Phantom of the Underworld - Chapter 15 (Patreon)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Highschool DxD or any other anime I use in this story. They belong to their respective owners.

Arc II- The White Empress

Chapter 15- Precious people?

"Do you have to go?!" A small girl nearly cried as she clung to his side.

Naruto looked down at the young girl, one who was 11 in age, as he felt a slight pang of sadness as he looked into her eyes.

But then still he knew he would have to leave her, if only for a little while.

He leaned down to meet the smaller girl at eye level. "Vali, you know I have to, Hiruzen asked me to do this himself."

Vali looked away, being careful to hide the small tears that almost fell from her eyes. "I know, but… I still don't want you to leave," she whispered childishly.

Naruto looked at her in sympathy, this was how she had been ever since that night four months ago.

"I know, but hey! I'll only be gone for a few days, I'll be back before you know it," he assured.

"Promise?" Valiana asked.

Naruto smiled slightly as he nodded, "Yeah, I promise."

"Alright, I'll let you go, but you better come back," she huffed, crossing her arms and looking away.

The blonde chuckled, "I will," he promised.

"And hey, you have Kurama to keep you company while I'm gone," he reminded, as the fox stood proudly over on the couch.

Vali looked towards the small orange fox, as she looked back at Naruto. "Yeah, I'd rather be here with you," she told him, as the fox deflated.

"Like I want to be here with you devil-girl," Kurama huffed, as Valiana stuck out her tongue.

Naruto laughed at their exchange, being happy that the girl had grown much happier in her time with him. It was too bad that he couldn't spend all his time with her anymore.

Back when he had found Valiana, he had requested Hiruzen and the toads to halt on the missions for a little while, and they had agreed.

That was until Hiruzen came to him with an urgent request, one he personally selected for him. And he couldn't refuse the old man, so he told Vali he had to go for a little while.

The silver-haired girl begged him to stay, or at least come with him. but he knew it was too dangerous, and he couldn't allow that to happen. And after many hours of bickering, she had finally relented.

"Alright, Vali, I have to go," he told her, he was already running late.

He gave her a light kiss on her forehead as a farewell, like a kind older-siblings. Something which sent the young girl's face into a royal red hue, as Kurama laughed at the girl's new look.

As he retreated out the front door.

XXX

(Unknown Forests)

They ran.

They ran as fast and as far as they could, not bothering to take in the surrounding scenery.

The large wooden trees they passed, the harsh greens they traversed, as the wind rushed upon their faces.

But even still he held his grip tightly, not even considering letting go. He couldn't, even as his tired strong hands nearly gave out, he helped pull them through.

"Tsunami, Inari, we need to keep pushing forward," he said, trying to encourage the woman and young boy he held onto. Noticing their aching legs, but even still, they shouldn't stop.

They couldn't stop, because he knew if they did… they would be as good as dead.

It seems that by some cruel twist of fate, the young boy he had been leading had tripped, over a stray tree root. As he dragged his mother onto the ground along with him.

He looked back, seeing that his grip still held onto his wife's hand. As he saw the fear within her eyes as she lay helpless on the forest's dirtied ground.

"K-Kaiza!" She shouted in terror. His black eyes widened as well, as he saw a shadow inching ever closer towards his head.

Luckily, he managed to duck to the ground just in time, as a large metal object flew over where he and his family had been standing.

"Damn, looks like I missed," a man commented, as he landed upon his large sword's hilt, the blade having embedded itself within a large and sturdy tree.

"Run!" Kaiza shouted. Helping his family quickly lift themselves off the ground as they ran in the opposite direction.

But the muscular man, and man with gray skin, black hair, and a bandage face only smirked. It was funner when his prey tried to escape.

And they tried. Running as far as the could and running a little bit more after that. Not even bothering to look back out of fear of seeing the scary man behind them.

"Did… did we lose him?" Tsunami asked, panting for breath even as she ran even further, dragging her son along as she held onto the grip of her husband.

"No," a voice shouted, as a small throwing blade, a kunai, launched itself towards Tsunami.

It would have hit her, too, had Kaiza not anticipated this and pulled along his wife's arm enough to allow her to escape the knife's trajectory.

Unfortunately, being a civilian, she had not, and nearly fell in her steps, causing them to slow down significantly.

