AN: I apologize for not updating! I will give no excuse but I will say one thing. It has not been edited. It was but I can't find the edited version. When I find it, I will update it with the newer version. I hope you guys all had a happy Christmas and New Years!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Naruto! If I did, we would have probably gotten to read or see a response from Naruto when Hinata confessed her loved to him.

Chapter 8: Assassin of the Mist! Zabuza Momochi

Tazuna had remained silent for the remainder of the trip on land. Once they made their way to the seaport, he hoped that they would be able to make it into his home in peace without any altercation from the hired mercenaries. He did not want to continue with his life always being a victim on the run. All he has done was live his life and taken care of his family like any other person in his country. He was a decent man. He just hoped people would realize it and help his people.

Sakura had attempted several times to start a conversation with all of them but she figured that they all were anticipating an incoming attack from an unknown foe. Now that she thought about it, she never knew who was trying to attack Tazuna in the first place. Her first concern was the thickening mist that clouded her vision and the fact that she was not mentally prepare for an attack from stronger ninjas. She was sure that her teammates were annoyed of the mist and had their own personal issues to think about. Naruto and Sasuke had a contemplating looks as they stared intensively off to the distance.

Naruto was thinking about his sister, his mom and dad, wondering what they were doing. He wanted to know if they missed him like he missed them but thought to not question it. He bet that his sister was bored that he wasn't there to have training sessions or pulling pranks with her. Now that he gave it any thought, he thought better than doing childish pranks. He only did them to stick it up against the council. He knew how to behave but he wanted to remind them that he was still a kid like anyone else. He just wondered why the other heirs didn't act out. It made sense if they did.

"The mist is so thick. I can't see what's ahead." Sakura spoke, adjusting the strap of her beige bag and placed it on her lap. She looked over her teammates, hopping to see any reaction.

Neither Naruto nor Sasuke responded and she sighed tiredly, looking at the open sea.

"We should be able to see the bridge soon." Tazuna stated as he closed his eyes, and began to rub them. Sobering up was a bit more difficult than he thought it would be. He felt his throat a bit scratchier but nothing more that came along with an average hangover.

"If we move along the side of the bridge, we'll be at Nami no Kuni without being seen." The man rowing the boat commented with a stern face.

"Before the boat gets to the pier, I want to ask you something Tazuna-san". Kakashi quickly glanced at his team before directing his gaze to Tazuna. He began to get nervous and looked back to his friend rowing the boat before glancing at the elite ninja.

"Do you mind explaining who is after you and the reason why they are after you? I know my team wants to continue with this mission but I can still call it off if I believe my team can't handle it." Kakashi said in a neutral voice.

"Kakashi-sensei." Naruto looked at sensei in surprise. The churning of the waves left them in quietness. The steady rocking comforted them as they waited for response but it also agitated them, as they too were curious of the unknown enemy. Sasuke had turned his body towards them and sat patiently. Naruto, who sat near the transom, stood up and carefully maneuvered to one of the limited seats available in the middle.

"We still don't know who's after us. My main priority would be to protect my team than cause them harm or lead them to their deaths." Kakashi voiced. In the back of his mind, he heard the voice of Kushina warning him and advising him to take care of them.

"It's okay brat. I'll tell you guys." He nodded. He cleared his irritated throat and glance at unfinished bridge that hid in the mist. Letting out a long sigh, he met their gaze and spoke truthfully. "An extremely terrible man is after my life."

"Who?" asked Sasuke, slightly intrigued. He noticed the curiosity in his voice and sat back a little, not wanting his teammates think he cares too much.

"Marine transportation billionaire, Gato."

Kakashi gasped along with Sakura, who had their eyes as if they were ready to explode. Sasuke raised his eyebrow in surprise while Naruto stared at him agape.

"Wait, you mean the Gato, as the shipping magnate and the founder of Gato Company?" Naruto and Sakura asked in disbelief.

"He's one of the richest men in the world." Sasuke added.

Tazuna nodded his head before he stared at the boat's floor.

"Why would Gato be after your life?" Kakashi pressed as he recovered from the bombshell.

"Gato is not as innocent as most would like to think. He is a corrupt and aggressive man. Underground, he has a special operation in which he uses gangs and ninjas to smuggle drugs and illegal imports. Not only that, but has also taken over other companies and countries with economic disabilities."

