On the Road to the Bridge

Team 7, minus Naruto, and Tazuna walked along the path to the bridge.

Daichi looked at his Sensei thinking now was the right time to ask a pertinent question. "Kakashi Sensei, is Zabuza still a member of the Hidden Mist Village? I mean, I could see the Bloody Mist taking on a mission like this, but I'm curious."

Daichi's respect for Zabuza hadn't dissipated.

Kakashi looked back at him before nodding. "A pertinent question and one I don't know much about. What I can say for certain is that Zabuza Momochi attempted to over through the Mizukage. Now he's here."

"So, he's acting as a mercenary." Sasuke stated.

Hinata chimed in. "Why would he still wear his head band?" She thought back to the demon brothers. "What of those other Mist Shinobi Daichi and Sasuke fought?"

"As I said, the Hidden Mist is known as the Bloody Mist. They have many practices Konoha doesn't and wouldn't partake in." Kakashi stroked his chin. "My best guess is that Zabuza wanted change and sought to make it happen. Others agreed with him."

That got Daichi thinking.

The Bridge, Some Time Later…

Tazuna said, "Hold on! What is this?! What happened?!" The group were shocked as every builder had been injured. "Someone was here! Someone got to them!"

A thick mist rolled in.

"Looks like he's back." Kakashi stated. "Get ready team 7!"

Everyone went back to back, including Tazuna. Daichi drew his remaining sword, Sasuke drew two kunai, and Hinata activated her Byakugan.

Hinata had spotted the pair, but Zabuza spoke up before her. "Sorry I kept you waiting Kakashi. I see you still got those brats with you." Sasuke's arm was shaking. "That trembling. Pitiful."

The group was surrounded by five Zabuza water clones.

Sasuke slightly smiled. "I'm trembling with… excitement."

Kakashi said, "Go on Sasuke."

Sasuke destroyed every clone.

"You know, it wouldn't have killed ya to save me one." Daichi commented.

"Oh, so you could see they were water clones." The real Zabuza and Haku walked forward. "Brat's improving. Looks like you have a rival Haku."

"So, it seems." Haku said.

Kakashi said, "He's all yours Sasuke."

Suddenly, Haku began to spin heading straight for the Uchiha. Sasuke smirked confidently before running to meet him. The Uchiha blocked the senbon managing to stop Haku.

"We already played this game earlier." Sasuke stated. "You're going to have to try harder than this to take me down."

Zabuza thought, "He can keep up with Haku's speed better, huh?"

Kakashi said, "Hinata, cover Tazuna and stay close to me. Daichi you're on standby. Be ready to move where you're needed. For now, we'll let Sasuke handle this."

"We already told you the bridge builder is our target." Haku stated. "If you back down…"

Sasuke ducked and swept Haku's legs. He then got up and thrust his leg forward nailing the fake tracker nin. Haku was sent tumbling along the ground before catching himself on his hand and flipping back to his feet.

"You're making a mistake." Haku stated. "You won't be able to keep up with my speed and you're surrounded by water. More than our last encounter even."

"Yeah, what about it?" Sasuke asked.

Haku wove a series of hand signs with one hand shocking everyone.

Kakashi thought, "Hand signs with a single hand?! I've never seen that before."

"Water Clone Jutsu." 2 Hakus appeared from the water and started to throw senbon at Sasuke forcing him to dodge while the original finished weaving another series of hand signs. "Secret Jutsu: A Thousand Needles of Death."

Needles of water floated into the air around Sasuke forcing Daichi to act. The Fusion member came to stand back to back with Sasuke. A moment later, the needles launched at them. Together, the Genin managed to block each needle in a spectacular showing of speed.

Haku said, "They blocked all of them."

"Daichi, let's go." Sasuke declared.

Daichi nodded. "Right."

They threw kunai at Haku's clones dispelling them into puddles before charging at the real Haku.

"From this moment onward, you'll be the one defending against our attacks." Sasuke declared.

Daichi began slashing at Haku with his blade putting him on the defensive. Sasuke kept him there with his kunai. Both threw in kicks as they pushed Haku back. Eventually, Sasuke nailed Haku in the chest knocking him back to Zabuza's feet.

