Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"
Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.
"Two paths... too far apart to be absolute destiny, yet close enough that it can only be fate." -Naruto manga
"I ain't such a saint that I can promise to risk my life for strangers. Neither am I scum to sit quietly while people are getting hurt before my eyes!"- Kurosaki Ichigo.
Sarutobi sat and listened as Tazuna explained his situation to the Kage. Sarutobi listened intently to Tazuna until the man finished. Tazuna leaned back into his chair, but kept his eyes on the ground as Sarutobi continued to stare directly at him. "So you need an escort to your home in Kuni no Nami," Sarutobi watched as Tazuna nodded his head slowly. "If I may why would you need an escort if you managed to get here without one." Tazuna gritted his teeth as he looked up at the kind Hokage who smiled sadly at him. Tazuna exhaled as he went about to explain the reason why.
"Kuni no Nami is under the control of a tyrant named Gato," Sarutobi nodded his head in understanding. "He didn't know I left to go get supplies to finish the bridge that would free us from his control, but I fear that he has since realized my disappearance." Tazuna looked up at Sarutobi with an almost pleading look in his eyes. "My town isn't rich because of this man, but if we can finish this bridge then we can pay you whatever the price for the mission. Please, I've been too two other villages, but they all turned me down. My town needs this bridge to live again." Sarutobi looked out the window and gave off a sigh knowing he would some how regret this.
"If Gato is behind this then one genin squad is not going to cover it," Sarutobi looked at Tazuna as his head dropped. Sarutobi watched as the bridge-builder stood up to leave. "But I think two shall be sufficient in this endeavor." Tazuna turned around with a surprise in his eyes as Sarutobi nodded his head. "I shall have the squads summoned here at once." Tazuna nodded his head with gratitude as he took a seat next too the door.
XXX
Kakashi watched from the trees as his students caught the Tora for the fourth time in the same week. The team to Kakashi's surprise did well in the bell test. They almost failed it, but thanks to Sai realizing what the purpose of the test was they passed it. Kakashi was happy with how his team was performing except for one thing; Sasuke. Over the few weeks Kakashi has noticed that Sasuke didn't care much about anything. Sure he would help out in the missions, but he did it with no regard if it was completed or not. This worried Kakashi, but for the time being he couldn't do anything about it. Kakashi turned his head just as he heard the leaves next to him rustle. Kakashi listened as an ANBU with a white tiger mask whispered into his ear before vanishing. Kakashi jumped to the ground below and regarded his team with his traditional eye smile. "Well done," Sasuke grunted as Tora tried everything to get out of the ink snakes that trapped it. "The Hokage wishes to speak to us about a mission. We are needed immediately." The squad nodded their heads as they all took off towards the tower. Team 7 entered the tower only to see Kurenai's team.
"What are you doing here?"
Sarutobi looked at the two squads in front of him with calculating gaze. "I called you two here because you're squads are going on a joint mission," Kurenai and Kakashi both turned to Sarutobi still confused. "Your squads would benefit being together then anyone else's. Kurenai your team is a tracking and scouting squad. Kakashi your squad is an assault team. Together I think you will have the best chance at completing the mission at hand."
"What is the mission?" Kakashi questioned. Sarutobi gestured behind the two teams as Tazuna stood up from his place.
"Your mission is to escort Tazuna back to his home in Kuni no Nami," Sarutobi raised his hand to avoid being interrupted. "The reason for sending two teams is because this man might be attacked by men hired by Gato." Kakashi's eye narrowed at Gato's name hearing tales of his cruelty towards anyone. "Now I don't expect you too run into much trouble, but be on your guards." Everyone gave Sarutobi a salute and turned to get ready for the mission. Hinata turned and waved at Sai who smiled back at her.
"How have you been," Hinata asked as she smiled at her friend. "I haven't seen you around that much." Sai's expression softened a little as a trace of sadness appeared.
"My brother died."
