OFF To Wave
Kurama talking
sounds
'thoughts'
Note: This chapter has been edited to add in Tsunami's name as I hadn't before. The rest is the same. Enjoy.
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The week with team ten had been fun they got a lot closer as a team. Scary close. Several times Asuma would play the role of a missing-nin or assassin and one of the three would be the target.
Naruto hated being the target because he always knew where Asuma was. The girls loved it. Naruto's eye would twitch in the direction of Asuma's position and that would allow Sakura to bombard the area with various Genjutsu. Ino had found out she was a sensor type which in tandem with her clans ability Mind Body techniques worked a treat. Nine times out of ten they would catch Asuma the one present being Naruto not being able to do anything any more and attacking by himself.
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Naruto arrived home after their day for D-ranks and training however something wasn't right he could feel it in the air. He shrugged it off and headed for a nice relaxing shower. It calmed him down and let him think straight- more than normal anyway.
'Something is wrong I know it is.' Naruto thought to himself 'Usually Kakashi or Anko stays up to see that I get in alright then the house gets locked but...' Naruto shook his head dismissing what he was going to think.
Sighing he continued washing himself before swearing rather loudly after some shampoo got in his eyes. Naruto held his blonde hair in his hands just enough so that he could see it. ' No one in this village has this colour of blonde bar the Fourth.' Naruto sighed again 'There all idiot's not noticing that similarity.'
Naruto then got out and dried off before throwing on some boxers and going to bed.
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The next day Naruto meet up with the rest of the team and walked up to the Hokage's office as per Asuma's instructions from yesterday.
Walking in they all saw a worried looking Iruka and both Sarutobi's smiling brilliantly.
"Hello there I'm pleased to inform you all that your sensei thinks you are ready for a real mission. It's only a C-rank but you will be out of the village." Hiruzen informed them with a smile.
To say the team was happy would be like saying the sun's kinda hot.
"Send Tazuna in!" Hiruzen bellowed and a grey haired man walked in how reeked of sake.
"What's zhis.. a mashed brat Hick ... and twooooo... little Hick girls... I fought I paid for ninnja." the man said clearly drunk.
"What's the mission then OLD MAN." Naruto said dryly while holding the "little girls" back.
"Protect ME Hick.. whisht I build da bridge in waaave." the old man told them whilst he swayed from side to side.
"Who do we need to protect you from?" Asuma asked this time.
"Band its. Hick" the old man said this time falling to the ground.
Naruto took a step back and held his nose "Och that stinks."
The girls sniffed the air around Tazuna and done what Naruto had. Tazuna sniffed himself then nodded accepting that he smelt quite bad.
"Does anyone know any water jutsu's to clean him up?" Naruto asked the occupants of the room.
"I know some but I wont do as you ask Naruto." Hiruzen chimed in but only got a glare from Naruto.
"Okay we will meet by the gates and be ready to leave for the Land Of Waves. Dismissed." Asuma said as they all carefully walked around Tazuna.
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Naruto entered a few shops he had been training with Cat in Kenjutsu but she always brought one for him. He had decided to get one that suited him and felt right in his hands.
Naruto was now entering his third shop in order to find a sword that would be of use to him. All the owners wanted to give him lousy sticks- in his opinion. This was the last shop in Konoha and Naruto was betting on there being at least one he could wield.
Entering the shop a small chime rang out to alert staff they had a customer. Naruto viewed all the different swords that were available to buy. Most were basic katana and short swords. Naruto didn't mind using a katana but it just never felt right. Cat had told him it was due to his unnatural strength that it felt odd using the light blade.
It was true during spars he sometimes forgot he had something in his hands and ended up punching her and breaking parts of her mask. From what Naruto saw of her face she looked cute.
Naruto then noticed something right at the back of the store quickly he made his way to what had grabbed his attention. A bastard sword. Naruto looked at the blade carefully only to realise it was a fake. The owner was shocked to hear that and informed Naruto that his supplier would get an ear full. He then gave Naruto a voucher for fifty percent off his next purchase as a thanks. Naruto nodded at the man's thanks and left the store quite saddened that he couldn't find what he had sought for.
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Arriving back at the house the same vibe was lingering in the air but there was a new smell on top of it. It smelt like pain.
Naruto sighed and announced he was home. No reply. Naruto decided to leave a note saying that he was going on a C-rank tomorrow and not to worry about him.
Naruto then headed out as he couldn't smell Anko's sent in the house. There was two places she could go to get away from things the dango store and training grounds forty-four.
Naruto first arrived at the dango store and walked in. He looked around not seeing the purple haired Jōnin. Sighing he made his way over to the counter and asked for a lot of chocolate dango to go.
