A/N: I don't own Naruto. I am also saying that I won't be updating other stories til June, I 'm sorry but I'm quite busy with my studies. Again, Sorry.
Naruto: The Greatest Hero
Chapter 3: The Mist That Reveals
Naruto may appeared to be calm and reserved on the outside shell, but he was actually a raging storm of frustration and that storm was directed to Mission Command. Naruto knew that they were only genins, but the Hokage must have known of his skills, after all, he was the only non-shinobi boy to beat the traitor Mizuki four years ago. That was when Naruto developed his first technique from Kakashi: the Suiryuudan no Jutsu. The blonde was peeved and he knew that his two friends were as well. He knew because every time they went on a D-ranked mission, he could see fire of "pissed-offness" (as quoted by Shikamaru) being eminated by his friend Kiba.
Naruto had to even restrain Kiba from strangling a cat that they had to retrieve for the Hokage's wife; Tora-chan. Shikamaru was better at not showing that he was frustrated as he had the patience capacity of a large mountain, but Naruto and the others could slowly see that the "mountain" was beginning to crumble. And when Shikamaru was angry, no one would want to be within ten feet of him, if the said person valued their life at all. The brunette had picked something up from his mother; when he was angry his strength would equal a whole Anbu Squadron. Inoshi, Shikamaru's father, had the bad luck to experience it first-hand when they were five.
Meanwhile, Kurenai had been as calm and collected as ever, not really frustrated by the lack of good missions coming their way. She enjoyed it. But not the others.
Naruto was outside the Hokage's Building, looking upwards to the window of the Hokage's office. He had to see him today to ask for a B-ranked mission. Naruto knew that the Hokage was aware of his skill, and was here for the reason why the missions haven't been coming his way. Naruto walked up the stairs of the building and saw two Anbu Guards outside the office, both talking about a dirty topic.
'Have you seen the knew "Make-Out" Paradise Video, Hito? I heard it's really good. With all their scene footage and girls. I'm borrowing one from Kamachi.'
'Well, I really don't have time. And my girlfriend would kill me if she knew I was reading the books, let alone watch the video. I don't want to risk it.'
Naruto walked up to both of them, who were oblivious that a blonde boy had appeared before them, wearing a facemask. They continued talking about the video.
'Why don't you come to my house and we'll watch it with the guys.'
'Excuse me, I'm here to see the Hokage.' Naruto piped up, drawing their attention.
The one wearing a dog mask, Hito, looked at the half-masked blonde that had his hands in his pockets and had lazy eyes in place. He bent down to his height.
'Why are you here to see the Hokage, little boy?' he asked.
'I need to see him about my team's missions. They're all too lame.' Naruto said.
'And may I ask what kind of mission are you requesting as a genin?'
'B-ranked or A-ranked.' Naruto said simply and suddenly heard a snicker.
It was the taller of the two, the one who was leaning to the wall. Naruto frowned.
'Aren't you a bit too inexperienced to get a B-ranked mission, let alone A-rank?'
'So is the Hokage in?' Naruto asked looking at the tall Anbu.
'Yes, he is in, but you cannot see him. He has more important members to attend to than talk about missions for a genin team.' he said, making Naruto frown more.
'Sorry, but I have to see him now.' Naruto proceeded to walk through the doors…
Only to be stopped by the blade of the Anbu that was leaning by the wall.
'You want me to make this painful for you, don't you?' Naruto stated simply.
Suddenly, Naruto started making extremely fast handseals, surprising the Anbu.
'Raiton: Raitoradan no Jutsu.' Naruto thrust his left hand forward, sending the Anbu member through the door and in the process, demolishing it; Naruto walked in, not minding the twitching Anbu on the ground in front of him and shocked one behind.
'Naruto! How many times have I told you not to do that to the Anbus that are out side my door? Now look at it; it's destroyed for the umpteenth time!'
The Hokage was at his desk, the same dirty book that Kakashi read almost everyday in his hands. Naruto took a seat in front of the desk as if nothing happened.
'You there; pick this man up and get him patched up.' the Hokage ordered.
The other Anbu obliged, though still shocked from Naruto's technique.
'What are you here for, Naruto?' the Hokage turned to the blonde genin, frowning.
'I…' Naruto couldn't continue as a scream was heard from the hallway.
