Naruto: You Call This Guy the Savior?!

"If Tazuna were truly clever, he should have applied for a loan from the Leaf Village to build the bridge from the very beginning. That way, even if he didn't issue a mission, the Leaf Village would have proactively helped him guard the bridge, and he wouldn't have had to pay a single cent from start to finish." After Keiichi explained the whole situation to Kakashi, he added this final remark.

Kakashi was the team leader, and since he had taken the liberty of extorting Tazuna, he had to be informed. Keiichi had intentionally dragged things out for a few days just to observe the external reaction, avoiding a situation where he might lose the bait without catching the fish; as it turned out, the response was quite good.

"You... forget it, you didn't do anything wrong, I suppose." Kakashi found himself at a loss for how to evaluate his behavior.

As an elite Jonin who had completed hundreds of A-rank missions and no shortage of S-rank ones, the mere three million ryo didn't mean much to him.

Therefore, the fact that "even though this is a C-rank mission, the difficulty has risen to an A-rank level, so the reward should be increased" was something he had genuinely overlooked.

Moreover, after arriving in the Land of Waves and seeing with his own eyes how destitute Tazuna's family was, he really felt embarrassed to bring it up.

He hadn't expected Keiichi to be so inventive, using the bridge as part of the mission payment; he was acting more like an unscrupulous merchant than Gato.

One had to realize that although the construction cost of the bridge was only three million, its value once sold would be far higher. Yet, Keiichi had stubbornly sold it to the Leaf Village at cost price, leaving Tazuna completely bewildered.

Although there was a suspicion of taking advantage of someone's misfortune, Keiichi's actions were understandable. It was his first time executing such a high-difficulty mission, and he was essentially putting his life on the line. If he ended up receiving only a C-rank reward, that would be a true loss.

Besides, Keiichi's actions were also recouping economic losses for the Leaf Village, so what more could he say?

"Don't act on your own like this next time. At the very least, let me know."

"Yes!"

However, Keiichi whispered an apology in his heart, because he was about to act on his own again, and he absolutely dared not reveal a single word of it to Kakashi.

Because by a stroke of luck, he had actually grasped a lead on Zabuza's hideout, and everything was ready.

This time, he owed a debt of gratitude to Naruto's assist. That "big sister" he had accidentally encountered while training in the woods—wasn't that just Haku without his mask?

Pah, what big sister? Big brother was more like it!

Keiichi had returned from his search just in time to witness that scene, and Haku's line, "I am not a woman," instantly reminded him of the most memorable image from when he watched Naruto back in the day...

Pah, drawing a girl and insisting it's a boy—that was all Kishimoto's doing!

With this, Keiichi only needed to send out a Shadow Clone to tail Haku from a distance, and he would naturally follow the vine to the melon and find Zabuza's hideout.

It just so happened that Gato visited with his subordinates at that moment, so the Shadow Clone took the opportunity to infiltrate the hideout and confirm that Zabuza was indeed severely injured. Even when provoked by Gato in various ways, he could only lie on the bed, unable to move.

This was a god-given opportunity. The only thing left to solve now was Haku!

He dared not hesitate; for every minute they delayed, Zabuza would recover a bit more vitality, and the mission would become that much more dangerous.

Behind Kakashi's back, Keiichi immediately gathered Naruto and the others to begin persuading them to join his plan.

"There is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity now. Do you want to seize it?" Keiichi said mysteriously.

"What opportunity?" Naruto's emotions immediately flared up.

"I've found Zabuza's lair and discovered he's severely injured. It's the perfect chance to strike while he's down!"

"Is doing that really okay?" Sakura looked a bit timid.

Good job! We're hitting the old, the weak, the sick, and the disabled—Zabuza, wash your neck and wait for death! Clearly, that was not what Sakura was thinking inside.

"Let's do it!" Naruto rubbed his hands, full of confidence.

Although Sasuke didn't speak, his hand was already on his ninja tool pouch, and a fierce fighting spirit burned in his eyes.

Chapter 18: Strategy to Defeat Zabuza

The sky had turned dark—the perfect time for a stealthy strike. The three of them set off quietly, tacitly avoiding Kakashi and heading toward the woods.

Keiichi had gauged that the three were still just children at heart and hated being disciplined by adults the most, so none of them wanted Kakashi to know.

They all wanted to prove themselves. If they could resolve the great threat of Zabuza on their own, they would surely earn their teacher's admiration.

