Tazuna's mission itself had a low reward, and the mission rank was only C-rank, yet he hoped for Jonin participation.
Such a mission would likely be difficult for anyone to take on in Konoha, and it would be normal for it to be returned after being shelved for a while.
In the anime, Naruto and his group had been doing D-rank missions for over a month, and Naruto, being annoyed, caused a fuss, and finally Hiruzen gave this mission to them.
The situation was different now. Tazuna should have just submitted the mission request, and as a result, he encountered Kakashi, who wanted to practice.
"Kakashi-sensei, I've noticed you have problems with taking missions too. We were also on a mission you took back then, and the result…"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Before Takemi could finish speaking, Kakashi strategically coughed.
"Those were all just accidents, and Naruto and Sasuke have been studying with Jiraiya-sama for so long, so a mission of this level isn't too much trouble."
"It's not too much trouble, but we can't just let this go this time. I don't have a good impression of this old man."
"What are you planning to do?"
"Later, follow my lead."
"?"
"Alright, it's time to wrap this up."
Takemi didn't say much more. He glanced at the current situation, and his figure flashed, instantly disappearing from the spot.
Sasuke and Naruto's performance was acceptable, but even if the Demon Brothers weren't great, they were still Ninja who had undergone Kirigakure's brutal training and completed many missions.
The two of them holding their own, albeit somewhat battered, was already a decent performance.
"These two brats are not simple, we must accelerate."
"Yes, let's kill that old man first!"
Meizu and Gozu also felt something was wrong. They discussed in low voices and launched another attack.
However, just as they were about to make their move, they realized something was wrong. In the blink of an eye, the ground became muddy, and they both instantly sank into it.
"This is…"
Sasuke and Naruto merely pursed their lips at this sight, while Sakura and Tazuna's eyes widened.
"Takemi-senpai, Kakashi-sensei?"
"Mm."
Takemi nodded, and Kakashi also walked out from the nearby forest.
"Your vigilance isn't enough. These two guys disguised themselves so poorly, how could you not be a little vigilant?"
"Kakashi?"
Hearing Kakashi's famous name, the expressions of Meizu and Gozu instantly changed drastically. They looked at Takemi in disbelief.
"Then you are the new generation's Konoha White Fang, the Silver Flash, the Ninja who wields purple lightning, Takemi?"
"Huh?"
Takemi blinked. Was his title really that long?
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura also widened their eyes. Although the previous battle was terrifying, it was hard not to be curious about this scene that was now unfolding.
Even Tazuna himself didn't expect that this young-looking white-haired brat had such a grand title.
"Although you said a bunch of messy titles, I am indeed Takemi."
Takemi stroked his chin, nodding slightly to acknowledge it. However, his acknowledgment instantly made the faces of Meizu and Gozu turn ashen.
"Alright, enough with the nonsense. Your target is this old man, right?"
"Y-yes, our orders are to kill this old man."
Facing Takemi, Meizu and Gozu didn't hide anything. They answered without hesitation.
These words instantly scared Tazuna. He had originally used deception to get Konoha Ninja to escort and protect him to build the bridge, and even deliberately issued a C-rank mercenary mission because he didn't have enough money.
He also knew that the difficulty of this mission was not something an ordinary team could solve, yet he was so poor that he could only do this.
"You… you listen to my explanation."
Seeing Takemi and Kakashi's gazes on him, he immediately waved his hands, looking flustered.
"Don't worry, if we didn't want to hear your explanation, Kakashi-sensei would have already taken care of you." Takemi nodded.
These words immediately made Kakashi roll his eyes.
Tazuna glanced at Kakashi in fear and immediately began to explain, "There's a merchant named Gato in the Land of Waves. He controls this country and forbids communication with the outside world…"
"He ruthlessly exploits us, everyone lives in poverty, and we tried to resist, but those who resisted all died…"
"That's why I had no choice but to resort to this. Only with the protection of Konoha Ninja can I build a bridge…"
"Only then can the Land of Waves escape poverty and suffering…"
He paused here, then knelt on the ground, apologizing very 'sincerely.'
"But it's okay, it's not your fault. If I die, the Land of Waves will just continue to be poor, and at most, my granddaughter will cry herself to sleep. I believe she won't hate you…"
"…"
After these words, Takemi had already rolled his eyes, Kakashi's eyes had become deadpan, and Naruto and the others were speechless.
"Kakashi-sensei, why don't we help him out…" Takemi suddenly spoke at this moment.
Tazuna immediately rejoiced, but before he could be happy, he froze.
"Since it's so painful, why don't I do it for free and take care of his whole family? That way, there won't be any more pain."
"…"
Kakashi and Naruto gasped, and Tazuna was startled.
He just wanted to try and morally blackmail them, but why did this kid seem to have no morals?
Suddenly, he recalled that when they had left the village, this guy seemed to have said something like 'there are also some problems with education'?
This seemed to be more than just an education problem, right?
"Takemi, don't talk nonsense, we… Hmm?!"
Kakashi rubbed his brow in distress, but before he finished speaking, he suddenly felt something.
"Watch out!"
Without another word, he pushed Naruto and the other two down to squat, and at the same time, he didn't forget to push Tazuna.
Tazuna immediately face-planted onto the ground, and just at that moment, a spinning great sword flew over.
Takemi slightly dodged the sword with a slight shift of his body, and the long sword swiftly struck a nearby tree trunk.
At that moment, Zabuza landed on it, his back to everyone, showing a detached demeanor.
"It seems Meizu and Gozu lost."
He spoke calmly, slowly turning his head.
"But I'm sorry, this old man I want—huh?!"
However, the moment his peripheral vision caught sight of the two white-haired figures, those unpleasant memories immediately flooded his mind.
"No way…"
"So it's you, Zabuza."
Suddenly, a small white-haired figure spoke with a smile, and that familiar voice made him instantly realize who he had encountered.
"It's been a long time."
As soon as his voice fell, several kunai, imbued with purple lightning, shot towards him.
The incredible speed left Zabuza no time to react. He could only instinctively shift his body, barely managing to narrowly avoid one.
The kunai made him flustered, and coupled with seeing Takemi and Kakashi, his mind was in chaos. At that moment, his body lost balance.
Boom!
In the blink of an eye, he crashed heavily onto the ground, the immense sound sending birds soaring into the sky from the forest.
His eyes were wide, and even more so, bloodshot from the pain.
"This…"
Watching this scene, Kakashi and the others' faces were blank. What was this?
"This guy…"
On the other side, Obito's trio, who had just arrived, also fell into contemplation as they watched this scene.
Is this guy reliable?