9 Team 7 vs Zabuza

Zabuza scouted the enemy team, while Haku and Shou hide farther away. Zabuza sees the target Tazuna is protected by a squad of 4.

"I see. No wonder the demon brothers fell. Kakashi of the Sharingan is with them...". Zabuza had read the BINGO book frequently and so he knows what Kakashi looks like.

He has a large reputation due to his skills, graduated from the academy at an early age and was a part of ANBU. It's said he knows 1000 jutsus and have ability to copy any jutsu made by his opponents with his Sharingan.

Zabuza decides to use a surprise attack to kill Tazuna to test his luck. He throws his Executioner Blade to kill decisively.

However, Sasuke sensed something is wrong.

"Get down!".

Everyone saw the threat and immediately get down, barely avoiding the blade. Zabuza flickered on top of his blade and revealed himself to Kakashi team.

"Zabuza, Demon of the hidden mist?!". Kakashi is shocked seeing the opponent.

Zabuza is one of the 7 swordsmen of the mist, a legit Elite Jonin like him, a wanted missing-nin listed in the BINGO book - an S-rank criminal for his attempt on Mizukage's life.

However, Kakashi kept a calm facade.

"Well well. if it isn't the rouge ninja Zabuza Momochi!". 

Naruto stupidly went forward to attack but Kakashi stopped that stupid brat immediately.

"You re in the way. Get back you guys. He's on a totally different level".

Kakashi gets serious and place his hand on his head band covering his left eye. He is ready to use his eye seeing the opponent.

"Kakashi of the Sharingan I assume. Sorry but I will have you hand over the old man". Zabuza said calmly. If Kakashi just hands his target to him it would be ideal. But he can only dream.

Huh? Sharingan? What is that? Naruto and Sakura are confused hearing that.

Kakashi ask them to go back and hide. They are no match for Zabuza.

Kakashi lift his headband, revealing the eye with red iris and 3-tomoe surrounding the pupil. It's the legendary dojutsu of the Uchiha Clan, Sharingan!

What's this eye...? Naruto is shocked seeing the red eye. It looks really creepy and makes you feel drowned the longer you stare.

"This is an honor to see it so soon...". Zabuza had a sense of pride to fight Sharingan for the first time in his life.

Sasuke went to explain to Naruto what's Sharingan. How its a dojutso unique to the Uchiha clan.

Zabuza also went to explain how Sharingan can copy abilities and tells them about how great Kakashi actually is as described in the BINGO book; Kakashi the Copy Ninja who knows 1000 jutsus. As a villain he too loves to talk and explain stuffs.

Shou and Haku observed far away, hiding their presence. This time Zabuza is only probing their capabilities especially Kakashi. He is an unknown threat to Zabuza.

Shou secretly complains in his heart. Zabuza, just go kill that old man! Why does he talk so much??

Shou himself can't kill an innocent person nonchalantly. And seeing Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura who are only 12 years old or something, how could he have a heart to injure much less kill them?

He never killed children throughout their missions with Zabuza. As for a weak old man… Zabuza had dealt the killing blow whenever the target involves such a person and never make them kill such people. Zabuza had always, avoid making them kill such people.

If its legit shinobi that aren't children they could kill their kindness to kill. But these group of people…

If it's up to Shou's idealistic version of how it should go; if he does not have a heart; he would conjure an ice mirror and directly kill Tazuna when they are distracted. As long as he's dead, the mission will be completed and Zabuza and Haku won't have to die...

But he can't do it...

The old man is, innocent. Gato is the evil one. His conscience is clear at who's right and who's wrong. Tazuna does not deserve to die, at all. There's no excuse other than... ensuring his family is safe.

Shou clenched his fist, realising his own kindness and weakness.

But... It's okay. Zabuza and Haku won't die. Maybe he just needs to tell Zabuza of Kakashi's method of countering his Hidden Mist jutsu by using blood and his dog-nin.

He finally remembered how Zabuza is caught in the end specifically. Well, their first encounter wouldn't result in his death and there's still a week left.

But is it right to alter things like this? What if Kakashi die? What will happen to Naruto and Sasuke…

Shou is getting frustrated thinking about it. He doesn't know how to satisfy everyone. Zabuza will definitely kill Tazuna. And Kakashi will get in his way. But if Kakashi wins, Haku would sacrifice himself. If Zabuza kills Kakashi, the future will be messed up and becomes unpredictable from that moment.

