Chapter 244: 237. Battle of the Bridge
A week later,
Near the construction site,
"Hurry up! The bridge is almost complete. Once finished, our village will be free from the clutches of the Gato organization. We will no longer depend on him to sustain ourselves."
Tazuna nudges the other workers of the village.
"Look at that kid! He is younger than you folks by a decade or two. Yet he is so energetic and active."
He points towards Naruto who is carrying four giant logs on his shoulders.
The group of workers turns towards Naruto who is running back and forth with the logs.
"Let's go. We will finish the bridge today."
One worker tightly clutches a wooden log and lifts it.
"Haah… A kid won't outdo me."
Another burly man picks up four logs like Naruto.
The rest of the group stares at him in amazement but the burly man is having a hard time maintain his vigor.
'Damn! This is too heavy. How the hell is that kid carrying such weight? Even the shinobi kids are so strong.'
The group of workers works diligently till afternoon.
"Let's take a break."
Tazuna halts the construction work.
"If nothing unusual happens, then this bridge would be completely constructed by evening."
Tazuna takes a deep breath as he reminisces about the past. Their land of Waves is an isolated island situated quite a distance from the mainland.
Being an island village, they have to depend on the mainland to sustain themselves. The only way of trade available to them is through the sea.
But five years ago, the Gato company emerged out of nowhere and monopolized the sea trade; leaving the village at their mercy.
Any voice of discontent was quickly suppressed, and any attempt at revolt was brutally crushed. Tazuna closes his eyes as some memories flood in his mind.
At a distance from the bridge,
Whoosh…. Whoosh…
Zabuza and Haku hide in the shadow of a tree as they monitor the bridge-building.
"The bridge is almost finished constructing. We must stop them today at all cost; if not, we can only blow the bridge."
Zabuza clutches Kubikiribōchō as bloodlust appears in his eyes.
"Kubikiribōchō needs blood to reform its blade. In my last battle with Kakashi Hatake, the blade was chipped off at the corner."
Zabuza caresses the blade at the broken end.
Haku silently nods his head.
"As you wish, Zabuza. I will follow your wishes."
Haku silently stares at the construction site as Naruto appears in his vision.
Unknowingly a brief smile appears on his face as the memory of how Naruto mistook him for a girl while picking herbs for Zabuza surfaces.
The boy was so shocked by the revelation that he even asked him to open his pants and confirm it.
Haku's face turns red from embracement.
'But why did he call me a Trap? Is it some form of address in Leaf Village?'
"Let's go!"
Zabuza's hoarse voice falls in his ears.
"This time I am prepared. I will occupy Kakashi Hatake while you will look for a chance to assassinate the bridge builder."
"Yes! Zabuza."
Haku nods his head.
Whoosh…
"Also… keep an eye for those kids. They are quite powerful for their age."
Zabuza warns him before flickering towards the bridge.
Whoosh…
Haku follows him.
Hmm…
Sasuke who is silently meditating on top of a tree slowly opens his eyes.
"Just now someone was monitoring us. It must be those ninjas. I must inform Kakashi Sensei."
Whoosh…
He jumps from the top of the tree and lands in front of Kakashi, who is silently reading a book while instructing Sakura.
"Sakura! Your chakra control is quite good, but your perception of elemental chakra isn't good. If you want to cast a powerful genjutsu, then you have to use elemental chakra in conjugation with the Yin release."
"Yes… yes… Sensei!"
Sakura nods her head as beads of sweat trickles down her head.
'Why am I so useless? According to Sensei, I have very good chakra control even better than Naruto and Sasuke but my elemental affinity is so poor. I won't be able to use any ninjutsu with such poor elemental affinity. I just want Sasuke-kun… Sasuke-kun to praise me.'
A blush appears on Sakura's face, but it is quickly overpowered by the harsh exertion of her chakra.
Hmm…
Kakashi closes his book and lifts his head as his eyes meet with Sasuke.
"Is there anything bothering you, Sasuke?"
"Kakashi Sensei! The enemy Ninja is on move. Earlier, I sensed a gaze on me while I was meditating."
Mmm…
Kakashi nods his head.
"I am aware of it. I was waiting for you bunch to respond. Looks like only you could sense the enemy attack. Good job!"
He praises Sasuke and commands the rest of the team.
"Sakura! Stop your practice for now. The enemy is about to attack us anytime. You will help in the evacuation of the workers and protect Tazuna with Naruto."
