Welcome back for those of you who are following my story or have favorited it, or my page thank you and a shout out to all of you guys. I must be doing something right as I have been getting notice after notice that you guys are liking or following the story or me. Hope to get more reviews on my story and what you guys think as well as ideas of who should be interested in Naruto. Also sorry about the typos in the first few chapters working to minimize those as much as possible. Hope to hear from you guys soon. Now on with the show.
The next few weeks went by in a flash as the newly minted team twelve was put through the wringer as Yūgao set a grueling pace as by the end of the first week of their second month they had completed their 35th D-Ranked mission. This fact astounded the other jōnin sensei. Instead of the usual 2-5 missions a week, Yūgao made her team complete a minimum of at least 7 missions a week. These missions included finding the damios' wife's cat, babysitting, running errands, catching the damios' wife's cat, helping a family move because the father had thrown his back out, helping the elderly ladies who needed someone to carry their groceries, finding lost items, and chasing down that damn cat. During their training she rotated them between the six different topics which covered Chackra control, taijutsu, kenjutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu, and their many types and facets as well as team tactics they would need to be well versed in each of these, the practice of which was beginning to shape them into a 'Jack of all Trades' sort of team which Yūgao had been planning on making them. 'Better to be safe than sorry' was her train of thought as she wanted her squad to be prepared for anything that could happen in the future. Plus, Yūgao didn't want to be stuck doing D-ranks any longer than she had to be.
Yakumo who due to her slightly more frail body, was having a hard time with the physical exercises during training. Yūgao made sure to check and see if she was alright if she thought she was in danger, but she was beginning to get physically stronger with every session to the joy of her parents and the pride of Yūgao. Kurenai who was Yakumo's former trainer even said that she was beginning to lose her pale and weak complexion and gain a more lively and strong one which made said kunoichi blush when she heard these words. On days off the team would often meet up for a meal or head to the training grounds for some sparing matches to see how far they had come with their training. Which was why Yūgao now knew that her genin were ready for their first C-Ranked mission.
"Congratulations for another mission well done Team 12! I assume that you want another mission correct?" Minato asked, handing the completed report to his assistant to be filed later. Kōga's right eye started twitching at the thought of doing more chores as he tried to keep his cool. Yakumo sighed, knowing that they'd be doing more manual labor in the coming hours. Naruto retained his blank look, but his eyes darkened a bit. Minato noticed the glint in Yūgao's eyes and immediately knew what kind of mission she was going to ask for.
"We sure are Hokage-sama! I think my cute little genin are ready for their first C-Rank mission! We've completed the minimum number of 30 D-Ranked missions, and I know that they'll be able to handle it!" As the words left Yūgao's mouth, Kōga's lips broke into a slight smirk. Yakumo's eyes widened in excitement as she straightened her back and put on a determined face. Naruto's face still remained blank, but there was a little excitement in his eyes. Seeing the look of determination and excitement on the faces of the genin, Minato could only sigh and relent, smiling he agreed.
"You're right Yūgao, your squad has gone above and beyond when completing your missions so I think you've earned this." Minato said with pride as he handed Yūgao a mission scroll. "It's a simple escort mission, but I think your team will be able to handle it. Alisa-san could you please let in Tazuna-san." Turning towards the door, Minato called out to the secretary to let in their client. The door soon opened to reveal a grey-haired, bespectacled man. As soon as he reached them he turned and gave them his evaluation of them. "I thought I paid to hire a team to escort me; not two boys, a little girl, and a woman. I bet those three kids haven't even touched a weapon and that woman hasn't been in a real fight." Tazuna said as he took a gulp from a small bottle of sake. At this comment Yakumo frowned, definitely not liking how he was implying that women were weak. Naruto and Kōga tried their best not to react, but they did clench their hands slightly. It turned out however they wouldn't have to because in the blink of an eye Yūgao was infront of the old man with a kunai ready to take his man hood.
"Tazuna san insult me or my cute genin again and you will be returning to Wave country in two pieces." Yūgao said with a smile on her face that one could only guess she learned from Anko. Before things could escalate any further, Minato immediately narrowed his eyes at Tazuna as he kept his voice level and spoke.
Face palming before he sighed Minato looked up and addressed the older man."Tazuna-san, I would appreciate it if you don't insult the people that will be escorting you. The ninja before you are more than capable of protecting you. This is one of my best teams and Yūgao is one of my top Kunoichi, as it just so happens she is an ex-anbu member. At that information Tazuna and Yakumo both looked shocked while Naruto and Kōga just smiled having known this for a long time since the three of them were close. Tazuna was shocked because he had someone of such caliber protecting him and Yakumo because she didn't know that her sensei had held such a prestigious position.
At all the attention she was getting, Yūgao couldn't help but blush slightly. "Geez, it's not like I am some sort of superhuman or something many other Kunoichi have made it to such a position before." She said with a grin, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. Eventually the tense atmosphere before returned to a tranquil one, Yūgao directing her genin.
"Alright my cute little genin, we're meeting tomorrow at the main gate to head towards the Land of Waves. From the mission details, we're going to be escorting and guarding Tazuna-san while the Wave complete a bridge. So, pack enough supplies for at least a month to be safe alright?" After her instructions, her genin nodded and they were all dismissed.
As Naruto walked out of his office, Minato quickly called out to him. Stopping near the door, Naruto turned around to face him. "Naruto, please be safe out there ok?" Expecting him to just nod Minato was surprised when Naruto responded to him "I will be, thank you." Naruto said before he exited the room, leaving Minato to smile slightly before he returned to his paperwork.
x x x x
That night after dinner while Kushina was doing the dishes she seemed to be distracted as it had taken Minato three times just to get her attention. she couldn't help but wonder about what was happening with her sons. The unexpected conversation she had with the nine tails still replaying in her thoughts.
