Mist and First Encounters in the Land of Waves

The warmth of Ichiraku Ramen had yet to fade from their memories when Team 7 embarked on its first official mission as ninja.

Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, watched the four genin and one jonin before him. He exhaled a cloud of smoke and handed a mission scroll to Kakashi. "A C-rank mission: escort the client safely back to the Land of Waves. The mission level isn't high, which makes it perfect for you all to find your rhythm."

Standing behind Kakashi was a middle-aged man in glasses, trembling—Tazuna, a bridge builder from the Land of Waves. He looked ordinary and cowardly, but Uchiha Ling keenly noticed that beneath his drunkard-like exterior, a trace of imperceptible anxiety and resolve was hidden deep in his eyes.

"Only a C-rank mission? Great! We won't run into any ninja opponents!" Naruto danced with excitement. Sasuke gave a cold snort, while Sakura let out a sigh of relief.

Only Uchiha Ling felt a sense of dread. The Land of Waves... he remembered clearly that this was by no means a simple C-rank mission. The Demon, Zabuza Momochi, and that boy Haku, who possessed the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, would be the first true life-or-death test they would face.

"I hope so." Kakashi scratched his silver hair, his tone remaining lazy, but his eyes swept over Tazuna thoughtfully before lingering for a moment on Uchiha Ling's calm face.

The team quickly assembled and departed, leaving the Hidden Leaf Village behind. The excitement of their first mission kept Naruto and Sakura chattering along the way. Although Sasuke remained silent, his eyes held a hint of scrutiny toward the new environment. Uchiha Ling walked silently in the middle of the formation, staying close to Tazuna. His Basic Aura Sensing remained active, scanning everything around them like an invisible radar.

As he walked, he silently circulated the Chakra Refinement Technique (Efficient Version) within his body, feeling chakra generate and flow continuously like a stream. At the same time, he repeatedly rehearsed the prerequisite knowledge for the Lightning Release: Chidori Simplified Instruction in his mind, attempting to grasp the nature of lightning-attribute chakra, which was both violent and cohesive. Within his mental space, the outline of the Asauchi seemed to grow a fraction clearer, strengthening his spiritual connection to it.

The first few days of the journey were peaceful, until they neared the border of the Land of Fire and stepped into a swampy area shrouded in thick fog.

The air turned damp and cold, and visibility dropped sharply. Naruto and Sakura's chatter died down involuntarily, and even Sasuke subconsciously gripped his kunai. Kakashi maintained his lazy demeanor, but his hand, tucked into his pocket, had already quietly prepared to form hand seals.

In Uchiha Ling's perception, the surrounding environment became blurred, but that faint, lingering chakra—laden with moisture and killing intent—became as clear as a torch lit in the darkness.

"Watch out, something's wrong," Uchiha Ling whispered. His voice was low, but it instantly put the entire team on high alert.

Kakashi gave him an approving look.

Just then—

"Whoosh!"

A shrill sound of something piercing the air tore through the fog! A humongous, chain-wrapped blade spun at high speed like a whirlwind, slashing fiercely toward Kakashi at the front of the group!

The speed and force were far beyond what any genin could have imagined!

"Get down!" Kakashi shouted, shoving Tazuna aside.

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke instinctively dropped to the ground. However, the moment the giant blade struck, Uchiha Ling's pupils contracted sharply! Sharingan Insight Enhancement allowed him to clearly see the blade's trajectory, and also... the second attack hidden behind the blade, coming like a ghost—a silent water arrow aimed straight for Tazuna's heart!

A feint!

The target is still the client! Uchiha Ling realized, his body reacting faster than his thoughts! He didn't choose to drop completely; instead, he pushed off the ground with all his might, channeling Wind Release: Speed Attack Technique to its limit. His figure slid horizontally as if teleporting, while he crossed his kunai in front of his chest!

"Clang!"

A crisp sound rang out! The massive Kubikiribocho grazed the top of Kakashi's head and embedded itself deep into a tree trunk behind them. Uchiha Ling's arms went numb from the immense impact of the spinning blade, and he stumbled back several steps before steadying himself. He had successfully used his kunai to deflect the blade's momentum, protecting Tazuna behind him.

Almost at the same time, the insidious water arrow missed its mark, burying itself into the ground where they had just been standing and leaving a small crater.

"Oh? Not bad reflexes, kid," a deep, oppressive voice came from the fog. A tall, muscular man with bandages wrapped around his face, revealing only a pair of fierce eyes, stood silently on the hilt of the Kubikiribocho embedded in the tree. He was bare-chested, carrying more bandages on his back, and radiated a beast-like, dangerous aura.

Zabuza Momochi!

The fog grew even thicker under the influence of his chakra, as if it had become his domain.

"That's... the rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi!" Kakashi's expression turned grave. He slowly pulled up his headband to reveal his left eye—a scarlet eye with three tomoe: the Sharingan!

"Copy Ninja Kakashi... I didn't expect to run into you here." Zabuza's voice held a hint of wariness, but it was filled with excitement and killing intent. "It seems this old man's head is worth much more than I imagined."

Terrifying killing intent permeated the air like a physical force. Naruto and Sakura's faces turned deathly pale instantly, their bodies trembling uncontrollably, making it difficult even to move. Sasuke was also drenched in cold sweat, gritting his teeth as he struggled against the pressure.

Uchiha Ling felt his breath hitch, his heart squeezed by an invisible hand. This was his first time facing such raw, murderous pressure from a powerhouse who had waded through countless slaughters. It was completely different from the feeling during their training with Kakashi! But his strong mental fortitude and Physique Enhancement (Pain Resistance) allowed him to adapt quickly. His eyes remained calm, fixed on Zabuza as he analyzed his every subtle movement.

[Ding! Detected sign-in target: Zabuza Momochi (Hostile/Encounter).]

[Interaction level: Encounter + Confrontation (Initial).]

[Sign-in rewards distributing...]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Hidden Mist: Silent Killing Technique Basics! (Gained insight into stealth and aura concealment)]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Water Release: Water Clone Technique (Simplified Version)! (Reduced chakra consumption, weakened clone strength)]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: 150 System Points!]

Knowledge on how to hide in the mist, how to eliminate the sound of footsteps and killing intent, and how to use the environment for a one-hit kill flooded his mind. At the same time, he mastered the simplified Water Clone Technique. Although the rewards didn't directly boost his combat power, both the assassination techniques and the water clone were extremely valuable in the current situation!

"You three, protect Mr. Tazuna!" Kakashi ordered in a deep voice, his Sharingan locked onto Zabuza. "Form the manji formation! This guy is completely different from the enemies you've faced before!"

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura fought through their fear, surrounding the trembling Tazuna.

"Heh, in front of the Sharingan, does all ninjutsu have nowhere to hide?" Zabuza sneered, his hands moving rapidly to form seals—so fast they left afterimages. "Then how about this? Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"

The fog instantly thickened, rolling like milk and completely cutting off their vision. Even his teammates, standing just inches away, became blurred. Zabuza's figure vanished into the mist, and only his cold voice echoed from all directions:

"Throat, spine, lungs, liver... carotid artery, subclavian vein... kidneys, heart... tell me, which vital point would you like me to strike?"

The threat of death coiled around everyone's neck like a cold viper.

The battle was about to begin!

(Chapter 13 End)