Disclaimer: all of this originated from Naruto. Except the ones you don't recognize.

Ano sa- hey

Matte- wait

Honto- really

Ano-um

Nani-what?

Itai-ouch

Yamerou-stop

Kuso-Dammit

Yoshi-yeah

Konnichiwa- good morning

Sorry for not using my brain last chapter! I didn't have time to think. It sucked I know. Well please read and review after you read my story! Hope you like it.

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"Ok. Lets tell each other about ourselves. Tell about your likes, dislikes, dreams and hobbies, and other stuff. If you want to." Kakashi said to team 7.

"Wait! Tell us about yourself first! As an example." Sakura looked at Sasuke if he saw how smart she was in asking that question.

"Hmmm, My name is Hatake Kakashi, I do not want to tell you about what I like and dislike. Dreams for future. Dreams for the future. Dreams for the future. Let me think on that. I have some hobbies." Kakashi finished.

"So all we know is that his name is Kakashi?" Sakura asked Sasuke and Naruto.

"Hey you girl. It's your turn! You go first." Kakashi pointed to Sakura.

"My name is Haruno Sakura. The person I like is... What I like is... The person I like is... And my hobbies are.... And my dream for the future is.... " Sakura kept looking at Sasuke. Then she shrieked in her shirt out of embarrassment.

"And what do you dislike?" Kakashi asked.

"Nothing. I just think Naruto is annoying." Sakura said then turned to stare at Sasuke.

"Ok! You boy with the yellow hair. You next." Kakashi said.

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. Um I like ramen. I dislike perverts." Kakashi reached down in his pocket and pushed his book further down, " I have hobbies that I do not want to tell you, and my dream is to be a sannin level ninja. Then proceed to hokage of Konoha." Naruto finished.

"Good. Last person. Go."

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I dislike many things, I don't like anything and I would like to resurrect my clan and kill a certain person." Sasuke finished coldly.

Naruto looked at Sasuke thoughtfully. Sasuke-kun is so cool! Sakura thought. Reasonable Kakashi thought.

"OK! Very interesting. Tomorrow, we are going to have survival training. But this is not a normal training, this is a test because only 9 out of 27 students will be chosen genin. That is 3 teams out of the rest will be picked. The rest will be sent back to the academy. Tomorrow, you will be graded on the field. Bring all your equipment that you have been stocking and come at 5 in the morning. Be warned, don't eat." With that, Kakashi disappeared.

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke arrived at the field at 5 AM. There, they waited for 5 and a half hours for Kakashi to come. When he did, he was bombarded by two shouts of "You're late" from Naruto and Sakura. Kakashi put an alarm clock on a log and started the timer. He held up two bells and he started to explain what was really going to happen.

"What you have to do for today is to take these two bells from me before 12 or you will have no lunch." Kakashi jingled the bells a little bit.

"But why are their two bells? There are three of us!" Sakura exclaimed.

"One of you will go back to the Academy if you don't get it." Kakashi smiled, "You can use your shurikens if you want." He caught the bells and put it in his belt with the bells hanging out.

"I'm going to count to 100 with my eyes closed so you can hide out. Alright! 1.......2.......3........4 ........5.......6........7.......8.......9......10..." Kakashi covered both his eyes with his two hands.

One went north. No two. Kakashi thought. Then he heard more scurrying. He heard the footsteps of the three genins. Suddenly, he could only hear one. Hmm, one went west. I bet it's the fox kid. Two went north. I guess the girl followed the uchiha boy. The Uchiha and Fox boys are amusing. They are skilled in tracking but, they still need practice. An old experienced ninja could hear their footsteps from afar. The girl is hopeless. Well, lets just see if they are going to fail like the other 12 genins..... Kakashi kept counting.

"67....68....69....well, skip a few! 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100! Ok! Now you guys can start attacking." Kakashi said out loud.

Kakashi was expecting the fox kid first. He was too anxious for battle. The Uchiha would wait and try to find Kakashi's weaknesses for his advantages. The girl, Sakura would not attack unless she sees a way also. Kakashi also knew the fox kid was going to come from his left. Sasuke and Sakura from in front. The creek was behind Kakashi. And rocks to the right of Kakashi. This was going to be boring.

