Kakashi moved like a shadow, his Sharingan spinning, tracking every twitch of Zabuza's muscles. The rogue shinobi was fast, strong, and merciless, but Kakashi was reading him, mimicking his movements, predicting his next strike before he even made it.
Zabuza scowled, gripping his cleaver tight. "Damn copy ninja..."
He swung, but Kakashi dodged, slipping past his defenses like water. A kunai lashed out, grazing Zabuza's bicep, drawing a thin line of blood.
"You're too slow," Kakashi murmured, voice low and calm.
Zabuza gritted his teeth, shifting back, adjusting his grip. He wasn't used to being pushed like this.
And then—
A whistle split the air.
Kakashi barely had time to register the blur before thunk—two senbon needles embedded themselves into Zabuza's neck.
Zabuza's eyes widened. His grip on his cleaver slackened.
And then he collapsed.
The silence was deafening.
Naruto stared. Sasuke tensed. Sakura clutched Tazuna's sleeve.
And then—
"I appreciate your help," a voice said.
They turned.
A shinobi stood on a tree branch, clad in a deep blue outfit, their face hidden behind a porcelain mask. The symbol of Kirigakure's hunter-nin gleamed under the fading light.
"Zabuza Momochi was a rogue ninja from our village," the masked nin continued, voice smooth. "Thank you for weakening him. I'll be taking the body back."
Kakashi exhaled, lowering his kunai. "Hunter-nin, huh?"
The masked figure nodded.
They leapt down, landing near Zabuza's fallen form. A hand touched his neck, feeling for a pulse, before nodding slightly.
"He's dead."
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
Something was off.
The masked ninja heaved Zabuza's massive frame onto their back effortlessly.
"Thank you again," they said, before disappearing into the trees, body flickering out of sight.
Sakura exhaled, finally relaxing. "That was close."
"Too close," Sasuke muttered, eyes still sharp.
But Naruto—
Naruto stared after them.
He had been prey too many times to not recognize a lie.
His glowing blue eyes flicked to Kakashi. "Why did you let them go?"
Kakashi gave him a tired look. "Naruto—"
"They were lying," he said flatly.
Kakashi sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yes."
Sakura's head snapped toward them. "Wait—what?"
"Zabuza's not dead," Kakashi admitted. "Those senbon were too precise. They didn't hit anything vital. The hunter-nin just put him in a near-death state."
Naruto frowned. "Then why—"
"Because I'm too tired to fight another battle right now," Kakashi muttered.
And then—
He collapsed.
"Sensei!" Sakura yelped.
Naruto watched as Kakashi hit the dirt, his entire body slack, Sharingan flickering out of sight as his headband slipped back into place.
Sasuke took a step forward, scowling. "Seriously?"
Tazuna looked down. "Uh. I mean. My house is close."
Naruto crouched, inspecting Kakashi's unconscious form. His breathing was steady, just shallow.
Naruto sighed, glancing at Sasuke. "Help me carry him."
Sasuke groaned. "Tch. Fine."
Together, they hoisted their jounin instructor up, arms slung over their shoulders, dragging him along the dirt path.
"Geez," Sasuke muttered. "He's heavier than he looks."
"He's dead weight," Naruto said.
"Obviously—"
"Literally, dead weight," Naruto repeated. "He passed out. He can't hold himself up. We're carrying a log, basically."
Sasuke scowled. "Shut up and walk."
Tazuna led the way, Sakura trailing behind, muttering about how unfair this all was.
Naruto had a feeling this mission was about to get a whole lot messier.