Chapter 4= To The Land Of Waves

Disclaimer= I don't own Naruto or Techniques from any other anime etc.

Sorry the update took so long, I didn't have time. I wrote this chapter in an hour time, so expect some mistakes along the way and kindly inform me.

Now answers to a few reviews

Anarion87: Thanks. Keep up the good work and inform me if there are any mistakes in this chapter

Noahendless: that's something I don't like about the cannon as well. Cannon Naruto doesn't have the slightest clue of how a shinobi should act and behave.

Kmd2davis: Don't worry. There will be no tails and fox ears involved as I hate that particular tidbit myself. I can't count the number of fics I've stopped reading just because of that. What I've planned for Naruto is something I'm sure you would love.

Novrier: First of all, I would like to thank you for your honest opinion regarding my fic. Its readers like you that I look forward to reading their reviews because they don't just sprout non sense out of the blue. Now I'll explain one by one.

I admit being mistaken on the issue regarding Gai's team as they would be far older than that of the rest, but I also have a reason for that. That reason is that Cannon Rock lee shows far superior skills in Taijustu than even most Jonin, so that means he had trained for a long time.

As for your suggestion regarding Gai's Chakra usage, that's a little bit invalid as he can't use Chakra in Taijutsu otherwise his blows would be comparable to that of Tsunade's punches and he can't use or utilize Ninjutsu just the same.

The Sword is Fire based and Naruto is also Fire manipulator, so they will complement each other perfectly.

Now as you said that he knows way too much, I'm afraid that is something I can't change. He Will know a lot of things. The knowledge of seals is something he had been studying since he was 7, so he will know it, but he won't be a master of it till the Shippuden Arc. The control over Fire is what he trained for three years straight to achieve and since it's an ability given to him by the fox. He will be slowly getting powerful, not too slow and not too fast. Have you seen any battle in this fic where he had defeated a Jonin by punching him through a wall, of course not. He uses deception and mind games without giving too much info regarding his abilities.

Hope that answers your questions. Now something had come to my attention. You guys don't review much. When I said it wasn't necessary, I didn't meant it to be completely useless. I was saying that if you enjoyed my fic, at least say so, so I can update more often and with more vigor.

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Next Morning, Front Gate

Naruto arrived at the front gate in unhurried stride the next morning two hours late from the designated time as he knew Kakashi would do the same no matter what, so why bother?. The sight that greeted him was both humorous and irritating, both his teammates and the drunken bridge builder had arrived on time without even thinking about Kakashi's tardiness. He could certainly excuse the bridge builder as he didn't know Kakashi that much, but Sasuke and Sakura should have learned by now that he wasn't about show up early.

Sasuke and Sakura had backpacks filled to the brim with things he didn't want to know about, especially Sakura's, honestly it was way more convenient to store everything in a storage scroll. He walked up to them and inclined his head as a greeting, and got the signature 'hn' from Sasuke , Tazuna just grunted in response, no doubt frustrated about waiting for the perverted Jonin. Sakura on the other hand was more vocal about her 'greeting'.

"Where the hell were you? We have been standing here for the past three hours for you and that pervy sensei of ours". Several tick marks grew on her forehead when Naruto blissfully ignored her and leaned against the gate. She was about to scream at him for daring to ignore her when he suddenly spoke up.

"Kakashi, for how long do you intend to stand there?" the two Genins plus the client looked around for the cyclopean Jonin, but found no sight of him anywhere. Kakashi took that moment to jump down from his position on the tree and land in front of the Genins without making a sound.

"Yo" Kakashi greeted pleasantly with his signature eye smile, but winced when Sakura retorted with her usual 'You're late' shriek. Blissfully ignoring her, he turned towards the tallest person of the group and eyed him with barely veiled interest and curiosity.

"How did you know I was there?"

"I can smell you" Naruto answered curtly, not wanting to give any information about his abilities. Sasuke and Sakura blinked in surprise not having expected that kind of answer while Kakashi frowned.

