I appreciate your reviews Guest, (I'm assuming those are both from you) but I'd like to know how you viewed the chapter. I hope I didn't do any of the mistakes you mentioned.
Thanks to everyone for reading this story thus far, we've almost got 4000 views now! Here's the final chapter of this Saga, then I'll continue after a hiatus.
Sorry for the wait guys…
The Way of Heroes
A2 E13/15 A Demon in the Snow! Gato's Forces Make Their Final Assault!
In life we all have choices, we all make decisions. But we shouldn't regret them. Whenever a man makes a choice they should put their entire soul behind them, and just like you shouldn't regret who you are, you shouldn't regret doing what you thought was right. Your path is set out as soon as you're born, but you don't have to follow it. You choose what path you walk on, but you can also build your own. Your Way. And that's the way of a hero, one where you don't take in what other's think, when you live the way you think is right despite the odds and what anyone else says.
And after this short review we can finally get into the good stuff!
The Way of Heroes
Stepping up to his feet, Akame wiped purple chemicals from the side of his cheek and made angry fists with his pale hands. He grinned as he looked around Gato, seeing a whole band of thugs with various weapons all around him. The crimson eyed killer stuck his hand out, waving them off, "I'll take that Rubberboy down no sweat… I'll make sure it's nice and painful too."
Breath like a butcher's shop came out of the red eyed killer's nostrils as they flared with anticipation. As he brushed past his employer, Akame's body gave way beneath him, dropping him to his chest. Having quickly recovered from his fainting, the bald man jumped up to his feet, but panted as he stood there. The gangster laughed at his subordinate's weakness, chiding, "You got beat pretty bad didn't you Akame? You need some more of that Fatal Elixir*don't you?"
"Only the best for your best man right Boss?"
"Shut up and drink it already!" Gato barked, and pulled a vial of the bluest water his men had ever seen. The gang leader dusted off his hands on his suit as he watched disgustedly while his hitman greedily chugged the potion down. Keeping to himself now, Gato thought, That idiot might be drinking a highly diluted form of Fatal Elixir, but that's still going to kill him. It'll double his strength and speed and cancel out his pain for a time, but at the cost of years of his life. Since its diluted to the point that it is, it'll only shave off a couple years, but Akame has drank it so many times that after this high he'll be dead in a day. That's just one fewer man I need to pay haha!
Wiping his dripping chin of the residual water, Akame lapped up the liquid from his hands like he was addicted. Pain leaving his body immediately, the killer flexed his translucent arms proudly hooting, "That's the good stuff boss, tell that Show Woman to keep it coming!" Muscles bulged more than normally and Akame was ready for battle now. He zoomed towards the fallen Rubberboy, and yanked him into the air, his claw-like hands digging into Luffy's arms viciously. Gato grinned, That's why I liked you Akame. A great soldier that does what he's told, and isn't afraid of a little blood. But at the same time you're dumb enough to not have any plans of your own. Luffy screamed in pain as his fearful eyes shot open.
He hadn't seen who had stabbed him, but rather just peered into the red eyes of a killer without feeling. Holding the boy so close his nose touched Akame's cheek, the masochist was about to whisper a seductive threat, but a piercing scream from behind him drew his attention elsewhere. Tossing Luffy to the ground like a ragdoll, the red eyed man whipped around and saw the terrified form of the pink haired genin shaking as he approached her. "I'm going to enjoy this…" Akame muttered, and slammed into the old man beside Sakura with his shoulder, then slashed Sakura's side, whispering, "I'll save you for last…"
Passing out from the trauma, the pinkette left Luffy to defend for both himself and them at the same time. While the Rubberboy struggled to remain conscious, he saw Sasuke's limp body on the ground just ahead of him, right next to those of Tazuna and Sakura. He eyed Akame, who had his back to him. Gato ordered his made man, "Akame! Don't you dare try to kill that old bat just yet! We'll have more use of him alive for now, then we'll kill him when this bridge debacle is cleaned up! Leave the rest of them alive too." The Glassman turned to his boss and nodded.
Akame sprang into action just as Luffy dropped his hands, and pounced onto the Rubberboy's chest. Strawhat's wind was knocked out of him and he couldn't breath as Akame crouched on his sternum. A crunch was heard as the sadist painfully stood up on the boy's chest, and he got off of him. He bent down, facing the brunette arrogantly. His tongue nearly licked Luffy's ear as he murmured, "I believe in no mercy for weak pipsqueaks like you." Pulling back his glass fist, Akame leveled a stab right into Luffy's chest, and the pirate wailed in pain as he too fell unconscious.
