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

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

"Sasuke, you are the most heaven-defying ninja I have ever seen."

"Perhaps you could easily kill me in the future, but you haven't grown up yet, so you are absolutely no match for me right now."

"Give it up, Sasuke."

"I don't want to hurt you, even though this is merely a Water Clone of mine."

"But if we continue to fight, in order to ensure the mission is completed successfully, I will certainly stop holding back. You had better think this through..."

Shedding his previous silly grin and easygoing demeanor, Zabuza's Water Clone spoke with a grave expression.

Hearing this, everyone present focused their gazes on Sasuke.

Anyone could see that Zabuza was currently showing great appreciation for Sasuke and had already been very generous.

If he were to push his luck any further, the man might resort to lethal force for the sake of his mission...

And an elite Jonin, even a simple clone, was not something a mere Genin could contend with...

Sighing, Sasuke shook his head helplessly and responded:

"Senior Zabuza, I know that if you were serious, I truly wouldn't be able to handle you."

"But I have one final sword technique I would like you to offer some guidance on."

"If this last strike yields no results, then I will concede the match automatically. How about that?..."

A final sword technique?

Could it be that Konoha Style swordsmanship again?...

Hearing Sasuke's words, Zabuza almost instinctively thought of that previous Wind Slash!

The skin beneath his bandages twitched involuntarily, and he replied with solemnity:

"Fine! Then what harm is there in me receiving this final strike of yours?..."

"Great! You are straightforward, Senior! Then this junior will be offensive!..."

As Sasuke finished speaking, the scene fell silent once more. A gentle breeze caressed the area, swirling fallen leaves and carrying the fragrance of grass and trees.

The atmosphere grew increasingly desolate. Everyone watching held their breath almost instinctively, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on Sasuke and Zabuza in the center of the field.

The sword technique the system had displayed before his eyes that night surfaced in his mind.

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

Slowly closing his eyes, he saw the sword moves coalesce into a row of stars. The small figure projected by the system stepped upon the stars, holding a Ninja Sword, and suddenly thrust forward—leaving no room for retreat!

The stars shifted, and positions were swapped.

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke opened his eyes abruptly, carrying this newfound realization!

Immediately, he tapped his toes, and with a swift motion, he leaped into the air. The Sword of Indra in his hand instantly shot out toward Zabuza's clone like a falling star!

"This move again?..."

Seeing this, Zabuza narrowed his eyes. Having been hit by the Wind Slash twice before, he dared not be careless.

He guarded against the possibility that Sasuke might be feigning an attack on the surface, only to use the Substitution Technique to strike from behind as he had done before.

At the same time, he swung the Kubikiribōchō, flicking it lightly to deflect the incoming Sword of Indra.

He kept his strength in reserve, ready to react to any sudden developments.

He had a premonition that once he received this final strike, even if Sasuke tried to cheat and refuse to admit defeat, he would still be the winner.

The reverse was also true.

Clang!

The Sword of Indra drew near.

Though it moved like a meteor with incredible speed, it lacked accuracy, narrowly sliding past Zabuza like a hurried passerby, not even brushing against a single leaf.

"Is that it?..."

"Could it be that this kid ran out of chakra and missed?..."

Zabuza muttered to himself while holding his blade horizontally across his chest for defense.

To be honest, Sasuke's subpar final strike was a bit of a disappointment to Zabuza.

But at that very moment.

The Ninja Sword whistled through the air with a piercing sound.

The next instant, Sasuke's figure appeared out of thin air behind Zabuza, silent and traceless!

Moving forward with the gale, a trail of starlight followed in his wake.

Holding the sword with both hands, Sasuke's gaze was resolute.

A single drop of crimson blood gradually turned into clear water, sliding slowly off the blade of the Ninja Sword and falling to the ground, soaking into the earth without a sound.

Zabuza's Water Clone widened its eyes, twisting its head to look at Sasuke behind it in disbelief, clutching its throat as it whimpered, "Th-this... how is this possible? You... you were clearly just over there a moment ago, how did you..."

Without giving the Water Clone time to finish its sentence.

Bang!

The water mist exploded, turning into a puddle of clear spring water that vanished into nothingness...

"Th-this... Sasuke actually killed Zabuza's Water Clone in a single blow?..."

"But how is that possible?"

"A Genin killing a clone with the strength of an elite Chunin in one hit—is this guy Sasuke really that strong?..."

Even though he had seen it with his own eyes, Naruto's mouth hung open, still unwilling to believe it.

At this moment, he felt as if he were dreaming, a sensation that felt completely unreal.

Ethereal, like a dream or an illusion.

"He... he is so outstanding; perhaps only a young lady like Ino could be worthy of him..."

Lowering her head, her emerald eyes dimmed.

Sakura felt that the gap between her and Sasuke was growing wider, like a chasm that could not be crossed.

"Heh... stunned, aren't you?..."

"A mere elite Jonin, yet he dared to cross blades with the future Fifth Hokage?"

"Look at how capable you think you are?"

"Just you wait, having offended the future Hokage, there's definitely no good fruit for you to eat in the future, Zabuza!..."

Unlike the shock felt by Sakura and Naruto.

Tazuna remained calm and composed, smiling slightly as he leaned back tactically.

In his eyes, Sasuke had already become the destined Fifth Hokage, irreplaceable!

"Th-this is the space-time ninjutsu of the Second Hokage, Lord Tobirama—the Flying Thunder God Slash!..."

Trapped within the Water Prison, Kakashi was so shocked he started blowing bubbles.

Yet, the shock in his heart made him completely overlook this...

"No... that's not right. It looks like the Flying Thunder God Slash, but it seems a bit different..."

"After all, the sword strike Sasuke launched mid-air just now was definitely faster than the Flying Thunder God Slash..."

"But..."

Thinking this far, Kakashi fell into confusion. After a long while, he froze, his thoughts connecting, and he suddenly realized:

"No... the sword... the Ninja Sword!... Could this be a higher realm of the Dance of the Crescent Moon!..."

"But how could Sasuke, in the span of a single day, reach such a terrifying level in a sword art that even a Jonin as strong as Gekko Hayate couldn't master after decades of practice?..."

His emotions were stirred beyond measure.

But just then.

A loud shout from Sasuke suddenly rang out across the field:

"Senior Zabuza, my apologies!..."

Before anyone knew it, Sasuke's figure had appeared once again, and this time, with sword in hand, he charged straight toward Zabuza's real body beside the Water Prison!

"That sword strike again!..."

Seeing Sasuke use the flying sword to shift his position once more.

Zabuza's pupils constricted sharply:

"Does this guy have infinite chakra?..."

He felt annoyed, wanting to curse out loud.

But at this moment, after so many twists and turns, his chakra was already mostly depleted.

And what was worse, Kakashi in the Water Prison was likely recovering his chakra as well.

With his strength waning while his opponent's grew, Zabuza dared not hesitate.

He pulled his hand from the Water Prison, his figure flickered, and the Body Flicker Technique activated. The next moment, he vanished from the scene instantly!

At the same time, his unwilling voice drifted from afar:

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

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

"And you, mark my words! I will be back!~..."