152. Blocking Vision?

After dealing with the two Kirigakure rebels, Team 7 continued their journey toward the Land of Waves while Yagami retrieved a sealing scroll to collect the two corpses. 

Yagami himself found such tasks distasteful, but he wasn't above using the bodies as bargaining chips. Terumi Mei might appreciate such a "gift." 

Yagami was perhaps the only person in the ninja world who would consider corpses a means to impress a woman. One could only wonder if the two Kirigakure rebels would call him arrogant from the afterlife.

After handling the situation, Yagami didn't immediately rejoin Kakashi and the others. He was preoccupied with instructing Sasuke and monitoring Naruto to ensure the Nine Tails wouldn't overpower him.

However, with Naruto's evident closeness to the Nine Tails, the risk of him being consumed had significantly decreased. Still, why did he remain so stubborn?

With a smirk, Yagami summoned his "supercar," revved the engine, and roared toward the Land of Waves, leaving a trail of noise in his wake.

Kakashi noticed Yagami's absence but could only sigh inwardly. If Yagami hadn't heeded Hokage's authority, it would have been unlikely that Kakashi's presence would have made a difference. 

He could only hope Yagami would treat Naruto kindly, if not for Kushina's sake, then for some sense of decency.

After learning Obito was the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails attack, Kakashi couldn't help but reflect on past kindnesses and betrayals. Was Kushina's care for Obito not enough? How could things have come to this?

When Obito gained power, the Fourth Hokage's family had been his first victims. Even Kushina, who had shown him kindness, wasn't spared. Whether Yagami even remembered Kushina's goodwill remained a question, let alone whether he would repay it.

As Team 7 continued on, Dazuna appeared more at ease, likely reassured by Naruto and Sasuke's displays of strength. He even began to answer Naruto's questions more openly.

Naruto seemed to engage in casual chatter with Dazuna but was subtly gathering intelligence. Some of his questions verified Dazuna's previous statements, while others probed for new information.

"Stop! Be alert!" 

Kakashi, who had been contemplating Naruto's relationship with the Nine-Tails, suddenly sensed a faint but unmistakably pure killing intent. He immediately halted the group.

Although weak, the intent was sharp, something only a seasoned Jōnin could produce.

The enemy wasn't attempting to hide their intent either, indicating their confidence in their own strength. They clearly had no intention of relying on a sneak attack.

The three genin quickly formed a protective triangle around Dazuna. Even Haruno Sakura, though visibly frightened, joined the defensive formation without hesitation.

"Over there!" 

Thanks to the Nine Tails' assistance, Naruto developed his sensory abilities through Kagura's Heart Eye, allowing him to locate the enemy even before Sasuke's Sharingan.

Naruto pointed in the direction of the hidden enemy just as a massive blade emerged from the indicated location, spinning through the air toward them with lethal intent.

The attack was a clear attempt to kill.

Although Kakashi wanted to provide his students with real combat experience, he would not let them face such danger unprepared.

Just as Zabuza's massive sword was about to return to his hand, Sasuke's movements were faster.

He raised his hand, intercepted the Decapitating Sword midair, and redirected it with precision. Using his skill, Sasuke deflected the weapon's ferocious momentum and sent it flying. Without hesitation, he retrieved it and embedded it into the ground beside him.

Article 6 of the Uchiha Combat Rules: Except for disposable tools like explosive tags, any thrown weapon that comes your way is fair game. If conditions allow, make it your own.

To quote Yagami's philosophy: "If someone throws something away, they probably don't want it anymore. If you like it, take it."

In Sasuke's mind, the sword might not suit his current size, but once he grew stronger, it would surely become a valuable asset. With the Uchiha clan rebuilding and resources stretched thin, saving money on such a formidable weapon was practically an investment in his family's future.

Kakashi and Naruto stood silent, exchanging glances, as they watched Sasuke pull out a sealing scroll and calmly store the Decapitating Sword.

In the grass, Momochi Zabuza's face was dark with frustration, his lips twitching in disbelief. He stepped forward, his intentions clear despite his annoyance.

Zabuza had intended to use his signature blade to intimidate the team. But now, his prized weapon was gone—claimed by a kid, no less!

Based on his intelligence reports, wasn't this boy from the Uchiha clan? Why was a Uchiha, reportedly the wealthiest clan in the ninja world, this frugal? Did he really have to snatch a sword?

"You are… Kirigakure's Demon, Zabuza Momochi?" Kakashi's expression grew serious. "Once an Elite Jōnin of the Mist, and now you're taking on missions like this?"

Zabuza's lips curled into a smirk. "Ah, so it's Konoha's Copy Ninja, Kakashi. Word is, you've lost your Sharingan. That must've taken a toll on your strength. Hand over the old man behind you, and I'll spare you the trouble."

Though he spoke calmly, Zabuza couldn't resist glancing at Sasuke, who still held the Decapitating Sword.

From his intel, Kakashi's team might officially be composed of Genin, but two of them had already proven exceptional. Two Genin defeating two Chūnin in an instant was no ordinary feat. That Uchiha bloodline was particularly troublesome.

In the current ninja world, few dared provoke the Uchiha clan. Their reputation, combined with their power and unpredictability, made them untouchable.

"You're a shinobi too. You should know that isn't happening," Kakashi replied firmly.

Neither Jōnin wasted time with further words. Their intense killing intent collided, sparking an invisible battle of wills.

Kakashi no longer had his Sharingan, and Zabuza lacked his Decapitating Sword. Both had lost a key advantage, yet their prowess remained formidable.

Soon, the air thickened as a dense mist enveloped the area. Zabuza's form dissolved into the fog, his voice echoing eerily. Kirigakure shinobi had long dealt with the Uchiha clan and developed methods to counter their Sharingan.

Even if Kakashi's Sharingan was gone, another Uchiha was present, and Zabuza wasn't about to underestimate him. Obscuring the battlefield's visibility worked against everyone.

"Ninpo: Hidden Mist Technique!"

As the heavy fog clouded their vision, Sasuke smirked. Recognizing Zabuza's tactic, he quickly formed a series of seals.

"Ninpo: Darkness Technique!"

This Forbidden Technique, developed by the Second Hokage, was perfect for neutralizing visual advantages.

"If you want to blind me," Sasuke thought, "then let's fight blind together. I don't need to see, and neither will you."

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