The sun rose, and morning came in no time.
"Big bro! We're heading out now!" Naruto sent a message in the chat.
Yang Tao checked his mini-map and saw Naruto leaving Konohagakure's gates.
"You guys go ahead. I'll catch up soon."
Naruto's team wasn't moving fast, being just regular ninjas. Yang Tao, in his quantum suit, flew high above them.
Soon, they encountered the Demon Brothers—two small-time enemies. Seriously, what were those guys thinking? In broad daylight, they left two puddles of water in the middle of the road. Who wouldn't be suspicious?
After quickly dealing with them, the group continued toward the Land of Waves.
Yang Tao, still floating above, got bored and passed the time chatting in the group.
After two days of travel, they finally arrived at their destination.
Yang Tao was flying in the sky when a new icon suddenly appeared on his mini-map. Looking closely, he saw that it was their target—Momochi Zabuza!
"Finally, he's here!"
He quickly sent a message in the group chat to notify Naruto and told him to get ready.
After receiving the message, Naruto called out to Kakashi, "Kakashi-sensei, come here for a second. I have something to tell you!"
Kakashi had no idea what Naruto wanted, but he still walked aside with him.
Sakura and Sasuke both glanced over curiously.
"Kakashi-sensei, the ones coming soon are Momochi Zabuza from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and his subordinate, Haku. When the fight starts, help me pull Sasuke and Sakura into a Genjutsu. I don't want them to know my full strength yet," Naruto whispered to Kakashi.
Hearing this, Kakashi looked confused. "Naruto, how do you know that?"
"I have my own sources. Sensei, I still have a use for Zabuza and Haku. Let me handle them," Naruto said.
Kakashi had no choice but to agree.
As they continued walking, just like in the original events, a massive sword suddenly came swinging at them from behind. But this time, Naruto—who was at the back—reached out and caught the sword with one hand.
"Too slow, Zabuza!" Naruto taunted.
Sakura and Sasuke immediately turned around when they heard the noise, but in that split second, Kakashi pulled them into a Genjutsu.
Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna all collapsed, unconscious.
Seeing this unfold, Zabuza—who was standing on a tree—was completely stunned.
What the hell just happened?!
Did Kakashi just ambush his own teammates?!
And that kid—who was obviously just a Genin—what was up with him?! He caught my sword with one hand like it was nothing… and even said I was too slow!
Zabuza leaped down from the tree and eyed Naruto cautiously. "Who the hell are you? Someone with your strength can't be unknown."
He didn't foolishly ask Naruto to return his weapon. Instead, he just wanted to figure out who he was dealing with.
Naruto glanced at Zabuza and said, "Kakashi-sensei, please move them to a safe place. I need to have a little chat with Mr. Zabuza."
With that, he tossed the massive sword back to Zabuza.
Zabuza caught it, clearly surprised.
But he didn't say anything and simply watched as Kakashi carried the unconscious group away.
"What do you want?" Zabuza asked, already sensing that Naruto's real target was him. He was fully prepared for a fight.
"I need your help," Naruto stated bluntly.
Zabuza scoffed. "You sure have some nerve! Do you even know who I am? Listen up—I'm Momochi Zabuza, the Demon of the Hidden Mist!"
"Then let's see if you can handle what I have to offer," Naruto replied.
The moment he stopped holding back, his entire aura changed. The pressure he gave off was far stronger than when he had sparred with Kakashi.
"If you're not careful… you might die."
Zabuza was momentarily shaken by Naruto's overwhelming presence, but as the Demon of the Mist, he quickly snapped back to focus.
Strike first!
Zabuza immediately used the Hidden Mist Jutsu, and the fog around them thickened visibly. His figure vanished into the dense mist.
But to Naruto, who had already trained his sensory abilities, Zabuza hiding in the mist was no different from a clown sneaking around.
With a single kick, Naruto sent Zabuza flying. Watching his opponent struggle to get back up in the distance, he said, "Stop using these little tricks. They won't work on me!"
Too fast! I couldn't even react. He can locate me even inside the Hidden Mist Jutsu?
Zabuza spat out some blood. That kick had already injured him, and that was with Naruto holding back.
I have to change my strategy!
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
His hands moved quickly, forming hand signs as he unleashed a Water Style Ninjutsu.
Naruto didn't even move. He simply raised a hand.
Golden flames appeared in his palm, blocking the incoming water dragon.
"That's it? I really don't get why my brother wants to keep you alive. Here, try this!"
A small Rasenshuriken formed at Naruto's fingertips, and he quickly threw it at Zabuza.
It was too fast! Zabuza had no time to dodge and could only watch the attack coming at him.
But Naruto never aimed directly at him. If he had, there wouldn't be anything left to recruit—only something to bury.
With a loud bang, the mini Rasenshuriken exploded upon hitting the ground next to Zabuza, blasting him into the air.
At that moment, two senbon needles flew in and pierced Zabuza's neck.
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