Hello warhawk talons here bringing you chapter 9. Please continue to support the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own any the material used in the story. And all source material is owned by its respective companies.
The rise of NightFox
Chapter 9:
Wave Arc; C rank turned A rank, The Copy Ninja vs The Demon of The Bloody Mist.
Konoha; M.A.D
Naruto was walking through the halls of the mission assignment building along with his team, they just finished they're 12 mission which was to capture the Daimyo's wife's cat who ran away. Surprisingly Naruto was able to catch toru by simply being gentle with him, considering most of the time the cat always end up scratching his pursuers. ("I'm beginning to see what Ryu was talking about, I've only had one good mission and the rest were just plane old chores.")
"Naruto! Are you even listening!?" Sakura said trying to grab his attention. "Iruka sensei about to give us our next mission."
"You mean do more odd jobs around the village?" Naruto said uninterested.
"Naruto! You shouldn't treat missions like odd jobs, each mission is to help you and your team grow as Shinobi." Iruka lectured.
"I can't really take most of these missions seriously, it feels like we're doing random neighborhood work just to get paid." Naruto said feeling like he's more of a chore boy than a Ninja. He's willing to do the odd jobs sure but there's no way he can call them ninja missions.
("I actually agree with him. How is this anything else but doing work that people are too lazy to do?") Sasuke said thinking he has better things to do then this.
Iruka signed "It's hard to believe that you're doing so well in your missions, yet show none of that enthusiasm while doing it. I mean the mission your team did before this one you actually showed more effort, what happened to that?"
"We were retrieving a key a bunch of bandits stole, and we not only got the key back and ran the bandits out but we also found a chest full of scrlls that the woman at the scroll shop thought were lost." Naruto said seeing that as a better achievement.
The third Hokage couldn't help but chuckle at this. "Well then I suppose you all did enough D rank missions to earn at least one C rank. You'll be bodyguards on a journey, send in Tazuna."
Soon enough and old man with a bottle of sake came out and took a look at the 4 ninjas. "Hmm? What the... I asked for ninjas, and all I get is one guy and a bunch of little snot-nosed kids?" Tazuna said underwhelmed.
This aggravated the three rookie ninjas but they kept their cool as Tazuna continued. "I am Tazuna, a Master bridge builder, and I must return to my country. I expect you to get me there safely, even if it means giving up your life!"
"Okay! Why don't we all go home and start packing and meet at the gate of leaves. Make sure you pack everything you might need cause this will be a long trip." Kakashi informed them.
Naruto went home as instructed and began packing. His ninja gear, his extra pair of clothes and some trail mix just in case. As he was finishing he heard a voice from behind him.
"So you're going to the Land of Waves, not much of a tourist spot these days." A female voice stated.
Naruto turn to see Ayane laying on his couch watching 'The Deadliest Warrior' on his TV. After his first mission he was surprised too find Ayane waiting for him.
Flashback, 2 weeks ago
Naruto was just coming back from his first mission. 'Yeah right mission, more like getting paid to help someone move into their new house, instead of having a moving company they hired ninjas to do it.' Definitely not a memorable first mission.
"Hey Myucel, I'm back!" Naruto said coming in but surprised to not see Myucel downstairs. He heard female laughter upstairs and went up to investigate, what he saw when he reached Myucel's room was Ayane and Myucel giving each other pedicures and having a fun conversation. They both soon notice Naruto at the door, Myucel had a greeting smile on her face while Ayane was blushing in embarrassment. "Don't mind me ladies, you both enjoy yourself, I'll be downstairs when you're done." Naruto said trying hard not to laugh.
"Thank you Master, you are too kind!" Myucel replied not taking notice of the embarrassed blush on Ayane's face.
A few moments later both girls came down to see Naruto reading a book, when he turned around to see them. "So Ayane. I guess you're the one taking me to meet Ryu." Naruto said as Ayane came up to him with a frightening look.
