Naruto Uzumaki successfully launched a surprise attack, sending Haku flying and severely injuring him.
Sasuke Uchiha stared in shock at Naruto Uzumaki. He never expected that not only was Naruto unharmed, but he had also pulled off the surprise attack and defeated Haku.
Because of forcibly releasing the Grand Fireball Technique, Sasuke Uchiha could no longer hold on. His eyes rolled back, and he fell unconscious.
Zabuza felt a surge of alarm when he saw the badly injured Haku.
Haku actually lost? Defeated by those two... No, by Naruto Uzumaki alone?
Taking advantage of Zabuza's distraction, Kakashi seized the opportunity.
[Thunder Breathing's Fifth Form — Chidori Kai: Heat Realm Lightning!]
From a distance, Kakashi released a high-temperature slash-shaped lightning strike, slamming into Zabuza's raised Cleaver Sword as he blocked.
As Zabuza tightly gripped the Cleaver Sword to defend against Heat Realm Lightning, Kakashi drew two kunai.
He channeled Chidori-charged energy into both kunai simultaneously.
One Chidori Kunai was thrown toward Zabuza's right side.
Then, locking onto the first Chidori Kunai with his Sharingan, he launched the second one.
Zabuza's mind was elsewhere—focused entirely on Haku's injuries.
Moreover, the chirping sound from Heat Realm Lightning masked the noise of Kakashi's two Chidori-charged kunai.
A Chidori Kunai suddenly streaked through the air to Zabuza's right.
Zabuza noticed it and turned his gaze toward the weapon.
Just as Zabuza thought Kakashi had missed, another Chidori Kunai appeared and struck the first one.
Upon impact, one of them changed trajectory and shot straight toward Zabuza.
"Damn it!"
Zabuza tried to dodge, but everything happened too suddenly. Plus, the Chidori Kunai moved at lightning speed—it was impossible to evade.
The Chidori Kunai pierced through Zabuza's left arm.
Electricity surged through Zabuza's body, instantly paralyzing him completely.
Gritting his teeth, Zabuza tried to endure, but Kakashi had already materialized behind him, holding a Ninja Sword against his shoulder.
"Zabuza, it's over. You've lost."
Kakashi shouted at Naruto Uzumaki, who was rushing toward the just-collapsed Haku with the intent to deliver a final blow: "Naruto, stop!"
Naruto halted and looked at Kakashi in confusion.
Kakashi explained, "They're rogue Mist ninjas. We don't have jurisdiction—we can't execute rogue Mist ninja. That's up to the Mist Village."
Naruto couldn't quite believe it—if Zabuza and Haku had attacked them as enemies, why weren't they allowed to finish them off? Was there really such a rule?
Kakashi asked Zabuza, "So, do you acknowledge this result?"
Zabuza snorted coldly without speaking.
At that moment, a group of people appeared at the bridge entrance.
Standing at the forefront of the crowd, Gato sneered, "I'm very disappointed, Zabuza."
Zabuza frowned while staring at Gato. "Why are you here? And who exactly are these people behind you?"
Gato sneered arrogantly, "Our operation plan has changed slightly. Did you really think I wouldn't find out about you and that brat investigating my assets? Sorry, Zabuza, but please die right here!"
Zabuza glared at Gato with terrifying eyes. "What did you say?"
Gato mocked, "Hiring official ninja would cost a fortune, so I specifically hired rogue ninja like you. And if you ninja kill each other off, it saves me both money and time. Honestly, calling yourself the Demon of the Mist — that's just ridiculous! In my opinion, you're all just clowns!"
The people behind Gato also burst into laughter.
Suddenly Kakashi raised his eyebrow and said to Sakura Haruno hiding behind him, "Throw Sasuke over your back and get Mr. Tazuna out of here."
Sakura Haruno looked at the unconscious Sasuke Uchiha, then at Gato and the numerous wandering samurai and rogue ninja behind him, and said worriedly, "But Kakashi sensei..."
Kakashi smiled at Sakura Haruno and said, "Don't worry, just go straight ahead."
Trusting Kakashi, Sakura Haruno ran to the unconscious Sasuke Uchiha, carried him on her back, and prepared to leave with Tazuna.
"Hey hey hey, Konoha ninja, do you think we're just decoration here? Today all of you die right here!"
Gato's voice suddenly stopped mid-sentence as his whole body began trembling.
At the same time, all the rogue ninja and wandering samurai behind Gato bent their backs and broke into cold sweats, as if bearing tremendous pressure.
Suddenly nine people wearing masks appeared standing on the bridge railing.
Sakura Haruno squinted at those nine masked figures and recognized the forehead protectors of Otogakure.
"Go now, Sakura," Kakashi said. "These are ninja from Otogakure. We have deep cooperation with them — they're our allies. Leave this to us. Sasuke needs urgent medical treatment."
Sakura Haruno turned her head to look at the pale-faced, weakly breathing Sasuke Uchiha before nodding. "I understand, Kakashi sensei. Let's go, Mr. Tazuna."
With Sasuke Uchiha slung over her back, Sakura hurried away alongside Tazuna.
Neither Gato nor the rogue ninja and wandering samurai tried to stop them. Right now, they were completely immobilized by overwhelming pressure.
During the bumpy movement, Sasuke Uchiha briefly regained consciousness and vaguely saw those nine figures.
But when Sasuke Uchiha tried to look more carefully, he lost consciousness again.
Meanwhile, Naruto Uzumaki's gaze locked onto the red-haired woman among the nine masked figures, his heart pounding like a drum.
Kakashi helplessly spoke up, "Teacher, Chinya... it's been so long since we last met. The first thing you give me upon meeting is such a big surprise."
"Teacher?! How could it be anyone other than Chinya?"
Now that Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Tazuna had already left, Chinya no longer needed to wear his mask. He removed it with a smile and said, "Do you like this surprise? As your teacher, I was also curious to see what progress my students have made over these years. Frankly speaking, not great."
Kakashi rolled his eyes, released the Yin Sealing Technique, and pulled down his forehead protector to cover his Sharingan once again.
Uzumaki Sōnagi removed her mask and waved toward Naruto Uzumaki, who was distracted, staring at Chinya. "Naruto! Long time no see!"
Naruto Uzumaki exclaimed in surprise: "Sōnagi..."
Miyuki used the Body Flicker Technique and appeared right in front of Naruto.
Miyuki pulled off her mask, her eyes red and glistening with tears as she gazed at Naruto.
The moment Miyuki appeared, Naruto's heart suddenly pounded wildly. His eyes widened, locked onto Miyuki's face, and tears welled up for no reason.
Miyuki's voice trembled with emotion: "Naruto… Finally, we meet."
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