To start this off, I have no affiliation with the creation of Naruto. The Original work of Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, and what I am working on is purely a Fan Fiction. Please support the original. That said, let us get to the story.

- let us start this chapter!-

Kakashi tended to his pupil's wound, his exposed eye focused intently as the injury seemed to steam and burn away. ~Could this be the power of the demon fox? Naruto will show no sign of being attacked very soon. Does Uzume have the same level of healing?~ Kakashi looked to Naruto as the Genin was focused on Tazuna, wanting to hear why the old man kept such information from him. ~If Naruto ever learned of this healing, he might be more likely to run into danger that he cannot get fixed from. Best not to tell them~

Tazuna stood close to his protectors, a sense of shame for having to lie to the ninja village. Now he could only hope that he could convince their human side to help him. "I first want to apologize. My request was... incomplete. In truth, the level of danger is greater than I originally said it was, Shown by those guys." Tazuna motioned toward the Demon Brothers. "I... am a target of a real scary man who wants me dead."

"A 'real scary man?'" Kakashi questioned once he finished bandaging up Naruto, Tazuna nodded slightly to the elite ninja. "Who is it?"

"You have probably heard of him." Tazuna let out a sobering sigh, the mixture of fear from the attack and now the seriousness of the situation having burned the alcohol from his system. "Gato, the billionaire in the field of marine transportation."

Kakashi found himself surprised to hear the name Gato linked to an attempt to kill a bridge builder. "You mean Gato from Gato's Shipping and Transport. The Gato!? It is supposed that he is the richest man in the world."

"The very same. On the surface, Gato looks like a legitimate Businessman. In truth, he is a ruthless, murdering criminal that employs gangs and Shinobi, as well as transports drugs and contraband. He starts by taking over companies and ends up running entire countries. He makes a living off low and vicious trades known to man." Tazuna found his mind wandering to his people, and the crushing heel of poverty Gato had enforced on the land of waves. "Just a year ago, he set his sights on my homeland. He first showed as if on a business venture. Then the violence began, and in no time at all, he'd take over our entire marine transportation and shipping industry, and now we are under his thumb."

"So why does he want you dead?" Naruto asked as he stood. "Hey, Uzume, could you seal my weights in a scroll."

"Naruto, don't interrupt." Kakashi knocked the Genin in the head lightly. His focus turned to Tazuna, motioning his hand to continue.

"Gato... has a stranglehold on all forms of transport, the lifeblood of an island nation like the land of waves. With that control, he holds the wealth of our nation." Tazuna felt his hands tightened. "There is only one thing he has to fear. The completion of the bridge that has been underway for some time."

"Being the bridge builder, in charge of architecture and construction, you are his biggest threat," Uzume spoke up. "If you complete the bridge, a new option of trade that he does not have control over would open up. But, couldn't he impose gangs to act as a toll for the bridge." The young kunoichi pulled out a scroll for Naruto, but she didn't open it. She instead handed it to Naruto, a signal from his sister to do the sealing himself. It was an academy level skill, after all. Naruto had completed the homework on it before, even if he personally did not enjoy drawing up symbols. His handwriting was not the best.

"Still, those ninjas were employed by Gato." Sasuke pondered to himself. The idea that a billionaire was hiring ninja for something so petty didn't sit well with the young shinobi. And ninja that took the job was most likely not very skilled if they just picked on civilians.

"The fact still remains that you knew of the level of danger and did not tell us. Why?" Kakashi drove the question into Tazuna.

"The Land of Waves has never been very prosperous. Even our local lord is poor. With Gato claiming what little extra wealth the land could have, we could not pay for an elite ninja." Tazuna sighed once more. He needed to pull at their heartstrings, to make them see just how terrible everything was. "But, if you all turn away from me now. I am as good as dead."

"But-" Kakashi started before Tazuna continued.

"But oh well! That's not your concern! You won't be there to see my daughter and grandson cry all day because of their broken hearts. Oh, and you won't mind if my daughter vows eternal hatred to all ninja in your village as long as she lives. Heck, well, it isn't your fault."

