Yo! So, like. Yeah, its been a while, in fact its been so long I wasn't even in high school when I started this and now I'm about 20. Yup, still been debating if I wanted to start writing fanfics again lol. Anyway, Im soft rebooting this one specifically but if you did happen to follow along the previous chapters I am going to change some things and make those points clear here now. Madara, still his grandfather will not be killed by Naruto to unlock his Mongekyo, he instead died of old age and asked that Naruto continue his plan with Obito still his backup plan should Naruto reject the idea. I changed this as I was taking too much from a story I really liked at that age. He will still have the three tomoe Sharingan. Naruto will still his has past prior Anbu experience and have the nickname 'Cold Hearted Fox of Konoha'. Itachi still trained Naruto but Naruto is going to be a LITTLE nerfed so no more flying thunder god… yet, but I mean, he is an former S rank ANBU captain at 10 and did it til he was 13 so like... ya know. Itachi still 13 when he killed the clan, Naruto and Sasuke do not know the truth behind why Itachi did it. Sasuke still wishes to kill Itachi, in this change Naruto does not want to kill Itachi but is debating on defecting from the leaf. I noticed I was a bit funky with the timing and ages of when things happened in the prior chapters but don't hold it against me, I was 14! Only a few more things to cover, I am going to pick this up in the final bridge arc in land of waves, after Haku comes as a recovery ninja, so yes Haku will still be alive and the Zabuza boss fight is about to happen. Thanks for reading onto the story!

Chapter 6

Naruto woke up after a long night of training, he had even fallen asleep in the forest. He slowly pulled himself up, staring at the pink Sakura trees towering above him. 'Someone's coming kit."

Kurama said causing Naruto to activate his sharinganbefore immediately turn it off when it was a woman in a pink dress. "You know, its best not to sleep out here, you may catch a cold." She said with an eye smile, Naruto looked up at her "I don't get sick." He said softly, "Well even then, someone could sneak up on you, and then you wouldn't be able to do whatever your purpose is, unless your purpose is to die in the forest..." that managed to make Naruto grin in amusement, "Hn, defiantly not my goal."

She looked at his headband and then back into his piercing blue eyes, "I see you are a shinobi; do you have great power to protect those closest to you?" Naruto's eyes slightly widened at the question, but his face remained indifferent, thoughts began racing through his head, "I don't know, my relationship with both of whom I consider my brothers is… complicated." He said softly, knowing he loved Itachi but struggled to grasp putting the village before his family. Yet, he believed he had to honor Itachis wishes.

And of course, he loved Sasuke, but his hatred had consumed him making them more rivals than brothers compared to when they were kids. "I see, well the way I see it, is you train for those people. You get stronger so you can protect them and serve them. I serve that purpose, the serve and protect that who is precious to me. Naruto looked at her, fascinated. "One is already gone, the other, maybe too far to save." Naruto said softly, the woman looked at him before smiling once more, "I believe you will be a strong shinobi, one who can protect those precious to you." She said as she stood up, walking in the other direction. "By the way, I'm a boy." Naruto sweat dropped, he may not have been one for love, but he did not think he was confiding in a man. "Oh boy, I need to get home." Naruto said ruffling his hair and standing up.

Upon arriving back at Tazuna's house Naruto noticed Sasuke and Sakura had finished the Chakra control training to stand on trees in any position. Naruto walked up to Kakashi and said, "Why not teach them to walk on water now, Kakashi-Sempai?" Kakashi eye smiled, "Ya know, sensei is more appropriate for your line of work these days." Naruto grinned so small you would need the Jougan to see it. "You miss our elite missions just as much as I do… Sensei." Naruto said before heading inside to freshen up and eat.

"Kakashi Sensei, did Natuto just say we can walk on water?" Sakura asked with glee in her eye, Sasuke just as interested but playing it cool.

