Sorry for the long wait for this update, but I hope to make it up to all of you loyal and new readers by updating and posting one chapter every day this week. With the next chapter coming tonight!
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The Way of Heroes
A2 E1/3. The Assassins Appears. A Man Whose Glass is Half Empty
Through a thick fog, Team 7 and their convoy were gently pushing through a large sea. It was silent, and the ninja and the pirate all had stoic faces on. All except Naruto and Sakura that is. The Fox-Ninja and the pinkette held sickened heads over opposite sides of the small wooden sea craft; faces green with sea sickness, both shinobi held their stomachs in a painful embrace. Looking back from the front of the boat, Luffy saw the assorted passengers of the boat; Kakashi was an experienced and powerful ninja, sitting directly next to their precious cargo, their employer, Tazuna the Bridge Builder. In front of them, Naruto and Sakura sat together, both looking increasingly ill as the boat rocked back and forth. The Last Uchiha sat in front of them, cold eyes in deep thought as they stared at the water. Sasuke was skilled in his own right, while Naruto was under the dark haired ninja in terms of power; the Fox-Ninja had a few tricks up his sleeve. Namely the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu and his ability with the Transformation Jutsu, but Naruto couldn't be counted out because of his limited skillset, as his potential was incredible.
In the rear of the boat, a man with a cone shaped kasa, or large broad hat hid most of his face from view. This man rowed the boat with a long oar, moving it slowly. Solemnly, the rower announced, "The Bridge isn't far now. Our destination is just ahead, the Land of Waves." As they got closer and closer to it, a huge steel structure became apparent, only partially completed, the gigantic bridge towered over the Leaf citizens and the people of the Land of Waves. A crane stood stalk still through the fog, holding a huge metal pipe. It was eerily silent, and Naruto wiped his mouth clean of green sea sickness as he admired, "Woah! It's huge!" The Bridge Builder silenced in a harsh hush, "Quiet! I told you, no noise! Why do you think we're traveling like this huh? Cutting off the engine and rowing. Moving through the dense fog, so they don't see us!"
Looking at their mission benefactor, Kakashi spoke, "Mr. Tazuna, before we reach the pier I want to ask you something. The men who are after you, I need to know why. If you don't tell us, I'm afraid we are going to have to end this mission when we drop you ashore." Tazuna nodded, his head obscured by a kasa matching the rower's. "I wanna cool hat like you Old Man! Where'd you get that Rower Guy?!" Luffy asked urgently with excitement. Tazuna grumbled, "Hush up kid, don't you wanna know why I need your help?"
"No. I'm a pirate, but I don't like when people get hurt!" Luffy declared, and Tazuna nodded, "I see. But your boss gives me no choice besides telling you all anyway. No, I want you to know the truth. Like you said, this is beyond the scope of this mission. The one who seeks my life is a very short man who casts a very long and deadly shadow." "A deadly shadow?" Kakashi asked nonchalantly.
Tazuna explained, "You know him. At least I'm sure you've heard his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world; some say he's even related to the Blue Nobles. The shipping magnate Gato!" Kakashi grunted, "Gato? As in Gato Transport? He distributes the Transponder Snails, we just ordered dozens for the Leaf Village. He's a business leader; everyone knows him and does business with him."
Naruto was confused, asking, "Who? What what?" "Gato," Tazuna responded, "He's a very powerful tycoon with political ties. With the same ruthless methods he uses to take over businesses, he takes over nations, selling drugs and contraband. The Blue Government turns a blind eye, and he is able to buy out all the so called 'marines' and sometimes even ninja using them in his gangs. It was one year ago when Gato first set his sights on the Land of Waves, he came to our island and took over our ports and trade with his vast wealth. Anyone who tried to stand in his way simply disappeared. In an island nation a man who controls the sea controls everything; finance, government, our very lives. But there is one thing he fears, the Bridge; because once it is complete it will break his control. I am the Bridge Builder, so I am his greatest threat."
