The battle ended almost as soon as it began.
Hatake Kakashi and his three young students were stunned. Just a moment ago, the jonin leader of Team 7 was still explaining the infamous deeds of Zabuza Momochi, getting ready to jump in and support Kosuke Maruboshi. But before he could even move, the old man had already used a ninjutsu to take Zabuza down.
Kakashi scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. "Well, it's just as I said. Senior Kosuke is a very strong ninja..."
Sakura Haruno gave him a look of disdain. "But Sensei, you were just talking about how Zabuza killed all his classmates..."
"Alright, alright, let's go over there," Kakashi said, trying to change the subject.
Just as he was about to approach and greet Kosuke, a figure landed swiftly on the ground, standing beside the fallen Zabuza. The person wore a patterned mask and, with a flick of their wrist, threw a dozen senbon needles at Zabuza's body. Spurts of blood flew into the air.
Kosuke Maruboshi narrowed his eyes at the newly arrived ninja. "Hmm? A hunter-nin from the Hidden Mist? You don't look very old..."
"Yes," the ninja nodded. "I'm sorry, I am under orders to hunt the rogue ninja Zabuza. He knows too many of the village's secrets, so I must take his body away immediately for disposal."
"It's alright." Kosuke waved his hand, then suddenly swung his own sword, placing the blade in front of the masked ninja. "But I doubt senbon will be enough to kill him."
"Hmm?"
Under the mask, beads of cold sweat began to form on a delicate face. Their breathing grew a little faster.
Apparently, old Kosuke was a kind person. He bent down, picked up the Executioner's Blade from Zabuza's hand, and offered it to the masked ninja. "As a Mist ninja, what you want most should be this Executioner's Blade, right?"
"Y-yes," the masked ninja replied, their mouth dry as they took the heavy sword from Kosuke.
"You can use this blade to kill Zabuza," Kosuke said with a light laugh. "To become a hunter-nin at such a young age, you must also aspire to be one of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen, right? What a remarkable young person!"
"..."
Clang!
The masked ninja suddenly swung the Executioner's Blade toward Kosuke, but the old genin easily blocked it with his own sword. With a flick of his wrist, Kosuke sent the massive blade flying out of the ninja's hands.
The masked ninja looked at the old man, their voice bitter. "So, you knew all along I wasn't a real hunter-nin?"
"Not really," Kosuke said, rubbing his forehead. "An old man like me, especially a genin of the lowest rank, has to be extra careful with everyone just to live a little longer."
Does your conscience not hurt when you say things like that? Zabuza Momochi is still lying here like a dead dog! If an ordinary jonin had faced him, Zabuza would have cut them down like vegetables.
Kosuke looked up, his expression finally growing serious. The sword in his hand seemed as light as a willow leaf. "Little one, if you're willing to tell me about Gato, perhaps I'll consider letting you go."
"Sorry, I don't know much about that myself," the masked ninja said, shaking their head. They looked down at Zabuza and added softly, "But Lord Zabuza might know something..."
"Then there's no other way," Kosuke replied, raising his sword and shaking his head gently. "I don't think he'd be willing to leak his employer's secrets."
"Wait, I can!"
The masked ninja stood protectively in front of Zabuza, took off their mask, and pleaded with a tear-streaked face. "I can go investigate! I can find out how many wandering ninja he has with him!"
Facing a man who had so easily defeated Zabuza, the young follower knew exactly what to do. He knelt humbly. "As long as you promise to spare Lord Zabuza, I will do anything!"
"Senior Kosuke, let him live," Kakashi said as he walked up. He looked down at Zabuza and the delicate, beautiful boy kneeling on the ground, then crouched. "Are you sure you can find out everything about Gato?"
The boy, Haku, nodded seriously. "As long as you promise to spare Lord Zabuza, I will find a way to get all the intelligence you need!"
"What's your name?"
"Haku."
"Haku? Take Zabuza and come with us," Kakashi said, standing up. "I hope you don't try anything funny, because we don't have time to waste. You only have one chance."
"Yes."
And just like that, a new eight-person team was formed.
Kakashi walked at the back of the group, next to Kosuke. He had important matters to discuss with the old man.
Kosuke was smiling, but his tone was a bit unhappy. "Why did you all come here? Were you worried an old fellow like me couldn't handle my own mission?"
"No, senior. It's because we need your help," the white-haired ninja said, shaking his head. He looked at Kosuke seriously. "A group of enemies is targeting Naruto. We suspect they're planning another ambush, so someone has to get back to the village and ask the Third Hokage for help."
The smile on Kosuke's face vanished. "But isn't it more dangerous for you to be in the Land of Waves right now? This is Gato's territory. It's crawling with Mist ninja and other mercenaries."
"It's complicated. These enemies are even more terrifying," Kakashi said with some embarrassment. "That's why we plan to take a boat and find a route back to Konoha that they won't notice."
"Hmm, that's true," Kosuke nodded, his gaze shifting to Haku up ahead. "Gato's business in the Land of Waves is a shipping company. They would certainly have the most boats. It seems you already have a plan in mind."
"I'll have to trouble you, Senior Kosuke, to complete your mission as planned. Then, return to Konoha as if nothing happened. You cannot let anyone know you saw us," Kakashi instructed, his face solemn. "And, besides Lord Hokage, you cannot mention this to anyone who asks."
"Understood," the old man nodded, a hint of worry on his face. "But can you evade the enemy in the meantime? What if they find you?"
"Then there's no other choice," Kakashi said, pulling up his mask. A faint red light glowed in the corner of his eye. "We'll just have to risk our lives to kill them first."
"Have you identified the enemy?"
"Yes," Kakashi nodded, looking at Kosuke. "But I can only tell Lord Hokage one name: Tenzo... I think he will understand."
He couldn't say Danzo Shimura's name directly. Tenzo was just an ANBU codename. As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi investigated the ANBU roster, he would understand what Kakashi truly meant.
-----
Bonus:
Maruboshi Kosuke: Kakashi told me to tell you: the enemy's name is Tenzo.
Sarutobi Hiruzen: Got it. Send a few Anbu. Help me summon Danzō!
Anbu Ninja: Wait, Lord Hokage, shouldn't we capture Tenzo first?
Sarutobi Hiruzen: You don't know anything. Go check the ninja who joined the Anbu after Root disbanded!
Anbu Ninja: …