He then turns towards Sasuke and instructs.
"Sasuke! Zabuza has an accomplice this time. He is almost the same age as you. You will occupy him while I deal with Zabuza."
"Yes, Sensei!" Sasuke nods his head in affirmation.
Naruto drops his log and stops in front of Kakashi.
"But Sensei! I want to fight too. I am so bored these few days." Naruto complains.
"No! Prioritize the safety of the bridge builder. The mission is to protect the bridge builder, not to fight the assailant." Kakashi rebukes him.
"Yes, Sensei!" Naruto depressingly drops his head.
Whoosh… whoosh…
Two shadows appear on one of the pillars of the bridge. Naruto and the team raise their head as their eyes meet.
Swish… swish… swish…
Zabuza quickly makes some hand signs.
'Water Release: Hiding in the Mist Technique"
The air fills with thick mist and engulfs the bridge and the surrounding workers.
Aah…
"What's this?"
Tazuna and the worker panics at this scene.
"Please stay calm and follow me."
Sakura calms them down and slowly leads them away from the battle.
Whoosh…
Zabuza reappears behind the bridge builder and swings his massive blade to cleave Tazuna's head.
"Ninja Art: Silent Assassination"
Clang…
A kunai blocks the sword, and Kakashi appears in front of Zabuza.
"Not so fast, Zabuza!"
Clang…
Kakashi parries the attack and faces Zabuza.
Swoosh…
Zabuza swings his blade and puts it on his shoulder.
"Kakashi Hatake! Last time I wasn't prepared for you… but this time, I have made all the necessary arrangements."
Swish… swish…
Zabuza makes some hand signs.
"Sharingan"
Kakashi activates his Sharingan and copies Zabuza's hand signs.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique"
Both of them release their jutsu simultaneously as the jutsu collides with each other and cancels out.
A drizzle of water shrouds them as Zabuza smirks.
"Water Release: Hiding in the Drizzle Technique"
Whoosh…
Zabuza's body vanishes in water vapors as he completely conceals his presence.
"This technique… don't tell me it is Hozuki clan's signature technique."
Kakashi's eyes widen in shock momentarily.
"I see." He calms down and looks around.
"This technique was developed by the second Mizukage during the Second Shinobi War to deal with the members of the Uchiha clan.
So, the rumors were true, you were indeed a part of the New Mist Swordsman created by the Late Elder of Kiri."
Zabuza ignores Kakashi and silently travels towards the bridge builder to assassinate him.
'I don't have any confidence to win a fight against the Copy Ninja Kakashi Hatake. I can only seek this window of opportunity to silently assassinate the target and escape. There is no need to sacrifice my life for this mission.'
Hmm…
Naruto senses something amiss while protecting the bridge builder. He senses a strong killing intent directed towards the bridge builder.
Recently, as his mastery over Nine-tails chakra increased; he is faintly able to sense strong emotions around him.
Since he is in the vicinity of the bridge builder, he sensed the killing intent.
"Enemy attack!"
Naruto warns Sakura and makes some hand signs.
"Wind Release: Great Wind Breakthrough Sweep"
BOOM…
He inhales a large amount of air and expels it outwards in a spherical form, blowing everything around him.
Whoosh…
The jutsu blows away the mist in the surrounding area and reveals the figure of Zabuza to Naruto.
"You are…"
Naruto recognizes the person who is in front of him.
"You were supposed to be dead? How are you still alive?"
Naruto has a serious expression on his face as he questions Zabuza.
"…"
Sakura, Kakashi, and Zabuza silently stare at Naruto.
"Anyway, since you are alive. I won't allow you to harm Tazuna-san."
Swish…
Naruto pulls a kunai from his holster and takes a stance.
Slam…
Zabuza slams his giant blade on the ground and confronts Naruto.
"Kid! If you want to live a little longer and cherish your life, then get out of my way or else…"
Whoosh…
Zabuza disappears from his position and reappears in front of Naruto and swings his Executioner's blade.
"DIE!!"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
ForgottenLife
ForgottenLife Check out my patre0n and read some advance chapters
www.pa treon.com/ForgottenLife
Chapter 245: 238. Battle of the Bridge (Naruto Vs Zabuza)
"DIE!"
Zabuza swings the Executioner's blade towards Tazuna in a horizontal sweep. His aim is to slice the bridge builder in half, leaving no chance of recovery.
