Chapter 1
Two blurring forms moved through the mist, a large one with a huge sword on its back up front, a smaller one in bright Orange behind. They kept up a astonishing pace, though still not as fast as they'd been in Konohas Trees.
Zabuza was really impressed by the brats endurance by now. They had been moving at a pace that would have been tough for most Jounin (after all, not all of them had Zabuzas sheer muscle power) but the Vessel of the Kyuubi showed no sign of tiering. And he really WISHED the orange-clad bolt of energy would, as it would reduce his innumerable (though, after a small hit on the head, silent) questions that threatened to snap Zabuzas already thin veil of calmness in two.
„I cant kill him, I cant kill him, I cant kill him... yet....:" were the thoughts of the „Demon of the Mist", as they kept up their run.
Naruto meanwhile was watching Zabuzas back, or more precisely, the huge sword he carried on it.
„How much it might weigh?", the blonde asked himself, „And more importantly, will I get one too once I'm a full fledged Ninja of Kirigakure?"
However it may be, he decided that it was better to follow the huge Ninja more quietly after a while, he seemed a „bit" agitated about something.....
Day was slowly fading into night as he approached some slightly rocky hills. Not that the difference was that big, after all the thick clouds rarely let more than dim twilight reach the ground.
If he just hadn't been that tired, he wouldn't have bothered walking these muddy streets, but his Chakra was about as low as it could get with him still being able to stand upright, so „by foot" it was.
After he almost walked straight into a cracked tree trunk, the Swordsman decided that it was finally time for a rest. He looked around, and lo and behold, he could see some rocky, mud-free ground. He quickly leaned some of the larger parts of the downed tree on top of them, crawled inside, putting his sword next to his right hand, and finally fell into a deep slumber.
However, his dreams should not stay peaceful at all.........
After almost 10 hours of fast, non-stop, Chakra-enhanced travel Zabuza and Naruto finally reached the shore.
„Well then", Zabuza said,"here we are. From this point on it is only about 15 minutes until we reach Kirigakure. However, we have to walk on water for the rest of the way. Can you do that well enough brat?" At that he looked at the still pretty energetic Kid. „Damn", he thought, „Even I'm a bit tired now, his Chakra-reserves must be almost unlimited....."
His train of thought was cut short however, by the blondes questioning look.
„Is that like tree climbing without hands?" he asked innocently. „Because I'm REALLY bad at that....." he added, scratching his head.
„Great. Was there anything AT ALL those Idiots teached you beside the basics on the Academy?"
At asking this his signature scowl returned to Zabuzas face.
„Ah, well", Naruto staggered, „I managed to read parts of the Secret Scroll once, so I can do Kage Bunshin, but other than that, the basics only, I'm afraid." At that he made a face that seemed to say „I'm SO useless".
Hmm, Zabuza thought, Kage Bunshin. Neat. For someone with that much Chakra that could do wonders....
„OK kid, listen up. I neither have the time to teach you finer Chakra Control now, nor do I intend to, so you'll have to cross the Waters with what you can do yourself. I'll go ahead, but stay in sight. See it as your first training lesson in Kirigakure to reach the other side within 20 minutes at most, so swimming wont help you. Its that way, by the way." Stating that, Zabuza stepped onto the water like it was solid earth and began to walk, or more likely jog, outwards into the open sea.
Naruto was close to panic. How the hell was he supposed to cross this part of the ocean without being able to walk on or allowed to swim? His mind raced through various Ideas, including a Kawamiri with Zabuza, but all were discarded due to being either ridiculous or REALLY bad ideas (or both). Shortly after he could no longer see his new „Trainer" (at least he hoped for some Kenjutsu Training from the huge Jounin), he had the saving idea. He immediately made 2 dozen Kage Bunshin, then ordered them to swarm out and collect wood. While they were at it, he made another dozen „at the ready".
