The boat crept forward into the Land of Waves, the only sound through the fog was the gentle waves lapping at the sides. The boatman was paddling with a rod, rather than using the boats engine.
Kirika lounged at the bow, head rested on her left arm, which was laid across the railing. Her right hand was trailing in the water.
Sakura looked back and forth. "The fog is so thick, I can't see a thing."
"The bridge isn't far now," The rower said "the Land of Waves is just ahead."
Through the mist, the silhouette of the unfinished bridge became recognisable.
"Wow! It's huge!" Naruto shouted excitedly.
"Be quiet! If an enemy hears us we could be ambushed." the boatman hissed. "Why do you think we're sailing with the engine off?"
He covered his mouth. "Sorry."
"Mr. Tazuna." Kakashi said. "Before we reach the peer I want to ask you something. The men who are after you; I kneed to know why. If you don't tell us I'm afraid we'll have to end this mission when we drop you ashore."
Tazuna sighed "Then I have no choice. I'll have 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 very long and deadly shadow. A mob leader by the name of Gato. He's been exploiting the Wave Country and her people for a very long time."
"Huh? Gato? Of Gato Transport? He's a business leader. Everyone knows him." Kakashi said
"He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping magnet Gato." Tazuna nodded. "He's a very powerful tycoon from a famous company, that's true, but he uses the same ruthless methods he uses to take over companies as he does 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 used his vast wealth to take total control of our transport and shipment, anyone who tried to stand in his way simply disappeared. And in an island nation the man who controls the sea controls everything: finance, government, our very lives... But there's one thing he fears: The bridge. When the bridge is complete it will join us to the land and break his control. I am the bridge builder."
"So that's it." Sakura tapped her finger to her chin "Since you're building this bridge, you're standing in this gangster's way."
"That means those guys we fought in the forest, they were working for Gato." Sasuke said
"I don't understand. If you knew he was after you and that he would send ninja after you why did you hide that from us?" Kakashi asked
"Because the land of waves is a small, third world nation. Even our nobles have little money. The people who are building this bridge, they can't pay for an A or B ranked mission. It's too expensive. If you end this mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home." Tazuna let out a shaky breath. "But don't be sad. My sweet little grandson will be upset, though. He'll cry 'Grandad! I want my grandad!' Oh! And my daughter will condemn the ninja of the leaves; denouncing and blaming you for abandoning her father and living her life in sorrow. Oh well... it's not your fault... forget it."
"...Well... I guess we have no other choice..." Kakashi sighed. "We'll have to keep guarding you."
"Oh! I'm very grateful." Tazuna nodded
Kirika stirred for the first time since they boarded from shore. She pulled her hand sheepishly from the water, and propped herself up on her arms; lazily like a snake moving from a branch. "Do we?"
Kakashi gave her a look. "Yes Kirika. We do."
Kirika tapped her nails to the side of the boat, she tisked and looked back with narrow eyes. "A bridge won't solve everything." It won't solve much at all.
Tazuna looked at her. "Maybe not, but if we can connect to the mainland we'll be free from Gato's control."
"If you say so." Kirika's eyes pierced him, but she stayed quiet. How many politicians does Gato have in his pocket? Will the drug addicts be free? Will the poverty end, just like that? Poverty is a vicious cycle, if you can't even afford a B rank mission, how will you pay for provisions from the mainland? Kirika had seen it before. Her father had taught her how it worked. These were a conquered people; and once conquered, regaining independence was almost impossible. Once broken, rebuilding a stable government was unheard of.
"Once we have access to the mainland we can begin trade. It won't be easy, but progress will happen." Tazuna assured her
"Of course it will." But progress is slow, and often bitterly disappointing. She mused, but didn't speak. Tazuna was an optimist, and telling his those things wouldn't do anything. Perhaps the bridge would be able to free the Land of Waves from Gato, but a new Gato would come along. Kirika sprawled herself along the railing of the boat. They always do.
"You're doubting us." Tazuna glared bitterly.
Kirika's eyes flickered back, a quire mixture of pity and disinterest. These were not her people, and knowing their unfortunate fate, Kirika didn't care. She made her eyes widen ever so lightly at his look of determination, the returned it with all the determination and hope she didn't actually feel. "No, I... I believe you."
Tazuna could have sworn then that she understood his plight; that perhaps misfortune left her jaded, and his determination had awoken hope in her; that then, perhaps, she began to doubt her doubts.
