fumikomu ze akuseru kakehiki wa nai sa sou dayo
yoru wo nukeru
nejikomu sa saigo ni sashihiki zero sa sou dayo
hibi wo kezuru

kokoro wo sotto hiraite gyutto hiki yosetara
todoku yo kitto tsutau yo motto sa aa

iki isoide shiboritotte
motsureru ashi dakedo mae yori zutto sou tooku he
ubaitotte tsukandatte
kimi janai nara imi wa nai no sa

dakara haruka Kanata

Chapter 16

"Ahhh…." Naruto yawned with a stretch. "Finally! A real reason to be out the village!" Naruto cheered with his fist in the air. Lee quickly stood beside him in similar stance.

"Yes Naruto-kun! Let's show our foes what the youth of team can do…"

"Yosh!!" Both finished together as they grinned to each other. Tazuna wasn't impressed.

"Are these two nut jobs really going to be guarding me? If so, then I'm going on my own… I have a better chance staying sane this way…" Lee and Naruto hung their heads at their clients words.

"Haha… Fear not Tazuna-san. Young Naruto and Lee here are just a bit excited having not been on a c-rank mission in a year. So do not worry about yourself. They are both capable to handle any threat to your life. And young Hinata here will be guarding you."

"I don't like the idea of being guarded by brats…" Tazuna grumbled as they began to leave.

"Don't worry sir. Though this will give them experience, if something goes wrong I'll be there to handle it. I am a jonin after all…"

"I guess…" The old man sighed as they walked.

As they walked off Naruto glanced behind them to the upper branches. But he didn't move his head so not to draw attentions to the rapid vanish of chakra.

"We've got some unwanted and skilled followers… Be on your guard Lee…" Naruto muttered and Lee nods slightly. Gai didn't do anything as he watched the pair's quick exchange and then made a slight glance to Tazuna. Who seemed both nervous and calm at the same time?

Hinata was completely unaware of what was going on. She was more relaxed with the fact she was doing a c-ranked escort mission with little threat but from bandits. In which she hoped to show her skills of improvement to her teammates and sensei. She didn't spend all that time training with them after their sessions with Gai-sensei for nothing.

In fact… Since she joined the team. The only time was away from the group was when she was at home. Most of the time of her days were spent training with the two's watchful and helpful gaze.

As she had trained she had seen Naruto match her own style with one he called the Gogyou-ken. Which surprised her on how similar they were.

This too had also surprised Naruto. Whereas Hinata's Jyuuken matched Gogyou-ken in similar form. Lee's goken was very close to chi-ken.

Could the styles have festered their way out from the monks to other ninja studying taijutsu and these forms were made by it?

So far earth and water were the only two forms he had seen in their unique style... This also made Naruto wonder if there were more?

But with this knowledge, he could make Hinata's training harder and swifter learning. By using a form to counter the water art.

Fire style fighting was its equal. They are an elemental equal. The Kasai-ken was a swift and twisted form to mould alongside the Goguou-ken. They two like lightning and wind. Are the opposing energies.

Earth had no foe to rebound against. Because earth is solid. The other elements are a form of energy that can fill any space.

If Naruto had been an earth chakra based ninja. He could have mastered the all the other arts with less trouble. But since he has the element of wind. He could only control 4 of five properly.

So Naruto wondered... If there was away to break passed the boundary instead of getting all cold blooded to use the one he can't.

This was a task Naruto was eager to try.

He knew full well that Hinata had the counter form to Lee. But because of Lee's experience and Naruto's notice to this. He was able to show Lee a trick or two in that form without element. And out classed what would be able to counter Lee.

Hinata he had only just begun with her. And even though she was slow to learn. She grasped it well and focused to learn that form. This is why Naruto knew Hinata wouldn't have trouble as a ninja. If she had the will to learn and improve and not give up. She'll keep getting up no matter the foe before her to improve.

The day had slowly gone by with the team and Naruto made no motion to their followers.

There was also another thing Naruto noticed about these forms... They had a bit of lightning within their attack style.

As the team passed a small puddle, Naruto, Lee and Gai were ready for the attack.

The second they passed the puddle swirled and a black clad masked ninja appeared.

Seconds after Gai found himself chained up as the team turned to their trapped sensei.

"Gai-sensei!" Lee yelled. Naruto got between Hinata with Tazuna at her side.

"Hinata step back with Tazuna..."

"Damn it..." Gai grunted. The ninja's smirked.

"One down..." With that Gai was sliced to riboons.

Hinata gasped.

"Gai-sensei!! Damn you!!!" Lee yelled rushing forward.

