Unleashed

Haku ran towards Sasuke in an impressive display of speed, with a Senbon in hand.

Sensing her presence coming from behind him, the Uchiha immediately turned around and used his kunai, to block the very fast swipe of the throwing needle.

The Uchiha and the Yuki were now locked in a stalemate, trying their best the overpower the other with their weapons.

"You're good, but now you only have one free hand," Haku said in a very calm tone.

Sasuke was confused at what she was implying, until his eyes widened when he saw Haku made a couple of hand-seals, with only ONE HAND, which is considered impossible.

"Secret Jutsu: A Thousand Needles of Death!"

Haku stomped her foot on the watery ground, causing it to splash upwards. The water in the air then suddenly transformed into thousands of Throwing Needles.

They were now floating in the air, and are aimed towards Sasuke.

'Shit! Calm down Sasuke. Remember the training, channel your chakra to the bottom of your feet.'

Sasuke then focuses his chakra on the soles of his feet, and could feel his movements was now significantly faster.

When the thousands of Senbons, were shot towards the Uchiha in an unavoidable speed, Sasuke managed to jump up high in the air, before any could hit him.

As Sasuke was still mid-air, Haku didn't notice that she was now surrounded.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Ino blew out multiple large Fireballs towards the Yuki girl. Her Fire attacks are much more stronger now, since she has finally mastered the Tree Climbing Exercise. She couldn't help but be proud of herself, especially with the results she had.

Haku did her best, as she dodged the extremely hot balls of fire, until she heard the sounds of something huge, rolling her way.

"Human Boulder!"

Choji charges towards Haku, in his giant ball-like form.

Haku then made a couple of unique Hand-Seals.

Ice Style: Crystal Wall!"

A large wall of very durable ice, rose from behind her, which the Akimichi collided within full speed. But it only made a small crack on it. Apparently it was as strong as steel.

'H-Hyoton?' Ino said in her thoughts, shocked that their enemy, has a Bloodline.

Haku was now very tense. She underestimated the Genins before her, and now she can't afford to fight with only half her strength. She was outnumbered, but she won't be overpowered so easily.

Her deep thoughts were broken when she heard the sounds of footsteps, running towards her.

Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Sasuke fired a very large fireball towards the Yuki girl, but she was fast enough to dodge it, causing it to explode behind her. But the lower part of her pants were slightly singed by the heat.

"I'm sorry about this, but I cannot afford to waste any more time here. If the Bridge Builder is eliminated, this fight is over." Haku said, as she turned her head at Tazuna's direction, who is currently taking cover behind some cinderblocks, as he watches Kakashi fight against Zabuza.

She then placed three senbons between her fingers, and threw them all towards Tazuna.

All of the Genin's eyes widened in panic, when they saw the Senbons in mid-air, heading towards their client.

"TAZUNA-SAN! WATCH OUT!" Sakura yelled out.

Tazuna turned his head around and his eyes widened in fear.

As he prepares himself for his inevitable doom, someone quickly rushes in, and landed in front of him.

It was Shikamaru. The Nara then made of a couple of hand-seals, and slammed both his hands on the ground.

Earth Style: Mud Wall!"

A medium sized wall made of earth rose from the ground, and blocking the incoming Senbons, before they could hit the bridge builder.

"T-That...was...too close," Shikamaru said to himself, panting a little, as he was now kneeling in front of his wall of earth, tired and exhausted.

"T-Thanks kid. I owe you one" Tazuna said with a sigh of relief.

"To be honest, I didn't realize it could work. I'm still working on my Earth Chakra exercises, but luckily I know the hand-seals for this Jutsu. Plus, my chakra reserves are still very small, compare to my teammates." Shikamaru admitted with a small laugh.

Tazuna just gasped in shock, and his jaw literally dropped. He couldn't believe that the lazy pineapple-haired kid, didn't even know that his Jutsu would work or not.

Ino managed to make her way towards Shikamaru and Tazuna, and was now kneeling behind the earth-wall alongside her teammate and the bridge builder. She decided to stay by Shikamaru's side, and guard Tazuna together, while Team 7 deals with the Yuki girl.

"Good job Shika, I didn't realize you have a Doton Jutsu already." Ino said with a proud smile.

"Well luckily I did. Anyway, can you create a Mind-link for all of us? Maybe I can come up with a strategy, while Team 7 keeps that Haku girl busy." Shikamaru asked.

"I'll try, but I never connected with more than two people before. I need to concentrate harder" Ino informed with worry in her voice.

The Yamanaka girl then made a single hand-seal, and activated her Mind Transmission Jutsu, connecting her mind with Shikamaru's and Team 7.

