Chapter 6: Build and Prepare! Pt. 1

[VlaudFenikkusu]

A.N. Not much to say here except I hope you follow until things get really interesting, which I assure you they will, that is if I can get that far. Not guilt tripping or being a follow hog or anything like that, but even reviews asking me to go on would be nice motivation. There are stories out there with like two chapters that don't update very often that have over 1k follows and faves and tons of reviews, so I wouldn't find 30 of at least on of those things a big deal ^^"

(P.S. Sorry for delay! I have been really busy with family, friends, and girlfriend lately ^^" but I am back to what really matters in life and better than ever! Let's go!)

Anywho, Chapters "Preparing for Battle!", "The Training Commences", "A Symbol of Courage", "The Country that had a Hero...!", "Encounter in the Forest...!", and "A Rival Appears!" brings you...

Chapter 6: Build and Prepare! Pt. 1

?: "Heheh, you're right, he did die." Came a voice from a tree branch above, or more specificity, a boy on said branch. The boy wore a white mask with thin, curved eye-holes and a red wavy design in place of the mouth, as well as the Kirigakure symbol etched in the top and a pinstriped outfit which stopped at his knees. Over this he wore a green haori with white trimmings, and around his waist a brown sash with a fringed trail wrapped around his waist twice. He also wore light-brown platoon sandals with straps in the same color as his kimono and nail polish on his fingernails and toenails in matching blue green color.

Kakashi shunshinned down to Zabuza's apparent corpse to check his vitals while Tazuna and Team 7 were still stunned at the sudden, gruesome scene that their eyes just had the displeasure to witness. Kakashi made certain of his assessment, and yes, Zabuza was shown to be 100% dead.

?: "Thank you very much. I have been searching for the opportunity to kill Zabuza for a long time." Kakashi: "That mask... You're a Hidden Mist Hunter-nin..." ?: …... "Impressive. You are correct." Sakura: "Hunter-nin..?" ?: "Yes, my duty is to hunt down Missing-nins. I'm a member of the Hidden Mist's Hunter-nin team." Kakashi: 'From his voice and height, he's probably not much older than Naruto, yet, he's a Hunter-nin... He is no normal kid...'

Naruto all the while was glaring at this masked boy, he quickly jerked his head to stare at the corpse of his former foe and darted his glare back to the boy. Though one would not be able to see it given his mask, the boy was at first surprised at the sudden actions of the blonde, but then more so curious as to his behavior.

Naruto: "WHAT THE HELL!? WHO THE **** ARE YOU!?" This sudden outburst caught his team off guard. Kakashi standing back up: "Don't worry Naruto, he's not an enemy." Naruto: "That's not what I'm asking! That eyebrow-less freak Zabuza was just killed by this kid! Some one as strong as Zabuza just dropped dead from two little needles thrown by him!? By a kid not much different from me! How can I accept that!?" Kakashi, walking over to Naruto: "Well, I know how you feel but, this is also the truth." He paused as he patted the blondes head to reassure him. "In this world, there exists kids younger than you, yet stronger than me..." This claim had internally disturbed both Naruto and Sasuke.

? shunshinning down to Zabuza's corpse: "Your battle is over now. I must dispose of this body since it seems to be one of many secrets. Farewell." He finished as he disappeared from sight with Zabuza.

Kakashi let a sigh of relief and exhaustion escape his lips as he lowered his headband back down over his eye: "Now then, we need to take Tazuna-San back to his home. Let's go." Tazuna: "Hahahaha! Super thanks guys! Come over to my house and relax for a while!" He insisted just as Kakashi fell flat to the ground. Sakura: "Huh!? Whats wrong!?" Naruto: "Kakashi-Sensei!?" Kakashi: 'My body...won't move... I used the sharingan, to much...'

