Chapter 6:

Sakura's head swerved around, taking in the dull surroundings.

"There's so much fog I can barely see in front of us," Sakura said in quiet wonderment. "Hey, Oji-san, is it always like this?" She asked turning to the man currently rowing the boat.

"Some days," came the short and terse reply. Silence once again engulfed the occupants of the boat. Naruto had been miraculously quiet since they had been attacked and was sulking at the bow. The man suddenly spoke again. "The bridge will be visible soon. Once we reach the side of the bridge, we will be in Nami no Kuni."

And sure enough, a sudden large shadow was discernible through the thick fog which took the shape of a very large, unfinished bridge. As they got closer, they could spot the equipment and materials on top of the bridge, but no workers seemed to be present.

"Wow! It's huge!" Naruto suddenly burst out, scaring the rest of his companions.

"Hey! Keep it down!" The man rowing the boat said in a hushed whisper. "I took this boat under the cover of fog. I even cut the engine and am rowing the boat by hand instead. If we get caught, we'll be in for some major trouble."

Naruto's hands covered his mouth and the rest of the shinobi shifted, slightly unsettled at atmosphere.

"Tazuna-san. I would like to ask you something before we make it to land." Kakashi said. "The identity of you assailants as well as the reason they are after your life. If you do not tell us, our mission may end once we reach the pier."

'Not only did he phrase it as a question, but he added a threat to ensure an answer,' Sakura thought, tucking in the tactic for future reference.

"It appears I have no choice but to tell you. No, not only that, I want you to hear this. As you probably know, this may be well beyond the scope of your mission. I'm being targeted by a terrible and influential man."

"Terrifying man? Who?" Kakashi prompted. Civilians' definitions of terrifying were very imprecise after all. To civilians, a large wild boar was terrifying. To most ninja, that would have been a D-rank, maybe an easy C-rank. But in the case that they had been ambushed by chunin-level Mist-nin...

Tazuna was silent for a bit as if considering his words.

"You've probably heard his name at least once before."

"Get on with it old man," Sakura grumbled. "No need for the extra dramatics." Tazuna gave her a brief scalding look before sobering up.

"A shipping magnate by the name of Gato." Kakashi's visible eye widened.

"What? Gato... of the Gato Company?" Kakashi asked, stunned.

"Never heard of him." Sakura said, slightly disappointed with the turnout.

"Me neither." Naruto chimed in.

"Hn," Sasuke said in what might have been a noise of agreement.

"I mean, who the heck is so arrogant and self-absorbed that they would name their own company after themselves?" Sakura said.

"He's one of the world's richest men... We are talking about the same Gato, right?" Kakashi asked Tazuna.

"The very same one. On the surface, he's the chief executive of a shipping company. But underneath, he's a drug trafficker and deals in contraband using gangs and shinobi. Moreover, he runs a despicable business which he uses to take over nations and enterprises without mercy."

"What's contraband?" Naruto whispered to Sakura.

"Their goods that have been brought in illegally. Usually means they bring stuff in without paying or the things they're bringing in are banned." Sakura said with furrowed eyebrows.

"It was one year ago that the retched man started setting his eyes on Nami no Kuni. He used his wealth and violence to come into the country, and before anyone knew it, he had taken complete control of the island's maritime transportation and shipping."

"Which is the worst thing that can happen to Nami no Kuni which is composed of several islands and is isolated so far from the mainland." Sakura said with a grimace.

"Yes, he pretty much controls finance, the government, people... everything." Tazuna agreed.

"You can't control people." Sakura said sourly. "There is bound to be some sort of rebellion. I guess that's part of your reason for building a bridge? Not only would it allow free trade without the use of maritime transportation, effectively lifting Gato's control over the nation, but building a bridge is an act of defiance that would definitely piss him off. No, the very idea of the completion of the bridge must terrify him. No wonder he's going as far as to hire shinobi to kill you..." Sakura said with a hand to her chin. Her head turned as Tazuna stared at her blankly.

"What?" She asked.

"You're... not as stupid as you look."

"Stupid... as I look?" Sakura repeated slowly.

Kakashi pushed his female student to the side before she blew a fuse. She landed on the bottom on the flat of her back with a small 'oomf'. He turned to his client.

