The place was drowned in silence.
A heavy, thick silence, as if the forest itself was holding its breath, waiting for what would happen next.
Water slowly dripped from Kakashi's clothes. It ran down his arm, slid along his fingers, and fell to the ground… drop by drop, like blood dripping from an invisible wound.
Kakashi stood completely still.
His back was straight, his shoulders steady, and his breathing was calm in a disturbing way.
His left eye glowed deep red, the Sharingan he had activated earlier was still open. The three tomoe rotated slowly, watching every detail, every movement in the air, and every small change in the flow of chakra in front of him.
His gaze was fixed on Zabuza.
It was calm… like still water.
Across from him, Zabuza narrowed his eyes.
The mist had not fully disappeared.
It clung to the ground like a dying ghost, swirling faintly around his feet, touching the wide blade of his sword and leaving cold droplets that shone dimly.
Zabuza stepped forward half a step, then stopped.
He muttered in a low, cautious voice as he stared at Kakashi:
"People always say you can copy techniques… but I know it's more than that."
He paused, then continued in a sharper tone:
"You don't just copy, do you?"
There was no reply.
Kakashi's silence was not hesitation or weakness, it was deliberate.
As if words themselves were not worth using on a man like Zabuza.
Suddenly!!
Both of them moved at the same time.
No hesitation.
No warning.
Their hands rose, fingers moving and crossing in the air. Hand seals flowed at incredible speed, sharp, precise movements, as if two identical images were moving in front of a mirror.
Then!!
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
Both voices rang out in perfect unison.
The river shook.
Water surged upward violently, forming two savage water dragons that collided in midair with a deafening crash. Tree branches shattered nearby, and water sprayed in every direction.
The entire battlefield trembled.
Trees groaned under the pressure, and the mist tore apart for a moment before closing in again.
Crash!
At that moment, Kurenai tightened her grip on her kunai.
Her eyes were cold and sharp.
Taking advantage of everyone's focus on the clash between Kakashi and Zabuza, she suddenly moved toward Zabuza's stunned subordinates. Her movement was silent and deadly, like a shadow slipping through the mist.
As for Naruto…
He remained frozen in place.
He did not move.
His eyes were wide and focused, his mind working at full speed as he watched, analyzed, and tried to understand.
This was the first real battle he had ever witnessed.
The first time he had seen ninja fight without holding back.
Unlike the original story, he had no chance to join the fight this time.
His body was stiff, his heart pounding hard. He trembled, not only from the intensity of the scene, but from his own helplessness.
Zabuza staggered back one step, then another.
A painful smile appeared on his lips as sweat ran down his temple.
"He's copying my techniques blow for blow…" he thought bitterly.
"No… he's even ahead of me in some of them."
He changed his approach.
He began a new sequence, switching elements, wind at one moment, water the next.
But every time…
Kakashi's fingers mirrored his movements.
No delay.
No hesitation.
Sometimes… even faster.
It was as if Kakashi had become Zabuza's reflection, predicting every style and every line of thought before it was fully formed.
"Are you reading my mind?!"
Zabuza shouted, frustration leaking into his voice.
Kakashi answered in a calm whisper, without mockery:
"No… you're simply easy to predict."
Zabuza's anger exploded.
He charged forward, swinging his sword, the Executioner's Blade, one of the seven legendary swords of the Hidden Mist.
It was a weapon that could cut through stone and bone alike.
But...
Kakashi blocked the strike with the flat of his kunai, deflecting it at a perfect angle, then smoothly turned his body.
Crack!
A direct punch slammed into Zabuza's chest.
Boom!
A follow-up kick sent him crashing into a nearby tree. Its bark split, and its roots shook.
Zabuza collapsed for a moment, gasping, coughing up water and blood.
It was not just physical pain that crushed him.
It was realization.
"He's not just copying my style…"
"He's improving it."
Members of the team exchanged shocked looks.
Sasuke stared at Kakashi with stiff eyes, the Sharingan… is this how far it can go?
Sakura felt a chill run through her body.
As for Kakashi himself… he remained calm and analytical, watching his enemy without mercy.
And yet...
Zabuza stood up again.
He staggered, his breathing broken, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
The blade of his sword shone once more, mist and water gathering on its surface.
His eyes were red… but unbroken.
"I am Zabuza Momochi!"
"The Demon of the Hidden Mist!"
"Do you really think I'll fall here?!"
With a thunderous roar, he charged forward, pulling water and mist into a dense, crushing vortex.
Kakashi's fingers moved in an instant.
One hand seal.
No shout.
Chidori.
There was no wasted movement.
Only lightning.
Kakashi's arm shot forward, a jagged bolt of lightning connected to it, crossing the distance and striking Zabuza with no chance to defend.
Electricity surged through Zabuza's body.
His muscles locked.
He trembled as if possessed.
He fell to one knee…
Then the other…
Before collapsing completely.
Silence returned once more.
Only the soft sound of falling rain remained…
And the faint hum of lingering energy in the air.
Zabuza was still breathing, but Kakashi did not move closer.
Something was wrong.
A faint sound, a whistle, cut through the air.
Sharp, like a fang tearing into flesh.
A dull impact.
A thin needle pierced Zabuza's neck.
His body jerked once, then collapsed completely, lifeless.
Gasps echoed from both teams, except for Kakashi, Kurenai, and Louis.
From the remaining mist, a figure appeared.
He wore a gray robe and a smooth white mask with no features, except for a single crimson dot on the forehead.
It was Haku.
He walked forward with slow steps, dragging a strange black chain in his hand.
The masked figure spoke in a soft, calm voice, like a child's voice, but completely emotionless:
"I am part of the Purification Unit of the Hidden Mist Village.
This person committed crimes and betrayed the village.
Taking the body and disposing of it is my responsibility."
"I ask that you do not interfere."
"Oh? Then you won't take the bodies of those two as well?"
Louis said as he wiped his lips from blood and pointed at the two men Kurenai had taken down.
"Or…" he added with a smile,
"Is your mission only to save that person?"
"What? Save..."
Except for Kakashi and Kurenai, who seemed to understand what was happening, everyone else looked at Louis in clear shock.