Chapter 17: Testing the Limits*
*Kakashi's POV*
Kakashi struggled against the crushing weight of the water prison, his mind racing as he observed his students. They had made great strides in just a few short days, but this fight was far beyond the scope of their previous training. They were still genin—raw, untested, and vulnerable. The stakes had never been higher, and the realization hit him hard: if they didn't stick to the mission, if they didn't remember why they were here, it could cost them their lives.
"Sensei!" Naruto's voice cut through the thick mist, tinged with panic as he saw Kakashi trapped. He was flanked by his clones, all of them trying to figure out a way to help their sensei without getting themselves killed.
"Stay focused!" Kakashi's voice was calm but commanding, cutting through Naruto's growing anxiety. "Remember the mission! Protect Tazuna!"
Even as he gave the order, Kakashi's thoughts were churning. The kids had come so far—they were starting to function as a team, their bond growing stronger with every mission. But Zabuza was a different level of threat. A mistake here wouldn't just mean failure; it could mean death. He couldn't let that happen.
Sasuke was already moving, his kunai ready as he scanned the battlefield with those sharp, calculating eyes. His face was a mask of cold determination, but Kakashi saw the telltale signs of tension in his stance—the slight stiffness in his movements, the way his fingers twitched on his weapon. Sasuke was pushing himself, trying to think several steps ahead, but Kakashi knew the boy was still grappling with his own demons, his need to prove himself constantly battling against his growing concern for his teammates.
Sakura was nearby, her body positioned protectively in front of Tazuna. Her eyes flicked between her teammates and the threat before them, fear lingering in their depths. But it was clear she was fighting it, forcing herself to stay calm and focused, even as her heart raced.
"Stay together!" Kakashi commanded, his voice firm. He had to trust them to work through this, but he was ready to intervene the moment it became too much.
Zabuza's cruel laugh echoed through the mist, a chilling reminder of the danger they faced. "You really think a bunch of kids can stop me, Kakashi? They're out of their league."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "You underestimate them, Zabuza. That's your first mistake."
But even as he said it, he couldn't help the knot of fear that tightened in his chest. He'd been in countless battles, faced countless enemies, but this was different. These weren't seasoned shinobi by his side—they were kids, still finding their way in the brutal world of ninjas. He was their sensei, their protector, and he couldn't afford to let them down.
Naruto's voice broke through his thoughts, loud and filled with determination. "We're not backing down! We'll protect Tazuna, and we'll free you, Kakashi-sensei!"
The boy's enthusiasm was admirable, but Kakashi knew that enthusiasm alone wouldn't be enough to defeat Zabuza. Still, he couldn't crush that spirit. It was what made Naruto who he was, and in many ways, it was his greatest strength.
Sasuke moved first, his body low as he darted forward, kunai in hand. He aimed for Zabuza's unprotected side, hoping to force the missing-nin to release the water prison and free Kakashi. But Zabuza was too experienced to fall for such a straightforward attack. With a fluid motion, he deflected Sasuke's strike, knocking the kunai from the boy's hand and sending him skidding back across the wet ground.
"Too slow," Zabuza sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, his frustration clear. He was trying to keep his emotions in check, but Kakashi could see the internal struggle—the clash between his desire to prove his strength and the reality of their situation.
Sakura, seeing Sasuke pushed back, hesitated for just a moment before steeling herself. "Naruto, we need a distraction! We have to keep him off balance!"
Naruto's eyes lit up, and without a second thought, he formed the hand signs for his Shadow Clone Jutsu. In an instant, dozens of Naruto clones materialized, each one charging at Zabuza with the same reckless energy. It was chaotic, but it gave Sasuke the opening he needed to recover his stance and rethink his approach.
Zabuza, however, was unfazed. He moved through the clones like a whirlwind, his massive blade cutting them down with ease. For every clone he dispelled, two more took its place, but they were only buying the team seconds at best.
Kakashi watched the chaos unfold, his mind racing. He needed to find a way out of the water prison, but Zabuza's control was absolute. The only option was for the kids to force Zabuza to divert his attention, even for a moment.
"Focus, Sasuke," Kakashi called out, his voice tight. "You've got the skills—you just need the right opening."
