Chapter Seven: Battle with Zabuza (Part One)

Chapter Seven: Battle with Zabuza

Previously, it was said that Shuster and Kakashi now planned to fight with their full strength.

Kakashi placed his left hand on his forehead protector, covering his concealed eye, while arcs of electricity began to leap around Shuster’s body.

“You’re planning to use the Sharingan and the Lightning Flash?” Zabuza spoke, his back turned to them.

“What are you all talking about? What’s a Sharingan? What’s Lightning Flash?” Naruto and Sakura exclaimed.

“You… Form the swastika formation and protect Mr. Tazuna. This battle is beyond your ability to participate in. Now is the time to test your teamwork,” Shuster’s body was gradually surrounded by thunderous light, and Kakashi pulled up his forehead protector, revealing a scar beneath his left eye and his tightly closed eyelid.

“Then, come fight us!” Shuster transformed into a bolt of lightning, darting through the area—every crossing bringing a blessing unique to travelers, a skill that came with crossing worlds. Kakashi opened his left eye.

“What speed is that? Huh? Kakashi-sensei’s eye!” Naruto cried out in astonishment at Shuster, now lightning incarnate, and Kakashi’s exposed eye.

“Oh~ I didn’t expect to see the legendary Sharingan and Lightning Flash so soon! What an honor!” Zabuza turned to gaze at Kakashi’s eye and the roaming Shuster.

“Wait! What exactly are the Sharingan and Lightning Flash you keep talking about?” Naruto interrupted.

“The Sharingan is a power born from one’s gaze, released through the pupil. Legend says those with ocular jutsu can instantly see through all taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu, and then return those techniques untouched against their enemies. The Sharingan is a special kind of ocular jutsu. But its abilities don’t end there…” Sasuke spoke quietly.

“What?” Naruto said in disbelief.

“Well said. The Sharingan’s abilities are far greater—it can not only instantly see through the opponent’s jutsu, but also copy them,” Zabuza praised Sasuke, then added as thick mist began to rise around them. “When I was in the assassination squad, my handbook included your profile: the man who copied over a thousand jutsu, the Copy Ninja Kakashi. As for Lightning Flash, it’s a unique jutsu of the Leaf’s Thunder—using nearly limitless chakra to cloak the body for high-speed movement, seeking the opponent’s weak points for a one-hit kill. It’s called Lightning Flash because all one sees as death comes is a flash of lightning. Back then, the Leaf’s Thunder used this jutsu to cut through to the Stone Ninja’s command center, kill their commander, and escape unharmed.” Zabuza finished, preparing for battle.

“Incredible—who would have thought both teachers are such formidable ninjas.” x3

“Enough talk. I must finish off the old man quickly. But it looks like I’ll have to defeat you first!” Zabuza said, gripping his sword.

“Quick, form up! I’ll cover you!” Shuster narrowed his range of movement to stay near the four-man squad.

“Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu.” Zabuza used Body Flicker to stand atop the water.

“This is bad! Be careful, Zabuza is hiding in the mist. I’ll force him out—stay alert!” Shuster watched the thick mist, visibility less than three meters, a sense of danger rising.

“Brother, I’ll go flush him out. You defend against his sneak attacks.” Shuster became lightning, weaving through the fog to force Zabuza out.

The clash of blades rang out, heightening everyone’s tension.

“Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!” Kakashi erupted with chakra to blow away the mist.

A patch of fog was scattered, and for an instant everyone saw Shuster and Zabuza in fierce combat—multiple exchanges in a single second.

Lightning Style: Thunder Dog—Shuster clashed with Zabuza, right hand unleashing ninjutsu, Zabuza dodging with Body Flicker while pursued by the lightning-formed dog. “What?” The sound of something cutting through the air behind made Shuster hastily counter Zabuza’s long-prepared strike, and with a splash, Shuster fell into the water where Zabuza had stood.

“Kakashi-sensei!” Naruto shouted.

This momentary distraction gave Zabuza’s clone the chance it needed.

“It’s over~” The clone appeared among the four with Body Flicker.

“Shush—Body Flicker!” Kakashi used Sharingan Body Flicker, stabbing the clone dead.

“Sensei! Behind you!” x3

“Die!” Another Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi, swinging his blade to sever him at the waist.

“Wala~” The bisected Kakashi dissolved into water.

“Hmm?” Behind Zabuza, Kakashi held a kunai to Zabuza’s throat. “It’s over!”

“Heh heh~” Zabuza laughed, instantly putting Kakashi on guard.

“That was a water clone!?” Naruto exclaimed.

“Ha!” The real Zabuza swung his sword at Kakashi’s torso; Kakashi dodged low, causing Zabuza’s sword to get caught in the ground by inertia. Zabuza was prepared, twisting with the momentum to whip Kakashi into the water.

“No way!” Shuster had just surfaced when he saw Kakashi flying toward him; he hurried to catch him.

“Splash—Cough, cough—Are you alright, brother?” “I’m fine! The water here is so heavy—be careful!”

“Too late! Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!” Zabuza appeared behind them, forming hand seals.

“Damn!” x2

A transparent, high-pressure water sphere trapped them both; Zabuza’s true body kept one hand inside, channeling chakra to prevent their escape.

“Hehehehahaha~ You’ll never escape my special Water Prison. If you could move freely, I’d have trouble dealing with you! I’ll deal with you later,” Zabuza said, watching the two. “Water Clone Jutsu.”

A water clone with a third of Zabuza’s strength appeared. “Hehehe~ You three think wearing a forehead protector makes you ninja? Ninja are those who have faced death countless times. Only when you make it onto my handbook do you count as true ninja. You three aren’t worthy of the title!” The water clone spoke, then vanished using Hidden Mist.

“He disappeared again! Waa!” Naruto trembled, as Zabuza suddenly appeared and kicked him flying, knocking off his forehead protector, which Zabuza stomped beneath his foot.

“Just a bunch of ordinary kids.” “Naruto!”

“Huh? You guys, take Mr. Tazuna and run! You can’t win against that guy. As long as he keeps us in the Water Prison, he can’t leave; if the clone goes too far, it can’t be controlled. Anyway, hurry and escape!” Kakashi saw things were grim and shouted to them.

“Cough, cough—” Shuster, being of the lightning element, couldn’t exert power in water, as water conducts and disperses electricity. He could only try to control his energy to preserve his fighting strength, but the three kids could still break the Water Prison.

“Damn—” Kakashi saw Shuster’s trouble and knew the situation was dire.

“Tch—Run? Don’t be ridiculous. Once we’re trapped, there’s no other choice. If he finishes you off, he’ll come back to hunt us; either way, we’re dead. We might as well fight!” Sasuke drew his main kunai and shouted to Kakashi.

“Too slow, kid!” Zabuza’s clone split Sasuke’s thrown shuriken, then grabbed Sasuke by the throat and flung him aside.

“So this is a jonin… a true ninja… I have to run…” Naruto trembled, staring at Zabuza.

“Cough, cough—Naruto! Did you forget how you injured your left hand? Cough, cough—” Shuster was forced to swallow another mouthful of water.

“Uh—yeah, I’m going to be Hokage! How could I retreat here? I won’t run, yaah!” Naruto looked at his wounded left hand and clenched his fist, charging at Zabuza with resolve.

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PS: Damn, I got caught up gaming and forgot to update. Sorry for the late post!!!!