Naruto the Elemental Star

Chapter 7: The Bloody Whirlpool Part 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, due to the fact I would kill Sasuke for everything he has done, the majority of which are inexcusable and in most societies likely sentence him to death.

Beta: Albert

Last Update: 04/26/2018

Scene I

It was a quiet, beautiful fall afternoon as Naruto reminisced about a critical discovery she found thanks to Colonel Nine of Nine during one of her breaks between missions and the exhausting training Anko and Kurenai had put them through.

Flashback

'Nine, why do you want me in this area,' Naruto asked Nine of Nine mentally while searching a cave near Konoha

'There is something very special hidden here Naru-Chan,' Nine of Nine told Naruto. 'A scroll that belonging to an alliance between two summonable animals.'

'An Alliance? What alliance and with who?' Naruto asked excitedly as she continued the search

'It belonged to the Canine Alliance, an alliance between summoned foxes and wolves,' Colonel Nine of Nine explained.

Naruto eyes widen as she pulled out a box that was hidden in a niche underneath the rocks. "How did you know about it?" Naruto asked aloud, as she opened the box.

'These summoned animals, along with a few others have been close allies of mine since their ancestors were created during the war,' Nine of Nine explained as Naruto pulled out a thick scroll. Once Naruto had the scroll secured in her arms, Naruto walked out of the cave while Nine of Nine continued to explain, 'As they gained power and intelligence, they soon left this plan and transported their whole kind to their new homes within pocket dimensions that are now known as the Summoning Planes. In addition, like other summoned animals, they created summoning contract scrolls for humans to find. But there were so well hidden that no one found the scroll, until now.'

Naruto nodded and began to sign the scroll while she asked mentally, 'Now what makes these summons so special besides their connection between the two species.'

'Well, they are considered the most powerful summons in the world, and a multifunctional one as well,' Nine of Nine explained with pride. 'They share techniques and power, and at least one of each member had mastered a ninja aspect. The most powerful had mastered several aspects."

'Well then, let us see if they are willing to be allies,' Naruto told Nine of Nine mentally while going through the hand signs.

'Just tell them my name, and you will gain your own allies,' Nine of Nine told Naruto.

Naruto nodded as she performed the summoning ritual, and two puffs of smoke appeared before Naruto. The smoke revealed two giants in front of her, here to see their new summoner.

End Flashback

Naruto smiled at the memory of her new allies, as she was sure they would come in handy on the difficult missions that were to come. Naruto offered to let her fellow Genin sign the contract, but they could not due to prior arrangements with clans and did not have enough chakra to summon a high-level one. However, it did not stop Anko from training all three how to summon in between D-rank missions to earn enough points for their next C-rank mission.

They were excited, as anything was better than D-rank missions and a record to keep as they had already completed not only the one B-rank that was borderline, but also three C-rank missions: wiping out a bandit camp, establishing a farming town, and conducting a border patrol for a town near Rock Country. It was in the two of the three missions, the bandit mission, and the border patrol, that assured Naruto's title, 'Elemental Kitsune Assassin,' would stick as she took down targets with a mentality that was out of sight, out of mind. During these missions, the girls also gained titles and their own pages in the Bingo Book. Hinata was known as the 'Lavender Bladed Healer' while Tukiko was known as the 'Fire Mistress.' Their team was also the first to earn their own nickname among their class, Team Vixen. The girls were becoming famous outside of the village and become the career boost they needed as they marched into the Hokage's office for their next assignment.

They were going to pick their next mission when they were interrupted by a shrilly-loud voice from a pink-haired girl with a broad forehead named Sakura. A skinny green-eyed fangirl, who had bashed her way into the room with her teammates to complain, "Why hasn't Sasuke-Kun been on a C-rank mission while all the others went on at least one high ranking mission a month ago? Isn't that right Sasuke?"

"Hn," Sasuke, an emo boy with black hair shaped like a roster's rear, snarled in agreement while encouraging his fan-girl to speak up while getting what he wants, though Sakura took it a bit far.

"Yeah, the bitch and hippy team were the first to go out to do field mission, and now all losers go as well? How is that fair?" Sakura snapped, not realizing she had dug her own grave.

"Actually, your team doesn't get higher missions because your team is the one filled with losers," Tukiko said slowly to gain the attention of Team 7, though only Sakura was sweating as Sasuke just looked annoyed.

"Especially a pink hollower that does not know to keep quiet," Hinata added slowly as she looked at the calm newcomer.

"Hey… Naruto, Hinata, Tukiko… what are you doing here?" Sakura asked nervously, as she slowly turned to face the other team.

"We are getting our next mission, and it will be out of the village. By the way, who are this bitch team, the hippy team, and the losers again?" Naruto asked in a cold voice that stopped Sakura cold and made her feel small for letting Sasuke wind her up.

It was at that moment that a pale-skinned boy named Sai walked-up in tight-fitting black clothes. "Hello, my name is Sai, and you girls must be from Team Vixen."

"You know of us?" Tukiko asked.

"Yes, I certainly have heard of you. I take pleasure in knowing beautiful but deadly female ninjas. Deadly ninjas are the best to paint and draw. Can I draw you three and your senseis?" Sai asked the group, who raised their eyebrows in response. "I've read you should always ask for someone's permission before you actually do something like drawing them."

"Um no, we don't mind," Hinata answered, unsure how to react to Sai.

"Excellent!" Sai exclaimed before sitting down to start drawing while Sakura looks pissed.

"Why? Why would draw he them and not me or Sasuke?" Sakura screeched.