Sasuke's eyes flicked to Kakashi, then back to Zabuza. He wasn't reckless, despite the frustration simmering beneath the surface. Kakashi could see the wheels turning in his head, the boy's mind racing as he calculated his next move.
Naruto's clones swarmed Zabuza, but they were no match for the missing-nin's sheer power. Yet, in their relentless attacks, Kakashi noticed something—Zabuza was starting to grow impatient. He was used to dealing with skilled shinobi, not a barrage of erratic, unpredictable clones. It wasn't much, but it was something.
Sakura, sensing the shift, called out, "Naruto, try to keep him busy! Sasuke, now's your chance!"
Sasuke didn't hesitate. He moved with precision, his body a blur as he launched himself at Zabuza once more. But this time, instead of aiming directly for Zabuza, he feinted to the side, his real target the arm controlling the water prison.
Zabuza's eyes widened, just for a fraction of a second, as he realized Sasuke's intent. But it was too late. Sasuke's kunai sliced through the air, forcing Zabuza to release the jutsu to avoid being disarmed. The water prison collapsed, and Kakashi felt the cold grip of the jutsu release him.
Kakashi didn't waste a moment. The instant he was free, he was on the move, his kunai flashing as he intercepted Zabuza's blade. The force of their clash sent a shockwave through the mist, the sound of metal on metal ringing out across the battlefield.
"Impressive," Zabuza growled, his eyes narrowing at the sudden turn of events. "But you're still outmatched, Kakashi."
Kakashi met his gaze, his voice steady. "Maybe, but you're forgetting something important."
Before Zabuza could react, Kakashi formed a series of hand signs, his movements swift and precise. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
The mist around them surged as the water condensed into the form of a massive dragon, its eyes gleaming with the power of Kakashi's chakra. The dragon roared as it surged toward Zabuza, its sheer size and power forcing the missing-nin to leap back, giving Team 7 the space they desperately needed.
"Now, Team 7!" Kakashi shouted, his voice cutting through the roar of the jutsu. "Get Tazuna to safety!"
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke moved as one, their bodies acting on instinct as they formed a protective ring around Tazuna. They began to retreat, their eyes darting between Kakashi and Zabuza, knowing they couldn't afford to let their guard down for even a moment.
Zabuza, recovering from the surprise attack, scowled as he realized what Kakashi was doing. "You're not going to escape that easily, Kakashi!"
But Kakashi was already a step ahead. The water dragon surged forward, its immense power crashing down on Zabuza, forcing him to focus all his energy on defending himself. Kakashi knew it wouldn't hold him for long, but it was enough to buy his team the time they needed.
As they fell back, Kakashi positioned himself between Zabuza and his team, his Sharingan focused on the enemy before him. His mind was racing, considering every possible move, every potential threat. He couldn't let Zabuza get to them. Not while they were still learning, still growing. They were his responsibility, and he would protect them with everything he had.
Zabuza, recovering from the water dragon's onslaught, growled in frustration. "You think you can keep this up, Kakashi? Sooner or later, your brats will slip up. And when they do—"
"They won't," Kakashi interrupted, his voice filled with quiet confidence. "Because they're not just brats. They're my students."
The two shinobi squared off, the tension between them thick enough to cut. The battle had only just begun, but already Kakashi could see the strain on his students' faces. They were handling it well, but he knew they were still genin—still inexperienced, still learning. He couldn't let them push themselves too far, too fast.
But they also needed to learn what it meant to be shinobi. To face danger head-on, to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.
And most importantly, to work together, to rely on each other, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura's voice rang out, her tone urgent. "What do we do now?"
Kakashi glanced back at them, his expression softening for just a moment. They were looking to him for guidance, for reassurance. And he had to give it to them, even if he was fighting his own doubts.
"We stick to the mission," he said firmly. "Protect Tazuna, no matter what. And remember—work together. Don't try to do everything on your own."
Sasuke, despite his usual aloof demeanor, nodded, a determined look in his eyes. Naruto, his usual bravado tempered by the seriousness of the situation, gave a firm thumbs-up. Sakura took a deep breath, her grip on her kunai tightening as she steeled herself.
