Time crept along as the bridge progressed closer and closer to the mainland. More and more workers were leaving the project as the threat of Gato became clearer and clearer. Thugs wielding katanas and swords now patrolled the village threatening and scaring anyone who supported the bridge. The workers feared for their families and decided to abandon the project to try and protect them. Even still progress on the bridge never slowed down, a side effect of Naruto getting more and more practice with his clone jutsu.
It seemed today would be their last day of peace, Asuma and Kakashi predicted that tomorrow would be the final showdown as Zabuza's wounds were most likely be fully healed at that point so training was canceled so they would be fresh. One team would guard the bridge and the other would protect the villagers and Tazuna's family. And so the 2 genin teams decided to fully explore the village now that their training was officially over for the mission.
"It's a shame what's happening here, this place would be beautiful without Gato and his influence." Sakura looked around, the land itself was pristine but the village was run down and the people were broken.
Naruto played with a seed packet that he now carried everywhere with him for that little bit of training. "Only a few more days and this place will be back in their hands, believe it. I'll take on Zabuza myself if I have to." Everyone else just sighed at his proclamation.
A young group of children who looked skinny and weak ran up to the group trying to get their attention, from what they could tell they were trying to sell flowers to make money. The flowers were wilted and dead but what else could they do. Naruto brought out Gama, his frog shaped wallet he scavenged years ago, and paid for a bushel. He pulled out a small watermelon seed packet he had stuffed in his back pocket for an emergency supply of food. Putting it in his hand the seed's growth exploded and he quickly had a large watermelon in his hands. Giving it to the kids, they quickly hurried away to probably eat what he gave them. It wasn't much but every little bit helps, he knew what it was like to be hungry.
He heard a huff from behind him and turned to see Sasuke looking at him with pity in his eyes. "Why do you bother doing stuff like that Naruto."
"Do you not see what they are going through?"
"I do but what you are doing won't change anything. They are going to be in the same situation tomorrow. This place is crippled and the only way that changes is if we solve the problem and complete the mission. You waste your energy on helping a few when you could help many, if you were stronger that is." Sasuke understood why he did it. It was obvious Naruto liked to help people but as long as Gato was allowed to live the cycle would repeat itself. If he was strong enough the village would be free already but he wasn't. He turned his back on his team and headed back. His brother was in the ANBU younger than he was and he struggled to climb a tree. Watching Naruto do it so easily only made him realize how far behind he truly was.
His Sharingan had yet to manifest and he wondered if it would ever. Naruto was already using the Wood style and well on his way and here he was without his Sharingan and mountains away from his achieving his goals.
"What was his problem?" Naruto asked the rest of them.
"That's just how the guy thinks, he's a bit of a pessimist if you ask me." Kiba said.
"I know, it's just hard to accept that. I can't just not do anything." He picked at the petals of the wilted flowers. "Do you gu- I mean do you ladies want to get something to eat, uhh my treat." Both girls tensed when he started but smirked when he caught and corrected himself.
"That sounds lovely Naruto." Ino replied.
"This isn't a date Naruto." Sakura also replied.
They stopped at one of the only lasting restaurants in the village and ordered. A hearty meal to prepare them for what was undeniably coming.
"You said your treat right Naruto?" Kiba had downed another plate not even slowing down.
"Are you a lady Kiba? I hope not because I only said I would pay for the ladies."
Kiba looked down and saw the amount of plates he had eaten and cursed "Fine, cheapskate." He mumbled pulling his wallet out to pay for himself.
"That's so cute Kiba, I didn't know you had a puppy wallet." Ino squealed and giggled. Sakura giggled as well while Naruto and Shikamaru laughed. Kiba went bright red and shoved his wallet back into his pocket. Slamming down the money and walking away heavily embarrassed. The second he got home he would be buying an adult wallet and he would make fun of Naruto for his dumb wallet.
Naruto went to pay and found his wallet almost empty. He had just enough to pay but it was official, he was broke again. If he didn't make Kiba pay for his meal he would've had to do dishes. First Sakura instantly says it isn't a date and now he was broke, great. B ranks better have a better paycheck than D ranks.
Scene break
Gato Shurisa was always looked down on, his height meant that he was picked on growing up and as an adult underestimated. He wasn't strong enough to exert his will on others but he had his brains, Using rouge ninja to assassinate competitors and steal what he needed and then cashing in on their bounties after the work was done, he was able to quickly rise in the criminal empire and as a successful businessman. That front allowed him to escape the notice of the feudal lords and continue his trade across the nations.
