looked around and the other got up from the hit.
'It's fur is white… that means it has been kept indoors…' was the simultaneous thoughts of the Jonin and Genin, before Kakashi's acute hearing picked up the sound of air being cut, fast and hard by something big. Widening his eyes, Kakashi leapt at Tazuna to bring him into the dirt.
"Get down!" he barked, to which all the Genin did and just in time to as a large metal blade easily as tall a man passed over head like a buzzsaw, spinning before sinking it's deadly bite into the tree in front of it. Just as the four Shinobi were gathering their wits, a man landed on the blade handle, looking over his shoulder at all of them.
"Well well well… the Copy Ninja… and a bunch of Genin…" said the man, a dark and intimidating voice as well as tone coming from a face covered in bandages. Kakashi narrowed his eyes while moving protectively in front of his Genin and client, sizing up his opponent and cursing his luck.
"Zabuza Momochi… Demon of Kirigakure…" stated Kakashi in return, while Naruto blinking, having heard that name somewhere before. Naruto kept the man within his vision while also slowly grabbing a Kunai from his holster and bringing it up to bear, Sasuke doing the same while Sakura looked lost and worried. Tazuna of course was pale at the sight of huge man, just as Naruto was. This was certainly a Jonin… no doubt about it. Naruto also used this time to glance around and make sure there was only one to this party and no more.
"While it would be fun to fight you… I have business with that bridge builder…" said Zabuza, hopping off the handle and grabbing it, ripping it out of the tree with a heave, landing on the ground with it pointed level at Tazuna, only using one arm. That along told of the man's strength if he could wavy around a blade that side like nothing. Tazuna possibly grew paler at this.
"So just hand him over and your little Genin will be spared the bloodshed." compromised Zabuza while glaring at Hatake. Hatake stared evenly back while settling himself into a combat stance and producing one Kunai quickly without anyone noticing it.
"As much as the offer is enticing Zabuza… I am afraid I will have to decline. How about a counter offer? You leave and abandon your mission for Gato and I won't kill you." said Hatake coldly to which Naruto had to admire. The seething bloodlust coming of the Kirigakure Missing Shinobi was quite potent. Naruto glanced at the Kiri Hitai-ate with a slash through it. Yup… definitely a dangerous character.
Zabuza let out an uproarious laugh at Kakashi's words, the way his upper face moved and the bandages hiding his mouth twitched, it would seem he was actually amused at the words. After a few moments, the man calmed down and looked back at Kakashi with an eagerness and want to murder and maim.
"Well that is too bad… looks like some Genin are going to die today…" he said, before stepping back and instantly disappearing into the mist, muttering a jutsu as he did so.
"Water Release… Hidden Mist Jutsu!" came an eerie voice from this mist, as if they were completely surrounded. Kakashi used this time to uncover his right eye which showed something to all the Genin and Tazuna… that only left the Genin speechless. His right eye, instead of another beady black orb, was a Sharingan with three tomoe spinning madly. The scar running vertically on the eye showed that it was also an implanted one and not natural.
'How the hell does he have the Sharingan!?' thought Sasuke heatedly, wondering how a lazy Jonin like Kakashi had such a prized tool to a Shinobi, the Uchiha Clan's Bloodright! Naruto only made a face of shock as he already knew. His files had discussed the Sharingan in his right with detail. It was how Hatake had earned his title after all.
'Copy Cat Ninja Kakashi… or better known as Kakashi of the Sharingan…' thought Naruto to himself quietly. In retrospect, Naruto supposed they were lucky to have the man as a Jonin Sensei since this man was one of the best Konoha had to offer. Kakashi's eyes looked around while he spoke over his shoulder to his team.
"Diamond formation! Protect Tazuna!" he barked out, to which all three of the Genin immediately obeyed, moving swiftly while surrounding Tazuna on three sides, Kunais bared and ready, eyes roaming for an incoming offensive. Then the dark and cold chuckle came once more… along with a heavy amount of Killing Intent. Naruto instantly felt the pressure but was able to stave it off, having felt loads worse than this thanks to a certain… encounter.
