The sun was beginning to rise and inside the house that belongs to the famous bridge builder, it was full of absolute silence. It seemed that nobody had anything to say in regards to the battle that's expected.
While sitting at the table, Naruto decided to break the silence. "Alright, unless either Anko or Kurenai sensei have a plan, I've decided on how things should go." Naruto said while sipping some of his coffee.
"Well, I was trying to come up with a way to counter Zabuza. But let's hear what you've got. Unless you got anything Anko?" Kurenai asked her friend.
"No." Anko said while not meeting anyone's eyes.
"Chances are, Zabuza and his tracker, Haku, they will be there together. I'm getting the feeling that Zabuza won't underestimate me and he'll try to play dirty.
I want Kurenai to remain in between myself and Tazuna. Not only can she create a strong genjutsu to let them get back. But, it can also help us distract Zabuza if he gets passed me some how.
Hinata's Byakugan will allow her to see through the mist along with seeing through any traps or tricks they come up with. Kiba's scent along with Akamaru, they will be able to keep away from Zabuza while keeping Tazuna away.
I felt Haku's chakra signature and I'd say that he and Anko are around similar levels. I'd like her to engage him while I deal with Zabuza." Naruto explained.
"Naruto, how do you know the trackers name?" Hinata asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, he tried to kill me yesterday morning when I slept outside. But that isn't important." Naruto said sheepishly.
"It certainly is a decent plan. But Naruto, you're only a genin. I don't know how I could even write a believable report even if you do kill Zabuza." Kurenai said.
"Just say you and Anko killed him while we defended Tazuna." Naruto said lazily.
Team eight finished breakfast and prepared to leave. Before they left, Naruto created a few shadow clones to stay and protect Tsunami and Inari.
"Alright, let's go." Naruto said and the group started walking towards the bridge.
"Damn, sometimes I forget he's just a genin. At times, he acts like a child and others, he's a veteran Anbu commander." Kurenai thought.
"Alright, I'm going to help Naruto. Maybe Hinata will be impressed and go on a date with me." Kiba thought.
"Naruto, please be careful." Hinata thought.
"I'll show you who's a child." Anko thought.
Suddenly, Naruto started sneezing. "Guys, I think I'm being talked about or something." Naruto said sheepishly.
When team eight arrived at the bridge, they were in horror at the bloodshed that came from Tazuna's men. "This is horrible!" Tazuna shouted.
"Zabuza and Haku. I figured you two would have shown up." Naruto said.
"This time you won't escape. Haku, eliminate him." Zabuza ordered and Haku moved at a high speed, only to have his senbon connect with Anko's kunai.
"Sorry, but if anyone is going to kill him it'll be me." Anko said with a sadistic grin.
"Haha! Haku is in a league of his own. Unlike me, he's got a powerful bloodline. Your teammate has no chance!" Zabuza declared.
"Sorry, Zabuza. But Anko isn't just any shinobi. She's a master at the serpent Taijutsu style. Nobody can surpass her in taijutsu." Naruto explained with a confident smirk.
"I don't want to kill you, but I will not fail Zabuza." Haku said with a stern tone.
"That's the difference between you and me. I have no problem with killing you." Anko said as she released a few pythons that struck Haku.
However, to the surprise of every and Zabuza's delight, Haku revealed his ability to replace himself with a body of ice.
"What the hell is that?" Naruto asked.
"Haha, Haku's Kekkei Genkai is the Ice Release. He cannot be defeated!" Zabuza declared.
"Shit, this isn't good. Come on, Anko. Kick his ass." Naruto thought.
"So, you can ice release, huh? This will make it interestedting. Fire Release - Dragon Flame Jutsu!" Anko roared as she released a massive wave of fire.
Haku quickly avoided it but soon found Anko performed the shunshin to strike the boy in his back. Haku couldn't believe that she could pull off such an attack. "Impressive, you're pretty fast." Haku said.
Anko remained silent as she charged. "Secret shadow snake." Anko muttered and a long python charged towards Haku, who was forced to release multiple ice needles at it.
"Ice Release - One thousand needles of death!" Haku said as he stomped his foot in the ground and turning the water into icicles.
"Shit!" Anko called out as she quickly got back, only receiving a few stab wounds.
"Hinata, go help Anko sensei. I've got a bad feeling about this." Kiba said.
"No, Kiba. Zabuza won't let her get anywhere near the battle. But you need to be ready." Kurenai said as she noticed both Narutk and Zabuza clash their swords against each other.
"Why are you working for such a low life like Gato?" Naruto asked.
"Wby do you think? Money!" Zabuza said as he used his physical strength to push Naruto back.
Naruto quickly flashed and was able to cut part of Zabuza's arm. "Damn, that wasn't enough." Thought Naruto as he backed away.
"Water Release - Water Dragon Jutsu!" Zabuza shouted.
"Water Release - Water Dragon Jutsu!" Naruto shouted at the same time.
The two dragons of water formed and when they struck, the two aqua creatures canceled each other out, causing the two to engage in another sword clash. Zabuza brought his sword down while Naruto pulled his sword up and a massive spark was seen.
"What's he doing? Why isn't he going all out?" Hinata asked as she had her Byakugan activated.
"What? Are you being serious? He isn't going all out?" Kiba shouted.
