The mountain path creaked. Stones fell from the covered the path. Old stones trailed across the path. Moss grew along the surface of the stones, gathering swiftly.

"Based on the information, the base should be somewhere around here." Miyama glanced over her shoulder. "You two all right?"

Kōju sighed quietly. She wiped a drop of sweat off her brow. "Just a little tired, that's all. I'll be a lot better once we've stopped those bullies like Gatō."

"They're not exactly… Well, maybe if you stretch the definition a little, but at any rate it's a bit difficult just to say that."

Roha glanced downward. "I wish we'd gotten to see more of the clothing shops…" She ran her hand over her face. "Well, that's his work—that guy's, anyway."

Kōju sighed. "Well, it's not like I disagree with you, but what's so important about clothes anyway?" she questioned. "Especially cosplay."

"The outfit captures the essence of the performer!" Roha clenched her fist, holding her hand up to the heavens. "It's necessary to capture the soul! In a good set of cosplay, these things are possible…"

A drop of sweat ran down Kōju's forehead.

"All right, hold up, kiddos. I'm getting a weird ping on my senses." Miyama raised her hand.

The two genin stopped on the mountain road.

Price

Raindrops fell from the sky. The tower shook slightly in the high wind. A set of stairs wound up the side, stone and ice mixing on the base of each stone beneath the sky.

Yokaze wrapped up her arms. She shivered in the wind. "Ugh…" She glanced down the spiral staircase. "Why are we on the offensive again?"

"Because we're not stupid. In a defensive mission, one of the standard parameters is that you defend one location… Surprise is a major advantage."

Naruto looked up the stairs. He gripped his kunai. That guy is probably here. I'll beat him and then show to Sasuke that I'm really qualified to be a genin, after all!

Sasuke undid the fastenings on the scroll at her side, her eyes narrowing. While he's probably not here yet, it doesn't hurt to be cautious regarding this matter...

"Couldn't agree more."

Yokaze gasped.

Zabuza shot down the staircase, his sword slashing through the side of the building as he fell.

The stairs broke in two.

Zabuza continued to fall far below. The body splashed into water on the ground.

A flush of water spread across the stairs above Nōtō.

Nōtō's eyes narrowed.

Zabuza rose, his hand drawing out the blade.

"If you want to know the truth behind this matter, meet me at the top." Haku stood motionless. One arm extended to the side.

A flash of frost covered the stairs.

Naruto gritted his teeth. "To hell with that! I'll—" He started forward.

"Naruto. Take a good look at the stairs."

Naruto glanced downward.

Ice covered the stairs in a thick sheet.

"Oh." Naruto swallowed.

"Let's walk up very slowly and carefully," Sasuke suggested in a soft voice.

Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "You seem really comfortable… Don't think that same technique from before is going to work."

"I don't expect it to." Nōtō's glasses glinted. "Tell me something, please."

Zabuza inclined his head.

"My ability has two halves. Susano'o and Mikoto. What you experienced last time was Mikoto… Now. What on earth do you expect me to use? I can assure you, it won't be the same technique."

Zabuza's eyes widened.

Price

The desk drawer slid closed soundlessly. The window opened on the base of the river, showing a beautiful view. The sands, white and peaceful, shone beneath the sky.

Gatō rested against the desk, his expression peaceful. Finally I get out of this ridiculous country… Such a backwater idiot place. So many uncomfortable hicks.

The short figure emerged from the entry. "Gatō-san…"

Gatō's eyes narrowed. "WHAT?" he demanded furiously, his head rising. Peace for a moment, now this?!

"Three shinobi are about to assault your castle. What is… your command?"

Gatō's eyes widened. Shit! "Get to the barracks!" he yelled. "Arm the soldiers!"

"Agreed." The woman disappeared in a blue flash of light.

Gatō rubbed his temples. Reaching into the desk, he pulled out a clean white scroll. This should do in case of emergency... For the time being I'll need to move. Hopefully Zabuza can finish matters by himself. He ran out of the room, panting heavily.

