06. Speak Softly, Carry a Very Big Sword
"The bridge isn't far now."
Squad seven currently traveled in a small, wooden boat that left very little leg room. We were traveling over the large expanse of water that led to the Land of Waves. I sat across from Sasuke in the back of the boat; one knee drawn up to my chest, right wrist lazily dangling over it. Sakura sat to my left. In front of her sat Kakashi-sensei and Tazuna, and Naruto was up front, staring out in front of him. Not that there was much to see. The fog that enveloped us was so thick I only saw Naruto in clarity because of his orange jacket.
Tazuna's friend was rowing the boat with a wooden oar on the small bench behind mine. When he had spoken, I glanced over my shoulder to him but the fog was so thick I couldn't make out his facial features.
Minutes later, through the fog, a shadow loomed over the boat. It drew our attention and we glanced up, squinting through the haze. The structure was so impressively large it could even be seen through the thick fog. It was certainly the largest bridge I'd ever seen. It was clearly not completed yet but there appeared to be no activity going on, at least that I could see. But there were no sounds of construction either. Just deafening silence. It made the entire area feel eerily dead.
"Woah!" Naruto suddenly exclaimed, causing me to jump, startled. "It's huge!"
"Hey! Quiet!" Tazuna's friend whispered harshly. "What did I tell you about making noise? Why do you think I'm rowing instead of using the engine? We're using the mist as a cover so we're not seen."
Seen by whom? I wondered, apprehension swirling in my gut.
Naruto gasped, realizing his mistake. He promptly slapped his hands over his mouth as though it would remedy his loud outburst.
"Tazuna, before we reach the pier, I want to ask you something," Kakashi-sensei looked at Tazuna seriously, attracting mine and my teammates' attention. "There are men after you, I need to know why. If you don't tell us, I'm afraid I'll have to end this mission when we drop you ashore."
We all watched Tazuna expectantly until he began to speak. At first, he stared at the wooden floor of the boat, but slowly he looked up to meet our gazes. Suddenly, he looked much older. "I guess I have no other option but to tell you…No, I want you to know the truth. Like you said, this is past the original scope of the mission. The person who is after my life is a very short man who casts a very large and deadly shadow."
"A deadly shadow?" Kakashi-sensei echoed. "Who is it?"
"You know him, at least, I know you've heard his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping magnet, Gatoh."
"Gatoh? Of Gatoh Transport? He's a business leader, everyone knows him," Kakashi-sensei's eye widened in surprise.
"I've never heard of him," I whispered to Sasuke and Sakura. They shook their heads, signaling that they had never heard of this man either.
"He's a very powerful tycoon from a famous company, that's true. But beneath the surface, with the same ruthlessness he uses to take over businesses and nations, he sells drugs and contraband; using gangs and ninja. It was one year ago when Gatoh first set his eyes on the Land of Waves. He came to our island and used his vast wealth to take over our transport and shipping. Anyone who tried to stand in his way simply…disappeared…"
Tazuna's eyes moved to the world around him; a mystery to us, but to him, a home he knew well.
"In an island nation, a man who controls the sea controls everything; finance, government, our very lives! But there's one thing he fears…the bridge. When it is completed, it will join us to the land and it will break his control. I am the master bridge builder."
"So that's it…since you're in charge of the bridge, you're standing in this gangster's way," Sakura clarified, hand on her chin in thought.
"So those guys in the forest…they were working for Gatoh," I glanced at Sasuke, who nodded in agreement.
"I don't understand. If you knew he was dangerous, knew he'd send ninja to eliminate you, why didn't you tell us?" Kakashi-sensei asked.
"Because…the Land of Waves is a small and poverish nation. Even our nobles have very little money. The common people who are helping build this bridge can't afford to pay for an A, or B-ranked mission; it's too expensive. If you end this mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home. But…don't feel bad about that. Though…my poor little grandson will cry out, wanting his granddad. And my daughter will probably condemn Konoha and live out her life in sorrow…but really, don't blame yourselves."
I deadpanned at Tazuna. Was this old geezer seriously using the guilt trip strategy?
Kakashi-sensei scratched his head for a moment before turning to Tazuna. "Well, I guess we have no option; we'll have to keep guarding you."
