Battle Zabuza

After deciding to continue the mission, Naruto took a kunai, walked up to one of the enemies, and with a swift motion, killed him.

Sakura and Tazuna let out a cry of shock. Sasuke frowned.

Kakashi then said, "Naruto, what are you doing?"

Naruto asked in confusion, "Kakashi-sensei, is something wrong? Aren't we supposed to eliminate enemies that interfere with the mission?"

Seeing Naruto speak with such a calm expression, Kakashi was slightly surprised before saying, "That is true, but I still hoped you would be exposed to this bloodiness a little later."

Naruto laughed at this, "Just a moment ago, Kakashi-sensei said I was too soft on Sakura, and now you say this. I really don't know what you're thinking."

Kakashi felt a bit of internal injury from Naruto's retort. What an unlovable brat, he thought to himself.

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

Naruto looked at Sasuke and realized, "Oh, right, you haven't killed anyone yet, have you? Fine, this one is yours." With that, he handed the kunai in his hand to Sasuke.

Sasuke approached the enemy, picked up the kunai, and slashed it across the man's throat. Instantly, the man's blood sprayed all over Sasuke.

Seeing Sasuke covered in blood, yet noting his steady hand and lack of trembling, Naruto said with satisfaction, "Sasuke, your angle was off. But for your first kill, being this steady is quite impressive. Study it more in the future, and you'll be able to do it without getting splattered."

Hearing Naruto's words and looking at the blood on himself compared to the clean Naruto, Sasuke frowned and replied, "I will."

At this moment, Kakashi also frowned and asked, "Naruto, what you said is fine, but can you tell me how you managed to perform such a standard killing move?"

Naruto's technique was truly too standard—so standard that it seemed as if he had already killed many people. Yet, Kakashi knew clearly that Naruto had never left Konoha. He was genuinely curious how he had managed it.

Naruto replied, "It's nothing. My partner inside me just showed me many scenes of slaughter in the ninja world and let me feel his killing intent. It's not just me; Sasuke and Hinata have also experienced this often. You learn it after seeing enough."

Kakashi looked at Sasuke, and seeing him nod, Kakashi finally understood that Naruto had been using the Nine-Tails to let them experience the cruelty of this ninja world in advance through genjutsu.

Knowing the reason, Kakashi said in a relaxed tone, "Then, let's continue moving forward."

At this point, Tazuna, who had regained his composure, said, "I know a small path that can get us to the Land of Waves faster. It's very hidden; most people don't know about it."

Kakashi smiled, "Then we'll trouble you to lead the way."

Tazuna replied, "Don't mention it. You are protecting me, after all. Please, follow me." Team 7 once again headed toward the Land of Waves.

Naruto and his group arrived at the border of the Land of Waves. Tazuna led them onto a small path to enter the country, hoping to avoid enemy pursuit and enter safely.

Just as they were about to reach the Land of Waves, Naruto suddenly threw a kunai toward the shore, startling Sakura, who asked, "Naruto, what's wrong?"

Everyone looked toward the shore and saw it was just a rabbit, so they all breathed a sigh of relief. Sakura said with annoyance, "Naruto, don't scare people for no reason; you'll scare someone to death."

No sooner had Sakura finished speaking than Kakashi said nervously, "Wait, that's a Snow Rabbit. There shouldn't be Snow Rabbits in the Land of Waves. Ah, watch out!" As soon as Kakashi finished, he pressed Sakura's head down.

Naruto and Sasuke also dashed to the shore with Tazuna. They saw a massive broadsword fly over their small boat. If Kakashi hadn't pressed Sakura's head down in time, she would have been decapitated.

Seeing the broadsword embedded in a tree, Sakura said with lingering fear, "I almost died just now."

At that moment, a man stood atop the broadsword. Seeing Kakashi, he said, "So it's the Copy Ninja Kakashi. Your name is in my ninja handbook—the Konoha technician who has copied over a thousand jutsus with the Sharingan. The Copy Ninja of the Sharingan, Kakashi. No wonder the Demon Brothers failed."

After seeing who it was, Kakashi replied, "Oh, so it's the rogue ninja from the Mist who once attempted to assassinate the daimyo of the Land of Water and incite a coup, Momochi Zabuza."

Zabuza looked at Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, I don't want to be your enemy. I wonder if you could hand over the old man behind you to me?"

Kakashi replied lazily, "That won't do. He is the target we are protecting on this mission, so please allow me to refuse."

Zabuza said helplessly, "That's quite unfortunate. He is my target for this mission as well, so..." Halfway through his sentence, Zabuza formed hand seals and said, "Kirigakure Jutsu." Suddenly, a thick fog rose over the water.

Sakura, standing beside Kakashi, asked nervously, "Kakashi-sensei, what's going on? Why did such a thick fog suddenly appear?"

Kakashi replied, "This is Zabuza's signature technique, the Silent Killing Technique."

At this moment, Zabuza's voice drifted over: "Neck, heart, liver—which part shall you start with?"

