The Land of Waves!
“These missions suck, dattebayo!” Naruto declares loudly, his face is scratched up from saving a cat from a tree, Tora, or whatever the hell that demon was named. These D-ranked missions were just chores, chores that Naruto didn’t want to do, damn it! He didn’t become a shinobi to walk a dog or paint a villager fence because they were too lazy to do so.
Right now, they were in the Hokage’s office, returning the cat to its owner. It wasn’t only Naruto who was slightly annoyed, Harry’s shoulders were slumped with boredom, Sakura kept absently playing with her hair, while Sasuke was currently dissociating. All they’ve done were D-ranked missions, which was no surprise they’re only genin, but it’s starting to get repetitive. They probably have done the most D-ranked missions out of all the other Genin teams.
“Naruto!” Iruka scolds like a mother hen, Naruto’s annoyance wavers in the face of Iruka-sensei and he crosses his hands with a slight scowl. Harry snorts, all it took was for Iruka to say Naruto’s name and he has him silent.
Ignoring that, Sakura turns her attention to Kakashi, “Kakashi-sensei, is there a chance we could do a C-rank mission? We’ve been training for months!” Sakura questions and the entire Team 7 gives Kakashi puppy eyes. Kakashi rubs the back of his head, sweatdropping.
“Eh…”
However, The Third Hokage ponders Sakura’s words, “Are they ready, Kakashi?” He questions with a thoughtful expression. Iruka turns to the old man with surprise and disbelief.
“Lord Hokage! You can’t be serious!” He protested, feeling as if he was the only one in this room with common sense. Sure, they’ve been training with Kakashi between their missions, but it didn’t mean they’re ready to go on a C-ranked mission! The Third Hokage dismissed Iruka’s words with a wave of his hand, and he turned his wise eyes to Kakashi, waiting for his response.
Kakashi observes his students, frowning behind his mask. He is unsure. He has been training them, honing their skills, and teaching them charka control. But are they really ready for a C-ranked mission? His mind flashes with images of Obito and Rin…
No, no it won’t be like that.
With that, Kakashi responded, “As ready as they’ll ever be.” Kakashi said this with an eye smile. In the background, Team 7 cheered on the victory of getting a C-ranked mission.
“Very well,” the Third Hokage said. Team 7, you’ve been assigned an escort mission to the Land of Waves.”
They were in the Hokage’s office again as they waited for the person they were tasked to escort. The mission was supposed to last for at least a week because they were traveling on foot, so it would take a while. The morning sun was up, shining brightly in the usual blue sky with no gray clouds in sight. Naruto was buzzing in place with excitement, and he wasn’t the only one excited either, the rest of Team 7 had a noticeable smile on their face. However, Sasuke’s was harder to notice. It would be the first time they’ve ever left the village.
The door creaked open and a man with a beard and noticeable wrinkles on his face came in. His face scrunched into slight disappointment when he noticed who his escorts were. “These are my escorts?” He asked with a hint of disbelief. “They’re children!”
Kakashi holds Naruto back by grabbing the scruff of his jacket. “I assure you, they’re highly capable of protecting you, " he says in a light voice, while Naruto squirms in his grasp.
The man’s expression shows that he doesn’t believe Kakashi’s statement, but he accepts it, “Whatever,” He sighs and introduces himself, “My name is Tazuna, I’m a carpenter, and I’m supposed to be building a bridge for my village.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Tazuna.” Kakashi offered his hand and Tazuna shook it.
Harry blinks with slight suspicion, “We’re escorting a carpenter? Hm… Something doesn’t feel right.” Harry murmurs as his instincts tell him this C-ranked mission may go wrong. But maybe he was just overthinking it, of course, what could happen? They’re simply escorting a carpenter and who would try to assassinate a carpenter?
And with that, Kakashi and his team leave the leaf village, unaware of what awaits them on the other side.
