Team 7, arranged in a diamond formation, made their way toward the Land of Waves. Naruto, his senses greatly expanded, scanned the surrounding area for potential threats, taking the lead and positioning himself ahead of Tazuna. Sasuki flanked Tazuna on his left, Sakura on his right, with Kakashi bringing up the rear, ever watchful.
Sakura, trying to engage their client in conversation, spoke to Tazuna. "So, Tazuna-san, what's Wave Country like? Since you hired us, I assume you don't have any ninjas of your own?"
Tazuna, taking a long swig from his sake bottle, responded, "That's correct. We don't have any ninja in our village. Our village is on an isolated island. I'm building this bridge to connect us to the mainland for trade, you see." Tazuna paused, taking another swig from his bottle.
Naruto, while listening to their conversation, noticed that Tazuna had conveniently sidestepped Sakura's question about the *nature* of Wave Country. This raised a red flag in Naruto's mind, making him suspicious of their client's true motives. He decided to remain silent for the moment, but he knew he would need to keep a close eye on Tazuna.
Suddenly, Naruto's heightened senses picked up two distinct chakra signatures up ahead. He subtly gestured to his team, signaling them to be on guard. As they approached the location of the signatures, they found only a seemingly innocuous puddle on the path.
Kakashi, ever cautious, instructed Naruto, "Naruto, act normal as we pass the puddle. Don't give anything away."
As they walked past the puddle, two Chunin-level ninja erupted from its depths, launching a surprise attack aimed directly at Tazuna. Naruto, reacting instinctively, was the first to move. He intercepted the attack with a swift kunai strike, simultaneously channeling lightning chakra through his body, shocking and paralyzing one of the ninja. Seizing the opportunity, Naruto swiftly stabbed the paralyzed ninja in the head, killing him instantly.
At the same moment, a Naruto shadow clone, acting in perfect coordination, pulled out multiple kunai attached to ninja wire and hurled them at the second ninja. The kunai wrapped around him, binding him tightly with the wire. With the ninja immobilized, Naruto performed a series of rapid hand seals and channeled lightning chakra through the wire, electrocuting the ninja until he screamed in agony before falling unconscious. With his task complete, the clone dispelled.
Tazuna, Sakura, and even Sasuki were visibly impressed by Naruto's lightning-fast reflexes and decisive action. Sakura, however, was also slightly shaken, as this was her first real taste of combat. Naruto walked over to the ninja he had killed and efficiently sealed the body away in a storage scroll. These were the Demon Brothers, notorious criminals listed in the Bingo Book. Naruto knew he would be able to claim the bounty for their capture.
Kakashi, his eyes narrowed, was observing Tazuna closely. The ninja had clearly targeted Tazuna specifically, rather than attacking the entire team. Kakashi walked over to the bound ninja and woke him from unconsciousness with a sharp kick to the ribs. "Why were you targeting the bridge builder?" Kakashi asked, his voice low and menacing.
"Fuck you! I'm not talking," the ninja spat back defiantly.
Kakashi simply nodded, a dangerous glint in his eye, and dragged the ninja away into the nearby forest. He was going to extract the information from him, one way or another. Soon after, the air was filled with the sounds of agonizing screams as Kakashi employed his interrogation techniques. After he had gleaned all the information he needed, Kakashi swiftly silenced the ninja, slitting his throat. "Naruto," he called out, "can I borrow one of those body storage scrolls?"
Naruto tossed a scroll to him, and Kakashi efficiently sealed the body inside. He then turned to Tazuna, his expression serious. "Why did you lie about the mission?" he asked, his voice firm. "This is more like an S-rank mission than a C-rank. You should have paid for a higher-ranked mission." Kakashi was genuinely angry, as Tazuna's deception could have easily gotten his inexperienced Genin team killed.
Tazuna, looking down in shame, mumbled, "Well… I had no choice. Wave Country is a poor nation. We couldn't afford to pay for a higher-ranked mission. I apologize for putting your team in danger."
Kakashi considered this for a moment. "Well, based on protocol, we should abandon the mission," he said. "This is way above our pay grade, especially for Genin."
