Chapter 14-Training, Bridges, and Blood

The next day went as it was supposed to with Slade training Naruto, while everyone else except Sakura ad Hinata did chakra control exercises with Kakashi. Hinata was assigned to watch over Tazuna while Kurenai watched over Tsunami leaving Sakura to watch over a now less depressed Inari who seemed to not have such a sad look on his face. It seemed that whatever Slade said to the boy got him out of his depression and had lit a small fire under the boy's ass. 'He certainly has ways with children,' thought Tsunami and Kurenai as they could not help, but wonder to themselves what the man said to the boy to change his way of thinking.

Tazuna had explained to everyone what had happened with Inari and his surrogate father named Kaiza who saved Inari from drowning one day. That the man quickly became a hero in Inari's eyes from that day on and when that said man was later killed by Gatō and his thugs in front of everyone, it crushed the poor boy's heart. Even worse was Tsunami was planning on settling down with Kaiza and having another child with him, but with him gone it left her heart empty and aching inside. 'Damn that man and what he has done to them all! If and when I see him I'll crush him with my own two hands...just as he tried to crush this village,' thought Naruto as he sparred with Slade who felt and saw the look of hatred for the very person responisble for this country's poverty.

Naturally Slade was holding back as Naruto still had a very long way to go wehn trying to best him even if he took of the weights at his feet and arms. "Come on Naruto you can do better then this," said Slade ducking a spin kick before blocking a three punch combo before throwing the boy using his own momentum into a tree, which Naruto bounced off of to safer ground away from Slade.

"You know I can't beat you sensei and even if I could get close enough to you it would only because I removed my weights. Considering who may be nearby I'd rather not show off my abillities till the moment is right," said Naruto who surprisingly got a nod from Slade telling Naruto that the man understood.

Sasuke was livid that Naruto was beig trained by such a strong teacher that he decided to spy on the two to see just how strong Naruto and his sensei were. If he was angry before Sasuke was furious now as he saw that Naruto was not only stronger then, but was now getting stronger with every bit of training the boy went through. He was about to interrupt them in their current conversation when Kakashi had "poofed" into existence next to him. "You know I could train you seeing as you are my student Sasuke," said Kakashi in his usual lazy voice while watching Sasuke turn his head to look at him.

"What can you teach me?" said Sasuke not believing the Jounin as he had been nothing, but a joke in his eyes the entire time.

"Well considering that I am the Fourth Hokage's student and all as well as being the Son of the White Fang I think I can help you become stronger. Plus as you saw before I have a Sharingan Eye like you will with both of your eyes one day. With my help Sasuke you could become on par with Naruto if not better considering your bloodline limit and all," said Kakashi who held back a scowl when he looked at Slade feeling as if the demon was mocking him in some way with his metal masked face.

"Then teach me! Right her and now," said Sasuke in the same demanding voice as before as he needed to be stronger then Naruto at all costs.

"No. I can't at the moment. If I did it would raise unwanted suspicion among the others that I am being slightly unfair to them. When we get back to Kohona I'll train you, but for now stick with the chakra control exercise I gave you so when you use your clan's fire jutsu's you won't get worn out," said Kakashi who went "poof" out of Sasuke's line of sight before Sasuke could respond.

"Soon loser. Soon I'll be stronger and you'll be dead last on the ground at my feet...just as nature intended," said Sasuke as he left to perfect his chakra control even further.

(Meanwhile Several Hourse Later)

Kurenai had finished with escorting Tsunami with today's activities in record time and was now back at the house in the "girls" sleeping quarters sitting with her back against the wall with her butt on the ground. She couldn't help, but have what Slade told her yesterday replay itself in her mind as she had seen what he had all along and was still guilty of accusing him of flirting with Tazuna's daughter. 'I have to apologize to him later,' thought Kurenai as he took some flavored bottled water out of her pack and drank it.

"Yo! Am I interrupting something?" said Kakashi in his normal lazy manner that could only be his way of introduction.

Kurenai was startled at first because she was so deep in thought she didn't realize that the scarecrow looking Kakashi had knocked on the door of the room only to open it and see her in a slightly spaced out state. "Kakashi? What are you doing here?" said Kurenai as she was more then ready despite her thoughts to give the man the pervert bashing of a lifetime.

"What do you mean? Can't a fellow Jounin of the Leaf like myself try to talk to you like normal adults?" said Kakashi leaning against the wall of the room next to the sliding rice paper door like it was nothing.

"Kakashi you are anything, but normal and anything you want to talk about always ends up being related to that damn perverted book of yours," said Kurenai whose right eybrow was currently twitching up and down with frustration at the man.

