Haku

The battle ended far too quickly.

Kakashi Hatake and his three young subordinates were all stunned!

Team Seven's Jonin instructor had just been recounting Zabuza Momochi's exploits and was preparing to go support Maruboshi Kosuke, only for Elder Kosuke to immediately take Zabuza down with a ninjutsu.

Kakashi scratched his head, looking somewhat awkward. "The facts are exactly as I said. Elder Kosuke is an incredibly powerful ninja..."

Sakura Haruno looked at him disdainfully. "But Sensei Kakashi, you were clearly talking about how Zabuza Momochi slaughtered all his fellow examinees..."

"Alright, alright, let's go over there!"

Just as Kakashi Hatake was about to go greet Kosuke, he noticed a figure swiftly descend and land beside Zabuza Momochi!

The newcomer wore a patterned mask. With a flick of his hand, he scattered over a dozen senbon needles across Zabuza Momochi's body, and clusters of blood suddenly burst into the air!

Maruboshi Kosuke narrowed his eyes at the ninja who had suddenly appeared before him. "Hm? A Hunter-nin Squad member from Kirigakure? You look rather young..."

"Yes."

The Hidden Mist Ninja who had suddenly appeared nodded and looked at Kosuke. "Sorry. I have been ordered to pursue Zabuza, a Rogue Ninja from the village. He knows too many secrets, so I must take his body away and dispose of it as soon as possible..."

"That's fine."

Maruboshi Kosuke waved a hand, then suddenly swung his ninja blade and held it horizontally before the patterned-mask ninja. "But senbon needles might not be enough to kill him..."

"Hm?"

Cold sweat began to drip down the delicate face beneath the patterned mask, and his breathing gradually became a little hurried...

Elder Kosuke was clearly a kind man. He bent down, picked up the Kubikiribōchō from Zabuza Momochi's hand, and handed it to the masked ninja. "As a Hidden Mist Ninja, this Kubikiribōchō should be what you want most, right?"

"Yes... yes." The masked ninja replied with a dry mouth and took the Kubikiribōchō from Kosuke.

"You can use this sword to kill Zabuza..."

Maruboshi Kosuke smiled lightly and praised him. "To become a member of Kirigakure's Hunter-nin Squad at such a young age, you must also aspire to become one of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, right? What an impressive young man!"

"..."

Clang!

The masked ninja suddenly swung the Kubikiribōchō at Maruboshi Kosuke, but the elderly Genin blocked it with his own blade!

Kosuke raised his hand and knocked the Kubikiribōchō flying!

The masked ninja looked at the elderly Genin, his voice somewhat bitter. "So you already guessed that I wasn't a real Hunter-nin?"

"Not really."

Kosuke rubbed his forehead. "An old man like me, especially a lowly Genin like me, has to be twice as careful around everyone if he wants to live a little longer."

"..."

Did he really have no conscience saying that?

Zabuza Momochi was still lying there like a dead dog!

If an ordinary Jonin had appeared here, Zabuza Momochi would have slaughtered them as easily as chopping vegetables!

Maruboshi Kosuke raised his head, his expression gradually turning solemn. The ninja blade in his hand drifted like a willow leaf. "Kid, if you're willing to tell me about Gato, perhaps I'll consider letting you two go."

"Sorry, I don't know much about that either."

After shaking his head, the masked ninja lowered his gaze to Zabuza Momochi on the ground and explained softly, "Lord Zabuza might know something..."

"Then there's no helping it..."

Maruboshi Kosuke raised his ninja blade and gently shook his head. "I don't think he would be willing to reveal his employer's secrets."

"Wait, I can!"

The masked ninja stepped in front of Zabuza Momochi, removed his mask, and pleaded through a face full of tears. "I can investigate! I can find out exactly how many wandering ninjas he has around him!"

Facing a ninja who could easily defeat Zabuza Momochi, the masked ninja, as Zabuza's attendant, understood the situation perfectly. He nearly humbly dropped to his knees. "As long as you agree to spare Lord Zabuza, I'll do anything you ask!"

"Elder Kosuke, spare his life!"

Kakashi Hatake walked over. Looking down at Zabuza Momochi and the delicate, handsome youth, he crouched and asked, "Are you sure you can uncover all of Gato's information?"

The handsome youth nodded earnestly. "As long as you agree to spare Lord Zabuza, I will definitely find a way to uncover all his information!"

"What's your name?"

"Haku."

"Haku? Bring Zabuza with you and come with us!"

Kakashi Hatake stood and continued, "You'd better not have any other intentions. We don't have much time to waste, and you'll only get one chance."

"Yes."

Thus, a newly formed eight-man team came into being.

Kakashi Hatake walked at the back, as he had something important to discuss with Kosuke.

The old man wore a smiling expression, though he sounded a little displeased. "Why are you here? Were you worried that this old man couldn't complete his mission?"

"No. We need your help, Elder."

The white-haired ninja hurriedly shook his head and looked seriously at Kosuke. "A group of enemies has set their sights on Naruto. We suspect they may be preparing another ambush, so someone must return to the village and request reinforcements from the Third Hokage!"

The smile on Kosuke's face gradually faded. He looked at Kakashi and said, "But isn't it even more dangerous for you to come to the Land of Waves now? This is Gato's base. Hidden Mist Ninja and wandering ninjas should often be coming and going here..."

"It's complicated. Those enemies are even more terrifying."

Kakashi Hatake spoke somewhat awkwardly. "So we intend to take a ship and find a route that the enemy won't notice, then return to Konoha."

"Mm, that makes sense."

Maruboshi Kosuke nodded, shifting his gaze toward the handsome youth ahead. "Gato Company in the Land of Waves is a shipping company. They do indeed have the most ships. It seems you already have a plan!"

"I'll have to trouble you, Elder Kosuke, to complete your mission properly, then return to Konoha under the pretext of having finished it. You must not reveal that you met us..."

Kakashi Hatake's expression was grave as he instructed him, "Also, aside from Lord Hokage, you must not mention this to anyone who asks!"

"Understood."

Elder Kosuke nodded, a trace of concern appearing on his face. "But can you evade the enemy's attacks during this time? What if they discover your whereabouts?"

"Then there's nothing we can do."

Kakashi Hatake tugged at his mask, a faint red glow appearing at the corner of his eye. "We can only risk our lives to kill them."

"Have you found out where the enemy came from?"

"Yes."

Kakashi nodded and looked at Kosuke. "But I can only tell Lord Hokage one name: Tenzo... I believe Lord Hokage will understand!"

He could not say Shimura Danzō's name.

Tenzo was merely the codename of an ANBU ninja. As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi investigated the ANBU a little, he would understand Kakashi Hatake's true meaning.

Second update

Maruboshi Kosuke: Kakashi asked me to tell you that the enemy's name is Tenzo!

Hiruzen Sarutobi: I understand. Send a few ANBU to bring Danzo here!

ANBU Ninja: Wait, Lord Hokage, shouldn't we arrest Tenzo first?

Hiruzen Sarutobi: You know nothing. Go investigate the ninjas who joined the ANBU after Root was disbanded!

ANBU Ninja: ...