He had talked with the Hokage after giving the test and passing the team, however when he had mentioned the blond's name, the Sandaime's face had showed a variation of emotion he had not expected. The Hokage had an expression reminiscent that of guilt and sorrow. He had been disturbingly surprised because he knew the relation between the Hokage and the tall blond was that of a grandfather and his grandson.

He couldn't count the number of times he had come to the Hokage office to give his report, only to find the aging professor read stories for the blond while he listened in dazed fascination. He was the assigned bodyguard of the Third so he knew the number of times the Hokage would take the blond out for ramen or simply for the blond to stay with the Sandaime and help him with his paperwork.

For the old man to show such emotion implied something else, something must have taken place between the two. It seemed even the Hokage didn't know the full extent of the blond Jinchuriki's talent. So far he had only shown amazing speed, incredible stealth and monstrous Taijutsu, while he could certainly understand his prowess in Taijutsu and his speed as the Hokage had informed him of the blond two year training with his insane 'Eternal rival', anyone who had trained with that lunatic was destined to be a monster in Taijutsu, he was more amazed and intrigued about his evasion from his battle hardened senses.

He was perversely stunned when he perceived the emergence of a tiny almost imperceptible smile on the exotic red eyed Jonin's lips. Apparently his Genin was a major player if he'd melted the Ice Queen of Konoha, he was going to the bottom of that particular tidbit, for the 'good' of Konoha of course, not to quench his thirst for perverted goodness. Nope not at all.

"Ok, now that everyone is here" He looked at Sasuke pointedly whose eye twitched in frustration "Let's move" With that done, Naruto took the front with Sasuke and Sakura taking the left and right respectively while Kakashi slowly took the back with his head buried in his perverted novel.

They group started walking through the carved path towards the Land of Waves in a relative silence, well the rest were quiet while Sakura excitedly fired questions one after the other at Tazuna.

"So Mr., Tazuna, what is Wave like?"

"Well, Wave used to be the center point of trade through the nations, but now its but a mere shell of its former glory" Tazuna looked visibly uncomfortable with direction of the topic, as noted from his curt and short answers.

Sakura looked back towards the book reading Jonin "Kakashi sensei, I was wondering.. Doesn't Wave have any Ninja's?"

"No" Naruto tuned out Kakashi as he started explaining the Five Great Nations and their means of protection. He was slightly peeved by their nonchalant attitude towards the significance and the danger of the mission; they could be attacked any second. If Kakashi really wanted to teach them History, he should have done it in the village. Going to a hostile country without any info about their weakness and strength was totally idiotic. He on the other hand had taken the liberty of researching the Land of Waves and its surroundings thoroughly.

Several hours later, the team plus the client came up on puddle of water in the middle of the road on their way towards Wave. Naruto noticed the puddle and looked towards the cyclopean Jonin, to confirm his suspicion and got a nod in return. He walked past it without a care, knowing the element of surprise was over for the pathetically hidden enemy. A few seconds later, he heard a gasp and turned around just in time to see Kakashi replace himself with a log.

The Shinobi were two in number with scratched Mist headbands with strange horns like protrusions and black masks reaching up to their noses. The two wore matching black outfits with gauntlets connected to the other by see saw chain.

"One down.." one of the horned Ninja said, his voice distorted due the presence of the mask " and three to go" with that the two dashed towards the group.

Sakura was frozen in fear and horror either from seeing their sensei torn to pieces by the chains or from their killing intent, Naruto didn't care either way.

Sasuke snapped into action and charged at the dashing Chunins with his Kunai drawn. He dodged the first and hurled a valley of Shuriken at the connected chain, impaling the chain to the tree and kicked both the brothers in the face. The brothers grunted in pain and glared at the runt for daring to attack them. Both looked at each other, silently strategizing their next course of action and nodded. Sasuke was instantly on the defensive as he saw the brother use brain instead of brawn, dodging one kick and punch after the other. Spit flew out his mouth as a particularly hard punch to the stomach hurled him back towards the group.

