Battle of the Pass

"Forgive me Zabuza, but I cannot fulfill your final request." Ziren tightened his grip on his sword and thrust it forward.

Or at least he would have, if he hadn't been interrupted. "Ke, ke, ke, ke! Being saved by a child! Oh how the mighty have fallen, eh Zabuza?" Everyone on the bridge was startled and looked around for the source of the voice. As the mist, natural this time, started to dissipate a rather disconcerting view presented itself to those on the gathered shinobi. A short man with a receding hairline with a pair of sunglasses, despite the overcast weather, stood in front of a small army of thugs and bandits. "Gatō, you swine, what are you doing here?" Zabuza spat out trying, and failing, to lurch to his feet. "Making sure you get the job done," Gatō smirked, Ziren could literally feel the slime oozing from the man. "Although Kiri is offering a rather substantial price for your head and your sword, even if it is broken. So I've decide!" Gatō announced clapping his hands together. "I've decided! Men! Kill them all. But make sure Zabuza's, and that white-haired man's, heads are in one piece. They are very expensive."

Ziren pulled his sword out of Haku's chest, and whatever determination had kept the boy on his feet left him as he collapsed. Zabuza dragged himself over and pulled out some emergency first-aid supplies. Luckily he was regaining feeling in his right arm, but not enough. Haku shakily brought his hand to his chest wound and froze it shut. "I-I'll be fine L-Lord Zabuza," Haku whispered before falling unconscious. Grabbing the handle to the Kubikiribōchō with what was left of the blade, about eight inches of jagged iron and glared at Gatō. Team Seven approached the trio weapons in hand and steel in their eyes. But Ziren knew better, they were all running on empty and were in no position to fight a group that large. "Do you really think you're going to be able to fight us like that?" Gatō laughed. "Actually I just got another great idea, man I'm on a roll today. Men keep that boy alive, a face like that will fetch a high price."

Growling Zabuza tried using what was left of his sword to rise to his feet, he felt a hand grab his good shoulder and pull him up to his feet. Looking over Zabuza saw Ziren was the one who helped him and nodded in thanks. Meanwhile Ziren's mind was racing, how could so many people sneak up on him. Even if he were distracted he should have sensed their approach. He started scanning the crowd, looking for the real threat while Gatō continued monologuing about his brilliance. Ziren thought he knew all the most effective methods to suppress chakra, benefit of being the self-proclaimed 'Best sensor you'll ever meet'. Using all of the abilities and tricks he knew he couldn't find any chakra signatures that stood out. 'Think the answer is there, think dammit!' Then it hit him, Occam's Razor the simplest solution, it wasn't that there was someone powerful to hide them. The answer was that they didn't need help hiding. His and Zabuza's fight had released extraordinary amounts of chakra, and the group's individual chakra levels were so low that they just blended in to the ambient chakra in the air.

"I can't tell if he's the ballsiest man I've ever seen or the stupidest," Ziren whispered to the other two jonin. "Do you really need to ask?" Zabuza growled. "How do you want to play this?"

"You two are too hurt to fight that many head on, I'll go in and scatter them with my ninjutsus'," Kakashi answered. "No good Kakashi, you can't fool me. Using that fire jutsu and your famous Chidori-"

"Raikiri."

"Gesundheit. Using that technique has made your condition worse than ours. And close that eye, you'll only make yourself worse," Ziren said. "Your sensory skills are really disconcerting." Kakashi supplied closing his eye. "I've dealt with these guys before," Zabuza interrupted pulling out a handful of chakra pills. "They look tough, but aren't trained and have next to no discipline."

"That's what I thought, only three of the men have chakra levels approaching that of a genin."

"Who?"

"Blue bandanna, goatee, and eye-patch."

"I see them," Zabuza said hefting his shattered blade. "Kakashi you and the kids stay back and make sure that they can't overwhelm us. Zabuza you want to scare some idiots?" Ziren said readying his blade. "I'm the 'Demon of the Mist', I'll give them a vision of hell." Zabuza said stepping over Haku and swallowing his handful of chakra pills. Ziren took a second to watch Zabuza, that many pills were incredibly dangerous with serious overdose side-effects. Then again he was doing this all for the kid on the ground, of course he didn't say this. But Ziren was a master of observation and nothing slipped by him, being able to sense another person's emotions also helped. He was giving his all for what was important to him. How could Ziren do any less, he thought to himself as he also downed a handful of chakra pills. "Then shall we?"

"-And then when I'm done with the bridge builder-" Gatō was cut off by two steel swords scissoring into his neck, sending his head skyward. The silhouette of Ziren and Zabuza stood next to the headless body as it fell to the ground. Without hesitation Ziren singled out one man in the group and charged. He had an eye-patch and a broadsword, he was by far the oldest of the mob. The fact that he hadn't taken his eyes off Ziren even while his boss lost his head confirmed that the man was probably the most seasoned fighter there. Feinting to the left, then right, Ziren swung his sword towards the man's throat. Only for it to be blocked, the man smirking at seeing through the ruse. Ziren matched his smirk as he threw a handful of powdered glass and crushed jalapeño seeds into the man's face. When the stinging sensation hit his eyes the man gasped, breathing the powered mixture into his mouth and nose.

