It was a quiet afternoon in Konoha. The sun was shining brightly and everywhere people were enjoying the day.
Four shadows passed in the forest. They hid behind four trees so that they could see each other.
"What's the distance to the target?" Kakashi asked into a communication headset.
"Five meters. I'm ready anytime."
"Me too."
"So am I."
"Waiting for the command."
"Go!" Kakashi said. Elli, Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto leapt out from behind the trees and lunged at their target.
"Gotcha!" Naruto cried out as he grabbed the black cat.
"Ribbon on the left ear…are you sure this is our target, Tora?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah, we're sure." Sasuke answered. Naruto cried out in pain as Elli and Sakura stood by, laughing.
"Good. Lost Pet "Tora" Search Mission is complete!" Kakashi said proudly.
Team 7 returned Tora to it's owner, the Fire Country Lord's wife. Elli felt sorry for poor Tora as she stood watching Madam Shijimi cuddle Tora to death.
"Now Kakashi's Team #7, your next duty is…babysitting an elder's grandson, shopping in the neighboring village and helping wit the potato digging." The Hokage said, reading off a list.
"No way!" Naruto yelled. "I want to do a more incredible mission! Find us a better one!" Elli had no choice but to agree silently with Naruto. These missions, though good volunteer projects, weren't really worth the Academy and the survival training.
"You idiot!" Iruka yelled as he stood up behind the desk, "You're just a rookie! Everyone starts with the simplest duties and works their way up!"
"But we keep getting the crappiest duties!"
"Be quiet, you!" Kakashi scolded as he punched Naruto on the top of the head. Elli stood close by Sasuke, watching with amusement and silently agreeing with Naruto.
"Naruto, it seems I have to explain what these duties are all about." The Hokage sighed. "Listen, every day the village receives requests, from babysitting to assassinations. Each request is written down on these lists and ranked A, B, C or D based on difficulty. This village is also divided by skill, starting with me to the Jou, Chuu and Ge-nins. The missions are then handed out by us at the top to ninjas based on ability. And if the duty is completed successfully, we receive payment from the client. You guys just became Genins, so D-rank missions are perfect for you." The Hokage looked up.
"Last night I had pork ramen so I was thinking miso sounds good for-" Naruto had his back turned and was talking to the other three Genins and his sensei.
"Hey, listen!" The Hokage yelled.
"I apologize." Kakashi stammered, scratching the back of his head.
"Geez, all you ever do is give lectures like that. But you know what? I'm not the same trouble-making brat you still think I am!" Naruto proclaimed and turned his back.
"Ok, if you really want it that much," Team #7 looked up in surprise, "I'll give you a C-rank mission. It's protection of a certain individual." The Hokage explained.
"Yay!" Naruto exclaimed. Elli watched in wonder. She couldn't believe Naruto had gotten his way so easily. "Who? A Feudal Lord? A princess?" Naruto asked.
"Calm down, I'm about to introduce him. Could you please come in?" The Hokage called out the door. The door slid open and a man came in with a bottle in his hand. He leaned against the door.
"What's this? They're all a bunch of brats. Especially the shortest one with the stupid looking face." He criticized, taking a drink out of his bottle.
"Who's the shortest one with the stupid looking face?" Naruto asked, looking at his teammates. Elli watched with amusement as it dawned on Naruto.
"I'll kill you!" Naruto yelled. He was held back by Kakashi, who had gotten hold of his collar.
"What's the point of killing the person we're supposed to protect? Idiot!" Kakashi scolded Naruto as he flailed around.
"I am the expert bridge builder Tazuna." The client introduced himself. "I expect you to protect me until I get back to my country and complete the bridge."
"Let's go!" Naruto yelled as soon as they were outside the village walls. Kakashi, Sasuke and Naruto had backpacks on while the girls had book bags. Sakura's was white but Elli's was black with a pink strap and a pink wolf on front.
"What are you so excited about?" Sakura asked.
"Cause I've never left the village before!" He exclaimed as he looked around.
"Am I really going to be safe with this brat?" Tazuna asked Kakashi.
"Well, I am a Jounin, so I wouldn't worry." Kakashi answered.