Everything was going so well in this nation until a little rinky dink village challenged him and refused to bow down. It was easy enough to quell them using thugs and criminals but they didn't stop. Now they were close to getting rid of his stranglehold over the Land of Waves and with it his shipping and smuggling business would be over. He had to stop it before it was finished and the best idea was to get rid of anyone who could complete it. Destroying it outright would cause too much attention to be turned his way.
That was exactly why he fucking hired one of the most feared assassins in the nations and what did he do, fuck it up royally. Now they had not one but TWO teams of ninja protecting the builder. "Damn it." He rubbed his broken arm, now that things were sideways it meant he was going to have to waste more money fixing it with more manpower. A few more rouge nin were going to be needed if Zabuza had a repeat attempt. The promise of his legendary sword of the mist would be enough of a catch to get a skilled nin. "Screw it, hire the one we looked at before Zabuza, the other sword user. Promise him Zabuza's sword as payment to sweeten the deal."
Succeed or fail he was going to kill the brat Zabuza had with him, a broken arm was the kindest thing he was going to do to him.
Break
Today was the day, not a single worker had showed as the word was spread that an attack would happen today. To compensate Naruto had a few clones working to finish what little work was left to connect the bridge to the mainland. The teams were split covering both Tazuna and his family. Asuma and team 10 were guarding Tazuna on the bridge while Kakashi and team 7 were watching the family and village. They both agreed that Gato would send people after his family and the rest of the villagers for the insult of the bridge.
Sasuke and Kiba had expressed their views on being given the worst of the 2 jobs and Kakashi wanted to facepalm. It wasn't going to be just thugs today, he didn't know whether Zabuza would attempt to take the family hostage first before going to the bridge so he had his team ready to ambush. They were hidden in the trees while the family hid in their house.
Kakashi cursed as he saw who was walking down the path towards the house. He was a rouge nin alright, only he was from the Hidden Leaf and had left a mark upon leaving. He had been a teacher in the Leaf but fled with state secrets to Amegakure (Village Hidden in the rain). Not only did he give information but he also stole the Sword of the Thunder God, Tobirama Senju's own weapon and had developed a reputation with it as a swordmen as strong as the 7 Swordsmen of the Mist like Zabuza. His own jutsu the Chidori was useless against it as the weapon was an even stronger lighting transformation than his own.
He signaled his team to drop before they could get closer. "Ah Kakashi, good to finally meet you. I heard a lot about you growing up." He twirled the sword between his fingers. "They say you don't like to let people die in your care right? Let's see if that holds up." He held up a paper bomb wrapped kunai. "Destroy the house." He called out to his men as he threw the bomb at the structure.
Kakashi slammed his hands down after his hand signs as explosions rang out all around his team. Most had hit the house making it fall apart and catch fire while the rest hit his hastily made mud wall. Behind the wall of mud his team was unscathed. Looking back his mind raced, he had hidden the family underground with his jutsu but he needed to get them out before it collapsed under the debris and explosions. Under the cover of the wall he made a Shadow clone. "Listen you three, be careful of his blade and let my clone deal with him. Focus on his men." He said as he sank into the ground.
The wall crumbled and they saw the man called Aoi walking at them confidently with a blade wreathed in lightning. Sakura had to squint, not being able to look at it directly. "I was hoping you would survive that, let's see how the Second Hokage's weapon deals with the famous copy Ninja." The clone of Kakashi rushed forward as his genin's eyes were wide. His hand was covered in bright lightning like the sword but was chirping like a songbird. The two clashed and stopped each other, each a pure manifestation of the lighting element.
Aoi laughed "That won't be enough Kakashi" he turned to his men "Get them." He motioned his head at the three genin Kakashi had with him.
The men who followed him regained their courage after seeing such powerful jutsu clash, they could deal with a few kids. They closed in as Sasuke, Kiba, and Sakura got into action. "Come on Akamaru." The small dog jumped from his head. "Man Beast Clone." With a burst of smoke there were two Kiba's down on all fours. "Fang Over Fang" They spun into a group throwing them aside cuts along their bodies. Sakura dealt with her group with kunai and shuriken keeping her distance. Sasuke engulfed the ones he fought in fire with his family's specialty.
