Zabuza Brought the Little Girl Along!

"So, these two Kirigakure ninja were actually after you, weren't they?"

Sakura, carrying a huge pack of luggage behind her, spoke in a muffled voice.

"Those two ninja were at least Chunin."

"They've been following us all the way since we left the village. For them to be so cautious and obedient, there must be someone behind them. If I'm not mistaken, it should be a Jonin."

"So this mission has now risen to an A-Rank Mission. Mr. Tazuna, perhaps you had no other choice, but this puts us in a difficult position as well."

"Team Seven only graduated two months ago. Do you know what the consequences would be if there had been casualties just now?"

Kakashi's voice turned slightly cold.

Tazuna fell silent, lowering his head.

Uchiha Sasuke became excited upon hearing the word Jonin, but he said nothing, since the decision rested with Naruto.

He could only stare at Naruto with a face full of anticipation.

Sakura, meanwhile, began to think about retreating.

Sakura-bro: Don't be afraid! As long as Naruto-kun is here, everything will be fine!

At that moment, Tazuna began his performance.

The first step: playing the victim.

"Our Land of Waves is an extremely poor little country. Even the Daimyo has no money."

"As for why we issued a C-Rank Mission, it's because we're simply too poor. This is practically the limit of what everyone can afford."

"If we raise the reward any further, we won't even be able to buy materials for the bridge... So please, I'm begging you. If you don't protect me, I'll definitely die, and the bridge will never be built..."

Seeing that the four of them remained unmoved, Tazuna squeezed out tears that did not exist and sighed in a choked voice.

"Forget it. I'd only be forcing you otherwise. I'll go back alone. I accept that I'm destined to die, it's just..."

"My poor grandson... He isn't even ten yet."

"And my daughter, all alone and helpless... She'll probably spend the rest of her life wasting away in resentment toward Konoha's ninja."

"Enough. Things have come to this, and I can't keep pushing my luck. You... go back."

Before Tazuna could finish, Naruto said, "Alright, then we'll head back first."

"Oh, right. We're only twelve too."

Tazuna froze.

In the end, he simply gave up all pretense and hugged Kakashi's leg, crying and begging at the same time.

Kakashi was dumbfounded. Then he helplessly shot Naruto a glance.

I'm not the one making the decision, so why are you begging me?

And!

Don't wipe your snot on my pants!

Trying to get A-Rank Mission service for the price of a C-Rank Mission?

Don't dream too big.

"You have two choices now. First, go back alone while we return to Konoha."

"Second, write an IOU. An A-Rank Mission is an A-Rank Mission."

"I'll write the IOU!"

Tazuna did not hesitate.

He knew that no amount of begging would make Konoha's ninja agree otherwise.

Besides, whether the bridge could even be completed was another matter. If it was completed, paying them afterward was not impossible.

He was only afraid that Konoha's ninja would refuse to budge.

As long as they budged, he dared to agree. It was only an IOU. What was there to fear?

Tazuna even felt that these Konoha ninja were a little stupid.

However, even in the original story, this outcome would have been impossible.

Unless there was another mission involved.

Leaving aside the Team Seven from the original story, who knew nothing.

Even Kakashi was a Konoha ninja who had served in both Root and the Anbu.

He had experienced the Third Shinobi World War at a young age.

Could Tazuna's sob story really move him?

"Let's go."

Thus, with Kakashi's order, the group set off once again.

Uchiha Sasuke's grin was harder to suppress than an AK's recoil.

Sakura, however, felt somewhat uneasy. After all, they were about to face an unknown Jonin.

They had joined forces to defeat Kakashi before.

But how could Kakashi possibly have been serious at the time?

If a Jonin were determined to kill a Genin at any cost, even Kakashi-sensei would probably find it difficult, right?

Sakura could not help thinking that way.

Seeing how distracted she was, Naruto smiled and slowed down.

He handed her a Ninja Tool Bag.

Sakura did not understand, and she had no free hands either.

Naruto had no choice but to help tie it around her leg.

Even through her clothes, Pink Hair got flustered from just that.

"It's filled with Explosive Tags. If anything unexpected happens, or if we don't have time to act, throw all the Explosive Tags inside."