The Way of Heroes
Zabuza angrily stared at his employer questioning, "Gato? What is all this? What are you doing? Why are you here? And who are these thugs you brought with you?" The Demon took note of all the hard cases lined up behind the boss like a sinister infantry. Gato unworriedly swung his long wooden cane around with gusto, and explained, "Well you see there's been a slight change in plans –" He paused as he nodded to Akame, who walked up to his side to join him. "According to my new plan, you die right here on this bridge Zabuza," Gato described.
"What?"
"That's right! You're too expensive and you can't get the job done!" Akame hooted, but a dark glare and a wave from Gato shut him up. Gato added, "Even all these thugs I brought with you cost less than you, so I've decided to take you off the payroll. "What kind of Mist Demon are you?" Akame spat, and Gato chided, "You look about as demonic as a wet kitten right about now." The last jab was true enough, as the bruised and battered and bleeding mercenary had been put through the ringer. Although they couldn't see the true extent of the damage: what with Zabuza's broken rib or his wrist, but they could see the dozen slashes and cuts that littered his muscled skin.
Naruto's mouth was agape in awe as he recognized the sheer mass of the new opposition. He gasped, "There's – there's so many of them!" The small army laughed at the blonde's reaction to the enormous appearance. Looking from the bloody Akame to Gato to the thugs to Haku's limp bandaged body, Naruto almost couldn't take it all in. But he knew it didn't matter, right now his fate was in the elites hands. He had no chance against all those assassins and Akame, and he had no idea where the rest of his team was. What he did know was that this would all be over soon: whether it was with his death or Gato's defeat he would have to wait and find out.
Back to the One Eyed Jonin, Zabuza addressed his enemy, "Well well Kakashi. It would seem our fight is at an end. Since I am no longer in Gato's employ Tazuna is safe. We have no quarrel. The same cannot be said of my former coworkers or my ex-boss! I'm going to slaughter all of you."
"I suppose you're right."
The mob boss slowly made his way to Haku's unconscious body, and with Akame in tow he muttered, "You little punk… You're the one who broke my arm! I've been meaning to repay you for that!" Savagely plowing a kick into Haku's ribs, the Jonin hardly reacted, but the men behind him moved like a pack of hungry dogs, surrounding one side of Gato in a long line. Akame jeered and steamed, like he was close to exploding from his need for violence. Naruto seethed, shocked at Gato's cold heart and sadistic actions. Running at him, Naruto howled, "Get away! Get away from him you scum!" Only stopped because of Kakashi's bear hug, the Jonin pressed, "Stop. Use your head." The blonde yanked himself free, pointed yelling at the beat up Demon in front of him, "What about you Zabuza? You gonna let him do that?" "Be quiet you fool," Zabuza barked, "Haku's dead what does it matter?"
"WHAT?"
"You know what I said."
"You mean you can stand there and watch him get treated like a dog and do nothing?! You and Haku were together for years, doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"You don't understand the ways of shinobi. I merely used him, just as Gato used me, and as Kakashi uses you."
"Huh?"
"Now it's over. His usefulness is at an end. If he were still usable he could easily fight back against that entire mob. The loss of his strength and skill, yes that means something to me. That means that I wasted years trying to nurture his talents to the best they could be, which weren't good enough. The boy was nothing to me. I took care of his power and watched as they grew, not him. I never cared for him, not a single minute of any day."
"If you mean that, you're an even bigger Demon than people think you are!"
"Is that supposed to be an insult?"
Kakashi roughly grabbed Naruto's shoulder, concluding, "Okay that's enough. Calm down Naruto he's not the enemy. Not right now." Shaking off Kakashi's hand, the Fox Ninja screamed, "Ugh! Shut up! As far as I'm concerned he's Enemy Number 1!" Pointing an accusing finger at the Demon, Naruto panted at this last outburst, as it had taken a lot from his injured chest to produce that volume. Zabuza turned slightly, eying the loud boy. The Swordsman didn't reply, but Naruto knew he had his attention.