Which gave their opponents enough time to do what he wanted, "Ninja art: Hidden Mist Jutsu," Kaiza heard, as an intense fog encroached upon them.

The mist was so thick that they could barely see anything, but they still held on to each other's grip, desperate to not get separated within the fog.

"Hahahahahaha!" A laugh echoed around them, Kaiza's family clinging onto him even more.

As the dark haired man brought his family over to a nearby tree he had seen before the fog overtook them.

Of course, recognized this technique, knew of it thoroughly, but he had never mastered it, it seems that was his biggest mistake.

"8 points," a voice spoke through the bleary wilderness, as Kaiza's blood went cold. The voice was hoarse, but spoke of power, he knew oc this man, of course he did. But he didn't realize the difference in their skill levels was this immense.

"Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart." The voice listed off. As a large great sword slashes through the very three they were standing around, like it were butter to a knife. The top of the large tree caving over.

Which only caused even more fear to well up within his family. Inari clung to his mother as if they were glued together, and even tsunami held onto his hand ever so tighter.

But Kaiza steeled his resolve, even if he had to face of of the seven swordsmen of the mist, he would protect them.

Taking a knife out of his pouch, it stood as a far cry from his opponent's weapon. It was so small he doubted he would be able to stop the large blade as it aimed for his head, as well as the heads of his family.

And the Kubikiribocho, Executioner's blade, did just that, aiming down to cut his family in two, like he had done the tree trunk just before.

The scene resembled a lion and a mouse, or it likely would have, had the fog not covered them both.

It was silent, or it would have been, had quick footsteps not sounded around them, not that they both could hear it, they were too focused on their own battle.

As Zabuza Momochi's blade was ready to cut down the three, and feast upon the iron within their blood. Kaiza could do nothing to stop it. He couldn't escape, this ninja was faster than him, stronger than him. But even so he had to fight on, to protect his family.

But Zabuza's blade didn't cut through flesh, nor did it meet with the metal of his small knife. It met with a barrier of pure magic.

"W-who are you?" Kaiza asked, as a figure had forced themselves between them.

Wearing blue cloak, white fox mask, as the figure held a large magic seal as a barrier, stopping the executioner's blade from slicing them in two.

But the mist ninja's strength was immense, as his own barrier cracked under the pressure.

But the figure turned towards Kaiza, angling his head just enough so he could glance at him. Red eyes bore into him from behind the mask.

"Go," the figure told him, and they did just that.

Zabuza backed off, retreating back into the mist to re engage his target.

Naruto couldn't make out exactly where they went. The mist preventing his Sharingan from making anything out.

But he wouldn't let that stop him, as he formed a black summoning circle in front of his face. Taking in a deep breath he voiced his technique, "Wind style: Great Breakthrough" he voiced, aiming his spell towards where he believed Kaiza to run off to.

A large gust of wind overtook the fog, blowing it away and dispelling it within the air, restoring all of their vision.

This seems to surprise the mist ninja, as when he had aimed his great sword at the fleeing Kaiza, expecting the man to not know where he was. With the fog dissipating, he could see Zabuza's attempt to cut them down, dodging just in time to evade certain death.

As Naruto rushed to meet the mist ninja head on, to prevent him from reaching his target.

XXX

Off in the distance, another set of eyes watched the scene. She saw the cloaked figure enter the battle.

Who were they? What were they doing here? And why were they interfering with their mission?

Questions she didn't know, and she doubted Zabuza knew the answers either.

She didn't even know if she should rush in there to help her master.

Zabuza was strong, stronger than her, she didn't doubt that he would be able to complete their mission, no matter how much she disliked it.

But even still, something about this person unnerved her. It was a terrible feeling that something bad might happen.

But even still she had a job to do, Zabuza had been hired to kill this man, as she pulled a few senbon out from her pouch. Watching as the family of three run as fast as they could from the scene before them. Kaiza, the man, their target, held the boy within his arms.

All she had to do was kill the man, even as the boy clutched onto him like a lifeline.

Kill him.

Send a senbon right into his neck, the spot Zabuza had instructed her to do so. Nothing more and nothing less, as had been requested by Zabuza-sama.

And as she began to throw, her wrist forming the standard flicking motion… she stopped.

