I didn't expect to get 16 reviews early at so few chapters, but I got them and it seriously means a lot to me. Thank you. I feel that I have not done that well with this story, although I think the idea and plot for it is pretty badass, but it's great to see so many people liking it.
Thanks to AelitaOfTheWolves, angel-eyes8611, kingdavidtt and The True Not Important for the reviews!
"Your destination is up ahead. The Land of Waves."
The five-man party on the boat made no attempt to acknowledge the boatman's words, but Itachi, being the most polite and all, gave a small nod and a soft grunt.
Naruto took in the scene. There was construction everywhere as they rowed into the country.
"It's huge!" He exclaimed.
"Shut up, kid!" The boatman raised his voice at the 12-year-old, causing him to sit back and zip his mouth. "Why do you think we're travelling like this, huh?"
Itachi cast his gaze towards Tazuna. The old man had a hat on that masked most of his face.
"Mr. Tazuna," the Jonin began, causing his team's client to look up. "I need to know why those men were after you."
"Um..." Tazuna shifted uneasily.
Noticing his hesitance, Itachi looked away. "If you don't tell us, I'll be forced to ignore Naruto's words and end the mission after we step ashore."
Now, Tazuna realized the entire Team 7 was giving him a curious look.
"I have no choice but to tell you," he sighed. Then he straightened up. "No... I want you to know the truth." Looking down guiltily, Tazuna continued. "Itachi, your name was? As you said, this goes beyond the scope of the original mission."
"We know that already," Naruto replied impatiently, but Sasuke brought a hand up to his face, indicating to his teammate to shut up. The blonde Genin scowled, but complied.
"The one who wants my life is a very short man, who casts a very long and deadly shadow."
"A deadly shadow... hm." Itachi mulled. "Who is it?"
"You know him," Tazuna replied, his voice almost fearful. "Or at least you've heard of him before. He's one of the worthiest men in the world. The shipping magnate, Gato."
"Hn. Gato." The captain of Team 7 registered a look of small surprise on his face, but it quickly faded.
"Who, who? What, what?" Naruto asked, obviously unaware of who this Gato was.
"Gato," Tazuna had a solemn look on his face. "He's the tycoon of a very famous company... but below the scenes, he's a drug dealer." The look in the man's eyes hardened. "There are rogue ninjas working for him too."
"This guy must be pretty extraordinary," Sakura finally spoke up.
"He just sounds like a short little man who gives orders from behind the scenes to me. Like a coward," Sasuke frowned.
Naruto nodded eagerly at Sasuke's statement, agreeing.
"It was one year ago when Gato first set his sights on the Land of Waves." Tazuna's voice had turned bitter and his expression becoming even more depressing, like he was registering a memory that he didn't want to remember. "He came to our island and used his wealth to take control of our transport and shipping. And anyone who tried to stand in his way... simply disappeared."
Itachi's brows furrowed.
"He's evil!"
Everyone on the boat, even the boatman, turned to shoot Naruto a look for his obvious comment.
Tazuna was soon continuing his story. "There's one thing Gato fears though. The bridge. It will join us to the land and that will break his control." Now the old man's eyes twinkled. "I am the bridge builder."
"So that's it," Sakura deduced. "Since you're in charge of the bridge, you're standing in this Gato's way."
"That means, those Demon Brothers that we fought in the forest..." Sasuke turned to Itachi. "... were working for Gato."
"I don't understand," Itachi scratched his chin. "If you knew he was so dangerous, why did you hide that from us?"
"That's because the Land of Waves is a small and poor nation," Tazuna replied, suddenly feeling very small. "Even our nobles have little money. The common people who are building this bridge, they can't pay for an A or B-Rank mission. If you end the mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home."
Naruto shuddered.
"But..." The old man now hid a little smirk forming on his face. "Don't feel bad about that. Of course my sweet little grandson will cry, 'Granddad, I want my granddad!'. Oh, and my daughter will condemn the ninja of Konoha, for abandoning her father and making her life sorrowful. Ah well, it's not your fault, forget it."
Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto now had guilty looks on their faces. Heck, even Itachi looked upset.
"Well, I guess we have no other choice. We'll have to keep guarding you." The older Uchiha of the team smiled.
Team 7 and Tazuna had stepped onto dry land and were now walking towards the old man's house. Itachi was thinking quietly to himself.
I have a feeling next time they send an enemy ninja, it won't be Chunin-level shinobi but a Jonin, he mentally sighed. Well... not like I can't take him on anyway. I'm not exactly boasting but I'm pretty strong, what with my Mangekyo Sharingan and all. Nah, you're boasting. No... I'm not. What... am I talking to myself now? Sheesh.
Sensing something in the bushes, Itachi instinctively threw a kunai, drawing curious glances from the other four.
The team walked into the bushes, and were all surprised to see a white snow rabbit looking as thin as a sheet. Above it was a kunai embedded in the tree trunk.
"Itachi-sensei!" Sakura gasped, running towards the poor animal. "Look what you've done!"
"Oh, poor rabbit!" Naruto rushed towards it and started cuddling the frightened creature.
Itachi ignored his students, and his little brother could see he was thinking of something. That's a snow rabbit, the former ANBU looked around cautiously. But they only have white fur during winter. This rabbit was raised indoors... His genius mind running over a thousand possibilities, he finally settled on the most possible one.
A Substitution Jutsu.
"Look out!" Itachi screamed.
A flying sword whizzed over their heads, as the party all dropped to the ground safely, dodging the malicious weapon.
The sword hit a tree, and stuck into the truck. Instantly, a man landed onto it, using the weapon as a platform.
Sasuke studied the new enemy. The shirtless muscled man had a mask covering half his face, as well as a forehead protector worn sideways to indicate he originated from Kirigakure. His hair was also rather spiky.
"Zabuza Momochi, of the Hidden Mist."
"You know this guy, Itachi-sensei?" Naruto jabbed a finger at the newcomer.
This can't be good... Tazuna thought.
"Itachi Uchiha, of the Hidden Leaves," Zabuza replied, eyeing the Jonin. "Damn, this sucks."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"Unfortunately," Zabuza continued. "I'll be needing the old man, so it looks like I'll have to face you in battle, huh. I heard trying to fight an Uchiha is a pain in the ass. Tough luck."
Naruto and Sakura's gaze leaped back and forth between Zabuza and Itachi repeatedly. Both Genin were surprised as their sensei's eyes shifted into red ones.
A shuriken-like object appeared within the pupil.
"Uh, uh, uh." The sword-wielding muscled man shifted his line of sight to Itachi's feet. "I'm not falling for that."
It's big brother's Mangekyo Sharingan! Sasuke thought. This man must be equal on power with those Demon Brothers. No... by looking at him, I can tell... the Demon Brothers are way out of his league. This guy is something else.
"Well, I guess it is an honor to see the Mangekyo Sharingan in action," said Zabuza. "Not exactly 'see', but... heh." He chuckled softly at his own little joke.
"You'll have to look into my eyes sooner or later," replied the Uchiha calmly.
"I doubt it."
"Stand back," Itachi looked back towards his team. "You three, protect Tazuna. Teamwork, use it."
"I'm not standing back here while you fight," Sasuke retorted.
"Yeah, me too!" Naruto exclaimed.
Sakura had a hesitant look on her face.
"I appreciate that," Itachi smiled. "But this guy... you won't be able to fight him."
"Why? Are you doubting my ability?" Naruto yelled.
"Ah, I remember being a Genin." Zabuza looked up into the sky, with a nostalgic expression on his face. "Although I wasn't really as dumb as you look." He looked back down at Naruto.
"Hey!" The blonde shrieked.
"Seriously, if I was you, I would back off." The team noticed Zabuza had a wide, evil grin hidden by the mask. "A man wielding a giant sword isn't really one to be trifled with, especially if you're a Genin."
Surprisingly, Zabuza's words caused Naruto and Sasuke to step aside.
"Thanks for that," Itachi smirked.
"No problem."
Zabuza disappeared in a few seconds.
