"Here. It's done."
Haku tossed the scroll back. His eyes never left Fujimoto Tōma, watching closely for any reaction.
Tōma unrolled it and scanned the contents. The handwriting was rushed and messy, but under his perception there had been no chance for tricks. More importantly, at his level, false techniques were easy to spot.
The method was concise, even rough in places, yet as he read it, understanding clicked neatly into place.
So that's how it works.
If he'd researched it himself, he would have reached the same conclusion eventually. But it would have taken time. A lot of time. And Tōma had long decided that if something already existed in canon, he had zero interest in reinventing it from scratch. Wasting months to reproduce something others had refined over years was bad economics.
"Please hurry," Haku said, barely holding himself back. If he attacked now and failed, there would be no second chance.
"Give me a second."
Tōma raised one hand and awkwardly formed three seals.
A clone popped into existence beside him.
Haku's pupils shrank.
Even a basic clone technique shouldn't work that smoothly, not with one-handed seals. That level of control spoke volumes about talent alone.
"Good enough," Tōma said, nodding in satisfaction. "This'll be useful when my other hand's busy."
He rolled the scroll up and handed it back.
"You can go."
Haku froze for half a heartbeat, then exhaled sharply and rushed toward Zabuza.
Watching him leave, Tōma rubbed his chin.
…Why do I suddenly feel like I'm the villain here?
As expected, Haku managed to pull Zabuza out of immediate danger, only to get scolded for it.
"You waited until I was half-dead to move? And why didn't you follow the plan?" Zabuza snarled.
"My apologies, Zabuza-sama," Haku replied quickly, explaining Tōma's interference.
Zabuza's eyes widened.
"Another Leaf jonin? Stronger than Kakashi, hiding in the shadows?"
He looked toward Team Seven, irritation rising. That client had no business drawing this much firepower. An Uchiha kid, a blond brat with absurd chakra… what was this, a field trip for Leaf elites?
Before he could curse properly, a calm voice cut in.
"You shouldn't scold him. He was genuinely worried about you."
Tōma stepped into the open.
"Tōma!" Naruto and Sasuke called out at the same time.
Zabuza snorted.
"A simple escort mission, guarded by two jonin. The Leaf really knows how to show off."
He formed seals rapidly. Mist began to spread, but it avoided Tōma's side entirely.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough."
A casual burst of wind tore through the fog. When it cleared, Zabuza and Haku were gone, retreating under cover of mist.
Neither Tōma nor Kakashi pursued. Their mission was escorting Tazuna, not hunting missing-nin. And with an Ice Release user involved, pushing further wasn't worth the risk. Besides, the Third had been clear: Tōma was not supposed to take center stage.
Tōma turned to Naruto and Sasuke, nodding approvingly.
"You both did well. Zabuza's a real jonin."
Naruto grinned and scratched his head.
"Heh."
Sasuke shook his head.
"Kakashi did most of the work. We just supported."
"For your first time, that's more than enough," Tōma said, raising a hand—
Sasuke immediately stepped back several paces.
Tōma paused, then calmly lowered his hand.
"…Fair."
"Tōma," Kakashi said, eyeing him, "you still ended up getting involved."
"It's not as serious as the Third makes it sound," Tōma replied. "As long as I'm not killing anyone, it's manageable."
"Still, try not to," Kakashi said dryly. "I don't want a lecture later."
Naruto tilted his head.
"Is something wrong with Tōma?"
"Nothing big," Tōma said lightly. "Just killed too many people in the past. Takes time to cool off."
"Oh." Naruto nodded. "Then get better soon."
Sasuke, however, went quiet.
So that's where that pressure comes from…
Sakura walked over with Tazuna, relief mixed with frustration. Watching Naruto and Sasuke fight like that… she felt painfully behind.
"Kakashi," Sasuke finally said, "about the Sharingan—"
"Later," Kakashi cut in, pulling his forehead protector back down. "After we reach our destination."
"…Okay."
"Team Seven," Kakashi said, breathing a little heavily, "mission continues."
"Yes!" Naruto cheered, injuries already fading.
As they moved on, Tōma glanced once more in the direction Zabuza had fled.
If they were smart, they wouldn't come back.
And if they weren't… well, he already had what he wanted.
Far away, Haku supported the injured Zabuza.
"What do we do now?"
"Rest," Zabuza said flatly. "Then we quit."
Haku hesitated. "You mean… abandon the mission?"
"Yes." Zabuza closed his eyes. "If your instincts are right, that man is probably the Leaf's most notorious killer from recent years. The kind who changes roles because he's carrying too much blood."
"The White Fang…?" Haku murmured.
"Who else could it be?" Zabuza scoffed. "Against Kakashi alone, maybe. Add him, and it's suicide."
Haku finally smiled in relief and removed his mask.
"I'll gather medicine."
Zabuza leaned against a tree, eyes shut.
…Too soft to be a shinobi, kid.
By the time Team Seven reached their destination, the journey had been uneventful.
"The Land of Waves," Tōma murmured.
His thoughts drifted to Gatō.
A wealthy parasite. A perfect excuse.
After all, even action needed justification.