Chapter 10

The group faced the former mist ninja with caution. Zabuza just stared at them with indifference. He seemed more interested with Kakashi rather than them. Naruto was beginning to make a move when a hand stopped him.

“This isn’t the time for proving anything. He isn’t the Demon brothers. He’s a highly skilled jounin from Kirigakure no Sato. This is out of your league.” Kakashi explained. Naruto looked at him and then at Zabuza. Naruto pulled out a kunai and stepped back. He continued to move backwards until he stood in front of Tazuna. Kakashi smiled under his mask.

“Sasuke, Sakura, follow Naruto lead and protect the bridge builder.” The two nodded and stood at the side of Tazuna. Zabuza chuckled at them, especially at Naruto.

“That blond one is feisty. His glare is almost daring me to attack.” He said

“Sorry about that. He has a problem with authority figures. Now, would it be too much to let us pass?” Kakashi asked

“I can’t do that. I’m not after you really. If you give up the old men, then you and your students don’t have to die.” Zabuza countered

“Unfortunately, I can’t do that.” Kakashi said and placed his hand on his headband. He slowly raised it to reveal a red eye with three tomoe.

“Well, well, the famous Sharingan. I’m honored.” Zabuza said.

“Sharingan? What the hell is that?” Naruto asked

“I don’t know.” Sakura answered

“And you’re the smart one.” Naruto said snidely. As Sakura controlled her rage, Sasuke was in deep thought.

‘The Sharingan is a dojutsu, a type of eye technique. It is a powerful kekkei genkai that can see through and defeat any gen-, tai- and ninjutsu. That’s not all. It can also copy any technique within a blink of an eye. But, the Sharingan is a technique that is in a select few of the Uchiha clan. So how…’

“Hey, Uchiha, get your head out of your ass. He’s coming.” Naruto warned. Sasuke realized that the mist was starting to get thicker. He looked and saw Zabuza standing on water in a weird position.

“Ninpou: Kirigakure no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique).” He said and disappeared. The mist was now really thick now and the team could not see anything. Naruto was calm, having gone through such training with Anko. He stretched his senses for any movement through the mist. Sakura was scared and her kunai shook as she stood at ready. Sasuke was scared as well but he held himself together.

“Momochi Zabuza, master of the silent killing technique. You guys be on guard. In this mist, my Sharingan won’t work so well.” He said

“Now he tells us.” Muttered a annoyed Naruto

“This isn’t the time…”

“Did you know…” a voice cut her off.

“What?” Sakura said

“…that there are eight choices?”

“Shit, he’s toying with us.” Naruto growled

“Liver, lungs, spine, clavical vein, neck vein, brain, kidneys, heart…” The team was on edge.

“Which one should I go after first?” The team was now visibly scared. Kakashi had enough and placed his hands together. Everyone felt the incredible chakra that was coming off their jounin instructor.

“Sweet Kami, is this even normal? Not even oneesan can produce a chakra this dangerous.” Naruto whispered. Sasuke was just having trouble breathing under Kakashi chakra. It almost looked like he was about to pass out when Kakashi voice cut through.

“Sasuke, calm down and breathe. I protect you guys even if it kills me.” He then turned and faced his team. “I won’t let my comrades die.” Everyone calmed down after that. That’s when Naruto felt it. Suddenly a voice cut through them.

“We’ll see about that.” It said and Zabuza appeared next to the team. Sasuke and Sakura were attempting to turn but they suddenly were kicked in the back. Zabuza watched as they went flying. He took his eyes off Kakashi to see that the blond kid had tackled Tazuna. The two rolled on the ground away from him. It was in that instant that Kakashi strike. His kunai stabbed the ninja in the abdomen. Naruto got back into a defensive stance and looked at his sensei. That’s when he noticed that Zabuza’s blood was not blood at all. The Mizu Bunshin (Water Clone) exploded and left Kakashi open. Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi and swung his sword. Everyone watched in horror as the blade cut him in half. The body of Kakashi also exploded in water, surprising everyone.

