Thank you to all who have left me such positive reviews on this story. It's been a real joy to write it so far. And unfortunately with my schedule I can't always provide consistent updates along with me going back and editing or reviewing each chapter. I hope you all understand that I will try to get them out as quickly as I can but I will make sure they're quality content.
Again though I appreciate all the reviews I've gotten on this story so far. Anyway I know you all didn't come to here me rant. So lets get on with the story.
I don't own or will ever claim the ownership of anything related to Naruto or DragonBall/Z. Lets get on with the story.
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(A week later)
Naruto and his team stood on the island, looking out beyond the horizon as the sun began to climb its way into the sky. They could hardly believe it had already been a week since they had begun their training with Master Roshi. Although they didn't look different, they felt different from before. They felt stronger, more confident then they had the previous week.
They even had changed their uniforms to represent their new Sensei. Naruto had reluctantly given up his old jumpsuit, and was now sporting a dark orange Gi with a stylized Leaf Symbol on the front and the symbol for the Kame school on the back. Underneath he wore a black undershirt. Naruto kept his sandles and on his hands were a dark pair of fingerless gloves. Wrapped proudly around his head was the headband Iruka had given him.
Sasuke wore an almost similar outfit to his blonde teammate. He wore a dark Azule colored Gi. Stylized on the Gi was the Uchiha clan symbol on the back. Underneath the Gi he wore a black undershirt that hugged the Uchiha's frame. On the Uchiha's hip was a pouch filled with Shuriken and Sasuke made sure the sash around his waist was able to sheath kunai.
Sakura wore an armored pink shirt underneath her usual attire. She had gotten a pair of black gloves on her fingers and was sporting a pair of hip hugging black shorts. Like Sasuke, she too had her weapons pouch on her hip.
"Are you all ready?" Roshi asked, coming out from his house. He knew how dangerous Zabuza was, from reading about his actions in the Bingo Book he possessed. Roshi could only hope, with the little amount of time they had that he had prepared them enough to battle such an individual.
"Is that even a question Pervy Sage? Of course we are!" Naruto declared, his vibrant blue eyes practically shined with a fire that seemed damn near impossible to extinguish.
"Hn."
"I can't believe it, we don't look different. Yet I can't help but feel we've changed in this past week." Sakura said.
"Despite the small amount of time we had, I put you through some vigorous training. Not a lot of people can claim they made it through the first day of my training. Yet you all have. I think you'll all be surprised by your results." Roshi commented before reaching into his sleeves and pulling out two scrolls. He channeled a bit of his Ki into the scrolls and with a poof, three turtle shells appeared. "Now while I can't officially say you've three graduated my training, I've decided to give you three the tools to help further your progress."
"By giving us turtle shells?" Naruto asked, his face scrunched up in confusion.
A small vein throbbed on Roshi's forehead and he ignored the urge to club the blond Genin. "They're weighted you dolt! These weighted shells will help improve your training."
"I understand, I remember hearing about some Jounin that runs around our village wearing weighted clothing." Sasuke said. "Apparently he's the second strongest Jounin of Konoha, under Kakashi-sensei." The idea of wearing a turtle shell didn't appeal to Sasuke in the slightest. But if it would help further his training in the future, Sasuke wouldn't complain at all.
"Right." Roshi grumbled before resealing the weighted shells. He figured the three wouldn't be wearing them during their fight with Zabuza. "Goku! Get on out here! We need the Nimbus."
"Coming old timer!" Goku called out, rushing out of the house in his usual attire. He was a bit dirty from completing this morning usual training. "Are you guys going to go fight that mummy guy?"
"Yes Goku-san." Sakura answered with a small smile. She couldn't help but smile around Goku. He was so innocent and his childlike wonder amused her to no end. Nobody in their right mind would ever refer to Momochi Zabuza as that Mummy guy. "What about the second scroll Roshi-sensei?"
Roshi didn't answer her question at first, he looked at the scroll in his hands carefully. And due to the fact that his shades covered his eyes, Team Seven couldn't see the emotions playing within them. After a moment of silence, Roshi finally answered. "Just make sure to give this one to your sensei, it's a scroll that could also further your development. But let him decide when the time is right."
Sakura took the scroll hesitantly, Roshi sounded unsure if he wanted to part with this scroll. Sakura wondered what contents the scroll contained in order to get such a reaction out of Roshi.
