บท 26: Echoes of Battle: Secrets in the Mist
As the boat made its way to the shores of the Land of Waves, I couldn't see ahead due to the thick fog around. The salty sea breeze whipped through my hair, stinging my cheeks and obscuring the distant shoreline. Izumi stood beside me, her expression unreadable as she stared into the horizon.
"This fog is so thick, you can't see anything," Sakura said. I turned my head back to look at her and saw her sitting as close as she could to Sasuke. At the same time, Naruto was sitting next to Kakashi sensei. I had taken his spot at the front of the boat.
"Are you prepared for this?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the crashing waves.
I nodded. "We have to help these people. So, I won't go back on my vote to see this through." She nodded at my words as we passed the bridge that was being built. It was always a bit weird to me that they had such machines, but no one had any weapons like guns and whatnot. Though I am grateful for that cause at least with Ninja you had somewhat of a chance at noticing them.
Just then I heard the muffled voice of Naruto who had his mouth covered by Kakashi Sensei. Soon we entered a tunnel and watched the bright light ahead, and as we exited the fog was no longer around.
"What the... That's not how that should work... " I mumbled under my breath as all the fog was gone. As the boat was paddled by its driver we passed many run-down homes.
The moment we set foot on land; the bleak reality of the Land of Waves became painfully clear. Rows of dilapidated houses lined the narrow docks, their roofs sagging under the weight of despair. Gaunt faces peered at us from behind tattered curtains, their eyes hollow with hunger and hopelessness. I ignored the conversation happening behind me as I kept a look out around us.
"Welcome to the Land of Waves," Tazuna said grimly. "Now take me to my home, and I mean get me there in one piece."
I clenched my fists, anger boiling within me. Wouldn't it be better if I just killed this Gato thrash?
"Is it really that bad?" Sakura whispered, her voice quivering.
"Unfortunately, yes," Tazuna replied, his tone heavy with sorrow. "And it's not just poverty. Gato has hired mercenaries and Ninja to ensure the bridge remains unfinished. That's why I need ninjas like you to protect me."
A cold smile grew on my face mentioning the mercenaries. They would be great stress relievers that I wouldn't show any mercy. Unless it was those two. it would be beneficial for those two to work for the Leaf, but I didn't know how to make that happen. I'm not a mastermind, nor do I have any dirt on the Hokage. I also can't change people's faces like some of the main characters in fan fiction I've read. And the main thing was how was I going to change their fates.
"Then we'll make sure those Ninja don't stand a chance," Naruto shouted while showing off his kind smile.
"Let's get to work," I whispered, as we made our way out of the port village.
And walked through another forest yet again. Suddenly the sound of a Kuni cutting through the air reached my ears and as I turned and saw Naruto's outstretched hand pointing beyond the bushes. As Kakashi and Sakura went to check she started yelling at Naruto for almost killing a rabbit.
My breath hitched as I felt a sudden surge of chakra nearby. "Someone is here," I hissed, my muscles tensing for battle.
"Everyone, get ready!" Izumi shouted, and at once, Team 7 sprang into formation.
As the first wave of mercenaries and ninjas emerged from behind some trees, their faces hidden behind sinister masks. They moved with deadly grace, closing in on us like a pack of wolves.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled, creating several duplicates of himself as a diversion. The clones charged at the mercenaries, drawing their attention away from the rest of the team.
"Let's take advantage of this distraction," Sasuke said coldly, launching himself into the fray. His Sharingan blazed as he aimed a vicious kick at the nearest opponent.
While I focused my chakra and unleashed a barrage of water bullets. I gritted my teeth, feeling the rush of adrenaline surging through my veins.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Izumi and Kakashi killing them with such ease. Suddenly I was pushed to the side and turned to see One of Naruto's shadow clones being cut in half by a large flying sword that cut into a nearby tree as it stopped moving through the air.
"Hey, are you okay?" Izumi asked, her voice laced with concern as she noticed my hesitation.
"Y-yeah," I admitted, my voice barely audible over the sounds of battle. Holy shit I had almost died. Just then the last of the small frie had been killed and we all turned to see a man standing on the hilt of that large blade. His bare chest to the world as he looked us over from his shoulder.
"Zabuza Momoch," Izumi said while standing in from of me in a protective manner.
"The demon of the mist" Kakashi added as he walked closer to the tree that had the large sword still sticking in it. As Naruto was about to run past me Izumi put her hand up to block his path. "He's not like those guys from before, he's on a different level."
"I assume you are Kakashi, the Sharingan user... and Izumi one of the last two Uchiha's," Zabuza stated as he looked them over while Kakashi had his hand on his headband that was covering his eye.
As the conversation continued, I noticed that the air around us had become charged with chakra, and my senses were quick to detect the use of two distinct Charika signatures. Without wasting a moment, I sprang into action and darted towards the bridge builder, who was under attack from Water balls.
As I ran, I could feel my heart racing with adrenaline. I knew I had to act fast and decisively. The Water balls were already flying towards the builder, and I could see the panic in his eyes. But I was determined to protect him.
I shouted, "Water style water Ball" and unleashed my own water ball to counter one of the incoming attacks. The two jutsus collided with tremendous force, sending waves of water splashing in all directions and slicing through nearby trees. The sound of the impact echoed through the forest, and I could feel the ground shake beneath my feet.
As the second water ball was closing in on me, I braced myself for impact. But just in time, a massive wall of earth erupted from the ground, blocking the attack. The impact shattered the wall, and I was left with muddy earth shards covering my face. I could feel the grit of the earth in my mouth and nose, but I didn't let it distract me from the task at hand.
I quickly regained my composure and looked around. The bridge builder was safe, but the forest around us was in disarray. Trees had been uprooted, and the ground was now covered in water and mud. Izumi was crouching next to me with her hands on the ground. Two figures stood on top of some trees a bit away.
[ Sorry for the short chapter but my brain is not braining.]
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