The Red Flash Chapter 35 (Pain) (Patreon)

Naruto

He could see the fear in Sakura and Sasuke's eyes, they looked terrified of Zabuza, the redhead couldn't really blame them, he was sure he would have been in the same situation if he hadn't trained.

Naruto saw the mist slowly spreading, usually, this would be very bad news for them. Zabuza was an expert of Silent Kill and killing in the mist was something he had done his whole life. The jutsu itself was impressive, being able to change the battleground to his advantage, that was one of the most important things in battle, a shinobi needs every advantage in his side.

Before the mist could get foggier, Naruto did hand signs. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough" Naruto shouted and left out a huge and strong wind that moved the whole mist away making the battleground in their favour again.

Zabuza was slowly revealed standing in a tree close to their location, his eyes narrowed and glaring at the redhead for ruining his jutsu. He clenched his teeth glaring at the kid.

Before he could do anything, Kakashi showed up in front of him with a kunai in his hand, Zabuza blocked his attack with Kubikiribōchō, his eyes glaring at the Jonin before jumping away and in the ground. Zabuza knew not having the favour of the mist was bad enough and Kakashi wasn't a known Jonin around the world for nothing.

He gripped the handle of the sword with all his strength before rushing towards the Jonin, Kakashi blocked his swing with his kunai, the strength was enough to make him take a step away, Zabuza moved his hands away before swinging again with more strength and this time, his sword cut through the kunai and sliced through his chest only for him to pop.

Zabuza moved in time to avoid an attack from behind, he turned to see Kakashi again, Zabuza swing his sword trying to cut down the Jonin, but his Sharingan kept helping him. They kept fighting and fighting, blow after blow, only using Taijutsu and Kenjutsu.

Zabuza took three steps back before rushing at Kakashi and with all his strength pierced through the kunai only for Kakashi to turn into water.

Zabuza's eyes widened when he felt a grip on his neck, and two kunai pierced the skin of his neck, only for water to come out of his neck and the whole body turned into water.

Kakashi saw a hidden Zabuza suddenly behind his team ready to slice Tazuna in half.

Zabuza raised his sword high ready to kill the bridge builder, he swung down but his sword was stopped only a few centimetres away from the shoulder of the bridge builder. He clenched his teeth tightly that draw blood from his lip, he glared seeing a katana blocking his swing.

His eyes slowly the redhead with Katana on his hand and his blue eyes looked like the ice of Haku.

Zabuza tried to use more strength in his arms but was surprised to see the genin was holding his ground.

"Take Tazuna Away" Naruto yelled before he channels wind chakra on his katana. His sword slowly started cutting through the thick metal of his giant sword much to the surprise of the mummy.

He jumped away from Naruto and started doing hand signs immediately followed by Naruto. They finished looking at each other.

"Water Style: Dragon Water"

"Water Style: Twin Dragon"

The water slowly grow and shaped like dragons, the water raised high above the water, Naruto's Jutsu collided with his and overpowered him and the second water dragon hit him head-on. Zabuza was thrown against a tree. With too much strength that almost ripped the tree from the ground.

He regained his composure and stood above water seeing Naruto slowly walking towards him. "You're very good for a Genin kid" Zabuza commented raising his sword and pointing it towards Naruto who had his sword in his right hand.

"Is an honour to receive such compliment from one of the seven ninja swordsmen of the mist" Naruto stated his voice firm. Zabuza had to give the kid credit for his tone, he sounded like a real shinobi instead of a green kid who faints from the first drop of blood.

Zabuza looked at his sword again and recognized the pommel and the blade. The Phoenix symbol is at the tip of the sword. His eyes looked at his long red hair.

"Hey, where did you get that sword?" Zabuza asked with a hint of dread in his tone, remembering the red death of Konoha extremely well.

"The sword belonged to my mother" Naruto simply replied. Holding the sword with pride.