The window blew open. Wind blew through the space.

Price

The doors at the base of the castle opened. The earth shook slightly. Soldiers rushed outward. The swords and spears lifted in the air.

Miyama grinned. "Looks like we have company. Roha-chan, I'll leave these to you." Her eyes narrowed. "Based on my chakra sense, there are at least two shinobi in that tower."

Roha nodded. Her arms extended.

Kōju ran forward, vanishing in a series of white flashes.

The Flash Technique at her age…? Not bad, kid. Not bad at all. Miyama leapt upward, her eyes narrowing. But, she should be more cautious with her chakra after all. There's too much danger in overusing your chakra at that age. She landed on the wall.

The archers gasped.

Miyama held out her arm, a feral grin crossing her face. "Earth Style: Crumbling Walls of the Mead Hall!"

Price

The tower top froze in a wave of pressure. White skies covered the heights, conveying a strange feeling to the nature of the world. The sky darkened, cold winds blowing over the surface of the stones.

"For the sake of that which I believe in, Yokaze-san, you must die." Haku lifted his kunai.

"To be truthful…" A faint, bitter smile crossed Yokaze's lips. "I thought things might turn out like this. To think that you would be so concerned with my humble personage. But, allow me to ask one thing. Is it necessary for you to produce proof that you killed me yourself?"

"Yes." Haku fell silent. His hand lifted in the beginnings of a seal.

"Fine." Yokaze smiled. "In that case…" She took a step backward. Her feet balanced on the edge of the wall.

Haku's eyes widened.

"You're quick, but I'm fast myself. If you attack too recklessly, I could be knocked off the edge and die like that. No proof there." Yokaze leaned backward slightly. Her black hair blew in the wind. "I'm betting my fate on these two. If they lose, I'll come willingly to your executioner's blade."

Haku's eyes narrowed.

Sasuke and Naruto glanced at each other.

"Don't get in my way… dumbass." Sasuke unrolled the scroll on the ground. Biting her thumb, she struck the scroll.

"Che. That's my line! Blockhead!" Naruto's fingers pressed together in a cross shape.

A variety of clones appeared around the top of the castle.

Drawing out the wood sword, Sasuke looked upward swiftly.

Haku drew up the sword, her eyes narrowing. What on earth is going on here? These two... well, they shouldn't be a threat, but I have such an uncomfortable feeling in my heart...

Price

The soldiers fell downward. Blood stained the battlements. The spines of the earth retracted slowly.

A door opened in the tower.

Miyama looked upward. A faint, twisted grin crossed her face as she lowered her arm. "Ah… It's been quite a while, Mirai-san."

"Not nearly… long enough." Mirai's lips curved upward as she lifted her hands. "You realize the situation… right?" Her left hand seized on the golden katana at her side.

"Yeah. Gatō's running like a bitch, right? Damned coward." Miyama's hand reached downward. She held out her arm. One of the swords of the guards, a large, wicked thing with a serrated edge, landed in her hand.

Mirai frowned. "Well, you seem… acquainted with it, so…" She reached upward, touching her blindfold. "I suppose that… I can use that…"

Price

The staircase descended into the depths of the tower. The tapestries on the wall shimmered, depicting scenes of ancient battle. The torches flamed in the light.

Kōju glanced from one to another, her eyes narrowed.

"This is our first time fighting. Are you sure we'll be okay?"

"We'll be fine! Us three together, right?" the wild-haired boy declared, knocking his fist against the other two's.

Kōju walked down the stairs.

"Here we go…" One of the genin lifted a blade, pointing the blade at Kōju.

Kōju's eyes narrowed, growing to appear like polished emeralds. "I have no reason to fight with children. Out of my way."

The genin grouped together rapidly. They blocked the passage as one.

Price

The tower's ice grew taller. Chunks of ice fell downward.

Naruto shivered. Emperor... It's freezing in here... He shook, rubbing his arms together.

Sasuke glanced over her shoulder briefly. That guy's already peeling out... She sighed. Well, it's not like I expected too much anyway. She blurred forward.