An hour or so later in Tazuna's home

We find Tazuna's 29 year old daughter, Tsunami, stands over a bed prone Kakashi in the same room where Tazuna and team 7 are scattered across the room recuperating themselves. Tsunami: "Are you alright Sensei?" Kakashi: "Yeah... I just can't move for a week or so." Sakura: "What? Well, the sharingan is incredible but if it puts that much stress on your body, I guess you have to think twice before using it." Tazuna, relieved: "Well, we defeated that strong of a ninja this time. We should be safe for a while!" Sakura: "By the way, who was that masked kid Kakashi-Sensei?"

Kakashi: "That's the mask worn by the Hidden Mist's Special Hunter-nin team. They are also known as body erasers. Their duty is to completely dispose of the body without any trace. A ninja's body has within it secrets of the village's Ninjutsu, information on different Chakra types, herbs, and other things that will reveal things about the village. For example, if I died, the secrets of the Sharingan could be revealed. If you don't be careful, there's the danger that the enemy will steal your jutsu. A ninja's body can reveal very important information indeed. So, by killing and disposing of the Missing-nins who have abandoned their village, the Hunter-nins protect the information from getting out. They are specialists who guard their village's secrets. No sound, no smell... That is a ninja's end." Sakura: "So, that Zabuza guy has been all chopped up and disposed of? Scary!"

Deep in the Forest

We find the Hunter-nin looming over the corps of Zabuza Momochi. He takes out and unravels a tool kit and prepares to get to work.

?: "First I'll cut the cloth off his face, drain some blood and..." The Hunter-nin was cut off as his hand holding the surgical scissors was firmly grasped by a bug eyed Zabuza. Zabuza, Pulling the cloth from his face: "That's alright, I'll do it myself..." ?: "Oh, You've already come back to life..."

Zabuza, pulling the needles from his neck: "Damn... You sure are rough." ?: "Oh! You shouldn't be so rough yourself, you'll really die pulling them out like that." Zabuza, sitting up: "How long are you going to wear that stupid mask?" ?, removing said mask: "It reminds me of the old days. Plus, it was useful for this act" He removed the mask to reveal a very, very feminine face with pinker than average lips, but obviously natural, not done with lipstick. "If I hadn't saved you, you definitely would have been killed." Zabuza: "Haku, if you were going to put me into a momentary death, you didn't have to use my neck... You could have aimed for plenty of safer acupuncture points. You're annoying, as always." Haku, with a comforting smile: "Your right" Zabuza:... Haku: "I just didn't want to scar your beautiful body. And, the neck doesn't have much muscle. It's easier to hit the points there. You can stop looking to your sword, you shouldn't be able to move much for about a week." Zabuza: "You are so pure and clever... That's what I like about you..." Haku, with a confirmative smile: "Hehe, That's because I am just a kid. Look... The mist has cleared... Next time, will you be alright?" Zabuza: "Next time I will defeat the Sharingan..."

Back on Tazuna's

Zabuza's words hit a sleeping Kakashi like a ton of bricks, making him shoot his eyes open in sudden shock, making Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto all fall back with yelps at the sudden awakening of Kakashi, who moments later, un-knowingly, had the said three been around his head, Naruto reaching for his mask.

SasuSakuNaru: 'Damn! We were so close to seeing under that damned mask!' Tsunami: "oh, Kakashi-sensei, You're finally awake." Kakashi: 'What's this feeling? Zabuza is dead... Whats this feeling? I feel like I'm missing something very important...' Sasuke, noting the concerned expression on Kakashi's face: "What's wrong Sensei?" Kakashi: "Huh? Well... Body erasing teams usually dispose of the body of the person they killed right on the spot..." Sakura: "So what?" Kakashi: "Don't you see? Tell me, how did that masked boy dispose of Zabuza's body?" Sakura: "Ha? How could we know? That masked guy took the body with him." Kakashi: "Yeah... If he needed proof of his work, he could have just taken the head. And the weapon that he used to kill Zabuza...?" Sasuke: 'Weapons he used? What was so special about them? They were just simple needles...' ! "No, no way..." NaruSaku: ? Tazuna: "What are you guys talking about?" Kakashi, with a deep glare: "Most likely, Zabuza is alive..." This of course had everyone shocked, except Tsunami, who was still lost, understandably seeing as she was not the encounter to truly understand the severity of the situation.

