For better or worse, I do not own Naruto.
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Beta read by the wonderful lincoln time, BlantonM, MaskedSharingan, and Oceanlord2017!
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Chapter 3: Changing the Future
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"Name: Haku Yuki
Alias: Haku of the Ice Style;
Village: Formerly Hidden Mist, missing-nin
Notes: Former and only protégé of Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Bloody Mist. Teacher and right-hand man of Naruto Uzumaki of the Golden Legion, a.k.a. the Demon Lord."
-extract from a Bingo Book, after the revival of Hidden Whirlpool
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Land of Waves
Battle beside a small lake
It seems appropriate that the rumblings that shook the ninja world to its core should have begun in such a small and insignificant nation, one that everyone else had dismissed: the Land of Waves.
It was here, upon blood splattered battlefields that new legends were born, and where these defining individuals took their first true steps on these new paths.
And it all began with Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Bloody Mist battling against the equally famous Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan-Eye, a.k.a. the Copy Ninja.
Unbeknownst to the Leaf ninja however, Zabuza had an ace up his sleeve, as his living tool silently watched events unfold from within the surrounding foliage. Said 'tool' went by the name Haku Yuki, and he was the willing servant of the Demon; ready to die in his service if necessary.
The watcher silently listened to what was occurring, catching the occasional glimpse through the rising fog as his master summoned it. They had been hired by Gato, the shipping magnate, to kill a bridge builder named Tazuna, in order to maintain the former's trade monopoly over the Land of Wave. Unfortunately, Tazuna had gone to the Village Hidden in Leaves for an escort, and was under the protection of Jonin Captain Kakashi Hatake. Oh, and three kids who were doubtlessly his genin students.
It was clear Zabuza-sama was beginning his basic psychological warfare stratagem against Hatake, while also beginning the timeless game of clones-and-substitution. The rules were simple, both parties would switch places at high speeds with whatever nearby item they could, while also working to make sure that any apparently lethal blow really only hit one of their doppelgangers, all to catch their opponent off guard. Cat-and-mouse, Cloud Roulette, and Chicken all in one, and the first one to be gutted was the loser.
For this was how higher ranking ninja tended to fight, using jutsu that were mastered to the point few or no hand-signs were necessary, high speeds, every scrap of experience, careful management of chakra during high stress situations, skill and knowledge with various Clone jutsu, and repeated use of the Substitution Technique while simultaneously trying to locate and/or anticipate your opponent's new locations while they used it themselves. In these kinds of battles, especially near the decisive end, neither side could be assured that the so-called 'final blow' had actually connected, lest it be another clone or substitution.
From what little Haku could gain from enhancing his senses with chakra, and past experience with Zabuza-sama, it appeared that Hatake had now confirmed that Zabuza-sama was a water style user, liked to rely on low level clones, had some measure of Zabuza-sama's skill with his sword, and knew that the man's reputation for Silent Killing was well deserved. Zabuza-sama's first fight with a sharingan user was already giving him some insight into how it worked, including how the mist he was creating with the Hiding in the Mist technique was apparently not strong enough to block its effects. Hatake's speed when coming to the aid of his genin was also telling.
More importantly, Haku himself was learning all he could from the glimpses of the battle, in case he was forced to intervene in the fight. Defeating Hatake himself was unthinkable, for Zabuza-sama had to prove to himself that he was strong enough to defeat the enemy jonin. Otherwise, how did he expect to defeat someone as strong as Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage? No, Haku would only become involved in order to fake his master's death, and even then only so Zabuza-sama could return stronger than ever.
XXX
Finally ending the annoying dance, Zabuza kicked Hatake into the nearby lake. However the swordsman could tell that the Copy Ninja had chosen to go with the flow of the kick over blocking, creating distance and trying to draw him away from the kids and old man. Against a man of Hatake's reputation, and from the skills already displayed, Zabuza would be expected to prioritize on the greatest threat, without sparing even an instance to target the old man he had been hired to assassinate, or the brats.