"You ungrateful… He liked you! He liked you so much he risked his body and soul for you! Even then, you don't feel a single ounce of regret or anger when you watch Gato attack him? When a person makes another stronger, doesn't that give you a connection? A bond that can never be broken? He threw his entire life away for you! He can't even fulfill his own dreams, instead living just for yours and yours alone. And yet, he's happy like that, dying like a dog in service of you, that's how torturous an existence you gave him. So bad that he doesn't know what's good anymore. He's going to die as your tool and your happy with him being treated like that? You're happy that he's never going to have any dreams or hopes of his own? That's… So wrong… So wrong…"
Naruto's eyes filled with tears, shaking with his voice as he made his declaration against the cold demon standing in front of him. "You… You talk too much," Zabuza murmured, and tears hit the bridge at his feet. The man couldn't bring himself to face the blonde, instead maintaining a focused glare on Haku's fallen form. He's only got a little time left… But he couldn't force his body to move, so he grumbled, "Your words… They cut deep. Deeper than any blade. While you fought, his heart was breaking in two. He's too kind for this life. He felt pain, sorrow. Curse him! I feel them too! I feel content that it was with you; Ninja from the Village Hidden in the Leaves that this was revealed to me… Before it was too late."
Akame cackled, "Alright that's enough of this blubbery stuff! Boys! Bring out the special prize for the boy who made big bwad Zawbuuza cwy! HAHAHA!" A few men shifted around, and eventually came out of the pack carrying four unconscious forms. They were tossed in a line up next to Haku. Luffy groaned as he hit the ground, bleeding from a very deep stab wound in his stomach. Sakura and Tazuna landed with a few bruises and bumps, but Sakura's chest bore a long slash through it. Akame explained, "We needed Tazuna alive as a bargaining chip, but I wanted to have some fun with the girl so I just gave her a flesh wound to save her for last. That brunette was already pretty beat when we got here, but the Rubber Bastard, he's going to be dead in a few deliciously painful minutes!"
Zabuza shook his head, and unwrapped his facial bandages as he ignored the Glassman's hostage situation. Naruto gasped, watching as Akame stalked over to Haku's body. "Surprised to see my human face? Even shinobi are human. No matter how hard we try to escape that simple fact we always fail. It was Naruto Uzumaki, the boy who wants to become Hokage, and Haku Yuki, my humble student that showed me the way." Zabuza smirked slightly, enough to get Gato running into motion, who ordered, "Men! Get behind me and surround the hostages!" Forming a circle one man thick around Gato and the five forms before him, Akame headed the pack as he clanked his crooked broken teeth towards the Demon.
Eyes flashing a dark purple, suddenly every single member of Gato's group became stiff with fear as they locked orbs with Zabuza. A few of the men in the front seemed like they were on the verge of vomiting, but couldn't move from their spots. Akame's red eyes glossed over with terror as the horrible realization sunk into him and the rest at the same time: none of them would leave today with their lives.
Turning nonchalantly, Zabuza hefted up his sword from the ground, and tossed it like a heavy boomerang. Flying off into the distance, the sword made a strange whooshing sound before vanishing from sight. Zabuza could only wait and enjoy the show now. Frantic, Gato tried to push his men out of the way as he scrambled in an attempt to avoid his fate. The Demon had made sure that his most important target stayed unaffected by his Power. Sweat streamed from Gato's pours, and his pants became stained with urine as he just managed to scamper in between a man's legs.
The whooshing sound returned, as did the mighty blade. Swinging through the air, the sword slashed through the entire perimeter of the men around the hostages before clanging to a halt. Zabuza whipped a kunai at Akame, nailing him in the chest. Still alive, the Glassman tried to charge, but was knocked down by a punch from the Demon's big fist. As he fell to the ground, so did the entirety of Gato's now dead gang. The proud Gato started running to the Village, hysterically tripping and falling as he rocketed to where he thought he would be safe. Grunting as he picked up the Glassman, Zabuza threw Akame into the air, right into Gato's sweating back.
Gato hit his head hard, but not nearly as hard as Akame, whose cranium cracked open like an egg, but the transparent nature of his skin rendered the entire spectacle of what happened on the inside to his skull visible to the world. While his head was cracked, Akame's entire skull was shattered like the glass his body was composed of, and oozed like a broken but water filled vase into the rest of his body. Gato screamed and wailed as he felt death stalking over to him. He held his head which pulsed with pain, while at the same time he tried to shove Akame's lifeless body off of him.