Hinata's eyes widened as Sai continued to smile at her, but Hinata saw through his faux smile. "I'm so sorry Sai." Sai nodded his head and followed his team out the door with Hinata and her team behind them. Tazuna looked at Sarutobi with a grateful smile as he turned and left as well.
XXX
Gato leaned on his cane as he watched as the Demon Brothers, Gozu and Meizu prepared for their mission. Gato looked over at Zabuza with the always present Haku on his right side. "You're not going with them," Zabuza cast a carefree glance towards Gato before returning his eyes back to the brothers. "You put your faith in just these two?" Gozu and Meizu stopped and looked at Gato with a dangerous glint in their eyes.
"What are you implying?"
Gato simply smiled at the brothers. "All I'm trying to say is that I don't think the two of you can cut it."
"Why you…!" Gozu stopped when Zabuza's sword descended and separated the two.
"What do you suggest then Gato," Zabuza turned his cold eyes upon Gato making the business man shiver? "Do you doubt the choice I've made?" Gato swallowed hard as Zabuza's eyes narrowed until they resembled silts.
"All I'm saying is that I want you close at hand," Zabuza tilted his head to one side with a dull expression in his eyes. "Just, in case things don't go according to plan." Zabuza sighed as he placed his sword back on his back as he leaned back into his couch.
"I suppose you also want someone else with Gozu and Meizu."
As if on cue the door opened revealing a large bear-like man with a sword strapped to his side. He wore a dark cloak that seemed to glow with an unnatural aura. "This is Gekizai (Violent Poison) he is going to accompany you."
XXX
"Now I want you all to be ready," Kakashi trained his lone eye on everyone. "We might encounter mercenaries or other ninjas on this mission. So I want everyone to watch each other's backs. Understand." Kakashi watched as everyone nodded their heads before turning towards Kurenai who gave her own approving nod. "Then let's move out!" The group walked forward with Tazuna in the middle of them. The group continued their trek passing by various trees, but seeing nothing strange. Kakashi and Kurenai both noticed the puddle of water, but decided to say nothing as two figures appeared on its surface. Hinata turned around just in time to see their sensei's being wrapped by two men wearing gauntlets connected by a shuriken chain. Hinata watched in horror as the two brothers yanked on their chains cutting their captives into pieces.
"Two down," The two said in unison grinning underneath their masks. "Six too go." Everyone turned around just in time to see the remains of their falling sensei's fall to the ground. The brothers wasted no time and charged the small group of Genin. Hinata's Byakugan activated as she dropped into her clan's fighting stance. Sakura pulled out a kunai and stood next too Tazuna. Kiba dropped to all fours along with his partner Akamaru. Shino stood in the back as his insects began to fly around him. Sai decided to fight along with Sasuke as the brothers continued to head straight at them. The brothers raised their poisoned claws as they neared the Genin, but were stopped when a purple orb was dropped in front of them. The orb exploded releasing its contents around Sasuke, Sai, and the two brothers. The brothers emerged out of the cloud glaring towards the one who caused the disruption. Gekizai stood juggling three more purple bombs in one hand.
"You two handle the bridge-builder," Gekizai walked off his spot on the tree and landed without missing a step. "I'll deal with these Genin." Gekizai looked over just as the purple smoke dissolved revealing Sasuke and Sai relatively unharmed. Gekizai smiled as he looked at the tree line behind him. "I just poisoned two of your students I think now is not the time to be hiding." Kakashi and Kurenai both jumped out of the trees and appeared behind the poison user. Gekizai continued to smile as Kakashi went to lift up his headband, but before his hand even brushed the metal Gekizai threw the three poison bombs at the Jonin. Kakashi and Kurenai jumped out of the bombs range, but just as they looked over at Gekizai he had already thrown two kunai at them. Kakashi batted the kunai thrown at him with his own; as Kurenai grabbed hers by the handle, but neither expected what happened next. The kunai exploded into a cloud of purple gas.
