Chapter 7 : Wave Arc
Tazuna and the Land of the Waves
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Naruto this is fan made project.
"demon talking"
'demon thinking'
justu/technique
scene transition/time skip
*onomatopoeia
"Arrrgh, get off me you stupid fur ball!" Naruto yell as tries to pry the hissing spitting monstrosity from his face.
It was the the fourth time this month that Team 7 had capture the demonic entity know as "Tora." Who yet again managed to escape the smothering love of it's owner Madam Shimji. Naruto for some unknown reason was usually the target of the cats claws. He quickly handed the beast over to Sakura as she always seemed to know how keep the thing calm, at least until it sees Madam Shimji again.
Team 7 arrives at the tower to see the third hokage and Iruka sitting next to him behind a desk with paers scattered before the pair. They both give a small smirk at their favorite blond brat gestures them to put Tora in a box they had prepared for it.(it runs away a lot.)
They quickly handed over Tora to their relief, well mostly Naruto's anyway ,the little monster was asleep until...
"Oh my little Baby, come over here to mama," Said a deep yet feminine voice, as if the bowels of hell shook the cat immediately got and started to run, only to be snatched up by its predator and promptly smothered.
"Ha serves you right," Naruto said happy to see the hell cat get it's comeuppance.
'that's probably why it runs away,' Sakura contemplated.
"well done Team 7, Now for your next mission, we have few things, babysit and elders grandson, shopping in a neighboring village and potato diggi-"
"No, no, no thank you, can we get a, you know a better mission?!" Naruto's question brought on some shocked looks Kakashi only sighed.
'agreed' Sasuke thought, it was a rarity that his rival and him were on the same page.
'so annoying, jeez,' Sakura thought why did he have make a fool of himself now?
' it was going to happen sooner or later.' Kakashi mused.
"You brat you just graduated from the academy, everyone has to start from the bottom and work their way up!" Iruka yelled.
"Let me explain how this works Naruto," the hokage says, unfortunately when he starts Naruto stopped paying attention.
'ugh I don't get it why do we have start off with these crappy missions?'
'Well if you bothered to just listen for a second you'd have your answer.' Kurama answered irritatedly, his host lack of patience could try him at times.
'Come on even you gotta admit these missions are lame right?' the fox could only respond with a sigh this time.
Kushina was just as impatient so to be honest he should have expected as such with her brat. To be fair at Naruto did seem to have the right of it, these d ranks was a waste for his talent and time, and he is far stronger than Kushina was at his age.
"Hey are you even listening?!" Hiruzen's voice snapped Naruto out of his conversation with his bijuu.
"huh, yeah sure, but I am not some weak little rookie, and neither Sakura or Sasuke, we handle whatever you can give us, believe it!"
'hn the loser says something useful for once.' Sasuke smirked.
'Cha! We can totally handle it!' Sakura thought excitedly, in truth she just sick of d ranks as the guys.
Hiruzen looked upon the genin with a bit pride in his eyes they reminded him of his former students the nostalgia swept over him all to quickly. Iruka felt the same bit of pride himself these with these three were his students, he watched them grow from brats into shinobi.
"hmm, fine your next mission you'll be guarding someone," Hiruzen's answer rang through Naruto like a current of lightning.
"who who, feudal lord, a princess who?" Naruto asks practically bouncing on his toes.
"Calm down you'll meet him in a second, hey will you come in here," Hiruzen beckons.
Out of the door, comes a gray-haired, bespectacled man with a large beard and dark eyes. He wears a sleeveless v-neck shirt with an obi, pants and a pair of sandals. He also carries a an opaque brown bottle in his right hand, a towel around his neck and wears a white rope around his head.
"Huh what's this, they all brats, especially the short one with stupidest face." the man sounded a typical old lush, his statement caught Naruto's attention causing to him laugh a bit.
"Hey guys who the small one the stupidest face," Naruto looked to both his teammates and realized they both had at least had foot on him.
"I think he means you brat,"
"I gonna kill him!" Naruto shouted comically lunged at his new foe only to held back from his collar by Kakashi.
"We can't kill who we're protecting idiot." Kakashi coolly stated.
"Hi I'm Tazuna the bridge builder and I'll expect you to provide to super protection until I go back home and complete my bridge."
At the leaf village gates
To say Naruto was excited would be an understatement it was his first real mission and it was the first time he left the leaf. He'd always dreamed of what it would be like outside the walls of his home,away from the scrutinizing and spiteful glares of the villagers, sure he may have wanted to leave but he still had a promise to keep as well as become Hokage of his village.