As Naruto did a quick glance to his teammates he realized they weren't faring as well. Sakura had gone a ghostly white while the grip on her Kunai was loose. Lethal and suicidal to do so with this kind of opponent. Sasuke wasn't much better, shaking with fear, looking about with paranoia. Then Zabuza's voice came again.
"There are eight points on the human body that are fatal…" came the disembodied voice from the mist. "Larynx, Spine, Lungs, Liver, Jugular, Subclavian Artery, Kidneys… and the Heart. Now… which will I kill you with?" said the Missing Shinobi to the assembled team. Naruto couldn't see shit and the talk was driving him on edge. While he was by no means frozen from the killing intent… he knew he was way out of his league with this. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Sasuke slowly raising his Kunai to himself. Obviously he was breaking. Just as Naruto was about to speak Kakashi beat it to him.
"Don't worry guys…" said Kakashi, looking back at them with a classic eye smile that they had seen many of back in the village. "I won't let my comrades die…" With those words, Sasuke seemed to calm down and gain a smirk while Sakura looked like she was faring better. Naruto just wanted to shake his head but now wasn't the time. While he head no doubt to Kakashi's convictions… he found it disgusting that those two would feel better at knowing they had protection from death in the form of another risking themselves. Shameful to say the least.
All of the sudden Naruto felt a shift in the air right behind him, between himself and Tazuna to which he could only widen his eyes as he shifted to bring his Kunai to bear. Right between Tazuna and all three of the Genin was Zabuza, eyes closed while holding his blade on his shoulder with tense arms and hands, readying for a swing.
"Too bad… because you're all dead!" he called, starting his motion before grunting out in surprise when Kakashi was in front him in a second, holding the arm from swinging by the forearm while his other hand had lodged a Kunai deep into the Kiri Shinobi's gut. Grunting in surprise, the Zabuza in front of all of them bleed before exploding in a shower of water, surprising all the Genin while Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
None to soon as Zabuza appeared behind Hatake and swung, slicing the Konoha Jonin in two. Naruto blinked in shock before Kakashi's body also disappeared in a shower of water. Zabuza gained a rather shocked looked before feeling a Kunai on his neck, Kakashi standing behind him looking over his shoulder with a glare. The blood red Sharingan spinning madly at the Kirigakure Jonin.
"It's over Zabuza…" stated Kakashi coldly, while Zabuza smirked.
"Nice job… kill a Water Clone, and then replace yourself with one instantly as well… very good." commented Zabuza, before he suddenly dissolved into water. Kakashi's eyes widened before turning around quickly and bringing a Kunai up, blocking the deadly bite of the large cleaver like sword. Zabuza smirked down at the Copy Ninja as they were locked in a stalemate, slowly pushing Kakashi back.
"But not good enough…" he said with a chuckle while Kakashi looked at him with a glare. Then in a sudden move, Kakashi ended his block, dodging to the side and bringing his Kunai up to slice Zabuza. While momentarily surprised at the sudden shift, Zabuza compensated by bringing his blade easily up to bear and block the attack. Thus it begun, an actual Shinobi battle.
Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna couldn't help but stare amazed at the rapid moves, attacks, counters, and general speeds at which the Jonin were fighting at, meer blurs that only gained definition with a clash, before back to blurs. While Sasuke must be imagining if this is the power he was after, Naruto was thinking and planning. He would like to be confident that Hatake had this handled, but the part of Naruto that went with paranoia knew it could not be the case.
It would turn out that side of his mind was right when not ten seconds later Hatake was kicked hard out into the waters and unprepared for it, falling into the liquid. Trying to drag himself out, Zabuza suddenly snapped above him and chuckled deeply while also flipping through rapid Hand Signs, before speaking his Jutsu.
"Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!" he spoke harshly, to which Kakashi was instantly sucked up and into a spherical water style like prison. Hatake looked around wildly while beginning to hold his breath, as Zabuza chuckled.