Panting in exhaustion and anger, he turned towards Naruto only to see him sucker punch one of the brothers, due to the momentum of the kicked brother, hurling them both towards a tree. One of them sprawled unconscious and the other slowly got to his feet, only to scream in pain when a searing and absolutely agonizing pain ripped through his stomach. He looked down at his impaled stomach and saw a terrifying sight.

A raging blade made entirely of crimson flames except the handle was lodged in his stomach, looking at the black masked boy, he knew he was dead the moment the blade impaled him. He didn't even sense the cloaked boy up until now. To have stealth capabilities great enough to fool two seasoned Chunins was not an ordinary task. It seemed Zabuza had his work cut out for him.

Naruto looked impassively as the flames from the blade covered the entirety of the Mist-nin, ignoring his scream of horror and pain as he was reduced to ashes. His team plus the client flinched upon hearing the pleas of the burning Ninja and the terrifying visage of their giant teammate with his hands covered in blood, black cloak wavering in the wind and the raging sword of flames.

"Naruto, you didn't have to kill him, you know" came the stern voice of the apparently alive Kakashi, as he witnessed the merciless action of his blond Genin. Kakashi gave his signature eye smile when Sakura bellowed that he wasn't dead in relief

"I killed one of them. You don't need two for the interrogation" Naruto said coldly in his usual monotone voice. He failed to see any consequences of his action, considering he did what was needed of him. Kakashi just sighed in resignation.

"I guess you have a point. What is with that sword? How did it ignite flames? I have never heard of a sword with that kind of ability" Kakashi questioned in open curiosity as he had seen the destructive nature of the sword. The sword was not just an ordinary sword as it had reduced the Mist-nin to ashes. More importantly, how did he get the sword? So many questions and no answers.

"Kakashi, I presume you know that I work as a forger in my spare time?" Seeing Kakashi nod in confirmation, he continued "then you should know that I made the sword myself. It's quite ordinary except the seals I've drawn upon them. You see the seals on the sword have the unique ability to turn the Chakra of the victim against them. The moment the sword is impaled into a victim, the seals slowly converts the Chakra of the victim into fire, thus destroying his Chakra Pathways and ultimately reducing his body to ashes from the inside out".

That was enough bull shit to fertilize half of Fire country, but they didn't need to know that now did they? While the invention of that kind of seal was not entirely impossible, it was still out of his grasp, for he was not that adapt at the Art. Yet.

Kakashi detected a slight hint of glee in his strange students tone, no doubt enjoying the gawking looks of his teammates and the client. He however was still uncertain and skeptical about the sword, while he had no uncertainties about the Uzumaki Clan's greatness in the Sealing Arts; it was nevertheless beyond Naruto's comprehension to create something like that, considering he was still a Genin, a powerful one but a Genin nonetheless.

What was even more mysterious was the fact that the sword had vanished as quickly as it had appeared with a puff of smoke, giving them no time to see its actual appearance.

Sasuke was seething in barely concealed jealousy. To think the clanless loser had the power to send two Chunins flying with a hard punch and possess knowledge of the Sealing Art so great that he converted his sword into a perfect tool of destruction just by drawing a few squiggles on it! He should have that kind of weapon; he should have that kind of Sealing Art prowess in order to kill his brother.

Sakura on the other hand was absolutely terrified of the blond as he mercilessly burned the Mist-nin to a crisp with no remorse whatsoever. She had always been afraid of the tall blond as he exuded an aura of death. No matter how hard she had tried to overcome her fears of the blond, she couldn't. The black high collared cloak, the black face mask with no eye holes scared the living day lights out of her every time.

Kakashi took a hold of the unconscious Mist-nin and dragged him to the bushes, no wanting to have his innocent Genins witness an interrogation. A few minutes later, he emerged from the bushes and turned towards Tazuna with his visible eye narrowed.

"I believe you have something to tell us Mr. Tazuna" Tazuna started sweating nervously and fidgeted with his sake bottle.

"W-w-what are you talking about?" he asked in a nervous stutter.

"Something regarding the Chunins targeting you" Kakashi pressed probingly.

