Replication Ninja

At the coast, Naruto's destined battle triggered a tsunami!

Before the fighting began, the people of the Land of Waves had already fled; they dared not risk their lives to watch the ninjas clash.

The tsunami slammed into the bridge, scattering construction materials across the sea surface and drifting them away with the waves.

On a wooden boat, Kakashi sensed a murderous aura and, relying on his experience, shielded Hinata and Sakura Haruno beside him.

Clang!

Kunai met.

Zabuza's eyes were fierce: "Nothing special. I've killed more than one Jonin like you. But why does that yellow-haired Naruto call you teacher? The Lord's strength has long since surpassed that of an ordinary Kage."

Kakashi blocked Zabuza and, seeing the weak Su behind him, warned: "Hinata, Sakura, watch out for that girl who uses Ice Release. I will deal with Zabuza."

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei!"

Zabuza's expression was no longer flippant: "The Copy Ninja of Konoha, Kakashi. I didn't expect my opponent to be you."

Kakashi was equally cautious: "Zabuza of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Although you defected from Kirigakure and became a terrifying hunter, I didn't expect to run into you either!"

Zabuza's Ninja Sword had been taken away by Naruto: "After the Lord kills the yellow-haired Naruto, my Kubikiribōchō will return to me."

Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing his hidden right eye: "Naruto possesses a powerful, unyielding ability. The Lord you speak of might even fall at Naruto's hands. Please do not underestimate my student."

Zabuza acted as if he had heard a joke: "Delusional. The test the Lord gave me is to beat you to death, and I will grant you that opportunity."

"I won't give you the chance to kill me." Kakashi prepared to go all out.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" A massive water dragon appeared behind Zabuza, charging at Kakashi with murderous intent.

Kakashi's right eye was actually a transplanted Sharingan, and it was a Two Tomoe, showing signs of evolving toward the Three Tomoe.

Kakashi instantly copied Zabuza's hand seals: "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Kakashi's water dragon was slightly smaller, but it was enough to block Zabuza's.

The two water dragons collided in the middle, finally turning back into seawater and dissipating.

Zabuza finally witnessed Kakashi's ability: "So you rely on the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan to earn the title of Copy Ninja. But how long can you maintain that Sharingan?"

Zabuza continued to weave seals: "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique."

This time, Kakashi's hand speed was faster than Zabuza's; in fact, one could say Kakashi had predicted Zabuza's attack: "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique."

Zabuza brought this upon himself, sent flying by his own jutsu, a large bruise forming on his chest; he clearly felt the impact.

"I lost this round of ninjutsu combat!" Zabuza unwillingly tore off his upper garment, revealing his sturdy muscles: "The Lord judged my bloodline boiling level to be low. That is an underestimation of me. How could I fear death!"

"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique."

Zabuza performed hand seals with one hand, and a thick fog enveloped him and Kakashi.

"Kakashi, you cannot see my shadow. This time, I will surely kill you!" Zabuza could judge Kakashi's position through the sounds of his movement, a skill he had gained through years of training: "Hidden Mist: Silent Killing Technique!"

Zabuza concentrated his chakra throughout his body, and the Dark glow between his brows began to flicker; his bloodline boiling continued to amplify Zabuza's power.

The wooden boat was outside the thick fog.

Hinata and Sakura Haruno guarded Tazuna on either side, both of them very nervous.

Hinata stared at the pale-faced Su in front of them and said to Sakura Haruno: "She possesses the same Ice Release ability as Haku, capable of condensing water into ice through chakra. Naruto already severely wounded her earlier; it is impossible for her to recover so quickly. If we are careful, we should be able to defeat her."

Sakura Haruno was ready to use genjutsu at any moment, which was the only ability she had that was still somewhat useful: "Hinata, why did Naruto hide his strength from us? Are we not worthy of his trust?"

Hinata felt Sakura Haruno was making a fuss: "Sakura, I have long known Naruto was very strong. He is a low-key person, and there is no need for Naruto to tell everyone how strong he is, right? That would look even stupider!"

Sakura Haruno shut her mouth; she realized she had asked the wrong question!

Su walked over in small steps, her gaze sharp: "This old man is the expert from the Land of Waves who wants to build a bridge, right?"

"What are you trying to say?" Sakura Haruno clenched her fists: "Expert Tazuna only wants to connect the Land of Waves to the outside world by building a bridge, so that the people of the Land of Waves can find happiness. Should a person like that be killed?"

Su flicked her wrists: "I saw some things from Gato, perhaps I can tell you all about them!"

"The Land of Waves has been controlled by Gato for many years. This is just a small island with little farmland, relying on the sea for survival, but they cannot compete with the fishermen of the Land of Water, so it is equally difficult for them to become wealthy!"

"Gato used technical means to develop the mineral resources of the Land of Waves, though it looks like they have already been mostly mined out by Gato."

"Once the bridge is built, the people of the Land of Waves will go out, but without money, they will still be the bottom-tier laborers of other nations. When other great powers come to the Land of Waves and find no profit, will they really be kind enough to build up the Land of Waves?"

"Gato certainly harmed the Land of Waves, and such a person deserves to die, but I don't believe the completion of a bridge represents a total change."

"Tazuna, think about it yourself. For the sake of building this bridge, how many people have died miserably at Gato's hands?"

"When you were in the Land of Waves, Gato clearly had many opportunities to kill you, but he didn't. Why?"

"Gato used you to draw out those in the Land of Waves who still had the heart to resist by using this bridge, and then he eliminated them one by one."

"I don't know if you have thought of this, or if you have, but the vanity fair created by this bridge has made it impossible for you to let go."

"Tazuna, do you want to become a figure that everyone is grateful to?"

Tazuna thought of his friends and the painful days after the bridge construction began when news of their deaths arrived one after another: "It's not like that. I just wanted to complete the future we all envisioned."

Su stated her point of view: "You went to the trouble of going to Konoha, surely wanting to use Konoha ninjas to deal with Gato. You were too lucky; if the team that took the mission from Konoha had been led by a Chunin, the Demon Brothers could have succeeded in killing you on the road. Your concealment actually shows that your heart has long since changed."

Tazuna feared the Konoha ninjas would be swayed by the other side and quickly said loudly: "Konoha ninjas have the greatest sense of justice. Doesn't Gato deserve to die? And my concealment was a white lie. As long as this bridge can be built, I can sacrifice myself."

Su mocked him: "Tazuna, building a bridge isn't difficult. Why don't you commit suicide, and I'll promise to help you finish the bridge?"