"Girl troubles?" the woman behind the counter asked.
"Something like that I guess." Naruto told her while he ran a hand through his hair.
'She must be a great girlfriend for him to come out and get so many dango for her. Especially at this hour.' She thought to herself.
"They'll be ready soon dear." she told him. Naruto nodded in his thanks.
Once the dango were made the woman gave him a rather large box. "There's thirty in there but I'll only charge you for twenty." She said it with a smile that warmed Naruto's heart a little. He paid the lady then left and headed straight for training ground forty four.
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Naruto had finally arrived and looked about for Anko. After five minutes it paid off.
"I've found you!" Naruto shouted up to the purple haired woman who looked very dejected.
Anko just glanced a look over to the new arrival. "Hey Naruto, What's up?" she said happily but her features didn't convey her words.
"Please stop bullshitting me Anko. What's wrong?" Naruto retorted as he appeared in front of her and stared into her light brown eyes.
Sighing she looked at the boy in front of her and say the compassion in his eye. Before she said anything she reached over and lifted his headband off of his eye. His sharingan eye.
Naruto then done something that shocked Anko he pulled down his mask and showed her his thin, strong, whiskered face. Anko reached out and traced his whiskers with her fingers. Naruto just smiled and let her do it. It was oddly comforting feeling her run her fingers across his whiskers. It was the reason he wore the mask- to hide those whiskers.
"I got you dango. It's your favourite chocolate." Naruto told her. Anko made to grab the box but Naruto put it behind and waited for Anko to tell him what was wrong.
Anko could see it in Naruto's eyes the understanding, the wanting to understand. Naruto always wormed his way into her safe spot. She loved that he could do that so easily and then those eyes she knew he would make someone very special one day.
"Me and Kakashi have been fighting." she said quietly. Naruto offered her a hug and she took it and tried to hold back the tears. She was loosing until Naruto done what he did best. Make her laugh.
"Usually if I got in between you and dango I'd be dead." Naruto whispered in her ear. Anko just laughed as Naruto brought the dango box round and opened it.
Anko smiled at Naruto 'He diffidently is something else. Trying to comfort me and making me feel so secure...secure.' Anko thought to herself.
Naruto smiled back and held up a dango and handed it over to Anko. There hands touched, Naruto blushed heavily and looked away into the distance. 'What am I doing? This is Anko I'm thinking about I shouldn't be feeling what I do.' Naruto looked back and smiled seeing Anko chewing on her favourite treat. 'Wonder if I should tell her that I can make dango now...Nope she would tie me up and force me to make them.' Naruto laughed a little and smile some more.
"How are you feeling now?" Naruto asked Anko while he rubbed his neck.
"Better thanks Naruto. You know Kakashi wouldn't do something like this for me..." Anko trailed off and looked down at the ground below them.
"Then Kakashi is a baka he doesn't know what he has." Naruto thought aloud then clasped a hand on his mouth as Anko's head snapped to face him.
"Say that again." Anko glared at the blonde in front of her.
"Kakashi is a baka and he doesn't know what he has." Naruto repeated with a pang of sadness as he turned and sat facing to forest.
Anko sat her dango back into the box and wrapped her arms around the boy in front of her. Resting her head on his shoulder Anko sighed. "My life changed after that day I met you Naruto. You shocked the Hokage so much when you tried to say my name." Anko shifted closer to Naruto as he wrapped an arm around her.
"You are so special to me Naruto I never noticed it until now." Anko continued before she planted a kiss on his exposed cheek. Naruto just turned round and stared at her. The thing on her neck caught his attention. He knew what it was, what it could do, how much pain it caused her.
"Anko you mean the world to me and I will do whatever I can to make sure that you are not sad ever again." Naruto told Anko with confidence he then lent in and kissed her cheek and smiled.
"Why did you choose me Naruto? Out of everyone why me?" Anko asked not looking into Naruto's eyes she wasn't sure what she'd do if she did.
"Let's just say your beauty caught my eye." Naruto said as he lifted her chin to face him.
Anko smiled back. The two sat in silence the only sounds breaking it was their breathing and the occasional munch of dango.
'Lady killer.' Anko thought to herself as she held Naruto closer.
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The next day came and team ten was waiting at the gates of the village for one person to appear. Naruto.
"Is he always this late?" Asuma asked the girls they shook their heads in answer to his question.
"Can't we leave damn it. I need to get back." Tazuna announced.
"Be quiet old man if Naruto's not here it's for a good reason!" Sakura shouted back which surprised everyone including herself.
They waited two more minutes. Kakashi and Anko had turned up to see Naruto off. Alas he still hadn't showed.