"Lets go!" Naruto shouts.
"whats with you?" Sakura asks looks the hyperactive blonde bounce around.
"it's my first time leaving the village!" He proudly responds
"Am I going to be safe with him around?" Tazuna asks begrudgingly.
"Relax I'm a jonin," Kakashi answers calmly.
Naruto heard Tazuna snappy remark, 'ugh this old man the worst client ever, I'll show him.'
"Hey! Don't mess with ninja, especially me I gonna become hokage, and then bring peace to the world."As usual Naruto's odd declaration, seem to put throw Tazuna for loop, he never expected some upstart brat to say that.
"yeah right you do that, and I'll never touch the drink for as long as I live"
"Well sober up now you old coo- huh that was weird," the confused blonde said.
"What was weird loser?" Sasuke questioned.
"Thought I sensed some people, it felt like they were kinda watching us, bastard," Naruto answered bitterly to his hated rival.
"hmm, well it's time we got moving anyway," 'this will be interesting at least,' Kakashi contemplated.
Unbeknownst to them two shadows in hiding were watching them, "well looks like ambushing them won't work they've got a sensor." a voice said.
"yeah looks like we'll have to regroup and inform Zabuza of the situation, another voice said. The two shadows leaped off into the canopy.
Entry way to the land of waves
Team 7 and Tazuna had almost completed their journey,all that was left was a trip by boat into the country itself. Everything seemed normal Naruto and Sasuke would typically bicker and Sakura in her curious nature would ask a few questions about where they were going. A few questions she asked seem to make Tazuna nervous, questions about "the wave's economy." Tazuna answers were truthful but neglected key details, he simply stated "it's very poor country." There was no why to situation no chaotic storms or floods ,troublesome pirates or diplomatic issues. A country like the wave benefited heavily on it's trade routes, he was certain a few merchant companies and even hidden villages used, there's no real reason it should be impoverished. Those details set off a few red flags in Kakashi's head, between the ghosts Naruto sensed and the Wave's inexplicable poverty, and an increasingly paranoid bridge builder, Kakashi had very bad feeling about this, as much as he hated to do it, he would to have press Tazuna for information.
Naruto looked out over the water the swirling mists created a veil which could he could hardly see through, until the a great shadow presented itself in the fog, he recognized the large stone structure as the incomplete bridge.
"Wow it's huge! " the excited blonde shouted.
"Hey be quiet, why do you think I cut the engine and we're riding in this fog? do you want Gatou to find us?" The rower hissed at Naruto.
"who the heck is Gatou?"
"As in the shipping magnate?"Kakashi asked.
"the very same," rower confirmed, Tazuna looked sober and ready jump ship at this point.
'yep, that explains it,' Kakashi had managed to put some of the pieces together. Gatou was a business Tycoon, and ruthless from what he had heard, Kakashi had his own theories but now was the time to talk to Tazuna.
"Mr. Tazuna before we cross over into town I have a few questions to ask." Kakashi calmly stated.
"u-uh, sure what is it?" Tazuna asked nervously.
"You becoming increasingly stressed the closer we get to the town, are you afraid of Gatou?"
"Now why would asked that eh, I'm stressed because I have brats looking over my well being." Tazuna seemed to be defensive .
"And I stated that I'm a Jonin an elite shinobi, aside from that fact my team is green, they wouldn't be shinobi if they couldn't handle themselves. Plus if you were really worried about that, you'd been more nervous on the roads than on the boat into the country."
" A-Alright alright I'll tell you why, Gatou officially is wealthy businessman, unofficially he's ruthless man who sells contraband... and he uses gangs and ninja to do his dirty work taking over businesses and countries." everyone took note of gravity in Tazuna voice as he spoke of the man, the last part caught everyone's attention.
"Why did you classify it as a c rank? If you payed for a or b rank, you'd haves chunin and jonin guarding you instead," Kakashi interrogated.
"Gatou a small man who cast a big shadow, he drained all of our resources financial and otherwise, even the nobles have next to nothing, we can't pay for a or b rank missions they're too expensive, that being said what will you do now?" Mixed emotions whirled around the faces team 7, fear, anger, and sorrow.
"Well we can't continue, this mission, it's to much right sensei," Sakura pleaded, she may have wanted more excitement but this was too much they weren't ready yet.