But if he found out beforehand, there was no way he would agree to them going off to deal with Zabuza on their own!

So, everyone kept quiet by mutual understanding.

Keiichi was even less likely to tell Kakashi, because in Kakashi's view, it didn't matter if Zabuza died, but Naruto absolutely could not come to any harm!

Keiichi didn't agree with that sentiment. There was danger involved, of course, but how could the Child of Prophecy die so easily?

This wasn't Boruto!

Zabuza was still recovering from heavy injuries and was essentially meat on a chopping block; the only thing to worry about was Haku.

Not to mention that in the original story, Naruto and Sasuke had already gained the strength to contend with Haku after some special training, and didn't they have him, too?

With his injuries healed, his chakra replenished, and 75 Magic Modification Points unused, he was fully confident in fighting a battle against Haku.

"Naruto-kun, if I told you what kind of ninjutsu abilities that masked guy has, would you have the confidence to defeat him?" Keiichi asked with a faint smile on the way.

"Do you even have to ask? Of course I have confidence!" Naruto retorted, refusing to be outdone.

"Idiot, falling for such a shallow provocation." Sasuke let out a disdainful sneer.

So Keiichi turned to Sasuke and said, "Sasuke-kun, Kakashi-sensei said that guy is the strongest among his peers. Don't you want to cross blades with him?"

Hearing this, Sasuke's expression darkened, and his pace quickened significantly.

Heh, children after all. So what if you know it's a provocation? Aren't you still taking the bait?

Kakashi wanted to use me as a catfish, but let's see how I use my Technique of Swapping Beams for Pillars!

"Hey, hey, isn't that guy actually really dangerous?" Sakura asked, sounding somewhat worried.

Keiichi, however, ignored her, as if he only needed to provoke Naruto and Sasuke.

This only made Sakura feel slighted, and in her heart, she had already stabbed a straw doll version of Keiichi countless times.

What an arrogant and annoying jerk!

"Keiichi, once I defeat that masked guy, I want to have a match with you next time. You better give it your all!" Sasuke said with a determined look in his eyes.

"I can agree to that, but not now. Once we return to the Leaf Village, there will be plenty of opportunities," Keiichi said with a beaming smile.

"Fine, I hope you don't go back on your word."

"That goes without saying."

As they went back and forth, Naruto suddenly felt as if he were being ignored. The target Sasuke had wanted to surpass before was clearly him...

Damn it, where did all these powerful peers suddenly pop out from!

Clearly, Naruto had absolutely no self-awareness about being the dead last.

"Naruto, this opponent is skilled in Ice Style ninjutsu. It's a Kekkei Genkai, and it's not easy to deal with."

"Ice Style? Kekkei Genkai? What kind of stuff is that?" Naruto looked completely bewildered.

"A Kekkei Genkai?" Sasuke was shocked, and he immediately became much more tense.

The Sharingan was also a Kekkei Genkai. Could something on the same level as the Sharingan be easy to deal with? No wonder Kakashi-sensei was so cautious.

"It's a secret technique passed down through bloodlines. You can just understand it as being a level higher than any ninjutsu you know."

"Hahaha, no problem! I know forbidden techniques. Watch me use the Multi Shadow Clone Technique to blow him away!" Naruto said, full of confidence.

"Heh, you'll see when the time comes. I'll just say one thing: don't use common sense to understand ninjutsu. Sasuke, if you think your Fire Style can counter Ice Style, you're dead wrong." Keiichi fanned the flames back onto Sasuke.

This remark made Sasuke's expression turn quite ugly; he had been thinking exactly that just a moment ago.

"This won't work, that won't work—then how do you suggest we deal with him?"

"The only thing that can counter a Kekkei Genkai is another Kekkei Genkai. That's all I'll say." As he spoke, Keiichi glanced at Sasuke, whether intentionally or not.

Hearing this, Sasuke fell into deep thought.

Only Naruto was left scratching his head. He didn't know any Kekkei Genkai either, so how was he supposed to fight?

Forget it, whatever this Kekkei Genkai is, I, Naruto Uzumaki, have my own fighting style!

There's strength in numbers—watch how I blow him away!

As they spoke, a massive, cocoon-like structure could be seen in the distance, attached to the surrounding trees by silk threads, with a spiral staircase leading into the building's interior.

