Chapter 060

"Sorry Zabuza, but did you think I would let that jutsu hit me? Please, I know it myself and recognized it immediately. Don't underestimate me," Kakashi's voice came from everywhere and suddenly the water under the Mizu Bunshins rose up and destroyed them. Then Kakashi appeared in front of Zabuza. He threw a punch towards Zabuza's face, but he evaded, countering with a kick towards Kakashi's stomach. It connected and Kakashi popped out in a cloud of smoke.

"What? Kage Bunshin," Zabuza was surprised. But his surprise turned to fright when he heard Kakashi's voice call out, "Suiton: Suikoudan No Jutsu (Water Shark Missile Technique)."

A shark made of water speed towards Zabuza, who jumped away while doing seals. Kakashi also did the same seals as Zabuza and in unison they called out, "Suiton: Suiryuudan No Jutsu (Water Dragon Bullet)."

Twin dragons of water rose up from the water under the combatants, and battled for supremacy. They ended up destroying each other. When the water dragons were destroyed, a slightly tired looking Zabuza stood in front of Kakashi, who grinned although his face didn't show any humor.

"It's time to die Zabuza," Kakashi said and formed some seals so fast that Zabuza couldn't keep up. A masked person watching, did see the seals however, and prepared for Kakashi's move.

"Suiton: Daibakufu No Jutsu (Grand Waterfall)," Kakashi said. The water below him started to spin before rising and forming a spinning funnel towards Zabuza.

"What? This can't be," Zabuza yelled before he was swallowed by the water. The funnel of water continued to spin and move through the forest, Zabuza being thrown into different directions inside the water before finally getting slammed into a tree. The masked person disappeared in a swirling mist.

Several kunai flew and lodged themselves in Zabuza's arms and legs.

"Now you die," Kakashi said. Suddenly two long needles flew trough the air and struck Zabuza. He fell down with a shocked expression.

"Hey, you were right. He did die," a masked person said, standing on a tree branch not far from where Zabuza fell. Kakashi appeared next to Zabuza and checked his life signs.

"He really is dead," Kakashi said and looked at the masked person, who bowed at him. As soon as Kakashi checked the dead man for a pulse to confirm it a Mist Hunter ninja appeared to take care of the body.

"I am most appreciative of you handling Zabuza for me as I don't think I could have handled him on my own. If you'll excuse me I'll take the body out of your hands," said the hunter-nin earning a suspicious gaze from Naruto as she picked up the body.

"Just a moment; why don't I help you in properly disposing the body? Both here and now," said Naruto as he started gathering chakra into his hands making the hunter-nin apparently panic before quickly disappearing with the body in a swirl of wind and leafs.

"Just as I suspected," Naruto said lowly to himself, "That was no hunter-nin as she would have taken care of the body then and there."

'Which means Zabuza is still alive,' Yondaime said, 'But from the wounds he sustained he should be out for at least a week giving me time to prepare you. When Zabuza returns it will be with more help than that fake hunter-nin by his side.'

Kakashi collapsed to the ground before Sasuke and the others ran over to him.

"The Sharingan is amazing," Naruto said, "However it puts a lot of strain on the body and it drains a lot of chakra."

Going over to Kakashi, Naruto bent down and lifted him up. Sai came over and helped him carry Kakashi.

"Thanks," Naruto said to Sai who nodded his head in return.

"After what you guys just did it would be my honor to have you guys stay with me," said Tazuna who was very impressed with how the situation was handled as they all headed to his house to rest and regain their strength that they had lost in the battle.

"You know Naruto," Kakashi whispered into the blonde's ear, "During my battle with Zabuza, you could have jumped in at anytime."

"What," Naruto retorted back in a whisper, "And miss the chance to see you in action? As if!"

(Three Hours Later)

They arrived at Tazuna's place, a nice plain house by the riverside. Waiting there was Tazuna's daughter Tsunami, a woman in her thirties with long dark hair and an attractive, but stern face.

"Tsunami! I'm so glad to see you. They're the good ninjas from Konoha that protected me," Tazuna said and introduced the team from Konoha, each of them bowing back in response.

"Thank you for helping father," Tsunami said smilingly. Kakashi, though exhausted, nodded along with Naruto, while the Genin beamed with pride at Tazuna's next words.

"They're really strong, and they didn't even depart when they learned that they will be up against really strong enemies here," Tazuna said.

"But why you all decided to continue the mission," Tsunami asked as they headed into the house, "We only had enough for a C-rank, and this must be more than that."

"Forsaking and abandoning people in need is dishonorable and cowardly. Below courage there is nothing. Words from our renowned Yondaime Hokage," Naruto said seriously. Tazuna and Tsunami looked a little mystified but didn't ask any more questions.

"Kakashi-niisan needs a place to rest," Naruto said.

"I doubt I'll be able to move for a week," Kakashi replied.

"I have two extra rooms for you all," Tazuna said, "The young girl can sleep in one of the rooms while your sensei and two of the boys can share the room and one can have the living room couch to sleep on for the night."

"That'll do. I'll stay on guard duty over the house during the night to ensure everyone gets some rest," said Naruto knowing he could make a Kage Bushin if he had to and then sleep by a tree with summoned foxes to watch over him and the house, though the others, except Kakashi, weren't aware of his fox summoning contract with Kyuubi. Naruto and Sai carried Kakashi to one of the spare rooms Tazuna was leading them to.

(A While Later)

Naruto, Sakura, Sai and Sasuke were in the room with Kakashi as he rested. Tazuna and Tsunami later entered the room while the others watched Naruto check on Kakashi's condition, healing whatever injuries the Jounin sustained. While healing Kakashi, Naruto was in deep thought and remained silent for most of the time. The others noticed and got a little worried when Naruto didn't say a thing to anyone.

"Um, Naruto? Is something wrong," Sakura asked. Naruto seemed to snap out of his thoughts and looked at her before turning to the others.

"Question Sakura: What is a hunter-nin," Naruto asked.

"Special ninjas that hunt down and dispose of missing-nins," Sakura replied.

"And how do they dispose of their target," Naruto asked.

"They kill their target and destroy the body," Sasuke replied.

"Where," Naruto asked.

"Um, I don't know," Sakura and Sai replied at the same time.

"How should we know? The only hunter-nin we have seen took Zabuza's body away," Sasuke said and Naruto nodded.

"That's the point," Naruto said, "Usually hunter-nins dispose of the body on the spot, and if she needed evidence, she only had to take Zabuza's head and sword. Also, the weapon was a long needle, which isn't very dangerous. No, that hunter-nin didn't kill Zabuza, she helped him. Zabuza is alive."

"What," the Sakura and Tazuna yelled. Sasuke and Sai just stayed quiet and listened.

"But Kakashi said he was dead," Tazuna said.

"I did," Kakashi admitted weakly, "But it's possible to put someone in a near-death state. A hunter-nin knows the human anatomy very well, and it would be easy to make someone seem like they were dead."