A/N: I've decided on the pairing. It will be Naruto/Mei/Kyuubi/OC, mainly focusing on Naruto/Mei. Yugao can't be in since she is a Konoha ANBU. It was stupid of me to think I could add her in the first place. As for Konan… I have other plans for her. Also, this chapter starts with a ralther large time skip. Before you star coming after me with torches and pitchforks, let me say that later on there will be at least five chapters that will be one big flashback, descibing these seven years.

Chapter 2

Recruiting

Seven years later, Wave Country

Hatake Kakashi, jonin of Konoha, looked at his opponent, Zabuza Momochi, A-rank missing nin of Kiri and former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. It was one of the most difficult battles Kakashi had ever had, especially considering that he was sorely out of practice, but eventually he prevailed. Right now Zabuza was being kept immobile by Kakashi's dog summons, waiting for his death.

Deciding to honour Zabuza for fighting so well, Kakashi prepared to use his only original technique. 'I have to hurry. I don't think Sasuke and Sai can hold on for much longer.' thought Kakashi while he was going through three handsigns. The people he was thinking about were Sasuke Uchiha and Sai, two of his three genin students, who were currently having their asses handed to them by Zabuza's apprentice, Haku, who had a bloodline that allowed her to use the ice sub-element.

Kakashi's third student, Haruno Sakura, was supposedly protecting the client, the bridge builder Tazuna, but all she was doing was cheering for Sasuke. To be more exact, she was screeching various versions of "Go on Sasuke-kun, kick the ugly bitch's ass so we can go on a date.", which were making Tazuna wish to die.

Kakashi finished his handsigns and braced his right hand with his left one. Lighting chakra started to gather around his hand. There was so much of it that it was visible, something very rarely seen.

Kakashi glared at Zabuza with his implanted Sharingan eye. "This is one jutsu you will never see again, Zabuza. Raikiri, my only original technique. You future is death, Demon of the Mist."

However, just as Zabuza was ready to give a taunting response, a new voice was heard from the mist. "My, my, I see you have a sense for dramatics, Sharingan no Kakashi." The voice was male, its tone mocking. And even with the mist dispersing, they couldn't tell from where it was coming.

'Strange. I have the feeling I've heard that voice before.' thought Kakashi.

Then they heard steps. Both of then turned towards them. They were coming from their side, one of the few places of the bridge that was still covered in mist.

They could see a person approaching from within the mist. His feet became visible first. He was wearing blue boots and pants, as well as a cloak that was blue on the outside and deep red on the inside. Then his arms. With his left arm he was carrying an O-katana. Its sheath was black and had a long blue piece of cloth tied near the top. Then his chest became visible. He was wearing a shirt the same shade of blue as his pants and cloak, and at the center of his chest was a pendant. It was a huge ruby-like stone in gold casing. Then his face became visible, and Kakashi gasped, and took a few steps back in shock, thinking he just saw a ghost.

Wild blond hair, bright blue eyes, and three whisker marks on each cheek. Kakashi knew very well who this young man was.

Zabuza, on the other hand, was more concerned with the Kiri headband he was wearing proudly on his forehead.

"Who are you?" growled Zabuza.

"Oh, excuse me, where are my manners?" he gave a mocking bow. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki, apprentice of the Mizukage and member of the Seven Swordsmen. I'm here with a mission concerning you, Zabuza-san." he answered. His voice was playful, his eyes mocking. It was as if he was mocking them and daring them to find out how he did it.

Zabuza scoffed. "So, that bastard Yagura finally found me?"

He wasn't expecting the reply. Naruto started laughing. He laughed so hard that he doubled over. Eventually he managed to control himself. "Man, you really have no idea, do you? Where have you been living, inside a cave? The civil war ended two years ago. I'm here on behalf of the Godaime Mizukage. Mei Terumi."

Zabuza's eyes widened slightly. If this news were true, they were the best he'd ever heard. But he wasn't so desperate as to believe it without proof. "Can you prove that she sent you?" he asked.

Naruto put a finger on his chin and look upwards mockingly, pretending to think. "Hmm, let me see, proof, proof… I guess her exact words will be proof enough." He looked back at Zabuza. "Her exact words were 'I really want my favourite punching bag back' ." said Naruto.

