Naruto Overdrive
chpt.10: Wave, Goodbye
The rain poured down heavily, drenching the two exhausted shinobi as they looked at each other, breathing heavily as they both knew that they were nearing their limits. And off to the side, Tazuna just stood there and wondering just how much more both men could possibly endure.
And then, they both felt it. A powerful pulse of energy that came rushing through the air. Both looked around for a second before they both looked off into the distance towards the direction the pulse had come from.
'That chakra? Such a powerful swelling of negative energy. It feels familiar; like...no, it can't be...a Biju?' thought Zabuza, who then realizes that it was coming from the direction of Gato's estate.
Meanwhile, Kakashi was having a more serious realization than Zabuza was having. 'This power; it's the Kyubi's chakra. But that can only mean...Naruto! Something bad has happened.'
"Kakashi?" said Zabuza suddenly, drawing Kakashi's attention back to him.
"I have a proposition for you" said Zabuza, who was becoming worried about Haku because the chakra was coming from the estate and Haku could be in danger if a Biju had appeared there.
"I'm listening" said Kakashi.
"We have both nearly reached our limits in this fight. So what do you say we throw caution to the win and each put all we have into one final attack and which ever one of us is still standing at the end is the winner" asked Zabuza.
'I don't have time to keep playing with him. If something has happened to the seal, then I need to get to Naruto as quickly as possible. But still, I doubt Zabuza will just let me go, so...' thought Kakashi before he says "Alright, let's do this."
After a second of them just looking at one another, they both break into a rapid set of hand signs before they both begin to build up their final jutsu attack. For Kakashi, he gripped the wrist of his left hand with his right while holding his left hand down, aimed towards the ground. And from his hand could be seen lightning chakra beginning to form as it crackled in the open air. Meanwhile, Zabuza brought both hands together as if he was praying, but then he splits his hands apart just a little and reveals a ball of glowing ball of water chakra that was slowly growing bigger.
Zabuza then looks at Kakashi and sees what he was preparing and ask "That jutsu? Is that the one you sprang on me before, during our last battle?"
"You could say that. But that time, I didn't have the time to fully power it up. This time, you'll experience it at full power. And you should know that this jutsu is the one jutsu in my massive arsenal that I created myself, not copied from another ninja" said Kakashi.
Then Kakashi looks carefully at Zabuza's jutsu and ask "And that attack? Is that what I think it is?"
Zabuza nods, then says "Correct, this jutsu is the one created by the first Mizukage and is considered one of the most powerful water jutsu, if no the most powerful, ever created. And as for how I know it? Well, he was my grandfather after all and I was lucky to find his secret stash of jutsu scrolls."
"Tazuna, get as far back as you can. This, is gonna be violent" warned Kakashi. Tazuna just nods before running back till he had left the bridge entirely and couldn't see either Kakashi or Zabuza through the rain.
The two attacks finished preparing at exactly the same time and both ninja went into their attacks. Kakashi blast forward, moving like a bolt of lightning from the sky; his attack cutting into the surface of the bridge with ease as he shouts out "Lightning Blade."
Zabuza, meanwhile, waits to Kakashi was right on top of him before he puts the final bit of energy into his attack, making it glow brightly before his pushes the attack forward, saying "Kirmao (super sonic kinetic water bullet)" and fires it into Kakashi at point blank range.
For one second, Tazuna stands his ground as he awaits some sign that the battle had ended. And then, a light brighter than anything he had ever seen envelopes him followed instantaneously by a sound louder than any blast of thunder ever heard and he finds himself being thrown back from the sudden force of the impact of the two attacks.
When he recovers from being stunned by the fall, he gets back to his feet and rushes back to where the two ninja had been fighting. And we he finally sees them, he freezes as he sees what damage they had done to each other. The two of them were bleeding badly; Kakashi from his entire left hand and Zabuza from his chest and hands and lower arms due to the attacks contacting and canceling each other out in an explosive maelstrom.
"It would seem that they were even in power" said Zabuza.
"So it would seem" said Kakashi.
After a brief pause, Kakashi ask "So, did you feel that power pulsing through the air a few minutes ago?"
"Yeah, it was coming from Gato's estate" replied Zabuza.
"We can continue this fight another time. Right now, I need to get there" said Kakashi.
"As do I. I could sense the power of a Biju and my student is there and may be in danger" said Zabuza.
"Yeah, and I think I know what Biju we both detect too" said Kakashi.
"Then explain on the go" said Zabuza, earning a nod from Kakashi before they both take off and head for the estate, ignoring their injuries and the need for medical attention.
"Hey, what about me?" shouts Tazuna before he follows after them as best he could in his old age.