"Go ahead and call the Nimbus" Roshi told Goku.
"NIMBUS!" Goku called out.
The mystical yellow cloud must not have been far from the island as it only took a few moments for it to descend from the sky and float in front of the group.
"Come on teme, Sakura-chan, we're going to have to hurry or Kakashi-sensei may be in trouble." Naruto said before looking back at the Kame-Sennin with a bright smile. "Thanks for everything old man."
Sakura gave the old Martial Artist a respectful bow. "Despite you being a pervert, it was an honor to train under you Roshi-sensei."
Even though he didn't say it, Sasuke gave the Hermit a respectful nod of appreciation and Roshi figured that was as good as he was going to get from the Uchiha.
The three Shinobi henged into smaller objects, which Goku was able to scoop up and place in his pockets, they would be safe in there. Goku hopped on the Nimbus cloud and was about to take off when Roshi stopped him.
"Goku I hate to ask but I want you to have a part in this upcoming battle."
"Really?!" Goku asked, small stars appeared within his eyes. "You mean I get to fight the mummy guy?"
"This isn't a game Goku, Momochi Zabuza is dangerous. You're lucky he didn't butcher you when you interfered in his last battle. Kakashi and them may need all the help they can get." Roshi said. Despite being very dense, Goku could hear the seriousness behind his teacher's words. He gave the Sannin a nod.
"Wait for me!" Krillin shouted, running out of the house. He was dressed in his traditional monk attire. "I can't have you going off to help save the day without some much needed back up."
"Your coming too Krillin? Awesome, with the two of us, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi, there's no way the mummy guy will stand a chance!" Goku boasted while leaping on the Nimbus, the grin never faltered from his face. Not even when Roshi gave him that warning, his blood was pumping with excitement. Krillin leaped on after Goku and would have fallen through had he not held onto Goku. The Nimbus began to get ascend higher and higher off the ground.
"Which way are we going Roshi-sama?" Krillin called out.
"Wave Country is that way!" Roshi pointed off towards the West. Nothing else needed to be said between pupils and teacher, the Nimbus blasted off towards Wave Country. Roshi watched as they became specks off in the distance.
"Goku, Krillin, be careful out there you two. I leave you two to make sure everything turns out fine. Wave Country is in shambles because of Gato, they need you all more than ever out there." Roshi gave them a silent prayer. He knew the battle was going to be tough, but he had the upmost faith in his students abilities. They would come back alive.
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(With Kakashi.)
"So it's time huh?" Kakashi muttered, his senses feeling a shift in the air. His visible eye opened to see a thick mist start to appear in the air. Kakashi knew he had only a matter of seconds before his opponents appeared. He glanced around the area, he had taken plenty of precautions in this battle on the chance that his team would take awhile to show up. He also made sure Tazuna and even his family was safe, he wouldn't put it past Gato to try and do something to harm Tsunami and Inari. It would be foolish to bring Tazuna here with only him to offer protection.
Kakashi heard the familiar chuckle of the Demon of the Mist. Like two Ghosts, the forms of Zabuza and Haku appeared from within the mist and approached the Copy Ninja. Lifted above his shoulder was the familiar Kubikiribocho, the deadly blade glinted with a horrific shine.
"We meet again Kakashi." Zabuza said, his eyes taking a brief glance of his surroundings before focusing back on Kakashi. "I don't see your brats anywhere Kakashi, what did they abandon you? Like the cowards I knew they would turn out to be."
"They'll be here, don't worry about that." Kakashi growled a bit, not liking the way Zabuza talked about his comrades. "But until they do, I'm your opponent."
"If you haven't noticed Kakashi, you're at a bit of a disadvantage here. You'd be absolutely foolish to believe you can take on both Haku and myself."
"Ah so you both plan to attack me then?"
"Of course, the faster we kill you and the Bridge Builder, the quicker we get paid." Zabuza said, getting his blade ready and Haku pulled out a few senbons.
"Looks like things aren't looking good for me then right?" Kakashi asked, Zabuza didn't notice the single hand seal that Kakashi made.
"Why are you asking such a dumb question Hatake?"
"To distract you."
"What?!"
Before Zabuza could react, two hands burst from the ground and wrapped firmly around Haku's ankles. Haku only had time to get out a gasp of surprise before she was dragged underneath the ground.
"Haku!" Zabuza was about to go after his tool/friend when all of a sudden his senses went alive with danger.
