Heading to the Land of Waves

Half an hour later, at the entrance of Konoha Village.

The group of five embarked on their journey to the Land of Waves.

"Wow, the air outside feels so different!"

Sakura was excited about her first trip away from home, curiously looking around at the scenery.

Sasuke stood with his hands in his pockets, sporting a cool expression.

But a hint of curiosity about the outside world was also revealed in his eyes.

Only Naruto walked in the middle of the group, his expression calm and serene.

With his eyes hidden behind his glasses, no one could see what was in them.

In fact, his sensory abilities were already fully activated.

This ability begins to awaken when you start practicing breathing techniques.

After replenishing his attributes, especially after awakening the Yin attribute chakra, the world he perceived became even clearer.

Even now, Naruto can not only vaguely sense the other person's emotions, but also sense chakra fluctuations within a radius of several hundred meters.

As for Dazner...

The old man was clutching his backpack, nervously looking around as if an assassin was lurking behind every tree.

Clearly, Naruto's earlier words had completely roused him.

After traveling for a while, the sky remained clear and the sun was blazing overhead.

But a puddle of water suddenly appeared on the road directly ahead.

Naruto was speechless.

"On a bright sunny day, a puddle of water suddenly appears on the dry ground, without even a visual illusion."

"It seems these wandering ninjas or rogue ninjas usually only deal with rookies or civilians. Have they become this lazy?"

Kakashi, who was walking at the front, only glanced at the puddle indifferently, without pausing his steps.

They continued walking forward as if they hadn't seen anything.

Clearly, he wanted to use this incident to test his subordinates' observation skills.

Just then, Sakura, who was walking next to Naruto, suddenly reached out and gently poked Naruto's waist.

She didn't speak, but gestured with her eyes to the puddle in front of her and blinked.

He subtly conveyed to Naruto that there was something wrong with that puddle.

Naruto glanced at Sakura with some surprise.

Not only did they discover the trap, but they didn't shout it out in alarm; instead, they discreetly alerted their teammates.

"Good, your observation skills are up to par. The special training you've received over this period of time has paid off."

Naruto nodded almost imperceptibly, indicating that he understood.

He then coughed lightly, drawing the attention of Sasuke to his right.

The fingers made a very subtle gesture:

[Enemy ahead! You lead the attack, we'll provide cover.]

Sasuke nodded slightly after seeing the gesture.

He also noticed the puddle.

Sasuke quickened his pace and walked alone to the front of the group.

Although he appeared to be admiring the scenery, his hands, tucked into his pockets, were already gripping two kunai.

All the muscles in his body tensed up, and he instantly entered a battle state.

Naruto and Sakura subtly adjusted their positions, one in front of the other, to protect Tazuna from behind.

Just as everyone stepped over the puddle of water...

Splash! The water exploded.

The puddle of water instantly transformed into two figures wearing gas masks and wielding chains and claws, which burst forth from the water.

The two rebellious ninja brothers from the Hidden Mist Village—the Underworld Head and the Karma Head.

"The first one!"

The two worked together seamlessly, their chains flashing out instantly and coiling around Kakashi, who was in second place, like venomous snakes.

Pull hard!

puff!

Amidst the spray of water, Kakashi appeared to be torn to pieces.

"The second one!"

The two moved in a continuous motion without the slightest pause.

Wielding its claws connected by chains, it lunged straight at Kazna in the center of the group.

"ah--!"

Although Sakura had sensed something was amiss, she was still startled when she actually faced the menacing enemy.

But trained instincts work faster than the brain.

They immediately pulled out kunai and, together with Naruto, stood on either side of Tazuna, assuming a defensive stance.

However, they don't need to take action.

"snort."

A cold snort rang out.

Sasuke's figure had already leaped into the air at some point.

A disdainful sneer curled at the corner of his lips as he tossed out a kunai.

Ding!

With a crisp sound, the kunai pierced precisely through the loop of the iron chain, pinning it firmly to the tree trunk.

The ghost brother's smooth movements suddenly froze.

