Tazuna
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Kakashi called toward the woods ahead. No one answered him; instead, three shuriken came flying at him. Clang! Clang! Clang! After three sharp sounds, Kakashi knocked all the shuriken aside. After waiting a moment, Kakashi realized the attackers had already left. "They're gone. Let's keep moving. We need to reach the town ahead and spend the night there as soon as possible. It isn't safe outside. It seems we're being watched." At his words, the others immediately quickened their pace.
"Just two small fry? What a bore," Jin muttered on distant Mount Myoboku after receiving the information sent back by his clone.
As Kakashi walked, he noticed that the enemy had continued following them. There did not seem to be many of them—only two, by the feel of it. Being tailed by two ninja made him thoroughly uncomfortable, but for Tazuna's protection, he could only endure it.
Half an hour later, the two ninja were still following Kakashi and the others. An idea suddenly came to Kakashi. He said to the three, "I'll go see who these ninja following us really are. Stay here and protect Mr. Tazuna."
"Yes!" the three answered.
After Kakashi left, a quarter of an hour passed before four shuriken flew out from the woods, aimed straight at the four of them's vital points.
Having never experienced real combat, Naruto was frightened and completely forgot to use the kunai in his hand to block the enemy's shuriken. At the critical moment, Sasuke swiftly swung his kunai, knocking down the shuriken aimed at himself, Naruto, and Tazuna. Unexpectedly, Sakura also managed to knock aside the enemy's shuriken.
"Who are you? How dare you ambush Konoha ninja?" Sasuke shouted sharply.
"Are Konoha ninja supposed to be so impressive? They sent three little brats