I do not own Naruto no matter how much I wish I did.
Hello guys. I know I am rushing with the story a bit... but i really don't have a choice. I won't be able to continue the story for much longer, so I want to finish it soon as possible.
So i might make mistakes due to my rush. please inform me if you find any careless mistakes.
I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Thank you for all those who reviewed.
INARI BLESSED
The mist was thick as they walked closer to their destination.
"We are almost there." Tazuna said with a little bit of relief.
The genin and their jonin sensei never let their guards down.
As they neared the fog cleared and sparkling blue surface of the ocean came into view. It was the first time Naruto and Yumiko had seen the ocean. Despite being mature for their age a spark of child like excitement bubbled through them at the sight of the vast blue ocean.
"Someone is up ahead." Yumiko said.
"Oh, that's just our ride." Tazuna said as a man with his motorboat came into view.
"Good to see you again Tazuna. And you have bought the ninjas with you. Are you sure they are enough?" the boatman was a little disappointed at the sight of three children and a woman.
"I am more than confident in their abilities, Kenchi." Tazuna told the man with conviction.
Soon, they were traveling across the ocean through the boat.
"Is that the bridge Tazuna san? It is marvelous." Naruto said as the mist gave way to let them view the still unfinished structure.
"Yes, that is our hope." The old man said with pride.
"So it seems that you are good for something other than being a drunkard." Kyoshiro's comment caused Tazuna to drop his head. Yumiko snickered.
Once they reached the shore Kenchi left quickly after thanking the ninja for agreeing to help.
They walked forward once again. Tazuna was becoming much more relaxed and happy as his home neared.
"Sensei!" Yumiko's alarmed whisper caught their full attention. The team tensed knowing what was coming next.
"How many?" Uzume asked.
"Two." Yumiko answered.
"Their levels?" Kyoshiro asked as he prepared to unseal Senshi and Tamashi at moment's notice.
"One is high chunin. The other one is too adept at chakra suppressing, so I assume he/she is high jonin."
"That must be Zabuza and his mysterious accomplice that the demon brothers told me about. How long till we reach them?"
"If we keep this pace up, 30 minutes." They were yet to stop walking so as to prevent tipping their enemy off. "They seem to be waiting for us."
"Good. Everyone get ready, you know the plan." Uzume spoke quietly.
"Sensei, there is one more thing… one of the chakra signatures, it feels different."
"Different how?" Kyoshiro asked.
"It just… feels different, but I can't pinpoint what it is…" Yumiko's eye brows furrowed in concentration. "A bloodline! It's a bloodline… at least I think so."
"This is going to be trouble." Naruto muttered, "Can you identify it?"
"No. it's not one I have encountered before. But it is an elemental bloodline."
"It doesn't matter. We should stick with the plan. Sensei?" Kyoshiro commented.
"Kyoshiro's right. Stay on guard everyone." Uzume said.
"I have a mission for you." The hokage said without preamble as team 7 entered the office. "Kakashi requested for a C rank, but seeing as none was available, I couldn't give him one. But now I have one."
Sasuke, Sakura and even Shin looked at their sensei surprised. Sure, they had completed the necessary 31 D ranks to request a C, but Kakashi had told them that they need more experience. But there was no denying that they were excited at the prospect of a better mission than those chores.
"You are to provide back up to Team 11, they have run into some 'unexpected' trouble." The way the hokage said unexpected made them think that there was some sort of inside joke.
"Are they alright?" Kakashi and Sasuke asked worried, though only very very observant people could detect the concern, after all one was an Uchiha and the other was a carefree pervert.
"From the message they sent, none of them were injured. I am confident in their abilities." The hokage puffed out some smoke from his pipe.
"This is your mission scroll." The hokage tossed a scroll towards Kakashi who caught it.
"This scroll is to be given to Uzume Suiren." The hokage gave Kakashi another scroll, this one red with golden edges, an A rank mission, Kakashi knew.
The team bowed and left to pack for the journey.
"Everyone get down." Uzume shouted and pulled Tazuna down with her.
A giant sword struck the tree near them and imbedded itself in the tree.
"The Executioners blade." Uzume said staring at the sword.
"Oh so you recognize the sword, eh?" the man that appeared on top of the sword said in a smug voice.