Flashback
The walk and the fresh air were helping Kushina but not as much as she would have liked. She didn't know what to do or how to react to What had been happening since Naruto got back. Every time she thought she was making progress with him on getting him to open up something would come up and make her think that she was even more in the dark about on where she stood in her relationship with her son. The news about this women Naruto was seen with was just another in a long list of things that were piling up to add to the mountain of questions that surrounded what happened with her son. 'Would Naruto ever open up to her and the rest of the family?', 'Where had he gotten his summon contract?', 'Who was this strange women?', 'How did she know Naruto?', 'Would they ever be able to all be a true family again like they had been before all of this?' All these questions and more were going through her head as dusk was settling onto the village and yet she couldn't help but think that this would not be the last time she would hear about something that happened with her son that he was keeping secret from them.
In fact, now that she was thinking about it more she realized Kōga was the only person who out of the whole family could claim to know Naruto the best and even he was in the dark on some things as far as she knew and from what she had seen. As she was lost in her thought she started to hear laughter low at first and then getting louder and louder as it seemed that only she was the one hearing it as no one else who was out walking seemed to notice anything of the sort. Only to hear a low deep voice that seemed to come from inside her head, "If only you knew the truth about what has been happening to your family and how it is connected to howI was sealed away all those years ago." The voice said not needing to put much effort into trying to sound ominous as the voice itself took care of that. Next thing Kushina knew she was in her mind scape staring at the nine tailed fox himself.
"What do you want?" she asked annoyed, would she ever be rid of this blasted pain in the neck fox.
"Nothing really, I just thought I should tell you that what happened all those years ago and what has been happening now aren't just mere coincidences." The fox said smiling.
"Well duh it was no coincidence the masked man wanted your power and my husband sealed you into four of my kids' case close." She said only for the fox to start laughing again.
"You really think that's all that happened, oh the irony of it all that you don't even notice it is even more delicious than the fact that it is right in front of you." The nine tails said as he mocked her laughing himself to death or at least Kushina hoped he would.
"How are you even talking to me you were forced out of me and sealed in my kids?" Kushina questioned the fox shooting him a look of contempt.
"I can talk to you because you once housed my being inside your body also for the fact that a very small amount of my chakra lingers in your body which is not only making it easier to communicate with you but it is also how you were able to live through what happened all those years ago some of my chakra remained sealed in you through sheer force of will though only the smallest bit." The Kyūbi stated still having that cat that ate the canary smile on his face. "I think a little thank you is in order if not for my chakra you would have died that night."
"Not on your life, so what now? You come to taunt me with the fact that you can bug me whenever you want? Or maybe you came to tell me that if this small amount of chakra is removed from my body that I will die?"
"You should know me better than that after all you were my host for good long while." The fox said reminding her of the time she had spent as his host. "And no the amount of my chakra that lingers in your body is not enough to kill you if it were to be removed but it would hurt like hell I assume."
"If you have a point please get to it already." Kushina said getting really irritated by the fox taunting her with what it knew.
"Well since you put it that way you should know that my chakra was sealed into five vessels not four if that gives you any hint," Kushina blinked as the Kyūbi went on, "Naruto isn't the only one of your sons hiding something it's another reason why they are so close and yet another reason for why Naruto left the way he did."
"Naruto left because he was being ignored by us and almost the whole village due to a genjutsu but he came back and we are trying to fix things with him," She shot back as the fox gave away nothing in his expression, "And what are you talking about Minato sealed your chakra into four of my kid's kind of makes you sound like your memory is going bad?"
"That is where you are only half right, Naruto left for more than one reason and as for what happened the night I was sealed who else would be able to tell you where my chakra was sealed better than me?" the fox asked not giving her a chance to answer as he went on, "Your sons are hiding more than you know but don't take my word for it after all who would know them better than their mother right?" The fox said as he faded Cheshire cat style leaving behind his eyes to fade last.
Flashback end
"Kushina?" Minato called for the third time.
Blinking she looked over at her husband who finally got her attention. "Umm…oh yes what is it honey?"
"Are you okay because you've been washing the same dish for over four minutes now?" Minato questioned as Kushina finally noticed that he was waiting for her to pass him the dish so he could dry it off.
"Oh, sorry I was lost in though." Kushina responded as Minato just smiled and took the dish from his wife.
"I can see that so ryō for your thoughts?" Minato asked smiling at his wife.
"Haha very funny Minato." Kushina shot back.
"No really I am serious tell me what has you spacing out so hard?" Minato said looking at his wife with a look of worry in his eyes as he set the dish down now that it was dry.
"It's Naruto." Kushina stated looking at Minato, "Every time I think we are getting closer to being a normal family again something comes out of left field and makes me feel like its next to impossible."
"Kushina, Naruto has his secrets as do we all but he will open up to us when he is ready, forcing him isn't going to help and it will only make things worse if we try to pressure him into telling us." Minato stated as Kushina seemed to tense up a bit.
"But what do we do if he won't talk to us?" Kushina questioned.
"We do the one thing that we can do be here for him when he needs us. When he needs someone to listen, someone to talk to, someone to confide in, and most importantly be here when he needs a home and when he needs love it's the most important thing that we should have been doing from the start." Minato stated as he moved to hug his wife.
"But we failed him!" Kushina sobbed as tears formed at the edge of her eye, "We left him to fend for himself we treated him as if he weren't even here and when he needed us the most we acted horribly how are we supposed to fix that?!" she asked with a pleading look in her eyes as tears started to run down her cheeks. "Besides that, the only person Naruto is likely to talk to of anyone in this family is Kōga as he was the only one of us not affected by that cursed genjutsu."
"We may not be able to undo what has already happened but we can change how we act and what we do in the future." Minato stated wiping the tears from Kushina's eyes, "Naruto has a place to come back to we have made sure that he knows that. Not only that but we have been working hard to get back his trust and he knows it. All we can do now is do the best we can and hope that the rest will work itself out in time." Mianto finished still holding Kushina tight as he stroked her hair.
