Chapter 8: First C-rank mission
Flashback:
Day 27 of Capture
"Please no….not that!" Tied up placed in a boiling pot and left there to stew in the ever increasing heat of the boiling water.
"Let's see how a controlled cooking of the does compared to an actual burning does." Mayuri smiles as he pours more caressen onto the fire they are using to boil the pot.
Naruto's screams echo across the dungeon.
Back to the present:
Naruko is awakening from another memory and rises to meet the day as the time is due to be signed its first official mission. She heads to Sakura's to pick her up and they quickly head towards Sasuke's place where they pick him up from the deserted Uchiha district. They make their way to the academy building where Kakashi is waiting for them.
"Are you guys ready for your first mission?" Kakashi says
"Yes Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura says
They step into the mission hall and see the Hokage hard at work handing out missions to teams.
"Hello Jiji we are here for our first mission." Naruko states
"Good to see you Naruko and yes I have a mission for you" the hokage states
The hokage shuffles through the mission scrolls and finds the one he is looking for before handing it to Kakashi. When Kakashi opens it he groans slightly before the rest of the team look over his shoulder to read what it says.
"You can't be serious! Surely you must be joking Jiji." Naruko says in surprise
"No that is your mission and I would get a head start if I was you." The Hokage says with a smirk
"Just Great." Naruko replies sarcastically
They head out and proceed into the city in order to fulfill their mission.
"This is blossom I've spotted the target over."
"This is Blondie here I've cut off the escape route over."
"This is...Brodie I'm in position over."
"This is Scarecrow here move on target on my signal over."
"Now!"
It was over in an instant the target Tora the cat had been captured but, not without a few scratches to Sasuke and Naruko's faces. They quickly take the pissed off feline back to the mission hall where madam Shijimi is waiting to get ahold of the cat squeezing the life out of it. Causing it to take off running making someone else have to take the mission again. The next few weeks went about smoothly as expected with them walking dogs, helping farmers, doing gardening, cleaning toilets at the restaurants, looking for missing items, painting fences, catching Tora the cat several times. Until the faithful day 3 weeks later when Naruko decided to put her foot down.
"Now let's see would you prefer painting fences or cleaning toilets for your next mission." The Hokage suggests
"How about neither Jiji it's time for a real mission a c-rank one!" Naruko complains to the agreement of Sasuke
"Naruko show the hokage some respect you are doing missions of your current rank for a reason!" Iruka shouts
"It's true Naruko you still are too inexperienced to handle a higher rank mission." The hokage states
"But Jiji genin are only required to do several d-ranks before being assigned a c-rank we've done our dues it's time for a real mission. Besides if I don't do a real mission soon I will go crazy and probably start a rumor of you using your peeping orb on the hot springs." Naruko says with the threat hanging in the air
"You dare threaten the Hokage!" Iruka shouts
"Your right Naruko I see your serious about this so, I will humor you and give you a c-rank mission. Iruka please send mr. Tazuna in." The Hokage says
"Right away sir!" Iruka says to go fetch Tazuna
"Your mission will be to escort Tazuna to the land of waves and protect him till he finishes his bridge." The Hokage states
When he returns he brings a oldman that is drinking toward the team. He looks at them and scoffs.
"This is the team hired to protect me the blond looks like a magic girl from a cartoon show, the pinkie looks like a poorly drawn man, and why the other one wearing a ducks ass on his head?"
The three genin glare daggers at the man preparing to end him when the three are put in headlock courtesy of their sensei.
"Don't worry about them I'm a jonin I'm more than capable enough to protect you." Kakashi says smiling
"Hmph fine meet me at the south gate in an hour." Tazuna says
The team arrives on time for the mission including Kakashi much to the genins surprise. They head out along the way Sakura chats up Tazuna about the land of waves but, he gives short answers causing Naruko to grow suspicious of Tazuna. But, before she can ponder more on it they pass a pair of puddles even though it hasn't rained in weeks causing Naruko to become suspicious and begins to slowly move her hand towards her Kunai pouch. When suddenly two shinobi appear from the puddles and link Kakashi in a shuriken chain and shred him to bits. Sasuke moves in front of Sakura and Tazuna as Naruko pulls out a kunai and prepares to go toe to toe with them by launching herself at them and stabbing the chain with a kunai into a tree then, getting into position stabs her pointed fingers with chakra into the men's arms striking the pressure points causing their arms to go limp before pulling out a few senbon stabbing them in the necks rendering them unconscious. Kakashi comes out of hiding and admits he is impressed by what he saw.
