Better Equipped

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters. 

: Thoughts

Chapter 4 – Aftermath of the First Contact

     It was fast but Naruto could see it.  He saw Haku bring out a pair of long needles and readied to use it to save his master.  As soon as Haku let the needles fly, Naruto threw his own kunai to intercept it, knocking it away with his good arm. 

     Haku stared at the blond ninja with a surprised look mixed with anger.  He was shocked that someone was able to knock his needles away and was furious that his master was going to die in front of him.

     "Don't worry about it," said Naruto.  "Zabuza will soon be gone and your job will be finish here.  I was afraid that you needles will hit my sensei by accident, so I hope you can forgive my actions."

     Even if the ninja was polite, he can't let this fight continue as it is.  With some quick and seals, he vanished and reappeared near Zabuza.

     Naruto also performed his own transportation jutsu to catch up with Haku.  "Konoha Shunshin no Jutsu!"  Naruto reappeared next to Haku with leaves trailing him and grabbed the boy's arm before throwing him away. 

     Haku anticipated being thrown quickly used his quick speed to run towards Zabuza after his feet touched the ground. 

     Damn, Haku is really not going to let Zabuza die like this.  If this continues, I will need to fight with him head on.  I haven't healed my fractured arm yet.  If Zabuza dies like this and he gets really ticked, there will be no way they he would join the Leaf.  I was hoping that Zabuza died before he got here but looks like I need to go with another plan.  We should let them go for now.  Hopefully, I will see Haku on friendly terms and we can talk.

     "You are a Hunter-Nin of the Mist?" Kakashi asked. 

     "I thank you for helping me apprehend this criminal.  Since me is from the Mist, it is my duty to kill him myself.  I hope you understand."

     Naruto was just staring at them.  I know he's lying but I can't do anything right now since it can jeopardize my plans, he thought. 

     Haku took out two other long needles and thrust it into Zabuza's neck.  The Missing-Nin started to cry in pain before lying motionless.  Kakashi studied Zabuza's breathing from analyzing if the chest was moving.  It seems like Zabuza is not breathing which left him satisfied.

     After Haku picked up Zabuza's body and vanished, Naruto spoke up.  "Sensei, aren't Hunter-Nins suppose to dispose of the body where the person was killed?  How come he used long needles instead of something with a blade?  And to strike at the neck like the way he did.  It may look like a death strike but the neck has some tricky places where you can survive a wound like that and live."

     Kakashi's eyes widen.  "You mean…."

     "We've just been had.  That Hunter-Nin was in fact his accomplice."

     It was the Kakashi's body went limp.  Over usage of the Sharingan used up all his chakra.  Naruto picked up his sensei and walked over to his teammates.

     "Is Kakashi sensei alright Naruto-kun?"  Hinata was worried.  They ended up winning the fight but her sensei collapsed at the end.  She didn't notice he has any mortal wounds. 

     "He's alright.  Just used up all his chakra from using his Sharingan.  Should be fine with a few days of rest.  We should continue heading towards Tazuna-san's home."

     "What just happened Naruto?" Kiba asked.  "Who was that guy who showed up wearing that mask?"

     "It turns out that guy pretended to be a Hunter-Nin of the Mist Village.  I'm assuming that he works with Zabuza, which means there is a good chance that freak is still alive.  He sustains more damage than Kakashi so he won't be attacking anytime soon.  We will meet them again."

     "And you let him go?  You should be the one guarding Tazuna-san instead then."

     "I couldn't help it.  My arm's fractured.  You can take him on next time Kiba.  Be my guest."

     "Are you okay Naruto-kun?"

     "I'll be fine.  Just need to concentrate my chakra at my arm and increase the healing rate."

     Kakashi woke up and saw that he was lying in an unfamiliar place.

     "You're awake Kakashi sensei," said Hinata.

     Akamaru barked.

     "Akamaru said good morning," Kiba translated.  "How are you feeling?"

     "I used up a lot of chakra during the fight so I will need time to replenish."  He looked around the room and found Naruto.  "Did Naruto update you guys with our current information?"  Seeing that they nod their heads, he decided to continue.  "I'm going to be out of commission for awhile so I have your next mission for you.  I need you to become stronger.  Naruto will be in charge of your training."

