Naruto, this isn't a fight you should get involved in! Get away now!"
Kakashi was anxious. The trio had improved rapidly, but compared to the infamous rogue ninja Zabuza, it was still a drop in the ocean.
"Got it, boss! A true ninja strikes the butt and flees—that's the ninja way!" Naruto nodded. Muscles tensed, he stabbed his kunai forward with force.
But Zabuza's body instantly turned into river water. His real body emerged from the mist behind Naruto, swinging his massive blade toward them with a fierce gust of wind!
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Zabuza suddenly felt the air behind him heat up. In that brief moment of hesitation, Kakashi used Body Flicker to rescue Naruto, dodging both the slash and the fireball.
The rising heat disrupted part of the chakra in the mist, causing the Hidden Mist Jutsu to begin faltering.
Though Sasuke had to protect Tazuna, he still managed to support from a distance using Fire Style.
"Boss, don't go toward the water," Kakashi glanced at Naruto. The latter's eyes gleamed, then leapt out of Kakashi's arms to join Sasuke in guarding Tazuna.
Sakura also appeared, tossing Naruto his ninja tools. The trio once again formed a swastika formation.
"Don't go to the water?" Kakashi asked.
"The water's his turf. If he traps you there, he can use clones to go straight for Tazuna," Naruto said cheerfully.
Kakashi's heart sank.
So the trio had been holding Zabuza back to stop him from reaching the water?
In the original story, Zabuza disrupted their formation, then caught Kakashi off guard and kicked him onto the water, where a clone immediately used Water Prison Jutsu to trap him.
This was a tactical battle. Zabuza couldn't win a direct duel with Kakashi, but if he trapped him, Tazuna would be easy prey.
Unfortunately, his plan was derailed by the trio's chaotic counterattack, leaving them back where they started.
"No worries, big bro," Naruto waved at Zabuza. "You specialize in assassinations. Group fights are kinda hard for you, huh?"
Zabuza's veins bulged on the back of his hands, and a giant pound-sign mark appeared near his temple.
"Brat!!"
Sasuke looked at Naruto in surprise. Taunting at a time like this?
But now that he thought about it, Naruto had stayed calm and relaxed the entire time...
So momentum is key?
Sasuke felt like he had learned something—next time he fought Itachi, he'd keep this attitude.
"Still have time to look at others?" Kakashi seized another opening, lunging at Zabuza. The latter reflexively swung his blade, locking into a clash.
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"
"What?!"
Boom! A hand burst up from the ground below Zabuza. He leapt away like lightning, dropping his sword and forming hand signs rapidly.
Ox–Monkey–Rabbit–Rat–Boar–Rooster...
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
Kakashi copied the jutsu perfectly, nullifying Zabuza's attack with ease. At this point, Zabuza's assassin advantage was being compressed further and further.
He couldn't help but waver.
What now?
No—don't panic! That guy can only copy. He doesn't even have his own jutsu!
Then came another maddening whistle from Naruto.
"You're this weak, big bro? Just go home already, please?"
"You'd make a better pile of dog crap."
The silence from Zabuza was deafening.
He was completely losing it. If he couldn't kill Tazuna today, he had to kill this brat!
Zabuza adjusted his stance and sprinted again, but Kakashi quickly blocked his path.
He saw Naruto's eyes—there was pity in them!
Zabuza dashed back toward the river, forming hand seals at breakneck speed. Closer inspection revealed: it was the Water Release: Great Waterfall Jutsu—a technique capable of destroying everything in its path.
Kakashi also began weaving signs, faster than Zabuza!
Naruto saw this and thought, Alright, we're back on track. But what about Haku? Should I just take her out?
Would that end the side mission early? But the tree-walking training still has to happen. That EXP package is too good to skip.
Sakura seemed to notice Naruto's thoughts. She whispered, "Take out Haku, then we focus on Gato."
Naruto instantly understood—the plotline had changed. Haku and Zabuza might not be the biggest threats anymore.
Later, they'd just wrap them up like dumplings.
With that, he entered his mental space again—time to visit the Nine-Tails.
Meanwhile...
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
Kakashi finished faster than Zabuza. A tidal river swept toward him like a tsunami.
"Impossible!" Zabuza shouted, disoriented and spinning in the whirlpool.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! A flurry of kunai nailed the dizzy Zabuza to a tree. Kakashi was ready to finish him.
Just then, Haku appeared right on time.
Thud! Thud! Several senbon needles pierced Zabuza's neck. He collapsed to the ground without a sound.
Kakashi was shocked. He turned to the masked youth. His sleek green outfit glinted with silver, elegant yet cold—matching his deadly silver senbon.
"Thank you so much. You gave me the opportunity to eliminate Zabuza."
Haku's polite words carried a cold detachment that kept people at arm's length.
"So… from the Hidden Mist's Pursuit Unit?" Kakashi looked at the group, briefly explaining their origins and duties.
"I see," Naruto nodded seriously, then held out his hand. "Alright. Please show us your pursuit unit credentials."
Kakashi: "?"
Sasuke: "?"
Tazuna: "?"
Sakura: "..."
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Naruto glanced around. "He's wearing a mask, so that makes him pursuit unit? Then I'm wearing a Leaf forehead protector—am I the Fifth Hokage?"
Everyone froze for a moment—but they couldn't deny it made some sense.
Then Sakura chimed in, "I agree. There was a scam back in the village where someone impersonated a jōnin to swindle money. The reason people fell for it? They didn't verify identity documents."
Of course, Sakura was totally making it up—but it did sound plausible.
"Preventing fraud is everyone's responsibility," Naruto nodded. "Besides, our personal records are in the village. If you don't trust us, come back with us."
Sakura was speechless—Was all this really necessary for a little performance?
Haku fell silent. He really didn't have any credentials.
Official pursuit units probably didn't carry ID around anyway!
Just then, Naruto's gaze blanked for a moment.
Haku noticed the lapse and immediately considered grabbing Zabuza and fleeing.
The main problem was that Zabuza was huge, and rough handling might damage his beautiful body...
Such a dilemma.
As Haku pondered this, Naruto returned to normal.
"Where were we…? Ah, screw it. Doesn't matter."