Chapter Summary:

Will Team seven be ready to face off Zabuza and the mysterious tracker ninja?


"No, It can't be. You must be overthinking" Tazuna said in disbelief

"In countering suspicion the ninja prepares quickly, hesitation leads to disaster. Every shinobi knows this saying" Kakashi said eyeing Naruto who was trembling. 'Looks like he's pleased with Zabuza still being alive, so he can have another shot at him'

"Sensei you said 'prepare quickly', but how can we do that when you can barely move?" Sakura asked

Kakashi chuckled "I can still train you"

"Hold on! a little last minute training won't make us strong enough to fight Zabuza, You could barely defeated even with your sharingan! we have to be reasonable about this"

"Sakura, why do you think I was able to stop Zabuza because you all helped me, you've grown." Kakashi replied "Naruto, you've grown the most" he smiled at Naruto

Naruto smiled back at Kakashi "So you noticed things are gonna get better believe it"

"I don't believe it and nothing is gonna be good" an unknown voice of a child spoke catching the attention of the room. The voice was from a small boy around eight years old with dark hair and eyes, wearing green overalls, yellow shirt underneath and a blue fishing hat

"Who are you!?" Naruto shouted pointing his finger at the boy

"Inari! Where have you been?" Tazuna spread his arms out

"Grandpa, welcome back" Inari ran into Tazuna's arms hugging him back

"Inari! that was very rude. These ninja helped your grandpa and brought him here safely" Tazuna's daughter scolded him

Tazuna patted Inari's head "It's okay I'm rude to them too"

"Mom, don't you see these people are going to die! Gato and his men will come back and find them and wipe them out" Inari said

"What did you say brat! I'm a ninja who came here to protect your grandfather and defeat this Gato or whatever his name is and like a hero" Naruto said proudly pointing his thumb to his chest

Inari looked down "There's no such things as 're just full of stupid ideas"

"What did you say!" Naruto stomped forward but Akane held him back

"If you want to stay alive you should come back where you came from" Inari said and walked out of the room

"Sorry about" Tazuna apologized

XXX

Naruto walked up the stairs of the house to teach Inari a lesson. As he walked down the hall he heard the crying, Naruto slowly walked to the slightly opened door to see Inari crying in front of an open window with a beautiful view of the ocean. Naruto noticed Inari crying about someone who seemed to have died. Naruto walked outside to meet with Kakashi to train.

XXX

"Alright training starts now" Kakashi said leaning on a crutch on his right side"Since we know that we chakra is, now we will practice on how to use it"

"Kakashi-sensei we already know how to use chakra we use it to create jutsu" Naruto pointed out

"I agree with him for once" Sasuke said

"No, you only scratched the surface, you to used it but you're not using it efficiently. As a ninja you must learn how to control it as if it was second nature to you, this is useful for battle since you want the right amount of portion for a jutsu since you don't want to waste it and well you know the rest and that's what we are going to be training on right now and let me tell you it won't be easy" Kakashi said

"What will we have to do?" Sakura asked

Kakashi chuckle "Climbing a tree".

"Climbing a tree?"

Kakashi explain the tree climbing exercise and proceed to climb the tree with his feet and slowly made it to a branch and hung upside down and threw four kunai in front of each genin gazed up at the trees in front of them, scaling them and began to gather they thought they had enough chakra they grabbed the kunai in front of each of them and charged forward and onto the tree. Naruto took two step onto the tree and fell head first, Sasuke and Akane went up one third of the way and jumped down to the ground. Sakura reached higher than the others and sat on top of a branch.

'As I thought. Sakura has the best chakra control than the rest, but she also has the least amount of chakra. Akane. you all possess a large reserve of chakra much greater than my have to learn how to control it and especially you Naruto.' Kakashi leaned against the tree he was on

XXX

It was already noon, Naruto and Sasuke counting to struggling running up the tree, Sakura was more advanced than the rest, but she was already exhausted. Akane was testing the chakra on her feet on the trunk and soon found the perfect balance and slowly walked up the tree still wobbling every few steps.

Sakura laid next to the roots of the tree and glanced at her teammates who still were trying to advance.