"hmm," Kakashi knew Sakura had the right of it, and if what Naruto sensed earlier were ninja than they'll be expected it was too dangerous.
"well I'll definitely die if you leave now, I'm the only in Gatou's way, when the bridge connects to the mainland he'll lose his grip on us, and we'll finally be free." the conviction and passion behind Tazuna's words had pretty much convinced Naruto.
"We'll do it!" Naruto said proudly jabbing his thumb to his chest out,surprising everyone.
*smack
"Youuuu block head! Don't you realize what we will be walking into?" Sakura shook her fist the semi-conscious Naruto.
The blonde rubbed his aching head "yeah, other ninjas and a few gangsters, no biggie, it's just I don't wanna give up on our first real mission y'know. Plus that Gatou jerk needs to be stopped who the hell does think he is." Tazuna and the rower looked at the kid sitting before them giving solemn looks they knew someone like him.
" I mean how am I suppose bring this world peace if I turn my back on this? Your with me aren'tcha bastard?" Naruto asked grinning at Sasuke.
"hnn" Sasuke smirked confidently, thugs and other ninja, he may not have a agreed with his peace idea, but action was a break from the dull d rank missions.
"Well... I guess we could try," Sakura answered, a part of her agreed with Naruto to help the wave another part afraid of what Sasuke might think of her if she backed down, why do boys have to be so reckless. Fighting dangerous ninja was far above the scope of the mission... but hopefully with Kakashi here, they wouldn't get into too much trouble.
'looks like their minds are made up,' Kakashi speculated looking on at his brave team 'I guess they're ready for this.' he sighed.
"It looks like your stuck with us," Kakashi surmised. Tazuna only gaped at team 7 even though the pay wouldn't be enough they agreed to help, the wave may finally be free from Gatou hold.
"I'm grateful truly, though if you hadn't agreed, I'd be dead and my grandson would cry 'wheres granddad where grandad,' and daughter would cursed the hidden leaf village's name until she dies." the bridge-builder mischievous words gave team 7 a better view of the type of man their client was for sending them on guilt-trip like that.
They finally made landfall and started heading toward Tazuna's home, the group walked out into dense forest with a lone road stretching out before them. A few minutes past and everyone noticed it was eerily quiet, the cause of which was the absence of everyone favorite loudmouth blonde, Naruto.
"Hey loser what are you up to?" Sasuke inquired, curious and weary of his prankster teammates actions.
"Eh, like it's any of your business bastard, oy Mr. Tazuna catch," Naruto shouts as he throws a small trinket to the man.
"Huh, what is this little thing?," Tazuna held it up observing it, a small tag with a dingy black twine wrap around it.
" A good luck charm keep it on you," the blonde chimed.
"hm damn brat," he said almost chucking the small thing.
"Oy I'm serious keep it on you," Tazuna only grumbled in protest as he slipped the band on his wrist.
As group marched on they began to notice an encroaching mist, Kakashi using subtle signals told his team to get ready all Naruto walking in front Sasuke and Sakura flanking left and right their hands close their weapons pouch.
"well, well, well your team just full of the surprises," said a throaty voice echoing in all directions.
" A sensor and Kakashi the copy ninja, if you boys hadn't pulled back, you would have been be carrion to feed buzzards by now," it continued Naruto was already working getting bead on voice.
They was one, no two chakra signatures nearby, really closes to one another.
"Hmm a good call," a new voice rang out it sounding like his mouth was covered by something
" shall we get to work?" a similar voice said put at a different pitch.
'I don't get it, where's the third one?' Naruto thought little panic stricken. Kakashi quickly drops into ready stance contemplating his next move.
'whoever he is he knows my moniker, and he still chooses to fight me, and with this unnatural fog, could it be a one of swordsman of the mist?' Kakashi could only guess. A seven swordsman of the mist being here, would make fairly difficult opponent for him.
Kakashi releases a burst of chakra pushing away the blanket of fog, make their surroundings more visible.
"Naruto, what are you sensing?" Kakashi inquired.
"two to our right, I can't sense the other guy," Naruto confirmed more attentive than ever.
' the third one's keeping out of range, definitely a jonin,'
*Slosh, splash
Suddenly, a splashing sound could be heard from above grabbing everyone's attention, above them was a dragon made of water, intent on crashing into them.
'what?'
'what the ?'
'damn he using water dragon missile he's using it to keep his distance.'