Everyone sweatdropped, but Zabuza nodded. "Yep, that's Mei alright."

Haku, who was leaning outside one of her mirrors to watch the conversation, certain that neither of the two trapped boys could do anything, decided to intervene then. "But, Zabuza-sama, it might be a trap. Yagura might have captured this Mei person and tort…"

"Shut up Haku!" interrupted Zabuza harshly. "I know no person that could capture Mei, and even if someone somehow managed to do it, there is no torture that would make her talk." he continued. He hadn't missed the slight flash of anger that went through Naruto's eyes, and knew what it meant. Kakashi knew too. 'Was he really going to kill the girl just for saying something like this?' he wondered.

Zabuza turned back to Naruto. "But tell me, why should I follow you? The life of a missing nin is rather exciting in its own way, and I can't say that the idea of becoming her punching bag again sounds appealing."

Naruto looked at him with dead serious eyes. "That is your choice, Zabuza-san. However, in that case I have the orders to kill you and everyone with you and take your head and sword back to Kiri."

Zabuza narrowed his eyes. "So, this is why you waited until now to intervene. So that both Kakashi and I would be weakened.

Naruto didn't try to deny it. "Indeed. While both of you could kick my ass six ways from Sunday under normal circumstances, right now neither of you are a match for me. Then again, even if you were at full power, I would be able to defeat you, but I would have to resort to measures I would rather not to."

Zabuza narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about, brat?" he demanded.

Naruto chuckled and shook his head. "It would seem that either Hatake-san did a real number on you or that you are getting old. Otherwise you would have already seen my sword for what it is." Naruto used his thumb to push the first half inch of his blade outside the sheath.

Zabuza turned all his concentration on the O-katana. He suddenly paled and, despite the dogs holding him down, took a half-step back. "It can't be…" he whispered.

Naruto's eyes shone with amusement. "Can't it?" His right hand moved in a blur, drawing his sword and slashing towards a mirror next to Haku and then immediately towards the scroll Kakashi used to summon his dogs. He then twirled the blade around, holding it in a reverse grip, and started to sheath it. He stopped when only the last half inch of the blade was left unsheathed, smirked, and sheathed the rest of the blade. A slight click was heard. The mirror was cut in two. The dogs disappeared as the same happened to the scroll.

Kakashi's eyes widened. 'How did this happen? He didn't use wind chakra, heck, he didn't even use regular chakra. It was as if the mirror and the scroll were simply in the range of his sword.'

While Kakashi was trying to pick his jaw from the ground, Sasuke and Sai, not knowing what happened, immediately jumped outside of the ice dome. Haku, not seeing a reason to keep wasting chakra, dissolved the rest of the mirrors and went next to Zabuza.

Sasuke, who had awakened his Sharingan a few minutes ago, and Sai were about to attack Haku again, when Kakashi signaled them to stop and come by his side, which they did. Sakura and Tazuna came closer, though not much. Everyone was looking at Naruto, who was looking at Zabuza.

"So, Zabuza-san, what is your decision?" he asked. The look in his eyes made everyone but Sakura and Tazuna, who couldn't understand it, suppress a shiver. Naruto's eyes were almost begging Zabuza to decline. So that he could kill him.

Zabuza himself was sorely tempted to refuse the offer so that he could fight Naruto in a fight to the death. However, there was Haku too and, although he would never admit it out loud, Zabuza cared for her as if she was his own daughter. After thinking for a couple of minutes, Zabuza reached his decision. "I…agree. I'll rejoin Kiri."

In an instant, Naruto's eyes changed. Now he was looking at Zabuza the way one would look at a trusted comrade he hadn't seen for years. Naruto extended his hand to Zabuza. "Welcome back, Demon of the Mist."

Zabuza shook it without a moment's hesitation. "Well met, kid."

