Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but Kishimoto does and he earning millions on ending the series on a horrible note. The series in general has too many fillers and should have expanded upon it in the first season of Naruto.
.X.
Ch. 10
Stalwart Defender
.X.
It was day three in Wave Country as the sun filtered through Team 3's room as they slept soundly, excluding Yamato.
He stared at the small glass orb that had seals on its surface as it was filled with water. It was a miniature version of the sealing barrier that Konoha used to detect enemies. Naruto was learning the finer points of installing the seal, however, by glance it wasn't detecting anything.
Yamato shifted his body for a moment as he thought to himself. "Weird, but not unexpected to me though. It's obvious Zabuza is recovering and he has told his men to stay away from us. I can only assume he wants to decrease the use of my use of earth jutsu in battle. I can only assume that he might want to fight on the bridge to prevent me from going all out. Meanwhile, they would have the sea nearby to use for water jutsu." Yamato thought as he picked up his notes. He looked over Team 3's stats and skills for a review.
"Overall, Honoka's fire jutsu would put her at a disadvantage in the fight compared to Yakumo and Naruto. She can still use earth jutsu to counter some of their water techniques, but has learned how to use the Earth Wall jutsu, yet. Her chakra can't support the technique, but I know we can use sealing scrolls to bring chunks of earth to the bridge." he muttered as he felt a presence behind the door.
"Do you need anything Inari?"
Yamato noticed the boy's stare through the door as he closed it instantly. As Yamato sighed as the boy antics. He was obviously scared of something. He saw Yakumo wake up as she gave a small yawn. Her hair was frizzled up a bit as she looked around the room. She looked around a bit tired as she saw Yamato sitting down.
"Sorry that I slept in Yamato-sensei…" she muttered. trying to straighten her hair. She focused a small of chakra to her to straighten. It was a low level jutsu that Honoka taught to her that derived from the hair binding jutsu.
Yamato waved it off. "Don't worry about it Yakumo, chakra exhaustion is no small feat to recover from." Yamato waved it off.
Yakumo pouted as she looked at Naruto. "I still can't believe this idiot is still wearing his resistance seals on his body still. I thought you said to take them off when we are not training." she reminded him.
Yamato shrugged. "Well, you can't be slow being a kenjutsu user and besides that I insisted he kept them on because he recovers quickly. From now on you and Honoka will wear your seals as well to help improve your physical conditioning." Yamato told her as he looked over his list of things. "Since you are up now, we can wake these two up now. I need everyone to help gather the fruits and vegetables I grew by power yesterday."
Yakumo nodded. "Sure, it will at least give the townspeople a bit more hope and they won't go hungry." she agreed as she woke up Honoka first. "Wake up sleepy head, it's time to get up."
Honoka moaned as she looked around. "It's morning already…" she complained as Naruto stirred awake.
Naruto yawned as he slowly sat up. "Are we need more training Yamato-sensei?" Naruto asked him as he thought to get ready for today.
Yamato nodded. "Not at this time, but you can practice sparring on the water in the evening. We need to go gather the fruits and vegetables so we can deliver them at the market. We need to make our rounds at the bridge protecting Tazuna, so I want you to leave some clones here Naruto for protection for Tsunami and Inari." he explained as Team 3 nodded.
Honoka got up from her bed. "I get to use the bathroom first!" she shouted happily as Yakumo looked up her in surprise.
"No, I get to use the bathroom first today, and remember we are taking turns!" Yakumo shouted as they raced towards the bathroom. Yamato sighed as Naruto yawned.
"Knowing them, it will be up to me to get the fruits and vegetables in the nearby field." Naruto muttered in annoyance. "Besides that they will take up to an hour or more in the bathroom."
Yamato shrugged. "We will do it as a team and I will make them do most of the work if they don't stop fighting over the bathroom."
The two hear a girlish scream erupt throughout the household as Yamato sighed getting up. "I might as well break this before it gets out of hand."
Yamato quickly left the room as Naruto sat back in his bed. "I am lucky I am boy, I don't have to deal with all the drama they go through in life." Naruto muttered trying to gain a few more minutes of sleep.
.X.
Team 3 managed to get their morning routines in place as well eat breakfast. Team 3 made a trip out into the forest together. Naruto left his clones at the house to watch over Tazuna and his family. They made it to a small out to a huge clearing that contained a large patch of vegetables and several fruit trees. Yamato looked over to his team who stood in line waiting for his orders.
"Before we get started, I will explain some things to you. First of all everything I grew here using my power needs to picked. The placed into the crates on cart so we can drop them off at the market." Yamato explained.
The three genin nodded to this as Honoka spoke. "If people see things are getting a bit better people will cheer up." She pointed out.
Yamato nodded. "True, but this donation in question will help put hope in the very workers that help build this bridge. So they don't have to go home starving from a lack of food. They are all volunteering their time and effort to build this bridge. As well, keep the village from starving to death due to a lack of food." Yamato carefully explained to the younger ninja.
Yakumo nodded. Is there anything else we need to collect?"
Yamato nodded. "We will be collecting herbs to give to local doctor as well." he informed them. "Since Gato's blockade of the island they can't buy medicine from the mainland. So be on the lookout for any herb patches as well." Yamato informed him.
Naruto spoke up. "If we are picking all these fruits and vegetables, what are you going to do Yamato-sensei?" Naruto asked him.
Yamato nodded. "I will be hunting down a blacksmith in town by the name of Sig. He helps makes the metal beam and wires for the bridge. So I will be picking it up for them and make sure it reaches the construction site." Yamato explained.
Team 3 nodded as Yamato nodded. "I will see be back in an hour to see your progress."
He had used the Shunshin no jutsu to disappear before them as Team 3 went straight to work.
.X.
Team 3 managed to almost finish their task as they managed to collect all the fruits and vegetables in the field. They managed to stack everything on a huge wooden cart Yamato made for them.
Yakumo sighed. "We are finally done with gathering all the food for shipping. Thank god you have the Kage Bunshin jutsu at your disposal." Yakumo muttered in relief.
Naruto shrugged. "Well, we are not done yet, Yakumo-chan. We still have to gather herbs for the doctor." he reminded her.
Yamato sighed as she looked around to see Honoka was missing. "By the way where is Honoka?" She asked Naruto.
Naruto pointed back towards the Tazuna's house. She went back inside to check on Tazuna and the rest of the family." Naruto informed her.
Yakumo saw the smoke coming from the house. "It seems like Tsunami-san has started breakfast now and we haven't finished Yamato's task yet." Yakumo pointed out.
Naruto waved it off. "Don't worry about I can easily finish up here by gathering the herbs myself." Naruto offered.
Yakumo looked around for a moment. "Are you sure, I have more knowledge in pulling herbs from the ground than you do." She protested.
Naruto nodded. "Okay then, I will make sure to pull the cart in front of the house and allow Tsunami-san to get first pick before we take it the market." Naruto told her as she dragged the cart towards the house.
Yakumo made her way to the forest with a big basket. As she recounted something in her mind. "I will need to chamomile to help alleviate stress and lavender to help everyone to relax. I can also find Calendula flowers to help heal wounds a faster." she thought.
As she traversed the forest collecting herbs in her basket. As she noticed something was odd in the forest. She was making good progress gathering other ones like Holy Basil as well. Until she came across something she didn't expect at all in the forest.
She saw a young girl wearing a pink kimono with dark swirls. She gave a look over and studied a bit harder. "At first glance it looks like a girl from afar, but when you get closer it's far from it. I can tell from the firearms they are not flexible like a real girl'. The choker around the neck hides the adam's apple. Furthermore, this person's chest is particularly flat, meaning it's a guy. I can also tell his legs are too spread apart telling he has something down below." Yakumo thought.
