Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Young And The Hopeless ❯ Enter Zabuza; Kakashi-sensei's Toughest Opponent Yet! ( Chapter 5 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

[05] The Young And The Hopeless [Enter Zabuza; Kakashi-sensei's Toughest Opponent Yet!]

Fog blanketed the area as the six traveled with a boatman to Nami no Kuni.

"This fog's so think I can't see anything!" Sakura whispered from in front of Kakashi and Tazuna. Takyua sighed from next to Sasuke, who's back was against the side of the small boat. Naruto sat at the tip of the boat, sniffing the air.

"The bridge should be visible soon. When we reach the side of the bridge, we'll be in Nami no Kuni." the boatman said. naruto moved his head forward, seeing the bridge slightly.

"Woah! It's huge!" Naruto shouted.

"Wh-what?! Hey! Quiet, I said no noise! Why do you think we're traveling like this? Cutting off the engine and rowing? Using the fog as cover so they don't see us." the boatman said. Naruto covered his mouth and giggled.

"Tazuna-san. I want to ask you something before we reach the pier. The people who are after you. I need to know why. If you don't tell us, our mission may end when we reach the land." Kakashi said. Tazuna grunted.

"...I have no choice but to tell you. No. I want you to know. Just as you said, this is beyond the scope of your mission. The one who seeks my life is a very short man who casts a very long and deadly shadow." he said.

"A deadly shadow?" Kakashi asked, not believing it. "Who is he?"

"You guys have probably heard at least his name before. A shipping magnate by the name of Gatoh." Tazuna said.

"Huh? Gatoh? Of Gatoh Transport? He's a business leader! Everyone knows him!" Kakashi said.

"Who? Who? What? What?" Naruto asked eargerly.

"Gatoh... is a very powerful tycoon from a famous company, that's true. But below the surface, with the same ruthless methods he uses to take over businesses and nations, he sellls drugs and contraband using gangs and ninja. It was about a year ago when that man first set his eyes on Nami no Kuni. He used his weath and violence to enter this country, and before anyone knew it, he had taken complete control of the island's maritime transportatioin and shipping." Tazuna paused.

"Having a tight grip on the ocean, in an island nation like Nami no Kuni, means having control of finance, the government, the people... everything. The one thing Gatoh fears is the completion of the bridge that has been under construction for sometime now." he finished.

"...So that's it. Since you're in charge of the bridge, you're standing in this gangster's way." Sakura said while Naruto sat there, trying to understand everything Tazuna said.

"The, those ninja from before were Gatoh's men...?" Sasuke wondered. Takyua nodded with a sigh.

"I don't understand. Your opponent is a dangerous one, who will even use ninja. Why did you hide that fact from us when you made your request?" Kakashi asked.

"Nami no Kuni is a small and poor nation, where even our nobels have little money. Of course, we ordinary citizens have no money either. We can't affort to make requests of a B Rank or higher. If you end the mission when you drop me ashore, there will be no bridge. They'll assassinate me before I reach home. But, don't feel bad about that! Of course, my sweet little grandson will be upset, crying "Granddad! I want my granddad!"" Tazuna imitated. Sakura and Naruto sighed wile Sasuke and Takyua sweatdropped. "Oh, and my daughter will blame the Konoha ninja for the rest of her life and live her life in sorrow." Tazuna said. Sakura and Naruto sighed again.

"Oh well, it's not your fault. Forget it." Tazuna said, making the five shinobi feel guilty. The boatman chuckled lightly, almost inaudibly, but Takyua heard it. Kakashi sighed and scratched his hitai-ate, making his finger look like it was having a seizure.

"Well, I guess we have no other choice. We'll have to keep guarding you." Kakashi said pathetically.

"Oh! I'm very grateful!" Tazuna said. He turned around to face the boatman and held up two fingers. "I win." he said quietly.

"We're approaching the shore. Tazuna. It seems as though we haven't been noticed." the boatman said, changing the subject.

