Author's Message: This chapter is part 1 of the Land of Waves Arc. This covers the start of the arc until the end of the first Zabuza fight.
Land of Waves"Ah Team 7, we have plenty of D ranked missions for you to do today. Your efficiency really helps this village stay clean." Hiruzen says sitting behind a desk next to Iruka
"With all due respect Lord 3rd I think my Genin have a request." Kakashi says stepping aside letting his team speak
"Old man we've been doing D ranks for a whole month and it's just been chasing cats and cleaning toilets, can we have a higher ranked mission?" Naruto asks
"Naruto your team is a team of Genin meaning you get assigned D ranks and D ranks only until proven otherwise." Iruka says
"Iruka Sensei our skills are being wasted with these practically meaningless task, why should ninja be cleaning toilets all day as missions?" Naruto asks again
"You must earn a higher ranked mission it does not come easily Naruto." Hiruzen says
"Then I have a question, where would Sasuke's fireball come in handy in catching stray cats or cleaning toilets. Where would any type of jutsu besides clones be helpful with any of these task?" Naruto says and Hokage sighs
"You have a point Naruto, how about this I'll give you an escort mission I'll call in the client. Tazuna!" Hiruzen says and a old man walks into the room standing in the door way
"These are the runts that are taking me home?" Tazuna says and Indra appears next to him
"I don't even have a respiratory system anymore but I can sense the presence of throw up and alcohol, is this what you people have come to today?" Indra says making Naruto laugh a little
"What do you think your laughing at?!" Tazuna says to Naruto
Kakashi hits Naruto's shoulder. "Ahem, sorry I was just thinking of something funny." Naruto says trying to be professional
"Your lying skills need work." Indra says
"Don't tell me these kids are taking me home, we have a girl who stands out like a sore thumb, a emo kid, and that little laugh brat." Tazuna says
"I kinda like this guy he's growing on me." Indra says
"Relax Mr.Tazuna I will also help guide you home safely, I assure you these Genin will be able to protect you from thieves and highway bandits." Kakashi says trying to calm down Tazuna
"Hmm...works for me as long as I get back to Waves not dead I'm ok." Tazuna says
"Alright team go get prepared we meet at the main gate in 15 minutes." Kakashi says the Genin nod and go get prepared
Naruto goes home and grabs his katana and his pouch full of shuriken, kunai and paper bomb tags. As soon as he is done he immediately runs straight for the gate. He waits there for everyone to arrive a soon Team 7 and Tazuna are on there way to the Land of Waves.
"Can't believe we're going to another village, this will be my first time so far away from the village." Naruto thinks while walking with his team
"There's a whole world out there kid, lots of powerful ninja that you haven't even met yet." Indra says
"Yeah I know there's all the different hidden villages and stuff." Naruto thinks so Indra can hear
"And keep going for that dream and you may just be the head of one of them." Indra says and he keeps walking beside Naruto for a minute
Indra looks around and sees a random puddle. "Somethings not right." Indra thinks to himself
"Naruto get ready!" Indra says and Naruto grabs his katana
"What are you do-." Sakura tries to ask Naruto after seeing him dash in front of her, and he collides with the arm of a ninja.
"Everyone watch out, protect the client!" Kakashi says
Naruto holds his ground against the enemy ninja who is pressing his weight on to Naruto.
Another ninja appears and wraps Kakashi in a metal chain. "Kakashi Sensei!" Sakura says looking at the scene while standing next to Sasuke and Tazuna
The ninja pulls his chain from around Kakashi and blood spews all over the ground. Kakashi seemingly has been killed.
"Kakashi Sensei!" Naruto says still holding his ground but gets kicked away back to the group.
"Naruto you take on the one on the left, I got the right. Sakura stay here and protect the client." Sasuke says
Naruto activates his Sharingan and gets into a guard stance preparing for the enemy ninja's attack. Sasuke grabs a kunai prepared for the attack as well.
"Our boss will be pleased with our work!" One of the ninja says as he and his comrade lock arms forming a even longer chain as they run at the group.
As Naruto and Sasuke brace for impact they hear a loud thud. They look to see Kakashi holding the two enemy ninja in a choke hold.
