"A true killing intent isn't something you can control at will," Kakashi said calmly. "Once it's released, it presses down on the opponent's body, breath, and even their thoughts. In extreme cases, you can't even move your eyes according to your own will."
The suffocating killing intent spreading through the thick mist made the three genin turn pale. Their bodies stiffened instinctively, and even breathing became difficult.
"So this is the killing intent of a jōnin…"
Sasuke clenched his teeth. "Staying here any longer is torture. If that's the case, dying quickly would almost be easier…"
With that thought, Sasuke reached for a kunai, steeling himself to face death head-on.
Sasuke was far more sensitive to this killing intent than Naruto or Sakura. He had lived through the massacre of the Uchiha clan and had personally experienced the overwhelming pressure of Uchiha Itachi.
"Sasuke, don't panic," Kakashi said sharply. "If someone's going to die, it'll be me first. And things haven't reached that point yet."
Kakashi's words snapped Sasuke back to reality. His grip loosened, and the kunai fell slightly.
"I couldn't even move back then," Sasuke thought grimly. "Ten years ago, that man with the Sharingan only needed to look at me… I couldn't act at all."
As Sasuke lowered his weapon, Zabuza's voice echoed again from within the mist—this time clear and unmistakable.
And Sasuke instantly realized something.
The person hiding in the fog was not Uchiha Itachi.
Ten years ago, Itachi had been only fourteen. Ash had been just eighteen at the time. No matter how powerful the Sharingan was, no matter how much of a prodigy Itachi had been, it was impossible for him—at that age—to immobilize Zabuza purely with dōjutsu.
"Then who is this guy…?" Sasuke frowned inwardly. "Aside from that man, is there really someone else like this?"
In Sasuke's mind, only the Uchiha clan possessed such terrifying eyes.
"Thinking about other things at a time like this?" Zabuza's voice suddenly rang out coldly. "Brave… but pointless."
In the next instant, Zabuza appeared directly behind Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura.
The Executioner's Blade swung down in a brutal horizontal arc.
"Kakashi-sensei—!"
"Sharingan."
Kakashi moved.
Having already read Zabuza's movements, Kakashi used Body Flicker Technique, appearing instantly in front of the blade. He caught the massive sword bare-handed, stopping it completely.
Clang!
In the same breath, Kakashi drew a kunai and drove it straight into Zabuza's abdomen.
The entire exchange lasted only an instant.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood frozen in shock.
But the next moment—
The stabbed body suddenly dissolved into a splash of water, scattering across the ground.
A Water Clone.
"Sensei—behind you!" Naruto shouted instinctively.
"It's too late. Die."
Naruto suddenly noticed something was wrong.
He didn't know when it had happened, but Zabuza had appeared behind Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei—!" Naruto shouted.
But it was still a moment too late.
The Executioner's Blade swept down, cutting Kakashi cleanly in two.
Yet instead of blood, the severed body collapsed into a splash of water, scattering across the ground.
A Water Clone.
"What?!" Zabuza's eyes widened. "The Water Clone Jutsu—when did he…?"
He had seen the Sharingan before, but he had never truly fought against it. Ash's Sharingan had needed only a single glance to strip him of all fighting intent, leaving him no opportunity to gather data.
From that moment on, Zabuza had made it his goal to collect as much information as possible about the Sharingan—especially from Hatake Kakashi, who had been active across the shinobi world for years.
"Don't move," a cold voice suddenly whispered behind him. "Or you'll disappear from this world."
Before Zabuza could react, Kakashi appeared at his back, an arm locked tightly around his neck, a kunai pressed against his throat.
"Yes!" Naruto shouted excitedly when he saw Kakashi restrain Zabuza—then quickly clamped his mouth shut.
"So this is the power of a jōnin…" Sasuke thought, watching the exchange in shock. "When will I reach that level?"
"It really is the Sharingan," Zabuza said calmly. "You copied my Water Clone the instant you saw it. Unfortunately, my understanding of the Sharingan is still incomplete."
As his words fell—
Another Zabuza suddenly appeared behind Kakashi.
The one Kakashi was restraining burst apart into mist.
A Water Clone.
Whoosh!
Kakashi ducked instinctively as the Executioner's Blade swept over his head.
Boom!
The massive sword struck the ground, cracking the earth with a thunderous impact.
In the same motion, Zabuza delivered a powerful roundhouse kick, sending Kakashi flying into the air.
"Now!" Zabuza's pupils contracted as he yanked the Executioner's Blade free and leapt after him.
Still airborne, Kakashi's Sharingan spun rapidly.
He formed a Shadow Clone, then used it to throw his real body away from the attack.
The trajectory sent him straight toward the sea.
If Zabuza failed to intercept him now, Kakashi and the others would be able to escape by boat to the Land of Waves.
"It's too late—Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!"
The moment Kakashi touched the surface of the water, Zabuza arrived in an instant. He slung the Executioner's Blade behind his back and rapidly formed hand seals.
A massive sphere of water surged up, trapping Kakashi inside.
"Damn it…" Kakashi thought grimly as the water closed in. "I can't divide my attention. I still have to protect Naruto and the others."
He held his breath, steadying himself. He had no intention of becoming the first jōnin to drown in battle.
"Hmph," Zabuza chuckled coldly. "With three burdens dragging you down, did you really think you could fight freely?"
Though his face was hidden beneath bandages, the disdain in his voice was unmistakable.
...
TN:
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