Naruto Fan Fiction / Crossover With Non-anime Series Fan Fiction / Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Fan Fiction ❯ The False Apocalypse ❯ Hitokiri Zansatsu ( Chapter 15 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The mission to wave begins with an interesting twist. How will Team Thirteen�s influence on Gato effect events regarding Zabuza.

Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction / Crossover With Non-anime Series Fan Fiction / Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Martial Arts / Adventure | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 05.30.2009 | Pages: 9 | Words: 12.4K | Visits: 191 | Status: Completed

The False Apocalypse

The Shinobi Saga

Chapter 15

Hitokiri Zansatsu

Disclaimer: See chapter 1

“Hell yea! It's about time you gave us a C-rank old man!”

“Naruto show some respect to the Hokage.” One would think Iruka would get it by now but for some reason he said the exact same thing every single time Naruto referred to the `old man' in this manner.

“Now Iruka it's ok. I'm the closest thing he's had to a family so I'm ok with it. Now it's time for you to meet your client. You are to protect him on his way to wave. The threats are standard bandits and such so you shouldn't have to worry about any shinobi.”

An old man walked into the office stone drunk looking at the boys. “These are the ones? I thought I was buying ninja not samurai. And kids? Ok so the one in the coat looks capable but the other two look fresh out of dippers.” He hiccupped at the end as he slouched into the nearest wall.

“WHAT DID YOU SAY TEME!” Sakura and Kakashi were holding Naruto back while inner Sakura was just as angry as Naruto. Sasuke simply smirked knowing that this was the exact reason he dressed the way he did. It was moments like this that Sasuke loved watching the annoyance that should never befall himself. He simply dressed too cool for such things to happen to him.

`Grra sometimes Naruto can be such a pain.' The old Hokage thought to himself finally deciding to end the controversy. “Now, now Tazuna I can personally vouch for the quality of these shinobi. Naruto and Sasuke here trained as my direct pupils for years and Sakura has made a strong addition to the team. Then Kakashi here is a former Anbu Captain. They are more than capable of protecting you from whatever bandits and thugs you may run into.”

“Hmm, good, nothing less for the great bridge builder Tazuna. You are to guide me home to wave country where I am building the largest bridge in the world!” Okay so this guy was a little big headed for a drunkard but at least it was better than plucking weeds or chasing down that damned cat.

“No problem old man you have the great Uzumaki Naruto, Future Hokage protecting you!” The drunkard simply shrugged and walked out the door, ignoring the blond's overly glorified remarks.

“Alright you have two hours to prepare then meet at the main gate” Kakashi stated before exiting in his usually poofy fashion.

“Iruka, bring me team thirteen I have a special mission for them as well.”

“Yes Hokage Sama.” Iruka began to open the door only to be stopped by a team standing on the other side.”

“You rang?” Nazomishi stated with a hint of joy at a day that was going quite well so far. He knew what was coming up and was going to enjoy the next few weeks quite thoroughly. Apparently they were headed there anyway and overheard the orders from the other side of the door.

“Yes come in boys I have a new mission for you.”

“What is it this time, more weeds or that damned cat again?” Yea, Rei didn't like the cat. No to her it was the demon cat from hell. Somehow she completely missed the entire `boys' comment and paid it no mind like she usually would.

“Kakashi spoke very highly of you and your mission record has proved that you are ready for this mission. This is a very unorthodox mission for genin but with Hayate there I'm sure things will go fine.” The Hokage opened up his desk and pulled out a packed containing the mission specs.

“The other day I received a B-rank protection request from the Business man Gato in wave. Lately our business with wave has been very lacking for some reason and while working for him I would like you to take on another B-ranked investigation mission into why this is. Hayate this will primarily be your mission but they are free to assist you in any way you feel they can handle.”

“Yes sir.” The Hokage smiling warmly seeing that Hayate's cough was gone.

“I see Tsunade did a great job healing you.”

