Naruto Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto

Author’s Note: Pre-read by Yurusane

---

Kakashi looked at the puddle for only a small moment, but walked on ahead, in the meantime checking if his subordinates had noticed the puddle as well.

Sakura... was having a one-sided conversation with the Uchiha. Kakashi did think she gave Kunoichis a bad name with an attitude like that. He wondered when the fan-girl thing would end.

Sasuke... was trying his best to ignore the pink-haired girl and just trying to impress the others by having a steel-hard expression on his face, Kakashi guessed. The young Uchiha was really uptight, but talented for a Genin.

Naruto... was unreadable thanks to the mask, so he couldn’t really tell. But if he were to judge Naruto by his walk, then the Jounin guessed Naruto didn’t have a clue either.

Oh well... Here they come, anyway. ‘Kawarimi no Jutsu...’ Kakashi thought to himself, before chains were wrapped around his replacement and ripped it apart.

Naruto jumped backwards, completely surprised by the sudden attack. Sakura’s eyes were widened, while Sasuke prepared himself. “Kakashi-sensei!!” Sakura shrieked.

As if the loss of Kakashi didn’t occur, Naruto narrowed his eyes at the speed the two assailants were moving in. ‘Damn! With my weights on, I won’t be able to dodge their attacks!!’ Alas, the attack did come from one of the claws of the Demon Brothers.

Sasuke, in the meantime, was doing fine against the other Brother, actually getting rid of the chains both of them were sporting and having a Taijutsu battle with one of them. ‘Kakashi can’t be beaten that easily...’

Naruto snarled as his sleeve got ripped off, though the claw didn’t pierce the weights on his wrist. Naruto tried to respond with a kick, but the Demon Brother backed off. ‘Damn!’

‘From the sounds of your thoughts, you don’t need to drop the weights.’

Naruto growled a reply to Kyuubi, knowing he wouldn’t hear that anyway. ‘I saw it... This speed training improved my sight as well, hm? I saw Kakashi use Kawarimi!’

Gripping a Kunai, Naruto and Sasuke both appeared in front of Sakura, as the two Demon Brothers went to kill Tazuna.

Their defense was unnecessarily, as Kakashi appeared and knocked both of them out in an instant. “Nice job, everyone. I didn’t expect an attack so soon...”

“Kakashi-sensei!!” Sakura yelled gleefully.

‘Show-off...’ Sasuke thought.

Kakashi walked over to Naruto and took a look at his right wrist. “Weights, huh, Naruto? You were lucky, because those claws were poisoned.”

Naruto nodded. There was no use in hiding the weight on his shoulder as the sleeve was ripped off anyway. He grabbed his sleeve and pouted at it. “Man, I wanted to keep this a secret...” He whined.

Kakashi smiled. “Are there weights anywhere else we should know about, Naruto?”

Naruto shrugged. “That’s for me to know, and you to find out, Kakashi-sensei!”

And then, Kakashi turned to Tazuna. “You do know you have some explaining to do now, right, Tazuna-san?”

---

Split Existence

Chapter 2: Speed Gaining

---

‘But it has turned into a higher-ranked Mission, Kuro-nii-san. Shouldn’t this be dangerous for me?’ Naruto thought towards Kyuubi. ‘Even if we do have Kakashi-sensei as a teacher.’

‘Perhaps it is dangerous for you, but I find it highly unlikely that you would encounter someone powerful enough to deal with Kakashi, who has a Sharingan.’ Kyuubi thought back. Kyuubi thought it wise to do research about his team and Naruto’s team. They didn’t find anything about Sasuke, except that the entire Uchiha Clan was no more. Sakura was just a normal Kunoichi, but Kakashi... Definitely something else.

‘What about you? You have a mission as well?’

‘Just a boring D-rank one. Now be quiet and focus on the mission. And don’t think so much, it’s starting to annoy me.’

Naruto turned to the front, where Sakura was trying to get a reaction out of the cold Uchiha and Kakashi seemed to talk to Tazuna.

