Disclaimer- Character from Anime belongs to Kishimoto however this story belongs to me. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 4
The noise of drilling machines and hammers were enough for Konoha ninjas to know they had reached their destination.
The said bridge was nearly complete. There were still more than 30 civilians working on it but they were deadly silent, as if death was just a step ahead.
The unnerving silence didn't have any effect on the ninjas as they positioned themselves around the bridge, forming a defense line.
"Anko-sensei, do you really think Zabuza will come?" asked Naruto, his patience thinning with every second.
"He's swordsman of mist Naruto, they have too much pride to simply walk away from battlefield" replied Kakashi with an eye smile.
Naruto was about to raise his opinion when thick mist enveloped the whole bridge like a bat out of hell.
It became so dense that even light was struggling to pass through. No one could make anything of it.
"He's here! Everyone leave the bridge immediately! We'll take it from here" ordered Kakashi revealing his sharingan, getting ready for battle as everyone followed his command.
"Kakashi, copy ninja of Konoha. I thought you will run away after what I did to your little army" taunted Zabuza, hidden in thick mist.
"It's time for you to pay Zabuza Momochi, wielder of kubikiribōchō!" replied Kakashi, trying to engage Zabuza with taunts.
"So you are trying to find me using my own voice? Let me show you why Kiri is known as bloody mist village" threatened Zabuza, but Naruto was getting annoyed at their filmy display of dialogues.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough Jutsu"
A thin stream of air left Naruto's mouth, forming wind that heavily shook the bridge, nearby trees laid down by the sheer power of wind as it started fighting mist. Naruto has poured too much chakra in his attack, now his own team members were finding it hard to stand on the ground.
Kakashi used his experience with
"Earth Release: Dome Shield Jutsu"
A hollow dome from earth left ground, hovering above them, acting as stone for a paper caught in wind.
"Next time, you will tell me before you something like this, so I'd press my skirt. Do I make myself clear, Goldie? I know you want to ogle me but this is extreme" snapped Anko. Naruto could only nod at her.
By now both mist and wind were counterbalancing each other.
"You have got backup Kakashi, but so have I. Haku show these brats, why no one should mess with us!" barked Zabuza only for Haku to appear behind him in her ANBU uniform.
"So it is then?" asked Naruto, only to get a meek nod from Haku, "so be it!"
Kakashi and Anko launched in duo to assault engage Zabuza as Sai and Sasuke were keeping Haku busy. Naruto stood in dilemma for a second before rushing to aid in battle with Haku.
Zabuza's strike with kubikiribōchō was stopped by Kakashi's kunai but wielder of sword has more momentum than Konoha ninja.
Kakashi was struggling against physical strength of his opponent when Anko rushed to his rescue, as she touched water
"Water style: Water Serpent Blast Jutsu"
Tall stream of water arose from the river forming water serpent and with a hiss, it launched towards Zabuza who was winning in battle of strength.
Zabuza kicked Kakashi, sending him crash against the bridge as he immediately thrusted his kubikiribōchō in Anko's serpent.
But the serpent blasted herself before sword could even touch her, taking Zabuza by surprise as he was not anticipating such attack.
The former mist shinobi was hit by blast of water, his bandages opened to reveal his wounds and a hint pain surfaced his animalistic face.
"You snake bitch! I will eat you alive!" snarled Zabuza gritting his shark teeth while making a water clone, but Anko's sadistic laugh in reply told him that his threats will not work on her.
"I just might let you! But for that, you will have to kill me and I'm not dying today" chirped Anko, sharply tilting her head to dodge strike aimed at her neck by Zabuza's clone.
"You wanted to play with water, so here I'm!" proclaimed the water clone, swinging his giant sword at Anko.
Anko evaded his strike, delivering a lethal kick on clone's neck, disrupting him instantly.
"No. I wanted to play with you! But now you have disturbed my mood, so I'm going to kill you!" snapped Anko as she was joined by Kakashi, who nodded at her.