“Yes her skills in extracting poisons are extraordinary. I'm actually surprised the hospital never caught it after all these years.” Yes Tsunade was quite good, clearly worth a dozen medic nins any day. For some mysterious reason or another Tsunade had dropped by after Hayate's procedure and relayed that she would be staying in Konoha for a few months. Sarutobi knew what it was; she had run into Sakura when team Seven went to see Hayate. Despite not knowing the man his student showed an abnormal interest in medical skills. Tsunade took a particular interest in the girl for that reason. It wasn't much but after team training Sakura would head over to the hospital for special training under the blond. Tsunade could see it, Sakura was a natural medic and had become somewhat inspired to teach the girl despite how much her mind wanted to say no.

“Back to business, Kakashi and his team have received a protection mission from a bridge builder in wave and I fear these two may be linked. The number of missions from that area have been nil for so long that I find it difficult to believe they are simply going to become common again. According to our intelligence this occurrence is not unique to Konoha. None of the shinobi nations have received official missions from there for some time. If they have been then the missions have been far too high a rank for us to retrieve. In this case you are to retrieve team seven and return to Konoha Immediately.”

`Good, this is the perfect opportunity to contact Zabuza and Haku.'

“This is merely a secondary mission and you are not to engage any obstacles unless Hayate deems it absolutely necessary.” The old Hokage looked into their eyes for confirmation.

“Yes Hokage sama. Um, I have heard that he is… a rather ruthless business man. What are we to do should he attempt to … extend the mission parameters?” Rei was seriously questioning the legitimacy of this mission based on the man's reputation. The Force was telling her there was something…strange going on.

“You will do what he wishes unless his requests are morally unacceptable by our bylaws.”

“Hokage sama…” Nazomishi asked seriously.

“Yes Nazomishi what is it?”

“This may seem a little strange but what if HE is the reason for so few missions to wave. If that were true wouldn't that also mean that he is likely the one Tazuna is trying to be protected from? It would make sense and explain why they both requested our services at the same time. Though why they both came here is the part that doesn't fit.”

“…hmm … you have a good point. If that is true then you will join with Kakashi's team and do what is necessary to return the village's business to us. Within reason of course, you are genin after all. Both Kakashi and Hayate must be in agreement with any decision should it arise, and your allegiance to Gato would be void.” `He knows something. Whatever, should things turn out for the better it will only prove what Kakashi said. Should things go badly …I would hate to think what we are in store for.”

“Is that all Hokage sama?” Hayate asked after a short pause.

“Yes, dismissed.” Sarutobi waved them away as he looked at a notebook on his desk, preparing for the next group of to arrive for their assignments. The four shinobi exited the office and as they finally left the premises Nazomishi turned and began walking away from the rest of them.

“I'll meet up with you guys a little late. My new coat is almost done and I think it would fit this mission rather well.” Nazomishi quickly shunshined away to gather his things; vanishing in a whorl of leafs.

“All right see ya.” Rei waved wondering which set he was talking about.

“New clothes?” Hayate was a little confused having never seen Nazomishi wearing anything other than his samurai like style of dress. The thought that he had much else was moderately perplexing. Of course he did say it was new.

“New weighted armor, he started work on it a week ago. Remember the shoulder plates Rei?”

“Oh so that's what he meant. I swear his seal array is getting too complex.”

By the time team thirteen left Konoha team seven was well along into their journey discussing all sorts of random things. Over the past few weeks Sakura had come to accept Naruto as much more than she originally thought she would. He was certainly far from the dead last his grades portrayed him to be. Sasuke was very happy with her changes over the past weeks. After she helped them with the exam incident she seemed to be coming up with all kinds of interesting solutions to their problems. This gave Kakashi the idea to have her study strategies when they get back. It would be most beneficial to their missions, especially missions without direct contact with himself. She was finally starting to earn their respect. On the other hand Sasuke did have to wonder where it was she was going after practice these days. It's not like she had another job or anything. And she used to fallow Ino around on her `adventures in shopping or stalking, whichever they felt like in that day.

