Chapter 10:Way Of The Shinobi
"Damn it there's no end to theses bastards!" Kiba yelled as he fought off Gato's thugs.
Kurenai went through her hand signs "I'm knew but just hold them off." She said as she caught a group with her Genjutsu.
Naruto then jumped and hacked through the group of thugs Kurenai caught with her jutsu with his Kaze Kattā. Naruto panted as this was the third wave he, Kureani, Shino, and Kiba continued to battle the never seemingly endless army of henchmen Naruto thought back to yesterday night.
Flashback
Naruto and Hinata had returned from grabbing dinner and Tsunami was done cooking and both teams along with Tazuna's family were eating. Team 8 though were staying at an inn because there wasn't enough room for them.
After the meal and Tsunami was putting away the dishes Tazuna spook "A few more days and it will be done, we're more than half way done." He then looked to the two Jounin "I can't possibly thank you all enough for what you've done." He then eyed Kakashi "Truly I'm surprised you still had your team go on with the mission even after you knew the truth." He wondered.
Kakashi shrugged "Well it was their idea to go on and honestly I'm glad we did."
Kurenai smiled "Honestly after hearing about Gato and the fact you still went on with building your bridge I have to say you are a brave man Tazuna-san."
Tazuna blushed and rubbed his head "Oh it really I'm no one that brave trust me hehe." He then put on a serious face "I'm just doing what I can for my people that's all, they've suffered too long. It's time to give them hope again."
Naruto chuckled "I completely agree Tazuna-san, after the bridge is complete we move on to Gato."
Sasuke sighed and rolled his eyes "You still going on about that?" He asked the blonde.
Naruto glared at the Uchiha "I was serious Sasuke this people won't be safe with him still around. He has to be dealt with." He declared.
Kiba snorted "So what's your plan? Just gonna storm the fort, and fight wave after wave of henchmen?" He mocked Naruto.
Naruto frowned "If that's what it takes."
Kiba laughed "Yea great plan."
Naruto was about to say something but was cut off "Actually Naruto-san's plan is half bad, it may even be the best course of action." Said Shino "It's quick and effective."
Hinata bit her lip but nodded "I agree with Shino-kun and Naruto-kun maybe for the future of the Land of Waves."
Naruto smirked "See that Kiba even your teammates are in agreement, but I guess you're just too afraid it's ok though I'm sure you can stay behind and have Akamaru protect you." He mocked the Inuzuka.
Kiba then growled and raised his voice "You think I'm scared huh!? Well you know what that sounds like a good plan to me, right Akamaru!" The small pup yipped in agreement with his master "I'll take out 20 no! 50 of Gato's guys and you can just seat back and watch!" He said pointing at Naruto. "There's no way you're showing me up again in front of Hinata-chan!"
The room then filled with laughter and chatter, but Inari was only feeling more depressed and sadden as he listened to Shinobi talk. Images of Kaiza pasted by his mind and his words filled his head. He then remembered seeing the man he thought to be like the father he never had die before him. He then began to cry tears of sorrow and despair "But why?" He started in a weak voice grabbing everyone's attention. He then looked Naruto in the eyes and began to yell "Why are you trying so hard!? All of this training you do and talk about hope is pointless in the end! Gato has a whole army, he'll beat you down and destroy you like he did to everyone who fought against him! The strong always win and the weak just die that's how it works." He explained.
Naruto narrowed his eyes and snorted at Inari's words "Sorry but I won't end up like that, and you know you think you'd be more grateful to the people who saved your grandfather's life and are trying to save your village. but instead you've done nothing but whine and complain since we got here!" He shouted to the crying boy.
Inari then shook his head "Shut up! I don't want to hear it! Just looking at you makes me sick!" He yelled.
"Well then I guess we're even ground cause I can't stand to stare at someone so pathetic!" Naruto countered.
Everyone else was silent as the two just seat up from their seats staring each other down. For Naruto's classmates expect for Hinata this was a shocker, the normally quiet and calm Naruto was now showing a completely different side they've never seen before.
Inari then looked down "You can't understand anything..." He picked his head up "You don't know anything about this land, you don't know what it's like to be treated like dirt and pushed around." He shook his head "To lose someone important to you and lose everything!"
Kakashi, Sasuke, and Hinata frowned to Inari, if only he knew.
Naruto was silent his bangs covered his eyes he raised from his seat "Naruto?" Sakura asked.
Her call went to deaf ears as Naruto reached across the table and grabbed Inari by his collar "Listen you spoiled little gaki." He said in that emotionless tone of his "I've put up with your shit for the last few days and now I'm sick of it. I heard about what happened to Kaiza, but that doesn't give you right to sit and do nothing but mope around be depressed. Your grandfather is trying to fight against Gato's rule, so by what you just said doesn't that mean he'll e killed too?" Inari's eyes went wide "Exactly, you have no idea what you're saying. And what gives you the right to say that others have no idea what suffering is? Cause I can tell you right now Inari there are plenty of people who have suffered more than you ever have. Some in this room." Naruto said thinking of Sasuke and Haku and even Hinata "We've all lost things important to us, me especially." He then looked down "My village burned down in front of me, my friends and family all dead, and my Okaa-san died right in my arms." He then let out a silent sob and a single tear slide down his face. "I lost everything in one day, but you still have your village standing, your mother and grandfather are still alive. I have so much still left and you sit here and cry about it, unreal." He finished staring dead into Inari's eyes.