Kakashi heard yelling. He sighed. It WAS the Uzumaki boy. He was right.

"AHHHHH!" Naruto yelled waving his kunai over his head. He suddenly jumped up and threw it at Kakashi. It was deflected by a kunai that Kakashi drew and suddenly Naruto was on the ground. Kakashi's kunai was at Naruto's throat.

Huh? I didn't even see him move! He's so fast! How am I going to be a genin with Sasuke-kun now? Sakura thought.

Kuso... I didn't even see him move... So this is the power of a real jounin. I need to surpass him and get stronger. Sasuke thought.

Naruto smiled, "Heh heh..." he disappeared. Kakashi was surprised. This kid knows kage bunshin?

Suddenly, Sasuke and Sakura was there and held Kakashi's legs and arms tight. Another Naruto ran up and clenched his fist to hit Kakashi.

From the trees, the real Sasuke and Sakura were stunned. "We are here... and there?" Sakura thought.

And Naruto hit Sasuke. Kakashi had switched himself with Sasuke. Wow, these kids. I didn't know that they would grasp my concept already. To work together on such a short notice! And to- Kakashi's thoughts were interrupted when Sasuke went poof. So did Sakura and a trap sprung so 6 kunais were flung at the tree Kakashi was in.

Baka! Wasting perfect kunais on some stupid trees. Sasuke thought. His eyes widened as he saw Kakashi jump out of the tree. How did Naruto know? Sasuke clenched his fist. Kakashi was concentrated at Naruto. There was his chance. Sasuke pulled 6 shurikens out. Three in each hand. He waited as Kakashi started to move.

Kakashi reached into his weapons holder and took out a book. It was titled Come Come Paradise (See! I even underlined it!). Naruto made a disgusted face. Kakashi's eyebrows rose. Oh I remember... He hates perverts.

"Now!" Sasuke threw the shurikens ant Kakashi. Kakashi opened the book and put up a finger.

"I want to know what happens next." Kakashi said to Naruto's disgusted face as 6 shurikens hit Kakashi in the right side of his head.

"Sasuke! You didn't have to kill him!" Sakura screamed.

On the ground, Naruto drew a kunai, looking around cautiously. Kakashi started to fall when he disappeared into a log.

Kawarimi? Went through the three genins minds. Kuso.. I missed. Sasuke thought.

Naruto backed away to the shadow of the trees looking everywhere, when he got into a shadow, he jumped and disappeared into the forest.

Interesting. But, why do I get the feeling I am being tested? Kakashi thought as he watched Naruto running away. Never mind now, Now to hunt. Kakashi disappeared.

He reappeared behind Sakura and tapped her shoulder. "Hey, Sakura," Sakura saw Kakashi put his hand together, forming a hand seal. Suddenly, leaves came up and surrounded Sakura. When Sakura landed the next time, she was on the forest floor.

"Huh? What happened! Where am I?" Sakura looked around confused.

"Sakura... Help me..." Sakura saw Sasuke was filled with kunais on him. There was blood all around him. Then he collapsed. Sakura screamed and fell down also.

"She collapsed on that simple genjutsu? Huh, I thought she was stronger" Kakashi said as he disappeared.

Kakashi walked to a clearing and saw Sasuke waiting.

"Fight me." Sasuke ordered.

"As you wish." Kakashi started to read his book.

Sasuke charged at Kakashi. He right fist was caught. Sasuke did a 360 in the air and kicked with his right leg. It was caught also. Then Sasuke pushed his leg out of Kakashi's hand and used the momentum to turn and do a roundhouse kick.

This Uchiha kid is good in taijutsu also. "You are skilled, but not skilled enough!" Kakashi said as he twisted Sasuke's leg meaning to ram him down onto the ground.

Sasuke smirked and turned using Kakashi's hand as weight. As he turned, he faked a kick and reached for the bells. Kakashi saw his motive and deliberately pushed Sasuke as far as he could and jumped back.

Sasuke was finished with his hand seals for the jutsu he was doing when Kakashi looked up.

Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Grand Fireball no Jutsu)! Sasuke blew a big fireball over where Kakashi had been standing. It went on for a minute destroying the whole area of the fireball. When it was finished, Sasuke saw that Kakashi was not there.

Where? Top? Left? Right? Behind? Or Front? Where? Sasuke looked around him.