"Of course, I want to draw strong, beautiful warriors instead of weak, pink, man-whores, and the emo, avenger wannabes," Sai stated without a hint of fear. Sakura face was red with rage as she moved to beat Sai to a pulp, but Kakashi put a halt to the confrontation while he hid his embarrassment behind his little orange book and his mask that covered most of his face.

"I'm beginning to like this guy," Tukiko smirked at Sakura.

"Yeah, as long as he does not insult you," Naruto stated.

"Quiet!" The Hokage yelled to quell the mess that was Team 7. "Team 7, this is why you do not get a solo C-rank mission because you are the worst team of this year. You do not seem to understand what a team is supposed to look like. Well, that changes now, Team 13, you are assigned to babysit and teach Team 7 on how a team really works together. You also will be assisting Team 7 in protecting Tazuna in Wave Country from bandits as he builds a bridge from his island to the mainland in Fire Country that has the potential to drum up trade with the various fishing islands found in Wave Country and beyond."

"What! But Hokage-Sama!" Anko lamented at the prospect of a babysitting mission.

"They need an example; otherwise I will have to scrap the team. I really do not want the paperwork and headache for dispensing the team," the Hokage explained. "Besides, while I can't prove it, I know it was your team who turned the Civilian Council's clothing pink for trying to push your team around after your B-Rank mission with the Seer clan."

The team smiled nervously at being called out, as Sarutobi took a puff out his pipe before he barked out orders, "So consider this as punishment. Bring in the client!"

The door opened to reveal a grouchy old drunk man with a brown jug filled with homemade liquor. "What? I get six brats, a mealy scarecrow of a man, and two women. I wanted escorts, not sniveling vagrants."

Tazuna was going to take a swig of his brew, but Naruto pulled out a gun and shot the jug. The jug lay shattered on the ground, in a puddle of smelly hooch. The man quivered as Naruto spoke with dark malice, "Maybe if you weren't a drunk, you'd notice that you just insulted three Jōnin and several heavily armed Genin. That means if the Genin doesn't kill you, the Jōnin will before you even know it."

Tazuna was now sweating profusely and got on his knees to beg for forgiveness while the Hokage sighed in annoyance, "Naru-chan, don't scare the clients."

"I will not as long as he doesn't question the skills my friends and me," Naruto told her commander and chief.

"Tazuna, don't worry, we will let the insult slide and protect you," Anko reassured the old man as he regained his feet and haughtiness.

"You better, for I, the Super Bridge Builder Tazuna expect you protect me with your lives," the drunk hiccupped as he strutted out of the office.

"Like that drunk needs protection," Sasuke snapped at the retreating old man as Sakura quivered in anger.

"Sasuke…" Tukiko whispered in a dangerous tone.

"Yes, Tukiko?" Sasuke asked in a bored tone.

"Perhaps you should be quite like no one at the moment cares what you think," Tukiko pointed out, much to Sasuke's smoldering anger.

He was about to shoot off a retort, but Naruto switched subject as she presented her idea to the Hokage. "Hokage-Sama, since the trip to Wave is a long one, can we use Fox Shadow for the trip. She's prepped and ready for a test flight. Taking her out would ensure your paperwork wouldn't double due to… disturbances;" Naruto suggested in a way that reminded Sarutobi of her mother, an avid prankster that Naruto inherited despite not growing up as one out of a dozen unconfirmed cases.

It was worrying to others that the Hokage quickly complied, "Very well, you have my permission, now go!"

It was that moment that Anko had taken commanded, "Alright teams, meet us at the west gate. Pack lightly," Anko, ordered while staring down the fangirl, Sakura. Sakura gulped as she went pack a few light things, a few things for her anyway. After all, beauty products are light, right?

Scene II

It was an amusing hour for most of the Genin as they watched Anko tear apart Sakura for packing ten pounds of beauty products. Especially since her excuse was to, "Look beautiful." Anko had no patience for fan girls or boys that rushed into battle without a thought for perpetration. Such actions generally get them and others killed. After destroying every unpractical piece of clothing and product Sakura had brought with her, something appeared from behind them. It was a Phantom Attack Fighter named the Fox Shadow.

The Fox Shadow was a fighter with a long neck extended from the body of the aircraft to end in the cockpit that held a small laser gun. The main body of the fighter, where the main engine was housed, was a circle bottom with a raised triangle body that rose from back to front. To each side was a long blade-like wing that swept down not unlike a falcon's wings, though unlike a flacon's wings was not a thin blade to cut metal for close fighter pass by. Near the main body on each wing were canons that fired accelerated bullets. At the very bottom were torpedo bay doors, landing gears and a ladder leading to a hatch for climbing in and out of the hatch.

The hatch opened, and Hinata slid down the ladder to wave them all in before climbing back up the ladder. The ninjas entered the fighter, followed by their client. The inside was a very spacious interior that could hold bombs for a bombing mission or personal for short trip like the current mission required. As the Genin of Team 7 was assisting the client, Tanzō, get a seat before they took one, the Jōnins followed Hinata down the long neck to the cockpit.

In the cockpit was Naruto, with Tukiko as her copilot. "Systems are optimal; ETA to Wave Country is fifteen minutes," the computer told Naruto, who pressed a button to acknowledge the information.

Kakashi was actually surprised at how short the trip would be. It would have taken days to even a week by foot to reach the Wave, and they still had to cross the ocean. Kakashi was going to enjoy the trip, or he thought until Anko asked, "What the hell is wrong with your students?"

Kakashi sighed as he pulled out his favorite book, "I really don't know. Nothing I do seem to work in bringing them together as a team. I can barely get them to train in chakra control. One doesn't want to train, another is already heavily trained, so there is nothing left to teach, and the last one doesn't have the patience to learn unless it's what he deems is a powerful killing jutsus he believe will help him match his brother. Retirement really sounds good right now."