'Don't be alarmed guys, I established this Mind-link so we can communicate via our thoughts' Ino informed in their minds.

'Whoa, this is so weird. Is this how you guys usually communicate?' Sakura asked in her thoughts.

'Only for private conversations, dangerous fights, or when we need to plan-out our tactics in secret' Ino answered.

'Wow, that's actually pretty cool' Choji thought in awe.

'Impressive' Sasuke thought.

'This won't last long though. This Jutsu uses a lot of Ino's chakra. And the more people she links herself with, the faster she tires. So I'll make this quick. I'll try to come up with a strategy to beat Haku, but I need you guys to buy me some time' Shikamaru informed.

'No problem. I can do this all day' Sasuke thought with a confidence.

Haku however, was starting to lose her patience. She needed to help Zabuza against Kakashi as soon as possible. She wanted this job to be over, especially before Naruto shows up.

"It seems that you five are more skilled than I thought. But I cannot allow you to win. And I cannot afford to lose" Haku said with a serious voice.

Haku then releases a large amount of her Ice Chakra, that was currently radiating from her body.

The air around them became very cold all of the sudden, and when Sasuke, Sakura, and Choji were trying to warm themselves from the sudden drop of temperature, Haku proceed to make a couple of unique hand-seals.

"Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors!"

Several large mirrors made of Ice, was starting to form around Team 7, trapping them inside.

And to everyone's shock, they saw the Yuki girl, walk straight through the Ice Mirrors like it was water. Suddenly, from inside the mirror dome, multiple Haku(s) appeared in all of the mirrors, facing Team 7 with a cold look behind her mask.

'Ok.....this might complicate things' Shikamaru thought in fear for their friends.

'You think? I know this is not the right time for an 'I told you so,' but I told you we should have never left Naruto-kun behind' Ino thought.

WITH ASUMA AND RAIGA

Asuma was currently dodging like he never dodged before. If anyone would have asked him a couple of years ago, that he would one day, used his shinobi skills, to run from an actual lightning strike, he would laugh his ass off.

Raiga showed no sign of restrain, as he continues to shoot orbs of lightning from his blades, towards the Sarutobi.

'This guy is barely using any of his chakra with those lightning strikes. Those blades of his are quite impressive. I need to close the distance between us fast' Asuma though with worry, as he took out a pair of trench knives from his back pouch.

When he was able to find his footing, Asuma chakra sprinted his way towards Raiga in full-speed, with his Wind chakra enhanced knives in both hands, ready to slice the swordsmen in half.

While Raiga was so focused on his wild attacks, he didn't realize Asuma was turning into a blur, and was running straight towards him. He would have been killed then and thereby the Sarutobi, if it wasn't for the sudden yell of warning, coming from the large bag behind his back. The voice sounded almost child-like.

"RAIGA! LOOK OUT!" The bag warned out loud for the swordsmen, causing Raiga's eyes to widen, and he was able to block Asuma's strike with his blades.

Both men were now locked in a test of strength, between their chosen weapons.

"Thanks Ranmaru. I knew I can count on your eyes" Raiga said with a smirk, at the bag.

"WHAT THE! IS THERE CHILD IN THAT BAG?!" Asuma yelled out in disbelief.

"Hahaha so you heard him eh. You have fine ears Asuma Sarutobi."

"Are you insane! Let the boy out! This fight is between you and me!"

"Why would I do that? Ranmaru is my eyes, and I am his body. As long as we are together, I am unstoppable."

"I'm not going to fight you, when there is a child on your back."

"Then you've already lost Asuma Sarutobi. Once I bury you, I'll bury the rest of your team"

Asuma gritted his teeth in anger. Raiga is truly an unpredictable opponent, and with Ranmaru on his back, it's like fighting with a hostage. Asuma needed to plan his attacks very carefully, but he's going to need some help from his team.

Asuma and Raiga were now engaged in a fast-paced sword fight. Sparks were made with every clash of steel, and slice-marks were beginning to appear on the ground they are standing on.

The mist swordsman had the advantage, since he has the longer weapon, also the fact that Asuma was doing his best not to attack Raiga's back.

Asuma realized he needed to get the child away from Raiga first, before he can defeat the mist swordsman cleanly. But the question is how?

His answers were given, when he saw Ino and Shikamaru were taking cover behind a wall of earth, with Tazuna behind them. He needed to get in touch with Ino, so they can communicate via her Mind-link, but Asuma needed to get her attention first.

Asuma then jump backwards to get some distance from Raiga. He proceeded to make several hand-seals, and took a very deep breath.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!