"Alas poor Kurenai you wound me so," said Kakashi in a semi-shakespeare like way with a hand on his forehead as if to mock her.

"Just come out and say what you want to say Kakashi or I'll send you right to the Kohona Hosptial's Intensive Care Wing for 'lost appendages'," said an angry Kurenai as her right hand was itching for a kunai in her holster.

"Okay! I didn't know it was that time of the month for you (dodges kunai). Anyway I was just wondering if you would like to...go out sometime on a date this week or when we get back to Kohona?" said Kakashi in an offhanded like way making Kurenai look at him as if he had a second head on his shoulder.

"A date?" said Kurenai not believing what she was hearing from him correctly.

"Why not? I like you and you like me. Even though you don't want to admit it I can tell you do too and besides with the demon fox flirting with Tsunami I would have thought you could use a little reprieve from his influence," said Kakashi now standing straight on both his two feet waiting for an answer before he left.

"What do you mean 'his influence'? Are you saying he's somehow blinding me in some fox demon power that I haven't sensed before?" said Kurenai in a surprised yet anger filled voice at Kakashi.

"You said it not me," said Kakashi offhandedly as if it was nothing, but to him it wasn't nothing as he saw a crack in the relationship the two were having earlier and he was now applying the much-needed pressure to destroy it.

Unfortunately, for Kakashi the man didn't know that the small cracks in their relationship were no longer there and everything was back to normal. "You're putting words in my mouth Hatake and I don't like it. Slade has no influence over me now if you will excuse me I'm going to see what Naruto and Slade are up to," said Kurenai as she got up from the ground and walked out of the room.

"What about our date Kurenai?" said Kakashi raising an eyebrow at her.

"What date?" said Kurenai as she vanished in a swirl of leaves leaving Kakashi alone and visibly scowling at where she once was.

'That damn fox is going to get what's his...I'll see to it personally,' thought Kakashi with his fists clenched as he left the house right after.

(With Slade and Naruto)

Naruto was training his Jagan Eye to its fullest extent lifting objects from small to big off the ground with it to test its telekinetic abilities. Currently he was lifting a small boulder that was the size of a small dog though it was bigger then Akamaru. "Good Naruto. Now you truly understand the Jagan Eye better. Now that you can move things with the Jagan Eye let's focus on sensory perception. Tell me if you can sense anything around the forest moving near or around us," said Slade as he saw Naruto drop the boulder to the ground and close his two natural eyes while the third being the Jagan glowed a dark purple.

"Yeah there is someone coming our way Slade-sensei. I sense the person is female, but its not Hinata-chan or Sakura, which means it has to be Kurenai-san," said Naruto as he now opened his eyes looking at his sensei who nodded to him to close the eye so Kurenai wouldn't see it.

Sure enough right after the Jagan was fully closed Kurenai appeared in a swirl of leaves approximately 10 feet away from Slade. "What an unexpected surprise Kurenai-san to what do I owe the pleasure of you gracing your ever beautiful presence here?" said Slade cocking his head to the right slightly.

"I need you to answer a question. Are you using some sort of Genjutsu or some sort of demonic illusion to make me fall for you?" said Kurenai looking him right in the eye.

Slade raised an eyebrow in surprise as this was unexpected as he never thought such an intelligent woman would ask such a stupid question. "You're the Genjutsu specialist here Kurenai you to tell me," said Slade not breaking his gaze from hers though by the look in her eyes she was thinking of slugging him in the face.

"Yes or no," said Kurenai as her right arm lowered itself to her kunai holster on her leg while Slade's one eye narrowed dangerously as if the tone of voice he was hearing was something to be silenced.

"No. Do you honestly think I need to do what you are accusing me of to you Kurenai? If you believe so then you're not as smart as I gave you credit for earlier with the Demon Brother's. Now who put this lunacy into your head?" said Slade though he had a pretty good idea who did.

"Hatake Kakashi did. I think he wanted whatever relationship we are starting to develop to crumble so he can pick up the pieces. Already he asked me out on a date," said a now disgusted with herself Kurenai as she sighed at her recent stupidity.

"Well then that just means we have to get back at him for trying to destroy our still very much developing relationship. How about you and I go on a date when we get back to Kohona? My treat," said Slade smiling behind his mask knowing that this would be the best way to get back at Kakashi and strengthen his relationship with Kurenai all in one shot.

"You know what? I think I will go on a date with you Slade-san. Making Kakashi angry in the process will be an added bonus when he finds out about it," said Kurenai smiling at the demon lord who nodded his head at her before she left in a swirl of leaves.