Kushina couldn't help but think that all they could do wouldn't be enough to help in the situation with Naruto. Opting not to bring up the conversation that she had with Kyūbi about Naruto and that he may not be the only one who was hiding things from them. This thought made her think that if things get any farther out of control that she didn't know how her family would be able to pull through in one piece.
x x x x
The next day, Team 12 had all assembled at the main gate. Yakumo had her eyes closed with an excited smile on her face as she hummed a little tune. While Naruto and Kōga looked at the forest through the gate with a set of matching expressions of both excitement and anticipation. After a few minutes Tazuna arrived followed by, Yūgao who after seeing the looks of her genin, couldn't help but smile.
"Well looks like the three of you are excited to leave on this mission huh! Well let's get to it then!" As she gave her orders, she received a unanimous "Hai!" from her genin as they headed towards the land of waves.
After a few hours of travel had gone by, Yūgao noticed that Tazuna looked more tense then an escort client should be, it was almost as if he was marked for death. Then she notice a large puddle ahead and narrowed her eyes. 'A puddle it hasent rained around here in the last few days, definitely has to be genjutsu. But maybe this'll be a good test to see how they handle a situation under pressure. If things start to turn, I'll step in.' After making the decision of letting her team handle things, Yūgao walked on the puddle as chains wrapped around her and ripped her to pieces, to the horror of her genin and Tazuna.
The chains retracted as two cloaked figures rose out of the puddle and readied to charge at the group, claw like gauntlets raised to strike. "One Down." One of the cloaked figures said as they approached the group. Yakumo froze, she thought her sensei was one of the best in the village, if she had got taken down that easily than what good would she be against these two. Swallowing her fear, she dodged one of the cloaked figures as he lunged at her with his gauntlet. Seeing Yakumo in trouble Kōga immediately threw a volley of shuriken at her attacker managing to get his attention long enough for Yakumo to kick him away, as she fired her senbon launcher at him which scored a hit as the projectiles hit his shoulder. While Kōga and Yakumo were occupied with one of the cloaked figures, the other one charged at Naruto and Tazuna.
Tazuna was scared, he had just seen an ex-anbu member get ripped to pieces like it was nothing and now he was going to see a couple of kids get killed before he died. The two who had teamed up were managing to hold off one of the one but the blonde alone wasn't going to hold off the other one all by himself. As the other attacker approached Tazuna couldn't only watch in shock and awe as the blonde headed kid actually stopped his attacker.
Meizu couldn't believe what had just happened, a kid stopped his attack with a single kama. A kama against his gauntlet shouldn't have been a match but somehow this kid was holding him at bay. Jumping back, he readied himself to strike again. As Meizu lunged at him, Naruto having already put the kama back flashed through a set of hand signs "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu" as the fire spilled from his mouth and raced for the target ingulfing him in flames only for a burnt log to fall to the ground smoking and chard as the real target was standing off to the side only for Naruto to appear before him ready to strike. Judging from the shock of his opponent he didn't expect that to happen.
'Oh well,' Naruto thought as he went for the finishing blow, spinning and connecting his elbow to the left side of Meizu's body, a sickening snap echoed across the road as Meizu fell to the ground gasping for a breath and clutching the side of his body in great pain. However, Naruto didn't let up with his assault as he turned around and struck the back of Meizu's head, his opponent's head impacting the ground with a dull thud.
Gōzu couldn't believe his eyes when he saw his older brother hit the ground, holding his side. He didn't expect a kid to be skilled enough to handle his brother, let alone beat him. But his distraction cost him as a kick connected to his stomach, making him gasp for air. However, when he opened his eyes he found himself lost in a thick mist that seemed to be impossible to see through.
As Naruto finished dealing with his opponent, Yakumo had finished the signs to her jutsu as Kōga managed to land a kick to Gōzu's midsection. Staring right at Gōzu, Yakumo whispered "Phantom mist Jutsu". Seeing her opponent's look of confusion as he seemed to look around like he had no idea of where he or anyone else was Yakumo knew that it had worked. As Kōga was about to strike again, he saw his opponents confussion and knew that Yakumo's jutsu had worked. Changing where he would strike Kōga tightening his hold on his wakizashi and smashed the hilt into the back of the man's neck. The attacker went down in a crumpled heap.
To say Yūgao was shocked would be an understatement, not only had her team manage to hold off enemy ninja, but they also managed to hold their own against 2 chūnin ranked opponents. While she was extremely impressed with Yakumo and Kōga's teamwork she was shocked when she saw how efficiently and brutally the three of them had taken down their opponents, especially Naruto as he had taken one on by himself. Dropping from her observation point in the tree she had been hiding in she clapped her hands as her three students and client looked to her.
"Well done you three well done, now do you believe that my genin can keep you safe in the big, bad world Tazuna san." Yūgao asked looking at him with smile on her face.
The four of them just stared at her two in amusement and two in disbelief, "What?" she asked looking at them like it was no big deal that she was alive.
"Y-you died," Yakumo stammered, "We saw you get ripped to pieces and…" she stopped as the two brothers didn't seem to be surprised at what was happening before it finally clicked in her mind at what had happened. She looked back and saw where her sensi had once stood now lay a pile of wood that was shredded to pieces.
"It was a substitution." Yakumo said as the two brothers couldn't help but crack a smile at how she was reacting to the situation.
"Yes it was. Sorry but I wanted to see how you three handle yourselves in a real fight and I was ready to step in if need be." Yūgao answered cracking a smile at how the group was reacting.
"So, it was a test?" Naruto asked as Yūgao looked at him as her smile changed from one of pride to one of sincerity.
"Yes Otōto it was a test sorry, but I needed to know how you three would do one your own and you all did wonderfully." Yūgao stated as she looked over the two-rouge ninja who attacked them.
"Now if you will excuse me I need to have a talk with these two." She said as she took the two bodies of the two ninja who had attacked them away into the forest for a nice long chat once they both woke up.
