The battle reached fever pitch. Zabuza was powerful and ruthless, and Kakashi gradually began to lose ground.
One lapse was all it took. Zabuza seized the opening, and a fierce slash struck Kakashi. Blood gushed out as he staggered and crashed to the ground, a wound deep enough to expose bone torn across his chest. He lay gravely injured!
"Sensei!"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura cried out together, their faces deathly pale. Seeing Kakashi wounded on the ground filled them with anxiety.
Kubikiribōchō in hand, Zabuza advanced step by step toward the gravely wounded Kakashi, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. Victory was within his grasp.
At that critical moment, Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance, then charged without a moment's hesitation!
Relying on his agility, Sasuke kept darting around Zabuza to hold him at bay, looking for opportunities to counterattack;
Naruto summoned his courage and drew on the chakra within him. Though fear still lingered in his heart, he charged forward without hesitation, working with Sasuke to fight Zabuza together.
The Naruto who had been trembling in terror earlier had now mustered every last scrap of courage. He fought with all his might to protect his teacher, complete the mission, and prove he was no longer useless.
Their teamwork grew increasingly seamless. Sasuke's cool precision, combined with Naruto's reckless fearlessness, actually held Zabuza back for a short time, giving Kakashi a chance to catch his breath.
Watching his two students step forward to protect him, Kakashi felt a flicker of pride. Enduring the excruciating pain of his injuries, he quickly formed hand seals and used his Sharingan to see through every one of Zabuza's movements.
Finally, after a desperate battle, Kakashi seized an opening in Zabuza's defenses and unleashed a jutsu, successfully driving him back. Gravely wounded, Zabuza was forced to retreat.
The deadly crisis had finally passed.
But Kakashi's injuries were so severe that he could no longer fight. He could only lean against a tree and hastily bandage his wounds, his face pale as paper and his breathing faint.
After that life-or-death battle, Team 7 finally escorted Tazuna safely to the Land of Waves.
In the days that followed, Kakashi taught Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura while recovering from his injuries.
Day by day, with everyone working together, the bridge that carried the Land of Waves' hopes was finally completed!
The magnificent bridge spanned the river, breaking Gato's monopoly for good. The people of the Land of Waves cheered with joy, their faces radiant with the smiles of those who had regained their freedom, and offered Team 7 their thanks.
On the screen in the sky, sunlight shone on the brand-new bridge, illuminating the youthful yet determined faces of Naruto and his teammates, as well as Kakashi's smiling eyes.
The sight sent another wave of uproar through the entire Shinobi World!
"That Naruto Uzumaki really has grown! He wasn't afraid at all when he faced Zabuza. He's so brave!"
"Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto worked together so well. Are they geniuses?"
"Kakashi Hatake suffered serious injuries to protect his students. He really lives up to his reputation as one of Konoha's elite jonin, but doesn't he seem a little weak?"
"I thought so too. He seems a bit drained!"
"Tsk, young men these days. They don't know how to exercise moderation!"
Kakashi: ...
Slander!
Defamation!
Praise, astonishment, and approval swept across the Shinobi World. Those who had mocked Naruto fell silent, and everyone saw the young team in a new light.
After their ordeal in the Land of Waves, Team 7 successfully completed their bridge-builder escort mission and finally set out on the journey back to Konoha.
But no one expected a deadly trap to lurk along their peaceful journey home.
Team 7 walked slowly along a forest path. Though Kakashi had yet to recover from his injuries, he remained on guard.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura followed behind him. Their life-or-death experiences in the Land of Waves had lent all three a little more composure.
Suddenly, a powerful surge of killing intent enveloped them once again!
They snapped their heads up and saw a figure blocking the road ahead.
It was Zabuza Momochi, fully recovered and back for another fight!
His eyes blazed with murderous intent, and he gripped Kubikiribōchō tightly. He had clearly come for revenge, prepared to die.
"Kakashi! Today, I'll take your life!"
"I knew you wouldn't let this go." Kakashi's gaze darkened, and he instinctively shielded his three students behind him.
This time, he was fully prepared. His Sharingan slowly opened, and there was no trace of his earlier disarray.
Battle erupted once more!
With the experience of their previous encounter, Kakashi had completely figured out Zabuza's moves. With Naruto and Sasuke assisting and keeping their opponent occupied, the outcome was never in doubt.
After several fierce exchanges, Zabuza exhausted his strength, leaving himself full of openings. Kakashi seized the decisive moment and dealt him a devastating blow, ending the life of the Demon of the Hidden Mist once and for all.
Seeing Zabuza lying lifeless on the ground, everyone in Team 7 breathed a sigh of relief. Their taut nerves finally eased a little.
But just then!
Clap, clap, clap-
A series of crisp, eerie claps suddenly rang out from the treetops, breaking the quiet after the battle.
The applause sounded almost casual, yet carried a chilling sense of pressure. Everyone in Team 7, who had only just relaxed, instantly stiffened, their vigilance surging to its peak!
"Who's there?!"
Kakashi's expression changed sharply. He spun around at once, keeping Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura firmly behind him. His Sharingan worked at full power as he locked onto the source of the sound.
At some point, a mysterious figure in a black cloak and a strange mask had taken a seat high in the treetops. He looked down at Team 7 with keen interest, his eyes full of amusement.
Then he looked at Zabuza and said irritably, "Dead already? How pathetic."
"I forgot to tell you. That little follower of yours found a way to kill himself on the very first day after I captured him."
"I didn't stop him. He was a good kid, after all. He didn't want to be a burden to you."
"How ridiculous. A rogue ninja and a tool. What was the point of getting so attached to each other?"
"Damn it!"
The mysterious figure seemed very angry about it.
Elsewhere in the Shinobi World, two figures watching the screen in the sky fell silent.
Finally, Zabuza said coldly, "You're my tool. Your life belongs to me. You aren't allowed to die without my permission."
Haku smiled and answered earnestly, "Yes, Lord Zabuza!"
Haku was delighted. At first, he had wondered why he wasn't at Lord Zabuza's side and had assumed he was dead.
So I'd been captured. Lord Zabuza faced Kakashi twice because he was trying to save me.
Right. If something like this happens again...
I need to kill myself sooner!
On the screen in the sky!
"Who are you?" Kakashi asked in a low voice, his entire body tensed to the limit.
The presence of the man before him was unfathomable. He was many times more dangerous than Zabuza Momochi!
Kakashi had only just finished a fierce battle. In his current state...
He was a little drained!
Before you continue