Disclaimer – I don't own Naruto
Chapter 5
'Boar' was the first one to get started, "Well, why don't we have a spar to get to know each other better? If we find you good enough, we might even show you what's under the mask." 'Hawk' just nodded. 'Neko' was blushing under the mask, due to the recent defeat at the hands of 'Fox'. Not that you could see it under the mask. They decided to have the spar on one of the more secluded training grounds at the ANBU HQ.
Soon they were at a lush green field, with few trees littered here and there. Naruto was thinking of the skills he should hide. He had already shown Mokuton. He knew he could win just by using that. "Let's start."
With that, 'Neko' took out her sword and fell into a stance. 'Boar' was quickly flashing through hand seals for Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu(Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu), while 'Hawk' was just about to finish Fūton: Daitoppa(Wind Style: Great Breakthrough). Naruto just performed a Suishū Gorugon(Water Attack Gorgon). The other three were shocked to see that Naruto wasn't even fazed after using such a technique to block the attack. He smirked, and said, "Now, it's my turn." He flashed through hand signs so fast that even a Sharingan would have trouble keeping up with him. He whispered, but loud enough for everyone present to hear, "Mokuton Hijutsu: Jukai Kōtan(Wood Release Secret Technique: Nativity of a World of Trees)." Numerous trees began to rise from the ground an trapped 'Boar' and 'Hawk' before they even had a chance to perform Kawarimi. Yugao managed to cut down a few branches attempting to get hold of her, but the forest was becoming too thick to see in. Soon, she was also trapped in the trees. Naruto's voice was heard through the mini-forest, "So, am I worthy to see your faces and know your real name?" 'Boar' and 'Hawk' were cursing and mumbling about young boys who show off, while 'Neko' was blushing up a storm. She was defeated again, and just by a single jutsu. She began to think, 'To think that Naruto-kun would grow up to be so strong. I remember the days I was following him. He has become quite handsome, as well. I wonder if …. No, bad Yuago. I like Hayate, right?'
Naruto soon released the jutsu, causing all the three to fall on the ground, cursing. Naruto immediately went to Yugao's side and gave a hand to help her get up. "You are quite beautiful, Neko-san."
Neko blush even more at his words, before they sunk in. "Wait, h-how can you see underneath my mask?" 'Nobody without a Byakugan should be able to…'
Naruto just shrugged and said, "I have my secrets. Although, I may share them with you, Yuago-san."
She just pointed her finger at him accusingly. "Ho-how do you know my name? It isn't supposed to be known."
Naruto shrugged and said, "You know I have infiltrated ANBU HQ before. I have seen your face before and heard your name before." He had just lied smoothly. A white Zetsu clone of Naruto was the one playing pranks. Zetsu was the reason Naruto knew of Yugao. He had even compiled a book of all Konoha ninja, past or present, from Genin to Kage. They all showed their faces and exchanged names. The rest of the day was spent in listing their skills and understanding the others as a team. Of course, Naruto only mentioned Mokuton and a few Suiton jutsus as his skills. The next two months were hectic. He went to five A-ranked missions and one S-ranked mission. He was gaining quite a reputation in all of Konoha as the most efficient and powerful ANBU. Meanwhile, the blood clone was stuck doing chores (D-ranked missions), while Sasuke kept on trying to make him submit to his will, as he was jealous of his new skills. Sakura tried to appease Sasuke by saying that a dead-last like Naruto couldn't have such skills, and the bell test was nothing but a 'fluke'. Kakashi soon came to know the arrangement between the Hokage and Naruto, and was proud of his student doing so well in ANBU.
One fine day, they stepped in the Hokage tower to receive a new mission. They had just returned the demon cat 'Tora', which was being mauled by Madam Shinji. The Hokage went over the mission list, "Well, the remaining missions are babysitting the Daimyo's grandson, putting up a fence…" "TORA""… or catching Tora…"
Sasuke suddenly snapped, "NO! I'm tired of these chores. Give me a mission worthy of my skills. I'm an Uchiha, an elite." Kakashi sighed at his student. He was too arrogant and would probably get himself killed on his way to revenge.
Sakura was scared to take on a higher mission, but was reassured when she though how her Sasuke-kun would sweep her in his arms. "Sasuke-kun is right!" 'Shannaro! He is always right!'
Naruto was silent. Iruka was starting to get angry, but the Hokage cut him off, "Well, Kakashi, do you think Team 7 is ready for a C-ranked mission?" Sasuke looked up hopefully at this.
Kakashi just sighed, "No, Hokage-sama. Sasuke is too arrogant, and is most likely to get himself killed. Sakura is… she hasn't improved at all. Naruto may be ready. But I'm not ready to take the responsibility just right now."