‘He was able to copy my Mizu Bunshin in the mist. Impossible.’ Was Zabuza’s thought before he felt the cold blade of a kunai on his neck.

“Don’t move. You’re caught.” Kakashi said. Sakura gave a sigh of relief and so did Sasuke. Naruto on the other hand…

“God damn it sensei. Must you always give us heartaches? I have a Hokage position to claim you know.” He shouted at him.

“Your concern for me is touching. Nice move by the way.” Kakashi commented. Naruto gave a grunt of thanks. Zabuza was not one to praise an enemy but he was impressed. He was impressed that Kakashi managed to copy his technique within his mist and let his clone attack while he waited in mist. Then there was that loud mouth blond. He had managed to save his teammates and the old man. He had been able to detect him within the mist, something that has not happened in his life. He stared at the blond with interest.

“I’m impressed Kakashi. You’ve trained these brats well, especially the blond but do you really believe that you can beat me with just imitations?” Zabuza asked and dissolved into water. Kakashi was surprised at that and ducked when he heard Naruto’s warning. Zabuza missed by a hair but he composed himself by using his sword to stop his momentum. Kakashi only had time to block as Zabuza kick caught him, sending him into the water. Kakashi skid across the water and waited for Zabuza’s next attack. He thought that he had the advantage but Zabuza quickly took that away. Appearing behind him, he did a few seals.

“Surio no Jutsu(Water Prison Technique).” Zabuza called out. An orb of water surrounded Kakashi, trapping him inside it.

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Team seven watched as their teacher was trapped in the orb. Sakura trembled in fear as she watched a water clone appeared out of the lake and come on land. Kakashi was shouting from the prison for his team to run.

“Maybe we should do as he say.” She said to her teammates.

“Even if we do run, he’ll just finish off Kakashi-sensei and come after us. The only way we're going to get out of this alive is to free sensei.” Naruto said

“Got any bright ideas, dobe?” Sasuke asked

“Not at the moment. We need to deal with that clone first.”

“Deal with me huh? I would love to see try brat.” The clone said. Sasuke wasted not time and threw three shurikens at Zabuza clone. The clone just smirked and batted the shurikens away. He looked to see Sasuke attacking from the sky. The clone narrowed his eyes and caught the last Uchiha in mid-air. “How pathetic. Do you really think you could beat me like that? You and your friends aren’t even worth of the title ninja. You’re all nothing but snot nose little brats.” Zabuza released Sasuke only to knee him in the gut. The blow sent him flying. Naruto looked at his fallen comrade before turning to Zabuza. He crossed his fingers.

“Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(Shadow Clone Technique).” Five clones appeared. Zabuza was again impressed by this blond. He knew that this was a jounin technique and to see a kid no older than thirteen do it was shocking. The real Naruto turned to Sakura.

“Sakura, take two of these clones and protect Tazuna.” He said

“But, Naruto…”

“Damn it, for once just trust me on this. We’ve got a job to do and your role is to protect the bridge builder. Sasuke, if your don’t lying on your back, get up and help me.” He ordered

“Who do you think you are ordering me?” Sasuke growled in annoyance.

“I’m the one with the plan so shut up and get ready.” Naruto snapped. A chuckle brought an end to the argument. Zabuza was starting to like this kid.

“You interest me kid. You have the attitude but do you have the balls?”

“We’ll just have to see now, won’t we?”

“That’s enough, Naruto. You don’t know who we’re up against.” Kakashi said

“So you know about me?” Zabuza asked

“There is a story about the genin exam in ‘Bloody Mist Village’. The graduation exam was an inhumane ritual, students were forced to fight to the death.” Everyone was shocked by that. “Years ago, a boy who failed the entrance exam, went mad and killed every student of that graduate class. That man was…”

“Me.” Zabuza said with a chuckle. Everyone was frozen in fright. “Can you image it? The ones you ate with, trained with, those that you called your brother, all pitted against each other.” Zabuza began to laugh. “That… sure was fun.” He glared at them and charged with the eyes of a madman.

