Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
"So I see." Kakashi said folding his arms across his chest as Tazuna finished his tale. "So that's why you need to go to Wave, and you lacked the money to hire adequate protection from this Gato who wants you dead."
After fending off the attack from the would be assassins Kakashi had cornered the old man as he knew they where aiming for him not them. Sensing they had been deceived he told Tazuna to tell him why an old man like himself was being targeted by Chunin level assassins.
The old man had told them everything, why he needed to go to Wave, his home which was under the control of a businessman known as Gato who ruled with an iron fist and any who got in his way were harshly executed. He ruled the island and had crippled its economy and broken its inhabitants spirit. The only thing that would stop his reign would be if Wave was connected to the main land, connecting it to the rest of the world and would destroy his empire. Tazuna was a bridge builder and had made the move to build the bridge hiring workers and getting supplies and if he could get there he could begin construction of it. Gato not wanting this at all had ordered his immediate death and Tazuna was now targeted by killers.
"Please, you must get me to Wave I'm sorry I deceived you but you must understand, without the Bridge, Wave will never recover and Gato will be given free reign to continue his tyranny. You must get me there!" The old man said and he appeared to be on the verge of breaking down into tears.
"We gotta do something Kakashi-sensei. We can't just stand by and do nothing." Naruto said to him stepping forward the man's tale touching him. "We can deal with these assassins. We can get him to Wave."
"This isn't a stroll through the park Naruto, at the least this is now a B Class or even A Class mission." He chided his student. "However I do see your point Tazuna, something must be done as we've heard reports about Gato's methods and The Leaf and Fire Country rarely does business with him."
He looked at his students and then back at the old man. Closing his eyes for a long moment he reopened them. "Very well…we shall escort you and protect you during our trip to Wave. We've gone too far now anyway. By the time we got back to Konoha and told Sarutobi and the Council about Wave's troubles odds are this Gato would have sent even more men after you. Wave is only about forty five minutes to an hour from here. We can make it easily if we go at a fast pace. If our luck holds those two where the last of the only assassins he hired right now." He said coming to a decision. He then turned to his Team. "Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura. This is now a very dangerous mission. We are to guard him with our lives. Do you understand?"
"Hai Kakashi-sensei!" All three said at once and bowed.
"Then let's go!" He ordered them and they quickly left.
Going at a quick pace they headed their way towards Wave prepared to face any obstacle that would be thrown at them.
As they went however Sasuke was confused and upset over what had happened earlier in the fight. Naruto had saved his life and had somehow pulled a long blade out of nowhere. He couldn't have carried it on his person, and he knew Naruto didn't have any summon scrolls that most ninja would carry. How did he do it? It was as if he had pulled it out of himself with the way it had appeared and he didn't see how Naruto was able to defeat one of the hired assassins as he only saw him fall down on his back blood seeping from his wounds. The wound was not that of a blade so how had he done it?
It angered him to think that Naruto of all people, the boy who placed dead last at the academy somehow in the span of over a week had learned water walking and tree walking along with chakra control. How was he able to do something that he couldn't? To the Uchiha it seemed unnatural that he, an unknown would be able to excel in something that he wasn't able to do it.
(No matter, I'll master Tree and Water walking soon enough and surpass him.) He thought to himself refusing to believe he would be outranked by him.
The group continued on their way towards Wave looking to safely escort Tazuna to the island.
Naruto in front thought back as well to the earlier fight. He had successfully used the Long Range jutsu back there having practicing it before. He had gotten stronger and a part of him was proud he had held his own against them.
But he had also noticed the looks Sasuke had been giving him as of late. Sasuke was jealous by what he saw and envious that Naruto had somehow gotten stronger than him. It was due to his training with his cousin that he had gotten stronger. Kimimaro's training was paying off it looked like and Naruto was pleased with the results.
He was tired of being looked down by his sensei and teammates and the civilians of Konoha as nothing more than the dead last loser who'd never amount to anything. He was going to show them that he was more than what they thought of him. He'd master Shikotsumyaku and gain Kimimaro's respect as well.
The group continued on knowing of the danger ahead.
Later…
"Well looks like we're home free. Wave's not less than ten minutes from here." Kakashi said to them looking out into the distance and faintly the island could be seen. So far there had been no trouble of any kind. No ambushes, no traps, nothing. As if all possible threats had vanished. And for Kakashi that was a good thing.
