Chapter7- The Assassin of the Mist
Author's Note: Sorry for the late update. I'm struggling in figuring out how I want the next couple chapters to go. This is what I have right now and I don't know if I'll change it to correlate with the next chapters' content. So please be patient with me in this time of struggle.
****Ren's POV****
"This fogs so thick you can't see anything." Sakura whispers as I look out at the water wondering Why do I feel like I've done this before? And why can I see perfectly despite the fog? "The bridge isn't far now. Our destination is just ahead. The land of waves." The boat man says as I think Oh well. All this swaying is making me sleepy. While shrugging and leaning back so my back was resting against the side of the boat while I closed my eyes and yawn out "I'm gonna take a nap."
****Kakashi's POV****
Those eyes of her's are a dead giveaway of her lineage and Kyo made a lot of enemies. None of which have stopped looking for revenge despite his death. The Third Hokage must have thought that they wouldn't be noticed by the mist ninja but that one's reaction said otherwise. We were lucky that they instilled fear instead of hate and revenge. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be so lucky next time. I think looking at Ren as she yawned "I'm gonna take a nap." from her spot leaning on the boat between Sasuke and Naruto. It was then that the bridge comes into view and Naruto exclaims "Whoa! It's Huge!" practically shouting so Ren smacks the back of his head with a "Just be quiet Naruto." "I told you no noise. Why do you think we're traveling like this huh? Cutting off the engine and rowing. Moving through the dense fog so they don't see us." The boat owner tells Naruto in an angry tone causing him to cover his mouth with his hands while Sakura looks slightly scared, Sasuke looks calm, and Ren just yawns and closes her eyes again.
Her hobby is definitely sleeping. I think slightly chuckling before looking at Tazuna and saying "Mr. Tazuna." He looks at me so I continue "Before we reach the pier I want to ask you something. The men who are after you…I need to know why. If you don't tell us I'm afraid I'll have to end this mission when we drop you ashore." After a few moments of silence Tazuna says "I have no choice but to tell you. No I want you to know the truth. Like you said this is beyond the scope of the original mission. The one who seeks my life is a very short man who casts a long and deadly shadow." "A deadly shadow? Hmm…Who is it?" I question so he says "You know him at least I'm sure you've heard his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping magnet, Gato." "Huh? Gato? Of Gato Transport? He's a business leader. Everyone knows him." I say shocked as Naruto questions "Who? Who? What? What?" "Gato…is a very powerful tycoon from a famous company that's true. But below the surface…with the same ruthless methods he uses to take over businesses and nations. He sells drugs and contraband using gangs and ninja. It was one year ago when Gato first set his sight on the Land of Waves. He came to our island and used his vast wealth to take total control of our transport and shipping. Anyone who tried stand in his way simply…disappeared. In an island nation a man who controls the sea controls everything; finance, government, our very lives. But there's one thing he fears…the bridge. When it is complete it will join us to the land and that will break his control. I am the bridge builder." Tazuna explains so Sakura says "So that's it. Since you're in charge of the bridge you're standing in this gangster's way." "That means those guys we fought in the forest. They were working for Gato." Sasuke adds while Naruto was still processing it and Ren was already asleep.
"I don't understand. If you knew he was dangerous and knew he'd send ninja to eliminate you why did you hide it from us?" I question so he explains "Because the Land of Waves is a small impoverished nation. Even our nobles have little money. The common people who are building this bridge; they can't pay for an A or B rank mission. It's too expensive. If you end the mission when you drop me ashore there'll be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home." before dramatically adding "But don't feel bad about that. Of course my sweet little grandson will be upset. He'll cry 'Grandad! I want my Grandad!'" Pausing he adds "Oh and my daughter will condemn the ninja of the village of the Hidden Leaves. Denouncing and blaming you for abandoning her father and living her life in sorrow. Aw well it's not your fault. Forget it." Everyone, minus Ren, sighs then with a distressed look as I also sigh and scratch at my forehead a little, the guilt trip working, before saying "Well…I guess we have no other choice. We'll have to keep guarding you." This causes Tazuna to say "Aw…I'm very grateful."