"Tell anyone what you just saw upstairs, and I promise to leave a very painful scar. 'Are we clear'?" Ayane whispered.
"Yeah. We're clear." Naruto said intimidated.
"Good. Now get your things, it's time we met up with Ryu. He's waiting for us at the temple ruins outside of the leaf." Ayane said before turning to Myucel. "Myucel. I need you to go down to the basement and set this tag on the floor, trust me it's important." She handed Myucel a tag with glyphs on it.
Scene changes to Naruto and Ayane leaving out the Gate of branches. "Just to let you know this will be a long walk, so don't expect any breaks, the sooner we get there the better." Ayane informed.
"How far is this temple exactly?" Naruto asked.
"About a 2 hour and a half hike. Now! Enough talking let's get a move on!"
Temple Ruins
The Duo eventually made to the location of the temple ruins. It was in an abandoned part of the land of Fire that was mostly surrounded by short mountains and forest which was close to a streaming River, Ayane lead Naruto to a cave and quickly went to a hidden lever and pulled it down deactivating something. "Okay. Now we just have to make it past this cave and will reach the temple, follow me."
"What did you just deactivate?" Naruto asked wondering what that sound was.
"It was traps that were set up here years ago, this place used to belong to Bandits, and before that monks and Shrine maidens." Ayane explained as they went through the cave. Once they exit the cave they see a large old Temple, it looks like it's seen better days but still looks very sturdy. "And, We're here." Ayane said leaving him up the steps to the front door.
"Too think they had a still usable Temple, and they just let it sit here for bandit to use. What a waste." Naruto couldn't help but say wondering why it was abandoned.
"I have to agree with you on that" The voice of Ryu said as he appeared from behind a pillar. "But, we can talk about that later, right now we can start your training, Follow me." The two preteens followed Ryu into the temple, to their surprise it was a better condition then what it was outside, clearly Ryu did some work on it to make it more suitable for training.
Naruto set his gear on floor and then looked at Ryu. "So... What are we learning tonight? Some new fighting techniques, or are you going to teach me a new Jutsu?"
"We're too early for that stage. Before I teach you how to be a better fighter, I'm first going to teach you how to properly use your chakra." Ryu said getting a surprised look from Naruto.
"What!?"
Flashback Ends
Naruto broke out of his thoughts as Ayane continued to watch one of her favorite shows. She had left the day after she took him to the temple, but now she had a week off and decided to spend it here and help him with his training. The seal tag that she gave Myucel was a checkpoint seal, it was used to teleport someone from one place to the other where the tag was located, so it's saved him the two-hour walk up to the Temple. "Well, I'll be there for probably a week or two so feel free to stay here if you like and Myucel wouldn't mind the company. By the way, where is she?" Naruto said wondering where his housemaid was.
"I'm coming down master! Just hold on for a bit, there's something I want to give you!" Myucel said heading downstairs with a Bento Box and the scroll on top of it. "I made you a special lunch for when you make it to the Wave Country, it's your favorite combo just the way you like it." She handed it to him.
("She acts like his wife more than his maid.") Ayane couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.
"I can't help but feel a bit spoiled, but thank you as always Myucel." Naruto said taking the boxed lunch but notices the scroll on top. "Say Myucel? What's in the scroll?"
Myucel paused for a moment. "Its your 'Night Clothes'. I thought you might want them just in case you want to go out again." She heard what happened to Mizuki and the description of his attacker and knew right away it was Naruto. When she asked him about it he explained what Mizuki was doing and admitted that he went a bit overboard and that the reason he didn't tell her because he didn't want her to see what he looked like when he came back. She didn't want to pry any deeper seeing as it was an uncomfortable topic so she asked if she could clean his black coat feeling after that transaction it would need to be cleaned.
Naruto sighed he hadn't worn the black coat since the whole incident, there were probably people looking for him to either question him or arrest him. "I'll take it with me just in case, but hopefully I won't need it." Naruto put the bento box and the scroll in his bag.