And of course Hatake had managed to drop some caltrops as a trap, forcing Zabuza to hesitate.
But he's a cocky fool if he plans to lure me into a terrain I specialize in weaponizing!
Faster than Hatake could react, Zabuza trapped the false legend in the Water Prison Technique.
XXX
It's over, Haku knew. Zabuza-sama's also pouring his own chakra into the jutsu to prevent Hatake from using any of those lightning jutsu he is so famous for. He may have the physical conditioning to hold his breath for a long time, yet Zabuza-sama's chakra levels are well up to the task of maintaining the jutsu.
All that is left is killing Tazuna, and those genin so no witnesses are available for the Hidden Leaf. Hmm, maybe I can convince Zabuza-sama to spare the children? Perhaps if I point out the retribution their village may try to bring down upon us? No, wait, maybe he's already decided to do this, and that that's why he's only toying with them? Giving them a chance to run?
It was still sad to watch the Leaf genin prepare themselves to fight someone who outclassed them to a ridiculous degree.
With mild surprise, Haku observed the short, blonde haired boy rally his teammates, despite the orders to flee that his superior expended his precious air to desperately yell at them to just run. The kid definitely had guts though, calling out his defiance, and insulting a man who so far had not made any serious attempt to kill any of them.
Yes, definite nerve and daring. Skill and brains, not so much.
He made that charge against a jonin captain, even if it was just a Water Clone . . . to retrieve his headband? To help him in his declaration that he would be Hokage? Well . . . that's interesting at least.
The boy's use of a clone technique able to make so many solid copies was more fascinating however, especially since Haku could not confirm what their composition was. Not that it made any real difference, with the copies casually dispelled by Zabuza-sama's Kubikiribocho—the Executioner's Blade.
Undaunted even as he was sent skidding across the ground, the kid —Naruto Uzumaki, was it? — passed a large fuma shuriken to his teammate, the black haired boy . . . who had an interesting clan crest on his back. Regardless, he chose to throw the shuriken at the real Zabuza-sama, not the Water Clone who had been humiliating them.
Huh, there is a second shuriken hidden underneath the first for a Shadow Shuriken Technique. While hardly enough to even hinder Zabuza-sama, it's still a better plan than I thought they would have. Decent skill too, to throw it like that, which explains why he was the one given the shuriken. Ah, there we go, and—What!?
Haku stared in disbelief as Zabuza effortlessly caught the first shuriken and jumped over the second one, only for the latter to disappear in a flash of smoke to reveal the young Uzumaki trying to blindside his target from behind.
A masterful plan, making it possible for a genin to actually cut one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist! But what was that technique? He had actually changed his form into a different solid object, as opposed just an illusionary cover? Who is that boy? wondered Haku. He acts like a suicidal idiot, but has potential . . .
Unfortunately, if he kept rushing in like that, he would be killed before having the chance to unlock it.
Caught up in surprise, the young Ice release user had almost missed Kakashi breaking free of his prison when an enraged Zabuza-sama removed his arm from the ball of water to retaliate, and the Copy Ninja charged forward to protect his student, releasing all of his Killing Intent to unnerve his target.
XXX
". . . Naruto . . ." the jonin sensei praised after chucking said boy towards dry land where the rest of his precious Team 7 was, "Your scheme was brilliant. You've matured, all of you." A giggling Naruto went on to elaborate exactly how he had carried out his scheme. I'll have to teach him to not spell out his plans to the enemy, Kakashi noted.
"So," mused Zabuza, "you made me fly into such a rage that I unraveled the jutsu holding the Water Prison together."
"No! You didn't drop your own jutsu. It was broken, from the outside." Deciding that the sharingan genjutsu he was carefully placing on Zabuza while they murderously glared at each other was ready enough, Kakashi decided to get down to business.