As the three genin watched over their charge the trio kept watch for any and all treats as they did Tazuna seemed to relax just the slightest bit if only just a bit. As they all waited for the Jōnin to return each of them were wondering what she was doing and yet at the same time they all had the same thought that they didn't want to know. Deeper into the forest said Jōnin was taking her time as she had woken the rouge ninja and was squeezing them for every drop of info she could get. As she finished with one of them letting him look forward to his next session with her as she walked over to his brother bending over to lift his head looking down at him she smiled and whispered into his ear "This all can be over quickly or we can keep going for the rest of the night," She purred as he looked at her with a mix of fear, hate, resignation and what she thought was despair in his eyes as Yūgao smile sweetly before continuing "The choice is yours."
As this phrase left her lips Gōzu sneered at her and responded. "Do your worst you're going to kill me anyway once were done so get on with it you might as well kill me your wasting your time." A note of defiance in his tone.
"My worst, oh sweet thing…" she said in a seductive voice as she paused her smile turned into something that she could have only learned from Anko, "I can assure you that only the best is yet to come." It took some time for Yūgao to return as she had been thorough in her interrogation of the demon brothers of the mist. But when she did come back she marched straight for their clint a hint of anger in her eyes.
"Look here Tazuna-san, I know that this has definitely escalated from a C-Rank escort mission. You mind telling me why the 'Demon Brothers of the mist' attacked us when we're just supposed to be keeping you safe from bandits?" Yūgao questioned, a scary and angry glint flashing in her eyes at the audacity of the man to put her genin in danger.
Tazuna almost immediately went down to his knees and begged her for forgiveness and to help him. Telling them all about the situation in the land of waves about how a crime lord, Gato, has taken over and now holds control over the people of the wave with an iron fist. That a C-Rank mission was the most that they could afford with the allotted funds from the few villagers who had extra to spare. As he finished he pleaded with them again to help him, that they would repay them in the future when the Wave was back on its feet.
Yūgao heard the sob story and couldn't help but feel pity towards the man and his village yet at the same time she knew what was supposed to be done. According to code, she was to abandon the mission and report Tazuna to Minato and have his name blacklisted for lying about the details and requesting a false mission. Deciding that she couldn't make this decision alone, and that it was her genin's first time outside of the village she asked them.
"Well, you all heard what he said. What do you think? Remember, it's okay to not continue, it's a dangerous mission and one that is higher than the rank you guys are cleared for." Yūgao asked, her unusually gentle, Naruto knew that tone it was one she had used with him whenever he had run off and she had caught him. She didn't get an answer right away. She didn't blame the three, they had heard that Gato kidnapped women and girls and forced them into the "entertainment" business. Finally, she received a response from one of the team, but the response wasn't one she or anyone else was expecting from him.
" Onēchan-sensei." Naruto said to Yūgao knowing that she would get him back for it later once they were back home, "We are going on this mission. We're going to escort Tazuna-san to wave and he's going to complete that bridge. Then, were going to find Gato's thugs and make them pay. Finally, we're going find Gato himself and kill him!" Naruto started out quietly but near the end he raised his voice as his eyes burned with so much fury that the rest of them were a little shaken by it even Kōga. But as quickly as it came it left Naruto's face returning a calm state, though they could tell how he felt from the small scowl now on his face.
While she was shaken by his response at first, Yakumo steadied and found her resolve agreeing with her teammate, though not about the killing part entirely. Kōga didn't even have to be asked as he nodded he would follow his brothers call knowing that it would be dangerous but that with what he and Naruto were able to do combined with their Onēchan's experience and skill plus Yakumo's abilities they were more than ready to handle this. Seeing the now determined faces of her genin she could only smile at them for wanting to help Tazuna. Though she was a little scared of Naruto's proclamation. Most of all though she was scared that her genin had just bitten off more than they can chew and that it would end up being the death of them.
She had known him for years and ever since Naruto came home he was different but at the same time she saw how her Otōto acted the same as he had before he left for the forest of death. She knew somethings may have changed but deep down he was the same old Naruto she remembered and that was good enough for her, at least that was what she wanted to believe. Out of all the people who she ever knew Naruto was the one person who never seemed to change what he believed in. even more so since he had come home she saw it in his eye a resolve to make a difference to change things so that other people would have a better future. As well as making a better future for himself. So, his sudden proclamation that he was going to kill Gato made her flinch on the inside he wasn't actually going to kill anyone was he? Putting that thought from her mind she returned to the task at hand she would have time to get lost in her thoughts later when they weren't on mission.
The team coming to an agreement before him to help him and his people, Tazuna could only bow his head low and mutter "Thank you," over and over again, tears streaming down his face. After their vote, the group continued on their way towards Wave country; after another few hours of travel, they finally reached a checkpoint where a friend of Tazuna lent them use of his boat. While on the boat Yakumo started thinking about what wave was like and why they didn't have shinobi from their land handle the problem.
"Sensi if this Gato is such a threat why doesn't Wave have some of their shinobi take care of him I mean wouldn't it be easier than paying us to do it?" she asked getting amused look from her sensi.
"The reason is that Wave doesn't have a shinobi village," Yūgao said continuing she added, "Do to its isolated location and natural defenses the existence of a shinobi village here isn't really needed due to the nature and layout of the land."
Before any more questions could be asked the man stirring the boat hissed a warning about how they were coming up on Wave territory and that they would need to be quiet as they didn't know who was nearby. After disembarked they thanked the boat man for giving them a ride and wished him safe travels. they proceeded on their way, only about an hour and a half from Tazuna's home.