In that instant, Sasuke had already taken over and leaped into the air, bracing himself on the shoulders of the two men with his hands, and his body completed a beautiful side flip in mid-air.

His legs lashed out like whips!

Bang!Bang!

Two powerful roundhouse kicks landed precisely on the Ghost Brother's face.

"Ugh!"

The two Chunin screamed as they were kicked away and crashed heavily to the ground.

Even the gas mask was kicked until it was deformed.

Before they could get up, Sasuke had already landed.

He appeared behind the two in an instant and delivered a heavy chop to the back of their necks.

puff.

The two rolled their eyes and fainted.

From the moment the attack began to the moment it ended, it lasted only three seconds.

Sasuke dusted off his hands, turned his head, and spoke arrogantly:

"Too slow. Is this what Chunin from Kirigakure are like? Is this all they're capable of?"

Tazna stared at the scene with his mouth agape, as if an egg could fit inside.

"This...this is solved? These kids are monsters!"

"Well done, Sasuke."

Kakashi emerged from behind a tree, his tone relaxed:

"They reacted quickly and moved very efficiently."

No, that's not enough.

Before Sasuke could fully savor the joy of victory, a voice interrupted the atmosphere of triumph.

Naruto suddenly moved.

He raised his hand and flung away several daggers.

Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!

Naruto's shuriken pierced the Demon Brothers' wrists and ankles with precision and ruthlessness, instantly staining the ground red with blood.

"ah!!"

The excruciating pain instantly jolted the two unconscious individuals awake, causing them to let out piercing screams.

"Naruto-kun!"

Sakura turned pale with fright at the bloody scene, covered her mouth, and her voice trembled:

"Why...why did you do this? They're already incapacitated!"

Naruto straightened up, glanced coldly at the two screaming figures on the ground, and then turned to look at the terrified Sakura.

He pushed up his glasses, his tone frighteningly calm:

"Sakura, put away your pointless kindness."

"If you were the one lying on the ground, what do you think they would do?"

Do you think they'll let you go just because you've lost your fighting ability?

Naruto pointed to the assassin on the ground:

"No, they will only look at you with disdain, mocking your weakness while slitting your throat without hesitation."

Kindness is reserved for one's companions.

As a ninja, before you are absolutely certain of your safety, any mercy shown to the enemy is cruelty towards your teammates.

Naruto's voice wasn't loud, but it struck Sasuke and Sakura's hearts like a heavy hammer.

Sasuke's previously smug expression softened considerably.

He looked at Naruto and nodded silently.

Sakura bit her lip.

Although she was in a state of confusion, she understood that what Naruto said was true.

"Alright, interrogation time."

Kakashi stepped forward, not only not objecting to Naruto's actions, but even showing some admiration in his eyes.

As the former "cold-blooded Kakashi", he agrees with Naruto's point of view.

This mindset is the key to surviving in the ninja world.

Kakashi then used the Sharingan's genjutsu to easily extract the information he needed.

"Zabuza no Yai..."

Kakashi frowned. This was a troublesome fellow, a demon from Kirigakure and one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

A few minutes later, the interrogation ended.

"Get rid of it; it's just a burden to carry around."

Kakashi sighed and went to comfort the frightened Tazuna.

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not dare to step forward.

Needless to say, Sakura is another story.

"Leave it to me."

Only Naruto took the initiative.

He stared at the two Hidden Mist ninjas on the ground, their eyes filled with fear, and forced himself to open his eyes wide.

He needs to remember this feeling.

It's not for the thrill of killing, but to overcome the instinctive resistance to killing.

Whether as a ninja or as a controller.

These are all psychological hurdles that must be overcome.

Then, he formed hand seals, and chakra gathered at his throat:

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

A huge, orange-red fireball roared out and instantly engulfed the two people on the ground.

The screams abruptly ceased under the intense heat.

A moment later, the flames died down.

All that remained on the ground was a charred black mark.

The corpse, along with the bloodstains, was completely reduced to dust.

Naruto looked at Sakura, who was still somewhat dazed, and slowly said:

"Giving the enemy a quick death is our greatest mercy."