"move!" Kakashi commanded as the dragon boor down on them, he leaped forward focusing his senses, but his team wasn't as quick and Tazuna was still in the line of fire.
"gah!" Kakashi heard someone scream out, he need to go back.
*swoosh
That was until he heard the sound of metal being hurled at him, he immediately duck narrowly avoiding the object.
*chop
He looked behind him to see a burly gray sword embedded in a nearby tree, a top the hilt stood a lone man.
Meanwhile
"Move!" Kakashi commanded as the dragon boor down on them, he leaped forward, but his team wasn't as quick and Tazuna was still in the line of fire.
Naruto took notice as the third attacker closed in and finally made itself known, but he couldn't worry about that now his priority was the other two that just moved. The water dragon collided with the ground making a watery shock-wave that pushed everyone back.
"Gah!" Tazuna yelled as the flood of water forced him down.
The remainder of team 7 plus Tazuna tumbled in the muddy waters struggling to get their bearing back, As they got to their feet Naruto noticed the pair of ninja got closer, right where …
"Sakura move!" she was still in a daze wipping the water and dirt from her face when Naruto's words reached her.
*splash
Suddenly two shadows appeared out of the water on both sides of her.
"one down," the shinobi's cold said
the voice petrified her,her eyes widen, her heart beat hysterically in her chest, she felt like she couldn't even breathe. The fear of knowing how close to death she really was struck in that instant.
Then in two orange blurs moved quickly through her peripheral vison,as she felt a force draw her forward.
"ugh so annoying," she almost cried as she look up toward the voice, Sasuke her knight in shining armor was pulling her away from what would've been certain death. She looked back to Naruto fighting her two would be assailants.
"Sakura guard Tazuna while the loser and I deal with this," She nodded and did so in haste.
"What'd you say bastard?!" Naruto yelled as he held one of the two shinobi in fierce lock, his arms around one of their necks, giving Sakura chance to see what they looked like. The two shinobi looked very similar to one another same hair color, eye color, facial structure, even their cloak-like garbs matched. The most notable thing to her was that these two were mist ninja a great shinobi village just like the leaf. The second most notable thing was their weapons two razor sharp claw-gauntlets on opposite arms, connected via shuriken chain, Sakura had deduced that these two usually fought together, but last thing that caught her attention was the masks. Most masks are commonly used to either protect their identity or intimidate foes, she couldn't peg Kakashi's reason since it wasn't clear. The metallic sheen that shown through the mist, reveal the last possible reason, to protect themselves from noxious fumes.
"Careful they might be using poison!" Sakura quickly shouted.
"Huh? whoa!" Naruto yelped as he narrowly dodged the claw.
"So much for the surprise," the mist ninja grunted.
Naruto felt his clone disperse it got cut down by the chain, these guys were pretty tough they loved to coordinate their attacks. Sasuke joins the fray fighting other one, the mist ninjas then dove in trying to entrap our heroes in the chain, Sasuke noticed and immediately tried to force back the one he fought, Naruto then took note of what was happening and did the same using shadow clones on the other. The mist ninja's frustration grew when they were being yanked to opposites sides of the road, the stretched out chain severely limited their movement as they took heavy blows from the two genin. Realizing that chain would be a disadvantage the pair quickly detached it, giving themselves more room to work.
"Interesting these brats are pretty good, eh Meizou," the one front Sasuke addressed the other.
"Yes it's been a while since we had this much fun, Gozu," the other ninja darkly chuckled.
Naruto stared down his opponent for awhile a sprinted forward kicking up watery-mud along his feet, he started forming hand seals, then four clones in a row charged in. The first clone landing solid right hook, second follow behind and kick him in the solar plexus, but as he fell a third appeared on his right using and grabbed him. Then using Meizou's falling momentum flung him into the dirt,lastly the original jumped in attempting finish with a stomp, but as he did the Meizou sunk to muddy water causing to comically slip and fall. The tell tale sound of hissing steam could be heard before a blanket of white covered the battlefield.
*splash, splash, splash
"Get up loser," Sasuke said with a sense of urgency.
"grrr, shut it bastard,"Naruto groaned as he got up.
Just then a the two mist ninja jumped out and swiped at the boys causing to leap out of harms way before they dove back in the water. Naruto and Sasuke swiftly positioned themselves back to back.
"Arghhh, come out and fight already, stop hiding you cowards!" Naruto shouted into the mist
"Again, you are a ninja." Kurama chided.
'oh shut it!'
