Naruto: Archer and Loner
Author Notes: I am sorry for the delay between last chapter and this one. Life has been fairly busy for me over the last few months and I had to focus on that instead of writing. Now, I'm back and hopefully I'll churn out chapters at a faster rate now. On to the show!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Neither Naruto nor Bleach belongs to me.
Chapter 13: The Truth of Pain
For the past week Naruto has come to realize many truths. Number one is that Kakashi was never going to be a good sensei for him. Number two is his team didn't give a damn what happened to him. Naruto focused on training himself and every evening when he dragged himself back to Tazuna's home beaten and battered, no one ever said a word to him. Naruto tried asking Kakashi for advice, but the Jonin just shrugged him off and ignored him. Naruto knew enough to not even attempt to ask Sasuke or Sakura for advice. Sasuke would demand his techniques and Sakura would just try and hit him to impress Sasuke. Fighting and training with his Shadow Clones taught Naruto a lot. He still had a lot to learn in order to hit a fast moving target while moving around a battlefield. The week of training made him realize that he has to improve his speed with drawing, firing arrows and moving at high speeds. Using Hirenkyaku, Naruto learned to train his eyes and body to react better after stopping the high-speed technique.
'You are learning, flesh bag. You still have a lot to learn, but you've at least learned and accepted the truth that you are alone in training and on this team,' a voice rumbled from inside Naruto's head pulling him from his thoughts.
'You are one to talk, Kyuubi. I know there are things you are hiding from me just like a lot of the people in my life,' Naruto thinks back at the tailed beast.
'The truth will come in due time, flesh bag. Now, stop moping and get back to your duty,' the Kyuubi replies and goes silent.
Naruto huffs and walks up to Tazuna's home. Walking in, he sees Kakashi sitting on the couch face buried in his ever present book.
"Hello, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto says sitting down beside Kakashi.
"Oh, hello Naruto. You done training for the day," Kakashi asks.
"Yeah. I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be for now," Naruto replies.
"Good. The plan for tomorrow is for you to stay here while I take Sasuke and Sakura to the bridge to protect Tazuna. There's a chance Gato will send someone here for Tsunami-san," Kakashi says.
"And I don't get a say, sensei," Naruto asks.
"No. You are my subordinate. I am your Jonin sensei and you have to follow my orders," Kakashi replies sternly. "You have to learn to follow the rules, Naruto."
"Fine," Naruto says with a huff. "I'm off to get plenty of rest, sensei." Naruto gets up and walks into the room Tazuna set up for him to sleep in. He crawls into his sleeping bag and closes his eyes.
'This is a bunch of crap. I'm stronger than Sakura and more level-headed than Sasuke. Making me stay, yeah I see the logic behind it, but it'd be better to have Sasuke stay behind,' Naruto thinks to himself.
'Not if your sensei wants to have peace of mind. We both know the Uchiha is unstable. Kakashi probably also knows this and wants to go the path of least resistance,' the Kyuubi replies.
'That does make sense, but what if they get into trouble tomorrow,' Naruto asks.
'Then that means that you'll have to work quickly here and get to the bridge and pull their asses out of the fire,' the Kyuubi replies chuckling. 'Now go to sleep, flesh bag. Tomorrow will be trying enough without your incessant ramblings.' The Kyuubi then goes silent. Naruto rolls over and lets sleep take him.
Next Morning
Naruto woke up to the sound of a scream. Sitting up fully alert, Naruto listens to what was happening down the hall from his room.
"You leave my mother alone," a young voice yells.
'Inari,' Naruto thinks to himself.
"Shut up kid or you'll die. Gato only wants your mother. This is your one chance to walk away," a guff voice says.
'Goon number 1,' Naruto thinks to himself.
"Leave my son alone or I'll bite my tongue in half and you won't have a hostage anymore," a female voice yells.
'Tsunami,' Naruto thinks to himself.
"You won't do anything, woman. Otherwise your son will suffer in your place," a high-pitched male voice says.
'Goon number 2,' Naruto thinks to himself. 'I think that it is time for me to make a move.' Naruto gets up and creates 4 Shadow Clones.
"You know what to do," Naruto says to his Shadow Clones. With a nod, the Shadow Clones jump out the window of the room. Naruto walks to the door of the room and steps out into the hall. He sees two men holding Tsunami with swords on their waists. Inari is slumped on the floor holding a cut lip.
"Let them go and maybe your lives will be spared," Naruto says sternly. The two goons look up at him and glare.