     "Wait a second, Kakashi sensei," Naruto interrupted.  "If I'm going to train them, there will be no one left to look after Tazuna-san.  And don't forget what you promised me today."

     Kakashi nod his head, understanding the situation.  He was supposed to train Naruto all the jutsus he learned from fighting against Zabuza.

     "All of us are perfectly capable of training ourselves instead of having Naruto train us you know," Kiba rejected his sensei's idea.  "Naruto is the same age as us and became a Genin at the same time.  Even if he was the rookie of the year, there's not that much difference between him and us."  Kiba has also seen Naruto as his rival.  The blond ninja and Sasuke were the top of the class and he couldn't help but be jealous.  Chouji, Shikamaru, and he were always clowning around in class so it was reasonable for them not to be the number one rookie.  Naruto hung out with them after class sometimes so he sees him as an equal.  It will not settle with him to be taught by the blond Genin. 

     "Don't look so distressed Kakashi sensei."  Naruto reached into his pouch that was tied to his waste a brought out a box of bills.  There were sections in the box to separate different pills.  He took out a blue pill and threw it to Kakashi.  "That should help restore some of your chakra.  It should really help.  I know since I was the one who made it."

     The Copy Ninja of the Leaf Village understood what his student said and quickly swallowed the pill.  He then felt chakra returning to his body.  "I see that you have some skills in the medic field.  Who taught you?"

     "My aunt did.  You know her well."

     Kakashi moved his arms and tightened his muscles to examine how much his body had recuperated.  He then proceeds to stand up and moved around a bit.  Seeing how everything was fine minus some pain in his body, he motions his students to gather around him.  "I guess I'll be the one who trains all of you.  Naruto, you will accompany Tazuna-san whenever he works on the bridge.  We will start to switch duties whenever I am a hundred percent well.  For now, everyone follow me to the forest."

     As they were heading out, a little kid wearing a hat came in and greeted his grandfather.  He then told the Leaf-Nins that they were wasting their time and will be killed if they stayed.  He then ran into his room.

     So that was Inari.  Guess I'll have a talk with him later.

     It seemed that Naruto and Hinata were both good enough with chakra manipulation.  Naruto was still not perfect with it since his body is constantly changing due to Kyuubi but he was good enough to walk on trees and water.  He could even do a handstand on water and show off by doing handstand pushups.  This left Kiba doing the tree climbing exercise alone.  Naruto suggested Hinata to practice using her Byakugan and her Main House techniques.  Kakashi told Naruto the hands seals to perform each of the jutsus he learned from Zabuza.  Naruto wrote them down on a scroll he carried to study them later when he has the time.  If Naruto wasn't training on his own, he was training Hinata. 

     Kiba was getting frustrated with the tree climbing exercise.  It was embarrassing that he was the only one who had to climb trees while his other teammates were doing what he considered to be real training.  He was staring at Naruto who was helping Hinata along with her training. 

     Damn that Naruto!  He's always a showoff.  How come he's training Hinata anyways?  Does he think he's too good that he has to train her to be up to his level?  We're the same age and I'm from one of Konoha's prized clans.  He better not come over here and shove it in that he is Konoha's number one rookie.  I need to get stronger.

     "Hey Naruto!  What is it?  You don't have anything to do?  Why don't you train instead of showing off to Hinata?  I don't see you training me!"

     "That's because she's a lot prettier than you."

     That earned a few chuckle from Kakashi.  "You should continue the tree training exercise.  It might not be fun but there is a big theory behind the training.  If you could master it, it would mean that you will be able to master any jutsu.  It takes time and patience.  Naruto has done this type of training before and Hinata is good with focusing her chakra do you her clan's taijutsu style.  They already demonstrated that they could climb trees so you need to work hard."

     Thinking what his sensei said, Kiba's anger died away slightly.  "Alright."

     "You are a soldier of the Leaf now so do act like one and become useful to the Leaf."