"Hey." Kakashi says
"He's alive!" Sakura says as she sees the two enemy ninja knocked out in Kakashi's arms
"How did he..." Naruto thinks, and he looks over to where Kakashi was attacked and sees a bunch of logs
"He used a substitution jutsu." Naruto says
"Good job everyone on protecting the client especially you Naruto, very good reactions." Kakashi says
"He probably would've gotten killed if it weren't for me." Indra says to himself
Kakashi ties the two enemy ninja to a tree so that he could send word for a capture team. "To me it seems like these two were after something, from the Hidden Mist as well I see." Kakashi says seeing the scratched symbol of the Mist Village on their headbands.
Kakashi writes a message in a scroll and summons a dog to take it back to the Hokage. "So Tazuna care to explain why people in a C ranked mission assassins after you?" Kakashi says sternly making even the Genin have chills
Tazuna sighs and starts to explain. "I didn't have enough money to assign a higher ranked mission. The Land of Waves is in deep trouble and it has been for years under a gang leader named Gato. He wants to stop me from building that bridge, and he'll do it by any means necessary. I understand if you want to go back but please by village needs help." Tazuna says
"As much as I would like to help it's up to the Genin. Do you guys think your up to this?" Kakashi says looking at the Genin
"I would say do it, your not going to get many opportunities like this." Indra says to Naruto
"Sure I say we should do it." Naruto says
"Can't let him show me up." Sasuke thinks to himself
"It's fine with me." Sasuke says and everyone looks at Sakura
"If everyone else wants to go then sure why not." Sakura says and Tazuna looks pleased
"Well alright then everyone better be on guard then at all times. We don't know what other men Gato will send out way." Kakashi says and the team nods, and they keep walking towards the docks in order to get a boat to the Land of Waves.
Zabuza"How far away are we from your home Tazuna?" Kakashi asks after getting off the boat across the lake
"Not to far now maybe an hour or two." Tazuna says as the group walks through a forest
They walk as the sun beams down upon the land surrounded by water making the air feel cool.
Everything is silent with Kakashi taking lead in front of the group. Sasuke and Sakura walk in front of the client while Naruto stays in the back covering the rear.
Things are looking good with no interruptions but suddenly Kakashi shouts. "Everyone get down!" Kakashi says and everyone sees a large sword spinning at them with high speeds.
Everyone ducks and the blade gets lodged into a nearby tree. Everyone looks at the blade in curiosity, but they see a man wearing gray pants and no shirt standing on top of it.
"It seems it's my lucky day, my target being guarded by mere children and oh would you look at that. Kakashi of the Sharingan." The man says
"Kakashi of the Sharingan?" Naruto thinks
"Zabuza, Demon of the Bloody Mist. Maybe we shouldn't have taken this job." Kakashi says putting his hand on his headband
"This will be fun." Zabuza says as he disappears with his blade and appears far in front of the group.
Kakashi lifts his headband revealing his Sharingan getting ready for battle. "Protect the client at all cost!" Kakashi says
The Genin looked surprised but they all surround Tazuna.
"Hidden mist jutsu!" Zabuza says and a mist sudden rolls in cutting of vision of the Genin.
Naruto activates his Sharingan to try and see through the mist but the mist grows thicker leaving him barley able to see.
He looks around and suddenly hears a clash of metal right behind him. Naruto looks at where the sound came from and sees Kakashi holding his kunai against Zabuza's sword.
"It would be easier if you just let me do my job." Zabuza says as he kicks away Kakashi away.
Zabuza rushes at Kakashi with his blade and brings it down on him cutting Kakashi in half. "Sensei!" Naruto says
Naruto rushes at Zabuza and says "shadow clone jutsu!" and he makes a dozen clones
"Naruto wait!" Sakura says trying to stop Naruto
"So the brat wants a beating as well!" Zabuza says, and he swipes his sword through the shadow clones but another Naruto runs at him.
The Naruto jumps into the air with his katana and brings it down upon Zabuza. Zabuza blocks the attack with his sword which makes sparks fly off the sharp metal.
