Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing more of the Land of Waves along with some new arrivals. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
Gatō couldn't keep the smirk off his face, as he looked at the two Akatsuki members that had been sent to the Land of Waves. Learning they were called Kakuzu and Hidan, apparently they were also known as the Zombie Duo due to their abilities.
"So, what exactly does this mission entail and what's the payment?" Kakuzu said, wanting to know what they're doing and how much they'll be paid.
"The mission is rather simple, you're to eliminate a team of Iwa Ninja I've hired to kill an annoying bridge builder and the Konoha Ninja protecting him; having hired them, after the previous team of Zabuza Momochi and the Demon Brothers failed. I want the Iwa Ninja dead after the job is complete, and should they fail then I want you two to kill the Konoha Ninja and bridge builder as well. As for payment, that can be discussed once the job is complete." Gatō explained, with Kakuzu narrowing his eyes at the crooked businessman.
"Fuck yeah! I'll get so many sacrifices bastards out of this for Jashin-sama!" Hidan said eagerly at the chance to make more sacrifices to Jashin.
"Who are the Iwa Ninja and Konoha Ninja?" Said Kakuzu, wanting more details before making any decision on accepting this job.
"The Iwa Ninja are called Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and Han. While the Konoha Ninja, I'm only aware of the leader, Might Gai, while he has three brats with him." Replied Gatō, with both Akatsuki members perking up at the mention of a Jinchūriki being here, with Kakuzu also being interested in all the bounties he could collect from such high-profile Ninja.
"Very well, we accept the mission. But we'll also be claiming the bounties on Gai, Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Han, as well as Zabuza and the Demon Brothers should the Konoha Ninja have kept their bodies." Kakuzu said, making Gatō frown, since he'd intended to collect those bounties himself once the Ninja were taken care of.
"I'm sure the reward for this mission will be…more…than…adequate…" Gatō said, only to trail off and gulp as Kakuzu walked up and looked down at him.
"I'm sure it will be, given who you're having us kill, but the bounties are for whoever turns in the bodies, which we'll be taking once we're done here. Unless there's a problem with that." Said Kakuzu, narrowing his eyes at Gatō, who gulped nervously.
"N-no, of course not, feel free to take them." Gatō replied, while knowing if things work out the way he wants them to, then it won't matter as they'll all be dead.
"Good. Is there anything else we should be aware of?" Kakuzu asked, wanting to make sure they didn't get any unexpected surprises or new arrivals.
"Only that I learned from the Iwa Team about an Uchiha having arrived on the island, not long before you both did. Apparently the Uchiha could also control ice, too." Revealed Gatō, which definitely got the Akatsuki member's attention.
"An Uchiha that has Hyōton. Well, isn't that interesting." Hidan stated with a smirk, knowing who that was, with Kakuzu nodding in agreement with his partner for once.
"Yes, very interesting. Let's go Hidan." Kakuzu said as they went to take their leave, knowing they learned some valuable information they needed to share with the rest of the Akatsuki.
*Later-Akatsuki Base*
After finding a hidden and deserted location in the Land of Waves, Kakuzu and Hidan contacted the rest of the Akatsuki through the Magic Lantern Body Jutsu.
"Kakuzu, Hidan what do you have to report?" Said Pein, knowing they must have learned something important in the Land of Waves.
"We've just arrived in the Land of Waves and accepted the mission from Gatō, learning that he's hired an Iwa Team to kill a bridge builder and Konoha Team, while we're to kill whichever side is left standing. With the Gobi Jinchūriki being among the Iwa Ninja, providing us an opportunity to capture them. Not only that, but the Kyūbi Jinchūriki is also here, as the Iwa Team encountered an Uchiha with the Hyōton." Kakuzu explained, surprising a few members at learning this, that two Jinchūriki were within the Land of Waves, with one of them being the missing Kyūbi Jinchūriki they've been searching for.
