---
Menma wanted to help, but he hesitated.
The encounter with Zabuza earlier had been a harsh reminder of the gap in their abilities. Menma knew that if he jumped in now, he'd only make things worse. Unless the Nine-Tails' chakra surged, he wouldn't be able to land a hit on Zabuza. The disparity between them was painfully obvious.
The gap is still so wide... Menma thought.
Despite the hard work he'd put in over the last six years, his growth had plateaued at the academy. After all, how much could one improve with only basic training? He wasn't like Guy-sensei, who could exponentially increase his strength through sheer dedication to fundamental exercises.
Real growth comes from experience—missions, battles, life-or-death moments.
His eyes darted between Kakashi and Zabuza, locked in a fierce exchange of blows. Menma made a silent vow: After this mission, I need to overhaul my training. More missions, more combat experience... maybe Kakashi can take on tougher assignments to give me a real challenge.
But Menma wasn't foolish. He knew that just because he couldn't face Zabuza didn't mean he could relax. His senses, honed by both training and instinct, detected another presence.
A faint but distinct chakra signature flickered nearby. It was subtle, but enough to put Menma on edge.
That chakra... it's Haku.
Menma recalled the stories—a young ninja from Kirigakure with a rare Kekkei Genkai: Ice Release. In the original timeline, Haku had posed as a tracker ninja, faking Zabuza's death to save him. There were rumors that Kakashi had let Haku escape, either because he was exhausted or he didn't want Naruto and Sasuke to be overwhelmed.
But not this time. Menma clenched his fists. If Zabuza shows his face, he's not leaving this battlefield alive.
Haku might be strong, but right now, he was just an elite Chunin. Together, they could take him down—especially if Kakashi could suppress Zabuza like before.
Another powerful clash erupted between the two Jonin.
BOOM!
The air crackled with energy as Kakashi and Zabuza unleashed their techniques, neither giving the other an inch. Menma stood ready, his eyes flicking between the fight and the surroundings, tracking Haku's movements.
"You're good, Kakashi," Zabuza growled, hefting his massive sword. "But your client's fate is sealed today."
Kakashi remained calm, his visible eye narrowing as he watched Zabuza's every move.
Zabuza's fingers flew through hand seals at lightning speed. "Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
With a tremendous burst of chakra, a giant water dragon surged from the nearby river, spiraling into the sky before crashing down toward Kakashi.
The sheer force of the jutsu sent shockwaves through the battlefield. Sakura's eyes widened in terror—this was a level of combat far beyond her experience.
Naruto and Sasuke, too, were stunned. Sasuke felt a sharp pang of envy. This is the power I need...
But Kakashi was unfazed. Swiftly, he formed his own hand seals. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A massive earthen wall erupted from the ground, blocking the water dragon's advance. The dragon smashed into the wall, sending water and debris flying.
Zabuza wasn't finished. Pouring more chakra into his next jutsu, he called out: "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
A tidal wave formed, towering over the battlefield. Zabuza was no longer holding back. The wave surged forward with crushing force, threatening not only Kakashi but also Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke, who stood further behind.
Kakashi-sensei... Menma thought, eyes wide with apprehension.
But Kakashi stayed calm. He quickly formed more hand seals. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Rampart!"
Another, larger earthen wall shot up from the ground, adorned with massive dog heads—a signature of Kakashi's Earth-Style techniques. The wall curved around Team 7, forming a protective barrier.
The wave crashed against the earthen structure, but it held firm. Water surged around the sides, but Team 7 remained safe.
Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke watched in awe as Kakashi countered Zabuza's powerful jutsu with practiced ease. Despite the overwhelming force, Kakashi's resolve never wavered.
Menma clenched his fists. This is the power I need... but for now, I have to stay sharp.
Haku is here, he thought, scanning the fog-covered battlefield, trying to pinpoint the Ice Release user's location. And I won't let him catch us off guard.
---
Bang!
Crash!
The massive waves surged forward, each one crashing violently but blocked by an unyielding defense. The sheer force seemed impossible to overcome.
"Damn it!" Zabuza snarled, frustration twisting his features.
