(Welcome to the next update.)
One day Naruto was in his mansions dojo practicing the Foot Clan techniques while wearing his Shredder armor. After he finished practicing with the Tengu sword he took a break and drank some bottled water, "Now that I'm a full time ninja I have to keep my strength up more than ever," He said to himself and looked at the Foot clan symbol on the wall, "I wonder how many other outside nations know of the Shredder's legacy?" he wondered to himself until an Anbu appeared in the dojo.
"Naruto Uzumaki." The Anbu addressed.
"Yes, what is it?" Naruto asked.
"The Hokage requests your company immediately." The Anbu said before leaving.
Naruto looked curious, "Wonder what's up?" he asked himself as he dawns his helmet and hurries out.
When he reached the Hokage's office he saw his whole team was there as well. "You guys were called here to?"
"Yup." Ino answered.
"So what's the situation?" Naruto asked the Hokage.
The Hokage cleared his throat, "Well Naruto, since you and your squad have successfully completed the required D-rank missions."
"Ugh don't remind me," Naruto interrupted, "How's it going to look with the new Shredder going around doing menial labor?"
"Maybe you shouldn't wear your armor on D-rank missions then." Sasuke suggested.
"I never go on a mission without my armor. After all you never know what might happen." Naruto said.
Sarutobi cleared his throat, "Now as I was saying, since you've completed the required D-rank missions, I've decided to award your squad with a C-rank mission."
"C-Rank?" Naruto gasped.
"No way." Sasuke gasped.
"All right!" Ino cheered.
"So what's the mission, Hokage-sama?" Kakashi asked wanting to know the details.
"A simple escort mission to the Wave country." Sarutobi explained.
"The Wave country? That far?" Naruto asked.
"So who're we escorting?" Ino asked.
"Me little missy." A voice said.
They turned to see an old man with a sake bottle in his hand, "My name's Tazuna, I'm a bridge builder from the Wave country. I came here to get some supplies to help build a bridge I'm working on back home, and now I need protection now that I'm going back."
"Well if it's protection you need you can count on squad seven." Naruto said.
"Trust my student you'll be very safe with us around." Kakashi said.
"All right then if you say so."
"Squad seven, return home and pack the essentials let's meet at the village gates in thirty minutes." Kakashi ordered and his three students took off back to their homes.
Back at the Namikaze mansion, Naruto finished packing all the essentials he needed and finally strapped the Tengu sword onto his back. "All right, I'm ready." Naruto said putting his helmet back on before taking off.
He met up at the village gates with his squad and Tazuna, "Bout time you made it Naruto." Sasuke said.
"Oh shut up." Naruto said not wanting to get lectured.
"All right now that we're all here let's be on our way." Kakashi orders and they head off.
Two hours passed since they left the village gates, they were walking down a road surrounded by forest areas. Naruto was walking along with Ino and Sasuke up front and Kakashi and Tazuna behind them.
Tazuna whispers to Kakashi, "What's up with that one kid and the armor?"
"Naruto? Well let's just say he's idolized an old forgotten warrior who was one of the ninja lands most notorious warriors."
"I see." Tazuna replied.
Back with the Genin, Sasuke talked to Naruto, "Don't you ever feel hot wearing all that armor and that helmet, Naruto?"
"Sometimes. I'm more concerned about this armor becoming a part of my skin. Like if I wear it for so long it'll never come off." Naruto joked.
"That would sure be a problem." Ino said.
"Yeah especially if I needed to use the bathroom." Naruto joked.
Sasuke looked disturbed by Naruto making a bathroom joke finding that disgusting. They continued to walk until Kakashi noticed a puddle of water on the side of the road, 'Hmm, a puddle on a bright sunny day like this?' He thought until he shouted, "Squad seven, protect Tazuna!"
Shocked by his cry the squad formed a protective ring around the bridge builder. They soon saw a camouflaged cloaked man with a gasmask emerge from the puddle and moved to attack Kakashi.
"We got you now!" the figure called. Another figure dressed similar to the first one came at Kakashi's back and the two released spiked chains from their giant sized gauntlets and binded Kakashi.
"Sensei!" the squad gasped.
The two assassins tugged on their chains binding Kakashi more until poof he vanished.
"Kawarimi!" one of the figures gasped and they saw Kakashi delivering a roundhouse kick.
The two gained some distance so the attack didn't reach them. They backed up a bit and started the Konoha ninjas down.