She had never been able to kill someone, even with the encouragement of Zabuza-sama, she had never been able to do it.

They were already as good as dead, Zabuza would see to such. So why couldn't she kill them?

Sighing, as she placed her throwing needles into her pouch. As she continued to watch her master's battle, preparing to intervene should the need arise.

The pit in her stomach not disappearing.

XXX

With Naruto

Metal clashed against metal.

As Naruto's kunai clashed against Zabuza's much larger sword.

Of course, with the added weigh of the giant clever's blade, not to mention the fact that he was facing a fully grown man.

His arms started to buckle, and if he didn't do something fast, he knew that the sword he was holding back now would be his end.

Luckily, he managed to redirect his enemy's blade, falling back, as Zabuza kept on his assault with a wide sword slash.

Naruto gained some distance, leaping back, as he formed a magic circle in front of his mouth. 'Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique' he thought, as a massive orb of flames emanated from his lips. Strangly enough not burning the mask he wore as he did so.

Sadly, Zabuza was ready for this, and being a water magic user himself, he quickly created a water wall to protect himself. Using the water from a nearby lake to complete his technique.

This resulted in a shower of mist, the fireball heating up with the water wall so much that it turned the technique into steam.

"Heh, I have to admit, you aren't half bad," Zabuza stated through the screen.

And when the smoke dissipated, three more figures stood in Zabuza's place, each identical to one another, as each of them pointed their large blades at him.

"But it seems this fun is at its end," he told him, "Now where should I cut?"

Naruto's sharingan eyes widened, not expecting such a move from the sword wielding man, as he quickly formed some kind of plan within his mind.

Locking eyes with the three of them.

He saw the two Zabuza clones rush towards him, but Naruto could tell that the clones were significantly weaker than the original. Much slower, too, and that allowed him to keep better track of his movements much more easily.

As one of the clones sped towards him, slashing his large sword towards his torso as the other slashed at his head…

They hit him.

Carving up his body and slicing it into three large pieces.

Or it would have, had the Naruto that had been there not disappeared within thin air.

Three wind-coated Kunai slashed through the air, each aimed for the heads of the trio of Zabuza.

Water splashed down to the floor.

However, the real Zabuza, and the one who had stayed back, had easily caught the kunai within his hand. Carefully grasping it by the handle in between his fingers as to not cut himself.

"Not bad, but illusions on that level won't work on me," Zabuza told him, before…

Boom!

Zabuza failed to see the explosive tag attached to the blade. As, he was soon engulfed in an explosion that nearly encompassed the entire clearing they had been standing in.

Naruto shielded his eyes from the light, hoping with every fiber of his being that his makeshift plan had worked.

He wasn't good with illusions, and what little illusions he did know were intermediate level at best. Hiruzen, mainly focusing on his hand-to-hand combat, rather than any actual techniques he could learn.

Any spells he did learn were either low-level techniques hidden within the Uzumaki hideout, or ones given to him from the toad whenever he completed a mission.

It had taken a lot of his concentration to even entrap the two clones, and it seemed that he had failed in his attempt to ensnare the real Zabuza. Or maybe he had? And Zabuza was just that experienced to see through his trap!

But, of course, he expected as such. The explosive tag, hopefully being enough to injure Zabuza enough to be the upper hand.

Zabuza, the Demon of the Mist.

A rogue Shinobi, said to have slaughtered an entire graduating class he wasn't even a part of. Becoming one of the most bloodthirsty of the Seven Deadly swordsmen, he garnered a large reputation, being fairly well known within the outreaches of the underworld.

He had heard of this man, no, monster! From the toad's master, he realized he was way out of his league.

And so it was no surprise when the explosion cleared, and the Zabuza that was left standing in the middle of the field was nowhere to be seen. All that had been left in its wake was a small puddle, left alone on the ground.

"I have to admit, that was a pretty good plan, it would have worked on most people too, just not me," Zabuza voiced.

Naruto quickly turned, sensing the sheer amount of magic forming. Seeing Zabuza's magic fluctuate as he stood atop the nearby lake as he performed a long sequence of hand signs.

With every sign Naruto could see the power build up more and more, and it was a big surprise as he saw the water behind the demon rise, it formed a massive, 30 ft tall dragon made of pure water.