Zabuza walked over to Gato, kunai in his hand, and he growled, "If you notice, I left you completely free to move as you liked during this… Massacre. But you were still too weak to fight back anyway. Your like a bug, and I am your boot. You and your men have terrorized these people and assaulted my student enough." From Gato's point of view, the very demonic mercenary prowled towards him, with dark purple wisps flying off of him, and dripping from his kunai's pointed tip. A dark visage, clearly a hallucination of an infernal silhouette showed off behind Zabuza. Ominously pointing a bony finger to Gato's bleeding scalp, Zabuza didn't even turn to worry about the specter behind him, if he noticed it at all.
The purple being had large, boar-like teeth jutting out of its bottom lip, and big bulbous black eyes poked out of a large overhanging brow. A simple loin cloth covered the creature's shadowed crotch, and his tossed a large curved dagger from one hand to the next, nearly identical to the way that Zabuza threw his own knife between his hands. Struggling even more desperately now, Gato finally managed to shove Akame's corpse off of him.
Just as Gato started to make a break for it, Zabuza appeared right in front of him, and hauled him into the air by the throat. He pulled his former boss up to his flaring nostrils until they were so close Gato could smell the blood on the Demon's teeth. Zabuza licked his lips threateningly, and he growled, "It's over." Stabbing into Gato's guts, Zabuza twisted the knife wickedly upwards and this way and that, blood poured onto the ground. Gato coughed blood, still alive. He struggled to say something, but only choked on bile. Zabuza tossed the gang lord aside, and left him to die. I promise Haku… To make you strong enough to achieve whatever dream you desire, even if it kills me. I will never let you take this dark path if it is not what you choose. As he walked back to his student, the Demon murmured, "See you in Hell Gato."
Stunned into silence by the series of kills, Naruto tried to stammer something out, but failed to as Zabuza returned to his injured follower's side. Kakashi had gotten to work mending first Luffy's wounds, then Sakura's, and Tazuna's. The pinkette had already done all that could've been on the Last of the Uchiha. Picking up his student in his huge arms, Zabuza whispered, "Not once did I ever thank you Haku. Forgive me. I will never forget to appreciate you or your skills ever again. I owe you my soul kid." "When you live like a warrior, this is how you fight. You go on, continue to go through the enemy one on one if necessary. A true hero never abandons his comrades, his team, or his Village," Kakashi said to Naruto, who sighed tiredly in response.
The Way of Heroes
Pain burning in every part of his body, hammers clanged at the back of Sasuke's skull as he slowly opened his eyes. Groggy fatigue forced a momentary lapse as the brunette tried to figure out what the noise that he heard was. Hearing finally clearing, he could hear the lick of soft sobbing brush against his ears. Gaining his tense of touch again, Sasuke felt a heavy weight on his chest heaving as the source of the crying. Is that… Sakura? Sasuke wondered, and he opened his eyes more, moving his head so he could get a good look at the answer on top of him.
Sakura's long hair shook with her shoulders as she balled on Sasuke's chest. It is, Sasuke realized, Does this mean- We won? Whispering nigh inaudibly, Sasuke murmured, "Sakura… Did – did – We win?" Sasuke could barely choke out those words, due to a combination of the pinkette's weight on his lungs and also the fatigue wrapped around his body like a constricting snake. Sakura jumped up surprised, cheerily brushing the tears from her face, cheering, "SASUKE!" There was a moment of silence between the two, and Sakura grabbed the Uchiha into a tight hug, yelling, "Tazuna, he's alive! Sasuke's alive!"
"Sakura that hurts," Sasuke moaned, but the girl couldn't hear her teammate's complaints, as she was too focused on the joy of seeing him alive, feeling his heartbeat against hers. Sitting up slowly and painfully, Sasuke grunted, "How's Naruto? What happened with that guy in the mask? Is Luffy alright?" Sakura scolded, "No Sasuke! You shouldn't try to move or talk so much!" Tazuna sniffed, Things turned out alright in the end didn't they? But then he remembered the Rubberboy, and he said, "I'll go make sure Luffy is alright!"
Jogging off to the fallen pirate, Tazuna left the two genin to their own reconciliation. "Naruto's just fine. But the one in the mask, he got beat by Kakashi, hurt pretty badly. Zabuza killed Gato and his entire gang though. Luffy got hurt too by Akame, after he got back up again, Akame got me too." She felt her stomach where it had been wrapped in bandages by Kakashi. "That idiot! Because of his stupid morals that Glassman made it out of the forest in the first place! If he had killed him, you wouldn't have gotten hurt Sakura." Blushing at the brunette's concern, Sakura squeezed harder, choking the Uchiha again.