The mob stood horrified as a sinister chuckling filled the air. Their attention wasn't on the giggling madman, or the sailing disembodied head. No their attention was drawn to the blood that came out of their former employer's body. Not that they were disgusted by blood, they didn't really have scruples after all. It's what the blood was doing that scared them stiff. Instead of splattering to the ground, like any normal bodily fluid, it instead hung suspended in the air before coalescing around Zabuza's broken sword. The mob continued to watch as the sword knitted itself together using their, now former, employer's blood. The sound of a grown man's pain filled scream filled the air and Zabuza's chuckling turned into full blown laughter. He took a step forward and raised his sword as the crowd took a terrified step back. Those in back who couldn't see pushed forward, while the people in front, who could see, pushed back. This caused the group to lose unit cohesion and grow disorderly, just as Zabuza swung his growing weapon. Two fell to the first swing, three to the next. With every swing more and more men fell, even as the Kubikiribōchō continued to grow.

While eye-patch collapsed to the ground, clawing at his eyes and nose, Ziren waded into the thick of it swinging his blade. He was quickly surrounded by the thugs, but that was exactly what Ziren wanted. Had the men been properly trained then Ziren would've been in a lot of trouble and quickly overwhelmed. Since they weren't Ziren was able to move and attack in such a way that they only got into each other's way. With a slash Ziren cut down yet another thug, then reversing his grip he stepped back and plunged his sword into the attacker behind him. The attack was turned by the man's chainmail, catching his blade. Unable to wrench it out Ziren brought his elbow back right into the face of the man wearing the chainmail, sending him staggering back a step. Another thug came in swinging a sword. Redirecting the swing using his metal arm guards Ziren grabbed the assailants hand, forcing it to re-angle the blade. Having done so Ziren forced the man to stab it down into the bridge, right through his foot. Sensing an approach behind him, Ziren whirled around while grabbing a knife from face mask's belt and grabbed the spear that was lunging for him. Pulling on the spear Ziren caused the man to lurch forward. He then threw the knife he swiped at the man's ankle causing a simple lurch to become a full blown topple forward. For his hard work Ziren was rewarded by the falling man impaling the thug with his foot nailed to the bridge. Ziren then leaned back narrowly avoiding the swinging club that continued its arc right into the spear-wielder's head. Ziren punched Mr. Club in the throat sending him reeling. Finally, Ziren turned to the armored man still wrestling with the sword caught in his chainmail. Hitting him in the face again, just for good measure, he put one foot on the man's chest and pulled his sword free. Using the momentum of freeing his weapon Ziren pivoted and slashed Mr. Club across the throat, completed his turn and threw a kunai he had hidden in his sleeve into the eye of the chainmail wearer.

Many of those gathered, after witnessing their paycheck get decapitated and the two metal wielding monster's cleaving into their ranks, decided that running would be a better option than fighting. Those in the front broke ranks and pounded down the bridge towards land where a line formed by Team Seven was their only obstacle. Smirking at their opponent being a pale scarecrow and three kids the group was confident they would make it. Their hopes were met by a hail of shuriken and kunai as the group let loose their initial barrage. Those that survived moved to engage the line in melee. Any hope they had left was smashed to pieces by Copy-nin Kakashi and his three students. One man managed to get past the blockade and beat a hasty retreat glad to see safety up ahead. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of something yipping at him. Looking down he saw a small white puppy barking at him with its hackles raised. In no mood for this the man reared his leg back in preparation to punt the dog out of his way. Only for Akamaru to put all of his remaining chakra into a jump, and shot straight towards the attacker's head, sinking his teeth right into the man's jugular.

Gatō's men's morale had shattered utterly. The 'Demon of the Mist' with the now fully restored Kubikiribōchō cleaved through the ranks of thugs. Meanwhile those that tried to escape on the boat that brought them had their hopes dashed by a couple of explosives laden kunai thrown by Ziren. The're desperation got to the point that they started throwing down their weapons and shedding any extra armor and clothing, and jumping into the water to swim to safety. Goatee guy was in the lead using all his energy and focus not to get pulled under by the weight of his equipment. He flinched when he heard a twanging sound followed swiftly by blood gushing out of the water to his right as one of his compatriot's head whipped back. Looking to the shore, the sight that greeted him warmed the water around him ever so slightly. A mob of Wave citizens had gathered on the beach waving hoes, pitchforks, axes, and anything else that could make an impromptu weapon. At their head was Tazuna, who was currently reloading his crossbow while others were beginning to fire rocks out of slings. The men, who already had trouble swimming while over encumbered, did their best to make it to shore in one piece. Those that did make it to the shore, wet and exhausted, were quickly overwhelmed by the angry populace.

Zabuza stood amidst the carnage panting heavily, only holding himself up with his sword. The muscle that Gatō had hired either lay dead at his feet or dead in the water. A triumphant cry erupted on the bank as the civilians who had come out to fight celebrated their victory. Zabuza spotted Ziren moving among the bodies, looking for something. He must have found it because the tell-tale smoke of a sealing scroll erupted around his as he stood up. "L-Lord Zabzua." Turing he found Haku limping over to him, hand on his chest. "Let me see," Zabuza rasped out gesturing towards Haku's chest. Moving his hand Zabuza saw the wound Ziren had given him frozen over, they needed to fix it fast before the flesh around the wound became frostbitten. "You'll live," Zabuza declared. Nodding Haku slid to the ground, still tired and shaken from the fighting. "What now?" Ziren said approaching the pair. "Gatō's dead, and with him my reasons to fight you."

