At this moment, Momochi Zabuza was seething with anger.
He had been just a step too late to witness Sun Wukong's sudden appearance in front of Naruto. From the body language alone, it was clear the two parties didn't know each other. With no information about this strange man in his intelligence reports, Zabuza assumed he was just a passerby.
So, while the Copy Ninja Kakashi was not directly beside Tazuna, Zabuza had thrown his Beheading Sword, aiming to sever the target's head in one deadly strike. At the very least, he could eliminate one of the young protectors and save himself future trouble.
Yet unexpectedly, the unknown man, whom he had dismissed as insignificant, effortlessly knocked the blade aside, ruining what had been within Zabuza's grasp.
Fury flared in him as he raised his sword and pointed its tip at Wukong."You've made me very angry."
Wukong, however, ignored the threat. Instead, he turned to Kakashi."Um… may I ask where I am?"
The dragon had sent him here without explanation, only instructing him to figure out this world on his own. Hence, the question now.
Kakashi, focused entirely on Zabuza, had no time to respond.
When Kakashi remained silent, Wukong scratched his head and looked toward Naruto."Ah… I see. This is the Land of Waves."
Naruto thought for a moment, then nodded."The Land of Waves?"
Wukong pinched his chin thoughtfully. But in truth, his mind was elsewhere.Is there anything delicious here? His stomach grumbled loudly. He hadn't eaten for some time and was eager for a proper meal.
Meanwhile, Zabuza, ignored by Wukong, felt veins throbbing in his forehead as his anger mounted.
Heh! The infamous Momochi Zabuza! The Demon of the Hidden Mist! And today, I'm being ignored by some nobody?!
Unable to contain his fury, he swung his sword at Wukong, abandoning any pretense of restraint.
"Careful!" Kakashi barked, grabbing Naruto and backing away.
He had already witnessed Wukong's incredible speed and knew him to be a formidable fighter. He had no intention of intervening—he merely wanted to see how Wukong would respond. Would he dodge and counter, or face the attack head-on?
Bang!
Kakashi's pupils widened in disbelief. Naruto, held in his arms, shared the same stunned expression. So did Sasuke, who had also retreated.
But Zabuza's attack met an even greater shock.
Wukong raised his right hand, extending a single finger—and with that one finger, he stopped Zabuza's Beheading Sword dead in its tracks.
"This is…?"
Zabuza's eyelids twitched. It was impossible—but he didn't retreat. Instead, he attacked Wukong relentlessly from all angles.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Every strike was blocked by that single finger. Front, side, top, or back—Wukong's body didn't move an inch. It was as if he had eyes all over his body, effortlessly countering every assault.
Whoosh!
After countless failed attacks, Zabuza finally drew back, studying Wukong seriously."Who… are you?"
Only now did he stop treating Wukong as an insignificant passerby, recognizing him as a threat comparable to Kakashi.
"I am Sun Wukong," Wukong said, hands on his head, smiling foolishly.
"Sun Wukong… never heard of him in the ninja world," Zabuza muttered, narrowing his eyes.
He knew nearly every powerful figure in the ninja world, yet this name was unknown. And yet… that single display of skill proved Wukong's strength. Could he be a secret weapon hidden in some village?
Glancing at Kakashi and the others, Zabuza wondered, Is he from Konoha?
"No… that's not it. Judging by their reactions, they genuinely don't know him."
Iwagakure? Kumogakure?
He didn't even consider Sunagakure or Kirigakure, where he had defected; those villages couldn't possibly hide a secret weapon. Yet if Wukong truly was one, why help Konoha here?
No matter—capturing him would reveal the truth.
Zabuza's expression darkened as he spoke coldly."Sun Wukong, your physical prowess is impressive, but don't think you can defeat me so easily. You should know this isn't my specialty!"
"Kirigakure no Jutsu!"
Immediately, a thick white mist rolled in, enveloping everyone.
"Be careful! That's the Hidden Mist's Silent Killing Technique!" Kakashi warned, protecting Naruto and the others. He raised his forehead protector to reveal the Sharingan, necessary to see through the mist. Without it, he would be blind to Zabuza's moves.
"Damn… such a ninjutsu exists!" Naruto muttered, sweat trickling down his forehead, eyes scanning the fog in alarm.
"This… murderous intent." Sasuke shivered, goosebumps raising along his arms. Fortunately, the lethal aura seemed directed solely at Wukong, leaving him free from the paralyzing fear.
"Why is it suddenly so foggy?" Wukong asked innocently, examining his surroundings like a curious child, entirely unalarmed.
Suddenly, he vanished.
A massive sword slashed through the fog where Wukong had been—but it missed entirely. Zabuza's face darkened.
"Looking for me?"
A massive hand landed on his shoulder—and his body instantly transformed into water.
"What… it turned into water?"
Wukong appeared behind him, staring at the wet residue on his hands in confusion. Then, sidestepping to the right, he dodged another massive strike that barely grazed his arm.
"Tsk… failed again?"
Zabuza, frustrated, drew back and melted into the mist once more. Wukong tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing as if he could see through the fog.
Suddenly, Zabuza reappeared behind Tazuna. Kakashi, Sharingan active, immediately leaped in front, blocking the strike with his kunai.
"Sure enough… he's coming for us," Kakashi muttered under his breath.
"Tsk… Copy Ninja Kakashi, your Sharingan truly is impressive," Zabuza growled, face dark.
After two failed attempts on Wukong, Zabuza realized defeating him quickly was impossible. He turned to focus on the mission's target. But Kakashi, as predicted by intelligence reports, was no easy opponent either. Facing two powerful enemies alone, Zabuza knew he couldn't win and began considering retreat.
Though Bai—his ally—was nearby, he would only join after a signal. Even together, they might not defeat these opponents. Better to retreat, regroup, and plan.
"I'll come again," he muttered, vanishing into the mist.
The fog dissipated soon after, revealing a bewildered Tazuna and Naruto, a solemn Kakashi, and…
Wukong rubbed his belly, smiling sheepishly."I'm so hungry… do you have anything to eat?"