Before anything more could be said, they all heard steps from the unfinished side of the bridge. They turned, only to see Gato with about one hundred thugs behind him. The corrupt businessman glared at Zabuza. "Well, it would seem that you are more of a useless puppy than a demon, Zabuza. Surrendering like that. Well, it doesn't matter. You would die anyw…"

He was interrupted by a very disturbing laugh. It was Naruto who had thrown his head back and was laughing like a madman. Zabuza, Haku and the Konoha shinobi looked at him full of worry. What was happening now?

Naruto lowered his head and looked at Gato, a maniacal gleam in his eyes and a crazy smile on his face. He started to move towards Gato. "Well, well, how considerate of you Gato, coming here to me and saving me the trouble of coming to find you. It almost makes me want to leave you alive. Almost." As he was talking, Naruto's face calmed down, but his voice got colder and colder, and full of death. He also started to release KI that could easily match what Kakashi and Zabuza were producing during their battle. However, there was something different about it, something malevolent, something…inhuman.

Kakashi, the only one who knew what Naruto contained, and Zabuza, who suspected, looked on, the first with worry and the second with fascination.

'Damn it, he is channeling the Kyuubi's KI. If he loses control, all of us might die.' thought Kakashi.

'Finally, show me what you and that demonic blade of yours can do kid. I wonder which one of the nine you have though. Wait a minute, judging from Kakashi's reaction, he knows who the kid is. That means he is probably from Konoha. And if that's true, then it means that he has… oh boy, this is going to be good.' thought Zabuza.

Haku and the genin meanwhile were scared shitless since they haven't felt anything like that before. Gato was on the same boat, but he tried to persuade himself that he had the advantage there. It took some extra time to persuade his bladder though.

"Hey, kid, Naruto was it? Do you also have a mission to kill this pathetic excuse of a human?" asked Zabuza.

Naruto didn't even turn around. "No, not really. This is personal."

"What do you mean? I've never seen you before in my life." said Gato, trying not to stutter and failing miserably.

Red chakra exploded around Naruto, cracking the stone under his feet, as he couldn't keep his anger in check any longer.

"Oh, I know you haven't seen me before, but I have seen you. Let me refresh you memory. Do you remember four years ago, when you had a meeting with Yagura and his generals? Do remember what else other than money you asked in exchange for providing them with supplies?" asked Naruto, his voice raising with every syllable.

"I…I'm afraid I can't…" stuttered Gato, who knew very well what Naruto was talking about and understood he was screwed. And not in a good way.

Even more chakra flowed out of Naruto now, actually forming a crater under his feet, as he lost the last shreds of self-control he still had. "OH, SO YOU CAN'T REMEMBER! LET ME REFRESH YOUR MEMORY THEN! YOUR EXACT WORDS WERE: 'IF YOU MANAGE TO CAPTURE THAT REDHEADED BITCH THAT IS LEADING THIS BUNCH OF MISCREANTS, I WANT TO HAVE HER FOR A FEW NIGHTS BEFORE YOU EXECUTE HER.' " shouted Naruto at the top of his lungs.

Zabuza actually had to restrain himself from going over there and cutting Gato to ribbons. Insulting Mei, their leader, in front of anyone of the true Swordsmen of the Mist was equivalent to a death sentence. Not to mention he really wanted to pay the scumbag back for this betrayal. He stayed where he was however. He knew that Naruto wouldn't let anyone get between him and Gato.

Naruto abruptly calmed down, the red chakra raging around him receding back into his body. When he spoke again however, his voice was cold, devoid of any emotion other than unbridled rage. This was actually scarier than his KI. "You are lucky, Gato. Fortunately for you, I lack the patience and self-control to properly deal with you. So I'll have to settle with cutting you to ribbons." Hearing him, Gato finally lost control of his bladder and peed himself.

"W…wait. Don't do anything you will regret. You really don't want to kill me." tried Gato.

Naruto lifted an eyebrow. "And why is that? Because of the two thugs you sent to kidnap Tazuna-san's family? They died before they got anywhere near his house. Because you will pay me? By now my two teammates probably have finished stripping your mansion bare of anything valuable. Now, do me a favour and shut up. Corpses aren't supposed to speak after all."

What happened next caused Kakashi and Zabuza to have the same hilarious reaction. Their eyes almost popped out of their sockets and their jaws hit the ground. But they had good reason. The others, even Sasuke who still had his Sharingan activated, and Haku, who had the most experience other than the two jonin, completely missed it.