"Now you know what it feels like to be a fish in the barrel eh Kakashi?" he said with a chuckle, keeping a hand on the sphere to make it stabilized before looking over in the direction of Naruto and his comrades, smirking evilly underneath the bandages around his face
Sasuke made a grunting noise, realizing that their battle was about to begin, gripping the handle of his Kunai tightly while Sakura and Tazuna looked more than a little fearful at the prospect. Naruto… well he was standing there calmly, eyeing down the situation.
His once bright azure eyes so full of mirth, life, and joy were now a dark cerulean with a crisp, cold, calculating look as he analyzed the situation. It was during this that Zabuza spoke while making a Hand Sign for another Jutsu.
"Water Style: Water Clone…" he spoke lowly while water started to gather at the shore's edge around the lake, slowly forming and rising into a humanoid shape before long morphing into an exact replica of the intimidating Missing Shinobi, blade on it's shoulder and everything, glaring down at them.
It stepped onto the shore while grinning, speaking in a dark and condescending tone.
"You think you brats are Shinobi because you have those shinny Hitai-ates on your heads? Ha! Don't make me laugh… you have no idea what a Shinobi is…" it spoke, when Sasuke stood his ground and readied for a fight.
"Run! He can't keep clones over a long distance. Take Tazuna and run!" barked Kakashi from inside the sphere, using a little of his remaining oxygen. Naruto eyed the Water Clone quietly, before looking over to the distance with Hatake and the real Zabuza.
"I am afraid that is a suicidal order Sensei…" spoke Naruto quietly while Sasuke seemed as if he was about to obey Hatake's orders. He looked to his teammate as if he was the suicidal one. Naruto glanced at this for a moment, then looked to Kakashi again.
"If we run, we die. After we are gone he is just going to kill you and come after us… at least if we fight we have a chance…" said Naruto, glancing to Sasuke to see his grim expression to which Naruto partly mirrored before looking towards the Zabuza clone. Said clone had an amused but slightly respectful look on it's bandaged face. Sakura and Tazuna only had paler faces, but Sakura stood a little more firm.
"Not bad kid… perhaps if you lived past this day you might've made a decent Shinobi one day…" mused the clone, before taking the sword off it's shoulders and swinging it back and forth in an intimidating matter, before pointing it at him with one arm. Kakashi had wide eyes at Naruto's answer, before they softened and he smiled, thinking to himself.
'We all live or die together… so much like you… Sensei…' Kakashi thought to himself, reserving to see them succeed or die together. Naruto fingered the Kunai while eyeing up their opponent, then glancing to Sasuke.
"We need to work together, as much as I loath to do so and I am sure you do as well…" spoke Naruto quietly, hoping that the clone couldn't hear. Sasuke glared at him while unconsciously ignoring the more sophisticated words Naruto had begun to use.
"Then follow my lead…" Sasuke said, before rushing ahead to combat the clone. Naruto sighed, not wanting to rush in without a plan, but moving to back up his teammate. It was a good thing since Sasuke, after dodging a few strikes and almost getting close to stab in, was kicked harshly back while Naruto moved his hands quickly into a sign, creating two Shadow Clones to spawn behind the Uchiha in order to catch him. After this, he created five more, all of them rushing ahead and coming at Zabuza fast.
From the lake, Zabuza was slightly impressed at the display of the Jutsu, humming thoughtfully.
"Not bad… a Genin performing a Shadow Clone… not to mention many… not bad at all…" mused Zabuza to which Kakashi looked over worriedly, wondering if this would make Zabuza serious. The Missing Shinobi glanced to Hatake and chuckled, guessing what he was thinking.
Of course, if he were watching in that moment, he would see that his clone, while slaughtering all the clones and batting Naruto back with the flat of his blade, was almost destroyed by the combined attack. The Clone chuckled in a mocking manner while shaking his head.
"Why do you even try? You are all too weak to face me…" spoke the clone to which Naruto only narrowed his eyes and saw Sasuke wiping his face of a little blood from where he was kicked. The two clones behind him suddenly rushed forwards to engage in another skirmish while Naruto quickly made his way over to his teammate.
