Naruto: Xenonin

Disclaimer: This will be an Aliens X Naruto fanfiction, neither of which is my own. With that said I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 10: From D to C and Above

It had been a month ever since Team Seven was formed and they were currently undertaking one of the most infamous missions the ninjas of Konohagakure has ever known…

"This is Banshee, target has moved to your location, Raven."

Nodding in acknowledgement, another voice known as Raven replied, "Understood. Xeno, I'm intercepting the target now. Be ready for its arrival at your location."

"Got it, just make sure not to kill the target this time."

Snorting, Raven said, "I should be more worried about you killing the target."

Before Xeno and Raven could argue, a fourth voice interrupted, "Everyone, we can banter later after we complete the mission. For now, please focus on capturing the target UNHARMED."

Understanding the order, Banshee, Raven and Xeno replied, "Acknowledged, Cyclops."

Scene Change

Tora, a runaway cat with a red ribbon on its right ear, was running for its dear life as it was being hunted. Not by mere armatures or children, whom it can avoid and even strike back, but true hunters that can kill it and had, amongst other things, shot blue bolts of pure energy, breathed flames and even sent monsters of nightmares at it. The only group of hunters worse than that particular group is that one group comprised of three females similar to that tailed monster-summoner. Tora shivered as it recalled how they summoned their own monsters, which can spit acid and black webbing, and even changed into monsters themselves to hunt it down. Needless to say, the cat would never want to face them ever again. Even so, Tora would take that risk for its freedom from that demon which seemed hell-bent to hug it into suffocated oblivion.

Sensing danger, a sense it has honed after years of avoiding its less dangerous pursuers, the cat barely avoided getting caught by a raven-haired boy who was using a net to capture it. Running away from the boy, Tora was thankful that he had not decided to breath fire again as it was almost burnt alive at that incident after it landed onto his head, with bared claws, and used it as a jumping platform. The pink-haired hunter was no better either as she almost turned the cat into a bloody paste when she tried to punch it after scratching her face with its claws. The worst however had to be the tailed blond boy as he was the monster-summoner like those three tailed girls that still haunt its nightmares.

Dashing out of the bushes into a circular clearing, the cat suddenly heard, "Gotcha!" Recognizing that voice, the cat froze in both shock and terror as it saw monsters with black chitin for skin rising out of the shadows led by that same accursed tailed boy. Tora's fur were ramrod straight as the cat hissed in impotent fury at the drooling eyeless monsters with clawed hands and feet, sharp teeth and bladed tails. Grinning manically, the blond boy said, "Now be a good little kitty and hold still."

As the monsters charged forwards to capture, Tora's cries of terror and despair could be heard throughout the forest…

Scene Change

Madam Shijimi, a chubby woman and the wife of the Fire Daimyo, was hugging her precious Tora, which was currently wrapped in black resinous webbing, and was glaring angrily at Team Seven as a sheepish Kakashi explained, "Well… in our defence, we did exercise a lot more restraint this time." Indeed, the last time they captured Tora, Sasuke almost cooked it alive with his fire jutsu while Sakura almost pounded it into meat sauce and tried to shoot it with her chakra-magnum. Naruto on the other hand was using the same capture strategy as before but suffered a whole lot less scratches than before.

Glaring at the man, Madam Shimiji said, "Be thankful that we're in a hurry and that your team of savages is the most efficient capture team available!" Hugging Tora more closely, to the cat's pained despair, she added, "And don't think I've forgotten that your tailed boy had dared to tell me that I'm mistreating my precious Tora-chan after what he and the rest of your team had done to it!" Turning away with a haughty huff, Madam Shimiji left the Hokage's office while hugging her cat to comfort it. Unfortunately for Tora, her overly affectionate and tight hugs are giving pain and terror rather than comfort and safety.

Seeing the chubby woman leave, Hiruzen sighed and said, "That went better than expected." The last time Team Seven set off to capture the cat, Madam Shimiji almost got her husband to cut all funding to Konohagakure. Turning his gaze upon Naruto, he asked, "Did you honestly have to use your shadow drones and hive-webbing to capture Tora, again?"

"Have you ever tried to capture an animal with five sharp ends out of six with your bare hands without harming it, Hokage-jiji?" asked Naruto.

Nodding in empathic understanding, Hiruzen said, "Well, since your team has already completed that D-ranked mission, and quite quickly at that, I suppose I could give you some more missions to deal with."

"No offence Hokage-jiji but can't we take a C-ranked this time? We've been doing D-ranked for a whole month now and I doubt we'll get any better as ninjas if we keep doing those missions." Inwardly, Naruto thought, "Not to mention that even the most patient of hunters have their limits. I mean, seriously, weeding gardens and painting fences?"