"Just so you know, the same jutsu won't work on me twice." Jumping backwards, Kakashi roared at the man who had dared to try and kill his students, "You said it yourself Zabuza, I am a man famed for copying a thousand techniques; time for you to understand just what that means!"
"Hmph, and how many of those are just useless D-ranked ones?"
Ignoring him, Kakashi went on the offensive like a vengeful wolf.
He flashed through the hand seals for Water Release: Water Bullet Technique, causing a powerful torrent of water to burst out of the lake at his side, speeding directly at Zabuza. The assassin countered with more Water Clones, which closed in on Kakashi, and while several were destroyed as Kakashi redirected his attack, enough were able to dodge around it to reach their target. Knowing they would lack the power of the original, Kakashi chose to dispatch them with only a kunai, deliberately leaving his back exposed as a feint, even as he wove around the slashing swords to dispel the doppelgangers.
Not fooled by this false opportunity, the real Zabuza chose to attack from in front and below, bursting out of the lake while swinging the Executioner's Blade as he planned to cut through both his clones and the Copy Ninja, unaware his target had anticipated this.
Sorry Zabuza, you might be stronger and faster than me, except it's not enough to get past my sharingan. And as an added bonous, Eight Gates: First Gate: Gate of Opening!
Zabuza could only swear to himself in disbelief as Kakashi countered his underwater ambush, somehow possessing the strength to block the swordsman's massive blade with nothing but a kunai knife. Straining against the Leaf ninja, the ex-Mist was suddenly thrown further off balance as the lake seemed to dissolve into a whirlpool.
XXX
Zabuza struggled to regain his wits as the lake seemed to consume itself, as he rapidly backpedaled away. What!? No! He's using a clone and earth jutsu to drain the lake! For all that he was a skilled leader, a master swordsman and assassin, the Demon of the Mist's water jutsu skills were not up to par, hence why had waited to ambush them beside a pre-existing source of water that he could draw upon. Kakashi on the other hand was primarily a lightning user, who also had skill with earth techniques, meaning that he was altering the geography to favour himself; especially since he would not have to worry about the water conducting any of his electricity in some unwanted way.
More worrisome, for some strange reason Zabuza felt a little . . . weird. Using a brief breather as the two parties separated after another clash of weapons, and ducking under a brace of shuriken Kakashi had thrown, Zabuza flared his chakra in case he was under a genjutsu, but felt no difference. Something is still off, but what? Poison?
XXX
This is bad, Haku grimly thought with wide eyes, still hidden from sight.
Zabuza-sama cannot look away from the sharingan. It is almost as if he's under some sort of genjutsu. No, wait, he is! Hatake must be skilled enough to make one subtle enough that Zabuza-sama cannot realize he's under one, and still strong enough that routine disruptions of his chakra network are not working! Perhaps a multilayer genjutsu? Zabuza has to disappear back into the mist if he wants to win, except that now that his temper is raised, he is too fixated on direct combat.
Realizing the likely outcome of this fight, Haku began to stealthily advance, aiming for a tree that would give him a view overlooking the fight, while being close to where he predicted where the overall flow of the battle would shift to.
Meanwhile, Zabuza-sama exchanged a Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet with Kakashi's equally massive one. Zabuza-sama feels he has learned enough about Hatake, and with his anger intensifying his impatience, he's bringing out the big guns, and Hatake is matching him. No, copying him! It's ever so slight, but his sharingan is allowing him to mimic whatever physical moves Zabuza-sama carries out.
What followed was chilling for Haku as he witnessed his master be made vulnerable to Hatake's own psychological warfare. Using his mimicry to unnerve his foe and then act like he was reading his mind by completing Zabuza-sama own sentences.
Knowing the Leaf ninja was preparing his final blow, Haku pulled out two senbon needles, preparing himself to fake his master's death by targeting his neck to put him into a comatose state. It was risky, but Haku had done this before, allowing his master to return to kill his foes. Once to even snatch the bounty the man was trying to collect for 'killing' Zabuza-sama. Haku's master had been chortling for days over that one! And if Hatake smelled a rat, tired as he was after such a grueling fight, Haku should be able to beat him handily.