Zabuza was shocked. "It's not possible. No one's faster than Haku." He looked at the male Genin. "Together, they will be trouble. It's time Haku steps things up."

Kakashi looked at the Jonin. "I know what you've been thinking about these Genin Zabuza, but you've been wrong. They aren't your run of the mill Genin. Sasuke and Daichi are some of the best young fighters in The Hidden Leaf.

Not to mention Daichi's got a mind for strategy to boot. Hinata has more potential than I've seen from most Kunochi in a long time. Finally, we have our number one hyperactive knuckle headed ninja, Naruto Uzumaki. They are a team of potential."

"Haku, if we keep going like this, we'll be the victims." Zabuza chided. "Get on with it."

Haku stood up. "Right."

Chakra began to radiate off him.

"What's that?" Sasuke questioned.

"I'm sorry it's come to this." The air began to cool rapidly before Haku made a hand sign causing mirrors of ice to start appearing around the two Genin. "Ice Style: Crystal Ice Mirrors."

"What is that?" Kakashi thought worriedly. "How does it work?"

Haku walked into the back of one mirror which caused his image to appear on all the mirrors.

Daichi recalled a book he read about various blood limits. "Ice Style! I thought all the users were wiped out!"

"What's up with all these mirrors?" Sasuke wondered.

Kakashi charged forward to help them, but Zabuza got in the way.

"If you enter this fight, you fight me." Zabuza warned. "Those boys have no chance against that Jutsu. They're finished."

"Stay on guard Sasuke." Daichi stated as he looked around.

"Like I don't already know that." Sasuke stated looking around as well.

"Now, we'll begin." Haku stated.

Multiple senbon started to hit the Genin from different angles. Sasuke and Daichi did their best to defend and dodge, but it wasn't enough to cover the barrage from all sides. Their blades were knocked from their hands and rolled just outside the dome.

Hinata worriedly shouted. "Sasuke! Daichi!" She wanted so badly to move. "If I move, Zabuza could just create another Water Clone. The original blocks Kakashi Sensei and Tazuna dies." She closed her eyes. "I'm sorry you two. I believe you can win."

Sasuke and Daichi had originally been caught off guard by the sheer number of senbon, but now they were starting to get a better grasp on things. This allowed them to at least observe their surroundings to find a way out. Suddenly, smoke bombs went off within the ice mirrors.

Naruto appeared doing a pose. "Naruto Uzumaki is here. Believe it!" He stood confidently. "Since I'm here, everything will be alright."

Everyone was shocked at his utter stupidity.

Kakashi put a hand over his face. "That idiot. Not only did he not stay hidden, where he'd be more effective, but he also moved right on into the ice mirrors."

Haku had stopped his attacks as he recognized Naruto. "That boy."

Zabuza closed his eyes. "What a fool. I guess one more Genin can't hurt." He then addressed Haku. "Don't be soft Haku. You have three opponents to defeat."

"Soft?" Sasuke thought. "So, he's not going all out. With three opponents, will he really be that much more of a threat?" He looked at Daichi. "We've been hit, but we're still standing firm. We're better at dodging as the surprise is gone."

Sasuke angrily glared at Naruto as his mind turned towards the utter mistake he made. "You are a complete loser! You're supposed to be a Shinobi, so start acting like it! Use your head before acting!"

"What the heck's your problem?" Naruto shot back. "You should be thanking me for coming in here to help!"

Sasuke yelled, "Naruto, if we're both inside…

"You are both idiots." Daichi held up his hands. "We're currently in the middle of something. Remember?"

"Naruto's quickly building a reputation as one of the most clueless Shinobi in history." Kakashi thought.

"That's it! I'm destroying these mirrors right now!" Sasuke wove hand signs. "Fire Style."

Naruto asked, "Hey, what attack are you using?"

"These mirrors are made of ice, so how do you destroy ice? Figure it out." Sasuke declared. "Fireball Jutsu!"

The massive fireball hit one of the mirrors, but all it accomplished was melting the ice a bit.

"That did nothing at all!" Naruto exclaimed.

Haku said, "You'll need more heat than that to melt this ice."