Considering Naruto's request, Hiruzen had to admit that Naruto did have a point. In fact, the four genin teams formed out of Naruto's graduating class are quite frankly outstanding in their ability to work together to accomplish missions and are already quite ready to undertake the less dangerous C-ranked missions. Iruka, who was standing beside Hiruzen to help him with mission assignments, however was a bit ambivalent due to his desire to protect Naruto despite already knowing of his abilities. While understanding of Iruka's worry, Hiruzen had faith in Naruto as he asked Kakashi, "Do you feel that they are ready for a C-rank?"

Nodding, Kakashi said, "More than ready in fact." Despite their differences and disagreements, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura are willing to work together as a team to accomplish their missions and are strong enough individually to at least take on lower-ranked chuunin.

Seeing that Kakashi and his entire team are willing to take a C-ranked mission, Hiruzen said, "Very well. Team Seven, your mission is to protect a bridge builder named Tazuna from the moment you escort him out of these walls until he finishes his bridge at the Land of Waves."

Grinning, Naruto said, "Alright, thanks Hokage-jiji!"

Chuckling, Hiruzen turned his attention to a resigned but hopeful Iruka and said, "Please bring in the client."

A moment later, Iruka returned with a bespectacled elderly man with grey hair, including his short beard, and wore a pointed hat, a pair of glasses and carries a towel around his neck. Looking at the children after taking another swig of his bottle of sake, the man who must be Tazuna commented, "Hey, I requested for ninjas, not a bunch of brats including a super weird one."

Well aware of who is the "super weird brat", Naruto raised his bladed tail and said, "You have no idea, old man."

Raising an eyebrow at the boy's unexpected response, Tazuna decided not to comment further about his weird getup including his tail, dorsal vents and clawed hands and feet. Besides, drunk or not, even he knew children do not normally have these traits.

Stepping forward, Kakashi said, "While my genin team are indeed young children who have just recently graduated from the academy this year, I can assure you that I am more than competent enough to protect not only them but you as well, Tazuna-san."

Impressed by the man whom even he knew as the famous Copycat Ninja, Tazuna said, "Right, let's get going then. The sooner we leave with your brats, the sooner I can get my bridge done!"

After Tazuna left, Team Seven was about to leave as well to prepare for the mission when Hiruzen requested, "Naruto, Kakashi, please stay here. I need to discuss with you both concerning Naruto's unique traits." Well aware what traits Hiruzen was talking about, as it is quite hard not to notice Naruto's tail and dorsal vents, both Sasuke and Sakura did not think to ask about it as they left.

Once they are sure that Sakura and Sasuke are out of earshot, Naruto asked, "So, it is about my "Xeno-problem" or my "fuzzy problem"?"

"The former actually although, now that you mentioned about it, I would like to know if both of your teammates know about the latter yet," replied Hiruzen.

Shaking his head, Naruto said, "No, I don't really trust them and we both know why."

Well aware of Haruno Yutani, who is one of Nartuto's more aggressive tormentors, and the masked Uchiha, who had attacked Konohagakure on the day Naruto was born, Hiruzen sighed and said, "While I understand your distrust, please remember that they are your teammates, not your tormentors despite blood relations, and that sooner or later they will realize about Kurama."

Suddenly, Naruto's voice changed as he spoke, "Perhaps, but we both know that those two brats are not exactly the most observant when it comes to my vessel."

Unperturbed by the change in the boy's voice, Hiruzen argued, "Maybe so, Kurama, but even a blind man can feel your chakra and I highly doubt that they will miss your presence should Naruto ever decides to call fourth your power."

Snorting, the Kurama-possessed Naruto said, "Point, but until my vessel decides to call fourth my power they will remain ignorant of me which is for the best considering who his teammates are related to despite your claims." After a moment of silent pause, Naruto's voice changed back to normal as he spoke, "Damn, that felt weird." Inwardly, the boy complained, "And don't butt into my mind so suddenly like that next time!"

"Just be glad that we're in relatively amicable terms despite everything that has happened, brat. Otherwise I would have killed you and the rest of your damned village for my years of imprisonment," replied Kurama who did not even bother to hide that statement from Hiruzen or Kakashi.

Sighing, Hiruzen said, "Nevertheless, be prepared for the possibility of using Kurama's powers during this mission. Even a kage can die from a mortal injury."

Nodding in understanding, Naruto said, "Gotcha, so what about my "Xeno-problem"?"