As they continued down the worn road, Yūgao began to feel as though someone was following them, but she couldn't point it out. On guard but figuring it was because she was in unknown territory, she moved it to the back of her thoughts. Naruto however had sensed someone it was faint as said person was trying to hide his/her chakra so he/she wasn't found out. This also was making it hard for Naruto to pinpoint said persons location when suddenly a second chakra signature flared off to the right a ways. Naruto didn't hesitate and threw a kunai at the bush where the signature had appeared only for it to vanish before the kunai hit its mark, on que a small white rabbit scurried out of said bushes in a panic.
"Naruto, please be more careful! You really scared me there, I thought it was another enemy!" Yakumo scolded him albeit politely.
"Well done kid you saved me from being attacked by a rabbit." Tazuna mocked.
Naruto shot a glare at the old man as his thoughts were interrupted by Kou who commented, "If we didn't need to protect this guy I would seriously think about making good on your Onē-chan's threat from earlier, and yes I felt it too someone else is here."
'That's a snow rabbit but the color? They only have white fur during winter when the days are short and there's little sunlight. This rabbit was raised indoors away from the light which could only be for one purpose a replacement technique.' Yūgao thought as she looked around only now did she sense the presence of another person nearby 'So their already here.' She mused, 'looks like Naruto had them pegged…' No sooner had the thought gone through her mind when she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end as her instincts twigged to the incoming attack as she shouted, "GET DOWN!" dragging Tazuna down with her as the rest of the team hit the dirt.
No sooner had they hit the ground did a large blade the size of a full-grown man whistle through the space where they had been standing as it sailed past and imbedded into a tree a short distance away. In a flash of body flicker a man was perched on the handle of the blade.
"No wonder the demon brothers failed in their mission but of all the people who would be sent to guard this old geezer I never thought that the legendary sword mistress of the leaf would be the one I would face." The stranger said from atop his perch.
"Well, well if it isn't Zabuza Momochi rouge ninja swords men and former head of the assassination unit from the hidden mist." Yūgao stated as she walked forward to face the newcomer known as Zabuza.
"Yūgao the sword mistress did I get that right? It's too bad huh but you'll have to hand over the old man," Zabuza said casually like this was no different than any other ordinary request as he continued, "I'm going to give you one chance walk away. Leave the old man and none of you will have to die."
"Tempting as that offer might be you and I both know that won't be happening so why don't we skip to the part where I use my blade to cut your head off and send it back to the mist so they can tear your page out of their bingo book for traitors." Yūgao stated as she drew her katana and slid into a ready stance.
Following their sensi's lead the three genin also fell into formation to protect Tazuna from the threat. Naruto knew that this wasn't going to be as simple as the two from earlier as this guy was on a whole different level.
"Fine, we'll do this the fun way." Zabuza said as he and his sword flickered and vanished only to reappear on the surface of the small lake that was nearby. Chakra swirled around him whipping up water as he called out "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu." In an instant Zabuza vanished as a dense mist flooded the area around the group.
As the mist thickened the air seemed to get heavier as if the group was not in a mist but almost like they were underwater. Naruto and Kōga were holding up better than most would under this type of killing intent. Even still, both of their hands had a slight shake to them. Yakumo however was on her knees. Her already frail body unable to take the killing intent directed at her. The Tantō that she originally held in one hand was now held in both, shaking just like her body. She wasn't prepared for this she expected another quick fight but not this. She didn't want to be here, she wanted to take everyone and run but she couldn't even move a finger in this situation.
'We need to get out of here! We're not going to make it if we fight this man, I don't even think Yūgao-sensei can beat him in this mist! We are going to die.' Yakumo thought as she stared into the mist before her, unable to vocalize any of her thoughts or actions from the killing intent Zabuza was emitting.
Zabuza laughed from his hiding spot before listing off the 8 points on the body that would be a fatal blow. "Now which will be my kill point?" he questioned almost like he was doing an everyday task like taking out the trash or mopping the floor.
Don't panic you three, I don't let my comrades die, especially when they're people I care about!" Yūgao stated firmly, trying to lift the effects of the killing intent from her genin, and it worked as they all visibly stopped shaking violently. Yakumo shakily standing up before getting into a stance with her Tantō. Naruto and Kōga both relaxed and slipped into fighting stances, as their eyes were now hard and sharp.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Zabuza stated appearing in the middle of the young genin and the old bridge builder ready to strike, "It's over."
However, before the swordsman could strike the killing blow Kōga pivoted and rammed the blade of his Wakizashi into the rouge ninja only for him to turn to water as the clone dissipated ready to strike from behind the real Zabuza made his move only for Yūgao to push Kōga out of the way taking the hit the Jōnin was sliced in two before she could block only for the clone to disappear in a puff of smoke.
As her blade rested against Zabuza's throat as Yūgao leaned in and whispered, "Now it's over."
"Nice one sensi." Yakumo stated as the group seemed to relax just the slightest.
Zabuza stood there for a short second and then started laughing at the swords women before speaking, "Over? I don't think so while your technique is good it's nothing compared to the original I will never be defeated by a copycat like you using nothing but an imitation of the real thing." He said as he went on, "You're full of surprises though you had already placed that shadow clone and made it give that speech earlier while you hid in the mist waiting for me to make my move. Nice try," The mist ninja said as a second Zabuza appeared behind her "But I'm not that easy to fool!"
The clone that she had her sword poised to kill splashed to the floor as Zabuza struck only for her to duck the strike as the rouge swords man's blade swung past and gouged a line in the dirt changing his grip on the handle Zabuza sent a kick into her midsection which sent her flying a good distance and into the water. Pulling the blade out of the ground Zabuza dashed forward only to stop in his tracks as dozens of spikes littered the ground that lead to the edge of the water. "Makibishi spikes. Trying to slow me down foolish your wasting my time." Commented Zabuza as he jumped over the spikes and dove into the water. As Yūgao surfaced she noted that the water seemed denser and heavier only for Zabuza to come up behind her and run through a set of hand signs. "Fool, water prison jutsu." As he finish the last sign a sphere of water encased Yūgao trapping her with no way out.
