Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto Franchise that belongs solely to Masashi Kishimoto; I do not own Heavens lost Property, High School DxD or any other Anime I borrow themes from. The only thing I claim is my OC's and original Story Plot.
Author's Note (A/N): Hey guys I'm back yet again with a new chapter. Now just a heads up the Land of Wave's Arc is coming to an end in the next 3 to 4 chapters. I know it dragged on for quite some time and that wasn't even my intention but a lot had to be explored in this Arc and I'm satisfied with it. I can't wait for the Chunin Exams Arc and I definitely can't wait to introduce Jiraiya into the story.
Chapter 22
The Deal for the Future
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The sound of metal on metal was the only thing heard in the thick cloud of mist at the end of the bridge. Every once in a while you would see a brief spark of metal grinding against metal but the entirety of this fight was shrouded in the all-encompassing mist.
"Are you slowing down Zabuza? Is the weight of that sword finally getting to you?" Kakashi taunted as he dodged an overhead horizontal swing from Zabuza's mighty Executioners Blade. He and Zabuza were locked in a vicious fight with Kakashi wielding a kunai in each hand and Zabuza with his 7-foot-long butcher sword propped up on his shoulder. "Resorting to taunting now are you Kakashi, you must be getting desperate." Zabuza replied back as he came in with a rising vertical slash meant to take Kakashi's head off but the silver haired Jōnin was smarter than that and wisely backed away just in time.
Not missing a beat Kakashi threw one of his kunai at Zabuza's exposed midsection but in seconds Zabuza took one of his hands off of his sword and caught the incoming knife. Building up momentum Zabuza spun around and tried to split Kakashi in half with a vertical downwards slash with one hand but Kakashi used his remaining kunai to knock the massive blade off course and send it into the ground next to him.
Kakashi then without warning caught his very own kunai that Zabuza threw back at him. He caught it right before it could impale him in his exposed Sharingan Eye. "No desperation here. Just trying something new that's all." Kakashi replied back cheekily. He suddenly had to jump into the air to avoid a horizontal slash from Zabuza who ripped his sword out of the concrete and tried to bisect his opponent. Not deterred in the slightest Zabuza jumped into the air after Kakashi.
"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" Kakashi called out as he went through hands signs at blistering speeds. A medium sized fire ball left his mouth and was heading straight for Zabuza who was only a few yards away from him. Seeing the oncoming attack Zabuza sliced through the fireball with ease leaving behind a cloud of steam. 'He streamed Water Nature Chakra through his blade.' Kakashi theorized. Zabuza came barreling in through the cloud of steam ready to take Kakashi head off.
'Now.' Seeing Zabuza's attack incoming Kakashi actually managed to kick Zabuza's sword up into the air. The weight and momentum of his movements combined with Kakashi's intervention caused Zabuza to flip in midair. Before anything else could happen Kakashi grabbed Zabuza by the ankles and wrapped his arms around them. He took his legs and rapped them around Zabuza's midsections locking his arms to his side and causing the man to drop his massive sword. Kakashi then took his feet and locked them around Zabuza's neck and head.
"Falcon Drop!"
Both men dropped out of the air like a sack of rocks. Kakashi drove Zabuza head first into the concrete pavement below them. Zabuza's whole body spasmed and convulsed and a strangled dead look appeared in Zabuza's eyes before they rolled into the back of his head. His lower torso went completely limp and Kakashi jumped off of the body and watch as his legs sagged and fell limp sticking in the air. Looking down Kakashi could see that Zabuza's head was buried into the concrete with spider web cracks forming around the small head shaped hole he was in.
Kakashi suddenly tensed as Zabuza's body turned into a mass of water. That water surged up and lunged at Kakashi who was suddenly enveloped into a sphere of water. "Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!" Zabuza called out as he appeared next to Kakashi's prison with his hand maintaining the integrity of the Jutsu. "You never learn do you Kakashi. Falling for the same trick again." Zabuza taunted but then grunted in immense pain when the Kakashi inside of his sphere turned into electricity shocking him with immeasurable amounts of electricity. "Lightning Style: Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Zabuza fell to the ground and growled in pain as he could feel the electricity running rampant in his body. He suddenly tensed but it was too late. "Earth Style: Head Hunter Jutsu!" Zabuza suddenly found himself pulled under the pavement of the bridge to the point only his head was showing. Kakashi emerged out of the ground like he was getting out of a swimming pool.
"Got you." He said with his patented eye smile. "Oh really?" Zabuza growled. The Zabuza in the ground turned into a puddle of water and Kakashi's danger senses were going off inside of his mind. "Kenjutsu: Explosive Decapitation!" Kakashi suddenly found himself in the same predicament that nearly killed Naruto two weeks prior. Kakashi was violently slammed into the ground neck first by Zabuza's Executioners Blade. Zabuza grunted in satisfaction which soon turned to annoyance when the Kakashi in the small crater in the pavement turned into a puddle of water. Looking up Zabuza saw Kakashi standing ten yards away.
"Well that was a good warm up Zabuza but are you ready to get serious now?" Kakashi asked as he looked to his opponent. Zabuza grunted as he hefted his massive sword onto his shoulder. "That was pretty fun Kakashi but you're right let's go. The sooner I kill you and the bridge builder the sooner I can go give your student that wake-up call he so richly deserves." Zabuza growled out in his deep voice. Both men narrowed their eyes at each other before blurring out of existence.
They met in the center between them with a bang. The sound of metal on metal returned as they blurred away and reappeared a few feet away. They did this seven more times and each time they would reappear they would clash against each other sending out showers of sparks. "Why are you so interested in my student?" Kakashi asked as he pushed Zabuza's sword off course and came in with a stab to the man's neck. Zabuza of course blocked it and pushed Kakashi away from him.
"He interest me. Not only does he owe me a rematch but he's very different compared to your other students. He's like us. A true shinobi who has seen combat, he has the blood of many on his hands and he's walked away from death just like us. I want to know his story before I watch the light fade from his eyes. Like you I find him to be a shinobi worth my time to fight." Zabuza explained as he traded tight efficient blows with Kakashi who was managing Zabuza's massive blade. "Is that so? Good to know you hold me in such regard Zabuza." Kakashi taunted as he kicked Zabuza away from him.
