Naruto: Archer and Loner
Author's Note and disclaimer: First and foremost, neither Naruto nor Bleach belongs to me. Thank you for sticking around. Things got busy around home, so it has taken me a bit longer than I wanted to finish this chapter. Hopefully it turns out right. Now onto the next installment!
Chapter 18: New Things to Learn!
Uzumaki Clan Compound (Early morning)
Naruto sat in the middle of a training clearing thinking about the last week. 'I need to start training more. It seems as if I get distracted by civil matters then put off training. That needs to change now,' he thinks to himself. 'Hopefully either Kiski or Zabuza can help with my kenjutsu training. I need to get better in case someone is able to get close enough to engage in hand-to-hand combat.'
Naruto stands up and walks into the main house. He hears noise coming from the kitchen and heads there. Walking in, he sees Zabuza and Haku sitting at the dining table eating a large breakfast.
"Good morning, Zabuza-san, Haku-chan," Naruto says as he sits down and starts piling food on his plate.
"Good morning, Naruto-sama," Haku replies.
"Morning runt," Zabuza grunts.
"Haku, I've told you that you don't need to use honorifics with me," Naruto says. "Just call me Naruto."
"I know that, Naruto-sama. However, it is rude to do that since you have provided us with housing and safety," Haku replies.
"Give it up kid. You won't win with Haku," Zabuza says.
"Fine," Naruto grumbles. "Zabuza-san, since I'm fully healed would it be possible for you to help me in my kenjutsu training?"
"I can do that, runt. However, I will be pushing you as far as you can go," Zabuza replies. "And only call me sensei while we're training."
"Thank you, Zabuza," Naruto replies.
Uzumaki Training Ground
Naruto and Zabuza stand across from each other on the training field. Zabuza pulls Kubikiribōchō (Decapitating Carving Knife) off his back and sets the blade down into the ground.
"First and foremost, Naruto, I must test your strength. I want you to attempt to pull Kubikiribōchō from the ground," Zabuza says.
Naruto steps forward and grips the giant sword by the handle. He pulls up and nothing happens. He places both hands on the handle and tries again. Again nothing happens. Zabuza starts chuckling.
"What is the matter, Zabuza-sensei," Naruto asks.
"I would've been surprised if you could lift my sword on the first day," Zabuza replies. "The truth of the matter is my sword weighs a lot. It won't allow another to pick it up unless it deems them worthy."
"You speak as if your sword is alive," Naruto replies.
"I will let that slight you are showing go only this one time, brat," Zabuza growls. "Every sword wielded by the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist is alive. They are sentient. And if you talk to any competent swordsman, they will tell you their soul lies in their blade."
"I'm sorry, Zabuza-sensei," Naruto replies with a bow. "I did not know."
"Sit down, Naruto. I will tell you a story," Zabuza says taking a seat on the ground. "I will tell you how I became one of the Seven Swordsmen." Naruto sits down and looks at Zabuza.
"My story starts when I was 8 years old. Back then, the Mist village had a gruesome graduation exam. Every student was pitted against their brethren in a graduation exam. In order to graduate, they had to kill someone they had been living, eating and breathing with over the time they were in the academy," Zabuza begins. "This is the time the Mist village became known as the 'Bloody-Mist Village.' The Mizukage wanted only the strongest ninja. This practice ended when I walked into the academy for the very first time. I am not from a clan nor did I have any kind of training at that time. All I had was the desire to become a swordsman. I walked into the academy and slaughtered all 100 students."
"Y-y-you mean that with no training you walked into a class that had 100 students who had been training for a few years and killed them all," Naruto asked in amazement.
"Yes. I walked in with nothing and walked out a swordsman and the nickname 'Demon of the Hidden Mist.' Not something I'm proud of today," Zabuza says quietly. "I destroyed 100 dreams that day. I stopped 100 different possible families. There is a lesson to learn here, Naruto. It doesn't matter if you are from a clan or if you have had training. If you truly desire something, nothing can stand in your way. Take my story to heart. It will hopefully help and guide you." Zabuza stands back up and walks over to his sword and pulls it out of the ground. Naruto stands and looks at Zabuza.
"Now, runt, let us begin your training," Zabuza says sinisterly. "Start running and don't stop. Every time you stop, I will cut you."
"B-b-b," Naruto begins until he sees the look in Zabuza's eyes. "Hai, sensei. Bye sensei." Naruto takes off with the sound of Zabuza laughing in his ears.
Uzumaki Clan Training Grounds (Evening)
Naruto panted from his position on the ground, covered in sweat and his clothes in tatters. Zabuza stood looking like a fresh daisy and grinning at the young blonde's discomfort.
"You did well today, Naruto," Zabuza said. "Since you did better than I expected, I will tell you a story about your mother, Kushina Uzumaki."
Naruto sat up and looked at Zabuza with wide eyes.
"You knew my mother," he asks.
"I didn't know your mother on a personal level. I met her once during the 3rd Ninja War. She came across all seven of us swordsmen from the Mist. What she did that day humbled me in more ways than you can understand, Naruto," Zabuza said.
"What happened," Naruto asked in awe.
"Plain and simple, kid. She kicked our asses. She made the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist look like fresh kids playing ninja. That day she made us realize just how arrogant we were in our abilities. The way she moved was beautiful and deadly at the same time. Many times during the fight, I couldn't help but admire her grace and ruthlessness," Zabuza said with a far-away look in his eyes. "I am sure you've heard of Kisame Hoshigaki who is also known as the Monster of the Hidden Mist?"
"Yes, I've heard of him," Naruto replies.
"Kisame was one of the strongest members of the swordsmen. Yet, he was the first to be cut down. His sword, Samehada, has the ability to absorb chakra and give it to its wielder. This allowed Kisame to heal his wounds and refill his chakra during fights. Your mother took him out in under 3 seconds and made sure he was out for the whole fight. She moved so fast, I wasn't able to utilize my silent killing technique. She rendered all of our abilities useless. Can you see the lesson in this, Naruto," Zabuza asks.
"Don't be overconfident in your abilities and understand there is always someone stronger than you," Naruto stated.
"Yes. Also, never underestimate any enemy you come across. If you do, you'll give the enemy an opening to exploit. Learn from my mistakes, young Naruto. Learn and grow better than I was," Zabuza says. "Now, let us call this day to an end. Your training will continue tomorrow. Get plenty of rest, runt."
"Ok, Zabuza-sensei. Goodnight," Naruto replies and heads inside.
'I hope you become better than your mother, Naruto. You have the drive. I hope with this training you'll find the skill,' Zabuza thinks to himself as he heads off to his room in the clan compound.
Yay! Finally done with this chapter. This one took me quite a while to figure out. I wanted to show a different side to Zabuza and I don't remember if it is cannon for the seven swordsmen to fight Kushina or if I read it in another fanfic. But, it fit and made sense to me. Anyways, thanks for sticking around and I'll be working on the next chapter soon. I hope to have it done by Monday or so.