It's menacing yellow eyes stared out at him, and Naruto knew that any spell he could perform wouldn't be enough to stop the technique.

His eyes could see as such.

He was going to die.

He just knew it. This was the demon of the mist, the bloodthirsty, ruthless killer that slaughtered anyone is his wake.

Why he jump in to face him?

Shouldn't he at least thought of a plan? Maybe he and Kurama were alike after all.

He didn't know, but it had been just like that day. And just like before, his rash actions had ended him in a fight out of his league.

Expect this time he wouldn't defeat his opponent.

Zabuza would not make the same mistake as Kimimaro.

This was the end, he—

'I'll only be gone for a few days, I'll be back before you know it'. 'Promise?'

Those had been the words he had spoken to Valiana.

He had told her that he would return.

He would be leaving her… just like her mother.

Would she think of him the same?

Would she feel saddened at his death?

Of course, she would.

He could imagine the look on her face when she realized he wasn't coming back. The sadness in the blue of her eyes, those silver speckles being even more vibrant in the midst of her tears.

He didn't want to see that look on her face, ever.

And he would do anything to see to it.

His fists tightened, as anger soared through him.

Unconsciously, and unaware to his own actions, Naruto's three-tomed eyes began to change, morphing into their evolved state.

Power began to gather in his eyes, as Naruto's eyes prepared to unleash a powerful torrent of ebony midnight flames.

Until…

A wall of pure ice formed between both Zabuza and Naruto, as they both lost their concentration.

Naruto saw a figure standing within the trees, as their cyan, white, and brown kimono billowed out. They also wore a white porcelain mask upon their face, only theirs had a strange wave like design upon it, it holding back their long black hair that was tied into a bun.

Zabuza's head snapped to the side. "Huh, what is the meaning of this?" He questioned his subordinate.

"I apologize Zabuza-sama, but I think now is a pertinent time to retreat," the masked figure said. She sensed the power growing within the masked individual, and she knew had he released such a technique, then things would not turn out well for her master.

But before Zabuza could question her on it, she disappeared, leaving no further argument up for discussion.

The shark-like man turned towards Naruto once again, before he finally tsked. Disappearing, similarly to what his apprentice had done before.

Naruto watched in anticipation, not really understanding what had just happened but awaiting a potential attack.

But none came.

As soon, Naruto collapsed to his knees from exhaustion.

But he soon got up, he had a job to do.

XXX

With Kaiza

"Kaiza, are you sure we're safe?" Tsunami questioned.

They had run to their destination, their only safe space on the entire island.

"I'm not sure…" her husband told her honestly.

He hadn't been a match against that man, even with his former training, he hadn't stood a chance.

Had whoever it was not saved him…

He unconsciously clutched Inari closer into his chest. The boy was still scared out of his mind, and he prayed to any deity he could that that man was defeated.

Thankfully, it seemed that they weren't followed.

And his father-in-law, Tazuna, seemed to be located here as well, right where they intended. Even despite his poor condition.

His family was safe, all they had to do was—

Snap!

The sound of a twig breaking outside their safe house caught all their attention, increasing all the worries of the occupants in the room.

Kaiza's eyes harden, as he took out a kunai he had stashed nearby. Ready to strike and protect his family at any moment.

But then he heard it… silence.

There was no sound at all.

Nothing, it was strange. But that only increased his worries.

As the former ninja took his hand, slowly reaching it up to reach the locked door knob. Unlocking it, he saw what laid behind.

Seeing a cloaked figure, a few broken twigs in his hands.

Naruto looked up at his client.

After waiting to see if Zabuza would return, he didn't, as well as giving himself a few minutes to recover. It was then that Naruto went to follow his clients.

Covering Kaiza and his family's tracks as to not allow for followers, they had left in a bit of a rush after all.

After alerting the family of his presence, he saw the man he was supposed to protect.

As he pulled out the hitai-ate Hiruzen had given him.

"Hello, client-San, it seems we have much to discuss," he stated with narrowed eyes.

XXX

Elsewhere.

"Haku? What the hell!" Zabuza questioned angrily, them now being within their hideout, instead of gutting the family they were supposed to.

'Haku', the masked ninja, bowed towards her master, "Zabuza-sama, I apologize for my intrusion in your battle, but I felt that retreat was our best option," she told him honestly.

