Battle Again

"What's wrong? You look down in the dumps, missing Hinata?" Sasuke asked, looking at Nanfeng's displeased expression.

"It's true I miss Hinata after being out for so long, but my face is this grim today not because of that. I was given the 'friend zone' card today!" Nanfeng said indignantly, venting his emotions into the rice bowl in front of him.

They weren't staying with Tazuna this time. Instead, they used some of their portable supplies and surrounding wood to build a simple hut. The reason was that Nanfeng didn't like Tazuna's bratty kid.

However, Naruto seemed to visit frequently these days and appeared to be getting along well with the kid.

It seemed there was always some mysterious force trying to restore everything in secret. Unfortunately, this mysterious force was too limited and too weak compared to Nanfeng, the bug.

"Friend zone card? What's that? It sounds like it's calling you a good person, isn't that a compliment?" Naruto mumbled, swallowing his food.

Kakashi's expression was quite amusing, as if he had seen the funniest joke in the world.

"Naruto and Sasuke, you're still young and probably don't understand. When your teacher explains it, you'll know!" Kakashi said with a strange smile, explaining the concept to Naruto and Sasuke. After his explanation, everyone looked at Nanfeng with very subtle expressions.

Or perhaps, pity?

"Nanfeng, even though you were rejected, you still have Hinata. Don't be a man who tries to have it both ways. Your teacher will be the first to look down on you!" Kakashi said earnestly, patting Nanfeng's shoulder.

"Get lost. If you guys want to spend tomorrow unable to stop itching, I can grant that wish!" Nanfeng said through gritted teeth.

As soon as he said that, everyone immediately shut up. They wouldn't dare say anything else, but when it came to poisoning, Nanfeng was a top-tier expert. Even Kakashi, an elite Jonin, would sometimes fall victim inexplicably. This also instilled a greater sense of awe in them regarding the abilities of Medical Ninjas.

"I just met a girl picking herbs while I was training. Before I could even speak, she called me a good person. Who could handle that?" Nanfeng said irritably.

However, Kakashi's expression turned slightly strange. After exchanging a look with Nanfeng, he understood something.

"Speaking of which, the bridge construction project in the Land of Waves will be entering its final stages tomorrow. The number of samurai harassing us has increased significantly these past few days, and the workload has become more complex," Kakashi said casually.

"By tomorrow, all the hidden monsters and demons will appear. Get a good night's rest and conserve your energy. Tomorrow should be a fierce battle!" Nanfeng said, tossing his lunchbox to Naruto. Washing dishes was naturally a task for his younger brother; he, on the other hand, was determined to stick to the principle of getting good rest.

The night passed without incident. The next morning, the four of them appeared near the bridge with serious expressions. As expected, Gato had already deployed a large number of rogue samurai at the bridgehead, obstructing the final stages of construction.

"You're here. The situation is a bit dire now, and they have ninjas on their side too, the one you fought last time..." Tazuna said, looking at a figure in the crowd opposite them with lingering fear.

He knew Kakashi's level – an elite Jonin. Yet, Zabuza had managed to fight him to a draw. Now, with both of them returning to battle... he wondered if the bridge could withstand the aftermath of their fight. However, as long as Gato's threat could be eliminated, subsequent adjustments should become much simpler!

"We meet again. But this time, it won't be like last time, because I've brought companions with me this time," Momochi Zabuza said with a chilling smile, looking at all of Team 7.

"So it was you. I knew your back looked familiar then. But you didn't attack me then. You're also a good person," Nanfeng said, looking at Haku opposite him with a gentle smile, silently returning the friend zone card he had received.

"I'm sorry. The reason I didn't attack you then was because I knew we would fight again anyway. Isn't it good to settle this all at once?" Haku said, putting on his mask and looking at Nanfeng.

"Do you remember what I told you back then?" Nanfeng suddenly asked.

Although Haku didn't know why Nanfeng was asking, he subconsciously nodded.

"Let's fight!" Nanfeng said no more, quickly forming a battle formation with Naruto and Sasuke, and charging towards Haku.

"Ice Release, Demonic Mirror Ice Crystals!" Haku's hand seals were strange, a peculiar one-handed method. Seeing this, Kakashi couldn't help but be a little surprised.

"This is a survivor of the Yuki clan. You're quite lucky to have found such a companion!" Kakashi frowned and said.

"In the history of the ninja world, the abilities of the Yuki clan are not inferior to an un-matured Sharingan. Judging by his appearance, he's just a nascent Sharingan, with even fewer tomoe than an outsider like you. Do you think he can contend with a mature Ice Release?" Momochi Zabuza said proudly.

"That's not necessarily true. After all, these are my proud students. Their abilities are beyond your imagination!" While they were exchanging words, Kakashi and Momochi Zabuza had already begun their Taijutsu clash. Naruto and Sasuke were also doing their best to melt the ice crystals in front of them.

"Fire Style, Great Fireball Technique!" A massive fireball erupted from Sasuke's mouth. The scorching heat even caused the surrounding air to distort slightly, but it seemed to have little effect on the ice crystals created by this Kekkei Genkai!

"How is this possible? This is the Great Fireball I released with my maximum Chakra output. How can it have no effect at all?" Sasuke stood frozen in place, staring at the situation in disbelief.

"Secret Technique, Thousand Killing Water Flight!" While Sasuke was stunned, Haku's body moved rapidly within the ice crystals, launching a barrage of senbon towards them!