I appreciate the reviews on the first few chapters I have written out and to answer your questions.
1. No, I didn't forget about the Anbu ranking system but the reason they aren't on there is that they are technically not supposed to exist, but they are more so their own thing individually.
2. I have a plan as to why Kakashi is mean or ignores Naruto right now and it will come up in later chapters. It will likely be a reason that you don't expect, and I like the idea. That I why I said there will be slight bashing from Kakashi.
3. As for the training of Naruto. It will progress onto other stuff after the Wave Arc.
4. Naruto will be gaining some abilities but it's not going to be like, "Oh my goodness, I have 15 Rinnegan on my arm." It's going to be subtle and will give him an advantage but not too much. I am still debating on a route of training to take as there are many ways to go about this right now with many ninja arts. But, it should be chosen by the next chapter.
5. Final note, thank you so much for the support and I hope those who read this have a lovely day.
Chapter 5: Battle on the Bridge
4 DAYS LATER
Team 7 and Team 10 have been taking shifts to keep an eye on Tazuna and the other bridge workers. Asuma and Kakashi thought it was a good idea to have them pair up with different people every day as ninjas need to work with other people in this profession even if they are not nice towards those they do not like.
The following morning after the verbal lashing Naruto gave Inari he came down and apologized bowing to him in the process. Naruto said not to worry about it and to realize that if you think that you are suffering there will always be people that are suffering more than you. Though Naruto had weirder reactions from the others. Ino hit him in the shoulder saying not to run off like an idiot. Shikamaru and Chouji said he was glad he was alright while Sakura said the same thing as Ino did except it was way more aggressive and not caring in any way.
Tazuna, Team 10, and most of Team 7 were on their way to the bridge. They were without Naruto today for a couple of reasons. Naruto thought he would have the day off and he sent 30 clones to the forest to work on the Tree Climbing Exercise and the new Leaf Spinning Exercise from his Chakra Control Book as well as the taijutsu katas for the Hummingbird Fist from his Taijutsu book: 10 clones for each area. However, plans changed when Kakashi said it would be him and Sasuke for guarding Tazuna. It also didn't help that Tazuna asked for another 100 shadow clones and at the end of the day he had a serious migraine that knocked him out shortly after dinner from 130 dispelled clones. Kakashi and Asuma understood the shadow clones had limits and with those limits, it would fry his brain if he did more, so they let him rest. Today, Kakashi felt he needed more people at the bridge. Call it a premonition.
Ino groaned, "Asuma-sensei, I thought today was my day to chill out."
Asuma chuckled before saying, "Well, Ino, we believe that we should all go there today."
"Is it because of Zabuza, Asuma-sensei?" asked Shikamaru with one eye open. Everyone went wide-eyed. Asuma face palmed. He hated and loved Nara at the same time.
"God damn Nara's and their intelligence. Ultimately, yes." Everyone was sweating at that. Asuma spoke to make them calm down. "But this time there are now 2 Elite Jonins plus some additional backup. We will be alright," he said reassuringly. Tazuna and the others eased a little bit but that didn't relieve all the tension.
They had gotten to the bridge to a sight none of them wanted to see. People scattered about lying face-first into the ground and they were unmoving. Tazuna ran over to one of his lifelong friends bleeding slightly on the ground. He said to him, "Run, Tazuna, Run. Demon…is…here."
"This is upsetting. I wanted to make more of an entrance," said Zabuza with a smirk under his bandaged mask with the hunter ninja standing next to him.
"Kakashi Hatake and…oh, is this, Asuma Sarutobi, was once a part of the garden twelve. A remarkable shinobi in his own right" said Zabuza.
"Well, I didn't know I had a fanboy," Asuma said pulling out his trench knives and getting into his stance.
"Shut it Sarutobi. We aren't here for discussion. I am here for the bridge builder. I will ask you one more time to give him over or you all die," he said with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Kakashi stepped forward pushing Tazuna to the Genin. "That isn't going to happen Zabuza. No matter what."
"Well, you leave me no choice. Haku, get ready to take care of their genin understand."
"Yes, Zabuza-sama," he said in an emotionless tone.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu," said Zabuza. A thick mist turned the sunny day into a dark misty one.
Asuma turned to the 5 Genin present, "Protect the bridge builder at all costs." They all surrounded Tazuna in a protective stance.
Haku stood before them saying in a calm voice, "I would suggest handing him over otherwise you are all dead."
"Troublesome, like we would do that."
"Then so be it." He pulled out some senbon getting into a wide stance.
WITH NARUTO 2 MINUTES EARLIER
Naruto awoke from his sleeping bag with a nice stretch. He slowly got out of bed and made his way downstairs to be met with Tsunami in the kitchen cooking up some food for Inari.
"Ah good morning, Naruto-kun the others thought that they would let you rest. You can enjoy some food with us if you would like," said Tsunami smiling. Naruto's stomach grumbled and he blushed embarrassingly. "I would like that Tsunami-san."
He made a shadow clone before sitting down to go on watch as he did that every day for an extra layer of protection for the family. He was eating eggs and bacon with the two of them when he got the memories of the clone. Two large burly men with swords were on their way to the house. They were about 400 feet out. He had a minute to prepare.
"Tsunami-san, Inari, go to the basement now. Bad guys are coming in," he said seriously.
Tsunami dropped her fork, ran around the table, and picked up Inari running downstairs. She looked back at Naruto, and he said to her quietly, "Listen, do not come out until I come for you understand." She nodded and went into the basement locking the door. He went to the entrance pulling out a kunai and clutching it to his chest. He could hear them talking as they made their way to the house.