("From what I heard recently about wave, I don't think you'll be able to stop yourself from putting on the hood.") Ayane said as she saw Naruto leave.
Forest Trail
Team 7 escorted Tazuna through the forest with little to no encounter. To break the boredom Naruto decided to start a conversation with their client. "So... Tazuna. What's your village like?"
"I can't really say much about it, it's a very small country that lives on an island off the coast line, so its main income comes from fishing and carpeting." Tazuna replied.
This caught Sakura's attention. "Kakashi sensei, there are ninja in that country to aren't there?"
"No. There are no ninja in the Land of Waves. But there are other hidden ninja villages in other countries, Mostly in the five leading Nations. Ninja villages are the nation's military strength next to Samurai that is."
"So wait? What about the other ninja Villages that are in the Land of rain, The Land of Waterfall, and the land of grass?" Sakura asked curious.
Naruto was the one to answer Sakura's question. "Although they do have a Daimyo, and a Capitol city, they don't have a Kage. All they have is that one Village with a Head Ninja as the leader."
"But anyway. Considering this is just a c rank mission we shouldn't encounter any foreign Ninja." Kakashi said to the relief of Sakura but Tazuna seemed a bit nervous which Sasuke seem to notice.
Naruto for his part couldn't help but notice Tazuna's heart started to beep differently due to his enhance hearing. ("What's wrong with the old drunk, his heart sounds a bit nervous.") He then picked up on something else. "Kakashi sensei-"
"I know. Whatever happens stay close to Tazuna." Kakashi instructed. Then out of nowhere 2 ninjas attacked and tied up a Kakashi in spiked chains connected to gauntlet on one of their hands and appeared to slice Kakashi to pieces. This in turn caused Sakura to scream in terror.
"No matter what happens stay close to Tazuna Sakura?" Naruto said before docking from an incoming attack and grab his bo staff.
Sasuke moved into action and used a kunai and a shuriken to trap their chain on a tree forcing them to disconnect from each other. Once disconnected the right one went for Naruto who used his staffs ballistic shield to block it, Well the left one went towards Sakura and Tazuna. Sakura stood her ground but inside she was panicking as Sasuke went to shield her. Then in a flash Kakashi appeared taking both of them down.
Sakura felt relieved at seeing her sensei. ("Kakashi sensei, he's alive!")
("Showoff.") Sasuke said feeling Kakashi was showing off
"Not that I didn't have any faith in you. But that was a bit too close for comfort, ya know."
"Maybe? But the good thing is that none of you froze up when they went after you, good job." Kakashi complimented them before turning his attention to Tazuna. "Now. I think you have some explaining to do."
After they tied up the two ninja that Kakashi revealed as The Oni Brothers Rogue Ninja from the Hidden Mist Village, they went on a boat and begin their long journey to the Land of Waves. As they were halfway there they saw the bridge that was still under construction. ("This bridge is about as long as the ones back in Twilight City, and it's not even finished yet.") Naruto looked at the bridge amazed.
"Now, Mr Tazuna I think it's about time you told us about the men who are after you. I need to know why, if you don't tell us I'm afraid I'll have to end this mission when we drop you ashore." Kakashi told the bridge builder making it absolutely clear what will happen if he doesn't answer.
Tazuna was silent for a good moment before he opened his eyes to look at the four Ninja. "...I have no choice but to tell you- no I want you to know the truth. Like you said earlier this is beyond the scope of the original Mission, the one who seeks my life is a short but horrible man named Gato. I'm sure you heard of him he's one of the wealthiest men in this Vale Nation. Gato the shipping magnate."
This shocked team 7. "Gato! Of Gato transports, he's a business leader everyone knows him." Kakashi said surprised.
"Wait I don't get it, what does a businessman have to do with any of this!?" Sakura said confused.