"What is that knucklehead doing? Naruto, finish that guy off!" Tazuna shouted from the sidelines.
"Damn, so much for having fans." Naruto sad in a deadpan tone.
Anko and Haku continued exchanging attacks with each other until the snake mistress started to slow down from the constant movement. "Damn, he's fast and he's got stamina. Fuck." Anko thought as released another ball of fire.
"It seems that you're being stubborn. I will end this battle here and now. Ice Release - Crystal Ice Mirrors." Haku said and forming around Anko, multiple mirrors of ice started to form with an image of Haku in every mirror.
"Hmph, these are just illusions. They won't be able to do anything." Anko muttered before she was struck by two sets of needles from each side. "What? How's that possible?" Anko asked nobody in particular.
"It's over. You cannot and you will not win." Haku said as he continued flicking senbon. However, unlike most, he wasn't aiming for any vital spots.
"Do you hear that? That's the sound of my tool in action, haha!" Zabuza laughed.
"Damn you Zabuza!" Naruto shouted as he used the Hiraishin to strike the swordsman from the back. Because of Zabuza being surprised, he didn't realize that two shadow clones were charging with a Rasengan in their hands.
At that time, Zabuza let out a massive yell from the pain. Though they were as strong as the original Naruto, they still inflicted a massive amount of damage. "Now, let's wrap this up." The blond muttered as he summoned a few snakes to keep Zabuza in place.
"There, now you can't move." Naruto said with a smirk but frowned when Zabuza started laughing.
"Haha! Do you really think it's that easy?" Zabuza called out.
"Think about it, Haku is most likely destroying your friend over there. She won't be able to survive unless you teleport to her. However, I doubt even you can keep your snakes like this when you walk through time and space." Zabuza explained.
"Damn it, he's right. Those ice mirrors won't let the others in, and if I go, Zabuza will break free." Thought the blond.
"Naruto, you need to help Anko. We will deal with Zabuza" Kurenai thought as she saw the uncertainty Naruto was in.
"This is why only fools are hero's because you never know when a sick and twisted person like me comes with a choice. Let the woman die, or let your team face me. It's your call! Haha!" Zabuza shouted.
Naruto gazed at Zabuza, then at the mirrors while feeling Anko's chakra slowly drain, and then back at his team. "Naruto, help Anko! We'll handle him. Get ready, Kiba and Hinata." Kurenai said.
"I'm sorry, Tazuna. But I will not let the people precious to me die." Naruto said.
"Do what you've got to do. It's my fault we're in this mess." Tazuna said in a tone that showed he's accepted the outcome regardless of what it is.
"Is that all you got? Come on!" Anko shouted.
"It seems you're a stubborn one. I'm sorry, but this last move will the last of our battle. Forbidden Ice Style - Demonic Ice Dragon." Haku muttered.
"Well, I guess this is it. Sorry, Kurenai, Yugao, it seems I've met my match. Sorry that I've got to die like this, Naruto." Anko muttered as she prepared to brace herself for the incoming attack.
"Die." Haku muttered and the sound of flesh being cut oopen and blood splattering in the ground was heard.
Both Haku and Anko were in absolute shock at the sight before them, Naruto stood before Anko as he received the full force of the Demonic Ice Dragon.
Naruto coughed up some blood as Anko stared at him. "Why? Why did you do that?" Anko asked.
As the life was leaving his eyes, Naruto chuckled softly. "Truthfully, I had no clue. When I felt your feelings, my body moved in its own." Naruto said as he winced from the pain.
"No, you can't die like this!" Anko yelled.
"Haha, it's okay. I've had much worse, but you wanna know something else?" Naruto asked in a tone that showed he wasn't taking the situation seriously.
"Shut up and save your energy!" Anko told him.
"This hurts, but not as much as seeing what I've done to you. My only dream was to create a world that was United with no more wars, hatred, or violence. I only pushed you away, because I couldn't bear the thought of losing you." Naruto said as another burst of blood was coughed.
"I'm sorry, Anko. I love you." Naruto said as he fell forward X being caught by Anko.
"No, Naruto, wake up. Come on, wake up!" Anko shouted.
"He's a true shinobi. To sacrifice his own life, dreams, and ambitions to save you. That boy didn't hesitate one bit." Haku said in an emotionless tone.
"Shut up, just shut up!" Anko shouted as her body started to reveal black markings across her body. A purple aura of chakra started to form around.
Her desire to kill Haku and avenge Naruto was at a level that her resistance to Orochimaru's curse mark was non-existent.
"What is this?" Haku thought.
"It's over, you're going to die!" Anko shouted as she charged at the front ice mirror. To Haku's surprise, Anko completely destroyed it along with the others.
"This is impossible! What is she?" Haku asked as Anko was attacking like a sadistic demon. When she used the shunshin and got behind Haku, without thought, Anko's kunai was driven into his back, causing the mask ninja to cough up blood that leaked through the cracks.
At the same time, Kurenai created a genjutsu that managed to stop Zabuza while Hinata charged with her gentle fist. Zabuza screamed in agony and both Kiba and Akamaru used their fang over fang taijutsu to further increase the physical damage given to Zabuza.
The hidden mist ninja was brought to the ground and due to his damages, he released the fog. While it looked like an easy win, everyone was stunned to see the appearance of Gato and his men.