Chapter 43: Miscalculation

In the forest, Kakashi and Zabuza faced each other in a tense standoff.

Sakura watched the battle between the two jonin with unwavering focus. This was a rare opportunity. Neither Kakashi nor Zabuza were using any flashy ninjutsu; they were relying solely on taijutsu and the Substitution Jutsu, probing each other with feints and genuine attacks. For the moment, neither could gain the upper hand.

Sakura considered whether she should sneak in a blow while Zabuza was distracted. Water Clones only possessed a fraction of the original's strength. She'd taken down one of Zabuza's Water Clones earlier, proving he wasn't as monstrously strong as her master, Tsunade, who could block Sakura's water blades with a single finger. Even if the previous clone had been weakened, Sakura was confident that with a little more force, she could break through Zabuza's defenses.

"Naruto, I'm going to support Kakashi-sensei," Sakura said. "If Kakashi-sensei or I are in danger, take out Dazuna immediately." As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she'd given the order to the wrong person. As expected...

"What?!" Naruto exclaimed, his face a mask of disbelief. "Sakura-chan, why? The old man is the one we're supposed to be protecting!"

"The enemy's target is Dazuna, not us," Sakura explained, having no other choice.

Sakura was gambling. Gambling that Zabuza wouldn't risk the combined pursuit of both Kirigakure and Konoha by killing them. While ninja villages generally pursued rogue ninja, they usually didn't bother with those from other villages unless there was a direct conflict of interest. If they could take down a rogue ninja, great; if not, it wasn't a big deal. Besides, Kirigakure was in a precarious state right now.

"Sakura-chan, I'm not going to kill the old man! This is my first high-level mission, and I said I would protect him!" Naruto insisted, unmoved by Sakura's explanation.

"Sasuke, you'll do it," Sakura said, turning to him. "If things go south, take out Dazuna immediately."

"Hn... I understand," Sasuke replied after a moment of visible internal struggle. He clearly understood the implications. If Kakashi was defeated, they would all be killed. Since Zabuza would have already killed one Konoha ninja, he might as well kill them all to prevent them from reporting back. This mission had already exceeded its original rank. It wasn't that the rank had been increased due to unforeseen circumstances, but rather that the client had lied about the mission's difficulty. They were well within their rights to abandon it.

Sasuke still had unfinished business; he couldn't die here. The logical course of action was to follow Sakura's instructions. While it might tarnish his reputation somewhat, Konoha wouldn't be at fault.

"Sasuke, Sakura, you... you..." Naruto stared at them, aghast. He hardly recognized them.

"Naruto, don't be naive," Sasuke said, glancing sideways at him. "If you want to survive, you'd better listen to Sakura."

"Sasuke, you... how could you become like this? And Sakura-chan, too!" Naruto still couldn't accept that his two friends would abandon the mission and kill Dazuna. Especially Sakura. He'd always seen her as a kind, warm-hearted girl who was good to him and everyone around her. But now, she was suddenly so cold, and Sasuke was the same. It was too much for Naruto to process.

"Sasuke, keep an eye on Dazuna. Don't let him run," Sakura ordered, noticing Dazuna's bloodless face and the way he was subtly backing away.

"Yeah, I will," Sasuke said, moving to block Dazuna's escape route.

Up ahead, Kakashi and Zabuza were locked in a fierce struggle. Sakura channeled chakra throughout her body, enhancing her agility, and quietly approached, taking advantage of Zabuza's focus on Kakashi.

Kakashi was already showing signs of fatigue. The Sharingan gave him an advantage, but it was also a massive drain on his chakra. Maintaining the Sharingan while fighting Zabuza was rapidly depleting his already limited reserves.

Suddenly, Kakashi left an opening, and Zabuza kicked him onto the surface of the water. Sakura saw her chance. Zabuza's guard would surely be lowered after knocking Kakashi away. She concentrated water into a bullet at her fingertips, infusing it with a potent poison, and fired it at Zabuza's shoulder.

Please hit, Sakura silently pleaded. As long as it made contact, regardless of whether it pierced his skin, the poison within the water bullet would paralyze Zabuza and quickly take effect. This was a technique she'd learned from Shizune-senpai, using the deadliest poison she could concoct. If it hit Zabuza, they would all be safe.

The water bullet struck its target, piercing Zabuza's shoulder. But to Sakura's horror, the Zabuza before her dissolved into a puddle of poisoned water.

Damn it, when? Had Zabuza been using a Water Clone to fight Kakashi-sensei the entire time? He shouldn't be that strong. Sakura abandoned any pretense of stealth; her water bullet had already given away her position.

Sakura stood, still forming water bullets at her fingertips, and scanned her surroundings cautiously. Zabuza's figure materialized on the water's surface in front of her. However, he ignored her and instead trapped the recently-kicked Kakashi in a Water Prison Jutsu.

Kakashi, momentarily distracted by Sakura's appearance, hadn't noticed Zabuza behind him, and was now trapped, unable to move.

Only then did Zabuza turn his gaze to Sakura. "Brat, I thought I'd overestimated you, but it seems I still underestimated you. You've destroyed two of my Water Clones. But you won't get another chance. Kakashi is trapped, and now I can focus on you. Have fun playing with my Water Clones."

Two Water Clones emerged from the water's surface. Sakura gave a bitter smile. Then, she asked, "How did you see through my attack?"

Sakura desperately wanted to know what she'd done wrong, how Zabuza had seen through her attack. Her water bullet had been completely silent, and she'd been very close. Zabuza shouldn't have had time to create a Water Clone.

"Hahaha! Brat, I have to admit, your technique is impressive. But don't forget, this entire area is shrouded in my mist. As long as you're moving within it, I can sense you," Zabuza explained arrogantly.

Looks like I'm in for a tough fight. Sakura realized what she'd overlooked: Zabuza's home-field advantage. She had used her sensory abilities, but the chakra in the mist had rendered them largely ineffective. She'd completely forgotten about it. Trying to sneak attack Zabuza in this mist was nearly impossible. It was a shame she didn't know any Wind or Fire Release techniques to dispel it.

The good news, however, was that Zabuza's real body was likely immobile, occupied with maintaining the Water Prison. Only his clones were free to engage her. If she could attack his main body, Kakashi should be released.