Blocked

When Zabuza confront Gato, they were stopped.

Who are you?

Seeing someone blocking his way, Zabuza asked warily. He didn't believe the two people in front of him were just passing by. Zabuza had lost count of how many assassination attempts he had faced over the years, but this time was different; he was injured and unable to use his full strength. And the two people in front of him clearly had ill intentions.

They could tell from their clothing that the respectable person was dressed in all black with red flecks. The key difference was that one of them wore a mask, while the other was so dark that his face was obscured, clearly indicating he wasn't a respectable person. The Masked Man's faint but palpable murderous aura suggested he couldn't perfectly control it because he had killed too many people.

"If you want to kill me, you'll have to see what you're made of."

Seeing that the two ignored him, Zabuza drew his Kubikiribōchō from his back and assumed a defensive stance.

The Masked Man seemed to have been waiting for Zabuza. Seeing that Zabuza was ready, he stomped his foot, leaving a footprint in the ground, and instantly rushed in front of Zabuza, throwing a punch Zabuza's face.

Zabuza his greatsword horizontally, blocking the oncoming punch.

"When."

Zabuza's greatsword began to hum, Zabuza his grip. This showed just how powerful the punch was. Furthermore Zabuza was already injured; although he had received treatment, his strength had significantly decreased.

Seeing an opportunity, Bai launched his flying needles at lightning speed, trying to force the Masked Man to defend and disrupt his offensive rhythm. However, he underestimated the Masked Man. With a flick of his long robe, the Masked Man concealed the needles in his sleeve. Then, his single eye instantly turned red and glanced at Bai. Bai froze on the spot, his eyes glazed over, clearly a sign that he had fallen under Genjutsu.

Unfortunately, Zabuza's view was blocked by the Kubikiribōchō, so he didn't see that the Masked Man had Sharingan. When Zabuza moved the Kubikiribōchō away, the Masked Man's Sharingan returned to its black and white state.

Zabuza and pushed Bai next to him, shaking Bai's body, but Bai was still trapped in the Genjutsu, showing no sign of waking up.

"What exactly did you do to him?"

Suppressing his anger, Zabuza spoke to the Masked Man. As a ray of light in Zabuza's heart, he didn't want Haku to suffer any harm, but this Masked Man was too strange; Zabuza didn't even know how Haku had fallen under the Genjutsu.

"I didn't do anything. I just didn't want him to interfere with our fight."

The Masked Man spoke up.

Zabuza was worried about whether he could survive. Two enemies had arrived; one attacked while the other watched. The one who attacked subdued his helper in an instant, demonstrating formidable strength.

Zabuza glanced at Haku. He wanted to find a way for Haku to live; he could die, but Haku should live.

Zabuza his greatsword tightly, as if he had made a decision in his heart.

"Your target should be me, right? If I give up resisting, could you spare his life?"

Zabuza stared straight at the Masked Man and said.

"Oh, why should I let him go? Dealing with the two of you wouldn't be difficult at all."

The Masked Man said with interest that before coming to see Zabuza, he had investigated Zabuza beforehand. Zabuza was a cold-blooded assassin who would do Zabuza for money, whether the target was an unarmed infant or the elderly and infirm. But now, he was willing to give up his own life for a boy. This made the Masked Man like Zabuza even more, because a subordinate with a weakness is easier to control.

"You are powerful, but if I fight back desperately, risking my life for yours, you might inevitably get hurt. That would be a losing proposition for you."

"If you let him go, I'm willing to die, and you can take my head and collect the reward."

This Zabuza had spoken so much. In the past, he was a ruthless and taciturn man, who would wield his Kubikiribōchō and slaughter indiscriminately. He had never begged for death like this.

"Your idea is good, but I don't accept it. However, if your abilities satisfy me, I wouldn't mind letting you both go."

The Masked Man's purpose in coming here was to Zabuza. Zabuza's strength was quite good among elite Jonin, and it was not impossible for him to become Kage Level if given enough resources. However, he encountered Kakashi, who had no weaknesses and whose strength was at the Kakashi Kage Level. It was normal for him to be defeated.

Zabuza hearing the Masked Man's words, Zabuza's expression turned serious, and his eyes sharpened. He didn't know if the Masked Man was lying to him, but he had no other choice. He was going to gamble with his life to see if what the Masked Man said was true.

Zabuza carefully observed the Masked Man. Seeing him standing there leisurely, Zabuza knew that the man wanted Zabuza the initiative. This Zabuza had ever encountered someone who so disregarded him. His pride was trampled on by the Masked Man at that moment.

Zabuza, sword in hand, ran swiftly, reaching the Masked Man in the blink of an eye. With a horizontal slash, he attempted to cut the Masked Man in half. The speed of this strike was exceptional, surpassing Zabuza's usual level. With someone to protect, Zabuza his usual abilities.

After the slash, the Masked Man Zabuza, Zabuza only felt that his Kubikiribōchō had become even heavier.

Turning my head, I saw the Masked Man standing on the Kubikiribōchō.

"That single, brutal strike..."

Before the Masked Man could finish speaking, Zabuza activated his Ninjutsu.

"Water Clone Technique"

A clone burst forth from Zabuza's body, stepping on Zabuza's shoulder to receive the momentum. Zabuza twisted his shoulder, and the clone launched like a cannonball, instantly appearing before the Masked Man. Just as the kunai pierced the Masked Man's body, a smile appeared on Zabuza's face. Zabuza relieved that his attack had worked.

However, his smile vanished instantly. His clone's body passed right through the Masked Man's body.

"Surprised? Unexpected?"

The Masked Man spoke to Zabuza.

After his Zabuza shock, Zabuza resumed his attack. The Ninja World was teeming with strange and unusual abilities; with proper intelligence gathering, he might find a weakness and launch a counterattack. Zabuza's clone and his main body attacked the Masked Man both sides, his large sword slashing Zabuza felt no resistance whatsoever from his blades, as if he were swinging at thin air.