"Damn it," Kakashi cursed under his breath as he landed on the ground next to Kurenai. "Did you breathe it in?" Kurenai nodded her head slowly as she felt her vision begin to swim. Kakashi went to stand up, but collapsed again under his wobbly knees.
"This poison is special," Gekizai stated as he pulled his sword off his back. "It numbs the muscles, disrupts the chakra flow, and for the final kick it causes blurry vision." Gekizai turned away from the two struggling Jonin as he smiled towards the rest of the Genin. Gekizai placed the tip of his sword on the ground and began to walk towards Sasuke and Sai as they struggled to get up. "Don't worry it's not going to kill… at least not yet." Sasuke went to punch the man, but received a slap to the side of the face for his efforts. Gekizai looked towards Hinata, Shino, and Kiba and smirked. "You three are going to be problems. These two would've been a problem as well, but they are currently indisposed of right now." Sasuke growled and received a kick to his gut for it. Gekizai's eyes found Sakura's and watched the girl cringe under it.
"This wasn't the plan." Gekizai looked towards the brothers and shrugged his shoulders.
"Yeah, but we didn't expect two ninja squads," Gekizai pulled out a bottle of black liquid and placed it at his lips. "But don't worry this will soon be rectified." He threw his head back and drained the liquid in one go. Gekizai dropped the bottle as he began to go through a series of handsigns. Gekizai threw his head back and vomited up three globs of the black liquid. "Have fun." This was all Gekizai said as the globs began to take the shape of a human. The clones then moved towards Hinata, Kiba, and Shino with a burst of speed. "Now stop wasting time and deal with the bridge-builder!" Gozu glared at the man, but charged a now alone Sakura. Tazuna looked at Sakura with surprise on his face as she stood her ground.
"Don't worry I won't leave," Sakura proclaimed, but couldn't keep the fear out of her voice. Tazuna was about to tell her too leave when a shadow fell over the two brothers. Everyone looked on with shock as two more people plowed the unsuspecting demon brothers into the ground. As the smoke and debris settled everyone got a good look at the new arrivals. One was wearing a plain mask that covered his face, but couldn't conceal his blond hair; and had what seemed like a modified version of a Kumo flak jacket with two long sleeves that concealed his arms. He also had a copper pendent with the kanji for family on it. The other one had the same thing except his clothing was purple and he didn't have a pendent.
"Nice party," The masked one said with enthusiasm in his voice. "Mind if we crash it." The poison clone fighting Kiba released his grip on the Inuzuka and charged towards the two newcomers. "Suigetsu deal with this pest." Suigetsu smiled as his body rippled as he stepped in front of the poison clone. Everyone watched as Suigetsu's body reverted into water just as the poison clone crashed into him. Gekizai watched with flinted eyes as his clone was absorbed into Suigetsu as his body reverted back to normal.
"Water beats poison every time."
"Just who the hell do you think you are," Gekizai shouted out as his other clones stopped fighting Shino and Hinata and went after Suigetsu who went through a series of handsigns. "You can't use water jutsu without a source of-." Gekizai stopped remembering Suigetsu turning his body into water.
"Suiton: Suikōdan no Jutsu (Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique)." Everyone watched in amazement as a giant shark head shot out of his back and devoured the two poison clones. Suigetsu stood up as he bent backwards popping his back in the process. "I'll help pinky with the bridge-builder you take care of poison man." The masked boy nodded his head and began to walk towards Gekizai only to stop four feet away from him.
"It's an honor to tell your opponent the name of the individual he is going to face."
Gekizai gritted his teeth, but smiled through his anger. "My name is Gekizai," He pointed the tip of his blade to the masked boy. "And I'm also the one who is going to defeat you." The boy nodded his head as he rubbed his head.
