Killing Intent is normally something invisible and intangible.
But now, they could definitely feel it.
It felt like a blade held against their necks, ready to take their lives at any moment.
This feeling of having no control over one’s own life was enough to make anyone break down.
And the more meticulous a person’s mind, the deeper they felt it.
For instance, Sasuke felt as if he had fallen into an endless swamp, helplessly watching his life drain away.
The discomfort was so intense it almost made him want to end his own life.
Compared to him, the boisterous Naruto fared slightly better.
He was merely terrified and anxious, looking around in a panic.
As for Rock Lee, after his initial hesitation, he was instead stimulated into a hot-blooded state, constantly muttering, “Youth is about fighting, youth is about shedding hot blood…” He scanned the surroundings continuously, observing every movement.
He soon noticed Sasuke’s movements.
Seeing Sasuke take out a Kunai as if to end himself, he immediately grabbed his hand.
“Sasuke, what are you doing?” Terror still lingered on Sasuke’s face as he said, “I’ve had enough of this feeling of my life being in someone else’s hands.” “I…” Lee cut him off, saying, “You can fight back against it.
If you aren’t even afraid of suicide, why not fight back?” Sasuke murmured, “You…
aren’t you afraid?” Lee gave a confident thumbs-up.
“I’m not afraid.
This is the battle of youth, hahaha…” If Guy were here, the two of them would surely embrace and weep again.
Kakashi moved to shield Sasuke and promised, “Don’t worry, Sasuke.
I will protect you all even if it costs me my life.
I will never let my comrades be killed again.” Kakashi’s words made the resolve of Sasuke and the others a bit firmer.
At the same time, they felt a sense of security from him.
However, at the very moment they relaxed because of Kakashi’s words, Zabuza’s silhouette passed through the thick mist and suddenly appeared in the middle of the Manji Formation.
“Can you really protect them, Kakashi?” Zabuza’s words chilled Sasuke and the others to the bone.
Before they could react, Zabuza swung his sword.
Lee reacted instantly, kicking the sword while simultaneously grabbing Tazuna and rolling away.
But…
“No, this is a Clone.” He hurriedly warned the others.
But by then, Kakashi’s Kunai had already pierced into Zabuza’s body.
Sure enough, what flowed out of Zabuza’s body wasn’t blood, but water.
The real Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi, slashing his blade toward him.
Bang!
Similarly, this wasn’t the real Kakashi either.
What fell to the ground was a splash of water.
“This one is a fake too?” Lee was a bit confused by the Clones from both sides, feeling that ninjas who knew Ninjutsu were truly impressive.
At the same time, Zabuza also sensed something was wrong.
He hadn’t expected Kakashi to have copied his Water Clone Technique.
Now, he was the one held at Kunai-point by the opponent.
However…
“You really are quite something, deliberately using a Clone to say those sentimental words just to draw my attention away.
Then you hid yourself in the thick mist to spy on my movements.
But you’ll never defeat me with such petty tricks.” As Zabuza finished speaking, his body turned into water and fell.
This scene startled Kakashi, he hadn’t expected this one to be a Water Clone as well.
But it was too late to react now.
Zabuza was already swinging his massive weapon in a horizontal sweep.
Although he dodged in time, Zabuza’s Taijutsu was extremely formidable.
Failing to hit with the sweep, he slammed the weapon into the ground, then used the sword as a support to deliver a powerful kick that sent Kakashi flying.
“Kakashi-sensei!” Sakura shouted in worry.
She hadn’t expected the powerful Kakashi to be kicked into the lake.
Having gained the upper hand with one move, Zabuza pressed the attack.
Though he was slightly delayed by the Caltrops Kakashi had scattered, he still chased into the lake without hesitation.
Lee and the others on the shore stared nervously at the lake’s surface, fearing they would see the scene they dreaded most.
Splash!
Kakashi appeared on the water’s surface, seemingly unharmed.
Naruto said happily, “It’s Kakashi-sensei, that’s great!” However, before everyone could celebrate, they noticed Kakashi’s face turning pale.
He realized the lake water was becoming increasingly heavy.
With another splash, Zabuza appeared behind him, performing hand seals with lightning speed.
“Idiot, this is the Water Prison Technique, of course it’s heavy.” To avoid having his Ninjutsu copied this time, Zabuza specifically appeared behind Kakashi to cast it.
The result was as expected.
Kakashi had no time to react before being trapped in a spherical blue water prison in the lake.
The water in the prison, infused with Chakra, was so heavy he couldn’t move an inch.
Kakashi said regretfully, “I didn’t expect you to be this skilled.
It seems hiding in the lake just now was a miscalculation.” Zabuza laughed triumphantly.
“It’s too late for regrets now.
This is a special inescapable cage, just stay quietly inside.
I’ll come back to settle the score with you after I’ve dealt with those brats.” He continued to channel Chakra with one hand while the other began to form seals.
Water Clone Technique!
A stream of water, fused with Chakra, took on Zabuza’s appearance.
This was a Ninjutsu that used water to create a Clone.
Although it only had 10% of the original’s strength, it was clearly enough to deal with the newly graduated Naruto and his team.
The Water Clone Zabuza came ashore with a sneer, and while performing the Hiding in Mist Technique, he mocked, “Do you think putting on a headband makes you a ninja?” “You couldn’t be more wrong.
A true ninja is someone who has constantly hovered between life and death.” “Only those strong enough to be listed in my handbook are worthy of being called ninjas.
People like you don’t deserve the title of ninja.” Whoosh!
As a light breeze blew, the Water Clone Zabuza vanished into the thick mist.
When he reappeared, he was already in front of Naruto.
He kicked out without hesitation.
Bang!
In the nick of time, Lee blocked the attack with an identical kick and said, “Stay alert, everyone.” The Water Clone Zabuza frowned and said, “You brat, you noticed my Clone earlier.
And now you’ve blocked my attack again.
You aren’t a fresh graduate, are you?” Lee put one hand behind his back and made an inviting gesture with the other, replying, “That’s right, I am Rock Lee, a graduate from last year.
Your Clone’s strength was too low just now, so I could tell it was fake the moment we made contact.” The Water Clone Zabuza laughed.
“You dare say my Clone’s strength is low?
Who do you think you are, you brat?” Swish!
The Water Clone Zabuza slashed with his blade, and Lee met it with a punch.
With a bang, the great sword was shattered into water droplets that scattered everywhere.
“A fake is a fake.
No matter how much it looks like it, it can’t compare to the real deal.” With that, Lee took the initiative to attack once more.