"Goto is a very powerful Tycoon from a famous company that's true, but below the surface he sells drugs and contraband using gangs and Ninja." Tazuna explained revealing Gato's true colors.
"So he's a white-collar criminal." Naruto said getting his two teammates attention.
"Naruto. What are you talkin about? I never heard of a white collar criminal?" Sakura said never hearing about this before.
"The dope probably made that word up to sound cool." Sasuke said thinking Naruto doesn't know what he's talking about.
"Actually what Naruto says is true." Kakashi said grabbing their attention. "White Collar criminals are people who in the public eye seem like legitimate business owners and politicians, but behind closed doors their crime bosses that do illegal activity by hiring gangs to do they're dirty work."
"Yes. And it was one year ago, when Gato first came to our Island and used his wealth to buy out all our shipping ports, and from then on he made our home his territory for his crime Empire controlling all our Imports and Deportes including our taxes. Anyone who complained or stood up against him simply... disappeared. But there are only two things he fears, one of them being the bridge. Once it's complete and it joins us with the mainland we will have no need for his Shipping Company and that would break his control." Tazuna looked up at the incomplete Bridge. "I am the bridge-builder."
"So that's it. Since you're in charge of the bridge, your standing in this gangsters way." Sakura pieced together. "But wait. What's the second thing that he fears?"
"Recently about 5 months ago, there has been rumors of a sea monster that has been attacking Gato's export ships destroying his illegal contraband. This has aggravated him enough to get his attention off me and to give us enough breathing room to work on the bridge while he tries to hunt the sea creature down but to no luck. But it was only a matter of time before he turned his focus back on me." Tazuna explained.
"A sea monster! You mean in this Lake!?" Sakura said edging away from the corner of the boat in fear.
"What does this sea monster look like?" Sasuke asked intrigued.
"People say it looks human-like, the height of a preteen, it's where's a black and blue scuba suit, but it's arms and lower legs are exposed. But no ones seen its face because it's covered by some shark mask. But it's power is amazing, its skin is so hard that not even spiked maces could puncher it, in fact it literally broke off its wooden handle. But what really astonishes people is when its arms glow with blue markings and suddenly it has two swords or maces made out of water that cuts through things like paper." The person rowing the boat explained leaving the tree genin somewhat amazed.
("At least it's safe to say Tazuna isn't alone in this fight. I hope we get to meet him.") Naruto said glad someone other than Tazuna is fighting back.
("This monster sounds terrifying! That's it! We need to get out of this country ASAP!") Sakura said not liking the thought of going up against a sea monster.
("Highly endurable skin, constructs weapons made of water, this is an opponent I like to try my skills against.") Sasuke smirked.
"Sea monster aside, why did you keep all this from?" Kakashi asked feeling that was the most important question.
"Because if he told the Village that they wouldn't accept it, at least not with the little money that he had." Naruto said before Tazuna could answer getting everyone's attention. "I mean think about it. With Gato controlling their main income and taxes, these people may not have enough money to barely feed themselves let alone pay for an A or B rank mission." Tazuna nodded in response.
"Well, anyway. We should head back after dropping off Tazuna, this mission is clearly out of our league! We're Genin, we're not trained to handle this kind of situation." Sakura said believing that they couldn't do anything in this situation but go back.
"Sakura. If we leave Tazuna will be attacked and it'll be on our heads if he dies." Naruto protested receiving a angry look from Sakura.
"Dopes got a point, I say we continue on." ("This is the first mission I've had that actually invites challenge, and I'm not passing it up!") Sasuke voiced his opinion.
"Well... If Sasuke thinks we can do it, then we should keep going." Sakura said wanting to stand by Sasuke's decision.
Kakashi sighed seeing this coming. "Well, I guess that settles it. We continue with the mission."
"Thank you." Tazuna said in gratitud.
After arriving at the port the escort team were walking down the path, until Naruto heard something from of a bush. He picked up a rock and tossed it at the bush no second later a white rabbit came out. "A white rabbit?" Sakura said unaware that Naruto threw the rock at the bush.