'Ino, I don't think…' Kakashi's voice was heard from the hallway, pleading.
'Kakashi-sensei, I absolutely refuse to go and rescue that cat again!' Ino shouted.
Team Eight were at the door. Kakashi was their instructor, though by force. The jounin had made it clear to the Hokage that he wanted to be a normal Jounin again.
His request was denied by the Hokage. And now he was stuck with the,.
Sakura was next to Sasuke, looking slightly annoyed and frustrated. Sasuke on the other hand, was as stoic as ever, hands in his pockets and frowning. Ino was just plain angry and Naruto thought that he knew why. It was about the missions.
'Oh, Kakashi? What are you and your team here for?' the Hokage asked.
'I don't want to go on another D-ranked mission that involves that stupid cat!'
Ino had answered for him and Naruto silently agreed. That cat was more pesky than a plague of rats. Naruto turned to the others and found out that they too were agreeing.
'Alright, I'll give you both another mission; B-ranked.' the Hokage sighed.
Thank you, God, no more cat rescues, Naruto thought silently.
'Naruto, alert your team of this mission. It begins tomorrow.' the old man said and Naruto nodded before the old man continued, 'You shall team up with Team Eight.'
Naruto got up early and dressed himself neatly and quickly before heading down the stairs of his apartment, his facemask in place. The blonde rushed to the Main Gate of Konoha with his rucksack, bringing along with him his utilities and tools.
Naruto's and Sasuke's teams had a mission to protect an individual that went by the name of Tazuna. He had to get to the Kirigakure under protection to re-instil the prosperity of the Wave Country. It was not going to be an easy tack as the rumors of two S-classed nukenins were involved in the opposite corner of the mission.
'Hey, Naruto!' Kiba called out to him, waving a hand in greeting.
Naruto saw that his team was there with Tazuna and Sakura and Ino, but there were no signs of Kakashi or Sasuke in the vicinity. Naruto walked over to the group.
'Hey guys, how's it going?' Naruto greeted his team, waving a hand in return.
'We're about to set off.' Shikamaru said, a happy air surrounding him.
'Yeah, That guy, Kakashi, I saw him stop by at a bookstore on my way here.' Kiba said as Akamaru gave a bark, 'Don't know why, though.'
Naruto's lips turned into a grimace, knowing why his older brother had stopped.
Suddenly, Kakashi and Sasuke appeared in a puff of smoke before them, Kakashi scratching the back of his head in apology and Sasuke showing no emotion as usual.
Naruto sighed; he could never get used to his brother being late at any time.
'Alright then, now that we're here, let's all go on with our mission.' Kiba said.
This earned nods from the ninjas and a grunt from Sasuke, who definitely had some kind of attitude problem that needed fixing. Kakashi was trying to fix it, but sometimes you need the necessary tools for a certain kind of fixing, and Kakashi did not have the correct tools for the repair that Sasuke needed.
The team walked on for a while; Kiba whistling a tune to himself, Shikamaru having his hands in his pockets, looking to the sky as a slightly red Ino was walking right beside him. Sasuke was trying to ignore a begging Sakura, who was trying to weed out a date from him. Kakashi was walking beside Tazuna, quite silent. Kurenai was walking next to Naruto, who was at the tail of the group, looking to the front.
Suddenly, Naruto stopped as the team walked on. Kurenai turned to him.
'What's wrong, Naruto?' Kurenai asked as Naruto's eyes were directed at a puddle.
The puddle, actually, two puddles, were at the side of the road, Naruto drew a kunai.
The puddles turned into two ninjas, both wielding heavy harpoons in their hands.
'We are the Demon Brothers! Now hand over that old man you got over there!'
Naruto basically sighed at the synchronised voice of the two ninjas. He then turned to Kakashi, who looked like he was smiling, the to Kurenai, who was indeed smiling. The other genins except Shikamaru had huddled around Tazuna, kunais drawn.
'Finish them quick, Naruto. We need to get to Wave Country soon.' Kakashi said.
'Are you looking down on us! We are the-' one of them began to say, but…
Naruto had created a Shadow Clone, who had its kunai drawn and threatening to slit the ninjas throat. The other ninja backed away for a moment. This boy was more dangerous than he looked; he charged at the original Naruto, who merely moved aside. Kurenai was in the path of the ninja, but got out of the way, moving right.