Naruto, however, stepped forward, his expression determined. "I'm staying," he declared. "It's obvious this country needs major help. I'm not abandoning people who are in trouble." Tazuna looked at him with a glimmer of hope.
Kakashi then looked at Sakura and Sasuki. "Well, what do you two think?"
"I say we continue," Sasuki said, her voice firm.
Sakura, although hesitant, nodded in agreement. "I think we should continue as well."
Kakashi, seeing the determination in his students' eyes, nodded. "You're lucky, Tazuna," he said, his tone softening slightly. "We will continue, but we expect to receive proper payment when Wave Country gets back on its feet. And you will tell us *everything* about the situation. No more lies."
Tazuna, overwhelmed with relief, nodded gratefully. "Thank you all so much," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I promise we will repay you. You have my word."
With that, the group continued on their way, the atmosphere now charged with a sense of shared purpose. They eventually reached a small dock where a rickety boat was waiting for them. They boarded the boat, and the boatman began rowing them toward Wave Country.
As they were crossing the small bay, Kakashi asked, "So, Tazuna-san, care to tell us the *whole* story about how Wave Country became so poor?"
Tazuna, his face etched with sadness, began to explain. "Well, it all started with a rich and powerful man named Gato. He took over our island, you see."
Kakashi's ears perked up. "Gato… as in Gato of Gato Shipping?"
Tazuna nodded grimly. "That's correct. But the shipping company is just a front to hide his true business. Gato gained his wealth mainly from smuggling drugs and human trafficking. He set his sights on Wave Country and systematically drained all our resources. That's why I have to finish this bridge. It's the only way to strip Gato of his power and bring trade back to our shores. He knows that, which is why he hired those ninja to assassinate me."
The team was visibly affected by Tazuna's story. Naruto, his resolve strengthened, was even more determined to help Tazuna and the people of Wave Country. The rest of Team 7 shared his sentiment.
In the distance, the outline of a huge, unfinished bridge came into view. Team 7 was impressed by its sheer size and ambition. "Wow," Naruto remarked, a hint of awe in his voice. "Who knew an old drunk could build something like this?"
"Why you little brat!" Tazuna exclaimed, his face reddening. "I'm Tazuna, the *super* bridge builder! Of course, *I* can build this!"
Naruto, never one to resist a good-natured tease, continued, "Sure, sure, Drunky."
Kakashi, sensing the rising tension, intervened. "Okay, Naruto, that's enough teasing," he said, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Naruto pouted. "You're no fun, Kakashi-sensei."
After another thirty minutes, the boat reached a small dock on the Wave Country side. The team disembarked and continued on their way. As they walked, Naruto suddenly sensed a large chakra signature lurking in the bushes ahead. He swiftly unsealed a kunai and threw it in the direction of the signature. A white rabbit, startled by the sudden intrusion, jumped out of the bushes and scurried away.
"Wow, Naruto," Sasuki joked, a rare smile gracing her lips. "You're scared of rabbits now?"
But Naruto and Kakashi were both dead serious. "Get down!" they yelled in unison. Kakashi tackled Tazuna to the ground, while Naruto, moving with lightning speed, tackled Sasuki and Sakura just in the nick of time to avoid a massive, descending blade. The enormous sword embedded itself deep into a nearby tree. A tall, muscular figure with tanned skin appeared on the hilt of the sword. He wore blue striped pants with no shirt, and cow-print arm warmers. His lower face was covered in bandages, and his headband was worn sideways. Both Kakashi and Naruto instantly recognized him: Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist.
"Well," Zabuza said, his voice deep and menacing, "it's no wonder those Demon Brothers didn't make it if they went up against Kakashi the Copy Ninja."
Kakashi stepped forward, his hand moving instinctively toward his headband. "Zabuza Momochi, huh?" he said. "With you as my opponent, I'll need this." Kakashi then pulled up his headband, revealing his left eye – the Sharingan. Both Sakura and Sasuki gasped in surprise. Was he…...was he a Uchiha?" they wondered. Naruto, having known Kakashi for years, was already aware of his Sharingan.
"Manji formation, now!" Kakashi ordered, his voice sharp and commanding.
The team instantly shifted into the designated formation, with Sakura and Sasuki protecting Tazuna in the center, and Naruto and Kakashi facing Zabuza.
