Dance of the Crescent Moon: Second Form: Star Treading!

After a long silence, Zabuza looked toward Sasuke in the distance and slowly spoke:

"Sasuke, you're the most absurdly talented ninja I've ever seen."

"But maybe someday you'll be able to take me down in an instant. Right now, though, you haven't grown enough, so you're absolutely no match for me."

"Give it up, Sasuke."

"I don't want to hurt you, even if I'm only a Water Clone."

"But if we keep fighting, I won't hold back anymore. I need to make sure the mission goes smoothly, so think carefully..."

The Water Clone's foolish grin and easygoing demeanor were gone. Its expression serious, Zabuza spoke.

At that, everyone turned their eyes to Sasuke.

Anyone could see that Zabuza admired Sasuke and had already shown him plenty of respect.

If Sasuke pushed his luck, Zabuza might have to get serious for the sake of the mission...

And even a simple clone of an elite Jonin was more than a mere Genin could handle...

Sighing, Sasuke shook his head helplessly and replied:

"Senior Zabuza, I know that if you got serious, I really wouldn't stand a chance against you."

"But I have one last sword technique, and I'd like you to give me your guidance."

"If this final strike doesn't settle things, I'll concede defeat. How about it?..."

One last strike?

Could it be that Konoha Style sword technique again?...

Hearing Sasuke, Zabuza almost instinctively thought of the Wind Slash from earlier!

The skin beneath his bandages twitched. Then, his expression grew solemn.

"Fine! I'll take your final strike. What have I got to lose?..."

"Great! You're a good sport, Senior! Then forgive me!..."

After Sasuke spoke, silence fell over the scene once more. A gentle breeze stirred, lifting fallen leaves and carrying the fragrance of grass and trees.

The atmosphere grew increasingly bleak. Almost instinctively, everyone watching held their breath, eyes fixed on Sasuke and Zabuza.

In his mind, the sword technique the system had displayed before him that night resurfaced.

It was Konoha Style: Dance of the Crescent Moon: Second Form: Star Treading.

Slowly closing his eyes, Sasuke pictured the sword forms arrayed like a field of stars. The little figure projected by the system stepped across the stars, ninja sword in hand, and suddenly thrust out, leaving no room to retreat!

The stars shifted, and forms changed places.

Drawing a deep breath, Sasuke opened his eyes, carrying that insight with him!

Then, with a push off his toes, he sprang into the air. The Sword of Indra flashed in his hand, then shot from it like a falling star, streaking toward Zabuza's clone!

"That move again?..."

Zabuza narrowed his eyes. After taking two Wind Slashes earlier, he wasn't about to let his guard down again.

He watched for Sasuke to feint from the front and then use the Substitution Technique to attack him from behind, just as before.

At the same time, he swung Kubikiribōchō and flicked it up, knocking aside the incoming Sword of Indra.

He kept his strength in reserve, ready to adapt if anything unexpected happened.

He had a feeling that once he blocked this last strike, even if Sasuke refused to admit defeat, he'd still win.

And vice versa.

The sword rang with a sharp clang!

The Sword of Indra was closing in.

Though it flew like a meteor, its speed incredible,

it lacked accuracy. It skimmed past Zabuza, barely missing him, like a hurried passerby that didn't touch a single leaf or speck of dust.

"That's it?..."

"Did the kid run out of chakra and miss?..."

Keeping his sword raised defensively across his chest, Zabuza wondered to himself.

Sasuke's final strike had fallen far below his usual form. Honestly, Zabuza was a little disappointed.

But just then,

the ninja sword cut through the air with a piercing whistle.

The next instant, Sasuke's figure appeared out of nowhere behind Zabuza, soundlessly!

He moved with the rushing wind, a streak of starlight trailing behind him.

Holding the sword in both hands, Sasuke's gaze was steady.

A drop of crimson blood slowly turned into clear water. It slid down the blade of the ninja sword and fell to the ground, quietly moistening the earth.

Zabuza's Water Clone's eyes widened. Twisting around in disbelief, it looked at Sasuke behind it and clutched its throat, choking out:

"H-How is this possible? You were just over there. How did you suddenly..."

Sasuke didn't give Zabuza's Water Clone time to finish.

With a bang!

The clone burst into mist, becoming a puddle of clear water that vanished without a trace...

"Wha... Sa-Sasuke just took out Zabuza's Water Clone in an instant?..."

"But how is that possible?"

"A Genin took out a clone with the strength of an elite Chunin in an instant. Could Sasuke really be that strong?..."

Though he'd seen it with his own eyes, Naruto's mouth hung open. He still couldn't believe it.

He felt as if he were dreaming, as though none of it were real.

Unreal and hazy, like a dream...

"He... He's so amazing. Maybe only a young lady like Ino could be worthy of him..."

Lowering her head, her emerald eyes dim,

Sakura could only feel that the gap between her and Sasuke was growing wider and wider, like an uncrossable chasm.

"Heh... Stunned, are you?..."

"Just an elite Jonin, and you dared to cross blades with the future Fifth Hokage?"

"Look at you, all high and mighty!"

"Just wait. You've offended the future Hokage, so you're in for a rough time from now on, Zabuza!..."

Unlike Sakura and Naruto, who were both shocked,

Tazuna remained calm and composed, smiling faintly as he leaned back with a knowing air.

In his eyes, Sasuke was already the inevitable Fifth Hokage, irreplaceable!

"Th-That's the Second, Lord Tobirama's Space-Time Ninjutsu, Flying Thunder God Slash!..."

Trapped inside the Water Prison Technique, Kakashi was so shocked that he blew bubbles.

But he was so overwhelmed that he didn't even notice...

"N-No, that's not right. It looks like Flying Thunder God Slash, but something about it seems different..."

"After all, the sword Sasuke shot through the air just now was definitely faster than Flying Thunder God Slash..."

"But..."

Lost in thought, Kakashi stared blankly for a long moment. Then, his thoughts clicked into place, and he suddenly understood.

"No... The sword... the ninja sword!... Could this be a higher level of the Dance of the Crescent Moon?..."

"But how could Sasuke have grasped such a terrifying level of swordsmanship overnight, when even a Jonin as powerful as Gekko Hayate hadn't mastered it after decades?..."

His emotions surged, beyond anything he could express.

But just then,

Sasuke suddenly shouted from the middle of the scene:

"Senior Zabuza, forgive me!..."

At some point, Sasuke had appeared again. This time, he charged straight at Zabuza's real body beside the Water Prison, one man and one sword!

"That move again!..."

Seeing Sasuke use the flying sword to switch places again,

Zabuza's pupils suddenly contracted.

"Does this guy have unlimited chakra or something?..."

He was so frustrated that he wanted to curse out loud.

But after all those twists and turns, most of his chakra was already gone.

And to make matters worse, Kakashi, trapped in the Water Prison Technique, had probably almost recovered his chakra.

With the balance shifting against him, Zabuza didn't dare hesitate any longer.

He pulled his hand out of the Water Prison Technique, and his body flickered as he activated the Body Flicker Technique. The next instant, he vanished from the scene!

At the same time, his resentful shout came from far away:

"Kakashi, today I lost to that brat Sasuke!"

"Remember! I didn't lose to you!"

"And remember this! I'll be back!~..."