"My dear you have no idea how happy you just made me," said Slade turning to Naruto who was now getting back to work on the Jagan Eye again.

(Several Days Later)

From the time they trained up until now, everyone was gearing up for the confrontation leading up to the fight that would start soon. Naruto at the moment was assisting Tazuna by having Naruto create 3 times as many shadow clones to work on the bridge as well as guard him at the same time. However, due to the increase in his weights now over 10,000 pounds all together, his training with the Jagan Eye, and the making of so many shadow clones Naruto decided to take a small nap in the forest closest to the bridge so if there were any problems he could get their quickly. 'Man I'm really out of it,' thought Naruto as he sat with his back against the tree shutting his eyes dozing off into a light sleep with his sword at the ready should an enemy approach.

At the time, Haku now in civilian clothing was walking through the forest heading for the spot where she needed herbs required to heal Zabuza and restore him to his previous state of health. She was wearing her pink kimono today with normal sandals humming happily as she went knowing that this area was deserted and even if it wasn't no one would think to bother her as she looked now. As she made her way to the usual spot she found a site truly surprising and to behold at the same time. A certain Uzumaki Naruto was sitting against a tree trunk sleeping with sword at the ready should danger approach. 'Is this a dream?' thought Haku as she slowly approached the boy of her dreams though he was slightly younger then her by at the most 2 years though it didn't matter to her at all in the slightest.

He looked really exhausted though it wasn't a surprise to her considering she saw how many shadow clones he could make without breaking a sweat. For him to be in such a tired looking condition meant he had produce an even greater quantity of shadow clones at the bridge then last time from what she saw before. Haku knelt down going into a form of temporary ninja mode in front of him and stretch out a hand to his neck area so close to it and squeezing it shut thus killing him while in her grasp. She paused at the very last second as she moved her hand upward passed his face to his strange blonde, orange, and black hair that was no longer covered by a shinobi helmet. She touched each of the multi-colored strands feeling power behind every single one that graced her finger tips. "You shouldn't do that. If you were an enemy I would have sliced your gentle hand clean off," said Naruto in a whisper making Haku gasp at the fact that he was awake.

"I'm terribly sorry, but I haven't seen you here before and when I saw your hair I just had this urge to touch it. My name is Haku by the way," said Haku blushing while trying to be as polite as possible to him so he would not suspect her of being his enemy.

"I'm sure. Tell me...Haku was it? (Haku nods) Do all missing ninja's who are secretly disguised as a masked hunter ninja's blush a nice shade of red as your face without your mask on?" said Naruto smiling his eyes now open to face the girl who couldn't help, but blush even further while being shocked again at the same time.

"You...you knew? How?" said Haku realizing that in her stupidity she didn't have any of her senbon needles with her.

"I have highly enhanced senses my dear. One of them being that of smelling things that most normal people wouldn't know about. For instance while you smell of spring flowers that bloom in the morning you have the almost unnoticeable smell of Zabuza on you. Or rather...your hands as they have been in contact with Zabuza from what I estimate only a few hours ago. Correct?" said Naruto receiving a nod from the girl who was shocked that he knew.

"Are you going to kill me now that you know?" said Haku as she hoped with all her heart that was not the case.

"No. There would be no point. You are unarmed as you currently are. When we face off I wish to face you at full combat readiness. Would you ask any less of me?" said Naruto as he looked into her brown eyes finding that there was a sense of purity in them much like Hinata's when he stared at the young Hyuuga girl from time to time.

"Thank you Naruto-...san," said Haku who now blushed slightly more over the fact that she nearly added the kun-suffix to her words.

"You're welcome Haku-chan. Now go and collect the herbs you seek for your master as he will need them when the time comes," said Naruto gently smiling at her as she just nodded, got up, and then with her basket in hand headed to the spot she was looking for.

"I thought you only had eyes on the Hyuuga Naruto-kun? What would Hinata say if she saw you now?" said Dragona from his arm in a slightly flirting yet serious manner.

"I know Dragona. Don't get me wrong I like Hinata-chan, but at the same time I sense the same thing from Haku-chan when I look at her. They have purity in them like Hinata does that make you feel good about yourself," said Naruto as he found himself falling for the enemy.

'Hmmm. If he played his cards right Naruto could...nah!' thought Dragona as such an idea of a thought even though possible would most likely never fly.

"Hey Naruto when your done that tonight we have to practice summoning one of our children into the Jagan Eye to enhance your strength. Plus bring Hinata along so you can explain things to her about me," said Dragona as she felt that if the girl wasn't told soon it would bring about the thought of distrust between the two.

