Chapter 26: The Shadow Cast Over the Waves
The Hokage's office was filled with the scent of pipe smoke and the distinct smell of alcohol emanating from the elderly man standing before the desk. Tazuna, the master bridge builder, took a swig from his bottle, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"I asked for ninja protection, not a daycare center," Tazuna grumbled, eyeing the group of Genin assembled behind Kakashi and Asuma.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes sharp. "These are some of Konoha's most promising young shinobi, Tazuna-san. And given the... unique circumstances surrounding one of them, I am assigning two squads to this escort."
He gestured to the group. "Team 7, led by Kakashi Hatake. And Team 10, led by Asuma Sarutobi."
Naruto, standing between Sasuke and Sakura, let out a long sigh, adjusting the strap of his eyepatch. "Another escort mission? I just got back from Yugakure. Can't I get a break, old man?"
"No," Hiruzen said flatly. "Consider this a joint training exercise. Besides, with the Kurokage organization active, there is safety in numbers."
Shikamaru groaned, his head tilting back. "A C-Rank mission all the way to the Land of Waves? What a drag. I was planning on watching the clouds today."
"Quit complaining!" Ino elbowed Shikamaru in the ribs. "It's a chance to travel! Plus, we get to work with Sasuke-kun!" She beamed, ignoring Sakura's glare.
Sasuke remained silent, his arms crossed. His gaze flickered toward Naruto. Even standing still, Naruto's posture had changed since his training with Fujimoto. He stood with a relaxed, almost careless grace, but his hand rested comfortably near the hilts of Katen Kyōkotsu.
"Alright, everyone," Asuma said, lighting a cigarette. "Pack your bags. We leave in one hour."
Unknown Location – Kurokage Base
The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the holographic tactical map in the center. Shura sat on her throne, her expression icy as she nursed the lingering injuries from her battle with Genryusai.
"Report," she commanded.
A spy, cloaked in shadows, knelt before her. "Target Naruto Nara has returned to Konoha. However, we have intercepted intel regarding a new mission. He is part of a large escort detail heading for the Land of Waves to protect a bridge builder named Tazuna."
"The Land of Waves..." Shura tapped her finger against the armrest. "Isolated. No hidden village to interfere. It's a perfect killing ground."
"I'll go," a melodic voice floated from the shadows.
From the darkness emerged Yuuki Fukunaga. His appearance was ethereal, almost ghostly. His long, silvery-white hair flowed down his back like spun silk, shimmering in the low light. He wore a midnight-blue kimono draped loosely over his shoulders, and a translucent white haori trailed behind him like mist.
He snapped his black folding fan shut with a crisp click, his pale amethyst eyes glowing with amusement.
"Tetsuya is too loud," Yuuki said, his voice smooth as velvet. "And Isamu is too slow. If you want the boy broken, you need an artist."
Shura eyed him. "Naruto defeated Haruka. He is resistant to spiritual attacks . His will is strong."
"Strength of will is just a wall," Yuuki replied, a thin smile gracing his handsome, porcelain features. "And every wall has cracks. I don't intend to fight his body, Shura. I intend to unravel his mind. I want to see what nightmares hide behind that eyepatch."
Shura considered this, then nodded. "Fine. But do not underestimate him. Take whatever resources you need."
Yuuki bowed theatrically. "I shall offer my services to the local tycoon controlling the island, Gato. It will provide the perfect stage for my performance."
___
Chapter 26: Part 2 — The Mist that Hides the Demon
The road leading away from Konoha was quiet, save for the rhythmic crunch of sandals on dirt and the occasional sip Tazuna took from his bottle. With two Jonin and six Genin surrounding him, the bridge builder should have felt safe. Instead, he was sweating bullets.
"Hey, old man," Naruto called out from the back of the formation, his hands laced behind his head. "You're sweating like a pig in a sauna. You hiding something?"
Tazuna flinched. "Shut up, brat! It's just... hot today. That's all."
Shikamaru looked up at the perfectly clear, cloudless sky. "Hot? It's mild at best. Troublesome old men and their secrets..."
