Qiuqa highlights 4 key points from Naruto Classic Episode 7.

1. Gato vs. Tazuna

Team 7 and Tazuna boarded a small boat. As they drifted across the water, Tazuna confessed that he was being hunted by Gato, a ruthless tycoon ranked among the wealthiest men in the world.

Since arriving in the Land of Waves a year ago, Gato had violently and corruptly seized control of the region’s transportation and shipping industries. He viewed Tazuna’s unfinished bridge as a direct threat to his monopoly, driving him to attempt to eliminate the builder by any means necessary.

Tazuna explained that Waves was an impoverished nation; even its Daimyo lacked funds. As a mere commoner, Tazuna simply couldn’t afford to commission a B-rank mission.

Nevertheless, he gave Team 7 the choice to abandon the mission if they didn’t want to get dragged any further into his mess. Hearing this, Kakashi firmly stated that Team 7 would see the mission through.

2. Kakashi’s Sharingan

Upon arriving at the pier, Team 7 and Tazuna continued on foot, embarking on the long trek toward Tazuna’s home. High up in the trees, Zabuza watched their every move. He instantly understood why Gozu and Meizu had failed to assassinate the bridge builder: Kakashi was protecting him.

Suddenly, Zabuza hurled his massive sword directly at them. Team 7 and Tazuna barely managed to duck, narrowly avoiding the lethal blade. The heavy sword lodged deeply into a tree trunk, and Zabuza seamlessly landed upon its hilt. Coldly, he demanded that Kakashi hand over Tazuna.

Kakashi immediately warned his team that their opponent was an extremely dangerous rogue ninja from Kirigakure. He then reached up, lifting the Konoha headband that concealed his left eye to reveal his Sharingan. Sasuke watched in shock, unable to comprehend how someone outside the Uchiha clan could possess the Sharingan.

3. Zabuza Knows Kakashi

Zabuza actually felt honored to face Kakashi. He revealed that during his active days in the Kirigakure Anbu, he had read an intelligence manual featuring Kakashi’s name. In its pages, Kakashi was branded the “Copy Ninja”—a shinobi capable of replicating an opponent’s jutsu with a single glance, rumored to have copied over a thousand techniques.

Springing into action, Team 7 formed a defensive triangle around Tazuna, guarding his front, left, and right flanks. Zabuza stepped onto the surface of a nearby river and activated a dense mist jutsu, severely restricting his enemies’ line of sight.

4. The Copy Ninja

Suddenly, Zabuza materialized right behind Team 7’s defensive formation. Kakashi reacted instantly, driving a kunai deep into Zabuza’s stomach—but the figure dissolved into water, revealing it was only a Mizu Bunshin (Water Clone). A split second later, the real Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi and swung his sword in a lethal arc. However, the Kakashi he slashed was also just a Water Clone.

Zabuza realized in shock that Kakashi had just copied his technique. In the blink of an eye, Kakashi appeared behind Zabuza. Pressing a cold kunai against the assassin’s throat, he warned him not to move a muscle.