Disclaimer - I do not own Naruto nor this story Idea. It's a challenge issued by Narutoenthusiast.
Chapter Nine - Wave
Team 4 and 7 were up and ready to go an hour after dawn. Their client took a little longer to rouse, but thankfully he no longer smelled like a brewery. When they were all at the gate Hatake, whom decided he should be the official leader of the mission, said they should all introduce themselves.
Team 4 looked at the man as if he was an idiot as did Kiba and Sakura. He quickly explained it has been some time since the academy and that even if they knew everyone he and Hayama didn't. The genin nodded at this explanation and decided to get it over with.
"Alright I'll go first. My name is Uzumaki Naruto, age 12, and I don't have a focus yet but I guess my strength lies in my speed and stealth ability" Naruto starts off.
"Good, but what about your likes, dislikes, goals or dream for the future?" Hatake asks.
"Why would that matter to the mission?" Naruto asks.
The rest of Team 4, Hayama, and Tazuna were interested in the answer to this as well. Naruto had given a solid introduction and they did need to get to Wave as fast as possible now that they took the day to rest. The client had already conveyed his worry for his family he left behind.
"Umm … hehe, I guess it doesn't but could you just go with it?" Hatake asked.
"Kakashi, I know I agreed on you being the leader but we are pressed for time. Naruto's introduction was good enough until we can get the client home and assess the situation" Hayama interferes.
"Fine, how about you go next Sakura" Kakashi offers.
"O-kay … I'm Haruno Sakura, age 12, and I guess my strength is my mind?" Sakura said questioningly.
Team 4 raised their eyebrows a bit at the seemingly awkward ending to her introduction. It was like the girl hadn't trained enough to know what she was good at. But they kept going.
"My name is Inuzuka Kiba, age 12, this is my partner Akamaru, he's a puppy, and I work with Akamaru to tear through my enemies" Kiba loudly bragged.
Of course this got Tomaru going ready to join in and boast about his strength.
"My name is Minakura Tomaru, age 12, my strength lies in ninjutsu!" he shouted.
Team 4 mentally shrugged expecting nothing less of their friend and teammate. Team 7 and Tazuna were giving him weird looks though as if he was an idiot, which he wasn't. Honest.
"Sasuke why don't you go last and let …" Kakashi starts.
"*Sigh* My name is Fuki … age 12 … I'm strong" was her simple introduction.
This got even Sasuke to raise an eyebrow. He remembered Fuki as one of his fan girls, but she seemed to have changed. That was good in his books, because he didn't need another Sakura on this mission. Meanwhile, Sakura and Kiba were trying to figure out what happened to the girl as she seemed nothing like they remembered.
"I guess it's my turn. My name is Uchiha Sasuke, age 12, I'm strong in ninjutsu and taijutsu" Sasuke answers.
"My name is Shirakumo Hayama, age 39, my strength lies in kenjutsu and ninjutsu" Hayama says.
"My name is Hatake Kakashi, age 26, my strengths are ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. I will be leading this mission so I hope we can all work well together and get along" Kakashi says.
"Great well I'm Tazuna, age 59, I'm a bridge builder. Now that your kindergarten style introductions are over I'd like to get home before that money hungry midget kills my precious daughter and grandson" Tazuna interrupts.
"Tazuna-san does have a point, but first have you all packed at least two week's worth of supplies?" Kakashi asks.
Both teams nod.
"Alright, if you aren't sure though speak up because once we leave the village you won't have much opportunity to resupply" Kakashi warns.
When no one said anything they all began to head out towards Wave. After a couple of hours passed Hamaki posed Kakashi a question.
"Kakashi-san, are we close to where your team was ambushed?" Hayama asked.
Kakashi looked around the area nonchalantly before replying, "hard to tell".
While Hayama was trying to pry information from the annoyingly aloof Kakashi the genin were also talking.
"Hey Kiba, how's it going?" Tomaru asked.
"Eh, alright I guess" Kiba responds.