"That still doesn't excuse you from being a lazy tech-" Kurenai started to rant, but Naruto interrupted her.

"Kurenai-sensei, I am done prepping the fighter for launch. I suggest everyone take a seat before we take off."

The Jōnin nodded as Kurenai told Kakashi with her eyes that they would discuss this later as they took their seat.
As everyone took his or her seats, Naruto contacted Leaf Command Center for permission to leave. Once she had the go-ahead, she activated the thrusters to lift the fighter up off the tarmac as the landing pads retracted. Once Shadow Fox was in the air, it made a 180-degree turn before its main engines ignited and the fighter went to supersonic speeds towards Wave Country.

Scene III

In a clearing outside a house, four ninjas were watching a fighter land near a small home in Wave Country. The four noticed that the fighter had the words, 'Shadow Fox,' painted on its side, underneath a leaf symbol. The leader, a tall, shirtless man with a huge zanbatō strapped to his back, grimaced behind his covered mask as he stared at the scene, "Yep, looks like our target has gotten Leaf-nins for protection."

"They don't look like ANBU, Zabuza-Sama," spoke a masked man sporting a gauntlet with claws. His brother, who wore similar clothing and gauntlets, nodded in agreement.

"They may not be ANBU, but I count at least three Jōnin, and the others seem familiar," Zabuza commented.

"Perhaps this is why, Zabuza-Sama," spoke a feminine voice, whose face was covered in a hunter-nin mask similar to Leaf's ANBU, but one for Mist Hunter Forces as the mask was adorned with a blank face instead of an animal.

The ninja held up a famous ninja book known as the Bingo Book, a book that contained a list of the bounties of every country. The ninja opened to a page that was marked. The page contained the bounties for Leaf-nins from several countries. Zabuza took the book to find the picture of a blond haired girl, a girl with weird eyes that resembled an elemental star with a yin-yang center. The entry revealed the girl's name was Naruto Ryū, a young girl that has bounties in every country not allied to the Leaf. The bounties were either for her knowledge in technology or for her bloodline. Earth Country wanted her dead or alive for killing several of their Rock-nins, and the Uzumaki Clan had offered the biggest bounty for her on the promise of bringing her in, alive.

"Ah, that is where I've seen that brat," Zabuza commented. "So they are the Genin squad we have heard so much about."

"Should we try to get information from and try some subtle manipulation Zabuza-Sama?" the feminine masked ninja asked before the ninja pointed out something on her mind. "I doubt they know the exact details of the mission they were given. Otherwise, they would send ninjas meant for A-Rank, not Genin teams meant for B or C-Rank missions."

Zabuza thought it over for a moment before giving his orders, "Haku, I want you to infiltrate and scout out the Leaf-nins. See if they know the full details of their mission and if not, convince them to leave. If they plan to stay, find out about any weakness that we can exploit. I will not take on such odds unless I have no choice."

"Um, boss? Can't we just go down there and just kill the client and leave?" one of the brothers asked.

"It is not that simple, Kakashi Hatake the Copy Cat Ninja and Anko Mitarashi the Snake Mistress are considered high A-rank ninjas with a Kurenai Yūhi, a low A-rank Genjutsu Mistress as support. It would be suicide for us. That is also not including the fact we would be dealing with Genin that is Chūnin level at least. It is not a situation that we honestly can win, so getting them to leave may be our only option for success," Zabuza explained to the Demon Brothers.

Zabuza then looked down at Haku to add, "Besides, Haku will not like it that I took down a team that she has admired. Isn't that right girl?"

"Zabuza-Sama, I am willing to do whatever is required," replied the girl as she removed her mask to reveal a beautiful face, with large, dark brown eyes that glowed as she dropped her long black hair.

"I know that you will, and you haven't disappointed me yet. But that doesn't mean that I should make you do things that would hinder you if I can help it." Zabuza smiled at the girl before he barked out orders, "Now go infiltrate their ranks, try to get them to leave, and report back to me later tonight on anything you find."

Haku acknowledged her master's orders before disappearing into the mist.

Scene IV

It was early in the day as the Genin of Team Vixen began their patrol of the area while the rest got situated at the client's home. On their patrol, Team Vixen came upon a fishing village that was in a poor state. The village was far more dilapidated than a fishing/farming village should be. Vendors were either closed for business or selling their items at a forth of a price they were worth, and they were not even able to sell anything at those prices. Streets were littered with garbage, urchins and the homeless. However, what was truly peculiar were the lack of young men and women. Very few were between the ages of fifteen to thirty-five. They were either hidden or taken.

Noticing the state of the village, Tukiko could not help but comment, "Something is very wrong. Why is this village in such a deteriorated state?"

"Could there be a bandit camp nearby?" Hinata asked.

"Our client didn't mention one," Naruto commented.

Tukiko twitched as she raved, "Well, either a new threat has come, or more likely, our client is holding something back."

Naruto nodded before stating, "We will get it out of him once we finish with our patrol."

The others girls nodded as they continued their patrol around the village until a black haired girl walked into Tukiko. The girl fell down as Tukiko staggered back before she straightened herself up. Tukiko then looked down at the dark, brown-eyed girl and stared until the girl in embarrassment got up and bowed at Tukiko, "I'm sorry, I should have taken better notice of where I was going."

Tukiko gave the girl a reassuring smile before waving her off, "No it should be me that should have said sorry. You think with my training I could avoid accidents like this. My name is Tukiko by the way, and these are my friends, Naruto and Hinata."

