Early the next morning, at Konoha's main gate.
Team Seven stood ready to depart one jonin, three genin, and their client.
Each wore a different expression.
Kakashi looked calm, but thoughtful. Obito's vague warning from the previous day still echoed in his mind. He had a rough idea what kind of "C-rank" this really was but not the specifics. Still… probably… maybe… hopefully… not too dangerous.
Sasuke stood with his hands in his pockets, cool and detached. The look on his face practically said: I've seen worse. It's just an escort mission.
Sakura kept sneaking glances at Sasuke, cheeks faintly pink. Beneath that, though, was genuine excitement, she had never left the village before.
Naruto bounced on his heels.
"What's taking him so long? Don't tell me Mr. Tazuna overslept."
Despite the complaint, he looked more amused than annoyed. For some reason, he'd grown very fond of the old bridge builder.
"He's coming," Kakashi said quietly.
All three turned.
"Akio-brand Tazuna" shuffled toward them, swaying slightly like a man nursing a hangover.
"Naruto, my young lord! Sorry I'm late!"
Naruto froze.
No one had ever addressed him like that before.
Young lord.
It felt… amazing.
"Uh—just call me Naruto!" he said quickly, trying to sound humble.
Inside, Akio was grinning.
If I can't charm this knucklehead into playing along, I'll retire from the con business.
"Well said! Just like your mother, Princess Kushina always so polite. Unlike certain other kids who don't even greet the client."
Sasuke and Sakura stiffened.
Complimenting Naruto was one thing.
Using them as a comparison piece? That stung.
Kakashi gave Tazuna a long, knowing look.
"Let's move out."
They set off.
As they traveled, Tazuna continued to heap praise on Naruto.
Occasionally, he'd toss out something like:
"It's a shame someone of Naruto's stature ended up in such a modest squad."
Naruto began scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
He hadn't realized he was apparently such a big deal among civilians from the Land of Whirlpools.
Akio had two reasons for this performance.
First, in the original timeline, Tazuna had initially found Naruto irritating. Flipping that dynamic might earn extra Witness Points.
Second, what was coming next required Naruto's enthusiastic cooperation.
Best to keep him motivated.
For the sake of Witness Points, Akio mused internally, even legends have to bend their principles.
Naruto, glowing with self-satisfaction, walked a little taller.
Sasuke and Sakura walked a little closer to the edge.
Because Tazuna was "just a civilian," their pace was slow.
By sunset, they hadn't even covered half the journey.
"It's getting dark," Tazuna said suddenly. "Mind if we stop here for the night?"
Naruto blinked. "Tired, old man?"
"Very."
Sasuke and Sakura exchanged a glance.
Same thought.
He finally wore himself out praising Naruto.
Kakashi scanned the area. Open wilderness. No villages for miles.
After a moment, he spoke casually.
"Mr. Tazuna… you selected Naruto specifically for this escort. There's more to this mission, isn't there?"
Akio nearly applauded.
Beautiful setup, Kakashi. You're getting extra credit later.
Tazuna scratched his head sheepishly.
"Well… maybe just a small additional concern."
Naruto perked up. "What kind of concern?"
"Our town Wave Harbor is in a tricky situation. We technically belong to the Land of Whirlpools, but we're fairly independent. Two great bridges connect us to the mainland. Recently… someone's taken control of them."
"Taken control?" Naruto frowned.
"A businessman named Gato. He charges outrageous tolls and bleeds merchants dry. It's strangling our economy."
Naruto's fists clenched. "That's messed up!"
"Exactly!"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Sakura looked uneasy.
Naruto leaned forward. "So what's the problem? Why not report him?"
Tazuna lowered his voice.
"Rumor says he's backed by two high-ranking ninja from the Land of Whirlpools. Dangerous people. I was hoping… maybe you could help."
"Two high-level ninja?" Naruto repeated.
"Yes."
"Who are they?"
"I've never seen them personally. Only their subordinates."
Naruto hesitated.
"Maybe I should talk to Great Elder Akio"
"Oh no, no," Tazuna waved quickly. "The Great Elder has more important matters. You can handle this. Surely no ninja from the Land of Whirlpools would refuse a request from you."
Naruto's eyes flicked toward Sasuke and Sakura.
He puffed out his chest.
"Leave it to me!"
Tazuna immediately piled on more praise.
Naruto was practically glowing.
Sasuke and Sakura were starting to regret not volunteering for landscaping duty.
Kakashi, meanwhile, pieced it together.
Tazuna is Akio in disguise. The praise is bait. The two 'high-ranking ninja' are the real test. This is a controlled trial.
He just hoped the "controlled" part stayed true.
The next day.
Near the Fire Country Bridge outside Wave Harbor.
Kakashi rubbed his forehead.
So this test included him, apparently.
Two figures stood ahead.
Naruto squinted.
"Why do those guys look so weird?"
Tazuna provided commentary on cue.
"You don't recognize them? I didn't expect Gato's backers to be them."
He pointed.
"The shark-faced one is Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. The one with no eyebrows is Zabuza Momochi, also one of the Seven."
Both had once been infamous swordsmen from the Hidden Mist before being absorbed into the Land of Whirlpools' forces.
Sasuke frowned.
"This client is acting strange…"
Sakura swallowed. "They look dangerous."
Kakashi slowly drew the White Fang blade strapped across his back.
He understood this was staged.
But the two men ahead didn't look particularly eager.
Because they weren't.
Kisame and Zabuza had been assigned an S-rank mission.
Kisame's objective: keep Kakashi occupied and prevent interference.
Zabuza's objective: put Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura through a harsh, combat-readying trial.
No killing blows allowed.
However
If necessary,
Zabuza was authorized to eliminate their client.
Tazuna.