Since the beginning of their journey, there’s been a white rabbit following them in the bushes. At first, no one had noticed, but Sakura did and she signaled to the rest of her teammates about the odd sight of a white rabbit. White rabbits don’t appear in hot conditions, so this would mean only one thing—A genjutsu. Sakura tugged on Kakashi’s sleeve, “Kakashi-sensei, there’s been a white rabbit following us in the bushes.” She warns quietly, she doesn’t want Tazuna to panic, after all.
Kakashi’s eye narrowed and he quickly ordered, “Protect Tazuna!” They formed a protective barrier around Tazuna at all angles, Kakashi’s eye searched through the bushes, waiting for their stalker to show themself. To have an attacker on a C-ranked mission was odd, meaning this wasn’t a C-ranked mission at all. Kakashi wasn’t able to think more about it before their attacker lunged out of the shadows. A man, dressed in a dark cloak, with a heavy-looking claw went straight for Kakashi. One of the demon brothers, Gozu, is a skilled assassin, but what would a skilled assassin be doing on a C-ranked mission?
“Kakashi-sensei, look out!” Naruto cried out with a panicked expression.
The dense mist curled through the air, shrouding the forest path in an eerie silence. A blur of muscle and metal shot forward, his claw swiping through the air like a guillotine.
CLANG!
A kunai met the strike mid-swing—Kakashi had intercepted the attack with effortless precision. Sparks rained as their weapons clashed, and the sheer force of the impact sent a tremor through the ground.
Kakashi’s lone eye narrowed. "Careful. He’s fast."
Gozu grinned beneath his mask. "You haven’t seen anything yet."
With brute strength, he shoved forward, forcing Kakashi to disengage. The second Kakashi’s foot touched the ground, Gozu twisted mid-air, slashing downward in a diagonal arc—
"Naruto!" Kakashi barked.
A yellow blur shot forward.
Naruto countered, flipping his Hiraishin kunai up and locking Gozu’s claw mid-swing. Their weapons clashed, and Naruto bared his teeth, muscles tensed as he struggled against the sheer power behind the attack.
"Tch—bastard’s strong!"
Gozu suddenly twisted his wrist, the claws snapping forward.
Naruto’s eyes widened. A feint!
At the last second, a katana flashed.
SHING!
Harry intercepted the strike, his katana redirecting Gozu’s claw just enough to break Naruto free. The impact sent Harry skidding back, but he recovered smoothly, landing on his toes like a bird ready to take flight.
Gozu scoffed. Quick reflexes. Gozu noted with a slight scowl. The Uchiha moved next. He darted forward with the grace of a dancer, his feet barely touching the ground as he slid under Gozu’s extended arm. His kunai flashed, aiming straight for Gozu’s exposed ribs.
But—
CLANG!
Gozu spun, his claw meeting Sasuke’s kunai in an elegant counter. Sparks rained down as the two locked gazes. For the first time, Gozu’s smirk faltered.
He hadn’t expected a Genin to move like that.
Sasuke’s smirk, however, was razor-sharp. His eyes seemed to mock Gozu, as his fingers formed several seals. Then a blast of fire erupted from his mouth. Shit, Gozu thought as sweat dripped down the side of his head.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
The small but rapid bursts of flame shot toward Gozu at close range. He had no time to dodge the flames coming his way.
Instead, he braced—just as Sakura made her move. She was already analyzing. Every movement Gozu had made so far, every counter, every attack—it all told her one thing. He relies on brute strength, but his defense is weaker than his offense, and she was going to exploit that. As the fire forced Gozu to guard, Sakura struck from the side. She aimed low, swiping her kunai toward his legs—Gozu barely managed to block her in time, but she had already anticipated his movement. She shifted her weight, pivoting her stance in perfect mimicry of his own—mirroring him—and twisting his wrist just enough to throw off his balance.
For the first time, Gozu stumbled, and in that moment it showed a weakness from Gozu. Naruto reappeared, coming in from behind, a cheap tactic, but it was useful.
"Gotcha!"
