Chapter 4: Shadows on the Road to Wave
"This next mission's not another cat, right?!"
Naruto slammed his hands on the Hokage's desk, practically trembling with anticipation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a calm, grandfatherly chuckle behind his pipe. "No, Naruto. Your team is being assigned a C-Rank mission."
"YES! That's what I'm talking about!" Naruto whooped, throwing his arms into the air. "Watch out world—Naruto Uzumaki's coming through!"
Sakura smiled. Even she looked excited. Sasuke said nothing, but his gaze sharpened. This was it—the next step forward.
The door creaked open.
A short, older man entered the room, wearing a straw hat and a large bottle tucked into his belt. He looked at the three Genin, unimpressed.
"…You've got to be kidding me," the man muttered. "These snot-nosed brats are my escort?"
Naruto's hands clenched. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING—"
"Quiet," Sasuke said, voice calm and sharp.
Naruto blinked, caught off-guard.
Kakashi stepped forward, reading his orange book lazily. "This is Tazuna. He's the bridge builder you'll be escorting to the Land of Waves."
"Hmph," Tazuna muttered. "Well, try not to get me killed."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He noticed it again. The slight tremor in the man's hand. The forced bravado. He wasn't just skeptical. He was scared.
[System Notification: Behavior Discrepancy Detected – Client Hiding Mission Threat Level]
[SP +2 – Insight Above Canon]
[Attribute Gained: Intelligence +1]
So this won't be simple after all, Sasuke thought.
Outside the Village – Departure
The morning fog was cool as the team departed Konoha.
Naruto was full of energy, walking out front and humming loudly. Sakura stayed close to Tazuna, alert and focused. Sasuke walked center formation—quiet, scanning, listening. Kakashi brought up the rear.
They passed through open plains, then forests and narrow paths.
Hours passed.
The world seemed still.
Too still.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
Ahead—two puddles.
Shallow. Circular. Still.
No rain for days.
His fingers brushed his kunai.
"Trap," he muttered.
"What?" Naruto asked, tilting his head.
Snap!
Chains burst out from the puddles as two masked figures leapt out—clawed gauntlets gleaming. They landed with a splash and lunged directly at Kakashi.
One of them slashed—
Kakashi's body was cleaved in half.
"SENSEI—!" Sakura screamed.
His body exploded into water.
"A water clone," Sasuke said sharply, pivoting.
Naruto stood frozen, eyes wide.
"Snap out of it!" Sasuke barked.
The first assassin lunged toward Naruto.
Sasuke stepped in.
CLANG!
Their blades met. Sparks flew. Sasuke dropped low, swept the enemy's legs, and drove his kunai toward the chest—redirected at the last second to slash across the ribs.
The second assassin came from behind. Sasuke ducked beneath the claw, spun, and elbowed the attacker's arm upward—disrupting his strike—and kicked him square in the stomach.
[System Notification: Combat Efficiency Achieved]
[SP +4 – Solo Interception Success]
[Attribute Gained: Agility +1]
Naruto tripped over a root and fell. "Wha—why are they so fast?!"
"You wanted a real mission," Sasuke muttered.
Before either enemy could regroup, Kakashi appeared behind them in a blink—arms outstretched.
"Too slow."
CRACK.
He slammed both assassins to the ground with brutal force. They lay unconscious at his feet.
Naruto dropped to his knees, fists clenched. "I-I couldn't move… I just froze…"
"You didn't move," Sasuke said coldly. "That's how people die."
Sakura still had her arms spread in front of Tazuna. Her legs were shaking, but she hadn't backed down.
Kakashi turned to them calmly. "Sakura… good work protecting the client. Sasuke, excellent combat instincts."
Sasuke said nothing, but his eyes flicked toward Naruto.
Kakashi's voice softened. "And Naruto… fear is normal. But in this world, even half a second of hesitation can mean the end."
Naruto looked down. "…I'll do better."
Kakashi nodded and turned to Tazuna.
"You told us this was a C-Rank mission. So why were you targeted by elite Mist-nin?"
Tazuna scratched his head, avoiding eye contact. "Well… I might've left out a few things."
Kakashi's tone dropped. "Talk."
Tazuna sighed. "The truth is… I'm building a bridge to break Gato's monopoly. He's a crime lord. He's got muscle, money, and no morals. If the bridge finishes, he loses power. So he's trying to kill me before that happens."
Silence.
"I knew if I told the truth, I wouldn't get protection. But if I go back now… my village dies."
Kakashi glanced at the team. "We have the right to abandon this mission. What do you three want to do?"
Naruto stood up, fists clenched. "We're finishing this."
Sakura looked uncertain—but nodded. "We can't just leave now."
Sasuke gave a small nod. "We continue."
[System Notification: Quest Path Locked – Divergence Confirmed: Wave Arc Active]
[SP +2 – Path of Resolve Triggered]
[Attribute Gained: Resolve +1]
"Alright," Kakashi said. "But stay sharp. The real threat hasn't shown itself yet."
Later – On the Forest Trail
Mist rolled in low, crawling through the trees.
Naruto still looked shaken, but he hadn't spoken since. Tazuna's steps were quieter now. Sasuke remained focused, scanning every branch, every footprint.
Then something rustled.
"I heard something!" Naruto shouted.
He leapt into the bushes—and returned a few seconds later, proudly holding a rabbit.
"A ninja animal! Look!"
Sakura leaned closer. "It's just a white rabbit."
"No, look! Maybe it's a transformation jutsu!"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"White fur… in this season?"
He stepped back, scanning the area.
"It's bred for substitution techniques. It means someone's here."
Kakashi's eye widened.
"Everyone—get down!"
Whhhrrrrk—BOOM!
A massive sword spun through the air and embedded itself in a tree—shattering bark and stone.
Everyone froze.
A tall figure stood on the branch above—shirtless, wrapped in bandages, his massive blade resting over his shoulder.
"That's a lot of noise for an escort mission," the man said calmly. "But I'm not here for you."
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed.
"…Momochi Zabuza."
Sakura gasped. "Wait… that's—!"
"A-Rank missing-nin," Kakashi said. "Former Hidden Mist ANBU."
Naruto's face went pale. "A-A-Rank?!"
Sasuke gripped his kunai.
The air around them was different now—heavier. A dark pressure weighed on his spine. Not just chakra.
Intent to kill.
[System Notification: High-Level Killing Intent Detected]
[Mental Fortitude Test: Passed]
[SP +3 – Composure Under Threat]
[Attribute Gained: Resolve +1]
Kakashi's hand moved to his hitai-ate. "Get back. I'll handle him."
He pulled it up.
The Sharingan gleamed.
Zabuza smiled beneath his bandages. "Looks like I'll get some fun after all."
[Chapter 4 Complete]
SP Gained: +11
Current SP: 45
Updated Attributes:
Strength: 2
Agility: 4
Intelligence: 6
Perception: 1
Control: 4
Resolve: 10
Known Techniques:
Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu (Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu)
Substitution Jutsu (Kawarimi no Jutsu)
Clone Jutsu (Bunshin no Jutsu)
Tree-Walking (Chakra Control Foundation)
Basic Taijutsu (Uchiha Clan Style)
Shurikenjutsu (Throwing Arts)
System Shop Options (Rest Phase Required):
Chakra Control Lv.2 – 10 SP
Shuriken Technique Enhancement – 10 SP
Silent Movement – 10 SP
Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu – 60 SP (Locked)
Next Objective: Survive the Duel – Zabuza vs. Kakashi Begins