"You still haven't answered the question." Kakashi stared hard at Tazuna.

"About a year ago, he set his eyes on Nami no Kuni. With his influences, he quickly took over the sea traffic and transportation of the country, the main source of income. He controls the wealth, politics and the people who live on the island. He fears that the bridge I am constructing will be finished and he won't have as much control over the people as he does now."

"So the bridge would cause him an issue over the money flow of the country." Sakura said to herself.

"We have to help them Kakashi-sensei. You know that tousan would help no matter what." Naruto said. He looked at his teammates for backup who then all looked fiercely back at their sensei.

They have never doubted their sensei but at times, they couldn't tell what he was thinking. They hoped that he would let them continue on with the mission like he said early. However, before, they didn't know who the enemy was or could potentially be and do.

"Like I said when the chunin fought us, the mission is on nevertheless that means I will have to continue with your training. The training will be much more intense than it was before. Gato will send stronger ninja knowing that the ones he hired didn't return. I don't want you guys to be in a disadvantage."

The genin nodded their head as the boat made its way into a long tunnel. Naruto looked up, gazed at the concrete walls before looking up ahead of him, and saw dimmed lights becoming brighter. He took a quick look behind him and saw the misty dark place where he was sailing and back to was in front of him. The change of darkness to light was a bit creepy but he didn't mind as the boat left the tunnel and lurched forward to welcome the sunlight. He wondered how the sky can change so quickly but decided it was best not to dwell over it.

He looked around with a wide smile on his face as the sunlight highlighted and enhanced his warm expression. Naruto gave a peaceful sigh as he saw a large willow tree that was in the middle of surrounding houses. "It looks beautiful," He said breathlessly. Trees were scattered around to the side of the dock in various sizes with luscious jade leaves in view with the traditional houses.

"I thought you said you've came here dobe." Sasuke commented nonchalantly as he was admiring the scenery, but specifically the lovely pool of water.

At the Uchiha Compound, there was not much for water as most of the shinobi had an affinity of fire. There was a sacred lake used for training but even then, the Uchihas are not allowed to admire such frivolous things for beauty.

It reminded Sasuke of the dobe's house since the back yard was intuitive with nature. There were many ponds and variations of flowers and tree that he bet Ino's flower shop didn't have.

Sasuke almost wished that he were on vacation instead of a mission, though he wouldn't mind training here with the variant landscape.

"I was on another part of this country. It has many tiny islands. The one my family visited didn't have many villagers and it was purely land. It had more life than here, much more tropical." Naruto responded as he saw Sakura having the same look of wonder as Sasuke.

The boat got close to the dock and stopped within stepping reach. The ninjas got off the boat and waited for Tazuna.

"This is as far as I go. I'll see you later." The rowers said.

"Thank you." The elder man said.

"Be careful." The rowers said before he sped off in the water.

"Now, take me home safely." The bridge builder commanded.

Kakashi raised his visible eyebrow and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Okay."

We are going to have to be alert now. Gato will probably send jonin ninja instead of weak chunin. I hope Sakura doesn't get too nervous. I might have to keep an extra eye on her. Kakashi thought analytically as he scanned the road.

Naruto began to hum a simple lullaby and quickened his pace to be in front of the group. He didn't want to be in front to be childish but he felt that he should be ready in case someone attacks and in that case, Kakashi would take Tazuna in a safe place.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Sasuke quickened his pace too to match his and tried to walk past him a bit. The blonde smirked before giving him a small nod.

In the distance, ruffling leaves alerted Naruto of movement and he swiftly threw a kunai in that direction. Sakura and Sasuke quickly came to his side and waited to see what it was.

"What do you think it was?" Sakura asked her teammates and patiently listened for any movement.

"Did you sense that?" Sasuke asked no one in particular.

Kakashi suppressed a frown and went to the direction of the thrown kunai. He moved the bush out of his way and his genin followed in suit.

"It was a rabbit." He commented, staring hardly at the scared animal.

"I think we're getting paranoid." Sakura worriedly looked to her sides.

A snow rabbit. The color of the fur is different…Rabbits usually have white fur during the winter when the days are shorter… The rabbit was probably raised inside where the sun isn't a factor for a replacement jutsu. Kakashi thought as he walked to the side.

