Reunion and Retribution
Land of Waves, Tazuna's House
" Yes? Who is it?" Tsunami asked answering the door. Opening it she saw her father along with a small group of people.
" Otou-san!" She exclaimed, hugging him. Kakashi gave a perverted giggle which was cut short by Anko.
" Who are these people Tou-san?"
" These are the ninja I hired."
" Oh I'm-"
" Lady, not to be rude, but can we come in?" / " It's gonna rain soon." Said Anko, Enka, and Naruto together.
" Eh? I-I'm so sorry please come in." She stepped aside and everyone shuffled in. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Enka leaned on the walls, whereas Anko, Naruto, and Sakura plopped onto the ground. " Ano…how do you know it will rain?"
" I am a fire elemental. Water beats fire so I 'attuned' myself in a sense to the world so I can prepare myself for when I'm at my weakest." Enka answered.
" I am a wind elemental. I can feel the breeze as they fly by. The feel they bring can tell me when storms come, how strong it is, etc." Naruto answered as well.
" I…uh, well let's just say that I was taught to smell these things." Anko said hesitantly.
"O-okay." Tsunami said confused.
" Where is Inari?"
" He's-"
" Ji-san!" said a small child who came running down the stairs. " Who are these people Ji-san?"
" These are the ninja I hired to protect me when I build the bridge." Tazuna said. Inari just stared at everyone.
" Kid it's rude to stare." Naruto said.
" You're all going to die. Go home."
"…" "…" "…" "…" "…" "…"
" Inari! Apologize right now!"
" Che." Everyone stared at Naruto. " I expected you of all people would've strode to free your home from Gato. But I guess I was wrong, your just like the rest of these fools. Spitting on your fathers good name and reputation." Both Tsunami and Inari looked at him shocked. " I'll head into town tomorrow to see if this place even deserves saving. Tsunami-san is there a place we can sleep?"
" H-hai." She said quietly. " First door on the right."
" Here this should help with dinner." He gave her a scroll where their hunted food was stored. He turned in for the night.
" Can someone fill us in on what the hell that was all about?!" Anko said.
" Whatever it is you sure as hell upset him kid." Enka said. " Don't worry about what he said. He'd save this place even if it was inhabited by demons. That's how much of a heart he has."
" Well-" Tazuna began.
-S5-
Hideout
" Ack! Damn it Haku! Can you take it easy?" Zabuza said.
" Gomen Zabuza-sama, but that's the only way to do it." Haku replied as she pulled out the senbon.
" Tch whatever. Did you find out anything about those two?"
" No Zabuza-sama, they definitely have ninja training due to their speed and agility. But they don't dress like any ninja I've seen."
" No they don't, in fact-"
" I had heard that you were beaten by a bunch of brats and their teacher." Said a short and stout man.
" Gato."
" Pathetic, what do I pay you for!" he said swinging his cane around. He tried to prod Zabuza with it, but Haku grabbed it before he do so. " H-hey let go!" his bodyguards were about to draw their weapons, but found they weren't there.
" Looking for these." Said someone behind them. He like Naruto and Enka also wore a conical and had his own blades strapped around his waist. He was fitted with a battle kimono similar to Haku's however. He also wore a dark-blue haori with a black interior that currently hung on his shoulders. He pilfered the blades of the bodyguards and had them currently under their necks.
" They look like him" Zabuza murmured loud enough for Haku to hear.
" The hell is this asshole! Zabuza do something!"
" Relax Gato he's with us. Don't worry about paying him. He's just hear for a visit. Isn't that right?"
" …Right."
" Gr, fine. But you'd better get the job done." He said before turning on his heels.
" You're a smart man Gato, you have to be to have gotten this far." Gato didn't know how to react to his comment, seeing how he was a total stranger. " And you two." The man said looking at the guards. I can see that you both are skilled, but you need to take better care of your blades." He stated while giving them their blades back.
The three men left contemplating his words.
" What are you doing here Sovereign?"
" Heard word you were beaten."
" Yeah so. It was Sharingan Kakashi."
" Kakashi Hatake is skilled for sure. But the two of you are practically evenly matched. I did want to know which village got the upper hand on you, but now that's pointless. Besides you wield the Kūbikīri Hōchō , even Kakashi can't topple you without some knowledge of kenjutsu."
" …Yeah his brat saved him by swordsman's honor. And again with another brat."
" So Enka and Naruto. Finally, we were waiting for them so we could move along with the plan."
" You know them!?"
" They are fellow students under the same teacher."
" What plan?" Haku asked.
" Haku…how are things? I assume you saved him when things got heated."
" I'm fine, now what plan?"
" I'm hoping you both will help with it, but it involves those Konoha shinobi."
" Ah now that leaves us at an impasse."
" Yeah it does, which is why I don't want you to fight them."
" Look I don't care about your little friends."
" It's not them I'm worried about Momochi. I'm worried about you two. I have a bad feeling in my gut that something bad will happen if you go through with this. A good ninja never ignores his instincts."
" So what I'm supposed to listen to your stomach now! I need the money he's paying for the rebellion, and you're standing in the way of that. If you're not with us in this, you're against us."
" Tch, Haku please. Talk some sense into him." He pleaded. She looked conflicted.
"…Zabuza-sama…has spoken." She said strengthening her resolve. " You need to leave."
" I see. Then I bid you good luck." He said with a steely voice before leaving the hideout without a second glance.
