Konoha: Naruto, Taught by Aizen

"Are you kidding me?! Kakashi-sensei was taken out instantly?!" Sasuke's face was aghast, then it instantly changed to a look of exasperation. "Such slow speed... a big thanks to this Kakashi fellow for leaving the enemy to us."

"Maybe he's been reading too many of those little adult books."

Naruto wore a smile, Kyoka Suigetsu suddenly unsheathed in his hand.

"Sasuke, one each. Sakura, you support us. No problem, right?"

"Hmph, whatever." Sasuke's eyes abruptly transformed into the Sharingan as he said smugly, "Before these eyes of mine, they're nothing to look at."

These two ninja clearly hadn't yet realized the severity of the situation; their faces even bore ferocious, wanton grins.

Naruto maintained his harmless smile, his eyes already locked onto his target.

"This speed... merely Chunin. No, rather low-level Chunin. The forehead protector is from Kirigakure. They're Kirigakure missing-nin. To me, they pose no threat." After this assessment, Naruto used Shunpo and vanished from the two Kirigakure missing-nin's sight.

Sasuke had already engaged one of the Chunin.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" Naruto started with his tried-and-true Wind Style jutsu. Just this ordinary ninjutsu caused the Kirigakure missing-nin's expression to change drastically, and he hurriedly used a Substitution Jutsu to escape.

Turning his head to look, the area swept by the Great Breakthrough was already a mess, with large trees toppled and uprooted, and grass torn from the ground.

"Is this an ordinary Genin?" Even though the Kirigakure missing-nin was seasoned in countless battles, at this moment, he too was shocked by this scene.

To become a missing-nin, his insight and strength were naturally not simple.

But even so, he still felt a deep apprehension towards Naruto.

He brandished the chain in his hand and charged towards Naruto.

The moment he neared Naruto, his vision suddenly blurred.

A cold glint of light, sharp enough to slice through the sky, filled his vision.

The next second, a line of blood appeared on his neck. The Kirigakure missing-nin still maintained the expression on his face, but his head and body had already separated.

That body looks so familiar... how come it looks so much like mine?

This thought flashed through his mind.

Then, his consciousness plunged into chaos.

Sakura, at the side, saw Kyoka Suigetsu in Naruto's hand suddenly unsheathe, bringing with it a cold glint of light that slashed across the unprepared missing-nin's neck.

Naruto stood quietly beside the headless corpse, watching the blood begin to spread beneath his feet.

Zanjutsu had always existed for the purpose of killing.

This Kirigakure missing-nin's strength was decent, but in the end, he was still careless.

This gave Naruto a deeper understanding of his own strength.

His current Zanjutsu alone was already sufficient to instantly kill an ordinary Chunin.

With the missing-nin's death, a soul appeared above his corpse, accompanied by the soul's murmuring voice.

"Die... die..."

"I want to get that bounty..."

"More money, more ninjutsu..."

These were the missing-nin's lingering attachments.

If he infused it with Reiatsu, perhaps it could give rise to a rather decent Shinigami or Hollow.

Naruto's heart stirred with eagerness, but he also understood that the opportunity hadn't yet arrived.

He quietly glanced at Kakashi's concealed position, hesitated for a moment, but still chose to give up, only able to watch as the soul dissipated into the air.

On the other side, Sasuke's body flashed. Kunai in hand, he engaged the other ninja in battle.

After an exhilarating fight and with Sakura's help, Sasuke's kunai slashed across the missing-nin's neck, successfully killing him. At this moment, Kakashi also appeared by a nearby tree, leaning lazily, his tone languid, "Not bad. Your progress is significant. Your current strength has already surpassed that of an average Chunin. Especially you, Naruto; even without relying on your Kekkei Genkai, you can defeat a Chunin. It seems my previous assessment of you was still too low."

He then turned to look at Tazuna, his gaze becoming sharp, even carrying killing intent. "Mr. Tazuna, please explain why Chunin-level ninja would appear on an escort mission. I trust you also know the severity of deceiving Konoha. I won't elaborate on the fate of the last client who deceived Konoha."

Under Kakashi's threat, Tazuna's legs gave way, and he knelt on the ground, beginning to narrate the truth of his visit to Konoha to seek protection, his voice choked with tears.

"Gato won't allow me to build a bridge connecting to the outside world, so he sent ninja."

"I had no choice! Our Land of Waves is too poor! These mission fees and travel expenses were painstakingly scraped together by everyone! I couldn't make this trip for nothing!"

"I beg you! For the future of the Land of Waves, for the future of the young people, please help me!"

"So moving!" The sentimental Sakura was moved to tears.

However, no matter how emotionally Tazuna spoke, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto all regarded him with cold eyes.

Their reaction made Tazuna a little flustered.

He naturally knew that Kakashi was the team's decision-maker. He could only kneel on the ground, putting on a pitiful appearance, and murmur:

"Even if you abandon the mission, I can understand. Anyway, even if I die, the only one who will cry their heart out is my grandson who just turned ten. Of course, my daughter will also live out the rest of her life with resentment towards ninja."

"Really, it's okay. It's not your fault."

Tazuna's words made Team Seven's faces darken.

"Quite the character."

This thought surfaced in their minds.

"What do you all think? I'm leaving this mission entirely up to you," Kakashi said, spreading his hands, acting like an outsider.

"I'm indifferent. If we continue the mission, it seems we might encounter some decent opponents," Sasuke said, crossing his arms and looking at Naruto.

"I think he's quite pitiful, but this mission does seem really dangerous. How about..." Sakura looked tentatively at Naruto.

All eyes converged on Naruto; his decision would determine whether this mission continued.

Tazuna held onto a sliver of hope.

This boy before him looked very gentle; the possibility of continuing the mission should be quite high.

Under everyone's gaze, Naruto maintained his smile, looked at Tazuna, and said:

"Your idea of serving the country and its people is indeed very noble and admirable."

"However, from beginning to end, you have been selfish. You didn't consider whether such deception would bring danger to us."

"Insufficient funds, urgent situation—you could have told the truth. We in Konoha are not one of those indifferent ninja villages. Besides, there are places for emergency loans."

"And yet, you still chose to conceal the truth, placing us in a dangerous situation."

"I'm very sorry, but under such circumstances, it's difficult for me to muster any desire to help you," Naruto said, his tone gentle, but his words plunged Tazuna into despair.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Really, I beg you, please help us!" Tazuna knelt on the ground in despair, his heart filled with immense regret.

"However," Naruto's words took a turn.

"Just as you said, this mission concerns the fate of a nation. The enemy's advance party consisted of two Chunin; later, there might even be Jonin. Therefore, I am very interested."

"Rather than saying I'm taking this mission for the Land of Waves, it's more accurate to say I'm choosing to continue the mission for the ninja Gato has hired."

After speaking, Naruto looked at Kakashi with a smile. "Kakashi-sensei, I want to continue the mission."

Tazuna was instantly overcome with tears of joy, kowtowing vigorously.