… No…

Perhaps, the most direct solution with least consequences is to kill Tazuna without killing Kakashi.

That's would be... on Shou himself to make it happen.

But... I can't do it...

How can I kill a weak old man? And even helping Zabuza to make an opening to kill Tazuna makes him feel messed up in his heart.

Shou felt like crying thinking about this. He had wished that Gato never reached out to Zabuza at all because his existence may have had butterfly effects. But somehow it still follows the story.

"Shou? What's wrong?". Haku noticed Shou seems off even with his mask on. He looks too stiff.

"Nothing". Shou snapped back to reality.

"Zabuza is using hidden mist technique". Shou added seeing Zabuza is standing on water while gathering chakra.

Both of them can't see him under the mist. As for Shou, he could use his sensor skill but he's afraid Kakashi would notice him and does not do so.

They both waited for the mist to disperse.

...

"Let's end talking here. I must kill that old man immediately". Zabuza said.

The team immediately goes closer to protect Tazuna.

"But I will have to kill you first Kakashi...".

Zabuza took his Executioner blade and jumped on the lake nearby. He collected his chakra and used a secret technique.

Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu.

Mist gradually forms and fills the area. Kakashi and the gang immediately lose vision of him as he disappears in the mist. Kakashi stood in vigilance, knowing Zabuza would target him first.

Sakura is scared and asks Kakashi who is Zabuza.

Kakashi calmly explains how he was an ANBU and is someone who is an expert in silent killing. Silent killing is a style where someone goes for the kill while the opponent is unaware of it and was killed in a single instance without even a sound made.

"By the time you realize it, its possible you may find yourself in the afterlife. I haven't mastered my sharingan fully yet, don't let your guard down, you guys". 

"Well, if we fail we would just die". Added Kakashi. Sakura want to for how nonchalant he is.

The mist grows thicker; to a point that Naruto and others lost vision of Kakashi. It becomes eerily silent as there's only sound of wind and their heart beatings in fear.

Eight spots.

Huh? What? Sakura exclaimed.

The larynx, the spine, the lungs, the liver, the jugular and the subclavian vein, the kidneys and the heart. 

Now then, which vulnerable spot would be good?

Zabuza's words coming from the mist scares them stiff. Naruto took a big gulp saliva.

Silence...

Kakashi decides to channel chakra to dispel the mist. The mist is cleared instantly in a small area around Kakashi allowing Naruto and others to somewhat see.

Sasuke can feel the killing intent and felt he would go mad if he's stuck like this for too long. Kakashi calms him down by ensuring him he would not allow his comrades to be killed.

I wonder about that...

Zabuza had used a water clone, which then immediately flickered down from a tree branch, silently appearing right in front of Tazuna.

"It's over". Just as Zabuza (clone) is about to swing his Executioner Blade, Kakashi with his sharingan vision can see him clearly.

He used body flicker technique and stab Zabuza with a kunai before he can kill anyone.

Plish... water comes out pouring from the wound Kakashi stabbed.

Zabuza silently appear behind Kakashi, ready to kill him.

"Kakashi! Behind you!"

The water clone burst into water, and Zabuza swung his blade from behind.

"Die!".

Kakashi was cut into two - and burst into water aswell!

Water clone jutsu!? No way...

Zabuza figured surprisingly Kakashi copied his water clone when it was attacking.

Kakashi appeared from behind, holding the kunai against Zabuza's neck.

"Don't move". Acting like he won, Naruto and others let out a breath of relief.

"It's over". Kakashi also copied Zabuza's line with his sharingan.

Zabuza can only laugh a little like villain, smirking behind the bandages covering his mouth.

"Did you say it's over?".

Kakashi squinted his eyes, unsure what Zabuza meant.

"You won't be able to beat me just by making a copy".

Zabuza kept laughing. He pointed out when exactly did Kakashi copy his water clone, and how he let that clone speak to let Zabuza distracted. Then Kakashi use the Hidden Mist to hide himself.

"But you see... I am no fool...".

Kakashi had a heart attack hearing the voice coming from behind him.

"That was a fake too!!". Naruto screamed out. The one in front of Kakashi burst into water, as the real Zabuza behind him swung his blade.

Kakashi barely ducked it, causing the blade to pass by. The heavy blade slashed the ground due to momentum. Zabuza quickly turned his wrist and use the blade as an anchor, kicking Kakashi away.

