As time passed, the two sides soon began to fight.
It unfolded exactly as Takumi had predicted beforehand.
The two sides fought evenly for a round, then Kakashi was trapped by Zabuza's Water Prison Technique.
However, Zabuza, while maintaining the Water Prison Technique, couldn't move.
He had to create a water clone to deal with Naruto and Sasuke.
But through Naruto and Sasuke's clever coordination, they successfully rescued Kakashi.
Subsequently, Kakashi revealed the Sharingan in his left eye, copied Zabuza's Water Dragon Bullet Technique, and defeated Zabuza.
Just as Kakashi was about to finish off Zabuza, the masked Haku appeared, firing a senbon that struck Zabuza's neck, first putting Zabuza into a state of suspended animation.
"Who is that?" Kiba asked curiously.
"Probably a Kirigakure's Anbu?" Kurenai sounded uncertain.
"No, that's likely Zabuza's subordinate in disguise." Takumi said calmly.
Although they had already witnessed Takumi's predictive ability, Shino still asked doubtfully, "Why are you so sure?"
"Because the weapon he used, senbon, is difficult to cause fatal injuries. Also, Anbu don't operate alone." Takumi quickly gave two reasons.
Over there, Haku claimed to be a Kirigakure's Anbu, specifically tasked with pursuing Zabuza.
Now that Zabuza was killed, he needed to take the body back to Kirigakure.
Kakashi knew it was a disguise, but his own depletion was significant at that point, and he wasn't confident of winning, so he let them leave.
To verify his words, Takumi immediately led the others on a detour via a small path, following Haku.
After half a day's travel, they arrived at the duo's secret hideout.
Sure enough, they saw Haku remove the senbon, and Zabuza, who was in suspended animation, immediately woke up.
"Wow! Takumi was right again!"
Kiba's look at Takumi had now changed from shock to worship.
"Takumi-kun... is really amazing..." Little stars seemed to appear in Hinata's eyes.
"This analytical ability is simply too strong." Shino was completely convinced, 'Is this the difference between a god and us mortals?!'
"With enough experience, I feel you could be promoted to Jonin anytime." Kurenai looked at Takumi with approval.
"So what do we do now? Do we attack them?" Kiba asked eagerly.
The enemy was currently weak, and Takumi's team had the advantage in numbers.
If they attacked, they would definitely return victorious.
"Not necessary for now. This is Naruto and the others' first real test. We can't let others interfere. Besides, we're tailing them, so we can't expose ourselves rashly." Takumi said.
"Alright." Kiba reluctantly accepted.
"Okay, next we'll go to the Land of Waves and wait for the right moment to arrive." Takumi said.
Subsequently, the group quickly headed towards the Land of Waves.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
At the border of the Land of Water, Obito and the others also arrived, flying on Deidara's clay bird.
The information about Obito disguising himself as Madara was currently known only to Konan and Nagato.
The other members only knew him as Tobi, one of the Akatsuki's reserve members.
So when other members were present, Obito had to switch to his goofy mode.
"Senpai, who exactly is that Takumi guy! I heard several senpai were tricked by him, is that true?" Obito, disguised as Tobi, asked in Tobi's silly, strange tone.
"I'm warning you, Tobi, when we meet Takumi-senpai later, you must not be disrespectful. Don't learn from Hidan's example, or I'll beat you up." Deidara said with a serious tone of warning.
Obito was stunned, not expecting Deidara to value Takumi so highly.
Slap!
While Obito was stunned, Deidara directly slapped him across the face.
"You damn well hear me! Answer me!"
"Yes, heard!" Obito endured the stinging pain on his cheek and said loudly.
Konan, listening to Obito's disguised voice nearby, couldn't help but feel a chill and immediately looked away.
"Good. Remember to answer when you hear something in the future, understand?" Deidara said in an instructive tone.
As time passed quickly, Takumi led the group to arrive first at the town in the Land of Waves.
After finding a clean inn to stay in, the group split into two teams.
Kiba and Shino went to scout.
Takumi took Hinata and Rin shopping, taking the opportunity to observe the situation of the residents in the Land of Waves.
Kurenai stayed in the inn, using a radio communication to oversee the overall situation.
If any side needed help, she would go to them immediately.
On the street.
"Is it really okay? Aren't we here on a mission? Why are we shopping?"
Takumi strolled leisurely with Hinata and Rin Nohara.
"No problem. We haven't figured out the routes yet anyway. Let's wait until Kiba and the others find the enemy's location first."
Takumi wasn't worried at all.
Because the purpose of his mission this time was to rob the richest man in the Land of Waves!
That's right, just rob that guy named Gato!
The profits from this one operation would be equivalent to completing several S-Rank missions!
Takumi was happily thinking about this.
However, just then, several massive Chakra signatures suddenly intruded into his detection senses.
'Those people are...'
Takumi narrowed his eyes slightly.
His Observation Haki had sensed the situation.
Looking up, high in the clouds, was a small white bird.
And riding on it were members of the Akatsuki:
Obito, Deidara, Kakuzu, and Konan.
'Huh? They actually know my whereabouts?'
'And two troublesome guys came along.'
Takumi frowned tightly, but soon relaxed.
With Rin by his side, he was sure Obito wouldn't attack recklessly.
Moreover, after the last incident, presumably Obito and the others would be more cautious.
"It's Takumi-senpai! I see Takumi-senpai!"
In the sky, Deidara cheered loudly, his face full of admiration.
His worship of Takumi was overflowing, with no intention of hiding it at all.
Kakuzu looked at Deidara with disgust: "You, be careful. That person is our enemy."
"Ahhh…" Deidara looked very sad, "Can't we recruit Senpai into the organization? If I partner with Senpai, we would definitely become the strongest combination!"
"Don't fantasize." Konan said irritably, "That person is highly valued by the Sandaime Hokage. It's impossible for him to become our comrade."
Hearing this, Deidara immediately looked disappointed.
He turned to look at the masked man beside him.
And at this moment, Obito was clenching his fists tightly.
He was practically grinding his teeth behind his mask!
'Why?'
'Why is Rin here?!'
Originally, he thought that since Takumi left Konoha on a mission, he wouldn't encounter Rin.
But now, Rin is actually here.
And...
'Damn it!'
'Why is Rin holding that bastard's arm?'
'Even I haven't held Rin's hand!'
"Huh?" Deidara noticed Obito trembling all over, his hands clenched tightly, "Tobi, what's wrong with you?"
Obito didn't respond to Deidara's question.
After all, his mind was in a frenzy at the moment.
Slap!
With a heavy sound, Deidara directly slapped Obito on the head.
Obito was immediately stunned.
Deidara didn't stop, giving Obito another slap.
"Didn't I tell you not to be disrespectful to Senpai? What were you thinking just now? Were you planning to attack Senpai? Believe me, I'll blow you up!"
Because he was lost in thought earlier, Obito (as Tobi) didn't use his intangibility to dodge this slap.
He was almost knocked off the clay bird!
Obito came to his senses and repeatedly used Tobi's signature exaggerated voice to beg for mercy:
"I don't dare, I don't dare! Deidara-senpai, I don't dare!"
"I was just a bit distracted! I would never disrespect Takumi-senpai!"
Obito bowed his head while dodging Deidara's slaps, acting very humble.
But inside, he was extremely frustrated and aggrieved!
'Damn it!'
'This Deidara brat is really pushing his luck!'
'But for the bigger picture, I can't expose myself now!'
'Later, I must tear you to pieces, you brat!'
Obito thought through gritted teeth internally, but verbally he was in a wretched state begging for mercy.