Kirika saw Tazuna's understanding, and gave him a wary, trusting look, before facing forward of the bow of the boat and allowed herself the slightest furtive smile. She had to turn away, or she might have cracked a chuckle, and the joke would have been ruined.
"We're approaching the shore." the rower said. "Tazuna, we've been very fortunate, no one has noticed us so far."
"Nice going." Tazuna nodded.
The rower steered the boat into a tunnel. On the other side was the Land of Waves. It looked peaceful, the quiet town that rested on docks and the scattered mangrove trees.
"Yeah!" Naruto said excitedly as the boat pulled up to the dock.
"That's as far as I go. Good luck." The rower said
"Right." Tazuna nodded "Thank you for taking such a risk."
"Just be careful." the boatman started the engine and sailed off.
"Okay." Tazuna said "Take me to my home. And I mean get me there in one piece."
On one side of the road was the sea, on the other was a forest. Naruto ran ahead and looked around frantically.
He pulled a kunai. "Over there!" he yelled, throwing the knife into a bush. "Hmm... it was just a mouse." he said cooly
"Mouse!? Yeah right! Everyone can see right through your stupid act! It's so obvious it's embarrassing!" Sakura growled
"Naruto! Those are kunai knives. They're dangerous." Kakashi said weakly
"STOP TRYING TO SCARE ME YOU SCRUFFY LITTLE DWARF!" Tazuna barked
"Hey, is someone hiding over there?" Naruto asked rhetorically "No they're over there! Huh!? Over there!" Naruto threw another kunai at the bush.
Kirika's eyes darted around. No, not in the bush... up. She fixed her sight on the trees. She smiled.
"That's it Naruto!" Sakura yelled, she punched his head.
"Ow! W-why'd you do that!? Someone really is fallowing us! I mean it!"
"Yeah, right!" Sakura yelled. Kakashi waded into the brush, to where Naruto threw the kunai. Naruto had almost decapitated a rabbit. "Naruto! Look what you did!"
"Ah! A rabbit!" Naruto ran to it and picked it up. "Oh, I'm sorry little rabbit! I'm sorry!"
"All this fuss over a rodent?" Tazuna complained
"Everyone down!" Kirika shouted.
A giant sword sliced through the air, imbedding itself in a tree, a ninja landed on top of it.
"Well, well, if it isn't Zabuza Momochi: rouge ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist." Kakashi said. Naruto ran at Zabuza, but Kakashi stopped him. "You're in the way. Get back." he ordered.
"But why!?"
"He's not like the other ninja. He's in a whole other league. If he's our opponent I'll need this." Kakashi lifted his headband from his eye. "This could be difficult."
"Kakashi of the sharingan eye. Oh? And Kirika the Viper." Zabuza didn't bother to wait for an answer. "It's too bad, huh? But you'll have to hand over the old man."
"Now quick! Monji formation! Protect the bridge builder!" Kakashi ordered "And stay out of this fight! I taught you teamwork, now it's time to use it!"
"Kakashi, are you sure you don't want me as backup?" Kirika asked
"Stay out of the way, leave Zabuza to me. I'm more than able to handle myself." he opened his red eye. "I'm ready!"
"Very well."
"Well, looks like I get to see the sharingan in action. This is a honour." Zabuza said "But enough talking. I need to exterminate the old man. Now!"
They assumed position, surrounding Tazuna with Sakura and Sasuke on the right and Kirika and Naruto on the left, forming a half circle around him, Kakashi was in front, ready to engage.
"So, I'll have to eliminate you first, eh Kakashi? So be it." Zazuba pulled his sword from the tree and disappeared, only to reappearance on the water.
"He's over there!" Naruto shouted
"He's standing on the water!" Sakura shouted in amazement.
"Ninja art: hidden mist jutsu!" Zabuza vanished again. The mist gathered thick.
"He vanished!" Naruto said
"Sensei?" Sakura called, testing to make sure that he was still there.
"He'll come after me first. Then Kirika." Kakshi warned
"But, who is he?" Sakura asked
"Zabuza Momochi: the ex-leader of the hidden mist assassination unit. He's a master of the silent killing technique."
"S-silent?"
