Chapter 3: The Wolf dives into the Wave
Konoha
It was a beautiful day in Konoha, one month after the Genin test. But was it a normal day?
"CopyCat in position. Team, acknowledge." Kakashi said. "Bubblegum in position."
Said Sakura sighing at her codename. "Avenger in position." Sasuke said seriously.
"Fang you here? Fang copy!" Suddenly, a cat shriek was heard along with an explosion and a "DIE YOU HELLSPAWN!" "Shit! Fang will kill the target! Code Red! I repeat Code Red!" Kakashi yelled. The team rushed to the clearing, to find Naruto holding by the neck a black cat with a ribbon on her ear, with a Chakra Blade pointing at her neck, coated with Chakra. The cat was scared out of it's mind. "Now Naruto, we need the cat alive.." Kakashi rubbed his head with an eye smile while his teammates sweatdropped. He turned to them, his blue eyes glowing "It will be fine. No one will notice. Please.." he pleaded in a sick way, scaring the life out of them. 'Note to self: Don't piss him off." his teammates thought. Kakashi sighed and holded Naruto's shoulder. "Come on. We must report to the Hokage." He said, only for Naruto to grumble and throw the Cat in Sakura's arms, only for it to claw her, causing her to scream. Yep. It was a normal day in Konoha.
Hokage Tower
"Congratulations on capturing Tora the cat." The Hokage said with a sweatdrop.
Then, a fat lady came in and hugged the cat, causing it to scream in pain "Oh my Tora-chan how I missed you!" she said, causing Naruto's eyebrow to twitch. As she left the Hokage continued "We have more missions for you. You can paint a villager's fence, clean the Academy" Naruto's eyebrow kept twitching "Help with a construction of a house-" A yell of "Tora-chan!" was heard "Or catch Tor-" A wave of chakra surrounded Naruto, causing his team to take a few steps back "NO! NO MORE
PATHETIC D-RANKS!" He cried. 'I wondered when he would blow.' the Sandaime thought humorously. Iruka went to scold him "Namikaze-san you must understand that-"
but he had to duck from two Chakra blades, one breaking his desk, one imbedding itself on the wall, inches above his head, causing him to sweat. "SHUT IT OR
YOU'RE NEXT!" He turned to the Hokage "GIVE US A HIGHER MISSION OLD
MAN!" Sandaime simply took out a C-Rank, causing Naruto to calm down and take back his Blades. "Team 7 this will be your first C-Rank mission." he said causing Sasuke to smirk and Sakura to have a slight look of worry. "You are to escort a builder to Wave Country. Bring in the client." He said. Then, a grey-haired man with a beard and a straw hat came in, holding a bottle. He reeked of alcohol "These are the brats supposed to protect me? They look pathetic! Especially the girl and the black haired kid." he said with a scowl, causing both of them to try and hit him, only to be held by Kakashi. "I assure you we will be more than enough. I am an elite jounin after all, and my team are some of the strongest Genins." He said, then turned to his team "Team 7, go to your homes to prepare for a week long trip. Meet at the East Gate in one hour. Dismissed!" he said seriously and they nodded, exiting the building.
Naruto rushed out but instead of going to his apartment, he went to meet Amon. As he rushed inside the building, he almost crashed on him "Oh hi Naruto! I am afraid your house isn't finished comple-" "I know it isn't, I came to ask if it would be done by the end of the week." he stopped him. Amon scratched his chin "Hmm. I believe it will be. I also have to say, thanks to your money, we managed to hire enough workers and get all the supplies in time to finish something that would take 3 months in only 1 month!" he said proudly. Naruto nodded "Glad to hear it. I am going on a mission and won't return till the end of the week. Ja ne!" he said and rushed out. As he was running he suddenly came to a halt. Only to facepalm himself "Why am I running? I know the Shunshin." he muttered, only to disappear in a swirl of leaves.
