Zabuza made his entrance with a Shamate hairstyle, bandages wrapped around his upper body, and a pair of overalls.
Meihui was deeply displeased by Zabuza's arrogant appearance. How was this guy even more arrogant than me?
"Nope, I don't like the look of this asshole. What's with all that swagger? I won't allow anyone to be more arrogant than me."
Cursing up a storm, Meihui hurled a Great Fireball straight at Zabuza.
As the saying went, Fire Release in the Hokage World never burned anyone to death. The law of "where there's smoke, there's no damage" kicked in.
Zabuza was furious. Who the hell threw a fireball at someone without a word?
He glared at Meihui, then began fighting Kakashi.
"You three, fall back. This man is extremely dangerous. Protect Tazuna."
Kakashi gave the order.
"I served in Kirigakure's Assassination Squad. Do you really think these little brats can stop me?"
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique." A technique for killing in an instant-the Silent Killing Technique.
Zabuza vanished from everyone's sight.
The mist grew thicker and thicker. The three crowded around Tazuna to guard against a sneak attack from Zabuza.
"The throat, spine, lungs, liver, carotid artery, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart. Eight vital points for killing. Now, which one should I choose?"
Zabuza's voice drifted over from a distance, but none of them could locate him.
Meihui was left rather speechless. Didn't he know villains died from talking too much?
"Seriously, will you ever shut the hell up?" With that, Meihui summoned several Shadow Clones.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A simple C-Rank Ninjutsu blew Zabuza's mist away outright.
"Good work, Meihui," Kakashi praised him. Now he didn't have to waste his own chakra dispersing the mist.
"Tch, Wind Release? What a pain." With that, Zabuza charged at Kakashi, carrying the Kubikiribōchō.
The two tangled in close combat. Kakashi's title of Konoha Technician wasn't just for show; his taijutsu was impressive too.
With his Sharingan, Kakashi precisely anticipated Zabuza's movements, leaving this early-story powerhouse unable to gain any advantage.
Thinking about Zabuza's feats, he really was incredible: trampling Asura underfoot, punching Indra, and handling Fifty-Fifty with one hand.
Watching Kakashi and Zabuza trade blows evenly, it looked like something was about to go wrong unless something went wrong first.
Kakashi spun stylishly and struck back, landing a heavy blow on Zabuza-only to discover that he was a Water Clone.
The real Zabuza had already circled behind Kakashi.
"Kakashi, you let your guard down. Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"
Zabuza held Kakashi captive with one hand, trapping him inside a water prison.
Then Zabuza formed hand seals with one hand and summoned a Water Clone.
"Now, you're next."
The Water Clone took the Kubikiribōchō from the original and walked toward the group, one step at a time.
Naruto and Sasuke were holding up all right, but Tazuna had already wet himself in terror.
Seeing how little nerve the old man had, Meihui couldn't help shaking his head and sighing.
"All right, everyone. Our turn."
"Use our usual tactics. The goal is to rescue Kakashi."
Meihui and Naruto both activated the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. Hundreds of blond mad dogs appeared.
"Oh? Swarming me with numbers? Looks like you've underestimated me." Zabuza charged straight into their midst with the Kubikiribōchō.
Meihui nodded at Sasuke and Naruto, his meaning clear.
This bastard was so arrogant. Time to show him how cruel the world could be.
Hundreds upon hundreds of Meihui's clones unleashed Fire Release. Sasuke, who was mostly along for the ride, spat out a few fireballs to join in, leaving Naruto stuck with the exhausting job of supplying the wind.
Roaring flames surged straight toward Zabuza.
Terrified, Zabuza hurriedly unleashed Water Wall.
But it was no use. His original body had to abandon Kakashi and use Water Release as well to extinguish the flames.
Towering flames blazed, burning even more fiercely under the powerful gusts of wind.
Zabuza was utterly dumbfounded. You bastards just couldn't play fair, could you?
In the end, it took Kakashi and Zabuza using Water Release together for them to survive.
Great clouds of steam rose, and scorching heat filled the air.
Kakashi suffered in silence. Some rescue this was. It felt like you were settling a personal grudge.
Anyone who didn't know better would think I was on Zabuza's side. Kakashi returned to Meihui and the others, panting heavily.
"Seriously, kid, were you trying to roast me too?"
Meihui could only reply awkwardly, "Sorry, Kakashi-sensei. I accidentally overdid it. My apologies."
Zabuza wasn't in much better shape either. His desperate instinct to survive had driven him to exhaust every last bit of his chakra, and only by working with Kakashi had he managed to stay alive.
Zabuza leaned against a tree, gasping for breath. Before he could speak, several flying senbon struck his neck, and he passed out.
Sure enough, someone wearing a Kirigakure ANBU mask appeared.
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