Next chapter of Shinobi of Destiny. Team 9 and Team 7 now learn the true reason why Tazuna wants to go to Wave, however they are unaware that they are being targeted by a demon of Mist.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
"Alright Tazuna, you've been hiding things from us long enough." Hatake Kakashi said to the older man as the two squads looked at him. They had just taken care of a an ambush by two ninjas and they had defeated them and Kakashi had tied the two to a tree. "I would advise you to tell us what exactly is going on." He said in a tone that wasn't threatening but one that was serious.
The elder man sighed and shook his head. "Alright, I'll tell you. I was hoping nothing would happen but it seems like it's too late for that. My home is currently occupied and under the control of a wretched businessman by the name of Gato."
"I've heard of him." Kojiro Oda the sensei of Team 9 said. "He's a corrupt businessman and shipping magnate who only cares about money and is known for his shady dealings. Konoha no longer has dealings with the likes of him. He would sell anyone into slavery for money."
"That is correct, however you have no idea the true horrors and crime he has committed against my home and its citizens. Wave as you know is small and not connected to the mainland. One day he and his men arrived. He manipulated else into signing a contract. We first thought it would connect Wave to the mainland and help improve our living. But instead he took over Wave and using it as his base of operations isolating it from the rest of the world. Refusing to allow any trade or food brought in unless we follow his policies. Those who do get almost everything taken from them to fill up his wallet leaving them with barely anything. He uses Wave to smuggle goods and supplies and other things that I won't mention cause that fiend cares about his money and his men bully and attack anyone who so much as speaks out against him. My home has been transformed into an impoverished hunger-stricken place."
"That's awful." Naruto said in shock at what he was saying. He looked at the others and saw their where shocked as well and some of them disgusted such as Motochika. Hanbei was also upset as well.
"I couldn't stand it anymore as my daughter and child along with the rest of them are malnourished and people are dying from starvation or disease as they can't get any food or medical supplies. He shows no pity to anyone and while he lives in his mansion we are all starving with little to no future."
"But why are you making us take you there if things are so bad? It doesn't make sense." Hanbei said to him.
A smile, a small one appeared on his face. "Although I may not look like it. I am a master bridge builder who had constructed bridges for different countries although I am now retired. I left Wave two months ago having saved my money. I went and hired workers and supplies as well spending it all to purchase the equipment and manpower. My men and the supplies are already in Wave. Once I get there we will begin construction of the bridge. However Gato found out what I was doing and has placed a bounty on my head. Offering a high reward for anyone who kills me. I narrowly avoided an assassin before I managed to get to Konoha. For he knows that if I build that bridge he would be ruined as Wave would have connected with the rest of the world and his empire would crumble. That is something he does not want to happen so he wants me dead. Unfortunately I had little money left and knowing I could not purchase adequate guards for protection I had to place my faith in hiring Genins such as yourself and that is how we are here." He said finishing his tale.
The two squads looked at him and then at one another after hearing what he and Wave had gone through. It amazed and shocked Naruto that there was people out there like that and who would do things like that to others.
"I'm sorry I lied to you but I had no choice." He said and tears where starting to show in his eyes. "My home's only hope is if I get there and construct that bridge. Please, I beg you, get me there."
Silence came from them at the seriousness of it. Kakashi knew that now it was an A class mission and most likely dangerous. "Alright, we'll get you there." He said after a moment's silence. "I promise you, we will protect you and get you to Wave so you can construct that bridge and end your home's nightmare." He said in all seriousness.
Kojiro nodded as well. "We'll take care of any threats. We will help you."
A look of astonishment appeared in Tazuna's eyes and he wiped the tears away. "Thank you, if you manage to get me there I'll be in your debt for eternity."
Kakashi turned to his students. "Alright we got a job to do now and it's an A Class mission. This won't be a vacation so I want you all on full alert." He said and the three nodded. Team 9 also stood ready.
"Alright, let's go and everyone keep on guard." Kojiro said and they continued their mission.
As they walked Hanbei spoke to Jun. "Hey Jun, that barrier jutsu of yours. Where'd you learn that?" He asked her.
"My father taught it to me. It's a upper C class jutsu and I can use it to stop attacks." She replied.
"Huh, well you should stick near our client then. In case we get attacked you can use that to save him again." He said to her and she nodded and the medic in training joined up with him.
Elsewhere a man wearing a flak jacket and a hitai-ate with the symbol of mist on it was given a report by a figure who kneeled before him. The man had a zanbato strapped to his back and his lower mouth was covered with bandages. He had a serious look on his face and his arms where crossed as his eyes narrowed.
