The Demon! Zabuza Momochi!

"That outfit... that sword..."

Kurenai Yuhi's expression changed dramatically, and she cried out in shock.

"There's no mistaking him! It's the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi! A former member of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, a rogue jonin specializing in Water Release and the Silent Killing Technique!"

Demon Zabuza?! Kiba Inuzuka and Hinata instantly went pale at the name.

This was a rogue ninja infamous throughout the shinobi world! His strength was unquestionably jonin-level, and he was outstanding even among them!

How had they run into an enemy of this caliber here?!

"Oh? Someone actually recognizes me."

Zabuza's cold voice came from beneath his bandages, carrying a hint of mockery.

"Looks like you're not ordinary genin escorts. But... now that you've run into me, your luck ends here."

"Hand over that old man, and I might consider giving you a quick death."

"Not a chance!"

Kurenai immediately stepped in front of Tazuna, her hands rapidly forming seals.

"Genjutsu: Haze!"

A powerful surge of genjutsu instantly swept toward Zabuza! Kurenai tried to bring this dangerous enemy under control immediately.

However, only a trace of disdain flashed through Zabuza's eyes. Without even forming a hand seal, he easily broke free of the genjutsu's influence.

"Trying genjutsu on me? How naive! Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"

In an instant, the already dense mist around them thickened until they couldn't see their hands in front of their faces, completely robbing everyone of their sight and even affecting how sound traveled.

This was the combat environment Zabuza excelled in most. Combined with his [Silent Killing Technique], it was nothing short of a ninja's nightmare!

"Everyone, be careful! He's coming!"

Although the thick mist also affected Hinata's Byakugan, she could still just barely pick up the flow of chakra.

Before she finished speaking, an enormous dark shape appeared behind Tazuna like a phantom!

Zabuza's figure flickered in and out of view in the thick mist as he brought the enormous Kubikiribōchō in his hands down viciously toward the old man's neck!

"Oh no!"

Kurenai cried out in alarm, but it was already too late to help!

At that critical instant!

Clang!!!

A clear ring of metal striking metal suddenly exploded through the thick mist!

The expected sight of a head falling to the ground never came.

A figure had stepped in front of Tazuna at some point, a gleaming katana in his hands precisely blocking the mighty blow of the Kubikiribōchō!

It was Ye Chuan!

He had relied on Observation Haki to lock onto Zabuza's movements and caught his attack with Wado Ichimonji at the last moment!

"Hmm?!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Zabuza's eyes.

His Silent Killing Technique had actually been foiled by a brat?

And the sword in his opponent's hands... seemed anything but ordinary. It had actually blocked a strike from the Kubikiribōchō without suffering the slightest damage?!

"You're an interesting little brat." Zabuza applied more force, trying to overpower Ye Chuan.

Ye Chuan felt the tremendous force transmitted through his sword, but his footing remained rock-solid as he held the Kubikiribōchō back.

"So this is the strength of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? In a sense, you count as a swordsman, I suppose, but your style is too crude. You rely too much on the blade's own properties and chakra."

I wonder which is harder, a Great Grade Sword like Wado Ichimonji or the Kubikiribōchō?

"Brat, you can block one swing, but can you block this?!"

Enraged by Ye Chuan, Zabuza quickly retreated, his hands rapidly forming seals.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Roar!!!

Within the thick mist, moisture rapidly gathered. A ferocious water dragon formed from high-pressure water roared into shape, opened its jaws wide, and charged straight at Ye Chuan!

Its power was far beyond an ordinary ninja's Water Release!

However, Observation Haki had already perceived the water dragon's weak points with perfect clarity.

Ye Chuan dodged like a phantom. Then, the instant he brushed past the water dragon, Wado Ichimonji suddenly accelerated in his hands!

Shing-!

A gleaming flash of steel swept past!

The water dragon, so menacing a moment before, was actually cleaved through the middle with a single stroke!

The enormous mass of water collapsed with a crash, scattering into mist that rained down from the sky!

"What?!"

Zabuza was shocked once again.

He not only dodged the Water Dragon Bullet, but shattered it with one slash? This brat's sword...

Just as the destruction of his Water Dragon Bullet left Zabuza open for an instant, Ye Chuan moved!

Like an arrow loosed from its bow, he burst through the mist and appeared before Zabuza in an instant!

This time, he held nothing back!

He concentrated his still-unpracticed Armament Haki to its limit, coating Wado Ichimonji's edge!

Clang!!!

An ear-splitting sound rang out!

Before Zabuza's incredulous eyes, the Kubikiribōchō that had made his name, the ninja blade said to absorb blood and regenerate endlessly, was actually, by that seemingly ordinary katana in Ye Chuan's hands...

Severed with a single stroke!

The enormous blade broke in two!

Zabuza was shaken to his core!

But Ye Chuan's attack was not over yet!

As he severed the Kubikiribōchō, he turned his wrist, letting Wado Ichimonji follow through in a downward slash aimed straight at Zabuza's sword arm!

Slash!

Blood sprayed!

Zabuza let out a muffled groan of pain as his sword-wielding right arm was severed cleanly at the shoulder!

"Aaargh!"

The excruciating pain forced a cry from Zabuza as he staggered backward.

Ye Chuan's gaze was cold as he prepared to advance and deliver a finishing blow, ending this trouble for good.

Just then-

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Several cold senbon shot through the air like a sudden storm, aimed not at Ye Chuan, but at Zabuza, who lay on the ground!

The senbon precisely pierced several vital points on Zabuza's body. He grunted, twitched a few times, then went still.

A figure appeared as though teleporting, wearing a Kirigakure Hunter-nin Corps mask.

"Demon Zabuza Momochi. Target confirmed dead. Under regulations, I must take the body back for disposal to prevent information leaks."

It was Haku! Ye Chuan immediately recognized the figure.

A technique to fake death? A pretty convincing performance.

"Fine," Ye Chuan said calmly, sheathing his sword.

When he had severed Zabuza's arm just now, he had already held back rather than killing him outright.

"But I have one condition." Ye Chuan looked at the masked figure.

"Your boss is Gato, right?"

"Go back and tell Zabuza Momochi that if he wants to live, he should go kill Gato."

"Otherwise, the next time we meet, he won't lose just an arm."

The masked Haku stiffened almost imperceptibly and gave Ye Chuan a long look without speaking.

"Wait... Haku."

A weak voice suddenly came from the "corpse."

Zabuza abruptly pulled free of Haku's support and staggered back to his feet.

He pressed his only remaining hand, his left, against his continuously bleeding right shoulder, his face as pale as paper.

But his eyes no longer held their earlier madness. Instead, they burned with the pride of the strong!