"Oh, you guys go on any exciting missions yet?" Tomaru asked.
"Nah, not really. This is our first C-rank" Kiba admits.
"Oh" was the simple response.
"Well, I heard from Hayama-sensei that Kakashi was really strong. I bet you guys are doing some insane training right?" Tomaru asked.
"Of course, Team 7's the strongest team there is" Kiba boasted.
"No way, Hayama-sensei has also put us through some intense training. Team 4 is the strongest team!" Tomaru shouted.
"Get real Tomaru! None of you are a match for me and Akamaru!" Kiba shouted back.
"I'll beat you any time any where, bring it!" Tomaru replied.
Before it could get any further the two jōnin had to separate the boys before it got any further. More like Hayama grabbed Tomaru and cooled him down while Kakashi just went back to reading his book.
"Boys, can you believe those two getting so worked up over something like that. Especially when it's obvious none of them compare to Sasuke-kun, right Fuki?" Sakura asked.
"…"
"Fuki what's wrong? Don't you agree with me? Don't you like Sasuke?" Sakura asked.
"…"
"Come on Fuki stop playing around and tell me you agree Sasuke-kun's the best" Sakura urged.
"…"
"Can you hear me?" Sakura asked.
"…"
At this point Sakura still didn't get the hint, but Fuki was saved when Sasuke sneezed and the pinkette went to see if he was okay. Unfortunately for Fuki she returned. Meanwhile the last two members of both squads just ignored the other and the other two boys' antics. It would take another day before they reached the shore where a boat was waiting for both teams.
"I'm sorry, but there is only enough room in the boat for me to carry one team across" the boatman said.
"That's okay. My team and I will go ahead and scout the area for enemies" Hayama says.
"Alright, but please do so silently. I don't need Gatō finding out that I'm helping you guys" the boat owner warns.
"Calm down Kaji, no one actively watches the water ways any more. Gatō and his men are too busy looting the village to notice us" Tazuna says.
"Shirokuma-san, if you have the time please place some traps along the route we will be traveling to the town" Kakashi orders.
Hayama nods and not waiting for anything more take off across the water using the water surface walking practice skill. Although Kakashi and the trailing ANBU made note that Naruto was actually gliding or 'skating' across the water so fast that he had left his team and sensei behind as they ran to catch up. Naruto would often note during water surface walking practice training that being a water element user did have its advantages.
Team 4 and the two citizens of wave just stood in shock. Those kids and their sensei's just walked on water like it was land. The boat owner Kaji noted they were also very silent when doing so making hardly a ripple on the surface of the water. The two civilians them turned to Team 4.
"Can your group do that or are they special?" Kaji asked.
"It's a standard ninja practice, but I am surprised the genin know it so soon" Kakshi notes.
"Oh" was the reply.
"We should get going as well" Kakashi says getting everyone moving.
Sasuke and Kiba both noted the skill Team 4 used. Despite coming from ninja families neither had seen the water surface walking practice used before. So far being a ninja had been slightly disappointing. Kakashi was holding off on showing or teaching anything he deemed to advanced for fresh out of the academy genin. Yet here was team 4, a team of nobodies, already using something useful and cool that they had no clue about.
For not the first time Sasuke questioned if he had the right teacher. Unknown to him Kiba was also questioning their sensei, but not just because of what he saw Team 4 do. His questioning had more to do with what his mother and sister told him of their genin days. Sparing with Sasuke every other day was getting boring and the only other thing they were practicing was teamwork and the basics or what Kakashi considered the basics.
He hadn't said anything to his mother or sister about it yet, but if things didn't change he would after this mission. For Sakura everything was great and she had no problems except for getting a seat in the boat next to Sasuke, which she did. But she did take note of what Team 4 did as well hoping to learn it later on.
It took almost an hour for Team 7 to make it across the channel as the boat user refused to use the motor to get them there. Seeing the bride and village was cool though. It did seem weird that upon dropping them off the boat user then used his motor.
With Kaji gone they turned to look for Team 4, but Team 4 found them instead walking out of the forested area to greet them.
