Zabuza

After becoming genin, Sasuke and Naruto's team received their first C-rank mission.

It was to escort Tazuna, the master bridge builder of the Land of Waves.

Kakashi held a mission scroll in his hand.

This was a C-rank mission. It was not difficult for Kakashi and Sasuke, but Sasuke knew.

This was far more than just a C-rank mission.

The difficulty of this mission rivaled an S-rank mission, because during the escort, they would be attacked by Zabuza the Demon.

However, Sasuke was not afraid in the slightest. He was even a little excited!

If he could defeat Zabuza, he could recruit him afterward.

Sasuke also wanted to establish his own hidden faction.

If they counted it now, the Akatsuki Organization could be considered half of Sasuke's faction. After all, Obito was the hidden leader of the Akatsuki Organization, and Sasuke was now Obito's boss.

A forest outside the Hidden Leaf Village.

A middle-aged man sat atop a carriage.

The man was Tazuna, the master bridge builder of the Land of Waves. He said to Kakashi and the others, "Arigato. Sorry to trouble you."

Kakashi replied, "It's just a mission."

Afterward, Kakashi and the other three followed behind the carriage as they headed for the Land of Waves.

Two days later, everyone finally arrived at the border of the Land of Waves. A river lay ahead, and once they crossed it, they would reach the Land of Waves.

Sasuke and the others' mission would then be complete.

Suddenly, Kakashi's expression turned grim. He jumped down from the carriage and said to Sasuke, "Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, the Land of Waves is just ahead. We only have a few hours left, but I just received a message through Nara Shikaku's Mind Body Switch Technique. Orochimaru has appeared within the borders of the Hidden Leaf Village!

"I need to go back and protect the Hidden Leaf. Sasuke, I'll leave this mission to you!"

At the crucial moment, Kakashi left.

After Kakashi left, Sasuke kept pondering. Why had Kakashi left at this time?

Why had Orochimaru's whereabouts been exposed at precisely this time?

He had hidden in the Hidden Leaf for many years without being discovered, so why had he been discovered now?

After giving it some thought, Sasuke knew that this was Orochimaru's move against him.

Although he did not know Orochimaru's purpose, it was definitely aimed at him.

As they walked through the forest, the surroundings were terrifyingly silent.

There was not even the sound of birds. Naruto felt that the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive. "Why is everyone so quiet? Sasuke, you guys wait here. I'm going to take a leak."

After saying that, Naruto walked toward a large tree in the distance.

Naruto pulled out his thing, and just as he was enjoying himself, a voice suddenly came from the tree. "It's so small, but cute too~"

Naruto: "???"

The sudden voice gave Naruto a fright. He could not even pee anymore halfway through!

Naruto looked up.

When he saw a delicate face, Naruto instantly blushed!

"A-a-a... a girl??!!"

Haku jumped down from the tree, revealing a gentle smile as he said to Naruto, "Don't be embarrassed. You're just taking a leak..."

Naruto stammered, "B-b-but you're a girl..."

Haku ignored Naruto and instead looked into the distance.

This time, Haku and Zabuza's mission was simple: kill the master bridge builder of the Land of Waves.

Naruto was the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, so Haku needed to hold Naruto back.

As for the Uchiha brat and the Hyuga brat on the other side, Lord Zabuza would handle them.

On the other side, Sasuke thought to himself.

Why was Naruto taking so long? He still had not come back from peeing?

Sasuke more or less knew that something had happened.

But Naruto was the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki and had protagonist plot armor, so Sasuke was not worried about him.

Sasuke formed hand seals, and a clone appeared beside Hinata. This clone was meant to protect Hinata.

Sasuke said to Hinata, "Don't be afraid no matter what happens in a moment. I'll protect you."

Afterward, Sasuke intended to enter the carriage and check on the master builder.

But suddenly...

Mist rose.

Thick fog enveloped Sasuke's surroundings. Sasuke took a deep breath, and his Mangekyo appeared in his eyes.

Suddenly, Hinata cried out, "Sasuke! Behind you!"

A red gleam flashed through the thick fog.

The Executioner's Blade instantly slashed toward Sasuke's back. A purple chakra Susanoo skeleton emerged around Sasuke, and the Executioner's Blade collided with the skeleton with a crisp metallic clang.

Seeing that his assassination attempt had failed, Zabuza hid himself in the thick fog again.

Sasuke called out, "Hinata, help me see where the carriage is!"

Veins bulged around Hinata's eyes, and she instantly saw through the thick fog.

Hinata said, "Five meters to the front left!"

Sasuke rushed toward the carriage and entered it. The master builder was trembling in fright.

He asked Sasuke, "What's happening?"

Sasuke said, "Don't worry. Stay behind me!"

Afterward, Sasuke brought the master builder over to Hinata's side.

Hinata's Byakugan could see Zabuza within the thick fog.

Zabuza's figure moved swiftly through the white mist.

Sasuke frowned. Then Lightning Release chakra flooded his cells, activating them as blue arcs of electricity flickered across his body!

Hinata said to Sasuke, "Sasuke, three o'clock!"

The instant Hinata finished speaking, Sasuke shot out!

With the speed granted by his ninja body technique enhancement,

Zabuza could not react at all!

Sasuke's Mangekyo appeared in his eyes, and black flames covered both of his hands!

Sasuke drew two shuriken from his waist.

"Flame Release: Kagutsuchi: Amaterasu Shuriken!"

Sasuke's shuriken struck Zabuza's arm with precision.

Zabuza let out a pained scream, and the thick fog around them dispersed.

Sasuke looked over. All that remained was a severed arm burning with black flames.

Sasuke snorted coldly. Zabuza really was decisive.

The moment Amaterasu covered him, he had immediately cut off his own arm.

If Zabuza had hesitated and Amaterasu had covered his entire body, he would undoubtedly have died.

In that case, there would have been no need for Sasuke to recruit Zabuza.

Only someone both brave and resourceful was the talent Sasuke needed!

Sasuke left a Body Flicker shadow clone in place to ensure that he could return instantly, then asked Hinata, "Hinata, where is Zabuza?"

Hinata used her Byakugan to see through the forest and said to Sasuke, "Seven o'clock!"

Sasuke nodded, and his entire body transformed into a bolt of blue lightning as he rushed out.

It had to be said, the Hidden Cloud Village's Lightning Release ninja body technique was really useful.

Its ability to activate cells was simply too powerful!

P.S. Yesterday, I tried posting a suggestive photo of little brother Coke in the author's notes, but the system automatically flagged it as violating the rules...

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