He figured things wouldn’t really change. People still saw him as the Kyuubi Child, so Kakashi probably did too. He didn’t know if Sakura and Sasuke knew about the Kyuubi, but he did know they didn’t like him, anyway. In fact, they probably hated him. He thought the younger kids didn’t know about the Kyuubi, though.

‘I have got to get faster than this... To be hit by that Shinobi, it shouldn’t have happened!’

“Ne, ne, Kakashi-sensei?”

Kakashi turned his head slightly, so his ear was pointing towards Naruto, but he didn’t look at him. “What is it, Naruto?”

“Can you make me faster?”

Sasuke snorted and Sakura shook her head. “As if a dead-last could become faster...” Sasuke responded, but Naruto tried his best to ignore the rookie genius.

“Well, weights are a good way to start. Other than that, you can use Chakra to enhance your movements. Just focus Chakra to your feet and you’ll move faster.” Kakashi explained. “Or something like that.” He finished as he turned back to Tazuna.

Sasuke did see that Naruto was a lot better than he had been at the Academy. “Want to become faster, dobe? Let’s train for a bit in Wave and see if you can dodge my attacks.”

Naruto, who was wearing a mask and would forever keep wearing that mask, glared at Sasuke. “Bastard...” He stretched the word. “Dodging your attacks is like dodging feathers. It’s too easy.”

“Want to try it right now, dead-last?”

“Bring it on, pretty boy!” Naruto taunted as they both stopped walking.

“Naruto!!” Sakura let out. “Don’t stoop down to his level, Sasuke-kun! He-”

“Be quiet.” Sasuke interrupted. “Show me what you’ve got, dobe.”

“Hey, hey. We have to be in Wave fast, we don’t have time for this. Handle it outside of missions, you two.” Kakashi’s voice held authorization as he walked towards the two boys. ‘Although it would be fun to watch these two fight. I haven’t seen Naruto really fight yet... But considering the Kyuubi himself is training him, he has to be pretty good...’

Sasuke snorted as he turned away from Naruto. “Perhaps you should teach Naruto how to walk faster, after all. We’re making bad time.”

Naruto growled. “You bastard, I dare you to say that again!!”

Sasuke sighed and turned around to face Naruto. “Perhaps you should teach Naruto how to-”

“Sasuke.” Kakashi interrupted. “There’s no need for this. Let’s keep moving now.”

---

As soon as that gigantic sword swung above him, Naruto panicked.

‘Kuro! Kuro-nii-san!! This guy is Jounin Level!! Kakashi-sensei said it himself!! We all have to guard this old guy now!’

‘What?! Jounin Level?! I’m not in Leaf right now so I can’t warn the Hokage. This is dangerous... Drop your weights and strike the opponent as soon as you see an opening during the fight. Ignore your sensei’s orders and help him! Tell your teammates to do the same!’

“Sasuke, Sakura... Let’s help him out...” Naruto whispered.

“Are you stupid?! This guy is Jounin Level! Don’t try to be cool in a situation like this, you idiot!” Sakura scolded.

Sasuke seemed to regard Naruto, before looking through the mist. “It’s going to be difficult to see through this mist...”

Naruto frowned. ‘Huh? He’s having trouble seeing through this mist? I can see Kakashi and that other guy just fine!’

‘Of course you fool! You have enhanced senses thanks to me!!’

‘Really?’

“But I agree with Naruto.” Sasuke continued. “I have to grow stronger fast and to just stand still here means my progress is standing still as well.” The Uchiha turned to Sakura. “Sakura. You stay and guard Tazuna. Naruto and I are going out to help Kakashi.”

And then, both boys vanished in the mist. Sakura deadpanned. ‘Oh no... Can they really do this?’ And then she screamed. “Sasuke-kun, be careful!”

Their Jounin Instructor snapped at that. ‘What is Sasuke doing? Did he leave Tazuna-san’s side?’ Using his ears, he heard the soft footsteps of both Sasuke and Naruto made. ‘Damn it! Now they are in danger as well!’