"I take it the boat ride went well?" Hayama asked.
Kakashi nodded and asked, "What of your team? Were you able to successfully scout ahead?"
"Hai, no enemy presence detected so far. I did feel like we were being watched though" Hayama reports.
"Alright, we'll head for the clients house. Let's move out in a diamond formation with Naruto and Sasuke in front" Kakashi orders.
They quickly got into formation and walked the path to the village. They didn't get far before Naruto flashed out of site and the next thing they knew a teen in a Kiri hunter-nin's mask bounded on to the road and dashed off into the trees on the opposite side. Naruto was only a step behind showing his speed as both teens were quickly lost in the foliage fighting at a fast pace.
"Sensei!" Tomaru shouted.
"Hold formation Tomaru, Naruto can handle it. If he needs help he'll come back" Hayama orders.
"Are you sure Hayama? I can send Kiba or Sasuke after him?" Kakashi questioned.
Before he could respond both teams were forced to duck as a giant cleaver shaped object tore through the area and embedded itself in a tree. Both teams were back on their feet quickly surrounding Tazuna who was also now on his feet. Kakashi and Hayama recognized the guy standing on the embedded weapon.
"Oh, my, my, you are Momochi Zabuza, missing-nin from the village of the Hidden Mist?" Kakashi says.
Kakashi knew this would be a tough fight if he didn't use his hidden gift.
"I'm guessing you are Kakashi the Sharingan user. I'm sorry, but I'll need you to hand over the geezer" Zabuza states.
"Is that guy serious? Can't he see he's out numbered 7 to 1?" Tomaru asks out loud.
"Tomaru, this guy is out of your leagues. He's a former member of the 7 swordsmen of Kiri. They were said to be even stronger than their ANBU before most of them were killed or went rogue becoming missing-nin" Hayama states quickly.
"I see you have heard of me then" Zabuza states.
Kakashi moves his head protector to its intended resting place on his forehead revealing the red-eye of an active and mature Sharingan. Sasuke stared hard at his sensei wondering how he had something that was only supposed to be utilized by select members of his clan the Uchiha. He knew it wasn't time for asking question but he filed it away for later when he would.
"I'm honored that I can see the Sharingan that I've heard about. When I was in the Hidden Village of the Mist's assassination squad your information was listed in the Bingo Book I carried asking for your capture. It also noted this … the man who copied more than 1,000 techniques, Kakashi the copy ninja" Zabuza says.
Kakashi says nothing as he and Zabuza try to stare each other down.
"What? Kakashi-sensei was that great of a ninja?" Sakura questioned.
Sasuke continued with his earlier thoughts though no also wondered if perhaps Kakashi was an Uchiha some how that survived the massacre. Kiba just wondered if the man was so strong why he hadn't shown them anything yet.
"Let's cut the chit-chat here. I have to kill that geezer right away" Zabuza says preparing to fight.
When he says this the genin instantly surround Tazuna to cover any potential areas of attack except for an area behind the old drunk. They were mostly covering the front and sides since they were sure any attack would come from the front as there was no way this ninja could get behind them with Kakashi and Hayama present.
"Hayama stay with the kids and protect the client. I'll handle Zabuza" Kakashi states confidently.
Hayama nods and stands in a ready position a little ahead of the genin.
"It seems I'll have to defeat you first Kakashi"Zabuza says.
Zabuza quickly shunshins from his place on the branch his sword now sheathed on his back and is now seen on the water. The genin lost sight of him and appeared confused until Sakura noted his new position to the rest not that they really needed her to since he was now directly in front of them.
Hayama and Kakashi noted the build up of chakra by Zabuza, with Kakashi noting it was water chakra as mist began to cloud their visibility. Just before it did Zabuza calmly called out the name of the jutsu he was using.