Suddenly, Naruto vanished from sight and reappeared behind the ninja.
'Who in the world are you?' the now-trembling ninja asked; beads of sweat visible.
Naruto did not answer him but knocked him unconscious with a blow to his head with is elbow as his Shadow Clone did the same to the other ninja. The speed and the way Naruto handled the two ninjas impressed all of the present genins that stood there, rooted to the spot, watching a whistling Naruto walk back to the group after tying the Demon Brothers, as they were known, upside down from a nearby tree.
'Let's get on with our journey then, guys.' Naruto said, as though nothing happened.
The genins slowly moved away from their formation that was intended to protect Tazuna. Naruto kept quiet as he walked with his friends and his brother. The genins were quite impressed with Naruto, but Sasuke was turning green with envy. How could the blonde be any better than him? He was convinced he was the best.
Meanwhile, hiding from them, was a Mist jounin with a white facemask covering half his face. He silently watched the ninjas walk through the woods, half of his mind impressed that the genin had eliminated his men so easily, the other frustrated that such a ninja was in the group that he was to wipe out. And to add it all up, there was Hatake Kakashi in the group, the powerful and feared Copy Ninja.
'Hello there, Zabuza.' a shark-like man greeted him from behind, grinning.
'Kisame.' Zabuza turned to face the man, frowning, 'What are you doing here?'
'I've decided to take a breather from my… partner. He's a bit too unemotional.'
'I don't have time to talk to you, Kisame. I have a job to do.' Zabuza said.
Suddenly, Kisame pulled out his sword and Zabuza blocked it with his.
'Your skills still haven't gone down one bit. Nor have they improved.' Kisame used the force of his arms to try and bring his blade upon Zabuza, snickering.
'Hmph. I have things to do; maybe later, we can finish.' Zabuza said as he and Kisame put their swords back in their sheathes on their back. Kisame suddenly vanished. About five seconds after his vanishing act, a masked person appeared.
'Zabuza-san, who was that man, he was… powerful.' the masked person asked.
'And old… friend.' Zabuza said, almost saying the last word in disgust before turning to the masked person, 'Don't need to worry. Let's go.'
They vanished on sight as the shark-like man watched, smirking.
At the time, Naruto and the others were walking up a road going uphill, Tazuna leading the way, followed by Kakashi and Sasuke and the rest of the group. Naruto was at the back of the group with Kiba and Shikamaru, talking about the fight that they had just witnessed between Naruto and the Demon Brothers.
'Man, Naruto, I have never seen you move that fast. You're really skilled.' Kiba said, smiling at his friend as Naruto did the same under his mask.
'Well, Kakashi-niichan has been teaching me for almost all my life. I think that I owe more credit to him than to myself. He really is a good brother.'
'Your speed was almost blinding to the eye.' Shikamaru said, catching the attention of the two boys, 'What kind of technique did you use?'
Naruto sighed in defeat as he proceeded to explain his accomplishments and abilities. It was not that big a secret, but he did not like to brag about it.
'I've been wearing weights since I turned seven. Kakashi gave me a twenty kilogram suit to wear for training and everytime it felt like I could walk normal again, he would add fifteen more kilograms. This continued until I was eleven, and by then I had a one-hundred and forty kilogram suit on for training.' Naruto explained, happy to tell the story, 'I took them off at eleven because it was time to learn techniques and since the weights have taken their affect on me, I can perform seals faster.'
Kiba and Shikamaru looked to their friend and were impressed by far. Kurenai giggled as she saw Naruto talk animatedly with his teammates. It always brought her joy whenever Naruto was like that. Happy and friendly. That's how boys should be.
As Naruto talked to his friends, Ino was catching glimpses of Shikamaru, who was one of the conversationalists in the group at the back. Sakura smiled mischievously to her blonde fellow kunoichi. She took this as a perfect opportunity to tease her.
'Hey Ino, why don't you go tell him?' Sakura egged on, pointing to the brunette at the back, still having the mischievous smile on her face, 'You like him don't you?'
'Shut up.' Ino whispered to Sakura, who just kept her smile plastered firmly on her face; it showed no signs of coming down for a while, she added, 'Forehead Girl.'