As he thought that, he was slightly distracted, but heard Zabuza’s sword descending towards his skull. It clipped off a few hairs of his as it sunk into the ground. “That was close, Kakashi...”

This time, Kakashi rushed towards him, but Zabuza’s Taijutsu seemed superior.

Until both Sasuke and Naruto appeared on each side of Zabuza and tried to kick him. Zabuza merely took a second to deal with both of them, with simple kicks. “What’s this? Two little kids trying to help you, Kakashi? You actually need their help, hm?”

“Naruto! Sasuke! Go back and guard Tazuna! I’ll deal with this myself!” Kakashi said as he ducked under Zabuza’s sword. This time, Sasuke fired a Fire Jutsu at Zabuza, forcing Zabuza to disappear in the mist again.

“I told you to go back! Listen to your sensei!” Kakashi ordered.

“Kakashi... You’re facing a Jounin. Jounin versus Jounin presents an equal win situation for both sides.” Sasuke explained. “But a Jounin plus two Genin versus one Jounin, and our chances of winning are bigger...”

A chuckle suddenly filled the air. “You two brats are nothing but hindrances to Kakashi...” Kakashi tried to pinpoint Zabuza’s voice, but couldn’t find it as it seemed to be all around him. But now that he checked around him... he noticed Naruto wasn’t there anymore either. “Naruto?”

Sasuke tried to look for the blonde masked Genin as well. “Naruto?”

Zabuza was surprised to find one of Kakashi’s Genin suddenly so close to him. “What?!” Or rather, to find about a hundred of Clones of this Genin around him.

“Kakashi-sensei!! He’s here!!” All of them screamed.

This resulted in Zabuza swinging his sword all around him, but the Clones just kept coming and coming. ‘Damn this brat!!’

And then, Kakashi appeared in between all the clones and started attacking Zabuza. Sasuke just looked in awe at all the clones Naruto had created. ‘That dobe... did this?’

“You two have done enough! My Sharingan has caught him. Go back and protect Tazuna now!!” Kakashi ordered.

Sasuke and Naruto looked on in admiration as the battle turned into a skirmish of high-levelled water-techniques. “Awesome...” Naruto whispered as they slowly made their way back towards Sakura and Tazuna. Sasuke simply nodded dumbly, staring at all the hand seals the two Jounin formed.

In the end, Kakashi had the upper hand and beat Zabuza with a Water Jutsu. Naruto and Sasuke didn’t know what to think when a Hunter-nin appeared and claimed Zabuza’s body.

No one caught Kakashi, as the Chakra Exhaustion came unexpected.

---

“You watched the fight?”

“Yes, Zabuza-san. Your technique to deal with the Sharingan is formidable, as you had expected. However, one of the Genins under Hatake Kakashi seems to be unaffected by the Mist...”

“Ah, the masked one, I assume. He easily found me in the mist.”

“Yes. Allow me to keep him out of the fight, so your trump card will be used optimally.” Haku said. “The other Genins don’t seem to be that skilled.”

“You saw nothing in that one who used a Fire Technique?” Zabuza asked as his wounds were being mended to by Haku.

“No, but that one didn’t show a lot after all. And the girl, is my guess, the weakest. We will attack them in a week from now, because that’s how long it will take for you to heal, Zabuza-san.”

Zabuza merely grunted.

---

“Dobe...”

Sakura looked up to see Sasuke look at Naruto. Kakashi was still sleeping. They had arrived a few hours ago at Tazuna’s place and Tsunami, Tazuna’s daughter, showed them a bed.

‘Sasuke-kun...’ Sakura thought. ‘Lately he’s always talking to Naruto.’

Naruto took the time to take his mask off and glare at Sasuke. “Why don’t you stop calling me that for a change, you bastard.”

Sasuke fell silent and so did Sakura. There was something different about Naruto’s face. ‘Genjutsu?’ Sakura thought. ‘He looks...’