The girl smiled as she straightened herself up. "It's no problem; I'm just glad I ran into you rather than some of the more dangerous people on this street. My name is Haku, it's a pleasure to meet you," the girl introduced herself before looking at the girls' leaf headbands. She saw them clearly on Tukiko's forehead, Hinata's neck and Naruto's right arm. "Are you three ninjas?"

"Yes were ninjas. We are here to guard the bridge builder Tazuna while he finishes his bridge," Tukiko told the girl casually. "I must say that the bridge itself appears to be massive or at least from what we saw from a high vantage point in the air."

Haku acted wowed as she asked, "So you're here to save us?"

"Save you?" the girls asked Haku at once.

"From Gatō of course," Haku stated as she pointed towards the center of town.

In the center village square was a flagpole with three flags. One was the mangled flag of Wave Country above two flags that were fluttered in the air, intact. One had a logo that had the words, 'Gatō's Shipping Company,' while the other had the swirl of the Uzumaki.

Naruto eyes widen as Hinata asked softly, "How long have the Uzumaki and this Gatō been here?"

Haku tilted her head in confusion as she stated, "The Uzumaki own parts of the Wave Country for decades since it was a providence of Whirlpool Country before the villages were formed. They even have a small compound that operates outside of Whirlpool, and their main base is in the Southern Lowlands. Gatō, however, is the newest and hated addition to Wave Country. The elected official Wave Council brought in Gatō's company as a cheaper means to transport goods on and off the island country."

"Let me guess," Naruto growled, "it was a lie."

Haku nodded, "At first it was really cheap until he bought up all the shipping companies and brought in his own private army to prevent any new companies from starting up in Wave. From then on, he began strong-arming the people while jacking up prices to the point of desperation."

"Why?" Tukiko asked. "It wouldn't do a businessman any good to lose all his customers for short-term greed."

"I don't know why, but once Gatō got control, he couldn't be removed. The town would be worse off if the Uzumaki clan didn't help out by hiring people for labor camps down south. They are the only jobs available besides prostitution and thievery. Unfortunately, the pay isn't the best and most never return, but it's better than nothing," Haku explained as Naruto stared at the Uzumaki flag.

"Luck or planed?" Naruto muttered before she expressed her theory. "I think it is more likely that the Uzumaki is using Gatō, possibly through some backdoor deals." Naruto sighed before she painted a picture of the girls that looked worried. "Gatō would squeeze the village dry of any wealth that he adds to his own pocket with the money the Uzumaki are paying them. In return, the Uzumaki come in and hire desperate people as cannon fodder without anyone realizing that the two are partners in the end."

Haku was shocked, though not at the reasons the group thought and began to realize why the Uzumaki were leaving the team alone if they are allies of Gatō. Her shock turned to silent rage when Tukiko added, "It is the style of a corrupt clan. The Uzumaki are the same clan that spent a lot of money to keep Water Country's Civil Wars going on to keep competition down and weakens the village. It's lucky they couldn't afford to keep giving money to Mist or the war wouldn't be winding down to an end. It does make you wonder how many villages or countries they are pulling the same scam on."

'One too many,' Nine of Nine added mentally to Naruto.

"What should we do, Naru-chan?" Hinata asked.

"We need to report this and confront a certain client for lying to us," Naruto told her teammates.

The three said their goodbyes to Haku before they disappeared in a swirl of leaves while Haku just stood there. She continued to sand until Haku sensed they were gone before she moved. She looked up to the Uzumaki flag and stared at it with a cold fury. She continued to stare until she pulled out several senbon needles in a flash and threw them at the flag, shredding it to pieces.

Thread blew in the wind as Haku silently fumed, "Zabuza-Sama will not like hearing about who we are truly serving. He will not like that we are taking blood money from a clan that continued the war in Mist."

Haku then disappeared in a swirl of Ice. Leaving the impoverished streets of Wave Country empty.

Scene V

Sitting at the table was a happy Tazuna. His beautiful daughter, Tsunami, had shown the Leaf-nins around the house and the ninja's set up defensive measures in their home with no extra cost. He was happy to hear he not only got two teams for the price of one but added defense in case bandits got passed the two A-Rank Jōnins. It was great news that got better when he was informed that only one team would actually be staying at the house while the rest stayed and ate in the fighter. This would spare his family resources that Tazuna knew was limited thanks to Gatō. Overall, it was going well, and he hoped the ninja's presence will keep him safe to finish the bridge and they would not find out he lied to them, hopefully. However, his hopes were dashed when the lavender-eyed girl named Hinata if he remembered correctly, came up and slapped him so hard that his head spun ninety degrees to the left.

"What was that-" Tazuna began to ask when Tukiko came and punched him in the face.

Tazuna spins out of his chair and onto the floor, his nose bleeding by force of the punch. He then heard Tukiko yell, "Get up!" as he looked-up into eyes red with two black swirls around the iris spin. Eyes that promised bloody murder and he had a sinking feeling why.

Tazuna was pissing himself when he heard Anko yell, "What the hell is going on?" at the Leaf-nins gathered around him.

"Anko-sensei," Naruto spoke up to get her attention, "Our client it seems has lied to us about why he hired us."

Tazuna paled as Anko waved for Naruto to continue. Naruto explained the situation and that the powerful Gatō's Shipping Industry and the Uzumaki Clan were probably involved in the state of the village. After hearing the situation, Anko grabbed Tazuna out of Tukiko's grip to scream, "Do you know what you have done?"

Tazuna paled, as his daughter Tsunami, a blue-haired beauty, feared for her father's life. His grandson, a black-haired boy in green coveralls with a white shirt and pants, hid behind Tsunami. He decided that the Leaf-nins were scarier than Gatō and all he could do was cower.

