Hidden Genes
Summary: There is a type of jutsu only one shinobi could use,the Shodaime became famous for it being impossible for anyone who doesn't have his DNA, and even then it was rare. Sharingan is an Uchiha doujutsu,so no one can have it unless an eye is given, so why does the Kyuubi vessel have both?Why does he move like the Yondaime?
Sasuke clenched his fists and grit his teeth as he took in the sight before him. Even with his Sharingan active, it was still hard to see through the thick mist their enemy, a rouge Mist ninja by the name of Momochi Zabuza, had called upon to fight them more easily.
It had not been a twenty four hours. After defeating those two Mist ninja, Team seven had continued on their path until just before sundown, when Kakashi had insisted for them to set up camp for the night. Their first problem was that the ground was getting wetter and wetter the further from the Fire Country they got, making it obvious that while it had not rained back home, it had rained everywhere else. Finding a dry enough spot for their sleeping bags had been a hassle but they had managed in the end and then came the problem of food preparation and a fire.
It was too cold in this part of the country for them to sleep without a fire at night, not to mention that it was dangerous. But just st the ground wasn't dry, neither were the branches of wood they would find. Naruto ''found'' a handful but Sasuke suspected he had found some way to dry the branches already lying on the ground or had made new ones with his Mokuton, but he wasn't going to question Naruto so close to Kakashi. Naruto had told him all about Kakashi being his ANBU protector before he turned four and was considered old enough to look after himself (only Naruto told him he suspected the Hokage was forced to take back the guards because of the Council, though Sasuke didn't quite understand that) and just how sharp his nose and hearing were, so he wasn't going to risk Naruto's secrets for his own curiosity. Sasuke made the fire with his Katon: Gokakyo no Jutsu and Kakashi had went out to catch them something for dinner, not wanting to waste their food resources and not wanting to feed Tazuna any food pills because of his age and no developed chakra system that would equally spread out the pills effects on his body.
Then they were met with their third problem. Tazuna may now trust Naruto to protect him but he was under the impression that the blond would poison him (unintentionally) with whatever food he might cook up. Sakura didn't look oh so eager to eat whatever Naruto cooked up either, despite already tasting his cooking once. It might have something to do with the bubbling stew that had mixed rabbit and beef meat (that came from Kakashi's bag) and the many vegetables Naruto was placing in there. The blond had rolled his eyes at them and offered them to starve away as he didn't care and didn't plan on forcing the food down their throats, saying that just meant more for him, Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei, which got the two to reluctantly agree when their stomach growled. Of course, the two tried to tell Naruto how to cook their meal after that, annoying the blond to the point that he looked ready to yell at them so loudly that they were sure to hear him back in Konoha, so Kakashi told the two to leave him alone and instead assigned Sasuke to help him out if the blond needed it. When the stew was done, Sasuke had no problem diving in instantly and Kakashi seemed to be enjoying his. Naruto just ate his quietly as he stared up at the starry sky and so, seeing that no one was dying on coming close to it, Sakura and Tazuna took their own meals. Of course, they then all but inhaled them like Naruto inhaled ramen and then asked for seconds, soon followed by the more well mannered Kakashi and Sasuke. Naruto had rolled his eyes at them and gave them all a second helping before finishing his own off and taking what little was left for his own second helping.
Then came the sleeping arrangements and the watching shift. Kakashi had agreed to sleep close to morning, only if two people were to replace him, so Sasuke and Naruto had taken up that shift while Sakura spent a part of the night on shift with Kakashi, the rest spent by only Kakashi himself and then Naruto and Sasuke. Tazuna argued that he could take a shift with one of them but Kakashi insisted that while the genin were young, they had more training in remaining awake and alert than most ordinary adult folk, so he told the old man to sleep and rest up as they were planning on picking up the pace a bit from first sunlight. Tazuna couldn't argue and went to sleep with Sasuke and Naruto, while Sakura stayed up with Kakashi until midnight and then went to sleep, leaving the jonin to watch over them, unknowingly having the support of Kurama from inside Naruto. If the silver haired man missed anything, the Kyuubi definitely won't and he and Naruto will be ready to alert the others in a heartbeat.
Three hours before dawn, Kakashi woke up the two boys who were supposed to keep watch and Naruto and Sasuke spent those three hours watching over their companions and talking quietly, tending to the fire and watching as the sky became lighter and bloody from the rising sun. With the first rays of sunlight, Kakashi opened his eyes and set about packing up their camp while he told Naruto to prepare them a small breakfast and sent Sasuke to get them fresh water from the nearby stream. An hour after dawn, they left their little camp and continued on on their journey towards the Land of the Waves.
They made it to the shore across from the formation of islands in the early morning and they boarded a small boat that will take them across the sea to their destination. They had the luck of being hidden by the thick must over the water and so Tazuna's possible pursuers and would be assassins wouldn't be able to see them. Tazuna spent the ride to the other side to tell them the story of how Gatoh used their last Mizukage's and the daimyo's stupidity to come to power, almost being the owner of the country by the time he was done. He explained how they came up with the idea for the bridge and how that was their last string of hope.
By the time the story was over, they made their way under a bridge and suddenly, they saw a beautiful island bathed in sunlight, looking like a whole different world compared to the mist they had just passed through. Sasuke had spent the last few minutes of their boat ride staring at the excited faces Naruto made as he took everything in, feeling a strange warmth fill him with how happy the blond looked. They walked through the small porting village and into the woods just outside it, heading towards th land of the Waves.
And that's when things started turning bad. Naruto suddenly got real jittery, jumping at every noise that came from the forest, as if he were expecting someone to suddenly jump out and attack him from nowhere. Then again, seeing as how he had lived his life so far, maybe that would have been more normal than the unexpected calm that seemed to suddenly take over the forest.
Sasuke wasn't even surprised when Naruto suddenly threw a kunai in a seemingly random direction and nearly killed a snow white rabbit in the process. Sasuke was skeptical in Sakura's reasoning that Naruto was only trying to play cool and be a hero, but that maybe had more to do with the fact that he knew Naruto's senses were far sharper than a human's. He must have felt something and had tried to react fast enough, but he had been just a second too late. Kakashi, who had been on the receiving end of Naruto's sharp senses picking out positions of even ANBU level ninja, seemed just as skeptical about this being an attention call. Saskura was too busy yelling at Naruto to remember that he had sensed their previous attackers, too. Tazuna, while angry that he early had a heart attack from fright, seemed to have realized this and was looking around warily. Still, Kakashi let it go so Sasuke and Tazuna had no choice but to follow their lead, although they were now looking around almost as much as Naruto was.
That is, until a second alter when Naruto suddenly jumped at Tazuna and Sasuke, knocking both males down with a shout of ''DUCK!'' when a giant sword flew overhead. Kakashi just barely managing to save Sakura from the sharp blade cutting her head off. The giant sword embedded itself in a nearby tree in a small clearing just up ahead and a tall, muscular man appeared. He was shirtless and his pants were gray with some leg warmers on his forearms and calves. He was facing them with his back, looking over hi shoulder at them. The lover part of his face was covered in bandages as wind ruffled his dark brown, almost black hair. He watched them with cold eyes, his eyes resting on Naruto, seeming to realize that the boy could detect him.
The group on the ground stared up at the tall ninja, seeing his hitai-ate showed that he was from the Hidden Mist Village, but that's about as far as their knowledge of him went. All they could tell from his appearance was that he was without a doubt strong and that didn't bode well for them.
Kakashi, however, had seemed to recognize him. ''Oh my, my. You are Momchi Zabuza, the exiled ninja of the Village Hidden in the Mist.'' Zabuza had turned around, his eyes having still been focused on the Kyuubi vessel even though he had listened to what Kakashi had been saying, obviously enjoying his own fame. Kakash had seen the interest and had extended a hand to his side to signal everyone to stay back. ''You guys sit this one out. He's different from the ninja we fought earlier on and you will only get in the way.''
''I'm guessing you are Sharingan no Kakashi, from your appearance and your attitude. The man that won't let his comrades die.'' Zabuza mocked from his high perch, finally breaking his gaze from Naruto. ''What? You're not going to let them play? But you sure do have an interesting kid there. To think he could sense me ... A very useful skill indeed.'' Naruto growled at him but wasn't surprised when Sasuke tugged him back to stand beside the raven haired boy. Zabuza cast a glance at him as well before returning to Kakashi. ''Are you going to really give me the honor of fighting that eye of yours?'' He asked when he noticed that Kakashi had raised a hand to righten up his hitai-ate. If Sakura was surprised, Sasuke didn't see, instead interested in how Kakashi was going to fight. Of course Naruto had told him about Kakashi having the Sharingan and had fully explained his reaction to catching the man in that silly prank on the day they met the silver haired man. ''I'm sorry, but I'll need you to hand over the old geezer.''