One second Naruto was standing twenty meters away from Gato, the next he was standing right behind him, his right hand extended, holding his sword. The truly scary thing however, what would haunt even Sasuke's nightmares for months to come, was what happened afterwards. Naruto, completely ignoring the thug that was standing little more than ten centimeters in front of him, started to sheath his sword. Once the click that signified that he had done it was heard, Gato exploded in a thousand bloody pieces. Just as Naruto had said, he had cut him to ribbons. It would be impossible for anyone that hadn't witnessed the scene to say that the pile of blood and shredded flesh and bone once belonged to a human.

Naruto calmly turned around and started to walk towards the other shinobi. He stopped midway, when he was exactly in the middle of the distance between them and the thugs, who were currently trying to decide what to do. He turned to Zabuza and Kakashi and, ignoring Tazuna, the genin and even Haku who were emptying their stomachs, asked. "Did the two of you saw my movements?" And that did it. He had officially scared the living crap out of everyone, save Zabuza who was simply shocked. And maybe creeped out. Not much, just a little. No, really. Naruto was like nothing had happened. His voice had once again that playful tone in it and his eyes the same mocking look.

They shook their shock away and nodded affirmatively. Naruto scowled. "Just great. She was right again. This is getting annoying." he saw the questioning look the two had and elaborated. "Mei. She is always hounding me to get faster."

Both jonin had a WTF look on their faces. "Err, Naruto, you DO know that you are as fast, if not faster than either of us right?" asked Kakashi tentatively.

Naruto just shrugged. "Go and tell that to her. On second thought, don't. She would probably kill you. Now, Zabuza, are you up for a little competition? Yamato still feels a little thirsty." he asked.

Zabuza smirked, shouldered his sword, and moved next to Naruto, who also drew his sword. "Sure am kid. The usual rules?" asked Zabuza.

"Yep. You ready?" asked Naruto.

"Always."

"Well, in that case…" both of them turned towards the thugs. "…LET'S ROCK!" shouted Naruto, running towards the thugs, Zabuza following.

The thugs would have run away, but that choice was taken from them courtesy of Haku who blocked their path with her ice mirrors. Their only choice was to stand and fight, and that choice was already doomed.

While that was happening, Kakashi covered his Sharingan eye and than turned to Sasuke. "Sasuke, turn off your Sharingan."

"But, Kakashi…" started Sasuke. Kakashi's visible eye narrowed. "NOW, Sasuke, otherwise I'll send you to court martial for insubordination." threatened Kakashi. Sasuke grumbled but did as he was told. 'Yamato… Strange, most of the swords of the Seven are well known, but it's the first time I hear of this one.' With this thought, Kakashi turned his attention back to what he knew was going to be a massacre.

He was right. Naruto and Zabuza cut through the thugs like hot knife through butter. Zabuza was waving his big ass sword around, cackling like a madman and killing everyone that got in his way, by either decapitation or cutting them in two. Though 'cutting' wasn't a correct term. It was more like his sword crushed everything in its way until it reached the other side of its victim.

Naruto, on the other hand, was far more graceful but not less deadly or ferocious. He was dancing and weaving around the thugs, his right hand wielding his sword, cutting everyone in two, though, unlike Zabuza's, his sword was really cutting. And it was cutting everything, even the weapons the thugs were holding, without losing any of its momentum. With his left hand he was still holding the sheath of his sword, using it like another sword to block any attacks heading his way and, every now and then, crush a skull or two.

Within seconds, only five were left. Naruto flicked his sword to clear it of any blood, quickly sheathed it, and then sent a burst of chakra to his legs, using it to rush forward, shouting "Mine!". Zabuza swore, but he was too slow to do anything. The next second Naruto was behind them, his sword extended. The thugs fell down, their torsos separated from their legs.

Naruto turned to Zabuza with a triumphant grin on his face. "That makes it fifty-two for me and forty-eight for you. I win. You're treating pizza when we reach Kiri."