He had always known Kakashi was strong, but the fact that his attacks weren't landing at all infuriated him. Zabuza had assumed that, even if he overestimated Kakashi's strength, his team would be a weakness. Surely, protecting those burdens would leave Kakashi vulnerable.
If Kakashi was as ruthless as his reputation suggested, he could have ignored his subordinates and left them to die. Zabuza could have used them as bait, completed his mission, and claimed the old man's life.
But reality had taken a different turn. Kakashi wasn't giving him any openings, and Zabuza couldn't shake him off.
Retreat wasn't an option. Not yet.
I need more intel... Or maybe I can lure Kakashi away long enough for Haku to finish the job with the bridge builder, Zabuza thought, his mind racing with possible strategies.
With a sharp inhale, Zabuza took a step back.
Swoosh!
He moved swiftly, gaining distance. But just as he did, Kakashi made his own move. His hands flashed through a series of seals, and then—
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Kakashi slammed his hand to the ground, and with a puff of smoke, a pack of ninja dogs appeared beside him, growling and baring their teeth.
In the original timeline, Kakashi had hesitated, nearly costing Team 7 their lives when Zabuza trapped him in the Water Prison. But not this time. This time, Kakashi was holding nothing back.
Zabuza scowled, still concealed in his Hidden Mist. He couldn't see Kakashi's summons, but he felt the sudden presence of several new chakra sources surrounding him.
"What the hell…?"
An uneasy feeling crept up his spine. This was bad.
"Earth Release: Tracking Fang Technique!"
Kakashi's voice rang out, and in an instant, the ninja dogs were on the move, honing in on Zabuza's chakra signature.
Whoosh!
The ground split open as the dogs raced toward him, their speed blinding.
"Not good!" Zabuza spat, swinging his massive sword to keep them at bay. He retreated quickly, but the dogs weren't affected by the mist. They relied on scent, not sight.
Crack!
Bang! Bang!
The ninja dogs burst from the ground, closing in on Zabuza before he could react. One by one, they leapt at him.
"Ninja dogs?! Damn it!" Zabuza cursed as he finally caught sight of them. He twisted his body, trying to evade, but one of the dogs had already latched onto his leg, dragging him down.
"Haku!" Zabuza roared.
Before the words had fully escaped him, a figure materialized from the mist, moving with lightning speed as he weaved hand seals.
"Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness!"
A dome of ice rose around Zabuza, shielding him from the ninja dogs. The air grew cold as the walls formed, giving Zabuza a brief moment to catch his breath.
But Kakashi wasn't giving him any time to rest.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" Kakashi called out, his hands flying through more seals. He took a deep breath and exhaled a massive fireball that smashed into the ice dome.
Boom!
The intense heat melted the ice, leaving Zabuza exposed once again.
The two shinobi locked eyes through the mist, their killing intent filling the air. The ninja dogs circled Zabuza, ready to strike.
Zabuza gritted his teeth. His pride wouldn't let him retreat, even as he recognized Kakashi's overwhelming strength.
So, this is the Copy Ninja… No wonder they feared him during the Third Great Ninja War. He's not hesitating at all.
Zabuza's thoughts darkened, but determination flared in his eyes. If he had to die, he would die fighting. He hefted his beheading sword, the blade gleaming ominously.
Boom!
The ground shook as Zabuza charged forward, roaring defiantly, "I won't go down without a fight!"
Meanwhile, Haku, watching from nearby, tensed. He knew Zabuza was in danger, but before he could react—
"Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A voice rang out from the side. Menma, dressed in red, sprang into action, having waited for his moment. Now that Haku had revealed himself, Menma wasn't about to let him escape. He unleashed several shuriken, forming hand seals with lightning speed.
The shuriken multiplied in midair, becoming a storm of spinning blades.
Haku's eyes widened beneath his mask as the barrage of shuriken hurtled toward him. Quickly, he formed his own seals.
"Ice Release: Exploding Ice Crystal Technique!"
Shards of ice erupted from the ground, intercepting the shuriken and shattering them mid-flight. The battlefield trembled with the clash of power.
---