"As the name suggests, it happens in an instant, without sound or warning of any kind." Kakashi explained. "It's so sudden that you pass from this life to the next without realizing what happened. Even my sharingan cannot fully neutralize it, so don't lower your guard."
"The mist is getting thicker and thicker!" Naruto said
"The land of waver is surrounded by ocean. The swirling mists are ever present." Tazuna said
Zabuza's voice cut through the thick air like a rusty blade. "Eight points..."
"W-what's that?" Sakura stammered
"...Larynx... spine... lungs... liver... jugular... subclavian artery... kidneys... heart... Now... which will be my attack point?"
"Go for the throat. We'll see who cuts whom first." Kirika chuckled.
"Kirika!" Kakashi snapped.
"Well. You heard the girl." Zabuza said
Kakashi began building up his chakra. The air turned from thick to intense and pressured as the two jonin readied themselves for battle. Sasuke tensed at the feeling, nervousness written on his face. Kirika cracked a smile. First timers: never experienced the intensity of a fight to the death.
"Suffocating, Isn't it?" Kirika said. She'd missed the feeling. "He has a nice frightening atmosphere."
Sasuke's hand clenched around a kunai knife, it was pointed up towards his own neck.
"Don't even think about it. You can kill yourself when we get home." Kirika whispered, he gave her a look of surprise.
"Sasuke!" Kakashi called "Calm down, I'll protect you with my life. All of you. I will not allow my comrades to die. Trust me."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Zabuza said. He appeared between Kakashi and Tazuna. "It's over!"
Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto jumped out of the way, Kirika ducked under Zabuza and tackled Tazuna. Kakashi Lunged for Zabuza and dug a kunai into his abdomen. Water trickled out from the wound. A water clone.
"Sensei! Behind you!" Naruto shouted. Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi, sword at the ready He swung, ready to slice through Kakashi but as his sword made impact he turned to water.
"Now it's over." Kakashi said, holding a kunai to Zabuza's neck. "You're finished."
"ALL RIGHT!" Naruto yelled, Sakura sighed in relief.
Zabuza chuckled "Finished? You really don't get it, do you? Your technique is nothing more then a crass imitation. I'll never be defeated by a copycat ninja like you. heh-heh-heh you are full of surprises, though. Nice try. BUT I'M NOT THAT EASY TO FOOL!" The real Zabusa appeared behind Kakashi.
"Hey! That one's a clone, too!" Naruto shouted
He swung his sword at Kakashi, who ducked to dodge it. Zabuza dug it into the ground and, using the handle for a handhold, kicked Kakashi into the air. "NOW!" he shouted he shouted but stopped. "Spikes!?" he said, looking down at the tiny metal spikes scattered on the ground."Trying to slow me down? Foolish."
In a flash Kirika appeared behind him, her katana shot out of her mouth towards Zabuza. He knocked it away with his own sword.
"Wind style! Great breach!" Kirika blew out a vicious gust of wind. Zabuza flinched as the gale came down on him. He raised his sword flat in front of him as a shield, the gust slashing up his exposed skin.
"What!?" He shouted
Kirika appeared behind him, propelled herself forward as a speed to fast to follow. Her arms alight, blazing with purple fire, she threw out her hand, palm making contact with Zabuza's back. He let out a cry in pain; he threw his left arm aside. Kirika took a winding, but curled her free hand around his arm, burning it in the possess.
"You little brat!" he snarled
Kirika leapt aside, and wretched her katana from the ground where it has embedded.
Behind them Kakashi fell into the water. "Sensei!" Naruto called
Zabuza swung his sword furiously. He was clumsier, though, and his left arm hung limp.
Kirika was dancing like a fairy. She twirled the hilt of her katana like a baton, swinging it for balance, it snapped into her grip and she landed back of her foot, and she thrust.
Zabuza recoiled, and Kirika's eyes widened as it sank into the meat of his lame arm. No!
"Hahaha! Enough playing!" He brought down his sword.
Kirika let go of her katana, snakes ejected from her sleeve to intercept the blade. It slowed, and Zabuza pushed harder, sliced through them. Kirika lunged back, and felt a sting in her middle.
She skidded metres back, and gripped her stomach. It was warm and wed. She winced. "Oooh... that stings."
Zabuza yanked the katana from his arm and tossed it aside into the water. "Now it get's interesting. I have to admit, I haven't had work out like this in a while."
Kirika took her hand way. She erected herself. The Orochimaru style substitution was not an option... it would take to much chakra.
