Tazuna, sitting beside them, felt like he was riding an emotional roller coaster.
His heart still couldn't settle.
"W-What do you mean, ninja-sama? Can we really continue the mission?"
Tazuna looked at Kakashi nervously. Despite his earlier words, if he could still have Team 7's protection—especially under a Jonin like Kakashi—it was the best possible outcome.
People can speak bravely about facing death, but almost no one truly chooses it.
And Tazuna still had his dream—the bridge to free the Land of Waves. He couldn't die before seeing it complete.
Kakashi nodded calmly. "We'll continue the mission. Until your bridge is complete, you have my word, Tazuna-san."
"Th-Thank you so much!" Tazuna's face brightened instantly, his voice trembling with relief.
Moments ago, he was sure he'd fallen into hell—and now he felt as if he'd been lifted straight to heaven.
Menma pursed his lips and looked away.
As he had said before, he didn't care much whether the mission continued. Facing danger wasn't the issue; in fact, encountering strong enemies like Zabuza and Haku could only sharpen his skills.
Still, Naruto's impulsiveness and Kakashi's decision unsettled him.
Since Kakashi had made the call, Menma chose to keep silent—for now. But next time, he'd ask his sensei directly about his reasoning.
"Alright," Kakashi said after a moment, his tone firm. "I'll take care of the two Hidden Mist-nin, then we'll move on."
Menma's eyes flickered with thought. "Wait, Kakashi-sensei… can we be the ones to handle them?"
Kakashi froze, glancing over his shoulder. "You're sure, Menma?"
Naruto and Sasuke both turned, caught off guard, but after a moment their expressions grew serious.
Only Sakura blinked in confusion, clearly not understanding what was happening.
"Yes," Menma said with conviction. "We're ninjas now. We should have the resolve to face what that means. Kakashi-sensei, your first mission must have been when you were around five or six years old, right? We're already behind."
Kakashi studied him for a moment, then turned to the others. "Do you three share Menma's intent?"
The sudden question made both Naruto and Sasuke tense.
Sakura hesitated, her voice trembling. "Kakashi-sensei… what exactly do you mean by that?"
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed. "It's time you learn what it truly means to be a ninja. You'll carry out the execution yourselves."
"What!?" Sakura's face went pale, her body shaking.
Killing—she had known it would come someday, but not this soon. Barely a month since graduation, and already she was being asked to end a life.
Even Naruto fell silent, his fists tightening at his sides.
Only Sasuke stepped forward without hesitation, eyes cold. "I'll do it."
Kakashi nodded. "Then it's settled."
He lifted the unconscious Demon Brothers and motioned for Menma and Sasuke to follow him into the nearby forest.
Naruto opened his mouth to protest but stopped himself. Sakura's wide, trembling eyes told him enough—she wasn't ready for this.
Tazuna remained quiet. Even as a civilian, he understood the grim nature of shinobi life.
In the shadows of the forest, Kakashi dropped the two Mist-nin onto the ground and crouched beside them. His expression turned cold as he formed a quick seal.
The brothers stirred, groaning weakly—until Kakashi's hand touched their foreheads.
"Genjutsu: Torture Illusion Technique."
Their eyes snapped open in panic as the illusion consumed them, Kakashi's voice cutting through their confusion.
"Tell me… who is your employer?"
The two screamed in agony, their minds bending under the illusion's weight.
Kakashi's single Sharingan eye glowed faintly beneath his forehead protector.
Years in Anbu had made him an expert in such silent interrogation—no blood, no noise, only terror within the mind.
The forest was quiet except for the rustle of leaves, and the low, trembling breaths of two defeated assassins.