Naruto Uzumaki, a twelve year old boy from Konohagakure. He recently graduated from the ninja academy after learning he's the Jinchuriki of Kyuubi. While at first, the revelation hit him hard and made him consider throwing everything away. However, when his instructor, Iruka Umino, declared he wans't a demon or a fox, it made Naruto determined to become a powerful shinobi for Konoha.
It wasn't long after that he was placed on a genin squad under the teachings of Kakashi Hatake, and paired with Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. During their time at the ninja academy, Sasuke either ignored the blond or would constantly bully him. In Naruto's mind, Sasuke was the best and the perfect rival to have. Though, it was one way.
Sakura Haruno, the woman of Naruto's dreams. She always berated him and hit him for the simpliest of things. Even someone like Ino Yamanaka, a die hard, Sasuke Uchiha fangirl never went that far. On some occasions, Naruto questioned his loytalty to the girl.
When Team seven was given their official genin exam, neither Naruto, Sasuke, or Sakura understood the purpose and it took a near heart attack and a realization about what being a shinobi was for them to understand it. Teamwork, those who break the rules are scum, but those who follow the rules but abandon their friends are worse than scum.
These words had stuck with Naruto since he heard them. The blond would often think about what his sensei said on that day while performing D rank missions. The team had been together for two months straight. They would meet in the morning at the training field and Naruto would be told to work on his chakra control while Sakura was told build her stamina. Kakashi dedicated his time into sharpening the Uchiha's skills.
This annoyed Naruto more than anything. He believed that his sensei should train them all and help them in whatever area they were struggiling in. Whenever he confronted his sensei, he'd be told the same thing everytime, that without control, none of the jutsu will matter.
"It isn't my fault that nobody bothered helping me with!" Naruto shouted at his sensei.
"Hey, no need to shout. Come on, I've got a special treat for you guys today. We'll be taking our first C rank mission." Kakashi said with his one eyed smile. Hearing this made Naruto jump up and down with excitement.
"Naruto! You're such an idiot!" Sakura shouted as she punched the blond in the head.
"Ouch! Damn Sakura, why do you have to hit me so hard?" Naruto asked as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Because you're an idiot." Sakura said in a deadpan tone while the team proceeded to the mission hall.
Mission Hall
"Ah, Good morning, Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto." Iruka said with a bright smile.
"Good morning, Iruka sensei! Today is the day I take a step closer into becoming Hokage!" Naruto shouted but was quickly silenced by Sakura's fist.
Kakashi let some sweatdrop. "Yeah, um, I think they are ready. I figured a basic C rank mission wouldn't be too much for them." Kakashi said.
"Well, if you're sure about this, Kakashi." Iruka said as he handed Kakashi a scroll.
"So, we're escorting a famous bridge builder to the Land of Waves and remain there until it's finished? Alright, sounds easy enough." Kakashi said in his lazy tone.
"Tazuna, please come in." Iruka called out.
Entering the room, an olderman with a brown shirt that lacked sleeves, tan shorts, and a wooden straw hat. He was having difficulties standing up straight as he glared at the ninja in front of him. "I get an emo looking duck faced brat, a little girl, and a blond haired midget. What kind of protection is this?" Tazuna asked as he slurred his words.
"No worries, . These are official shinobi of Konoha. However, if we do run into trouble, I'm a jonin, I'll be able to handle anything." Kakashi said.
"Well, I expect you all to be willing to put your lives on the line. This bridge I'm building will completetly restore our home." Tazuna said.
"Right. Alright, go and pack for an entire month. We'll meet at the gate in one hour." Kakashi said as he vanished in a shun shin.
Village Gate three hours later.
"Yo." Kakashi said as he appeared in front of his team and Tazuna.
"You're late!" Naruto and Sakura shouted.
"I'm sorry, I've got lost on the path of life. You never know what to expect." Kakashi before adopting a more serious attitude. "Alright, we're heading out. It will take us about a week since we'll primarily be walking. Since it's a C rank mission, we won't have to worry about any ninja and their most likely won't be any bandits that give us too much trouble." Kakashi said as they began walking.
The squad was walking at a decent pace while remaining silent. Kakashi continued reading his book, though, with the concerned feeling about the mission, he kept his senses on high alert. Sasuke was remaining emotionless and was hoping they would have some ninja action. Sakura kept trying to get Sasuke's attention but frowned after being ignored.
"Man! This is so cool! I've never been out of the village before!" Naruto shouted with a bright smile.
"Settle down, brat!" Tazuna shouted.
"I'm sorry, Tazuna. Naruto is Konoha's number one hyperactive knucklehead, you'll have to excuse him." Kakashi said. Tazuna looked ahead but the silver haired jonin noticed his change in attitude and body language as soon as Naruto was getting loud.