Naruto chuckled, glancing sideways at his brother. "You sense it too, huh?"
"The puddle?" Shikamaru muttered, not breaking his stride. "It hasn't rained in three days. Amateurs."
Ahead of them, Kakashi and Asuma exchanged a subtle glance. They didn't signal the Genin; this was a test.
As the group passed the unassuming puddle, two figures erupted from the water. Chains rattled like snakes, wrapping instantly around Kakashi.
"One down!" a rough voice shouted.
With a sickening crunch, 'Kakashi' was torn to pieces—exploding into a pile of wooden logs. Substitution.
"What?!" The Demon Brothers, Gōzu and Meizu, froze for a split second.
"Now!" Sasuke shouted. He launched himself into the air, throwing shuriken and kunai to pin the brothers chains , locking their movement. He landed on their gauntlets, kicking both in the face simultaneously.
"Impressive," Asuma noted, though he didn't move to interfere yet.
One of the brothers unhooked his chain and lunged for Tazuna, desperation in his eyes. Sakura screamed, brandishing a kunai but freezing in place.
"Out of the way!" the rogue ninja roared, his clawed gauntlet inches from Tazuna.
Naruto didn't dash. He didn't scream. He simply stepped into the path, his movement a blur of Shunpo, and stuck his foot out.
The rogue ninja tripped over Naruto's leg, his momentum sending him face-first into the dirt. Before he could recover, a shadow stretched across the ground, binding him tight.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu... complete," Shikamaru drawled, forming the rat seal. "Man, you guys are sloppy."
Asuma stepped forward, his trench knives gleaming. "Good work. Kakashi and I will handle the interrogation."
Kakashi stepped out from behind a tree, reading his book. "Sasuke, good reaction time. Sakura, don't just stand there next time. Shikamaru, Naruto... nice assist."
Naruto shrugged. "I barely did anything."
Sasuke glared at Naruto's back. He moved so fast I barely saw him... yet he acts like he just went for a stroll.
The Truth Revealed
After a tense interrogation where Tazuna confessed about Gato and the poverty of the Land of Waves, the group faced a decision.
"This is a B-Rank mission, possibly A-Rank," Kakashi stated, eyeing his students. "Gato is a tycoon with deep pockets. He'll hire ninjas worse than these two."
"We should go back," Sakura said, her voice trembling. "We're not ready for this!"
"I say we keep going," Sasuke countered cold determination in his eyes.
"What a drag..." Shikamaru sighed. "But if we turn back now, Asuma-sensei will never let us live it down."
All eyes turned to Naruto. He adjusted his eyepatch, looking at Tazuna's desperate face. "The old man's fighting for his home. Besides..." Naruto smirked. "It wouldn't be very stylish to run away now, would it?"
Asuma grinned, lighting a cigarette. "Well said. We continue."
Into the Mist
A boat carried them across the heavy fog toward the Land of Waves. The air grew thick and heavy, damp with moisture and killing intent. Visibility dropped to near zero.
Naruto stood at the bow of the boat, his single eye piercing through the white haze. The scent of blood was faint on the wind.
"Get down!" Kakashi suddenly barked.
Everyone dropped to the deck as a massive executioner's blade spun through the air, embedding itself into a tree trunk on the shore with a thunderous impact.
A figure landed atop the hilt, back to the group. He wore cow print arm warmers and bandages over his face. The killing intent radiating from him was suffocating, freezing Sakura and Ino in place.
Kakashi stepped off the boat onto the water, Asuma right beside him.
"Well, well," Kakashi said, lifting his headband to reveal his Sharingan. "If it isn't Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist."
Zabuza turned, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the threat. "Kakashi of the Sharingan... and Asuma Sarutobi, the Guardian Shinobi. Two elites guarding a drunk bridge builder?
Naruto stood up slowly, dusting off his kimono. He looked at Zabuza with a mild curiosity. "Demon of the Mist, huh? You've got a lot of spiritual pressure for a guy wearing cow pajamas."
Zabuza's gaze snapped to Naruto. "A brat with a big mouth. I'll silence you first."
Zabuza performed a single hand sign. "Hidden Mist Jutsu."