"Damn those two… Meizu and Goizu messed things up as usually. I knew I shouldn't have bothered hiring them." He said in disdain and anger.
"They are an hour away from Wave." The underling who wore a mask to fully cover his face said and wearing a green outfit said to him looking up. "Are you going to-" He was interrupted by the man
"I'll deal with them myself this time. The old man's guards must've been lucky but it won't matter against me. I'm five times more powerful and dangerous than those two fools where." He said confident of himself. "I dispose of these Leaf nins and the old man with no problem!"
Later on the two squads and their client where nearing Wave and so far their had been little sign of any attacks. But they didn't relax their guard though.
"We're almost there. Soon our mission shall be complete." Kakashi said looking out to the distance as faintly he could see Wave. "Let's continue moving." He said to the others and they resumed their task.
Naruto saw a smile appear on Tazuna's face and he smiled as well knowing they had done it.
However as they made their way they noticed that mist started to take form. At first the teams thought it was nothing but as they got closer it seemed like the mist surrounded them as if it was serving as a barrier. It was starting to get so bad you couldn't wave your hand in front of your face and see it.
"Dang it. What's the deal with this mist?" Motochika said as he tried to bat it away to no avail. It was getting harder to see and if it kept up they would have to stop as they wouldn't be able to see where they was going.
Kojiro looked at the mist a distasteful look on his face and he saw that Kakashi had tensed up. Knowing that this was serious he spoke up. "Everyone!" He called out and they all stopped. "Don't move a muscle. This isn't ordinary mist it's a jutsu. Just like that puddle before, we are being watched right now." He said and the Genins widened their eyes and looked around trying to figure out what was going on. "Keep your guard up and focus. Don't do anything until me or Kakashi tells you too." He said as he went into a stance his body on full alert.
Naruto reached towards his holster and pulled out a kunai and looked around noticing how serious this was. Hanbei like him had pulled out a kunai as well while Motochika was reaching towards his staff ready to take it out the two standing side by side. Sasuke was glancing around while Jun stared into the mist. Sakura standing next to him he noticed was a bit afraid and he gently nudged her on the shoulder. She looked at him and he nodded at her letting her know she wasn't alone.
All of them where on guard waiting to see what would happen. A tense situation as they had no clue where whoever was watching them would attack from.
Suddenly Kakashi saw something flying at them out of the corner of his eye. "Move!" He shouted and they immediately dispersed as they saw a Zanbato appear having been thrown at them. If Kakashi hadn't warn them it would have killed one of them. Naruto watched as it flew and stuck into a nearby tree.
All of them looked on in shock at what had just happened as suddenly a figure leapt over them and landed on the hilt of blade and turned and faced them.
"Hmph, a bunch of kids fresh out of the academy." He said in disgust. "This shall be an easy challenge." He said and leapt down and pulled his sword out of the tree.
The two jonins appeared in front of him. "Everyone stay back!" Kojiro ordered. "This foe is far beyond any of you!" He said as he and Kakashi got into a fighting stance.
"You two might be a decent challenge." The man said and Kakashi saw the bandages on his face.
"Zabuza Momochi, The Demon of The Mist." He said and his eye narrowed. "I know all about you."
"So you know me then Leaf nin? Well I know you as well Hatake Kakashi, the famed Copy Nin of Konoha." He said with a sneer. "No matter I will defeat you and slay the old man as well. Nothing personal but I got a job to do." He said and brought his fearsome blade up.
"The beast of a man who slain every academy student when he was a child. Mist must have finally figured you to be impossible to control." Kojiro said as he readied his wired claws.
"Gato is paying me well, slaying you two will get me a nice bonus as well." He said as they got ready to fight.
Kakashi looked back at the others. "Everyone, guard Tazuna with your lives. Don't let any danger fall upon him!"
"You should be more concerned with yourself!" Zabuza said charging him and Kakashi narrowly avoided his attacks as the three battled.
Naruto looked at the scene and then at the others as the battle was on. He watched the fight hoping Kakashi would be okay.
Kojiro lashed out at him with his wires but Zabuza avoided them and Kakashi's attack as well as they fought the two fighting him. They had the numbers advantage but knowing full well his reputation knew they could not underestimate him.
Zabuza slashed at Kakashi who ducked and Kojiro kicked him in the side of the face and staggered him backward. "Enough of this! Kirigakure No Jutsu!" He shouted doing hand symbols and mist engulfed them all blocking their vision.
"Shoot where'd he go!" Naruto shouted looking around as he couldn't see a thing. He was ready to throw his kunai but couldn't see or hear a thing. He couldn't see his teammates, his sensei, Team 9, or Tazuna.