"Zabuza Momochi." Zabuza chuckled at the panic he heard in Uzume's voice.
"You know me as well but I haven't heard of you… Well, I'll make this quick, hand over the bridge builder and I'll let you and your brats go. So what do-"
He didn't get to finish as a kunai was sent towards his head, courtesy of Uzume. He easily caught the kunai at the handle.
He looked at the kunai and the beautiful woman who threw it.
"That wasn't very-"he was again cut off as the kunai in his hand exploded in his face. Zabuza was send flying through the tree.
Uzume smirked. She mentally thanked Naruto for adding the explosion seals to the Kunai. It was a brilliant idea from Naruto. Writing the seals on the kunai, instead of tags. Ninjas wouldn't notice it until the explosion hits due to the absence of tags, unless you count sensors that could sense the minute amount of chakra in the kunai.
'That bitch is going to pay' Zabuza thought as he got up. He had taken some damage due to the point blank explosion. But he had shielded himself using chakra at the last minute. He, the demon of the mist, would die rather than let some no name jonin walk over him like that. Thick chakra laced mist filled the area as Zabuza used his signature jutsu.
Uzume tensed, preparing for the battle. She couldn't even see her own team, but she knew that they were doing according to the plan.
Naruto nodded to Yumiko and Kyoshiro who was holding Senshi and Tamashi. Kyoshiro nodded and stepped towards Uzume while Naruto made four clones that stood around Tazuna and started a chain of hand signs.
'Four point barrier seal' the clones slammed their palm on the ground in front of them with a barely audible mumble. A violet shimmer appeared on the air before vanishing.
The barrier had been erected successfully, with Tazuna and Yumiko and the four clones holding the barrier, safely inside.
The real Naruto outside the barrier nodded to Yumiko inside and disappeared from sight.
Uzume went through a chain of hand signs at blind speed and announced her jutsu, "Wind release: Great breakthrough" a violent wave of wind passed through the clearing removing the mist. As the mist cleared Zabuza became visible as he descended on Tazuna with his Executioner's blade.
The blade hit the barrier. The barrier rippled a moment and repelled Zabuza's attack with enough force to dispel 'Zabuza' showing that he was a water clone.
Kyoshiro brought up Senshi and Tamashi in a cross to block a sword slash from Zabuza who appeared next to them. Zabuza was surprised to see the brat holding up against him. This team seems to be full of surprises. His mist was gone, this fight is getting annoying.
Zabuza had to jump back to avoid getting his head smashed by a chakra enhanced punch from Uzume. He quickly made a water clone to deal with the red haired brat while he dealt with the jonin.
Uzume narrowed her eyes and moved her hands in a familiar pattern. Deep blue chakra became visible and shaped into a dragon before it launched towards Zabuza at full speed. Zabuza tried to block, but in the end got hit by the dragon.
Haku was worried when Zabuza had gotten blasted with that explosion. He was thinking of joining in, when his senses went into override and he jumped away from the tree branch he was sitting in. A kunai hit the branch he previously occupied.
"Hello there." Announced the cheerful voice of his attacker.
Haku looked up and saw the blond boy from the team.
"Are you here for Zabuza hunter nin?"
That's when Haku remembered that he was still in his hunter nin attire. So he wordlessly nodded, surprised that the blond had sensed him.
"Then why are you not attacking him instead of sitting here and watching?"
"I was waiting for the right opportunity." Haku said softly, he didn't want to fight unnecessarily and if he kept up this charade he could help Zabuza if things get tricky.
"You are lying… I was hoping that you were an actual hunter nin and that I wouldn't have to fight you…" Naruto said sighing. He soon jumped back allowing the ice senbon to harmlessly hit the branch he was standing on.
"Ice release huh? Well that proves that you are not a hunter nin…"Naruto mumbled remembering about Mist's bloodline wars.
"I do not want to fight you, but I will do it for Zabuza sama, forgive me." Haku said before launching another batch of ice needles. The Naruto that the needles hit puffed out of existence.
Haku was thrown to the ground from the kick that was delivered to his back. He flipped during mid journey and sped through hand signs.
"Ice release: Frostbite" the icy mist that was released from the jutsu froze anything that it came in contact with. Naruto used a shunshin to get away from the jutsu and appeared where Haku was about to land and did his own hand seals.