As Zabuza blocks the attack Naruto seemingly poofs into smoke. "What?!" Zabuza says, and he looks back down and sees the real Naruto about to swing his katana through Zabuza
"He used that same move against Kakashi." Sasuke says
"A fast one." Zabuza says as he kicks Naruto away back towards his group.
"But not fast enough." Zabuza says
"You idiot! We need to protect Tazuna!" Sasuke says
"He killed Kakashi!" Naruto says
"I'll make sure your deaths are quick just like your Sensei." Zabuza says, and he tries running towards the Genin but feels a kunai around his neck
"I won't go down that easily." Kakashi says holding his kunai behind Zabuza
"I knew you wouldn't go down so easily." Zabuza says as he makes a hand sign
Kakashi is grabbed and thrown into the water by a Zabuza clone that appeared behind him.
Zabuza runs over to Kakashi and says "Water style, water prison jutsu." A water bubble forms around Kakashi imprisoning him.
"Now we have to do something." Naruto says to Sasuke and Sakura
"We need to take care of that clone first." Sasuke says looking at the Zabuza clone
"I have an idea, but we're going to have to take on that clone first." Naruto says and Sasuke nods
"Sakura protect Tazuna, Sasuke follow me." Naruto says and he uses the shadow clone jutsu again
The shadow clones, Naruto, and Sasuke run at the Zabuza clones. "Like our plan during the bell test!" Naruto says and the clones jump at the Zabuza clone trying to hold it down
The clones grab at the Zabuza clones arms and legs. "Now Sasuke!" Naruto says
"Fire style, Fire ball jutsu!" Sasuke says as he shoots a large ball of fire out his mouth at the Naruto and Zabuza's clones. The shadow clones poof into smoke and the Zabuza clone turns into water.
"Alright time to get Kakashi Sensei." Naruto says and he pulls out a Flying Raijin kunai.
Sasuke looks at the kunai and gets an idea of what Naruto wants to do.
"Shadow clone jutsu!" Naruto says once again and his shadow clones appear and run at the real Zabuza
"So predictable." Zabuza says ready with his free hand to destroy the clones
Naruto throws his kunai into the air towards Zabuza. "Sasuke let's go." Naruto says, and he and Sasuke run with the clones at Zabuza
Zabuza picks up his sword with one arm and slashes at the shadow clones. "And now time for the brats." Zabuza says
Naruto and Sasuke are a few feet in front of Zabuza and then Naruto grabs Sasuke's shirt, and they disappear.
"Flying Raijin!" Naruto says and Zabuza looks up and is met with a kick from Naruto and Sasuke.
Zabuza is kicked away releasing Kakashi from the water prison. "Nice job Naruto and Sasuke, I'll take care of him now you two go back to Sakura." Kakashi says and the two Genin nod
Naruto and Sasuke get back to Tazuna and Sakura. Naruto's Sharingan deactivates, and he drops to one knee. "The Sharingan plus Flying Raijin takes so much out of me." Naruto says
"Let's just hope Kakashi Sensei can handle him now." Sakura says as they watch the battle go on
They look at see a battle fit for two Jonin level ninjas. Jutsu that completely over shadows the likes of Sasuke's fireball are casted and the Genin and Tazuna watch in awe. Kakashi and Zabuza clash weapons standing under the water their two jutsus created.
Soon Zabuza seems to look on edge and loses his cool with Kakashi constantly copying his movements. A spiral of water forms in front of Kakashi and a powerful wave of water is expelled and crashes into Zabuza forcing him against a tree making him go limp.
As Zabuza tries to move he is pinned by multiple kunai from Kakashi. "This is your final battle Zabuza." Kakashi says walking towards Zabuza but as Zabuza tries to respond he is cut off by two needles piercing his neck killing him.
"What?" Kakashi says looking around, and he sees a figure with a Hidden Mist ANBU mask on.
The Genin walk towards Kakashi with Sasuke helping Naruto walk. "Is it over Sensei?" Sakura ask Kakashi
"Yes, stand down this is just a tracker ninja." Kakashi says and the ninja jumps down to the ground
"Thank you for taking care of Zabuza for me." The ninja says
"They were able kill him so easily." Naruto thinks to himself
"What are they going to do?" Sasuke says
"Zabuza'a body holds many secrets of the Hidden Mist, the ninja will take the body and most likely burn it." Kakashi says
The tracker ninja grabs Zabuza's body and sword then disappears.
