"Naruto, this isn't a battle for you to join—run!"
Kakashi was extremely anxious. Though the trio had grown quickly, they were still insignificant compared to the infamous traitor Zabuza.
"I got it, boss. Ninjas are just people who steal stuff and run!" Naruto nodded, tensing his arm muscles and thrusting his kunai forward!
But Zabuza's body instantly transformed into river water, his true form flashing out from the thick mist behind Naruto. He swung his sword toward the two of them, stirring a violent gust of wind!
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
Zabuza suddenly felt the heat rising from behind. Before he could react, Kakashi flickered into view, pulling Naruto away so that the strike missed, then sidestepped the fireball.
The rising temperature carried away some of the surrounding chakra, causing the Hidden Mist Technique to begin breaking down.
Though Sasuke had to protect Tazuna from a distance, he could still provide long-range support using Fire Release jutsu.
"Boss, don't go near the water," Kakashi glanced at Naruto.
A gleam appeared in Naruto's eyes as he leapt from Kakashi's embrace, joining Sasuke to shield Tazuna.
Sakura followed, tossing the ninja tool bag to Naruto, and the three of them formed the Swastika formation once again.
"Don't go to the surface?" Kakashi asked.
"The water surface is his territory. If he forces you there, he can send water clones to directly kill Tazuna," Naruto grinned.
A chill ran down Kakashi's spine.
So those three earlier had blocked Zabuza, preventing him from reaching the surface?
According to the original story, Zabuza would have used Kakashi's momentary distraction to break his formation and kick him into the water. The water clones would then immediately rise, using the Water Prison Technique to control Kakashi.
It was a contest between ninjas. Zabuza alone might not have been able to defeat Kakashi. With the goal of killing Tazuna, controlling Kakashi would naturally give him the upper hand.
Unfortunately for him, the trio countered his moves like troublemakers, returning him to square one after a series of maneuvers.
"No worries, brother," Naruto waved at Zabuza. "You're an assassin. Group play is really hard for you!"
Blue veins bulged on Zabuza's hands, his pulse racing, a massive kanji "井" appearing near his temple.
"Kid!!"
Sasuke stared at Naruto in surprise. He was provoking him at this moment?
Yet, throughout the fight, Naruto remained surprisingly relaxed. Despite the intensity, he didn't seem flustered at all…
So, momentum is key?
Sasuke felt he'd learned something—he could use this approach against Itachi in the future.
"Still watching others?" Kakashi seized the opportunity again and charged at Zabuza. Zabuza instinctively swung his sword, and they tangled.
"Earth Release: The Art of Decapitating Hearts."
"What?"
"Boom!" A hand shot out from under Zabuza. Like lightning, he leapt up, instantly releasing his sword and forming hand seals with both hands.
Ugly God Boar…
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Kakashi copied the jutsu, effortlessly countering Zabuza's attack. At this point, Zabuza's advantage as an assassination specialist was further weakened.
He couldn't help but falter.
What to do? Stay calm! This guy only imitates; he doesn't even have his own moves!
At that moment, the whistle that drove Zabuza mad echoed again.
"Brother, are you this useless? Go home, please, go home."
"You'd make a better pile of shit."
Zabuza's silence was deafening…
He was completely enraged. If he couldn't kill Tazuna today, he'd kill this brat instead!
Zabuza adjusted his stance, pushing off the ground with both feet, but Kakashi quickly blocked him.
He saw Naruto's gaze—and in it, there was a hint of pity!
Zabuza charged toward the river again, forming hand seals at incredible speed. A closer look revealed it was Water Release: Waterfall Technique, enough to devastate the surrounding area. Kakashi also formed hand seals, even faster than Zabuza!
Seeing this, Naruto thought: "We're back on track. Now the question is, how do we deal with Haku? Should I strike directly?"
"Will this mission end soon? But we still have climbing training, so I need to consume this experience pack."
Sakura seemed to read Naruto's thoughts and whispered in his ear: "Take care of Haku first, then focus on Kaldor."
Naruto immediately realized the story had shifted; Haku and Zabuza might no longer be the biggest threat.
Let Haku and Zabuza wait a bit longer to be dealt with.
With that, he reentered the spiritual space to visit the Nine-Tails.
Meanwhile…
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Kakashi was faster than Zabuza, letting the roaring river crash toward him. Zabuza doubted his life entirely, shouting "Impossible!" as the whirlpool spun him around, leaving him disoriented.
"Splut! Splut! Splut!" Several kunai pinned the nearly unconscious Zabuza to a tree. Kakashi prepared to behead him.
Just then, Haku arrived as promised.
"Swish! Swish!" Several flying needles pierced Zabuza's neck, and he fell silently to the ground.
Kakashi was startled and traced the masked boy's movements. His deep green tight suit outlined his figure, silver threads shimmering, giving him a cold, otherworldly air—a stark contrast to the deadly silver needles in his hands.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity to kill Zabuza," Haku said politely, but with a hint of indifference, warning strangers to stay away.
"Hidden Mist Pursuit Squad?" Kakashi glanced around, briefly explaining the squad's origin and responsibilities.
"I understand," Naruto nodded seriously, extending a hand. "Alright, please show me your ID."
Kakashi: "?"
Sasuke: "?"
Tazuna: "?"
Sakura: "…"
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Naruto glanced around. "He's wearing a mask, so he's a member of the hunting squad? I'm wearing a Konoha headband, so does that make me the Fifth Hokage?"
Though surprised, Kakashi and the others thought Naruto's reasoning made sense.
Sakura added, "I agree. The village has had cases of impostors posing as elite jonin to scam money. They were deceived because they didn't verify the identity properly."
Of course, this was Sakura's fabrication, but such frauds could plausibly happen in the village.
"Preventing fraud is everyone's responsibility," Naruto nodded. "And our personal records are in the village. If you don't trust us, we can go back together."
Sakura rolled her eyes. That was just a performance—is it really necessary to be this serious?!
Haku also remained silent. He really had no proof.
Even professional pursuit squads might not carry ID with them!
For a moment, Naruto drifted into a daze.
Haku seized the opportunity, thinking of forcibly capturing Zabuza and escaping.
The main concern: Zabuza was massive, slow-moving, and injuring his beautiful body would be a disaster.
Truly complicated.
While Haku pondered, Naruto regained focus.
"Where were we… never mind, no need to say more."
His eyes turned red, pupils almond-shaped and narrow.
Calmly, he said to Sakura:
"Just play. I've got the cheat codes."
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