Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing some changes with the Land of Waves, both with the different teams and the fact Zabuza doesn't have Haku with him this time around. So, without further ado.
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Two days had passed since Team Nine had set out for the Land of Waves to bring Tazuna back home, only for them to quickly learn that the mission was more than just C-Rank. With them having been attacked by the Demon Brothers, Missing-Nin from Kirigakure, who had attempted to kill Tazuna, only for Gai to deal with them. Leading to Tazuna revealing that the true mission was to protect him and his bridge from Gatō. A corrupt businessman, who'd effectively taken over the Land of Waves and killed anyone that got in his way, while wanting Tazuna dead since his bridge would interrupt his business monopoly.
With Team Nine having agreed to continue the mission, both to help the Land of Waves and believing that Gatō should be taken care of.
Only for them to then encounter Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Mist and another Missing-Nin from Kiri. But while the swordsman proved to be a powerful opponent, Gai had been able to defeat him in the end. With the Ninja and their client then making it safely to Tazuna's home, where they met the bridge builders daughter Tsunami and grandson Inari.
Unfortunately, while the Demon Brothers and Zabuza were taken care of, there was still a solemn mood despite their victory, with only Tenten being excited at getting to keep Kubikiribōchō. While the others knew it was only a hollow victory, given once Gatō found out about Zabuza's death, he would only hire much stronger Ninja to kill Tazuna. So, they knew the fighting wasn't over yet and they'd have to be more prepared than ever for who Gatō will hire next.
Currently, Team Nine were sitting down with Tazuna's family having dinner, after a day of training and rotating between who was guarding Tazuna and the bridge.
"You're all going to die." Inari stated after remaining silent the entire time, getting everyone's attention.
"What was that Inari?" Lee asked, looking at the boy, only for Inari to look up and glare at the Ninja.
"You're all going to die and Gatō's going to kill you! It doesn't matter if you beat his Ninja, he'll just get more stronger ones that'll kill you! That's how it always is, the strong will always crush the weak! And none of you can beat Gatō!" Shouted Inari, making Gai, Lee, and Tenten look at him with wide eyes, while Tazuna and Tsunami looked at them apologetically.
"Then you're nothing but a fool." Said Neji, not looking phased at Inari's rant.
"What did you say?!" Inari demanded, glaring at the Hyūga.
"I said, you're nothing but a fool, if you believe something like that. Believing that the strong always win is foolish, the only thing that decides the victor is fate. It was Zabuza's fate to die against us, just like it will be the fate of anyone else Gatō hires. Because at the end of the day, everyone's fate is already decided from the moment they were born, when they die, what they will do, and who they will be. And from what I see, it was your fate to be nothing but a crying, pathetic fool." Neji said coldly, making Tazuna and Tsunami frown at him, while his teacher and teammates could only sigh.
"That's not true! No one is fated to die because…because…" Yelled Inari, only to trail off with tears in his eyes, making Tsunami get up and rub his back, knowing what he was thinking about.
"Because what, fool?" Neji questioned tauntingly.
"Because it would mean his step-father was fated to die the way he did!" Tsunami said, glaring at Neji for insulting her son and unknowingly her deceased husband, Kaiza.
"His step-father?" Tenten asked, hoping to change the conversation before her teammate said anything else.
"His name was Kaiza, and he was seen as hero here in the Land of Waves. He not only saved Inari from drowning, but also helped stop a flood, leading to Kaiza becoming a symbol of inspiration and protection to the people here. But when Gatō showed up, Kaiza tried standing up to him and make him leave the Land of Waves. In retaliation, Gatō had his men cut off Kaiza's arms and then publicly executed him in front of everyone, including Inari." Tazuna explained sadly, before looking at Neji with narrowed eyes.
"So, you saying that no matter what, Kaiza would have died that day." Said Tazuna, with the Hyūga not looking or feeling any remorse at the accusation.
"Then he's just another fool, and yes, he would have died that day no matter what. It's only more pathetic that he did so protecting such worthless sacks of flesh as the people of this land, rather than at least die with some dignity. After all, you people speak of wanting to be free of Gatō, and yet so many of the fools abandon building the bridge to save their own worthless lives. Preferring to live under a tyrant rather than try to fight for their freedom, even if it would be in vain and only end in their deaths. The fact remains, they choose to do nothing, because in the end it is their fate to be nothing." Neji stated with no sympathy for the Land of Waves or its people.
"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP! What do you know about suffering?! What do know about anything we've been through! You don't anything, you live in some big village, where you don't have to worry about anything! And if you like fate so much, then I hope it's your fate to be killed by Gatō and his men!" Shouted Inari, glaring at Neji with tear-filled eyes before running out of the house, ignoring his mother trying to stop him.
