Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit
Chapter 6: A confrontation with Root
Zabuza Momochi was sitting atop a log on a grassy hill over-looking the ocean, watching the local fishermen go about their business. He and his boys were currently located in Sea Country; it was risky considering its close relations with the Land of Water. However, he doubted that anyone from the Hunter Division would be looking for him here. Haku was standing nearby waiting for some sign that Naruto had completed his job. Suddenly a huge jet of water shoots out from the deck of one of the boats.
"It appears Naruto has completed the assignment," Haku says turning towards Zabuza.
Zabuza just grunts in response.
Haku had recently taken to wearing a forgery of the Kiri Hunter Division uniform. Sometimes Haku would pretend to be a member of the Hunter Division if they found themselves in a tight spot and once acting like a corrupt hunter-nin had even sold Zabuza's 'corpse' to one of the varies bounty collection offices. Of course, Zabuza had later woken-up and then proceed to rob the place considering they always kept large sums of cash on hand.
Zabuza watches the blonde boy exit the water while putting away the small device he had used to breathe underwater. Naruto then begins making his way towards them. Zabuza muses about how the blonde boy has grown since learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu the year before. He had found dozens of ways to use the jutsu some of which he combined with jutsu he already knew to make them more powerful. He had even taken that ridiculous sexy jutsu of his to the next level using it.
However his strength wasn't the only thing that has changed, Naruto traded in the black and grey vest and pants combo he used to wear for something new. Unfortunately it contained the shade of orange he loved so much. Zabuza had nobody but himself to blame for Naruto rediscovering his love for the color. After all, when one of their jobs had required somebody to act as a decoy he had volunteered Naruto and dressed him in an orange tracksuit he had bought on the cheap. Needless to say after the mission Naruto had said he was going to change his look. So the blonde boy had come back later in the day dressed in orange pants with a black t-shirt and a black segmented flak jacket with metal buckles on the front. He had also taken to wrapping his hands along with his lower face in combat wraps. The outfit was completed with a ninjato fastened horizontally to his lower back. Unlike most ninja swords this ninjato wasn't made from the left-over steel blacksmiths had when fashioning katanas, no this one was made from a special metal that allowed Naruto to channel his wind chakra making the blade almost unstoppable. It had been a gift from Zabuza for Naruto's tenth birthday and had cost a small fortune but seeing the havoc Naruto could cause with the blade had made it worth it. Also, it didn't hurt that Naruto had loved the gift.
Having joined them on the hill Naruto says, "Mission accomplished even if I'm the only one that got wet doing it."
"You wouldn't have had to get wet if you did what I said and just planted an exploding tag on the boat when it was docked," Zabuza informs him.
"Kind of a hardcore response considering the client just wanted his competitor out of the way for the crab season," Naruto counters.
Scoffing at that Zabuza says, "Dress it up any way you want. You and Haku are still to soft-hearted to call yourselves true shinobi."
Rolling his eyes at Zabuza usual complaint about him and Haku, Naruto says, "Well if I'm wrong about the client not wanting a huge body count then we can just charge him more for a second job seeing as we fulfilled his orders to the letter."
"Now you're starting to think like a ninja," Zabuza says smiling at the idea of a second payday. "Now march into town and collect our pay."
"What, but I've done all the work so far," Naruto says crossing his arms at the idea.
"Well it's your brilliant plan so you can go explain it to the client why his competitor isn't dead even thou with his boat sunk he'll miss the crab season," Zabuza says. "Because I'll be damned before I listen to the client's bitchin. So hurry up and get going."
Grumbling about Zabuza's laziness Naruto turns and begins his trek into town. Haku steps up to Zabuza saying, "I would have made the journey into town Zabuza, also I think the client will be pleased no one died."
"Yeah I know Haku," Zabuza then smiles as he continues, "I just like riling him up from time to time."
"Why?" Haku asks.
"It amuses me," Zabuza answers.
Following Zabuza as they make their way to camp Haku smiles at one of the small dynamics of his surrogate family, Haku sends a silent pray of thanks to Kami for bring Naruto into his and Zabuza's life, sure that the blonde boy made their life better then it would have been without him. Naruto not only brought joy, but he also pushed Haku to become stronger. Haku would probably never have thought of half of the uses for his Kekkei Genkai that Naruto seemed too, his own version of the clone jutsu that he was currently working on mastering being one such example. Who knows what he would of become if he had not meet Naruto until later in life?
Hinata was getting ready for her last day of actual class considering tomorrow was the day of the final exam. After tomorrow if everything went well she would be a genin of the Leaf Village. After putting on her jacket she exits her room and leaves for the academy. On the way she thinks about the past year, the truth was it didn't turn out to be as bad as she had thought it would be at the start. While the other girls had continued to try and embarrass her, their attempts had all failed.
A major reason for this had been Akamaru; the puppy had somehow been able to get information on many of the attempts before they ever happened. The small puppy wouldn't tell Kiba how he got the information which was kind of strange, but it had always proved accurate. She supposed it was due to the fact most girls didn't know Kiba could understand the puppy so the other girls would talk about their plans around him.
The other reason was Hinata never dropped her guard around the other girls. She was always watching to make sure they couldn't try to take another shot at her. Although one girl did come close, it had been three months into the school year. The incident had happened after a late afternoon sparring match in which she had worked up quite a sweat. She had been matched against Sasuke and had managed to win, however afterword's she had wanted to take a shower. Unfortunately so did a lot of the other girls, so she had waited until they had all finished their showers before she undressed to take her own. The reason for this is she had been an early bloomer having begun to develop her womanly assets and while her jacket helped hide this fact she was afraid that if the other girls knew they would try even harder to get her. Once the last girl had left the ladies changing room she had entered the communal shower, but before dropping her towel she activated her Byakugan to make sure she was truly alone. That was when her eyes detected something strange in the shower stall she liked to use; it was located in the shower head. Unscrewing it she found a dye capsule that when water was run by it would release a dye that would probably change her skin and hair a different color. Quickly screwing the head back on and showering she had then informed Kiba and Shino of the latest attempt.
