The Demon Brothers were only an introduction.
While they technically qualified as Chūnin, they were the weakest kind — roughly on par with Mizuki. They were certainly no true threat.
But what awaited Team 7 next was something entirely different: Momochi Zabuza — the Demon of the Hidden Mist — one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure, a rogue shinobi whose power could rival Kakashi Hatake's (who, at this stage, had yet to awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan).
That fact alone, learned from the interrogation of the Demon Brothers, was enough to put everyone on edge — especially Sakura.
Her nerves had been tense ever since the last ambush. If those brothers were already beyond her ability to face, how could she stand against a foe even stronger than them?
Kakashi's single visible eye narrowed slightly as he watched her trembling.
A ninja's fear was understandable, but if left unchecked, it could become fatal. He didn't bother comforting her — Kakashi was not the type to coddle. He believed that a shinobi's psychological barriers must be overcome personally. If one couldn't adapt, then they weren't fit to survive.
In Team 7, Kakashi had already assessed the order of potential.
Sakura, in truth, was the weakest link.
If she could grow, he would guide her — but if not, he wouldn't waste effort on a "rotting tree."
And so, under that quiet tension, the team continued their escort mission with Dazna, traveling toward the southeastern edge of the Land of Fire.
By dusk, the sky dimmed, and the air turned cold.
Menma shivered lightly — and then, in an instant, his instincts screamed a warning.
A massive chakra signature was approaching.
"Boom!"
A sharp sound tore through the silence of the forest.
"Whoosh!"
A gleaming light — the reflection of a spinning blade — streaked down toward them like lightning.
"Everyone, get down!"
Kakashi's reflexes kicked in instantly. His sensory perception wasn't as sharp as Menma's, but his combat intuition was unmatched.
In one motion, Kakashi drew a kunai, leapt forward, and intercepted the incoming attack.
"Clang!"
Sparks burst into the air as steel met steel.
The force behind the strike was tremendous — enough to make Kakashi's arm tremble slightly as he deflected it.
The massive blade struck the trunk of a nearby tree with a heavy thud.
"Thud!"
It embedded deep within the wood.
A figure appeared, landing gracefully atop the flat of the sword. The mist thickened as if drawn to him, his presence chilling and oppressive.
Even before he spoke, his identity was clear.
Menma's pupils shrank.
Momochi Zabuza!
The man's voice was deep and mocking.
"Well, well… the famous Copy Ninja — Sharingan Kakashi. No wonder those Demon Brothers failed. Hmph. Seems this mission wasn't worth the trouble after all. Guess I'll have to demand more payment from that old fool later."
Zabuza's killing intent rolled off him in waves, his grin feral as he continued,
"So, how about it, Kakashi Hatake? Hand over the old man behind you… and maybe I'll let the rest of you walk away."
Standing on his massive Kubikiribōchō, Zabuza radiated power — the oppressive aura of a true Jōnin-level assassin.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Menma immediately sensed the danger.
Even without experience, their bodies reacted instinctively — sweat forming, hearts racing.
But Sasuke's sharp mind caught something else.
Did he just say "Sharingan Kakashi"?
His thoughts froze for a moment.
The Sharingan was supposed to belong only to the Uchiha clan.
Could Kakashi really possess one? Impossible — and yet, the fear in Zabuza's tone suggested otherwise.
Sakura, meanwhile, trembled uncontrollably. Her knees weakened the moment Zabuza appeared. The air itself seemed to thicken, her lungs struggling to draw breath.
Kakashi, however, stepped forward calmly, hands in his pockets, placing himself between Zabuza and the others.
"Well, this is quite an honor," he said, voice calm but edged. "The Demon of the Hidden Mist himself… though your timing could be better. I was hoping to finish my mission before meeting a celebrity."
His tone was light, but every muscle in his body was ready.
This enemy was no ordinary rogue — he was a monster.
Even Kakashi wasn't fully confident in a win, especially while needing to protect Dazna and four young genin.
Zabuza grinned.
"Heh… so there's no room for negotiation, then?"
The next moment, the temperature seemed to drop.
A surge of killing intent rolled out like a tidal wave.
"Boom!"
The air itself seemed to vibrate under the pressure.
Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Menma froze under the crushing weight of Zabuza's chakra.
Sakura's pupils dilated.
Her body shook violently.
No… I'm going to die here… I can't move… I—
The purest instinct of survival battled her collapsing mind.
Naruto clenched his fists, but even he couldn't steady his breathing — the suffocating aura was unlike anything he had ever felt.
The kunai in his hand trembled.
Only Menma and Sasuke remained composed enough to stand firm, though even they felt the heavy chill pressing against their skin.
For the first time since leaving Konoha, Team 7 stood before the true meaning of a battle between shinobi.
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