[Kukui Tanku]

I, like a rational person would be after being attacked by one of the Swordsman of the Mist a few days prior, am terrified. We were getting one of the final packages we needed. The last one had been delayed since Zabuza apparently slaughtered some of the suppliers in the area.

I was nearly killed by Jinpachi. The weaker of the Two. Whilst I had his sword with me, I didn't know if it would be enough to help stand a chance against Zabuza. This is prime Zabuza here. Not the Zabuza in Wave who had been a missing-nin for several years by that point. This Zabuza had time to Train and be active and experienced without having to run from Kiri's Anbu. I had to be careful around him.

Unlike Ito or Urahara, have a sword that Jinpachi very much needs. I am also a genin. One who even with Thunderclap and Flash and running can barely catch up to Urahara. Barely. The man wasn't even the cream of the crop when it came to A-ranks. And catching up to him takes like all of my chakra so unless I get a good hit on Zabuza I'm fucked with a capital F.

"Something on your mind brat?" Urahara nudged me from the side, "Zabuza isn't here with Jinpachi to reclaim his sword yet, isn't he?" He was on edge as well. We all were. Even Ito wasn't jumping around and acting like normal. Urahara had taken to being next to me a few minutes prior for some reason.

"Just nervous. Ugly and Scary aren't here yet." I didn't sense anything yet. "I'm probably going to die, am I?" The very first thing the two swordsmen would try to do is reclaim Shibuki. If they did that we were all done for. All four of us could take on Zabuza for sure with me being the bait but taking on two swordsmen was a no go.

Urahara nodded, "I'd like to say you aren't gonna die brat. I really would. But the chances of you surviving are low to be honest. Zabuza and Jinpachi want Shibuki back for sure. And whilst you're semi decent with it and fast you just aren't good enough to face someone like Zabuza. Swordless, almost crippled Jinpachi maybe but not the Demon of the Mist." I should feel scared... but I didn't. He was honest and that was nice. A small reassurance. "Best we can do is hope you get lucky again or cheat death again or you at least get a good kick in the balls in."

I chuckled. Kicking Zabuza in the balls would be a great way to get myself killed. "Oddly enough that makes me feel better. Even if just a bit." I stretched my senses out and felt nothing. "Nobodies here yet so I might as well enjoy my life a bit more." I wish I had a drink. If I lived I was going to a bar using a henge and getting drunk. I was Underage but I feel like that stopped mattering when I entered Kirigakure.

Urahara grinned, "That's the spirit brat. Now let's go get today's package so we can go get lunch. Something nice too. I heard the Soba here is great." Soba noodles... That sounded good to be honest. I nodded and Urahara and I began walking a bit faster.

'Okay Kukui, if we can just not die for another few hours that'd be great.' There is so much I wished I could do. But alas I can't do shit if I'm dead. I wonder what'll happen this time? Hell or something else? I didn't know. But if I was gonna die I might as well go out with a bang.

Shibuki has a massive destruction jutsu. Ameyuri told me to only use it either to ensure my enemy is gonna die with me. It was the worst case Scenario. But it was a good way to go. A final fuck you to my enemy. 'If I'm gonna go I'm going to do it with a bang. Something to remember.' My impact on this world would be small but maybe my friends could do something with their lives. I at least saved Tayuya from Orochimaru.

So if I was gonna go then I was going to take my enemies out with me. I wouldn't get to punch Obito in the face unfortunately but at least I could die knowing I saved at least Tayuya and hopefully everyone here today from death.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw something white. A rabbit? It wasn't Winter yet... Could it be them? I didn't sense anything so no it couldn't be bastard one and two. 'Probably my imagination trying to trick me. Yeah lets go with that.'

With that I continued walking. If I wanted some nice Soba I needed to get my ass into gear.

Still something just felt off.

[Urahara]

'Brat's good. If we all get out of here he's gonna be a wonderful assassin.' Urahara looked around him. Trying to spot where Kukui was. He was training him and Ito in the art of stealth. Something which would help them, even if barely, in the near future.

Ito as expected was found near instantly. No tracks were covered. That was the big giveaway. She got passing marks in everything else. The real surprise was Kukui. 'Clones everywhere. Not unusual but still good.' He had a rough idea of where he went. 45 degrees to his left is the general direction of where Kukui should actually be.

