This time, as expected, he failed again, but Kakashi keenly noticed that although it was a failure, it was somehow different from before. He vaguely felt something.
Kakashi felt some comfort in his heart; after a month's hard training, there was finally some progress. After all, it had to be battle.
Unable to figure out Kakashi's thoughts, Zabuza divided a Water Clone to attack Kakashi, while the real body waited for Kakashi to make a move and show a flaw.
To strengthen that feeling, Kakashi attempted to close his eyes.
The Water Clone, seeing this, charged directly forward.
Swish!
At an extremely fast speed, Kakashi drew his blade and struck a slash, instantly splitting the Water Clone in two, collapsing it into a stream of water.
Just as Zabuza was about to charge forward, cold sweat dripped from his forehead—he truly couldn't understand Kakashi's maneuver, closing his eyes and still striking so swiftly.
As Zabuza was contemplating a new strategy, Kakashi moved again, this time advancing towards Zabuza's direction.
Kakashi converted all gathered Chakra into Lightning Attribute Chakra, a dazzling yellow flash enveloped his legs and right hand.
The yellow lightning transmitted from Kakashi's arm to the White Fang Short Blade in his hand, extending a lightning blade under the influence of Chakra, transforming it into a katana style.
"Lightning Flash!"
Zizz!!
Boom!
At this moment, the lightning on Kakashi's body became even more dazzling, even the thick white mist couldn't conceal its brilliance. The audience could clearly see the exploding yellow light within the mist, accompanied by the booming of heavenly thunder.
Zabuza couldn't understand how Kakashi discovered him. At the moment lightning erupted from Kakashi's body, he wanted to dodge, but just as the thought appeared in his mind, before his body could react, his eyes were suddenly filled with yellow lightning.
Kakashi had already reached in front of him, swinging the lightning blade.
"So beautiful." Looking at the brilliant lightning slash, Zabuza's mind suddenly thought.
Rumble!!
With a huge bang, the white mist on the field quickly thinned and then dissipated, and the audience finally saw the scene inside clearly.
Kakashi stood in front of Zabuza, a lightning-wrapped blade in his hand, with a calm expression, as if he had done something very ordinary.
Facing Kakashi, Zabuza held the sword hilt in his hand. Below him were dozens of broken sword blade shards, with a large bloodstain and scorch mark on his chest.
What shocked the audience the most was the long, narrow scorch slash mark beside Zabuza, estimated by someone to be at least six meters.
The next moment, blood uncontrollably flowed from Zabuza's mouth, and he fell to the ground.
"What kind of technique is Kakashi practicing? I remember he didn't fight like this before, did he?" Asuma watched the mark of Kakashi's slash with wide-open eyes.
He thought Kakashi's swordsmanship was good before, but it was just a little better than excellent Taijutsu. It wasn't like this at all.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his small mustache and nodded. The current Kakashi was even more dazzling than White Fang of the same age, and although the style was somewhat similar, Kakashi had found a path more suitable for himself.
In the lounge, Hoshigaki Kisame showed a grave expression. Such a Kakashi made him feel a huge threat.
Hoshigaki Kisame calmed his mind and glanced at Might Guy. The semifinals were coming up, and he had to first beat Might Guy to face Kakashi in the finals.
"As expected of my dear friend, this intensely passionate youth, I can feel it!" Might Guy clasped his fists, tears of emotion welling up in his eyes, with an increasing desire to battle Kakashi.
"Kakashi, this guy really knows how to show off!" Obito felt Kakashi was doing it on purpose, clearly having more energy-saving techniques but choosing to use the strongest one, meaninglessly consuming physical strength and Chakra.
The thought that Nohara Rin might be watching Kakashi with shining eyes from the audience made Obito even more uncomfortable, swearing to give Kakashi a good beating in the semifinals.
"You're underestimating me, aren't you? Actually holding back again." Lying on the ground, Zabuza spat out blood and said.
Although heavily injured, Zabuza understood that he was just affected by Kakashi's slash. Kakashi had slightly diverted the slash's direction, not swinging it directly towards him.
Just because he didn't take the slash head-on, Zabuza understood Kakashi's power even more deeply. Just a portion of power could shatter his new weapon and injure him.
If this power had been fully unleashed at him, not even the Medical Saint Tsunade might have been able to save him.
"I just think that with the current you, you'll never be able to defeat me." Kakashi sheathed the White Fang Short Blade and replied.
"You still haven't understood what true strength is."
Zabuza was silent, looking up at the blue sky. The current Kakashi indeed had the right to say this, as Kakashi did use only a portion of the slash's power to leave him unable to fight back and seize the opportunity.
"One day, I will stand before you again and then defeat you," Zabuza suddenly said.
He was a person who refused to admit defeat. Kakashi said he couldn't, but he insisted he could. Whether it was changing the Hidden Mist or seeking true strength, he would do it. Life is just a word 'death' after all; having passed through Death Gate twice because of the Hidden Mist's missions, he had nothing to fear.
"If you can do it, then go ahead," Kakashi said calmly.