Kakashi mentally groaned as a sense of guilt washed not only over him but his Genin. They were paid for a C Rank mission, but the idea of a whole country under a ruthless man's control did not sit well. Chunin level ninja would not be too difficult anyway. "It can't be helped, I guess. We will continue protecting you, at least until your safely back home." ~This is the worse mission for hire...~

-A few days following-

A thick mist settled around the slow-moving boat, the engine cut and manually moved to keep from being noticed. The massive bridge that was underway seen barely through the massive fog wrapped around our heroes. The mist breaking finally and revealing the massive bridge meant to strike fear into Gato. The gigantic structure was imposing for the small boat. Naruto and Uzume looked with wide-eyed amazement. "Whoa..." Uzume quietly spoke as her eyes scanned over the pillar that was closest to them. The brickwork was impressive and simple at the same time, what the mist showed was a flat bridge that looked like it could already hold a hundred people.

"Tazuna, we should soon be there. We so far have been overlooked, it seems. To be safe, we'll take an inland waterway through town to a point where we can make landfall under cover of the Mangroves.

"Thank you." Tazuna was grateful that the boatman was willing to take such a risk. Being caught with himself would lead to a terrible death. His eyes focused forward as they passed under an archway, the water roughly banking against the stonework and making the boat shift uncomfortably. The older man watched as Naruto turn green, the boy not used to the movement of boats on the water. They were far to close to have him hurl now and give them away. A corpse of Mangroves seen with web-like trunks for the trees lifted over the river and making a floating forest. The boatman rowed gently, attempting to make as little noise as possible as he guided them through the tangle of plant life.

"This is as far as I go." The boatman spoke lowly, leading the boat to a small wooden dock for the group to finally reclaim their land legs. "Take care of yourselves from here on."

"Thanks," Tazuna said with a smile on his face. "You really are taking a risk, I feel bad for asking." The boatman did not respond. The bridge builder instead watched their ferryman quickly turning his boat around and turning back on his engine to speed off. "Now, if only I could get home safely." The old man turned and began to walk with his four guards.

"Yeah yeah..." Kakashi's voice seemed more tired and annoyed than average. ~The more we travel, I become more suspicious that a high ranking ninja will make a move. Possible a special Jonin specialized in assassination techniques? An unknown territory that they have time to set up an ambush, it is a terrible position for us to be in.~ Kakashi thought to himself. "Everyone... treat this land as enemy territory. Enter formation."

The three Genin nodded, remaining silent as they took position around Tazuna. Sasuke and Naruto both in the front with about three feet between them. Kakashi placed himself in the back to act as a rearguard with his more exceptional senses. Uzume stood beside Tazuna in the middle of the triangular formation, the other three meant to repel any incoming attack while she moved into support with Genjutsu.

Leaving the town proper, they headed slowly toward Tazuna's home. The three Genin all having their senses on high alert from Kakashi's warning. Every noise found it's rhythm so that if a subtle change was noticed, they could react. Tazuna could feel the sudden tension in the air. A soft touch from his side as he looked down at Uzume, the young girl put on a small smile but said nothing. An odd sensation of calm filled his mind, he did not expect her to provide him a sense of courage. Not with how fear-stricken she was with the last attack.

Suddenly a rustle and Naruto snapped into action. Drawing his shuriken and throwing it in one swift motion. Nothing followed, the world seemed to not react to Naruto's sudden reaction. "Hold position," Kakashi spoke as he moved forward to inspect the noise. With one hand, he slowly pulled away some brush and noticed a white-furred rabbit. ~A snow hare... with its winter coat. An undeniable decoy kept as a pet indoors, the enemy is close.~ Kakashi thought to himself.

Uzume felt a sensation like she was a mouse being stared down by a tiger. A feeling of an imposing force crushing down on her. She then noticed it was not focused on her, the intent was close. She closed her eyes and tried to focus her mind, feeling a current. It was weak... or hard to notice was more correct. Her eyes snapped open, jumping into Tazuna so suddenly that the old man fell to the ground. "Everyone down!" Kakashi called a moment following!