"Sure thing Dragona, but right now I better get back to the bridge to watch over old man Tazuna who's being watched over by my vast army of shadow clones," said Naruto he got up and walked back to the incomplete bridge to do the job he was given.

(Later-At Night)

"How do you feel Zabuza-san?" said Haku sitting at his bedside in full hunter ninja attire with the exception of the mask lying on the bed.

"Much better. I should be more then ready to move again in a few hours. Make sure the others are ready to move out by tomorrow morning. Soon I will have made this countries water beneath it as well as their so called bridge of hope become stained in the blood of my enemies," said Zabuza as he felt his right hand itching for his giant cutting sword of a weapon.

"Of course Zabuza-san I shall inform the others right away," said Haku bowing her head taking her mask with her before leaving.

(Near Tazuna's House)

Naruto stood in an open area shirtless and Jagan Eye open with for all in the forest to see who were there. Fortunately, the only people who were there were Naruto himself and his lovely admirer that was Hyuuga Hinata who couldn't help, but blush at seeming him like this. If it wasn't for the fact that he was about to explain something important to her about what was inside of him and his new found technique he was showing her she might have fainted then and there. "Are you ready Hinata?" said Naruto as he turned to face as he was about to remove the bandage around his arm.

"Y-yes Naruto-kun," said Hinata as she fought to keep the blush down on her face as this was a very important time to pay attention to the one she cared for.

"You see Hinata-chan while I was in Demon World I met a fire demon named Hiei who like me was given a third eye. It's called the Jagan Eye and the biggest mistake when you could make when facing such an eye is insulting it as the eye itself is its own entity. As I was trained in the ways of the Jagan Eye by Hiei sensei he taught me how to summon what you saw last night. Only what you saw Hinata was a 'Princess' dark dragon that I was releasing back to Demon World," said Naruto removing the one super long bandage revealing to Hinata a black dragon tattoo covering most of his arm and actually seemed to be alive from the aura it was given off.

"W-what is that N-Naruto-k-kun?" said Hinata as she was afraid to even examine it with the Byakugan that was her birthright.

"This Hinata-chan is one of the many Queen Dragons of the Darkness Flame that live in the depths of Demon World. Say hello to Hinata Dragona," said Naruto making Hinata's eyes widen as the tattoo stirred in his arm as he held his arm and hand at an angle so the face of the dragon with its eye could see her.

"Hello young Hyuuga Hinata it is nice to finally meet you face to face...sort of. I can see why Naruto likes you as you have a very beautiful face and eyes that have a never ending light in them," said Dragona making both Naruto and Hinata blush a deep shade of red.

"T-thank you Queen D-Dragona," said Hinata who felt a little weird speaking to Naruto's arm that just so happened held a dark fire type dragon in his arm that was also a Queen dragon too.

"Dragona or as she wants me to simply call her in public 'Queen' has been most helpful in creating the dragons that are in my arm with her that are in a sense...my children," said Naruto who was a bit reluctant to call them that as Hinata may get the wrong impression.

"C-children? You m-mean you and h-her did...that?" said Hinata who was wondering how that actually happened till Dragona gave a laugh that sounded more like something unholy.

"No child that is not how it works. You see I am bound to Naruto's arm feeding off of his chakra to not only sustain me, but to use the chakra that I feed off of to create our 'offspring'. What you were speaking of Hinata will be reserved for you when both of you are much older and more mature," said Dragona who nearly laughed again when she saw Hinata give off a squeak blushing her darkest shade of red to date while Naruto was a close tie in that regard as well considering the comment.

"Queen stop acting like a pervert just like Kakashi. It is embarrassing to say the least that you would say something like that to us at such a young age," said Naruto shaking his head sighing knowing this was one of those days that he should have kept her wrapped up in those bandages.

"All right, but only because you asked in such a demanding way Naruto-kun," said the seductively enhanced voice of Dragona knowing it would make Hinata jealous of giving Naruto such attention.

Sure enough it did as the girl was clearly now read in the face with jealousy as she felt only she could call her Naruto that. "Now that we have that settled I want to show this technique to you Hinata as its only used when I'm down and need a quick fix of power to help those in need. Here...we...GO!" said Naruto as he drew Hinata's slightly angry eyes away from wanting to take off his arm to get to Dragona to what he was doing through her with the said arm.

Hinata could only gasp in awe as a massive dark flaming dragon rose from his arm into the sky before coming down making a circle around the two slightly scaring Hinata. "I-It won't h-hurt me w-will it?" said Hinata as the dragons dark fire like body was two feet away from her.