     Naruto knocked on Inari's door.  He proceeds to enter after the kid gave him permission.  "Yo!  I heard about your father."

     Inari became angry as the stranger mentioned his father.  "What do you know?  You came here for what?  Sooner or later you'll be dead.  There is no such thing as heroes."

     Naruto gave him a serious look then slapped the boy's face.  "I guess someone had to do that.  Look, I am just like you.  I lost my father when I was born and I was raised by another person who is like a father to me.  My father also died defending the village.  He defeated the strongest demon of them all and died doing so.  But he wasn't the only person who died.  Lots of other brave ninjas of the Leaf perish that day.  Everyone who fought was considered hero because they protect something that was important to them.  Your father was a hero in my eyes, which should e in your eyes too.  Why did he die?  He hadn't gone through the same training as us ninjas so he couldn't have fought and win against the number of people that attacked him.  If he did, that would have been another story.  But don't think that your father couldn't win because he wasn't trained to fight against that many people.  If the people in this village was brave enough to fight back, your father would have been alive and your grandfather's bridge would have already been built.  What I am trying to save that you need courage to become brave.  It's all in your heart.  Being strong means you protect the people you love."

     "But I didn't do anything!  I just stood there and watch."

     "You couldn't do anything by yourself anyways since you are a kid.  But learn from this and don't runaway.  There comes a time when you can't take shit anymore and fight back."

     "Whatever…."

     The next morning came and Naruto accompanied Tazuna to work.  It was the same as the anime and manga he read.  People just didn't have the guts to stand up for themselves.  The only people who understood that are Tazuna and Inari's deceased step father. 

     The people here seem to be very afraid of Gatou.  Have to admire the guy's tactic though even if it is ruthless.  He killed the town's hero to warn everyone in the village not to cross him since he knows that they were cowards.  Killing one man to warn a hundred. 

     "Don't give up Tazuna-san.  Everyone in the village will know what you are saying soon enough once they are completely fed up with their life and the way they are living it.  You are a strong man who will help guide the people back."

     "I wish I have your confidence young man.  This is not the first time they quit.  Even the closest friends may abandon you if the situation seems dire."

     Naruto nodded.  He understands what the older man was saying.  It is human nature to runaway from something that threatens its existence.  However, humans are also known to fight back.  "Then its up to you to bring them back towards the right path."

     As the workday came to an end, they both went shopping.  A guy at the grocery store tried to mug Naruto but stopped shortly after seeing a kunai next to his throat.  Tazuna explained more to Naruto about the village's bad economy and how important the bridge was.  Naruto didn't really think much about it really when he read this part of the saga in his past life but now that he was experiencing this firsthand, he felt…sad.  A kid came to him on the street and begged for some treats.  Naruto anticipated this and gave them some snacks he brought with him.  He didn't eat during his bodyguard duty.  In fact, he created Kage Bushins to help Tazuna with the construction work.  The real Naruto stayed next to Tazuna in case there was another attack. 

     Deep within a cavern of mazes kept a monstrous prison holding a monstrous creature.  The Nine Tails Demon Fox that the Fourth had sealed within Naruto is still currently behind bars.  No matter how much he clawed and slash, the bars on his prison wouldn't break.

     Naruto walked along the maze not really caring or paying attention to where he was going.  He finally found himself standing at the front door of the wild demon. 

     "So you came," said Kyuubi.  "What do you want this time?  I assume that you're not here to die."

     The loud voice startled him and woke him out of his trance.  "I don't know why I am here.  I must be asleep and my conscious somehow got here.  Not really a place I would personally choose to go if I might add."

     "Waiting for that girl to come are we?"

     "She's a guy Kyuubi.  How do you know what I'm doing anyways?"

     "Well, he sure does look like a girl from what you told yourself.  Don't forget, I am in you.  Whatever you think and say echoes throughout these caverns and ends up in my ears.  I find you very interesting.  Who would have thought that a man from another world would end up here?  The only real reason why I helped you before was to see how things play out.  Do you actually think this Haku will join your side?"

     "If I play my cards right then he will."