Tazuna tried to explain himself, in hopes that he keeps his life, "I'm sorry, but I needed to hire ninjas to protect me from Gatō. We would have gone to Uzumaki first, but they have done nothing so far, so I went elsewhere."

"We," the mouse, Tsunami stammered, "We also suspected they were in it when my… husband, Kaiza… was killed by Gatō in public and the Uzumaki refused to do anything."

"I went to other villages and tried to hire ninjas to protect me, but they turned me down as I only have enough funds for a C-rank mission, so I lied to get some protection," Tazuna explained to the angry ninjas. "I thought that maybe with some ninjas, Gatō would back off in fear."

"Well, your plan failed as you painted an even bigger target on your back," Anko snarled at the man.

Kurenai put a hand on Anko shoulder to calm her friend. Anko reluctantly let's go her to let go of the old man before Kurenai told off Tazuna, "Naruto is wanted alive by the Uzumaki for interrogation and breeding. Not to mention they wouldn't mind killing any Leaf-nins that get in their way. So, you have brought us into possible hostile territory that could mean life and death for not only us Jōnin, but for our Genin charges as well."

Tazuna's face paled as he got on his knees to begged, "Please don't kill me. I didn't know. I was desperate for my daughter and grandson. I couldn't fail them and leave my country to rot. I'm sorry I put you in danger."

Anko sighed as she asked her fellow Jōnin, "What now?"

"We need to contact the Hokage and inform him of the situation," Kakashi told his fellow Jōnin as he pulled out a long-range trans-radio. "I will talk to him now."

Kakashi then moved to another room to talk to the old man while the others continued to question Tazuna's family. They also discovered additional information including the location of Gatō's mansion and the Uzumaki's compound by the time that Kakashi had returned. "Well, Hokage-Sama understands the situation but regrets to inform us that we are ordered to remain here in Wave Country," Kakashi told the group, much to the protest of several of his fellow ninjas. "We had signed a contract, so we must protect Tazuna. Though Tazuna will now have to pay for a double A-rank mission for violating the contract, payable within five years if he can manage."

Tazuna nodded vigorously while his daughter gave out tears of joy, they were going to have ninja protection they desperately needed. While the two cried for victory, Hinata asked in concern, "We are going to be here alone?"

"No, an ANBU squad will come here to replace us," Kakashi told Hinata. "It will take them a week though. It seems we couldn't have picked a worse time for needing aid. All the ANBU and Jōnin that can be spared are out on a mission. He has ordered that if the mission looks to be too much for us that the Genin can leave if we desire."

The three Jōnin looked at the assorted Genin, waiting for their answers. "I'm staying," Hinata said softly. "I am not leaving my senseis in danger, and my expertise in medical procedures would be an asset."

"Ditto," Tukiko added in her agreement with Hinata. "Well, except the medical techniques, but my combat skills would help the group."

"The mission comes first," Sai said in a robotic voice.

"I am Uchiha, we don't run from danger," Sasuke stated with conviction.

Sakura nodded in agreement, even if she was full of fear about such a high-risk mission, but she would not run away in front of the love of her life or the others. She did not want to be seen as a coward. After Sakura agreed to stay, everyone turned their attention to the final girl, Naruto Ryū, formerly Naruto Uzumaki.

Naruto did not even bat an eyelash when she said, "I am staying."

"Are you sure honey?" Kurenai asked. "There is a bounty on your head and if they catch you-"

Naruto interrupted Kurenai before she continued, "I had prepared for such a scenario." Naruto then pulled down her collar to reveal a special seal around her neck, "If I am ever captured, and beyond hope of being rescued, this seal will dope me for at least twelve hours. It will also take away my free will that held another seal in check held a… a special type of chakra I hold due to a condition. Without my will, nothing will be able to contain it, and it would flood my entire system with foreign chakra that will turn my mind and body into a smoldering crisp."

'Plus, freeing… me… will allow me to come out and… and allow me to kill the bastards that harm my Naru-chan,' Nine of Nine stated with a tone that indicated she was far from eager for Naruto to end just to be free. She had become the daughter that Nine of Nine never had or could have.

"If you are sure," Kurenai spoke with concern.

"I'm sure. Besides, you need a pilot in case we need to bug out," Naruto explained.

The others nodded in acceptance while Inari asked, "Why don't you all leave?" Everyone stared at the boy to elaborate, "You are just going to get everyone killed."

Tukiko's face gloomed as she stated, "The village is already dying slowly due to Gatō, it written you all die if we do nothing."

The grandson, Inari looked confused until Tukiko asked innocently, "How long do you think a person can live without being able to eat?"

Anko smiled with fond memories of her TI before stating, "A few months before the person die in agony."

"So, the village is in fact slowly being killed by Gatō, and you are doing nothing to stop him," Tukiko pointed out to the kid.

"Well, what do you want us to do?" Inari asked. "We don't have the strength to defy Gatō. Kaiza tried, and he failed."

"Your people tried to rebel?" Kurenai asked.

Inari was silent while Tsunami spoke in a somber voice, "No, my second husband, Kaiza, spoke out against Gatō and gave us hope, especially to Inari. He was the father he needed and what the village needed. But Gatō tied him up and threw him in a river that runs through town. He drowned, and his body floated out to sea."

"So no one actually fought against him, and you all suffer for it," Tukiko stated off handily.

Sasuke muttered, "Weaklings," before he was smacked in the back of the head by Kakashi with a silent order to shut up as Inari redden in anger.

"Shut-up; how come you say that we are suffering while you…" Inari started before his mother, Tsunami stopped him with a hand over his mouth.