Asuma blew out a powerful gust of wind from his mouth, sending Raiga a couple feet away, but was able to anchor himself to the ground with his swords.

The wind was actually powerful enough to clear some of the mist away, but not fully. But it was enough to get Ino and Shikamaru's attention.

"INO! MIND-LINK!" Asuma called out to his female student.

"Oh man, I'm SO going to have a headache after this. Shikamaru whatever plan you have for Team 7, you better relay to them now." Ino said in panic.

"I just need another minute. It's hard to think calmly under these circumstances," Shikamaru said, as he was now in his strategic thinking pose. Seeing every best possible outcome for his plan of action.

"Well please think quickly. Asuma Sensei needs my help" Ino said.

Ino then made a single hand-seal, and extended her mind-link towards Asuma. But the mental expansion was taking its toll on the Yamanaka girl's mind, as the vein on her forehead was turning visible, and a small amount of blood is dripping from her nose.

'Y-You're linked Asuma Sensei' Ino thought, with a very pain-filled voice, which did not go unnoticed by her Sensei.

'I know you're under a lot pain right now Ino, so I'll make this quick. Inside the bag on Raiga's back is a child. He might be an accomplice of Raiga, but I can tell from his soft voice alone, he is no older than 7 years old. when I give you an opening, I need either you or Shikamaru to get the child away from him. Understood?' Asuma asked.

'U-Understood Sensei' Ino answered.

'Good. Now break the link between us. Before you pass out' Asuma thought with worry.

Ino then broke the link with Asuma, and leaned her back against the earth wall behind her for support.

"Ino are you ok?" Shikamaru asked.

"Y-Yeah. I think I can last another 5 minutes. P-Please tell me you are done with your plan." Ino asked desperately.

"Yes. I already relayed it to Team 7. You can break the mind-link now" Shikamaru informed.

Didn't need to be told twice, Ino finally severed the mind-link with everyone, finally allowing her mind to rest before it breaks.

Asuma then returns his attention back to his very unstable opponent.

"Is that all you got Asuma Sarutobi! A little breeze?!" Raiga mocked Asuma's earlier Wind Jutsu attack.

'Is this idiot for real? Wind beats Lighting, that's a general fact' Asuma thought in annoyance.

"Don't worry. I still got plenty of tricks up my sleeve." Asuma said, retaking his battle stance.

"Hehehe I was counting on that. Face it, you won't beat me. Not now, not ever. As long as I have Ranmaru's eyes, there are no blind spots for me." Raiga said with a grin.

'This guy just gave away his secret. Why are the strong ones, are always the dumb ones?'

"Thanks for the tip." Asuma said with a smirk, as he and Raiga charged towards each other once more in a clash of blades.

BACK WITH HAKU AND TEAM 7

Team 7 was now panting heavily and bloodied all over, as their bodies were now covered by Haku's senbons.

Choji was worst, since he was obviously the easiest target, but not even the Uchiha Prodigy and Sakura were able to escape unfazed, by Haku's ultimate hidden Jutsu.

Sasuke was able to reawaken his Sharingan, when he protected Sakura from Haku's sudden attackt. But they still only have one Tomoe each, thus has not yet reached the peak of its ocular powers yet.

After they received Shikamaru's message regarding his plan to defeat Haku, the three Genins now stood by each other, preparing for their last desperate attack against the Hyoton user.

"Alright, you guys know the plan right?" Sasuke asked his two teammates.

"Y-Yeah let's try it." Choji said while panting.

"I'll be right behind you Sasuke-kun," Sakura said with determination in her voice.

Sakura then used his Sharingan.

The images of Haku within the mirror, were not clones, but simply her reflection. She was constantly moving within the mirrors the whole time, in an incredible display of speed.

When Haku slowed down, and stopped her tracks, Sasuke's eyes widened and pointed out to her location.

"THERE!" Sasuke yelled out, pointing her finger to one of the mirrors Haku was currently in.

"Choji now!" Sasuke yelled out.

Choji then made a single hand-seal.

"Expansion Jutsu! Human Boulder!"

Choji's form then transformed into the shape of a giant size ball, and started launching himself towards Haku, while breaking the ground he was on.

Sasuke then made several hand-seals, and jumped up high in the air.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Sasuke blew out a large-sized fireball towards the Ice mirror, hoping to weaken it enough for Choji's attack to breakthrough.

Choji's boulder form managed to clash with the weakened ice mirror, and was able to heavily crack it, which causes Haku's eyes to widen behind her mask.

Refusing to let his friends suffer anymore, Choji then puts more chakra into his attack, and eventually he was able to break through the ice mirror, and escape to the other side, but not before collapsing from chakra exhaustion.

