Flying Thunder God Instant Kill

"Naruto, he isn't an enemy."

Kakashi rose from beside Zabuza's corpse. After confirming Zabuza's death, he stepped away from the body.

Kakashi's actions were meant to tell the masked youth that he bore him no hostility.

When he returned to Team 7, Kakashi relaxed slightly after seeing that Naruto and the others, along with the Tazuna they had been protecting, were all unharmed.

"Was Zabuza killed by you?"

Sasuke stared at Zabuza's corpse as he asked.

"That young man took him down."

Kakashi answered.

"What?!"

Hearing that unexpected answer, Sasuke's face filled with disbelief.

If Kakashi had defeated Zabuza, Sasuke would not have thought much of it. After all, they were both Jōnin.

The earlier battle had also made Sasuke understand that, as a novice ninja, the gap between himself and a Jōnin required a great deal of combat experience to make up.

But...

Momochi Zabuza had actually been defeated by a young man around his own age...

"He truly is remarkable. But Sasuke, there's no need to feel anxious. You possess exceptional talent that ordinary people can hardly hope to reach."

Kakashi knew what Sasuke was thinking after just one glance. "What you lack is simply time to grow."

Kakashi's words made Sasuke fall silent.

He was unwilling to accept it, but he also knew that although everyone called him a genius, he was still far too immature.

Sasuke suddenly felt a little grateful for Sakura's decision to continue on to the Land of Waves and carry out the mission.

Was this the kind of battle a B-rank Mission entailed?

He had witnessed the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza, and learned that among people his age, there were those like the masked youth, powerful enough to contend with Zabuza.

Sasuke's furrowed brows relaxed. Everything he had experienced during this mission had benefited him greatly.

Sasuke's gaze could not help shifting to Naruto nearby.

Naruto, what had you been thinking during this battle?

Sasuke was immersed in his frustration for only an instant before his competitive spirit immediately rose again.

What an astonishing rate of growth...

Watching Sasuke's emotional changes, even Kakashi was amazed by how quickly Sasuke had matured.

It was at that moment that the masked youth used the Body Flicker Technique to descend from the tree trunk to Zabuza's corpse.

"It seems everyone has finished talking. Then please allow me to take Zabuza's body and leave first—this body contains far too much important intelligence, and I need time to deal with it properly."

As he spoke, the masked youth looked at Naruto again.

"If possible, I hope you will return that Kubikiribōchō."

Naruto was holding the massive blade that had originally belonged to Momochi Zabuza.

The sword's length had not seemed particularly obvious in Zabuza's hands, but in the hands of twelve-year-old Naruto, the Kubikiribōchō's enormous size was plain to see.

"Why? Kakashi-sensei, shouldn't this count as our spoils of war?"

When Kakashi had used his ninja hounds to restrain Zabuza earlier, he had disarmed him and kicked the Kubikiribōchō aside.

Naruto had picked it up just now.

"Mm... ordinarily, after an enemy dies, their ninja tools, scrolls, and even their body itself are the victor's spoils."

Kakashi did not deny Naruto's logic. Instead, he took the opportunity to teach the three members of Team 7. "But there are special circumstances like this one."

Everyone looked toward Kakashi.

Kakashi explained, "In the ninja world, where intelligence is held in the highest regard, ninja themselves are extremely valuable sources of information—village secrets, chakra natures, the ingredients of secret medicines... Even my Sharingan can be taken away. If it falls into enemy hands and is analyzed, the Sharingan could be used against Konoha's comrades."

"That is why rogue ninja are hunted down by the assassination units of their respective villages: to protect the village's intelligence."

"If an assassination unit is observing the battle, then even if we are the victors, we should return the spoils—though it isn't mandatory. More often, it is a matter of political consideration. After all, this is an era of peace, and the Five Great Nations are all trying their best to avoid doing anything that could cause national conflict."

Kakashi glanced at the masked youth, who was still waiting.

Even if a real conflict broke out with the masked youth before them, Kakashi could face him.

But due to the Sharingan, his chakra had been almost completely depleted in his battle with Zabuza.

The amount of chakra Kakashi had left was no longer enough for him to protect Team 7 and Tazuna while fighting.

Ensuring Team 7's safety had to take priority now, and he still had the mission of protecting Tazuna.

"Naruto, return the sword. The Kubikiribōchō Zabuza wielded is one of the ninja blades of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. It is an extremely important ninja tool to Kirigakure."

