Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

As long as Kakashi has this intention in his heart, Naruto is confident that before the Chunin Exams arrive, he can make Kakashi change his mindset from "preparing to apply for the Chunin Exams" to "officially participating in the Chunin Exams".

Although Naruto was somewhat tempted by the prospect of going to the Land of Waves as in the original story, where he would be greeted with about two weeks of freedom without surveillance.

But it's better to avoid trouble.

Naruto had no sense of responsibility or honor as a ninja who needed to complete missions.

With his counter-surveillance abilities, Naruto thrived even more in the familiar environment of the village.

So, should we continue our journey to the Land of Waves, or turn back now?

Naruto can accept it.

After considering this, Naruto decided not to express his opinion.

To Naruto's surprise, Sasuke didn't offer any opinion either.

He thought that someone like Sasuke, who harbored hatred in his heart, would be eager to find any opportunity to become stronger.

However, upon closer reflection, Sasuke did not object when Kakashi was preparing to end the mission and return in the original story.

It seems that Sasuke was still full of rationality before Itachi Uchiha reappeared in Konoha.

It wasn't until he met Itachi again that Sasuke became obsessed, pursuing power relentlessly.

In contrast, Naruto in the original work failed to recognize his own strength and the danger of the B-rank mission, and didn't even blame Tazuna for complicating the situation by providing false information.

They were making a huge fuss, shouting that they wanted to continue the mission.

If Haku hadn't been someone who never lost his kindness throughout his long life as a rogue ninja, Naruto in the original story would have had to bear the responsibility for causing Sasuke Uchiha's death because of his arrogance and stupidity.

Since Sasuke had no objections, he, like Naruto, handed over the decision of whether to continue protecting Tazuna to Kakashi.

Given Kakashi's personality, and how much he values ​​his comrades in the village, he should have made the decision to abandon the mission immediately.

However, unexpected things can always happen.

This statement is truly applicable in any situation.

In the original story, Sakura, who clearly advocates returning to the village, speaks up at this moment to express her own opinion.

"Kakashi-sensei, I... I think we should continue the mission."

With Naruto and Sasuke having no objection to ending the mission, it was unexpected that Sakura wanted to continue it.

Chapter 15 Zabuza Momochi

The climate at sea cannot be predicted using experience from land.

The Land of Fire in May is sunny and has a pleasant climate.

However, near the border of the island nation of Natsume, a cold and damp fog enveloped the entire sea, making it seem unlike the weather in May.

In the thick fog, a small boat was moving slowly and cautiously.

The ship carried Tazuna, along with the members of Team 7, the Konoha ninja responsible for protecting him.

Naruto sat at the bow of the boat, gazing at the distance obscured by thick fog.

The weather in the Land of Waves is like the unseen future of this country.

The Kingdom of Waves, comprised of a dozen or so scattered islands of varying sizes, had its transportation rights seized by the wealthy tycoon Kado a year ago.

Kado illegally seized the interests of the entire country, turning the Land of Waves into an extremely impoverished nation.

Violence, darkness, and disorder—this is the Land of Waves ruled by Gato, a violent group of rogue ninjas and wandering samurai.

Once Tazna, a bridge-building expert, completes the cross-sea bridge, Kado, who has lost his right to transportation, will lose everything in the Land of Waves.

This is why ninjas would attempt to assassinate Tazuna.

In the impoverished Land of Waves, Tazuna was already struggling to make ends meet while maintaining the bridge's construction, leaving him with no extra money to pay for hiring ninjas.

These are the reasons why Tazuna revealed all the false information about the mission after Team 7 confirmed that they would continue the mission.

On the surface, it was just an ordinary act of oppression.

But without the Third Shinobi World War more than a decade ago, Gato would never have been able to hire enough rogue ninjas and wandering samurai to suppress and rule a country.

And there are countless beings like Gato throughout the entire ninja world.

From the Third Shinobi World War... no, from the Warring States period to now, hatred and riots have always been the main theme of the shinobi world.

It has long been like a curse, lingering around everyone.

……

After an unknown amount of time, the boat finally docked at the shore.

"I'll leave you here."

The boatman, as if wary of the gloom lurking deep in the mist, spoke in hushed tones.

