Chapter 21: The Demon of the Mist
After everyone decided to continue the mission, they pushed forward toward the Land of Waves without rest. Their only hope for safety was to reach the island nation, where they could regroup and better prepare for the attacks surely coming their way.
Along the road, Sasuke and Sakura remained on high alert, their eyes scanning the tree lines and shadows for any sign of movement. Every rustle of leaves made them flinch. Every distant sound set their hearts racing.
Kakashi and Naruto, however, seemed remarkably relaxed. They walked alongside Tazuna, chatting and laughing as if on a casual stroll.
After some time, Kakashi pulled Naruto aside, falling slightly behind the others. His visible eye was fixed on the boy.
"Naruto," he said quietly, "what's your read on this mission?"
Naruto paused, considering the question. He had expected Kakashi to ask something like this eventually.
"They sent rogue ninjas in the first wave," Naruto replied. "That means they have more—and stronger—missing-nin waiting. The first attack failed, so the next one will be serious. Someone with real power will come."
Kakashi nodded approvingly. "Exactly. This mission is far more dangerous than Tazuna suggested. Those two we fought were from Kirigakure—missing-nin of the Hidden Mist. The enemies we face from now on could be anything. Jōnin-level opponents are a real possibility."
He paused, his expression growing serious.
"Here's what I need from you, Naruto. If I get pinned down in a fight, I'm leaving Tazuna, Sakura, and Sasuke in your hands. You'll be their shield."
Naruto blinked, genuinely surprised. "If we're facing Jōnin… do you really think I can protect them?"
Kakashi's eye curved into a mysterious smile. "If I didn't think you could, I wouldn't be asking."
He said nothing more, turning back to rejoin Tazuna and resume their lighthearted conversation.
Naruto narrowed his eyes, studying Kakashi's back. How much does he see? How much does he know?
——
The day passed quickly. The Land of Waves was not far from the Land of Fire, and by late afternoon, the group had arrived at the coastline.
The only bridge connecting the island nation to the mainland had been destroyed by Gatō's men, so they were forced to cross by boat, sailing along the fog-shrouded waterway.
Thick mist clung to the surface of the sea, blurring their vision and muffling all sound. The world became a gray, silent void.
As soon as they set foot on the Land of Waves, Tazuna looked around with a growing frown. "Strange," he muttered. "There's never this much fog here. And it's so quiet today… too quiet."
The words had barely left his mouth when Kakashi's hand shot up.
"Everyone, stop," he said sharply, his easy demeanor gone. In a flash, he had drawn a kunai, his body coiled and ready. "Enemy. They're here."
Sakura looked around, bewildered. She could see nothing but mist and shadows. "Kakashi-sensei, what's going on? There's no one here…"
But Sasuke's eyes had widened. He understood. "It's too quiet," he said grimly. "There should be birds, insects… something. But there's nothing. Just silence."
Kakashi nodded. "Sasuke's right. The complete silence means we're surrounded. And according to Tazuna, thick fog like this is rare for the Land of Waves. But ever since we entered, the fog has only grown heavier."
"It's likely the enemy has been tracking us. And now… they've made their move."
Sasuke and Sakura tensed, their weapons raised. Vigilance sharpened every sense.
Tazuna paled. He had only spoken his thoughts aloud—he hadn't expected to be right.
Then, a voice cut through the mist. Hoarse. Arrogant. Seemingly coming from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"So this is the famed Copy Ninja of Konoha, Hatake Kakashi. You noticed us quickly. Impressive." A chilling pause. "I suppose my partner died at your hands, then."
The voice oozed killing intent. Sakura shuddered involuntarily.
Kakashi's eye swept the area, but the thick mist and the strange, swirling chakra in the air made it impossible to pinpoint the source.
"Mist Shinobi Technique?" Kakashi called out.
The voice chuckled, pleased. "Correct. It seems Kakashi-san is familiar with our Hidden Mist's jutsu."
Kakashi didn't respond to the taunt. Instead, he spoke to his students, his voice low and urgent.
"Naruto. Sasuke. Sakura. Prepare yourselves. This enemy is not like the last one."
Sakura and Sasuke gripped their kunai with trembling hands, their eyes wide as they scanned the impenetrable fog.
Naruto, however, was staring calmly in one specific direction. He wasn't searching. He had already found the enemy.
"Do you think being on guard will save you from my blade?"
The voice dropped into a whisper—and then, with a sudden WHOOSH, something massive tore through the mist.
A sword. But not an ordinary blade. It was enormous—a broad, cleaver-like weapon longer than Kakashi's entire body. It spun through the air, aimed directly at the group with enough force to cut them all down.
"SCATTER!" Kakashi roared, grabbing Tazuna and hurling himself backward.
Sasuke and Sakura dove in opposite directions, barely avoiding the deadly arc.
CRASH!
The massive sword buried itself in a distant tree, splitting the trunk like kindling. And standing atop the hilt, balanced impossibly on the broad blade, was a man.
He was massive—towering and muscular, his body crisscrossed with old scars. He wore sleeveless shinobi armor and baggy pants, and a white bandage wrapped around his lower face, hiding his mouth. His eyes, however, were fully visible—and they gleamed with bloodthirsty delight.
Kakashi's eye widened. He recognized that weapon. That stance. That murderous aura.
His voice came out low, almost a whisper, as he named the demon before them.
"Zabuza Momochi… the Demon of the Hidden Mist."