6. Battle On The Bridge
The rest of the week passed quickly and quietly. Sai had mastered combat water walking to a point that he could spar with Naruto for about thirty minutes by the end of the week. Sakura had joined them two days after the day Naruto beat up the thug leader when Kakashi judged her ready to learn the next exercise and be able to do it for more than ten minutes at a time. She took to it just as fast as she did tree climbing but had to near constantly walk around the surface of the water to get her chakra reserves even higher. Sasuke had joined them a day before Sakura but was still the slowest at learning it taking him until the end of the very last day to get up to combat level making the emo even more broody than normal and giving Naruto headaches every time he demanded to be taught a jutsu or something instead.
Now it was the night before they were expecting Zabuza to show up. Following Kakashi's advice, Tazuna had already told the workers to not show up the next day and the Gennin were showing signs of nervousness and anxiety. Well Sakura and Sasuke were. Sai looked as cool as he always did, but Naruto blamed that on the Root training he had been given.
After dinner, Naruto had taken Inari outside and the two were now sitting on a dock looking out across the water. As the two stared at the reflection of the moon with their knees to their chest's Naruto glanced over at Inari and reached into his kunai pouch.
Handing the throwing knife to the kid who looked at him in curiosity he said "Here, use this if things get rough tomorrow. I'll leave some clones that should handle anyone who gets close but it's always better to have a backup plan. Make sure you keep that on you at all times alright?"
Inari nodded and accepted the blade staring at it for a minute before putting the blade in his pocket. As he stared out at the water again, he said "Thanks Naruto."
Naruto rose an eyebrow and said "For what Inari?"
Inari looked back at Naruto and said "You were right. I've been nothing but a big baby ever since I lost dad. But now I plan on changing that."
Naruto smiled and ruffled the younger boy's hair and said "I'm sure you will Inari."
Scene Change: Next Day Tazuna's Bridge
As the Leaf nin along with Tazuna came upon the bridge, they saw mist that was thicker than usual clinging to it blocking their view of the end of the bridge. Naruto had already informed Kakashi that Zabuza had been in the area and the older nin had ordered Naruto to dispel the clones so that way they could draw Zabuza out.
"Look's like the party's about ready to start." Naruto said earning a nod from Kakashi.
Turning to his students he said "Don't leave Tazuna's side."
Getting nods from the Gennin, the group began walking through the mist.
Once they were halfway down the bridge, Naruto held up a hand stopping everyone and called out in a sing song voice "Oh Zabuza! Where are you? Come out, come out wherever you are!"
As everyone besides Kakashi who simply rose an eyebrow stared at him, a dark chuckling echoed around the area before the mist died down a little revealing two figures in the mist.
"Why did you have to tell the bridge workers not to come today? I was looking forward to having some fun." said the tallest figure.
Kakashi shrugged and said "Sorry, but I think the workers preferred having all of their body parts remain connected to each other."
Naruto meanwhile was staring at the smaller figure who turned his head slightly so that it seemed that he was looking at him as well. Naruto pondered his options since he knew who the figure was and wasn't looking forward to fighting the guy.
Coming to a decision, Naruto looked at his superior from the corner of his eye and said "Uncle Kakashi, if I take his coworker out of the equation, do you think you can hold Zabuza back for a short while without killing him?"
Kakashi looked down at Naruto with confusion in his eye as he said "Yes, but why would I do that?"
"Because I plan on showing them that they're working for the wrong person." Naruto said as he continued staring at his newest acquaintance.
"Oh, and how do you plan on doing that?" Kakashi asked with a raised eyebrow.
Naruto turned his head to his fellow Jounin and said "We both have dealt with crime lords before. So you know that Gato's going to betray them so that he doesn't have to pay so much. I'm sure Zabuza's expecting the same thing even if only a little. I just have to show his partner and confirm that fact. Once Zabuza knows that his employer is planning on betraying him, he won't fight anymore."
Kakashi considered what the blond said. On one hand, it could actually make Zabuza drop his mission. On the other hand, the man might not believe Naruto and just continue attacking. Either way though, Zabuza's partner would not be there to back the man up.