"Your sensory abilities have improved considerably through this period of special training."

"Even if it were Kakashi, unless he went all out to assassinate you, the Explosive Tags in this Ninja Tool Bag would be enough for you to escape. If your timing is good, you might even be able to kill him in return."

After offering that reassurance, Naruto continued after the group.

Sakura hurriedly followed as well, and her grin became harder to suppress than an AK's recoil too.

Pink Hair: Is Naruto-kun worried about me?

Sakura-bro: Idiot!

That night, Team Seven ate their rations.

There was all kinds of Dried Meat, and they had even brought pickled vegetables.

The three of them ate heartily, while Kakashi at the side wanted to join in.

Sakura immediately became like a mother tiger guarding her food. "If Kakashi-sensei wants some, then you'll carry the luggage tomorrow!"

Kakashi spread his hands. "I'm the only Jonin in the team. I need to make sure you stay safe at all times."

Kakashi's argument was perfectly reasonable, leaving Sakura no choice but to grit her teeth and nod.

The luggage would be lighter tomorrow, but so would her stomach.

"Um..."

"Don't even think about it. Don't forget that you still owe us money!"

Tazuna was speechless.

In the end, Uchiha Sasuke could not bear to watch any longer and shared some of his own rations.

The next morning.

Tazuna's friend arrived.

Using the dense morning fog and its extremely low visibility as cover, the five of them once again set out toward the Land of Waves.

Along the way, after a night of interaction, Tazuna had gained a preliminary understanding of this team.

He discovered that this team did not seem quite as difficult to talk to as he had thought.

Moreover, they had known from the start that he had lied about the mission.

"...I wanted to ask this before..."

"Since you knew I lied about the mission details, why were you still willing to stay and help me?"

"I know that merely writing an IOU isn't enough to make you willing to accept this A-Rank Mission."

In response to Tazuna's confusion, Kakashi's answer nearly made the three of them laugh.

"To see injustice and not act is not courage. A strong general has no weak soldiers."

"This was the Previous Hokage's instruction."

"This is also the ninja way of life."

"Ninja do not risk their lives for money alone."

Was that really true?

After all, in the original story, when the Demon Brothers ambushed them right after they left Konoha.

Pink Hair had immediately said they should go back.

Kakashi had agreed as well.

Even yesterday, Kakashi had seemed ready to retreat.

But if Naruto had not agreed yesterday, then just watch whether Kakashi would have said something else to persuade them otherwise.

So why was he now putting on such a righteous act?

That was right. Kakashi was also a Movie King.

From beginning to end, he had been acting.

Sakura immediately frowned as well.

"Kakashi-sensei definitely isn't cold-blooded, but he's also not a Good Old Man who likes helping others."

"He's an Old Bachelor who loves reading Imperial Uncle!"

"The Third Hokage couldn't possibly have failed to notice something was wrong... Naruto-kun, did you figure something out?"

Facing Sakura's questioning gaze.

Naruto merely smiled faintly and shook his head.

The truth was obvious.

That Old Man must have known long ago. The C-Rank Mission was merely an excuse.

It was also the necessary façade between nations.

Generally speaking, someone would investigate the employer of a mission.

Furthermore, those carrying out this mission were important assets of Konoha!

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the Uchiha Sharingan.

This was also the Jinchuriki's first mission outside the village. Sarutobi Hiruzen personally handled even C-Rank Missions.

So how could he not pay attention to a mission like this?

It could only be said that the Land of Fire could neither interfere in nor had the authority to interfere in the internal affairs of the Land of Waves.

Who was above Sarutobi Hiruzen?

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Most likely, they had used the C-Rank Mission as cover to send Kakashi, an outstanding Jonin, to the Land of Waves to interfere in its internal affairs.

In other words, to wipe out Gato's criminal forces in the Land of Waves.

Who was Tazuna?

A famous Bridge Master. As long as there were no obstacles, the bridge would inevitably be completed.

With convenient transportation, would they still need to worry about the economy?

On the surface, Konoha had collected the reward for a C-Rank Mission.