As the leader of Team 7, Kakashi gave Naruto an order.

Worried that his tone had been too stern—

And mindful of Naruto's feelings, Kakashi immediately added gently, "If you want to use a sword, I'll help you find a replacement after we return to the village. Don't let my appearance fool you, but I know a little about swordsmanship. Maybe I can even teach you some techniques."

"Know a little," huh.

Naruto glanced at Kakashi... That was really quite modest of him.

"I understand."

Naruto was actually happy to receive an order from Kakashi that left no room for refusal.

He had no interest whatsoever in the Kubikiribōchō.

The only reason he had picked it up—

—was to carve a Flying Thunder God Mark onto its hilt.

The Flying Thunder God Mark on the Kubikiribōchō had already been concealed. Only when Naruto activated the technique would it become visible again.

"Then I'll be taking my leave."

With the Kubikiribōchō strapped to his back, the masked youth carried Zabuza's corpse and bid Kakashi farewell.

As soon as he finished speaking, a fierce wind rose beneath his feet, sweeping him and Zabuza into it.

When the wind died down, both of them had vanished.

Only then did Kakashi pull down his forehead protector again, covering his Sharingan.

"There shouldn't be any more ninja attacks now. Mr. Tazuna, please take us to your home quickly."

Kakashi said to Tazuna.

"I understand. Hahaha, you really worked hard just now! My house is just ahead. When we get there, I'll let you taste my daughter's cooking!"

With the tense, oppressive atmosphere gone, Tazuna finally regained his spirits.

The exhilaration of surviving death made Tazuna happily raise a hand and pat Kakashi on the shoulder.

Unexpectedly, Kakashi toppled stiffly to the ground from Tazuna's pat.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

The unexpected development startled everyone.

"Kakashi-sensei has passed out."

Naruto helped Kakashi up from the ground and carried him on his back.

"He must have used too much chakra in that battle. Sasuke, Sakura, we can't let our guard down yet. We need to leave this place quickly!"

Hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke and Sakura both nodded heavily.

Naruto then looked at Tazuna and said, "Please lead the way quickly!"

"I understand."

Tazuna also reined in his excitement and once again walked ahead of everyone as their guide.

Before long, the group left the place where two Jōnin had fought moments earlier.

After confirming that everyone had left, another Naruto stepped out from the bushes.

Feeling the chakra in the wind, Naruto looked in the direction opposite to where Team 7 had gone.

That was the direction Haku and Zabuza had left in.

"Then, before Kakashi wakes up and realizes that the 'me' carrying him is only a Shadow Clone, I'll take care of the trouble."

Naruto raised one hand before him and formed the hand seal for the Body Flicker Technique one-handedly, using the Wind Caress Dawn Technique to pursue Haku.

Only after Naruto's original body left did the forest truly return to its former tranquility.

After confirming that no one was following him, Haku finally stopped leaping between the trees.

He carried Zabuza down to the ground and carefully laid Zabuza's "corpse" flat.

"First, I'll treat the wounds."

Haku spread out a medical ninja tool kit and took out a scalpel.

Then Haku reached back, intending to remove the Kubikiribōchō strapped to his back.

But the moment he touched the sword's hilt, his entire body suddenly froze.

Blood flowed from beneath his mask and down his chin.

"Wha... what?!"

His throat was choking on his own blood, making Haku's voice incomprehensible.

Haku lowered his head and looked toward his chest.

His chest had been completely pierced through.

A hand belonging to a youth around his age emerged before his eyes from behind him, passing through the hollow cavity in his chest.

And in that youth's hand was a rapidly compressed, spinning sphere of chakra.

It was that immensely powerful sphere of chakra that had pierced Haku's chest.

The Hidden Mist ANBU mask fell from Haku's face, revealing a delicate and beautiful visage that looked more feminine than masculine.

At that moment, his face was filled with bewilderment over his impending death.

But in his final moments, Haku did not turn around to see who had killed him.

Haku's gaze ultimately settled on Zabuza.

Zabuza-sama... Even in the end, I never became a useful tool for you...

The powerful Haku had not even had time to use his Kekkei Genkai before dying so easily.

Naruto withdrew the hand that had pierced Haku's chest.

Without Naruto's arm supporting him, the already dead Haku crashed heavily to the ground.

Naruto could not even be bothered to spare Haku another glance. His eyes remained fixed on Zabuza, who was still feigning death.

The Rasengan that had killed Haku now struck toward Zabuza.

To make Zabuza truly die.