Skidding to a halt Zabuza placed his sword on his shoulder. "You know he offered me a deal to surrender and join him." Zabuza revealed. "He what?" Kakashi asked in surprise. "Yeah not too long ago. Maybe a week or so ago. He snuck into my hideout and went undetected until he approached me. That takes some serious stealth skills. Like I said he interest me. He is very much like us Kakashi." Zabuza explained with a chuckle. 'Why would Naruto do that without telling me. When was this… wait it was the day I was showing them the Tree Walking Exercise. When he pulled me to the side and asked me about Zabuza he had this peculiar look in his eyes. So that was his plan. He went on a mercy mission to ask for Zabuza's surrender. But why not tell me unless…' Kakashi tried to piece together in his mind.
Zabuza seeing the gears turning in Kakashi's mind took a brief moment to think back to that day.
Flashback Begin
It was early in the afternoon when a blur could be seen darting through the trees. "We are almost there Eva. Are you ready?" Naruto asked as he jumped from tree to tree through the thick dew filled forest of the Land of Waves. "Yeah, this is fun. We haven't been on our own like this in a while." Eva commented as she enjoyed the wind passing by her face. She had an excited tone in her voice. "Yeah. It hasn't been the two of us doing a mission together in quite some time. It feels just like old times right Eva." Naruto agreed as he patted Eva on her head with his finger.
"So based off of the information we received from Aspen and the others the enemies hide out should be over the ridge in that small valley. It's suspended up into the canopy of the dense forest by a bunch of steel cables. This is Gatō's main base and also were Zabuza is recovering." Naruto said as he reached a ravine. He was staring out at a small valley that was at least 500 feet wide and 70 to 90 feet deep with the deepest part which was sea level being at least 100 feet deep. Many rivers were running through the valley and the trees here were very dense and thick and it would be an excellent place to hide a base. The trees here are three times the size of the surround trees in the rest of the region. It was a perfect place especially with all of the rivers providing many avenues of escape.
"This is the place Naru." Eva stated as she peaked her head out of Naruto's hair and took in the view. "Wow this place is beautiful." Eva praised as she looked around. "Yeah it is. However, it will look even prettier once Gatō and his men are gone for good." Naruto added in. "Yeah it will be… hey why don't we have a little vacation home out here, it's so peaceful, it can just be the two of us." Eva suggested as she flew down to Naruto's face. She had a beautiful smile on but it was also a shy one and there was a small blush on her face. Seeing this a small warm smile spread to Naruto's face as well and he couldn't help but give some thought to it and a small blush came to his face as well. "Eva." Naruto said softly as he placed his other half against his face and rubbed their cheeks together.
"I'd love that. It would be nice just to have a place like that." Naruto agreed. "Oh course the twins can come too and all but they will need their own room when we want to be alone." Eva said as an afterthought but both she and Naruto blushed when they final registered the last part of Eva's statement. "Alone time." Naruto mumbled out as his mind went back to two months ago when Evangeline went on her rampage and she somehow turned into a normal sized girl. She was stark naked since her clothes ripped when she got bigger. Naruto had seen her naked many times since they always take bathes together and even till this very day they still bathe together but it was something about seeing her at full size that was different than every other time combined. Naruto had been distracted by his panic and urgency to help her that he didn't even pay her nakedness much mind but since then he's secretly been thinking of it and every time he would he would immediately blush and dispel those thoughts.
Both Naruto and Eva's eyes met and they started to get lost in each other's eyes for a moment until Naruto looked away and caused both of them to blush furiously. 'What was that just now?' Naruto thought as he got his heart beat under control. 'Naru…' Eva thought to herself as she peaked back at Naruto.
"Ok so we should get going, we got way off topic." Naruto said as he coughed into his hand to dispel the awkward air around them. "Right. Let's go Naru." Eva agreed as she flew back into Naruto's hair and covered up her face in embarrassment. Making the ram hand sign Naruto's clothes were replaced by his pure black jumpsuit and equipment pouches. Jumping off the cliff Naruto landed in a nearby large tree and started tree hopping in the direction of Gatō's base.
'That was really awkward. What happened just now?' Naruto questioned to himself as he got lost in his thoughts. Eva was also deep in thought. 'Why did I just do that. Just great I had to open my big fat mouth and make things weird between us again.' Eva antagonized to herself.
"We're here." Naruto called out as up above them they could see the large base suspended in the canopy of the forest and the structure was being supported by thick steel cables anchored into the massive trunk of the trees. "The others couldn't get any Intel on what's inside of the base. Luckily they were able to give us the information on the guard placements and rotations. So sneaking in should be a lot easier than usual." Naruto stated as he looked for the most viable entrance. 'There.' He noted as he saw his way in.
"We'll have a look around and catalog everything for the others. Maybe we can set some traps just in case. After that we can find Zabuza maybe." Eva suggested as she looked around as well. "That's the plan." Naruto noted as he disappeared in a burst of speed and reappeared on a tree that was housing one of the many thick steel cables. 'The mist is rolling in fast again like usual. It will cover our tracks and make us pretty much invisible on approach.' Naruto noted as the natural mist rolled in through the valley and had the side effect of shrouding the entire base and surrounding area which by extension included Naruto in a thick impenetrable soup.
"Ready Eva?" Naruto asked as he slipped his mask on. "Ready Naru." Eva replied. Shaking his head Naruto took off across the steal cable and traversed the entire length in a matter or moments. Landing on one of the many balconies Naruto slid up against the wall. "Shadow Clone Jutsu." Creating several shadow clones Naruto then handed each of them a small stack of paper seals. Naruto then made another hand sign. "Transformation Jutsu." Naruto had his clones turn into small little creatures such as insects and birds.
"Go." He whispered and just like that all of the clones scattered in multiple directions. Going his own path Naruto traversed the large complex that had many rooms. Every few minutes he would get the memories back from a clone that dispelled itself. 'All of the seals are set, that's good. Now to find Zabuza.' Naruto thought as he closed his eyes and concentrated really hard. 'I sense a few strong chakra signatures around. About 5 are around Chunin level and at least one of them is Jonin level. There is another… there. It's Zabuza.' Naruto scanned as he searched the compound for Zabuza. 'Aspen said there were 20 shinobi here. But I count 6. The others must be out doing assignments for Gatō. I must hurry then. If I don't leave soon then the others will come back and I know for a fact I won't be able to sneak past that many shinobi without being caught.' Naruto rationalized as he started heading in the direction of Zabuza.
"Where is he?" Eva whispered. "Top floor. Fourth window on the left by that steel cable anchor." Naruto answered as he slowly made his way to that very place. The pain in his shoulder was minimum at the moment since he hasn't been exerting himself to much but it was there. The fact that his arm is in a sling also has degraded his mobility to some extent and has left a large blind spot in his defense.