"I'm okay Sasuke, don't worry!" Sakura hissed out painfully, Sasuke must just want to protect me! YEAH! This'll get him for sure! She held her stomach wound, trying to sound as injured as possible. Sasuke saw through the girl's charade in an instant, but only rolled his eyes. "I knew you'd make it Sasuke! You're too cool a guy to stay down for long," Sakura complimented, and Sasuke nodded as his only response. He stared at Luffy, who had gotten up and was now hobbling over to Naruto, whilst the blonde genin watched the Demon of the Mist pick up Haku into his burly arms.
Sasuke's eyes shifted to the crossdressing shinobi in question, and thought to himself, He never meant to. Not for even a second did he mean to. He was so strong, but he didn't do what needed to be done. Not because he couldn't, because he chose not to. He chose his path, but I won't let that decision change mine. My destiny goes on, flowing like a river. Itachi, you will die. Unaware of the dark thoughts of her comrade, Sakura waved and cheered over to Naruto, who now held Luffy up like a ninja crutch. Weight thrown off his shoulders like a gust of wind, Naruto's eyes teared up and a grin splayed across Luffy's lips.
"But how?" Naruto wondered, and he remembered Zabuza's words, While you fought, his heart was breaking in two. He's too kind for this life. "I – I get it now," Naruto said, and a tear fell down his cheek. Kakashi's single revealed eye glistened with happiness as he watched his student recover. Tazuna stood beside him, and the Sharingan Hero commented, "Well, it seems the wonders will never cease." "Amazing," Tazuna added.
Whizzing through the air, something smashed into the bridge ahead of Tazuna's foot. Turning in surprise, the Bridge Builder smiled as he saw his grandson leading the entire village behind him. Pride filled his soul as he shouted, "Great job Inari. You've got the thank you committee all here!" Tazuna fell to his knees, It really worked. My Bridge – no. My grandson, my true masterpiece has brought our people together. He's brought them hope. Grinning, the archer ran towards his elder, tackling him with a hug as he left his weapon next to his uncle's feet.
Leaving the celebration behind, Kakashi took note of all his students as a good teacher would. As he knew his teacher had done. Am I doing these kids right Sensei? Am I doing right by your memory? Or my nakama? He shook those thoughts out of his head, they were to be addressed at a different time. Luffy and Naruto had recovered quickly, and were now cheering with the villagers. Sasuke was leaning on Sakura for support, with the pinkette a little too excited for her position. Kakashi walked over to Zabuza, who had crashed onto one knee. The Demon muttered, "It's over Kakashi of the Leaf Village."
"Yes, it is over."
"You were a terrifying force based on the rumors Sharingan Kakashi."
"As were you Zabuza."
"I fear I am too weak right now to achieve my destiny. You are not as strong as you were, Friend Killer."
"You only knew the myth, not the man Zabuza. I am a different person than I was then. I'm not weak, merely softer, I'm more gentle. I know you can do what you have to."
"If you and I ever meet again, it will be under much different circumstances than those of today."
"I hope so."
"I will be much stronger then, as will Haku."
"So will I."
Zabuza got to his feet, still cradling Haku's unconscious form in his arms. Whispering to the soft face, Zabuza said, "You were always by my side, and I will never abandon yours from this day forward until I help you achieve your dream. From now on you will be stronger than me, because of your own dreams, not to fulfill mine. It's the least I can do after everything you and I have been through together." The Demon started to march away solemnly, and a thin mist started to roll in. Soon the man vanished with his student in his arms.
The Way of Heroes
As he made his way to the end of the bridge's structure, Zabuza scowled as he saw the sweating and soaked fat forms of Happy and Dasher. Their hammers having been broken by Luffy's punches, the determined duo swung around broken sticks with savage spikes sticking out ends where the hammer's head had been. Ready to do damage on the Demon, the two charged, but Zabuza could sense doubt in them even before they haphazardly tried to stab at him.
Easily dodging the weakly thrusted spears, Zabuza appeared behind them, still holding Haku in his arms. Sending a kick from behind them, Zabuza knocked his foot into the back of their knees, dropping them fast and effectively. Happy and Dasher tried to get up again, but a second kick to their necks felled the giants another time. Bleeding noses didn't stop them, but weary shoulders did, as neither could muster the strength to lift their heavy bodies for combat again.