"Nicely done, Naruko I didn't think someone other than a hyuuga would learn the gentle fist to aim for pressure points and on top of that using senbon to incapacitate the enemy." Kakashi says as he ties up the two kiri-nin
"I think Tazuna has some explaining to do." Naruko says
"What do you mean blondie?" Tazuna says nervously
"I think she means since, they weren't after me they were probably after you care to explain why?" Kakashi says
"Alright do you know of a man named Gato?" Tazuna says
"Gato you mean the shipping magnate." Kakashi says
"Gato is much more than that he is a thug and a criminal that has taken over the land of waves." Tazuna says bitterly
"So why is he after you?" Sakura asks
"Because, of the bridge I am building will connect us to the mainland cutting off Gato hold on the land of waves that's why he sent these men after me because, I'm the only one that can stop him!" Tazuna says
"I see why you were reluctant to give information away to Sakura and why you hired us in the first place because you couldn't afford a higher ranking mission if he has got control of waves." Naruko says
"It is as you say I couldn't afford a higher ranking mission since we are so poor because of Gato." Tazuna says
"If it is as you say we should return to konoha since, this mission ranking just went up." Kakashi says
"Please I beg of you I need your help don't abandon me." Tazuna says while, groveling
"We're not turning back this old man needs our help and I for one can't turn a blind eye to that." Naruko says
"Me neither Naruko is right we need to help him." Sakura says
"This mission is just getting interesting it would be a shame to turn back now." Sasuke says
"If that's how all of you feel about it then, we will continue with the mission." Kakashi says
"Thank you thank you" Tazuna says
He leads them to a boat that a rowman uses to get them across to the land of waves where they disembark. On their journey Naruko senses something following in the bushes and tosses a kunai nearly hitting a rabbit.
"That rabbit's fur is out of season which, means its been kept indoors" Kakashi thought as he hears something flying there way
"Everyone get down!" Kakashi shouts
Everyone ducks as a large sword flies over head and imbeds itself within a tree. A shinobi appears on it that stares them all down.
"So, it's the infamous copycat ninja no wonder the demon brothers lost." The man says
"Zabuza Momochi is one of the seven legendary swordsmen of the mist." Kakashi says staring at the man
"So you know my name I'm honored but, would you be so kind as to hand over the bridge builder." Zabuza says
"Not a chance Tazuna is my client you will have to go through me first." Kakashi says
"Very well then, it will be your funeral." Zabuza says as he pulls his sword out of the tree and performs the hidden mist jutsu.
"Stay close everyone let me handle Zabuza he is a master of the silent killing technique" Kakashi says just as a water clone attacks him but, it's easily destroyed by him
"Too late Kakashi my sight are on the bridge builder" a voice says in-between the genin and Tazuna before he can strike he is stabbed in the side by Naruko revealing it to be a water clone
"The brats are not too bad. Too bad for her this will be her last mission." Zabuza says from the mist before he is ambushed from behind by Kakashi that takes a stab at him only to miss and is kicked into a nearby lake.
"Now I've got you!" Zabuza says to Kakashi as he is imprisoned in a water prison jutsu
"Damn it!" Kakashi swears
"Now to take care of the brats" Zabuza says as he forms water clones that go on the offensive but Naruko creates Earth clones that match up to Zabuza's water clones.
"Everyone get out of here the mission failed the moment I got caught!" Kakashi says to his team
"Fuck that I'm not going to be worse than scum we will save you Kakashi sensei!" Naruko says
Naruko creates a shadow clone and tosses a fuma shuriken to Sasuke who tosses it at Zabuza who catches it but, sees through the shadow shuriken technique and jumps into the air. But, it's a ruse as the shadow shuriken transforms into Naruko who throws a kunai forcing Zabuza to let go of the water prison holding Kakashi. Once Kakashi is free he jumps away from Zabuza with his sharingan active. They start to mimic each others hand signs until both form the water dragon bullet causing the water to writhe and twists around them until the jutsu's cancel each other out. They begin to perform hand sequences again this time with Kakashi being faster performs the water release: great waterfall technique washing Zabuza away into a nearby tree where his limbs are pinned to by kunai.
"I wasn't able to see through the sharingan can you see the future?" Zabuza asks
"Yes and what I see is your death!" Kakashi says but, suddenly two senbon fly out from nowhere and hit Zabuza straight in the neck killing him.
A Hunter-nin appears and slowly walks toward them.
"Thank you for dealing with Zabuza. I have been tracking him for sometime now I must dispose of the body." the hunter-nin says
Kakashi backs away from Zabuza as the hunter-nin takes him and his sword before disappearing in a body flicker.