(Gato's estate)
Naruto growled menacingly as he looked from Haku to Gato to Haku again as his feral mind tried to decide which one of them to attack first. The chakra cloak that covered his body bubbled and shook as he dug his now clawed finger nails into the ground.
'Naruto...' thought Haku, not knowing what he could or should do now.
He had trapped Naruto within his Ice Mirror in order to keep him from being involved in this blood bath that he was doing here. And though he knew that doing this would drain Naruto's chakra while he was trapped, Haku had planned to release him before it become life threatening. But now that he knew Naruto was, in fact, a Jinchurriki, Haku realized just how foolish his decision had been.
Gato, meanwhile, was very close to crapping himself from the fear he was feeling here. "By Kami, a demon...a Makian...here, in my home?" He then looks to Haku and screams "You attack and kill my men, say you're gonna kill me. And you bring a demonic beast here with you, you damn brat."
Hearing Gato calling him a demon and a beast made Naruto jerk his head at Gato and he then lowed his eyes before a smile crossed his face and his eyes squinted dangerously. As Naruto raised a hand, Gato sensed what was about to happen and quickly turns and makes a run for it.
Naruto roars before a chakra claw shoots from the cloak on his arm and aimed at at Gato, who was pushing the wall to enter the secret passage at that moment. Just as he starts to enter it, he looks back and sees the claw coming at him and Gato screams in terror as he tries to rush into the hidden passage just as the claw collides with the wall and crushes it inward.
After a second, Naruto retracts the claw and looks into the massive hole in the wall as does Haku and neither see any sign of Gato. But they do see a small hint of blood along the edges of the impacted wall.
And then, Naruto looks at Haku and growls in a low, threatening voice.
"Naruto...that's right, you don't recognize me. Not with this mask on anyways" said Haku as he starts to pull his mask off and hopes Naruto's mind still held enough control to recognize him from their meeting the other day.
Unfortunately, Naruto takes Haku's actions as a sign that he was going to attack and he responds by roaring again before launching himself forward to attack Haku. Haku barely has time to dodge as Naruto comes crashing down and destroys Gato's desk from his landing.
Realizing that he would have to fight, Haku raises a hand and forms several Crystal Ice Mirror's and uses them to surround Naruto before entering into one of them. Then, an image of Haku appears on each one. Naruto's eyes dart from mirror to mirror as he searches for the real Haku.
'Sorry, but I have to do this, Naruto' thinks Haku as he starts sending senbon after at senbon at him.
The senbon impact against the chakra cloak, but doesn't penetrate it as Naruto's chakra cloak begins to glow. Naruto then jumps into the air, roaring as loud as he can as a powerful shock wave of Kyubi chakra erupts from him and slams into the mirrors, causing all but three of them to be destroyed instantly.
"What power" says Haku as he marvels at Naruto's abilities.
And then, Naruto looks right at him and smiles before lunging right at the mirror Haku was in. Haku jumps to another mirror as Naruto shatters the first with his chakra claw. He then goes for the second as Haku leaps over to the third, then doubles back as Naruto destroys the second as he tries to get Naruto with the newly formed ice lance in his hand.
But before he can make a move to strike, Naruto's head jerks around and, with a speed that Haku couldn't follow, spins around, uses one hand to grab and shatter the ice lance, and uses his other hand to grab Haku by his top and pulls him in close before giving him a most intimidating growl imaginable.
"Naruto..." said Haku as Naruto takes his free hand and brings it back.
"It's me..." continued Haku as the chakra cloak around Naruto's hand begins to glow and rage furiously.
'"HAKU!" finishes Haku as Naruto slams his fist into the mask and sends Haku flying back like a leaf in the wind.
(with Kakashi and Zabuza)
"So, your genin student as a Jinchurriki. That explains a lot" said Zabuza.
"Yeah, and it's the Kyubi that is sealed within him" said Kakashi as they moved quickly through the forest as they fast approached Gato's estate. "But you knew it was the power of a Biju. May I ask how?"
"Before I left Kiri, we had two Jinchurriki ourselves. The Rokubi who's Jinchurriki I do not know the name of. And there was the Sanbi, who's power had been sealed within the body of the Third Mizukage. But seeing as Yagura is dead now, I don't know who now holds it" said Zabuza.
Kakashi remains quiet for a moment before asking "Zabuza, may I ask why you left Kiri?"
Zabuza's faces darkens and, from what Kakashi can tell, becomes sadder too. "I have my reasons. Like that blood limit purge that happened during the Third Mizukage's reign. I know I'm not one to talk from all the things I've done in the past. But I can not support a village that would allow that kind of atrocities to happen."
Though Kakashi agreed with him, he also knew that Zabuza wasn't telling him everything. But he chose not to press that issue and ask further. What ever Zabuza was keeping to himself was his business only and NOT Kakashi's.