"Tazuna-san, there is one thing I don't understand. Your opponent is dangerous enough that he would go far as to hire shinobi. Why did you hide this fact when you made this request?"

Tazuna actually looked slightly ashamed.

"Nami no Kuni is a very poor nation, to the extent even feudal lords have no money. Obviously, us ordinary citizens have no money as well. We cannot possibly afford to request for a B-rank mission or higher," Tazuna said bitterly.

"Of course, if you pull out of the mission once we get ashore, without a doubt, I'll be killed. Before I even make it ashore." Sasuke twitched at the old man's tone. "But this is none of your concern! If I die, my cute grandchild, who's going to turn eight soon, will cry his heart out!"

Sasuke stared at the old man. Was he for real? A turn of Sasuke's head confirmed that the rest of his teammates saw through the old man's ploy as well, but he could see guilt clearly written on the Shusa's face.

"And my daughter will blame you Konoha Shinobi for the rest of her life and grieve in solitude. Oh! But it's not your fault at all!"

Kakashi scratched the metal of his forehead protector. The old man was clearly guilt tripping them into continuing the mission. No doubt it was clearly dangerous, and if one of his students died, he would only have himself to blame... Could he handle another death? Before Kakashi could think too much into it, his female student spoke up again.

"Oi, Jiji. If you wanted us to stay, there were betters way to do it. That was just depressing." Sakura said.

"Could have said please," Naruto murmured.

"I guess we have no choice. Let's continue with the mission," Kakashi said holding his arms out to the side.

He heard his Uchiha student mutter, "Actually, we do have a choice."

"Oh! I am eternally grateful!" Tazuna exclaimed as loud he could afford to given his situation.

The shinobi did not miss the victory sign he made to himself.

"We're nearly there," the boatman said. "It looks like we haven't been noticed up til this point, Tazuna."

"Yeah. Thanks."

Sakura watched with great fascination as they reached the end of the bridge and rowed into one of the several tunnels that connected to the land inside. Dim lights lined the ceiling of the tunnel.

Naruto and Sakura both leaned forward at the bow as the light at the end grew brighter until it revealed...

Sakura gasped in delight. There was no fog covering the waters and the sound of seagulls could be heard. The water was a beautiful blue, and buildings and establishments lined the shores. There were large mangrove trees located closer in the shallower areas adding to the beauty of the scenery.

"Whoa!" Sakura and Naruto chorused. Sasuke nearly rolled his eyes. He let his eyes take in the village as they got closer to the dock. The buildings seemed worn down, and there was an absence of both chatter and people. It was somewhat eerie.

The boat finally reached the boardwalk where they all climbed out. The boatman stayed, saying "This is as far as I go. See you around."

"Yeah. Thanks. You've been a huge help."

"Be careful, and finish that bridge." The man replied, cranking the motor and leaving in a wake of water.

They watched the man as he moved out. The bridge was a bit clearer from this view.

"Alright. Get me home safely."

"We're not at your home yet?!" Naruto yelped.

Ugh. Kakashi groaned internally. The next attack won't be Chunin, but elite level Jōnin. Troublesome.

The group had moved from the small port onto a wide path through the woods. Naruto was walking at the front as always, and Sasuke was quick to catch up. Kakashi raised an eye as Naruto shot the stoic boy a look before bounding ahead. The energetic boy stopped, holding a hand over his eyes as he looked from side to side. There was a small rustle.

"There!" Naruto shouted, whipping out a kunai and throwing it into the bushes. They heard the cry of a very shocked animal. Tazuna was staring at Naruto with wide eyes, shaking slightly.

"Heh," Naruto said as got out of his stance. "Just a mouse," he said smoothly as if nothing had happened.

"Baka," Sakura said as she walked up to give him a light smack on his head.

"I don't think you even hit it." Sasuke commented.

"Shut it, Sasuke!"

"Pleases, Naruto!" Kakashi said in slightly higher voice. "Don't use kunai knives so recklessly. It's dangerous!" His hands waved up and down in a calm-down motion.

"Hey brat! Don't go doing stupid stuff!" Tazuna yelled. Naruto ignored him as he continued scoping the tree line.

"I sense a presence over there! No, over here!"

Kakashi suddenly felt a presence as he jerked his head towards a bush. He could tell most of his students felt it as well.

