I'm really enjoying writing for this story. It's how I've been getting my jollies recently. Damn, that sounded creepy.

Chapter 7: Double or Nothing

'So I was right after all' Kakashi thought to himself as a mist gathered around Team Seven, minus Naruto, and Tazuna.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kakashi. So those brats are still with you? The black-haired one is trembling again. Pitiful." Zabuza mocked, concealed by the mist.

Suddenly, the group was surrounded on all sides by Zabuza clones. Sasuke's growing smirk surprised Zabuza who thought the boy was shaking in fear.

"I'm trembling with excitement." Sasuke stated confidently.

"He's all yours Sasuke." Kakashi encouraged. He watched as Sasuke activated his Sharingan and, with his kunai, quickly cut down all the water clones. Zabuza noticed the change in Sasuke's eyes.

"Looks like you got yourself a rival, Haku." Zabuza told his partner. Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke recognized the shinobi as the so-called tracker ninja.

"So it seems."

Naruto stealthily followed the two swordsmen who abducted Tsunami. These goons were leading him straight to Gato and they were never the wiser. The swordsmen had long since knocked Tsunami unconscious and were carrying her so they could move quicker. To Naruto, though, they were slow as all hell.

Naruto looked up ahead and noticed a fairly large warehouse. It seemed that the warehouse was the goons' destination. Now that Naruto knew the location of Gato's base, the goons were expendable. Naruto drew one of his swords and Burst Stepped in front of the goons. Before any of them could even utter a single word, Naruto beheaded both of the swordsmen and grabbed Tsunami. Setting her down on the ground, Naruto created a shadow clone and ordered it to carry Tsunami back to the house.

With Tsunami rescued and Gato's location discovered, Naruto thought of a game plan. If he went in wrecking havoc, Gato would probably be alerted and evacuated. Naruto could also just blow the place to hell, but he wanted to be there, face-to-face with Gato, when he killed him. Naruto sighed. 'I guess that leaves me one choice.' Creating two shadow clones, Naruto transformed one into Tsunami, one into one of the goons, and he transformed himself into the other goon. Naruto also took the time to hide the bodies so no one stumbled across them and alerted Gato.

Walking into the warehouse, the transformed Naruto and his diguised clones walked past the guards who didn't question him. It seemed Naruto's Transformation Jutsu was top notch. No one stopped Naruto, so that was a good sign. Everyone just grinned at him in approval. Naruto wanted to cut into every single one of these bastards, but that would have to wait.

Naruto looked around the warehouse discreetly. None of the rooms stuck out as a room for a scumbag crime boss. If Naruto was right, Gato would be in the most extravagant room. Naruto moved up to the second floor, and his sight was immediately drawn to a room directly in the middle of the hallway. The room was painted a bright red color, there was a large desk with a short, chubby man sitting behind it, and various bottles of wine were displayed all over the desk.

Taking a shot in the dark, the disguised Naruto and his clones walked to the room. The man behind the desk immediately regarded Naruto.

"Ah, so you guys successfully abducted the bridge builder's daughter! Damn good job. At least some people around here can get the job done. You two serve me well!" The man praised.

Naruto couldn't contain the smirk that threatened to overwhelm his face. That statement just confirmed that he was Gato. Mentally laughing, Naruto let his disguise fall.

"Wh-Who the hell are you?!" Gato stuttered out. Naruto just laughed out loud this time.

"Your executioner." Naruto replied darkly.

His two clones made quick work of the closest guards while the real Naruto slashed into Gato with his claws. Revelling in the sound of Gato's pained screamed, Naruto repeatedly cut into the crime boss. Unsheathing one of his swords, he impaled Gato first, then channeled fire chakra to the blade, literally burning Gato from the inside. As Gato collapsed to the floor, Naruto pulled out his second sword and beheaded the crime boss.

Naruto pulled out both of his swords from Gato's body. By now, both of his clones dispelled. There were a few remaining goons who recoiled in fear as Naruto faced them. Naruto smirked and channeled wind chakra to his blades. Crossing the swords out in front of his torso, Naruto quickly uncrossed them in a slashing motion and a large 'X' made of wind cut into the goons.

Naruto turned and jumped out of the nearest window. He was about to dash off when he turned to face the warehouse again. Naruto made several shadow clones. Each retrieved a couple paper bombs from their weapon pouches and slapped them on the corners of the warehouse. Naruto dispelled the clones and charged one blade with fire chakra until the fire was basically roaring. Pushing wind chakra behind the powerful fire, the fire shot out like a massive flamethrower. The powerful flame detonated the bombs and the entire building exploded. The only thing remaining of the building was rubble.

Naruto powered down the chakra to his sword and sheathed it. Jumping to the trees, Naruto headed off to find his team.

Inari was standing just outside of his house staring out into the forest where he saw Naruto jump into.

'He told me he'd get my mom back. I believe him.' Inari reaffirmed his belief in his thoughts.