-S5-
Naruto made good on his word and left for town as soon as he woke. Everywhere he looked there was something that reminded him of…'home.'
' Che, that place doesn't deserve that word. Just because of my burden, they would treat me like some monster. A demon. Ha! What a laugh. They're the real demons here.'
He continued walking till he came across the grocery store. He didn't like what he saw.
' They barely have anything to sell. And what they do have is outrageously overpriced and near-spoilt.' He sighed inwardly. ' I've got a lot of work to do.'
" Excuse me sir could I help you?" asks the shopkeeper.
" Yes tell me do you grow your own produce?"
" Y-yes I do."
" I see, but they're spoilt and near rotted. Am I right to assume that is because the economy here is poor."
" Y-yes. Ever since that shipping magnate arrived, everything went to shit. Everything I grow goes near spoilt because I had to jack my prices so high, and as you can see from the business here. Hardly anyone buys. We used to have traders that can I could get my produce to be sold elsewhere, but I had to stop since Gato robs me."
" When do bandits usually come by for their 'service' fee?"
" Please I don't want any trouble."
" You're already in trouble!" Naruto hissed. " All of you incompetent dickheads. If you had revolted all those years ago things wouldn't be this bad. But no, instead you all apparently need a leader to follow. A leader you turned your backs on, and whose name you all spit on. He didn't, shouldn't have died for you fools."
" You're talking about Kaiza. He was a fool going against Gato! Just look at what happened to him!" the shopkeeper argued.
" Had you all rallied with him, then he wouldn't have died that day. Gato would've been on the next ship outta town the day before." Naruto sighed. "Let's just…get back to business. Do you have anything that's fresh?"
" What exactly are you looking for?"
" Anything really, more specifically any vegetables."
" I can check and see."
" Please do. If not then if you have any seeds for gardening I'll take those as well. I'll be back."
" Thank for your patronage."
Continuing on his exploration of the town, he saw a lot of families without homes. One man grabbed him and began pleading with him to save his daughter.
" Calm down. Tell me where they take them."
" Not too far from here. I hear there's an encampment to the north."
" I see. Don't worry I'll save them. What's her name?"
" Aiko."
" Spread the word, but make sure to keep it on the down low. I don't want anyone harmed." Hearing this the man became filled with lost hope.
" Th-thank you so much."
" Remember keep it quiet. I don't want word getting out to the bandits about a rescue attempt. The less they know the more I can save."
He continued on again, played with some children and donating to families. Be it food, clothes, toys, or money. He did so until he returned the grocery store only to see an abduction happening before his eyes.
" Let me go! Lemme go!"
" Please don't hurt her-urk!"
" Now, now girly. You wouldn't want your dear old dad to get hurt now would you?"
" Hehehe hey man we're gonna have some fun tonigh-ack!" a blade was shoved through his throat and out his mouth.
" What the-gack!" another blade was protruding out of his stomach. " Y-you won't get away with this."
" Yes I will, cause all of you will be dead by tonight."
" Th-thank y-you."
" Oh sir you've returned! Thank you for saving my daughter! Thank you! Thank you!"
" Do you have what I requested?"
" Yes please it's on the house."
" Good cause I have nothing to pay it with." Naruto claimed as he took the items. The shopkeeper sweat-dropped.
" Ja-ne."
-S5-
" I need your help."
" What for?"
" I went into town today and saw how it was and to be frank I was sickened. But aside from that there have been a series of kidnappings all of which are women." This caused Anko to scowl, Tsunami to whimper, and Sakura to turn green.
" Sasuke and Sakura should stay here and protect the family. Kasai should protect Tazuna. I need you two to come with me to raid the camp and save the women."
" Well we're gonna need time to plan."
" Well it's gonna have to be as efficient as possible because I may have killed two men during one of their 'pay ups'." Kakashi face-palmed while Anko gave him a high-five.
" Let's move. We'll plan on the way."
" Hai."
-S5-
" Sempai I feel that Anko should free the girls." He stopped her before she could say anything. " They'll no doubt be traumatized from this and therefore distrusting of men."
" Oh fine."
" Then we'll take them out." The three nodded to each other.
" Scatter!"
-S5-
" Hey." The guard just nodded in response. Silence…
" They must be having fun with those girl huh."
" …Yeah…I gotta take a leak." The guard said walking off.
" Go right ahead. …Hmm I should call in the next shift." He began to set off as well, but Kakashi snuck up behind him and muffled his yell of agony as he shanked him in the spine.
" What the-gack! Ack! Ooa!" the pissing guard startled by his partner's death was quickly silenced by Naruto who reached his leg up and wrapped it around his neck before choking him out, pulling him to the ground, and stabbing him.
" Ugh I hate rapists." Naruto stated.
" Don't worry, they'll be dead by tonight." Kakashi said before blowing out the guard's lantern. " Let's move." And so the two ninja's ran about the perimeter killing all guards in sight, before setting on the guards in the outer grounds. " Wait. One of us needs to stay out here to make sure that patrolling guards don't escape. Get going, I'm the faster of the two of us. I'll be able to stop them from getting away." Naruto gave a nod and ran further into the encampment.
-S5-
Anko managed to sneak further into the encampment with help from Konran and Kakashi. Konran.
' There's something about him…but what? Ah what am I doing?! Get it together Anko you gotta save these girls.'
" Heh the boss has got another one."