"Tsk, like I said, nothing but a crying, pathetic fool." Neji stated before standing up and looking at Gai.
"I'll be going off to train Gai-sensei, as despite now seeing how much of a lost cause this is, we still have our mission to fulfill." Said Neji, before leaving the house to go train.
"Please forgive Neji's most unyouthful words and actions! I swear that he is normally not like that!" Lee said, bowing his head to Tazuna and Tsunami.
"Uh, well he is like that, but usually not going that far." Added Tenten with a nervous smile, knowing that Neji does tend to tear people down with his talks about fate, but only going that far when he's really annoyed and angry.
"What's even up with that kid?" Tazuna asked, not liking what Neji said about Inari, Kaiza, and the people of the Land of Waves as a whole.
"It's not my place to say, but due to some personal experiences, Neji's developed a very warped view of life and people. I know it won't mean much, but I am sorry for what he said about your family and homeland. I've been trying to rectify his attitude and change it for the better, unfortunately I've had little success." Replied Gai, having hoped to change Neji's view on life, but the Hyūga has proven stubborn and far too set in his ways.
"It's…it's fine. The rest of you are at least willing to try your best to help our home." Tsunami said, not wanting to project her anger at Neji onto the Ninja who're actually trying to help.
"Yeah, while that kid has some issues and problems, we are thankful that you're all willing to stay and help us." Said Tazuna, with Gai and Lee nodding in response, while Tenten smiled nervously.
"Um yeah, but while I wouldn't put the way Neji did…he does have a point with the pedestal you all placed Kaiza on. I mean, did anyone try helping him when he stood up to Gatō?" Tenten asked, not wanting to sound insulting, but Neji did have some actual points in his ranting, with Tazuna looking down mournfully.
"N-no…no one tried helping him. At the time, we all saw Kaiza as being invincible after everything he'd done, not thinking anyone could stop him. But in hindsight, I see now that had been mistake, especially after seeing the world we live in, first hand; with Ninja like all of you, Zabuza and those Demon Brothers running around." Tazuna replied, while wondering what it would have been like, if they did help Kaiza in standing up to Gatō.
Would he still be alive and they'd be free, or would someone else stronger and more dangerous than Gatō have shown up and still killed him. Whatever might have happened, it doesn't matter now, since Gatō is their main concern.
Him and whoever else he hires and sends after them.
*Gatō's Hideout*
Meanwhile, within his hideout, Gatō was meeting with the newest Ninja team he hired to take care of Tazuna. Only this time, rather than hiring Missing-Nin, he's gotten a legitimate Ninja Team, with them having come from Iwagakure.
The leader of the team was very tall and brawny shinobi. He has dark eyes and short dark-grey-colored hair as well as a beard and a bulbous nose. He wears the standard Iwagakure shinobi uniform with a left sleeve and a right lapel. He also wears his Iwa forehead protector in a bandanna style and bandages around his right arm.
Beside him was a large and imposing man, with dark eyes and black hair that spikes out at the back from underneath his bandanna-styled forehead protector. He also has large cheeks, and a plump nose which give him an overall look of constant joviality. He wears the red Iwagakure uniform which has both its sleeves, underneath his flak jacket, and accentuates it with a yellow scarf which he wraps around his neck.
On the man's other side was a thirteen-year-old girl with short, black hair and unique, pupiless pink eyes, which are accentuated by her eyelashes running upwards at the corners. She wears the standard attire of the Iwa-nin consisting of a red uniform with her right sleeve missing and a lapel over her right leg, the brown Iwagakure flak jacket, fishnet tights and a skirt over them. She also wears regular shinobi sandals and a pair of gloves.
Finally, standing behind the three is a very tall man, to the point he needs to crouch slightly just to fit in the room. He was also heavily armored, wearing what is called Steam Armor with a furnace on the back that emits steam. He had light brown eyes, had no eyebrows, and his armor extended all the way to the bottom half of his face, covering it up. Underneath the armor covering the bottom half of his face, he wore a white cloth which also covered both sides of his face and the top of his head. Aside from his red armour, he also wore a red conical straw hat over the white cloth and it seems to be composed of the same material of his armor and furnace. He wore his Iwagakure forehead protector on a black cloth, and over his armor, he wore a black gi, with the sleeves seemingly torn off and black gloves. He also wore what seems to be a bronze-colored ring around his neck which he wore over his red armor. Also, the armor covering his arms, legs and torso was plated.
