"Still playing mysterious games, are you?" Kakashi focused his gaze and abruptly brought his hands together in a seal. A visible surge of chakra erupted, blasting away much of the thick mist.
"Oh? You can even disperse the Hidden Mist Technique. Kakashi, it seems I underestimated you." The cold voice came from within the fog, seeming to whisper right beside their ears and sending an involuntary shiver down their spines.
No... it did not merely seem to be beside their ears. It truly was.
Naruto instantly realized something and hurriedly turned his head, only to find the Kubikiribōchō already bearing down on him.
His pupils contracted and instantly narrowed into slits, like a fox's reaction when faced with danger. But it was already too late to dodge. Under that nearly tangible killing intent, fledglings like them, fresh out of the nest, had no way to respond. Every ninjutsu they had ever learned was forgotten in an instant, leaving only blankness in their minds.
Clang!
The sound of metal striking metal rang out, jolting Naruto back to reality. Kakashi appeared at the most critical moment, the Kunai in his hand firmly blocking the massive blade.
"Naruto, this isn't the time to space out!" That was all he had time to say. His hand suddenly slid, pulling the Kunai to one side. Driven by the Kubikiribōchō's powerful momentum, the blade slammed into the ground with a deafening boom, sending dirt and shattered stones flying.
His Sharingan spun as Kakashi thrust toward Zabuza's throat in an instant. He used no ninjutsu, no flashy techniques—only direct speed, precision, and ruthlessness.
But Zabuza would not simply surrender. He was an elite ninja of Kirigakure. If he could have been killed by Kakashi in their first exchange, he would have died hundreds or thousands of times