Clang…
Naruto blocks the blade with his kunai.
Aw…
The impact of the strike leaves a tingling sensation in his hands.
"What?"
Zabuza has a surprised expression on his face.
"How?"
In the previous strike, he used most of the strength of his body to release a devastating blow to slash the target in half. He even used the special blade techniques of Mist swordsman to deliver the strike. Paired with the Executioner's blade, that strike can even cleave through thick earth walls, but this little genin blocked his sure-kill move with only a kunai.
Zabuza is flabbergasted to see this.
Aww…
Naruto shakes his hands as his hand feels a little numb. He clutches his kunai and turns to Kakashi, who is watching from afar.
"Kakashi Sensei! I can fight this guy. Leave him to me."
Mmm…
Kakashi nods his head in affirmation.
Even he was surprised to see Naruto block that attack.
'Sensei! Can you see this?! Your son is also a genius like you. He is already strong enough to compete with elite Jounin.'
He turns towards the confrontation between Naruto and Zabuza.
'If Naruto isn't able to hold his own, I will step in and save him.'
Upon hearing these words from Naruto, Zabuza's expression turns ugly.
"You underestimate me, kid! A greenhorn like you thinks he can compete with a Mist Swordsman."
Zabuza swings his Executioner's blade with a bloodthirsty expression.
"Kubikiribōchō will bathe in your blood brat."
Whoosh…
Zabuza disappears from his position and reappears behind Naruto. He swings his blade towards Naruto's neck, aiming to end him in a single slash.
Poof…
Naruto disappears in a puff of smoke, leaving a kunai behind.
"A shadow clone?! Then where is the real body?"
Zabuza looks around for the actual Naruto.
The kunai flips in the air and turns into Naruto.
Haah…
Naruto has a kunai in his hand as he aims for Zabuza's head.
"What?!"
Swish… skid…
Zabuza kicks the surface of the water and instantly maintains a distance between them.
"This kid?!… He is too cunning. I can't lower my guard."
Zabuza has a serious expression on his face. Just now, he barely avoided the sneak attack from the kid.
"Kid!… I must say you have some skills for your age, but it isn't enough to stop me."
Stab…
Zabuza stabs the blade on the surface of the water and makes some hand signs.
Swish… Swish… swish…
"Water Release: Water Bullet Technique"
Zabuza manipulates the surrounding water and fires a giant water bullet towards Naruto.
Whizz…
The bullet closes on Naruto.
"Kid! Although you have some skills in Ninja techniques. In terms of Ninjutsu, you still lack experience."
Naruto calmly stares at the incoming water bullet and makes some hand signs.
"Wind Release: Giant Wind Bullet Jutsu"
He takes a deep breath and inhales large amounts of air and fires a giant wind bullet towards the incoming water bullet.
BOOM…
Both the wind and water bullet collide and cancel each other, leaving large amounts of water droplets in the surroundings.
"You got some moves kid, but it ends here."
Zabuza clutches his blade with one hand and raises another hand over his head as he takes a stance ready to cast his most powerful jutsu.
"I won't allow it."
A pair of hands creep out from under the water and grab Zabuza's legs.
"What?!"
Zabuza is shocked to see the hands. He lifts his head and stares at the 'real body' of Naruto.
Poof…
Naruto smirks at him and disappears in a puff of smoke.
"Another shadow clone?!… this kid!… Just who is he?!"
Haah…
The pair of hands tug tightly and attempts to pull Zabuza under the water.
Instead of panicking, a smile appears on Zabuza's face.
"I finally found you, kid. This must be your real body."
Swirl…
Zabuza's body turns into a puddle of water and engulfs Naruto.
"Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu"
Zabuza's water clone turns into a large sphere of water and traps Naruto.
Burble… burble…
Naruto breathes heavily in the sphere as he attempts to get free from the prison.
"It's futile kid! I have spent quite an amount of chakra to form that water prison."
Swoosh…
Another water clone appears behind Zabuza. The water clone inserts his hand in the water prison to maintain it.
Kaching…
Zabuza draws the Executioner's blade and walks towards a terrified Tazuna.
Haah…
Sakura jumps in front of the bridge builder.
"I will protect you."
She tries to assure Tazuna. But her words do not affect him.
"This is the end for me. Gato company is too terrifying."
Tazuna closes his eyes in fear.
