(A/N) And I'm back. I left you guys with a pretty nasty cliffhanger last time, but surprisingly, no one commented on it.

A long standing issue that some of you have pointed out is that my story feels rushed. I think I know the reason, and that is that I do short chapters but update frequently. I think this creates the illusion of things happening quickly. However, if you look at the pace that I've set in the story, you'll find that only four days had passed within the span of 13 chapters, before I skipped time a few weeks to get to where we are now. I don't think that that is a rushed pace at all, and if you read my story in one go, as I have done before, it doesn't feel rushed at all. It just has frequent clicking to the next chapter. I have read rushed stories before, and I don't really like them, due to an inordinate number of poorly documented time-skips. They are almost as bad as stories that don't start a new paragraph when different people start to speak. I just can't stand that, as I often lose track of who is saying what. But the worst is stream of consciousness. That would be thoughts that ramble on with little to no punctuation or breaking between them. The worst case of that that I have ever run into was in an actual book that is counted as a literary masterpiece. That would be "The Sound and the Fury", by William Faulkner. I had to read that in AP Lit in high school, and I had to even ask my brother to translate the stream of consciousness in it. I am a damn good reader if I say so myself (my personal favorite accomplishment in reading is reading the fifth Harry Potter book in five hours straight), and the fact that I had to ask my brother who was a senior in college at the time to translate it means that it was really bad, as even he had trouble translating it, and he is waaaaaaaay smarter than me. So I have grown to despise things that are stream of consciousness or lack punctuation.

Anyways, I went on a small off topic rant there, so let's get back to the story.

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Chapter 15: The swordsmen showdown

Naruto and Zabuza's blades clashed with a mighty "CLANG!" Zabuza was wielding his blade with one arm, since it was still numb from having its chakra disrupted by the Shin'en. Naruto however was using both arms, so he gradually began to overpower Zabuza. Seeing this, Zabuza jumped back, breaking their engagement, and said "I'm impressed kid, you can actually overpower my one arm, even though you are just a genin."

Naruto leapt after him, clashing his blade against Zabuza's once more, and said "You should know that the key to being a ninja is deception. Currently, our rank and age is one of our greatest strengths, along with our nonexistent reputation. While you are definitely not underestimating me as you said you would, as you would have lost already if you did, you still should realize that you should expect the unexpected fighting me. I am known as the number one prankster in Konoha, and I intend to uphold my reputation, even in battle." Saying this, he suddenly leapt off his engagement and backed away.

Zabuza laughed at his actions and said "You really are willing to do the unexpected, seeing as you just backed off when you had the clear advantage."

Naruto grinned and said "If you think that's unexpected, how about this?" Turning to Hinata he said "Hina-chan, would you please un-numb Zabuza-san's arm for him? I would like to fight him while he's at his full power."

Zabuza's grin was visible through his mask, and he said "You really are something else kid, and you value a full fight, like I do. Even though we are enemies for the time being, I trust you not to pull anything underhanded, even considering your reputation as a prankster. You said that your girlfriend was formally a Hyuuga? Very well, come here missy, and unblock my arm."

Hinata walked over to Zabuza and poked a few spots on his arm, filling them with chakra, and making it mobile again. She then backed off to the clearing to continue observing the fight.

Zabuza laughed again and said "You ready kid? Let's see if you can stand up to my full strength!" He then dashed towards Naruto, clashing once more. This time, he gradually overpowered Naruto, as with the weight of Kubikiribocho, combined with the strength of both arms overwhelmed Naruto.

Struggling against the weight of the attack, Naruto said "You really are powerful Zabuza-san. But now that we've seen who has more pure power, how about we see who has superior speed?" With that, Naruto vanished from under Zabuza's blade, which upon losing the resistance of Naruto quickly sunk into the ground. Naruto then reappeared above Zabuza and sent a slash to the back of Zabuza's neck. Zabuza then kawarimied with a nearby log, which was sliced in two by the Kadouken. Zabuza then reappeared behind Naruto and swung his sword in an effort to slice Naruto in half, but Naruto vanished once again. Reappearing on the ground, he started dashing around Zabuza (picture Ichigo vs Byakuya) before lunging at Zabuza with a stab. Zabuza attempted to block with the flat side of Kubikiribocho, and succeeded for a moment, but Naruto then channeled his wind chakra through Kadouken, piercing Kubikiribocho. Zabuza twisted to the side in an effort to avoid the blade, and he managed to avoid a serious wound, but he was still hit. Naruto then twisted Kadouken and using his wind nature, cut a chunk off Kubikiribocho.

Naruto backed off from Zabuza and said "Looks like I drew first blood. It also looks like that I have superior speed due to the weight of your sword."