Zabuza grumbled, muttering something about kids that were too fast for their own good. His mutterings were interrupted when two Kiri shinobi appeared in front of Naruto.

One was a young man around Naruto's age. He had short blue hair and dark eyes. He wore square, black-rimmed glasses connected to what appear to be headphones, a blue striped shirt and camouflage pattern pants. His headband was strapped on his chest. He was carrying a huge ass sword that could give Zabuza's sword a run for its money. It had the shape of a dish and was completely covered with bandages. He had a very shy look on his face.

The other one was a young woman, around twenty years old. She had short blue hair and purple eyes. She was wearing a blue sleeveless shirt that was a few sizes too small, revealing her waist and accentuating her chest, as well as a blue miniskirt. Her hands and legs were covered by fishnet and she had metal guards on her shins and arms. She was also wearing standard shinobi sandals. All in all, she was a very beautiful woman. And not only she knew it, she also took advantage of it, as was obvious by her clothing. She herself had two ninjatos strapped on her back.

"Chojuro, Miria, report." ordered Naruto.

"We looted Gato's mansion as you ordered, Naruto. It seems he was richer than we thought. Much richer. We found forty million ryo in cash alone. That is without counting the various jewels, gold ingots, works of art and land deeds. We have everything sealed in scrolls. We also found proof of many illegal activities, like drug and slave trading." said Miria. Her voice had a melodic quality in it and she somehow managed to make a report sound seductive, which made all the men present, except Naruto who was used to her, feel their pants tighten. They all tried to check her out as discreetly as possible.

In Zabuza's case, that didn't say much since he was standing in front of her and was ogling her chest. Which earned him a smack at the back of the head with Yamato's sheath.

"Ouch! What was that for?" said an angry Zabuza.

"Because her eyes are higher than were you are looking." answered Naruto. Then he used Yamato to smack Miria at the top of the head.

"Hey, what did I do?" whined Miria cutely, rubbing her head.

Naruto glared at her. "How many times have I told you to dress more modestly? As if he isn't in a bad enough state already." he added pointing at Chojuro. "Have you counted how many times he has looked directly at you ever since we formed out team? They can be counted in one hand!" he continued.

Indeed, Chojuro was looking at the opposite direction, pressing his index fingers together and had a face so red that he looked like he would explode.

'Is he a relative of the Hyuuga girl in Kurenai's team?' wondered Kakashi.

'Wow, he is a male version of Hinata.' thought the banshee.

'Hmph, what a loser.' thought the bastard.

'I must report to Danzo-sama that the Kyuubi jiinchuriki is found.' thoughtthe robot.

'He he. He is cute.' thought Haku, suppressing a giggle.

Miria pouted. "The Mizukage is as bad as me, if not worse, but I've never heard you reprimand her."

Naruto looked at her as if she was an idiot. "Of course not. It just so happens that I'm quite attached to both my life and my manhood. I would prefer not to lose either of them."

"No, we wouldn't want that to happen." agreed Miria, taking a step closer to him and moving her eyes up and down his body, stopping at his crotch for a few seconds.

Naruto sighed. "Behave Miria, otherwise I'll report this to the Mizukage." he said.

Miria paled slightly and stepped back, laughing nervously. "No need for that, I'll stop now." she said while sweating bullets.

Naruto looked at her for a couple of seconds before nodding. Miria sighed in relief and started to breath easier.

This made the genin, Haku and Kakashi lift an eyebrow, wondering if this Terumi person was really that scary.

Zabuza tried and failed to suppress a shiver after remembering the terror that was a pissed of Mei.

Naruto started to walk towards Tazuna. "Now that the unimportant things are over, time to deal with the important part of the mission." he muttered to himself, though everyone heard him.

He didn't make more than five steps however before he was drenched from head to toes with a Suiton jutsu, courtesy of Miria.

He slowly turned around. He took one step towards Miria. Everyone was silent, watching and holding their breaths. Naruto took another step. Then another.

Miris started to back off, frantically waving her hands in front of her. "Now, don't get mad Naruto-kun, I only did it to clean you. You were covered in blood, and it was the blood of these bastards to boot." said Miria frantically, trying to save herself from Naruto's retribution.