Inari only stared into Naruto's cold dead eyes with shock and was speechless at his words. "Naruto enough, put him down." Kakashi ordered his student.
Naruto growled as he released Inari "Cry all you want but it won't change a thing. Don't give up on fighting when you haven't even tried to, coward." He said over his shoulder. "I'm going to bed." He then began to walk upstairs.
The whole was silent and the only thing that could be heard was Inari's small sobs. Kakashi sighed "Sorry about Naruto, he's been though a lot and lost a lot too." He explained as he looked to Inari "He lost his family and his village about 5 years ago when he was actually around your age."
Tazuna then asked "What happened to him?"
Everyone was curious to hear about this but Hinata who already knew most of the story but Naruto never did tell her detail from detail what happened that day. "Well Naruto-kun's original village he lived in before Konoha was attacked, by a man." She said in a small voice.
"But why? And who did such a thing?" Tsunami asked.
Hinata shook her head "It's rather personally and it's not my place to tell you." She then looked to Inari. "Inari-kun, I think what you said greatly effected Naruto-kun. He grieves for the lost of his village everyday, and I can tell just by looking at Naruto-kun when he talks about his mother. She was his world to him, as was my own." She then sat up "I think Naruto-kun is bothered so much by your words because you still have all that he lost and even I envy you Inari-kun." Hinata's voice soften "You still have a person to call Kaa-san." She then turned to walk upstairs following Naruto leaving Inari with his thoughts.
With Naruto
Naruto was currently looking at the pitch black shy as the moonlight was his only way of seeing. He just laid on his back on Tazuna's home's roof, watching the stars gripping his necklace around his neck. "Okaa-san." He whispered as memories flooded his mind.
"Here you go Naruto-chan." Kushina said as she gave Naruto one of her most treasured items, her great aunt's Uzumaki Mito's necklace. "It's something my Idaina Oba-san gave me she was Kyubi's first Jinchuriki and the wife of the Shodai Hokage." She explained smiling "By me giving you this necklace do you know what this means?" She asked her four-year old son and he shook his head "It means your training to become a Shinobi starts now!"
Naruto's eyes light up as he heard this and he raised his fist into the air "Yahoo! Finally I can become a Shinobi just as strong as you Okaa-san! And even Oto-san too!"
Kushina patted Naruto's head and smiled brightly at her musuko(son). "I know you will Naruto.."
to the memories in his head were now too overwhelming to him.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata called out as she too was now on the roof.
Naruto quickly shot up his head and rubbed the tears from his eyes "Hinata..hey." He said lowly avoiding looking at her in the eyes.
Hinata thought caught wind of this "Were you crying Naruto-kun?" She asked as he shook his head no. Hinata sighed "Naruto-kun it's me, Hinata you can talk to me." She reassured him.
Naruto looked to Hinata and sighed "Its funny normally I can control my emotions but hearing Inari say those words just got to me." He dropped his head feeling tears ready to drop "I lost everything, Hinata. Everything! That day I wanted so badly to just die then and there. And I cursed Kami-sama for letting me live. And that kid has the nerve to complain when he has nearly everything I lost. I just can't stand it and I couldn't hold it anymore more. I just..."
He was cut off by Hinata grabbing his shoulders and putting him into a tight hug. "I know Naruto-kun I know." She whispered into his ear "It's one of the reasons I admire you so much." She then pulled back and smiled into Naruto's confused face "Even after all you've been through you still decide to stand and keep fighting, not only for yourself but for others too. I believe in what you want to do for the people f Wave and I support your sense of justice." Her smile then grew wider "Truly Naruto-kun, you are the strongest person I've ever met." She declared clearly with no hesitation.
Naruto looked to Hinata with great shock but then cracked a smile and hugged her back "Thank you Hinata. Truly your important to me." He said back.
The Next Day
"Today." Zabuza said to Haku who was reading herself.
"Are you sure Zabuza-sama? IS your body ready?" Haku asked in worry for her master's health.
Zabuza swung his massive blade around onto his shoulders "Oh yes I am. Time for round two with Kakashi, and that blonde kid is as good as dead."
Haku frowned, she honestly didn't want to fight or see Naruto die. Even through they're enemies still she felt a connection to him that day they talked. But this was Zabuza-sama's will and to help him reach his dream, she must go along with his plans. No matter how she felt about the matter.
"Well well back up I see." Came Gato's voice, his arm in a cast from Haku breaking it earlier. "It about damn time. This is your last shot either the bridge builder dies or else! Got me?" He asked in a cocky voice.
"Don't worry Gato, after I'm done with the old man and this job. You'll be next." Zabuza thought as he had to stop himself from slashing Gato in half right there and then. "Yes I understand, I'll bring you his head as a prize back." He then waved to his tool "Come Haku." She nodded and followed him.
Two of Gato's highest henchmen walked in after listening in on the conversation. "So what now?" One asked with white hair and a cap.