'In this room.' Naruto thought as he peaked inside and saw Zabuza laying down in his bed wrapped up tight in bandages with a simple blanket over him. "I'll go take a look, stay here." Evangeline said as she flew in through the window and landed on a dresser underneath the window. Walking across the surface Eva peaked around the potted plant that was sitting on top of the dresser. She could see Zabuza just a few yards away from her. The room was quite spacious in fact and a lot of it wasn't used much. Only a bed with two dressers next to it on each side. A third dresser which she is standing on. A rug around the bed and not much else in the room to make it feel comfortable. A chair was situated next to the bed for a person to sit down in but other than that not much else.
Getting to the edge Eva jumped down and stopped an inch off of the floor. Flying across the room while staying close to the wall Eva flew behind the dresser next to Zabuza's bed. Coming up from behind it Eva crawled on to the piece of furniture and saw that on its surface it was littered with medical supplies including bandages, needles, alcohol, cotton swabs, and other mundane items. 'Someone has been tending to him. It must be that fake ANBU we suspected.' Eva thought. She quietly walked across the surface of the dresser and saw that Zabuza's chest was slowly rising and falling indicating that not only was he alive but also that he was asleep. Eva accidentally bumped into a bottle on the dresser and caused it to shift just an inch but apparently that was all that was needed.
Zabuza's eyes shot open and Eva squeaked in fear. Taking off Eva was going to fly back to the window but a shadow overhead caused her to look up and her eyes widened with fear. Zabuza's sword was about to crash down on top of her but in that moment Naruto caught Zabuza's sword with his hand coated in a thin layer of Wind Nature Chakra. Additionally, he had his hand itself coated in a thin layer of Ice as well. Naruto only had the use of one arm though and so he couldn't hold back the massive sword for long.
"Well, well, well. Got a little assassin in here trying to assassinate me eh. Pretty bold of you. But I assure you despite my appearance I'm still quite capable of defending myself." Zabuza said as he took his good arm and laid down pressure onto his sword which in turn made it all the harder for Naruto to push it back.
"It wasn't my intention to assassinate you. I came here to talk." Naruto replied as Eva flew back into his hair. "To talk. Really now. I find that hardly believable little boy." The Jonin said as he looked Naruto up and down. He took in Naruto's all back jumpsuit with his accessories and he chuckled. "Someone came very prepared." Zabuza then looked at Naruto's eyes and his own eyes widened in recognition. "You're the boy I just had the pleasure of fighting a few days ago aren't you." Zabuza questioned.
"Yes, but like I said I'm not here to kill you. I'm here to talk. I'm here to make a deal with you." Naruto said as he managed to push Zabuza's sword slightly off course but couldn't manage much else. It was a standoff right now and if he made any sudden movements or loud noises than the other shinobi in the compound would sense something amiss. "And I'm to assume you've done this without the consent of Kakashi. He hardly strikes me as the type of man to send a kid in to do his dirty work." Zabuza probed.
"You're right. He would never approve of such a stunt. But I have a different goal in mind by coming here, and like I said it's not to kill you." Naruto calmly said. "To make a deal, what deal could you possibly offer me that would change my mind from killing you right here. And for the record don't talk as if you could kill me right now boy. You're still far too young to challenge me." Zabuza said with a glare. "While I know my own limitations better than anyone don't get to arrogant Zabuza. It's like you said, I'm a kid and we have pretty overly active imaginations. I'm sure I could come up with some way to take you down." Naruto countered with his own cold glare right back at Zabuza.
Zabuza took a look at the cold look in Naruto's glare and he chuckled a deep throaty chuckle. He nodded his head at Naruto. "Speak then before I change my mind and kill you." Zabuza conceded. "I know why you fled your home village." Naruto began. Suddenly the pressure on his hand increased as Zabuza barreled down on him with his massive sword. "Is that so. I suggest you pick your words carefully little man." The older man warned. "The Fourth Mizukage started the Bloodline Purge which in turn sparked the Bloodline Civil War that's spilt the Hidden Mist Village apart over the last few years." Naruto continued.
Zabuza narrowed his eyes at this. "But here is where things get interesting. You didn't side with the Mizukage. You were against everything he was trying to do. So you tried to assassinate him but failed. He found you out and you were forced to leave your village behind. I assume you brought along those ninjas with you when you fled." Naruto continued while gauging Zabuza's reaction.
Based on what he was seeing in the older man's eyes he could tell he hit the nail directly on the head. "It would seem that you are rather well informed of things you shouldn't know about little man. How did you come across all this information? Kakashi couldn't have known all of those details." Zabuza demanded as he didn't let up on the pressure. Despite the fact he was lying down in bed with bandages across most of his body he still had the physical strength necessary to pick up and swing around his massive sword, not to mention actually still manage to somehow add some leverage to his swing to pin Naruto to the spot. Now mind you Naruto could move if he wanted to but any aggressive moves could alert the others in the compound and it was best to have the sword in his grasp so that he could freeze it if necessary.
"You're right. Kakashi didn't give me all of the information that I have." Naruto revealed. "So you have some other source of information then. Interesting. This just further proves that you are nothing like the others." Zabuza complimented. "I also know that the Mizukage has the whole island closed off preventing anyone from entering or leaving. It's kept the resistance from leaving and regrouping." Naruto stated. "Yes, the resistance movement is stuck in the Land of Water with no way out and I have no way in. I would need a lot of money and resources to break back into the country." Zabuza explained. "I understand that. I also know that the resistance is being led by this young Kunoichi named Mei Terumī. From what I heard of her she is very powerful. Almost Kage level if what I heard is correct." Naruto added on.
Aspen told Naruto a lot of information about the situation in the Land of Water. While it was extremely difficult for people to come and go form the country, information is the one thing that the country can't keep contained. As a master spy and knowledgeable on the criminal underworld Aspen has access to such information and much more. "Now that is information you shouldn't have." Zabuza said as he pressed down on Naruto's arm. Naruto winced in pain since the weight behind the sword was no joke. Naruto suspected that Zabuza was enhancing his muscles with chakra which would explain why he can still lift his sword in his current condition.
