“Stay alert!” The moment Kakashi and the others saw their mission panels update, they exchanged glances and immediately went on guard.
Then two figures slowly emerged from the other side of the bridge.
“Hatake Kakashi.” Zabuza rested the Kubikiribōchō against the ground.
The twin Lightning Blades, Kiba, were crossed over his back, while Haku stood silently beside him behind his mask.
“How about handing that old man over to me?” “He’s my mission target.” “Zabuza?!” Kakashi’s pupil contracted.
He was surprised by the identity of their enemy, but even more baffled by Zabuza’s behavior.
Is this guy an idiot?
Wasn’t Zabuza famous for the Silent Killing Technique?
Why does it look like he’s planning to fight me head-on?
Kakashi gave him a flat look.
“Zabuza, are you stupid?” “Why would you think I’d hand over the person I’m supposed to protect just because you asked?” “For what reason?” Zabuza gave a low chuckle.
Then he looked at Kakashi with a smug smile.
“How about the fact that I’ve already completed one of Itsuki-san’s A-rank missions?” “What?!” Kakashi and the three Genin stiffened.
“You received missions too?” Kakashi’s expression turned grave.
“And you’ve already completed an A-rank one?” Whether it was Kakashi, who had recently obtained Enhanced Byakurai, or Sasuke, who had received Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work, everyone immediately became far more wary of Zabuza.
Kakashi understood the danger better than anyone.
An A-rank reward didn’t necessarily mean an A-rank ninjutsu.
Itsuki’s system could grant all kinds of strange and unpredictable abilities.
“That’s right.” Zabuza grinned.
“So, do you think I’m qualified to demand that you hand him over now?” Being hunted by Kirigakure’s ANBU for so long had forced Zabuza to live cautiously.
But after suddenly obtaining a dramatic increase in strength, his confidence had clearly gone to his head.
“Sorry.” Kakashi shook his head.
“This happens to be an A-rank mission for us too.” His expression became completely serious.
They could no longer judge Zabuza by his previous level of strength.
Kakashi would have to go all out.
He lifted his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan.
“Naruto.
Sasuke.
Sakura.” “Protect Tazuna-san.” Before the words had even fully left his mouth, Kakashi charged toward Zabuza.
His hands moved rapidly through seals.
“Lightning Release: Lightning Cutter!” Chidori screeched like a thousand birds.
Lightning gathered around Kakashi’s hand.
Zabuza’s eyes narrowed.
Then he grinned.
“Interesting.” “Perfect.
I wanted to test my new technique anyway.” “Ninja Art: Lightning Armor!” Boom!
Violent lightning erupted around Zabuza’s entire body.
Electricity wrapped around his muscles, stimulating his body and dramatically increasing his speed and physical ability.
It resembled a different variation of Kumogakure’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
“Haku.” Zabuza’s grin widened.
“I’ll deal with Kakashi.” “You complete the mission.” “And while you’re at it, get rid of those three brats.” “Understood.” Haku vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already directly in front of Sasuke.
Unlike before, there was no hesitation holding him back.
He was fighting seriously.
“Secret Technique: A Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death!” “Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!” “Leaf Whirlwind!” After several days of Kakashi’s intensive training, Naruto and Sasuke had both grown noticeably stronger.
The two quickly engaged Haku.
Sasuke took the lead in attacking.
Naruto used his shadow clones to constantly interfere from different angles.
For a while, the two actually managed to hold their ground.
On the other side of the bridge, Kakashi and Zabuza’s battle was far more violent.
Boom!
Lightning struck the ground, blasting open a crater.
With his Sharingan active, Kakashi’s ability to track movement far exceeded that of an ordinary shinobi.
Even against Zabuza’s lightning-enhanced speed, he managed to keep pace.
Explosions and thunderous impacts echoed across the bridge.
Meanwhile, Haku’s patience gradually wore thin.
After forcing Sasuke backward with a single attack, he immediately formed another technique.
“Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!” “Sasuke, move!” Sasuke’s eyes widened.
He shoved Sakura and Tazuna out of the way.
A moment later, both he and Naruto were trapped within the surrounding ice mirrors.
Once the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals were established, Haku immediately gained the absolute advantage.
“Too fast!” Sasuke wiped blood from his body, his heart pounding violently.
Haku’s speed had completely shocked him.
Even after awakening his Sharingan, Sasuke was still struggling to follow his movements.
“Damn it!” His expression darkened.
“Even Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work isn’t hot enough to melt these mirrors!” Naruto was in even worse condition.
His Multiple Shadow Clone Technique meant almost nothing against Haku’s overwhelming speed.
Instead, every failed attempt left Naruto with more injuries.
In only a short time, both Naruto and Sasuke had been pushed to the brink.
Elsewhere— Kakashi and Zabuza’s battle was suddenly approaching its conclusion.
“Hahaha!” Zabuza laughed wildly.
“What do you think, Kakashi?” “Did my speed scare you?” “I’ve already gotten used to moving like this.” “The next attack will kill you!” Kakashi’s forehead was covered in sweat.
Several wounds marked his body, but he didn’t have the luxury of treating them.
His Sharingan remained locked on Zabuza.
Zabuza’s speed had genuinely put him under enormous pressure.
But Kakashi’s voice remained calm.
“You’ve got it backward.” “You gave me far too much time to adjust to your speed.” Zabuza’s smile vanished.
“Keep talking while you can.” “Goodbye, Hatake Kakashi!” He disappeared.
In the next instant, Zabuza appeared directly in front of Kakashi.
Lightning crawled across the Kubikiribōchō as the enormous blade came crashing toward him with terrifying force.
Kakashi’s pupil contracted.
The three tomoe of his Sharingan spun rapidly.
His concentration reached its absolute limit.
Almost the instant Zabuza appeared— The Lightning Cutter in Kakashi’s hand dispersed.
A brilliant bolt of lightning took its place.
“Hadō #4—” “Byakurai!” No incantation.
Instant activation.
BOOM!
A pillar of lightning as thick as an arm tore forward.
Zabuza’s smug expression turned to horror.
The attack pierced straight through the lightning surrounding his body.
Then it punched through his heart.
Thud.
Zabuza collapsed onto the bridge.
His body slid several meters from the momentum before finally coming to a stop.
His eyes remained wide open, fixed on Kakashi even in death.
Kakashi looked down at Zabuza’s corpse.
His voice was calm.
“You weren’t the only one who received new abilities from Itsuki-san.” He lowered his hand.
“A shinobi who stops being cautious isn’t far from death.” “Remember that in your next life, Zabuza.”
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