Sakura added, "So you're standing in this gangster's way." "That means, the guys we fought in the forest were working for Gato," Sasuke said, and Luffy smacked his head, "So you're building that bridge? That's so cool!" But, some were not satisfied, and Kakashi asked, "I don't understand. If you knew what kind of threat Gato was, knew that he was going to send ninja after you, why did you hide that from us?" "Because the Land of Waves is a small impoverished nation, even our nobility have little money. The common people who are building this bridge cannot pay for an A or B Ranked Mission. If you end this mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge; Gato's thugs will assassinate me before I reach home..." Tazuna paused for effect.
After a moment of letting this new information sink in, Tazuna added, "Bah, don't feel bad about that! Of course my sweet little grandson will be upset; he'll cry, 'Granddad I want my granddad!'" Sakura and Naruto winced and groaned deeply affected by the man's truthful, yet overtly rhetorical approach. "And my daughter will denounce the ninja of the Hidden Leaves, blaming you for the death of her father and forcing her and her child to live her life in sorrow." Tazuna knew he had them hooked as Naruto and Sakura were clearly near tears.
Now for the last bait... Tazuna thought, smirking slightly, "It's not your fault; forget it." Kakashi sighed, "Well, I guess we have no other choice. We'll have to keep guarding you." Luffy laughed, "Ha! Don't worry Old Man, I'll protect you!" Tazuna bowed, "Oh, I'm very grateful." The old bridge builder seemed slightly less than sincere. Grinning towards the rower, he quietly asserted, "I win."
The Way of Heroes
"We're approaching the shore." The Rower said, announcing their position. The Rower cautioned, "Tazuna, we have been very fortunate thus far, but you can't be too careful. All the marines here are on Gato's payroll; makes me sick!" "You did good son," Tazuna commended, and as the boat gently pressed through the waters, they came through a tunnel and emerging from the other side, a beautiful water community was shown. Bright blue sky and water glistened into Naruto's eyes, and the lush plant life seemed to catch Luffy's eye. Diving into the water, Luffy started gurgling. Sighing, Kakashi dove after the drowning pirate. Despite disturbing the otherwise peaceful environment around them, Luffy smiled saying, "I just wanted to catch a fish!" Naruto jabbed him verbally and physically, "Stupid, you couldn't catch a fish like that even if you didn't have Devil Fruit powers!" Luffy returned with a back hand whack. Now, both Fox Ninja and Straw Hat Pirate wrestled around the small boat, screaming loudly as they rolled. Sasuke rolled his eyes, "Idiots."
Stepping onto the docks and off the boat, the gang looked around seeing yellowed wooden material all around them. The Rower nodded to Tazuna, "That's as far as I go." "Thank you for taking such a risk." Tazuna shook the boatman's hand gratefully, and the Rower replied, "Just be careful Tazuna." Starting the engine, the boat sped away. "Okay, take me to my home. And I mean get me there in one piece!" Tazuna grumbled, and Luffy jumped with excitement, looking around hyperactively, "The One Piece? Where? Where? Is it here? Or maybe over there?" Sakura hit the overactive pirate in the head, "Just shut up Luffy that's not what he was talking about!"
As the group walked down the wooded path, Kakashi worriedly thought to himself. The next ninja they send after us won't be Chunin. They'll be Jounin; elite ninja with deadly skills. The One Eyed Sensei sighed, but kept walking at a pace matching his students and the Bridge Builder. But, the Rower also mentioned that all the marines on this Island were on Gato's payroll. I doubt the Blue Government has many marines posted in the Land of Waves since this is the Great Nation's area, but we should all be on the lookout just in case. Marines could be a problem.
