In the mist-shrouded lake, two water dragons intertwined and bit at each other under their controllers’ command, only collapsing into water and falling after a long while.
Rock Lee had only done D-rank missions before, occasionally receiving a C-rank one, and had only encountered small fries, let alone Naruto and the others.
They had never seen such powerful and cool Ninjutsu before, every one of them watched with wide-eyed astonishment.
However, the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza did not end there.
The two clashed from Ninjutsu to Taijutsu, and then from Taijutsu back to Ninjutsu.
However, as a ninja possessing the Sharingan, although Kakashi was slightly suppressed in Taijutsu, the tactics he formulated using the Sharingan allowed him to gain the upper hand over Zabuza.
For instance, right now, Zabuza’s words, gaze, and body movements were all being deciphered one by one.
Through the Sharingan’s ability, Kakashi perfectly copied Zabuza’s posture and speech.
Zabuza sneered, “It’s just a copy, nothing but rehashing old tricks.
You can’t beat me, you monkey-juggling clown.” Kakashi said, “It’s just a copy anyway, nothing but rehashing old tricks.
You can’t beat me, you monkey-juggling clown.” The exact same words were spoken at the same time.
This scene made Zabuza begin to doubt his life, and a hint of fear even welled up within him.
When even your own thoughts can be spoken aloud, tell me, aren’t you afraid?
Seeing that the time was ripe, Kakashi immediately used the Sharingan’s Hypnosis ability to cast a Genjutsu on Zabuza.
At this moment, Zabuza, his mind shaken, did not even realize he had fallen under a Genjutsu.
He seemed to see his own figure appear behind Kakashi, and unconsciously demonstrated the hand seals for his Ninjutsu.
Thus, when Kakashi across from him unleashed the Great Waterfall Technique, Zabuza’s terror reached its peak.
He cried out in horror, “Impossible!
I haven’t even finished performing this Ninjutsu yet, how did he complete it ahead of me?” Following the impact of the powerful waterfall current, the despondent Zabuza had no chance to counterattack.
The current swept him away, crashing him into rocks, cliffs, and trees.
By the time the technique ended, the area had already turned into a lake.
The dazed Zabuza, reeling from the impact, was further struck by several Kunai that Kakashi threw in a timely manner.
Fortunately, he moved his body at the last second, preventing any vital points from being hit.
Zabuza asked unwillingly, “You…
can you see the future?” Kakashi gripped a Kunai and said, “Indeed.
In the future I see, you will die.” Swish swish swish…
Suddenly, just as Kakashi finished speaking, several palm-length senbon struck Zabuza’s neck, and blood spurted out.
This attack came so suddenly that even Kakashi failed to react in time.
By the time everyone noticed, Zabuza’s head had already slumped down.
Kakashi snapped his head toward the direction of the attack and found a ninja standing on a tree, wearing hemp clothes and a Kirigakure mask.
Judging by the build, this person wasn’t much older than Naruto and the others, yet their strength was several levels higher—definitely not simple.
Kakashi quickly calmed his internal turmoil.
He approached Zabuza and checked for signs of life with his fingers, confirming that the other party no longer had a breath or a pulse.
Only then did he say, “That mask…
you’re a Kirigakure Tracker Ninja, aren’t you?” The masked ninja bowed politely before replying, “As expected of you, you know quite a lot.
Thank you very much for your help this time.
I have been waiting for an opportunity to definitively kill Zabuza.
I didn’t expect to finally succeed today.” Naruto asked in confusion, “What’s a tracker ninja?” Sakura complained, “You don’t even know that?
It was taught in school.
Ninjas like Zabuza, who for certain reasons turn their blades against the Ninja Village they were born in, are pursued by ninjas specializing in assassination.” “This is to prevent them from leaking the Ninja Village’s secrets.
It’s common knowledge.” However, Rock Lee felt like he was missing something.
But he couldn’t recall what it was.
Considering that an Elite Jonin like Kakashi was present, he didn’t dwell on it further.
Besides, he wasn’t good at using his head anyway.
Naruto, however, was not happy.
He glared at the stranger, then looked at the dead Zabuza and roared, “What are you doing?!
Appearing out of nowhere and suddenly killing him like that!” Kakashi explained, “Naruto, don’t worry, he’s not an enemy.” It was a time of peace, and ninjas from different villages generally didn’t act as enemies.
Naruto said angrily, “That’s not what I’m talking about!
I’m talking about him!” “Zabuza was clearly so strong, yet he was killed so easily by a kid around my age.
If that’s the case, doesn’t that make us look like idiots?!
I won’t accept this!” Naruto couldn’t even beat Zabuza’s Water Clone, and even Rock Lee could only push it back half a step.
They only won because they rescued Kakashi.
And yet, such a powerful ninja was now killed by someone roughly his own age.
This made Naruto feel very unbalanced inside.
Rock Lee understood this feeling very well.
He consoled him, “Naruto, although it’s discouraging, there are some people in the world who are much stronger than their peers.
Their strength is something that we ordinary people can only hope to achieve.” Naruto said disbelievingly, “How is that possible?
You’re already so amazing, you’re definitely stronger than us.” Rock Lee gave a bitter smile.
“But such people really do exist.
There’s one in our class whose strength far exceeds mine.
In all these years of sparring, I haven’t beaten him even once.” Naruto: “…” Sasuke: “…” Sakura: “…” To them, Rock Lee was already a very powerful existence.
They hadn’t expected that such a high-level peer would have someone he could never beat.
Kakashi spoke up, “Naruto, there are kids in this world who are even stronger than me.
So don’t feel indignant.
It’s just the way it is.” Encountering a cruel side of the world for the first time, the group fell into a silent hush.
The Kirigakure Tracker Ninja silently shouldered Zabuza’s body and said, “Your battle is over.
I must dispose of this corpse as soon as possible.
After all, he carries too many secrets.
Farewell.” Whoosh!
The two figures vanished from the spot.
Naruto remained, punching the ground in impotent rage.
“What is this even?
We’re just like idiots.
Damn it, damn it, damn it…” Seeing this, Rock Lee picked up a heavy boulder and began to train.
He had no talent for Ninjutsu, and while his talent for Taijutsu was good, it was nowhere near the best.
That was why he cherished every minute of training time even more.
However, just as he was training, a mysterious electronic voice rang out in his mind.