The fog thickened until even Asuma and Kakashi were lost to sight.
"Eight points," Zabuza's voice echoed from everywhere and nowhere. "Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart... which one should I go for?"
Sasuke was trembling. The sheer pressure was overwhelming, triggering his trauma of helplessness. He raised a kunai, contemplating stabbing his own leg just to feel something other than fear.
A warm hand placed itself on Sasuke's shoulder.
"Relax, Sasuke-chan," Naruto's voice whispered, calm and steady. "It's just a little fog."
Sasuke looked at Naruto. The boy wasn't shaking. He was smiling.
"Sensei!" Naruto called out. "This mist is annoying. Can I clear it?"
"If you can, do it!" Asuma shouted from the gray void.
Naruto drew his twin blades, crossing them. "Bushōgoma."
He spun in place. A violent tornado of wind erupted from his location, tearing through the mist like paper. The sheer force of the wind blasted the fog away, revealing Zabuza standing on the water a few meters away, looking genuinely surprised.
"Wind style?" Zabuza muttered. "Without hand signs?"
"There!" Kakashi lunged, Raikiri chirping in his hand. Zabuza barely blocked with his massive sword, but Asuma was already flanking him, wind-chakra knives extending to slice Zabuza's cheek.
Zabuza jumped back, creating distance. "Two Jonin is a pain... I need to separate you."
He moved with blinding speed, not attacking the Jonin, but kicking Tazuna toward the water. Kakashi moved to catch the builder, but it was a trap. Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi.
"Water Prison Jutsu!"
A sphere of dense water trapped Kakashi. Zabuza smirked, keeping one hand in the sphere while creating a Water Clone with the other.
"Now," Zabuza laughed, his clone stepping onto land. "One Jonin down. One busy guarding the old man. Who wants to die first?"
The Water Clone radiated power far beyond a Genin's level. It kicked Sasuke in the stomach, sending him flying, and backhanded Choji into a tree.
"This is bad," Shikamaru analyzed, sweat dripping down his brow. "Asuma-sensei can't leave Tazuna, or Zabuza will target him. We have to free Kakashi."
Sasuke struggled to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth. "Naruto... do you have a plan?"
Naruto tilted his head, looking at the Water Clone. "A plan? I was thinking we just play a game."
"This isn't the time for your jokes!" Sasuke snapped.
Naruto ignored him, stepping forward to face the Zabuza clone. "Hey, Bandages. Ever played Tag?"
The clone scoffed. "You think this is a game, brat?" The clone charged, sword raised to cleave Naruto in two.
"Kageoni."
Naruto sank into the ground. The clone's sword hit dirt.
"What?" The clone looked around.
"Down here," Naruto's voice came from the clone's own shadow. A blade erupted from the darkness, forcing the clone to jump back.
"Now, Shikamaru!" Naruto shouted.
Shikamaru, who had been waiting for the distraction, caught the clone's shadow with his own. "Gotcha. Shadow Possession Jutsu!"
"Ino!" Asuma barked.
"Right!" Ino used her Mind Transfer Jutsu on the immobilized clone. "I'm in!"
Zabuza's real body widened his eyes. "What are these brats?"
"Now, Sasuke!" Naruto reappeared from the shadows, pointing at the real Zabuza.
Sasuke didn't hesitate. He launched a "Fireball Jutsu" at the real Zabuza. Zabuza was forced to break the Water Prison to dodge the flames, freeing Kakashi.
Kakashi landed on the water, soaking wet and furious. "Good job, everyone. I'll take it from here."
The battle resumed, Kakashi mirroring Zabuza's every move with the Sharingan. Just as Kakashi prepared the finishing blow, two senbon needles flew from the trees, striking Zabuza in the neck.
Zabuza fell, seemingly dead.
A masked Hunter-Nin (Haku) appeared on the tree branch. "Thank you. I have been tracking this rogue ninja for a long time."
Kakashi checked Zabuza's pulse. "No heart beat. He's dead."
As Haku collected the body and vanished, Naruto stared at the empty space where they had been. His single eye narrowed.
"He's not dead," Naruto whispered to himself.