"I would rip off my own arm before I would have it do that. The dragons will listen to me with the help of Dragona and the Jagan Eye. Now here's the technique I learned however, when its done you may have to carry me back to the house seeing as I will be out like a light," said Naruto as he sent his right hand into the air making the large dragon around obey him and rise into the air then back down into his Jagan Eye.

"N-Naruto?" said Hinata as she her mind was seemingly overloaded by seeing what was happening before her eyes.

"Dragon Absorption!" said Naruto in a dark almost demonic voice as the entire shape and form of dark dragon he had released entered his Jagan Eye fully making his bodies muscles bulge slightly outward with the increase of power he had just received.

With the process now done Naruto was panting heavily for a good 2 minutes as he was still adjusting to the technique as he wasn't a fire demon like Hiei was who could take it as it was. Slowly he stood straight embracing the power of the dragon inside of him now running through his body and blood trying to get used to it as both Hiei and Dragona had instructed him in Demon World.

However, even with all the training that he did in using such a hard absorption technique it was slightly difficult for him though through constant training he didn't pant so hard or take so long to re-adjust himself anymore. 'Well at least I don't have the feeling that my skin is melting,' thought Naruto as he felt his skin was melting the first time he did it, but Hiei said it was the dark dragon's power going through him for the first time that was the original source of the feeling.

By this point Hinata used her bloodline limit and looked at Naruto in awe at the power that circulated through his chakra coils and network as they seemed to be filled with this new found strength. "N-Naruto that w-was amazing!" said Hinata after nearly 15 minutes later of demonstrating on trees and rocks before she saw him reapply the bandages on his arm, put his upper shinobi uniform back on, and closed his Jagan Eye before putting both headbands on his forehead.

"Thanks Hinata-chan. You can see with your bloodline limit that all the power that I had before has now temporarily multiplied my power ten fold from absorbing the dragon I just released from my arm. Hiei-sensei taught me this technique when I was learning to control them. There is however, one little catch after this technique is done," said Naruto smiling at Hinata with a sheepish grin on his face that made the Hyuuga girl be reminded of the Naruto of old before he left for Demon World.

"O-oh! W-what is t-that N-Naruto-k-kun?" said Hinata worriedly as she did not want the "little catch" as he put it to be too horrible that it could cripple him down the road.

"When the technique ends my body shuts down forcing me to sleep for a very long time depending on how many times I have used it in the past. So when this little stunt ends and I fall asleep you'll have to carry me back to the house," said Naruto feeling his eye lids get heavy not realizing that he had been up for sometime doing so many things today that doing this technique would put him to sleep faster then usual.

Hinata could not help blush at that statement as she would be in close physical contact with her Naruto and in the process she would prove to him that she was strong by caring him back home. "O-okay Naruto. Y-you can c-count on m-me. Um...when d-does t-the technique end?" said Hinata getting slightly closer to him just in case he fell back so she could catch him.

"Right about (yawns)...now," said Naruto in a now tired fashion as he fell down, but not backwards as Hinata originally thought he would, but face forward...right on top of her with enough momentum in her surprised state to knock her down with his face planted to the right of hers sleeping in a calm and peaceful state.

If Hinata had a blush on her before then she was doing something beyond human with this blush to such a degree that if anyone saw her in this state they would have thought she would have died from to much blood running to her face. 'Naruto is on top...OF ME!' thought Hinata as she was about ten seconds away from fainting leaving them both in this VERY unusual situation...had several foxes not suddenly appeared with the Nine Tailed Fox in human form that was Slade.

"Don't worry Hinata I won't tell anyone about this little...incident if you won't," said a calm sounding Slade as he motioned the foxes to pick up Naruto off Hinata who could not help, but squeak at his words as they went back to Tazuna's house to put the boy in bed.

(Next Day)

"Unfortunately, I ran the boy ragged these past few days and last night I pushed him just a little too far so he will not be up for sometime. I trust Tsunami that you will take care of him?" said Slade as they were all leaving to depart from the house to escort Tazuna to the bridge knowing today could be the day that Zabuza would attack seeing as the man had plenty of time to rest

"Of course Slade-san. Inari and me will be home all day today," said Tsunami as she now smiled at Slade only without the small tint of a pink blush that was usually on her cheeks when talking was talking to the man.

'She seems less depressed today from what I can tell. Slade must have filled the empty hole in her heart,' thought Kurenai, as she could not help, but feel a great deal of respect for the Demon Lord as he helped rather then destroyed some people.

