Battle Against Momochi Zabuza

Now that he had been called out, Naruto was not one to shy away from trouble. With his hands in his pockets, he walked to the front.

Just then, Kakashi reached out and stopped Naruto. "You three, fall back." His tone was grave. "This guy is nothing like the one we faced last time. If our opponent is him, things might get difficult."

Although Kakashi had noticed something unusual about Naruto, he knew full well that sending his student to face Jonin Momochi Zabuza was no different from sending a sheep into a tiger's den.

Naruto helplessly waved at Momochi Zabuza, as if saying, "It's not that I don't want to fight. My teacher won't let me."

Momochi Zabuza's expression immediately darkened. "Blond brat, don't think having Sharingan Kakashi protecting you means you can be this arrogant. I hope you can keep that arrogance later."

Kakashi turned to Naruto and said, "Naruto, don't provoke him. Momochi Zabuza is a Jonin like me. If you really make him mad, I might not be able to protect you!"

Naruto shrugged helplessly. "Got it, Kakashi-sensei. As long as he doesn't mess with me, I won't beat him up."

Kakashi was left speechless, inwardly complaining, Doesn't mess with you? Naruto has really been picking up Sasuke's habits lately. No, he's even better than Sasuke at acting tough!

Sakura was equally exasperated. Can Naruto stop showing off already? It was one thing that he got lucky and dodged it once, but didn't Kakashi-sensei say it? This guy is a Jonin. He's on a completely different level from you, yet you still provoke him!

When Sasuke heard the words "Sharingan," he froze slightly. Once he came back to himself, he hurriedly said, "Naruto, this isn't the time for jokes!"

Naruto's attitude completely enraged Momochi Zabuza. He sneered, "Hahaha, you've got guts! You really do! Sharingan Kakashi, how about this? Hand over that old man and the blond brat, and I'll leave."

Kakashi did not answer. Instead, he said to those behind him, "You three, form a manji formation and protect Mr. Tazuna. Do not take part in this battle."

With that, Kakashi slowly lifted the forehead protector covering his left eye. A vertical scar ran across it, and within the eye socket, a scarlet three-tomoe Sharingan appeared before everyone.

Momochi Zabuza turned around atop his blade and sneered. "Oh! I didn't expect to see the legendary Sharingan so soon. What an honor."

Sakura looked at Kakashi in confusion. "Everyone keeps talking about the Sharingan. What exactly is it?"

Lowering his head, Sasuke explained, "The Sharingan is a power born from one's gaze, wielded through the pupils. Its user can instantly see through all Genjutsu, Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu, then reflect them back. The Sharingan is one type of eye possessed by users of ocular techniques, but its abilities go far beyond that."

But why did Kakashi, who was not from the Uchiha Clan, possess the Sharingan? Sasuke was deeply puzzled.

Momochi Zabuza continued, "That's right. It goes far beyond that. What's even more terrifying is that those eyes can not only see through an opponent's techniques, but copy them as well. Back when I was in the Hidden Mist Village's assassination unit, the handbook I carried already had information on you, Kakashi. And this was how it described you—the man who copied over a thousand Ninjutsu, Copy Ninja Kakashi."

After hearing that, Sakura could not help but marvel inwardly. What? Kakashi-sensei is actually such an incredible ninja? Then she glanced at Naruto beside her and thought, Unlike Naruto. It was bad enough when he used to be unreliable, but now he's learned to show off too. Recklessly provoking a Jonin that even Kakashi-sensei has to take seriously... he really has a death wish!

Naruto had already examined Kakashi's Sharingan through the Six Eyes, so he was not surprised. He was simply filled with curiosity about the Sharingan.

Momochi Zabuza crouched steadily atop the sharp blade and spoke coldly. "Enough chatter. My original target was only that old man, but now it seems I'll have to add you too, blond brat."

Sasuke and Sakura reacted quickly. The moment Momochi Zabuza finished speaking, both of them took up defensive stances in front of Tazuna.

Naruto, meanwhile, calmly stepped past Kakashi and walked to the very front of the group. "Fine, then I'll play with you."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Kakashi shouted sternly.

Sakura grew anxious as well. "Get back here and take your position, Naruto! This isn't the time to show off!"

At that moment, Momochi Zabuza's figure vanished from where he stood like a bolt of lightning. The next instant, he appeared soundlessly on the calm surface of the water.

His feet touched the water lightly without stirring the slightest ripple, as though he had become one with its surface.

Immediately afterward, Momochi Zabuza formed hand seals. A powerful surge of Chakra churned within him before erupting outward in every direction.

In an instant, the already thick mist seemed to come alive, roiling and surging wildly as it swallowed the entire battlefield in even greater chaos and uncertainty.