"Arigatou." Tazuna replied. The boat passed under a tunnel and when it came out on the other side, there was a lush town that was bright. It was Nami no Kuni; the Land of Waves.

"Yeah!" Naruto said quietly, seeing the village.

"Finally! Some light!" Takyua said, looking over the edge of the boat. The water was clear, and she could see the fish swimming.

~:+:~ ~:+:~ ~:+:~ ~:+:~
The Genin stepped off the boat, Sakura first, then Sasuke and Takyua, then Naruto. Kakashi and Tazuna followed directly after. The six looked at the boatman.

"This is as far as I go." he said.

"Right. Arigatou for taking such a big risk." Tazuna said. The boatman started up the motor again.

"Just be careful." he said. Seagulls chirped as the six watched the boatman go away. Tazuna turned to his guards.

"Okay! Get me home safely." he said.

"Right." Kakashi eplied. The four Genin and one Jounin walked along a path towards Tazuna's home.

The next ninja they send after us won't be Chuunin, but a Jounin. An elite ninja with deadly skills. Kuso. Kakashi thought. Naruto walked in front with Takyua. Behind them was Sasuke and Sakura, much to Sasuke's disappointment, and then came Tazuna and Kakashi. Sasuke picked up his pace slightly, to get away from Sakura, and walked on Naruto's right side. Naruto looked at the Uchiha boy and glared.

I'm not letting Sasuke take all the glory this time! he thought, running ahead, causing everyone else to stop. Naruto looked every which way and glared at a bush. He quickly pulled out a kunai and threw it into the bush. "Over there!" he shouted. Naruto stood up, trying to act cool while Sakura, Tazuna and Kakashi shook in anger. "Heh. It was just a mouse." Naruto said.

"Quit trying to show off! There was nothing there in the first place!" Sakura shouted, pointing at Naruto.

"Naruto! Those are kunai knives! They can be a tiny bit dangerous!" Kakashi said. Tazuna growled.

"Stop trying to scare me you stumpy little dwarf!" Tazuna shouted. Naruto continued to look every way, trying to look cool.

"Huh? I sense a presence there! No, over here?!" he said, suddenly pulling out a kunai as Kakashi's eye narrowed. "Over there!" Naruto shouted, throwing another kunai into another set of bushes. Sakura walked up and punched Naruto in the head.

"That's it Naruto!" she shouted. Naruto rubbed his head and turned to look at Sakura.

"S-someone's really been targeting us the whole time! I mean it!" he said.

"Yeah right! Just knock it off! We can all see through your joke! It's completely obvious!" Sakura retorted. Kakashi pulled apart the bushes as Takyua narrowed her eyes. She could pick up a faint chakra that didn't belong to any shinobi she knew. Behind the bushes was a white rabbit. Sakura walked over to the bushes and gasped.

"Naruto! Look what you did!" she shouted. Naruto gasped and ran over to the rabbit.

"Ah! Usagi-san! Nya! Gomen, chibi usagi-san!" he said, cuddling the unconscious rabbit.

"All this fuss over a rodent?" Tazuna asked. Kakashi walked over to Takyua who had a kunai out.

That's a yukiusagi, a snow rabbit. But the color... The coat turns white only in winter, when the days are short and there's little sunlight. This usagi was raised indoors, away from the light which could only be for one purpose, a kawarimi no jutsu. Kakashi turned towards the tree that Takyua was glaring at. So, they're already here.

I see... The demon brothers Gozu and Meizu wouldn't be able to take on these guys. It's the Konoha Copy Ninja, Kakashi of the Sharingan. an unknown shinobi thought, gripping his weapon tighter. Kakashi spun around to look at Naruto.

"Look out!" he shouted as a sword came flying at the six. Naruto fell to the ground, dropping the rabbit. Takyua fell ontop of Sasuke, much to Sakura's disappointment while Sakura fell on Naruto, much to Naruto's enjoyment. Tazuna jumped off to the side, narrowly doging the sword. The giant sword stuck into a tree and the owner appeared on the handle, looking back at the group.