Zabuza's eyes widened, doing a double-check he knew he should have recognized the red hair of the Uzumaki and his face was similar to hers. He knew Uzumaki wasn't known just for their seals but for their talent in Kenjutsu as well, hell Kushina alone was strong enough to battle the seven swordsmen of the mist and come out on top.

"If that's the case, then let's settle this like swordsman" he stated before raising his sword again, his breathing had slowly raised.

Kakashi was standing close to them and was about to intervene when Naruto nodded his head and pointed his sword at Zabuza.

Without a second hesitation, both rushed towards each other and clashed their swords, Naruto's sword still channelling with wind chakra. Zabuza backed away and started rolling his sword around forcing Naruto to keep his distance from the blade, he kept rolling his blade around, making sure to not leave the read any opening. Naruto faked tripping and Zabuza noticed it and suddenly stopped and slammed his sword where Naruto was, but Naruto moved to his right in time and was about to slice his head when Zabuza used the long pommel of his sword to block his attack before jumping away.

Naruto narrowed his eyes and channel more chakra in his sword and jumped high in the air, Zabuza kept his focus on him and wondered what he wanted to do.

"Wind Slash" he yelled and a huge wind-shaped a blade flew towards him.

The blade of Wind flew at Zabuza with such frightening speed, that Zabuza just managed to avoid the deadly technique, although it did manage to cut his leg slightly as a cut appeared on his leg and the side around his bone started to bleed slightly. But what was most shocking to Zabuza was that the Blade of Wind continued on past him and had cleanly cut right through two trees that were behind him.

Zabuza landed on the ground, thinking how can a Genin be these good, either Konoha had started training their genins to the ground to become the strongest or this one was just this good.

Zabuza didn't have time to catch his breath when Naruto suddenly appeared in front of him, his body looked engulfed in chakra and his speed had increased. Zabuza barely raised his blade in time to block the first attack but suddenly another Naruto showed up behind him and punched him in the chest, Zabuza immediately felt a sharp pain on his chest and knew the kid had broken his ribs.

Zabuza flew fast and hit a tree with such strength that almost went through it, his body feeling weak. Zabuza felt the pain in his chest and knew was in trouble. He looked up and saw the kid in front of him ready to deliver the final blow when suddenly two senbon needles pierced his neck and Zabuza falled to the ground.

Naruto narrowed his eyes at the newcomer knowing full well he had been hiding from the very beginning.

"Thank you for capturing him for me"

The person had long black hair along with a slender frame. The outfit was Kirigakure pinstriped which stopped at his knees. There was a brown sash around the waist with a tail, wrapped around twice. But the most identifying thing about the person was the mask they wore. It was white with thin, curved eye-holes and a red wavy design in place of the mouth, as well as the Kirigakure symbol etched in the top. The person was a hunter nin.

The person wanted to move towards the body when Naruto moved forward and put his fingers on his neck acting as if he was checking a pulse. Without his knowledge, Naruto put an 'Empty' seal on his neck. After a few seconds.

Naruto backed away and turned to look at the Hunter nin.

"He's Dead," he said before walking away. The ANBU grabbed Zabuza and disappeared leaving Naruto and Kakashi. The Jonin found the whole thing suspicious but decided to ignore it for now.

"Let's go to Tazuna's house" Kakashi started walking. Naruto decided to follow him.

Soon they reached the others, they told them that Zabuza was dead and Kakashi told Tazuna to lead them to his house. Soon they reached a house.

"Tsunami, open the door," Tazuna said knocking on the front door.

The door opens to reveal a young woman who looked relieved and happy, "Father is good to see you" she said smiling and hugging him, the old man hugged her back before turning his head to the team behind him.

"These people are with me, make sure to prepare rooms for them," Tazuna said gratefully that the team had accepted to help him. Tazuna immediately bowed her head. "Thank you for helping my father," she said grateful and opening the door wider.

"Not a problem miss" Kakashi replied and walking inside followed by the genin.