"We have reason to believe that there may be a drug market in the Land of Waves, a drug known as Chakra-Zip. We managed to get a sample of the drug and found out that it is actually a derivative of Xenomorph Royal Jelly," explained Hiruzen.

Narrowing his eyes beneath his mask, Naruto growled, "Which means that Orochimaru or Danzo may be involved."

Nodding in grim confirmation, Hiruzen said, "With that possibility, the mission may be easily B or A-ranked, S-ranked even if Orochimaru or Danzo are directly involved."

Concerned, Kakashi asked, "Do you believe that Tazuna-san is involved with the drug dealing?"

Shaking his head, Hiruzen said, "Unlikely, we had Naruto's sisters check him and they said that he does not smell of it."

"Well, if they can't smell the stuff on him then he's not likely to be even exposed to the stuff," said Naruto who then added, "That doesn't answer who's in charge of that market though, assuming there is one."

"Indeed, that is why I need you and Kakashi to investigate this matter while protecting Tazuna-san. If there is indeed one, inform me immediately and I will send reinforcements." Hiruzen then pointedly added, "DO NOT engage the enemy before they arrive."

"Understood, Hokage-sama/jiji," replied both Naruto and Kakashi.

Scene Change

Before long, Team Seven have assembled at the gates of Konohagakure with their client. Once a man whose name is often associated with tardiness, Kakashi had been forced to be on time even during non-missions due to Naruto threatening him with exposure to more of Midori's Uke Uke. Needless to say, the man begrudgingly agreed to everyone's amusement.

Present to see them off were the guards, a man with brown hair that covers his right eye named Kamizuki Izumo and a man with spiky black hair, dark eyes, has a light-coloured marking on his chin and wears bandages over the bridge of his nose named Hagane Kotetsu. Also present were Naruto's sisters with their jounin leader, Anko. Unlike the other teams, their missions mostly involved improving the village's security as well as help educate people, including academy students and genin, how to combat enemy Xenomorphs. As such, most of their missions tend to be within the village even though many of them are C-ranked by nature. Grinning at his sisters, Naruto asked, "You girls dropped by to see us off?"

Nodding, Hoyuki replied, "Take care of yourself, brother."

Shiroko nodded in agreement with Hoyuki while Midori happily chirped, "Be sure to bring us some souvenirs, Naru-niichan!"

Smirking, Anko added, "Just be sure to be on your toes while on this mission. It's your first time being outside the village and while I'd love to hear how you got caught with your pants down, failing the mission or getting killed is a big no even for me. Iruka will never be the same if anything permanently bad happens to you."

Giving Team Thirteen a thumb's up, Naruto promised, "Will do, Anko-neechan!"

"Are you done yet? We're in a bit of a super hurry here," said Tazuna who could not help but be unnerved by the "family resemblance" between Naruto with his three sisters. More sober than before, Tazuna was forced to realize that the children's tails, dorsal vents and clawed limbs are indeed real. The fact that they all wore the same mask which hides their eyes and that the girls all spoke with telepathy only made them appear even more unnerving.

Turning his attention to Tazuna, Naruto said, "Yeah, I'm just about done." At the same time as he spoke, Naruto secretly informed his sisters that he and Kakashi will investigate about the Chakra-Zip via telepathy. He then turned his attention to his sisters and said, "We'll I better get going for my first C-rank. I'll tell you girls how it went once we get back."

Unexpectedly, the three girls all gave Naruto a hug as Hoyuki spoke, "We'll wait for your return, brother."

Smiling, Naruto hugged them back and said, "And I'll definitely come back even if my tail, arms and legs are broken, believe it!"

Scene Change

After leaving the village, Team Seven made their way towards the Land of Waves. As they travelled, Tazuna had to ask Naruto who is taking the forward position while Kakashi took the rear and Sakura and Sasuke walked beside the bridge builder, "Say, why do you keep your eyes hidden like that? It's super creepy, you know!"

Grinning, Naruto answered, "Exactly!"

Blinking at Naruto's reply, Tazuna was speechless for a moment until he asked, "And your super weird parts?"

Raising his tail for emphasis, Naruto replied, "As real as any other part of my body."

"…Do I even want to know how you and your sisters became that way?" asked Tazuna.

Remembering that terrible scary night-time story during Hoyuki's first field trip with the rest of her classmates, Sakura quickly said, "No, you're much better off not knowing. I couldn't sleep properly for days because of it!"

Staring at the pink-haired girl's grimacing expression, Tazuna wisely chose not to pry for details from Naruto when the tailed boy suddenly said, "Everyone, wait."