Dasher choked, "We – we have to save Uncle Gato!" "I know Brother! We can't fail this time!" Happy agreed, but neither could get up even with this sentiment in mind. The Demon looked at them, then his ward, as if reminded of something, "Loyal fighters like you are not so hard to find anymore. I used to think they were one in a million." "We'll never give up you bastard!" Happy yelled, and Dasher added, "No! Not til we kill you for Uncle!"
"You boys are too loyal. Why do you give your lives for an animal like that?"
Despite disagreeing with their service, Zabuza didn't see him mentioning that he killed their apparent uncle earlier as important at the moment. "We don't care what you think Demon! You can't beat us!" Dasher yelled, and Happy managed to slowly get to his feet, but a head smash from Zabuza's skull broke the spear apart before Happy could use it. Slamming his head into Happy's stomach, the monstrous man fell to his butt. "Why?"
"We can't fail Uncle Gato! Since Pa died he's taken care of us and had us play games like these!" Happy coughed, exhausted, a drop kick knocking him out. Zabuza worked his way slowly towards the unconscious giant's brother, who stubbornly yelled, "Yeah! We're gonna beat you! Happy and I have been playing these games since we were 13!" "It's pitiful when a creature gives such loyalty to a cause that he doesn't understand. You boys should find someone else. Do something else with your lives and the time you have left." Blasting a kick into Dasher's jaw, the man was knocked out with his brother.
Gato had told Zabuza the true details of his relationship with the two Hammer Brothers. He didn't even know their real names, but when they were babies their father had acquired a great deal of debt to Gato during his gambling runs, so Gato had taken the two in for collateral after the man abandoned his children. After he raised them, the first 'game' he played with them involved them smashing their father into bits with the 'toys' their Uncle Gato had given them. For a moment Zabuza thought about killing the pitiful creatures, but he didn't think Haku would have supported that. Not now, not now that they have a shot at a life now… The Demon thought to himself.
The Way of Heroes
It was a few hours after the mission with the Leaf, and both Sasuke and Luffy were preparing for a memorial unveiling for Kaiza, which the people of the Land of Waves had erected in his honor, but had been forced to take it down following Gato's rise to power. Luffy changed from his red vest into a crimson woolen sweater, and for shoes he wore his wooden sandals, while on his legs was a pair of simple brown pants. Tazuna had given him some of Keechy's old clothes, which were still a few sizes too big for the Rubberboy.
Sasuke held his head down, holding a bloodied bandage in his hand and staring intensely at it. After he'd gotten his clothes on, Luffy looked at the dark haired youth for some time before wondering, "What's that?" Curiosity taking over, Luffy tore the wraps out of Sasuke's hands. Angrily turning, "You could have killed me with your idiotic ideals Pirate," Sasuke muttered, and he yanked the bandage back.
"What do you mean Sasuke?"
"If you'd have killed Akame when you had the chance I wouldn't have been at risk when I was passed out."
"Ohhhh you mean the Glass Guy?"
"You're an idiot. You're stupid ideals are going to put us all in danger, and when that happens, I'm going to beat you to a pulp because you'll have gotten in the way of my goal."
"I'm not an idiot!"
"You need to think about what you're doing and the consequences. You're too innocent for this life Luffy."
Sasuke left the room for the unveiling of the statue, leaving Luffy in the area all alone. A dark voice filled the room as Luffy sat there thinking to himself. The voice filled the room, and growled, "You should never sacrifice your ideals boy. That's when the villains truly when. Not when you die, but when you lose a part of yourself." The Rubberboy recognized the gravelly tones and shouted, "Oh yeah! I know you! You're that big sword guy!"
"Take care of yourself Strawhat. We'll meet again someday."
The Way of Heroes
Kakashi was on the stairs, having turned all of the lights out in the house as the ninja prepared to join Tazuna and his family for the unveiling. The gray haired elite could hear Naruto and Luffy bicker back and forth, and he smiled as he saw Sakura attempt to flirt with Sasuke. "Those kids are gonna –" Kakashi started, but a drop in temperature caused his dander to shoot up. Hairs tingling as the Sharingan Hero sensed danger: he whipped around, but saw nothing lurking in the shadows.