As the boy in question turned towards her. "I didn't think I would meet anyone else out here." He gave off a deep smile as Yakumo bowed. "I was just gathering herbs and saw you collecting some as well. However, your basket seems quite diverse, unlike mine."
Yakumo peered into his basket was filled with peppermint herbs. "You are collecting peppermint herbs for someone?" Yakumo asked.
The boy nodded. "It's for someone that just got hurt recently and I am tending to them." he told her.
Yakumo held her basket. "I am collecting these herbs for the local doctor in town." She told the boy.
Haku studied the basket. "You seem quite knowledgeable on herbs are you training to become a doctor
Yakumo nodded, as she pointed to her headband. "I am not a full certified doctor, but I had apprenticeship under Kito-sensei for four years learning medical techniques and jutsu. By the way I'm Yakumo of the Kurama clan and it's nice to meet you."
"Haku, and did you become a medic ninja to help heal and protect others." Haku curiously asked.
Yakumo blushed and nodded. "Well of course, but the whole reason on how I become a ninja was thanks to my friend Naruto." she admitted.
"Naruto helped you became a ninja?" Haku asked.
Yakumo nodded. "Along with a person named Shisui Uchiha he was the one that first noticed a certain medical condition prevented me from becoming one. Then one thing lead to another Naruto got his friends and their family involved to help me with my condition. I had a frail body from the very beginning, so I trained hard to help him and the others around him."
"What about Shisui-san?" Haku reminded her.
Yakumo frowned. "He died one day…" she bluntly answered.
Haku turned quiet one day. "I am sorry I shouldn't have asked."
Yakumo waved it off. "It's okay for me, but Naruto thought the world of him when he was younger. Even after his suspicious death, he gave everything he owned to Naruto. Letters and notes of encouragement when others wouldn't help him at first. He has always been there for me and always made sure we have as much fun as possible." Yakumo proudly told Haku. "He really takes to protecting and helping others like Shisui lately as well. My friend Honoka is no different she doesn't have a true mean bone in her body. She goes out her way to help people even she didn't ask them.
Haku gave a gentle smile. "So you are trying to get stronger for them?" Haku asked.
Yakumo shrugged. "True, but I'm weak compared to the other two. I need to become stronger to help them when the time comes and especially Yamato-sensei. However, we are doing our best to help alleviate the problems in Wave Country even if it's a little." Yakumo explained as she looked around. "By the way where do you live Haku? Did you use to live in a Daimyo's place or something? Wearing a kimono like that must have cost you at least 4000 Ryo."
Haku looked down at his clothing. "No, I don't live at Daimyo's court, but someone did give it to me as a present." Haku explained to her.
Yakumo giggled. "Right, someone gives a boy a pink kimono to wear unless they mistake their gender. However, I won't judge you Haku I have seen crazier things before… maybe I should take a picture to commemorate this moment. You are the first cross-dresser I met and maybe I can paint a portrait of you later." Yakumo teased him as she pulled a camera from her pouch.
Haku blushed as she saw Yakumo take a picture of him. "Y-you already knew I was a boy?" he flusteredly asked her.
Yakumo nodded. "Of course, it's really easy to tell a guy from a boy, especially if you're observant enough. However, I did say I had some medical training before I actually became a ninja." Yakumo explained to him.
Haku nodded. "True, but to the discussion at hand." he tried moving the discussion back. "Real, pure strength comes from the will to protect those who you care for. Besides that, you seem really smitten with him from the sounds of it." Haku pointed out.
As their roles were reversed as Yakumo blushed now as he stared at her as shifted a bit. As a demonic hanya looked at him. "You best choose your words carefully again…" she muttered.
Haku stopped and did a double take for a moment. "Okay…" he muttered as the demon left from behind her.
"I have to remember her genjutsu in question turns illusions real, but I haven't seen it in action. They must be particularly nasty to deal with if you aren't prepared for it. Even a simple one can be problematic, but most genjutsu in question rely on the opponent's vision. Using the Kirigakure no jutsu is a must against her, but her teammate offsets that." Haku thought.
"I see, so you managed to collect a good amount of herbs for the doctor." a voice called out to the both of them. Haku turned around and he in shock as he didn't noticed him either.
Yakumo gave a quick wave to him. "Hey sensei, I just finished up and I just met Haku. He is picking up herbs for someone that was wounded recently." Yakumo introduced him.
Yamato nodded as he didn't comment on the boy's clothing. "I see, but breakfast is ready now. I also managed to delivered the needed materials for the bridge." He told her as she nodded.
Yakumo picked up her basket filled with herbs. "Okay, I will head on inside and store these properly then." she told him.
Yamato turned to Haku now. "Do you need help getting home safe?" he asked Haku.
As the boy nodded carrying his own basket as he got ready to leave. "No thank you, I can get home without any problems. Gato's thugs' stick to the streets and certain paths." Haku told him.
Yamato nodded as Haku walked off as he stepped on a patch of seeds. As a few stuck to the wooden sandals as he sighed.
"Wood Transmission is a success… that boy has the same profile as the Hunter-nin that saved Zabuza the other day. Well, if he leads me to Zabuza we will have to change our battle plans. However, going to his base directly I can expect traps being set up to stop our advance or alert our position." Yamato thought.
He made his way back to the house to talk to his team.
.X.
(Later that evening)
As Team 3 sat down in the living room as Naruto was looking over his scrolls. Yakumo was looking over her new painting as it detailed the fight between Zabuza and her sensei. Honoka watched on with interest as Yamato was writing something down something as he looked at his Kiri ninja bingo book.
He looked up at his team as he closed his book. "Okay Team 3, listen up we may need to change our plans instead of playing defensive against Zabuza." he informed them as their attention focused on the man.
As Honoka spoke up first. "We aren't going to be on the defensive?" She asked him.
Yamato nodded. "No, because today Yakumo ran into the mysterious hunter-nin that saved Zabuza."
Yakumo perked up as her teammate's eyes landed on him. "What, you actually met the guy that saved Zabuza?" Naruto spoke up.
Yakumo bit her lip. "I didn't sense any chakra from him, sensei?" She protested.
Yamato nodded. "True, but you all haven't been trained to sense people suppressing their chakra. When they suppress their chakra levels, it tends to have a lower signature than a civilian one. However, with a clever use of using my wood clones I have a general idea where their base is as well the other ninja working with Zabuza." he told them as Team 3 focused on them.
"I managed to find out about the two other ninja in question that work with Zabuza."
"Who are they?" Naruto curiously asked.
Yamato handed out his notes to his young genin team. "Koga the Impaler and Muramasa the psychic ripple," Yamato simply answered.
Yakumo looked at Muramasa. "He is a sensory ninja that was born in innate sensitivity to chakra. He has been known when ambushes come as well find people through the kirigakure jutsu with relative ease." she read off looking up at her sensei. "This guy can be a problem for us if he can tell when we build up chakra."
Yamato nodded. "True, and they planned for him to face you in battle." he pointed out.
Naruto cocked his head. "If he is so good as a sensor, why hasn't he sensed your wood clone?" Naruto curiously asked.
Yamato waved his hand. "Don't worry about that the Wood clone bunshin can draw off a steady and slow stream of chakra from an individual mimicking their chakra." he explained.
Honoka read the other report. "Koga the Impaler is known for his brutal usage of using a halberd in battle as well high pressurized water to slice his opponents." Honoka read it off.
Yamato nodded. "They want him to face you in battle since they know you can use fire jutsu." he told them catching their attention.
