095: You're Just My Tool!

"This… Are you sure this guy is stronger than the previous two?" Tazuna and Kiba couldn't help but cast doubtful glances at Hinata.

"Uh, well, in terms of chakra alone, he definitely is," Hinata replied, also perplexed.

They watched Zabuza, head buried in the earth, limbs splayed like a frog, his body trembling slightly in a handstand. 

This ridiculous entrance… was this really the way a powerful ninja behaved? Everyone selectively ignored the fact that Natsuki had snatched Zabuza's sword mid-air, which he was going use as his foothold. 

After all, if he hadn't been trying to show off, any normal ninja could have landed on a tree trunk even without a typical foothold, horizontally even.

"Be careful. This ninja might not be that simple." Kurenai's gaze fell on the sword in Natsuki's hand. 

As a Jonin, she possessed far more knowledge and experience than these recent graduates. 

She recognized the weapon instantly as the signature Sword of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, wielded by the Demon of the Hidden Mist: Momochi Zabuza.

"Hmph! Simple or not, we'll find out soon enough.

"Akamaru! Bite him!" Kiba shouted, charging forward himself. Zabuza was still stuck in the ground, struggling to pull his head out.

"Woof!!!" Akamaru, glancing at Agumon beside Natsuki, excitedly lunged at Zabuza. 

If Agumon could take down an enemy, he, Akamaru, wouldn't be outdone.

Crunch!

Akamaru's bite landed squarely on Zabuza's…rear end.

"Ungh!!!" A muffled groan of despair echoed from beneath the earth.

"Tch, so weak." As soon as Kiba finished speaking, the ninja who was doing a handstand in front of him dissolved into a puddle of water.

"Look out, it's a Water Clone!" Kurenai warned, drawing her weapon and assuming a defensive stance.

She knew it wouldn't be that easy.

At the same time, a thick, suffocating fog began to roll in from the forest.

"Water Style: Hiding in Mist Jutsu!" A chilling voice echoed from all directions.

"Konoha ninja, hand over the old man. And, of course, my Kubikiribōchō.

"Then, I'll let you leave safely." A figure emerged from the dense fog. 

A man with dark hair, his face wrapped in bandages below the nose, chest bare, and a Mist headband tilted across his forehead.

It was Zabuza, having escaped using a Water Clone. Without the Executioner's Blade, he lacked some of his imposing presence.

However, his tone remained arrogant, as if he still held the Konoha ninja in contempt. 

After all, as a rogue ninja, he knew of the famous Konoha Jonin, but he had no intel on this particular group. 

Kurenai was a newly promoted Jonin and hadn't yet made a name for herself in the ninja world.

"This sword is quite nice. It seems to have self-repairing capabilities. I'll graciously accept it.

"As the Dimensional Lord, let it be your honour that I even deem your sword worthy.

"You may leave now. I'll overlook the crime of you recklessly chopping down trees and harming the flowers and grass." 

Natsuki swung the Executioner's Blade, speaking in a matter of fact tone.

"..."

"It's been a long time since I've seen someone so arrogant.

"It seems the title 'Demon of the Hidden Mist' doesn't carry much weight anymore. Some little brat dares to disregard me.

"It seems I need to teach you a lesson. Show you what the Demon of the Hidden Mist is truly capable of!" Zabuza's forehead bulged with veins as he retreated into the thick fog.

"Now, let me see how much arrogance you can truly afford!" His voice echoed once again, shifting and swirling, impossible to pinpoint. 

"Throat, lungs, liver, carotid artery, heart…these are the human body's most vulnerable points… have you chosen which organ do you wan tot be stabbed on?"

Natsuki remained unmoved, even yawning. This further enraged the hidden Zabuza, making him grind his teeth in frustration. 

Arrogant brat… I'll tear you to pieces…

"Natsuki, he's in the southeast corner." Hinata's voice suddenly broke the tension. 

She had also been struggling to perceive anything within the dense fog, but Zabuza's rage had caused a slight disturbance in his chakra. 