Kirika's eyes narrowed. "Now, now... What to do..."
"Now you die!" Zabuza's water clone appeared behind her, Kirika sidestepped, and the real Zabuza was on her, he swiped and Kirika set her hand on the flat of the blade. She pushed herself up.
Kakashi shot up from the water, kunai poised. Zabuza jumped, sword at the ready. He was still trained on Kirika. He grabbed the cloth of her shirt and pushed her down, between himself and Kakashi.
Kakashi's eyes widened and he reacted just quickly enough to flip the kunai in his hand.
It was the rounded, blunt end that made contact with Kirika, but it sunk into her wound. She spasmed and cried out in pain. Kakashi pushed her aside with the arm still on her stomach.
Kirika fell underwater, shocked from the blow. I'm out of shape. Damn the Konoha training! Damn Kakashi most of all! Underwater, further away from her, her katana writhed and transformed into a sea snake. It made it's way back to her. Kirika swam back to the surface. Kakashi was trapped in the water prison jutsu. Sasuke and Naruto were fighting a water clone and Sakura was standing in front of Tazuna.
Naruto tossed a wind shurikin to Sasuke.
Sasuke spun and caught it and hurled it at the water clone. "A shurikin? You won't be able to touch me with that." Zabuza mocked. The shurikin flew right past the clone towards the real one. "So, you passed the close and aimed for my real body. Smart. But not smart enough!" He caught it, and another shurikin flew towards him. "That shadow shurikin jutsu!" he jumped over it. "I told you, you wouldn't be able to touch me with that!"
The shurikin that flew by him transformed into Naruto. "Eat This!" he yelled throwing a kunai at him. Zabuza broke the water prison in order to dodge the kunai and Kakashi was freed.
Kirika transported behind Zabuza, making a hand sign. "Wind style! Great breach!" She held two fingers in front of her mouth and blew. A windstorm formed from her breath, knocking him up into the air. "Ah!"
"Hey Kira!" Naruto shouted. "Perfect timing!"
Zabuza regained footing and swung the shurikin at Kakashi, who caught it. Another deadlock.
"Kirika! There's blood all over you!" Sakura shouted
"I'm fine."
"Naruto!" Kakashi called "That was an excellent plan, you've really grown, haven't you?"
"Hmm... I got distracted and lost my grip on the water prison." Zabuza mused
"Don't flatter yourself. You weren't distracted. You were forced to let go." Kakashi glared " Your technique worked on me once but it won't work again. So what's it gonna be?"
"Sakura, you know what to do." Sasuke said
Sakura nodded. She and Sasuke got in front of the bridge builder, shielding him.
Zabuza retracted the four blades of the shurikin, forcing all four blades onto Kakashi, and maximizing the pressure. Kakashi knocked the blade back, sending the shurikin flying.
Kakashi and Zabuza both jumped backwards, They landed on the water and started making hand signs. "Water style! Water dragon jutsu!" They yelled, two water-based dragon heads emerged from the lake, entangling each other as they fought one another, then broke appear to strike down the two jonin, then blocking there masters'. A gigantic wave was swept up, crashing onto the shore. Kirika dashed for Naruto, grabbing him and transporting to the shore before the wave could take him out.
"Thanks Kira." He mumbled. She nodded and looked back towards the water. Kakashi was now deadlocked with Zabuza, trying to block his sword with a kunai.
Kirika's eyes darted around. That ninja was still in the tree... Kirika gripped her middle. It hadn't quite stopped bleeding, but she could tell it was little more then a flesh wound.
Kakashi and Zabuza broke apart. They circled each other and formed another hand sign.
Kakashi cast the water vortex jutsu. A wall of water rose up and struck Zabuza, pushing him under the water.
The typhoon Kakashi created blasted through the forest, sending stinging wind and water in Kirika's detection. She shielded her face with her arms.
Zabuza was slammed into a tree with the force of hundreds of tons of water. Kunai followed, piercing his torso and limbs. "You're finished."
"H-How?" Zabuza stammered "C-can you... see into the future?"
"Yes... This is your last battle. Ever."
Two senbon flew through the air and pierced Zabuza's neck. He fell to the ground, shocking everyone. Kirika's eyes narrowed.
"Heh-heh, you were right. It was his last battle." The ninja in the trees made himself known. Naruto growled.
