Meizu was caught completely off guard, instantly engulfed and annihilated by the flames. In just a moment, the two rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist were defeated. It was only then that the dumbfounded Tazuna understood what it meant to be the strongest. That Jonin, Kakashi, and the brat named Naruto weren't just boasting.
Just then, the sound of slow clapping came from above. A smiling Kakashi descended from the trees, landing in front of the group. "Well done, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata."
Naruto jumped in surprise. "Kakashi-sensei?! I-I thought you were..."
"Dead? You underestimate me too much, Naruto."
"Then why did you play dead instead of fighting?!"
Kakashi smiled slightly. "To test you, of course. However, I didn't expect you to handle it so well. These two are rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist Village, both Chunin-level in strength, yet you defeated them decisively. Your strength has long surpassed that of an ordinary Chunin. Moreover, to perform so perfectly in your first life-or-death battle is simply beyond imagination. As Naruto said, Team 7 is indeed the strongest."
Only then did Naruto understand that Kakashi had been prepared the whole time, merely feigning death to observe their reactions. "Kakashi-sensei, you're too mean!" he said angrily. "You scared me! I thought you were dead!"
"Well," Kakashi laughed, "if I didn't do that, how could I have seen such an excellent performance from you?"
Naruto was stunned for a moment, then nodded proudly. "That's true!"
"And," Kakashi added, glancing at Hinata with praise, "Hinata had already discovered the Demon Brothers' traces and also knew I was feigning death, which is why she confidently let you and Sasuke handle them while she guarded the client. That shows a level of ninja awareness that surpasses both of you."
Hinata's face turned crimson. "Kakashi-sensei, I-I'm not that amazing. I just trusted that Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun could handle it."
Naruto pouted. "So, you knew all along too, Hinata? You tricked me with Kakashi-sensei!"
Hinata smiled shyly, her face still red. "Because I knew Kakashi-sensei was fine, that's why..."
Kakashi patted Naruto and Sasuke on the shoulders. "Alright, alright, you two performed very well. Although the Demon Brothers are only Chunin, they came from the Bloody Mist Village, which means they have ruthless methods and rich combat experience. The fact that you defeated them so quickly is partly due to your own strength, but also because they underestimated you."
Naruto knew Kakashi was telling the truth. The enemies had been careless because he was a child. "Forget it," he grumbled. "Even though Kakashi-sensei played a trick on me, having Sasuke fooled with me doesn't make it too embarrassing."
Sasuke snorted. "I also noticed something was off a long time ago, you idiot."
"What?!"
Kakashi frowned. "Sasuke, you shouldn't have been able to detect them without activating your Sharingan."
"That's true," Sasuke admitted. "But as soon as I engaged them, I understood you were feigning death. Because with their strength, if they could kill an elite Jonin from Konoha, we would have already been dead."
"I see," Kakashi smiled.
"Even Sasuke..." Naruto muttered, then turned to his teacher. "Then Kakashi-sensei, you don't have the Byakugan. How did you discover the enemies?"
Kakashi pointed to where the small puddle of water had been. "It hasn't rained recently. There shouldn't have been a puddle on the road."
Only then did Naruto have to admit defeat. "It seems I still have a lot to learn."
"That's a matter of experience," Kakashi laughed. "However, at your age, you can all be considered absolute geniuses." After praising his students, his gaze fell on the flustered Tazuna. "Tazuna-san, please tell us the truth. Otherwise, this mission ends here."
Naruto's heart stirred. The fact that the opponent had dispatched ninja meant this was no longer a C-rank mission. Of course, for Naruto, this wasn't a bad thing; he had effectively received the B-rank mission he needed.
Tazuna knelt on the ground, crying and begging for forgiveness, and finally told the whole truth. When Kakashi heard that the ninja Gato had hired included the "Demon of the Hidden Mist," Zabuza Momochi, his expression immediately changed.
"Zabuza Momochi? Even that man has been deployed? If that's the case, this mission might not even stop at B-rank."
"Zabuza Momochi? Is he very strong?" Naruto asked.
Kakashi nodded grimly. "One of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. He specializes in Silent Killing. After a failed coup to assassinate the Mizukage, he became an extremely dangerous rogue ninja."
"Assassinate the Mizukage?!" Naruto was shocked. "That's one of the Five Kage... on par with the Hokage! Even if he failed, how terrifying must he be to even try?"
"Indeed," Kakashi said. "One cannot be too careful with him. Tazuna-san, I can continue this mission, but first, you must find a way to make up the difference in the mission reward. Second, you cannot hide anything else from us. Third, you must completely obey my commands. Can you do that?"
Tazuna was extremely grateful. "Yes, yes! Thank you, Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi turned to his team. "What are your opinions? If you're scared, I can terminate this mission at any time."
"Of course we'll continue!" Naruto said, filled with heroic spirit. "This is the high-level mission I've been dreaming of!"
"I agree to continue," Hinata said quickly.
Sasuke just snorted. "A rogue ninja, huh? Perfect. I'll use him to test my skills."
"Good," Kakashi smiled. "You all certainly have guts. Let's go, Tazuna-san."
Elsewhere in the Land of Waves, a short, sleazy-looking man paced back and forth, surrounded by thugs. "Zabuza Momochi," he sneered, "you guaranteed me you could kill that old man Tazuna today! And now? Your men went out, and not a single one has returned!"
A man lounging on a large chair, his face half-covered in bandages, didn't move. "Cut the crap, Gato. If you're not satisfied, then get out."
"Zabuza Momochi, I spent a fortune to hire you!" Gato fumed. "If you can't do it, why would I waste so much money?!"
Zabuza suddenly picked up the massive executioner's blade beside him. With just one arm, he pointed the heavy sword directly at Gato. "Do you want to die? If you speak to me with that attitude again, I don't mind killing all of you."
Gato's face went pale. "Killing me certainly isn't difficult for you, Zabuza, but you won't get paid after that! Who would dare hire you then?!"
Zabuza snorted coldly and withdrew the blade, his tone becoming even colder. "The people I want to kill never escape. The Demon Brothers were likely killed. It was my miscalculation; I didn't expect a poor man like Tazuna to be able to hire powerful ninja. But... this is as far as it goes." He suddenly swung the executioner's blade, embedding it fiercely into a nearby wall. Gato and his men flinched in terror.
In the thick sea mist, a small boat slowly advanced. To enter the Land of Waves, one could only travel by sea, and Gato had monopolized all large-scale transport. This small boat was their only option. Naruto couldn't sit still. He stood at the bow, gazing into the distance, but the mist was too thick to see anything. "How much further, old man?!"
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