If there was one thing that would make Sakura angry it was the mention of that teasing name. She knew she had a large forehead, but she did not like being constantly informed that she did have one let alone be teased of having a large forehead. Sakura frowned at her friend before turning red with anger.
The girls argued for a while as Naruto and the boys shifted to a different topic.
'Girls are troublesome.' Shikamaru said, watching the two feisty females fight.
'You know, I agree with you, Shikamaru, the female species are very hard things to understand. They're always saying one thing, but mean another. One time, My sister asked me if I could go to the pharmacy and buy her some bandages. I got her the bandages and then she threw them back at me in my face for not getting the ones with the lemon scent.' Kiba said, huffing at the end of his words as Akamaru barked.
'I don't think the female species is that bad,' Naruto began and Kurenai, who was sneaking an ear into the conversation, smiled at his words, 'They may be sophisticated and sometimes shy and sometimes loud, but tell me if you want a girl for the rest of your life that just listens to your orders; cooking and cleaning, it's all dull. That's why they got all these personalities; so that you can enjoy them more.'
This earned him a hit on the head by Kurenai, who had done so he would not continue with his words. It seemed that being with Kakashi had a side affect of Naruto being slightly perverted. As Naruto massaged his head, the boy looked at his crush, who went on ahead with Kakashi, wondering why she had hit him.
'Ouch, that-' Naruto did not finish his words as a gigantic sword fell at them from above; Naruto tackled his friends Kiba and Shikamaruto the ground, a good four feet away from where the sword was.
Naruto got up and so did Kiba and Shikamaru, who both went to protect Tazuna in case of any attack. Suddenly, a man leapt onto the hilt of the sword. Kakashi's visible eye could be seen frowning as a bead of sweat came down his face.
'Who is that?' Kurenai questioned, watching the shirtless man with the facemask.
'The Demon of the Mist, Momochi Zabuza.' Kakashi answered her question.
Zabuza looked down at Naruto, who had taken a loose style of Taijutsu.
'So you're the brat that beat up my men.' Zabuza said, apparently smirking.
'Naruto, back off! This guy is an S-ranked criminal!' Kakashi barked as he ran to his younger brother, and when he finally reached him shielded him off, 'It's going to be a hard battle for us to fight, unless… Naruto, protect the others.'
Naruto knew what Kakashi was going to do. He followed the jounin's orders. Kakashi looked up into the eyes of Zabuza, who just kept smirking at him. Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing his infamous Sharingan, with three shrikes.
Kakashi turned to look at the team, who backed off a good ten feet away from Zabuza and Kakashi. The sight of the Sharingan surprised Sasuke.
'Impossible…' Sasuke said, shocked, looking at the blood red Sharingan.
Naruto, meanwhile, smirked at Zabuza, who jumped down from the hilt of his sword and drew it from the ground and put it back in the sheath on his back.
'Let's begin!' Zabuza declared as he charged at Kakashi in attempt to punch him.
Kakashi blocked the punch, but since it was enchanced by chakra, he was thrown back by the additional force registered by the power of the chakra. Kakashi stopped on… water? He was standing on a great lake, it semmed, whatever it was. Then it him; Zabuza was a ninja that based his techniques upon the water.
Zabuza came charging at Kakashi, missing this time, but smirked. Another Zabuza leapt out of the water and kicked Kakashi in the stomach.
'Kakashi-sensei!' Sakura screamed out the name of her jounin instructor.
Has he been here planning this trap all along? Kakashi thought.
Suddenly, another Zabuza appeared from under the water, performing handseals in extremely fast rushes before extending one hand to Kakashi and smiling maliciously.
'Suirou no Jutsu.' A bubble-like sphere covered Kakashi as Zabuza stood there.
'Kakashi-sensei was defeated?' Sakura said in barely a whisper, covering her mouth with her hands, watching her now-trapped teacher, 'How can he?'
Kurenai was about to move into action when without warning, several needles hit her limbs, thrown from the woods making her drop down to the ground, cursing.
'What the hell!' Kiba exclaimed as he watched his teacher on the ground, unmoving, 'This isn't good. We're at a clear disadvantage…'
'Damn needles…' Kurenai cursed, trying to move her limbs to no avail.
