On the bridge, Dazna worked tirelessly to complete its construction. Not far away, Sasuke and Sakura practiced their tree-climbing drills.
Kakashi leaned against a tree, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other held a book, seemingly absorbed in reading. In reality, most of his attention was focused outward, constantly alert to his surroundings. Any disturbance, and he would react instantly.
He knew the reason for his vigilance: if Zabuza discovered that they were the only ones there, an attack was inevitable. If it hadn't started yesterday, the odds were high it would today. Kakashi was prepared, waiting for the confrontation.
Just as the scene seemed calm, his sharp eyes caught movement. In a blur, he was at the edge of the bridge.
Two figures appeared before him, one towering, one smaller. Zabuza and his subordinate Shiro had arrived.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Sasuke and Sakura immediately noticed the commotion, halting their training and rushing over. They flanked Kakashi, wary of the intruders.
Is there another person?
Kakashi's gaze swept over Bai, masked and silent, narrowing his eyes.
By his build, he's about the same age as Naruto and Sasuke… but his strength is unknown.
Quickly, Kakashi issued commands:"Sakura, protect Mr. Dazna. Sasuke, I'll handle Zabuza. Keep a close eye on the person with him."
Sakura stepped back toward Dazna, who watched anxiously on the bridge. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at Bai.
"Bai… looks like you've got a rival," he muttered.
Zabuza's lips curled into a cold smile. "I wonder how long I'll last under your hands," he said, fully aware that facing a Genin like Sasuke was little more than a game.
"I will make sure Master Zabuza's mission succeeds," Bai replied, voice muffled behind his mask. He rushed forward, kunai in hand.
"Good," Sasuke thought, drawing his own kunai as he stepped forward. The two clashed in a fierce duel.
Meanwhile, Zabuza had no time to watch Bai's fight. To ensure Wukong didn't intervene, he swiftly activated the Mist Hidden Technique, shrouding himself and Kakashi in dense fog.
"Kakashi… we didn't meet properly last time," Zabuza's voice drifted through the mist. "This time, I want to see if the legendary Copy Ninja truly deserves his reputation."
Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing the ominous red Sharingan. "I had the same thought."
"77… 78… 79…"
In the forest, Naruto gritted his teeth, squatting with the massive rock from yesterday. Yesterday's and today's training had worked multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Wukong had taught him that efficient training develops the body in multiple ways at once—a lesson passed down from Grandpa Roshi.
Wukong lounged against a tree, munching on wild fruit, the discarded cores piling high beside him. His gaze occasionally flicked toward Kakashi and the others, seemingly piercing the forest to observe the battle from afar.
The anger of that man last time… he muttered, then returned his attention to Naruto."Finish your training, then we'll deal with him."
Soon, Naruto collapsed, gasping. "Phew… seventeen sets left!" His goal was twenty sets of weighted squats. He had barely completed the third.
"I'm exhausted… but I can feel my strength growing. Soon, I'll defeat Sasuke and become Hokage!" He smiled, eyes alight with ambition.
"Naruto… the guy from last time is here again," Wukong said suddenly.
"Huh? Who?" Naruto blinked, confusion breaking his focus.
"The one I fought before," Wukong replied.
Naruto's mind whirred. The one Goku fought… Zabuza?!
Excitement surged. He leapt to his feet, drew his kunai, scanning the forest. "Where is he?!"
"At Kakashi-sensei's," Wukong said, pointing.
Naruto hesitated. Kakashi-sensei's place?
"Goku… how do you know Zabuza is there?"
"You can sense his presence with your Qi," Wukong said, pointing to his forehead.
Naruto tried but found he could not.
"Not yet. Requires more practice," Wukong explained.
Naruto's expression turned serious. "Then we go now. I'm not sitting this battle out!"
He moved to step forward, but Wukong suddenly blocked him.
"Want to come? Then hold my hand."
A question mark instantly appeared above Naruto's head. Yet, trusting Wukong after the past two days, he hesitated briefly before taking his hand.
Wukong raised a finger to his forehead.
Swish!
In an instant, the two vanished from the forest.
On the battlefield near the bridge, Sasuke was battered, glaring at Bai, who seemed untouched.
I'm still too weak!
Initially, he had held his own, but Bai's one-handed seal technique had turned the tide completely.
Elsewhere, within the heavy fog, Kakashi and Zabuza clashed violently, their attacks lethal and precise. During a rapid exchange, Kakashi was struck by a kick, falling into a puddle—Zabuza's Water Dragon Bullet Technique.
"Water Escape Technique… Water Prison Technique!" Kakashi muttered.
Before he could recover, water surged around him, forming a massive sphere that trapped him completely. Zabuza's cold smile echoed through the mist. "You're in trouble now, Kakashi. No one can stop me from finishing this."
Just as he created water clones, ready to strike in one final move…
"Where are we? This fog is too thick—I can't see a thing!"
A youthful voice cut through the mist.
A sudden gust of wind blew away the fog almost instantly. Two figures appeared: one large, one small.
It was Wukong and Naruto.
Wukong touched his nose and smiled. "Now you can see it."