"I'm honored you know me," Kakashi said, his voice steady. "Kakashi the Copy Ninja."
Zabuza smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. He effortlessly pulled his massive sword from the tree, the earth groaning as it was freed, and landed gracefully on the surface of the water, which rippled beneath his feet. He then performed a series of rapid hand seals, his movements fluid and precise. "Hidden Mist Jutsu!" he exclaimed.
Instantly, the surrounding area was enveloped by an incredibly thick fog, laced with Zabuza's chakra, making it nearly impossible to see. The world was reduced to a swirling white void.
Naruto, reacting quickly, performed his own set of hand seals. "Wind Style: 360 Shockwave!" he yelled, unleashing a powerful blast of wind that swept outwards in all directions, tearing through the mist and revealing Zabuza standing on the water, his sword held casually in one hand.
"Dammit," Zabuza cursed, his eyes narrowing. "I hate wind users."
Kakashi, seizing the opportunity, rushed towards Zabuza, engaging him in a high-speed taijutsu battle. Their movements were a blur, fists and feet colliding in a flurry of motion.
"That's an impressive kid you have there," Zabuza remarked, as he pushed back against Kakashi, their blades clashing.
Kakashi simply nodded, his focus entirely on his opponent. He then jumped back, creating some distance between them.
Zabuza, not giving him a moment to rest, created a water clone of himself. Both Zabuza and his clone then attacked Kakashi simultaneously, their movements perfectly synchronized. Kakashi, though skilled, was overwhelmed by the coordinated assault. He managed to dispel the water clone, but was caught off guard by Zabuza's real attack, a powerful kick to the stomach that sent him crashing into the water. The water, now infused with Zabuza's chakra, felt heavy and restrictive.
"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!" Zabuza shouted, performing another set of hand seals. Suddenly, Kakashi found himself trapped within a large sphere of water, unable to move freely.
"Dammit," Kakashi thought, his mind racing. "I underestimated him."
Naruto, seeing his sensei trapped, knew he had to act. "Sakura, Sasuki, protect Tazuna!" he yelled, taking charge of the situation. "I'll free Kakashi!"
Naruto then created a shadow clone, and the clone quickly erected a sturdy, purple-colored dome barrier around Sakura, Sasuki, and Tazuna, shielding them from harm.
Zabuza, seeing Naruto approach him, began to laugh, a cruel, mocking sound. "You really think a brat like you can take me on?" he sneered. "I was already a killer when I was your age!"
Naruto ignored his taunts, his expression focused and determined. He simply removed the gravity seals he wore on his wrists and legs, instantly increasing his speed and agility exponentially. He then disappeared in a burst of speed, reappearing in front of a Zabuza water clone and launching a powerful kick.
Zabuza, caught off guard by Naruto's sudden increase in speed, barely managed to block the kick with his sword. The force of the impact sent him skidding backwards across the water.
Naruto then channeled his chakra, his bloodline ability manifesting as a light purple katana made of pure chakra. The blade shimmered and pulsed with raw power.
Zabuza, seeing the chakra katana, his eyes widened in recognition. He looked closely at Naruto, taking in his features: his red hair, his vibrant purple eyes. "What's your name?" he asked, his voice now laced with a hint of apprehension.
"It's Naruto Uzumaki," Naruto replied, his voice clear and strong.
Hearing the name "Uzumaki," Zabuza gasped, his face paling slightly. He froze, his mind reeling. "No way…" he muttered. "Those demons… they're still alive?" He took a step back, his hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of his sword. His village had told horrifying tales of the Uzumaki clan, stories of their incredible power and their fearsome reputation. He never imagined he would actually face one of them.
Zabuza took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. *This is just a kid* he told himself. *I have nothing to worry about.* But deep down, a seed of doubt had been planted. He looked at Naruto, a slight tremor in his hand, and prepared to fight.
Naruto, his chakra katana shimmering with a light purple aura, charged forward once more, swinging the blade at Zabuza's midsection with incredible speed. Zabuza, reacting quickly, brought his massive sword up to block the attack. *Claaang!* The loud clang of metal on metal echoed through the forest. Naruto, using the momentum of the block to his advantage, spun around, seamlessly transitioning into a powerful kick aimed at Zabuza's chest. Zabuza, recognizing the danger, jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike. *This kid is insanely fast* he thought, a flicker of unease creeping into his mind.
