Kakashi's team and Tazuna had already reached the coast at the edge of the Land of Fire, and were now on a boat rowed toward the Land of Waves.
The closer they got to the Land of Waves, the denser the mist became.
Tazuna also explained his current predicament—that he'd become Gato's target.
Kakashi was quite surprised to hear that. After all, Gato was one of the most famous billionaires in the entire Shinobi World.
With a heavy heart, Tazuna said, "About a year ago, that bastard Gato set his sights on the Land of Waves. Using his wealth and brute force, he acted however he pleased, quickly monopolizing the island's maritime traffic and transportation. For a small island nation like ours, whoever controls the sea holds dominion over all its wealth, politics, and people.
Now the only thing Gato truly fears is seeing this bridge finally completed. Once built, it will completely destroy Gato's control over the Land of Waves and allow our nation to grow strong and prosperous!"
Tazuna then explained why he hadn't revealed the full truth earlier. The Land of Waves was extremely poor—they couldn't afford the high cost of missions ranked B or above. Even the payment for this C-rank mission came from money scraped together by everyone in the village.
Seeing Kakashi and the others remain silent, Tazuna started resorting to emotional manipulation.
Sighing deeply, he said, "Well, if you abandon the mission as soon as we land, I'll probably be killed before making it home. But hey, no big deal! Only my lovely eight-year-old granddaughter will cry her eyes out every single day mourning me! And then my daughter will grow up hating Konoha ninjas forever, left alone to live a lonely life."
Kakashi, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno all stared silently at Tazuna.
They'd already agreed to continue the mission—what was the point of that guilt talk?
Kakashi sighed helplessly, "We already said we're continuing the mission—we won't back out."
Hearing Kakashi's firm commitment, Tazuna instantly brightened with joy, "Then thank you very much indeed!"
After passing beneath the massive bridge's structure, the mist suddenly vanished, revealing a wide, tranquil view ahead.
When the boat docked, the ferryman spoke seriously to Tazuna, "This is as far as I can go. Take care from here on."
Tazuna nodded respectfully, "Yeah, really sorry for making you take this risk."
"Stay safe," the ferryman added.
After giving his warning, he sailed off.
"All right," Tazuna declared, "you guys better make sure I arrive home safely!"
Team Kakashi resumed their escort mission, protecting Tazuna.
As the group entered a forest, Kakashi began thinking inwardly—if another attacker appeared, it wouldn't likely be just a Chunin anymore—it would probably be a Jonin.
Especially since those two Kiri ninjas were both Chunin.
At that moment, Kakashi recalled how Chinya had mysteriously mentioned everything would become clear later—and immediately his visible eye turned into a dead-fish stare.
Why couldn't people just say what they mean for once?
Walking behind Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha occasionally glanced at him.
Back in the Ninja Academy, Sasuke never considered Naruto even close to being a real rival.
But now, Sasuke Uchiha had completely changed his view of Naruto Uzumaki and regarded him as a rival.
Kakashi cast a glance toward the grass on his left and spotted a rabbit with snow-white fur.
Kakashi's eyebrows immediately tightened.
It was a snowshoe hare, but its fur looked strange.
Pure white fur should only appear during winter when the days are short.
That meant it was likely a replacement hare raised indoors where no sunlight could reach.
"Stop!"
At Kakashi's command, the three young ninjas and Tazuna halted their steps.
Sakura Haruno asked hesitantly, "What's wrong, Teacher Kakashi?"
Naruto Uzumaki already had his hand resting on the hilt of his ninja sword.
With the Nine-Tails' chakra, Naruto now essentially had a Sensor Ninja's ability, constantly alerting him to surrounding dangers.
Meanwhile, Sasuke Uzumaki held his right hand just above his Ninja Tool Pouch.
Because Kakashi wouldn't have stopped them without good reason.
Not far away, standing silently on a tree branch, Zabuza observed Kakashi's group.
Even farther away,
Chinya, Miyuki Uzumaki, Sōnagi Uzumaki, and five others were also watching Kakashi's squad.
Miyuki Uzumaki finally saw Naruto Uzumaki and was overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes already reddening.
Seeing Naruto Uzumaki again, Sōnagi Uzumaki was also very pleased. "Naruto looks great! Seems like he already detected hidden Uncle Zabuza. He already has his hand on his blade ready for battle."
Chinya smiled and said, "Yes, though probably thanks to the Nine-Tails inside him warning him. The Nine-Tails and Naruto seem to get along well now. If not for us concealing our chakra signatures, we might have been discovered too. Miyuki, what do you think about Naruto now?"
A delighted smile appeared on Miyuki Uzumaki's face. "I'm naturally very happy seeing Naruto grow up so much."
Looking at Kakashi and Naruto Uzumaki in the distance, Chinya continued, "Then let's enjoy watching Naruto's fight. I'm also eager to see how much Naruto has mastered Chinya's [Wind Breathing]."
Chinya anticipated Kakashi and Naruto Uzumaki's performance with great interest.
...
Zabuza saw Kakashi's group suddenly stop moving and Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha assuming defensive stances, guessing they must have sensed something unusual.
He gripped the hilt of his Cleaver Sword behind his back, smirking slightly. As a battle maniac, he also wanted to test Kakashi's strength—whether it was really as powerful as Chinya described.
Suddenly Kakashi shouted, "Everyone, hit the deck!"
Zabuza's Cleaver Sword came spinning toward them.
The five immediately dropped flat, dodging the flying sword.
The Cleaver Sword lodged itself into a tree trunk, with Zabuza standing on the hilt looking down at Kakashi.
Upon seeing Zabuza's appearance, Kakashi recognized him instantly.
Kakashi said sarcastically, "Oh, isn't this Momochi Zabuza, the runaway ninja from Kirigakure?"
Zabuza stood silently, staring at Kakashi. Despite not making a single move, the pressure he gave off was overwhelmingly felt by Naruto Uzumaki and the others.
After a moment of silence, Zabuza finally spoke, "I'm sorry, but could you hand over that old man behind you? Kakashi, the Lightning Flash ninja from Konoha, bearer of the Sharingan."
Kakashi quietly said to Naruto and the others, "All of you, fall back now! This one's nothing like the last guy we fought. If you end up facing him..."
Kakashi lifted the forehead protector covering his left eye, revealing the Sharingan underneath.
Sasuke Uchiha stared in shock at Kakashi's Sharingan, unable to understand how Kakashi came to possess an eye technique unique to the Uchiha clan.
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