~Hidden Mist Village~
"Did we do something wrong that it made Sakura not want to write to us anymore" Haku asked that morning once they'd gathered in the Mizukage's office for their daily D Rank Missions, for two days they hadn't gotten a word from their friend in Leaf.
And to put it simply they were depressed "Boys, boys, boys didn't you read her last letter properly" Mei shook her finger at the young boys that she'd put together just to prevent them from losing each other as friends.
Haku creased his brow mentally reading the letter again because he'd memorized it in it's entirety "She's on a mission" Kimimaro caught on first remembering the letter saying so and now he felt infinitely better that Sakura wasn't ignoring them like they'd all just thought.
Mei nodded "Lucky Sakura-chan, and here we all are still stuck doing D Rank Missions" Suigetsu sighed clearly tired of the demeaning tasks they'd been doing since they'd all become genin over a month ago now.
Their sensei, his brother to be precise chuckled "Now, now you know the importance of those D Ranks, their to help improve village quality and Sakura would tell you that as well, so what do you have for us Mizukage-sama" Mangetsu scolded then faced his crush.
Still working up the courage to ask her out, but if he did that Suigetsu would never get to be with Sakura the way he wanted to be and he couldn't take his little brother's happiness away like that, so he was torn on the whole matter.
Amused at their antics Mei smiled and lowered her gaze to the bunch of D Ranks that were piled on her desk "We have clearing rubble, power washing the streets, fixing/cleaning up the old weapons shop just to name a few" the auburn haired woman listed.
Kimimaro, Haku and Suigetsu straightened knowing the missions were going to be extremely trying but willing to do them anyway to help their village "Good we'll take them" the white haired Hozuki accepted.
Before herding his students out the door and down the streets "Ugh at least let us have a C Rank mission one of these days Ni-san,…oops Mangetsu-sensei" the pale blue haired preteen grimaced remembering that right now Mangetsu wasn't his brother, but his sensei instead.
His teammates sighed "Just consider it that's all we ask, it doesn't have to be anything dire, just something simple" the raven haired fifteen year old added carefully as they arrived at their first mission and began clearing away rubble.
The remaining member of their team nodded "Even if we know the importance of these tasks" the snowy haired fifteen year old commented, grabbing the first rock and piling it onto a cart so that it could be taken and dumped elsewhere or used for something else possibly.
~Just a few days away from them~
Nearing the little village in the Land of Waves were Teams Seven and Nine, alongside their temporary sensei and client, they'd taken a boat across the water to avoid detection and during that, had gotten a more detailed explanation of what was going on.
'Gato of Gato Corps' Sakura's mind supplied, of course he was still a thorn in Water Country's side, abusing his power and trying to oppress people like usual, her Aunt had been trying to track Gato down for ages with no success.
But now, now she would have a chance to take him down herself with help of course "Earth to Sakura are you in there, please for the love of kami tell me you don't know this Gato person to" Asagao interrupted her thoughts.
Drawing her from the sanctum of her inner mind and back to the outside world, when her expression morphed into one of anger, Asagao groaned "Just how is it you know these people Sakura-chan" Kakashi frowned deeply.
Wondering how on earth the Hokage could be so reckless as to send the Mizukage's niece on this mission which was proving to be extremely dangerous "It's cause Sakura lived in Mist her entire life up until the two weeks before graduation" Mamori explained.
Sakura nodded quietly "Maybe it's best if you transform that way this Gato guy and anyone else that comes our way won't recognize you Sakura" Sasuke grunted wanting to keep his friend safe from harm if push came to shove.
Knowing it was for the best Sakura did as told, using as little chakra for the henge jutsu as possible, her hair turned brown and eyes gray "You to Asagao, cause anyone could tell by your pink hair" Mimori pointed out.
So Asagao also had to transform, changing his features to green eyes and black hair "Not bad, guess being a ninja does have it's uses after all" Tazuna laughed awkwardly eyeing the forest ahead of them as they got closer and closer to land.
Just a few minutes later they were stood on land again very near his village "Okay now what" Naruto huddled closer to the Senju twins not liking the feeling he was getting, it spelled doom for them he was certain of it.
Especially as they started walking his unease never dissipated, which drove him to act recklessly, including charging forward slinging kunai into the bushes when it rattled, this made his entire team gape at him in horror.
Until he went to check the bushes and found a snow white rabbit "Naruto you could have killed that poor rabbit" the younger Senju twin scolded unhappily, even if technically they could take the rabbit as food, this one looked as if it was someone's pet.
They certainly didn't need an angry civilian coming after them for accidentally killing their pet, Sakura straightened and inched backwards towards Tazuna feeling the malevolent chakra on the edge of her senses.
