(Hello, my friends. I have my last update for the year 2016. It's been an ok year despite many setbacks in the world and recent deaths so let's hope for a better year, and enjoy my newest chapter.)

Zabuza and Hidan were still at a stalemate with their weapons clashing, as Hidan spoke up, "So, Zabuza Momochi, the infamous Demon of the Mist."

"That's right, and if I were you I'd be scared shitless right now." Zabuza warned him.

Kakuzu spoke up, "You may be one of Kiri's best swordsmen, but not even you have the strength to take on both of us."

"Don't underestimate me, but I did however come with backup." Zabuza replied, as ice spears started popping up from the ground. This forced Hidan to break off his weapon clash with Zabuza. The two Akatsuki members backed off as they saw standing not too far from them was Haku who had cut his hair so it was shoulder length.

"Haku!" Naruto and his squad called.

"Good to see you all again." Haku smiled.

"That brat's got a bloodline!" Hidan shouted to Kakuzu.

"I can see that, you idiot!"

"Who're you calling idiot?!"

Fu started looking worried, "Zabuza Momochi the rogue swordsman of the mist?"

"Don't worry, he's on our side." Naruto calmed her.

"We need to get out of here now, Zabuza." Kakashi said.

"What? I was hoping I could have some fun with these worms." Zabuza replied.

"I understand, but for now we need to secure this girl." Kakashi motioned to Fu.

Zabuza sighed, "If you insist, Kakashi," he formed hand signs, "Water style; Hidden Mist jutsu!" like before on Squad Seven's first fight with Zabuza, a blanket of fog started rolling in shrouding them all.

"Dammit, I can't see a thing!" Hidan cursed while looking around.

"His hidden mist jutsu! They're trying to escape!' Kakuzu called, as tried listening closely but heard no one around but them, "We're too late, they're gone!"

"Shit!" Hidan shouted.

Meanwhile, the group after successfully escaping the Akatsuki shinobi had taken refuge in a cave far from where they were fighting. Squad Seven and Fu took the time to relax, as Naruto spoke, "Thanks for the save, Zabuza, you too Haku."

"No problem." Haku smiled.

Zabuza looked Squad seven over, "You three have certainly grown up since the last time we saw you. You really do look more like capable shinobi now."

"A lot's changed since we last met, Zabuza." Naruto assured him.

"We can see that." Haku noticed.

"We sure weren't expecting you two to show up back there." Sasuke admitted.

"Surprised us to when we found you guys in the middle of battle." Zabuza replied.

"We're on an important mission." Kakashi explained.

"And what does she have to do with it?" the swordsman inquired.

"Zabuza, have we got a story to tell you." Naruto answered, as he began telling Zabuza and Haku all about the Jinchuriki and the Akatsuki organization.

When Naruto finished his story, both Zabuza and Haku were surprised, "That's some serious stuff." Haku said in shock.

"So this girl is one of nine special shinobi who have a tailed beast inside them like you, Naruto?" Zabuza inquired.

"Correct." Naruto confirmed, as Fu spoke.

"And now these rogue shinobi are after us and looking to take our tailed beasts."

"And one of these Akatsuki members is your old comrade Kisame." Sasuke put in.

"Kisame?" Zabuza asked, "Well, this is a surprise. Kisame never really was good with a group even when we were on the same team."

"Why do you say that?" Sakura wondered.

"Kisame was once part of the Cypher division in Kiri. He was trained to preserve all secrets and hidden knowledge the division was carrying and keeping enemies from obtaining that information, even by killing the very division he was ordered to protect."

"What?!" Naruto and Fu gasped.

"He killed his own comrades just to protect information?" Sakura asked in shock.

"Yes, that way their information died with them. He even killed his former mentor and former wielder of Samehada, Fuguki Suikazan."

"Whoa." Sasuke gasped.

"Makes me wonder why he'd join an organization and hasn't killed them all like he did to his old division." Zabuza wondered.

"Maybe because some of these members aren't so easily killed." Naruto reminded him of the two members they fought, while also thinking about Itachi, Sasori, and Deidara.

Haku spoke up, "Those two shinobi Hidan and Kakuzu, Zabuza and I read about them in the bingo books."

"Kakuzu is a shinobi from the Hidden Waterfall who's capable of using all five chakra elements," Zabuza explained, "And Hidan a follower of the so called God Jashin. From what I've heard it's a practice that involves outright slaughter to satisfy this deity. Those who kill in his name are said to be given immortality."

"Are you serious?" Sasuke asked in disbelief.

"Well, that's what I've heard."

"Well, right now they're after me and want to extract Choumei." Fu said feeling terrified.

