"This kunai is engraved with the Flying Thunder God technique. The moment you sense danger, channel your chakra into it—I'll immediately extract you."
Minato Namikaze handed a kunai to Obito Uchiha.
"The scroll's mission only requires you to impersonate the Fourth Mizukage and talk to Zabuza. Whatever you do, do not engage in direct combat."
Though they didn't belong to this era, the fact that the name 'The Demon of the Hidden Mist' had spread meant that his strength, ferocity, and killing intent were far beyond what Obito—currently just a Chūnin—could handle on his own.
Obito stowed the kunai in his ninja pouch and adjusted the orange goggles on his forehead protector.
"Don't worry, Minato-sensei!"
Obito shrugged unconcernedly. "Didn't you say Zabuza's injuries weren't fully healed yet?"
Minato's expression grew serious as he reiterated the importance of caution. "Remember that SSS-rank mission? That masked man from Kirigakure might be far stronger than we think. He wouldn't have been rated S-rank otherwise."
"Got it!" With a 'thud,' Obito transformed into the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi. "I'm off, Minato-sensei."
"Mhm." Minato gave a final reminder, "If danger arises, use the Flying Thunder God kunai."
"Got it."
Obito leapt from the treetops, racing toward Zabuza's beehive-shaped stronghold.
Minato's eyes remained fixed on his departing figure, his senses alert to the fluctuations of chakra around him.
By now, Zabuza no longer needed to rest in bed. He could move around freely, though he was far from regaining his peak combat condition.
Through their last battle, Minato had already figured out Kakashi Hatake's techniques.
Kakashi of the Sharingan!
Next time, he would make sure to repay him fully!!
Haku stayed by Zabuza's side. "Zabuza-san, next time, let me handle Kakashi's three students."
"Hm?"
Haku smiled softly. "That way, you can go all out against Kakashi, right? It's been a while since you've faced an opponent like him."
It was clear that Haku understood Zabuza deeply.
Almost every action was calculated to align with Zabuza's desires.
Zabuza spread his large hand and slapped it lightly onto Haku's head, ruffling his silky hair with a casual motion. "Alright."
Haku seemed pleased, likely feeling a sense of acknowledgment—or perhaps realizing that the once-lonely boy had finally found a place where he belonged. Wherever Zabuza was, that was his home.
The base was large, and those who had survived the coup he and Zabuza had started years ago had all followed him here.
When Obito reached the lowest entrance of the base, he was immediately faced with a dilemma.
In such a vast place, how on earth was he supposed to find Zabuza?!
Looking at the Kirigakure ninja patrolling the gate, he couldn't exactly just walk up and ask for directions, could he?!
Hiding behind a large tree not far from the stronghold, Obito, disguised as Yagura Karatachi, cautiously peered out to observe the movements of the patrolling Kiri ninja.
But he didn't notice another ninja stationed higher up, surveying the surroundings from above!
'Whoosh!'
A kunai flew past, embedding itself in the tree trunk where he was concealed!
"Who goes there?! Show yourself!!"
Obito recalled his mission was to speak with Zabuza, not provoke conflict. He stepped out immediately!
"I am the Fourth Hokage—"
Before he could finish, the Kirigakure ninja who spotted him recoiled, as if they had seen a ghost!
"Y-Ya, Y-Ya. Y-Y-Ya, Yag..."
"Yagura Karatachi?!!!"
Amid the chaos of fleeing ninjas and the sounds of shrieking, Obito actually witnessed two Kirigakure ninjas commit suicide right in front of him.
"..."
He wanted to shout, I didn't start this fight! Is it too late to just have a chat with Zabuza?!
The air felt thick, heavy with awkwardness…
The once well-guarded entrance to the base was suddenly deserted?!
Obito had no choice but to force himself forward.
When the news of "Yagura Karatachi is here!" spread, most of the people ran toward Zabuza's direction, while others scrambled to find hiding spots, trembling in fear.
Obito looked around at the empty outpost, feeling completely speechless.
Snap!
A faint sound came from the two o'clock direction ahead.
It was a Kirigakure ninja hiding, trembling so much that he dropped his kunai.
Obito followed the sound…
Seriously, he just wanted to ask for directions.
"Aaah—!"
The ninja grabbed the kunai from the ground and immediately killed himself.
So fast! So quick! He didn't even give Obito a chance to explain himself!!
But Obito couldn't undo his Transformation Technique—that would guarantee his own death.
He pressed on, charging forward.
"Zabuza-san!!" A Kirigakure ninja burst through the door, rushing in.
Haku's senbon was less than half a centimeter away from his throat.
Staring at the deadly needle that was poised to kill him in the next second, the man gasped, glancing at Zabuza inside the room: "Yag... Yag...Yagu—"
"Yagura Karatachi has arrived!!!"