"Fire Release: Hidden Shadow Snake Hand"
Pair of snakes left Anko sleeves, firing towards Zabuza as they ablaze with fire; they wrapped themselves around Zabuza's legs.
Zabuza found himself restrained as his legs were grabbed by Kakashi, who has positioned himself underneath the Kiri shinobi when Anko was keeping Zabuza distracted.
The snakes were about to deal deadly blow when Kakashi grip loosened a bit, Zabuza didn't let this golden chance slip as he sunshined to stand on river.
Getting ready to use his famous Jutsu, Zabuza spoke "Come here, you mole! I'm going to tear you apart" as his handsigns were finished
"Hidden Mist: Silent Killing Jutsu"
Fog appeared from thin air, surrounding Anko, she found herself in thick mist.
"What will it be? lungs? kidney? liver? eyes? Or heart? Tell me Kunoichi of Konoha" said the voice of Zabuza followed by his sword which Anko sharply dodged.
"Name is Anko Mitarashi. I ain't gonna date you, bandaged shark!" yelled Anko, throwing her senbon at Zabuza, taking him by surprise.
But Zabuxa was not going to back down, making 3 water clones, he ordered them to engage Anko.
A deep cut on her thigh made Anko yelp in pain, taking kunai in both her hands she attacked her opponents in her snake style.
Zabuza's clone were finding it hard to intercept Anko, she was moving like she didn't have a single bone in her body.
She dispelled rest of the clones but was bruised badly. Seeing the perfect opportunity, Zabuza kicked her on neck making her fall on ground.
"How did you find me?" asked a mystified Zabuza, placing his sword on her neck, only to see snakes all around him. He mentally cursed himself for asking such stupid question.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu"
A giant water dragon stood behind Kakashi but Zabuza flashed the respective handsigns, making his own water dragon.
As the giant dragons clashed head on head, the ground shook heavily much to dismay of Sasuke who was fighting nearby.
WITH NARUTO-
It started with a game of cat and mouse, but nobody could tell who was who.
Sasuke tried his taijutsu only to get kicked by Haku. The girl was faster than any genin Naruto had ever seen. Sai was not in good shape as he was lying on ground with his paralyzed body, thanks to courtesy of Haku's senbon.
Naruto throws a series of shiruken but before he could kawamiri himself with shiruken, Haku took down his attack by her senbon needles.
Time was passing too quickly, he had to think something or whole bridge will be in ruins in next few seconds.
"Haku-san I know you don't want to fight, you could have easily killed Sai and duck-butt. So let's stop this, there is no victor" rationalized Naruto as Haku kicked Sasuke on his chin, lifting him several feet in air.
"I want to, but I can't" with that Haku stopped to flash quick hand signs, too quick for Naruto to even follow, so he prepared for an incoming attack
"Secret Art: Demonic Ice Crystals"
Army of ice mirrors surrounded Naruto and a groaning Sasuke, leaving an unconscious Sai. They were cut off from outside, there was no gap that they could make of. It was a prison built to last till death.
The cage was chilling its prisoners so much that they were gritting furiously, their blood freezing with every passing second.
"How do you know her dobe? You were talking to her as if she was your long lost friend!" demanded Sasuke. He didn't like when things were kept hidden from him and Naruto's action irked him.
"She's a friend duck-butt. Circumstances have forced us to fight each other! So you better stop bickering and let's call it a truce" barked Naruto, freezing to death on his first C ranked mission was not in hit list.
"Hn" replied Sasuke stoically, flashing his hands and placing them over his mouth
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu"
But this time fireball didn't left any trail, dampness in cage was enough for his fireball to diminish before it could even hit ice mirrors.
"I can't allow you to intervene in Zabuza-sama's fight" echoed Haku's voice in ice cage, "your fire can't melt my ice! I'm sorry it has to be this way."
Naruto lowered his as he spoke "you are wrong Haku, duck-butt has no fire. Let me show you what fire really is!"
Sasuke was about to throw insult when his eyes widened at Naruto's action.