“So Sasuke, Naruto, where did you get your swords? You showed up with them the last day of class but I never saw them before then, why is that?” They had entered a few moments of silence when Sakura finally thought of something to ask.

“Nazomishi made them for us, we asked him a long time ago and he did. Actually we've had them since the end of the first year at the academy but Sarutobi Sensei wouldn't let us touch them till we completed training with Hayate Gekko.”

“So that's why you visited him in the hospital? Why was he teaching you swordsmanship?”

“The old man said these swords were too powerful for us and wouldn't let us touch them till we learned from a master.” Naruto grumbled reminiscing about the day they received the blades. Granted the day they did receive the blades both boys gained a full understanding of what Sarutobi meant by `too powerful.'

“Ok come on why would a couple stupid swords be too dangerous, it's not like a kunai aren't either.”

“That's what I thought but swords are much more dangerous than they seem, one wrong move and you can cut your own arm off, Especially with Chakra conducting blades like these. Hayate was amazed when he saw how powerful they were. According to him they could reach legendary status one day. ”

“Chakra conducting? What it drains's your chakra or something? Doesn't sound legendary too me.” Honestly Sakura had never heard of them before, she had heard of `chakra blades' like the Raijin but other than that she wasn't much on types of weapons. In her mind anything that drained chakra was more of a hindrance than anything else.

“No, it lets certain types of chakra flow through the blade more easily than a normal blade. You use less chakra for the same effect. I can channel wind chakra along the blade to make it sharper. The way these are made chakra flows more easily than if I were using a kunai or something, less chakra, less concentration, better result.” Naruto quickly drew his blade and slashed at a large rock before sheathing it. Upon the click of the reheating the rock began to slide in two much to the shock of Tazuna and Sakura. It was obvious that he had channeled wind through the blade for the strike, though Tazuna didn't really notice anything out of the ordinary.

“Without the wind it would be hard to cleave a tree in two, much less a bolder. Hayate did both when he demonstrated but showed us how much easier it was with the chakra enhancement. ”

“Mine channels electricity, which reminds me, in the letter we got with the swords Nazomishi had a note saying it would work well with Chidori. Kakashi?” Kakashi sighed knowing he would have asked it sooner or later. He had hoped those three never would have asked.

“It's my personal assassination jutsu, Nazomishi made me promise that I would teach it to you during the Chuunin exams. I…” Kakashi was cut short by Sasuke throwing an electrified kunai into a puddle of water nearly twenty feet away. The puddle immediately vanished revealing two cloaked Chuunin with large claws and a strange spiked chain connecting the arms.

The demon brothers were lightly electrocuted by the kunai but recovered quickly as Kakashi simply seemed to vanish wanting to see how his students would handle these two.

The demon brothers stretched out their chain running along side each other trying to tie up Sasuke but he pulled one of his blades channeling some electricity through it, generating an electrical pulse along the sharp portion of the blade. He leaped up into the air seemingly vanishing from the brothers' sight as their spiked chain shattered into pieces. The Uchiha reappeared in a crouched position holding both of his blades backhanded with one behind his back and the other just short of pressing against the skin of one brother.

“Drop it or I kill you…” Sasuke stated in a hard and serious tone, leaking a sufficient amount of killing intent to solidify his claim.” Sarutobi had taught him well. A little killing intent went a long way towards showing an opponent you were serious. In the world of shinobi those who couldn't produce were obviously bluffing.

Meanwhile Naruto looked over to the other brother quickly drawing his blade as a great wave of wind blasted the brother into a nearby tree, knocking him out.

“Alright so what are we going to do with you?” Sasuke spoke with some sarcasm in his voice knowing Kakashi would probably kill them after an interrogation, not that he really thought too deeply about the death part. The lazy Jounin showed up as soon as the danger had cleared and made short work of tying the brothers to a tree.

“Hmph you let me deal with them Sasuke.” Sakura walked up to them popping her knuckles in a fist. “I've been wanting to test out something I learned the other day.”