I rolled my eyes, joined by my teammates. And I guess we're falling for it.
"Oh…I'm very grateful," Tazuna smiled innocently.
"We're approaching the shore," Tazuna's friend cut in, grabbing everyone's attention.
Our small boat passed through a tunnel beneath the bridge. On the other side appeared an entirely different world. I was so taken aback by its loveliness that my jaw dropped a little.
The sky seemed somehow more beautiful here. Perhaps because the water reflected it, making me think of melted crystal. The edginess that the dense fog had created evaporated and I became as still and calm as the water. Forestry rose from beneath the water, dotting the see in small islets. The shore was lined by small and modest boat houses.
Tazuna's friend pulled up to shore and my team clambered out of the boat after Tazuna.
"This is as far as I go. Good luck."
"Thank you for taking such a risk," Tazuna nodded to his friend in appreciation.
"Just be careful," his friend replied before starting the boat's engine and moving away from shore.
"Alright, take me home," Tazuna turned to our group. "And I mean, get me there in one piece."
"Sure things, Gramps!" I saluted sarcastically while rolling my eyes. He was a bossy old man wasn't he? But my quip earned me a pop in the head, courtesy of Kakashi-sensei and I glared at him as I rubbed the tender spot on my head.
And so the six of us began our journey anew. The path we walked on was a quiet, dirt road, surrounded by lush forestry on either side. I found myself wondering if this was a lesser known path, and then quickly hoped it was.
Naruto and I led the way and I practiced looking completely at ease while my ears strained for sounds and my eyes darted here and there, assessing the situation. Tazuna's claim that he'd be killed before he reached home had stuck in my head.
"Hey Tazuna, how serious were you about being assassinated before you got-" I cut myself off when someone walked up beside me.
I gave Sasuke a puzzled looked as he walked up to my right side, hands dug deep in the pockets of his white shorts. Naruto, too, noticed the sudden emergence of Sasuke to the front of the group but his look immediately soured.
I sighed heavily. I sense an overwhelming amount of testosterone in the air…
Without warning, Naruto suddenly dashed forward, making a show of searching around himself rapidly. He suddenly whipped out a kunai and threw it into the forestry to my right. "Over there!"
The entire group jumped in surprise, save myself and Sasuke. But even I tensed up and looked wearily in the direction the kunai had gone.
"Oh, it was just a mouse," Naruto said breezily, standing straight and running his hand through his blonde locks like he thought he was a super model.
At this point, Sasuke and I had caught up to the boy and I smack him in the arm. "Knock it off, dummy. Are you trying to attract attention?"
"You're so obvious it's embarrassing!" Sakura seethed from behind us.
"Naruto, those are kunais! They're dangerous weapons; do not use them so carelessly," Kakashi-sensei tried to inform the boy in exasperation.
"Stop trying to scare me you little dwarf!" Tazuna yelled, a vein pulsing in his neck.
"Hey, is someone hiding over there? No wait, over there!" Naruto scurried here and there, seemingly peering through the brush and completely ignoring what I had said. "No wait, over there!"
Naruto turned, throwing a kunai into the bushes.
"Knock it off, Naruto!" Sakura said angrily, brushing past me to aim a punch at the back of Naruto's head.
"But Sakura," Naruto whined, grabbing at the newly forming bump. "I really did sense something."
"Yeah right, Naruto!" Sakura scoffed, hands on her hips.
"Actually, I think he did," I murmured, distracted as I edged towards the bushes. Kakashi-sensei must have sensed it too because he was following at my heels.
I crouched down, pulling aside a large bush through which Naruto's kunai had disappeared to. On the ground, against a thin tree trunk, was a white rabbit. Naruto's kunai was sticking into the bark of the tree directly over the rabbit's head. The poor thing was so frightened it was frozen in place, trembling from head to tail.
"Naruto!" I snapped. "You almost killed a bunny!"
I barely had time to scold the boy before he came rushing past me, almost knocking me over in his haste. He dropped dramatically to his knees beside the bunny, scooping the animal into his arms. He cradled it against his cheek. "I'm sorry, Mr. Rabbit!"