"Below!" A hand came up from the ground and grabbed Sasuke's leg.

Doton: Shunjuu Zanshu no Jutsu (Earth Decapitation no Jutsu.)

Sasuke was suddenly sucked into the ground with only his head out. He couldn't move his body.

"You can't move eh? Well, I better get going. Oh my! It's 30 minutes till 12. Better hurry Sasuke-kun." Kakashi walked away.

When Sasuke was out of sight, Kakashi put his hands together and used henge to turn into Sakura. Then Kakashi went to find Naruto.

Naruto was in the trees watching for Kakashi when Sakura walked below him.

"Naruto! Where are you?" Sakura said.

Naruto landed in front of them. "What do you want?" Naruto asked.

Sakura put his hands together and said, "Let's work together! We could beat Kakashi that way!"

Naruto looked at her and walked up to her, "Fine, follow me. Let's go." Naruto turned his back to leave but turned and punched Sakura in the face.

Wiping blood off of her face, Sakura yelled, "What the hell Naruto? What'd did you do that for?"

Naruto put up his arms in the shadow dance style and said, " Heh, Kakashi-sensei, you can't fool me!"

Sakura turned back to Kakashi. "So, you can look through a henge? And you know the shadow dance style of taijutsu? Impressive. I gave Sakura the genjutsu lesson, Sasuke the ninjutsu one. Let me give you a taijutsu lesson." Kakashi put one hand behind his back and one hand in front. And his hand in front beckoned Naruto (like in the matrix style! Neo!) to come and fight.

Naruto disappeared from the view of anybody watching. But for Kakashi, it was in slow motion. Naruto ran up to Kakashi and faked a punch. Heh, a fake punch isn't going to work Naruto. You're going to kick! Kakashi thought. But the fake punch disappeared and Naruto's real fist came up. Genjutsu? Kakashi thought. But that disappeared as Kakashi put up his arms to block it. A kick from Naruto sent Kakashi flying back, stopping before he hit the tree.

"So, a genjutsu within a genjutsu huh? I guess I underestimated you too much." Kakashi said.

Naruto ran up again and started a hand to hand combat with Kakashi. Naruto's punch was blocked. Naruto blocked Kakashi's leg from hitting his guts. Naruto used his momentum to smack Kakashi in the face with his heel but that was dodged. Kakashi lashed out with his fists but those were blocked also.

On and on they fought until Naruto found an opening. "An opening!" Naruto yelled. Kakashi had tried to punch Naruto with both his hands and when Naruto dodged it, it left a wide opening.

"Oh no!" Kakashi said as he saw Naruto's fist come up to hit Kakashi's stomach. "Not." Kakashi's kneecap came up and knocked

Naruto's fist away. Then Kakashi kicked with his leg so Naruto landed on the ground far away.

"Itai! That hurt." Naruto exclaimed.

DING! The timer went off. Kakashi straightened up. "Yosh! You guys have ten more minutes till I eat your lunches. If you don't get the bells before that, you will be 1 hour closer to going back to the ninja academy. Hope you guys do something more interesting than this!" Kakashi walked away.

Sasuke and Sakura walked up to Naruto. Naruto looked up at them and said, "Hey. What do you want?"

Sakura pointed a finger at naruto and scolded, "Don't speak like that Naruto! You can't say that to Sasuke-kun!"

"Yeah, yeah." Naruto stood up.

Sasuke spoke up, "Look Naruto, lets work together to get the bells. You, Sakura, and I can get the bells if we work together!"

"And where did you get that idea! There are only two bells! Even though that is a good idea Sasuke-kun but one of us still fails." Sakura exclaimed.

"It's a good idea! I like it." Naruto nodded his head, "And if we get those two, you can have to bell, Sakura."

"Good. Then lets make a plan." Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura put their heads together and started to talk.

2 minutes later, Sasuke confronted Kakashi.

"Kakashi.... Fight me again. I'll beat you this time." Sasuke got ready to fight.

"Oh? You want to fight again? Well, bring it on!" Kakashi just stood there waiting for Sasuke to attack.

3 kunais came out from the trees and hit Kakashi. Kakashi became a wooden log. More kunais flew at trees nearby. Sasuke threw 5 kunais at the bush nearest to him.