Kiba had Akamaru find the culprit who turned out to be Kasumi. When Kiba said he was going to retaliate Hinata had tried to convince him to stand down. However he had taken the capsule from her and with Shino's help snuck into Kasumi's house to plant it in her shower except they had added a time delay to the ink. While at the time she had been mad that they hadn't listened to her, she had to admit to feeling a small amount of satisfaction when during one of Iruka's lectures Kasumi's skin had turned blue and her hair a tomato bright red. Of course the class had all begun to laugh at her; even Sasuke had cracked a smile. When Hinata had asked them why they hadn't listened to her it was Shino who justified their actions, he said that by letting the previous attempts slide Hinata was encouraging them to continue. Now that they thought she would retaliate they should at least back off for awhile and they did. Not to say she ever dropped her guard but that had been the last attempt. However none of that mattered now, all she had to do was get through today and tomorrow and she would be starting the next part of her journey, as a genin of Konoha.
Across town another girl was also preparing for the day, but unlike Hinata who saw today as a small stepping stone on her path to Hokage, this girl saw today as a major milestone in her battle to win Sasuke's heart. After all today would usually be the last day of school with those graduating to genin like her having to go back tomorrow to take the exam as well as the day after the exam for team assignments. But, today was the day they announced who won the various Shinobi and Kunoichi awards for the different age groups. She worked hard all year never getting anything lower than an A on all her assignments. Plus her genjutsu was right up there with Sasuke's and she had excelled in all her Kunoichi classes. All in all Sakura Haruno believed she would be crowned Kunoichi of the Year instead of Hinata.
Thinking of Hinata brings a smile to her face, especially the part she played in foiling Ami's alliance against the blue-haired girl. Ino and her had often spied on the girls and had secretly informed Kiba's puppy Akamaru of what they were up too. By bribing the dog with treats they had managed to keep him quiet about who was giving him all the information. While it was tempting to let the puppy tell them it was her, Sakura was afraid that if Hinata knew who it was giving the information she wouldn't listen to it. After the shower incident it was Sakura who had found out it was Kasumi that had planted the dye capsule. However, after Kiba and Shino had retaliated on Hinata's behalf the alliance fell apart therefore she didn't need to worry for Hinata anymore. Her current plan was to win the top Kunoichi award hopefully impressing Sasuke enough to ask her on a date. So with one last look at her bedroom mirror she then took off for class.
As the day dragged on Sakura's anticipation grew more and more, so with ten minutes left she was really psyched until Iruka-sensei said, "Well class I have nothing left to teach you so I'll be letting you out early don't forget tomorrow is the Genin evaluation exam."
With that many of the student's began to get up till Sakura raised her hand to ask, "Iruka-sensei what about the Shinobi and Kunoichi awards?"
"There are no such awards for last year students, I'm afraid," Iruka answers. "Instead they are combined into the Rookie of the Year Award."
"WHAT?" Ino yells angry due to her having the same plan Sakura had. "Why would they do that?"
Iruka going into lecture mode says, "The reason is the same as why we released the restrictions on sparring and other physical exams. That being, instead of you competing against only students of the same gender you had to compete against those of the opposite as well."
Ino not satisfied with that answer says, "So all those Kunoichi classes we attended were worthless then?"
"Of course not, Ino," Iruka says. "But as women sometimes you need to perform different tasks than your male counterparts, for example if you are asked to pose as a noblewoman to prevent a lord's assassination but have no skill in flower arranging or tea ceremonies you will stand out in those circles limiting your effectiveness. Furthermore, another reason for the combined award is in the field there is no distinction between shinobi and kunoichi instead you are either the best or you are not."
A boy in the back says, "Can you just give it to Sasuke so we can go."
"I'm afraid it isn't that simple," Iruka says while smiling at Hinata. "This year we have a statistical dead-heat between two students for Rookie of the Year. I was going to wait till after class to speak to them but I suppose that it doesn't matter now. Hinata Hyuuga and Sasuke Uchiha you are both contenders for the award."
"What do you mean by contenders Iruka-sensei can't they just share it?" Kiba asks.
Shaking his head no while answering Iruka says, "I'm afraid not Kiba, as I stated earlier you are either the best or you are not. On the battlefield you have to constantly struggle against strong opponents and while sometimes you may be equal in strength you can't just say 'oh well' and give up. Instead you have to go back and face that opponent again and again till you find his weakness or he finds yours. This is the same with how we choose the Hokage there may be dozens of strong candidates but only one can become Hokage."
Looking at both Hinata and Sasuke, the chunin asks, "Are either of you willing to drop out of the running for the award." Seeing both students shake their heads no he continues, "Very well, we'll have to decide this by a one on one contest in either ninjutsu, genjutsu, or ninjutsu."'
Hinata raises her hand asking, "Iruka-sensei you said we were statically tied that would imply we are not strong in the same subjects but it averages out to be equal right."
Smiling that Hinata had noticed that he answers, "Correct, while you are both equal in genjutsu. Sasuke holds a narrow advantage in ninjutsu while you hold the advantage in taijutsu. We will settle who gets to choose the type of contest by a coin toss."
Hinata sits back at that, if it were up to her she'd obviously choose their match to be taijutsu. However, she almost smiles knowing that with Sasuke's pride the mere thought that the girl who rejected his advances was better than him in anything meant that even if he won the right to choose the type of match it would probably be a taijutsu.