"Your guard is down." Zabuza felt sharp pain in his gut as Kakashi had appeared and lashed out with a hard kick, sending the missing nin flying back. Zabuza's body skipped on the ground before he was able to regain his footing and stop his tumble.
Zabuza glared at Kakashi, the Copy Nin was settled in his stance and was ready to go on the offensive or defensive at any given moment. "You bastard."
"It's like you said Zabuza, I'd be delusional to believe I could take on you and your apprentice, this way I've even up the odds."
"What did you do with Haku?" Zabuza asked.
"Right now she is currently fighting with a clone of mine beneath our feet. Wave Country, while being a big trading country that relies on the sea, it used to be a bit of a coal mining country as well "
"Haku can handle a pesky Kage Bunshin Hatake." Zabuza interrupted, not really caring for a history lesson.
"I have no doubt she probably can, but this is to distract her till my Team arrives."
"Your team will be greeted with your mutilated corpse!" Zabuza boasted, a rather cruel smirk growing behind his bandaged mouth.
"Some issues you have there Zabuza-chan" Kakashi mocked.
The two Jounin clashed with heated determination.
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(With Haku and C. Kakashi, a mine shaft beneath the bridge)
"Ouch" Haku muttered, she quickly shook the ringing from her head and leaped back. Her eyes quickly seen the flash of cold steel and was able to duck just in the nick of time. Haku reached up and snatched the arm and was about to throw her foe when all of a sudden one of her legs buckled. The foe behind her had kicked one of her legs, disrupting her balance and causing her to fall to a knee.
"This is the end." The familiar voice of Kakashi whispered.
"A Kage Bunshin." Haku thought, so that's what she was facing at the moment. Well Haku had no plans of dying just yet, she quickly slipped a hand within her pockets and pulled out a senbon and stabbed the clone in the thigh. Haku heard the clone hiss in pain, giving her time to leap to safety.
Haku turned back to see C. Kakashi remove the senbon from his thigh and toss it to the side.
"Clever." C. Kakashi commented. The clone shook the numb feeling from its thigh, Haku had managed to almost pierce a nerve. If she had done that, the battle would have been over probably before it began. The clone knew he had to keep the battle going as long as it could, in order to give his creator either enough time to defeat Zabuza or for his team to arrive.
"Give up, if you continue to stand in Zabuza-sama's way, it will only lead to your death." Haku said, while she would kill in the name of her master, she would try to avoid it if she could.
"We both know I can't do that." C. Kakashi said, lifting up it's headband to reveal the legendary Uchiha Dojutsu, the Sharingan.
"Very well." Haku said. Haku fazed out from sight.
C. Kakashi listened to his surroundings. He could hear the sound of dripping water splashing against stone, the movements of small rodents. The sound of rubble being scattered across the floor by seemingly invisible movement.
Wait a minute..
Kakashi whirled around violently, his right hand swinging a kunai on course with a seemingly invisible collision. Haku materialized from thin air, she ducked and let the kunai sail past her. Haku grabbed the outstretched appendage and tried to elbow C. Kakashi in the ribs. C. Kakashi used his free hand to block the attack. C. Kakashi pushed Haku away and leaped back. His hands went through some seals, preparing a Kanton Jutsu.
"I wouldn't do that." Haku called out, pausing the clone mid seal. Haku kicked a nearby wall of rubble, causing it to cave in slightly and rubble now littered the ground around them. "The walls of this old mine seem to be very unstable and any powerful Jutsu might cause it to cave in."
C. Kakashi cursed but could see that she was right. Haku and Kakashi clashed once again, both Shinobi throwing fists and kicks against the other. Neither landing a single blow, both seemed to be able to maneuver or block the other from actually causing any significant damage. C. Kakashi grabbed Haku by her attire and delivered a head butt, causing his opponent to see brief stars.
C. Kakashi lashed out with a kick that sent Haku stumbling back. Reaching into his pouch, the clone grabbed a handful of Shuriken and threw them with deadly accuracy at Haku. Haku pulled out enough Senbon to match the number of Shuriken. She threw the Senbon and each hit the middle of the Shuriken, halting each metal throwing star and causing them to clutter to the ground.
"You're good." C. Kakashi commented, he had no doubt if he was the original Kakashi that he could finish Haku with no problem. But due to the fact he was a clone and limited on Chakra, he could probably just match Haku at the moment.