Zabuza watched them, his expression unreadable. "So, you're going to make them fight your battles for you, Kakashi? How noble."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed, his voice low and dangerous. "They're not fighting for me. They're fighting for each other. And that's something you'll never understand, Zabuza."
With that, Kakashi charged forward, engaging Zabuza with renewed intensity. He knew the fight would be tough, that Zabuza was a dangerous opponent, but he also knew that his students were watching him, relying on him to lead them through this. He couldn't afford to show any weakness.
As the battle raged on, Team 7 worked together, their movements becoming more coordinated, more in sync. Sasuke's precision, Naruto's relentless energy, and Sakura's sharp mind—they were starting to function like a real team, each one playing to their strengths, each one supporting the others.
But Kakashi knew they were still vulnerable. They were still learning, still figuring out how to fight as one. And Zabuza was not the type of opponent to give them the time to figure it out.
Zabuza, sensing an opportunity, broke away from Kakashi, his eyes locked onto the retreating group. "I think I'll take out the weakest link first," he said, a cruel smile playing on his lips as he lunged toward Sakura.
Kakashi's heart lurched, fear surging through him. "Sakura! Watch out!"
But before he could move, Sasuke was there, his body acting on instinct as he threw himself between Sakura and Zabuza, his kunai meeting Zabuza's blade with a resounding clash. The force of the impact sent Sasuke skidding back, but he held his ground, his eyes blazing with determination.
"You're not touching her," Sasuke snarled, his voice low and fierce.
Zabuza's eyes widened slightly, surprised by the boy's sudden burst of courage. But he quickly recovered, his smile turning even more sinister. "So, the little Uchiha has some fire after all. Let's see how long it lasts."
Kakashi didn't hesitate. He used the distraction to close the distance, his kunai slicing through the air as he aimed for Zabuza's exposed side. But Zabuza was quick, deflecting the attack with a swift movement of his sword.
"You're fast," Zabuza admitted, his voice filled with grudging respect. "But not fast enough."
The battle continued, each move more desperate, more intense. Kakashi could feel his students growing more fatigued, their movements slowing as the strain of the fight took its toll. But they kept going, kept fighting, refusing to back down.
Kakashi knew he had to end this soon. Zabuza was toying with them, wearing them down, waiting for the moment they would slip up. And if that happened, if even one of them fell, it could be disastrous.
But then, something shifted. Kakashi saw it in Zabuza's eyes—a moment of hesitation, a brief flicker of doubt. It was all he needed.
With a burst of speed, Kakashi closed the gap, his Sharingan spinning as he launched a powerful attack, his kunai aimed directly at Zabuza's heart. Zabuza moved to block, but Kakashi was faster. The kunai sliced through Zabuza's defenses, striking true.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Zabuza's eyes widened in shock as he realized he had been outmaneuvered, outplayed. And then, with a final, furious roar, he collapsed, his body crumpling to the ground.
Kakashi stood over him, breathing heavily, his kunai still clenched in his hand. He glanced back at his students, who were watching with wide eyes, their expressions a mix of awe and exhaustion.
"Sensei…did we do it?" Naruto asked, his voice trembling with a mixture of relief and disbelief.
Kakashi nodded, his expression softening as he looked at them. "Yeah, Naruto. We did it. Together."
But even as he said it, his mind was already racing ahead, considering what would come next. This wasn't the end—it was just the beginning. There would be more challenges, more dangers, and he needed to prepare them for that. But for now, they had made it through. They had survived.
As he looked at his team, he felt a surge of pride. They were still learning, still growing, but they had shown their strength, their determination. They had fought not just for themselves, but for each other. And that, Kakashi knew, was the most important lesson of all.
But there was still the mission, the real objective. Tazuna still needed to be protected, the bridge still needed to be completed. They couldn't afford to lose sight of that.
"Alright, everyone," Kakashi said, his voice firm but kind. "We still have a job to do. Let's make sure we see it through to the end."
His students nodded, their faces determined despite their exhaustion. They had been through a lot, but they were still standing, still ready to face whatever came next.
And as Kakashi led them away from the battlefield, he couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. They had come so far, and they would go even further. They were his team, his students, and he would protect them with everything he had.
