11 Zabuza & Haku

"I would have you you more if you said you were a super drunk the way you're drinking," said Naruto, narrowing his eyes.

"Naruto, pay more respect to the client," said Kakashi, sternly.

"Hn. Anyone who questions my professionalism deserves no respect from me," said Naruto with a grunt.

"Alright, you have an hour until you depart," said the Hokage. "Go prepare now and meet back at the gate."

--- An Hour Later - Gates of Konoha ---

Naruto was humming excitedly as the group walked out of Konoha, walking at a slow civilian pace.

"Kid, what are you so excitrd about?" asked Tazuna.

"I've never left the village before," said Naruto happily.

"Hey, am I really going to be safe with this brat?" asked Tazuna, turning to Kakashi.

"He may not look it, but he's the strongest memeber of our team after me," said Kakashi with a smile. "So you don't have anything to worry about."

After that, the group slowly made their way towards the Country of Waves, where Tazuna was from.

"Kakashi-sensei, should we be expecting any contact with foreign ninjas?" asked Naruto in casually.

"Not in a C-Rank mission," replied Kakashi.

Naruto looked at a puddle lying on the ground and then looked up at the clear blue sky. He noticed Tezuna looking nervous, but did not say anything. He then discreetly glanced at Kakashi and then at Sasuki before throwing a pebble at Sakura.

"What are you daydreaming about?" asked Naruto with a frown.

"Stupid Naruto," shrieked Sakura. "Don't scare me like that."

Naruto glared at Sakura before scanning the secretly. "Seriously, this girl is hopeless," he thought.

The group passed the puddle and two sjinobi with breathing mask on rose out of the puddle. They wearing headbands with the Hidden Mist symbol on their heads and a large metal gauntlet on their arm with a chain connecting the two gauntlets. They stared at the group for a second as the smaller figure dashed around Kakashi, encircling him with the chain.

Apart from Naruto, everyone else stared in shock as the two figure darted away from each other, pulling the chain tightly, slicing Kakashi into pieces before he could escape.

"Kakashi-sensei," screamed Sakura, temporary in shock at seeing her sensei get killed in front of her.

"One down," whispered the smaller figure in Naruto's ear before saying the words, "Now for number two."

The two Hidden Mist shinobi tossed their chain over Naruto, in preparation to decapitate him as well. Naruto smirked as he grabbed the chain, sending a strong wave of lightning chakra through the chain, electrifying the two Hidden Mist shinobi instantaneously.

Kakashi appeared in a puff of smoke and regarded the two disabled enemies with a smile. "Very good, Naruto. I was wondering if I had to step in. Tazuna-san, I believe you owe us an explanation."

"H-how did you find us?" stuttered the taller defeated shinobi weakly.

"Ask Naruto, he's the one who found you two," said Kakashi as all eyes turned to Naruto.

"I'm a sensor, I could sense the heat energy you two were giving off," said Naruto with a smile.

"If you knew they were there, why did you let the brat fight?" asked Tazuna.

"I could have killed these two if I wanted, but I needed to make sure who they were after," said Kakashi.

"Was there any need?" asked Naruto, frowning. "It was obvious who they were after."

"What do you mean?" asked Tazuna.

"Come on, old man, stop playing around anymore," said Naruto. "Come out with the truth. We already know you don't need protection from random gangs and thieves. With shinobi's involved, this mission has already been bumped up to at least a more expensive B-Rank. I'm sure you have you have your reasons, so out with it."

"Sigh ... you're right, this job is most likely outside of your duties," said Tazuna with a sigh. "It turns out a very dangerous man is after my life."

"Who?" asked Kakashi as his visible eyebrow rose upwards.

"You've probably already heard of his name," said Tazuna. "The wealthy shipping magnate, Gatõ."

"Gatõ from the Gatõ Company?" exclaimed Kakashi. "He's said to be one of the few richest men in the world."

"Yes, officially he runs a large shipping company, but secretly he sells drugs and other illegal items, using ninja and gang members to take over business contracts and countries," said Tazuna. "It was about a year ago when he set his eyes on the Wave Country. Through money and violence, he quickly took control of the country's shipping industry. Gatõ now has a monopoly on all business traffic in the country. The only thing he has to fear now is the completion of the bridge."

"Let me make a wild guess," said Naruto, crossing his arms across his chest. "The Country of Wave is too poor for the more expensive B-Rank mission?"

"Sigh ... that's right," said Tazuna with a sigh. "But if you -!"

"If you even try to emotionally blackmail us, I'll personally make sure to kill you where you stand," said Naruto, glaring at the bridge builder.

"Well, we seem to not have any choice," said Kakashi with a chuckle. "We will protect you at least until you get back to your country."

--- Country of Wave ---

"Wow, that's huge," whispered Naruto as he looked at the uncomplete bridge.

The group were heading in a small boat to the Wave Country as they were under the cover of coastal mist.

The boat passed through a tunnel and a small dock came into view. Team 7 disembarked with Tazuna. The bridge builder thanked the guide who quickly pushes off his boat and disappeared into the mist.

Everyone started walking at a civilian pace since Tazuna was with them in a diamond formation; Naruto at the front, Sasuke and Sakura at the sides, and Kakashi bringing up the rear with Tazuna in the middle.

Although they were walking calmly, they had their guard up since Kakashi had warned them they might have an encounter with a possible Jonin. Suddenly, Naruto picked up a Kunai at lightning speed and threw it at a bush.