Kakashi was sent flying through the air. Zabuza took this chance and rushed with his blade to land a finishing blow while Kakashi is vulnerable.

But his steps halted. Hmm? Makibishi spikes! (little spikes thrown on the ground to stop movement). Kakashi fell down the water at the time as Zabuza is stopped.

Zabuza snorted.

"How stupid". He simply jump over the spikes and dive down the lake.

Sasuke and Sakura is surprised at Zabuza's taijutsu, he's also good! 

While Kakashi, who's in the lake felt something is off with the water. Its awfully heavy.

"Heh. Fool". Zabuza had already flickered right behind Kakashi, standing on top of the lake.

He weaved hand seals within a second; Snake → Ram → Horse → Hare → Ram → Horse → Hare.

Water Prison Technique!

"What!?". Water move and trapped him in a sphere of water. He can't move!

Zabuza told Kakashi how foolish it is to escape to the water. Hehe. Now he can't escape from his special prison.

"Now... Kakashi, we can finish things later. First, I will take care of them".

With a hand seal, he used Water Clone Technique. 1

The water clone stood and speak in disdain. Commenting on how those kids are just pretending to be real ninjas.

For him a real ninja is someone who has survived many encounters with death.

"Basically, if you can be listed in my handbook, then you can call yourself ninjas".

The clone use body flicker and disappears from Naruto's sight.

He disappeared again! Naruto exclaimed. He was kicked by Zabuza clone mercilessly all of a sudden.

'Narutoo!!', Sakura screamed.

Kakashi is panicking seeing him beaten like dogs in the street.

"You guys! Take Tazuna-san and run away! You have no chance against him! As long as he keep me trapped in the prison he cannot move!".

"The water clone cannot go very far from his real body. Just run away, NOW!".

Naruto had his heart beats fast, almost exploding. Fear crawled down his spine making his entire body shaking.

At this rate... I am really going to die...

Naruto wanted to run away. As he use his hand to support himself, he felt burning pain on his left hand.

!!!

Naruto remembered his own resolution. When he stabbed his left hand, he swore on this pain he would protect the old man.

That, he is not going to get afraid or run away... that he won't lose to Sasuke.

His heart firmed, washing away that fear. He remembers Iruka sensei who had given him the head protector symbolizing him as a real ninja.

"I'll surpass Hokage! And then have the whole village acknowledge my existence!". Naruto remembers his own dream.

That's right... he is a ninja. He won't run away!

UAHH!! Naruto rushed to beat Zabuza up.

Kakashi can only scream seeing it.

"Naruto, what are you thinking!?". Sakura also screamed in panic.

"Idiot". Zabuza simply kicked him away again, sending him flying and rolling through the dirt.

Sakura scolded him but she is stunned. Naruto held his forehead protector tightly and stood up. Although blood flowed from his mouth, he is firm.

"Hey... You eye-browless freak.... Put this in your handbook. The man who will one day become Hokage...".

Naruto tighten up the head protector on his forehead.

"Leaf Village Ninja, Uzumaki Naruto!!!".

Everyone is stunned hearing his big words. While Zabuza is more offended on the part when he got called an eyebrowless freak. Veins bulging out of his forehead. He wanted to beat that brat so much.

"Sasuke, I have a plan!". Naruto had an idea to let Kakashi escape.

Sasuke at first have doubts, but seeing Naruto like this... he felt he is reliable for once.

"Heh...". Zabuza just laugh out of their arrogance.

Kakashi screamed again, telling them how the fight is already over the moment he was caught.

"Our duty is to protect Tazuna-san!! Did you forget that!?".

Naruto had to look at the old man.

Tazuna, seeing their spirit, just let them be. Their spirit makes him confident in them. That they are true ninjas.

Zabuza just laughs again.

"When I was about your age, these hands had been dyed red with blood".

Naruto and the gang was stunned. Kakashi also added the fact that Zabuza had killed all graduates during the graduation exam - killing 100 graduates by himself.

Naruto don't understand. What graduation exam?

"The exam is to fight to death between students". Zabuza said.

Huh...? Naruto cannot believe such a cruel thing can be true. His own graduation exam in Konoha is nothing close to such thing. He can't process it.

Zabuza explained how friends who had been together for years eventually had to fight each other, until one of them lose their life. Friends that they had shared their dreams with...

Kakashi added how many years ago the Hidden Mist graduation exam was forced to change because a Demon appeared...