"Kirigakure no Jutsu – Hiding in Mist Technique"
He seemingly vanishes as the fog covers everything hiding him from sight even from Kakashi's active sharingan. All Kakashi could see was the vast amount of water chakra circulating the area. Kakashi warns the genin telling them more about Zabuza and the technique he was using, although Hayama noted it was in perhaps the worst way possible as they all tensed up anticipating an attack.
"The Mist is getting thicker" Tomaru noted.
He didn't like not being able to see and he could barely make out the faces of those beside him let alone the approaching enemy.
"The country of the Wave is surrounded by ocean so a mist often emerges" Tazuna added.
It felt like forever when they heard.
"Eight points. The larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular vein, kidney, collarbone, and heart. Now which vital point do you want to get struck at?" Zabuza calls out from the mist.
Kakashi whom was hidden from view of the genin quickly flared his chakra to dispel most of the mist clouding the area giving a clearer view for everyone. Sasuke in particular feels the weight of Kakashi and Zabuza's chakra suffocating him. It makes him feel like he wants to kill himself to get away from the battle until Kakashi calms him with a vow to protect them all. Some question though if he really meant all of them and not just Sasuke the only one he named.
"I don't know about that" Zabuza responds.
The genin are shocked at how he got between them and the client.
"This is the …"
He never got to finish as Hayama pierced his gut with his sword. Instead of blood though water poured out of the wound identifying it as a water clone. He would know that technique anywhere after witnessing Naruto use it in the spars they held once a week.
"Behind you sensei!" Tomaru called out.
When Hayama looked behind him he saw Zabuza already in mid swing to tear him in half. That was when Kakashi appeared as he shoved a kunai through the gut only for water to spill out of the wound. Only for the real Zabuza to now appear behind him.
He had to immediately use a Kiri Shunshin to teleport away as Hayama threw a wind enhanced kunai at his chest that would have killed him instantly. When Zabuza reappeared he was now standing on to of the water back in front of the group. A second later his accomplice also showed up breathing heavily with visible bruising and cuts on their bodies and arms although their face was still covered by a mask.
It was in this moment Naruto also rejoined the group with similar cuts and bruising visible not just to his body, but also his face even though the jōnin and Zabuza noted that they seemed to be slowly healing on their own as the bruising was fading and the cuts slowly sealing up.
"Naruto, what happened?" Hayama asked.
"The presence I felt earlier when we were scouting was the masked teen over there. When I found him in the bushes he seemed to be waiting for some signal. Sensei he's really fast and uses some weird ice jutsu I've never heard of before" Naruto responds.
'Ice jutsu' both jōnin thought.
Meanwhile Zabuza was also talking to his accomplice.
"Haku, what happened? And why is that blond brat still alive?" Zabuza demanded.
"I'm sorry Zabuza-sama. He caught me by surprise and he was too fast. I couldn't use most of my jutsu as he never gave me a chance. I managed to get away using shunshin, but there's something strange about that boy Zabuza-sama. He nearly caught me trying to get back to you and I had to use my bloodline to stop him before I finally got away" Haku reports.
The three men never took their eyes off one another as they were given the reports. What they heard changed everything. Zabuza knew he had to retreat while both jōnin felt the need to retreat and regroup. Zabuza being impatient made the first move.
"It seems things aren't in my favor. You win this round Konoha, but I'll be back for the geezer" Zabuza warns.
"What makes you think we'll just let you leave?" Kakashi questioned.
"I don't" was the reply.
Zabuza quickly went through the hand seals, Tiger - Ox - Monkey -Rabbit - Ram - Boar - Ox - Horse - Monkey - Tiger - Dog - Tiger - Snake - Tiger - Ox - Monkey - Rabbit - Bird.
"Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu – Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique" Zabuza called out.
A towering wave of water crashed down in front of the teams forcing them to jump up into the trees. Hayama knowing Tazuna would need help grabbed onto him and did the same. When the water receded both Kiri-nin were gone leaving the team's and Tazuna alone.
They all jumped down with Hayama once again helping Tazuna.
"Hatake-san, you should cover your eye before you suffer from chakra exhaustion. We don't have a medic that can properly take care of you out here" Hayama warned.
