The sun was beginning to set as Team 7 finally arrived at Tazuna's house, weary from their long journey and the exhausting battle. The oppressive fog that had followed them on their way seemed to lift as they walked through the gates of the modest home. Tazuna, still clearly shaken but relieved, hurried ahead to open the door, ushering them inside.
As the team filed in, Kakashi gave a quick glance over his shoulder, ensuring no one was following them. He could feel the weight of the mission pressing down on him, and with it, the nagging sense that things were far from over. The encounter with Zabuza and Haku had been intense, and although they had won the battle, it had only bought them a little more time.
Sitting down at the small, wooden table in Tazuna's living room, Kakashi crossed his arms, leaning back slightly in his chair. Naruto and Sasuke, still feeling the adrenaline from the battle, sat across from him, looking eager for answers. Sakura was silent, looking exhausted but relieved. It was clear the mission had taken a toll on everyone.
Tazuna sat down next to them, visibly trying to keep his composure but clearly still on edge. "So, Kakashi, what now? What happens next? Zabuza's not dead, right?"
Kakashi looked at him for a moment before speaking. "No. Zabuza's not dead, and neither is Haku. You all saw what happened, but there's more to it. The man who came to take Zabuza's body... he's not just a loyal follower. He's a Hunter-Nin."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "A Hunter-Nin? What's that?"
"A Hunter-Nin is an elite shinobi from the Mist Village," Kakashi explained, his voice calm but serious. "They specialize in eliminating rogue ninjas—people like Zabuza. Their job is to hunt down and kill traitors or deserters. After they kill someone, they typically remove the head of the deceased as a proof of the kill, to make sure they're not coming back to life or being used by someone else."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "So, that means..."
Kakashi nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Exactly. Haku didn't remove Zabuza's head when he came to take him. That means he's still working with Zabuza. He's not a Hunter-Nin here to collect a body. He's someone who's loyal to Zabuza, helping him recover."
The realization hit Naruto and Sasuke hard, and even Sakura seemed to understand the gravity of the situation.
"So, Zabuza's still a threat," Naruto said, his voice a little more serious now. "And Haku's working with him."
Kakashi sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yes. Haku's loyalty to Zabuza runs deep, and it's clear that this mission is far from over. Zabuza may be down for now, but it'll only be a matter of time before he recovers, and when he does, we'll be facing him again."
Sakura frowned, her gaze flickering between Kakashi and the others. "But... what if Zabuza gets stronger? What if he has more tricks up his sleeve?"
"That's exactly why we can't let our guard down," Kakashi responded. "We need to be prepared for the worst. If Haku's still with him, we'll have to be even more careful. The Hunter-Nin's job isn't just to kill—they're also trained to help cover up the bodies, to make sure there are no traces left behind."
Sasuke clenched his fist, clearly frustrated. "Then what do we do now?"
Kakashi leaned forward, his tone becoming more serious. "We stick to the mission. Protect Tazuna and get him back to the bridge site. But I want you all to be on high alert. Zabuza and Haku are still out there. We'll have to deal with them when the time comes, but we have to focus on our job for now. If we let our guard down, that's when we'll make a mistake."
Naruto nodded, his usual energy tempered by the seriousness of the conversation. "Got it, Kakashi-sensei. We'll be ready."
Kakashi gave a small, approving nod, then turned his attention back to Tazuna. "Tazuna, we need to make sure you're safe. No more distractions. We finish this mission, and then we deal with Zabuza and Haku. Understood?"
Tazuna nodded quickly, his face pale but resolute. "I understand. I'm not going to back out now. I owe it to the people of the Wave Country."
Kakashi stood, his body still aching from the earlier battle, but his mind sharp as ever. "Alright. Rest up tonight. Tomorrow, we move out. And be ready for anything."