"I said we need to work together. Not rush in like idiots…" spoke Naruto to which Sasuke only glared and was about to retort to when Naruto beat him to it. "We are Genin against a Jonin Sasuke. Luckily for us he is underestimating us… and we will use that to our advantage. Be smart and quick… follow me lead."
Then Naruto turned and made the hand sign again, spawning twenty clones who all stared down the Water Clone of Zabuza after he eliminated two of their comrades. The Water Clone chuckled while making a gesture to come at him. Naruto glanced to Sasuke, pulling off his pack and showing him the Windmill Shuriken inside, nodding. Sasuke blinked in a confused manner and wasn't able to ask when Naruto put it back into his pack and rushed ahead with his clones. Sasuke just readied himself, wonder what stupid plan his idiot of a teammate was about to do.
As the clones moved to surround the Water Clone, doing so successfully and starting their attack, Naruto quickly made another series of hand signs to which the clone next to him nodded.
"Transformation Jutsu…" said Naruto lowly, quickly shifting into another Windmill Shuriken to which the clone grabbed out of the air and stuffed into his pack, before rushing in and acting what he should, his doppelganger. Soon enough, with the clones having Zabuza's clone almost pinned, were unexpectedly defeated with huge and massive heave along with a swing, killing most of the clones. What the clone didn't expect was the last Naruto coming in fast with a Kunai poised for a kill after his swing.
The Water Clone's eyes widened as it was stabbed with the Kunai to the throat, staring at the cold cerulean eyes of Naruto. Then in disassembled back into its liquid state and Zabuza on the lake raised an eyebrow in amazement. Kakashi smirked underneath his mask, but kept his thoughts to himself while Zabuza gained a glare. Then before long, just as Naruto was getting up from a crouch after stabbing the clone, found another Water Clone right in front of him.
Naruto's eyes widened before he was kicked savagely away. Thankfully he was able to block and barely able to keep his Chakra shell together enough to pull off the bag from his back and tossed something to Sasuke.
"Sasuke! Now!" barked the clone, to which Sasuke thought was the real Naruto. It was then as he grabbed it out of the air that he felt the two but only one. Smirking, he unfolded both of them but kept them together to appear as if it was only one.
'Not bad dobe… not bad at all…' thought Sasuke while leaping up into the air to gain momentum for the toss. The Zabuza clone eyed this, wondering what was going on but was unable to interfere when a Kunai came screaming at him from the downed Naruto. Dodging out of the way, it realized it was too late when Sasuke came down and tossed the Windmill Shuriken.
"Demon Windmill Shuriken!" called Sasuke as he tossed it, the cutting edges of the blade making a hissing noise as it ran through the air, passing the distracted clone and heading straight for Zabuza.
Said Missing Shinobi widened his eyes, glancing to the shore to see Naruto and they locked gazes. To which the Missing Shinobi widened his eyes a bit when he saw it. Dark cerulean eyes full of quiet calm and decisive plans, seeking to end this, to kill or disable him. Eyes that didn't care for compassion or comradery. Eyes that cared only about one thing. Themselves.
Zabuza chuckled as he refocused his gaze onto the incoming Windmill Shuriken, using those moments to speak to Hatake.
"I suggest you watch out for your brat over there… his is just like me…" stated the Missing Shinobi as he readied himself. "That is if you make it out alive…"
With that, just as the Shuriken was in range Zabuza shot a hand out and caught the Shuriken, grinning viciously while seeing that his palm landed perfectly on the ring inside the array of deadly blades. Holding it out to his side, he let out a chuckle, before pausing and widening his eyes as he heard another whispering of wind being cut.
Then out of the mist another one appeared, veering straight for him. Zabuza thought quickly and realized that it was too close for him to drop the one in his hand and catch that one. With that, seeing it was going to bisect him, Zabuza did the only thing that would work. Just as it reached his position Zabuza grunted and leapt up, bringing his legs as close as he could to his chest. It worked and the blade sailed right under him, to which Zabuza landed on the water once again.
