Team 7 Tree Climbing

He decided to use this week to train diligently and master this combat style of integrating multiple abilities as soon as possible.

He needed to achieve a qualitative leap in strength to face the various challenges ahead.

Su Bai carefully calculated how the coming battle would unfold.

According to the original plot, Zabuza should next appear when the bridge was nearing completion.

At that time, he would come together with Haku, who would use the bloodline limit, Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, to hold back Sasuke and Naruto.

Haku was kind by nature and had never truly wanted to kill anyone.

Even within the attack range of the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, his senbon needles had never targeted Sasuke's vital points.

Naruto would also be trapped within Haku's ninjutsu.

In the midst of the crisis, Sasuke would awaken the two-tomoe Sharingan, while Naruto would unleash the Nine-Tails' chakra, ultimately shattering Haku's defenses.

As for Zabuza, he had already thought of a way to deal with Kakashi's Sharingan, using ninjutsu to block his opponent's vision.

However, he never expected Kakashi to summon ninja hounds and easily locate his hiding place.

Without the cover of the Hidden Mist Technique, Zabuza was once again defeated by Kakashi.

Kakashi brought out Raikiri, intending to take Zabuza's life.

At the critical moment, Haku stepped forward and took the fatal blow for Zabuza, losing his own life in the process.

Though Zabuza survived because of it, both his arms were crippled during his fight with Kakashi.

Just then, their employer Gato arrived with his men. Seeing that Zabuza had lost all value, he immediately turned on him without mercy.

Seeing this, Kakashi stopped fighting Zabuza.

Overcome with rage, Zabuza killed Gato on the spot, avenging Haku.

After Gato's death, no one remained to hinder the bridge's construction, and Team 7's mission came to a successful conclusion.

Su Bai silently calculated in his heart:

During Sasuke and Naruto's fight against Haku, they would both bring out their strongest abilities. He would be able to reap experience points without even intervening;

As for Zabuza, he needed to squeeze as much experience out of him as possible before he was defeated.

In terms of pure swordsmanship and taijutsu, Su Bai was confident he could surpass him.

But if Zabuza used ninjutsu, Su Bai was probably still no match for him.

After careful consideration, Su Bai came up with two battle plans:

The first plan was to take the initiative as soon as Zabuza appeared, restrain him, and squeeze experience points out of him.

Once he used the Hidden Mist Technique, Su Bai would leave him to Kakashi.

At that point, Kakashi would surely summon ninja hounds and use the A-rank ninjutsu Raikiri.

And while he fought Zabuza, Su Bai could continue accumulating experience.

The second plan was to wait until Zabuza was bitten by the ninja hounds and his movements were restricted before making a move.

He would defeat Zabuza with his own hands.

Su Bai thought for a while.

After weighing his options, he still chose the first plan.

There was no other reason. He simply could not bear to personally end the life of someone as kind as Haku.

He knew that when Zabuza fell into danger, Haku would definitely protect him at the cost of his own life.

Haku was so pure and flawless. If someone truly had to take his life, it was better to leave it to Kakashi.

With his plan decided, all that remained was to train with everything he had and wait quietly for the day of destiny to arrive.

After a while, Kakashi suddenly woke up.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura sat around Kakashi's hospital bed, concerned about his condition.

Su Bai waited for quite some time, hoping Kakashi would realize that Zabuza was still alive.

But Kakashi never mentioned it.

Su Bai thought to himself, What if Kakashi doesn't know Zabuza isn't dead?

Then he would not teach Naruto and Sasuke the technique of gathering chakra in the soles of their feet.

When they faced Haku next time, the two of them would be crushed one-sidedly.

Sasuke would not awaken the two-tomoe Sharingan, and Naruto might not use the Nine-Tails' chakra either.

Then I'll get fewer experience points!

That won't do!

"For the sake of my experience, I'd better remind Kakashi-sensei."

So Su Bai went over to Kakashi. "Sensei, I think Zabuza might still be alive."

Kakashi said that he would need a week of rest to recover.

The moment Su Bai said, "Zabuza might still be alive," Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura's expressions instantly turned terrified.

Kakashi also looked shocked. Then he thought through the entire process of how that boy had dealt with Zabuza and finally noticed the suspicious details.

