Chapter One; Morning Mist

Land of Eddies; Cliffside

Atop a cliff face of an island long thought abandoned, ruined by time, stood a man of sixteen years, staring out at the distant whirlpools that have, for time immortal, protected his home. Clipping his full-face mask on to his belt, this teen stands in his full shinobi attire of Black leather boots, loose black cargo trousers wrapped at the three points; around each armoured shin plate to keep them clear and halfway up his right calf where a pouch full of kunai. His light navy shirt covered with a dark navy leather like scaled jacket with a metal plate of a whirlpool upon his left breast.

"…we have a mission, Naruto-sama." A voice from behind calling out to this young shinobi, drawing his attention as he glances back with his ruby-violet eyes peering back at his closest confident "Karin…?" his shoulder length scarlet horsetail flowed in the ocean breeze as he fully turns back to her, his other half since they both arrived back home to this ruined isle "…we have a mission to get to…" the red headed woman says softly into the wind that carried over to him on the cliffs edge, her uniform matching his "…okay." as he steps towards her "Rhena-sama, and Ashina-sama are requesting our presence." and the two begin to stroll back to the village "It still feels a bit wired, right?" she continues and he nods "We spent years in there…" Naruto responds as they return to a worn dirt road "…but out here only mere hours."
"I wouldn't change it for the world." Karin states grasping his hands, their fingers intertwining with practiced ease "We aren't kids anymore. Our minds and bodies are that of seventeen-year-olds so…"
"So our duties to the revival and protection of the clan have increased. You heard what the council said, their ruling is law, neither of us are free for ourselves…" he says as he faces her with a serious look, her face turning a slight pink hue "…though we were lucky, falling for one another…"
"Who said I fell for you?" growled Karin only to be hit with a glare so predatorial it would have caused even the mighty lions to squeak like a house kitten; she blushed hard.

With a face as red as her hair Karin "I FELL FOR YOU KAY, DATTEBI!" crying out and his gaze softens "The clans hopes are resting on us both." She nods along to his words "Yes, we rescued the Uchiha from slaughter. Yes, we picked up the Yuki clan from scattering to the winds; and yes, the Namikaze clan is rebuilding alongside us, but our enemies are not idle either." A growl escapes both their throats as they think of the most prominent threat they've faced thus far "Root…" she spits the name as if acid "Not just them though…" the clan heir states staring off to the horizon "Thanks to the Uchiha, we now know of another group; S-rank shinobi pooling together for a plan involving the Bijuu."
"That means…" she almost whispered and he nodded "According to Kuruma-sama, there is only one reason as to why one would try to unite them but refused to say why."
"Is that why he was moved into the…"
"Yes. Having a container out in the open would have been asking for trouble." Naruto says while rubbing where his seal once stood. "Well, we better get moving." Glancing back to her with a big goofy smile.

In an underground chamber, lit by glowing pieces of paper, was filled with a group of three elderly individuals sitting seizer or lotus in the centre. These were the clan council of the Uzumaki clan, a clan betrayed by their closest allies, crushed by their shared foes and long thought destroyed but a sliver of red remained and now slowly the clan of less than twenty redheads remain of the few hundred. Despite this the survivors had regrouped, rebuilt, and regrown their numbers using their clan specialty to full effect.

Now standing before this council, Naruto Uzumaki, current heir of the clan and son of two of the greatest leaf shinobi since the Village's founding but now having returned to his roots he kneels before his forebears, his crimson katana presented "I, Naruto Uzumaki, present myself before this council." Speaking formally despite the snickering at his back "Welcome my grandson." The man sitting centre right of the four "We need you to head to Wave country." Naruto raised his head "Wave? A request from the Daimyo?" a suitable question as the Uzumaki clan's home lays off the shore with Wave a protectorate from before the genocide.

The old man shakes his head before removing his hands from his robe's sleeves, revealing a scroll with the hidden mist insignia present "Take this and deliver it Zabuza Momochi. Our sources have spotted him heading to Wave with three others. Your orders are to find him, deliver the scroll, and await his reply." Naruto retrieved the scroll and scanned the contents, "A search and retrieval mission?" they nod "The final battle is upon the resistance. We shall deploy two squads to assist them. Momochi will be a welcome blade to assist in this." The female elder states "What if he refuses?" Naruto asks but no one offers a response which was his answer, "I see. Then besides Karin, who else will be…"
"Uzumaki Honoka and Yuki Sena will be your back up." Naruto's grandfather explains and the teen nods "So, the new arrivals are already integrated?"
"Indeed."