"If the Kyūbi Jinchūriki is in the Land of Waves, then ensure that you capture him if you can, even if it means missing the chance to capture the Gobi Jinchūriki." Ordered Pein, knowing that they can capture the Gobi Jinchūriki any time when they return to Iwa, but the Kyūbi Jinchūriki can't escape again.
If they saw a chance to capture the Uzumaki, then they would take it, given they may not get a chance like this again before the Kyūbi Jinchūriki disappears.
"Understood Pein-sama." Kakuzu replied, while nodding his head.
"Also, if you could, if Satsuki Uchiha happen to be with him, I would like it if you could bring her to me, alive." Orochimaru said, with the rest of the Akatsuki being fully aware that he intends to use the Kinjutsu he developed to take her body as his own.
"We'll see if the opportunity presents itself, though we won't make any promises." Kakuzu said, knowing that the Jinchūriki and the bounties that were present were the main priority, with there being no guarantee that Satsuki will survive, especially if Hidan ends up setting his sights on her and he doesn't care enough to keep him from killing her.
"And what about the midget bastard? If he's willing to betray one team he's hired, what do we do if the fucker tries betraying us?" Questioned Hidan, hoping for the chance to kill Gatō and his men as more sacrifices.
"If he does attempt to go back on the mission contract, then kill him as a message to those that would cross the Akatsuki." Pein answered, refusing to let anyone think they can double cross the Akatsuki and live.
Kakuzu and Hidan both nodded at this before everyone began vanishing until all the holographic images were gone.
'Well, isn't this the perfect irony.' Obito thought as he stepped out of the shadows, finding the situation rather ironic.
Given that just a few days ago, they were discussing trying to locate the Kyūbi Jinchūriki, and now he's popped up in the same place that they've just sent Kakuzu and Hidan to. Not only finally revealing himself, but also giving them the perfect chance to capture the boy as well.
'Five years of hiding and now you've finally revealed yourself.' Thought Obito, knowing they now had the chance to capture the Kyūbi.
The Uchiha remembering when Zetsu informed him of the aftermath of the Uchiha Massacre and Itachi's death. Having sent the plant-like creature to keep an eye on his fellow Uchiha, in the event he started having second thoughts about joining the Akatsuki or eliminating their clan. Only to be shocked at learning he was killed, not by the Hokage, an Anbu, or a Jōnin, but that he was killed by Naruto himself, who had also surprisingly awakened the Hyōton. With Mikoto having been spared from the massacre before fleeing Konoha with Naruto and Satsuki, as well as all the dead Uchiha and their eyes.
Unfortunately, he'd been busy bringing the Yondaime Mizukage and Kirigakure under his control at the time, leaving Obito unable to make a move to capture Naruto himself. Now it seems they'll finally be getting a chance to capture the Kyūbi, after all this time.
'And should Kakuzu and Hidan fail, then at the very least we'll get the chance to see how big of a threat he's become.' Obito thought before activating his Kamui and vanishing in a swirling distortion.
*With Iwa Team*
Meanwhile, the Iwa Team was currently within a clearing with Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, and Han standing off to the side, watching Kurotsuchi as she trained. None of them having seen Kurotsuchi train as hard as she's recently been since her encounter with that Uchiha.
"I'm sure Tsuchikage-sama will be happy to see Kurotsuchi wanting to get even stronger; especially with her wanting to learn even more and improve what she already knows." Akatsuchi stated, knowing that while Kurotsuchi always trained, she was never this serious about it.
"Perhaps, but I doubt he'll be happy for the reason behind her sudden desire to grow stronger." Said Han, given it was only after being defeated and left at the mercy of an Uchiha that Kurotsuchi's begun training more intensely, given Ōnoki's own past experience with being defeated by Madara Uchiha.
"Well either way, it's good to see her wanting to improve, learn, and grow." Kitsuchi said, aware that his daughter could be rather arrogant and prideful in herself and her abilities, with how she graduated from the Academy early and then becoming a Chūnin soon after.
So, while he had been scared at how close she was to being killed, Kitsuchi was glad to see Kurotsuchi be knocked off her pedestal and now really started to improve herself. Knowing that sometimes, you need to lose in order to grow and become stronger.
