Kamui

## On the Great Bridge ##

They stepped onto the bridge, where mist had already begun to drift around them. Naruto quietly activated his Sharingan while concealing it with a genjutsu.

They advanced quietly. Tazuna was drenched in sweat from fear, his breathing ragged. Through his Sharingan, Naruto could vaguely make out two sources of chakra.

"They're already here. Zabuza and Haku are both here, about a hundred meters away," Naruto said, and everyone became alert.

They continued forward until only a few meters remained between the two sides.

"Kakashi, we meet again," Zabuza said in a gloomy voice.

"There are so many places I could choose... I could slit your throat... drive a blade into your heart... pierce your lungs... or break your spine." Zabuza's tone was filled with killing intent. Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Naruto seemed unmoved, while Shino and Sasuke were drenched in sweat. Tazuna's legs had gone weak, and he had already collapsed to the ground.

Naruto saw Zabuza move toward Kurenai Yuhi.

Naruto swiftly drew his sword and leaped in front of Kurenai Yuhi, blocking Zabuza's blade.

"Kid, not bad. You actually noticed me," Zabuza said.

Not many people could keep a clear enough mind to think in a situation like that.

Sometimes even jonin got caught off guard. If not for Naruto, Kurenai Yuhi might already have been dead.

"Zabuza, say goodbye to your mist." Naruto formed several hand seals and unleashed a gust of wind that blew the mist away. Zabuza frowned.

"I really hate Wind Release." Zabuza rested his sword across his shoulder, ready to attack.

"Everyone, take your positions according to the plan," Kakashi ordered.

"Why can that idiot fight while I, a genius, can only watch?" Sasuke retorted in his usual arrogant tone.

"Now isn't the time for you to talk," Kakashi said very seriously, making Sasuke suck in a breath. "Stay outside the barrier with Hinata. You may only join when Naruto needs you. Understand?"

Sasuke nodded.

"Get ready," Kakashi said.

Tazuna and Shino retreated. Naruto created four Shadow Clones, forming a square as they declared:

"Ninjutsu—Purple Flame Formation!"

A purple barrier immediately rose up, enclosing Hinata and Shino inside while Sasuke remained outside. Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi moved forward to prepare to fight Zabuza, while Naruto prepared to face Haku.

Zabuza summoned several Water Clones to surround Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Naruto.

Naruto vanished in an instant. A second later, every clone turned into a puddle of water.

"Looks like you've found your match in speed, haven't you, Haku?" Zabuza asked.

"It appears so," Haku replied, charging toward Naruto.

Naruto gripped his sword hilt tightly and ran toward Haku. They exchanged several moves. Neither side had a clear advantage. Naruto easily blocked every attack, but he was unable to land a hit as well.

Haku began rapidly forming hand seals with one hand.

"Thousand Flying Water Needles!"

Thousands of water needles immediately flew toward Naruto like raindrops.

Seeing this, Naruto knew he did not have many options for evading them. His eyes transformed into the Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Kamui!"

Naruto's body became intangible. Everyone watched in shock as every water needle passed through Naruto's body and emerged from the other side.

"That's impossible," Haku said.

Naruto grinned and drove a powerful kick into Haku's chest, sending him flying. He slammed into the ground and landed beside Zabuza, who was still wondering how the kid had done it.

"You're certainly impressive for a genin," Zabuza said.

A smug smile appeared at the corner of Kakashi's mouth.

"Would you believe me if I told you Naruto is actually the lowest-ranked student in our class?"

Zabuza's eyes widened. There was no way this kid could be the dead last, unless every genin in Konoha underwent brutal training.

"Zabuza, before we start fighting, I have a proposal," Naruto said. Zabuza raised an eyebrow.

"What do you want?" Zabuza asked.

"I heard Gato plans to betray you after you complete the mission. He intends to kill you and Haku after you kill Tazuna, so he won't have to pay you. Why don't we join forces against Gato? In return, you can come back to Konoha with us," Naruto explained.

"Naruto, you can't just offer refuge to a rogue ninja," Kakashi said.

"Kid, are you insane? Why would I join Konoha?" Zabuza asked.

"I'd bet you're tired of constantly running and having to keep looking for missions just to survive. I know the old man well enough. You two could become major assets to the village. Zabuza is one of the Seven Swordsmen, and Haku possesses Ice Release," Naruto said.

"How do you know that?" Haku asked.

The last time they had met face-to-face, he had not revealed it.

"Did you think we were only training? Intelligence is half of battle, so I sent a fox to watch Gato's warehouse. It saw you training," Naruto explained.

Both of them frowned. A jonin had been monitored without even realizing it.

"Either way, I care a lot about my reputation. Let's still have a fight. If Gato shows up to kill me, we'll join forces. After that, I'll decide whether to go to Konoha," Zabuza said. Naruto nodded.

Haku immediately began rapidly forming hand seals and declared:

"Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!"

Ice mirrors began forming around Naruto, trapping him within a dome of ice. Haku stepped into one of the mirrors.

Inside the dome, Naruto saw Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi had already begun fighting Zabuza. Even working together, Zabuza was not easy to handle. Naruto needed to end his own battle quickly to help them.

Naruto noticed Haku's reflection in every mirror surrounding him. Each reflection held three needles, ready to attack.

When Naruto realized Haku was attacking at high speed, his eyes widened. His Sharingan tracked Haku's movements as he swiftly dodged.

Haku looked at Naruto in surprise.

"You're the first person to evade my attacks in here." Naruto merely smiled proudly.

Haku continued mercilessly shifting between the mirrors, throwing countless needles at Naruto. The assault continued for several minutes, yet Naruto did not even need to use Kamui to dodge every needle.

"How are you evading my attacks?" Haku shouted.