About 2 Minutes later they had returned with roughly 8 pieces of wood, all between the size of a Kunai and a small sword. Now it was time for the rest of the plan, he made another 20 or so and let himself as well as the first piece of wood been thrown into the air, where he made more of them to keep himself airborne. Then he threw his piece of wood and Kawamiried with it, thereby ordering his bunshin to throw it after him. As soon as that was done he continued by immediately making more Bunshin and repeating the process as often as necessary. About 4 Minutes later he saw another beach ahead and barely landed on it before falling to the ground huffing like an old Train.
But he made it, first training mastered, he thought, grinning happily.....
Damn, that boy had even more Chakra than he thought. To pull of this trick you had to be on Kage Level! And crazy too, well, at least very ignorant of dangers.
Yeah, the Mizukage would like that boy. Immense reserves, almost friendly towards them already and badly in need of training......
Ah well, time to pick the brat up and bring him to the Mizukage.....
The two slowly walked through the streets of Kirigakure. People shot glances at them, but they widely avoided the feared Jounin and his accomplice. Zabuza had warned Naruto that, for some time at least, his true nature had to remain secret, so the boy was wondering WHY exactly everyone was so damn careful not to get closer than roughly 3m to them.
"Zabuza-Sama, ah, why is everyone avoiding us? They almost seem afraid....:" The boys voice trailed off as the Jounin focused his gaze upon him.
"Easy answer, brat, they're afraid of ME. After all I AM the "Demon of the ...". Oh, damn, he forgot that the brats teachers had been such incompetent idiots.
"OK, you haven't heard of it, so I'll make it short. Until about 18 years ago our Village had a special kind of Final Test for our Genin. To be REAL Ninja of Kirigakure they had to kill another Student in the final Exam. Mostly friends too. Well, when I graduated I killed all other pupils of my Year, as well as some Genin and 2 Chunin who tried to interfere." He kept close watch on the boy while telling him this, so he saw all his reactions first-hand.
Shock. Fear. Irritation. Wonder. All these emotions crossed the boys face.
"Why?", the orange-clad demanded to know. "Why would any village do that? Its sadistic and a waste of people and....:" He was cut short by the Killing Intent emitted from Zabuza. The villagers within sight immediately tried to hide.
"Listen up kiddo. I wont say this twice. You ARE right, but also wrong. The old method made sure that only the BEST of a given class were to graduate. Our overall level in Skill and power was higher than that of any other village. But after my "Rampage" these methods were severely doubted, and 2 years later the old Mizukage died, and the new one shares your "Waste of People" thought, so we don't do it any more. But for the outside world, we still are "The Bloody Mist", as a scary reputation does really help sometimes. And that's that with questions concerning this matter, do I make myself clear?" During the whole speech Zabuzas Killing Intent varied, going between barely noticeable and really strong.
Therefore Naruto got it.
A short while later they arrived at a large, round building. The Mizukages Office.
"Now then"; Zabuza said, "Get on in." Thereby gesturing with his right hand towards the door.
Naruto gulped, and slowly walked into the dark building. The first room was sparsely lit, but he could see the woman sitting behind a desk. She raised her brows. "And who do you think you are, entering the Mizukages office building uninvited?" her tone was cold, piercing, and the amount of Strength in her voice made Naruto immediately rate her Chunin or higher.
"Ah, em, well...." he staggered, "I'm Naruto Uzomaki and Zabuza Momoshi-sama said I should enter to see the Mizukage!" He anxiously waited for her reaction.
Her eyes scanned him intently. "Good. I've been expecting you. You can go in. its the first door on the left."
As the boy walked on her eyes followed him. She could feel the enormous Chakra reserves this boy had, and yet he seemed shy and unskilled. Also he wore a Konohagakure Headband of all things! What had the old man come up with again this time?
Naruto slowly and carefully entered the dim room behind the door he was ordered towards.
He couldn't see a thing in it, only guess at shadows. So he was quite startled when a smooth, old but still powerful voice suddenly spoke up.
"Welcome, young one! Have a seat, so that we may talk!" At that a small, bluish light appeared near the far left end of the room. Just bright enough to illuminate the typical "Kage" hat of a man sitting in some kind of broad, bluish chair, as well as a smaller, wooden chair in front of it. He followed the order and sat down in that chair.