Naruto launches his explosive kunai towards mirror and plays his dangerous game
"Kunai Bunshin No Jutsu"
The explosive kunai multiplied into numerous kunais, forming powerhouse to blast anything in its way.
As Kunai met ice wall, Naruto immediately tackled Sasuke to minimize impact on both assailants.
The ground shook even harder than before, as the unbreakable ice mirror was blasted away by high amount of fire power.
Naruto and Sasuke immediately jumped from the opening, limping on their sour legs.
They too received minor injuries from blast but Naruto's sudden attack did severe damage on Haku, her limbs were tattered from many places.
The sound of chirping caused everyone to look at its source and much to horror of Haku, Kakashi was rushing towards Zabuza with lighting in his hands.
Haku helplessly watched as Kakashi thrust his Chidori in Zabuza's chest while the former mist ninja could do nothing as he was wrapped by a giant snake.
Haku began crawling to see her master. Her bruised legs weren't any help either but her action made certain Uchiha angry.
"You bitch!" Sasuke kicked Haku on her legs as Haku squirmed with pain, tears began to roll down her pale cheeks and she rolled away from Zabuza's body.
Naruto couldn't believe his eyes, Sasuke was aloof that was well known fact in Konoha.
But watching Sasuke kick a dying girl who just wanted to see her master was too much for him. Naruto chopped Sasuke on his neck, instantly knocking down the raven haired boy.
Naruto offered his hand "let me help you, we can still be friends. But only if you let me."
Haku was staring at him with disbelieving look but she nodded anyway, she had nothing to lose.
Naruto gently scooped her in his arms and took her to nearby dying Zabuza.
"Haku, I'm dying, there's no going back! As my tool, I order you to live your life and find happiness" said Zabuza Momochi, with as much authority as any dying person could and then closed his eyes, never to open again.
"He really loved you like daughter, Haku. I know because a dying man never lies" soothed Naruto, rubbing her back sympathetically as Haku broke down crying.
She'd no purpose to live, her master was gone. She placed a senbon above her heart and looked over Naruto "thanks for being my friend Naruto-kun."
Haku lay there, near her master, edging closure to him in another realm.
"If the tragedy of movie is over, I'd like to introduce you to director. Presenting myself, Gato" announced a short man with mock bow.
"So you are the monster that made this country bend on her knees?" Naruto voice was too close to growl.
"No. I'm just a shepherd, who is controlling herd of sheep. But you can put it in your words too. Now kill him!" Gato's command was followed by numerous thugs who appeared on bridge.
"What were you thinking brat? That I'll trust some ex-ninja? No, I'm businessman and I always have plan B!" finished Gato, motioning his thugs to attack Naruto.
Naruto frantically looked back only to see all his fellow ninja knocked out from their previous encounter.
Gritting his teeth he began to formulate battle pan. It was time to use jutsu from that cursed 'forbidden scroll'.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu"
30 solid copies of Naruto popped in air, forming fence around real one. It was still 31 Naruto's VS 300 thugs.
"Follow me" ordered the original Naruto getting nod from his clones.
Naruto kicked ground hardly, launching several stones toward an army of smirking thugs.
Gripping kunai in both hands he used his signature jutsu
"Multi-Substitution Jutsu"
Before stones could hit anyone, they were randomly replaced by Naruto, who attacked the army head on, forcing them to step back from bridge.
His kills were clean, lethal cuts on neck with his kunai. Army was depleting with 'thuds', as many fell down on earth.
Thugs could do nothing but watch, as Naruto was flashing in golden blur, killing them like guinea pigs.
By now Gato was startled, but what followed Naruto's assault made him wet his pants.
30 copies of Naruto did the same as real one, as they started butchering the army in similar way.
It was not the battle Gato expected. No, it was massacre! There was no mercy, just plain slaying.
There was no cloud, but it was raining, raining with fresh blood.
Within a minute, whole army of Gato turned into an army of corpses.
The slayer stood in carter of dead bodies. His clones puffed away after finishing their task.
