Hey guys I know it's been awhile but what can I say I had other things to do and whatnot. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy this chapter because it's one of my longest and I tried my best to give my own twist here and there.
I'M STILL LOOKING FOR A BETA SO MESSAGE ME IF YOU WANT TO!
The mist was like a thick blanket; it laid over everything that it was hard to see what was in front of you. It also gave off an ominous chill to because it was so quiet; as if nothing was living in it. But it was perfect if you were trying not to get caught which is what Team 7 and Tazuna were doing as they sat in a small wooden boat. Everyone was silent as the boat slowly drifted through the mist; heading in the direction of The Land of Waves. The only thing that disturbed the silence was the rowing of the boat owner as he lifted the oar in and out of the water to steer the boat. From where they were, even through the thick fog, the bridge stuck out like a sore thumb. Even though it stood unfinished it still stood with a majestic air around it, it was as if it understood the great importance of what it would bring to the people on the island.
"We're almost there. The Land of Waves isn't too far away.", said the boat owner.
"Tazuna.", Kakashi said. Tazuna looked at him already knowing what he was going to say.
"There is something we need to discuss before we reach the pier. Who is after you and why? If you do not tell us then I will end this mission as soon as we dock."
"Do not worry, I will tell you everything. You guys deserve to know. It's true that we're beyond the scope of this mission. The man who is after me is one of the wealthiest men in the world. Yet he casts the longest and deadliest shadow, Gato of Gato Transport."
"But he's a business leader, everyone knows who he is.", Kakashi said with disbelief in his voice.
"Akina who is that guy?", Naruto, tried to, whisper to her.
"Just listen.", she said as she paid attention to Tazuna again.
Tazuna took a deep breath before speaking. "Yes he is a business man at first appearance but beneath the mask he is a ruthless and merciless thug. He sells drugs and contraband to take control of nations and businesses. And he uses ninja to do all of the dirty work. It was about a year ago when Gato first laid his eyes on the Land of Waves. By using his vast wealth he took over everything in sight and if anyone dared to defy him they would simply vanish. Never seen or heard from again. On an island nation if you own the sea then you own everything; our government, finances, and our very lives. There is only one thing that can stop this monster and that is the bridge. Once the bridge is complete we will be connected to the main land and Gato will lose his control over us."
"So that's why he's after you, because you're the bridge builder.", Sakura said as the story made sense to everybody.
"It means that those guys back in the forest were hired by Gato.", Sasuke chimed in.
"But what I don't understand is that if you knew about Gato's resources and the consequences of what you were doing, why not tell us?", Kakashi asked still debating whether or not if they should still help.
"After Gato seized everything The Land of the Waves became a poor country. Even our nobles have very little money. The people who are building this bridge are common folk, A and B-ranked missions cost too much. If you do not continue this mission there will be no bridge and our hope of freeing my people will die with me. Once I reach land they will kill me before I make it home." Everyone was quiet as Kakashi was silently deciding if they would help. Akina looked over at the old man as saw as his eyes widened briefly as if he just had a brilliant idea.
"But don't worry about it. I'm sure that my poor grandson will understand why I won't be home for dinner. He'll just cry out "Grandpa! Grandpa! I want my Grandpa!" And my daughter will drown in her sorrows and condemn the Leaf Village for the rest of her life. Blaming them for letting her poor old father be assassinated. Forget it, it won't be your guy's fault that it happened."
'This old man is pretty funny even though he needs work on his acting skills. But it looks like he got everyone's acceptance.' Akina thought as she was trying hard not to laugh at the situation.
Kakashi had this defeated look on his face as he began to scratch the back of his head sheepishly. "Then it looks like we have no choice. We will keep guarding you."
Tazuna pretended to have this surprised look on his face as he said, "Oh I am so grateful that you're doing this for me.
'Suckers.' Tazuna and Akina thought at the same time.
Some time had passed since the discussion before the boat owner spoke to the group.
"We'll reach the shore in a few minutes." As those few minutes passed they reached a dark tunnel. But once they entered the dark tunnel they could see that the sun was shining on the other side. The sunlight was much welcomed to the young shinobi of Team 7 since they were so used to the sunshine in the Leaf, except for Akina who was already used to the mist; given the fact that she grew up in the Village Hidden in the Mist. The man steered the boat until it had stopped next to a small wooden pier and began to secure the boat so that his passengers could get off.
"Thank you for taking such a big risk by bringing us here.", Tazuna said to the man. The man just shook his head and said, "Just be careful and good luck to you all." With that said he turned his motor on and steered his boat back towards the bridge. All was silent as we watched him disappear back into the mist. All of us watching as we knew that there was no going back now.
It was a calming silence as everyone was walking down a dirt road that lead to Tazuna's village. Naruto and Akina were ahead of the group followed by Sasuke and Sakura, much to Sakura's delight and Sasuke's annoyance, and Kakashi and Tazuna brought up the rear. Sakura kept trying to get Sasuke to talk to her but all she got was silence in return as he was trying his hardest to ignore her. To make her be quiet Sasuke walked faster until he was walking on Akina's right side. Naruto took notice that someone else was walking with them and his eyes saw that it was Sasuke his anger from what happened earlier rose like a phoenix rising from its ashes.
Naruto watched, from his spot next to Tazuna, as Kakashi was tying the two assassins to a large tree with chains. Both Sakura and Akina were next to him to make sure that they two ninja wouldn't try to escape. Naruto sighed as he replayed the fighting he had seen only minutes ago; that way Akina came out of nowhere and saved him and the way Sasuke had thrown the kunai and shuriken to break the enemy's chain. His hand curled into a small fist.
'What the hell am I doing?! The way Akina and Sasuke took down those two guys makes me feel like a coward. They were both so smooth and they looked so calm as if it was child's play. I need to catch up to them. I just need to-'
"Hey."
Naruto looked in front of him and standing there was the one and only Sasuke Uchiha. He took notice that Sasuke had his stupid cocky smirk on his face as he was looking straight at Naruto.
"You're not hurt are you? Scaredy cat."
'What the hell is with the cat references?', Naruto thought as his anger flared and his hands closed into fists.
"SASUKE!"
As the memory faded Naruto realized that his hands had closed into fists without him really being aware of it.
'That's it! I am going to show up Sasuke once and for all!' With determination Naruto ran in front of the group, causing them to stop in confusion, and started to look around as if he was searching for something. Naruto stopped to stare at a bush, his eyes widened as he took out a kunai and threw it at the bush while yelling, "Over there!"
"No wait there!"
"Naruto calm down, those are throwing kunai. You could hurt someone with those."Kakashi said who was getting nervous at the fact that Naruto might actually hurt someone.
"Ha I got you!" Naruto yelled as he threw another kunai into a bush. Before he could go investigate Sakura ran up to him and slapped him across the back of his head.
"Naruto are you trying to scare us to death!? Don't go around throwing kunai at random places when there isn't anything there!" As Sakura was scolding Naruto though Kakashi went behind the bush and found a white rabbit. The poor thing was curled into a tight ball and his eyes were wide with fear. The kunai, that Naruto had thrown, was imbedded in a tree right above the rabbit's head. Everyone else saw the rabbit which only made Sakura yell at Naruto some more.
"Now look at what you did Naruto! You almost killed the poor thing."
OH no! I'm sorry poor rabbit I didn't mean to try and kill you with my kunai." Naruto said while he was on his knees cuddling the rabbit. As he did Kakashi continued to stare at the bunny in confusion.
'This rabbit still has its winter coat even though it's summer. This means that this rabbit grew up indoors.' Without anyone noticing Kakashi quickly scanned the area and tried to see if there were any other chakra sources nearby.
"Everyone get down now!" he yelled. Just as everyone was laying face down on the ground a giant sword whipped through the air, like a shuriken, until it became imbedded into a tree. A man appeared on the hilt of the large sword in a crouched position with his back to us. He wore no shirt, which showed off his pale skin and large muscles, but he had a belt wrapped around him to hold his great sword. On his arms he wore camo style arm-warmers and he wore grey pants with pockets here and there to hide his weapons. As he stood up he turned is face toward us. Like Kakashi the lower half of his face was hidden by white bandages, only his dark brown eyes could be seen.
"Zabuza Momochi, Rogue ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist."Kakashi said as he stood up, never taking his eyes off of Zabuza. Akina was stunned when Kakashi mentioned his name because he was so well known in the Village.
'Of all the missions we have to face one of the deadliest ninjas out there. A group made up of 4 genin, a bridge builder, and only one jounin. I don't know how the hell we're going to pull this one off.' Akina thought as she mentally prepared herself for the long battle ahead.
"And you are Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye, if I remember." At this statement Sasuke looked at Kakashi in disbelief.
'That's impossible he can't be an Uchiha!'
"now hand over the old man before I kill all of you." Everyone, except for Kakashi and Akina, looked at him in surprise at what he said.
"Quick get into Manji Formation and protect the bridge builder. Stay out of this fight , I will handle him. Now I taught you teamwork so it's time that you start using it." Kakashi moved his left hand up towards his face and grabbed his headband. As he lifted the headband up it revealed a long healed scar that went straight down the middle of his left eye. His eye opened revealing a blood red eye that had 3 comma markings surrounding the pupil.
"Okay, I'm ready."
"I feel honored that I get to see the Sharingan in action."Zabuza said as he fully turned his body towards Kakashi.
"Wait! What the heck is the Sharingan? Everyone keeps saying it but I don't know what it is!" Naruto yelled out in frustration.
"The Sharingan is a rare power that resides in the eyes. The user of this visual jutsu, or doujutsu, can instantly see and comprehend any Genjutsu, Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu. And they're able to reflect the attack back on to their enemies. The Sharingan is a unique and rare form of doujutsu but there is much more to the Sharingan than that. Much more." Sasuke explained to everyone but he was staring off into the distance.
"So far you've got it right boy but you've barely scratched the surface. The Sharingan can analyze an opponent's technique and copy it to the tiniest detail. As for you Kakashi, in the assassination unit of the Hidden Mist, we had a standing order to kill you on sight. Your profile was in our bingo book, they said you were the man who copied over a thousand jutsus. Kakashi the Copy-Ninja."
'Wow is Kakashi-sensei really that famous and powerful?' Sakura thought.
"Wow that's so cool." Naruto said in awe at his sensei.
'I still don't understand how Kakashi has the Sharingan when only a few members of the Uchiha Clan can inherit it. Could he be an Uchiha too?' Sasuke thought as he stared at Kakashi in confusion.
"That's enough talking, I'm here to kill the old man." Zabuza said as he crouched on the hilt of his sword.
"Now." With that one command the genin surrounded Tazuna in the Manji Formation. Each one on all sides of Tazuna; Sasuke in the front, Naruto on his left, Akina was on his right, and Sakura was protecting the back. All of the genin had a kunai in their hand as they tried to stay calm and focused.
"So it look like I'll have to kill you first, eh Kakashi. Then so be it." In a flash Zabuza pulled his sword out of the tree and landed on top of the small pond that was nearby.
"He's over there!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Look he's standing on top of the water!" Sakura said in surprise.
'Have they never seen this before?' Akina thought as she wasn't stunned by the fact that Zabuza was standing on top of the water. In the Mist Village it was very common since they were very close to water. Akina watched as Zabuza held his left arm in the air with his middle and index fingers extended. While his right arm was in front of his chest, his index and middle fingers extended as well.
'He's building a large amount of chakra.' Kakashi observed as he waited for Zabuza to make his move.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" It was as if someone laid a blanket over the area because the mist became so thick that the genin could barely see their sensei.
"Sensei he's gone." Sakura pointed out as Zabuza was indeed nowhere to be seen.
"He's going to come after me first." Kakashi said to them; a warning laced in his voice.
"Who is he exactly?" Asked Sakura.
"He's Zabuza Momochi, the Ex-Leader of the Hidden Mist's assassination unit. He's the master of the Silent-Killing Technique." Akina explained.
Naruto's face paled as he stuttered, "S-silent Killing?"
"Yes there is no sound, no warning. You would have already passed into the next life before you can even register that you died in the first place. The Sharingan can't fully neutralize it so don't lower your guard." Everyone was silent as the tension increased and the fear was trying to creep in. "Well if we fail we're only going to lose our lives."
"Sensei how can you even say that?!" exclaimed Sakura. As the moments passed the mist become thicker making it harder to see Kakashi.
"Hey the mist is getting thicker." Said Naruto.
"The mists are always present in the Land of Waves because we are surrounded by the ocean." Tazuna explained. As silence overcame the area the genin soon lost sight of their sensei.
"Sensei?" Said a worried Sakura.
"Eight points." Everyone perked up as they heard Zabuza's voice float over the area making it impossible to tell where he is.
"Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subgluteal artery, kidneys, heart."
Akina's eyes widened slightly as she knew why he named those eight points.
'The eight kill points of the body.'
"Now which one shall be my kill point?"Zabuza said in a dead tone. The air became thick with tension and fear as Zabuza's words settled in. In the mist Kakashi made a handsign and his chakra began to gather around him in a swirling motion. He let his chakra push out in a big burst causing the mist to be pushed away from the area. The chakra washed over the group of genin like silk letting them sense Kakashi's power and bloodlust. It gave them all a chill as goose bumps appeared on their skin and their hair began to stand up.
'This thirst for blood is intense.' Sasuke thought as he began to slightly tremble, causing Akina to notice as she began to worry about her teammate.
'One tiny movement will bring instant death. If this goes on I might go insane. I've never felt this chill before, brought on by the bloodlust of two jounin preparing to kill. It feels as though my own life is on the line.' The kunai was gripped tightly in both of his hands and unconsciously they started to move up, the point of the kunai tilting towards him. His breathing became more labored as the fear twisted his thoughts and continued to spread throughput his body as if ice was spreading through his veins.
'I can't bare it any longer, I'd rather take my own life then-'
His thought was stopped immediately as a soft warm hand was placed on his. Looking down he could see that the hand was indeed there and that it came from someone on his right. As he turned to his right he caught the gaze of two dark violet eyes, worry was the expression he could read. He allowed her to ease his grip on his kunai and return his hands to their defense position, their eyes never looking away from the other. He allowed himself to calm down as he stared at her until the fear was out of his system and he was in control again. She looked him over once more and when she was satisfied she let him go and returned to her defense stance her eyes no longer readable. Sasuke turned around as he took a deep breath, the bloodlust in the air no longer bothering him. He saw that Kakashi was looking at him as if he could sense his fear.
"Sasuke stay calm. I will protect all of you with my life, I will not allow my comrades to die. Trust me." This helped to ease, not only Sasuke, but Naruto and Sakura as well. All of them finding new respect for their sensei.
"Don't make a promise you can't keep Kakashi." He was suddenly there. Zabuza stood in a crouched position with his eyes closed and his hand making the same hand-sign as earlier. The left was holding the handle of his sword which was resting across his back. Zabuza opened his eyes and said, "It's over." Kakashi turned around looking at Zabuza, his image reflecting in the Sharingan. Both moved to fast to see. As Zabuza began to swing his sword Kakashi was already there a kunai plunged into Zabuza's gut. The genin got out of the way as fast as they could; Akina and Sakura grabbing the bridge builder. Liquid poured out of Zabuza and onto the ground but the liquid wasn't blood, it was water.
"Sensei behind you" yelled Naruto pointing behind Kakashi. The fake Zabuza fell into a puddle of water on the ground as the real Zabuza sliced Kakashi in half when he was still turning around. Confusion showed itself in Zabuza's eyes as Kakashi's body turned into water.
'When did he do a water clone jutsu? Zabuza thought. A kunai was pressed against his neck as he was trying to think.
"Don't move." Kakashi said as he was standing behind Zabuza holding the kunai at his neck.
'He is more of an opponent than I thought he would be. He saw right through my jutsu, even in the mist, and copied it when he made his little speech. This will be fun.'
"Now it's over Zabuza. You're finished." After a moment Zabuza began to chuckle as if this was all a joke.
"Me finished? You really don't understand do you? Your technique is nothing but cheap imitations, I will never be defeated by a low copy-cat ninja like you."Another chuckle passed through his lips as he could feel Kakashi's irritation.
"I'll admit you do surprise me. You copied my Water Clone Jutsu when you made your stupid little speech, it was very skillfully executed. You only said those things to draw my attention so that you could hide in the mist. Waiting for me to make my move. It was a nice try but-"
As the Zabuza turned into water another Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi, "Not good enough." Zabuza swung his sword to cut Kakashi in half for real this time but Kakashi ducked at the last minute. When the sword hit the ground Zabuza switched hands and used the momentum to kick Kakashi hard in the chest which sent him flying all the way into the water. Zabuza ran after him, sword in hand, but he stopped when he reached the edge of the water.
"Hmph Akibichi spikes, as if that would have stopped me." He turned around and did a back flip in the air, landing in the water.
"Sensei!" Naruto shouted trying to locate Kakashi.
'I can't believe how Kakashi-sensei was kicked in the air like that. What are we going to do?' thought Sakura.
"His physical abilities are exceptional." Sasuke said to himself as he remembered the strength of the kick. Sasuke looked to around at his teammates and noticed that Akina was staring at the water as if there was something there.
'What is she looking at?' He thought as he looked at the water seeing nothing. Kakashi appeared from beneath the water gasping for air but the water didn't feel right to him.
'Something feels different about the water.' His suspicion was confirmed when Akina yelled to him, " Sensei you need to get out of the water now!" But she was too late. Zabuza stood behind Kakashi and began performing multiple hand-signs.
"You fool, Water Prison Jutsu!"
"No!" A sphere of water enclosed around Kakashi, trapping him in one place. Zabuza's right arm was inside of the sphere to hold it together.
"This prison may be made of water but it's stringer than steel. You can't fight if you're stuck in one spot. So much for the great Copy-Cat Ninja. I'll finish you off later but before that say good-bye to your little students." Making a sign with is left hand he said, "Water Clone Jutsu." Water began to rise and began to take on the shape of Zabuza. The clone stepped off of the lake and onto the land near the genin and bridge builder.
"Whoever called you shinobi are fools. Only when you have been on the border of life and death so many times will you be shinobi. When you have become so deadly that your name is entered into my bingo book, then you will have earned the title of shinobi. But to call weaklings like you shinobi is a joke." Suddenly he disappeared as the mist became thick once again. Naruto let out a surprise gasp as he was sent flying into the air, his head band falling off from the force of Zabuza's kick. It clinked as it landed on the ground before Zabuza stepped on it.
"You're all just a bunch of brats."
"Naruto!" Sakura yelled.
From the within the sphere Kakashi called out to them, though his voice muffled by the water.
"Everyone listen! Get the bridge builder and get out of here! The water clone can't go far from the original body. This is a fight you can't win now run!"
'Running can't be an option sensei. It wasn't an option anymore the moment you landed in that water. Either way he would hunt us down and eliminate us on the spot. We have to fight our way out but we need you.' The promise of a fight had run through her veins preparing her body for whatever pain she may experience and the adrenaline washed away her doubt. As she looked around Akina saw that Naruto, Sakura, and Tazuna were trembling like leaves as they stared at Zabuza. She noticed wasn't anymore he had this look of determination in his eyes and body, she didn't recognize him as the trembling boy from 5 minutes ago.
'At least someone will fight with me.' She thought as she watched Sasuke attack. He ran towards Zabuza throwing shuriken at him which he deflected with his sword. Sasuke used this opportunity of momentary blindness to jump in the air and attack him with a kunai from above. Zabuza was stunned for a second until he saw Sasuke in the air.
'Too easy.' He thought as he caught Sasuke's neck in a tight hold and then threw him to the side like a rag doll.
"Sasuke no!" Sakura yelled.
"H-he got Sasuke." Naruto said as he slowly turned to face Zabuza, his fear taking over his mind and body.
'So this is what a jounin really is, a unique ninja. I-I have to get out of here before he kills me.' As Naruto turned around to get away he didn't see Zabuza grab the hilt of his sword.
"Naruto watch out!" Kakashi yelled from inside the water prison. The sound of metal hitting metal silenced the area. Naruto turned around confused as to why he wasn't hurt. Standing in front of was Akina using two kunai to hold off Zabuza's sword. Akina was panting slightly from her effort but she refused to give in, it wasn't in her nature to.
'This girl is impressive being able to hold off not only the sword but she is trying to match my strength as well. She's an impressive one indeed.' While he was in thought he didn't notice Akina building up chakra in her arms. In one quick motion she raised both of her arms lifting his sword out of the way and kicked the clone in the gut hard. The clone was beyond shocked as his body went flying backwards and landed near the edge of the lake on his feet. Everyone was shocked at Akina's display of her power and control never expecting she could do something like that. The clone stood up over his shock and began to chuckle as he did before.
"Well well you truly are something. You're above the level of these weaklings so where did you learn to control your power?" Zabuza asked.
"From the same place that you're from." Akina answered to him.
"Hm so you're from the Village Hidden in the Mist too. Then I shouldn't be surprised that you have such control. The Leaf Village always was too soft on their kids, babying them in everything. While the Hidden Mist was always pitting you against one another and teaching the kids how to harness their bloodlust early. We aren't made to be soft like them."
"You're right we aren't made to be as soft as them.", Akina said as she picked up Naruto's headband, "But if you only have bloodlust to drive you in missions then you will become a monster, an empty soul whose sole purpose is to destroy. The Leaf Village's 'softness' allows people to remain somewhat human and not a killing machine." Akina gave Naruto his headband back and turned to face him again.
"We are not the same you enjoy the kill for pleasure and I will only kill to protect those who need to be protected." Zabuza narrowed his eyes at her as she did the same.
'Akina protected me when I tried to run away like some pathetic coward. I won't let my fear get to me again as long as I have my friends with me I can do it! I am a ninja now, BELIEVE IT!' Naruto snapped out of his thoughts and let Akina's words encourage him to speak.
"Hey freak with no eyebrows write this in your bingo book. The ninja who will become Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Someone who will never back down, Naruto Uzumaki. And his greatest ANBU captain Akina Yukito. Remember it." The mood changed in the air as both Naruto and Akina's words brought back the hope in everyone's hearts.
"Hey Sasuke can you hear me?" Naruto whispered.
"Yeah what do you want?" Sasuke replied.
"I have a plan."
"So you finally started to think about teamwork."Sasuke turning to him.
"So what's the plan boss man?" Akina asked as they came closer together.
'Naruto really has changed since we left the village, he looks so determined now.' Sakura thought as she was awed by Naruto's 'transformation'.
"Alright guys. LET'S GO WILD!"
Hope you guys enjoyed it cause it took some work. As always review please!