Gato lite a cigar "I've had enough of this damn village and its pathetic people. We've taken all we can get from them." He then exhaled smoke "Wait a while until Zabuza is winning or losing. He's getting cut off today, so wait for my signal."
"And the village?" Asked the shirtless one.
Gato shrugged and grinned evilly "Like I said we don't need it around anymore. Burn it and kill everyone, but try to catch some women alive so we can have some fun later." The two thugs chuckled darky as they heard Gato's words. "Oh but wait, I've got a special place I want you two to hit first."
Tazuna's House
After dinner was over and Team 8 said their good nights the atmosphere around the house was rather awkward. Either Naruto or Inari had left their rooms, most likely to avoid one another.
Tazuna was standing in front of both teams ready to go out "So I'm guessing you're all not coming?"
Kakashi shook his head "Well Naruto is still resting upstairs so I think I'll give him a break since I can finally freely move again." He then smiled to Hinata "Sorry Kurenai but I'll borrowing one of your students."
Kurenai raised an eyebrow "What do you mean?"
"Simple we'll be switching students today. I'll need you to stay here and protect Tsunami and Inari while we are at the bridge and I'll have to ask to borrow Hinata since she has the Byakugan she can see incoming danger. Most likely Zabuza might return today so she be valuable to have." The masked Jounin explained.
Kurenai nodded "Are you ok with this Hinata." She asked.
Hinata nodded "Yes sensei I'll be fine."
Kurenai smiled "Ok Kakashi I'm trusting you with her."
Kakashi waved his hand "Hey everything will be fine. I mean what's the worse that could happen."
Kurenai frowned and put her hands on her hips "Don't say such things!" She yelled "Who knows what could happened!"
Kakashi backed away and waved his hands in front of him defensively "Calm down, it's just a saying."
As Kurenai went on ranting while Kiba whined out loud "Do we have to trade Hinata-chan for Naruto?"
Shino nodded "Yes Kiba we do." He told his teammate as he pouted.
A Few Minutes Later
Naruto had just woken up and he yawned as he noticed it was in the last afternoon. Naruto got out of bed and walked down stairs were he met with Team 8 sitting in the living room. "Well hello Naruto, I hope you slept well."
Tsunami then greeted the young blonde with a smile "Ah good afternoon Naruto-kun."
Naruto looked around "Hey everyone...wait a minute. Afternoon?" He questioned "Why didn't my team wake me up?" He asked.
Kurenai answered "Kakashi though it be a fun idea to switch students. Hinata is with your team at the bridge guarding Tazuna while we stay here and defend the house in case of an attack."
Naruto narrowed his eyes at the red-eyed Jounin "Well I'm going to the bridge to check on them."
Kiba then stood "Hey I wanna go too." He said but Kurenai stopped him.
"No Kiba no need for two of you to go." She said with her head up and the Inuzuka started to complain.
As Naruto put on his sandals and grabbed the door knob he felt someone on the other side pull the door open and Naruto recognized the person on the other side. "Toimi?" He asked "What are you doing here?" He asked.
Toimi looked to Naruto with fresh tears in her face and buried her head in his chest. "Naruto-kun." She squeaked out.
Naruto was rubbing her head "Toimi, what's happening?"
Toimi looked up to Naruto and sobbed "It's Gato's men they attacked, they have my parents. And they said their going to kill everyone and burn down the village." She said in a fearful voice full of sorrow.
Naruto's eyes went wide as he looked up to see smoke in the shy. "Kurenai-san!" He called to Team 8's leader "Come quick!" He yelled.
All of Team 8 quickly came to the front door "Who's' that?" Kiba asked.
"Toimi, she said Gato's men are burning down the village!" Naruto told them as they gasped.
"Kiba." Shino said then Inuzuka's name.
"Yea." He answered sniffing the air "I smell smoke and it's not from a camp fire." He looked to Naruto smells like burning buildings."
Naruto bit his lip "So Gato decided to strike today huh what probably means..." He then looked at the direction of the bridge. "Hinata..." He said softly.
"Naruto-kun?" Toimi called his name out.
Naruto was snapped out of his thoughts "Right, Toimi stay here. We'll deal with Gato's men."
Toimi smiled brightly "Thank you Naruto-kun." She hugged him tight "Please save my home." She said in his ear.
Naruto nodded "Yea, that was always my plan."
On The Bridge
"You noticed it too?" Sasuke asked his sensei.
Kakashi nodded sensing a think mist coming. He put away his book and pulling his headband up from his right eye, his Sharingan ready. "Sakura! Get in front of Tazuna! Tazuna tell your workers to run!" He shouted to a surprised Sakura and Tazuna. He then looked to the young Hyuga heiress "Hinata use your Byakugan to find the enemies!" He ordered the girl.
As soon as Kakashi was done with his orders the mist moved in and the workers began to run while Sakura stood protectively in front of Tazuna and Hinata engaged her Doujutsu and Sasuke along with Kakashi were in their battle stance.
Hinata scanned the area and found two chakra signatures "There! Kakashi-sensei!" She shouted and a chuckled echoed though the mist.
"Well it seems they got a new brat on the team I see." Came Zabuza's voice as the mist cleared, and he stood in front of the them "Now we finish this." He said grabbing his oversized sword.
