Hi know it's been a while since I uploaded a new chapter, been working thinks out with a finding a BETA and working things out with said BETA, who is by the way called 80th Naruto so you know he's a fan doing his own Naruto fic too go check it out some epic shit happens.
Now warning this chapter has not been BETA'd since I've requested for my BETA to start from the bottom up, so CH1 to CH current so sorry for any awful grammer, spelling I did my best. I didn't want to make you guys think that am giving up on this fic I have made way! too many plots notes to do that.
Souless: here you go, I hear'd your cry...well review but thats beside the point. Reading your review gave me the fire I needed to push through and discard my fear of people possible dissing my poor grammer and spelling and for that I thank thea. I for Naruto's possible furture love well again keeping it to my self, also still kinda thinking about it besides he's still young and loves ramen more than girls right now.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its original characters.
"Talking"
"Thinking"
"Tailed beast, summons, second concious speaking"
"Tailed beast, summons, second concious thinking"
'Jutsus'
Chapter 12 Battle of the Bridge Part 2 a Demon vs a Ghost
Tsunami and Inari where currently in the kitchen of their little house waiting patiently and hopefully for the return of Tazuna and team seven. They look up from the dishes they cleaning when they heard the light sound of taping coming from the kitchen window right in front of them and saw the cruelly smiling faces of two terrifying looking men, both with Katanas, one wearing a bandanna around his head while they other wore an eye patch and was further shirtless, showing the scars all over his bulky body.
"Hello their little lady I'm afraid me and my partner here are gonna have to borrow ya and the kid for a lil while" said the bandanna wearing one with a smug grin before he reeled back his sheathed sword and proceeded to slam it against the window, which reacted like a brick wall would when getting struck by a pebble, their was not even the slightest showing of a crack in the transparent mother and son after seeing this just blinked dumbly along with the two wanna be kidnappers.
The eye patch wearing man huffed at his friend and partner in crime, he nudged him out of the way shaking his head in disappointment "get out of the way man, ya not doing it right! it's all in the shouldeeeers~" he sang out with a cocky smirk as he took an exaggerated stance and began looking overly focused on the single kitchen window. At this point in time Tsunami and Inari weren't even scared anymore and were now curious to see how this one would play out, but out of caution they did take a few steps back. "YYYYAAAHHHH!" and so the big muscular man struck the window with every ounce of strength that his large bulky body could muster, which sent out a loud clang through out the house and startled local wild life in the surrounding woods. But in they end it did absolutely jack all to they almighty! kitchen window!.
"what in the hell is that window made of!?" thought the two failing kidnappers, a thought that was being shared with the houses two stumped residents.
Though no one had time to think any further on this as out of no where appeared dozens of Naruto clones 'Uzumaki Supreme Dog Pile! Dattabayo!' and so they all started coming down on the two thugs like a ton of orange and blonde bricks, making the two full grown men scream like little girls all the way through the nasty beatings they received for about a good fifteen to maybe twenty minutes. By the end of it all they looked like nothing but man sized, discoloured and swollen blueberry's with limbs.
If one was to look closely at that nigh invulnerable window's frame they would see the faint markings of a sealing formula going around the whole framework. Furthermore if they where to check out all the windows and doors around the house they would find similar markings. Naruto Uzumaki wasn't one to leave his charges forts simply unprotected if he could help it.
Back at the Bridge
Zabuza and Hirofumi where still in a unmoving deadlock, executioners blades grinding against a pair of black crossed kunai. Zabuza was gritting his shark like teeth in a mix of frustration and effort as he tried to press through the yellowish brown eyed mans unyielding guard, while Hiro's confident smirk turned smile didn't waver in the slightest.
Kakashi, who was currently safe behind summoned spirit, was relieved that this stranger had showed up when he had but was also suspicious as to why he did? And why he was even protecting him? But he thought it best to not to ask...for now at least.
Zabuza glared harder at the new arrival "listen here you bastard! If you get out of my way now I might just give you a head start before I hunt you down and gut you like I did my last job four weeks ago!" offered Zabuza, as generously as he could before he began pressing down harder on the strangers unbudging guard.
Hiro humphed at this, not intimidated in the slightest more amused than anything else "well that's a nice offer and all but I must decline. You see I'm not here to discuss deals I'm here to kill you. When your gone Gato's only decent protection is gone with you, meaning this country can then be rid of that little tyrant and be free was more" explained Hiro in an almost business like fashion.
Zabuza narrowed his dark eyes at that before he burst out laughing, but he didn't let his grip falter while he cackled "oh that's priceless! You honestly believe you have what it take to kill me!?" he then stopped laughing before he glowered at Hiro darkly "well then try it pretty boy!" he goaded as the shape of his cruel grin pressed through the wrappings of his face. Zabuza and Hiro both scowled hard at each other and for a brief second the air around them seemed to grow chilly by their rising intent to kill they other.
A second later Hiro was the first to make a move as he used his crossed Kunai hold on Zabuza's sword and jerk it off to the side and used all his strength the parry it, breaking the ex-mist nins defence while he also glided into a spin and aimed a round house kick to the rogue nins head. Zabuza only just ducked under the attacking limb and was then forced to lean his head to the side or loose an eye as Hiro swiftly flicked one of his kunai at him, Zabuza then jumped off to the side as to avoid the second Kunai that was on course for his throat and continued to jump back to gain some distance from his new foe.
Zabuza rested his butcher knife like sword on his shoulder in a lazy relaxed manner as he chuckled dryly, "well I'll admit your better than I first thought, I was honestly expecting you to be an talk kinda guy given your rather...delicate looks" commented Zabuza, giving an almost back handed complement to the second white haired man he was facing off against today.
Hirofumi smirked at the swordsman "now, now Zabuza. A man like yourself should know not to judge based on appearance, I mean look at your little subordinate with the Ice Release over their, he isn't exactly the most manliest looking person in the world now, is he?" remarked Hiro knowingly. Zabuza eyes greatly narrowed at this, now wondering how this man knew what Haku looked like under his mask "have we been getting spied on?" he inwardly questioned. "by the way pinks a very misleading colour on him" the ghost added making Zabuza grip tighten on his blade unconsciously.
Zabuza gaze bored into Hiro like he was trying to burn holes right through his retinas "just who the hell are you!? I don't know you from any of the resent bingo books so your no big shot ninja like Kakashi over their" he questioned while he gestured with a slight nod to the exhausted and bleeding out Hatake; who hadn't moved since their initial scuffle.