Tazuna looked around fearfully when he felt a presence behind him. He turned and screamed in horror as the swordsman charged him and prepared to kill him. Suddenly the man let out a gurgled cry and clutched his throat as he had been slashed by razor sharp wires. The man then busted into water and revealed Kojiro Oda behind him.
"A Mizubushin." He said and he sensed Kakashi defeating one as well.
"Where are you Zabuza!" Kakashi shouted. "Show yourself!"
"If you insist!" A voice shouted and Kakashi was impaled from behind to the shock of everyone. But then he exploded into a burst of water like Zabuza's clone had and revealed himself.
Sasuke also noticed that he had his hitai-ate brought up and saw to his surprise a Sharingan eye. He looked in surprise that he would have the eye his clan had. Kakashi sensing his stares turned to face him and the others who looked surprised as well.
"I tell you how I got this some other time, and Zabuza I gotta thank you for letting me copy one of your own jutsus. I can anticipate any possible move you make now." He said to the man making him angry.
"Hmph! No matter, even if you do have one of my moves it won't matter." He said angrily to him.
"I've had enough of you. Take this!" Kojiro shouted and doing hand symbols he fired his wires at him. They hit him in the arm and Zabuza suddenly felt a jolt feeling in his body as the wires turned yellow and where shocking him with lightning sending pain throughout his body. "As long as my wires are in your body I can shock you and immoblize you with this jutsu. Surrender now!" He ordered shocking him and bringing him to one knee.
Zabuza smiled under his bandages and threw his sword in a spinning fashion at him. This surprised Kojiro and he leapt out of the way and was forced to remove his wires from his flesh. Zabuza caught the blade as it returned to him. "That was an irritating technique but it won't stop me. I'll slain fools with more powerful moves than that."
"Then try this!" Kakashi said and doing hand symbols fired a fireball at him and he dodged. Zabuza charged him and seeing a lake behind him grinned evilly as he engaged him in combat.
"Let's see if you can anticipate this!" He shouted and swinging for his head. Kakashi dodged but was suddenly kicked in the side of the head and knocked into the lake. Seeing where he was he quickly tried to get out but he was too late as Zabuza run up to it and using a jutsu trapped him in a sphere of water with one arm inside of it trapping him. Kakashi flailed trying to break free as he could feel his lungs starting to burn.
"Sensei!" Naruto shouted and was ready to charge but got stopped by Kojiro.
"If you try anything now you'll make things worse. We need to come up with an idea before you charge in!" He said to him as he looked on.
"If you value this man's life you will give the old man to me. He has less than a minute of air left so make your decision quickly!" Zabuza said to them and he made a clone to guard him
"We got to do something or else sensei will die!" Naruto said. He shouted at him. He then looked at Hanbei and Sasuke. "Let's go!" He shouted and the two nodded seeing he had a plan.
"Kage Bushin No Jutsu!" He shouted and produced several clones and they charged Zabuza. The Mizu Bushin easily defeated them but Naruto made more yet they too where also defeated.
"Idiot! Don't you have any other tricks besides that?" Zabuza taunted him. To his surprise Naruto smirked.
"Yeah, Hanbei Sasuke catch!" He shouted and threw two giant shurikens at them. The two caught them and threw them at him. Hanbei's missed but that was a diversion
"Fuma Shuriken Kage Fusha!" Sasuke shouted doing a justu as he threw it. Zabuza's clone dodged it and was prepared to attack the three when suddenly to the shock of all a second shuriken appeared underneath his and transformed into one of Naruto's clones
"Take this!" He shouted and threw kunai at the real Zabuza who had to move out of the way and forcing him to drop the sphere freeing Kakashi.
"Miserable brats! You'll pay for that." He said angrily but Kakashi and Kojiro appeared in front of him.
"It's time we end this." Kakashi said to him and he backed up hesitantly a look of surprise in his eyes. They where about to attack him when suddenly he let out a gasp and feel down. The two senseis looked shocked and looked at one another wondering what just happened.
Kojiro then noticed something sticking into his neck. It appeared to be needles. Senbon to be more precise.
"I thank you for trapping my target long enough for me to find and kill him." A voice said and they saw a ninja wearing a mask stepping forward.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked as they joined up with them.
"My name is not important. I am a Hunter Nin from nest and I have been after this criminal for many months. Thanks to you I finally managed to end his life for the crimes he committed against Mist." He said to them.
"How'd you do that with those needles?" Motochika asked.
"My senbon hit him precisely in the vital points of the neck area killing him instantly. Now then if you don't mind I shall take this traitor's body back to Mist and dispose of it properly." He said and picked the body up and the sword as well and walked off.