Kakashi stared cautiously at the rabbit. ("A white rabbit in an area where has it snowed in weeks?")
"Sensei above us!" Naruto warned.
"Everybody down!" Kakashi shouted as a gigantic sword spun through the air. Everyone but Kakashi dive to the side to avoid the weapon that lodged into the side of a tree.
"Whoa! That thing could've cut off our heads! (Who ever did that is going to pay!)" Sakura said in a fright.
"That's a big sword." Naruto looked wide-eyed.
"Glad you think so." Then out of nowhere a man wearing brown and white camouflage pants, a mist headband and white cloth wrapped around his mouth and nose, was standing on the handle of the huge sword.
"Well well if it isn't Zabuza Momochi Rogue Ninja from the village hidden in the Mist." Kakashi said revealing their attacker. "I take it you're after the bridge builder just like the Oni Brothers?"
"Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan eye. How exciting to finally get to face the infamous copy Ninja." Zabuza said. "And you're right I'm after the old man."
Sasuke looked at Kakashi in confusion. ("What? 'Of the Sharingan'? That can't be...")
"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura protect Tazuna!" Kakashi ordered, and the three genin ran in front of the bridge builder and in a manji formation. ("If he's my opponent I'll have to use the Sharingan.")
"Your leaving an old man's life in the hands of mere children?" The assassin asked.
"They're more than capable of protecting him while I deal with you." Kakashi said moving his headband to reveal his left Sharingan eye.
Zabuza jumped to the lake. "Well then lets begin, 'Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu'." Zabuza formed a hand sign and the Mist around the area became thicker concealing Zabuza.
"What the?" Sakura said terrified. "The mist is getting thicker."
"Who is this guy?" Sasuke questioned feeling a cold chill in the air.
"Be careful, he's a master of the silent kill technique. He's was once part of a group called 'The Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist'." Kakashi warned them.
"Seven Swordsmen? I never heard of them." Tazuna said.
"Imagine 7 uniquely crafted swords, each with its own unique abilities." Naruto began to explain. "Now imagine those 7 swords in the hands of very skilled assassins each trained to wield them." This explanation made Sakura and Tazuna more worried.
"Either way don't lower your guards, even my Sharingan can't fully neutralize it. But if we fail, we only lose our lives." Kakashi said casually.
"How can you say that!?" Sakura protested. Just as she said that the Mist got thicker and soon the three genin couldn't see Kakashi. "Kakashi sensei?"
"So many vital spots too easily kill you from..." Zabuza's voice echoed out. "Now which will be my attack point?"
Kakashi formed a hand sign and chakra burst from his body and dissipated the Mist near them giving some of their vision back.
("Kakashi sensei used his own chakra to clear the area of the Mist, and not just that his heartbeat is completely calm even in a situation like this.") Naruto said as he observed Kakashi's behavior and began to listen in on Sasuke and Sakura's hearts that were pounding like drums. ("I've never seen Sasuke like this before, usually he remains calm and collective but he looks ready to end his own life, as for Sakura she's trying to be brave but I can tell how petrified she really is by the sound of her kunai trembling in her hands.") Soon he began to hear his own heart beginning to pick up showing his growing fear. ("Calm down! Remember what Ryu taught you, never let your opponent sense your fear. I need to tune out the noise and listen for Zabuza before he attacks.") The blonde Shinobi calmed himself and began to listen for the Rogue Ninja.
"Sasuke! calm down, I'll protect all of you with my life." Kakashi said sensing Sasuke's overwhelming fear. "I will not allow my comrades to die! Trust me."
"I wouldn't be so sure." The voice of Zabuza said giving Naruto the chance to locate him.
"He's behind all three of us!" Naruto said revealing zabuza was in between Squad 7 and in front of Tazuna. This gave Kakashi time to attack and stab Zabuza while the others moved out of the way. At that mmoment Zabuza melted into water and the real Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi. "Its over." Zabuza swung his massive sword horizontally, slicing Kakashi in two. Only to reveal that it was a water clone as well.