'Escaping into the water bad mistake I should have known better this is his element after all.' Yūgao thought as she was now useless she could get out of this jutsu 'Shit! He's a lot stronger than I realized, I should've known better then to have underestimated him!' Yūgao angrily thought, her overconfidence was not only going to cost her own life but the life of Tazuna, and worst of all the lives of her genin.
"This prison may be made of water but it's harder than steal hard to fight when you can't move," Zabuza said as he shifted his focus to her genin, "So much for the great Yūgao I will finish you later but it looks like your little friends will have to be dealt with, Water clone jutsu." With that Zabuza conjured a water clone using a single hand to perfore the sign for the jutsu.
All three genin were standing stunned as they had just seen their sensi get caught like it was nothing and now they were the next item on his to do list.
"You think you can call yourselves ninja because you wear a head band? When your life has hangs in the balance so many times that you no longer even notice it then you may be called a ninja, when your skills earn you a slot in my bingo book then you may have earned the title of ninja, but to call kids like you ninja is a joke." Zabuza stated before continuing, "Come now where's the bravado from earlier that you showed? Especially you two, I didn't notice you shaking before, absolutely pathetic. A real ninja is one who can survive even in the face of death, and let me tell you a little secret, I. Have." Emphasizing the last two words, Zabuza proceeded to tell the trio of his exam to become a shinobi.
"In the Bloody Mist, the genin selection exam involved you killing the classmates and friends that you grew up, ate, and trained with. It was a test that truly showed who was the strongest. Now imagine a kid who wasn't even part of that exam showing up and killing over one hundred of those students. Those were good times." At his story, Yakumo turned a sickly green at the thought of that massacre. Kōga seemed to be faring better but not by much as he had to focuse to keep his body in check, while Naruto seemed to be holding out the best as his hand only had a slight shake to it. As he finished, the clone Zabuza created earlier vanished into the mist and reappeared in front of Naruto to everyone's shock and sent him flying with a kick to the head, knocking his headband off in the process.
"Kid like you are way in over your heads." His clone started as he walked towards the group. "Your just a bunch of immature, weak, scared, little brats who are already dead and just don't know it yet." Zabuza stated as his foot came to step on the head band that Naruto had been wearing just a second ago.
"RUN! YOU GUYS CAN'T WIN, JUST TAKE TAZUNA-SAN RUN AND SAVE YOURSELVES! HE CAN'T MOVE WHILE HE'S HOLDING ME HERE AND HIS CLONES CAN'T MOVE TOO FAR FROM THE ORIGINAL!" Yūgao screamed hysterically as she was about to witness the deaths of not just her genin but the two boys she saw as her Otōto right before her eyes.
As the clone approached slowly Yakumo, and Tazuna had their lives flash before their eyes. Tazuna remembered his family and the wave, their smiles and all their hopes placed on him to complete the bridge.
Yakumo remembered her mother and father smiling at her, her defeating Ido with help from Kushina and Minato. The times she spent with Kurenai and training with her. Then she saw her team, with all the missions and training sessions that they had together, but then she saw a familiar head of blonde hair but instead of a blank face, this blonde gave her a charming smile. And she felt a small bit of regret as she wouldn't be able to keep the promise she made about being his friend for much longer.
Kōga's mind raced trying to find a way out of this mess. But the only way he could see them getting out of this mess with their lives intact was if they could free their sensi. However, it wasn't like they could just run up and break the jutsu holding her they needed a plan and fast. As a voice chimed in on his thoughts, 'Now might be a good time to use it.' Said a female voice in his head. 'Otherwise, the three of you, your Onē-chan, Tazuna-san and my brother inside your brother and me are all going to end up dead.' Pausing just to let the point sink in deeper she added, 'Oh and if my brother and I die you can bet my father will find a way to kill the both of you in the afterlife.' That thought alone made a chill run down Kōga's spine.
'You really aren't helping right now.' He mentally shot back.
However, what happened next was something that surprised even Zabuza as a thud sounded before his water clone splashed to the floor reveling Naruto now standing in front of them with his eyes narrowed in anger with a scowl on his face. As he face the rouge ninja. Naruto stooped to retrieve his head band putting away the kunai he had in his hand before rising as he tied it back in place.
"That hurt, but I guess I'm going to have to go all out huh?" He said as his scowl slowly turned into a smirk, "I was hoping to save this for the Chūnin exams but it looks like I have no choice." Naruto pulled out his duel Kamas as he did a Veridian green chakra enveloped his whole body like a cloak as tails sprang from the chakra he slowly opened his eyes. His navy-blue eyes were now yellow and his round pupils now resembled that of a wolfs as his hair seemed to lengthen slightly and become a bit more unruly as his canines became more pronounced. While the Kama's in his hands now shown with the same Veridian color as the cloak the chakra blades empowered with this new chakra almost to the point that they looked like they were glowing fangs.
Yūgao had a look of shock and disbelief on her face as she looked at the boy who she thought of as one of her Otōto's now stood there with a look that could only be described as feral her mind went straight to one thought that this was the power of the nine tails sealed inside him and his siblings but it felt different than what she remembered the fox's chakra feeling like all those years ago when it attacked the village like it had changed somehow. The Naruto standing across the way from her seemed like a completely different person than the boy she knew. As for Yakumo and Tazuna their jaws would need to be picked up off the floor as they both just stared in utter disbelief. Kōga and his tenant on the other hand couldn't help but chuckle on the inside as he smiled on the outside knowing full well what the cloak was able to do though he did notice that his cloak was a different color than his brothers, as Naruto's slight smirk slowly turned into a predatory smile as he uttered a few words that made Zabuza slightly unnerved.
"I'm a little different from your run of the mill immature brat," The words coming out with what could only be described as a snarl, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki wolfs blood Namikaze stick that in your bingo book."