" Really? Y'know it's pretty genius that he played himself off as a masseuse just to kidnap girls."
' Why that!-' Anko jumped into action.
" Yeah at least he-urk!" she snuck up and snapped his neck.
" Huh?-Grk!" she kneed him in the gut. She then grabbed his head before vaulting over him and pulled ripping it off slow and bare-handed.
" I'll kill him!" She finished her thought out loud.
-S5-
" Hehehehehe just wait there my sweet." Said the drunk off his rocker bandit leader.
" He-he-he." the woman forced a giggle. Suddenly the flap flipped open quiet, but quickly. Anko beckoned the woman to stay outside and wait.
" Ah~ now my sweet let's get started shall wee." Imitating her voice Anko said, " You'll have to catch me first."
" Hoho! As you command. Ah haha-oof! Ack!" He ran at her, but being drunk he tripped forward and she jumped on his head and landed behind him. " Hey you little-Gock!" She rammed a kunai blade into his throat before ripping it out sending his adam's apple flying.
" You sick bastard. Hey you can come in now." The woman came in and saw the body before she hugged Anko tightly.
" Thank you!" she cried.
" Don't mention it. Now do you know where the others are?" she shook her head.
" I just got here. He didn't even 'break me in' yet."
" I see. Do you know your way out?"
" No."
" Well follow me we're going to free the others and bust outta here."
" O-ok."
Anko ran off with the woman trailing her. Before she stopped.
" I hear crying."
" I know. Stay here. I'll check for guards, break 'em out and we'll get out of here."
" P-please s-s-sto-AH!"
" Shut up!" Anko saw red.
" YOU FUCKIN BASTARD!" the woman outside jumped out of her skin when she suddenly heard cry of pure rage. She then heard the loudest shriek ever heard from a man. Before the air was thick with silence with only quiet sobs to break it. Anko came out soon with a young girl wearing the former's trench coat.
" Ikkuso."
With the new info received from the girl they found the prison cages, and broke the women out.
" Alright follow me." Receiving nods from all heads she treaded fast, but steady. Having heard the scream of one less man in the world, Sovereign took this chance and stepped out in front of them.
" Wait." The girls began to get frantic before Anko got them to settle down.
" I'm gonna kill you bastard."
"…You assume I was involved in this."
" Why else would you be here!?" He stayed silent. " Che I thought so just die!" She leapt at him only to be kicked back into the girls who held her up. The man began walking towards them causing them to shudder. " Gr~ Stay back!" he stopped. Then took the coat off his shoulders and tossed it at her.
" Cover up. When you see Naruto tell him to return that to me."
" Wha-Where's Naruto?!"the man shunshin-ed away but his voice carried on the wind.
" You'll meet him. Sooner or later."
" What does that mean!?"
" Anko?!"
' Konran?' " Over Here!" Naruto ran into view. He turned and saw a mass of people and noticed Anko in the mix.
" Anko!" he stopped within 15 ft. when he noticed most of the women flinch. Hesitant to cause an anxiety attack he asked, " Is-is she okay." They all looked at each other before looking at him and nodding. He sighed in relief. He took a good look at her again and froze at what she was wearing.
' A haori? Where's her trench coat?! If someone-wait is that-Shit!' " Anko…"
" Hm?"
" Where'd you get that coat? And where's-oh. Where is that fuckhole! I'll tear 'im a new one!"
" Naruto calm dow-eh…"
" W-what?"
" G-gomen. It's just that the man who gave me this said that when I meet Naruto I should have him give this back to him."
" Well, then…let's go back to town. Sempai is waiting for us. We'll find someplace to shelter them until this whole thing with Gato blows over." He said gesturing for them to get going.
-S5-
" Why do you all keep trying!"
" Inari that's enough!"
" No! Why do you try when you'll just fail!"
" Because we have honor." Everyone looked at the door to see Naruto holding a sleeping Anko. " Because we have pride. Because if we, people who don't even live here, don't try who will? I'd rather die fighting this bastard tooth and nail without rest than become a useless whiney bastard like yourself!"
" Konran now you're taking it too far!"
" No I'm not. You don't understand Sakura. What does a crybaby brat like you know anything about suffering. You have parents. You have a family. A dad who was a hero, YOUR hero, and here you are spitting on what he fought for. Your mother, who fights through her grief for him every day, for you. Who doesn't appreciate how hard she works to keep her whiney burden fed. You don't know suffering. I have half a mind to slap you if I didn't respect your mother. Anymore and I may go through with it regardless. I'm gonna blow off some steam." Naruto said with finality, putting down the now awake Anko.
" Oi Konran! Nice going brat. We're ninja, we've seen things we wouldn't wish for others too."
" Anko-san not you too."
" No Sakura. They're right. He said the wrong things to wrong people. I had to watch my family be killed before my eyes hundreds, maybe thousands of times thanks to my brother."
" Orphans like me were punished for interacting with a boy who was thought to be a demon." Eyes rose at that. Two narrowed. " Though I bet your parents told you all about him, and how to avoid him huh." They only looked away in shame.
" I was a student to a man I thought of as father, turns out he became rogue and abandoned me after a failed experiment. I was shunned, scorned, and equally as hated as that 'demon' boy."
" We have all suffered Inari. Tonight myself, Anko, and Konran went to rescue women who were held hostage, some from this very village. The things they did to those girls warranted no mercy from us three. Those women would hate you for what you said. Remember, No matter how bad you've got it, there's someone out there whose got it worse." With those final words everyone went their separate ways.