Sasuke glared at him. Sakura started shouting, "NARUTO-BAKA IS NOWHERE NEAR SASUKE'S LEVEL."
The Hokage just sighed, "Very well. Your mission is to put up the fence. Team 8!"
The Team 8, consisting of Kurenai Yuuhi, Hinata Hyuuga, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame came in. Kurenai was a rookie Jōnin. She was the Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha. She was one of the topmost kunoichi. Her red lips were accentuated by her red eyes. She wrapped bandages round her body, in a rose-thorn pattern.
Hinata Hyuuga was the shyest girl you could possibly find. She had a huge crush on Naruto Uzumaki. The day when his appearance changed, she almost fainted. Whenever Naruto was around, she would be a stuttering nervous mess.
Kiba Inuzuka was a brash, loud shinobi. He was just like the fake Naruto. He was adequately versed in his clan techniques. His pup, Akamaru, seemed to be the quieter of the two.
Shino was a quiet, stoic, intelligent guy. He was a typical Aburame. His coat hid his face, and his sunglasses hid his eyes.
"Team 8 reporting for a mission, Hokage-sama," Kurenai said.
The Sandaime went through the D-ranked missions and C-ranked ones. "Is your team ready for a C-ranked mission?" Receiving a nod from Kurenai, he continued, "This is your mission scroll. You are to guard Tazuna, escorting him to Nami no Kuni (The Land of Water). Bring in Tazuna."
An elderly man, who reeked of the smell of sake, came in drinking sake. "Huh! These brats are going to protect me? The one with the dog on his head seems to be the stupidest." The rest of the team had to restrain Kiba, so he would not do anything rash. "Anyway, I am a super bridge builder. I paid super money. I expect super protection. Even if you have to give your lives." The Sandaime narrowed his eyes at this. A simple C-ranked mission could be completed by single high ranked chunin, wihout any risk to life. There was more going on here. Kurenai dismissed her team and told they would be moving in an hour. When the team and bridge builder were gone, Hiruzen summoned 'Fox'. "'Fox', I want you to accompany Team 8, and help them if you feel the need. Otherwise, remain in the shadows. This is an A-ranked solo mission. Dismissed."
"Hai, Hokage-sama." With that, Naruto left for the gate, already prepared for a month-long mission. He perched on one of the trees. Zetsu hadn't been able to relay Itachi of his proposal. Naruto was getting restless. He had improved quite a bit by going on his missions, but they were far below his level. He needed someone to spar with. He was beginning question the decisions taken by the Sandaime, in particular relating to Danzo and the civilians. He was brought out of his musings when he noticed Team 8 moving. He leapt into the trees to follow them. Kiba was shouting about how awesome a ninja he would become. Naruto could only shake his head at the childish thoughts. They went on for a few hours, when Naruto noticed a puddle on the ground. It had not rained for days. That would mean it was a genjutsu. He knew that Kurenai saw it as well.
After they had walked by, two men leapt out of the puddle and wrapped the shocked Kurenai in chains, before shredding her body. "One down, three to go." Hinata and Kiba were shocked to see their sensei taken out so easily. Shino took up guard and his bugs were already eating out the men's chakra. Kiba came out of his shell and went to take on the man in the right, while Hinata took the one of the left. After a while, Kurenai jumped in from the trees and knocked the two out. Naruto thought it would be better to wait a few mintues before revealing himself.
Hinata was sure her sensei had died. "Sensei-i…. you are alive?" She said with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, Hinata, I'm alive, " she pointed to her previous place where there were shredded pieces of a log. "Good work, Kiba, Shino, Hinata. Now, Tazuna-san. I think we need to talk. These were Demon Brothers, Chunin level ninja. If they were going after me, they would have left after they 'killed' me. They don't have a reason to go after the other three. So, I believe you want to say something for yourself."
Tazuna gulped at having been caught so early. "I… Well … You see… Wave country doesn't have any ninjas, or any way of travelling fast without boats. Some years ago, Gato took over Wave. Since then, the economy has suffered… I'm building a bridge that can change that…."
Kurenai huffed, "But the enemy will send a Jōnin next time. My genin are nowhere ready for a Jōnin. If there are more than two, even I may have problems. We have to return to Konoha, and declare the mission a failure."
Tazuna knew he had to do something or he was dead. "I swear I'll pay you when I have the money. But… you are right. Go back. I'll just go and get myself killed. My daughter will curse you and my grandson will be heartbroken. But it doesn't matter."