"You're funny kid. You should just run off before you die here," goon 1 says in a gruff voice.
"Yeah, kid. You're no match for Kawiabi and me," goon 2 says his voice high pitched.
"Did someone kick you in the balls or something," Naruto asks chuckling. "Your voice is so high pitched I'm surprised there is glass in the windows."
"You're dead kid. No one makes fun of Brix's voice and lives through it," Kawiabi says.
Brix steps forward drawing his sword. "This will be so easy," he says grinning.
"You're right about that. This will be easy," Naruto says. "Say goodnight boys."
"Huh," both thugs ask at the same time before their world goes dark as two Shadow Clones chop them on the back of the neck knocking them out. The Shadow Clones gather up the two men and drag them outside. Tsunami runs forward and bends down to check on Inari.
"Thank you, Naruto-san," Tsunami says tearfully.
"It's ok," Naruto replies. "Is there somewhere you can go in case more goons show up?"
"Yeah. We have a neighbor we can go to. He doesn't live very far from here," Tsunami replies.
"Good. My Shadow Clones will go with you just in case," Naruto says. The 4 Shadow Clones step forward and surround the two civilians. Naruto heads for the front door.
"I'm off to the bridge. I have a feeling my help will be needed," Naruto says as he walks out. "Stay safe."
Bridge
Naruto arrived at the bridge to see it engulfed in mist. Not being able to see what is going on inside the mist, Naruto stops attaching himself to the underside of the bridge. Knowing he needs information, Naruto creates a few Shadow Clones and sends them into the mist. After a few moments, Naruto twitches as the Shadow Clone's memories hit him.
'So, Kakashi is fighting Zabuza. Sakura is guarding Tazuna and Sasuke is fighting Haku inside a dome of what looks like mirrors,' Naruto thinks to himself. 'Sasuke needs help. So I need to create a distraction and try to get him out of the mess he's in.'
Naruto nods to himself and creates 6 Shadow Clones. Steeling himself, he leaps onto the bridge into the mist. Moving cautiously and quietly Naruto slowly makes his way to where he saw the dome of mirrors. His Shadow Clones moved with him. Quietly they inch closer and closer to the sounds of fighting. With a nod to his Clones, they move off to surround the dome. Through the gaps Naruto sees Sasuke covered in needles and shooting off Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu) trying to escape from the dome to no avail. One of the Shadow Clones tries to use substitution jutsu to free Sasuke, but is taken out by a hail of needles.
"It won't be that easy to help him escape my jutsu, Naruto," Haku says, sticking her head out of one of the mirrors and looking at Naruto.
"Well, I had to try. Guess I'll just have to come in there and defeat you to stop you then," Naruto replies. He calmly walks into the dome. Sasuke looks up from where he is kneeling and sees Naruto calmly walking towards him.
"What do you think you are doing you idiot," Sasuke shouts. "This is my enemy. I will defeat him and become powerful enough to kill him."
Naruto sees an almost maniacal look in Sasuke's eyes. Eyes that are now blood red signifying the awakening of the Sharingan. Naruto walks over to Sasuke and helps him to his feet.
"Look, Sasuke. You're having trouble beating this person. You've got needles sticking out of you all over and you haven't been able to escape this dome. I'm here to help. They always say two heads are better than one," Naruto whispers in Sasuke's ear. "You may not like it, but I tried to help you from the outside. It didn't work. Since the person let me in here, I can at least try to help here."
"Fine! Just don't get in my way," Sasuke snaps at Naruto. "I can almost see him when he moves in-between the mirrors. Distract him and I'll try and land a solid hit on him so we can get out of here."
Naruto nods and creates 4 Shadow Clones. With his Shadow Clones, Naruto pulls out a brace of shuriken (Why 4 shuriken pulled at the same time is called a brace I have no idea. Lol). They throw them at the mirrors as Haku launces a wave of needles. In seconds, Naruto's Shadow Clones are pierced with needles. Naruto sees the needles coming right for him and tries to dodge. Naruto screams in agony as the needles pierce his lower back and left thigh. Sasuke launces another Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu) at Haku. Once again he misses.
"Damn it, Naruto! Move your butt. Do something more," Sasuke shouts. "I almost had him there."