Hinata bit her lip "Wait that's only one where is the other?" She then used her Byakugan again and saw the other chakra signature racing towards Tazuna. "Sakura-san! On your left!" She yelled to the pink haired girl.
"Please don't resist." Haku said in a low tone as she rushed Sakura ready to push her way through to Tazuna but was stopped.
"Not so fast." Sasuke said coolly smirking "You're not getting through me."
Haku was shocked the Uchiha intercepted her attack. She quickly backed away "Not only did he keep up with me but he also stopped my attack. Hmm interesting." She said.
Zabuza was surprised but chuckled "I didn't think any of these kids could keep up with you Haku, maybe the blonde but he's not here right now." He readied for battle "I guess you found your rival in speed."
Haku nodded "Indeed."
Kakashi along with the Genin entered their battle stance "Sakura protect Tazuna, Sasuke and Hinata you two deal with the masked one." He ordered "Understood."
The Genin nodded, but Hinata gulped. This was going to be her first official battle with an enemy ninja. "Naruto-kun please hurry."She silently prayed.
With Naruto In Present Time
"I'm not sensing anymore for now." Naruto said as he used his Shadow Clones to deal with the thugs faster.
Kurenai nodded "Nice work boys but now for the burning buildings."
"Not a problem." Naruto said as his clones gathered together and went through a series of hand signs "Suiton:Water Gun Jutsu!" Multiple clones did as they sprayed the fire out.
"Naruto-kun..." Naruto eyes went wide as he heard Hinata's frightened voice came into his head "Hinata." Naruto said her name as he felt a gust of her chakra coming from the bridge. Naruto narrowed his eyes at the bridge "Kurenai-san, take your team back to Tazuna's house, I'm heading to the bridge!" He told her as he leaped away.
Kurenai tried to stop him "Wait shouldn't we go together?" She called out.
Naruto shook his head "No time, I have to go now!" With that he was gone traveling to the bridge.
Kurenai sighed and crossed her arms "I thought I was the one giving orders." She chuckled.
"Well he be ok?" Shino asked as he and Kiba regrouped.
"Yea where's does he get off giving us orders?" Kiba asked annoyed with an agreement bark from Akamaru.
Kurenai looked to her students "I just hope Hinata is ok." She told them as they nodded.
With Hinata
Both Hinata and Sasuke were in real trouble. The masked ninja just happened to have a Kekkei Genkei, Hyoton(Ice Style). Both her and Sasuke were currently trapped in her jutsu "Demonic Ice Mirrors" Haku called it. They were surrounded by mirrors with reflections of the enemy all around them, Haku was too fast when going through mirror though mirror to track. With Hinata's Byakugan and Sasuke's newly activated Sharingan they were able to see through Haku's jutsu and see her movement. But even though their eyes could track her it doesn't mean their bodies could react in time. Both Genin were covered with senbon, bleeding from multiple wounds and their energy running low.
"Damn it none of my Katon jutsus can destroy those mirrors, you got anything Hinata?" Sasuke asked the Hyuga laying on the ground trying to catch her breath.
The heiress shook her head no, she was just hoping Naruto-kun would come soon. She wasn't nearly as fast as Sasuke so he had to cover for her. She felt like she was more of a burden than help to Sasuke. Hinata then shook her head, what was she think? She was a Shinobi now and she had to be strong and stand on the same ground as Naruto-kun. She wasn't some weakling anymore, she refused to be a burden to others like her Oto-sama and Nii-san said she be. "I can't relay on Naruto-kun and others anymore! I can't be a burden." She then picked herself up and got into her Juken stance and Haku readied more senbon.
"This will be my last attack." Haku thought.
Naruto had just made it to the bridge and felt hostile chakra presents. "Naruto!" Sakura called out her teammates name.
Naruto turned to see Sakura with a kunai in hand in front of Tazuna. "Sakura! Where is everyone I can barely sense anything in this mist." He asked her.
"Kakashi-sensei is fighting Zabuza, Hinata and Sasuke-kun are fighting a masked ninja what was with Zabuza. It was the fake Hunter nin from earlier." She explained the situation.
"Haku..." Naruto said under his breath "Ok you keep protecting Tazuna-san I'll going to find Hinata and Sasuke." He told her as he started to run into the mist.
Sakura called him "Wait Naruto! Where are the others?"
"They will be here shortly! Just stay with Tazuna-san until then!" He yelled back to her.
"Now!" Haku said as she sent a barrage of senbon Hinata's way.
Hinata's eyes went wide as she saw the senbon coming for her and Sasuke saw this too. "He's going for Hinata!" Sasuke then used the last of his chakra and transferred it to his feet for an extra speed boost to try to save her.
"Hinata!" Naruto called out her name running towards the ice mirrors.
Hinata turned her head "Naruto-kun!" She said surprised.
Seeing her opponent distracted Haku took her chance and a lone senbon hit Hinata on the left side of her neck and she collapsed, her eyes darkening and closing.
Naruto's eyes went wide and his breath shorten "No.." He though fearing the worst. He ran to Hinata's body "Hinata! Hinata!" He said shaking her body.
