Zabuza Attacks!

The ground began to grow damp, and Kakashi could sense a surge of Chakra in the air drawing up the water and creating mist.

This mist could block perception and greatly reduce visibility.

The sudden white fog left everyone inside it extremely tense.

Naruto, whose Chakra had just been sealed, wore a wary expression.

Sasuke, his body covered in blood, also drew a Kunai and assumed a defensive stance.

As for Sakura, her scream had already echoed throughout the area.

"Everyone! Be careful! This is the Hidden Mist Technique!"

Kakashi looked tense as he hurriedly explained.

"Naruto! Sasuke! Are you both still there?"

Kakashi called out. Without his Sharingan, he could no longer see what was happening within the mist.

"I'm here."

Sasuke's expression was somewhat ugly. He could feel that the stimulating scene within the genjutsu had greatly benefited his eyes. The Three-Tomoe was clearly on the verge of awakening, yet he had never expected this inexplicable mist to cause Master Obito to release him from the genjutsu.

"Teacher Kakashi! I'm fine!"

Hearing Naruto and Sasuke's voices come from all directions, Kakashi's expression turned grim.

This technique... completely prevents us from relying on sound to find our companions!

"Ke ke ke ke..."

"You're Konoha's shinobi? How boring, how boring. I really don't know how you dared to take on this mission with such pathetic strength!"

"If I'd known this would be the case, I wouldn't have bothered taking action myself!"

"But since you're already here... please leave your hearts and heads behind! Hahahaha!"

A low, cold laugh came from all directions.

Kakashi and Obito were also somewhat nervous.

They had hardly seen the Hidden Mist Technique before. This technique, which blocked all five senses, had indeed put both of them on edge.

Moreover, their opponent's utter disdain for them made the two feel as though they were facing a formidable enemy.

"You're that Hidden Mist rogue ninja?... The Demon of the Hidden Mist—Momochi Zabuza?"

After thinking for a moment, Kakashi quickly reached the answer.

He shouted, trying to relay the information to the others on his side.

Compared to this Demon of the Hidden Mist, whose intentions were unknown—or rather, who had clearly come with malicious intent—Kakashi and Obito from moments ago seemed much less dangerous!

He could tell that Kakashi and Obito had no intention of taking their lives for the time being, but that might not be true of this Hidden Mist rogue ninja.

Obito, with his Three-Tomoe activated, also came to Kakashi's side. Kakashi warily raised his blade, but Obito pressed it back down.

"It's me."

Fortunately, the Communication Technique still worked here, and Kakashi relaxed slightly.

"Have you ever heard of this so-called Demon of the Hidden Mist—Momochi Zabuza?"

Kakashi asked.

"What? Come on, if you don't know, how would I? According to the Empire's regional divisions, he's from the Water Province. He's so far from us that he doesn't even count as a neighbor. How could I possibly know him?"

Obito helplessly spread his hands. He hadn't even recognized everyone in the Fire Province, let alone people from other provinces.

The only ones he knew were the famous ones, such as Gaara of the Sand Waterfall and Sasori of Red Sand Robotics. They were from a neighboring province, after all. Anyone farther away was basically a stranger to him.

"Zabuza is a Jonin of the Hidden Mist, and he once belonged to the Hidden Mist's Anbu! What he's best at is the Silent Killing Technique! He likes to use the Hidden Mist Technique to block the enemy's five senses before carrying out an assassination! His victims often die before they even realize he's approached them!"

"His strength is on par with mine!"

Kakashi quickly revealed the information about the two of them, trying to warn the two top-tier fighters on his side.

The odds of the two of them being in danger were low, but Naruto and Sasuke were another matter!

What if Zabuza found these little weaklings troublesome and decided to deal with them first?

"Heh heh, as expected of the Copy Ninja Kakashi, who bears the title of Konoha's Number One Technician. You actually saw through my identity so quickly. I didn't expect you to hold me in such high regard."