They turned after dealing with the trash to see their sensei's clone burst into smoke and disappear, finally losing the battle to the legendary sword. "A clone huh, I wonder if he'll show when I kill his team." Sasuke threw his hands into seals just like he practiced thousands of times "Great Fireball Jutsu." He expelled the fire chakra in his lungs at the man. A great fireball tens of times larger than a man was expelled and rushed towards the man. He didn't attempt to move so he pushed more chakra into the jutsu making the fireball burn hotter.
Aoi didn't even have to move as he swung his sword down connecting with the fireball. The blade cut through the chakra and the fireball parted and continued on his side but leaving him unscathed. "The second Hokage really knew how to make a weapon huh." He said mockingly.
He pulled the umbrella from his back and threw it in the air. It seemed to hang in the air unnaturally like it was floating in the wind without the wind. The three genin looked up as Aoi laid back relaxing on a tree, not a care in the world.
Aoi put his hands in the release seal and shouted "Senbon Shower." The umbrella opened up as thousands of senbon began to fall. A rain of needle like weapons showered down covering the area hitting anyone not under cover. Sasuke managed to get beneath a large limb of a nearby tree a scream alerted him something was wrong. He turned around to see that his teammates weren't so lucky or as fast. Sakura was laying face down with her arms covered in needles. She must've covered her head and taken the hits on her arms protecting her head.
The rain finally stopped and Sasuke ran over to Sakure and turned her over. She was unconscious but she was breathing. Hearing a grunt of pain he turned back to look at the sound.
Akamaru had seen that his master wasn't going to make it to cover in time and had jumped in front of the rain. Kiba hadn't taken this very well. He was throwing himself at Aoi in a rage but the difference was large. The man wasn't even using his sword on Kiba and yet the boy was getting pummeled. "What a joke, I guess genin still haven't gotten better since I was in Konoha. I wouldn't bother with her you know. Those senbon are poisoned." He slashed down with the sword cutting Kiba down where he stood.
Sasuke Uchiha didn't like anybody, after the fabled massacre of his entire clan and family he distanced himself from everybody. It was easier that way. The frivolous things like friends were pushed aside from the goal of getting his revenge. But team 10 was now the closest thing he had to friends. He didn't like anyone but Kiba and Sakura were the closest anyone had gotten to him since that night. Seeing them lying on the ground, bloodied and dying triggered his transformation.
His eyesight turned blood red as his eyes swirled and his pupils twisted. His vision sharpened and time seemed to slow down. His eyes swirled until they came to a stop showing a pupil and a single Tomoe in both eyes, his Sharingan had awakened.
He could feel his hands shaking as Aoi rushed him with his Sword raised but it was an entirely different situation than before. He could see the Chakra flowing into the blade and the blade itself was like looking into the sun it was so bright. The man who had beaten their senesi's clone and his teammates suddenly looked slow and sloppy.
Sasuke jumped out of the way and threw a flurry of kunai at him, jumping into the trees. Aoi blocked them by simply cutting through them. "You think you can hide in the trees, I'm a Konoha ninja kid, they won't help you at all." He turned at the sound of leaves rustling and saw handfuls of kunai being launched towards him. He raised his sword to deflect them but they were off target, it was like the kid was throwing blind. It seemed the kid lost his nerves already.
He saw another set thrown just as off target as before. "Are you kidding me, not even close kid." He laughed at the attempt but his eyes widened as he heard a clang of steel against steel behind him. He whipped his head around to see the sparks where the kunai connected with each other and saw one set was directed directly at his back.
"FUCK!" He twisted his body to avoid the kunai but it wasn't enough as two managed to imbed themselves into his back and arm. On reflex the Sword fell from his grip and lost it's coating of Chakra. What in the hell was even that. He jumped to his feet and scanned the ground feeling naked without the blade in his hands. His quick glance was met with a knee in his face throwing him back.
He got up and back into a stance. He was a Jonin level ninja of Amegakure, he couldn't and wouldn't lose to a genin of the Leaf. He engaged the Uchiha in hand to hand but somehow his punches never landed and his defenses were circumvented, he was losing.
He couldn't be losing, not now. All the work he had done to steal the Sword and abandon his village, all that work was dissolving as he felt himself losing. A glint caught his eye and he scrambled back to Tobirama's own weapon, if he had that he was invincible. He grabbed it and it flared to life crackling with energy. But the Uchiha didn't back down.