"You know what else is good?! Having some peace and quiet, so I can focus!" Said Kurotsuchi, giving them all an annoyed look, since it was hard for her to focus on her training while they were talking.
"Of course. But before you get back to that, should this Uchiha reveal himself to us, either I or Akatsuchi will deal with him. Since he already beat you once, while not revealing everything he could do, nor can we risk his Sharingan being powerful enough to control Han and the Gobi." Kitsuchi revealed, since they didn't know why this Uchiha was here, so they'd need to be ready if he revealed himself again.
"What?! No way if anyone's fighting that bastard it's going to be me!" Exclaimed Kurotsuchi, refusing to let anyone else fight the Uchiha, since he's already hers to take down.
'It seems she's also found someone to overcome as well.' Thought Kitsuchi, seeing his daughter not only gained a desire to grow stronger, but also a rival she wants to overcome one day.
Something he'd normally be pleased about and find amusing, if it were under different circumstances, as well as the mission and their safety is a higher priority. Especially given that the next time they encounter the Uchiha, he may not be inclined to spare her again.
"My decision is final, if we encounter the Uchiha again, you'll leave him to me or Akatsuchi. Since he's already proven stronger than you, even when he's not trying, and next time he may not be willing to spare you. And right now, the main priority is the mission and our safety, not you wanting to settle a grudge against someone that can and will kill you if you give them the chance." Said Kitsuchi, making Kurotsuchi scowl before storming off.
Even though she can reluctantly see her father's points, this was still a matter of pride and self-honor for her, to beat that Uchiha and redeem her loss against him.
'But fine, I won't. This'll just give me more time to train for the next time I see him.' Kurotsuchi thought, already having a few ideas on ways to grow stronger so she can beat the Uchiha.
She planned to improve her control over her Fire, Earth, and Water Affinities to make her Ninjutsu stronger, along with learning more Elemental Ninjutsu and working on her Yōton as well. Along with Genjutsu as well, so she'll be able to better spot them and break out of any illusions.
'I'll also need to convince the old man to bring Roshi back, or let me go find him myself.' Thought Kurotsuchi, knowing that Roshi is the only one who'd be able to help make her Yōton even stronger and more powerful, given he's the Yonbi's Jinchūriki.
The Iwa Kunoichi swearing that the next time she sees that Uchiha, she'll be much stronger and prepared for any tricks he has; along with having more than a few of her own to use against him.
*With Naruto and Satsuki*
While that happened, Naruto and Satsuki were currently walking through town, both of them under Transformation Jutsu's as to not be recognized or draw attention to themselves. With Haku having gone off on her own to see if she could assassinate their target. All of them hoping to end their mission quickly before things got more complicated than they already were.
"This place looks like it's barely standing as it is." Satsuki said, frowning as she looking around the town, seeing most buildings were boarded up with people out on the streets, seeing firsthand the damage Gatō's presence has had on the Land of Waves.
"Yeah, but hopefully it won't be long before they can start rebuilding. And given Haku-chan is currently going after the midget, then I doubt he'll be a problem for much longer." Replied Naruto, confident that Haku will have killed Gatō and gotten back before the day was over.
"Haku-chan is pretty strong, so it won't be a problem for her to find Gatō and kill him, along with anyone that gets in her way." Added Satsuki, also confident Haku won't have any problems in finding Gatō and killing him.
Though their attention turned to an alleyway when they heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Looking, Naruto and Satsuki saw a group of children covered in dirt and grime, along with wearing ragged and torn clothing. The sight of them making the two frown, seeing that they were orphans, their parents likely having been killed by Gatō and his men.
Going up to the children, who baked away with fearful expressions, Naruto and Satsuki knelt down and smiled reassuringly at them, before pulling out a scroll. With them unsealing a few baskets of food and some bags of ryo.
"Here you go, this should keep you fed for a couple days and this will let you some more and some new clothes." Satsuki said, holding giving them the food and money, much to their shock none of them expecting this.