"There!" Naruto shouted again as he threw the kunai in his hand at the bush.

"Idiot. Stop." Sasuke said condescendingly.

Sakura rushed towards the area Naruto had thrown his kunai and jumped the bushes. She walked back out seconds later with a shivering and terrified white rabbit in her arms. She was cooing gently to it, reassuringly petting its fur.

That's a snow rabbit. But the fur color... The coat is only supposed to be white during the winter where there is very little sunlight. Which means... it was probably raised indoors without sunlight to be used as a substitution..!

"Naruto, be more careful," Sakura chided. Kakashi coughed to get their attention. He opened his mouth, ready to tell them to let it go. Sakura immediately turned, shielding the shivering creature.

"No."

"I didn't say anything," Kakashi said in a placating manner.

"You're not allowed to kill him, you're not allowed to eat him. I don't care who's it is, we're keeping it." Sakura glared, leaving her description vague.

"Sakura, you know," Kakashi started.

"No."

"Sakur-"

"No."

"Saku- Argh. Fine." Kakashi sighed running a hand through his hair. Why were kids so difficult? Had this been what Minato-sensei had put up with?

"Usagi! I'm so sorry!" Naruto yelled bounding up to Sakura who handed him his kunai. The rabbit had calmed down considerably although its eyes were still wary.

"Shh! Naruto you'll scare him more." Sakura scolded, but none the less held the rabbit out for Naruto to pet.

Kakashi's head slowly scanned the surroundings before resting on a nearby tree. Guess they're already here then.

Kakashi's eyes widened as he sensed the abrupt movement come from the tree and a glint of steel erupt from the foliage.

"Everyone, get down!" Kakashi yelled.

Four pairs of eyes swung towards what seemed like a large blade spinning towards them. The reaction was immediate, and they immediately dropped flat on the ground. The large blade whizzed past their heads before arcing, and embedding itself deep into a tree trunk. The group watched in horror as a full grown man appeared out of nowhere and landed on the handle of the large blade with his back facing them.

The man slowly rose and turned his head towards them. His hitai-ate denoted him as a Mist nin, the same as the previous attackers. However, there was a much more dangerous aura about him. The fact that he was even exposing his back to the enemy nin meant he was confident enough in his skills that he could fend them all off easily. Sakura stared warily as she handed over the white rabbit for the old bridge builder to hold. The man standing on the sword seemed... familiar?

"Well, well," Kakashi said jovially, walking towards the man to draw his attention. "If it isn't the nuke nin of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi!"

Sakura immediately grabbed Sasuke and Naruto who were staring at the man and shoving them closer towards Tazuna. Naruto let out a loud yelp as he was thrown back just as he was about to move forward.

"Sakura-chan! Why'd you do that?" Naruto whined.

"Be quiet, Naruto." Sakura said in a serious voice. "We'll only get in the way here. This guy is on a completely different level from the ones we met yesterday."

Kakashi inwardly thanked his female student.

Him being our opponent means... Kakashi raised his hand and gripped the bottom of his hitai-ate. That things might be a little tricky as they are now.

He heard his students shift curiously as they saw him touch the hitai-ate.

"I assume you are Sharingan no Kakashi," Zabuza said. The first words he had said since his arrival. His voice was deep, and slightly rough.

However, this was not what held Sasuke's attention who stared at his teacher with widened eyes. 'What?' Sasuke thought, his mind spinning.

"Sorry, but... I'll be taking the Jiji there." Zabuza said. Kakashi lowered his stance at the killing intent that was slowly growing larger.

"Ano, Zabuza-san. I don't think we can do that. You see, if we hand the old man over to you for you to kill, we have to deal with a severely depressed woman and a crybaby child. Not to mention Jiji- er I mean our Hokage would be furious with us for continuing a dangerous mission that we should have immediately returned from and reported and Kakashi-sensei might get fired and we'd be in a whole load of trouble and we'd never get higher than a D-rank ever again, and that's if he doesn't ban us from being ninja forever I mean. I'd rather complete the mission since then Jiji won't completely blow a fuse and give us another really long lecture." Sakura sucked in a huge breath as she finished her speech. "Ah, I really needed to get that out."

Kakashi nearly face-palmed.

