Chapter 41: Sasuke Wants to Show Off Too

Swish~

Whoosh~

Zabuza leaped down, intending to settle scores with Naruto, but Kakashi blocked him. He could only question from a distance: "Brat, where did you take my giant sword?" The Kubikiribocho was his closest companion; for it to be lost by this yellow-haired brat, Zabuza felt like he could devour Naruto alive.

"I don't know." How would he know where the recycled item went? Or, perhaps you should ask Brother System?

Besides, it's already been swiped, so what, you want a refund?

Facing Zabuza's predatory gaze, Naruto was even more disdainful.

You think you can scare me with that look?

The Nine-Tails was hammered by my Wood Release, Uchiha Madara was bashed silly by me, and even Li-Ning was beaten till his seams came undone.

Your look has no killing power, alright? It's like you're pouting.

Glancing at his companions, a plan suddenly formed in Naruto's mind. He provocatively shouted, "Don't be impatient, big brother who's sending rockets! I'm Qin Shi Huang, this great sword is your investment, wait until I..."

Before he could finish, Kakashi pulled him back.

Kakashi glared at him. Though I don't understand what you're saying, please shut up. The opponent already hates you to death; be careful, he'll target you later.

"Isn't that the Rogue Ninja of the Hidden Mist—Momochi Zabuza?"

Kakashi completely blocked Zabuza's gaze with his body, seamlessly taking over the conversation from the two.

Hearing this, Naruto immediately perked up.

Here it comes, here it comes!

The formal declarations between ninjas; this time, Naruto would study it frame by frame. This kind of thing would always be useful later.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're the famous Sharingan Kakashi. It's truly been a long time since I've seen a Sharingan." Zabuza spoke casually.

As expected of a seasoned ninja who'd been wandering the world for years; his emotional regulation was terrifying. It was as if the one who was just furious and embarrassed about losing his great sword wasn't him, but some stranger named 'Zan Buzai.'

However.

Sharingan Kakashi?

Naruto looked up at Kakashi in confusion, startled to see that his left eye, always covered by his headband, had been revealed. The eye within was actually a Sharingan, and a three-tomoe one at that!

"You seem very eager to see a Sharingan?"

Sasuke also found an excuse to activate his Sharingan. His two-tomoe crimson Sharingan stared fearlessly at Zabuza.

Naruto had just stolen the spotlight, so Uchiha Sasuke wasn't about to be outdone, alright?

"Sasuke, you're so cool!"

Sasuke's posturing was indeed effective; Sakura, who had originally been intimidated by the killing intent, instantly transformed into a fangirl.

However.

Naruto looked left and right, suddenly realizing something was off.

In front of him was Sharingan Kakashi, and behind him was Sharingan Sasuke.

Should I also activate my Sharingan to fit in?

"So, it's the lone survivor of the Uchiha."

Zabuza recognized Sasuke at a glance. After all, the Uchiha clan massacre was a sensational event in the ninja world. If there were trending topics, it would have definitely dominated the charts for at least a month. Zabuza, not living in the deep mountains and old forests, naturally knew about it.

Sweeping his gaze over the group, Zabuza said coldly, "Apologies, I don't have time for small talk. Just hand over the old man already."

"Oh, and this brat too." Zabuza suddenly pointed at Naruto. This brat was truly too hateful. If he didn't take him down and get the location of the Kubikiribocho, Zabuza felt he would die of anger.

"So he really came for Tazuna?"

Kakashi automatically ignored the latter sentence, confirming his suspicions. But now, with a formidable enemy before them, it wasn't the time for questioning.

"Stop looking, Naruto. Fall back and form the Manji formation to protect Tazuna-sensei." Issuing a warning, Kakashi drew a kunai, his eyes more serious than ever before.

So, the opposing sides have skipped the mutual demands and gone straight into the combat phase?

Taking note of this, Naruto replied, "Kakashi-sensei, I can fight too!"

Kakashi considered this suggestion but then rejected it. He wasn't worried about Naruto and Sasuke's self-preservation abilities.

What he feared was that the two had never experienced a confrontation with a Jonin. This kind of brutal combat wasn't child's play. If they performed poorly and lost their lives due to an accident, it would be a huge loss for Konoha.

"Don't join the battle yet. Don't worry, I'll protect you even if it costs me my life."

"Huh?"

Naruto was quite disappointed. Are they just supposed to protect Tazuna-sensei?

Even veteran Jonin Kakashi was so serious, ready to fight to the death. Could this Zabuza really be that strong?

"Enough talk for now. I still need to take down the old man, then get my great sword back." Zabuza had roamed the ninja world for years, preferring to kill in the mist; he had never failed to eliminate anyone he wanted to kill.

He noticed that among the few people, only the Sharingan Kakashi seemed quite troublesome.

"However, Kakashi, it seems I have to take you out first."

Zabuza brazenly scrutinized Kakashi, searching for a place to strike. He instinctively reached for his sword but found only empty air. He could only draw a kunai.

Sweeping another glance at the yellow-haired brat guarding Tazuna, Zabuza's eyes sharpened.

Swish~

Zabuza suddenly vanished from their sight with a leap.

"On the water."

The sharp-eyed Sakura spotted Zabuza.

Everyone looked, seeing Zabuza raising one hand high and forming a hand sign with the other.

The water surface began to ripple, countless water vapor rising from the water. Soon, the air was filled with mist, and at the same time, Zabuza himself vanished.

Seeing this, Kakashi suddenly took a few steps forward, approaching the water's edge.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura looked very worried at this sight.

"He's definitely targeting me. You all be careful."

Kakashi reassured the three without turning his head. He already had a rough idea for this battle and thus chose to go forward alone, separating from the team.

"There's chakra in the mist."

Naruto suddenly reminded him, though this amount of chakra was infinitely less than his in both quantity and quality.

As a sensory ninja, Naruto reminded him again, "Kakashi-sensei, ten meters to your front left, in the tree."

"Oh!"

This reminder made Kakashi instantly feel how good it was to have a sensory ninja in the team.

"The enemy is leaping, constantly moving around us."

"You've truly underestimated me, brat. It seems my first target must be you!"

Zabuza's voice came from all directions.

"Watch out, Naruto!"

Hearing this, Sasuke immediately warned Naruto. Being so high-profile would surely attract the enemy's attention and draw fire.

Swish~

Clink~

A kunai flew out from the dense mist, but it was blocked by a kunai thrown by Naruto.

"Excellent! Now it's my turn!"

Naruto took out a shuriken, rubbed it, and it transformed into six.

"Sasuke!"

Shouting, Naruto threw the shurikens.

"Understood!"

Sasuke instantly understood Naruto's intention. He also wanted to try his hand. This kind of killing intent wasn't something ordinary foes possessed. The thought of engaging such a person felt exciting.

Thud~

Thud~

Thud~

The shurikens, without wind-style enhancement, were of average speed and didn't hit Zabuza, only leaving black marks on the trees.

However, this forced Zabuza to keep leaping around, dodging the incoming shurikens.

"Brat, I want to see how many shurikens you actually have!"

"Haha." Naruto almost burst out laughing.

What a coincidence, isn't it? The one thing he has plenty of is shurikens.

The shop gives him shurikens, kunai, and other cold weapons randomly with every pull; his inventory is overflowing.

He can't run out, he simply can't run out!

I, Naruto, guarantee I won't stop until I tire you out to death!

In his sensory perception, Zabuza suddenly changed course.

"Here he comes," Naruto exclaimed.