"Yeah, but I have it. My contact is very resourceful." Naruto countered as he then channeled Yōki to his muscles and for a brief moment overpowered Zabuza's sword. Naruto pushed the sword back and over to the side relieving the pain on his shoulder. "Here is the deal Zabuza. In exchange for you terminating your contract with Gatō and leaving Mr. Tazuna alone for good, I will pay for you and your men to get back to your country." Naruto stated his offer in as firm a tone that he could make. He didn't stutter or waiver once. He was trying to stonewall Zabuza and show him he meant business.
"You've got balls kid, making a demand such as that. But how do you intend to pay for such a thing. What resources do you have that would allow you to pull of such a stunt?" Zabuza questioned the validity of Naruto's demand. He was highly skeptical of Naruto's claim as evident by the wariness, and mistrust in his eyes. Naruto nodded to this since he would be skeptical if someone said the same to him. "Then let me show you proof." Naruto asked. "Proof. What kind of proof?" Zabuza asked. "It's on my shoulder, but I would need my arm to do that." Naruto requested.
A staring contest ensued between the two for what felt like hours but in reality was only a few seconds. The tension was palpable in the room and Evangeline was wisely staying out of the way. She was scared that this plan would backfire. She was stockpiling a lot of Yōki in the event that they would need to escape the base which she hoped didn't end up happening.
Zabuza lifted his sword off of Naruto's hand but before anything could be said he placed the cut out circle at the top of the sword around Naruto's neck just like during their battle at the lake. "If you try anything your head will come clean off before you can blink kid." Zabuza threatened. Naruto could feel the phantom pain from what happened to him but because Zabuza placed his sword back on his neck it caused the pain in his shoulders to flare up. "I understand." Naruto said calmly to avoid agitating the older man. A small bead of sweat rolled down Naruto's face but he paid it little mind. Reaching with his good arm over to his injured shoulder Naruto opened a flap in the suit to expose is skin. When he exposed his upper arm to Zabuza the man's eyes widened beyond believe.
"The Jasmine Dragon Mafia. You're a part of it kid?" Zabuza asked in disbelieve. Each of the Five Great Nations had an all-powerful mafia family running their personal operations out of the country they were based in. They are very well known in the criminal underworld and in the Shinobi world as a whole. Most civilians don't know too much about them unless they've personally come across them and most if not all of the Genin and Chūnin don't really get any interactions with them as well. Jōnin and above however get more interactions with them but mostly on missions. The mafia families are notorious for recruiting powerful ex-shinobi, missing ninja, and retired shinobi into their ranks.
On Naruto's arm was an intricate detailed tattoo of a dragon curling around a leaf. The Tattoo was professionally made and it was like a piece of art. It was small however. It covered half of Naruto's shoulder. "Yes I am. I've been a member for half my life actually. Six and a half years." Naruto confirmed with a calm tone as he stared into Zabuza's eyes. Zabuza actually let out a chuckle. "No wonder you're so different kid, I knew there was something special about you. To be a part of the Mafia at your age is impressive." Zabuza praised. "Since I'm friends with the King Pin and one of the Mafia's highest ranking members I can get you the money but not only that I can get you immunity as well." Naruto pressed on. He made sure to add a layer of thin durable ice around his neck area that was infused heavily with Yōki. He had no intention of having his neck chopped off.
"I'm very incline to believe you kid but anyone can create that tattoo on your arm. Show me the real proof and I might believe you." Zabuza egged on. His skepticism is a trait in all great shinobi. Nodding Naruto held up the ram hand sign and suddenly the tattoo became animated. The tattoo started to move. The dragon reached down and took a bite into the leaf. After that the drawing reset itself and became still again. "To be a part of a mafia and receive its symbol you have to the tattoo drawn on your body with a very rare and special ink that when chakra is applied makes it come to life. The ink is very rare in its use and it comes from a liquid found in trees that grow in certain parts of the world. It's also very expensive and cannot be counterfeited. I believe you." Zabuza said as he conceded with a nod. Naruto nodded back as well.
"To have those types of connections at your age will only serve you well in the future. You're dangerous now but you will be a force to be reckoned with in the future kid. I can respect that." Zabuza said as he shook his head in acknowledgement and respect. "Thank you. So do we have a deal?" Naruto asked. "Maybe but what's in it for you? Why help me? You must have your own reasons kid to go so far out of your way and risk your life coming here knowing you could get killed with one wrong move." Zabuza asked as he eyed Naruto for a response.
Naruto tried to hide it. He really did but a brief flash of pain and trauma flashed in his eyes that could not be fakes and Zabuza caught it. "The Civil War that is destroying your country has many far reaching affects and consequences. Consequences that affected me when I was 4 years old. It not only took someone from me but it also took pretty much all of my innocence from me. I just want all of this to end. The people of this country are suffering just like the people in the Land of Water. After everything that you've been through it sickens me that you would allow Gatō to get away with this. But looking at it now you probably didn't have much of a choice. Once this is all over you and your men can go back to your country and free it." Naruto said but his voice was cracking and it was leaking emotions.
Zabuza's grip on his sword loosened a bit as he looked into Naruto's eyes. "Your wrong kid. Those aren't my men. They are criminals and scum from the Hidden Mist. They didn't particularly benefit from the civil war and they were doing everything they could to escape persecution from our laws so when they saw me fleeing the country the hitched a ride on my back. I would have killed them for hindering me but instead I used them as meat shields to get the ANBU off my back. That group of 20 used to be a lot bigger." Zabuza revealed.
"Well in that case it makes it much easier for me to pay for just you and your partner then." Naruto recounted. "Partner?" Zabuza probed. "Yeah. That fake ANBU agent. I figured it out that he must have helped you escape. No ANBU agent would take off with the body of their target. It was a great trick to fool a bunch of Genin and an exhausted Jonin. But a fresh mind is a lot better than a tired one." Naruto explained with a smirk on his face. The look on Zabuza's face was satisfying to Naruto.
"You're something else kid. Here's the deal, if you can beat me and or my partner as you say then I'll join you and terminate my contract with Gatō, but if I get to him first before you can stop us or if at any time he gets caught by one of the other shinobi then our little agreement instantly becomes null and void. No hard feelings kid, its only business." Zabuza stated.
Naruto thought it over in his mind and he couldn't find any other alternatives. "Deal." Naruto said with a nod. Zabuza lifted his sword off of Naruto's neck and placed it down on his bed. He held out his hand for Naruto to shake. Doing so Naruto extended his hand and shook Zabuza's hand. While their hands were gripped together they added chakra to them and squeezed hard. Zabuza almost broke a few bones in Naruto's hands if it wasn't for the fact that he added Yōki to the mix. "Deal." Zabuza chanted with a nod.