Kakashi jumped out of the bush and started to attack Sasuke. Naruto came down and tried to help Sasuke to fight. Kakashi wouldn't let him. He kept Sasuke's back to Naruto.

Sasuke suddenly jumped back and threw a kunai at Kakashi's feet. Kakashi looked down and saw an x mark. His eyes widened as his mind suddenly understood. It was a trap and there was no bushes or trees nearby to jump into and no logs or anything to switch with. He was caught in the plain field.

2 logs came at him. One to his left and one to his right. Kakashi took a step forward and found himself stepping onto another trap. Kunais flew to the front of him so Kakashi could not go forward. Kakashi tried to jump but saw another trap triggered. A net was coming down from the top. It was a huge net about the size of a picnic table. Kakashi's eyes widened as he saw one way out. Under. He could go under.

Kakashi quickly made hand seals to activate his Doton: Shunjuu Zanshu no Jutsu (Earth Decapitation no Jutsu.) But, Naruto saw it and cut the wire his kunai was on. The ground around Kakashi became a hole with a 20 feet radius around Kakashi. Kakashi had no where to go.

Sakura was getting tired. Her log genjutsu was taking up a lot of her chakra. She was in the trees with her hands in a hand seal. She couldn't hold to the log genjutsu and the logs disappeared.

Kakashi's eyes widened as he found out the logs were genjutsu. But he had no time to react when Naruto's body slammed into him. They soared to the whole....... And hit hard firm ground. The hole was a genjutsu by Sasuke also. Sasuke and Sakura jumped down and watched as 4 Naruto clones held Kakashi's arms and legs. Naruto put chakra in his feet so Kakashi couldn't switch him. Sasuke grabbed at the two bells and his hand passed through it. Genjutsu!

"Naruto! Sakura! It's a genjutsu! He doesn't have the bells! This must be a clone!" Sasuke punched Kakashi in the stomach and waited for him to explode in a puff of smoke. He didn't.

"Sasuke, what do you mean I don't have the bells. They're right there!" Kakashi threw the Naruto clones off of him and patted the bells. His hand went through them also. The bells disappeared.

The real Naruto stood up from a tree. "Haha! Kakashi-sensei! I took it when I fought you before! I was waiting for you to realize I took it! The only reason you hit me was because I put a genjutsu around the bells before I took it and right at the moment you hit me, I took them!" DING! The timer went off again indicating it was noon.

A vein popped out on Sakura's big forehead. "NARUTO! IF YOU HAD IT, WHY DID WE DO ALL THIS WORK?" She yelled.

"Because because because! Kakashi-sensei wanted us to work as a team! So so we worked as a team to let him know that we are able to read underneath his underneath ne, Kakashi-sensei?"

Sakura turned to Kakashi. "Is it true?"

"It's true. I gave Naruto the hint when I asked you guys to help me get the bells." Sasuke said coolly. He was angry that Naruto could take the bells but then again, Naruto had taken it in a stupid way. To let yourself to get hurt just to get bells. Sasuke was thinking.

"Yes, It's true." Kakashi said.

"Then, then we all pass right?" Sakura asked.

Kakashi scratched his head, smiled and said, "Yeah, I guess so."

He waited until the cheering stopped. "Ok. Meet me tomorrow at the bridge at 6:00 A.M. See you there!" Kakashi disappeared. The three newly made genins walked away and spent their time celebrating while eating. Even Sasuke had to go with Sakura pulling him.

Kakashi appeared in front of the 3rd hokage. The 3rd hokage was talking to Iruka.

"Hokage-sama, team 7 has passed the test." Kakashi reported.

Iruka let out a sigh. "Huh? Already? Didn't you give them the test I gave to Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunande?" Sandaiime asked.

"Hai, Hokage-sama. Apparently, Naruto was the one who influenced the rest to work together. He is very interesting." Kakashi said.

"Hmmm, Naruto is interesting indeed." The hokage was responded by the nodding of two other heads.

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After Team 7 did 7 d rank missions, 3 c rank missions, the mission to protect Tazuna was issued to them. When they were walking on the road, team 7 was careful to not let Tazuna walk in the sides. He was usually in the middle.

There was a puddle on the floor in front of Team 7. Naruto suddenly started running.

