Naruto: Unlimited Power

 "Elite Jonin? Don't make me laugh!" A suit wearing business man mocked.

Positioned inside a secret hideout, this building was constructed among many misty trees. Injured from battle, Zabuza was laying in bed, accompanied by a young and patient Haku, seated in a chair next to his bed.

Enthralled by these words, Haku sprang to his feet, knocking the seat beneath him. Startled by this sound, a pair of bodyguards gripped the ornate hilt of their blades, scowling with suspicious looks.

"Let's hear what you have to say." Outstretching his hand, this short businessman reached for Zabuza.

"Keep your filthy hands away from him." Haku snapped Gato's wrist.

As cracking bones filled the air, Gato screamed with agony, shoved to the wooden floor. Unsheathing their blades, his bodyguards rushed forward, abruptly caught by Haku's shadow.

"Don't push me." Snarling, this shinobi disarmed each of his attackers.

"One more chance! If you fail again, I'll cut you off!" Gato stomped past his bodyguards, vanishing from sight.

After his failed attempt on the 4th Mizukage's life, Zabuza ran from town too town. Now, he relied on Gato for funds and smuggling, using every opportunity to flee for his endangered life.

Strolling beside his sensei, Haku picked his chair up before sitting down with a smile. Defined by a wide and prominent grin, his pale face sparkled like diamonds, acting like nothing happened.

Meanwhile.

The sound of construction filled the air, As squawking seagulls and crashing waves made their presence felt. Obscured by a large crane, beams of steel and planks of wood were carried through the background.

Pushing his safety hat up, Tazuna was directing a large crowd of veteran workers. Screwing bolts into an iron and metallic railing, these workers dreamed of a better life for their country.

After several moments, the yawning silhouette of Sakura came into view, walking beside Sasuke. Each of these Genin escorted Tazuna around his bridge, offering protection and aid.

"I need to speak with you." An unknown worker cut in, met by an approving nod.

"It's about the bridge... I've pushed my luck to far, I want out." Hearing these words, Tazuna clenched both fists.

"I stayed this long because of our friendship... But it's only a matter of time before Gato kills you." Tearing his hat off, this worker trembled with fear.

"Enough, it's time for lunch!" Tazuna spat, waving a dismissive hand.

"Oh, and Geichi…. Don't bother coming back." Choking on his statement, Tazuna was concealed by rays of sunlight.

Four hours later.

Walking through a rotten and ransacked town, this settlement hovered above a small river. Held in place by aged wood, this shanty town was barely above the water's surface.

"Where are we going?" Sakura questioned.

"I need to pick up some stuff for dinner." Tazuna muttered.

Strolling inside a nearby food market, the shelves were partially bare, filled only with rotten food. Lowering her head with pity, Sakura glanced at the floor with a downcast face.

"Hold on to these." Slurring his words, he gifted this kunoichi with food.

Returning to the depressed street, Sasuke and Sakura walked behind Tazuna ready to get back.

Five minutes later.

"Do you have any food." A foreign child spoke out, dressed in ragged clothes.

Reaching into his satchel, Sasuke revealed a sealed scroll that Naruto gave him. Breaking the seal, a plate of fresh fish was exposed, hastily snagged by a group of malnutrition children.

"This is why I must finish the bridge, it's our last symbol of hope." Tazuna slurred, gazing at the blue sky overhead.

Three hours later.

"It's been ages since we had guests at our house." Tazuna chuckled, seated with team 7 inside his kitchen.

Seated inside of Tazuna's kitchen, Team 7 were gathered around a wooden table. Munching and gnawing at white rice and salted fish, they only absence was Naruto, still unconscious and asleep.

"Excuse me, why is that picture torn?" Sakura glared at a framed photo on the wall.

Inspired by these words, Inari shot up from his seat, dashing out the kitchen, running from view. Left in an awkward silence, Sakura ran one hand through her bright pink hair.

"They used to call him the hero of this land..." Tazuna spoke with regret.

"He wasn't Inari's real father... But he brought so much happiness." Pinching his nose, he groaned.

But, all of that happiness ended when Gato arrived, ending Kaiza's life, and Inari's smile. Now, Inari never laughs or smiles, instead, he was a walking reminder of everything that he lost.

Three days later.

"Sasuke's not here? He must have been out all night again." Tazuna coughed.

Eating his morning meal of white rice and seared fish, this middle-aged man sat in the kitchen. Accompanied by Sakura, Inari, Tsunami and Kakashi, they were illuminated by exterior light from the window.

"What about that blond kid? He's been sleeping for five days now." Inari cut in.

Reading his fabled orange book with one hand, Kakashi turned the page before humming. Without removing his mask, he ate and chew a mouthful of food, stroking his concealed chin.

"He is a hero of our village." After speaking, his words caused Inari's eyes to bulge.

Carrying great effect on Inari, the word 'hero' cut an awkward hole through the air. Leaping to his feet, this young boy ran out the room, running from his emotions, and his failures.