Honoka raised her hand up. "What do you mean by that, sensei?" she asked him.
"Before my scroll reached the Hokage, Gato managed to get some basic information on us due, to the fact he wanted to see what teams he could hire for a C-rank." Yamato informed them.
Yakumo looked up in fear. "How much information goes down on those sheets?" She asked him.
"Not enough to give away your abilities, but they know what areas you specialize in. For instance Haku himself is the fastest out the group and he will face down Naruto in battle. However Honoka doesn't have the luxury of choosing her opponent since she uses fire jutsu in battle. However, we don't want her to face Koga, since his weapon overall has reach on her." Yamato informed them.
"Using a sword against a spear would be almost suicide in question." Yakumo pointed out.
Yamato nodded. "True, and the two of them are no doubt Chunin level so they might know how to use water chakra nature with their weapons. So no doubt we might be forced to fight these matchups, but if push comes to shove switch with your opponents." Yamato advised them.
"Yes, sir," they all agreed.
"We will wait for the fight on the bridge in four days, but we will need to tell Tazuna his workers might be attacked. So we can easily convince them to stay home that day." Yamato announced as Naruto saw Inari trying to spy on them. He went outside on the docks as Yamato sighed.
"For now, I want you all to rest up and be prepared for the fight four days from now." Yamato explained as they nodded. He proceeded to head outside as he saw Inari was sitting at the edge of the dock.
"Can you and I have a moment to talk for a bit?" Yamato asked him. The boy looked up at him and said nothing. Yamato sat beside him as he sighed. "I don't know what you have been going through over the past year Gato came to this land. I can only assume someone close to you has died…"
Inari lowered his head a bit more. "Didn't my grandfather tell you?" Inari asked him.
Yamato nodded. "No, but can you tell me why you fear you him Gato so much. Do you not realize ninja in question aren't regular mercenaries in question. For instance the Fourth Hokage in our village took down a 1000 Iwa ninja all by himself."
The boy tried speaking up. "M-my father…" he muttered, trying to not cry.
Yamato nodded. "I see, can you tell a bit more about and his story." Yamato asked him.
"Why he died after he promised to save this country?" Inari angrily told him.
Yamato nodded. "I see so you and Naruto are the same, but he turned out differently for the better."
Inari looked up at him. "He lost someone too?" Inari asked him.
"Of course, but the person in question was Shisui Uchiha the first person that recognized him for being him. As well help teached him the basics ninja exercises. He even helped Yakumo by noticing an anomaly in her brain one day. The doctors' managed to catch her special condition before it got out of hand." He informed the younger boy.
"What happened to him?" Inari curiously asked him.
Yamato frowned. "They say he committed suicide, but Shisui in question never had mental problems. Before the Uchiha clan in question was massacred, they believed his friend Itachi Uchiha killed him. However, Naruto doesn't believe that Itachi didn't do it. So he pressed on never knowing what happened, while staying true to Shisui's personal wishes."
"Personal wishes?" Inari asked.
"He didn't want Naruto to become a machine that only kills. He wanted him to find a peaceful way of doing things if possible. As well protect the people in your life and make it a better place." Yamato told him.
"Why would he help Naruto for no reason?"
Yamato shrugged. "It was because they were both orphans and they never knew who their parents' were." Yamato answered as Inari looked up a bit shocked. "I can only assume you never met your real father. However, you still have your mother, unlike Naruto. He only has a picture of his mother that resides back home. By being negative of a situation you never solve your problems', but you loathe the inability to help him. What you really hate is the fact no one in this country never went to help save your father at all from being killed."
Tears poured down his face as he tried to stay silent as Yamato spoke again. "When you realized we were going to protect your grandfather without strings attached. You grew jealous and angry that we from another land would stand up against Gato. You also envy the fact that my team can push, despite the fears. Am I right?"
Inari nodded. "Y-yes," he admitted. "No one wanted to help save him after he did so much for the country."
"So I ask you again, who was your father?" Yamato asked him.
Team 3 listened on from afar as Inari spoke. "My stepfather was named Kaiza." Inari explained as Naruto and the other realized Tazuna and Tsunami's saddened expression.
Naruto turned to them with a sadden look on his face. "Is what Inari saying is the truth?" Naruto asked him.
Tazuna sighed and nodded. "Yes," he solemnly answered. As the team listened on with interest to the tragic story.
.X.
Four days passed as Team 3 began to move out. Yamato looked over to Tazuna a bit worried. "Are you sure you want to come to bridge Tazuna? We know Zabuza has set up a trap for us." Yamato explained.
Tazuna nodded. "Of course, I will want to see how this ends, but if he notices I don't show up along with my workers', he will know something is off." he reasoned as Yamato nodded.
"Very well, but we will need to worry about Inari and Tsunami's safety as well. I may need to keep one of my students on standby here just in case." Yamato told them.
"But what happens if all four of them show up on the battlefield?" Honoka asked.
Yamato held up two of his fingers. "True, but I made sure we are prepared for this outcome. Naruto can you hand me the scroll you prepared for me beforehand." Yamato explained as Naruto handed him the scroll. "To ensure we have somewhat an advantage, while fighting on the bridge. Naruto has sealed away his jutsu Futon: Daitoppa to help blow away the wind."
Yakumo looked at him with a bit of a surprise. "You can actually seal jutsu away in a scroll in a scroll?" she asked him.
Naruto smirked. "Of course, it's not that difficult to do, but it does require a bit of timing for some jutsu's like free flow jutsu like Futon: Daitoppa. However, for jutsu like my shadow clone, its really easy to do. I can also seal them away into the scroll along with the huge blocks of mudwall from the last battle. That way Yamato-sensei and Honoka can use their earth jutsu in battle." Naruto informed them.
Yamato nodded. "We will let the shadow clone take Naruto's place in the formation to throw them off. Once it's dispelled, he will come straight to the bridge himself just in case we find ourselves surrounded." Yamato carefully explained.
Naruto nodded. "Okay, but are you sure it's okay with me not being there?" Naruto asked him.
Yamato nodded. "We don't know what type of plan Gato would do in this situation? However, leaving Tsunami and Inari unprotected is not the safest thing to do. By employing a shadow clone they will be fooled into thinking that you left the house with us." he reasoned.
Tazuna turn towards the two. "Be safe you Tsunami and Inari, hopefully we can settle this problem by today, hopefully." Tazuna told them as Tsunami nodded.
"You too,"she told them as Yamato's group made it their way out the door as Naruto's clone made it out the door. Naruto fiddled with Aka no Shi as he sat down calmly in the living room. "If anyone comes I will answer the door for you guys." Naruto explained to them. "If push comes to shove, I will have to leave and head to the bridge."
They nodded as they went about their business as Naruto looked at the small orb containing the sensor. He watched as his teammates aura flicker through the orb.
.X.
It took a good thirty minutes for the group to make it the bridge as Yamato instantly frowned upon seeing the scene. They saw several men on the ground in pain. Tazuna looked around in shock.
"What the hell happened here?" Tazuna shouted.
Naruto's clone looked around as it sensed out as Yakumo quickly checked over their bodies. "I sense an incoming chakra source." Naruto's clone told them.
Yakumo gave a quick look over the men on the ground. "No one is dead, but they are in pain though." she told them as she got back into the formation. As the mist started rolling into the area around the bridge.
"So you brought friends this time to join us for round 2, huh." Yamato asked him.
Yamato heard a chuckle. "Of course, and it seems like you knew we were coming, huh. Still, I am surprised you didn't get rid of the brats with you. They seem like dead weight to you…"
"They aren't dead weight compared to your men. You not an idiot to leave a potential threat standing nearby so you brought them here to help deal with them. Yamato pointed out.