     Kyuubi laughed out loud.  His laughter echoes the entire area which sent chills to Naruto's body.  "You should know by now that some things just don't go according to plans no matter how much effort you put into it."

     This caused Naruto to become uneasy.  Kyuubi's words hit some thing painful.

     "I was with you all this time.  Your cries and your shouts have often traveled through this maze.  You failed the Uchiha Clan and you feel guilty about it.  You tried to help but actually made the situation worse and more complicated.  Hundreds of people died because…."

     "Shut up!  I should know the situation more than you do don't you think?  Some things can't be changed.  Maybe the Uchiha Clan was fated to meet this disaster even if I had to try to stop it.  Some things were fated to happen perhaps.

     "What I love is how you repeatedly torture that Clan's last survivor.  Continuously putting him into these situations and taking away the only thing that kept him alive."

     "So I'm trying to take his act of vengeance away, it will only help him more in the long run.  If you are able to hear my thoughts then you should know what it is in store for him and me. Putting him through psychiatric treatment may be too extreme but I hear he's coping better now."

     "The fact is that you are enjoying doing this to him."

     "I can't hide the fact that I do enjoy some of the things I've done.  I've changed the original timeline so I can't really say what the future will be.  I could plan but like you reminded me, some things can't be planned for.  I'll have to take each situation with the best of my abilities and have a bit of fun along with it.  Maybe you warped my mind somehow."

     "I did no such thing human."

     Naruto found himself laughing a bit in front of the demon.  "It would be nice to have Haku on our side.  He's an innocent boy and doesn't deserve the fate that was given to him.  It is a gift that I hold knowledge of the future.  I will use it to change whatever to my likings.  If I fail, that would be all but it won't stop me from continuing on."

     "Will you continue thinking that if this plan of yours fails?  What if you made the situation worse again?"

     "There really are no plans.  I just need to talk to him and try to persuade him to join our side.  At least let him know that Konoha will have a place for him." 

     Naruto found himself awake in the middle of a small field of flowers.  He hoped that this was the spot where Haku would come to find herbs.  He drifted off to sleep after being tired of waiting.  A sudden noise woke him up as he saw a cute face approaching him.

     Holy shit!  He does look like a girl!  Damn, that's just way too bad.  Oh well, I'm not gay.

     "I hope I didn't wake you," said Haku.

     "Don't worry about it.  It was time for me to get up anyways.  I'm assuming that you wanted to pick some herbs with that basket you are carrying.  Need help?"

     Haku smiled.  After they both started searching for the herbs, he decided to end the silence with come questions.  "Are you a ninja by any chance?"

     Naruto was happy that he asked that question.  It seems like everything was flowing like in the series.  This could both be good and bad.  "Yeah, I'm a ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village.  It's a good place to live.  There are a lot of good people there who doesn't judge you for what you are but by whom you are.  You should visit the village sometimes.  I bet you would fit in."  Naruto saw Haku's expression changed.  Guess I managed to hit a soft spot, he thought.  "Where are you from?"

     "I'm from around here.  I need to pick some herbs for my brother.  He's ill at the moment."

     "I see.  That's too bad."

     "Is being a ninja fun?"

     "Fun?  It depends on what you do.  There are some people who believed that ninjas are nothing but tools of war and killing.  Me among a number of people doesn't think like that.  I am a human being first and a ninja second.  I have my own ways of doing things, my own nindo.  Being a ninja who kills for thrill and money is not fun.  But if you are a ninja who protects then the job is worthwhile."

     "A ninja who protects is worthwhile?  I too have a precious person whom I must protect.  Do you know what true strength is?  It is when you protect the things you love."

     I have no idea where this conversation is going now.  His loyalty to Zabuza is too strong like its unbreakable.  Time for the direct approach again.

     "How is Zabuza doing?"

     Haku's eyes widen.

     "Don't worry; I'm not here to fight.  Let's just talk for today.  We have plenty of time to fight later on."

     "How did you know?"

     "I got brains not just looks.  It seems like you are loyal to Zabuza.  What is he to you?"

     "He is my savior.  He rescued me from the cold when I was in dire need.  And for that, I am in debt to him."