“Why would I? You ARE the dead-last, aren’t you?” Sasuke retorted. “However, you’ve been holding back.”

Naruto frowned. “Holding back?” He repeated. “What do you mean?”

“You don’t have those whisker marks anymore!” Sakura suddenly yelled out. This made Sasuke narrow his eyes.

Naruto put his hands to his cheeks and smiled. “Hey, yeah! You’re right!”

“So you finally stopped painting those things on your cheeks, hm?” Sasuke sighed. “Why did you do it?”

“It wasn’t paint, you bastard!”

“Not that, dobe! Why did you hold back your skills at the academy? Obviously, you’re better than you showed everyone. Why did you do that?” Sasuke got a little impatient.

Naruto shrugged. “I didn’t hold back at all. I just got a lot stronger in the past few weeks. Why do you ask?”

“How strong are you then, Naruto?” Sasuke asked as he rose from the chair he was sitting on. “Show me, outside.”

“Sasuke-kun!” Sakura yelled. “Naruto, don’t-” She cut herself off. This time it was Sasuke who really wanted to fight. “Ah, Sasuke-kun. You should rest from the battle...” She ended lamely as she held on to his shoulder.

“Shut up.” Sasuke shoved her away. “What’s wrong? Are you scared now, dobe? Kakashi can’t protect you from me now.”

Naruto glared at the Uchiha. “You bastard, how dare you push Sakura-chan away like that?!”

Sasuke grinned. “That’s right. Want me to shove her some more or are you going at me right now?” He motioned with his hands to come.

Naruto’s glare grew. “Let’s go outside now!” Sasuke turned towards the door and Naruto followed, until-

“You two don’t want to do that.”

Sakura’s expression turned happy as Kakashi had woken up. “Kakashi-sensei!!”

Indeed, Kakashi was holding Naruto by the elbow. “It seems completing this mission will still be a handful.” He started as he released Naruto. “Naruto, Sasuke, the mission isn’t over yet. Settle your little fight in Konoha. Right now we have more important stuff to take care of, got it?”

Naruto nodded and put his mask back on, while Sasuke glared a bit.

“Zabuza survived. A Hunter-nin usually takes care of the body right on the spot, meaning this Hunter-nin was an accomplice. We’ll need to be ready for them next time. As it is now, it seems I won’t be able to train you properly, so... we’ll do some Chakra Exercises.”

---

“Tree Climbing? We can already do that, Kakashi-sensei!” Sakura yelled proudly.

Naruto rolled his eyes behind his mask, while Sakura and Sasuke looked amazed as Kakashi walked up the tree. “But can you do it like this, Sakura?”

“Ne, Kakashi-sensei? Can I do something else? I already know how to do this.” Naruto pleaded. “Can you show me one of those water techniques you did against that Big Sword guy?”

“You already know this? Then show me, Naruto.” Kakashi gently ordered.

“Naruto, you show-off! Don’t say you can do something until you can really do it, you idiot!” Sakura yelled, but shut up as Naruto did what Kakashi asked.

He didn’t look surprised when Naruto simply walked up the tree as he did before. Sakura and Sasuke’s eyes were widened. ‘This dead-last... How much does he know already?’ Sasuke thought angrily.

“Very well, you’ve proven your point, Naruto. You can come down.” Kakashi said. “I’ve got something interesting for you, then. But first...” He turned to Sakura and Sasuke. “Try to get to the top of the highest tree you can find.” He threw them a Kunai. “Mark the place you’ve reached last to see if you’re improving. If you’re not improving, then take a rest.” He then walked away, making sure Naruto followed him.

As soon as they were out of hearing range of the other two Genins, Kakashi turned to Naruto. “How much weight do you have on you?”

Naruto’s face dropped a bit and Kakashi imagined a pout behind that mask. “Kuro-nii-san forces me to use sooo many!”

‘Kuro-nii-san? I guess he means Kyuubi...’ Kakashi smiled. “That’s good... Do you know how fast you are without them now?”