"You trained them quite well not to react under hostile situation, but it ends now." Zabuza told him.
Seven water clones of Zabuza appeared around them. Naruto's clone flicked his sword as he moved about with a burst of speed. He swiftly dispatched the clones as he sheathed his sword. "Too easy," Naruto clone told them as he turned down the bridge. "They are right in front of us Yamato-sensei."
"So I see the kid knew they were water clones, huh. It seems you finally get to test your speed against him Haku." Zabuza told them.
Koga and Muramasa walked beside them. Koga was holding a golden halberd with brown leather straps covering the wood. Muramasa looked on with a cautiously. "Last time I checked Genin's don't have a huge chakra source like that. Be careful since Haku this boy is most likely a ninjutsu skill might be well developed." Muramasa warned the masked boy.
Haku nodded. "Okay," acknowledged.
Koga looked around for a moment. "Despite the bridge being incomplete throwing high level ninjutsu on the bridge will be difficult. With my spear and your sword sticking together would be a bad idea." Koga told Zabuza.
Zabuza nodded. "True, so let's test the waters shall we. Haku start this off and be sure to stop the blonde from using wind jutsu." Zabuza told Haku.
Haku sped off towards them as Naruto's clone looked at Yamato. The man nodded as he charged forward drawing, his sword. As the clashed as sword weapons together as Haku expertly kept the sword from sliding across. As the clashed several times as Haku tried spinning around to get a strike. Naruto sidestepped his way blocking his advance as they clashed again.
"You do realize we want only the bridge builder? If you step out out the way you don't have to get hurt." Haku told them.
"No can do," Naruto told the masked boy.
"You are making a mistake you won't be able to keep up with my speed. I gained two key advantages," Haku explained.
"I am guessing one advantage is that the surrounding water around us." Naruto guessed.
"Correct, and the second is I blocked one of your hands. Therefore, you have no way to use hand seals." he explained as he held out one hand. Naruto looked in shock. Haku began forming them.
"I forgot Mist Ninja, know this trick as well." Naruto thought as he quickly held out his hand. He began forming hand seals.
"Sensatsu: Suisho (Thousand flying water needles of death)!" Haku shouted as he stomped his foot on the water. As the water rose into the air forming needles around the two.
"Suiton:Mizurappa!" Naruto shouted as burst of water shot out from his mouth. Haku tried jumping back to avoid, but he was slammed back the water. Naruto quickly saw the needles coming down on him. He smiled at Haku catching him off guard. As the needles of water slammed together, making a small explosion water. Naruto wasn't there at all as Muramasa panicked.
Haku looked around in panic he, disappeared. "He's gone…"
"He is still here, I can feel it!" Muramasa shouted.
Naruto appeared behind Haku. He quickly slammed his foot into his back, knocking down to the ground. As Haku quickly sprung up to his feet to defend. As he felt coming behind as he turned to see a clone of Naruto. He quickly threw his senbon into it dispelling. A huge gust of wind knocked him off his feet. Haku landed in front of them as he struggled to get up.
"Kaze Bunshin…" Koga muttered. "It seems like this kid isn't for show."
"So he claims that Shisui the teleporter was his first teacher wasn't wrong after all. Back in the sensory division back in Kirigakure they told us to keep an eye out for him for several reasons." Muramasa muttered. "To masterfully used the Shunshin jutsu without leaving a trace will be hard to follow."
"Haku if you keep going like you will end up a victim. Cut him off before he has a chance to use his speed and his wind jutsu."
Haku nodded as a wave of cold air was felt throughout the air as a surge of chakra was felt. Naruto quickly dashed to stop it only to see Haku make a hand seal that was not normal.
As ice sprouted from the ground, stopping him dead in his tracks. He looked around to see the ice forming mirrors of ice around him. "Makyo Hyosho (Demonic Mirroring ice mirrors)!"
Haku shouted as he stepped into the mirror as he quickly noticed Haku's reflection appeared on in all 21 of the mirrors. "Now we will begin and I will show you what true speed is about."
Naruto quickly made a dragon seal again as a hail of senbon rained down on him. As a huge gust of wind blew the needles away.
"A replacement, huh with a Kaze Bunshin. It doesn't stop me from attack from the outside." Haku told him. As a hail of senbon came out from the side of the mirrors. Naruto ran along the side of the bridge as he flipped through some hand seals.
"Doton: Doryuheki!" Naruto thought as he quickly spat out earth. It formed a huge wall of earth blocking the attacks. Naruto pulsed his chakra out around to get a feel for Haku. He felt a surge of chakra overheard. He quickly looked up to see a mirror from above. He ran as a hail of senbon rain down from above.
Yamato and the others noticed the mirror overhead as well. "So the Hyoton style is not limited to one confined area, huh." Yamato muttered as he got on the radio to communicate with real Naruto.
He saw Naruto's clone throw several kunai at the mirrors. He clapped his hands together, creating another gust sending them faster into the mirrors. He quickly made a ram seal as a series of explosions went off the bridge as Tazuna screamed.
"What the hell is he thinking!" he shouted.
"He wants to test how durable the mirrors are." Yakumo pointed out as the smoke cleared to show the mirrors' had a few cracks in them. As the mirrors' gleamed for a moment as the damage repaired itself with ease.
As the clone reached down into his pouch quickly as it ran towards the mirrors this time. Haku appeared in front of him. "You do realize explosive tags don't work well on these mirrors?" Haku told him as he threw another volley of senbon.
Naruto jumped up high into the sky spinning as he barely dodged them. He let loose a volley of kunai with tags on the end of it. He quickly threw out kunai at the others as they deflected off each other landing inside the circle and the mirrors.
"Release!" he shouted. He was cut off by senbon hitting him in the torso as an explosion of light went off from the center blinding everyone.
Muramasa frowned. "Kage Bunshin…" he muttered. "He wasn't even here to begin with at all."
Zabuza glared at Yamato. "So the kid could do Kage Bunshin's damn… that is not something you see every day. Still, I am guessing he is keeping the boy on standby just incase something did go wrong." Haku explained as he noticed Haku dispelling his mirrors. "Haku go find this boy and prevent him from coming here."
Haku nodded. "Yes, Zabuza-sama," he agreed as he disappeared into a swirl of leaves. Zabuza turned his attention to the rest of Yamato's and his team.
"Not scared for your students life, eh, Yamato?" he asked him.
Yamato smirked. "Well, considering Haku wasted a lot of chakra on using those mirrors of his on a Kage Bunshin was a mistake." Yamato explained. "However, you didn't take this into account when you read our basic information. Naruto can seal jutsu inside his scrolls to save on chakra meaning he will be fresh for the upcoming fight against him. As well, this…"
Yamato tossed his scroll into the sky. He released the contents of the scroll as a huge burst of wind blew away the mist. Small chunks of earth soon followed as they landed heavily on the bridge."
Koga brandished his spear. "Well, shit, they evened the playing field."
Zabuza heaved his sword over his shoulders. "It seems so, however, those two are rookies compared to you two. Quickly finished this up and help me deal with Yamato."
Koga shrugged, looking at Honoka as Muramasa looked at Yakumo. "Yes, sir," they shouted as they charged at their opponents respectively.
Honoka quickly made a bird hand seal. "Doton: Doryuso!" she shouted. As the harden mud spears shot out of the nearby earth wall at the two mist ninja. Muramasa easily dodged at as Koga twirled his spear releasing high pressurised water from it destroying the earth spears. He saw Honoka running up to him with kunai in hand as he quickly deflected her attack to the side as it twirled it to the side. He knocked her over only to see her disappear into the bridge with ease.