"Hey, old man! Don't mess with ninjas! I'm incredible!" Naruto yelled. "One day I will take on the super elite title of Hokage! My Name is Naruto Uzamaki! Remember it!" Elli sighed. At this rate, they wouldn't get to the bridge builder's country until they were Kakashi's age. She shifted in her new outfit, which she had changed into before leaving. Now she wore a half sleeve shirt that matched her sweatshirt's design and color and black exercise pants that ended before her knees. Over her pants she wore a pink skirt that ended half an inch before her pants with two long slits down the side.
"Hokage is the supreme ninja, right? I doubt someone like you could become it." Tazuna criticized as took another drink of his bottle.
"Shut up! Once I become Hokage, you'll acknowledge me!"
"No I won't you brat. Even if you became Hokage."
"I'll kill you!" Naruto exclaimed again.
"I said stop, moron." Kakashi grabbed hold of Naruto's collar again. They finally started the mission and began walking away from Konoha.
"Um, Tazuna-san?" Sakura asked.
"What?"
"You're from the Wave Country, right?"
"What about it?"
"Kakashi-sensei, do they have ninjas in that country too?"
"No, not in the Wave Country." Kakashi answered. "But in most other countries, hidden villages exist, and so do ninjas." Kakashi started explaining about the countries, the Kages, villages and power. Elli looked at the sky. It was a sunny day, full of promises. But something felt off to her. She felt as if they were being tailed. But they had just left the village. And this was just a protection mission. They shouldn't be trailed, right? Especially not by ninjas, right?
"Wow, so Hokage-sama is the best!" Sakura exclaimed. Right…Elli thought.
"You guys just doubted Hokage-sama, didn't you?" Kakashi asked. The four Genins stopped in their tracks. "Don't worry, there's no ninja combat in C-rank missions." Kakashi assured.
"Then we won't come in contact with foreign ninjas?" Sakura asked.
"Of course not!" Kakashi laughed. Elli noticed that Tazuna's face had become sullen. She saw that Sasuke had noticed too. Their eyes met, wondering the same thing. Suddenly their attention was drawn to two ninjas with spiked chains and gauntlets that had instantly appeared. The chains were wrapped around Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Elli cried out, realizing what was going on. What the hell? Foreign ninjas on a C-rank mission?
"One down." The two ninjas said and pulled the chains. Kakashi was split into pieces. Tazuna and the Genins stared in horror as the ninjas disappeared and wound up behind Naruto.
"Two down." They said. Naruto was frozen in fear.
"Naruto!" Elli called out to her teammate. Damn! Move, Naruto! Sasuke reacted, pulling out a throwing star and, catching the middle part of the chain, hit a tree. The two ninjas couldn't free their chain. Naruto finally reacted and moved behind the ninjas. Elli pulled out a kunai knife and threw it at Sasuke's throwing star to make sure the chain would be caught long enough for Sasuke to act. Sasuke acknowledged Elli's move and jumped on the two ninjas. With a swift movement, he broke the chain from the ninjas' gauntlets and they flew to the sides. Claws grew from one ninja's gauntlet and he attacked Naruto, catching the back of his hand. The other ninja targeted Tazuna.
"Sir, get back!" Sakura yelled as she stood in front of Tazuna. The ninja came closer. Elli dashed in front of Sakura, her arms crossed in front of her chest. She surprised Sakura, Tazuna and Sasuke with her move. She stood, waiting for the impact of the ninja. All of a sudden, Kakashi stood in front of them, the ninja under his arm. Kakashi-sensei! Elli thought as she took in the picture. He's still alive! He used the Kawarimi! Elli noticed at the same time as Naruto the pieces of splintered wood on the ground. She heard Tazuna sigh behind her.
"Naruto, I'm sorry I didn't save you immediately. I got you injured. I just didn't think you'd freeze like that." Kakashi apologized. "Anyways, nice job, Sasuke. Same goes for you, Elli. You too, Sakura."
"Hey." Sasuke called out. Elli looked away from Kakashi as Naruto looked up. "You alright, scaredy cat?" Sasuke asked with a smirk. Elli widened her eyes. It was so unlike Sasuke to milk this situation so much. She saw Naruto's face and opened her mouth to say something but Kakashi interrupted.