He widened his eyes as he sense and heard a weapon slice the air. "You guys, duck!"

Everyone ducked to the ground as a large sword was thrown in the direction of the ninjas and struck a tree.

Kakashi quickly looked up and saw the ninja standing on the handle of the sword. "Momochi Zabuza." He uttered.

Nerved, the young genin looked at the ninja as their frenzied mind tried to recall who he was. He was pale with short spiky black hair along with matching brown eyes and small eyebrows. Bandages covered half of his lower face like a mask. He wore his forehead protector sideways on his head. He was shirtless and wore baggy pants with a stripped pattern unknown to the genin.

"Well, if it isn't you Zabuza, an exiled ninja of the Hidden Village of the Mist."

Exiled ninja? The three students thought as Kakashi spoke to him.

Zabuza shifted his weight to his right foot and Kakashi quickly extended his arm to block his students, anticipating that Sasuke and Naruto would want to join in the battle. "Stay back and protect Tazuna. He's in another level than the ninjas who guys fought with."

The gray haired jonin stepped forward and reached for his headband but stopped when the missing nin began to speak.

"I see that you are Hatake Kakashi, the Sharingan user." He drawled out.

Sasuke gasped and turned to look at his sensei. So Kakashi-sensei is the one who bears the Sharingan without the elders approval… How could he have the sharingan and not be part of the clan or related to the Uchiha...? I should probably ask Itachi-niisan about this…

"I'm sorry but I'll need you to hand over the geezer."

"Manji formation team. Don't join the battle." Kakashi ordered as Tazuna confusedly stood, not knowing what is going on.

"Hai!" The answered as they swiftly got in position with weapons on hand.

"Fight me Zabuza." Kakashi lifted up his forehead protector to reveal his eyes closed with a scar over it. He opened it and showed his red eye with three black tomoe around his pupil.

"Wow, such an honor. I finally get to see your legendary eye Kakashi." Zabuza commented as he looked at the kids protecting the old man. It might seem the kids won't be a problem. I wonder how they defeated the Demon Brothers. I guess we will wait and see.

"What's a sharingan?" Sakura asked.

"A Sharingan is one of the two doujutsu that is said that can see through all genjutsu, ninjutsu and taijutsu and cancel their effects. But it's not the only ability of the sharingan."

"Correct, that's not only thing the sharingan can do." Zabuza praised coldly. "The nerving part about the sharingan is that it can understand how an opponents' technique works and copy it impeccably."

Slowly, clouds of mist emerged and concealed Zabuza and everyone else within its reach. The ninjas shivered and tried to see through the thickening mist that clouded their visions. Naruto tried to look down to see his hand but saw only darkness of gray.

"When I was in the Hidden Village of the Mist's assassination squad, your information was listed in the bingo book I carried. The bingo said that you are the man who had copied over 1000 jutsu, given the name Kakashi of the Sharingan."

Wow, Kakashi seems so strong and smart! Sakura thought as she pressed harder on her kunai.

"Let's cut the chit-chat here," Zabuza leaned to the left and watched Tazuna like a hawk flying over its prey. "I have to kill the old man right away. But Kakashi, it seems that I have to get through you first." Zabuza swiftly got his blade out of the trunk and landed on a pool of water added to the river.

With the mist clearing a little, Naruto made out the shape of Zabuza and shouted. "He's on water!"

Zabuza had one arm up straight up in the air and the other in front of him while water surged around him with his chakra. It had surrounded him in a sphere-like atmosphere but flaring out to the sides. "Kirigakure no Jutsu" He whispered as he disappeared, leaving a single leaf to fall onto the water.

"He will undoubtedly want to get rid of me first but I want you guys to stay here with Tazuna and don't confront him unless he comes towards you." Kakashi expressed as his aura let out malicious killer intent.

"Sensei, who is he?" Sakura asked as Kakashi walked towards them. Sakura was being to feel uneasy with the current situations. With all the odds, she felt that maybe one of them was not going to make it out from this battle. A sickening feeling came to her stomach that she couldn't fathom. She just hoped no one got that hurt.

"Momochi Zabuza. He was in the Hidden Village of the Mist as an ANBU and was known for his Sairento Kiringu, silent killing technique. Just as the name implies, a killing technique that is executed in a flash and is carried out in absolute silence. It's possible that you could be dead and you might not even realize it. Even with the sharingan, I can't use it to its fullest potential and see through the mist. Stay on guard."