For a second her eyes opened "Naruto-kun...?" She said in a weak voice.
"Hinata don't worry I'll get help you'll be ok I promise." Naruto said.
Hinata smiled "I'm sorry Naruto-kun even after all of the training we did I was still a disappointment..." She started.
"Damn it Hinata stop talking save your strength." Now Naruto could feel tears coming down his face.
Hinata's eyes started to flicker as she struggled to keep them open "I'm sorry Naruto-kun...so sorry..I.." Her eyes then closed once again.
Naruto looked down to Hinata in pure horror "Hinata! Open your eyes! Come on don't die I won't allow you to." Naruto pleaded with no response. Naruto then checked her pulse and there was nothing and her chakra slowly vanishing. "No...not again." Naruto said pulling Hinata closer and he began to cry harder.
"Naruto.." Sasuke said from a distance. Never before has he seen him cry before, the emotionless Uzumaki Naruto was now openly crying.
Naruto felt his heart beats become irregular, his body stiff, and his mind refused to believe it. Refused to believe Hinata was...dead.
Memories of the past came into Naruto's mind, it was the death of his Okaa-san all over again. "Hinata...you were everything to me. You said you fill my life with happiness, be my reason to stay. To live." Naruto said as he cried harder and closed his eyes shut "With you I thought I could forget the past move on. With you by my side I felt happy..." He then growled "Damn it! Hinata I love you! You hear me I love you with everything I've got!" Be yelled "But now you're gone..." He then started to breathe hard holding Hinata's body tight.
Haku watch the scene and could hear the sorrow in Naruto's voice. "Is this the first time you've seen a friend fall in battle? This is merely the way of the Shinobi."
"Shut up." Naruto said as he felt his blood begin to boil "Just shut the fuck up Haku." He gently put down Hinata and removed the senbon in her neck "You say this is the way of the Shinobi? To blindly follow orders like a puppet!?" He screamed out then looked dead at Haku. "Was this even your choice?"
Haku flinched inside of her mirror hearing Naruto's tone "Like I said to you days before Zabuza-sama's orders I had no choice." She explained.
Naruto then looked down and his fists shook with anger "We always have a choice." He said as red chakra began to flare around his body and his eyes turned red.
As the red chakra lashed out Sasuke as being pushed back by the incredible chakra "What the hell is this? I can't stand!" He looked at Naruto with his Sharingan and noticed his chakra was a different color. "The hell is he?" He asked himself before he pasted out.
Naruto's whiskers grew darker, his eyes bloodshot red, his nail turned into fangs, and his hair was becoming spikier. "I'll warn you once Haku." He said as he got on all fours "You better run, or I'll seriously kill you!" Naruto said in a demonic voice and leaped to destroy the mirror Haku was in and completely smashed it.
Haku barely manage to escape from Naruto's attack and she readied more senbon, but knowing her chances of winning were not all but gone. "This chakra is it even human?" She questioned.
Naruto too readied himself for another strike smelling the fear coming from Haku. he growled like a wild animal and pounced like a predator to his prey.
With Kakashi
Kakashi had stopped moving when he felt the huge chakra outlet. He also immediately recognized the said chakra. "That chakra it's just like that I felt all those years on that night of Kyubi's attack." He then looked at where he felt the chakra coming from but he couldn't get a clear view just were because of the mist. "Doesn't seem like the seal was broken just a crack, which means it's time for a counterattack." He then pulled out a scroll and slashed the scroll with his blood. "Oh Zabuza don't you think it's time we end this already?" He called out to the swordsman.
Zabuza laughed "Sorry Kakashi I was thinking of maybe prolonging this a little longer." He mocked Kakashi. But true be told he was a little worried about Haku because he too felt that spike of chakra. And it wasn't any regular chakra, it was evil and vile.
Kakashi chuckled "Well to bad cause I don't plan to." He then got ready to use the scroll and end this fight. "Doton:Fang Pursuit Jutsu!"
With Naruto
Naruto on his rampage had just destroyed all of Haku's mirrors with his raw strength and enhanced senses and reflexes. He was now staring down his target and was charging at Haku with full force ready to kill.
Haku had stood up realizing he had lost and had given up at going any further. "I'm sorry Zabuza-sama I'm no use to you now if I can't defeat this boy." Haku thought standing there as Naruto charged in to deliver the final blow, waiting for the end as a single tear came down her face. But the end never came.
Naruto had stopped his attack. His fist just inches away from her face "I can't." He said in a low voice "Even through I really want to kill you for what you did I just can't." He said in a defeated voice. His features returning to normal, Kyubi's chakra fading away.
Haku looked to Naruto with hard cold eyes "You said you'd kill me but now you can't? What about your vow? Or is it that she didn't mean as much to you as you thought."
Naruto gripped his fist and punched Haku to the ground "Don't you dare question how much Hinata meant to me!" He shouted to her "She meant everything to me and I loved her. So don't you dare." He gridded his teeth in anger.
Haku picked herself up and wiped the blood from her bleeding lip. "Then why?"