Naruto shook his head. “I haven’t dropped these for over a week. Only under the shower... But I’ve taken a shower a week ago, I think...” He scratched the back of his head, while Kakashi sweatdropped.

“You think?” Kakashi repeated. “Anyway, take them off then. Show me how fast you are.”

Naruto sighed and took the mask off. He then proceeded to take his black gloves off, his black sandals, his black pants, revealing black shorts underneath. His ankle and knee protectors. Then his dark blue vest. His wrist and elbow protectors. And he finished with his chest armor.

During the process, Kakashi couldn’t help but notice how much of an impact the weights had made on the ground. ‘Ok... this is really old-fashioned... But it works. That sure is a lot of weight...’

“Man, I feel like I can fly now, Kakashi-sensei...”

Kakashi nodded. “Yes, I can imagine that... Now, show me-” Naruto cut him off by disappearing. ‘I see... He’s improved enough to do Shunshin no Jutsu... Although I can still easily track it down and follow it. But it’s impressive for a Genin.’

Naruto appeared in front of Kakashi again. “Teehee!! Now I can do that trick you and Kuro-nii-san always do! So, can you show me more tricks now?”

“What does Kuro-san usually make you do, Naruto?” Kakashi asked as he tried to think of something he could teach Naruto.

“Usually, I have to add extra weight now, but I’m not in Konoha to buy that, so...” Naruto said. “Oh, I also know how to walk on water, Kakashi-sensei.”

“I see... Want to gain more speed then, Naruto?” Kakashi asked. “Or a Jutsu?”

“Jutsu! Jutsu!”

Kakashi grinned. “Alright then...”

---

Sasuke had taken a break, while Sakura was on the ground, no longer able to climb the tree because of Chakra Exhaustion. She had climbed the tree four times. They both saw Kakashi approach them, without Naruto.

“Kakashi-sensei! I’ve reached the top!” Sakura exclaimed happily. But she immediately held her hand for her mouth, realizing Sasuke still hadn’t. “Uh, actually, I haven’t reached the top yet.” She still wanted to spend more time with Sasuke-kun after all.

“I see. I’m heading back to Tazuna’s place. You two come back too if you’re feeling tired, ok?” Kakashi suggested as he walked past them. “Well, later.” He waved.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. ‘What did he make that dead-last do?’

“Ne, Sasuke-kun? Do you want to do this together?”

Sasuke really wanted to do a Great Fireball Technique on her for asking that four times already. “No.” But he was always one to keep his cool.

---

“This sucks so much...” Naruto grumbled as he undid his techniques. “As if I can actually use this in battle, I already have a better version of this technique! Damn you, Kakashi-sensei!”

Naruto had stayed in the forest for a few days now, also learning some new things from Kyuubi as they thought to each other. He glanced backwards with narrowed eyes as he heard footsteps a half a mile away from where he was now. ‘Ok, time to play Shinobi and investigate, teehee...’

It was a few minutes later where he saw the boy pick up herbs. Although he had to admit that this one looked more like a girl than a guy. But Naruto could smell this was a boy.

Naruto’s eyes widened as he realized something. ‘I smelled this scent before! But where?’

Haku looked up to see Naruto in the tree, seemingly in deep thought. “Good afternoon!” Haku yelled gently. “Can I help you? You seem to be lost?”

Naruto jumped down and stared the boy down. “Hmmm... Have we met somewhere before?”

Haku shook his head. “I am Haku. Are you, by any chance, a Shinobi?”

Naruto’s suspicious thoughts vanished. “Ah! Can you tell, can you tell? How can you tell?”

“Well, you’re wearing a mask... And you have those gloves that only Shinobis have, plus... A Hitai-ate from... I don’t know?” Haku summed up. “I figured you were a Shinobi.”

“I am Uzumaki Naruto! Supreme Shinobi from Konohagakure!” Naruto proudly exclaimed. “Nice to meet you, Haku!” The blonde masked boy held out his hand. Haku took it with a moment’s hesitation.