He teleported in his apartment. It was a plain one, holding only the necessary furniture. As he entered his bedroom, he opened a small wardrobe. On it's doors, were rows of scrolls titled differently. Inside the wardrobe, lay a set of protective gear, similar to the ones worn by ANBU. Also, it holded his Nodachi. The blade he usually used when he wanted to play with his enemies as an ANBU. It was made of Chakra metal and held on a smoke-black sheath. He wore the protective gear, sheathed the Nodachi on his back, while he placed his Chakra blades on his waist. He took a scroll titled "C-Rank Gear", another titled "Healing", one titled "Rations" and one titled "Survival Items." He placed them all on a small table and sealed them inside a slightly bigger scroll. He placed that scroll on his back, making an X with the Nodachi. He looked himself on the mirror and nodded, exiting the apartment. He arrived at the East Gate, earning surprised looks from his teammates due to his armor and sword. A moment later, Kakashi arrived with the builder "Everyone here? Good, let's move out!" he said. It was time for Team 7's first mission to begin.
Road to Wave
Team 7 was walking to Wave in a defensive formation. Tazuna, the client was in the middle, with Sakura and Sasuke at his sides, Kakashi at the front and Naruto at the rear. Sakura turned to him "Naruto where are your supplies?" He merely took out his scroll, earning an eyebrow from Sakura "His supplies are sealed in the scroll Sakura." explained Kakashi, earning a look of surprise from Sakura. She then started a conversation with the bridge builder, regarding Wave. At some moment, she turned to Wave "Kakashi-sensei, doesn't Wave have Shinobi?" "No, Sakura. Wave isn't rich enough to afford an Academy, thus they ask for help from other villages like Konoha." She nodded and stopped talking. Suddenly, Naruto noticed a puddle in the front 'A puddle, but it hasn't rained in weeks. Kakashi knows it I'm sure but makes no move. Ah now I get it, he wants to see who they're after.' he thought. They passed the puddle, Tazuna and his teammates unaware. Suddenly, the puddle shifted and two Nuke-nins with a chain as a weapon appeared. They surrounded Kakashi with the chain and shredded him in pieces, causing Sakura to scream, but take a Kunai out regardless. They turned to Tazuna "One to go!" they said in unison and rushed at him, however Sasuke appeared in front of them and screamed "Fire Release: Grand Fireball!", aiming at the chain. A fireball went their way, causing them to split the chain and dodge it. However, Naruto appeared in front of one, slicing him with his Chakra Blades, blood gushing from his chest, falling to the ground. "Meizu!" The other screamed, and rushed at Naruto, only to get a Kunai to the shoulder by Sasuke.
Before he could get up, Kakashi appeared and placed his knee on his chest, a Kunai to his neck, causing him to stop moving. Sakura screamed from her position "Kakashi-sensei! H-How!?" she thought, then looked at her Sensei's dead 'body' only to see splintered wood. 'Kawarimi.' she inwardly exclaimed. "I wanted to see how you would do." he said "And I was not disappointed. Sasuke, Naruto, great job at incapacitating your targets. You too, Sakura. You knew your weakness and decided to protect the client. I am proud of you!" he smiled, then turned to the downed Nuke-nin, only to see him unconscious "These are the Demon Brothers, Gozu and Meizu, Nuke-Nins from Kiri. They were after you Tazuna. Why?" he said looking at him, his eyes narrowed, causing him to sigh and tell the truth. Kakashi sighed "This mission is above our level. We should head -" But Naruto shaked his head "I am going." Sasuke joined "If he is going, I am going too!" "So am I !" Sakura screamed once Sasuke spoke. Kakashi sighed "Alright, We will continue." he said causing Tazuna to nod with tears "Thank you." he said. Kakashi tied them to a tree to be picked by ANBU and the team continued the journey.
Wave
Team 7 were in a boat, heading for Tazuna's house. Despite the mist, Tazuna's bridge could be seen clearly. "Wow." Sakura exclaimed while Naruto merely whistled.