Stopping, everyone wondered what was wrong until Kakashi noticed a puddle on the road. While Sakura, Sasuke and Tazune were still clueless, Kakashi thought, "Of course, Naruto has been a hunter for months now and he of all people would notice that a puddle in the middle of the road despite not having any rain for days is suspicious."

"What is it, dobe?" asked Sasuke. While acknowledging Naruto as his equal, at best, Sasuke never really got rid of his habit of calling Naruto dobe, the dead last.

Without further notice, Naruto spat a small greenish blob at the puddle which arced into the air before landing into the puddle. Raising an eyebrow, Sakura had to ask, "Okay, was that really necessary?" She got her answer quickly enough when two masked men who are connected to one another by a bladed chain attached to their clawed gauntlets burst out of the puddle while screaming about their burning eyes.

Turning his attention towards the others, Naruto asked, "Does that answer your question?"

Sakura, Sasuke and Tazuna nodded in affirmation while Kakashi calmly spoke, "Well, might as well as start asking these two."

Scene Change

Due to being incapacitated by the Naruto's acidic spit, the two men who are also known as the Demon Brothers were easily captured. However, as the acidic spit was diluted by their water-based technique, they suffered no permanent damage and their eyes were soon treated by Sakura.

Staring at the two glaring men who wore rebreather masks which covered their lower faces including their noses, Kakashi asked, "Alright, who sent you and who's your target?"

"Like hell we're going to tell you anything!" spat the Demon Brother whose forehead protector bore two horns, Meizu.

Smiling, Kakashi replied, "Is that so?" Turning his attention to Naruto, he said, "Naruto, if you may?"

Nodding in acknowledgement, Naruto stepped forward and said, "Xenojutsu, Shadow-Burster." Creating a shadow-burster which coiled around Meizu's neck, Naruto threatened him, "Either you start talking or I'll have my little friend here hurt you." To prove his point, Naruto ordered the hissing shadow-burster to coil more tightly around the man's neck while its fanged mouth seemed ready to bite his ear off.

Unnerved by Naruto's technique, Meizu was close to cracking when his brother, who wears a forehead protector that bears a single horn known as Gouzu, growled, "Why don't you ask your client? I'm sure he'd love to tell you why we're after his life."

Surprised by the revelation, as confrontation against enemy ninjas are usually B-ranked above, Kakashi turned his attention to Tazuna and asked, "Tazuna-san, is it true that they are after your life?"

Realizing that he could no longer hide his deception, Tazuna's shoulders slumped as he sighed, "It is probably true."

Narrowing his eyes, Kakashi asked, "Why?"

Sighing, Tazune proceeded to explain, "Unless I'm mistaken, there's a super dangerous man who's after my life, a man rich enough to hire ninjas to do his dirty work."

"And who might that man be?" asked Kakash.

"You're probably heard about him already, the shipping tycoon, Gatou."

Hearing the identity of the man who may want Tazuna dead, Kakashi asked, "Gatou, as in the man in charge of Gatou Shipping Cooperation?"

Nodding, Tazuna said, "The one and the same. Officially, he's the leader of a shipping cooperation but he also secretly controls the black market including drugs, weapons and even slaves. Using gang members and even ninjas to enforce his control with violence as well as underhanded bribes, that man had taken control of Wave a year ago and now has complete monopoly over the shipping activities which we rely on for our economy. The only thing he fears of now is the completion of the bridge which will break his monopoly over our country's economy."

"I'm assuming that you cannot afford to pay for better protection due to that monopoly," said Kakashi.

"Our country is really super poor so I really can't afford for better protection even if I wanted to," replied Tazuna.

Having a better understanding of Tazuna's admittedly desperate situation, Kakashi turned his attention towards his students and said, "Due to the involvement of enemy ninjas, this mission is now beyond the current norm of a typical C-ranked mission. While Naruto has done a good job in dealing with the infamous Demon Brothers, I'll rather not take any further risks unless you are all in for it."

Stepping forward, Naruto said, "I'm in. It's going to take a lot more than a couple of obvious flunkies for ninjas to scare me."

While Meizu and Gouzu growled in obvious displeasure, Sasuke said, "I'm with the dobe here. If these two are the best Gatou can send to kill our client, I doubt our mission will be all that dangerous for us. We've faced worse back at the academy than this." Sakura nodded in wholehearted agreement with Sasuke, not just because she's a fangirl but also because it is the truth. Compared to facing a whole swarm of Shadow-Xenomorphs which are allowed to freely attack in any way as long as no permanent physical damage is done, the two careless Demon Brothers are hardly anything special other than their willingness to maim and kill.

