Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 78: Momochi Zabuza!

Fortunately, the mission had been completed before Kakashi's last move. If it had caused a mission failure, Katsuragi would have been furious. Scratching his head, he replied, "After all, I've been training hard every day."

Kakashi shrugged, then looked at Sasuke, who was still staring blankly at Katsuragi, and praised, "Sasuke's performance was also good just now."

However, Sasuke didn't show any pleased expression. After all, he had only managed to block the two for a moment, whereas Katsuragi had critically injured them in one strike, incomparable.

Seeing Sasuke's reaction, Kakashi didn't say much more and turned to Naruto and Sakura, who had barely done anything, sighed, and said, "Well, at least you didn't get hurt."

The disappointment in his tone was unmistakable, causing Naruto to clench his fists tightly, unable to speak, as he too realized his performance had been far too poor compared to Katsuragi and Sasuke.

While Naruto was feeling disappointed and self-reproachful, Kakashi turned to Gatō and spoke with a rare sharpness in his usually listless eyes, "Mr. Gatō, there's something I'd like to ask you."

"Wh-What is it?"

Gatō, still recovering from the shock of Kakashi's 'death,' responded evasively. He was unaware that everything Kakashi had done was to verify that the ghost brothers' target was him.

Kakashi didn't respond immediately. After tying the two to a tree, he explained to Katsuragi and the others, "These two are probably ninjas from Kirigakure, which is known for its tenacity in combat at any cost."

"Kakashi-sensei, why would they attack us?"

Hearing Kakashi's words, Sakura immediately asked worriedly. She hadn't expected her first mission out of the village to encounter such a situation. If it weren't for Kakashi and Katsuragi being there, she might not have survived.

"Attack us?"

Kakashi glanced at Sakura and then shook his head looking at Gatō, "No, I didn't resolve them immediately because I wanted to understand their purpose. Mr. Gatō, don't you have something to say?"

"What do you mean?"

Gatō looked at Kakashi, feigning confusion, but his heart was in turmoil. It seemed that Kakashi had figured out that the ninjas were summoned by him.

"From their actions just now, I can confirm that their target was Mr. Gatō. You did not inform us that you were targeted by ninjas. The content of your request was to protect from thieves and armed groups like the mafia."

"But this kind of situation, it should be classified as a B-rank mission or higher. Our job is to protect you until the bridge is completed. If the enemy includes ninjas, it would certainly be classified as a high-cost B-rank mission."

Kakashi looked at Gatō, who was sweating profusely and silent, and continued calmly, "I know you have your reasons, but if you do not tell us the truth, it will be very troubling for us. This has now exceeded our mission scope. We might need to return to the village to report."

"This, this..."

Gatō was so anxious he could barely speak. Seeing that Kakashi and the others might return to the village, he didn't know what to do. If Katsuragi and the others left, he was certain he would die on the road.

"If you don't save me, I will definitely die. My lovely ten-year-old grandson will surely cry his eyes out, and my daughter will have to live out the rest of her life alone because you Leaf ninjas refused to help."

Watching Gatō cry and almost snivel, everyone was somewhat speechless, especially Kakashi. He hadn't expected Gatō to act like this.

"Kakashi-sensei," Katsuragi looked towards Kakashi with an inquiring expression, waiting for his instructions.

"Uncle Gatō, we will definitely help you."

However, before Kakashi could speak, Naruto suddenly shouted out to Kakashi, "Kakashi-sensei, next time I will prove to you that I am not worse than Sasuke and Katsuragi."

In the end, Kakashi chose to continue the mission. Having been on the battlefield from a young age, he really didn't think it was useful to keep doing D-rank missions in the village, so he wanted to use this mission as a training opportunity for Sasuke, Naruto, and the others.

Upon reaching the Land of Waves, the air was filled with mist. The six of them sat in a small boat, and Gatō quietly explained the real commission of this mission to Kakashi and the others.

Simply put, a wealthy man named Gato had set his sights on the Land of Waves, then used his wealth and violence to control all transportation, essentially seizing control of the entire Land of Waves. The only thing that could change this situation was the bridge that was currently being built.

Gatō was the only one bold enough to build the bridge at that time. Those who had tried before were either bought off or killed. The ninjas were sent by Gato to assassinate him.

The reason for his secrecy was that he had no money but no other way out, so he had to resort to desperate measures. This made Katsuragi somewhat sympathetic to Gatō's fortune. It was fortunate that it was the Leaf Village, and particularly them, who took the mission. If it had been other ninjas, they really might not have continued, as ordinary ninjas often regard rules as sacrosanct.

After disembarking, the squad proceeded carefully, knowing that Zabuza might be waiting for them. Katsuragi was cautious the whole way, occasionally checking the bounty seals and even manifesting fox ears just in case.

"Katsuragi, Katsuragi,"

But just as Katsuragi was on high alert, Naruto quietly approached him and whispered, "When we get back, can you teach me that technique too?"

"Uh, which technique?" Katsuragi was momentarily confused and looked puzzled.

"The one where you can grow ears and three tails."

As Naruto reached out curiously to touch his ears, Katsuragi quickly dodged, saying helplessly, "I can't teach it because I just mysteriously learned it myself."

"Is that so?" Being his only true friend from childhood

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