The sound of footsteps could be heard rushing towards them at speed. The sound belonged to Naruto.
"Hey Naruto good luck on your mission." Kakashi told the boy.
"Come back safe ya hear or else Kakashi will be in deep shit!" Anko said with an evil smile. 'He'll just be in more.'
Naruto turned to face them before removing his coat. "Naruto no I.." Anko started fear and pain resonating in her voice.
"Anko you have it all wrong. Keep it safe I'll come back for it. You can believe that." Naruto said as he hugged her.
Anko didn't want to let go but she knew she had to. Naruto handed a scroll to Kakashi "This is for your eye seeing as it drains you of chakra this is a seal I came up with. It's a reducer seal. Get someone you trust to put that on your eye and you should be able to use it with no pain." Kakashi stuck out his hand and Naruto shook it.
"Thank you Naruto."
"Naruto we need to go...NOW!" Asuma yelled as the team walked on. Naruto ran after them but still managed to wave back at the two he left behind.
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After a few miles of walking the group came across a puddle and slowed. They all drew their weapons slowly in preparation for what was about to happen.
-Mini Flashback-
"Sensei you told me to tell you if I found anything well there's something ahead I'm getting two chakra signals I'd say low Jōnin or high Chūnin." Ino informed Asuma.
"Tell me when we get close. Everyone ready yourselves for combat if it's chakra Ino sensed we need to be careful don't hesitate because they won't. They will kill you." Asuma told everyone.
"Hai sensei!" everyone replied. Tazuna went a little pale.
-Mini Flashback Over-
Sakura readied herself as chakra came to her fists. Ino flew through the hand signs for Earth style: Double Suicide Decapitation. Naruto called on his Inferno Armour. Asuma flicked out his chakra blades and charged them with wind chakra.
The two missing-nin were in mid air when they saw that their ambush had failed. Judging by the group they could tell they were going to die but they wanted to make sure their target came with them.
Naruto and Sakura dashed at the two missing-nin. Sakura landed her blow on the chain which snapped like a toothpick. Naruto grabbed one ninja by the throat and crushed it. The man died instantly. His corpse however stank of burning flesh.
The other ninja had a clear path to the target but stopped when the Jōnin jumped in the way. Before he knew what happened the Jōnin was towering above him. He tried desperately to move but he couldn't he was stuck in the ground.
"Well done Ino." Naruto cried out as he took note of her handy work.
"The Demon Brothers huh? You both have quite a bit on your heads." Naruto said as he squatted down to see their captive.
"Tazuna you have a lot of explaining to do. Why are the Demon Brothers after you?!" Asuma yelled.
Tazuna was clearly frightened so he told them all about Gatō and how he was single-handedly destroying his town and that the bridge was the only way to save them.
Naruto had enough and was angry. Naruto stormed over to the man who was still trapped in the ground. "You and me are going to have a nice long chat OKAY." Naruto said in a very creepy way.
"What can you do boy against a demon like me?" the brother spat out.
A orange tail grew out of Naruto's lower back and dove into the ground. The ninja cried out in agony and was ripped right out of the ground. The tail had passed straight through the man's abdomen and out the other side. It quickly coiled around him as Naruto walked into the tree line.
Screams could be heard for miles from the place when Naruto was getting his information. He made a note to thank Ibiki when he got back to Konoha.
Naruto returned with no body, but a scroll. He tossed it to Asuma who had stored the other body in one of his own.
"I know what's happening and where Gatō's base is. It's on the way to wave we can take him out on route could save us time in the long run." Naruto told the group. Naruto chose not to tell them of the water jutsu scroll that the missing-nin had on him.
The girls had only now realised that Naruto wore a see through mesh top which showed of his many muscles and abs which was usually covered by his coat. Blushing they turned away.
"Fine Naruto could you manage that after we get to wave. It's so you know where to return to." Naruto nodded. "Okay this is now been up graded to at least a B-rank mission. Be careful." Asuma announced.
"Hai." came the response from his students.
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Near there crossing point Naruto threw a kunai into the forest and stared hard. Ino quickly sensed for a presence. It was a small rabbit but there were traces of chakra that were vanishing fast.
Ino nodded and everyone readied up.
"Get down!" Asuma yelled as he forced Tazuna to the ground. A large blade flew over head and embedded itself in a tree.
"Well what do we have here?" the voice called out from above.
All eyes darted to where it came from. A man was standing on the blade. He was lean and bandaged.
"Zabuza." Naruto and Asuma said at once.
"Oh even the kid knows who I am good. I'm surprised to see you Asuma. The man that made thirty five mill in the black market." Naruto whistled at the number.
