A/N- I hope that all of you are screaming in glee with me about the length of this chapter. I really want to make every chapter this long, but I'm lazy. Luckily, I've pre-written everything that's in this chapter and the next one. All I had to do was rearrange it and it was done! Yay!
NOW! ONTO THE RESULTS OF THE POLL!
Zabuza will be paired with… AMEYURI!
Naruto will be paired with… CHŌJŪRŌ!
If you aren't happy with the pairings, then oh well. I had actually expected Ameyuri to win over Kisame. However, I didn't expect Chōjūrō to win Naruto's poll. I thought everyone would want Haku to be with Naruto! I'm actually really happy! Chōjūrō doesn't get a lot of love in fanfictions (from what I've seen). Well, I hope you like this chapter and by the way, comments are really appreciated. Thank you and you may continue to the story!
6/1/2017 EDIT: Merging continues on. If you have any questions, just ask. Will answer them in whatever chapter I decide to post for this book.
Kisame was amazed by the determination of his gaki. Last week, Zabuza had introduced Naruto to training weights and he'd been wearing them ever since. The shark-like man had to admit that it was hilarious watching him fall down before trying to stand again. Well, ever since then, the kid was slowly matching up to Chōjūrō's normal sparing level. Whenever he'd get knocked down, Naruto would just laugh it off before standing right back up. When Zabuza had told him that Jinpachi wanted his son to continue Kushimaru's legacy, Kisame hadn't believed him. However, watching the little gaki laugh and miss a water bullet from Chōjūrō before launching a quick jab at his opponent, he was slowly believing it. Hell, the gaki even looked like Kushimaru… well, except the eye color, skin color, and those strange scars on Naruto's cheeks. If anyone else besides the members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had seen this, they'd most likely believe that Naruto had been training for years to keep up with someone like Chōjūrō. However, Zabuza had only been training his son for about two weeks in taijutsu. Sure, the gaki was a little rough around the edges, but that determined little bastard was always going overboard.
The shark-like man sighed, leaning against the side of the house like he'd done since Naruto had started his training. Ameyuri was to the left of him, resting her elbows on the porch, looking out into the backyard. Zabuza turned his head around, waving at her before giving a wide grin. A small smile appeared on her face before being replaced with a deep frown once the man had turned away. Kisame glanced at her, hearing Naruto's laughter again, "What's got you in a bad mood?"
She closed her eyes, exhaling quietly, "We're going to have to start the rebellion soon." The blue haired man narrowed his eyes before looking back to the gaki, blood dripping from his mouth as he laughed and grinned once more. Kisame stayed silent, knowing that she wanted to say more. Ameyuri looked to him with worry in her eyes, startling him. "What if the rebellion fails and Naruto gets killed in the process?" She closed her eyes, "I don't think I could live with myself if our rebellion ends up killing him."
Kisame nodded, "Naruto won't get killed."
"Huh?" Her eyes flew open before narrowing dangerously at him, her voice rising slightly, "How could you possibly know that?!"
He snorted, showing off his sharp teeth that all members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had, "That gaki has too much stamina and determination. He can get through anything. While it may not look like much right now, that little runt is going to be a strong man one day."
"But-"
Kisame held up a finger, his eyes going serious. "Have you seen how much Naruto has progressed since he's started training?" He asked as Ameyuri looked at those in the backyard, "He's almost as fast as Chōjūrō right now."
Her eyes widened, "A-Are you serious?"
He let out a short laugh, "Well, Chōjūrō is holding back most of his speed so that he can give Naruto a fair fight, but that gaki is making him have to speed up to a more… advanced level."
"Sorry, I guess I shouldn't have assumed that he's helpless. I didn't know that he'd progressed this far." She sighed, "However, you know as well as I do that if anyone found out about him, Naruto would be dead. There is no way he could survive against the ninja in our village."
"You're right," Kisame stated as the two glanced at each other for a few seconds before going back to watching the spar in the backyard.
Naruto balanced on his hands, his legs hanging in the air. Chōjūrō ran at him, fist raised in the air. The two boys both had cuts and bruises littering their skin from their extended spar. Yelping, the blond haired boy did a cartwheel to the right, barely avoiding a punch to the stomach. He squatted on the ground, about to pounce.
