Hey guys, I'm back lol. I know I dropped this story but shit happened. BUT. I am proud to say I'm back in full gear! I'll do my best to have a chapter out every two days, if I can't it'll be out once every week AT THE VERY LEAST. Enjoy this chapter and review if you want

Chapter 5: Land of Waves

"FUCK THIS STUPID CAT", screamed an angry Uzumaki. It had been two weeks since the official formation of Team 7, and Naruto could not be having any more fun being a shinobi. EXCEPT for the fact that his pay grade consisted of menial chores and chasing the same damn cat for about three days straight. After their most recent 'success' on catching the nefarious "Tora", the three genin under Kakashi's tutelage went to deliver the lost cat back to the daimyo's wife in the mission's office.

Misson's Office

"JIJI! IF I HAVE TO CATCH THAT DUMB FUCKING BALL OF HAIR AGAIN I'M GOING TO ROAST IT ALIVE!", yelled Naruto as his patience had been worn thin ever since the first D-Rank mission they had been assigned. Sasuke and Sakura while not exploding like their black haired teammate, agreed 100% as they all mutually felt that these D-Ranks were just a waste of time. However, as soon as those words left his mouth, a gloved covered fist rammed onto Naruto's head. "Oi, simmer down. My apologies Hokage-sama, it seems I still have work to do in teaching my students about respect". At this point, the Uzumaki sat down, back facing the Hokage with a big "Hmph!"

Hiruzen just sighed and took another hit out of his pipe. "I understand your frustration Naruto, however, D-Rank missions are not also responsible in helping out our village's economy, but it also helps new teammates to become familiar with each other and promote the essence of teamwork.". The Sandaime Hokage had hoped that his words had at least some effect on the irate Genins, but no such luck. Sasuke had his hands still in his pockets with closed eyes along with a twitching eyebrow. Sakura was clearly daydreaming while blushing, and Naruto still had his back faced towards him. Kakashi could not do anything but scratch his temple with an apologetic smile. 'Sigh. I guess I could give them a basic C-Rank. It wouldn't hurt.'

Sarutobi now spoke, "All right then Team 7. If you really want something more challenging, I'll give in and assign you a C-rank Mission.". Naruto and Sasuke immediately brightened up at the thought of real combat. After another puff of smoke, Hiruzen called in the client. "Tazuna, you can come out now.". On cue, and elderly looking man with ragged clothes and a pair of glasses came out...drunk.

"Oi, what the hell is this? I ask for elite body guards and you give me three brats and a cyclops."

"This is what you get payed for Tazuna, one rookie squad for a C-Rank escort mission."

While holding Naruto back from beating the man with his comically bulging eyes, Hiruzen explained to the team about their new mission. Escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves so he can build an important bridge. The max. danger they are to expect would just be bandits and local thugs. They had two hours to get ready for a week long trip and to then meet at Konoha's front gates.

Two hours later-Konoha's Main Gate

Equipped with supplies for an outside mission along with his new clothes (black shinobi headband, lacquer black long sleeve compression shirt rolled up, dark grey shinobi pants, lacquer black shinobi combat boots, and white boxing handwraps with a metal plate on the back hands) , Naruto felt more excited than ever. It was going to be his first mission outside of Konoha walls, and his first look to see where he stood against outside forces. When arriving, he noticed Sasuke's posture, he could tell that the Uchiha was anxiously excited and Sakura...well Sakura had already been THRILLED just looking at the guy.

After waiting around for Kakashi to arrive, the team departed.

'Hm, it's at least 75 degrees right now and it hasn't rained for days...we're being tailed.' Kakashi thought. The elite jounin looked to his students to see if they noticed. Naruto expectantly did, as well as Sasuke. 'Good. They noticed. I'll step back for a bit and see who their target is...us..or Tazuna.'

Almost immediately after his thought, two dark figures armed with giant metal claw gauntlets jumped out of the puddle and extended chains around Kakashi, which they percieved as the biggest threat. They tore his body mercilessly. "One down, four to go.". The two ninja bolted for those remaining.