Naruto: "NO WAY! HOW!? THAT BASTARD SHOULD BE DEAD!" Sakura: "Kakashi-sensei, you checked yourself and said he was dead!" just a momentary death caused by pin point precision use of the needles... Needles that unless hit vital organs have low probability of killing your opponent. It's an item even used by doctors in acupuncture therapy. Hunter-nins kn ow the body's structure thoroughly. Putting someone in a momentary state of death is probably simple for people like them. First, he carried away the body of the much heavier Zabuza. Second, he used a weapon that has a low probability of killing. These two points indicate that his motive was not to kill Zabuza, but save him. We cannot ignore that possibility."

Tazuna: "Aren't you thinking too much? Hunter-nins are supposed to kill Missing-nins, end of story, right?" Kakashi: "No, with all of the suspicion and clues, we will prepare before it's to late. Plus, whether Zabuza is dead or alive, there is no assurances that Gatou hasn't hired an even stronger Shinobi..." !? Kakashi then notice an incredibly anxious and happy look on Naruto's face. 'Heh, he's actually exited that he might be able to get another crack at Zabuza...' Sakura: "Sensei, what do you mean preparing before it's to late? You can barely move..." Kakashi: "Heheh, simple, you all are going to receive training."

Sakura: "Huh? Training? Sensei! What's a little training going to do?! Our enemy is a ninja that even you struggled against with the Sharingan!" 'ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US KILLED!?' Kakashi: "Sakura, who saved me when I was struggling? You guys are growing rapidly... Especially Naruto! ^_\" He said, catching said blonde off guard, "You have improved the most Naruto." Sakura, staring at an ecstatic Naruto, thinking hard about what Kakashi said: 'He does seem better than he used to be, but...'

Kakashi: "But obviously, this is just a little training until I get better, you won't be able to defeat him without me." Sakura: "But Sensei, if Zabuza is alive, he could attack at anytime, so should we really be training?" Kakashi: "About that... A person put in a temporary death situation should take quite a while before their body returns to normal." Naruto: "So we train until then! Sounds like fun to me! Zabuza is losing a head next time we run into him!"

?: "There's nothing fun about it" Said a young boy around 8 years old or so, catching team 7 off guard at the sudden intrusion. Naruto: "Who the **** are you then huh?!" Tazuna: "Ohh! Inari! Where were you?!" Inari, taking his shoes off and walking inside: "Welcome back Granpa." Tsunami: "Inari, say hello to these people here. They just saved your Granpa's life!"

Inari, after taking a good look at the visitors: "Mom... They are going to die." Naruto: "What the **** did you just ****ing say about us you little *****!?" Inari: "There's no way you can win against Gatou..." He said, getting meaningful glances from Kakashi and Tazuna. Naruto, being held back by Sakura: "You brat! I'll...!" Sakura: "Why are you getting pissed off at a kid idiot!?" Naruto: "Listen here Inari! I won't let anything happen to my team or your family you got that!? I don't know Gatou personally but as far as I am concerned, he is just some rich little punk who can't fight his own battles and is no match against me!" Inari: "What are you, stupid? Stop trying to be a hero! Heroes don't exist!" Naruto: "No! Heroes don't kill little kids! Get over here and say that again!" Sakura, holding Naruto back, again: "Stop it already!" Inari, walking away: "If you don't want to die, you should leave..." Sasuke: …. 'Hmm, whats with this kid...' Tazuna: "Where are you going Inari?" Inari: "To look at the ocean from my room." With that, he exited.