"I can see the estate up ahead. I just hope we're not to late" said Zabuza as they sped up their pace.
(Naruto and Haku)
"Haku?" said Naruto as he looked at the masked boy as he tried to pick himself up off the ground, having trouble in doing this.
Cracks had begun to form around the mask on Haku's face and he looks at Naruto before pressing a finger up against the mask. The added pressure causes the mask to finally break and fall away, revealing Haku's face for Naruto to see.
Seeing Haku's face causes a change to occur on Naruto as his eyes slowly lose their glow, returning to normal and his chakra cloak shrivels and weakens before finally fading away completely. He looks closes at Haku before saying "You? You're that girl...I mean, boy from yesterday, right?"
Haku nods as he finds himself smiling for some odd reason while saying "Yeah, I'm glad you finally remember me."
"Wait, what are you doing here? And where Tsunami and Inari?" says Naruto as he starts to loom around.
"Don't worry, they are both safe. And as for me, I came here to kill Gato and his men. Or, I guess I should say that I killed his men and was about to kill Gato when you came bursting out in you Jinchurriki state" said Haku.
'Jinchurriki state? Is that what was happening to me? I can't remember' thinks Naruto before pushing that thought aside for later. "Why were you planning on killing Gato? Are you some one who suffered because of him like Inari?"
"No. I'm doing it because Zabuza asked me to while he was fighting Kakashi and because someone needed to kill that damn little troll for what he has done" said Haku.
"Because Zabuza asked you to?" said Naruto, then remembering what Haku had said to him outside. "Wait, your Zabuza's student aren't you?"
"That's right?" replied Haku.
"But why? Why would you work for him? He's a criminal, a hired mercenary who kills people for money and..." says Naruto, but Haku cuts him off.
"Because he saved my life" replied Haku.
Seeing the confusion on Naruto's face, Haku says "My mother was from a clan that use to live in Keishu and many of them were ninja for Kiri, my mother included. But the third Mizukage; Yagura, for some unknown reason began a blood line purge that swept over all of Keishu. This purge was meant to kill off anyone who had a kekkei genkai."
"My mother and father, who was a ninja for Kiri himself left with me when this started and I was about six at the time. We hid for a while and thought we were safe. During that time, I began to awaken the power within me. But then, father...something happened to him. He had gone to the market in a town close to where we were hiding out and when he returned, he attacked and killed mother, then tried to kill me. In a fear induced panic, I used the power of the Ice style and killed him."
"After that, I wandered around homeless for a while, stealing food so I could eat and survive. Eventually, I met Zabuza. He took me in, gave me food and clothes, and even trained me. He even helped me master my Ice type chakra. I asked him how he understood the training for it and he only ever told me that he had known another member of the clan and they had been close" explained Haku.
"I see. But I still don't understand why were you attacking Gato and his men? Aren't you and Zabuza working with him?" asked Naruto.
"We need money if we're going to do what Zabuza plans to do. So, hiring ourselves out to people like mercenaries is a good way to go. But Gato was to close to being like the kind of people who allowed the blood line purge, according to Zabuza, and he decided to kill him instead of taking the money and leaving" said Haku.
"Wow, that's surprisingly kind of him. I never would have guessed. So, what is it Zabuza is planning?" asked Naruto.
"He wants to raise an army that can destroy Kiri and wipe it from the face of the earth" states Haku.
"But why? Does it have to do with that blood purge? If so, hasn't everyone involved already died?" asked Naruto.
"Yes, it is because of the blood purge. And most of the ones involved in that decision have died, but a few still remain. And even if they were all dead, he'd still want to destroy Kiri" said Haku.
"Why?" asked Naruto.
"Because, if Kiri could ever produce people who could be capable of bringing forth that purge once, it could happen again in the future. So, it is better to kill the source before it can bring forth another purge" said Haku.
Naruto just stood there, unsure of what to say or how to react to all of this. On one hand, what they were doing did make sense, but at the same time...it was wrong.
"Naruto, you weren't suppose to be here, ya know" said Haku.
"Huh?" asked Naruto.
"Zabuza wanted you to stay back with Tazuna's family because he knew Gato was planning on sending people to kidnap them. But it looked like that didn't work out as he wanted. But at least they weren't hurt, right?" said Haku.
"So, that's what is going on here" came the voice of Gato, drawing their attention to him.
Both Naruto and Haku turn quickly to see Gato, bloody and barely alive, using his cane to help support him while holding a silver object in his hands. "How are you still alive?" asked Haku, sure Naruto had crushed him to death.
"I'm very lucky. But not you" said Gato before aiming the silver object at Naruto's chest and pulling his finger back on the trigger.