"You know, history is chalked-up with people and their suffering," Naruto stated. "It is also filled with tales of them that were able to do something about it." Naruto stretched as she retold Nine of Nin's tale. "Did you know that before the Elemental Nations, this continent was settled into thirteen colonies that were part of a country three thousand miles away called Britain? That these, thirteen colonies, were all but ignore for a hundred years, and they had become self-governed. Britain tried to reinsert their control over these colonies after a devastating war between Britain and an archrival country known as France, who had territory on this same continent.

"Britain wanted to tax the colonies heavily to pay off its debts that they had built up during the war. The colonies were suffering; some were even starving as they were forced to pay off Brittan's debts from a war that Brittan had started and they never wanted. Eventually, the colonist began to form a coalition and declared their independence from Britain. The colonists, a ragtag army of farmers, hunters and traders went up to fight against the world's best navy and army at the time. It was a long, brutal seven years of war until the colonist won their independence. Over the centuries, the colony became a Super Power and eventually became one of the founding countries in the largest nation that no one has ever match, the Republic Alliance."

The group was silent as Naruto turned to face Inari and looked down at him, "Not every group will win, history is filled with tales of small forces winning and losing. However, in the case of Gatō, you have two choices. You can fight, and some of you will die on your feet, maybe all of you if luck is not with you; or you can all die slowly on your knees, bowing to Gatō. Kaiza died for he was alone. The fact is you did not stand with him, and let Gatō get away with murder. So, if you are going to stand there and wine and cry, do it away from those actually fighting for something you should have fought against from the start."

Inari was teary-eyed and ran upstairs to cry as the others sighed. Sakura, timidly went to Naruto and ask, "Don't you think you were a bit harsh?"

"No Sakura. He will never face reality if you cuddle him to point it cripples him. He needed to be scolded for an attitude that was allowed to go rampant," Naruto stated as Tsunami twitched at snub against her parenting.

"Besides, we don't need a little brat that will suck all morale out of our group, low morale will only hinder our operations," Tukiko explained in agreement with Naruto.

Tsunami, with a look, demanded her father Tazuna to do something. "What do you want me to do?" Tazuna asked her daughter seriously. "You cuddle Inari too much. If you were acting like Inari, I would be spanking you and reminding you how lucky you are compared to most people in our village. So don't get mad at the kids for making Inari face facts. I agree with them about Kaiza. That is why I am building this bridge, to prove that his sacrifice wasn't in vain."

"I know, but his stepfather died by Gatō's hands for fighting against-" Tsunami had started, but Hinata interrupted him.

"Tsunami, I can tell you from personal experience that cuddling does not help at all." Hinata then sighed before she continued softly, "When my mother died, my father threw me to the wolves and berated me. I was a weak, stuttering mess due to the abuse. But worse came the cuddling I received from the Branch members. They had pitied me and treated me like glass, hoping it would make me feel better. All it did was make me feel worse than dirt. (Sigh) I would still be pitiful if it weren't for Naruto encouraging me and treating me like a friend that can face the storm then someone to be pitied. So don't cuddle him, it will only hurt him far more in the long run than help!"

Everyone was quiet, as they had reflected on Hinata's soft-spoken speech. Their deafening silence continued until Kurenai clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Alright then, Tsunami and Tazuna, why don't you two leave us as we discuss strategy. We will begin guard duties tomorrow at the bridge and this house."

The two nodded and left for upstairs. Tazuna discarded his bottle for he felt he had a reason not to drink for the first time since he started to build his bridge. Once he disappeared, the Jōnin turned to face each other when Anko asked, "Alright scarecrow, how ready are your students?"

Kakashi sighed as he stated, "I am unsure. Sasuke is very skilled, and Sai is at Chūnin level if not close to Jōnin level. I was able to train them in tree walking chakra exercise. But… most of the time we trained, I spent trying to get them to work together as an actual team."

Anko gave a twitch as she commented, "So in other words, your team sucks."

Sakura bowed her head in shame, as Sasuke snarled in response. Sasuke was about to speak, but Tukiko stopped him with a flick to the forehead and a comeback, "Oh shut up Sasuke. We don't want to hear you butcher our clan's name anymore then you have."

Sakura was about to rush in to defend her crush but was stopped by a look from the Jōnins. Kurenai sighed in annoyance, "Alright, Anko will help Kakashi teach them Water Walking."

Kakashi nodded before asking, "What about your team?"

"We were mostly focusing on helping them cover their weakness. They are very well trained and did well in general training in things like chakra control," Kurenai explained to Kakashi. Team 7 looked in shock, and in Sasuke's case, jealousy. Team Vixen was so far ahead of Sasuke that he did not think it was funny. Though, Sasuke would suppress such thoughts for now as there is nothing he could do about it.

"Well, it sounds like we have a plan for tomorrow," Kakashi stated while pulling out a book.

"Actually, I was thinking of starting now," Kurenai stated, and Kakashi pouted in response.

"Don't worry scarecrow, I will take care of your students while you read your book and guard the Tazuna's family," Anko waved as she picked up her paled, new students.

Scene VI

It was late in the evening, and the girls of Team Vixen were outside resting under some trees and looking at the stars. It was a beautiful night, and the girls were taking advantage of it. The three girls were laying down, watching the starry night until they head a snap in the thick foliage that surrounded them. They quickly got up and assumed combat positions, weapons out. All three had flashlights and began flashing the woods around them, looking for an animal, or an intruder.

Naruto scanned the dense forest before she yelled out, "Who's out there?"

A muffled voice responded, "A tool that is here because its master wishes to make a deal with your team."