Zabuza looked unimpressed.

Sasuke sighed and muttered 'Shusa' under his breath.

Naruto looked panicked as he realized the truth of the pinkette's words. If they failed...

"Just... get in Manji battle formation. Protect Tazuna, and don't interfere in our fight." Kakashi finally said. "That's how teamwork works in this kind of situation."

"Eh?" Naruto said.

"It means the guy is super strong, Naruto. Just listen, and do it for now." The three genin jumped in front of Tazuna, a kunai whipped out. However, their attention was drawn to their sensei who lifted his hitai-ate up.

They saw a closed eyelid marred by a long scar that seemed to stretch from the top of his face, to some place beneath his mask. The eyelid rose revealing a blood red eye with three black tomoe that surrounded the pupil. The three genins' faces displayed varying degrees of shock and emotion.

"Sharingan..." Sakura whispered in slight awe. It was beautiful.

"Fight me," Kakashi said lowly.

"Well now..." Zabuza murmured as he felt excitement rise. "I never expected to see the rumored Sharingan so soon. This is an honor." The Mist-nin turned to face forward. There was no way he could let his guard down.

"Everyone's been saying Sharingan, Sharingan! What is it?!" Naruto demanded. To his surprise, it was Sasuke who answered.

"Sharingan... Power that the light of the eye generates and the pupil emanates. The user of this dōjutsu is said to possess the vision to see through all Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, and Taijutsu, and is able to reflect them. The Sharingan is a type of eye that is unique to the user of the dōjutsu. However, that is not the only power of the Sharingan..." Sasuke trailed off as he recalled the techniques his brother had used.

"Well said," Zabuza said. "That is not all. What's the most frightening is that such an eye can assess an opponent's techniques and copy them.

Naruto looked a bit lost.

"Basically, it's a special eye that only some people have that can see through all attacks and can copy them as well. Some might call it cheating." Sakura summarized for Naruto.

Her eyes narrowed as the area suddenly was enshrouded by a thick mist. Her eyes strayed over to the small lake nearby. Seeing as he was formerly from Kirigakure, who were known for using water-based attack, he was no doubt going to use it to his advantage.

"When I was in the Kirigakure ANBU Black Ops, there was search information about you in the Bingo Book that I carried around. There was also something else in the book... About the man who had copied over one thousand jutsus, Copy Ninja Kakashi."

'Kakashi-sensei is actually that incredible of a ninja?' Naruto thought. He stared at his teacher with new eyes. "W-wow."

Sasuke however stared at their eccentric teacher with suspicion.

'What is going on? The Sharingan... is a special trait that appears only within the Uchiha clan. Could it be that this guy..?' Sasuke thought.

"Let's stop the talking here." Zabuza said as he crouched down on the handle. "I have to kill the Jiji immediately. But it seems if I have to defeat you first, Kakashi."

"Please don't," Sakura said dryly under her breath. "Ma... We're in a pretty tricky situation aren't we?"

"You think?" Sasuke hissed.

"You were the one that said something of this level wasn't even a problem."

"Said the one who also wanted to continue."

Their argument was cut short when Zabuza grabbed the sword and pushed off the tree. He landed on top of the water, one arm up, and the other in a hand sign. The water began swirling around and small droplets rose around him.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed at the chakra being emitted.

"Ninpo: Kirigakure no Jutsu." The mist thickened and the Zabuza disappeared without a sound.

"He disappeared?" Naruto asked, stunned.

Kakashi walked forward a bit, away from the group.

"He'll come to eliminate me first." Kakashi stated as his Sharingan flickered over the surroundings.

"What the hell is that guy?!" Naruto demanded.

"Zabuza Momochi. Well, as he said, he's a former ANBU Black Ops member from Kirigakure, and is well known for his silent killing technique." Sakura recited with a glimmer of excitement present in her eye despite the dire situation. "He is able to move silently, without a sound, and before most realize it, they're already in the afterlife. Also, that sword. He was a former member of the Seven Shinboi Swordsman of the Kirigakure."

This earned her a sharp glance from Kakashi, and she shrugged.

"Kantoku-san told me." Sakura said.

Kakashi felt a headache. So she was acquainted with Kantoku as well. How... lovely.

