Things are heating up for our heroes, and just what does Koku mean by, 'element?', will it give naruto and the rest a chance to stand as the new generation of Hokage?

Kakashi: (mumimfied) muffled expletives.

Kyugan: (Sweatdrops) What happened to you?

Kakashi: (Glares and tilts head towards cerberus, who is being fedsteak the size of a beach board.)

Kyugan: Ah, oh well... (Hits buttoin and rolls the tape. Hiruma offers him some gum) No thanks.

Kakashi: (tries to catch Hiruma's attention, but he eats the last piece) whimper.

Releasing your inner power; encounter at the bridge!

Naruto wept as he held Kyuubi's human face in his hands. "You were with me…all this time…" he croaked, tears sliding unchecked down his cheeks for the first time in years.

Kyuubi gazed at the genin longingly, wishing he could rip the barrier down and embrace his son, but the sheer power of the shinnigami's seal made this impossible.

Resshin coughed, looking a little embarrassed at the drama that was unfolding before him. "Not quite what I was expecting," he chuckled, "but we don't have long here." The leader of the Karyuu looked at the demon in human form and frowned. "Kyuubi," he demanded, "will you lend your powers to Naruto?"

The Youkai leveled an imperial look at the Karyuu, as if insulted at the question. "Were I not imprisoned by that blonde baboon's seal, I would have already come to his aid numerous times." The fox retorted, eyes flashing at the memory of the Yondaime.

Resshin smirked, scratching the back of his head. "I'll take that as a yes." He muttered, before nodding at his son's friend, "Time to go."

Naruto flinched, and looked at the Karyuu desperately. "Wait!" he yelled, "I don't wanna go! There's so much I need to ask!"

Kyuubi placed his hands on the blonde's shoulders, reassuringly, causing the blonde to turn back to him. "Another time, Naruto," he said calmingly, "for now take this."

He unfastened the katana from his waist and pressed it into his son's hands. "I cannot leave this cage," the Youkai growled, "but I can lend you my power, and that sword is your birthright as my son…my legacy."

Naruto gripped the katana tightly, tears running down his cheeks. "Arigatou…Tou-san." He whispered, before he and Resshin disappeared in a flash of golden flame, leaving the Kyuubi to his lonely imprisonment.

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Recca blinked as Naruto and Domon appeared before him in the mindscape. The former looking like he'd been crying and holding an expensive looking Katana, the latter with his pants in tatters and covered in burns and whiplashes, his upper clothing completely destroyed, the tip of his mohawk trailing smoke.

"What happened to you two?" the genin asked, only to spike out as Domon spat on the ground, "OI! Don't spit inside my head!"

Domon flipped him off, growling in annoyance. "Dammit Hanabishi," he muttered, "I knew your dragons were crazy, but that Setsuna bastard takes the whole freaking cake!"

Recca winced, knowing the giant wasn't too far off the bat, before looking at his Outoto, raising an eyebrow as the blonde continued to stare at the katana. "Naruto?" he called out, "You okay?"

The blonde looked up and smiled in a sad sort of way. "I met my dad." he replied, clutching the katana tighter to his chest.

Koku cleared his throat, gaining their attention. "Domon, Naruto," he muttered, running his sole eye over them, "you have both passed your tests with flying colours."

The Karyuu looked at the giant and nodded. "Domon, you learned that strength is not the only thing that defines a man; that his resolve to use that strength to achieve his goals is a tremendous asset. You also faced down an opponent you had no hope of defeating; bereft of your Madogu, you channeled your own mental strength into them, and unlocked your own powers."

Domon blinked, looking confused, but the old man refused to elaborate, turning instead to the blonde standing beside the giant. "Naruto, you learned the true meaning of acceptance, and the innermost truths of the shinobi way from your battle with Saiha, you also faced down your inner demon, learning the truth of your origin."

Koku smiled warmly at the two genin in a grandfatherly way and nodded. "Though you are not kin," he called out, "we Karyuu acknowledge both of you as worthy Hokage ninja."

The seven other Dragons appeared, in their dragon forms and gazed down at the two.

"Naruto-kun, well done." Saiha said warmly, ignoring the mocking looks in the eyes of the Rui as she made a mocking comment behind his back.

"Your will is that of a mountain, set in stone." Homura praised to a smirking Domon, before turning his head to listen in as Rui teased Saiha, as Nadare watched on in confusion.