"I take it your here for him?" Naruto said pointing behind himself to Tazuna. Zabuza nodded.
He descended quickly bringing the blade with him as he charged the group. They were ready.
Naruto activated his Inferno Armour and charged at Zabuza. Fist and sword collided but neither gave way.
'How's this brat so strong?' Zabuza thought as he got pushed back. A blow to the gut sent him flying back. He fell into the water that was nearby. He still wasn't safe. Asuma came at Zabuza this time sending wind blades straight for the man's head. Zabuza dived under the water to avoid the attacks. The blonde was in front of him doing the same. Zabuza just managed to get his sword between him and the attack before it stuck. The force sent him out of the water and straight into Asuma who was waiting.
Asuma was ready to land the killing blow when two objects punctured Zabuza's neck. He fell and began to float on the waters surface face down.
Naruto and Asuma dragged the corpse ashore where a hunter was waiting for them. Naruto took a quick sniff this was a trap. Naruto tackled the hunter with kunai against throat, his body on theirs.
"State yourself." Naruto commanded.
"I'm Haku I've been following Zabuza for some time now thank you for distracting him while I could kill him. If you don't mind could you get off me." The hunter informed him.
Naruto sniffed again. "Try telling me the truth what are you REALLY." Naruto commanded again.
'No one has seen through this before.' Haku thought.
"And while your at it state your gender I can't tell." Naruto continued in the same tone as before.
"Fine you will no doubt kill me any way." Haku said. Naruto got off of Haku but kept his kunai where it was. "My name is Haku I'm a tool to be used by Zabuza after he picked me up off of the streets. I don't know why he done it but I'm thankful he did. I play the role of a hunter ninja who has been tracking Zabuza if it appears he's about to die then I do what I done earlier. We are currently working for Gatō and our objective is to stop the bridge builder before he can complete it. I'm a girl." she explained everything she knew to the group and prepared herself for death.
"What do you think of Zabuza?" Naruto asked as he removed his kunai.
"What do you mean?" Haku answered.
"It's a straight forward question." Naruto said dryly.
"I think he can be rough but also kind. Harsh but caring. Mean but pleasant. He-" Haku began but was cut off by Naruto.
"Do you think of him as family?" Naruto interjected.
Haku was silent as she stared at Zabuza's body. "Yes." she whispered.
Naruto nodded. "Hey Asuma if we can convince them not to work for Gatō that would mean that we don't have to kill them. They could be useful allies."
Asuma nodded he couldn't argue with Naruto there having an Ex-Swordsman Of The Mist as an ally would help greatly in taking down Gatō. "It's up to them Naruto. We can't force them to do it." Asuma replied.
"If we let you live and you take Zabuza tell him what we told you. I should be going to pay the base a visit if I see you there I want the answer then okay?" Naruto asked Haku hand outstretched. Haku took it and nodded.
The rest of the journey was rather boring however Ino kept watch while they crossed in the boat.
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They arrived at Tazuna's house which was in the middle of no-where. They hadn't noticed but during the fight somehow Asuma got cut in the side. 'Must have been when I was about to kill Zabuza he let go of his sword and the momentum must have cut me. Damn I should have watched what was happening around me.' Asuma slated himself.
Tazuna opened the door and helped Asuma in and up the stairs to the spare room. Coming back down he was greeted by his daughter Tsunami. Tazuna then introduced the Genin and told her about the Jōnin upstairs.
Naruto made his way to a side room and started unsealing documents and scrolls for something to do after all he asked the Hokage himself for these specific documents.
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The day became the next as Naruto sat in the side room working away checking everything three times to make sure he had it right before taking the next step. He was glad he had his Shadow Clones helping him as well as Kurama in his human form.
Breakfast was called so he re-sealed everything then Kurama dismissed himself and apologised for not being able to help more.
The breakfast was nice but the sombre atmosphere killed it. Asuma was up and about and once seeing him Tazuna's daughter blushed heavily and began flirting with him. "He's taken." Naruto informs her and her face drops.
"Sensei I'm going to check out the base today." Naruto told Asuma before heading out of the door.
"Good luck!" Asuma shouts after him but Naruto barely hears it as he runs full tilt towards the coordinates he was given by the Demon Brother.
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Now for the thanks to the new comers for the story. Trucina, pengy6411, Tikeni and wmontrez have followed the story. Thank you. wmontrez, Tikeni, pengy6411 and Trucina have added it to their favourites list. Thank you.
Now a word of warning to everyone that's reading this you all might hate me in a coming chapter because of what I have planned. So I'm sorry. Don't hurt me *Runs Away*.