Pulling out a coin Iruka says, "Call it in the air."
Sasuke not being a gentleman calls, "Heads."
Iruka catches the coin and says, "Its heads. Sasuke what type of match do you want to choose?"
Looking at Hinata as if to say 'I'll beat you at your own game' chooses, "Taijutsu."
"Very well tomorrow Hinata and Sasuke will fight a taijutsu match to see who will be Rookie of the Year," Iruka then adds, "Well class I wish you luck on tomorrow' exam."
Naruto was walking back to camp counting the money from the job he completed. He was in a good mood especially due to the client being happy with how the job had gone down. Thinking smugly, "And I quote, 'I was afraid of hiring missing-nin for the job because I feared it would result in a large death toll. The fact that my crew can now grab the better fishing grounds and nobody got seriously hurt means I'll be sending any of my future business your way." Smiling at the praise the client heaped on his and Haku's way of doing things Naruto says to no one in particular, "Didn't want to listen to him bitch, eh Zabuza, more like didn't want to hear how great I am."
So caught up in patting himself on the back he doesn't sense the attack until the senbon needle is already in his neck. Hitting the ground he sees four people dressed in the uniform of Kiri's Hunter Division drop from the trees. Just then Naruto disperses in a cloud of smoke.
Naruto suddenly jerks in the woods only a mile away from camp, having decided to train while a clone collected the money. He thinks, "What was that? It's like I know what the clone I sent to town was up too. But why and how?"
Pointing to one of the clones he was training with Naruto says, "Go over their behind that tree and do something then disperse."
"Like what?" the clone asks.
"If I told you it would defeat the purpose of you going behind the tree you moron," Naruto says.
Grumbling the clone mumbles under his breath, "You're the moron it's obvious that once we clones disperse you gain the memories of their experiences." Then going behind the tree he flicks off Naruto and disperses.
Naruto gaining the memories of the clone's own insight into what was happening as well as being flicked off says, "That son of a bit…crap…Hunter-nin know where here." Taking off to go warn the others he runs towards camp.
Back with the hunter's the tallest and presumably oldest in an unemotional voice says, "The target is aware of us now."
"Affirmative it didn't seem likely the target would know the Shadow Clone Jutsu," one of the other's answers equally unemotional and going by the voice this Hunter is female.
"Should we pull back for now and try again at a later date, Bloodhound?" asks one of the other two.
The tallest one that went by the codename Bloodhound shakes his head no saying, "Negative, we will confront the target and his partners head on, Yin." Then pointing to the one that addressed him he says, "Yin, you and Yang will attack Zabuza." Then pointing to the female of the groups says, "Karma you will engage the other boy rumored to be accompanying the target. Meanwhile, I'll secure the jinchuriki. Once I have secured him you three will attempt to delay his partners long enough for me to escape." None of Bloodhounds teammates blinks an eye at seemingly being ordered to stay behind and die while he escapes, just as it is supposed to be for those in Root.
Running up to Zabuza, Naruto shouts, "We have to go the Hunter Division knows were here."
Quickly explaining what happened to Zabuza and Haku they begin to make their way through the forest towards a port town that will take them out of Sea Country. Of course on the way Zabuza asks, "How long have you been using Shadow Clones now?"
"Almost a year," Naruto answers wondering what Zabuza is getting at.
"You're telling me you haven't noticed you gained the memories of your clones until now," Zabuza says.
"It's not like I use them for anything but combat and an occasional spar. What the hell am I suppose to remember about getting punched or stabbed or killed all the time huh?" Naruto counters.
"Maybe that it's not you doing the dying," Zabuza fires back. Zabuza then laughs a little saying, "But a few missions where I encountered that jutsu before make a little more sense now." Seeing both boys looking at him confused he says, "One time right after I joined the swordsmen we were holed up in a building facing off against several high ranking Leaf jounin. We thought we had the place well defended with plenty of traps set up until they used that jutsu. Our traps killed all the clones but when they attacked for real shortly after they knew where all of them were located forcing us to flee. They were using the clones as scouts."
Naruto says, "Man this jutsu keeps getting cooler and cooler." He then pulls out his ninjato and knocks a senbon out of the air. "You got me once; because I dropped my guard, don't push your luck."
Naruto, Haku, and Zabuza all drop to the ground while shucking their backpacks. They then stand with their backs pressing together as they watch their surroundings. Appearing on tree branches surrounding the three are people dressed in the Hunter Division uniform wearing plain white masks with the Kiri symbol on their foreheads. The tallest of them is on a branch directly in front of Naruto, while two of them stand opposite of Zabuza. The third faces Haku and judging by the weapon in her hand is probably the one who had thrown the senbon needle at Naruto.
"Well the Hunter Division has finally caught up to me again after all these years you guys are seriously slipping," Zabuza taunts.
However none of the hunter's react to his taunt so he adds, "What the matter you guys don't have any pride anymore?"
To respond the tall one simply motions at the two facing Zabuza, in response one says, "Fire Style: Ring of Fire." Forming a large circle with both hands he then expels the chakra threw the circle creating a large but slow moving ring of fire. The hunter next to him then says, "Wind Style: Wind Vortex," and then blows a spinning vortex through the ring which catches fire as it heads towards Naruto and the others.
Zabuza eyes widen at the combination jutsu yells, "Scatter."
The jutsu hits where they had been standing setting the area ablaze. The Hunter's then move preventing each of their targets from linking back up to defend each other.
Zabuza has to dodge another fire wind combo attack from the two opponents facing him. At the moment it seemed their attackers were just trying to separate him from the others; however to Zabuza this tactic seemed foolish. Especially considering the two facing him couldn't be any stronger than low chunin, working together they may have given Haku or Naruto a hard time but against him they had very little chance. No if anyone should have been paired to fight him it should have been the tall guy who squared-off against Naruto, he was a jounin at least maybe even Anbu.