'I'm worn out how can they keep going' she though and saw Naruto's advanced marks 'ha, Naruto isn't making any progress at all knowing him he will give up and throw a tantrum' Naruto stood up and looked at his marks and began to grunt 'there he goes, he's so predictable it's embarrassing' To her surprise Naruto walk to her and asked for advice on how to control his chakra.

XXX

Later that day Akane and Sakura were assigned to guard Tazuna and the rest of the builders, Since Akane advanced quickly Kakashi sent her with Sakura to the bridge. Sakura sat on the side and yawned every few minuets bored, while Akane made rounds walking up and down the bridge. As the sun set Akane, Sakura, and Tazuna went to shop for food to eat for group walked down the road filled with people on the streets begging for money or for food. They arrived at the shop which was bare. A man tried to steal from Sakura, but she mistook him for toughing her and punched him throwing him out of the shop and it happened again, but with a child who begged for food. Sakura stopped herself and was surprise to Akane giving the child a few pieces of candy she had. Sakura was more surprised to see her eyes soften up to the child for she always had a serious and cold stare. Tazuna explained what the people of the Land of Waves suffer due to Gato, Akane agreed to help protect Tazuna to finish the bridge. Sakura was a few steps behind the two and wondered why had she never seen this side of Akane. Once they were inside Tazuna's home Akane and Sakura helped Tsunami prepare the food. Sasuke, Naruto, and Kakashi entered through the door and all of them sat down to eat dinner. Naruto and Sasuke devoured their food and puked it out. Tsunami later served them tea after dinner. Akane helped Tsunami clean up while Sakura got up and studied the photo that had been ripped from the top left corner where someone stood. Sakura asked who was ripped from the photo, Inari stood up and walked out of the kitchen with his mother following behind trying to stop him. Tazuna then told them about Kaiza, a hero who stood up to Gato, but ended up killed by Gato. This event was the cause of which Inari change and act the way he does. Naruto stood up but fell onto the ground, he stood up once again and went out to practice more.

XXX

The next morning, Tsunami had served breakfast everyone except for Naruto was not there and still in the forest. Sasuke walked out and went for a walk while the rest finished their breakfast. One the rest of the team finished they searched for Naruto and had a basket with breakfast for him. They arrived at the training area to find it empty.

"Naruto!" Sakura called out. "He is nowhere to be seen and Sasuke too"

A kunai was thrown, landing on the ground in front of them. They all looked up in shock to find Naruto high up on a branch. He laughs and stood up tall boasting, and then he begins to wobble and he fell backwards

"Naruto!" Sakura screams

"You idiot!" Akane growls gripping the basket's handle in her hands

Naruto swings under the branch hanging upside down and continues to laugh. Akane and Kakashi both stressful sigh

"I'm going to strangle you!" Sakura growls

Naruto laughs and a 'pop' is heard. Naruto screams as he realises he's falling. The rest on the ground tensed up and Sakura screams. Naruto falls down about two feet when he was caught by Sasuke

Sasuke looks down at Naruto dangling "You're such a loser Naruto" Naruto looks up at him and laughs. Sasuke tenses up and looks down at the rest of his team down below

"AW, Sasuke I knew you would save Naruto" Sakura cheered

XXX

Later that evening, Akane helped Tsunami prepare the food while Sakura helped serve it, Sasuke and Naruto came in both helping each other to walk. They walked to the center of the dining area and both fell backwards onto the ground. Once they finished their dinner Tazuna informed them of the bridge being finished in a few days.

"I have been meaning to ask why did you stay to protect me after you found out I lied to you to bring you here?" Tazuna asked Kakashi

Kakashi looked at Tazuna's direction "Those who stray the path of justice have no courage, but under the wing of a strong leader cowardice cannot survive"

"Huh"

"That was a quote from the first Hokage" Kakashi answered

Inari was looking down and then stared at Naruto who was sound asleep and had flashback of his father. Tears began to run down his cheek and a drop splashed onto the table "But Why?"

Naruto woke up "Huh, what did you say?"