"So pretty much, Gato wants the child and mother as hostages so he can extort them for the bridge builder," said thug one.
"Yeah, he said he would pay us 1000 dollars each, so I do not have a problem with it. He only sent us two anyway. Not like it is going to be a problem to capture a kid and mother. Maybe we can have fun with her," said thug two deviously.
This pissed off Naruto. Women were just to be played with like that. It was then that one of the thugs opened the door slowly. He peered around to see nothing and opened it all the way allowing them both entries to enter the house.
"Looks like there is no one here," said thug one nonchalantly.
"Damn, whatever, let's just wait until…" he was cut off by a chop to the neck by Naruto effectively knocking him out. Thug two turned around pulling out his sword and getting into a stance to fight. He brought his sword down slowly like he had never used this before. Naruto dodged it easily slashing his kunai on the man's dominant arm. The man grunted in pain dropping his sword and clutching his wounded arm. Naruto then did a roundhouse kick to the face knocking out the second thug.
Naruto summoned two clones and tied them up in the post near the dock while he went to get Tsunami and Inari. He knocked on the door, "Guys it is me Naruto. I took care of the two guys outside. You can come out now." The door slowly opened which was followed by Tsunami holding a ladle to defend herself but dropped it and opened the door all the way. "Thank you so much Naruto-kun. D…did you…"
"No, they are still alive. I am not like that. They are tied up to the post outside near the dock and they should not be a bother anymore. I overheard them say they were the only two sent by Gato." Naruto finished tiredly. He had the feeling this would be a long day.
"Naruto. Thank you for saving us," said a teary-eyed Inari. Naruto patted his head and said, "It's alright Inari. Now listen you guys should be fine here but if they were sent here to the house, they were likely to be sent to the bridge." The two of them nodded and they wished him luck. "I'll see you guys later."
Naruto was running to the bridge when he heard Inari shout, "Stay safe Naruto."
Naruto smiled and yelled back, "I always do."
AT THE BRIDGE WITH ASUMA AND KAKASHI
"You know you are going to lose right," said Asuma with confidence in his voice.
"Oh, are you so sure about Asuma?" he said with mirth.
Kakashi and Asuma then felt something in his leg that felt like electricity shooting up in him. They both looked behind them to see a water clone that had thrown senbon into the back of their legs.
Zabuza pulled the sword off his back and said, "Well, what I just pierced your skin with was a poison that won't kill you but rather a poison to slow you down just enough that will help me in the battle. I already knew that the backup was sent and no matter what I wouldn't be able to handle two elite Jonin. So why not level the playing field? Besides, I prefer to do the killing myself," he said chuckling fading into the mist.
"Asuma, back-to-back," said Kakashi. They planted their backs up against each other slightly panting.
"We don't know how long this poison will last or how much it will slow us down, so we have to finish this fight quickly," said Asuma. Kakashi just nodded in agreement and prepared for the fight at hand.
"I agree, otherwise Haku will kill your students," echoed Zabuza's voice.
WITH THE GENIN
"Sasuke-kun you should get back here with us. We do not know this guy's abilities," exclaimed Ino.
Sasuke just smirked. "I'll be fine. After all, there would have been no point in this training otherwise."
Haku was still in his stance, but he was a little wary when this Uchiha slowly started to walk towards him. He was then shocked when he had to block a kunai strike from the Uchiha when he didn't think he could move that fast.
"Impressive that you have such speed for your age. That won't be enough though," as Haku started to form a hand seal with one hand.
Shikamaru went wide-eyed. "Shit. A one-handed seal." "Sasuke, you need to get out of there you have no idea what he is going to use." As the jutsu was about to be initiated.
"Get away from them!" The others saw Naruto come flying in with a Superman punch aimed right at Haku's head. Haku didn't even move as he took the hit right to the face. After the direct hit from Naruto, Haku dispersed into the water, while also not being able to use the jutsu he was planning.
"Look what you did dobe now we can't stop him," said Sasuke.
"We wouldn't have been able to stop him anyway teme. That was a water clone like Zabuza did when he fought him."
"Guys stop being troublesome and get back over here before that guy does something," yelled Shikamaru.
"I am afraid that you are already too late for that," said Haku as he only stood about 20 feet away from Naruto and Sasuke now.
"You are now within my range. You will be the first in a long time to see my secret jutsu," said Haku as he started to form hand seals.
"Uh oh, Sasuke we need to move now," said Naruto starting to push him.
"Get off me dobe we need to stay here and fight," Sasuke snarled pushing his hands away.
Chouji saw Haku was done with the hand seals and yelled, "Guys you need to…"
"Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors."
Naruto and Sasuke who were back-to-back we now enveloped by the ice mirrors. Naruto could only look at the group with all their eyes in shock. It wasn't long before a giant ice dome was over the two and the outside group couldn't do much.
"GUYS!" yelled Ino. She ran up to the dome with Shikamaru behind her.
"Ino we can't do much from the outside. We will have to wait for something to happen. We can't even see in there." Ino nodded her head but that didn't stop her from looking around the dome.
Inside the dome, you could barely see from the outside. The ice was so thick that it distorted what they were seeing from the outside.
"I am sorry but you two will not make it out of her alive," as Haku appears in the mirror. Soon there were Haku's in every mirror and they didn't know what to do. Haku slowly pulled out senbon and threw it at a speed that was hard for them to keep up with. With nearly 10 senbon thrown at our heroic blonde. They all almost pierced their skin. Naruto's fishnet armor was thin enough to deflect some of them but still, senbon was thin enough to pierce the armor he was wearing. Sasuke nearly deflected most of them with his kunai.