Breaking contact with each other Naruto turned around and started to walk to the window. Once there he climbed onto the window seal and looked out at the forest around him. "You've got a lot of guts to turn your back to your enemy kid." Zabuza chided as he picked up his sword again. "I can do this because I trust you not to go back on your word. You're not that kind of man." Naruto said with confidence in his voice. Zabuza wavered for a brief moment. "Are you so sure about that kid." He countered. "I'm positive." Naruto assured.
Getting ready to jump Naruto had one last thing to say. "Zabuza, for what it's worth I want to save your people too and prevent anyone else from suffering. I don't want to see anymore broken and traumatized orphans or homeless refugees. I was asked one day by the Third Hokage why I want to become the Hokage and I gave him the wrong answer, but after all this time I think I have it now. So that's why when I become Hokage one day I'll do everything in my power to help your country." Naruto said before disappearing from the window.
Zabuza was left speechless and alone in his room. He laid there for about half an hour before Haku walked into the room. "Zabuza, I'm back with more herbs. I'll still need some more though." Haku explained. "That's fine. Haku I have an assignment for you. I want you to spy on this kid for me tomorrow. He's one of the Genin from earlier. The one that fought me with Kakashi." Zabuza instructed. "Of course Master Zabuza." Haku agreed.
Flashback End
"He did all that?" Kakashi questioned in disbelieve. "Yes he did. He's quite the remarkable young man. I do hope he gets here in time. I'm going to enjoy killing him." Zabuza said. "But you need the money he can provide you." Kakashi questioned. "Yes I do. He offered me something that I would be a fool not to take but if he is going to put such an offer on the table then he needs to be able to back it up on the battlefield. I won't be making any deals with someone weaker than me. Gatō had the cash, resources, connections, and the manpower to back up his words even if he is a fat slimy old man. Your kid also has these things but the only question left to answer is if he is strong enough to back up those words of his." Zabuza relented.
"He's stronger than you think." Kakashi defended as he was about to charge back in but then both he and Zabuza felt a large chakra signature appear on the bridge. "Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Zabuza said with a crazed chuckle as his chakra spiked. He charged in at Kakashi who did the same. The two men engaged in a vicious duel of blades that Zabuza was well equipped for. Five minutes later they broke apart to get some space in between them.
"You're just as good as the reputation you've built said you would be Kakashi." Zabuza praised as he came out of that engagement with numerous scratches and bruises. "I could say the same for you." Kakashi said while huffing. He had numerous scratches and tears all over his flak jacket and other parts of his body.
"Let's kick it up a notch Kakashi!" Zabuza yelled as he came charging in with another attack. Just then he had to go from offense to defense as he blocked several shuriken and kunai thrown his way from out of the mist. "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" Anko's voice was heard as a ball of fire came barreling out of the mist right at Zabuza. The man took his sword and cut the fireball in half while dispelling it with Water Nature Chakra streamed through his blade.
"Sorry were late Kakashi. Just dealing with some cannon fodder that's all." Anko said with a predatory smirk on her face. Kurenai walked up after her with a shake of her head. "Kakashi are you alright?" She asked in general concern. "Yeah I'm fine. He's good, very good that's all." Kakashi replied with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders.
"Well, well, well. Three opponents for me. Kakashi of the Sharingan. Anko the Rattle Snake of the Leaf, and the rookie who's making a name for herself Kurenai Yūhi the Genjutsu Mistress of the Leaf. Aren't I popular today." Zabuza cheered with a chuckle. He hefted his massive sword on his shoulder in his most used stance. "So I'm to assume that your blond little Genin is over there handling the other shinobi?" Zabuza questioned to Anko and Kurenai.
"Oh you would be surprised at who took care of your little gang Zabuza." Anko taunted. "It wasn't you was it?" He asked. "Oh no I unfortunately didn't have the honor of taking those goons out. But you shouldn't worry about that. You're going to die here anyway so it's no problem of yours." Anko stated. "Oh we'll see about that." Zabuza said menacingly.
Taking off Zabuza charge the three Jonin with murderous intent. Kakashi took the lead and intercepted Zabuza's attack. Anko jumped over head and landed behind Zabuza before coming in with a reverse roundhouse kick. Zabuza took one of his hands off the handle of his sword and caught Anko's kick which would have broken his ribs if it connected. He felt the chakra in her kick, she meant business. Lashing out with a rising back kick Zabuza managed to block Anko's other leg which was coming in with another roundhouse kick. Throwing her away Zabuza clashed with Kakashi for a brief moment before jumping away just in time to dodge Kurenai's barrage of kunai.
"Ninja Art: Striking Shadow Snake's Jutsu!" Out of her sleeve came nearly a dozen snakes that came close to biting into Zabuza's body. Swinging his massive sword around the man blocked most of the snakes and cut the rest apart.
"Genjutsu: Tree Binding Death." Zabuza found that he suddenly couldn't move. He looked around and saw that he was tied up by the roots of a large tree that he was strapped to. Looking above his head he saw Kurenai emerging from the tree itself with a kunai in hand. "It's over!" She claimed as she slashed down at Zabuza's skull with her kunai. She was going for a kill shot. "I don't think so!" Zabuza said as he flared his chakra as high as it could go. He broke Kurenai's Genjutsu at the last second and barely manage to dodge the actual attack. Zabuza received a long cut down the side of his face instead of having a kunai lodged in his skull.
Taking his sword, he was going to split Kurenai in half but Kakashi intercepted the blow and engaged Zabuza once more in a close quarters battle. Zabuza could feel it. He was getting real tired. Fighting Kakashi was a blast since he is well known and feared throughout the world as an Elite Jonin with a pedigree that would one day land him in the S – Class profile of dangerous shinobi. So getting the chance to fight someone of his skill and power is nothing but an honor to someone like Zabuza but the fight has dragged on and Kakashi was proving his skills and power in this fight. Now while Zabuza would be more than happy to continue his fight with Kakashi, the introduction of Anko a well-known Kunoichi who is a resourceful and dangerous woman as well as Kurenai who is an up and comer with prestigious abilities in the Genjutsu field which is not the go to skill for the average shinobi means that Zabuza is at a server disadvantage.