"What was that?" Sakura asked.
"Nothing," Naruto yawned, sheathing his swords. "Just saying... that hunter-nin smelled like a girl's perfume. And Zabuza... his spiritual pressure didn't vanish. It just got quiet."
"Let's move," Asuma ordered. "We need to get Tazuna to his house before Gato sends more."
High above on a tree, a white-haired figure watched the group depart, fanning himself with a black fan.
"Zabuza Momochi... how crude," Yuuki murmured, his violet eyes locked on Naruto. "But the stage is set. Soon, Naruto Nara, we shall see what lies beneath that composure of yours."
___
Chapter 27: The Tourist and the Ghost
Gato's Hideout
The atmosphere in the room was suffocating, thick with the smell of medicinal herbs and Gato's expensive, cloying cologne. Zabuza lay in bed, his body covered in bandages, while Haku sat quietly by his side, mixing a poultice.
Gato, surrounded by his two bodyguards, Zōri and Waraji, was red-faced with fury. He pointed a shaking finger at the bedridden assassin.
"I hired you because you're the Demon of the Mist!" Gato shrieked, slamming his cane against the floor. "And what do I get? You come crawling back half-dead, beaten by a bunch of leaf-wearing brats!
Zabuza's eyes narrowed, a flash of killing intent leaking out. "One more word, Gato, and I'll sever your head from your shoulders, payment or not."
Gato flinched, stepping back behind his guards, but quickly regained his bravado. "Empty threats from a cripple! If you can't do the job, maybe I should just cut my losses and—"
"Now, now," a smooth, velvety voice floated through the room, cutting through the tension like a razor through silk. "Anger causes wrinkles, Gato-san. And stress is terrible for business."
All heads turned toward the corner of the room. It had been empty a second ago. Now, a man stood there.
He was ethereal, possessing a beauty that felt out of place in the dingy hideout. Long, silvery-white hair cascaded down his back, and he wore a midnight-blue kimono layered under a translucent white haori that seemed to drift around him like mist. He held a black folding fan against his lips, his pale amethyst eyes crinkling in amusement.
Zabuza tried to sit up but grimaced in pain. "Who the hell are you?"
Haku was instantly on his feet, senbon needles between his fingers, positioning himself between the stranger and Zabuza. "I didn't sense his approach," Haku whispered, his guard up.
The stranger snapped his fan shut with a crisp click. "My name is Yuuki Fukunaga. And I represent an organization that has a... mutual interest in the demise of those Konoha shinobi."
Gato squinted suspiciously. "Organization? You mean the Akatsuki or Kurokage?"
"The latter," Yuuki said, gliding forward. He ignored Haku, walking right past him to inspect Zabuza. "The Demon of the Mist... impressive durability. But crude. Very crude."
"Watch your mouth," Zabuza growled.
Yuuki chuckled softly. "No offense intended. You break bodies. It is a necessary art. But these Konoha ninja... specifically the boy with the eyepatch... he requires a more delicate touch."
Gato rubbed his chin greedily. "So, you're offering to help? For free?"
"My services are never free," Yuuki corrected gently. "However, my payment is not money. I simply want the boy. You can have the bridge builder, the town, and the rest of the ninja. But Naruto Nara is mine to break."
Zabuza eyed him critically. "That kid is dangerous. He uses wind style without hand signs and moves like a ghost. He's not a normal Genin."
"I am aware," Yuuki said, his eyes glowing faintly. "Which is why you need me. While you recover, Zabuza-san, I will begin the performance. I will unravel their minds so that when you face them again... they will already be defeated."
Gato grinned, exposing his gold tooth. "You're hired. Just get it done."
Yuuki bowed theatrically. "Consider the stage set."
The Town of Wave
Two days had passed since their arrival. While Kakashi and Asuma focused on training the Genin in tree climbing to improve their chakra control (something Naruto skipped, having mastered it years ago), Naruto decided to patrol the town.
The poverty was appalling. The gray sky mirrored the hopelessness in the villagers' eyes. Buildings were falling apart, children sat in the mud with hollow stomachs, and the marketplaces were practically empty. It was a stark contrast to the vibrancy of Yugakure.