"Dammit, I thought this armor was supposed to help," he gritted his teeth in pain.
"Oh, believe me, Shinobi-san, many others thought that too, but ultimately failed in their idea as they perished shortly after. Your armor might deflect a few of them but not all of them."
"Dobe, you too slow or something to keep track of the senbon or what," mocked Sasuke.
"Not now Sasuke, we need a plan to get out of this."
"Well, how the hell are we supposed to dobe, the guy is flying around towards the mirrors." Naruto looked up to see the hunter-nin zipping back and forth in the mirrors.
"You two are going to die so why keep fighting," he said preparing for another attack.
"Maybe this will work. Sasuke, look for an opening," he said forming the ram sign. Sasuke turned to see Naruto forming clones around them. "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu." 15 clones surrounded the two and lunged towards the mirrors.
"Useless," said Haku as he threw more senbon at the clones, dispersing them all to smoke.
"Shit. See anything Sasuke."
"Maybe, try it again. We didn't get hit by the senbon this time too," he remarked.
Naruto once again summoned the clones only for them to be dispersed when he did it. "This is pointless. The definition of insanity is to do the same thing repeatedly and expect a different result."
"SHUT UP!" yelled Sasuke. Sasuke then clutched his eyes. He felt extreme pain there and he was clutching it tightly collapsing to the ground. Naruto went wide-eyed running over to him.
"SASUKE!" Naruto placed his hand on his shoulder. Naruto assumed that the senbon hit his eyes. He pulled out two Kunai's and stood over Sasuke now.
"You know shinobi-san I have been saving this for a special occasion, but this is a poison that I have made myself that I placed on the senbon. It makes the person I use it on heal much slower than an average person should. You shall be the first that I use it on." Haku was in all the mirrors again pulling back his arms to throw the poison laced Senbon. Right as he threw the senbon at the two of them, there was an explosion that rocked the dome.
OUTSIDE THE DOME
"There, that should do the trick," said Shikamaru as the exploding tags he placed blew up. Once the smoke cleared, it appeared as if the ice dome was not damaged, shocking Shikamaru in the process.
Tazuna wiped some sweat off his brow, "At least the bridge is fine."
"That isn't the point Tazuna-san. They are still stuck in there," said Chouji.
It was then a water clone of Haku formed just outside the mirror staring at the group. "It is funny that you think that an explosion tag is enough to take down my ice dome."
Sakura stood there before remarking, "It doesn't matter we will find a way to take you down."
"Says the girl that has only just stood in front of the bridge builder the whole time and hasn't done anything for the mission," he remarked before being punched by Sakura, dispelling the water clone.
"Sakura why did you attack him," asked Shikamaru in a lazy tone.
"That was a water clone, and it would've attacked us regardless," she said still in anger simmering back down.
"Yeah, that is true I guess, I just hope that they are ok in there," he said worried.
WITH KAKASHI AND ASUMA
"God damn it. I hate feeling this slow," said Asuma blocking a sword strike from a water clone.
"Tell me about it," said Kakashi stabbing a water clone.
"You know it is a shame. That blonde brat gave me a better performance than you Kakashi," echoed his voice.
"Your fight is not with him. It is with me Zabuza," he said grabbing Shuriken from his pocket.
"I am not too sure about that Copycat, he came up with quite the plan, but he is fated to die as you do are today." This time the real Zabuza came in and sliced his sword at Kakashi which he deflected the swing throwing shuriken at his leg with a direct hit. Zabuza groaned slightly before bouncing away from him and pulling out the shuriken.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. He and that Uchiha are currently fighting him and Haku is special."
Asuma put wind chakra into his trench knives making them sharper and longer, lunging at him before Zabuza blocked it with his sword. "Because Haku is from the Land of Water with a bloodline that I have only seen him have thus far. The Yuki bloodline."
Asuma's eyes widen before saying, "You mean to tell me that Haku has the Ice kekkai genkai from the Land of Water."
"Damn straight, and it will only be so long before every one of your Genin dies. Along with the bridge builder."
Kakashi and Asuma looked at each other before charging at Zabuza with the intent to kill with Zabuza doing the same.
INSIDE THE DOME
"Sasuke, your eyes are bleeding did he hit you there," he said shaking him. He was then hit by the senbon Haku talked about earlier and his arm fell limb.
"Damn," He pulled out the senbon and he felt feeling back in it now.
"Shall I test, the Uchiha now," as Haku readied the senbon. As he threw the senbon, Sasuke was up and blocked the senbon from hitting him. Naruto stared into his eyes to see the Sharingan in all its glory. His left had two tomoe and the right had one tomoe.
"This power. It feels amazing." The two of them continued to block as many senbon as they could but they started to slow down, and Sasuke was slowing down as well, even if he had the Sharingan activated. The two of them had their healing rate slow down tremendously compared to what they could have done before.
"I think that we have extended this fight long enough. I will introduce to you a water jutsu that I love to use on opponents. One that was supposed to be used earlier when before you stopped me with that punch," he said forming a series of hand seals.
"Uh oh, Sasuke, you got an idea," asked Naruto his back down to him now. With Sasuke's visual prowess at an all-time high now he could see somewhat outside of the ice mirror. He saw Ino and Chouji trying to see through the mirror. He smirked, "Yes I do."
"Ok, what is it?" he asked, turning his head slightly.
"Prepare for my ultimate attack, "Water Style: One Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death." The water from the ground slowly started to rise and form into needles. Sasuke had just finished hand seals for the substitution jutsu. Naruto saw this and freaked out. "Sasuke what are you switching places with," he asked quickly.