The three shinobi lowered to the ground as a blade whirled overhead that could have easily bisected each of them. The edge embedded halfway into a tree not far and became a perch. A short hair shirtless man, his face covered in bandages, and with the eyes of a killer met the stare of Kakashi. Kakashi took quick notice of their opponent, cursing that it was not just a specialist Jonin but a full-blown elite like himself. "Well, well..." Kakashi attempted to put off a calm aura, not wanting to let his little Genin think he was outmatched. "Isn't it Zabuza Momochi, the kid who ran off from the village hidden in the mist." Kakashi motioned his hand slightly, a signal for the others to stay back. Their duty was to Tazuna, not to this fight, after all. Without a word, his hand moved to his headband that covered his left eye. "Things might get a bit rough."

"Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye, I presume." Zabuza's voice was sinister, like a beast in human shape with a thirst for blood. "If it wouldn't be to much trouble, could you surrender the old man." The mist Jonin's eye focused on Kakashi, not foolish enough to think anyone else was a threat.

~Sharingan!?~ Sasuke's normally calm exterior had broken, he had not expected to hear of the ocular skill of his own clan. Much less have it part of something that Kakashi would have access to. ~Could he somehow be... related? No... he shows no other features of an Uchiha. Did he steal his?~

Kakashi lifted his headband, his scar exposed as was the red-eye with three tomoe. The Sharingan active and locked hold with Zabuza's gaze. "Manji formation, do not enter this battle. Protect Tazuna and allow me to handle this battle. That is the type of teamwork this situation demands."

"Right!" The three called out before snapping into position. Tazuna having the Genin positioned in front of him, each protecting a different direction. In this position, they could react to the threat of Zabuza if he charged for his target. Kakashi's focused intent on Zabuza.

"To be introduced to the Sharingan so early in our meeting... I am Honored." Zabuza spoke with a mocking tone, knowing full well of Kakashi's known accomplishments from his Bingo Book. "I have a tight schedule to hold, so I will polish off that old man quickly. Shall we begin, Kakashi, the Mirror Eye, who has copied a thousand arts? It does appear... I will have to go through you first." The rogue ninja's eyes betrayed the slight excitement he had to fight such an opponent. Kakashi calm as he watched Zabuza draw his giant cleaver from the tree, vanishing with speed of a Jonin. Instead of heading straight for his opponent, he placed himself on a nearby lake. Team 7, except for Kakashi, surprised that their enemy was standing on the water itself. One arm stretched high into the air while his other was at chest level, hand signing already as he gathered his chakra he had suppressed. "The finest of Ninja Arts, Hidden Mist Jutsu." Zabuza vanished moments after calling out his Jutsu to the surprise of Team 7 once more.

Kakashi, with all his senses, could not identify Zabuza's location. ~He will come for me first. Zabuza Momochi of the Hidden Mist assassination corp. A Master of the silent killing arts.~ Kakashi's mind focused intently on the task, realizing just how much danger they were all in. "Keep your guards up, a moment of relaxing will be the same moment you are in the afterlife. I have not necessarily mastered every aspect of the Sharingan, so I need you all on your toes."

Moments pass, silence as the building tension filled the three Genin. This was the closest to death they ever felt being, even training days that they complained about was nothing to the looming impact of someone even a Jonin kept high alert for. A thick fog began to roll in, slowly impeding their vision more and more. The group barely keeping sight of their master, before Zabuza's voice echoed through the now obfuscated treeline. "There are eight targets," his voice was like a haunting ghost the filled the minds of the young ninja. "The throat, spinal column, lungs, liver, the jugular vein, the subclavian artery, kidney, heart. So many choices... Which to choose?"

Kakashi reacting as his own chakra began to build, weaving his own hand signs. The pressure of the two focused seasoned shinobi killer intent caused the young shinobi to gasp. A cold sweat as they could feel the weight of the tension. ~This incredible bloodthirst. If I draw his attention by blinking, he will kill me in an instant. This feeling of my life in the hands of a ninja intent in killing... It is too much. The suspense of dying, it almost makes me wish to end it all.~ Sasuke thought to himself. Uzume's body shook, the tides of chakra and intent from the two ninjas was like being stuck in the middle of two swirling whirlpools. One inch out of place, and she would get sucked up and drowned. She did everything she could to calm her mind, but this feeling of a monster hiding below the depth of water, a hungry beast ready to topple the small buoy keeping just above the surface.

