Chapter 4: The Demon Brothers of the Mist

Team 7 gathered at the gates of Konoha, where their client waited. Tazuna, the bridge builder from the Land of Waves, stood with his arms crossed, a straw hat tilted slightly over his eyes. The older man scanned the group, his face etched with a mix of doubt and irritation.

"These are the shinobi I was promised?" Tazuna scoffed, eyeing Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura with open disdain. "They look like snot-nosed brats to me."

Naruto bristled, clenching his fists. "Hey, old man! Watch your mouth! We're ninja, and we can handle whatever you throw at us!"

"I'd like to see you try to prove it," Tazuna said flatly, unimpressed.

Sakura stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "It's customary for genin teams to take on simple escort missions like this, especially since this is only a C-rank mission. We're more than capable of getting you to the Land of Waves."

Tazuna's eyes averted slightly, his demeanor softening. "C-rank, huh? Yeah... of course."

Kakashi, who had been leaning against the gate with his usual nonchalance, spoke up. "I'm a Jōnin, and I'll be with you every step of the way. If my students can't handle something, I'll step in. You'll be safe."

Tazuna sighed, scratching his head. "Alright, alright. Let's get this over with."

The group set off, the road ahead stretching into the dense forests outside Konoha. The morning air was crisp, but the atmosphere was tense. Sparse conversation passed between them as they walked, Naruto occasionally trying to lighten the mood with his usual antics, only to be shushed by Sakura or ignored by Sasuke.

Kakashi, as always, seemed entirely unbothered, his nose buried in his ever-present book.

It wasn't until they had been traveling for a few hours that Kakashi's visible eye sharpened, his attention snapping to a small puddle on the dirt road ahead. He slowed his pace, his hand subtly drifting toward his kunai pouch.

Naruto noticed the change in Kakashi's demeanor and frowned. "What's up, Kakashi-sensei?"

"Nothing," Kakashi said smoothly, his voice betraying no hint of concern. "Keep walking."

Naruto shrugged, but his unease lingered.

Moments later, two shinobi clad in dark armor and breathing apparatuses erupted from the puddle, their chains flashing as they entwined Kakashi in their trap.

"Got him!" one of them growled as they pulled the chains taut.

With a violent yank, Kakashi's body was shredded, exploding into a cloud of smoke and splinters.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura screamed, her face pale.

Naruto's heart pounded, his feet rooted to the ground as fear gripped him. He couldn't believe what he'd just seen. Kakashi-sensei... gone?

Before anyone could react further, the two shinobi turned their attention to the rest of the group.

"You're next!" one of them snarled, lunging toward Tazuna.

Sasuke was the first to move, his instincts kicking in. He darted forward, hurling a kunai to intercept the attack. The blade narrowly missed its mark, grazing one of the shinobi and forcing them to step back.

"Snap out of it, Naruto!" Sasuke barked, his voice cutting through Naruto's haze.

Sakura grabbed Naruto's arm, shaking him. "Naruto, we need you! Kakashi-sensei wouldn't just let himself get taken down like that. Come on!"

Naruto blinked, her words sinking in. She's right. Kakashi-sensei wouldn't go down that easily. His fear melted into anger, and he formed the cross-seal.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he shouted, summoning three solid clones that immediately charged the attackers.

Sasuke smirked, using the distraction to flank one of the shinobi. With quick, precise strikes, he forced the attacker into a defensive stance. Meanwhile, Naruto's clones tackled the other, overwhelming him with sheer numbers.

Sakura stayed close to Tazuna, brandishing a kunai and ready to defend him if necessary. The battle was chaotic but brief. Sasuke landed a decisive kick, knocking one of the shinobi unconscious, while Naruto's clones pinned the other to the ground.

"Gotcha!" Naruto yelled triumphantly as the real him delivered the final blow, dispelling his clones in a puff of smoke.

As the dust settled, Kakashi reappeared from the shadows, clapping slowly.

"Not bad," he said, his tone light but approving. "But you need to work on your awareness, Naruto. You froze up there for a moment."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah... sorry about that."

"What happened to you?" Sakura demanded. "We thought—"

"Substitution Jutsu," Kakashi explained, gesturing toward the splintered log on the ground. "I was never in any danger."

Sasuke scowled. "You knew this was going to happen."

"I had a feeling," Kakashi admitted, his eye narrowing as he crouched to inspect the unconscious attackers. "These aren't ordinary bandits. They're from the Hidden Mist... and this was no random attack."

Tazuna shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Kakashi's gaze.

"You've got some explaining to do, Tazuna-san," Kakashi said, his tone turning serious.

The bridge builder sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "Alright, alright... I'll tell you everything. But not here. Let's keep moving."

Kakashi nodded, his eye briefly glancing at his team. "Good work, all of you. But stay alert. This mission just got a lot more complicated."

As they continued down the road, Naruto couldn't help but glance back at Kakashi. His sensei had been right—he'd frozen. But next time, he swore, he wouldn't hesitate. Not when his team was counting on him.