He smiled, "This."
It was then that he switched places with Ino. She was facing away from Naruto. For everyone, it had felt like they were moving in slow motion. Ino looked to see senbon flying at her face. Her heart dropped. So many questions were raging on in her head. Why was she in here? Where was Sasuke? Am I going to die? She reflexively crouched into a ball to protect herself from the water senbon flying towards her. She then felt two arms wrapped around her and didn't move. Whatever it was, it felt warm and safe. She clutched onto the body with all her life and held on.
OUTSIDE THE DOME
Sasuke fell to the ground panting heavily. That had taken a lot out of him. His eyes still bleeding, looked up to see the group of Genin in shock and bridge builder. Did he just replace himself to get away, was their thoughts.
"Are you ok Sasuke-kun," asked Sakura running over to him.
"You God damn idiot. Where is Ino?" yelled Shikamaru.
"In there taking a hit from me," he said nonchalantly as if he didn't care.
"WHAT?!" yelled the two members of Team 10.
"She should be honored to be used as a sacrifice by me," he said. He was then sent flying across the bridge near Tazuna and was knocked out by Chouji's Large first from the Partial Expansion Jutsu.
"Shit, we need to get into there now. I hope they are ok," said Shikamaru losing his cool slightly.
IN THE DOME
Ino felt something on her. She was fully expecting to die but she only felt some pain in her legs from something piercing her. She opened her eyes to see pale blue eyes. She saw Naruto lying over her bleeding from the mouth staring back at her.
"Are…y…you okay…Ino?" he asked shakily. All she could do was just nod her head. He very slowly got up from off her. She got up quickly to help him up. She was scared for him. Scared he was going to die. She saw his back when she was helping him and there were holes everywhere and he was bleeding from multiple places.
"Well…that's what…*cough*… is important. Now…let's…find a way…*cough*…to get out of…here," he said wiping the blood from his mouth.
"Are you ok, Naruto, you are bleeding from everywhere and you look pale," she said getting teary-eyed, helping him lean on her.
He nodded his head and looked at Haku who under the mask was surprised not only by the selfless action, but the fact Naruto was still standing.
"Why did you do that," he asked in his calm voice.
"Well, a person…I know told me…that…*cough*…you need to find someone to protect and keep…them…*cough*…safe and that is what makes you strong. You…would know that wouldn't you Haku," he said staring at him. He was now shocked and showed visibly by stepping back slightly.
"How?" was all he asked.
"It makes sense…you said earlier that…you made a poison…and you can only…*cough*…do that from herbs. Which I saw…you…collecting that day in the forest. Not that…hard to deduce," he said standing straight now leaning less on Ino.
Ino wiped the tears from her eyes and got into the Tiger fist stance and readied herself. Haku said, "I should have you known that the water from that senbon was from really cold water which in turn will lower your body temperature. That is why I am amazed you are still standing, but what plan shall you do next."
He whispered to Ino, "Listen Ino, I feel like I am going to pass out, so the plan is this…he travels in the same pattern through the mirrors every time from what I have seen, so we are going to have to hit him at the same time. Understand."
Naruto started to feel light-headed. He needed to hurry before he passed out. He then heard something that freaked him out. A demonic voice in his head said,
"Kid. I want you to listen and listen well. I am the nine-tailed fox and if you want to make it out alive, I suggest you listen and don't say anything. Your body is healing but it is healing way too slowly to help you any. I am going to send you enough chakra to overpower his speed and you will be fine. Understand. Okay good. Get ready you going to have a lot of energy for this."
Naruto let out a hard cough coughing up blood and readied himself. He didn't know that the fox could talk to him or talk in general, but he wanted to live so he didn't have a choice. He then felt the largest burst of energy ever. His eyes went from pale blue to pale blue slits. He felt like he was 130% better.
"Get ready Ino," he said. Ino nodded. He saw Haku flying everywhere in the mirrors. After about a few mirrors hops Naruto squatted down and jumped up just in time for him to grab the foot of Haku and throw him to the ground. Haku was slammed down to the ground surprised at the burst of speed that he hadn't shown thus far.
Naruto then tackled Haku wrapping his legs around Haku's and his arms around his neck. He couldn't hold him for long his whole body was in a lot of pain. "Ino quickly, use your Mind Transfer Jutsu to bring the mirrors down." She nodded and formed the hand sign. "Mind Transfer Jutsu," she said slowly going limb not before being caught by one of Naruto's clones.
Haku stopped struggling and Naruto realized it was Ino. She was able to form the half-ram sign and the mirrors came down. Ino then released the jutsu and Naruto arm locked Haku again.
Ino woke back up in Naruto's arms and she looked at him and smiled. She was glad he was better. She was scared for a moment that he was going to die, and she didn't want to have that on her consciousness before he dispelled when the real one was holding a kunai to the neck of Haku. Shikamaru stood near Ino and stared at Naruto. He was glad they were alright.
Shikamaru begged the question, "Say Ino, how did you disable the mirrors?"
"It was weird. When I went into his mind, I was able to see the hand signs to use to disable the jutsu itself. It isn't the first time that has happened. Kind of cool and weird at the same time," she said.
"Are you ok, you have blood on your arms." She nodded and gestured towards Naruto. "It isn't mine it's all his. He jumped in the way and saved me from the attack. I have no clue how he is still standing or breathing for that matter," she said with concern in her voice.
She then realized. "Where is that son of a bitch," she snarled out. "Troublesome, he is knocked out over there. Rightfully so, just don't worry about him."
Shikamaru just stared at Naruto who was now standing. "Haku this is over, you're done."