Seeing that all three genin are in agreement, Kakashi said, "Alright, but just in case, I'm sending word to Hokage-sama about the circumstances of this mission and to request for backup." Hearing no argument, Kakashi proceeded to summon one of his ninja dogs and sent it off to send the message to Hiruzen. Leaving a few shadow-drones behind to make sure that the Demon Brothers would not escape, the Konohagakure ninjas proceeded on with their mission…

Scene Change

Before long, Team Seven and their client arrived at the Land of Wave without further incident. Disembarking from a small boat that brought them across, the group then made their way towards Tazuna's home.

Thanks to his unique senses which are not impaired by dark or misty conditions, Naruto was the first to notice that something was off when he stopped walking and telepathically spoke to the rest of his team, "Guy's, we might have trouble heading our way."

"Hearing" Naruto's warning, the rest of Team Seven knew that they could be in serious danger as the immediately braced themselves for combat. It did not take very long for Naruto's warning to come true as the mist suddenly became thicker while a voice chuckled and asked, "Tell me, what exactly gave me away?" Stepping out of the mist was a tall muscular man with pale skin, short spiky black hair, brown eyes and hardly any eyebrows who is also dressed in baggy pants, wrist and leg warmers, a belt in place of a shirt to hold a huge large cleaver-like sword on his back as well as bandages to cover his nose and mouth and a Kirigakure headband tied sideways on his head.

"Like we're going to tell you!" growled Naruto as he assumed his Xeno-Ravager form. Both Tazuna and Zabuza were shocked as Naruto changed into a monster with long claws and no eyes.

Recognizing the man, Kakashi said, "Momochi Zabuza, the Demon of the Mist, formerly one of the Seven Swordsmen until becoming a missing-nin due to attempting to betray the Mizukage of Kirigakure."

Taking his eyes off the admittedly dangerous-looking monster-boy, Zabuza smirked and said, "And you must be Hatake Kakashi, the famous Copycat ninja of Konohagakure whom rumours claimed had copied over a thousand different ninja techniques thanks to your Sharingan implant."

Not taking his eyes off the former Kirigakure ninja, Kakashi asked, "Did Gatou hire you as well to kill our client?"

"To put it in one word, yes," replied Zabuza before disappearing back into the mist. Tense, everyone could hear his voice as he ominously spoke from seemingly everywhere from within the mist around them, ""Eight points... Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, lungs, heart... which will I use to kill you...?"

While Sakura and Sasuke were trembling slightly with fear, to Zabuza's mild surprise as he never knew that they had already experienced killing intent from Naruto's sisters, Naruto calmly spoke, "Personally, I'd rather not be picky but if I have to choose a point, I'd choose the neck or the lungs. I'd rather not destroy the liver, heart or the brain though since they're pretty tasty after you cook them."

Blinking, Zabuza was stunned for a moment before he laughed, "You're alright, for a Konohagakure genin anyway." Suddenly appearing behind Kakashi, he added, "But you still have a long way to go before you even have a chance against me." Swinging his sword, the man would have decapitated Kakashi had he not ducked low and countered with a kick which forced him to back away.

While he had expected Kakashi be able to avoid getting killed, he certainly did not expect Naruto to attack as the boy spat acid at him as he dodged Kakashi's kick. Blocking the acid with his sword, Zabuza's eyes widened in shock as the acid ate away his weapon. With his sword weakened by the acid, Zabuza knew that he was biting more than he could chew as Sakura and Sasuke took out their chakra-firearms and shot bots of chakra at him. Not wanting to damage his sword further, Zabuza was forced to dodge the bolts and retreat back into the mist where they would not able to take aim at him. Glaring at the three genin, Zabuza silently growled, "Damn, I definitely need to rethink my strategy!"

"If you think that you have time to rethink your strategy, think again."

Shocked, Zabuza turned around and barely avoided being stabbed in the back by a kunai as he deflected the blow. Holding the kunai was Kakashi who had revealed his Sharingan and spoke, "Your life ends here, Momochi Zabuza."

Rather than argue against Kakashi, Zabuza instead smirked as he spoke, "Assuming you even find the right one."

Realizing his mistake, Kakashi barely avoided getting cleaved into two as another Zabuza appeared behind him and swung his sword. While weakened by Naruto's acid, the sword still possesses enough edge and durability to easily kill a man. Glaring at the two identical swordsmen, Kakashi swore, "Damn, a water clone."

Smirking at Kakashi, Zabuza made a second clone and sent the both of them to attack the three children and their client. Knowing that elemental clones generally possess only a small portion of the original's chakra reserves at best, Kakashi restrained his sense of relief as he continued to fight against the masked opponent…

Scene Change

As Kakashi fought against Zabuza, Sasuke and Sakura were holding off Zabuza's clones with their chakra-firearms while Naruto assumed a different form, "Xenojutsu, Xeno-Drone."

Looking almost like his default form, minus his clothes, with the exception of having a complete dome covering the upper part of his head as well as more extensive chitin armour, Naruto proceeded to spit globs of hive webbing which explode upon impact to ensnare the distracted clones. With the clones ensnared, Naruto did his next move, "Xeno-Jutsu, Acid Web!" Upon saying the command, the hive webbing secreted acid which dispelled the two water clones…

Scene Change

Realizing that his two clones have been easily dispelled, Zabuza swore as he asked, "Since when did you Konohagakure softies become so damned competent?" While his clones could easily avoid and deflect the chakra-projectiles, the missing-nin had to admit that the acidic webbing is new even to him.

Smiling in pride for his students as well as in amusement at Zabuza's growing unease, Kakashi said, "Let's just say a lot has happened over the past year and leave it at that."

Peering at the smiling man, Zabuza mentally deadpanned, "Understatement of the damned week." Deflecting Kakashi's thrown kunai, Zabuza decided to retreat quickly as he shrouded himself in mist and quickly fled from the masked man while under the cover of the mist. Confident in his ability to move silently, Zabuza quickly dove into a river and swam away while he left another pair of water clones to distract Kakashi and his admittedly dangerous genin. While confident that he can defeat Kakashi, even he knew better than to take him on and his genin at the same time even though they have a client to protect. Having decided that fighting against that particular team was not worth the current pay he was offered by Gatou, Zabuza thought, "I'm definitely demanding a damned raise for this mission!"

Scene Change

After realizing that the real Zabuza had fled, Team Seven chose not to continue pursuing him as their job is to protect Tazuna, not hunt down the missing-nin from Kirigakure. Considering that Zabuza had fled by river and that Kirigakure ninjas are generally even more dangerous while in their element of water, not even Sasuke argued with Kakashi as he told the team to proceed escorting Tazuna to his home. Before they proceeded however, Naruto created a few shadow-bursters to scout around and find any information about Zabuza and Gatou. While it is true that finding information about the man that wants Tazuna dead and his hired assassin is indeed advantageous, Sakura, Sasuke and Tazuna did not know that Naruto also did it to find out about the Chakra-Zip drug. Then again, Gatou is an infamous shipping tycoon so drug-dealing is hardly surprising regardless.

Before long, the team and their client returned home without further incident. Greeting them was a dark-haired young woman named Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter, who was glad that her father had returned safely although she was deeply apologetic towards the Konohagakure ninjas that have been duped to undertake the mission. Waving his hand dismissively, Kakashi reassured her, "That's alright, Tsunami-san, we chose to continue with the mission regardless and will be receiving reinforcements soon."

Next to appear was a boy wearing a hat which partially his hid dark eyes. Staring at them, the boy simply said, "You're all going to die."

Blinking, Naruto asked, "Who the hell is the gloomy kid?"

Insulted, the boy shouted, "Just go back to whatever place you came from! No one can beat Gatou and he'll kill you for even trying!" Before anyone could say anything, the boy rushed back upstairs to his room.

Seeing the boy go, Tsunami sighed sadly and explained, "That was my son, Inari. Please forgive his behaviour, he wasn't always like that."

Sighing, Tazuna muttered, "The boy had not been the same ever since Kaiza died."

Due to his keen hearing, Naruto heard the name and asked, "Kaiza?"

"Inari's adoptive father, and a brave man who dared to stand up to Gatou," explained Tsunami who wore a sorrowful expression.

Realizing what had happened, Naruto nodded in understanding as he spoke, "We will help your father complete that bridge, believe it."

Smiling gratefully, Tsunami thanked the strange boy…

Scene Change

After eating dinner, which Inari rudely refused to join, Naruto excused himself and left the house. Hiding under the shadows, he assumed his Xeno-Praetorian form to communicate with his shadow-bursters which are still exploring the area. Upon assuming his Xeno-form, Naruto's mind was flooded by the memories of his bursters as he mentally thought, "Okay, managed to locate Zabuza's hideout… and that shorty has got to be Gatou if his rich slime-ball attitude is anything to go by… damn, that pretty girl managed to find and kill my bursters at the hideout… found some of Gatou's buildings and man they're loaded with stuff…! Bingo! Found the Xeno-Zip stuff and… oh sweet mother of Kami…!"

Naruto's last thought accidentally became a telepathic message thus alerting everyone in Tazuna's house of his distress. Although unable to find Naruto's exact location, Kakashi and Naruto's teammates nevertheless knew his general location thanks to his telepathy and thus appeared as the masked jounin worriedly asked, "What is it, Naruto?"

Trembling, Naruto explained, "… the Source… Gatou has the Source!"

It took a moment to understand Naruto's panicked explanation before all three other ninjas paled in horror as they realized what Naruto meant. Quickly swallowing his growing terror, Kakashi asked, "Are you certain of this?"

Nodding, Naruto explained, "It's not the real deal… but it's definitely similar to it!"

While Sakura stifled her gasp by placing her hands over her mouth, Sasuke asked, "How similar are we talking about here?"

"Similar enough to turn anyone into a Xenomorph-hybrid," said Naruto.

"And the other types of Mala'Kak bioweapons?" asked Kakashi.

Shaking his head Naruto said, "Probably not, but this mission is pretty much S-Ranked as it is now!"

Trembling, Sakura asked, "But how… how did Gatou manage to get his hands on the Black Liquid?" Being one of the brighter students when it comes to academics, Sakura knew full well that the Black Liquid was the pinnacle of the Mala'Kak's self-adaptive bioweapons before it led to the creation of the Xenomorphs which also consider the Black Liquid as their "Source". A highly contagious mutagen, the Black Liquid is capable of mutating any life form into deadly monstrosities which the Mala'Kak can then use as their standard bioweapons and the Xenomorphs were not the only horrific results.

Parasite-X which can perfectly mimic their hosts right down to their memories and health defects as well transform themselves into horrific mockeries of their hosts when provoked to fight, including breaking apart into smaller monsters or fusing together into horrors of titanic proportions, and can only be killed by complete cellular destruction through fire…

The Flood, a species of parasites which infest their hosts and then feed on their dying or decaying bodies to either multiply or grow into their "true forms" which include their biological starships…

Ichor, a plant-like life form which leech the land of its minerals, thereby leaving it completely barren, to produce deceptively beautiful crystals that will either kill or mutate any nearby living being as well as generate vicious ionic storms…

Needless to say, just the mere idea that the Black Liquid has been recreated, even if it is only to a limited extent as the Xenomorphs are ironically one of the more controllable resulting bioweapons, is the stuff of nightmares to anyone that knows what it is capable of, and have seen all of its horrific results through the collective memories of the Xenomorph species and their infested victims.

"This is bad, if Gatou has gotten his hands on that substance that would mean that either Orochimaru or Danzou have successfully recreated it!" thought Kakashi. Considering the kind of people Orochimaru and Danzou are, the jounin just knew that it would only be a matter of time before the Ninja World suffers a doomsday event. Turning his attention to Naruto's general direction, he said, "Naruto, use your Xeno-Psyker form to inform Hokage-sama about the Black Liquid immediately."

Surprised, Naruto asked, "Are you sure that's a good idea, Kakashi-sensei?"

Shaking his head, Kakashi admitted, "To be honest, no. However, the sooner we can warn Konohagakure about the threat, the sooner we can prepare ourselves for the coming war against the hybrids. Just keep the message minimal."

Nodding in understanding, Naruto assumed his Xeno-Psyker form and began sending a telepathic message directly to Hiruzen. While certainly effective in sending messages across large distances as well as to communicate with multiple recipients, the method is potentially risky due to the possibility of having the message tapped by outsiders, especially by individuals which bear Xenomorphic traits, unless one has both the power necessary to send the message across and the control necessary to conceal and "encrypt" it. Although he certainly has the power, Naruto lacks the control necessary to properly conceal or encrypt the message hence the potential risk as he telepathically spoke, "Warning… Source found… requesting immediate action…"

Scene Change

Meanwhile, in Konohagakure, Hiruzen was signing documents as usual when he received the message, "Warning… Source found… requesting immediate action…"

Recognizing it to be Naruto's telepathic message, the elderly man was horrified by the implications as he knew what Naruto was talking about…

Scene Change

A Konohagakure support team was close to arriving at the Land of Waves when they "heard" the message Naruto had sent out. Dressed in concealing cloaks, the four individuals were shocked by what the message was implying.

The first to recover was the leader of the group, Mitarashi Anko, as she turned her attention towards her companions and asked, "You girls heard that?"

Nodding, one of the three girls spoke, "We must hurry. The Source will make even weak humans dangerous."

"Naru-niichan needs our help more than ever now!" cried the smallest of the girls. The third girl was silent but nodded in agreement with the other two.

"Right, let's pick up the pace and get there ASAP!" as Anko led the other three girls who are actually Naruto's sisters, Anko prayed, "I just hope we can complete this mission in time to rush back and protect Konohagakure…!"

