Chapter 10: The Land Of Wave 2.0 [Edited]
After Kakashi tied up the lone ninja who survived the attack, he turned to Tazuna with a serious look. "Tazuna, why are these Hidden Mist ninjas after you? Clearly, you haven't been honest with us. This mission isn't just a simple C-rank anymore; it's much more dangerous."
Kakashi's sharp eye stayed fixed on Tazuna, waiting for the truth.
Tazuna looked nervous under Kakashi's intense gaze. "I... I need to tell you the truth. These ninjas are after me because I've made some powerful enemies."
He looked away, continuing, "When I asked for an escort, I didn't have enough money for a higher-ranked mission. My village is poor, and if people knew how dangerous this really was, no one would help me without a high fee."
With a voice filled with guilt, Tazuna admitted, "So I lied about the mission rank. I'm just a bridge builder, but this bridge is very important. And the people who want to stop me are very dangerous."
Kakashi's face stayed calm, but his voice demanded more details. "Who are these people? Why is your bridge such a big deal?"
Tazuna gulped and answered, "They're not just common bandits or rogue ninjas. They're highly skilled and won't stop. The bridge is crucial for my village; it's our only way to connect with the outside world without relying on the risky water paths."
Kakashi nodded and turned to his team. "So, what do you all think? This mission is far more dangerous than we were told. It's beyond a B-rank now. Do you want to continue?"
Naruto grinned, "Do you even need to ask, Sensei? We're in for anything!" He chuckled, "Hey, that rhymed!"
Sasuke nodded in agreement.
Sakura, though nervous, saw her teammates' determination and nodded too.
Tazuna was taken aback by their bravery. "Thank you," he said, genuinely moved.
As they walked towards the boat, Tazuna explained more about the situation. "A dangerous man is targeting me," he said.
"Who is this dangerous man?" Kakashi asked.
"You've probably heard of him. Gatou, the wealthy shipping magnate."
"Gatou? He's one of the richest people in the world?"
"Yes. Officially, he's in the shipping business, but that's just a front. Secretly, he deals in drugs and other illegal activities, using ninjas and thugs to run his operations. Wave Country, where I'm from, is very poor. Gatou took advantage of that. Now, he's afraid that if I complete this bridge, his shipping monopoly will be broken, and he'll lose control over the business traffic in our country," Tazuna explained.
Sakura nodded. "I understand. Since you're building the bridge, you're a threat to him, so he wants to get rid of you."
Tazuna nodded in agreement.
"But I'm thankful that even after knowing all this, you still decided to help me with my work," Tazuna said.
"It's nothing, we're just doing our mission," Kakashi said.
Kakashi's thoughts wandered. "Gatou is rich, and given his resources, the next time he sends someone, they'll likely be above Chunin level."
They took a boat and continued their journey towards Wave Country. The mist around them was thick, making it almost impossible to see.
"Such a thick mist..." Sakura commented.
"We should see the bridge soon," the ferryman replied.
After a while, they reached their destination at the base of a huge bridge.
"We're here," the ferryman announced.
"Thanks for taking us," Tazuna said with a smile.
The ferryman nodded and left. As they started walking, Naruto suddenly threw a shuriken at a nearby bush.
"Why did you throw a shuriken at the bush?" Kakashi asked, intrigued.
"I felt like someone was stalking us. One of the perks of my eyes," Naruto said confidently. He went to check the bush and found a snow rabbit.
"Poor rabbit," Sakura said, feeling sorry for the creature.
"Don't you guys think something feels off? Like something strange is going on?" Naruto asked, looking at his teammates.
"Like what?" Sasuke asked.
"Well, it's a snow rabbit, and it's white..." Naruto began.
"Winter is far away, so that means they're here," Kakashi finished Naruto's thought, immediately going on high alert.
"Sakura, use those barrier seals to protect Tazuna-san if anything happens, okay?" Naruto said.
"Yeah, I'll do my best," Sakura replied.
"Sasuke, this is your chance to fight. Don't waste it," Naruto said, flashing Sasuke a confident smile.
Sasuke nodded, his face filled with determination as his eyes scanned their surroundings for any sign of the enemy.
Suddenly, a large sword came flying towards them. "Everyone, get down!" Kakashi screamed.
The sword flew past them and embedded itself into a nearby tree. A man appeared, standing on the sword's handle, looking down at them.
Kakashi's eyes widened as he recognized the figure. "Hidden Mist's rogue ninja, Zabuza Momochi," he muttered, trying to steady himself.
As Kakashi was thinking, Naruto spoke up, "Hey, Sasuke, now it's your turn. You wanted to fight; now's your chance. Go."
Sasuke, determined, started to move but was stopped by Kakashi. "No, don't."
"Kakashi-sensei...?"
"Get back. This man is on another level," Kakashi said while uncovering his left eye, revealing a red eye with a black pattern on it—the Sharingan.
"So, you're the Copy Ninja, Kakashi. Don't mind me; my target is only that old man. I have nothing to do with you," Zabuza said calmly.
Naruto thought, "Is that the Sharingan? But I read only the Uchiha bloodline can have this Dojutsu." He glanced at Sasuke, who was also stunned and confused by the situation. "Hey, you okay there?" Naruto whispered to Sasuke.
"Yeah, I am fine. Just have a lot of questions now," Sasuke said.
"Not now; we'll talk after we finish the fight," Naruto said, and Sasuke nodded.
"Surround Tazuna and protect him. That's your teamwork. No need to get into the fight directly," Kakashi instructed. He then looked at Zabuza and said, "If he's your target, you'll have to go through me first."