"Good. I don't think I have much fight left in me at this point. Idiotic little scum ball!" Ziren shouted kicking Gatō's headless corpse. "I bet he doesn't even keep most of his money in a bank the untrustworthy little slug!" As Ziren said this a memory of a boat filled with ill-gotten wealth bubbled to the surface of Zabuza's mind. "Back to Kiri's war then?" Ziren said throwing another kick, just for good measure. "What makes you think I care about what happens to that bloody village?" Zabuza said affecting an air of disinterest. Ziren easily felt the swordsman's real feelings concerning the matter. "One doesn't become one of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist through greed. Bloodlust? Maybe. But you strike me as being far too smart for that. Which means the only reason you'd be working for…this, is to fund the rebels," Ziren explained. "And you think you know all this through our brief battles?" Zabuza asked skeptically. "Had you going for a second there, huh? No I know that because I know people in many places that like talking to me. And they had many things to say about your failed coup."

"And who are these people with such loose lips?" Zabuza growled clutching his sword tighter. Ziren, infuriatingly, just shrugged his shoulders with a look of smug innocence. Sighing Zabuza turned towards his companion and helped him up to his feet. "You're right. I'm going back to win Kiri."

"I've been to Kiri before, such a beautiful village," Ziren reminisced as Zabuza and Haku started walking away. "Ooh wait let me tell you about the last time I was there, it's a funny story," Ziren said catching up to the pair. "I'm not going to listen to your inane chatter," Zabuza growled. "Oh come on you'll love this. So there I was just arriving in Kiri to negotiate with their merchant board…" Zabuza sighed once again and realized Ziren wasn't going to let this go, turned to face the Konoha-nin. "…It went well and I had caught the attention of one of the merchant's daughters. She came over to me after the meeting and started flirting. Well it was more like she was flirting with me, too young and shallow for my tastes. I mean really she was incredibly vapid. Not that I said this of course, professional courtesy and what not. But apparently there was some clan heir that was interested in her, I don't remember which clan most of that night is a blur honestly, and took exception to her favor for me."

"Is there a point to this?"

"I'm getting there, I'm getting there. So he sent his cronies after me, I couldn't exactly fight them being Kiri shinobi and clan members after all, so I ran. He had people watching the gates so I couldn't get out that way which left me in quite the conundrum. But I'm not a sensor for nothing, and sensed some sort of fuuinjutsu under the Mizukage's tower. Don't ask how I snuck in, that's another story entirely. And I found this old, and I mean old, looking door, with an even older looking fuuinjutsu seal on it. I managed to get past the seals. Again don't ask, let's just say I now sympathize with the plight of the hairless. And found myself in an escape tunnel. Man this tunnel was so old I'm pretty sure that the last, and current for that matter, Mizukage know nothing about it. I followed the tunnel and came out about five miles north of the village under a cliff overhang that hid the entrance. An entrance you can only see when the under part of the overhang is wet." Looking back Ziren found himself alone on the end of the bridge, Zabuza's and Haku's chakra fading into the distance. He wasn't even finished with his story. Not being able to finish a story always left a bitter taste in Ziren's mouth. "Let's get these traps removed so we can finish this bridge!" Ziren shouted to the rejoicing crows.

Naruto, Hinata, and Shino were standing with perfect military precision; body straight, head up, arms at their side ready for use at a moment's notice, and chests out. Mr. Takaki stood behind them, simply waiting for the whole song and dance to be over. Kurenai stood in front of her team mirroring their posture waiting. The party was standing on the bridge that spanned the river that marked the Land of Fire's border, Tabe at their back. "They're approaching," Naruto said when he felt the presence of three genin and one jonin beginning to walk across the bridge. The team from Tanigakure approached the group, the three younger ones stayed behind in stances that mirrored Naruto, Hinata, and Shino's exactly. While the older one, a man in his late thirties by the look of him, approached Kurenai. "I am Shizo Tanbata, jonin of Tanigakure here to escort one Nobuo Takaki on the next leg of his journey." He announced to Kurenai, holding a scroll out to her. She accepted it, broke its seal and scanned through it. "Everything seems to be in order. I am Kurenai Yῡhi of Konoha here to deliver Nobuo Takaki into your protection," Kurenai said handing a scroll of her own to Shizo while pocketing the one he had given her.

"Now that the formalities are over, it's nice to see you again Mr. Tanbata. How are the kids?" Mr. Takaki asked stepping forward. "Running my wife ragged as always Mr. Takaki, it's a pleasure to meet you again as well." The Tanigakure shinobi said bowing to the merchant. "Well I thank you all once again for seeing me this far and hope to meet you all again." Mr. Takaki said bowing to Team Eight. "Hey if all our clients were as nice as you…" Naruto started but was cut off by Shino elbowing him in the ribs. Thank you for your kind words. We wish you safe travels." Kurenai replied. Mr. Takaki and his new team turned and walked back the way they came. "Are they gone Naruto?" Kurenai asked. "They're off the bridge," Naruto answered. Kurenai released the breath she had been holding. "I hate dealing with shinobi from other villages."

