Stepping back two paces, Kakashi touched the blood flowing from his chest and spoke softly, "Zabuza… I'm not just relying on my Sharingan to get by; I've also been a part of the Anbu in Konoha."
Kakashi's expression turned serious. "From now on, I won't be imitating anymore. Watch my ninjutsu carefully!"
Using the blood flowing from his chest, Kakashi suddenly pulled out a long summoning scroll and swiftly ran his bloodied fingers across it.
"Let's settle this now, shall we?" Kakashi opened one eye, activating his Sharingan, and quickly formed the "In" hand seal.
Pig—Dog—Rooster—Monkey—Sheep
Kakashi's hands moved rapidly as he formed the seals, then slammed the scroll onto the ground.
"Ninjutsu: Summoning! Earth Release: Tracking Hound Technique!"
Within the Hidden Mist Technique, Zabuza chuckled coldly. "Hmph, don't waste your effort. You have no idea where I am, but I can see your every move clearly. Kakashi, you're already—"
Before Zabuza could finish, he felt the ground tremble beneath his feet, and suddenly, two dog heads burst forth from the ground, aiming to bite at Zabuza's legs.
Soon, dogs started emerging from all directions, lunging toward Zabuza within the mist.
"Using their sense of smell?" Zabuza reacted quickly and managed to dodge seven of the dogs' attacks, but one dog seized the opportunity and bit his calf.
The scent of Zabuza's blood spread through the mist, allowing Kakashi's tracking hounds to more easily pinpoint Zabuza's location.
"If it weren't for the thick mist obscuring my vision, I probably wouldn't have caught you. The injuries I sustained earlier were all to leave the scent of my blood on your weapons," Kakashi explained.
Zabuza looked down at his decapitating sword and understood why Kakashi had managed to track him. At this point, it was too late to rectify the situation. Moreover, the scent of his blood was now wafting from the bite on his leg, making it impossible for him to remain hidden.
Knowing he could no longer conceal himself, Zabuza dispelled the Hidden Mist Technique and hefted his decapitating sword, scanning his surroundings with his cold, fish-like eyes.
Kakashi and his four teammates stood ready; although the four were clearly Konoha's lower ninjas, Zabuza noticed Haku among them and knew he was strong.
Anyone capable of breaking his decapitating sword was clearly on a different level from the other three. Dealing with Kakashi alone was already quite difficult; adding an enigmatic lower ninja into the mix significantly reduced his chances of winning.
"Haku, come out," Zabuza suddenly called.
From the surface of the nearby lake, a masked figure gradually emerged—Haku, who had remained hidden until now.
Upon seeing Haku appear, Furen pretended to be shocked. "Haku… how come you're with Zabuza?"
Upon witnessing Haku's entrance, Kakashi thought to himself, as expected: "The masked guy who claims to be part of the Mist's assassination squad is definitely allied with Zabuza."
"Haku, go deal with him." Zabuza pointed his decapitating sword at Furen.
Haku trembled slightly, then quietly replied, "Understood, Mr. Zabuza."
With that, Haku was assigned to deal with Furen, while Zabuza fixed his gaze on Kakashi, raising his decapitating sword.
"Next, let me see how powerful the Copy Ninja Kakashi really is!"
Kakashi and Zabuza engaged in battle.
Haku, trembling as he gripped his flying needles, rushed toward Furen.
Sasuke and Naruto called out simultaneously from behind Furen, "Furen, be careful!"
However, Furen seemed to have not heard them, standing still as Haku lunged forward, stabbing the needles into his shoulder.
The blood slowly seeped out, staining Furen's shoulder red.
"Furen-kun, why didn't you dodge?" Haku's voice trembled, tears welling up beneath his mask.
"Because I know you don't want to hurt me."
Furen didn't pull the needles out of his shoulder; instead, he held onto Haku's hand.
"Haku, I want you to know that there are people who care about you in this world… I need you." Furen's voice softly echoed in Haku's ear.
"Furen-kun… he needs me."
Since the death of his parents many years ago, aside from Zabuza, who required Haku as a killing machine, he finally found a purpose through Furen.
The feeling of being cared for, of being needed.
"Furen-kun… I'm so sorry." Haku sobbed, resting his head against Furen's, fully surrendering himself to Furen, relinquishing any reservations, making him the most important person in his life.
Haku's favorability towards you: 6%
Ding!
Congratulations, host. Haku's favorability towards you has reached 80%. You can claim a reward for 75% favorability. Would you like to draw now?
Without hesitation, Furen commanded inwardly, "Start drawing!"
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A/N:
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