The next morning broke clear and bright.
As usual, Team Seven followed Kakashi to the Hokage's office to hand in their completed mission. The Third Hokage listened, nodded, and offered a gentle smile.
"Well done."
He set the report aside. "I have several D-rank missions available, and one C-rank. Which will you take?"
"C-rank."
The answer came in unison.
Kakashi didn't even look up from his book.
Naruto stepped forward eagerly. "Old man Hokage, we've done tons of D-ranks already. Give us the C-rank."
The Hokage chuckled. "Very well."
He gave a brief instruction to an aide, who hurried out of the room. A few minutes later, a short, unkempt old man reeking of alcohol shuffled in.
Dazna.
Sasuke studied him in silence. The sloppy appearance didn't match the clarity in his eyes. Taking this mission meant real opposition. Real killing intent. That was enough.
Whatever lies, half-truths, or quiet arrangements surrounded the request didn't matter.
Only the fight did.
There was no friction this time. The team agreed on departure details and dispersed.
The following morning, they regrouped at the gate. After a brief exchange, Dazna arrived, visibly tense. With Naruto's loud chatter filling the air, the escort mission began.
The Land of Fire lay at the center of the continent. The Land of Waves sat east of it, a small island nation separated by a narrow stretch of sea. The bridge Dazna was building spanned the strait at its narrowest point.
For shinobi, the distance wasn't far. But with a civilian in tow, the pace slowed.
They traveled by day and camped by night. After a week, they reached the coastal forests near the border.
The path narrowed into a dirt road worn smooth by use.
Sasuke walked point. Sakura and Naruto flanked Dazna. Kakashi followed a few steps behind.
The sun beat down hard. The air was dry. Yet ahead, a shallow puddle lay in the center of the road.
Naruto's eyes lit up.
He glanced at the others. No one reacted.
Figures, he thought smugly. Only I noticed it.
Sakura saw it too. The water didn't feel right. A crude disguise. Water Release, barely disguised.
She stayed quiet.
Kakashi-sensei would've noticed already, she reasoned. And Sasuke definitely did.
Kakashi stepped straight through the puddle.
The water exploded upward.
Two figures burst free, chains flashing as they lunged for Kakashi.
"Got him!" one of them shouted.
Before they could follow through, a gust tore through the road.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Naruto's kick struck cleanly. Both attackers flew back, slammed into a tree, and collapsed unconscious.
Naruto landed, arms crossed. "Too easy."
Kakashi clapped lazily. "Nice awareness, Naruto."
Then his tone cooled. He turned to Dazna. "C-rank missions don't involve enemy shinobi. Care to explain?"
Dazna's face drained of color.
He told his story. The poverty. Gatō. The threat hanging over his country.
Sasuke didn't listen. He crouched beside the fallen attackers and slipped into their minds with genjutsu.
When Dazna finished, silence followed. Naruto clenched his fists. Sakura thought carefully.
Dazna lowered himself, about to kneel.
Kakashi stopped him. "This isn't my call alone."
Sasuke returned.
"I got information," he said calmly. "They work for Momochi Zabuza. One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
Kakashi's eye narrowed. "Zabuza, huh."
Naruto leaned in, puzzled. "So… is that guy strong?"
The forest went quiet.