Chapter 9- The mist settles
The clanging of metal was heard all over the bridge as Naruto and Zabuza continued to wage their battle. Much to Naruto's delight, Zabuza was doing much better this time around then their last encounter. Naruto had to resort to more blocking then usual with Zabuza. Zabuza was blocking everything Naruto was unleashing upon him, though he could feel how much Naruto was holding back a lot. While that annoyed Zabuza to an extent, he then thought about how much trouble he'd be in if Naruto went all out. His thoughts were interrupted by a swing from Naruto. Zabuza blocked the blade in the knick of time and jumped back to give himself some room to catch his breath.
"Not bad. You've definitely gotten better since last time," said Naruto, resting his blade on his shoulder.
"I've had time to rethink my strategy a bit. Though I can still tell that you're holding back quite a lot," said Zabuza, breathing heavily as his blade rest on the ground.
"I have to otherwise this would be a quick fight. No offense to your skills mind you," said Naruto, not trying to under sell Zabuza's kenjutsu abilities.
"None taken. I'm equally impressed that you dismantled Haku's ice mirrors. No one I've seen can do that," said Zabuza, as his associate was a handful on her own and her mirrors were near indestructible.
"She is impressive herself with that kind of power. You should be proud. I'd kind of don't want to take away her father figure from her," said Naruto, who heard a scoff from Zabuza.
"Some father. All I've ever done is see her as a tool, not a daughter," said Zabuza, but Naruto shook his head.
"She sees you as a father, and this would hurt her if you really wanna fight to the bitter end," said Naruto, looking to Haku, who watched with fearful eyes.
"I'm a swordsmen, she'll understand when she's older. So, you ready to end this?" asked Zabuza, lifting his sword off the ground while Naruto twirled his sword one time in a circle.
The two clashed swords again, the pace picking up with each swing. Zabuza made one vertical swing with just about everything he had, and missed Naruto and made a huge crack on the ground. Naruto used this to his advantage by stabbing Zabuza's left arm, leaving it useless and limp. Zabuza grunted as he recuperated himself. Haku was shocked by this and started to run Zabuza, only to be stopped by Kakahsi. Haku could only look on as her adoptive father was trying to battle on with only one arm. Zabuza was just swinging now, the only thing he could do. Naruto was side stepping everything and made another move. Once again, attacking the other arm and rendering it useless. Zabuza's sword hit the ground with a huge clang. Zabuza was breathing heavily as he stood staggering; his arms completely limp at his sides. Naruto just looked at the former Swordsmen of the Mist with an emotionless face. Zabuza didn't say a word to Naruto, but simply nodded and closed his eyes. Naruto brought the tip of his zanpakuto to Zabuza's heart and pierced it. Zabuza gasped and coughed up blood before teetering over. Naruto caught him and laid him on his back. Naruto nodded to Kakashi, and he let Haku go by him. Haku rushed to Zabuza's side and began to cry.
"Zabuza-sama, please don't go!" said Haku, tears streaming down her face as the blood poured out of Zabuza.
"Don't grieve Haku. Our time together might be over, but you've still got plenty of time left. Take care of yourself, stay strong, and I know you'll go on to do great things," said Zabuza, smiling underneath his bandages at his adoptive daughter who continued to cry.
"Hopefully the after life will be kind to you Zabuza," said Naruto, while Zabuza gave a small chuckle.
"I wouldn't hold my breath kid. I haven't exactly been the nicest person in the world. But I guess anything's possible in the end," said Zabuza, his eyes finally closing and his breathing stopped.
Haku cried even harder now, and, as if subconsciously reaching out, started to cry into Naruto's chest. Naruto was a little shocked, but put his hands on her back and patter her in comfort. Sasuke had regained consciousness from Naruto's backhand attack. He saw Naruto holding Haku while Zabuza was dead, and was wondering what he had missed. Kakashi had his head down in respect for the swordsman. Then, everyone heard slow clapping coming from the other end of the bridge. Everyone had a scowl on their face when they saw Gato standing there with a small army for hired thugs.
"Looks like Zabuza and his that little bitch couldn't get the job done. Ah well, at least I don't have to pay him for his services," said Gato, laughing cruelly while his henchmen did the same.
"Bastard!" said Haku, as she was about to teach the man a lesson when Naruto seized her arm.
"I'll handle this Haku-chan," said Naruto, not seeing Haku blush at the suffix added to her name.
"Hang on kid. Look I know you're the one that defeated Zabuza, so how about you leave your teammates and come work for me. I can pay you handsomely and" said Gato, but stopped when he and his thugs were being suffocated by and invisible force.
"You must be pretty pathetic to think for one second I would work for a scumbag like you," said Naruto, not letting up the pressure of his reiatsu.
"What is he?" asked Haku, looking on with Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke.
"He's human, he's just discovered a power much greater than anything else in the ninja world," said Kakashi, getting a nod from Haku, still in aw of the power shown by Naruto.
'A power that should be mine!' thought Sasuke, his anger growing as Naruto continued to keep Gato and his thugs to the ground.
"P-please ha-have mercy," said Gato, as Naruto stood above him, zanpakuto in hand.
"I can think of a thousand other bastards like you who deserve mercy. Sorry that you don't even qualify," said Naruto, driving his blade right through Gato's skull, killing him instantly.
Naruto then released the pressure he was applying and let the hired thugs get to their feet. They were all full of fear after witnessing their boss's death. They looked at Naruto, fearing he would end them next. Naruto simply get a straight face and raised his blade to them, and in an instant the group yelled in terror and ran off of the bridge. Naruto smirked and sheathed his zanpakuto. Naruto then walked back to his group, who were still just staring at him.
"I'd say this mission is about wrapped up," said Naruto, while Kakashi nodded at him.
"Yes, though what should we do with her?" asked Kakashi, looking over at Haku, back near Zabuza's side.
"She'll come with us when this is over. Unless you have an objection to that?" asked Naruto, but before Kakashi could answer, Sakura decided to make herself heard.
"Hell No! That tried to kill us and nearly did with Sasuke-kun. I am not having her with us," said Sakura, before being face to face with Naruto.
"I'm sorry Haruno, I don't seem to recall asking you for an opinion on a matter that doesn't concern you. However, if you're feeling brave and also feeling like putting down a girl who just lost someone dear to her, then by all means continue," said Naruto, while Sakura shrunk down and decided to remain quiet.
"It's okay Naruto, she has no reason to trust me," said Haku, as Naruto nodded at her, but still gave Sakura an angry glance.
"Well, the bridge is still unfinished so we still have to stick around. Though I think the threat level has definitely gone done a lot," said Kakashi, giving an eye smile as they all went back to their post to protect Tazuna.
The group continued to protect Tazuna while he worked on the bridge. When they weren't protecting him, they were at his house hanging around. Naruto and the group buried Zabuza on a hill stop, his sword being to the tombstone. Naruto introduced Haku to Jango and Tiraran, the latter of who was overjoyed of meeting someone new. Naruto also got to hang around with Inari for awhile and pretty much became an older brother to the boy. When the bridge was finally finished, the group gathered up their things and made their way to the bridge. When they arrived, everyone in the village was waiting for them. Tazuana, Tsunami, and Inari were at the front of the group.
"Well, our entire village is indebted to you for all that you have done. You are welcomed back anytime," said Tazuna, Tsunami smiling at the group.
"You will be back right, Naruto?" asked Inari, while Naruto put a hand on his head.
"You can count on it," said Naruto, smiling with Inari as he turned to leave.
"Dad, we haven't named the bridge yet," said Tsunami, as the group left the village.
"Oh you're right. Well, how about, in honor of that kid, we call it 'The Great Naruto Bridge'," said Tazuna who got a approving yell from the village.
"Looks like you made that village a better place, Naruto-sama," said Tiraran, walking with Naruto on her right and Jango on her left.
"Yes, but everyone here helped in some way. The rest is up to them now," said Naruto, his hands in his pockets.
"What will happen to me?" asked Haku, on the far side of the group.
"We have to report to the Hokage about the mission. He will decided what will happen," said Kakashi, while Haku got a little depressed.
"Don't worry Haku-chan, Hokage's not as bad as you think," said Naruto, giving her a comforting smile.
'Enjoy that smile loser. Once I get the council to make you handover your power, you will be nothing, and I will once again be on top,' thought Sasuke, mentally smiling at the plans he had for Naruto.
The first mission is a success, but what will happen now with Naruto being accompanied by Haku and his Fraccoin?
(A/N: Sup! Been awhile, but finally got another chapter up. I'm kinda deciding about what to do about the fraccion and what role they will play. Anyway, review and tell me what you think. Till next time!)