(que epic fight music soundtrack interdictor time 1:35 on track)
The standoff that had been going on for the last minute broke as Zabuza created a half dozen water clones that came at Naruto. At this the young blond rushed the clones with a speed that caused Zabuza to worry as a trickle of sweat rolled down the side of his face as his thoughts raced at the info he just learned. 'This kid is the son of the hidden leaf's yellow flash!' His thought was reinforced by just how fast the kid was moving. Naruto's strikes were quick and clean with minimal wasted effort. Zabuza wasn't just surprised, he was outright stunned. A boy at least half his age was using the duel kamas with such grace, skill, and speed yet with an air of savagery too, it shouldn't be possible. Yet at the same time, a feeling that He had long since thought dead began to resurface after almost a decade, for the first time in a long time, Zabuza actually felt excited at the prospect of fighting another person blade on blade. He was broken out of his thoughts when Naruto had finished off the last of his clones and started to run towards him, the duel kamas trailing behind him splitting the water as he went. The overwhelming chakra coming off the blades and the wielder causing ripples to trail them.
"Huh, looks like I might get to have some fun after all." Zabuza whispered, removing his hand from the water prison, he grabbed his executioners' blade and charged Naruto. Leaving Yūgao, to drop back into the water as the jutsu dissipated and allowed her to take large gulps of precious air.
Seeing Zabuza release his sensei, Naruto mentally breathed a sigh of relief, that was one problem taken care of and the other was headed straight at him. Tightening the grip on his kamas, he swung and met Zabuza's blade head on, a deafening clang and shower of sparks flying as steel met steel. Grunting at the overpowering force the larger man had on him, Naruto shifted his wrists slightly and managed to throw Zabuza slightly off balance due to the angle of the twin blades when their weapons clashed. Side stepping Naruto spun to the left and slashed in an attempt to at least break Zabuza's guard and find an opening.
Smirking under his bandages, he had to admit that if he had been using a regular run of the mill sword, that by now the blade would have broken and he would be on the ground headless, but unfortunately for the brat or fortunately for him depending on how you looked at it, he had the executioner's blade. Tightening his grip on his sword and bracing himself for the oncoming attack. Zabuza took the full brunt of Naruto's savage like swing as his arms buckled a bit from the power that the young ninja was using. However, it didn't even come close to the power of another swords man of the mists monstrous swings. And he knew that if he was taken out by this level of power he would never hear the end of it if he lived and Kisame ever found out.
Naruto's eyes went wide, he had at least expected Zabuza to take a step back or something. However, he didn't expect him to shrug off his swing like it was nothing especially since he was using the chakra cloak that Kou gave him access to. The momentary distraction was exploited as Zabuza kicked him in the gut, making Naruto stumble back a few feet before he had to roll to the side in order to avoid the overhead swing from Zabuza. Righting himself, Naruto rushed towards Zabuza again using his speed rather than his power this time Naruto dodged the swing at his knees with a well-timed jump that allowed him to twist in the air and score a shallow cut along Zabuza's shoulder. Wincing slightly at the cut his opinion of the kids shot up as only a slight few had ever tagged him in a fight even if it was just a minor cut.
Naruto noticed his sensei running towards them, her hands a blur as she prepared a jutsu ready to provide back-up he smirked. Zabuza had been expecting this forming a hand sign 13 water clones formed on mass and headed for Yūgao as she readied for the fight to come. Naruto looked at the older ninja and smiled as he spoke. "Trying to keep little old me all to yourself I am touched."
"Tsk, don't flatter yourself its unbecoming." Zabuza said as he readied for round two, "I just don't want any interruptions in our duel." Naruto smirked at this as he readied himself to go again.
"I couldn't have put it better myself." The young shinobi said surprising the him as once again this kid was different than what he had expected. "When you mess with one wolf you have to deal with the whole pack well you messed with my pack so now you have to deal with me," Naruto said motioning to his team then back to himself, "So enough stalling let's get on with it just you and me."
Zabuza couldn't help himself as he burst out laughing, "Kid you really are something else. Are you insane or just plain suicidal brat? You're openly challenging one of the strongest 'Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist'! Even with your sensei, you two wouldn't be able to best me!" Zabuza barked out, his eyes never leaving the blonde in front of him, as he also tightened his grip on his blade. What came next out of Naruto's mouth was something that he would end up regretting in a minute.
"Don't you mean former 'Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist' old man? From what I've seen, you've lost your edge as a swordsman. Guess laying around doing nothing but killing weaklings and common thugs for a few years will do that to you." Naruto said with all the sarcasm he could muster, at this tick marks began to pop out on Zabuza's head.
"Oh, you're fucking dead brat... and for the record I'M NOT THAT OLD! I'M ONLY 26!" Zabuza yelled, rage boiling in his eyes as he charged at Naruto.
Naruto winced as his plan to anger the rouge swords men worked probably too well, bringing his kamas up to block the blow from Zabuza as a shower of sparked rained down on him, his arms buckled under the sheer power of Zabuza's swing as he made a mental note to himself.
'Note to self: Try not to anger a former master swordsman during a duel by commenting on their age.'
'I would have told you that it was a bad idea but seeing as how that wouldn't have stopped you I kept my mouth shut.' Kou interjected only for Naruto to shoot the wolf a mental glare.
While Naruto and Zabuza had their duel the rest of the team was working to take down the water clones Zabuza had called up. As Yūgao's attention had been shifted to the clones that were coming at her only for her to see Kōga rush out onto the water weaving had signs before shouting out, "Lightning style: Lightning hound." As his palm filled with Lightning chakra only for it to leap from his palm and take the form of large feral beast that charged straight for the pack of clones taking down three clones before it was cut down. Yakumo was again stunned as not only did Naruto know water walking but so did his brother. 'Just how strong were these two?' As she had this thought another popped into her head was she holding them back?