"Hey Shino what was that elbow for?"

"Naruto there is a certain decorum one must follow when dealing with foreign shinobi. Wait, you wouldn't know that. I always forget that you didn't go to the academy. Just follow Hinata and Shino's lead next time." Kurenai explained. "Oh, okay." Naruto responded. "Let's get on our way, back to Konoha," Kurenai ordered.

"Yes, Sensei!" the genin chorused turning back to the city. "Hey Naruto you told me about a second road back home?" Kurenai asked Naruto. "Yeah the Jinzango Pass, it's a bit longer and much rockier, but it doesn't have any bandits," Naruto answered. "Lead the way, I don't want to encounter any more bandits. They seemed like the ones to hold a grudge."

"Sure no problem."

"Okay team now that there's no civilian slowing us down I'm going to drive you guys hard. We're going to get back home in half the time it took us to get here."

"Awesome! Challenge accepted." Naruto said excitedly, leaving Hinata and Shino to sigh at his enthusiasm.

Naruto led the team up the rocky path, the rest of his team panting heavily as they tried to keep up. Kurenai continuously had to remind her self about the Kyuubi whenever she wondered how he had so much energy. "I believe we have been misinformed about the nature pant of this trail," Shino panted out actually unzipping his jacket a little. "Y-yeah can we break for a b-bit?" Hinata asked. "Yeah let's rest for a moment," Kurenai conceded. Hinata sat down heavily on a rock, wiping the sweat from her brow. Naruto sat next to her and offered his water bottle, which she drank from greedily. "It's not that bad," Naruto said leaning back and gazing up into the sky at a hawk circling overhead. "Not everyone has a bi…your stamina," Kurenai quickly corrected herself before she made a mistake. "Indeed," Shino said wiping the sweat from his glasses.

"Oh come on, if we go any slower we won't be able to make it back to Konoha in half the time," Naruto said. "Geez you sound like Guy and his clone," Kurenai sighed. "Who?" Naruto asked. "You remember that team we met on our first day of missions? Their leader is Might Guy, you know the guy with the green spandex onesie and the bushy eyebrows." Naruto thought for a moment before nodding. "Is that a compliment?" He asked. "Ask me later," Kurenai said avoiding the question. "Breaks over let's get going," Kurenai said getting up amid a chorus of mental groans from Hinata and Shino. "Hinata scout out the path for us."

"O-okay," Hinata said activating her Byakugan. The team waited as Hinata used her telescopic vision to scan the path ahead. Naruto was stretching his legs when he heard Hinata gasp. "Th-there are b-bandits, c-camped out on the path," Hinata stammered. "What!?" the other three shouted in unison. "I-it looks like th-they're waiting for s-something," Hinata reported. "I had thought about grudges, but to this extent." Kurenai looked up the sheer rock faces surrounding them. Climbing would be difficult, not to mention dangerous, so going around was out of the question. "Okay we're turning around, no need to start a fight that gets us nothing." Kurenai said getting ready to turn around, she was interrupted when she heard a scared gulping sound come from Hinata. "M-m-more bandits have b-blocked the p-path back," Hinata stammered. "How have they coordinated these actions. Are they watching us somehow?" Shino asked zipping his coat back up. "If they were using a technique to spy on us I would've felt it, I think?" Naruto said expanding his senses. "They have a way, why you ask? Because we are in this situation. I believe figuring out how they are watching us is of utmost importance," Shino concluded.

Shino was right, if the enemy was watching them they need to figure out how. Naruto hadn't felt any chakra surrounding him, then again Sensei was always saying he need to work on his sensitivity more. But still he need to figure out how they were watching them. Was it the ground, no that would require enough chakra for him to sense. The walls on either side had the same problem. Then all that left was… "Hinata! The sky focus on the hawk!" Naruto suddenly shouted. "Huh, w-what?" Hinata stuttered. "Just do it!" Hinata looked up, which was unnecessary really, and focused on the hawk. "W-wait, I recognize it. I-it's the h-hawk the bandits used b-before," Hinata said turning towards Naruto. "The hawk," Kurenai said looking up at the circling raptor. "You sure?" Hinata nodded. "Got it," Kurenai ran through hand signs so fast Naruto could barely follow them. "Inverted Reality." The hawk wobbled on the air currents for a moment before plummeting to the ground. "Okay that's taken care of, Hinata do the enemy have any ranged weapons?" A moment's looking. "Y-yes they have c-crossbows," Hinata reported. "Naruto you've been through this pass before, right?"

"Yeah multiple times."

"We're too exposed out here, we need to find a place where we can take cover, know any?"

