"Someone actually managed to block my Kubikiribōchō?"
The great blade struck White Blade, then was deflected into a nearby tree, its extremely sharp edge sinking deep into the wood.
A man wearing a few bandages and rather plain clothing appeared atop Kubikiribōchō.
He stood tall with his chest out, brimming with confidence, then looked back at Kakashi and the others.
When he saw Kakashi's white hair and the white short blade in his hand, his pupils contracted. Then he spoke with some wariness. "Heh... I was wondering who it was. So it's Konoha's renowned Blood-Eyed White Blade-Kakashi Hatake."
"One of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? You're Demon Zabuza?"
Kakashi had, after all, served as an ANBU captain for several years. He had some knowledge of the capable ninja from various shinobi villages, and Zabuza was among them.
"I never expected you to remember me. What an honor."
Zabuza leaped down, pulling Kubikiribōchō free as he descended and resting it on his shoulder.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei, can you handle him?"
Naruto felt an uncomfortable sensation across his skin. His sixth sense was frantically warning him of danger.
The man before him seemed capable of taking his life.
Kakashi nodded, keeping his gaze on Zabuza, then removed the forehead protector covering his eye, revealing a Sharingan with three spinning tomoe.
"Don't worry. Your teacher is very strong."
Zabuza watched Kakashi's body without looking into his eyes, repeatedly analyzing the situation in his mind.
"Hey, Kakashi, how about handing that old man over to me?"
After thinking for a while, Zabuza spoke to Kakashi.
After all, Kakashi had quite a reputation in the shinobi world. He had once stormed into Kumogakure and nearly tricked the Two-Tails' jinchūriki into leaving with him, then escaped unscathed despite Kumogakure pursuing him with all its might.