If I'm right, that's... Kakashi thought, looking at the man in the trees as the kunoichi got of Naruto and Sasuke.

Koko de watashitachi iku! It's my time to shine, tebayo! I won't lose to Sasuke-teme! Naruto thought, glancing at Sasuke, who was now standing.

"Well, well! If it isn't Momochi Zabuza, rogue ninja from Kirigakure no Sato." Kakashi said, taking a step towards the man.

Rogue ninja? Whatever! I'm not going to let that stop me, tebayo! Ready... iku! Naruto thought, jolding forwards, only to be stopped by Kakashi.

"You're in the way. Get back, you guys." Kakashi said.

"But why?!" Naruto asked.

"He's not like those guys we fought before. He's in a whole other league. Him being our opponent means..." Kakashi said, reaching up to his hitai-ate. "That things might be tricky as I am now. "

"Kakashi, of the Sharingan Eye. Did I get that right?" Zabuza asked. Sasuke grew tense, hearing the name Zabuza called Kakashi. "Sorry, but... I'll have to have you hand over the ojiisan." Zabuza said. Kakashi narrowed his eye at Zabuza, his hand still on his hitai-ate.

Huh? Huh? Sharingan? What is that? Naruto wondered.

What? What is he talking about? Sakura wondered, looking at her sensei.

Sharingan... Tazuna thought.

Wait, I remember Sasu-kun telling me how Weasel Boy got the Sharingan at age eight... And how the Sharingan is a blood trait in the Uchiha clan... but sensei is a Hatake. What's going on here? Takyua wondered, looking at her sensei.

"Get in Manji battle formation! Protect the bridge builder... and stay out of this fight! I taught you teamwork, now put it to use!" Kakashi said, lifting up his hitai-ate to reveal a closed eye with a scar running down from the eyebrow to under his mask. He snapped open his eye to show a blood red eye with three comma-shaped hitomis and one normal hitomi in the center of his eye. "I'm ready!" Kakashi said.

Ah! His eye! What is that?! Naruto wondered.

"Well, I never expected to see the famous Sharingan this soon... This is an honor." Zabuza said, turning around to face the group.

"Everyone keeps saying "Sharingan! Sharingan!" Will someone please tell me what Sharingan is?" Naruto asked. Takyua sighed.

"I'll only say a bit about it, since I don't know too much. But what I do know is that it's a rare form of doujutsu, ocular ninjutsu that resides in the eyes. It can see through any form of genjustu, taijutsu and ninjutsu, and reflect it back on the attacker. That's about all I know. Sasuke knows more about it than I do." she said. Naruto turned to Sasuke for more information. Sasuke sighed.

"It's a power that the light of the eye generates and the pupil emanates. The Sharingan is a type of eye that is unique to the user of doujutsu. It can also analyze an opponents technique and copy it to the smallest detail." Sasuke said, his eyes hardening. Zabuza chuckled.

"You two have it right. As for you, Kakashi, when I was in the ANBU Black Ops for Kiriga, we had a standing order to destroy you on sight. Your profile was in our Bingo Book, calling you the man who had copied over one thousand justu... Kakashi; the copy ninja!" he said.

What?! Is Kakashi-sensei such a famous ninja?! Sakura wondered.

"Wow! That's so cool!" Naruto said happily.

Wait a minute! The Sharingan is a rare trait that occurs in a few members of the Uchiha Clan... my clan! Could he be...? Sasuke wondered, looking at Kakashi.

"Enough talking. I need to exterminate the ojiisan. Now." Zabuza said. Tazuna's glasses fell slightly, and the four Genin ran to Tazuna. Sasuke stood in front of Tazuna, Naruto behind Tazuna, Sakura on the right and Takyua on the left. The four Genin held a kunai in front of them to protect themselves. "So, I'll have to eliminate you first, eh Kakashi? So be it." Zabuza said. He placed one foor on the trunk of the tree and ripped his guillitine sword from the tree. He disappeared and reappeared on the water.

