While Sasuke cremated the bodies, Naruto's enhanced senses detected unusual Ki and blood behind a nearby tree. Further away, another signature lurked—likely another enemy.
After the flames died down, Naruto vanished.
He reappeared behind the tree, one hand landing firmly on the hidden figure's shoulder. If this person showed even a trace of hostility, Naruto would end them instantly.
But no hostility came.
Instead, the moment Naruto's palm made contact, the man spun around without hesitation. Both hands shot up in surrender.
"I'm just passing by! Please don't hit me!"
Naruto didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the immediate capitulation.
He studied the man before him: roughly 1.8 meters tall, short black hair, headband worn tilted to the left. Bandages wrapped the lower half of his face and neck, leaving only his eyes visible. A massive blade was strapped across his back.
Those visible eyes radiated genuine fear.
Am I really that scary? Naruto wondered.
"Are you really just passing by?" Naruto kept his hand on the man's shoulder, unable to sense hostile intent but also unable to determine friend from foe. "If you're a good person, why wear a mask?"
Kakashi, who'd just arrived, stumbled mid-step and nearly fell. Naruto, by that logic, I'm not a good person either.
"He's an enemy," Kakashi said, landing beside Naruto. He studied the bandaged man carefully. "Momochi Zabuza—Kirigakure missing-nin. Rumor says he fought the Fourth Mizukage and escaped alive."
"That's correct." Zabuza nodded vigorously, sizing up the masked Konoha ninja in return—the one-eyed man with bandaged hands hanging from his neck. "And you must be the famous Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake."
"The same." Kakashi nodded seriously. Momochi Zabuza warranted genuine respect.
Watching the two men trade titles like they were exchanging business cards, Naruto felt profoundly helpless. He focused on Zabuza. "Take off your mask. Let me see your real face. Wearing a mask like that makes it hard for me to trust you're a good person."
Kakashi beside him: (▼ヘ#)
"Ahem." Kakashi coughed pointedly, reminding Naruto that he also wore a mask.
Naruto turned and gave Kakashi a puzzled look. "Is something wrong, sensei?"
A vein pulsed in Kakashi's temple. The corner of his mouth twitched beneath the fabric. "No. Continue."
My student is physically massive but has the situational awareness of a brick.
"I really am just passing by!" Zabuza's voice carried genuine distress. He looked ready to cry.
Originally, he'd assessed the situation simply: Kakashi was the only threat. The three fresh Academy graduates barely merited consideration. With the Demon Brothers' help, he could easily eliminate the kids.
Then that blonde haired boy had demonstrated terrifying taijutsu, trampling a chunin to death with one foot before casually killing the second Kirigakure ninja.
The Demon Brothers, deceased. Zabuza himself couldn't have dispatched them so effortlessly. This golden-haired kid's strength was genuinely frightening.
So Zabuza had decided: retreat now, plan long-term strategy later.
The moment he'd committed to withdrawal, the blonde boy had vanished. When that palm landed on his shoulder, Zabuza—veteran of countless life-or-death battles—felt death's cold breath. One wrong move and the person behind him could end his life with trivial ease.
Great terror exists between life and death. Zabuza didn't dare show hostility. Complete surrender was his only option.
"Take it off." Naruto's expression hardened. His palm began vibrating against Zabuza's shoulder.
"Wait! I'll do it right now!"
Zabuza felt the vibrations transfer into his body. The frequency was terrifyingly high, controlled with surgical precision to avoid causing damage. Yet.
But Zabuza could feel his nerves struggling to maintain sphincter control under that force. A few more seconds and he'd lose it completely.
He was the Demon of the Hidden Mist! One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen! He'd fought the Fourth Mizukage and lived! He had ambitions!
He absolutely, under no circumstances, could wet himself in front of another man.
His hands flew to the bandages. He yanked them down, revealing sharp teeth. "There! Mask's off! Stop now!"
Naruto ceased the vibration and examined Zabuza's face. He looked fierce. Also kind of simple-minded.
Feeling the terrible force disappear, Zabuza exhaled in relief. A few more seconds and his dignity would have been destroyed forever.
"Are you really just passing by?" Naruto asked.
"Really." Zabuza spread his hands helplessly.
"In that case, go." Naruto removed his hand from Zabuza's shoulder.
Hearing permission to leave, Zabuza vanished without hesitation.
Kakashi watched the missing-nin disappear and frowned. "I don't think Zabuza's appearance here was coincidence. 'Passing by' seems unlikely."
Naruto nodded. "Doesn't matter. If he comes back, he dies. Simple as that."
He didn't particularly care about Zabuza. When an enemy didn't bare their fangs, Naruto didn't mind letting them live a while longer.
Sensing Naruto's absolute confidence, Kakashi suddenly realized something profound. Without noticing when it happened, Naruto had grown to a point where he no longer needed protection.
"Let's head back, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto returned to Sasuke and the others using Instantaneous Movement.
After burying the Demon Brothers, Kakashi turned to face Tazuna. His visible eye had gone cold. "I think, Mr. Tazuna, you owe us a reasonable explanation for what just happened."
Under Kakashi's interrogation, Tazuna panicked. He looked at the four ninja, expression crumbling. "Kakashi-sama, I admit it—I thought Gato would send thugs at most. Street toughs, maybe wandering samurai. Who could have predicted he'd hire ninja?"
"Is that really all?" Kakashi's tone made clear he wasn't buying the performance. "The C-rank mission you submitted shouldn't involve ninja combat. But we just faced ninja. This exceeds C-rank parameters significantly."
He glanced at Sakura. "Sakura, recite Article 1,679 of the Shinobi Handbook."
"Yes, sensei!" Sakura pulled out a small manual, flipped to the relevant section, and read aloud: "Article 1,679: If Party A deceives Party B regarding mission parameters in a manner that creates life-threatening danger to Party B, Party B may unilaterally terminate the contract without refunding Party A's mission payment."
"Very good." Kakashi nodded, then addressed Tazuna directly. "I assume you heard that clearly. We're canceling this mission. You can find your own way back."
He turned, gesturing for his students to follow.
"Wait! Don't leave!" Tazuna's voice cracked with desperation. "I can pay more!"
"Oh?"
All four ninja turned in perfect unison, eyes bright with sudden interest.
"Really?" Kakashi asked. "You're willing to increase compensation?"
"Yes! More money! Please don't abandon me!" Tazuna's desperation was genuine now. Without ninja escort, he'd die before reaching the Land of Waves.
"In that case, Mr. Tazuna..." Kakashi approached with renewed enthusiasm. "Let's discuss pricing."