Haku attacked all three of them, but the Genin were not slouches. They managed to avoid a fair few at this point.

As they dodged, Naruto frantically looked at all the mirrors. "Where's the attacks coming from? Are they clones? We've got to find the real one! Which one is it?!"

Haku said, "Look in the mirrors as much as you like, you'll never find the secret."

"Oh yeah!" Naruto made the hand sign. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

50 clones appeared and charged straight for the mirrors. Haku rushed out from his mirrors, but only managed to destroy 20 of the clones. Each had tried to dodge the fake tracker, and 30 clones had managed the feat.

Haku slid back into the mirror. "A majority managed to dodge me?"

The remaining clones punched a mirror with all there might cracking them a bit before dispelling.

Daichi and Sasuke saw this and immediately wove the exact same hand signs. "Fireball Jutsu!"

Each boy managed to melt a few mirrors only for those they destroyed to reform.

"I must admit, that was impressive." Haku spoke up. "I did not think you could dodge, but you will have to do a lot better if you wish to destroy these mirrors permanently. Destroying a few won't be enough."

Daichi noticed Haku was gearing up for another barrage. "Guys, he's attacking again!"

The three of them dodge and Naruto takes even fewer needles than Daichi and Sasuke. The orange suited ninja was like a dodging machine. All his teammates were stunned at how good Naruto was at dodging.

"What has Naruto been doing?" Kakashi thought.

"That brat." Zabuza stated.

"Naruto?" Daichi question.

"You two have your gifts, so I worked hard to make sure I wouldn't fall to the wayside." Naruto firmly declared. "To show that I to have talent. Potential."

"Well then, let's do it one more time." Sasuke stated. "This time put some real Chakra into it, and we should be free.

"Right." Naruto let his Chakra flow as he wove the hand signs. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Another 50 clones, faster than before, charged at the mirrors. Haku moved to take them down, but only got 10 of them this time. The remaining clones managed to crack so many mirrors and far better than before.

Sasuke and Daichi went back to back weaving hand signs at the same time. "Fireball Jutsu!"

Haku was forced to escape from the mirrors as every one of them were destroyed. Hinata stared on in amazement at what her team was able to achieve. The fake tracker immediately tried to reform the mirrors only for all three of them to charge forcing Haku on the defensive.

Kakashi vs Zabuza:

Kakashi was done waiting. The boys clearly had Haku, so he just needed to focus on Zabuza. The Leaf Jonin revealed his Sharingan, drew a kunai, and ran at the Mist Jonin forcing him to block with the large sword.

"Hinata, continue keeping our client safe." Kakashi hadn't taken his eyes off Zabuza. "I know it may not seem like you are doing much but trust me when I say those three and myself can fight our hardest because your protecting the client. We all know this."

Hinata looked at Kakashi before nodding determined. "I promise I won't let anything happen to him Kakashi Sensei."

"You've just made a big mistake." Zabuza stated.

"No, I haven't." Kakashi firmly stated. "You will not lay a finger on my students or client."

Kakashi kicked Zabuza back and the two began to go at it. Kakashi slashed and dodged while Zabuza did the same. Eventually, they locked weapons once more. At this point, the leaf Jonin heard Shinobi sandals

"Did you really think I was stupid enough to attack without a plan?" Zabuza questioned. "Thanks to that Hyuga girl, my Hidden Mist Jutsu was out of the question, but we both know I have more."

Kakashi rammed the kunai into the water clone, dispelling it into a puddle of water, before running back to Hinata and Tazuna. Both turned as the real Zabuza drew his blade running in for the kill. Hinata moved in front of Tazuna only for Kakashi to appear in front of her.

Zabuza sliced into Kakashi's chest causing Hinata to scream. "Kakashi Sensei!"

Kakashi gripped his now bleeding chest. "I'll be fine Hinata."

Zabuza jumped back and chuckled. "Yes, don't worry girl. I knew what Hatake would do based on our last meeting, so I set this up to get as much enjoyment as possible. After all, it's not every day I meet someone in combat as skilled as I."