"Naruto, save it for later. Those claws are soaked in poison. We have to remove it immediately. We must open the wound and release the poisoned blood from body. Don't move much or the poison will spread. Tazuna-san, I need to talk to you. These look like Hidden Mist Chuunins. These shinobis are known to keep fighting no matter what."
"How did you react our movements so quickly?" One Chuunin asked.
"On a sunny day like this when it hasn't rained for days, there's not going to be a puddle." Kakashi answered.
"If you knew that, why did you let the brats fight?" Tazuna questioned.
"If I had wanted to I could've killed these two instantly, but there was something I needed to find out: who they were after."
"What do you mean?" Tazuna asked.
"Meaning…were they after you or one of us. We haven't heard that there were shinobis after you. Our mission was simply to protect you from thieves or gangs. This has now become a B-rank mission. This was supposed to be simple protection until you finished the bridge." Elli saw Tazuna's face become sullen. "If it were known that there were ninjas after you, this would've been a more expensive B-rank mission. I'm sure you had a reason, but it can cause problems when you lie about the mission. We are now operating outside of our duties."
"We aren't ready for this mission. Let's quit!" Sakura suggested, "We need medicine for Naruto's wound. We should go back to the village and get him a doctor."
"This may be too much." Kakashi surveyed Naruto. Sasuke stood close by Elli and they listened to what was going on. They both knew the other didn't want the mission to end. "I guess we should return to the village to treat Naruto." Kakashi concluded. Elli saw Naruto's face overcome with rage. He pulled out a kunai knife and stabbed it into the wound, surprising the others.
"Naruto, what are you doing?" Sakura asked.
"I won't lose to Sasuke anymore. I swear it on the pain of my left hand. With this kunai, I'll protect the old man. We're continuing this mission!" Naruto proclaimed. A small smile formed on Elli's face. Naruto truly wasn't the trouble-making brat he had been anymore, just like he had said earlier in the day. She was starting to respect her weird teammate.
"Naruto, it's good that you're releasing the poison but…" Kakashi said, "anymore and you'll die from lack of blood."
"No, that's bad! I can't die from something like this!"
"Let me see your hand." Kakashi said. He paused, staring at the cut. Elli wondered what Kakashi looking at.
"Am I going to be ok?" Naruto asked, scared at Kakashi's hesitation.
"You should be fine." Kakashi answered, bandaging Naruto's hand.
"Sensei, I need to talk to you." Tazuna said, his face serious.
"What thick mist! I can't see ahead!" Sakura exclaimed later on. They were in a boat, headed towards the Wave Country.
"We should see the bridge soon. The Wave Country is at the base of the bridge." The person paddling the boat replied. They watched as outlines started coming into view.
"Wow! It's huge!" Naruto yelled.
"Hey, be quiet!" The person paddling scolded. "Why do you think we're hiding in the mist and not using the engine? We'll be in deep trouble if Gatou finds us." The four Genins looked up, interested.
"Sensei…" Tazuna sighed. "I want to talk to you. It's about this mission. You're right, this job is most likely out of your duties. It turns out a dangerous man is after my life."
"Dangerous man? Who?" Kakashi questioned.
"You've probably heard his name before. The wealthy shipping magnate, Gatou."
"Gatou from the Gatou Company? He's said to be one of the world's few wealthy people."
"He officially runs a large shipping company but secretly he sells drugs and illegal items, using ninjas and gang members to take over businesses and countries. It was about a year ago when he set his eyes on the Wave Country. He quickly got control through money and violence. The only thing he fears now is the completion of the bridge."
"So, since you're building the bridge, you're in the way." Sakura concluded.
"So those ninjas were hired by Gatou?" asked Sasuke. Naruto, confused, stared at the others. Elli sighed and continued to listen.
"What I don't get is…if you knew ninjas were after you, why did you hide that fact when you hired us?" Kakashi pressed.