'I will heal you soon enough Zabuza-sama'
They all watched him go but Kojiro had a look of suspicion on his face. True, senbon could kill if thrown precisely but the area he hit him in was more likely to render him unconscious. Also why didn't he slit his throat or behead him to ensure he was dead? That's what the protocol for most ANBU and Hunter Nin to do to their targets. Yet he didn't do either. He couldn't help but feel suspicious as it was too much of a coincidence that a Hunter Nin would appear all of a sudden.
"Alright then that's taken care of-Ugh." Kakashi started to say and then clutched his head.
"Sensei?" Naruto asked him and he slipped his hitai-ate back down over his eye.
"I'm okay, I just get worn out after using my sharingan eye in battles. Let's go on." He said standing up straight.
They continued their way and soon they where at the island of Wave. It was a pitiful sight what they saw. A village that looked ready to collapse by even the slightest gust of wind. Bodies so thin and malnourished from lack of decent food.
Team 7 and Team 9 looked on in shock at what they saw. The people of the village looked ready to drop down at any given second. They where like the living dead. Their was nothing in their eyes. No hope, no spirit, no fire, no…anything. As if they had lost the will to live and most of them had in fact.
The markets where empty and the stores had little to no goods. Here and now you would see someone who appeared better off at least eating everyday, Tazuna told them they where Gato's hired thugs that he had enforce his rule.
Motochika looked around as it looked like they where living like animals and he suddenly heard crying. He turned his head and saw a woman seated on a bench holding a crying baby and trying to comfort him.
"I'm sorry, I know you're hungry but I can't feed you. I don't have any food." She said as she looked down at her starving baby. Motochika looked shocked that even babies would be forced to go hungry and reached towards his pack and walked towards the woman.
"Here," He said handing her a loaf of bread he had packed. "Take it, you and him need this more than I do." He said handing her his food. The woman looked at him shocked and took the bread.
"Bless you," She said and began feeding her child.
"How can you let this happen to you guys?" Naruto asked him and he shook his head. "Animals live better than you do."
"I ask that to myself everyday. I wish I knew how this all happened so quickly. We tried to stand up to him but he had everyone who did killed. He even went as far as to kill my soon to be son in law." He said and Naruto said him grit his teeth in anger over the fact that the bastard was living in luxury while they where forced to rot.
"Here is my home. Let me tell my daughter we are here." He said as they come to a home and knocked on the door. The door opened a crack and they heard a woman's voice gasp and she opened it and a white haired woman appeared and hugged him tears going down her face.
"Father, I was so scared. I thought you was dead." She said as she hugged him and he stroked her hair.
"It's alright now Tsunami," He said as he comforted her.
"Come inside, you must be tired." She said and they entered the room.
Later they where all seated around a table talking. "My workers and the supplies are here. Tomorrow we begin construction. It will take a couple of days to finish it. Can I count on you to stay here just in case his thugs try anything." Tazuna said to them and they nodded.
"Father I wish you wouldn't try this, it's far too dangerous." Tsunami said as she drank a cup of tea.
"I have to do something. You saw what that bastard's done. Nothing will change here unless that bridge is built." He said determination in his voice.
"I know it's just…" She said and stopped talking and he nodded knowing who she was referring too.
"How is he?" Tazuna asked.
"He's better than he had been." She asked.
Naruto didn't understand what they where talking about. "Who's better? What are you guys talking about?" He asked and they saw enter the room a young boy.
"Inari, we have company." Tsunami said and the boy looked at them and Naruto saw the sadness and pain in his eyes that he had. The boy didn't say a word and quietly left.
"My grandson's been traumatized by what happened. He used to be a happy boy, until Gato had his father in law killed in front of everyone in the village so he can send a message." Tazuna said bitterly.
"That's awful." Hanbei said.
"Well," Tsunami said as she stood up. "I better get dinner ready. I'm sure you're all hungry."
"That is no need ma'am." Kojiro said. "You don't have to feed us as we brought food with us. You need food more than we do. Just give us a place to stay while the bridge is built and we'll be fine." He said politely showing respect to his host.
"Well then since we are going to be here for a couple days I propose we do shifts." Kakashi said looking at Kojiro. "Kojiro during the morning and early afternoon you and your team will be guards for the bridge makers. And then for the rest of the day me and Team 7 will take over for you. How does that sound?"
"Very well. I agree with that." Kojiro said.
"Then it's settled. Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura." He said to them who looked at him I want to see you at exactly seven in the morning tomorrow. We're going to start learning chakra control tomorrow." He said to them and they nodded.
