Zabuza Appears

"It was simple. After Naruto discovered the enemy, he didn't show any abnormality. Instead, he calmly ate here, forcing the enemy to expend a great deal of stamina in order to remain hidden."

"He even grasped the enemy's mindset, placing the campfire at the exact limit where the enemy wanted to move but could still endure it, tormenting the enemy mentally and physically. It was an exceptionally brilliant strategy."

Kakashi evaluated it point by point, speaking with great logic and leaving Sakura and Sasuke staring at Naruto in surprise.

"I didn't expect there to be such a strategy."

Sasuke shot Naruto an unwilling glance. He understood that he had lost again this time, and he couldn't help feeling a little dejected.

"Don't be discouraged, Sasuke. If you had discovered the enemy first, you could have defeated them too. Naruto is a Sensory Ninja, which is why he found them ahead of time," Sakura comforted him softly.

"Yeah."

After thinking about it, Sasuke felt she was right. If he had discovered the enemy earlier, perhaps he would have performed even better than Naruto. After all, he wasn't lacking in intelligence either.

Thinking that, Sasuke's mood improved considerably.

[Experience Points +1]

"Alright, next we'll interrogate these two Rogue Ninjas and find out what exactly is going on."

As Kakashi spoke, he carried the two Rogue Ninjas over to a large tree, tied them up, and began the interrogation.

Naruto no longer paid attention to what happened next.

The two Rogue Ninjas' Experience Orbs had already been absorbed, and the Experience Points he had gained along the way had reached fifty.

In high spirits, Naruto sank his consciousness into the Lottery Interface, considering whether he should try his luck with a draw.

But after thinking it over, he decided against it. Through the test, Naruto had gained a rough understanding of his own strength.

In truth.

These two Rogue Ninjas were Zabuza's subordinates. One was called Meitou, the other Yetou. They were known as the Demon Brothers, and their strength had already reached the level of Chunin.

Yet before him, opponents of that level were as weak as insects. Naruto couldn't even summon any interest in fighting them, and he had vaguely guessed at the extent of his own strength.

"Since the opponents are so weak, should I do something? I'm really short on money right now. I remember that Gato seems to be a very wealthy man," Naruto muttered to himself.

When he had read the original story, Naruto had remembered Zabuza's arc clearly. He especially remembered Kakashi saying that Gato was a famous tycoon in the Ninja World. And if he could get his hands on that wealth...

Naruto glanced at his Personal Space. It looked like it could hold quite a lot of money, and a smile instantly curled up at the corner of his lips.

Time slowly passed, and the full details of this mission were finally uncovered.

Sasuke and Sakura also understood that this mission was far from ordinary, and they considered whether they should continue.

In the end, after discussing it, they decided to continue the mission and set off once more toward the Land of Waves. But...

Since Tazuna was an ordinary person, they could not travel very quickly.

Furthermore, Konoha was truly far from the Land of Waves for ordinary people, so the journey took quite some time.

Fortunately, Sasuke and Sakura kept generating Experience Points. By the time they arrived in the Land of Waves, Naruto had gained quite a lot from this mission as well.

Considering that exchanging for blood would change his hair color, Naruto did not exchange for it immediately. Of course, if certain circumstances arose, he would exchange for it at once and unleash his power!

Land of Waves, within a patch of shadows.

Masked Haku quietly watched Zabuza and said softly, "Let me go with you. They are Konoha ninja, after all."

"There's no need. Don't forget my Silent Killing Technique," Zabuza said arrogantly, carrying the Kubikiribōchō over his shoulder.

With the Silent Killing Technique and the Hidden Mist Technique, he could handle any enemy with ease, even kill them effortlessly.

That was the absolute confidence he had built through countless battles.

"That's true. Your Silent Killing Technique is indeed very powerful." Haku bowed slightly.

"Alright, I'll go deal with them." Zabuza waved a hand and vanished like lightning.

Watching Zabuza leave, Haku felt uneasy for some reason, vaguely sensing that something was about to happen.

"I should go too, even if I only stay hidden in the shadows."

Whoosh!

Land of Waves, in a forest near a water source.

Kakashi and the others walked quietly through the lush green grass.