"Hai! The mist is thickening again." Sasuke reported as he quickly scanned his area. It was times like this he wished he could be a Hyuga for only an hour.

"Eight vital points."

"What's that?" The kids asked as they looked for the direction the voice came from. Tazuna, petrified almost felt like vomit was rising up. His face paled and could feel his head get lighter and lighter from the sudden pressure he felt from a dark energy.

"The larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular vein, collarbone, kidney, and the heart. Now, where do I strike to kill you?" Zabuza mused aloud.

Kakashi grunted and concentrated his chakra that cleared the mist around himself and his students, opening their vision to their battlefield. At the same time, he continue to let out a darker killer intent as more chakra flowed off his body, matching the malevolent intent Zabuza let off from the distance.

The air felt smoggy and thick. The air was heavy and felt suffocating for everyone that breathed in the gloomy air, almost acidic for the throat. With the mist, the wind was cold but atmosphere was hot, causing the genin to sweat from the heat. The sun must have hidden as the day became cloudy and misty.

This feeling…I've never felt this strong thirst for blood before. It's causing me to shake. If we stay here an hour, we will lose our mind! Sasuke thought as his arms felt heavy and began to tremble under the weight. His heartbeat was all over the place, beating like a flapping hummingbird.

I can't breathe! Better yet, I can't move! How will we protect Tazuna if we can't even breathe or move our arms? This atmosphere…! Naruto screamed in his head as he slouched. He moved his eye to his right and saw Sasuke trembling a bit like him. He felt beads of sweat fall down in the cold temperature and notice the dryness of his throat and lip.

He gulped and licked his lips. Even Sasuke was trembling with the killer intent. He didn't even want to look at Sakura because he wouldn't like what he would see.

Sasuke shakily lifted his kunai and brought it to his abdomen. I would rather die than having to wait to be killed.

"Sasuke. Naruto. Sakura. Don't worry. I'll protect you guys with my life." Kakashi said in a serious voice. "I won't let anyone on my team die." If I do, Kushina will kill me…He thought jokingly.

"Well, I don't know about that Kakashi," Zabuza thought as he graciously appeared in the middle of the formation. "Because this is the end for your genin." Zabuza lifted his blade to strike the genin as Kakashi charged forward. Zabuza widened his eyes and cast them down.

Kakashi speared Zabuza on his stomach with a kunai and the genin jumped backed for protection. Naruto grabbed Tazuna before he jumped and applied chakra to his feet to increase the distance between Zabuza.

There was a moment of silence.

Soon, water began falling out of the open wound Zabuza received. The wide-eyed genin watched as Kakashi and Zabuza seemed to be frozen with the only movement coming from the water falling onto the ground.

Another Zabuza emerged from the mist and chuckled darkly. He lifted his Kubikiribōchō over his head and sliced Kakashi in half. "Bye Kakashi!" He yelled madly, the veins around his eyes popping out.

"Sensei!" Naruto roared, witnessing his sensei die before his eyes. His whole body began to spasm at the horror. What he assumed was blood gushing out from the body came out to be water. "Huh?"

"Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu? He…" Zabuza said in horror. "…copied it. Even through the mist."

"Zabuza, don't move." The real Kakashi said as he held a kunai to Zabuza's throat. "This is the end."

He was silent for a moment. A deep chuckle came out of Zabuza in a compromising position. "Is this the end? Really?" He speculated. "You see, you don't understand. You can't simply defeat me with your undiscerning imitations. I can assure you that I won't lose against you Kakashi, the Sharingan User."

"You had copied Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu and diverted my attention to the clone as you hid and analyzed my movements. I am not that predictable." The voice came from behind Kakashi. The sliver-haired jonin quickly dispersed the clone in front before he ducked a swing from Zabuza.

The blade sliced the ground, loosening the dirt. He stayed perched as the blade was stuck to the ground. Zabuza quickly turned to the side of his blade and used it as leverage as kicked Kakashi into the air.

Without letting him land, Zabuza got his blade out and ran after him. He stopped and found shred of metal on the ground. "How idiotic." He grunted as he heard splash of water behind him.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto yelled out in despair.