Sighing, Kakashi nodded to Naruto who closed his eyes and concentrated as he began opening the water gates to the dam that held back his chakra.
As Zabuza felt the chakra presence in the younger Jounin rise, he growled out "Haku, get ready."
"Yes Zabuza-sama."
No one was prepared though when Naruto's chakra presence spiked to unbelievable levels causing a large and very visible pulse of chakra to expand from his body pushing the mist away and revealing the blond coated in a blue shell with his hair blowing around like he was in a wind that only blew around him. As everyone stared at him, an even larger pulse shot out from his body that headed inland.
Locating a large group of chakra presences that were no where near the level of a ninja that wasn't located near the village, Naruto opened his eyes and said "I think I found the bastard. There's a large group headed this way."
Kakashi nodded and said "You've got fifteen minutes. If you're not back by then, I'm taking him out."
Naruto nodded showing he understood before he took off running at low Jounin speeds toward the now visible pair of missing nin. More specifically towards the fake hunter nin. Said nin stiffened in preparation before Naruto disappeared half way to him. Less than an instant later, the masked figure vanished as well.
"What the?" Zabuza exclaimed trying to figure out what happened since his tool hadn't used his jutsu yet.
Kakashi simply chuckled and said "Don't worry, Naruto is simply taking him somewhere private so that we can have a rematch without interference from either side this time."
Zabuza hmphed at this and said "It doesn't matter. I had planned on Haku fighting him anyway."
"Well then, shall we get started?" Kakashi asked as he rose his headband revealing his Sharingan eye.
"Lets." Zabuza said as mist began building again. As the mist closed in, everyone heard Zabuza's disembodied voice saying "This time will be much different Kakashi."
Scene Change: Tazuna's House
The two clones stationed at the bridge builder's house felt the pulse shoot out from the original and both 'saw' two figures heading their ways with swords strapped to their waists in the range that the sonar was usually used at.
Frowning, one of the clones began walking toward the forest where the two swordsmen were and said "I'll handle this."
He was stopped by the other clone grabbing his shoulder. Turning to his comrade in confusion, the first saw the second look towards the house.
"Lets see how he handles this. We can step in before it gets out of hand."
The first clone considered for a moment before nodding. The two clones then went around the house to wait.
Ten minutes later, Inari was helping his mother in the kitchen when they heard the sound of wood being sliced apart. Both of their eyes widened when the two swordsmen stepped into the kitchen.
'Those are the men who killed Dad!' Inari thought as a similar thought ran through Tsunami's head.
"Heh, lookie here, aren't you a cute one." One of the swordsmen who was bald said.
"Heh, I didn't know the old man had a grandson. Oh well, just one more thing I can cut up." The other one who was wearing a cap over his silver hair said looking at Inari.
Inari swallowed before he remembered what Naruto had told him that night at the table. Stepping in front of his mother he pulled out the kunai Naruto had given to him and held it in a reverse grip like the blond had told him drawing raised eyebrows from the two swordsmen.
"I'm not going to let you hurt my mom! You took my dad, I'm not letting you take her!" Inari said with a lot more confidence than he felt.
"Heh, look at this kid. He actually thinks he can stop us. Lets show him how wrong he is." The bald man said as both took a step forward and began to draw their blades.
Their hands had only reached their hilts though when both felt cool metal against their throats. Inari and Tsunami's eyes widened when the two clones seemed to appear out of thin air behind the swordsmen with their kunai already out in revers grips and in position.
"Maybe he is not ready yet." The first clone started.
"But he is on the right track." The second finished before looking at Inari and nodded.
Inari returned the nod as he sighed in relief before the first clone said "So you're the guys who killed Inari's father huh? Normally we would just kill you and be done with it, but I think it would be better to let the villagers give you a trial and let them serve justice."
Both swordsmen then fell unconscious due to the clones slamming the rings of their kunai against their foreheads faster than anyone could see.
As the first clone began tying the two up, the second walked over to Inari and ruffled the kid's hair as he said "Good job Inari."