-S5-
*sigh* " I'll apologize to him tomorrow."
" Don't." Naruto jumped. ' Wait that voice!' " Sovereign?"
" The moment he experienced suffering, was the moment he joined our world."
" What are you saying?"
" I'm saying that he would have heard those words eventually. It's better that heard it now, and from a stranger no less. That way should your words not get through to him he wouldn't place blame on his mother, who I suspect would've been the one to say it. It would ruin her, as well as their bond."
" I suppose so. Wait why did you tell Anko-san my name!"
" You being in Konoha, people tend to pry when it comes to mystery. Besides wasn't it you who wouldn't shut up about a beautiful girl with chocolate brown eyes way back when?"
" U-urusai baka." He said burning crimson. " And it was Tenten that I was talking about!"
" Heh thought so. Look the gist is that people will find out eventually. And I do want that coat back."
" I got it already!" said an irate Naruto, all while he chuckled mirthfully.
" Enough of that now. Come, show me how you've improved over the years." He said before settling into a fighting stance.
" Alright. Don't blame me when I cut you down a notch!" Naruto said charging forward.
-S5-
In a clearing with toppled trees scarred with slash marks was Sovereign standing over an unconscious Naruto. Blood leaked from his mouth a bit.
" Che. You really are one of a kind Naruto. You'll surpass me soon if I don't watch it." Looking skyward he continued his thoughts aloud. " Better step up my training." He flickered in a flurry of feathers.
-S5-
Haku was walking through the woods gathering herbs, though she's been struck constantly with distracting thoughts.
' Were we really right in continuing the contract? He said that his gut had a bad feeling. Zabuza-sama taught me to always follow my instincts…could it be he was mad at Sovereign? I know they never got along in the past, but…oh my.' Haku stopped at a clearing, that looked like some sort of warzone. ' What-what happened here?!' She spotted something in the distance. Edging closer she realized that it was a boy. Not just any boy though, the enemy.
' Should I? I mean this way we'd have less to deal with during our battle, but-no! I-I must, for Zabuza-sama.' Reaching out slowly her hand was poised to pierce his throat, and rip out his jugular.
Five inches.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
' I-I can't!' " Excuse me sir."
" Hrm."
" Sir. Sir."
" Mmm Shinde leave me alone."
" Shinobi-san!"
" Gah! Goodness lady!"
" Gomen Shinobi-san, but you shouldn't sleep out here. You'll get sick." Haku stated looking skyward.
" Thanks, but what are you doing out here?"
" My friend is feeling stiff so I am collecting herbs to grind into paste as an ointment."
" Wow! That's incredible. Are you a doctor? Nurse maybe?"
" No-no, but it's what I aspire to be. I love helping people."
" Would you like some help?"
" I-I wouldn't want to be a burden."
" Not at all. I'm happy to help. The name's Dai Konran by the way."
" Haku."
They picked herbs in silence, though Haku took this time to observe Naruto closely.
' Those eyes hide a lot of pain. Only those who've experienced the same will see it.' She noticed the amount of herbs they were picking and decided to leave the rest be, so more can grow.
" Well it was nice meeting you Haku-san, your one pretty girl just so you know." She blushed at this. " I'm sure your boyfriend must be glad to have you." She gained a sad look on her face.
" To you as well Konran-san." He gave her a worried glance before dashing back.
-S5-
Fight Day
Two figures approached the Tazuna household.
" Hehehe Gato sure is a sleazy man."
" I'm just hoping he'll let us have our way with her."
" Hey he doesn't have to know." they both gained lecherous grins on their now even more sick faces. Trailing them a few meters back was Sovereign, a look of fury on his face.
-S5-
Haku and Zabuza nodded to each other. " Hidden mist jutsu."
The workers on the bridge were making fast progress, when the fog came in.
" Alright people let's call it a day, we'll pick it up tomorrow. Guys?" Tazuna called out.
" Shit this is no ordinary fog!" Anko exclaimed.
" Tazuna get back!"
" The fog's too thick! I can't see-AH!"
" Tazuna!"
" Don't worry. I pulled him in with my hook." That made Kakashi sigh in relief.
' Whew thank you Konran.' " Take extra precaution in this mist."
"How about a wager Kakashi."
" What kind of wager?"
" Kakashi you aren't seriously considering this?!"
" My student versus your student. Should mine win I face the sword brat in a duel to the death."
" And if you lose."
" Then you leave Haku out of this."
" Z-Zabuza-sama!"
" Enough! So Hatake, we have a deal?"
" Deal."
" What are you doing!?"
" Don't worry Sasuke has all the backup he needs."
" Damn it Kakashi!"
" While our kiddies play why don't we duke it out." Zabuza said, blade already in mid-swing, giving them quite the startle.
-S5-
" Please I don't want to hurt you, surrender." Haku pleaded.
" Sorry, not happening. I yearn to test my abilities against strong opponents, and you so happen to be one." Sasuke took the basic academy stance. " I hope you don't disappoint."
" Believe me I won't." Haku said, her voice thick with conviction. They both charged.
-S5-
" Let me go!"
" Come on bitch stop struggling!"
" We promise it'll be enjoyable."
" NO!"
" Mama!" Inari screamed out. They looked to find him at the base of the stairs with his hands blocking his mouth.