As they walked, Kakashi noticed a puddle. "Strange, it hasn't rained in over three weeks. I guess we'll see." Kakashi thought as he continued to pretend to read.
In that moment, two cloaked men, with a massive metal claw charged. Kakashi found himself wrapped up in a chain and before Tazuna and Team Seven's eyes, their jonin sensei was torn to shreds.
"Come on, Gorz! Let's go!" shouted one of the cloaked men.
"Right, now that the threat is neutralized, this will be easy, Meiz." said the man known as Gorz.
The two charged but Sasuke quickly threw a kunai that pinned one of the men against a tree by piercing the chain to it. The other man nearly decapitated Naruto but only scratched his hand. "Get behind me, Tazuna!" Sakura shouted. The two cloaked demon looking figures were stopped in their tracks by Kakashi.
"Yo. Nice work." Kakashi said in a calm tone.
"Kakashi sensei!" Sakura called out.
"What happened? We thought you were dead." Sasuke pointed out.
"I wanted to see how you guys handled an opponent on your own. Great work, Sasuke, excellent work on defending Tazuna, Sakura. Naruto, I'm sorry. Had I known you were going to freeze up like that, I would have stepped in sooner." Kakashi said.
Naruto's eyes shot open. "What?" Naruto mentally asked no one in particular.
"If you could have stopped them at anytime, then why did you wait?" asked Tazuna.
"I wanted to see who they were after. Me and my genin? Or the client. These are Gorz and Meiz, the Demon brothers of Kiri. Why would they come all the way out here to attack a group of genin?" asked Kakashi. Seeing Tazuna's stunned reaction, he continued. "I believe we need to have a talk. But not before I check on my student." Kakashi said as he walked over to Naruto.
"Hey." Sasuke called out.
Naruto looked at him. "What?" asked the blond.
"You aren't hurt are you? Scaredy cat." Sasuke taunted.
Naruto growled and shouted at the Uchiha! "Wait, Naruto. Limit how much you move. Those claws had poison in them. We don't want it to spread to the rest of your body." Kakashi said semi seriously. "It seems that we need to return and get Naruto's hand checked. If you speak with the hokage, he may assign you a new team since this mission went up to a B rank." Kakashi said.
"It's true. We're just genin, this mission is too much for us." Sakura said in an apologetic tone.
"Return home? What? No way!" Naruto shouted.
"Calm down, Naruto. Remember, your hand." Kakashi.
"Huh? Fine, I'll deal with it myself then!" Naruto declared as he drew a kunai and pierced his flesh. Blood splattered around. "I, Naruto Uzumaki, make this pledge. On this wound, I'll never freeze up or run away. I'll escort you to your home and see to it that the bridge is complete. Even if I've got to do it myself. That's a promise, old man." Naruto said with determination and conviction in his voice that stunned everyone.
"Well, it seems he isn't all talk." Tazuna commented.
"Hey, Naruto? That speech was cool and all, but if you lose anymore blood, you're going to die." Kakashi said. Naruto started freaking out until Kakashi wrapped it up. "Hmm, looks like the nine tails is already healing it. I've better keep an eye on things." Kakashi thought.
"Alright, Tazuna. Here is the deal, we'll continue the mission. However, we need to know everything we're up against." Kakashi said in a stern tone.
"I see... Yes, it's unfair and wrong of me to keep you in the dark. You see, about a year ago, the Land of Waves hit a dead end. A man known as Gato appeared and he took over the transportation. With his control of the waters, we cannot send or receive goods. That's why I'm building the bridge and have become a high value target." Tazuna said.
"Hmm... Well, at least now we know what we're up against. If what I'm feeling is true, Gato won't send a chunin level ninja. We'll be facing off against a jonin, at least. This mission has already become an A rank. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, be on guard. Anything could happen." Kakashi ordered.
Land of Waves
After seven days of travel, Team Seven and Kakashi arrived in the Land of Waves. Unlike the Land of Fire, the entire country was covered in a thick fog that made it difficult to see. They continued walking until Naruto stopped in front of them and drew a kunai.
"What is it?" asked Kakashi.
"I hear something." Naruto said as he randomly threw a kunai.
"Naruto! You damn idiot! Look what you did!" Sakura shouted as pointed at a white colored bunny.
"Strange... That bunny is white, it's clearly fall. Why would a bunny still keep it's white fur? Unless, it's being used as a trap." Kakashi thought. "Everyone! Get down, now!" Kakashi shouted as he dropped to the ground after pushing Naruto. Sasuke grabbed both Sakura and Tazuna and pulled them down.
