As Team 7 journeyed on to try and get to the Land of Waves, there was tension in the air. Naruto continued to think that something or someone was watching them. The experience with the Demon Brothers had been a wake-up call. This was no cakewalk escort mission.
Kakashi stepped out, carefully looking around with his lone eye. "Stay alert," he warned. "We are handling something much greater if the Demon Brothers were involved."
Naruto's fists were clenched. While he had done well against those killers, he felt that the real test lay ahead.
The group at last reached the riverbank after several hours of journey. Tazuna gestured to a small boat hidden among the reeds. "We transport this. We have to be quiet because Gato has men everywhere."
Naruto folded his arms and exhaled. "I hate sneaking."
Kakashi gave him a scowl. "That's exactly why you have to practice it."
It was strangely silent during the boat ride. They were enveloped by a mist that was thickening by the second. Naruto shivered. The mist was suffocating, alive, and it wasn't ordinary mist.
Kakashi stiffened. "Down."
The moment he was done speaking, a massive sword that looked like a cleaver spun through the air and pierced a tree in front of him.
Through the mist appeared a low, threatening laugh. "Well, well. I was thinking this would be a warm-up, but it could prove interesting.
There was a figure standing on the hilt of the sword that was visible once the mist partially cleared. The man radiated sheer murderous intent as he sported bandages and a headband bearing the emblem of the Hidden Mist.
Tazuna shivered. "That is Zabuza Momochi." "The Hidden Mist Demon!"
Naruto gulped hard. The most perilous aura he ever encountered. Pitting the Demon Brothers was never like this at all.
The Sharingan in Kakashi appeared when he removed his headband. "Everyone, stay behind. This guy is more superior."
Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed. "Tch. Let's see how much he can do."
Zabuza was behind them in a whirlwind of motion! Kakashi barely had time to respond before the massive sword descended.
CLANG!
With a kunai, Kakashi batted the attack aside, and the ground shook with the force of the impact. He gritted his jaw. "Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto—protect Tazuna! You can't manage this fight!
Naruto's hands curled into fists. He could not just stand by and allow Kakashi to do everything. Focus his chakra, he took a deep breath.
"Flamethrower!"
Like a knife cutting through the fog, a column of flame erupted from Naruto's lips. Zabuza leaped back, clearing the space momentarily because of the intense heat.
Zabuza's eyes widened slightly. "Well, that's exciting."
Kakashi took advantage of the opportunity to counterattack. With a kunai pressed to the renegade ninja's throat, he found himself behind Zabuza. Zabuza simply laughed.
Puff!
With a cloud of mist, the body vanished. A water clone.
Behind Kakashi, the real Zabuza appeared and swung his sword. Kakashi landed delicately on the surface of the water after just evading it.
Sasuke marvelled at the conversation. "They're going so fast."
Naruto clenched his jaw. He knew he was unable to assist, but he still wanted to assist. He wasn't going to sit around doing nothing, however. He glanced over at Sasuke. "We must be careful. We will be next to go if Kakashi-sensei gets hurt."
Sasuke smiled. "Obviously."
The metallic clang echoed through the fog as Kakashi and Zabuza faced off once again. Zabuza then suddenly leaped back and gestured with his hand.
"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!"
Kakashi was at once encased in a shell of water. He fought but was fixed in place.
"Sensei!" Sakura cried out.
Zabuza grinned. "Let's see how long your students last without you now."
A cold sweat dripped down Naruto's spine. This was not good. Extremely bad. But he fought against surrendering to fear.
He glanced over at Sasuke. "We have to work together. Are you ready?
Sasuke nodded. "Let's do it."
The real fight had already begun.