"Sasuke, Uzume... Calm down." Kakashi's voice snapped the two of them from their own thoughts. "Even if he was to get me, I will still protect you." Kakashi turned his attention, seeming to lose focus at the threat at hand for them. "I will never let my comrades die." His words filled the three young Genin filled with a moment of confidence.

"I wouldn't bet on that..." Zabuza's voice echoed between them, Uzume felt the monster lurking at the edge of mind move. Turning and saw Zabuza positioned to cut any of the three of them or all of them in one swing of his massive blade. Sasuke and Naruto had not had the time to take notice. "Game over," Zabuza called out with a hidden smile. Uzume already leaped away as the terror forced her to retreat, Kakashi onto Zabuza with a kunai stabbed forward and having pushed the three others away in one motion. Kakashi noticed it was not blood that fell from wound but water. "Master! Behind you!" Naruto called out only a moment before Kakashi was severed in half by one swipe of the giant blade.

Naruto and Sasuke looked in horror, then confusion as Kakashi turned to water himself. "Don't move." Kakashi stood behind Zabuza with a Kunai at the rogue ninja's neck. Zabuza still catching up to finding out that Kakashi copied and switched places with a water clone. "Game over." Kakashi was confident that this would be a quickly finished fight, the preferred method in the end. If he had to put too much, he could end up too exhausted.

Then Zabuza chuckled to himself. Kakashi surprised by his calm demeanor. Uzume looked at Zabuza, but something nagged her. The monster was not in front of them, he was still lurking. She tried to focus as anyone of them could be attacked again. Closing her eyes, she decided to visualize the threat and follow it. Zabuza before them mocking Kakashi for his attempt to copy and trail him. The force of chakra began to move toward them. "Kakashi! He isn't the real one!" Uzume called out, throwing her kunai quickly.

Kakashi's eyes widen at this sudden call out. ~How did she?~ Both Kakashi and Zabuza thought as the kunai flew passed her master's head, and Zabuza was forced to dodge the oncoming edge that passed just before his eyes, a moment later and he may have lost vision in one of his eyes. But that moment of lapse, and Zabuza releasing the water clone only a moment earlier, gave Kakashi a chance to take advantage. The silver-haired Jonin dashed toward Zabuza while he was still recovering, he needed to risk the attack range of the blade to get in close. Weaving hand signs before two more versions of him appeared. Zabuza swinging his sword to take all three in one swipe, rending through each one like it was paper. Kakashi landed behind him, having made a clone ahead of him as a distraction for his real move.

A palm strike into Zabuza's spine while he was mid-swing, forcing him off balance. But he watched as the expert swordsman instead used the swing to turn his body to face Kakashi as he settled the sword into proper position. Zabuza now flanked by the three Genin and their master. While he could risk taking out Tazuna now, Zabuza knew it would leave him open to Kakashi. The Genin were nothing to fear, even if one could sense his movements somehow. The weapon's weight was an issue, it did not let him attack fast enough. Zabuza switched to a fast attack method to match Kakashi, drawing his kunai while sheathing his cleaver.

The two expert ninja once again focused on each other, Zabuza focused the mist once more to cause cover. Kakashi would not allow him to disappear from sight this time, not until he had trapped him completely. The clang of metal against metal, as Kakashi's blade met Zabuza's, repeatedly sounded into the air. The two fights danced with each movement, as the fog began to thicken once more. Uzume trying to stay focused on the sensation of two beast fighting, it was hard to tell which was which for her. One was wearing down faster, though; the clanging stopped for a moment with the sound of a growl of pain. A sickening crack as one of the sensations flung back. The fog dissolved before their eyes, as they saw Kakashi on the ground and clutching his side and a bloodied kunai in Zabuza's hand.

"Sorry, Kakashi, but I figured I would show your death to your brats. Watch closely... as this is the life your weak-willed nation didn't prepare for you." Zabuza grinned under his wrappings as Uzume was looking in horror.

Naruto, on the other hand, was not about to watch his master die. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" He called out as he created four more of him. "Charge!" The young ninja without his weights showed impressive speed, but ultimately Zabuza's skill allowed him to make simple movements that caused each clone to disappear almost the instant it came into range.

"Naruto, don't! He will kill us." Uzume's voice shook as she already put a target on her own back. Now her brother was trying to take on a Jonin! One that took out their teacher, the same one who they barely captured bells from, and was not even trying to kill them.