"What!?" Zabuza was shocked to see how fast could cause she copied his Jutsu, then he felt a kunai hailed to his neck.
"Don't move." Kakashi warned standing behind him. "Now its over." Then suddenly Zabuza laughed.
"You are full of surprises, you already copied my water clone Jutsu when you made your little speech. You made your clone say those words while you hid in the Mist waiting for me to make my move, by the way you're blonde-haired student has some great hearing, to have picked up my clones movements before he reveals himself takes great perception especially when fighting in a misty environment, nice try both of you... But I'm not that easy to fool." ZabuzaI said appearing behind Kakashi as his water clone dissipated. He followed up with an up kick launching Kakashi into the water diving in himself soon after. When Kakashi resurfaced he had no time to react to Zabuza who appeared behind him. 'Water prison Jutsu!' And with that Kakashi was imprisoned in a dome of water. "This prison is made of water but it's stronger than steel and you'll barely be able to move in it, I'll finish you off later Kakashi but I need to take care of your little friends and the bridge-builder first. 'Water Style: water clone Jutsu.'" And out from the lake another water clone of The Swordsman appeared.
"He manage to turns the tables on Kakashi sensei like it was nothing." Sakura said overwhelmed with fear.
"To be able to kick Kakashi to such a distance? He possesses great physical strength as well." Sasuke said trying to make sense of what just happened.
("I didn't see him coming until it was too late, hack I didn't even know Kakashi made a water clone!") Naruto said looking at the now hostage Kakashi. ("And to make matters worse Kakashi is now imprisoned and we have to deal with a water clone.")
A mist started to cover the clone hiding his presence. Naruto barely had time to react as he blocked an incoming kick that pushed him back a bit. "You three think wearing a headband make you a ninja? When you hover between life and death and it doesn't even scare you, then you may be called a ninja. When you become so infamous that you earn a spot in the Bingo books, then you may have earned the title Ninja. But to call up starts like you Ninja is a joke! You're just brats with little powers."
"Squad 7 listen! Take the bridge builder and run, you can't win this fight!" Kakashi yelled out. "He's using a lot of strength to keep me imprisoned, and his clone can't travel far from him without dissipating, so take this opportunity and run!"
"That won't work. He'll just kill sensei and hunt us down." Naruto whispered to the others.
"What!?" Said both Sakura and Tazuna.
("He right our only chance of survival is to rescue Kakashi. But to do that we have to beat the clone first.") Sasuke thought before rushing into action throwing shurikens at the water clone who brush them aside with his sword, but this was a diversion for Sasuke to jump into the air for a drop attack, but it was proven futile as to clone caught him by the neck and threw him back.
"Sasuke! No!" Sakura screamed in worry of her crush. "I don't understand? It's just a clone, it shouldn't be that strong!"
"Shadow clones are made of chakra turned solid and are as strong as the chakra used to make them, the same could be said for water clones but they're more endurable it's just water sulfide." Naruto explained. ("But that doesn't mean we can't get pass it.") "Sakura! Stay close to Tazuna, Sasuke we're going full assault, when I paas it to you you'll know where to aim." Naruto instructed forming his hand sign for shadow clones
This shocked Sakura seeing Naruto taking charge. "Naruto! What are you talking about not even Sasuke can get to him! We're only genin we can't take on a Jonin your plan will only get us kill!" Sakura protested not seeing the point of attacking him.
"I don't have time to explain you're just going to have to trust me. 'Shadow Clone Juts.'" Then about 30 or so Narutos appeared and jump attack the clone Zabuza in less than 2 seconds they're all brushed aside, as they were all scattered original Naruto reached into his bag and took out something. "Its now or never, Sasuke!" Naruto said throwing a windmill shuriken for Sasuke to catch.