Zabuza-sama would forgive him.
XXX
Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan Eye felt a small piece of satisfaction as he finally maneuvered Zabuza into a checkmate, using multiple illusions to manipulate him. The man had called upon his strongest water jutsu, Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique, yet Kakashi's superior vision and psychological warfare let him read what motions Zabuza would make before he had actually carried them out, making it easy for Kakashi to cast his attack first. The crushing force of the water sending the man's battered body careening through the air to strike a tree trunk.
Pulling out some kunai, Kakashi prepared a standard spread to finish off a living legend; aiming three for the torso and one for the neck.
Then he stopped as two senbon needles suddenly appeared in the swordsman's throat, seemingly out of nowhere. Glancing up, and surging his chakra in case of a genjutsu, Kakashi blinked in surprise at the sight of a masked member of the Bloody Mist's Anbu Hunter Ops. The young man offered a polite apology for interfering, claiming he wanted to make the kill himself.
Based upon his build and voice, he was dealing with someone only a little older than Kakashi's own students, except he had still risen to claim one of the most elite positions within the ninja world. An order entrusted to hunt down their prey alone, taking down any missing-nin they encountered without anyone watching their back. He's not your average kid, that's for sure. I'm
putting up a good bluff, but I'm nearing my limit. And the longer this goes on, the longer I have to keep my sharingan active, and draining more chakra. That Zabuza's death is all that matters. I just won't be able to take his corpse back for study.
Carefully approaching the man in question, while keeping an eye out on the motionless Anbu Hunter, Kakashi checked Zabuza's pulse for half a minute, confirming that he was indeed a corpse.
Unexpectedly, Naruto ran up to them, yelling his confusion at who this masked stranger was, and if his casual killing of the Demon of the Bloody Mists meant that the members of Team 7 sucked. Still carefully keeping an eye on the potential new threat, Kakashi walked over and quieted Naruto down. "Oh. Well, you have my sympathy," he said to his student. "I can see where a thing like that would be hard to accept. But it's a fact you'll have to live with. This probably won't be the last time we run into a kid who's both younger than you, and stronger than me."
Kakashi could have elaborated on that, except unfortunately the best examples of young prodigies from the Village Hidden in Leaves' recent history, were himself (which would be overly arrogant to mention), Itachi Uchiha (unwise to mention for a host of reasons), and Orochimaru (a third bad role model). Maybe in hindsight he should have kept his mouth shut?
XXX
For his part, Haku, still in his Anbu Hunter disguise, jumped down and hefted up Zabuza-sama's unconscious body. A glance had confirmed the senbon had indeed been accurately placed, but this moment of vulnerability was when everything was the most at risk.
Fortunately, Hatake's body language indicated he had no interest in a fight. Moreover, based upon the Copy Ninja's previous behavior, and his present closeness to his blonde genin, it was likely his priority remained protecting his charges from any active threats, not corpse retrieval. "Your battle is over, Leaf, for now. And now I must dispose of the remains," he lied, "lest they give up our secrets to our foes. Well then, I must be off."
XXX
Land of Waves
A clearing away from Team 7
Having recovered from his 'death' well enough to move, and remove the senbon in his throat, though not enough to be truly mobile, Zabuza looked up to regard his tool. "You saw the entire fight, correct?"
Haku gave an affirmative nod. "While Kakashi Hatake is a formidable foe, from what he displayed he is only a threat if you were to engage him head on, Zabuza-sama. His students were also interesting."
Zabuza scowled at this, except knew that Haku was right. The trick the blonde brat had played on him, albeit with the other boy's help, had been brilliant. If the runt was even slightly more skilled, he could have actually hurt Zabuza when he blindsided him. Hell, if the kid had just one single ranged and offensive C-rank jutsu when I had my back to him, or a better throwing arm, he might even have killed me, that's how unprepared I was. And those jutsu he was using beforehand . . . The swordsman frowned, the brat had been spewing some nonsense at some point, but Zabuza had only ignored it, figuring that even if he did not kill them all (to avoid Leaf retaliation for their young), they could not possibly have anything interesting to say. "What did you discover about them?"