"You've just made a fatal mistake." Kakashi declared

He removed a scroll, smeared some of his blood from his chest on his hands, and wove a series of hand signs. "Ninja Art Summoning." He slammed his scroll on the ground causing Zabuza to jump further back. "Earth Style: Fanged Pursuit Jutsu."

A pack of ninja dogs came from the earth sinking their teeth into Zabuza and trapping him in place. "You disappoint me Zabuza. You, an elite ninja, got distracted with making this entertaining. That shall be why your life ends."

"Is this your your plan?" Zabuza asked. "Are you going to talk me to death?"

"In a way." Kakashi replied. "Now, I will end this with my own Jutsu!"

Naruto, Sasuke, and Daichi vs Haku: Same Time…

Naruto was huffing a bit from the effort of creating those shadow clones with enough Chakra to empower them the way he did, but he was still in there with Daichi and Sasuke as they pushed Haku who dodge the three Genin for as long as possible.

Any time Haku was able to get in a hit, Naruto was there to dodge out of the way making any effort to turn this around ineffective. Eventually, Daichi nailed Haku with an uppercut before dodging to the right and allowing Naruto to come in with a powerful punch to the face mask.

Said mask cracked as Haku was knocked towards the ground. Sasuke was there to land a powerful axe kicked into the fake tracker's stomach smashing him into the ground. Haku laid motionless as Sasuke jumped back.

Haku then got to once knee, shocking the Genin, as his mask cracked further. "Zabuza, I am no match for these three. I have failed you."

"You shouldn't be conscious!" Naruto exclaimed.

The mask fell apart hitting the ground while Haku coughed up blood and looked at the Genin. All of them recognized this person, but none more than Naruto.

"That figure in the woods…" Naruto stated. "That was you?"

Haku ignored this question. "You three have beaten me. I cannot win, so I request that one of you kill me." They were shocked once more. "To show mercy to those who oppose what or who you serve.

To allow those enemies to live when you could strike them down. This is not compassion, but a betrayal of your life's passion. For what reason would you exist then when you are of use to no one? Your life has no meaning."

"Speak for yourself." Naruto declared.

"I am speaking for myself." Haku stated. "I am a failed weapon. I could not do what Master Zabuza wanted, so the only thing left for me is to die."

"That's out of the question." Daichi stated. "You and Zabuza are just doing a job"

"I will not kill an enemy that's lost their will to fight." Sasuke nodded. "Only one person is the exception. He will be shown no mercy."

"You three want to be mighty Shinobi. right? Then kill me." Haku begged.

"That is not all there is to a Shinobi." Naruto angrily stated.

"A true Shinobi knows when to stop fighting or when it wouldn't do anything to kill your opponent." Daichi added.

"There's more to being a Shinobi than battling until one of you is dead." Sasuke stated. "I will not stain my hands as he has."

"I am asking you to kill me. Show that you can finish the job. Show that you are strong." Haku declared. "The world will not miss a creature such as myself. I've been alone with only Master Zabuza to serve but before him I was nothing. Now, I've failed him and am nothing again.

You say killing me is useless, but it would let me rest in peace. If I live, I will only walk this world an empty shell. You three defeated me, so I want to die by your hands. As a fellow Shinobi, honor my last request. Please, take my life."

Sasuke picked up Daichi's blade from the ground. "Fine, I'll..."

Naruto's head was down. "No, I will do it Sasuke."

Sasuke looked at him before handing the blade back to Daichi. "Then do it."

Naruto took out a kunai and faced Haku. "You're sure there is no other way?"

"There isn't." Haku replied. "I want to go out on my terms while Zabuza has not left me."

Naruto looked at his kunai before tightly gripping it. "Then this is for Sasuke and Daichi as well because they too have dreams."

He charged at Haku who closed his eyes. "Yes, all of you hold onto your dreams."

With Hinata and Tazuna

Hinata had been observing everything, but that did not mean she could hear anything.

"The blasted fog is finally leaving." Tazuna declared.

He was right. The fog was beginning to dissipate

With Zabuza and Kakashi

Kakashi did some hand signs before grabbing a spot just below his left wrist with his right hand. Lightning began to form in the open hand and dance around his feet.