"The Wave is a poor country. Not even the Feudal Lord has money. There was no way to afford the expensive B-rank mission. If you quit the mission now, I'll definitely be killed. But, don't worry about it!" Tazuna exclaimed cheerfully. "If I die, my cute grandson will just cry for a few days and my daughter will just live a sad life hating Leaf ninjas forever! But it won't be your fault!" Kakashi and the Genins sighed. Not the guilt trip…Elli thought as she hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on her knees.
"Well, I guess we have no choice." Kakashi sighed. "We'll protect you at least until you get back to your country." A triumphant smile set on Tazuna's face.
"We'll be there soon." The driver announced. "Tazuna, we've avoided detection so far but to be safe, we'll take the road with vegetation. It'll make it harder to us." Tazuna nodded his thanks. Elli and her team watched as the scenery changed to trees and plants on both sides.
"Wow." Naruto said, taking it all in. Elli let go of her knees and sat on her feet, clutching the boat edges. It was amazing and hard to believe that the Wave Country would be as poor as Tazuna claimed with all this vegetation. The driver stopped at a dock and the passengers got off.
"Ok this is it for me. Good bye and good luck." The driver wished.
"Yeah, thanks." Tazuna replied. He turned to the ninjas. "Ok, get me home safely!" He declared.
"Of course." Kakashi replied. Elli walked between Sasuke and Kakashi quietly, occasionally glancing over at Sasuke or Tazuna. Her attention went to Naruto, who had jumped in front of the group, looking back and forth.
"There!" He yelled and threw a shuriken into a bush. Everything was silent. "Just a rat." Naruto said.
"Stop trying to act cool! There was nothing there!" Sakura yelled.
"Hey, please stop using shurikens. It's seriously dangerous." Kakashi asked.
"Hey, I think I see a shadow!" Naruto yelled, ignoring Kakashi. "There!" He threw another shuriken. Kakashi went to investigate.
"I said stop!" Sakura yelled, punching Naruto on the top of the head.
"Oww!" Naruto yelled. "There's someone after us, I swear!"
"Yeah, right!" Elli watched the commotion, amusement lighting her eyes. She looked at Sasuke, who seemed pissed off at the delay. They all went to see what Kakashi was looking at.
"Naruto, what have you done!" Sakura yelled. Naruto grabbed the snow rabbit and hugged it like Madam Shijimi had done to Tora this morning, apologizing to it.
"Oh, just a rabbit." Tazuna sighed as he, Elli and Sasuke saw what was going on.
"Everyone get down!" Kakashi yelled suddenly. Everyone ducked, having no clue as to what was going on. Something passed over their heads, creating a huge gust of wind. When it had passed, they all looked up. Standing on the handle of a large sword that was cutting into a tree was a ninja. He looked at them over his shoulder, surveying every one of them.
"Well, if it isn't the Hidden Mist's missing-nin, Momochi Zabuza." Kakashi said calmly. Naruto stood up and got ready to run in. Kakashi blocked him. "Everybody get back. This one's on a whole other level." Kakashi warned. He grabbed hold of his forehead protector, which was slanted so it blocked his left eye.
"You're Sharingan Kakashi. Sorry, but the old man is mine." Zabuza stated. Confusion passed on Sakura, Tazuna and Naruto's faces but shock passed on Elli and Sasuke's. They looked at each other, wide-eyed.
"Surround and protect Tazuna. Do not enter the fight. That's the teamwork here." Kakashi instructed. "Zabuza, first fight me." He lifted his forehead protector to reveal a red eye with three black spots on it.
"I get to see the famous Sharingan already. I'm honored." Zabuza said calmly.
"Sharingan! Sharingan! What the hell is a Sharingan?" Naruto demanded.
"Sharingan…It's said that some people have the ability in their eyes to read and defeat all types of Gen, Tai and Nin-jutsu. The Sharingan is one of the types of pupils that gives you this power." Sasuke explained.
"But that's not the only ability the Sharingan has." Elli added.
"That's right. What's even scarier is that you can copy your opponent's moves once you see them." Zabuza filled in. "When I was on the Hidden Mist's assassin team, I kept a handbook, which included information on you. 'The man who has copied over 1,000 jutsu: Copy Ninja Kakashi." Elli stared at Kakashi. If he has the Sharingan, then that means…Elli could tell Sasuke's mind was on the same page. "Enough talking." Zabuza announced. "I have to kill the old man. But it seems I have to beat you first, Kakashi." The four Genins surrounded Tazuna as Kakashi stood stock still. Zabuza pulled his sword out of the tree and stood on a puddle of water.