Resshin eyed Setsuna carefully lest the insane dragon attempted anything violent and lowered his head to eye level. "Though not by blood, you posses the will of fire that all our clan possessed," he declared, "I acknowledge you both as Hokage ninja!"

The dragon's eyes flashed and to Domon and Naruto's surprise, the Hokage ninja clan symbol was burned onto their bodies, Domon's on his right arm, Naruto on his left. (Same position as Recca's tattoos)

"The position of the tattoos signifies the rank of the shinobi." Koku explained, eyeing the two as they fingered the tattoos. "Domon," he called out, "as Recca's rival and close friend, your tattoo signifies that you are the leader's 'Ude' or arm, whereas the positioning shows that you sit on his right if he were to hold a council."

He flicked his gaze from the giant to the blonde Jinchuuriki and nodded. "The same goes for Naruto, though he would sit to the left, being Recca's brother, through adoption."

Domon grinned at the enjutsu-shi, covering the symbol on his arm with his massive palm. "Guess that makes me your number two, eh Hanabishi?" the giant mocked, earning a snort from Recca.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." The Enjutsu-shi replied, knocking fists with his rival and brother.

Koku smiled sagely behind his moustache as he eyed the trio. "You've been in here for long enough," he stated, "I think it's time we send you back to your bodies."

He waved his hand and Domon's clothes repaired themselves, save for the sleeves, before the elderly dragon changed into his Karyuu form and wrapped around the trio, the desert vanishing in a burst of flame.

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Recca awoke to find the sun had set and it was getting dark, a few stars visible in the sky. Domon winced as he cracked his stiff neck while Naruto tired to get the pins and needles to stop tormenting his legs. All in all, the group didn't look any different, except Naruto and Domon now sported the Hokage clan's marking on their arms, and Naruto held an impressive looking katana in his hands.

"That…was one hell of a trip." Domon muttered, standing up stiffly, "My whole body aches from sitting still so long."

Naruto winced as his knees buckled, nerveless, standing up resiliently by using the katana as a staff. "You guy's okay?" he asked, shooting his teammates a look. Domon grinned, holding up a clenched fist.

"You kidding?" the giant asked, "We're official Hokage ninja now! You got your wish!"

Naruto smirked, shaking his head in amusement. "Kinda," The blonde replied stubbornly. "I still wanna become THE Hokage though."

Recca laughed, ruffling his brother's hair fondly. "You're incorrigible!"

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Kakashi was a little worried when the trio were late for dinner, but when they stumbled in some time during the middle, looking no worse for wear, he sighed in relief.

"Get caught up training?" he asked cheerfully, as they guzzled down their food rapidly.

"Sorta." Domon muttered, racing with Recca to finish first. Naruto nodded, and was about to tuck in when he spotted Sasuke at the table, dropping his chopsticks and pointed at the Uchiha in surprise.

"AH! What's teme doing here?" the irrate teen yelled accusingly, "He lost the bet!"

Kakashi winced, knowing he should have told Sasuke to eat in his room. "Ano…Sasuke's been working hard all day," he coaxed, "AND he had to guard Tazuna by himself…"

"Let it go Naruto," Recca muttered with his mouth full, "Kakashi obviously can't let the villages 'precious Uchiha' go one night without food, even if he DID lose the bet."

Sasuke bristled at the reminder and tucked in, ignoring his teammates for the rest of the meal, whilst Kakashi sighed in defeat.

'I'm really losing a lot of respect with these guys…' he muttered, just as Domon and Recca began an all-out food war, dragging Naruto into it as well. The battle losted long into the nihgt, and, frm an outsidreers point oif view, their were few casulties, unless you counted several stab wounds courtesy of several well placed forks.

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The next week saw the boys taking a bizarre approach to mission shifts. The trio would play a game of janken to decide who would be paired with Sasuke for the day during guard duty, and the other two would train.

As it were, Domon was the loser this time, the sullen giant trailing after the Uchiha en route to the construction site as his teammates headed out to continue their respective training regimen.

Recca had decided that maybe creating his OWN Katon jutsu would suck the air out of the Uchiha's sails and got to work, practicing diligently on the surrounding woodland.

'I can't rely on the Karyuu forever,' he reasoned, 'though keeping them as a trump card DOES appeal.'

He sighed and got back to his feet, staring at the tattoos on his arms. 'The Karyuu lend me the powers they had while alive,' he muttered, before scowling at the bare spot where the eighth Karyuu symbol should have sat. 'Except for Resshin, stingy bastard…'

Closing his eyes in thought, the teen recalled all the abilities the other dragons bestowed upon him.

