In the early morning, when everyone arrived at the bridge as usual, they immediately sensed that something was wrong. Today's morning fog was unusually thick, and the damp, cold mist pressed heavily against everyone's skin, making them feel very uncomfortable.
Kakashi's gaze instantly turned solemn. He immediately understood—this was definitely not a natural weather phenomenon. It seemed... the enemy who escaped had returned once again.
"It seems that guy is back." Kakashi's voice drifted through the thick fog. "Satsuki, Sakura, your mission is to protect the client! Naruto, scout the surroundings and be ready to respond to an attack at any moment!"
He quickly issued the battle command. Everyone immediately formed a defensive formation, with Sakura and Satsuki guarding Tazuna in the center. Naruto also focused intensely, sensing for any trace of unusual Chakra fluctuation nearby.
Just then, Zabuza's voice, filled with Killing Intent, came from all directions, echoing in the thick fog.
"Kept you waiting, Kakashi... and that blond brat... I advise you not to waste your effort anymore. This time, the Old Man is dead!"
As his voice fell—
"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"
Several figures suddenly rushed out of the thick fog without warning! They all maintained Zabuza's appearance, wielding long swords, launching swift assaults on the defensive circle from different angles!
"Attack!"
As Kakashi gave the command, the battle instantly erupted!
Naruto and Satsuki met the charging "Zabuzas." Naruto swiftly ducked, precisely avoiding a horizontal slash, then used his core strength to unleash a fierce "Leaf Whirlwind" kick!
"Bang!" A muffled sound rang out, and the "Zabuza" who was kicked in the chest instantly dissolved into a puddle of water—it was indeed a Water Clone.
Satsuki, on the other side, saw through the trajectory of all the attacks with the aid of her Sharingan.
She effortlessly leaned sideways to avoid the descending blade, then instantly activated the Body Flicker Technique, appearing like a flash behind another Water Clone. The Kunai in her hand traced a cold arc, precisely slashing across the "enemy's" neck. Another Water Clone dissolved into water in response.
"I won't be afraid anymore."
Satsuki muttered to herself, a determined light flickering in her Sharingan. Compared to that pain, which was more terrifying than death... this level of Killing Intent was nothing to fear!
Just as Naruto quickly used Taijutsu to clear out the other Water Clones, Satsuki's Sharingan suddenly caught a few extremely subtle, almost imperceptible reflections in the fog behind her!
She flicked her wrist, and several shuriken flew out, shooting toward that direction with a sharp whistling sound.
"Clang, clang, clang—!"
Several crisp metallic collision sounds rang out! Several Senbon, originally aimed at Sakura and Tazuna, were completely intercepted and knocked down mid-air by Satsuki's accurately thrown shuriken.
"They truly are two troublesome brats. Haku, it seems your opponent has appeared."
Zabuza's voice rang out again in the thick fog. Immediately after, two figures slowly walked out of the low-visibility mist, appearing clearly before everyone—it was Zabuza Momochi, whose injuries had healed and whose Killing Intent was even stronger, and the silent young man beside him wearing a Hidden Mist Anbu mask.
Kakashi's gaze instantly locked onto the masked young man. Was he the one who used Ice Release to save Zabuza that day?
"Is that the reinforcement you found, Zabuza?" Kakashi said in his characteristic, casually mocking tone. "He's even wearing a mask... I've always hated guys who hide behind masks and act mysterious."
Seeing Haku's figure, Naruto immediately volunteered to fight. "Kakashi-sensei, leave that masked guy to me! He looks really strong."
Haku quietly looked at Naruto, whom he had met briefly a few mornings ago. The voice beneath the mask was still gentle. "I see... so he is the one who caused Mr. Zabuza such a loss?"
"You should be prepared, Haku," Zabuza ordered. "Go, and don't underestimate him."
"Yes, Mr. Zabuza." Haku nodded slightly and respectfully.
The next second, Haku's figure vanished from his spot without warning! When he reappeared, he had used Body Flicker to position himself directly in front of Naruto!
So fast! Even Kakashi couldn't help but be startled. The enemy, who looked only a few years older than Naruto, possessed such astonishing speed!
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
A series of crisp, rapid metallic clashes instantly erupted! Naruto reacted extremely quickly, using the Kunai in his hand to precisely block the senbon Haku held.
Immediately afterward, Haku twisted his body, disengaging from the brief weapon exchange, and launched a continuous barrage of attacks against Naruto using swift and fluid Taijutsu! However, Naruto's Taijutsu Foundation was equally solid, and amidst the exchange of fists and feet, he managed to deflect and block Haku's attacks one by one!
Seeing this, Satsuki, who was nearby, didn't hesitate and immediately stepped forward to provide support! She rapidly swung her hands, and several shuriken tied with transparent Chakra Threads traced eerie arcs, bypassing the entangled Naruto and accurately striking the exposed back of Haku!
Haku immediately sensed the threat coming from behind! He then continued to parry and block Naruto's Taijutsu attacks with one hand, while his other hand began forming hand seals with incredible speed and dexterity!
Seeing this, even Kakashi couldn't help but gasp in shock. "One-Handed Seals?! I've never witnessed that kind of technique firsthand..."
Then my dad really hid his skills well... Hearing Kakashi's exclamation, Naruto couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Just before Satsuki's shuriken hit Haku, a thick, hard Ice Mirror instantly materialized behind him! "Doh, doh, doh!" The shuriken were all blocked by the Ice Mirror, embedding themselves in the icy surface.
"Lightning Release: Roaring Thunder!"
Satsuki didn't pause for a second. Gripping the Chakra Threads connected to the shuriken tightly, she quickly completed the Lightning Release hand seals! The next moment, a visible, violently crackling and terrifying current rapidly conducted along the transparent Chakra Threads!
"Boom—!!!"
The dazzling lightning fiercely struck the Ice Mirror! The hard Ice Mirror could not withstand such a violent lightning strike and instantly shattered, sending ice shards flying everywhere!
Haku sensed the danger and, remaining calm, began forming One-Handed Seals again.
And just as the Ice Mirror burst, Satsuki's figure had already appeared behind him as if teleported! The Kunai in her hand, infused with cold Killing Intent, ruthlessly stabbed toward Haku's back!
However, Haku's next Ninjutsu had already completed its seals. "Secret Technique: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death."