Author's Note:
I'd really appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on this chapter in the comments—whether you liked it, disliked it, or noticed any strengths or weaknesses.
Your feedback helps me understand what works and what needs improvement, and it also creates a space for readers to discuss the chapter and its events together.
Feel free to be honest and speak your mind. This story grows with you and because of you.
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A heavy silence fell over the art store. It wasn't the silence of calm… but of anticipation. Everyone was waiting to see how the events of Chapter 15 would unfold. That's right—without even realizing it, they had already reached the greater half of Volume Two.
No one was exchanging comments anymore—not even those who usually mocked or analyzed out loud.
All eyes were fixed on the upcoming pages of the manga, as if the readers themselves had become part of the battle. Some shinobi who were chūnin or below felt a tinge of embarrassment after seeing how the exchange had unfolded—because even they wouldn't be able to replicate what Naruto had done!
On the manga page, the air around Zabuza seemed denser than ever. He was erupting with rage at that very moment, like a dormant volcano that had just been provoked.
In the readers' eyes, Zabuza was no longer just a missing jōnin serving a wealthy villain, nor merely a "strong opponent"…
He was a true catastrophe standing in the way of three genin whose graduation certificates hadn't even dried yet.
But Naruto and Sasuke's movements did not go unnoticed.
That brief moment of synchronization, that bold decision made in the heart of an uneven battle, finally made even the slowest to grasp things realize that…
This was no longer just a C-rank mission.
At that moment—before the pages were turned, before it became clear whether this childish ingenuity would be enough to save Kakashi or not— everyone held their breath.
Because the next mistake… might be the last.
[—
The kunai shot forward like a bullet, grazing Zabuza's cheek and forcing him to dodge—breaking his hold on the Water Prison.
That single, simple move cost him his captive.
With bloodshot eyes, he wanted to kill Naruto. 'Damn brat!!!'
But Kakashi intercepted the shuriken with his hand.
"Kakashi-sensei!!" Sakura cheered, who had been watching from the sidelines the entire time.
"Naruto, great plan…" Kakashi praised Naruto, his feelings complex at that moment.
"You guys have grown up…" He was referring to Naruto and Sasuke.
"Hehe~" Naruto let out a dry laugh before explaining,
"The aim of the shadow clone wasn't to defeat Zabuza, but to hide the fact that I had transformed into the Evil Wind Shuriken. Of course, I didn't think that could beat him—but I thought that if we could just break open that water prison…"
In the background, Naruto's plan was illustrated—simple in concept, yet complex in execution. Only someone like Naruto, capable of producing countless shadow clones, could pull it off so straightforwardly.
"Heh… I got distracted and released the jutsu…" said Zabuza, still holding the same stance.
"Wrong!! You didn't release it. You were forced to release it," Kakashi replied coldly.
"I'll tell you this—I don't fall for the same jutsu twice. What will you do?"
As he said that, the two of them split apart at terrifying speed, preparing for the next round of battle.
—]
"Amazing!"
The readers applauded excitedly. They truly hadn't expected Naruto to succeed in freeing Kakashi so cleanly.
"That wasn't easy at all—this achievement shows his terrifying competence as a shinobi."
"Right. As long as the opponent isn't someone who can see through imitation tricks, distracting them is at least possible."
"Excellent. The objective has been achieved—Kakashi is free from the Water Prison."
"That terrifying ninja from the Hidden Mist… only Kakashi can restrain him."
"Doesn't he have accomplices?"
"Since the Demon Brothers were his allies, he might have more."
"This mission is getting more complicated…"
…
Not far from the excited readers, Sakumo watched the scene with interest. He, too, felt a surge of excitement after seeing Kakashi successfully freed.
"Phew~ Finally. I was worried after seeing my counterpart restrained."
Young Kakashi wiped away sweat, unable to hide his own amazement and relief at Naruto succeeding in what had seemed like an impossible task.
"The real battle begins now, it seems," Sakumo nodded with a smile.