"Alright, let's get there!" Naruto said and almost broke off into a run.
"Naruto, stay with the group. We're not there yet so don't drop your guard just yet." Kakashi said to him who nodded.
The group continued going now at a leisurely pace their guard relaxed for a moment as they neared their destination and it appeared that they wouldn't have any trouble at all getting there.
Naruto walking with Tazuna suddenly felt an ominous feeling grow in the pit of his stomach, as if something was near. He rubbed his belly thinking he was just hungry and tried to make it go away. He looked over at Kakashi and saw that he had gone on guard and his body was tensing up as well. As if he was expecting something to happen.
"Where'd this mist come from?" Sakura asked out loud as a thick mist started to develop around them making it harder to see. It was cloudy now but this fog like mist shouldn't have appeared so suddenly. It wasn't that late.
Naruto's queasy feeling started to grow and he felt that it was if they where being watched from afar. He looked around and tried to peer through the mist but was unable to as it got thicker and thicker around them
"Stop…" Kakashi ordered them all calling for a halt. "Don't make any sudden movements any of you. That's what he wants as he's waiting for one of us to break. If you do, he'll run you through." He said to them and moved to get in front of Tazuna.
Sakura gulped a look of fear on her face and moved towards Sasuke who was peering out into the distance as well. Naruto's senses where heightened to their fullest as he got into a ready stance and tensed his body ready to spring into action
Nobody moved for a whole minute, each one waiting for what was going to happen. It seemed their target took pleasure in making them wait.
Kakashi continued looking out into the distance when his lone eye widened. "MOVE!" He shouted and the group scattered and Naruto saw flying past his head a giant blade and it flew right past him and landed and stuck itself into a tree.
Naruto then saw a man leap overhead of them all in a somersault and landed on the hilt of the blade.
He weared a flak jacket and shinobi styled pants and had his mouth and lower face covered with bandages. On his forehead he worn an Hitai-ate with the symbol for Mist on it that had a slash through it. His piercing eyes glared at them all as he looked down at them distastefully.
"More fodder for me to dispose of." He said and leapt down and pulled out the Zanbato from the tree. "Nothing personal so don't think I have something against any of you, but I got orders and money's been kinda tight lately." He said to them.
"Who the hell are you?" Naruto asked as he could tell that this ninja just by looking at him was far beyond your average assassin.
"His name is Zabuza Momochi, the demon of Kirigakure who slaughtered each and everyone one of his classmates in his youth with him the only survivor." Kakashi said his eye narrowing. "Codename: The Butcher of The Seven Swordsmen."
Zabuza looked at him amused and threw his head back and let out a dark laugh. "I see my reputation precedes me Copy Nin of the Leaf. Tazuna is my target so leave now unless you want to join the others who have tasted the steel of my weapon."
"I don't think so…" Kakashi said and turned to the others. "Protect Tazuna at all costs!" He shouted and turned to see Zabuza charging him.
Zabuza slashed at him that would've cut a full grown cow in half and Kakashi evaded it and ducked under the next swing. Ducking and evading the attacks he delivered a kick to Zabuza's face knocking him into the mist. Zabuza charged right back out roaring at him and swinging at him.
Kakashi back flipped away from them doing so revealing his right eye and getting out a kunai threw one which hit him in the throat. Zabuza than burst into a puddle of water.
"A copy…Naruto watch out!" Kakashi shouted and turned at Naruto as suddenly the real Zabuza appeared in his direction and leaping over prepared to deliver an overhead swing that would slice him down the middle.
Naruto not expecting it and stunned could only bring his hands up to try to defend himself.
"NARUTO!" The group shouted as it appeared he was going to be killed as Kakashi couldn't make it in time.
Naruto closed his eyes and braced himself for the end when he heard the sound of steel scraping against steel. He opened his eyes and saw what had happened.
"What the!" Zabuza shouted as standing in front of him having blocked his attack with two swords was a white haired figure with green eyes and two red dots on his forehead.
"K-Kimimaro?" Naruto shouted seeing his cousin in front of him stunned to see him in front of him just now.
Kimimaro let out a grunt and giving a heave out powered Zabuza and tossed him backwards. Zabuza landed on his feet and looked at him.