"Change...? What change? What did the demon do...?". Sakura wants to know the truth.

"Without hesitation, a young boy who was not even a ninja killed over a hundred of the students".

...

'That sure was... fun...'. Zabuza said nonchalantly, remembering the past.

As for the truth of his feelings, no one bothered to ask him. But for Shou, he had a thought that Zabuza had done so to make a change in the system himself. Perhaps its an extreme method. But he succeeded.

It's clear Zabuza never agreed with such things and make that point clear in his own way.

Did he really think its fun...?

Perhaps he's just coping with his own actions and pretend it is.

Zabuza gets serious and flickered right in front of Sasuke and beat him. Sasuke was sent flying and landed on the ground.

Zabuza stepped on his chest, twisting his feet. Sasuke whimpered in pain, coughing blood.

'Die'. Zabuza exclaimed.

Naruto gritted his teeth and use Shadow Clone jutsu. More than ten shadow clone appears. Zabuza is quite surprised seeing so many of it.

The clones rushed to Zabuza. But Zabuza simply swung his blade destroying all shadow clones easily.

Naruto thought of a way, reaching out to a Demon Wind Shuriken from his bag.

He throw the folded shuriken to Sasuke. When Sasuke caught it in his hand, he knows this shuriken is actually a transformation jutsu!

He knows what Naruto wants to do. He unfolded the shuriken, revealing its massive size.

"A shuriken won't work on me". The clone stated coldly.

Sasuke flickered to the air, and throws the large shuriken. The shuriken passed by the clone, and head straight to Zabuza's real body!

I see. It's target is my real body.

He caught it easily with other hand. But then he hears the sound of shuriken coming to him. This is... The Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!

A second Shuriken in his blind spot!

Everyone had an expectant gaze because Zabuza will surely be hit! However!

"Still too naive...".

He simply jumps to dodge it.

Sasuke smirked seeing it. THe shuriken suddenly turned into smoke, revealing Naruto's figure.

Nani!? Zabuza is shocked.

Naruto screamed out and throw his kunai to him through a surprise attack!

Zabuza had to pull out his hand from the water prison to dodge the kunai.

He's so mad! He spun the shuriken in his hand ready to kill that brat. But suddenly...

Clang!

Kakashi had already escaped and stopped the shuriken with his hand guard.

"Naruto. That was outstanding. You guys have grown up". Kakashi is proud of them. Naruto went to explain how his plan work.

"The same jutsu won't work on me twice". Kakashi threatens Zabuza. 

Zabuza knows Kakashi taijutsu is better when it comes to direct confrontation. Especially with his sharingan.

So he made up his mind. Zabuza does not believe he can copy everything. He flickered away from Kakashi, while Kakashi also does the same.

Zabuza start to weave hand signs.

Ox → Monkey → Hare → Rat → Boar →...

Kakashi activates his sharingan and do the exact same hand signs.

A total of 44 hand seals within seconds!

Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!

The two water dragons fight each other, causing waves of water flooding the ground.

Sasuke is so impressed that Kakashi can copy it so perfectly.

Zabuza panicked. He can't understand how, even if Kakashi can memories and copy jutsu; how come he unleash the jutsu at the same time as him?!

Could it be... this guy...?

Shou and Haku went closer to see the after effect. They watched from the trees while Zabuza confronts Kakashi.

As they clashed their blade Zabuza had a thought. He flickered away and moved in circle, while Kakashi also move the same way.

!? Zabuza sees Kakashi is following his movement like a mirror!

He is about to use his Hidden Mist Jutsu, and sees Kakashi also do the same pose at the same time!

My movements...! He's perfectly...

"Reading them". Kakashi continued the sentence in Zabuza's mind.

Nani!? He's reading my mind?!

Damn it!

"Hah! You're just copying. You are a pale imitation!".

"You won't be able to beat me!".

"You won't be able to beat me!".

Grr!? Zabuza is mad hearing his words repeated.

"I will shut your monkey mouth permanently!". He weaved seals ready to make a jutsu. 

Huh!? He sees a shadow behind Kakashi. That... is me?

Ridiculous! Is that his genjutsu!?

"Water Release! Giant Vortex Jutsu!" Kakashi had finished the hand signs that Zabuza himself have not!

Nani!!??

No way!?!!?

Water Vortex formed and wash Zabuza, drowning him a torrential wave.