"Please Naruto-san, kill me." Naruto was surprised that he asked this.
"There is no point in me living any more than I have. I have failed Zabuza-sama and it is time for his tool to be hung back on the shelf," he said not resisting Naruto anymore.
Insert Haku's backstory as I do not want to talk about it and make it go on longer than necessary and I think we all know what happens.
"You are not a tool and you do not deserve to die," he said in a firm tone while Shikamaru and Ino walked towards him.
"Then you are just as weak as me. Not wanting to kill someone," he said as he saw Zabuza in the distance being held down by dogs. Everyone then heard birds and turned to see Kakashi's arm surrounded by lightning. "Though there is one more use for this tool." The grip that Naruto had on Haku loosened and he was gone in the blink of an eye standing in front of Zabuza taking the blow from Kakashi's attack.
EARLIER
"I think we should end this Kakashi," said Asuma. He only nodded and started to run through hand signs.
"As if you guys can…" Zabuza was then clouded by black smoke. He couldn't see a damn thing and it ticked him off.
"Fire Style: Burning Ash," he ignited the smoke from the lips of his mouth and an explosion occurred knocking Zabuza back. He then felt like something was biting into him from everyone and when the smoke cleared there were dogs everywhere biting into his skin making him bleed. He looked straight on to see Kakashi holding his left hand on his arm where his right hand was charging lightning chakra. This was Kakashi's killing blow and he was ready to die. He charged at him ready for the attack when he felt only blood splatter on his chest. When he opened his eyes, he met Haku standing in front of him taking the blow.
Zabuza just chuckled, "What a good tool," he said, his tone emotionless.
"A good tool indeed," a short man in a suit said. Clapping his hands, slowly made his way towards the group. Everyone from both teams looked on at the man. With the mist clearing, they could see hundreds of men making their way behind the man. Everyone could only stare as they saw the bandits make their way towards them. "Well, Zabuza I am afraid that your contract is up, and your time is done. We have no more of a use for you and that boy you referred to as a tool."
"What do you mean my contract is up, Gato? The bridge builder is just right there," he said as he pointed near Tazuna. "That is exactly my point, he is just right there, and you can't do your job. That is probably why your apprentice is dead in front of you."
Naruto gritted his teeth. He pushed past Ino and Shikamaru staggering and limping his way over to him. "You son of a bitch. How could you treat Haku like that? How could you let him talk about Haku like that?"
"Shut up kid," he said glaring at him.
"No, I do not need to shut up. Haku cared for you God damn it. What the hell did you do that Haku was made to believe that he was a tool and only a tool? Because we are not tools. We may be ninjas, but at the end of the day, we are human like anyone else."
Zabuza could not look Naruto in the eyes anymore as he looked away. "Haku practically respected, no, he loved you as any normal person with emotions would. All you are doing is spitting on him and telling him you never gave a rat's ass about him. Is that how you feel?"
Zabuza turned to Naruto now and was full of crying. "I said shut up damn it." Tears streamed down his face. "I did care for him. Like a son. I loved him damn it. But when you are taught from a young age to shut your emotions out, you kind of don't show them." He wiped the tears with his shoulder and stared at Naruto. Staring at the kid, he could see the holes in his clothes, probably from Haku's senbon.
"You know kid, your words cut deeper than any blade." He then looked at Kakashi and Asuma who were bruised and dirty. "Listen my fight isn't with you anymore." He then pointed at Gato in the middle of the crowd of thugs. "My fight is with him." He then looked up to see it started to snow. "Even in death, you are still with me Haku." A tear slid down his face. He looked at Naruto staring back with his hands at his sides.
"Kid, give me one of your kunai and put it in my mouth. I can't use my arms. Say you look a little pale, you sure you can fight," he asked.
"*Cough* Yeah I am fine," he said placing the kunai in Zabuza's mouth.
"Are you sure about this Zabuza? I have over 400 men to back me up. You can't do a thing," mocked Gato slowly backing into the crowd.
"Well, I guess I should show you why I am called the Demon of the Mist," he said crouching into position.
Kakashi then said, "I am a little low on chakra. What about you Asuma?"
"I am good, I'll just stick to the knives," he said applying wind chakra once more to them.
"Guys watch this," said Naruto to Ino and Shikamaru. "Hey Chouji, I heard some of them call you fat." Within seconds Chouji was in Naruto's face waiting for who would call him that.
"Who did? Tell me and they are gone from this planet," he said anger in his tone.
He pointed to the crowd on the left side of the bridge, "I am not too sure, but I heard it from over there." Chouji now had a fire in his eyes and screamed at the top of his lungs. Everyone charged towards the bandits with them doing the same.
Chouji yelled, "Partial Expansion Jutsu." Both of his arms were now the size of a giant hammer knocking a lot of them off the bridge. "I am not fat. I AM BIG BONED!" he said slamming his fists on the bridge.
Naruto was using his new taijutsu style the Hummingbird Fist to dispose of the bandits and hired men. He liked this style as it relied on a little bit of everything to overload the enemy. Shikamaru was using his brain as usual while Ino had used her Mind Transfer Jutsu on a big bandit to handle the rest of them. Sakura stayed back and watched the fight happening while Sasuke was knocked out next to her. Kakashi and Asuma were killing those necessary while Zabuza made his way close to Gato.
It wasn't long before Naruto was running low on steam, and he started to hear the fox again. "Kid you have about 8 minutes before you are face first on the ground. Your injuries are healing very slowly compared to usual because of the ice user so hurry up with whatever you are doing."