Hirofumi shrugged "does it matter who I am? you know all you need to know about why I'm here" remarked the wavy haired man uncaringly.
Zabuza grunted at that, not liking the fact that he got no answers to his question, but he did like the wording of the mans response. "Eh! your right it's not important, and you clearly know too much about me so I'm gonna have to kill you either way. It's in my principle to do so" his words just seemed to make Hiro laugh, not in an arrogant way but more like their was some inside joke going on. "What?" he asked with a hairless brow arched.
Hiro waved him off "oh nothing, nothing really" he said humorously. Zabuza just grunted in acceptance not really caring what it was anyway. Hiro quickly turned around and swiped one of Kakashi's pouches, while the Jonin looked at Hiro with a panicked eye. Hiro jumped away from Kakashi and landed some distance away never taking his eyes of the swordsman as he reached into the pouch to retrieve a Kunia "well shawl...we..." he didn't get a kunai though when he pulled his hand out of the pouch, but instead a new copy of Ichi Ichi Paradise. "Er?" he said dumbly as he stared at the erotic paperback novel blankly before looking at Kakashi incredulously.
Zabuza laughed hysterically at this "BUH!HAHAHA! Don't bother trying to bride me...I already have the hard cover premium gold collection, with illustration done by the author himself!" revealed the swordsman's, making Kakashi stare at him in shock and then deep envy: which the swordsman happily absorbed in.
Hiro turned to Kakashi with a deeply irritated looked "seriously? Who brings their erotica to a near guaranteed fight!?" he asked rhetorically.
Both Jonins on the bridge glared at him "it's not erotica its a master piece of literature!" they both shouted passionately.
The spirit stared dead panned at the two full grown men like they where children "yeah...sure" he then focused on the Konoha Jonin "anyway Kakashi give me your other pouch" he demanded but the Jonin clearly didn't trust him enough to want to give it. Hiro's eyes turned dark and fearsome as he held the book up "give me the pouch now or the book gets it!" he threatened and not a second later he caught the pouch that the Jonin scrambled to throw to him, "thank you" thanked Hiro brightly as he slung the pouch with the smutty book inside back to the safety of it's owner: who was creepily holding the pouch to his chest like it was his own baby.
Hiro ignored the spiky haired man as he kept a focused gaze on Zabuza while he attached the pouch to his red sash "well that was comical and all but I think you and I have something more important to attend to, like your departure from this world" remarked Hiro his tone growing colder and more serious near they end.
Zabuza snickered and sneered at that " huh funny guy. After am done butchering you..." he shifted his gaze to Kakashi who was done hugging his book "am going to end you, kill the old man and your brats "especially the blonde who kicked me the face and took my rabbit...I think Haku named it Snow Flake or something" and get my money and be done with this shit hole of a country" elucidated Zabuza; simplifying his plan.
Hirofumi dug into the borrowed pouch at his rear and drew out a kunai "well if you want to do all that your first going to have to get through me" he pointed out confidently, something which was beginning to get on the mist nin nerves.
Zabuza growled under his breathe as he slung his blade down into a two handed grip "you know that over-confidence of yours is gonna get you killed" remarked the swordsmans in a snarky tone as he got into a ready stance.
Hiro snickered at that in a knowing fashion "too little too late". Zabuza was confused by this line and briefly lessened his guard, for but a second, something which didn't go unnoticed by the keen eyes of Hirofumi. In a single fluid motion the spirit flicked the single kunai in his grip at the ex-mist nin and was on course for his abdomen. Zabuza quickly acted, coming out of his shallow stupor in time to adjust his guard and deflected the throwing dart with the flat of his oversized blade.
When Zabuza looked back at his new opponent he was gone and saw some obstruction in the thin mist that was creeping back in, he looked up and saw that the man was now above him in the air and had flung three shurinkin at him. Zabuza again used his over sized blade to defend against the throwing stars and while that happened his blade cut of his view of the wavy haired man for but a moment, when he did next lay eyes on him he was on the final hand seal for a Jutsu.
'Fire style! Great Fire Ball Jutsu!' he said as his cheeks puffed up before he blew out a terrifyingly big and intense ball of raging fire, its heat dispersing any mist that was too close to the fireballs proximity as it roared through the air down to it's wide eyed prey. Kakashi seeing this knew he'd better not stick around in this area any longer, so picked himself up with all his remaining strength and slung himself of the side the bridge while rushing through some hand seals.
Zabuza saw he wasn't going to dodge it in time, not with the wide span of the jutsu, so he let his grip go on his blade and rapidly weaved threw his own seals 'water style: water bullet Jutsu!'. Zabuza bandaged cheek bulged up with chakra summoned water before he spitted out a continues stream of hight pressure water that burst threw and tore away his bandages. The water stream and the fireball met in a struggle of the elements, the water flooding into the fire and chocking it to death, while the fire vaporized the water in a blast of steam. Neither side won.
The newly made steam covered over the bridge creating a cloud of thick white mist. The now unmasked Zabuza gave a wide grin, showing off all of his razor sharp teeth, the set up was perfect. He made a single hand sign and began flooding his chakra into the surrounding mist while he also thickened it up around himself and began falling into the mind set of an absolute silent killer.
Hirofumi set gracefully back onto the stone concrete of the bridge with a barely audible tap! of his sandal boots, his yellowish brown eyes began scanning the steam now turned mist. He waved his hand through the mist before him, feeling the vapour cool and stick to his hand, he could feel that the moisture was off "chakra laced" he noted able to tell the difference in texture from normal water. He tried hearing out for any movements knowing that using his eye would be useless hear, but he heard nothing; as would be expected from an experienced master of the silent killing technique, Zabuza wasn't making a sound.
"Hehehehe!" came the eerie chuckle of Zabuza from all around Hiro as he stud stern and unfazed "that was a bad move on your part, giving me all this vapour to work with, if you did your homework properly you would've know that I'm a master! of silent killing" bragged Zabuza, his voice echoing from everywhere and no where.
Hirofumi shrugged, the motion causing the sound of fabric brushing against skin to resound of him, something that Zabuza in his current state managed to just barely pick up on. Hiro smirked "yeah I guess your right, I screwed up...though just because you now have the advantage doesn't mean your gonna be able to...um lets say deal with me" he mocked his smirk growing just abit wider as he got no response from the mist, just deathly silence that lingered.
