Copy Ninja

At the coast, Naruto's fateful battle unleashed a tsunami!

Before the fighting began, the people of the Land of Waves had all fled. They didn't dare risk their lives just to watch the ninjas fight.

The tsunami crashed into the bridge, sweeping its building materials into the sea and carrying them away with the waves.

On the boat, Kakashi sensed a killing intent and, drawing on his experience, shielded Hinata and Sakura Haruno beside him.

Clang!

Kunai clashed.

Zabuza's eyes were fierce. "You're nothing special. I've killed more than one jonin like you. But why would Naruto, that blond-haired kid, call you his teacher? Your master's strength has long surpassed that of an ordinary Kage."

Kakashi held off Zabuza and saw Su, looking weak, behind him. He warned, "Hinata, Sakura, be careful of that girl who can use Ice Release. I'll deal with Zabuza."

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei!"

Zabuza's expression turned serious. "Kakashi, the Copy Ninja of Konoha. I never expected you to be my opponent."

Kakashi was equally cautious. "Zabuza, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Though you defected from Kirigakure and became a feared assassin, I never expected our paths to cross either!"

Naruto had taken Zabuza's sword. "Once my master kills Naruto, I'll get my Kubikiribōchō back."

Kakashi lifted his Forehead Protector, revealing the right eye he had kept hidden. "Naruto has tremendous resilience and strength. Your so-called master may well lose to him. Don't underestimate my student."

Zabuza looked as if he'd heard a joke. "Keep dreaming. My master's test for me is to beat you to death. I'll give you this chance."

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

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" A huge water dragon appeared behind Zabuza and charged at Kakashi, radiating killing intent.

Kakashi's right eye was a transplanted Sharingan. It had two tomoe, and seemed to show signs of evolving into the Three Tomoe.

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

Kakashi's water dragon was a little smaller, but still big enough to block Zabuza's.

The two water dragons collided in midair, then dissolved back into the sea.

Zabuza finally witnessed Kakashi's ability. "So you earned the name Copy Ninja thanks to the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan. But how long can you keep that Sharingan going?"

Zabuza continued forming hand seals. "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique."

This time, Kakashi formed the seals faster than Zabuza. In fact, he'd predicted Zabuza's attack. "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique."

Zabuza brought trouble upon himself and was blasted away by his own technique. A large bruise appeared on his chest. The hit had clearly hurt.

"I lost this round of ninjutsu!" Zabuza ripped off his shirt in frustration, baring his muscular torso. "My master says my bloodline is barely boiling. He's underestimating me. Why would I be afraid of death?"

"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique."

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

"Kakashi, you can't see where I am. This time, I'll kill you for sure!" Zabuza could tell where Kakashi was by the sounds he made as he moved, an ability he'd honed over many years. "Hidden Mist: Silent Killing Technique!"

Zabuza focused chakra throughout his body. A glimmer at the center of his brow began to flicker, and his Bloodline Boiling continued to amplify his strength.

The boat was outside the thick fog.

Hinata and Sakura stood on either side of Tazuna, guarding him. They were both nervous.

Hinata watched Su, whose face had gone pale, and said to Sakura, "She has Ice Release, just like Haku. She can use chakra to freeze water. Naruto badly wounded her earlier, so there's no way she could've recovered so quickly. If we're careful, we should be able to defeat her."

Sakura was ready to use genjutsu at any moment. It was the only ability she had that might be of any use right now. "Hinata, why did Naruto hide his strength from us? Does he not trust us?"

Hinata thought Sakura was making a fuss over nothing. "Sakura, I've known Naruto was strong for ages. He's a low-key person, and he doesn't need to go around telling everyone how powerful he is, does he? That would make him look even more foolish!"

Sakura shut her mouth. She'd asked the wrong question.

Su walked over slowly, her gaze sharp. "This old man is the expert from the Land of Waves who wants to build the bridge, right?"

"What are you getting at?" Sakura clenched her fists. "Tazuna just wants to build a bridge connecting the Land of Waves to the outside world, so its people can live better lives. Does someone like that deserve to die?"

Su rolled her wrist. "I've learned a few things from Gato. Maybe I should tell you about them."

"The Land of Waves has been under Gato's control for years. It's just a small island with little farmland, so its people rely on fishing. But they can't compete with fishermen from the Land of Water, so they can't get rich either."

"Gato used modern techniques to develop the Land of Waves' mineral resources, but from the looks of it, he's already mined almost everything."

"Once the bridge is built, the people of the Land of Waves can leave. But without money, they'll still end up at the bottom of society. The other great nations won't benefit from coming here. Do you really think they'd come out of the goodness of their hearts to develop the Land of Waves?"

"Gato has certainly hurt the people of the Land of Waves, and he deserves to die. But I don't believe building a bridge will change everything."

"Tazuna, think about it. How many people have died at Gato's hands because of this bridge?"

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

"Gato used you to draw out everyone in the Land of Waves who still had the will to resist. Then he picked them off one by one."

"I don't know if you've realized that. Maybe you have, but the fame and fortune that come with this bridge have made it impossible for you to turn back."

"Tazuna, do you want to become someone everyone is grateful to?"

Tazuna thought of his friends and the terrible days when one tragic report after another had arrived after construction began. "No. I just want to fulfill the future we all dreamed of together."

Su explained her view. "You went to Konoha for a reason. You wanted to use Konoha's ninjas to deal with Gato. You were lucky. If the team Konoha sent had been led by a Chunin, the Demon Brothers could've killed you on the way. Your lies already show that your heart has changed."

Afraid the Konoha ninjas would be swayed by her words, Tazuna hurriedly raised his voice. "Konoha's ninjas are the most righteous! Doesn't Gato deserve to die? And I only told a white lie. As long as the bridge is finished, I'm willing to sacrifice myself too."

Su laughed mockingly. "Tazuna, building a bridge isn't hard. Why don't you kill yourself? I'll promise to help finish it for you."