"Alright, that's enough sparing for today!" Zabuza called from the sidelines. Chōjūrō and Naruto whined a little bit, but one look at the older man made them quiet down. He walked over to the younger boys, smiling slightly, his sharp teeth visible, "You two did excellent today, however, there were some things that were... what's the word? Ah! Missing. You're missing something while you two were sparing."
"Missing?" The two questioned, looking at each other with confusion written clearly on their faces.
"Yes. Chōjūrō, I have told you countless times over to not hold your speed back. This training not only benefits Naruto, but it also benefits you. You need to keep raising your speed and strength or you will stay the same forever." Zabuza turned his head to stare at his son, sighing slightly, "Naruto, I could tell that you were holding back. I'm am highly confused as to why you are doing such a thing. Do you mind sharing?"
Kisame, Ameyuri, and Chōjūrō's eyes were wide while staring down at the boy. A sheepish blush ran rabid on Naruto's face as he rocked back and forth on his heels, "I didn't want to hurt Chōjūrō."
"I would have been fine, Naruto." The light blue haired teenager spoke almost instantly after his friend's words left his mouth.
His eyes were on the ground, his head lowered, "I don't like hurting my family or friends."
Zabuza got down on one knee, placing a hand on his son's shoulder, "We are all trying to help you so you can protect yourself in the future. If we get hurt in the process, that's okay."
"Protect myself?" Naruto looked up,his eyebrows furrowed, "What am I protecting myself from?" No one answered his distressed question. Not Ameyuri, not Chōjūrō, not Kisame, not even his father! "Is there someone after you guys? Is there someone after me?" He asked, but no one voiced their answer, "Are you in trouble? Am I in trouble?!" Still, no one could find the words to his questions. His cheeks burned with anger, teeth clenched together with frustrated tears pooling in his eyes. Naruto started to shout out questions to those around him but no one seemed to want to answer them. Most were about danger and enemies that his family and friends might have accumulated over the years. Afterward, he started to drift back to questions of why he has to protect himself from who-knows-what. One question, however, made everyone's heart stop, "Why can't I go to the academy like you or Chōjūrō did? Why do I have to learn like this?!"
At the mention of the academy, Zabuza's eyes narrowed, "We will never send you to the academy."
Naruto scrunched up his nose, having heard about almost everyone in his family go to the academy, "Why not?! Why can't I have friends my own age?! You all did! Why can't I?!"
"Because they will all die in the end!" Zabuza shouted.
"Die?" The blond haired child froze as he whispered that single word, the tears starting to dribble from his eyes. All that appeared in Naruto's head what his granny who had passed away. Just thinking about all of the potential friends he could have just… die startled him. Zabuza realized what he said. He tried to say something, but Naruto was already gone, running back into the house. Chōjūrō was about to follow the blond haired boy, but the black haired man stopped him, "He'll probably want space for now."
Chōjūrō nodded, "If I was in that position, I think I would have said the same thing. You are not in the wrong."
"I still wished that I could have said that a little better." He sighed, standing up from the ground as the two walked over to Kisame and Ameyuri, who had shocked looks on both of theirs faces.
Jinin was reading the newspaper from yesterday. However, he stopped reading when Naruto burst through the back door, crying his little eyes out. He ran all the way to his room, slamming it behind him. The older man watched the scene before sighing, already getting up from the table. He knocked on the boy's door before entering. Naruto had his head under his pillow, his sobs muffled by the cloth. Jinin sat down on the bed, making his blue eyes peek from under the pillow. "What's wrong?" He asked the sobbing boy.
"D-Dad won't let me g-go to the academy and make f-friends." Naruto's bottom lip quivered, "H-He said that t-they'll all die!"
"Good," Jinin stated. The boy widened his eyes as he realized that they all probably didn't want him to have friends and become a strong warrior. "You would have died in there." He finished.
"What?" Naruto asked quietly, removing the pillow from his face, fear crawling around his face.
