Opening the First Instance (Laugh)

Kakashi praised Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. Even Sakura, though frightened, had stood guard in front of Tazuna.

"Mr. Tazuna, a C-rank mission isn't supposed to involve ninja. At most, we'd run into bandits or thugs. If the enemy includes ninja, then it should definitely be classified as B-rank or even higher. You may have your reasons, but this puts us in a difficult position too. A mission of this level isn't something rookie Genin can take on."

Kakashi's lazy gaze turned serious. Tazuna still kept his head lowered, saying nothing. After pondering for a long time, he seemed to give up and let out a heavy sigh.

Tazuna said, "Sir, there are some things I need to tell you. They're related to the mission..."

Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all looked at Tazuna.

Tazuna said, "Actually, there's an extremely terrifying man who wants my life. His name is Gato, the owner of a shipping company."

Kakashi said in surprise, "Gato? One of the few greatest tycoons in the world... He wants your life?"

A fierce look appeared on Tazuna's face. "Yes. On the surface, he's the owner of a shipping company, but behind the scenes, he colludes with the mafia, thugs, ninja, smugglers, and drug traffickers. A year ago, they set their sights on the Land of Waves. Using wealth and violence, they seized control of all sea transport around the island. That bridge is our only hope."

"Drug trafficking!" Naruto shuddered at those words. Influenced by Awen to some extent, he said angrily, "Outrageous! Once I become Hokage, anyone who traffics drugs will get the death penalty!"

Thwack!

Kakashi chopped Naruto on the head, making him clutch it and stop interrupting.

Kakashi said, "I sympathize with you, but why didn't you say so when you commissioned us? A B-rank mission is already beyond what we're authorized to accept. Let's prepare to return to the village!"

Tazuna said quietly, "The Land of Waves is an extremely poor little country. Even the daimyo has little money, let alone me."

"But it's nothing. You don't need to take it to heart. If I die, the only one who'll cry himself to death will be my ten-year-old grandson. My daughter will spend the rest of her life hating Konoha. Of course, none of that will be your fault. Hahaha..." Tazuna burst into laughter, completely abandoning any sense of shame. He had come to Konoha to issue the mission because he had heard Konoha's ninja were compassionate, but for the sake of his country, he was willing to throw everything away.

Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke did not look at Tazuna kindly.

What a terrible client, Kakashi complained inwardly. He turned to look at everyone and asked, "What do you think?"

"Of course we continue the mission!" Naruto said without hesitation.

Sasuke nodded in agreement. Sakura would choose whatever Sasuke chose.

Kakashi said, "All right, then the mission continues!"

Tazuna made a victory gesture in his heart and finally breathed a sigh of relief. Done!

Just as Kakashi was about to say something, Naruto took out a Kunai and walked toward the Demon Brothers. After Kakashi had knocked them out, they had been tied to a tree.

Naruto took a deep breath. He knew he would face even more battles in the future. Under the disbelieving gazes of Kakashi, Tazuna, Sasuke, and Sakura, the Kunai in his hand slit the throat of one of the Demon Brothers, and blood sprayed out.

"Ah, my eyes! My eyes..." It was Naruto's first time killing someone, and he had no experience at all. The blood sprayed directly onto his face, staining many parts of his clothes red. It should have been a shocking scene, but when they saw Naruto covering his eyes and shouting, everyone immediately snapped out of it.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. He had not expected Naruto to be so decisive. If Naruto could do it, then so could he. He took out a Kunai and walked toward the other Demon Brother.

Tazuna hurriedly took out some water and handed it to Sakura. Sakura stepped forward to help Naruto rinse his eyes.

"Honestly, Naruto, you got blood all over yourself. It'll be impossible to wash out later."

Naruto could finally open his eyes. Looking depressed, he said, "Kakashi-sensei stole all the spotlight earlier. I wanted to look cool for once, but then..."

Sakura returned the water flask to Tazuna and said, "Naruto, even though you've changed a lot and become much more mature, there are still plenty of things about you that haven't changed at all!"

After dealing with the other Demon Brother, Sasuke's hands trembled slightly. His blue outer robe had been dyed red with blood, giving him an almost Asura-like air. Compared to Naruto's bedraggled appearance, Sasuke looked so cool that Sakura instantly fell into a lovestruck daze.

Naruto was extremely frustrated. Damn it, why did Sasuke make it look so cool? He had clearly made up his mind too.

The mission continued. Escort missions were truly long and boring. Naruto was no longer as excited as he had been when he first left the village. Several days passed before they finally reached the coast.

The boatmen were too afraid of Gato to set sail, but fortunately, Tazuna had prepared in advance. He found an old friend to row them across the sea. Taking a hidden route in the early hours of the morning, while thick fog shrouded the water, they arrived in the Land of Waves.

Sitting in the boat, Naruto felt the white sea mist cool against the tip of his nose. He stuck out his tongue and licked it, playfulness rising in him.

When Sakura and Sasuke happened to see him like that, they both rolled their eyes at him.

The little boat continued forward. The white mist drifted lightly, seeming to part to either side. It was beautiful and spectacular. The sea fog of the Land of Waves was a unique sight of the country, but when it came to a place shrouded in mist year-round, that would be Kirigakure in the Land of Water.

Once they reached land, Tazuna's old friend hurried away. Gato had many spies in the Land of Waves, so Tazuna's friend had come to help at the risk of his life.

They continued toward Tazuna's home. The fog had dispersed, and the forest they passed through was somewhat smaller than those in the Land of Fire. No one from Team 7 spoke along the way. The sun had already risen, but the clear sky felt especially cold to them.

Suddenly, Naruto swiftly pulled out a Kunai and threw it into a patch of bushes by the road, startling Sakura. Sasuke and Kakashi immediately went on guard.

After a brief stretch of silence, Naruto slowly walked over. Sakura, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Tazuna followed him.

Naruto's Kunai was embedded in a tree, while a snow-white rabbit lay nearby, its body twitching in fright as it had fainted.

"So cute!" Sakura's eyes lit up.

Kakashi frowned. "A snow rabbit? They have to be specially bred. How could an island nation like the Land of Waves possibly have snow rabbits?"

Suddenly, something whistled through the air!

"Everyone, get down!" Kakashi quickly pressed down Tazuna and Sasuke's heads, while Naruto immediately grabbed Sakura and pulled her down.

Kubikiribōchō tore through the air and embedded itself deeply in a thick tree. A man with his face wrapped in bandages appeared atop the sword's hilt using Body Flicker. He wore a Hidden Mist forehead protector and had his upper body bare, revealing powerful, well-defined muscles.

"No wonder the Demon Brothers failed. Isn't this the famous Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake?"

"Zabuza Momochi!" Kakashi's gaze turned wary, filled with killing intent. He was completely different from his usual lazy self.