"We also have a secondary objective for your team." The elderly woman states and Naruto raised an eyebrow to this "The Wave Daimyo hasn't been keeping us up to date with Waves condition in recent weeks. Find out why and correct it."
"I'll check in with him after the mission." Naruto tucks the scroll into a back pouch upon his lower back. "You leave immediately." and Naruto and his companions immediately vanish in a swirls of water, appearing at the entrance to the ruined village gates "You acting formal is freaky." Karin states with a small shudder "He did admirably." Honoka responds stepping beside the duo, "I concur." Sena adds "Regardless…" Naruto ignoring Karin's mischievous smirk "…Wave's only a few hours away at full speed. We'll aim for midday arrival, so we'll travel in full disguise…" he was cut off by a passionate kiss from Karin "Instead, we'll put them on when we get close, right?" the dazed teen leader simply nods, and she smirks with a nod "Good."
"…and he's meant to be the clan head?" Sena comments a metaphoric eyebrow raised "It's an Uzumaki thing. The only thing that can stop a stubborn Uzumaki man is an even more stubborn Uzumaki woman."
"So, you could handle him?" Sena asks causing the three red heads to all turn to the lone brunette, then to the short haired sceptical woman who sighs hard "Not a chance…"

Land of Wave; Incomplete bridge

The Uzu Squad approaches the Land of Waves just before noon yet notice an unusually thick mist over part of the island which causes Naruto to look to his fiancée. She nods in confirmation of his thoughts, and he signs to cover up and just as swiftly their figures are blocked out by black coats and white masks with a Kiri, hidden mist, face plate marked with four wavy lines in place of the normal three, their clan crest beneath it. The four shinobi split into two groups, one heading directly into the mist made up of Naruto and Karin while Honoka and Sena move towards the exposed area.

Sounds of combat can be heard within the mist as the two new arrivals land silently between the combatants, a wind jutsu blasting the mist away with their blades drawn against blades stopping all combat "More fake hunters?" the silver haired Jonin of the leaf asks as he looks over the new mask that stands before him in a defensive position "Zabuza Momochi?" Naruto asks in front of the bound missing ninja, currently bound by numerous ninja dogs summoned by the leaf shinobi "Who's asking?!" he growls before Naruto pulls out a scroll from his back pouch, unrolling it for him to read "You are being recalled. Your services are needed for the upcoming fight."

The bulky swordsman of the mist reads the article presented before him "Kid, this true? We pushed them back?" only for the masked man to simply nod "Will you respond to the call?"
"Will I get to fight that mad man?" the missing ninja growls and another nod confirms this "Then, get me out of this and lead the way." immediately the dogs were cut through in a single swift motion. "HEY!" the leaf shinobi growls charging up a lightning jutsu in his right arm, but it was squashed swiftly by a seal suddenly appearing on his chest, applied by the hunter shinobi before him which shut down his chakra system. Zabuza retrieves his blade from the concrete before looking to the hunters and notices the irregularities of their uniforms, paired with their red metal blades, and realises who they are.

"Oh, your…" he pauses upon noticing one pulling up a finger over where their mouth would be, and he nods before glancing over at the leaf shinobi "Guess our battle is over. We have business elsewhere." As he says that his partner, an ice wielder by the name of Haku, appears along with the other two Uzu members and the bridge builder "Captain…" drawing Naruto's attention "…this is Tazuna. He is the one who called the leaf shinobi here." A nod before the leader looks to the scruffy looking old man "Tazuna-san, why were we not informed? Surely you are aware of our previous agreement?" the civilian nods "I'm sorry, Uz…" he pauses upon seeing the finger come up, following the gaze to the struggling leaf shinobi "…ahem… but our Daimyo's palace has been turned into a fortress. We do not even know if he's alive still."

The Uzu Shinobi all nod at that "In that case…" they all turn to the mist swordsmen "Our other objective is to regain contact with him. Clear any problem that…" they all freeze sensing a large group approaching and the Uzu ninja all step past the gathered group, all drawing their scarlet-coloured blades standing in a line as bandits begin to file in along with a midget dressed up in a tux and suit "State your business." Naruto speaking monotone at the approaching force "Well, well, well… it seems you failed Zabuza. Perhaps these friends of yours will…"
"State your business." Naruto cutting him off once more. The small man sneers "I am Gaido, leader of Wave."
"You are not the Daimyo. State your business or die." Naruto states clearly as Zabuza steps up beside them his head chopping blade resting on his shoulder, blade up "He's killed the Daimyo. Trying to make this island his base of operations. He's a slime ball. I want his head, can you handle the rest?" the most swordsmen asks, glancing at his new allies.

"It will be done, Captain Momochi." Nauto replies and all five charge forward and the leaf ninja watched the force of nearly two-hundred bodies be reduced to a bloody mess with the last, the business tycoon himself, being beheaded by the now blood covered Zabuza. It happened quickly, decisively, and with the utmost professionalism in the art of efficient killing. The Hidden Leaf shinobi, the conscious ones, would later report to their leaders how terrifyingly effective the mist Anbu team was in butchering wholesale.

