Kakashi clapped his hands.
Rest here.
Get ready to move out.
At his command, the group dispersed to find places to rest.
Sasuke leaned against a tree, closing his eyes while maintaining his usual cool demeanor. Sakura sat not far from him, her gaze drifting toward him unconsciously.
Naruto walked to the edge of the group, sat cross-legged, and scanned the dense forest around them.
His time at Jujutsu High had taught him to stay alert at all times. He never knew when a Cursed Spirit might attack.
Especially during missions in unfamiliar terrain any small disturbance could be fatal.
From time to time, his gaze swept over Sakura and Sasuke.
Thinking about it, they had already completed several missions together.
They hadn't rested long.
Kakashi stood up, about to call them to continue their journey.
Rustle. A faint sound came from the bushes nearby. It was very light.
But in the quiet forest, it sounded unusually clear.
Who's there?
Kakashi's eyes sharpened instantly, one hand already on his ninja tool pouch.
Sasuke sprang up at the same time, shuriken between his fingers as he took a fighting stance.
Sakura and Tazuna flinched, huddling together nervously.
The entire group tensed up.
Only Naruto remained seated.
He turned his head toward the source of the sound.
This presence was weak so weak it could almost be ignored.
A small animal?
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the bushes parted. A fluffy white creature crawled out.
Long ears. Red eyes. Split lip. A snow rabbit.
Seeing this, Sakura and Tazuna both sighed in relief.
"You scared me."
"So it's just a rabbit."
Sasuke scoffed, putting away his shuriken.
But Kakashi's expression darkened.
His eyes locked onto the rabbit hopping across the grass.
White fur meant for snowy camouflage.
But this was summer. The forest was green.
A white rabbit here was far too conspicuous.
Unless…
A realization flashed in Kakashi's mind.
This rabbit was placed here deliberately.
A substitute for the Body Replacement Technique. Which meant The enemy was already here. He looked up sharply.
Whoosh A massive executioner's blade tore through the air and embedded itself into a tree. The blade vibrated with a low hum.
A tall figure appeared silently, standing atop its handle.
The man was bare-chested, his muscles well-defined. His face was wrapped in bandages, revealing only a pair of cold, sharp eyes. He had no eyebrows.
A suffocating pressure filled the air instantly.
Sakura and Tazuna turned pale.
Sasuke stiffened, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
So this is… a Jonin?
"Zabuza Momochi."
Kakashi spoke slowly.
"The Demon of the Hidden Mist."
"Oh?"
Zabuza sneered.
"I didn't expect a Konoha ninja to know my name."
"You're on my list as well."
"Sharingan Kakashi the Copy Ninja."
Zabuza's gaze swept across the group before settling on Kakashi's covered left eye.
The oppressive aura of a Jonin made their skin crawl.
"Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke,"
Kakashi said quietly.
"Protect Mr. Tazuna."
"Do not interfere."
"This time… I'll handle the fight."
He raised his hand and lifted his forehead protector.
"I'll have to go all out."
A crimson eye was revealed.
Three black tomoe rotated within it.
The Sharingan.
"That…!"
Sasuke's breathing stopped.
"Sharingan?"
"Why does Kakashi have the eyes of the Uchiha Clan?"
The shock hit him hard.
That was the pride of the Uchiha a bloodline limit.
How could an outsider possess it?
Unlike Sasuke, Zabuza looked excited.
"Oh… so this is it."
"The legendary Sharingan."
"What an honor."
Before finishing his sentence, he formed hand seals.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Thick fog spread rapidly, engulfing the forest.
Visibility dropped to zero.
"Eight vital points."
Zabuza's voice echoed from all directions.
"Liver, lungs, spine, subclavian vein, carotid artery, brain, kidneys… heart."
"Brats, which one do you want pierced first?"
The Silent Killing Technique.
The pressure alone was enough to break a Chunin.
Sakura and Sasuke stood
Suddenly Kakashi appeared between them.
The next second, that Kakashi was split apart by Zabuza's blade.
Splash. Water scattered. A Water Clone.
The real Kakashi appeared behind Zabuza, a kunai at his neck.
"It's over."
But the Zabuza he restrained turned into water as well.
Not good I was careless.
Kakashi's heart skipped a beat.
Too late.
Zabuza appeared behind him.
"Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"
A massive sphere of water trapped Kakashi instantly.
He couldn't move.
"Idiot."
Maintaining the prison with one hand, Zabuza formed seals with the other.
"Water Clone Technique!"
Another identical clone appeared.
"Now… let's deal with you brats."
The clone carried the massive blade and walked toward Naruto and the others.
"Run!" Kakashi shouted.
"You can't win. Focus on the mission protect Tazuna!"
Run?
Sasuke gripped his kunai tightly.
Run where? Turning your back on a Jonin meant death. There was no escape.
Then he would fight. Determination flashed in his eyes. He could not die here.
Not before killing that man.
He charged forward, shuriken flying like shadows.
Clang!
The Water Clone knocked them aside effortlessly.
"Naive."
In an instant, it appeared in front of Sasuke.
Too fast.
He couldn't react.
A hand reached for his throat.
It's over.
Just as the hand was about to grab him
A flash of yellow appeared.
Snap. The clone's wrist was caught mid-air.
Time seemed to freeze.
Zabuza's clone was stunned.
Where did this brat get such speed and strength?
Sasuke was stunned as well.
He slowly looked up. Blonde hair. Orange jacket.
Naruto?!
A hint of amusement flickered in Naruto's mind. Without turning around, he spoke in a calm, almost mocking tone
just like Sasuke usually did.
"Yo."
"You okay… dead last?"