Yakumo meanwhile clashed with Muramasa as he clashed blades with her. He jumped back as he noticed something was wrong. He felt wire trap around his body as Yakumo appeared behind him with kunai in hand.
"Got you…"
Muramasa smirked as she looked at him with shock. "Not quite…" he told her as he turned to water. She turned around to see the man going for a kick. She saw a hand grab his foot before kicking him.
"Koga, get this girl off me now!" Muramasa shouted.
Muramasa just shrugged. He swung his spear as high pressurized water shot out from it. Catching them off guard as Honoka quickly grabbed Yakumo's legs, pulling her under. As she let go of Muramasa's leg as the man jumped up barely avoiding the attack. He landed back on his feet. He looked angrily at his partner.
"What the hell are you thinking?!"
Koga just shrugged. "It was perfect timing to disable them all, however you got in the way." he annoyingly told him.
Zabuza stepped forward. "Focus Muramasa and Koga, they aren't going to fight alone when they are together." he ordered them.
Honoka and Yakumo appeared back in front of Yamato. Honoka threw a pair of shuriken at the two as he she quickly made a ram seal.
Muramasa noticed the chakra small amount of chakra coming from them. "Their rigged!" he shouted. Yakumo smirked performing a few seals.
"Gen'ei Taju Shuriken…" she muttered as the shuriken multiplied five times their numbers.
As Muramasa quickly made a few hand signs. "Suiton: Suijinheki (water wall)!" he shouted as a water wall formed to block the attack. As an explosion went off as they saw Koga running through the wall with fury on his face.
"Damn brats!" he pulled back on the wire as he quickly noticed the incoming shuriken. He jumped high to avoid as he made a few hand seals. "Suiton: Suidan no jutsu) he sprayed high pressurized water at them as they split up. As Honoka charged in to fight him. He stabbed forward aiming for her stomach.
She slammed her left palm into the side of the blade as she plam thrust the shaft of the blade. She quickly kicked shifted her body under his. She flipped him on his back as she noticed he turned into water before her.
"Gotcha you damn brat!" he shouted as he appeared behind her. "Hyoro no jutsu (ice prison)!"
As the water on the ground starting forming around her as she looked in shock. The technique finished as he smirked.
"You fool quit rushing up ahead, you're, in a genjutsu!" Muramasa shouted to no avail as his partner was attacking an imaginary person.
"The idiot didn't realize she cast two genjutsu back to back only naming only one jutsu." he muttered. He saw Honoka performing a series of hand seals.
"It's obvious if I try to help this idiot again they will use a series of combination techniques to get us both. The plan was to use the mist to neutralize the genjutsu and I go in for the kill. However, in terms of battling actual genjutsu users we are still inexperienced by milestones. I can easily count the number of times I fought a genjutsu user on one hand. So I have to use a technique to break them up.
He formed several seals himself. "Suiton: Rekku Suigeki! (Cold Sky Water attack). As he shot a huge amount of water that cover most the bridge as it forced them towards the earth wall the clone made earlier. Muramasa ran up to comrade and slapped him silly. "You idiot get it together, they are making you look like a fool!"
Koga looked around for a moment as he noticed the two girls were gone. "Damn it!" he shouted. That's it as he slammed his hands together forming a few seals as he clapped to finish it. "Suiton: Suidanha (water severing wave)!" As he spat out a high pressure water cutting through the wall with ease. As the girls screamed in panic after realizing the wall shattered.
"We have to get off the bridge!" Yakumo shouted as Honoka nodded. As they jumped off the side of the bridge. Koga smirked.
"Idiots, fighting on water isn't our game." he smirked.
Muramasa placed a hand on his shoulder. "You need to stop rushing ahead, they didn't jump into the water Koga. They are more likely sticking to the bridge underneath. With the girl's ability to move through concrete on the bridge, she can easily switch to top to bottom on the bridge." Koga warned
"Tch, I finally get a good fight for once and you tell me to play it cautious. Zabuza-san, we might as well use Kirigakure no jutsu now." he told them.
"Who says I will let you do that?" Yamato interrupted them as the three turned to them.
Koga shrugged. "We can easily overpower you." he confidently stated.
"We have another chakra source coming in from the end of the bridge!" Muramasa shouted. "It's huge and it's at least double the size of the kid's clone."
"So Haku couldn't intercept him, huh." Zabuza muttered.
"He is coming this way as well, but at a slower pace." Muramasa told them.
As they noticed Haku coming this way as Naruto flickering out of his view. He managed to kick him in the side, sending him across the bridge.
"I don't think so Haku, I am not going to sit still and let you use those ice mirrors to trap me." Naruto told him. As the masked boy rolled to his feet.
Zabuza grunted. "Go after the other two," he ordered as they nodded. He looked towards Haku now. "Haku finish the boy off, while I deal with Yamato."
"You're a little late Naruto, did something go wrong." Yamato asked as he engaged in a fighting stance.
"I ran into Gato's men just a short, while that you guys left the house." he told them.
"Gato…" Zabuza muttered.
Naruto saw several ice mirror formed around him as he sighed. "Damn this technique is fast."
He saw a familiar sight that encompassed his clone earlier. "This time I will make sure you can't escape with Kaze bunshin and a replacement." Haku told him.
Naruto shrugged. "Hyoton, huh… isn't that a combination of water and wind?" Naruto guessed.
He saw hails of senbon coming this way pelting him. He was doing his best to dodge them only to get hit in the grunted under the force as he quickly clapped his hands together creating a gust of wind. The needles were blown away with ease as he panted.
"Feeling winded already…" Haku asked Naruto as he shrugged indifferently.
Naruto smirked. "No, but I realize in game of endurance I can win this fight." he told them as Haku continued his barrage of attacks. Yamato engaged in a fight with Zabuza as Tazuna looked in fear and awe. Zabuza quickly swung his twirled his sword around as tornado of water formed around him.
He quickly swung it releasing a dense of water wave at Tazuna forcing him back. The leaf ninja was forced to create an earth wall to help defend him.
"I won't let you pressure me and gain the advantage Yamato, I know for a fact all of your kids will all die today." Zabuza told him. "If you leave to go help those kids of yours, I can easily kill the old man." Zabuza warned him.
Yamato flexed his hand. "Then I should stop holding back then against you then." he told him.
Zabuza glared at him. "Stop holding back…" he wondered.
"I have a kekkei genkei as well Zabuza, I chose not to use it in our first engagement for precautionary measures." Yamato told him.
He sat Zabuza charged towards him with sword in hand. "I don't believe you!" he shouted.
Yamato shot his palm out towards as a wooden beam slammed into his stomach sending him flying. Zabuza rolled across the ground and spun to his feet. He looked up in shock at Yamato.
"Mokuton…"
Yamato nodded as he saw several tree sprout from the earth wall. "You don't stand a ghost of chance against me. Even if I had no eyes to see you at all, I can easily saturate the air with a plant that spreads poisonous pollen. So I will say this to you, touch Tazuna you will die and if you try to help them you will die." Yamato threatened him.
Zabuza sighed. "Damn, so both of our plans are shot to hell, huh." he muttered.
"It seems so." Yamato agreed as the two charged forward attacking each other.
.X.
Meanwhile, underneath the bridge as sparks came from their weapons as they slid on the four slid on the water's surface. Koga brandished his spear as Muramasa stood behind them. Yakumo stood behind Honoka as they performed several hand seals together.
"Katon: Hosenka jutsu!" Honoka shouted as Yakumo threw a hail of shuriken towards into fire covering her movements.