"W-why?" One of the children asked hoarsely.
"Because you all need it more than we do. And you won't have to worry about anyone taking it, since Gatō won't be a problem much longer." Replied Naruto, surprising the children again, before they smiled and gratefully took the food and money.
"Thank you!" Said the children, before running off to enjoy the food, with Naruto and Satsuki watching them go off.
"I hope she makes him suffer." Muttered Satsuki darkly, now wanting Haku to make Gatō suffer before killing him.
Given how easily she and Naruto could have become orphans if Itachi killed Mikoto, along with how Haku became an orphan after her father killed her mother then killing him, herself. Which also lead to her and Naruto doing everything they could to make Haku feel comfortable in joining them to becoming part of their family. Since they could have easily been in their position if they didn't return to the compound early that night.
"You know she won't. Haku-chan may hate people like Gatō, but she wouldn't inflict unnecessary pain." Said Naruto, since while Haku can easily kill someone without hesitation, she'd do it quickly rather than torturing them.
"Yeah, I know. She really is too nice." Satsuki replied with a sigh, knowing it was true, but also knowing she wouldn't want Haku to change, either.
Before she looked at Naruto, when he put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her.
"But if by some chance Haku-chan fails, then that just means we'll get our own chance to kill the little bastard." Naruto added, since they were more than willing to kill people like Gatō in very painful manners.
Whether it's slow or quick, one thing was for sure is that they'd die in agony.
"You know just what to say to make a girl happy, Naruto-kun." Said Satsuki while smirking at him.
"When I know them well enough to know what they like to do." Stated Naruto, knowing what both Satsuki and Haku liked with how long he's known them, with Satsuki being the same for him and Haku as well.
The two looked at each other for a few moments, before blushing at how close they were as they quickly stood up and separated.
"We should uh…head back, since Haku-chan should be back soon." Naruto said, with Satsuki nodding in agreement.
"Y-yeah, so it'll be good to b-be there w-when she returns." Replied Satsuki, before they both set out to return to their base to wait for Haku to return from dealing with Gatō.
*With Haku*
Meanwhile, Haku had arrived at Gatō's base to deal with the crooked businessman, having staked it out for any signs of the Iwa Ninja, but didn't seem them. Only finding it guarded by two thugs wielding katana swords, who she guessed must have been Gatō's bodyguards.
The Hyōton user having dealt with them, jumping down on top of the first one and stabbing an ice kunai into his heart, causing it to freeze and shatter, before freezing the other one solid and shattering him.
'He really should have had better protection.' Haku thought shaking her head, figuring Gatō would have been smart enough to have more protecting with all the enemies he has.
Though she wasn't going to complain, as it made her mission easier to complete.
"Fire Style: Intelligent Hard Work!"
Hearing the sudden shout, Haku's eyes widened at the sight of a giant firestorm rushing towards, forcing the girl to jump back as the fire continued spreading, making her go through handsigns.
"Ice Style: Glacier Wall!" Said Haku as a large wall of ice rose up in front of her blocking the flames, with the Kunoichi managing to get some distance away from them when a black fist suddenly smashed through the ice wall, destroying it.
Looking to see who attacked her, Haku's eyes widened when she saw Kakuzu and Hidan standing there, recognizing their cloaks as belonging to the Akatsuki.
'Things just became a lot more complicated.' Haku thought, knowing if Gatō actually hired the Akatsuki as well, then things really became more complicated for her, Naruto, and Satsuki.
"Isn't this lucky, a perfect sacrifice has just arrived for Jashin-sama. Time to di-" Hidan said about to rush Haku, only for Kakuzu to hold out his arm and stop him.
"No Hidan, she's mine." Said Kakuzu, wanting to fight the girl himself, interested in seeing if it was possible for him to gain the Hyōton by taking her heart.
"Oh fuck you, Kakuzu! This bitch isn't one of our targets, so I can sacri-" Retorted Hidan, only to be cutoff when Kakuzu slammed his fist into the Jashinists face, sending him flying into a tree and hearing the distinct sound of his head splitting open.