"Wait Lee!!" Naruto called following.

"Let's get the copy first..." With that they rushed Lee and looped the chain as they ran. "This makes two!!"

As Lee slid to a stop with the chain's round him Lee looked about panicked.

"Now!" The attacker yelled.

Lee smirked as two Naruto's appeared with their swords ready and cut the chains from the gloves.

"Kage bunshin..." One of the ninja muttered. They pulled back as the two stood either side of Lee. One of the Naruto's vanished and Lee turned to face the other.

"Don't underestimate us..." Naruto stated as he pointed his kodachi at one of the two.

"We're not normal genin you can beat..." Lee said as he got into stance.

The two enemies made a moment's glance to each other.

The two rushed, one racing Lee as the other threw kunai at Naruto and made a break for Tazuna.

'Damn it...' Naruto deflected the kunai to protect Lee's back as Lee ducked under the claw strike and gave a powerful punch to the gut.

"Hinata!" Naruto yelled as Hinata got into stance.

'I won't fail...' "Jyuuken!" Hinata yelled as she strikes. The chunin level ninja pulled his body up as Hinata went low. The sudden movement left Hinata open as the claw came her way.

Blood hit the ground as the ninja grunted from his position. Hinata had her head hung as her jacket was held by Naruto's fist. Naruto's right fist was dug into the ninja's gut and the claw sliced along his left cheek. Blood rolling down the side.

The ninja gasped as he staggered back. Trying incredibly hard to get his breath back as the force of the punch had crushed his lungs under the pressure.

Lee's foe also who was in better shape of breathing, lay gasping for air. The one before Naruto crumbled on his front. Not even able to get a word out.

"You ok, Hinata-san?" Naruto asked as he pulled Hinata back up to her feet. She didn't even look at Naruto for the fact she messed up in her attack and let Naruto get injured.

"Oi, you know your bleeding brat?" Naruto glanced to his cheek.

"Well what do you know..." Naruto muttered as he put his hand to it. "Never noticed it was so close... You ok Lee?"

"I'm fine Naruto-kun... But should we make sure you're fine?"

"A little cut is nothing."

"You two seem very calm... Considering the fact your sensei was sliced to ribbons."

"You mean him?" Naruto asked thumbing over to the jonin who was walking from the forest. Tazuna blinked as he looked at the spot he saw the jonin die. Only to see logs.

'Eh?'

"Good work you three... Lee, Naruto you did well. Hinata, you shouldn't feel bad about what happened... You took on a foe stronger than you and without hesitation. Take this as a learning curve." Hinata nods slowly.

"Gomen Naruto-kun... I'll try better next time." Naruto smiled as he patted Hinata on the shoulder.

"That's what I like to hear! And we'll help you, right Lee?" Lee nods.

"Yosh! Naruto-kun is right! We shall continue to help you round out the fine points still to gain..."

"Arigatou..." With that Naruto turned forward. "Right! Let's go!"

"Wait Naruto-kun. You're cut..." Hinata asked as she was worried about injury. Naruto smiled.

"No need to worry..." Naruto said as he rubbed his cheek with added wind chakra. "I'm a fast healer..." Naruto said as he showed no mark on his cheek. He then removed the blood on his person and haori.

"Not so fast Naruto-kun... We still have to deal with one thing. Right Tazuna-san?" Gai asked. With that he began to question the old man as Lee walked up to Naruto.

"What are the chances they're weapons were poisoned?" Lee muttered to Naruto.

"I'm pretty sure not even the fox would like me to die. I've always been a fast healer because of that. So don't worry about me..."

"That's good..."

With a sigh from Tazuna he gave in and explained the back story.

XXXXX

Naruto sighed as he looked at the roof of mist above and around them. 'Feels like I'm returning to the water temple...' Naruto mused as he kicked his leg a bit as it rested over the side of the boat.

The team was in silence as they travelled. They knew what they had to face now.

After having been told of the man named Gato. A wealthy business man who took over the land and bent under his control with an iron fist for his drug and other illegal running's. Gai gave the team a choice to go on or return to the village.

The chances the mission going higher than b-rank was set before them. Lee and Naruto were up for going. And Hinata not wanting to stop Naruto agreed. Though part of her felt like she wasn't ready for this.

So here they were, sitting in a boat on guard for any threats to Tazuna the bridge builder. Naruto glanced up as the large bridge came into play. He could see the piles and stone workings along the sides and the steel frame on top.

"Looks a bit advanced..." Naruto muttered. "I was expecting something more basic for a long bridge."

