Konoha Village is located in the central region of the Land of Fire, and even if the Ninja travel at full speed, it would take most of the day to reach the border.
Because the team had the ordinary person Tazuna, the speed of Team 7 was naturally not that fast.
It took them nearly two days to reach the border.
If it weren't for the fact that Tazuna's physical fitness was much better than the average person's, this time would have been even longer.
We have already crossed the border. Everyone, please remain vigilant.
Once they crossed the border, Kakashi could no longer relax.
Only 'noobs' like the Demon Brothers would ambush targets within the Five Great Nations; most truly experienced Ninja only make a move after the target has crossed the border.
Doing this has one advantage: whether the attack is successful or not, it is easier for them to escape.
Knowing that a figure like Zabuza would appear greatly increased Kakashi's pressure.
Anyone who can make a name for themselves in the Ninja World is not a simple character.
As for the title 'Demon Brothers', it was entirely self-proclaimed and not recognized by the Ninja of the Ninja World; they were essentially 'counterfeit products'.
'If I had known this, I should have brought the magic sword when I left the village.'
Before acquiring the Sharingan, Kakashi's entire strength relied on the Hatake Sword Style.
Although his family's sword style is best performed with a short sword, a long sword is not unusable; it just requires some adaptation and modification.
Kakashi had only recently obtained the magic sword and hadn't had time to adapt and modify the Hatake Sword Style before receiving this mission.
Ordinary Kunai VS executioners blade... In terms of weaponry, he was already at a disadvantage.
Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei, we understand.
After being reminded by Kakashi, the three of them—Naruto and the others—immediately dropped their 'outing' expressions and began vigilantly observing their surroundings.
Oh, Kakashi-sensei, do you need me to split off dozens of Shadow Clones to scout ahead?
After walking for a while, Naruto suddenly remembered that the Shadow Clone Jutsu he learned was created by the Second Hokage specifically to better gather intelligence.
Using it for scouting now seemed perfectly fine.
Naruto's suggestion was quite creative, but Kakashi thought about it and shook his head.
This wasn't to save Naruto Chakra; rather, he felt it was unnecessary.
We now know that Zabuza is coming to attack us, but Zabuza doesn't know that we know. To avoid alerting the enemy, we should just pretend we don't know and secretly heighten our vigilance.
Just as Kakashi said, Zabuza thought he was hidden and Team 7 was exposed, but in reality, he had been revealed long ago.
If Naruto were to alert the enemy, who knows what unexpected trouble might arise.
The current situation was ideal: by maintaining vigilance in secret, even if Zabuza wanted to launch a surprise attack, he wouldn't have much of a chance.
Naruto's suggestion was rejected by Kakashi, but he didn't show any look of disappointment. Instead, he turned his head and started whispering something to his two teammates.
After they finished discussing, Naruto secretly performed a hand sign, and the squad returned to its initial state.
Kakashi naturally noticed Naruto's small movements, but he didn't pay them much mind.
He just needed to know that Naruto wouldn't mess around.
The group of five walked for another period. If they continued at this pace, it wouldn't be long before they reached the coast leading to the Land of Waves.
It was at this moment that a large sword spun toward them from the front of the group.
Get down!
Kakashi immediately yelled for everyone to hit the ground.
Fortunately, the warning was timely, and the sword attack did not result in any casualties.
After everyone got up, they saw a man whose face was wrapped in bandages standing on the large sword that was embedded in the tree.
Demon Zabuza Momochi?
I didn't expect to run into the famous Copy Ninja Kakashi Hatake this time... It seems the Demon Brothers didn't die in vain... I don't want to fight you. Can you just hand over the old man over there?
Standing on the large sword, Zabuza crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at everyone with contempt.
I'm sorry, but this person is our protection target. How about you abandon this mission?
Kakashi naturally couldn't hand Tazuna over to Zabuza. Moreover, he didn't mind chatting with Zabuza to gauge his attitude toward the mission.
In that case... then we are enemies.
Clearly, Zabuza would not abandon this mission. Because the Demon Brothers failed, he had already been scolded by Gato. He came personally this time specifically to kill Tazuna and complete the mission Gato assigned them.
After speaking, he lowered his hands and was about to perform a hand sign to release a Ninjutsu when a figure suddenly rushed out from behind him.
What are you trying to pull, you bandage-masked guy?
Don't you know showing off gets you struck by lightning?
For some reason, when Kakashi heard that sentence, he couldn't help but feel that Naruto was talking about him.
That's right, the figure who suddenly rushed out was none other than Naruto.
As Naruto appeared, the 'Naruto' still in the team went 'Boom!' and dissolved into a puff of smoke.
At the same time, Sasuke and Sakura also began to move.
It turned out that Naruto's small movement earlier was to split off a Shadow Clone to replace him in the team while his true body hid behind the group.
Now that Zabuza had appeared, it was the perfect time for a sneak attack.
Facing Naruto's sneak attack, Zabuza calmly pulled a shuriken from his pocket and threw it toward Naruto.
Divine Speed Hundred Changes: Loach Drilling Hole.
The shuriken successfully hit Naruto, but it did not injure him.
The principle of Divine Speed Hundred Changes is to rotate and vibrate the Internal Energy (Chakra) throughout the body, thereby deflecting incoming force.
At this moment, Naruto was as slippery as a loach, and the shuriken was vibrated away the instant it struck him.
Uchiha Throwing Technique.
One Yang Finger.
Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.
From the rear came Naruto's sneak attack, from the front came Sasuke's Kunai throw, and from the left came Sakura's 'biubiubiu'.
At this point, Zabuza had lost the initiative, and facing attacks from three sides, he could only dodge upward.
Seeing Zabuza leap high, a smile appeared at the corner of Sasuke's mouth.
Clang, clang, clang...
The few Kunai that had been thrown changed their attack routes due to their collisions, heading directly toward Zabuza as he jumped upward.
Zabuza was currently in the state where his old strength was spent and new strength had not yet been generated; it was impossible for him to dodge Sasuke's Kunai attack.
Swish, swish, swish
Three Kunai successfully hit the target.
Seeing this result, Sasuke was about to say, 'Zabuza is nothing special.'
However, with a 'pop,' Zabuza turned into a wooden log.