     "Even when he is evil?  How do you feel when he killed the innocents?"

     "Sacrifices must be made sometimes."  Haku shook his head, trying to rid himself from old memories.

     "Doesn't seem like you like it.  There are other places to go to besides Zabuza.  Like I said before, the Hidden Leaf Village is a great place and will welcome you.  You can be anything you want to be if not a ninja.  The option is always there in front of you."

     "I have no desire to leave Zabuza if that is what you are thinking."

     Naruto looked at the boy next to him.  He remembered Haku to be an innocent boy.  Someone like that didn't deserve to die.  "You know, this battle we have, maybe one man will walk away from this.  Your Zabuza or my sensei.  You are contracted to kill Tazuna-san while we are contracted to protect him at all cost.  I won't hold a grudge on you if Kakashi sensei is killed.  But if Zabuza is killed in the fight, know that we will welcome you.  No strings attached.  I feel that we are the same and can relate to each other."

     Haku stood up and began to walk away with a basket full of herbs.  "I won't hold a grudge either."

     Days have past with the same routine going on.  Naruto practiced with his teammates in the morning before he accompanies Tazuna to work.  When it's Kakashi's turn to look over the old man, Naruto spends the day training instead.  Naruto would help Hinata with her Hakkeshou Kaiten technique.  As like Tenten, Naruto would jump up really high and rain down all the ninja tools he had.  He also told her to be more fluid.  Be like water, he would tell her.  She should attack her opponent's arms or legs if they reach towards her.  Basically, he was tutoring Hinata with Neji's style from what he remembered in the anime.  From the looks of it, it really helped her improve.

     "Good work Hinata-chan!" Naruto praised.  "Your father would surely be surprised when he sees you again."

     Hinata blushed at her teammates compliments.  It felt like ages since the last time she was complimented.  But she was worried that Naruto was going to be behind on his training if he continues to help her.  "Naruto-kun, do you think that I am slowing you down?"

     The blond Genin gave her a confused look.  "What do you mean Hinata-chan?  If you get stronger, you'll be an excellent sparring partner which will mean I will get stronger from our fights right?  Don't worry about it too much.  I actually am training while I train with you."

     Kiba who was currently sitting on the lowest branch of the tall tree he was climbing saw the two talk and can't help but become jealous.  Here he was still climbing trees while they spar.  It looked fun too.  This training was really boring.  He was getting a bit better after Naruto offered to give him some tips.  He estimated that he would need a day more to finally be able to climb up the tall tree.

     The three Genins ate a lot during dinner time.  Kiba and Hinata said they needed energy to become strong while Naruto said he was just hungry.  Inari seemed to open a bit more to the group but still remain in a depressive state.  Kakashi was reading his novel whenever he didn't have things to do.  Naruto was off in one corners of the room and wrote on his notebook.  He does that every time when he has nothing to do.  When asked what he was doing, he replied that he was writing a journal.  Hinata and Kiba go to sleep early in different rooms so they could continue their training the next morning. 

     Kiba hasn't yet managed to reach the top of the tree the next day but managed to go around two thirds up.  Naruto seeing that his pal was working too hard and may need a break from it asked if he wanted to do some sparring instead.  Kiba declined Naruto's offer and continue to do the tree climbing exercise. 

     "Don't mess up my training Naruto," said Kiba.

     Naruto gave him a confused look.

     "I need to finish this first so I'll have better control of my chakra.  After that, then I'll come around and kick you ass."  Kiba gave his friend a grin to show that they were still buddies and rivals. 

     "Well, do try to finish the exercise quick.  If you keep this up, people might think you and the tree have something going on."

     "Damn you Naruto!"

Author's Notes:

Damn, this sure was a long chapter.  It's so long that I had to break it into two chapters after I rewrote some stuff and added a few stuff. 

Just to recap on what happened.  This is an SI type fanfiction where a dude got killed in a car accident and land in the Naruto world.  How did that happened?  King Emma forgot to erase my memories of that life, so I kept it in my new life in the Naruto world. 

The Uchiha Clan…its tragedy will be revealed in later chapters.