He couldn't agree more because now the bandits were cutting him up a little more than he would like. There were decent-sized gashes on him now to add to the senbon wounds from earlier.
Zabuza was now nearing Gato and Gato was freaking out hoping he would be stopped. Zabuza may have been getting cut and slashed at, but he kept going. Before Gato could move, he felt a big pain in his side, and he saw that the kunai Zabuza had in his move was now stabbed into his side. Gato coughed up blood and fell into the water below. Zabuza smiled as he got his revenge.
By this point, the bandits were knocked out and dealt with and they were left with very tired people standing on the bridge. Zabuza was feeling light-headed, and he was about to fall when he felt an arm around his body. He looked to see Asuma holding him up. "Asuma Sarutobi, please bring me to Haku. I am not going to be around much longer. I want to be next to him," he said in a quiet voice. Asuma nodded, carrying him towards his son in all but blood. He laid him down gently next to him.
Everyone including Tazuna was standing around the two. Zabuza looked at Naruto before saying, "Be a good shinobi kid. Be better than me. Don't be a demon. Thank you for showing me my wrongs, even if it was too late to say it to Haku." Naruto nodded. He was getting ready to pass out soon. He was seeing black around his eyes.
Zabuza shakily put his hand towards Haku's head and rubbed it ever so gently. "I am sorry Haku. Please forgive me. I know that it is too late for that now, but I hope to meet you in the next life. Thank you for staying by my side. Always." He put his hand down by his side and intertwined it with Haku before slowly succumbing to his wounds and dying.
Everyone remained silent for the next minute. That was when they heard a horde of people coming towards them. The mist slowly started to clear but the snow remained. There was the town of waves with Tsunami and Inari leading the helm. Tazuna looked to see the two of them and smiled happily. He ran towards them embracing them into a hug.
"It's over guys. We just need to finish the bridge and we are home free." The three of them held each other for a minute longer before turning around to see the ninja. They walked towards them smiling.
"It was because of Naruto," said Inari.
"No…*cough…it wasn't, we did…*cough*…it," Naruto said wiping blood from his coughs and gesturing towards everyone.
That was when he felt an arm on his shoulder. It was Kakashi. He gave an eye smile. "Good job Naruto. You did well." Naruto smiled a faint smile before having his eyes roll into the back of his head falling on the ground.
"NARUTO!" yelled Team 10. Kakashi looked on in horror when he saw Naruto was out and he didn't even notice Sasuke on the ground until now. Kakashi went to help Naruto but felt tremendous pain in his neck. He clutched at a spot on the back of his neck for a moment before noticing Sasuke again and walking towards him to pick him up. No one seemed to notice a faint green light glowing on the back of his neck before disappearing as if it was never there.
Asuma held onto him tightly hoping he would be alright. "Is he going to be alright Sensei," asked Ino worriedly. Asuma didn't respond as he got up to check his pouches. The kid didn't look good. He was pale and he didn't look like his normal self.
"I can't say Ino. We won't know until I get him back to the house." He looked up to see the crowd was cheering and still praising the end of terror from Gato.
"Listen, Tazuna-san I am going to go to your house as I was foolish enough to forget the medical supplies. Do you have any more, I need as much as possible," he said urgently.
Tazuna looked at Naruto and was shocked that he looked the way he did. "Of course, use whatever you need." Asuma nodded and bolted to the house with everyone else behind. Sasuke was being carried by Kakashi while Asuma was carrying Naruto bridal style. It took a minute for Jonin to get to the house and run inside.
Asuma turned to the others, "Bring all medical supplies we have. Hurry," he stated seriously.
Everyone ran to get the supplies while Asuma placed Naruto on the floor while he placed Sasuke in his bed to let him rest. He didn't have too many injuries, and nothing like some rest to heal.
Asuma started to rip off his clothes to see his injuries and what he saw shocked him. His back was filled with holes. His front side was full of cuts, lacerations, bruises, and blood. But what caught Asuma in the loop was how skinny this kid was. Without his long sleeve and mesh armor he looked very skinny.
"Damn kid, I thought pops said you heal like no tomorrow." He thought frustratingly.
Ino came running in with med kits and alcohol followed by the rest of team 10 and Sakura. Ino handed them to Asuma who said his thanks. That was when she laid eyes on Naruto. She saw the cuts and everything on his body and started to get teary-eyed. This was all the damage he had taken today and almost everything was done to protect her from Sasuke's substitution jutsu. Asuma looked back to see Ino like that and asked her, "What happened that he was made like this Ino," he asked a little more gently than normal.
Ino took a deep breath and bent down to help her sensei with the disinfectant. "We were looking for a way to free Sasuke and Naruto out of an Ice jutsu that the Haku guy made." Asuma raised an eyebrow. Only Sasuke and not her Sasuke-kun. Something happened. He glanced at her.
"That was when this butthole," she pointed at Sasuke in the bed. "Thought it was a great idea to substitute with me to take a hit on an attack." Asuma stopped wrapping his bandages around Naruto and looked at her. What he saw was Ino glaring daggers at Sasuke with Shikamaru and Chouji nodded in confirmation. Asuma shook his head. He needed to finish up with Naruto and go have a cigarette, this was a long day already.
Sakura chimed in, "There had to be a reason why he did that Ino. He wouldn't have done it otherwise." Ino wiped her head around so fast that you heard it crack.
"AND WHAT WOULD THAT BE! Do you see Naruto right now," she said pointing at him.
"He is lying there almost dead because he took the attack that was meant for Sasuke when he used that jutsu on me. Your teammate is damn near dead, and you still are trying to justify a reason why Sasuke did that." Ino's snap caused Sakura to flinch and step away a bit.