"Thanks Naruto." Inari said before looking down and said "But I was so scared, I really thought they were going to kill me before you appeared."
The clone smiled and said "It's alright to be scared Inari. All humans are at one time or another. But like pain, it's what you do when you experience it that makes a difference. Bravery isn't the absence of fear. It is when you overcome it. And today you took your first step in doing so. Now come on, we have to get these two to the proper authorities and we don't want to leave you or your mom alone."
Inari nodded as the first clone picked up the swordsmen in fireman lifts and followed the others as they led the way to the village.
Scene Change: Gato's Dock Thirty Seconds After Second Pulse
Haku suddenly reappeared stumbling in front of a dock that held a large boat that belonged to Gato. He shook his head from the disorienting effects of being grabbed and then rushed to another place so far away in almost as little time as the blink of an eye before the boy noticed where he was.
Looking around at the dock, he thought 'What am I doing here? Better yet, where's Naruto?'
He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the sound of a lot of people moving on the path through the forest making no attempt whatsoever to hide their passing. Turning around to look, he saw a bunch of people walking down the path with Gato at its head.
The man sneered and said "What are you doing here brat? I would have thought you would have been with that wuss Zabuza. Oh well, this just makes things easier. Might as well start with him boys."
The crowd gave a cheer as they started advancing.
Haku frowned behind his mask and said "What is the meaning of this?"
Gato laughed and said "Isn't it obvious? I never planned on paying your baby of a master. It's much cheaper to hire these thugs to take you out once the job is done. Still like I said, since you're here, we might as well get started. Consider this payback for breaking my arm you brat."
Haku stiffened and was about to reach for his senbon needles when he heard a disembodied voice say "Yeeeaah, I don't think so." causing everyone to stiffen. A second later, all of the thugs suddenly all fell to the ground as one as if some grand puppet master had got tired of using all of them. Gato's eyes widened as he saw that each thug had a hole in the back of their head with blood slowly seeping out.
Haku himself was sweating nervously behind his mask as he thought 'That could have been me and Zabuza-sama.'
Naruto suddenly appeared in front of the midget scaring him even further as he grinned before leaning in and said "Boo." in a dark voice.
"Ah!" Gato yelled out in fear as he fell on his butt and did his best to get as far away from the blond by crawling backwards with one of his arms in a cast.
Naruto smirked at this and said "You've been a bad boy Gato. Driving people to the brink of their existence just to satisfy your own greed. It's time for you to be judged."
"No, please! I'll give you whatever you want! Money! Women! Land! Whatever you want!" Gato said in fear as he continued to crawl away from the blond who had begun taking small steps toward the crime lord while Haku merely stood watching.
"Whatever I want." Naruto mused before saying "Alright, I'll let you live if you give me one thing."
Gato's eyes showed his relief as he said "Of course, whatever you want!"
Naruto's eyes hardened and he said "I want you to bring back Inari's father and everyone else you killed."
Gato's eyes widened even further than before. Just as he began stuttering a response to the demand, Naruto disappeared and Gato's head separated from his neck as Naruto reappeared behind the body with it in one hand and a kunai with wind swirling around in his other.
Naruto spat at the body and said "He got off easy in my opinion. Don't you think so Haku?"
Haku jerked and said "You knew?"
Naruto nodded and said "Since I spotted you leaving Gato's base that day. Come on, lets go tell Zabuza that his contract is over."
Haku nodded and Naruto disappeared. An instant later Haku vanished without a trace as well leaving only the dead bodies with blood pulling around them to give evidence of what happened.
Scene Change: Tazuna's Bridge
Kakashi was staring at Zabuza who was staring back at Kakashi as he was held in place by Kakashi's ninja dog summons. A short distance away Tazuna and the Gennin were looking on wondering why Kakashi wasn't finishing the job.
"Why don't you just finish the job Kakashi? I wouldn't have expected a man like you to be so hesitant to kill your opponent."
Kakashi shrugged and said "Just waiting for Naruto and your partner to get back."