"I guess it's my turn," The boy suddenly vanished in a sudden burst of speed as he reappeared behind Gekizai. "My name is Doukaku nice to meet you." Gekizai's eyes widened as Doukaku kicked him in the side of the head sending him through three different trees. Doukaku kept his eyes were Gekizai landed only to see him lying on his back with his eyes closed. "That was easy." Doukaku walked towards the downed poison master and began to pat his pockets until he produced a vial of clear liquid. Doukaku began to walk back to the stunned group as he tossed the vial to Hinata. "That should fix your friends as right as rain." Doukaku jerked his head towards the forest as he and Suigetsu began to move, but stopped when they heard someone chuckling. Doukaku turned back to Gekizai to see him standing back up.
"I never suspected that Kinkaku and Ginkaku had another brother," Kakashi's eye widened as he looked at the boy in front of him. "You are just as strong as them Doukaku." Doukaku pulled out a kunai from his pocket, but stopped when a giant sword flew through the air embedding itself into the tree above him. Suigetsu's eyes widened as he recognized the blade. "It's about time Zabuza." Kakashi and Kurenai looked up at the man standing on the blade's handle.
Doukaku turned his head just enough to look at Zabuza with one eye. Zabuza kept his eyes locked on Doukaku's face. "You are quite something," Doukaku announced with a happy tone. "I wouldn't mind getting into a fight with you." Zabuza reached down and grabbed his sword and with a yank he dislodged the embedded blade. Doukaku turned his gaze back to Hinata who was still holding the vial of liquid. "I told you give that to your team and then get out of here." Doukaku growled this out not in anger or hate, but it had a tone of worry in it.
"How do you know that it isn't more poison," Doukaku turned his gaze to Kakashi with a narrowed eye?
"Because I studied about how to tell what is an antidote or not," Doukaku responded as he turned his gaze back to Zabuza. "Besides I gain nothing from your group dieing." With that Doukaku charged Zabuza with his kunai raised. Suigetsu looked towards Gekizai who was drawing a circle in the ground around him with a smile on his face. Kakashi watched as Doukaku blocked Zabuza's blade with his kunai, but heard him grunt in pain from the force. Kakashi closed his eye and sighed as he looked towards Hinata.
"Give me the vial Hinata," Kurenai looked at Kakashi as if he lost his mind, but he just gave her his eye smile. "Someone has to see if it is the antidote. Besides those two are going to need help." Kurenai looked at Suigetsu and Doukaku as they both skidded across the ground before charging their opponents once more. Hinata approached Kakashi as she handed him the vial with uncertainty in her eyes. Kakashi grabbed the vial and took a small sip before giving it back to her. Kakashi stayed still for awhile before standing up while clenching his fist. "It's working, but slowly." Kakashi gave her a nod signaling she was to give it to the others.
"You're pretty good," Zabuza commented as Doukaku blocked a kick aimed at his stomach. "But I can tell you're holding back." Doukaku smiled as he shoved Zabuza's leg away before delivering a spinning kick to his ribs. Zabuza wheezed as he tried to catch his breath. Zabuza looked up and saw Doukaku descended on him with his kunai pointed directly at the man's neck. Zabuza smiled as he swung his sword in a arc above him catching Doukaku on the side of his left arm. Doukaku landed on the ground while his kunai was thrown to the ground. "Now's not the time to play around with me." Doukaku grabbed his arm as he turned towards the Konoha group.
"Sorry," Doukaku announced as he stood up while tearing the sleeve off revealing a completely healed wound. "I don't like getting other's involved in my fights." Doukaku held out his right arm positioned like he was holding a sword with a smile. Zabuza watched in surprise as Doukaku's entire right hand was enveloped in a transparent yellow chakra. Doukaku swung his arm and the chakra shot forward creating a sword of chakra. "Futon: Shinkuken (Wind Release: Vacuum Blade)." Zabuza smirked as he brought his giant blade up. "You want me to cut loose well this is a more controlled version of me cutting loose." Doukaku charged as he dragged his wind blade across the ground as Zabuza did the same. The blades collided and exploded in a flash of dust and rubble. Doukaku was on the other side of Zabuza as the giant blade was cut in two. This caused a strange happy light too enter the man's eyes.