"We're approaching the shore. Tazuna, we've been very fortunate that no one has noticed us so far." The boat owner says then so Tazuna tells him "Nice going." Before we get through the heavy fog and into some marshlands. "Yeah! Ren you've got to see this." Naruto says then shaking her only to get a grumbled "No. No I don't." "But it is time to get up Ren." I tell her since we had reached the dock causing her to mutter an "I hate you." And rub her eyes. "Hmm? But you're my favorite." I tease only for her to shoot me a 'Perv.' look and step out of the boat and onto the dock. I silently chuckle and follow the other's out of the boat before the boat owner tells Tazuna "That's as far as I'll go. Good luck." "Right. Thank you for taking such a risk." Tazuna replies so the boat owner says "Just be careful." Before starting the motor and leaving. "Okay take me to my home. And I mean get me there in one piece." Tazuna says turning to us so I respond "Right." Thinking The next ninja they send won't be Chuunin they'll be Jounin, elite ninja with deadly skills. Hmm. Let's hope it's not Zabuza. It's hard to say how he'll react to seeing Ren since he believes she and Toru died eight years ago with Kyo. They only survived because of their strange ability and a perfectly timed substitution and clone jutsu. And I don't really want to be the reason Ren loses the remaining member of her family regardless of the fact he's who he is.
****Ren's POV****
Naruto you're just asking to be attacked first. I think watching him run ahead of us after we'd been walking a while, in pleasant silence, and start looking around. "Over there!" He yells taking out a kunai knife and throwing it in a bush. "The hell?" I mutter while Sakura and Tazuna audibly gasp in shock. "It was just a mouse." Naruto says after a few minutes as I could hear the two start growling in annoyance from behind me. As if on cue Sakura exclaims "Mouse?! Yeah right! Everyone can see through your stupid act! You're so obvious it's embarrassing!" "Naruto, those are kunai knives they're dangerous." Kakashi-Sensei says in a slightly shocked tone causing me to chuckle wondering Does he really think that will work? While Sasuke just "Humps." And looks away from him probably thinking Idiot. My chuckle gets stuck in my throat as I jump in surprise when Tazuna suddenly screams "Stop trying to scare me you scrawny little dwarf!" Should've known that was coming. I think placing my hand over my quickly beating heart and breathe a little heavy.
"Hey is someone hiding over there? Whoa they're over there. Hey. Hey. Huh? Huh? Over there!" Naruto says taking out another kunai knife and throwing it in another bush causing Sakura to go up and hit the back of his head with a "That's it Naruto!" "Why'd you do that? Somebody really is following us! I mean it!" Naruto exclaims holding his head in pain as I calm myself down and watch Kakashi-Sensei head over to the bush thinking Was there really something there this time? While Sakura yells at Naruto "Yeah right! Quit acting like a dumb kid!"
I walk over next to Kakashi-Sensei to see a petrified white rabbit only an inch away from being hit with the knife. "Ah! Naruto look what you did!" Sakura yells at him angrily as I look at Kakashi-Sensei and ask "Are white rabbits common here? I've never seen one before." "Ah! A rabbit! Oh! I'm sorry little rabbit! I'm sorry!" Naruto exclaims running over, grabbing the rabbit, and start rubbing it against his face. But my question is ignored as Kakashi-Sensei walks a few steps away from us so I shrug thinking Must be. But I still have a bad feeling about this. And turn back to watch Naruto smother the rabbit as Tazuna says "All this fuss over a rodent."