Kakashi puts away his Sharingan and immediately falls to his knees and grunts. "That battle must have taken more out of him then it did me." Naruto says
"Your Sensei can rest at my place, we're close it's the least I could do." Tazuna says finding respect for Team 7
"Naruto are you ok now?" Sasuke asks and Naruto nods
Naruto and Sasuke help Kakashi walk to Tazuna's house while Sakura stays on guard. They soon arrive to the house and meet Tazuna's daughter and her son. It is late however, and they let Kakashi and Team 7 rest.
Naruto sits on his sleeping bag while everyone else is sleep. "Had fun today I assume?" Indra says to Naruto sitting in front of him
"We almost died today I wouldn't call it very fun." Naruto says
"Well it beats doing nothing, somethings bothering you." Indra says wondering why Naruto is even still awake
"That ninja that took Zabuza, he killed him so easily. I could barley do anything without almost passing out." Naruto says and Indra sighs
"Naruto there's a lot of people out there stronger than you, much stronger. I told you I'm going to do everything I can to make you the strongest ninja there is." Indra says
"But why? You say this but never say why." Naruto says
"What I cant do something out the kindness of my heart?" Indra says
"You always told me I'm your vessel Indra, your vessel for what a vessel has a purpose or use what is mine?" Naruto says and Indra looks displeased
"Your a curious kid just like how I was Naruto, always sticking our noses into things that aren't our business. You are my reincarnation which means you are the manifest station of my will that's what you are." Indra says
"Then what's your will?" Naruto asks
"To be the strongest, now go to sleep you'll need your energy." Indra says
"What do you mean?" Naruto asks
"That ninja didn't kill Zabuza he merely knocked him out, the placement of those needles was to knock someone out or but them in a near death state. Your going to have to fight Zabuza and probably that ninja again." Indra says which frightens Naruto
"But you did good today, you didn't die so enjoy some rest." Indra says and Naruto chooses to lay down and go to sleep
Indra waits until Naruto is asleep and chooses to go speak with Kurama. "Rug Im back." Indra says
"What do you want?" Kurama says clearly annoyed
"Look I got a proposition for you, I think it's time we start doing things differently around here." Indra says
"Why should I listen to a manipulative Uchiha?" Kurama says
"Just listen to something other than my rants for once." Indra says and Kurama sighs
"You want to get out of here right?" Indra says and Kurama narrows his eyes
"Yes, what are you playing at here?" Kurama asks
"The stronger Naruto gets he will be able to take on more chakra from you allowing you to become free. It may take a while but I believe it is better if we start working together." Indra says and Kurama starts to laugh
"I don't need you to brake out of here your making it obvious your patience is growing thin." Kurama says
"This boy is my will, my vessel. I'll make a promise that when I achieve control over him completely and finish my plan I'll open the seal." Indra says
"You Uchiha no matter the sacrifice all you want is power, no deal." Kurama says
"If, so I'll leave you another offer. You forget that boy has the Sharingan the eye able to control tailed beast like you. I will teach that boy how to control you against your will just how Madara Uchiha did so long ago." Indra says
"How do you know of that event?" Kurama says angrily
"Because Madara was my last reincarnation and of you think he's bad I'll seem like an ever lasting nightmare." Indra says proudly
"Fine what do you want me to do." Kurama says
"Keep doing what your doing, only difference is your not getting out on your time, you will wait until I kill my brother." Indra says
"And the only way you can do that is if your influence on the brat is strong enough." Kurama says
"Yes it will be difficult even after he obtains the Mongekyou Sharingan. This boy has a strong will power and it annoys me." Indra says
"Then a new...partnership it is, once you get what you want I'll get out of here. All you require is that I give Naruto my chakra in times of need." Kurama says
"For now yes until he learns how to summon it by his own will. I said this boy will be my greatest achievement yet and I intend to fulfill that promise." Indra