After a month of nothing but D-rank missions—delivering groceries to elderly civilians and finding lost animals—Johan was finally summoned by Shikaku. He arrived at the Hokage's office, his heart racing with anticipation. When he entered, he saw a drunk man—Mr. Tazuna—standing with Team 7. Naruto greeted him enthusiastically, while Sasuke and Sakura gave him nods of acknowledgment.
"Johan," Hiruzen said, his tone calm but serious. "We've found a team for you to join on an out-of-village mission. You'll be accompanying Team 7 on an escort mission to safely deliver Mr. Tazuna back to the Land of Waves."
Johan nodded, his expression resolute. "I understand, Hokage-sama. I'll do my best."
Hiruzen gave him a small, approving smile. "Good. Kakashi will brief you on the details. Dismissed."
As they left the office, Kakashi turned to Johan. "Meet us at the village gates tomorrow morning. Don't be late."
Johan nodded. "Got it."
Johan's system interface buzzed with a new notification. He focused on it, reading the details:
[ NEW QUEST: SAFELY ESCORT TAZUNA TO THE LAND OF WAVES ]
[ OBJECTIVE: ENSURE TAZUNA ARRIVES SAFELY AT HIS DESTINATION. ]
[ REWARD: 2 LUCKY SPINS, 1 EPIC CHEST ]
[ ACCEPT? Y/N ]
Johan didn't hesitate. "Accept," he thought, feeling a surge of determination. The rewards were too good to pass up, and he was already committed to the mission
The next morning, Johan packed his essentials—kunai, shuriken, and a few rations—and made his way to the village gates. Team 7 was already there, with Kakashi leaning against the gatepost, reading his usual book. Naruto was bouncing with energy, while Sasuke and Sakura stood nearby, looking more composed.
"Alright," Kakashi said, closing his book. "Let's move out. Stay alert, everyone."
As they passed the suspicious puddle on the side of the road, Johan's Six Eyes immediately picked up on the irregularity. This has to be the Demon Brothers, he thought, recalling the plot. Without drawing attention, he quietly summoned his Divine Dog, sending it into the shadows of the forest. The shadow creature moved silently, blending into the darkness as it prepared to strike.
Suddenly, the Demon Brothers—Gōzu and Meizu—burst out of the puddle, their chainsaw-like weapons whirring menacingly. They launched themselves at the group, their movements swift and coordinated. Kakashi, who had been walking casually, didn't seem to react in time. The chainsaw weapons sliced through his body, and he fell to the ground in a pool of blood.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura screamed, her voice filled with shock and horror.
Naruto froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. "No... this can't be happening!"
Sasuke's expression darkened, his Sharingan activating as he prepared to fight. But before he could move, Johan's Divine Dog lunged from the shadows, catching Meizu's arm in its powerful jaws. The assassin cried out in pain, struggling to break free.
Gōzu, seeing his brother in trouble, tried to intervene, but Johan was ready. With a quick hand sign, he summoned a shadow toad, its sticky tongue shooting out to wrap around Gōzu's legs and immobilize him.
"Focus!" Johan shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "They're not done yet!"
Sasuke snapped out of his shock, moving with precision to disarm Meizu and press a kunai to his neck. Johan did the same to Gōzu, his shadow toad holding the assassin in place.
Just as the situation seemed under control, a familiar voice broke the tension. "Not bad, you three."
Everyone turned to see Kakashi standing nearby, unharmed and holding his book as if nothing had happened. The "Kakashi" who had been cut down dissolved into a puff of smoke—a shadow clone.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto yelled, his relief quickly turning into anger. "What the heck was that? You scared us to death!"
Kakashi gave them a lazy eye-smile. "I wanted to test your reactions. Johan, good job using your summons to handle the situation. Sasuke, you were quick to respond. Sakura, Naruto... you need to work on staying calm under pressure."
Sakura blushed, embarrassed, while Naruto grumbled under his breath. Johan dismissed his shadow creatures, letting out a small sigh of relief.
Tazuna, who had been watching the entire exchange with wide eyes, let out a shaky breath. "I didn't think it would be this dangerous..."
Kakashi turned to him, his tone serious. "It seems there's more to this mission than you led us to believe. Care to explain?"
Tazuna hesitated, then sighed. "Alright, I'll tell you everything. But first, let's get moving. We're not safe here."
Before they continued their journey, Kakashi turned to Johan, his tone calm but serious. "You did most of the work capturing them. Do you want to finish them off and take their bounties?"
Johan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. I'll do it."
Kakashi gave him a knowing look. "It's not an easy thing, killing someone for the first time. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Johan met Kakashi's gaze, his expression resolute. "I'm sure."
Kakashi nodded and motioned for Johan to follow him. The two of them dragged the immobilized Demon Brothers into the forest, away from the others. Once they were a safe distance away, Kakashi turned to Johan.
"Do you want me to do it first?" Kakashi asked, his voice low.
Johan shook his head. "I'll do it. Just... guide me."
Kakashi nodded again, his expression unreadable. With a swift, almost casual motion, he drew a kunai and sliced through Gōzu's neck, ending the assassin's life. Blood pooled on the forest floor, and Johan felt a chill run down his spine, but he didn't look away.