Muramasa quickly made a few seals himself. "Suiton: Suijinheki!" he shouted as a wall of water blocked the attack as steam blocked the vision. He felt the chakra signature coming from behind it. "Incoming chakra signature 12 o'clock!"
They saw a volley of shuriken come at them. As Muramasa quickly twirled his halberd as he channeled water nature chakra through it to deflect them. As he soon felt a tug coming from his weapon as he felt he saw the wires attached to the weapon. He tried tugging his weapon free. He saw Yakumo and Honoka sticking to the bottom of the bridge now.
She was holding one wire in her right hand as she made a ram seal. "Raiton: Jibashi!" she shouted. Lightning trailed down from the wire into the water. Muramasa quickly cut the wire with a kunai and jumped to safety. Koga did the same as they landed on the concrete pillar.
They turned to see the hot pink haired girl blowing a flammable gas on them as they jumped to another pillar trying to avoid it.
"Dive into the water!" Koga shouted.
"Are you nuts she can use lightning jutsu?" Muramasa shouted.
"Trust me, I have an idea!" Koga smirked as they landed on the water. He stabbed his spear into the water as ice formed on it. As he began to freeze part of the bay as Muramasa repelled the shuriken coming down at them. "There, now we don't have to worry about the lightning jutsu hitting us."
Muramasa sighed. "You are such an idiot you do realize one of them has fire jutsu right?" He asked him.
Koga smirked going as he made several water clones. He sent them after the two young girls. "Of course, let's do that combination attack, we need to force them out into open water."
Muramasa smirked as he went through a series of hand seals.
The two girls were forced to fight managed to swiftly dispatch the clones with ease. Yakumo turned her head to see that his technique was finished. "Suiton: Suiryudan no jutsu!"
As Koga focused quickly on making it ice as the two girls looked on with fear. "Try dodging this!" Koga shouted as the dragon ripped and roared through the bridge. Shards of ice exploded everywhere, forcing them out from the bridge into open water.
"We need to split them up since they can easily combine their techniques together." Muramasa told him.
Koga nodded. "Sure thing, I will go after the pink haired girl and impale her on my halberd." Koga told him as he charged forward.
Muramasa shook his head. "Don't charge in recklessly you fool! They aren't going to engage us in Taijutsu unless they have to!" Muramasa lectured him.
As they ran underneath the bridge as Muramasa noticed chakra in the air. "Illusion."
Koga looked and noticed nothing. "What's wrong? I don't see anything wrong." he told him.
Muramasa stopped for a moment. "This one is designed to loop us in an area…" he quickly dispels the illusion. As they quickly noticed an incoming fire ball coming straight towards them.
"Shit…" Koga shouted as he jumped to the left onto a pillar as Koga looked at the fireball skeptically. He looked up at Koga with fear on his face.
"Koga stop!" as Muramasa plea went unheard as he dispel the fireball illusion. Honoka came out of the wall, grabbing his arm. She quickly slammed his head against the concrete disorienting as he fell into the water with a thud. She disappeared back into the pillar.
"You know you should worry about yourself now." Yakumo's voice echoed throughout the pillar.
He felt a signature coming from his feet. He saw several explosive tags on the surface of the water. He quickly jumped into the to avoid them, but they stopped burning. He looked up to see Honoka coming out of the nearby pillar kicking him in the head. She used her chakra to send him plummeting into the ocean hard.
She landed on the ocean's surface as she saw Koga burst out the water. Stabbing into her side as she looked angrily at him. He twirled his spear trying to stab as she desperately tries to stop his onslaught of attack to no avail.
"It isn't funny now, when you on defense isn't it and getting cut to shreds!" He shouted in fury. Honoka saw him stab her her ripping her shirt off. It revealed his fishnet shirt that covered, hid her black bra.
Muramasa came out of the water behind her angrily as well. "This ends now little girl!"
Honoka's channeled chakra to her hair as it quickly snared Koga's arms and body and legs. "You lost sight of Yakumo, you know that right?" She asked.
Muramasa looked around for a moment as he focused. As he noticed the vines erupting from the pillar as he screamed in pain as he couldn't move at all. "Ingenmame genjutsu (string bean illusion…" he head Yakumo's voice echo out. "Now you get to see why my clan's techniques are feared. When fantasy becomes reality."
His body was covered in vines as Koga watched helpless at his comrades ascent into the air. As a bean pod opened revealing Yakumo covered in organic juice. She brandished a kunai menacingly.
"Koga, do something!" Muramasa shouted as he quickly noticed Honoka placing both feet on his chest as she pushed away. Steel like hair was grinding into his flesh as he screamed out into pain.
"Let go! We surrender!" Koga shouted.
Honoka didn't listen to his words as she used her chakra to repel his body back. As sickening crunch and blood filled into the air. Koga looked down to see his arms were gone now. He looked up to see Honoka's hair receding back again. His arms fell casually into the ocean as she held onto his halberd.
She quickly twirled and impale it into his stomach as she lifted him up into the sky. He screamed in agony as she threw him off the halberd and into the ocean. She had a frown on her face as Muramasa looked in disbelief.
"We got defeated by a bunch of rookies…" Muramasa admitted as Yakumo nodded as she held her kunai to his throat.
"I don't feel a bit sorry for you, you made people's lives into hell." Yakumo coldly told him. She slit his neck quickly as the she vines let him go and plummeted him into the sea. Yakumo dispels the genjutsu and panted as she fell onto the water.
Honoka turned to Yakumo. "Are you okay?" she asked while she held onto the halberd.
Yakumo nodded. "Whenever I engage my kekkei genkai it leaves me sorely drained and tired. However are you okay?" she asked her friend.
"Did we have to kill them?" Honoka asked them.
Yakumo sighed and nodded. "No, we couldn't they are already hardened killers and butchers. From Yamato-sensei has told me they were part of an elite team that hunted down bloodline users before defecting Kiri. However, if you let up even once with the wrong person you can be killed with ease. Mercy is all good, but for those who can change." Yakumo explained as she looked the floating body parts. She took out a scroll. "Let's be sure to seal them away so the sharks won't get them."
Honoka nodded as she looked at the bloody sea. She took some of the clean sea water to clean out her hair. "Okay, but what do I do with this halberd?" she asked her.
Yakumo held up her scroll. "We can seal is away silly if you don't want carry it." she told her.
.X.
The fight with Naruto and Haku that went underway was stopped briefly as Haku noticed Zabuza was actually being pressed for once. The new development of kekkei genkai on the scene had ruined Zabuza's plans completely. It was his saving grace that Haku's focus was split between him and Zabuza. He barely resembled a porcupine due to the senbon sticking into him. He was bleeding from several scratch wounds now.
Naruto gave a casual smirk. "Something wrong, you seem a bit distracted now Haku. Now that my sensei is pressing the advantage now he won't last long." Naruto announced as Haku now focused squarely on him. "We both know for a fact that Yamato-sensei has beaten him before and he could do it-" he was caught off from another barrage of senbon as Naruto barely block a few.
Some hit in his back causing him to grunt. "It doesn't change your predicament Naruto-kun. I will win and then I will join Zabuza-sama shortly." he told him.
"That remains to be seen still." Naruto told him as he focused again. "What type of plan will help me beat. What would he do in this situation?" Naruto stopped for a moment to think.
(Flashback- Five years)
Naruto stood proudly swinging his wooden sword that Itachi gave him to train with. Itachi was watching the sunset as crows landed beside them. It was only a week after Shisui's death and it was a rather sore subject for them to talk about. Still, he was feeling a bit better now.
Naruto stopped swinging his sword for a moment. As Itachi noticed he stopped. "Something wrong Naruto-kun?"