''Everyone, form the swastika formation. Protect Tazuna-san. Don't join this battle, no matter what.'' The three genin stared at him in shock. ''To not interfere with a battle is also teamwork.'' He closed his eyes for a second before lifting the hitai-ate, revealing the blood red eye of the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan, complete with three tomoe.
Zabuza chuckled menacingly. ''I am honored to see the Sharingan I have heard so much about. Too bad all those genius Uchiha were slaughtered. Their eyes would be real useful.''
Sasuke stiffened but said nothing, knowing the man would only taunt him more. Naruto, however, surprised him by tensing as well. Sasuke wondered if it was because he was worried for him or something similar. Did Naruto know about the Sharingan? But where would he learn about it? It wasn't a topic in any scrolls nor any lectures one could listen to. The secrets of the Sharingan were exclusive to only the Uchiha and no one else.
''You guys have all been saying Sharingan, Sharingan! But what is it?'' The only kunoichi asked in a confused and slightly panicked voice, making Sasuke drag his eyes away from Naruto to focus on the matter at hand.
''Sharingan ... the eye creates it. And it's a power the pupil generates.'' Sakura turned to stare at him and Sasuke wanted to roll his eyes at her if the topic wasn't a bit too close to a certain older brother and the murder of an entire clan at her obliviousness. You would think someone as obsessed with him would at least know what his clan was most famous for, but nooo! For her and all the other girls, that was their good looks. Idiots. ''Ones who have doujutsu are said to have eyes that can see through any genjutsu, taijutsu and ninjutsu and can cancel their effects. Sharingan is one of various doujitsu that those people posses.''
''It's one of the strongest, though, and can even be used to copy techniques with ease.'' Naruto surprised them by adding in a sure and serious voice. ''It can also cast the strongest genjutsu that only another Sharingan user can be immune to. It's also one of the oldest genjutsu, dating back a thousand years.''
''Correct. But that isn't all. No one but the Uchiha know the true powers of the Sharingan.'' Zabuza said, observing the two boys who had explained earlier on. ''However, that is more than enough to make it scary.'' He said as he quickly made hand seals and a fog started falling around them, so thick that it was actually getting hard to breathe. ''You know, when I was in the Mist's assassination squad, the Seven Swords of the Mist, your information was in the bing book I carried with me, demanding your capture for a very high price, Kakashi. Only a few were above you at the top. I am sure you know whom, too. One was your teacher, one was your subordinate and three are feared all around. They are the Sannin, after all.''
''Wow, Kakashi-sensei is really that great?'' Sakura whispered but Naruto didn't say anything. He couldn't, as Kakashi was under the impression Naruto really knew nothing about him, especially that he was one of his ANBU guards when he was younger.
''It also noted this, something I would like to confirm. It said that you were the man who copied over a thousand jutsus, Copy Ninja Kakashi.'' The two were staring at each other for a while before Zabuza had disappeared in the fog, their killing auras making Sasuke, who could quite clearly sense it, feel like a ton of bricks was placed on his heart while liquid, hot lead was being poured into his stomach. Naruto and Sakura, now with him in their ordered formation around Tazuna, didn't seem bothered by it. He knew it was because Sakura couldn't sense it clearly but Naruto ...
Naruto must have felt it ten times stronger than he did, yet he wasn't bothered. He didn't even blink.
Naruto was used to this feeling every day of his younger life, when ninja and ordinary villagers chased him through the streets and the woods, running for his life.
To Naruto, this must have been a normal feeling by now.
What a horrible way to spend one's childhood.
''Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, you don't need to worry. I will definitely ... not allow my comrades to die in front of me.'' Kakashi said from in front of them with a small smile over his shoulder, relaxing Sakura slightly, but Naruto wasn't even paying attention, whirling around a sticking a kunai straight into Zabuza's right thigh when the Mist rouge ninja suddenly appeared in their formation. The man grunted in pain and sent the Jinchuuriki a murderous glance before lifting his sword swiftly with the intention of cutting all four of them in half, but Kakashi had jumped into action and for a while, the two jonin level ninja fought. When Kakashi seemingly made a stab at the taller man's stomach through his spleen, Zabuza froze before he dissolved into water.
