Zabuza was well-prepared, creating a water environment on the bridge where the water around his body became viscous to counter Kakashi's Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques.
Kakashi definitely felt this situation was quite tricky.
If he entered the water, his speed would slow down significantly, and the power of his Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques would be greatly reduced.
However, if he avoided entering the water, Zabuza would retain complete control of the battle. He could ambush Kakashi anytime—or target Tazuna and Sakura.
It could be said that at this moment, Kakashi had absolutely no advantage over Zabuza.
Chinya, one of the onlookers, clicked his tongue: "Zabuza's move is pretty tough. Kakashi's Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques can't display their full strength; he's already at a disadvantage. Plus, he has to worry about that kid and the old man. Right from the start of the battle, he's completely fallen into a losing position. Unless Kakashi finds a way to pull Zabuza out of his home-field advantage for this fight, there's no way he can take control."
Uzumaki Sōnagi kept glancing toward Naruto: "Naruto and Sasuke are being completely pinned down by Haku. It looks like they can barely fight back."
Sasuke Uchiha could currently only assist Naruto.
Naruto kept trying to get close enough to use his Wind Breathing Sword Techniques against Haku.
But Haku never gave him that chance, keeping his distance from both Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha while using Ice Release.
Plus, since Zabuza's Water Release had saturated the entire bridge, Haku could now easily use his Ice Release.
Miyuki Uzumaki watched with an expression constantly shifting between tension and relief.
When Naruto dodged Haku's attack, her face visibly relaxed.
Yet when Haku went on the offensive again against Naruto, her expression immediately tensed up.
Right now, Miyuki's emotions kept cycling between tension and relief—back and forth without pause.
Shaking his head with a helpless sigh, Chinya said, "Miyuki, don't get so worked up. Regarding Zabuza, I can't guarantee he won't hurt Naruto, but surely you understand Haku by now? Besides, Haku already knows Naruto is your son. If he wouldn't seriously harm those workers on this bridge, he'd definitely never truly injure Naruto.
Naruto lacks actual combat experience—it might as well be his first real battle. There's tremendous benefit for him here, so just relax completely and watch his fight.
Even in the worst-case scenario—if something unexpected really happened—I would still stop it in time anyway."
Miyuki Uzumaki turned to Chinya with a smile that came off more like a grimace: "I know, but I just can't help it. I worry."
Chinya sighed and stopped trying to persuade her further.
After all, she was Naruto Uzumaki's mother. A mother worrying about her child is perfectly natural and understandable.
Take Uzumaki Sōnagi as an example. After leaving the village and coming to Otogakure, he formed the Sound Ninja Seven and carried out missions in the Rice Country. At first, Kushina Uzumaki couldn't sleep for nights, constantly worrying about his safety.
Only when Miyuki personally witnesses Naruto's growth will she feel reassured.
Because of Haku's Ice Release, the water surface froze solid, forming ice platforms that allowed Sasuke Uchiha to stand upon them. He then hurled multiple shuriken toward Haku.
Meanwhile, Naruto Uzumaki took advantage of Haku's evasion from his wind blades and charged forward again.
"Ice Release: Glacial Decapitation!"
In midair, a massive number of ice senbon solidified instantly and shot toward Naruto Uzumaki in rapid succession.
Naruto continuously swung his ninja sword. The swirling wind around the blade formed sharp wind blades that sliced the incoming ice senbon into icy dust.
Naruto desperately tried to close in on Haku, while Sasuke Uchiha assisted him from the side.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball!"
Sasuke expelled a massive fireball from behind Haku, preventing him from retreating further.
Haku rapidly formed hand seals and used Ice Rock Dome: No once more to raise an ice wall that intercepted Sasuke's flames.
At the same time, Haku formed seals again to unleash another jutsu.
[Ice Release: Ice Cloud]!
Haku clasped his hands together. In an instant, countless ice crystals formed a thick icy mist that surged toward Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
Naruto shouted toward Sasuke Uchiha: "Sasuke!"
Immediately, Sasuke ran behind Naruto.
"Wind Breathing Fifth Stage – Kan'akyū no Kaze!"
Naruto swung outward, unleashing a massive swirling wind blade that collided with the icy mist, holding back its advance.
Behind Naruto, Sasuke said: "I'll help you find an opening!"
Frowning, Naruto replied: "Do you think you can handle it?"
Those words—"Do you think you can handle it?"—sent a wave of emotions crashing over Sasuke.
Anger, frustration, powerlessness...
Naruto didn't mean anything by it; he just thought Sasuke wasn't strong enough and might miss the chance or even become a burden later.
Gritting his teeth, Sasuke snapped: "Don't underestimate me! I'll show you!"
Since Sasuke insisted, Naruto decided not to argue further: "Fine, you look for your chance. I'll wait."
As Naruto's wind blades clashed against Haku's icy mist, Sasuke left Naruto's protection and acted alone.
Sasuke reappeared at Haku's side, his Sharingan locking onto Haku.
Noticing Sasuke appearing on his flank, Haku unleashed Thousand Needles of Death, transforming water into countless senbon needles aimed at Sasuke Uchiha.
Using his Sharingan, Sasuke evaded all of Haku's attacks.
"Oh? You saw through them with that eye?"
Haku demonstrated another technique in front of Sasuke, starting to form a single-handed seal.
However, this particular seal had already been used before, and Sasuke had seen Haku perform it earlier, so he immediately recognized what jutsu was coming next and sprang into motion.
"Ice Release: Ice Spike Strike!"
The icy surface where Sasuke had stood moments ago erupted with numerous razor-sharp spikes, which now chased after him.
While dodging the spikes, Sasuke hurled several shuriken at Haku, though they were mostly off target.
"Your movements are indeed quick, but now you're trapped in a sub-zero environment — and it's only getting colder. Fighting under these conditions will gradually stiffen your bodies. Your motor skills, reflexes, and judgment will steadily decline.
The effects are already setting in — your stiffness is throwing off your aim with those tools.
You have absolutely no chance of winning. Your struggle is utterly meaningless. I don't want to kill you, but I won't allow you to recklessly block my path either. Therefore..."
Haku formed hand seals with both hands and released another ninjutsu.
[Ice Release: Frostbite Spear!]
Numerous sharp ice spears were created above Sasuke Uchiha, attacking him from all directions.
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