The girls stared at each other before Naruto yelled out, "We don't make deals with hidden people, so either you will show yourself or walk away!"

"Very well," the muffled voice replied.

Jumping out of the dense forest was a masked ninja. The ninja wore a green battle camion with a white mask hiding the person's face. The ninja had two strands of black hair hung over the white mask while the rest of the ninja's hairs were tied up in a court style. This feminine ninja had a small pack filled with senbon needles on its side, ready to be used on a moment's notice. However, the ninja's poise that screamed high-level ninja that had the three girls cautious as they ready their weapons.

As the ninja approached, Naruto's took aim at the masked stranger when she yelled, "Get rid of the mask. I rather talk face to face if possible."

The person tensed, questing herself to reveal who she was until she reluctantly agreed to, "Very well."

The girl then removed the mask to reveal a familiar face that made Tukiko whisper, "Haku?"

"Hello Tukiko, it's good to see you again," Haku bowed to the three girls. "Especially since our meeting is on neutral ground, rather than the battlefield."

"Why are you here… Haku?" Tukiko asked slowly, betraying nothing as she stared at the older woman.

"I am here to make a truce between my master and your ninjas," Haku explained. "My master learned some… things about our current employer and realized that he isn't trustworthy or worthy of our loyalty."

"So, you want to switch sides?" Hinata asked softly, and Haku nodded in response.

"Where is your master?" Naruto asked.

"Nearby," Haku answered figuratively. "He'll come when he knows he can make a deal. I am fast enough to disappear on my own against Jōnin. I can escape you three if need be."

Naruto thought it over, before pulling out her phone to call Anko, "Anko, this is Naruto... I am here to report a ninja wishes to talk to us about an alliance about a ten-minute walk from the house… This kunoichi clams her master wishes to make a deal with us after discovering some things about their client… Her master is nearby and wishes to talk… Understood ma'am."

Naruto hung up her phone, and Kakashi, Anko, and Kurenai soon joined them. Team 7 Genin were moving up from the rear, staying in the shadows and away from conflict.

"We are here girl, call out your master," Kurenai ordered Haku.

"No need, I am here," a demonic spoke out as the mist began to descend.

The mist was thick as a figure approached from the apparent source of the mist. The mist dispersed revealing a 213.36cm (7ft) demonic of a man. A man had a cleaver as tall as him and moved it around like it was a small stick. The masked, shirtless man was recognized by the Leaf-nins, "Zabuza Momochi the Bloody Demon of the Mist."

"Who?" Tukiko asked as Naruto pulled out an electronic pad.

Naruto pulled a data pad and opened a file on Zabuza Momochi's electronic bingo book entry. She read aloud for all to hear, "Zabuza Momochi is an A-rank missing-nin, wanted by the Mist Forces for attempting to kill the Fourth Mizukage during the beginning of the Bloodline Civil War in Water Country. His actions sparked the beginning of the rebellion led by a Mei Terumī, his supposed fiancée. He was last seen with three companions. Out of the three, only one is noteworthy, a ninja known to disguise her slash himself as a hunter-nin to help their master escape bounty hunters and real Mist hunter-nins. Known attack styles include Water Jutsus, sword combat and silent killing using mist as cover. Confirmed kill count is over three hundred and fifty, with one hundred and thirty being either ninjas or samurais."

Hinata looked up and then continued reading, "He is called the Demon of the Bloody Mist for his killing off a third of his entire class."

"What? Why?" Tukiko asked while Sakura overheard and began shaking like a leaf. Next, to Sakura, Sasuke looked eager; he hoped a fight would break out so he can face a tough opponent. Sasuke was going to be disappointed.

"At the time, Mist had a tradition that two students would face each other and kill their opponent to prove they had the will to kill for their country," Kakashi explained. "However, that stopped after Zabuza butchered a third of his class to prove his worth."

"And they allowed him in?" Sakura asked timidly.

"He actually skipped the rank Genin to Chūnin for his loyal work to Mist," Anko explained with a straight face.

Zabuza chuckled in response, "So nice that you gave us my entire history, but I didn't come here to teach a history lesson."

"Then why are you here?" Kurenai asked.

Zabuza grinned under his mask as he began to spin a tale, "At first, it was to scare you to leave here and then kill your client. If necessary, do it while you were asleep if you would not leave." The group tensed until Zabuza continued to explain himself, "But then Haku came back to me and reported that my plan to get you to leave didn't work and she told me your suspicion about the Uzumaki clan working with Gatō and their aid in continuing the Mist Civil War. A war I wanted the rebels to win for a while I enjoy a good killing; I don't like what is happening in Mist. Killing for killing sake is a senseless slaughter, and I hate senseless slaughter that weakened Water Country as a whole."

The Genin lowered their weapons as Zabuza got to his point, "After finding out it was all true, well, I have no love for the man, so I decided to go to work with you Leaf-nins rather than work for the midget."

"In exchange, besides your revenge…?" Naruto asked with a blunt insult that made people tense.

Tension waned when Zabuza laughed, "You have guts to ask me, a demon. I like you, Genin." Once Zabuza calmed down, he answered the girl's question, "Two things, one is to be paid for my services, the payment due from my employers; preferably, from my employer's dead hands."

Anko nodded as she hummed as her sadistic nature took over, "That's fine with me. Money with blood is always the best to look at."

"Anko, focus," Kurenai ordered her friend to calm down as the third Jōnin continued the conversation.

"The second?" Kakashi asked Zabuza in a bored tone.