About a minute later, Inari saw a figure jump out from the forest and land in front of him. Inari jumped back a little, but he smiled widely as he saw his mother, completely unwounded except for a slight bump on the head.

"You did it! You saved mom! You're really are a hero." Inari praised Naruto. Naruto-clone scowled a bit at being called a hero, but he smirked nonetheless.

"The boss did more than that. Right about now, he's probably taken care of Gato and is heading towards the bridge." The clone responded, "Before you ask, I'm a clone, kid."

"Oh. But you really got rid of Gato? That's amazing! Our country is saved!" Inari began laughing uncontrollably. Naruto hadn't seen the kid so happy since he arrived in Wave.

The clone brought Tsunami into the house and laid her in one of the rooms. Inari followed him and watched as the clone dispelled.

'Thank you, Naruto! You're a real life hero even if you don't think so!'

Naruto recollected the memories of his clone.

'Heh, kid you got it all wrong. I'm no hero. That's for sure.' Naruto thought to himself as he continued his journey to the bridge.

"So I had it right. It was all an act. Hiding behind that mask, who do you think you're fooling?" Kakashi said in reference to Haku.

"I guess all that stuff about being a tracker ninja was all a hoax." Tazuna reasoned.

"They're definitely very familiar with each other. Think they've done this more than once?" Kakashi said half-jokingly.

"He's got some nerve facing us again." Sakura added.

"I'm taking him out. Just who does he think he's fooling, hiding behind that mask." Sasuke stated.

"You're so cool, Sasuke!" Sakura praised with a blush. Kakashi just looked at them with disbelief, 'Didn't I just say that?' Kakashi thought to himself.

"That boy is impressive. Even though they are only one-tenth the strength of the real Water Clone Jutsu, he did destroy them all." Haku said.

"Doesn't matter. That move gave us an advantage. Use it." Zabuza commanded and Haku nodded in response.

Haku became a quick moving cyclone as he began spinning and moving toward Sasuke with great speed. With the Sharingan aiding him, Sasuke was able to follow the movements easily and counter. Sasuke channeled lightning chakra to his kunai. The contact between Sasuke's and Haku's weapons caused the lightning to travel into Haku's senbon and electrocute him, allowing Sasuke to kick him in the face. Haku was sent several meters back.

"Hn. Is that the best you can do?" Sasuke taunted the phony tracker ninja.

Haku quickly regained his balance and unleashed an onslaught of senbon. Sasuke side stepped the senbon and was met with the quick offense of Haku's senbon. This time, Haku made sure not to make any lasting contact with Sasuke. Haku over extended on particular inward strike, and Sasuke grabbed Haku's arm and channeled as much lightning chakra as possible to the hand that was grasping Haku's arm. Haku gathered enough strength to attempt a kick at Sasuke's midsection. Sasuke anticipated the attack, so he simply jumped over Haku's leg and countered with a kick of his own. Haku fell forward and took a bit longer to stand up this time.

Zabuza was completely dumbfounded. Never had he seen someone run circles around Haku like this young Uchiha was currently doing.

"You should never have insulted these young shinobi. That was a mistake, itself. Coming back to challenge us again was the worst mistake." Kakashi stated.

Zabuza suddenly started laughing. "Haku if things keep going like this, we'll be the victims instead of them. Get on with it!" Zabuza demanded using his most authoritative tone. Haku nodded and began focusing his chakra.

Sasuke, with his Sharingan, could see the chakra twisting around Haku. "What is he trying?" He asked no one in particular.

"I'm sorry that it's come to this." Haku said as he made a unique hand sign. "Secret Jutsu: Crysal Ice Mirrors!"

As the name would suggest, mirrors of ice began forming and surrounding Sasuke at all sides. Observing the mirrors, Sasuke saw the chakra infused in each mirror. He was completely confused as Haku climbed into one of the mirrors. Sasuke's eyes widened as Haku's image appeared in all of the mirrors.

'Hold on...' Sasuke focused his eyes more and he could see that Haku was moving with extreme speed between each of the mirrors. Sasuke's Sharingan was quickly becoming used to the movements. Sasuke could also faintly distinguish the sounds of his worried teammates, but he wasn't focusing on them right now. Sasuke willed his eyes to see everything, and track all Haku's movements. Slowly but surely, his eyes were becoming attuned.

Haku retrieved several senbon in each hand and shifted from mirror to mirror before throwing them, aiming to subdue Sasuke, yet not kill. Sasuke grabbed one of the senbon out of the air and expertly deflected every other senbon before throwing the one in his possession at the spot he anticipated Haku to appear. Haku was dumbfounded by Sasuke's near flawless performance when a single senbon, thrown by Sasuke, pierced his arm. Haku was even further bewildered as Sasuke's Sharingan began changing, evolving. Another tomoe developed in Sasuke's left eye.