In truth, the Daimyo's side had likely already begun conducting secret dealings.

Then the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and Sarutobi Hiruzen would split the profits.

Yes, Sarutobi Hiruzen, not Konoha.

In the original story, when Kakashi heard it was Gato's forces, he had been slightly shocked as well.

Was the Gato Group powerful? No, Kakashi could clear them alone.

What shocked him was that ninja, who held such low status in the Ninja World, were actually going to attack their financial backers?

And one of that caliber, at that.

So Naruto had no other purpose in coming this time. He definitely intended to get his hands on Gato's assets.

It should be soon. Zabuza is about to appear, and Haku is probably watching from the shadows.

Haku... He's an important character Kishimoto created at the beginning of the story.

Kekkei Genkai!

The beginning of Bloodline Theory.

Actually, Haku's situation is similar to mine.

Because of Kekkei Genkai, Kirigakure shifted the contradictions of its internal strife onto those with Kekkei Genkai.

As expected of Stinky Obito.

The only difference is that the one controlling that redirection of conflict isn't the Old Fox who only understands Checks and Balances, the Third Hokage.

If I remember correctly, Kimimaro was the same. However, his clan still had some backbone and resisted. But the result...

Haku's ending will be the same as his mother's. Both willingly died for the people they cared about.

Naruto suddenly sighed at this Sick World that had been created.

"Bloodline Suppression. This is fate. You can't turn it around, so you have to accept it."

"Unless you have a cheat."

"What?"

Sakura did not understand what he meant.

But Uchiha Sasuke and Kakashi's pupils suddenly contracted.

If they knew their fate was bad and still struggled onward, then...

Suffering was simply your fate.

There had been someone in the original story who refused to accept his fate, and he had almost succeeded in the end.

Who?

Naturally, it was our true Underworld Schemer—Yakushi Kabuto.

Others relied on bloodlines; he had none. Others relied on talent; he had none of that either. Others relied on resources; he had some, but not much.

What could he do in the end?

Rely on himself and mutate himself.

There was a classic saying.

Where was the dividing line in life?

Hahaha... amniotic fluid.

When it came to relationships, Kishimoto was impressive too. Two words—bonds.

What kinds of bonds?

He covered them all.

Look at Gaara and Naruto, look at Uchiha Sasuke and Naruto, look at...

Right, Haku and Zabuza were the most typical example.

Speak of the devil, and the devil arrived.

A powerful wave of malice swept over them.

Clearly, Demon Zabuza had arrived with his Little Girl.

Kakashi quickly calmed his shaken heart and noticed something unusual as well.

The fog was growing thicker and thicker.

Uchiha Sasuke had yet to notice and was still shocked by Naruto's sudden words.

Sakura noticed soon afterward too.

"There's an opening!"

At that moment, Momochi Zabuza, hidden in the shadows, raised a brow and hurled the Kubikiribōchō from his back.

Little did he know, that opening had been deliberately exposed by Kakashi.

An enemy in plain sight was far easier to deal with than one lurking in the dark.

This revealed Zabuza's arrogance.

Whoosh—

The Kubikiribōchō came flying toward them.

"Get down!"

Kakashi shouted, then pushed his sensory abilities to the limit, keeping watch on Zabuza's movements.

The four hurriedly dropped to the ground.

Trying to create an iconic scene?

Please, did you know who you were trying to show off in front of?

Konoha King of Ass Uchiha Sasuke.

Konoha Great God of Genjutsu Pink Hair.

Konoha Number One Matchmaker Kakashi.

Besides, I wasn't the Naruto from the original story.

Say no to showing off—start with you!

The Kubikiribōchō was already before his eyes.

Naruto remained standing.

"Naruto-kun, get down!"

Sakura immediately threw herself at him.

Yet the next instant, the Kubikiribōchō stopped steadily before Naruto.

Uchiha Sasuke's eyes lit up!

At that moment, he understood.

My cheat... I choose you, Narudo!

"Naruto... you?"

Kakashi's face was full of disbelief.

Zabuza thought he had succeeded.

"Hehe, don't rush. You'll be next soon enough."

But when he turned around—

Zabuza: "???"