Tazuna: "Sorry..." Kakashi: ….. Naruto heading upstairs after Inari: "Damn it! Where's that little piece of shit!? He needs to learn a lesson..." Sakura: "Naruto wait!" Tsunami: "Please don't hurt him! He didn't mean anything by it!" Kakashi: "Please, calm down, Naruto has a lot of bark sometimes... but trust that Inari is nothing but safe while Naruto is here..." TazuTsuSaku: ? Sasuke with a thoughtful glare to the empty staircase: "Naruto is definitely loud, and disrespectful most of the time, but he wouldn't hurt a bee unless it stung one any of the few he would consider close to him..." Kakashi: ….. "Plus I'm sure since you have shown us only the best of hospitality and kindness to us, he would only ensure your safety as well." Sakura and Tsunami calmed down and returned, understanding and trusting the words of the two, Sakura quite frankly surprised at Sasuke's seemingly deep understanding of Naruto.

The next day, in the forest not far from the house

Kakashi, leaning on his crutches: "Ok, the training shall begin now." Naruto: "About ****ing time! Lets start already!" Kakashi: "Ok, before that, I want to talk to you a little about Chakra." The Three Gennin nodded in understanding, motioning Kakashi to continue. "Alright, well, first of all, I need to point out, yes, you all seem to have some control and use of chakra, however, you are not using it effectively yet. Based on what type of jutsu you use, the type and amount of Chakra that is released will be different. Even if you release a high amount of Chakra, unless it is controlled properly, the jutsu will be weak and or not work at all. By wasting energy, you won't be able to fight as long. These kinds of weaknesses will appear. Through some very tough training, you three shall learn how to properly control your Chakra..." Sakura: "Wha-what are we going to do...?" Kakashi: "Hmmm? Oh, you are going to climb trees."

NaruSakuSasu:... "Tree climbing?" Kakashi: "Yeah... Well, listen to the end then judge. This is not normal tree climbing. You'll be climbing without using your hands." Sasuke: ?! Naruto: 'That sounds more like it!' Sakura: ..? "How..?" Kakashi: "Well, watch." He said as he took a moment forming a hand seal and then began to simply walk strait up the tree, crutches in hand, with no effort at all, shocking his Students. He walked strait until he was upside-down on the bottom of a tree branch.

Kakashi: "Gather your Chakra in the bottom of your feet and climb up a tree. This is something that will come as second nature once you can use Chakra well enough." Sakura: "Wait a minute! How is learning how to climb a tree going to make us any stronger?!"

Kakashi: "Here is the main part, try listening closely to this. The purpose of this training is first to teach you how to control Chakra. To bring out the proper amount to the proper area. As I said, this is the most important aspect when using jutsu. The amount of Chakra needed to climb a tree is small, but it must me exact. And it is said that the bottom of the foot is the most difficult area to gather Chakra. So basically, if you can climb a tree with your feet, you can master any jutsu, theoretically. The second thing is for you to develop the stamina needed to properly control Chakra. Depending on the jutsu, controlling your Chakra properly can be very difficult. And a ninja will usually be gathering their Chakra during battle while constantly moving. Those types of situations make controlling Chakra even more difficult. That is why, from this tree climbing, you must gain the stamina needed for this proper control. Well... Me talking all day won't accomplish anything will it?" He said as he pulled out three kunai and threw them down to each of his students. "This is something you will have to learn with your own bodies. Use those Kunai to mark how high you make it up the tree, then, use that mark as your goal and try to surpass it. You guys won't be good enough to just walk up the tree at first. So, get some momentum and try running up the tree, got it?"

Naruto: "For the one who has improved the most, this will be a bowl of Ramen!" Kakashi: "Why don't you stop bragging, pick a tree, and climb it already..?"

Everyone concentrated their chakra to their feet and ran to three nearby trees. Naruto could barely get two steps in before he slipped and landed on his head where as Sasuke managed 7 steps before his foot made a crater into the tree, he marks his place and fell back to the ground. Sasuke, looking at the foot dent he left in the tree: 'I can't believe how hard this really is. Too much Chakra and the wood cracks,' He looked to Naruto who was currently rolling on the ground, holding his head in pain, 'too weak and you don't stick at all and... that happens...' Sakura: "That was pretty easy!" She said getting the attention of everyone aimed to the top of a branch where she sat sticking her tongue out.