Itachi was instantly alert.
"Protect Tazuna!" He issued an order to the Genin trio.
"You shouldn't worry just yet, you know."
The Kirigakure man was suddenly in front of Itachi, standing a meter away.
"I'll kill you first before I kill the old man."
"I would like to see you try," he replied coldly.
"Okay. Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu."
Mist eventually seeped into the area.
I knew he would use this... well... shit. The Sharingan, Mangekyo or not, isn't really that effective within the mist.
"What's wrong, Itachi? Scared, already?" A teasing voice came.
Tensing, Itachi leaped to the side as Zabuza's sword slammed down on the position he'd been in two seconds ago.
So that's the famous Kubikiribocho, wielded by one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Drawing a katana himself, Itachi got into a battle stance. I haven't used kenjutsu in battle for awhile, but here goes.
Bringing his weapon upwards into the air, Itachi blocked a swing from the Kubikiribocho. Then, he swished to the side and blocked again elegantly as the giant sword attacked him again.
"Not bad," Zabuza admitted, his figure still hidden.
"I wasn't an ANBU captain for nothing," was the reply.
I can't aim any ninjutsu or cast even a simple genjutsu on him now I can't see him... I'll just have to keep sensing where he's coming from and block... Damn, I need to find a way to dispel this stupid mist.
As if on cue, the mist disappeared. Blinking in surprise, Itachi saw Zabuza standing by the river.
"Fire Style: Flame Bombs!"
Zabuza raised an eyebrow to see a bullet of fire rushing towards him. Taking a massive jump into the air, the swordsman avoided easily.
Seeing his technique hadn't worked, Itachi charged.
"Hmph." Zabuza smirked beneath his mask. He dodged as Itachi swung his katana, before aiming a kick at the Uchiha, attempting to drive him into the water.
To his surprise, Itachi dodged the kick but fumbled, before falling into the water after losing his balance.
"Ha! Itachi Uchiha? More like Big Fucking Clumsy!"
Sasuke growled in rage at the insult, and wanted so much but to charge up to Zabuza and punch this man in the face. Unfortunately, he knew he was no match for the older man.
"Urgh..." Itachi rose from the water.
"You've just made your first mistake. Water Prison Jutsu!"
"Crap!" The water around Itachi formed into one big sphere, with the Jonin trapped within.
"Looks like you're trapped. Now," Zabuza made a one-handed hand seal. "Water Clone Jutsu." A Zabuza clone appeared, and rushed towards the Genin of Team 7 and Tazuna.
Suddenly, the clone dispersed with a burst of water as the foot of Itachi Uchiha sank into it's face.
"What?" Zabuza growled, turning towards the Itachi he held in his water prison. This Itachi smirked, before dispersing in a puff of smoke. "Damn. I knew something was off about the way he was so careless... A Shadow Clone..."
"I knew you were up to something when you dropped the mist." Itachi's voice had an air of victory surrounding it. "I used the Fire Style: Flame Bombs knowing you would dodge it easily because the attack came from afar. While you took the time to dodge, I also made use of the time to create a Shadow Clone while hiding myself, the original. The Shadow Clone fell into the water and into your lame trap on purpose."
"For what?" The Kubikiribocho wielder sneered. "All you did was find out that I'm able to use the Water Prison Jutsu."
"For what, you ask?" Somehow, the smile etched on Itachi's lips caused a feeling of fear to run through Zabuza's body. "For this."
"Shit!"
Zabuza immediately discovered he was in a genjutsu. The surrounding land, trees and river had turned into a world of red. There was nothing anywhere except a red-colored space.
"You were caught off-guard after I outsmarted you, and explained how I outsmarted you." Itachi instantly appeared in front of Zabuza. "Thus, you made the mistake of looking right into my eyes."
"Don't even think you have me right where you want me. I can still wound you despite this being your genjutsu," the swordsman threatened, holding his giant sword dangerously in front of him.
"As you said, it's my genjutsu, my world." Itachi snapped his fingers, and the Kubikiribocho disappeared. "I control everything here. So yeah, technically you can't wound me."
