Fighting Zabuza

After deciding to continue the mission, Naruto went up to one of the enemies with a Kunai and killed him with a swift stroke.

Sakura and Tazuna cried out in fright. Sasuke frowned.

Kakashi asked, "Naruto, what are you doing?"

Naruto looked confused. "Kakashi-sensei, is something wrong? Aren't we supposed to take out enemies who interfere with the mission?"

Kakashi was a little surprised that Naruto could say that with such a calm expression. "That's true, but I'd still rather you didn't have to face the smell of blood so soon."

Naruto laughed. "Just now, Kakashi-sensei, you said I was too gentle with Sakura, but now you're saying this. I really don't know what to make of you."

Naruto's words left Kakashi at a loss for a moment. What an unlikeable kid.

Naruto ignored Kakashi and went over to the other enemy. Just as he was about to strike, Sasuke said, "Naruto, leave this one to me."

Naruto looked at Sasuke, then realized. "Oh, right. You've never killed anyone before, Sasuke. Okay, this one's yours." With that, he handed Sasuke the Kunai.

Sasuke went over to the enemy, took the Kunai, and slashed at his neck. Blood immediately sprayed all over him.

Naruto saw that Sasuke was covered in blood, but his hand was steady and his body wasn't trembling. He said approvingly, "Sasuke, your angle was off. But since it was your first time killing someone, staying this steady is already impressive. Study it more, and you'll learn how to avoid getting blood on yourself."

Hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke looked at the blood on himself, then at Naruto, who was still clean. He frowned. "I will."

Kakashi frowned too. "Naruto, you're not wrong, but can you tell me how you learned to kill with such perfect form?"

Naruto's movements had been far too precise, as if he had killed many people before. But Kakashi knew that Naruto had never even left Konoha. How had he learned to do that? Kakashi was genuinely curious.

"It's nothing. My partner inside me showed me scenes of slaughter from across the Shinobi World and let me feel his killing intent. It's not just me—Sasuke and Hinata experience it often too. Watch enough, and you learn."

Kakashi looked at Sasuke, who nodded. Now he understood: Naruto had used genjutsu to let them experience the cruelty of the Shinobi World ahead of time, with the Nine-Tails' help.

Now that he knew the reason, Kakashi relaxed. "Then let's keep moving."

Tazuna came back to his senses and said, "I know a hidden path that'll get us to the Land of Waves faster. Most people don't know about it."

"Then I'm sorry for the trouble," Kakashi replied with a smile.

"Don't mention it. You're protecting me, after all. Come with me." Team 7 set off for the Land of Waves once more.

The group reached the border of the Land of Waves. Tazuna led them along the hidden path, hoping to avoid their pursuers and enter the country safely.

As they neared the Land of Waves, Naruto suddenly threw a Kunai toward the shore. Sakura cried out, "Naruto, what's wrong?"

Everyone looked toward the shore and saw a rabbit. They all breathed a sigh of relief. Sakura complained, "Naruto, don't scare us for no reason. You could've scared us to death."

As soon as Sakura finished speaking, Kakashi tensed. "No, that's a Snow Rabbit. There shouldn't be any Snow Rabbits in the Land of Waves. Look out!" He shoved Sakura's head down.

Naruto and Sasuke darted to shore with Tazuna. A huge sword flew over their boat. If Kakashi hadn't pushed Sakura's head down in time, she would have been decapitated.

Sakura saw the sword embedded in a large tree and said, still shaken, "I almost died just now."

A man suddenly appeared, standing on the sword. Seeing Kakashi, he said, "So you're the Copy Ninja, Kakashi. Your name is written in my ninja handbook: the Konoha technician who copied over a thousand Ninjutsu with the Sharingan, the Sharingan's Copy Ninja, Kakashi. No wonder the Demon Brothers failed."

After recognizing him, Kakashi replied, "Oh, so you're Momochi Zabuza, the Kirigakure missing-nin who once tried to assassinate the Land of Water's daimyo and start a coup."

Zabuza looked at Kakashi. "Kakashi, I don't want to fight you. Would you hand over the old man behind you?"

"That won't do," Kakashi replied lazily. "He's the target we're protecting on this mission, so I'll have to refuse."

Zabuza sighed. "What a shame. He's my target too, so..." He began forming Hand Seals. "Kirigakure Jutsu!" A dense fog suddenly rose over the water.

Seeing the thick fog, Sakura nervously asked Kakashi, "What's going on, Kakashi-sensei? Why did it get so foggy all of a sudden?"

"This is Zabuza's signature technique: Silent Killing Technique."

Zabuza's voice rang out. "Neck, heart, liver—which should I start with?"

Kakashi suddenly leaped to shore with Tazuna and Sakura, joining Sasuke and Naruto. The boat had already been cut in half by Zabuza's sword.