Sakura takes out her kunai and stands in front of Tazuna. Kakashi watches the entire series of events from the sidelines without interfering.
'Since Naruto asked me to not interfere, then I won't. Still, I am curious to see, how will get out of this predicament. Of course, I won't allow Zabuza to kill our target of protection.'
Kakashi turns towards Naruto who is struggling with the water prison.
'Water prison is a C-rank jutsu used to restraint one's enemies. But the power of a jutsu depends on the user. In the hands of a Ninja-like Zabuza, it could be quite challenging to get rid of this technique.'
Haah…
Naruto tightly clutches his hands as large amounts of red chakra surge from his body.
Haah…
BOOM…
The surge of chakra destroys the water prison and frees Naruto.
"Farewell! Bridge Builder!"
Zabuza swings the Executioner's blade to claim Tazuna's life.
"Kenjutsu: Secret art: Mist Execution"
Kakashi's expression turns serious as he makes his move.
'I can't delay any longer.'
Suddenly,
Fwoosh… swoosh…
A streak of orange light flashes past him.
"This is…"
Kakashi's eye widens in surprise as he is able to get a glimpse of the appearance of the streak.
"Sensei!!"
These words involuntarily escape from his mouth.
Whoosh…
Naruto appears in front of Zabuza to intercept his attack.
"Rasengan"
Naruto has a dense red Rasengan in his hand.
BOOM…
The Rasengan explodes on top of the Executioner's blade.
Crack… crack…
Cracks appear on the blade and the blade shatters into pieces.
"How can this be?!"
Zabuza's eyes widen in sheer disbelief.
"That was one of the famed swords of the Mist. How can it shatter this easily?!"
Haah…
Naruto tightly clutches his fist and punches Zabuza.
BANG…
Zabuza is sent flying by Naruto's attack.
--------------
Earlier,
Inside the village,
"That takes care of things."
Sasuke dusts his hands as two unconscious goons lay in front of him. They were precisely the bodyguards of Gato: Zori and Waraji."
"Earlier, I suspected Gato would make a move to sabotage Tazuna's family while we are busy dealing with the shinobi. Guess, I was right on cue."
He ties both of them with a rope and flickers towards the bridge.
"I will leave their fate to these villagers."
Whoosh…
Sasuke arrives beside Kakashi and reports to him.
"Good work!"
Kakashi nods his head as both of them turn towards the fight between Naruto and Zabuza.
Sasuke notices the red chakra of Naruto and silently murmurs to himself.
'I never expected this dunce to improve this much. While I have made little progress, he has improved tremendously.'
Sasuke feels the pressure from Naruto's growth.
'I don't want this idiot to leave me in the dust. After this mission, I will ask Izuna Nii-san to train me.'
Hmm…
Sasuke senses a shadow slowly creeping towards Tazuna.
'It's that hunter-nin guy. He is aiming to assassinate Tazuna while Naruto is engaged with Zabuza. He thinks he can get past me. Hmph…'
Sasuke snorts and immediately flickers towards Tazuna.
Whoosh…
Clank…
Sasuke deflects an ice senbon aimed at Tazuna's neck.
"Not so fast."
Tch…
Haku clicks his tongue and appears in front of Sasuke.
"I have to complete the task Zabuza gave me at all costs. Even if it means killing someone."
Haku solemnly stares at Sasuke as the surrounding temperature drops.
Brrr…
Sakura and Tazuna feel the chill in the atmosphere. Both of them rub their hands to get some warmth.
Kakashi's eyes narrow as he watches this phenomenon.
"Ice Style! A Kekkei Genkai user. It's going to be a fight between two Kekkei Genkai."
At some distance away,
Chomp… chomp…
Izuna and Ayaka crunch some popcorns as they watch the fight while floating in the air.
Ayaka is sitting on a small rock that is floating beside Izuna.
"Ayaka! I brought you here to get some experience. But why do I feel like you came here to watch a movie?"
Izuna helplessly stares at Ayaka, who is cutely munching on popcorns.
"Ne… Ne… Onii chan! Don't bother yourself over this small stuff. I am learning a lot from this fight."
Ayaka waves her hand and focuses on the battle.
"…"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
ForgottenLife
ForgottenLife
Check out my patre0n and read some advance chapters
www.pa treon.com/ForgottenLife
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
0 Power
stone You may also Like
Paragraph comment