"So their plan was just to regroup heh, I guess it was too hard fighting me by himself," Naruto said using the opportunity to stroke his ego.
"Pfft, don't flatter yoursel-" they lashed out again forcing them to dodge the incoming attacks,and disappeared, now they pissed off Sasuke. Between the now lower visibility and these two clowns popping up and vanishing was aggravating, but Sasuke dissolved their plan.
"their trying to tire us out, make it so we can dodge anymore," Sasuke surmised quickly as he was feeling much more tire than before.
"That's a stupid plan," Naruto grumbled out
"Not really, it's more effective than you think, their tactics imply that they specialize in relentless assault, they could keep this up for hours if they have to... but by the look the uchiha it won't be long. I shouldn't have to say this but once they take him out,"
'yeah I know I can't beat them by myself.' Naruto thought as another hit and run attack by Gozu and Meizou initiated forcing them to avoid the poisoned blades.
*huff huff huff
Naruto looked at Sasuke for a moment there was no scratches on him, yet he was already fatigued, he knew his rival was stronger than this so why? He focus on his rival's chakra when then answer came too him.
"Sasuke we need to get out of the water, it's draining our chakra," Naruto hissed out.
"What?" yes that would make sense to him the even after using the fireball justu he shouldn't be this winded,
Naruto figured it out with sensory, their charka was slowly dipping, slow enough that most ninja wouldn't notice until it was too late.
"there's a problem though, I doubt these two would let us leave." Sasuke was right they would let them just run out so how do they get out of this. That when Naruto cooked up a plan.
*hehe hehe he
Sasuke looked around to see his find his teammate laughing, in situation as dire as this he was laughing, either it was a really good sign, or bad omen.
"What are you laughing at loser? You finally lost it."
"Hey pay attention to which one attacks you okay I got an idea."
"hnn whatever," he wasn't sure that Naruto was entirely in right state of mind for this but he didn't have any ideas at the moment.
The two shinobi jumped out again, and once again the boys dodged their blades.
'Gozu' Sasuke noted, he wondered what Naruto's plan was for this.
"Follow my lead quick," Naruto demands as he weave through hand-seals.
"hnn not bad loser,"
the pair jump out again but stopped completely, unsure what to do with conundrum that now laid before them.
"You little shits,"were all the words Meizou could form.
In mist now were four mist ninja two Meizous and Gozus each one standing opposite to the other in a square. The coordination of two ninja proved to be their downfall every time they'd attack it would be opposite directions, Naruto took note of this a quickly formed a strategy, which Sasuke just as quickly caught on to and now that their momentum stopped...
*smack
They took advantage of the situation with a surprise assault Sasuke as Meizou, landed swift kick on Gozu causing him to stumble back, but Sasuke was just getting started he charges through and follows with straight right jab to his mask, then he grabs Gozu's head and giving him a vigorous blow to with his left knee. Gozu gasped as his eyes bulged and rolled back, coughing furiously as the final crippling blow reached his stomach. He falls back into the water landing with a wet sounding "thud" instead of a splash.
Naruto assault was far more simplistic, he simply slammed is right hand in open palm thrust. Meizou, felt some relief at the brats idiocy dove into water. Naruto formed a right handed tiger seal and...
*boom, splash, pitter patter pitter patter
What Meizou didn't know was that Naruto had slipped the bang seal on with that attack, a paper bomb might not have sufficed explosion might have suffocated, but the bang seal produced stronger shock-waves in the water, giving Meizou severe internal damage.
The boys drop the transformation, and walk over to one another Naurto gave his usual goofy smile with a chuckle and Sasuke simply smirked the mist chunin were difficult opponents but their teamwork was stronger and they grew as real ninja. Sakura and Tazuna looked on in awe at two,Sakura felt slightly ashamed and embarrassed when she when Sasuke and even Naruto when they saved her, she wanted to catch up to them to fight with them. The boys calmly walked up and gave each other a fist bump,as the light rain finished over head but that's when Naruto realized something strange.
"Hey Sasuke,
"yeah,"
"Where's your guy?"
"What do you me-" Sasuke looked around and his opponent was gone.
'No way he was knocked out,'
The very instant Sasuke turned his back was when Gozu came too, seeing his brother rendered unconscious, he thought of only completing the mission at hand, the mist began to let up a bit allowing him to see the kunoichi earlier as well as his target, Tazuna. This was great, he kills him those brats mission ends, he and his brother could recuperate, and everyone get's paid. Knowing this he sank into water and slipped into shadows of the forest closing behind the old man.