His clones were thorough too. Hiding Underground, in trees, and hell one even was hiding inside of a tree somehow. Really fucking good for a clone with five minutes to hide. Giving incentives to the brats was a wonderful idea. Their goal was making it back to Ameyuri without being caught by him.

Obviously since they were genin and had not even half of his experience they were going to be caught. But if they even got remotely close(Which Ito didn't) He'd pay for their lunch. Whatever they wanted. Kukui was extra determined it seemed.

Urahara made his way to a small hole in the ground and jumped into it, revealing a small cave. 'Ah Iwa. I remember this place. Damn Tunnel rats were annoying to deal with. Looks like the brat found one of the Tunnels to hide in. Unluckily for him I know this one intimately.' This was where the Four Tails Jinchuuriki was located. He studied this place for weeks. Unfortunately he couldn't use his studies for much because by that time he was gone and fighting Minato Namikaze.

Urahara noticed the tracks suddenly stopped around half way into the tunnel. "Oh clever one aren't you? Trying to make it like you were a clone when you're the real deal." The brats clones were really good for a genin's. They looked extremely realistic. They also were little shits that could hide their tracks apparently. 'Brat must have found something to do for all those weeks.'

Urahara walked into the only room in the Tunnel. The one exclusively made for Roshi of the Four Tails. Kukui was sitting there, playing with a Kunai. "Confident brat. You forget I'm a jonin again?" Urahara knew he acted like an idiot sometimes. But man getting this comfortable was just stupid.

The boy chuckled. "I think you're the confident one here." He looked up and held his Kunai in a reverse grip. "See you back with Ameyuri-sama and Ito!" The boy put the Kunai to his throat. "Oh yeah by the way I duped you inside the tree. I was made after that whilst the real me sat with some of the tree above him." The clone slit his throat and instead of blood spurting out, he burst into lightning. Yep it was a clone.

"What the fuck?" How? The real one. Shouldn't have duped him.

Urahara made his way out of the Tunnel with a few Shunshin and then with another he was back near where he left Ameyuri to write more of the mission report. He saw a grinning little shit who had wire Everywhere and another not grinning Little shit who was trapped in said wire. Ameyuri was laughing meanwhile.

No, Kukui was not the one in the Wire. "I duped her with a clone too. Works every time." He might just survive if he pulls off more clone tactics. "Also no I wasn't in the tree. I never actually left this place." Little shit even prepped a lie in case he looked for him again.

"How?" Urahara was actually surprised by the brat. He often found that to be the case these days. How the little shit was alive still was just something Urahara wanted to know. "I'd have noticed if you were still here."

The boy's grin was something unsettling. "I was hiding by using Wire to reflect light off of me. Took a fuck ton of it and luck but you forgot to look there." He pointed to an area that had plenty of small trees. Not enough cover to hide but perfect for Wire traps.

Urahara sighed. "Nobody expects a genin to use a wire trap to make themselves invisible. Shouldn't Ito have done that? Isn't that her thing?"

The brat shrugged, "Yes but I stole it. Besides she still uses Wire in battle directly whereas I use them for utility." He then looked over to Ito. "Isn't that right?" The gloating tone in his voice was very much there. It practically said "I won."

Ito struggled against the wire. "Let me down! I don't like hanging upside down!"

"Oh right."

With that, Ito dropped like a sack of Potatoes would.

Kushimaru would either want to Kill Kukui for getting one up on his genin or train Ito into the ground so it wouldn't happen again.

Now Urahara really wanted the boy to survive. If only to see the smugness wiped off his face. It didn't suit him.

[Zabuza Momochi]

Their last attempt at attacking hasn't gone well.

Actually, that was an understatement. Jinpachi had his hand bit by the rabbit they were going to use as bait. Zabuza had to stop the man from screaming whilst Haku healed the man's hand. Then they had to go make sure the Rabbit's bite didn't infect him.

All in all, it was a complete fucking catastrophe. Luckily nobody noticed the Rabbit which Haku had to go retrieve. Jinpachi was pissed off when he saw the rabbit sleeping peacefully in Haku's arms. It was hilarious but not the right time for something that great to happen. Why couldn't things like this happen after they are done with their mission?