Zabuza saw Kakashi had brought Tazuna and Sakura to shore but didn't pursue them. Instead, he released a powerful killing intent that engulfed them all.

Sakura trembled under Zabuza's killing intent. Kakashi saw her shaking and released his own killing intent to counter it. Sakura immediately stopped trembling.

Kakashi smiled and patted Sakura on the head. "Don't be afraid, Sakura. I'll protect you."

Then Kakashi looked at Naruto and Sasuke. "Sasuke, Naruto, protect Tazuna. I'll deal with Zabuza."

"Do you need any help?" Naruto asked with a smile.

"Just make sure Tazuna stays safe," Kakashi replied.

"Fine by me," Naruto said nonchalantly.

Sasuke wore a cold expression, but Naruto knew he wanted to fight Zabuza. Naruto wanted to as well, but he knew Kakashi wouldn't allow it.

"Leave this to Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke," Naruto said with a smile.

Sasuke nodded. "Fine." Naruto and Sasuke stood to one side with Sakura and Tazuna.

Kakashi should have had no trouble beating Zabuza, but he let his guard down and was trapped in a Water Prison.

"I was careless," Kakashi said, regretting his mistake.

Zabuza laughed loudly. "Looks like the legendary Konoha technician, Kakashi, isn't much after all."

Seeing Zabuza acting so smug, Kakashi sighed. "You don't really think you've won just because of this, do you, Zabuza?"

Zabuza looked puzzled. "You think you can still get out?"

"I can't get out right now, but have you forgotten? I'm not alone."

Zabuza looked toward Naruto and the others, then burst into laughter. "Kakashi, you don't think these brats can save you, do you? Ha, hahaha!"

"Don't underestimate Konoha's ninja," Kakashi said disdainfully. "Sasuke, Naruto, it's up to you now."

Naruto sounded excited. "Oh, I didn't think I'd get a chance to step in. Great, leave it to me!"

"It's my turn," Sasuke said. "You idiot. Get out of the way."

Seeing them argue over who would come at him, Zabuza laughed. "Heh. You brats think graduating from the Ninja Academy makes you ninja? I'll show you how cruel the life of a ninja is."

He created a Water Clone, ready to finish off Sasuke and Naruto. But when he went to attack them, he realized they weren't paying him any attention at all. They were still arguing over who would take him on.

Zabuza grew angry. "I'll tear you to pieces!" He charged at Naruto with a swift slash.

Naruto threw a Kunai toward Zabuza's real body and formed a Rasengan in his hand.

When Zabuza's clone saw the Rasengan, he knew it was dangerous, but he couldn't stop his attack. He could only bring his sword down on Naruto. Zabuza dodged the Kunai, and the clone's sword was already above Naruto's head. Just as Zabuza thought he could finish Naruto with one strike, the Naruto in front of him vanished. Zabuza's clone froze in shock.

But Sasuke didn't hesitate. As soon as Naruto threw the Kunai, Sasuke had finished forming his Hand Seals. The instant Zabuza's clone froze, Sasuke attacked.

First, he used his Sharingan to cast genjutsu. Then he hit Zabuza's clone with a Great Fireball, blowing it apart.

Naruto, who had vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique, appeared beside the Kunai Zabuza had dodged, behind Zabuza's real body. He slammed the Rasengan into Zabuza's shoulder, sending him flying and freeing Kakashi.

Naruto teased him. "Kakashi-sensei, I didn't expect you to get into such a mess."

Kakashi replied helplessly, "I let my guard down for a moment."

"Want me to finish him off?" Naruto asked.

But Kakashi had his pride. He couldn't let his student look down on him, so he refused. "No. I'll finish him myself."

Zabuza, who had been knocked away, got back up and walked over to Naruto and Kakashi.

He looked puzzled. "That kid just used the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique, right? I never thought I'd get to witness a legendary Ninjutsu like that. It was worth the trip. And that other kid is from the Uchiha Clan, isn't he? He's awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, too. Konoha really is a cradle of geniuses."

"That's right, Zabuza. I won't let my guard down this time," Kakashi replied.

Naruto tactfully went to stand beside Sasuke and watched Kakashi fight Zabuza. This time, Kakashi didn't let his guard down. He made full use of the Sharingan's copying ability, copying all of Zabuza's Ninjutsu—even his movements.

Just as Kakashi was about to land the final blow, a young man killed Zabuza with a senbon. He claimed to be an Anbu from the Mist Village and then carried Zabuza's body away.

Naruto vaguely remembered that the boy was Zabuza's companion. But Kakashi had passed out from overusing his chakra, and Naruto didn't stop him from taking Zabuza away. After all, Zabuza couldn't cause much trouble now.

Besides, Naruto vaguely remembered that Zabuza wasn't really a bad person, so he didn't dwell on it. He had Tazuna lead the way and carried Kakashi to Tazuna's house.