His Hiraishin kunai slammed into Gozu’s shoulder, tearing through the material of the cloak, and brutally breaking skin, blood spluttered out the stab wound weakly, but it spilled out like a water fountain when Naruto tore the Hirashin kunai out of Gozu’s shoulder. The force sent him staggering back, but Naruto wasn’t done.
“Shadow Clone Jutsu!” Naruto was glad Uncle Hayato told him the name of the jutsu he was performing. To think it was a forbidden technique all this time.
Shadow Clones flooded the battlefield, Gozu barely had time to react before a dozen Narutos came at him, fists flying.
CRACK! THWACK! SMASH!
The fists connected, and Gozu found himself overwhelmed. These weren’t measly punches; there was a terrifying strength behind them, and it broke Gozu’s guard. Gozu thought it would last forever, but he was met with surprise when the Shadow Clones disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
Then—
Harry moved.
He was fast. His speed was unusual for a regular Genin. His katana gleamed as he darted past Gozu, slicing the straps of his claw clean off. The massive weapon clattered to the ground.
Gozu’s eyes widened. How?
Kakashi exhaled. "It’s over."
Gozu snarled, ready to fight barehanded, but then, a chilling voice echoed from behind them.
"That’s enough."
The mist thickened, and a second figure rose from a puddle nearby. Right, Kakashi realized, there’s two of them. Meizu looked more feral than Gozu and his sharp eyes landed on Tazuna, who was frozen in place with fear from the killing intent coming from Meizu. He seemed to be much more powerful than his twin brother. Kakashi stepped in front of Tazuna and Team 7, "Stand back," Kakashi ordered, voice firm. "This isn’t your level."
Naruto tensed. "But—"
"That’s an order."
Something in Kakashi’s tone sent a shiver down their spines. This wasn’t like when he fought them during the bell test. This was serious.
Sasuke clenched his fists, but he knew better than to argue.
Harry sheathed his katana with a wary expression and Sakura bit her lip.
This wasn’t their fight anymore.
It was Kakashi’s.
Gozu lunged first.
He was raw aggression, his hand swinging with enough force to crack a tree. Kakashi sidestepped effortlessly, weaving between the attacks like a ghost. Meizu struck next, unlike his brother, Meizu didn’t waste movement. His strike was fast, aimed directly at Kakashi’s blind spot—his ribs.
CLANG!
Kunai met kunai, the metal screeching as they locked weapons. Kakashi’s eye narrowed. Meizu’s speed was on another level, faster than the regular eye can see, but Kakashi’s eye is trained to see fast movements.
Too fast.
Then—Gozu moved again. Kakashi barely disengaged before a crushing blow from Gozu’s bare fist shot toward his gut. Kakashi twisted mid-air, planting a foot against Gozu’s wrist and launching himself back—
Just as Meizu’s wire whip snapped forward.
"Now!" Meizu barked.
Gozu grabbed the wire, yanking Kakashi toward him with brutal force. Kakashi’s eye widened. A combo attack. He flipped, twisting his body mid-flight, releasing a burst of chakra through his soles to stop his momentum—
Too late.
Gozu’s knee smashed into Kakashi’s stomach.
BAM!
The force sent Kakashi rocketing through the air, crashing through a tree.
Silence.
Naruto’s breath caught. "Kakashi-sensei—!" Naruto stepped forward without thinking, the determination to help guiding his instincts.
Thankfully, Sakura grabbed his wrist. "Stay put!" This battle was above them, if they tried helping Kakashi-sensei, they would only get in the way. So, Sakura prayed to the sages that their sensei would win. She wasn’t the only one who was frightened, Harry and Sasuke weren’t any better.
There was a sense of anxiety, the thoughts of fear at the raising possibility of their sensei dying.
The dust settled, and Kakashi slowly stood, hand on his stomach. He exhaled.
"Alright," he muttered. "I suppose I’ve gathered enough intel."
His fingers lifted to his forehead protector, revealing a scarred and raggedy wound.
"Let’s finish this."