"Ma, ma, it's already taken care of. We should get moving to the client's house. Tazuna-san if you will take us to your home. We can set up some protections there incase those two come back" Kakashi says.
"Sure, sure it's this way" Tazuna says as they follow him.
Tazuna's house
"Tsunami, Inari I'm home" the old man called out.
He managed to lead the teams to his house without any difficulties. It's seemed Zabuza and his masked accomplice had truly left them alone for now. The jōnin knew he would be back and probably with extra help.
"Father, is that you?" a woman called out.
"Yes, yes come greet the super ninja that will be protecting us" Tazuna calls back.
When the woman did come out to greet the teams Hayama found her to be very attractive while Kakashi seemingly ignored her, but was also eyeing their client's daughter. She stood before the teams and thanked them for protecting her father which both teams waved off. Then Tazuna noticed something.
"Tsunami-chan, where is Inari?" He asked.
Before she could answer a dark-haired little boy wearing a white and blue bucket hat and blue overalls walked out. It was noted by everyone how the boy purposely kept his back or side to the teams not acknowledging them in the least.
"Why are they here?" Inari asked curtly.
"These are the super ninja I hired to protect us Inari. Say hi to them" Tazuna responds.
"Why? They're all going to die anyway" the boy retorts.
"Inari!" Tsunami shouted.
"I'm going to watch the ocean" the little boy announced before leaving.
Both teams stood watching as the kid took off probably to his room.
"I'm … sorry, please forgive my son. He's just going through a rough time" Tsunami apologizes.
"It's fine Tsunami-san, you don't have to apologize" Hayama assures the mother.
Meanwhile, the genin seemed unaffected by the rant but each had their own thoughts on the kid. Most notably Naruto whom could feel the sorrow rolling off the kid. He had always been able to sense negative emotions, but lately it seemed he was able to notice more than just anger and hatred. Still, he didn't want to interfere with whatever the kid had going on. His troubles were his and he knew there was only one way to really change a person and it wasn't by talking or yelling at them.
"It's been a long day. I think we should all take the time to rest" Kakashi says.
Hayama wasn't one to disagree although he did think they should at least set up a guard schedule, but one night wouldn't hurt anything.
"Tsunami-chan, would you show them to the guest rooms?" Tazuna asked his daughter.
"Hai, right this way please" Tsunami offers.
The teams follow the mother and set up their bedding in the rooms. Sakura and Fuki ended up rooming with Tsunami while the boys share a room and the two sensei's take the remaining available room.
Gatō's mansion
Zabuza and Haku were in Gatō's office informing him of the change to their mission.
"So you're telling me after all the money you are expecting me to give you that you need to hire more help to get the job done?" the little man asked.
"Hai" Zabuza answered.
"Then what the fuck am I paying you for!" the business magnate shouted.
"It was unexpected that they would go back to Konoha and successfully request more ninja after the demon brother's attacked the first team" Zabuza explained.
He didn't like failing on a mission. He rarely failed and he would not fail this one, but he'd be stupid if he tried to take on two fully equipped teams with just Haku as back-up. If the teams were led by ordinary jōnin it wouldn't be as much of an issue. But he was dealing with Hatake Kakashi the copy-nin and from what he witness another very competent jōnin leading the other team.
That didn't even get in to the kiddies that had proven to be more than he thought they were especially that blond one. Haku still couldn't give him an accurate report on the blond genin's skill. He just kept stating he was really fast and adapt at hand to hand and standard weapon fighting.
Zabuza had noted that one team seemed to at least carry swords so they must have at least some practice in using them. That would have intrigued him if it didn't screw with his mission and livelihood.
"Fine, I didn't want to do this but it seems I have no choice. I need this bridge builder killed and his fucking bridge destroyed along with any hope this backwater village has with it!" Gatō rants.
"I have some contacts that can get me in touch with a couple of missing-nin around Fire Country. Just give me a little advance to secure their services …" Zabuza starts only to be interrupted.