He realised he can't keep up with his jutsu! He is carried along the water vortex, injured all over his body.

As the water recedes, Zabuza figure stood barely standing with support from a tree.

"I will save him". Haku used a wind release movement technique and disappear.

Shou watched as Kakashi throw multiple kunai pinning Zabuza's hands and feet.

'It's over'.

"How? Are you able to see the future..?'".

"Yeah. That you are going to die". Kakashi had readied his kunai.

But suddenly.

Swoosh!

2 needle weapon whistled through the air, directly piercing through Zabuza's neck! Zabuza's body went stiff and fell flat to the ground.

Kakashi in shock looked at the figure with mask on. That is...

Haku let out a small laugh.

"You were right. He died".

Naruto finally climbed out of the water after being washed far away. He gritted his teeth looking at that figure. He looks small and not much taller than himself. Looking at Zabuza, stiff and dead looking, he felt mad.

Kakashi flickered to Zabuza's body checking his vitals. 

"He's definitely dead...".

Haku bowed down to Kakashi to express his thanks.

"Thank you very much. I have been seeking the chance to kill Zabuza".

'By the looks of the mask... you are a tracker-nin from Kirigakure aren't you?'.

"You are very knowledgeable indeed".

Naruto asked what is that. Sakura went to explain how tracker-nin hunt down missing-nin from Kirigakure and scolded Naruto asking him to study.

Kakashi can guess from his voice and height, his age is not that far from Naruto. A tracker-nin at such a young age...

He's not just an ordinary kid...

The wind blows Haku's hair gently, with his mask on he looks like a professional assassin of some sort. Shou watched Haku's performance with imaginary popcorn. His brother look so cool!

Naruto however does not want to believe it. He keep looking at Haku, then at Zabuza, then at Haku again. How come!?!?

"What are you!?". Naruto screamed at Haku.

??? Both Haku and Show just look at Naruto, not sure where the outrage comes from.

 "Hey you!". Naruto keep screaming.

Haku doesn't really know what to say at this kid. What he wants? Why he's screaming at him? Is his act exposed? 

Kakashi knows what Naruto is mad about.

"Don't worry, Naruto. He's not an enemy".

'That's not what I am asking! I...! I mean...! Look at that Zabuza. He, is killed just like that! That guy was so strong... But he was killed so easily by a kid no different from me!!'.

'We... We are so pathetic!'. Naruto felt its unacceptable. He trained so hard each day. And felt how difficult, how strong Zabuza is.

But... But he's dead in an instance. 

'I can't accept that!'.

"Well... I understand. But this is reality... In this world, there are kids who are younger than you... and stronger than me".

Naruto just snorted while Kakashi patted his head. Haku use his movement technique to move down the tree and went to lift Zabuza up.

"Your battle is over. I must get rid of this corpse because it contains many secrets. Now then, please excuse me". Haku carried Zabuza with the wind, disappeared from their visions.

Naruto rushed forward to see the place where Haku was standing. He can't even see when he left. He can't even see him and now he disappeared.

Naruto is shaking in anger. He fell to his knees and punch the ground out of frustration.

Darn it. Darn it. Darn it!!!

??? Shou was still watching and tilted his head seeing Naruto behavior. Well, he guessed maybe Naruto is frustrated at his own weakness despite the effort he put.

Naruto really wanted to be a great Ninja, and to be a Hokage so he could be recognized by everyone. It's his goal, his dream. Mostly because he is ostracized during his childhood and is lonely deep inside. That's the main reason.

Shou nodded at himself at this conjecture. It's must be hard for Naruto to endure such loneliness. It's not like Shou didn't understand. He knows what it felt like to be, feared and to feel rejected by the world.

Seeing Naruto in real life, makes him sympathize with him as a real person.

Well... It's over for now. I should leave as well. Shou silently move away unnoticed by anyone to where Haku is.

In Shou's mind, he is preparing mentally for something he had to do to ensure Zabuza and Haku is safe.

He knows in his heart, it will be really, really difficult for his heart to do it.

But... the only way, the only way he can stop their death for sure without affecting the timeline is...

... to kill Tazuna directly.

He clenched his fist, thinking about it. Simulating, imagining killing that weak old man. He felt uncomfortable just thinking about it, but its something he need to do.

He needs to do it... otherwise... Haku and Zabuza will...

He held his chest, feeling the pain inside his chest. That he had to abandon his kindness and conscience. 

Is there no other way...?

...