This time though they were about to attack again. This time Haku was going to release the rabbit and watch. He was going to help Jinpachi if needed. But if he had to use his Kekkei Genkai he would help the rebellion bastards. Zabuza would rather have Jinpachi dead at this point personally and if he found out about Haku then he'd just go Missing-Nin. He would have to maybe temporarily be chummy with the Rebellion but it would be worth it.

"Are we there yet?" Jinpachi was holding his katana with an iron grip. His hand wrapped in a bubble wrap like substance that was commonly used in the land of stone to help keep broken bones from getting worse. It was also able to be used as a hand guard.

Jinpachi seemed giddier than usual. 'I suppose he's excited to kill the brat with Shibuki.'Honestly, the brat was good for a genin. Even if he only forced him to intervene thanks to a cheap trick. But that was the crux of a real shinobi. Cheap Tricks. "No but we're close." The final supplier for the rebellion was in a remote place near Marineford instead of in it. The perfect time to attack. The perfect place too.

They were currently almost to where their targets should be at the moment. If they were lucky they'd be resting and they could separate them. Zabuza didn't want to let Jinpachi get his hands on the brat with Shibuki. Disgusting bastard would hopefully die but leave his opponents wounded. THat was the best case scenario in his eyes. Jinpachi let out a chuckle that made Zabuza want to punch the man. "Perfect." He put out his mangled hand. "I can get my revenge and have my fun soon. My beloved Shibuki will be back with me shortly." The tone of his voice was... worrying. Especially at the end.

God Zabuza hoped Jinpachi didn't fuck his sword.

Knowing the man and the fact Shibuki's shape would allow for such a thing... Zabuza didn't have much hope. Zabuza sighed and smacked Jinpachi. "Think about that later. We need to fight to win here and you wanting to bone your sword won't make you fight better."

"Hey!" Jinpachi protested. "I don't fuck my beloved sword. Shibuki's like the son I never had." Wasn't he in his 20's? He coul- You know what. Zabuza didn't want to think about it. He was just glad Haku wasn't hearing them. Zabuza didn't want his so- His weapon. Yeah his weapon, to pick up some of Jinpachi's habits.

"The thought of you having a child is something I hate." Zabuza wished he said. "Good to know. Now we're almost there." They were using Chakra Enhancement. Not so much to where they'd be out of chakra when they arrived but it put a decent dent in their reserves as they did it for so long.

Jinpachi nodded excitedly. "Good!" He began slowing down. Zabuza did as well. "We can afford to do this now thankfully!" He had his other hand in a hand seal for the Tremors jutsu. It was what they'd use to split them apart. I was also the only Jutsu Jinpachi could do single handedly. He was ready. It would cost quite a bit of Chakra though for it to work. But he would have more than enough still.

Their plan was to have Zabuza fight Ameyuri and the brat whilst Jinpachi took care of Urahara and the Kaguya. Same as before. This time it included Haku though who instead of watching, was going to help Jinpachi as extra insurance.

"Stop." Zabuza held his arm back. He saw the figures of Ameyuri and Urahara with the two Genin in front of them. They turned around. 'Oh fuck, sensor.' How did he forget that? "JINPACHI NOW!" What felt like a lightning bullet hit his arm. The brat got unlucky with the hit.

"ON IT!"

Suddenly an earthquake happened.

[Kukui Tanku]

Well this was bad.

No, that was just underselling it. This was fucking terrible. An earthquake seemingly happened out of Nowhere and I could feel multiple chakra sources at once. Now that wasn't bad normally but i hit my head on a rock. So it hurt pretty fucking bad.

I released three clones I had in a scroll and unsealed Shibuki. "Prepare to kamikaze." I signed to them using a seal we previously agreed upon. A half ram seal. I then looked around. Assuming Jinpachi did this then it'd take everyone a bit to recover. 'Why did they only just have to get in my range when we were about to take a break?'

My clones nodded and did a horse seal. "We'll keep you safe." Zabuza was likely closest to me and I might be alone. 'I can't tell who's who yet..' I shook my head and then nodded to my clones. 'Urahara still owes me lunch.' Bastard "forgot" to pay yesterday.