Sasuke and Sakura ran as fast as they could, to escape the Ice mirror dome, but thanks to Haku's superior speed, she was able to avoid Choji's direct hit and shot more senbons towards the pair.

Sakura took several more needles in her body, blood leaking out from her multiple wounds, her eyes closing, before collapsing in the ground.

Sasuke was barely standing on his feet, his teeth clenching, almost cracking from the strength.

I can't Die Like This! I Need to Kill Itachi, I'm No Weakling... he thought as his body fell to the ground.

Haku turned his attention at the other teammate who was exhausted, ready to deal with him as well. When a punch suddenly sends her crashing in the concrete.

Standing up, her mask had cracked slightly around her right side. She was surprised that she was actually caught off guard, but when her eyes saw Naruto standing there, she felt a shiver.

Haku was able to recover from Naruto's previous attack, and was now standing across from him, with a sad look in her eyes.

"That punch was impressive. It took three of your friends just to break one of my Ice mirrors. You were able to destroy one, with just a punch." Haku praised her blonde opponent.

"Stop this, Haku. This fight is over." Naruto said.

"I cannot. This is Zabuza-sama's mission. And I will help him finish it." Haku said.

"This 'Mission' is a bust, Haku. Gato is not going to pay you and Zabuza when it's done. He's going to kill Zabuza and Raiga....and take you." Naruto informed.

"Why would he want to take me?" Haku asked innocently.

"Oh honey. You do realize the older you get, the harder it is to tell people you are a boy right?"

"Hihihi I supposed you are right. Gato is a greedy and lecherous man, and what you say is likely possible. But Zabuza-sama wouldn't just listen to your word alone, and nor should I. He may be a rouge ninja, but he lives with a code. 'To finish the job, once it is accepted.' So unless Gato reveals his betrayal himself, this fight is not over yet. And I will continue to fight, as Zabuza-sama's tool." Haku stated, but what she called herself at the end, just made Naruto cringed.

"Will you please stop calling yourself that?" Naruto asked.

"But that is what I am, Naruto. Which is why...I'm very sorry I have to this...but you are clearly the biggest threat compare to your friends. And I have no choice....but to eliminate you."

As Haku then made a couple of unique hand-seals, the temperature just got a lot more colder.

"Ice Style: Ten-Thousand Ice Petals!"

Countless Ice shards appeared, floating around Haku, as they were now aimed towards Naruto. They were then shot forward in an incredible level of speed, causing Naruto's eyes to widen.

'That's impressive," Naruto thought before raising his hand up in the air, suddenly all the ice shards stopped dead on track before shattering.

Haku's eyes were widened and her breath was shaken after what she just saw.

"What was that?" Haku found herself asking, she hadn't seen Naruto do any hand signs, he had just stood there, and the shards had been stopped and shattered, as if some invisible force was around Naruto.

"A Shinobi never reveals his tricks," Naruto simply stated before his face turned into a serious one.

"You should give up Haku, I don't want to hurt you," Naruto said sadly.

"Zabuza-sama saved me. And I cannot fail him." Haku said, with determination in her eyes.

Haku then fired more of her Ice Shards towards Naruto, causing him to take evasive manoeuvres from the many sharp projectiles.

Naruto then took out his Katana. He then used it to block the incoming shards, with fast and accurate swipes.

Haku couldn't help but be impressed with Naruto's skills. This was one of her most lethal Jutsus, yet Naruto was dancing around the field like it was nothing, and swiping the shards away with the sword in his hand.

Haku stopped firing her Ice shards, when Naruto suddenly Shunshin away. Disappearing from her line of sight. She then heard his voice echoing around her.

"I know you tell yourself that you're just a tool...." Haku heard Naruto's voice came from behind her, and shot an ice shard in that direction, but it hit nothing.

"....and that you have to kill me, to ensure Zabuza's success. That it is your duty." Naruto said, appearing right behind her.

"It is my duty....and my burden....." Haku shot an Ice Shard towards Naruto, but he immediately swiped it away like a fly.

She then merged her remaining shards together, forming them into a long Ice Spear.

"....but that does not mean....that I do not honour him!" Haku yelled out, as she shot the Ice spear towards Naruto in an incredible speed.

With narrowed eyes, Naruto then held his Katana ken in a reverse grip, and in a slow-motion, he cut the Ice spear in half, right down the middle.

Haku's eyes widened at what Naruto just did. He was truly a force to be reckoned with. Realizing long distance assault won't work on him, she then formed two Ice swords in her hands, and charged forward.

Naruto charged forward as well, and they clashed in battle of swords.