" Well, well what do we have here?"
" Hey they didn't say anything about a kid"
" Leave him alone! Inari run!"
" Oh no ya don't! Gotcha little brat! Oi! What should we do with this one?"
" We only need one, he'll be dead weight. This one'll stop struggling once we're through wit 'er."
" Hear that brat." Zori kicked him down in front of Tsunami. " Say goodbye to mama!"
" INARI!"
BANG! The back door was kicked open. Sovereign threw a kunai between the eyes of Inari's would-be executioner. Before Waraji could react, he drew his blade in a flash and had the second man's head rolling on the floor.
" Go comfort each other. I'll handle the mess." Tsunami immediately rushed to Inari's side seeing if he was okay. Inari was like-wise hugging his mother with a death-grip. As this happened they missed Sovereign perform a water jutsu too clear the blood and gore from the scene. But they did hear a muffled thud of something being tossed, mostly likely the head, along with the dragging of bodies, before the door closed and it seemed like nothing ever happened.
" I have to hurry." Sovereign said to himself before taking off.
-S5-
" Ugh. H-how did we *huff* get in this situation?!" Naruto panted out. Cue the flashba-
" No!" Sasuke bellowed. " We don't have time for that!"
" I agree. We are in quite the dire situation." Enka pointed out. Haku sweat-dropped at their antics.
" I'm afraid that I have dragged this out far too long, I shall finish you here!" Forming ice needle on all sides of the trio she began leaping between mirrors at blinding speeds pelting them with a mixture of senbon and ice senbon. Both Naruto and Enka performed a series of maneuvers with their blades, that most would say looked like a dance in order to repel most of the damage, while Sasuke ducked and weaved between the two with a recently activated sharingan.
"Gack! Damn it!"
" Urk! ~Gr…"
" Argh! We need a plan to get out of this mess! I don't wanna end up as a human pin cushion!" Sasuke exclaimed.
" How about the two of you flank me with fireballs while I make a run for it, I'll pull you out with my hook-chain."
" Sounds good now go!" / " Katon! Hōsenka no Jutsu!" the fire duo cried out in unison. The volley of fireballs encircled above and down the sides of Naruto as he sped along with them deflecting any metal senbon sent at him.
Fss…fss…fss…fss. ' Shit! The ice senbon has already cut down half the fireballs!'
. . ' Come on Naruto!'
. . The fireballs are gone. ' Almost there.' Haku seemed to appear out of nowhere because she was suddenly in front of Naruto and kicked him back to the center.
" Ack!"
" N-Konran!"
" Damn it so close."
" A good ploy, you nearly succeeded. However, no one escapes this jutsu, ever. Hyoton! Fuyu no Akumu!" the wall of mirrors sealed up completely forming a now solid dome.
" Shit I can't see anything."
" Shh! What's that noise? It almost sounds like…grating."
" Ah fuck! The walls are closing in on us!"
Standing outside the dome was Haku.
' Can I really do this? Sovereign would be crushed! He'd never forgive me for killing his friends! I-I-I'm so confused.' The dome was getting smaller. ' Gomen.'
" Sasuke!"
" Yeah!"
" Seeing as how we're about to die I just want you to know-"
" What!?"
" That despite how much you have improved in personality since we first met, you're still a lost cause."
…
" Sasuke?"
…
" Enka?"
…
" Guys!?"
…
…
…
The ice dome came down to reveal the three ninja lying unconscious, with Haku standing behind their prone forms with her face in her hands.
" Sumimasen Zabuza-sama. I have failed you. I-I am but a broken, useless tool."
Bzzrt~ chirp~chirp~chirp~chirp~chirp
" No there is one last thing that must be done."
-S5-
" While our kiddies play, why don't we duke it out!" Zabuza said estaticly. His blade already in mid-swing. This made both combatants curse and barely avoid it's path, causing it to dislodge into the bridge. Almost immediately he vanished into the mist again.
" Is it me or is he better than last time!?"
" Focus. We need to separate him from his blade."
" You don't need to tell me twice!"
" Come on! You're borin me here!" Zabuza said from behind Kakashi. This time he was ready and substituted himself with…snakes?
" Shit!" He said but he was too slow with his recovery after his attack to avoid being bitten just above his wrist. " Fuck!"
" Gotcha now no-brows. Ninpo! Senaijashu!" dozens of snakes flew from her sleeves and constricted his movement.
" Kuchiyose!" Nin-dogs of different breeds appeared in puffs of smoke to bite down on the mist user's limbs.
" Urk! D-don't you think this is a bit much!?" Zabuza scolded. Both Jonin scratched their cheeks, and answered, " Just a tad. But we're not taking chances."
" Feel privileged Zabuza, you get to witness my only original jutsu. Raiton! Raikiri!" Time seemed to slow down as Haku appeared before them shielding Zabuza from the incoming attack.
' No…' " HAKUUU!"
' Fuck!'
' Shit! I'm going too fast, can't stop!'
SPLSH! Everyone's eyes widened.
Plsh.
Plsh.
Plsh.
With Kakashi's right hand in his lung was Sovereign, his hands grasping Kakashi's wrist to prevent it from piercing Haku.
" Hrng!" Splish! Kakashi retracted his hand from the victim.
" Gack!"
" Sovere-" Haku started.