"Over there! And on top of the water!" Sakura cried out.
"Hidden Mist no Jutsu." Zabuza said. A thick mist settled over the area.
"He'll come after me first." Kakashi informed. "Momochi Zabuza, an expert in silent killing. You don't even notice until you're dead. It's not like I can use the Sharingan perfectly, so be careful." The four Genins stood alert.
"The mist is getting thicker!" Naruto yelled.
"Eight choices…" Zabuza's voice echoed around them. "Liver, lungs, spine, clavicle vein, neck vein, brain, kidneys, heart. Which one should I go after?" Tazuna and his guards got shaken badly. Kakashi stood, listening intently. He made a hand seal.
"Sasuke." He said suddenly. "Don't worry. I'll protect you guys even if it kills me. I don't let my comrades die." He looked over his shoulder and smiled. Elli, who was standing next to Sasuke, touched his arm. He looked at her, face unsure. She smiled and lifted her hand, serious about her protecting Tazuna.
"We'll see about that!" Zabuza exclaimed. To everyone's surprise, he appeared in the middle of their formation. "It's over." He declared. In an instant, Kakashi was in front Zabuza and shoved everyone off to the side. His kunai was stabbed in Zabuza's stomach. Another Zabuza appeared Kakashi.
"Sensei, behind you!" Naruto cried out and pointed. The Zabuza Kakashi had stabbed his kunai into turned into water. As Kakashi looked over shoulder, Zabuza swung his sword and cut Kakashi in half. Elli watched on in shock as water burst everywhere.
"Don't move!" Kakashi was behind Zabuza, holding a kunai to his neck. "Now it's over."
"It's over? You don't get it, do you?" Zabuza laughed. "There's no way you can defeat me with your monkey-like imitations. But that was impressive of you. At that time, you had already copied my Water Clone no Jutsu. You had your clone say all those words to attract my attention while you hid in the mist and watched me. Nice plan. But I'm also not that easy!" The Zabuza in front of Kakashi burst into water as another Zabuza ended up behind Kakashi, armed with a kunai.
"That one's a fake too?" Naruto yelled. Kakashi ducked as Zabuza brought his sword around. Zabuza stuck the tip into the ground and kicked Kakashi.
"Sensei!" Naruto screamed as Kakashi fell into the water. Elli watched in horror as Zabuza ended behind Kakashi.
"Fool. Water Prison no Jutsu!" Zabuza made a series of hand seals.
"What!" Kakashi was lifted as the water surrounded him, forming an orb.
"You may have been trying to escape in the water, but that was a big mistake. Now I have you in my inescapable special prison. Now, Kakashi. We can finish things later. First, I'll take care of them. Water Clone no Jutsu!" A Zabuza clone rose from the water. It stepped onto the ground.
"Wearing forehead protectors and acting like real ninjas. But you know what? A real ninja is someone who survived numerous brushes with death. Basically, once you're good enough to be listed in my handbook, then you guys can start calling yourselves ninja. You guys don't deserve to be referred to as ninjas." The Zabuza clone criticized. It disappeared and kicked Naruto back, knocking off his forehead protector.
"Naruto!" Sakura and Elli screamed.
"Just a brat." The real Zabuza said.
"Guys! Take Tazuna-san and run away! You have no chance of winning. As long he's keeping me trapped in this prison, he can't move!" Kakashi yelled. "The water clone can't go very far away from his real body. Just run away now!" Elli looked on in terror, fear claiming her body. She wanted to help Naruto, but she couldn't move. She could only stare at the Zabuza clone as what Kakashi said reached her. She noticed Naruto trying to move. At least he was able to. She felt as though she could barely breathe. To her surprise, Naruto got up and ran towards the clone.
"No! Don't!" Kakashi yelled.
"Naruto, what are you thinking!" Sakura screamed.
"Naruto…" Elli muttered under her breath.
"Idiot." The clone muttered. He kicked Naruto and sent him flying back.