Land of Wave; Daimyo's estate

The Uzu-mist team arrive at the estate to find it largely abandoned with scant number of bandits as defenders which were promptly disposed of. They find warehouse full of contraband and captives, with Naruto barely containing his rage at the snivelling runt of a bastard formally known as Gado "That bastard…" he growls at the state of the woman and children kept in cages in various state of decay "Captains…" Sena calls out drawing both Naruto's and Zabuza's attention "…we've confirmed the death of the previous Daimyo."
"Successor?" Naruto asks and she shakes her head "He has one but we…"
"She seems to be elsewhere." Karin dropping down "We'll have to put out word. For now, we must move on with our next mission." They all nod "For now though…" he turns back to the direction of the bridge "…let's leave the bridge builder; Tazuna was it?" receiving nods "We will leave him in charge and move on." Turning to the reinstated Anbu Captain "Captain Momochi. Please be ready to move in an hour."
"No sweat." The swordsman responds before leaving with his apprentice. Naruto then turns back to the warehouse "Now then…" he places his finger in a cross "…Shadow clone Jutsu." The others seeing this do the same and together along with over a hundred solid clones, began to help the people get home and cleaned up.

Land of Wave; Town

The people watched as a group of masked Ninja arrive carrying their friends and family down toward the town from the direction of the crime lord's manor. People rushed over to help, and many families are reunited with plenty tears shed and thanks exchanged. Among the crowd comes Tazuna and his family who watch in awe "Tazuna-san." Naruto calls stepping out from the crowd "Shinobi-san; I don't know how to thank you enough."
"No need." Naruto responds with a shake of his head "On behalf of our village, we must apologise for not responding sooner. We should have been here sooner." his fist clenched so tightly it trembled, bowing at waist profusely.

"Kid." Tazuna sighs placing a soft hand on his shoulder, forcing him to stand tall "From the looks of it, you guys are young and no doubt very busy. It was our fault for not calling upon you but that is neither here nor there." The masked teen looks up at the smiling man "You did good. So again, thank you for helping us out." Naruto nods at him again "Tazuna-san." Karin stepping forward gaining the man's attention "We have confirmed the death of the Daimyo of the Waves. As such, until we locate his daughter, will you lead this land? We could ask for our elders to come and help but I think everyone here would be more comfortable with you in charge." This caught the crowd's attention with many murmurs and cheers soon erupt leaving the choice a moot point "Fine." A growl from the aged man "…but only after we finish the bridge."
"That is agreeable. We will send word back to our village and have a patrol come through to check up on you all periodically." Naruto states as Zabuza and Haku arrive, drawing the attention of everyone nearby "Alright, we're packed. Let's get moving, we got another country to save."
"You got it, Captain Momochi!" the Uzu all bellow before Naruto returns his gaze to Tazuna "Will you be okay on your own?" after receiving a nod "What about the leaf shinobi?" Zabuza snorts, that leaf team was nothing but brats pretending to be shinobi. He didn't voice that though, instead looking to his new ally.

"They won't be an issue. If they ask for more money, then take it from that fat midget. Don't let yourselves be indebted to them." Naruto instructs somewhat forcefully causing the scruffy old man to nod immediately. "Now then…" he looks to his new companions "…are you ready to depart?"
"yeah we are, why?" the bandage wearing man asks as the mask glances around at the gathered crowd "As much as we all want to head back, I want to help them rebuild even if a little." Naruto says with his voice trailing off at the end. The brief pause lingered before they all nod "Fine. We'll run patrols and ensure we got them all." Zabuza announces and Naruto nods in agreement.

Before the missing nin could leave, the Uzu team leader pulls out an unscratched Hidden Mist headband and presents it "To prevent any misunderstandings." Zabuza nodded as he pulls off his old plate, looking down at it for a long moment before folding it carefully and deliberately. After securing it in his own pouch, he reaches for the one presented, it was worn and has definitely seen combat causing the man to look up at the masked visage before him "We've been fighting in the civil war for the last six months." Naruto shrugging off the unasked question.

Having replaced his scratched out headband, "Very well." He nodded before vanishing, his partner a female by the name of Haku Yuki looked to Sena who nodded, smiled before masks were replaced and jumped off after her master. Naruto then turns to his team "Let's do this!" with all their hands making a familiar hand sign.

Land of Wave; Tazuna's House

After two days within the Land of Waves, the town has taken a hundred percent turn around now looking like an actual town. An orphanage had been set up for the parentless children and a new hospital sprung up near the centre of town to cater for the wounded and traumatised; it was staffed by a pair of Uzu's apprentice doctors on a short-term mission.