A couple hours and tons of splashing noises later, Sakura had gotten it quickly but Sasuke ended up taking a couple dozen dips in the river before getting it done. Naruto noticed a panicked Tazuna sprinting towards the house earlier than he should have been. "Kakashi Senpai, outside now!" Naruto shouted into the house before jumping out the window to see what Tazuna was so panicked for.

Kakashi and team 7 followed quickly behind Naruto to Tazuna, "T-they killed my crew! Zabuza and that retrieval ninja thing!" Sakura gasped and Naruto furrowed his eyebrows along with Kakashi. "So, I was right that ninja was not there to collect him." Naruto said as Kakashi sighed, "Never mind that we need to get there now! Sakura, stay here and protect Tazuna and his family got it?" Sakura nodded taking Tazuna inside. (I will not be burying or bashing Sakura, this has a purpose don't worry.)

The three arrived at the bridge, it was covered in blood and body parts. Naruto and Sasuke both stared with intense discomfort, this scene reminded them so much of that night. "Duck!" the three managed to yell at the same time dodging Zabuza's large blade. Naruto activated his Sharingan as Kakashi lifted his headband. "Well, well if it isn't time for round two huh?" Kakashi said.

"Hidden Mist Jutsu!" before the trio had much time to react their vision was limited and fogged. "Sasuke, swallow your pride and stand behind me, without the sharingan you will get yourself killed in this situation." Naruto said calmly causing Sasuke to curse under his breath and step behind him. "Ill handle Zabuza you and Sasuke take care of that hunter ninja got it?!" Kakashi said before vanishing into the smoke, "Shit," Naruto said as Haku appeared before them. Naruto stared intently at the woman in front of him specifically the figure, 'No, not woman… man.' Naruto said thinking, "I met you, didn't I? That was you in the forest?" Haku stared silently, the mask blocking his blank expression.

"I am protecting what is precious to me, Naruto-kun." Before Naruto could react, they were boxed inside Haku's crystal ice mirror jutsu. "Sasuke fireball now!" Naruto shouted, "Fire Style: Fireball Jutso" the Uchiha screamed unison, their backs pressed together as their fireballs raged in front of them. Upon the clearing of the smoke Sasuke's eyes widened "That did nothing?!"

"You both should give up now, its hopeless." Haku then appeared in all 21 mirrors that surrounded both Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto's eyes widened begin to realization how dire the situation was getting. 'Even with my sharingan if I can't hit them there's no shot we get out of here alive.' Haku's arm drew back in each mirror all holding three sharp needed, "Shit, Sasuke get ready to dodge!" 'You better fucking dodge…' he though to himself after. Naruto's sharingan locked on to the mirrors in front of him and watched as Haku launched the needles at incredible speed towards the Uchiha. Naruto and Sasuke both jumped dodging a few, Naruto was able to keep up with the needles and dodge the ones above him before being struck in his calf, shoulder and stomach. Sasuke jumped before taking four in his shoulder and one in his leg.

Both Naruto and Sasuke stood back-to-back before Naruto turned to him whispering "I'm going to draw him out when I do, fireball his ass!" Naruto jumped towards one of the mirrors and firing shuriken at eight others, to his luck Haku jumped out of one. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke screamed and a massive fireball followed, "Damn!" Haku thought before reaching another mirror, his lower clothing had been burned off leaving a charred tear.

"You may be fast Haku but with my eyes and Sasuke's jutsu this is not going to be easy." Haku stared behind his mask before raising his arm with needles, appearing in all the mirrors yet again. "You may be able to dodge all of these Naruto," he said flinging more than he did before "but Sasuke can't." Both Naruto and Sasuke reacted as well as they could, Sasuke movements took him towards Haku's mirrors but Naruto's towards Sasuke. Naruto initially dodged all the ones towards him being quick enough to almost body flicker. Before he could think he stood in front of Sasuke taking the blow that would of hit his vital organs and throat. "Damn," Naruto said softly, falling onto his knees. "What do ya know, these had poison." Naruto said softly looking at Sasuke, "Naruto!" Sasuke yelled leaning down to his team member.