"Just because I can't kill you, doesn't mean I can't silence you." Kakuzu stated, knowing Hidan will get back up after he heals in about an hour, more than enough time for him to deal with the girl.
'That was…unexpected.' Thought Haku, not expecting him to suddenly kill his partner, but going by how nonchalant he was, something told her he wouldn't stay dead for long.
Though Haku didn't have time to think on this, when Kakuzu moved with surprising speed for his size, slamming his darkened fist down on top of her. The Kunoichi just barely having enough time to switch places with an Ice Clone, which promptly shattered into pieces.
"Water Style: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death!" Haku said, turning the destroyed ice into water needles, which she launched towards Kakuzu.
"Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder!" Said Kakuzu releasing a stream of lightning from his hands, destroying the water needles before they could hit him.
With Haku taking the chance to get in close to the Missing-Nin, covering her hands with ice knuckles and punching Kakuzu in the face, making him stumble back.
"Not bad." Kakuzu commented before kicking his leg out and slamming it into Haku's stomach, knocking the wind out of the girl and sending her crashing into a tree, making the Kunoichi gasping and coughing at the kick.
"Water Style: Torrent Bullet!" Said Kakuzu creating a powerful vortex of water, which he launched at Haku.
"Ice Style: Whirlwind!" Said Haku aiming her hands at the vortex, before shooting shards of ice at it rapidly until it was trapped in a whirlwind of ice before it was frozen solid.
Haku then quickly went through handsigns again as she condensed the moisture in the air into multiple ice swords which she launched at Kakuzu. The Akatsuki members hands turning black again before he punched the ice swords, causing them to shatter.
'Whatever Jutsu he's using to hardened his skin, it's harder than any ice I can make, not to mention it's not hindering his speed; given how he was able to get so close to me. I have to find a way to restrain him or limit his movements.' Haku thought before she was forced to jump back, after Kakuzu finished destroying her swords and rushed her again.
Coating her arms in thick ice, Haku grunted as she blocked a kick from Kakuzu, before she managed to grab hold of his leg and began making handsigns with her other hand.
"Ice Style: Snow Maiden's Touch." Haku said before ice began spreading across Kakuzu's body from where her hand touched him, with the Missing-Nin quickly placing his hand on the ground and kicking his other leg out at Haku, forcing her to release him.
Jumping back once he was free Kakuzu looked at the ice spreading across his leg and went to break it, only to find his body not responding and moving at a painfully slow state.
'Wh-what i-is this? I…can barely…m-move…m-my b-body…' Kakuzu thought as he felt himself move even slower, before realizing that the ice wasn't just spreading on the outside of his body, it's spreading on the inside too.
"D-damn…i-it…" Said Kakuzu as he tried accessing his Fire Heart to quickly spread Fire Chakra throughout his body and melt the ice.
But before he could, Kakuzu grunted in pain as Haku quickly took the chance to rush him and drive an ice sword through his heart. The Kunoichi letting out a sigh of relief at seeing he was dead, before looking at his downed partner.
'If he has some form of immortality, then he'll likely be getting back up soon. But I doubt he'll be getting up, after being frozen from the inside out and then broken into pieces.' Thought Haku before wincing as she held her side, feeling her ribs were either cracked or broken from Kakuzu's kick earlier.
Doubting she'll get the chance to kill Gatō now, as the fight would have undoubtedly drawn attention, she'll at least be able to deal with these Akatsuki members.
"Wind Style: Pressure Damage!"
Haku's eyes widened in shock at the voice before crying out as she was hit by a high density tornado-like mass of wind. The Hyōton user crying out as she hit with the wind and thrown around, until she gasped when she crashed through a tree, barely able to roll out of the way to avoid being crushed. But before she could get up, she was grabbed by numerous thick, grey tendrils that lifted her into the air before throwing her across the forest.
The girls gagging as a darkened fist buried itself into her stomach, with Haku coughing up spittle and blood before slumping to the ground. Looking up weakly, Haku's eyes widened in disbelief at seeing Kakuzu standing above her, still very much alive despite how she knew that she stabbed him in the heart.
