"I can't believe I'd run into the Sharingan Kakashi here… my apologies." Zabuza's cold, fish-like gaze locked onto Kakashi. "I want that old man!"
Kakashi activated his Sharingan and addressed Furen and the others behind him, "Protect Tazuna-san. Zabuza is different from those other ninjas."
After giving his instructions, Kakashi focused on Zabuza. "Your opponent is me."
A hint of caution appeared in Zabuza's eyes. "Huh, I didn't expect to encounter the legendary Sharingan so soon. What an honor."
"I have your information in the manual I carry with me from my time in the Mist's assassination division," Zabuza said, jumping into the nearby river. "It states you've copied over a thousand ninjutsu—Copy Ninja Kakashi."
"Looks like I need to take care of you first." Standing on the water's surface, Zabuza formed hand seals. "Ninjutsu: Mist Concealment Technique!"
In an instant, Zabuza's figure vanished, and the fog thickened around them. Furen felt an overwhelming murderous intent emanating from the mist, as if Zabuza had emerged from hell itself!
Beside him, Naruto and Sasuke were drenched in sweat from the oppressive aura.
"Be careful!" Furen shouted, guarding Tazuna.
The mist rolled, and Zabuza's figure appeared behind Tazuna, his enormous executioner's sword poised to strike.
Kakashi dashed over with incredible speed, throwing a kunai that struck Zabuza in the back, but before the kunai could fully penetrate, Zabuza's form began to dissolve.
"Water Clone," Furen murmured.
As Zabuza's water clone turned into a puddle, a horizontal slash came from behind Kakashi, who quickly turned just in time to avoid it.
Zabuza hadn't sheathed his sword; instead, he used the momentum from the swing to let go of one hand, planting the blade like a staff on the ground. He then kicked Kakashi into the nearby river.
"Boring," Zabuza muttered, then formed hand seals and instantly appeared next to Kakashi in the water.
"Water Prison Technique!"
Before Kakashi could rise from the water, Zabuza trapped him in a spherical water prison, making escape impossible.
"Kakashi-sensei, get away! His main body won't be too far from the water clone!" Furen shouted urgently.
"It's over!" Zabuza, controlling Kakashi with the Water Prison, formed hand seals with his other hand, causing another water clone to rise and charge at Furen and the others.
The situation became critical!
"Protect Tazuna, I'll save Kakashi-sensei!" Furen decisively said, quickly sidestepping Zabuza's water clone.
"Tch," Sasuke clicked his tongue, pulling out a kunai, ready for battle.
"Furen, be careful!" Sakura cried out anxiously.
As Furen raced toward Zabuza's main body on the water, he rapidly formed hand seals. "Multi Shadow Clone Technique!"
In the blink of an eye, three identical Furen rushed toward Zabuza. These three shadow clones were at the limit of Furen's chakra. Zabuza, unbothered, raised his executioner's sword and swung down!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The three clones burst like balloons. Just as Zabuza was about to strike Furen's main body, Furen suddenly caught the executioner's sword with both hands.
Zabuza's cold eyes showed surprise; he hadn't expected this genin to catch his blow.
"Strong power indeed." Furen, enveloped in chakra, used his strength to hold the sword. Just as he was about to change tactics to save Kakashi, a sound echoed in his mind.
Ding!
"First-time use of an attack-type technique, triggering a special event."
"Congratulations, host! You've gained the advanced 'Sakura Charge' of Strong Power."
"Sakura Charge?!" Gripping the executioner's sword, Furen felt joy; exactly what he needed had come!
Sakura Charge is a derived technique of Strong Power, capable of shattering even the hardest targets. In this critical moment, Furen needed just such a technique.
Without hesitation, Furen concentrated all his chakra, gathering it in his hands, continuously compressing it!
Sakura Charge requires instant refinement of maximum chakra and then unleashing it all at once through the hands!
Feeling Furen's grip tightening around the sword, Zabuza was startled. He tried to pull his sword back with his other hand, but found he couldn't budge Furen's grip.
"Momochi Zabuza? From today on, your name will be Momochi Stuck Zabuza!"
Furen stated calmly, then unleashed his chakra. Sakura Charge activated!
Boom!
The sound echoed like breaking steel. Zabuza's executioner's sword… was snapped by Furen!
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A/N:
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