Bab 8: Chapter 8: Zabuza

As Sasuke, Naruto, Kakashi-Sensei, Sakura, and I were on a boat, making our way to the Land of Waves, Kakashi-Sensei was questioning the old man, Tazuna, about who was after him.

Tazuna: "A terrifying man is after my life."

Kakashi: "Terrifying man?"

Tazuna: "You must have all heard the name Gato."

Kakashi: "You mean Gato of Gato Company, one of the richest people in the world."

Tazuna: "Yes, he is the one, after the third ninja war. Gato set his eyes on the Land of Waves and now controls the shipping magnate in the village, by which he can control the entire village. His only fear is the completion of the bridge."

Sakura: "So that's why they want to assassinate you."

Tazuna: "Don't worry, you don't have to protect me. After we exit the boat, I will die. My 8-year-old grandson will hate Konoha ninja, my daughter-in-law will hate you ninjas all her life, but you don't need to worry about it."

I thought to myself, 'Well, you're pretty good at emotional blackmail, old man.'

Kakashi reluctantly agreed to continue the mission, and as we traveled, we finally reached the Land of Waves.

As we got off the boat and started walking in the forest, Naruto suddenly threw a kunai, narrowly missing a white rabbit. I looked at the rabbit, wondering why there was a white rabbit here in summer. Suddenly, I sensed someone's chakra presence near a tree. As I looked at the tree, I saw a giant sword flying towards us.

We all ducked to avoid the sword, and it got stuck in a tree. Then, a man with a mask on his face appeared and stood on top of it.

Naruto was about to rush forward when I stopped him and said, "You can't just charge into everything, you idiot!"

Kakashi: "The rogue ninja of the Village Hidden in the Mist, Zabuza. Him being our opponent means…"

As we all looked at Kakashi-Sensei, he started to raise his headband, revealing a Sharingan.

The man with the mask, Zabuza, said: "What's more frightening is that such an eye can assess an opponent's techniques and copy them. Ninja Art, Hidden Mist Jutsu."

As Zabuza disappeared behind the mist, Kakashi said: "He'll probably come to erase me first… All you need to do is to guard Tazuna."

Kakashi-Sensei walked forward, did a hand sign, and the mist was suddenly blown away. Then, there was an intense thirst for blood. I froze up for a second before regaining my composure. I turned to the others, who were frozen in fear. Suddenly, Zabuza jumped in the middle of us. Kakashi-Sensei followed him and stabbed him with a kunai, revealing that it was actually a water clone when Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi-Sensei.

Naruto: "Sensei! Behind you!"

Zabuza: "Die!"

As Zabuza slashed Kakashi-Sensei with his sword, it revealed to be a water clone.

Zabuza: "The water clone jutsu!"

Kakashi-Sensei appeared behind Zabuza and pointed a kunai to his throat.

Kakashi: "Don't move. It's over."

Zabuza: "But… I'm not a fool." Saying that, the Zabuza in front of Kakashi-Sensei disappeared.

Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi-Sensei and swung his sword at him, but he managed to dodge it. Without hesitation, Zabuza launched his next attack and kicked Kakashi-Sensei into the water. Soon after Kakashi-Sensei appeared from the water.

Kakshi: "W-what's with this water...? It's awfully heavy."

Zabuza: "It's the Water Prison Jutsu!"

Kakashi: "Darn it!"

Kakashi-Sensei was suddenly trapped inside a water bubble.

Kakashi: "My temporary escape into the water... was a huge mistake. Didn't expect this level of skill…"

Zabuza created a shadow clone, and it attacked Naruto. Then, Sasuke charged towards the clone, only to be thrown.

(When I say Zabuza now I mean the clone.)

As Zabuza continued to attack Naruto, he just stood there in fear before he stabbed his hand with a kunai, removed it, and wrapped his hand with a bandage. He then charged towards the clone, only to be kicked back. But as he stood up, he had his headband in his hand. As Naruto was putting it on, he said: "Zabuza, you better write my name on your bingo book because I'm the person who will become the Hokage. I am Naruto Uzumaki of the Village Hidden in Leaves!" Just as Tazuna was about to kick Naruto, he suddenly stopped.

Zabuza: "Where did he go?"

Hinoka: "Hey Zabuza, am I so weak that you decided to ignore me?" I said as I was standing next to a tree with Naruto standing next to me.

I turned to Naruto with a smile before saying, "Just concentrate on healing first, Naruto." I knew I shouldn't charge in, or I would find myself in a position where I might have to use 50% of my power. So, I stayed next to Naruto and was thinking of a plan when Zabuza punched Sasuke and started brutally beating him up.

Zabuza: "It happened again; they just disappeared!"

I turned to Sasuke, who was in my arms, and said with a smile: "You okay, Sasuke?"

Sasuke: "Hinoka?"

Hinoka: "Don't stress yourself too much; just rest. I'll take care of the rest from here."

As I placed Sasuke on the ground and was about to leave, he said: "Hinoka, don't overdo it. Remember, you said you wanted to keep your power under wraps."

Hinoka: "I know. I'll control my anger and do just enough to make him release Kakashi-sensei."