"The second is that Haku is allowed into the Leaf forces," Zabuza answered, shocking everyone, even Haku. "My tool is too soft for the war we must face in Water Country. She can kill just fine, but she will never be able to fight a war like the one that this war that is needed to be fought. She is also more than just a tool. She is my apprentice, and I want my teaching to live on beyond me. Especially, as I plan to return to Mist to kill Kazekage, or die trying."

"Zabuza-Sama," Haku whispered as she looked to her mentor and back to the Leaf-nins.

Zabuza put his hand on Haku's head to state, "You have been a good kid, but it's time to spread your bloody mark." Zabuza then looked at the Leaf-nins to ask, "Do we have a deal? You need my help to find Gatō and kill the over three hundred bandits loyal to him."

The three Jōnin silently talked among themselves before they finally agreed. Anko stepped up to state, "We will need to talk to our Hokage about Haku, but for the most part, we have a deal."

Zabuza smiled as he walked up and exclaimed, "Great! Let's make the roads red from the blood of our fallen foes!"

Sakura walked behind her teacher, Kakashi, to ask, "Are you sure we can trust them sensei?"

"Trust them?" Kakashi asked sarcastically. "There is no trust in the ninja world. Just agreements that align with what we want. For now, we are partners that work together, nothing more, nothing less."

"But they were our enemies," Sasuke snarled. "We should just kill them before they become a bigger threat."

Kakashi smacked Sasuke and growled, "No you stupid boy. We as ninjas do not fight if we do not need to. They are our allies for now, and they will be treated as such since we need all the help we can get."

Kurenai sighed as she explained, "In our world, today's allies can be tomorrow's enemies and today's enemies can be tomorrow's allies. You need to learn to be flexible as a name will not ensure loyalty or victory."

A scolded Sasuke and a scared Sakura slowly nodded in acceptance as they walked into the house along with Sai, Zabuza, and the three high-ranking Leaf-nins. At the rear were four girls walking to the house slowly and in silent contemplation.

The silence was broken by Haku when she stated, "I am sorry I deceived you. But I did it so we wouldn't have to fight. I can tell you three were a different kind of ninja, the right kind despite being… soft or maybe because of it."

The three girls looked at each other before Tukiko stopped to ask, "Can you guarantee that you won't lie to us again."

"I can't guarantee that if things don't work out for Zabuza-Sama and me," Haku admitted. "But for this mission, we are comrades. I promise to be truthful to you on this mission and when I become Leaf-nins, just don't expect me to reveal everything."

The three nodded in response as Naruto stated, "We can understand, but don't expect us to trust you just because you say we should trust you. You still have to earn our trust."

"I plan to," Haku told the group. "I plan to show to you all that I can be trusted."

"Good," Tukiko said in stone cold voice. "For you have to earn our trust."

` Haku nodded her understanding, she was just glad to be out from under Gatō's heel.

Scene VII

Meanwhile, four red-haired, green-eyed ninjas with whirlpool symbols were looking at photos of leaf ninjas provided by a small man in a business suit and sunglasses as well as two samurais that guarded him. "Yep, it is her. Naruto Uzumaki and her team are here," one of two Uzumaki males concluded.

"So, should we contact the clan?" The other male asked.

"Why? So that bitch Kushina and her bitch of a daughter can claim all the credit for Naruto's capture. Hell no, we can easily capture her ourselves," one of the female Uzumaki snarled in response starting an argument with the three ninjas.

While the Uzumaki argued, the businessman, with his samurai guards, snapped at the ninjas, "Who cares about a little girl? What are you going to do about the Hidden Leaf-nins?"

A huge female Uzumaki growled in response as she grabbed hold of two massive battleaxes and cut the two samurais into two. Blood and guts spilled onto the expensive carpet and shoes as what used to be two humans fell to the ground in pieces. The businessman cowered when she let go of one of her axes to grab the scared businessman covered in blood by the throat.

"Don't think for a second that you can order our clan around Gatō. We are here strictly for business. If you want to deal with the Hidden Leaf, use the ninjas you hired. We will go after Naruto and her Uchiha and Hyūga teammates. We are not here to save you unless it crosses our interest. And remember, if you interfere with our clan's business, you will die," the woman snarled as she threw Gatō across the room into his chair that he slumped in.

"That's Tenbatsu, her wrath can be as bad as the gods," the male Uzumaki commented.

"Shut up. We got work to do," Tenbatsu snapped at her men before turning her attention to the map.

Gatō glared at the ninja before he went home to pick up two new guards. He came back to see the Uzumaki plotting. The two did not realize that outside forces in and out of the Uzumaki clan would work against them.

Scene VIII

"Naruko," Kushina called for her second daughter, a daughter that she had to save from the clan as they tried to turn her into a killing machine. Sadly, the clan had already broken her spirit, but Kushina had not given up hope in teaching her daughter humanity and honor as she saved some of her daughter's soul.

"Yes mom," Naruko replied with a haunting voice that hid her longing for freedom.

"The clan is giving you a mission," Kushina explained as she gave Naruko a scroll, "You are to give this to our clan members' stationed in Wave Country and retrieve our twenty percent cut and bring back some new workers."

"It doesn't seem right, what they are doing to Wave. It brings no honor or whatever the clan claims they are getting," stated Naruko.

"I wish we could help, but we can't expose ourselves right now, and we don't have the time to help one of a dozen villages," Kushina told Naruko as she held-up another scroll. "Now remember, keep an eye out for your sister or any Leaf-nins. This information is vital to our escape from this hellhole and in joining with our true family."

"Will do… mom," Naruko said before packing the scroll and leaving for the Wave.

"Take care, my little angel and I hope you meet your big-sis," Kushina silently said with a smile and a hope for the future.

Done, now please review and tell me how you like or dislike the remap of the Wave Arc.