Not able to help herself she clutched a senbon tightly in her hand "I'm sorry little rabbit" the blue eyed blonde cried hugging the rabbit he'd scared half to death when he'd slung his weapons into the bushes.
Current gray orbs narrowed "EVERYONE GET DOWN NOW" the pinkette shouted as the malevolent chakra made it's move, then she turned and tackled Tazuna to the ground just as a ginormous sword flew over head.
But to her horror she recognized the sword as Mangetsu's missing Kubikiribocho and a few seconds after the sword embedded itself in a tree did Zabuza Momochi appear on the handle and she knew they were fucked.
Even with their temporary sensei, Zabuza was no push over and he could easily slaughter them all "Hehehe smart little girly aren't you" Zabuza chuckled darkly looking straight at her, but to her relief he didn't recognize her thanks to the henge she had.
The others rose shakily to their feet "Who the hell are you" the second Uchiha Heir spat unhappily as he dusted off his clothes after practically face planting in the dirt, he'd been hoping that any other rogues would stay away but clearly he was wrong.
Kakashi narrowed his lone ebony orb "Zabuza Momochi, the demon of the Hidden Mist Village" the silver haired jonin announced, more than a little irritated at this man's sudden appearance because now they were in even more danger.
Zabuza smirked beneath his bandage wraps "And your Kakashi of the Sharingan eye, the man who's copied over a thousand jutsu" the raven haired rogue said and one of the genin stared at their temporary sensei in surprise.
"Now's not the time Sasuke get over here and help us protect Tazuna-san" the older Senju twin ordered of her friend, with that they were all crowded together around their client holding out a kunai or senbon to protect him.
Tazuna gulped quietly "You sure this is gonna work kids" the gray haired elder asked as they crowded even closer so there wasn't any space to fit into between him or them, drawing the rogue's attention once more.
Who was mildly curious about the genin but ultimately was focused more on ending his life it seemed as the rogue demanded he be handed over "What's with this bloody mist" the fuscia haired boy in disguise grumbled.
As a thick mist shrouded their vision and enveloped them hiding their temporary sensei from view and so began the longest hour of their lives as the rogue they were facing began listing vital spots trying to decide which one he wanted to target to end their lives.
It was maddening to a couple of genin who'd never experienced killing intent before, sweat dripped from their pale faces "Calm down Sasuke, we'll be fine" Sakura saw movement out of the corner of her eye.
Sasuke was trembling and looking like he was going to throw up, then he was gripping his kunai tighter and raising it threateningly towards himself, though at her assurance and hand on his arm, some color returned to his features.
Though he was still trembling "R..Right" Sasuke let out a shaky breath focusing on his task to protect Tazuna just as the Jonin with them turned and crinkled his eye at them but something just seemed off as he spoke.
"Don't worry I won't allow my teammates to die, I'll protect you with my life" Kakashi gave them a speech that warmed their hearts and then chaos erupted as Zabuza managed to fit into the small sliver of space that had been left between them and Tazuna.
Causing them all to scatter, it was then Kakashi made his move and lunged kunai poised "He's just a clone" Mimori shouted realizing first, like Sakura what was going on as water leaked out onto the ground after the attack.
"KAKASHI-SENSEI LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU" Naruto yelled seeing Zabuza coming up behind the Jonin intent to kill in his dark brown orbs and scary huge sword ready to hack their temporary sensei in half.
But thanks to the sharingan Kakashi got out of the way in the nick of time, having copied the water clone jutsu from Zabuza "You even in the mist you copied my jutsu" Zabuza growled not pleased that this wasn't going his way yet.
Most of the genin let out collective sighs of relief "THAT ONE'S A CLONE TO" Mamori screamed as a very short conversation between the two commenced before the Zabuza held at kunai point dispelled in a splash of water.
Then Kakashi was kicked clear across the clearing "Kami how is that guy so strong" Asagao gasped in horror unable to believe what they'd all just witnessed, never had he thought this would happen on his first mission outside the village.
Yet here they all were facing down a rogue all because they couldn't leave an old man to die, then the worst thing that could happened, Kakashi was caught in a sphere of water and they realized things might really be over for them.
On their own with their temporary sensei caught how on earth were supposed to face a rogue to save Kakashi without dying accidentally but then, then Sakura stepped forward bravely "What do you hope to accomplish Sakura" Tazuna gaped.
Realizing what she was going to do, Sakura turned her head just enough to meet his gaze and dropped the henge, the reaction was immediate, Zabuza straightened "I know you, your the Mizukage's brat niece" the rogue growled.
Sakura nodded silently "Mamori, Mimori take out the clone you can do it, remember clones only have half the strength of the original, Sasuke, Naruto Asagao over here" the pinkette ordered drawing them in to her plan.