Tazuna sighed in resignation, realizing there was no other way then to come clean and spill the beans "Ok. Wave was a trading center long ago until that son of a bitch Gato came. He bought all the business ports and other major points of trade of our country. We didn't oppose because he portrait himself as a simple businessman looking for potential profitable investment. Slowly but surely, he took control of the island and revealed his true color. Since our country is an island and all the ports were bought by that slim ball, we had no choice but to create a bridge to the main land lest we starve to death." Tazuna finished his story with a few tears in the end for extra effect.

"Gato? Gato of the shipping Company?" Kakashi asked in surprise.

"Yes, the very same. While he appears to be doing normal business, in reality he is the master mind behind black marketing, slavery and other scandalous crimes throughout the Elemental Nations" Tazuna said in disgust "but it's okay, if you don't help me. I will die and my daughter and innocent grandson will have to fend for themselves"

"Then you should've so said at the first place. Why put my students at risk?"

"Because Wave can't afford anything above the payment of a C rank mission" Tazuna said in defeat, letting a few tears drop down his face.

The team, minus Naruto sweat dropped at the sobbing old coot. Sighing in resignation, Kakashi turned towards his Genins, as it was to be their decision whether they wanted to continue or not.

"So, what do you three think? The mission is no longer a simple C rank, but an A rank. It's up to you if you want to continue or return back to the village"

Sasuke was unquestionably in as he had an unwavering expression on his face. No way was he going to let the blond loser secure all the attention and glory. He was going, no matter what.

Sakura looked noticeably panicky as the assignment changed from C to A rank so unexpectedly, but if she said no, then her 'Sasuke-kun' would be disappointed in her. If she said yes, then she was doomed.

"I say we carry on with the mission. But if you three lack the resolve to continue, I will carry it out myself" Naruto said dully, as he gazed at Kakashi with his eyes narrowed, challenging him to refuse, not that they could see his eyes anyway.

"Naruto, you can't just continue with a mission without your colleagues' approval" Kakashi said in a rigid tone with his visible eye narrowed at the blond. If that was his method way of intimidating the giant blond, then he was sadly mistaken.

"What would the Leaf look like in the eyes of the other villages if we were to overlook a simple A rank mission, not to mention our image towards that of our clients" he was going no matter what they said. He was Naruto Uzumaki dammit

"I hate to say it, but the loser is right" Sasuke stated with an arrogant smirk on his face.

"I-I agree with Sasuke-kun" Sakura said meekly, still not quite sure of herself.

Naruto gazed at Kakashi who was rubbing his temple in frustration. Kakashi just knew that this situation was going to bite them in the ass, or rather bite him in the ass. The next opponent was most likely going to be Zabuza Momochi seeing as the Demon Brothers were his subordinates, but he had no other choice. As they say 'majority is authority'

Tazuna looked up at the three Genins in gratitude and mumbled 'Thank you' repeatedly.

"I guess we're continuing the mission"

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Land of Waves

The group stepped out of the boat owned by a friend of Tazuna, into the land. Dismissing and thanking the boat owner, the group continued their stride towards Tazuna's house. The mist was obscuring most of the things from their vision. Even when Tazuna informed them of the regularity of the mist appearance, Naruto still couldn't shake off the thought of someone watching them.

Sensing something behind a bush, Naruto instantly took out a kunai and hurled it at the bush, startling his teammates and the client. He cautiously took step after step in the direction of the bush, only to see a white furred rabbit barely saved from his kunai.

"Naruto, what the hell is your problem? You almost gave us a heart attack" Sakura shrieked in anger while trying to calm her frantically beating heart. Kakashi and Naruto had other thoughts running through their heads.

'Rabbits don't have white coats at this time of the year. So that means it was raised indoors, that means its purpose is …' Smelling the scent of carbon and blood, he calmly turned towards his teammates.

"You might want to duck" Kakashi's eye widened in surprise and quickly tackled his two Genins and the client to the ground to avoid their heads being separated from their bodies by a long sword.