"I like you kid," Zabuza commented as he placed what was left of his sword on his shoulder. "You are the first to fully cut through my blade and survive without a scratch." Blood gently dripped down from a cut on Zabuza's chest. Zabuza did something that surprised everyone; he placed the blade's edge on his wound. Doukaku tilted his head to the side as Zabuza's blade began to reform. Doukaku brought his wind blade around just as Zabuza's blade finished reforming. "But you're going have to do a lot better then that to bring me down." Doukaku kept the smile up, but sudden stopped when Kakashi appeared behind Zabuza. Zabuza sighed as he swung his blade behind him lazily catching Kakashi in the side with the blunt end. Doukaku growled as Kakashi landed next to him.
"You need to leave," Kakashi gave Doukaku his trademark eye smile as he pulled up his headband revealing his Sharingan. "If you don't Tazuna might die in the crossfire." Kakashi looked over and saw Tazuna being herded into the center of the two squads. Doukaku noticed this as well and released an even deeper growl. Doukaku returned his attention back to Zabuza and shook his head slightly. "Fine you can help, but stay out of my way or you might get hurt." With that Doukaku pushed forward leaving behind feet indentions in the ground. Kakashi followed after trailing just beyond Doukaku's wind blade. Zabuza smiled as he swung his blade at Doukaku just as he swung the wind blade up. This time though the result was different; instead of cutting through the blade Doukaku's chakra sword stopped only an inch in.
"This time around is different," Zabuza grinned under his mask just as a Mizu Bushin appeared behind him and blocked Kakashi's attack. "I'm afraid my clone will be entertaining you for now Kakashi Hatake." Kakashi blocked a kick the Zabuza clone as he jumped back. Zabuza shoved Doukaku off his blade and swung the blade at Naruto's mid-section. Doukaku stretched out his left arm just as a white chain of chakra shot out and wrapped around a nearby tree; pulling him to safety.
"Your right Zabuza," Doukaku looked down at Zabuza with a grin hidden behind his mask. "This time it is different." Doukaku jumped off the tree and just as he swung his blade down at Zabuza.
XXX
Suigetsu cast a wary glance towards Doukaku as he jumped back from Gekizai's blade. Suigetsu looked back as Gekizai cast a slight glance towards the Genin squads. "I don't think so," Suigetsu proclaimed as he jumped in front of Gekizai's gaze. "You fight is with me!" Suigetsu yanked a scroll out of his pocket and ripped it open expelling smoke everywhere, but when the smoke cleared Suigetsu was holding a katana.
Gekizai smirked at Suigetsu while a dangerous fire burned in his black eyes. "Do you really believe you can stop me," Gekizai questioned with sarcasm in his voice?
"I don't believe it; I know it!" With that sentence Suigetsu charged at Gekizai with a bloodlust in his eyes. Gekizai smiled as he blocked Suigetsu's blade with his own. Suigetsu spun on his heel bringing his sword around to slice Gekizai in half. Gekizai's seemed to ignite into a blaze of excitement as he simply grabbed the blade. Suigetsu looked up and watched as Gekizai brought the tip of his blade down at his chest. Suigetsu smiled as the blade passed right through his water form. "You can't beat me like-." Suigetsu stopped as Gekizai punched Suigetsu's stomach. Suigetsu looked at the man confused as he pulled both his arm and sword out of his water body.
Hinata saw something brown floating in Suigetsu's body and then she realized what it was. "Suigetsu," Suigetsu turned his head towards Hinata only to see a look of fear on her face. "Explosive tag!" Suigetsu looked down just as the tag ignited.
"Shit-," Was all Suigetsu got out as the entire area was rocked by the explosion! Doukaku turned his head to see Suigetsu land on the ground still in water form, but with a hole were the tag was planted. Suigetsu let out a grunt of pain as Gekizai walked towards him.