Meanwhile at Tazuna's house, Sakura was chatting with Tsunami before three large men kicked down the door. Clearly drunk they stumbled towards Sakura and Tsunami, "Well Well, we were coming to collect debt from the old man…" he said before letting out a burb, "but you two look good enough to satisfy any load." Sakura's eyes widened, 'HUH?! Who does this man thing he is! No ones touching me but Sasuke-kun!´ "Cha!" Sakura screamed before delivering a powerful left hook to the man who spoke sending him out the same door he knocked down.

The two other men completely taken off guard try to pull out a knife when Sakura lifts her foot and kicks him directly in the groin. "HYAAA!" The man screamed as his testicle literally ruptures, "Serves you right pig!" She screamed staring at the last man, her hair standing Kushina Uzumaki style. The last man jumped between his friend out the door, and the one with a busted ball.

"Ill take the first ones fate pl-"Sakura struck him directly in the nose, sending him out the door landing on the first man. "Take this scum too!" Sakura shouted chucking him out as he rightfully sobbed. Tsunami stared with wide eyes and a smile, "You should come here more often Sakura-san!" Inari, on the stairs stared with a wide jaw, "You. Are. Awesome!" he yelled running towards the pink haired kunoichi.

Meanwhile, Naruto looked up at Sasuke as his sharingan faded into his piercing blue eyes, "Sasuke, my- brother. Take care of our team, and make sure you achieve your dream, no matter what." Naruto said as his eyes closed. "… Don't get me wrong this poison is bad but we both know I can cure you and have you ready in-" 'he needs his sharingan let my body continue to weaken til I am near death.' Naruto said back to the fox, "Cold, even for you Naruto." Kurama said, abiding. "N-Naruto!" Sasuke said, his eyes closed before snapping open, to not a one tomoe, two tomoe, but three tomoe sharingan.

Sasuke still staring at what he thought was his fallen brother Haku spoke, "He was a true shinobi, dying protecting what was precious to him. He described you as the brother he hoped was not too far to save. In his death he saved you, it's a shame it'll be for no purpose." Haku said raising his arms to deliver another needle blow, Sasuke snapped his head towards her with his sharingan. Haku's eyes widened behind his mask as this made things more complicated, he threw them all and Sasuke was able to dodge each one and locate where the original started. Haku at great speed shot passed Sasuke into another mirror, 'damnit, just because I can see it doesn't mean I can match it.' Sasuke though to himself before weaving through hand signs, "Fire Style Phoenix Flowers!" he shouted releasing multiple smaller fireballs.

Sasuke's diversion worked as he hoped, Haku dropped from the top mirror above him, needle in hand. Sasuke smirked looking up, looking right into Haku's mask. "Oh no!" Haku thought watching as Sasuke vanished right in front of him. Haku stared at the mirrors around him as the area was empty with just him. Sasuke appeared in each mirror staring at Haku. "This isn't real!" Haku said trying to hold a sign to release. "Is it? Sasuke said with his kunai pressed against his spinal cord. "Drop your mirrors, I drop my jutsu." Haku stayed silent before the mirrors around the pair and 'body' vanished. The hidden mist jutsu began to fade as Haku saw Kakashi running through signs, 'Master Zabuza!' before Sasuke could do anything Haku at great speed flung his body in front of Zabuza, taking the Chidori directly in the shoulder.

Kurama began to heal Naruto's body and his pale skin began to return to normal, he opened his eyes slowly. His body hurt; it was a reckless decision to delay healing even with his speeds of healing after. He looked over at the scene, Haku dropped down to a knee, Kakashi and Zabuza still engaging. Naruto stood up, angered, clenched his fist. "Zabuza you absolute full!" Naruto shouted causing Sasuke's eyes to wide realizing Naruto was still alive. The yell stopped the fighting as Zabuza and Kakashi both looked at Naruto.