" It's…Shinde…Ha-*cough*-ku-chan." *Gasp* *Weeze*
" Sh-Shinde-kun, you idiot. WHY!? Why would you do that?"
" *Gasp* Because…I…*weeze*lo-*cough*love…you." Coughing up more blood he looked at Zabuza. " Hehe…I *Gasp* told ya…*weeze*I had…a…feeling *Gasp*."
" I get it kid. You told me so. Now stop talking. We can try something…right?" Kakashi looked down and away. Haku cried harder.
" Bridge…"
" Huh?"
" Th-throw me…off…bridge.*cough* Now!"
" Wha-what!? N-no!-" Before she could say more Zabuza beckoned towards Kakashi to help him, and together they both tossed him over. " NO!" SPLASH!
" Kakashi what the hell!" Anko blurted out.
" BAKA ZABUZA TOU-SAMA!" Haku shrieked while feebly beating her hands on his chest. He just hugged her to him in comfort, as she wept.
The three genin woke up at this point.
" What happened?" Naruto asked. Kakashi shifted uncomfortably while holding his bloody hand. They noticed this.
" What happened to your hand sempai?" (Naruto) Kakashi looked away in shame.
" Is that your blood?" (Sasuke) He shook his head in negative.
" I have a bad feeling." (Enka) Zabuza sighed deeply.
" No. We were fighting as well when they gained an upper hand on me. Haku jumped in the way of the attack in an attempt to save me, but…"
" But what?" (Three)
" He…Shinde…"
" No." Enka and Naruto said together. " NO!"
" Where is he!?"
" He requested to be thrown over." Naruto scowled and turned away from everyone, while Enka pinched the bridge of his nose.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
" Well, well, well. Isn't this a sight to behold. I'm glad I decided not to pay you Zabuza, seeing as how you failed to kill a bunch of brats and their teachers." Gato said with a chuckle. Behind him stood a massive horde of mercs.
" Gato you double crossin-"
" What. Don't tell me you actually thought I'd pay you. That friend of yours was right when he said I was a smart man." The man said with a sniff. " I would hire out ninja like yourself, missing or rogue. Have you do the dirty work and cash in on your bounties. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" he cackled making the rest of them do so too.
" We should have-I, should have listened to him. I'm so sorry Haku." Zabuza murmured.
" Oh and what do we have here." Gato said, eyeing the girls eerily and making them shiver with disgust. " They look like they could provide some entertainment. The first ones to bring me those girls will get an extra bonus stipend." That riled them up.
" Haku." Naruto muttered.
" H-hai? *sniff*"
" Heal Zabuza." Enka finished. " We're gonna need his blade to do its job."
" Please."
" H-hai." She got straight to it. With Anko providing an antidote.
" Ikkuso!" They said drawing their swords.
Charging ahead Naruto cried out, " Uzumaki Kenjutsu! Senpū no Būredō!" executing masterful sword strokes Naruto began rotating in a hack-n-slash spinning fury. A few paces back Enka carried out a flaming quadruple flip and landed perfectly on Naruto's blade who then flipped him back into the air while simultaneously catching his sword on fire. Coming straight back down Enka managed to land on Naruto's other blade catching that on fire as well, before he was flipped even higher than before and landed a few paces away and released a fiery explosion killing a good number of mercenaries.
" Holy hell…" Anko said in awe.
" Perfect coordination." (Kakashi)
" They're monsters." (Sasuke)
" HRAAAAH!" Zabuza battle cried. " Kyobona-hito no Geijutsu! Sutoraikureido!" and flinging his zanbatou with all his might it began a cyclone of death. Clipping limbs, bisecting torsos, and decapitating heads.
Jumping out of its warpath Naruto pulled out his Kusarigama and began slicing through bodies once more. He wrapped the chain around one person's neck and pulled him in for a shield while he tossed the metal weight at the end towards Enka's general direction.
Grabbing a handful of throwing knives, Enka began igniting them on fire before shouting, " Katon! Undo Suzume!" Upon throwing them, any one marked-ehem grazed will be set to explode once it hits the main target, causing a chain explosion. He threw them in all eight directions before kicking back the weight Naruto threw with enough force to shatter any skull it came across on the return trip back.
Amidst the bloodbath and cries of the dying came one blood-curdling scream.
" GWUUAAAAAAAAH!UWA! *BLUB**BLUB**BLUB**BLUB*" The source of this came from Gato as a sword was plunged into his neck so deep it most definitely punctured his lung, seeing as how he drowned in his own blood. His killer was a man drenched from head to toe in both water and now blood.
" SHINDE!"
" Put down your weapons and surrender, now. Any who fail to comply will be terminated effective immediately." He said in a chilling voice.
The ignorant few who didn't recognize the danger present spoke out.
" Che yeah right. Like we're supposed to listen to the guy who killed our meal ticket." They charged him.
" Muhi no." he muttered and was enveloped in a soft orange light. " Issou!" in a flash the ones immediately in front had been amputated from the waist down. The ones remaining staggered back in fear. One man kneeled.
" Please. Mer-"
" Bu-!"he cut him off with a quick beheading. The next one keeled over in fear. " Rit-!" The last man felt his weapon fall from his slack grip. He fell to his knees and put his palms together in prayer. " Tsu-"
" Stop!" he was hugged from behind. " No more fighting. Please Shinde, stop." Without a sound, Shinde merely flicked his blade clean before slowly sheathing it with a soft click.