The man sighed once more before moving to rest his back on the bed's headboard. Jinin closed his eyes in memory, "The Hidden Mist Village, the village we are currently in, has received an awful nickname. It came to when the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, made a horrific test for academy students once they were ready to graduate."
"A test?" Naruto's voice was a hushed whisper, his eyes wide.
Jinin nodded. "This test has scarred nearly everyone who survived from it. Once a student becomes ready to graduate, they are made to take this test. About forty to fifty kids are put into a single room." He gave a bitter chuckle, "I can remember it like it was yesterday. The rooms were black with silver drains at the bottom and several seals covered the walls. A table was set up with ninja gear. Every student was handed standard ninja gear, but not a single headband was given until after the test."
"What happened?" He asked.
"An instructor made us look around and see all of the friends, enemies, rivals we had made during the past few years that we were in the academy. Then, he made us fight to the death." Jinin's eyes became dark, his hands balled into fists, "It was kill or be killed in that room. Only nine would be allowed to leave that room. Those nine would make three gennin teams. This academy tradition gave us the awful nickname. We are now referred to across all nations as the Village of the Bloody Mist. Until Yagura is retired or dead, our village will always remain as this."
Naruto felt his breathing become shallow, "W-Why did you tell me this?"
"Because you are too kind-hearted and selfless. Under no circumstances would you ever be capable of killing or maiming your teammates, friends, and/or family. We have all argued about what to do when you were old enough to go to the academy. Kushimaru was actually the one who helped us make the ultimate decision to not send you to the academy." Jinin gave a soft smile, "Naruto, everyone here cares about you and we don't want you to throw your life away from something that could have been prevented by us adults. We love you very much and that is why we will never send you to the academy."
Quiet tears streamed down Naruto's face as he dove into a hug. The sobbing mess startled him, but he chuckled before returning the hug.
"Naruto?" Zabuza poked his head in, seeing not only his son but a trusted teammate in the boy's room.
Jinin looked up, running his hand through his nephew's hair, the boy snoozing on his lap. "He's going to be fine." He stated.
The older man nodded slowly, "Does he know…?"
"Yes." He said honestly, "I decided not to lie to the kid. He was obviously distressed by the whole situation. He should be up and running again tomorrow."
Zabuza smiled, "Thank you so much, Jinin." With that, he closed the door behind him and left.
The other sighed, looking down at Naruto, "Whatever."
Naruto's eyes blinked open, his ears suddenly becoming assaulted by the loud sound of snoring. He glanced up, seeing Jinin's mouth hanging open as a small line of drool fell from it. The man was obviously asleep as he sat against the bed's headboard. The blond haired boy slowly got off of the bed, making sure not to wake his uncle before walking out of his 'crate-room'. Naruto rubbed his eyes tiredly, waddling towards his dad's room. There were several loud creaks so the boy assumed that his dad was still up. He rubbed his eyes once more before knocking on the door. "Daddy?" He called out.
Two mumbled curses could be heard through the cheap wood. "Uh… What is it kiddo?" He sounded breathless.
"I'm thirsty," Naruto said about ready to open the door.
"Okay. Meet us in the kitchen." There was a feminine voice this time. The five-year-old boy furrowed his eyebrows as more curses and hushed shouts could be heard.
He yawned, trying not to overthink the situation, "Okay…"
Zabuza turned to Ameyuri as he heard Naruto leave the door, "Why did you speak? He wouldn't have known if you hadn't spoken!"
"Well excuse me!" She huffed, climbing off of him.
"Babe!" He whined, hurrying to put on some pants.
She gave the man a nasty look, "Don't babe me! I am not in the wrong here! Maybe you should have just told your son about our relationship." A tank top and pajama shorts were already on her body as she walked out of the room.
"Where are you going?" He called after her, waddling into his pants before falling down.
"To get your son some damn water." She called back.
Naruto yawned again as red hair came into view. He blinked before grinning sleepily, "I didn't know you were spending the night!"
Ameyuri gave the boy a loving smile, "Your daddy actually asked me to."
He pouted, "Aw! You had a sleepover and you didn't even invite me!"
"Well, that's because it was for grown-ups only." She chuckled.
