Kakashi's first clash with Zabuza temporarily ended with Zabuza retreating.
After covering his Sharingan with his forehead protector, Kakashi praised the three young ninja—Naruto Uzumaki, Miyuki Uzumaki, and Sōnagi Uzumaki. "You three did great back there," he said. "Thanks to you, Mr. Tazuna wasn't captured by Zabuza."
"Now let's keep moving," Kakashi continued. "Our mission isn't over yet, and Zabuza could return at any moment. We need to make sure Mr. Tazuna gets home safely."
With that, Kakashi led Naruto and the others forward to continue escorting Tazuna.
After Kakashi's group left, Zabuza and Haku reappeared behind Chinya, who had been hiding.
Zabuza asked, "That kid's Nin-Taijutsu technique… you taught him, didn't you?"
Chinya grinned at Zabuza. "Yeah. Pretty impressive, right? It actually stopped you."
Miyuki Uzumaki spoke up shyly. "I'm sorry about that, Mr. Zabuza. That boy is my son."
Zabuza looked at Miyuki in mild surprise. "So that brat is your child, Miyuki? Ah… now I get it."
He turned his gaze back to Chinya. "So you came here not only to bring Miyuki to see her child, but also so Sōnagi and the others could witness my battle with Kakashi?"
Chinya snapped his fingers. "Pretty much. Besides, aren't you the one who loves fighting? Isn't Kakashi the perfect opponent for you?"
"Hmph," Zabuza scoffed. "This is just a waste of time."
Chinya nudged Zabuza playfully. "Don't tell me you're not even a little interested? You've gotten a taste of Kakashi's strength now—what's your take?"
Zabuza frowned. "It was nothing special. I didn't even get to use my [Water Release Ninjutsu]."
Chinya glanced toward the direction Kakashi's group had taken. "Is that so? Kakashi hasn't shown his full strength either. The outcome of your fight still hangs in [uncertain balance]."
Zabuza also looked in that direction. "The next round will decide it. But since this is Miyuki seeing her child, why don't you two go meet him face to face now?"
Chinya shook his head. "Not yet. If we show ourselves now, it'll interfere with their performance later. Let's wait until it's all over before bringing Miyuki to see Naruto."
Zabuza smirked slightly. "Haku and I won't hold back. Don't blame us if her son ends up hurt."
Smiling gently, Miyuki Uzumaki replied, "I believe in Naruto."
Chinya smiled cheerfully as he added, "Zabuza, Haku—you two better give it your all or you might end up on the losing end."
"Watch closely," Zabuza declared. "Haku and I won't lose." With that, he and Haku vanished from sight.
Sōnagi Uzumaki looked puzzled. "I wonder if Uncle Zabuza is going back to discuss strategy with Haku?"
Chinya nodded knowingly. "Exactly. He may have said 'it was nothing special,' but deep down, he's already taking Kakashi seriously."
Kimimaro Kaguya frowned in confusion. "Next, Zabuza-san should have Haku face off against Uzumaki Miyuki-sama's child and the other two. Although Naruto Uzumaki seems decent enough in strength, he still shouldn't be a match for Haku, right?"
Chinya replied, "Judging purely by personal strength, Naruto Uzumaki definitely wouldn't stand a chance against Haku. However, Naruto Uzumaki has support from the Nine-Tails."
Uzumaki Miyuki guessed, "Chinya, you're referring to the Nine-Tails, aren't you?"
Chinya nodded, "Indeed. But with Naruto Uzumaki as he is now, his ability to borrow the Nine-Tails' power is quite limited. Even with that power, defeating Haku would still be difficult. Still, it's not impossible. It'll depend entirely on how Naruto Uzumaki performs during battle."
Chinya asked Uzumaki Miyuki, "By the way, Miyuki, how are things going between you and the Nine-Tails inside you?"
Uzumaki Miyuki sighed helplessly, "About the same as before. Nothing's changed."
Chinya furrowed his brow but could do nothing about it.
Naruto Uzumaki contained the Yang Nine-Tails, while Uzumaki Miyuki contained the Yin Nine-Tails.
Although they were originally one entity, after separation they became two independent beings without sharing the same mind.
Moreover, the Yin Nine-Tails was very stubborn, unlike the Yang Nine-Tails within Naruto Uzumaki, who was relatively easy to reason with.
Even when Chinya approached the Yin Nine-Tails, it barely acknowledged him, wearing an expression that said, You do whatever you want.
This indifferent attitude from the Yin Nine-Tails left Chinya unsure of what to do next. He could only remind Uzumaki Miyuki to carefully build up her relationship with the Yin Nine-Tails so she could become a perfect jinchuriki sooner.
After sighing deeply, Chinya said, "Then we'll just have to take things slowly. Well then, let's get going too."
Chinya led Uzumaki Miyuki and seven others, including Uzumaki Sōnagi, away from this place.
...
Kakashi and the three young ninja successfully escorted Tazuna to his home.
At his house lived only Tazuna's daughter and grandson.
Tazuna's daughter, Headman's Granddaughter, welcomed Kakashi and the four guests.
Sitting in a chair, Sakura Haruno asked nervously, "Sensei, Zabuza said he'd come after us again. What should we do now?"
Kakashi replied seriously, "From what Zabuza said, he'll bring allies next time. If I fight Zabuza, I probably won't be able to protect everyone else. That means you three will have to fight off whoever Zabuza brings with him.
We don't know exactly when Zabuza will attack again, but our mission is to protect Mr. Tazuna until the bridge is completed. Before Zabuza returns, you must train diligently and improve your abilities as much as possible."
Sakura Haruno hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "Wait a second! No matter how much we train, there's always a limit. Our opponent is a ninja who nearly matched Kakashi-sensei with the Sharingan. And probably even more powerful!"
Kakashi looked at Sakura Haruno and said, "Sakura, who was it that protected Mr. Tazuna after I got trapped by Zabuza's Ninjutsu? Don't underestimate yourself. All of you possess great potential. I believe in you and know you can do this."
Sakura Haruno turned her gaze toward Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
Indeed, when Zabuza attacked Tazuna, it was Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha who intercepted him.
At that moment, Tazuna's grandson Inori ran over and flat-out said that Naruto and the others were going to die.
However, no one paid attention to Inori's words.
Kakashi took Naruto and the other two to a nearby forest to train them.
When Kakashi told them they'd be learning tree-walking, Naruto cut right in, "Kakashi-sensei, I've already got this. I'll just go train on my own."
Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno looked at Naruto in shock.
Wait, he already knows this? The Ninja Academy never taught us this—could Naruto really have figured it out on his own?
Kakashi agreed, "Then go train on your own."
As far as Kakashi was concerned, it wasn't surprising that Naruto already knew how to walk on trees. In fact, it would be weird if Naruto could use [Wind-Style Sword Techniques] but didn't even know how to walk on trees.
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