"Wind release: Gale Palm" Haku had no time to react as the blasts of wind hit him dead on and he was sent flying into the clearing where Zabuza was fighting Uzume and Kyoshiro.
Zabuza was startled when Haku landed on the clearing. Uzume took the chance and sent another jutsu at Zabuza, "Water release: Water Dragon". Zabuza narrowly avoided the dragon and moved forward to slash at her.
Uzume ducked under the slash and pressed her palm against Zabuza's stomach, "Lightning release: Lightning Strike". Zabuza flew back and into the water after getting electrocuted.
Kyoshiro fighting against the Zabuza clone ducked under another slash and swiped Senshi at the clone. When the clone blocked Senshi, he spun around and slashed with Tamashi from the other side causing Zabuza to side step.
Kyoshiro jumped back and crossed his swords in front of him in an 'x' shape. Pouring chakra into the swords he called out, "Retribution". Cross shaped blast of deep red energy exited the swords and hit the Zabuza clone, dispelling it instantly.
Kyoshiro then turned his attention to where Naruto was fighting Zabuza's accomplice. He then joined Naruto in fighting.
Kyoshiro attempted to hit Haku with a down ward slash, but Haku dodged it and threw more ice senbon at them. Both Naruto and Kyoshiro jumped out of the way of the needles.
"You are strong." Haku said, "I have no choice but to use that jutsu."
Kyoshiro and Naruto had no idea which jutsu he was talking about, but they knew it won't be good. But Haku had already done his part.
"Demonic Ice Mirrors" Haku called out the name of the jutsu.
A dome of ice mirrors was built around Kyoshiro and Naruto. Haku entered one of the mirrors.
They dodged the first hail of senbon but the next one that came from behind them was too fast for them to dodge. Haku was jumping from mirror to mirror, trying to turn them into pin cushions.
"Shit!" Kyoshiro cursed as he dodged another volley of senbon.
'Uzumaki…' the whisper that sounded from right behind him, send Naruto in to a sudden panic. His momentary state of surprise was exploited by the enemy as he felt multiple needles entering his body.
"Naruto!" Kyoshiro called out worried. He swung his sword in a full circle, blocking more senbon.
'Uzumaki…' there was that whisper again. Naruto wildly looked around. 'Legacy…'
Time seemed to slow down as another volley of senbon sped towards Naruto. For some reason, Naruto felt like he was out of his body, everything was moving so slow…
'Descendants of the third…
Guardians of the seven…
Legacy of a god…
The heart of the blessed shall light the world…
Open your eyes and welcome your destiny
Uzumaki… Namikaze… Sora… Naruto…'
A sharp pain coursed through Naruto's head, he had never felt such pain before.
The scream that pierced the air startled everyone. Zabuza took advantage of the opening and kicked Uzume in the chest sending her crashing into the shore.
The four clones maintaining the barrier dispersed into smoke. Tazuna and Yumiko were worried.
"Heh, looks like Haku took care of that blond brat of yours." Zabuza chuckled as he sped towards Tazuna at maximum speed. He then backhanded Yumiko who tied to stop him. She was thrown aside. Zabuza brought his sword down.
Haku looked at the scene before him in shock. He had no idea what had happened to the blond boy.
He knew without a doubt that the second barrage of senbon he sent would hit Naruto for sure. The boy was not in a position to even move. But before any of the senbon could hit, the red headed boy had used the body replacement technique to replace himself with the blond boy. So the red head ended up getting showered by senbon instead of his friend.
Now looking at the downed form of the two boys, Haku couldn't help but pity them. At least he wouldn't have to kill them now. His musings however, were cut short, as the red head that had taken the hit turned out to be a clone.
"Crimson Abyss" a shout rang inside the ice dome and a wave of blinding red energy exploded inside the dome completely destroying the dome. Haku was thrown out of his mirror. His clothes were burned and he knew that he had taken some serious damage, by the smell of the burning flesh. Lucky for him his attacker didn't seem to care about him anymore.
Kyoshiro stood panting after the last attack; he had put a shit load of chakra into that one attack. Uncaring of his tiredness he rushed over to Naruto who was slumped on the ground with eyes wide open in agony.
