Mist Returns

In the Land of Waves, inside the "employee dormitory" Gato had prepared for his subordinates, Gato stood with two samurai, looking at Zabuza with a displeased expression: "Didn't you say before that you could kill that old bridge-builder immediately? Why is it that not only has he returned safely to the Land of Waves, but he is also continuing to build the bridge? Is the ninja known as the Demon only capable of empty talk?"

Zabuza was deeply annoyed, but he had no way to refute it—after all, he had indeed said as much.

Who could have known he would run into the Copy Ninja of Konoha?

Who could have known that among the genin brought by that Copy Ninja, there would be such a monster of a kid!?

"Rest assured, since I have accepted your commission, I will certainly see the job through to the end."

Zabuza suppressed the killing intent in his heart and said calmly: "Once I have made my preparations, I will be able to deliver that old man's head to you in no time."

"I hope you aren't just blowing hot air this time."

Gato adjusted his sunglasses and left with his two samurai.

Once Gato was far away, Zabuza slumped into his chair as if drained of all strength: "Haku."

"I am here."

A masked figure appeared beside Zabuza: "Why did you not let me strike earlier?"

"Under those circumstances, even if you had attacked, you wouldn't have been able to resolve the situation; it would only have alerted those Konoha ninja to your existence."

Zabuza tore off the bandages on his face and spat out a mouthful of stagnant blood: "Our target is that old bridge-builder; there is no need to clash head-on with the Konoha ninja. For the next two days, you and I will make preparations together, find an opportunity to bypass the Konoha ninja, and take that old man's head directly."

"I understand."

The four ninja guarding the site gave the bridge workers a sense of security they hadn't felt in a long time, and with Naruto using Shadow Clones to help with the hauling, the efficiency of the bridge construction improved significantly.

"Today is already the fifth day."

Sakura leaned against the bridge railing, bored: "Kakashi-sensei, when do you think that Zabuza will come to attack?"

"I don't know."

Kakashi also looked lazy: "The bridge is expected to take about two more weeks to complete, so he will definitely come before then, but as for which day, it depends on when Zabuza finishes his preparations."

Sasuke remained as he usually was: "Preparations?"

"His Kubikiribōchō is in Naruto's hands, so he needs a replacement weapon."

Kakashi analyzed: "Furthermore, given our strength, he has no chance of winning in a direct fight, so he will certainly choose to bypass us and strike at Mr. Tazuna directly."

"Can he bypass us?"

Sasuke said coldly: "He is only one person, and we are four."

"Not necessarily just one."

Naruto suddenly leaned in: "When Kakashi-sensei was fighting that Zabuza, there was someone hiding in the distance the whole time. However, there was no malice toward us, so I was never able to pinpoint that person's location."

Sakura: "If it were Zabuza's companion, it's impossible for them to have no malice toward us, right?"

"No malice doesn't mean they won't hurt us."

Naruto said: "Take us for example—when you pick a flower or snap a blade of grass, do you do it with malice?"

Sakura was momentarily speechless.

"Just as Naruto said, even without malice, it is still possible to threaten our lives."

Kakashi said to Sakura and Sasuke: "You two seem to have started trying out some technique taught by that Master recently. Pay attention to your bodies; if Zabuza attacks while you are unable to fight, it will be a major problem."

"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei, Qi Refining is not the same as refining chakra; it won't damage the body."

Naruto explained: "Qi is a form of energy within our bodies, and Qi Refining is merely the accumulation and strengthening of this energy. Simply practicing Qi Refining won't have any negative effects, even if you do it 24 hours a day."

"So it's just accumulating and strengthening body energy, combined with the constitution of the Uzumaki Clan... no wonder your physical stamina and chakra are so abundant."

Kakashi recalled an old friend of his: "The 'Qi Refining' you speak of should be very suitable for ninja who specialize in taijutsu."

"Yes."

Naruto affirmed: "But the function of Qi is not limited to taijutsu. Master said that if one can master the application of Qi, even without chakra, one could possess strength comparable to a ninja."

Kakashi's eyes widened slightly: "So, do you know how to apply Qi?"

"Not at all."

Naruto said with a smile, not feeling the least bit embarrassed: "Master said that although I'm not stupid, I'm not exactly clever either, and that it's enough to learn what he has already taught me. Rather than wasting time and energy on things that are difficult to master even if learned, it is better to concentrate my efforts on training what I have already learned to a higher level."

Naruto said this last part casually, but Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi were all inspired to varying degrees, which led the three of them to make slight changes to their plans for the coming period.

In the blink of an eye, another three days passed, and the construction progress of the bridge was gratifying, with no accidents occurring.

This morning, the bridge workers started early, and Team 7 arrived at the same time.

"The fog is a bit heavy today."

Kakashi scanned the surroundings and realized the visibility was very low: "With the sea all around us, even if Naruto uses Wind Style in this environment, he might not be able to blow it away."

"Are you trying to say,"

A hint of excitement appeared on Sasuke's face: "that Zabuza is very likely to attack today?"

"If I were him, I would definitely choose today."

Kakashi nodded. "Be careful, and pay special attention to Tazuna's situation."

"Yes!" x3

The actual situation was much as Kakashi had anticipated—upon seeing the thick fog over the sea today, Zabuza immediately grabbed his prepared ninja tools and snuck toward the bridge alongside Haku.

"Zabuza-san, I have located the targets."

"Very good. Now, disguise yourself as a Mist Hunter-nin tracking me and strike up a conversation with them. I will slaughter that old man while their attention is drawn to you."

"Understood."

"Go."

When a masked ninja appeared openly on the bridge, everyone in Team 7 became vigilant at once.

Kakashi studied the patterns on the mask and determined it was someone from the Mist: "Mist Hunter-nin Unit, what is your business here?"

"We are hunting Zabuza."

Haku recited his prepared lines: "We received intelligence a few days ago that he appeared in this vicinity. Have you seen him?"

Kakashi's expression remained calm: "I have no obligation to tell you that."

"Indeed."

Haku said calmly: "Then how about this—if you are willing to share information on Zabuza, once we finish him and recover the Kubikiribōchō, we of the Mist can compensate you according to S-rank mission standards."

"That sounds quite good."

Kakashi nodded under Haku's slightly expectant gaze, then his tone shifted abruptly: "However, I refuse—you aren't from the Mist Hunter-nin Unit at all, but rather Zabuza's companion, aren't you?"

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had already sent the bridge builders away, leaving only Tazuna within their protective circle.

"How did you... figure that out?"

Haku was somewhat puzzled: "I don't believe I did anything that would invite suspicion."

"My subordinate said that she couldn't sense any malice from you."

Kakashi pulled up his forehead protector: "But how could someone from the Mist Hunter-nin Unit possibly be devoid of malice?"