The Sharingan snapped open, it flared an unnatural red because Kakashi’s body wasn’t meant for the Sharingan. Sasuke’s eyes widen at the sight, his jaw trembling, as he’s forced into silence by his own anxiety and shock.
He… Has the sharingan… How?
“What’s wrong with Kakashi-sensei’s eye?” Naruto questioned with a confused expression.
Harry responded, surprisingly, “He has the sharingan. A dojutsu that only The Uchiha clan should have.” Harry said with a frown, that multiple books had explored the Sharingan and its potential. Harry had found them to be offputting to read, however, due to the fact it involved secret experimentation, yet it was still set in the library like any other book.
Meizu stiffened with wariness, “‘Be careful, Gozu.” Meizu warned his brother, the Sharingan was a dangerous weapon, and not to be taken lightly. Even if the one who wields it is not a Uchiha. Gozu scoffs in response, his lips curling into a snarl. The air grew tense as Kakashi’s Sharingan spun to life, his red eye locking onto his opponents. The playful, lazy demeanor was gone, replaced by cold calculation. Across from him, Gozu cracked his knuckles, while Meizu’s fingers flexed around his wire, anticipation gleaming in his sharp eyes.
“We need to end this quickly.” Meizu murmured, the only reason they were here was to assassinate the carpenter, The copy ninja wasn't a part of their assignment, but he was getting in their way.
Gozu didn’t wait. With a roar, he lunged forward, his clawed gauntlet slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Kakashi sidestepped at the last second, letting the attack carve into the dirt. The force sent a shockwave through the ground, rattling the trees.
Meizu was already moving. His wire whip snapped toward Kakashi’s throat, the gleaming steel glinting in the dim light. Kakashi ducked, twisting mid-air as the wire sliced past him. He landed lightly on his feet, but Meizu was relentless, already repositioning for another strike.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
Kakashi inhaled sharply before unleashing a massive sphere of flames. The fire roared toward Meizu, forcing him to leap away, but Gozu charged straight through the blaze, his massive frame enduring the heat as he closed the distance.
Too fast.
Gozu’s fist crashed against Kakashi’s raised guard, sending him skidding backward. He barely had time to recover before Meizu’s wire wrapped around his wrist, pulling him toward the waiting claws of Gozu.
Kakashi’s hand flickered with lightning.
"Lightning Style: Thunderbolt Strike!"
A surge of electricity raced down the wire, shocking Meizu and forcing him to release Kakashi. But the momentary distraction cost him—Gozu was already swinging. Kakashi dodged just in time, but Gozu’s attack grazed his ribs, tearing through his vest and drawing blood. Kakashi clenched his teeth, feeling the sting, but he couldn’t afford to stop.
They were pressing him hard.
His Sharingan flickered, analyzing their every movement. Gozu was brute force. Meizu was precise. Their coordination was near-perfect, honed through years of working together. They weren’t missing a beat.
But neither is he.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
A massive slab of stone erupted between them, momentarily separating him from the brothers. Kakashi exhaled, assessing his options. The Sharingan’s drain was catching up to him. His body felt heavier, his chakra running low.
He needed to end this.
The wall shattered.
Gozu crashed through like a wrecking ball, debris flying in every direction. Meizu flanked from the right, his wire whipping through the dust, aiming for Kakashi’s throat.
Kakashi moved.
A blur of motion—he ducked under the wire, sidestepped Gozu’s strike, and his hand erupted in crackling lightning.
"Lightning Blade!"
The chirping of a thousand birds filled the air as Kakashi surged forward. Meizu barely had time to react before lightning tore through his arm, forcing him to drop the wire. Gozu roared and swung, but Kakashi pivoted, driving his electrified palm into the larger man’s ribs. Gozu staggered, a surge of electricity coursing through his body. His knees buckled, and for the first time, he looked shaken.
Meizu gritted his teeth, clutching his injured arm. They were losing ground.
Kakashi stood tall, breathing heavily, his Sharingan still spinning. "This fight is over," he declared, his voice calm, unshaken.
Gozu and Meizu exchanged a glance. They had one last chance.
