Momochi Zabuza Appears 2/2

The Land of Waves was a small island nation, separated from Konoha by only a strip of sea. But it was as poor as the author, with no ninja of its own and unable to afford the cost of hiring them.

Now, the Land of Waves had been occupied by a man named Gatō. Through maritime shipping, Gatō controlled the nation's economic lifeline and ruled it like a local emperor.

Tazuna wanted to build a bridge connecting the country to the outside world.

But many people opposed it, including some of the Land of Waves' islanders. They believed that being oppressed by Gatō only meant being a little poorer, suffering a little more, and having a little less dignity. But once the bridge was built, their isolation would be broken, and ninja would come. Once ninja came, people would die!

This was a clash between living in humiliation and dying with dignity.

Gatō opposed it most fiercely, because the bridge would break his shipping company's monopoly and threaten his position as the local emperor. It crossed Gatō's bottom line. After several warnings proved ineffective, Gatō decided to hire ninja to assassinate Gatō.

The Demon Brothers, Gōzu and Meizu, were the first wave of ninja. Now they had already received their boxed meals and headed to Konoha Prison to begin their next performance.

Under Kakashi's questioning, Tazuna began to reveal the truth.

After discussing it, Kakashi and the others decided to continue the mission, even at a loss.

Although Hayato sympathized with Tazuna and the people of the Land of Waves, Tazuna's initial deception was undoubtedly wrong. If the Hokage had sent not Kakashi's team but some other much weaker team, they might have met their end upon encountering the Demon Brothers. By then, Tazuna would certainly have died as well. He had harmed others and himself.

The Land of Waves was pitiable, but did that mean Konoha's ninja deserved to die?

Soon, Kakashi crossed the strait and entered the Land of Waves.

News that Tazuna was still alive had long since reached Gatō's ears. Although Momochi Zabuza was displeased by Gatō's attitude, he decided to make a move personally. He was even considering whether to cut Gatō down with a single slash after receiving his payment.

Even as a rogue ninja who had fallen on hard times, he still had to maintain the prestige of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Momochi Zabuza made a truly flashy entrance.

The Executioner's Blade spun through the air, whistling over everyone's heads before embedding itself in a tree. Momochi Zabuza stood atop its hilt, his back turned toward Kakashi and the others.

No eyebrows, an Executioner's Blade—those two obvious traits matched. Kakashi recognized Momochi Zabuza.

"Hey, aren't you Momochi Zabuza, the rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist Village?" Kakashi greeted him casually. If Momochi Zabuza had no ill intent, inviting him down for tea and a chat would not have been impossible.

But had Momochi Zabuza really struck such a pose just to exchange greetings and leave?

Kakashi was not that naive.

His tone and body seemed relaxed, but he had actually long been prepared to strike.

Only Naruto, that fool, failed to recognize the danger. Determined not to let Sasuke steal the spotlight, he rolled up his sleeves and wanted to charge in.

One word: reckless!

Kakashi stopped Naruto and told him, "Kid, you can't handle this. I'll do it."

Momochi Zabuza recognized Kakashi as well. But since they were both famous figures, he was not the least bit intimidated—or perhaps he had never known fear. A man who dared to assassinate the Mizukage had nothing left to fear. Calling him utterly lawless would not have been an exaggeration.

Of course, Momochi Zabuza's masterful assassination techniques gave him the confidence to face opponents head-on. He was completely different from Mizuki, who only knew how to talk big.

The trio hiding in the shadows also lost their relaxed expressions.

Hayato said, "'Demon' Momochi Zabuza, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielder of the Executioner's Blade. He once attempted to assassinate the Mizukage. After failing, he defected. He is proficient in the Silent Killing Technique."

Any title, such as "Yellow Flash" or "Konoha's White Fang"... represented strength in itself. Anyone unworthy of their name would have long been dragged to the bounty exchange for a reward.

The title "Demon" already explained everything.

Sarara asked worriedly, "Should we make a move?" Her hand rested on her sword hilt, ready to act at any moment.

