"Trade a few blows?"
Zabuza watched Lu Yu, who was already walking farther away, with uncertainty. A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes.
Up until now, although reason told him that Lu Yu was powerful beyond measure, instinct still clung to a faint hope that it wasn't true.
After all, the first time, Zabuza had been frightened off by Lu Yu, and just now, he had passed out without even knowing what had happened.
From beginning to end, Zabuza had never seen Lu Yu actually fight.
So aside from his fear of Lu Yu, Zabuza was even more curious.
He wondered just how strong this young man was to dare make such a bold claim about raising his strength.
As Zabuza hesitated, he caught Asuma giving him a mocking look from the side. His old face immediately grew hot, and he snapped:
"Fine, let's do it. Who's afraid of whom..."
Asuma watched Zabuza fall for his provocation, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. A strong curiosity showed on his face.
Asuma had always been curious about Lu Yu, such an unusual person.
His father, Sarutobi Hiruzen, seemed to think extremely highly of Lu Yu. On top of that, Kakashi had personally admitted that Lu Yu had defeated him with his sheer presence.
And Naruto, whose strength was extraordinary, and the proud Uchiha Sasuke both called Lu Yu their boss with complete sincerity.
All of this had shrouded Lu Yu in an air of mystery.
If Lu Yu's strength was on the same level as Sasuke's and Naruto's, Asuma could find an excuse to spar with him and get a good measure of his abilities.
But Asuma suspected that Lu Yu might be stronger than him. If he lost, it would be awkward, since they'd have to see each other all the time.
So, despite his intense curiosity about Lu Yu's true strength, Asuma had never found an opening to satisfy it. These past few months had been excruciating.
And now, this blockhead Zabuza had actually agreed to spar with Lu Yu.
Asuma was thrilled. After agonizing over the question for so long, he would finally have an answer soon.
A minute later, the three of them appeared on the water beneath the bridge.
Lu Yu had chosen the spot deliberately. He knew that as a shinobi from Kirigakure, Zabuza would be much stronger near water.
Lu Yu wanted Zabuza to give it his all, then be thoroughly beaten until he accepted defeat.
The two faced each other from a distance. Watching Lu Yu stand with his arms crossed, Zabuza couldn't help but snap angrily:
"Kid, I know you're strong, but isn't it a bit too arrogant to fight me without using your hands..."
"All right, all right."
Lu Yu knew Zabuza was only saving face because Asuma was watching.
With a resigned air, Lu Yu lowered his arms and gave Zabuza a meaningful look.
"If I use both hands, things might get pretty exciting..."
"Hmph, don't look down on me!"
Zabuza barked angrily and rapidly formed Hand Seals.
"Water Clone Technique!"
The water rippled, and three water clones identical to Zabuza appeared at once.
Then Zabuza charged at Lu Yu with Kubikiribōchō, accompanied by his three clones.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
In just a moment, the two sides were fighting.
Zabuza swung Kubikiribōchō with tremendous force. Together with the attacks of his three water clones, he created an overwhelming sense of pressure.
But to Lu Yu, Zabuza wasn't all that fast. He ducked beneath a slash and threw a casual punch, making one of the water clones disappear.
In just two seconds, all the water clones had been destroyed, leaving only Zabuza's real body several meters away.
Taking advantage of the time Lu Yu had spent destroying the clones, Zabuza ran forward for a couple of steps and leaped high into the air. Then, with all his strength, he brought his sword crashing down toward Lu Yu.
Watching Zabuza's attack, Asuma's expression shifted. Even he would have to dodge and avoid its full force.
The slash combined a running start, a charge, and a powerful overhead strike from above. Its force was formidable.
But what happened next left Zabuza and Asuma staring in disbelief.
Facing the attack, Lu Yu didn't dodge. He merely raised his right hand, unhurriedly.
Then, just as Zabuza brought the sword down with all his strength, Lu Yu caught Kubikiribōchō firmly between his thumb and forefinger.
And just like that, Zabuza's earth-shattering strike had been caught with effortless ease...
Zabuza stared at what had just happened, completely stunned. He had put in one hundred and twenty percent of his strength for that mighty strike, yet his opponent had stopped it with just two fingers.
Sage of Six Paths, are you messing with me?
Asuma was so shocked he couldn't close his mouth. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Good grief, Lu Yu was absurdly strong...
That had been Zabuza's full-power strike! After a blow like that, forget two fingers—even two steel bars would have been sliced clean through. Was this kid even human?
Lu Yu watched the stunned Zabuza with interest. He tightened his thumb and forefinger, then gave the sword a hard twist...
Clang!
After a sharp metallic crack, Zabuza and Asuma were once again struck dumb. They could hardly believe their eyes...
Lu Yu had actually broken off a piece of Kubikiribōchō with his bare hands...
Zabuza watched Lu Yu, who looked completely unfazed, the corner of his mouth twitching. Cold sweat suddenly streamed down his forehead...