“Scatter.” Naruto ordered and his clones moved just as Zabuza’s blade crashed down. The two Naruto clones protected Tazuna and Sakura. One Naruto pulled something from his backpack while the other clones attacked the water clone. He threw it at Sasuke which he caught. Sasuke immediately caught on and took off after the real Zabuza leaving Naruto to deal with the clone. Zabuza went on the offensive and destroyed two clones. The third jumped into the air and threw several kunais at him. He cut through the kunais and prepared to cut the clone when he felt something cut him. That something was another Naruto. He shot up from the ground and sliced the Mizu Bunshin’s leg. The water clone was so surprised that he did not see the other Naruto pull out another kunai. It was too late to defend went the clone slashed his throat. The Mizu Bunshin dissolved into water and left a clone and Naruto standing.

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With Sasuke, he charged toward the water. With the flick of his wrist, he snapped out the blade that was given to him. It was a shuriken, a very large shuriken. Sasuke jumped into the air and threw the weapon at the real Zabuza. Though he was surprised at the defeat of his clone he was still prepared to catch the flying shuriken.

“A shuriken won’t work on me.” He stated. That’s when another shuriken appeared. Zabuza again was surprised at this. ‘These damn brats are getting annoying.’ He thought as the shuriken came closer. He jumped over the projectile and it went sailing pass him.

“I told you a shuriken won’t get me.” He said

“Then how about a kunai?” a voice said. Everyone turned to see the flying shuriken turn into a flying Naruto. He cocked back his arm and let the knife flying. The blade was on target to Zabuza’s head. Zabuza had to avoid it but in doing so he released the water prison. The blade missed but did give him a gash on his cheek. Zabuza turned to face Naruto. Naruto gulped when he caught his glare and the movement of the hand that held the shuriken. He had no way to dodge the attack and prepared himself but he was saved by his now released prison. Naruto hit the water but resurfaced a few seconds later. He looked at his sensei and Zabuza.

“So, how’s life on the outside sensei?” Naruto asked jokingly.

“It feels good. Nice plan for springing me.” Kakashi said.

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On the shore, Sakura watched as the clones disappeared leaving herself, Tazuna and Sasuke wondering what the hell was going on.

“But I… and he… but wasn’t he the one… Argh! What the hell is going on?” she shouted.

“He made a sixth clone when Zabuza attacked. He had that clone dig underground and waited for a chance to strike while he changed into the Windmill Shuriken.” Sasuke explained.

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Back with Naruto and Kakashi, Naruto explained the rest of his plan.

“Sasuke caught on to the rest of my plan. He used his real shuriken to hide me disguised as another Windmill Shuriken and well you know the rest.” He said. Zabuza scoffed.

“I got careless and released you.” Zabuza said

“Don’t be stupid. You were forced to release me. So what will you do now Zabuza? I won’t fall for the same jutsu twice.” Kakashi said. Zabuza chuckled and jumped away. Kakashi did the same. The group watched and witnessed a full out jounin battle. The power of the Sharingan was something to behold as Kakashi copied Zabuza’s attacks. Frustrated, Zabuza desperately tried another attack only to have Kakashi do the attack first. Zabuza was thrown in a tree by the powerful water attack. Suddenly, four kunais struck Zabuza. He yelled in pain while Kakashi appeared above him. He turned to face the Konoha jounin.

“Can you see the future?” he asked

“Yes.” He stated. “Your future is death.” As Kakashi prepared to finish him off, Zabuza was struck from his side. Kakashi watched as two needles struck him in the neck. Kakashi turned to see a boy, probably no older than fifteen standing on another tree.

“You were right. His future was death.” He said. Kakashi just wondered who this boy was.

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Authors’ Notes: Hello everybody. Here is the next chapter, hope you like it.