"The one with black hair carries the clan symbol of what I believe is the Uchiha clan on his back. Although I will have to check my scrolls to see if I can verify. As for the other boy, how much did you hear him say?" Zabuza gave no response to the tactful rebuke, since he always stressed the importance of full and honest feedback. "He identified himself as Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki."
At this Zabuza paused in rewrapping his face bandages. In the ninja world, empowered weapons with unique abilities, like Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword, were priceless. The art of crafting them practically lost during the brutal Warring States Period, since craftsmen capable of creating such artifacts were prime targets. The last recorded individual capable of such was the Second Hokage. However, the majority of the remaining weapons were wielded by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, a group Zabuza still considered himself part of.
Those particular swords had come from a variety of sources, and some of the present ones were even replacements for ones destroyed during previous battles. Despite this, most of them had come from the seal loving Uzumaki clan of Uzushiogakure, the Village Hidden by Whirlpools. They had either been given as part of peace treaties after wars, or pried from their dead hands on the battlefield. Alas, there were no more Uzumaki left, following the Fall of Uzushiogakure, at the hands of Iwagakure.
Or so Zabuza had thought.
Now while it was possible the kid was lying, or had been lied to, as he appeared too stupid for subtly, Zabuza suspected he really was a Uzumaki. Someone like Kakashi Hatake seemed unlikely to tolerate such a deception. Moreover, the brat's fellow student appeared to be an Uchiha (Zabuza was fully confident in his student's memory), another legendarily powerful clan that was supposed to be dead—barring their executioner that is. So, putting the last survivors of two legendary clans under someone like Hatake made sense, especially given his own sharingan. What did that say about the pink-haired girl? Was her behaviour just to catch him off guard?
Interesting, very interesting indeed. Zabuza mused. Still, no matter. I'm a ninja with a contract, and I'll fulfill it.
Zabuza turned to look up at his apprentice, "I failed to look for the 'shadows and knives that hide within the mist,' and nearly paid for it with my life," he growled, wincing as his abused body shrieked in pain. "That won't happen again. Haku, we need more information. Get it."
His tool obediently gave another nod in agreement, doubtless having reached the same conclusion long before Zabuza had.
The perfect weapon.
XXX
Land of Waves
Tazuna's House
As he slowly recovered, Kakashi began to carefully plan his campaign against whoever Gato sent to kill Tazuna next. A minute after the Anbu Hunter had left, (and who in hindsight was probably a fake), Kakashi had collapsed from overusing his sharingan and exhausting too much chakra. It would likely take a week of rest for a full recovery, which was about the same amount of time he calculated it would take Zabuza to recover if he had indeed been put into a death-like state. Additionally, it would take at least a few days for Gato to find some new muscle to send.
In the meantime, his genin needed to become stronger, and quickly, to deal with whatever lackeys the ex-Mist ninja brought with him. Consequently, Team 7's training schedule would have to be accelerated. So to start, he would have them doing the tree climbing exercise to both improve their chakra control, and build up their reserves.
Well, I kinda failed in my plan to keep the kids out of this. Still, they surpassed my expectations, so maybe they can handle what is to come. Zabuza was an Anbu Hunter captain before joining the Seven Swordsmen, but they still pulled that stunt on him! Even despite one of them evidently forgetting everything he should have learned in school. I mean, honestly, how could Naruto need a remedial lesson on what chakra is?
That's as basic as the importance of stealth!
. . . Which . . . he's seemed to have forgotten about too.
Still! They are improving at a phenomenal rate, Kakashi reassured himself. Sure, that I'm just starting to teach them ninjutsu while they are in the middle of an A-rank mission might seem a little irresponsible to some people, except they can clearly handle it! And I'm still clearly stronger than Zabuza anyways! Whatever future threats we face on this mission, they should remain focused on me.