"What are you doing jumping in by yourself! We Genin have no chance against him!" Sakura shouted as Naruto slid back to them. Elli, Sasuke and Sakura looked at Naruto in surprise. In his hand was his forehead protector. He struggled to get up.
"Hey, the freak with no eyebrows," Naruto insulted, "put this in your handbook. The man who will one day become Hokage: Leaf Village ninja Naruto Uzamaki!" He declared as he tied his forehead protector back on. "Hey, Sasuke!" He called out.
"What?" Sasuke answered.
"I have a plan."
"Teamwork? Coming from you?"
"Now, let's get wild!" Naruto said, grinning over his shoulder. Elli watched with amazement. Naruto developed a plan that quickly. He was showing signs that he did have what it took to become Hokage. Interesting…
"What are you doing? Run away! This fight was over the minute I got caught!" Kakashi yelled. "Our duty is to protect Tazuna-san! Did you forget?"
"Old man?" Naruto looked over his shoulder at Tazuna.
"Well, I planted this seed myself. I'm not going to say that I desire to live so much that'd I stop you. Sorry, guys. Fight all you want." Tazuna answered.
"Hear that?" Sasuke asked.
"Are you ready?" Naruto asked at the same time.
"Going to keep playing ninja?" Zabuza asked, laughing. "When I was about your age, these hands were already dyed in blood." Fear spread on the faces of the Genins.
"The devil Zabuza…" Kakashi whispered.
"So you've heard of me?"
"Long ago in the Hidden Mist Village, also called the Blood Mist Village, there was a final obstacle in becoming a ninja." Kakashi began.
"So you even know about that graduation exam."
"What exam?" Naruto ventured. Zabuza only laughed.
"Fights to death between the students." He replied. "Friends who have trained and eaten at the same table are pitted against each other until one loses his life. These were friends who had helped each other and shared dreams."
"10 years ago, the exam was forced to change. This change occurred when a devil appeared." Kakashi continued.
"Change? What change? What did this devil do?" Sakura wondered.
"Without pause or hesitation, a boy who was not even a ninja killed over a hundred of the students." Kakashi answered. In a fast movement, Sasuke attacked the clone. In an even faster movement, the clone knocked Sasuke to the ground and stepped on his chest.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried out.
"Sasuke-sama!" Elli cried out at the same time.
"Die." Was all the clone said.
"Damn! Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto yelled, forming a hand seal. Numerous Naruto clones appeared all around.
"Ah, shadow clones. And a large amount of them." Zabuza observed.
"Here I come!" They all shouted. They jumped on top of Zabuza, only to be flung back by Zabuza's sword. The Naruto clones disappeared as the real Naruto slid back. He reached into his backpack.
"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted to him, who had managed to get free. He threw something and Sasuke caught it, spinning around.
"Evil Wind Shuriken. Shadow Windmill!" Sasuke exclaimed as he held the shuriken in front of him.
"A shuriken won't work against me." The clone stated as Sasuke leapt up and threw it. To the clone's surprise, the shuriken went pass him.
"I see. So you're aiming at the real me. But that's not enough!" Zabuza caught the shuriken with his free hand. "What? Another one in the shuriken's shadow?" He exclaimed as he noticed.
"That's the Shadow Shuriken no Jutsu." Kakashi explained. Elli and Sakura watched the shuriken spin towards the real Zabuza.
"Still not enough!" He yelled as he jumped over the shuriken. Elli and Sakura showed their disappointment and surprise as Sasuke smirked. The shuriken transformed into Naruto, to everyone but Sasuke's surprise.
"Now!" Naruto shouted as he threw a kunai. To avoid it, Zabuza released the Water Prison no Jutsu and set Kakashi free. Naruto fell into the water and came back up, grinning. Zabuza glared at him as he ran towards Naruto with the shuriken he had caught. Naruto's eyes widened as Kakashi appeared in front of him, blocking the shuriken with the metal plate on the back of his glove.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura yelled as Elli sighed in relief. She now realized that she had been holding her breath with the sudden surprises. She ran over to Sasuke as she regained control of her body with the outwitting of Zabuza.