Naruto couldn't help but smile because he knew his sensei was working an angle. "Finally! Some action! Sasuke back me up. You take lefty, I'll take righty. Sakura, protect Tazuna!", Naruto shouted. Sasuke hated to be ordered around, but still went along. With Sakura protecting the client, the two genin had free reigns to unleash an ass kicking.

'These guys seem to specialize in close range combat with those hulking junks of metal, HAH. Goku, I want to try out that new earth jutsu you thought me.'

'Just be mindful kid. I know you're excited but NEVER underestimate your opponent. I'm sure you smelled the laced poison on their claws from even before they popped up.'

'Yeah yeah, I got it.'. "All right! Here we go!" Naruto slammed his two fists together while his enemy ran towards him. "Doton: Domu no jutsu! (Earth Spear). Naruto's hands turned an eerily dark brown underneath his handwraps. Before the demon brother could slash at him, the red eyed genin slammed his earth hardened fist into the ninja and had him flying back so far, he was barely visible when he crashed into the upteenth tree. Sasuke's end didn't look much worse. the prodigy was engaged in a close up taijutsu match with him having upper hand in speed and technique. The uchiha knew he could've stepped back and unleashed a fireball at the guy but he was growing quite bored. So he just jumped back a good distance next to Sakura and Tazuna.

"Argh! What the hell's the matter gaki, you scared to face death?", the demon brother roared.

Sasuke looked at the sad sight of his enemy and just shook his head. The enemy shinobi took that has the kid mocking him and charged head on. Right before his poisoned claws could reach the boy, a puff of smoke appeared between them and revealed there jounin sensei, Kakashi Hatake. With a swift knock out, the assault on Team 7 and Tazuna ended.

"Great job team! I knew my cute little soldiers were capable!", mused Kakashi, still holding the unconscious shinobi underneath his arm.

Naruto just chuckled and put his hands behind his head. "Well, I knew you of all people couldn't have been offed by a pair of amateurs, so I just figured you were just standing back to watch me and king broody over there to see how we would deal with a life or death combat situation."

A tick mark grew on the young uchiha's forehead, but decided to just hate in silence. The pinkette finally spoke up. "But Kakashi-sensei, if you could've beaten them as soon as they attacked, why'd you let them think they killed you? Surely it wasn't just to watch Naruto and Sasuke-kun fight.". Kakashi's expression turned a bit more serious for his reply. "The assailants are known as the Demon Brothers of Kiri. They're more so known as mercenaries than actual shinobi. As to what they were doing on the borders of Hi and Nami no Kuni, I didn't know. So I stepped back to observe just who exactly they were after." The jounin then turned to Tazuna. "Care to explain?"

Tazuna knew that he couldn't keep the real details from them anymore. "ugh, you four might want to sit down for this." And so they did. They listened to his story about Gato and his thugs hindering them from building a bridge to solve the poverty crisis going on in the Land of Waves. It was hard to speak about it, to drop his pride and ask for help from shinobi from another village, especially to ask them for assistance for a now a least B-Rank mission with C-rank pay. Tazuna dropped to his knees and started to cry. "Please...help me. Help me help my people. I-I know it's not worth it, but I wouldn't be able to face my family if I came back without trying my best. So please...", the old man had started to sob.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all looked at each other as they came to a silent agreement remembering their sensei's first lesson, applying it to people in need instead of comrades in this specific situation. The three genin got up and started walking away. Tazuna had his head on the ground thinking he had failed and that the shinobi wouldn't help him because of the lack of reward..that is until he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Kakashi's. "You know my students aren't walking back to the village right?". Tazuna slowly lifted his head in surprise.

"Wait, then that means.."

"Yup! We're here to help. Tazuna, we WILL protect you. I give you my word.", the jounin said with an encouraging smile and thumbs-up. "Now come on, before we lose my oh so brave students!". And with that, the party of five departed on to the Land of Waves.

'Just you wait Gato. I'm gonna beat your ass...'

Nami no Kuni

As they finally made it to the Land of Waves, Team 7 trekked along with extreme caution, as Kakashi had told his students that the threats they would have to face would be on a higher scale then the demon brothers. After a few minutes of walking, Naruto had heard a rustle in a nearby bush.