"And what could that punk have done to make you think that? I had him on the ropes, and would have finished him off easily." And what Zabuza said wasn't untrue.

But Haku knew differently, especially with what she had been able to gauge from their masked enemy. Zabuza hadn't been able to sense it, but even without being a sensor-type, she could feel the power he radiated. Like an overwhelming inferno.

And she knew, Zabuza would not survive the blaze had it been unleashed.

But as she tried to explain herself, a third person made their presence known.

"Well, well, well, it seems the big bad ninja wasn't able to complete the mission I gave him," they voiced with a smirk.

As the two shinobi turned to see a short, gray haired man in a nice business suit. As he was followed by two, big, burly men.

"Gato," Zabuza seethed, recognizing the face of their slimy client.

"Don't 'Gato' me," The short man mocked. "Especially when you haven't done the task I've hired you for."

Zabuza narrowed his eyes, but he continued, "Yeah, but I'll get to it when I get to it," omitting their recent failure.

"Tsk," Gato tsked.

Realizing when this situation would go, she bowed once again, trying to quell the two men, "I apologize, Zabuza's mission was delayed by my actions," she told him.

"Ha, I should have known his bitch would've held him down," Gato remarked. "But, I can see why he keeps her around," he said perversely, gazing at the beautiful dark haired girl's figure.

As Haku subtly tried to cover herself up, feeling both naked and disgusted by this filth's gaze.

His words only caused Zabuza to glare even more.

"Nevertheless," Haku continued, bringing out a map they had of the entire island. "We already know the family's general location. And I will personally scout the area and find them. I can assure you, it will only be a matter of time before we complete our mission," she assured.

"Tsk," Gato tsked once again, before thinking over the situation once again, "fine, but don't fail me again," he stated, before leaving the room.

Leaving Zabuza bewildered at the whole situation.

Haku, too, was confused.

Just who was that person in a mask?

XXX

(With Naruto)

A few Days later.

Trying to prod the family for everything they knew about the situation, he had found out a lot.

Apparently, Tsunami's father, Tazuna, a master bridge builder, had contracted a serious illness.

It all started when Kaiza had arrived in this island bound village. And while, in hell, islands, and even water in general were rare, they became even more prominent around the borders of the underworld, especially when you needed the land of water.

Gato, a mysterious entrepreneur and shipping magnate, had arrived not long ago. As the man seeped upon the land of wave's resources, like a parasite to a host. He was unrelenting, extorting all the money he could from the land's people. And blocking them off from the rest of the underworld. As the people's light seemed to fade out.

Kaiza had showed up, inspiring hope upon the nation once again.

It didn't take long for him to earn the affections of Tsunami, especially after an incident when he had saved her child.

That's when things had seemed to have gotten better.

Tazuna, being a master bridge builder, with the help of Kaiza and the rest of the villagers, built a bridge to connect the island to the mainland.

With the man's bridge, the island nation's trade would be restored, and soon the economy would follow suit as well.

Hope had reached its peak. Until Gato showed his hand…

It seems the man hadn't been docile either. As he built heavy toll booths, ones that no trader nor citizen could afford. What's worse, he had hired a number of men to help enforce his extortion. As well as building a new, much larger, mansion on the other side of the bridge.

A symbol of Wave's hope being lost.

But Kaiza tried continuing his rebellion, even when the citizen's no longer agreed to his cause.

It was then that things started to get worse, as Tazuna started to feel more and more ill. Kaiza suspected it was poisoning, but he didn't know for sure.

Nevertheless, Kaiza suspected an attack on his family, and requested shinobi assistance. Apparently Tazuna had been an old acquaintance of Hiruzen's, and had recommended the leaf for their assistance.

It was good timing as well, as Kaiza had noticed Gato had hired his own shinobi help to do so.

That's when he showed up.

But unfortunately, Tazuna's health was still deteriorating. Kaiza had opted to go into the nearby forest to collect some medical herbs.

But he knew that Zabuza was still out there. And his mission was protecting Kaiza and his family.

So he had insisted on going himself, after laying out a vast array of seals on Kaiza's sage house, just to be sure.

That why he was currently out in the forest, collecting herbs for the sick bridge builder.