All I have to do is make sure my sweet little genin —amazingly there was barely a hint of sarcasm— are strong enough to stay alive long enough for me to take care of business, and come finish off whoever they're dealing with.
XXX
Land of Waves
Woods, not too far from Tazuna's house
Haku's silent observations had been going well so far, using a combination of ice mirrors to infiltrate and observe, as well as his mastery of stealth to get around even Kakashi Hatake. Nevertheless, he had been very cautious around such a legendary shinobi, and thus had only picked up a few details.
What had been found out so far remained rewarding though. First, the Copy Ninja was obviously more injured than he had appeared when Haku had departed; evidently the sharingan was very chakra exhausting for him. Also, his genin team appeared to be receiving elementary training in chakra control and building up their stamina. Though it's weird that they're only starting that. They're twelve, and are his students. They should've known this long ago. Or is this just how the Leaf teaches?
Deciding to take a break today, Haku went out to gather some herbs to help Zabuza-sama heal. The man should have no more problems after Haku had broken Gato's arm as a warning. Plus, Hatake was still too busy recovering himself to go out scouting.
With careful consideration, Haku chose what kimono he would wear for this outing, choosing a lovely pink, sleeveless kimono, with pale red edges and decorated with small plum-coloured swirls. It looked simply beautiful on him!
Though he would never admit it to anyone else, messing with people was one of Haku's hobbies, and that included being a girly boy able to throw people around with no discernable effort. His favourite practice though was to dress up like a girl. Not only was it funny to watch people treat him as a helpless, innocent girl, but their reactions when they learned he was really a male were just hilarious. Only Zabuza was not creeped out by it, and that was because he had been around his tool for so long. As long as the dress carried concealed weapons he was fine. Though the man probably took reassurance from the fact that Haku managed to hook up with a bunch girls fairly often.
After a while of wandering through the woods, gathering the necessary plants, Haku stumbled across an unexpected sight. The self-proclaimed future Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki, who had successfully stood up to the Demon of the Bloody Mist long enough to free his teacher and superior. Someone who had frankly abysmal chakra control based upon previous spying, yet also had the ingenuity to trick Zabuza-sama, as well as some interesting jutsu. Unlike a 'proper' ninja he was loud in personality and fashion choice, and yet was still able to rise to the challenge to overcome even Zabuza-sama fearsome aura and killing intent.
And yet here he was now, sleeping, in the middle of the forest, when he was supposed to be guarding his client from potential assassins?
For that matter, has he really been outside all night? Why hasn't one of his team members come to find him? Is it all an act, or is he really such a mass of contradictions?
Slowly, Haku reached out his hand towards the boy. It would be so easy, wouldn't it? To snap his neck like I did Gato's arm. He wouldn't even feel anything . . .
Heh, who'm I kidding?
XXX
Naruto found himself being gently shaken awake, and opened his eyes to what had to be the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, her pale face framed by long, thick brown hair. Belatedly he realized she was telling him in such a lovely voice that he would catch his death of cold sleeping outside on a morning like this.
He snapped upright to help hide his blush, and then gallantly asked her what she was doing, and if there was any way he could help.
The morning went by as Naruto helped the strange girl, who introduced herself as Haku. She was a local girl, and was getting some medicine together to help an injured friend.
Unused to someone actually listening and responding back to him, Naruto was pleased to talk as they worked. Eventually, their conversation steered towards Gato, and the hardships in the Land of Wave. Haku was evasive on this, but in a way he knew she was uncomfortable talking about whatever hardships she was going through. It was also clear she was an orphan, and aside from her friend, largely living alone.
"You too, huh?" Haku blinked in surprise at his statement. "I'm also an orphan. Still, things have really been picking up in my life. Looks like things have been the same for you, if you have a friend to help you though too!"