Meanwhile

Sleeping in the center of a grassy grove, Sasuke was surrounding by the tree branches above him. Holding the empty sheath of his disarmed blade, he dreamed of a new sword, depending on Naruto to clone it.

Twitching under skipping talons, a flock of birds perched atop Sasuke's stained stomach. Brushing these animals to the side, Sasuke sat up, rubbing his scalp before yawning into one hand.

"You'll catch a cold if you sleep out here." Haku spoke.

Dressed in an ankle-length pink kimono, a necklace of freshly pick seashells hung his neck. This brought attention to his snow white skin, a trait from being a member of the Yuki clan.

"Im gathering herbs... I didn't think I'd see anyone out here." Holding a basket of flowers, he sat down.

"You sure start work early..." Sasuke exclaimed, rubbing his eyes.

Catching a glimpse of Sasuke's Konoha headband, Haku smile with sincerity. Tilting his feminine face to the side, his giggle was dampened by the distant squawk of chirping Seagulls

"I'm just developing my skills, so I can get stronger." Explaining his vigorous excise, Sasuke stretched.

"Are you doing it for a certain person? For your family? Or for yourself?" Haku asked.

Cut off by this line of questions, Sasuke blindly stuttered for the answer, unable to reply. He never thought about 'why' or 'how', he just did it, he trained and trained, because that's how he was raised.

"Is there someone who is precious to you?" Filling the air, Haku slurred.

Suddenly, the smiling face of Itachi contorted into Shisui's bloodstained corpse. After several moments, these images melted away, leaving Sasuke in an isolated and barren childhood.

Naruto... A single word made it's presence felt Sasuke's mind.

"When a person has something precious they want to protect, they become strong so they can protect them." Haku murmured before standing up.

Waving goodbye, this Yuki clan member strolled between a pair of bushes. Sasuke couldn't shake these words from his mind, seared into his train of thought.

Meanwhile.

Seated in an opened window of a two-story house, Inari glazed over a thrashing ocean. Holding the framed picture of his step-father, tears streamed from his youthful face, swollen with emotion.

"Naruto..." Inari choked, staring at a picture of Kaiza.

Thirteen hours later.

A fresh and healthy apple was gripped by Zabuza's right hand, crushed into wet chunks. Spewing several pieces of mushy debris, his bandaged hand became soaked and drenched in juice.

"You're recovering quickly." Haku complimented his sensei.

"Just a little longer... And they'll die." Zabuza dropped the crushed remains of his apple.

Two days later.

Seated beside an unconscious Naruto, Inari patiently watched his breathing chest. Battered by a salty gust of wind from the window, his black hair rustled and waved, revealing his teary eyes.

If you care about something, protect it with both arms! The memory of Kaiza bellowed.

"All this stupid training is just a waste of time!" Inari screamed, clenching the fabric of his overalls.

Gato had an entire army of thugs, bandits and murders, killers for hire and chaos. No one could stand against him, no one could stop him, a realization that weighed upon Tazuna's family.

"He's going to beat you down and destroy you!" Haunted by Kaiza's sacrifice, he gagged.

"Just looking at you makes me sick! You don't know anything!" Screeching in disgust, Inari stood up, running out the room.

-Naruto's dreamworld-

He is going to beat you down and destroy you! Inari's voice echoed.

Sprawled across the tranquil surface of a vast ocean, Naruto mindlessly floated. Gazing upon dark and grey clouds, the water below sparkled like pristine sapphire, contrasting the horrendous skyline.

All this stupid training is just a waste of time! Triggered by these words, the sky boomed with thunder.

"You're wrong! I failed him before! But I'll never fail anyone again!" Naruto screamed in protest.

Enamored by this declaration, the water below turned as black as the void, lidless and tainted. Yanked beyond the water's surface, Naruto briefly gasped for air, before casually breathing.

"Boy - you talk to much." A demonic voice choked from beneath him.

Glancing into the swirling abyss below, a pair of crimson eyes pierced the darkness. Chained with iron rods of chakra, this massive beast was held in place by the weighed of a crashing ocean.

"You approach me for power I hate you for it! I will not be chained! BREAK THE SEAL!" Howling, this shrouded fox possessed nine tails.

"GET AWAY!" Naruto screamed, outstretching both hands.

"We'll die without proper food! Wake up now boy!" The imprisoned fox spat.

-Dreamworld ends.

"Help! Leave her alone!" Inari pleaded.

"LEAVE MY SON ALONE! Please!" Tsunami's panicked voice spilt in from an opened window.

Kicking and screaming for aid, this mother and son were attacked by Gato's thugs. A pair of bodyguards, they were bought off and corrupt, fighting only for lavished money and Ryo.

"Let's just kill them both, to avoid the hassle." A muscular man snarled.

Oblivious to his surroundings, Naruto didn't know where he was, but he knew someone needed him and that was it.