"Correct, Sakura. Now, do not let down your guards. My mastery of the Sharingan isn't perfect yet. Well if we fail, we'll only die."

"How... reassuring" Sakura said with a sigh.

"The mist is getting thicker and thicker!" Naruto panicked. He could hardly see the silver-haired jōnin who was a few feet in front of them.

"Nami no Kuni is surrounded by ocean, so mist rises easily here."

There was eerie silence, and their sensei disappeared from view completely. Sakura closed her eyes, spreading out her senses.

"Eight spots." Sakura's ears twitched. "The larynx, the spine, the lungs, the liver, the jugular, and the subclavian veins. The kidneys, and the heart. Now then... which spot should I aim for?"

Naruto, Sasuke, and Tazuna felt instant chills go up their spines. Kakashi's eyes narrowed. There was no doubt the man was trying to intimidate his genin. He raised his stance and made a hand sign. His chakra whipped around him and caused a blast of air to clear the mist around him and his team.

With the mist slightly cleared, Kakashi could clearly see Sasuke shaking at the intense blood lust surrounding the area. Naruto seemed better off, most likely due to any blood lust aimed at him due to the demon inside him. Sakura didn't seem bothered either. Her eyes were closed in concentration.

Kakashi watched out of the corner of his eye as Sasuke raised his kunai as if to stab himself. Sakura was too out of it, she didn't look like she going to do anything, and Naruto was busy whipping his head around frantically.

"Sasuke," he called softly, drawing the boy's attention. "Don't worry. I'll protect you with my life. I will not allow my comrades to get killed. " Kakashi turned his head to offer the boy a reassuring smile. Or at least what was visible of it. Sasuke's shaking had stopped and his speech had drawn Naruto's attention as well. He could see the slight awe in their eyes.

"I wonder about that.." Zabuza's voice seemed to echo. Sakura's ears and nose twitched.

Kakashi's eyes widened as suddenly Zabuza was standing right between his genin and client. Sakura spun around on her heel, drawing her katana and slicing it downward in one smooth motion.

Zabuza was caught off guard at the speed of the retaliation as well as the fact that one of the genin had enough sense to move. The blade cut his skin, just as his entire form collapsed into a puddle of water. Sakura's eyes flicked back as Zabuza reappeared behind her with his blade drawn. She didn't have time.

Kakashi shunshined right in front of Zabuza and dug a kunai into the man's stomach. His genin leaped back with Tazuna in tow.

They heard liquid bubbling from where Kakashi had stabbed Zabuza, and slowly, drops, then a stream of water fell to the ground. The genin panicked as a third Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi.

"Sensei! Behind you!" Naruto screamed.

Kakashi's eyes widened as the Zabuza he stabbed also erupted into water and the Zabuza behind him swung his blade.

"Die!" Zabuza shouted. He smirked underneath the bandages as his blade tore the man in half horizontally and blood- Zabuza jerked when he realized the jōnin had used a water clone same as he had.

'Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu? It can't be!' Zabuza thought as he quickly scanned through his memories. 'In this thick mist, he actually copied me?'

There was a kunai at his neck.

"Don't move." Kakashi said with a glare. "It's over."

"It's over... you say? You don't understand do you? You won't be able to beat me just by making like a monkey. No chance at all." Zabuza cackled. "Though I must say, you're good. Being able to copy my jutsu in the mist. By letting your clone speak as if it was you, you succeeded in distracting me. And you used my own Kirigakure no Jutsu to hide yourself and observe my movements. But... I'm not a fool."

"Kakashi!" Sakura screamed from her spot. "That's not him! It's another Mizu Bunshin! Behind you!"

Kakashi was barely able to duck the swing from the real Zabuza. The nuke nin quickly planted his sword in the ground and used it as leverage so that he could kick Kakashi away.

Zabuza dashed forward with his sword. 'Now!' Zabuza though as he headed towards the falling man. He abruptly slid to a stop as he spotted the tiny blades on the ground. 'Makibishi spikes,' he acknowledged. 'How foolish.'

Kakashi fell into the lake with a loud splash as Zabuza leaped over the spikes to land on top of the water.

"Sensei!" Sakura and Naruto yelled.

"His Taijutsu skills are also extremely good..." Sasuke observed with growing panic.

