Kakashi rubbed his head, smiling as he looked at Zabuza. "What about fighting the future Sixth Hokage as well?"
Hearing that, Zabuza gave a bitter smile, "I can't take you on—so I'll just fight the three kids."
He glanced at Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, a glint of expectation in his eyes.
Kakashi thought for a moment and nodded.
He had confidence in his own strength, and in his students' abilities as well. If anything went wrong, he could immediately step in and stop it.
Besides, the pervy Legendary Sanin was still around. Kakashi's gaze flicked briefly toward the deeper part of the forest. Jiraiya was definitely hiding somewhere watching. So with him here too, Zabuza wouldn't be able to cause any real trouble.
Seeing Kakashi agree, the three kids instantly got excited.
Zabuza was a Jōnin—this would be a perfect test of their skills.
Soon, Zabuza stood opposite Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
"To avoid any misunderstandings, I won't use the Silent Killing Jutsu," Zabuza said, taking the Kubikiribōchō from Haku and holding it before him. "Body Flicker Jutsu, Kenjutsu, and Water Release—that's all I'll use. And the three of you can come at me together."
Naruto grinned, flashing a row of white teeth, "You said it!"
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof! Poof! Poof!
Over a dozen Narutos appeared on the field, charging at Zabuza from all directions.
Each shadow clone moved differently—some from the front, some flanking from the sides, some circling behind, and some leaping straight down from above.
This was Naruto's signature tactic—overwhelming the opponent with numbers.
Zabuza's eyes sharpened. His body flickered, and his blade swept in a wide arc, dispelling three Shadow Clones in one swing.
But there were just too many; for every batch he scattered, another took their place.
"Bit of a nuisance," Zabuza muttered with a low chuckle. He stomped hard on the ground, shaking off a few clones clinging to him, then spun the Kubikiribōchō in his hands—blunt side out—and swept again, dispelling several clones more.
Meanwhile, Sasuke didn't rush in.
He activated his two-tomoe Sharingan, watching Zabuza's every move intently. According to Kakashi, Hatake-style Kenjutsu was about one decisive strike—you had to wait for the perfect moment.
Sakura also stayed on the perimeter, fists clenched, looking for an opening.
Zabuza dealt with more and more of Naruto's clones while keeping an eye on Sasuke and Sakura.
'These kids are definitely way stronger than their counterparts at the same point in the timeline shown on the screen.'
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Zabuza rapidly formed hand seals. However, this time there was no Kakashi to copy his Ninjutsu.
A water dragon surged from the nearby river, roaring as it lunged at Naruto. Naruto couldn't dodge in time and was sent flying by the water dragon, all his Shadow Clones dissipating on impact.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"Rasengan!"
Using the cover of his clones, Naruto had already formed a Rasengan in his palm and charged at Zabuza again.
Zabuza swung his blade to block, and the Rasengan clashed with the Kubikiribōchō, producing a sharp grinding sound.
At the same time, Sasuke also moved.
He flashed, moving as fast as lightning. His two-tomoe Sharingan caught the split second when Zabuza's attention was fixed on Naruto—revealing an opening under his ribs.
His short sword thrust straight at Zabuza's side.
Clean, sharp, and ruthless.
Zabuza had no choice but to twist the Kubikiribōchō, using the flat of the blade to block Sasuke's attack. But Sasuke didn't let up—he pressed the assault with a series of rapid stabs, forcing Zabuza to keep retreating.
"Not bad." Zabuza offered a genuine compliment, then pushed off the ground, leaping several meters back to create distance.
Just then, Sakura charged in.
She made no flashy moves—just one punch aimed at where Zabuza was about to land.
BOOM!!
Her fist struck the ground, sending rocks flying and blasting a crater into the earth. Zabuza barely managed to dodge, but still got hit by the flying debris.
Steadying himself, he looked at the three kids, a complex feeling rising in his chest.
How long had it been?
Their counterparts on the Sky Screen at the same time had struggled even against his Water Clone. Yet these three in front of him could already fight him back and forth.
"Again!"
Naruto shouted, and over a dozen orange figures once again pounced on Zabuza.
Sasuke moved too. He no longer waited on the sidelines for an opening, but charged straight in. The short sword flipped in his hand, blade light flashing, forming a pincer attack with Naruto's Shadow Clones.
Sakura, meanwhile, circled to Zabuza's side, clenching her fist, looking for the next opportunity to strike.
Zabuza took a deep breath. He wanted to see where these three kids' limits were.
His blade glinted coldly in the sunlight. Naruto's Shadow Clones were dissipated one after another, but new ones kept appearing.
Sasuke's short sword thrust from a tricky angle, and Zabuza blocked with the flat of his blade, sparks flying.
Sasuke was fast, and every strike was methodical.
Then came Naruto's Rasengan from another direction. Zabuza sidestepped, and the Rasengan slammed into a tree behind him, blowing a hole in the trunk and sending wood chips flying.
At the same time, Sakura's fist came down again, forcing Zabuza to leap into the air to avoid it.
With no way to maneuver midair, Sasuke seized the opportunity—his short sword aimed straight for Zabuza's back.
Zabuza forcibly twisted in mid-air, swinging the Kubikiribōchō in front of him to block. But his body lost balance, and he stumbled upon landing.
Naruto took the opportunity to rush forward, smashing a Rasengan at Zabuza's lower back.
Zabuza gritted his teeth, forcibly twisted his waist, and used the hilt of his sword to knock away the Rasengan—though the blue chakra sphere grazed his clothes, tearing a small hole in the hem.
"That's enough." Zabuza suddenly lowered his blade and leaped back out of the circle.
The three kids stopped too, panting heavily as they looked at him. Naruto's forehead was covered in sweat, Sasuke's breathing was much more rapid, and Sakura's arms were trembling slightly.
Zabuza slung the Kubikiribōchō over his shoulder, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We are done. If I continue, I'll lose all my reputation."
Naruto's eyes widened, "You haven't lost yet!"
"I'd lose if we kept fighting." Zabuza shook his head. There was no resentment in his voice—only a sense of release. "You're already way stronger than your counterparts on the screen were at this age. True geniuses really are different."
His gaze swept over the three of them, finally resting on Kakashi. "Thank you, that was a satisfying fight."
Then he turned and started walking toward Haku.
Haku also stepped forward, took the blade from Zabuza, and smiled as he bowed to Naruto and the others before following Zabuza's footsteps.
"Hey! No-eyebrows!" Naruto called out.
Zabuza stopped but didn't turn around.
"From now on… be a proper shinobi of Kirigakure! Don't go rogue again!"
Zabuza was silent for a moment, then he raised one hand and gave a small wave.
Haku turned back and bowed once more, then caught up with Zabuza.
Their figures gradually disappeared into the depths of the forest.
Kakashi jumped down from a tree and looked at his three students. "You fought well."
Naruto grinned, "Of course!"
Sasuke sheathed his short sword, expressionless—but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly upward.
Sakura, on the other hand, brushed the dust off her clothes and let out a long breath.
*****
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