Without further mishaps or confrontations over their three-day trip, squad seven and Tazuna finally boarded a small boat that was to take them to the land of waves. Everyone was silent though Naruto and Sakura who sat in front of the two Uchiha kept staring at Akari. Well, Naruto was staring, Sakura was more glaring. Simply because Sasuke had set next to Akari like usual forcing her to sit next to Naruto. With her elbows on her knees, Akari folds her hands in front of her face as she looks out at the ocean to her right in order to ignore the staring. As they get closer to the island the motor cuts off making the sound of waves slapping against the wooden boat more evident.
"I have no choice but to tell you." Tazuna's somber voice pierces the silence around them. "No, I want you to know the truth. Like you said. This is beyond the scope of the original mission. The one who seeks my life is a very short man that casts a very long and deadly shadow." He explains for them with a frown as his eyes drift over the ninja around him. "A deadly shadow?" Kakashi questions as he looks more fully to Tazuna, confusion lacing his every word. Tazuna grunts in agreement even though Kakashi hadn't pointed anything out beyond asking a question. "Hmm, who is it?" Kakashi asks rather quietly as he thinks about the possible reasons Tazuna could have for lying to them this long. "You know him. Or at least I'm sure you've heard his name before. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world. The shipping magnet Gato." Tazuna elaborates for him rather hesitantly.
"Huh? Gato? Of Gato Transport? He's a business leader, everyone knows him!" Kakashi calls out in his shock. "Who who? What what?" Naruto interjects curiously as his eyes flit over from Kakashi to Tazuna repeatedly. "Gato is a very powerful tycoon from a famous company, that's true." Tazuna iterates for Naruto before he continues. "But, below the surface, with the same ruthless methods he uses to take over businesses and nations. He sells drugs and contraband using gangs and ninja." He then pauses as he glances over everyone in the boat making certain they are listening. "It was one year ago when Gato first set his sights on the land of waves. He came to our island and used his vast wealth to take control of our transport and shipping. Anyone who tried to stand in his way simply... disappeared. In an island nation, a man who controls the sea controls everything. Finance, government, our very lives but there is one thing he fears. The bridge! When it is complete it will join us to the land and that will break his control... I am the bridge builder."
"So that's it. Since you're in charge of the bridge you're standing in this gangster's way." Sakura concludes as she realizes what is going on. "That means those guys we fought in the forest, they were working for Gato." Sasuke catches on as his eyes widen. "I don't understand. If you knew he was dangerous, knew he'd send ninja to eliminate you, why did you hide that from us?" Kakashi questions with irritation lacing his tone. "Isn't it obvious, Kakashi Sensei?" Akari questions drawing all eyes to her. She sighs realizing they weren't going to just ignore that she had said anything and leave her be. "Think about it, This Gato guy has control of their transport and their shipping. An Island nation would make its money fishing and trading. Without boats, nothing is coming into the nation. Meaning it is decaying. No food, no jobs… no money. Being reduced to impoverish living they couldn't afford the rate our village charges for anything higher than a C-rank. He had to keep important information back to keep the costs where the Island could afford it. So he pretty well had to cross his fingers and hope for at least chunin ranked ninja…" She elaborates for them.
"It is as she says. The land of waves is a small and impoverished nation, even our nobles have little money. The common people who are building this bridge cannot pay for an A or B ranked mission. It's too expensive. If you end the mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home."
"I have no doubt about that." Akari comments just as Tazuna was going to continue speaking. "When you look at things clearly he wouldn't have even made it this far without us. Just as a businessman would not be able to afford to allow someone to take away his business due to a bridge. No, since we defeated the chuunin he sent, he now knows Tazuna hired us. The next he sends after him will be much more difficult." Sasuke shifts a glance her way as he frowns thinking on her words. No matter how he runs through it he couldn't disprove her theory. "We have no choice." Kakashi sighs heavily knowing Akari is right. They now have an obligation to help the bridgebuilder just as the third would never agree to them ending their mission before it is truly finished. The old man has a soft spot and would prefer his ninja to lend a hand where it is needed regardless of pay.