As soon as the Senju twins launched themselves at the water clone "Run away get help there's no way you can hope to defeat Zabuza on your own" the silver haired Jonin ordered from his prison seeing the commotion.
Just as the first water clone went done "Don't underestimate us Kakashi-sensei, we're our mother's daughters after all" the older Senju twin held up her fist a vicious glint in her honey colored irises.
"Yeah and like hell we'd abandon you, Asuma-sensei taught us teamwork was key" the younger nodded seriously standing at her sister's side, adrenaline coursing through her veins as a second water clone came at them.
Behind them Sakura threw down a smoke bomb hiding them from view "You want me to do what Sakura, that's insane" the young ebony haired Uchiha was horrified at the plan his friend had come up with.
She must have suspected he would refuse as a smile formed on her lips "A..All I have to do is make a clone and transform into a giant shuriken, then throw myself to Sasuke" the blue eyed blonde asked fearful for his life.
"And you want me to stick by Tazuna-san, to protect him from any stray weapon that might be thrown" the fuscia haired boy still in disguise gulped, his sister nodded and with that he headed towards Tazuna to stand in front of the bridge builder, kunai held defensively before him.
Tazuna was pale as he watched the plan form "Do you think this will work" the gray haired elder questioned as Naruto made a clone, then transformed himself into a giant weapon just as the smoke from the smoke bomb dissipated.
Revealing the Senju twins still fighting off Zabuza's water clones, distracting Zabuza from what was going on until movement caught his eye of Naruto throwing himself to Sasuke in weapon form and Sasuke leaping into the air to throw Naruto.
Zabuza wasn't so distracted though that he didn't notice the Mizukage's niece rushing at him and just as he got his free hand on the brat the giant shuriken had reached him, with no free hands he jumped and the girl in his hand dissolved into water.
Dark brown orbs and a lone onyx eye widened, Zabuza nearly missed the shadow of the giant shuriken, but all of them were shocked as it too was jumped and then from behind came a poof of smoke from the transformation jutsu.
This time Zabuza couldn't dodge the weapon thrown at him and had to release his prisoner from the water prison, he swung around to kill the little brat that had caught him off guard, only to find the blonde on dry land standing next to his teammate.
The very same brat that had charged at him, while using the underwater breathing technique unique to mist to reach the spot the blonde would land after executing their plan of attack and getting him safely away no one the wiser.
Fury sparked in his brown eyes "When I get my hands on you girl, you'll wish you never messed with me" Zabuza snarled pissed off to the max that he'd been outwitted by a bunch of little genin nobodies and they'd managed to save the Jonin in his grasp as well.
Intent to kill wafting from him, he missed the Copy Ninja rising to his feet on the surface of the lake "As if I'd ever let you touch them Momochi, that was a good plan Sakura, nicely executed" Kakashi glared furiously himself.
But proud of the genin for facing down this rogue "Of course Kakashi-sensei, that's because we all worked together" Sakura nodded avoiding looking at Zabuza, unable to meet his gaze as she stood with her teammates.
"That was scary Sakura-chan b..but we did it, beat his clones" Mamori breathed fighting down a smile because they were still very much under attack and it wouldn't do any good for her to act cocky after managing to do one thing.
Next to her, her sister nodded "Yeah it was just like you said, they only had half the strength of the original Zabuza" Mimori admitted, just glad that Kakashi was fighting Zabuza again and that soon hopefully this would all be over with them the victors.
"Guess you kid's aren't as naive as I thought" Tazuna laughed sheepishly, glad that they were the ones protecting him instead of anyone else, who could have possibly ended up abandoning him, but these children, these kids had morals.
And abandoning someone was clearly not an option for them "A couple of us were before we asked for this mission" Sasuke grumbled wishing he could go back in time with the knowledge he had now and demand another Jonin to come on this bloody mission with them.
"How do you think the fight is gonna end Sakura" Asagao questioned having done his best to protect Tazuna on his own for a short time, the scariest moment of his life actually and he was sure his life had been shortened by a couple years.
Sakura focused her green eyes on the duo still fighting and noted they were running low on chakra "Is that a win for Kakashi-sensei" Naruto asked when Zabuza went flying through the air courtesy a water natured jutsu from Kakashi.
To slam into a tree and get pinned by kunai, a very short conversation was had by the two Jonin and just as Kakashi went to make his move to end Zabuza, two long thin needles came flying from out of nowhere to slam into Zabuza's neck.
Kakashi jumped to the ground feeling for a pulse "I thank you for wearing him down, I've been hunting him for weeks" a young unfamiliar sounding voice spoke, their eyes turned to spy a teenager standing on a thick tree branch.