Having to dodge another wind and fire combo Zabuza realizes, "Shit, their after Naruto."
Putting his sword in the ground he says, "Sorry kids, I don't have time play with you anymore." Going through hand signs he is going to use the Water Dragon Jutsu despite there not being a water source, it would be a huge drain on his chakra but the technique should be able to handle these two.
He gets half-way through the hand-signs when the two Hunters switch things up on him. The one who had been using the wind jutsus to strengthen the fire jutsus suddenly shoots a bunch of mud balls at him, which the fire jutsu user then sets aflame as they travel at him. Zabuza abandons the Water Dragon attack for the much faster Water Wall Jutsu. The water rises in front of Zabuza in time to block the flaming mud balls, unfortunately hidden within the mud attack where kunai and shuriken which hit Zabuza in the chest with enough force to send his body flying back into a tree.
The two hunters then approach the fallen mist-nin slowly with one stopping next to the blade Zabuza stuck into the ground earlier. The other then pulls out a kunai as he continues to advance in order to confirm Zabuza's death. As he gets closer he notices the corpse begins to crumble into rocks and dirt while taking on the color of dried mud. Turning to warn his companion they've been had, he sees Zabuza as he appears behind his partner stabbing a kunai into the back of his partner's head killing him instantly. Then in one smooth motion and before his partner's body even hits the floor Zabuza jerks the Executioners'' Blade out of the ground and sends it flying at him like an over-sized kunai.
The blade catches the remaining hunter in the chest pinning him to the tree Zabuza's Rock Clone had been slumped against. Walking up and pulling free his blade Zabuza reasons, "It was worth it to learn the Rock Clone Jutsu from the scroll we got while escaping Zaman's trap."
Taking off running to where Naruto had been forced into the forest when they were separated he thinks, "Haku should be able to handle his opponent by himself. I need to assist Naruto."
Haku was currently matched against the female Hunter-nin that had ambushed them. They were in a small clearing within the forest studying each other. The Hunter-nin moved first throwing a hail of senbon needles which Haku easily counters with his own knocking them out of the air.
Haku trying to reason with the hunter says, "Please do not persist in trying to delay me from rejoining my companions, I do not wish to harm you."
To answer the hunter-nin reaches into her back pouch pulling out a pair of gloves with three canisters on each. Quickly donning them, she then charges at Haku throwing a punch which he easily dodges. However after missing the female hunter turns and lines up her fist and pulls a cord attached to the rear of a canister launching a senbon from it, only Haku's quick reflexes allows him to dodge it before it can hit him.
Jumping back to get some distance Haku thinks, "Senbon are not ideal weapons for hunters to use due to the skill and accuracy necessary for a debilitating hit, even with the added speed and strength due to the launcher. Unless…" Looking to where the needle landed he notices that the trunk of the tree it had hit was becoming discolored.
Turning his gaze back to the hunter he says, "I see the senbon in those canisters are laced with poison. It would seem I have your answer then."
Forming the hand signs he says, "Secret Ice Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors."
After the hunter is surrounded by the mirrors Haku steps into one, she then fires another of the canisters at the mirror Haku stepped into. The needle bounces off harmlessly. Images of Haku then appear in all the other mirrors.
Haku says, "Please surrender you are no match for this jutsu."
Reaching into her pouch once more she pulls out several kunai and then throws them around her at the different mirrors. They also bounce off without causing any damage, however Haku notices the explosive tags after they hit the ground. The dome is rocked by the explosion but Haku is unharmed his jutsu easily withstanding the force. Unfortunately, the hunter cannot say the same while she is still standing she appears to be on her last legs.
Reaching back Haku whispers, "I'm sorry," then throws a single senbon into the hunter. It is only after the hunter hits the ground that Haku notices that he didn't hit a kill point but instead a nerve cluster that would only knock out the hunter until the needle is removed. Sighing he says to himself, "I can only hope Zabuza wants to question her or else I'm going to be lectured about my tendency to show leniency."
Naruto was having a hard time with his opponent the guy seemed to be way out of his league. He could use the Kyuubi cloak but he hated turning to it unless it was absolutely necessary. At the moment he was currently hiding in a tree from the hunter-nin he faced, while hiding like a coward bothered him one of the first lessons Zabuza had beat into his head was when faced with a stronger opponent don't attack head on but from behind. After being separated from the others he had tried the head-on approach but the hunter's taijutsu was too strong, even with a dozen shadow clones backing him up he still didn't land a single hit.
The hunter-nin is just standing there so Naruto figures the hunter knew he was still in the area. The problem was that if Naruto attacked he would give away his position. However, any further strategizing was put on hold when the hunter-nin disappeared from his sight, only instinct allowed him to dodge the tanto that the hunter had suddenly acquired. Dropping to the forest floor with the hunter right behind him he parries the next blow with his ninjato allowing the hunter's swing to push him away.
Facing off against the taller man Naruto holds his blade in the ready position taught to him by Zabuza, which is holding it with both hands near his right shoulder with the blade pointing straight up. With this stance he could guard quickly or go on the offensive with serious power behind his blows. When Zabuza had first given him the sword he had tried to use it one handed like Zabuza would often swing his, however Zabuza told him while using a blade one handed might look cool until his proficiency matched Zabuza's a two handed grip was the way to go. This blade also gave Naruto an advantage but he would need to play his cards right for it to allow him to defeat the hunter-nin.
Deciding to start he nods to one of his remaining shadow clones in hiding, the clone runs through the hand signs for the Hidden Mist Jutsu. The hunter reacts immediately charging the clone that cast the jutsu cutting it down with his tanto; however the fog doesn't disperse if anything it gets thicker.
