The battle between Kakashi and Zabuza raged on, their movements swift and deadly. Water splashed violently as their attacks clashed, creating waves that rocked the surface of the lake.
On the shore, Naruto, Sakura, and Tazuna could do nothing but watch—until Sasuke took a step forward.
"Naruto," he said, voice low but firm. "We can't just stand here."
Naruto hesitated. "But Kakashi-sensei—"
"If we don't act now, we'll always be weak." Sasuke's grip tightened on his kunai. "We have to fight, or we'll never change."
Naruto's breath hitched. The fear of freezing up again clawed at him, but Sasuke's words lit a fire in his chest.
Sakura swallowed hard, glancing between them. She didn't want to be useless either.
"We need a plan," she said, stepping up beside them.
Sasuke's eyes gleamed. "Then let's make one."
---
Kakashi dodged another swing from Zabuza's massive blade, landing gracefully on the water's surface. His Sharingan swirled, analyzing every movement.
"You're good," Zabuza admitted. "But this fight is already over."
Kakashi tensed as the mist thickened even more.
"I told you, Copy Ninja…" Zabuza's voice echoed all around them. "I can strike from anywhere."
Suddenly, the sound of rushing water erupted behind him. Kakashi barely turned in time to see a water clone lunge at him, sword raised. He leapt back, avoiding the strike, but the real Zabuza was already on the move.
"You're too slow!"
Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi in an instant, swinging his blade in a deadly arc.
I can't dodge—!
Before the blade could strike, a kunai flew through the mist—aimed straight at Zabuza's face.
He tilted his head at the last second, the kunai slicing a thin cut across his cheek.
"Tch." Zabuza scowled. "Who dares interfere?"
Then, he saw them—Sasuke and Naruto standing on the shore, kunai at the ready.
Zabuza grinned. "Ah, the brats."
---
Naruto's heart pounded in his chest. He had just attacked a real enemy.
Sasuke didn't hesitate. He dashed forward, forming hand seals rapidly.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive ball of flames roared toward Zabuza.
The rogue ninja smirked and flicked his sword, slicing the water's surface. A towering wave surged up, extinguishing the flames in an instant.
"Nice try, kid."
But as the water settled, Zabuza's smirk faded—Sasuke was already gone.
"Above you!" Naruto shouted.
Zabuza looked up just in time to see Sasuke flipping through the air, kunai aimed directly at him.
He's fast!
Zabuza raised his sword to block, but before Sasuke could land his strike, a second kunai came flying from the mist—this time, from Sakura.
Zabuza's eyes widened.
"She predicted my movement?"
He twisted his body to avoid the kunai, but that slight hesitation gave Sasuke just enough time to land on the water and launch a follow-up attack.
"Take this!" Sasuke swung his kunai in a precise arc, aiming for Zabuza's side.
But Zabuza wasn't called the Demon of the Mist for nothing.
In a blur, he caught Sasuke's wrist mid-strike.
"Nice moves, kid," he growled. "But not good enough."
Then, with monstrous strength, he threw Sasuke across the water.
"Sasuke!" Naruto and Sakura cried out.
Sasuke skidded across the surface, barely managing to regain his footing. His arms trembled.
He's too strong…
But before Zabuza could move in for the kill—
Kakashi was suddenly there, his kunai pressing against Zabuza's throat.
"You let your guard down," Kakashi said coldly.
Zabuza's eyes widened.
---
For a moment, everything was still.
Then—
Thunk!
A senbon needle pierced Zabuza's neck.
Everyone froze.
Naruto's eyes widened. "What—?"
Zabuza's body wavered, his grip on his sword loosening. His massive frame collapsed into the water, unmoving.
A figure landed gracefully on the surface—a masked shinobi in light blue robes, holding a handful of senbon needles.
"Thank you," the masked figure said, bowing slightly. "I've been tracking Zabuza for a long time."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "And who are you?"
The masked shinobi lifted his head slightly, revealing his porcelain mask.
"My name is Haku. I'm a hunter-nin from the Hidden Mist."
Sasuke, still catching his breath, watched closely. Something about this person felt… off.
Haku picked up Zabuza's body effortlessly. "I'll be taking him now."
Kakashi didn't lower his guard. "You took him down too easily."
Haku only smiled. "It's my job."
Then, in a blur of movement, Haku and Zabuza disappeared into the mist.
Silence fell over the group.
Naruto clenched his fists. "That's it?"
Sasuke exhaled sharply. His body ached, but his mind was racing.
Kakashi turned to his team, his expression unreadable. "This mission isn't over yet."