Chapter 28 A Shoggoth on the Roof

The body flicker was one of the greatest things that could have happened to Naruto. The technique was simple, use chakra to boost speeds beyond what the eye can see. What made it so useful was that Naruto and Naruto specifically could use it in many different ways other than what it was normally used for. With access to inhuman levels of chakra thanks to Kurama Naruto was able to use it quite often. Not one for doing anything fancy Naruto simply used smoke when using the Body Flicker. Then he started to experiment with the move. Using the same principals as the Body Flicker he realized that instead of moving at blinding speeds to get from point A to point B, why not use it to increase the reflexes. That was what he was doing now with Sasuke's help.

"I'm sorry I think I have something stupid caught in my ear, If I heard you right. You want me. Me who is had the best accuracy at the academy to hurl kunai at you with the intent to kill you", asked Sasuke.

"I think I have this down If I'm right I can use the technique to dodge each and every one of the attacks. But to do that I need a simulated situation that keeps my mind sharp, so yes I am asking you to try and kill me", says Naruto.

"No no, just checking if you were still sane. Ok I'll do it, but if you die I'm not going to take the blame for it", says Sasuke.

"Duly noted, now lets begin", says Naruto.

Sasuke throws a Kunai at Naruto aiming right for his heart. As soon as the kunai is merely inches away Naruto disappears and reappears slightly to the left of where he was standing leaning away from the kunai. Then Sasuke throws more kunai. As Naruto seems to teleport only inches away from the blades it looks almost as if a blur of Naruto is dancing faster than can be seen around the blades. While seemingly teleporting Naruto also bends unnaturally around the kunai as they become harder and harder to dodge. After several minutes Sasuke runs out of Kunai and stares at Naruto.

"Success", screams Naruto happily.

Naruto creates dozens of clones who pick up and return the blades to Sasuke.

"No need for smoke just a boost of reflexes to move very short distances to avoid projectiles while combining it with my ability to bend around the blades. Combine that with my ability to see sound which always travels faster than the kunai and I can tell where they are going. In reality I am not dodging the kunai, but the sound waves that are projected in front of them as they move", says Naruto.

"So you are dodging sound?", asks Sasuke.

"Essentially that is a good way of putting it, with the trail of sound it leaves behind it is much easier to tell the kunai's trajectory and buys me microsecond it would take to figure it out without being able to see sound. It may not seem like a lot of time but those microsecond can be the difference between life and death. And with no smoke to obscure my vision it's even better. Moving such short distances without using the chakra to create the smoke also wastes less chakra than it normally would", says Naruto.

"Alright makes since, so what are you going to do now", asks Sasuke.

Naruto's smile fell.

"Well, back to having nothing to do", says Naruto as he falls to the ground.

"Why not teach it to me", asks Sasuke.

Naruto looks up.

"Well, ok but only the normal Body Flicker. I'm still going to mess around with the dodging thing later, what you do with it is up to you", says Naruto.

Meanwhile at a certain hideout Zabuza carefully inspects his sword. Haku sits quietly next to him while the door opens revealing a short stout man.

"How long is this going to take, It's been over a week and you still haven't gone to take out the Bridge builder. What am I paying you for", says the man.

"Listen here Gato, I don't go into battle without knowing what my enemy is fully capable of, and until I can figure out more about those summons the kid has we are going to bide our time", says Zabuza.

Gato glares at Zabuza.

"You have until tomorrow, once the time comes you will complete your contract or I will find someone who can", says Gato.

Zabuza walks up to Gato with his sword pointed at Gato's neck. As Gato sweats Zabuza swings the sword behind his back fixing it in place. The two body guards standing behind Gato hold carefully to their own swords.

"Fine, tomorrow we strike, but I expect more money, I ain't running a charity here and I don't like dealing with unknowns", says Zabuza.

"Why should I give you more money", asks Gato.

"Simple, if I'm going to stick my neck out I better damn well have the incentive to do it", says Zabuza.

"Will negotiate later, for now just do your damn job", says Gato.

Gato leaves the room.

"What an asshole", says Zabuza.

"So tomorrow", asks Haku.

Zabuza looks at Haku noting the hesitance in his eyes.

" I'll take care of Kakashi, you get the runts, don't play around with them. If the kid summons anything you take him out quickly", says Zabuza.

Reluctantly Haku nods.

Outside the door several rooms away Gato complains on the situation.

"Who the hell does he think he is", says Gato.

His bodyguards say nothing.

"Ok you two, tomorrow you go and kidnap one of the old mans family. See if a little incentive will get him to back down", says Gato.

"But if Zabuza is going to take out the bridge builder anyway why send us to do anything that could harm that", asks one of the bodyguards.

"Because I am hoping all the ninja kill each other, I'm going to get as many men as I can and show up on the bridge. If anyone is still alive they can take them out", says Gato.

"Well yeah but I thought you wanted the builder out of the picture, why care about the ninja", asks the other bodyguard.

"Don't question me, just do it", says Gato.

The two bodyguards nods. They turn around to leave the room when Gato speaks up again.

"I will be their personally to watch Zabuza die, I want also want to see the builder dead before me", says Gato.

His henchmen turn around.

