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On the other side
Kakashi was stranded in the mist, hoping to fare well in the fight against Zabuza.
"Darn it, it has been a while since I've last fought in such bad conditions..." He commented as the fog grew denser and denser.
Zabuza noticed Naruto drop off Sasuke with his senses and decided to go in that direction, knowing that he would probably find Tazuna.
Be calm… Think….What will he come after? Kakashi thought. Oh no…
It suddenly clicked in Kakashi's mind as he dashed in the direction where the group was.
Zabuza raised his blade up and decided to swing it down on Sakura, who was protecting Tazuna and Sasuke, while Kakashi appeared just before the blade could touch Sakura, as it made its way into Kakashi's body, leaving a huge bloody gash on the front of Kakashi's body.
"You were late entering to guard Kakashi," Zabuza commented.
Kakashi remained still, his breathing controlled, despite the sharp sting from the open wound on his chest. The dense fog curled around him like a living entity, suffocating his senses. His muscles were taut, prepared for the next attack.
Damn it… He thought, wiping the blood trickling down his chin. The conditions are getting even worse than I expected.
Zabuza, hidden within the mist, smirked. He could feel Kakashi's unease.
The legendary Copy Ninja was struggling.
"Your whole-hearted intent to protect those brats has clouded your Sharingan, Kakashi," Zabuza's voice echoed, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Even with those impressive eyes, your ability to read movements is slipping. That's the problem with sentimental fools… You hesitate. And hesitation is death."
Kakashi forced a chuckle, straightening himself. "The great Zabuza Momochi, acting like a child… all because he got sent flying by one punch from one of my students?"
A flicker of irritation flashed across Zabuza's face.
The mist thickened, and the air turned colder.
And then, he was gone.
Kakashi's heartbeat steadied. He had regained his composure.
Zabuza's movements are unreadable in this mist… but he's too confident.
Kakashi slowly reached inside his vest, fingers wrapping around a special scroll.
If I can't see him… I'll force him to reveal himself.
With a sharp bite, he punctured his thumb, smearing warm blood across the aged paper.
Zabuza, still hidden in the mist, scoffed. "What are you up to, Kakashi?"
The mist swirled unnaturally, responding to the killing intent seeping from Zabuza's form.
"You're wasting your time," Zabuza taunted. "Whatever you're planning won't work."
Kakashi ignored him, his fingers swiftly weaving through hand seals.
Zabuza grinned from his hidden vantage point, perched on the incomplete edge of the bridge.
"You have absolutely no idea where I am right now," He sneered. "But I know exactly where you are… Kakashi, you're completely in my hands now."
The cold wind howled between them.
----
Inside the mirror prison
Haku was facing Naruto in the crystal mirror dome.
"Naruto... are you going to fight me too?" Haku asked.
Naruto chuckled and shook his head. "I don't think so..."
Haku's eyes widened in confusion at Naruto's words. "What do you mean…?"
Naruto smirked, hands casually tucked into his pockets. "We won't get the chance to finish this fight. Someone else is far more eager to take Zabuza's life than either me or Kakashi."
Before Haku could respond, a slow, deliberate clap rang out across the bridge.
The rhythmic sound was accompanied by the sharp echo of footsteps—too many to count—marching forward with unearned confidence.
A greasy, mocking voice cut through the tension like a dull blade.
"Hah! What a pathetic sight."
Haku turned sharply, Zabuza's mist shifting as if recoiling from the presence of filth.
Even Kakashi, who had been preparing for Zabuza's next move, halted, his Sharingan narrowing as he focused on the approaching figures.
Tazuna's breath hitched in his throat. He instinctively stepped back, eyes widening in alarm. "No way… It's him."
Even Sakura, who had been kneeling beside Sasuke, tending to his wounds, felt a chill of disgust crawl up her spine. She clenched her fists, a sudden urge to vomit rising in her throat.
She had never seen a man exude such pure, rotten greed.
Gato had arrived.
He strode forward like a king, despite his short, rat-like stature. Dressed in luxurious robes that were utterly unfitting for a battlefield, his slicked-back hair glistened with excess oil, making his already repulsive features look even slimmer.
Behind him, a sea of mercenaries and rogue shinobi sneered, their weapons gleaming in the mist.
Gato's lips curled into a grin, his beady eyes sweeping across the battlefield with a mix of mockery and amusement.
"Ninjas… what a bunch of useless trash. You fight, you kill, you act all high and mighty—only to be tossed aside like broken tools when you're no longer needed."
Zabuza's fingers twitched around Kubikiribōchō, his grip tightening. "What the hell are you doing here, Gato?"
Gato clicked his tongue and shook his head, taking slow, exaggerated steps forward.
"That's the problem with you shinobi, Zabuza. You're nothing but hired weapons. Disposable. Replaceable. And yet—" He chuckled, shaking his head, "—you still think you're special. You actually thought I'd pay you?"
Zabuza's eyes darkened, his teeth grinding together. "So that's how it is, huh?"
Gato snorted, his amusement growing.
"Of course! Why would I waste my money on a failure?" His smirk widened, venom dripping from his voice. "You couldn't even kill some brats and an old man."
Tazuna stiffened, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists. So this was Gato's true nature, he had never intended to uphold his deal.
Zabuza's killing intent surged, but Gato did not flinch. Instead, he laughed.
"Oh, please. You're just a dog on a leash... except you bit off more than you could chew." His tone turned condescending. "And when a dog gets too wild, you put it down."
His gaze flickered to Haku, and for a moment, he simply sneered.
"And this?" He gestured toward Haku lazily. "Your little pet? What a joke."
Haku stepped forward without hesitation, standing protectively in front of Zabuza. "You will not lay a hand on him!"
Gato's lips curled, his shoulders shaking—before he burst into laughter.
"And what are you gonna do, huh? Throw some ice at me? Please." He wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Loyalty like that is wasted on a dead man."
Kakashi, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm, but his piercing gaze burned with cold fury.
"Gato… You really are the worst kind of scum."
Gato rolled his eyes, utterly unimpressed. "Oh, shut up, Ninja. You're no different. You fight, you kill, and in the end, your body will be dumped in the dirt just like any other mercenary. Why act self-righteous?"
Kakashi remained still, but deep down, he was calculating. This situation had just changed dramatically.
The battle was no longer just against Zabuza and Haku.
This was about survival.
Gato waved his hand lazily.
Instantly, his mercenaries unsheathed their weapons, stepping forward with eager, bloodthirsty grins.
"Zabuza, you should've bowed your head and listened when I gave the order." Gato's smirk turned sadistic. "But since you didn't… I guess it's time to cut you down."
He took one last step forward, his next words ringing with finality.
"Kill them all."
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