Once Sasuke caught it he noticed something right away. "So that was your plan, not bad Naruto." Sasuke then trew the projectile at Zabuza maneuvering pass the water clone.
"So you passed the clone and aim for my real body smart." Zabuza then caught the shuriken with his free hand. "But not smart enough...what!" The Mist assassin sees a second windmill shuriken aimed right towards him with no other option he jumped avoiding the attack. To almost everyone's shock the second shuriken transforms into Naruto who trew an explosive kunai at Zabuza who had no choice but to remove his right hand from Kakashi's prison to dodge only to get a small scratch on his face as the explosive projectile hit the Clone destroying it. In Rage Zabuza was about to throw the windmill shaped weapon at the whiskers Shinobi until he was stopped by Kakashi
"Kakashi sensei you're free!" Sakura said delighted to see her sensei free.
"Naruto that was an excellent plan you really know how to stay one step ahead of your opponent if need be." Kakashi complimented.
Naruto smiled "Believe it. There was no way we could take him down without you, so all we had to do was get past the clone and somehow forced the real Zabuza to release you. My shadow clone assault was just a distraction and in the disarray I transformed into a fake shuriken and have my clone throw me to Sasuke, Sasuke knew it was me an instant and spun around to take out a real demon shuriken, once he threw the shurikens past the Water clone Zabuza would easily grab the real one and would have to dodge me giving me the opportunity to free you and take out his water clone with that explosive kunai, it's like you said sometimes the obvious traps makes the perfect bait." Naruto finished satisfied with his work.
"Heh, don't brag you just lucked out." Sasuke smirked. ("But his plan got results.")
"The whole thing was just a fluke!" Yelled Tazuna. ("Not bad kid.")
("You can call it a fluke but their team work was flawless they knew what to do without revealing the overall plan. Naruto may not be as strong as Sasuke but when it comes to thinking of strategies he knows how to stay one step ahead.") Sakura said impressed.
"Naruto! Leave the water, I'm ending this." Kakashi ordered as he and Zabuza jumped away from each other forming hand signs as Naruto swam to shore.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" And out from the lake two water dragons appeared and clashed with each other eventually cancelling each other out. The two jonin clashed sword against kunai. "Something is that right... Sharingan can comprehend and replicate the enemy's technique however both jutsus occurred simultaneously, could he-" Zabuza wondered remembering the clash of their Jutsu.
When Naruto Got Back to shore he couldn't help but here something off from the distance. ("I haven't noticed until now but there's someone else here and they hidden themselves well, but the question is where are they and how long do they plan to watch us?") Naruto walked back over to Sasuke and Sakura who were guarding Tazuna. ("Who ever it is they had more than enough time to attack Tazuna and yet didn't.")
"He's not just following, he moves the same way at the same time." Tazuna said noticing how Kakashi is matching all of Zabuza's movements simultaneously.
"How's he doing that? How Sasuke?" Sakura look to Sasuke for answers but met with silence.
"Kakashi's Sharingan can slow down Zabuza's movements so that he's able to react to his movements at the exact time he makes them." Naruto explained making his presence known.
("Even in the hands of a non Uchiha the Sharingan still a magnificent power, once I awaken it I'll show them how powerful it can really be in the hands of a true wielder.") Sasuke said observing Kakashi's use his family's greatest weapon.
"All your doing is just copying me like a monkey!" Zabuza said Furious of Kakashi's constant mimicry of his movements.
"You can't beat me with cheap tricks I'll Crush you!" Both said simultaneously angering the Rogue Ninja even further. "When I'm finish with you you'll never open that monkey mouth again!" Zabuza began going through hand signs only to be distracted by an illusion of himself next to Kakashi giving Kakashi time to finish first.
"Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!" And a giant swirling tidal wave came right at Zabuza washing him away blasting him away. Once the Jutsu subsided Zabuza was pushed against a tree then strut with five kunai's. Kakashi was standing on the bridge of the tree that he leaned against. "Your finished."