"This is a beautiful house you have here," Sakura said looking inside.

"Thank you," Tsunami said and walked upstairs to fix the rooms for their new guests.

Naruto saw a little kid glaring at them sitting at the beginning of the stairs. Naruto could feel the hatred inside the kid, but that wasn't directed towards them, well not all the hatred, Naruto felt bad for the kid and hoped to help the place to regain their wealth and get rid of Gato.

Kakashi sits in a chair, his head resting on the back of the chair, his eye closed, Sakura sat close to the table and her eyes roaming around the house while Sasuke was checking something on his backpack. Naruto noticed the picture of a man on the wall, he didn't question who he was since could be something personal.

After a while Tsunami walked downstairs. "The rooms are ready" she informed them. Kakashi and Sakura stood up ready to head upstairs to rest from a long road.

"Mother why are these people here, they are gonna die," the kid said looking up at his mother. Naruto stopped walking and turned to glare at him.

"I'm sorry to break it to you, but I won't die anytime soon" Naruto started smiling. The kid's glare grew, his teeth clenched.

"Don't be stupid, you all will die from Gato" he yelled and ran upstairs to his room probably.

"Inari wait," his mother said trying to get him back but a door was heard shutting from upstairs. Tsunami turned towards them with an apologetic look on her face, her hands clenched together in front of her chest.

"Please forgive my son" she pleaded looking at Kakashi who just shrugged his shoulders.

"No worries miss, I understand his situation," he said and walking upstairs followed by the others.

Tomorrow

They woke up when the sunrise, Naruto knew Zabuza was still alive but he was curious to know if they could be his allies. The man or woman? Naruto wasn't sure if the missing-nin was a male or female but that didn't really matter right now. Naruto could feel the chakra of the missing-nin, but he could feel it. And it was cold. Kurama had told him that his sensing ability could even feel what chakra affinity someone had, but the chakra of the missing-nin felt cold.

He wondered if it was because he perhaps had a bloodline, he decided to check it himself next time they face Zabuza.

Naruto stood up and stretched his legs and arms, he walked downstairs and saw Tsunami working in the kitchen. "Good morning Tsunami-san" he greeted her with a smile.

"Good morning Naruto-san"

Naruto walked outside and thought of the situation, he wondered if he could visit Uzushiogakure anytime soon.

Naruto started his morning exercise and waited until the other woke up. Kakashi sensei was the second to wake up, followed by Sasuke and Sakura.

They were eating breakfast, Kakashi looked deep in thought while Sasuke looked rather impatient about something.

"I hate to break it to you all but I fear Zabuza might still be alive" Kakashi suddenly announced surprising everyone except Naruto who already knew it.

"What do you mean Sensei, you said Naruto defeated him" Sakura exclaimed looking at Kakashi.

"I thought he might be dead, I was there and the weapons the missing-nin used were unusual. He used senbon needles that are not a weapon used by a missing-nin" Kakashi replied and pointing two fingers at where the needles had pierced Zabuza's neck.

"The missing-nin didn't want to kill Zabuza, I'm sure he was there to help in case if things got tough for Zabuza to handle" Naruto added.

"And the place he hit Zabuza is a place that can cause near-death state, your pulse is very low almost can't be felt" Naruto finished pointing two fingers at the side of his neck.

Sakura looked horrified that Zabuza was still alive while Sasuke had a small smirk on his face. Tazuna gulped and slightly paled, the man was a demon and found it better to think that he wasn't a problem anymore.

"Don't worry about it Sakura, right now we will start training, except you Naruto, you will guard Tazuna" Kakashi stated and pointing at Naruto. He nodded in agreement finding no problem with that, Sasuke looked eager to start training and couldn't wait.

Soon Kakashi took Sasuke and Sakura to train, Naruto decided to help Tazuna, they reached the bridge, Tazuna along with other man started working on the bridge.

"Tazuna can I help you?" Naruto suddenly asked since he could at least help them.