Hatake Kaito said, "Let's watch for now. Kakashi is getting serious."

"Copy Ninja," "Konoha's Number One Technician"—Kakashi was also a man with titles, and he was no less formidable. Sarara was worried about the other four burdens.

That was right. When ninja at Kakashi's level got serious, Naruto and the others were burdens.

Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing his crimson three-tomoe Sharingan.

At that moment, Sasuke's heart was in turmoil, filled with countless questions.

Obviously, no matter how many questions he had, he had to hold them in. This was not the time.

"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique."

A blanket of white mist spread through the area.

"What thick fog!" Sarara could not help saying.

The Hidden Mist Technique was only a D-rank ninjutsu, but the density of the mist depended on the amount of chakra used. With visibility nearly at zero, Momochi Zabuza's strength was clear to see.

Sarara said, "Hayato, the Hidden Mist Technique shouldn't affect the Byakugan, right? Can you see clearly?"

"It does affect it." Hayato looked at the blurry silhouettes in the mist. "A large amount of chakra has been mixed into the fog, and the enhanced Byakugan is essentially chakra vision. It has some effect, but it's not a major problem."

No matter the environment, Naruto's Nine-Tails chakra shone like a bright moon in the darkness.

Hayato said, "The Hidden Mist Technique has some detection ability. Stay concealed."

After saying that, he contracted his chakra points, minimizing the leakage of chakra.

Sarara's figure turned transparent—Transparent Escape.

Hatake Kaito's body took on the color of tree bark. Unless someone looked directly at him, he was impossible to notice.

The battle between Hatake Kakashi and Momochi Zabuza continued.

"Eight places—the throat, spine, liver, lungs, carotid artery, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart... So, which vital point should I choose?"

Momochi Zabuza's voice rose, like fingernails scraping glass. It seemed to come from the front, then from behind; when they listened closely, it came from every direction, hollow and impossible to grasp, enough to drive anyone mad.

In truth, the killing intent erupting from Hatake Kakashi and Momochi Zabuza shook the sensitive Sasuke's resolve and bred fear within him. Naruto, with his thick nerves, was doing somewhat better.

Noticing Sasuke's abnormal state, Kakashi said, "Don't worry. I won't let my comrades be killed."

At the same time, he released chakra, dispersing the dense mist.

But it was only temporary. The moment Kakashi stopped, the mist slowly began to spread again.

Next, Kakashi and Zabuza exchanged Water Clones.

Basic stuff, no need for further description.

The turning point in the battle came quickly. Caught off guard, Kakashi was kicked flying by Zabuza, fell into the water, and was trapped within the Water Prison Technique.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura faced Momochi Zabuza directly.

In her urgency, part of Sarara's transparent body became visible.

Hayato pressed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't panic. The one facing Naruto and the others is only a Water Clone, and the Water Prison Technique can't trap Kakashi while he has the Sharingan. Don't worry, I'm prepared."

Hayato raised his hand. Five transparent threads slowly lengthened and crept along the ground toward the battle. Although he was sure Naruto would not die easily, Naruto was not the only one present. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura—whether he liked them or not, they were all people of Konoha, comrades who would fight alongside him on the battlefield in the future.

Besides, Sasuke had Itachi Uchiha behind him. If the worst happened and Sasuke died here, Itachi Uchiha would go dark.

[PS] Thanks to 1A90 for 1 recommendation vote, Niunao for a recommendation vote, Yuh? for a recommendation vote, Yaoxinmiao, Harmless Ghost, and Other Shore for 4 recommendation votes, Call Me Old Wang Next Door and Kudo Shinichi & Mouri Ran for 5 recommendation votes, and Riding the Wind and Waves for 6 recommendation votes. Thank you.

[PS] Thanks to Lemon Dango-chan for the suggestions and reminders. Directionless Fungus is a newbie and doesn't understand many things.

[PS] Next chapter, tomorrow afternoon at two. See you during the trial promotion. Please support with bookmarks and recommendation votes.