"I have been thinking quite a while, but what happens if I fight an opponent too strong or fast for me to keep up." he asked him.
Itachi turned his head around as he wondered something. "What brought this question on?" he asked him.
Naruto quickly answered the man. "If I have to protect someone I can't die on the spot and I know you must have fought older opponents by now?" Naruto reasoned.
Itachi nodded. "So you still want to protect the people of Konoha, eh for his sake." Itachi told him.
Naruto nodded. "Of course and Yakumo is trying to become a ninja too, I would help her too." Naruto admitted.
"Even Sasuke if things weren't going in his favor?" Itachi asked him.
Naruto nodded. "Of course, he would be my comrade as well, however, I don't think he sees me as that."
Itachi gave a small chuckle. "True, he always keeps asking me to train you so he can beat you in class. Sasuke is a bit too prideful in our clan techniques, however, someone like you can excel in the most unorthodox techniques."
Naruto cocked his head. "Then why aren't you training him in your spare time?" Naruto curiously asked him.
"Personally, as a big brother, I don't want him stepping foot on the battlefield. He will use his talent to alienate his classmates… something I didn't recognize until later in my life. However you, on the other hand might not have the choice to shy away from fights. Everyone in Konoha fears you might be some demon to them. However, they are wrong about you Naruto, I can see the obvious hate coming from you. It was pouring out every time you watch the villagers mistreat you. As well, when parents tend to their own children… you grow envious of them. Shisui noticed that quite quickly when you traveled around the village. Without a little guidance in your life you would become desperate for attention." Itachi pointed out.
Naruto dropped his head. "However you have found people that accept you for being you. It may be difficult to change their minds, but a few people can change their way of thinking."
Naruto smiled and nodded. "Thank you," Naruto told him.
Itachi nodded. "You're welcome, but back to the question at hand. There is someone always going to be stronger, faster, or more experience than you somewhere. So don't panic when you do meet someone like that. Quickly analyze every little action they under attack along with your surroundings. Then formulate a plan that matches your strength or weaknesses."
"That sounds like something you would do." Naruto pointed out.
Itachi gave a light chuckle. "True, I have the Sharingan backing me up in a fight, however you have the determination and the Will of Fire backing you up." Itachi realized as he thought about it for a moment. "Overall, you have to realize what situation you are in and work what you got on hand. The trick that might work for you is may be trial and error. However, I would recommend focusing on your defensive capabilities, speed, and evasion before attacking."
"Like blocking attacks with Futon: Reppusho?" Naruto asked him.
Itachi nodded. "Maybe you can modify your chakra sabre technique to create a pseudo chakra armor. If I was in your shoes I would most likely use genjutsu." Itachi advised as he looked at the sun. "Well it looks like lunch time is almost near, and I have no doubt that my mother will want me over there. Be diligent in your training Naruto nothing it takes time to master techniques let alone create them."
Naruto nodded happily. "Okay and next time we can visit that traditional cafe you love to visit when you have time." he told him.
Itachi nodded. "Thank you for the gesture, but going to one is pricy in nature. Our next lesson will be on economics in general." Itachi told him as Naruto groaned.
He waved his arms up in protest. "I thought I was supposed to enjoy my childhood dattebayo not worry about adult things, yet." he protested as Itachi laughed a bit.
"True, but lessons now will go a long way for you. You might be able to help someone out one day or when you become a ninja you will need to manage your own funds." He told him.
(Flashback ended)
Naruto quickly condensed his chakra around his body as focused hard. As it became visible as Haku threw another volley of senbon only to see them bounce off harmlessly.
"What the-" Haku muttered.
"I am the bone of my sword…" Naruto muttered with a smile. "I can use this technique and become like my sword. Hmm… it needs a name still. Chakra no Yoroi (chakra armor)."
Haku looked at the armor that wrapped around his body. As Naruto formed it to look like samurai armor. He now gripped his sword now for battle.
"So he managed to condense his chakra around his body to make armor. This might be a problem now since senbon can't pierce it. I may need to use more chakra to break through it. However the technique in question must exhaust his chakra reserves quickly. He might drop dead soon if he keeps this up." Haku thought.
The masked boy quickly spoke up now. "If you can't keep up with my speed, so you are trying to focus your effort on a good defense. A sensible effort, but a rather foolish tactic overall. The technique itself will exhaust your chakra reserve quickly. You will drop dead before you even can corner me." Haku told him.
Naruto shrugged. "Maybe if I was just a regular opponent using this technique, however, just because my kekkei genkai isn't cool as yours. It still has nifty abilities most wish for." Naruto joked.
Haku glared at him. "You have one as well, but I don't notice any significant things about you." Haku pointed out.
"I'm an Uzumaki and by default I have a very strong life force that makes us good ninjutsu users as well Fuinjutsu user's." Naruto explained. He quickly whipped his sword creating another shockwave of chakra to shatter the mirror on ground level. "When I think about your technique in general, you had to quickly cancel it out to not waste chakra. Meaning this technique is draining your chakra faster than mine. So that means in a battle of attrition I win. Still, I don't want to win under those circumstances."
The mirrors' gleamed again as the reformed themselves. "Well, it seems I have to break that chakra armor of yours to ensure that doesn't happen. Hyoton: Paruchizan (partisan)!" as several spears of ice formed over head. As Naruto quickly ran from it as it rained down on him as hail of senbon rained down at the same time.
Naruto pulsed his chakra again as he sent a wave of chakra to sense his opponent. He quickly noticed the senbon pelting him was not at the same speed now. As the timing was off by several different seconds now.
"It seems my theory is correct the longer he holds this technique it makes him slow. I will need to somehow get him out the mirrors and drop the technique. Like that is going to happen, but if push comes to shove I might have to use that technique I failed to do years ago." Naruto thought.
He formed a few hands seals with his hands. As he calmed himself for the attack. "Katon: Gokakyu no jutsu!" as he breathed deeply in. He focused a steady stream of fire that was small. He quickly clapped his hands together, creating a huge gust forward. As the flame engulfed a few mirrors in front of him. He saw the fire trail to another mirror now as he smirked. "Well, it's certainly better than my first attempt."
He felt small burns across his face from the technique. He gritted his teeth and then smiled as he noticed now that Haku was sporting several burn pattern on his clothes.
Haku glared at him. "This is getting bad I thought he couldn't perform any techniques at all. He must have learned it from Shisui Uchiha years ago. Despite its lack of power he used his Futon jutsu to increase its effectiveness. He managed to destroy three mirrors with that last technique, however I have a chance to end this now. He has to drop his defenses to perform a jutsu. I will wait for the moment and strike." Haku thought as he readied himself for another attack.
Naruto looked at the mirror where the trail of fire went to. "I think he notices when my chakra armor goes down I am quite vulnerable to his attacks. Haku wasn't expecting me to do such a thing. I need to keep him off balance with things and force him to engage me in taijutsu… wait a minute I have an idea now."
Naruto smiled as he performed a series of hand seals. "Kage Bunshin no jutsu!" Naruto shouted as several clones popped into existence as he noticed Haku throwing needles at them. He quickly ran to the outer edge of the mirror. Haku quickly sped out the mirrors to catch him.
As he landed in front of him trying to place a kick to his feet. Hit Naruto's face stunning as he instantly grabbed his leg and applied chakra to his hand. He latched on Haku try pulling his leg away to no avail. Naruto gripped his other on his foot now.
He looked at Haku now with a huge grin. "I knew you were running out of chakra!" he shouted happily. He quickly picked up Haku and slammed him to the ground. He quickly swung him around and threw him out of the mirrors range.