Haku quickly realized the futility in fighting the young Uchiha. The boy could easily defend against any senbon offense and the more Haku attacked the more opportunities Sasuke had to deal a lethal blow. Even though it may be suicidal, Haku needed to attempt it for Zabuza.

'That is what I, as his tool, must do.' Haku thought to himself. He would serve Zabuza faithfully for he is his precious person. Finding his second wind, Haku readied more senbon and attempted to increase his speed.

Haku pushed himself past his limitations and Sasuke was having trouble following the movements. Several senbon pierced Sasuke's legs, and Sasuke winced in pain. He deflected the rest.

'He may have gotten a bit faster, but my eyes can still follow his movements. I just have to leave myself more time to react after I anticipate his actions.' Sasuke thought as he held his kunai out and his eyes darted around following Haku.

Haku prepared another barrage of senbon and threw them. Sasuke jumped to the side and created a lightning clone. Haku took advantage of Sasuke's slight momentary stillness and charged at Sasuke directly, this time, aiming for vital areas. Sasuke's back was turned and Haku stabbed into Sasuke's neck and kidney. Haku was surprised when his victim turned out to be the clone. Haku was literally shocked into stillness as the clone reverted back into pure electricity.

"But how? I am positive I struck you. How did I strike the clone instead?" Haku questioned as he was still paralyzed by the electricity.

"Isn't it obvious? I used the Replacement Jutsu. It may be just an academy technique, but it is definitely helpful." Sasuke stated with a smirk. Sasuke took advantage of Haku's temporary paralysis and flowed through hand signs. He crouched down slightly and held his right wrist with his left hand and focused his chakra, converting it into electricity. The lightning chakra gathered in Sasuke's right palm and it crackled loudly.

"It isn't perfect. But it's enough." Sasuke noted as he began charging forward. Thrusting his right arm forward aiming for Haku's heart, Sasuke shouted, "Chidori!"

Kakashi placed his hand on his forehead protector, preparing to reveal his Sharingan.

Zabuza laughed, "Sharingan again? You're no fun, Kakashi, using the same old tricks." Zabuza mocked as he charged toward Kakashi quickly with a kunai in his hand. Zabuza thrusted the kunai forward, aiming for Kakashi's Sharingan. Kakashi used his free hand to block the strike.

"If my Sharingan really is just an old trick, then why are you trying to stop me from using it?" Kakashi taunted.

"Let a person see your techniques too many times and he'll find a way to use it against you." Zabuza responded with a laugh.

"Count yourself lucky. You're the only person alive to see my Sharingan twice. There won't be a third time." Kakashi stated, "Let's finish this once and for all." Kakashi pulled up his forehead protector and unveiled the Sharingan.

"So you really are going to use the same trick twice. Fool. Our last battle was more than just win or lose. Haku and I discovered secrets about that Sharingan of yours. For example, you can't see into the future. You were just playing mind games in our last fight, but now I know how to beat the Sharingan, thanks to Haku." Zabuza explained. He made a single hand sign and muttered, "Hidden Mist Jutsu."

Kakashi's eyes widened as a thick mist developed. 'This mist is too thick, even for Zabuza!' Kakashi thought surprised. He snapped to attention when he heard the sound of something whizzing through the air. Turning around, Kakashi sighted several shuriken heading for him so he pulled out a kunai and deflected them.

"Very skillful, Kakashi." Zabuza's voice drew Kakashi's attention and when Kakashi turned to face Zabuza, he was surprised to see Zabuza's eyes closed. "The next time you see me will be the last time you see anything." Zabuza stated, "With my eyes closed, you can't play your mind games on me." Zabuza faded away in the mist again. As Zabuza was focusing on sensing Kakashi without the use of his eyes, he heard the distinct crackling of compressed lightning. The sound was coming from Haku's crystal ice mirrors. A pained yell accompanied the sound of the lightning. Zabuza knew Haku didn't know any lightning style ninjutsu. He had a bad feeling that the Uchiha had managed to kill Haku. Unbridled rage overtook him and he readied himself to kill that Uchiha boy.

"Brilliant. But with your eyes closed you can't see me either." Kakashi said reminding Zabuza of his presence.

'If I go after the Uchiha now, Kakashi will get in my way. I'll have to deal with him first.' Zabuza thought, resolving himself to avenging Haku after killing Kakashi.

"Have you forgotten who I am? I am the Demon of Kirigakure. I can kill you by sound alone!" Zabuza responded.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" A massive gust of wind caused the mist to disperse, revealing Zabuza who was inching behind Kakashi.

Kakashi and Sakura were surprised. They both knew that voice. Naruto was here, but no one could pinpoint his exact location.

Zabuza felt a presence behind him. He opened his eyes and saw the fox-eared, orange-haired, purple-eyed genin smirking at him confidently. Zabuza found the expression on the boy's face to be very annoying. Naruto noticed the look of annoyance on Zabuza's face and his smirk grew in response.

"Take it from me. You're no demon. Allow me to show you what a real demon can do."

And there's chapter 7 for you guys.

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