"You must be a truly exceptional Ninja for your age, I can't remember the last time someone succeeded in killing me." Kakuzu stated, willing to admit she had talent to destroy one of his hearts, while he was lucky it was his Water Heart, allowing him to still melt her ice with his Fire Heart.
"But that also means I'll be needing a replacement, and yours will be more than suitable." Said Kakuzu before having his threads thrust into Haku's chest to extract her heart.
Only for Haku to suddenly turn into an Ice Clone, much to Kakuzu's annoyance at seeing she managed to escape as he shattered the clone.
"Just perfect." Kakuzu muttered before looking over at the bodies of Gatō's guards, before groaning at seeing the state that their bodies are in.
Meaning that he won't be able to use either of their hearts as a substitute, until he can get a new Water Heart.
*With Haku*
While Haku managed to used the Substitution Jutsu to switch places with an Ice Clone in time, before Kakuzu could kill her, with her wondering just how he survived her attack.
'I know I stabbed his heart, and even if that didn't kill him, then his body should've stayed frozen from my Jutsu. But…he said he needed a replacement; did he mean a replacement heart? If so then, that means he could potentially have more than one heart.' Haku thought before mentally groaning, realizing that she should have gone for the head, which would have definitely killed him.
Before she winced at her injuries, knowing most of her ribs were now definitely broken, not to mention she couldn't feel her left arm and her right leg flared with pain when she put pressure on it. And she's pretty sure that she has a concussion as well, from hitting her head.
'I have to get back and…warn Naruto-kun and Satsuki-chan…have to…' Thought Haku as her vision started becoming blurry before she soon collapsed and lost consciousness.
*Later*
When Haku regained consciousness, she groaned at the pounding in her head and her body feeling sore.
"Easy, I managed to patch you up, but you're still pretty banged up from whatever happened." Said a female voice, making Haku tense at not recognizing who it was before she looked and saw Kurotsuchi sitting close by.
The sight of the Iwa Kunoichi that attacked Naruto made Haku internally freak out, before realizing that she didn't seem to be restrained. And like Kurotsuchi said, she had bandages wrapped around her injuries.
'She doesn't know who I am.' Haku thought, realizing Kurotsuchi must have found her, not knowing who she was and tended to her injuries.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you, it'd be counterproductive to heal you, only to hurt you." Kurotsuchi assured, seeing Haku look at her warily, with the Hyōton user relaxing slightly.
"Wh-why did you help me?" Questioned Haku, with the Iwa Kunoichi shrugging.
"You needed help and I wasn't just going to leave you out there alone." Replied Kurotsuchi, knowing she wouldn't have been safe, especially with Gatō's hold on the island.
While she and her team may be working for the bastard, that didn't mean Kurotsuchi liked it, since these people were only trying to do what's best for their home. Something she couldn't fault them for, given she'd be doing the same if it was Iwagakure and the Land of Earth. But Kurotsuchi also accepted that sometimes, Ninja had to do things they don't like for their village.
Though her father did say if Gatō tried betraying them after the mission was completed, they'd get to kill him.
"What were you doing out here alone, anyway?" Kurotsuchi asked, looking at Haku with a raised brow.
"I had been out collecting herbs when I was attacked by Gatō's men, I barely managed to escape with my life, but I lost the basket I was using." Replied Haku, with Kurotsuchi raising a brow.
"You do know it's not safe to be wandering around here alone, right." Stated Kurotsuchi, with Haku nodding in response.
"I am now. But I'm a traveler, and I only arrived here a few days ago; so I wasn't aware of the danger on this island." Haku answered, with Kurotsuchi nodding at this.
"I'm Kurotsuchi by the way, a Ninja from Iwagakure." Kurotsuchi introduced.
"My name is Haku, it's nice to meet you Kurotsuchi." Said Haku as she managed to sit up.
"So…are you travelling alone or with anyone?" Questioned Kurotsuchi, while looking at the other girl.