"I know."
The two Shinobi clashed again.
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(With Goku and Krillin.)
Goku and Krillin sailed fast on the Nimbus, they had finally passed the ocean and reached land. It would take them a few minutes more till they reached Wave Country.
"I hope Kakashi is okay." Krillin said.
"He'll be alright." Goku said. "He seemed really strong, I don't think some mummy can beat him so easily."
Krillin sighed in a bit of frustration. "Again Zabuza isn't just some mummy Goku, he's dangerous! He's a Shinobi that will kill you without hesitation. Don't you understand that?!"
"I do." The childlike tone in Goku's voice changed, surprising Krillin. "I can see how dangerous he is. But I can't let such a thing frighten me, my Grandpa taught me better than that. I won't let Kakashi die either though, if we abandon him we're no better than that Zabuza guy!"
Krillin seemed stunned, he had never seen Goku so serious like this before. Just moments ago, he was acting like a clueless child and now he was this.
"Goku" Krillin thought, watching from his position as his friends eyes stared straight ahead, never blinking. He looked fierce and a look of determination seemed etched on his face.
The Nimbus continued on, they just had to make it in time.
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(Kakashi and Zabuza)
Steel clashed against steel, causing sparks to fly through the air. The original Kakashi dropped low and kicked out, his foot planting firmly in Zabuza's abdomen. The Missing Nin growled, he spun though with momentum and brought his giant blade down, planning to cleave the Jounin in half. Kakashi threw his weight to the side, rolling out of the way as the blade slammed into the ground.
"Now's my chance!" Kakashi thought, his kunai tightened in his grip and he slashed at Zabuza's throat. Kakashi expected blood to be spewing from the wound, hell he even kinda hoped it was. But he wasn't all that surprised when it turned out to be water.
A chuckling could be heard from the mist surrounding him. "Nice try Hatake."
Kakashi's instincts screamed at him, he turned in time only to be introduced to a fist. Kakashi's head snapped to the side and a faint ringing could be heard in his ears. Kakashi hunched over Zabuza's fist as it was planted firmly in his gut. One more follow up strike from the Ex Mist Shinobi had Kakashi skipping on the ground like a stone.
"Well that didn't feel too nice." Kakashi muttered, picking himself up. He was about to take the offensive again when he was able to pick up something off in the distance with his Sharingan. It looked to be coming from the sky, it was faint. It also seemed to be shaped like a cloud? That's when memories from a week ago hit the Jounin and Kakashi faintly smiled. "Well I'll be damned."
"What was that Hatake?" Zabuza said, approaching with slow cautious footsteps. The Missing Nin was careful around Kakashi, despite him looking like he wasn't about to make a move. Zabuza knew that if he took his eyes off Kakashi for even a second, it could spell the end of him. "What are you staring at?"
"Hey Kakashi!" A familiar childlike voice cried out. Descending from the heavens above was none other than Goku and Krillin on the Nimbus. Goku handed Krillin three Kunai and the Monk quickly tossed them to the ground near Kakashi's location. But before the three kunai could hit the ground, they erupted in a small cloud of smoke. And when the smoke cleared, it revealed none other than his cute little Genin.
"Were back Kakashi-sensei." Naruto said with a grin.
Despite the situation, Kakashi couldn't help but offer an eye smile at Naruto. "I can see that and I must admit, nice new attire there Naruto. Gift from Roshi-sama?"
"You bet!"
Goku and Krillin finally made it on the ground and the grandson of Gohan sent the magical cloud away. He didn't want anything to happen to it.
Sasuke took note of something. "Why do you look so tired Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi wiped the bit of sweat from his brow. "Well considering I haven't used the Kage Bunshin technique in awhile and I had to give it a good amount of my Chakra in order to battle Zabuza's apprentice, it's left me a bit winded."
"Your lucky to be alive Kakashi-san." Krillin said. "Where's the old bridge builder by the way?"
"He's being guarded by my summons. In case anything should have happened to me, I still wanted to make sure Tazuna was safe. The dogs would have sniffed out my blood on Zabuza and his apprentice and would have taken care of the rest."
"Clever strategy there Sensei." Sakura said.
"As cute as this reunion is, it's starting to make me ill." Zabuza said, before a grin split his face. "I want to welcome you three back, it's a shame that I'll have to kill you all." His gaze then lingered on Goku for a moment. "Especially that little brat who cheap shotted me."
