Combo Technique

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu." Zabuza had no time to dodge. A blast of fire shot out from the forest, completely destroying the clone.

Naruto looked around. The situation was far from optimistic. Kakashi was trapped in the Water Prison, while Sasuke and Kiba Inuzuka were both lying on the ground.

"Quick, take Sasuke and Kiba Inuzuka to Tazuna," Naruto said.

Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata moved swiftly.

"Summoning Jutsu." Naruto slapped the ground, and after a puff of smoke, a small fox with four tails and light red fur appeared.

The Nine-Tails had taught him this.

"I am Kagura, the medical fox," the fox said.

"Sasuke and Kiba Inuzuka are injured. Go help treat them. I'll protect you," Naruto said.

Kakashi had actually known Naruto for a long time. Sometimes, he watched Naruto from afar to make sure he was safe. After all, Kakashi was the Fourth Hokage's prized student.

"Shadow Clone Technique." Naruto spoke, and four clones appeared. They scattered, forming a square formation around Tazuna, Sasuke, Naruto, and Kagura.

"Ninja Art: Purple Flame Formation." The clones spoke in unison. Suddenly, a purple barrier rose around them, ensuring Zabuza could not enter.

"Don't touch the walls, or you'll get burned. The barrier will keep protecting you," Naruto explained.

"Oh, a genin who knows sealing techniques. Not bad," Zabuza said, creating several more water clones.

Inside the barrier, Kagura treated them. Sasuke had broken ribs, while Kiba Inuzuka had several bruises and a dislocated shoulder.

"We need to get Kakashi out of the Water Prison first," Kurenai Yuhi said.

The water clones approached them, and one of them recited:

"Hidden Mist Jutsu."

A thick mist appeared, blocking everyone's vision. Hinata activated her Byakugan, but with chakra mixed into the mist, she could not see much.

Naruto activated his Sharingan, trying to find Zabuza, but he sensed someone watching the battle. Their chakra level was roughly that of a chunin.

Naruto quietly warned the others with hand signals.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough." Naruto and Hinata spoke at the same time. They drew in air and unleashed a powerful gust, completely blowing away the mist and making Zabuza frown.

Naruto swiftly destroyed Zabuza's clones with a fireball. Taking advantage of the moment, he picked up a kunai, infused it with Lightning Release chakra, and hurled it into the forest at incredible speed.

The ninja watching the battle had not expected that move. Before he could react, the kunai buried itself deep in his shoulder.

Realizing he had been discovered, the ninja leaped over to stand beside Zabuza.

"How did you discover Haku?" Zabuza asked in surprise.

"A trivial trick," Naruto said.

"It's fine. Let's end this now," Zabuza said. Haku formed several hand seals.

"Thousand Flying Water Needles."

Thousands of water needles flew toward them.

"Hinata," Naruto said.

"Eight Trigrams Palms: Revolving Heaven." Hinata said. A blue dome of chakra appeared around her, deflecting every water needle.

Looks like I'll have to start training our class seriously, Kakashi thought.

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu." Naruto said.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough." Hinata said.

Their combination technique created a massive torrent of fire that surged toward Zabuza. With his shoulder injured, Haku did not have time to use a Water Release technique. The two leaped aside, and Zabuza had no choice but to release the Water Prison, freeing Kakashi.

Kakashi caught his breath.

"Thanks."

"Haku, we're leaving," Zabuza said, and then he and Haku teleported away. He knew he had no chance. Not only did he have to face Kurenai Yuhi, known as Konoha's Queen of Genjutsu, but also that blond brat and the girl from the Hyuga Clan, with Kakashi now free as well.

Naruto dispelled the barrier.

"How is everyone?" Naruto asked Kagura, who was treating Kiba Inuzuka's wounds.

Sasuke was astonished by Naruto and Hinata's strength, as well as how flawlessly they worked together.

"I've already treated them. Their injuries aren't life-threatening. This one," Kagura said, pointing at Sasuke, "needs to rest for a few days. He has fractured bones."

"Tazuna, take us back to your house. Zabuza will return, and we need to prepare," Kakashi said. They left, with Kurenai Yuhi carrying Sasuke.

... Tazuna's House ...

After traveling several kilometers, Teams Seven and Eight finally arrived at Tazuna's home with him. The house stood by the sea and looked like a simple wooden cabin. Tazuna led the ninja inside.

"I'm back, Tsunami," Tazuna said happily, finally home.

"Dad." Tsunami hugged him. "I'm so glad you're all right."

"It's thanks to these ninja. They saved me," Tazuna said.

Tsunami walked over to the ninja who had protected her father and bowed.

"Thank you. Welcome to our home."

Tsunami then arranged rooms for the injured to recover in.

"Sakura," Kakashi said, "tomorrow, we'll begin training more seriously. We need to be prepared for Zabuza to declare war again."

"How can we possibly fight a jonin after only a few days?" Sakura asked.

"Have you forgotten who saved us?" Kakashi asked in return. "It was the genin of Team Eight, while Kiba Inuzuka and Sasuke were beaten without any ability to fight back." Kakashi explained, making Kurenai Yuhi secretly snicker to herself.

"All right, but I don't understand what a few days of training will do," Sakura insisted.

"At least it will improve our odds, even if only a little," Kakashi said. In the end, Sakura nodded. Kakashi stood and walked over to Naruto, who was chatting with his teammates.

"Naruto," Kakashi said.

"How do you know my name?" Naruto asked.

"You may not know this, but I secretly watched over you when you were around four years old," Kakashi said.

"Come." Kakashi put a hand on his shoulder. "We need to talk in private."

Naruto nodded, and the two of them teleported to a nearby forest outside the house.

"You remind me of the Fourth Hokage, always seeing the good in everyone." Kakashi recalled his days as a rookie, when he had always been foolishly naive.

Naruto remembered the day he had wandered through the Namikaze Family compound and found a photo of his father's genin team.

"Ah!" Naruto could not stop himself from crying out, startling Kakashi. "I remember now. You used to be a member of my father's genin team, right?" he asked.

Suddenly, Kakashi realized that the child before him was the Fourth Hokage's son. How could that be? He looked exactly like the Fourth. How had no one in Konoha noticed?

Oh, crap. Naruto realized he had let it slip. Panic began to rise in his heart.