"I'm doing what I can, Teme. And all I've got to show for it so far is a backside full of needles," Naruto shouts back as he gets off the ground. "Let's try this again." Naruto does the hand sign for his Shadow Clones, but before he can create any, Haku launces another wave of needles at him. Naruto starts to dodge to his right when his leg spasms and he falls back down onto the ground in pain. All Naruto can do is watch in horror as the needles get closer and closer. Naruto closes his eyes to brace for the inevitable. Gritting his teeth, Naruto waits for the pain of the needles to hit him. When nothing comes after a few seconds, Naruto opens his eyes and sees Sasuke in front of him covered head to toe in needles.
"Why," is the only word that comes out of Naruto's mouth, shock evident on his face.
"I don't know why. My body moved on its own," Sasuke says. "I guess I'll never be strong enough. Kill him for me someday, will you dobe?" Sasuke falls into Naruto's arms. "Kill him so my clan can rest in peace." Sasuke's eyes slowly close. Naruto checks for a pulse, but finds nothing.
"Why? Why did you kill him, Haku? I thought we understood each other. I thought that we could be friends. All he was trying to do was survive against you. You didn't have to kill him," Naruto shouts.
"A ninja must harden their heart for moments like this, Naruto. You are a killer. All ninja's are killers. It is the name of the game," Haku says almost tauntingly. "His heart wasn't hardened enough to survive, so I put him out of his misery."
"Noooooo," Naruto shouts out. Pain and anger evident in his shout. "I don't believe you. You are not heartless like that, Haku. I will kill you for this. My heart will be made of iron when I'm done with you."
Naruto's mindscape
'Yes. Feed that anger, flesh bag. Allow it to grow and use my power to kill all those around you. Use my power to destroy everything! And when you break, I will be free' the Kyuubi says gleefully.
Thump-thud. Thump-thud. Thump-thud. The sound reverberates through the mindscape.
'What is this? Where is that noise coming from,' the Kyuubi asks.
'Be silent weakling. Be silent or I will end you,' a voice says loudly. A sense of dread washes over the Kyuubi.
'Impossible. That line was ended! The last of your offspring were destroyed millennia ago,' the Kyuubi shouts, fear filling his eyes.
'The line will never end as long as a single Uzumaki remains. Now it is time for me to come out and play,' the voice says gleefully. 'It has been so long since I got to play. I wonder if anyone can give me a challenge like those 3 did ages ago.'
Real World
In seconds, an oppressive aura washes over the bridge. Sakura and Tazuna drop to the ground in a dead faint, struggling to breathe. Kakashi and Zabuza stop their fight looking towards where the oppressive aura is coming from. Haku is on the ground in front of Naruto struggling to stand. Naruto is looking down at the ground shuddering. Suddenly he looks up and lets out a blood-curdling scream, his body convulsing, and eyes wide and staring.
'It's the Kyuubi,' Kakashi thinks to himself. 'It is breaking free. I need to stop him now.' Kakashi runs forward with a kunai in his hand. Hoping to reach Naruto and end him before the Kyuubi breaks free. Kakashi suddenly dodges left as Zabuza appears before him.
"We're not done with our fight, Kakashi," Zabuza says. "That boy has a tailed beast inside him, doesn't he? We have time, Kakashi. Time enough to finish our fight and the victor can then put the poor boy out of his misery before the beast is fully released."
"We have to stop him now, Zabuza," Kakashi yells. "This is the one chance I've had to kill the beast that killed my sensei."
"Ah. So it is revenge you seek. Revenge against the tailed beast," Zabuza says. "Let me tell you a secret, Kakashi. If you kill the boy, the beast won't feel a thing. I hate to burst your little bubble world, but the boy is not the beast."
"Liar! You lie," Kakashi screams and charges at Zabuza. Blinded by anger, Kakashi swings his kunai wildly. Never coming close to hitting Zabuza.
Seeing that anger has overtaken Kakashi, Zabuza just continues to dodge and wait for an opening.
'Wait for it. Wait for it,' Zabuza thinks to himself. 'There!' Seeing an opening, Zabuza swings his giant sword. Kakashi too blinded by anger does not see it coming. The giant cleaver slams into Kakashi's unprotected side sending him flying into the railing of the bridge. Zabuza quickly follows up and brings the blade down on Kakashi's head flat sided. Kakashi falls to the ground lifelessly unconscious.
"Be glad I'm more honorable than you thought, Kakashi. I am allowing you to live. Live and learn to control that anger or it will be the death of you," Zabuza mumbles to Kakashi. "Now I've got to go and save my wayward student. I fear she has bitten off more than she can chew."