Aoi stabbed forward into Sasuke and smiled. A poof of smoke showed that all he hit was a log and the realization hit him, he lost. He looked down to see a kunai piercing through his chest and he fell to the ground, blood oozing out of his chest as his heart stopped beating. All he could see in those last moments was red, the red eyes of the Uchiha.
Sasuke fell to the ground panting, his Chakra was pretty much out. His eyes stung as he felt tears forming. He looked over to the bodies of his teammates only to realize they weren't were they had fallen before. He looked around to see his teammates leaning against one of the trees with Kakashi applying gauze to their wounds.
He wiped his eyes quickly before walking over trying to get rid of the evidence. "So you two made it huh?" He asked with a hint of a smile showing that was quickly removed.
Kiba held Akamaru in his hands petting his teammate "Yea turns out the senbon only had a paralyzing poison on them so Akamaru is all good. Sakura too. And I can't be put down that easy, he just grazed me Ow." He said wincing as Kakashi wrapped him up like a mummy.
"Sasuke, your eyes." Sakura pointed at his face. She handed him her makeup mirror she always carried with her.
He flipped it open to show the legacy of the Uchiha, the Sharingan eyes. "Congratulations Sasuke, you Sharingan has manifested." Kakashi said finishing the patch up job of tending his students' wounds. He looked at the fallen rouge nin and smiled. "Good job team gold stars for everyone. Our job is done you can relax." He grabbed his down students thankful they were still alive. Watching Sasuke use Itachi's kunai move scared him a little. At that moment he looked so similar with the Sharingan flashing.
There was still time, Sasuke manifesting his eyes when his teammates fell was a good sign. Sasuke fell to the ground exhausted. His eyes swirling back to their normal black coloration.
On the other Side of the Village.
Asuma, Naruto, and Shikamaru were all standing on the near completed bridge ready for whatever came their way. Ino was there in spirit as she was hidden a good distance away with a Wood clone covering her. She was their first line of defense, she had taken over the mind of a crow and was flying around the area looking for any sign of Zabuza or Gato's men moving towards the bridge.
Learning how to fly was always an amazing feeling whenever she managed to hit a bird. She probably had some bruises already on her body as she remembered falling a few times getting up in the air. But she was in her element, this was the reason her family jutsu was made, spying and surveillance. It felt freeing to be able to fly and she loved the feeling. Something shiny caught her eye and she looked down and almost fell from the air.
Zabuza and the same hunter nin from before were making their way to the bridge. She let out 3 caws in succession, the signal if she saw anything. As soon as she finished a sharp pain hit her wing and she fell to the earth. A shiny senbon was sticking in her arm and she was in a deadfall heading right towards the hard ground. She ended her jutsu just in time as her real body jerked up breathing heavily. She cried out in pain as her arm felt like fire.
"Ino are you okay?" Naruto's wood clone assigned to guard her body asked concerned. She wasn't supposed to come back this early even if she did spot them. Blood seeped from her arm as a circular hole grew in size and her eyes were shut in pain. "Oh crap here." The clone started to bandage her arm and apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. The side effect on her jutsu had taken effect, whatever damage her vessel took was relayed to her real body. In this instance a tiny senbon was a massive puncture wound as the jutsu's rules were transferred.
"Thanks Naruto." She said sleepily, before she could stop it she passed out. Naruto the clone freaked out, he felt a pulse but didn't know what else to do. Her bleeding had slowed but he couldn't leave her undefended if the criminals found her.
On the bridge
"Naruto send another clone to check on Ino, give it your extra first aid." Asuma commanded and Naruto quickly followed his order. Damn it, he hoped she would be okay until he could help her but it was too late, it was starting. His vision was already getting limited as a mist flowed in and limited their visibility. Naruto and Shikamaru formed up on Tazuna as Asuma got ready for Zabuza. The signal Ino managed to send meant he wasn't alone.
"Combo Jutsu, Freezing Mist." Two voices rang out as the temperature violently dropped. The water that was held in the mist began to solidify and snow began to fall. Asuma could feel the water that stuck to him begin to freeze, it would make his movements sluggish and slow. He had his blades out and responded, knowing how to deal with the mist from last time.
"Wind Style breakthrough Jutsu." He forced Chakra out of his lungs into a torrent of air blowing away the mist that blanketed the area.