"well I would say in my current position, your death..." the voice resounded everywhere "is guaranteed" Zabuza's voice came directly from behind the spirit as he spun around in time to see Zabuza bring down his huge blade. The large butcher knife like blade hacked right into Hirofumi left side from the shoulder down, it cut through his ribcage then his abdomen and finally stopped just at his hip. Hiro looked at Zabuza with pain filled eyes before he hacked up thick crimson blood that spilled down his chin.
Zabuza grinned madly enjoying the gruesome scene before him "hey...didn't I tell you that your over-confidence would get you killed, pretty boy" he taunted, his eyes filing away this scene into a mental room labelled 'treasured kills', this guys death will hold a special place in that piece of coal he likes to calls a heart.
Hiro pained look disappeared as he dawned blood caked smile which confused Zabuza until he bursted into smoke and was gone along with all the blood that was on Zabuzas blade "a shadow clone!" he yelled in a mix of realization and deep anger. Zabuza didn't have time to dwell on what just happened as his keen hearing picked up the sound of blazing air approaching him from his right, when he turned he saw to his horror and frustration a searing fireball rocketing right for him. Zabuza as fast as his body would allow him leaped out of the way of the raging ball of chakra fire, gaining some minor burns on his left arm from not being able to fully escape it's proximity.
Zabuza hissed from the newly acquired burns on his left arm, he did a single hand seal to summon up some water from within him and began streaming the extra cold water down his left arm to cool it down and numb the pain, all while keeping an eye out for his white haired foe. "dammit! it was a lure this whole time, he wanted to give me the 'advantage' to up my confidence, to make me think I had him right where I wanted him but instead he got me with that shadow clone, he must have used the sound it made or my shout to pin point my location!" evaluated the swordsman, his respect and hate for Hirofumi going up altogether.
Zabuza stopped the water, then grabbed some of the remaining bandages from around his neck then dowsed them in cold chakra water before wrapping them around his slightly burned arm to keep it cool and covered. Zabuza glared into the mist after tightening the wraps"now that leaves the question of where he is?" he inwardly questioned; it was beginning to feel like Kakashi all over again only with shadow clones as opposed to water clones.
Knowing that this man could most likely just make more he wouldn't be able to tell if what he was killing was the real thing or a fake, not to mention that the real Hiro or any of his possible clone would be waiting to take advantage of those moments of vulnerability. With these thoughts in mind Zabuza begrudgingly lowered the mist bringing cloudy visibility back to the bridge.
As the mist thinned he quickly spotted Hiro on the opposite side of the bridge leaning on one of the stone bridge walls, looking pretty relaxed, something which was seriously irritating Zabuza. Hirofumi pushed of the wall, his Kimono top getting pushed by a following light breeze "so finally decided to step out of the mist? Zabuza Demon of the mist" he asked with a mocking edge, only getting a grunt as a response. Hiro saw the wet bandages around Zabuza's left arm glad to see his shot in the dark did some damage.
Zabuza gripped his blade tightly as his coal black eyes narrowed, the one before him was beginning to give him a rougher time than Kakashi first had. The stinging in Zabuza's arm dulled enough that he felt he could now wield his sword well enough in combat, so without wasting anymore time he lunged at the white haired man who drew out two more kunai to meet him again in combat.
Currently with Sakura
Sakura was currently guarding Tazuna as ordered by her sensei while the rest of her team delt with the threats. She felt useless, hating that she couldn't be out their with them, helping to fight they assassins. She knew guarding Tazauna was key right now and that leaving him alone would be like begging any other possible assassina to kill him, but still it stung her pride.
She had been witness to the fight between her Sensei and Zabuza, Kakashi was really in no shape to confront the swordsman, who had been making short work of the Jonin and it was a painful sight to have watched. She had wanted to help him but what could she have done other than get in the way of her sensei who was in no state to watch both himself and her. Then out of nowhere this new guy showed up, saved her sensei and has been fighting Zabuza on equal footing ever since. Now it seems that he was able to lay a hit on Zabuza at some point during their time in the new mist that was now thin.
Sakura was now also wondering where her Sensei was right now and was hoping he was okay.
"So Sakura, you know this man?" asked Tazuna next to Sakura, his brow running with some nervous sweat and cool downed water vapour.
Sakura shook her head dumbly "I've never seen this man in my life" "though he's kinda handsome" thought Sakura briefly almost blushing as she gazed at the man from her position, "CHA! to that!" exuberantly agreed inner Sakura with hearts in her eyes.
Tazuna grunted in understanding "well who ever he is, he seems to be on our side...I hope" he commented almost darkly. Sakura looked over to the older man seeing his point, who ever this mysterious man was they couldn't be sure he was on their side, who knows, if he wins against Zabuza he could come for them next; that thought made Sakura swallow a fearful lump in her throat.
Back with Hirofumi and Zabuza
Zabuza charged at Hiro with his executioners blade raised high as Hiro readied two kunai. The swordsman brought his heavy weapon down and Hiro easily avoided it but Zabuza was ready for that and twisted his blade in the white haired mans direction and swung horizontally for him. Hiro saw that coming a mile away and knew that the first swing was but a ploy and was ready for a counter, Hiro back flipped in the air effectively avoiding being bisected, while half way through the flip he flicked hi pair of kunai at the swordsman face. Seeing the incoming projectiles Zabuza decided not to fight with his swords momentum and instead used it to swiftly spin around and knock the darts out of the air while quickly falling into a third spin to go in for another slash at the still suspended Hiro.
Zabuza became shocked when Hirofumi, who completed his spin, was now upright in the air and knocked his blade downwards from its flat side with a drop kick and flicked two hands full of shuriken at the ex-mist nin. Zabuza had to react quickly, so he used the carrying force of his blade to help pull himself out the way of the projectiles only receiving a few grazes on his left arm and shoulder and cheek. The two jumped away from each other, Hiro looking as right as rain while Zabuza was now beginning to bleed from the small clean cuts he just gained. Zabuza scowled angrily at the wavy haired man.
"What's the matter Zabuza can't keep up" provoked the ghost plainly, not a smile or a smirk present.
Zabuza gave a glare that would make most sharks swim away in fear "don't get ahead of yourself you bastard! Am no where near done yet. If you think a little burn and a few cuts will slow me down than you must be as dumb as you look" retorted the swordsman.
