So the only one to really have to watch out for was their jonin. The genin would be either new brats fresh from their ninja school, or they'd be no-talent older types that couldn't pass the chunin exam. Well, they MIGHT be the sort that just had no drive or ambition to go after the higher rank and higher chance of dying in a suitably violent manner.
Zabuza was quite familiar with how that sort of thing worked out. When he was younger, his response would have been something along the line of: wake up late, get breakfast, kill everyone from ambush using silent killing techniques, have a light lunch, get paid, leave for the next job.
Nowadays though, he'd usually leave the little kids alive. With any luck, he'd scare them enough that his reputation would grow - and with that came extra job leads. There was always someone who wanted someone else dead, and if they had the money - he was certainly willing to take the work.
So Zabuza Momochi waited for Haku to give notice that the group from that rainbow-and-unicorn happy-ninja crowd over in Konohagakure was around.
In the meantime, he had tea.
One must have priorities after all. He was a murdering mercenary, a bloodthirsty monster, a tool to live and die on the battlefield. It didn't mean that he couldn't be civilized, particularly on his off-hours.
"We made good time," said Kakashi. "Naruto? Why are you so distracted?"
"Eh?" asked Naruto. "Oh, sorry Kakashi-sensei. Ring-san has this function..."
"Function?" asked Sasuke.
"It knows a lotta stuff," said Naruto. "For example it was telling me that my chakra affinity is wind, so it's easier for me to fly and do stuff like that. Ring-san is also telling me stuff like the temperature of the water, what's in it, air temperature, wind speed, humidity..."
"Ah, useless information," noted Sasuke.
"How the nearest boat has four mercenaries armed with swords, apparently on 'picket duty' or something. What's 'picket duty'?" asked Naruto.
"It means that they're guards posted to an area where they will intercept anyone trying to pass them," said Kakashi. "Where?"
Naruto concentrated and a blue glow from the ring formed a cloud in the air that quickly became an area map. Blinking dots formed at haphazard intervals.
Kakashi blinked. "That is... kind of handy."
"Ring-san says that if someone is using a stealth-jutsu, it'd have to be a lot closer to detect 'em. These guys are just hiding in the fog though and can be spotted really far away," said Naruto. "Can I learn a stealth-jutsu, Kakashi-sensei?"
Sakura snorted, visibly realized something, then clenched her hands in a pleading gesture. "Please Kakashi-sensei! Can you teach him a 'go away' or 'keep quiet' jutsu?"
Sasuke smirked.
"We'll see," said Kakashi, studying the map. "Where are we?"
Another glowing dot formed, pulsing a little faster than the others.
"There's a boat to take us into Wave itself," said Tazuna, studying the map and then pointing. "It will be there."
"Good," said Kakashi. "Naruto, there will likely be enemy ninja trying to observe us. Let's keep your ring's abilities a secret for now."
Zabuza stuck his head up slightly, smirking under his mask as he finished getting into position. Tazuna would arrive and have to head along one of three paths to reach his home.
If one knew where the target would go, it was a simple matter to set up an ambush. When the target was in range, killing that target was usually a pretty simple matter. The presence of samurai (not just the mercenary sword-wielder type but the ones like the Land Of Iron had) or ninja complicated that.
Ah, here they came. A jonin-sensei and three kids, plus the bridge-builder. Now, which approach to go for?
Dramatic Entry or Sudden Death Overture? Hmmm. Oh, why not?
As expected, when he began his move the jonin detected it and was warning the children to duck. Now just stick the sword into the tree in order to be looking down upon his prey, dramatic monologue ready to go. Reputation was a big part of getting business after all.
"Well, well, well, look at what we have here. Three little birds and a mama bird," chuckled Zabuza, raising his emitted Killing Intent to 3.
Hmmm. One of the kids looked ready to bolt already. Then there was one kid who had a kunai in each hand, ready to fight. Finally there was a third kid who was standing next to the bridge builder and had put a blue dome up around them? Interesting, some sort of barrier jutsu. Well, deal with that when necessary.
"Kakashi Hatake," said Zabuza, recognizing the jonin. "The fabled Copycat Nin, alias Sharingan Kakashi. Master of a thousand jutsu. I've read your entry in my Bingo Book."
"Zabuza Momochi of the Bloody Mist, master of silent killing techniques," said Kakashi. "Here for Tazuna, I take it."
"Oh yes," said Zabuza. "A job's a job."
"That's a BIG sword," noted the kunai-wielder.
"The Decapitating Carving Knife, Kubikiribocho," said Zabuza. "Why not just let the bridge-builder die? I'm sure you weren't paid enough to face me and you can get these little kids back without a scratch."
"I'm afraid we can't do that," said Kakashi.
"Why are we even talking to this guy?" asked Naruto.
"It's part of a standard ninja battle," explained Kakashi. "The protocol was developed during the First Ninja War. When individual combat is about to begin, there are introductions and often a Dramatic Entry."
"They don't even know THAT much?" asked Zabuza. "They really ARE fresh meat."
"Well, the Demon Brothers just went for Sudden Death Overture instead of observing the forms," said Kakashi with a slight shrug.
"Against you? They wouldn't have lasted long," noted Zabuza. "What's the blue glow? One of your genin has a bloodline ability?"
"Something like that," admitted Kakashi.
"Well, shall we get to it?" asked Zabuza.
"You've got a bit of mustard there by your mouth," pointed out Kakashi.
"Oh?" asked Zabuza, dabbing at the bandages around his mouth.
"That's got it," confirmed Kakashi.
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(Posted Sun, 01 May 2011 17:25)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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