"Nice plan, Naruto. You guys have really grown up." Kakashi complimented.
"The aim of the Shadow Clone wasn't to defeat Zabuza but to hide the fact that I had transformed into the Evil Wind Shuriken." Naruto explained, going over his plan.
"I got distracted and released the jutsu." Zabuza said.
"Wrong! You were forced to release the jutsu." Kakashi retorted, turning his attention to Zabuza. "I'll tell you I don't fall for the same jutsu twice. What are you going to do?" Zabuza scoffed and leapt away, Kakashi following suit. They made the exact same hand signs and said the jutsu in unison.
"Water Dragon Blast no Jutsu!" A dragon made of water rose from in front of Zabuza and Kakashi and the two dragons clashed. A wave of water swept over Sakura, Sasuke, Elli and Tazuna as they held firm. As the dragons died away, they revealed Zabuza and Kakashi face to face, their own weapons blocking the other's weapon. They jumped back and started running in a circle. They stopped and raised one arm, forming a sign with the other hand. Zabuza watched Kakashi in surprise.
"…reading them." Kakashi said out of nowhere. Zabuza's eyes widened. "…freaky eye is pissing me off. Right?" Kakashi asked as he formed the same hand signs as Zabuza at the exact same time.
"All you're doing is copying me." Zabuza said. "You can't beat me you monkey!" Kakashi and Zabuza said in unison.
"I'll make it so you can never open that monkey mouth again!" Zabuza yelled. His eyes widened as he thought he saw himself behind Kakashi.
"Water Explosion no Jutsu!" Kakashi shouted.
"What? Impossible!" Zabuza yelled as spiraling water hit him. Elli, Sakura, Sasuke and Tazuna stood firm as another wave of water hit them. Elli squeezed her eyes shut, turning her back to the water. Her hair plastered to her face and clothes.As the water died away, Zabuza washed up against a tree. Elli wiped the soaked hair away from her face to look.
"It's over." Kakashi said calmly as he squatted on a branch.
"How? Can you see the future?" A terrified Zabuza asked.
"Yeah, you're going to die." Kakashi replied. Out of nowhere, two needles flew in and pierced Zabuza's neck. He fell to the ground, stiff. On another tree was a person with a white mask on.
"You're right. He's dead." He said calmly. Naruto washed up and saw, in surprise, Zabuza on the ground and the person in the tree. Kakashi leapt down next to Zabuza to check his pulse.
"He really is dead." He said, looking up at the kid in the tree. Elli shivered as she looked up at the kid in the white mask. With just two needles, the kid had defeated Zabuza…
"Thank you very much." The kid bowed his head. "I have been searching for the opportunity to kill Zabuza for a long time."
"That mask…you're a Hidden Mist hunter-nin." Kakashi said.
"Impressive. You're correct." He replied.
"Hunter-nin?" Sakura asked.
"Yes, my duty is to hunt down missing-nins." He explained. Naruto stood up and looked from him to Zabuza, then back.
"Who the hell are you!" Naruto yelled, pointing at the kid.
"Don't worry Naruto. He's not an enemy." Kakashi stood up.
"I'm not asking that! Zabuza, a guy that strong, was killed by a kid that's not so different from us! We look stupid! How can I understand that?" Naruto yelled. Deep inside, Elli felt a pang of sorrow. As much as she didn't like it, Naruto was saying the truth. They did look stupid compared to him.
"I know how you feel, but in this world, there exist kids younger than you but stronger than me." Kakashi stated as he walked over to Naruto. Naruto looked away. The kid jumped down to Zabuza.
"Your battle is over. I have to dispose of this body since it holds so many secrets. Farewell." He said and vanished with Zabuza's body.
"Now we have to get Tazuna-san to his house. Let's go." Kakashi instructed.
"Thanks guys. Come over and relax for a while!" Tazuna offered. Kakashi took one step and fell down.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto yelled.
"What's wrong?" Sakura asked as she, Elli Sasuke and Tazuna gathered. Elli stayed somewhat behind Sasuke as Kakashi lost consciousness. She bit her lip, praying for his safety, while they figured out how to get him to Tazuna's house. Finally, they were ready to go. They remained silent for the rest of the walk.