As the manga scenes accelerated, his gaze lingered on the moment when the surrounding water rose, forming two identical water dragons that collided in a powerful clash.
"That's a technique unique to the Mist shinobi… he copied it while Zabuza was performing it."
"What a terrifying ability… I wonder what story lies behind that Sharingan in your left eye, Kakashi."
Sakumo felt that a major story surrounding that eye would unfold later in this manga.
He glanced at his young son beside him—his eyes still intact, both black, just like his father's. Kakashi looked like a miniature version of him.
"Dad… I also feel something strange when I look at the Sharingan in Kakashi's eye."
Young Kakashi couldn't hide it from his father and said it plainly.
"I understand… but it doesn't really concern us. Rubiro-kun drew it this way, and we don't need to demand an explanation. Let's be satisfied with whatever explanation appears later in the manga."
Sakumo said calmly.
Rob had helped him overcome his hardship by bringing this manga into his life.
The heavy messages he absorbed from it filled him with deep gratitude toward Rob.
That was why he didn't want to burden him with questions—he felt Rob had his own secrets he didn't wish to discuss, and he respected that. He would not interfere; he would simply observe from the sidelines.
…
"What a battle… is this how jōnin fight?!"
One of the Academy students trembled, his eyes wide with shock as he watched the ongoing battle between Kakashi and Zabuza.
Massive water dragons, terrifying aquatic explosions, floods that swept over Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna—leaving them all in awe.
The awe etched on the faces of the Academy youths, as well as genin and even some chūnin, who felt their horizons expanding with every additional page they read of this manga.
…
"Heh~ Haven't you ever fought the elite of the Uchiha before, Zabuza?"
Smiles spread across the faces of the Uchiha clan members as they looked at Zabuza's expression—twisted, confused, and shocked by Kakashi's ability to copy his movements.
"Haha! It's like he's fighting himself."
"Haha! Idiot—he thinks it's genjutsu… man, he's just copying you, and that's what fooled you."
"Look at his face, hahaha!"
"Kakashi is amazing… even I can't keep up with the speed of his hand seals!"
Even though it was just drawings in a manga, Hugaku Uchiha could tell that Kakashi's hand seals while copying Zabuza's techniques were incredibly fast— so fast that even he, as the head of the Uchiha clan, couldn't match them.
"As expected of Sakumo's son…"
Hugaku Uchiha glanced toward Sakumo, who was sitting not too far away with his son.
…
"The Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi…"
"Hm. Now I understand why he earned that title."
Hiruzen marveled at Kakashi's skill in copying Zabuza's abilities during the battle—not after fully observing them, but while matching him in real time.
"Hiruzen… leave him to me to train. I think the Academy will only waste his time. He's truly talented… an amazing boy."
Danzo's eyes widened, and his breathing subtly quickened as he watched adult Kakashi's battle.
At present, Kakashi was merely a five-year-old child who had just entered the Academy. Only his father, Sakumo, knew that his son would explode with terrifying talent and ability in his very first year—shocking everyone.
But now, even Sakumo himself hadn't expected that what would shock everyone wasn't Kakashi as a child… but Kakashi as an adult.
"Danzo, don't interfere. My relationship with Sakumo is already at rock bottom—I don't want to make it worse. Keep your hands off his son,"
Hiruzen said in a low voice so Mito wouldn't hear.
"Hiruzen… Sakumo is finished. He won't regain the reputation he lost unless he returns and completes that same mission—but now that's impossible. Shazan is far too cautious."
"Sakumo can repair his relationship with the village by handing his son over to us to raise."
"We'll make him into a force far more terrifying than the Copy Ninja, who seems to lack ambition in this manga."
Danzo pressed on, eager to persuade Hiruzen.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 68: Zabuza's End? The Hidden Mist Village on the Horizon!
Chapter 69: Third Art Store Established – Kirigakure!
Chapter 70: Pandora's Box Opens!
Chapter 71: Believe Me, Mizukage, It's Just Fiction
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BlackStar_BH:
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