Hatake Kakashi walked calmly at the rear of the ninja team, occasionally glancing back before continuing forward.
He was well aware that someone was protecting them from the shadows. After all, when Konoha's "walking nuclear bomb" ventured outside the village, additional security was standard procedure.
The journey began smoothly with no incidents, which surprised Kakashi slightly. But he soon realized this was normal—after all, they were only expecting to face minor thugs.
It wasn't until the group reached the border of the Land of Fire, preparing to enter the Land of Waves, that they encountered their first ambush.
These attackers were easily dispatched by Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke without Kakashi needing to intervene.
This mission was beginning to feel more like a sightseeing trip than an actual assignment.
Shihouin Naraku, concealed in the darkness, was puzzled. Logically, Momochi Zabuza should have attacked by now, but there was no sign of him.
He had been looking forward to observing the confrontation.
After all, Zabuza was legendary—capable of fighting the future Sixth Hokage and Copy Ninja as an equal, defeating Indra's reincarnation (the descendant of the Uchiha clan), overwhelming Ashura's reincarnation (the descendant of the Uzumaki clan and future Seventh Hokage), and even intimidating Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage and master of the Hundred Healings Jutsu!
If you looked at it that way, Momochi Zabuza was practically the strongest shinobi in the world!
Of course, Shihouin Naraku was unaware that Zabuza and Haku had "voluntarily" joined the Akatsuki organization, which explained why he was still waiting for Zabuza's grand appearance.
But even as Kakashi's team arrived at the Land of Waves, Zabuza never showed.
Shihouin Naraku grew increasingly confused as he watched Naruto and Sasuke take down another wave of thugs. Even Haruno Sakura managed to defeat a few enemies.
"Something isn't right. You two, investigate the situation in the Land of Waves."
Realizing something unusual must have happened, Naraku gave direct orders to the ANBU operatives following him, sending them to gather intelligence.
"What could have happened to Zabuza? What could befall a shinobi of Jōnin level in the Land of Waves?"
"Unless..."
Shihouin Naraku stood atop a tall tree, gazing toward the vast ocean—the direction of Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist.
"Could Kirigakure have actually located and captured Zabuza?"
"That's unlikely. We don't even know if Obito is alive or dead right now. He probably doesn't have resources to spare hunting down Zabuza."
Just as Naraku's suspicions deepened, the two ANBU shinobi returned with information.
"You're saying there was a battle near Gato's compound recently, and not only did Gato die, but Momochi Zabuza, whom he hired, also disappeared?"
"Yes, sir. All witnesses to the battle were eliminated. The remaining gangsters were on the periphery and escaped the conflict. They know very little, but they confirm a battle definitely occurred."
"These survivors also confirmed seeing the Kirigakure rogue ninja Momochi Zabuza and verified he was hired by Gato."
"Sir, should we abort this mission?"
The ANBU operative's implication was clear. The involvement of a rogue ninja from Kirigakure might indicate a larger scheme. If it targeted the Kyuubi jinchūriki, the situation could become dangerous.
"Not necessary."
After consideration, Shihouin Naraku rejected his subordinate's suggestion and issued new orders: "This country is small. Continue scouting the entire Land of Waves. Remember—observe only. Do not engage those thugs."
"Understood!"
The ANBU subordinates acknowledged their orders and departed swiftly.
"Hmm, it seems Momochi Zabuza truly isn't here. But who could have been involved? Did Kirigakure shinobi really come to capture him, triggering that battle? The fact that all witnesses were eliminated does match Kirigakure's typical methods."
At this point, Shihouin Naraku couldn't have anticipated that the Akatsuki organization had appeared and taken both Zabuza and Haku!
He unconsciously overlooked the damage his actions had inflicted on Akatsuki recently.
...
Nighttime. The moonlight was cool as water.
"Rustle..."
A faint sound!
The ever-vigilant Hatake Kakashi awoke immediately, sat up, and rushed outside. Upon recognizing the figure standing in the shadows, he relaxed.
Yawning, Kakashi approached and whispered, "It's so late... did you really need to wake me?"
Seeing Kakashi's sleepy expression, Shihouin Naraku emerged from his hiding place and said, "I sent scouts to investigate the Land of Waves..."
"Oh?"
Recognizing the serious tone, Kakashi immediately became alert.
"There was a battle in the Land of Waves not long ago. The Kirigakure rogue ninja Momochi Zabuza was present. However, it appears the enemy has since departed. Only minor thugs and low-level shinobi remain in the Land of Waves. They're weak individually, but numerous."
When Kakashi heard Zabuza's name, he tensed momentarily but relaxed upon learning the rogue ninja had left.
He trusted Naraku completely. If Naraku said Zabuza was gone, then it must be true.
Besides, given Shihouin Naraku's strength, Momochi Zabuza posed no real threat anyway.
However, Kakashi understood Naraku's underlying message. He gazed at the silent forest and leaned against a nearby tree. "If that's the case, the remaining enemies won't provide much training value."
Shihouin Naraku chuckled and sat beside him. "Not necessarily. Though those thugs and low-level warriors aren't individually strong, they've survived in this harsh world, so most possess some skills."
"Of course, this assumes you don't intervene!"
Kakashi appeared thoughtful. He understood Naraku's suggestion—let Naruto and the others find their own way to handle these enemies.
Their conversation concluded there.
The next day, Kakashi began leading Naruto's team to protect the civilians of the Land of Waves and assist with bridge construction.
Sporadic attacks occurred, but the disorganized assaults barely hindered the bridge's progress.
Occasionally, Kakashi would even take a few team members to eliminate groups of thugs and low-level shinobi.
But soon after, Kakashi was supposedly ambushed by several low-level ninja due to carelessness and sustained injuries requiring at least two weeks of recovery.
"Ahem, the rest is up to you!"
"This is your first important mission. You mustn't fail!"
Seeing Kakashi half-dead in bed, young Sakura worried constantly and busied herself caring for him.
Only Naruto and Sasuke appeared skeptical. Having witnessed fights between Kakashi and Naraku firsthand, they found it hard to believe that mere thugs and low-level ninja could injure Kakashi so severely.
It seemed ridiculous!
Yet Kakashi remained bedridden, refusing to rise. Sasuke had no choice but to discuss with his teammates how to best complete their mission.
Of course, Sasuke vaguely suspected this might all be an intentional training exercise for the three of them!
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