Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever, owned anything related to Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto franchise.

Legend:

"A human is talking."

'A human is thinking.'

"A Tailed Beast or a Summon is talking."

'A Tailed Beast or a Summon is thinking.'

"A type of jutsu is being performed."

Chapter Ten:

-Land of Waves: Forested Area-

Naruto cursed as the needles descended, coming at him from all directions, flashing through a small chain of hand-seals.

'I only have one shot at this.' Naruto thought, sweating. 'If I'm a second too late, I'm dead.'

One thousand needles impacted his body, penetrating through his flesh, sending a spray of blood into the air. A small cloud of smoke formed around the so-called corpse before it turned into a tree-branch.

'The Body Replacement Technique.' The Hunter-Nin thought. 'Where is he now?'

Naruto crouched behind a small piece of shrubbery, going over what he knew about his opponent. From that small exchange, he knew that his enemy could use Ice Ninjutsu, effectively rendering his Water Ninjutsu useless.

He also knew that his enemy was fast. That Hunter-Nin's body, lean as it was, was made for speed. It would be difficult to fight someone he couldn't touch.

"There you are."

Eyes wide, Naruto turned to see the Hunter-Nin behind him. He cursed, using another Body Replacement, switching with some dirt, to avoid a killing blow.

Samehada chittered.

Naruto frowned, hands already flashing through hand-seals. He didn't know why Samehada would suggest such a jutsu, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

The Hunter-Nin's eyes widened. He quickly formed an ice mirror beneath him, dropping into it as an enormous wave of water rushed over him.
Another ice mirror appeared above the battlefield, reflecting the Hunter-Nin's image. The man looked over the new lake, wondering how the boy knew a technique from the Hidden Mist.

Naruto looked from beneath the water, his eyes narrowed.

'So… he can use his ice to transport himself long distances...' He thought. 'I'll have to remember that.'

The Hunter-Nin frowned, calmly observing the water beneath him. That blonde boy was somewhere within it, he knew such because he could detect the boy's chakra within the lake.

Eight, bone-white tendrils shot from the water, directly towards the Hunter-Nin. The tendrils were upon him before he could react, trapping him as they wound themselves around his mirror.

XXXXXXXXX

-Land of Waves: Unnamed Clearing-

Anko exhaled, releasing a stream of deadly fire towards her enemy. She frowned as he countered by creating a wall of water before him, effectively blocking her technique.

A huge amount of steam was created as the two techniques met, canceling each other out. The two combatants looked at one another, grudging respect mixed with outright loathing.

"Secret Technique: Insect Sphere."

Anko eyes widened as Shino's Parasitic Insects erupted from the ground beneath Zabuza like the jaws of a hungry beast. These "jaws" closed, effectively trapping Zabuza within.

Anko glanced at her team and smiled, somewhat tiredly, at Shino. She was about to thank him for helping her out when Hinata's eyes bulged, mouth opening in horror.

"ANKO-SENSEI!"

Anko's eyes widened as Kubikiribocho sliced through her midsection, effectively splitting her in half. However, instead of blood, mud coated the blade of Zabuza's sword.

"I see I wasn't the only one who used a clone." Zabuza observed. "In all the excitement of battle, I forgot the actual reason I came here… I have to eliminate that Old Man."

The mist thickened. Zabuza vanished.

"Eight points… larynx, spinal column, lungs, liver, jugular vein, subclavian artery, kidneys, and heart. Tell me, Genin, which should I strike?" Zabuza asked.

Hinata gulped as every drop of Zabuza's Killing Intent was directed upon them. She looked around, eyes wide, as she wondered how she was going to survive. She felt like she was going to die!

"Calm down Hinata." Shino said, placing an arm on her. "Just relax. He's toying with our heads, trying to make us lower our guards."

Hinata nodded, taking a deep breath, as she heard several clashes ringing from the mist. She frowned, biting her lip, before she shook her head. She had to stay strong!

XXXXXXXXX

-Land of Waves: Forested area-

"Seal!" Naruto said.

In an instant, the cloth-bound mirror vanished into the scroll on Naruto's lap. A second passed before the kanji for "ice crystal mirrors" appeared beneath the kanji for "chakra-infused water".

Naruto bit his thumb, hard enough to draw blood, before he went through a small chain of hand-seals. He then slammed his hand onto the ground and watched as web of seals spread across it.

A second passed before a human-sized cloud of smoke appeared, completing the technique. The figure within the smoke coughed, waving away the smoke, before looking at his boss a little unhappily.

"I hate being summoned like this, yeah!" He said. "One moment I'm flying or whatever and then I'm somewhere else! It's so annoying, yeah!"

Naruto frowned.