"That's Zabuza's hideout!" A sharp glint flashed in Keiichi's eyes; his connection to his shadow clone was becoming clearer and clearer.

However, the next moment, the connection between him and the shadow clone was forcibly severed, and his expression immediately turned sour.

As the memories flooded back, the last thing the clone saw was its own head being pierced by two thin needles.

He'd been discovered!

Was it possible that he had intentionally left the shadow clone there to lure them into a trap?

Keiichi immediately stopped in his tracks, feeling indecisive about whether he should proactively step into what might be a trap.

"Honored guests have arrived, why do you hesitate to step forward?" A cold voice drifted from inside the building; clearly, the opponent had already discovered the four uninvited guests.

"How would I know if there's a trap inside?" Keiichi retorted righteously.

This response left the other party silent for a long moment, as if they had been choked by the words.

"You came here, isn't it to take our lives?" The voice was laced with a hint of anger.

"Yeah, so come out! Don't be a coward hiding in a shell!"

You're the one trying to kill us, and you're acting like you're in the right!

"...Who are you calling a coward!" The opponent was struggling to suppress their rage.

"I'm talking about you, you neither-man-nor-woman freak."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a white figure drifted out from the building, accompanied by a blast of frigid air, and lunged toward the four of them.

The four of them scattered in tacit agreement, but the white figure kept its eyes locked on Keiichi, clearly furious.

"How did you recognize me?"

"That's simple. I know a lot more than you do, Mist Village Rogue Ninja, Haku!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the figure stopped in their tracks, and the white mist dissipated, revealing their true appearance.

Though, they were still wearing a mask.

"You actually know my name?" Haku calmed down instantly, sensing a grave crisis.

Information—this was the lifeblood of a ninja!

"Damn it, it really is you! You're in cahoots with Zabuza!" Naruto, feeling like he'd been played for a fool, charged forward recklessly.

However, Haku didn't even look at him, drifting backward effortlessly to dodge Naruto's punch before giving him a light shove that sent him tumbling to the ground.

However, Naruto's attack was not without effect; the moment Haku dodged, Sasuke appeared silently behind him, swinging a Fuma Shuriken horizontally at his waist with murderous intent in his eyes.

Yet, what he severed was merely a wisp of white mist. Strangely, the mist did not dissipate; instead, it continued to expand, becoming increasingly dense.

The surrounding temperature plummeted rapidly, and as the temperature dropped, the mist grew thicker and thicker, making Haku's figure harder and harder to distinguish.

Keiichi's expression darkened. This was clearly the use of cooling methods to solidify carbon dioxide—commonly known as dry ice—to artificially create an environment filled with thick fog.

Such an ability could perhaps only be unleashed by someone possessing the Ice Style Kekkei Genkai; even Zabuza could not achieve this.

It was no wonder he was called the perfect tool by Zabuza. Who among the Hidden Mist ninja wouldn't love someone who could create a favorable combat environment at any time?

This battle was going to be very difficult!

Chapter 19: The Terrifying Haku

With a shift in his thoughts, Keiichi came up with a plan and charged directly toward the building, acting as if he were going to finish off Zabuza.

This was an open trap; either Haku watched Zabuza get killed, or he was forced to reveal himself to stop him. He only had two choices.

And Keiichi was certain that Haku would choose the latter, as he was the type of person who would sacrifice himself to protect Zabuza.

Sure enough, just halfway there, steel needles flew out from the thick fog one after another. Keiichi didn't even look, simply changing his direction constantly to dodge the attacks.

This was the best way to respond. After years of training under Zabuza, Haku had long since mastered how to use Ice Style to create advantages. Once he used dry ice to lower the surrounding visibility, if you blindly tried to dodge by observing, you would never have the reaction time and would only end up being a target.

It is well known that through rigorous training, it is a very simple matter for a ninja to hit a bullseye with projectile weapons, but to hit a target that is constantly moving and changing direction randomly? The difficulty increases more than a hundredfold.

Therefore, Keiichi's method of response was the best way to minimize the damage from the steel needles.

However, even after choosing the optimal solution, Keiichi was still wounded by the time he reached the base of the building. Two steel needles were deeply embedded in his chest, having come within a hair's breadth of piercing his heart.

There was no helping it; this was ultimately a matter of luck.

But when he saw Haku's figure emerge from the mist, blocking the exit, Keiichi breathed a sigh of relief. Haku's own strength was not too terrifying; the real problem was that he was just too good at hiding.