Kakashi was truly impressive. Naruto would have never guessed by Kakashi's attitude that he was really as strong a shinobi as he actually was. Kakashi had regained the advantage in his fight and without further injury. It was clear that the fight was over. Zabuza had lost control of an arm and was fighting at a disadvantage. Naruto could feel a brand new set in, although you didn't need special powers to see the panic making its way into Zabuza's eyes. As he got more engrossed in the fight's final stages he realised that he could feel Sakura anymore. A quick shift in focus showed that it was just a matter of where he placed his attention. The moment he looked back at his pink-haired comrade he was hit with a wall of emotions.

'I feel where I focus. Good to know.'

Coming to grips with his new abilities was a challenge in the heat of his situation but he seemed to be taking it in stride. For as bad as his reputation as being the bottom of his class was. Naruto was actually incredibly intelligent just in his own weird way. Looking back at the fight Naruto felt someone else approaching. Naruto did not know who it could be but the closer he got the clearer Naruto could sense him. Naruto quickly noticed that it was not just one person but a small army. It was a wall of animosity and killing intent with a sharp spike of contempt and disappointment at it's head.

"Quite the mess you are in Zabuza. I thought you said you had this under control. Just look at yourself. You aren't even in shape to fight anymore and the kid is in even worse condition"

As Gato spoke Naruto felt Zabuza's temper flare. Zabuza gave one last try to take Kakashi out , but his final swing was too slow. It was dodged and Kakashi plunged a kunai into his only usable arm. He was now helpless. Naruto felt the defeat set in Zabuza's mind. There was only one outcome now.

"Gato I don't understand. Why are you here, and who are those thugs behind you."

"Well now all I can say is well done. You are no longer under my employ, but I can't have you running around after the show you've put on here today. No, your show ends here on this bridge. As you see behind me I brought a little insurance just in case you failed. Oh boy did you ever."

"Kakashi, since I'm no longer employed by Gato I have no quarrel with you. The bridge builder is safe from me."

"It would appear so."

Gato began to walk around as if he owned the place and the gravity of the situation did not register in his mind. He came up to Haki's body.

"I just remembered. This kid almost broke my arm. I've been meaning to repay him. It's a shame he's not alive to feel this."

Naruto couldn't believe his eyes. Gato was kicking Haku's corpse. To what reason was he doing it. He would not gain anything. It was just a blatant act of disrespect.

"GET AWAY! GET AWAY FROM HIM YOU SCUM! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"

Kakashi was quick to stop Naruto before he could do something stupid.

"HEY! Stop. Think a little before you charge in like an idiot"

"Well what about you Zabuza. Are you just gonna let him do that to your comrade"

"Shut up. He's dead what does it matter."

"You're just gonna stand there and watch Haku get treated like a dog. He was with you for years doesn't that mean anything."

"You don't seem to understand the way of shinobi. His skills meant something to me yes, but he did not. I merely used him to better my interests just like Gato used me. Nothing more."

"If you truly believe that you're a bigger rat than Gato is."

"OK Naruto!. Stop! He's not the enemy right now. Not anymore."

"SHUT UP! The way I see it he's enemy number one! You… Why you… after everything he did for you. HE LIVED for you. To him you were the only thing that mattered. He only wanted to please you, and he didn't mean anything to you. While he sacrificed everything for you you're telling me you didn't notice. You never saw how much he cared. He meant absolutely nothing. If I become stronger will I be the just as cold-hearted as you? He threw his life away. For what? For you and your stupid dream. He wasn't allowed to have a dream of his own. But for him your dream was enough. That's all he wanted. And you just toss him aside and forget about him. A broken tool he said himself. That's just wrong. It's so wrong…"

Never had Naruto wept so much in one day. He had found out his lineage and the sad fact that came with it. Now he stood in front of one of the strongest shinobi he had ever met, and the reality of what being a shinobi is truly hit him. In the midst his own frustration and sadness he noticed something. It wasn't just his emotions. They were Zabuza's as well.

Naruto noticed a single drop of water hit the ground below Zabuza. It was quickly followed by more and more drops. Naruto knew what they were but he couldn't believe it.

"You talk too much. Your words cut deep. Deeper than any blade… Are you surprised to find out I'm human. He was so kind, so gentle. He was never meant to be a shinobi. With every attack with every senbon his heart was breaking apart. Now because of him I can feel pain and sorrow as well. I feel content that this is how it ends."

Having no useable arms made taking off his mask a challenge but not impossible.

"Boy, give me your kunai."

"Here."

In one motion Zabuza caught Naruto's thrown kunai and began charging at Gato. Naruto could tell that he was fully intent on killing him.

"AHH! That's enough of this."

Gato quickly ran into his horde of mercenaries. Even with no arms a skilled shinobi like Zabuza was more than a match for a couple common thugs. Sadly' there were more than a couple, so he would have to work quick to not be overwhelmed. He dipped, weaved, and sliced to make it through the crowd of low-lifes. Luckily, the bridge was not done yet so Zabuza quickly cornered Gato. Bursting out of the crowd he plunged the kunai still in his mouth as far into Gato as he could.

"You fool. If you really want to join your friend that badly go ahead, but I'm not going with you."

"Where Haku has gone I cannot follow. But I'll be looking forward to seeing you in HELL! I here there are a lot of other demons down there. I should fit right in. But you Gato are in for a long and miserable ETERNITY."

In one motion Zabuza ripped the kunai out of Gato's chest and reset himself for another barrage of slices. Gato was overwhelmed and fell off of the bridge he tried so desperately to destroy. It was over, but it was now Zabuza's turn. He was stabbed multiple times by the remaining mercenaries. Being overwhelmed as well Zabuza could do nothing but collapse. He was still alive. Naruto could feel the regret in Zabuza's heart. He couldn't bear to see a strong shinobi in such a state.

"Don't look away Naruto. When you live like a warrior this is how it ends. Don't deny him the respect he deserves."

"Naruto! Over here! Look it's Sasuke. He's alright."

As he looked over he felt a wave of relief. Sasuke was okay. He could even feel Sasuke's embarrassment over having Sakura all over him.

'Looks like she still gets a chance at her dream.'

"Amazing. The wonders never cease."

By Kakashi's tone Naruto could tell that even his sensei thought their comrade had fallen. But his focus quickly shifted to the band of thugs still on the bridge. It seemed as if they realized they were not gonna get paid without their employer so they began to set their eyes on the village just beyond the bridge. If Kakashi was at full strength they could have defeated them easily but he was spent after his fight with Zabuza. They were gonna need help. Just as the thought entered Naruto's head, the reinforcement came. The towns people had rallied and were ready to defend their land. The sight of the huge mob and several hundred Kakashi and Naruto shadow clones were enough to send the mercenaries running. They all went back to their boat and left without a trace, Leaving only two bodies in their wake.

"Seems everything turned out for the better."

"Yea."

"Kakashi… I have a favor to ask… Take me to him… I need to see him one last time before I go."

"Sure."

Kakashi pulled all the weapons from Zabuza's body and carried him to Haku. There wasn't much he needed to say. He justed wanted the closure. Naruto felt every second. The remorse in Zabuza's heart, the regret in his mind, and the grief in his soul. Naruto felt something cool on his neck. It was a snowflake.

'That's odd. Snow at this time of year. It must be from him. He must be crying. In his own way of course.'

As the commotion settled so too did the distractions in front of Naruto. Now he only had one thing to focus on. Should he tell Kakashi and his team or wait to speak to the old man first like his father had told him. They would be in the Land of Waves for a bit longer while the bridge was being finished. He would have plenty of time to think.