Su Bai vs. Zabuza

He recalled the plot from the original story. Before the final battle with Zabuza, two of Gatō's men would break into Inari's home, intending to kidnap him as a hostage and force Dazna to abandon the bridge construction.

So someone had to stay behind to protect Inari and his mother.

Early that morning, Kakashi prepared to lead Team 7 to the bridge.

Inari suddenly came out of his room and asked Su Bai, "Big Brother Su Bai, was what you said true?"

Su Bai nodded at Inari.

"It was!"

"Kakashi-sensei," Su Bai said solemnly.

"I have a feeling Inari and his mother may be in danger. Should we leave someone behind to protect them, just in case?"

Kakashi fell into thought upon hearing this.

After a moment, he slowly nodded. "Su Bai, your instincts are sharp. Considering we still don't have enough intelligence on the enemy, leaving someone behind to guard Inari and his mother is indeed a wise decision."

Kakashi looked over the four students present before finally settling his gaze on Sakura.

"Sakura, you'll be responsible for protecting Inari and his mother this time. With your alertness and judgment, you'll certainly be able to handle any danger that may arise."

Though Sakura was somewhat disappointed that she could not go to the bridge with everyone else, she understood the importance of this mission.

She nodded firmly. "I understand, Kakashi-sensei. Please leave Inari and his mother to me. I will do everything I can to protect them."

Seeing Sakura's determined expression, Su Bai smiled with satisfaction.

Feeling Su Bai's trust and encouragement, Sakura showed a resolute smile.

"Don't worry, Su Bai-kun. I won't let you down."

And so, Kakashi took Su Bai, Naruto, and Sasuke ahead to the bridge, while Sakura remained behind to begin her guard duty.

Kakashi led the four members of Team 7 to the bridge.

Noisy commotion came from ahead. Numerous crates of construction materials were being shoved off the bridge, crashing into the sea below.

When they drew closer, they saw that Zabuza and Haku had already been waiting on the bridge for quite some time.

Kakashi and Zabuza met again, and the air was thick with the tension of an imminent clash.

"Well, Kakashi, we meet again. One of the brats you brought is missing? Looks like Konoha is short on manpower."

Zabuza chuckled mockingly, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.

"Zabuza, I didn't come here to catch up. This time, we will settle this once and for all."

Kakashi's expression was grave, his right hand already gripping a kunai.

Zabuza's smile widened. "Then I'll be watching closely, Kakashi the Copy Ninja!"

The moment he finished speaking, Zabuza blurred forward, his massive sword cleaving straight at Kakashi's face.

Kakashi reacted instantly, twisting aside to evade while slashing out with his kunai, forcing Zabuza to withdraw his sword and defend.

At the same time, Haku attacked. Several silver needles shot through the air, aimed directly at Naruto and Sasuke.

"Watch out!"

Kakashi shouted, "Sasuke, Naruto, you two handle Haku. Remember, don't let your guard down. His abilities are not to be underestimated!"

Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a glance, immediately understanding each other. They charged at Haku and launched their attack.

Kakashi said to Su Bai, "Su Bai, Dazna is in your hands. No matter what, make sure he stays safe. Understood?"

At that moment, Su Bai suddenly stepped in front of Kakashi and spoke.

"Kakashi-sensei, how about this? I'll fight Zabuza first, while you protect Dazna."

"If Zabuza uses ninjutsu, then you can take over. That way, if Naruto and Sasuke get into danger, you can support them at any time. I'll be responsible for holding Zabuza back, and if I fall into danger, I ask that you lend me a hand."

"That is the only way to make the best use of your abilities."

Su Bai's analysis was calm, his words earnest yet respectful, making him difficult to refuse.

Kakashi also knew that this approach was better, but their opponent was Zabuza the Demon, a man who had killed countless people.

He feared Su Bai might lose his life through a single careless mistake.

Kakashi considered it seriously for a moment.

"Su Bai, are you confident you can handle Zabuza?"

Kakashi asked, a trace of concern in his voice.

Su Bai smiled confidently. "As long as he doesn't use ninjutsu, I have a way to subdue him. So, Kakashi-sensei, the moment you see Zabuza use the Hidden Mist Technique, please take over immediately."

"Then it's decided." Kakashi nodded, indicating that he understood.

Su Bai stepped forward and faced Zabuza.

Zabuza's gaze was sharp, without the slightest hint of underestimating him.

"Kid, you're qualified to be my opponent. Since you've said that much, I can't afford to let my guard down either."

Zabuza spoke as if he intended to fight with his full strength.

Su Bai drew his Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka. The blade radiated a scorching red glow, as though engulfed in roaring flames.

He focused himself and remained on guard, his eyes like lightning as he watched Zabuza's every movement.

This time, Zabuza was no longer a clone. His true strength would undoubtedly be formidable.

Seeing this, Zabuza curled his lips in a cold sneer. His massive sword swept horizontally, swift as lightning, straight for Su Bai's face.

Su Bai sidestepped the blow and countered with his blade, clashing against Zabuza's greatsword in a burst of dazzling sparks.

"Fine blade!"

As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Zabuza knew the instant their blades collided that Su Bai's sword was no ordinary weapon.

The two traded blows, neither able to gain the upper hand.

Kakashi watched silently and soon discovered that Su Bai's fighting style somewhat resembled Zabuza's.

Both combined taijutsu and swordsmanship in battle.

But Zabuza was as fierce as a tiger.

Su Bai, however, was as nimble as the wind.

At times, he swung his blade to block; at others, he struck with elbows and knees, every movement smooth and pleasing to the eye.

Zabuza gradually began to struggle, secretly astonished. This brat's swordsmanship is so refined. Every move is perfectly timed. And his taijutsu is even more extraordinary—it meshes seamlessly with his swordsmanship!

Su Bai remained fully focused, searching for flaws in Zabuza's defense.

Wielding Ryujin Jakka one-handed, he forced Zabuza back again and again.

After sheathing his blade, he pressed in with another attack, muttering as he moved.

Though Zabuza did not know what Su Bai was saying, after his Water Clone had been pierced last time, he knew Su Bai's other hand could unleash that white lightning at any moment and strike at his vital points without warning.

Though Zabuza had fought through countless battles, he had no choice but to respond with all his strength.

He secretly thanked himself for not underestimating his opponent. Otherwise, he might have fallen to this young ninja today.

The battle was exceptionally fierce. Their speed and the force of their movements made it difficult to follow with the naked eye.

Flames scattered in every direction, sword shadows overlapped, and the entire bridge trembled faintly as though it might collapse at any moment.

Kakashi watched and nodded to himself.

He knew Su Bai was a rare genius ninja in Konoha Village. With a performance like this, he was bound to achieve great things in the future.

And although Zabuza had once been a renowned member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, even he had no choice but to fight with everything he had against Su Bai.

Looking toward Naruto and Sasuke, Kakashi discovered that their opponent, Haku, was a ninja with a bloodline limit. Using the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, Haku moved so quickly that the two were hard-pressed to cope and were forced into a passive position at every turn.

Yet Kakashi keenly noticed that Haku seemed to be deliberately avoiding Naruto and Sasuke's vital points. Clearly, he was holding back.

By contrast, Su Bai and Zabuza showed each other no mercy, attacking every opening they could find. Each strike carried killing intent, and the intensity of their battle was on an entirely different level.

Though Naruto was in danger, he could not help being impressed by Su Bai's strength.

"Hey, Sasuke, look at Su Bai!" Naruto gestured to Sasuke.