One by one, all the genin said that it was only right to help Tazuna. Kurenai, having been outvoted, began to move forward. When they were out of earshot, Naruto jumped down, and activated his Rinnegan. Using his Human Path, he consumed the souls of the two brothers. He gained the memories of the two. He knew that they were working with Zabuza Momochi and a fake hunter-nin Haku, who wished to hide her true gender. He quickly sealed the bodies and made his through the trees to Team 8.
By the time he reached them, they had already set camp, and were sitting by the fire along with Tazuna. He decided to make his presence known. He jumped in the middle, the four ninja surrounding him. Kurenai moved quickly, and soon a kunai was at his throat before anyone cold blink. After seeing who it was and having heard of his reputation, she quickly removed it. "Gomen, I-I thought you were an enemy nin…"
Naruto just waved it off, "Don't worry, Kurenai-san. I'd have worried more if you hadn't done what you did. Moving on to more serious matters, Hokage-sama knew there was more to this mission than met the eye. So, I have been following you since."
Kiba was enraged. This ANBU guy knew they were in danger and did nothing? "YOU—You saw the ninja and DIDN'T help us?"
Naruto just smirked and chuckled, "The same could be said of your sensei." His tone lost the playfulness before he continued, "You might not like it. But a ninja must kill, and be faced with risks. If you expect to be helped at every situation, they you aren't a ninja yet."
Kiba flinched. Shino nodded. Hinata … felt weird. This ANBU seemed very familiar yet distinct due to some reason. Kurenai coughed before saying, "Although it was harsh, what ANBU-san said was true. Now, we will set out early tomorrow. So, get some sleep."
The next morning, the five ninja along with Tazuna set off for Nami no Kuni. They boarded a boat, owned by a certain friend of Tazuna's. Soon, the massive bridge came into view.
Kiba, being the loud-mouthed idiot as he was, shouted, "Wow! That is a really big bridge." He was quickly chastised by Kurenai for speaking loudly. He apologized, although he didn't seem to find anything wrong with it. They soon reached the shore, and started walking to Tazuna's house. Naruto quickly took to the trees.
The mist seemed to increasing in density. Soon, it became difficult to see more than a couple of feet ahead. Naruto activated his Sharingan, and concluded it was the Kirigakure no Jutsu (Hiding in Mist Technique). He had recently awakened Madara's sensory ability, which was probably a late effect of his blood. Combined with Kurama's chakra, it allowed to sense people in a mile radius. He could sense an elite Jōnin and a high Chūnin. With his sensory ability, he could sense that they had hostile intentions towards Tazuna. Suddenly, he heard a shout of "Get down", and a sword whizzing through the air.
With Team 8
Hinata had activated her Byakugan, and was looking around. Shino had sent a few bugs to scout the area. Kiba was busy alternating between boasting and keeping a track of any new scents. Suddenly he threw a kunai at the base of a tree. Dashing forward, he found it was a white rabbit. Kurenai immediately understood the use of Kawarimi. Before she could think, the mist grew even denser, and a buzzing sound could be heard. She shouted, "Get down!" and pulled Tazuna along with her. The sword lodged itself on the bark of a tree. Soon, a man appeared on top of the sword. The man was wearing a mask covering the lower portion of his face. His eyebrows were non-existent. He had a muscular body, with blue pants and leg warmers. The killing intent generated by him was choking Tazuna and the genin. Kurenai was trained to resist it, and Naruto had felt more killing intent at five.
Kurenai was the one who broke the silence. "Zabuza Momochi, rouge ninja of Kirigakure, master of the silent killing technique." The man wore the slashed Hitai-ate of Kiri. Kurenai knew that he was a high A ranked Jōnin, against whom she stood little to no chance.
The genin were protecting Tazuna. Hinata was seeing her life flash away without receiving any acknowledgment from her father. Shino was quivering a little, which to Aburame, meant he was very afraid. Kiba was shivering in fear.
With Naruto
Naruto sensed Zabuza's accomplice. He quickly made his way to the accomplice, through the trees. He came behind him without making a noise. He observed the person from some way out. Due to having Kurama, and his naturally advanced senses, he could smell the scant pheromones, and concluded that she was a girl. She was wearing a green battle kimono, with a mask, with was not visible from Naruto's point of view.
Naruto was quickly thinking of the ways to incapacitate the girl. He knew all about Yagura and Kiri, from Zetsu, and if he were to take on Akatsuki, and Obito Uchiha, 'Demon of the Mist' would be a welcome addition as his comrade and follower. He had made it a point to read the bingo book of every major and minor village. Zabuza was a mid to high A rank ninja, who with enough training could at least become lower S class. His apprentice was sure to be at least a low B rank. She was a teenager - so there was much time to improve.