The mist blew away to show Zabuza and the same hunter nin standing together with their hands in seals. "Hmm good jo Sarutobi, never would have expected you for a wind user. Shame the mist always comes back, tell me, was that your student that gave the signal. Shame she had to die so soon."
Naruto and Shikamaru couldn't believe what he was saying, no way Ino was dead. Naruto clenched his fists tightly to stop himself from shutting the man up. Shikamaru did the very same, he may not like her but he grew up with her damnit. "Haku, deal with those two, its time to die Sarutobi."
Naruto knew that name from somewhere but where. Zabuza flew at Asuma and their fight begam much like last time.
"Naruto get ready, that jutsu wasn't normal." Shikamaru pointed out, no way was that a normal elemental transformation. Shikamaru got down in his stance but cursed as the mist started to roll back in. He couldn't use his jutsu without a shadow and the mist was stopping one from forming. The best he could do was 5 feel at best. With so many unknowns it was going to be a troublesome fight.
Haku walked closer before stopping a distance from the three. "I don't want to do this, if you abandon the builder you will be spared. Leave."
"Not a chance, we're ninja, we can't abandon a mission." Naruto yelled out.
"Very well then, die with honor." Haku's hands flew through hand seals faster than they could make out. "Ice Release: Certain-kill Ice Spears." Water collected in front of Haku and formed into the shape of large spears of ice that were launched towards the group. Tazuna couldn't dodge so they had to block the attack. Naruto surged froward and went through his seals, he hoped this would work. He slammed his hands down and the bridge started to shake.
"Wood Style: Four Pillar House Jutsu." Nothing like a life or death situation to attempt jutsu. He didn't know if he could make wood anywhere or only certain places and to his surprise pillars of wood shot up from the ground. This time they were much thicker and sturdy than any of his early attempts. The ice slammed into his creation as it was forming and pierced through but thankfully managed to get imbedded into the half formed creation.
"Multi Wood clone jutsu." Naruto created enough clones to watch Tazuna so he could focus on Haku. The clones jumped back surrounding Tazuna and allowed Shikamaru to support Naruto.
Haku frowned, this was going to take a lot of Chakra but it would end the fight. Going through the seals she focused. "Demonic Cystal Ice Mirrors." Water hung in the air and slowly began to collect into thin slabs in a dome surrounding Naruto.
Before he could blink a fist slammed into his face and sent him sprawling on the ground. Followed by a hit to his back before he could react. "Give up Naruto, in here I am God." Naruto looked up to see Haku's reflection in every mirror. Every image was the same and his attacks seemed to come from every direction.
"Not a chance." Naruto made more clones to destroy the mirrors but before they could get close they were cut down, riddled with senbon needles. "Where are you?" He couldn't tell which image was the real one.
"He's in the mirrors Naruto. Get out of there." Shikamaru yelled. It was a deathtrap, his eyes almost deceived him but he knew what he saw. He could merge with the ice and attacked from it. His speed was insane as he moved from mirror to mirror giving the illusion that he was everywhere. Naruto had to get out of there but without a dense shadow he couldn't help. "Naruto make as many clones as you can." He shouted, he had an idea but even he had to admit it wasn't a good one.
Naruto put his hands into the seal and pushed, clones began to grow and grow from each other as the space was quickly filled with clones. Haku was throwing almost every senbon she had keeping the numbers down but was losing the battle. She had to stop Naruto before she overwhelmed her and using her speed, she left the mirror to where he was standing making more clones.
Haku rushed at Naruto who was still focused on making clones and intended to end the fight but she was stopped inches from his neck. "Shadow possession complete." Shikamaru had jumped inside hiding in the mess of clones and wood. He used the bodies to connect his shadow to them and expand his reach. Haku struggled against the grip and realized she could move though it was only a small amount. Shikamaru had sweat rolling down his head. The nin had a much large Chakra reserve and was slowly overpowering him. With the shadow being thin already he was on the verge of losing his grip.
Haku put all her strength in her hands and used her secret technique, she formed a singe hand seal chain. It was a short chain but against an enemy who had his hands occupied it was deadly. "Thousand needles of death." She said as she finished the chain. Water rose and froze in the air around her. The droplets formed into hundreds of thin ice senbon that hung in the air. Just as quickly they rushed towards Shikamaru who was stood still holding his jutsu. The clones jumped to cover him but it was too fast as the needles landed.