Naruto never the one to go into rants like these could not help but feel so moved by Haku's earlier words and Zabuza's lack of care. "Haku is going to die, bleed out and your savior, the only reason you are actually alive will die!" Naruto's nails ripped through his skin thinking about how Naruto will do anything to protect the very few who are precious to him. "You have to cherish those kinds of people while you have them before you learn what it is like to be truly alone! You can act like you do not care all you want but even I know even the darkest souls need someone!" Zabuza was staring at the ground, Haku was growing weaker by the second. "The only person who ever bother to give a damn about you is dying, are you going to the reason you never get to see them alive again?!"

Naruto himself did not understand where this outburst was coming from, or why he cared at all for Haku. Was it the brush with death? Or was it seeing how far he was willing to go for someone who didn't care at all? Just how far would he go to save Itachi? Zabuza turned with his eyes watered, "You talk too much kid." He said making his way towards Haku, Kakashi wasn't sure what to do. It wasn't often someone stopped the fight to do this. Before they could say anything else Zabuza looked over, "Finish the bridge, and don't worry about the men who paid me to do any of this." Zabuza disappeared with Haku and the sun shun over the soon to be complete bridge. Tazuna, Tsunami, Inari and Sakura were all the beginning of the bridge coming towards the three left.

"Naruto! You were dea- "Naruto cut Sasuke off before he could go any further, "and you, finally unlocked that sharingan huh?" Sasuke stared blankly, "I watched you die." He said in disbelief, "I got lucky, I assume you got us out of there?" Sasuke nodded still shaken up even if he was trying to hide it. Sakura and the Tazuna family reached the three and Kakashi explained the situation and discussed it could begin finishing right away.

While the others were occupied Naruto pulled Sasuke aside, "I know how important strength is to you, and it took you a lot to ask me to help train you." Sasuke looked away with embarrassed frustration, "When we get home I will tell you everything about the sharingan, and there's something I will need to show you." Sasuke just nodded as the two joined everyone else. Kakashi eye smiled, "well it seems my students got all the attention huh? I didn't get to do much of anything." (teehee sorry Kakashi will have more in depth fight scenes later) Tazuna looked Naruto in the eye and spoke from the heart, "Naruto, thank you. Me and my family and all these people are so grateful, we will remember you as a hero!" Naruto's eyes widened slightly, remembering his childhood dreams of being Hokage and wanting to be a hero.

Naruto looked away and just nodded and Tazuna just smiled, 'I think I got to him!' Tazuna thought to himself proudly. Soon enough team 7 was packing ready to head back to Konoha, C ranked gone A rank was a success. Sasuke looked at Naruto as they finished packing, still thinking to himself just how Naruto managed to survive that. As the team left and began their journey Tazuna smile next to Inari, "This bridge should bring hope, and happiness. I think I will name it, the great Naruto bridge." Inari smiled looking up at his grandfather Tsunami by his side, "I am so proud of you father."

Naruto walked next to Sakura's side causing her to look up at him, "Sakura, I heard what you did." He said calmly Sakura blushed and looked away, "Maybe I was wrong about you, you will be a capable kunoichi." He said with a straight face, still staring straight ahead. She blushed even harder, "T-thank you Naruto-kun." She said softly "CHA~! THIS ONE COMPLIMENT US!" her inner personality shouted from within. Team 7 continued their journey unaware of the slit snake eyes staring at them from afar.

And that's it! Soft reboot officially started. Its 3am and I am uploading this rn idc I finished it, its going up now. I had a lot of fun writing this. Shocked by talk no jutsu even for angry bitter Naruto?! Don't worry, won't happen too often but I wanted to keep that inline with the show even if it is a very different Naruto. I also wanted to bring Haku back as I did him very dirty when I was 14 and also had given them a sex change? Let me know if you disliked any changes as Im open to listening, hope ya enjoyed!