"Guys can you help me move him to the bed?" asked Asuma. "You can put him on my bed sensei," said Shikamaru. He nodded. Asuma grabbed from under his armpits while Shikamaru and Chouji grabbed his lower body. They slowly moved him to bed and rested him on it gently. He was covered head to toe in bandages with most of the damage on his upper body and backside.
"How is he Asuma-sensei?" asked Shikamaru. Asuma let out a long sigh. "I may not be a medic but from what I can tell he will be fine. He just needs a few days, and he should be as good as new," staring at the Genin.
"But still sensei, he shouldn't be alive. How is he going to be ok from all that damage he took," asked Chouji rubbing his arm.
"Listen, come to the living room, and let him rest," he said shooing them out and shutting the door.
The four genin sat down in the living room with Asuma sitting right across from them. Kakashi was leaning on the door frame near them listening. "Well, this isn't a lie, but it isn't the truth either. It's better to keep his secret a secret for a little bit longer." He thought.
"I will say this once so listen. Shikamaru and Chouji know this already, but Naruto is part of a clan. The Uzumaki clan. The clan itself has a very high chakra potency and in turn allows them to heal at incredible rates and have injuries that not many others can recover from. The Senju clan is the same way," he said. He got the reactions he expected to get from the girls because this was knowing information. They were shocked mainly because Naruto was from a clan. Shikamaru and Chouji were shocked by the healing ability that he had.
"Well, at least he will be alight," said Ino.
"Aside from that, we need a serious discussion Kakashi," he said standing up in front of him.
NARUTO'S MINDSCAPE
Naruto opened his eyes to see he was in a hallway with pipes lining the hallway, and steam coming out of the sides of the pipes. "What the hell? Why am I in a sewer? And why am I not getting wet from this water," asked in succession wading his feet through the hallway.
He continued to walk down the hall until he saw a giant open room with a large cage in the middle. He slowly walked towards the cage when saw two large eyes staring back at him. The light adjusted in the room, and he now could see the creature that nearly destroyed the Leaf Village. The Nine-Tailed Fox.
"Well, if it isn't my jailer. Come to visit me now did you," he said grunting out the words.
"Uh, yeah. What's up." He asked, not sure what to say. The fox sweatdropped.
"Did you seriously just say "what's up" to the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox."
"Yeah. I would assume that is a customary greeting but anyway why am I here," he asked staring at him. He was the size of a mountain, making him feel like an ant.
"You are here because we need to discuss something. I have been watching from the inside of this seal that the Fourth Hokage has placed me in that you are training and bettering yourself. I will say I am impressed at your progression, but I should say that you need to be way better," he said leaning his face into his hand.
"Hey now you fox, I am using shadow clones to speed up my training. I do not how to make it go faster than what I am doing anyway," he said puffing his cheeks out.
"And like I said, you are progressing at a nice rate, but I realized something. There is a great evil coming to the elemental nations and I can feel it. The reason why I have called you here is because I am going to help you become strong but not for the reason you think. You see, the Fourth Hokage decided this god-forsaken seal in a way where if you die, I am going to die."
"What is this evil then that is so bad?" he asked.
"I will say it is way worse than Zabuza. I saw it in a vision that a man with a Sharingan will try to take over the war for himself. I have an idea who it is. But we will talk about it later. The point is to continue to get better and get stronger and everything will be fine. I may even show you how to use my power. You can go and leave. I have taken care of the poison that Ice User used, and you should be on the way to recovery."
Naruto just nodded dumbly, "Wait what is your name, or do you not have one?"
That surprised him. He had never been asked his name by a human before. Ever. Not even the two other Uzumaki containers that he was held in before. He debated on not telling him, but he felt he should.
"My name is Kurama. But don't mistake this for my kindness. I am the mighty Nine-Tailed Fox, and I could kill you in a second if I wanted to. This deal we have is because I would like to live and see the next day," he yelled.
Naruto nodded franticly, "OK, OK, OK." He started to fade away and the last thing he saw was the fox turning back into his cage to take a nap.
2 DAYS LATER
Naruto awoke to birds chirping in the background. He opened his eyes looking up at the gray ceiling he had gotten used to for the past week or so. He slowly sat up realizing he was sore from the fight. The window next to him was open and it appeared that he was in Shikamaru's bed when he was resting there. He felt cold and when he looked down, he didn't have his shirt on. He looked at the table beside him and saw his fishnet armor and long sleeve was torn to shreds with holes and cuts on it.
He sat up on the bed putting his feet on the floor, getting a feel for the ground. He slowly stood up moving around to get used to his body. His body would be fine, it just sucks dealing with a sore body. He went into his backpack to grab another long-sleeved shirt. He was in the middle of putting it on when he heard the door open. He grunted slightly, moving the shirt around his body. When he looked towards the door, he saw Ino. Ino stood there in shock and happiness. Naruto just stood there with a foxy grin on his face and waved at her.
"Oh hey, how are you doing InoooOWWWWW!" He was then tackled onto the bed when Ino jumped onto him enveloping him into a big hug. She put her head into the crook of his neck while smiling. Naruto didn't know what do to in this situation. Tazuna and his family had done this a couple of times, but he didn't know how to react to it, so he let his arms lay limb beside him.
"I wanted to say thank you Naruto, for saving my life. It means a lot to me. More than you know," she said quietly.
"Oh, it was no problem, Ino," he said with his arms still at his side.
Ino was getting a little impatient waiting for him to wrap his arms around her. She looked at him glaring lightly, "Are you going to hug me or what?" she asked, waiting for him to do so.