Kakashi pushed his hand down. "Lightning Blade!"

"That chakra's so strong it's visible!"Zabuza exclaimed in shock.

Kakashi firmly said, "I won't allow you to kill Tazuna. He is a brave man with a noble dream. This bridge he's building is the hope of this land and all its people. You are like a disease. By attacking one, you infect all. You don't care. That is not the way of the Shinobi!"

"You're right. I don't care." Zabuza countered. "I don't care about useless people and their petty dreams. Why should they matter to me when I have a dream of my own?"

"In order to have a dream you must have a future." Kakashi declared. "Your time is all used up."

With Naruto, Daichi, Sasuke, and Haku

At that moment, Haku felt a heartbeat. He grabbed Naruto's arm that held the kunai which caused the three Genin to gasp.

"I'm sorry, but there's been a change of plans." Haku started weaving signs one handed. "I'm not ready to die yet."

Naruto struggled to move as Daichi and Sasuke charged in to aid him before Haku vanished.

Bridge

Kakashi ran towards Zabuza ready to end this. Just as he thrust his Lightning Blade forward, a mirror appeared, and Kakashi impaled Haku shocking everyone. Haku's blood splattered onto the bridge while the dogs disappeared since Kakashi's scroll had been hit by a senbon.

Haku puked up blood and the lighting faded before he grabbed Kakashi's arm. "Za…bu…za."

"My is all used up, huh?" The Mist Jonin chuckled. "Wrong again Kakashi."

Naruto frantically looked around. "Where did he go!"

Daichi said, "I don't know, but the fog's lifting."

Sasuke saw something in the distance. "Is that him?"

Naruto took off running in that direction, with Sasuke and Daichi not too far behind.

Naruto was shocked. "What's going on?"

"Isn't that the young man in the mask?" Tazuna asked.

Kakashi said, "The boy threw himself in front of my attack." Zabuza closed his eyes. "He saved your worthless life, at the cost of his own."

"Well done boy." Zabuza swung his massive sword. "You not only saved my life but gave me Kakashi's as well."

"Kakashi Sensei, look out!" Hinata yelled.

Kakashi pulled Haku's body in close and jumped back avoiding the blade.

Zabuza chuckled. "Not bad for having a corpse in your arms."

"You'll pay for that!" Naruto angrily exclaimed.

"No, all four of you need to stay out of this!" Kakashi laid Haku on the bridge and closed the tracker's eyes. "This is my battle. Zabuza's mine."

Hinata noticed her fellow Genin. "You're all okay!"

Daichi looked at her. "Kakashi Sensei wants us to stay out of this, so let's guard Tazuna."

The 3 of them ran over to Hinata.

Some Time Later…

The two Jonin came back to the ground after clashing with each other. Zabuza was far worse for wear that Kakashi as he was panting hard, had two kunai imbedded in his left arm, and was forced to one knee.

Zabuza thought, "Why? Why can't I keep up with him?"

Zabuza, despite his injuries, rushed at Kakashi. The Leaf Jonin punched the swordsman in the face making him stumble back. He regained his footing only for Kakashi to throw another punch knocking him back further.

Zabuza continued to pant. "I will slice you in half!"

He charged again swinging his sword with his one, good arm. Kakashi vanished and appeared behind Zabuza grabbing the Jonin's neck.

"Look at you. You're falling apart." Kakashi taunted. "I knew you didn't have what it takes."

Zabuza asked, "What did you say!?"

"You have no idea what real strength is." Kakashi replied.

Kakashi had two kunai in hand, which he spun on two fingers, and held them away from Zabuza. "Game over. You lose."

Kakashi plunged the kunai into Zabuza's good arm at about the same time he swung around with his blade. Kakashi was just a bit faster plunging the kunai into Zabuza's arm before flipping away as the large blade skidded along the bridge.

"Now, your arms are useless." Kakashi stated. "You can't even make hand signs, so what now?"

It was at this moment that a small man in a suit with sunglasses and a cane appeared drawing everyone's attention. He had a bad widow's peak, and his hair was all over the place. Behind him was an army of thugs.

"He really did a number on you Zabuza." The man stated. "I'm disappointed."