Goku pulled out his staff, onyx eyes narrowed in challenge. "Bring it on."
"With pleasure!"
Goku and Zabuza made a dash towards one another, the young Martial Artist ignored his friends plea to retreat. Krillin bit back a curse and was about to chase after before a strong grip clutched his shoulder. He looked back to see the mixed matched eyes of Kakashi staring at him.
"No Krillin, I've still got a fight to finish. Besides, you three are about to have a battle of your own." Kakashi said grimly. Why would he say such a thing? Well unfortunately he just received the memories of his Kage Bunshin. Looks like Haku had managed to skewer his clone with an ice pick. Not even seconds later, Haku emerged from the hole Kakashi had created earlier. The teen's mask was cracked and her attire in tears, but besides that and a couple of scratches, Haku looked fine.
"Oh crud."
Sasuke stretched the muscles in his neck and Naruto cracked his knuckles in anticipation.
"Do you think you two can handle him?" Kakashi asked, he felt a bit better now that some of his Chakra from the clone had returned to him. Though the Jounin still felt a bit fatigued. He could probably still continue the battle.
"Hell yeah." Naruto said rather bluntly.
"Hn."
"I'll take that as a yes from you Sasuke." Kakashi turned towards Krillin and Sakura. "I need you two to go guard the Bridge Builder. He's located at a shelter near his home. Once you arrive, my hounds will appear to try and stop you. Make sure you give them the command of Icha Icha."
Both Krillin and Sakura sweat dropped.
"What?" Kakashi asked innocently.
"Icha Icha, really Sensei?" Sakura asked.
"What can I say, I enjoy a good adult novel."
Both grumbled about the Jounin being a pervert but complied none the less, they took off running towards the direction of Tazuna's house.
"Good luck you two." Kakashi said. All three heard a cry of surprise from Goku as the child went tumbling backwards. Goku rolled back and hopped to his feet, a stern glare set on his face. Though one free hand was rubbing his now sore cranium, the mummy guy hit hard! With a challenging roar, Goku rushed back to resume his battle.
"I better go help him." With that, Kakashi fazed out from sight.
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(With Naruto and Sasuke)
"You ready Dobe?" Sasuke asked, settling into his stance. The Uchiha Inceptor fist style was one of the things that helped make the Uchiha clan dangerous, that and the Sharingan helped too.
"Psh not like I would let you outdo me teme." Naruto said, his fists raised and the muscles in his leg tight, ready to move at any given moment.
"I don't know the both of you. Please tell me, what is your names?" The sweet voice of Haku almost caught Naruto and Sasuke off guard, they were expecting their foe to sound rough and gruff like Zabuza.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage of Konohagakure and the one's who's going to defeat you!"
"Uchiha Sasuke." Sasuke said simply, he didn't need to be as enthusiastic as his teammate. Though he would admit that he was a bit excited to see the results of his training with the Kame-Sennin. All the stupid and foolish things he put them through better be worth it.
"I am Haku" The Ice Nin said. "Please, the both of you, give up and walk away. I really don't want to have to kill you." Haku pleaded, she could see the two were still young. She really didn't want to have to kill the young Genin.
"We're not going to abandon the mission and our comrades. Our Sensei taught us something important, those who break the rules are scum. But those who abandon their friends are even worse than scum." Naruto said.
"Kakashi-san sounds very wise." Haku couldn't help but slightly admire that and the way the Genin weren't backing down. Their eyes held a resolve that most Genin their age didn't possess.
"Besides." Sasuke said, closing his eyes for dramatic effect. "It's not like you'll be killing us anyway."
Opening his eyes, the once onyx color had shifted to a familiar crimson color. Swirling around the pupil were two comma like markings. In both of Sasuke's eyes were two, not fully matured, Sharingan.
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I think that's where this chapter will come to an end. I don't want to put all the good stuff in one chapter after all. I've got to have something to fill the next one.
Anyway I know Kakashi may have seemed a bit weak in his fights in this chapter. But you must understand that I had him using the Kage Bunshin to fight Haku and his summons to guard Tazuna's family. Kakashi doesn't have large pools of Chakra like Naruto so using all that takes it out of him probably.
Next time: Naruto/Sasuke vs Haku. And Goku/Kakashi vs Zabuza.
What's going to happen? Stay tuned.
MasterOfTheUnknown.
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