Suddenly, a kunai was thrown at the closest of the Zabuza clones; it turned into normal water again. Zabuza frowned as he watched as Naruto slowly got up. The blonde took out a folded Fuuma Shuriken from his rucksack.
'Release Kakashi now.' Naruto ordered as he took a step closer to Zabuza.
'Naruto, back off, this guy is too strong, even for you!' Kakashi called out.
Damn, I forgot about this annoying kid, Zabuza thought, frowning.
Suddenly, the masked person that Zabuza had talked to before appeared before him.
'Haku. Didn't I tell you to be my backup?' Zabuza said to the person.
'I'm sorry Zabuza-san, but I saw you in trouble.' the boy named Haku said, 'This boy is not an ordinary opponent as a genin. Let me take care of him.'
Zabuza didn't say anything but grunt as Haku took out two needles for each hand.
'Before we fight, tell me what your name is.' Haku said.
'Uzumaki Naruto. Let's begin, then.' Naruto said dashing at Haku.
Haku saw the blur that was his opponent and threw a needle at him. Naruto deflected it back with a kunai and spun himself back. As they fought on water, Zabuza decided to have a talk with his "prisoner".
'Your student is quite good as a genin, but… Haku will win.' Zabuza bragged.
'That boy is not my student…' Kakashi said, his eyes not facing Zabuza as he was watching the two boys fight on the water, 'He's my brother.'
Naruto stood a fair distance from Haku, but knew that if the longer he kept the distance between them, the better the chances of Haku hitting him with one of his needles. Naruto had to do something. The skills of his opponent were almost level with him, if not Kakashi's. Naruto had speed on his side, but Haku had the better eye for hitting. He had to engage Haku in close-combat to win.
Naruto suddenly had a brainstorm. It was a longshot, but it had a high chance of succeeding. Kakashi saw Naruto create four Shadow Clones of himself. Each had a kunai in their hands. The five Narutos charged at Haku, who was now outnumbered.
They engaged him in Taijutsu, and Haku couldn't keep blocking forever.
Suddenly, from under the water, emerged another Naruto. Everyone's eyes widened as the new Naruto did several handseals as Zabuza had.
'Suirou no Jutsu!' now Naruto had captured Haku; Zabuza's eyes widened.
Naruto dispelled his clones and his eyes met with Haku's angry ones.
'Release Kakashi or else…' Naruto left his threat hanging.
In the background, several cheers were heard from the others.
'Yeah, kick his ass, Naruto!' Kiba cheered on, punching into the air.
'Yeah, go Naruto-kun!' Sakura shouted, her mood enlightened.
They heard a chuckle. A loud chuckle. Zabuza was suddenly laughing, tears threatening to escape his eyes. Naruto frowned.
'Do what you want with him! He is nothing but a tool to me!' Zabuza called out.
Naruto did not answer Zabuza, but kept his gaze on his eyes.
'You're lying.' Naruto answered, looking from Zabuza to Haku and back.
Zabuza was taken aback by Naruto's response. He looked to Kakashi.
'How do you know I'm lying, huh! You can just kill him for all I care!'
Naruto kept silent for a while and looked into Zabuza's eyes.
'It's your eyes Zabuza-san.' Naruto said, shocking Zabuza, 'Your eyes tell me everything. This person is not your tool. You look at him with the same eyes that Kakashi gives me. The eyes of a brother, not a tool-wielder.'
And to everyone's shock, Naruto released his hold upon Haku. Haku got up.
'Why?' Haku questioned, looking to Naruto.
'Because you're like me.' Naruto said simply, smiling to Haku.
Zabuza looked to Kakashi and released him as well. Kakashi got up.
'Oi.' Zabuza turned to Kakashi, who was still shocked from the release, 'That's some kid you've got with you, Sharingan Kakashi.'
Kakashi smiled to himself and than proceeded to walk to Naruto, passing Haku.
He stopped in front of Naruto, who was smiling under the facemask.
'Come here, you!' Kakashi engulfed Naruto in the tightest hug he could muster.
Meanwhile, Zabuza and Haku were facing each other, not talking.
Suddenly, Zabuza punched Haku so hard his mask fell off, revealing the feminine face of a shocked Haku and then engulfed him in an extremely tight hug.
'Are you okay… little brother?' Zabuza asked.
'Of course… Zabuza-niisan.' Haku replied.