As if she was uncomfortable with where the conversation was going, Haku looked away for a moment, before asking, "So what were you doing in the middle of nowhere at the crack of dawn?"
"Training!" he burst out with an expression that was somehow simultaneously comical and serious.
With a look of surprise, she inquired further, "Really? That headband you're wearing . . . are you some kind of ninja?"
"Why?' he yelled. "Do you think I look like one? Do I? Really? Because I am!"
Definitely some self-esteem issues, or at minimum an attention seeker. Especially with that bright orange, Haku diagnosed. "Wow, that's incredible!" He chuckled gratefully as his ego was stroked. "What are you training for?"
"To build up my strength."
"But…but you look so strong and manly already!" A shameless lie there, what with the subtle signs of slight malnourishment, and the aforementioned hideous orange clothing. In actual fact, Haku was just saying this because it made being a guy dressed up as a girl even more amusing. Plus, people let more things slip when their boasting was encouraged.
"Nope! Wrong!" Then a little quieter, "I need to be a lot stronger than this!"
Haku just stared in silence for a moment, trying to figure out the person in front of him. While impressing a 'pretty girl' was obviously influencing what he was saying, there did appear to be some noteworthy determination in his eyes. A strength of will that Haku had come to expect from more older and experienced ninja. With the aim to dig further, "But . . . why?"
"To become the top dog in my hometown! All the people who used to treat me like dirt will have to say 'He's the Number One Ninja!' And right at the moment, I kind of have to prove a point to a certain person I know. Someone who thinks there are no longer heroes in this world. But I'll prove myself to him by saving this country from Gato and whoever he sends at me."
Again Haku just silently yet intensely stared back. There was almost too much raw information in the boy's simple declarations to sort through. Despite this, it was obvious the Uzumaki boy was someone who had grown up alone, and who wanted to prove himself to those who had rejected him. Make them acknowledge him.
But why would the son of such a famous clan be rejected, especially in the Hidden Leaf? And does his drive come solely from his need to simply be noticed by everyone, or does he want to truly prove himself for his own sake? Plus, he still sees ninjas as heroes; people who can only help others and never harm the innocent. Is that what it's like in the Leaf? That their more peaceful philosophies allow them to believe that they are the 'good guys?'
And of course, he unknowingly threw down the gauntlet at me, for I and Zabuza-sama will be fighting him and his friends later.
What an interesting conversation this is proving to be.
All of this flew through his mind in a heartbeat.
Making a snap judgment, the assassin decided he wanted to learn more from Naruto, and chose to open up more on his own life to do so, "Are you doing this for the sake of that person, or for your own satisfaction?"
Naruto just stared back with squinted eyes, a dumb look that fully portrayed his incomprehension, ". . . Whut?" It was all so ridiculous, Haku could not but help the girlish giggle that escaped him, causing Naruto to loudly ask what was so funny, while maintaining that stupid squint. Finally, Haku regained his self-control.
"Do you have . . . anyone special in your life?" In hindsight, Haku had to admit that given his deliberately girlish demeanor that could be misconstrued as something . . . flirtatious. Which possibly proved that Zabuza-sama's sadism had rubbed off on him a little bit. Just not in the way his master had wanted. At all.
Just thinking of Zabuza-sama in this context makes Haku's memories rise to the forefront, oblivious to Naruto's confusion as the young 'girl' stared off into space.
His father, a man who had sworn to love and protect them with his very life as long as he lived, had learned that Haku's mother had a bloodline ability. How that revelation had somehow made in his eyes his family transform into monsters, and had killed his wife for that, and would have murdered his son too. Instead, the icy power of Haku's heritage had instinctively risen to save him . . . and stain him with his father's blood.
Still lost in thought, he found himself reliving his life of loneliness on the streets, unwanted, with no reason to live. Where each waking day was a struggle to not just stay lying on the ground until the end finally came.
Until That Man appeared, his hands also drenched in blood, both sinners and innocents, giving a worthless orphan a reason to live. To be happy, and the will to face each new dawn.