"Well, well", the voice continued as soon as he had taken his seat, "You surely seem to be intimidated more than I would have expected you, the container of something as frightening as the Nine-Tails, to be by a little bit of "foreign Village" flair." The man chuckled, it sounded nothing like the kind, friendly chuckle of the 3rd.
"But where are my manners, I am the Mizukage, the 4th by the way, of Kirigakure. Welcome to my village, Naruto Uzomaki!"
At that Naruto looked up, as it had sounded really happy, as far as he could tell. He still couldn't see the man's face however, only the shadow of his hat.
"Let me explain to you the terms of your stay here first, so to prevent any misconceptions in the future. You are NOT to tell anyone specifically what you are. For everyone except Zabuza, myself and your future Trainers you'll simply be a deserter from Fire who is the last member of an almost forgotten Bloodline that offers you tremendous Chakra reserves as well as other, up to now unknown, abilities. This should explain enough to the rest of the village. Now for the rules and laws. I don't know exactly how Konoha handles it, but for Ninja of our Village there are only 3 Laws.
1.: Follow the orders of your superiors. 2.: Always do your best to protect the village and make it prosper. 3.: Strafe to achieve the absolute maximum of power you can, with all your power, as long as this does not conflict with the first two laws. Understood?"
Naruto was surprised. Only 3 Laws? But they were clear enough, so he nodded.
"Good." the Mizukage stated. "Now for the more detailed information you need for your situation. As an important new asset to our village, I have already secured you a house and the monthly wager of a beginning Chunin." He smiled as he saw Narutos flabbergasted expression. "Remember, you ARE to be one of the most powerful assets our village will have, so its in our best interest to offer you everything you need. That does of course NOT mean you'll be hatched and cuddled. Which brings me to the next part. You'll be having 3 trainers. The first one will be Zabuza, he will give you Tai- and Kenjutsu Training, as well as be the only one except myself with complete freedom to discipline you, should it proof necessary. Within the week you will be introduced to both your new Genjutsu and Ninjutsu Trainers, but for now, get settled and get to know the village better. Your Training with Zabuza will start in 2 days." After almost gesturing Naruto out, the shadowed figure seemed to remember something. He took a small bag out of his left sleeve. "Ah, I almost forgot it. Here is your first wager. Don't spend all of it at once!" With hat he was dismissed.
Naruto walked out of the building and felt like in one of his many dreams. He was welcome, he had money and a HOUSE, would be trained without limits and no one knew he had a Demon inside of him. Well, almost no one, and those who knew didn't fear him! Great!
Only that in his dreams it had always been Konoha to treat him like that......
Zabuza saw the kid come out roughly half an hour after he had entered, with a small bag in his hands and a wide, somewhat unbelieving smile on his lips. Of course he had been informed by a Mizu-Bunshin of the Mizukage already, so he knew of his new "duty", damn. He suddenly stood next to the boy and hit him on the head. "Wake up, brat! I'm gonna show you your house now, so come and see if you can follow me!".
At that he jumped onto the next roof and began to move through the village on the rooftops, the boy following him after a short moment of staggered surprise.
The hunt went for almost 10 minutes, but at last Naruto was able to catch up to his new Sensei on top of a rather small, round, 2-storied building.
"`k brat, that's your house now. Get in and get settled. I'll come to get you early enough, so enjoy a bit of rest (at least I need it, he added in his mind).
Which Naruto did.
HIS house consisted of 4 rooms, 2 on ground level and 2 on top, his refrigerator was full of fish, vegetables and sauces (no ramen though, but nothings perfect) and his wardrobe consisted of 6 dark-blue Ninjasuits with black Boots and shoulder pads. Within the same room there also were 12 Kunai, 24 Shuriken and even a Ninja-to! The most important thing however was his new Kirigakure Hitai-ate. He stood there for a minute or two, looking at it, then he removed his old headband and finally made the first step in his new life as a Ninja of the Mist..........