"He's over there!" Naruto said.

"Standing on the water!" Sakura exclaimed. Mist swirled around Zabuaz who has one hand in front of his face and the other up in the air.

He's building up a huge amount of chakra! Kakashi thought.

"Ninpou: Kirigakure no Jutsu." Zabuza said, suddenly disappearing with the mist. A leaf landed on the water where Zabuza once stood.

"He vanished!" Naruto exclaimed. Kakashi began walking in front of the five.

"Sensei!" Sakura said.

"He'll come after me first." Kakashi said.

"Who is he?" Sakura asked.

"Momochi Zabuza. He's an ex-ANBU Black Ops member from Kirigakure and is known as "the silent killing" technique expert." Kakashi said.

"Silent?" Naruto questioned.

"Just as the name suggests, it's a killing skill that's implemented in an instant in silence. By the time you realize it, it's possible you may find yourself in the afterlife. I haven't totally mastered the use of my Sharingan, so don't lower your guard. ...Well, if we fail we'll only lose our lives." Kakashi said.

"How can you be so carefree?!" Sakura asked.

"...The mist is getting thicker!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Nami no Kuni is surrounded by ocean. Aspiring mists are ever present." Tazuna explained. The mist got thick enough as to where Kakashi couldn't be seen.

"Sensei!" Sakura exclaimed again.

"Relax Haruno. I don't think he's moved. The mist has only gotten thicker." Takyua muttered.

"Eight points." Zabuza said.

"Wh-what was that?!" Sakura asked.

"Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular vein, subclavian artery, kidney, heart. Now then, which vulnerable spot would be good?" Zabuza asked. Kakashi formed a handsign, and soon chakra covered him, clearing away some of the mist. A blue glow seemed to radiate off of Kakashi's body, and Sasuke shook from the tension. His vision fogged sa he looked at the swirl on his sensei's back.

What an intense thirst for blood! If I take even one breath, or move my eyes, I'll be killed. If it goes on like this, I'll go insane! The clash of two Jounins intent to kill... I've never felt anything so chilling! It's as if my own life is being choked off. Iie! I'd rather die to escape this feeling! Sasuke thought, struggling to raise his kunai to plunge it into his diaphram.

"Sasuke!" Kakashi called, gaining Sasuke's attention. "Calm down. I'll protect you with my life, all of you. I will not allow my comrades to die! Trust me." Kakashi said, turning and smiling. Sasuke relaxed a bit, hearing his sensei's words.

"I wonder about that..." Zabuza said, suddenly appearing between Tazuna and Sasuke. Sasuke, Takyua and Sakura were in front of Zabuza while Naruto and Tazuna were behind the six foot tall assassin. Zabuza looked up, his right hand still in a jutsu formation.

"It's over." he said, swinging his sword. Kakashi appeared, stabbing Zabuza in the stomach as the five people fell backwards. Everything was still and quiet as the sound of liquid fell from Zabuza's wound.

"Mizu...?" Takyua questioned, seeing as the liquid was water, noot blood. The Zabuza that Kakashi had stabbed turned to water as another Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi.

"Sensei! Behind you!" Naruto said, pointing at the Zabuza behind Kakashi.

"Shinu!" Zabuza cried, slicing Kakashi in half with the zanbato, or guillotine sword. Zabuza grinned, only to frown seconds later as Kakashi turned to water.

The mizubunshin no jutsu?! It can't be! Zabuza exclaimed mentally. Even in the mist he was able to copy my jutsu! A kunai was placed against Zabuza's neck.

"Don't move." the real Kakashi said. "Game over."


Squad 7: Next time, on The Young And The Hopeless!

Naruto: What?! How did Zabuza trick Sensei that easily?

Sasuke: They're both highly advanced ninjas. It's no wonder Zabuza was able to trick Kakashi.

Takyua: We need to free Kakashi-sensei, but how?!

Naruto: I have a plan!

Squad 7: Next time Kakashi vs. Zabuza!

Sasuke: Your plan had better work Naruto!