Zabuza looked up flabbergasted. "How...can you see into the future?" He had to know.
"Yes, this your last battle...ever." Kakashi responded taking out a kunai preparing to end his opponents life.
Then out of nowhere two needles struct Zabuza in the neck shocking everyone as the body fell to the ground. "You were right it was his last battle." The mask assassin said "Thank you I've been tracking Zabuza for a long time waiting for this chance to take him down."
Kakashi checked Zabuza's plus only to find that he didn't have one confirming his death. "By your mask I see that you're a Tracker Ninja from the village hidden in the Mist."
"What are tracker ninjas?" Tazuna asked.
"Short answer, Rogue ninja Hitmen." Naruto answered.
"Naruto that's not what they are, tracker ninjas have a very special role. When a rogue Ninja breaks away from his village he carries all kinds of secrets with him, the secrets of his people, trackers are specially trained to hunt down these ninjas and eliminate them that way the secrets of their people remain secrets, that's a Tracker." Sakura explained.
Naruto just looked at her. "Sakura you just gave the long version of my simple answer, you know that right? But what a shame I was going to loot that sword from him."
"You wouldn't have been able to lift it." Sasuke said.
"Such is the role of a Tracker. I could not allow you to do that for it is a valuable weapon of the village hidden in the Mist." The tracker went toward the body after Kakashi walked away from it. Once Zabuza was on his back and disappeared in a swirl of wind and leaves.
"That kid looked no older than us and yet he managed to take down Zabuza with one move, what does that make us?" Sasuke said remembering how difficult it was to confront the monsterous Shinobi.
Naruto couldn't help but chuckle at Sasuke's question. "Just what Zabuza said, upstarts. I mean without these headbands we really would be just brats with little powers." Naruto stopped chuckling to look down. ("Ayane is the same age as me and yet she's a chunin so it's plain to see which of us is better not me that's for sure.")
"Naruto! How can you say that!?" Sakura said sure they may have just become genin but that still officially makes them ninjas. Right?
"Well even if you all don't accept it, it did happen. In this world there are kids the same age as you and yet just as strong as me." Kakashi explained seeing how Sasuke looked even more frustrated. "As ninja the things we encounter are never easy so save your anger for the next enemy. But right now we haven't completed our mission yet we still have to get the bridge builder to his Bridge.
"Sorry I caused all this trouble for you, but you can rest at my house when we get to the Village." Tazuna offered.
"Alright let's go move on!" Said Kakashi as they start walking, but after a few steps Kakashi collapsed and fell to the ground shocking everyone.
"Kakashi Sensei!?" Sakura yelled in worried.
"What happened to him?" Tazuna asked.
"He must have overused the Sharingan, dojutsu constantly eats away at Chakra slowly but steadily the longer it's activated." Sasuke explained.
"Then we'll just have to carry him into the village there's nothing we can do for him here." Naruto said making two Shadow clones to help move Kakashi. As they left the area Naruto look back at the spot where the tracker disappeared. ("I can't help but feel like this isn't over, why strike down Zabuza just after he lost? And why use senbon needles? They serve more as medical tools then an assination weapon. Best to deal with this later.")
End
And here is chapter 9, you all are probably wondering who is the sea monster I'll give you a hint, they are not an anime character but if you want to guess who it is leave it in the reviews but I'll let you know that the character I've chosen I have given them some extra abilities so it won't be easy to identify them. Stay tuned for next time a squad 7 begins to train for round two with Zabuza and Haku, and Naruto contemplates on putting on the hood to bring down Gato's Empire when his teammates feel they shouldn't stray away from there main mission.
P.S: I'm asking you my good readers to help me decide on a special decision. Should I let Zabuza and Haku live after the ark leave your thoughts in the reviews or send me a private message, their fate is literally in your hands. You have two chapters until the bridge battle so you have time.
Please leave reviews.