Naruto was having his own train of thought as Sasuke walked beside him, staring at his rival, Naruto scowled; I'm not letting Sasuke get all the glory this time... Believe it! In the otherwise tranquil and relaxed wilderness, the Fox Ninja militantly scoped out the area surrounding him and his comrades. Looking up and down, Naruto suddenly stopped and shouted, "Over there!" And threw a kunai into the green brush beyond where he had pointed. With all the others staring in shock in the direction where the knife had been launched to, Naruto grinned, "It was just a mouse." Scolding her blonde teammate, Sakura screeched, "A mouse yeah right! You're so obvious it's embarrassing." Kakashi also berated his student, "Naruto those are kunai knives, they're dangerous." Tazuna erupted, "Stop trying to scare me you scruffy little dwarf!"
However, the Fox Ninja ignored his protestors, continuing his mock search. "Is someone hiding over there? No over there!" Now concerned, Luffy ran up to be right next to the Genin, "Really? Where?!" With the Future King of the Pirates joining his search, Naruto confidently turned, whipping out another throwing knife. "THERE!" Naruto shouted, launching his projectile into a bush. Sakura punched him, screaming, "That's it Naruto!"
"Why'd you do that? Someone really is following us I mean it." Naruto rubbed his head, were a nice lump was forming thanks to the blow. "Yeah right, quit lying and acting like a dumb kid!" Sakura denied, and soon followed Kakashi as the others had. With a kunai knife in its back, a white rabbit bled onto its otherwise pristine coat from the wound. Against a tree the horrified animal coughed, and finally expired painfully. "Naruto! Look what you did!" Sakura shouted, and Naruto cried, "No!" Sliding in next to the animal's cadaver, the blonde held the dead body against his face rubbing and caressing the rodent he had killed. "I'm sorry little rabbit!" Excited, Luffy tackled Naruto and grabbed at the rabbit drooling, "Gimme that! We can eat it! I need meat!" Tazuna groaned, "All this fuss over some vermin? I don't think I'm ever going to understand you people..."
Kakashi was still uneased however and soon entered into observant thoughts. That's a Snow Rabbit. But that color, they only have white fur in the winter when the days are short and there is little sunlight. Staring into the mysterious and peaceful looking forestry, Kakashi knew from experience that even though something looked peaceful, danger hid around every corner when you lived as a ninja. He looked around, noticing the springtime air that the island oozed. This rabbit was raised indoors, away from the Sun. Which could only be used for a single purpose, the Replacement Technique. Without knowing, Kakashi acknowledged two people, each watching the group keenly with the eyes of a predatory hunter, So, they're already here...
From the dark leaves within a tree, a dark eyed Zabuza Momochi took in his target and his quarry's protection. No wonder the Demon Brothers failed in their mission. It's the Copy Ninja from the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Kakashi of the Sharingan. Noticing the One Eyed Jounin, the Demon leaped from the branch that he had been resting on, sensing a change in the atmosphere leaped from his high perch. Just as Zabuza jumped from the branch, a twig broke from the other side of the forest, and someone pulled the trigger on a rifle. The shot rang through the forest, but a gigantic blade deflected the shot by blocking the path of the bullet, making it ricochet into the brush. But the huge sword continued its flight, sailing through the air and spinning like a boomerang, eventually lodging itself into the trunk of a tall tree, high above the ninja. His back to his opposition, Zabuza turned his masked face slightly in order to lock eyes with Kakashi.
Behind the ninja, the pirate, and the Bridge Builder, a man howled in pain. Frightened, the group looked towards the source of the sound. For a moment everything was still, but then the brush moved and a man was tossed out of the dense plant matter. Throat slashed, it was clear this man was dead, the look of utter terror stitched onto his face. Blood soaking his previously white marine's uniform, the man's jugular had been completely shredded in the most vicious way possible, and Zabuza immediately recognized the handiwork, That's Akame alright. His damned Devil Fruit... I told Gato I didn't need his right hand man with me... But this should just make the job that much easier, and if Akame were to die before he could report back to Gato, more money for me.
Kakashi urged his students and Luffy close to Tazuna, and they followed, silent with shock. With a gasp of realization, Kakashi found himself facing a man that had once tried to kill the strongest ninja in the Bloody Mist Village, a demon said to have killed a World Noble and tortured a Vice-Admiral. That's him... That's... Naruto grimaced as he stared at the body, and Sasuke looked towards the forest, waiting for the killer to make a move. Naruto shivered, I can't even flinch now. I'm not gonna lose out to Sasuke! Believe it!