“Really, and what is that?” `She learned something, good it's about time she focused on becoming stronger.'

“THIS!” Sakura fisted her right arm and concentrated chakra into it, throwing a punch at the ground and generating a crater over five feet wide, causing the tree the brothers were tied to, to lean over in the process. `HELL YEA!' Inner Sakura screamed seeing her first real success with Tsunade's super strength technique. Even Tsunade was surprised at how fast the girl had picked up the technique. Sure it was far from perfect but two weeks in a crater that size was insane.

The true fear this placed into the conscious chuunin was only realized a few moments later when everyone noticed the distinct smell of both urine and shit. As for everybody else, they knew her punches hurt before but now they would hurt like hell.

“So are you going to tell us who you work for or will I have to aim a little higher next time?” Sasuke's eye noticeably twitched a time or two while Naruto took a few steps back and Kakashi's expression was covered by his mask. Tazuna on the other hand simply made the wise decision not to make any of the weak girl comments anymore. He was glad she was on his side.

“…” The chuunin was speechless in fear when his brother woke up and looked at the moderate sized crater. His eyes narrowed at the cater before looking at the leaf shinobi then to his brother and his own bindings.

“Shit…” He just barely got out alerting the others to the fact that he was awake.

“Are you going to speak?” Kakashi stated almost annoyed with the need for interrogating a chuunin.

“Why the hell should I?”

“Because if you don't Sakura here will turn your nuts into peanut butter.” He got the hint when he looked back to the crater, which everybody else took another glance at. Fortunately, or unfortunately for him the shock of the moment caused him to feint.

“These guys are chuunin right? If they are, the exams are going to be a piece of cake.” Naruto commented walking over to Tazuna. “As for you, I think you have some explaining to do.”

“…What can't a famous bridge builder get attacked ninja?”

“No, not and be on a properly ranked mission you can't” Sakura cracked her knuckles trying to persuade him a bit, thus receiving the desired result.

“That's enough Sakura I'm sure Tazuna will tell us everything we need to know without force.” Kakashi raised his hand to his forehead protector about to reveal his Sharingan when Tazuna finally spoke out.

“I…I just wanted some protection. Were poor in wave thanks to Gato, a powerful businessman controlling all the trade back home. He wants to kill me because the bridge would end his hold on us. We would have paid you to get rid of him but thanks to his hold on our country were simply too poor to do so. Please I'm begging you; if I cannot complete the bridge the entire country is as good as dead. Surly you're not so heartless that you would leave us all to die.” Tazuna begged, hoping he wouldn't have to go further into a corny sob story.

“Alright, can it old man I don't want to hear the sob story. I'll protect you no mater what it means. These idiots were weak and even if he hires more ninja we can take them right Sasuke?”

“The dobe's right we can't let a greedy freak like that take hold this close to Konoha. Besides I hate people like him. They remind me of … him…” Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he contemplated on Uchiha Madara and Naruto rolled his eyes seeing that Sasuke was doing it… again.

“Personally I have no problems continuing but we all need to be in agreement. So unless Sakura agrees to go on we have to go back to Konoha.”

“Yea right! If Sasuke thinks we can do then lets go for it CHA!” `What are you doing I thought you were suppose to be in my head?' `I am you, I can do what I want CHA!'

“Well then I guess it's settled, but remember this is probably a B-rank mission or higher at this point and you will have to pay for it as soon as your able to.” Kakashi glared at the bridge builder performing a fancy trick with his drawn kunai as he sheathed it to make a point.

“Yes absolutely, anything to get rid of that greedy pig.” Tazuna was frantic but in a happy way. A little sad that he had to pay for a more expensive mission but glad he would finally be rid of Gato.

And so they continued their path to wave with Tazuna having a heavily load lifted from his mind. Everybody was a little surprised that Tsunade had taught Sakura her prized super strength even if it was a little downgraded. This had Sasuke wondering if he could get her to teach it to him. On the other hand he could simply copy it with the Sharingan and have a decent version. At any rate the fact that Tsunade had taken enough interest in the pink haired girl was extraordinary. Perhaps now she could truly focus on being an effective member of the team.