''Shit, it's a Mizo Bunshin!'' Naruto yelled from where he and Sasuke were now watching from the side, Sakura on he other side with Tazuna. The real Zabuza appeared from the puddle the dispelled clone made, swiping his sword through Kakashi, who also turned out to be a Mizo Bunshin. The real Kakashi reappeared behind Zabuza, placing a kunai at his throat.
''Don't move,'' he had said in the ensuing silence filled with stiffening tension. ''This is the end.'' Sakura went to cheer but Naruto shushed her. She was about to yell at him for shushing her when they heard the Mist shinobi laughing. It wasn't a real laugh, nor was it nice sounding.
''Is this the end?''
''I don't understand,'' Kakashi said at the question from his opponent.
''You can't defeat me with just your indiscriminate imitations.'' Zabuza said, not at all afraid for his life from the kunai threatening to end it with just the flick of a wrist. ''I can assure you of that. But you're pretty good. That little stunt with your water clone speaking to divert my attention was a neat trick. It allowed you, the original, to use the Mist Concealment technique to sneak up behind me. Real good. However,'' Another Zabuza suddenly appeared behind Kakashi, easily blocking Naruto's thrown kunai as Kakashi's eyes widened. ''You won't beat me that easily.'' He swung his sword and Kakashi dodged by ducking, but he made another swing, burying his sword into the ground and using it to spin around so he can kick Kakashi away. He picked up his sword and ran with impressive speed towards the flying man, but he had to stop when he noticed Kakashi's caltrops in the ground. He jumped over them as Kakashi fell into the water a little ways away.
''His taijutsu is superb,'' Sasuke commented from beside Naruto, his eyes flaring to Sharingan so he could observe his sensei and this Mist ninja. Kakashi surfaced a moment later, looking at the water strangely.
''What's with this water. It's heave for some reason.'' The silver haired man commented and Sasuke suddenly had to react before he could think when Naruto ran forwards, his red eyes clearly visible even through the mist.
''Kakashi-sensei! Get out of there! It's a trap! The water's laden with chakra!''
But the warning came too late. Zabuza had already reappeared behind Kakashi and was quickly forming hand seals. ''Idiot. SuirÅ no Jutsu!'' Before Kakashi could react, a sphere of water surrounded him, effectively trapping him and leaving his team and client unprotected.
And that's where they were now, Kakashi demanding that they run because Zabuza has to stay by the Water Prison to keep Kakashi in there and the Mizo Bunshin he made can only move so far away from the original body, unlike Shadow Clones. But even if they ran away from Zabuza, another ninja might come after them and they wouldn't stand much of a chance against them either. Their only chance was to somehow free Kakashi, but they couldn't leave Tazuna unprotected, either, as that would mean that they failed a mission and could still end in their deaths. Sasuke had heard that Kirigakure's ninja were awfully bloodthirsty. Zabuza may kill them just for kicks.
''In the end, we have no choice,'' Saskue commented, glancing at his teammates, not at all surprised to see Naruto ready to go into battle, despite his wound still not being fully healed.
''Yeah. We don't.'' Two pairs of red eyes met, one looking like a fox's and another having one tomoe on the outside of the pupil. ''We'll need to work together.''
''Are you ready to use it if we need it?''
Naruto knew what he was referring to and nodded. ''Although it won't be much use. We need something that will make Zabuza release Kakashi-sensei on his own by withdrawing his arm. Something that I need to keep so subtle will not really be of much help, especially as I don't know any techniques.''
''It could be used a distraction. He runs and you rise up a root.''
The blond snorted at that. ''Sasuke, I swear I am corrupting you. I never thought you were such a prankster.''
''If we made the clone stumble and fall, we could attack the main body.'' The Uchiha said with a snort of his own.
''I'll think about it, but for now, I have a slightly different idea.'' The whiskered teen saida s he made an all too familiar hand seal. ''How good is your aim with shuriken, teme?''
''Good.''
''Good or excellent?'' Sasuke sent him a glare and Naruto shrugged. ''Just asking.''
''Get to the point.'' The paler boy snapped, not liking how Naruto was trying to make light of this situation.
''I need you to attack him and then follow my lead.'' Naruto said with all seriousness, him being the only clearly seen form in the mist with hi bright hair and the orange jumpsuit. When Sasuke looked at him strangely, those red eyes turned to face him. ''Do you trust me, Sasuke?''
Equally red eyes narrowed. ''Yes.'' There was no hesitation in his answer and Naruto grinned at him.
''Then attack.''