The last clone disappearing in a puff of smoke, Zabuza almost enjoying their attempt to save their master, the kunai of the clone falling to the ground. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke used the smoke cover from the shadow clones. Flames erupting out from the smokescreen, Zabuza forced to leap back from this attack. Surprised that a Genin would know a higher level Jutsu. As he retreated, he noticed an orange jacketed fighter coming for him again.

"I see, keep me retreating to reclaim your master." Zabuza shook his head as with a simple hand sign, a water clone formed catching the Genin. "As for you... let me show you a real Jutsu. I will make sure it hits you and Kakashi!" The real Zabuza taunted before his hands blurred with how fast he moved through the long formula.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Zabuza and Kakashi's voice called out. Kakashi's voice did not come from the group of Konoha ninja. Two water dragons formed, as Zabuza looked to his side and saw the Jonin had slipped away somehow. His eyes turned to the battleground, only to watch the Kakashi on the ground turn into an orange-clad copy of Naruto. Zabuza turned his focus back to his real opponent, launching the water dragon to meet Kakashi's. The two dragon-shaped water Jutsu crashed into each other, raining water down on top of Zabuza and Kakashi as they collided once more.

The water clone tossed the Naruto in his hand, not needing to bother with a clone. Kakashi being busy, the clone's mission was to take out Tazuna and take out the brats before they become an issue to his future plans. Naruto, Sasuke, and Uzume setting up the Manji formation again, knowing full well that it was their job to ensure Tazuna was safe. The clone pulling its copy of Zabuza's massive cleaver, the children would be no real threat of speed. Even the orange blitz of Naruto was not on the same level.

Naruto seemed ready for another plan of some sort. "Sasuke, follow my lead, and we will buy time for Kakashi to finish off the real one." The young man smiled as he hoped Sasuke was game.

"I don't remember a vote of turning you into second in command." Sasuke's annoyance was thick in his voice. "But if you have an idea, the last one worked. Just don't get us killed."

"Uzume, this will rely on your Fuinjutsu." Naruto knew she was better at it than he was, not that she didn't show him proper sealing methods. "We will distract him, you seal him away. Since he is just a bunch of water, you should be able to."

Uzume looked at him, confused, realizing what he just asked her to do. "What are you saying, Naruto... I don't have a formula made to capture a Jutsu." She spoke quietly, feeling the clone getting closer and closer. "He isn't just water, he is the chakra that the original gave to manipulate. The seals I have are nowhere capable of doing that!"

"Wait... what!?" Naruto called out, realizing his plan just had to change. Thankfully he already had a back-up. "Right, Waves after waves to make his Jutsu run out of power. Sasuke hit him when he is in range." Naruto placed his hand sign. "Four didn't do it... let us see you handle Forty!"

A wall of clones appeared before the water clone, who began to charge into the mass of fighters. Naruto's skill in taijutsu allowed him to handle someone slightly above average, but Zabuza was a monster. Even as the heap of Narutos rained ontop of Zabuza, with one swing of the massive sword, each one was launched back. Enough force produced to knock many of the clones out already, Sasuke drawing shuriken and launched them to try and impede the rogue ninja's advance, but Zabuza only needs to swing his blade again to knock the small bits away from him. "Shuriken are useless against me." The clone mocked. Closer and closer he got to his targets, cutting through the clones trying to stop him. His blade finally reaching the three of them, his sword fell from above and cut through Sasuke from head to toe. His blade crashed into the ground as his hand slammed into Naruto's chest so hard that Zabuza's fist caved in his chest. Uzume's eyes open in horror as she screamed out. "You are too loud." He growled before Naruto and Sasuke disappeared into a puff of smoke.

Uzume grinned mischievously before wire pulled tight to Zabuza's back, the kunoichi becoming a puff of smoke as well as shuriken attempted to wrap up the water clone. The Uzume before him turned into her brother before vanishing into nothing. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke finished waiving his hand signs, the treeline erupting a second fireball. The difference was the clone was caught in a trap. His eyes turned, Sasuke and Uzume had taken to hiding in the forest at some point with Tazuna! He soon was bathed in flames before the shuriken landed into his body, the combined damage popping the water clone Jutsu.