"Be quiet!" The boat driver hissed. After a while, they got to ground. As they walked, Naruto suddenly threw a Kunai at a bush, only for a frightened white rabbit to jump out "Are you an idiot Naruto! You almost killed the poor thing!" Sakura screamed, but Naruto ignored her 'That rabbit's coat is white, it should be brown at this time of year, unless, it was grown indoors!' He widened his eyes, with Kakashi shouting "Get down!" courtesy of a large sword passing overheads and embedding itself deep in a tree. A man shunshined above it. He was tall and muscular, with spiky black hair and brown eyes. He wore bandages covering his mouth. "What is this? A team of Genin? And the legendary Kakashi the CopyCat? No wonder the Demon Brothers failed."
he spoke. Kakashi stepped forward, his eyes narrowed. "Zabuza Momochi. Demon of the Mist. A-Rank Ninja. You will fight me." he said uncovering his Sharingan. "The Sharingan? I am deeply honored." he grinned jumping down and lifting his sword. He did a hand seal "Kirigakure no Jutsu!" he exclaimed, covering the area with mist. "Team 7 Delta Formation! Protect the client!" he said with Sasuke and Sakura taking the side with a Kunai and Naruto the front, his chakra blades coated with Wind Chakra. "8 points: Liver, lungs, heart. Jugular vein, Larynx, subclavian artery, kidneys, brain. Which one to strike first?" he said through the mist, releasing his Killer Intent. 'T-This p-pressure… is u-unbearable…'
Sakura thought. Sasuke took a Kunai 'I might as well end this. I can't stand it!"
However, Kakashi stopped him "Don't worry Sasuke, I won't let any of my student's die." he said. "Is that so?" Zabuza shouted and swinged from behind towards the bridge builder. However, he was stopped, thanks to Naruto, who blocked them with his Chakra blades "I am impressed kid." he said before he was stabbed in the back by Kakashi, only to transform into water "Mizu Bunshin…" he muttered, only to duck under a swing. Kakashi sent a kick towards him, only to block and respond with a punch. The Taijutsu match carried on for a few minutes, until both jumped back and went through hand seals at insane speeds. They stopped on the same hand seal "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!" they both shouted.
Two large dragons appeared and crashed on each other. 'Amazing!' Sakura thought. 'So this is a Jounin battle." Sasuke thought. After the jutsu, Kakashi kicked Zabuza into the lake only for him to disappear. As Kakashi rushed on top of the water, he noticed something "This water is coated with chakra… oh no!" he exclaimed, only to be trapped in a ball of water, held by Zabuza "Water Prison… success." he said.
Kakashi cursed and turned to his team "Run! You can't fight him!" Only to get a smirk from Naruto. "Oh come on Kakashi. Weren't you the one who stressed in every team meeting 'Those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash? Besides, I can handle him." he said grinning. Sasuke also stepped forward "I won't back down from this fight." he simply said. Zabuza smirked and made 10 Mizu Bunshin, only for 5 to be swiftly cut down by Naruto who rushed at him "Sasuke handle the other 5!" he ordered and sent his Chakra blades at Zabuza with intense speeds. He caught one and dodged the other by leaning, only for Naruto to appear on him at breakneck speeds, his hand reared back "Earth Release: Fist Rock!" he said with a grin, punching Zabuza with his rock-coated punch in the chest, sending him flying, the jutsu broken. As Kakashi rose, he rushed at him. Zabuza got up painfully and started doing handsigns, Kakashi copying him "Will you stop-" "Copying me." "You are-" "Really annoying!"
Kakashi kept interrupting "Can you see the future?" "Yes. And I see your death." he said finishing the hand seals first "Water Release: Great Waterfall!" he said sending out a torrent of water that sent Zabuza crashing on a tree. Zabuza struggled to get up, however he fell to the ground when 2 senbon struck his neck. A hunter nin appeared, turning to them "You were right. He died." he said to Kakashi. She went to pick him up, only to dodge a hail of shuriken, courtesy of Naruto. She immediately grabbed him and disappeared. "WHY DID YOU ATTACK
HIM NARUTO-BAKA!" He turned to her, a grin in his face "Shut up, or face oblivion." he said creepily, causing her to shut up, fear in her eyes. He picked Kakashi up and turned to Tazuna "Lead us to the house. Sasuke,Sakura take positions next to Tazuna." he ordered, his tone leaving no room for protest. With that, they carried on for Tazuna's house.