"Will be off. When Naruto wakes up tell him where we are and he'll be there in a flash," said Slade emphasizing the word flash as a personal joke between him, Kakashi, Kurenai, and anyone else who knew what he was talking about.

Kakashi made a fist with his left hand though it was not seeable as it was currently being blocked by Kiba who was in front of him. "Come on everyone its time to go seeing as we don't want to make Tazuna late for work," said Kakashi making everyone who knew of his habit of being notoriously late look at him as if he were one to talk about being on time for something.

One by one, they left the house with Tazuna to the bridge knowing that both Tsunami and Inari would be safe when Naruto awakened from his slumber. 'I have a bad feeling about all of this,' thought a worried Tsunami as she went to the kitchen to make some food for Inari to eat.

(At the Bridge-15 Minutes Later)

When the group got to their destination all they saw was nothing, but destruction before them as several bodies of Tazuna's workers were on the ground wounded or knocked out. "W-hat? What happened here?" said Tazuna as he looks around seeing guys he knew a good deal of his life on the ground.

"A mist has suddenly rolled in," said Kakashi he began lifting his headband to reveal his Sharingan Eye, but was stopped by Slade motioning him to wait a second longer.

Sure enough, the mist got thicker then from their previous encounter with the former mist ninja making it impossible for Kakashi to see through it even if he used his now covered Sharingan Eye. "Hinata use your Byakugan to see through the mist. Tell us who is here besides Zabuza," said Kurenai as she found that she was just as blinded as everyone else here with the exception of Hinata and possibly Slade who was still calm from what she could tell through the thick mist.

"We meet again Slade. You can't imagine how good it feels to be up and around ready to kill you after what you and that Copy Cat Ninja Hatake Kakashi did to me. However, this time I'm not alone, as I've brought friends with me. Meet my followers," said Zabuza's voice deep within the mist as he appeared through the density of it all along with several water clones of himself, several Chuunin, Jounin, and the much younger looking ninja in the hunter ninja uniform next to Zabuza.

"If you think this mist and your fellow ninja are supposed to impress me you are gravely mistaken Zabuza. You think that just because you have a big sword and know how to use it along with your little masked toy soldier next to you that it makes you powerful? Fool! I will show what it means to fight like a demon and while were at it lets kill this Hidden Mist Jutsu of yours. Its no fun to kill someone when covered in a white mist as I would rather let your tools see you die before their eyes," said Slade let loose orange chakra all around him sending it flying through the mist dispelling it in a single motion along with the clones surprising as well as scaring everyone both friend and foe.

'That power he just released was Kage level at the very least!' thought Kakashi as well as Kurenai realizing that their deceased Fourth Hokage had gotten in a lucky shot when he gave his life in stopping Slade's rampage 12 years ago.

'I must have that power! But how? I must learn his secrets,' thought Sasuke, as he wanted his Sharingan Eyes to awaken so he could copy the techniques from this man as well as Naruto.

Zabuza and Haku were stunned by the raw power Slade had released in a single motion of his arm and hand as it had never been done before until now. "Just what are you?" said a missing ninja from Rain as he readied his weapon of a sword at the opposition in front of him.

"Everyone here knows my name is simply...Slade. However, I also go by the name of two others as well. I am also been known to be called by the names of...'The Terminator' as well as...'Deathstroke' and for very good reasons as you are about to find out," said a very cold sounding Slade as everyone shuddered when he spoke while flames appeared on his back in an X-formation.

When dissipated revealed to be two high class Katana's that he took off from his back with his hands walking towards Zabuza. 'He had those with him the entire time?' thought everyone, as they didn't know how the man could have used a Genjutsu to cover it, as they would have sensed it.

"Sasuke! While Slade deals with Zabuza you will deal with Haku. Shino, Hinata, Sakura, and Kiba you will protect Tazuna while me and Kurenai deal with Zabuza's remaining forces," said Kakashi revealing his Sharingan Eye again so he could fight to his fullest as he and Kurenai went into the fray with the missing Mist and Rain.

"You think that little runt of a Genin can hurt Haku? Fine by me, but I'm not the one to blame when he dies!" said Zabuza moving quickly to engage Slade while the Nine Tailed Demon Fox brought his two swords at the ready in a two sword fighting stance.

As the two demons one of blood the other by title fought each other in the way of swords and their styles Sasuke engaged the masked female ninja who had been using her senbon needles to match the Uchiha's kunai. Surprisingly Sasuke was keeping up with Haku as they were soon deadlocked after matching the other move for move. "As you stand now you can't use any jutsu's," said Haku as she went through one handed hand signs.

'She can do one handed jutsu's? But how?' thought Kakashi and the others as the next move that was done not even Kakashi could copy.