"Damn it..." Zabuza backed away.
"Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes," the prodigy said softly.
"Gah!"
Zabuza screamed as three stakes stabbed into his body. One into his chest and two into his back.
"You... you..." He coughed. "You... you think that bothers me?"
"Probably not, so let me try again." Itachi smiled. Four more stakes embedded themselves into the rogue ninja's body, causing him to cry out in pain continuously. "What about another three more?"
Before Zabuza had time to answer, three stakes appeared and stabbed into his stomach.
Now on the ground and writhing in pain, Zabuza's eyes darted up to Itachi.
He considered begging, but held his voice back. The Demon of the Hidden Mist never begged in any circumstances. If he died a slow and torturing death here, so be it.
But then the former Ninja Swordsman remembered he was in a genjutsu.
This pain isn't real. He fought to convince himself. This pain isn't real!
His thoughts were responded with a stake piercing through his heart. In normal circumstances, of course. This was a genjutsu.
However, the pain was very much there. He couldn't control his wild screams.
"Shall we move to your legs now?" Itachi had a kind but creepy smile on his face. Instantly, two stakes stabbed into his right and left leg.
Zabuza fell to the ground, resulting in the stakes on his back being pushed further in.
Back in the Land of Waves, Team 7's Genin looked on at Zabuza in shock. The menacing killer had turned into a man that screamed like a woman.
Non-stop screams continued as the recent academy graduates stared on. Itachi hadn't moved at all, but Zabuza was acting as if he was about to be killed.
Naruto and Sakura were clueless, but Sasuke knew what had happened. Apparently, so did Tazuna.
"So this is the power of the Sharingan..." He said fearfully. "I'm glad Itachi is on our side."
"Graaaaargh!"
Zabuza's shout of agony turned their attention back to the battle. He had broken out of his trance, with Itachi also relaxing his body.
From nowhere, thrown senbon struck the neck of Zabuza, and the dangerous-looking shinobi fell silent, slamming onto the ground.
A masked individual leaped from the trees, and landed behind the dead form of the Demon.
"She... he... whoever this guy is... he killed Zabuza!" Naruto gasped.
"He has long hair, it's probably a she," Sakura pointed out.
"Maybe he... she... no, it. Maybe it has two genders," the blonde blurted out.
Sasuke face-palmed.
Itachi glanced at the masked newcomer warily. "Hunter-nin?" He asked.
When the apparent hunter-nin nodded to confirm this, Zabuza's body was picked up.
"Thank you for weakening him," the killer nodded. "This man's body holds plenty of secrets to the Hidden Mist. I can't allow it to fall into the wrong hands. Now if you'll excuse me, allow me to excuse myself to destroy the body."
When Itachi nodded again, the hunter-nin disappeared into the trees, lugging along Zabuza.
The Jonin sensei turned back to face his team, and was surprised to see their jaws hanging open.
"Y-You were so powerful, Itachi-sensei!" Sakura gasped.
Inner Sakura emerged again. "If Itachi-sensei keeps on being this cool I'm changing my love interest! Cha!"
"Did you do something to your eyes?" Naruto asked eagerly, as Itachi's red eyes shifted back to their normal black. "Can you teach me?"
Sasuke frowned at Naruto's question. "The Sharingan can only be learned by the Uchiha."
"C'mon, c'mon, I'm sure Itachi-sensei can make an exception for me, right?"
"I don't think you get it, Naruto," Sasuke shook his head.
"Shut up, Sasuke!" Was his reply. The young Rookie of the Year scowled.
Turning to his brother, he asked, "brother, what is a hunter-nin?"
"I will answer all your questions when we get to Mr. Tazuna's house," Itachi sighed. Were kids always this questioning? He didn't remember asking so many questions as a kid. Gesturing to his client, Tazuna nodded and immediately led the way, although still visibly shaken.
"Follow me."
That's it for the chapter. How did you like the short fight scene? In the next chapter, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura get some training from Itachi to prepare them for the eventual rematch with the apparently-dead Zabuza and his apparent hunter-nin friend. Stay tuned.