with the time travel element eliminated, the story could actually start with $newsensei being briefed about the C-rank gone wrong, or have a prologue from Zabuza's pov where he takes care of business and decides to let the kids go. (Killing someone he's started to consider a comrade right in front of him is apt to trigger Naruto's demon-powered berserk button though, even*) Exploring how this alters the kids from canon is too important to such a plot to keep a strict one-character perspective, though.
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows