Just a Joke—Why Are You Getting So Worked Up?

The group crossed the calm sea by boat and soon docked at the Wave Country pier.

Along the way, Sasuke had become the one holding a book. He even chuckled from time to time while reading. If they had not reminded him repeatedly, Naruto would have been afraid the guy would break into an Uchiha maniacal laugh.

Kakashi, on the other hand, had stared blankly into space the entire journey, leaving Sakura and Naruto utterly surprised.

That was not right...

Why had Kakashi Sensei not pulled out his Little Liu Bei?

Had he finished reading it?

However, the three kids had no idea that Kakashi was in an extremely irritable mood.

Not reading Make-Out Paradise felt like Asuma not smoking, or Lady Tsunade not gambling.

Even Kakashi had not expected to suffer withdrawal symptoms.

The only thing that could calm him down during the journey was watching the fish in the sea.

"Sasuke, stop reading."

"We're ashore."

When Naruto got off the boat, he found the guy still fucking clutching that book. For some reason, a wave of anger rose in his heart. He finally seemed to understand how his mom had felt whenever she saw him playing on his phone.

Fuck!

Who understood this? They were about to face a boss, and his teammate was still reading a novel.

There was already Hatake Fifty-Fifty, the king of slacking off, on the team, plus Sakura the accessory...

If Uchiha Sasuke started slacking off too, then this would be impossible!

Facing Haku and Zabuza by himself...

Honestly, he was still a little uncertain.

After all, Foshan Naluduo really did not know Wing Chun, and he still could not take on ten at once.

Of course, having a teammate who could deal damage would be great.

"Oh."

Sasuke reluctantly closed the book. Even he had not expected to become so engrossed in it.

But this book was really good...

After reading part of the story, Sasuke felt completely unburdened, as though he too could become the protagonist and settle grudges to his heart's content.

He even began imagining the Night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, when he would furiously shout that line at Itachi Uchiha...

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river! Itachi Uchiha, do not bully a young man because he is poor!"

Just imagining it made Sasuke's scalp tingle. His whole body trembled with excitement, and he once again could not stop himself from laughing.

After seeing that everyone else had gone ashore, he gently stroked the cover and placed the book in his backpack as though it were a treasure, then finally hurried after them.

As Sasuke walked, he continued thinking about what would happen next. Unable to suppress his curiosity any longer, he spoke to Naruto.

"Naruto..."

"Hmm?"

"Did Xiao Yan fulfill the Three-Year Agreement in the end?"

Naruto turned and stared at him in disbelief.

I've been watching the surroundings the whole time, scared Zabuza might suddenly rush out and slash everyone.

When Naruto saw Sasuke walk over just now, he had thought the guy had spotted something...

And instead, you fucking came over to ask me about the Three-Year Agreement!?

Are you out of your damn mind?!

"I don't know! Get lost!"

Naruto shouted angrily, making it clear that he did not want to deal with him.

Rejected by his teammate, Sasuke returned to the group with a disappointed expression.

Naruto glanced at the guy and felt that he should not count on Sasuke anymore.

Could he only place his hopes on Big Fox now?

"Big Fox, can you help me sense the enemy?"

"That thing you used in the village before."

Big Fox, who was sleeping inside the cage, twitched his ears twice and rolled over his massive body before replying in a deep, muffled voice.

"You're already thinking of relying on me in your first battle?"

"Figure it out yourself."

Since this was Naruto's first battle where he would see blood, Kurama had to make him adapt. Naturally, there was no way he would activate malicious intent sensing and give Naruto map vision.

Yet the moment Big Fox closed his eyes, he muttered to himself.

"The enemy is nearby. Find him yourself."

Naruto nearly laughed when he heard that.

Heh, what a tsundere Big Orange!

With that hint, Naruto instantly went on guard and constantly scanned his surroundings.

At the same time, the fog around them grew thicker and thicker. Visibility was less than five meters. In a little while, they might as well be blind.

"Everyone, gather around me!"

"Protect the client!"

Kakashi truly was an experienced ninja. He immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Foggy weather was normal in the Wave Country, but with no one around and the fog growing denser and denser, it was hard not to think of those Hidden Mist Ninja...

The feeling from the battlefield back then made Kakashi uneasy once more.

The three members of the team did not hesitate after hearing him. They moved toward Kakashi and surrounded Tazuna in the middle of the group.

Naruto stood where he was and looked from side to side. Not only did he fail to spot Zabuza, he had managed to make himself incredibly nervous.

Not being able to see was really troublesome...

As he sighed inwardly, a flash of Golden Light crossed Naruto's mind.

Our side can't see them...

Then why not make it so they can't see us either!

With that thought, Naruto immediately clapped his hands together...

And threw dozens of Space Gates around them.

Purple Light Cocoons instantly concealed their figures.

Zabuza, hiding in the fog, had already drawn his sword. Then, in the next second, he saw a vast expanse of purple light appear before his eyes, completely leaving him dumbfounded.

Wait...

What the hell was that purple mass of light??

Just as Zabuza was still trying to sort out his thoughts, he heard the voice of some brat from the other side of the purple light.

"Hidden Mist Ninja, I fucked your mother!"

Naruto immediately began cursing at the surroundings, trying to provoke his opponent this way.

Yet even after greeting the ancestors of three generations above him, Zabuza stubbornly refused to show himself.

Naruto could not help but marvel...

So-called ninja were people who could endure anything?!

Jiraiya Sensei! I understand now!

Hidden in the darkness, Zabuza was utterly disdainful of that brat ninja's behavior.

You think such a childish trick can force me to reveal myself?

I survived in the Village of the Bloody Mist. I no longer have any emotions. My heart is as cold as the Kubikiribōchō in my hand.

Absolutely ridiculous!

Then, a blond brat's voice suddenly rang out through the thick fog...

"Hidden Mist Ninja all like men."

The moment Zabuza heard that, Haku's beautiful figure uncontrollably flashed through his mind...

His eyes widened, veins bulged on his forehead, his breathing quickened, and blood surged from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

Fuck!

That brat is slandering me!

"Damn brat!"

"I'll kill you!!"

Dragging the Kubikiribōchō behind him, Zabuza charged toward the source of the voice.

However, after Zabuza spoke, that blond brat's voice rang out again in a hurried tone.

"Yo, yo, yo, did I break your defense?"

"No way, no way?"

"You don't really like men, do you?"