The road ahead was shrouded in mist, the air damp and heavy as Team 7 pressed forward. Naruto grumbled loudly, kicking at a stray rock. "This mist is so annoying! How are we supposed to see anything?"

Sakura sighed, brushing a few damp strands of hair out of her face. "It's going to ruin my hair. Why couldn't this mission have been somewhere sunny?"

"Enough," Sasuke snapped, his voice low and tense. "We're on a mission. Take this seriously."

Naruto glanced at Sakura and smiled, his expression surprisingly gentle. "Don't worry, Sakura-chan. We've got this."

She blinked, momentarily taken aback by the rare reassurance from Naruto. She nodded, and the group continued, their steps crunching on the trodden path as the mist thickened around them.

The silence was broken by Kakashi's sharp command. "Get down!"

Sakura, standing closest to Tazuna, acted on instinct. She threw herself at the bridge builder, knocking them both to the ground. Naruto and Sasuke ducked just in time as a massive blade spun through the air above their heads, embedding itself in a tree with a resounding thud.

A figure appeared, balanced effortlessly on the flat of the enormous sword. He was shirtless, his face partially obscured by bandages, and his presence exuded an almost tangible menace. The air grew colder, thick with the weight of his killing intent.

Sasuke froze, his breath catching in his throat. He hadn't felt a presence this overwhelming since... him. Since his brother.

The man's voice was low and mocking as he addressed Kakashi. "Kakashi Hatake. The Copy Ninja of Konoha. And to think I was told this mission would be easy. What a surprise."

Kakashi's demeanor shifted instantly. His book was gone, replaced by a sharp intensity that even Naruto had never seen before. He regarded the figure with measured caution.

"Zabuza Momochi," Kakashi said evenly. "A-rank missing ninja of the Hidden Mist. Wanted for the attempted assassination of the Mizukage."

Kakashi's single visible eye shifted briefly to Tazuna. "If we survive this, you and I have much to discuss, Tazuna-san."

Tazuna's face went pale, but he said nothing.

Zabuza's laugh was chilling, echoing through the mist. "Your reputation precedes you, Copy Ninja. The fabled Sharingan. It'll be an honor to cut you down."

Kakashi sighed, reaching for his headband. "I didn't think I'd need this today."

As Kakashi lifted his headband to reveal his Sharingan eye, Sasuke's mind reeled. The Sharingan? His thoughts raced, his heart pounding in his chest. How does sensei have that eye?

Zabuza's grin widened, his teeth glinting in the dim light. "Your blood will feed my blade nicely."

The fight erupted in a blur of movement. Zabuza leapt from his sword, the massive weapon dislodging itself from the tree as he swung it in a deadly arc. Kakashi met him head-on, their weapons clashing with a reverberating clang. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the mist, rustling the nearby trees.

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke could only watch in awe as their sensei matched the infamous rogue ninja blow for blow. Kakashi's Sharingan glinted in the fading light, tracking Zabuza's every move with uncanny precision.

But Zabuza wasn't just a swordsman. With a series of swift hand seals, he summoned a dome of water, trapping Kakashi within a watery prison. The Jōnin's movements slowed as he struggled against the liquid barrier.

"Stay back!" Zabuza barked, his voice filled with malice. "One wrong move, and your sensei dies."

Naruto froze, panic setting in. What do we do? What do we do?

Sasuke's voice snapped him out of it. "Naruto, focus! We have to work together to free Kakashi-sensei!"

Sakura nodded, clutching her kunai tightly. "Naruto, come on! We can do this!"

Naruto swallowed his fear, his resolve hardening. "Alright. I've got a plan."

With Sasuke's help, Naruto transformed into a shuriken. Sasuke hurled it with precise aim, the spinning projectile sailing behind Zabuza and striking the water prison. In the chaos, Naruto dispelled his transformation and landed on Zabuza's back, disrupting his control over the technique.

The prison collapsed, and Kakashi was free.

Standing atop the water's surface, Kakashi faced Zabuza once more, his Sharingan blazing in the dim light of dusk. Zabuza's expression shifted, his confidence wavering as Kakashi began to mimic his hand seals perfectly.

"What...?" Zabuza growled, his voice cracked with unease. "How are you—?"

Kakashi's voice was calm, almost taunting. "The Sharingan doesn't just see. It predicts."

Zabuza's hands faltered for a fraction of a second, but it was enough. Kakashi finished the Water Dragon Jutsu first, the massive serpent of water crashing into Zabuza and sending him sprawling.

As Zabuza lay unconscious, Kakashi stepped forward cautiously. "It's over."

But before he could check Zabuza's condition, a masked figure appeared in the mist, their presence silent and swift. They moved with precision, hurling a barrage of needles that impaled Zabuza's neck. His body slumped lifelessly to the ground. A figure appeared next to him. The masked figure turned to Kakashi, bowing slightly.