Kakashi rose to the surface. He lifted his arm with difficulty.

'What's with this water? It's awfully heavy...' Kakashi thought as he attempted to stand atop of the water.

"Baka!" Sakura screamed. "Get out of the water!" Sakura felt fear rise in her throat. Couldn't he sense the amount of chakra infused with the water?

"Fool. You should listen to the girl. It's the Suirō no Jutsu!" Zabuza said as he finished the last hand sign.

'Shit!' Kakashi felt the water thicken as it rose and formed a sphere around him. He could hardly move. 'My temporary escape into the water was a huge mistake!'

"Caught you. It's impossible for you to escape from this prison!" Zabuza said in a smug tone. "Well... I'll deal with you later then. First, I'll finish those guys off first." Zabuza turned to the frightened group. "Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu."

Kakashi grimaced. 'I didn't expect this level of skill.' He watched as water in the lake rose, giving form to another Zabuza.

Naruto's eyes were comically wide, and his entire body was shaking.

"You're acting big, wearing a hitai-ate like you're an actual ninja." Zabuza said gruffly. "But a real ninja is one who has hover between life and death numerous times. In other words, only those who are worth being listed in my Bingo Book, are worth being called shinobi." The clone made a hand sign and the mist thickened around him. "Kids like you can't even be called real shinobi."

Naruto flinched as the man disappeared. A foot came out of nowhere and kicked him in the stomach, launching him backwards.

"Naruto!" Sakura moved just in time before Naruto could hit the ground. She glared as the man stepped on Naruto's hitai-ate which had fallen off.

"You're just kids." Zabuza said in a condescending tone. Sakura's gaze fell to the ground, her shoulders shaking.

"You three!" Kakashi suddenly yelled. "Take Tazuna and run! You have no chance against this guy! As long as he has me trapped in this Water Prison, he won't be able to move from here. Also, he shouldn't be able to maintain the Mizu Bunshin far from his real body. In any case, just run for now!"

Sasuke flinched. This was the first time he had seen and heard his Sensei sound so desperate. And seriously? Run away? That option had disappeared the moment he had gotten caught. With Kakashi gone, they would get caught and killed by Zabuza sooner or later. Sasuke's eyes ran over his teammates. 'Either way, we have no options left.' Sasuke thought dimly. 'In order to survive, our only option is to rescue Kakashi-sensei...'

"We'll just have to do it!" Sasuke yelled as he dashed forwards. To his surprise, he was jerked back by a familiar hand on his collar.

"Stop. Sasuke." Sakura's eyes were hidden by her bangs. Her other hand was firmly gripping Naruto who she had practically dragged on the ground. "Rushing in like that with an unsettled mind and without a proper plan, you'll get yourself killed."

"Heh. Seems like the girl is wisest out of the three. You're Sensei is right though. You guys have no ho-"

"Shut up." Sakura hissed. Her head rose, showing eyes filled to the brim with untapped fury. She then directed her glare at the trapped man, pointing at him angrily.

"Do you think running is an option, you idiotic sensei? The man's a killer who eliminated his entire graduating class, and he wasn't even a trainee! You think he'll send us off with flowers and a cheery goodbye?! Damn you for getting caught! You're acting like an inexperienced chunin. And you!" Sakura yelled, turning towards the nuke nin. "Who the hell said that you get to determine who's worth being called a ninja or not? Fucking nobody." Her teammates stared at her with eyes widened in horror. Sakura was never mad. Sakura never cussed.

"Just because we're kids... do you think that means we're not ninja? Does ninja mean that one must sit atop a pile of bloody mountain of corpses to be called a ninja? Don't screw with me! Put this in your Bingo Book, the name of the ninja who's going to be the next God of Shinobi and change this world! The shinobi, Haruno Sakura!" Sakura let go of Sasuke's collar to jerk her thumb at herself. Zabuza twitched in irritation.

"Oh... I see. I assume that's why you're wearing that strange armor? It's the same as the one the Shodaime Hokage wore isn't it?"

"Yeah? Got a problem?" Sakura demanded before kicking the two boys. "Oi, you two. Get it together. You're ninjas aren't you? Man up already and stop doing stupid things. And Naruto, you made a vow on that hand didn't you? You better keep it."