"Umm…the only place the place where the pass opens up is that small copse of trees passed-whoah!" Naruto wobbled for moment, turning his attention towards the ground. "I felt it too," Shino said kneeling down. "Felt what?" Hinata asked confusedly. "A pulse of chakra in the ground. There it is again!" Shino sent his Kikaichu scurrying across the ground. "It felt like the chakra pulse, I don't know, bounced off us," Naruto said. "Tremor-location, an advanced earth-style ninjutsu, they're still tracking us." Kurenai looked up both pathways before turning back to Naruto. If they had someone capable of using tremor-location at this range that meant they were a very skilled Earth element user. If the team tried to climb the sides the enemy would find them easily and would have a major advantage from the terrain. "Naruto, you sure that copse of trees we passed is the only cover we can find?" He nodded. "Okay here's the plan, we go back there and ambush the enemies behind us first, hopefully they don't have a means of communication between two parties without that hawk. This will allow us to thin their numbers before the other group arrives. Move out!"

The group of bandits hurried through the pass, fast enough to make progress, but not so fast that they would exhaust themselves. Their orders were to move in and engage the targets if anything happened to Aiah, the hawk. The leader of the band was in the front leading the way forward. However, they were unsure of where their targets were hiding, since their marker had suddenly plummeted out of the sky. He kept vigilant making sure there was no way that their quarry could slip past them. He needn't have worried for when the group was passing by a small scraggily copse of trees, that was surviving despite the harshness of the soil, he saw their targets running in their direction away from the other team. "Form up, you know your orders." A few of the men stepped forward and began lining up crossbows to fire. The leader brought his hand down. The crossbow strings released and steel cut through the air. The shinobi shouted out warnings and curses, but it was too late and the deadly quarrels found their targets, dropping all four to the ground. "Shit! Which one of you idiots disobeyed orders!?" The leader shouted rounding on his men. All five of those with crossbows began vehemently denying it was them, claiming the others must not have aimed properly. 'Wait, aren't we down one?' The leader thought to himself looking over the men under his command. Before he could take that thought further the sound of bones snapping filled the air. Whipping back around the leader sought out the source of the new noise, and what he saw started tying knots in his sides. The four corpses jerked and writhed in truly unnatural ways. Their limbs moving in ways that bones shouldn't allow, hence the snapping noises. The blonde haired one was the first to lurch to its feet. His, no its, eyes were blood red and his mouth was split into a truly sinister grin that showcased its impossibly sharp teeth. He could hear his men trembling as the other three also lurched to their feet. The leader took a frightened step back before his boss' warnings ran through his head. "Don't be fooled, it's not real! Like the boss told us!" The men reached out and used their rudimentary knowledge of chakra manipulation to disrupt the flow of their comrade's chakra, breaking the illusion. Just in time as the leader was able to bring his shield up and block a kunai that was flying towards his eye.

"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!" Turning his head, the leader saw one of his subordinates get pulled into the ground as the kid with the trench coat took his place. The only part of the bandit's body above the ground was his head, which was next to another one of his subordinate's head. Their ambush had been turned on them. "With me!" A handful of bandits stepped up and brought their shields to bear against the jonin, while the others acted according to the plan and split up to fight the kids. Shields up, weapons drawn, they were ready to fight the shinobi. But they were not ready to fight the "Genjutsu Mistress," as the last thing the leader felt was a kunai pressing into his throat. The man to his right flinched back as his commander's throat started spurting blood, but he didn't have time to consider how as the kunoichi was heading his way. "Hi-ya!" He lunged forward and buried his sword into her stomach. Before he could rejoice at his luck, the ninja's body melted into water. Before the man could wonder at this fact the ex-Kurenai body of water ran up his arms and engulfed his head. The man fruitlessly clawed at the obstruction, but couldn't do anything and felt himself beginning to black out.

Line break

"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!" Shino grabbed the ankles of one of the crossbowmen and dragged him into the ground, and taking the space he had just vacated. Naruto charged in and attacked the next man in line. The bandit saw Naruto's approach and held his crossbow up to block. Seeing this Naruto re-angled his swing and cut through the taunt wire waiting to be released. The string snapped back from the tension and scored a line across the wielder's face causing him to cry out and drop his weapon, leaving him wide open for Naruto to finish him. Hinata had snuck around the group and came in from behind, delivering a series of debilitating attacks to an unwary foe before he knew what hit him.

At this point the surprise wore off and the bandits rallied bringing their weapons to bear. Despite this, however, their formation was destroyed and the trained shinobi slowly but surely harrowed their numbers. Shino, Naruto, and Hinata were starting to feel confident about their chances, until the earth began to rumble.

Kurenai loosened the garrote she had wrapped around the bandit's throat and let his body drop to the ground. To her right one of the attackers was kneeling on the ground, crying as he held only empty air. To her right the other bandit that had stepped forward was screaming like a maniac, swatting at bees that only he could see. She was about to help her students when she felt the ground beneath her lurch. She jumped to the side just as a jagged rock sprouted where she had just been standing. She turned to find the other group of bandits had finally caught up to them, much quicker than she had hoped. Leading the group was a man easily six and a half feet tall, covered in leather armor, and a massive maul slung over one shoulder. But what truly caught her eye was what he was wearing on his forehead, an Iwa headband with the symbol crossed out.