Naruto sighed "I don't know, I want to kill you but, just killing you won't bring back Hinata." He then looked up to the shy "For the last few years all I wanted was revenge on someone who took away everything and if I had a chance I'd kill him with no hesitation." He then shook his head "So why is this so hard!" Hen grabbed his head and closed his eyes "I don't want to kill you because you think of yourself like a tool but I don't want to let you go either. I don't know to do."
Haku closed her eyes and took in a breath "Then I'll tell you what to do." She then looked Naruto in the eyes "Kill me." She said emotionlessly "The one person I had reason to live for I can no longer be of use to. I'm a failure as a Shinobi and a tool I have no reason to live no one else to fight for a I am to no use to anyone again."
Naruto stared her down "So that's it?" He asked "Don't you have anything wroth living? A dream? Something!" He yelled. She remembered him of himself when his Okaa-san died and he wanted death as well.
Haku shook her head "No I don't, please Naruto-kun I'm begging you." She pleaded wanting Naruto to give her a swift death.
Naruto looked down and activated his Kaze Kattā "And are you sure this is what you want?" He asked her one last. Haku smiled and nodded. Naruto narrowed his eyes and readied his blade and rushed towards her to pierce her heart, for a painless death.
Haku did nothing to stop him and smiled to him "I'm sorry Zabuza-sama and goodbye." But then Haku heard what sounded like birds. She looked and saw Kakashi readying his final attack against Zabuza who was being held back by a pack of dogs their teeth sinking to him.
Haku then dodged Naruto's attack and grabbed his arm and said "Sorry Naruto-kun looks like I won't be dying by your hand." She smiled and disappeared into an ice mirror.
Naruto saw what Haku was doing and he pulled out his Pawā Bo to stop her.
With Kakashi
"Sorry Zabuza but this time you will die." He declared with his Lighting Blade armed and ready dashing towards Zabuza who was defenseless.
Haku was ready to intervene but was stopped by Naruto who used his Pawā Bo extending ability to give himself a jumping boost to stop her. Haku's eyes went wide as Naruto got in her way and Kakashi's hand straight though Zabuza's chest. Her eyes went wide and quickly filled with tears "Zabuza-sama!" She called his name out.
Zabuza coughed out blood as he dropped and Kakashi looked down to his defeated foe and stared down sadly at Zabuza's defeated form.
Haku ran to her master "Zabuza-sama!" She cried out.
Zabuza looked to Haku "Haku..." He coughed "I see did you also lose?" He asked.
Haku nodded "Yes I'm a failure as a tool to you, Zabuza-sama. Forgive I'm I failed you at the moment you needed me most!" She sobbed out "I'm sorry."
"Don't be Haku." Naruto said slowly walking to the down "Is there anything you want to say to her Zabuza? After all this is the last time you'll get to see her."
Zabuza painfully chuckled "Wonder where you were blonde...Haku.." He started figured Naruto was right might as well confess. "Even though I told you that you're my tool, over the years my view of you changed." He said as he moved his hand to her face and cupped her cheek "Truly you were like a daughter to me...now I want you to choose your own path and find your own dream."
"Zabuza-sama.." Haku choked on her tears. "I can't you are my dream, my reason to love what do I do now!?"
"I know you will find one..." His hand then dropped and his eyes went blank. Momochi Zabuza was dead.
As the realization of Zabuza's death hit Haku she let out a scream "Zabuza-sama!" She cried for her now dead master. As she sobbed on his bloody chest Haku picked up her head and glared at Naruto. "Why didn't you let me die!? Why save me! You robbed me of what I wanted the most!"
Naruto looked to Haku "I don't know I just reacted." He sighed out "I guess even after what you've done I couldn't just let you throw away your life. It's a coward's way out." He explained to her.
Haku was sad and angry now "You should had let me die!" She yelled to then blonde "I have nothing to live for now."
Kakashi was about to say something when he heard tapping at the end of the bridge. The three turned to see Gato standing in front of an army of his thugs with a grin on his face "Well it seems the demon is dead, not surprised." The short man said "I guess I should thank you Shinobi, saved me the trouble of killing him myself."
"Gato!?" Haku sais in shock.
"So that's Gato?" Naruto asked.
Gato laughed "Ha look at you now! All in tears your precious master is dead. Now so tough now huh? Come on where's that face you had when you broke my arm? Haha!" He then waved his hand "Kill them all! But leave the girl alive, she be fun for later." Gato licked his lips as the thugs shouted in agreement.
Kakashi glared at the Gato and his army "This isn't go I'm out of chakra." He said as he was on one knee.
Naruto then chuckled darky then laughed loudly like a mad man. Everyone was stared at him with shock, Naruto then suddenly stop laughing with a serious face on "So you're the one I have the pleasure to thank for all that you've done to the people of Wave." He stepped forward "Gato today you die." He said in a cold voice with his dull eyes staring directly into Gato's.
Gato flinched at the boy's threat but then grinned "If you want me you have to go through these guys first." He said with confidence.
Naruto then smiled and evil smile "My pleasure!" He yelled as he ran to the army.
"Naruto!" Kakashi called out to his student but was ignored. He and Haku watched as Naruto ran blindly into the crowd of thugs but not before picking up Zabuza's weapon the Executioner Blade.
Naruto struggled at first but with a mighty roar picked up the blade swung it over his shoulders and darted to the thugs.
