missing nin vs teamwork

I personally think the proximate fight between Zabuza, the missing ninja of the hidden village of the Mist and Team Seven, was a very important step towards friendship and also, the first attempts of real team work. As soon as Kakashi was caught, Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke were completely on their own and stillchose to fight, even after Kakashi had told them to run away. Even if the situation seemed helpless at first, there wasn't a second where they thought of this option.

However, as soon as Kakashi was put out of action, the battle only seemed to get worse and worse- until the point Naruto thought this time he was really going to die and suddenly, the pain of his hand reminded him of what he had sworn to himself earlier.

From this moment on Naruto showed his true fighting spirit. He completely surpressed all thoughts which would make him vulnerable, like fear, and solely concentrated on the things going on right before him.

First he retrieved his forehead protector, which was flung away before by Zabuza and which is, after all, extremely important to him- as it's the sign of him being a ninja, a true shinobi. Then, reckless as we're used to him, he simply told Sasuke to lend him his ear- he'd have a plan, which he's only able to accomplish with the help of Sasuke.

"Now.. let's get wild!"
Naruto, Chapter 14


In the confusion of the subsequently battle scenes, Naruto used the chance to transform himself into a shuriken and then used one of his clones to throw it to Sasuke. Hardly believable this superb comes from none other than the guy who had always been on bottom of the class, no? Naruto sure surprised everyone with these excellent moves.

Sasuke immediately noticed the plan when he got a hold of he shuriken, and used his own plus the one of Naruto, to throw them at Zabuza. Zabuza dodged both, but he couldn't know the second one was Naruto - who transformed into his old self as soon as he was behind Zabuza.

The plan was successful and Kakashi was saved. The rest of the fight was carried out only by Kakashi and Zabuza, where Kakashi once again proved what incredible power the Sharingan eyes posses.

If you ask me, I think this chapter already showed much of Sasuke's and Naruto's relationship - even if they are always fighting and quarreling, when it comes down to such imporant things, it's like they know what the other one thinks. They didn't hesitate about working together as a real team, and Sasuke knew without Naruto saying anything, what was going on. It was like.. he actually sensed it, as soon as he touched the shuriken. It's just amazing how well they interact and work together after a rather short period of time- and as it seems, when those two are together, they're unbeatable as a team.

Being so different, they just complement one another brilliantly as soon as they decide to fight together. :D

Found at Chapter 14, Episode 8