Deciding the silent intimidation isn't working the masked man changes tactics saying in an unemotional voice, "Clever, while I attacked the clone that cast the jutsu you recast it yourself."
From out of the fog comes, "So you jerks actually talk huh."
The disguised hunter thinks, "Again clever jinchuriki use a clone to try and confuse me about your location, however I was given the codename Bloodhound for more than just my ability to locate my masters targets."
Knowing that the jinchuriki is about to strike his rear he parries the attack and then swings at him with a counter, although it misses Naruto quickly disappears into the fog.
Naruto thinks with some worry, "Crap, how did he know I was coming I didn't make a sound?"
The hunter-nin calls out to Naruto, "I can sense your fear and confusion surrender and agree to come with me peacefully and I'll spare your companions."
"Hah," the real Naruto answers, "Zabuza and Haku have probably already finished off those chumps you came with and are on their way to back me up."
"Unfortunately that may be true," the hunter thinks, "I had best subdue the target quickly."
The Root operative smells that two Narutos are closing in on him from the front and back, he throws a kunai at the one behind him, he hears the 'thunk' as it hits as well as the telltale poof as the last shadow clone disperses. Bringing his tanto around to the other one in front he attempts to parry the attack, however the jinchuriki's ninjato cuts right through his own weapon and despite the blade not actually touching him cuts into his chest. The wound isn't too deep but if he doesn't bring the fight to a close soon he would weaken due to blood loss.
With the jinchuriki about to attack again bloodhound makes several hand signs and calls out, "Earth Style: Sarutahiko's grasp." Two large hands suddenly shoot out of the ground and grasp Naruto, almost completely covering him with only his head and feet showing. Bloodhound quickly closes the distance slapping a chakra repression seal on the struggling blonde causing the mist to disappear. Then doing several more hand signs says," Earth Style: Earth Ring Binding." The two hands morph into several rings that restrict Naruto's movement but allow for Bloodhound to easily carry him.
"Mister when I get out of these rings I'm going to kick your ass," Naruto says with a slight growl.
Not bothering to respond now that the fight is over he goes to claim the boy and to make his escape. Kicking away Naruto's sword which he dropped when the jutsu hit him, Bloodhound bends down to pick him up. He is forced to jump away thou when Zabuza appears from out of the woods swing his blade at the disguised Hunter-nin.
Zabuza who is standing in front of the bound Naruto says, "It seems this guy is too much for you Naruto."
"Nah," Naruto says from his laying position on the ground, "I'm just letting him think he has me right where he wants me so he'll get overconfident."
Swing his blade Zabuza cuts through the rings binding Naruto, then pointing his blade at the hunter says, "Your little friends failed, and I don't know what you're playing at but you are not from Kiri's Hunter Division."
"No they didn't fail, I did," the hunter says while shaking his head, "I never believed they would defeat you only delay you."
"I thought so. Naruto is who you are really after." Zabuza says. "Who sent you?"
The bogus Hunter says nothing in reply so Zabuza continues, "Look just tell me and we'll let you go. You have to realize that, with that wound you stand very little chance against me let alone the both of us."
Naruto assumes a stance at Zabuza's side having removed the suppression seal and reclaimed his ninjato. However Zabuza tells him, "Stay back Naruto, only step in if it looks like I need help." Naruto doesn't like Zabuza's order but doesn't question it only nodding his head in acceptance of it.
The hunter jumps back pulling out a kunai waiting for Zabuza's attack. He doesn't have to wait long as Zabuza charges the man.
Behind his mask the Hunter smirks while thinking, "You have underestimated me Zabuza, though I do not possess the strength to defeat you anymore, now that capturing the target is impossible eliminating it is the only recourse."
Jumping back once more as Zabuza swings at him, Bloodhound waits until he closes with him again to unleash a jutsu that causes him to suddenly disappear into the earth.
"What the hell…," Zabuza thinks then realizing what the hunter is up to turns to Naruto and yells, "Naruto…"
Naruto while listening to Zabuza's order wasn't going to just sit there idle, he'd be ready when Zabuza needed him. So when the hunter disappeared he began forming the hand signs for a new clone jutsu he had thought up after watching a clay grenade that bandits like to use explode. He was glad he did so because before Zabuza could finish shouting his warning a kunai followed by the rest of the man begins to come out of the ground right in front of him, but before the kunai impacts his chest he uses a substitution with the newly formed clone.
After his kunai made contact with the boy Bloodhound knew something was wrong it felt like his kunai had hit solid rock and then a vice like grip grabs onto his arm. His feeling was proved correct when the boy he had just stabbed says, "Not today pal." Then the rock clone began to crack but in between the cracks blue chakra was visible next the clone begins to expand just before it explodes killing the faux hunter-nin as the rock pieces of the clone pierce his body.
"Did you see that Zabuza," happy with his new jutsu, "I call that my Frag Clone Explosion Jutsu."
Coming up behind Naruto, Zabuza bonks him on the head saying, "You always have to go overboard don't you, you moron."
Rounding on Zabuza and pointing at him Naruto says, "Hey, he was trying to kill me. Besides, what happened to the two you fought?"
"I didn't have time to take it easy on them when I realized you were facing a jounin level opponent," Zabuza replies.
Pointing to the corpse, after searching its pouch and pocketing several items, Zabuza says "Make a couple clones and bring the corpse to where we stashed our gear, while we go make sure Haku's alright."
However as they reached the clearing where they had been separated Haku is already waiting for them. Haku looks up from the girl whose wounds he is attending and says, "I'm glad to see you're both alright. Do you have any injuries?"
Looking at the girl Zabuza says, "Well at least one of us left their opponent alive so we can get some answers." Then looking at Haku he says, "Although, I don't think that was on your mind when you spared her."