With an effort, Haku pulled himself out of his past to look at Naruto, a boy who might share a similar enough history, and maybe his own personal philosophy, his ninja way, with him. So he calmly and simply said, "When people are protecting something truly precious to them, they truly can become as strong as they must be."
He could see the blonde become lost in thought in turn, as he reflected upon his own experiences. Indeed, Naruto recalled examples like of Iruka and the day Naruto became a full-fledged ninja. Kakashi's words when they faced that eyebrowless freak Zabuza, saying that he would not let any of his comrades die. Stories like the Fourth Hokage defeating the Nine Tailed Fox. Or Inari's dad, Kaiza, who Tazuna said believed and lived up to his philosophy protecting something precious to you with all of your strength.
Fortunately, Naruto seemed to have still gotten the message.
He beamed and nodded, "Yup! I know all about it!"
With an answering smile, Haku got up with his basket of herbs and walked away. With a final parting remark, "You will get stronger . . . and I hope we will see each other again." Indeed, Haku decided that it would be nice to talk to the young blonde again, Though maybe next time I should tell him I'm a boy. His reaction should be priceless!
XXX
Land of Waves
Woods just outside Tazuna's house
A few days later
Naruto could only sit with his jaw hanging open. He had met Haku again when the gir—boy had been collecting more herbs, this being their third meeting. It sure beat staying back at the house with that Inari brat, even if whatever Kakashi told the kid had settled him now.
The totally-future-Hokage had come to really enjoy these times they got together, as they chatted away about everything under the sun. Haku could not stay too long, having to get back to help her—his friend, but they both had time for a few laughs. As sh—he was walking away this time though, Haku, without even turning his head to look at Naruto, had informed the blonde that he was really a boy.
What!? He's even more girly than Sakura! He even talks like a girl!
Since then, Naruto had been just sitting there, trying to go over everything they had said together, and was also questioning his sexuality.
XXX
Land of Waves
Zabuza's hideout
Zabuza Momochi nodded in agreement as his tool finished outlining the plan he believed his master should follow. Using an enhanced version of the Hiding in the Mist Technique would be costly in chakra, but the jutsu would still be beneficial enough. It appeared as though Kakashi had come to base his fighting style around his Sharingan, so robbing the man of his most fearsome weapon would unnerve him, and limit his options. It would still require careful work by Zabuza, relying on just his hearing, except that was his preferred weapon. His observations during their first encounter would help him attack Kakashi psychologically as well. That was one of the few areas where he still surpassed Haku, due to his more worldly experience.
Although maybe I should consider finding another tool about his own age, Zabuza pondered. A partner or someone to interact with. Someone to help him learn more about people. Plus, we Seven Swordsmen were always best as a team. Hrm, and Haku's been enjoying spending time with that Uzumaki kid. Would say too much, but potential there.
Quickly hardening his heart again, Zabuza amended his chain of thoughts. They would have to be willing to be my tool of course. And only to help Haku become a better assassin.
Watching his protégé walk away to prepare his own weapons, and the materials needed for the traps if the first plan failed, Zabuza conceded that there was another reason to find another companion: so if the master died, his tool would not be left alone in the world.
Zabuza had ordered Haku to never take his own life if the former died, to keep living, but the boy had based his entire life around the older man. Father figure, mentor, leader, and sole purpose in existence, how would the kid cope without his 'owner' in his life anymore? Haku might take up Zabuza's goals and ambitions, except it would be a hollow commitment at best, for the boy defined himself by others. And what kind of swordsman would Zabuza be if he let his best weapon lie discarded, rusting away, if he was no longer around to carry it?
XXX
Author Notes:
Kudos to Keeperoftheninjaway for the suggestion I use 'Naruto of the Golden Legion.'
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Still a re-posting of old chapters, but making progress.
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Next Chapter: 'Crouching Fox, Hidden Legacy'
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