"Sorry guys but, you'll have to carry me for awhile." Kakashi says as he collapses from chakra exhaustion, the others carry him to Tazuna's house where he can rest. Naruko Meanwhile, isn't sure of her theory about the hunter-nin being a fake so, decides to bring it up with Kakashi later.
The next day Kakashi awakens and quickly realizes his mistake about the hunter-nin so he calls his students into the room.
"I believe Zabuza to be still alive." Kakashi says to them surprising them except Naruko.
"You're not surprised Naruko." Kakashi says
"I figured something was up when it was senbon that killed Zabuza since, from experience I know how hard it is to kill someone with them." Naruko explains
"But, you said it yourself sensei he had no pulse" Sakura says
"Sakura senbon can be used to put someone in a death like state and that's what happened here." Naruko says
"So, I guess we're going to be fighting them again huh." Sasuke says
"More than likely since, Zabuza and I will be laid up for about a week I think it's time I train you guys." Kakashi says
The team gets excited about the possibility of more training. So, they head down for dinner where they meet Tsunami and are greeted by Inari.
"Why bother feeding them they are just going to die anyways." Inari says to them before heading up to his room leaving some confused genin behind.
The next day the team meets outside in the forest where Kakashi wishes to teach his students.
"Today I will be teaching you the tree climbing exercise" Kakashi says
"But, Kakashi I already know this along with water walking." Naruko explains
"Oh can you show Sakura and Sasuke." Kakashi says
"Sure thing Kakashi" Naruko says before walking all the way up the tree and back down again
"How did you know how to do that Naruko?" Sasuke states jealousy
"I asked about ways to increase my chakra control to the old man and he showed me this technique." Naruko says while, rubbing her head
"Next up is you Sakura just press chakra to the soles of your feet and begin to walk up the tree." Kakashi states
Sakura does as instructed and manages to climb all the way up.
"Now it's your turn Sasuke" Kakashi states
Sasuke channels chakra to his feet and gets into a running start but, blows himself off the tree to the amusement of Naruko.
"Don't worry Sasuke you'll get it takes time to get it just right where it doesn't slide off or blow you off it took me a few weeks to get it right." Naruko empathetically
"Hmph this is nothing I'll have it down by the end of the week." Sasuke states and starts to try again.
"Naruko I want you to go guard the bridge while, Sakura can guard Tsunami as she does her shopping."
Naruko goes to the bridge with Tazuna as instructed and creates 200 clones to help with the construction of the bridge.
When she returns with Tazuna to the house they have dinner with the rest of the team and chat until Inari blows up at them.
"Why-why do you try so hard and are pretending to care about what happens to us Gato's only going to kill you anyways." Inari shouts
"Because, Inari Gato is nothing but a bully with cash taking that away from him and he is nothing besides we all gotta die sometime but, it won't be at the hands of Gato." Naruko says calmly
"Why don't you go have to your comfy home and loving parents since, you have no idea the kind of suffering we've been through." Inari says
Naruko slams her fist down on the table causing it to crack and pulls Inari up by the scruff of his shirt with red slitted eyes she says " I DON'T KNOW SUFFERING! LET ME TELL SOMETHING I WAS FUCKING TORTURED AND RAPED FOR 2 YEARS BY THE HANDS OF THE CITIZENS OF MY VILLAGE AND TO TOP IT OFF THEY TOOK SOMETHING PRECIOUS TO ME. SO, DON'T GO FOOLING YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAMILY SOMETHING I'LL NEVER HAVE!
She soon drops Inari in his seat and storms off outside to vent leaving her team stunned to what she had admitted while, leaving Inari to cry in his seat.
"Kakashi-sensei I-I didn't know that about Naruko is it really true." Sakura asks her sensei who only looks downcast.
"Hey tell us the truth sensei we deserve to know as her teammates." Sasuke says
"All I know is that she was tortured outside of that I wasn't informed considering her past is a mystery outside the need to know probably only the heads of the T and I department and the Hokage know the full story." Kakashi says sadly
The room is filled with silence for the rest of the night as Naruko vents out in the woods. Outside Naruko is having a war inside herself over her rage and decide to get some training by creating 200 shadow clones they begin working on mixing earth and water release.