A deep, rough growl floated through the air like a spiked flower petal slicing through the air, and it cut into the man's ears. The Demon's voice remarked, "Those are good kids out there Kakashi. But next time they won't get into our fight. We'll finish that fight by the way. Remember this: my student defeated three of yours, and I could have killed you, so train as hard as you can. Be 'Kakashi of the Sharigan' again, so we may fight for real, and that I have a reason to exist after I kill the Mizukage."
"I thought your goal became training Haku to be strong enough to become whatever he wanted?"
"I've already done that Kakashi. That boy could become God of Ninja if he so chose."
"Good luck Demon."
"Same to you Friend Killer."
The Way of Heroes
"Is that the ninja way Kakashi-sensei? To kill or be killed? To fight just to eke out an existence, just to live to fight the next day?" Sakura wondered, they had all gone back to Tazuna's home, and they had begun packing for the journey home. "'Shinobi are all tools in the hands of destiny.' No point in wondering if you'll survive tomorrow, you should live your life happily today," Kakashi answered dodgedly. "That's just how it is," Tazuna agreed, "It's the same everywhere. For everyone, no matter what flag they fly above their heads or what place they call home – if they have one. Everyone is going to die, so they had best make the best of their lives with what time they have, improving the lives of others as best they can."
Naruto's eyes widened as he faced his teacher, wondering, "Is that really what life is all about? Being a ninja, going through all that training just to die someday?" "Why? Why do people live like that?" Sasuke asked, and Kakashi looked down, murmuring, "It's a question without an answer. But it's something we ninja must ask ourselves every day of our lives." Luffy shouted, denying these explanations, "NO! That's not what life is! Life is enjoying what you do! It's making a difference with the time you have, it's having an adventure! Making friends! Becoming strong!" Sasuke snorted, "You think the answer to Kakashi's question is Nakama?"
Silence fell following Sasuke's retort, and the Uchiha explained, "It's a word from an Ancient Language. No one knows for sure where it came from, but my brother passed it down onto me. It doesn't have any real translation, but it means, 'friends as close as family' friends that you would do anything for." Luffy nodded, explaining, "Yeah. Nakama. That sounds nice. That's why people live. That's why people dream."
"Idiot," Sasuke chided. But Naruto was in his own little world now, staring out the window into the bright sky. "From now on, I'm finding my own ninja way, my own path to live," Naruto swore, "A way that's straight and true and without any regrets! From now on I'm following the 'Way of Naruto'!" Kakashi was taken aback by his blonde protégé's words, stunned into silence. Sasuke and Sakura and Luffy all stayed quiet as well.
The Way of Heroes
At the edge of the bridge, Squad 7 and Luffy stood in the entrance gateway. Tazuna crossed his arms, thanking, "We all appreciate your help with our bridge. We could never have finished this bridge without you. Tsunami stood next to her father, with her hands on Inari's small shoulders and the entirety of the Village behind them to see the heroes off.
Kakashi held his hands in his pockets nonchalantly, "Thank you for everything." Naruto grinned, mocking Inari, "Now now don't get all choked up." Luffy gasped, as if realizing something important, "Wait! We can't leave yet I never got to find the butcher's shop for this place! I need meat." Stamping his foot down, Kakashi slapped the back of the rubberboy's head. Ignoring the immature pirate, Naruto promised, "We'll come back and visit real soon."
Inari quivered, as if about to cry, but the boy swallowed. He shakily asked, "Do you swear you will?" Giving the boy a thumbs-up, Naruto answered, "Believe it." Starting to walk off, the team continued as they heard Tsunami call, "Good luck, and take care now!" Kakashi waved at them, and Inari yelled, "Naruto! Luffy! No matter what I become, we'll always be friends right?" The Strawhat lifted his signature headwear, tipping it to the archer. None of the squad turned, but they all knew that the boy saw his friend's gesture.
"Those boys made you stronger Inari, stronger than I ever could," Tazuna said, patting his grandson on the head. He continued, "So much stronger than even Kaiza inspired you to be. You in turn made the rest of us stronger. All thanks to those boys. The Pirate and the Ninja, that the Land of Waves was saved. Because of them we were able to build a bridge to a place that we thought we could never return to. A place that most of us had forgotten; a place where anything was possible and courage flourished. We can fulfill our dreams here, and find our way of heroes." "Speaking of the bridge," Keechy said, "Don't ya think we ought to name it?"
"I was thinking the same thing Keechy. And I know just the name…"
"Well spit it out Dad!"