" Let's make this clear. You are to aid in Wave's reconstruction in order to pay your debt. In exchange for your help they will provide you with food and shelter. Afterwards, should you decide to leave, you are free to do so. However, I suggest making a living here." That shocked some people. "Wave is in need of protection, this was made painfully clear when Gato came into town. The townsfolk may have finally managed to grow a backbone-"he indicated this with a tilt of his head in their direction. They saw a mass of people gathered also listening to his words. " But even still they have no fighting experience. When traders come back get hired to guard their ships and caravans, Etcetera, etcetera. However, should I find out that you are terrorizing them once more...I hunt you like the animals you are." He stated coolly with a cold, steady gaze.
" Hey, Hatake." (Zabuza)
" Hmm?"
" With Gato's betrayal, our contract is now null and void. Let's go Haku…Sovereign." They nodded and the three shunshin-ed off.
" Well I believe we all deserve a break for today no? Let's head back to Tazuna's shall we?" Kakashi eye-smiled.
Before leaving Tazuna made one last announcement.
" You all heard him. To anyone looking to get paid, be hear at 0900 sharp."
-S5-
Gato's HQ
After freeing the last of Gato's slaves, the three shinobi headed for the main office.
" So he told you his combination."
" Yes. He's a smart man in that he's overly cautious. He hired a ninja proficient in seals to craft him one that ignites his savings in an event that someone attempts to rob him."
" Che, he really was a crafty bastard."
" Shinde."
" What is it Haku?"
" How did you survive?" Zabuza was curious to know as well.
" Being born in wave, one has an incredibly high chance to gain a Kekkei Genkai, and if your fortunate, more than one."
" You're saying you have more than one." Zabuza asked bug-eyed.
" Yes."
" What are they?"
" I have the capability to control liquids of all degree, no matter what it may be if it has or is in liquid form, I can control and manipulate it. With ease given enough practice. Perhaps one day I'll be able to pull water from the air like the Nidaime."
" Can you demonstrate?"
" I will when I have the perfect samples."
" Hrm. What else."
" Only with an equal amount of water to the damage done and an equal amount of time as well can I be fully healed. Water can heal me as well as others."
" Anything else?"
" A dojutsu. A mixture of sharingan and byakugan."
" That's a bold claim."
" Slowdown of the sharingan, 360 from the byakugan."
" Wouldn't that make you overpowered?"
" Normally yes, but it's more like omnipresent detection of what's immediately around me. I can't actually see three hundred sixty degrees. It's perfect for counters. I'm a swordsman who loves Iaijutsu and the techniques revolving around them."
" Hm."
" That's wonderful."
" Haku…may I speak with Zabuza in private?"
" Er-sure." She bowed out the room and closed the door. They waited for her footsteps to fade before beginning.
" What's this all about?"
" Zabuza as I said before I wanted you two to take part of the plan."
" So what is this plan of yours."
" We want to show the Nations that it's shinobi can work together as a cohesive unit. And what better place to do that than the chunin exams in a few weeks-time. To do so we'll need at least two squads made up of different members from each nation."
" Go on."
" I myself shall be going under Alias: Sovereign again until time deems otherwise. Alongside me will be fellow students Codenamed: Soyokaze and Shiroi Inazuma. Our Jonin sensei will be our first and original sensei, Chigo Dokatsui."
" Why all these codenames?"
" A good ninja keep secrets and never fully trusts another. A great ninja hides secrets with secrets and whose name is never known. A ninja to be is one never heard of."
" Ugh, sorry I asked. just get on with it." Shinde chuckled.
" I would like for the second team to consist of Haku…Momochi-" Zabuza gave no visible reaction. " Alias: Kasai, and one other of your choosing I guess. I would ask that this person be of unique skill and lots of potential."
" I'm assuming you would want us to accompany the Konoha ninja back to their village."
" Hai."
" What shall you be doing?"
" Training. I would be honored if you would let me fight in your name for Kiri's rebellion. I'll show you my skills as a swordsman if that will help convince you."
" To be rid of the Civil War after all these years…"
" Yes, however…"
" What now?"
" The current Mizukage must vanish. As a member of the seven swordsmen you know that something in the Yondaime changed. He was a calm collected person who did things with true purpose and reasons. But something is clearly wrong with him."
" If you think that-"
" Let me finish. I hate him as much as the rest of us, not only because of what he did to me, but to Haku and the rest of the innocents caught in-between. But he's a kage for Kami's sake. Not even the most trusted advisor can influence so well."
" So what do you propose then?"
" Everyone knows of the fight between Hashirama and Madara. It is said that Madara could summon and control the Kyubi. A Bijuu. If he can do that to a construct of chakra imagine what he could do to a jinchūriki, of the Sanbi."
" So what your telling me is that you somehow believe that Madara survived that battle and is still living."
" No. I'm saying that the sharingan has the ability capable to influence kage level ninja."
"…Say you're right. If you're right and he is being controlled how can you convince people that he wasn't in control of his actions."
" Forgive if you can, but never forget." Zabuza breathed deeply and sighed.
" Fine. However, Should you be wrong, then you will kill him."
" Of course."
*sigh* "Then by my blessing, I Zabuza Momochi, lend you right to fight in my name. You have the honor of being my right hand."
" Of course we'll still have to test you." They smirked at each other. They also failed to detect Haku listening at the door.
-S5-
" Okay so just who was that guy to you?" Kakashi and Sasuke asked.