The sword went spinning over their heads and lodged itself in a tree, just as it stuck the tree, a shirtless black haired man with camouflage pants appeared on the hilt of the sword, facing the other way, with his back turned towards them. He slowly turned around for dramatic effect only to see a kunai racing towards him at frightening speed.

"Holy shit" Zabuza cursed as he avoided the kunai and jumped to the ground "What the hell is wrong with you, Blondie? I was just about to say the witty one liner when you rudely interrupted me, don't you have any manners at all" The group minus the blond Jinchuriki sweatdropped at the indignant attacker.

"Never show your back to an enemy" Naruto retorted coldly as he slowly retracted his outstretched arm, signifying he was the one who had thrown the kunai

"Zabuza Momochi, also known as the Demon of the Mist. A rank missing Nin from the Hidden Mist." Kakashi said in a knowing tone, as he had already expected him to show up after the failure of his lackeys.

"Kakashi of the Sharingan, I'm honored" Zabuza stated mockingly, with a small mock bow "Now that that is out of the way, kindly hand over the old man or we'll have problems". Sasuke looked at Kakashi in surprise, wondering how a non-Uchiha had the Sharingan, while Sakura looked confused, not having heard the name before.

"Sharingan! What's that?" Sakura questioned in confusion, turning towards her crush in hopes of receiving answers from her 'Sasuke-kun'. Sasuke took that as an opportunity to boost about the greatness of his clan's Dojustu.

"The Sharingan is the most powerful of all the known Dojutsu's as it has the ability to..."

"Stop your History lessons. This is neither the time nor the place for you to stroke your mountain size ego to inconceivable heights. And sorry to burst your arrogant bubble, but Sharingan is not the most powerful Dojutsu. That honor belongs to the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, Rinnegan". Sasuke glared at the tall blond for rudely interrupting his monologue and degrading the greatness of his clan's Dojutsu while Sakura frowned at him for insulting her 'Sasuke-kun'.

"We already have problems as we are not handing over the bridge builder" Kakashi said far too cheerily for Zabuza's taste

"Fine, have it your way then" He slowly raised one arm above his head and the other up to his chest and muttered "Hiding in Mist Jutsu"

Kakashi reached for his hidden eye to reveal a crimson eye with three commas swirling lazily around the pupil.

Just as the name was uttered, a thick blanket of fog was formed, slowly obscuring everything from sight. Kakashi cursed, knowing the Sharingan was practically useless in this fight. He twirled around to his Genins "Gather in formation C and protect the bridge builder".

The Genins did as they were ordered and surrounded the bridge builder with their Kunais' drawn "Don't let your guard down as Zabuza is a master of the silent killing". Sakura visibly gulped in fright, now regretting her decision of ever agreeing to the continuation of the mission.

Killing intent the likes of which they had never experienced before rained down upon them, making it harder for them to even breathe. Sakura and Tazuna were visibly shaking in terror while Sasuke was fairing no better, but still better than the other two as he had endured the killing intent of Itachi during the massacre of his Clan.

Naruto on the other hand had no problem seeing as he had experienced the breath stopping and absolutely terrifying killing intent of the Nine tails during his many visits to his mindscape. The Ki Zabuza was showcasing was nothing but a mere drop compare to the ocean that was the Kyuubi's killing intent.

"Hoho, it seemed the rude bastard is not affected by my Ki, impressive" Came the voice of Zabuza from all directions at once "Now then, where should I strike first?"

Naruto was impassively looking around to pinpoint the location of the eyebrow less freak, but was having no such luck. They didn't call him a master of the Silent Killing for nothing after all. It seemed he would have to rely on his other senses to find the Mist-nin, fortunately for him; his senses were already beyond that of a Human.

Channeling Chakra into his ears and nose to enhance them further, he closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. His eyes snapped open, suddenly turning around to stabbed Zabuza just as he was about to cleave Tazuna in half. The Zabuza he had stabbed suddenly turned into water and splash down to the ground "That was a lucky shot, brat. Next you won't be so lucky"

"You're right" Zabuza hastily tried to turn around only to grunt in pain as a kunai stabbed his heart, seeing Kakashi with his Sharingan spinning around hypnotically.

