Chapter 30
Training with Mangetsu, land of sea
"in, out, in, out" Naruto thought to himself as he sat cross legged near a stream. "water flows and does not resist. It can be helpful like the rain, rejuvenating plants and animals, or it can be destructive like the storms of summer, tearing apart fields and laying waste to everything in its path."
A few meters behind him, Mangetsu leant against a tree with his arms folded "he is still too tense" he thought to himself.
A drop of sweat dropped down from Naruto's brow. It circled his face and cut through his whiskered marks on his right cheek before coming to a stop on his chin. It hovered for a moment to collect itself before obliging to gravity and falling onto the blonde's lap.
Naruto took a deep breath before slowly releasing it and opening his eyes. "still nothing" he sighed.
Mangetsu walked over and passed him a bottle of water "you're still forcing it. Feel the water to-"
"-be the water" Naruto cut him off. "I know, you've been saying that for the last week already" Naruto wiped his forehead "let me try again." He muttered with some irritation beginning to show.
"stop. You'll get nowhere like that. Take a break. We'll continue this tomorrow"
Naruto nodded and stood up. "so what's next today sensei?"
Mangetsu threw him his sword. "you have 10 minutes to get ready. We're doing sword today. Can't have my apprentice slacking with his swords can we?"
Said apprentice caught his sword and quickly began his warm ups to get rid of the stiffness in his muscles from sitting too long and running through a quick basic manoeuvres to familiarise himself with his sword.
Exactly 10 minutes later Naruto turned around in time to deflect a strike from Mangetsu who was holding a sword that looked like a needle.
"Nuibari. The sewing needle. Has a thin wire that can be used to trap opponents." Naruto recited. "keep an eye on surroundings for traps that could be made while dodging." Deflecting another stab, Naruto felt a presence behind him and quickly dodged just before an axe connected to a chain smashed the spot he was before. "Kabutowari, the helmet splitter. Can crush almost any defense. Best not to block directly"
Naruto felt a third presence and ducked. A huge sword sailing over his head and cutting off a few hairs before impacting with a thud on the tree next to him. "Kubikiribocho, the executioner's blade. Can absorb iron from blood. So long as the handle is intact, the blade will never need to be fixed. I didn't know you had the swords? I'm pretty sure Haku wouldn't allow anyone to take Zabuza's sword willingly."
Mangetsu and his clones stopped for a second. "I don't. All I did was use my bloodline to manipulate the water and condense it to a shape and point that looks and feels like the sword. Of course, it wouldn't stand up to the real thing. Besides," Mangetsu unclipped a scroll from his belt " I got three of them right here. I only made the replicas as a precaution. Training accidents are not uncommon and I would like to prevent any from happening if I can"
Naruto nodded as he eyed the two opponents in front of him. Wait, two? He did a quick count again. "Kubikiribocho, Kabutowari…" Naruto's eyes widened. He had allowed himself to lose sight of the trapper.
Spotting a glint out of the corner of his eye, Naruto quickly substituted to a nearby tree and watched as the log got sliced into pieces.
"your reaction with the substitution has gotten better, but not good enough" Mangetsu stated from behind Naruto. The blond made to move but found himself bound in wires. "… when?" he asked.
Mangetsu released his hold on the wires. "When you train with some of the best wielders of these swords, you learn a few tricks. Kushimaru was very creative with his traps and using the terrain."
Naruto sheathed his sword as Mangetsu allowed his clones to disperse.
The rest of the afternoon was spent on brushing up Naruto's handwriting. The Samurai did a reasonably decent job with it (considering he couldn't before) but he still needed more practice before he could even attempt starting sealing. A single mistake was all it would take for it to blow up in his face or accidentally atomise him and spread the atoms across the elemental nations. Yeah that isn't a nice thought.
By the time the sun started to set, Naruto's hand was already cramping. He packed up the brushes, ink and paper before heading to the dining area with Mangetsu.
Xxxx
Team Zabuza ironically arrived at the same time. Both Fu and Naruto looking like they're about to drop (quite a feat considering their jinchuriki status) while Haku was slightly better. They greeted each other with a slight nod before Haku took out a scroll. "New mission. Land of Sea, just us and Mei. We leave tomorrow." He explained.