The clones slowly lost their color and shape from taking too much damage as the needles that pierced them turned back into water leaving holes in their places. Naruto was just as unlucky as he could feel across his body where they had made contact with him. Shikamaru was in the same state, his back was burning from the cold and pain but he was trapped under the mass of clone remains and could no longer move.
With Ino
The clone Naruto had sent to check on Ino was closing in on where she was hidden. He had known Ino had been hit but hoped it was only superficial. He entered the small root formation she was hiding in to see a blood covered Ino who wasn't moving.
Naruto's mastery over the clone jutsu was iffy at best, he had only managed to brute force the jutsu so far and was years away from mastering it. As the clone looked upon his seemingly dead teammate the jutsu came undone. Dropping the supplies to the ground the clone dispelled sending a single image back to its creator.
Back on the bridge
Haku pulled herself free of the mass of wood and water and jumped back to a safe distance. She had overexerted herself but managed to escape before they could capture or kill her. She looked at Zabuza intending to assist but a feeling stopped her. The hair on her neck stood up and a bloodlust greater than her own sensei's was permeating the air. She turned back to see Naruto standing alone but surrounded by an orange glow. Goosebumps sprung up on her skin as she realized it was Chakra that was flowing around him and something was growing from him. Branches of wood, jagged like the branches of a dead tree were growing from his body and sticking out of him.
Asuma and Zabuza stopped dead in their tracks sensing the disturbance and turned to see what only could be considered a nightmare. Chakra was rolling of Naruto and was even displacing the air as the wind pushed away the mist blanketing the area. Asuma realized the 9 tailed fox's Chakra had seeped through the seal.
Above Naruto the Chakra seemed to resemble a foxes head with blood red eyes staring at Haku. Haku attempted to take the advantage and threw the last of her senbon at Naruto but even though they landed and pierced his body, Naruto didn't react. The senbon that pierced his body to Haku's horror simply slide out of Naruto and the wounds healed.
Faster than she thought possible Naruto rushed forward this hands resembling claws as he rushed her. She rushed through her seals. "Ice Release Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness." Large sheets of ice exploded from the ground forming a thick protective dome around her. Before she could collect herself Naruto slammed into the dome that shook violently.
Haku's face lost its color, the dome was stronger than iron and even fire jutsu couldn't scratch it but Naruto's blows were cracking it. She attempted to run but Naruto shattered the dome with a massive blow. He tackled Haku to the ground and began to rain punches down on her. The roots that had grown from his body wrapped around Haku's limbs subconsciously to hold her in place as he attached. He grabbed the mast covering her face and ripped it off to see the face before he finished but froze when he saw her face. The orange glow that had been flowing off him instantly disappeared and the roots growing from his body crumbled away.
"You're that girl from the woods." He staggered back off of her. "Why, why are you working with someone like Zabuza?"
Haku stood back up and winced with her injuries. "He saved me, I was alone with no one and he saved me. Now he's my family and much like you I would do anything for my family. Being a ninja death follows you and I would happily give my life if it meant he could live on."
"I don't understand."
"I wished for death when he found me, I wanted nothing more than to die and join my family. But Zabuza saved me and gave me purpose. He accepted me and I will never be able to repay that debt." Her head turned and a look of resolve marred her features. "Follow your purpose Naruto. I know you'll find a family like mine someday." She said as she deliberately went through her hand signs. And with a swirl of frost, she vanished.
Break
When the 9 tail's Chakra finally dissipated Asuma and Zabuza breathed a sigh of relief but quickly turned back to each other, their fight had yet to end. Zabuza cleaved his weapon intending to cut Asuma in half but Asuma jumped backwards. They traded blows but neither weapon was able to break the other. Suddenly Asuma threw one of his blades directly at Zabuza. Zabuza quickly put his weapon up to shield as smiled as it bounced off but he could see the small crack the weapon had made in his own blade.
The Kubikiribōchō was massive and legendary blade, but it lacked strength on its own, instead relying on its wielder to throw its heavy weight around to shatter defenses. A side effect of its ability, the ability to repair itself using the blood if its victims meant that it was only a hunk of iron. An unbreakable and regenerating weapon but it lacked the durability because it didn't need it. So when Asuma Sarutobi launched his other blade at the same spot the last one hit, it broke.