Despite having two swords, Haku was losing, as Naruto's blade was slowly cutting through her weapons.

When her Ice swords finally broke, Naruto then kicked Haku away, and she was sent crashing on the rails of the bridge.

Naruto then jumped up high in the air, with the Katana in both hands. He thrusted his sword downwards, with the intent to finish off Haku.

At the last minute, Haku formed two new Ice blades, and managed to block his downward thrust just in time. But Naruto was relentless, as the blade was now inches away from her chest.

"You think you honour Zabuza by blindly following his orders! A true Shinobi, knows to follow their judgement. We need to learn to make the right decisions. Especially when the orders you are given are wrong!" Naruto said harshly.

But his words, made Haku narrowed her eyes at him.

"You dare to lecture me about his honour! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO HE IS!" Haku yelled out, as she kicked Naruto away, freeing herself from his deadlock, and jumped a few feet across from him.

Haku then made a couple of hand-seals, and used her remaining chakra for her last, and most powerful Jutsu.

Ice Style: Twin Crystal Dragons!"

Two large Ice Dragons appeared, and was shot towards Naruto's direction, as their roars echoed throughout the mist.

Naruto then put his sword away and raised his hand, the ice dragon inches away from him. Opening his right eye, a metallic purple.

"Shinra Tensei,"

A sudden force spread everywhere, cracking the concrete, the ice dragon was immediately obliterated, sending sharp shards flying everywhere.

She was slammed hard by the powerful Jutsu, as she dropped down to both her knees. Panting and bloodied.

"What kind of Jutsu is that, you're not making hand signs... Who are you?" Haku asked in a defeated tone.

Without hesitation, Naruto took out his Uzumaki Sword, and dashed towards Haku in incredible speed. Stopping his blade a few inches away from her neck.

"Do it then.....kill me" Haku said, admitting her defeat.

Naruto held the blade there for a moment, until he finally removed it from her neck.

"No....like I said before. You still have a purpose in this life Haku."

"No....I failed....I am a useless tool. I have failed Zabuza-sama. You must kill me"

"Zabuza.....why that guy anyway? I don't understand why someone who is as good as you, would devote your life to a man who kill innocent people for money." Naruto asked.

".....Because Zabuza-sama was the one who saved me, Naruto. When my Kekkei Genkai was discovered by my father, he led an angry mob to our home, to kill me and my mother. My mother died protecting me, but when my father was about was kill me.....my Hyoton was unleashed. I killed the mob and my own father, and I didn't even know how I did it."

"I spend weeks in the streets, all alone. Digging through garbage just get to some food. But luckily, ever since my Hyoton was unlocked, the cold never bothered me anymore. But I would still try to wrap myself in something warm if I could."

"But then Zabuza-sama found me. He did not shun me like everyone else. I know, my special powers were just what he wanted....but he made me feel necessary again. And for the first time, in a long time, I was happy."

"...He became your family. Your home."

"Tee-hee, yes.....I'm really glad I met you, Naruto. You are a good man. And I wish I could get to know you better," Haku said, with tears in her eyes.

"Like I said before, Haku, I'm not going to kill you. This battle was folly from the very start. Gato wants to kill all of us. And we are just made it easier for him." Naruto said.

"Please, you mus....." Haku stopped her sentence midway, when both she and Naruto heard the sounds of a thousand birds chirping from a distance.

Haku's eyes widened in fear when she realized what was happening. Zabuza was in danger. She quickly tried to get up to save him, but was immediately pinned down by Naruto. He then ties her hands together behind her back, and placed a Chakra Suppression Seal on her. Haku was now powerless to do anything.

"NO! PLEASE! LET ME GO!" Haku begged and struggled to get free.

Suddenly the mist was starting to clear, and they could see Kakashi from afar, with his signature Raikiri in his hand. They also saw Zabuza being pinned down by a pack of Ninja Dogs, and was completely immobilized.

When Haku saw Kakashi running towards Zabuza, with the Lighting Blade in his hand, Haku's fears had risen, and tears were threatening to fall from her eyes.

"NARUTO! PLEASE LET ME GO! PLEASE! LET ME SAVE HIM!" Haku begged with tears in her eyes.

But Naruto gave no response. All he did was close his eyes, like he was focusing.

"NO! ZABUZA-SAMA!" When Kakashi was now a few feet away from Zabuza, and thrusted his Raikiri forward, Haku noticed Zabuza was looking at her, with an apologetic look in his eyes. When she saw a lone tear fell from his cheek, as he looked at her with a small smile on his face, all she could do was scream out in horror.

"TOUSAN!!"