"We couldn't take any chances with Gato... We've had to strengthen the bridge after his two assaults on it with explosives. We've increased the strength of the bridge using the buildings he had built... Wave was a peaceful small town... Now it's become a city for Gato's thugs and associates to mess with..."

"Sounds like he was doing a good thing and a bad thing together... Improving the village is a good thing. And sound quiet big..."

"It is... Wave was a small set of three towns. All joined by small bridges among each other were only boats could get in and out. He then moved to the first town in the north. Then moved south east then to my home in the west, the closest place to the main land."

"To he's increased the village's size?"

"Yes... But it's been more to keep his thugs happy to scare and chase people. The town to the east is his personal pay ground. With all his sex and gambling buildings. The west is where he has the least control still. And we still have our numbers over him. This is why we want the bridge built. So we can free ourselves from Gato and live how we want to again."

"Then you have no worries. We'll make sure it happens."

"Shh...." The boats spoke. "There are scouts out... Stay low and quiet..." With that everyone went quiet and watched as a scout boat's shadowed form appeared in the mist and passed them without notice.

"Man... How you got to our village I don't know Tazuna-san..." Naruto muttered as he looked at the old man. "It's like he doesn't even fear the fact you have ninja with you now... Whoever he has working for him must be powerful..." Naruto said with a smile. "And I'm looking forward to it..." He said looking to the sky. Well if the mist would clear he would.

As the boat docked in the middle of a woodland area the team stepped off with Tazuna and watched the boat leave. Naruto raised an eyebrow as he saw a long set of multiple carts being pulled along.

"Never seen that before..."

"It's Gato's personal tram line. He uses it to transport him men to locations at greater speed. No one uses in fear that his thugs will be there."

"Then we best be going. Should we be encountered next?" Gai stated as they moved. Naruto glanced to the trees as he felt another quick release of chakra.

'Were being followed again...

The team walked in silence, Tazuna's home was on the edging of the city in a small woodland. It was really the only place left that still had vast amount of trees.

Naruto raised his arm as he knew their foes were close. Gai who was behind the blond gets the team to halt. "Problem Naruto-kun?" Gai asked.

"Hinata... Check the area. We have company." Hinata nods and quickly formed her seals.

Naruto smirked as he got his foes attention with that statement and watched as the man jumped in the air behind them and threw his large object.

"Get down!" Naruto called as pulled Hinata with him. Lee and Gai ducked as Gai dragged the old man with him. The blade swung over the waist height and into a tree. A figure landed on the branch.

"Hand over the old man... And I'll let you go..." Gai was the first standing as Lee helped Tazuna. Naruto stepped beside Lee as a blushing Hinata stepped up beside Tazuna.

"So... Gato's hired a thug like you then..." Gai stated as he looked at the ninja on top of the large blade. This was also grabbing Naruto's attention. He could do with a huge kick ass sword like that of his own.

"And you're the strangest looking ninja I've seen... So you must be Maito gai of konoha."

"And you are Zabuza Momochi one of the seven swordsmen." Naruto turned his head to that. "And demon of the mist village."

"Good too see we know each other... Now I'll repeat this again... Hand over the old man..."

"Sorry... But we won't let you... And you'll need to get passed me too..."

"Actually sensei..." Naruto spoke walking forward. "I'll be fighting this guy..." Naruto stated.

"Naruto-kun, while I like your confidence. Zabuza is an s-class nukenin. It would be best if I deal with him."

"True... But I'm not in a place I can lose... He won't even touch me." Naruto said as he summoned out his wikizashi. He pointed it at Zabuza. "I challenge you Zabuza..." Naruto stated as Zabuzas turned to face him.

"Challange? Then you must be wagering something small fry..."

"If you win, you get the old man..." Tazuna argued in the back ground.

"And if I lose?" Zabuza asked. Naruto pointed at the massive sword.

"You tell me where you got such a sword crafted..."

"Fine by me..." With that Zabuza vanished Naruto hilted his head to the water as Zabuza stood on it. His large blade on his back.

"Let's begin... Ninpo-." Naruto was in front of Zabuza with his blade back and ready to strike. Zabuza quickly jumped back as Naruto lashed out. Zabuza skidded to a stop as Naruto stood 3 meters away.

A fine line of blood began to appear on Zabuza's chest. Zabuza growled. He drew his blade. "Cocky brat, I won't be caught out again!" He yelled as he rushed the blond.

Naruto swapped his wikizashi from his right to his left hand and blocked the wide downward cross swing. Naruto lowered his body and let it slide down the blade and into the water. Naruto then jumped up as the blade hit the water and kneed Zabuza in the chin with his left, knocking his feet off the water. Then with a right kick to the chest sent the ninja flying out across the water.