Individually they would not be a problem to take on except for Kakashi but together they are more of a threat than he can safely handle. Pushing Kakashi back Zabuza dodged a horde of poisonous snakes' form Anko who was closing in fast. "Genjutsu: Specter Walking." Kurenai whispered as she disappeared form everyone's view. Zabuza noticed this at the last moment but he couldn't do anything about it since Anko was pressing her attack. Blocking a strike from Anko Zabuza was knocked off his feet by a powerful kick to the back of his head by Kurenai who was invisible to his eyes. Trying to get to his feet he was deterred by Kakashi who had more to add to the fight.
"Earth Style: Head Hunter Jutsu!" Appearing under Zabuza the silver haired Jonin pulled the man underground until only his head was shown. "Ninja Art: Boa Constriction Bite!" Anko came in and wrapped a large snake around Zabuza's head and it bit down into his neck injecting a fast acting paralysis poison into his blood stream. Yet again the Zabuza in the ground turned to water letting the others know it was a water clone. Appearing out of a puddle of water behind Kakashi Zabuza was looking to take out the biggest threat out of the three. At that very moment Zabuza felt a kick land on his chest and he seized the moment to grab onto Kurenai who suddenly materialize in front of Zabuza with her leg outstretched.
"You tricked me out of hiding!" Kurenai exclaimed since she knew she had just been baited. "Hehehehe! You fell for it too. Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!" Zabuza called out and Kurenai was immediately trapped in the puddle of water beneath their feet. "Kurenai!" Anko yelled in alarm. "Too many people have escaped this Jutsu. I won't be making the same mistake again. Water Style: Tearing Torrent Jutsu!" Zabuza yelled and the hand that was keeping the Water Prison active started to build up a swirling whirlpool of water in its palm. The water in the sphere started to churn and it ripped the air right out of Kurenai's lungs. She had managed to take a gulp of air before being trapped in the water prison but it would seem that he was trying to crush her under the pressure the little whirlpool in his hands was creating. She just lost her breath and couldn't breathe now.
'No I have to stop him. Genjutsu: False Burn!' Kurenai thought as she weaved another Genjutsu onto Zabuza. Zabuza turned and found that the water had turned to fire and it was burning him. "AAHHH!" He yelled as he yanked his hand out of the water and also breaking the Genjutsu since he had stopped the chakra flow to the water prison. Kakashi was right there and he grabbed Kurenai and jumped back just in time for Anko's attack. "Hey big guy, try this on! Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!" Anko yelled as she weaved through a multitude of hand signs before breathing out a massive fireball shaped like a dragon's head. It was rushing straight for Zabuza who jumped as far back as he possibly could.
Going through dozens of hand signs Zabuza called on a large portion of his chakra. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" A massive dragon made out of water rose out of the water underneath the bridge and flew over Zabuza's head and intercepted Anko's huge fireball. The two attacks collided in the middle of the bridge and a massive steam cloud formed in the area dropping visibility to zero. "Kakashi get ready!" Anko called out. He had just placed Kurenai down and got her breathing again. She was going to be just fine. "Right!"
Coming out of the cloud of steam was Zabuza and he was as silent as ever he was trying to cut Anko's head off but Kakashi intercepted the attack at the last second. Anko jumped back a few yards while biting her thumb. "Kakashi give me a second!" Anko yelled as she went through a few hand signs. "Right!" Kakashi agreed as he forced Zabuza back buying Anko the precious few seconds she need.
"Summoning Jutsu!" Anko called out and out came a large 20-foot yellow snake. Going through hand signs Anko geared up for her next attack. "Ninja Art: Snake Acid Spray Jutsu!" As commanded her large snake shot out a spray of greenish yellow acid that had Zabuza widening his eyes in panic. Doing a series of back flips Zabuza managed to dodge most of the acid but Kakashi wasn't going to let him get off scot free. "Earth Style: Earth Mud Wave Jutsu!" Kakashi called out as he slammed his hand into the ground and the concrete underneath Zabuza's feet shifted and churned like a real tidal wave. It severally off balanced Zabuza and because of that some of the acid managed to get onto his sword which he had to use as a shield or else he would have died. Zabuza slammed into a piece of scaffolding back first and it caused him to grunt in pain. He could feel it. He was running out of chakra fast and his stamina was going straight down the drain. In the back of Zabuza's mind he knew he couldn't keep things up for much longer.
Before he could move Zabuza found himself restrained by several shuriken tied to ninja wires. They wrapped around him and tied him to the metal post behind him. They all led back to Anko who was going through several hand signs with fire starting to bloom all around her. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!" Anko yelled as she poured a considerable amount of chakra into her technique. A fire storm erupted around her and it traveled up the length of the fire resistant ninja wire and it threatened to burn Zabuza alive. In fact, he could feel the heat of the flames despite the fact he was almost 20 yards away.
'If I don't do something right now I'm going to die! I refuse to die here like this!' Zabuza thought in a mild haze of both panic and stubbornness. 'I barely have any chakra left but I have to use it.' Zabuza relented. "Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!" Zabuza shouted out as he used most of his remaining chakra left. A massive vortex of spinning water sprang forth from the ocean beneath them and flooded the entire area of the bridge they were on. It blasted away Anko's large fire Jutsu and dispelled her snake. Anko was washed away and if it were not for Kakashi grabbing her at the last minute she would have been swept of the bridge into the ocean below.
'This is getting out of hand. To think that Zabuza is such a strong opponent. It's crazy.' Kakashi thought to himself in amazement. Zabuza's reputation as a powerful shinobi well on his way to one day becoming an S-Class ninja were not exaggerated. 'I have to finish this. Naruto's chakra levels are fluctuating so rapidly. The fight he is in right now must be intense. That fake ANBU agent must be extremely skilled.' Kakashi mused as he brought Anko to her feet. He erected a concrete wall around him and Kurenai that saved them form almost sharing Anko's supposed fate.
"Thanks Kakashi." Anko said in an out of breath tone. She was breathing really hard at the moment and coughing up some water from her lungs. "No problem." Kakashi said as he patted her on the back to help get the water out of her lungs. Their moment of reprieve wouldn't last however since at that moment they all sensed Zabuza coming. "Genjutsu: Optic Delusory." Kurenai whispered out as she placed a Genjutsu over the entire area they were in. At the very second Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi and Anko and tried to bisect them in half but when they dissolved right before his very eyes he immediately knew he was in a Genjutsu. Thinking fast Zabuza quickly threw a kunai at Kurenai that pierced her shoulder blade and broke her concentration.