Hiro humphed at that "well so far that's the most damaging thing you've done to me in this whole fight, now if you can only turn that into actual physical damage you may start getting somewhere" quipped Hiro smoothly.
Zabuza gritted his teeth at the white headed smart mouth "I'm going to enjoy killing you way more than I should" thought Zabuza out loud. Hirofumi again snickered under his breathe at that.
Zabuza placed his sword on his back and did something quite unexpected, he ran and jumped off the bridge. Hirofumi stud their for a second processing what he just saw before coming to the most obvious conclusion, Zabuza wanted him to follow him and lure him into a trap.
So with a shrug and gave chase over the side of the bridge, he was game for whatever the mist nin had in store for him.
Naruto, Sasuke and Haku
Sasuke couldn't believe his Sharingan, he was here, his and Naruto's grandfather was really here in the material world and just saved Kakashi from certain death. Was this why Naruto was so confident all this time? This was his real trump card?. All this new information and realizations was too over-bearing for Sasuke, Naruto and Gramps had a fuck ton of explaining to do after all this was over. With his eye active he was able to process all this in a span of a few seconds in real world time but his gob smacked expression lasted long enough for Naruto to soak it all in.
"Worth it" thought Naruto grinning wildly.
"Totally" agreed Kurama whose natural grin was bigger than normal, enjoying the shocked expression the Uchiha's face.
Haku's eyes narrowed behind his mask as he eyed the new arrival, not even noticing Sasukes thunderstruck reaction in time. This was an unexpected turn of events and it seemed this new man was more evenly matched with Zabuza than Kakashi currently was. Haku wondered if this man had something to do with Naruto's jutsu, he was beginning to also wonder if the jutsu was like a summoning technique or a teleportation jutsu like his own Demonic Ice Mirrors. Haku felt in his gut that he'd better end this fight with Naruto and Sasuke quickly or else Zabuza could be in serious danger with this unknown.
Haku eyed the boys from what looked like every mirror "I'm sorry but I cannot allow this fight to go on any longer I must end you all now...forgive me" said Haku his voice carrying so much heart breaking remorse that even his opponents where beginning to feel it.
Naruto's blue eyes narrowed at the images of Haku "well I'm sorry too but this fight isn't gonna end when you decide!" remarked Naruto as Sasuke "hn!" in agreement. Naruto kept all his senses on high alert as he whispered to his friend "okay it's gonna take some time before Kurama can resupply me with more chakra, since that jutsu early ate it all up. But I think we can win this without it" said Naruto to the Uchiha.
Sasuke grunted in understanding "yeah I think your right. My eyes are beginning to pick up his movements, their fast but I think their beginning to slow down, I can see this jutsu takes a lot of chakra to power and at the speed he is currently moving at we won't be able to catch him, unless we hit him from a range or he comes to me since I think I can see him just in time to react and counter" explained Sasuke as his eyes picked up more fast motion, his Sharingan still trying to adept to the speed of Haku and make out the blur that he still was to the Uchiha.
Naruto grinned at hearing this "thats great to hear, so we can either wear him down or give you an opening on him...I guess I'll just follow my instincts" he said as his eye turned bright gold as some of Kurama's chakra was now returning to him, no where near enough to send him into his tailed state but enough to give him a little enhancement. Haku's brown eyes narrowed at the change in the blonde's eyes guessing it was related to that potent golden chakra he was giving off not so long ago.
Naruto got into a firm stance as he put his hands into a familiar cross hand sign "okay Sasuke keep a sharp eye out!" said Naruto, Sauke guessed what he was planning and grunted in understanding. 'Shadow Clone Jutsu!' he shouted as a dozen or so golden eyed Narutos puffed into existence and charged at the mirrors all around.
What was seconds to Naruto was much longer to Sasuke as he watched each clone explode slower and slower with small sharp gleams of light appearing just before they exploded. The blur that was Haku become a bit clearer and clearer to Sasuke, either meaning he was slowing down or his eyes where adjusting quicker, or better yet both.
Then it was over each clone gone and Naruto gaining their memories, all of them either seeing nothing but a blur or nothing at all before they where hit and dispelled. Naruto released an impressed whistle making Haku cocked his head to one side at the blonde lax attitude "damn Haku you are fast" he complimented. Sasuke looked at him incredulously, unable to believe that his friend just complimented the enemy, though he inwardly had to admit that this speed was nothing but incredible.
Haku hummed in acknowledgement to that "yes I am, so maybe now you see that you stand no chance...so will finally you give up, Naruto?" he asked again his senbon still riased and armed between his finger and ready to strike at any moment.
Naruto shook his head "no, no just giving credit where it's due, we're still gonna beat ya though, right Sasuke?" asked the blonde to the Uchiha who nodded confidently his eyes now adjusted enough that they might finally be able to start going on the offensive.
The air of the dome seemed to grow colder, almost making the two genin shiver "fools" was all Haku said but his tone was as cold as the ice that made up this house of mirrors. Then it began again the rain of senbon, but they came fasten and more deadly precise then ever before. Naruto and Sasuke worked rapidly to deflect the barrage of needle's. Some even beginning to get past Sasuke as he couldn't react in time to get them all, while many more slipped past Narutos guard making him hiss in pain as they pieced even the thick material of his orange flak jacket.
Naruto grunted in pain as another senbon hit him in his shoulder, seeing no end to them he dropped his Kunai's and began weaving through some signs even as the full senbon barrage began to hit his unguarded body, but he ignored it and forced himself to endure the stinging pain. He hit the last seal and called 'wind style: defensive breeze!' Naruto kept his open palm clasped together as strong currents of wind blew to life around him and spread outwards until it formed a curricular wall of smoothly flowing wind with him and Sasuke in the centre. Naruto breathed a sigh of relief as the barrage of needles finally ended and where now being knocked back by the protective wall of wind. He looked up at the single whole mirror up above and the tops of the other mirrors knowing that they where the obvious weakness in his current defence.
Sasuke began picking out the senbon in his body, he too breathing a sigh of relief "nice one Naruto" thanked the Uchiha as he saw the senbon getting push out his friends body by his healing factor while he kept his hands clasped in order to keep the Jutsu going. Sasuke shifted his eyes up "so right now those are his only means of attacking us, either that or he'll use some heavier weapons like kunai and shurkin to piece the wall...or he comes at use directly" assets the Uchiha trying to predict the opponents next move as he used some minor healing jutsu to close up his own small bleeding wounds.