"Kurenai Yῡhi, the 'Genjutsu Mistress' of Konoha," the man said slamming the hilt of his hammer into the ground. "Jishin the Rumble," Kurenai said coolly meeting his gaze with her own. "Oh? I see that my reputation precedes me," Jishin said bowing slightly. "So this is where you were hiding, I'm sure Iwa would love to know," Kurenai said trying to buy time to come up with a strategy. "Please, I keep abreast of the goings on enough to know that Iwa and Konoha still hate each other's guts," Jishin said shaking his head. "You're sure going through a lot effort to avenge a few subordinates. Your Bingo Book entry made you seem smarter than that."

"I'm not angry over the death of my men. I don't like it, but it's business and they knew what they were in for. No I have other things planned."

"Oh, such as?"

"I'm not an unreasonable man, Ms. Yῡhi. We will win this fight, but doing so will mean losing more of my loyal followers. So here's what I propose, give us the girl," He said pointing his maul at Hinata. "And the rest of you go free, no attacks, no trouble."

"What do you want with Hinata!?" Naruto shouted stepping closer to the girl. "Well since you asked so nicely brat, an unbranded Hyῡga female entering reproductive age. Do you have any idea how much Kumo would be willing to pay for that?" Jishin explained adjusting his hammer. "S-slavery," Hinata said horrified. "Nothing personal girly, just business." Naruto, and surprisingly Shino, spat in the man's direction. "Not happening," Kurenai said readying a kunai. Jishin sighed internally, worth a shot right. Then the hairs on his neck stood on end as he realized he had maintained eye contact with a renowned genjutsu master for a prolonged length of time. "Shit!" he chided himself for his rookie mistake as he slammed his hammer into the ground sending jagged spikes of rock rising in all directions around him. He stomped the ground twice and a hole opened up as a mole looking man rose from the earth. "Didn't think you need my help so quickly boss."

"Shut up! I haven't fought a real opponent ever since we left Iwa, just act like we planned." Nodding the mole-man touched his boss' leg and disrupted his chakra before quickly burrowing back underground. Jishin stood back up and found Kurenai not where she should've been. He needed to be more careful. Jishin slammed the hilt of his hammer onto the ground sending shockwaves through the earth. He felt multiple pings, helping him clear his head. Locking eyes with Kurenai again Jishin started twirling his maul, building up momentum. "Oryah!" Turning from Kurenai, Jishin slammed his hammer down into the ground. A pillar of stone exploded upward piercing the air. Swinging his hammer back around, he smashed the pillar and sent the pieces flying through the air at high velocity.

Kurenai leapt, twisted and, bent herself into impossible shapes in order to avoid the earthen missiles. While she was doing this Jishin focused his chakra and shattered the illusion binding him. "Earth Style: Sand Shackles Jutsu!" The earth around Kurenai's feet churned and crumbled into sand, the sand continued churning and held Kurenai's legs fast. Leaping forward Jishin swung his maul with stone-shattering strength, right into Kurenai's head. Instead of a meaty snap and blood flying in every direction, sand expoded outward from Kurenai's body. Shielding his eyes, Jishin leapt back away from whatever trap had been lain. But too late as sand rose all around him, blocking the sun, his allies, and the very air. Gulping what little air he could "Morrin!" The sand vanished as quickly as it came and in its place was the missing-nin's compatriot. "You okay boss?"

"Yea just get going," Jishin spat the imaginary grit from his mouth. As his ally burrowed back underground Jishin sent out his tremor location, looking for his mark. She was moving, trying to confuse him. 'Let's see how she likes it,' he thought to himself. "Earth Style: Ravenous Storm!" Focusing all his chakra into his hammer he slammed the pommel into the ground causing a sandstorm to spring into existence. Throwing his arms out wide he sent the raging storm out in all directions. He felt the tremor he believed to be the Konoha nin stumble and stop. Smirking he swung his maul back into the ground causing a pillar to erupt out of the earth sending Kurenai flying. Capitalizing on this chance the missing-nin charged forward and swung his hammer before she could recover. His swing connected and sent splinters of wood flying in all directions. But he could also sense movement through his storm and knew she was trying to sneak up on him. Waiting for the perfect moment he turned and swung for her midsection, a swing that should've snapped the woman in half.

Imagine his surprise when instead of breaking like a twig, she managed to catch the war hammer's head and hold it fast. Jishin's eyes widened for a moment before, cursing, he pulled out a kunai and stabbed himself in the thigh. When he opened his eyes he found his storm had ceased, had it ever actually happened? And in front of him, with his hammer half buried in it, was the stone wall of the pass. He yanked his weapon out of the stone and turned to look for his opponent, only to find a fireball heading right for him.

As soon as the missing-nin cracked open the ground the remaining bandits moved to surround the three genin, cutting them off from Kurenai. Three men with spears and shields engaged Naruto and kept him at a distance with their spears and protected themselves with their shields. Every time he tried to move forward to attack one he had to dodge out of the way of another. This way they effectively kept him pinned. Hinata was not faring any better. There were four men surrounding her, wielding shields in one hand and bolas in their other. While her back was turned the bandits would try and throw their weapons trying to entangle the Hyῡga and subdue her without hurting her. Her Byakugan made avoiding the corded weapons easy enough but with four of them constantly attacking she had to channel all of her focus on simply defending.