Naruto, now channeling wind chakra into his katana, pressed his attack, rushing forward once again. He executed a vertical swing aimed at Zabuza, who again brought his giant sword up to block. This time, however, Naruto's chakra-enhanced blade cleaved through Zabuza's sword, the sound of splintering metal ringing out, and sliced the water clone in half, the dispersed water splashing harmlessly onto the ground.
Naruto then unleashed a jutsu of his own creation, a technique he had been developing and perfecting. He channeled a surge of extra chakra into his katana and swung it in a wide arc. From the blade, a crescent-shaped blade of pure wind was launched toward the real Zabuza, whistling through the air with deadly precision.
Zabuza, sensing the immense power of the attack, quickly released the Water Prison Jutsu, freeing himself from its confines, and leaped away just in time to avoid the wind blade. The wind blade, unimpeded, continued its path, effortlessly slicing through five large trees in its wake, leaving clean cuts in the wood. The sheer destructive power of the jutsu made Zabuza sweat nervously.
Naruto, seeing that Kakashi was now free, jumped back, allowing his sensei to take over the fight. Tazuna and his teammates were utterly stunned by Naruto's display of skill. To be able to go toe-to-toe with a ninja like Zabuza, a renowned killer, at his age was almost unbelievable. Zabuza himself was staring at Naruto, his mind racing. *What the hell is that kid?* he thought. *Is that… the Uzumaki power?*
Suddenly, both Zabuza and Kakashi began performing a rapid series of hand seals, their movements a blur of motion. They both yelled simultaneously, "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Two enormous water dragons erupted from the nearby lake, their roars echoing through the forest, and clashed violently in mid-air, creating huge tidal waves that crashed against the shore. In the midst of the chaos, Zabuza and Kakashi engaged in their own fierce battle, their figures flashing in and out of view as they traded blows.
Zabuza, realizing that every move he made was being instantly copied by Kakashi, began to grow frustrated. "I'll show you that copycat monkeys will never best me!" he snarled, launching into another series of hand signs, only to have Kakashi mirror his movements even faster. "Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!" Kakashi exclaimed, unleashing a powerful swirling vortex of water.
"What? How… How did he know what jutsu I was going to use?" Zabuza thought, his mind reeling. Before he could react, he was blasted backwards through the forest by Kakashi's own version of the Giant Vortex Jutsu. Before Kakashi could capitalize on his advantage and deliver the finishing blow, Zabuza was suddenly pierced in the neck by several senbon needles, thrown with deadly accuracy by a masked figure who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Thank you for weakening him for me," the masked figure said, his voice cold and emotionless. "I'll take it from here." With that, the masked figure vanished as quickly as he had appeared.
Naruto, watching the scene unfold, felt a surge of suspicion. Something about this whole situation felt off. He had a strong feeling that the masked figure and Zabuza were working together. He decided to voice his concerns to Kakashi as soon as he had a chance.
Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, Kakashi suddenly collapsed, falling unconscious. Naruto, reacting instantly, caught his sensei before he hit the ground. Naruto then pulled out a stasis scroll and efficiently sealed Kakashi inside, making him easier to transport.
"How far are we from your home?" Naruto asked Tazuna, his voice serious.
"About an hour," Tazuna replied.
Naruto nodded. "Alright, lead the way." With that, they continued their journey towards Tazuna's house, the atmosphere now heavy with uncertainty. Naruto knew that this mission had just become significantly more complicated. He had a strong feeling that Zabuza was still alive, and he was convinced that the masked figure and Zabuza were working together. He would have to share his theory with Kakashi as soon as he regained consciousness. He knew that they were facing a threat far greater than they had initially anticipated.
Back in the quiet depths of the forest, Zabuza lay still, the senbon needles protruding from his neck. The masked figure, who we now know as Haku, reached down to remove the bandages covering Zabuza's face, preparing to carry out his assigned task. But just as Haku's hand touched the bandages, a hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.
