With the end of the bell test, Class 7 was officially formed!
However, the missions that followed weren't nearly as exciting as Naruto had imagined.
Most were simple D-rank tasks—like searching for missing cats or dogs…
Still, even though these missions were dull, they played an essential role. In this mundane routine, the bonds within Team 7 began to slowly grow.
Finally, their first C-rank mission arrived.
Their objective? Escort a bridge builder named Tazuna.
This mission marked the first time Uzumaki Naruto had ever set foot outside the Hidden Leaf Village. He was excited and ready to experience the world.
At least, that's what he thought…
Originally classified as a C-rank task, this escort mission should've been a breeze.
But trouble came much sooner than expected.
Not long after leaving the village, Team 7 encountered two rogue Chūnin from the Hidden Mist Village—known as the Demon Brothers!
In the blink of an eye, they launched a surprise attack and "killed" Kakashi before anyone could react.
Naruto had never seen something so horrifying—Kakashi's lifeless body collapsing in front of him. He froze in terror.
Sakura wasn't much better. Even if she hadn't completely lost her composure, she was unable to help.
Thankfully, Uchiha Sasuke stepped up.
Displaying a calm and sharp awareness far beyond his age, Sasuke counterattacked swiftly, stopping the enemy from causing more damage.
Then, to everyone's relief, Kakashi reappeared—unharmed.
It turned out the fallen Kakashi was only a decoy, the result of a Body Replacement Technique. He had been observing in secret the whole time, ready to step in if necessary. This was a test—to see how his students would react in real combat.
But now, Kakashi had new doubts.
Given the strength of the enemies they just encountered, this mission seemed far more dangerous than advertised. It likely wasn't C-rank at all—more like B-rank or even higher.
And with Naruto's poor performance, Kakashi feared that continuing the mission could put the entire team in grave danger.
He considered returning to the village and having a more experienced squad handle the task.
But Naruto wasn't willing to accept that.
To prove his resolve, Naruto took a drastic step—he raised his injured and poisoned left hand, took a kunai, and stabbed it to force the poison out.
Enduring the pain, he shouted a now-classic declaration:
"From now on, I will never let anyone else save me!"
His determination moved everyone.
After a brief team discussion, it was unanimously decided—the mission would continue.
They pressed onward into the Land of Waves, but things only grew more intense.
Soon after, Team 7 encountered their most formidable enemy yet:
The rogue ninja of the Hidden Mist Village—Demon of the Bloody Mist, Momochi Zabuza!
---
Meanwhile, in the Hidden Mist Village…
Terumi Mei: "Zabuza was sent to handle what was originally just a C-rank mission? That escalated quickly."
Biwa Juzo: "Hehe, looks like those little Konoha brats are about to see what true power from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen looks like."
Hoshigaki Kisame: "This isn't a playground. Zabuza, show them how serious the real world can be."
Xiguashan Pufferfish: "Zabuza is no joke. His executioner's blade is feared across nations!"
Muri Jinpachi: "Hehehe, I've been itching for some action! Our time to shine has finally come!"
Zabuza remained silent.
Biwa Juzo: "What's with the quiet, Zabuza? Could it be… something happened?"
Haku: "Don't worry, Mr. Zabuza. No matter what, I'll always support you."
---
Back at the battlefront, the confrontation between Zabuza and Kakashi began.
Despite Kakashi's reputation as a powerful jonin, he was unfamiliar with Zabuza's unique Water Release techniques. He was caught off guard and soon trapped within Zabuza's Water Prison Jutsu!
With Kakashi immobilized, Zabuza used his Water Clone to attack Naruto and Sasuke. The two genin had no chance against such a foe.
But Naruto, desperate to save their teacher, came up with a bold plan.
He and Sasuke coordinated their efforts using Sasuke's Fuma Shuriken: Shadow Windmill Technique. Naruto cleverly disguised himself as one of the shuriken, launching a surprise attack.
Their strategy worked. Zabuza was forced to dodge, giving Kakashi just enough of a window to break free from the Water Prison!
With his Sharingan active, the real fight began.
This time, Kakashi fought with full force. He perfectly copied Zabuza's movements, techniques, and even jutsu—turning Zabuza's own attacks against him.
Soon, Zabuza was overwhelmed and defeated.
But just as Kakashi was about to deliver the final blow, a mysterious person appeared.
Claiming to be a hunter-nin from the Hidden Mist sent to retrieve Zabuza's corpse, the newcomer took his body and vanished.
Kakashi collapsed shortly after. The intense use of his Sharingan, a dōjutsu not originally his, had left him completely drained.
With their leader incapacitated, Team 7 had no choice but to pause the mission and take shelter at Tazuna's home.
---
This battle became a classic among ninja battles.
It was a true test of wits, courage, and strategy—a far cry from later battles where colossal machines and giant monsters took the stage.
It was a battle worthy of being preserved in the ninja textbooks.
Zabuza's eerie and deadly presence…
His elusive movements…
Kakashi being trapped…
The desperate counterstrike by Naruto and Sasuke…
It all made for a perfect storm of tension and teamwork.
It was exhilarating to watch.
But not everyone was pleased with how things turned out.
---
Biwa Juzo: "???"
Juzo: "You're telling me Zabuza lost… already?"
Kisame: "Seriously? Kakashi's stamina is so bad, he can't even perform two ninjutsu without collapsing. Zabuza, couldn't you hold out just a little longer?"
Muri Jinpachi: "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen's glory is fading! What a disgrace!"
Jiraiya: "Honestly, Kakashi, you looked weak out there."
White Fang (Sakumo Hatake): "Maybe ease up on reading Make-Out Paradise, son."
Kakashi: "…"
Kakashi was speechless.
Wasn't this supposed to be his shining moment?
How did it turn into an embarrassing display of his chakra deficiency?
And it's not like he overuses his chakra intentionally…
He only reads Make-Out Paradise twice a day on average.
That's not too much… right?
The real issue is the Sharingan.
Since the eye wasn't originally his, Kakashi can't deactivate it. It constantly consumes chakra, leaving him perpetually drained.
---
Senju Hashirama: "Hey, Madara—does the Sharingan really consume that much chakra?"
Uchiha Madara: "Not particularly. It feels normal to me."
Hashirama: "Huh. By the way, Kakashi—your final jutsu duel with Zabuza, what was with all the weird hand gestures?"
Kakashi: "You mean… the hand seals? I was casting Water Dragon Jutsu and Waterfall Technique. Both require complex seals."
Hashirama: "Oh! So that's what it was. It's been so long since I last made hand signs, I forgot they even existed. My bad! Hahaha!"
Kakashi: "…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "…"
Zabuza: "…"
Senju Tobirama: "Brother, please! Not everyone is like you! Some of us still need hand seals!"
Madara: "Tch. Why even bother with seals? If I had time to do that, I'd rather summon Susanoo and level an entire village!"
Ohnoki: "…"
---
In the end, the Wave Country Mission evolved from a simple escort job into a deadly life-or-death struggle.
But through teamwork, courage, and sheer determination, Team 7 overcame their first real obstacle.
It was a defining moment—one that marked the beginning of Naruto's transformation from an impulsive kid into a true ninja.
And this was only the beginning.