Kakashi made first contact, nonchalantly commenting, "Well if it isn't Zabuza Momochi, rogue ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist, and I see you brought a friend." Naruto's mouth gaped, staring at the powerful ninja standing on his sword. Whatever, nothing's gonna stop me! Ready? Go! Naruto started running towards the Mist Ninja, but he was stopped by Kakashi's hand. His Sensei ordered commonly, stating, "You're in the way. Get back."
"But why?" Naruto asked, and Kakashi answered, "He's not like those other ninja. He's in a whole other league. If he's our opponent, I'll need this." Moving his headband up, Kakashi revealed a closed eye with a thin one lined vertical scar over it. All the ninja gasped, and Luffy shouted, "Wow! I didn't think Kakashi would have an eye!" Tazuna stared at him, wide-eyed, "So you just thought that he had skin under that head band?" "Yeah... Why else would he have a headband covering his eye and not an eye patch?"
Zabuza stared down at his prey, growling, "Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye. Did I get that right?" Sasuke gasped, and then stared hatefully at Zabuza. The Demon grunted, "It's too bad huh. But you'll have to hand over the old man." "Sorry Sword Guy, but we can't do that!" Luffy shouted, and he cried out, "Gum-Gum -" But was cut off at the last second by a punch to the face from behind, ending his attack prematurely. Everyone turned in shock, seeing a terrifying sight.
A bald man with a stitched slash-scar across his forehead and scalp, grinning sadistically as the boy he had hit fell. The bald man wore a blue suit, and his skin seemed a little too pale. Something was off about his eyes; a manic hunger crawled out of the crimson orbs, burning into the young innocent souls of the ninja and pirate. But that wasn't the scariest part of the killer, across his wide grin, at the ends of his lips and onto his cheeks were huge slashes that made his smile seem demonic and even longer than it was. Despite being short, a little taller than Sasuke, this man clearly meant business.
"I take it this is your business associate Zabuza," Kakashi said, as he pointed to the sinister short man, and watched as Sakura helped Luffy up, who dusted himself off. Zabuza shook his head, "Hardly Sharigan Kakashi. We were forced onto this mission together." Sakura and Naruto both had similar thoughts, What's a Sharingan? While it was Luffy who made their questions vocal, "Hey what's a Sharingan?" Kakashi ignored the question and ordered, "Now quick, Manji Formation! Stay out of this fight; it's between Zabuza and I! I taught you teamwork, now it's time to use it. Luffy will take on whoever this man is, and you three will make sure the Bridge Builder is secure."
"I'm Akame of the Glass, Half Devil Half Man, and all Psychopathic Fun!" Cackling, Akame made his introduction, and bowed before his audience. Kakashi opened his mysterious eye, revealing a scarlet iris with black symbols on it, and the Jounin declared, "I'm ready!" Zabuza nodded, turning around to completely face his opponent, "Well... Looks like I get to see that Sharingan of yours in action, this is an honor Copy Ninja." Naruto asked, "Hey! Everyone keeps saying 'Sharingan' 'Sharingan' well will someone please tell what a Sharingan even is?"
Sasuke coldly eyed his teammate, explaining, "Sharingan. A rare power that resides in the eyes. The user of this visual jutsu, or Dojutsu, can instantly see and comprehend any Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, or Taijutsu and reflect it on the attacker. The Sharingan is a special, rare form of Dojutsu; however there is more to the Sharingan than that. A lot more." Zabuza agreed solemnly, "You got it right boy, but you only scratched the surface. The Sharingan can analyze the opponent's technique, and then copy it to the smallest detail. As for you Jounin, in the Assassination Unit of the Hidden Mist we had a standing order to kill you on sighting you. Your profile was in our Bingo Book, a Bounty of 50,000 Million on the Black Market for your sorry head; it called you the man who copied over a thousand Jutsu. Kakashi: The Copy Ninja."
