Chapter 12
Meanwhile.
Waves of water violently thrashed as Zabuza and Kakashi were involved in an intense battle. This conflict released a high level of chakra that mixed together and created an intense force in the area around them, forcing the water to become discolored.
Surgubf across the water's surface, a static streak of sapphire rippled from Kakashi's hand. The result of Lighting Style: Chidori, this technique was a highly skilled A-rank jutsu.
I can't get hit by that! Zabuza panicked.
At this moment, several of Kakashi's dogs came into sight, These dogs would trap Zabuza atop the open water. Pinned and restrained, his limbs were bit and gnawed by a pack of Konoha ninja dogs.
As Kakashi's hand surged towards Zabuza, Naruto appeared between them, in a blur. Colliding against a wall of gravity, the fabled Chidori was drained of chakra, knocking back Kakashi with ease.
"What the?!" Kakashi gasped, flipping, twisting and sliding across the water's surface.
No doubt about it... Suspended atop crashing waves...was Naruto...
He can manipulate external force, by using his body as the epicenter.. What else is he hiding from us? As these thoughts raced in Kakashi's mind, the water below thrashed with fury.
Naruto's bangs were drenched with unending rain. Dripping from each whisker, his violet and rippled eyes were fully exposed, as purple as fine silk.
Once, in his youth, Zabuza was kind and polite, but the life of a shinobi was relentless. Molded into the rogue shinobi that everyone knew, his personality was built by decades of conflict.
"This brat...how is he here Kakashi..."
"What can I say....Student of mine was always going to be a force."
Suddenly, the repetitive sound of a wooden cane slamming against stone echoed through the air. This sound captured the attention of everyone present instantly, even Zabuza and Tazuna.
"You disappoint me." Gato spat out with anger.
Positioned in the center of a damaged bridge, he was accompanied by six dozen bodyguards. Armed with swords and maces, spears and staves, these mercenaries resembled samurai, devoid of honor or respect.
"Paying these guys is way cheaper than you, so I'll actually save money." As Gato spoke, a wicked smile spread across his face.
Unconscious and unaware of their surroundings, Sasuke and Haku were covered by Sakura. Sakura took a glance at both of them before returning her attention to the sight ahead with trepidation filling her demeanor entirely.
"Everyone dies! I'm wasting too much money on this pathetic island." Snarling, his words filled Tazuna with word.
Exhausted and drained of chakra completely, Kakashi's dogs erupted into a lingering cloud of smoke. Barely able to stand, Zabuza fell to his knees, splashing against the blue surface of the raging ocean.
Despite his fierce appearance, Zabuza was completely disarmed and in no shape to fight. His iconic sword, Kubikiribōchō, was lodged into a distant section of stone, a pillar of Tazuna's bridge.
At this moment, dozens of voices pierced the air, a gathered group of over a hundred towns folk. Cutting off Gato's escape, these liberated civilians stood at the entrance to their bridge.
Ignoring the torrential rain from above, Inari stood at the head of this group, wearing an iron helmet. The rusty and ancient attire of a samurai, nearby citizens held pikes, shovels and farming scythes.
"How dare you! Don't even speak about my home! Not anymore!" Inari protested.
Surging forward, Inari ran face first against Naruto's back, falling to his underaged backside. Awed by the terrifiying speed that was display, Tsunami clenched her small chest, instilled with pride and fear.
"I have a question, Gato… What is your dream?" Naruto was enthralled by the past.
This questioned forced Gato to chuckle for several moments before erupting into laughter. During this cackle, he slammed the edge of his cane against the rock with a face that was filled at the joy at the question that had just been asked to him.
"My dream is to own this island, make it my own personal private resort." Gato explained, met by silence.
The only sound that could be heard was rain hitting concrete, dampened by Inari's confused face. Shrouded by Naruto's shadow, this whiskered shinobi was struck by a distant moment from his childhood.
Stroking Inari's hair in the same fashion as Iruka, he ordered to young boy to stand still. Strolling forward, Naruto was intercepted by dozens of rabid bandits, charging without delay.
"If you bring me those eyes, you'll get a bonus!" After speaking, his words created a chorus of cheers all around him.
Confronting their blond opponent, three mercenaries swung their blades in unison. Abruptly snapped by an unseen force, these attackers were flung through the air, knocked into the ocean with ease.