W-was Kakashi-sensei kicked? Sakura aguishly thought. She looked at her teammates and back to the body of water.

Kakashi slowly emerged out into the surface with a fuming face but attempted to clear his mind. This water... It's thicker and heavier than normal water…

"Hm." Zabuza ran behind the gray haired jonin and began to sign. "Baka. Suirō no Jutsu!"

The water shot out of the ocean and formed a sphere around Kakashi, imprisoning him inside. Zabuza, with his left hand inside, he turned his attention to the young ninjas with Tazuna.

"First, I'll have to get rid of you brats before I finish off Kakashi. Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu." He signed with his free arm as he sent a foreboding glare at the warriors.

The water beneath him began to move and a Zabuza clone shot out of the water, landing in front of the genin.

The water clone took a step forward and stared at them individually. "I notice that all three of you guys were forehead protectors as if you were ninjas. But, ninjas refer to someone who has gone through numerous life and death situations." He crossed his arms. "In other words, you can call yourself a ninja when you appear in my bingo book. Until then, you guys aren't ninjas and are just getting in the way."

He thickened the mist and disappeared again.

"Kakashi-sensei" Naruto whispered to himself. He sighed and began to sign his new jutsu.

"Ranboukazenenten!" He spun three times after apply chakra to his feet, in the hope of getting rid of the mist and hit Zabuza if he was within his large range. The gust of wind intensified as the range widened, moving Sasuke and Sakura's hair.

The mist did lighten only to reveal a mild impress Zabuza on a tree branch. "It seems you have an affinity of wind." He chuckled and propelled himself to kick Naruto on the head. Naruto raised his arm to block his leg, but got hit as Zabuza turned in the air and struck him in the stomach with his other leg, sending Naruto crashing in a nearby tree.

"Naruto" Sasuke and Sakura called out alarmed.

The blonde groaned and peered at his teammates. They had shocked faces but stood frozen. Slowly, he began to get up, shaking with anger. "We too are ninjas." He hurriedly turned around and ran towards him. "Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

Several shadow clones appeared and zigzag as they ran to attack Zabuza in an unhuman speed with the real Naruto in the lead. They all charged with their kunai raised or shuriken, ready to hurl. Sasuke took the opportunity of the vast number of Naruto and henged to look like his comrade.

The shadow clones threw their weapons and jumped onto him, distracting him as Sasuke took a chance to attack with his ninjutsu.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Sasuke took a breath and exhaled a massive amount of fire directly at Zabuza and the clones. The real Naruto jumped backwards in the air and landed behind Sasuke.

"Suiton: Suijinheki!" The clone defended as he brushed off the clones with a single swipe of his sword. Water burst from his mouth and created a defense wall of moving water, shielding him from the fire. He released his jutsu and the water fell to the ground.

"Not bad brats. You managed to catch me off guard if only for a second." Zabuza smirked as he ran to the genin, kneed Sasuke on his midsection, and with his left arm, elbowed Naruto on the same spot, sending both boys in the air.

"Naruto! Sasuke!" Sakura called out in despair. Sasuke sat up and coughed up blood, his arms quickly going to grab his stomach. He groaned and fell to his side, looking at Naruto from the corner of his eye. Naruto gripped his side and moaned in pain next to him.

"Sakura! Grabbed the guys and run away! Zabuza can't do anything if you run! Take Tazuna and take him somewhere safe!" Kakashi yelled as he watched two of his students struggle to get up.

"But sensei!" She protested and looked back at Tazuna. "Go help your teammates Sakura." He said in a soft voice. Her eyes watered and she nodded her head. "Hai!"

I guess there's no better time to try out my new jutsu. I have to get to Sasuke and Naruto first though. Determined, Sakura ran to her friends cautiously as Zabuza watched.

She kneeled in front of Naruto and wiped the dirt from his face. "Come on Naruto." She whimpered as she reached to put his arm on her shoulder and lifted him up.

"Distract him a bit. I have a plan." Naruto whispered in her ear as he passed by her and went to Sasuke, offering him his hand.

What are you doing Sakura! He will plummet you to the ground! What makes you think that you can cause any damage when Naruto or Sasuke didn't even manage to hit him! Inner Sakura lectured as she read Sakura's mind.

"Gladly." The pinkette cleared her voice and smirked, attempting not to look intimidated by the mist assassin.