****3rd Person's POV****
That's a snow rabbit. But the color...they only have white fur during winter when the days are short and there's little sunlight. This rabbit was raised indoors away from the light. It could only be for one purpose a replacement technique. So they're already here. Kakashi thinks getting ready for an attack while he was being observed from the trees by Zabuza who in turn grabbed the handle of his sword while thinking No wonder the demon brothers failed in their mission. It's the copy ninja from the village Hidden in the Leaves. Kakashi of the Sharingan. Before he disappeared. "Look out!" Kakashi shouts noticing the giant sword start coming their way as if it was a shuriken. Gasping Ren tackles Tazuna to the ground thinking That's why. as the others drop to the ground avoiding the sword while the rabbit runs off. The sword lodges itself in a tree and Zabuza appears, standing on the handle. Of course it's Zabuza. Kakashi thinks looking at him while Naruto looks at him thinking Here it is. My chance to shine. Believe it! I'm ready this time. I'm not gonna loose out to Sasuke. As Ren gets that sharp pain in her head again as she looks at him thinking He sort of looks like the guy from my dream…This is getting so insane it's making my head hurt! "Well. Well. If it isn't Zabuza Momochi. Rogue ninja from the village hidden in the Mist." Kakashi says stepping forward causing Naruto to think Rogue Ninja? Whatever. Nothing's gonna stop me! Ready go! Before running forward.
Kakashi holds a hand out and stops him saying "You're in the way. Get back." "But why?!" Naruto exclaims so Kakashi says "He's not like those other ninja. He's in a whole other league. If he's our opponent I'll need this. This could be treacherous." Putting his hand to his headband. "Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye. Did I get that right? It's too bad but you'll have to hand over the old man." Zabuza says and instantly Ren has to grip her head as the pain exploded and her vision blurred between the real world and the world of her dream, the past, while Sasuke looks at Kakashi in shock. What is wrong with me? Ren wonders shaking her head free of the images thinking I have to snap out of it. I'll be useless if this continues. While Naruto wonders Sharingan? What is that? as Sakura wonders What's he saying? Does he have some special power? "Now quick! Manji Formation. Protect the bridge builder and stay out of this fight. I taught you teamwork now it's time to use it." Kakashi orders lifting his headband, revealing his red eye, causing Zabuza to narrow his eyes saying "Well…Looks like I get to see the Sharingan in action. This is an honor." as Naruto thinks Ah! His eye! What is that?! Before questioning "Everyone keeps saying Sharingan! Sharingan! Will someone please tell me what Sharingan is?!" "Sharingan. A rare power that reside in the eyes. The user of this visual jutsu or dojutsu can instantly see and comprehend any Genjutsu, Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu and reflect the attack back on the attacker. The Sharingan is a special rare form of dojutsu. However, there's more to the Sharingan than that. A lot more." Sasuke explains slowly so Zabuza says "You got it right boy. But you only scratched the surface. The Sharingan can analyze a opponents technique and then copy it to the smallest detail." As mist started to appear around them.
"As for you Jounin. In the assassination unit of the hidden Mist we had a standing order to destroy you on sight. Your profile is on our bingo book. It called you the man who copied over a thousand jutsu. Kakashi the copy ninja." Zabuza says as he and Kakashi stared each other down. What? Is Kakashi-Sensei such a famous ninja? Sakura wonders while Ren thinks This isn't good…Two famous ninja are going to start trying to kill each other and I keep getting these blasted headaches! Rubbing her temple when another one appeared. "Wow that's so cool!" Naruto shouts causing Ren to think Wait…Crap. I'm just getting what Naruto had a few days ago...I always get whatever Naruto gets worse than he did. I really don't feel like having to run to the bathroom while my head yells at me. While Sasuke continued to stare at Kakashi thinking Wait a minute. The Sharingan is a rare trait that only occurs in a few members of the Uchiha clam…my clan. Could he be?