As the unbroken pace continued, Naruto scuffled his feet as another group approached him. With a mixed array of maces, axes and spears, their slashed weapons froze mere inches from their target.
Cracking the ground under lazy feet, the air was covered heavily by a dense aura of chakra. Overwhelming the mercenaries around him, Naruto walked without pause, acting like nothing was wrong.
"What!?" Gato stuttered.
Paid thugs began to quiver and shake as Naruto approached, defined by rippled eyes. With each step, his mind echoed with the distinct laughter of Iruka, cheering and smiling.
Freezing mid step, Naruto outstretched his right hand, gripping a distant and panicked Gato. Yanked through the rain-drenched air, this squirming businessman vainly fought for freedom.
Veiled by the soaked fabric of his sleeves, a black chakra-rod phased from Naruto's palm. Impaled by this darkened stave, Gato choked and gagged on a mouthful of blood, staining his frizzled brown hair.
"It's warmer than I remember." Naruto was haunted by Iruka's blood.
Ignoring the violent protest of Gato, this suit-wearing man was tossed into the ocean without any remorse.
"H-HELP ME!" Geto screamed out before he fell victim to the chaotic waves surrounding him.
"He's just one kid! Kill em'!" A bald bandit spat.
"He...He just killed the boss!" Another hairy bandit spat out
"Who cares! Just kill him!" The bald bandit said in response.
As dozens of mercenaries approached, Naruto swung his right leg out, swept under their feet. Kicking these imbalanced attackers, they slide and flipped across the icy-scarred ground.
Naruto casually stepped over an unconscious mercenary. while looking at the remnants of the falling bandit force.
Suddenly, three separate swords swung out in a horizontal fashion, dicing the rainy air. Ducking under these attacks, their weapons and wielders were repelled by a gravitational shockwave.
Would you be proud of me right now Sensei? Thinking these thoughts, Naruto side stepped a vertical slash.
Grabbing the sharpened edge of an extended spear near him, Naruto splintered the wood. Fighting with bare hands, he clenched his fist before striking an overbearing adult, thrusting him against an iron railing.
You put too much faith in me... Naruto leapt over a pair of blades.
Punting the teeth from a pair of savage bandits, they dropped their weapons in a daze from the force that was in front of them. Twisting in midair, he snapped the neck of a screaming mercenary, landing on his limp corpse.
You saw something in me, something no one else did. Standing up, he parried an axe with his chakra-rod.
Disarming his opponent, Naruto impaled a bandana wearing bandit, tossing him to the side. Propelling the rod from his palm, he hurled this object like a spear, stabbing a distant archer.
You knew that I needed you... Naruto flipped over another sword swing.
Just as this land needs me... The chaotic might from Naruto was simply too much for everything surrounding him.
Uprooting chunks of cement and rock, dozens of mercenaries were forced backwards. Blindly striking each other, and the ground, several of these thugs were pushed into the ocean.
More food for the water below , this final blow tore the metallic railing from its socket. Approaching this wide gash, Naruto loomed over the thrashing ocean, gazing at his silver-haired sensei.
That's why... I'm going to save this island, just like you saved me. Met by a transparent laugh of Iruka, thunder roared overhead.
As Naruto stood atop the bridge, the looming sun slowly pierced the misty veil. Emboldened by an aura of rain and crimson light, his rippled eyes glowed like sparkling amethyst.
... Kakashi and Zabuza couldn't find any words.
He defeated all of them!? A wide eyed Inari was in utter awe at the sight.
"He's so strong...Incredible..."Tsunami could not believe her eyes.
Is Naruto really this strong? Sakura looked on in shock at what she had just witnessed.
However, no words ran through Tazuna's mind. He was utterly enthralled by the sight in front of him laid out by Naruto himself.
Damaged by ice and the scorched cinders of flame, Tazuna's bridge was barely recognizable.
"Hey. Kakashi." Zabuza muttered.
"Yeah."
"I think this little duel of ours is gonna have to meet its end for now. I think there's more important manners to get to. Let's end this game of ours for now." Zabuza concluded
Kakashi merely nodded his head as he turned his head back to the sight of Naruto.
"Incredible." Kakashi remarked.