A head rolled down between Gato's legs, shorter man dashed towards his mansion, running as fast as his trembling legs could go.
But Gato was lifted up by enraged Naruto, drenched in blood from head to toe; he resembled Death God's bloody attire.
"Please, let me live! I'm very rich. I can give anything you want" begged Gato, his demeanor taking U-turn only for Naruto to brush his bloody hairs on his face, straining him red.
Looking in frantic eyes of short man, Naruto whispered in monotonous voice "hand over every paper, property, money that you have and I just might hear your pleas", Anko's would have kissed him now if she wasn't lying out cold.
"I will do anything, take me to my mansion. There's everything you want, there's no security as you have..." replied Gato, pointing his fingers toward pile of fresh corpses. Naruto nodded at him.
GATO'S MANSION-
Naruto was amazed to see the luxury in said mansion. It was an old fortress, repaired and decorated by Gato, with his bloody money.
"That's my office, everything you want is there" informed Gato, he was a deer caught by lion so the best he could do was to follow.
Naruto made several clones and sent then to seal everything in storage scroll as he started taking rounds of fortress.
There was something that intrigued him, something familiar but he couldn't place his fingers on it.
Naruto was about to turn away when he noticed a symbol of swirl carved on a lever.
Letting his curiosity fly, he pushed the lever only for floor underneath him to flung open, sucking him inside.
Naruto found himself in the middle of village, the larger buildings were fine but the smaller ones were badly hammered but most surprising thing was the reddish barrier in the sky.
"Hello? Is someone here?" but his voice echoed back to him, 'where the hell am 'I?'
Naruto entered the tallest building. He was astonished to find plentiful scrolls inside that tattered complex.
After going through all of the scrolls, only to find them blank, his gaze doted toward a golden scroll with dragon scribbling.
But the scroll wouldn't budge open as there was seal on it which Naruto couldn't figure out.
Tucking the golden scroll in his pants, Naruto began to look for exit 'I must go now or Anko-sensei is going to chew my head!'
His luck seems to be in light because he soon found his way out. The exit tunnel was hidden above the hole, from where he entered this unknown premise. Tunnel ended in backyard of Gato's mansion.
Naruto sighed when Gato's head rolled in front of him, 'some people will always try to outsmart you and they can't be helped.'
"He was trying to run off, boss. I killed him" reported a clone, pointing towards a pile of scroll "everything is packed."
Naruto nodded his head, "Dispel!" and the clones puffed away. Naruto undo's his jacket and gathered scrolls in it.
Naruto was about to leave, when image of Inari came to his mind 'I should take gift for that kid', with that he picked up Gato's head in his jacket.
THE BRIDGE-
As soon as Naruto entered the civilian side, he was surprised to see every inhabitant of wave, standing there.
"Umm... Hi" was all he could say before Sakura launched herself in his arms, knocking the wind out of him.
"Sak... Sakura? Why is everyone here?" his query forced Sakura to look at him as her face turned red and she started sputtering.
"Ah! Young love, where were you Goldie? I thought you decided to switch party and ran off to marry that Gato guy!" chirped Anko, lightening the tension in the air.
Naruto laid his jacket on the ground and unpacked the scroll, earning gasps from everyone.
"What happened to Gato?" asked Inari, his brain was still struck at greedy villain.
Naruto smiled at him, as he spoke "That's your gift, little kid!" throwing Gato's head in front of everyone.
Revelation of their freedom brought everyone to look at him with admiration, but before he could even shake hands with anyone, his brain blacked out.
2 DAYS LATER-
Opening his eyes, Naruto found himself in unfamiliar bed, "Ah...Where the hell am 'I?"
"Thank god! You are finally awake" cried Sakura, bag under her eyes were clearly visible. Naruto was fiddled by her behavior.
"Ne Sakura, if you keep acting like this, Sasuke will never marry you" laughed Naruto, rubbing his back.
Sakura just stared at him before leaving, as others entered the room.