“Nice to meet you too, Naruto-kun.” Haku tilted his head slightly. “You seem tired, have you been training?”

Naruto vigorously nodded his head. “Yeah, yeah!! We have to fight this really bad-ass guy soon, because another guy rescue-” Naruto’s eyes seemed to snap because of a sudden revelation. “You! You have the same scent!”

Before Naruto could grab a Kunai, Haku appeared behind him and held a Kunai to Naruto’s neck. “I feared you would be able to notice it...” Haku whispered. “I am sorry it has come to this, Naruto-kun. It seems your senses are too dangerous for our mission...”

“You bastard...” Naruto growled.

“Hold no grudge, Naruto-kun... I am merely protecting someone who is very dear to me. Do you have anyone very dear to you?”

Naruto shook his head. “No, I was never given such a chance...” He winced as Haku’s Kunai pierced a bit of his neck.

“Such a pity...” Haku whispered. “Only with someone who’s very precious to you, will you become very strong.”

‘You are such an idiot...’

Naruto wondered if Kuro-nii-san was talking to him or Haku. “I bid you farewell, Naruto-kun.” Haku sliced Naruto’s neck with ease. Too much ease, Haku almost thought.

And then, Naruto’s body turned to mud. ‘Kawarimi? No... I was too fast for him to be able to do that... What then...?’

This time, it was Naruto who held the Kunai to Haku’s neck from behind him. “A new technique I just learned...” Naruto started. “A Mud Clone.”

It was too fast for Naruto to follow, but he could definitely feel Haku’s sandal against his face, even as he made an impact on a tree behind him. ‘So fast...’

Haku wanted to strike again, until he sensed two others behind him.

“Ah, and who might you be?” Kakashi lazily asked. No further explanations came as Haku materialized into water and was gone. “That was rude... I can’t sense him anymore either...” Kakashi pondered. ‘This one was good, then...’

“You okay, Naruto?” Kakashi asked as he approached the grumbling Naruto.

“Kakashi-sensei! I’m still not fast enough!!” Naruto nagged as he jumped up and stared Kakashi in the eye. “Make me faster!!”

Sasuke, behind, Kakashi snorted. The grey-haired Jounin grinned. “I’d like you to fight with Sasuke... With all your weights on, Naruto.”

“What?!” Naruto glared. “That’s unfair!”

Kakashi grinned. “After a while, when you’ve received a probable beating, you can take the weights off.”

Naruto glared some more. “After a probable beating?!” His glare went from Kakashi to the grinning Sasuke.

“Heh, as if that’s not obvious, dobe. Why not let him drop those weights now, Kakashi? It’ll make no difference.”

Kakashi sighed. “Just start. I want to see what you two are capable off.” Kakashi’s eye widened as Naruto started gathering Chakra around his mouth. ‘Wha-what’s he doing?! That’s highly concentrated Chakra...’ He looked sideways to see Sasuke form the handseals for the Great Fireball Technique. ‘No... that’s...’

And then a ‘Bang followed.’

Sasuke was slammed into a tree, his Goukakyuu no Jutsu completely wiped away by Naruto’s Chakra Bullet. ‘D-damn, what was that?’

Kakashi’s eye was widened. ‘I thank the gods Naruto still can’t control his Chakra properly yet. That technique could be lethal...’ He had already checked Sasuke and noticed that Naruto’s aim was off as well. ‘Naruto’s attack barely hit Sasuke, as it skimmed Sasuke’s right hip... But from the looks of it, it still hurt Sasuke a lot...’

Sasuke jumped up, ignoring the pain and looked at the confused look on Naruto’s face. “What just happened, Kakashi-sensei?” The blonde asked.

“Don’t use that technique on comrades again, Naruto.” Kakashi simply said, sending a meaningful gaze towards Naruto that said ‘It could actually kill someone.’

Naruto dumbly nodded and noticed Sasuke slipping into fighting stance. ‘Heh, so my technique can dispel his Fire techniques, huh?’ Naruto grinned. “Bring it on, Sasuke!”