"I must say Kitsuchi, while I'm thankful that Iwagakure has sent such a powerful team of Ninja. Are all of you really necessary to kill Tazuna?" Gatō asked with a smirk, pleased that he received not only a skilled Chūnin and two Elite Jōnin, but also a Jinchūriki as well.
And while Gatō wasn't familiar with a lot of Ninja stuff, he knew that Jinchūriki were supposed to be considered weapons of mass destruction, capable of destroying armies. Something that'd definitely ensure Tazuna's death, no matter what or who was protecting him.
"Normally a mission like this would only require either myself, Akatsuchi, or even just Kurotsuchi. But given who Konoha has sent to protect the bridge builder, all of us were sent, while Han is more or less insurance." Stated Kitsuchi, knowing with who was protecting the bridge builder, they definitely would need Han with them, potentially Roshi as well if he hadn't left Iwa to live in isolation.
"And just who did they send?" Questioned Gatō, only aware Tazuna has a team of Konoha Ninja protecting him and his bridge.
"Might Gai, seen as one of the best, if not the best, Taijutsu Specialists in the world with mastery over the Eight Inner Gates. And given the fact that his late father, Might Dai, had been able to fight the entire Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist single-handedly with the Eight Gates, and even killing four of their members, we felt it'd be better to be safe than sorry." Kitsuchi said, with his team nodding in agreement, given that Gai had likely surpassed his father in using the Eight Gates and they didn't want to risk the chance of pushing him to open the Eighth Gate without a means to counter it.
"Ah, so that's why you're here then. You're meant to be a counter for this Might Gai." Stated Gatō as he pointed at Han, who nodded in response.
"That's right. I'm able to magnify my physical abilities immensely with my Futton and my Bijū's Chakra." Han replied, given his fighting style revolved around Taijutsu and enhancing his strength with the Gobi's Chakra, to the point where he could cause an earthquake just by punching the ground.
And if it came down to it, he could also unleash his Bijū as well.
"Well then, I guess I have nothing to worry about." Gatō said with a pleased smirk, while the Iwa Ninja nodded before taking their leave.
"Zōri! Contact the Akatsuki and have them send a team of their members here." Ordered Gatō, planning to hire the Akatsuki as an extra insurance to see that Tazuna's dealt with, as well as a means to deal with the Iwa Ninja, too.
'Even better, if they all just kill each other, leaving me to collect the rewards.' Gatō thought, eager at all the bounties he could collect from the Ninja, along with any of the Kunoichi that survive and would fetch some nice prices.
*Coast*
While unknown to everyone in the Land of Waves, something was moving under the water towards the island, with it soon reaching the shore and rising up. Revealing a massive fox-like creature, with a long snake-like body. The creature having a foxes head with dark red scales covering its body while orange and black markings lined its sides, with matching red and black fur trailing down its back, and short arms with long claws and thumbs.
This creature was known as a Nguruvilu.
The Nguruvilu climbed onto land before opening its mouth with Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku walking out and onto dryland.
"Thanks for the help." Naruto said, looking at the Nguruvilu before sending it back to its Summon Realm, having gotten his own Summoning Contract, like Satsuki had the Hawk Contract.
The three then began moving inland to find somewhere they can use as a base for the time being, with Naruto also creating numerous Shadow Clones to survey the area and find out where Gatō's hiding, as well as any other information of importance.
"I think we just found something." Satsuki stated when they caught sight of a building in the forest, while sensing that no one was inside.
"It looks abandoned, maybe we could use it as a base while we're here." Suggested Haku, with Naruto and Satsuki nodding in agreement.
"Maybe. But stay on guard just in case anyone is hiding inside or shows up." Naruto said, with the girls nodding since they could never be too careful, before they approached the building.
Entering the building and seeing it really was abandoned, though they could see that it had been recently used. Leading to the three searching it to see if they could find out who had been staying here before them, finding that whoever used to stay here, they were Ninja, going by the weapons and scrolls they found.
"Huh, looks like this place used to be used by Zabuza Momochi and the Demon Brothers." Satsuki said in surprise, while finding some scrolls showing they were hired by Gatō to kill some bridge builder, named Tazuna.
"Well, at least we know who we'll be going against to get to Gatō." Said Haku, since that'll make it easier and less surprising when they locate and kill Gatō, not they would have had trouble given their skill level.
"Actually, they're dead, the Demon Brothers and Zabuza were killed by a Konoha Team that this Tazuna guy hired to protect him and his bridge, in order to free the Land of Waves from Gatō's rule. While Gatō's hired an Iwa Team to kill the bridge builder now." Naruto said after his Shadow Clones dispelled and transferred their memories back to him, with Satsuki and Haku frowning at this, considering how this will affect their mission, given the Iwa Team working for Gatō is likely even stronger than Zabuza.