Sakura's new found strength got Naruto thinking. Now that their team consisted of heavy hitters, what kind of team were they? Hinata's team was designed for tracking; Shikamaru's was designed to subdue opponents. Nazomishi's… There was another interesting thought two of the three seemed to carry swords at all times but all used swords. He guessed they were close combat specialists or something like that. Naruto looked over team seven's attributes and came to the conclusion that their team was filled with heavy hitters. The possibility of an assassination squad was slim. Their techniques were simply too flashy to do anything like that. Perhaps a juggernaut team, that seemed to fit right. He would certainly have to ask Kakashi to design some attack plans for the team.

Naruto was excited, after Tazuna explained Gato's power with bandits and samurai for hire. He was itching to show off his skills and put one high and mighty businessman in his place. Although none of them knew of the battles to come.

As they drew closer to Wave the mist began to thicken as they drew closer to the waters where they boarded a small boat. It was well understood that the engine was useless unless they wanted to draw attention to themselves. That was of course out of the question even with the great Hatake Kakashi by their side.

The group soon disembarked and began the final stretch of their journey towards Tazuna's house. Walking on a dirt rout past a rather large lake they treaded cautiously after noticing Kakashi's eye flashing around violently, looking for something. To the others this meant that there was definitely some presence nearby. A moment later a massive killing intend flooded the area as a massive blade flew through the air lodging itself in a nearby tree after Naruto grabbed Tazuna and leaped over the blade, old man in tow.

Upon the massive blade stood a powerful looking man, covered in bandages and his face covered by a mask similar to Kakashi's. “Fast kid, but your no match for me. Just drop the bridge builder and I might let you off alive. Oh what do we have here Sharingan Kakashi. I could kill you for the fun and the bounty. I guess this is my lucky day.” He was visibly smirking under his mask.

“Momochi Zabuza, demon of the bloody mist. Working as a lackey for a rich tyrant so you can wage another coup?” Kakashi stated with some disgust, the idea that anyone would betray their village was somewhat sickening in his mind. For a known murderer like him what good reason could there possibly be?

“Work is work, but fighting you is going to make it all worth it.” A bloodthirsty smile adorned his face behind his mask as he vanished from the tree along with his sword, reappearing with his blade behind him in a backhanded position ready to strike Kakashi from behind. That was of course until both Naruto showed up grinding one of his fox blades into Zabuza's Zanbatou with enough force to push him into a skid along the ground.

Zabuza was enjoying this thoroughly; seriously how many brats could push back a sword master, much less a legendary sword master with such a massive blade. After a few moments Zabuza finally regained a solid stance and threw Naruto high into the air with his head cleaver. “Not bad for a kid but you die now!” Zabuza leaped high up towards him going in for the final strike.

Naruto on the other hand was loving the feeling of flight as he slowly flipped over in the sky going into a skydive leaving one blade to it's freefall and gripping his favorite of the two with both hands pumping large quantities of wind chakra into his blade. The two blades clashed with a great amount of force sending a light shockwave across the area. Sasuke smirked as Naruto's blade seemed to overpower Zabuza's. The sheer cutting power of Naruto's enhanced blade sliced clean through the blade and Zabuza's body only for every inch of his gains to disintegrate into a puddle of water.

Naruto landed near his fallen blade with a smooth and graceful landing slowly bending down to grab the blade. As he landed watery remains of Zabuza's water clone rained down around Naruto, dampening his hair.

“Nice job dobe, you killed a clone…” Sasuke's ranting was cut short by two Zabuza's hacking down at his head. The blades seemed to pierce though his body but the clones were soon shocked into oblivion as it was revealed that Sasuke switched himself with a Kaminari Bushin. (Lightning clone)

By now the real Zabuza was off fighting Kakashi on the water both forming dozens of hand seals at the same time. It was strange. There was no lag time between the two. It was as if Kakashi knew the seal Zabuza was going to use before it was formed. `This can't be possible, can he…read my mind?' Zabuza thought as Kakashi finished his seals at the same time as himself. Two massive water dragons burst from the lake weaving around each other and heading for their opponents. The dragons seemed on rout for both combatants but thanks to their skill the water dragons crashed into each other, washing both Shinobi away in a massive wave of water.