Both Jounin locked eyes, the murder in the air palpable. Sakura asked herself silently, Is Kakashi-sensei really that famous of a ninja? Naruto cheered, "Yeah Kakashi-sensei you're so cool!" Sasuke thought to himself in his usual angry tone, The Sharingan is a rare genetic trait that only occurs in a few members of the Uchiha Clan, my clan.
"Enough talking, I need to exterminate the Old Man, now!" Zabuza declared, and Akame grinned again, laughing, "Finally something we agree on!" Flexing his thick muscular arms, the sadistic devil got ready. With Naruto facing the side of Tazuna that Zabuza was on, he was backing up Kakashi. On Tazuna's left and right were Sakura and the Last Uchiha respectively, and finally, facing Akame, was Luffy. In a flash, Zabuza latched onto his huge blade and yanked it out of the tree trunk, while at the same time jumping off and onto the ground. Landing in a large pond of water, the Demon grinned like he was issuing a challenge as he coolly stared down Kakashi. Sakura screamed, "He's standing right on top of the water!"
However, on the opposite side of the battle, Akame dove at Luffy, who was directly between the killer and his victim. Rolling around, Akame managed to pin down the Rubberboy, who squirmed beneath his pin, but the half devil was just as strong as his appearance let on. Akame leaned in closer to nose nearly touching Luffy's cheek, and he grinned, revealing fanged teeth, but they had braces around them, and Luffy noticed they were incredibly crooked as much as they were pointy. Akame breathed in through his nose, sighing, "It's been so long since I've tasted so much fear coming out of one person, I think you might start crying soon..."
Luffy started breathing faster and faster, and in an instant the pirate was nearly hyperventilating, and when he finally opened his mouth, a hyena pride worth of laughter and giggles erupted out like a hysterical volcano. Luffy giggled, "Your teeth though... They are so crooked! HAHAHA!" Sniffing sensitively, Akame nearly teared up, "Shut up okay! I'm scary!" Making his mouth wide open, his jagged albeit crooked fangs dripped with saliva and what appeared to be blood, and he rolled, using his moment he threw Luffy into the brush and scrambled after him. Kakashi ordered, "Sakura, go with Luffy! Now!"
Turning back to his own battle, Kakashi watched as Zabuza channeled his chakra and called, "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" A thick fog rolled in, covering the ninja and the forest, obscuring where the assassin had been. Naruto shivered, "He just vanished..." Kakashi explained, "He'll come after me first." Naruto asked, "Who is this guy anyway?"
"Zabuza Momochi. A former Jounin leader of the Hidden Mist Assassination Unit. Ex-Hidden Mist Swordsman, a member of an elite group of Seven Swordsmen. A true master of the Silent Killing Technique." Kakashi said, and Naruto whimpered, "S - s - Silent?" "Yes. As the name suggests, it happens in an instant, without a sound or warning of any kind. It's so fast you pass from this life without fully realizing what's happening. Even the Sharingan cannot detect it, so don't lower your guard." "What about Luffy and Sakura Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto concernedly asked, and the teacher answered, "Don't think about them Naruto. They'll be fine; Akame and Zabuza don't seem to know each other well enough to fully implement each other's strategies, so Akame is as blind as we are right now. He won't attack Tazuna until he's done with Luffy and Sakura, and Luffy has a lot going for him, he could be as strong as me. Besides, if we fail we only lose our lives..." With that last dark comment, the ninja silently waited for the Assassin to strike.
Luffy, having completed his tumble through the plants, had found Sakura and squared up against Akame, matching him step for step. Luffy looked around, distracted, "Sakura, the Mist is getting thicker and thicker." The pinkette explained, "It's probably one of Zabuza's Ninjutsu, and the Land of Waves is surrounded by water, the swirling mists are probably stronger because of the water affinity in the area. Akame growled, "I'm going to kill you for what you called me Luffy... And I'll make you suffer, first I'll slit your wrists, then I'll bite out your neck. I'm going to enjoy this."