Along with how, if Zabuza was under Gatō's employment, then he likely knows where this place is, making it less of a good choice to use as a base. Only to realize that's why it would also be a good base to use.
"Well if Gatō knows where this place is and knows that Zabuza's dead, then it's unlikely he'll think that anyone would use this place. Making it the best spot for us to use as a base." Satsuki said, with Haku and Naruto nodding in agreement, having had the same idea.
"Okay, while that's taken care of, and we have some details about what's happening. What should we do about the Konoha Team? Since we all have the same objective of taking care of Gatō. Should we about allying with them?" Haku asked, figuring that'd help the mission go faster, along with how they don't know how strong these Iwa Ninja with Gatō are.
"That wouldn't be a good idea. Just because two groups are after the same thing, it doesn't always mean that they'll be allies because they share a common goal." Naruto immediately said.
"Agreed. Plus, it'd only be giving the Konoha Team a chance to make a move and capture us. As our personal feelings towards the village aside, even if Naruto-kun and I didn't use our Sharingan, you'd both still have the Hyōton and I'd still be a powerful Kunoichi." Satsuki added, since aside from their own dislike of Konoha, they're still three powerful Ninja, and from what they've heard, Konoha's in desperate need of those, even more so those with powerful Kekkei Genkai.
Their words made Haku sigh, having figured they'd say something like that, but she didn't see the harm in asking if they could ally with the Konoha Team for a common goal.
"Okay, but that doesn't remove the chance of them trying to make a move, since we're possibly going to encounter them no matter what. So, it'd be good to find out more about them and what they're capable of, along with the Iwa Team." Said Haku, since if they won't work with the Konoha Team, it'd be better they're prepared for anything they can do.
"That'd be for the best. But for now, let's see about setting up a base here, along with putting up some protections, just in case." Naruto stated, with Satsuki and Haku nodding in agreement, before they got to work setting up the building as their new base and putting up some traps and seals to help protect and hide their location.
*Later*
After setting up some protections around their new base, Naruto headed out to get some training done, wanting to be as prepared as he can be against the Konoha and Iwa Teams. Not to mention, anything else Gatō could have planned, doubting he'd rely on a single team after Zabuza and the Demon Brothers were already defeated. Plus the fact that he was a corrupt businessman and criminal, who would most likely betray the Iwa Team after they finished the job.
Though after training for a few hours, Naruto began heading back to the base, only to tense at sensing someone behind him.
"Lava Style: Quicklime Congealing Jutsu!"
Jumping out of the way, Naruto saw a large glob of quicklime hitting the spot where he'd just been standing. Turning to see who had attacked him, Naruto saw Kurotsuchi standing on a tree branch with a smirk on her face.
"Isn't this a surprise, and here I thought all you Uchiha were dead. But I guess you'll make for a good warmup for dealing with those tree huggers." Kurotsuchi said before jumping down and rushing Naruto, while pulling out a kunai.
"I honestly have no business with you, so attacking me is rather pointless." Said Naruto while dodging her strikes, before blocking her kick after she slashed at him from the opposite side.
"Aaah, what's the matter? Is the little Uchiha too scared to-GAH!" Kurotsuchi taunted, only to suddenly gasp when he headbutted her, followed by slamming his foot into her chest.
"But if you're so insistent on fighting, I could use the added workout." Naruto added, while putting his hands on his pocket, making the Kunoichi scowl at being seen as a "workout".
"Okay, then let's see how you handle this! Earth Style: Earth Flow Spear!" Shouted Kurotsuchi, going through handsigns before slamming her hands on the ground, causing dozens of stone spikes to shoot out of the ground under Naruto, with the Uzumaki jumping up and landing on one of the spikes.
"Water Style: Water Trumpet!" Kurotsuchi said as she shot out a massive amount of water through her cupped hands at Naruto.
"Wind Style: Air Bullets!" Said Naruto, shooting out several condensed blasts of air that dispersed the water, only for Kurotsuchi to have jumped above the water and towards Naruto.
"Lava Style: Quicklime Congealing Jutsu!" Said Kurotsuchi, shooting another blob of quicklime at Naruto, this time succeeding in hitting him.
"Got you no-What?!" Kurotsuchi said, looking at Naruto only to be shocked when she only saw an Ice Clone in his place.
"He has Hyō-" Said Kurotsuchi, before grunting in pain when Naruto reappeared behind her, slamming his foot into her side, sending her crashing into a tree.
"Ice Style: Black Dragon Blizzard!" Naruto said, thrusting his arm forward and launching a large dragon made of black ice at Kurotsuchi, the Kunoichi being hit by the dragon which turned and launched her into the air.