Kakashi handed the kunai to Johan, his eyes steady. "It's your turn. Remember, this is part of being a shinobi. If you're not ready, I can—"
"I'm ready," Johan interrupted, his voice firm. He took the kunai, his grip steady despite the weight of what he was about to do. He stepped toward Meizu, who was still immobilized by the shadow toad's tongue. The assassin's eyes were wide with fear, but Johan didn't hesitate. With a quick, precise motion, he ended Meizu's life.
Kakashi watched silently, his expression unreadable. When it was done, Johan took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly. He wiped the kunai clean on the grass and stored the bodies in a storage scroll, sealing them away for later.
"You did well," Kakashi said, placing a hand on Johan's shoulder. "It's never easy, but it's something every shinobi has to face. You handled it better than most."
Johan nodded, his voice quiet but steady. "Thanks, Kakashi-sensei."
The two of them returned to the group, where Team 7 and Tazuna were waiting. Sakura and Naruto looked curious, while Sasuke's expression was unreadable. Tazuna, however, seemed visibly shaken.
"Is it... done?" Tazuna asked, his voice trembling.
Kakashi nodded. "It's done. Let's keep moving. We're not safe here."
As they walked, Johan couldn't help but reflect on what had just happened. Killing someone—even someone as dangerous as the Demon Brothers—wasn't something he had ever imagined himself doing. But in this world, it was a harsh reality. He knew he had to adapt if he wanted to survive and go back to his world stronger and protect his family and others.
Naruto, unable to stay quiet for long, sidled up to Johan. "Hey, what happened back there? Why did you and Kakashi-sensei go into the forest?"
Johan glanced at him, his expression calm but serious. "It's shinobi business.
Naruto pouted but didn't press further. Sasuke, however, gave Johan a long, calculating look before turning away.
Kakashi, walking at the front of the group, glanced back at Johan. "You did good back there. Don't let it weigh on you. Focus on the mission."
"I will," Johan replied, his voice steady.
The group continued their journey along the road, the dense forest on either side casting long shadows in the fading light. Johan stayed alert, his Six Eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. The air around them began to grow damp, and a thick, unnatural mist started to roll in, obscuring their vision.
"Something's not right," Johan muttered, his voice low but carrying enough for the others to hear.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the area. "Be on your guard. This mist isn't natural."
Before anyone could respond, Kakashi suddenly shouted, "Jump!"
The team reacted instantly, leaping out of the way as a massive sword came hurtling through the air, slicing through the trees behind them with terrifying force. The sword embedded itself into a nearby tree, and moments later, a figure appeared on its hilt—Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist.
Zabuza's presence was intimidating, his massive frame and the mist swirling around him giving him an almost supernatural aura. He ignored the others, his cold gaze fixed on Kakashi.
"Well, well," Zabuza said, his voice dripping with menace. "The Copycat Ninja, Kakashi Hatake. I'm honored to meet you."
Kakashi's expression turned serious as he gently set Tazuna down. "Protect him," he said to the team, his voice calm but commanding. "This one's dangerous."
The system's voice once again chimed in his head.
[ NEW QUEST: DEFEAT ZABUZA AND HAKU ]
[ OBJECTIVE: OVERCOME THE DEMON OF THE HIDDEN MIST AND HIS LOYAL COMPANION. ]
[ REWARD: 1 LEGENDARY CHEST ]
[ ACCEPT? Y/N ]
Johan didn't hesitate. "Accept," he thought, feeling a surge of determination. The reward—a Legendary Chest—was too good to pass up, and he knew this quest would push him to his limit
Johan, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura immediately formed a protective circle around Tazuna, their eyes locked on Zabuza. Kakashi stepped forward, lifting his headband to reveal his Sharingan eye. The air grew tense as the two legendary shinobi faced each other.
Zabuza wasted no time, leaping off his sword and launching himself at Kakashi with incredible speed. Kakashi met him head-on, their movements a blur of precision and power. The sound of kunai clashing against Zabuza's massive sword echoed through the misty forest.
Kakashi's Sharingan spun to life, its crimson glow cutting through the mist as he analyzed Zabuza's every move. "You're fast, Zabuza," Kakashi said, his tone calm but laced with tension. "But it's going to take more than that to beat me."
Zabuza smirked, his voice dripping with menace. "We'll see about that, Copycat Ninja."
The two shinobi clashed again, their movements so fast that it was nearly impossible for the others to keep up. Zabuza's massive sword swung with deadly force, but Kakashi's agility and Sharingan allowed him to dodge and counter with precision.
Johan watched the battle closely, his Six Eyes analyzing every move. "Stay sharp," he said to the others. "Zabuza's not the type to fight fair. He'll use the mist to his advantage."
As if on cue, Zabuza's voice echoed eerily through the fog. "This is my Hidden Mist Jutsu. You won't be able to see me, but I'll be watching you."
The mist thickened, obscuring their vision even further. Kakashi remained calm, his Sharingan allowing him to track Zabuza's movements despite the poor visibility. However, Zabuza was a master of stealth, and even Kakashi struggled to keep up.