" He is a fellow student." Naruto answered.
" The first to be chosen and taught by sensei." Enka elaborated.
" Zabuza called him Sovereign as they were leaving, but we all heard him say his name was Shinde."
" Yeah what's up with that?" Anko piped up.
" Ninja alias or codename, meant to hide identities." Enka clarified.
" Though he must've really liked her to give her his name." Naruto pointed out to him.
" And you two?" Kakashi questioned.
" If you want to know who we are you'll have to take that up with Lord Hokage."
" I can write you up for insubordination."
" No you can't Kakashi, They clearly said only the old man knows their identities."
" Can you really believe that two genin has the Hokage's backing on something like this."
" Yes, I do. Who are we to question the kage's decision."
" Besides you clearly saw that our skill level was higher than any a genin would have." Naruto again pointed out.
" So this next part pertains to you two Sakura, Sasuke." Enka said getting their attention.
" Should anybody other than you two find out or have any information on us that's classified, then either one of you blabbed-" Naruto started.
" Or that person is a spy and should be detained immediately." Enka finished.
" So are we done here? Because it's been a long day and I would like some rest." Naruto yawned and stretched.
" I think we all could do with some rest."
" Wait!" Sakura blurted out.
" Yes." They said in unison.
" You both fought off and k-killed tons of people. How do you not feel anything. And how come your not covered in blood?"
" We took a bath in the river before putting new clothes on."
" We burned the old ones to keep it from being traced to us. And sadly this is the life of the shinobi Sakura."
" If you're not comfortable with it then you never should've signed up."
" Just remember that if you feel sick, guilty, or remorseful for taking a life then you know you're still human."
" But never hesitate when you do it. Because that will get you killed instead."
They left them to think on those words.
-S5-
Over the next week, Tazuna was busy with the construction as he had to make sure his new recruits did their jobs right. Meanwhile, they also received a surprise visit from Zabuza and his apprentice Haku. Stating that they would like a rest from being on the run constantly, they sought refuge from the village.
" You know that Konoha can't harvest criminals without a proper reason."
" The refuge we seek will be in service, at least until this damned civil war dies down"
" Also I'm guessing that you don't have an official sensei." Zabuza asked earning a negative from Enka. " I would offer to be your sensei along with Haku and one other." That made them speechless.
" Are-are you certain? I would be honored to be a student under a swordsman of the mist."
They continued to make small talk late into the night before turning in.
With all the new hands involved the bridge was finished by the end of the week. Zabuza and Haku showed up as they were being sent off with a little surprise.
" Sovereign-san managed to get Gato's combination code before his death. This was all his money he had inside."
" Kai." Out of the scroll came stacks of money, all that Gato ever stole from them along with the money he currently stockpiled from his business as a shipping magnate.
The people rejoiced. Most cheered. Others cried. The rest laughed with relief.
" This is more than enough to get the town running again!" Tazuna cried.
" Send us the payment once your back on your feet."
" Actually-" Naruto spoke up. " perhaps someone should take over where he left off. He was the biggest shipping magnate in the biz. However this person needs to have an iron will and steely conviction when making business decisions, while also showing a kinder more compassionate side that he never had." Enka picked up on where he was going with this.
" I nominate Tsunami for the position." He said.
" Same here."
" I agree with them!"
" Yeah!"
" Tsu-na-mi! Tsu-na-mi! Tsu-na-mi!" Looking at everyone having so much faith in her she couldn't say no.
" Hai, I accept. I shall do my best." Everyone started flipping shit, metaphorically seeing as they were outside. The group began to leave when they heard someone shout " wait!". They turned to see Inari panting.
" Wait.*huff* I wanted to apologize for what I said. And I wanted to thank you for what you've done for us, so thank you" he said with a bow."
" Your welcome." (Sakura)
" Hn." (Obvious)
" No problem kid." (Naruto and Enka)
" Don't mention it brat." (Anko)
Haku, Zabuza, and Kakashi stayed silent. With Kakashi eye-smiling and Haku smiling gently.
" And, I promise from now on to never cry again. And to never take what I have for granted." They looked at each other before Naruto walked up and knelt in front of him.
" Hey it's okay to cry when your happy and sad. But sometimes you have to suck it up and look strong for everyone when times get tough. Remember that."
" Hai. Thank you all."
-S5-
Bio:
Sovereign: A.k.a Shinde, No Surname. Orphan due to Bloodline Purge Civil War. Dressed similarly to Naruto and Enka. Not much else known. (To you anyway…for now XD) Hinted former relations with Haku Momochi, former bloodline orphan by name Yuki.
Bloodline:
Name: Uknown, Type: Rare/extinct, Stated to manipulate any and all matter once in liquid form, basically god of water XD jk just godly manipulator of liquids (no dirtiness), when following law of alchemy/equivelant exchange, water (solely water) can heal most manners of wounds (Save for brink of death or dead.), active dojutsu presents omnipresent detection and prediction of movement seen as slowed time. That's all that's known for now.
Techniques: (That may need translation/explanation)
Uzumaki Kenjutsu; Senpu no Buredo: Uzumaki Swordplay; Blades of Whirlwind
Kyobona hito no Geijutsu: Art of the Berserker
Sutoraikureido: Strike Raid
Issou: Clean Sweep
Burittsu: Blitz
Undo Suzume: Kinetic Sparrow