"I'll do it, Haku," a weak but familiar voice rasped. It was Zabuza, his eyes now open, though still clouded with pain. "Did you have to be so rough?"
Haku, his expression softening slightly, simply smiled. "Well," he replied, his voice gentle, "as your tool, I had no choice. You were almost killed."
Zabuza scoffed, a flicker of his former arrogance returning. Haku, her curiosity piqued, asked, "Why did the name 'Uzumaki' strike such a chord with you? I've never seen you hesitate like that before."
Zabuza looked at Haku, surprised. "You've never heard of the Uzumaki clan?"
Haku shook his head, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Zabuza then launched into an explanation, his voice gaining strength as he recounted the history of this legendary clan. "The Uzumaki were… one of, if not *the* strongest ninja clans in the world," he emphasized, his tone filled with awe and respect. "Even stronger than the Senju and the Uchiha. Years ago, during the Third Great Ninja War, the Uzumaki were so feared that the three great nations of the Mist, Iwa, and Kiri formed an unprecedented alliance, joining forces to eliminate the Uzumaki clan. The battle that ensued lasted for more than a day, a brutal, bloody testament to the Uzumaki's incredible power. Despite being outnumbered eighty to one, the Uzumaki fought the combined forces of three nations to a standstill, a feat that seemed almost impossible. When the battle finally ended, and the second wave of ninja, those sent simply to retrieve anything of value, arrived at the island, they were met with an unimaginably gruesome scene. The island was a landscape of blood-filled craters, littered with the dismembered limbs and scattered entrails of both friend and foe. Not a single soul from either side survived the carnage. The battle became known as the bloodiest in ninja history, a horrifying legend that cemented the Uzumaki name in the annals of ninja lore, making it a name whispered with both fear and awe." Zabuza paused, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "The sheer devastation of that battle… it significantly weakened the armies of the invading villages, changing the course of the war. It was a massacre, a testament to the Uzumaki's terrifying strength."
Haku, upon hearing Zabuza's recounting of the Uzumaki clan's history, was awestruck. One clan, possessing the strength to rival three entire nations? It was no wonder Zabuza had hesitated before engaging the boy. He came from a lineage of incredibly powerful ninjas. Seeing the boy go toe-to-toe with a ninja of Zabuza's caliber only served to underscore the raw power of the Uzumaki bloodline.
Zabuza, his resolve hardening, spoke to Haku. "I won't let Kakashi defeat me twice. Haku, I want you to keep the Uzumaki kid occupied. As much as I trust your abilities, you don't stand a chance against him."
Haku nodded, her interest now thoroughly piqued by the Uzumaki boy.
Meanwhile, Team 7 and Tazuna finally arrived at his home. Tazuna knocked on the door in a specific pattern before a beautiful young woman answered. Seeing her father, she rushed forward and embraced him warmly. "Father! You made it!"
Tazuna returned the hug, his voice filled with relief. "It's all thanks to this amazing team," he said, gesturing towards Team 7.
The young woman then introduced herself. "My name is Tsunami. Thank you for protecting my father," she said, bowing politely to the ninja.
Naruto responded with a friendly grin. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. And these are my teammates, Sasuki Uchiha and Sakura Haruno."
Tsunami nodded and ushered them inside. "So," she inquired, a hint of curiosity in her voice, "I thought ninja squads were usually paired with an older sensei?"
"Well," Naruto explained, "our sensei passed out during the fight, so I sealed him in this scroll for easy transport. Is there a room where he can rest?"
Tsunami nodded and led the team upstairs to a spare room. Tazuna, who remained downstairs, was racking his brain. The Uzumaki name… it sounded incredibly familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place it.
Tsunami led them into a comfortable room and then left to prepare dinner. Naruto unsealed the unconscious Kakashi and asked Sakura to scan him using her medical ninjutsu. After five minutes of careful examination, Sakura declared that Kakashi was simply suffering from chakra exhaustion.
Hearing this, Naruto pulled out a sealing tag and placed it on Kakashi's chakra core, activating the seal. A sudden surge of chakra coursed through Kakashi's chakra coils, revitalizing him instantly.
Sakura and Sasuki looked on with curiosity. "What was that seal?" Sasuki asked.