"Ha! Nice try brats!" spoke Zabuza across the lake, knowing they were now finished but saw that the kid, the orange clothed brat with the golden hair hadn't even reacted yet. Instead, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Widening his eyes when he heard another eruption from behind him, he quickly turned his head to see Naruto smirking at him, hard cerulean eyes looking at him with a deadly glint while he was flying in a backwards motion.
Before Zabuza could even blink, that Naruto gripped the Kunai he had been saving in his hand, before readying and tossing the small blade right at Zabuza.
"Take this!" barked Naruto before he hit the water, as the Kunai happily said towards the Missing Shinobi, seeking to stab into his spine. Realizing it was too fast and close to dodge, it was then that Zabuza couldn't help the small smirk that made it's way on his face.
'You are gonna make a good Shinobi one day… brat.' thought Zabuza before moving out of the way of the blade, removing his hand from the Water Prison which, in reaction, disassembled and allowed Kakashi out. Said man stood on the water while panting before looking at Naruto who just shot up out of the water swimming.
"Nice job Naruto! Get back to shore. I got this handled from here!" he yelled to which Naruto began to eagerly swim back towards the shore while yelling over his shoulder.
"You better! I ain't saving your ass twice!" replied Naruto in his usual manner, to which Hatake sweat dropped and Zabuza, even realizing the fight was about to get rough, chuckled at. Settling his glare upon the Konohagakure Jonin Zabuza knew this was it. It was now or never. Those Water Clones took up quite a bit of Chakra to mold and maintain, thus why he ended the one still on the shore. That and the Water Prison, along with the Hidden in the Mist Jutsu had brought his reservoirs low.
Meanwhile his opponent hadn't used much Jutsu and was able to relax for a moment while in the prison. Not good in his opinion, not good at all. But it didn't mean he wasn't defeated yet. Quickly bringing his blade from behind and readying it, he charged Kakashi to which said person brought two Kunai and rushed forwards to meet him.
They started to trade strikes, going back to blades before Zabuza used a push from Kakashi to start running around him to a flank strike, to which Kakashi exactly mirror. Frowning, Zabuza was confused until he saw that Kakashi had closed his regular eye and was now solely using his Sharingan for the fight. Glaring, Zabuza called out, stopping and running through hand signs as a blinding pace.
"Stop copying me you stupid monkey!" he bellowed, finishing his Jutsu and glaring evilly. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
In response to this from the lake water rose a high and large mass of water, forming quickly into the shape of a Dragon which roared and head yellow eyes filled with anger. Blinking in surprise though, Zabuza saw the same exact thing across from, standing behind Kakashi.
Kakashi glared at Zabuza as his own Water Dragon stood behind him, before both Jonin used their techniques and launched them at each other. The Dragons moved forwards and clashed, soon enough canceling each other out and as the torrents of water fell down, Kakashi and Zabuza met in the middle for another blade clash. This continued for a brief bit, Zabuza only getting more irritated at Kakashi predicting all his moves.
"I said stop copying me!" he bellowed, landing back and starting another series of hand signs, staring angrily at the Jonin across from him. Even as he continued the train of signs, he paused a moment when an almost mirage like image of himself stood behind Kakashi as said Jonin was copying hand signs. Blinking, realizing it was too late, Kakashi finished and then spoke quietly.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique." said Kakashi with a tone of finality while Zabuza could only widen his eyes and saw the Jutsu forming before launching at him.
'How?' was his only thought before the rapid and angry waves him and and sent him flying, being drowning within them. The waves continued until they hit the shore, to which when they receded Zabuza was heavily injured and up against a tree, head slightly leaning to the side as he groaned.
Kakashi jumped from the lake and onto the shore, a few meters from Zabuza and started to walk over to him while pulling out two Kunai from his holsters and tossing them, pinning Zabuza into the tree with the sharply blade, one in the arm and the other to the side. Zabuza gained some semblance of awareness after the hit, looking up to Kakashi with slight fear.