"Man!" He huffed, "I wish I were a grown-up!"
Ameyuri laughed again, "No you do not! Stay a kid for a few more years."
Naruto grinned, "Alright, but can Chōjūrō spend the night next weekend?"
"Sure," Zabuza stated, walking into the room.
Ameyuri gave him a look before directing her eyes somewhere else. She handed the boy a glass of water, giving him a small smile, "Drink up and then head off the bed, you hear me?"
"Yes, ma'am!" He nodded before slowly taking a sip out of the glass. After a few seconds a silence, Naruto looked in between the two. They kept glancing at each other before quickly looking away. He cocked his head to the side, "Do you guys like-like each other?"
"WHAT?!" The two gave a startled shout, their faces red.
"Jiji said that you two like-liked each other and he said that you two liked to sneak off together sometimes when I'm not looking." Naruto's eyes were wide with curiosity.
"That's a conversation for later," Zabuza stated quickly, getting an angry look from Ameyuri.
A wide smile spread across his son's face. "You totally do like-like each other!" He started bouncing around Ameyuri, "Does that mean that you're my momma?"
Her eyes were wide, tears pooling in them as she froze, "Momma?" Those cerulean blue eyes stared expectantly up at her. Zabuza's heart started being faster. He wasn't sure how his girlfriend was going to react and that startled him. Hell, this whole situation was shocking. Surprisingly, there was a chuckle as Ameyuri wiped her eyes before giving the small child a large hug, "Alright kiddo, I'll be your momma!" Naruto cheered loudly, dancing around his parents. Zabuza let out a relieved sigh. He hadn't expected something like this, but when it comes to Naruto, nothing is ever expected.
Time Skip…
"Well, I think it's time to bump up your training." Zabuza stated once they'd entered the backyard that morning. Ever since Naruto had been informed from Jinin about what has happened in the past, he made sure that he'd push himself through his father's training as much as possible.
"Alright, what will we be doing?" Chōjūrō stated politely, rocking back and forth on his heels.
The proud father looked at Naruto, "I think it's time that we start your kenjutsu training." The blond haired boy gasped, bouncing around excitedly. He was in mid-flip when his father called out, "Calm down!" Naruto finished his flip before going over to Chōjūrō, trying to contain himself. Zabuza shook his head, "However, this does not mean that you will be using the Nuibari yet. We will be training with wooden swords before moving onto more… lethal ones." From the side of the house, Kisame chuckled at the boy's reaction.
Naruto sighed, hanging his head in disappointment but he quickly squashed those feelings as he nodded in enthusiasm, "Okay!"
"Here." A gruff voice stated, throwing two wooden swords into the area. Naruto looked up to see Jinin sitting in a tree, giving the backyard and those in it a bored look. The blond haired boy grinned up at him, giggling quietly. He walked over and grabbed the two, giving one to Chōjūrō. The light blue haired teenager gave the wooden sword a solemn look, before staring up at Zabuza.
The older man sighed, "Can't you just use it for a week?"
Chōjūrō gave the wooden sword a glare, "I don't think this is necessary, Zabuza. I think Naruto would learn properly if we used a tanto."
"He needs to learn the basics before we can move onto a real sword." He stated, crossing his arms, "If we don't, he could seriously injure himself." Naruto looked between the two, the atmosphere starting to get colder. He shivered quietly.
Kisame furrowed his eyes at this. "It's almost eighty degrees out here, how the hell is the gaki freezing?" He thought.
Chōjūrō's eyes narrowed as he glared at his friend's father before dropping the wooden sword on the ground, "I won't use it."
"We have talked about this before." Zabuza growled lowly, "If I remember correctly you agreed to the terms I had set."
"Your terms said nothing about using a training sword!" The oxygen was slowly depleting as the two swordsmen's killing intent rose. Naruto felt like he was suffocating underneath it all, worry clouding his eyes. His knees shook as his stomach churned. He tried telling his father that something was wrong, but he couldn't speak. Frightened tears rose in his eyes, his heart rate picking up. The shark-like man eyes' widened as he stepped away from the house.