As Zabuza bounced Naruto gripped the large blades handle. 'Hmmm....' Naruto mused as he glanced at the blade.

Zabuza slid to a stop and looked up at the blond. Only to widen his eyes in surprise and jumped to the side as his large blade came spinning at him. It impacted the water and Naruto skidded round and caught the weapon. "This is so cool!" Naruto stated as he held the blade in the air. "I've got to get one of these!" He sheathed his wikizashi and had bit of fun swinging it around.

Now Zabuza was annoyed, not only was he an insane close range fighter. He wasn't even taking him serious and was also playing around with his weapon. That's it! Zabuza formed a set of seals.

"Suiton!" Naruto blinked as he looked up at that the swirling water ring in front of the ninja. "Daibakufu no jutsu!" With that the water rushed at him. Naruto blinked before he stood scratching his head with a grin as the water hit him with an explosion.

At the mainland Tazuna was watching with shock. The boy just stood there like a fool! "If he dies because of your team's stupidity..." Gai didn't say anything as he watched. Lee and Hinata were watching as well.

"Hinata...?" Lee asked.

"He's..." Hinata muttered with her bloodline active.

The water ruptured and was blown away by a powerful burst of wind. Naruto remained standing still scratching his head with a grin.

"Oops... I forgot that you were still there. Ok..." With that he tossed the weapon back. "Let's do this again!" With that he summoned his kodachi.

'What is this kid...? He's not even hurt. And that attack should have hit him. He used no seals nothing. How did he deflect my attack?' Zabuza rested the blade on his shoulder. Naruto remained where he stood on the water his kodachi at the ready.

'What's he got left...?' Around Naruto unaware to all but himself. The air pressure was changing as something rushed in close at high speed. As it passed the pair three wind points in the air pushed against the blond. As it closed in, wind whipped up and deflected the objects into the air.

Naruto's hand blurred and he caught the three as they fell. He held three senbon between his fingers. Naruto glanced to where the attack had come from. Then turned and threw the senbon at the targets location.

'Now...' Zabuza rushed the blond with his back turned. 'Die!' He brought the sword round, ready to slice the blond at the middle. Only to slice through a faded form.

"What!!" A fist connected with his cheek and Zabuza bounced off along the water and crumpled on the surface. The large sword spinning onto the main land closest to them. As Naruto began to drop he heard a yell.

"Hyoton!" The water around Naruto froze as he turned to were the yell came from. "Hyourou no jutsu!" Naruto saw a masked ninja touching the water before ice encased him.

'Now to save Zabuza-sama...' The ninja ran along the water to his master. Behind him the ice began to glow and steam. The masked ninja stopped. 'What's this feeling...'

"Kaio..." The ninja turned to the ice prison. It exploded as masses of energy whipped round the young blond. "Ken!!" Naruto crouched on his spot and rushed forward. His fist connected to the stunned ninja and sent him flying along the water and out of sight. Naruto sighed as his chi dropped to normal and he turned Zabuza over. Zabuza turned into smoke leaving a log. The sword followed.

'Damn... Kawarimi Zabuza at the last second... And summoned the sword to their location... Damn...' Naruto mused as he crossed his arms. 'I hit him too hard to follow... Got to watch that right hook of mine...' With that Naruto sheathed his kodachi and walked back to the main land. His team waiting.

"He got away sensei. Sorry about that." Gai shook his head with a smile.

"No problem Naruto-kun. I have no doubt we'll meet them again. Now then, Tazuna-san. Let's get going shall we?" Tazuna nods after getting over the shock of the blond and they began walking. 'Amazing...' Gai mused. He glanced back to the blond talking to Lee and Hinata. 'He's not even winded...'

"So what was that Naruto-kun? You turned into a high speed fire ball, it was amazing!" Lee said as he tried to get the answer out of Naruto.

"I-I'm interested to Na-Naruto-kun..." Hinata stuttered out. She had no idea Naruto was so strong.

"Well... It's called Kaio-ken..." Naruto said as he looked to the sky. "It's in instant power boost for a couple of seconds. But I've had to train my body allot to use it. Otherwise the sudden build of energy would destroy my body.

"So it's a forbidden technique?" Lee asked. Naruto nods.

"Sort of... Right now I can't go higher than one with the time I had. And I'm risking it at ni bai kaio-ken. My body expands too much with the sudden increase, but when I get a chance I'll go and learn more."

