Sasuke vs. Suigetsu (Part 1)

Faced with Yuki Haku's question, Kakashi offered no explanation and turned to look at Zabuza.

Zabuza stood at the edge of the arena with his arms crossed. Shaking his head, he said, "You did lose this round. Come down."

Though she did not understand why, Haku still left the field.

Seeing the unconvinced look on Haku's face, Zabuza had no choice but to explain:

"You went beyond the boundaries of the field, Haku!

That Konoha kunoichi first used Explosive Tags to block your vision, then created an Earth Clone and sent it outside the arena.

She then used Water Release Ninjutsu to lure you into using Ice Release.

After that, her real body used another Earth Release Ninjutsu to burrow underground.

When you froze the entire water surface with Ice Release, the boundary lines originally marked out with white lime were covered by the ice you created.

After that, the outcome unfolded exactly as she had expected.

The moment you saw her Earth Clone, you used the Body Flicker Technique to close in.

As soon as you approached her clone, you would be judged defeated for leaving the arena boundaries as well."

Only then did Yuki Haku understand where she had lost. Yet she was still somewhat unwilling to accept it, believing she had lost to that female Ninja's underhanded tactics.

Seeing this, Zabuza solemnly warned her, "Don't think her methods were underhanded. She made perfect use of the battle rules—this was combat wisdom!

And do you really think that female Ninja only knew how to scheme?"

Zabuza pointed at Sakura, who had just broken through the ice from beneath the earth, and carefully analyzed:

"At the very beginning, she dodged your Ice Senbon and counterattacked with Explosive Tags, displaying impressive taijutsu.

Then, the timing of her several Ninjutsu showed profound Ninjutsu skill and tactical awareness.

And look—after using so many Ninjutsu, she still seems entirely at ease. That proves her Chakra reserves far surpass those of others her age.

Facing an opponent with respectable taijutsu, exceptional Ninjutsu, Chakra reserves far beyond her peers, and superior combat intelligence, Haku, there was no shame in your defeat!

So, Haku, don't become smug just because you possess a bloodline limit, and don't become arrogant just because you are called a genius in the Hidden Mist Village. Remember, there are always greater mountains beyond mountains, and greater people beyond people!

As long as you can recognize your own shortcomings through this battle, then this defeat was well worth it!"

First match: Konoha's Sakura Haruno vs. Hidden Mist's Yuki Haku. Konoha wins!

Sakura and Kakashi stepped down from the field.

"Great job, Sakura!" Menma and Sasuke cheered for her.

"It was all thanks to Menma's intelligence!" Sakura said with a smile, expressing her gratitude. "Sasuke is up next. Do your best!"

"Don't worry. I won't lose!" Sasuke declared confidently as he walked toward the center of the arena.

"A friendly reminder, Sasuke: try not to use Fire Release Ninjutsu later. On a field covered in ice, his Water Transformation Secret Technique should be at a disadvantage too," Sakura said.

"Got it, thanks!" Sasuke said, waving without looking back.

With both combatants in position, Kakashi and Zabuza exchanged a glance. They nodded, then used the Body Flicker Technique to leave, handing the field over to their subordinates.

Second match: Konoha's Sasuke Uchiha vs. Hidden Mist's Hozuki Suigetsu!

The battle began. Sasuke Uchiha flung his hands about, rapidly firing shuriken at Hozuki Suigetsu while leaping backward to widen the distance between them.

Hozuki Suigetsu remained unhurried. Forming hand seals, he slammed his palm against the ground. "Water Release: Water Wall!"

A wall of water surged up, its powerful impact blasting Sasuke's shuriken away.

Then Hozuki Suigetsu took out a scroll, opened it, and laid it flat on the ground. "Summoning Technique!"

With a bang, a massive sword appeared in his hand.

Seeing this from outside the arena, Kakashi quietly said to Zabuza beside him, "Hey, isn't this a bit much? You even gave him the Kubikiribōchō?"

Zabuza replied calmly, "Yeah. It was going to be his sooner or later, so I might as well let him get familiar with it now."

"This doesn't look like a beginner's level at all!" Kakashi said as he watched Hozuki Suigetsu casually swing the Kubikiribōchō and block Sasuke's incoming shuriken from afar.

"Who knows? Maybe he's a genius," Zabuza explained flatly.

On the field, Suigetsu swung his blade and charged at Sasuke. Sasuke gripped kunai in both hands with the blades reversed, standing ready.

Just as he neared Sasuke, Suigetsu roared and brought the sword down at Sasuke's head with a crushing overhead chop. Sasuke did not dare block it head-on and quickly twisted aside to evade.

Halfway through the move, Suigetsu suddenly changed from a chop to a horizontal slash in midair, the blade aimed straight for Sasuke's neck!

What?! Sasuke was shocked. Such a heavy sword could actually be wielded so flexibly?!!

By then, Sasuke had no time to evade. He could only barely raise his arm and block the strike with his kunai.

With a clang, Sasuke was sent flying by Suigetsu's tremendous strength, rolling across the ground to disperse the force.

Just as he was about to roll out of the arena, Sasuke flipped over and dropped to one knee, driving the kunai in his hand forcefully into the ground.

Amid the screech of metal scraping across ice, Sasuke barely came to a stop at the edge of the field, gasping for breath.

Not far away, Suigetsu casually raised his sword and pointed it at Sasuke, sneering, "I'll finish you on the next strike!"

At that moment, Menma saw how effortlessly Hozuki Suigetsu wielded the massive blade and quietly called out to Sasuke, "Sasuke, he's incredibly strong. He must have trained in the Grand Water Arm Technique. Don't clash with him head-on—try attacking through the center."

Sasuke turned his head and spat. "As if it were that easy!"

With that, Sasuke lunged forward in a sprint. Suigetsu held the sword in both hands and assumed a middle guard stance, the blade tip aimed at Sasuke as it subtly shifted to track his rapid approach.

Closer, closer! Just a little closer, and I can split you in two!!! A cruel smile hung at the corner of Suigetsu's mouth.

"Hah!" The instant Sasuke entered the Kubikiribōchō's attack range, Suigetsu aimed for Sasuke's head and viciously brought the blade down!

In that very instant, Sasuke pushed off with his right foot, twisting his waist with the momentum and narrowly dodging the fatal blow!

Then his fingers moved slightly, adjusting the kunai's angle as it carved a deep gash across Suigetsu's waist.

Suigetsu had no time to react. All he saw was a pair of blood-red eyes flash past.

Sasuke had activated his Sharingan. That was why he had been able to evade Suigetsu's attack at the critical moment!

"Aah!~~~" Suigetsu dropped to one knee, his right hand clutching the wound at his waist as he glared viciously at Sasuke.

After rolling across the ground to bleed off his forward momentum, Sasuke rose calmly to his feet. Looking at Suigetsu with contempt, he said, "Didn't the person who taught you swordsmanship ever tell you not to exhaust all your strength in one blow? Then I guess he wasn't that skilled either!"

This time, he did not merely intend to wound Suigetsu. He wanted to wound his heart as well!

"Bastard!" Suigetsu glared furiously at Sasuke. No one could insult his brother! No one!!!