The Battle Intensifies
Kakashi, observing the scene from the shadows, couldn't help but smirk. The situation was unfolding in a way that felt oddly familiar. Zabuza, now fully exposed without the cover of his mist, looked disheveled. His bandages were torn, and small wounds littered his body. The sheer force of Naruto's Wind Release: Great Breakthrough had caught him off guard.
"What the hell? How does this kid have so much chakra?" Zabuza muttered, swallowing hard. Anger flared within him. "Dealing with Kakashi is hard enough, but now there's this monster. I need Haku's help."
Without hesitation, Zabuza signaled for backup. Moments later, a tall, androgynous ninja wearing a high-collared robe and a Kirigakure mask appeared beside him. This was Haku, Zabuza's loyal companion. Compared to Zabuza's menacing aura, Haku exuded a calm, almost gentle presence.
"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, leave Zabuza to me. You handle the other one," Kakashi ordered, his tone serious. The situation had escalated beyond his expectations, and Haku's arrival added another layer of complexity.
Kakashi engaged Zabuza in a fierce exchange of taijutsu, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Meanwhile, Haku launched a barrage of senbon at Naruto and his teammates. The needles were precise and fast, aimed at non-lethal areas to immobilize rather than kill.
Naruto deflected the senbon with Kyoka Suigetsu, his movements fluid and effortless. "Sasuke, Sakura, be careful!" he warned.
"Thunder Release: Thunderbolt!" Naruto's fingers crackled with electricity as he unleashed a bolt of lightning toward Haku. The attack forced Haku to retreat, his movements swift and graceful.
Sasuke, eager to prove himself, activated his Sharingan and joined the fray. "Leave this to me, Naruto!" he declared, his voice brimming with determination.
Haku, realizing the need to take the fight seriously, activated his Ice Release. Sharp icicles formed at his fingertips, shooting toward Naruto and Sasuke.
Naruto countered with a Fire Release technique, melting the icicles mid-air. He then stepped back, observing the battle with interest. "This is Ice Release? Fascinating."
Sasuke, however, struggled against Haku's attacks. Despite his Sharingan, he found himself outmatched by Haku's speed and precision. One of Haku's icicles grazed Sasuke's arm, drawing blood.
"This guy… he's not aiming to kill," Naruto noted, his curiosity piqued. Haku's attacks were calculated to incapacitate, not to inflict fatal wounds. This mercy made Naruto lose interest in the fight. He turned to Sasuke. "Since you're so eager, he's all yours."
Sasuke, fueled by pride and frustration, threw himself into the battle. But Haku's Ice Release proved too much for him. With a swift motion, Haku pinned Sasuke to a tree using ice spikes, immobilizing him.
Haku glanced at Naruto, who stood calmly with a faint smile. "We'll meet again," Naruto said, his tone cryptic.
Confused but unwilling to linger, Haku helped Zabuza retreat, disappearing into the forest.
Aftermath
Sakura rushed to Sasuke's side, using her medical ninjutsu to treat his wounds. "You're such an idiot," she scolded. "Why do you always rush in like that?"
Sasuke winced, his pride wounded more than his body. "I… I just wanted to prove myself."
Kakashi, exhausted from the battle, collapsed. "You guys…" he muttered weakly before passing out.
Naruto sighed, hoisting Kakashi onto his shoulder. "Let's go," he said to Tazuna. "They won't be back for a while."