"Over there!", the Uzumaki shouted as he threw a kunai towards the origin of the noise. Fair to say that what came out wasn't a high scale threat. It was a bunny. A white bunny.

"Kami Naruto, you're startling everyone for no damn reason! Think before you throw!", Sakura yelled as she comically berated her red eyed teammate. Kakashi however, was ready. 'That rabbit shouldn't be white, it's not the season for it. Unless it's been kept inside which means...SHIT'. The elite jounin barely had enough time to warn his team and Tazuna. "EVERYONE GET DOWN!". On command, Naruto tackled Sakura to the ground and covered her while Sasuke did the same. A giant cleaver-like broad sword spun with a deadly speed that would've decapitated the shinobi should they have taken even a second of hesitation. The giant zanbatou arched back and found itself embedded to a tree. They all got up cautiously eyeing the sword when all of a sudden a dark hulking figure landed on the unnecessarily long handle of the weapon. All but Kakashi was confused on who this powerful new foe was when the former Anbu spoke.

"Zabuza Momochi. Demon of the Hidden Mist.". The man named "Zabuza" sure looked like a demon. The swordsman had short, spkiy black hair with bandages wrapped around mid face all the way down to his neck. His pale skin was shown from the lack of top as all there was was a crisscrossed overall with arm guards and shinobi pants and long camo sandals. It didn't help the young shinobi's that the guy was freakishly tall radiating a shit ton of killer intent. Sakura and Sasuke felt royally fucked.

The "demon" finally spoke. "Kakashi of the Sharingan. What an honor. I would've been utterly bored had it been anyone other than you from the Leaf. But if you could do me a favor and hand over that bridge builder."

Sasuke was shivering in fear and now he was confused. 'Sharingan? Did I hear that right? Only Uchiha can awaken sharingan! Shit I can't think about that right now. This guy...he's gonna kill us. There's no way-' He was interrupted by an arm slung over his shoulder. It was Naruto. The black haired Uzumaki only stared Zabuza down as he gave Sasuke, Sakura, and even the terrified Tazuna words of invigoration.

"Don't bitch out now guys, we were expecting this.", said Naruto with a semi-playful voice.

"N-Naruto, h-how can we beat him? We don't stand a chance!", said a frightened Sakura.

'Oh please, Goku makes this guy look like a chump. Ain't that right buddy'

"You'd BETTER not be afraid of this speck Naruto. I'm positive that fear was the one of the first things I beat into you.", grumbled a seemingly tired Yonbi,

Naruto had just chuckled inwardly. "I'll humor you Sakura-chan. Even if we do get beaten, just look at him," Naruto nodded towards their sensei who was staring down Zabuza with absolutely no fear. "Looks like our sensei's finally getting serious -ttebayo".

The elite jounin lifted his headband revealing a blazing three tomoe sharingan with a vertical scar running down his implanted eye. "Don't worry guys, I won't let my comrades die. I'll protect you with my life. I'm counting on you three to do the same for Tazuna ", voiced Kakashi giving his team his classic eye smile and thumbs up. This seemed to disintegrate any sort of fear his two students had, enabling to jump around the bridge builder protectively.

"Oi! Osaan! You heard the man! Get back!", Naruto now grinned getting in his boxing like fighting stance in front of Tazuna.

While Tazuna's life was in danger, he couldn't feel more safe with the support of these four shinobi. "Go ahead guys. Fight on, this all points back to me anyways hehehe."

Zabuza just scoffed at witnessing these brats boast in confidence. "Fine. Then this gets bloody. Ninpo: Kirigakure no Jutsu". The surrounding area now became heavily coated in mist. The shinobi couldn't see him, only hear...

"Everyone be careful! Zabuza specializes in silent killing!", yelled Kakashi. The four of them got in a protective circle around Tazuna per their jounin leader's orders.

"You really think this'll stop me?". Zabuza was instantly in between the four and Tazuna, his long sword in a reverse grip. With a mighty swing, Zabuza aimed for Tazuna's head. Surprisingly, it was blocked, even more so by a single arm. It was the jinchurriki of Yonbi. Naruto Uzumaki.

