"Tazuna, if you want us to continue this mission, we'll need you to be completely honest with us." Kurenai said in a stern tone.
The elder bridge builder sighed. "Alright, I'll tell you everything. You see. I'm currently being targeted by a tyrannical business. As you can expect, he's hired powerful shinobi that could eliminate me at ease." Tazuna said.
"Why didn't you tell Lord Hokage? He could have provided you with a squad that's more suited instead of a team of genin." Kurenai added in.
"I'm aware. However, due to this man, the Land of Waves is significantly poor and we couldn't afford anything more. Even this C rank mission is breaking us." Tazuna said.
"I'm sure you have your reasons, but their is no excuse for lying." Kurenai said as she continued scolding the man.
"I apologize and if you decide to return to the village, I will most certainly be killed. You guys are my last hope." Tazuna said.
A few moments passed before Kurenai decided to speak with her team. "Team eight, this mission is now a B rank, and will most likely turn into an A rank. There is a chance that we can get hurt or killed. I'm giving you each a chance to vote. Do you wish to go home or continue the mission?" Kurenai asked.
The genin remained silent until Naruto spoke up. "Tazuna, I will protect you with my life and remain with you until the bridge is finished." Naruto said.
"But Naruto, their is a chance we face high level ninja. What if you get killed?" Kurenai asked.
Naruto smirked. "Then so guess I'll just have to stay alive." Naruto responded with a smirk.
"That's right! We won't quit or back away! Let's keep going!" Kiba declared with pride.
"I don't agree with lying to us, but we will help you." Hinata said with a nod.
"I can't let a bunch of green genin get killed. I guess I'll tag along." Anko said with a smirk.
"It's settled Tazuna, we're going to continue this mission." Kurenai said.
"Thank you so much." Tazuna said.
The six of them continued in this flatbed and because of the likeliness of encountering a Jonin level ninja, Kurenai and Anko used an elite formation.
On the seventh day, the group found themselves about an hour and a half away. Hinata's Byakugan was activated and she declared that they were being followed.
"Kurenai sensei, there is a strong chakra signature coming out way." Naruto said.
"What do you mean? Are you sensory type?" Hinata asked.
"Yeah. Make sure you keep your vision clear to avoid any sneak attacks." Naruto said.
"Right." Hinata said with a nod.
Suddenly, team eight came to a halt as their was clear movement in the bushes. Kiba flicked a kunai and accidentally stabbed a rabbit.
"Kiba you idiot!" Hinata shouted. However, the blond walked up and inspected the bunny.
"Guys, this isn't right. This is a snow rabbit that's raised inside as a diversion. Huh? Everyone get down down!" Naruto shouted. Kurenai tackled Kiba down, Hinata pulled Tazuna down, and Naruto tackled Anko.
When the two were inches away from each other, they quickly separated, both having small blushes they were trying to hide. Flying at massive speeds, a gigantic blade slammed into a tree. Standing on th handle, a darker skin man with bandages around his arm and face, light gray pants, without a shirt.
"No way, it's him?" Kurenai mentally thought. "Quick, Manji formation!" Kurenai shouted. The three genin quickly surrounded Tazuna.
"I'm going to need you to hand over the. Ridge builder." The man said.
"Zabuza Mommochi, an A rank shinobi in the bingo book for planning a coup against the fourth Mizukage. What is someone like you doing out here?" Kurenai asked.
"That's irrelevant. My mission is to kill the bridge builder. Either you step away with your lives, or you accept the same fate." Zabuza said as he pulled his sword from the tree and stood before the squad.
Kiba and Hinata were shaking uncontrollably. The killing intent being leaked by Zabuza was too much for any genin to deal with.
Zabuza charged Kurenai with his sword but Anko was quickly able to assist her in clashing her own sword against his. "Ah, Anko Mitarashi, the snake mistress of Konoha. I didn't expect to see you here." Zabuza said with a smirk.
"Glad to know my title is out there. I'd be extra careful. You don't want to lose a few vital organs." Anko said in a sadistic tone.
Kurenai quickly went through a series of hand seals and began casting a genjutsu. However, Zabuza caught on and decided to counter by using his signature, Hidden mist jutsu. Nothing could be seen through the thick, chakra enhanced fog.
"Now, where to kill." Zabuza muttered in an ominous tone.
The two genin were shaking greatly as they held their kunai close. Instantly, Zabuza appeared between the group. "It's done!" Zabuza declared as he slashed his blade across the bodies of the genin and Tazuna.
"No!" Kurenai shouted.
"Haha, too easy." Zabuza said until he heard the voice of one of the genin.
Dispelling some of the mist, Naruto stood with his team and Tazuna, away from Zabuza's location. "Impossible." Muttered the swordsmen.