A massive sword slung through the air and landed into a tree. Suddenly, a man with dark skin, no shirt, and bandages around his mouth appeared. "Well, it's my lucky day. It's not often I get to meet the legendary Copycat ninja, Kakashi Hatake... Of the Sharingan." the man said with a sinsiter glare.
"Zabuza Mommochi, wanted for staging a coup against the Fourth Mizukage. What does a rogue ninja like yourself want with us?" Kakashi asked.
"I gotta take that bridge builder off your hands. You know how it is, money talks, bullshit walks." Zabuza said.
"Well, I can't hand him over. So, it looks like we've got ourselves an issue." Kakashi said. "Listen, Manji formation, now. I taught you teamwork, now is the time to use it." Kakashi ordered.
"Huh? I can take him!" Naruto declared as he prepared to charge but was stopped by Kakashi. "Get back, you're in the way. Zabuza is a strong and powerful shinobi, if we're to have any chance, I'll need to use this." Kakashi said as he lifted his headband and revealed his sharingan eye.
"Ah, yes. The sharingan. I never thought I'd get to see it for myself so soon." Zabuza muttered.
"Sharingan? What's the Sharingan?" Sakura asked.
"The sharingan, one of the three legendary doijutsu of all time. It has the ability to counter any and all jutsu that a person has used. The doijutsu is so powerful that it's limited to a single bloodline, the Uchiha clan." Sasuke said.
"The boy is right. However, you haven't even scratched the surface of what the sharingan can do. It can analyze any jutsu down to the most signifigant detail and perform any jutsu. It's why Kakashi here has received his nickname. Kakashi Hatake, the man who has copied over one thousand jutus." Zabuza said.
"Whoa, I didn't realize Kakashi sensei was so famous." Sakura thought.
Sasuke suddenly started to tense up. "What's going on? The sight of two jonin level ninja, preparing to fight for blood. It's, it's horrifying. I don't think I can take it... It's too much, I rather end my own life." Sasuke thought.
"Sasuke! Relax! I will protect you with my life." Kakashi said before the figure of Zabuza appeared between the genin and Zabuza.
"Nice words, too bad they are for nothing." Zabuza said as he swung his blade. However, it was stopped short by Kakashi's hand shield that sat on top of his glove. Appearing behind the jonin sensei, Zabuza slashed his sword once more and when it seemed Kakashi sensei was cut in half, it was revealed to be a clone of water.
Standing behind Zabuza with a kunai in his back, Kakashi glared. "As I said, I won't let my teammates die." Kakashi said. Leaking from Zabuza, instead of blood, water was dripping and the form of the mist ninja burst. The real Zabuza appeared and struck Kakashi in the back and sent him into the water.
Before he could recover, Zabuza appeared and went through a series of hand seals. "Water Release - Water Prison Jutsu!" Zabuza roared and Kakashi's body was trapped in a sphere of water. "It's over." Zabuza said.
"Kakashi sensei!" Naruto called as he went to draw a kunai. Zabuza created another water clone.
"Stop, Naruto. This fight was over the moment I got caught. His water clone can only travel so far. Take the bridge builder and run, that's an order. Our mission was to protect him!" Kakashi roared.
Naruto looked at the bridge build. " ?" Naruto asked.
The man looked down with shame. "It's my fault we're in this situation. Please, help your sensei." Tazuna said. Naruto smirked and nodded.
"Look at you brats, playing ninja. You don't even know what being a shinobi is." Zabuza muttered.
"What? I'll show you!" Naruto shouted as he charged at the demon of the mist but received a punch that knocked him out and sent him into a tree.
Unknown location
When Naruto woke up, he found himself inside a sewer. "Where the hell am I? Why am I in a sewer?" Naruto asked as he looked around. Glancing at the floor, he saw a faint trail of red in the water. Being the Curious George that he was, he followed it.
As the he kept walking, the red appeared to grow thicker along with a massive killing intent growing. Naruto began to shiver slightly as his paced slowed down. Naruto found himself in front of a massive cage with two murderous crimson eyes glaring at him.
"What, what are you?" asked Naruto.
"Haha. You weakling..." said the voice.
"Huh?" Naruto asked.
"Don't you know? I'm the reason for everything in your life. Your hatred, your beatings, your lonliness." said the depe voice.
Naruto froze. "You're... You're Kyuubi." Naruto said.
"Haha! That's right, brat. Now, you're facing a powerful shinobi. Your sensei has been caught, your teammates are too weak. You'll soon be dead. What are you going to do?" asked the fox.
Naruto clenched his fist and looked down. "I don't know. But I'll think of something! I will not abandon my teammates, no matter the cost." Naruto said as he pointed at the revealing figure of Kyuubi.