After an hour, they finally arrived. It was small, connected to a lake. The door was opened by a beautiful woman with long blue hair wearing a pink shirt and blue skirt "Oh thank the Gods! Father you alright?" she said with worry, only for him to smirk "Ah don't worry. I had these awesome ninja to protect me!". At that point Naruto interfered "Excuse me Miss, not to be rude or anything, but is there a place for us to put our Sensei?" he said, causing her to widen her eyes "Oh yes. Please come in." "Thank you." he replied. As they entered the house, Kakashi was placed in the couch only to get a slap by Naruto, causing him to wake up "Ow. Don't be so harsh." "Don't pretend to be asleep." he replied, his hands glowing green and placing them on Kakashi's chest. After a while he said his diagnosis "You don't have serious injuries, just Chakra exhaustion. It will take you a week to recuperate, maybe less."
causing Kakashi to sigh. "We got a week to prepare for Zabuza." Naruto said, causing Tazuna and his team to widen their eyes "But the Hunter-nin killed him!" only for Naruto to shake his head "He used senbon and aimed for the neck. She struck a nerve to make him fall unconscious and be placed in a death like state. Also, a true hunter-nin would've burned the body on the spot, not take it with him. Zabuza is very much alive." he said causing the others to get scared "How long will it take for him to recuperate?" Kakashi asked, only for Naruto to place a hand on his chin "Hmmm.
While he didn't suffer from Chakra exhaustion like you, he got more injuries, definitely cracked ribs from my punch, not to mention the death-like state puts a lot of strain to the body. 2 weeks, one with a good healer." he explained. Kakashi nodded and turned to his team. "Until I am back on my feet, Naruto is the team leader." he said, causing Sakura to screech "Sasuke-kun should be the leader, he is the best!"
Only to get a glare by the rest of the room. "Naruto, you must train them." causing him to sigh in displeasure. He turned to Tsunami "Forgive our rudeness. I am Namikaze Naruto, the banshee is Haruno Sakura, the emo is Sasuke and our Sensei is Hatake Kakashi. Pleasure to meet you." he said with a bow, causing her to smile and do the same "I am Tsunami. Thank you for escorting my Father." she said "Do you have spare rooms, Tsunami-san?" "We have two spare rooms." she said. "Alright, Kakashi and Sasuke will take one room. Sakura the other." Only to get a raised eyebrow by Sasuke "Where will you sleep?" only to get a "I won't." in response, along with Naruto making 6 Kage Bunshin "Guard the house." he ordered causing them to nod. "Training will begin tomorrow at 10 am." he said. At that moment Inari showed up. "Inari! Say hi to these ninjas who protected your Grandpa." Tsunami said, only for Inari to look at them "Why? They will die." he said without emotion, only to get annoyed glances.
He stood up and left, causing Tsunami to sigh "I apologise for that." only to get a shake of the head "Don't be. He is only a child." he said. After dinner and some light talk, Team 7 and Tazuna's family went to bed. Naruto stood on top of the roof, thinking about everything 'Hmm. Zabuza is alive, but this Gato guy will no doubt call reinforcements. High level reinforcements. From what I know, he possesses a vast wealth and owns a number of companies, some related to Ninjas. Heck, this guy from what I learned from ANBU is charged for everything, from slave and arms trading, to robbery and murder. I think it wouldn't hurt to 'borrow' his wealth. As for Zabuza, I will try to recruit him. An A-Rank Ninja like him will be a good addition to my future army.' he thought. He looked at the moon, his eyes reflecting it,his hand curled into a fist 'Just you wait, Shinju, I will become worthy of your power." he thought with a smirk.
