Kakashi's group walked openly along the road, as if completely unaware that danger was closing in.
"Down!" Kakashi suddenly barked.
The air screamed.
A massive blade, larger than a grown man, spun through the sky above them. It passed just overhead and slammed into a nearby tree with a thunderous crack.
Sakura instantly moved in front of Tazuna, kunai raised.
"What was that?!"
No one answered her.
Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke were all staring at the same place. Or more precisely, at the bandaged figure standing atop the embedded sword.
"The Demon of the Hidden Mist… Momochi Zabuza," Kakashi said, his expression turning grim.
He hadn't expected this. With Zabuza involved, this mission was no longer C-rank. At minimum, it was A-rank.
Zabuza chuckled, his killing intent rolling out like fog.
"So you're Copy Ninja Kakashi. The man you're protecting is my target. Hand him over."
The pressure intensified.
Sakura stiffened immediately.
But Zabuza's smile faltered.
The two boys didn't react at all.
That made no sense. They were fresh genin, barely out of the Academy. They should've been frozen by his killing intent.
Naruto straightened his Leaf forehead protector, unfazed.
"That's it? Compared to Fujimoto Tōma, this is nothing."
Sasuke nodded calmly.
"Agreed."
Zabuza's eyes narrowed.
Kakashi, meanwhile, finally understood.
So that's it… they've been training with Tōma.
The realization left him both surprised and faintly impressed. Tōma was in the middle of his own growth phase, yet he'd still taken the time to help them.
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said, chakra flaring, "we won't slow you down."
"Don't get cocky," Sasuke muttered, though his blood was clearly boiling. Then his eyes snapped open, revealing two tomoe in each Sharingan.
"We can fight."
Kakashi hesitated, then gave a short nod.
"Sakura, take Tazuna back."
"O-Okay!" Sakura replied, still reeling.
Since when were they this strong? And what was going on with those eyes?
Zabuza withdrew his killing intent, clicking his tongue. If it wasn't working, maintaining it was a waste of chakra.
The blond boy's chakra reserves were absurd. And the other one… another Uchiha.
Troublesome.
But retreating without trying wasn't his style.
"The better the rookies," Zabuza growled, "the sweeter it is when they die."
Chakra surged from him as the battle ignited.
Hidden in the trees, Fujimoto Tōma watched with quiet satisfaction.
They'd really grown.
With Kakashi no longer forced to babysit, the fight tilted immediately. Zabuza was pushed on the defensive far faster than expected.
Tōma's attention shifted.
Another presence nearby was growing restless.
He moved.
Moments later, he stepped calmly into the masked shinobi's line of sight.
"You're a Leaf ninja," Haku said, staring at the forehead protector.
"Correct," Tōma replied lightly. "You're worried about Zabuza. Should I call you a Mist ANBU… or his partner?"
Haku's eyes widened.
Before he could react, his body locked in place.
"That urgency confirms it," Tōma continued softly. "Since Zabuza tried to scare my teammates, I'll return the favor."
Killing intent poured out of him. Dense. Piercing.
Haku finally understood.
This was why Zabuza's pressure hadn't worked on those boys.
Compared to this man, Zabuza's killing intent felt dull.
Haku swallowed hard.
When did the Leaf produce something like this?
Below, Zabuza was wounded by Kakashi.
"Zabuza-sama!" Haku shouted.
He reacted instantly. Senbon flew toward Tōma as his other hand formed seals.
Iron plates snapped into place around Tōma, blocking everything. He casually flicked the senbon back, adding a kunai.
Haku ignored it and finished forming seals with one hand.
"Water Style: Thousand Needles of Death!"
Tōma mirrored him, hands moving just as fast.
"Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique."
The kunai exploded into a storm of steel, shredding the water needles. Ice formed at the last second, blocking the remainder.
"Kekkei genkai?" Tōma asked, already knowing the answer.
Haku dropped the ice, urgency clear in his voice.
"What do you want? Say it quickly."
"You used one-handed seals," Tōma said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Teach me how."
Haku clenched his teeth.
"I'll give you the method. I'll write it down."
"I don't take scrolls from enemies," Tōma replied calmly, producing a blank scroll and pen. "Write it now. Slowly. And don't lie."
His gaze flicked briefly toward Zabuza.
"He doesn't have much time."
Haku hesitated only a second before grabbing the pen.
The battle below raged on.