One of Naruto's Shadow Clones walked over to Haku and laid a wooden sword against his neck.
"Hey, dark-face! If you don't want your sweet, soft, adorable little femboy subordinate to die, stop fighting!"
That flippant remark made everyone except Zabuza look at the real Naruto first.
Naruto hurriedly waved his hands, innocence written all over his face.
"You can ask Kakashi-sensei. Shadow Clones actually have a degree of independent consciousness."
The Shadow Clone had acted on its own. He wasn't taking the blame.
Konoha already had Danzo as its Pot Kage. One scapegoat was enough.
Then everyone looked at Kakashi.
The silver-haired jonin sighed and nodded helplessly.
"That's true, but next time, save these questions until after the fight!"
These freshly graduated rookies still weren't professional enough. They were actually discussing Ninjutsu on the battlefield.
"Heh... interesting."
Zabuza Momochi's gaze swept over the seemingly unremarkable wooden sword in Naruto's Shadow Clone's hand, and his lips curled into a sneer of mockery and contempt.
"You think you can threaten me with a wooden sword made for kids playing house?"
The wooden sword was certainly sturdy, but its edge couldn't kill anyone directly.
A moment later, however, his smile froze.
A sharp chakra edge suddenly coated the Shadow Clone's wooden sword. One gentle stroke sliced off a lock of Haku's hair.
"How about now?"
The Shadow Clone smiled as he asked, but his eyes were as cold as blades.
Zabuza said coldly, "Hmph. He's just a blade of mine. A blade is nothing more than a tool. If one breaks, I'll replace it. You think a threat like that will work on me?"
"If he really is as disposable as you claim..."
The Shadow Clone's smile deepened as he mercilessly tore away Zabuza's facade.
"You wouldn't be wasting your breath talking