"Of course kid, the more the merrier" Tazuna replied smiling. Naruto nodded before making hundreds of clones to help build the bridge. Tazuna forgot his mouth open for a few minutes before coming to his senses and murmuring something about Shinobi "Weird abilities".

The original Naruto left and decided to look around Wave country.

Naruto was on his way back to the house when he heard a call for help coming from a nearby town. He got to the town as quickly as he could to see five bandits gripping none other than Tsunami. All of the bandits wore blue battle gear with swords attached to their backs.

"Shut up bitch, you don't pay your taxes to Gato, then you'll have to pay us." said the bandit holding down Tsunami.

"Hey the lady doesn't like that," said Naruto who was on top of a building.

"Who do you think you are, brat?" said the bandit next to the one that was holding down Tsunami.

Naruto vanished in a blur and was in front of the bandit that just spoke and sliced his throat, the bandit fell to the ground holding the neck with his hands trying to stop the bleeding. He then turned quickly and slashed the one that was holding Tsunami's throat. He fell to the ground gurgling up blood.

"Thank you Naruto-san," said Tsunami.

"Don't thank me yet," said Naruto as he turned to the rest of the bandits who pulled out their swords.

The first bandit ran at Naruto and attempted a downward slash. However, Naruto dodged to the left and stabbed the bandit in his stomach. He then flipped over him and took out a shuriken from his pocket. He threw the shuriken at the second bandit and hit him right between the ribs in the heart. Naruto landed and turned around to see the third bandit holding Tsunami with his sword to her neck.

"Make one move and I'll slice her neck." said the bandit who was shaking a little.

Before he could react, the bandit was stabbed in the forehead by the kunai which was previously in Naruto's hand. He fell to the ground dead.

"Thank you so much Naruto-san. said Tsunami who ran up and hugged Naruto.

"It's really no problem," said Naruto blushing a bit.

"I'll escort you home," said Naruto as he and Tsunami walked home.

While walking home. "Tsunami-san do you think anyone around would get me to Uzushiogakure?" Naruto asked wondering if any boat would go in that place.

Tsunami gasped at his question and shook her head. "That place is forbidden to go Naruto-san, many people had gone and never returned," she said concerned.

Naruto sighed and knowing he would need to go walking on water until he reached Uzushiogakure.

Hidden Place

Zabuza was lying on a bed as Haku was checking his bandages, three of his ribs had been broken, thankfully no internal bleeding but still it hurt like a bitch.

Zabuza still couldn't understand how a genin had been able to best him, in Kenjutsu no less, but one thing Haku told him stuck in his mind.

"Zabuza-sama, I don't know if this just a mistake on his part or not, but I can definitely say he hit you in a way to make sure you wouldn't die"

Zabuza wondered what exactly that meant, did the kid not take him seriously or was there something else. He didn't know and decided to ignore it for now.

"You're healing Zabuza-sama, take it a week and I'm sure you will be able to fight again," Haku said smiling behind her mask. Zabuza grunted seeing the mask.

"Remove the mask Haku," he said with an emotionless tone. Haku removed the mask, showing her face. Zabuza liked it more to see her face rather than hiding her face behind a stupid mask.

"Are you going to fight them again?" Haku asked avoiding her master's eyes. She didn't want to admit but she didn't want her master to fight the team from the leaf again.

Zabuza turned to look at her, she flinched slightly afraid that she might have upset him.

"I have to Haku, but don't worry next time. I won't underestimate the brat" Zabuza stated looking at his wounds. Haku said nothing but just nodded her head, she was about to ask for permission to go outside and check for herbs when she remembered something.

"Zabuza-sama, if you don't mind me asking, what is Uzumaki clan, I have never heard of it," she said looking downwards. Avoiding her master's eyes.

