The ground quaked violently as four towering ice walls rose from the earth, forming a sealed box that cut off Ayato's path.
"Ice Release: Thousand Spears Water Flight."
With another rapid string of hand seals, Haku's chilling aura condensed into countless razor-sharp ice senbon, swarming toward Ayato like a storm of needles.
The barrage pierced directly through Ayato's lightning-formed body, scattering harmlessly across the lake.
Ayato casually twirled one of the fallen ice senbon between his fingers.
"Pretty dangerous—if this actually worked on me."
Behind the white mask, Haku's usually calm eyes flickered in surprise.
"Ayato-sensei, I—!" Naruto started to rush forward with a kunai raised.
"Idiot." Sasuke grabbed Naruto's arm, stopping him. His voice was low and tense. "We'd only drag him down. That one… is dangerously strong."
Naruto froze, then punched the tree beside him in frustration.
"So we just stand here and watch? After all that training?!"
Sakura bit her lip, eyes full of worry as she stared toward the center of the frozen battlefield. "Ayato-sensei…"
"Secret Art: Shattering Ice Prison."
Haku leapt back, both hands clasping together as a massive surge of chakra burst outward. Frigid mist swirled around Ayato, forming into an enormous six-pointed crystal structure—like a frozen mountain designed to seal away everything inside it.
This was Haku's strongest Ice Release—far beyond the Demonic Ice Mirrors. A technique he normally avoided unless he intended to end the battle immediately.
Inside the crystal, Ayato lightly tapped the icy walls, examining the frost forming across his skin.
"An attack that bypasses elemental phasing, huh? If my chakra reserves weren't massive, I'd actually have been frozen solid."
The next moment—
"Repulse."
A deep hum shook the entire lake. A surge of dark gravitational force erupted from Ayato, blasting outward.
Cracks spider-webbed across the enormous crystal before it shattered violently, fragments exploding in every direction.
Naruto's jaw dropped.
"So strong! Ayato-sensei used this one on me once—I remember flying!"
Team 7 stayed silent, a mixture of awe and shame weighing on them.
Since this mission began, they had been nothing but burdens. In every confrontation, Ayato had been the only line between life and death.
"Power…" Sasuke muttered, trembling slightly as he stared at the distant clash. "I need power… or I'm nothing."
"Without strength, dreams are just the jokes people laugh at drunk." Ayato commented lazily, glancing back at the dispirited trio.
Perfect.
The more they felt their weakness, the faster they would grow to suit his plans.
Ayato shifted his gaze back to Haku.
"That last move was fun. Got anything stronger? Or are you sticking to the quiet, emotionless character act? I personally prefer cheerful girls."
Haku remained silent, stunned that his strongest technique was brushed aside so effortlessly.
"Come on, say something. We're supposed to have a nice little chat here," Ayato sighed.
Haku didn't react. Ayato blinked.
"Oh. That was your strongest move? Sorry—I didn't realize. I would've pretended to struggle a bit if I'd known."
Ayato reached into his pocket.
Haku immediately leapt away defensively—only to see Ayato pull out… a lollipop.
"..."
"What? Am I that scary?" Ayato asked flatly.
"You talk too much," Haku finally answered in a cold tone. "Return Zabuza-san to me."
He had never met an enemy like this—someone who spoke casually and cheerfully in the middle of combat.
It was, in Haku's opinion, far more unsettling than simple taunts.
Haku formed another set of seals, but—
"Wait."
Ayato raised his hand.
Haku hesitated. "What is it?"
Ayato grinned and turned toward Team 7, using his hands like a megaphone.
"Listen up, brats! I'll show you a special technique today—one I personally used to defeat the Fifth Mizukage!"
Team 7 froze.
An ultimate move that defeated a Kage?!
Their hearts pounded in anticipation.
Ayato suddenly vanished, lightning bursting under his feet.
"So fast!" Haku's pupils shrank. A cold killing intent pressed against his back.
Must stop him—now!
But Ayato was already behind him.
"Secret Art—Thousand-Year Strike!"
Ayato jabbed forward with two stiffened fingers—aimed firmly and decisively at Haku's lower back.
Not crude, not invasive—but a sharp, humiliating poke meant to break stance and balance, a classic Leaf Village prank technique used more as a tactical blind-side stun than anything else.
Haku yelped, body lifting off the ground from the shock as his posture completely collapsed.
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