Haku smiles and says, "I'm afraid not."
Sighing at Haku's lack of killer instinct he walks over to the girl slapping several chakra suppression seals he had taken from the guy Naruto killed onto her. He also notices the corpses of the two he killed nearby.
Haku noticing where Zabuza is gazing says, "I brought them here so you could search them to find out who they really are."
Zabuza laughs at that while saying, "So you figured it out too, very good Haku."
Getting a confused look Naruto says, "What are you guys talking about they're Hunter-nin, aren't they?"
Zabuza groans while saying, "Why am I not surprised you have no clue what is going on."
Before Naruto can retort Haku explains, "While they are wearing the Kiri Hunter-nin uniform, much like my own they are forgeries."
Naruto just stares at him with a look that says, 'and' so Haku continues, "For starters they all are wearing white masks and while they are Kiri hunter masks, it is a common practice in the Hunter Division to paint the masks with unique symbols pertaining to the hunter using them." To emphasize his point Haku holds up the one he took from the hunter-nin years ago. "Furthermore, when I went through my opponents gear she didn't carry a hunter's kit neither did either of the two Zabuza killed."
Naruto says, "Maybe they left it somewhere else?"
Haku shakes his head no to that, "If their goal was our deaths they would of carried it with them, after all they would have wanted to dispose of our bodies as soon as the fighting was over."
Zabuza takes over at this point saying, "Also, while it isn't unheard of for hunters to work together in order to take down tough opponents or missing-nin that have banded together, they wouldn't send a genin team with a jounin. There are no genin in the Hunter Division. Not to mention their real target was capturing you."
Naruto just points at himself saying," What?"
Growling Zabuza says, "Weren't you paying attention when I bailed your ass out."
Naruto rubs the back of his head while eye smiling at Zabuza saying, "Not really."
Ignoring Naruto's idiocy for the moment before he really loses his cool Zabuza begins to search the corpse for clues as well as the items Haku took off the girl he captured. In the end all he found were a few weapon scrolls and that's it, nothing about where they came from or who sent them. Having taken the mask off of the two he killed he sees they were twin boys no older then Naruto. He looks at the girl seeing she is roughly the same age thinks, "Definitely a genin team." Unfortunately that doesn't help tell him anything about where they came from considering just about every country proscribed to the same type of team compositions. Walking over to the suspected jounin's corpse he fines nothing of value and despite the man's ruined face, from a piece of rock going through it, feels the urge to punch the bastard. The fact he was going to leave his team behind to delay Zabuza and Haku while he made his getaway really pissed him off.
Satisfied there is nothing to be learned from the fake hunters' gear he asks Haku while indicating the captive, "Can you wake her up anytime soon?"
Haku nods while pointing to the senbon still in her, "She'll wake up shortly after you remove the senbon from her shoulder. Should I bind her?"
"Don't bother," Zabuza says," with all the chakra seals on her she can't escape."
Zabuza pulls out the needle, shortly after the girl begins to open her eyes. Once she is fully awake Haku notices that she has the same eyes he used to have empty and lifeless. Bending down slightly he says, "Its okay we won't harm you."
Zabuza reprimands him by saying, "Don't make promise likes that Haku. The truth is, if she doesn't give up who she works for she is going to get hurt."
Her eyes settle on her dead companions. Zabuza noticing her gaze says, "Your partners gave us no choice just tell me who sent you and we'll let you go."
However the girl suddenly grabs her own head and twists breaking her neck, killing herself. Both Naruto and Haku are shocked by her actions while Zabuza feels a small amount of dread at what the girl's suicide means.
Naruto recovers first saying, "What the hell was that?"
Zabuza not really paying attention thinks aloud, "It's worse than I thought."
Haku who is still troubled by the girl's actions however upon hearing Zabuza's musings asks, "What do you mean."
"They were just tools sent by their master," Zabuza replies," and once they failed, death was all that awaited them." Turning away from the dead girl he says, "Grab your packs let's get going."
Hearing Zabuza's explanation touches something in Haku that has been bothering him for awhile now so he asks, "Is that what you wanted to turn Naruto and I into, weapons that think of their own lives as meaningless?"
Turning towards Haku and seeing the troubled look in his eyes asks, "What if I say yes?"
Haku looks away no longer able to meet Zabuza's gaze and says, "I don't know. There was a time when I thought just being needed was enough, but seeing this…" Haku just shakes his head and whispers, "I don't know."
To be honest Zabuza admits there was a time when his answer would have been, yes. However, having seen the growth of both boys he thought differently now. Naruto for instance, grew stronger due to his dream of becoming Hokage as well as to honor the promise he had given to him.
Looking at Haku though Zabuza could see the conflict in the gentle boy, he knew there was a time when Haku could have become just like that girl viewing his own existence as meaningless as long as he was needed. But, Naruto had breathed a zest for life into Haku that hadn't been there before, and that desire to experience life made Haku stronger, as well as setting him on a different path. That path was that of a protector. Having lost everything once Haku was desperate to protect those he deemed precious, although that didn't pertain to just their lives but their dreams as well.
The trouble Haku was feeling had to do with the small part of him that still feared being discarded. Zabuza knew what he needed to say but found it difficult, not to mention if he made it to sappy he would probably have to dodge another barrage of hugs from the blonde knucklehead who for once was being quiet and just observing. Turning away Zabuza says, "While I do want to turn you into a weapon, I can tell you one thing about the bastard that sent these guys after us. He isn't a swordsman, that's for damn sure."
Haku looks at Zabuza again and asks, "What do you mean?"