'Water Style: water bullet jutsu!' came the cold and dead voice of Haku as a fast and powerful stream of high pressure water came bursting through the wind wall and straight at the two surprised Konaha Genin. The duo where forced to jump into the air and out of the streams path as it hit some of the lower mirror like they where boulders before a river. Sasuke saw of brief blur of movement zipped between the mirrors and saw it stop at the top mirror, his eyes could see it was Haku and he was on a course for Naruto's exposed back, but it was all happening too fast for him to warn his blonde friend.
Naruto's enhanced instincts screamed at him to attack the threat that he felt was behind him. Turning fast he lashed out knocking Haku's senbon of course for his neck and deep into his should instead, making him hiss in pain. Haku was shocked by the blondes amazing reflects, but quickly refocused and instead followed in with a sharp knee to the Jinchuuriki's gut, winding him and sending him hurtling down to the cold stone bellow.
Sasuke snarled at the masked boy after watched in painfully slow detail as he sent his friend crashing to the ground. The Uchiha saw his chance and weaved through some familiar hand signs of his own "Fire Style: Great Fire ball Jutsu!" the fireball raged into existences and was on course for Haku who gracefully manoeuvred himself and flowed into a dive towards the ground. Fireball licked at one of Hakus wooden clog sandals and he quickly discarded it along with the other and was now bare foot; but it didn't bother him.
Haku landed on the stone ground and spotted Naruto now shakily beginning to stand back up. Haku ran at the still dazed blonde seeking to finish him now, if one went down the other would be soon to follow. Haku didn't get far as he was forced to leap back to avoid a shuriken, then seconded, then a third and finally a forth leaving him with four shuriken marking the distance between him and the spiky blonde. Sasuke landed before the Uzumaki his Sharingan spinning; but Haku didn't dare gaze into the famous eyes.
Naruto swallowed a deep gulp of air to replaced what was lost after Haku kneed him with a surprising amount of strength "man that hurt" he thought as his vision refocused and saw Haku barefoot with about four shuriken between them and saw Sasuke also standing before him with his back turned to him and his clan crest visible on his black shirt.
"yeah, I think I felt that too" commented Kurama humorously.
Naruto gave a small amused grin at this but refocused back on the fight, putting back on a stern expression and standing back to full height. Narutos breath finally steadied "well gotta admit that hurt" commented Naruto as he stepped forward and beside Sasuke with a fair amount of space between them.
Sasuke 'hn!' at that "well better that then what even else he had planned to do with those senbon" commented Sasuke getting an agreeing nod from the blonde as he yanked the invading senbon out of his shoulder, refusing to hiss as he did. Sasuke then smirked mockingly at the masked nin who had yet to move and was just standing their, silent with his head slightly lowered, "but if that's all he's got than theirs no way we can lose" proclaimed the Uchiha with a slight boastfulness leaking into his tone.
Haku finally lifted up his head, his eyes not visible in the eye holes of his mask, giving them the appearance of small black pits "you will not win" was all he said before he burst into water revealing himself to be nothing more than a water clone. The duo's instincts made them turn to see the real Haku behind them within his mirrors and saw a wave of senbon hurtling towards them. Naruto burst through hand seals faster than he ever thought possible 'Wind Style: Gale Palm!' the strong currents knocked and threw most of the senbon off trajectory with a only few still hitting home on his and Sasukes bodies but nothing really harmful to the young Genin. Haku tisked at seeing his attack ultimately fail in taking them out, the Uzumaki was reacting too fast while Haku's chakra and stamina where beginning to deplete "maybe I should have taken Master Zabuza's suggestion and brought some Kunai and Shuriken along".
Naruto and Sasuke removed the senbon from themselves while Haku readied more of his seemingly endless supply of senbon. Naruto grinned wildly "if you really wanna kill us your going to have to do a better job than that! Dattabayo!" exclaimed the Uzumaki as he put his hands into a familiar cross seal 'shadow clone jutsu' and another wave of Narutos appeared and charged at all the mirrors. Sasuke smirked and draw two handfuls of shurikin as he Shairgans glowered and spun smoothly, hunting for the right moment to strike. Haku frowned behind his mask and delved in for the wave of Narutos.
With Hiro
Hirofumi landed on the waters surface, not even causing a ripple as he did. Their was a light ghostly mist hovering above the waters surface, his yellowish brown eyes scanned the broad horizon for any sign of Zabuza, left, right, up "down" said Hiro as he looked down expecting something to happen but nothing. That was until a few seconds later when he felt a slight distortion in the water beneath his feet and quickly leaped out of the way just into to avoid being swallowed up by the huge water maw of a Dragon.
The beastly shaped body of water turned to Hirofumi, hunger glowing in it's burning yellow eyes as it stared and snarled at him while he stared right back at it, unshaken, "not bad" complimented Hiro under his breathe. Hiro couldn't spot Zabuza anywhere but he guessed that he must be under the water for now, leaving him to deal with the still active water dragon.
The man made dragon growled at Hiro, river water leaving it's maw like an a over flowing bath. It gave one more water muffled snarl before it attacked, throwing itself at the spirit who leaped nimbly out of way with a chakra enhanced jump leaving the dragon crashed into the river and sending up gallons of river water. Hirofumi weaved some hand seals together 'Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Sage Jutsu!' Hiro's lungs filled with the warm sensation of fire chakra before he breathed it out in a volley of small fireballs that attacked the fierce water dragon from all angles at any given time. The fire Jutsu pelted into the dragon for a good few seconds, evaporating portions of it's large body and greatly deforming it's shape and warping it beastly appearance, after the attack ended the dragon collected itself together and formed back into a smaller version of it's previous size, a much less intimidating size.
The ghostly Grandfather smirked at the now man sized dragon "well I guess that cut you down to size, huh" he said but lost his smile when the dragon suddenly dived into the water, Hiro raised an eyebrow at this sudden manoeuvre and watched the water bellow carefully while simultaneously making sure to watch out for any signs of the hidden swordsman. Hirofumi saw the water some meters away to his left ripple as the dragons fierce yellow eyes rose out of the water, soon followed by the whole of it's once again huge body, completely restored to not just it's normal size but it seeming...bigger.
