A Set of Broken Blades

By

Ragnorokrising

--

Chapter Four: Mission to the Land of Waves

Naruto sat on the top step of the Kage tower stairs as Asuma, Sasuke, and Shikamaru marched up them with a orange cat. "Thanks for the help Naruto." said Sasuke. The ash user stood up and walked to the Kage office, where his father raised an eyebrow at the expression on his face.

"Father, I wish to go on a C-rank mission. My team is more than ready for it." Iruka started to stand but Naruto shot him a harsh look and he sat back down as particles of ash started to float around the room.

"Naruto, do your teammates agree with you?"

"Well," Naruto turned to his team. "Do you think we're ready for it?"

"After everything we've been through and our battle compatibility, I assume so." said Shikamaru. Asuma and Sasuke shrugged.

"Shikamaru is the smart one. If he thinks we're ready, then I agree." said Asuma. Minato hurled a scroll at Naruto.

"Alright, you are to escort a man named Tazuna to the Land of Waves. Tazuna, please come in here."

An elderly man with a travel pack and a sake bottle stumbled in. "These brats are suppose to protect me? The spiky haired one looks like he might fall asleep at any moment." Shikamaru started to glare but sighed and tilted his head to the side.

A line of Z's floated form his mouth and into the air. Every one sweat dropped as Shikamaru started to snore.

"Anyway," said Asuma. "We'll meet you at the gate in thirty minutes."

"Right."

(Thirty Minutes Later)

"And no killing Tazuna or anyone who doesn't attack you unless they intend to kill you. If it's a teammate and their under a mind control jutsu then knock them out, don't kill."

"Father," Naruto said, interrupting Minato's rant. "I will be fine and so will my team. I swear I will protect them with my life." Minato relaxed. When a Jinchuuriki swears on his life, he will hold himself to the promise no matter what.

"Okay Naruto. Just, promise me you won't use that jutsu Jiraiya and I taught you unless an enemy ninja attacks."

"Father, it's a C-rank, ninja are only in B and higher missions." Minato rolled his eyes as Naruto grabbed his backpack. "I'll be back in a month."

A swirl of ash surrounded him and he disappeared.

He reappeared at the gate where his team was waiting. He nodded to the gate guards and they stepped out of the village.

(Thirty Minutes Later)

Asuma and Naruto dropped back from the main group as a puddle came up on the road.

"Asuma-sensei, it's been sunny and warm for two weeks with zero precipitation. Why would a puddle be in the middle of the road?"

"Either it's someone in disguise, or it's reminisce of a ninjutsu battle. Be ready for an attack." Wind chakra spread lightly over Asuma's hands and formed claws over his fingers. Ash spread out under Naruto with each step, leaving an ashy foot print. After a moment, the ash would float into the air and into the forest, where it would collect into hard packed bullets.

Once Asuma and Naruto where thirty yards away, the puddle twisted upwards into two men. They rushed forward with a barbed chain connecting them. Ten yards away from the group, Naruto turned and the ground in a fifty yard radius exploded into a black circle. Chains of ash shot up and wrapped the ninja's arms and legs up.

Asuma and Naruto stepped to the side and Shikamaru's shadow shot forward. The two men were released and forced to walk to a tree. Asuma tided them up with a rope.

"Okay, who sent you?"

"Screw you Konoha scum!" one yelled, struggling against the ropes. Naruto placed a hand on the ground and a long black line shot through the earth in the direction of Konoha.

"ANBU will be here soon to pick you up. So don't move." they turned and left, leaving the two men struggling. Naruto sent more ash into the air to form bullets. He pulled a scroll out and unsealed a huge hourglass that he put on his back. He sealed up the belt as he unleashed all the ash and forced it into the box.

They marched for another ten minutes before they encountered another attack.

Naruto was walking on their right side when a buzzing sound reached his ears. Instantly ash exploded from the hour glass and formed a giant shield around them. Some collided with the ash and Naruto felt the blow impact as the shield drained a chunk of his chakra.

Asuma, Sasuke, and Shikamaru noticed Naruto jerk. They knew the shield drew on his chakra, so the hit must have been powerful.

They all ducked as the shield dropped and cushioned their impact. The weapon slid through the trunk of a tree like a hot knife through butter. A man landed on the blade with his arms crossed. He had his face wrapped in bandages and no shirt on. His pants were gray with blue stripes and he had no eye brows.

Asuma drew his trench knives and formed two swords out of air. Zabuza's eyes twitched like he was moving imaginary eyebrows. "Asuma Sarutobi, son of the Third Hokage and master of the Trench Knives Sword Style. I could get a lot of money for your head." the man said.

"Zabuza Momochi, traitor ninja of the Hidden Mist village, Kirigakure. Wanted for attempting to kill the Mizukage. You're wanted by many people." said Asuma.

Zabuza jumped down and grabbed his sword handle form the tree. He pointed at Tazuna.

"Give me the man and I don't kill the blonde kid." Naruto rolled his eyes. He ducked under the sword that came soaring from behind him. Turning, he kicked Zabuza in the chest, sending a spike of ash. The spike retracted, but it was slushy and Naruto had to detach it. He jumped back as 'Zabuza' turned to water. Zabuza did the invisible eyebrow thing again.

"And you are brat?"

"I am Naruto Namikaze, son of Minato Namikaze, the fourth Hokage of Konohagakure. But you may call me Naruto of the Ash." a wave of black rose up around Naruto. It started forward, but huge cracks went through the ash and started to turn red as fire burned between each grain. "Fire Style: Wave of Flames." the ash exploded into flames and flowed to the sides of Naruto, burning down both sides of the forest.

Huge clouds went into the air as ash started to collect around them, forming a protective shell. Shikamaru started making hand signs. A black shadow shot through the smoke and touched Zabuza's shadow. The man twitched and formed a hand sign.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu: complete." said Shikamaru. Zabuza's sword started to shake and flew out of its owner's hand. It spun in a death spiral towards Shikamaru. A hand of ash shot up and grabbed the sword handle. Naruto brought the sword to him and lifted it over head.

"Its feels light. Some kind of special seal…" he dropped the sword as it vibrated into the air and zoomed towards Shikamaru. The Nara jumped away, ending the jutsu. Asuma rushed forward and slashed t Zabuza, who had rushed towards his sword. He ducked under a slash and pulled invisible strings.

The sword flew forward and into the eye brow-less man's hand. He met Asuma's slashed head on. Several clones of Zabuza appeared around him. Together they over-whelmed Asuma and kicked him into the water.

Sasuke and Shikamaru engaged the clones as Zabuza approached Naruto. "If I kidnap you, your father will pay a lot of money." Naruto walked backwards and fell down. He started to freak out as Zabuza raised his sword over his head. "I could just kill you."

He brought his sword down towards Naruto, whose eyes flashed red. The ash rose up to block the sword but the metal slashed through it easily. Naruto screamed in fear.

"GO AWAY!" fire explode from around him and sent him hurtling into the air. His sword lay in the ground next to Naruto, who grabbed it and used it as a way to get up. He watched as Zabuza fell into the unburned forest. Naruto closed his eyes and drifted to the edge of consciousness.