"Naruto!" he shouted as he held him. Naruto seemed to be in shock. His eyes glazed over, indicating that he was not really aware.
"Naruto!" Kyoshiro shook him again trying to snap him out of the daze.
"It looks like we have completed our mission. Haku let's get go." Zabuza announced smugly and Kyoshiro snapped his head towards his position.
Zabuza looked like he was barely standing, his was bleeding from several places and his body was decorated with bruises and burns.
Zabuza was standing there staring down at the body of the bridge builder, who had a large gash running horizontally across his chest almost cutting him in half. Kyoshiro knew he was dead.
Haku appeared beside Zabuza and both of them vanished in a shunshin.
Kyoshiro sighed and looked down at Naruto to see that he was unconscious. He then carefully started to remove the senbon. The wounds healed instantly.
"What happened to him?" Uzume asked as she stood next to Kyoshiro, who lifted Naruto and settled him on his back to carry him.
"I am not sure yet. But seeing how his chakra is raging inside him, I bet it has something to do with a clan heritage… I know he isn't hurt."
"That's good. Things went as planned."
"It looks like Yumiko's clone got dispelled, she would know what happened."
Uzume nodded as she moved towards Tazuna's 'body' and stomped on the ground after doing a few hand signs, "Earth Release: Earth Crumple"
The soil collapsed and Tazuna's body sunk into the earth and the soil once again covered the area.
"Let's go."
And they took off towards Tazuna's house.
FLASHBACK
"Let's rest for some time. Tazuna seems tired." Uzume announced. It had only been an hour after the confrontation with the demon brothers.
They nodded.
"Here" Naruto offered the old man some water, "It's not sake, so bear with it." He added chuckling.
"Thank you." Tazuna took the bottle and drank some.
"Team," Uzume got their attention, "From what I gathered from the demon brothers we will be facing Zabuza and an accomplice of his soon."
"Zabuza? As in, the demon of the bloody mist? That Zabuza?" Yumiko asked.
"Anything more on this accomplice?" Kyoshiro asked.
"No. But we might as well assume that this accomplice is a jonin as well."
"So we will be up against possibly two jonin? It will be hard going up against the jonin, as well as guarding a civilian." Naruto frowned.
Tazuna looked meek. He really appreciates them helping him, even when they had the choice of abandoning him.
"Even if we managed to defeat them, things will only get more inconvenient as Gato will most probably try hiring stronger ninjas next time." Kyoshiro said.
"We need time… I have requested a special mission from Hokage sama, we need time until I get authorization… and we should make sure that Gato wouldn't include any more missing nin to oppose us."
The team had a pretty good idea what the special mission she requested for was, so they nodded to their sensei.
"We could fool Gato into thinking that Tazuna is dead… Fooling Zabuza and his accomplice will be hard, but not impossible. We should tire them out enough so they won't notice anything wrong." Yumiko said. Uzume nodded in approval.
"We could use a blood clone. They won't disperse even if they are 'dead' so Zabuza won't notice." Naruto suggested.
"And my blood clone could do the transformation. That way Zabuza won't detect a henge, since mine is solid transformation." Kyoshiro added.
"I'll add a seal to the clone so that the transformation won't wear off after the clone dies." Naruto said.
Uzume smirked, she was really proud of her team. "Good idea team. By the time Gato figures out that Tazuna is not dead, I would get an official authorization from the hokage... And remember to damage Zabuza and his friend enough so that even if they figure out our ploy, they won't be able to attack us for some time."
"Okay sensei. But what are we going to do about the original?" Naruto asked pointing towards Tazuna.
"I'll take care of that." Yumiko said and bit her thumb to make it bleed and started a chain of hand signs, she then slammed her palm on the ground. A large fox, size of a horse; with orange brown fur and green eyes along with three tails appeared.
"What can I do for you, Yumiko chan?" the fox asked in a soft feminine voice.
"Midori chan, could you give the old man over there, a lift?" Yumiko pointed at Tazuna.
"I will if you can get me some teriyaki chicken." The fox answered licking her paw absentmindedly.
"Sure…" Yumiko drawled with a grin. "Is this alright sensei?"
