Although Chiba had not entered Sage Mode, his sensory abilities still far surpassed those of ordinary ninja.
Perhaps even Kakashi Hatake had yet to notice the danger.
But Chiba had already sensed it.
Only one man could possess malice so palpable it felt almost tangible.
The Demon of the Hidden Mist, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist-Zabuza Momochi!
Against a ninja who ranked among the elite even within the jonin, Chiba dared not let his guard down in the slightest.
Especially when he could not reveal his Sage Mode.
He did not believe he had the strength to take on the Demon of the Hidden Mist alone.
Sometimes, the strength of a team was indispensable.
"Kakashi-sensei."
Chiba warned him, "I sensed danger nearby."
"That malice feels almost tangible!"
Had Naruto been the one to give the warning, Kakashi Hatake might not have paid it much heed.
But Chiba had already proven his strength through his actions.
So caution was necessary!
"Well, well!"
"I didn't expect to find a promising brat here!"
As the voice rang out around them, something whistled through the air above their heads.
"Get down!"
Chiba had been ready all along.
He darted aside, narrowly slipping past the Kubikiribōchō!
He had intended to try to seize control of it, but Zabuza Momochi's chakra still clung to the blade.
"Quick reflexes!"
Zabuza Momochi leaped out of the woods and landed on the Kubikiribōchō, looking down at them.
"Just hand over that old man."
"Then we can spare ourselves a fight, can't we?"
The eyes beneath his forehead protector radiated murderous intent.
"Konoha's Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake."
Zabuza Momochi's expression turned grave.
"I heard of your reputation back when I was in the Anbu."
Facing Zabuza Momochi, Kakashi Hatake did not dare lower his guard either.
This was the man who had single-handedly changed the way Kirigakure selected its ninja.
His terrifying capacity for slaughter alone was enough to warrant the utmost caution.
Mist silently enveloped them.
Killing intent began to spread.
"I'd like to kill that old man quickly and get some rest."
A red gleam seemed to flash through Zabuza Momochi's eyes.
"But that seems a little difficult unless I kill you first."
"Kakashi Hatake!"
With that, he leaped off the Kubikiribōchō and landed on the surface of the water nearby.
The mist grew thicker.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Before their very eyes, Zabuza Momochi's towering figure vanished into the mist.
As the dense mist rose, visibility steadily worsened.
The three formed a swastika-shaped formation to protect Tazuna.
Just then, Zabuza Momochi's voice rang out from above the woods.
"Eight places."
"The throat, spine, lungs, liver."
"The carotid artery, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart."
"Which vital spot should I choose?"
Beneath his calm voice lurked a thirst for slaughter!
"Six o'clock, within ten paces!"
Calm and composed, Chiba extended his senses to their maximum range.
Whoosh!
Shuriken whistled through the air toward the direction he had indicated.
Zabuza Momochi's voice abruptly cut off.
"How is that possible?!"
A hint of furious frustration crept into his voice.
At the crucial moment, Kakashi Hatake had chosen to trust Chiba.
The Hidden Mist Technique was powerful.
But why did Zabuza Momochi have to show off for no reason?
Without his voice to guide him, finding him would have been no easy task for Chiba.
The vibrations of his voice through the air caused subtle changes in the mist.
Even an ordinary jonin would struggle to notice them.
But for Chiba, who had experience training in Sage Mode, it was not particularly difficult.
"Looks like I'll have to deal with you first, brat!"
Zabuza Momochi had identified the key problem.
"Naruto, Sasuke, stay on guard!"
After warning them, Chiba pulled a kunai from his backpack and gripped it tightly.
Clang!
The clash of metal sounded especially piercing in the silent forest.
The tremendous force behind the Kubikiribōchō strained Chiba.
"You're strong, brat!"
Zabuza Momochi's murderous eyes suddenly drew close to Chiba.
"Unfortunately, not strong enough!"
The muscles in his arms bulged, and a surge of power coursed through the Kubikiribōchō!
Konoha Whirlwind!
A fierce gust driven by powerful force swept in from his right.
At the critical moment, Kakashi Hatake finally arrived in time.
For a close-range attack, Guy's taijutsu was the best choice!
A direct hit-a kick straight to the head!
Unfortunately, clear water splashed outward. The Zabuza Momochi before them was merely a Water Clone.
Killing intent enveloped their surroundings once more!
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