Naruto looked around at the location where the boatman had moored the boat.

This is not a normal ferry crossing at all; it is a secluded path that only experienced boatmen who have been navigating the waters of the Land of Waves for many years can find.

It wasn't the agreed-upon stop location at all.

"Thanks a lot."

Tazner did not blame the boatman for breach of contract. He disembarked first, waiting for the rest of the Seventh Squad who were protecting him to disembark one after another.

Upon arriving in the Land of Waves, Tazuna was not only someone Team 7 had to protect, but also their guide in this unfamiliar land.

Seeing Kakashi approach, Tazuna adjusted his reading glasses: "Thank you for being willing to continue the mission."

Kakashi casually echoed Tazuna's words.

However, even with his face covered by a mask, the troubled feeling he had inside was easily discernible.

When a ninja accepts a request, he will find a way to complete it.

The village of ninja maintains its public credibility through this.

However, if the reasons are reasonable and the ninjas reach a consensus, they can unilaterally terminate the mission.

Tazuna's requests are missions that can be stopped by the ninjas within the stipulated time.

Once Team 7 reaches a consensus, Kakashi will take Tazuna back to Konoha Village.

Tazuna will either cancel the request after returning to Konoha, or adjust the request level back to its original B-rank difficulty.

By then, everything would have nothing to do with Class 7 anymore.

Kakashi had assumed that some members of Team 7 might have objections.

It should also be Sasuke, who was eager to become stronger as soon as possible;

Or perhaps it's Naruto, who dreams of becoming Hokage and wants to gain the approval of everyone in the village.

Either they both opposed halting the mission.

After all, given Naruto and Sasuke's personalities, Kakashi wouldn't be surprised if they made such a choice.

Kakashi never expected that Sakura would want to continue the mission.

Kakashi probably guessed what Sakura was thinking when she made that choice.

Before being attacked by the Demon Brothers, Sakura was chatting with Sasuke as usual while on a mission.

But after deciding to continue her journey to the Land of Waves, Sakura remained silent.

It seems that the battle with the Demon Brothers made Sakura realize the gap between herself and Naruto and Sasuke, putting her under pressure.

That's why Sakura couldn't give up this rare opportunity to grow.

While keeping an eye on the surroundings to protect Tazuna, Kakashi also observed the condition of the three members of Team 7.

Having decided to continue the mission, Kakashi considered countermeasures against the enemy based on the actual situation of Team 7.

The enemy was able to send two Chunin even when Tazuna was still within the Land of Fire's territory.

Now we've arrived at the Land of Waves, the enemy's stronghold...

The next attackers will definitely be ninjas of Jonin rank, stronger than Chunin.

The previous battle between Team 7 and the Demon Brothers has already proven that they have the ability to protect their clients.

Although the Jonin-level enemies that will appear later will be difficult for them to deal with, they will not be able to attack Tazuna, who is being protected by Naruto and the others, unless they deal with Kakashi first.

Hopefully, the journey after reaching the shore will be safe and sound.

Kakashi held this hope in his heart.

Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned; that's the norm in the world.

An unusual sound emanated from the forest, a sound even softer than Kakashi's own breathing.

But Kakashi sensed the danger immediately.

"Everyone lie down!"

Kakashi's keen combat instincts allowed him to make a judgment instantly.

Upon hearing Kakashi's command, Sakura and Sasuke immediately obeyed the order to lie down before any confusion could arise.

Tazuna, who was slow to react to Kakashi's orders, was also forced to the ground by Naruto, who pressed his head down.

This is the difference between ninjas and ordinary people.

In battle, absolutely trust the leader's instructions while maintaining your own personal judgment.

The moment the three members of Class 7 and the client lay down together, a terrifying howling sound reached everyone's ears.

A huge sword spun rapidly in the air, hurtling towards the direction where everyone had originally been standing.

If Kakashi hadn't warned them beforehand, that giant sword would have cut them in half!

Instead of hitting the target as expected, the sword ended up striking the trunk of the large tree in front of Kakashi.

As the greatsword was stopped by the tree, a man appeared on the hilt of the greatsword that was slashing across the tree.

That was the man who launched the attack on the crowd.

The man's bare upper body was draped with a strap used to carry a large knife.