Menma wanted to rush in and support Kakashi.
But after witnessing that intense exchange between his sensei and Zabuza, he knew all too well that if he jumped in now, he'd only become a burden. Unless he released the Nine-Tails' chakra, he wasn't even qualified to interfere in this level of battle. Even so, it still felt forced.
'The gap is still too wide…' Menma thought grimly.
Despite six years of hard work, his progress as a Genin was limited. The Academy's structured drills and missions could only do so much. True growth came from battle—clashing against stronger opponents, bleeding, surviving, and learning.
'When we get back, I need to revise my entire training plan. If we want to survive, we need missions that force us to grow through combat. I'll convince Kakashi-sensei to take more real field assignments.'
Menma's golden eyes reflected the fierce clash before him—Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja, locked in a high-speed duel with the Demon of the Hidden Mist. Yet even as he observed, Menma sensed something else—an obscure chakra signature lurking nearby.
That familiar, cold presence…
'So he's here too… Haku!'
The aura confirmed it. The user of Ice Release—Haku, Zabuza's silent companion—was somewhere close, watching.
In the original timeline, Haku had posed as a Hunter-nin from Kirigakure and used a fake death technique to help Zabuza escape Kakashi's grasp. Maybe Kakashi had even allowed it back then, recognizing Haku's skill and worrying his Genin team couldn't handle another fight.
But this time?
Not in this life.
If Zabuza dared to show his face again, Menma would make sure neither of them escaped.
Haku might be talented—a prodigy with a Kekkei Genkai—but he was still just an elite Chūnin.
If they worked together, they could bring him down.
As Menma's focus tightened, the battle before him roared louder.
"Haa… Haa…" Zabuza's breathing echoed through the mist. "You're strong, Hatake Kakashi. But today, I'll decide this bridge builder's fate!"
Kakashi, crouched low, lifted his headband to reveal the spinning scarlet tomoe of his Sharingan. Lightning-like chakra flared from him in response.
But Zabuza only grinned and formed hand seals with deadly speed.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A surge of chakra burst from the mist, shaping into a massive spiraling torrent. The roaring water dragon coiled through the air, its sheer force shaking the earth beneath their feet.
The scene stunned the young Genin team.
Sakura froze in shock, her body trembling as her mind failed to grasp the scale of what she was witnessing.
Even Sasuke—so proud and determined—could only watch in awe as his knuckles went white.
'This… this is the power I'm chasing!' he thought, eyes wide.
The raw destructive power of a true Jōnin.
Kakashi didn't hesitate.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Slamming his palms into the ground, he summoned a massive earthen barrier. Stone erupted upward, forming a sturdy wall adorned with canine-shaped carvings.
"Boom!"
The crashing water dragon struck the wall head-on, exploding into torrents of water that flooded the area. The sheer force sent waves rolling in every direction, but the barrier held firm.
"Not bad," Zabuza hissed, unfazed.
Before the mist could settle, Kakashi countered again.
"Earth Release: Earth Spikes Technique!"
Cracks rippled across the soaked terrain as sharp pillars of stone erupted toward Zabuza's position with incredible speed.
"Tch!"
Zabuza's eyes narrowed.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Massive tides of water surged outward, swallowing the oncoming spikes whole. The clash of elements filled the battlefield with a violent roar. Steam hissed as earth met water, but Zabuza continued pouring out chakra, manipulating the current until the tide rose higher, swelling with overwhelming force.
"Let's see you block this one, Copy Ninja!" he growled.
The waves expanded outward, threatening not only Kakashi but also Menma, Naruto, Sasuke, and even Tazuna behind them. The sheer scale of it was enough to drown the entire section of the bridge.
Naruto and Sasuke instinctively braced themselves, their chakra surging reflexively as fear and adrenaline kicked in. Even through the mist, the pressure was suffocating.
But Kakashi's response came just as swiftly.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
Once again, the ground trembled.
Another massive barrier surged upward—this one even larger and sturdier than before. The carved dog-head totems snarled as they took form, blocking the oncoming surge completely.
"Boom!"
The waves smashed into the earthen wall with thunderous force, sending spray flying high into the air.
But the defense held firm.
Behind him, Team 7 could only stare in awe.
The collision of chakra, the scale of their jutsu—it was far beyond what Genin should be witnessing.
Naruto clenched his fists, eyes wide.
'This is Kakashi-sensei's real power!'
Each strike, each counterattack, each wave of chakra—this was the world of real shinobi combat.
And for Menma… the sight burned deeply into his memory.
Because one day soon, he vowed
He wouldn't be the one watching from the sidelines.
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