"Who are they?" Ino asked.
"They're the Oni brothers Ino." Kakashi answered.
"Oni brothers?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes. Meizu and Gouzu nuke-nin from the Mist country."
"Why would nuke-nin like you be all the way out here?" Naruto asked.
"We've got orders from our employer to dispose of the bridge builder." Meizu answered.
"So stand aside and we just might spare you." Gouzu added.
Naruto tightened his eyes beneath his helmet, "Spare this, worms!" Naruto grabbed the Tengu blade, powering it up and swung it releasing a blast above them.
"You missed." Meizu said.
"Did I?" Naruto asked.
Suddenly a huge tree branch they were right under fell on them nailing their heads knocking them out cold.
"Got them." Naruto said putting the sword back on his back.
"That's good work everyone in protecting the merchant. And now Tazuna you have some explaining to do," The genin look to the bridge builder wondering what was up, "You knew you'd be targeted by nuke-nin didn't you?" Kakashi questioned the old man.
Tazuna saw he had no choice but to come clean, "Yes, but I had a reason for deceiving you all. The land of Waves is poverty stricken, I couldn't afford anything higher than a C-rank. We used to be a happy country... but that all changed when a man by the name of Gato came to the land."
"Gato?" Ino wondered.
"Are you talking about the owner of Gato Shipping's?" Kakashi asked.
"The very same." Tazuna nodded.
"So who is this guy?" Sasuke asked.
"The owner of a shipping and distributing company from the Wave country." Kakashi explained.
"So what's he want?" Naruto asked.
"He's a greedy con man who forces people to rely on his industry, so he can charge ya at unfair prices. Anyone who tried to fight him ended up dead," Tazuna said earning freaked out looks from Ino, "That's why I have to get to finish the bridge I'm building, because he controls the waters around the land. By bypassing the waters we won't be forced to rely on him anymore."
"What should we do sensei?" Ino asked Kakashi who started thinking about the situation.
He sighed giving in, "Very well. We'll stay and protect you for the time it takes you to build the bridge."
"Arigato, you have no idea how much this means to me." Tazuna thanked them almost like he was going to cry.
"Well come on let's continue." Naruto said as they continued on.
Meanwhile far away, at the Wave country, in a forest a compound was a midget man who was meeting someone who was in the shadows, "My men have informed me that your partners the Oni brothers have failed in disposing of the bridge builder."
"I'm not broken up about it," The figure in the shadows said, "They were indisposable."
"One of my spies who watched them saw they were defeated by ninja from Konoha." The midget continued.
"Konoha you say? It's been a long time since I've killed someone from there." The figure said.
"And one of them appeared to have been decked out in some kind of armor covered in blades." The midget added catching the others attention.
"Armor covered in blades?" he asked.
"Yeah and carrying some sword that controlled lighting or something." He added making the other figure look interested.
"The sword of Tengu." He gasped.
"You've heard of it?" the midget asked.
"Indeed I have Gato," The guy said as he stuck out a giant sword out of the shadows, "Looks like I'll be able to test my skills against the famed Shredder." He snickered.
After being dropped off via ferry the squad found themselves in the Wave country. They walked down a path in a forest area while Naruto kept his eyes opened and alert at all times.
"Once we reach my home we can rest there." Tazuna explained.
"Good, until then let's just continue on." Kakashi said until Naruto stopped in front holding his arms out to stop them.
"Naruto?" Ino wondered.
"What're you stopping for?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto motions them to keep quiet and points to a bush motioning that something's watching them from there. He grabs a kunai from a hidden compartment in his armor and throws it into the bush and out popped a white rabbit looking terrified from almost getting hit with a kunai.
"A rabbit?" Ino asked.
"What a relief." Naruto sighed.
Kakashi looked at the rabbit carefully and thought, 'A pure white rabbit in the middle of this year? He suddenly realized the rabbit was a decoy for a trap. "Everyone get down!"
They all dropped as a giant sword swung like a boomerang and nails a tree, "What was that?" Ino gasped.
"Where'd that come from?" Sasuke asked.
"From me." A voice said and appearing on top of the sword's hilt was a tall man wearing brown and white camouflage pants, and arm covers, a mist village head band, and white clothe wrapped around his mouth and nose.
"Another assassin," Kakashi said to himself by speaking out loud, "Judging from that sword and that headband you're Momochi Zabuza."