Of the three Shino was having the easiest time of the fight, though all things being relative. He had his Kikaichu swiftly deal with the last few bandits from the first group, but the new ones that came with the missing-nin were wearing beekeeper outfits. These outfits, though bulky, were effective at confounding Shino's swarms. Though thanks to the last few days of intense effort he was not without options. Flinging a handful of shuriken at his attackers bought him enough time to perform his new jutsu. "Earth Style: Unsteady Earth Justu." Slamming his foot down on the ground sent two of his attackers sprawling. Pressing his advantage, he rushed the other two still standing. These men, however, were not like the others. Though weighed down by their bulky beekeeper outfits they had size and reach over Shino, and they knew how to use it. While he did land a few punches he had to disengage as the other two got back to their feet. Though he did manage to rip the netting covering one of their faces, providing a tasty snack for his comrades.

Hinata ducked, twisted, and pivoted in order to avoid being ensnared. But her luck could only last for so long as she avoided one bola another that she couldn't avoid in time wrapped around her arm halting her momentum. This pause caused her to be unable to avoid another that wrapped around her legs pulling her from her feet. Naruto saw this out of the corner of his eyes and searched furiously for an answer. 'Now or never,' he thought sheathing his sword. His attackers paused, not sure whether or not this was a trap, before advancing forward cautiously. Smirking Naruto started running through hand signs for his new jutsu. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough Jutsu!" Maybe it was due to his inexperience with the jutsu, his inordinately large chakra supply, his relatively poor chakra control, or a combination of the three that led to him pumping in far more chakra than was necessary. As with an ear ringing boom Naruto was thrown from his feet and the man in front of him was sent flying through the air by a massive gust of wind. The two attackers not sent rocketing into the air were stunned by the loud noise. Ears still ringing Naruto shakily got back to his feet and summoned two clones to engage the spearmen while he charged the nearest bandit attacking Hinata.

Hinata desperately tried to grab one of her kunai with her free hand whilst the other two bandits readied their bolas for another throw. When suddenly with a bang and a blur of motion one of the attacker's hands went flying. Naruto brought his sword back up and plunged into the bandits back. The other seeing Hinata still entangled turned his attention towards Naruto and readied his bola for a throw. "Earth Style: Head Hunter Jutsu." The man was pulled underground as Shino leapt from the earth. "He's over there!" The bandits who had been fighting Shino shouted rushing over towards the group. Naruto quickly moved up and cut the ropes holding Hinata. She thanked him, or at least Naruto assumed that was what she was doing, he still couldn't hear very well. The two bandits who were originally fighting Hinata, seeing the battle change, drew spears and shields while the one of the bandits that was attacking Naruto joined his compatriots.

"I believe the term most fitting this scenario is 'out of the frying pan and into the fire'," Shino said standing back to back with Hinata and Naruto. "No I don't know any fire Justus," Naruto said to the confusion of both Hinata and Shino. "A-any ideas?" Hinata asked gauging their situation. They were surrounded and the enemies were well trained and knew how to fight well together. "I have an ace up my sleeve, buy me some time!" Naruto shouted loudly enough to cause both Hinata and Shino to flinch. Naruto raised his sword and started gathering his chakra. Sensei would understand. Before he could use whatever technique he had planned a pillar of sand exploded into the air.

Jishin brought his arms up to protect his face as the fire engulfed him. If this was fake, it was a damn convincing fake. Sand started to rise around him smothering the flames but aggravating the burns he already had, as Morrin resurfaced next to him. "That was too close boss," he said worriedly. "Is everything ready?" Jishin said in response.

"Yea, the grounds been softened up for ya."

"Good stay above ground I don't want to accidently catch you in this. You know where she is?"

"Seven and a half meters that way," Morrin said nodding his head. "Don't you see her?"

"She's got me in another genjutsu, no don't break it. Let her think she's got me." Stepping out of the mini-sandstorm Jishin spat out the sand coating his mouth and faced the illusionary Kurenai. "Not bad 'Mistress' but it's over." He raised his maul above his head and started spinning it building up momentum. Hopefully the attacks radius would catch her even if she moved away from its epicenter. "Earth Style: Great Ravenous Storm Jutsu!" With that proclamation Jishin slammed his maul into the ground. With the blow he could feel all the sand Morrin had churned up for him, and willed It towards the surface. The subterranean mini-desert burst from the mountain as Jishin disrupted his chakra, breaking Kurenai's genjutsu. Kurenai, though not caught in the attacks epicenter, was still well within its blast radius. The sand flew around her with the force of a hurricane, shredding skin and sending the Konoha-nin flying. She skidded across the ground, hurt and bleeding from numerous smaller cuts. Not wanting to take any risks Jishin raised his maul once more, and channeled his chakra to cause a stone spike to impale Kurenai from a distance. He was interrupted as a blinding flash of light lit up the sky.

As the ground shook and the sky filled with sand Naruto started to focus inwardly, finding his chakra and shaping it to suit his purposes. He opened his eyes as his breathing slowed and he started planning his attack. When he was about ready to release his technique the sky filled with light, blinding everyone. As the light faded the genin and the bandits saw a man standing a little ways up the path clothed in a black robe with white whorls stitched along its length. Reaching up he removed his hood revealing sharp blue eyes set in a young face with black lines covering his bald head in a style reminiscent of his robes that converged on his forehead in the shape of an eye. He surveyed the gathered warriors with an intense scrutinizing glare. Or that was what it was like until he blinked confusedly and started turning around looking for someone or something. "I know I felt it somewhere over here. I can't have had two false positives, could I?" The man said scratching his bald head.