"Oi! Naruto! Where are you going?" Sakura yelled.

Naruto looked back and yelled, "I need to go to the restroom!" Then Naruto stepped on the puddle of water and flew up in the air. The water rose and turned out ot be two people weilding chains. They chained Kakashi and ripped him apart. Then they focused on Naruto in the air.

Sakura immediately ran in front of Tazuna with her kunai held in front. Sasuke took out 3 kunai. 2 to throw and one to defend.The masked ninjas threw their chains and caught Naruto midair. They started to pull him apart.

Sasuke took his chance and started charging at the two ninjas. He threw a kunai at each of them and prepared for close combat.

Naruto managed to put his hand in a hand seal and used kage bunshin. Then he quickly used kawarimi with one of his kage bunshin so his bunshin ripped apart instead of him. The other clones were busy also. They pulled out kunais and trapped the chains onto the trees.

By this time, Sasuke had reached the two ninjas. His two kunais were blocked but his Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Grand Fireball no Jutsu) wasn't.

They were burned to ashes. Sakura came running and hugged Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun! You were so good!" She screamed.

Kakashi stepped out of the trees and said, "Good job. I almost tried to help back there."

Naruto landed on the ground safely. They all started walking.

Later, they arrived at wave country and went to Tazuna's house. They were introduced to his daughter and grand son. Inari started to cry and ran to his room. The next day, they went to the bridge to guard and help Tazuna on the bridge.

At noon, the workers and team 7 ate lunch. They talked and grew familiar of each other. Team 7 learned of Gatou and his evil. They learned of the hero that was Inari's father. They learned many things and the reason why Tazuna wanted to finish the bridge. 5 workers left to get water. Suddenly, a thick fog surrounded the bridge.

Tazuna and some of the workers told team 7 not to worry because this sometimes happens near the water but Kakashi could feel chakra in the mist.

Naruto stood up and walked three steps. He stopped and looked into the mist.

"Naruto? What is wrong?" Sakura asked.

Naruto pointed off in the fog. "Aren't those people on the floor the workers that went to get water just a few minutes ago?" Naruto asked just as the fog covered Naruto from view.

Kakashi suddenly stood up, "Shimatta! They're here. Sakura, Sasuke protect the workers and Tazuna!" Kakashi took out a kunai and crouched in position ready for anything.

"But, Kakashi-sensei! What about Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"Leave him for now. The mission is more important. I hope he comes back to us." Kakashi said coldly.

Sasuke tensed his muscles and prepared for the fight that was going to come. Then chaos erupted.

First, Naruto screamed an, "Ahhhhhhh!" Then sounds of metal clanging could be heard. Then a Kage Bunshin no Jutsu was shouted. More metal striking each other. A lot of poofs, then more clanging. But it continued for a long time.

"Wait here and don't do anything!" Kakashi ran into the mist. There were more clanging and suddenly there was a big light

Sakura and Sasuke were squinting their eyes trying to see what was happening. Every one of the workers was scared. Suddenly, the mist started to clear.

When the air became clear enough to see, Sakura and Sasuke saw a man with a big sword was lying on the ground. Naruto and Kakashi was standing above it with their kunais drawn looking out into the sky.

Sasuke saw that there were needles on the man's neck.

A boy with a mask on appeared out of no where beside Zabuza. Kakashi relaxed and bent down to check Zabuza's pulse.

"Dead." He said. Then he asked the Anbu. "Who was he?"

"His name is Zabuza and he is one of the legendary swordsmen of the hidden mist." The anbu replied.

"You mean Zabuza the devil ninja?" Kakashi asked.

"Hai. Now excuse me, I need to dispose of this body." The anbu made a hand seal and disappeared with Zabuza. Kakashi took a step and fell face-down. Naruto and Sasuke carried him to Tazuna's house. When they got there, Sasuke noticed that Naruto's sleeves where white. They were black before. Naruto just said he had an under shirt and walked away to his room.

5 hours later, Kakashi woke up. Team 7 quickly rushed to his bed and asked if he was alright.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke began, "I want to know what happened and why you fell down."

Kakashi looked at Naruto first and nodded.