"It was something I heard a long time ago, from an old archaeologist when I was a Marine. I remembered it when that boy was talking about 'nakama'. The bridge will be called, Yuushado."
"What does that mean Grandpa?"
"When I first saw Kaiza, I didn't trust him. I had believed that Marines were justice and Pirates were scum. But then I saw some of the Navy's own men acting as personal soldiers for Gato, I realized that the law doesn't make heroes; the law doesn't make morality. People make both. Their morality is what makes them heroes, and those people showed me and my grandson the Way of Heroes. What do you want your way to be Inari?"
"I want to be a Marine!"
"Haha excellent!" Tazuna applauded his grandson's dream. Keechy remarks, "You might not even have to enlist if the Navy starts the ol' Draft System up again." "You idiot, they haven't used the draft since the last time one of the four Emperors decided to try to take over more territory, and that was twenty some years ago by now," Tazuna argued, and Keechy responded, "I know I was just making a joke."
Tazuna watched as Kakashi and his followers disappeared over the horizon, and whispered, "You people showed me, and my village, and my grandson the Way of Heroes. Perhaps I can show the rest of the world it as well."
The Way of Heroes
Naruto folded his arms up behind his head relaxing, "As soon as we get back I'm gonna have Iruka-sensei buy me a whole mess of ramen to celebrate a job well done!" "You idiot! Ramen's disgusting!" Luffy shouted, "When I get back I'm having the old man get me some delicious meat." The Rubberboy licked his lips at this prospect, but Kakashi interrupted the ensuing feud by saying, "We all have to rest as soon as we get back to the Village. It's standard procedure, then we'll have to brief the Third Hokage on the mission." "Fine, but after that I'm gonna tell Konohamaru all about my mission! The kid's gonna worship me!"
"Hey," Sakura said, and Naruto asked, "Yeah?" "Not you Naruto. Sasuke, when we get back do you want to go out and do something together?" Sakura asked, and the gray haired elite sighed, "I told you when we get back we have to report to the Third Hokage." Even the brunette seemed unaware of Kakashi's explanation, saying, "No thanks Sakura. I'm going to train harder than ever now that I know what some of the rest of the world looks like."
"Sakura, I'd do something with you if you want…" Naruto said to the pinkette, only for Kakashi to repeat, "We have to report to Lord Hokage immediately or we all get fired." Losing his patience, Kakashi expected a response from Luffy at least, sighing with relief as the Rubberboy looked like he was about to say something important. Luffy yelled excitedly, "If you guys are going to eat meat than I'd love to come with you!"
"That's it! We all have to go to Lord Hokage's office as soon as we return! Then after that we're going to train together for twelve hours straight! Is that clear?" Kakashi heaved harshly, as if his yelling had taken a lot out of him. Eyes softening when he saw that Sakura replied, "Alright fine." Only for them to drop angrily when she sighed, "I'll eat with both of you when we get back." Luffy and Naruto high fived, each one yelling, "WOO MEAT!" and "YEAH RAMEN!" Respectively, and they instantly got into each other's faces, fingers locking as they tried to push the other one into submission. Kakashi sighed, "I give up…"
The Way of Heroes
"Are you sure about that name Dad?" Keechy asked, and Tazuna replied chuckling, "Hehe, it's a name that those kids showed us. And Inari is choosing for himself. As long as they stand by their own Way, that choice will do the same for the Bridge. I think this bridge will stand for a long long time. Perhaps it will even be famous one day, its name made important to the world again. The Way of Heroes teaching children and adults everywhere what is truly important. That would be something wouldn't it?"
*Yes this is Hero Water, which is found in both Naruto and One Piece, but is mentioned by its Funimation Dub name in this story.
AN:
Thanks so much for everyone for supporting my story. Right now I've got 15 Followers and Favorites, 19 Reviews, and almost 4000 views.
A special thanks for anyone that reviewed or Followed/Favorited:
Dragonnotte, GoldRat, Hungry Derp, Link7777, NinjaAndy68, SickTundra8, TriggerShotX, animebella09, erching, .77, lucianourg, mixioner538, redrosebird, zrocker119, Bloody Moon Mist, , TiberSeptim, nookbook97, squiffypage, and last but not least: jjcoop95(who has been following and supporting my story since the beginning) so thanks jj! JBut everyone is highly valuable as an audience for me. Thanks for the support and hope to see you next month on the 11th of June.
I will be going on Hiatus for the Chunin Exam Saga until June 5th, so see you all then!