Gato looked at the charging boy with fear "Kill him now!" He ordered the thugs as he ran back into the crowd.
Naruto's adrenaline was high, his vision just a blur as he reached the group and slashed through the thugs. One by one the thugs were being slashed down, normally Naruto would hold back on his swings and avoid delivering fatal blows. But not now. No, Naruto was out for blood and he wildly swung the blade to hack through the crowd. Slowly becoming covered in the henchmen's blood.
Finally the thugs started to back off, fearing of being next to be cut down by Naruto and finally Naruto reached his target. Gato looked at Naruto and started to shake and tumble "What are you waiting for kill him you idiots!" He yelled to his goons but no one response.
Naruto smiled widely and chuckled "No ones gonna save you now. You sorry piece of shit." Naruto glared at Gato "People like you make me sick, taking all you want, abusing and using others! And hiding behind them like a coward!" He screamed.
Gato back away as he could feel the killer intent coming from the boy "Please let me live! I'll give you anything! Money, power, women! You name it!" He pleaded for his life.
Naruto growled "Can you bring the dead back to life?" He said thinking of Hinata. Gato gasped with wide eyes "Thought so." Naruto said as he swiftly moved to end Gato. With one quick movement Naruto slashed Gato's upper body sending him flying into the air and into the harbor below.
Naruto then dropped the Executioner Blade and started to pant. He then dropped to his knees, his body on its limit and his arms felt like paper. "I can't move my arms, wielding that blade took all of my energy." It was rare for a Uzumaki to run out of stamina but from the emotional toll and physical too, yea it was too much.
The thugs watched in shock as this kid just took down half of them and just sent Gato to his death. The thugs also noticed Naruto seemed to be out of strength too. "Hey look the kid's all tired out!" One pointed out and the other took note of this.
Naruto looked the thugs readying their weapons to finish Naruto off. Naruto just looked at them with a blank face and sighed. His body just refused to move "Guess this is the end." He thought "I'll be seeing you soon Okaa-san, Hinata." Naruto jut closed his eyes ready to appreciate death.
But suddenly a lone arrow came in front of the thugs "Hey leave Naruto-niisan alone!" Came Inari's voice and they turned to see him along with Team 8 and the villagers of Wave behind him.
Naruto opened his eyes to see the army Inari had gathered "No way.." He laughed out.
Tazuna couldn't believe this himself "Everyone.." He said shedding a tear at his people finally ready to fight back.
Kurenai walked to Kakashi and smiled "Sorry we're so late Kakashi but we had to save Tsunami-san along with little Inari."
Kakashi looked at the crowd of people, weapons in hand and chuckled "I see something must had made those guys mad huh?"
"That bastard Gato tried to burn down the village and Inari gathered everyone up, and we came to back you guys up!" Kiba explained.
"Seems we came a little last but better late than never." Shino said.
Seeing the once broken people of Wave now with fire in their eyes gave Naruto the boost he needed to stand "Well I guess I can't be the only one out." He then pulled out his Kattā "So who's ready for round 2?" Naruto dangerously asked.
The thugs stared in terror as Naruto stood and the town's people moved in closer. "Screw this I'm getting out of here!" A thug yelled.
"Me too!" Another said as others followed and ran to escape to the boats below.
The people of Wave Country then cheered as the thugs ran off and they won their freedom back.
Naruto smirked as the thugs ran and slowly walked to the celebrating crowd. "Naruto!" Sakura called out his name. He looked to see his teammate standing with Sasuke back awake. "Hey Sasuke-kun is ok!" She yelled.
Naruto smiled and was relieved the Uchiha was ok, he and Sasuke may not be friends but he was glad he was ok either way. "Hey Naruto, where is Hinata-chan?" Kiba asked the blonde with his team walking up to him.
Naruto's eyes went wide and tears threatened to fall again. He looked up to Team 8 and his own team feeling like a disgrace. "Naruto what's wrong?" Kurenai asked.
Naruto avoided eye contact, how was he suppose to tell them Hinata was dead? Naruto gulped and looked everyone "I'm sorry Kurenai-san. I tried but I didn't make it in time. Hinata is..."
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata called out walking from behind the teams.
Naruto's heart stopped and his eyes watered "Hi..Hinata...?" He asked as he slowly walked to her.
"Naruto-kun are you ok?" Was all Hinata as Naruto wrapped his arms around her and sobbed on her shoulders.
Everyone looked to Naruto with shock expect for Sasuke who figured this be his reaction. Turns out the fake Hunter nin wasn't aiming to kill and only hit a pressure point in Hinata's neck like she did to Zabuza before to make her seem dead.
"Thank Kami-sama." Naruto kept repeating as he held tightly to Hinata.
"Naruto-kun I'm ok, it's ok." She whispered "Naruto-kun?" She then noticed Naruto after all that had happened finally had enough and passed out on her shoulder.
A Few Days Later
The bridge was finally complete and the people of Wave were more than grateful to the teams. After a good night's rest Naruto had awoken and learned that Haku didn't mean to truly kill Hinata. But she kept requesting that they kill her, because of Zabuza's death she explained she didn't and to live anymore. Naruto told her time and time again that wasn't the answer and she should find another reason to live.
