Kakashi's Act

Human relationships are truly wondrous. Some people feel an instant connection upon first glance and become friends, while others remain acquainted for a lifetime yet still find each other repulsive. Karot and this god belong to the first category.

Once again, with his feet firmly planted on the ground, Kakuzu felt a strange sense of peace, as if everything that had just happened was unreal. However, when Kakuzu saw Karot standing on the hillside, everything felt so real again. He had stepped into another world, whether voluntarily or not, there was no turning back now. The key was that Kakuzu didn't want to back down now. After all, who would want to live an ordinary life when given the chance to witness the pinnacle?

"Kakuzu, it's time to go."

After shouting, Karot walked toward the main road.

Kakuzu's lips curled into a slight smile, and he immediately followed. Little did he know that their journey would last for many years. The Ninja World had almost forgotten about Karot. Karot and Kakuzu enjoyed their travels immensely. In a moment of ecstasy, Karot made an unreliable decision: he bought a boat and set sail. The seas were vast and boundless, and many gods chose to land on them to escape the pursuit of the Otsutsuki clan. However, this very fact made the seas exceptionally prosperous. Karot felt as if he had entered a playground, encountering all sorts of opponents.

Karot did not spare every opponent; for those evil gods who required the sacrifice of lives to gain power, Karot did not hesitate to kill them.

This has caused Kakuzu a lot of trouble. In the past few years, Kakuzu's savings have been completely depleted. If it weren't for the fact that the two of them often "rob the rich to help the poor" against the evil gods, they wouldn't be able to make ends meet. If you want two men who spend money like water to save up any money, you might as well pray to God for a rain of money.

"I'm back."

As soon as Karot disembarked, he stood on the shore, spread his arms wide, and shouted loudly.

Kakuzu, standing next to him, looked at Karot with disdain.

Why does this place look so desolate?

A port should be bustling with people and thriving in trade, so why isn't there a flow of people here?

"That shouldn't be the case. A few years ago, the Land of Waves was a very prosperous trading nation. I even did a few business deals here."

Kakuzu also looked bewildered; this was completely different from the Land of Waves in his mind.

"Young man, what you're talking about happened several years ago. Now, the entire country's economic lifeline is controlled by the big businessman Gato."

A local from the Land of Waves noticed the two discussing the changes in the Land of Waves.

"What are you talking about? Do you want to die?"

His companion tugged at his shoulder, signaling him to be careful, as the walls might be eavesdropping. The two then hurriedly slipped away, without waiting for Karot and Kakuzu to ask any questions.

"Alright, they're gone."

Karot looked disappointed.

Where should we go now?

"Go home."

"Home? Do I even have a home anymore?"

"Of course I have one, my home is your home."

Karot put his hand on Kakuzu's shoulder and said. Over the years, Karot had long regarded Kakuzu as his friend.

"Then let's go home."

Kakuzu felt the same way about Karot. Karot had suddenly entered Kakuzu's life and taken root in it, changing Kakuzu's lifestyle and personality. Kakuzu was no longer solely driven by money, and a touch of humanity had emerged in him.

After making some preparations, the two set off on their way to Konoha. As they hurried along, the sounds of fighting came from ahead. They exchanged a glance, then stealthily moved forward and hid in the treetops to watch.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an acquaintance— Kakashi, Karot's younger brother, leading a small team on a mission.

"No way!"

Karot looked at Karot's team members: a blond boy, a boy with a fan pattern printed on his clothes, and a pink-haired girl.

"Isn't this just a younger version of Team 7? Naruto's parents are still alive in this life. With their guidance and being the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, his strength is immense. Sasuke, with Itachi and Shisui's training, is definitely stronger than in his previous life. Karot was prepared for the two of them to graduate early. But what about Sakura? She graduated early too?"

Before Karot could Zabuza unleashed his Ninjutsu.

"Mist Village Technique"

Then fog began to rise in the forest.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, protect the target!"

Yes. X3

The three men formed a circle around Tazuna to protect him.

"Forehead, neck, chest—where should I start?"

Zabuza's voice echoed through the thick fog, sending chills down Naruto and his friends' spines. After all, it was their first mission. The Ninja Academy had recently changed its rules, providing a practical training period before graduation, during which teachers would lead teams on missions to give students a more comprehensive understanding of the ninja profession. Why Naruto allowed to leave the village? Simply put, they had powerful connections and the genius ninja Kakashi protecting them. But they hadn't expected to encounter such a stubborn individual.

"Bite."

Zabuza's greatsword and Kakashi's kunai clashed in the pitch-black fog. Their figures shifted constantly, but the clanging of metal never ceased.

However, this was Zabuza's home turf, and Kakashi was slightly at a disadvantage. Zabuza Kakashi back with a single strike, and Kakashi slid a distance on the ground.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique"

Zabuza the honest man he was, obediently completed the hand seals, and a water dragon shot straight towards Kakashi's landing spot.

"Boom."

Just as the water dragon was about to hit Kakashi seemed to know it beforehand and immediately jumped away, landing on the water's surface. But Zabuza was waiting for this moment.

"Water Release, Water Prison Technique."

Kakashi was Zabuza's water prison.

"What?"

"That's impossible."

Naruto and Sasuke couldn't accept that Kakashi had failed like this.

Naruto knew Kakashi very well. As his father's student, Naruto had spent a lot of time with Kakashi and knew just how strong Kakashi was. Dealing with Zabuza should have been a piece of cake for him. But the current situation could only mean one thing: Kakashi wanted to play around and didn't want it to end so quickly. "What a brooding guy," Naruto thought to himself.

Naruto immediately felt a gaze fixed on him. Naruto the feeling, he saw Kakashi looking at him with a mischievous grin.

Naruto knew he was in trouble. Kakashi's pranks are really something else; I wonder where he learned those tricks. You really shouldn't talk behind someone's back.

"Kakashi, your students are about to embark on their journey. Do you have anything to say to them?"

Zabuza was now confident of victory.

"Really? I can't see it."

"Hmph, I'll see how long you can keep up your stubbornness."

"Water Clone Technique"

Zabuza's water clones charged towards Naruto and his friends.