How Did You See Through It?

Senbon, tools typically reserved for medical treatment and acupuncture, seemed incredibly deliberate when used for assassination; it felt more like a means to achieve a specific effect.

Feigned death!

These two words instantly surfaced in Kakashi's mind. He looked at the hunter-nin, his gaze having shifted entirely.

"It seems this lackluster student of mine has taught me a lesson." Kakashi's voice returned to its lazy tone. "So, can you explain yourself, Mr. Hunter-nin?"

The masked ninja's heart sank to the bottom of a well. He had not expected his plan to be exposed by what appeared to be the most unremarkable genin of Konoha, and in such a simple yet lethal manner.

All his disguises appeared pale and powerless before the other's mirror-like analysis.

Fight, or flee?

Haku's mind raced. Facing Kakashi of the Sharingan—who was in peak condition and had already seen through his disguise—alongside a black-haired youth whose depth was unfathomable and whose wisdom bordered on the monstrous, while Zabuza was exhausted and low on chakra, meant the odds of victory were zero.

"You Konoha genin are truly impressive."

Haku left behind those ambiguous words. The next moment, he chose not to fight; instead, he hugged Zabuza's body tightly, and chakra erupted violently beneath his feet!

His figure instantly blurred, and with a speed far exceeding conventional Body Flicker techniques, he shot toward the depths of the dense forest!

"You think you can leave?!"

Kakashi immediately prepared to pursue, but the exhaustion brought on by the high-intensity use of his Sharingan surged like a tide, causing his body to stagger and nearly collapse.

"Damn it!" He could only watch helplessly as Haku's figure, carrying Zabuza, vanished completely at the edge of the thick mist.

The surrounding killing intent and oppressive pressure dissipated along with their departure.

The threat was temporarily neutralized.

"Kakashi-sensei! Are you alright!" Naruto was the first to rush over, supporting the swaying Kakashi.

"Ah... I'm fine, just used a bit too much chakra." Kakashi waved his hand, then leaned against a tree, breathing heavily. He looked at Ling Xuan with an extremely complex expression.

"Ling Xuan, how did you... see through it?" he couldn't help but ask. This wasn't something that could be explained by simple observation.

Ling Xuan's reply was as calm as ever. "Logic. There is a fundamental contradiction between his actions and his identity and stated purpose. A hunter-nin using medical tools to carry out an execution mission is, in itself, the greatest flaw."

He did not mention his eyes that could perceive vital signs, attributing it instead to pure logical analysis.

But to Kakashi, this sounded even more terrifying. To remain so level-headed after a life-or-death battle and to instantly deduce the truth from minute details.

This intellect had already surpassed any peer he had ever seen, including Uchiha Itachi back in the day.

"I understand..." Kakashi gave a bitter smile. "It seems our mission is far from over. That boy and Zabuza Momochi will definitely appear again."

Standing straight, Kakashi said to the group, "Let's head to Mr. Tazuna's house first. I need to rest, and afterward, I will conduct special training for you all. Next time, we will be facing the Demon of the Mist, Zabuza, restored to his peak state, along with his mysterious companion."

The team set off once more, the atmosphere heavier than before. Everyone knew that a more arduous and dangerous battle was waiting for them in the near future.

Finally, they arrived at Tazuna's house before nightfall. It was a simple wooden structure that, amidst the bleak atmosphere of the village, felt remarkably full of life. The door was opened by Tazuna's daughter, Tsunami, a gentle yet resilient woman.

"Father! You've finally returned!" Seeing Tazuna safe and sound, Tsunami wept with joy.

That night, amidst the simple but warm dinner prepared by Tsunami, Team 7 received a temporary respite. At the dining table, Tazuna's grandson, Inari—a small boy with a stubborn yet gloomy gaze—sat in silence, watching these foreign ninjas with eyes full of distrust and hostility.

"You're all going to die in the end anyway," he suddenly said to Naruto. "Those who oppose Gato never have a good end. You ninjas talk a big game, but in the end, won't you just die in vain, just like my father!"

"What did you say!" Naruto was provoked, slamming his hand onto the table.

"Inari! That's enough!" Tsunami hurriedly scolded him.

After a small commotion, Inari ran back to his room in tears. Tazuna sighed and told the story of Inari's father.

The man whom Inari regarded as a hero had been executed in public for resisting Gato, which had become a permanent wound in Inari's heart, causing him to no longer believe in the existence of "heroes."

Dinner ended in a stifling atmosphere. Kakashi went to rest early due to excessive chakra consumption, while Ling Xuan returned to his assigned room alone.

He did not rest; for him, while the battle had ended, the analysis and planning had only just begun.

Sitting cross-legged, Ling Xuan closed his eyes. Deep within his consciousness, the Eye of Truth operated at an unprecedented speed. Every frame of the battle with Zabuza during the day, every movement Haku made, was retrieved, replayed, deconstructed, and analyzed.

Zabuza Momochi's combat style relied heavily on the coordination between his Kubikiribōchō and the Hidden Mist Technique. His swordsmanship was broad and powerful, emphasizing both strength and technique, but this also meant his movements were wide, leaving equally obvious openings.

The boy named Haku moved with agility and extreme speed, was proficient in human acupuncture points, and used senbon as his weapons. His chakra nature was Wind and Water; this combination had a very low probability of producing a special Kekkei Genkai—Ice Release.

Between the two of them existed a bond that transcended that of ordinary companions, bordering on blind loyalty. Haku's protection of Zabuza was absolute and at any cost. This point was both their strongest link and their most vulnerable fatal flaw.

In Ling Xuan's mind, countless fragments of information collided and reorganized at high speed, gradually forming a brand-new chessboard.

The pieces on the board included Kakashi, Zabuza, Haku, Team 7, and the mastermind, Gato.

And he, Ling Xuan, would be the one to set the board.

Letting Zabuza and Haku die in the Land of Waves was the simplest choice, but also the most wasteful. One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and a wielder of a Kekkei Genkai—the value they held, whether in intelligence, technique, or potential future combat power, was far beyond what could be gained by simply killing them.

What Ling Xuan wanted was not a simple victory, but to control the entire situation, incorporating all the pieces into his calculations and letting them follow his script toward a brand-new ending.