Sensing the danger Naruto was in, Haku instinctively jumps in front of Naruto as a shot rang out. For what felt like an eternity, Haku just stands there before he feels blood rushing to his lips. Feeling his chest, he finds a bloody hole over his heart and he then collapses onto the ground.
"HAKU" shouts Naruto as he rushes in and catches Haku and cradles him in his arms.
Seeing Haku in pain, the hole in his chest pumping blood out, his face pale, and his breathing labored, Naruto looks at Gato and ask "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?"
"I shot him with this" said Gato, showing Naruto the object in his hands. "It's called a Gun. I picket it up a few years ago while I was doing business in the far west. It fires a small ball of metal called a bullet and is quite effective at piercing most armor, to say nothing of flesh." Gato then goes to work on reloading the gun as it only had a one shot at a time policy.
"Naruto..." said Haku weakly.
"I'm here. Just...try to hold on. I'll...I'll find you some help. You'll be fine" said Naruto as he found himself beginning to cry.
"We both know that is impossible now" said Haku as he reaches up and places a hand on Naruto cheek. "Don't forget...what I told you the other day. You will become strong...I know it. And I'll be watching you from the other side; so don't let me down now."
And then, the light in Haku's eyes fades and his hand falls from Naruto's face.
"So, the little flea is dead now. Good riddance" said Gato.
Naruto's gaze stays of Haku for a moment before he looks up and his eyes begin to turn red and his face contorts to show that he was being filled with more hate than he had ever felt in his life.
"Oh, you miss him that much? Here then, let me send you to join him" said Gato as he aims the gun at Naruto's head.
The roof above them suddenly explodes as Kakashi and Zabuza come rushing down. In an instant, Kakashi is by Naruto and Zabuza lands before Gato and has the little man's head poking out of the circular opening in his Executioner's Blade.
"Kakashi-sensei?" says Naruto as he looks at the older man.
Kakashi looks at him and sighs in relief at seeing Naruto was back to normal, but then realizes that Naruto is crying. He then sees Haku laying lifeless in his arms.
'Haku?' thinks Zabuza as he looks back and feels murderous rage rushing through him while Gato quickly pushes the barrel of the gun to Zabuza's chest and pulls the trigger again.
Zabuza's body jerks as the bullet cuts through his heart and reacting from this act, he quickly pulls the blade back and takes Gato's head off in one quick motion before collapsing to the ground.
Kakashi rushes to him, but he can already tell that there was nothing that can be done.
"Kakashi, can you have...your student bring Haku to me?" asked Zabuza as his heart began to fail him.
"Naruto" said Kakashi, looking back at Naruto.
Naruto, hearing the request, nods as he stands up and places Haku down beside Zabuza. The former Kiri nin looks at the dead boy before tears start to fall from his eyes "Haku, did I ever tell you how proud I was to have met you. How you saved me and changed my life for the better?"
Though Haku doesn't reply, Zabuza smiles anyways and says "Thank you, Haku."
He then looks at Kakashi and fights back the darkness so he can say a few more things. "Kakashi, promise me that you'll make sure Konoha never does what Kiri did to those who have kekkei genkai while you still breath."
"Don't worry, I'll never allow that to be repeated so long as my body lives" replied Kakashi.
Zabuza then looks at Naruto and says "Haku spoke highly of you, even though you two had only talked once. Please, never forget him and what you learned from him and live your life staying true to who you are."
"I promise" said Naruto.
Zabuza then pulls his sword over and says "Kakashi, here. I give this blade to you. May it serve you well."
Kakashi takes the Executioner's Blade in hand and gives Zabuza an understanding nod.
"Now, I better hurry up and catch up with...Haku..." said Zabuza, before he to, finally passed on.
After this incident, Gato's estate was destroy and all of his possessions and money were given to the people of Wave, who were finally free. In the after math of this incident, Zabuza and Haku were given the traditional burial ceremony for ninja by having their bodies burned upon a bon fire and their ashes collected into an urn that would be buried with honor.
During the ceremony, Tazuna walks over to Kakashi and says "Here, we found this on Zabuza and decided to no let it burn. Maybe this will explain a few things."
Kakashi looks at the picture and sees Zabuza standing beside a woman who was holding a child. And now he finally understood why Zabuza had left Kiri. This woman, with orange colored hair that was placed into two stalk like shapes that hung down onto her back, must have been his wife and the child their child. And they must have had kekkei genkai to and had been killed. Or at least, that was Kakashi's guess. Two weeks later, the bridge was completed and, to Naruto's surprise, it was named after him because of what he had inspired here in Wave. With a promise to return one day, Naruto and Kakashi left Wave and returned home to the Leaf and the start of another adventure.
Next time: ...another escort mission...