"What did you say to pinky?" asked Anko, curiosity visible in her eye.
"Give him some rest Anko. Our little hero has been asleep for 2 days. By the way, good job" finished Kakashi, giving him brotherly pat.
"Naruto-san, my son Inari wants to say something to you" hinted Tsunami, pushing forward Inari.
"I...I'm sorry for behaving like nosy brat. I promise I'll always behave" mumbled Inari, poking his fingers together.
Naruto chuckled at his antics before fondling his hairs, as he spoke "and if you promise to help your mom too, I will give you a souvenir."
Inari's eye lit up like some tube light as he gave a vigorous nod.
Naruto handed him kunai that he used on Gato's army "there's blood on it Inari-kun, it will remind you not to lose hope. Become a man that your mother could be proud of."
Inari bowed to Naruto respectively before darting from the room to show his kunai to other kids.
Tsunami stared at the door, before addressing Naruto "It's the first time I've seen him happy after his father died by hands of Gato. You don't know how grateful I'm to you."
"No need for this Tsunami-san, I understand how you feel, I really do" replied Naruto humbly, as a matter of fact, he really did.
Naruto choked his breath when someone behind Anko spoke, "Naruto-sama, I'll serve you till my last breath."
Naruto couldn't believe his ears until a grinning Anko sided to reveal a nervous looking Haku, "Haku? I thought you were dead!"
"I fainted by excessive blood loss, Naruto-sama" explained Haku, looking at her feet.
Her suffix disturbed him, "why are you calling me Naruto-sama? I'm your friend and I'm very happy that you are alive!"
"I'm your vassal, Zabuza-sama told me to find happiness and after a long time I felt something after meeting you" debriefed Haku in flat tone, which was enough for Naruto know she was not lying.
Naruto felt bad for her, "So, what are you going to do Haku?"
"I will follow you Naruto-sama, I'm going to do anything you ask me for" responded Haku, her eyes never leaving floor.
"Then stop calling me Naruto-sama, Naruto or Naruto-san will do just fine. You don't have a home, do you?" asked Naruto, getting a negative headshake from Haku, he continued "then you can live with me, my sister will be delighted to see you."
By now Sakura's inner voice was screeching at her to do something but before she could say anything, she was beaten by an amused looking Anko.
"So my young boy-toy is getting his vassal. You want to try something kinky, Goldie?" asked Anko in seductive tone, getting differed reaction from everyone except Sai, as Kakashi, Tsunami and Sasuke were red-faced for images in their head while Sakura was fuming with rage.
"Huh… what do you mean sensei?" his question resulted in four people to facefault.
Next day team Konoha decided to leave, while passing the bridge, they were surprised to see every inhabitant of Wave waiting for them patiently.
Tazuna decided to show his gratitude first, "ninja from Konoha, I can't think of any way to repay you for what you did for us. Naruto-san, you are our hero, we have seen how you pushed back that army. This country will be forever in your debt. Is there anything we can do for you?"
Naruto turned his eyes over to see people, who were eagerly waiting for him to speak, "never surrender to the likes of Gato. It was not him that hit your country, it was your own cowardice. So next time someone show you dagger, join your hands to lift a sword!"
His announcement was met by unison of loud 'yes', people could see a ray of hope, hope for a better life.
"We've decided to name this bridge after you" declared Tazuna, much to surprise of his blonde hero.
Naruto looked at sky before turning to Tazuna, as he spoke "If you want to name this bridge then make it Kasumi Bridge. You don't know her, but in the end, it was her teaching that made me do this."
Everyone agreed with his request but before Naruto could leave bridge, he was grabbed by Tsunami.
Naruto was perplexed by her action, "Is there something wrong Tsunami-san?"
Tsunami shook her head in negative and pulled him closer to plant a chaste kiss that sent fire to his spine, her tongue asked for permissions as Naruto compiled, allowing his own tongue to explore her oral deepness.
After one minute, Tsunami took her lips off him and raced towards her home like a deer evading cheetah, leaving a dazzled Naruto who just touched his lips, as if confirming his memory.