Haku quickly sprung up to his feet as he looked up to see Naruto's knee hitting his face. Stunning as he quickly drew his sword slicing in his midsection, causing him to fall to the ground as Naruto flicked the blood off his sword.
"Another thing I noticed is the fact you suck at using taijutsu Haku. I can assume you have never fought prolonged battles with enemy shinobi as well."
Haku looked up at Naruto as he bled from his chest. "You risked everything on me using taijutsu and you took the blow to grab me." he muttered as blood dripped from his chest.
"I can easily catch you, while you outside your mirrors." Naruto was cut off by a sword slash coming at him. He quickly flickered out of view, dodging the huge sword Zabuza wielded. Yamato pressed on the advantage as several trees grew on the surface of the bridge. The tree limbs held Haku down.
Zabuza landed on the ground and frowned. "Damn trees they are annoying to deal with." he muttered. As he noticed the pollen going into the surrounding air as he tried suppressing his breathing. He quickly noticed several flowers growing on the trees themselves as Zabuza fell to his knee.
"Mokuton: Kajukai Korin (Advent of a world of flowering trees)!" Yamato shouted as quickly noticed Zabuza struggling to breath. "Once you inhale the pollen it's too late and be lucky it's knockout variety than poison."
Yamato told him as Zabuza fell unconscious as the tree limbs pulled him tightly to the tree relieving him of his sword.
"Is it over?" Naruto asked him.
Yamato nodded as he looked down on the bridge to see Gato standing there in front of the army of thugs. "No, we aren't done here?" Yamato told them.
He saw the shortest man in front of the group clapping as he smiled. "I must have to congratulate you all on your win Yamato-san and Team 3." he applauded them.
"I'm guessing you're Gato, huh?" Yamato guessed.
As the man nodded. "You are correct and I see you took care of the has been demon of the Mist. You effectively beat all four of them, but you all seem very tired with your fight without Zabuza and his team now."
"So I am guessing you weren't going to pay them?" Naruto pointed out.
"Correct kid, I wasn't intending to pay them anything from the start. Now the new plan is to cash out on Zabuza's bounty along with his team. I can also get rid of you all and Tazuna for the inconvenience you gave me for the past several weeks."
"You don't want any witnesses to make it back to the mainland, huh. You do realize we will send out a search team for us." Yamato reminded him.
Gato laughed and nodded. "True, but I convince Kirigakure it's their best interest to watch over my waters for me. Still, hiring ninjas' from affiliated villages is expensive in nature. Now that you are weakened to the point my mercenaries can finish you off. Cheap and efficient, like any great business plan. And I will take great pleasure in killing you those two for belittling me thinking I'm an ant." Gato explained.
Yamato shrugged. "You could, but you forgot something very crucial Gato-san." he pointed out to the crooked man.
"What would that be?" Gato curiously asked him.
"We are ninja not regular mercenaries Gato. Honoka, can you please grab him!" Yamato shouted.
The hot pinked girl hands snatched the short businessmen into the concrete disappearing shocking the men. As they suddenly started screaming in panic as Naruto looked confused at the scene.
Yamato turned their head around to see Yakumo standing there smiling. "A well placed genjutsu works the best here in this situation." she told them as they noticed Honoka coming up from the concrete bridge with Gato in hand. She dropped him on the ground as he looked up in terror. He saw the four of them staring down at them.
He looked down towards the end of the bridge seeing his army of thugs running away. "Come back, I am paying you all to protect me!" he shouted.
Yakumo spoke up. "They can't hear you at all and I doubt they will come back to help you. I used an illusion to scare them away. Furthermore, they are using your boat to escape with now." she explained to him.
As he saw mercenaries speeding off in their boat as Tazuna walked up to the group with an angry look on his face. "Not so tough when you don't have your men backing you up now Gato." Tazuna told him as he finally made a scene.
Gato waved his arms in front of him. "Come on, I can pay you guys, whatever you want. Just don't kill me please?" Gato pleaded.
Naruto pointed his sword at him, causing the man to flinch back. "We didn't take this mission for money we came here to help Tazuna. You think a feeble payout is supposed to bring back Kaiza and the other's you killed in cold blood." Naruto chastised the man. "I think we should cut him loose Yamato-sensei. A man like him isn't going to change."
"Wait, please don't kill me! I will give you anything millions to let me go!" he pleaded.
Yamato nodded. "Fine, we can make a deal, but first you will agree to our terms, got that?" Yamato told him.
"Name it!" Gato shouted.
"First of all you will pay for the actual A-rank Tazuna couldn't afford. Second, I want surrounding waters around wave and all business owned by Wave Country back in their hands." Yamato told him.
Gato looked at him crazily. "That would ruin me! Are you nuts!" Gato shouted.
Yamato stared at him casting killer intent with his ghoul eyes. "Do you want to die for what you've done. I can easily place you on a wooden spike and leave you there alive for days in agony before you die."
"Sorry, go ahead with your demands." Gato told him.
Yamato nodded. "I have other demands, but I will wait until Zabuza wakes up so he can join our conversation." Yamato told him as Gato became quiet.
"Y-you aren't going to kill him?" He nervously asked him.
Yamato shrugged. "No, we don't have the resources to keep him without him causing a problem. Besides that we have no quarrel now with each other, but he does with you. Since I'm too nice to be a shinobi it's up to him to deal with you in the end. Still, you will give us what we want in the end. I will assure you of that, because you're too evil to let go. It will take a demon to get rid of you."
Gato looked up in fear as his crotch became wet, as he couldn't muttered a word as Tazuna smiled.
"I think that is a wonderful idea… I bet he can make him disappear without a trace." Tazuna agreed.
.X.
Finally I'm done with this chapter and soon i will wrap up Wave Arc properly. I thought long and hard about this chapter in question. Plus the shifting schedule I have is terrible in nature. Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter, but I'm sorry for the mispelling. My search for proofreaders that are good with extra time is a no go.
However I would like to point out something in the chapter for you all. Team 3 is not like Team 7 and this story has moved off from canon quite a bit. So I will have to reason that something has changed greatly. Team 7 in canon was woeful unprepared for the dangers ahead. Yamato on the other hand is not a person to relax in the details, but he like to be prepared for situations at hand.
So the fight scenes in question do look brutal… their mentality in question is correct. As well Zabuza's tactics in question and training Haku must have been limiting in it's own way as well. Zabuza wasn't a type of person to change tactics or adapt on the fly. He was train to maximize in slaughtering people. However working for a thug like Gato for a while has dulled him a bit.
Nor the Mist in general preaches teamwork or focus on compensating their weakness, except for a few. For instance Kisame vs Itachi in the Naruto storm scene illustrated that even he is susceptible to genjutsu. So I reasoned Mist in general doesn't cover all the basics to shinobi training in fear someone goes rogue.
After looking up the data on Kirigakure, they don't even have a registration system like Konoha. So don't get mad that doesn't end the way you expected it to. However I plan on wrapping up Wave Arc next chapter.
By the way if you are one of those people who believe Naruto is to OC. Impressions left in Naruto can easily change him for the better or worse. In canon he didn't have anyone to be friends with. When he did get friends he pushed them out the way for Sasuke. Still personally the series in question could have been better in question.
Naruto in question acted like Goku to me and Sakura was another clone of Tsunade. Sasuke well Kishimoto ruined his image and his personality greatly. Furthermore I thought the Akatsuki in question should have been fights that are quite challenging in nature. For instance Sasuke should have never won that fight against Deidara in live.
Well enough of my personal rant, but I will be working on the next chapter now. So I hope you all enjoy this chapter and review.
See you guys later Kazama the Shell Bullet out!