"I'm currently travelling with two people I consider very precious to me. They found me when I was young and took me in, treating me as a friend and family." Haku replied, smiling at the thought of Naruto, Satsuki, and Mikoto.
"I'm guessing something happened to your family." Kurotsuchi stated, with Haku nodding.
"Yes, my Kaa-san was killed in front of me, when I was a child, and my Tou-san…he abandoned us." Said Haku telling a partial truth, since as far as she was concerned her father did abandon her and her mother, simply because they were different.
"Oh…I'm sorry you had to go through that. And I know the feeling of losing a parent." Kurotsuchi said sadly, making Haku look at her.
"What happened, if you don't mind me asking." Haku said.
"What usually happens to Ninja, my Kaa-san was killed on a mission that went wrong, not long after I was born." Said Kurotsuchi, having been saddened that she never got a chance to know her mother, only hearing about her from her father and grandfather, while wishing to become a Kunoichi like her.
"I'm sorry that happened, it's never easy to lose a parent, even more so when you never get the chance to meet them." Said Haku, since both Naruto and Satsuki also knew that feeling.
"But I've learned that those we lose aren't truly gone, as long as we remember them. And that while we can never replace them, we are still able to find people to care about and consider precious to help fill the void they leave behind. Tell me, do you have those that are precious to you?" Haku asked, looking at Kurotsuchi, who nodded.
"Yes, I have my Tou-san and my grandfather, despite how stubborn the latter can be on refusing to retire, even one of my idiot teammates, who's far too happy all the time. Even my former sensei before I was promoted, despite how he can seem like a loner and can be pretty intimidating based on his appearance. And I consider my village precious and want to do everything I can to protect it." Replied Kurotsuchi, making Haku smile.
"That's good, to have those you consider precious. I believe that true strength comes from when you have something precious to protect." Stated Haku, with Kurotsuchi looking at her in surprise.
"Huh, I prefer having a goal to reach, to push one to get stronger to reach it." Kurotsuchi said, while thinking about her own goal, which had been originally to become Tsuchikage.
And while she did want to become Tsuchikage, her new goal to reach was now to beat that Uchiha, refusing to accept how easily she was defeated. But also knowing she needed to train harder than ever before if she wanted to stand a chance against him. Since as much as she hated to admit, he was far stronger than her with how he didn't seem to be even trying.
"That's still a good way, as having a goal to reach is also a good motivation to become stronger. Especially if the goal seems impossible, which would only push you harder to reach it and gain new strength." Haku said, since that was also a good way to become stronger.
"Thanks, and I definitely won't be giving up on this goal any time soon." Said Kurotsuchi, determined to grow stronger then find that Uchiha and beat him.
"Though I should be heading back to my team now, since otherwise they'll come looking for me. Will you be alright?" Kurotsuchi asked, standing up and looking at Haku, who nodded as she felt her wounds didn't hurt as much as before.
"I should be fine, thank you for your help Kurotsuchi." Replied Haku while smiling at her, which Kurotsuchi returned.
"No problem, it was nice meeting you, Haku. Maybe we'll see each other again. But until then, see ya." Said Kurotsuchi, waving at the Hyōton user before jumping away to return to her team.
"See ya, Kurotsuchi." Haku said waving in the direction the Iwa Kunoichi jumped off in, before heading back to base.
Thankfully, it wasn't long before Haku arrived, with her immediately being embraced by a worried Naruto and Satsuki.
"Haku-chan! Are you alright?! What happened?! Who hurt you?! We got worried when you didn't return!" Said Satsuki as she looked Haku over, while even activating her Sharingan to make sure she didn't miss anything, worried at the state she was in and angry at whoever hurt her this badly.
"I'm fine Satsuki-chan, really. I just ran into some…problems while going after Gatō." Haku replied before Satsuki hugged her again.
"I'm just glad that you're finally back and safe." Said Satsuki, simply glad that Haku's still alive.
"What problems did you encounter?" Naruto asked, looking at her in worry, knowing it must have been powerful Ninja to put her in such a state.