"I don't care if its "annoying" Deidara. It helps me keep in contact with you and the others without risk of being heard. Now, take the scroll and give it to "her". She'll know what to do when it arrives." Naruto ordered.

XXXXXXXXX

-Land of Waves: Unnamed Clearing-

Zabuza's Kubikiribocho parried a strike from Anko's kunai, locking both combatants together. They looked at each other, both almost out of chakra, while Zabuza frowned.

'Even if I beat her now, I'll be too exhausted to deal with her three Genin. Especially that Aburame child.' The black-haired man thought. 'It looks like I'll have to retreat for now.'

Zabuza dodged a sweep meant to knock him off balance, jumping sideways to avoid a trio of kunai. He made a signal, gathering his chakra, and watched as two senbon came out of the trees, hitting him in the neck.

The "Demon of the Hidden Mist Village"'s eyes bulged for a second, falling to the ground as a Hunter-Nin emerged from the trees. The Hunter-Nin vanished in a swirl of icy water, reappearing next to Zabua's body.

"Who are y-you?" Hinata asked.

"Don't worry maggots, this guy is a Hunter-Nin from the Hidden Mist Village." Anko said, walking back to her team. "Hunter-Nin are ninja that, in five-man cells, track down Missing-Nin and eliminate them."

The Hunter-Nin stood up, Zabuza's body over his shoulder, as four more Hunter-Nin appeared beside him. They looked at the dead form of Zabuza Momochi before the apparent leader stepped up, bowing to Squad Eight.

"We are sorry for the trouble that he caused you." She said, her long hair obscuring her face. "He will not bother you again."

Anko nodded, allowing the Hunter-Nin to go. They gave another round of "thanks" for weakening Zabuza before they vanished. Anko then turned to her Squad, and their client, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Let's get you home Mr. Kochi." Anko said.

XXXXXXXXX

-Hidden Leaf Village: Kurama Clan Compound-

Within the confines of the Kurama Clan Compound, Yakumo Kurama, the heiress of the Kurama Clan, stood before two figures. One of these figures was a blonde-haired man, wearing a black-colored cloak, while the other was bound onto the table before them, unconcious.

"I expect to be paid within the next three days." She said.

Deidara nodded. He knew that she , unlike the others of Naruto's organization, required payment. It was fair considering that she was delivered ninja from all over the Elemental Nations and was paid to convert them. Turn them into something that Naruto could use in his plans.

"How much do you want?" He asked.

Yakumo hummed, considering it, before she turned to the Hunter-Nin. She placed her hands on both sides of the man's hand, closing her eyes, before her hands glowed. The contents of the Hunter-Nin's life flashed beneath her eyelids, prey to Yakumo's whims.

When she opened her eyes, she knew exactly how much effort it would take to break the man. Yakumo turned, facing Deidara, as she calculated how much she would need for such a job.

"25,000 ryo."

Deidara frowned, slightly concerned at the price, before he sighed. Naruto had said that he was willing to pay anything to get this man on their side. He sighed, removing a scroll, before applying chakra.

After the cloud of smoke had dissipated, five suitcases, full of ryo, were found on the floor. Yakumo checked, making sure it was all there, before nodding at Deidara. The man gave her a respectful nod before he vanished.

"Now for you." Yakumo said, turning to the Hunter-Nin.

XXXXXXXXX

-Land of Waves: Zabuza Momochi's Hideout-

"First I'll cut the mouth cloth, drain some blood and..." A Hunter-Nin said.

As his pair of scissors descended, his arm was grabbed, stopping his movement completly. Zabuza looked at his minion, his eyes bloodshot, before moving to pull down his mask.

"That's alright." He said. "I'll do it myself."

Tsuki sighed, his fun ruined, as Zabuza let go of his arm. He put his scissors back into its compartment, sealing the kit into a scroll afterwards, before he removed his mask.

"Damn... You sure are rougher than Haku." Zabuza grumbled.

Tsuki bit his lip, wondering if he should tell him, as Kagura and Ryu stepped forward.

"Haku hasn't returned Master Zabuza." Ryu said.

Jutsu:

1. Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave; A technique that allows the user to spew a great amount of water from his/her mouth. This wave swallows and crushes the enemy with the advancing surge.

2. Secret Technique: Insect Sphere; A technique of the Aburame Clan. It allows the user to surround their opponnet(s) with thousands of bugs, making a globe around the enemy beforehand to completely trap them. Once trapped, the Parasitic Insects would normally drain the chakra and swallow their victim.

A/N: Author's Note:

Anko: What the heck is going on?

Naruto (smirking): Like I would ever tell you.

Anko growls: Say that again, maggot.

Author (stepping in): Why don't we calm down-

Naruto: Like. I. Would. Ever. Tell. You.

Anko: SUMMONING TECHNIQUE: MANDA!

Naruto: T.T