Chapter 9 Reencounter

As the Naruto and Sasuke was still trying to climb up the tree, Arata wanted to take a step further as he had already mastered walking on the tree. The next step would be walking on water. Walking to a nearby lake, he concentrated his chakra on the sole of his feet once again and took a step. The moment he stepped into the water, 'splash' he fell directly in.

Arata: " Hmm, I used the same amount of chakra required for walking on the tree, but it doesn't seem like it's enough."

Again and again, he tried but he had trouble finding the required chakra.

Not far from Arata, Kakashi was watching Arata trying to walk on water. " He sure is trying hard. Walking on water is an even higher level of chakra control."

Kakashi just kept on watching Arata. Arata has always been on his mind as his combat ability is really high and his talent for picking up on chakra control was also quite fast. In just half a day, Arata had already master walking on the tree. He was interested in seeing how long it would take him this time to walk on water. However, he was surprised once again the next instant. In just a few tries, Arata was already standing on water.

However, just as Arata stood on the water, a fish jumped up, distracting him, and Arata lost focus and fell into the water once again.

Arata: " one more time."

Arata concentrated once again and walked on the water once again and didn't fall in. Now that he got the hang of it, Arata started walking and running around, making attacking moves and tried using a few jutsu.

Arata: " Hahaha, this isn't so hard at all."

Kakashi stared at Arata with wide eyes: " What talent, he possess tremendous potential to become a great and powerful ninja."

Arata walked out back to land and gained some distance. He then ran forwards and jump on to the river. 'splash' This time, Arata only stood on the water momentarily before falling into the water.

Arata: " Seems like climbing up and jump down on unstable platforms are two different things"

Arata got up again and tried this several times. After another half day, Arata already got the hang of it and was able to handle jumping on water and staying above water was now possible and completely natural to him.

Arata: " haha, I wonder what Sasuke and Naruto would react now, then I am even further ahead of them."

Kakashi appeared out of nowhere and started clapping, " Nice, Arata. You are a truly talented person."

Arata gave Kakashi a wry smile and shook his head, " I still have a long way to go."

Kakashi: " That's true, but don't forget you are still young and have a long time ahead of you."

Arata thought for a moment and nodded his head. His journey to his goal is just getting started.

Kakashi: " All right, you have completed your training, you can go guard Tazuna now with Sakura."

Arata: " Then, I'll be on my way now."

A few days later, late at night, while Arata and the group was eating supper, Naruto and Sasuke came through the door exhausted. Sasuke was lending Naruto his shoulder as the two walked in.

Sakura: " Are you guys done training?"

Naruto and Sasuke smiled.

Naruto: " he he, we reached the top."

Kakashi: " well done, both of you, now you guys can continue to guard Tazuna."

Arata: " Took you guys long enough. By the way, since you guys were taking forever, I had already moved to the next step. I am able to walk on water... hahaha."

Sakura: " What, when did you start doing that."

Naruto: " 'tch' Sasuke seems like we still need to keep training."

Sasuke: " 'tch' you won't stay ahead of me for long."

Kakashi: " Now, now, that should already be good enough for now. You two need to rest and continue guarding Tazuna."

A few days later of guarding, except for Naruto who was still sleeping, the group came with Tazuna to the bridge, it was almost finished. But when they arrived there, they saw that all the workers collapsed on the ground.

Tazuna: " what the, oi, what happened here."

Before he could get an answer two people arrived before them and attacked the group. Before they could make a solid blow, Sasuke and Arata made a move and attacked them. 'splash'

Kakashi: " Be careful everyone, they're here."

???: " Interesting isn't it. Even though it was just a water clone, they instantly defeated them."

Zabuza: " It is indeed interesting Haku, they have grown in these few days."

Kakashi: " So it seems like you guys are working together as I thought."

Zabuza: " Ha ha ha, so it seems like you figured it out after all, Kakashi Hatake."

Sasuke: " Kakashi, let me handle that him. Who does he think he is by hiding behind that mask like a crown."

Sakura: " Sasuke, you're so cool."

Arata: " Don't ask for help Uchiha."

Although the two showed up, Arata didn't think that Sakura would be good enough to protect Tazuna if one of them makes a sudden move.

Zabuza: " Let's settle this quickly, Haku. Go."

'cling' Sasuke and Haku immediately clashed. Sasuke with his kunai and Haku with his needle. Clashing multiple times, it seemed like it was a pretty even match.

Haku: " All we want is the bridge builder not you. Leave and we will spare you."

Sasuke: " Spitting useless words won't help you."

Haku: " hmph. You won't be able to keep up my speed. In this battle, I hold two advantage over you."

Sasuke: " What? And what could that be."

Haku: " First, we are surrounded by water. Second, I am keeping one hand of yours busy."

With that being said, Haku used one hand and started making a seal.

Kakashi: " What? Using one hand to make a jutsu seal? I have never seen that before."

Haku: " Secret Jutsu, 1,000 needles of death"

Zabuza: " He doesn't want to kill him huh, so innocent."

Sasuke: " Gotta gather up chakra."

Haku used the water in his surroundings and made them rise up from the ground, turning them into ice. Just as it ran through Sasuke, Sasuke controlled his chakra as he got instantly pushed up from the ground dodging the strike. Haku retreated backwards as Sasuke was in the sky, throwing shurikens at him.

The moment when Haku lost sight of Sasuke, Sasuke appeared behind Haku, " Seems like you overestimated your speed."

Sasuke sent out a fierce kick at Haku, sending him flying.

Zabuza: " hahaha. Haku, if we keep this up, we'll be their victims instead. Get on with it."

Haku: " Right."

Suddenly Haku started to emit with chakra and the air started getting cold.

Sasuke: " The air is... so cold?"

Haku: " Sorry about this."

Suddenly ice started to form around Sasuke.

Haku: " Secret jutsu, Crystal Ice Mirror"

When Arata saw this ability he grew surprised. This is a special bloodline belonging to the Yuki Clan. Like Arata, people feared their clan's power and destroyed them because of it.

Arata: " Sakura, stay here and continue to protect Tazuna. I'm going to go help him."

Sakura: " Go, I got this."

As this was going on, Sasuke was getting attacked by needles from all sides as Haku was moving along sides the mirrors that surrounded Sasuke with great speed.

Sasuke was lying on the ground as Arata appeared before him.

Arata: " Seems like you still need help after all Sasuke."

Arata blocked the oncoming needles that flew at them while Sasuke got up.

Arata: " Shit, its coming even faster. Quick back to back."

Sasuke: " 'tch'"

Sasuke knew that with this jutsu he would struggle in handling it and listened to Arata.

Numerous needles came flying in as the two desperately fought it off. However, some needles still managed to make it through and cut them lightly. Just as another barrage of needles was about to come, a kunai came out of nowhere and managed to hit Haku in the mask knocking him off of the ice's formation.

Smoke suddenly appeared not far from them.

Naruto: " Ha! Now that I'm here, everything will be all right. You know how the heroes in movies shows up at the last minute and then kicks butt? Well, that's what I'm going to do right now!"

When Arata heard this, he smiled but shook his head, " Lame as ever."