(Sorry, everyone! I got hooked on a novel these past few days and read it day and night. The result was that I forgot to write!)
"Whoosh!"
The next second, a beheading sword spun wildly through the air with a series of howls. It flew over everyone's heads and finally embedded itself in a large tree ahead.
Immediately afterward, a figure sprang from the forest and landed on the sword's hilt.
The man was bare-chested, with short black hair. His forehead protector sat off to the left, bandages wrapped around his lower face and neck, and sharp teeth showed through.
When Kakashi saw him, his eyes narrowed. "Momochi Zabuza!"
"Teacher Kakashi, you know him?" Naruto asked curiously.
"His name is Momochi Zabuza. He was one of the second generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from the Land of Water's Hidden Mist Village, and the second wielder of the Executioner's Blade."
"He's nicknamed the 'Demon.' He specializes in Water Release ninjutsu and assassination, and his Silent Killing Technique is renowned throughout the shinobi world. Discontent with the village's tyranny, he tried to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage. After failing, he fled the village and became a rogue ninja."
"He's very strong—a worthy opponent who'll make even your teacher Kakashi take him seriously!"
Before Kakashi could answer, Hao Shuai rattled off Zabuza's entire history.
Of course, there was one thing Hao Shuai hadn't mentioned: Zabuza's head was worth thirty million ryo!
Zabuza's cold, piercing gaze settled on Hao Shuai. He sneered, "I never thought the Leaf would keep going downhill. Now even a useless nobody without a trace of Chakra can become a Genin. Hahaha! What a joke."
"Useless nobody?"
"Genin?"
"No Chakra?"
Kakashi and the others followed Zabuza's gaze toward Hao Shuai. Once they realized he meant Hao Shuai,