"Umm, well, when I was in the fog, This guy came at me with a huge sword. If I didn't walk to the person on the ground to attend to him, the sword would have cut me right through. After that was a battle for my life. I tried to fight taijutsu with him, but he kept kicking be back. So then I used Kage Bunshin but he still held that back. Then Kakashi came to help." Naruto nodded for Kakashi pick up from there.

"I came and saw Zabuza. He was about to kill Naruto so I joined the fight. Then we were 10 feet apart. We couldn't see each other in the mist but we knew where the other was. I was starting some hand seals. I know that he did the same but his was faster than mine was.

White light erupted and blinded me. I could feel it wanting my soul. It was a devastating jutsu. The next moment, he was on the ground with needles to his neck. I was lucky that his attack missed. Or I would have been dead by now. Even though it missed, it took a lot of my chakra and weakened my physical ability by a lot. So that's what happened!"

Kakashi frowned and said, "I don't think he's dead though and the Anbu were supposed to dispose of him at the spot. I think they are partners."

"Nani? You said he was dead yourself! If they were partners, then why did the anbu kill him?" Naruto asked.

"To make it look real and not fake. I do not think the Anbu would have made it if he was going to fight us all. I think he thought I was still in full strength." Kakashi said.

"Well, I am not able to guard I think. Maybe for a whole week. I need to regain my stamina and chakra the white light took from me. I know what I'm going to do though. I am going to train all three of you." Kakashi said.

"Uhh Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto paused.

"Yes Naruto?"

"I don't feel well.... I..." Naruto collapsed onto the floor.

Kakashi was not surprised.

"Huh? What happened to him?" Sasuke asked.

"I knew all along. He was there at the fight. It must have taken his chakra and stamina also." Kakashi said. "No matter. I will train you two and he will rest. When he wakes up, I'll make him catch up to you two. Sasuke, carry him to his room. Then come down. I will be waiting for you. Sakura, give me stretchers please." When Kakashi got the stretchers, he started walking. When Sasuke came, the three went away to train.

But before that, Kakashi said to Tazuna, " Consider yourself safe for a whole week. Try to do as much as you can." Then he left.

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Zabuza was in a bed in Gatou's house. He know knew why the other ninjas he sent didn't have a chance. Kakashi the copy ninja was there. And what was more, Kakashi used the strange white light and knocked him out. It was amazing. Zabuza had to rest for a whole week. The attack missed him but. It was very close. It felt horrible. His insides were still shaking from the strange technique. It made him feel empty. Zabuza did not want that to happen ever again. He needed tofinish Kakashi before Kakashi used the technique.

Haku came in and talked to Zabuza on what happened. Haku could not see who did the white thing but he was sure it was Sharingan Kakashi. Haku was hesitant about something.

"Haku, Tell me what is wrong. Why are you hesitating to tell me information about them that my life might depend on?" Zabuza asked.

"Zabuza-san, that boy you were fighting with, he was holding back." Haku said softly.

Zabuza froze. "Holding back? What do you mean holding back? I could have killed him easily! Was he playing with me? You know how I hate people who play with me." Zabuza snarled.

"Zabuza, do you remember the time I was 5 or 6 years old?" Haku asked.

"Of course. That was the same age when I found and taught you how to fight. But why aren't you answering my questions from before?"

"There was a boy who visited me. He told me that he had a precious person like you to me. That boy was really strong."

Zabuza was quiet for a second. He remembered the boy clearly. "And what does he have to do with me?"

"I think the boy you fought with was him"

"Oh, I see. You want to spare him? You know the ninja way. Kill your enemies or they will kill you."

"Hai Zabuza-san. I remember. I remember clearly."

"Next time you see him, kill him."

"Yes Zabuza-san. I will kill him."

"Good. Very good." Zabuza lay back into his bed and started to sleep.

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Naruto woke up in his bed and found a platter of food beside him. His left arm burned constantly. Naruto looked at it and suddenly remembered. He had learned a new ancient jutsu back when he was fighting Zabuza. What did t total now to? 40? 50? Naruto wasn't sure but it was something like that. Naruto suddenly remembered the fight with Zabuza. It was him that used the white light.

It was the first level of the Angel of Death. There were 8 levels in all. The first is the weakest. It had the ability to suck the stamina and chakra of the opponent. But it had a heavy cost. The user would be unable to use chakra for a week, and it took large amounts of Chakra. So much that regular jounins would be depleted. But they would be able to run. Naruto felt so weak that he could not even walk. All he could do was eat.