"type?"
"…assassination."
Xxxx
"food rations?"
"check"
"weapons?"
"30 exploding notes, 60 kunai, 21 shuriken"
"pills?"
"6 food and chakra pills"
"alright we set. Let's head over to tell one of the higher ups"
Xxxx
Team Zabuza met up with Mei walked with a brisk pace straight towards the mission centre. This was a standard procedure for all the rebels. You either request a mission or you are chosen for one. Once the time for you to leave arrives, you head over to the mission tent to report and give an expected period of time to return (so someone can fetch you or the camp declares you MIA or KIA). You leave for the mission and report to the mission tent again once you arrive back.
The tent wasn't much different from the other tents. The only thing that differentiated it was the purple banner with a scroll and kunai crossed in a "X" shape. Outside the tent stood two chunin guards who let them in as soon as they approached. The guards were less for protection and more to direct the shinobi. This was to prevent multiple teams walking into the tent while another was briefing or debriefing. The tent was laced with silencing seals to prevent anyone from outside hearing the contents discussed inside.
The interior of the tent wasn't much to look at either. Just a simple desk with drawers and a single shinobi sitting behind it. To the right was another two. These two were to alternate between information, paperwork and writing down information.
Haku took a step forward "Team Zabuza. Consisting of Haku, Naruto, Fu and Mei. Mission type: assassination. Location: Land of Sea. Expected time until return: two weeks." He stated.
The scribe… err shinobi on the right quickly jotted the information down while the one at the desk checked over the scroll. "you're clear to go. Good luck"
Team Zabuza nodded and left the tent. Outside waiting for them were Mangetsu, Suzuno and Hibiki. "Naruto a few more words before you go. Haku, Fu, I believe Suzuo and Hibiki would like the same."
"Meet at entrance 9" Mei called as each member of team Zabuza followed their respective sensei in a different direction.
Naruto followed Mangetsu to a reasonably quiet part of the camp. "So you're heading on a mission." Mangetsu started. "yeah, the land of Sea." Naruto answered.
Mangetsu closed his eyes before slowly opening them "the land of sea. An area largely surrounded by water and islands. It's likely you'll be traveling on the water for a period of time. Just a word of warning. Don't try the hydrification technique near a large body of water. You are only starting to learn it and there are risks when turning into water … in water. For example, the higher the volume of water, the more chakra it would take to reform yourself. Not to mention that if there are movements in the water, your concentration may be broken and you will never reform. That and so many other factors and dangers you still need to learn."
Naruto nodded. "I understand sensei. Thank you for your concern." He said before bowing and leaving for entrance 9.
Xxxx
"The land of Sea consisted of many islands. The main ones being: Taro, Mother, Demon and Jiro island." Haku read as they travelled. "our client is from the only part of the Land of Sea that isn't an actual island. It says here that he called in our help because his trading was disrupted and wanted the guy to die."
"Sounds like a greedy rich guy to me" Fu muttered. "It's not that surprising. The land of Sea has no shinobi of their own and the rich magnets don't bother in those affairs until it directly bothers them. Even then, they hire the best help for the cheapest price. Mei answered. "they're all greedy that way"
"greedy or not. A mission is still a mission. We've accepted it so we might as well meet the client before continuing the mission. Now let's up the pace and cover as much ground as we can before nightfall."
"right."
Xxxx
Team Zabuza and Mei looked at the gates of the mansion they were told their client stayed incredulously. "He's rich, but the house is so badly guarded it's not even funny. Any shinobi can just jump over and kill him. Do we really need to enter? He might be dead already." Naruto mused.
Fu smacked him upside the head. "Stop being negative. Even if he was dead, we still need to check." She said, walking up to the door and ringing the doorbell.
Within a minute, the doors swung open to reveal a decently aged (probably around late sixties by Naruto's guess) man in simple clothing. Noting their forehead protectors (which they received a week after their probationary period ended) he quickly let them in. "Daisuke-sama has been expecting you."
Fu looked back at her fellow Jinchuriki and gave him a look that translated to "I told you so" before walking in after the man. Said Jinchuriki just huffed and followed, ignoring Haku who was trying to stifle his laughter.
Mei just looked on, curious to the interactions of the group.
Xxxx
Daisuke was a middle-aged man with shoulder length black hair tied into a ponytail. He wore a small pair of reading glasses that sat on top of his pointed nose. He had a slight, well-trimmed moustache and short triangular beard. He wore a purple shirt that looked carefully and delicately made. Over his shirt, he wore a black leather jacket embraided with golden pictures of flowers and birds that seemed to come alive with the slightest movement from the wearer. The rest of his body was hidden by a large mahogany table carved with depictions of dragons and phoenixes.
"Welcome shinobi of the Mist. I am Daisuke of Daisuke trading." He greeted, his voice deep and smooth.
"we never could have guessed" Naruto thought sarcastically.
Haku stepped forward and bowed. "I am Haku Yuki. The leader of this mission. These are my teammates, Naruto, Fu and Mei." Each bowed as they were mentioned.
Daisuke nodded "I was not expecting people this…" the man paused, searching for a word "… young" he finally decided.
"you need not to worry. Each of us are capable in our own right." Haku assured him.
"Oh no. I'm not doubting your skill. I'm just not comfortable with the idea teenagers killing for a living."
"Then there is nothing to worry about Daisuke-sama. The moment we became shinobi, we were no longer children or teenagers. We became adults."
The rich magnet leaned back in his chair. "very well. Is there anything else you would like to know?"
Haku pulled out the mission scroll. "we were told most of the details, but we would like to hear it first hand from you. It may be possible that we could find a better way to solve it or if there was critical information left out. As shinobi, we know that even the slightest misinformation could be fatal."
"very well" Daisuke nodded "I doubt you will find much, but I will tell you anyways. Around 3 years ago, children were starting to disappear from the town. At first it was only a few orphans, so nobody noticed. Then after a month, reports from witnesses outlined a man taking them to demon island. The town gathered together and sent a group of men to investigate. They never came back, but the kidnappings stopped. Two years later, a single girl returned from demon island. Nobody was sure what happened to her. All the people knew was that during her time there, she had somehow gotten fish scales. The girl was treated as an outcast, many believe her time in demon island turned her into one. It was also around that time fishermen described a creature lurking below the waters. The creature had green scales completely covering it and could shoot globs of water strong enough to topple to masts of the ships. It always raided the ship for treasures and valuables. It would always disappear below the waters with its loot before anyone got a good look at it or could do anything to it."
Haku looked up from his notebook, "and why did you only ask for shinobi now?" he asked, "judging by your explanation, the creature must have been doing this for around half a year."
"I had always assumed that someone had already tried, but a week ago it raided one of my trading ships and took off with a lot of valuables. It was then that I decided that I had to take action. This is why I hired an assassination team. I believe that whoever kidnapped the children three years ago is linked to these attacks."
Haku closed his eyes and thought over it for a second. "I understand. Thank you for your time. We'll be back once we have further news.
The group of rebel shinobi bowed and left the compound.
"Mei, Fu, find an inn for us to sleep tonight. Naruto and I will find this girl that came back from demon island. I want to meet her and see if we can get anything out of it.
Xxxxx
(SORRY FOR THE CODED CHAPTER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED)
AN: phew done. We have finally reached our first mission yay!
Not much else to say really.
Summons, send me a pm if you want me to make a one shot of one that didn't get chosen
Fillers planned: Snow/Spring, Star, Shion, Uzumaki Ruins, (reader made)
Debating: blood prison, Tayuya/Karin rescue.
Still looking for beta
Reviews:
Noahendless: I will
Antex- The Legendary Zoroark: thanks and yup. Still a surprise or two in store… maybe
AndiDuel: well here's the Isaribi mission ^.^. as for the traitor arc, I won't make it an entire arc, but I will be using it as the beginning of another 😉
Thor94: yeah… beginning.
Jacklvmage12: HA! So hell has become that weak. I suppose it never recovered from the beatdown I gave it 7 millennia ago. I have harnessed the ancient power of the primordial themselves! Fate bows down to my command. If I wish the fate of the kittens to be mine, then mine it shall be! I won't even need teammates to take on your base. All of creation knows better than to harm me!
Your information is a little more updated than mine. My information is from ninja storm 3 xD.
Brebre99: thank you