In the forests of the Land of Waves.
The Uchiha trio stood or sat hidden in the treetops, looking down on the battle below.
Thick mist obscured the view, but to three wielders of the Mangekyō Sharingan, it might as well not have existed.
Below, Kakashi was trapped inside a sphere of water by Zabuza's Water Release: Water Prison Technique, unable to move.
Naruto and Sasuke stood back-to-back, struggling desperately against Zabuza's clone.
Sakura guarded Tazuna, her face pale, yet she stubbornly refused to retreat.
"Tch."
Genya leaned against the tree trunk with his legs crossed, taking a bite of a piece of fruit he had produced from somewhere.
"You're quite a mess, Kakashi."
Shisui stood on a higher branch, smiling gently as he teased him.
"His Sharingan is really dragging him down. That eye isn't his, after all. Every time he uses it, he has to endure an enormous chakra drain and physical strain. For someone outside the Uchiha Clan, forcing himself to wield the Sharingan, lasting this long is already impressive."
Itachi watched silently, his gaze lingering on his younger brother, Sasuke.
He could see the fear and frustration on Sasuke's face all too clearly.
"Sasuke... is still too weak."
Itachi spoke evenly, his tone holding no reproach, only a statement of fact.
"That's why bringing him out for some experience was the right call."
Genya took another bite of fruit.
"He'll never grow up without facing a real life-or-death crisis. Still..."
His tone shifted as he watched Haku suddenly appear and rescue Zabuza from Kakashi's restraint, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"This round was a draw. Kakashi did well, and that missing-nin from Kirigakure was decisive enough, too."
Haku disappeared into the thick mist with the badly wounded Zabuza.
Naruto wanted to give chase, but