The ghost frowned at this strange turn of events "this isn't right, just because it's made of water doesn't mean it can just go and restore itself by collecting more, to do that it would..." Hirofumi stopped his thoughts when he came to a realization. Hirfumi kept his eyes on the dragon, that seemed to now be more caution of him this time round, as he bent down and submerged his right arm in the river water bellow and found the water to be oddly dense and felt it had quite a thicker texture to it. Hirofumi hummed at this as he pulled his arm out of the river"clever, so that's why you've remained under the water, you've been feeding your chakra carefully into the water after you made this dragon, now with the surrounding water possessing your chakra this water dragon can now completely restore itself at any time just by collecting this chakra dense water all around it giving it they advantage " explained Hirofumi out loud. He was genuinely impressed by the swordsmans strategy. This move was ingenious he would be stuck fighting the dragon spending more chakra and energy fighting it while all Zabuza had to do was hold his breath and carefully feed some of his chakra to the water around him.
Hirofumi saw that if he kept fighting the dragon like this he would eventually run out of chakra and eventually dispel, and in this body he didn't have time or chakra to waste. So he would have to go big and not just destroy the water dragon but all the surrounding water and flush Zabuza out of hiding. It was clear that Zabuza's location was directly beneath him some ways under the water. So if he was gonna do this he was gonna need to evaporate a lot of water in one go and the fire to do so would need to get into the water deep enough to flush Zabuza out at the same time.
The dragon gave a bubbly roar before it launched itself like a missile at Hirofumi who leaped to the right and out of the way avoiding it gaping maw that was intent of swallowing him whole. As the ghost landed it saw the creatures huge sloshing tail coming straight for him, forcing him to flip and fall backwards applying chakra to his hands at he did to make sure he didn't sink into the water. As Hiro flipped back onto his feet he turned to see the dragon turning to face him, it's eyes narrowed as it submerged it previously wiping tail into the chakra laced river water and began sucking it up as if through a straw, it's form began to swell making the spirit tense as he readied himself.
The Dragon's liquid cheeks swelled and bulged out before it's mouth burst open and it began launching super fast missiles of chakra imbued water at it's wide eyed prey. The wavy haired man moved out of the way of the first one as it crashed into the water behind him, launching up small lakes worth of water when it did. Hiro dived out of way of the second, with that one smashing into one of the bridgeds stone pillars causing deep cracks to form on it's stone surface and making the power of those blasts of water more clarified to the spirit. Hirofumi knew full well that if he got hit by one of those he would be as good as done.
They adoptive guardian nimbly jumped and evaded his way back to the base of the bridged while he carefully weaved through a long string of hand seals, all the while avoiding the one shot kill cannonballs of water all the way. Hirofumi fell down to a crouch as to avoid the most resent shot of water as it flew over head, the speed and power of the blast creating a current that ruffled his hair along with his kimono jacket. Seeing his chance he leaped up to the bridge and landed on it's stone railing slash wall and startling both Sakura and Tazuna with his sudden reappearance.
The dragon stopped it's missile assault and began a charge across the water to the bridge.
Hiro hit the last seal for his next and most powerful jutsu yet and briefly spared the time to turn and address the Genin and aged Bridge Builder, making them both choke under his piecing gaze. "I suggest you both get back, this Jutsu may cook you alive if your too close" warmed Hiro making them fearfully nod as they ran some distance away up the bridge and faraway from handsome but frighting man.
The dragon was now halfway to the bridge.
Hiro felt his lungs fill and expand with fire chakra, this one feeling like that of a wild animal just wanting to be set free on to the world, to reek chaos, to turn all that stands in it's wake to ashes, to destroy and annihilate like any good being born of chaotic flames would. Yes the Jutsu that Hirofumi had selected will do the job he needed, he could tell from just the feeling of the chakra he kneaded together and arose into his lungs.
Hiro made his move seeing the dragon was now just close enough to him and further enough away from the bridge so that his Jutsu wouldn't do any damage to the great structure and it's occupants. He leaped high off the bridge and into the air until he was high above the water dragon, Hirofumi's chest bulged as the chakra in his lungs began to expand further 'Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!' he called out in his head and in the next second he breathed out the fire.
What roared into existence was a huge fire dragon that was double the size of the water dragon beneath, the body water looked up at flaming beast above with what looked like actual fear, the flaming dragon spotted it's prey with it's fiery golden eyes and sneered at the feeble water dragon before it and delved at it.
Their was no time to run or swim as the beast of fire hammered down of the dragon shaped water construct, but it didn't stop their it continued down past the rivers service and right into the river seeking to flush out shark like man bellow. It only got so far deep before the chakra river water smothered and drowsed the fiery entity, a large eruption of steam fallowed as the body of fire was killed off and began to cover a large area of both the river and even reach up to bridge forming a wall of steam between the centre.
Hirofumi landed back on the river and out of the thick high temperature steams reach. He was breathing pretty hard as he tried to get the chakra manifesting him under control. That Jutsu caused him to use up a huge chunk of chakra, chakra he should be careful to spend, the sudden burst of the chakra he just ejected could have very well dispelled him. This body consumes chakra just by existing so he has to be careful on how much chakra he spends through ninjutsu or he very well could run out too soon. Hiro took in a final breath as the chakra within him finally stabilized.
He began broadly scanning the water and steam in front of him, his eye then flickered to water beneath checking for movement. Suddenly the water behind Hiro burst away as Zabuza launched out of the river, his right palm out stretched 'Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!' he called out his expression fixed in a toothy grin which soon vanished. Hirofumi reacted the moment the water burst open, he spun around and batted Zabuza's open palm straight up and above it's owner head making the water prison form with no prisoner and leaving Zabuza with only one free hand.
Sadly for Zabuza Hirofumi wasn't going to wait for him to free his hand from his own Jutsu.
While still in the second of his counter Hiro followed in with a right to Zabuza's jaw and snapping the ex-mist nin face to one side as the wavy haired man went in for a gut shot, winding the swordsman's as his prison jutsu no collapsed into water soaking the previously dry Hiro, soaking his and clothes and matting his hair. Zabuza wasn't given time to breathe as his head was next sent reeling back from the knee he just received to his chin, Hiro next grab Zabuza left wrist and jerk him over to the direction of the bridge while he was still trying to come back to his sense's and he did just in time to see Hiro finished a pin as he picked up momentum and launched Zabuza into the air with a very strong kick to chest winding him further and possible breaking a rib or two.