I put a hand on my heart as I felt the Ninja wire take control of Shibuki. "Calm down." I couldn't afford to be like this. To be scared. I unsheathed my normal Taiji blades and had Ninja wire take control of them as well. I needed to have electromagnetic murders on standby. My clones could use Railgun if need be. 'I wonder if I hit anyone with the first one.'

"Alright brat it looks like it's me and you." I heard from the side and I heard a voice that was akin to an angels at the moment. I looked at Ameyuri and I felt like I won the lottery. If we fought Jinpachi we could destroy him quickly and go help Ito and Urahara. I won't die! "Be prepared because we might fight Zabuza. Knowing your luck, we are."

Oh yeah my luck. It was fucking terrible. I chuckled, "Yeah we are for sure. But we can win. I'll kill the bastard myself if I have to." The "I'll suicide bomb if I have too." Went unsaid. It was better that way.

"Hopefully it won't come to that." Ameyuri unsheathed the Kiba blades and they began to crackle with lightning. As she did that, a demonic presence began to sink into the area. Speeding up my heart rate considerably. "But I'll pour one out for you if that makes you feel better."

I let out a dry laugh. "Sure if there's anything left of me." I looked directly north of me. It felt like there was a predator looking at me. 'Zabuza's gonna target me first.' I poised Shibuki to the left of me. Ready to explode. "Directly north of me. The Demon of the Mist is here."

The Demonic presence strengthened. It started to become... crushing... "Keep your cool and if we get out of here I'll get you all the booze you want." Yeah I was probably going to be an alcoholic if I survived. If... The promise of more Sake sounded wonderful to me right now.

I grinned as the Demonic presence became even stronger. "I'll hold you to that." Probably not. But not thinking about the looming presence of a monster greater than Kokushibo could ever hope to be was nice. "He's here."

The visible figure of Zabuza Momochi with a small hole in one of his arms emerged from the forest. "I'll admit I'm surprised you're not quaking in your boots like last time brat. I let you live out of some fucked up mercy. But not this time. I also need to pay you back for the hit to the arm. Unlike last time with Jinpachi." The contempt in his voice somehow made the aura around him scarier. "I won't get crippled by that attack."

Ameyuri chuckled, "Still got hit by a genin Zabuza. And unfortunately for you, We're not just gonna cripple you." One of my clones nodded to another as they spread out. Luckily they didn't seem to be as affected as I was. I felt like I couldn't move. Whereas my clones could.

Zabuza let out a laugh. Not a manic laugh like Jinpachi's, but a darker, more evil laugh. "Oh I'm not like Jinpachi. I don't play with my food." That line sent a shiver down my spine. "I'm here to complete my mission and kill you and take back the Shibuki. Don't expect me to get cocky or any free hits." The Killing Intent around Zabuza was visible now...

'I thought that was game only!' Thankfully, I hadn't pissed myself again thankfully. I wouldn't. I was too afraid. Zabuza took a step closer to us. He was grinning maniacally under the bandages that covered his face. I could feel the pure evil that emanated off of him.

I channeled chakra into Shibuki. "EXPLODE!" It felt like something made my chakra more powerful as a massive explosion came out of the blade. It wasn't enough as In the dust of where Zabuza was I saw an uninjured Zabuza... The bandages on his face were ripped off revealing a set of sharp, demonic-looking teeth set in the devil's grin.

I don't want to die.

It took me just over two hours to write this chapter. I think that was evident though because I put a lot of love into this one. Especially at the end. But seriously. This is my favorite chapter of the arc so far. Zabuza is just so fun to write. So is this version of Kukui.

Out of all the fics I have and will have with Kukui Tanku in them, this one is the one with the most cautious and paranoid Kukui. I have a lot of plans for him and this fic. One of which is going to come to fruition soon. A last minute plan if you will. I'll admit. I'm not too sure about this but it's something I'm willing to try. If it's a really bad Idea I'll edit the chapter but if it works out then this is going to be huge. Not for the fic itself. Well it is because it involves SPOILERS which might help Kukui. But it's huge in general for the universe.

Anyways, hopefully you enjoyed the chapter! I did.

- Tobi