But to be honest, he didn't like the situation one bit.

Facing such a strong shinobi as Zabuza, and that mask-wearing ice user. Not to mention Gato himself.

Something within his stomach didn't sit right, and he wanted to know what it was.

Why wasn't the underworld government doing something about this land?

Who was Gato?

He was at a disadvantage, that's why he had contacted the toad's master to give him any information on Zabuza, Gato, and wave country.

He only hoped he didn't have to face them.

His mission was keeping Kaiza and his family safe, nothing more, nothing less.

Having disrobed from his usual combat outfit, although he still held his usual Uchiha-like disguise. As he picked even more of the herbs tsunami had instructed, placing it within his pouch.

Suddenly, Naruto's head snapped to the side, hearing the loud crunch of a snapping branch.

Naruto grasped one of the many kunai within his pouch, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

As the figure spoke, "I apologize if I startled you, stranger-san, as it was not my intention," she spoke in a kind voice, as the blonde turned to see her.

Naruto had to admit, but her appearance was rather beautiful. As she appeared to be about 2 years his elder. A heart shaped face, supple, pink lips. Kind chocolate brown-eyes, and dark hair framing her face that seemed to stem in for miles. As she was adorned in a bright pink kimono with a floral design.

But the odd thing was her demeanor. It was calm, almost impassive. And given her pale skin, and near expressionless face, it was as if she almost resembled a doll. Yet, at the same time, she exuded this aura of kindness and even compassion.

It irked him, for some reason.

Naruto narrowed his eyes, not trusting the girl for a single second. "And just who are you?" Naruto asked, although it sounded more like a demand.

The older girl was unperturbed at his rudeness, as she still held her impassively kind visage.

"You know, it's impolite to demand someone's name without stating your own first," she replied.

"It's also impolite to sneak up on someone," Naruto retorted coldly.

But surprisingly, the girl's demeanor didn't budge. In fact, she only gained a beautiful smile across her face, as a small amount of laughter emerged from her lips. "I suppose it is," she giggled.

Before the black haired girl bowed before him, "My name is Haku Yuki, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Naruto glanced at her, but in the end he decided to throw her a bone. But of course, he wouldn't give out his real identity.

"Menma, Menma Namikaze," he introduced himself, using one of his many fake names as he did so.

For some reason, this girl began to catch onto this, as she frowned. Before Haku covered it up with her usual calm face.

"Menma," she said, testing his 'name' in her lips. "Might I be able to inquire what you are doing out here so early in the morning?" She questioned.

So that was it, he realized she was prodding him for information.

But then he realized her words, as he looked up at the fake sky. It was morning, and while he had arrived to wave in the middle of the afternoon. He'd guessed he'd spent the last few nights preparing seals around the area of Kaiza's hideout.

Not even realizing how early it was, and he guessed he had accidentally forgotten to sleep... again.

That wouldn't do.

But to answer this 'Haku's' question, he came up with a plausible excuse, "I was… gathering herbs," he told her, deciding to tell her a little bit of the truth.

"Herbs?" Haku questioned with a raised eyebrow, before she saw the herbs that grew around his feet. "Oh, those herbs or treating illnesses and healing wounds," she realized, piecing together why he might need such plants. As well as confirming that he had gathered what Tsunami had instructed him to.

"Although…" she pondered, a finger to her chin. "I believe those might work better for what you might need," Haku commented, pointing towards a new set of herbs nearby.

"Would they?" Naruto questioned skeptically, looking towards the aforementioned herb. Although he still kept an eye on Haku as he did so.

"Yes, what you are collecting is Rosemary, which is generally good for treating mental and brain damage and disorders. That," she pointed towards the other herb. "Is turmeric, which is generally good for all sorts of illnesses," Haku explained.

But still, Naruto was skeptical, as the dark haired girl walked up to the herb. Taking a bit of the leaf as, she placed it within her mouth.

"It's even safe to eat raw if you would prefer it," she added. Eliminating any of Naruto's suspicions that the herb was toxic.

"I see," Naruto stated, deciding to take a few of the herbs back with him. Hopefully, Tsunami would be able to identify them further. And even though this girl seemed to be knowledgeable about herbs, he still questioned her actions.

"You care for some help in gathering herbs?" The older girl questioned politely.