Inari slammed his hands on the table as he stood up "All this stupid training is just a waste of time! Gato has an entire army and will beat you down and destroy you. These cools things you say they don't mean anything. No matter what you do! the strong will always will and the weak will always lose"

"Just speak for yourself, it won't be after me you got that"

"Be quiet, just look at you makes me sick. You don't know anything in this country you just are budding in. Always laughing and fooling around, you know nothing about suffering and being treated like dirt"

Naruto glares at Inari "Listen to yourself winning and companing like a sorry little victim" Inari gasps "You can whimper all day for all I care. You are nothing but a coward!"

"Naruto! You went too far" Sakura yells. Naruto growls and walks out of the room. "Naruto?"

XXX

"Ok, I leave Naruto in your hands. He has pushed his body to the limit as usual. So, he might not be able to move at all to day" Kakashi waved at Tasumi.

Once they made it to the bridge they found all of the workers unconscious. Mist began to cover the bridge. Kakashi and the genins got in position and draw their kunai.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting Kakashi" Zabuza's voice heard through the mist "I see you still have brats with you. That one is trembling how pitiful" Sasuke's eyes open wide to see zabuza clones in front of the team. Sasuke looked into Zabuza's eyes "I'm trembling with excitement" he smirked.

"Go on Sasuke" Kakashi gestured. Zabuza's clones sliced in half with ease by Sasuke.

Zabuza and the mist tracker walked forward revealing themselves through the mist "the brat has improved seems you have a rival Haku"

"So, it seems" Haku calmly replied

"So, we were right, this was an act" Akane spoke up. Tazuna and Sakura looked at her with confusion

"So, it seems Akane and by the looks of this it seems they have been at this scam for a while" Kakashi said watching their movement

"I'm taking her out" Sasuke announced

"Impressive, even though the water clone are one tenth the strength of them he still managed to destroy them all" Haku said waiting for Zabuza's command

"Go"

"Right" Haku began to spin towards Sasuke like a tornado. Senbon were thrown from every direction and Sasuke dodged them jumping high in the air he threw a shuriken after Haku as she jumped back giving her distance. Haku catching her breath when Sasuke appeared behind her. Haku spun around drawing a senon clashing with Sasuke's Kunai, she continues to block his attacks but she was kicked back by Sasuke over to Zabuza. Zabuza glares at Sasuke.

"You made a big mistake insulting these ninja by calling them brats that just guarantees to bring out Sasuke's attitude he is the best young fighter of the hidden leaf. Akane and Sakura have the sharpest minds and our most unpredictable, hyperactive, knucklehead is ninja Naruto" Kakashi smiled

Zabuza laughed and nodded at Haku. "I'm sorry it has come to this" Haku began to gather chakra and made a hand sign. The air suddenly became cold and ice mirrors began to surround Sasuke forming an igloo. Haku walked to a mirror and pushed herself into the mirror. Her image appeared on the other side facing Sasuke and copies of herself reflected on each mirror. Kakashi and Akane ran to help Sasuke but Zabuza appeared in front of them.

"If enter this fight then you will fight me and that boy does not have a chance against Haku he's finished." Zabuza said gripping his sword in his hand

The fight between Sasuke and Haku began sebon were thrown from all around, Sasuke had no chance to deflecting each one. The attack continued and Sasuke kunai was knocked out of his hand and out of in front of Sakura. Sakura grabbed the Kunai charging, she threw the kunai back to Sasuke but was caught by Haku. Sasuke fell onto the ground, Haku was preparing to kill him but was attacked by shuriken, Haku fell onto the ground face first. A large cloud of smoke appeared, as it cleared through Naruto appeared "Uzumaki Naruto has arrived" he grinned

"Naruto, you're not supposed to bring attention to yourself"Akane glared at him

"Oh, come on Akane you're suppose to be my clanmate, you have to be supportive" Naruto pouted.

Akane sighed.

"Clanmate, huh, so that explains you're bright red hair. You're an Uzumaki, I guess it looks that I have to kill you all and snag the Uzumaki she could make couple thousand or even a million ryo on the market" Zabuza grinned

"Way to go Naruto" Kakashi huffed. Akane narrowed her eyes and drew her kunai close, ready to attack "Akane, Stay with Sakura and defend Tazuna"

"But-" Akane was cut off by Kakashi

"That was an order and besides I will have you stand by as backup for me. Naruto you help Sasuke, understood" Kakashi

"Yes" Akane and Naruto answered falling into their positions

"So, you're an Uzumaki, so what does that mean? why have I not heard of this clan?" Sakura asked

"I'll explain later, our priority is to defend Tazuna" Akane replied

XXX

The sound of metal continued, Akane and Sakura stood in the mist not able to see Kakashi nor Zabuza's fight. It felt like an eternity, Naruto and Sasuke battle has not ended yet as well. Akane closed her eyes and concentrated for a minute and gave up.

