A heavy silence settled over the boat as the mist thickened around them. The gentle splashing of the oar against the water was the only sound cutting through the tension.
Tazuna sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his head before speaking, his voice carrying the weight of a man burdened by too much.
"Have ya heard of a shipping magnate by the name of Gato?"
The name dropped like a stone into still water, sending ripples through the group.
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly, his voice laced with disbelief.
"You mean Gato of the Gato Company?"
He folded his arms, a thoughtful frown settling on his masked face. "He's one of the world's richest men."
Naruto's sharp blue eyes gleamed with curiosity, but he said nothing, simply watching.
Tazuna let out another heavy sigh before answering.
"On the surface, yeah—he's the CEO of a shipping company. But underneath? He's knee-deep in drug trafficking, black-market deals, and smuggling contraband. He uses gangs and mercenary ninjas to expand his influence while ruthlessly taking over small nations and enterprises."
Sakura gasped slightly, her brows furrowing. "Wait—so he's not just some businessman? He's actually a… crime lord?"
"More than that," Tazuna muttered bitterly, his hands clenching into fists. "About a year ago, he set his sights on the Land of Waves. He used his wealth and brutality to take control of our entire maritime industry, our shipping, and our transportation."
The boat creaked as it glided across the still waters.
Kakashi let out a slow breath, already piecing things together. In an island nation like the Land of Waves, control over the sea meant control over everything.
Naruto, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke—his voice casual, yet with an unmistakable sharpness underneath.
"And?"
Tazuna looked up at him, his guilt evident in his tired eyes.
"There is one thing that Gato fears…"
The group leaned in slightly. Even Sasuke, who had been brooding for most of the trip, seemed to be paying closer attention.
Tazuna exhaled.
"The Bridge."
Sakura blinked, momentarily thrown off. "The bridge…?"
Tazuna gave a small, grim nod.
Naruto's smirk widened slightly. "So basically, you stand in his way, huh?"
"Yes."
Tazuna's voice was barely above a whisper as if admitting it out loud made the danger feel more real.
Kakashi frowned, feeling the beginnings of a headache settle in. The previous assassins were Chūnin-level at best—but if Gato was serious, he'd send someone stronger.
At least an elite Jōnin.
This mission had just escalated into something far more lethal.
Naruto chuckled softly, stretching his arms behind his head, but his piercing gaze never left Tazuna.
"You really did scam us, huh, old man?"
Tazuna winced, looking away, but Naruto just let out an amused huff.
"Well…" Naruto cracked his knuckles lazily. "Since we're already in it, might as well see this through to the end, right?"
Sasuke scoffed under his breath. "Hmph. As if I'd back down from a fight."
Sakura swallowed her nerves and nodded firmly. "No way we're quitting now."
Kakashi sighed. "I swear, I get the most troublesome team…"
And as the boat drifted deeper into the mist, the looming shadow of their unseen enemy grew ever closer.
----
A few moments later
The group finally reached a land region and started walking again.
The soft crunch of their footsteps against the dirt echoed through the quiet landscape. Mist curled around their ankles, thickening ever so slightly as they advanced deeper into the land.
Naruto, who had been walking at a steady pace, suddenly narrowed his eyes.
A flicker of movement.
Without hesitation, he whipped out a kunai and hurled it toward the dense underbrush.
Swish!
The weapon buried itself deep into the foliage, rustling the leaves violently.
Sakura asked quickly. "Naruto, what happened?"
Naruto didn't answer immediately. His sharp gaze scanned the area, searching.
"I definitely sensed someone there," He muttered, slowly approaching the bush. "But not anymore…"
He parted the leaves carefully and found a rabbit lying on the ground—motionless. Its small body trembled slightly, fear evident in its beady eyes.
Naruto frowned. "A substitution."
His expression darkened as realization hit him.
"GET DOWN!"
A massive, cleaving sound ripped through the air as a colossal blade hurtled toward them.
Fwoosh!
Naruto didn't hesitate. He launched himself skyward, twisting in midair, and delivered a devastating kick to the flat side of the incoming weapon.
Bang!
The force sent the sword spinning off course, slamming into a nearby tree trunk with a loud, metallic clang.
Kakashi's visible eye sharpened instantly as he turned toward the source.
A tall, imposing figure stood atop a tree branch behind them.
His bandaged lower face gave away no emotion, but his cold, calculating eyes studied them with interest. The man wore dark blue pants, and matching arm warmers, and a massive blade was now firmly back in his grasp.
Naruto landed gracefully, his expression unreadable, but his piercing gaze locked onto their assailant.
Kakashi exhaled softly. "So it's you, huh?"
Sasuke clenched his fists, recognizing the name instantly.
"That… that's Momochi Zabuza—the rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist?"
A sharp chuckle escaped the swordsman's lips.
"Kakashi of the Sharingan…" Zabuza mused, his voice laced with amusement.
Kakashi took a relaxed stance, but his aura turned deadly in an instant.
"Oh, how rude of me," He said smoothly, gesturing to his team. "They're my students."
Zabuza's grip on his blade tightened slightly. "That yellow-haired brat is your student?"
His eyes flickered toward Naruto, analyzing him carefully. "Interesting… he's strong."
A breeze passed between them, silent tension crackling in the air.
Then, in one swift motion, Kakashi lifted his headband, revealing the crimson glow of his Sharingan.
Zabuza grinned beneath his bandages. "Ah, an honor. To think I get to see the legendary Sharingan up close."
His voice carried a dangerous edge, his muscles tensing in excitement. "You've lived up to your name, Copy Ninja Kakashi."
But then, his tone dropped into something colder.
"Enough talking. I need to kill that old man immediately."
Tazuna stiffened.
Zabuza raised his massive sword, stepping onto the surface of a nearby pond, the water rippling beneath his weight.
"But it looks like I'll have to kill you first."
His killing intent flooded the area like a crushing wave.
And just like that, the battle began.
---- ✦ ✦ ✦ ----
Spoilers for the next three chapters!
Chapter 121: The Demon of the Mist Falls
Chapter 122: Whispers of the Mist
Chapter 123: The Tragic Story of a Hero
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
🚨 Want to read chapters before anyone else? Head over to Patreon for early access and exclusive perks!
📖 If you're enjoying the stories and want to help keep them coming, your support means everything. Join us and stay ahead!
👉 Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
☕ Or support directly: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