'Target acquired' he thought as brought down his poisoned claw.
*REEEEK, Crunch, Crinkle, ARRRRRGH
A horrifying set of sounds came for Tazuna and Sakura's direction, the boys go to investigate it.
"See I told you a good luck charm," Naruto chirped as looked out at his work,
"What the?" Sasuke was confused by scene laid out before him.
Gozu hobbled backwards into a nearby tree and collapsed panting heavily. Bits and pieces of metal jutting out of his shoulder, most of the gauntlet wrapped tightly cutting around and inside his arms, a red-purple-brownish mixture of his blood and poison seeped into the grass.
"Naruto what was that? What happened" Sakura inquired shaken up by turn of events.
"A barrier talisman, basically when foreign chakra enters, it immediately deflects it.
"wait I was close to Tazuna this whole time, th-that could have of been me you idiot," Sakura clenching her fists in a threatening manner.
"Ahhh! No Sakura it couldn't! I collected everyone's residual chakra on the d rank missions, enough to make imprint which was then was set inside of the talisman. I thought I would need it on missions like these" Naruto waved his hands defensively the everyone present and conscious at the time was surprise the hyperactive brat thought ahead like this.
Gozu only sighed after hearing that, no one could touch the target, he had to admit it was impressive how that those leaf brats stayed one step ahead of them. He felt himself fading in and out, poison was replacing the blood he lost and he would die soon, but not before jutting down one vital piece of information...
"barrie r ont a rg et ki llth e blo nde bra t." he sloppily wrote out on small a parchment, afterward he felt his lids grow heavy all the strength left his body, then he saw something... he chucked then felt death's cold embrace.
"we need to see how Kakashi sensei is holding up!" Naruto reminded everyone, he could feel Kakashi and the other shinobi's chakra dropping fast.
"Yeah lets move," Sasuke commanded, the group of four moved to find the cyclops jonin.
The next scene they saw was Kakashi his leg was dripping with blood and shadowy figure standing atop the a body of water. As they got closer the Shadowy figure took a clearer form of a tall and noticeably muscular man with pale skin, short spiky black hair, brown eyes, and small eyebrows. He was wore bandages like a mask over the bottom half of his face. He wore his forehead protector sideways on his head, and he carried an over sized broadsword in his right hand with a large hole near top of the blade. He was shirtless, with his chest only covered by a belt to which could be used to attach his massive sword to. He wore baggy pants with the striped pattern and mimetic wrist-warmers extending up to his elbows, with matching leg-warmers.
"so the demon brothers have failed," the man grimaced he thought it would be easier than this, either they were weak, or these genin were strong, it didn't matter target was in sight, all their was to do now was seal the deal, but Kakashi couldn't be overlooked so easily.
"we'll come and help you out sensei," Naruto shouted eager to fight again, he ran up only see Kakashi gesture for him to step back.
"Don't he's in a different league than the other two, Manji formation now!" Kakashi barked out, Team 7 seven quick formed up around Tazuna their Kunai drawn facing in different directions.
" And don't worry this will be over in a flash," Kakashi stated with stern confidence.
"Is that so Kakashi! " the two Jonin instantly turned heel toward each other to finish their lethal battle.
Earlier
He looked behind him to see a burly gray sword embedded in a nearby tree, a top the hilt stood a lone man. His body faced away from but his head was angled down and turned towards him.
"Zabuza the demon of the mist," Kakashi knew this wasn't going to be easy hopefully his team could hand the other two. He straightened his head revealing a vertical scar over his closed left eye, he opens it showing a crimson red iris with three black tomoes swirling around the pupil.
"Well I'm glad my reputation is known even to the leaf village Kakashi of the sharingan," Zabuza said looking back at his opponent.
"Tell me though, how long do think those genin of yours can fend off the demon brothers." he finished.
'the demon brothers, this could be bad, but for now I need to have faith in them.' Kakashi was concerned about the well being of his team, however Zabuza now took priority if he fell to him, it would matter if they defeated the demon brothers or not.
"I can trust them to handle themselves, they're the brightest the hidden leaf village has to offer," Kakashi said carrying a hint of pride in his voice.
"Hmm is that so, I should finish this quickly then," Zabuza said, in one quick motion positioned himself vertically on the tree and then yanked the broadsword from it's trunk disappearing in a blur.