"Good work Naruto. You guys need to protect Tazuna. We'll deal with Zabuza." Kurenai said.
"Do you really think you two women can deal with the demon of the hidden mist?" Zabuza asked, slightly enraged by the disrespect.
"Haha." Naruto chuckled as he gazed at Zabuza.
"Something funny boy?" Zabuza asked.
"I find it funny when a person refers to themself as a demon. You wouldn't know what a real demon is if it hit you in the face." Naruto explained.
"Kid, when I was your age, my hands were covered in blood! You see, many many years ago, in the hidden mist village, we had graduation exams." Zabuza said.
Gaining his courage, Kiba spoke up. "We had exams too!" Shouted the Inuzuka.
"Did your exams require you to kill the other students?" Zabuza asked.
"Many years ago, Kirigakure changed their graduation requirement after the year known as the body graduation. A child, not even old enough to be a ninja walked up and slaughtered every single student." Anko explained.
"It felt so good." Zabuza said as he charged forward and struck Kurenai in her chest. As the gennutsu mistres was sent flying into a tree, the impact caused her great pain.
"Kurenai! You'll pay for that!" Anko shouted as she prepared to go on the offense. However, Zabuza was faster and created a massive water dragon that sent her flying into the lake.
Moaning in pain, Anko quickly applied chakra to her feet while on the water. "Damn, he hits like a boulder. But this water, it's too thick to be normal." Anko commented until the form of Zabuza appeared from the water.
"Water Release - Water Prison Jutsu!" The clone of Zabuza said as he extended his arm and trapped Anko inside a prison of water.
"Damn it, I can't move. team eight, take Tazuna and leave!" Kurenai shouted.
"This match was over the moment I got caught. The mission isn't to be a hero, it's to protect Tazuna!" Anko shouted.
Naruto sighed. "Hinata, to heal Kurenai sensei. Kiba, protect Tazuna. I'll deal with Zabuza." Naruto said in a tone that shocked the two genin.
"Naruto, you'll be killed! You can't expect to fight a jonin!" Kiba declared.
Naruto smirked. "Don't worry. I'll protect you all with my life." Said the blond as he walked towards the center of the field.
"Genin Naruto Uzumaki, this is a direct order! Leave now!" Kurenai shouted as she winced in pain.
Naruto waved her off. "Shut up, sensei. Clearly you aren't in a position to tell me what I can and can't do. I'll deal with Zabuza and we'll get to Tazuna's house." Naruto said.
"Haha, you've got balls, kid. But that won't be enough." Zabuza declared.
"Interesting, the demon of the hidden mist is talking a big game. When you shaved your eyebrows, did you cut some of your brain?" Naruto asked.
"That's funny. I don't know weather to shake your hand or kill you right here for talking to me like that." Zabuza growled out.
"I don't know, surprise me." Naruto said in a calm and confident tone.
The real figure of Zabuza pulled his sword out and charged towards Naruto. Instantly, Naruto pulled his blade up and was able to width stand the physical force of Zabuza's blade.
"Damn, he's strong. I guess I'll have to defeat him with my mind." Naruto thought as he quickly pulled his blade back and back flipped away.
Naruto then flicked threw kunai towards Zabuza. The mist ninja was about to deflect them, but Naruto appeared in a yellow flash and struck his fist into the man's chest.
Zabuza took a step back. Zabuza's eyes went wide. "That jutsu." Muttered Zabuza.
Naruto smirked and gave a nod before he prepared to strike again. Deciding he'd need an advantage, Zabuza began going through hand seals. As he was about to release his jutsu, the mist ninja was shocked at what happened before him.
"Water Release - Giant Vortex Jutsu!" Naruto shouted before Zabuza and created a massive pool of water.
"Impossible, how could you pull that jutsu off before me?" Zabuza asked as he saw the spinning eyes of Naruto. "The Sharingan?" Zabuza asked.
Naruto chuckled. "It's about time. Yes, I've got the eyes of the Sharingan. Clearly you understand that you can't win." Naruto said.
"Haha! That's the funniest thing I' e ever heard! You're nothing but a child! Time for me to show you why you're nothing!" Zabuza shouted as the water around him was spinning.
Naruto narrowed his eyes and began watching the swordsman. Water chakra formed around the blade and with each slash, a massive surge of water was sent flying towards the blond.
Naruto was able to jump away and dodge the slashes. Naruto flicked multiple kunai at Zabuza while releasing multiple shadow clones. Instantly, a yellow flash was seen and before he could counter, Zabuza felt a chakra enhanced punch to his jaw.
This time, the swordsman was sent flying back. He quickly stuck his sword into the water and used it to regain his composure. "I must say kid, J greatly underestimated you." Zabuza said with an evil smile.
Naruto smirked. "I over estimated you. Are you ready to get serious?" Naruto asked.