Two Ninja Attack

Su Bai was not at all surprised that the Hokage had learned about his sparring match with Gale.

Konoha Village had the "ANBU"; they were the Hokage's eyes.

The Hokage basically knew everything that happened in the ninja village.

Besides, Su Bai had never intended to keep it secret.

After Su Bai received a round of praise from the Hokage, Naruto genuinely did not know what to say for a moment.

He scratched his head, wanting to press for it again but unable to find a suitable reason.

Though he claimed he did not care, deep down, he also felt that he should learn from Su Bai.

Seeing this, Su Bai secretly groaned inwardly.

According to the original plot, if Naruto did not make a fuss at this point, they would not receive the escort mission to the Land of Waves.

That was a huge haul of experience! He could not miss it no matter what.

Thus, Su Bai, who was usually quiet and reserved, suddenly spoke up. "Lord Hokage, Naruto does have a point. The recent missions really have been too easy. I think we should try missions with a little more difficulty as well."

The moment he said this, everyone present looked at Su Bai in surprise.

Naruto was overjoyed and repeatedly nodded in agreement. "That's right, that's right! Even Su Bai says so, so it'll definitely be fine! Grandpa Hokage, please give us a chance!"

Sasuke cast Su Bai and Naruto a cold sidelong glance. Though he said nothing, his eyes clearly spelled out, "Well done."

Kakashi, on the other hand, looked as though he understood, silently praising Su Bai for thinking of the others.

Worthy of being a genius of Konoha's new generation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. In the end, he could not withstand Naruto's relentless pestering.

"Fine, fine. Since even Su Bai says so, I'll give you a C-rank mission. Consider it a chance for you to see more of the world and gain some experience."

Naruto cheered with joy, looking as if he wanted to perform the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique on the spot.

Though Sakura and Sasuke did not show it openly, a trace of anticipation appeared in their eyes as well.

Su Bai secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he had salvaged things in time at the last moment; the trip to the Land of Waves had not fallen through after all.

At the thought of the battles about to take place there, he could not help clenching his fists.

I have to get stronger!

Early the next morning, the sun shone brightly and a gentle breeze blew.

The members of Team 7 arrived early at Konoha Village's main gate to gather.

The ancient wooden gates towered into the sky, the bright red character for "Fire" upon them gleaming brilliantly.

Lush green thickets lined both sides of the path before the gates, and birds chirped from time to time as they flew past.

The air was filled with the fragrance of earth, refreshing the mind and spirit.

Su Bai leaned against the gate with his arms crossed, his expression calm.

Naruto and Sakura chatted away noisily, while Sasuke grunted impatiently.

Kakashi held Icha Icha Paradise in his hands, occasionally letting out strange bursts of laughter.

Before long, an old man slowly approached, wearing a straw hat on his back and carrying luggage in his hand.

He had a small mustache and a pair of round-framed glasses, looking kind and amiable.

"Hello, my name is Dazna. I'm a bridge engineer from the Land of Waves. I'll have to trouble you to escort me back home this time."

The old man greeted them warmly.

Su Bai secretly observed Dazna.

The goal of this mission was to escort Dazna back to the Land of Waves and protect him until he finished building the bridge.

On the surface, it was merely an ordinary escort mission.

But Su Bai knew that this seemingly simple C-rank commission concealed A-rank danger.

Along the way, they would be ambushed by ninja from the Hidden Mist Village.

First would come two elite ninja, and finally, an A-rank rogue ninja with a mysterious background—Momochi Zabuza.

Team 7 set out on the road to the Land of Waves.

Su Bai remained vigilant throughout the journey, observing the surrounding environment.

According to the original plot, the first enemies lying in ambush would be two ninja from the Hidden Mist Village.

When they appeared, Kakashi would evade their attack with the Substitution Technique before suddenly counterattacking and defeating them in one stroke.

But Su Bai felt that would be such a waste.

Such a great opportunity for real combat, only for the teacher to resolve it in an instant—it was simply a terrible waste.

"When sparring with classmates, everyone holds back, so you can't feel true killing intent. Even when we fought Kakashi-sensei for the bells, he didn't use his full strength. Not to mention training at the academy—how could that compare to this kind of tempering at the edge of life and death?"

Su Bai calculated inwardly.

I have to deal with those two ninja before Kakashi-sensei makes a move. I need to fight them properly and squeeze every bit of their strength out of them!

Su Bai secretly made up his mind.

Team 7 continued onward along the road to the Land of Waves.

Naruto chattered nonstop the entire way.

Su Bai was not listening at all. His attention was entirely focused on observing the surroundings.

Suddenly, he spotted a suspicious puddle.

The sun was blazing. Why would there be water on the road?

At the same time, Kakashi also sensed that something was wrong.

However, Naruto, Sakura, and old man Dazna had noticed nothing at all.

Su Bai walked over to Kakashi and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Kakashi-sensei, don't make a move later. Leave them to me."

Kakashi was a little surprised. It seemed Su Bai's powers of observation truly were extraordinary.

He nodded, agreeing to Su Bai's suggestion.

Su Bai then returned to the group as if nothing had happened and continued on his way.

Seeing Su Bai's unusual actions, Sasuke also realized that something was amiss. "Could there be enemies nearby?"

He began carefully recalling whether there had been anything suspicious along the way.

Very soon, Sasuke also noticed that the puddle was highly suspicious.

Damn it, I was actually a step slower than Su Bai!

As a genius of the Uchiha Clan, how could he be willing to lose to Su Bai?

Sasuke gave Kakashi a look, indicating that he wanted to take action personally as well.

Seeing his two prized students behaving this way, Kakashi felt both gratified and expectant.

Before long, the group advanced a little farther.

Suddenly, the two Hidden Mist ninja lying in ambush launched their attack!

They wrapped Kakashi in chains covered with shuriken, then gave them a fierce tug.

Kakashi was instantly twisted into several pieces.

In truth, it was only the Substitution Technique.

The real Kakashi had long since hidden in a tree beside the road, secretly observing his students' performance.

"Let me see what you're capable of."

After strangling Kakashi's substitute, the two Hidden Mist ninja immediately lunged at Naruto.

Naruto had been stunned by the sight of Kakashi's gruesome death and had not reacted at all.

Sakura screamed, "Kakashi-sensei!"

The enemies were already right in front of him, yet Naruto still did not move.

He had been frightened senseless.

At the critical moment, Su Bai made his move!

With a Flash Step, Su Bai appeared behind one of the Hidden Mist ninja.

He drew Ryujin Jakka from his back.

In an instant, blazing flames roared from the blade.

On closer inspection, the chain connecting the two men's hands had already been severed into several pieces, clattering to the ground.

"What?!"

The two were greatly shocked.

This was no ordinary brat!