Haku suddenly began forming hand seals with only one hand, a sight that astonished both Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. Even Kakashi had only seen such a technique during the Third Great Ninja War, when Chinya and Third Mizukage fought — Third Mizukage had once used single-handed seals.
[Secret Technique: Thousand Needles of Death!]
Haku stamped his foot on the water beneath him, sending it splashing into the air, transforming into senbon made of water.
As Haku's needles launched forward, both Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha closed their eyes, recalling their training from recent days.
Naruto had been practicing the Wind Breathing All Sword Techniques. Each time he unleashed it, powerful wind blades capable of slicing through nearly anything were formed. A skilled practitioner could also wrap these wind blades around limbs to use in taijutsu.
With some guidance from Kakashi, Naruto had just begun to understand how to wrap wind blades around his limbs, though he hadn't put them to the test yet.
Meanwhile, Sasuke focused on the Tree-walking technique, channeling chakra rapidly to the soles of his feet.
At the same moment, both Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha opened their eyes.
Sasuke concentrated chakra into his right foot and forcefully stomped the ground, pushing Haku backward.
At the same time, Naruto wrapped wind blades around his right leg and kicked toward Haku.
Haku immediately tried to retreat, but because of the extended range provided by the wind blade surrounding Naruto's leg, a small cut was carved across Haku's cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.
At the same time, Sasuke leapt into the air and hurled numerous shuriken at Haku.
Haku continued retreating while dodging Sasuke's projectiles.
Naruto also tightly gripped his ninja sword and attacked Haku from the side.
[Wind Breathing: First Sword Type – Dust Cyclone Slash!]
Naruto quickly closed in on Haku. A spiral-shaped wind blade trailing behind him scraped the ground as he swung his blade at Haku.
Immediately, Haku formed hand seals.
[Ice Release: Ice Enclosure Wall!]
A wall of ice rose up before him.
Naruto's sword struck against the icy barrier.
The wind blade instantly shattered the wall into fine ice particles. The force from the impact generated a shockwave that sent Haku flying backward, crashing beside Zabuza.
Looking down at Haku on the ground, Sasuke smirked, "That's it, huh?"
Naruto turned to Zabuza. "This is all your backup can do?"
Zabuza suddenly began laughing.
Hearing Zabuza laugh, both Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha frowned.
The laugh dripped with contempt.
Zabuza looked at Haku, who was getting back up. "Haku, be a bit more serious now. At this rate, we'll end up being overwhelmed. Don't let them have the last laugh."
"Yes."
Haku's entire demeanor changed dramatically, causing both Naruto and Sasuke to grow solemn.
Haku formed hand seals with both hands.
[Ice Release: Ice Spike Strike!]
Suddenly, countless spikes of ice erupted from the ground beneath Naruto and Sasuke.
Instantly, both Naruto and Sasuke jumped high to avoid them.
Then, using Shifting Body Technique, Haku appeared behind them mid-air.
With a kick each, Haku sent both Naruto and Sasuke crashing back down to the ground.
Naruto twisted mid-air and landed on his feet.
"Wind Breathing, the second form..."
However, before Naruto Uzumaki could execute his sword technique, Haku had already released another ninja art.
"Ice Release Secret Technique: Ultimate Glacial Binding!"
The temperature around Naruto suddenly dropped, and ice crystals rapidly formed on the ninja sword in his hand.
Naruto immediately aborted his sword technique and leapt back.
A large chunk of ice solidified where Naruto had stood just a moment ago. If he had still been there, he'd be trapped in the ice.
Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha looked at Haku with alarm.
Haku now was nothing like the one from before.
Kakashi's expression grew serious.
It appeared that Zabuza's ally might prove too much for Naruto and Sasuke to handle.
Just as Kakashi prepared to intervene, Zabuza used the Shifting Body Technique to appear directly in front of him.
"Let the kids take care of each other. Your opponent now is me. If you had helped those two brats just now, the old man behind you would already be dead. I've given you one chance—I won't give another."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes at Zabuza before asking, "Since you know my speed, yet still dare appear before me like this, are you really not afraid at all?"
"Scared? Hmph. Why should I be scared? Have you defeated me?"
As he spoke, unexpectedly, Zabuza shot several water needles toward Tazuna and Sakura Haruno behind Kakashi.
Kakashi's pupils contracted. He immediately used the first form—Thunder Flash—to grab both Sakura and Tazuna and dodge the attack. Still, one of the water needles struck Sakura's left arm, though it wasn't a severe injury.
Kakashi created a Shadow Clone to stand guard in front of Sakura and Tazuna.
Then, looking toward the distant Zabuza, Kakashi mocked, "How despicable of you, Zabuza."
Zabuza chuckled. "Despicable? What's despicable about it? Don't forget—we're ninjas. Aren't ninjas practically synonymous with using any means necessary? I told you—the outcome of our battle depends on that old man. If I kill him, my mission succeeds while yours fails. That means I win and you lose."
Kakashi had already lifted the forehead protector covering his Sharingan.
Zabuza understood Thunder Breathing techniques well. This wasn't going to be a quick fight. Plus, he'd already used a Shadow Clone earlier. Without activating the Yin Seal, his chakra supply might soon become insufficient.
Kakashi performed a hand seal.
"Yin Seal Release!"
The diamond-shaped mark on Kakashi's forehead, previously hidden beneath his protector, transformed into a unique pattern.
Stored chakra surged through Kakashi's entire body.
"Oh? So you're finally getting serious! That's exactly what I hoped for!"
Zabuza formed hand seals with both hands.
[Water Release: Wild Water Wave!]
After joining his palms, Zabuza instantly summoned spiraling torrents of water rising rapidly like whirlwinds—expanding outward like cascading waterfalls toward Kakashi, Sakura Haruno, and Tazuna.
Sakura and Tazuna were absolutely terrified as they saw the wave crashing toward them like an enormous waterfall.
Kakashi's Shadow Clone quickly performed hand seals.
[Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!]
Kakashi's Shadow Clone raised two earthen walls in front of him, blocking the incoming surge of water.
Since Sakura Haruno couldn't yet walk on water, she and Tazuna stood atop one of the walls.
A moment later, water surged over the entire bridge.
Kakashi stood on the water's surface, facing down Zabuza.
Zabuza smirked and said, "Kakashi, your Thunder Breathing is fast, but how about underwater?"
Zabuza immediately dove entirely beneath the surface.
Kakashi aimed his ninja sword at Zabuza, who was swiftly swimming through the water.
[Thunder Breathing's Fifth Form – Heat Thunder Realm!]
Kakashi released a lightning-style slash, blazing with intense heat, striking toward Zabuza beneath the surface.
As the lightning-style slash entered the water, its current immediately dispersed. Its speed and heat plummeted. Meanwhile, underwater, Zabuza moved even faster than on land. The water around him had become extremely thick, severely limiting its conductivity, allowing him to easily evade Kakashi's attack.
Kakashi let out a sharp 'tch' of frustration. "Looks like you came fully prepared."
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