Scene Change

Gatou, a short middle-aged man dressed in an expensive tuxedo was fuming. Not too long ago, he along with two of his most-trusted mercenaries went to Zabuza's current hideout to demand an explanation about his failure to kill the accursed bridge builder. Rather than apologize for his failure, the missing-nin from Kirirgakure actually had the nerve to demand more money due to the unexpectedly dangerous nature of the assassination mission. While Zabuza did indeed explain about the ninjas protecting Tazuna, namely Hatake Kakashi, his two genins who wielded unusual chakra-powered firearms and especially the strange tailed genin who can spit acid and transform into monstrous forms, the arrogant greedy man refused to accept his explanation. In a moment of petty rage, Gatou ordered his men to attack Zabuza to remind him of his place, only to watch in horror as Zabuza easily killed them with a single swipe of his still-damaged sword which started repairing itself before his eyes. Having lost his guards, Gatou was forced to agree to Zabuza's demands for a raise despite his apparent incompetence in assassinating the bridge builder.

Gritting his teeth at the memory, Gatou growled, "If I cannot even trust the so-called Demon of the Mist to get the job done properly, then I'll just have to deal with it my way!"

Arriving at one of his many hidden warehouses which store his illegal goods including drugs and even slaves, Gatou wore a cruel smirk as he took out a sealed vial that contains a black liquid. "No one gets the better of me, no one!"

Scene Change

"Wait, what do you mean by the mission being S-ranked?" asked a shocked Tazuna.

"Unfortunately, we cannot give you all the details but, suffice to say, Gatou is dealing with things that not even our Hokage will carelessly trifle with," explained a grim Kakashi.

"Is it some sort of super-secret ninja weapon that he could sell for a super-lot of money?" asked Tazuna.

Shaking his head in negative, Kakashi answered, "Close, but not quite, it's even more dangerous than that."

While Tsunami and Tazuna paled slightly, Naruto suddenly perked and said, "Guys, my sisters and their sensei are coming!"

Realizing who Naruto is referring to, Kakashi sighed in relief as he thought, "Good, if there is anyone who could help us deal with this problem, if would be them." Turning his attention to the tailed blond, Kakashi asked, "How soon will they arrive?"

Grinning, Naruto answered, "At the speed they're coming, in a couple of days."

Scene Change

Momochi Zabuza, the Demon of the Mist, was busy testing his weapon which has the ability to repair itself by absorbing the blood of its victims. Thanks to Gatou's earlier "blood donation", the weapon is in much better condition than before although it still needs more blood to fully repair itself. While under Gatou's employ, Zabuza frankly despises him and had been planning to just kill him and take all of his money from the start. However, without knowing where he had hidden his money, killing him immediately will do little good.

"Zabuza-sama, how do you plan to kill the bridge builder?"

Turning his attention to an effeminate boy with black hair, large dark-brown eyes, pale-skin and a slender appearance, Zabuza replied, "If there is any way we can kill that bridge builder and get our pay, it would be by having you deal with those three brats while I deal with Kakashi. However, if by any chance they can somehow break past your techniques, things will get ugly for the both of us." While proud of his abilities and eager for a good fight, Zabuza is by no means a fool and knew that the three Konohagakure genin are not to be trifled with especially with Kakashi as their jounin instructor. Although confident that he could deal with the pink-haired girl and the brooding dark-haired boy who wielded those unusual weapons, Zabuza was admittedly less sure of tailed boy who could spit acid and change forms. There is also the fact that the effeminate boy, who is also his most loyal tool, had earlier encountered strange serpents which lack eyes and have black chitin for skin. Despite having eliminated the strange serpents, the fact that they dispelled into smoke upon dying indicates that they are probably summoned creatures and Zabuza has a suspicion of who is their summoner as he thought, "Just what the bloody hell is that tailed brat anyway?"

Deciding to worry about the tailed boy later, Zabuza turned his attention to his effeminate underling and said, "Have you prepared our travelling supplies?" Although the boy had killed the serpents, it never hurts to assume that their summoner already knows about their current location. As such, the two decided to shift to a separate location while Zabuza repairs his sword and Haku gathers any intelligence he could find concerning the Konohagakure team.

Nodding, the boy replied, "As well as traps for anyone foolish enough to break into this hideout."

Nodding in approval, Zabuza said, "Once my sword is fully repaired and we have a proper plan, we will deal with them!"

-Chapter Fin-

Note: Yes, this fanfiction has officially borrowed elements from the Prometheus film as well as The Thing, Halo, Metroid and C&C Tiberium Series. Admittedly, I'm following the early versions of tiberium which have plant-like traits. Hope you like this chapter and the possible conflicts this story will have.