A week passed extremely quickly for Team Seven, as Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura worked on tree walking as much as they could, Sakura working to be able to do it for longer periods of time, while Sasuke and Naruto tried to improve their chakra control. In his own spare time, Naruto had finally realized the value of Shadow Clones, being able to retain their memories.
So, when not working on tree climbing, Naruto had begun sparing with his clones, in taijutsu and in kenjutsu, gradually improving as he was actually able to SEE the weaknesses and openings he had. Even if he had no actual technique to his kenjutsu, Naruto's constant ability to improvise extremely well NEARLY made up for his lack of practice and technique. Almost.
But as a full week had finally gone by since their arrival in the Land of Waves, as each member of Team Seven awoke in the morning, they could all feel as if something was going to happen that day, Kakashi knew that Zabuza had to have finally been recovered, just like he himself was. But this time, Zabuza was not going to have Kubikiribocho, since Naruto had taken the two broken pieces of the sword.
Everyone was awake, except for Naruto, who had thoroughly exhausted himself the night before in his Shadow Clone training, but Kakashi knew that that was best, he told Sasuke and Sakura that it was fine to let Naruto sleep in, but Kakashi really let him sleep in so that he would be there in case Gato tried something on Tazuna. So the three members of Team Seven left that morning with Tazuna, knowing that they would likely be in a fight for their lives.
Naruto would not be woken, until nearly half an hour later, when Inari cried out, "Mom!"
Instantly, Naruto was awake, and before he could register anything, he was already downstairs in the kitchen of Tazuna's house, instantly recognizing that Tsunami was being held by two rough looking men, and Inari was near tears, about to run forward, as the thug not holding Tsunami laughed, "Looks like I get to kill two brats, not one."
Naruto narrowed his eyes menacingly, "You are going to let her go, or I am going to make you!"
The thug laughed again, a disgusting and cruel sound, before pulling out a sword, "Try to make me, brat!"
Naruto's hands quickly met into the Ram Seal, as Naruto shouted, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Four Naruto clones popped into existence, two running at each thug, as the first clone launched himself at the sword wielding thug, dodging a slow and clumsy swing of a sword, and punched the man hard in the face, knocking him off balance and tumbling to the floor.
In no time at all, both attempted kidnappers were tied up, while a very thankful Tsunami and Inari hugging as both were incredibly relieved that Naruto had been able to handle the two thugs without a problem.
Naruto ran back to his room, only just now noticing that he had defeated two thugs while in nothing but boxers and an undershirt, quickly getting dressed in his jumpsuit, strapping his sword to his back, and just on a whim, grabbed the two parts of Zabuza's Kubikiri Bocho that were wrapped in black cloth.
Getting back downstairs, Naruto shot a bright smile at Inari and Tsunami, "See Inari? I took care of Gato's men no problem! Now I need to go help my team protect your Jiji, stay here and stay safe, alright?"
Inari nodded, a few more tears escaping his eyes, "Thank you, Naruto!"
It was only a few minutes later that Naruto arrived at the bridge, immediately taking in Sasuke surrounded by giant ice mirrors, while the other end of the bridge was covered by the Hidden Mist Jutsu, though Naruto could hear Kakashi and Zabuza fighting.
Seeing the poor state that Sasuke was in, Naruto's first instinct was to try to sneak into the mirrors with Sasuke to get him out, but that thought was discarded as Naruto looked down at the two broken sword pieces held in his arms, as an idea that had been forming in his mind since he had picked them up, nagged at him. With his mind made up, Naruto ignored Sasuke in the Ice Mirrors, even as Sakura yelled at him to help him, and ran towards the mist.
Naruto did not even make it close to the mist before Kakashi dashed out, stopping in front of Naruto before turning to face the mist, a kunai held in his hand defensively, "Naruto this fight is out of your league, don't think it would be better to help Sasuke?"
Naruto shook his head, eying the mist wearily, "But I have an idea to end this fighting, Kakashi-sensei!" Raising his voice so that Zabuza would clearly be able to hear him, Naruto continued, "Hey Zabuza! I want to offer a trade! I am willing to give you back the pieces of your sword, IF you promise to leave, and allow the bridge to be completed!"
Kakashi tensed as Zabuza's voice drifted out of the mist, "Do you know that I am being paid a million ryo to kill that old man, Brat? And not to mention it was you who broke it in the first place?"
Naruto faltered, a million ryo was a hell of a lot of money, "Who cares! Kakashi-sensei said you were once part of some legendary swordsman's club or something, so I am willing to bet that this sword is worth a lot more than that to you!"
Zabuza glared at the annoying blonde haired brat, holding the broken pieces of Kubikiri Bocho like it was nothing but a common bargaining chip. 'I want to kill that brat so badly, but damn it all I can't fight the Copy Ninja like this without Kubikiribocho. Fuck Gato anyway, the sleazy slum probably wasn't going to pay up anyways.'
Naruto peered around Kakashi, who was constantly scanning the mist with his Sharingan, "So? Do we have a deal Zabuza?" As Naruto's voice began to echo over the bridge, the mist covering the bridge began to dissipate, before Naruto and Kakashi could see Zabuza standing in the center of the bridge.
"Haku! Playtime is over!" Zabuza's sudden and loud voice broke the heavy silence surrounding the three of them, before the large ice mirrors melted into nothing, and Haku appeared next to Zabuza in a blistering display of speed, "As you command, Zabuza-sama."
Sakura ran immediately to an unmoving Sasuke, crying his name repeatedly in panic.
Zabuza scoffed, "Don't worry, I'm sure that your genin brat is alive, Haku never has killed anyone yet. Now I will take your deal, brat, you throw me the pieces of Kubikiribocho, and Haku and I will leave."
Naruto moved to stand next to Kakashi, who had visibly relaxed, but still had a kunai ready in hand regardless, "Just one more thing Zabuza! I want you to train me! If you were such a legendary swordsman, I want you to train me to use my sword!"
Kakashi started, and looked angrily at Naruto before turning back to Zabuza and Haku, "No, I don't think so, Naruto give him the sword, and we will all part ways."
Kakashi expected Naruto to argue, and had a reprimand ready before Zabuza's voice carried over to him, "No, I will do it, I accept your deal brat. You give me back Kubikiribocho and not only will I promise to leave, but I will train you too, and how about a deal breaker for you, Kakashi? I will kill Gato too while I'm at it."
Naruto was quick to reply, "Deal! Now here!" Naruto threw a piece of Kubikiribocho over to Zabuza, though Haku stepped in front of him to catch the piece, and tuck it into her kimono. "You get half of it to deal with Gato, then the other half after you train me!"
Zabuza scoffed again, "You must think you are some big shot to order me around, brat."
And then the two of them were gone, leaving Team Seven behind on the bridge, Sasuke unconscious, Sakura hysterical, Naruto feeling victorious, and Kakashi thoroughly confused by Zabuza's offer.
AN: Hey sorry this took forever, I just lost my muse to write for a long time, depression and all that. It's short but it took me a really long time to even put this together, because shit happened, sorry. Drop reviews or pm me with questions or comments, they help motivate me.