Suddenly, Kakashi jumped to the shore with Tazuna and Sakura, arriving beside Sasuke and Naruto. The small boat had already been sliced in two by Zabuza's broadsword.

Seeing Kakashi escape to the shore while protecting Tazuna and Sakura, Zabuza did not pursue, but instead released a powerful killing intent that enveloped Kakashi and the others.

Sakura shivered under Zabuza's killing intent. Seeing her tremble, Kakashi released his own killing intent to counter Zabuza's, and Sakura immediately stopped shivering.

Kakashi smiled and patted Sakura's head, saying, "Sakura, don't be afraid. I will protect you."

After saying this, Kakashi looked at Naruto and Sasuke and continued, "Sasuke, Naruto, you two protect Tazuna. Leave Zabuza to me; I'll go take care of him."

Naruto laughed, "Don't need any help?" Kakashi replied, "Just protect Tazuna well." Naruto said nonchalantly, "Alright then."

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

Naruto smiled at Sasuke and said, "Let's leave it to Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke." Hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke nodded and replied, "Fine." Naruto and Sasuke stood to the side, guarding Sakura and Tazuna.

Normally, with Kakashi's strength, defeating Zabuza would be more than enough, but Kakashi was careless and got trapped in a Water Prison.

Frustrated by his own carelessness, Kakashi said, "I was too careless." Zabuza laughed loudly, "It seems the legendary Konoha technician Kakashi is nothing more than this."

Seeing Zabuza so arrogant, Kakashi sighed and said, "Zabuza, you don't think you've won just because of this, do you?"

Zabuza asked in confusion, "You don't think you can get out, do you?" Kakashi replied, "I can't get out right now, but have you forgotten? I'm not alone."

Zabuza looked toward Naruto's side in confusion and suddenly laughed loudly, "Kakashi, you don't think these brats can save you, do you? Heh, hahahahaha."

Kakashi said with disdain, "Don't underestimate Konoha's ninjas. Sasuke, Naruto, it's up to you now."

Naruto said excitedly, "Oh, I didn't expect to have a chance to shine. Great, leave it to me!"

Sasuke said, "It's up to me. You big idiot, get out of the way."

Zabuza watched the two of them fighting over who would go to their deaths first and let out a mocking laugh. "Heh, brats. Do you think graduating from the Ninja Academy makes you a ninja? I'll show you just how cruel a profession this truly is."

With that, he created a Water Clone, preparing to finish off Sasuke and Naruto. Yet, as he prepared to launch his assault, he realized the two of them weren't even looking at him, still arguing over who would take the lead.

Zabuza grew furious. "I'll tear you both to pieces!" He swung his blade toward Naruto with blinding speed.

Naruto threw a Kunai at Zabuza's real body while condensing a Rasengan in his hand.

Seeing the Rasengan, Zabuza's clone realized the danger, but it was too late to halt the attack; he could only bring his blade down on Naruto. Zabuza dodged the Kunai, and his clone's massive sword descended upon Naruto's head. Just as Zabuza thought he had finished him off, the Naruto before him vanished, leaving the clone stunned.

But Sasuke was not stunned. The moment Naruto threw the Kunai, Sasuke had already finished his hand seals. In that split second of the clone's hesitation, Sasuke launched his attack.

He first used his Sharingan to cast a genjutsu, then blasted the clone into nothingness with a Great Fireball.

Meanwhile, Naruto, having used the Flying Thunder God, reappeared beside the Kunai Zabuza had dodged. He emerged behind Zabuza's real body and slammed the Rasengan into his shoulder, sending him flying and freeing Kakashi.

Naruto teased, "Kakashi-sensei, I didn't expect you to be in such a sorry state." Kakashi replied helplessly, "I was careless for a moment."

Naruto asked, "Do you want me to take care of him, then?"

Kakashi had his pride; he couldn't let his own students look down on him. He refused, saying, "No need. I will finish him myself."

The sent-flying Zabuza stood up and walked toward Naruto and Kakashi.

He said with a puzzled expression, "That brat just used the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God, didn't he? To think I'd actually get to see that legendary jutsu—this trip was truly worth it. And that other brat is from the Uchiha Clan, isn't he? With a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, no less. Konoha really is a cradle for geniuses."

Kakashi replied, "That's right, Zabuza. I won't be careless this time."

Naruto tactfully moved to Sasuke's side to watch the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza. This time, Kakashi did not let his guard down; he fully utilized the copying ability of his Sharingan, mirroring all of Zabuza's jutsus and even his movements.

Just as Kakashi was about to deliver the final blow, a youth "killed" Zabuza with Senbon. He claimed to be an Anbu from the Mist Village and subsequently took Zabuza's body away.

Naruto vaguely remembered that this youth was Zabuza's accomplice. However, because Kakashi had exhausted his chakra and fallen unconscious, Naruto didn't bother stopping him from taking the body; Zabuza wouldn't be causing any more trouble anyway.

Besides, in Naruto's memory, Zabuza didn't seem like a truly evil person, so he didn't take it to heart. He had Tazuna lead the way and carried Kakashi on his back toward Tazuna's home.