Zabuza laughed and said "I'm really impressed. You pulled a fast one on me with that wind natured chakra of yours. To be able to cut through Kubikiribocho is quite the feat, as only the most powerful wind and lighting users can do that. But that is no matter, allow me to introduce Kubikiribocho's ability." He then bent down and picked up the chunk of the blade that Naruto had sliced off and lined it up against the main portion. He then held the blade against his wound that was still bleeding profusely, and the blade sealed the crack, repairing it completely. Zabuza then said "Kubikiribocho's ability is rather unique in that it does no harm to the opponent. It simply absorbs the iron from blood and uses it to repair the blade if it ever gets broken. This mean that one has to rely on one's own skills with the blade, and not an overpowered ability, showing true swordsmanship. I despise Samehada for that reason. While I admit that the sentient blade will only choose those worthy to wield it, it will make its wielder rely on its power too much and dull their skills as a swordsman."

Naruto grinned and said "You truly are a worthy swords master, Zabuza-san. If you are as powerful as you are with a sword that its ability only helps you fight without doing any harm to the opponent, then you know the truth that one cannot simply become powerful by relying on unique abilities. I can honestly say that I would lose to you in a fight of pure swordsmanship, but my Kadouken has a unique ability to help even the odds. How about I introduce you to it?" Zabuza went into a defensive stance upon hearing this and Naruto then slashed his blade along the ground, shouting "Rasenkadou!" The blade picked up the earth as it sliced the ground, before Naruto finished the slash at Zabuza. The earth and rocks that it churned up were then sent spiraling towards Zabuza with great speed, forcing Zabuza to Kawarimi with a nearby log to escape. Naruto then channeled his fire chakra through his blade, causing it to glow with flames, before slicing at Zabuza once more, shouting "Rasenkadou!" once again. This time it was a vortex of flames that shot off of the Kadouken, spiraling towards Zabuza. Zabuza was forced to drop the Kubikiribocho and flew through hand signs, shouting "Suiton: Suijinheki" before exhaling a wall of water out of his mouth which clashed with the Rasenkadou, creating a great deal of steam.

Zabuza then took advantage of the steam covering the battle by going through a few handsigns and saying "Suiton: Kirigakure no Jutsu!" The battlefield was covered in a thick, obscuring mist. No one could see anymore. So Naruto closed his eyes and waited. He did not have to wait long as a blade suddenly whistled through the air behind him, but Naruto held Kadouken behind him and blocked the strike. However the strike had too much weight behind it and Naruto was sent flying through the air. He did a backflip midair and landed on his feet. Knowing that he had a little time, he stuck Kadouken in the ground and went through a few hand seals and said "Futon: Daitoppa!" before exhaling a great gust of air, clearing the mist from the battlefield.

Zabuza then said "I'm impressed that you were able to block my blade inside the mist. Silent Killing is my specialty. Care to explain how?"

Naruto grinned and said "These ears are not just for show, you know. Even if you are completely silent to what humans could hear, I can still hear you." Naruto then focused his wind chakra through Kadouken and sliced at Zabuza with another Rasenkadou. The spiraling wind was much faster than the flame and earth versions of the technique, so Zabuza was unable to dodge or block in time. He took the full brunt off the attack, causing large lacerations to appear on his body. He did not however, even yell in pain. He took it like the badass that he is.

He started laughing and said "Well, I'll be damned. You beat me. That Rasenkadou is something else, kid. It's no wonder why that blade is legendary. As per our deal, I will stop hunting the bridge builder. But I would appreciate it if you helped Haku heal me. I will kill that bastard Gato as soon as I am better." With that said he fell over and fainted from blood loss.

Naruto sheathed his sword, and let out a huge sigh. He turned to Hinata and said "Hina-chan, could you come over here and begin healing him? You're the best healer we have here. He will be coming to the wave with us, and I wish to help him take out Gato. If Gato is as rich as I've heard, he will probably have some strong ninja hired as bodyguards, and Zabuza-san will need all the help that he can get."

Hinata hurried over to Zabuza and began healing him, with Haku hovering closely behind her. Then Kakashi, Kiba, and Tazuna walked over. Kakashi said "I'm truly impressed with your skill, Naruto. To think that you could take on Zabuza and win without getting a scratch is one of the most impressive feats that I have ever seen."

Naruto grinned and said "Don't think too much on it. His pure strength far exceeded mine, and if I got hit once, I would have been down for the count. If I hadn't worked on my speed for so long with Kurama-sensei, then I would have been destroyed. My wind style Rasenkadou is my fastest attack, and if I hadn't resorted to using it, I would have lost. The other variations of Rasenkadou are more powerful, but I would have never hit him with them. Also, if I hadn't surprised him by cutting through his blade and gotten that wound on him, he would have still been standing after getting hit by my Rasenkadou, as he would not have fainted from blood loss so soon."

Kiba then spoke up and said "Even still, that was amazing! There is no way that I'm going to mess with you or Hinata after seeing that. If she is as strong as you, then I have no chance with her. But now I feel like I'm so far behind everybody."