"You've used it once before, what's the problem with using it again?!" Zabuza couldn't keep the frown off of his face.
Chōjūrō took a step forward as the pressure of their killing intent doubled quickly, "Because it's disdainful and idiotic!"
Naruto fell to his knees, quivering on the ground as black dots clouded his eyes as they started to close. Kisame was already beside the kid, startling Chōjūrō and Zabuza from their verbal fight. They realized what they'd been doing as the desperately tried to lower their killing intent. Naruto's eyes flew open as he sucked in a large gulp of oxygen, coughing it out as Kisame helped his sit up. Tears ran down his face as he shook quietly. The blue haired man picked up the gaki, carrying him inside but not before giving the two other swordsmen a dangerous look.
Chōjūrō and Zabuza glanced at each other, their heads hanging slightly. Both were highly ashamed of their actions towards each other. The taller one gave a ragged sigh, raking a hand through his hair, "I'm such a terrible father."
"We shouldn't have done that here." The younger one stated.
"Chōjūrō." Zabuza started, making the other look up at him, "Why do you not want to use the wooden sword?"
"I trained with a wooden sword under the previous Hiramekarei. He used to say that when he passes, I would no longer have to use such a damned sword ever again. He said that when I finally have the sword in my possession, there would be no use of a wooden sword again. That once I become a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, that I'd have no obligation to an artificial sword." He said honestly, "I live by my sensei's words even those about a wooden sword."
Zabuza placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a smirk, "I think I understand where you are coming from. However, I am a little sadden that you won't use it to help Naruto."
"Let him use a tanto." Chōjūrō stated, looking down at the grass, "To use one, you must be quick and agile. It will get Naruto into a mindset that will help him wield the Nuibari."
The black haired man sighed, "I hate to say this, but… I think you're right. What if I'm not training him properly and that's why this keeps happening?"
"You're trying your best. That's all that matters." He gives the older man a smile.
He smirked before chuckling lowly, "Suck up."
"Whatever makes you sleep at night." Chōjūrō grinned.
Kisame could feel his blood boiling as he looked down at the kid in his arms. The small child was shaking furiously, his heart rate extremely fast, and it seemed like he couldn't get enough oxygen. Leaning more into the couch, the older man cursed his teammates for using such thick killing intent around the gaki who knew nothing of it or how to deal with it. Those imbeciles were starting to get on his nerves.
"Jiji…" The weak voice threw him out of his thoughts.
Kisame looked down, the kid still hugging his abdomen who wouldn't look at him, "You okay?"
"No…" Naruto's voice was wavering, his body stiff.
"Damn, those magical powers that the gaki has are starting to get to me." Kisame inwardly groaned as he tried to think of something to make the gaki feel better. No one in the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist liked seeing the kid cry, it made them all feel worthless.
He looked up at his great-grandpa who had a blank look on his face, but Naruto could clearly feel his heart hammering in his chest from the closeness between the two, "What was that?"
"It's called killing intent or KI for short." Kisame stated honestly, trying not to look into Naruto's watery blue eyes, "The stronger a ninja, the stronger their KI is."
"I didn't like it." He whispered.
"I know." He suddenly chuckled, "You know, when I was about your age, I reacted the same way."
Naruto looked up, wiping his tears away, "Really?"
Kisame gave the boy a toothy grin, laughing loudly, "Yeah! I was chosen by the previous Samehada user to be his student. The first week there, I almost passed out because the man has an unconscious flow of killing intent! The blond haired boy giggled, the room instantly lighting up by the sound. He gave the gaki a smile, "After a while, I got used to it and now, no amount of killing intent can make me waver."
"Wow!" There was awe in his eyes as Naruto stared up at his great-grandpa, "That's so cool!"
"And they said that Naruto wouldn't think I'm cool!" Kisame mentally cheered, giving the internal images of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the mist the finger. He grinned, "You okay now?
Naruto hugged the older man tighter, "Yep!"
Kisame ruffled his hair, "That's good. Do you think you're ready to go back outside and train some more?"
The six-year-old boy gave reserved look, contemplating on what to do before the look dissolved, being replaced by a grin, "Yes!"