Silence fell over the boat after that. The knowledge looming over them that Gato really is sending ninja after Tazuna in order to make sure the bridge isn't completed, so they knew they were looking at more ninja against ninja ahead with a high probability of the next battle being against Jonin-level assailants. The question is when? Even after they stepped off of the boat silence continued to follow them as they make their way through the trees. Akari couldn't help but think about her own assumptions. She has no doubt the next ones to attack will be either Jonin-level or more than a handful of chuunin so they could kill the bridge builder with use of numbers. However, a guy like Gato would have to pay for everyone he sends, and adding to his dollar count wouldn't cut it. Especially if they stand a chance of failing. On this mission, the village sent out a team of genin believing it was a simple C-rank mission. With genin, this would lead the strongest of the squad to try and beat the enemy on his own in hopes to save them all. Simply because there is no way they can win.
The only way we'd stand a chance is by working together. Using each other's strengths. She summarizes as her gaze flits over her squad. Naruto heals quickly and is too bullheaded to stay down for long, he is also loud and loves to yap so he could distract the enemy at a time we need him to. He also has his shadow clones which from the level of his taijutsu all they would be good for is a distraction. Sasuke is a good aim and knows a fireball jutsu just as his taijutsu isn't necessarily bad. While Sakura's book smarts could evaluate the details around us and keep the others in the know about certain things. If I fight with my full abilities, Kakashi and I could keep our next opponents busy and utilize the others as necessary. However, that will give me away too quickly. I could limit myself to taijutsu and fire jutsu only.
Kakashi looks down seeing Akari had fallen behind again. The look in her usually empty gaze seemed muddled with thoughts flowing visibly through their dark depths. The girl in front of him wasn't the girl he had heard about from the Academy, a girl that came in second just below her counterpart. According to the Hokage, the girl in the academy was smart by all means but her abilities were only just beginning to bud. The girl walking beside him now watching the sky above them was lost to her own thoughts. As if she is calculating and assessing everything she has seen through her eyes since this mission started. Or even possibly imagining post-battle strategies. A look to her gaze he has not seen a fellow ninja hold for quite some time. Seeing her progress on this mission not only sparked his curiosity but also left him feeling as if he should keep an eye on her. The girl simply was far too intense for a normal twelve-year-old. Yet this also made him want to aid in her growth in any way he can to further hone the skills she has shown she has rather than just training her alongside the team.
From being lost to her thoughts, Akari didn't even notice the conversation around her. Not even the fact that Naruto was picking up on someone tailing them to the point he located a snow rabbit. As she feels the presence of someone lurking in the trees she stops and turns to look for them. Kakashi gives a small sound of question as he looks as well, trying to figure out what she and Naruto could be sensing. "Look out!" He yells to the others just as a huge sword flies in their direction. Akari hit the ground as Kakashi tackles Tazuna. The other follow suit narrowly avoiding the blade.
As she stands she notices Kakashi already on his feet looking in the direction the sword had collided with a tree. She shoots brief glances around at the others Akari sighs seeing them safe ever before following Kakashi's gaze. Seeing a man with short black hair, no shirt, and grayish blue pants. White and black cow pattern arm warmers with his mouth covered by white bandages that wrap securely around his head. Though, his back was to them she could tell he radiates with power. Even with her memory having dwindled enough she couldn't remember who this man is, she knew at her core that he is definitely dangerous.