"It's one I invented," Naruto explained. "I call it the Chakra Battery Seal. It's basically a seal with chakra stored inside, which can be used in two ways. One is to instantly cure chakra exhaustion, like you just saw. The other is to use it as an extra reserve of chakra during battle when you run out of your primary chakra. I'm actually working with the Hokage to make this seal mandatory for all of our forces."
Sasuki was impressed. This seal would be incredibly useful for any ninja.
Naruto then decided to share his theory with Kakashi. "Sensei," he began, "I believe Zabuza is still alive."
Sasuki and Sakura exchanged wide-eyed glances. "What do you mean?" Sakura exclaimed. "We saw him die!"
"That's what they *wanted* us to think," Naruto replied. "Tell me, what were the 'kill' weapons used?"
Sasuki answered, "They were senbon." Her eyes then widened in realization.
Naruto, seeing her understanding, nodded. "Exactly. Senbon needles have very low killing power unless they hit specific vital points. A very skilled user can use them to induce a death-like state, making it appear as though someone is dead when they're actually still alive. Which means…"
"…that the masked figure we encountered was helping Zabuza," Sasuki finished, her voice grave.
Sakura now understood. She looked visibly shaken at the prospect of having to face Zabuza again.
Kakashi, impressed with his students' quick thinking, nodded. "Well," he said, "I'd say we have about a week until Zabuza recovers. In that time, we will be training. Intensive training."
Team 7 nodded in agreement and headed downstairs to inform Tazuna and his daughter of their findings.
"Are you sure you aren't overthinking this?" Tazuna asked after hearing their explanation.
"Maybe," Kakashi replied, his voice serious, "but overthinking is what keeps ninja alive."
It was now late evening, and everyone was gathered around the dinner table. They were joined by a young boy named Inari, who was Tsunami's son.
"Okay, team," Kakashi announced, "we will be training early tomorrow morning, so get a good night's rest."
Hearing this, Inari snapped. "WHY DO YOU GUYS TRY SO HARD?! NO ONE CAN BEAT GATO! HE'S TOO STRONG! WHY DON'T YOU JUST GO BACK TO YOUR COZY VILLAGE?! YOU HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT OUR SUFFERING!" Inari ranted, his voice filled with anger and despair.
Suddenly, the air in the room grew thick with tension. Naruto, his expression hardening, spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "So, we don't know suffering?" he asked, his purple eyes glowing with suppressed rage. "You're nothing but a little crybaby who's too much of a coward to do anything!"
Naruto continued, his voice rising in intensity. "Kakashi has lost everyone close to him, thanks to this cruel ninja world. I have been dealing with an entire village's hatred since the day I was born. I was scorned, spit on, ignored, and even attacked by the people of my own home! Yet, instead of crying and giving up, I decided to become stronger! Cowards like you make me sick!" With that, Naruto left the house, slamming the door behind him.
Inari, stunned by Naruto's outburst, ran to his room, tears streaming down his face.
"Is all that true?" Tsunami asked, her voice choked with emotion. "Did he really live like that?"
Sakura, her heart aching for Naruto, had no idea he had endured such a difficult childhood. *How did he not break?* she wondered.
Sasuki, who had witnessed some of Naruto's mistreatment, was not as surprised, but she was still saddened by the revelation. "Unfortunately," Kakashi said, his voice heavy with regret, "that was the sugar-coated version. But yes, it's true." Kakashi still inwardly berated himself for not doing more to help Naruto sooner.
Tazuna's respect for Naruto grew exponentially. Suddenly, something clicked in his memory. "I remember!" he exclaimed. "The Uzumaki clan were instrumental to our village's establishment! They were greatly respected here before their… demise." Tazuna knew he had to speak with Naruto as soon as possible.
Tsunami was excited to hear this. She had sensed that his features looked familiar. She greatly respected the Uzumaki clan, and to have one of them in her house was a huge honor. "Naruto is the heir of the Uzumaki clan," Kakashi explained. "He's probably the last one alive." Tazuna and Tsunami both felt a pang of sadness for him.
With that, everyone turned in for the night, their minds filled with thoughts of Naruto and the challenges that lay ahead.