No sooner had that thought gone through her head when three of the clones broke off and headed for her as they did she knew she had to move fast weaving hand signs she cried "Lightning style: Lightning needles as dozens of senbon made of electricity formed in front of her before they shot out at the clones who were just seconds. As the electric projectiles hit there mark at high speed the clones were shredded by the lightning as she knew from their training sessions that water nature was weak to lightning nature which was why the jutsu was much more effective in this case.
Yūgao fought through the group of clones and took down six of the clones before the last one was about to strike the blade of Kōga Wakizashi stuck out of his chest as the clone dissipated as it splashed to the ground. With the clones dispatched they turned to the fight between Naruto and Zabuza. As the two weapon wielding shinobi clashed. Sparks flying each time their blades met. See a diagonal slash coming from Zabuza, Naruto misjudged the timing of his dodge. This allowed Zabuza to land a clean cut on his shoulder. The favor was returned when they collided once more, Naruto angling and pushing his kamas off against the executioners' blade, managing to land a cut on Zabuza's cheek. This went on for several minutes before the two separated and breathing.
Using the distance and the slight break to his advantage Zabuza twisted his sword so as to hold it in a reverse grip perpendicular to his body behind him, Zabuza performed a move he hasn't used since his time as a part of the mist ninja force. As he tensed before uttering "Seven swords art: decapitating fang."
Naruto barely saw him move as Zabuza appeared behind him, sending him flying from the monstrous power of his attack. Hitting the water and skipping a few feet, he managed to regain his balance and right himself in the air, his eyes widened as he saw the aftereffect of Zabuza's attack; a scar in the water ran from where Zabuza stood to where he was before his attack, at least 7-9ft long, a foot wide and 2ft deep.
"Not bad brat, you're actually still alive. I must be getting rusty if you lived through that, nobodies seen that and lived to admire it like you're doing right now." Zabuza praised slightly, though he was discontent with the lack of power in his attack, he was rusty and he didn't like that.
Naruto smirked as he readied for one final strike. Zabuza saw this and moved to do the same. Their duel would be finished with one final strike. Silence reigned over the lake, as no one dared to take a breath during the tense moment. Finally, as if they were waiting for it, a leaf dropped onto the lake, and the two charged each other.
"Ninja art: Savage wolf cross claws!"
"Seven swords art: Reverse carving fang!"
Faster than the average eye could follow, the final strikes of Naruto and Zabuza ended. The water between them ripped open as water slowly began to fill back into the gash the two had made, causing turbulent waves to form. Naruto's eyes widened as he coughed up blood as a cut appeared from his left shoulder going diagonally downwards, ending near his hip. His chakra cloak dissipating he fell hitting the water with a splash His world started to go black as he saw Yūgao and his brother sprinting towards him, he managed to mutter one word before losing consciousness. "How...?"
(Epic fight music end)
Zabuza stood firm, for a split second he was the victor. Before he coughed up blood staining the bandages over his mouth, as a horizontal gash across his body was bisected by a vertical gash running the same length up his chest. The deepest part of the cuts was on his right bicep, which was cut halfway to the bone, and his left leg which was cut almost clean through to the bone. Zabuza fell, though before he could hit the water a masked figure in a kimono appeared next to him and leaned him onto their shoulders. "Thank you for taking care of Zabuza for me." The young tracker said as they held up Zabuza's body, "I had been tracking him for weeks but it seems you were able to get to him first tell the young man when he wakes up that he fought well." With those words the tracker Ninja vanished in a swirl of mist. Taking Zabuza's body and sword with them.
Yūgao brought Naruto's body back to the shore of the lake, she was met with a teary eyed Yakumo and a concerned Kōga who asked if he was alright. To everyone's relief, the cut he received wasn't life threatening, the deepest part being near his shoulder was halfway towards cutting the bone, which Yūgao took care of quickly using her medical ninjutsu. Tazuna walked over dumbfounded as his mind raced with questions about how a boy his age could fight someone like that and live to talk about it later one thing was for sure though his opinion of Naruto had gone up by a huge margin.
While this was happening elsewhere the masked figure that had Zabuza held close gently put him down leaning up against a tree as they started tending to his injuries. After a few seconds, Zabuza's eyes opened as he locked on to the person treating him.
"Ugh... that you Haku?" He asked, slightly disorientated from the amount of blood loss he suffered during the fight.
"Yes Zabuza-sama, it's me. I'm sorry that I let you get injured like this. I should've stopped him when I had the chance." Haku solemnly said in a feminine tone, removing the mask on their face to reveal a beautiful yet sad female face. She expected to get yelled at for failing to protect him, but she got yelled at for a completely different reason.
"Are you an idiot?" Zabuza questioned making the young female ninja blink in confusion. "That was a one-on-one duel between that brat and me. If you had interfered, I would've cut you down for tarnishing my reputation as a swordsman. I may not have much left to my name, but that brat reminded me that I still do have my reputation as a swordsman." He said in a stern tone, as he started checking over his injuries, being actually surprised at the damage that he sustained.
"Damn, that brat wasn't half bad. Guess he wasn't bluffing when he said he was different." He was broken out of his assessment by Haku who reminded him to be careful.
While the young Kunoichi worked on his wounds his thoughts kept returning to the duel between him and the boy. 'That kid... He's something else I could feel it when that green chakra covered his body it was as if I was fighting a feral beast the way he moved was more wild more animalistic than technique. The main reason it turned out like this was because he lacks experience and I have let myself get rusty over these past few years. Heh, if he's this good now just wait till our rematch.'
That's it for chapter four hope you all like it and as always send me your thoughts and comments on how I am doing. Also send me any pairings for Naruto of girls you would like to see trying to get his attention, however I will state this upfront Sakura will not be one of these girls as there is going to be a different route that I have planned for her. Also, music for the fight scene belongs to Zak Rahman who did the music for the soundtrack listed above in the chapter. Lastly the Kamas used by Naruto are not the size of normal ones the blades are larger and the handles are slightly longer kind of like Madara's scythe but nut down sized just a bit.