34: If You Can't, Just Throw Dazna Out

Nara Shikamaru: "Ms. Kakashi was trapped in a water prison. Is there a way to train Naruto and the others, or..."

Still thinking deeply...

Senju Tobirama: "Hmph! How can they train like this? There's a Nine-Tails Jinchūriki from the village on my team, and the Jōnin is so careless as their guide!"

Hatake Kakashi: "...I was wrong. I was too careless."

Namikaze Minato: "Kado is just a businessman, and the target of the assassination, Dazna, is just an ordinary person. Kakashi probably didn't expect to face such a difficult opponent..."

Uzumaki Kushina: "Even so, it's really dangerous. Although Zabuza's clone is only a water body, Naruto and the others aren't ready to handle it. One wrong move, and they could die."

Ohnoki: "...Actually, this isn't surprising. Who would have thought Zabuza would target an ordinary person for money, let alone involve the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"

Terumi Mei: "Isn't it tragic to end up in such a situation?"

Zabuza Momochi: "..."

Damn it, is it that hard to make some money?!

---

A gold frame appears on the screen.

[Kakashi, although initially unconcerned, doesn't stop Sasuke either.]

[Sasuke activates his Sharingan, and under his intense gaze, one of the Demon Brothers confesses the truth.]

[They were hired by Kado and sent by Zabuza to assassinate Dazna.]

["Zabuza? Zabuza Momochi?!"]

[Kakashi's expression shifts.]

[A C-rank mission shouldn't involve Jōnin-level opponents. Yet, two Mist Chūnin appear, and there's even a defector from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!]

["What the hell is going on?"]

[Kakashi's gaze turns cold as he looks at Dazna.]

["Is this old drunk trying to get us killed?"]

["Zabuza Momochi, the wielder of the Beheading Sword, is a rogue Mist ninja? Mr. Kakashi, how strong is he?"]

[Sasuke asks, intrigued.]

[Kakashi pauses: "Elite Jōnin. If I had to compare myself to him... it's probably fifty-fifty."]

[Sasuke nods thoughtfully, convinced that he can fight.]

[He turns back to interrogate the Demon Brother:]

["Besides Zabuza, are there any other high-level ninjas? Only those Chūnin-level and above."]

[The Demon Brother replies blankly: "There's a masked young man with Zabuza. I don't know his strength, but he seems strong."]

["!"]

[Kakashi's face turns grim.]

---

Nara Shikamaru: "As expected of the Sasuke from that world, he got the enemy's intel in advance!"

Senju Tobirama: "Hatake Kakashi, take notes! A Jōnin mentor less reliable than their own student isn't doing their job well!"

Hatake Kakashi: "Second Hokage, I'm already reflecting on it..."

Uzumaki Kushina: "This mission was indeed dangerous. If that boy with the Ice Release hadn't lacked killing intent, Naruto and the others would have been in real danger."

Yamanaka Ino: "I wonder what would happen if our team took on the Wave mission."

Nara Shikamaru: "Mr. Asuma could likely hold off Zabuza, but with the elemental disadvantages, it might be a stalemate. The rest of us would just have to hope the Ice Release boy spares us."

Hyuga Neji: "If it were our team, Lee, Tenten, and I could probably handle the Ice Release user."

Inuzuka Kiba: "What about our team?"

Kurenai Yuhi: "..."

Aburame Shino: "Kiba, stop talking..."

Give Teacher Kurenai some face.

Teacher Kurenai, an expert in genjutsu, would be in real trouble against Zabuza's Mist Technique. Their eighth team might face a grim end.

Uzumaki Kushina: "That drunkard Dazna lied about the mission details, putting my Naruto in danger!"

---

["That masked boy should be Zabuza's subordinate, and his strength probably doesn't surpass Zabuza's."]

[After the interrogation, Sasuke concludes.]

["So? Let's just end the mission and return to Konoha."]

[Kakashi suggests abandoning the mission.]

["Oh? This is our first C-rank mission outside the village. How can we give up now?"]

[Naruto protests.]

["Naruto!" Kakashi scolds, "This isn't a game. We could be facing two Jōnin. If you're not careful, you'll die!"]

["How can this be! Is this how Konoha treats its clients? I'll report you to the Hokage!"]

[Dazna fumes, glaring.]

[Kakashi glances at him coldly: "You're coming back with me to Konoha. You lied about the mission and nearly caused serious damage. You should absolutely talk to the Hokage."]

[Dazna's face pales in fear.]

[Sasuke, after further interrogation of the Demon Brother, concludes:]

["Zabuza doesn't have many subordinates. We'll likely only face him and the masked boy."]

[Having left Konoha for the first time, Sasuke is unwilling to return without a fight.]

[Kakashi frowns: "Sasuke, it's too dangerous. I may not be able to protect all of you."]

["I don't need your protection. If it gets too dangerous, I'll take Sakura, and you can grab Naruto. We'll just run."]

[Sasuke replies.]

["And what about me?"]

[Dazna asks, pointing at himself.]

[Sasuke glances at him, uninterested in answering.]

[If things get bad, they could always throw Dazna to the enemy as a distraction and make their escape.]