Encounter

Perhaps it was fate, Zabuza happened to run into Kakashi's team while wandering around Konoha.

"Zabuza, why are you in Konoha? Are you in cahoots with them?"

Kakashi said to Zabuza, "Konoha was attacked, and Zabuza to be wandering around Konoha. This makes it hard not to think of this."

Zabuza's face was grim. He had been extremely careful, yet he still hadn't expected to run into Kakashi, who recognized him. It seemed fate was truly playing tricks on him!

"Would you believe me if I said I was just here for tourism?"

Zabuza's reasons were not even convincing to himself. He sighed and drew his Kubikiribōchō from his back.

"It seems we need to capture you to understand the whole story."

Kakashi entered battle mode. This battle was taking place within Konoha, Kakashi was no longer as carefree as before. He needed to resolve the battle quickly to minimize Konoha's losses.

"Brush."

Kakashi, at full power, was incredibly fast; no one present could catch a glimpse of Kakashi.

"Um?"

Zabuza managed to block Kakashi's attack by relying entirely on his instincts. However, Kakashi's strength was simply too great, Zabuza was directly thrown back by this enormous force.

"Is this your true strength, Kakashi?"

Zabuza thought to himself, "Kakashi when he gets serious is such a Zabuza surprise." He had thought his strength had increased, but he was still no match for Kakashi. "Is this what a genius is?" Zabuza had this feeling for the first time.

But surrendering is not Zabuza's style; even if he's going to die, he'll die on the offensive.

Zabuza swung his Kubikiribōchō at Kakashi.

Zabuza's moves are wide and sweeping, Kubikiribōchō doesn't seem out of place in his hands at all. The blade's unintentional blasts of energy destroy the surrounding buildings and crack the earth.

"Kakashi, don't think you're the only one improving. I've also paid a heavy price to stand before you again."

After Zabuza joined the Akatsuki Organization, his strength increased rapidly thanks to the Akatsuki Organization's resources. Kakashi was a driving force that Zabuza's progress. Zabuza contemplated killing Kakashi.

"Bite"

"Bite"

All that could be heard was the sound of clashing weapons; no one could be seen. This was the feeling of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura who were present.

Why is it like this again?

Even with his Sharingan activated, the determined Sasuke could only barely see two dark shadows; nothing more. But this wasn't enough for the ambitious Sasuke. During his time back in the village, Sasuke trained diligently under Itachi's guidance, believing that while his strength might not match Kakashi's, it shouldn't be too far off. But the reality was a harsh slap in the face. Your teacher will always be your teacher, especially one like Kakashi who can unleash his full power.

"Kurama, please help me."

Naruto shouted to the Nine-Tails inside his body.

"Hmph, you need my help with this?"

Chakra (the Nine-Tails) said arrogantly, and then Nine-Tails chakra flowed from Naruto's body into his eyes. Naruto then witnessed Zabuza and Naruto 'Kakashi duel. Naruto's efforts had always been under Nine-Tails's watchful eye; Nine-Tails had acknowledged Naruto, and its power could naturally be shared with Naruto.

"Um?"

Sasuke, standing next to Naruto, suddenly sensed a malevolent and powerful Chakra, causing Sasuke heart to pound. He couldn't help but look around, and when he saw Naruto, he involuntarily took a step back. Sasuke realized that the source of the malevolent Chakra was none other than Naruto.

"What's going on? What's happening inside Naruto's body?"

Sasuke Jonin sweat; the amount of Chakra was simply too immense. It was the largest Sasuke had ever seen, and it was completely undisguised. There was no concealment whatsoever in Sasuke's Sharingan.

"Roar."

Seeing that Nine-Tails was observing it, Sasuke couldn't help but roar. It didn't mean Sasuke any harm, but Sasuke's eyes reminded Nine-Tails of its past suffering. It was originally a free and unrestrained beast, but it was conquered by a man with Sharingan with just one look. From then on, Nine-Tails never had freedom again and could only be sealed away.

Sasuke stumbled backward and fell heavily to the ground.

Ouch.

"Sasuke, are you alright?"

Sakura saw Sasuke suddenly fall to the ground and immediately reached out to help him up.

"Sakura, this is your chance to shine! You can touch Sasuke's body."

Sakura's mind was wandering, but her speed wasn't slowed down at all.

"Sasuke, what's wrong?"

Naruto was also puzzled; how did Sasuke suddenly fall down? Naruto scratched his head, still looking confused.

Nine-Tails) naturally wouldn't tell Naruto about its prank.

"It's nothing, the ground is just a bit slippery."

Sasuke, of course, wouldn't say that he fell because he was afraid of what was inside Naruto's stomach. That would ruin his cool and aloof image. Seeing that Naruto didn't believe him, he quickly changed the subject.

"Naruto, can you see Kakashi-sensei's movements?"

Sasuke asked Naruto a question because Naruto now had a golden hue in his eyes, which was why Sasuke asked this question.

"It's clear that Kakashi-sensei has the upper hand."

Naruto said nonchalantly. With the Nine-Tails Chakra's support, Naruto could clearly see Kakashi and Zabuza's movements, but that was all. Naruto to keep up with their movements would be truly Naruto. While the Nine-Tails 'Chakra could enhance Naruto's strength, it had its limitations; it depended on Naruto's physical capacity. At this stage, Naruto couldn't withstand that kind of power.

After receiving Naruto's answer, Sasuke clenched his fist. He and Naruto were friends, but he didn't want Naruto to surpass him in strength. In other words, he didn't want his brother to suffer, but he also didn't want to see his brother driving a Range Rover. Sasuke was very conflicted.

Sasuke just didn't know that normal people can't compare to those with cheat codes. Naruto was given a cheat code by his father Minato Namikaze, when he was born.

Sakura was the only one present who was quite frustrated. She could only hear the battle unfolding. Sometimes, Sakura wondered what role she really played in this group. Every mission was completed with the help of Naruto and Sasuke, and she hadn't really made a difference. This wasn't the result Sakura wanted. She needed to be involved, otherwise Naruto and Sasuke would pull further and further away. She was afraid that one day she wouldn't even be qualified to stand beside Sasuke anymore.