Chapter 31: Chapter 30 :[Zabuza ll]
Zabuza stood confidently by the water prison holding Kakashi. "Your leader is trapped, and you're just kids pretending to be shinobi. I suggest you give up before this gets messy."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata stood firm, forming a defensive line around Tazuna.
Naruto's mind raced as he analyzed the situation. Zabuza can't move while maintaining the water prison. That's our chance to disrupt it.
Hinata activated her Byakugan, her voice calm and steady. "Naruto-kun, the water prison is maintained by the real Zabuza. The clone is guarding him."
Sasuke crossed his arms, his expression a mix of irritation and confidence. "A jonin like this? Pathetic. If sensei weren't stuck, I could take him out myself."
Naruto shot Sasuke a look. "This isn't the time to get cocky, Sasuke. We need a plan."
Sasuke smirked. "I already have one. Just stay out of my way."
Sasuke darted forward, engaging Zabuza's water clone without hesitation. His kunai clashed with the clone's massive sword in a display of speed and precision.
The clone chuckled. "You've got skill for a kid, but skill alone won't save you."
Sasuke's smirk widened. "Skill? This isn't even my best."
He moved with calculated precision, forcing the clone to stay on the defensive. Despite his bravado, Sasuke's strikes were well-placed, clearly aiming to create an opening for the others.
While Sasuke occupied the clone, Naruto created a few Shadow Clones and turned to Hinata. "Hinata, keep track of the real Zabuza's movements. Let's force him to slip up."
Hinata nodded, her Byakugan focusing on Zabuza. "He's staying still, but his grip on the water prison weakens every time the clone moves."
"Perfect," Naruto said, forming a plan.
Naruto's clones launched a flurry of kunai and shuriken toward Zabuza's real body. Though Zabuza deflected the attacks, the effort distracted him momentarily, causing the water prison to waver slightly.
Sasuke glanced back, annoyed. "If you two had any real skill, we wouldn't need these distractions. Just let me handle him."
Naruto growled. "It's not about showing off, Sasuke. We're a team!"
Sasuke scoffed but continued fighting the clone with sharp precision. "A team? Don't make me laugh. You'd just slow me down if I waited for you."
Using the opening created by Naruto's clones, Kakashi focused his chakra and broke free from the water prison.
"Well done," Kakashi said calmly as he landed beside his students. He glanced at Sasuke. "Though, arrogance doesn't win battles, Sasuke. Keep that in mind."
Sasuke frowned but didn't respond, his pride stung by Kakashi's remark.
As Kakashi landed on the water's surface after breaking free of the water prison, the air seemed to thicken with tension. Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "So, the infamous Copy Ninja finally steps up. This should be interesting."
Kakashi adjusted his headband, fully revealing his Sharingan. "You've caused enough trouble for one day, Zabuza. This ends now."
Zabuza smirked, forming a series of hand seals. "Don't get cocky, Kakashi. You're not the only one who can play with strategy."
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Zabuza called out, summoning a massive dragon-shaped torrent of water.
Without hesitation, Kakashi mimicked Zabuza's hand seals, his Sharingan predicting every movement. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" he echoed.
Two colossal water dragons collided in midair, the resulting shockwave sending ripples across the battlefield.
As the mist thickened again, Zabuza used it to his advantage, vanishing from sight. His voice echoed ominously. "This mist is my domain. You can't fight what you can't see."
Kakashi remained calm, his Sharingan spinning as he analyzed the situation. "You think you have the upper hand, but I've already seen through your strategy."
Suddenly, Zabuza's massive sword swung out of the mist, aimed directly at Kakashi. Kakashi ducked and countered with a kunai, forcing Zabuza to retreat.
"You're predictable, Zabuza," Kakashi said, his tone measured but sharp. "Your overconfidence blinds you."
Zabuza snarled, his grip tightening on his sword. "Big talk for someone who was trapped in my water prison just moments ago."
Kakashi's Sharingan glinted. "Moments ago. But now, you're the one who's outmatched."
Kakashi began to mimic Zabuza's every move with eerie precision, predicting his attacks and countering them perfectly. Zabuza's frustration grew as he realized Kakashi was not just keeping up but staying one step ahead.
"Damn you!" Zabuza roared, forming another set of seals. "Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!"
A massive whirlpool of water surged toward Kakashi.
Kakashi, unflinching, performed the exact same seals. "Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!"
The two whirlpools collided, creating an enormous explosion of water. Using the chaos as cover, Kakashi dashed forward, closing the distance between him and Zabuza and delivereing a critical blow..
As the mist began to clear, Kakashi stood over Zabuza, his kunai pressed against the rogue shinobi's throat. "It's over, Zabuza."
Zabuza's eyes widened in shock. "How… how are you this fast?"
Kakashi's Sharingan glimmered. "Because I saw everything before you even thought of it."
Before Kakashi could deliver the final blow, a flurry of senbon needles struck Zabuza's neck. His body stiffened and fell to the ground, seemingly lifeless.
A masked figure stepped out of the remaining mist. "Thank you for your help, Leaf Shinobi. I'll take care of Zabuza from here."
Kakashi studied the hunter-nin carefully, his Sharingan still active. After a moment, he nodded, lowering his weapon. "Understood. Just make sure he doesn't cause any more trouble."
The hunter-nin picked up Zabuza's body and vanished, leaving Team 7 to regroup.
Kakashi turned to his team, his expression serious but composed. "You all did well today. Your teamwork and quick thinking gave me the opening I needed."
Naruto, though exhausted, grinned. "We're not just some rookies, Kakashi-sensei."
Sasuke scoffed. "If you hadn't been caught, we wouldn't have had to work so hard."
Hinata spoke quietly but confidently. "We worked as a team. That's what matters."
Kakashi smiled slightly, his exhaustion finally showing. "Let's head back. We still have a mission to complete."
As they escorted Tazuna back to his house, the team couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over.
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Author's notes.
Please give me power stones.
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