"Enough talking. I need to exterminate the old man. Now." Zabuza says causing Tazuna to gasp in fear as the Genin rush to get in the Manji formation with kunai in their hands: Sasuke in front, Sakura and Naruto at the sides, and Ren behind Tazuna. "So I'll have to eliminate you first, eh? Kakashi? So be it." Zabuza says before taking his sword out of the tree, moving to stand on the water, and start building up chakra. "He's over there!" Naruto says surprised so Sakura in an equally surprised tone adds "Standing on the water." He's building up a huge amount of chakra. Kakashi thinks before Zabuza says "Ninja art Hidden Mist Jutsu!" causing the mist to get thinker and allow him to disappear within it. "He vanished. Just like Ren does." Naruto says causing a mumbled "I do not vanish. I just walk away." From Ren as Sakura asks "Sensei?" "He'll come after me first." Kakashi says causing Sakura to question "But who is he?" as the thought of But she/he does just vanish. Crosses the others, minus Kakashi's, minds. Tazuna having forgotten she was in the group until she had tackled him a few moments ago.
"Zabuza Momochi. The Ex-leader of the Hidden Mist's Assassination Unit. He's a master of the silent killing technique." Kakashi says purposely leaving out the fact that he was Ren's Uncle as he thinks She didn't seem to recognize him. I never thought that Toru would have repressed her own daughter's memories in a way that when she did start to remember she'd be in pain… Exactly how much did she witness that day? "S-silent?" Naruto stutters after a minute of processing so Kakashi explains "As the name suggests it happens in an instant. Without sound or warning of any kind. It's so fast that you pass from this life without realizing what has happened. The Sharingan cannot fully neutralize it. So don't lower your guard." Before bluntly stating "Well, if we fail we only lose our lives." "How can you say that?!" Sakura exclaims so Ren gives her the 'Are you serious?' look wondering How is this a surprise for you? As the mist gets thicker. "The mist is getting thicker and thicker." Naruto says so Tazuna tells him "The Land ow Waves is surrounded by ocean. The swirling mists are ever present." "Sensei!" Sakura exclaims as the mist gets even thicker, causing Kakashi to disappear from the Genin's view, minus Ren's who was in turn thinking If it's like this should I try and help? The others obviously can't see…but I can for some reason. But Kakashi-Sensei told us to stay out of it… "Eight points…" Zabuza's voice comes from somewhere within the mist surprising the Genin as he continues "Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart…now which will be my attack point."
Kakashi then did a hand-sign, focused an amount of chakra, and blew the mist away from the area where the Genin and Tazuna were. What an intense thirst for blood. One shallow breath one tiny movement of the eye is enough to bring on instant death. If it goes on like this I'll go insane. The clash of two Jounin intent to kill. I've never felt anything so chilling. It's as if my own life is being choked off. No. I can't bear it. I'd rather take my own life. Sasuke thinks with his hands starting to tremble as Ren's starts doing the same as she thinks This feeling…I think I've felt it before…But why?...And these blasted headaches are crap. I don't know if I can take it. While her head pounds in pain."Sasuke! Ren!" Kakashi calls then causing the two to gasp and look up as he continued "Both of you calm down. I'll protect you with my life. All of you. I will not allow my comrades to die. Trust me." With a slight turn and smile in their direction. "I wouldn't be so sure." Zabuza says then before he appears in the center of the Genin's formation adding "It's over." Kakashi looks over with his Sharingan before going full speed towards Zabuza and stabbing him with a kunai causing the others to be knocked away by the force. But what dripped down wasn't blood, but water. "Sensei! Behind you!" Naruto and Ren warn, Ren's being slightly faster, when Zabuza appears behind Kakashi. "Huh?" Kakashi questions looking back as the water clone explodes into water just as Zabuza thinks a quick Impressive. The one boy saw me quicker than a normal ninja would. Shame I'll have to kill him. Not even glancing in the two's direction as he swings his sword and cuts Kakashi in half with a "Die!" The Water Clone Jutsu. It can't be. Even in the mist. He saw through my illusion and copied it in an instant. Zabuza thinks his eyes wide as the Kakashi halves turn to water before he felt a kunai knife on his neck. "Don't move." Kakashi says from behind him and moving the kunai a little closer adds "Now it's over."