It was like a firefly in the night, instantly giving Hinata, with her tenseigan activated, a clue to his location.

"Agumon, Pepper Breath!" In an instant, a small, orange-red fireball roared from Agumon's mouth. 

Zabuza hurriedly shifted his position, dodging the fireball. 

He then fixed his gaze on the little girl with the Byakugan.

"So there's a Hyuga among them." When he first appeared, his attention had been completely focused on Natsuki, who had audaciously stolen his Executioner's Blade mid-air, leaving him no time to observe the other "brats." 

But a member of the prestigious Hyuga Clan? This team was definitely not ordinary.

Just then, Akamaru, following the scent, pounced, only to be sent flying by a swift kick from Zabuza.

"A sensory team, huh?

"Do you think you can harm me with that?" Zabuza scoffed, landing once more on a tree branch. 

"Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!" Kurenai's clear voice rang out.

In an instant, countless branches, writhing like serpents, sprouted from the trees surrounding Zabuza, attempting to ensnare him.

"I told you, don't underestimate me." Zabuza clapped his hands together, rapidly forming hand seals. "Genjutsu Release!"

With a surge of chakra, the illusion shattered.

The scene before his eyes shifted, and a familiar blade came into view. That's my sword! 

Zabuza instinctively reached out to grab it, his perception still a bit hazy, then abruptly remembered – his sword had been taken by that eyepatch-wearing kid!

With no time to react, he retracted his hand and dodged to the side. Whoosh!!! The Executioner's Blade sliced down, drawing a spray of blood.

"Such excellent teamwork!" Zabuza, a deep gash now marring his shoulder, retreated rapidly, a hint of fear finally showing in his eyes. 

From the moment the Byakugan pinpointed his location, this group's attacks had been relentless and seamless. 

Fortunately, they don't seem to know any powerful jutsu. Let me teach them a thing or two.

As he retreated, his hands blurred with rapid hand seals: "Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!" 

I'll drown you landlubbers! You're unfortunate to have encountered me.

A deafening roar erupted as a massive torrent of water surged toward Natsuki and the others. 

"Ninja Art: Super Invincible Thunderbolt Fireball!" A blinding flash nearly seared Zabuza's browless eyes. 

Amidst the resounding boom, the raging torrent was vaporized. 

The force of the explosion rippled outwards, and a muffled groan quickly faded into the distance.

…

Zabuza lay on a bed, coughing violently, spitting up blood. "Mr. Zabuza!" Haku, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup, rushed into the room and helped him sit up. 

"Damn it, I was careless. Those brats are truly troublesome."

"If only I had my sword…" Zabuza downed the medicine in one gulp. 

"We can retrieve it together when your wounds are healed." Haku softly replied, gently taking the empty bowl. He brushed a stray strand of hair from Zabuza's face.

This gentle gesture caused Zabuza, in his weakened and vulnerable state, to pause. Even his heartbeat quickened. 

He's a boy! He's a boy! For some reason, this thought suddenly popped into his head, as if he was reminding himself. 

"No!" he blurted out, opposing.

Haku tilted his head, confusion evident in his clear eyes. Wouldn't it be safer for them to work together?

"Remember your place. You are just a tool. Don't question my decisions." To hide his embarrassment, Zabuza resumed his usual cold demeanor, his tone sharp.

"Yes, Mr. Zabuza," Haku lowered his head.

Did I speak too harshly? Zabuza felt a pang of guilt, wanting to apologize but unable to voice the words. 

"Ahem, I meant, we'll use a different approach. They haven't seen you before, have they?"

"So...?"

"So..." 

Haku looked up, his eyes bright. Zabuza still needed him. He was still useful. 

"So, I want you to disguise yourself as an ordinary person and approach them. Help me retrieve the Executioner's Blade."

"The day I reclaim my sword will be the day they die!" Zabuza's eyes hardened, the image of that boy, the one who had taken his sword and humiliated him, burning in his mind.

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