Momochi Zabuza?
The Mist Anbu captain that Yoroi failed to kill turned out to be none other than the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza.
And it was Yoroi’s conversation with Kakashi that ultimately set Zabuza on the path to investigating the Mizukage.
Was this Yoroi’s intention, or just a coincidence?
If you asked Yoroi himself, he would definitely say it was a coincidence!
When Yoroi used the Shadow Strangle Technique to kill the Mist Anbu captain, he noticed something odd about the captain’s “death.” However, due to the injuries to his shoulder worsened by Kakashi’s attack, Yoroi didn’t pay much attention to the small irregularities as he left.
After all, Yoroi thought that if the Mist Anbu captain survived and revealed the Mizukage’s secret, it would be beneficial for Konoha!
But Yoroi never expected that his words would inadvertently lead the renowned Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza, down a path of no return.
In the original storyline, why did Zabuza defect from the Mist Village?
The answer lies in his failed assassination of the Mizukage!
In the original story, two sharp individuals within the Mist Village were Zabuza and Kisame Hoshigaki. Both had vague suspicions about the secrets behind the Mizukage.
However, Zabuza and Kisame made different choices.
Kisame remained loyal to the Mizukage and followed him into the Akatsuki organization.
In contrast, Zabuza attempted to assassinate the Mizukage but failed, forcing him to defect from the Mist Village and live as a fugitive, constantly hunted by the Mist Anbu.
At the time of the Third Great Ninja War, when Yoroi and his companions were active, it was still a long way from Zabuza discovering the Mizukage’s secret. Who would have thought that, by a twist of fate, Yoroi’s words would lead Zabuza to suspicion and prematurely investigate the Mizukage’s secret, setting him on his original path?
However, one thing is certain: Yoroi’s presence finally caused a small ripple in the timeline.
The impact of Zabuza investigating the Mizukage’s secret ahead of time on the future isn’t something Yoroi needs to worry about.
Because shortly after Yoroi followed Kakashi away, within a few hours, Yoroi’s shoulder injury worsened, and he started to develop a fever.
Originally, the meeting between Yoroi and Kakashi took place not far from the Mist’s defensive line, which was still some distance from the main Konoha camp.
Kakashi, lacking medical ninjutsu knowledge, saw Yoroi’s condition deteriorate, with a fever and semi-conscious state, and felt deep regret over his mistake. But without returning to the Konoha camp, Kakashi couldn’t prevent Yoroi’s condition from worsening. He had no choice but to carry Yoroi and hasten back, hoping to reach the camp quickly.
Fortunately, Yoroi had already started treating his internal injuries before encountering Kakashi.
Thus, despite the worsening condition, Yoroi safely returned to the Konoha camp, thanks to Kakashi’s quick pace, where he received treatment. Additionally, the day after Yoroi and Kakashi’s safe return, Yūhi Kurenai, Deiwa Ishi, and Sarutobi Asuma also safely returned to the camp.
However, Yoroi was unaware of the subsequent events.
Upon learning that Kurenai and the others had returned safely, Yoroi felt a huge burden lift off his shoulders and immediately fell unconscious.
When Yoroi woke up again, it was a week later.
“Ouch!”
“The pain!”
Waking up in a daze, Yoroi felt a sharp pain in his shoulder.
Having been unconscious for an entire week, the pain upon waking made Yoroi fear for his shoulder. He quickly opened his eyes to check his shoulder.
Unexpectedly, when Yoroi tried to get up, he encountered significant resistance.
A gentle voice reached Yoroi’s ears.
“Yoroi, don’t move! Be careful of your injury!”
“Huh? That voice… Kurenai?”
“It’s me!”
Yoroi’s vision was still blurry, unable to see clearly.
Understanding some pharmacology, Yoroi knew it was due to being unconscious for too long, with his eyes not yet adjusted.
However, hearing Kurenai’s voice reassured Yoroi somewhat.
Still worried about his shoulder, Yoroi frowned slightly and asked Kurenai, “Kurenai, is my shoulder okay?”
“Pfft! I thought the first thing you’d ask about would be the mission!”
Kurenai’s response made her laugh.
In Kurenai’s impression, Yoroi was a mission fanatic, willing to risk his life to complete a mission.
Little did she know if given a choice between a mission and his own life, Yoroi would undoubtedly choose his life. But in front of Kurenai, Yoroi had to maintain his noble demeanor. So, hearing Kurenai’s laughter, Yoroi awkwardly smiled and explained:
“When I followed Kakashi-senpai back to the camp, I learned the next day that you all returned safely. So I wasn’t worried about the mission. But my shoulder… it’s quite a mess! Getting injured by Mist ninja is one thing, but Kakashi-senpai hitting me again… how can I not be worried?”
Still concerned about his shoulder, Yoroi asked again, “Kurenai, is my injury really okay?”
“It’s fine, absolutely fine!”
Soft hands gently held Yoroi’s.
Fearing that Yoroi’s worry might affect his recovery, Kurenai replied softly, “Yoroi, I already asked about your injury, and it’s nothing serious. As long as you rest properly, your wound will scab in half a month, and in a month, it will be fully healed.”
“I’m here today because I don’t have any missions, so I came to check on you.”
“But honestly…”
“Asuma’s situation worries me and Deiwa even more!”
“Huh?”
Feeling reassured about his injury, Yoroi finally relaxed.
He didn’t want to lose an arm because of one mission, especially due to Kakashi’s mistake.
But learning from Kurenai that something had happened to Asuma, Yoroi’s previously relaxed expression turned serious again.
Then, finally able to see clearly, Yoroi noticed the worry in Kurenai’s eyes and asked curiously, “What happened to Asuma? Did you encounter more Mist ninja after we got separated?”
“No, we didn’t.”
Kurenai shook her head slowly and replied, “Yoroi, after you stayed behind to cover us, we didn’t encounter any more Mist ninja and made it back safely. But when Kakashi brought you back, he reported Asuma’s actions to the Fourth Hokage. Originally, the Fourth Hokage planned to inform the Third Hokage and deal with it accordingly. But…”
“But Asuma found out about it and escaped from the camp.”
“As of now, Asuma hasn’t returned, and he’s missing.”
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