"Stay alert. The trees are dense here, and we may encounter an enemy attack. Be careful," Kakashi reminded them in time.

"Got it, Kakashi-sensei."

Sasuke nodded, his expression gradually turning serious as he prepared to perform well once fighting broke out.

Whoosh!

A kunai suddenly shot from Naruto's hand, flying like lightning toward a large tree in the distance.

Seeing this, Sakura thought Naruto was randomly throwing kunai around for fun and hurriedly warned him.

"Naruto, don't throw kunai around. What if you hurt an ordinary person?"

"Heh!"

Naruto sneered and turned to look at the tree. "Since you're here, come out."

"What?"

Sakura froze at those words. Only then did she notice that Kakashi had already become alert.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The enormous Kubikiribōchō came spinning through the air, carrying the force to cleave through anything as it flew fiercely toward Naruto.

Bang!

The massive blade buried itself in a large tree, and Zabuza appeared stylishly atop its handle before turning to look at Naruto.

"What a sharp little brat."

Zabuza stared coldly at Naruto. The place where he had hidden was extremely concealed, and far enough away, yet he had never expected a mere brat to discover him so easily.

More importantly, that kunai had been thrown incredibly fast, nearly injuring him. Fortunately, he had dodged in time.

That was why, after making his appearance, he kept his eyes fixed on Naruto. "Interesting little brat, but only interesting."

Zabuza gave a cold smile. He had killed countless geniuses and countless strong opponents, forging an exceptionally resolute mindset.

So while he acknowledged Naruto's flawless performance just now, what did it matter? He could simply kill him.

Thus, Zabuza stopped paying attention to Naruto and instead turned toward Kakashi, who was leading the group.

"The Copy Ninja Kakashi? A little troublesome. It seems I'll have to slaughter you."

Whoosh!

Zabuza flickered, and when he appeared again, he was already standing atop the water, forming hand seals.

Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!

Thick white mist began to spread, enveloping the area and obscuring everyone's vision.

"Be careful. This is the Hidden Mist Technique. Combined with the Silent Killing Technique, it's extremely troublesome."

Kakashi hurriedly warned them, then looked at Naruto. "Naruto, can you sense him?"

"Sense? So he's a Sensory Ninja. But my Hidden Mist Technique contains Chakra. Forget Sensory Ninja—even the Sharingan will be severely affected."

Zabuza's cold voice echoed from all around them. They could not tell north from south, much less lock onto Zabuza's position.

His words made Sakura and Sasuke grow solemn. Even Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing the Sharingan in his left eye.

However.

Kakashi still could not find Zabuza's location, and his expression gradually became serious.

"Copy Ninja Kakashi, I have long heard your name. Today, let us compete and see who is stronger."

Zabuza's cold voice rang out again, carrying a hint of provocation. It seemed he had noticed Kakashi trying to locate him, and he spoke once more.

"It's useless. The Hidden Mist Technique became the signature Ninjutsu of the Land of Water because its effects have long been tested countless times. You will never find me..."

Whoosh!

A kunai suddenly flew out, and Zabuza's voice cut off abruptly.

Then came an exasperated roar. "Impossible! How did you find my position? Impossible!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew as Zabuza's figure abruptly landed atop a large tree. He stared at Naruto with uncertainty and shock.

"Brat, how did you find me? Even a Sensory Ninja shouldn't have been able to detect me!"

"Well, it's not like I can't tell you. But do you want to hear the truth or a lie?" Naruto tilted his head.

"Of course the truth," Zabuza answered without hesitation.

"Alright, then I'll tell you."

Naruto suddenly became serious. Under everyone's curious gaze, he said, "Actually, you have body odor. I could smell it from far away. It stinks."

Silence.

The scene fell quiet. Zabuza stood blankly atop the tree as veins gradually bulged on his forehead.

"You damned brat, you dare toy with me?"

"No, no, I'm telling the truth. You really do have body odor. You just can't smell it yourself."

"Utter nonsense!"

"If you don't believe me, ask the others. They aren't saying anything, but you can tell from their subtle expressions."

"Bullshit! I'll kill you!"

Whoosh!

[Experience Points +2]

[Experience Points +2]