superior naruto

Dazna's voice grew increasingly pitiful, his eyes welling up with tears as he clutched his head in despair. "Ah... Of course, it's not your fault. If I die because I can't pay... well, I guess I deserve it."

Kakashi sighed. "Alright, alright... We'll continue to protect you. There's no other choice."

Naruto muttered under his breath, "Is this guy for real?"

Sasuke remained silent, while Hinata looked down, unsure of what to say.

Kakashi added, "Consider this a training opportunity for my students. We'll handle it."

Naruto glanced at Kakashi, thinking, You're really something, sensei. You don't want to deal with this mess yourself, so you're pushing it onto us? He looked up at the sky, feeling utterly helpless.

Kakashi continued, "First, we had two Chunin. Next, we might face a Jonin. Everyone, stay sharp!"

The three genin groaned in unison, "Ugh..."

As they walked through the forest, Naruto's mind raced, trying to figure out how to minimize the danger. Negotiate for peace? he thought. But without overwhelming strength, peace talks are pointless. So... what's the plan?

As they approached the sea, the fog grew thicker. Dazna whispered, "Once we cross the sea, we'll reach our destination."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. Fog... Is Zabuza about to show up? If he's here, will he attack us at sea? The thought sent a chill down his spine. An ambush at sea would make it easier to eliminate the target.

Dazna added, "Follow me. I know a guy who can take us across the sea."

Naruto turned to Hinata. "Hinata, use your Byakugan to scan the fog."

Hinata activated her Byakugan, her eyes scanning the area. "There's nothing on the sea," she reported.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Fishing boats usually don't sail in heavy fog. What are you worried about, Naruto?"

Naruto frowned. "I just have a bad feeling, that's all."

Kakashi patted his shoulder. "Staying vigilant is good, but being too tense can cloud your judgment."

Naruto sighed. "Alright, I'll leave it to you, sensei. By the way, can I have my detonation tags back? I'd feel a lot safer."

Kakashi deadpanned, "That would make us feel very unsafe."

Sasuke nodded in agreement.

They followed Dazna to his friend's house. The man, much younger than Dazna, looked surprised. "Dazna? You're still alive?"

Dazna chuckled nervously. "You sound disappointed."

The man shook his head. "I heard Gato's been after you. It's a miracle you're still breathing. But if you're alive, why come back? And who are these people? Ninjas? Since when do ninjas help poor folks like you?"

The team exchanged awkward glances. If we'd known this mission would be such a mess, we might've thought twice, Naruto thought.

Dazna insisted, "I have to come back. Who's going to finish the bridge if I don't?"

The young man sighed. "Gato won't let that bridge be built..."

Despite his reservations, the man eventually agreed to help, swayed by Dazna's pleas and their past relationship. They boarded his small boat, which was more of a speedboat. However, the man chose to row instead of using the motor, muttering, "Thank the fog. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't be helping you."

The journey was short, as the Land of Waves wasn't far. Through the thick fog, the half-built bridge loomed in the distance. Dazna stared at it intently, as if willing it to completion with his eyes.

When they finally reached the shore, the young man quickly bid them farewell, revving the motor and disappearing into the fog like he was fleeing for his life.

Dazna gestured forward. "Let's go. It's not far to my place now."

Naruto held up a hand. "Wait! Hinata, use your Byakugan again."

Hinata activated her Byakugan and scanned the area. Her eyes widened. "There's an ambush! Someone's hiding in the trees!"

Kakashi's expression turned serious. At that moment, a massive blade came spinning through the air.

Kakashi shouted, "Get down!"

Naruto's eyes locked onto the spinning blade. This is it! He formed hand signs. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Twenty Naruto clones rushed toward the blade. One after another, they were cut down, but the last three managed to stop the blade, holding it firmly.

Naruto smirked. "If you're going to throw your sword around, you should be careful. Sometimes, it doesn't come back."

Zabuza Momochi emerged from the fog, his deep voice dripping with menace. "My sword isn't so easy to take, brat."

Naruto's clones disappeared, and the blade was replaced by a log—a substitution jutsu.

Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "You little..."

Kakashi stepped forward, his Sharingan eye exposed. "Are you ignoring me?"

Zabuza glanced at Kakashi, then at the others. "The Copy Ninja Kakashi... and a Hyuga. No wonder the Demon Brothers failed." His gaze finally settled on Naruto. "You're quite the devil, kid."

Naruto grinned. "Thanks for the compliment."

Zabuza turned his attention to Dazna, who was being shielded by the genin. "My mission is to kill him. Hand him over, and I'll let you live."

Kakashi's voice was firm. "Formation! Protect Dazna! This one's mine. No one interferes. This is a test of teamwork."

Zabuza chuckled darkly. "Negotiation failed? Fine. I'll kill you first." He raised his hands. "Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

The fog thickened, obscuring everything. Zabuza's voice echoed from all directions. "Eight points... throat, spine, lungs, liver... carotid artery, subclavian vein... kidneys, heart... Which should I strike first? Hehe..."