Chapter 7: Kakashi vs Zabuza
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The mist thickened once more, Zabuza vanishing into the fog like a phantom. Naruto, Sasuka, and Kakashi stood on high alert, their senses strained to the breaking point.
Kakashi narrowed his eye. "He's using the mist to hide and strike when we least expect it. Stay close."
Naruto clenched his fists, determination written all over his face. "I won't let this guy take us down! We've trained too hard for this!"
Kurama's voice rumbled from within Naruto's mind. Don't lose focus, kid. This Zabuza is no ordinary opponent. He's a killer—keep that in mind.
Sasuka's Sharingan spun, the world around her slowing as her eyes analyzed the subtle movements in the mist. "He'll strike soon. We need to be ready."
Without warning, Zabuza's voice echoed eerily through the mist. "You're all in over your heads. It doesn't matter how strong you are, Kakashi. You can't protect them forever."
The killing intent was thick in the air, almost tangible. Naruto gritted his teeth. "Enough of this cat-and-mouse game!"
He summoned another handful of shadow clones, dispersing them in every direction. "I'll flush him out!"
Zabuza chuckled darkly. "Foolish."
Naruto's clones disappeared into the mist, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, in the blink of an eye, several of his clones were cut down, vanishing in puffs of smoke.
"He's close!" Naruto shouted. "He's taking out my clones!"
Sasuka's Sharingan glowed brightly, her kunai ready. She could see it—the faint blur of Zabuza moving through the mist, his massive sword swinging with deadly precision.
"There!" she shouted, launching a barrage of shuriken in Zabuza's direction. They whizzed through the air, but just as they were about to connect, Zabuza's figure melted into water, another clone.
A cold chill ran down Naruto's spine. "Damn it! Another water clone?"
From behind them, Zabuza materialized, his sword raised high above his head, ready to strike. "Too slow, kids."
But before he could bring his sword down, Kakashi intercepted the blow, blocking it with his kunai. The force of the strike sent shockwaves through the clearing. Kakashi's eye was sharp, his Sharingan predicting Zabuza's every move.
"Enough," Kakashi said, his voice calm but laced with power. "This ends now."
Zabuza's grin widened. "You really think so, Kakashi? The moment you let your guard down… you're dead."
Without warning, Zabuza jumped back, forming a series of hand seals at lightning speed. "Ninpō: Kirigakure no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu)!"
The mist became denser, almost suffocating, obscuring everything in sight. Zabuza's voice echoed ominously. "Let's see how long you can last, Sharingan user."
Naruto growled in frustration. "Damn it! We can't even see him!"
Kakashi's Sharingan glowed beneath his headband, the red iris spinning. "Stay calm, Naruto. Sasuka. We need to think strategically."
Sasuka nodded, her mind racing. "Zabuza's using the mist to hide, but he's still a shinobi with a chakra signature. If we can track that…"
Naruto suddenly grinned. "I've got an idea!"
With a series of hand signs, Naruto summoned even more shadow clones, but this time, they stood still, forming a wide perimeter around the area.
"What are you doing?" Sasuka asked, confused.
Naruto smirked. "I'm using them to sense Zabuza's movements. Even if he's fast, one of my clones will definitely feel him."
Kakashi glanced at Naruto, impressed. "Smart."
Suddenly, one of Naruto's clones to the far right burst into smoke. "Got him!" Naruto shouted. He pointed in the direction. "He's over there!"
Kakashi wasted no time. With a burst of speed, he dashed toward Zabuza's position, his Sharingan tracking the slightest movement in the mist.
Zabuza's eyes widened slightly as Kakashi appeared in front of him. "You're faster than I thought," he muttered, raising his sword to block Kakashi's kunai.
The two clashed in a flurry of strikes, their movements too fast for the untrained eye to follow. Sparks flew as their weapons collided, the sound of metal ringing out through the mist.
Naruto and Sasuka watched, their hearts pounding as Kakashi and Zabuza battled fiercely. The power behind each of their strikes was incredible, the ground beneath them cracking under the pressure.
But even as Kakashi fought with everything he had, Zabuza was relentless, his blade swinging with deadly precision. "You're good, Kakashi," Zabuza said between strikes. "But this fight isn't going to end the way you think."
Kakashi's eye narrowed. "We'll see about that."
Just as Zabuza swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming for Kakashi's head, Kakashi ducked low, dodging the strike by a hair's breadth. He retaliated with a swift kick to Zabuza's midsection, sending the larger man stumbling back.
But Zabuza recovered quickly, his predatory grin widening. "You can't protect them forever, Kakashi. Once I'm done with you, those brats are next."
Kakashi's gaze hardened. "Not while I'm still standing."
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Flashback:
The scene shifted to a memory of a younger Kakashi standing in front of the Hokage's office, the weight of the Uchiha massacre fresh on his mind. He had failed to protect the village that day, arriving too late to stop the carnage. The sight of Sasuka and Itane, broken and hollow from the loss of their clan, haunted him.
Kakashi had made a silent promise that day. He would never let something like that happen again. He would protect his students with everything he had.
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Back in the present, Kakashi's resolve burned stronger than ever. He locked eyes with Zabuza, his voice steady. "I won't let you harm them."
With renewed vigor, Kakashi charged forward, his kunai glinting in the mist. Zabuza met him head-on, their clash sending shockwaves through the air.
But Kakashi wasn't done yet. He formed a series of hand seals in rapid succession. "Raikiri (Lightning Blade)!"
A surge of electricity erupted from Kakashi's hand, the crackling sound of lightning filling the air. The mist around them sizzled as the raw energy pulsed through Kakashi's arm.
Zabuza's eyes widened. "That technique…"
Without hesitation, Kakashi lunged forward, his Raikiri aimed straight for Zabuza's heart.
But at the last second, Zabuza moved, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. The Raikiri grazed his shoulder, leaving a deep, sizzling wound. Zabuza winced but didn't falter.
"You're good, Kakashi," Zabuza growled, his voice laced with pain. "But this isn't over."
Before Kakashi could react, Zabuza jumped back into the mist, disappearing from sight once again.
Naruto and Sasuka ran to Kakashi's side, their eyes wide with concern. "Are you okay, sensei?" Naruto asked, his voice filled with worry.
Kakashi gave them a reassuring nod. "I'm fine. But Zabuza's still out there."
Sasuka clenched her fists, frustration boiling inside her. "We can't keep playing his game. We need to end this."
Kakashi's eye gleamed with determination. "I have a plan. But I'll need both of you to trust me."
Naruto and Sasuka exchanged a glance before nodding in unison. "We're with you, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said firmly.
"Good," Kakashi replied, his mind already working through the details. "This is how we're going to take him down…"
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End of Chapter 7
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Author's Note:
The battle between Kakashi and Zabuza is heating up, and Team 7 is about to take things to the next level! Can they execute Kakashi's plan and finally defeat the Demon of the Mist? Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out!