Kakashi and the other four chatted and laughed as they traveled, completely unaware that an enemy was approaching from behind. Zabuza pursued them cautiously. Once he spotted Kakashi's group, he immediately slipped into the forest, using the trees as cover as he gradually drew closer. A clone Uchiha Jin had concealed in the forest was the first to notice Zabuza's trail, but it did not sound a warning. Far away on Mount Myoboku, Jin watched the developments with eager anticipation.
After observing the five of them for a while, Zabuza determined that only Kakashi posed any threat to him. He quickly rushed ahead along the road, then stood with his arms folded across his chest and quietly waited for Kakashi to arrive.
"I want to ask something. Were the two Kirigakure ninja on the road killed by you?" Momochi Zabuza asked, standing in the middle of the road with the Kubikiribōchō resting on his shoulder. Konoha's reputation was currently at its peak. If he did not confirm who had killed those Mist ninja, Zabuza truly did not want to make a move. That was why he asked, then quietly waited for Kakashi's answer.
As the enemy suddenly appeared, the four of them swiftly drew their kunai and assumed defensive stances. The moment Kakashi saw the man's attire, he recognized him as Momochi Zabuza, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. They had fought once before, during the World Ninja Challenge. Both of them had some understanding of the other's methods of attack.
Kakashi answered, "Those two tried to kill someone important under our protection. It was only natural for us to kill them. You are no longer a Kirigakure ninja, so there is no need for you to wade into this mess. Our strength is evenly matched. If