Both Kakashi and Zabuza washed ashore from the jutsu but quickly regained their composure as team seven headed over to Kakashi's side with Kakashi staying by Tazuna.

“Stay back he's too dangerous for you!” Kakashi stated concerned that they would be in the way of Zabuza's next attack. `Even if they were trained by the third they cant stand up to this man.'

“Not happening you're clearly getting tired and you've overused your Sharingan.” Sasuke raised his blades and channeled electricity through his blades as Naruto walked over to Zabuza creating twenty shadow clones.

“It's over Zabuza both of you are too tired to fight us anymore.”

“LIKE HELL KID!” Zabuza screamed lashing out and throwing his blade. The massive sword ripped apart the ground as it tore through and entered the sky with a trajectory towards Kakashi. Sasuke thought quickly and bashed it down cleaving the blade in two with an electrically charged blade, much to the dismay of Zabuza and the utter shock of the hiding Haku. Sadly for Kakashi Sasuke's powerful attack only diverted the back half of the blade leaving the front half to severally gauge Kakashi's left arm, nearly down to the bone.

“SENSEI!” Sasuke screamed in terror fearing the worst. Sakura covered her mouth as the blood spewed from the wound splattering the ground. As shocked as everyone else Naruto looked to Kakashi nearly in tears, then back to Zabuza in anger.

“You…you bastard…” He gripped his blades tighter and tighter till the popping of his bones could be heard even by Tazuna over fifty feet away. His eyes grew narrow and hard and his voice became a growl. His blades began to glow red as if drawing of the Kyuubi's chakra. “If he dies… if he dies I will send you to the deepest bowls of hell.”

Finishing his sentence Naruto took a wide swing through the air forcing large quantities of chakra out of his blade, ripping up the ground and emitting a horrible dark energy from within the wind. The blood red wave made it's way to Zabuza as he opened his eyes in fear, leaping away just in time to avoid the blast. It was a very narrow escape, so close the leaking energy from the wave scorched his skin.

Zabuza fell to the ground in pain. He was very much alive but shouting in horrible pain when a volley of senbon whizzed their way through the trees and hit their mark, burying themselves deep within Zabuza's neck. Moments later a masked hunter nin revealed it's self.

`What the hell is that kid? To do this to Zabuza sama…' “I'm sorry I'm a little late. I've been tracking Zabuza for some time now and your battle gave me the time I needed to catch up with him. Now if you will excuse me.” The hunter nin grabbed up the body of Zabuza and vanished as a whorl of mist engulfed the two of them. They were gone before anyone could question a word the hunter had said.

It took a few seconds but Naruto calmed down satisfied that the Hunter nin went off to dispose of the body. And yet, something didn't feel right. The same uneasiness was felt in Sasuke's mind as well but the shrugged it off thinking the hunter must have had a reason for carrying off the body. Right now their primary concern was Kakashi and Tazuna. Kakashi was in critical condition and loosing blood fast while Tazuna would not be safe so long as he remained outside around injured ninja.

---Meanwhile in Gato's base of operations---

Team thirteen was just walking into the large complex guided by several hired hands with swords. They all seemed proud to be working for the tyrant and held their blades with a cocky arrogance that made Aoshi sick. It reminded him of his time working for Kanryu.

Nazomishi had caught up with the others nearly an hour into their journey. Much to the dismay of Hayate and Aoshi it took Rei the majority of their remaining journey to get over Nazomishi's new appearance.

