"That's quite an honor indeed."
"The feeling is mutual."
Kakashi Hatake and Zabuza Momochi stood facing each other in confrontation, while Sakura started lecturing Naruto and Sasuke on their side.
"See? You should all learn from Kakashi-sensei."
"Learn what?" Naruto wore a puzzled expression.
"Learn how to compliment each other like pros!" Sakura explained to the two boys. "Look at how Kakashi-sensei and that creepy bandaged guy in cow-print clothes are going all out bragging about each other's glorious achievements, showing us just how strong the opponent really is. This is actually a very clever strategy of mutual hype!"
"Mutual hype?" Naruto became curious, while Sasuke also perked up his ears and listened attentively.
Chapter 135: Haku vs. Motoi [Lower]
"Don't you see?" Sakura continued explaining quietly to Naruto and Sasuke. "Both Kakashi-sensei and that creepy bandaged guy in cow-print clothing are enthusiastically hyping each other up. This makes everyone believe their opponent is extremely formidable. So if Kakashi-sensei loses at the end, he can claim the enemy was simply too strong, which wasn't his fault. And if Kakashi-sensei wins, even better! He defeated someone so powerful, making him seem even more impressive. Therefore, whether they win or lose, this mutual hype tactic ensures no loss at all. That's why both Kakashi-sensei and that creepy bandaged guy in cow-print clothing are being exceptionally smart."
Sakura concluded her explanation with finality, "Kakashi-sensei truly deserves being called a sly old fox. His actions are always such a classic move for any top Jonin! We still have much to learn!"
"I get it now!" Naruto felt as though a light bulb had gone off in his head. "So whenever we encounter enemies in the future, should we also hype them up like Kakashi-sensei?"
"I think that's necessary!" Sasuke displayed a thoughtful look. "Before battle begins, one must carefully consider all possible outcomes of winning or losing."
"You're absolutely right," Sakura nodded. "This behavior of Kakashi-sensei is essentially laying down safety measures beforehand. After all, without some mutual praise, who would know how formidable you truly are?"
"Aren't you three misunderstanding what qualifies as an essential trait for a Jonin?"
Kakashi Hatake secretly sighed, the tense atmosphere in the battlefield instantly dissipating. He felt that if he kept bringing these three brats on missions, he was doomed.
"Hatake Kakashi, are all Konoha Genins like these undisciplined rowdy kids?"
Zabuza Momochi, known here as the creepy bandaged guy in cow-print clothing, looked rather displeased. In his mind, a little man was screaming 'screw this mutual hype' and 'screw this cow-print outfit!' What's wrong with wearing bandages on my face? What did I ever do to you?
"No, only these few unruly brats who just graduated this year are like that!" Kakashi immediately distanced himself from responsibility. The students graduating from Konoha in previous years had all been well-behaved and obedient. But these twelve graduates from this year... There were no words for them at all!
"That kind of personality just doesn't cut it for a ninja. Let me help them find peace instead!" Zabuza Momochi executed hand seals, instantly thickening the mist around them until not even a finger could be seen.
"What an idiot," Sakura muttered with a disgruntled shake of her head. Kakashi and Sasuke both had the Sharingan, so the Hiding in Mist Technique wasn't going to work too well on them. As for Naruto, between the Uzumaki's natural sensing ability, the Nine-Tails' help, and his own Danger Sensor, sneaking up on him was impossible. There was no way that fog trick would work on him.
As for Sakura herself, she always relied on spiritual perception. While the chakra mixed into the mist could confuse ordinary sensing methods, it could never fool her soul-based perception—after all, a person only had one soul.
"Heart... kidneys..."
Zabuza's voice echoed ghostly around their ears. At the same time, a terrifying killing intent surged toward them.
"Enough already! You don't need to lecture us about the eight vital spots. The human body has plenty of death points—you could die if someone slapped you the wrong way, depending on the spot. With just your shallow knowledge, stop showing off here!"
Sakura and the others remained unfazed. This level of killer instinct didn't even faze them. Back in their Inner Space, every single one of them had killing intent just as terrifying as Zabuza's. Even Minato Namikaze—who was widely known as the gentlest among them—had plenty of blood on his hands. As for those Tailed Beasts? They'd long since gotten used to their overwhelming killing intent.
Zabuza's voice faltered abruptly. His original plan was to intimidate Sakura and the others with killing intent before launching an attack, but why weren't these brats following the script? Shouldn't they be trembling in fear awaiting their doom? Why had the conversation suddenly turned into a discussion about vital points?
"Tch."
Kakashi couldn't help letting out a chuckle but quickly caught himself and stifled his laughter.
Enraged, Zabuza gave up trying to project killing intent and swung his blade straight toward Sakura's neck. Normally, he should have gone after Dazuna first—the client they were supposed to target—but this pink-haired little girl really infuriated him too much. Unless he dealt with her first, he wouldn't feel at ease.
[White Fang techniques — Draw Slash!]
Sakura shouted softly. Starlit Night unsheathed. Blades clashed. Cleaver Sword pressed against strands of hair hanging beside her forehead but failed to advance another inch.
"Slash!"
At that moment, Sasuke—who had detected Zabuza's position—quickly drew the tanto behind his back and executed an ordinary cutting strike. Though seemingly plain, this unembellished slash caused Zabuza's pupils to constrict sharply as a strong sense of danger rose within him.
He drew his sword and immediately leapt backward—not hesitating for even a moment. A seasoned warrior through and through, Zabuza always trusted his gut—and this time was no different. Just as he stepped back, Sasuke's tanto sliced past him. A blade aura flew from the tanto along Zabuza's dodging body, cutting a deep crack across the ground.
"Excellent swordsmanship."
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