The next day Team 7 was at the training grounds and each had been learning about chakara control from him as their job was to walk up a tree by using chakra. To the surprise of everyone Sakura managed to get the hang of it and was making the most progress as she was already near the halfway point. Sasuke was behind her near the quarter point while Naruto, had been stuck and unable to fully get the grasp of it.
"C'mon, stick already." He said as he placed his foot on the tree and attempted to walk up on it. To his annoyance he wasn't able to and he was starting to get upset that it wasn't working. He shook his head wondering why he wasn't getting it.
Sakura saw this and leaping down decided to give him a few pointers. "You can't do it if you are mad and upset all the time Naruto. You have to focus or else you'll never be able to do it correctly. Clear your mind and have all of your attention on the task at hand." She said to him and he looked at her and taking a deep sigh cleared his head of any negative thoughts.
He placed his foot on the tree and felt a connection unlike before. Placing his foot on the tree he then move it upwards and felt it connecting to it instead of sliding off. He put his other foot below it and it stuck as well. Feeling confident now he put his left foot in front of the other one and moved up. A smile grew on his face as he put his other foot in front of it and slowly started to climb up.
"Ha Ha! I'm doing it! I'm doing it, I'm Whoa!" He said and after a few steps he lost all connection and fell down and landed on his back with a thud.
Sakura covered her mouth as she looked at him trying not to laugh while Sasuke smirked at him. Naruto pulled himself up a scowl on his face.
"You lost your focus Naruto." Kakashi said having watched it. "But you are making advancement now. Just keep focus and you'll get there." He said to him and Naruto nodded.
At the bridge Team 9 was watching over the work as Tazuna gave orders to his men as they began construction. All their hopes was placed on this.
"I don't understand." Motochika said seated on a barrel. "These people here outnumber them at least four to one. Why don't they revolt and overpower them?"
"This Gato rules through fear, he had people killed so he would send a message to them." Jun said as the Genins watched what was going on.
"Yeah, but you can only take so much before you won't stand being pushed around. They should have risen up and overthrow him. They are just letting him walk right all over them." He said remembering the woman and her child.
"I agree but they don't have any ninjas or military Motochika." Hanbei said. "Most of this people are just fishermen, hardly ideal fighters. Some just think that living a shell of a life is better than no life also. But I hope this bridge gets complete and this place gets better." He said as he saw them working and saw their sensei helping out. Suddenly he saw five men approaching and each held a weapon of sorts. "Uh Oh, here comes trouble." He said to his teammates and they stood up. Tazuna, Kojiro and the workers also noticed it as well and stopped what they where doing.
Tazuna glared at the five men who stopped when they reached the bridge. "You really must be stupid old man. All of you must be idiots to risk pissing off the most powerful man in the land." The leader of the group a brash thug said wielding a sword. "I send a message from Gato-sama, stop this idiocy right now or else you risk his wrath."
"Hmph, I have no words to waste with the dogs of that scumbag. If he wants to talk to me come see me himself instead of sending his lackeys."
"Old fool, do you think this bridge will improve things? Nothing will change even if you do build this stupid thing. The only thing that will change will be you joining the other idiots who opposed Gato-sama."
"Big words coming from a little mutt. Get lost before I batter you over the head with this." Tazuna said and picked up a hammer. "Wave will no longer stand by and let him control us. Soon we will be free of his rule."
The man snarled at him and raised his sword. "I'll kill you, you stupid idiotic-" He started to say when suddenly Kojiro lashed out at him with his wires.
The man screamed and everyone saw to their shock the arm heavily bleeding as he had dropped the sword and clutched his bloody arm. The other thugs with him looked on in shock at what just happened.
"My arm!" The man shouted clutching it.
"Be happy I didn't take it off." Kojiro icily said to him. "Tell your master that he will not interfere with the building of this bridge. That we won't let him impoverish Wave anymore and that I am not intimidated by his barking hounds. All the money that he has won't be enough to save him should he interfere." He said to them a clear threat in his warning.
The thug spat at him and went off followed by the others.
Tazuna watched them go and turned to Kojiro his students joining him. "I have to say, that was a risky move if there ever was one sending a message like that. And it may have been what we needed." He said and Team 9 noticed many stares at their sensei. From the workers and the citizens and they appeared to be looks of admiration for what he just did.
"Maybe so, it may just be the spark needed to show Wave that they can't let themselves be bullied and overrun by him anymore." Kojiro said as he thought little of what he just did personally.
Tazuna nodded and gave orders to his men to continue building the bridge.
A/N: That's it for this chapter. Review please.