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Buzz!

Just as expected.

The moment the three of them stepped forward, barely a few meters out—

A terrifying gust of sword wind tore through the thick mist.

Zabuza's massive executioner blade spun through the air like a buzzsaw, threatening to slice all three of them in half.

First the dense fog to obscure vision.

Then a sudden ambush from a flying blade.

A textbook-perfect assassination routine.

But—

To Yoruha, who was watching everything through the clarity of his Byakugan—

Zabuza was as exposed as a fish on a cutting board.

Nothing about him was hidden.

Clang!

Yoruha's sword shot from its sheath in an instant, meeting the massive blade in midair.

Sparks flew as steel clashed with steel. A burst of heat flickered through the mist.

"That's one hell of a sword," Yoruha muttered, frowning. "Heavy, too. That blow was evenly matched."

"Kid, are you okay?" Anko darted forward, putting herself protectively in front of him.

At that moment, the executioner blade embedded itself deep into the trunk of a nearby tree.

Then—

A shadow appeared.

Zabuza Momochi.

"Oh? So you're the ones from Konoha," he said in a low voice, stepping into view through the mist.

"Since you've made it this far, I assume those two useless fools of mine are dead?"

Zabuza's presence hit like a wall—cold, heavy, and drenched in killing intent.

Anko's throat tightened as she instinctively took a step back.

"Big sword… wrapped in bandages… insane killing aura…" she whispered.

"You're… the rogue ninja from Kirigakure… Momochi Zabuza!"

Anko's face soured immediately.

They were just trying to fish for a bounty.

And a shark answered the hook.

What kind of nightmare luck was this?

"Haha. You know who I am? Good. That'll make things easier," Zabuza smirked.

He yanked his executioner blade from the tree trunk and pointed it lazily toward Anko.

"For the sake of your precious Leaf Village," he said mockingly, "I'll spare your life.

But that old man behind you?

He's coming with me."

Anko hesitated.

Her expression turned grim.

Zabuza was strong.

Stronger than her in her current state.

If it came to a direct fight—she had no chance.

Unless…

Unless she broke the seal placed on her by the Third Hokage and used that power—the dark legacy left behind by a certain man.

So honestly?

Giving up Dazna was the safest move.

But—

"Anko," Yoruha said coolly, "do you really believe a man like Zabuza Momochi would ever let us go?"

"He just wants to see whether Konoha nin will abandon their client under pressure…

If we give him what he wants, we're no better than him. Traitors."

Zabuza narrowed his eyes at Yoruha, intrigued.

"Oh?

So you think you've got me all figured out?

You know why I defected?"

Yoruha shrugged casually.

"Not interested in the backstory of someone who's about to die."

"What I am interested in is your bounty.

And how much value you'll have once your body's on the ground."

Gulp.

Anko swallowed.

This kid really was fearless.

Didn't he realize who he was mouthing off to?

This was the Demon of the Hidden Mist.

And here Yoruha was, already thinking about reward money?

Was he mad?

Was he broke?

"Haha… You're bold, I'll give you that," Zabuza chuckled darkly.

"Let's see if your strength is as impressive as your mouth."

In a blur, Zabuza struck.

Whoosh!

His executioner blade tore through the mist, coming down with crushing speed.

Yoruha and Anko leapt to opposite sides, avoiding the swing in perfect sync.

They landed lightly on the surface of the lake, standing on water with chakra control.

"Yoruha, watch out!" Anko called.

She saw Zabuza cutting Yoruha off, forcing him to separate from her.

She wanted to move, to regroup with her student—

But just then—

Ripples.

A shadow rose silently beneath the lake.

Another Zabuza.

"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!"

Anko had been too focused on Yoruha.

She didn't notice the clone sneaking up.

A perfect trap.

Snap!

A column of water shot up and enclosed her in a swirling, airtight sphere.

"Damn it!"

"Yoruha, run!!"

"You can't beat him!"

"Forget me—just get out of here!!!"

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