"No. I also thought this can happen and as loath as I am to reach out to the villages for help … I made an exception in this case. The bridge builder went to a hidden village well I also contacted a hidden village just in case you couldn't handle it. As a matter of fact they are here now. I introduce to you …"
At this point four people walk into the room. Three males one with his head wrapped in bandages save for his left eye, another with spiky dark hair and dark eyes and a beige shirt with the kanji for death going down the middle, and the last was a dark-skinned dark-eyed kid with six arms. The lone female of the group seemed normal and very cute to both males. Gatō thought he could have some other user for her if things fell the right way.
"Dosu" Gatō points to the bandaged male.
"Zaku" he says pointing to the other male genin.
"Kin" he points to the female.
"And their leader for this mission Kidōmaru. I was assured that he was one of the best Otogakure had to offer and that this was their top team. They will be working with you to finish the job. And since I had to pay a village for an official squad and the money spent is already gone unable to be recovered their pay will be taken out of what I owe you plus half of any bounty those ninja have on their heads" Gatō informs the now angered Zabuza.
"That's not the deal we struck!" Zabuza shouted.
"This is the deal we have now. Things change Zabuza-chan. You can either except it or get out, but don't think I won't be making a call to some of your old friends and let them know what you've been up to recently and of course where you are staying" the little weasel threatens.
"Your playing a dangerous game Gatō, don't forget who I am. I could kill all four of these shit stains without breaking a sweat. I've heard of Otogakure. They are a newly made village and a particularly blood thirsty one. I thought about joining up myself, but then I heard about what happens to most of the ninja that serve under their leader.
I like my body just the way it is. I don't need some freak operating on me to give me power unlike these weaklings. I wouldn't think of double-crossing them either Gatō, because I heard their leader is particularly vicious and vindictive to those that do. I'm sure he would love to operate on you and your minions. And if you think about double-crossing me or not giving me what you owe me then I'll make what he'll do to you feel like a day in the park, understood" Zabuza warned.
He leveled some killing intent on the midget causing him to wet his pants before leaving with Haku after a brief stare down with the Oto team. When he finally left Gatō spoke to the Oto-nin about what he expected of them.
"You know your mission. I hope your better at it than that oaf. I also hope you are prepared to carry out the second part of your mission, because after what he just pulled I don't want Zabuza or his friend making it off that bridge in one piece" he ordered.
"Understood, we'll make our move by the end of the week" the leader assured.
"Fine, but don't fail me or else I'll ruin the reputation of your village and you'll never get another client again!" Gatō threatened.
The Oto team then took their leave having enough of the fat little man. When they left the shipping tycoon turned to his two subordinates and nodded at them. They had their own jobs to prepare for. If those Oto-nin thought he was just going to pay them without any means to recoup all the money he spent and then some, they were chumps and chumps were meant to be taken advantage of.
There were two reasons behind why he contracted ninja for the new village that just popped up. The first was he heard of their reputation and dealings. They were possibly more crooked and evil then he ever could be. There was nothing this village wouldn't do including experiment on and torturing their own people.
The second reason was what made them ideal for what he needed. They were a new village with no friends. Even the people that hired them were wary of the new village and their leader rumored to be a legendary missing-nin with little regard for his subordinates. He was sure the man wouldn't care if he lost a few ninja and more to the point he was sure Konoha would pay for some of the information he had gathered on the man. If worse came to worse he had a bargaining chip to get him out of trouble should the Oto team and Zabuza fail him. After he sent every last one of his thugs to kill them and buy him some time. Their life wasn't important anyway and no one would miss them. He was the one that mattered and he had too much planned to die in this backwater shit hole that no one had ever heard of before he arrived.
After all he had money and power, enough to buy his own country. That was all that mattered in this world, money and power.
This is a challenge issued by Narutoenthusiast. I thank you all for reading the ninth chapter in story. I hope you all enjoyed it. I apologize for those expecting one of my other stories to be updated.
As always Until next time dear readers :)