Disclamer: I don't own anything to do with Naruto or any caritors in the series

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Naruto or any caritors in the series

Shadow reviled

As the foursome set off deeper into the woods surrounding the leaf village Kakashi could hear the hustle and bustle slowly fading into the background and could feel his anxiety rising. He could still feel the presence of someone close by but couldn't pinpoint their position.

Who ever this is, they are an exceptional ninja, even my sharingan is finding it hard to spot them. Who are you?

"Sensei…" said Sakura, Kakashi didn't reply "Sensei is there anything you're not telling us? Something in the woods that we should look out for?"

"Huh? Did you say something?" replied Kakashi. Sakura's face went all red with annoyance.

"Why don't you stop day dreaming and listen up!" snapped the voice in Sakura's head.

"I found it! Believe it! Naruto was the guy that found and brought back the sacred scroll…"

"Naruto wait" Said Kakashi, Naruto froze.

"W… W… What's wrong?" Stuttered Naruto

"Naruto what have I taught you time and time again?"

"ERRRR…."

Kakashi sighed, "If the bait looks obvious then it probably is…?"

"A TRAP" interrupted Naruto. Sasuke panned around looking for any sign of a trap but couldn't find anything out of place. Then out the corner of his eye he saw movement in the trees. He spun round to look in the direction of whatever it was; kunai in hand. Kakashi noticed and stared at the trees. So you finally made a mistake, he thought to himself.

"But wait … If it's a trap...why would the sand ninja leave a trap if they are trying to negotiate a peace…"

"Shhhh!!" Whispered Kakashi tapping Naruto on the shoulder.

I knew it. I knew there was something up just by watching sensei's movements, thought Sakura.

"What we all looking at?" Whispered Naruto.

"So… It is you," said a voice from the opening to the left of them. Kakashi turned to face his stalker; a young man with long black hair, piercing green eyes and with a drawn face he looked like he hadn't slept in days. He was wearing a long black coat, his right hand covered in a black glove.

"So you're the one that's been following me? I must say your very good!" said Kakashi politely, the young man just looked and stared.

"Hey! Whoever you are, that scroll belongs to us so hand it over!" snapped Naruto.

The young man looked down at the scroll, "Sand jutsu? Now what would a leaf village genin want with that? It's too advanced for you."

"Hey weirdo! I'm more advanced than all the other genin! My name is Naruto Uzamaki! Believe it!"

Kakashi sighed, "May I ask your name and the reason why you were following me?"

"My name is Tobuza of the Village Hidden in the Earth."

"What? I've never heard of that place? Are you sure you're not making it up?" asked Naruto.

"The Village Hidden in the Earth is a village inside a huge system of caves and tunnels. It's a village nearly the same size of Konoha," answered Kakashi. Naruto looked stunned.

"But I thought that village had no ninja?" questioned Sakura.

"That's what I thought," replied Kakashi. "So what are you wanting from me?"

"I came in search of the people responsible for an attack on my village two years ago, to kill them. They destroyed everything in their path to try to get our forbidden jutsu. I'm after the man that gave me this scar." He started to roll up his right sleeve. As he did Kakashi reached for his kunai pouch. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke gasped to see his right arm. It looked to have been burnt all the way up.

"I've been training for two years to kill this man. The man who killed my farther and mother and everyone dear to me"

Sasuke started to tremble.

"I've been training to kill Itachi Uchiha!"

Everyone gasped. Sasuke remembered that fearful night that kept him from sleeping for many years. The night he watched his family savagely killed. He reached for his kunai. Naruto looked at Kakashi and Sakura stepped back from Kakashi's side.

"But behold, I search for Itachi just to find out that he has been killed in battle by non other than the legendary copy-nin!"

Sakura gasped as Kakashi gripped his kunai.

"Itachi was my brother, my name is Sasuke Uchiha and I'm going to show you the power of the Uchiha clan!" he ran straight at Tobuza.

"Sasuke! No! Stop!" yelled Kakashi. Tobuza just smirked as the boy ran full speed towards him. Sharingan ready he swung his kunai at Tobuza who stood completely still. Just before the blade touched his skin Tobuza disappeared. Before Sasuke could get his footing back, out of the corner of his eye he saw Tobuza reappear beside him. He struck Sasuke in the face with his gloved hand. Before his hand left Sasuke's cheek he disappeared and reappeared behind him and drove his knee into the centre of his back putting so much force into it that it lifted Sasuke off of the floor. Then again disappearing and reappearing over the top of Sasuke his fist overflowing with chakra slamming it into Sasuke's chest, in turn slamming him into the ground.

"Sasuke!" screamed Sakura.

"It was like Sasuke was going in slow motion," added Naruto.

As the dust settled Tobuza stood tall- he hadn't even broken a sweat, and Sasuke was lying lifeless on the floor beside him.

"You may have gotten the better of Sasuke but you won't do it to me!" snarled Naruto as he set off towards Tobuza.

"Naruto no… he's too powerful for you!" shouted Sakura.

As Naruto ran towards him he placed his fingers in a cross like position and shouted, "Shadow clone jutsu!" (puff) Six Narutos ran at Tobuza.

"Hmmm shadow clones ha ha ha too easy," Tobuza said as the clones surrounded him.

"I'll show you my power!" shouted Naruto.

"Take a look around you," said Tobuza. Naruto stopped and looked around. There were six Tobuzas surrounding him. (Crack) Without warning or even before Naruto could see him move Tobuza's knee connected with his chin. All Naruto's clones exploded as he was raised up into the air. Tobuza appeared above him doing hand signals.

"Those hand signals…they're…." started Kakashi.

"Earth style , Reaper Death Strike!" shouted Tobuza. He raised his hand with his first two fingers extended and forced them towards Naruto. Just before they hit Naruto disappeared. Tobuza hit the floor creating a crater. He stud up smiling and gently moving his hair from his eyes. Hmmm, thought you was going to be quicker then that. It took one of your students to be in serious danger before you stepped in. Tobuza turned to see Kakashi with Naruto on his shoulder and Sasuke under his other arm.

"Kakashi you're the one I'm after. You killed Itachi. So to get my revenge and to prove I'm worthy of being a ninja I must kill you," stated Tobuza.

Kakashi gently placed his students down and pulled a kunai out, "Looks like I have no choice!"