A Kitsune's Power

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine – Rising Wave

In Wave with Kakashi

"Copy-cat Kakashi, the man who knows a thousand Jutsu." The masked figure said while standing on sword that was embedded in a tree across from Kakashi and he glared up at his newest adversary.

"Zabuza Momochi, Demon of the Bloody Mist and master of the silent killing technique." He responded. "I assume that you are here for a reason?"

"I'm here to kill that old man, Tazuna." Zabuza stated. "You may be able to slow me down, but those three brats of yours are good as dead already."

Kakashi frowned and slowly pulled out his Kunai as Zabuza leapt off his perch and pulled the sword out of the tree. A moment later, a thick mist rose, cutting everyone's vision to less than arm's length and Zabuza's voice echoed menacingly.

"Eight choices. Liver, lungs, spine, clavicle vein, jugular vein, brain, kidneys, heart. Which one should I go after?" Zabuza's voice came from the fog.

Sakura gulped nervously, trying to see through the fog. Sasuke wiped the sweat off his forehead and Sai unsheathed his tanto.

"Where is he?" Sakura whispered.

"I wouldn't worry about him." Anko said, causing both Sasuke and Sakura to scream with shock while Sai inhaled sharply.

"Anko-san? Where the hell did you come from?" Sakura gasped while she pressed her hands to her chest as she tried to stop hyperventilating.

"Just got here." Anko smirked, finishing off her dango and hurling the stick into the mist. A second later, there was a faint ting as it bounced off something metal. "Came with some serious reinforcements. Yo, Kaze, Kiara, Kiki, and Kouga time to live up to your names!"

There was a breathless silence and Anko clasped her hands over her ears, nodding for them to do the same. An instant later, the air seemed to tremble, and then a massive roar sounded, the blast of air accompanying it blasting the mist away as a harsh clang announced that two swords had met. Zabuza stared in shock at the young blond who had effortlessly blocked his killing stroke.

"Naruto." Kakashi said in a relieved voice as he lowered his Hitai-ate back over his Sharingan. "You'll want to be careful, Zabuza is a Kenjutsu master."

"Like Genma-san. I got it, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto grinned. "Okay, browless, let's dance!"

Zabuza tried to push Naruto's sword away, but his answer was a sudden thrust that launched him backwards. Kakashi ambled back to his team as Naruto and Zabuza slashed at each other.

"Shouldn't you be doing something to help him?" Kakashi asked curiously. Anko shook her head.

"Nah, Gaki learns best by doing. Going up against Zabuza, that's like a week's intensive Kenjutsu training in less than an hour. Besides, he's got his clones watching from all around, like that squirrel there. He's learning Zabuza's style." Anko said.

Zabuza blurred past, chasing Naruto who slashed a pair of trees, causing them to fall inwards and forcing Zabuza to slow down as he cut his way through them.

"He's good at using the environment in his favor." Kakashi noted. "How did you get here so fast?"

"His cats gave us a lift." Anko said almost absently as she pulled out another stick of dango. "Kaze got rid of the mist, and they're waiting over there."

Naruto charged by, slashing at a frantically-evading Zabuza.

"That Kekkai Genkai of his never ceases to amaze me." Kakashi noted. "His stamina is unreal. Hey, Zabuza! Naruto doesn't tire easily; he can fight for a full day before slowing!"