I plucked Naruto's kunai from the tree before pushing myself up again. I examined the scene before me. "He doesn't even seem afraid of you. I wonder if he's somebody's pet?"
It only made sense, it was a white rabbit after all. Where does one find a white rabbit in these parts?
No sooner had I posed the thought when Kakashi's voice suddenly called out. "Look out!"
My eyes shot up only to find a large object rapidly spinning towards my team, specifically Tazuna. What the object was, I couldn't say, but I was fairly certain it could decapitate me if I didn't move.
We all dropped to the ground and I grabbed Tazuna's wrist, pulling him with me. We fell flush against the ground as the object whizzed through the air where our necks had been not a second prior. The impact of the fall caused Naruto's kunai to slide out of my hand and out of reach.
Breathing heavily, I jumped to my feet. I held a hand out to stay Tazuna but didn't really pay attention as to whether he heeded my warning or got to his feet anyway. I was already turning around to see what had almost made us lose our heads.
The answer? A sword, larger than my body in both width and length. It was now stuck into the bark of a very tall tree. A person was standing on the handle of the blade, which was longer than my forearm. The figure had their back to us originally, but slowly turned on his thin foothold to examine us.
He was a tall man with muscles nearly the size of my head. He wasn't wearing a shirt, only pants and cow-skinned leg warmers with arm guards to match. His entire lower face, starting at the bridge of his nose, was wrapped in bandages. A Mist Village headband was tied sideways around his forehead, causing his short, black hair to spike up at all angles.
"Well, well, if it isn't the rogue ninja Momochi Zabuza from the Village Hidden in the Mist," Kakashi-sensei said far too casually.
Alarm bells were flashing in my mind. Rogue ninja…!? They're dangerous!
There was a reason they were rogues. They were usually S-ranked criminals that even their former villages couldn't track down and eliminate. And now one was staring down at us, probably envisioning us without our heads.
I felt Naruto run past me, towards the tree. I tried to grab his sweatshirt but only grasped air. Luckily, Kakashi-sensei held out his arm, halting the boy.
"Naruto, stay back. This guy is on a whole other level. If it's him we're facing…I might need this," Kakashi-sensei reached to pull back the headband covering his eye.
"Kakashi…the Sharingan user, did I get that right?" Zabuza asked, peering down at Kakashi-sensei.
I couldn't help the gasp that left my lips. I immediately turned my head to look at Sasuke, whose body had immediately tensed. He was staring at Kakashi-sensei in shock, and I turned back to do the same. The Sharingan was the kekki genki of the Uchiha Clan. What the hell was Kakashi-sensei doing with it? And why did he only have it in one eye?
"You're gunna have to hand over the old man," Zabuza said like it was a normal business deal.
"Quick, swastika formation, protect Tazuna," Kakashi-sensei order without looking back at us. "And stay out of this fight. I taught you teamwork, now it's time to use it."
I watched in awe as Kakashi-sensei lifted up his headband. His left eye was, at first, closed. An old scar ran over it. When he opened his eye, it was a deep crimson with three, black commas swirling around where the pupil should go, although there was no pupil.
I spared another glance at Sasuke. He was staring at Kakashi-sensei with a mix of utter bewilderment and accusation. Sasuke himself didn't have the Sharingan, but I'd seen an Uchiha with it before.
"Guess I get to see the Sharingan in action. This is an honor," Zabuza smirked. At least I think he did.
"Everyone keeps saying Sharingan; what is it!?" Naruto asked.
"A rare power that resides in the eyes," Sasuke said. He was staring out into the distance at nothing in particular. "The user of this visual jutsu, or doujutsu, can immediately see and comprehend any genjutsu, taijutsu or ninjutsu, and reflect the attack back on the attacker. Sharingan is a special, rare form of doujutsu…However, there's more to it than that. A lot more."
"Correct, but you only scratched the surface. The Sharingan can analyze an opponent's technique and then copy it to the smallest detail," Zabuza said.
My body tensed in anticipation as the clear day disappeared and we became completely shrouded in mist. It was the same mist as earlier, thick and incredibly difficult to see through. I drew closer to Tazuna.
"You know, I am supposed to assassinate you on sight. You're listed in my Bingo book as the ninja who copied over one thousand jutsus; Kakashi, the Copy Ninja," Zabuza's voice rang through the area, but I could no longer see him.
I was impressed with the title
"Now, enough talking, I need to exterminate the old man," Zabuza said, now crouching on his sword handle. I could barely see him. His form was more of a shadow and only visible because of his size.
Kakashi's previous order suddenly flashed in our minds. We leapt into action. Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura all stood in front of Tazuna in a line. Although, Sakura and Naruto, who were both on the ends, were turned in their perspective directions, they were not standing directly at Tazuna's sides. I was the only one standing behind Tazuna, a dagger in each hand held in front of me in an X. I felt isolated and bare as the thick fog rolled around me, raising goose bumps on my skin. Kakashi-sensei remained where he was, standing in front of our group.
"So I'll have to take care of you first Kakashi? So be it…" Zabuza detached his large blade from the bark with ease and disappeared. He reappeared a moment later to my right. He was standing on top of the water of the large lake next to us.
"He's standing on the water!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Thank you Sakura for pointing out the obvious," I tried to glance over at her, but found I could not. If she glared at me, I had no idea. I was probably being a little harsh, but my nerves were popping across my skin.
Zabuza had one hand performing jutsus right in front of his face. His other hand mirrored, except was raised vertically over his head. A vortex of water was beginning to swirl around him.
I can sense his chakra from here…it's so powerful! I swallowed against my suddenly parched throat.
"Ninja art: Hidden Mist Jutsu," Zabuza murmured before he seemingly, slowly, dissolved into the mist. Every muscle tensed.
The area was eerily quiet for a moment, until Kakashi-sensei moved a couple of feet towards the lake. His sandals made echoing noises against the dirt.
"Sensei…" Sakura said uncertainly.
"It's okay, he'll come after me first," Kakashi-sensei assured.
"Are you sure?" I asked and immediately cringed at how uncertain my voice sounded. Come on Nakao, get a grip!
"But…who is he?" Sakura asked.
"Momochi Zabuza, the ex-leader of the Mist Village Assassination Unit. He's the master of the Silent Killing Technique," Kakashi-sensei elaborated.
"How lovely," I muttered sarcastically.
"As the name suggests, it happens in an instant-without sound or warning of any kind. It's so fast that the Sharingan cannot fully neutralize it, so don't lower your guard," Kakashi-sensei warned. "But, if we fail, we only lose our lives."
"Thanks, Sensei, I'm so comforted," I shot a glare over my shoulder.
"The mist keeps getting thicker," Naruto noticed, and indeed, he was right. In a matter of seconds, the mist became so thick I couldn't even see Kakashi-sensei standing maybe not even ten feet in front of our group.
"Sensei!" Sakura called out worriedly.
"Eight points," Zabuza's voice suddenly rang through the area. I couldn't pinpoint his location, it was like his voice was the mist itself. "Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular vein, collarbone, kidney and heart. Which vital area would you like to get struck at?"
My heart was pounding in my throat. Suddenly, a power ripped through the mist, blasting our group with a gust of wind and clearing the area in front of us. Unfortunately, it did nothing for my line of sight since I was looking in the opposite direction.
I gasped at the sheer power of Kakashi-sensei's chakra. It felt incredibly strong! I'd never sensed it on him before. I felt it rush around me and my heart beat seemed to slow and a sense of ease relaxed my muscles.
"Sasuke," Kakashi-sensei suddenly said sharply. "Calm down, I'll protect you with my life. All of you. I promise."
I blinked. Is Sasuke really freaking out over there?
"Sasuke, chillax dude! I got your back; literally," I said, pushing humor into my voice that I didn't actually feel.
"Good spirits, Nakao," Kakashi-sensei, sounding as though he was attempting to be cheerful, but was failing miserably. His focus was too set on his intent to kill.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Zabuza's voice sounded so close...
I gasped. In an instant, Zabuza had positioned himself between my three teammates and myself and Tazuna. My eyes widened, looking over my shoulder as, as if in slow motion, Zabuza brought his sword up to slash through us all.