Wearing a hunter nin mask, Sakura creased her brow in confusion missing the obvious sign for what it was, a ruse to save Zabuza and by the time she figured it out, it was to late, Zabuza was gone and she had bigger things to worry about.
Such as Kakashi collapsing from the strain of using his implanted sharingan "What are we gonna do Sakura-chan" the blue eyed blonde stared in horror at their downed sensei, tears in his eyes as he became hopeless.
"Instead of yacking we should get him to yours Tazuna-san" the fuscia haired boy suggested, with that Tazuna bent to help carry the unconscious ninja to his house, the genin on high alert until they reached his home and were safely inside.
His daughter screamed before calming down as she was given an explanation "We were attacked by a rogue Ma'am, don't worry we'll have him up soon" the older Senju twin said turning on her heel and following Tazuna up the stairs.
"Leave this to us Sakura-chan, you just er take those guys and scout the village for anymore threats I guess" the younger twin grimaced hurrying after her sister, both of them intent on healing their temporary sensei.
"Are you sure it's wise to just leave what if we're attacked while your away" Tsunami frowned deeply at the remaining four genin, who were still very on edge of any further rogues coming their way it was definitely a possibility after all.
Sakura paused at that turning to face their clients daughter "Naruto, Sasuke, I'm leaving you in charge of watching after them, Asagao with me to scout" the pinkette relented knowing that it was better to be safe than sorry.
Her brother nodded and stood at her side "Don't worry Sakura, we'll be fine" the ebony haired boy nodded as the siblings headed out the door, Sakura flashed him a grimace before they were gone, Naruto sighed and he grimaced himself.
Before going around setting up traps to ensure maximum safety of the civilians inside the home, when he was done he flopped down on the couch an anxious wreck until the door swung open half an hour later admitting his friends back into the house.
"Our summons are out scouting as well so no worries Tsunami-san, we won't let anything happen to you guys, pardon our delay in introductions but I'm Asagao Haruno, she's my slightly older twin sister" Asagao spoke when no one else did introducing himself finally.
Which broke the silence in the room "Sakura Haruno, nice work on taking initiative on setting up traps, mind if I tweak them a bit and give them a little boost" Sakura grinned feeling vindictive, should any one attempt to harm these civilians, they'll get a nasty shock.
The second Uchiha heir gulped quietly "Sasuke Uchiha and sure Sakura do what you want" Sasuke shrugged gesturing for the girl to do as she pleased and with that she disappeared going around and adding her own unique twist to all the traps.
"And I'm Naruto Uzumaki, these two are my teammates and best friends since forever" Naruto chattered, glad that the tension was draining out of them as the fear faded away, Zabuza was dead and all they had to worry about was that Gato guy now.
Or at least that's what they thought until Sakura returned and the Senju twins trailed down the stairs "Kakashi-sensei should be wake up in the morning, he'll be out of it for a week" Mamori admitted cursing herself for still not being as advanced as she wanted to be.
"We should talk about that fake hunter nin guy, it was a ruse to save Zabuza wasn't it Sakura-chan, the placement of the needles hit a nerve that stopped his heart temporarily right" Mimori looked to Sakura for confirmation.
Tsunami gasped out loud just as Tazuna joined them "So that guy is still alive, but who would want to even save him" the raven haired woman scowled frightfully wishing that her father wasn't in such danger.
"Someone on his side no doubt, he's probably got lots of underlings to do his bidding am I correct"the gray haired elder grimaced realizing that he might truly be dead before the end of this whole ordeal.
Thankfully the genin were good at keeping their heads cool as they explained that while Zabuza was still alive, he wouldn't be in any sort of condition to come after him for at least a week because he would need to recover after the fight.
"Right then I guess I'll just get started on dinner" Tsunami sighed, imagine her surprise when the three girls offered to help and unsealed lots of delicious ingredients they didn't have in their own market for them to use and cook with.
With a sigh Tazuna flopped on the couch "I just hope this doesn't get any worse than it already is" Tazuna groaned wishing he had stocked up on more alcohol before leaving the Leaf Village, but he'd warmed up these brats and it could tell him drinking bothered them so he'd dumped it all.
The remaining genin, the all boys team settled on the floor to strategize, but they didn't get very far as they were interrupted by the door flinging open and slamming into the wall "Mom I'm home" the voice of a child called out.
Before he stepped into view after slamming the door shut "Who the hell are you guys" an eight year old boy snapped not liking the unexpected guests in his home, then he was given the explanation and he didn't like them even more.
He ran upstairs to escape until he was called down for dinner before the genin as he'd been told were assigned guest rooms to sleep once they were done eating and cleaning up after themselves, they all settled down for the night once they were done to get some shut eye.