For Momochi Zabuza, the sight of Hatake Kakashi stirred something inside him.
It had been a long time since he'd crossed blades with a shinobi of this caliber.
If he could succeed in killing Tazuna while slipping past Kakashi's guard, not only would his name echo across the shinobi world once again, but his worth as a mercenary would rise even higher.
And more importantly, it would serve his own hidden plans.
So, no—retreat was not an option.
Not now.
Just as Zabuza was about to leap down and engage Kakashi, however, he noticed Kakashi's gaze shift to the side. The man's words also carried an unsettling undertone.
Frowning, Zabuza instinctively turned his head.
And in that single glance, his eyes widened in shock. His entire body froze.
Zabuza knew Konoha's standard squad structure well: one jōnin leader commanding a three-man genin cell.
Of those before him, only Kakashi wore the uniform of a jōnin.
That was why, from the moment he began shadowing them, all of Zabuza's attention had been fixed on Kakashi alone.
But never—not even in his worst nightmares—had he imagined that the one he'd ignored all this time was the most terrifying presence of the entire group.
Just one look was enough.
Zabuza's pupils contracted violently, his breath grew shallow, and a suffocating chill gripped him as though midsummer had been replaced by midwinter.
Sweat beaded across his brow and poured down his spine.
"You seem to recognize me."
Senju Haruto's eyes locked with his.
That expression of sheer terror on Zabuza's face… it was far from the first time Haruto had seen such a reaction.
Gulp.
The silence was absolute.
Haruto could hear Zabuza's breathing, the pounding of his heart, even the distinct sound of him swallowing his own fear.
After all, Momochi Zabuza was no ordinary missing-nin—he was one of the Hidden Mist's most infamous killers.
"What's going on here…" Sasuke's eyes darted between Haruto and Zabuza.
When Zabuza had confronted Kakashi moments ago, he'd spoken with confidence, even arrogance—boasting about Kakashi's past feats, but never once conceding inferiority.
Sasuke had even felt Zabuza's killing intent firsthand—relentless, suffocating.
The message had been clear: no matter how much of a genius Kakashi might be, Zabuza believed he could kill him.
The oppressive weight of that intent had crushed Sasuke's chest. For the first time, he'd truly understood the gulf between himself and an elite jōnin.
Unstoppable. Unavoidable.
And yet—all of that murderous aura had evaporated the instant Zabuza's eyes fell on Haruto.
Naruto and Sakura, though less quick-witted than Sasuke, could also sense the dramatic shift.
As for Kakashi—he looked almost unsurprised, as if he'd been expecting this outcome all along.
Especially given Zabuza's origins in Kirigakure.
For Mist-nin, Senju Haruto was like a blood-drenched demon of legend.
No shinobi from that village could possibly fail to know his name.
Gulp.
Zabuza's throat worked as he forced himself to remember the shinobi's creed: stay calm, remain cautious, never lose focus.
It took him a long while before he finally gave a stiff, heavy nod.
"Senju Haruto…"
His voice was hoarse, but steady.
"Your name isn't just listed in the archives of the Mist's assassination corps…" His grip on Kubikiribōchō tightened. "…There's a special note beside it.
If encountered on a mission… abandon the objective immediately. Retreat at once."
"What?!"
Everyone froze.
The words hit like thunder.
"Abandon the mission? Retreat?" Sasuke's mind reeled.
For shinobi, wasn't the first rule always to complete the mission at all costs?
And hadn't Kakashi-sensei himself once told them the Mist were infamous for fighting to the death, never surrendering?
Since when did a Mist-nin's manual allow—no, command—retreat?
"Big Brother Haruto… what are you?"
Naruto stared at him wide-eyed.
He had always believed he understood Haruto, that the two were close friends.
But in this moment… he realized he knew nothing.
Haruto's strength was something else entirely—something terrifying.
"That kid… he's that powerful?"
Even Tazuna, who knew little about the shinobi world, was stunned.
He clenched his fists tightly.
He could tell easily that Zabuza was far stronger than the Demon Brothers he'd encountered before. He had braced himself for a desperate battle.
But to think… Zabuza had faltered just from looking at Haruto.
Grinding his teeth, Zabuza wrestled with the humiliation of the situation.
He could not afford to die here.
What's more, his partner still waited in the shadows.
If Haruto struck, that ally would inevitably reveal themselves to save him.
But if that happened, the two of them would surely both perish.
And beyond that—Zabuza still had a mission he must fulfill.
His eyes flicked to Tazuna, resentment flashing within them, before he finally dropped from the tree and wrenched his massive blade free of the trunk.
"I will abandon this mission," he said at last, voice strained. "All I ask…"
His gaze shifted nervously back to Haruto. Summoning every ounce of courage, he spoke, hoping this demon would grant him mercy.
"…is that you allow me to leave in peace."
As for killing Tazuna—he would give that up. He would withdraw from the Land of Waves altogether.
But before Zabuza could finish his halting request, Haruto cut him off.
"Don't worry about me, Zabuza."
A faint smile played across Haruto's lips.
"Actually, this is perfect. I want to see how far Team Seven has come. Since you're here, why not spar with them a little?"
He paused deliberately.
"If you win… Tazuna is yours."
The words sent a shockwave through the group.
Tazuna himself nearly fainted.
One moment ago, he'd been sighing with relief, certain he had escaped death.
The next, he discovered he was being wagered like a piece on a game board.
This… this was outrageous!
Even Zabuza froze, unable to believe what he'd heard.
Wasn't Tazuna their client?
Wasn't the first rule of a shinobi mission to protect the client at all costs?
Since when did shinobi gamble with their client's life?
Or rather… Zabuza's eyes narrowed.
In Haruto's view, did this mean he wasn't even worthy of being Kakashi's opponent?
"If I lose… what then?" he asked cautiously.
A wager went both ways.
If he won, he would claim Tazuna. But if he lost… Haruto would not simply let him walk away.
"You'll want my head, won't you?" Zabuza growled darkly.
But Haruto shook his head.
"No. Since our side's stake is the client… your side should put up the same kind of wager."
His eyes gleamed.
"As I recall, your employer is Gato, isn't he, Zabuza? So if you lose… you'll bring me his head."