"So you're finally making your move, I see." Kirika called.
"So how long did you know I was here?" His voice was feminine, not yet broken.
"Since before the battle."
"Very good." He cooed. "But I'd expect no less from you. Viper."
Kirika smiled playfully, matching the smile she knew was hidden behind the boy's mask. "Thank you. Might I ask your name?"
Kakashi leaped down from his perch in the tree and checked Zabuza's pulse. "No vital signs." Kakashi confirmed.
"Thank you." The ninja said. He didn't bother to give his name. "I've been tracking Zabuza for some time now, waiting for a chance to take him down."
"So why did you hesitate?" Kirika asked
He cocked his head to the side and offered no answer but started giggling.
"Did I do something funny?"
He shook his head. "No, you're a clever one. I like you."
Kirika returned the smiled. "I believe I'll like you as well. You're from the hidden mist. Are you a tracker?"
"I am."
"UH! A tracker!" Naruto gasped
"Naruto, you don't even know what a tracker is." Sakura rolled her eyes. "You missed the lesson on it as usual, tracker ninja have a special role, Try coming to class some time. They catch the rogue ninja of their and eliminate them. That way the secrets of there people will remain secret."
"That's correct. I'm a member of the elite tracking unit of the village hidden in the mist. It was my duty to stop Zabuza." the ninja confirmed.
Naruto ran closer to the ninja and started growling. "What is this!? Who do you think you are!? Did you hear me!?"
"Easy Naruto." Kakashi called "He's not our enemy."
"That's not the point! Did you see what he did just now!?" Naruto barked "Zabuza was huge and powerful! Like some kind of monster! And this kid who's no bigger than me took him down with just one move! Like it was nothing! I mean, what does that make us!? We were just fumbling around! We don't know anything! How can I accept that!? And now he's just standing her giggling with Kira as if they were old friends!"
"Speak for yourself. Do you know how difficult it is to fight while covering for three teammates?" Kirika murmured
"I'd like to see your true power, should the chance present itself." The ninja said quietly
Kirika eyed him thoughtfully. She took a few strides closer, so the others did not hear, they were busy with Naruto. "If you ever tire of the Mist, come to me and I'll show you."
"Well, even if you don't accept it, it did happen, Naruto." Kakashi said, placing his hand on Naruto's head "In this world there are kids who are younger than you, yet stronger than me." he sighed "And, you're probably right, Kirika. If you hadn't covered for me, you probably wouldn't have suffered that injury. Sorry."
Kirika had not expected that... another power play, perhaps, but not an apology. That was more suspicious... sincerity or a disarming tactic. Probably bothing. In her time in the Leaf she'd found it's people liked to mix genuine concern with manipulation. It made them feel good. They were a pious lot... "It's fine."
The ninja dispersed in a whirlwind and reappeared next to Zabuza. He lifted the body over his shoulder. "Your struggle is over now. I must deal with the remains. There are many secrets in this body. I must not allow them to fall into the wrong hands. Please excuse me. "
"Wait." Kirika called
"Yes?"
"What if he's not dead?"
He didn't answer. But that in itself was answer enough... "I'm certain he is."
"Still... let's be safe. You ought to deliver a coup de grace."
"Fair well." he vanished.
Kirika glared. Figures.
"He disappeared!" Naruto said, shocked.
Kakashi pulled his headband back in front of his eye. "He's gone, Naruto. Let it go."
Naruto fell to his knees and punched the ground over and over. "Ugh! What are we doing here! Were nothing! UH! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"
"Naruto..." Sakura whispered
Kirika placed her hand on his shoulder. "Save your anger... you're tears will do nothing, and your struggle's not behind you."
Naruto took a shaky breath and settled down.
"Hey," Sakura looked at Kirika. "You're stomach..."
"It's fine."
"We haven't completed our mission yet." Kakashi said. "We still have to get the bridge builder to his bridge."
"Heh-heh, sorry I caused all this trouble for you. But, eh, you can rest at my house when we get back to the village!" Tazuna promised
"Alright!" Kakashi called "Let's get a move on!" He took a few steps before fainting.
"Wha- what happened to him?" Sakura asked
Kirika knelt down to examine him. She sighed "He's just exhausted. He must have overused his sharingan. He'll be fine, he just needs rest."
The others sighed in relief. "Now let's keep moving, shall we?"