The Uzu-Mist team was escorted Tazuna back to the house after another day of work within the town, which had delayed the bridge somewhat, and the long-awaited confrontation between the Uzu and Leaf teams was finally about to take place "…it's all thanks to you all, so please allow us to cook for you this one time." Tazuna bellows as they arrive outside his house "I am sorry, Tazuna-san, we have to leave. We have delayed long enough."
"I see…" the old man sighs down casted causing the Uzu team to smile softly beneath their masks "We will return once our next mission is over to check on things." Karin states before they all stiffen, turning to look at the newly arrived Konoha team's Jonin leader appears in a leaf shunshin "Yo."
"Can we help you leaf Jonin Kakashi Hatake?" Naruto asks monotone as to not give off any of the contempt for the hidden leaf slip out.

His team all look to the silver haired man staring back at them "Are with the Mist?"
"Our mission here is done. You may continue to assist Tazuna-san until the bridge has finished construction. After which you are to depart immediately; No discussions." Naruto states and raises his hand when the leaf ninja attempts to cut in at the end

"Are you sure? We could just do it ourselves." Tazuna asks looking at them and they all nod "You asked them for assistance. Paid for a mission. We will not interfere now." Sena adds "We have sent word ahead; our patrols will expand to encompass this town and the bridge. You will be safe." Tazuna was almost brought to tears by this and bows his head "Thank you; thank you so much." but the four Uzu-Ninja shock their heads "No need to thank us, we just hope to make it up to you all about coming around so late. This never should have happened."
"Sorry to interrupt…" Kakashi cutting in "…but this was a C-rank mission turned A-rank when your swordsmen showed up."
"You want compensation?" Zabuza growls, arms folding across his chest "I stood down and…" he pauses when Naruto raised his hand "When he did, you should have returned home with your Genin team; standard operating procedure for the hidden village after a client gave faulty information, correct?" they all spotted the subtle stiffening of the elite Jonin "You will receive the C-rank pay but do not push it or next time we meet…" as they all hold their blade handles. The threat was thick, definite, and very real which worried the A-Rank Jonin.

"You think you can stand against…"
"You barely stopped me, Kakashi, you think you can handle all of us?" Zabuza smirks before Honoka throws a kunai at a nearby tree, not even sparing it a glance though narrowly cutting a few strands of raven black hair; its owner's hands froze mid sign "Did you really think we didn't notice your chakra flaring for a fireball?" she adds as Haku and Sena both prepare ice kunai, a clear sign of improvement on Haku's part, and stalking toward the hidden Uchiha.

"…or you there behind the wall, those ink pets of yours are useless against us." Naruto adds casually "To think a member of Root would be here. We have standing orders to kill any of you vermin we come across." Drawing his crimson blade with graceful confidence "…oh and, none of your little notes got home so your master is unaware of your situation." The pale teen was both surprised and disturbed that these people not only detected him, discerned his techniques, blocked his communication, and directly threatened him. A cold sweat ran down the leaf nins who were clearly at a disadvantage, but Naruto turns to Tazuna "We will be leaving now. We'll see you later." his words were accompanied by his squad all putting their weapons away or dispelling and vanishing from sight.

Land of Wave; Harbour

"Are you serious?" Gōzu bellows much to the annoyance of the group. He was promptly slapped across his head "Shut it." Zabuza growls "The rebellion is about to launch its final assault on the village itself. We need to get there to help out."
"Then, what are we waiting for?" Meizu questioned which caused the former ninja swordsmen to growl again "YOU FOOLS!" he yells without shouting causing them both to flinch "Sorry to interrupt but we really need to get moving." Naruto chiming in, calmly from the side with his squad at his back. The mist ninja all looks to him before Zabuza nods while shooting his two subordinates a nasty glare, "…then let's get movin!" Naruto says as the Uzu team all jumped away, landing on the water and began gliding across it at high speed that was far superior to that of the mist team could fathom "Whoa." Meizu comments "Well, they are from Uzu." Haku adds before running off to catch up alongside her master and the others.

Seeing as they were out front Karin displaced her mask to enjoy the flowing wind as they glided across the ocean, as if they were ice skating despite moving faster than most jet skies "Be careful!" Naruto says glancing over at the woman whose red hair flew in the wind, the hood that once concealed it lowered to allow its freedom "Did you say something?" she responds with a smirk as she performs several manoeuvres, skating around him before turning face to face with him without losing momentum "…HUH?" her face turning from mischievous to furious in but a moment. Despite the mask donning his face she could clearly tell he was somewhat flustered "…are you questioning me?" Naruto speaking softly which was far more threatening than most could manage, and she immediately settles back into the arrow formation at his left side, replacing her hood but leaving her mask on her hip allowing the wind to dance across her flushed face "Pervert." She whispered through her blush.

A/N: Refreshed and updated.