Sasuke snorted. "Stop bossing us around, Shusa. Don't act like you don't do stupid things on a daily basis."

"Yeah, Sakura-chan. I'm not going to run away and I never go back on my word. That's my nindō way!" Naruto said with a grin. With that, he dashed head on towards Zabuza's clone.

"Matte! Usuratonkachi! She just said to not rush in without a plan!" Sasuke groaned.

Sakura flung a couple shuriken just as Naruto was within range of the clone. It raised to sword to block the incoming projectiles while kicking Naruto back towards them.

"Naruto, I said plan. Next time you think of one, do try to make it more elaborate."

"Heh." Naruto stood, blood trickling out of his mouth. Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw the hitai-ate clutched in Naruto's left fist.

"...Dobe."

"Oi, you with no brows... Record this in your Bingo Book as well. The man who will one day become Konohagakure's Hokage..." Naruto tied his headband back on with a grin. "Konoha ninja, Uzumaki Naruto! And the team that's gonna take you down, Team 7!"

Zabuza was practically shaking with anger. The audacity of these kids. Haku was nothing like them.

Kakashi's eyes briefly relaxed, and Tazuna was staring at them with new found respect.

"Sasuke, you should say something interesting too. Make it dramatic." Sakura said, nudging the boy.

"Like hell I will! You do remember Kakashi-sensei is in an inescapable prison of water, right?"

"Temper, temper. Yeah, so about that. I'll leave you two to try and come up with a plan while I defend and distract when necessary." Sakura said with a smile.

"What?! But Sakura-chan-!"

"Naruto, remember. He's underestimating us." Sakura said lowly. "Think of it as an elaborate prank, yeah?" Naruto's eyes widened in understanding.

"Oi, brats. You done whispering over there?"

"Uh, actually. Can you give us maybe five more minutes?" Sakura asked sheepishly. Zabuza's mood darkened.

"What do you think?"

"Well that's a no." Sakura muttered.

"What are you guys doing?! I told you to run! It's obvious what was going to happen the moment I got caught! Hurry! Run!" Kakashi yelled. "Listen to me, remember that our mission is to protect Tazuna! Have you forgotten that?"

Naruto turned to Tazuna who smirked at them.

"Well... This is a seed planted by me. I can't complain and say I want my life spared. Sorry about all this. Go wild."

"Maa, well. You heard the man." Sakura said.

"You three I swear-"

"Who's the one who went on about how those who abandon the rules are trash, but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash? Sensei should just shut up and watch his genin own this guy."

"Sakura, the situation is-" Kakashi was cut off as a kunai sailed past the clone, who made no move to stop it, and was suspended in the sphere of water so that only the hilt was really visible.

"Kakashi-sensei. For real. Shush."

Zabuza raised a brow at her action but dismissed it. The kunai didn't have any exploding tag on it, so it was clearly meant to show their teacher how serious they were being. Not that it mattered.

"You guys better think fast!" Sakura said as she lunged forward with her katana to meet the clone's blade. Sakura swung her blade up to catch Zabuza's downward swing.

"Oh? Not bad at all brat." Zabuza said. The girl had met his sword near the handle where there was less leverage and weight. However, she didn't linger as she pulled her blade out with a screech and spun to hit him. He leaped back easily.

"I take that as a compliment considering it is from you." Sakura said easily. However, Sakura's heart was racing. How long could she buy time for Naruto and Sasuke? She glanced at her trembling arms. And the man's swings were heavy no matter how much she lessened the impact.

"Ne, Zabuza-san. You're a nuke-nin. However, you're headband isn't crossed out, which indicate you have some form of attachment to your home village. Correct?" Sakura asked, both out of curiosity and need for time. "I've heard and read the Kirigakure was undergoing some sort of civil war."

"Kids shouldn't speack about matters they are unfamiliar with." Zabuza said as he disappeared and reappeared behind her. His blade sliced through her middle, causing a brief panic among the others before her body turned into a cut log in a cloud of smoke.

"But it's a common trait for a ninja to be curious, isn't it?" Sakura said cheerfully as she flicked dozens of senbon towards him. Zabuza dodged with ease. The needles were too spaced out. Haku was better.

Zabuza leaped to the side as a ball of fire roared towards him.

"Sasuke, you two have a plan?"

