Zabuza

Naruto clenched both fists and struck them simultaneously into the stomachs of the two men.

Pain flooded their brains, leaving their minds blank, and they couldn't help but collapse to the ground, clutching their midsections.

So fast. This was the simultaneous thought of everyone present.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei, have you had enough fun yet?" Naruto turned his head to look behind a tree.

Kakashi scratched his head helplessly and stepped out from behind the tree.

"You really are quite strong!"

Kakashi's words were absolutely sincere.

"I'll leave them to you to deal with." Naruto didn't kill them directly; these two small-time thugs weren't worth his effort, and with Hinata here, using overly bloody methods would only leave a bad impression on her.

Kakashi didn't waste any more words; he picked up the two men and vanished from the road.

"Hey, you old drunkard, you didn't mention that ninjas would appear to kill you." Although he already knew the situation, Naruto couldn't help but question him.

Tazuna felt a bit guilty and didn't know what to do.

"Don't worry, let's wait until Kakashi returns." Seeing Sasuke and Hinata about to ask something, Naruto spoke up directly.

After what just happened, the two of them also became vigilant, keeping a close watch on their surroundings.

Before long, Kakashi walked over.

Although he appeared normal on the surface, Naruto's perception told him that he had already disposed of those two.

"I assume you all understand the situation now. Tell me, what do you want to do next?" Kakashi looked at Naruto and asked. He knew that among the three, Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto, only Naruto's word carried real weight. If he agreed to the mission, they would continue; if he didn't, the other two would follow his lead.

"What do you two think?" Naruto asked Hinata and Sasuke.

"Since we've already come this far, I don't want to give up." Sasuke, who had felt the mission was too simple before, now felt even more excited after encountering an assassination attempt by rogue ninjas.

"I'll listen to Naruto." Hinata remained as obedient as ever.

"Then we continue." Naruto shrugged and looked at Kakashi.

"Mr. Tazuna, it seems you are quite lucky. My students have decided to continue with the mission." Kakashi said to Mr. Tazuna.

"Thank you all, thank you so much." The old drunkard, who had been standing there nervously, thanked them profusely and nearly knelt down, only to be stopped by Kakashi.

At the same time, he explained the full situation to them.

Hearing the details, Kakashi frowned; he hadn't expected the situation to be even more troublesome than he had anticipated.

As a girl, Hinata had a deeper sense of compassion, but due to her personality, she disliked causing trouble for others, so she didn't voice her opinion, though it was already evident in her eyes.

Naruto didn't show much of a reaction.

Sasuke had no interest in these matters; he was only interested in future enemies.

After hearing his story, the three of them traveled quickly, determined to complete this mission.

Originally, their mission was merely to escort Mr. Tazuna back to the Land of Waves.

But after hearing the old man's story, the group decided to stay and protect him until the bridge was finished.

One had to realize that this was no simple task; at the very least, it would take half a month.

The three soon arrived at the seaside.

"How are we getting across?" Naruto asked.

In truth, he was mainly asking which method they would use to cross.

"By boat!" Since they had already reached the shore, there was no need to be in such a rush.

Just as he finished speaking, Kakashi frowned.

Naruto glanced toward the left.

"Why did it suddenly get so foggy?" Sasuke looked at the thickening mist before them, feeling puzzled.

"Be careful, there are enemies." Kakashi warned, drawing a kunai with his right hand and preparing for defense.

Naruto and the others quickly moved to protect Tazuna in the center.

"As expected of the Copy Ninja of Konoha, Hatake Kakashi." A drifting, elusive voice echoed from all around.

"I assume my two incompetent subordinates were dealt with by you?"

"Demon Brothers... you are the Mist rogue ninja, Zabuza." Kakashi's voice turned grave.

Hinata and the others were somewhat confused, having never heard of this person.

However, they knew the common knowledge that anyone capable of becoming a rogue ninja was at least a Chunin.

Suddenly, a Kubikiribōchō swirled through the thick mist, slashing toward Kakashi.

Kakashi blocked it with his kunai.

"Sasuke, do you know any Wind Style?" Naruto asked curiously.

He felt this was different from the original story; he had wanted to watch a battle between Jonin, but the number of people the enemy had was disgusting, and even his own perception was being affected, making it hard to see clearly.

"No." Sasuke replied, his tone somewhat sharp and unhappy.

"Fine, if you can't do it, you can't. If you won't, I will." Naruto originally hadn't wanted to reveal his strength.

He assumed a stance and clenched his right fist.

[Ordinary Punch] An uppercut struck toward the sky, the powerful wind pressure sweeping the thick fog on the ground up into the heavens.

The two people currently fighting couldn't help but look over in this direction.

"This brat's strength..." Zabuza furrowed his brows, somewhat unable to understand what was going on with this kid.

Although Kakashi had already heard about it, seeing the power of this punch with his own eyes still made him feel a twinge of envy.

Zabuza retreated and began weaving hand seals.

Kakashi pulled up his Headband to reveal his Sharingan.

[Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique]

[Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique]

Both men finished their seals simultaneously, unleashing the same ninjutsu. Two water dragons leaped out from the nearby ocean, colliding mid-air and causing a light rain to fall from the sky.

"So amazing," Sasuke couldn't help but look on with envy.

"What a drag, what's so amazing about it?" Naruto glanced over with a look of disdain; in the time it took to perform those 44 hand seals, he could have killed them several times over.

The two fought even more intensely; as expected of "Kakashi the Copy Ninja," he had fought his opponent to a draw.

In the end, he was trapped in the ocean by the opponent's Water Prison Technique.

"Next, it's your turn." Zabuza's gaze shifted toward Naruto's direction.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. Is this guy Kakashi trying to test my strength?

Naruto refused to believe that Kakashi couldn't beat Zabuza.

The situation before him couldn't help but make Naruto think twice.

"What do we do?" Sasuke was somewhat panicked. This was his first time facing a Jonin, and this wasn't a spar with Kakashi; the opponent was truly capable of killing them, especially given the killing intent he was radiating.

Hinata also frowned, her palms beginning to sweat.

Only Naruto stood at the back, watching Kakashi carefully, trying to discern something from his expression, though it was impossible to see clearly through the Water Prison.

"Go, Hinata. I'll cover you from the back." Just as the two were feeling tense, Naruto's voice rang out from behind them.

Hearing Naruto's voice, their expressions relaxed slightly; both of them knew Naruto's true strength.

Even if the opponent had defeated Kakashi, they didn't believe he could kill Naruto.

Hinata began her assault. Against Hinata's attacks, the opponent found it very simple to block with his Kubikiribōchō. Fortunately, after being nourished by chakra for so long, Hinata's physique had increased significantly. Coupled with the taijutsu Naruto had created, although she couldn't defeat the opponent, she wasn't in any danger, and with Sasuke assisting from the side, the two were safe for the time being.