Zabuza sailed through the air and didn't stop until he hit the top of the bridge and fell over it's stone railing and back onto it surface, luckily for him his sword help lessen the impact when he hit it acting like a shield. Zabuza cruelled onto his hands and knees as he hacked up blood and tried desperately refilled his empty lungs with much needed air that Hiro refused to let him have for the brief minute that he was the white haired man's living punching bag. "what in the living fuck! Just happened?" was all Zabuza could think, he was one of the Seven Fucking Swordsman of Mist and he was getting picked apart by this guy, not even Kakashi Hatake had given him this much of a rough time on their first encounter, and now this nobody who show's up out of fucking nowhere was making him look like a novice; this job was screwing Zabuza harder than the fourth Mizukage was screwing the whole of the Land of Water.
Zabuza pulled his sword off his back, it's weight their was not helping his current beaten state, he spat out of ward of blood and spit from his mouth as his breath began to return to him. In the background Sakura and Tazuna watched the injured swordsman wearly. Sakura aloud herself to wonder if in his current state she could just rush over their and finish him off, but her gut was telling her that she would probably choke at the last second and just get herself killed or at best badly injured; plus she couldn't count on the stranger to help her if she was.
Sakura almost 'eepd!' as Hirofumi walked up beside her and Tazuna without a word or sound to his footsteps. He turned to her his eyes both a fascinating mix of chest nut brown and bight yellow but their look was scarily intimidating to her, she gulped deeply and pointed the kunai in her hand to him. "St-stay back! I'm ordered to protect this man and if you try to attack him I-I 'gulp!' w-will be forced to take action" she said with as much bravery as she could muster in his presence, this man who was beating Zabuza, someone who gave her sensei a run for his money in their first fight was dealing with him ease.
Hirofumi eyes slightly narrowed as he reach out with one of his gloved hands to the girl, the movement making her close her eyes in fear as she tensed up all over, she heard Tazuna choke in panic behind her. Sakura felt her time must be over now and waited for the pain to come, but it never did as she instead felt a damp weight on the top of her head and felt it moving from side to side almost playfully. She slowly opened her green eyes and looked up at the scary man and saw him giving her a bright smile that looked charmingly handsome on his face, making her cheeks tinge pink slightly. "ahh don't worry bubble gum I'm not out to kill the bridge builder over their, actually I'm just here to help" he reassured as he took his hand off of Sakura's head and continued to smile pleasantly at her and Tazuna.
Sakura didn't know what to say to this, should she just simply believe him? Should she call him out as a liar? If she did what would that do? Get her killed? Result in something pointless? Probably, it might just be best to believe him and let him deal with Zabuza and if he's telling the truth and has no ulterior motives that affect the compilation of this mission than all the better, but if he does then what could they do to stop him? Huh? He was clearly above all their current levels with how he was handling Zabuza so their would be nothing they could do, right?
Sakura let loose a frustrated sigh, their was too much to take into consideration "okay I will believe you for now...eh?" she cut herself short as she didn't know his name not that it mattered "eh who ever you are", she next turned to Tzauna "Tazuna come with me it's not safe here anymore we're going to want to move you further up the bridge" advised Sakura getting agreeing nod from Tazuna.
Hirofumi nodded in agreement "good idea girl..." said Hiro avoiding the use of her name not wanting to raise any unneeded questions from her "you two aren't gonna want to stick around here" he said as he kept a close eye on Zabuza as he shakily got back to his feet using his swords as a cruch as glared white hot hatred at Hiro.
Sakura could feel a cold sweat coming on as she saw the look in Zabuza eyes, even though his menacing gaze wasn't focused on her or her client just seeing it was enough to make her nearly choke on air. Sakura quickly nodded and grabbed Tazuna's by the wrist "come on we gotta get out of here!" ordered Sakura to which Tazuna nodded, he knew if he stayed here his chances of living to see another day would be put greatly at risk. So the young girl and elderly man began their jog further up the bridge to gain some safe distance from the two battling ninja.
Hirofumi inwardly sighed in relief as he heard the sound of foot steps disappear into the distance. Hiro heard Zabuza growl as he recovered enough to fully stand "you are so dead" seethed Zabuza in anger as he held his butcher styled sword in a firm grip.
Hirofumi hmphed in bemusement at this "that coming from the guy who is already half way their" Hiro paused as his eyes shifted off to the side as he smirked contemptuously "so...threatening" he finished. Zabzua growled in frustration, annoyance and anger at the smart mouthed bastard and decided he had enough of speaking and in one great swing he threw his blade at the white haired man like a giant shurikin.
Hiro was surprised by the unforeseen move, he knew Zabuza could do this with his blade he just never imagine the nin would try it up front like this. The blade was lined to lop Hiro's head off but the target fell back and watched as the blade sailed over his head, just missing him but a few centimetres so close in fact that he was able to briefly see his reflection. Hiro rolled onto his upper back and used his hands to propel him back onto his feet just into to see Zabuza complete a set of seals as the swordsman's blade returned to him and landed just behind the mist nin.
Ropes of water few over the side of the bridge and converged in on Zabuza's hands, he gripped the water like a solid objects as they began to become more solid until they formed a pair of what seemed to be water whips in each of his hands. Zabuza would never usually use this type of jutsu he preferred going up close and personal with his sword but right now he was in no physical condition to be doing so and still needed time to both recover more and adjust to his currently battered condition. So this jutsu was best, it would allow to fight at more of a range which will keep him away from a close quarter battle and the jutsu didn't require him to burn through chakra to keep it going, sure in the hands of anyone else it wouldn't be that threatening of a jutsu but in his hands the water density was way higher than most could achieve.
Hirofumi frowned at the appearance of the unexpected jutsu. He could figure out just from looking at it that this justu was probably used more for binding opponents than actually attacking them but he could image that use was probably the reverse when in Zabuza's hands.
Zabuza took a stance with his leg parted wide in order to better root himself to the ground as he moved his arms in long fast but fluid movements and with a snap of his wrist and arms began whipping at Hiro. Hiro stepped out of the way of the first whip and hurriedly hopped over the second as it swiped at his legs. The manifested ghost next ducked to avoid the strike that swooped in for his neck and watched as the whip impacted with the ground and cracked it, showing how dense with chakra these whips must really be.