"Wow" mumbled Naruto, his lips still hot with recent encounter as everyone gave him thumbs up, except his pink haired teammate.
"Does that mean you are my father now?" asked a bewildered Inari, standing nearby.
Naruto gave him a puzzled look, before muttering "I don't know Inari-kun. But I will come back to meet you soon."
"Let's leave already! It will take two days for us to return home" yelled Sakura, in a very non-Sakura manner but his comrades nodded at her.
During their travel, they mostly remained silent until Anko decided she'd enough.
"So what are you going to do with your vassal, Goldie?" asked Anko playfully, putting an extra emphasis on vassal.
Sakura was about to interfere but Naruto replied before her, "She will stay with me as long as wants, Shizu-chan definitely needs touch of a lady. You are over influencing her, sensei."
Anko puffed her cheeks in childish manner at his comment.
Sakura's brain clicked after his reply, as she spoke "but Naruto, your apartment is too small for all three of you to live."
Naruto smiled at his pink haired teammate, she was so fiery when he'd first met her but her furry turned into friendship in last 6 years. She'd always be concerned about him, but for last few weeks she was behaving strangely.
"I've looking for a bigger apartment Sakura, my last memories of my house isn't something I want to keep for too long. And I've enough money to buy one" Naruto finished with a happy smile.
That shut her off, for entire journey.
Naruto decided to address Haku, who was last in the group, "ne Haku, do you have any problem living with me? I don't want to force you into something you are uncomfortable with."
Haku smiles at his generosity before shaking her head in negative, "no Naruto-sam...Naruto-san, I'm very happy that you are being very kind to me."
They kept some light talks during rest of the journey.
As the team Konoha reached their destiny, they decided to report immediately.
HOKAGE'S OFFICE-
"… As your Hokage, I should punish you for breaking the mission protocol. It was an A-ranked mission from the start. But as a human, I must say, I'm proud of you all!" finished Sarutobi Hiruzen, much to delight of his subordinates.
Hiruzen addressed his guest, "so you are Haku, right?" getting an affirmative nod from mist girl, he continued "what are your plans Haku? From mission reports, it is clear that you are very skilled shinobi. Konoha will be pleased to call you one of our ninja."
Haku didn't know what to say, but replied "I don't have any plans Sandaime-sama. I'm servant of Naruto-sam...Naruto-san, I'll do what he asks me to."
Naruto sighed at her correction, he'd do something for her submissive nature but now was not the time as Hiruzen was staring at him.
"With all due respect Hokage-sama, she will not be joining our ranks. She doesn't likes to hurt others and I won't force her. Maybe she could join hospital as her medical skills are fine" answered Naruto with a curt bow.
Puffing his cigar, Hiruzen spoke "very well Naruto-kun, I can't force anyone to become our ninja. But know this, I'm very proud of you, for the bravery that you've shown in wave. It's thanks to you, that we are finally able to open our trade ports in wave without much investment."
Everyone left his office, with various thoughts in their mind.
But Naruto's mind was storming, 'so everything I did, only for Konoha to exploit a poor country. Is this how ninja village works? What they taught in academy, is all turning into bullshtit!', but a look of familiar door, calmed his storm.
A calm storm was waiting in horizon, to rage its wrath on world.
AUTHOR'S NOTE-I need some help with jutsu, my arsenal is very low.
Special thanks to my friend Cal, who took her time in making this more readable and giving valuable pointers.
' Dragonponny022'- Thanks for your amazing pairing ideas, sorry but no Shizuku, it'll be incest. Once again thanks for helping me out.
' Moajjem04'- Thanks to you, I'm going to develop some background with tiny harem, instead of bedding Naruto directly. LOL ;)
I'm working on next mission, a different 'chunnin exam.'
Thanks everyone, for showing your support. You may not know but your reviews help me in more ways that you can imagine, so keep'em coming.
Next chapter is coming soon! Until then, take care.