Sasuke rushed forward and used his speed to try and get behind Naruto, but was surprised to see his blow to the back blocked, his fist actually caught in Naruto’s hand as the blonde had turned around faster than he could see. “Surprised? I can see your movements...”

Sasuke snarled and tried to kick Naruto, who simply jumped backwards. This time using all of his speed, Sasuke kicked Naruto from the left side and watched Naruto skid across the ground. “You didn’t see that, did you, dobe?”

Naruto jumped up and glared at the Uchiha. ‘Damn it, why couldn’t I move out of the way! I DID see his movements!’

‘Probably because you still have your weights on. Even if you can see the speed, if your body is too slow to react, your eyes are basically useless, aren’t they?’

‘Damn this!’ Naruto rushed forward, saw Sasuke counter-attack, but could do nothing as the Uchiha hit him in the face and then in the stomach, finishing off with a roundhouse kick in Naruto’s side. Naruto roared in pain as he fell on the ground.

“I guess it’s time for you to get rid of those weights.” Sasuke taunted. “This is too boring for me.”

Naruto obliged and made Sasuke’s eyes widen as all the weights made craters in the ground. Even the single mask was that heavy? Sasuke tried not to gulp as Naruto slipped into a fighting stance. “Let’s get wild!”

Kakashi winced as Sasuke got slammed into a tree a second later. ‘Ai... But maybe this way, Sasuke can activate his Sharingan... And these two really need to get along. A fight supervised by me is the best way, if I do say so myself...’ The lazy Jounin thought as he grabbed a small book.

---

A few days later, they were in another fight. But this time, they were working together. Kakashi cursed to himself as he stood face to face with Zabuza. ‘It’s been quite some time since I’ve been in such a dangerous battle... I hope Sasuke and Naruto are doing fine in there...’ He thought as he watched the strange Bloodline-Limit Technique of the boy named Haku.

Inside the Demonic Mirrors, Naruto and Sasuke were actually grinning to each other. They had come to terms with each other and didn’t call each other ‘Dobe’ or ‘Bastard’... as often as before.

“Naruto... Remove your weights.” Sasuke suggested. “We need speed against this technique. Also, use your new techniques; I don’t think his attacks can do much harm that way.”

Naruto nodded his head. “Taiyuu Tsuchi Bunshin no Jutsu!” And then the area was filled with Clones. Earth Clones.

“We’ve figured it out!” Sasuke yelled out to their opponent. His Sharingan was blazing with intensity as he stared Haku directly in the eye. “We’re ready for whatever you come with at us!”

Suddenly, six of the many mirrors deformed into huge Ice Shards, completely ripping away half of Naruto’s army. Sasuke’s eyes widened as he barely got out of the way. ‘Shit...!’

“Shinobis should not get cocky, Uchiha. Even if you do have the Sharingan.” Haku uttered through the mirrors. “Whether you use Earth Clones, Mud Clones or Shadow Clones, it does not matter, Naruto-kun. You two are skilled, but in here, I see all! To make sure everything goes well for Zabuza-san, I have to assure your defeat!”

Sasuke performed a few handseals and blew out a massive “Katon, Ryuuka no Jutsu!”

Naruto smirked at the technique Sasuke had learned in the past few days. He saw how the attack smashed through one mirror. But this one came back almost a second later. “A waste of Chakra.’ Haku said.

“Kage Shuriken no Jutsu!” Naruto yelled out, but was disappointed as none of the Shurikens were strong enough to even make a small scratch on the mirrors.

“It is futile.” And then, needles came flying at both of them.

Naruto, without weights, could dodge them. Sasuke, with the Sharingan, could dodge them as well.

‘These two can see my techniques... I’ll have to go fully out!’ Haku thought as Ice Needles came flying at them from every mirror, from every angle possible.

In other words, there was no way to dodge...

---

TBC

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"Just kill him, pathetic human!!"