... Pov Change
The mist clung thickly to the ground, turning the world around them into a maze of shadows and shifting figures.
Team 7 was on high alert, each member's nerves drawn taut.
Kakashi, standing at the front, narrowed his visible eye. Slowly, he lifted his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan.
His voice was calm, but carried the weight of the situation, "Well, well... if it isn't Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist."
Naruto's eyes widened, the name alone sending a shiver down his spine. "Zabuza...?"
Sasuke cut him off, kunai in hand, his focus razor-sharp. "No time for talking. He's our opponent."
Kakashi gave a curt nod. "Quick, Manji formation. Protect the bridge builder!"
In an instant, Team 7 fell into position. Naruto and Sasuke at the front, Sakura staying close to Tazuna, her hand trembling slightly but her resolve strong. The mist grew denser, swallowing them whole.
Then, a chilling chuckle echoed from all directions. "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu."
Naruto tried to peer through the fog, but everything was shrouded. He couldn't even see Sasuke standing next to him. "Where is he?! I can't see a thing!"
Sasuke, too, strained to detect any movement. "Stay sharp. He's here."
A cold voice spoke from the mist, sending a jolt of fear through Naruto. "It's over."
Suddenly, Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi, his massive blade swinging down with deadly force. In an instant, Kakashi spun around and blocked the strike, their eyes meeting in a silent clash of wills.
But Zabuza was unfazed, grinning beneath his mask. "You think your Sharingan will save you? In this mist, no one can see."
Kakashi didn't flinch. "We'll see about that."
With another swift movement, Zabuza vanished back into the mist, his presence once again hidden. The silence was unbearable. Sakura clutched Tazuna, her heart pounding, while Naruto's hands shook, trying to steady himself.
And then, without warning, Zabuza's voice echoed once more. "Ninja Art... Water Prison Jutsu!"
In a blur of motion, Kakashi found himself trapped within a swirling sphere of water. His movements slowed to a halt as Zabuza stood nearby, hand extended, controlling the prison with a wicked grin.
Naruto, stunned, looked to Sasuke, panic rising in his chest. "What do we do now?! Kakashi-sense"
...
"Hey Tsunade, your husband is dying, and you have no concern?" he said, lying casually beside her in the dimly lit room.
They were already miles away from the town—now nothing more than rubble after his destructive battle with Orochimaru. The air was thick with tension, but they had found refuge, somewhere far from the chaos.
"You!!" Tsunade's eyes flared as her fist tightened. She slammed her hand down on the table in front of her, causing it to crack under the force.
"You are not dying! And stop calling yourself my husband if you actually want to live!" she spat, clearly agitated, but a hint of concern flickered behind her anger.
"Well, well…" he smirked, leaning his head back. "I'll take your word for it, then." His grin widened, but his tone grew a bit more serious. "Yeah, there's something else I've been wondering…"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, waiting for him to continue.
"Think I could learn Sage Practice? From your summon... the slug, right?"
Tsunade blinked, her irritation momentarily replaced by surprise.
Tsunade's eyebrows furrowed as she processed his question. For a moment, the room was quiet except for the faint crackling of the fire nearby. Her anger seemed to fade as curiosity took over.
"You... want to learn Sage Practice? From Katsuyu?" she asked, her voice now tinged with disbelief.
He stretched lazily, hands behind his head, as if he hadn't just asked for something monumental. "Yeah, why not?
If I'm going to keep up with Orochimaru's nonsense, I need every advantage I can get. Besides," he added, his smirk returning, "I've already mastered plenty of other techniques. How hard could it be?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, her eyes sharp. "Sage Practice isn't something you just 'pick up.'
It requires immense chakra control, a connection with nature that most can't handle. You're reckless, arrogant, and have a death wish half the time.
What makes you think Katsuyu would even consider teaching you?"
"Come on, Tsunade," he teased, leaning closer. "You underestimate me. I'm not just anyone."
Tsunade clenched her jaw. "You're playing with fire, and this time, it's not something I can just heal you from. Sage Mode, especially the one taught by Katsuyu, isn't forgiving. If you fail to master it, the consequences are... irreversible."
He gave her a confident wink. "I've survived worse."
Tsunade sighed deeply, running a hand through her hair. "This isn't about survival. It's about something bigger than that.
Do you even understand what it means to become a Sage? The balance, the discipline..."
"I understand more than you think," he interrupted, his gaze softening. "And I've made it this far, haven't I? Besides, I trust you wouldn't let me go down that path if it was impossible for me."
Tsunade looked at him, her frustration giving way to a mixture of concern and reluctant admiration. "You're serious about this?"
"Dead serious," he replied, his tone unwavering.
She sighed again, her resolve weakening. "Fine. I'll talk to Katsuyu... but don't say I didn't warn you."
"Thanks, wife," he grinned, knowing full well that would trigger her.
Tsunade scowled and threw a pillow at him, which he caught with a laugh. "One more time with the husband stuff, and I'll make sure I'm the one who finishes what Orochimaru couldn't."
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Noted. No more 'husband' talk... for today."