'Nadare launched fireballs, Saiha had a blade, Homura a strength enhancing whip, Setsuna…' he shivered, 'wanton destruction, Madoka could create barriers, Rui was a genjutsu specialist and Koku-Oyaji has that massive beam of his.'

Recca clenched his fist, staring at it in wonder.

'What can my OWN flame do…?'

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Domon helped carry the materials for the bridge from the mainland, actually lifting the massive I-beams with one arm and bringing them over to the waiting construction workers.

'Koku said I could tap into my element if I put some effort into it,' the giant muttered, 'but I haven't figured out how yet.'

He grunted at the clanking of his bracers, Kakashi having tripled the weights at the giant's request. The look of shock on the Jounin's face at how rapidly he'd adapted had been priceless.

'All I'm doing is lifting weights…how can I use earth element?' He scowled as he spotted Sasuke, sitting on a crate keeping a look out for trouble. 'Bastard, like it would hurt him to help out…'

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Naruto sat meditating in a clearing, communicating with his father in their dreamscape, the Kyuubi wanting to make up for thirteen years of not being there for his son.

As it were, he decided to start at the beginning and work up.

"I met your mother when she was just a girl, in the prime of womanhood." the youko explained, "She was energetic, cheeky, and oh so kind…I would have cut off all my tails to make her happy."

Naruto sniffed, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "You miss her, don't you?" he asked, prompting a nod from his demonic sire.

"But of course," Kyuubi replied, "no-one can forget the other half of their soul, and that was what we were to each other."

He shook himself, "But enough of the past, you need to become stronger if you are to be of use to your new clan."

Naruto nodded and unsheathed the katana, running his eye over it critically. It was a real beauty, even an untrained eye like Naruto's could tell that much. "What's it's name?" he asked, gazing at his father curiously.

"Each wielder of the sword has called it a different name," the Kyuubi replied, "in other words, when I inherited the sword from MY sire, I had to undergo the ritual to discover its name."

Naruto checked the cross guard, frowning. "I don't see a name…" he muttered, before looking up at his father's snort.

"That isn't a normal sword," the demon lectured, "it is a living thing, and as such, it knows it's own name better than anyone." The fox growled, tail wafting behind his otherwise human appearance. "In order for you to wield it to it's fullest, you need to pass the trial of initiation, and you aren't ready for that yet."

"So what do I do?" Naruto said in exasperation, until his stomach jumped and his mindscape changed from a sewer to a forest.

"Simple." Kyuubi replied, summoning a nodachi from thin air, "I shall teach you how to wield that sword!"

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During one of their late dinners, Kakashi noticed something strange about his ragtag group of students.

Recca would come back with his fist burnt and bandaged, causing him trouble as he tried to eat, and Domon would have a look of unusual concentration on his face, similar to those worn by the sandaime during war meetings or shogi matches.

Finally, Naruto would be covered in bruises and cuts that would be healed by dawn, the jounin also noted the katana the blonde was lugging around with interest, but the jinchuuriki merely smiled at him whenever he asked where he got it.

'Those three are up to something…' the jounin deduced, before sweat dropping as Recca and Domon fought over the last sardine.

Inari glared at Naruto who was laughing at Recca's clumsy attempt at eating with his injured right hand and snapped. "Why do you wear yourself out trying?!" the boy yelled, "No matter how hard you train you'll never be a match for Gato's thugs!"

Tears were streaming down Inari's face as he ranted on. "You act cool and talk tough, but Gato's guys are serious! They'll destroy you!"

Everyone stared at the boy, shocked at the outburst, until Domon frowned.

"Your point?" the giant asked, growling slightly in irritation.

"Just watching you idiots ticks me off!" Inari yelled, slamming his fists on the table. "You run your mouths off when you don't know a thing! This isn't your town!" He sobbed looking down at the table. "You're always clowning around! You've no idea what suffering or loneliness are, or what my life's been like!"

Naruto twitched, and suddenly Kakashi, who was sitting across from him, felt the air around him fill with barely restrained anger that was emanating from the blonde and his two friends.

Sasuke shivered, eyeing the trio cautiously, having not felt rage this strong since…HIM.

"So…" Naruto muttered, not lifting his head, bangs covering his eyes; "you figure it's noble to star in a melodrama, treating everyone around you like guests at your pity party?"