"Amazing... It sounds like what I learned. But mine lasts longer than a couple of seconds." Naruto smirked.

"Then we'll have to test that someday..."

"Yosh, I agree Naruto-kun. We shall!"

The team arrived with no trouble and they greeted the family. The daughter of Tazuna, Tsunami. And her son Inari, though he wasn't too keen on the team no matter what Tazuna said.

"So... What shall we do then?" Naruto asked. "With Zabuza and his companion healing. We've got time to prepare." Gai nods.

"We will also have to take into account that with the knowledge Zabuza now has. He won't be alone with just his partner. So this is what I'm going to do first. Hinata and I shall go and begin on chakra control training. As I've not had the chance to begin this with you. Seeing as Naruto-kun here has that ability down to a T. And Lee here can't use chakra." Hinata nods. Gai then turned to Lee.

"Lee, I want you and Naruto to guard Tazuna and I'll join you when I believe Hinata can continue on her own. When I do come, you two shall go and work on weapons training. Naruto-kun, you do know more outside kenjutsu correct?"

"Sort of, I have practiced on the long range area of weapons. But I'm close range if I can help it." Gai nods.

"Then this will be good for the pair of you. Lee can work on both close and long range. And Naruto can work on long range. Now we'll do hourly shifts after the first day between me, Lee and Naruto. Hinata-san, once you have finished you will then join the rotation." Hinata nods.

"Ok, so we'll get a good night's sleep tonight. And begin in the morning." The team nods and goes to their sleeping quarters.

Elsewhere in a building in the middle of a city. Zabuza rested on his bed with his long sword at the side. His young side kick sitting in a chair nursing hi ribs.

The door opened and the pair looked up. Gato, a short black haired man with an even short moustache walked in with two swordsmen. He wasn't pleased.

"So this is what my money gets? A team of ninja that can't beat one boy? You're a disgrace..." Zabuza didn't speak. "What? The kid break your voice box...? Oi! I'm talking to you..." The young ninja moved between Gato who now stood beside Zabuza, crushing his wrist. But the pair made it less threating. Gato scowled at the boy.

"You're making a wrong choice boy..." The two swordsmen moved and tried to attack, only to fine their blade's at their partners throats.

"Move and I'll kill you..." The swordsmen didn't move. But Gato merely grunted.

"Get beack you two..." With that they stepped away and he pulled his arm from the boy. "You get one last chance... If you fail me again..." Gato growled as the chair the young lad had sat on flew out the window and out into the street below. "I'll kill you myself..." With that he left. The door shut and the boy sat down.

"Maybe I should have let you kill him..."

"Wouldn't have worked... His power is above my own..." Zabuza growled, a kunai resting under the covers. "I may have gotten him. But he still would have finished us off before he dealt to his own wound. Probably best you did that. Least I know you're still battle ready."

"I shall recover as fast as I can Zabuza-sama."

"Good... Because next time you're going to kill that lad... That's you mission."

"Hai..."

XXXXXXXXXX

And there we go. My first chapter into the ninja arc. Not bad I say. Now don't start by saying that I weakened the blond... Do you really think as a ninja... Naruto's going to show everything to a foe?

Naruto only needs to meet his foes level of skill.

Also, anyone notice I've mentioned 9 different types of fighting style.

Gogyou-ken: Art of the water fist.
Chi-ken: Art of the earth fist.
shippuu-ken: Art of the hurricane fist.
Senkou dageki-ken: Art of the flash strike fist.
Kasai-ken: Art of the fire fist.
Jyuuken: Art of the gentle fist.
Goken: Art of the strong fist.
Kaio-ken: Art of the world fist.

The lightning one didn't have a name I noticed. So I gave it one.

Now I was thinking... Zabuza's cleaving sword. I should give Naruto one similar right? After all he wants to master all kinds of swords. So then something twisted up.

Ichigo's shikai is a good choice? I mean it's a large metal blade and with that tap can be a useful long range style.

If I decide to do that, I may drag certain blades from bleach. All of which are just the metal stuff. Nothing special about them but the user using them. For people to use like the way Toshiro's blade looked, that's a good one in either normal or shikai.

This idea is a while away. Seeing as its in part two for that sort of thing. But I think that could be fun.

The idea for the kaioken moment came from a scene in the American intro to dbz.

Let me know what you think.

Also, if you know of a cool idea to use Naruto's elements in wind, water, earth, fire and lightning. Feel free to pass one over. Heh, even I have my limits.

That's all for now... And man, am I rolling the work out or what?!

p.s: Something seems wrong with my files... I shall figure it out and get it back in order... I hope.