"Secret Jutsu: A Thousand Needles of Death!" said Haku as she stomped her foot down as thin traces of water left from the dampness of the thick mist and the water clones that spilled into the ground beneath them came together above them.

The soon became needles of ice that reigned down upon Sasuke while Haku got out of the way of his own attack. Fortunately, for the Uchiha he was able to use a substitution jutsu just before the needles hit, but even then, it had been a little too close for comfort as a small trickle of his blood left his cheek showing just how close the needles came in that attack to hitting their much intended target. 'Not bad. He has some skill in the ways of a ninja though I wonder how he is able to keep up with my speed as well as me? No matter I suppose seeing as he will not make it past this bridge alive,' thought Haku as she saw two missing Rain and three missing Mist ninja's all mid to high Chuunin level passed her to get to their targets.

"Here they come!" said Kiba getting into his family dog style Taijutsu stance while the others got into there form of fighting.

"You weaklings can't stop us! Even if you could, you can't beat our boss or his tool of a weapon that is Haku. So prepare to kiss you butts goodbye!" said one of the missing Rain ninja's with a kunai in hand who had a scar on his left cheek and three others on the right.

"Don't be so sure you scarred faced freak," said Kiba as he and Akamaru took him on while Hinata attacked with her Gentle Fist style hitting several chakra points in her would be opponent that was a missing Mist ninja with a sword making his right arm go limp.

'You can do it Hinata. For Naruto!' thought Hinata as the ninja soon fell to the ground underneath him unconscious after Hinata had hit three more chakra points in the man's right shoulder and one in the left neck area.

Shino was doing almost as good as he sent a swarm of flying insects into the second missing Rain ninja's eyes blinding the man before he was consumed with chakra eating bugs draining him to the point of near death if the bugs ate any more. Sakura was having the hardest time as the two remaining missing Mist Ninja's went after her and Tazuna who would have been cut down had the pink haired girl thrown three shrunken at one the one Mist ninja while fighting with the second with her kunai.

Kakashi and Kurenai were still dealing with their opponents that were two high Chuunin level missing Mist ninja and four low level Jounin missing from Rain. Right now each were taking on three each with Kakashi holding his own with the help of his Sharingan Eye and Kurenai with her Genjutsu making abilities that were slowly disorientating her opponents in order to hurt them the physically.

While Shino and Kiba with Akamaru went to assist Sakura in protecting Tazuna Hinata went to help Sasuke fight the one known as Haku. 'So Hyuuga girl comes to try and help a fellow ninja in need does she? Good. Soon I will remove her from this world, become a true shinobi, and in doing so have Naruto fall in love for me for my ninja abilities making him mine,' thought Haku as she moved quickly to the right just enough to dodge Hinata's Gentle Fist palm strike.

After leaping back several good feet to dodge a kunai slash from Sasuke Haku activated her bloodline limit in manipulating water. "Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors!" said Haku and just as Hinata got near Sasuke both Genin were consumed by Haku's technique.

(Back at Tazuna's House)

Naruto opened his eyes as the beaming sunlight hit his face like there was no tomorrow as he rose from his bead slightly groggy from last nights events with Hinata. He closed his eyes and sensed for chakra signatures in the house only to find two from Tsunami and from Inari. 'So they left without me huh? No matter I can catch easily, but first I have to let the two downstairs everything is all right,' thought Naruto as got up and getting fully dressed in his ninja attire with sword at his side.

As Naruto was about to head down stairs, he heard a scream from the kitchen that just so happen to be the very place he was headed. "Who are you? What do you want?" yelled Tsunami slightly who he sensed was being restrained from the way the shadows moved in the kitchen.

"Mom!" said Inari as he ran towards her, but was kicked away by one of the two men in the room as Naruto peered from the shadows watching the event unfold.

Currently the small place in the kitchen was too crowed to make a move and even he not dare make a move until the moment was just right. 'They need to get out of the house. At least Inari has some courage in him. Slade-sensei did say he talked the boy after our last conversation at the table,' thought Naruto as he saw the two thugs that were clearly low level samurai took Tsunami out of the house with a slightly crying Inari as it was at the moment all he could do.

It wasn't Inari's fault as he couldn't help it that he was crying right now as he had been too weak to protect one of his loved one that he cared for. 'I suggest you find something or someone worth fighting for and grow backbone...like Naruto did,' were the current words Slade said to Inari that suddenly now echoed in the boy's head.