*splash
Kakashi quickly found him on a nearby lake with both hands in a half tiger seal, one raise high and the other at his lips. Then water around swirled into a mist, and mist got thicker and thicker until Zabuza was no longer visible. Kakashi was senses where on fire trying catch the slightest shadow, sound or smell of him. Zabuza appeared behind him, he swiftly reacts jabbing a kunai in his abdomen but blood didn't pour out, Zabuza form melted into water. Without warning the broadsword cleaved through Kakashi's body bisecting it...
*splash
"heh amazing even in this mist," Zabuza was in awe of the sharingan's power even in haze of his hidden mist justu somehow he mimicked his water-clone justu.
"it's over Zabuza," Kakashi reappeared with a kunai knife to Zabuza's throat,but before he could lay the finishing blow, a shadow fell upon him.
"Couldn't agree more," the clone dispersed,as Kakashi whirls around and bends back to avoid Zabuza's deadly blade.
Zabuza used the missed swing to build momentum as Kakashi dove in for a counter he stuck his sword in the dirt and pirouetted lifting his left leg for a strong kick that sent Kakashi flying a few feet in the opposite direction. Zabuza taking opportunity dropped out sight, but reappears behind Kakashi who rolls out the way of a lethal strike. He quickly got up but had brace himself for second swing with a kunai, the blow catapulted him toward the lake this time, thinking ahead he quickly threw makibishi spikes immediately impeding Zabuza's advance...
'his strength is absurd, but not more so than Guy, he's fast too if not for my sense of smell, and the sharingan I would've be dead by now.' he thought as fell into the lake.
*splash
Kakashi swiftly regained bearing when he noticed the heaviness of the water.
"Got you," Kakashi's eyes widen to find the Zabuza behind him. The bandaged face man quickly flung the Snake, Ram, Horse , Hare, Ram, Horse, Hare, Hand-seals then he spreads in front palms out, instantaneously water encases Kakashi from all directions, he could the feel the intense pressure of the justu lock him in place.
"Damn it"
"I was expecting more from 'Kakashi the copy ninja; master of a thousand justu,' but I guess all that excitement was for nothing," Zabuza taunted his one hand on the water sphere.
'alright this a bad situation, but every justu has a weakness,' Kakashi racked his brain vigorously trying to find a way out we sharingan managed to catch a glimpse of one of the demon brothers.
'that's it!, the sphere of this justu need to remain intact to be effective, he'll try to kill me while I'm still inside '
"don't worry you'll see those brats of yours on the other side!" Zabuza teased as swung for the executing blow.
'which means the moment he breaks it I'll make my move,' Time appeared to have slowed at Kakashi final thought.
The edge the sword broke water barrier's surface, and sphere began to dissolve...
*splash
* (faded) boom
The broadsword cleaved through the barrier leaving a trail small bloody droplets. The blood struck the water's surface making murky crimson clouds below. Globs of water still hanging over Zabuza's abashed face as there was no corpse that came with the blood that stained his blade. Without warning he felt sharp, cold pain in his right shoulder, he looked over in his horror to see Kakashi stabbing him.
'but how!?' the question was answer the instant he saw half of his foe's body appearing out of the water puddle that hung over him.
'he was able to copy their justu, and then utilize it the moment the water prison justu collapsed!' the now bewildered Zabuza, felt the sharp pain digging and ripping through his flesh, he acted quickly by slamming his fist into his opponent trying desperately to separate himself from Kakashi.
It was close call, he couldn't get out if unscathed, but he could win this fight now, he Zabuza right were he wanted him. Kakashi's left leg now bled perpendicular to Zabuza right arm the two raring to go with killer intent in both their eyes. Two heard the pairs of footsteps run toward them both were eager to see who triumphed.
"We'll come and help you out sensei!" Naruto shouted excited to fight again, he ran up only see Kakashi gesture for him to step back.
"Don't move! he's in a different league than the other two, Manji formation now!" Kakashi barked out, Team 7 seven quick formed up around Tazuna their Kunai drawn facing in different directions.
" And don't worry this will be over in a flash," Kakashi stated with stern confidence.
"Is that so Kakashi! " the two Jonin instantly turned heel toward each other to finish their lethal battle.
.
Immediately both shinobi start off flinging a long set of hand-seals...
