This chapter is always so hard to write but I don't regret it really. I just wish it didn't feel so vital to Naruto's path.

'To think one man, Gato of all people, would be responsible for so much malice and destruction that this entire nation is brought to it's knees.' Mika sighed, saddened by the darkness of the world. It was so unnecessary and cruel. They had just learned of Gato's evil from Tazuna on the boat ride over, discovering the evil deeds the man had committed from introducing drugs and slavery to a once peaceful and happy people.

An hour after they left the boat, as they made it through the oddly nice forested parts of Wave, Shin started to tense up on Mika's shoulders in time with Naruto throwing a Kunai at a rustling bush.

"Naruto, stop playing with Kunai!" Sakura screeched, bopping his head as it turned out to be a rabbit... a white rabbit.

Mika froze. 'Shin, what do you smell?'

The cat hissed. 'I Smell Chakra, big chakra, strong chakra. Coming fast.'

Mika turned to Kakashi. "We need to be careful, someone is... DUCK!" Mika screamed, dropping to a push up position as a giant sword radiating the smell of blood shot across the space they were all just standing in. Shooting up, Mika took a calculated risk and threw an explosive tag onto the sword, just before it jammed into a tree.

As a Ninja body flickered onto it's surface, Mika set off of the tag, shattering the blade into a dozen pieces and sending the man flying. Kakashi was there in the man's face, his once covered eye revealed to show a red glare. The two men fought brutally, with Kakashi using everything from spikes to kunai to taijutsu to best their attacker. After a long moment, Kakashi and the man ( Mika recognized him from the bingo book as Zabuza Momochi one of the Seven Swordsman) ended up matching water dragons together.

Zabuza growled. "Hidden Mist Justu!" He cast out, a dense swatch of Mist covered the area, but it was too late for the man, as Kakashi's Kunai ended up in the man's chest, right where his heart was.

Or rather it would have, had the man not burst into water.

Shin's hiss was all it took for Mika to duck, dodging a kunai to the throat. Twisting, Mika slashed out with his blade, only for his blade to be caught by Zabuza who actually growled. "I owe you for my sword, you little shit." He foot slammed into Mika's chest, sending him flying back only Mika had been hit harder by Ibiki, so he flipped onto his feet despite his heavily bruised ribs. "You're going to be a hell of a bounty, kid."

Kakashi was there again, and the two jonin met in brutal combat so fast Mika could barely keep up. Realizing he had to get Tazuna to safety, Mika turned to the Old man. "We have to get out of here, you're our priority."

Tazuna didn't even get a say it as Mika grabbed him and they bolted, off into the distance and away from the battle. They got maybe three miles away before a rush of water filled the land beneath them before receding. Soon, ten minutes or so later, Naruto was there, growling at Mika.

"Why'd you leave? Those that abandon their comrades are less than scum."

Mika just rolled his eyes. "We are ninja, not monks or samurai. We obey our orders, it's that simple."

Shin sniffed at Naruto. 'That's the weird boy with too much chakra.'

'Too much chakra... hmm, I'll keep that in mind.' Keeping his face neutral, Mika asked. "Who won?"

"Kakashi sensei, obviously, but he passed out." Naruto's distress was high.

"Too much chakra expense I'd imagine... I can heal, let's go back."

Tazuna nodded. "My house isn't far... but boy, Naruto, what happened?"

And so Naruto wove the tale of Kakashi kicking ass until a Hunter Ninja pierced Zabuza's neck and took him away.

The story left a nasty taste in Mika's mouth. "And how did Team Seven actually help?"

Naruto just huffed. "We didn't abandon Kakashi like you did."

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.