Naruto clenched both fists and punched the two men in the stomach at the same time.
Pain flooded their minds, leaving them completely blank. They clutched their stomachs and fell to their knees.
So fast! Everyone there thought the same thing.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei, had enough fun yet?" Naruto turned to look behind a tree.
Kakashi scratched his head helplessly and came out from behind the tree.
"He really is strong!"
Kakashi meant every word.
"I'll leave them to you." Naruto hadn't killed them outright. They were just a couple of small fry, not worth his time. Besides, with Hinata here, using overly bloody methods would leave her with a bad impression of him.
Kakashi didn't say anything more. He picked up the two men and disappeared down the road.
"Hey, you old drunk, you didn't say there'd be ninjas trying to kill you." Even though Naruto knew the situation, he couldn't help confronting him.
Tazuna looked uneasy, unsure what to do.
"Don't worry. We'll talk after Kakashi gets back." Seeing that Sasuke and Hinata seemed about to ask something, Naruto spoke first.
After what had just happened, the two of them had become more alert and started watching their surroundings.
Before long, Kakashi returned.
Though he didn't look any different, Naruto could sense that he had already dealt with the two men.
"You've probably figured it out by now. What do you think we should do next?" Kakashi asked, looking at Naruto. He knew that among Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto, Naruto's opinion carried the most weight. If Naruto agreed to the mission, they would continue. If he didn't, the other two would follow him.
"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 had thought the mission was too easy at first, but now that rogue ninjas had tried to assassinate them, he felt even more excited.
"I'll do what Naruto says." Hinata was as obedient as ever.
"Then let's keep going." Naruto shrugged and looked at Kakashi.
"Tazuna, you're in luck. My students have decided to see this through," Kakashi told him.
"Thank you, all of you. I can't thank you enough." The old drunk, who had been looking tense, hurried to express his gratitude. He almost dropped to his knees, but Kakashi stopped him.
At the same time, Tazuna explained the situation to them.
After hearing the full story, Kakashi frowned. He hadn't expected things to be even more troublesome than he'd imagined.
As a girl, Hinata was more sympathetic, but her nature made her dislike causing trouble for others, so she didn't voice her opinion. Still, it was clear in her eyes.
Naruto showed no reaction.
Sasuke had no interest in any of it. He only cared about the enemies he might face in the future.
After hearing the story, the three quickly set off again and decided to complete the mission.
Their original assignment had only been to escort Tazuna back to the Land of Waves.
But after hearing the old man's story, they decided to stay and protect him until the bridge was finished.
It wouldn't be easy. It would take at least half a month.
The three soon reached the seaside.
"How are we getting across?" Naruto asked.
What he really wanted to know was which way they'd travel.
"By boat," Kakashi said. They were already at the shore, so there was no need to rush.
But just after he spoke, Kakashi frowned.
Naruto glanced to the left.
"Why is it suddenly getting foggy?" Sasuke asked, puzzled as the fog grew thicker before them.
"Watch out. There may be an enemy nearby." Kakashi warned them, drawing a kunai with his right hand and preparing to defend himself.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata quickly surrounded Tazuna to protect him.
"As expected of Konoha's Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake." An elusive voice rang out from all around them.
"I assume my two useless subordinates were dealt with by you?"
"Demon Brothers? You're the Kirigakure missing-nin Demon Zabuza," Kakashi said gravely.
Hinata and the others looked confused. They had never heard of him.
But they knew that anyone who became a missing-nin had to be at least a Chunin.
Suddenly, a massive Kubikiribōchō tore through the fog and swung toward Kakashi.
Kakashi blocked it with his kunai.
"Sasuke, can you use Wind Release?" Naruto asked curiously.
This wasn't how it had gone in the original story. He'd wanted to watch a battle between Jonin, but the fog was too much of a nuisance. It even interfered with his senses, making it hard to see clearly.
"No," Sasuke replied sharply, annoyed.
"Fine, if you can't, you can't. I'll do it." Naruto hadn't wanted to reveal his strength.
He took a stance and clenched his right fist.
[Ordinary Punch] He threw an uppercut toward the sky. The powerful gust swept the fog from the ground up into the air.
The two men fighting turned to look over.
"That kid's strength..." Zabuza frowned, unable to make sense of him.
Kakashi had heard about Naruto's strength before, but seeing the power of that punch with his own eyes still made him envious.
Zabuza retreated and began forming Hand Seals.
Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan.
[Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique]
[Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique]
The two formed Hand Seals at the same time and used the same ninjutsu. Two water dragons surged up from the sea and collided in midair. A light rain began to fall.
"That's amazing," Sasuke said, unable to hide his admiration.
"What a pain. What's so amazing about it?" Naruto glanced over, unimpressed. During the time it took to make those forty-four seals, he could have killed them several times.
The two fought even more fiercely. As expected of Kakashi Hatake and Zabuza, they ended up evenly matched.
In the end, Zabuza trapped Kakashi in a Water Prison Technique in the sea.
"Now it's your turn." Zabuza turned his gaze toward Naruto and the others.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. Was Kakashi trying to test his strength?
Naruto couldn't believe Kakashi would lose to Zabuza.
The situation before him couldn't help but make him wonder.
"What do we do?" Sasuke asked, a little panicked. This was his first time facing a Jonin. This wasn't like fighting Kakashi; this man could really kill him, especially with the killing intent he was giving off.
Hinata frowned too, her palms growing sweaty.
Naruto alone stood at the back, watching Kakashi closely and trying to read his expression. But with the Water Prison between them, he couldn't make out the details.
"Go on, Hinata. I'll cover you from behind," Naruto said, just as the two were getting nervous.
Hearing him, they both relaxed a little. They knew how strong Naruto was.
Even if Zabuza had defeated Kakashi, they didn't believe he could kill Naruto.
Hinata began attacking. Against her strikes, Zabuza had the Kubikiribōchō, making it easy for him to block. Fortunately, Hinata's body had grown considerably stronger after being nourished by chakra for so long. Combined with the Taijutsu Naruto had created, she might not be able to beat him, but she wasn't in danger. With Sasuke supporting her from the side, the two were safe for the moment.