A Flick of the Finger

Zabuza was truly enraged. He charged Naruto with the Kubikiribōchō in hand, raising the massive blade overhead with icy killing intent before bringing it down savagely.

He was incredibly fast, and it was a sudden attack. In almost an instant, he reached Naruto's side, leaving no time for anyone else to react.

"Watch out!" Sakura screamed in terror, afraid Naruto would be struck by the blade.

However.

When the Kubikiribōchō was only a hair's breadth from Naruto, he actually twisted aside at the critical moment, then raised his right hand and flicked the blade with his index finger.

"Idiot."

Seeing Naruto's movement, Zabuza's eyes filled with mockery.

He was just about to turn the blade and slash sideways when Naruto's finger struck the Kubikiribōchō.

Ding!

A crisp, pleasant chime like a wind bell echoed through the air, but Zabuza's eyes were filled with horror.

A terrifying force had surged from the Kubikiribōchō, and the recoil nearly made him lose his grip on the weapon.

Zabuza was genuinely shaken this time. He had never expected a flick of this brat's finger to contain such immense strength.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Kunai flew in from the side. Kakashi's figure flashed as he charged forward like a swimming dragon.

In an instant, Kakashi and Zabuza began a close-quarters battle, quickly moving into the dense mist as they fought.

Watching Kakashi vanish from sight, Sasuke and Sakura grew anxious and wanted to help. Yet they were not even capable of seeing the battle clearly, and could only judge its location by sound.

Naruto, on the other hand, leisurely absorbed Experience Points as he watched everything unfold.

"Naruto, is your perception really that strong? Can you determine the enemy's location even in this thick mist?" Sakura could not help asking.

"Of course. It's nothing much. You wouldn't understand how enjoyable it is for a Sensory Ninja to watch a battle. Just stay where you are."

As Naruto spoke, he suddenly seemed to think of something and looked at Sasuke with a faintly mischievous smile.

"Sasuke, I have a way for you to see the battle, and maybe even help out."

"What way?"

Sasuke froze, becoming somewhat curious. Being unable to help truly made him feel useless, and now that there was a method, he naturally did not want to give it up.

"It's simple. Use the Wind Release: Flower Scattering Dance you learned earlier and blow away the mist." Naruto grinned.

"Wind Release: Flower Scattering Dance? Impossible. I will never use a woman's Ninjutsu." Sasuke refused with a dark expression.

"That's your choice. If you can't even help with something this minor, are you sure you're a ninja?"

"I—"

Sasuke's face darkened further. He even regretted not learning Wind Release: Great Breakthrough earlier. It might have been only a C-rank Ninjutsu, but at least it could have blown away some of the mist.

But it was too late to learn it now. The battle was intense, and if the enemy suddenly attacked Tazuna, he would not have time to defend him. Sasuke fell into a dilemma.

After a brief moment of thought, Sasuke still chose to use the Ninjutsu. He was a ninja, after all. With a dark face, he walked a few steps forward and slowly raised his hands.

Wind Release: Flower Scattering Dance!

A swirling gale spun around Sasuke, scattering the thick mist in all directions. Along with the whirlwind and mist, beautiful petals drifted through the air.

Sasuke stood at the center, and under the petals' reflection, he possessed a distinctly feminine beauty that made Sakura swoon beside him.

"So beautiful," Sakura praised.

"Shut up!"

Hearing that praise, Sasuke's face darkened another shade. Using a woman's Ninjutsu was already depressing enough, and then she had to say "so beautiful." It was even more irritating than Naruto.

Depressed, Sasuke turned to look around and found that a good portion of the thick mist had been blown away, broadening his field of vision. That gave him some comfort.

"Not bad, not bad. Some of the mist has been cleared, but the range is still too small. You need to use it a few more times," Naruto encouraged.

"Hmph, I don't need you to tell me. I know what to do."

Sasuke was still somewhat angry, but he raised his hands and formed seals again. The next second, a whirlwind howled forth, and countless petals drifted around his hair, adding even more beauty to his appearance.

"Tsk, tsk. If he put on women's clothes..."

Naruto suddenly recalled a picture he had seen in his previous life, of Sasuke after being turned into a girl.

If Sasuke really dressed like that, he would count as quite a little beauty. After all, his looks were excellent; with some dressing up, he would not lose to any woman.

[Experience Points +1]

"Forget it. Let's watch the battle. The mist has basically been cleared."

Naruto muttered as he looked at the newly appeared Experience Points, then turned to glance at the forest on the right.

There, the masked Haku was hiding, ready to provide support and rescue at any moment.

Naruto did not expose him and continued watching Kakashi and Zabuza fight.

These two were very strong. More importantly, as they fought, the Experience Orb slowly filled up. Clearly, the plot had reached an important turning point.

"Look, Kakashi-sensei is gradually gaining control of the attack rhythm. That ninja named Zabuza seems emotionally unstable, and he's fighting rather passively."

After clearly seeing the battle, Sasuke swiftly analyzed the situation.

"Why? Why would Zabuza be emotionally unstable?" Sakura asked in confusion.

"Naruto must have angered him. He said that ninja had body odor earlier."

Sasuke glanced at Naruto, feeling that his ability to anger people was truly formidable.

"So that's how it is. Then before future battles, we should have Naruto anger our enemies first. That would make it easier for us to win," Sakura suggested.

"Heh."

Naruto smiled but said nothing. Zabuza was a true ninja, so how could he possibly lose his composure over a few words?

The reason he had fallen into a passive position was more likely because Naruto's flick had numbed his hand. Naruto felt that Zabuza was not having a pleasant time with that kind of force.

Moreover, Zabuza was clearly wary of Naruto, afraid that he would launch a sneak attack.

But if this continued, Zabuza would undoubtedly lose. Naruto considered whether he should prolong the battle.

He did not want Kakashi to defeat Zabuza so quickly. Otherwise, how was he supposed to earn Experience Points?

So he prepared to join the battle and deliberately cause trouble to extend it.

No sooner said than done. Naruto suddenly rushed forward and shouted, "I'm here to help!"

"Help?"

Hearing that while fighting, Zabuza's expression stiffened. Feeling his still-numb right hand, he then looked at Kakashi, who was evenly matched with him.

Without another word, Zabuza abruptly broke away from the fight and vanished after several leaps.

"This..."

Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi stared speechlessly at the scene. It felt far too dramatic. A life-or-death battle had been going on just fine, so why had he suddenly run away?

That reversal had come far too quickly. Was he really here to kill someone? Was he really here to get rid of Tazuna?

No one knew what to say. They could only assume that their opponent had been overly cautious.

Only Naruto did not know whether to laugh or cry. In the end, he shook his head and decided to find Zabuza when he had time, so he could continue earning Experience Points.

Elsewhere, atop a large tree.

Zabuza moved swiftly, stopping only after confirming that it was safe.

Whoosh!

Haku suddenly leaped out, looking at Zabuza in confusion. "Lord Zabuza, what happened? Why did you suddenly leave?"

"I encountered a very strange brat. I can't quite figure out what's going on with him." Zabuza raised his right hand, his expression grave.

"Can't figure him out? Lord Zabuza, could you tell me about it?" Haku asked curiously.

Even the powerful Zabuza looked so serious over this brat. That truly aroused Haku's curiosity.