Diverting her gaze away from the man, Akari moves her eyes over the area around them making certain this man didn't have any teammates waiting to blindside them. "Well, well, isn't it Zabuza Mamochi, a rogue ninja from the village hidden in the mist." Kakashi speaks up to the man pulling Akari's attention back to him as well. Naruto suddenly pushes forward to run toward him ready to fight drawing Kakashi to hold his hand out successfully stopping Naruto's advance. "You're in the way." Kakashi says glancing over his shoulder at him. "Get back." He orders with a serious tone as he looks back up to Zabuza. "But why?!" Naruto yells, though he doesn't take another step further. "He's nothing like the ninja we fought before. He's in a whole other league… If he's our opponent I'll need this." Kakashi says as he reaches up preparing to lift up his forehead protector, causing Naruto and Sakura to gasp as even a startled grunt comes from Sasuke. Akari watches as Kakashi goes to raise his forehead protector the information Itachi had given her about the Jonin running through her mind. "This could be treacherous."
"Kakashi of the Sharingan eye. Did I get that right?" Zabuza's raspy and dark voice filters over them from where he stands in the tree. Sasuke looks at Kakashi from the corner of his eye at the word Sharingan, a frown pulling at his features as his eyes nearly narrow on their Sensei. "It's too bad huh, that you'll have to hand over the old man." Zabuza nearly chuckles as he looks over his shoulder down at Kakashi. "Now quick, Manji formation!" Kakashi orders his team. "Protect the bridge builder. And stay out of this fight!" Akari gives Kakashi a single nod before automatically leaping to her place in front of Tazuna without hesitation. She hooks a single finger on a kunai within the holster on her thigh and pulls it out. Spinning it in her hand a single time she shifts her hold on it so she can curl her fingers around the hilt as she moves to hold it up, ready to defend or attack. The others, however, just seem to stand there as if they have never practiced this formation before like usual. "Huh?" Sakura questions when it finally registers that Kakashi had said something. "I taught you teamwork, now it's time to use it." He finishes uncovering his eye, revealing his Sharingan. "I'm ready."
"Ah, looks like I get to see the Sharingan in action." Zabuza states turning around to face them. "This is an honor." Sighing Akari glances at the others. "Kakashi said Manji formation!" She calls out catching their attention. Sasuke's confused gaze falls on her moments before he moves into place on her right. Naruto and Sakura give grunts of question before they too fall into formation. "Hey everyone keeps saying Sharingan, Sharingan. Will someone please tell me what that is?" Naruto asks causing Akari to nearly roll her eyes. "Sharingan, a rare power, it resides in the eyes. The user of this visual jutsu or Dojutsu can instantly see and comprehend any Ninjutsu, genjutsu, and Taijutsu and reflect the attack back on the attacker. The Sharingan is a special rare form of Dojutsu. However, there is more to the Sharingan than that, a lot more." Sasuke informs him as his gaze remains locked on Kakashi.
"You got it right boy. But you only scratched the surface. The Sharingan can analyze an opponent's technique and then copy it to the smallest detail." Zabuza says as mist rolls over the battlefield. Akari very nearly sighs knowing both of them had missed the most crucial of powers the Sharingan has. Either from not knowing about it or... they purposefully left it out. "As for you Jonin. In the assassination unit of the hidden mist. We had a standing order to destroy you on sight. Your profile was in our bingo book. It called you, the man who copied over a thousand jutsu. Kakashi the copy ninja." Zabuza crouches. "Enough talking, I need to exterminate the old man now."
"He'll come after me first." Kakashi informs them as he keeps his eye trained on Zabuza even as the mist becomes continuously denser with each passing second. "But, who is he?" Sakura questions as she watches their Sensei. "Zabuza Momochi, the ex-leader of the hidden mist assassination unit. He's a master of the silent killing technique." Kakashi explains gently for her. "S. s. silent?" Naruto questions hesitantly. "As the name suggests, it happens in an instant. Without sound or warning of any kind... It's so fast you pass from this life without realizing what's happened. The Sharingan cannot fully neutralize it. So don't lower your guard." Fear sounds around them from three members of the squad as the information Kakashi just gave them fully sinks in. "Well, if we fail we only lose our lives."