Uzume nodded smiling. "Leave a reinforced shadow clone with us so that Zabuza don't get suspicious. Also take each of our clone with you as well, burst one of them when you reach his house so that we will get the location. Have the Naruto clone place security and detection seals around the house. Also, use a genjutsu so that no one sees Tazuna or any of you for that matter… and thanks for the help Midori san, we will surely buy you teriyaki once we get back to Konoha."
The fox nodded.
"Hey Naru chan, still as cute as ever."
Naruto rolled his eyes, "Nice seeing you too Midori." Then he yelped when one of her tails slapped his ass. He gave her a red faced angry glare.
"Don't be such a prude Naru chan~." The fox giggled. "And hello there Lord Kyo kun… are you still in denial that you like Naru chan's ass?"
Kyoshiro coughed and turned his head away to hide a blush.
"Mi-Midori!" Naruto was as red as Kyoshiro's hair.
Yumiko shook her head smiling and helped Tazuna get on the fox. She and the clones would travel at jonin level speeds. They should reach the house sooner than expected.
"Good luck guys." Yumiko said.
FLASHBACK ENDS
"What do you think happened?" Tazuna asked worried.
They had reached the house safely, no one had spotted them. Kyoshiro's clone had dispelled itself so that the original could get the location of the house. Yumiko and the clones met Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter. The beautiful young woman was very kind hearted and caring. She had started preparing meals for the team that was arriving.
Uzume's clone went scouting while Naruto set up the security and detection seals.
"Umm, Tazuna san, Tsunami san could you come here for a sec? I want some of your blood to finish the security seals since I assume none of you know how to use chakra." Naruto called out.
Tsunami who was in the kitchen came to the living room where Naruto was working.
"What do you need me to do, Naruto san?" she asked smiling. Naruto smiled back at her.
"I just need a drop of blood. It's fine with you, right?"
"Of course, I am not afraid of a little of blood Naruto san." She said chuckling. Naruto nodded and took out a kunai and nicked her finger. He then let the blood touch the seal; the seal glowed for a moment.
"Done" Naruto said as he let go of Tsunami's hand.
"Alright then I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." With that she left for the kitchen once again.
"Hey, you drunkard, come here" Naruto announced making Tazuna grumble and scowl. "Kids… No respect these days…"
Naruto snickered.
He did the same he did with Tsunami.
"Careful Naru, he probably has sake running through his veins instead of blood." Yumiko announced from the kitchen, where she was helping Tsunami. Naruto snickered again.
"There the seal is done. Now I only need one more sample from your grandson. When will the boy be home?"
As if answering to Naruto, a little boy opened the door and entered the house.
"Mom, I'm back." That's when the boy noticed his grandfather. "Grandpa"
The boy hugged the old man.
"Inari, you are home kiddo. This is one of the ninja who protected me on the journey." Tazuna said pointing at Naruto.
Inari looked at Naruto skeptically. Naruto could sense the doubt, anger and above all sadness. Naruto fought to keep from frowning.
"Hello, my name is Naruto Uzumaki. I am a ninja of Konoha."
The boy stubbornly kept quiet.
"Inari introduce yourself." Tazuna chided.
"Why? They're just going to die anyway."
Yumiko scowled at the kid.
"Well that's true….Everyone dies one day."Naruto said with a shrug.
Inari was about to walk away when Naruto grabbed his hand.
"What?" The boy snapped.
"Chill… I just need some of your blood."
The boy's eyes widened. "What?"
Naruto rolled his eyes and wordlessly nicked the boy's finger, "Oww!"
He then let the blood drop on to the seal. "Done" Naruto said and channeled some of his chakra into Inari so that his wound vanished.
Despite all his bitter feelings, Inari was still a kid and Naruto felt the bubbling curiosity and amazement.
"I'll go put these seals up now." Naruto said with a smile and was about to stand up when his eyes widened and he clutched his head in pain, before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"Kid!" Tazuna and Inari were surprised.
"What?" Yumiko came into the room as she felt Naruto's clone's chakra disappear.
"What happened? Did you hit the clone or something?" Yumiko asked baffled.
Her expression soon turned into worry as the memories of her own clone hit her.
"Did something happen?" Tazuna was worried.
"I hope not." Yumiko said worried. "They'll be here soon."
Inari silently went upstairs, even though he said those things he didn't really want any of them to die.
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