Inside the dome of ice
Haku stands in front of Naruto on shaking legs. Struggling to breathe through the oppressive aura Naruto is displaying. Haku looks into Naruto's eyes and is frightened by what she sees. What used to be ocean blue eyes are now pitch black.
'It is like staring into an abyss,' Haku thinks to herself. 'It is as if there is no life in them anymore.'
A guttural voice issues forth from Naruto, "Freedom at last! After 5,000 years the seal has weakened."
Haku steps back, frightened by this new change. Suddenly a black miasma pours out of Naruto's eyes. Dripping to the ground, it slowly starts covering Naruto from head to foot. It soon forms a dome around Naruto and collapses inwards sending out a huge shockwave that shatters Haku's ice mirrors and sends her flying down the bridge.
"I've got you, Haku," Zabuza says as he catches Haku. "What is going on?"
"It's Naruto. He's changed somehow. He thought I killed Sasuke, but I only put him in a death-like state," Haku replies. "Naruto then screamed and started releasing this oppressive aura. At first the aura was bearable. Then it changed."
"Changed how," Zabuza asks.
"It grew stronger. More anger filled," Haku replies.
"Like lambs to the slaughter. Will you give me a challenge, Zabuza," the voice asks from Naruto.
"Who are you," Zabuza asks.
"That is a very long story, Zabuza. I'll give you the short version so we can get to playing," the voice replies. "I was sealed into the Uzumaki blood over 5,000 years ago. Sealed by the Sage of the Six Paths, his brother and his secret second wife."
"What," Zabuza asks in disbelief. "The Sage is a myth. Everyone knows that the Uchiha and Senju are supposed descendants of his two sons."
"Yes. That is the story everyone knows. No one knew that the Sage had a secret wife. One that he had a daughter with. One that fought me and sealed me into her bloodline. I have been in the Uzumaki bloodline since that day. Waiting for a time when I would be freed once again," the voice replies. "My name has been forgotten through the ages. I was once called Yhwach. You may call me Kaiser. Kaiser Uzumaki, I suppose."
Zabuza pulls his sword out, preparing for the inevitable attack. Before the attack comes, he hears clapping coming from behind him. Zabuza turns and sees Gato at the end of the bridge surrounded by 300 oddball mercenaries.
"Is this all the great Zabuza can do," Gato asks with a sneer. "I hired you to kill a bridge builder and a child is able to stop you. Well boys, I tell you what. Whoever brings me Zabuza's head gets his pay."
The mercenaries all grin gleefully and charge towards Zabuza.
"Now this is more like it. I'll get to sate my bloodlust for now and exercise at the same time," Kaiser says gleefully. He starts running slowly at the charging mercenaries.
"You're a fool if you think you can take them all on," Zabuza shouts.
"Watch me, weakling. Watch and learn," Kaiser says before suddenly vanishing. In an instant screams are heard all across the bridge as mercenaries find themselves missing arms, legs, heads or even having holes put into their chests. Within seconds, the mercenaries are all dead.
"What the hell," Gato shouts.
"Not hell. Just death given form. You have oppressed these people long enough, Gato. For that you will suffer," Kaiser says from behind Gato.
Gato turns around and looks up fearfully. Kaiser grips Gato by the top of his head and throws him into the air. Mumbling something under his breath, arrows appear out of nowhere and impale Gato sending him even further into the air until he is just a speck in the distance.
"Zabuza, tell the boy to train his body more. It is weak. He will be in a world of pain when he awakes. Tell his idiot sensei to not worry about the beast in the boy. That puppy will be heeled in moments when I arrive. You and your student are to accompany them back to their village. You will train the boy since no one else will do it. You will do all this or else. This is your one warning," Kaiser tells Zabuza. Zabuza watches as Naruto's eyes shift from black to blue and his body fall to the ground in a heap.
"Great. Well, Haku, we have our work cut out for us. Let's get started. I do not want to be on his bad side," Zabuza says. Haku nods and walks up to Naruto and picks him up. "Take him to the bridge builder's house while I clean up here."
"Yes, Zabuza-sama," Haku replies.
"Haku," Zabuza starts. Haku turns and looks at him. "Never call me Sama again. You are like a daughter to me. I would've died if you had died today." Haku turns away, a small smile hidden on her face.
Whew! And here is chapter 13. Thank you again for the patience of waiting this long for a chapter. I hope this turned out the way I wanted it to. I wanted it to be perfect. Some parts still feel a little rough, but it happens sometimes. I hope to be working on the next 2 chapters in the coming days. Peace!