"A Kaguya alive?" He said shock in his voice. He was certain they had been all but wiped out in the battle years ago. Before he himself had left Mist. And as he looked at him he felt in the back of his mind that he recognized the teenager in front of him.
"Drilling Bullets!" Kimimaro shouted and fired bones from the tips of his fingers at him. Zabuza brought his weapon up and deflected them.
"The last Kaguya…The Mizukage missed one it looks like." He said to him.
"Kaguya?" Kakashi repeated recognizing it. That barbaric war loving clan from Mist? They was believed to have been killed to the last man years ago. This boy was from that clan and he was the special instructor Sarutobi had given Naruto?
"No matter…I'll end it today!" Zabuza shouted and charged him and Kimimaro a stern look on his face pulled out two bone like swords from his arms surprising everyone at what he just did and blocked his attack.
Naruto seeing it knew that Kimimaro clearly didn't have the hesitance to use Shikotsumyaku like he did in front of everyone.
Kimimaro blocked and parried Zabuza's swings with his weapons, The prodigy holding his own against him. He jabbed and countered attacked Zabuza's attacks driving him back.
Zabuza planted his blade and began a long series of hand symbols with his hands a snarling look in his eyes. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" He shouted and sent a large wave of water shaped like a dragon towards Kimimaro which hit him and knocked him off his feet. Kimimaro kipped up and despite being soaked appeared to have suffered no serious damage from it. He then removed his shirt leaving his chest exposed
"Dance of the Larch!" Shouted Kimimaro and he launched himself and began spinning rapidly as bones stuck out of his upper body and outstretched aiming at Zabuza who was struck in the shoulders by some of them and backed up.
"Holy!" Naruto shouted seeing him pull that off. Did that mean he would be able to do that as well?
Zabuza backed up away from him as he finally stopped spinning and his bones went back into his body. "I see you have your clan's ability. Perhaps it's time I end this." He said and got ready to perform a jutsu.
Kimimaro his shirt back on got ready to defend himself when he felt a searing pain in his body. He started coughing harshly suddenly and covering his mouth began to spat up blood.
(No! Not now!) He thought to himself as he was being affected by his illness.
Zabuza seeing an golden opportunity did not question what was happening and went to attack the defenseless ninja.
"Now you die!" He shouted and went to behead him when Naruto suddenly tackled the ill ninja out of the way. "Stupid brat!" He shouted and went to attack him when he was kicked aside by Kakashi. "Damn you!"
"It's time to finish this." Kakashi said and his right eye was shown to be different from the other. "Zabuza it's time we end this. Your days of butchering are at an end!" Kakashi said and began planning a powerful Jutsu. Zabuza backed up sensing it was going to be powerful as lightning started to crack around him.
"Take this!" Kakashi started preparing to unleash his strongest attack he had. "Ran!"
Just when he was about to do it Zabuza lurched forward and collapsed on his stomach. This caught Kakashi off guard and he stopped his attack as he sensed the man's energy having depleted as well with his chakra.
Stepping forward he examined him and saw three small needles sticking into his neck.
"Senbon?" He said asking out loud
"That was from me." A voice said and they turned and saw a young ninja his face covered by a mask step forward.
"A hunter nin." Kakashi said as the figure walked towards them.
"I managed to kill him while he was off guard. I've been hunting him for two years and I've finally ended his life." The ninja said. "He's killed many of my comrades and friends so you see why I wanted this beast dead. Finally the Demon has been put down." He said and gave the body a kick glaring down at the body from the mask the person worn.
"You took down that guy with only needles?" Naruto asked outloud.
"Don't underestimate him, this ninja maybe young as you and the others but he has trained all his life. Some his age are even stronger than me." Kakashi told him. "What will you do with the body?"
"I'll dispose of it, Mist has long wanted Zabuza's head for what he has done with his crimes. Good day to you all." He said to them and reaching down picked the body up and carried him on his back.
Naruto watched them go and looked at his cousin. "Kimimaro what are you doing here?" He asked him as he saw him pop a pill into his mouth.
The figure coughed and stood up. "I sensed you wasn't at Konoha so I followed your trail and tracks, you're lucky I showed as you would've died if I hadn't Trash." He said and Naruto rolled his eyes used to the nickname by now.
"Kimimaro was it?" Kakashi said stepping forward. "I thank you for saving my student's life back there."