"Akane, what was it that you were doing?" Sakura asked

"I was trying to sense Naruto or the others, but I couldn't." Akane replied quietly

"You tried to sense?" Tazuna asked

"Wait! So you're a sensory ninja" Sakura asked again

"Yes, but I'm not very good. This mist is a jutsu which is created by chakra that is dense" Akane explained

"Can you sense Sasuke?"

Akane shook her head "No, nor Kakashi or Naruto"

Sakura eyes saddened, she hoped Sasuke as alright since he was already badly injured when Naruto arrived. Akane continued to trying to sense the others, she began to concentrate even more than before. Soon, she sensed Tazuna and Sakura behind her this was improvement, but then she started to sense chakra that she has never felt before, this chakra was red and dark. This chakra was overwhelming and was starting to make Akane tremble and started to make her feel sick 'what is is this chakra it's making my stomach feel tight' Akane began to slowly breath in and out. Haku ice mirror broke and Akane sensed Haku chakra moving in high speed 'Is she moving that fast… no she was thrown' Akane sensed the 'dark' chakra also moving in high speed "What is this chakra its monstrous as if it were pure evil'. Sakura noticed Akane trembling

"Akane are you alright? Do you sense Naruto or Sasuke" Sakura asked

"No" she whispered

The mist began to clear through, Naruto was the first person to be seen and soon Kakashi was seen as well in the back he had Haku in his arms.

"Hey, Naruto you're alright! Where's Sasuke" Sakura waved at Naruto. He looked down. Sakura knew what this meant

"If I go with you Sakura, then you will not be disobeying you're sensei orders" Tazuna held Sakura's hand as they ran to Sasuke

Akane closed her eyes once more and opened them again she walked and stood in front of Naruto

XXX

Sakura sat next to where Sasuke laid. His skin was pale and cold he looked peaceful. Sakura began to cry, she loved Sasuke and it was her dream to be recognized by him.

"They taught us in the academy that a shinobi should not show their emotions because it shows weakness" Sakura sobbed into Sasuke's neck

"it's true" Sakura turned to see Akane

"But-"

"He's not dead yet, so stop crying" Akane walked to Sasuke and began to pull the sebons out of his body

"But How?" Sakura wiped her tears

"I can still sense his chakra" she pulled the last senbon out of his neck and he began to wake up

"Sasuke!" she hugged him tightly and tears once again began to fall

"Ow! Sakura that hurts" Sasuke croaked

"I'm sorry but I was worried" she sobbed

"Well I'm glad your live" Tazuna said wiping his tears

"Sakura, Sasuke, let's head back to where Kakashi is" Akane said looking back at Kakashi direction

"But Sasuke-"

"She's right Sakura and I can walk" Sasuke stood up but his knees buckled "Can you help me" he mumbled

"Yes" Sakura wrapped his arm around her neck and slowly made their way

When they arrived they all saw Zabuza kill gato. Gato's hired mercenaries charged towards them.

"Multi-shadow clone jutsu" Naruto created thirty clones "damn not enough"

"Let me help you" Akane created twenty shadow clones

"Wait! how do you know-"

"I was there with you remember" Akane sighed

"Oh, Yeah" Naruto smiled

"Were still outnumbered" Akane said punching a thug in the face

"We're here to help"Inari called out with the whole village behind mercenaries retreated and team seven ran behind them fighting them

XXX

On a hill where there was a beautiful view of the sea and the village behind was were Haku and Zabuza are buried. They both had marked graves which was something few lucky shinobi will have dying after a battle. They headed back to Tazuna's house where they celebrated the completed next morning team seven said their goodbyes and began their journey home on the newly built bridge named 'The Great Naruto Bridge'.


Autor's Note

Hello there hope you enjoyed this chapter! Chunin exams are up next