"I see. I'm honored to see your Sharingan even before our battle starts. But if that's what you want, I'll kill you first and then my target," Zabuza replied, his voice filled with deadly intent.
The tension between the two seasoned ninjas was palpable as the air around them seemed to thicken, ready to explode into a fierce battle at any moment.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist," Zabuza declared, and suddenly the entire area was shrouded in a thick mist.
"Kakashi-sensei, need some help?" Naruto shouted.
"No, stay there and protect Tazuna," Kakashi commanded.
"Okay, as you say," Naruto replied.
"The mist is getting thicker," Naruto commented.
"Eight choices..." Zabuza's voice echoed through the mist, his killing intent palpable.
Sasuke and Sakura froze in place, terror gripping them.
"This feeling... the feeling of being killed in a single movement..." Sasuke thought to himself.
Naruto, trying to stay calm, reassured his teammates, "Naruto, Sasuke! I'll save you even if it kills me. You know I don't let my comrades die..."
Naruto felt a shiver run down his spine at Kakashi's words.
"We'll see about that," Zabuza said, suddenly attacking. As Naruto sensed Zabuza getting closer, he shouted to Sakura, "Use the barrier scroll!"
Sakura quickly activated the barrier seal, creating a protective shield around Team 7 and Tazuna.
"That's good, these brats are not that bad after all," Zabuza laughed as he almost collided with the barrier created by Sakura.
"Great job," Kakashi said as he suddenly appeared behind Zabuza. "It's over," he declared, pointing a kunai at Zabuza.
"Over?" Zabuza laughed, and in an instant, he was behind Kakashi. "It's just started," Zabuza said, pressing a kunai to Kakashi's neck.
"Just give up. You're nothing but a cheap imitation, like a monkey. With that, you can't beat me."
Zabuza slashed his sword towards Kakashi, but Kakashi saw it from the corner of his eye and dodged just in time. Zabuza smashed his sword into the ground and used it as leverage to kick Kakashi towards the water.
Kakashi blocked the kick with both hands but was still sent flying into the water. At first, he didn't realize what was happening, but then he felt it. "This water is heavy... What's happening?" Kakashi thought. He suddenly heard a voice from behind, "What an idiot."
"Water Prison Jutsu," Zabuza said, creating a barrier of water that trapped Kakashi.
"Damn it, I can't get out. How did I let myself get trapped?" Kakashi thought, frustrated with himself.
Zabuza laughed. "You tried to save yourself by using the water, but that was your second biggest mistake. The first was deciding to fight me."
Kakashi thought, "He's stronger than I expected. I know Naruto will try to save me. He is strong, but will he be capable of defeating Zabuza?" Kakashi looked at Naruto, his eyes filled with both hope and concern.
Naruto stood with Team 7 and Tazuna, watching the scene carefully.
"Alright, Sasuke, it's our turn to show what we can really do," Naruto said, eyes fixed on Zabuza with a determined look and a small smile, as if he had been waiting for this moment to face a strong opponent.
"I know," Sasuke replied.
"Do you have a plan?" Naruto asked him.
Naruto and Sasuke stepped out of the barrier seal, leaving Sakura and Tazuna inside.
Zabuza looked at them and laughed. "You kids want to save your lives? Just run away now."
"Leaving my teammates isn't my style. I don't know about you," Naruto said. "And I don't even need to take off my blindfold for you. It would be too easy if I did, and I want Sasuke to join the fight too." Naruto glanced at Sasuke.
Naruto then handed Sasuke a large shuriken from his bag. Sasuke took it, understanding Naruto's plan.
Sasuke took the shuriken and understood Naruto's plan. Naruto vanished from his spot and appeared in the air behind Zabuza's water clone, but his attack was blocked by the clone's sword. "Tsk! You're pretty good, kid!" Zabuza's clone said.
At the same time, Sasuke used his technique, "Evil Wind Shuriken, Shadow Windmill!" and threw the shuriken towards the clone. The shuriken changed direction mid-flight. "So you're aiming for my real body, huh?" Zabuza remarked.
Suddenly, a voice came from below, "Don't get distracted in a fight!" Naruto shouted, a Rasengan ready in his hand. The clone's eyes widened in panic, thinking, 'Such strong chakra! I can't dodge!' and tried to block with his sword.
Naruto smiled confidently and unleashed the Rasengan. The powerful attack clashed with the sword, sending the water clone flying and causing a splash as it hit a tree and dissolved.
Zabuza, frustrated, caught the shuriken with ease. But then he noticed another hidden shuriken beneath the one he caught. He quickly dodged it, muttering that it wasn't enough to stop him.
From a distance, Sasuke watched with satisfaction. The shuriken transformed into Naruto, who quickly performed hand seals and shouted, "Wind Style: Tunneling Wind!" Zabuza, realizing he couldn't dodge this time, released the water prison jutsu and the shuriken he was holding, then jumped away to avoid the attack.
Seeing his concealment tactic had failed as Naruto cleared the mist, Zabuza quickly performed a series of hand signs. Across from him, Kakashi mirrored his actions, their hands moving with equal speed and precision. Together, they unleashed their jutsus.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Two massive dragons made of water roared towards each other, colliding with a deafening crash and sending waves rippling through the lake.
The water dragons shattered, their remains falling back into the now-churning lake, while Kakashi and Zabuza faced each other, ready for the next move.
[A.T: Ending The chapter here, Thanks for reading . If you like my writing, drop some Power stone as it will motivate me to write more and put more effort at writing .]
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