Naruto: "Sakura!? **** everything! How the hell did you get it on your first ****ing try!?" Kakashi: "It looks like Sakura is currently the best at Chakra control guys. Sasuke, looking down in defeat: 'Damn, how can I get any stronger if I can't even climb a stupid tree...' Sakura: 'I wanted them to be impressed, but Sasuke-kun looks depressed and, I hope I didn't piss Naruto-kun off TOO much..." 'WAIT! DID I JUST SAY NARUTO-KUN!?'

Kakashi: "Wow, not only does she know a lot about Chakra, but her control and stamina are quite good as of now... Sakura is the closest to being any form of all powerful world known ninja, unlike a certain someone." He said getting a glare from Naruto. "And I guess the Uchiha clan isn't worth much either." He poked getting the proper attention of Sasuke. Sakura: "SHUT UP SENSEI!" 'They are just going to get even more upset at me : (' Naruto and Sasuke smirked at each other with gleams of rivalry in their eyes and Kakashi grinned mentally at the success of his bait.

NaruSasu: 'No way I'm letting him get ahead of me!' Inari watching from behind the trees was the only one however that was upset at this time as he clenched his fists and stormed away. Inari: 'Pft... That's just a waste of time...'

Back in the forest, in Zabuza's hut

Haku was caring after a bed ridden Zabuza when Gatou walked in with his two sword wielding body guards. Zouri, on the right, was the shorter of the two and had medium lengthened grey hair that almost reached his shoulders and wore a purple hat that was probably meant to keep his hair out of his eyes, and on the right, was the taller, shirtless, tattooed Waraji who had a few scars on his face as well as an eye patch and tied up brown hair.

Waraji: "So, even you have come back defeated." Zouri: "It looks like the Mist Country ninjas are pretty pathetic." Waraji: "You can't even avenge your men? And you call yourself a devil?" Zouri: "Don't make me laugh." When rudely answered by silence, the two goons started to pull their swords from their sheathes, making Haku prepare for anything, until Gatou called his dogs off.

Gatou, walking towards Zabuza: "Hold on for a second. Hey. There's no need to stay silent..." He said reaching out to Zabuza's bandaged face before a powerful grip from Haku fractured his Radius and Ulna. Haku with a stern, pissed glare: "Don't touch Zabuza-san with your dirty hands." Gatou in pain : "Guh! You!" This cued his two goons to instantly pull their swords out only to find their raised arms vacant of any swords but instead to have them pointed at their own throats from Haku who stood between them. Haku: "You shouldn't do that, I'm pissed off right now."

Gatou holding his arm in pain: "One more time! If you fail one more time you will not be welcome here anymore! Remember that!" This was followed by a slamming door as he and his bodyguards vacated the premises post haste.

Haku returned to his seat to the bedside of Zabuza who the entire time had a Kunai in hand under the sheets just in case they had tried anything. Zabuza: "Haku, you didn't have to..." Haku: "I know... But, it's too early to kill Gatou. If we cause a commotion here, they will be after us again. We must be patient. ^_^" Zabuza: "Yeah... You're right..."

Back with Team 7

Team 7 has been running up trees all day long. Naruto had made it farther than his original try, each try by an inch at a time or so, as well did Sasuke, the difference being however, the height of their original marks... Sakura had just climbing up the same tree all day, working on her stamina and speed since her control had obviously gotten as good as it ever would. She was astonished by the stamina her teammates had shown all day, and surprised that Naruto hadn't started complaining yet given how little progress he was having.

Naruto walking towards Sakura: "****!" Sakura:... "Woops, spoke to soon..." Naruto, crouching down to a sitting Sakura: "Umm, could you give me some tips?" Sakura, impressed with the mature and rational action taken by Naruto, agreed to help the best she could since she was long done with her own training on the subject.