"Idiot, stop playing with your kunai!" yelled Sakura.

"Shut up, you banshee," hissed Naruto through gritted teeth as he dragged Tazuna down "GET DOWN!"

Just as everyone hit the deck, they saw a gigantic metal sword missing their heads by inches and getting stuck in a tree. Not even a moment later, a spikey black haired, muscular man appeared on top of a sword.

He had pale skin, short eyebrow and brown eyes with bandages covering half his face like a mask. He was wearing his headband on his head sideways.

"What's this, a bunch of kids playing ninja?" said the shinobi.

"Zabuza Momochi, an A-Rank missing ninja from the Hidden Mist Village, also known as Demon of the Hidden Mist," said Kakashi, preparing for battle.

"Oh, if it isn't the Copy Ninja Kakashi," said Zabuza. "How about you hand over the old man?"

"How about you simply surrender?" retorted Kakashi.

"Seems like we both can't comply with the other's request," said Zabuza, chuckling.

"Seems like that," said Kakashi, raising his forehead protector to reveal a fully matured Sharingan in his left eye.

"I get the Sharingan right in the beginning, I'm honoured," said Zabuza, as he jumped off his sword. He made a few hand seals as he muttered, "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" before removing his sword.

Not even a few seconds later, the whole area was covered in a thick mist to the point where nobody could even see their own hands in front of them.

"I demand you to show your face and face me, Zabuza!" yelled Sasuke.

"This guy is a full on retard," thought Naruto.

"Are you serious?" asked Zabuza rhetorically as he released a thick layer of Killer Intent. It caused Sasuke to shiver endlessly to the point where he could no longer take it and brought his kunai to his own neck in order to kill himself.

"Relax, Sasuke," said Naruto, placing a hand on Sasuke's shoulder to calm him down. "Kakashi-sensei and I won't allow our teammates to die!"

Zabuza suddenly appeared in the middle of Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura, bringing his sword down to kill Tazuna. However, Naruto reacted faster and impaled Zabuza, revealing him to be a Water Clone. Another Zabuza appeared behind Naruto and slashed him in half only for Naruto to burst into a cloud of smoke.

Zabuza suddenly felt a sharp metal slicing his throat. Upon seeing his opponent burst into water, Naruto swerved around and dodged a kick that was coming for his stomach. He responded by sending a kick of his own into Zabuza's stomach, sending him crashing into the nearby lake.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu," said Naruto and four clones appeared.

The four clones went in four different directions, making a square around Tazuna, Sasuke and Sakura.

"Ninja Art: Four Flames Formation!" said the four clones in unison as a purple barrier appeared around them.

"Make sure you don't touch the walls or you'll get burnt," explained Naruto. "The barrier's up for your protection."

"Let me out of this barrier, you dope!" demanded Sasuke. "The one to finish him off will be me!"

"Hn. You almost pissed your pants earlier where I just kicked his ass into the lake," retorted Naruto with a grunt. "Now, which of us do you think stand a better chance of finishing him off?"

"A Genin who also knows Sealing Jutsu, you truly are better than the rest," said Zabuza as he got out of the lake.

"I wouldn't advice acting smart at this point, Zabuza," said Naruto. "Unless you want to undergo a great deal of pain. Also, tell your friend to stop hiding."

"How did you know about Haku?" asked Zabuza, surprised that a Genin managed to find Haku as he was very skilled in stealth.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough," said Naruto as he breathed in air and sent a strong gust of wind that puhed the mist away causing Zabuza's frown to deepen.

The Ninja seeing that he was caught, jumped into the fight and took his side by Zabuza.

"Now then, Zabuza," said Naruto with a foxy grin. "You want to continue or do you want to turn yourself in quietly."

"Blondie, your name," said Zabuza.

"Naruto Uzumaki," replied Naruto.

"I'll remember that," said Zabuza. "Haku, we're leaving."

Zabuza knew he would not stand a chance in his current state. This Uzumaki kid had done something to his chakra network that had sent it in chaos. Besides, he as strong as a Jonin while being a Genin. Also, there was Kakashi who had not entered the battle yet.

The Ninja called Haku grabed Zabuza'a arm and used the Body Flicker Jutsu to retreat.

Upon confirming their enemy had really gone, Naruto dropped the barrier and went to check on his teammates.

"You still shivering in your little booths, Sasuke?" asked Naruto teasingly.

"S-shut up!" stuttered Sasuke, blushing. "Who's shaking?"

"Hahahah!" laughed Naruto. "Come on, lighten up. You'll be more prepared next time."

Sasuke simply scowled and looked away angrily. Sakura also looked at Naruto in surprise. Both had no idea that their teammate whom they had completely disregarded during their academy days as a dropout was so strong that he could push back a Jonin level Ninja singlehandedly.

"Naruto, I have a few questions for you later," whispered Kakashi in Naruto's ear.

"I guess it's time to end the guess game," thought Naruto, nodding.

--- Tazuna's House ---

A few minutes later, Team 7 appeared in Tazuna's wooden house, which was not far from the ocean.

"Tsunami, I'm home," said Tazuna happily.

"Father, I'm so glad you're safely alright," said Tsunami, tightly hugging her father.

Tsunami was a very beautiful woman who had dark blue hair that reached her mid back and blue eyes. She wore a pink a pink shirt and dark blue skirt.

"It's thanks to these Ninja's that saved me," said Tazuna.

"Thank you very much for protecting my father," said Tsunami, bowing to Team 7.