Zabuza was slightly surprised by the question. "Uzumaki clan was a clan that lived in Uzushiogakure, despite their insane abilities in Kenjutsu and Fuinjutsu, they were known for being Peaceful people, I can't remember in any book that said that they ever started any conflict, but maybe that was what killed them in the end," Zabuza-sama said and went and explained the slaughter. Iwa, Kumo and Kiri did to Uzushiogakure in Third Shinobi War.

Haku couldn't help but feel pity for the boy that apparently was an Uzumaki, she knew how it was to be the last one of a clan.

"You said something about The Red Death of Konoha, who was she?" Haku asked interested.

Instead of annoyance or maybe anger, Haku saw respect in Zabuza's eyes. "She was one hell of a Swordsman, she alone would be able to defeat the likes of Kisame Hoshigaki," Zabuza said with respect on his tone.

"She had the chance to kill me once, but she spared me instead. She told me 'You're still young, fight me again when you get stronger' " Zabuza said.

Haku smiled and decided to leave and find herbs for Zabuza-sama to heal him.

Later

It was now sunset and Sasuke had finally made it to the top of the tree. It had taken him the past 5 hours to get up there. He sighed in triumph. He had used up pretty much all of his chakras. He gulped a bit like a very big realization hit him. How was he to get down? No chakra meant no sticking to the side of the tree. No sticking to the side of the tree meant he was going to have to climb down the normal way.

Fortunately for him, the tree had very few branches to interrupt his fall to the ground. Sakura was at the base of the tree cheering him on and getting on his nerves. He slowly began his descent to where a rabid pink-haired banshee awaited.

Naruto had found/made a nice hole a while back to hide most of the debris he had made and was already back at the house helping Tsunami cook. Naruto left no proof behind that he had been training in the spot by the river; unless that is, you count the huge gaping holes filled with branches and mud. Yep, no one would ever know he was there.

When Sasuke and Sakura had gotten back, the dinner was already on the table. Everyone had just sat down to eat when the two got in. "I hope you all like it, it isn't much but at least we won't go hungry!" Tsunami said as she sat down at the table. Tazuna seemed to smile at the food in front of him. "Naruto helped me out and we only used half the food I thought we'd need!"

Naruto scratched his head upon having his name mentioned but smiled nonetheless. They all sat down to eat but Inari. "It's all pointless. You can never win, only be stopped. And if you do it's only temporary," Inari said, looking downward "You'll just end up dead like all the others."

"And I'm telling you, I won't go down that easily," Naruto said with a smile trying to reassure the kid that everything would be alright.

But instead, Inari slammed his hands on the table. "No you don't understand, people like you are that make me sick. You have been Raised in A Peaceful Village your whole Life. You Don't know What is Like To Know Pain" he shouted but then saw a shadow on Naruto's face. He swore to see a Fox glaring at him.

Naruto's eyes turned red. "Just What Do You Know You Bastard" Naruto/Kurama screamed and grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

Everyone froze from the amount of KI leaking from Naruto.

"You think you know pain but You Know Nothing. I lived my whole life hated by the village for something I couldn't control, my parents dead since I was a Baby. People would gather on my birthday to hunt me down. Me, A four-year-old kid. They would insult and kick me out of shops wanting me to starve. They tried to kill me and two times they almost did It. So Do Not Tell Me About PAIN" Naruto yelled and threw him to the ground.

"Naruto wait" Kakashi tried to call him back but Naruto just slammed the door shut and left outside.

While all this happened, everyone else had been silent.

"Kakashi sensei was . . . Was it true?" Sakura asked not wanting to know the answer.

"I'm afraid that's a watered-down version" Kakashi stated sadly.

While all this was happening, a figure stood in the forest looking at the young Uzumaki leaving the house. His face was white like milk and his eyes purple. Long white hair and wearing a long white robe.

"Go in Uzushiogakure young Uzumaki" the figure whispered and disappeared from the view. Naruto turned his head around when he heard the strange voice. He looked around but couldn't see anyone and neither could sense anyone.

"Who was that?"