After the fierce battle, Kakashi and the others successfully escorted Tazuna back to his home.
Everyone thought their mission was over, but Kakashi spoke up.
"I'm afraid we can't just leave yet. If we walk away now, Tazuna and his family will die, and you won't be able to finish this bridge."
"What!"
The three youngsters were shocked, unable to understand why.
Tazuna was frightened too and hurriedly asked for an explanation.
"Mr. Kakashi, why? Isn't that Demon Zabuza already dead?"
"No. Thinking it over carefully now, things aren't that simple. There was probably something wrong with that Kirigakure ANBU operative. He was very likely working with Zabuza, and Zabuza probably wasn't dead when he took him away."
"What!"
"No way!"
Unlike the two shocked girls,
Naruto excitedly planted both hands on the table and stood up.
"Great! That means that guy who's about our age isn't actually that amazing, right?"
Kakashi couldn't help rolling his eyes.
"Even if he isn't really a Kirigakure ANBU operative, his abilities are definitely not to be underestimated. A half-trained kid like you probably isn't a match for him."
"No way! I'm really strong too, Dattebayo!"
Naruto raised his fist and continued.
"Even Mizuki-sensei, a Chunin, couldn't beat me before I officially became a Ninja, Dattebayo!"
Kakashi sighed.
Mizuki was a complete fraud. Sure, he was a Chunin, but he wasn't a particularly strong one.
At the very least, the impression that masked man gave him was far beyond anything a pushover like Mizuki could compare to.
"Mr. Kakashi, you three young Ninja, this isn't the time to discuss that! The problem is that Zabuza isn't dead. What do we do now?"
Tazuna interrupted their conversation, anxiously asking for a solution.
Kakashi thought for a moment before speaking.
"This situation has already exceeded the