Naruto then said "I'm glad that you are finally seeing sense about Hina-chan and I. But don't think that you are behind everyone. I talked with Kakashi-san the other day, and he said that you have great potential. Just keep training hard and it will show. You are already much better than the banshee and the teme, so don't let them hold you back. I would suggest finding a personal sensei to train you in your spare time. Kakashi is not a good choice for you, since you are a Taijutsu type, and he is a Ninjutsu type. I suggest that you go speak with Miato Guy, and ask him to train you, as he is a Taijutsu master. A word of warning though, don't let the flames of youth consume you, or you will never be the same again. Guy's methods are a bit extreme, but if you can survive them, you will be much stronger than you were before."

Kiba looked at Naruto and said "Thanks that means a lot for me to hear you say that. I will ask Guy-sensei to train me when we get back."

Hinata then walked over and said "Zabuza-san's wounds have been closed. We just have to wait until he recovers, then we can move on, unless one of you wants to carry him?" Everyone shook their heads no and Hinata continued "Very well, we should set up camp for a little while. Also someone should alert the banshee that the fights over. I think that she wasn't even watching, as she was just staring at the teme."

Kakashi then walked over to the banshee and told her to come help set up a temporary camp. He also picked up Sasuke and took him to where the rest of the group was, so of course the banshee followed. When they got over, Sakura noticed Zabuza and Haku and screeched "Why are they still here and still alive? They attacked us!"

Naruto and Hinata winced and Kakashi explained "Naruto broke a deal with them. They are no longer our enemies, and have agreed to help us with our mission. So don't worry about them and don't get in their way."

Sakura was still unbelieving and said "What could Naruto-baka possibly do to get them to agree to a deal? He is nothing special."

Kakashi sighed and said "He stated his heritage and a little of his abilities, then the two fought and Naruto won, so now they are with us."

Sakura then screeched "If Naruto-baka won, then he really must have been weak. It must have been a fluke that he knocked out Sasuke-kun, as he is way stronger than Naruto-baka."

Hinata had enough of the banshee's squealing, so she said to her "Why don't you attend to Sasuke until he wakes up?" This effectively shut the banshee up as she sat by Sasuke and stared at him.

Kakashi turned to Kiba and said "Why don't you use that nose of yours to find something for us to eat, while I start a fire to cook it on? Naruto should rest, and Hinata should stand by and keep an eye on Zabuza's condition."

Kiba agreed and went off to hunt with Akamaru. He returned fifteen minutes later with several rabbits. They then cooked them and started eating their meal. They asked Haku about her and Zabuza's past together and got the story of their lives so far, as well as a brief introduction to what her abilities were. They then broke up into two groups, one with Kakashi and Kiba beginning Kiba's tree climbing exercises with Tazuna watching with interest, while the other was of Naruto, Hinata, and Haku, who continued talking about Haku's abilities and Naruto and Hinata's pasts. The day slowly went on as they all waited for Zabuza to regain consciousness.

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And that's a wrap. I hope you all liked the fight. Rasenkadou is Japanese for spiral vortex, and I think that that is a fitting name for the attack. It is a very versatile move, as it can take the properties of not only the user's elements, but of what it cuts as well, as I showed with the earth one. If you haven't noticed, Naruto's elements are wind and fire, but he has a subelement of foxfire. Currently, the foxfire variation of Rasenkadou is Naruto's strongest move. I have not shown it yet though, as I will save its power to be used against something that is a very strong barrier, just to show its strength.

Hinata's elements will be water and fire, just for future reference.

As a slight spoiler, I'll tell you guys the names of the two other weapons. The trench knives are called the "Soshi Kiba", or Element Fangs. The butterfly daggers are called "Nijitanken" or rainbow daggers. Their abilities are practically the opposites, and the both have something to do with artificial Kekkei Genkai. They will be used in full during the fight to get to Gato that will be coming up. It turns out that Naruto's hunch was right. Another spoiler, Naruto's opponent will be a rouge Iwa jonin, and Hinata's opponent will be a rouge Kumo jonin. You guys will get to see those fights in a few chapters.

Unfortunately, the daily omake will not be happening today. It seemed that the Root members have learned that Naruto and Hinata are out on a mission, so they have enough sense as to not try and kill themselves with the door when the person that they are trying to get to is not even there. Sorry.

(Secretly, I just couldn't think of anything that I deemed was good enough to put in the omake. So send me some more ideas! Remember, I usually don't want outright slaughter. Slaughter is fine, but I want it to be funny too. I know that a lot of you guys will be disappointed, but I can't write something if there is nothing in my head. So I need inspiration! Just name a generally funny but dangerous video game if you can't think of a specific thing. Who knows, it just might give me a crazy idea or two!)