The shattered ice that had swept up into the sky drove itself back into the bridge, piece by piece.
A second ring of ice mirrors rose, trapping the three of them in the center again.
-This time, the ice mirrors were much thicker than before.
Senbon flew at them from every direction again, faster and denser than before.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Poof, poof, poof! Wave after wave of Naruto's clones rushed forward, bursting into wave after wave of white smoke!
Protected at the very center, the real Naruto could only grit his teeth.
-Something's wrong.
The needles hadn't targeted their vital points before. Now, every single one aimed for a lethal point on their bodies.
That herb gatherer was definitely serious now!
"Keep going!"
The single tomoe in Sasuke's Sharingan spun rapidly.
Suddenly, he saw it.
-Haku would land behind Naruto, to his right.
Three ice needles shot toward the vital point over Naruto's heart from behind.
"Naruto-!"
It was already too late to warn him.
Sasuke hurled himself into Naruto, knocking him half a step aside.
With a soft thud.
All three ice needles buried themselves in Sasuke's shoulder.
"Sasuke?!"
Sasuke couldn't stop himself from swaying.
"...Watch your front."
Then his knees gave way, and he toppled straight over.
"Sasuke!!"
Naruto lunged over, grabbed his shoulders, and shook him.
Sakura shoved Naruto aside, pressed her fingers to the side of Sasuke's neck, then lifted his eyelid to check.
"He's still breathing!" she shouted. "He only passed out!"
Naruto's mind went completely blank.
Haku watched him from inside a mirror.
"Please, stop resisting."
At that same moment, in the middle of the bridge.
Their blades clashed again.
Bearing down with his great sword, Zabuza suddenly sensed something wrong.
-This brat's gaze suddenly started wandering.
Following his gaze, Zabuza caught