"Stupid brat thinks he knows suffering I bet he never even had a spanking let alone was tortured." Naruko says
"Those humans have no idea what it's like to know and feel suffering, but I could show them just let me have a crack at them." A voice says mentally with cold conviction
"No I won't let you hurt them just to make a point about knowing suffering." Naruko replies mentally
"How will they not learn if they don't know suffering it will make them better in the long run look at what happened to us." The voice mentally says uncaringly
"I will not go down that road with you all it will lead to is having the fox breaking free again and even you can't beat him." Naruko replies mentally
"In due time I will have the strength to bring the fox to heel just as you will sooner or later by my hand or someone else's in the long run it doesn't matter we both know you are living on borrowed time literally thanks to Kushina." The Voice mentally says in disinterest
"I know but for now you are where you need to stay trapped behind that seal along with the kyuubi." Naruko replies mentally with sternness
The voice goes silent as Naruko sighs and begins to join the clones in attempt to use wood release. They make some progress on that front when Naruko falls asleep in a field up against a tree.
She is woken up by a gentle hand on the shoulder that wakes her up. Naruko quickly becomes aware of her surroundings and sees a boy with a very femimine face and build.
"You'll catch your death of cold if you sleep out here." the boy says
"Thank you but, I run hot." Naruko says sitting up and stretching
"So are you a ninja" the boy says
"Yes I am my name is Naruko Namikaze" Naruko says
"My name is Haku" the boy says
"So, what are you doing out here Haku." Naruko asks
"Picking herbs for a friend." Haku states just as he bends down to pick up one
"Would you mind if I helped" Naruko asks
"No not at all" Haku states
They pick herbs together for awhile, while they talk about mundane things
"Do you have someone precious to you?" Haku asks
"Yes I have Jiji, Hinata, Ino, and Sakura that is why I want to be strong." Naruko says
"You are strong because of your precious people not for." Haku says
"What's that mean?" Naruko says confused
"It means your strength comes from those bonds rather than just training." Haku says finishing picking herbs
"I guess you are right." Naruko says surprised
"Thank you for all the help but, I must be going." Haku says
"No problem let's hope to meet again." Naruko says as she turns to head back to Tazuna's house
Haku turns to leave knowing the sad truth that they would meet again but on the field of battle. Naruko heads into the room in the house to check up on Kakashi and finds that Sakura had gone with Tazuna to guard the bridge while Sasuke was still climbing the tree. So, she heads to the bridge to help to guard Tazuna with Sakura. The next 3 days were like that by using 200 shadow clones to help build the bridge. The day finally arrived when the bridge was to be completed and Naruko slept in. When she is awoken by the door of the house being kicked open by Zori and Waraji who came to Kidnap Tsunami but, Naruko sneaks out of the house up behind them and hits them in the neck with senbon rendering them unconscious. Naruko leaves them tied up for Tsunami to handle while, Naruko heads to the bridge. There he finds Sakura guarding Tazuna as Kakashi is in the mist with Zabuza as for Sasuke he is imprisoned by a dome of ice mirrors. She quickly sneaks inside the ice dome to join Sasuke.
"You idiot why didn't you stay on the outside" Sasuke says
"Because he could simply expand his range of Ice mirrors if I got too close and besides none of my jutsu could smash the mirrors so, my best chance to get him is in here with you." Naruko explains
"An astute observation one that will do you know good now." the masked nin says
"Sasuke I can assume that your fireball jutsu can't melt the ice so, prepare to attack when I lure him out of the mirror got it?" Naruko says performing the shadow clone Jutsu and sends them toward the mirrors but, they pop out of existence when they are peppered by senbon. While, Sasuke goes through the hand signs to perform the fireball jutsu. He spews the flames missing the masked nin as he exits the mirrors so, they try again and again while, constantly being peppered with senbon after awhile, they look like pincushions the both being tired but, fortunately Sasuke unlocks his sharingan and is better able to track his movements and manages to burn part of the masked nins clothes. But, the masked nin makes a move on Naruko but, is intercepted by Sasuke who takes the blow and knocks the masked nin back at the cost of himself.
"Sasuke! Why-why take the blow for me I could've handled it." Naruko says holding sasuke who is lying on the ground.
"You idiot there was no time to think I acted on instinct that's all" Sasuke says scoldingly
"Well hang on Sakura will patch you up." Naruko says worriedly
"He is still out there that man I want to kill. Would you do it for me Naruko kill that person for me." Sasuke says in whispers before he falls silent
"SASUKE!" Naruko shouts at him
"Is this the first time you've seen a friend fall in battle this what it means to be shinobi." the masked nin
"Shut up" Naruko says in a deadly cold voice
"You must accept his death as part of the shinobi life and carry on without him." the masked nin says from the ice mirrors
Just then an oppressive aura fills the entire bridge that is very cold even to the ice user and a dark red chakra begins to circle Naruko causing the cut on her body to heal and the senbon to be pushed out. She stands up as her hair color changes to crimson red her chest shrinks and broadens and she grows several inches and bangs begin to form that shoot up word as her hair floats up flails like they were tails. Gone was Naruko but standing in her place was a man with flowing red hair and purple slitted eyes.