He no longer wore a shirt, but a large trench coat with two large metal shoulder pads embroidered with the Zate emblem, a blossoming Sakura tree with the sun rising behind it. Two long leather straps arched across his chest and a Nodachi with a blade surpassing seven feet in length was strapped to his left side. His hair was in bangs and permitted to drape freely down his back stretching down below his waist. (Yea I know. Sephiroth, if you haven't noticed by now I am a Final Fantasy fan. And yes several characters will receive a similar makeover…expect Naruto to change again once he grows a bit older.)

The team entered a large room with massive stone pillars and marble floors with a chair at the far end where Gato himself sat extravagantly, surrounded by nearly a dozen men.

“Finally here eh? I see Konoha likes to take their precious time.” Gato scoffed, mildly annoyed with their timing.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience we may have caused.” Hayate said with a bow trying not to anger the influential businessman. Although he wondered how the businessman expected anything faster. In all seriousness most anbu could have only made the trip with a day shaved off, and they were trained to get places fast. In his opinion their team made amazing time for a team of Genin.

“Hey what is this, they send me a bunch of kids to protect me? I need professionals not amateurs.”

“I can assure you Gato Sama, we are more than capable of protecting you from anything thrown at us.”

“Sure you can, I thought I hired Ninja not swordsmen, and what's with the getups. This aint Halloween kiddies.” Gato was testing them to see how they would react. The last thing he need was a bunch of wet behind the ears kids trying to guard against a possible revolt.

“Meh Shinobi wear strange clothing, most people find it intimidating but really it's just function.” Rei commented trying to shrug off the question, in all honesty the man's attitude was annoying her more than his questions. Still she liked the way she dressed; it wasn't fun having a bumbling pig like Gato calling her out on it.

“Yea whatever. Look, you sure these kids can handle it, I've got all kinds of freaks that would love to see my head on a platter ya know?” They all nodded in slight annoyance at the short man's repetitiveness.

“With all due respect sir anything we're capable of is far beyond anything your normal hired thugs can do.” Nazomishi stated with a hint of anger though in actuality he was rather amused by the ignorant man.

“HEY I could beat your ass any minute of the day!” One of the numerous thugs screamed from Gato's side.

“Want to test that theory?” Nazomishi taunted much to the dismay of Hayate. This was Gato's perfect opportunity; he wanted to see what they had so he decided push this a bit.”

“You're on!” The mercenary screamed as he took a step towards Nazomishi, reaching for the his blade.

“Now wait a minute, wait a minute fellows” Gato waved his arms up and down trying to get their attention. “If it's a fight you want this would be the perfect test to see if your ready to protect me. This fight is to the death, Mosashi take your pick.”

“YES SIR!” the thug from before screamed drawing his blade and slashing at Nazomishi's head. Nazomishi glared at him blocking the slash with the hilt of his blade. Pushing the blade away he wrapped his own blade around himself into a thrust smashing the butt end of the sheath into the thug's face, smashing his face in. Mosashi was easily thrown over fifteen feet through the air from the force of the strike, finally smashing into the ground, flopping around like a ragdoll.

“Nazomishi stop this!” Hayate screamed for his student to desist though Nazomishi shook his head wondering how much longer they would have to put on the charade of being new to fighting.

“Sorry Hayate Sensei but orders are orders.” Nazomishi retorted using Gato's own orders against his sensei.

“We have the option of quitting the mission.” The mission was to protect this man, not kill his subordinates or enemies. What was Nazomishi thinking?

“Frankly Sensei, I don't care.” Nazomishi shot Hayate one of his looks as if to say, I know what I'm doing so shut it and watch. Hayate drew back a moment in contemplation and finally sighed deciding to go along with it.

“Fine…” `I don't know how Kakashi dealt with this stupid mind reading.'

“Good, now finish the job, you work for me now and I don't tolerate failure.” Meanwhile the thug was on the ground in pain, struggling to his feet.

“You… You bastard, your smashed my nose, you…!!!” A massive blade was plunged through his neck and twisted ensuring his death. As his head landed on the ground with a thud Rei gave Nazomishi a glance that asked `What are you doing?' fallowed by Nazomishi giving his own which seemed to say,`Killing a murderer what do you think?' Gato soon stood from his seat, clapping profusely. He was most satisfied with the results.