"I've got Tazuna!" I shouted without even thinking.
Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto jumped out of the way. I grabbed Tazuna around the waist, careful not to cut him with my daggers, and leapt backwards just as I felt the actual breeze caused by Zabuza's sword. Just as I leapt away, Kakashi-sensei rushed over, planting a kunai through Zabuza's abdomen.
I breathed heavily, but had no time to relax when water came pouring from Zabuza's wound. A water clone. I gasped when Zabuza reappeared.
"Sensei, behind you!" I cried. I watched in horror as Kakashi-sensei turned to move around, but it was too late.
"Die!" Zabuza yelled as he slashed his blade horizontally through Kakashi-sensei's body.
My heart was hammering against my rib cage and all I could hear was a constant buzz in my ears, as though I was surrounded by static. But as Kakashi-sensei tore apart, his image turned into water, and it splashed harmlessly to the ground.
Relief flooded my system but it didn't slow my racing heart. He was already able to copy Zabuza's jutsu!
"It's over," Kakashi-sensei said, now behind Zabuza and holding a kunai to his neck.
I watched in astonishment, still standing guard in front of Tazuna. I could hear Naruto cheer from somewhere around me and Sakura give out a soft, relieved laugh. But I still gripped my daggers tightly, my muscles still tensed. It just seemed too easy. And that's when I heard Zabuza's laugh.
"You really think so? You don't get it, do you? Your technique is nothing but a crass imitation; I'll never be defeated by a mere copy-cat ninja like you," Zabuza chucked evilly again. "You are full of surprises though. You had your clone make that little speech while you hid in the mist, waiting for me to make my move. Nice try, but I'm not that easy to fool."
A gasp caught in my throat as Zabuza suddenly appeared directly behind Kakashi-sensei; so close they were almost touching. The Zabuza in front of Kakashi-sensei turned to water and splashed onto the ground at Kakashi-sensei's feet.
"Kakashi-sensei!" I found myself screaming as Zabuza slashed his sword at Kakashi-sensei's neck.
Kakashi ducked, the sword just grazing the tips of his silver hair. But Zabuza was quick and, using his sword as leverage, Zabuza spun around to gain momentum and kicked Kakashi-sensei square in the chest when he had turned to try and defend himself. I watched with wide and shaking eyes as Kakashi-sensei was kicked clear across the clearing and into the lake. Zabuza immediately followed, summersaulting in the air and diving into the lake after Kakashi-sensei.
"You guys, regroup!" I said quickly, tugging Tazuna by the wrist. My whole body was humming as it told me to jump into action. Fight. Help. Do something.
But my mind knew my first priority was Tazuna. Jumping into battle right now would only be a hinderance.
The five of us came together, circling around Tazuna as we watched the lake in anticipation. Kakashi-sensei bobbed to the surface, seemingly examining the water. Only a second later, Zabuza was behind Kakashi-sensei, standing on the water again. He performed several handsigns and suddenly, a large orb of water encased Kakashi-sensei, trapping him.
"This is my Hydro Prison. It's made of water and stronger than steel," Zabuza gloated. He had to keep his right arm in the water to hold the prison together, but Kakashi-sensei was completely trapped. "It's hard to fight when you can't move; so much for the Great Kakashi. I'll finish you off later but first, your little brats will need to be eliminated."
I gritted my teeth together as a form began to rise from the water. A Zabuza water clone appeared, looking just as big and menacing as the real one. My previous thoughts melted away. It was time to fight now; we were all that stood between Tazuna and death.
"You think wearing a headband makes you a ninja?" Zabuza's clone sneered at us. "When you've hovered between life and death so many times it doesn't even phase you, then you may be called a ninja. When you have become so deadly you've become listed in my Bingo book, then you may have earned the title of ninja."
"To hell with your Bingo book!" I called out before my senses caught up with me, but I noticed with irritation at myself that my hands holding my blades were shaking.
"Nakao!" Sakura whispered in fearful warning.
I turned my head to look at the kunoichi; yet another mistake. I felt a presence and turned my attention back just in time to see Zabuza's clone standing directly in front of me. I lost my breath as it raised it's sword, swinging it at my neck.
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