"Hmph, big words. Do you think they would do the same for you?" asked Kyuubi.
"Huh?" Naruto asked.
"Come on, you've sensed it. They, including your sensei are just like the villagers. They all hate you for what you contain. They think you're me. Truthfully, I'm offended. My jailer is so pathetic and weak that a single hit knocked him out." Kyuubi said.
"Then can you help me? I don't care what they think or how they treat me! I cannot betray a teammate! Give me your damn help!" Naruto roared as a suddenly burst of crimson began flowing around him.
"Haha, as you wish, brat. We'll talk later." Kyuubi said.
Reality
"When I was half your age, my hands had been covered in blood. I take it you don't know about the graduation exam." Zabuza said with a chuckle.
"We had graduation exams too! What makes yours so special?" asked Sakura.
"Did you have to kill your other classmates?" asked Zabuza. Hearing this shocked everyone but Kakashi who was already aware.
"Years ago, Kirigakure, they had a requirement to become a ninja. Imagine, going to school with yours friends. Learning with them, studying with them, training with them. All so that in the end, you have to kill them. You don't become a true shinobi until your name is in my bingo book. I'm known as Zabuza Mommochi, demon of the hidden mist." Zabuza roared before froze.
Glaring at the sight before them, a massive surge of crimson chakra that had turned the air colder than ice. Glaring at the mist ninja with crimson eyes, darker whiskers, claws growing with fangs. Naruto dropped to all fours as he growling loud.
"What? What are you?" Zabuza asked.
The growls continued as the crimson chakra became darker. "I'm a real demon. Haha!" Naruto chuckled as he vanished in a crimson flash and punched Zabuza in the jaw. This contact destroyed the clone with ease.
"Kakashi, what is he?" asked Zabuza as he received the memories and that a mere genin couldn't be that strong and fast.
"Twelve years ago, remember with Kyuubi attacked Konoha? Well, the fox wasn't killed. You can't kill a tailed beast. Lord Fourth sealed it away inside of a newborn baby. That baby was Naruto Uzumaki." Kakashi explained. "Sasuke, Sakura, grab Tazuna, and get back!" Kakashi ordered.
"Why? It's just Naruto? What can he really do?" asked Sakura.
"Sakura, I don't have time for your games. Naruto isn't himself. He doesn't know what's going on. All that he knows are his survival instincts. If we're in the way, we'll die." Kakashi said.
"Fine, you want to fight the demon of the hidden mist, gaki?" Zabuza asked as he drew his sword.
Naruto chuckled. "You don't know a demon is." Naruto muttered before he vanished and delivered a massive barrage of punches and kicks to Zabuza's body. The cracks of his bone breaking was heard. However, they were soon covered by Naruto's demonic roar.
As Zabuza tried to block, Naruto would appear behind him and strike a vunerable spot. "This is impossible! He's a child for damns sake. This shouldn't be happening." Zabuza muttered as his beatdown continued.
Sasuke was frozen in shock. The killing intent radiating off of his teammate was worse than he ever felt before. "Kakashi, Kakashi sensei. What's going on? Is that really Naruto?" Sasuke asked as he was shaking.
Kakashi nodded. "Yes, Sasuke. Naruto contains the spirit of Kyuubi. It seems that when Zabuza punched him, it allowed Naruto to meet the demon. Be on guard." Kakashi said.
"What for? Isn't Naruto on our side?" asked Sakura.
"Sakura, if you knew anything about Naruto and his past, you'd know anything could happen. We need to stay back and let him exhaust himself." Kakashi said as he was watching Naruto with his sharingan eye. "Naruto, how much pain and suffering are you letting out?" Kakashi silently asked himself.
"You know, you talk big about chaos and destruction." Naruto said as he kicked Zabuza into a tree before walking over to him. :So what, you tried to kill your kage. My hokage has ordered for my assassination twenty times in a single month when I was just five." Naruto said as he slammed his fist into Zabuza's gut. This made the demon of the mist cough up blood.
"Every year for my birthday, do you know what game the village played?" Naruto asked. Zabuza could only glare at the boy. "It was called the Fox hunt. Who could kill the dmeon brat first?" Naruto said with venom as he grabbed Zabuza's face and began to drag it through the ground.
"You know nothing about hatred and anger! You're just talk and you try to win through fear! Let me show you what fear really is." Naruto said as he let out the loudest war cry ever heard by either Zabuza or Kakashi. the killing intent radiating from Naruto had knocked Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna out while Kakashi and Zabuza used all their might to remain awake.
It was in that moment, the crimson chakra vanished and Naruto passed out on to the ground. Sitting against the tree, shaking, Zabuza wouldn't dare to move closer.