Kakashi was stronger than Zabuza!
But as a Kirigakure Jonin proficient in the Silent Killing Technique, Zabuza naturally would not abandon his own advantages to compete against someone else's strengths!
He immediately formed hand seals and used the Hidden Mist Technique.
Zabuza's figure instantly vanished into the vast white mist!
Kakashi's vision was completely blocked!
Hidden in the thick mist, Zabuza concealed his presence and suppressed every trace of his chakra fluctuations, waiting for an opportunity to launch a surprise attack.
When Kakashi fought Zabuza in the original story!
He could still rely on the power of his Sharingan to detect minute movements and changes in the mist.
This was also why the Uchiha had been Konoha's main force against Kirigakure during the Third Shinobi World War!
The Uchiha's Sharingan was an extremely effective counter to Kirigakure's assassination techniques!
But because he had resumed practicing the White Fang kenjutsu his father had left behind, Kakashi's sensory abilities had improved considerably compared to the original story.
Zabuza struck first from the shadows!
He used the Water Clone Technique, sending several water clones surging through the mist in a surprise attack.
Kakashi responded calmly, easily evading every attack through his ability to sense chakra.
Yet while Kakashi could handle things easily, the ninja following him as he broke out were hardly a match for the Kirigakure ninja.
The Kirigakure ninja lying in ambush already outnumbered them several times over, and they also had the mist buff. Against superior numbers and a home-field advantage, how could they stand a chance?
Seeing the ninja around him fall one after another, even the ever-calm Kakashi could not help growing somewhat impatient as he dealt with Zabuza's attacks...
Kakashi wanted to save his teammates, but Zabuza blocked him, giving him no time to react!
Damn it!