"Yeah. It's a bit of a gamble..."

"Who cares?"

"You shouldn't be chatting when you're still fighting an opponent." Zabuza snarled. He grabbed the two genin by the throat. Sakura lost her grip on her katana as it tumbled to the ground.

"Crap," Sakura choked out. Her hands pried at the hand holding her throat. Zabuza glared at her as he dropped Sasuke and slammed his foot down on the boy.

"You kids seriously need to stop playing around." He kicked Sasuke in the same place he had nailed his foot, drawing a grunt of pain.

"Do you have an obsession with kicking kids? Or can't get-" Sakura was cut off as Zabuza tightened his grip.

"You, young girl, should keep that silver tongue of yours in check. Die." Kakashi gritted his teeth.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto yelled. Dozens of clones emerged from clouds of smoke. Zabuza looked surprised.

"Ah, Kage Bunshin. And there are quite a few of them too." He lowered the arm that held the girl and raised his free hand to grip his sword. All of the clones drew a kunai.

"Here I go!" All of the Narutos leaped into the air above the water clone with their kunai aimed downwards. Sakura grinned as she grabbed her katana and swung it at Zabuza. He let go with an annoyed grunt before the metal blade could connect. The Narutos rained down on Zabuza and covered him to the point where he was no longer visible.

With a war cry, Zabuza released a burst of chakra and whipped the large blade around him, throwing back and dispersing the clones.

"Sasuke!" Naruto screamed as he grabbed something from his bag as he was sliding back. He threw the object toward Sasuke who caught it with a slight smirk. Sasuke caught the blades and spun around as if to increase the momentum. Zabuza didn't seem to notice. The blades slowly opened up until the four blades formed a cross of sorts.

"Fūma Shuriken: Kage Fūsha." Sasuke said, holding out the large four-bladed shuriken. Zabuza huffed.

"A shuriken won't work on me."

Nonetheless, Sasuke leaped up, and turning once to get momentum, he flung it towards the clone who didn't bother looking until the last moment. By the time the clone looked up, he was too late to stop the projectile that changed its course for the real body.

The real Zabuza sighed. How naive of them. He reached out and easily caught the spinning blade.

"It's not that easy-" Zabuza suddenly jerked as he heard the sound of a second shuriken spin behind him. It curved and headed straight towards him.

'A shuriken in the shuriken's shadow! This is... the Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!' Zabuza thought, slightly impressed.

"Oh... Not bad. Hiding a second shuriken in the man's blind spot." Sakura grinned. "Guess you two aren't completely useless..."

Zabuza stared at the incoming projectile... and jumped.

"Still too naive..." Zabuza said in a superior tone.

"Not quite." Sakura said as she held up her hand, two finger pointed up. "Katsu."

Zabuza flinched as the seemingly innocent kunai stuck in the water prison suddenly erupted in a flash of light. His eyes slammed shut.

"If you were trying to get me to cover my eyes-"

"There!" Zabuza was confused as he heard the voice of the blonde brat come from behind him. No... Had the shuriken been..?! He attempted to turn and look but his vision was slightly blurry. He could vaguely see the boy throwing a kunai at him. His left hand was holding the Fūma Shuriken, and his right hand in the prison. With his vision, he couldn't even tell where the boy was aiming; him or the arm connected to the water sphere.

With a violent curse, Zabuza tugged his right arm free and leaped back.

The water sphere fell apart the moment Zabuza had severed the connection.

Naruto cheered as he fell into the water.

Kakashi was free.

And boy was he livid.

A/N: Done! Over six thousand words,; my longest chapter yet. Dang. And I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out. I would have written more, but this should be enough for now. Most of the dialogue is copied from the anime since I want to keep to the story, so I don't take credit for it. I have a chapter for Dawn as well that I will upload as soon as I finish editing it... or not. It's kind of difficult writing the characters how I want them to turn out without turning it so... bad? Anyways, read and review~ Your support means a lot to me. Also as I said this before... progress on Akatsuki's Kage is slow... I need to work on that.

And if you want the translations for any of the terms used, leave a message or something, and I will add it in later. I was a bit lazy this time around considering how long it took. But, if you are a Naruto fan, most of the words and translations should be obvious.

~Tokumei Yurei