Zabuza's praise came from within the mist.

Kakashi's expression tightened slightly. In battles between shinobi, information was generally more important than strength. Back when he had been in the Anbu, he had heard at least a little about the rogue ninja and Jonin of the Five Great Nations.

Meanwhile, Obito was pounding Kakashi's shoulder and laughing like he'd struck gold.

"Hey! Kakashi, did you hear that? You're Konoha's Number One Technician!"

In the Empire, the word "technician" carried certain connotations. He never expected Kakashi's counterpart in this world to have become famous overseas under that title.

Kakashi's expression darkened as he glanced at Obito.

"Have you laughed enough?"

Obito froze, then nodded.

"Enough, enough."

"If you've had enough, why haven't you dispersed this mist?"

Kakashi wanted to see what this so-called Demon of the Hidden Mist was up to.

Although Kakashi's final remark that Zabuza's strength was on par with his had slightly relaxed their vigilance, they still wouldn't underestimate him.

What if it was a smokescreen?

Even a lion used all its strength against a rabbit. They had learned that back in elementary school.

"What? Heh heh, you know I'm not good at Wind Release, Kakashi..."

Seeing Obito give an awkward laugh, Kakashi rolled his eyes at him.

"If Wind Release won't work, can't you use Fire Release?"

Obito scratched his head even more awkwardly.

"My student is still in there, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is there too. Besides, there's an ordinary person inside. If my Fire Release burns them..."

Kakashi stopped paying attention to Obito. All three of them were ninjas with every elemental affinity, but Obito was the only one who could turn having all five affinities into only using Fire Release.

With a helpless sigh, he began forming hand seals.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A fierce wind howled like an invisible force of immense power, sweeping across the ground.

The wind gradually strengthened with Kakashi's hand seals, carrying a terrifying momentum.

The water mist rolled and churned in the wind. It ruthlessly tore at the fog, evaporating and scattering it bit by bit.

The effect of the Hidden Mist Technique grew weaker and weaker. The dense fog gradually thinned, faintly revealing the true scene behind it.

As time passed, the wind finally gained the upper hand.

The Hidden Mist Technique could no longer withstand the powerful force. It seemed to be torn apart by a giant hand, breaking open in an instant.

The mist dispersed, and their vision cleared. Everything that had been hidden within it was revealed before them.

At that moment, Zabuza wore a stunned expression. He had already appeared in front of Tazuna, with the Executioner's Blade less than an inch from him.

He couldn't believe that his Hidden Mist Technique had actually been dispelled by a mere C-rank ninjutsu.

Wait!

Why was there another Kakashi over there?

He had released the Hidden Mist Technique while hiding in a puddle by the roadside. He hadn't examined the group closely and had merely relied on his senses to surround and cover everyone.

Tazuna was already terrified out of his wits. Facing the blade at point-blank range, he closed his eyes in despair.

The next moment, before Obito could activate Kamui, Kakashi had already appeared in front of Tazuna.

"This is... the Body Flicker Technique?"

Zabuza's pupils contracted.

Kakashi, however, saw things more clearly.

There was a mark on Tazuna's body.

He recognized that mark and was even extremely familiar with it!

That was his teacher's signature technique... the Flying Thunder God Technique!

"When was this mark placed on him?!"

"Damn it, if Tazuna has already been marked with the Flying Thunder God Technique, then what about us...?"

His gaze swept over the three children before becoming even more wary as it shifted toward Kakashi.

Was it when I passed out?

He couldn't understand how Kakashi, who had been reading Make-Out Paradise the entire time, could have secretly done so much.

At this rate... I probably won't be able to return to the village...

The instant Kakashi appeared, he had already drawn the White Fang Blade.

A dazzling draw cut swept through the air, and Zabuza's body immediately split into two.

Before Kakashi had time to celebrate, the Zabuza before him turned into water and dissolved into the ground.

"This is... a Water Clone!"