"Lord Zabuza!"
"You should rest a little longer!"
In a hidden location where Zabuza was recovering, he stared at Haku, who stood firmly in his way.
"That's enough, Haku. Step aside!"
"I will not let this grudge go unanswered!"
"But... Lord Zabuza, your injuries haven't fully healed yet..."
Zabuza ignored the concern, hefting his Executioner's Blade. "For this matter, full recovery isn't necessary!"
His gaze turned sharp and menacing as he spoke.
To his surprise, the ninjas from that day hadn't been sent by Gatoh. What's more, Kakashi and his group were still alive.
This meant that the two powerful individuals who had intervened had been dealt with, but Kakashi had been seriously injured, and the other boy had fallen unconscious.
This was the perfect opportunity to finish off Kakashi and his team.
Exploiting such a situation might seem dishonorable, but Zabuza didn't care about such trivialities.
As long as the goal was achieved, the methods didn't matter.
Still, Zabuza couldn't help but be curious about the identities of the two mysterious shinobi from that day.
Unfortunately, he had no way of finding out now.
"If you're determined to go, Lord Zabuza, then this time, please allow me to assist!"
At this, Zabuza hesitated for a moment.
"Fine!"
To be honest, if Sasuke had regained consciousness, Zabuza was counting on Haku to hold him off for a while.
Once he dealt with Kakashi, everything else would fall into place.
Though the boy's speed was impressive, his attack power was lacking and not enough to kill Zabuza.
All Zabuza had to do was wait for Sasuke to exhaust his chakra, just like last time.
Besides, Zabuza had already devised a strategy for handling the boy.
Sasuke's speed was formidable, but if he couldn't locate his target, he would be harmless.
This time, Zabuza planned to act preemptively by using Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique to obscure vision and employing silent killing techniques against both Sasuke and Kakashi.
As they approached the area where Sasuke and Kakashi were staying, Zabuza refrained from attacking immediately, instead cautiously scouting the surroundings.
"No one here?"
"Did those two escape?"
If they had fled, it would be impossible for them to take Tazuna with them.
Could they have abandoned the mission?
Any ninja who abandons a mission would be disdained by their village.
A ninja should never forsake their assignment unless they were prepared to become rogue shinobi.
Thinking this, Zabuza found the situation increasingly strange.
Just then, Haku returned.
"Lord Zabuza, I don't think I've spotted our assassination targets anywhere!"
"They're not here?"
Tazuna was missing too?
Where could he be?
Could those two have really taken him away?
If they had taken Tazuna away, it would mean their mission to escort him back had essentially failed.
Besides, what would be the point of taking Tazuna? The man could escape, but the Land of Waves wasn't going anywhere.
As Zabuza and Haku pondered this, they suddenly sensed a surge of powerful intent emanating from the unfinished bridge.
The two exchanged a glance before heading toward the source.
At the same time, to ensure caution, Zabuza immediately activated his Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique before proceeding with Haku toward the bridge.
When they reached the end of the bridge, the structure was still incomplete.
The gap between this side and the opposite, nearly finished section of the bridge was about ten meters.
Even from this distance, Zabuza could sense Tazuna's presence.
That man was on the other side of the bridge.
"They took him to the far side of the bridge?"
"What's the meaning of this?"
Zabuza was puzzled, but suddenly, a flash of electricity burst forth.
Crackle!
In an instant, a streak of lightning whizzed past Zabuza's face.
Luckily, he dodged just in time. Otherwise, he would have been hit.
"Who's there?"
Zabuza demanded, his voice low and alert.
Footsteps echoed in the mist, accompanied by the rumble of thunder.
Sasuke appeared, arcs of lightning dancing across his body, crackling as they coursed up and down.
He stared ahead, eyes locked on his target.
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique. The moment I saw this dense fog, I knew you had arrived!"
"Since you're here, step out of the shadows, Zabuza Momochi!"
Sasuke's voice was firm, and Zabuza's brows furrowed in response.
Until Kakashi revealed himself, Zabuza had no intention of coming out.
"Don't worry. Kakashi-sensei has already left. This time, it's just you and me!"
Left?
Kakashi Hatake left at a time like this?
What could he possibly be doing?
"Kakashi-sensei left you to deal with me while he went to find our other two companions!"
"What's the matter, Zabuza Momochi? The so-called Demon of the Hidden Mist, an elite Jōnin are you too scared to come out and face a mere Genin from the Leaf?"
Sasuke's words struck a nerve.
Zabuza, visibly angered, hefted his massive Executioner's Blade and slowly stepped forward. The surrounding mist thinned as he emerged.
"A Leaf Genin thinks he can stop me? Are you out of your mind?"
"And to claim that Kakashi sent you to deal with me? You, a mere Genin, think you're worthy? Don't make me laugh, kid!"
Seeing Zabuza's form appear in the clearing mist, Sasuke smirked.
"Not worthy, huh? Funny. I wonder who nearly got taken out by me last time."
Bringing up their last encounter darkened Zabuza's expression further.
"You little brat, you're asking for death!"
"If it weren't for Kakashi saving you last time, you'd already be feeding my Executioner's Blade by now. You wouldn't even have the chance to talk big!"
Sasuke grinned, unfazed by the insult.
"Well then, this time, there's no one else to interfere. It's just you and me… one-on-one."
But as he spoke, Sasuke felt another chakra signature nearby.
"Or maybe not a pure one-on-one after all," he said, turning his gaze toward Haku, who was trying to approach him unnoticed.
Zabuza's eyes narrowed in surprise.
"You can sense Haku's presence? Not bad, kid. Looks like you're more than just a little Uchiha runt from the Leaf."
Having been discovered, Haku no longer tried to hide and stepped out of the shadows.
"Zabuza-sama, leave this one to me. I can handle him."
Zabuza waved his hand dismissively.
"No. This one's mine. I'll kill him with my own hands."
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