Seeing Zabuza sent flying by Naruto's punch, Kakashi stood frozen for a moment, stunned by what just happened.
> "That last attack… it must have broken several of Zabuza's ribs," he thought.
Even more surprising was that Naruto didn't seem to have used his full strength. Kakashi had already sensed during the earlier battle that Naruto had been holding back.
> "So he wasn't even serious back then..."
Now, even if Zabuza kept attacking, Kakashi felt confident. He wasn't going to lose.
But Zabuza wasn't the type to go down without a backup plan.
The surrounding area was full of rivers, which gave an advantage to ninjas skilled in Water Release. Certain jutsu, when used in appropriate environments, consumed less chakra. Even a chakra-limited ninja like Kakashi could afford to cast water clones repeatedly.
Then again...
Did Naruto think using Water Clones in a nesting doll fashion wasn't impressive?
> "He actually called it 'fancy'?!" Kakashi was mildly offended. "This brat has no appreciation for the art of battle!"
---
Chat Room
Deidara: "Art is about explosion, not fancy tricks!"
Sasori: "Tch. Explosions? Your so-called 'art' is garbage."
---
"Damn brat!"
Zabuza Momochi stood up with difficulty, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. Kakashi had been right—at least seven or eight ribs were fractured. He could no longer continue fighting the way he was.
In desperation, Zabuza began making a rapid string of hand seals. He had decided to end the battle with one final ninjutsu!
Seeing this, Kakashi smiled faintly.
> "So it's finally happening."
He activated his Sharingan. This wasn't just any battle anymore—it was a demonstration of true strength.
> "Let me show you the power of the Sharingan!"
Through the power of his eye, Kakashi flawlessly tracked Zabuza's hand movements, keeping pace with his seals perfectly.
> "Boar! Dog! Ram! Horse! Monkey! Dragon! Bird! Ox! Rat!"
"Chou, Shen, Mao, Zi, Hai, You, Chou, Wu…"
It was a ridiculously long and complex series of seals. Naruto, watching from a distance, silently counted.
> "Forty-four hand seals?! Is this what real ninja battles look like?"
---
Uzumaki Naruto (thinking): "This is just… too much. It's hard to follow!"
---
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Both Zabuza and Kakashi shouted at the same time. From the still surface of the lake, two massive water dragons surged upward, clashing midair with a deafening roar. Each dragon spanned over ten meters long—their battle painted a grand scene in the sky.
> "Now that's the kind of strength I expect from a Jōnin," Naruto whispered to himself. "But you guys seriously need to speed up your hand seals!"
---
Hatake Kakashi: "My seal speed is already fast."
Senju Hashirama: "Yes, yes, of course it is!"
Uchiha Madara: "Indeed. You're the fastest I've ever seen. I, Madara, bow to your skill."
Hatake Kakashi: "...Can you all not be so sarcastic?"
---
As the water dragons dissipated, both Kakashi and Zabuza began forming more hand seals, ready to launch their next jutsu.
But this time, only one would succeed.
Kakashi's Sharingan granted him two powerful advantages: first, the ability to copy and mimic any jutsu he sees—earning him the name "Copy Ninja." And second, the power to cast genjutsu.
This time, he used the latter. In a brief instant, he cast an illusion to distract Zabuza, gaining just enough time to finish his hand seals first.
> "Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!"
A towering wave erupted from the lake and crashed violently into Zabuza, sending him flying.
Already severely injured, Zabuza had no strength left to resist. He collapsed, unable to move.
> "It's over," Kakashi declared, stepping forward. "Unless…"
But before he could finish, a kunai suddenly flew from behind him, heading straight toward Zabuza!
Turning quickly, Kakashi saw who had thrown it—Naruto.
> "Naruto! Zabuza's no longer able to fight. We should hand him over to—"
He stopped mid-sentence. The kunai, aimed straight at Zabuza's heart, was suddenly blocked by an ice wall that shot up from the ground with a sharp crack!
Bang!
The kunai embedded itself deep into the wall, which shattered moments later, the force absorbed and neutralized.
> "Someone else is here?" Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
He realized immediately—Naruto wasn't trying to kill Zabuza. He was baiting Zabuza's backup to come out of hiding.
In fact, Naruto had known all along. The Nine Tails had warned him that someone had been secretly observing the fight. So, he had casually thrown the kunai as a test, not even using full force.
> "If it kills Zabuza, good. If not, oh well."
From a tree in the distance, a young man in a Mist Village Anbu mask descended silently.
He was fully prepared to pretend he was a hunter-nin sent to dispose of Zabuza.
But when he saw the situation, he sighed internally.
> "Forget it… no point pretending anymore."
---
"Bloodline Limit: Ice Release!"
---
Kakashi grimaced. The two large-scale Water Style techniques had drained a lot of his chakra. If this young man decided to attack now, he wouldn't be able to stop him.
Thankfully, it seemed the boy had no intention of fighting. His focus was solely on Zabuza's condition.
With a puff of smoke, both he and Zabuza vanished.
Kakashi breathed a long sigh of relief. That boy was definitely no ordinary ninja.
With the enemy retreating, the rest of the team finally relaxed.
Sakura and Sasuke, who had been frozen with fear, snapped out of their trance.
Sasuke still looked frustrated.
> "I froze back there… I couldn't move. I'm such a disgrace."
> "Don't beat yourself up," Kakashi told him gently. "You're still new to this. Not everyone can be like Naruto."
> "That's right!" Sakura added cheerfully. "Besides, Mr. Tazuna is safe, and we've successfully completed our mission!"
> "Wait… speaking of Naruto… where is he?"
Everyone looked around in confusion. Naruto had disappeared.
Then, a small splash drew their attention.
Naruto's head popped up from beneath the surface of the lake.
> "Teacher Kakashi, I'm here!" he shouted, grinning as he swam to the shore.
He climbed out of the water, holding something massive in his hands.
> "I found this at the bottom of the lake. What do you think?" he asked proudly.
It was Zabuza's executioner's blade—a massive sword feared across the ninja world.
> "Don't you think it's perfect for my Thousand Sun and Moon Dance technique?"
---
Momochi Zabuza: "..."
Hatake Kakashi: "To be honest, this Naruto kid is too much. I can't deal with him anymore."
Hozuki Suigetsu: "Thanks to Mr. Zabuza, our Kirigakure treasure is now in Konoha's hands!"
Senju Hashirama: "But isn't that sword broken? How will Naruto even use it?"
Terumi Mei: "First Hokage, maybe you didn't know—Zabuza's blade is called the sword that never breaks. It can repair itself by absorbing the iron in blood."
Senju Hashirama: "Ohhh! That explains everything."
---
Onscreen, Naruto grinned and turned to Kakashi.
> "Teacher Kakashi, are you injured anywhere? If you're bleeding, don't waste it!"
Kakashi looked at him, speechless.
> "…"