Zabuza slowly turns back to face Haku and says, "The guy who sent these people treats them like kunai and like kunai doesn't care if they come back only that they hit their target. A swordsman views his weapon as an extension of himself and would never willing sacrifice it, for if his blade breaks or is discarded he will die shortly after."
Haku feels reassured by Zabuza's words. Knowing that Zabuza viewed him as more than just a stepping stone to his ambition and that his life mattered brought a sense of peace to Haku.
Zabuza though suddenly feels uneasy and catches Naruto creeping up on him with a teary look in his eyes. Pulling his blade he points it at Naruto while saying, "So help me boy if you try to hug me again I'll send you to Kami myself."
Naruto says, "What about all the nice things you just said about us."
Smirking Zabuza says, "I was telling Haku that you I can care less about."
Naruto just turns away while crossing his arms saying, "Humph, who needs you."
Haku while pleased at how Zabuza views him asks, "What about them? It doesn't seem right to just leave them here."
Zabuza is about say how they need to keep going when Naruto says, "Don't worry Haku, I'll have a couple shadow clones dig them graves while we keep moving."
Nodding his head in acceptance Haku takes one last look at the discarded tool the girl represented and vowed to find whoever who sent her and her team. Not just to protect Naruto from the threat such a person represented to his friend, but to pay the person back for the casual way he discarded his subordinates.
Later that night Zabuza and the others arrived at a town with a harbor. They managed to get passage on board a ship and were now waiting for it to leave. Zabuza was waiting on deck wondering who sent the fake hunter-nin after them. "Could the Hokage have sent them after us to reclaim Naruto," he thinks with more than a little fear at the idea. Having two of the Kages of the Five Great Nations after them could be more trouble than they could handle.
"What's the matter Zabuza?" Naruto asks.
"What makes you think something's the matter?" Zabuza says surprised at Naruto of all people noticing.
"Well, ever since we fought those guys you've been all quiet and serious," Naruto replies.
"I'm always quiet and serious," Zabuza counters.
Giving him a grin that is noticeable despite his lower face being wrapped Naruto says, "True, but I've been standing here for five minutes now and you haven't noticed."
"Heh," Zabuza chuckles without mirth, "I was just wondering who sent those bastards after us."
Naruto wondering at who may have wanted him asks, "Any ideas?"
"I was thinking the Hokage, may be the one who sent them," Zabuza answers.
Waving his hand dismissively Naruto says, "Nah, the Old Man would never send ninja's like that after me he would never demand them to commit suicide if captured."
"Don't be so su…," but then something Naruto said registers with Zabuza, "Wait a second, back up. Are you telling me the Old Man you use to talk about is the freaking Hokage?"
Naruto nods his head yes rapidly like a bobble head.
Slapping his forehead Zabuza mutters to himself, "Kami, this freaking kid is going to give me a brain aneurism." Addressing Naruto he says, "Head below deck we should be leaving soon, and when I come down we're going to discuss what is and isn't relative information you should pass along to me because believe me kid the fact that you're on good terms with the Hokage is pretty damn relative."
Naruto gives a mock salute and leaves. Zabuza turns his attention to the captain who is on shore talking to somebody. Handing the man something the captain then heads up the plank to make ready to shove off. Curious Zabuza asks, "What was that?"
"Oh just some last minute instructions for my men while at sea," The captain answers calmly, "Mr. …?"
Holding up his hand at the man's insistence to learn his name Zabuza says, "You were paid a lot of money not to ask any questions."
"Of course forgive me sir, you should get ready we are leaving soon," the captain informs him."
Zabuza turns and heads below deck while the captain prepares to make the ship ready to leave. A few minutes later the ship called The Lamprey leaves harbor. Shortly after that a message from the captain is strapped to a messenger bird as it leaves town on its way to the ship's owner Gato.
Hinata felt herself being pulled from sleep shortly after daybreak, deciding she probably wasn't going to get anymore she made to get ready for the day. After changing out of her pajamas she heads to the families training grounds to practice a little before her match with Sasuke. That is where her father found her.
Hiashi had woken up at dawn like always after all being the Head of the Hyuuga family was a time consuming affair so if he wanted time to himself it often came during these morning hours. Walking out to the families training ground for his daily exercise he is surprised to see his eldest daughter Hinata up so early, more so seeing her practicing an unfamiliar taijutsu stance, although he knows its origins.
Greeting his daughter after she finishes her kata he says, "How are you this morning Hinata?"
Caught by surprise Hinata emits a small, "eep," before swiftly recovering while turning and bowing to her father says, "I am well father."
Folding his hands into his robe Hiashi says, "Very good, you must be excited about your match for you to be up at this hour." Giving his daughter a stern look he asks, "Although, I must wonder why it is that you did not tell me you were nominated for Rookie of the Year but instead I had to hear it from the Hokage?"
Blushing lightly from her embarrassment at her father's scrutiny Hinata replies, "Because I have not won it yet and did not want to trouble you with minor details until I could claim the title one way or the other, father."
"Do not sell your efforts short Hinata to even be nominated for the honor is a great achievement." Noticing the time Hiashi says, "Perhaps you should finish preparing for class. I look forward to hearing of your success against the Uchiha."
Bowing slightly to her father Hinata says, "Thank you, Father."
Watching his daughter run off to prepare for school Hiashi allows a small smile to grace his face at Hinata's achievements. Yes she has become incredible strong in the past six years and if she defeated the Uchiha in battle today she would be the first kunoichi to win the Rookie of the Year award. Secure in the knowledge that the strength of the Hyuuga has been passed onto the next generation he prepares for his own morning exercise.