The shark-like man grinned before letting the kid down, watching him run out the back door to continue his training. Kisame's grin faded quickly once he'd disappeared as he left Zabuza's house completely. He had a plan that he needed to revise.
Time Skip…
After a lot of debating between two swordsmen, Zabuza and Chōjūrō finally came to an agreement. When Naruto had come back from outside, he was given the wooden sword to train with along with bumping up his training weights about a dozen pounds. The three worked on getting the basics down with the artificial sword for nearly a week and a half. He seemed to have gotten it down packed after the first four days, but those basics needed to be sharpened through experience. Every day after the initial addition to his training weights, Zabuza would add five more pounds to it. During this first part of his training, Chōjūrō was to use a tanto to show his friend many patterns for a sword meant for agility and speed, like the Nuibari. Also, Zabuza made sure to teach Naruto how to use a sword while fighting with taijutsu, which Naruto surprisingly seemed to excel , the blond haired boy was handed the tanto after his father stated that they'd finished the basics of his sword training. For nearly a month thereupon, Zabuza made Naruto spar with Chōjūrō, who used a sword quite similar to the tanto that the six-year-old boy held. About four months ago was around the time that Naruto was given permission to wield the first the boy was nervous when he had been told that the Nuibari would finally be in his hands, but that quickly dissipated when he clutched the handle. His father and friend were surprised to find that Naruto could hold it so well, swiping the air with the longsword and exclaiming that it had become lighter since that last time he held it. Getting over their shock, Zabuza and Chōjūrō put on a proud smile before explaining that it was all of his taijutsu and kenjutsu training that helped to bring his strength up.
"Minato!" Kushina rushed into his office, a bright smile on her face but worry in her eyes. She blinked, an embarrassed blush rushing to her cheeks. Standing in front of her was her agitated husband and nearly eight Jonnin. Kushina chuckled, "Ah… did I interrupt something… important?"
The blond haired man shook his head, rubbing his temples, "No. Meeting adjourned." The Jonnin left the office, not glancing at each other. Minato took a deep breath in before standing up from his chair and walking over to his wife. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, smiling slightly, "What's gotten you in a good mood?" She started rocking back and forth on her heels, the worry more prominent in her eyes. The Fourth Hokage easily saw this, "Are you okay?"
Tears filled her eyes as she smiled brightly, "I'm fine!"
Minato furrowed his eyebrows, wiping her tears away, "Then why are you crying?"
"Because I'm happy!" Kushina grinned, hugging him.
"And why's that?" He asked, chuckling quietly at her antics.
"Because…" She took a deep breath in, "I'm pregnant." The world seemed to freeze. Minato felt his heart swell and deflate at the same time. Kushina kissed his lips, looking into his blue eyes, "Even though I'm pregnant again does not mean that I will stop looking for Naruto. The two of them are our children and I'll never stop loving either of them."
The blond haired man grinned, his eyes crinkling together as tears came to his eyes, "I couldn't have said it better myself. Kushina, I promise that I will find our son so we can be a happy family again." The two shared a hug in the office for a few minutes.
Yes, they'll get their son back, no matter what.
Q&A:
#13: Oi! I have a question! When the polls were going on, I really wanted Kisame instead of Ameyuri. What would the story be like if it was Kisame X Zabuza?
Warrior-Death-Knight from Wattpad.
Okay, so... hm. Kisame X Zabuza. Well, if that was the pairing, the story would have probably ended up very different. I probably would have made them get together around the same time I put Zabuza and Ameyuri together in my story. There would most likely be a lot of short-lived arguments that would most likely make Naruto laugh. The two would definitely be a power couple. Jinin's death would have been replaced by Ameyuri's. Jinpachi could have potentially come back. Yeah, that's basically it.
When I put up the poll, I stepped away from my laptop and sat down. I grabbed a pen and a bunch of note cards. I spent about an hour or two writing down some notes for future chapters depending on which pairing won: Zabuza X Kisame or Zabuza X Ameyuri. Kisame had a lot more half-assed notes while Ameyuri's were better thought out. So, yeah.
Hope that answered your question.