"So all it took for me to come out was the death of one of your teammates huh I guess that will work but, this shouldn't take long." the red head says in a cold voice
"Who-who are you?" the masked nin shivering in fear of the oppressive aura the man is exuding.
The red head cracks his neck and says coldly "your worst nightmare" just as three orbs form around the man and he tosses one at the mirror vaporising it instantly. The masked nin moves quickly through the mirrors and heads to the one above the man and dives down but, is single handedly caught and thrown through one of the mirrors shattering it and sent crashing into the ground. As the masked nin gets up the broken mask falls away to reveal the face of Haku to the redhead who reverts back to Naruko after giving a look of surprise.
"Why Haku why did it have to be you." Naruko asks sadly
"It doesn't matter now all that matters is I am defeated and am a broken tool that is no longer a use to Zabuza-sama." Haku says
"Why would you think that about yourself you aren't a tool!" Naruko shouts
"Zabuza saved my life without him I would have no purpose since, he raised me to be his ultimate tool." Haku states
"So what you had a life before him you could just go on from there." Naruko says
"In the mist village I grew up in kekkei genkai were believed to be people that were demons and were hunted and persecuted and executed. My father killed my mother because he discovered I had such an ability and he was going to kill me too if I hadn't killed him and his friends first. After that I lived without purpose until Zabuza came along and gave me one." Haku says
"I understand but, just because he gave you a purpose doesn't mean it's a good one. He is just using you and your feelings to get you to do what he wants." Naruko says sadly
"That is fine if I serve him I don't mind dying but, now that I'm defeated you must kill me." Haku says peacefully
"I won't kill you, it won't bring Sasuke back and won't change anything." Naruko says mournfully
"I see" Haku says but, suddenly turns his head to the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza seeing what is about to happen he turns back and says.
"I may be of still some use yet goodbye Naruko." Then performs a body flicker to intercept Kakashi's lightning cutter. He takes the blow meant for Zabuza and Zabuza counters with the intent of cutting Kakashi down but, Kakashi backflips with Haku in his arms and lays him on the ground.
"You were wrong again Kakashi about seeing my death." Zabuza states as he attacks but, Kakashi gets behind Zabuza and disables both Zabuza's arms.
"You really think the kids death wouldn't affect you then, you care to admit but, you lost the fight the second the boy gave his life to protect you." Kakashi states
As Zabuza is glaring at Kakashi out from the mist Gato appears along with 20 bandits.
"Gato what is the meaning of this!" Zabuza shouts
"I figured it would be cheaper to have these men kill you and collect your bounty then, have to pay you anything." Gato says smirkingly as he walks over and kicks Haku's corpse for breaking his arm.
"Aren't you going to do something Haku was your friend!" Naruko shouts
"He was a broken tool nothing more." Zabuza says flatly
"He lived without any hopes or dreams of his own even though it broke him inside to fight he fought for you that much I can tell he lived a life hardly worth living how can you not be broken up about that!" Naruko screams
"Your right it did break him to have to fight you guys and even though he was only a tool I cared for him greatly it makes me a failure of a shinobi to admit such a thing." Zabuza says tearfully
"Kakashi lent me a kunai I'm going to finish this." Zabuza asks who takes the kunai into his mouth and charges toward Gato who hides behind his thugs. Zabuza slices his way through the bandits to Gota and stabs him in the neck with the kunai and plummets off the bridge. While, Zabuza is impaled through the back by swords and spears makes his way to toward Haku's body and collapses beside it.
The remaining bandits attempt to attack team Kakashi but, Naruko summons shadow clones that slaughter the bandits. Just as the villagers arrive to back up the shinobi. To the relief of the team Sasuke was alive and well. The villagers cheer at Gato's death and celebrate while team 7 recovers at Tazuna's house. The next day both haku and Zabuza are buried next to each other with Zabuza's sword used as a grave marker.
"I will never forget what you taught me Haku about how precious people give us strength." Naruko says to the grave vowing not to lose any precious to him ever again.
When the bridge is finished all the villagers are on hand to see the ninja off.
" Good bye take care everyone Inari especially your mom ok." Naruko says
" Bye Naruko thanks for all you have done." Inari says
Naruko waves back as the team leaves for konoha.
"Well what should we name the bridge?" Tsunami asks
"I have it we'll call it the great naruko bridge." Tazuna says