A few hours later, Hinata made her way to class. Her father's words had given her a boost in confidence, while Iruka-sensei said she had the edge in taijutsu all of her fights with Sasuke had been hard fought. It had been after her first fight with the last Uchiha that she realized she would need to come up with something new to continue to best him. While she had won a majority of their matches, she recognized that without chakra to supplement the Gentle Fist style it was lacking against his Interceptor Fist. It was only her superior skill in taijutsu that allowed her to win more matches then him, although not by much and never decisively.
When she asked her father if there was another type of taijutsu mastered by the Hyuuga he had been rather appalled by the idea of the Gentle Fist style being inferior to any taijutsu technique of the other clans. When he had expressed his disproval at the idea she had persisted convincing him that by relying solely on Gentle Fist in an environment that didn't allow her to use it to maximum effect would be detrimental to her growth as a shinobi.
At last her father had relented, and that is when she had been introduced to Ko Hyuuga. Ko was a low ranking Branch House member who often served the clan as a bodyguard. He also was the only Hyuuga to have mastered the taijutsu technique the Hyuuga used before the Byakugan had developed to its present state allowing the for the creation of the Gentle Fist style. Ko's father like his father's father had refused to allow the ancient art to die, so had made a practice of passing the technique on to their children. Also, unlike many in the Branch Family he bared no animosity to the Hyuuga Main Family having been honored to serve them. It had taken Hinata months to convince him to stop calling her Lady Hyuuga; however he would only stop during training.
Reaching the classroom she was sure Sasuke was convinced he could defeat her Gentle Fist, to be honest she was too. Ever since losing to her he had steadily improved against her technique, except in the last few matches he seemed to have peaked. Hinata was sure that Sasuke had thrown those matches knowing that beating her wouldn't put him over the top in taijutsu for consideration of the Rookie of the Year award and was planning to surprise her at today's match. Smiling to herself at the idea that he wasn't the only one who had an ace in the hole, now it would just be a matter of who came up with the better hand.
After entering the classroom and taking her usual seat she was left alone with her thoughts until Kiba came in with Akamaru on his head. Sitting next to her like always he said, "Are you ready to kick Sasuke's ass today Hinata?"
"I'm prepared to do my best Kiba," Hinata answers evenly.
"That's it where the fire and passion? Aren't you going to jump up on the desk and proclaim to the class he's going down?" Kiba says loving the idea of Sasuke getting beaten by the soft spoken Hinata. At that point Sasuke having heard Kiba's boasts looks over to where they were sitting. Kiba notices and mouths to the arrogant Uchiha, "She's going to kick your ass," while pointing to Hinata. Sasuke reads Kiba lips and merely glares at the Inuzuka in response.
Shino having made his way over to catch the last of Kiba's comments as well as his antagonizing Sasuke says, "Perhaps Kiba instead of distracting Hinata and angering her opponent, she would prefer to use this time to relax and contemplate the fact that she may make history today?"
Hinata looks up shocked at that and stutters slightly, "M-m-make history?"
"Where you not aware that if you win today's match and are crowned Rookie of the Year you will be the first Kunoichi in Konoha's history recognized as such," Shino asks while adjusting his glasses.
Hinata shakes her head no and retreats inside herself. Taking a few deep breathes to calm down. She finds her center and reminds herself that while victory would be nice she could learn just as much from defeat.
Kiba seeing that Shino words may have shaken Hinata's confidence says to Shino, "Good going buddy way to pile on the pressure."
Shino in one of his few moments of discomfort says, "Forgive me Hinata it was not m…"
Hinata just shakes her head and says, "Its okay Shino after all what kind of Hokage would I make if I folded up every time I felt a little pressure."
Further discussion is put on hold when Iruka-sensei walks in. The class for a change quiets instantly not requiring his Giant Head Jutsu. Smiling he says, "Welcome class. Today is your final exam; once more I wish you the best of luck." Pulling out a clipboard he says, "First, Hinata, Sasuke, you will fight each other for the taijutsu portion of the exam the winner of that match will determine who is Rookie of the Year."
Seeing both students nod their heads in acceptance of this he takes in the rest of the class and says, "Well then we'll head outside to begin the taijutsu portion of the test."
The class heads outside to the taijutsu part of the training field and Iruka announces, "First up Sasuke Uchiha vs. Hinata Hyuuga."
Sasuke quickly heads to the center of the ring. Hinata follows seconds later after receiving encouragement from Kiba and Shino as well as a small lick to her cheek from Akamaru.
Hinata gets into her Gentle Fist stance while Sasuke just glares at her. Ever since she turned down his advances he had been annoyed by the girl, however after being beaten by her that annoyance had swiftly turned to anger. It didn't help that unlike most Hyuuga she kept up with ninjutsu and genjutsu making her his equal. When he had won the coin toss he had been tempted to make the match ninjutsu and claim the victory, but no he was going to destroy her in the category she was supposed to have the advantage in just to prove how inferior she was. After all, if he couldn't defeat a pampered Hyuuga princess how could he defeat his real enemy?
Deciding to taunt the blue-haired girl he says, "You should give up now. You have no chance against me and are destined to lose. Save yourself the embarrassment."
Instead of being intimidated Hinata smiles as she responds, "Have you been hanging out with my cousin Neji? He is also one for believing in a fight's outcome being destined. If the two of you share the ability to see a fights outcome then perhaps you should take up gambling on such things? I however prefer to see the fight's conclusion before boasting."
Kiba's laughing at Sasuke being put into his place grates on the Uchiha's nerves, closing his hands into fists he assumes his stance and says, "Fine, I'll show just how true my prediction is while I put you in your place, Hyuuga."
Seeing both contest are ready Iruka steps between the two combatants and says, "Hinata are you ready?" Hinata nods her head yes never taking her eyes off of Sasuke. "Sasuke are you ready?"
Sasuke responds with his trademarked, "Hn."
Raising his hand Iruka then says as he begins to drop it, "Very well…"