Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi

In the end, everyone in Team 7 chose to accept the mission.

Shinki agreed because he noticed that Kakashi-sensei had worn a relaxed expression the whole time.

Apparently, this mission wasn't a difficult one for Kakashi-sensei.

Since they could be sure their lives were safe, there was no harm in making the trip.

After traveling for another half day, the group reached the coast.

After Uncle Tazuna negotiated with a boatman, the man took on a look of longing and agreed to take them to the Land of Waves.

As they drew closer to the Land of Waves, Shinki noticed the fog over the sea growing thicker.

A little farther on, Shinki spotted an unfinished bridge over the water.

Uncle Tazuna pointed at the bridge and said, "My mission in coming back is to finish building that bridge, give the Land of Waves a route to the outside world, and free it from Gato's clutches."

"We're saving the people of an entire country!"

Naruto shook Shinki's hand excitedly as he spoke.

Shinki nodded, feeling that he had made the right choice.

Soon, the boat reached the Land of Waves, and Shinki and the others went ashore.

After landing, Uncle Tazuna looked noticeably more relaxed. "All right! We're finally in the Land of Waves. Please, you have to make sure I get home safely!"

Kakashi still looked listless, as though the whole thing was a bother. "Now that we've landed in the Land of Waves, any ninja who come after us will probably be Chunin or Jonin. The three of you need to be careful at all times."

"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei. I can protect myself!"

Naruto thumped his chest as he made the promise.

Shinki, meanwhile, watched his surroundings warily.

Ever since they had landed on the island, he had felt that something was off. It seemed someone had been watching him the whole time.

Along the way, Uncle Tazuna led them while Shinki, Sasuke, and Kakashi protected him from all sides.

Naruto had stayed rooted to the spot during the last attack, so this time he wanted to wipe away the shame and prove himself. He kept scouting ahead.

Kakashi walked up to him in irritation and punched him on the head. "Hey, quit jumping at shadows. You're putting everyone on edge."

Naruto rubbed the lump on his head and insisted, "What do you mean, jumping at shadows? I'm being careful!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto seemed to notice another disturbance somewhere.

Swish!

A Shuriken flew from his hand!

Shinki sensed that something was off too and looked in the direction Naruto had thrown the Shuriken.

Kakashi punched Naruto on the head again (ꐦ ಠ dish ಠ). "Don't go throwing dangerous things like Shuriken around without thinking. You could easily hit an ordinary person!"

Clutching his head, Naruto refused to give up and went over to check.

Shinki, Sasuke, and Tazuna followed him.

They pushed aside the bushes and found Naruto's Shuriken embedded in the root of a tree.

The tip of the Shuriken had pierced the ear of an innocent little white rabbit, pinning it in place.

"Good thing it was a small animal and not a person. Otherwise, you'd be thrown in jail in the Land of Waves," Sasuke said.

Kakashi, however, stared at the little white rabbit by the tree root, looking thoughtful.

Shinki spoke up. "Strange, white fur? Rabbits of this breed should only have white fur in winter, when the days are shorter... Or it was raised indoors, somewhere sunlight couldn't reach..."

"As for why someone would raise it..."

Kakashi walked over and said, "Specifically to use as a substitute."

Shinki stepped back half a pace in shock. =͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪ ‧̣̥̇)

If that was the case...

Danger was lurking nearby!

Kakashi quickly ordered, "Protect Mr. Tazuna!"

Just then!

Crash!!!

A massive Great Sword over two meters long flew out of the dense woods!!

Spinning through the air, the Great Sword hurtled toward Tazuna's head!

Shinki hurriedly pulled Shuriken from his ninja tool pouch and threw them at the Great Sword!

Swish, swish, swish!

The Shuriken split into hundreds and thousands of copies and collided with the enormous Great Sword.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang...

The repeated collisions knocked the Great Sword off course.

It struck a tree to the left of Shinki's group!

Immediately afterward!

A figure darted out of the dense woods!

He leaped onto the hilt of the Great Sword embedded in the tree!

Kakashi's gaze turned cold when he saw the man.

Zabuza Momochi, the missing-nin from Kirigakure known as the "Demon of the Hidden Mist"!

"Kakashi-sensei, leave this guy to me!"

Naruto stepped forward and spoke with righteous conviction.

He was only halfway through speaking when Kakashi barked at him, "Get back! This guy will kill you!"

Naruto said, "What?"

Kakashi explained, "His name is Zabuza Momochi. He was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure, and he specializes in Silent Killing!"

"He's a truly ruthless ninja. It's said that during his ninja graduation exam, he killed every other student in his class single-handedly."

Shinki's eyes widened in shock. "How many were there?"

Before Kakashi could speak, Zabuza, standing on the hilt of the Kubikiribōchō, answered Shinki's question proudly. "Not many. Just around a hundred."

Shinki, Naruto, and Sasuke: Σ( ° △ °|||)︴

Was this what a truly ruthless person was like?!

Shinki stepped back half a pace in shock.

Thinking back on his own ninja graduation exam, all he had done was answer a few questions and use a few Ninjutsu.

Compared to Zabuza's graduation exam, his had been like a child playing in the mud!

There really was always someone better, always a higher peak beyond the next.

It seemed there were countless powerful ninja in this world!

Zabuza's cold, piercing gaze passed straight over the three children and settled on Kakashi. "Copy Ninja Kakashi. I remember your name being in my assassination handbook. You have the Sharingan and have copied over a thousand Ninjutsu."

"Looks like I'll have to deal with you first if I want to kill my target."

Rather than answer Zabuza directly, Kakashi turned back to Shinki and the other two. "The three of you, protect Mr. Tazuna and look for a chance to escape. Don't hesitate!"

"Don't worry. None of you are getting away!"

Zabuza spoke with an arrogant expression.

With that, he jumped onto the surface of the nearby lake and rapidly formed Hand Seals!

"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"

Whoosh...

On the surface of the lake.

White mist began to rise and spread, engulfing Shinki, the other two, and Kakashi!

The mist grew thicker and thicker, blocking the three children's view!

In the oppressive mist, Shinki's breathing grew tense and rapid.

It was the first time he had felt threatened.

"The three of you, protect Mr. Tazuna!"

Kakashi called out a reminder from within the mist.

Zabuza Momochi's cold, emotionless voice echoed through the white mist.

"Throat, spine, lungs, liver, carotid artery, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart. So many vital spots. Which one do you think I should pick?" Zabuza asked mockingly.

He enjoyed the terrified, despairing looks on their faces.