As Kazama's Suiton (Water Release) surged forward, the three arrogant Yuki no Kuni (Snow Country) ninjas who had been boasting moments ago were instantly sliced in half. Their bodies were reduced to nothing, incinerated by the strange fire infused within the water technique.
"Kazama-kun!"
Sakura, now safe, threw her arms around Kazama in relief.
Thankfully, Kazama had strong self-control. If it were anyone else, they might've lost it and ended up with a whole clan of descendants right then and there.
"Sakura, calm down a bit!"
Kazama quickly pushed her away, knowing he'd be in trouble otherwise.
"Kazama! I knew you'd show up!"
Naruto, grinning ear to ear, ran toward Kazama.
"Sorry, everyone, I was a bit late. But you know, heroes always make a grand entrance!"
"Hmph! Always showing off!"
Sasuke, as usual, wore his signature scowl, acting unimpressed.
But deep down? He was in absolute awe of Kazama. Those three ninjas had been giving him a hard time for ages, and Kazama took them out with a single move. Even Sasuke couldn't deny that kind of skill.
"You bastard! Who the hell are you?"
Rōga Nadare, locked in a fierce battle with Kakashi, was stunned to see his three subordinates fall to this sudden newcomer, Kazama.
"Your opponent is me! Raikiri (Lightning Cutter)!"
Kakashi seized the moment of distraction, launching a deadly strike at Rōga.
"Get lost!"
Rōga Nadare kicked Kakashi to the ground with a single blow.
While Kakashi was undoubtedly stronger, Rōga's chakra-absorbing armor gave him the edge. Kakashi, notorious for his low chakra reserves, was at a clear disadvantage.
"Hey, kid, I'm talking to you! Who are you, daring to kill my men?"
Rōga Nadare strode toward Kazama, his voice dripping with menace.
"Sanada Kazama, Kakashi's student, member of Team 7!"
"Haha! So you're that loser Kakashi's student? That makes you a lowly genin, huh? Is Konoha so desperate they keep sending genin on missions? Pathetic!"
"Genin or not, I'll still wipe the floor with you!"
Seeing Rōga kick his teacher and idol Kakashi to the ground ignited a burning resolve in Kazama. This guy was as good as dead.
"Haha! You're killing me! You genin brats are all talk! Even your teacher Kakashi can't beat me, and you, his useless student, think you can take me out? Please, don't make me laugh!"
"Kazama-kun, be careful! This guy's way stronger than those three, and his armor can absorb chakra. He's dangerous!"
Sakura's warning came from behind, but Kazama simply raised his index finger toward Rōga Nadare.
"What's that, kid? You think you can beat me in a minute?"
"Not a minute. One second."
"You little—!"
Furious at being underestimated, Rōga Nadare roared and unleashed his trump card, aiming to crush Kazama in one blow.
"Hyōton (Ice Release)!"
"Suiton: Suidanha (Water Severing Wave)!"
"Haha, you idiot! My Hyōton counters your Suiton! You're done—"
But before Rōga could finish gloating, Kazama's water jet blasted through his Hyōton defense like it was nothing. The attack didn't stop there—it pierced straight through Rōga's armor and his body in one devastating strike.
"How… how is this possible? Why didn't my Hyōton stop your Suiton?"
Rōga Nadare couldn't believe it. He'd really been taken down in just one second.
"My jutsu? Nothing can counter it."
As Kazama's words echoed, Rōga Nadare's body was consumed by the strange fire within the Suiton, reduced to ash.
"Hyōton: Kokuryū Bōfūsetsu (Black Dragon Blizzard)!"
At that moment, a massive black dragon formed of ice and frost roared toward Kazama, ready to strike.