Asuma's blade shattered the Kubikiribōchō and flew through Zabuza's shoulder blade. Zabuza cried out in pain and clutched his shoulder. The gaping wound was pouring blood and he could feel the shrapnel of his own blade in the wound slowly building in size, the ability to reform making the shards grow in his body for a short time. He was done, this wound would kill him eventually but it seemed like Sarutobi was ending it now as he drew a kunai and rushed Zabuza. For some reason he felt guilt and worry for Haku wondering what would happen to him once he was dead.
That question was answered for him much to his dread. The embrace of death never came as Haku appeared in front of him and took the blow. The blade pierced through the girl's heart with no resistance as she crumpled to the ground. "Damn it!" He shouted as he awkwardly swung his broken blade at Asuma who jumped back out of reach. He looked at Haku's body on the ground as charged as Asuma, all precision and skill abandoned for crushing blows that shook even the bridge as they hit. The blood flowing down his arm slowly making the blade reform and gain its length and weight.
Asuma began to land more and more hits on Zabuza as the man seemed to attack like an animal, not caring for the damage he was taking. Zabuza cleaved downwards at him and his blade sunk deep into the concrete.
Zabuza couldn't go on any longer, he had lost too much blood and his strength was failing him. He couldn't even hold up his weapon anymore. Breathing heavily with his vision starting to blurry he heard the familiar sound of tapping.
Gato had arrived and he couldn't be happier, he tapped his cane loudly as he walked with an army of ex-cons and criminals in tow. "So, this is how the great Zabuza ends huh, quite fitting isn't it. I should probably thank you ninja of the Leaf, you managed to save me a lot of money today. But it has to end here I'm afraid." Asuma backed away from Zabuza and they both turned to the new threat, an army of heavily armed criminals.
"Look at you Zabuza, you look like yesterday's sashimi. Hell, you're as demonic as a wet kitten right now. The great ninja of the Mist brought down so low is a sight I will treasure." He walked forward to the body of Haku, still lying on the ground peacefully where she fell. "I think I'm more pissed I could get some revenge on this brat. Seeing that the kid you had with you all this time was a girl Zabuza would have made it so much better. I could have just given her to my men and they would've have fun for hours." Zabuza's eyes widened at his implication, as did the group of genin who heard every word.
"But life isn't fair is it." He said as he kicked Haku's corpse for good measure.
"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER." Naruto shouted and ran forward but was stopped by Asuma. He looked to Zabuza who stood here. "Are you really going to let him do that to her? She loved you, you were her family." Tears started to form in his eyes.
"She's dead now, there's nothing that can change that."
"She gave everything for you, even her life but you can't honor that much. She doesn't deserve that neither did you deserve her."
Zabuza felt grief for the first time in so long. "Your words cut deep, deeper than any blade. I didn't deserve her. I never did. Our fight ends here ninja of the Leaf." Tears dripped down his face. He gripped the handle of the great Kubikiribōchō and looking at Gato pulled. The blade freed itself from the ground and Zabuza felt his body move. He sprinted at Gato who realized the danger.
"Kill him, kill him now." He ordered the group as he fled into the crown heading to the end of the unfinished bridge. Zabuza rushed forward as the army converged on him weapons drawn. Using his body he swung the blade side to side clearing a path while dodging all the blows he could. Cuts and punctures started to adorn his back as more and more this got lucky and pierced him. His grip on the weapon lost as it dropped from his hand but still he pushed forwards. Taking a knife in his mouth from the hands of one of the bandits he exploded from the crowd to see Gato standing at the edge of the bridge, fear etched onto his face.
The name Demon of the Mist lived up to his name as his face resembled devil as he slashed at Gato. Cutting deep wounds as the man coughed up blood. Throwing his head to the side Zabuza embedded the knife deep into Gato's heart and the man fell backwards off the bridge, dead. Zabuza turned to the army and began to slowly walk. The crowd cleared a path for him as he walked. No one moving a muscle in an attempt to stop him. He limped back to where Haku was lying on the ground and collapsed next to her. Looking at her he wished he could go where she was heading and prayed she would forgive him. His last breath left his body, and he could swear he could see Haku holding out her hands for him to follow.
Silence reigned for a small while as everyone digested what they had seen, but everything had to end. The criminals that followed Gato realized that with Gato dead, their payment was dead with him. They started to murmur and build themselves up. The ninja were tired and hurt. "Who's gonna pay us now." "Let's hit the village." Cheers of agreement rang out as they prepared to sack the village.