"Hmph, my interests in the boy is of my own. If he finds himself in a position such as that again, he may not find himself rescued this time."
Naruto let out a sigh, and here he'd be hoping Kimimaro would be happy with his improvement. Back to square one it looked like.
"Well then since you have come all this way I'd like to ask if you'd come with us. We're protecting our client Tazuna here while he's in Wave. We could use the extra help and I can tell you're talented and a skilled shinobi." Kakashi said to him although the back of his mind was wondering about the Kaguya's ability and how Sarutobi found him.
"…Very well then. I'll join you. I have training to continue with the boy anyway." Kimimaro said to him.
Kakashi then clutched his head and fell to one knee. "Ahh, sorry about that. When I use my Sharingan eye it has the tendency to take a bit out of me leaving me a bit dizzy. I'll be alright in a sec."
Tazuna clapped the man on the back. "Let's get you to my daughter's so you can rest up. All of you have my thanks."
The added group went to head to Wave and Naruto was walking with his cousin. "Kimimaro-san how'd you find us?"
"I followed the trail and came upon two tied up fools. One of them had piercing wounds. I see you have mastered the long range jutsu." Kimimaro said to him. "You're lucky I found you when I did as you were going to die back there."
"I know…"
"You still have much work to do," Kimimaro told him. "This was your first true battle I see and you would've been killed if not for me. Eventually you'll see that the only way one day to leave a battle is to kill your enemy." He said and went up ahead.
The group soon arrived at Wave and saw the ruined state that it was in. Homes where in disrepair and the streets where empty and the people showed no signs of life. Tired skinny bodies that where malnourished and shells of their former selves walked the road not even looking where they was going.
"This is my home…it used to be a happy place, filled with music and laughter and joy." Tazuna said to them all. "Until Gato came and took control of everything his greed and lust for power insatiable the damn monster killing all who got in his way. Living the high life while my people and family starve!" He said with a spat and his eyes had anger in them. "As long as Wave is cut off from the mainland he will continue to rule. I won't let that happen any longer!"
As they continued to walk they looked at the people who apparently had given up all hope. None of them it seemed had any desire to live left. As if they where ready to drop down and die.
"How horrible." Sakura said as she saw a funeral and a young couple grieving over the loss of their child. The girl looking on felt tears start to well up in her eyes at what she saw.
"Tazuna-san!" A voice shouted and a group of people showed up. "We've feared you may have been killed!" The leader of the group said to the bridge maker.
"I'm fine, these leaf nins got me here safely. Is everything set up?" He asked them.
"Yes sir! All the equipment and supplies are here, we've just been waiting for you!"
"Good, very good. We'll start immediately tomorrow. Guard the equipment and don't let anything happen to it." He ordered them.
"Sir!" The hired workers shouted and went to go.
They soon came to a house and Tazuna knocked gently on it. The door opened slowly and a young pretty woman seeing him gasped and wrapped her arms around him.
"Father! I thought you was dead!" She said to him and he stroked her hair.
"There, there my daughter. It's alright. I'm here now Tsunami." He said to her hugging her back.
"Come inside, all of you." She said and ushered them in and closed the door.
"I feared you was dead, after what happened when Gato discovered your men here I knew you'd be in trouble." The woman said later as they sat around a table except for Kimimaro who was standing in a corner by himself.
"Yes, I knew the risk but it's worth it if my plan works. I long to see my grandson smile again." Tazuna said to her. "Kakashi, it will take at least a week for it to be built. Can I count on you to stay here and protect us during that time?"
"Of course. We'd gladly stay here and help out however we can." He said to him.
"Yeah, we can't let you do this by yourself." Naruto said to him. "We'll do whatever it takes to get it done."
"I thank you, all of you from the bottom of my heart." He said to them.
"Good then, let's get some rest all of us. We'll be training whenever we're not guarding the bridge. Sasuke, Sakura, it's time you learned tree walking. Naruto I expect you and Kimimaro will train together as well. We'll alternate shifts when it comes to guarding the workers. I have a feeling Gato won't just stand by." Kakashi said to them. "Is there any problem with that?"
He looked at his students who didn't say anything and then at Kimimaro who had a plain look on his face which he took for no problem from the Kaguya.
"Alright then let's get started." He said as it would be a long week.
A/N: That's it for this chapter. Review please