Naruto looked puzzled. Could there really be anyone here at this hour?
" Uchiha Sasuke, be careful, more enemies have appeared."
Seemingly realizing that his words were somewhat inappropriate, he carefully considered his phrasing.
"Hmm... it should be said that many more ninjas have appeared."
Naruto's words left both sides somewhat bewildered, but Zabuza quickly realized that the group that had arrived was likely ninjas hired by Gato.
"Hmph, brat, just wait, my helpers will be here soon."
At this moment, Haku used Ice Release to quickly stop the bleeding from his wounds. He also took off his mask, revealing his androgynous face, with undisguised exhaustion in his eyes, indicating that Naruto had just caused him considerable damage.
"Lord Zabuza, I feel things might not be as simple as they seem."
Haku's words displeased Zabuza, although he also found his own thoughts somewhat ridiculous. How could Gato, that money-grubbing guy, possibly hire other ninjas? Even if he did, they would likely be rogue ninjas even inferior to himself.
Taking advantage of the moment when Naruto wasn't thinking of continuing his attack, the two were able to catch their breath. Zabuza looked at Haku's already handsome face, which had become even paler due to blood loss, and he even had difficulty standing.
Honestly, Zabuza feels a little sorry for Haku.
Just then, specks of white slowly drifted down from the sky, as if announcing that the lives of some people were about to come to an end.
Has it snowed?
Naruto looked up at the sky; the weather in the Hokage world was truly extreme.
He sensed that the group of ninjas would arrive soon.
And here it is, it has appeared.
The four members of Team 7 huddled together, fearing that the person who would appear later might be an enemy.
When the person arrived, some people's hearts sank completely.
Zabuza and Haku both looked extremely grim.
"Damn it, it's Konoha's Anbu."
Zabuza felt that today was the day the heavens were against him, and that he probably couldn't escape. He glanced at Haku and whispered in his ear:
"Bai, I'm going up there to fight these people to the death, you take the opportunity to escape."
"But, Lord Zabuza..."
"There are no 'buts,' Bai. This is my order. Are you going to disobey me?"
With a look of grievance in his eyes, he knew what Zabuza was trying to do: sacrifice himself to give him a chance to escape, even though the chance was extremely slim. Zabuza still chose to do it.
Haku felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. He truly didn't want to abandon Zabuza live alone. He couldn't even imagine life Zabuza; would he still have the courage to face it...?
How can I live without you?
He kept his head down, not Zabuza see his expression.
"No, I wouldn't dare."
"Then execute the order."
"Yes... Lord Zabuza."
In a corner unnoticed by anyone, a tear mixed with snowmelt fell to the ground.
Bai had already made up his mind.
I'm sorry, Lord Zabuza, this is the first and last time I've disobeyed your orders...
Zabuza glanced at the Konoha Anbu, then at Naruto Uzumaki carrying his Kubikiribōchō, and sneered inwardly. He never imagined he would be defeated by a mere brat. How laughable.
However, he quickly smiled with relief, thinking that he had found a good master for his Kubikiribōchō. As for Bai, he would obey his orders and take the opportunity to escape.
But what happened next was something no one present could have predicted.
Their leader walked straight up to Team 7, and his words were like those of Arthur with no cooldown, a frenzied silence that silenced everyone present. The scene seemed to have been paused; if it weren't for the snowflakes still falling in the air, one would have thought that everything around them had frozen in time.
The leader first glanced indifferently at the students from Team 7, then coldly shouted:
"How dare you! The Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan have kidnapped Jinchūriki in an attempt to rebel. They are hereby arrested, and no unauthorized personnel are permitted to interfere."
Upon hearing this, the members of Team 7 were completely dumbfounded, especially Sasuke.
Pointing incredulously at himself, he thought, "Kidnapping Naruto? Who? Me? Do I deserve to?"
Sasuke glanced at Naruto again. He figured they were evenly matched, maybe 80/20 Naruto. Naruto could land eight punches on him in two seconds, and then Sasuke would just split open?
Sasuke felt there was nothing wrong with his idea.
Hinata nearby, had a similar reaction. How could she possibly kidnap Naruto? Was she supposed to tie him up and take him to her room? But her father said she was too young to do that...
Hearing their familiar rhetoric, Naruto could already guess their true identities. He could smell their gloomy aura from afar, and they were the ones who liked to wear the Anbu mask to swindle and deceive people, then let the Anbu and the Hokage take the blame for everything, even though Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi weren't exactly good people either.
" Danzo, you really haven't given up your evil intentions."
Naruto had already quietly gripped his Kubikiribōchō tightly; once the fight started, he was confident he could kill these Root ninjas.
Upon hearing this, Kakashi's expression turned grim. Even if he were stupid, he would know what was going on with this group. He gritted his teeth and shielded everyone behind him.
"Stop! What do you intend to do to my men?"
Naruto guessed correctly; the leader was none other than Shimura Agou from Root. He had received orders from Danzo to lead a large force, capture Jinchūriki alive, and kill anyone who tried to stop him, then frame other ninjas for the crime.
"Hmph, Kakashi, get out of the way. We're just doing official business."
"Strictly adhering to official procedures? Without the Hokage's orders, I will not allow you to harm my subordinates."
"Heh, the Hokage's orders? He has no say in our affairs. We only obey... cough cough, you're asking too many questions."
Shimura Agou quickly shut up. If he kept talking, he would be exposed. It's two different things for others to find out than for him to admit it himself.
On the other side, Zabuza and Haku saw that the Anbu didn't come to cause them any trouble, but instead went to block Kakashi's group. The two of them tried their best to minimize their presence and quietly slipped away into the distance.
Just when they were about to escape completely, Shimura Agou keenly noticed them.
"Go, capture them."
Both men were already injured, so how could they possibly escape from the Root? They were experts in their fields, so how could they let Zabuza?
Zabuza and Haku were quickly tied up and brought back. Zabuza, who tried to struggle, had his tendons severed.
Looking at these two scapegoats, Shimura Agou felt a surge of courage. He knew that if he could bring the Jinchūriki back, Lord Danzo would surely praise him.
" Kakashi, are you going to obediently step aside on your own, or should we help you?"