"But we can just bring their body's here for you to see, don't you think it's dangerous for you to show up their, I mean it's not like you will know how the fight went or whether it is just starting or already ended If they see you, you could get killed", says one of the body guards.

"I know what I'm doing, just do as you are told", says Gato.

The henchmen leave his office.

"What an idiot", says one.

"Hey as long as he's paying he can be as stupid as he wants", says the other.

Inari watches from his roof as the fish/frog creature talks to the blond boy with the strange eyes. Truthfully he wanted to tell them they stood no chance at defeating Gato and was angry they talked about the man like he was a joke. Gato had killed the man who practically raised him as a son, how could such a man be a joke. He wanted to tell them to give up but the blond boy's eyes had frightened him, and the creatures he could call on did not help matters. He stayed quiet, truthfully looking at what ninja could do as they trained he almost held out hope that they would succeed, but his experiences made that hope die out like a candle that had been snuffed out.

Looking on as Naruto trained he was caught by surprise when Naruto looked at him then disappeared in a cloud of grey smoke.

"It's not polite to stare at people", says the boy.

Inari turns around to see Naruto standing behind him. Inari looks back and only sees the fish/frog looking at the environment as a small wisp of grey smoke begins to disappear.

"It's called body flicker, I move to fast for you to see", says Naruto.

Inari closes his eyes trying his best to look unimpressed.

"There is something bothering you, you have been trying to tell me something but seem to timid to do so, why?", asks Naruto.

"Your eyes are scary", says Inari.

Naruto nods. Before a small sound can be heard. Inari looks back as Naruto's eyes have been changed into normal blue eyes.

"Is this better", asks Naruto.

"How did you do that", asks Inari.

"Transformation, I am unique when it comes to the technique, so without that distraction tell me what's on your mind", asks Naruto.

"You know Gato's going to kill you all right", says Inari.

"Gato is a fool, a dangerous fool but a fool none the less. He couldn't kill me if he tried. He has people to do that for him, and they are ineffective against ninja. The only thing we have to worry about is ninja he higher", says Naruto.

Inari glares at Naruto.

"What do you know"

Naruto raises an eyebrow as he sits next to Inari.

"Quite a lot actually. Either way it's not important. You may believe me unable to defeat Gato, but do you think Gato can handle the creatures I can summon at will", asks Naruto.

Inari looks back at the Fish/Frog sitting down.

"They don't look that tough", says Inari.

"Really", says Naruto smirking.

He stands up to bit his thumb. He slams it on the roof. Suddenly a massive multi-eyed black blob appears on the roof.

"Well would you look at that, A Shoggoth on the roof", says Naruto smiling.

Inari recoils and backs away from the massive beast as it moves unnaturally around. It's many eyes shifting around. Naruto snaps his fingers causing it to disappear in a puff of smoke.

"Still think that they aren't so tough", asks Naruto.

Inari slowly backs away from Naruto. Mindful of what to say but no words come out his mouth.

"Don't be scared, he's gone now. And the only thing I plan on using it against is whoever plans on killing your grandfather. They are quite resilient. It is difficult to kill an amorphous creature", says Naruto.

Inari put on a brave face as he turns to Naruto, the hesitation obvious in his eyes.

"Ok maybe you can stop Gato", says Inari.

"And I can summon creatures much more powerful than that. Even if I didn't use them, I have many tricks that no one will see coming", said Naruto.

Inari looks back up at Naruto not believing him based on his features.

"And that's not counting the things my teammates and sensei can do, you can believe me when I say you are in good hands", says Naruto.

And with that Naruto disappears in a cloud of smoke reappearing next to the Fish/frog. Inari waits for a moment before heading inside, still scared of the creature he saw but feeling like even Gato could not do anything about it, and for the first time in a long time Inari smiled.

The next day was much different. A thick mist formed all around the island and the mood was somber. There was little doubt that Zabuza would show his face today. Naruto looked out the window as the others were eating Tsunami's breakfast.

"Seems like the atmosphere is perfect for when things start to go to hell", says Naruto.

Tazuna pales at this. Kakashi notices.

"Don't worry, we are here to protect you. You have nothing to fear", says Kakashi.

Tazuna does calm a bit.

"I think we should all go out to the bridge today, something is strange with this mist. It's different from the one Zabuza used", says Naruto.

"What do you mean Naruto", asks Sakura.

"There is something about this mist I don't like. I feel like something is watching me through it, but not Zabuza", says Naruto.

Kakashi looks up.

"Don't worry Naruto, just protect Tazuna and leave everything to me when Zabuza comes, but there is something off about this mist. I just don't know what it is", says Kakashi.

Naruto nods.

Meanwhile out in the Mist a shadowed man watches on as the team prepares itself.

"Don't disappoint me, my puppet", speaks an inhuman voice as the shadowed man fades into the mist.

As Team 7 heads to the bridge they become mindful of their surroundings. They watch Tazuna carefully as he begins his work.

After only moments Naruto begins to feel uneasy. Then they hear the familiar sound of a blade cutting air. They all duck with Kakashi grabbing Tazuna as the massive sword flies overhead. It is then caught in the hand of Zabuza while a masked figure stands next to him.

"Take out the brats, don't hold back. I'll deal with Kakashi", says Zabuza.

The masked figure nods as it jumps to the bridge. Zabuza charges Kakashi.