Nara Shikamaru: "Ms. Kakashi was trapped in a water prison. Is there a way to train Naruto and the others, or..."
Still thinking deeply...
Senju Tobirama: "Hmph! How can they train like this? There's a Nine-Tails Jinchūriki from the village on my team, and the Jōnin is so careless as their guide!"
Hatake Kakashi: "...I was wrong. I was too careless."
Namikaze Minato: "Kado is just a businessman, and the target of the assassination, Dazna, is just an ordinary person. Kakashi probably didn't expect to face such a difficult opponent..."
Uzumaki Kushina: "Even so, it's really dangerous. Although Zabuza's clone is only a water body, Naruto and the others aren't ready to handle it. One wrong move, and they could die."
Ohnoki: "...Actually, this isn't surprising. Who would have thought Zabuza would target an ordinary person for money, let alone involve the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
Terumi Mei: "Isn't it tragic to end up in such a situation?"
Zabuza Momochi: "..."
Damn it, is it that hard to make some money?!
---
A gold frame appears on the screen.
[Kakashi, although initially unconcerned, doesn't stop Sasuke either.]
[Sasuke activates his Sharingan, and under his intense gaze, one of the Demon Brothers confesses the truth.]
[They were hired by Kado and sent by Zabuza to assassinate Dazna.]
["Zabuza? Zabuza Momochi?!"]
[Kakashi's expression shifts.]
[A C-rank mission shouldn't involve Jōnin-level opponents. Yet, two Mist Chūnin appear, and there's even a defector from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!]
["What the hell is going on?"]
[Kakashi's gaze turns cold as he looks at Dazna.]
["Is this old drunk trying to get us killed?"]
["Zabuza Momochi, the wielder of the Beheading Sword, is a rogue Mist ninja? Mr. Kakashi, how strong is he?"]
[Sasuke asks, intrigued.]
[Kakashi pauses: "Elite Jōnin. If I had to compare myself to him... it's probably fifty-fifty."]
[Sasuke nods thoughtfully, convinced that he can fight.]
[He turns back to interrogate the Demon Brother:]
["Besides Zabuza, are there any other high-level ninjas? Only those Chūnin-level and above."]
[The Demon Brother replies blankly: "There's a masked young man with Zabuza. I don't know his strength, but he seems strong."]
["!"]
[Kakashi's face turns grim.]
---
Nara Shikamaru: "As expected of the Sasuke from that world, he got the enemy's intel in advance!"
Senju Tobirama: "Hatake Kakashi, take notes! A Jōnin mentor less reliable than their own student isn't doing their job well!"
Hatake Kakashi: "Second Hokage, I'm already reflecting on it..."
Uzumaki Kushina: "This mission was indeed dangerous. If that boy with the Ice Release hadn't lacked killing intent, Naruto and the others would have been in real danger."
Yamanaka Ino: "I wonder what would happen if our team took on the Wave mission."
Nara Shikamaru: "Mr. Asuma could likely hold off Zabuza, but with the elemental disadvantages, it might be a stalemate. The rest of us would just have to hope the Ice Release boy spares us."
Hyuga Neji: "If it were our team, Lee, Tenten, and I could probably handle the Ice Release user."
Inuzuka Kiba: "What about our team?"
Kurenai Yuhi: "..."
Aburame Shino: "Kiba, stop talking..."
Give Teacher Kurenai some face.
Teacher Kurenai, an expert in genjutsu, would be in real trouble against Zabuza's Mist Technique. Their eighth team might face a grim end.
Uzumaki Kushina: "That drunkard Dazna lied about the mission details, putting my Naruto in danger!"
---
["That masked boy should be Zabuza's subordinate, and his strength probably doesn't surpass Zabuza's."]
[After the interrogation, Sasuke concludes.]
["So? Let's just end the mission and return to Konoha."]
[Kakashi suggests abandoning the mission.]
["Oh? This is our first C-rank mission outside the village. How can we give up now?"]
[Naruto protests.]
["Naruto!" Kakashi scolds, "This isn't a game. We could be facing two Jōnin. If you're not careful, you'll die!"]
["How can this be! Is this how Konoha treats its clients? I'll report you to the Hokage!"]
[Dazna fumes, glaring.]
[Kakashi glances at him coldly: "You're coming back with me to Konoha. You lied about the mission and nearly caused serious damage. You should absolutely talk to the Hokage."]
[Dazna's face pales in fear.]
[Sasuke, after further interrogation of the Demon Brother, concludes:]
["Zabuza doesn't have many subordinates. We'll likely only face him and the masked boy."]
[Having left Konoha for the first time, Sasuke is unwilling to return without a fight.]
[Kakashi frowns: "Sasuke, it's too dangerous. I may not be able to protect all of you."]
["I don't need your protection. If it gets too dangerous, I'll take Sakura, and you can grab Naruto. We'll just run."]
[Sasuke replies.]
["And what about me?"]
[Dazna asks, pointing at himself.]
[Sasuke glances at him, uninterested in answering.]
[If things get bad, they could always throw Dazna to the enemy as a distraction and make their escape.]