"It seems that Gatō's hired the Akatsuki, from their descriptions I would say they're Kakuzu formerly from Takigakure and Hidan a Jashinist formerly from Yugakure, and both of them are very dangerous. Though I only fought Kakuzu, I can only guess Hidan's just as strong as him, but what makes them really dangerous is that I was able to stab Kakuzu in the heart but he just got back up. I can only guess that he seems to have multiple hearts and all of them need to be destroyed to kill him. While Hidan also seems to have some form of immortality, since Kakuzu hit him hard enough to crack his skull open, but he seems aware that he'd recover." Haku explained, much to their shock, along with further being relieved that Haku managed to escape.
"Then we're really glad you were able to get away from them, Haku-chan. And I'm sorry that we didn't go with you to help." Said Naruto while hugging Haku, shaken at how close they were to losing her, but thankful she escaped.
"You don't have to apologize Naruto-kun, we couldn't have known Gatō would go as far as to hire the Akatsuki. I was just lucky to Substitute with an Ice Clone; but even then, I didn't get far before passing out. Thankfully, I was found by that Iwa Kunoichi you fought, Kurotsuchi." Revealed Haku, making them tense.
"Did she hurt you?! Did she know who you are?!" Satsuki asked quickly.
"Did she try interrogating you or take you captive?!" Questioned Naruto, swearing he'll rip her apart if she hurt Haku.
"No, no, she didn't hurt me or interrogate me. She's actually the one who helped heal and bandage me up. Kurotsuchi's also pretty nice when you get to know her, and you also seem to have left quite an impression on her Naruto-kun." Haku said, smiling at the Uzumaki, being able to guess that Kurotsuchi's new goal is likely to defeat him after losing their fight.
"Well…at least she didn't find out who you are." Said Satsuki with her eye twitching at Haku being friends with the Iwa Kunoichi and being on a first name basis with her.
While Naruto remained silent at this information, though was annoyed on the inside.
'I spared her on a whim, now I'm indebted to her for helping Haku, just perfect.' Thought Naruto in annoyance, as if there's one thing he values above all else, it's his family and loved ones, making him very protective of them; especially after the Uchiha Massacre.
Now learning that Kurotsuchi not only saved Haku, but also healed her, left him in in a bit of a conundrum. Since he intended to kill her if she and her team got in their way. But he couldn't since he owed her for saving Haku, and even if he repaid that debt, he doubts he could kill her with the friendship that Haku's seemed to have developed with her. And the last thing he wanted was to hurt one of the girls he loves by killing a friend she's made, possibly her first real friend outside of their group.
'But Gatō and the Akatsuki on the other hand, they're free game.' Naruto thought, swearing to make them pay for hurting Haku, though knowing he may need to use his Mangekyō Sharingan against Kakuzu and Hidan, along with having some strong backup just in case.
But either way, they're going to regret hurting someone he cares about, along with anyone foolish enough to get in his way.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Kakuzu and Hidan have arrived in the Land of Waves and learning what their mission, along with Naruto's presence on the island which they inform the rest of the Akatsuki about, with us also seeing Orochimaru's still a member of the organization with no Itachi around. Then we see the Iwa Team with Kurotsuchi having begun training even harder for her rematch against Naruto along with how she intends to improve herself for when she faces him again. Next we see Naruto and Satsuki walking through town while giving some food and money to some orphans as well as hints of their feelings for each other and mutual feelings for Haku. Before we go to Haku killing Zōri and Waraji to get to Gatō, only for Kakuzu and Hidan arriving leading to a fight between Haku and Kakuzu, and while she manages to destroy one of his hearts she still loses and is forced to retreat only to pass out from her injuries. With her having an unlikely savior in Kurotsuchi, who's unaware of who she is, leading to the two starting to develop a friendship before going their separate ways, with Naruto and Satsuki being relieved to see her before learning what happened. With Naruto being annoyed at Kurotsuchi saving Haku so he now owes her as well doubting he'd even be able to kill her now without hurting Haku. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out