Zabuza's eyes narrowed as he said "What do you mean?"
Kakashi was saved from having to answer when everyone heard a voice say "Dang Uncle Kakashi, when I said hold Zabuza up for a little bit, I didn't mean literally."
Everyone looked past the two figures where Naruto was standing beside Haku who was shaking his head from the sensation of being transported so far so fast a second time. Everyone's eyes were then drawn to the head in his hand as it dripped some blood onto the bridge.
Sakura's hand instantly went to her mouth as she tried to keep her breakfast down while Tazuna and Sasuke had similar problems but were handling it better. Sai merely raised an eyebrow at the sight.
Zabuza's eyes widened as Naruto tossed the head to his feet and said "Your contract's over Zabuza. Good thing too in my opinion since Gato never planned to pay you."
"He's speaking the truth Zabuza-sama. I heard it from the man's mouth myself and he had a bunch of men coming to the bridge with him. He said he was going to betray us once the deed was done." Haku said as he took off his mask.
"I see." Zabuza said as he sighed and then looked Kakashi in the eye and said "Can you please get these damn mutts off of me?"
Scene Change: Village Center
That night, the whole village was in the village center celebrating their freedom. As some of the villagers sorted through everything Naruto and his clones had retrieved from Gato's base the others were having a feast and dancing. Zabuza and Haku looked down from the roof of one of the stores. On either side were Kakashi and Naruto.
"So what now Zabuza?" Kakashi asked as he saw his students in the crowd. Sakura was fully enjoying the atmosphere while Sasuke watched the activities dispassionately while Sai was off to one side drawing.
"Not sure. I guess it's back to the road for me." Zabuza said.
"You could always join the Leaf. We could put in a good word with the Hokage." Naruto said as he watched the people below him.
Zabuza shook his head and said "He wouldn't allow it. Not if he doesn't want trouble from the Hidden Mist village for harboring one of their missing nin. No, I'm afraid that life on the run is the only one I have in store for me now. Although I think I may hang around here for a while."
Naruto frowned before Zabuza caught his attention as he said "Kakashi, well you do something for me?"
Kakashi glanced over at the man and said "What is it?"
"I want you to take Haku back to the Leaf with you. He's not an actual missing nin so your Hokage should be able to let him in."
Haku's eyes widened and he said "Zabuza-sama?"
Zabuza turned to the boy he secretly thought of as a son and said "Listen to me Haku. I don't want life on the run to be the only thing that defines your life. It'll be better for you if you had a place you can call home and not have to constantly worry about hunter nin."
"But." Haku started before Zabuza held up a hand and said "But nothing kid. You've served me well. But now it's time for you to find your own dream."
Haku began to tear up before Naruto put a hand on his shoulder causing him to look at him as he said "I'll make sure he's taken care of."
Zabuza nodded and said "Thanks brat."
Scene Change: Three Days Later
It didn't take long for the bridge to be completed now that all of the villagers could help without needing to fear for them and their family's safety. Once it was, it was time for the Leaf nin and Haku to head home.
As the small group stood at the foot of the bridge with the village in front of them, Tazuna stepped forward and said "Thank you for everything you've done for us."
"It was our pleasure." Kakashi said as he shook the hand the bridge builder offered him.
Zabuza then stepped forward and placed his hand on Haku's shoulder and said "Grow strong Haku."
Haku nodded and said "I will Zabuza-sama."
Naruto noticed Inari crying and stepped over to the boy and ruffled his hair.
"I promised myself I wouldn't cry ever again." Inari said as he looked down.
Naruto smiled and said "It's alright to cry Inari. Crying when someone says goodbye is just a way to show the bond you have with that person. Take good care of everybody all right?"
Inari nodded and Naruto rejoined his group as the rest said their goodbyes before turning around and began walking across the bridge.
One of the villagers looked thoughtful and said "By the way, what are we going to call the bridge?"
Tazuna rubbed his chin in thought and said "How about the Bridge of New Beginnings?"
"Sounds good to me." Inari said drawing agreement from the others.