Kakashi and Zabuza far to busy to be able to pull away from each other. Zabuza's frustration growing as Kakashi mimicked every move perfectly. His chakra held up by the water clone, and when he felt the forced disconnect from his Jutsu, he had a momentary lapse of judgment. "I am finishing this! No more cheap mimicry!" Zabuza roared out as Kakashi copied him word for word at the same instance. Kakashi weaving hand signs with rapidly with Zabuza, the rogue ninja's mind frantic with the idea of having his mind read. His mind so caught up that he was unaware of the massive demon wind Shuriken coming for him until the last moment. His concentration was broken to see Naruto still close by and not with his team, forced to jump over the shuriken.

"Water Style: Giant Waterfall!" Zabuza snapped his attention back at Kakashi. The copycat ninja had just done the Jutsu he was going to do. Now he was stuck in the air as the swirling vortex of water collided with him. His chakra was already running lower than he planned, and now he was crashed with heavy water pressure and slammed into the treeline. Water surging onto the land from the power behind the attack, trapping Zabuza with his back to a thick tree he smashed into. Kakashi landing on a branch above.

"Can you... predict the future?" Zabuza spoke with his thoughts frazzled by what happened. It could not be a coincidence that the same exact move was used... he had to have known what his plan was.

"I foresee your death," Kakashi announced to Zabuza. His kunai lifted up to show he planned on finishing the job. Without warning, two senbon appeared in the neck of Zabuza, his eyes showed shock before he fell.

"Your prediction came true." A sudden voice from another tree could be heard. A masked figure stood atop another branch with hidden eyes focused on Kakashi. The silver-haired ninja landed beside Zabuza to confirm his death. No pulse, no sign of any life. ~Way dead~ Kakashi thought. "I do appreciate the assistance. I do hope you don't mind my interference. Your victory was assured, but I wanted to put Zabuza out of his misery myself." A young icy tone left the mask.

Kakashi recognized the mask as Hidden Mist's Shinobi Hunter tasked to take out rogue elements like Zabuza. But one so young. "Correct me if I am wrong... but you are a Shinobi Hunter from the Hidden Mist." He asked to get confirmation.

"You are a smart one." The masked ninja meant this without meaning to sound condescending. Naruto and the others gather as this was the first time they came into contact with someone who hunted down other ninjas. "I am part of the Elite units with the responsibility and arts to remove rogue and outlawed elements, such as Zabuza."

"An Elite ninja, specific to taking out people like Zabuza..." Naruto spoke quietly at this. Even with all his training and skill developed with Hinata, he was nothing to Zabuza's clone. And here was someone who sounded about his age, who took him out with ease. Instead of taking this as a sign of them being terrible, he took it as a challenge to get better. ~I am going to get better than Zabuza. I have to, to become Hokage.~

The masked stranger vanished from his place and landed at Zabuza's body when Kakashi moved back to Team 7 and their ward. "Your battle is over with Zabuza. I must now take the remains and dispose of them. Otherwise, our secrets may be let out." The smaller figure lifted both Zabuza and his massive blade with some ease. "I'll be off." Were his final words before vanishing in a little whirlwind.

Tazuna glad to see the fight was over; a few times, he was worried about having a heart attack. Now that all the excitement was over. "Let us get going, you all deserve a warm meal for all the work you put for this." The older man laughed to try and relieve some of the tension still built up. A loud thump sounded behind him, turning to see Kakashi laid on the ground. The elite ninja had used up his chakra and used the Sharingan too long, Kakashi found himself unable to move.


Author's Note: Hey, everyone, sorry for taking so long for this chapter. Writer's block, sickness, and generally not knowing what to have changed with Uzume. I didn't want to just write the same scenario as the manga/anime... but I also didn't want to just skip the Zabuza fight with an 'it happens as the show.' Also, if anyone got confused about Naruto's plan, the Naruto that the Water clone tossed thinking it was a clone was the original. There was a clone with Sasuke and Uzume, who then made more clones to transform and look like nothing changed after making a bunch distract the Water Clone. Kinda like he does in the forest of death in the original show. Anyway, feel free to leave a review with questions, and I will answer them in the next chapter or send me a PM. Until the next chapter, have a great day.