The Genjutsu was broken and Zabuza immediately jumped back into the large cloud of steam and mist to hide his presence. "Oh no you don't, this ends now! Summoning: Earth Style: Fanged Pursuit Jutsu!" Kakashi called out as he took out a scroll and smeared blood on it. He slammed the scroll on the ground and around Kakashi a giant sealing array appeared with the center of the seal coming from the scroll. A severe rumbling sound was heard as 8 fissures shot out of the sealing array and bolted into the dense fog ahead of them. Without warning Zabuza's pained scream could be heard in the mist along with several muffled growls.
Boom!
Before anything else could be done a massive spike in chakra was felt and a shockwave threatened to rip everyone off their feet. The steam cloud and surrounding mist was blown away and the entire section of the bridge could now be seen. Looking over Kakashi's eyes widened beyond believe to see both Naruto and the ANBU agent whose mask was just shattered falling out of the air. The massive dome of ice was obliterated and both fighter's clothes were torn and ripped in multiple places. Zabuza who was looking over as well saw the same thing but he was a little preoccupied at the moment since he had a total of 8 dogs ranging from all different sizes biting deeply into his skin preventing him from moving an inch. Blood was leaking from all over his body as the dogs didn't let up even a little bit.
"It seems like this is the end Zabuza. Your partner is beaten and you are too." Kakashi said as he pointed his hand to the ground with his palm facing the concrete. He took his other hand and grabbed on to the wrist of the hand that was pointing to the ground. 'The brat actually managed to beat Haku. Incredible. He won the deal between us.' Zabuza thought to himself in morbid amazement. He couldn't believe that Naruto actually managed to win the deal between them.
"It's over Zabuza." Kakashi said as lighting itself formed in his hand a formed a ring of super charged particles around him on the ground. It was so intense that the chakra coming from the Jutsu itself could be seen. The amount of chakra in the move itself was staggering to say the least.
"Lightning Blade!" Kakashi roared.
To be Continued...
Jutsu Library
1.) Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu - The Hallmark Jutsu of the Land of Fire and the Hidden leaf Village and founded by the famous Uchiha Clan the Fire ball Jutsu is the go to fire style Jutsu as well as a right of passage in the Uchiha clan. The Jutsu spews forth a fire ball from the mouth of the user and the size of the technique is depended on the amount of Chakra used by the user. The Jutsu is the gate way Jutsu to many other advanced and powerful fire style Jutsu.
2.) Falcon Drop - The user grabs a falling opponent by their ankles, wraps his legs around their waist, and drives them head first into the ground, similar to the Front Lotus.
3.) Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu - This technique is used to trap a victim inside a virtually inescapable sphere of water. The only downside to this technique is that the user must keep at least one arm inside the sphere at all times in order for the victim to remain imprisoned. This technique requires a sufficient amount of water, which can be provided by expelling it from one's mouth. Once trapped the target is unable to move or breathe while within it due to the heaviness of the water. Because of the density of the water it can be used, to a limited extent, for defensive purposes if performed on oneself. It can also be stored in scrolls as traps. Water clones can be used in preparation for the technique, which block an opponent's attack and trap the attacker in the prison using the clone's own water.
4.) Lightning Style: Shadow Clone Jutsu - This technique allows the user to make a shadow clone infused with lightning. Because it is a shadow clone, it is able to perform techniques and interact with the environment due to it having physical substance; and also evenly distributes the user's chakra to each clone. If the clone is injured, it will revert to its natural lightning-state, at the same time electrocuting whatever it is touching.
5.) Earth Style: Head Hunter Jutsu - This technique allows its user the ability to stealthily move under a light surface of the ground without being detected by the enemy. Once under the enemy the user is able to drag the opponent down under the ground to their head. The opponent will be immobilized momentarily until they are able to break free from the technique, this also allows for easy targeting to the head of an opponent for the duration of their capture. Skilled Shinobi can use the substitution technique to evade this fate however.
6.) Kenjutsu: Explosive Decapitation - A sword technique that Zabuza Momochi uses in which he places the circle cut out at the top of his sword around a person's neck and then he spins around and slams his sword into the ground or any surface like a hammer decapitating the person trapped in his sword. A massive shockwave is released from the amount of chakra Zabuza uses to enhance his strength and speed.
7.) Shadow Clone Jutsu - A Jutsu invented by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. The technique was created to be used to spy on an enemy without fear of going in person. The Jutsu works by splitting the chakra of the user evenly in two which makes the clone have half of the user's chakra. By creating multiple clones, the fraction in which you have to split your chakra becomes larger. The clones can think independently of one another and can use any technique that the original can use as long as they have enough chakra to use it. A clone can feel pain and can even bleed but it will be dispelled if it is hit hard enough. The unique ability of the Jutsu is that during the clones' entire life span it is recording everything that its five senses experiences and upon dispelling all of that information is transferred back to the caster of the Jutsu. Because of this training or learning something new that would take an extended amount of time can be cut down to a fraction of the time depending on the amount of clones you use. Because you have multiple people learning the same thing at the same time and having all of that knowledge compiled into one person it can speed up the time it takes to learn something.
8.) Transformation Jutsu - One of the three basic Jutsu's required by the academy for everyone (with exceptions of course) to master in order to pass or at the very least to adequately on. The user coats themselves in a thin layer of chakra that projects the image of someone or something else onto the user. While simple the technique can be used in multiple ways and advanced users of this technique can mask themselves in the guise of other objects that don't typically match their body size, shape, weight, or height. Also advanced users can also change of their voice and mannerisms to match that of the thing they have transformed into.
9.) Ninja Art: Striking Shadow Snake's Jutsu - This technique allows the user to eject snakes from their wrist or sleeve, usually after a punching motion. The snakes are used primarily to attack from a distance and, being snakes, can inflict multiple poisonous wounds on the victim's body or hold them in place. The snakes can also open their mouths to extend Kusanagi-like blades. This technique can also be classified as a variation of the Summoning Technique. This technique can also produce snakes from different parts of the user's body.
10.) Genjutsu: Tree Binding Death - This is a Genjutsu passed down since ancient times in the Hidden Leaf. The user first disappears from plain sight in a mist-like fashion in order to approach the target without being detected. Once close enough, the target will then be completely robbed of their mobility as they see the mirage of a fast-growing tree coiling itself around them. Given that the subject remains conscious, this technique proves extremely efficient for information-gathering. Once the target is immobile, the user can then attack the enemy, usually after emerging from the trunk of the tree.