Recca set his chopsticks down and glared at the boy. "I suppose you think your such a big man, sitting around and crying like a big baby!"

Domon growled savagely and pushed his food forward, getting to his feet. "People like you make me so sick, my food loses all its taste." He muttered, marching out the door with the other three, "Sorry Tsunami," he added over his shoulder, "it really was tasty to begin with."

Kakashi stared after them as Domon shut the door, frowning. 'I've never seen them get that angry before.' The jounin thought, before apologizing to Tsunami and Tazuna for their outburst.

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Inari stared out to sea, still shaken up from his yelling match with Naruto and the others.

"May I join you?" Kakashi asked, looking down at him. When the boy didn't reply, the jounin simply sat next to him, looking out to sea.

"It must have been hard, growing up without your father." Kakashi muttered.

'I can relate.' He thought, shaking his head at the painful memories.

"But you were wrong about Naruto," the jounin lectured, "he does know the feeling, even more so, he spent the first few years of his life without any parents."

Inari jumped, looking up in wonder as Kakashi sighed. "He never even had a single friend, not one person to share his dreams with." The Jounin shook his head, "When I first met him, he had only just been adopted into Recca's family, and given a decent home, that was about two months ago."

Inari looked horrified at the thought of being alone for so long, as Kakashi continued his story.

"He always keeps up the cheerful mask," the Jounin explained, "but some wounds run deep, and no amount of care can heal a wound that's existed since birth." He sighed, shaking his head sadly.

"Naruto will carry those mental scars until the day he dies."

The jounin smiled at the shocked boy, nodding his head. "So that's why Recca and Domon snapped at you." Inari stared at him and he chuckled, shaking his head. "You've gotten under their skin, and trust me, you got off light for insulting Naruto...they're very protective of him."

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The residents of Tazuna's house soon got back to their usual routine.

Inari spent almost every minute of every day in his room, sulking, though he'd stare at the trio in a calmer manner than he had been prior.

Domon got injured on site catching an I-beam on his back to save some workers, and had to lie at the house for a while. Recca and Naruto split guard duty between themselves and continued to progress over the next few days. Sasuke, of course avoided the other two like the plague, ignoring them when he had to work with them on site.

At that moment, Recca and Naruto were teasing Domon at his inability to 'get up', when Kakashi called them to get ready.

"This is the last section of the work, so all of us need to guard Tazuna now." The jounin muttered, "Domon, you stay here and rest up."

The giant grunted an affirmative, before swearing at Recca as the genin dangled a piece of meat over the giant's head tauntingly.

"C'mon big guy, chin up!" the enjutsu-shi treased, only to recieve a punch to the teeth, followed by a howl of pain as Domon's back protested at the sudden movement.

Naruto chuckled weakly, "ya know, that probably set you back another day or two." he noted, only to recieve a finger from the giant, as he muttered something that sounded like 'worth it.'

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On the bridge, a gruesome sight awaited the team.

"What happened here?!" Tazuna yelled at the sight of his injured, or worse, workers, before a brief reply of 'Demons' heralded the arrival of a thick fog.

'I knew he was alive…' Kakashi growled, readying himself, Sasuke shivering as the missing Nins voice called out.

"Been a while, Kakashi," Zabuza drawled, "I see your brats are still tagging along, heh, look the boy's trembling again, poor thing…"

Ten Mizu bunshin appeared out of nowhere, surrounding them as Sasuke grinned. "I'm trembling from eagerness!" he smirked, as Kakashi smiled.

"Go on Sasu…!"

Abruptly all ten bunshin were reduced to mere puddles of water, Sasuke, Tazuna and Kakashi blinking in surprise.

Recca whistled, impressed."Damn Naruto, you coulda saved me a few!" he chided, "How many strokes was that?"

"Sixteen." The blonde replied, sheathing his katana with a brief 'clink.'

"Sixteen! Man I only caught eight there!" Recca said, a laugh in his voice.

Sasuke shivered, this time with rage as he glared at the blonde. 'Those bunshin were liquidized before I could blink!' he grit out, his fists clenching at being stood up again.

"Well!" Zabuza muttered, appearing from the mist, "My doppelgangers were obviously no match for you, blondie…seems at least ONE of the brats has matured into a worthy rival…eh, Haku?"

"So it would appear." The masked Nin replied.

Kakashi nodded, a frown on his face as he realized his guess had been dead on the money. "It would appear our mysterious masked friend, has been playing for Zabuza's team." He commented, eyeing the nin carefully.

