The thick mist that filled the office began to dissipate slowly swirling around the broken furniture and shattered glass.
Zabuza Momochi stumbled backward clutching his chest. A thin trickle of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. He looked at the young man standing in the center of the room with disbelief.
The Gold Card had not only stunned him but the magical impact had disrupted his internal organs.
"Zabuza san!"
Haku moved instantly appearing between Uehara and the injured swordsman. The masked boy held three senbon in each hand his stance defensive and desperate.
"You won't touch him" Haku said his voice calm but underlining a fierce resolve.
Uehara Naraku stood there shuffling the deck of glowing cards in his hand. He looked at the pair with interest. The bond between Zabuza and Haku was famous in the ninja world but to Uehara they were essentially a boss monster and his summon.
"I am not interested in touching him" Uehara said flipping a card between his fingers. "I am interested in whether he can survive the next round. You blocked one card Zabuza but can you block a full deck?"
Zabuza grit his teeth pushing Haku aside gently.
"Move Haku. This kid... he is a monster. His jutsu has no hand signs and I can't read his chakra flow."
Zabuza gripped the Kubikiribocho with both hands his muscles bulging. He was the Demon of the Hidden Mist. He had killed over a hundred students in his graduation exam. He would not fall to a teenager in a raincoat.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Zabuza wove signs with blinding speed. A massive dragon made of water materialized from the moisture in the air roaring as it charged toward Uehara.
Uehara didn't move. He didn't blink.
"Boring."
He raised his hand. His new item Nashor's Tooth hummed with power.
"Wild Cards."
Three cards shot out. They didn't just fly; they screamed through the air powered by the increased attack speed and ability power.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
The cards collided with the water dragon. The magical energy infused in the cards acted like a hot knife through butter. They sliced the dragon into three segments causing it to collapse into harmless puddles of water before continuing their path toward Zabuza.
"What?!" Zabuza's eyes widened. "He cut through the jutsu physically?"
"Ice Style: Ice Dome!"
Haku stepped forward again forming a seal. A thick dome of ice rose from the ground encasing Zabuza and himself protecting them from the lethal cards.
CRACK!
The cards slammed into the ice. The ice splintered and spiderwebbed but it held.
Uehara raised an eyebrow. "Ice Style? A Kekkei Genkai. Rare. Very rare."
He walked forward slowly his boots clicking on the wet wooden floor.
"But ice is just frozen water. And water... breaks."
Uehara raised his hand again. This time a Red Card appeared swirling with volatile crimson energy.
"Let's see if your ice can handle some heat."
He threw the Red Card.
It landed right at the base of the ice dome.
BOOM!
The explosion was deafening. The magical blast shattered the ice dome sending shards flying like shrapnel. Haku was thrown backward his mask cracking from the force. Zabuza was forced to plant his sword in the ground to keep from being blown away.
Dust and ice crystals filled the air.
As the smoke cleared Uehara was already standing in front of them. He wasn't even out of breath.
"Is that it?" Uehara asked looking down at them. "I expected more from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
Zabuza panted heavily. He realized the gap in power. This kid wasn't just a Genin. He was an elite likely on par with the Kage.
"Who... who are you?" Zabuza asked wiping blood from his face.
"I told you" Uehara said looking at his fingernails. "I am Akatsuki. We are a mercenary group. We like peace. And money. Mostly money."
He turned his gaze away from the defeated ninjas and looked toward the corner of the room.
Gato was trying to crawl out of the window. The short businessman was sweating profusely his sunglasses askew.
"Going somewhere Mr Gato?" Uehara asked pleasantly.
Gato froze. He turned around his face pale.
"Wait! Wait!" Gato stammered. "I have money! Lots of money! I can hire you! Whatever Gato pays you I will pay double! Triple!"
Uehara walked over to the desk. He picked up the contract Gato had been reading earlier.
"You misunderstand" Uehara said. "I am not here to be hired. I am here to facilitate a hostile takeover."
"Takeover?" Gato blinked.
"Your shipping company" Uehara explained. "Your assets. Your routes. Your bank accounts. The Akatsuki is seizing them. Consider it a tax for being annoying."
"You can't do that!" Gato shrieked. "I have connections! I know politicians!"
"And I know how to throw sharp cards" Uehara replied.
Swish.
A single card flew from his hand. It sliced cleanly across Gato's neck.
The businessman's eyes went wide. He clutched his throat making a gurgling sound before collapsing onto the expensive rug.
Silence fell over the room.
[Mission Complete: Seize Gato's Assets.]
[Reward: 200 Gold Coins.]
Uehara stepped over the body and picked up Gato's wallet. He opened it and nodded with satisfaction. There were several bank books and keys to the safe.
He turned back to Zabuza and Haku who were watching him warily.
"Now about you two."
Zabuza tightened his grip on his sword ready to fight to the death.
[Main Mission Complete: Defeat Zabuza Momochi.]
[Reward Acquired: Warrior's Blood (Passive Skill).]
[Warrior's Blood: Greatly increases health regeneration. Recover 1 percent of max health every 5 seconds. Increases significantly when out of combat.]
Uehara felt a warm sensation in his body. His small scrapes and bruises from the journey vanished instantly. He felt durable. He felt like he could take a punch from a Tailed Beast and walk it off.
"I have what I want" Uehara said putting the wallet in his pouch.
He looked at Zabuza.
"I could kill you both right now. It would be easy. You are injured and he is exhausted."
Haku stood in front of Zabuza trembling but refusing to move.
"But" Uehara continued "I am in a good mood. Gato is dead so your contract is void. You are unemployed."
"What are you saying?" Zabuza narrowed his eyes.
"Get out of here" Uehara waved his hand dismissively. "Leave the Land of Waves. Or stay. I don't care. Just don't get in my way while I clean up Gato's mess."
Zabuza stared at the boy. He couldn't understand. A ninja sparing an enemy?
"Why?" Zabuza asked.
"Because you are worth more alive than dead" Uehara said cryptically thinking about the plot involving Team 7. "Go heal up Zabuza. You look terrible. If you want a rematch find me later. But bring money next time."
Uehara turned his back on them and walked toward the safe in the wall beginning to crack it open with his cards.
Zabuza hesitated for a moment. Then he sheathed his sword.
"Let's go Haku" Zabuza grunted.
"Yes Zabuza san."
The two rogue ninjas vanished through the broken window leaving Uehara alone in the office with a corpse and a safe full of money.
"Step one complete" Uehara muttered as the safe door popped open revealing stacks of Ryo. "Now I have the money. I have the base. And I have the power."
He walked to the window and looked out at the foggy town below.
"Now where is Naruto Uzumaki?"
.….
Author Note
Hi guys! Thank you for reading my fanfiction.
I wanted to let you know that I'll be releasing bonus chapters for Power Stones. Here are the goals:
15 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
30 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
50 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
75 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
100 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
Thanks for the support!