Meizu’s fingers twitched. Gozu’s stance shifted.
And then—
They disappeared.
A retreat.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes but didn’t pursue. He exhaled. Finally, the battle was over. For now. Kakashi put his leaf headband back in its original spot, and he turned around to face Team 7 and Tazuna. Tazuna looked quite shaken at the combat he had witnessed, however, his shoulders tensed when he noticed the sharp way Kakashi looked at him.
“You have a lot of explaining to do.” Kakashi said with a coldstone expression.
The demon brothers hop on the tree branches through the woods, it was a cowardly move to retreat, but they didn’t have much of a choice. It was either to run away or lose. Meizu’s arm that had been hit by that damn ninja’s lighting jutsu was severely burned and concerningly numbed, Meizu wouldn’t be able to move it properly, Gozu wasn’t in any better shape than him, his shoulder, although it wasn’t bleeding as heavily as before, still needed to be bandaged and his face was bruised. He took more brute force than Meizu, considering he had attacked first.
But besides that, there was a heavy truth that the demon brothers couldn’t deny: They had failed their assignment. All because of that Copy Ninja. Even with the two of them, he had held his own and didn’t waver.
Damn it, Gozu grits his teeth, it pisses him off when thinking of their embarrassing loss. But what makes it worse, is the fact that they’ve gotta go report back to the “big boss”: Zabuza Momochi. He’s in charge of their group of mercenaries since he was simply stronger than all of them. All of them were rouge ninjas, fleeing from Kirigakure because of the simple desire to free themselves—To do what they wanted without being ordered around, to not fight an old man’s war. But it wasn’t easy living as a rouge, so they had no choice but to become mercenaries, just to get money, but then it became much bigger than what it once was—
Gozu snaps back to reality when he notices that an odd mist begins to enter the thick forest, and that’s how he knows that their leader is here. Gozu dropped to the grass, with Meizu following with his lead, and from the mist, their leader, the “demon” of the Hidden Mist revealed himself. A clearing emerged ahead—a hidden meeting point known only to a select few. And there, waiting, stood the man they feared more than death itself.
Zabuza Momochi.
The air seemed heavier in his presence. He leaned casually against his massive blade, arms crossed, his eyes—cold and unreadable—locking onto them the second they stumbled into view.
A few other figures lingered in the shadows. The other mercenaries. Hardened killers, all of them, gathered under Zabuza’s command. Silent. Watching. Judging.
Gozu glanced at Meizu and he urged his twin brother to speak. Meizu, with a blank composure, spoke,
“We’ve failed our mission. The copy ninja… He’s stronger than we had initially assumed. He has the Sharingan—”
Meizu was interrupted by a heavy pressure at the tip of his throat, Zabuza’s blade lightly pressed against Meizu’s flesh.
Zabuza’s voice was low and raspy but measured, “You think I don’t know that?”
Meizu stiffened, his heart pounding in his chest as the cold steel pressed just enough to draw a line of blood.
“If he was so strong… Then why are you two still alive?” Zabuza continued with a chilling gaze.
The other mercenaries didn’t react. They’d seen this before, it was simply a lesson to be learned.
Do not fail, no matter what.
Gozu took a cautious step forward, his voice steady. “We managed to escape,” he said, quickly adding, before Zabuza could get angrier, “We’ve managed to find out his weakness.”
Zabuza didn’t move, but his grip on the sword relaxed slightly.
“Go on.”
Meizu swallowed, feeling the blade shift just enough for him to speak without any issues.
“His Sharingan strains him, the longer he fights, the weaker he gets. He’s human, he can’t keep it up forever.”
A long silence and an amused chuckle escaped Zabuza’s mouth, and he pulled his sword away from Meizu’s throat. The tension cleared slightly as he smiled viciously under his bandaged mask, a murderous glint in his eye.
“Good. Then we’ll bleed that one-eyed bastard dry.”
The mist thickened further filled with killing intent. Kakashi and Team 7 didn’t know of the monster that was coming for them.