Recca snorted, glaring over at the masked nin in annoyance. "You got some balls showing your face here after pulling that little stunt!" He called out, cracking his knuckles, blinking when Sasuke stepped foreward.

"This one's mine." the Uchiha growled, glaring across the bridge at the masked teen.

Recca snorted, shaking his head. "Hold it Uchiha, we haven't played janken to decide yet."

Naruto smirked, "Yeah, why should YOU get the pick of the fight?"

The Uchiha growled and looked at them in annoyance. "Don't interfere," he ordered, "got it?"

Recca smirked, looking decidedly unimpressed by the Uchiha's glare. "Aww, what's the matter," he taunted, "angry we stole the spotlight from the 'almighty lord Uchiha?'" he mocked, until Naruto shot him a look.

"Whadd'ya mean WE?" the blonde muttered.

"If I may end the discussion?" Haku chuckled lightly and stepped forward, before disappearing from view, reappearing in front of a startled Sasuke. The two spun around each other, attacking with senbon and Kunai respectively, while Naruto snorted in annoyance.

"Hmmph, teme got his way after all," the blonde muttered, "lets see if Kakashi-sensei's teaching methods are different for his favorites."

Kakashi sweatdropped, casting a reproaching look towards his blonde student. "Ano…I don't pick favorites…" he began, sighing as he realized they weren't listening, before casting a wary glare towards his mist counterpart.

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Tsunami sang to herself as she did the dishes, she'd just checked in on Domon and the teen was fast asleep, muttering things like 'earth, and 'element' over and over again. She shivered as she saw something pass the window, wondering if they had come home early, only to scream as Gato's samurai henchmen tore down the door to her house, one of them kicking Inari out of the way as they entered.

"We only need one hostage," Zouri muttered, "so come with us without any problems and we wont kill the brat." Noticing the woman's hesitation, he gazed at his larger counterpart and smirked. "Otherwise I'm afraid Waraji might get a little…annoyed…"

Tsunami flinched at the implied threat, before telling Inari to stay where he was. Then she lowered her head and allowed the samurai to escort her out the door.

Inari sniffled and charged out after them, tears of anger replacing the ones of fear that had adorned his cheeks not two seconds prior. "You leave my mama alone!" he yelled, charging towards the samurai.

Up in the bedroom, Domon's eyes clenched tightly.

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Waraji grinned as he got into the sword-drawing stance. "Looks like there's no choice." He muttered, Zouri nodding beside him.

"Cut him." The smaller man agreed, dashing forwards as Tsunami screamed out in horror. To the shock of both swordsmen, they were clotheslined by what felt like a mountain on legs, their necks snapping from the impact, causing instant death.

Inari gazed up at the Mohawk sporting peak of Mt. Domon and blinked, startled at how fast the giant had moved, not to mention the Domon shaped hole he'd just left in the neighbor's wall.

"You okay there, Inari?" the giant rumbled, pulling off his bandages, his back apparently fully healed, "Get me my shirt would ya? Then take your mom and barricade the house."

The giant growled as he kicked the corpses of the samurai into the water. Inari did as he was told, and when he brought the giant his top he was surprised when his hair was ruffled.

"Risking your life to save your mom…now that's a real man." Domon grinned flexing an arm; "You gotta protect your precious people, with your own two hands!"

Inari blinked as the ghostly image of his father covered Domon. "If you're a man, protect what you believe in with your own two your arms!"

Domon grinned and patted the kid on the head. "Stay low incase these goons had back up," he warned, "I gotta help the others."

And with that, the giant dashed off at top speed, still wearing his weights and with Kuchibashi-o over his shoulder.

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Zabuza watched as Haku and Sasuke continued their dance, impressed at the raven-haired teen's development. 'He can keep up with Haku's speed…' the jounin analysed, whilst Kakashi organized his remaining team around their contractor.

"Let Sasuke handle Haku;" he heard the copy-nin mutter, "You two protect Tazuna."

Zabuza grunted and moved to intercept Kakashi should the need arise. Meanwhile, Haku and Sasuke continued their deadly duet.

"I don't want to have to kill you…" Haku muttered, "but you probably wont back down, will you?"

Sasuke smirked arrogantly, "Don't be stupid." he scoffed, pushing harder against the masked teen, trying to force him back.

"I thought as much;" Haku admitted, "but you wont be able to match my speed for long…and I've already laid the groundwork for two attacks."

Sasuke frowned, "Two?"