But Naruto was special. He had an advantage most people didn't have. He had the Kyuubi. Over the years, Naruto found out that the kyuubi's chakra not only heals him, but give him more stamina, and heals it too. Naruto could be in good shape about a day.

Naruto no longer saw Kyuubi as a burden. He saw the demon as an advantage. He saw it like people who had family or clan techniques. But it was even more special than advaced bloodlines. It was a demon and he could tap into the chakra anytime. Naruto constantly visited it out of curiosity. Naruto was scared of it, but he knew and the kyuubi knew that if Naruto wanted something from the demon, the demon would have to give it.

Even if the demon did not want to, Naruto could force anything he wants from it. May it be to seek information on people or techniques or chakra for battle. Naruto never misused the Kyuubi's power for wrong. In fact, he barely used it unless in deep trouble. The technique he performed today was from all his chakra. After Naruto ate, he got up. He still felt weak as a newborn lamb but still, he could stand up. Naruto started to stretch out and practice walking so he could regain his balance on his feet. Though his chakra was coming to him slowly, his strength was coming quickly, thanks to the Kyuubi.

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Sasuke was trying to climb the tree. Sakura had already gotten to the top. Sasuke was thinking as he was improving. I have to get stronger. Why am I so weak? Sakura even finished this before me. Am I such a weakling? No, I will get stronger and kill Itachi. I have to. It is my destiny. Sasuke thought. He started to run up the tree again. His tree had hundreds of kunai marks. Each above the last. Sasuke got on the tree and kept running. Keep running. Keep running. Keep running. This is the right amount of chakra. Get farther than the last. You can do it! Naruto beat Kakashi. I didn't. He fought Zabuza. I didn't. The only thing useful I did in this team was hitting those two chain ninjas. Naruto was the one who was trapped in the air and made their chains unusable. Keep going and get stronger! Keep running!

Sasuke reached his last mark and went further. Sakura and Kakashi saw Sasuke pass his last mark and keep going. Sakura squealed in excitement. Her Sasuke-kun was going to do it this time! Kakashi was looking thoughtfully. Sasuke has a lot of determination. If he finishes this exercise in two days, I think I will train him personally. Maybe give him some jutsus... Kakashi thought.

Sasuke kept running until the tree was getting thinner. His chakra was concentrated too much on his feet so Sasuke was not going to make the top. He slashed his kunai there and prepared to land on the ground.

" Sasuke-kun! Good job! You almost reached the top! Yay!" Sakura shouted.

"I need to get to the top." Sasuke said coldly.

"Well, Sakura go and guard Tazuna on the bridge. There might be more mercenaries hired. Hurry." Kakashi said.

"Hai Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura walked away.

Kakashi waited as Sasuke ran all the way up past his last mark. Sasuke kept on going and got about 1 foot more than his last one. When Sasuke came down, Kakashi started to speak.

"Sasuke wait." Kakashi began. Sasuke stopped and looked at Kakashi. "You are doing it wrong. You are supposed to, as you go up, release chakra when you get to the thinner parts. And sometimes when you stop, its because you trip by yourself. Be more careful of your footsteps and bend your knees more when you run. That will make you run faster."

"Why are you telling me this?" Sasuke asked.

"So you could finish faster so I could train you even more."

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Naruto was in his bed when Inari came into his room.

"You are going to die. Look at you. You were defeated easily. No one can defeat Gataou. He's too strong. Why don't you quit while you're at it? Why are you pushing yourself so hard for something that is impossible to achieve?" Inari screamed.

"When people are in need, I will help. When people's spirits are broken, I try to make a good example. Be happy. I've seen people with worse lives than you guys have. Don't worry. I know how you feel." Naruto replied.

"What do you know what I feel like? You ninjas always had a good life. You don't understand anything!" Inari yelled back ferociously.

"Shut up! You don't know what it feels like you self-centered brat. Some people had it harder than others had. So why don't you be a crybaby somewhere else? I don't want to see your face." Naruto spat vehemently. He did not want to be remembered of his past life. Naruto's eyes darkened at the thought. At least he found some happiness with Itachi, Jiraiya, Tsunande, and Shizune. Naruto didn't know what he would do if he was stuck in Konoha not knowing what was in him or why the villagers hated him. That would have been hell.