11.) Genjutsu: Specter Walking - This Genjutsu cast an illusion over the caster and whomever is caught in the casters influence. While under the illusion the caster is invisible to everyone around them and they are freely permitted to walk around without being noticed. The Genjutsu is a double layer illusion in the fact that on the off chance you bump into someone or something then a second Genjutsu automatically activates and puts the person under the false perception of them not feeling the bump or tap. However, this Jutsu has its weaknesses in the fact that if used against a high level shinobi they will immediately notice the Genjutsu when you bump into them.
12.) Ninja Art: Boa Constriction Bite - A technique by Anko that allows her to summon a large Boa Constrictor Snake that then wraps itself around an opponent and bites into them releasing a fast acting paralyzing poison into the victims blood stream that not only paralyzes the entire body but also knocks them unconscious.
13.) Water Style: Tearing Torrent Jutsu - This technique creates water that spirals in the user's hand and fires at a high speed at the enemy. The overall amount of water formed is large enough to help extinguish even large-scale fire style techniques. The technique however will do no damage to an enemy if connected.
14.) Genjutsu: False Burn - A Genjutsu that gives off the false perception of being burned. It is a fast acting Jutsu and can easily be used in the heat of battle.
15.) Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu - The user compresses a large amount of chakra built up inside their body and changes it into a dragon head-shaped fireball. The user then skillfully manipulates that great fire, and attacks their opponent. Even outside of the attack range, its power and reliability are stressed. The flames have a high temperature, which can create an upward movement of air currents which in turn can give rise to thunder clouds. A master of this technique can fire off several flames in succession and anyone caught in the technique could potentially be reduced to ashes.
16.) Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu - The Jutsu shapes a large amount of water into a giant, powerful dragon, which hits the opponent with formidable might, dealing physical damage. The ideal place to use it is near a body of water, but if the user's skill allows it, it is possible to use it even in a place where there is none. The amount of water used will be in proportion with the user's skill.
17.) Summoning Jutsu - The Summoning Technique is a space–time Ninjutsu that allows the summoner to transport animals or people across long distances instantly and uses blood as a sacrifice. Before an animal summoning can be performed, a prospective summoner must first sign a contract with a given species. The contract comes in the form of a scroll, on which the contractor uses their own blood to sign their name and place their fingerprints and once signed it is valid even after the contractors death as long as the contract itself remains intact. After this, they need only offer an additional donation of blood on the hand they signed the contract with, mold their chakra with hand seals and then plant the hand they signed the contract with at the location they wish to summon the creature. The amount of chakra used during the summoning determines how powerful the summoned creature can be. It is possible for a summoner to summon a group of the same contracted animal, as opposed to a single individual.
18.) Ninja Art: Snake Acid Spray Jutsu - A technique that Anko uses that after she summons a acidic snake species she can have that snake spit highly acidic saliva from its mouth. Anko herself can spit acidic saliva from her mouth as well but not to the same volume as one of her snake summons.
19.) Earth Style: Earth Mud Wave Jutsu - The user slams their palm onto the surface below their feet, making it move, akin to waves. This technique is said to require a considerable amount of chakra.
20.) Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu - The user breathes fire along a cord or any other type of long object, which rushes forward in straight line catching the enemy on fire. A line of enemies can be used as the conductor as well. The flames are meant to target, and assault the enemy's upper body just like a projectile weapon.
21.) Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu - This technique extends water over a large scale, surges and rises up to several dozens of meters high. Then it streams down to the ground in one big cascade, much like a gigantic waterfall. In doing so, it resembles a huge wave, with tremendous power that can hollow out the ground. What remains after that technique's utilization is reminiscent of no less than the aftermath of a natural disaster. This is a considerably advanced Ninjutsu, and activating this technique requires a fair amount of chakra. The water can also be produced from the mouth.
22.) Genjutsu: Optic Delusory - A Genjutsu that allows one to trick others into mistaking the place they're in for another. This technique's main feature is that it can be cast over an extensive surface, therefore any and all who step into the illusion's area of effect will fall under the spell. That said, it might not work so well on people who are well-versed or otherwise skilled in Genjutsu.
23.) Summoning: Earth Style: Fanged Pursuit Jutsu - A high-grade tracking-offensive Ninjutsu where one calls upon ninken with a summoning, so they can tail the target from underground and assault it simultaneously with their fangs. After the user marks an opponent with his or her blood, they roll out a scroll and smear their blood across it. Afterwards they place it between their hands and make the seals before slamming the scroll into the ground. The ninken are summoned there and travel through the ground following the scent of the blood. When the target is found, they erupt from the ground and hold down the opponent with their mouths.
24.) Lightning Blade - A technique that was created by Kakashi Hatake. It is a S-Rank Jutsu that is made for one hit kills and assassinations. It is so powerful that it was said Kakashi split a real lightning bolt in half with it. It is a more concentrated and enhanced form of the Lightning Style: Chidori Jutsu the parent Jutsu to the Lightning Blade and also a Jutsu that Kakashi created. It is also the very first and his only original technique that he has credit for using. All derived Jutsu from the Lightning Blade was also created by Kakashi unlike the hundreds of Jutsu that he knows that he did not create.
Author's Note (A/N): Hey guys that's the end of Chapter 22. I hope you enjoyed it. So for a while now I've felt like I've been missing some scenes that felt like the first story. Particularly scenes with a character sneaking around or a personal scene with only a few characters, that way I can focus way more on smaller detail and other things like that. I've felt like those have been missing and it's for that very reason why I added the scene between Naruto and Zabuza in the flashback. I wanted it to be personal and full of tension. Something I felt like I caught really well in certain scenes. It was a gutsy move on Naruto's part but will it pay off? We'll have to see in the next chapter.
As I stated above the Land of Wave's Arc is coming to an end very soon and I can't wait to introduce Jiraiya and go through the Chunin Exams which to me is still one of the best arcs in the entire series. Also another type of scene I felt was missing was personal intimate scenes between Naruto and Evangeline. Because of all that has been happening to them, I've never had a chance to slow things down and let them have a bonding moment together. Scenes like these were very abundant in the first story but I've lost my touch with this one so I plan on bringing that element back into the story where it belongs.
Finally I hope you guys enjoyed the fight between the Jonin. It was intense and just the way I wanted it. I hope it was action packed for you all. I hope to put more scenes like the in the future. Anyways guys I'll see you all in the next chapter.
Next Chapter: (The End of Gatō)
That's the end of Chapter 22 I sincerely hoped you enjoyed it.
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Published: 5/28/16