Now here they were standing in front of Zabuza's grave they'd dreg for him. Haku was kneeling in front of the grave saying her finally goodbyes. "Zabuza-sama, you gave me reason to live. Gave me a place to belong, made me feel wanted and needed but now you're gone." She sobbed out "I promise you I will find my own way, and dream." She then stood up "Goodbye, I love you Zabuza-sama."
Team 7 and 8 watched Haku raise and turn to them "Where will you go now?" Hinata asked.
Haku shook her head "I don't know." She answered honestly. "Both my worlds taken from me. I don't know where to go now."
Sakura then asked "Haku-san you said Zabuza used you like a tool right. Well is that the real way of the Shinobi? To be used?" She wondered.
Kakashi shrugged "In a sense yes, we are all tools to those in higher power. It's just how things have been since the being of the system of Shinobi."
"Is that true Kurenai-sensei?" Kiba asked "What's the point of all this training if we just end up being used?"
Kurenai looked down to her student "I'm not sure. It's something we don't question as Shinobi." She explained.
Naruto chuckled "Well if you ask me it's a rather fucked up system we live by." Everyone had their eyes on Naruto "I can't stand others who use others like how Zabuza did or Gato did to this village. To have them do things they themselves can't do. And I refused to be used by others as well. The way of the Shinobi is all types of wrong." He growled out. "What is the reason for all of this?"
"It's just the way things are." Kakashi answered.
Naruto bite his lip "Well then the way of the Shinobi is disgusting! And this whole mission left a bad taste in my mouth." Naruto declared "It's not free that those in high power can do whatever they want and use people like that!" He looked to the shinning sun "There's something deeply wrong with this world. Just like my Oji-san said to me once." Naruto remembered Jiraiya telling him about the hatred and rotten system of this world they lived in. He than looked to Haku "Haku if you have nowhere to go come to Konoha with us." He told her.
There was a collective amount of gasps around "Really?" Haku asked.
Naruto extended his hand "You and I are both a result of the way this world is. And after hearing your story, seeing how corrupted men like Gato can do whatever they want I plan on doing something about this world one day." He explained "I'll give you a reason to live, help me. Help me change this world and the way we live in it."
Everyone was surprised to hear Naruto's words and his invitation to Haku. Haku stared into Naruto's eyes and saw no lies and he was serious about all he just said. Haku then walked forward and took Naruto's hand and nodded "Yes Naruto-kun I will help you reach your goal."
The Next Day
The Shinobi along with Haku in tow were not standing at the end of the completed bridge. The villagers saddened by the Shinobi's departure.
"Can't you stay any longer? Naruto-niisan?" Inari asked with tears.
Naruto chuckled and kneeled down to Inari and rubbed his hair "Hey come on. No more tears remember you need to be strong for not only your mother but your whole village. You're a hero now so act like it." He said smiling.
Inari nodded and smiled up to his new big brother figure. Toimi the walked up and kissed Naruto on his cheek "Thank you Naruto-kun." She whispered into his ear "I wish we could had spent one more night together but I guess that one night will always be precious to me."
Naruto blushed and nodded "Yea me too Toimi..-chan."
"See you Toimi-chan I'll be sure to tell Ino and Mai how you're doing." Sakura said waving to her friend.
"I'm sure you will, until again Naruto-kun." Toimi purred as Naruto walked away waving goodbye.
"Well team mission complete and I have to say I'm very impressed and pride of all of you." Kakashi said.
Kurenai smiled "As am I." She told her team.
Kiba smirked "Well it's a good thing we came and saved you guys."
Naruto rolled his eyes "And what did you do again?"
Hinata giggled "I guess it's wasn't a bad thing we came along huh Kiba-kun?"
Kiba shrugged "Yea I guess not so how about next time, we go a B, no A Rank!" He said excitedly with Akamaru barking to agree.
Naruto chuckled and told Kiba if they were to go on an A Rank they'd no doubt he'd have to come save him and they started to argue with Hinata trying to calm them down.
"By the way Naruto-kun when I was unconscious did you say anything because I was hearing your voice in my mind." Hinata asked.
Naruto blushed and looked away remembering his confession "No I said nothing important." He told her and she nodded. He wasn't ready to say it to her face yet maybe soon but not now.
Tazuna watched with his family as the teams walked off "Hey wait we still have to name the bridge."
Tsunami smiled "What do you want to name it Oto-san?" She asked.
Tazuna hummed and rubbed his chin "How about the 'Great Naruto Bridge'? Yea has a nice ring to it." Tazuna thought. Thinking it was best to name it after the boy who gave these people their will and hope back, as well as their freedom from Gato.
Chapter's End
Longest chapter since 4 yea ending is a little weak but all I could think of.
Anyway if you guess it yes second girl is Haku! :D Naru/Hina/Haku is now the official pairing. No ifs ands or buts it's final. But now I have a new question, next chapter should I start the next arc or do you guys want to see the explanation of what happened when Obito attacked Naruto's old village? As in next chapter is like a huge flashback or we start the Chunin Exams.
Not 100% sure where I want to go with the next chap so please tell me in a review. And please Fav and Follow Vicks Out :P