Scratching his hair through the Straw Hat, Luffy wondered, "Hey which are you mad at me for, Brace Face or Metal Mouth?" Diving at Luffy, Akame screamed, "Shut up you bastard!" Getting Luffy onto the ground via his tackle, Akame got back up, apparently satisfied. Looking at the frightened face of Sakura Haruno, the villain licked his scarred lips, and sadistically turned to look down at the bleeding Luffy. Shards of white glass pierced the Rubberboy's skin, right where Akame's head had pushed into him during the tackle, under his chin and on his chest. Sakura could only stare in horror as she realized, That's why he called himself half Devil. "You ate a Devil Fruit!"
"That's right little girl! Now time to die!" Akame yelled as he lunged at Sakura, only for the Mist to obscure his vision, and the kunoichi successfully evaded his attack. Akame screamed, "Damn you Zabuza! I can't see through your damned fog!" Sakura, knowing this was her opportunity to capitalize, grabbed Luffy and scurried off in order to form a plan. This guy is too strong for me to fight with brute force; I'll have to come up with a good strategy to take him down.
The Way of Heroes
Whilst Kakashi stood a good distance away from them, Sasuke and Naruto guarded Tazuna. From the thickness of the fog, Zabuza recited loudly but darkly, "8 Points. Larynx. Spine. Lungs. Liver. Jugular. Subclavian Artery. Kidneys. Heart. Now which will I kill you with?" The assassin slowly twisted the knife of fear into the Genins's hearts, and watched through the mist as his intimidation also made the Bridge Builder sweat profusely. Kakashi focused his chakra, and dispelled the Mist, and Sasuke shook from anticipation as he watched his mentor. Sasuke's knees quaked feverishly, sweat poured down his face as he froze with stillness barring the fearful knees.
I feel like I can't breathe. One shallow breath, one tiny movement of the eye, one muscle twitch, enough to draw his attack. It's suffocating! The need to stay still in a moment that lasts an eternity, all waiting for a horrible wound to end it all in an instant! If it goes on like this I'll go insane. The clash between two Jounin... my own life is being choked off under the weight of the power of these men, no, monsters of ninja. No... I can't take it... Grunting, Sasuke pulled out a kunai from his pouch. Kakashi ordered, "Sasuke! Calm down. I'll protect you with my life. All of you, even Luffy and Sakura. I will not allow my comrades to die. Trust me!" Kakashi turned and winked to his students, only to see the mighty and terrible Zabuza appear between his students and Tazuna!
"I wouldn't be so sure Kakashi. It's over!" Zabuza declared evenly, and Kakashi stared at him with an unblinking Sharingan, dodging over Zabuza's slash with his huge blade, which had scattered the genin, with Naruto tackling the Bridge Builder out of the saber's wide slash. With Kakashi and Zabuza locked in combat, it appeared that Kakashi had won. A kunai deep in the Demon's muscled flesh, water rushed from the wound like a fountain. Then behind Kakashi, another Zabuza became apparent. With a now thin fog, the Assassin came at Kakashi and Naruto only having time to yell, "Sensei!" Pointing behind his Jounin captain, Naruto warned him just before Kakashi turned. The Copy Ninja watched as the great sword slashed through his ribs, and water hit the ground just as the Water Clone that he had just dispatched fell as liquid too.
Zabuza's eyes widened, The Water Clone Jutsu... It can't be! Even in the Mist Kakashi must have copied my Jutsu. He saw through my illusion! A knife held to the Assassin's neck, Kakashi warned, "Don't move." With victory glinting in his eyes as blood glistened from the point of his kunai, Kakashi declared, "Now it's over."
See ya tonight and thanks for the view!
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NEXT CHAPTER: How will Sakura and Luffy fare against a powerful Devil Fruit user? Kakashi and his group face the rumored demonic Zabuza of the Mist.