"Kakashi Hatake of Konoha, you really are hard to deal with!"
Another sharp whistle cut through the thick mist.
The Kubikiribōchō cleaved through the fog, heading straight for Kakashi Hatake's vitals.
Slash-
Water scattered as Kakashi Hatake's figure broke apart and splashed onto the grass.
"It's over!"
A kunai pressed against Zabuza's neck, its cold gleam reflecting Kakashi's killing intent.
"You think you can kill me with a cheap trick like that?"
Rather than showing the slightest restraint with a kunai at his throat, Zabuza grew even more arrogant.
"I'm Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist!"
His voice came from behind Kakashi Hatake.
Kirigakure: Silent Killing Technique!
The Refined Kunai clashed with the Kubikiribōchō, sending out a deafening clang of metal.
Both men ranked among the very best of the Jonin.
That held true for both taijutsu and ninjutsu.
Their backgrounds were also remarkably similar.
Kakashi Hatake had previously served in the Anbu, where assassination missions had been practically routine for him.
Zabuza Momochi made his living through assassination.
Their dizzying exchanges of taijutsu left everyone present on edge.
Bam!
Zabuza Momochi seized on a mistake by Kakashi Hatake and kicked him flying.
Kakashi went with the force of the blow, leaping into the water.
That leap, however, took him straight into Zabuza Momochi's trap.
"Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"
A specially formed water prison trapped Kakashi Hatake inside, leaving him unable to escape for the moment.
Chiba could only press a hand to his forehead, speechless at the sight.
So when Jonin fought, they really did try to outscheme each other.
Every last one of them was a scheming bastard.
Plots upon plots, tricks upon tricks-they really pushed their brains to the limit.
"All right, you stay right here."
Zabuza Momochi held one hand against the water prison, his expression cold and sinister.
"I'll go slaughter those brats."
"Being a ninja isn't a game. It means walking the line between life and death!"
As his words fell, another figure rose out of the water beside him.
Water Release: Water Clone Technique!
"You're no match for him! Run!"
Seeing this, Kakashi Hatake shouted from inside the water prison:
"A water clone can't stray too far from the original!"
His expression was anxious, his eyes filled with worry.
As their team leader, letting his students fall into such a predicament was truly a failure on his part.
"Kakashi-sensei, I think if we run..."
Chiba stepped forward. "We'll probably die even faster."
"Besides, that goes against my principles."
Zabuza Momochi sneered.
"Confident little brat. You'll pay for that reckless decision."
Chiba showed him no respect and shot straight back.
"That's none of your concern."
"Sasuke, Naruto, protect Tazuna."
Before his words had even faded, Chiba had vanished from sight.
What a joke!
Even against Zabuza Momochi himself, I would have a decent chance of winning.
Let alone a water clone with only a tenth of his fighting strength.
Even without Sage Mode, I could kill him in an instant!
His explosive speed was nothing like that of a student fresh out of the Ninja Academy.
At the sight, Zabuza Momochi's pupils narrowed slightly, and a bad feeling rose within him.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
A violent gale blasted from Chiba's mouth.
The suddenly swirling mist obscured Zabuza Momochi's vision.
The wind howled, drowning out every other sound.
"Looks like one water clone isn't enough!"
Chiba's voice sounded from behind his clone.
Zabuza Momochi's pupils constricted sharply, and he raised his sword to slash.
But it was already too late.
The Refined Kunai in Chiba's hand had already reached his neck.
"This is... the Hidden Mist Technique..."
In the instant before his consciousness faded, Zabuza's clone recognized Chiba's ninjutsu.
To him, however, it was nothing short of humiliating.
Someone had used his own specialty to kill him in a single strike.
Even if it was only a water clone, it still dealt a painful blow to Zabuza Momochi's pride.
But Chiba could hardly be blamed for that.
In mist this thick, the Hidden Mist Technique really was useful.
Fortunately, the rewards from an earlier mission had included this ninjutsu.
"I'll leave the rest of the fight to Kakashi-sensei."
Facing Zabuza Momochi's murderous glare, Chiba raised his hand and launched a surprise shuriken attack.
The flying shuriken sliced through the mist, heading straight for Zabuza's real body!
The instant he instinctively dodged-
The Water Prison Technique broke!
Kakashi Hatake, who had long been ready, struck at Zabuza's vitals in a flash!
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