"Is that what is called? What do I do?" he asked genuinely.
Ino didn't hide the surprised look on her face. "What do you mean what do you do? You just wrap your arms around the person you are hugging and that is a hug."
He gently put his hands on her back wrapping them around her. "Like this then." Ino nodded.
"This feels pretty nice though," he said to them still holding on to each other. "That is the point of the hug idiot," she hit him lightly before getting up and staring at him. "Naruto be honest with me. When was the last time you had a hug?"
He sat up on the bed next to her, "Well Tsunami and Tazuna gave me one, but I reacted the same way I did with you a bit ago. But I would have to say when the old man gave me my apartment. So, when I was like 4 years old."
"What do you mean four years old? There is no way you went that long without a hug," she said getting up off the bed with Naruto following in suit.
"What's the big deal, Ino." He didn't know why she was getting this upset.
"The deal is people need so much physical affection in their life and when you don't get that affection, people feel deprived and different," she said worriedly.
"But I am fine though," he said patting himself down.
"Naruto…" she said sighing.
"Is that Naruto I hear?" asked Chouji.
Naruto left the room with Ino following behind him. Naruto made his way down the hall to see Team 10 in the living room eating lunch. He smiled his foxy smile at the guys before walking towards them.
"What's up guys, what's the low down," he asked.
"Not much just your team went to go and guard Tazuna. The bridge is almost done. Then we can be done with this troublesome mission," sighed Shikamaru.
Naruto then realized something. "I'll be right back," he said walking to the door but was stopped by Shikamaru's Shadow Possession.
"Naruto don't do it," stated Shikamaru.
"But that idiot was trying to kill Ino," he said trying to struggle out of it.
Ino came up to him and stood in front of him. "Asuma-sensei took care of it while you were out of the count. So don't worry about it. He said the Hokage is going to take care of it." Naruto could only nod as Shikamaru undid the jutsu.
"What of Zabuza and Haku?" he asked a little sad.
"We gave them a burial. Their graves are near the bridge," said Chouji. Naruto nodded. He would have to visit them.
"So, nothing interesting happened while I was out," asked Naruto.
"Well. You have been out for about 2 days. The people of Wave are celebrating its heroes but there is particularly one of them. That "One of them is you," said Asuma going to the kitchen.
Naruto did not have any words for that. "Wh..what do you mean me, I didn't exactly do anything."
Asuma sighed, "Quit being humble and accept you did good for the Land of Waves. From what I know is that this entire mission you have been coming up with sound ideas from out of nowhere you should be proud of how well you did and how far you have come since the academy."
Naruto nodded before Asuma got his attention once again. "Naruto what is your IQ?"
"If it was that weird test back in the academy, then I think that I got like a 90 when they handed it back."
Everyone faces faulted. Recovering from that Shikamaru got up and said, "Naruto with the plans that you came up with. There is no way you have a 90 IQ. That is on the verge of being mentally dumb."
"Well, whatever it is isn't important right now as I am starving," he said patting his stomach. He then went to the kitchen, made himself some food, and enjoyed the company around him.
2 DAYS LATER
Team 7 and 10 were standing at the bridge with a mass of people on the completed bridge. After both teams took part in the festival about the Liberation from Gato, they had to pack up to head back to the Leaf Village. Naruto was hailed as the Hero of Wave, and everyone celebrated what he did. Ranging from giving money to the people to fighting bandits on the bridge, and to even saving his comrade's life when the moment was dire. Naruto felt something he thought he would never feel before. Satisfaction, acknowledgement, and even genuine happiness. People appreciated what he did for the country, and he was looked on as a person to be known for his good deeds. However, he made sure that the other people realized that it wasn't just him who saved them but rather Teams 7 and 10. It also gave him hope to look forward to that one day the Leaf Village civilians and Shinobi will look up to him and not think of him as a demon.
Tazuna and his family stood in front of them giving their goodbyes. Tazuna did a hearty laugh, "Be sure to come by sometime. You guys are always welcome in the Land of Waves."
"Oh, we will," said Kakashi pulling his book out but not before putting it back in his pouch after a glare from Tsunami.
Tsunami knelt and kissed Naruto, Shikamaru, and Chouji on the cheeks. "You have been the nicest boys while you have been here. Be sure to never change that and become strong shinobi." This left three blushing Genin. She didn't give a glance at Sasuke, skipping over him and hugging the two kunoichi. "Same goes for you two."
"Safe travels everyone," Waved Tazuna. Inari was in tears wiping them away quickly hoping no one would notice. That was when he saw Naruto in front of him smiling. He places a hand on Inari's shoulder. "Listen, it is alright to cry. It means you have emotions. Be proud of that because not many people have them." Inari nodded but not before hugging him. Naruto hesitated a second but patted him on the head. Ino watched with a smile on her face.
After the goodbyes, Team Kakashi and Team Asuma made their way back to the Leaf Village. The crowd cheered them on as they waved back to the crowd. Naruto had already said goodbye to Haku and Zabuza, but he looked at the graves that were under some shade of the trees and smiled. Even if their interactions were brief, they affected each other's lives for the better.
When the Tazuna couldn't see them anymore he turned to the people of Wave and said, "In honor of our Hero. I have decided to name the bridge the Great Naruto Bridge. To the ninja that gave us hope when all was lost, to the ninja that made the effort to help when we didn't, and to be our light when we were in our darkness. To Naruto Uzumaki. The Hero of Wave." The people of Wave erupted into cheers and whistles praising the idea and loving it. With that, Naruto Uzumaki made a footprint into the world of ninja.