Kakashi was immediately alarmed when Zabuza smirked and turned into water, looking around frantically to catch a glimpse of the Mist-nine. He spun around as he heard a dark chuckle from behind him and his eyes widened in disbelief when he was sliced in half. Zabuza's arrogant smirk instantly vanished as the sliced Kakashi turned into and felt a cold metal pressed against his throat.

"Impressive, you were able to copy the Water Clone Jutsu even through the mist" Zabuza let out a dark chuckle as he praised the Copycat Ninja "but I'm not that easy to die"

With that said, the apparently clone turned into water. Kakashi hastily spun around just in time to bring his arms in a cross shape in front of his chest to reduce the impact of the kick, but was still sent flying into the lake nearby. He immediately tried to get out of the water, when he felt something odd about the water.

Realization struck him, knowing exactly why the water felt denser; he tried to get out but was restrained as Zabuza appeared above him with his hand in the ram seal "Too late. Water Prison Jutsu"

The dense water body surrounded him like a balloon, try as he might, he couldn't get out "You three, take and go. You can't defeat him" Kakashi shouted in alarm from his water prison, hoping the Genins would heed his warning and flee.

"Kakashi, are you high or something? If we run, he will kill you and come after us regardless of our speed" Naruto said dryly, as if scolding a mere child. He couldn't believe someone like Kakashi would suggest something of that idiotic nature. Kakashi couldn't help but sweatdrop at the smartass comeback from the tall bastard.

"When you put it like that, I guess you've a point" Kakashi said defeatedly, hoping they would at least free him if nothing else, having witnessed the blonds speed, he had no doubt that he would be freed.

"You sure are amusing, Blondie. Neither of you have the slightest idea of how Shinobis should be. When I was your age, I'd already slaughtered various adversaries with my hands" Kakashi gazed up at Zabuza in surprise and barely concealed disgust.

"Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Mist. Long ago, the Mist village was known as the Bloody Mist village…." He was rudely interrupted by his blond student, who was giving him a deadpan look.

"Kakashi, do you honestly believe this is the time to give History lessons considering your current predicament. You should be more worried about finding a way to get out, rather than stroking that old man's ego"

'Sometimes I hate you, Naruto' Kakashi lamented mentally with anime tears streaming down his face, muttering something about 'know-it-all' blonds and 'disrespectful students'

"Who are you calling old, you brat" Zabuza screamed as several tick marks grew on his forehead.

"Apparently you're quite sensitive about your age. But let me assure you that everyone is getting old, so you have no reason to feel left out" Naruto said plainly, while internally snickering at the eyebrow less Nin. He was slowly sowing the seeds of hatred and anger in the Nin's mind to make him take irrational action.

"I AM ONLY 29 DAMMIT" Zabuza roared at the impertinent blond, while the tick marks on his temple gradually swelled in numbers and more pronounced. Ignoring the fuming Mist-nin with a wave of his hand, Naruto turned around just to mess with him and discreetly placed his hands on the ground in a sitting position.

Zabuza saw red as he looked at the insane blond turning his back to him and siting on the ground, as if he was no threat at all; well he would show him by slicing him in half. Roaring a war cry, he released the cyclopean Jonin and dashed forward intent on slicing the insolent blond in the middle, not seeing the smirk on the masked blonds face, not that anyone could see it due to his inexpressive black face mask.

Just as he reached the siting blond and swung his sword to leave the blond a bloody mess on the ground, the blond vanished and the earth surface beneath his feet began glowing as he suddenly felt a undeniably strong force pushing him towards the ground, feeling as though he was carrying a mountain on his shoulders.

"What the hell did you do? you insolent brat" he roared, seeing the tall blond appear a few feet away from him as he struggled to free himself from whatever trap the blond had laid. From the looks of it, it was some kind of seal, which must mean the huge blond was adapt in Seals.