"Fire Style: Fox Fire!" Said Naruto, creating ten blue fireballs around him in a circular formation, before launching each of them straight at Kurotsuchi.
Each fireball hitting and burning Kurotsuchi, before the final one hit her right in the chest, with the Iwa Kunoichi dissolving into a pile of mud, which hit the ground. With the real Kurotsuchi bursting out the ground right below Naruto to hit him with an uppercut, only for her eyes to widen when he grabbed her wrist, before flipping her over his shoulder and slamming her onto the ground.
Grunting at the impact and the grip on her wrist, Kurotsuchi looked up at Naruto, with her eyes widening again when she saw his eyes were still purple.
"You aren't using your Sharingan?!" Demanded Kurotsuchi, having thought he'd have activated his Dōjutsu by now.
"Why would I use it, when I've had no reason to activate it." Naruto replied with a raised brow, which only made Kurotsuchi scowl, believing that he's underestimating her.
"Don't you dare underestimate me!" Kurotsuchi said in anger, while managing to kick his legs out from under him and free her arm, only to grunt in pain when Naruto placed his hands on the ground smashed his foot into her face.
Stumbling back at the kick, the ravenette gasped when she suddenly found her legs kicked out from under her, followed by Naruto bringing his leg down onto her midsection knocking the air out of her. With Naruto then placing his hand on the ground, causing it to freeze under him and Kurotsuchi, leading to the Kunoichi sliding across the ice, straight towards a ramp that launched her into the air.
Kurotsuchi looked up and saw Naruto appear above her, with his fist covered in ice, which he then slammed right into her face, sending her crashing right back into the ground. The pink-eyed Ninja biting back a scream in pain, when she felt her arm be dislocated from the impact, along with feeling more than a few ribs were cracked.
Looking up, Kurotsuchi couldn't deny the tremor that went through her body, when she saw Naruto just standing on a tree branch, looking down at her. Not even looking interested in the fight, instead looking bored and uninterested. As if he could be doing something more important than wasting his time on someone like her.
'Is this how the old man felt?' Thought Kurotsuchi while gulping, having heard from her grandfather about his encounter with Madara Uchiha, how he and the Nidaime Tsuchikage Mu weren't even able to lay finger on the man.
Now here she was, in a similar situation, helpless and at the mercy of another Uchiha that didn't even bother activating their Sharingan against her.
"Well go on, end it!" Kurotsuchi shouted glaring at Naruto, while hiding her fear at how easily she was defeated and rendered helpless, with it now being likely that she was going to die now.
Naruto looked at Kurotsuchi, before glancing off to the side, sensing her allies approaching, and knowing it'd only cause more trouble if he killed her. With the dual-haired boy instead leaving via a Shunshin, making Kurotsuchi look at where he was in disbelief.
'He…he just left? Why did he leave?! Does he think I'm not even worth killing?!' Kurotsuchi thought, torn between anger and relief that he didn't kill her.
Her! The granddaughter of the Tsuchikage, the oldest living Kage, the rising star of Iwagakure!
She became a Ninja before anyone else in her year, she's already been a Chūnin for nearly two years, and she's already on her way to becoming a Jōnin! And yet that Uchiha bastard didn't even try to beat her and then just left, not even seeing her as worth killing!
'That smug son of a bitch!' Screamed Kurotsuchi mentally, before she got up, while wincing and letting out some groans of pain.
"Oh I swear this isn't the last time we'll see each other, asshole." Kurotsuchi muttered as she went to meet up with her allies, while swearing she's going up her training once they get back to Iwa, wanting to get even stronger.
So that the next time she sees that Uchiha, he's going to be the one lying flat on his back.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see that this time around both the Demon Brothers and Zabuza have died, with Tenten keeping the Kubikiribōchō, but all of them knowing Gatō will hire another, stronger team. While Neji is less kind when Inari says they're going to die, insulting him, Kaiza, and the Land of Waves as a whole. Then we see Gatō has hired an Iwa Team consisting of Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and Han, given the fact Gai is protecting Tazuna, Han is there in case he uses the Eight Gates. Next we see Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku arriving along with seeing Naruo has his own Summoning Contract for Nguruvilu, with them locating the Demon Brother's and Zabuza's old hideout, which they take for their own, along with learning the basics of what's going on. Finally we see Kurotsuchi find and attack Naruto, only for it to be incredibly one-sided in Naruto's favor, with him not even using his Sharingan, while sparing Kurotsuchi after sensing her allies approaching, which angers her while swearing to get stronger to defeat Naruto. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out