The wooden sword slammed into the needle.

A crack echoed across the top of the castle.

Naruto's eyes widened.

"Don't mistake me… Even if we are the same speed, it makes sense that the stronger weapon will win, right?" Sasuke smirked as she forced down the blade steadily.

"Yes… Technically, you are correct. But…" Haku rapidly twisted around his arm.

The arm caught Sasuke's arm.

Sasuke's eyes widened.

"The stronger weapon within this battle isn't that sword; it's the water at my command." Haku moved swiftly, forming seals with a single hand.

Sasuke gritted her teeth. Like this— She forced her arm free of the constraint.

Special Technique: Demonic Ice Needles…

Flame Style: Great Fireball Technique!

Flames engulfed the needles.

The needles shot forward.

A few drops of water fell from the flames.

Haku chuckled, leaping backward. "That won't work against my bloodline limit."

Sasuke gritted her teeth, staring down at her foot. A single ice needle pierced the base of the foot.

The other needles drove through the surface of the stones of the tower.

"Like this, your superior speed is rendered meaningless, and I can pierce you."

Naruto's eyes widened.

"Even a single wound can be fatal in a battle between shinobi. You are now hopelessly hobbled." Haku leapt forward, holding another needle between his fingers.

Sasuke gritted her teeth. Blood seeped into the sandal.

"Clone Pile-on!"

The group of clones caught Haku in midair.

Haku's eyes widened.

Several of the clones puffed into smoke.

Haku's teeth clenched. It's like being held down by a group of rather useless second graders… He struggled.

"Get her, him… it, Sasuke!"

"You don't have to tell me twice, dumbass!" Sasuke lunged forward. The blade hammered into Haku's side.

Haku coughed. A loud snap echoed across the tower.

The clones dissipated into smoke.

I'm in trouble now… I'm definitely getting pushed back. Haku stood upright, dusting off the white robes. The hand formed a hand seal. "Special Technique: Demonic Ice Mirrors Technique."

The water on the rooftop rose swiftly.

Mirrors formed around Sasuke and Naruto.

Naruto's eyes widened.

Sasuke gritted her teeth.

"It's true… working as a team, it's possible for someone with that much of a chakra reserve and someone like you to beat me, even eclipse me, if I don't use my full power." Haku's image spoke from every mirror.

Naruto placed his hands together rapidly. "Shadow Clone Technique!" Clones filled the space.

Sasuke lifted her arms. "Manriki-gusari!" A chain formed in Sasuke's arms.

"Unfortunately, before my true power, all that is pointless. Let me show you a little of my speed."

A tempest of needles shot from the mirrors.

Naruto gasped in shock as the needles peppered his body.

The chain whirled rapidly in circles.

Each of the clones popped out of existence.

Blood splattered against the ground.

Sasuke gritted her teeth. She stared down at her hand. A single needle pierced the center of the hand.

Naruto's eyes widened. He stared down at hundreds of cuts across his body.

"That is my true speed."

Price

The stairway darkened with spilt blood. Blood poured from a series of wounds on the skin.

"You're in a strange position here… Nōtō-san. It doesn't matter what technique you use… I'm not one to fall for the same trick twice." Zabuza smirked.

Nōtō raised his hands. "ORARARARARARARA!" he shouted, his hands flurrying forward.

Zabuza stood motionless.

"Not even going to draw your blade before the end? At any rate, it's over. I've hit thirteen of your pressure points. You are already dead." Nōtō sighed, counting off the seconds in his mind. "Ten… Five…"

Zabuza drew his sword.

Nōtō's eyes widened. He jumped backward, falling onto the stairs. "What?!"

"I said it before. That technique won't work on me twice!" Zabuza grinned beneath his mask.

It should still affect him. Is he truly some kind of demon? Grasping his kunai, Nōtō blocked the sword. His eyes narrowed. It's too dangerous to continue the fight here. Leaping forward, he formed a seal with his hands wrapped around Zabuza.

Leaves fell to the ground.

Both fighters vanished.