Haku nodded again, "Firstly, the water which is scattered all around us; Second I've trapped one of your hands with this parrying move, leaving you only one to defend yourself.

Sasuke and Kakashi gazed in shock as the masked teen made several hand seals with the free hand. "Sensatsu Suisho." Haku muttered, over a thousand senbon forming from the puddle and hovering over the pair.

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Recca winced, at the sight before eyeing his brother out the corner of his eye. (Senbon;) he signed, (Think he's a medic nin?)

Naruto frowned, and signed back. (Dunno, maybe he's just like Fuko…)

The duo raised an eyebrow as Sasuke shot into the air scant millimeters before becoming a human pincushion, driving the masked ninja back with a flurry of Kunai, before appearing behind him. "You're not that fast." The Uchiha bragged, as he leered over Haku's shoulder, "Now you're the one that needs to guard yourself."

The duo engaged again, only for Haku to be sent flying with a kick to the face.

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Kakashi smirked at the surprised look on Zabuza's face. "You had it coming," he taunted, "for underestimating my team…and the name calling."

He shrugged, shaking his head slightly. "They may not look like much, but they were among the top ten Rookies in all of Konohagakure, Naruto here was actually the no.2"

Naruto gave the enemy Nins a 'V' sign and smirked.

"Then there's Recca, the most enthusiastic Ninja in the village."

Recca smirked and gave the mist jounin the finger.

"Sasuke, who's the pride of one of Konoha's most powerful clans."

Sasuke twitched at being referred to after the blonde, but didn't take his eyes of the enemy.

"And last but not least, there's the genin that surprises even me with his strength, Konoha's very own Oni no Domon!"

Zabuza raised an eyebrow at this; obviously intrigued. 'The big one calls himself an 'Oni' does he?' The mist jounin snickered, his shoulders shaking with mirth.

"Haku," he called out, "keep this up and you'll be killed by the person you wanted to spare."

Haku stood up and nodded, making a unique hand seal. Abruptly, Sasuke was surrounded on all sides by floating mirrors of pure ice.

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Recca blinked, eyes widening at the sight of the apparently levitating mirrors. "SHIT!" he yelped, "What the hell kinda jutsu is that?!"

Kakashi was similarly flummoxed, and was dashing forward to help Sasuke when Zabuza leapt between him and his target. "I'm your enemy Kakashi," the mist-nin growled, "let's let the brat's fight this one…while mine kills yours."

Kakashi growled as Sasuke was beset by a blur that was slowly cutting him to shreds. "Recca! Naruto! Get Sasuke out of there!" he called out, blinking as they just stood there, "What are you waiting for?"

"We don't have to help him." Recca muttered, looking serious as a heart attack.

Kakashi blinked at the teens words, and then scowled. "Are you trash that would abandon your teammate?" he muttered, causing Naruto to snort, waving a hand dismissively.

"Don't get the wrong idea sensei," he assured the man, "it's not that we don't WANT to save the teme…" He smirked at the jounin, "It's that there's no need for US to abandon Tazuna."

Kakashi blinked, confused at the blonde's statement before a shattering noise rang through the air, causing both of the jounin to look behind them.

"What the-?!"

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A few minutes ago, Haku had been slicing away at his opponent, wearing him down bit by bit with high-speed assasination techniques.

In the blink of an eye however, the masked youth's face had erupted into a word of pain, as the mirror shattered as a result of some strange, beak shaped contraption ramming into it, sending Zabuza's enigmatic protégé soaring through the air.

"The hero always arrives at the last minute!" Domon yelled out, grining as he held the end of the madogu's chain, "And I couldn't just let you take all the glory!"

Well now, isn't this looking interesting? How will the battle flow now that all of team 7 are ready and accounbted for? Will Domon indeed save the day? Is this the end for the demon of the bloody mist? And how will Gato deal with this situation?

Kakashi: (still mummified) muffled mutters.

Kyugan: Hmm, what's that? you're volunteering to take Cerberus out for a walk?

Kakashi: MMMPH!! (shakes head rapidly)

Kyugan: Good man!, (put's the protesting jounin in a wheelchair and ties the leash to the man's hand) OI Hiruma! When you're ready!

Hiruma: (pulls out a bone on a rod, attaches to Cerberus' collar) IKEE!

Cerberus: (Howls and runs off to capture the bone, dragging Kakashi behind him.) GRAAOOWWAAR!

Kakashi: Muffled girlish scream.