Haku used an Ice Release technique to create numerous sharp ice spears aimed at Sasuke Uchiha.
Since the ice spears came from every direction without any blind spots, leaving no room to dodge, Sasuke could only use kunai in a desperate attempt to block them.
Thanks to his Sharingan's precise perception, Sasuke managed to deflect most of the ice spears. However, due to his dropping body temperature causing stiffness, he failed to block one spear that pierced through his abdomen.
Blood burst from Sasuke's mouth as the ice spear went straight through him.
"Sasuke!"
Sakura Haruno witnessed the horrifying scene where Sasuke Uchiha had been impaled by the ice spear and shouted in panic.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes while observing the battlefield where Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke were fighting, also witnessing Sasuke's injury.
At the moment Kakashi lost focus for just a second, Zabuza acted.
Underwater, Zabuza formed hand seals with both hands.
[Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique]!
A water dragon formed on the surface and surged toward Kakashi.
[Thunder Breathing's Fifth Form – Heat Thunder Realm]!
Kakashi immediately unleashed an intensely hot lightning-shaped slash, striking down the water dragon.
Kakashi became fully alert because techniques of this level posed no real threat to him. Therefore, this move was clearly just a feint.
Sure enough, right after Kakashi destroyed the water dragon, a jet of water shot toward him.
Kakashi instantly used the Shifting Body Technique to evade.
The high-pressure water stream kept firing, targeting Kakashi's Shadow Clone, Sakura Haruno, and Tazuna as well.
Kakashi's shadow clone grabbed the two and moved them out of danger.
Kakashi pulled out a kunai and channeled Chidori into it. The blade crackled with lightning energy, boosting its piercing power.
He threw the electrified kunai towards Zabuza underwater.
However, underwater, Zabuza was extremely agile. Moreover, he had infused chakra into the surrounding water, increasing its viscosity near him. As a result, the Chidori-infused kunai couldn't maintain its power and was easily dodged by Zabuza.
Zabuza kept launching surprise attacks underwater—sometimes striking Kakashi, sometimes attacking Sakura Haruno and Tazuna—causing Kakashi quite a bit of trouble.
But Kakashi remained calm and analytical.
As long as there was still water on the bridge, he would always be at a disadvantage.
To match or even surpass Zabuza, he needed to ruin this advantageous battlefield Zabuza controlled.
After thinking for a while, Kakashi figured out a solution.
He plunged his ninja sword into the water.
[Thunder Breathing's Sixth Form – Electric Roar]!
Instantly, Kakashi released countless lightning-like slashes toward the surface.
These electrified slashes raced toward Zabuza.
Zabuza created a whirlpool underwater, effortlessly pulling all the lightning slashes into the vortex until they vanished completely.
Zabuza let out a chilling smirk.
In Zabuza's eyes, Kakashi clearly knew the Thunder Breathing sword techniques had little to no effect against him underwater. Yet he still used them—this must mean Kakashi had given up in frustration.
A flicker of triumph stirred within Zabuza.
Even if he couldn't dominate Chinya, gaining the upper hand over Kakashi was satisfying enough. His mood instantly lifted.
But Kakashi was always known for his composure—how could he possibly fall into despair?
Kakashi had used Lightning Roar earlier precisely to draw Zabuza's attention toward those lightning-like slashes, causing him to overlook Kakashi himself.
Immediately after executing Lightning Roar, Kakashi used Shadow Clone Jutsu once more, creating another copy.
The two Kakashis now standing on the water were both clones.
The real Kakashi had already silently moved beneath the bridge's surface.
He aimed to disrupt Zabuza's domain. But doing so right under Zabuza's nose was difficult—he would certainly try to stop him. Plus, if Zabuza noticed Kakashi had made yet another shadow clone, he'd closely watch the real one and both clones.
That was why Kakashi released Lightning Roar—it was meant as a distraction.
Coming beneath the bridge had only one goal—to destroy Zabuza's domain.
Without hesitation, Kakashi surged into Lightning Release Chakra Mode, his body crackling with arcs of raw electricity.
If not for the chakra supplied by the Yin Seal, Kakashi wouldn't dare waste so much energy.
Sliding his blade into its sheath, Kakashi crouched low, shifting into a ready stance.
[Thunder Breathing, First Form: Lightning Flash!]
Channeling all his strength into one leg, Kakashi exploded upward from the water toward the bridge's underside. Mid-air, he swung his blade with full power—again and again.
Feeling the tremors underwater, Zabuza looked down sharply, frowning as his expression suddenly changed.
Two seconds later, a massive gap tore open on the bridge's surface, pouring torrents of water through the hole and forming a swirling whirlpool that pulled him downward.
And there beneath the bridge stood Kakashi, wreathed in arcs of pure lightning.
Zabuza immediately realized the two Kakashis on the water's surface were both clones.
He had been careless.
Staying underwater was no longer safe—it would drag him through the hole into Kakashi's attack range.
However, Kakashi's Shadow Clones certainly wouldn't let him escape easily either.
Zabuza formed hand seals and unleashed Water Release: Water Dragon Fang Crush.
Using chakra, he created a spiraling vortex rotating in the opposite direction from the one pulling him toward the opening, resisting its suction.
The surging current took the form of a massive water dragon—Water Release: Water Dragon Fang Crush—crashing toward the clones atop the dirt embankment along with Tazuna and Sakura Haruno.
The Kakashi clone guarding Sakura and Tazuna seized both and leapt skyward to evade.
Since the other clone was merely bait, it simply dispersed into smoke.
This rising torrent gathered into a colossal water dragon, continuing toward Kakashi's clone, Sakura Haruno, and Tazuna—who were still helpless midair.
Kakashi's Shadow Clone was about to release a jutsu when, suddenly, from the turbulent water below, high-speed water needles shot out without warning.
It happened so fast that Kakashi's clone had no choice but to protect Sakura Haruno and Tazuna by throwing himself in front of the attack, blocking all the water needles with his body.
The Shadow Clone dispersed into smoke and vanished.
Yet the Water Dragon rushed relentlessly toward Sakura and Tazuna.
Sakura and Tazuna stared in despair as the Water Dragon crashed toward them.
Suddenly, Kakashi appeared behind them using the Shifting Body Technique, grabbing both of them tightly.
Then, using the Shifting Body Technique again, Kakashi vanished midair along with Sakura and Tazuna.
By now, the water on the bridge had completely drained. Kakashi reappeared on the bridge, while Sakura and Tazuna knelt beside him, visibly trembling from shock.
Zabuza stood far away on the bridge, the Cleaver Sword slung over his shoulder, his gaze locked on Kakashi with clear defiance.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes while facing Zabuza. "That Water Release Ninjutsu you used just now... it was created by The Second, Senju Tobirama, wasn't it?"
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>