"Yes and you must be Kakashi Hatake of Konoha." Zabuza added.
"Who's this Zabuza guy, sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Momochi Zabuza is commonly known as the demon of Kiri. He's a rogue ninja from the Kiri that used to work on the Assassination group. He's also one of the legendary Seven-Shinobi swordsmen. But years ago the group disbanded after a failed attempt in the assassination of the Mizukage; Ruler of the Water Country." Kakashi explained.
"Yes my history does have a lot to it." Zabuza replied.
"So Gato hired you to assassinate Tazuna?" Kakashi demanded.
"That was the plan, however I'm not interested in the old man," Zabuza said pulling his sword out of the tree and landed on the ground. He peered past Kakashi, Sasuke, and Ino until his gaze fell upon Shredder Naruto, "You with the armor."
"Yes?" Naruto asked.
"Are you the one called the Shredder?" Zabuza asked.
"Depends on who wants to know." Naruto replied.
"I do. I've heard that someone wearing the famed Shredder armor was among this group, so I had to see it for myself."
"Well you came and saw, so why don't you leave?" Naruto asked making Kakashi worried about talking in that kind of tone with a nuke-nin.
"I didn't come for a meet and greet with you. I came here for a match." He held out his blade.
"Naruto get back don't listen!" Kakashi said getting between them.
"Keep out of this Kakashi! I just want a friendly spar with him, to see if he truly is worth being known as the Shredder."
"Kakashi-sensei, stand down. I want to test my abilities to." Naruto added.
Before Kakashi could do anything else Zabuza formed a water barrier around squad seven and Tazuna, "There now they won't get in our way."
Sasuke tried punching the water but to no avail, "Why the hell can't we get through? It's just water!" Sasuke strained as he tried to break them out.
"This water has been infused with chakra." Kakashi explained.
"So what can we do?" Ino asked.
"Looks like we'll have to wait until this spar is over." Kakashi sighed.
"Assuming Naruto will survive." Sasuke mumbled under his breath.
"Now then let's get started." Zabuza said as he readied his sword.
"Yes." Naruto said grabbing the Tengu sword.
"The legendary sword of Tengu, let's see how it matches against my Kubikiri Houchou." Zabuza said gripping his blade tighter.
"Let's find out!" Naruto called as the two went at it in a swordfight.
Zabuza swung his large blade for Naruto who jumped back avoiding the swing and charged his sword and fired a sonic blast from it at Zabuza who melted into water.
"Mizu Bunshin?" Naruto gasped. He quickly turned and saw Zabuza was right on top of him ready to slice him in half.
"Naruto-kun!" Ino cried but Naruto used his sword to deflect Zabuza's blow and shoved him back.
"Not bad boy, you've learned a lot from the teachings of the legendary Oroku Saki," Zabuza said, "Yes I know he died years ago. He was the icon of the seven swordsmen. We had wished he would've been a part of our group during our time."
"What a shame. He probably would've been a fine member at that." Naruto commented.
"He would've, but the seven swordsmen are a thing of the past. Now I'm just a hired hand these days." Zabuza said as they continued in engaging in a sword fight.
Naruto fired constant sonic blasts from the Tengu sword at Zabuza who avoided a majority of them but ended up getting into the firing position and got hit a few times.
"Had enough demon of Kiri?" Naruto asked.
"Hardly!" Zabuza called going through a lot of hand signs, "Suiton; Suiryuudan no Jutsu!" he shouted releasing a water dragon lunging right for Naruto.
"Naruto move!" Kakashi called.
Naruto rather than move held the Tengu sword in front charging it up and when it came into contact with the water dragon the energy traveled through it back to Zabuza shocking him.
"I hope that's not all you got." Naruto hoped.
"It isn't. Now you're going to find out why I'm known as the demon of Kiri." Zabuza said forming a hand sign, "Kirigakure no Jutsu!"
Suddenly the mist around started getting thicker and thicker, "He's controlling the mist." Ino gasped.
"That's one of his trademark Jutsus." Kakashi added.
Naruto stumbled around looking through his surroundings, 'Oh man fighting in mist is definitely dangerous, especially now that I can't rely on my eyes,' He thought, 'Looks like I'll have to rely on other senses.' He started listening for the sound of Zabuza approaching but due to Zabuza also being famous for the Muon Satsujin Jutsu (Silent Homicide technique) could strike at any given time without making a sound.
"You're finished!" Zabuza shouted as he jumped above ready to chop Naruto until he used the twin bladed gauntlet to stop the sword in mid-chop. He released his hold of his sword and punched Zabuza in the stomach with all his might and actually knocked him off balance.
"Not yet I'm not!" Naruto called.
He tackled Zabuza causing him to let go of his own sword and the two crashed into two trees knocking both of them down. Naruto finally had Zabuza pinned down and raised his left arm ready to pierce him with his gauntlet. Zabuza shut his eyes waiting for him to finish him but to his surprise he didn't feel anything. He opened his eyes seeing the gauntlet blades were struck in the ground at the side of his head.
He looked up seeing Naruto pulling the blades up and got off of Zabuza extending his right arm for him, "Do you accept me as the new Shredder?" he asked.
Zabuza looked hesitant but sighed, "I do." He said taking Naruto's hand and got up.
Squad seven watched in surprise seeing that the demon of Kiri wasn't going to kill Naruto.
"You may feel like Oroku Saki with that armor, but you aren't him," Zabuza told Naruto which made him squint his eyes beneath his helmet, "You are in fact better than him."
This got Naruto amused. "You've inherited Saki's fighting spirit even if you aren't blood related," Zabuza continued, "I'm honored to have spared with the new legacy of the Shredder." He said and shook hands with Naruto in respect.
Zabuza turned to the squad and released them from the water imprisonment. "Don't you have a job to do for Gato?" Kakashi asked the swordsman.
"I'm done working with Gato. I only agreed to do it because he promised me a big pay, but he can keep his money," Zabuza answered, "Haku, you can come out now."
Appearing by Zabuza was a girl looking figure dressed in a blue robe with hair done in a bun, "Hello my name is Haku."
"Who's this?" Ino asked.
"My adopted little brother." Zabuza answered.
"Brother, but he looks…" Naruto gasped seeing as how he looked like a girl.
"Yes I get that a lot." Haku knew what Naruto was going for.
"So what're you going to do now?" Kakashi asked the swordsmen.
"Ever since I've defected from Kiri Haku and I have traveled the ninja land as hired mercenaries," Zabuza explained, "We've never really had a place to call a home. When I heard that the Shredder was amongst you I thought it was a sign that signaled that I found where we belonged alongside the legendary Shredder."
"Well sorry I'm not the first one." Naruto replied.
"It matters not. I am glad to have met someone to carry on the Shredder's legacy. Let me ask you are you training Foot ninja?" Zabuza asked curiously.
"I want to, but I don't think I can do it alone." Naruto answered.
Zabuza smiled beneath his bandage covered mouth, "Then allow me to assist you."
"What?" Naruto asked and the others were confused as well.
"Will you hire me as your Foot Clan trainer to the younger generation?" Zabuza asked, "I will honor the Foot Clan name as well as Master Saki."
Naruto thought about it, "Well ok, but you do know that if I am hiring you that means I am your master and you are a lower ninja to me."
Zabuza realized what that and sighed knowing that if he wants to train with the Foot he'll have to sacrifice a small bit of pride, "A small sacrifice." He replied
Naruto looked at Kakashi, "Sensei you think we could convince Jiji to let Zabuza and Haku into Konoha?"
"I'm not sure Naruto. I mean Zabuza does have a huge bounty." Kakashi explained.
"Well then maybe he can work that off performing deeds for Konoha." Naruto suggested.
"Well it's not me you should tell that," Kakashi reminded him, "But I suppose he can come back with us when the mission is over."
"What about Gato, shouldn't you be going back to him?" Sasuke asked.
"Don't worry about it kid. When I return with a report… I'll give him a report." Zabuza snickered.
"Ok then." Ino said knowing what Zabuza meant by that.
Zabuza turned back to Naruto, "And now Naruto is it? I wish to see your true face, if that's ok."
"No problem." Naruto said lifting the helmet off revealing his true face to the Swordsman.
Zabuza got down on one knee and bowed his head, "I am in your dept Master Shredder."
"And I shall fight along side you to." Haku said bowing as well.
"Looks like I got me two more Foot ninja, eh Ino?" Naruto asked.
Ino smiled, "You sure do Naruto-kun." She said giving him a kiss.
"Well what're we standing around for? Let's head for my place and rest up." Tazuna said.
"Good idea. come on." Kakashi said as Naruto and Zabuza collected their swords and headed of for Tazuna's place.
(And that's this chapter.)