But Naruto decided to use this opportunity, as he answered the black-haired beauty. "I don't suppose why not," he said, as the girl nodded.

The next few minutes were filled with silence as they both gathered herbs, but Naruto still held the majority of his attention on the girl.

"So, Haku," Naruto spoke up, breaking their silence. "Why are you walking alone in the woods, especially this early in the morning?" He asked, trying to prod for information.

"I like it early," she answered him calmly, "it's calm, but I didn't think I'd find anyone out here while I was walking," the blackette remarked.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "oh, does that mean you're a resident of wave?" He inquired.

The girl nodded, "I am," Haku replied, before adding. "I live with my father in our home nearby," she told him with a small smile.

"You seem to care about him a lot," Naruto noticed.

"I do," Haku nodded. "He was there for me when no one else was, and for that I owe him my life," she told him.

"Hmm," Naruto hummed, as he continued to pick the aforementioned herbs, before his companion posed him another question.

"Namikaze-san, do you mind if I ask you a question?" Haku inquired, and at Naruto's lack of an answer. She continued, picking herbs as she did so.

"Are you a shinobi?" She suddenly asked, gaining Naruto's attention.

"And what if I was?" Naruto inquired, not exactly answering her question. And while technically he was a shinobi, being Hiruzen's apprentice. Additionally ,he did often complete missions for the leaf, as few as there were.

But, he knew, his loyalty wasn't to the Leaf.

Haku noticed the boy dodging the question, but she didn't comment on it.

She only shook her head, "There isn't any problem, I just happened to notice that particular gear you were wearing…" she pointed to the particular Kunai pouch he was wearing, the only thing he kept from his shinobi apparel.

The girl was smart, he realized. He supposed he'd have to keep these things hidden more often.

"Do you mind if I ask you another question?" She inquired, and at his silence, he didn't understand what she was getting at.

"Is there someone who is precious to you?" She asked, almost out of left field.

As Naruto froze in place, "Someone who… is precious?" He questioned in an emotionless voice.

As the girl went on to explain her reasoning, "you see, when someone has something precious that they want to protect, it is only them they become genuinely strong," she told him.

Naruto pondered what she meant, before coming to his own conclusion.

"… I don't think you are correct," he told her, as she blinked in surprise.

"I believe when someone has a goal in mind, one that they fervently believe in and put their who lives into, that is where strength comes from," he argued.

This was what he drove for life to do.

It's where all his strength came from.

He would avenge his family, and kill that masked man… no matter what.

"I see…" Haku said in realization, before putting her head low.

"It seems we will not get along, Namikaze-san," she told him, her eyes narrowed, as she stood up to leave.

"Goodbye," she told him as a farewell, before Naruto spoke up.

"Haku-san, why did you really come out here?" He asked, as she stopped in her tracks.

"I wanted to see what motivated you, and if we would get along," she stated honestly.

But Naruto's eyes narrowed further, "does that mean you know where Tazuna's family is located… Ice wielder-san?" He questioned, fully calling out the girl.

"How long have you known?" She questioned.

"Since the beginning," Naruto answered, as he pointed towards her. "It's surprising to see a human in the underworld, one that's alive anyway. I knew something wasn't right," he explained, having sensed her identity when he first saw her. And after that, placing a face to the masked nin was child's play.

And at that Haku giggled slightly, "I should have known something as simple as that would give me away, you're quite observant," she complimented.

"Answer the question," Naruto prodded. "Has Kaiza's family been compromised," he interrogated.

Thankfully, she shook her head. "No, but we do know their general location, and it won't be long before Zabuza-sama finds them," Haku said honestly, Naruto not detecting any lies in her demeanor.

"I see…" Naruto said in realization.

"We will meet again sometime," Haku assured, before she started to walk off once again.

"And what's to stop me from killing you here?" Naruto questioned, a kunai at the ready.

As Haku turned to look at him, forming a few senbon made of ice within her hands.

"You can try, fox-san," she challenged, before walking off.

He allowed her to do so.

But Naruto kept his eyes on her direction, not looking away for a second, as he awaited for any possible attack.

Eventually he decided to head back, his needed herbs having already been gathered.

Haku had told him many things, and he had to prepare to get Kaiza and his family out, now.

End Chapter.