"Ushi, saru, Usagi, ne, ino, tori, ushi, uma, tori, ne, tora, inu, tora, mi, ushi, hitsuji, hebi, ino, hitsuji, ne, jin, saru, tori, tatsu, tori, ushi, uma, hisuji, tora, mi, ne, saru, usagi, ino, tatsu, hitsuji, ne,ushi, saru, tori, jin, ne, ino tori, Water-style:water dragon justu!" the jonin finished in tandem, immediately the water rose and formed immense two serpent like dragons, their forms crossing each other make waves in the lake, until their heads collided against each other. The water in the lake tosses restlessly before finally settling, making water arches form over the two veterans.
"So many seals so quickly and how did Kakashi copy them so flawlessly?" Sasuke thought out loud.
"whoa" Naruto could only say, he was left practically speechless with the display of raw power the two used.
Immediately Zabuza felt that something was wrong, 'the sharingan analyzes nin, gen and taijustu, breaking down the process so the user can mimic it, so why were the justu cast simultaneously?'
He hurriedly ran clockwise only to see Kakashi do the same, he stops and makes the signature pose for the hidden mist justu but once again Kakashi imitates his move.
' my movements,he's completely-' both jonin lowered their right hands.
"reading them." to Zabuza's horror Kakashi somehow finished his thought.
'is he reading my mind?!' his eyes fell to sharingan he made another hand-seal both palms facing inward his hands made the shape of a triangle, yet again Kakashi mimics, ' damn that-
"Freaky eye's really pissing me off, am I right?" Zabuza was frustrated at Kakashi concluding his thoughts.
"all your doing is copying me, you can't beat me with cheap tricks I'll squash you," the two jonin ended the sentence at same moments, what's more he was now using the tiger hand-seal as he had used .
"arggh, I'll make it so you'll never open your monkey mouth again," Zabuza hands were in a flurry making seals, but he seen something, something that shocked him to his core. Kakashi was standing there copying the justu, but there was a phantom, and it looked just like him doing the same thing.
'is this, one of his genjustu!? ' but before he could even think to confirm it Kakashi finished technique.
"water style: giant vortex justu," the water swirled forming a vertical circle in front of Kakashi.
'im- impossible I'm the one using that justu,' "Gah!" Zabuza shouted as he was being swept by the the giant watery drill.
The waters churned and toppled into the land expelling the trees it's path Team 7 and Tazuna trying to stand firm against the small waves it produced. At it's center was Zabuza twisting helplessly in the current. The waters eventually calmed enough for him to lean on a tree thats strong enough to survive the rough waters, but as he did kunai flew right into his limbs he looked up into the trees find his foe.
"Can you, Can you see the future?" Zabuza asked frantically there was other explanation for what had just occurred.
"yeah I can, your going to die here," Zabuza believed him as Kakashi brought up his kunai, eyes set to kill, however before a final blow was struck two needles pierced Zabuza's neck and fell limply to ground he still portrayed a stupefied expression in his eyes.
"heh, your right he's dead,' a voice rang out above Kakashi.
The rest of the group caught up to see Zabuza dead and a new face that appeared before them. From Kakashi could judge he or she was around Naruto and Sasuke the voice carried some masculinity so it's a he. He wore a pinstriped outfit which stopped at his knees, over this he wore a green haori with white trimmings, and around his waist a brown sash with a fringed trail wrapped around his waist also wore light-brown platoon sandals with straps in the same color as his kimono and nail polish on his fingernails and toenails in matching blue green color. His long hair was gathered in a white bun holder, while two locks of his hair fell loose framing his face, bound with metal hair cuffs at the ends. He wore a hunter-nin mask, which was white with thin, curved eye-holes and a red wavy design in place of the mouth, as well as the mist symbol etched in the top.
Seeing his team here Kakashi walks over to confirm the mist jonin's death he placed his hands on his neck to feel for a pulse but he got nothing.
"With that mask and symbol your mist hunter nin, aren't you" he addressed the boy.
" yes I am and thank you I've been chasing him for quite some time," the hunter nin said as he body flickers down and lifts Zabuza's corpse.
"Now I must go and dispose of his body," he finishes with a light bow before he disappears.
"Wait what about those other guys?Gozu and Meizou and why didn't he stop Zabuza earlier?" Naruto asks, that's when Kakashi felt he missed something all too important all these inconsistencies, he had a feeling that this would not be the last time they would encounter Zabuza.
*thud
"Sakura!,"
AN: whelp another chapter done and had some fun with this(and looky a cliffhanger), hopefully this has been edited too at least satisfactory level, knowing me I've likely over looked a few things next time: Dilemmas and Daring in the Wave.