Price

The battlements shook. A wave of pure crimson chakra rose off Miyama's shoulders. The air glowed.

Mirai's eyes narrowed. Slowly, she reached upward, undoing the blindfold little by little.

Miyama's eyes widened. "Hoh. Do I get to see it this early? The eye of the Sonozaki clan."

Mirai let the blindfold fall to the ground. Her eyes, deep green with flecks of crimson, opened. "Against you, there is no other choice…" A wave of energy spread from the eyes. The sword drew out of the sheath.

Miyama's eyes narrowed. Her hands lifted rapidly.

Block, cross, stab. A series of green outlines appeared before Mirai. Mirai's body reacted accordingly, dodging the strikes. The sword reversed.

Blood spilled onto the ground.

Miyama smiled as the sword pierced her right lung.

Price

The sparkling lights danced in the sky.

Roha smiled as she sat down quietly. "This is my world again…"

A web of white energy surrounded the space.

The group of onrushing attackers fell to the ground, wrapped in chains.

"Such is the power of Seidr, a genjutsu that changes the world."

Price

The earth trembled over the pair. The ceiling shook.

"You sure talk big, for a little girl!" the wild-haired one shouted. "We'll kick your ass!"

A white-haired girl caught the boy's arm. Her long, curled hair draped over her shoulders. Her blue eyes flickered to the door. "Watch out! She's really at a higher—"

"Shut up!" The boy's eyes narrowed. He rushed forward. "We can definitely beat her!"

Kōju clapped her hands together. She vanished. A flash of light surrounded her body.

The group's eyes widened.

"Thank you, but… I've no interest in playing with a bunch of bullies!" Sticking out her tongue, Kōju ran onward into the darkness.

"Ah, jeez."

"We gotta catch up!"

Presumably Gatō has located himself within one of the tunnels. The objectively best path back involves going through Hidden Mist. Kōju frowned. She stared up at the tunnel junction for a moment. Let's see… She dug into her pack, pulling out a compass.

Roars echoed through the darkness.

Looks like they're coming for me. It's either the central or the right passage… logically, you'd want to build with the necessary passage closer to the surface than the rest. There's a meter water mark difference. Let's get moving. Holding up her blade, Kōju vanished again. After a moment, she reappeared in the middle of the tunnel, clutching her stomach. Ouch! Even with my improved stamina, it's hard to do so many Flash Techniques one after the other… Guess I'll have to move the old-fashioned way. Kōju, gripping the blade tightly, ran forward through the darkness.

The water splashed.

Still… A mischievous grin crossed Kōju's face. It's not impossible for me to set up a little deception.

A clone appeared beside Kōju, running onward into the darkness.

Kōju ran into the shadows. I wonder what I'll find… I need to capture him before he crosses the border of the nations. If he gets to the Land of Water it may be truly dangerous…

The water splashed in the tunnels.

We'll see… Coughing, Kōju came to a halt. On second thought… this was way too easy. She frowned. I wonder if they figured it out…

"Too late, moron! You've fallen into my trap!" The white-haired girl cackled. "Feast your eyes on your execution ground!"

The door slammed down. Black iron blocked the path.

Green mist poured in from the sides.

Damn! That portcullis… Kōju glanced over her shoulder. I shouldn't have used so much chakra!

"It's a powerful poison. It'll eat right through your bones!"

"Before I die, oh great and mighty one… I have a couple of questions." Kōju looked upward, her face terrified and shocked.

The girl scowled. "Shoot."

"Those two with you… What exactly are they?"

"Couple of Gatō-san's thugs. They're useful for creating the image of a unified team despite my abilities. In terms of comparison, they're extremely weak."

"Despite? Interesting."

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, for the most part… Discounting that acidic technique of yours... You're a pretty poor shinobi."

The white-haired girl's eyes widened.

Kōju's body collapsed into dust.

Was it a clone, or maybe the Substitution Technique? Whatever, she tricked me. She definitely tricked me! The white-haired girl screamed. You sneaky girl! I'm going to get you for this!