"Thank you for weakening him. I am a hunter-nin from the Mist. I'll take his body from here."

Without waiting for a response, the figure retrieved Zabuza's massive sword and disappeared into the mist, carrying the supposed corpse with them.

Kakashi watched them go, his Sharingan slowly fading as he lowered his headband. "Hunter-nin..."

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura rushed to his side, their faces pale but determined.

"What was that?" Naruto asked, his voice trembling. "Is it over?"

"For now," Kakashi said, his tone cautious. "But don't let your guard down. Something about this doesn't sit right."

As the mist began to clear, the group regrouped, their determination renewed. The mission was far from over, and something told Naruto that their challenges had only just begun.

The group stood around a somber Tazuna, who had avoided meeting their eyes since the battle with Zabuza. The silence was heavy, broken only by the distant rustle of leaves and the soft lapping of water from the nearby shoreline.

Tazuna took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping as he finally looked up at the team. "I'm sorry... I lied to you."

Naruto frowned, crossing his arms. "Yeah, no kidding, old man! What's the deal?"

Tazuna's voice cracked as he spoke, the weight of his guilt evident. "I... I didn't think I had a choice. The Land of Waves is suffering. Gato has a stranglehold on our country—he controls all the trade and has left us with nothing. My bridge is our only hope, but Gato wants me dead to stop its completion."

He wiped at his eyes, his voice trembling. "I knew I couldn't afford a higher-ranked mission. I thought maybe they'd send more seasoned ninja anyway, but when I saw you kids... I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to turn back, not when so many people are counting on me."

Kakashi, leaning heavily on a nearby tree, fixed Tazuna with a sharp gaze. "Deception is never the answer, Tazuna-san. We're shinobi—we would have helped you regardless of the mission rank. But your lie put everyone here at unnecessary risk."

Tazuna lowered his head, shame flooding his features. "I'm sorry. I truly am."

Naruto glanced at his teammates, then stepped forward, his voice loud but resolute. "We're not going anywhere. We came this far, and we're gonna finish the mission. Right, guys?"

Sakura hesitated but nodded. "He's right. We've already faced so much. Turning back now would be pointless."

"It's not like we were going to quit." Sasuke crossed his arms, his face impassive.

"Well, there's your answer, Tazuna-san. We're continuing the mission. Be glad these snot nosed children have unimpeachable honor," Kakashi sighed, his visible eye softening.

Tazuna looked up at them, his eyes glassy with emotion. "Thank you. Thank you all."

"Alright, let's go—" Kakashi straightened, his stance wavering slightly. Before he could finish, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. Naruto and Sasuke rushed to catch him, lowering him gently as his breathing grew shallow.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura cried, kneeling beside him. "What's wrong?"

"He's exhausted," Tazuna said, his voice laced with concern. "I'll bet he used too much chakra in that fight."

Naruto frowned, his usual bravado giving way to worry. "What do we do?"

Tazuna stood, determination replacing his earlier despair. "There's a boat waiting to take us across the river. My house isn't far from there. We can get him somewhere safe."

The journey to the boat was slow and arduous, with Team 7 and Tazuna taking turns supporting Kakashi's weight. By the time they reached the river, the sun had begun to dip below the horizon, casting the water in hues of orange and gold.

An old fisherman waited by the boat, his face lighting up when he saw Tazuna. "You're late," he grumbled, though his tone was more relieved than annoyed. "Get in."

With some effort, they loaded Kakashi onto the small vessel, ensuring he was as comfortable as possible. The boat ride was silent, save for the rhythmic splash of oars cutting through the water.

When they finally arrived at Tazuna's house, they were greeted by a young woman with soft features and kind eyes. She rushed to Tazuna, embracing him tightly before noticing Kakashi.

"Father, what happened?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

"It's a long story, Tsunami," Tazuna replied, his tone weary. "But he needs rest. Can we put him in the guest room?"

"Of course," Tsunami said, already moving to help. She led them inside, guiding them to a modest but cozy room. Together, they eased Kakashi onto the bed, Tsunami fussing over him as she checked his pulse and wiped his forehead with a damp cloth.

Naruto watched from the doorway, his heart heavy. He wasn't used to seeing Kakashi so vulnerable. His sensei always seemed untouchable, and now...

"Will he be okay?" Sakura asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tsunami offered a reassuring smile. "He just needs rest. I'll make sure he's taken care of."

Naruto clenched his fists, determination hardening his expression. "We'll protect him and Tazuna until he's back on his feet. No one's gonna mess with us."

Sasuke nodded silently, while Sakura gave a small, uncertain smile.

Tazuna placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Thank you, all of you. I'm sorry for putting you in this position, but I'm grateful. Truly."

Naruto grinned, his confidence returning. "Don't sweat it, old man. We've got this!"

As night fell, Team 7 settled into their temporary refuge, each silently preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead. The mission had become far more dangerous than they'd anticipated, but one thing was certain: they weren't backing down.