Author's Note – I sincerely apologize to everyone following the story for not updating it sooner. I'll strive to do that from now on. University, writer's block and life in general got in the way. This is going to be a very short update (more of a teaser). I am unsatisfied with the way things were planned to go, and there will be some major changes that affect the power hierarchy.

Important Note – I'm looking for a beta. Please let me know if anyone's interested.

Disclaimer – I don't own Naruto

Chapter 6 – The Brightest Before The Fall

It had been a couple of days since they had reached Tazuna's house. Naruto had keep keeping to the shadows, and had forbidden Tazuna, and Team 8 from revealing that he was with them. Inari was sulking, and throwing a tantrum now and then. Tsunami was trying to care for everyone.

Naruto had scouted Nami no Kuni, and everything painted a bleak picture. Uzushiogakure was close to Nami, and it could serve as the ninja village of Nami no Kuni. Uzu would rise to be the top village in the Elemental Nations, and he could create and maintain peace from there. But for now, he had to recruit members… and rebuild Uzushio. Focusing on his sensory ability, located Zabuza and Haku, within the forest. He made his way through the forest, finally coming upon a raised structure. He sensed Zabuza, still recovering, and Haku inside. He remembered how the genin had reacted when Kurenai had informed them that Zabuza was still alive.

Flashback

Kurenai, along with the genin were in the sitting room. A Kage Bunshin of Naruto was keeping watch from the shadows. Tazuna was sitting at the head of the table.

Kurenai was the one who broke the slurping sounds made by Tazuna while drinking sake, "Well, team, we have about a week till Zabuza returns…" With that, all hell broke loose. Tazuna was sputtering, Hinata went pale. Shino remained as usual.

Kiba shouted, "What do you mean? We saw that hunter-nin…"

"It was a fake." Kurenai then explained how senbon could be used to create a death-like state. If he/she was a real hunter-nin, the body would have been destroyed then and there. With that, she started training her genin so that they could face the fake hunter-nin

Flashback End

Frowning, he looked up at the modest place. Using some chakra at his feet, he quickly jumped up, and knocked at the door.

A girl, wearing a pink summer dress, was the one to open the door. She had ebony colored hair, with warm brown eyes. She looked to be no older than fifteen – a typical, harmless civilian. But Naruto knew better. He had been monitoring the safehouse for the past two days, and deduced that this was the fake hunter-nin.

Naruto was, thus, dressed in civilian clothes, and his forehead protector and weapons, except for one single kunai, were in one of his scrolls.

"Can I help you in any way?" That was the first thing that Naruto heard. She had a sweet, soft voice. At first glance, the place appeared to be no more than an ordinary civilian house. But Naruto could detect the hints of the ninja that lived here, paintings in strategic places, windows to make an exit – all kinds of small things.

He just smiled, in a goofy way, and ruffled his hair. "I have been travelling for a few days, and seem to have lost my way. Could you direct me to my destination?" He had taken special care to appear like a civilian who's undertaking a tiring journey – slightly worn clothes, first signs of exhaustion.

She seemed to believe the act. "Sure. But, please come in. You must be tired." Naruto followed her inside, after the door was closed. The rooms were set in a traditional Japanese setting, with the walls colored beige. He heard a moan, and turned towards one of the doors. "That's my dad. He got hurt, while they were fishing." She tried to act as if it was no big deal, but Naruto caught the signs of concern on her face.

They moved on to the dining room, which was connected to the kitchen. "Please sit down, and I'll make you some tea."

"Please. You don't have to trouble yourself. Just a map would be more than enough." Naruto determined that, although this fake nin believed him to be a civilian, she had brought him to one of the furthest rooms – away from Zabuza. As she moved to make tea, Naruto excused himself to go to the toilet. As soon as he was out, he made his way to Zabuza's room. Once he was inside, he sealed the entry with a moderately powerful seal. No sooner he was finished than he felt the tip of a kunai at his throat.

"I don't know who you are, but I would advise you to start talking. You have three seconds." Zabuza Momochi might have been wounded, but he was still one of the most powerful swordsmen and a skilled shinobi.

"Kukuku… You do live up to your reputation, Zabuza." With that, Naruto started exuding chakra, thus increasing the pressure in the room, and bringing Zabuza to his knees. "That day, when I beat you, was not even the tip of my power. I want you to join me in my goal." He had activated his Sharingan, and looked positively menacing.

"He… I don't think you have anything that you can use to persuade me, do you?" Although Zabuza knew he was unmatched, he still had his ego. He wouldn't let a punk Konoha ANBU humiliate him!

"As a matter of fact, if you agree to join me, I'll end the rule of Mizukage!" A few branches of a tree were now holding Zabuza in place. Zabuza was speechless by this show of power. Sharingan – he could understand, but Mokuton too! He was about to rebuke, but one look at the Sharingan – and he saw the death of the Mizukage and anything that stood in the blond's way. He was just able to nod dumbly.

"As a sign of my generosity, I'll heal you." Naruto used Hashirama's Yin Yang healing technique to restore Zabuza to his peak. "You just rest now. Fūin." Just as he released the door, Haku came rushing in.

"Haku. We follow the blond's orders now." Zabuza nodded to his accomplice. Haku was stunned, but he would follow his master to the death.

"I would like to start cashing in. How about that tea you were talking about?"

Author's Note – I'm sorry, guys! I know it's been a long time, and this is a very short update. I have been out of touch with Naruto for quite some time now. I will be introducing characters and concepts from the other worlds so that Naruto has a challenge. Also, the characters within the universe will also be stronger. Stay tuned for another update this month. That will, hopefully be much longer.