Suddenly, Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi, his sword aimed at the jonin's back. Kakashi barely managed to dodge, spinning around to block the attack with his kunai. The force of the blow sent him skidding backward, but Kakashi quickly regained his footing.
"Not bad," Zabuza said, his smirk widening. "But you can't keep this up forever."
Kakashi didn't respond, his focus entirely on the battle. He formed a series of hand signs, summoning a wall of water to block Zabuza's next attack. The two shinobi continued to exchange blows, their techniques growing more intense with each passing moment.
As the battle raged on, Kakashi and Zabuza's water clones clashed fiercely, their movements precise and deadly. The clones destroyed each other in a flurry of water and chakra, leaving the battlefield momentarily quiet. Kakashi, who had been hiding underwater in the lake, rose to his feet, his Sharingan glowing as he prepared to rejoin the fight.
However, Zabuza was quick to seize the opportunity. With a series of rapid hand signs, he slammed his hands into the ground. "Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!"
A sphere of water formed around Kakashi, trapping him inside. Kakashi struggled against the chakra-infused water, but the technique was designed to immobilize even the strongest shinobi.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted, his voice filled with panic.
Zabuza smirked, his voice cold and mocking. "Don't worry, brats. I'll deal with you next."
Johan's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. He knew they had to act fast. Focusing his chakra, he summoned his Divine Dogs, the shadow creatures emerging from the darkness and lunging at Zabuza. To counter the Divine Dogs, Zabuza formed more hand signs, summoning additional water clones to overwhelm Johan. The clones moved swiftly, their attacks coordinated and precise.
Johan gritted his teeth, realizing he needed more power. He took a deep breath, gathering a massive amount of chakra and pushing it all into his Ten Shadows Technique. The ground beneath him darkened as a shadowy pool formed, and from it emerged a colossal creature—Nue.
The massive owl-like beast with orange feathers and a skull-like mask appeared, its presence both terrifying and awe-inspiring. Nue took flight, its wings casting a shadow over the battlefield as it dove toward Zabuza with incredible speed.
Zabuza, recognizing the threat, summoned another water clone to intercept Nue. But as the clone lunged forward, Nue struck it with a bolt of lightning, shattering it instantly. The lightning surged through the water, disrupting Zabuza's concentration and weakening the Water Prison Jutsu.
Kakashi seized the moment, using the disruption to break free from the Water Prison. He landed gracefully on the ground, his Sharingan glowing with renewed intensity.
Kakashi and Zabuza stood facing each other, their chakra flaring as they prepared their next moves. Simultaneously, they formed a series of hand signs, their movements mirrored with eerie precision.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!" they both shouted, their voices echoing through the battlefield.
Two massive water dragons surged into existence, their forms twisting and roaring as they collided in midair. The impact sent a shockwave through the area, the force of the clash pushing Johan, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura back. Water poured down like a torrential rain, drenching everyone in its path.
Johan, though momentarily caught off guard, quickly recovered. Knowing this was his chance, he focused his remaining chakra and commanded Nue to attack. The massive owl-like creature swooped down from the sky, its talons extended as it slammed into Zabuza with incredible force. The impact sent the rogue ninja crashing into a nearby tree, the bark splintering under the pressure.
As Nue melted back into the shadows, Johan felt his chakra reserves deplete significantly. He staggered slightly, but Naruto was quick to rush over and help him to his feet.
"Are you okay?" Naruto asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm fine," Johan said, though his breathing was heavy. "Just... drained."
Before anyone could react, a sudden movement caught their attention. Zabuza, still recovering from Nue's attack, suddenly fell to the ground, his body going limp. Two thin needles were embedded in his neck, their tips glinting faintly in the dim light.
A figure appeared from the mist—a young woman with a mask covering her face. She moved silently, lifting Zabuza's unconscious body with ease. Without a word, she turned and began to carry him away.
"Hey! Stop!" Naruto shouted, his frustration boiling over. "Why are you letting them go, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi lowered his headband, covering his Sharingan once more.
"That was a hunter-nin," Kakashi explained, his tone calm but serious. "I recognized the mask. They're specialized shinobi who track down missing-nin and bring them back to their villages—or eliminate them if necessary. Zabuza is a rogue ninja, so it makes sense that they'd come after him."
Naruto frowned, his fists clenched. "But they're trying to kill Tazuna! Why are you letting them go?"
Kakashi's voice remained measured. "The Hunter nin use poisons so he should be dead, Besides we have more important things to focus on—like getting Tazuna to the Land of Waves safely."
Johan nodded, though he kept his gaze on the spot where Haku and Zabuza had disappeared. Internally, he knew the truth—the masked figure wasn't a hunter-nin but Zabuza's loyal partner, Haku. However, revealing that knowledge would raise too many questions. Why would he know something like that? How could he be so certain? It wasn't worth the risk.
Instead, Johan stayed silent, letting Kakashi's explanation stand. He knew this wasn't the last they'd see of Zabuza and Haku, and he'd need to be ready when the time came.