"How? Can you see into the future?" he asked confused and slightly fearful of the Sharingan now. Kakashi stared down at him coldly before speaking as he removed another Kunai, readying a kill strike.
"Yes… and your future is death!" he spoke harshly and was about to toss the blade into the Missing Shinobi's throat when suddenly two Senbon came out of nowhere and struck Zabuza in the neck, making said man's eyes widen in extreme pain, before slumping as if he was dead. Hatake blinked and looked around warily, soon spotting another Shinobi up in the trees.
Said Shinobi landed down onto the ground near him just as Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura and Tazuna ran up behind Kakashi.
"I am sorry for the sudden intrusion… I have been tailing him for some time now, awaiting a chance to kill him. You defeating him was the perfect opportunity…" said the masked Shinobi, revealing that they were in somewhat fancy and baggy robes, with their hair done up in a rather appearing manner. The face mask, a white oval with a few red curls upon it and the four wavy lines denoting that they were from Kirigakure showed their allegiances.
Kakashi glanced at the masked Shinobi warily, realizing they were a Oinin Butai, before making his way over towards Zabuza's corpse. Leaning down and placing his fingers on Zabuza's neck, wanting to make sure it was indeed a confirmed kill.
"He is quite dead…" said the Oinin, to which Kakashi nodded, feeling no pulse. Stepping back from the corpse, Hatake gave the Oinin his customary eye smile.
"Well while I would've much appreciated your help during the fight thank you for killing him." said Kakashi, while opening both his eyes again and staring down the Oinin. Said Shinobi stared at him a moment before moving over towards the corpse. Judging by the walk and tone of voice, they were maybe a female.
Naruto eyed the Oinin warily, not trusting them one bit. Coming out of hiding conveniently just in time to kill Zabuza seemed rather too coincidental. Of course, this was only proven more to him when the Oinin leaned down and draped the corpse over their shoulders.
"I thank you all for making him weak enough… I doubt I would've killed him otherwise… we may perhaps see each other again…" said the Oinin before raising their hand to one sign and disappearing in a swirl of mist, showing it was a Body Flicker Technique. After this, Kakashi turned around and then looked at all of them proudly while placing the Konohagakure Hitai-ate over his Sharingan eye once more to which Sasuke glared at.
"Good work team… now can someone please carry me to Tazuna-san house?" he asked, before falling face forwards to which all them panicked and rushed to him. After a moment's glancing about, Sakura let out a relieved sigh, remembering something she read from the Academy.
"He is suffering from Chakra Exhaustion… he just needs some rest." she concluded, to which the rest of them were thankful for. Then Sakura and Sasuke looked to Naruto, whose eyes were now back to the bright Azure as usual. Blinking stupidly a moment, he realized what they meant and sighed. Bringing his hands together for his, becoming a trademark Jutsu, two Shadow Clones spawned into existence. They glanced at one another before heading over into the forest to get two long branches for a makeshift stretcher. Soon enough, they did and Sasuke set about watching the area for anything else while the clones took some cloth from their bags and wrapped them around the branches. Then they put Kakashi onto the stretcher before lifting the unconscious Jonin into the air.
Naruto then turned to Tazuna, smiling a bit, seeing that everything seemed to be going well now.
"Where is your house from here Tazuna-san?" asked Naruto calmly, to which the man looked around for a moment before smirking and pointing in a direction over his shoulder.
"Not that far… just another few kilometers down the road." said Tazuna before turning around and stepping off in said direction. Sasuke and Sakura soon fell in behind him with Naruto bringing up the rear with the downed Kakashi. As they started to reach the treeline Naruto glanced back to the battle sight, smirking to himself quietly.
'I am getting better… soon… Soon I will not need Konohagakure anymore…' he thought, satisfied with his abilities displayed today, before disappearing into the forest with the rest of his team, the mist swirling behind him and covering their passage from the area.
A/N: I know I know… not as large as my usual chapters but don't worry… all of you will be seeing that soon. Just had to get the beginning out of the way. So… let me know what you guys think, doubt it will be much different. Until next time!
Regards,
Monitor-2314 Omniscient Eye