"That one eyed man was right I do need someone that is worth fighting for and I think I know who. Mom is someone worth fighting for just like grandfather is fighting in his own way like dad did too for this village because it was something worth fighting for!" said Inari aloud not noticing that Naruto was smiling at the words he just spoke.

No sooner had Inari run out the door did Naruto as well, but in a very stealth like grace of a cat or more appropriately...a fox using his 'Demon Fox Genjutsu: Ghosts Shadow' he had become just that as he was now temporarily invisible to everyone around him. 'The kid finally knows what it means to protect someone,' thought Naruto smiling before his now invisible face

"Let my Mom go you jerks!" said Inari meeting them not far from the wooden bridge that was connected to the platform of their house to the mainland area of Wave.

"Come on man just kill him so we can get back to the boss," said Waraji impatiently as he was the one holding Tsunami with his sword at her throat to prevent her from possibly escaping.

"All right, but you owe me some sake after this seeing as I'm doing you a favor," said Zori as he took out his sword ready to strike Inari down in front of his mother's now tearing eyes.

"That's what you think," said a voice as Zori was suddenly pierced from his back to the front straight through the heart with an invisible sword now dripping in blood as well as the person holding the sword being the source before removing it quickly and turning to the samurai holding Tsunami in his arms.

"What the hell?" said Waraji as he was so shocked that he nearly let go of the woman he was holding hostage.

The invisible figure became visible revealing a slightly covered in blood Uzumaki Naruto putting away his sword after giving a good downward slicing motion to remove the blood off it before taking out one small shuriken from his holster. "Don't do anything kid or I'll see to it this lady can ever speak again," said Waraji as he now held Tsunami as if she was his life preserver both figuratively and literally.

"You are making a VERY big mistake pal. The very second you hurt or kill Tsunami-san I will have all the time I need to kill you. And I'm going...to enjoy it," said Naruto as he only needed one throwing star to kill this moron.

"W-wait a second! I have information that could prove useful to you. I know that Gato is not going to pay that Zabuza guy after he's done fight your friends on the bridge," said Waraji as Naruto took a step towards him with eyes that told the older man this boy knew no fear.

"Really? Do tell," said Naruto as he found this new bit of information interesting to say the least.

"Yeah it's true. Gato figures that with all the fighting going on Zabuza and most of his other ninja comrades along with yours will either be dead or too wounded to fight try and anymore. He's bring a large group of his personal thugs and bodyguards along with him when the fighting is over and is going to kill those that are still alive," said Waraji hoping that would make Naruto consider sparring his life.

"Let Tsunami go and I'll let you go," said Naruto putting away the shuriken as an act of good faith towards the man who nodded and released the woman from his grasp.

Tsunami once free started running towards her son behind Naruto who just looked at the still terrified man in front of him. "Thank you for holding up your end of the deal," said Waraji, as he knew that he had to get back to Gato telling him that the plan was a failure.

For a second nothing happened until Naruto suddenly disappeared and then reappeared behind the samurai before sending a Rasengan through his back. "I said I would let you go, but I never said where. Rasengan!" said Naruto as he sent the finally master jutsu of the Fourth Hokage into the man causing him to be shredded into nothingness as the blue sphere went sailing into the water with the bodies dying remains.

"Thanks Naruto!" said Inari as he found a newfound hero to look up to and admire for what he did even if it meant killing those two guys.

"Don't sweat it Inari its all in a days work for us heroes that appear at the very end. You take care of your mom now while I head to the bridge to end the fighting. I'll see you guys later when were celebrating our soon to be victory," said Naruto as he kicked the last body into the water before he disappeared once again in a blinding flash of orange, yellow, and black hoping to catch up with the others before it was too late.

(A/N: YAY! Another chapter done. It was good to finally get this done and not too late either seeing as I have a reputation to uphold in updating quickly. I'll admit I did have a little trouble writing this because the gap before the bridge battle in the anime was SOOO boring as hell. Therefore, I felt that I was compelled to write something...better to put it simply and as some of you have read Kakashi is tying to make a move on Kurenai while Slade has asked out Kurenai on a date. Stick that in your book and read it Kakashi. LOL! Anyway I hope this will tide you over till next week as I have boat load of work to do that will only allow me to write more at night and even then that won't be till just after Wednesday at the very least. ("WHAT? NOOOOOOOO!") Sad, but true I'm afraid as College life can be a harsh mistress with the work that needs to be done. I'll try to do some writing tomorrow night and Sunday, but other then that I'm swamped until after Wednesday. Sorry if you have any suggestions let me know and I might use them for the next chapter. You are going to love it. Here's a hint...Naruto going psychotic. Need I say more? Until next time...PEACE!