Inari's tears poured as he ran from the room. He ran to his room and looked at his father and the sea. Then he began to ponder what would happen if his dad was here.

Naruto stared at the door that Inari used to leave. Maybe he was a little bit too harsh. He should talk to Inari. Naruto decided after hearing Inari's cryng for more than an hour.

Naruto crept up to Inari's room and saw Inari look at a picture with his dad on it. Naruto's face softened. He entered and sat next to Inari.

"You know, I don't really mean all that. It's just, I've had a hard life also. And when I hear you being sad and all, I get angry. What I said to you was what I said to myself all the time. I lived without knowing my parents and the villagers hated me. But one day my saviors came. They took care of me and taught me to appreciate life. You should smile and be happy more. If you keep crying over everything, you're life will be miserable. What life would your father want you to take? A happy life or a sad life? And I think your father was brave. He lived a life with no regrets. I just hope I could do the same. Hope you feel better, Inari." With that, Naruto left the room.

Inari looked into the ocean and pondered on what Naruto had just said. Then he thought back to all the happy times when his father was here. He started to smile and laugh at all the silly things he did. When Naruto heard Inari's laughter, he smiled and went to sleep with a good conscience.

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One week later, Kakashi got better, Sasuke got stronger, Sakura was more stronger from carrying equipment for Tazuna, and Naruto was healed. Inari got happier and had fun playing with Naruto. So was Zabuza. It was the day of the fighting to come to an end.

Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura left early with Tazuna. Naruto was snoring, exhausted from playing with Inari. So he overslept.

At the bridge

Kakashi noticed thicker mist than usual. Now he was ready.

"Sasuke, Sakura they're here." Even though Kakashi said that, he knew Sasuke was already ready and Sakura was already guarding Tazuna.

All the workers did not want another experience like last time so they fled when the air was still clear. Everybody except Tazuna.

The fog was not as thick as last time so Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna could still see two figures walk toward them. One was a tall figure with a big katana on his back. The other was like 2 feet shorter than Zabuza. When it was clear enough, Kakashi and the rest could see that it was the boy from before with the Anbu mask.

They stopped 20 feet short.

"Hatake Kakashi, the copy ninja. This time, I will not lose to you." Zabuza said.

"Where is the boy with yellow hair?" The boy in the mask asked.

"Why do you want to know?" Sasuke asked maliciously.

"I had an interest in him. But it seems I will have to face you instead. It is going to be too easy. Only one genin against me. Why don't you quit right now?"

"Heh. Sorry. But I'm not a quitter. I am way better than Naruto. Fight me." Sasuke demanded.

Haku considered this a little. If this boy was really what he claimed, then the loser would already be decided. But Haku decided to keep going.

"Come then. By the way, my name is Haku. And yours is?" Haku got into a ready stance.

Sasuke charged at Haku and jumped kicked at Haku's face. Haku blocked it. Sasuke turned and gave another kick. That was blocked also. Sasuke took out a hidden kunai in his sleeve and slashed at Haku's wrist.

Haku's needle blocked it. Haku kicked at Sasuke and knocked Sasuke away from him. Haku made some hand seals and said,

HiJutsu, Sensatsu Suishou (Flying Water Needles) Water rose in the air and became the shape of thousands of needles. Then the water froze. Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw that the frozen needles were sharp as a kunai, Maybe even sharper. Sasuke quickly made hand seals. Haku put a hand up. Sasuke gathered chakra. Haku pulled his hand back. Sasuke finished his hand seals. Haku thrust his hand forward and the needles flew toward Sasuke.

Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Grand Fireball no jutsu). Sasuke spread his technique all around him so it melted the needles. When it was done, Sasuke gave a sigh of relief. But his relief was short lived as Haku jumped over the fire. They started to fight surrounded by fire. Haku was kicked out and onto the ground next to Zabuza.

Zabuza's eyes rose. "What? Haku lost in speed?"

Haku rose and walked toward Sasuke. He stopped 5 feet from Sasuke and started making hand seals. Sasuke prepared for anything that was going to happen.

Demonic Ice Mirrors!

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