'What the hell?! I should've cleaved right through this punk!'. Zabuza was taken aback, not only was he blocked in this chakra coated mist, the kid wasn't moving in the slightest blocking the swing. How could such a child out strength him? The demon didn't have much time to ponder as his back was sliced by a kunai wielded by none other then Hatake Kakashi. They weren't surprised however when the blade drew water instead of blood.

'Mizu Bunshin, Ofcourse,', Naruto and Kakashi simultaneously thought. At that moment, three more aquatic copies of Zabuza emerged.

Naruto expected this and smirked. 'Let's see how this guy fights without this damn fog.' He sped through a series of hand seals and proceeded to slam his fist into the ground. Doton: Tochi o Funka! (Earth Release: Land Eruption). The ground below erupted with such power the mist had been blown away by the sheer force of the resulting wind pressure. Kakashi sweatdropped a bit. "Naruto, as impressive as that was, a little warning next time would be greatly appreciated.", Kakashi deadpanned while pointing to a now pale and fainted bridge builder.

Naruto completely ignoring his sensei's words (which made him sweat drop again) cursed himself. "FUCK. I got rid of the mist and clones, but looks like big ugly original got away". The jinchurriki turned and stared down the missing nin currently standing at the nearby lake. Sasuke and Sakura were dumbfounded. Their teammate really was a giant bundle of power.

Zabuza could do nothing but stare at his adversaries with disbelief. He'd underestimated the brat big time. 'What the fuck was that. It was a Doton jutsu but I felt more raw strength than I did charkra. Shit. Didn't think I'd have to get serious against a child. I'll have to play him.' "All right kid, I'll take you seriously.", and with that, Zabuza flung through a series of handseals.

Naruto just grinned. "I'm all fired up.", and then he rushed the swordsman. He punched, kicked, elbowed, and kneed to no avail. The demon just kept dodging and flashing through hand seals, which just angered the black haired boy more and more. "FUCK STAY STILL BITCH!". Kakashi just observed the fight, something wasn't right. With his sharingan he read through Zabuza's hand seals.

'OH SHIT.'. The elite jounin had been distracted. As Kakashi turned around he was kneed in the abdomen by a water clone of Zabuza, same with Sakura, Sasuke, and Tazuna.

In unison, the clones yelled, "Suiton: Suiro no Jutsu!" ( Water release: Water Prison), and the shinobi plus Tazuna were engulfed in their own domes of water.

Naruto was caught by surprise as he turned around to the sight of his friends captured. He was confused until he caught on that that's why Zabuza solely focused on dodging and doing handseals, to do back to back Suiton jutsus. Naruto cursed himself for being so brash. 'Fuck, I was careless.' He was quick to redirect that anger towards Zabuza.

"One step towards you friends, and I'll behead them all at once.". The clones drew their zanbatous to show that they were serious.

The Uzumaki unintentionally released his killer intent towards the original. "What do you want.", The genin said coldy.

"Naruto! Don't listen to him! Just save Tazuna!", screamed his sensei. This was a bad situation. Sakura and Tazuna had been knocked out, so that just left him and sasuke.

'I can't believe I got caught, how embarrassing. Don't die Naruto', thought Sasuke as he just eyed his red eyed teammate.

Zabuza just laughed. "You're strong kid, I'll admit that. I'll also admit that I can't take you and Hatake on at once. But, I'll gladly take you on by yourself. No holds barred. One on one. Kill or be killed. That's the only way you your friends live. "

Naruto glared at the missing nin. His clenched fists so hard that black steam and sparks of fire spewed out. The Uzumaki then brought up his fists and cracked his knuckles. Tightening his headband, and with a serious demeanor, he uttered two words.

"You're dead.". With that, Naruto bursted towards Zabuza, ready to strike.

In Naruto's mind, the Yonbi could be seen chuckling.

"Momochi Zabuza. You have done something no one has done in a long time...You pissed off my host."

-And there you have it. Chapter 5. Please read and review. It means a lot haha.

-Just to reiterate, that this is Naruto x Fem Haku. Lava and Ice. Makes sense don't it? Don't worry, it's gonna be awhile before it's official. They're like 13 years old at this point lol it'll take some time.

-Next chapter will be up most likely tomorrow

-Stay tuned for Chapter 6: Fist vs Sword! Training from a Legend!