"How can you say that?!" Sakura snaps not finding Kakashi's joke funny in the slightest. "The mist is getting thicker and thicker!" Naruto points out in shock. "The land of waves is surrounded by ocean, the swirling mists are ever-present." Tazuna explains for him. "Sensei!" Sakura exclaims in fear as the mist blocks Kakashi from their view. "Eight points. Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, kidney, heart. Now, which would be my attack point?" Zabuza speaks calmly through the mist causing Akari to smirk. Smooth. A burst of wind suddenly blows over the genin as Akari can feel the matching killing intentions mixing together and causing her heart to pound. This is nothing like she has ever felt before, not when those anbu attacked, not when Danzo fought with Shisui, not even when Itachi and her killed the entire Uchiha clan, and not with those mist chunin on the way here. This was two men's desire to kill one another enough it was becoming almost tangible. Kakashi's intense aura shines a light blue around him and pushes back the mist bringing him back into their view. Akari could hear Sasuke's unsteady breathing quivering on her right drawing her attention to him.
Seeing Sasuke trembling Akari reaches over and touches his shoulder. He visibly tenses under her touch before his gaze glances over to her as he exhales a slow breath. "Sasuke! Calm down, I will protect you with my life... All of you. I will not allow my comrades to die... Trust me." Kakashi informs mainly the male Uchiha. "I wouldn't be so sure." Zabuza's voice sounds just before Akari spins on her toes and drives her kunai into his side the moment he lands between Tazuna and herself without even the slightest hesitation. Zabuza's beady eyes widen down at her as the realization hits him. "But. How?" He hisses his question even as she simply smirks up at him. When he crashes to the ground as a puddle of water Akari raises her kunai back above her head. The sound of metal clashing against metal echoes around them the moment Zabuza's blade crashes down on her. "So you know." He laughs bearing down on Akari with his massive blade forcing enough strength into his sword that Akari reaches up and grabs her wrist to steady her arm. "Interesting, you noticed I was here before the others." He comments just as he moves even more strength into his sword. "But how long can you last?" His chilling laughter rings through the air bringing rise to goosebumps now coating her body.
I guess this is what they mean by adult strength versus child strength. Akari grunts feeling what little ego she began to develop training alongside Itachi and Shisui compressing into a small little ball with each passing moment as she begins to wonder how long she will be able to hold herself against his power. As her legs begin to quiver causing her body to scream that she was going to lose her hold the sound of steel scraping on steal rings in her ears, just before the weight began to lift off of her. "About time Sensei." She manages to speak as he looks down at her. Feeling as if she had just trained extensively against her two best friends she drops her arms to her sides and shakes them a bit. "Fool, trying to save her life when you can't..." Once she had regained a small amount of feeling back in her arms Akari moves around Kakashi. Her kunai slices through the air in a swift movement as the blade digs through Zabuza's flesh and literally rips through his side ever before she finishes her spin.
As her feet stop her slide, her back was now to Tazuna and the others again. The sound of water splashing against the ground had her turning her head a bit more toward her shoulder, in a way it was as if she had nearly looked back. "Water clone." She realizes quietly before she is forced to leap into the air. "Sensei! Akari! Behind you!" Naruto yells a little too late as Akari brings her knees up towards her chest in her jump keeping herself just above where the blade would swing. The moment the sword hesitates in it's swing from catching something or someone who had been behind her, Akari throws her feet beneath her. Pushing against the blade and officially propelling herself forward.
Seeing her lunging toward him Zabuza's eyes barely have time to widen before her left arm catches him around the neck. Using pure force built up from her kick-off on his blade and the momentum she gathers as she slips around him through the air. Akari successfully bends him backward down to her height allowing her feet to touch the ground. The point of her kunai still held securely in her right hand presses against his neck in such a way she could easily drive the metal through his skin. Akari's eyes flit over Zabuza's shoulder to see Kakashi was nowhere to be seen. Proving he had copied Zabuza's water clone which is what slowed his blade for her. "It's over." Akari informs the Jonin as her eyes narrow on the man in her grip.