He quickly focused on Zabuza and Team 8. He knew Kurenai was not a match for Zabuza, even with her entire team. He had to come up with a plan fast. He decided to let Zabuza underestimate him, which would mean that he would not bring any more comrades in their next meeting. He quickly appeared beside Kurenai.
With Zabuza
Suddenly, a 'Fox' masked Konoha ANBU appeared beside the Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha. His long blonde hair reached past his shoulder to his waist, giving it an untamed free look. His mask was orange in color, with three red whisker marks on each cheek. He was wearing standard ANBU clothes – a black muscle shirt, with bandages covering his arms. He had a tanto on his back. He had black pants on, with two kunai holsters on each thigh. He had taped each of his ankles with tape. He also had black steel-toed boots on. Although he couldn't be more than fifteen years of age, his presence screamed danger to Zabuza. He mentally shook his head and cleared such thoughts.
"So, another brat has come to play, eh? Lets –" His next words were cut off as the ANBU arrived at low Jōnin speeds, with his tanto drawn, covered with wind chakra. He slashed, but it was quickly parried by Zabuza, who jumped back to create space between himself and the ANBU. 'He is certainly fast, ' thought Zabuza. Making his way on to the water, he increased the density if the mist, so that nothing was visible.
Naruto understood that he was preparing for the Silent Killing technique. But he did not know that Naruto was a sensor type. Spreading his senses, he tried to pinpoint his location.
"Eight points… larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, femoral artery, kidneys, heart. How would you like to die?" Zabuza's voice rang throughout the clearing. Suddenly, Naruto sensed two Zabuza's near Tazuna. He shunshined to the one in front of Tazuna, slitting his throat with his tanto. Quickly spinning around, he kicked the real Zabuza towards the water.
Going through the hand signs with Chūnin level speed, he announced the name of the jutsu. "Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu" (Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu). The force of the jutsu caused Zabuza to be thrown across the lake to some of the trees. Before any of them had a chance of moving, the fake hunter-nin threw three senbon to paralyze Zabuza. Naruto smirked under his mask. Everything was going according to plan. The accomplice thanked them for tiring out Zabuza, and left in a suiton shunshin.
Naruto turned around to face Team 8. "Ano… aren't we supposed to go to Tazuna-san's house?" This brought them out of their stupor and they began travelling to Tazuna's house. Tazuna was happy that such a strong ninja was guarding him. Kurenai knew that this person was younger than her. She had heard that 'Fox' was inducted just a couple of months back. She began thinking as to who it could be that could match Zabuza Momochi. She knew that only Kakashi and Guy were the ones who could do it, except for the Hokage. Neither of three were this blonde ANBU. Kiba was a little in awe of the ANBU. Akamaru seemed to think that he was the new alpha. Shino was going over the things he knew about this ANBU. Hinata was thinking of what Naruto could possibly be doing at that moment.
Bingo Book Profiles
1) Name – Zabuza Momochi
Current affiliation – None
Former affiliation – Kirigakure
Alias – Demon of the Mist
Profile – Famous for slaughtering his entire graduating class, Zabuza Momochi quickly rose the ranks to become the top member of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū (Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist). He left after a failed assassination attempt on the Yondaime Mizukage, Yagura. He is known master of the Silent Killing Technique, and former head of the Assassination Crew of the Mist. Carries Kubikiribōchō.
Level – Jōnin/ANBU
Rank – A (mid to high)
Kekkei Genkai – None
Affinities – Suiton, Fuuton
Abilities : Kenjutsu – S (low) , Ninjutsu – A (low), Genjutsu – C (high), Taijutsu – A (high)
Looks – Seen mostly without a shirt, has pale skin. Lower part of the face is covered with bandages. Has no eyebrows.
Bounty – 10,000,000 Ryo dead or alive (Kiri)
Remark – Engage with caution
2) Name – Kurenai Yūhi
Affiliation – Konohagakure
Alias – Konoha's Genjutsu Mistress
Profile – Famous for being the foremost authority on genjutsu, only two others have surpassed her in this branch (Itachi and Shishui Uchiha).
Level – Jōnin
Rank – B (high)
Kekkei Genkai – None
Affinities – Suiton, Doton
Abilities – Genjutsu – S (mid), Ninjutsu – B (low), Taijutsu – B (low)
Looks – Has ebony black hair, with distinctive red eyes. Usually wears bandages wrapped around her body.
Bounty – 4,000,000 Ryo alive (Otokagure), 3,000,000 alive (Kumogakure)