Zabuza picked up pace and began striking faster and harder putting Hiro on the defensive and not giving him any chance to weave any signs. Hiro quickly jumped and manoeuvred out of the way of the strong water whips just a one brushed past his head, soaking and clumping together some of his wavy locks even more so than the water from zabuza's Prison Jutsu did.
Hiro leaned, jumped, flipped and ducked out of the way of each strike, they where beginning to become increasingly difficult to avoid and it seemed Zabuza was now beginning to predict his movements now. That became evident when Hirofumi fell backwards to avoid the swipe of one of the whips and became surprised to see the second come spearing down to him from above when the first cleared his field of vision. Reacting fast Hirofumi poured chakra into his left hand and foot then released it in a burst in order to spin out of the way of the water whip just in time to avoid as it impacted and crashed into the stone of the floor creating a small crater.
Hiro landed on all fours and spun around to face Zabuza as he was bringing down his other whip to club into the ghost. Hiro rolled out of the way as the whip impacted with the ground next to him, water cracking grey stone in a long jagged line that led right back to Zabuza. The mist nin snickered at his hunter turned prey "what's the matter no more smart remarks!?" he asked his shark like teeth all out to see as he performed another lash at the man.
Hirofumi didn't say a word and just simply frowned at the swordsman. This was getting him no where so he had to get rid of these whips or get in close. He could use his sharingan to catch the man off guard but he had no clue what that would do to this body, for all he knew it could completely destabilize or possible burn right through all the reserve of chakra that was keeping this body together, no he would have to find another way it was to big of risk. The spirit's keen eyes spotted a crane near by and saw some long metal poles sprawled out next to it in an untidy pile giving him an idea for a counter attack. Hiro rushed over to them avoiding Zabuza's strike all the way. He kicked up a pole into each hand and began throwing them like javelins at the ex-mist nin who was being forced to dodge also or get hit.
Hiro batted a whip lash away with noticeable effort with one of the metal pole in his grasp and hurled they other at Zabuza, he saw the one he defended with was bent out of shape from the water whip and quickly discarded it as he kicked up a new one and speared it at Zabuza.
Zabzua growled in irritation at the man before his eyes landed on his near by sword that was still embedded in the ground not far from his position, he smirked as an idea popped into his head and he knocked away a newly thrown pole with one of his whips and sent the other out towards his blade. The water tendril wrapped itself around the long handle of the sword and yanked it out of the ground with ease and began snaking it's way back to it wielder.
Zabuza lightly laughed at Hiro with a full toothy grin that was less bloodthirsty but more self amused "well I've never tried this before but I guess theirs a first time for everything" he said as he put his armed hands together and merged the two whips thickening up the ropes of water before it's bulged form narrowed slightly as Zabuza upped the density of the water more and lengthened the rope. Now Zabzua was armed with something crudely akin to a chain and sickle.
Hirofumi was surprised by this new development but quickly got over it, he knew just from looking at that thing that if he was struck full on he would be to put it bluntly screwed. Zabuza's blade hit the ground as he held the rope of water lazily before he tightened it up and the blade lifted off the ground until only it's tip lightly scraped it's grey surface, Zabuza began to swing the water rope and in turn the blade back and forth until he picked up enough momentum to begin fully spinning it until it was nothing but a gleaming blur. It was like Zabuza had a giant buzz saw in his hands, a notion that was made more believable by the way the blade scraped the ground with it's tip creating spark and making a horrid screeching noise until it finally wore the area of ground away, leaving only the loud whooshes of Zabuza's new weapon spinning in they air beside him.
Zabuza chuckled darkly at Hiro, his eye nearly shinning red with his blood lust as he stared at the white haired man, his body's pain forgotten after discovering this new wonderful way to use his beloved blade. "hehehe, I must thank you Hirofumi" said Zabuza using the man's name for the first time during their fight " if it wasn't for you I might have never have thought of this. I always did work better under pressure" stated Zabuza his voice genuine. Zabuza had found himself in a bit of rut as of late when it came to inventing new techniques to use but thanks to this fight he now has one, plus during his life he had practised with the chain and sickle before so he could handle this.
Hirofumi shrugged as he stud on top of the crane, he got up their during the small time in between Zabuza blocking his last attack "always glad to help" he replied with sarcasm. Hiro watched the spinning blade carefully prepared to move at any moment, the water whip seemed now dense enough that it wasn't spilling a drop of water even with the speed it was moving at.
Zabuza chuckled sinisterly as he grinned toothly up at Hiro "well if you want to help than why dont you do me a favour and perish!" he yelled as he shifted the posture of his body and in the next second the blade was harpooning at Hiro at incredible speeds. Hiro leaped out of the way just in time to avoid being run through and landed some distance away from Zabuza's location and back onto the stone floor. He saw Zabuza pull back his blade by drawing in the chakra dense water rope, the sword was pulled with what seemed like ease from the neck of the crane it pieced into. Zabuza caught the handle of the blade with his hand, this time showing he could wield the weapon with his hand while the water wrapped around his arm and he kept the end of the rope in his other.
Zabuza gazed darkly at Hiro while the ghost held the gaze unwaveringly "well I hope your not done yet because I'm honestly beginning to enjoy myself" expressed Zabuza.
Hiro smirked at this "well I think your the last person on this bridge that should be talking like that since I did kick your ass back up here" retorted Hirofumi as he pointed to a slight indent in the stone railing where Zabuza had impacted.
Zabuza shrugged at that "yeah I will admit you did managed to bang me up it pretty good their. But that's all gonna change now..." he said as he pointed his upgraded weapon at Hiro "with this new weapon I will destroy you" he swore as he glared at his hated enemy. He grinned like a shark in a chum pool "and am gonna enjoy making you suffer" he added.
The two men stud staring each other down as the air around them grew chilled once again by their killing intent for they other, it was growing so intense that the fish in the river below where trying to swim as far away from the bridges location as possible. Predatory black eyes bored into yellowish brown neither blinking as the tension in they air grew ever thicker, silence was absolute until one broke the silence "you'll die trying" was all that Hiro had to say before Zabuza's toothy grin grew wild before they charged at each other.
The fated battle wedges on atop they incomplete bridge.
Chapter End
Well I hope you all enjoyed this latest chapter alot of action, if you did enjoy drop me a review telling me what you did or didn't like.
Anyway until next time Silverknight out.