Asuma was exhausted, his fight had drained him again he couldn't use his jutsu to deal with them. "Naruto, this fights going to be up to you and your clones. Get ready."
The crowd began to rush forward only to be stopped as an arrow embedded itself in the ground in front of the group. Asuma and Naruto turned around to see much of the village behind them carrying tools and makeshift weapons. Tazuna felt pride as his village once again wouldn't be beaten down, they would defend their homes and their lives.
Naruto for good measure grew a line of clones and led the charge pushing the army off the bridge into the water and onto the boat they had used to get there.
Break
The construction continued much faster without the constant threat and every single worker had shown back up to finished the bridge and repair the damage of the previous day. With all the injuries the watch on Tazuna was decreased but it didn't seem needed anymore. Before they knew it the mission was complete and the bridge was finished. With the mission complete the two teams were set to go home. Naruto himself had dug Zabuza and Haku a grave overlooking the village and he visited often. He wasn't eager to leave as life in this village was much better than his own but It was time to leave.
His teammates were eager to get home as well as they had family to return to and had never been away for so long. Sasuke was the loudest voice to return and as soon as they healed up they were gone.
As Asuma got ready to leave he was thinking on how he was going to report this mission. The main problem was Naruto and his place on the team. He had grown close to the kid but he was a problem. No one save one of the legendary Sannin knew what seal the fourth had used to seal the 9 tails in him, and he wasn't in the village at the moment. It was wrongly assumed that the seal would contain the 9 tails chakra until he came of age and the incident on the bridge showed that he could access it even now.
Naruto didn't realize what had happened and it seemed that his reaction was due to an image his clone sent him before it dispelled of Ino seemingly dead. Emotions were hard to control and as a kid it was even harder. Naruto would need to be told what had happened and how he needed to try and control his strong emotions. That was only a taste of the 9 tails' power and if more tails showed he could hurt his teammates.
The Chunin exams were going to be held soon and with it Jiraiya would be called back, giving him ample time to inspect the seal.
Ino was also an issue, her injury meant she was in a sling for at least a week and if she found out about Naruto, would she even want to be on his team? Hopefully that wouldn't happen but there was always a chance. Asuma put his head in his hands, this was going to be a fun month. His dad was going to be just as miserable as he was going to be. He stood up and stretched, it was time to leave. "Do we have to go already Asuma? This place is awesome now."
"Yes, Naruto we have to head back, don't you want some ramen, its your turn to choose the team meal right?"
"Hell yea, believe it. I'm going to break my record and then some."
That backfired, now he was going to talk about ramen the whole trip back, Ino and Shikamaru groaned as they knew what was coming. He was definitely going to use the rest of his cigarettes for the road home.
Break
After a long week of travel the two teams finally arrive back home. It was getting late but they still needed to report to the Hokage on the completion of the mission and receive their pay. "Ah good to see you all back. I trust the mission was a success?" He was slightly worried when his son sent back 2 Naruto clones to request reinforcements and raise the rank of the mission.
"Yes sir, the mission was successful albeit with a few hiccups. We encountered the rouge nin Zabuza and Kakashi encountered our own rouge ninja Aoi. He recovered the weapon he stole and killed him." It had been a long mission and he was ready to lay in bed, smoke, and hopefully get laid.
"Good work, all of you. Team 10, your pay has been increased to match an A rank mission. Enjoy a few days off. Team 7, excellent work retrieving my sensei's weapon. Your pay is also increased to mat an A rank mission. You have a few days off as well. You are dismissed, Asuma, Kakashi stay behind."
The six genin left the office, relieved that they would get a few days off to rest. Naruto was especially happy that his froggy wallet was back to being full.
Hiruzen held the Sword of the Thunder God and smiled. "Thank you for recovering Tobirama's blade and dealing with Aoi. Was there any sign of the genin he took with him?" With a somber shake of the head he sighed. The man had dragged Ibiki's younger brother with him when he left and the news wasn't good. "Is there anything else I should know about the mission?"
Kakashi started. "Sasuke has manifested the Sharingan."
Asuma added. "Naruto somehow tapped into the 9 tails chakra."
Hiruzen felt his palms begin to sweat, this was a problem. "Very well, you are both dismissed." It seemed he needed to recall Jiraiya sooner than he thought.