Naruto abruptly stopped and sighed. "Fine. But next time warn me first." He closed his eyes for a second and with a burst of red chakra all the water on him was evaporated. He quickly covered the rest of the distance between him and Miria, whacked her on the top of the head with Yamato's sheath, and resumed walking towards Tazuna.

He stopped in front of Tazuna and asked. "Tazuna-san, is there a person who is in charge of the Land of Waves? A mayor or something?"

"Well, before Gato arrived, I was the mayor of this town, and since there is no other settlement here except a couple of small villages…" answered Tazuna nervously, making sure to keep his tone polite, since he didn't want to get on the bad side of this man.

Naruto nodded. "In that case, I have a proposition for you from the Mizukage, Tazuna-san."

Tazuna looked at him full of curiosity. "And what proposition would that be, shinobi-san?" he asked intrigued.

"Please call me Naruto. As for the proposition, we would like you to allow Kiri ships use your harbor without paying taxes as well as make trading arrangements with Kiri. In return, we will pay Konoha's mission for you, give you twenty of the forty million ryo we took form Gato, and have Kiri shinobi permanently stationed here so that incidents like that won't happen again. If you agree with the terms, an ambassador from Kiri better versed than I in trading will arrive soon to iron out the details of the agreement." answered Naruto.

Tazuna took a few moments to gather his wits. It was an impressive offer no matter how you looked at it. He looked at Naruto suspiciously. "The Mizukage actually offered all this?"

"No." admitted Naruto. "I was simply tasked with ensuring that Kiri would get the trading alliance and the tax exclusion. What Kiri would offer in return was left to my discretion. Rest assured, if you agree you will receive what I promised you." he added.

Tazuna pretended to think for a few minutes, more for effect than any other reason. Both him and Naruto knew that he would agree.

While Tazuna was pretending to thing, Kakashi was doing some actual thinking of his own. "A mayor he might be, but Tazuna clearly doesn't understand much about trading or politics. This deal is clearly in favour of Kiri, especially on the long run. Furthermore, by implying that he isn't well versed in trading, Naruto made Tazuna believe that he gets the better end of the deal. The Mizukage has taught Naruto well. She is probably grooming him to be her successor. Though why would anyone want to deal with all that paperwork is beyond me."

Kakashi could honestly say that he was impressed with Naruto. He toyed with the idea of revealing this to Tazuna, but in doing so he might very well cause war between Konoha and Kiri. Not to mention that the Kiri shinobi would kill him and his students on principle.

His musings were interrupted by Tazuna, who decided they had waited enough. "Very well, I agree with your proposition. Will we receive the money now or later?" he asked.

Naruto took a thinking pose. "Well, if I've understood everything correctly, the Konoha shinobi are to stay here until you finish building your bridge. We will give you the money now and stay here until your guardians and the ambassador arrive to make sure no one will try to steal them. We will contact Kiri right away. They should be here by the time you finish the bridge." answered Naruto.

Hearing this, Miria bit her thumb and quickly went through the handsigns for the summoning jutsu, summoning a black crow twice the size of a normal one. She quickly wrote a message explaining the situation and asked the crow to deliver it to the Mizukage.

Naruto asked Tazuna if there was a place big enough to store all the money. He pointed an empty building nearby that was once used to store trading goods.

Naruto turned to the Kiri shinobi. "Miria, Chojuro, Haku, take the money there. You are on guard duty until we leave. Don't let anyone inside unless Tazuna or myself are with them." he barked. Miria and Chojuro left immediately, while Haku looked at Zabuza who nodded.

Naruto walked towards Zabuza, discussing something with him in hushed voices, before they left to do who knows what. As they left, Naruto glanced backwards to Kakashi for a second.

Kakashi sighed. They all needed rest today, but the next day would be, to quote the Nara men, very troublesome.

He didn't see the eagle made form ink that was flying towards Konoha, holding a message in its claws.

And this is the second chapter. In the next chapter you will see the interaction between Naruto and the Konoha team (if you like Sasuke and Sakura you won't like it, I warn you) as well as learn a few more things about Naruto. You will also see what Danzo will do once he learns about Naruto.