Naruto walked with his hands behind his head, his single eye scanning the surroundings. He wasn't just sight-seeing; he was memorizing escape routes and checking for threats.
"Depressing," he muttered to himself. "Gato really did a number on this place."
He turned a corner onto the main street and stopped dead in his tracks.
Standing in front of a dilapidated grocery store was a man who stood out like a diamond in a pile of coal.
He was tall, handsome, and dressed in pristine, expensive silk. His white hair was perfectly groomed, and not a speck of mud sullied his hakama. He was examining a bruised apple with an expression of mild curiosity, tapping a black fan against his chin.
Naruto's eye narrowed. That guy doesn't belong here.
Naruto approached casually, adopting his laid-back persona. "Yo. You look a little lost, mister."
The man turned, blinking his pale violet eyes. He smiled—a warm, disarming expression. "Ah, hello there. I suppose I do stand out a bit, don't I?"
"Just a bit," Naruto drawled, leaning against a wooden post. "Silk robes in a town where people can barely afford rags? You're either incredibly rich, incredibly stupid, or..." Naruto's voice dropped an octave. "...you're looking for trouble."
The man laughed, a sound like wind chimes. He opened his fan to cover the lower half of his face. "You possess a sharp tongue for a child. But no, I am not looking for trouble. I am merely a traveler. A tourist, if you will."
"A tourist?" Naruto raised an eyebrow skeptically. "In the Land of Waves? There's nothing here but misery and an unfinished bridge."
"I have a fondness for the ocean," the man replied smoothly, gesturing vaguely toward the sea. "I heard the mist here was poetic. I arrived yesterday, only to find the situation... less than ideal. My travel guide seems to have been severely outdated."
He sighed, closing his fan. "I am Yuuki. And you are?"
"Naruto," he replied shortly. He wasn't buying it. "So, Yuuki-san, you plan on staying? Most people are trying to leave."
"I find tragedy has its own kind of beauty," Yuuki said, looking around at the decaying buildings. "Besides, I paid for my lodging in advance. No refunds, sadly."
Naruto stared at him. He probed his own inner world.
Hey, Kurama, Naruto thought. Check him. Is he hostile?
Inside the seal, the Chibi-Kurama (currently being forced to wear a flower crown by Kyōkotsu) sniffed the air. The great fox frowned.
"Nothing," Kurama grunted. "I sense no hatred, no killing intent, no malice directed at you. He's calm as a pond. Just a weirdo."
Naruto frowned internally. Kurama's negative emotion sensing was absolute. If this guy was an enemy, he should be leaking some intent. But there was nothing.
Naruto relaxed his posture, though his instincts still nagged him. "Well, suit yourself. But if I were you, I wouldn't flash that fancy fan around. People here are desperate."
"I shall keep that in mind," Yuuki said, bowing slightly. "Thank you for the warning, Naruto-kun. It is rare to meet such a helpful young shinobi."
Yuuki turned to leave, his white haori flowing behind him. He stopped after a few steps and glanced back over his shoulder, his violet eyes locking onto Naruto's eyepatch.
"By the way," Yuuki added softly. "That eyepatch suits you. It gives you the look of a man who sees more with one eye than most do with two."
Before Naruto could respond, Yuuki stepped into an alleyway.
Naruto blinked and pushed off the post to follow him, curious about the strange compliment. He rounded the corner into the alley less than two seconds later.
It was empty.
There were no doors, no windows, and no other exits. The alley was a dead end.
Naruto stared at the brick wall, a chill running down his spine.
"A tourist, huh?" Naruto whispered, his hand drifting to the hilt of his swords. "Yeah, right."
On a Rooftop Nearby
Yuuki stood perched on the edge of a roof, looking down at Naruto in the alleyway below. He hadn't used a shunshin; he had simply cast a subtle genjutsu to make Naruto perceive the alley as empty while he walked past him.
He opened his fan, hiding a wide, exhilarated grin.
Yuuki snapped the fan shut.
"The introduction is complete. Now... let the nightmare begin."