"It's not what I did, it's what you did. I laid out a role for you and you played that role admirably. Your part was to attack me without thinking. I have no interest in your age, life or family. My only goal for mentioning your age was to provoke you enough to take irrational action, without thinking of its consequences. You didn't take into account that you had Kakashi trapped in your Water Prison and thus sealed your faith"

Zabuza's eyes widened as he took into account the facts laid out by the calculative blond, he was so angry that he forget about Kakashi entirely. Looking at the unmoving blond, he knew one day he would reach to heights unimaginable.

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The group had once again started walking towards Tazuna's house. A grumbling Sakura and a fuming Sasuke could be seen carrying an unconscious Kakashi while Naruto could be seen walking leisurely behind the group deep in thought. The battle had soon become one sided as soon as Kakashi had been freed. Zabuza had his ass handed to him on a silver platter by a fuming Kakashi, only to be saved by a Hunter-nin.

That's the exact reason why he was so deep in thoughts. If his knowledge regarding Hinter-nins was correct, then that one was obviously a fake. The reason behind his suspicion was that the Hunter-nin took the body with him instead of just the head and used Senbons to put the body in death like state momentarily. Whenever a Missing-nin is captured by Hunter-nins, they cut the head as a proof of their mission success and ignite the headless body in flames to prevent any secrets being leaked out to enemy village. The fact that the Hunter-nin took the body with him led him to the only conclusion that he was a fake one and that Zabuza was not dead.

Kakashi had apparently overused his Sharingan and had passed out after the battle, leaving the team the responsibility of his body's safety. He had left that particular aspect to the two members as they had done nothing but shake in fear while watching the battle helplessly. When they had asked why he was not carrying the body, his response was because he was Uzumaki Naruto, that's why.

They reached a small house built near the edge of a river and knocked on the door. A moment later, a woman in her early thirties with light pink blouse and blue skirt opened the door. As soon as her eyes located the familiar sake drinking old man, she jumped and fiercely hugged the man.

"Father, you're back. I was so worried" The woman exclaimed in a obviously relief tone, glad to see her father again safe and sound while the drunk bridge builder laughed loudly and gladly returned the warm hug.

"I'm fine, Tsunami thanks to these Ninja I hired" Gesturing behind him, The now named Tsunami saw two children carrying an unconscious man while a tall masked blond man was standing motionlessly.

THUNK

"What the hell is the matter with you? An injured man is with you and all you can do is drink sake and laugh, have you no shame?" Tsunami shouted and continuously bonked her father with a frying pan that she got from who knows where while the rest of the team sweatdropped, except Naruto.

"I know who wears the pants in your family, Mr. Tazuna" Naruto commented dryly with a bit of humor as tick marks grew on Tazuna's temple.

"Hurry, take him upstairs. He needs his rest" She was interrupted by the tall cloaked man.

"Kakashi, if you don't stop feigning to be unconscious right this instant, I guarantee I will hurl you out into the river" Hearing the blonds open threat, Kakashi smiled sheepishly and opened his eye slowly only to receive a frying pan to the head rendering him unconscious for real. The group followed the trajectory of the frying pan in reverse to find that indeed it was Tsunami who had beaten the living daylights out of the perverted Jonin. Noticing the incredulous expression of the team and the deadpan look of her father directed towards her, she asked 'nicely'.

"What?" Tsunami snapped at the group "He had the nerve to pretend he was unconscious while in reality he was enjoying being carried by those poor kids. When he wakes up, he better have a great explanation or he is going to take more than just a frying pan to the head " by the end of her little rant, she was cackling manically, rubbing her hands like an evil scientist , no doubt coming up with ways to torture the cyclopean Jonin.

"I think I like her" Naruto commented after a moment of silence, seeing her brutally viscous blow and twisted logic. Anyone who can torture the perverted Jonin was a plus in his book. His comment got him a beaming smile from the aforementioned 'torturer'.

He couldn't help but return the smile albeit a tiny one, not that she could see it.

This was going to be an interesting mission for sure.

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Hope you enjoyed it.

Next update will be after I post another story. It will be Naruto xover bleach. I think you will enjoy it. This by no mean implies that I will abandon this story; no. both will be updated one chapter at a time.