Kakashi: 'He's going to get stronger and stronger. But just how strong? Because Naruto, your Chakra potential is most likely above Sasuke, and, maybe even above my own... I'm really looking forward to this... wait, what's this?' Sasuke walked up to Sakura and Naruto just as Sakura was about to begin on her tips. Sasuke: "Hey, what are you two doing over here?" Naruto: "Heheh, Nothing Teme, go back to training, you only came here to take a break anywa-" Sakura, interrupting Naruto with a punch to the back of his head: "SHUT IT BAKA IF YOU WANT THOSE TIPS!" Sasuke: ? "Tips huh? I didn't know Naruto had the humility in him to do that" He said with a smirk but before Naruto could backfire, Sakura covered his mouth. Sakura: "I know right!? I thought the same thing!" This got a glare from Naruto. "So, wanna join in Sasuke-Kun?" Sasuke, glancing down to a disgruntled Naruto added by a smirk: "Hn, sure, I'll take you up on that" Naruto, breaking from Sakura's grasp: "Gah! Fine Teme! But I am going to absorb every word and get to the tip of the tree before you reach a branch!" And from then, the tip session ended up as lessons instead.

Later that day at the bridges construction site

Sakura yawning: 'This is so boring...I actually rather be back with Naruto, and of course Sasuke...' Tazuna: "You sure seem bored all by yourself. Where's that blond kid and the emo one?" Sakura: "They're still training." Tazuna: "You don't have to?" Sakura: "Oh, I already finished a long time ago, most of the time I was probably teaching them really so Kakashi-Sensei asked me to protect you." Tazuna: "Really?" ?: "Hey Tazuna!" Tazuna: "Huh? What is it Giichi?" Giichi: "I've been doing a lot of thinking recently and... Can I stop working on the bridge?" Tazuna: "What!? Why!?" This is so sudden! Not you too!" Giichi: "Tazuna, we've been close for a long time now. I want to help you, but if we continue this Gatou will notice us. And if you get killed, then what's the point? Why don't we quit now...?" Sakura: …... Tazuna: "I can't do that... This bridge is our bridge. Our bridge! This is the bridge we started building together, believing it would bring resources into our super poor country." Giichi: "But if we lose our lives...!" Tazuna: "Giichi, you don't have to come tomorrow."

Later in the town

Sakura is with Tazuna as he ventures through the town to buy groceries. Along the streets people are seen stealing food and others walking with signs begging for work. Everyone had a shady and or desperate atmosphere to them and this was making Sakura very uncomfortable whereas Tazuna was walking as though there was nothing strange, which in this place, strange was probably the average day. She had particularly been on edge after sending a pervert across the grocery store for touching her under-aged ass, though he was really just trying to steal from her.

Tazuna: "I was super surprised with what you did earlier girlie..." Sakura: "Whats going on in this city Tazuna-san...?" Sakura was alerted at first when she felt a hand on her hip and thought another perv was trying to cop a feel, but felt embarrassed when she turned around and saw that she was about to send a poor dirty child into the earths core, but didn't hit him of course when she saw he was just asking for food, a hand full of radish later he was gone and they continued their walk.

Tazuna: "It's been like this since Gatou came. All adults have lost hope... That's why we need that bridge now, It's a symbol of courage... We need it for the people to lose their fear and regain the desire to stand up for themselves. If that bridge... If that bridge can be completed, the city will return to that time... The people will return to how they use to be..." Sakura: 'Sasuke-kun, Naruto-kun... we have to help, they need us...'

A.N. Okay, This was a really long chapter, so I decided to Cut it In Half ^^" Also, excuse My random Capitalization, I have reasons for it Unrelated to this Haha. Alright, so, I'm going to end this here, but, IK it is really slow because of how similar it is to the actual story, but something like personality changes would not affect a lot right away, trust me though, big things are coming!

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[Hori]

super long chapter but great