Zabuza Attacks!

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

This mist could block perception and drastically reduce visibility.

The sudden white fog made everyone within it extremely tense.

Naruto, whose Chakra had just been sealed, looked vigilant.

Sasuke, bleeding all over, also drew a Kunai and assumed a defensive stance.

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

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

Kakashi's expression turned tense as he hurriedly explained.

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

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

"I'm here."

Sasuke's expression was somewhat grim. He could feel that the stimulating scenes in the Genjutsu had greatly benefited his eyes. The Three-Tomoe was clearly on the verge of activating, yet this inexplicable mist had made Master Obito dispel the Genjutsu.

"Teacher Kakashi! I'm fine!"

Hearing Naruto and Sasuke's voices coming from all directions, Kakashi's expression darkened.

This technique... completely prevented them from relying on sound to locate their companions!

"Hehehe..."

"You're the ninjas from the Hidden Leaf Village? Boring, boring. I really don't know how such weak people dared to accept this mission!"

"If I'd known it would be like this, I wouldn't have bothered coming in person!"

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

A low, chilling laugh came from every direction.

Kakashi and Obito were somewhat tense as well.

They had not encountered the Hidden Mist Technique much before. This technique that blocked all five senses truly made them nervous.

Moreover, the contempt in the other party's tone made the two of them feel as though they faced a formidable enemy.

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

After thinking it over, Kakashi quickly arrived at the answer.

He shouted, trying to relay the information to the others.

Compared with this Demon of the Hidden Mist, whose intentions were unknown—or rather, who clearly harbored ill will—Kakashi and Obito from earlier were far less dangerous!

He could tell that Kakashi and Obito did not intend to take their lives for now, but that might not be the case with this rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist.

With his Three-Tomoe active, Obito came to Kakashi's side. Kakashi vigilantly raised his blade, only for Obito to press it back down.

"It's me."

Fortunately, the Communication Technique still worked here. Kakashi let out a slight sigh of relief.

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

Kakashi asked.

"Huh? Come on, if even you don't know, how would I? Based on the Empire's regional divisions, he's from Water Province. It's so far from us that we aren't even neighbors. How could I possibly know him?"

Obito helplessly waved his hand. He had not even gotten to know everyone in Fire Province, much less people from other provinces.

If he knew anyone, it was only the truly famous ones, like Gaara of the Sand Waterfall or Sasori of Red Sand Robotics. Those were from neighboring provinces. Anyone farther away, he basically did not know.

"Zabuza is a Jonin from the Hidden Mist and once belonged to the Hidden Mist Anbu! His specialty is the Silent Killing Technique! He likes to use the Hidden Mist Technique to block his enemies' five senses before assassinating them! His victims often die before they even realize he has approached!"

"His strength is comparable to mine!"

Kakashi quickly gave the two men the intelligence, trying to warn the two high-end combatants on his side.

The chances of those two being in danger were low, but Naruto and Sasuke were another matter!

What if Zabuza thought these little minions were troublesome and decided to deal with them first?

"Heh, as expected of Kakashi, the Copy Ninja known as Konoha's Number One Technician. You figured out my identity so quickly. I didn't expect you to rate me so highly."

Zabuza's praising words came from within the mist.

Kakashi's expression tightened slightly. In battles between ninjas, information often mattered more than strength. Back when he was in the Anbu, he had heard at least a little about the rogue ninjas and Jonin across the Five Great Nations.

Over there, Obito was already laughing so hard as he pounded Kakashi on the shoulder.

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

Within the Empire, technician carried certain suggestive connotations. He had never expected that in this world, Kakashi's counterpart would be renowned overseas under the title of technician.

Kakashi's expression darkened as he glanced at Obito.

"Have you laughed enough?"

Obito stiffened, then nodded.

"Enough, enough."

"If you've had enough, then disperse this mist."

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

Although Kakashi's final remark that Zabuza was as strong as him made the two relax their guard slightly, they still would not underestimate their opponent.

What if it was a smokescreen?

Even a lion used its full strength to catch a rabbit. They had learned that in elementary school textbooks.

"Huh? Hehe, Kakashi, you know I'm not good at Wind Release..."

Seeing Obito smile awkwardly, Kakashi rolled his eyes at him.

"If Wind Release won't work, what about Fire Release?"

Obito scratched his head even harder.

"My disciple is still in there, and so is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. There's also an ordinary person in there. If my Fire Release burns them..."

Kakashi stopped paying attention to Obito. Of the three who had come this time, all were ninjas with every elemental affinity. Only Obito had somehow turned every affinity into just Fire Release.

He sighed helplessly and began forming hand seals.

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!

A fierce wind howled, sweeping across the earth like an invisible giant force.

The wind intensified with Kakashi's mouth movements, carrying a terrifying momentum.

The watery mist rolled and churned in the wind. It ruthlessly tore through the fog, evaporating and blowing it apart bit by bit.

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

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

The Hidden Mist Technique could no longer withstand this immense force. As if ripped apart by a giant hand, it instantly shattered.

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

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

He could not believe that his Hidden Mist Technique had been broken by nothing more than a C-rank ninjutsu.

Wait!

Why was there another Kakashi over there?

Having released the Hidden Mist Technique while hiding in the roadside puddle, he had not carefully examined the group. He had merely used his senses to envelop everyone in the mist.

Tazuna was terrified out of his wits. Facing the massive blade so close to him, he shut his eyes in despair.

The next instant, before Obito's Kamui could activate, Kakashi had already appeared before 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. In fact, he knew it extremely well!

It was his teacher's signature ninjutsu... the Flying Thunder God Technique!

"When was this mark... placed on him?!"

"Damn it, if Tazuna has been marked with the Flying Thunder God Technique, then we..."

His gaze swept over the three youngsters before shifting toward Kakashi with even greater wariness.

"Was it when I fainted?"

He could not understand how this Kakashi had clearly been reading Make-Out Paradise the entire time, yet had secretly done so much?

At this rate... he might not be able to return to the village...

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

A brilliant iaido slash swept through the air, and Zabuza's body was instantly severed in two.

Before Kakashi could celebrate, the Zabuza before him turned into a mass of water and melted into the ground.

"This is... a Water Clone!"