"So you can survive what would kill most people," Gekizai watched in amazement as water began to slither towards Suigetsu. "It would seem that you can regenerate using water. So I take it you would be extremely weak against Raiton users." Suigetsu glared up at Gekizai as he brought his sword's tip to his throat. "But sadly you will die today, boy." Gekizai went to stab Suigetsu, but jumped away when a glowing palm missed his face by an inch. When he looked up he saw Hinata standing between him and Suigetsu. Shino stepped next to her along with a still recuperating Sai.
Kurenai went through a series of handsigns for a genjutsu, but when she finished she let out a growl. "I still can't get my chakra to act correctly." She looked at the three Genin staring down this monster of a man. Hinata glared at the man in front of her as her Byakugan slowly activated.
"Oh, so I'm going to have to kill more Genin," Gekizai stated in a way that made almost everybody quiver. "This is going to be a cake walk." Gekizai watched as Shino's hive erupted out of his body forming a cloud around him. Sai pulled out a Tanto from his back as Hinata dropped back into her stance once more. Gekizai popped his shoulders as he looked at the three in front of him with amusement. Then he charged towards the Genin group. Shino's bugs formed a wall in front of the group, but Gekizai simply ran through the insects. Gekizai seemed to melt a little as the bugs began to feast on his chakra. When he was about a foot away from the group, Gekizai simply fell to the ground as a puddle. Suigetsu looked around behind the group in front of him, but suddenly felt something beneath him. Hinata turned around just as Gekizai erupted out of the ground underneath Suigetsu. "Time to die, Hyuga brat!" Gekizai went to stab Hinata as everyone watched in shock. Hinata closed her eyes and waited for the impact that never came. When she opened her eyes she saw Doukaku standing in front of her with the blade in his hand.
"Why," Hinata asked in confusion as Doukaku smiled. "Why did you save me?"
Doukaku didn't answer right away instead he grabbed the blade and snapped the blade in two. "Because I can't stand around and let others get hurt," Doukaku proclaimed as he grabbed Gekizai's arm. "Now, what did you say to Hinata?" Gekizai shook as Doukaku stared at him. Suddenly Gekizai saw a faint image of a giant red fox with nine tails behind Doukaku. "Oh, yes time to die!" Doukaku placed his hand on Gekizai's chest as his wind chakra began to build around it.
"What are you?"
Doukaku tilted his head to the side and Gekizai could've sworn he was smiling. "I'm the one person you don't want to anger," With that slight statement Doukaku's wind blade pierced right through Gekizai's chest. Gekizai coughed up blood as Doukaku kicked him away. Doukaku looked down at Suigetsu and nodded his head before turning back towards a now confused Zabuza. "Now, that little problem is taking care of." Doukaku began to form his chakra into his blade, but it suddenly vanished. Doukaku looked down at his hand when he saw his vision begin to twist this way and that. Doukaku began to shake as he collapsed on one knee.
"Looks like doing that little stunt cost you," Doukaku looked up to see Zabuza standing over him. "Poison is a very cowardly way of fighting." Doukaku smiled a little under his mask as Zabuza brought his sword up, but stopped when the blade end of Gekizai's sword stabbed him in the arm. Zabuza turned to see Kakashi next too Doukaku. Zabuza smiled as he jumped back pulling the poisoned blade out of his arm. "Looks like we have to finish our fight next time, Doukaku." Doukaku nodded his head and despite the poison in his body stood up. Zabuza sheathed his blade before he vanished in a swirl of water. Doukaku looked at a now fully regenerated Suigetsu and made a small hand sign to him. Before anyone knew what was happen Suigetsu vanished and reappeared next too Doukaku.
"Sorry, but this is where we make out escape," Doukaku announced getting looks of shock out of everyone. Kakashi made a move to grab Doukaku, but grabbed nothing, but water. "Don't worry I have a feeling we will meet again." He reached up and pulled down his mask revealing the grinning face of Naruto Uzumaki.
I hope everyone liked the chapter and I hope I did okay with the fight scenes. I'm not yet use to having Multiple people fighting at the exact same time. Anyway how will the Konoha group act with Doukaku reliving himself to be Naruto. Anyway I hoped you all enjoyed.