Naruto: Young Teacher
Chapter 28
Kakashi and Zabuza clashed fiercely in the mist, their movements fast and precise as they exchanged ninjutsu and taijutsu. Meanwhile, Ren stood calmly with Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, observing the battlefield.
Surprisingly, Ren didn't seem focused on the fight at all.
"Hey, Sakura," Ren said casually, "your chakra control is really good. Why not become a medical ninja? Hinata is training to become one as well."
Sakura blinked in surprise, momentarily forgetting the intense battle happening nearby.
"Really?" she asked, her curiosity immediately sparked.
Ren nodded with a confident smile.
"You have a sharp mind and excellent chakra control," he said. "You're practically made for medical ninjutsu. Trust me, you'll do great."
Sakura's attention was now completely diverted as she continued talking with Ren.
Nearby, Tazuna, Naruto, and Sasuke stared at them in disbelief.
Kakashi was fighting a dangerous opponent, risking his life, and yet these two were casually discussing career paths.
The battle suddenly shifted.
Zabuza took advantage of a momentary opening and trapped Kakashi in a Water Prison Jutsu.
Ren glanced at the situation briefly but remained calm.
"Alright," he said, looking at Naruto and Sasuke. "You two are up next."
Naruto and Sasuke blinked in surprise before their expressions sharpened.
A moment later, both of them rushed forward.
Naruto created multiple shadow clones while Sasuke supported him with precise shuriken attacks.
A massive shuriken spun through the air toward Zabuza's real body.
Zabuza tilted his head slightly and dodged the incoming attack with ease, while his water clone handled the smaller projectiles.
However, the large shuriken suddenly transformed mid-air.
Naruto revealed himself from within it and immediately threw a kunai toward Zabuza.
Zabuza was forced to move to avoid the attack.
The moment he released his position, the Water Prison Jutsu broke.
Kakashi burst free and counterattacked instantly, striking Zabuza and injuring him.
Before Kakashi could press the advantage further, senbon needles suddenly pierced Zabuza's neck.
A masked figure appeared nearby.
"I am an ANBU from the Hidden Mist," the figure said calmly. "I have come to take Zabuza back."
Without waiting for a response, the masked ninja picked up Zabuza's body and disappeared.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
After a moment, Kakashi turned his gaze toward Ren.
"Why didn't you fight?" Kakashi asked.
Ren rolled his eyes slightly.
"That guy was watching the entire time," Ren replied calmly. "If I had gone all out and exhausted myself, we could have ended up dead."
Kakashi's expression shifted as he processed the implication.
"He was fake… which means Zabuza is still alive," Kakashi said.
Ren smiled faintly.
"Took you long enough to figure it out."
At that moment, Kakashi's body swayed slightly as exhaustion caught up to him.
His chakra had been heavily drained from the fight.
Ren stepped forward and caught him before he could fall.
"Thanks… and good call not fighting," Kakashi said weakly.
Ren adjusted Kakashi onto his back without much effort.
"Yeah, yeah," Ren replied casually.
With Kakashi resting on Ren's back, the group resumed their journey toward the Land of Waves, fully aware that the real battle had yet to begin.