"Don't worry, Fu. We're not going to let them take you." Naruto promised.

"And how're you going to do that?" Haku inquired.

"If you plan to run away from them, then you're only playing the coward's game." Zabuza warned them.

"Running away is the last thing on my mind," Naruto answered with a serious tone, "Even if we did escape, they'd only chase after us until they've caught up."

"Naruto's right," Sasuke agreed, "The only way we're gonna get through this is if we eliminate them."

"Yeah," Sakura nodded, "We defeated two members already, by defeating another two more we'll cripple the Akatsuki even further."

"And make the world safer for the Jinchuriki." Kakashi finished.

Zabuza looked on at Squad seven remembering their dedication to their team and friends from when they first met, and chuckled, "You guys haven't changed a bit. Well, I guess there's no helping it. Me and Haku will stick around and help you take them out."

"You will?" Naruto asked in surprise.

"Against those two, you'll need all the help you can get even if you guys have gotten stronger in the last three years."

Haku put in, "Plus, we're all friends now. It's the least we can do since you helped us against Karok."

"Thank you both." Fu thanked them.

"Don't thank us yet until after we've destroyed those Akatsuki idiots." Zabuza replied.

"Still I appreciate your services," Fu smiled, "And that I just made two more new friends!" she cheered. Haku giggled at Fu's enthusiasm, while Zabuza rolled his eyes.

"Well, come on, team," Kakashi spoke up, "Let's recuperate a bit, before going back out there to fight Kakuzu and Hidan."

"Hai, sensei." Squad seven agreed.

Naruto smiled and looked over at Fu trying to get to know Haku and Zabuza better, while thinking to himself, 'With Zabuza and Haku fighting along side us, Kakuzu and Hidan don't stand a hell of a chance.'

After they rested, they were getting ready to head out, as Naruto was speaking to Haku, "So what have you and Zabuza been up to these last three years?"

"Well, much like before we've been traveling the land taking up jobs for pay. Only this time we don't get involved with shady third parties like Gato." Haku explained.

"So you're doing honest to good work?" Sakura inquired.

"Precisely."

"Well, at least it's good to hear you two are staying out of trouble." Naruto said in relief.

"It's not as easy as it sounds when you travel with someone like Zabuza." Haku joked, and the three laughed.

As Zabuza strapped his sword to his back, he took notice of Sasuke's second sword and spoke, "Sasuke."

"Yeah?" Sasuke asked.

"That sword you're carrying. Is that really the legendary Space Sword of Chief Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe?"

Sasuke smirked at Zabuza's perceptiveness, "It is indeed. The chief's grand niece Jinora has been holding onto it for many years now, and she decided to give it to me to use. This swords proven to be very powerful when in battle."

"While I don't deny it's worth and legacy, it still doesn't hold a candle to any of the blades wielded by those of the Seven Swordsmen."

"Zabuza, please show some respect." Haku sighed.

"I'm just saying." Zabuza shrugged.

"Well, watch. I'll show you how great this sword really is soon enough. You'll surely change your mind afterward." Sasuke promised.

After getting themselves together, Kakashi looked at the group, "Everyone all set? Good, now let's move." the seven shinobi left the cave and headed out to find their enemies.

Back out in the forest, Kakuzu and Hidan after escaping Zabuza's mist technique were stumbling through the forest trying to find their target, "I can't believe they got away from us!" Hidan grumbled.

"We would've had them, if you hadn't let them get away." Kakuzu replied.

Hidan did a double take, "Excuse me?! How is it my fault they got away?!"

"If you had been able to take down that former swordsman of the Mist, they wouldn't have escaped."

"Well excuse me, but it's not like you were doing anything useful!" Hidan argued, "You could've gotten Zabuza from behind while we were still in a stalemate."

"I thought you could've handled it without me. Obviously that was my mistake." Hidan growled at Kakuzu.

"Listen, Kakuzu! I've had just about enough of your..." Hidan was cut off by Kakuzu.

"Shut up, you idiot. Listen, you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Hidan tried listening.

Kakuzu shushed him and listened closely, "Someone's coming."

"Think it's them?"

"Not sure, but we better find out otherwise you'll be the one to explain it to the boss how you let the Jinchuriki escape."

"Is there anything you're not going to blame me for today?!" Hidan snapped.

"If you don't shut up right now, I'll kill you!" Kakuzu threatened him.

"You'd wish." Hidan challenged him.

"Enough! We got a job to do, now come on!" Kakuzu ordered, as the two headed off.

(And there's the chapter. Hope you all enjoyed this little chapter, and be looking forward to next time where it's round two. Until then have a Happy New Year.)