"So that's how it is. I was careless."

Naruto leaped up from his chair in agitation and shouted, "What? That guy Zabuza isn't dead? How is that possible? Kakashi-sensei, didn't you already defeat him?"

Though Sasuke remained calm on the surface, his clenched fists and slightly stiff shoulders betrayed the tension in his heart. Frowning, he asked in a low voice, "Su Bai, why do you think that? Do you have any evidence?"

Sakura covered her mouth, her eyes filled with fear and unease.

Her voice trembled as she said, "Su Bai, are you serious? If Zabuza really is still alive, then won't we have to face his threat again? That's too dangerous..."

Seeing the different reactions of his three students, Kakashi sighed softly.

"I'll explain."

Kakashi slowly began, "Think carefully about the process of our battle with Zabuza. Did you notice anything strange? The timing of that young Hidden Mist ninja's appearance was far too coincidental."

He paused before continuing, "Also, the weapon he used was silver needles. Silver needles are weak weapons. Unless they strike a vital point, it is difficult for them to kill with a single blow."

"Lastly, that boy had no reason to carry away Zabuza's body when Zabuza was much larger than him. What he did looked more like an attempt to save someone."

"If Su Bai hadn't reminded me, I might have taken a long time to realize this."

Listening to Kakashi's analysis, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura gradually understood the key point.

They realized that this mission was far more dangerous and complicated than they had imagined.

Seeing his three students' expressions gradually turn serious, Kakashi reassured them, "Don't worry too much. I'll find a way to deal with it. For now, what we need to do is stay alert and train harder in preparation for anything."

Naruto clenched his fists, fighting spirit blazing in his eyes. "Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei! No matter how strong Zabuza is, we'll definitely protect Tazuna and complete this mission!"

Sasuke and Sakura both nodded in agreement.

Kakashi looked at his three students' determined expressions with satisfaction. "Since we know an enemy is out there, I can't keep lying here and resting."

Though his body was still weak, he forced himself to get up.

Leaning on a crutch, Kakashi led Team 7 into the forest.

When they reached a dense stretch of woods, he motioned for the students to stop and turned to face them.

"Now, I'm going to teach you an important technique—how to use chakra to climb trees."

Kakashi said, "This exercise will help you control your chakra better and improve its precision and endurance."

Naruto excitedly raised his hand and loudly asked, "Kakashi-sensei, how do we use chakra to climb trees?"

Kakashi explained with a smile, "First, you need to concentrate chakra in the soles of your feet. This requires precise control. You can't use too much or too little. If you use too much chakra, you'll be bounced off the tree; if you use too little, you won't be able to stick to the trunk."

As he spoke, Kakashi walked up to a tall tree, formed hand seals, and began gathering chakra.

Then he effortlessly stepped onto the tree trunk and walked up it as naturally as if he were walking on level ground.

"The key is finding the balance point for your chakra."

As he walked upward, Kakashi said, "Once you master this technique, you'll be able to walk on trees easily, even run on them."

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura watched Kakashi's fluid movements in amazement.

They realized that this seemingly simple exercise actually required intense focus and precise chakra control.

Kakashi took out four kunai and tossed one each to Su Bai, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. "Now, each of you choose a tree and try climbing it with chakra. Use the kunai to mark the highest point you reach, then try to surpass that height."

The four students nodded and began concentrating their chakra.

Naruto and Sasuke both charged at the tree trunks, trying to reach the top in a single leap, but both ended in failure.

Sasuke gathered too much chakra and was bounced away the instant he stepped onto the trunk;

Naruto, on the other hand, did not have enough chakra. His foot slipped, and he nearly fell.

Meanwhile, Sakura unexpectedly displayed astonishing chakra control.

She carefully gathered chakra in the soles of her feet and climbed steadily, step by step, quickly reaching high up the tree.

Seeing Sakura's performance, Kakashi nodded approvingly.

But when he looked toward Su Bai, he could not see Su Bai anywhere.

"Hm?" Kakashi looked around.

"Sensei," Su Bai called out.

Kakashi looked up in the direction of the voice.

He saw that Su Bai had already climbed high up the tree and was firmly attached to the trunk in an unbelievable upside-down position.