“Bravo, bravo, I like this kid he knows what it takes to get things done in this world. Alright it's time for you to execute preventative measure two. There's a certain incomplete bridge…” Before Gato could completely explain a man panting for air burst through the doors obviously in a rush.

“Master Gato!” The man screamed, tripping on the carpet as he burst through the door.

“Yes yes, what is it.” Gato rubbed his forehead in annoyance at the clumsy idiot.

“It's Haku, he just brought Zabuza back. He's badly injured!”

“Zabuza lost… weakling, I have no use for weaklings. I think it's about time I paid him a visit. You two come with me! He pointed to his two best personal guards.

“Excuse me Gato sama, but do you mean Zabuza Momochi, The Demon of the Bloody mist?” Nazomishi asked knowing full well who they were talking about.

“More like pussy cat of the soggy beach. He has failed me and must be dealt with. I don't accept failure.”

“Perhaps we could be of some assistance.” Nazomishi enquired attempting to arouse his interest. Now this was interesting, someone with a brain was defiantly a plus.

“What do you have in mind?”

“I'm not sure who your opponent was but clearly they had an Elite Jounin level ninja with them. Zabuza is clearly the strongest ninja under your orders. You see sir, I am a sword builder, perhaps I can give him something that would give him an upper hand. I have just the blade in mind.” Nazomishi tapped his fingers together, adding a maniacal effect.

“You forget that he is injured and completely useless now. I have no use for a lame dog.”

“Ah but Rei here is rather skillful with healing jutsu. She could have him back on his feet in no time. Pawns are pawns, why throw away a pawn after a single setback. Especially if they can be used. It makes them…expendable.” Gato was likening where this was going. To him the term pawn meant it was intend to be thrown away. He liked expendable. But these words meant the boy knew at least one more use for the weakling.

“What exactly are you suggesting?” Nazomishi smirked knowing Gato was playing right into his hands.

“Clearly a Shinobi of his caliber will want revenge against his defeater. Let us heal him and send him once again. Then once his superior opponent is weakened from their battle we come in for the final blow with superior numbers. The pawn is scrap and checkmate is yours. You win and you don't have to pay him a dime.” While speaking Nazomishi had walked over to a marble statue next to a wall. As he finished up and stated checkmate he unsheathed his blade slicing the statue's head cleanly in two for dramatic effect. The head leaped from the pedestal from the force of the strike, shattering as it finally struck the ground.

“Kid after my own heart. Alright, I like it. I'm leaving it to you, but if you fail me your life is forfeit. Youse got it?” `This kids going to be the best money I've spent in a while. If all goes well I can bring him to me to be my personal body guard.I can't lose.'Needless to say Gato was loving every moment of it.

“Clear as crystal Gato Sama.” Nazomishi bowed respectfully while mentally admiring his handiwork. `Weak minded fool, it's far too easy to manipulate greedy bastards like him. It's like fishing, drop some bate and once they bight…hit them with the biggest fireball you have!'

Gato exited the room with several of his personal bodyguards fallowing closely behind. After Gato was finally gone team thirteen was escorted out of the complex and told to meet Gato again in four hours for dinner. Once they were a safe distance away from the complex Hayate broke the silence with an interesting question.

“Nazomishi…”

“Yes, sensei?”

“That wasn't your first kill was it?” It was blatantly obvious from the precision of the strike and the blatant lack of guilt afterwards.

“Hardly. Tell me, what has Kakashi told you of us?”

“Very little, enough to know you're not genin, in any sense of the word.”

“I think it's about time you learned the truth about us. It will make this mission significantly easier.” Nazomishi placed his fingers to his forehead as he thought deeply on his next works. “Before this mission is over, Zabuza will join us or die. Haku will join us or be set off on her own. Gato will be dead, and I will show this fool why they call me… Hitokiri Zansatsu (Manslayer of the Massacre)…