Sharing confused glances one of the bandits drew his crossbow and aimed it at the newcomer. Naruto seeing this was about to shout a warning but too late the trigger was pulled. Whipping back around the stranger slapped the crossbow bolt out of the air causing it to embed itself in the ground at his feet. He swept his gaze back across the bandits arrayed before him, his intense glare back in place. "You are the bandits who have been terrorizing this land are you not? Though I have failed in my sacred duty this day I can still bring good to this world." Bringing his hands together he whispered a quick prayer before shifting to a combat stance. "Pray to your deities and hope they listen, for you will soon meet them!"

"What is he on about?" One bandit whispered to another. "I don't know just kill him," his companion answered reloading his crossbow. When he turned back to his new enemy he was surprised to find he had already closed over half the distance separating them, he was fast! Dropping the crossbow, he instead tried to reach for his spear while his allies rallied around him. "Lightning Style: Claws of the Raijin Jutsu!" Throwing his arms forward, lightning arced from his hands out towards the gathered bandits closest to him. Those struck by the electric attack shouted and writhed in pain on the ground. The cloaked stranger stepped over them, ignoring their pained cries. Naruto, Shino, and Hinata tensed up at his approach ready engage in battle should he attack. They needn't have worried though as he passed them with a smile before affecting a scowl as he approached the next group of bandits.

One of which lost his nerve and broke formation to charge forward. The stranger prepared himself and met the bandits charge with one of his own. The bandit lunged forward thrusting his spear towards the man's gut. The stranger swatted aside the spear and lashed out with his elbow at the bandit's throat. A raised shield blocked his efforts, but the stranger grabbed the edge of the shield and tried to jerk it into an odd angle. But the bandit was wise to this and braced himself, causing something of a -tug-of-war. While he was distracted the stranger brought his knee up into the bandit's groin, disorienting him. While he was distracted by the pain the stranger twisted the shield with all of his might. The bandit's arm broke with an audible snap. With a second twist the shield came loose and the stranger spun, swinging the shield edge at the man's neck. With a second snap the bandit crumpled to the ground, dead.

The tattooed man felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end and brought the shield in his hand up just as crossbow bolt blasted right through it, narrowly avoiding his head thanks to the shield. Dropping the remnants of the shattered shield the cloaked stranger slowly approached the last remaining bandits. They raised shields and held formation ready to strike at their enemy. "Fire Style: Surtr's Blade Jutsu." A tongue of white hot flame in the shape of a sword sprung from the stranger's hand. Leaping forward the stranger swung his fire-sword in a wide arc towards the bandits. Which caused said bandits to look at him quizzically as the sword wasn't long enough to reach them. Their questioning thoughts were soon violently answered as the fire-sword grew several feet longer and several inches wider. The bandits' shields proved most ineffective as the white-hot flame burned through wood, melted metal, and seared flesh as the bandits fell to the ground screaming. Looking at the suffering men, the stranger bowed his head briefly before turning towards the last bandit standing.

As the light died down Jishin couldn't spare too much thought to it as he needed to finish off Kurenai. But the brief pause caused by the unexpected lightshow gave Kurenai enough time to roll out of the way of the erupting stone spike. She leapt to her feet, despite the pain of the numerous cuts stretching across her skin, and threw a handful of shuriken at Jishin. He ducked under them and charged at Kurenai swinging his hammer. Kurenai avoided the attacks but knew she was running out of options. She started crafting an illusion when "Lightning Style: Zeus's Wrath Jutsu!" Jishin slammed the hilt of his hammer into the ground causing a stone wall to rise in front of him just as a bolt of lightning obliterated it. A man covered in black and white robes jumped over the rubble and attacked Jishin. The missing-nin blocked the strangers first attack and grabbed the man's robe and threw him away from himself. "Morrin! Cover me!" Morrin came out of his cover and engaged the new enemy while Jishin turned back towards Kurenai.

Said shinobi was currently closing distance with the earth user and led with a leaping kick. Jishin blocked with the shaft of his hammer and Kurenai used it as a spring board to leap back. A grunt of exertion caught his attention as out of the corner of his eyes he saw Morrin flip over the new attacker onto his back. Turning his attention towards the prone enemy Jishin swung his hammer towards the tattooed strangers head. "Wait! No! Boss…" The maul punched right through his skull and straight into the earth underneath. Pain lanced through his back as Kurenai landed a flurry of shuriken into her enemy. Turning back to the last remaining enemy he was suddenly grabbed from behind by the cloaked man. Before he could puzzle this through "Make peace for you shall know it soon. Lighting Style: Divine Judgement Jutsu!" Raising hi free hand into the air, a bolt of lightning arced from out of the clear blue sky and struck his outstretched hand. Jishin seized and shuttered in the grip of the robed stranger as hundreds of millions of volts coursed through his body. Before all he knew went silent.