Naruto: The New Beginning

45. It's a trap

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Normally, a Water Wall takes six hand seals to create, raising a water barrier from the ground. But Tobirama's version only needs two seals.

A massive amount of water shoots out, spiralling and rising to form a hollow water column.

If left uncapped, it almost looks like a water-based version of a different jutsu.

Zabuza's Water Dragon clashed with Naruto's Water Wall. The dragon's head and body started to wear down, some of it merging into the Water Wall and strengthening it, while the rest splashed out, injuring a nearby shadow clone.

Naruto, Sakura, and Tazuna were safe inside the Water Wall.

The remaining five shadow clones rushed toward where the Water Dragon had gone, each holding a small blue orb.

Zabuza swung his giant sword, slicing through three clones with one swipe and kicking another aside.

When the last clone was about to smash its Rasengan into his waist, Zabuza blocked with his sword.

The Rasengan hit the blade, causing a thin crack to appear in it before the clone was taken out too.

At the same time, the Water Dragon dissipated, and the Water Wall gradually came down.

Naruto noticed Kakashi snapping out of his stillness, charging at Zabuza with lightning crackling in his hand.

Kakashi's Lightning Cutter sprint was incredibly fast. Realizing he couldn't dodge in time, Zabuza reluctantly raised his large sword to block.

With a loud clang, the Executioner's Blade shattered, the broken half scratching Zabuza's calf before sinking into the water.

Just then, an ice wall shot up, blocking Kakashi's attack.

"Ice Release?" Kakashi dispersed the Lightning Cutter, stepping back cautiously, eyeing the masked boy who had come to Zabuza's aid again.

"Retreat!" Zabuza growled, knowing his leg injury would only get worse if he kept fighting. He had no choice but to pull back and recover.

Haku quickly helped Zabuza retreat, but Kakashi didn't pursue them.

As the thick mist slowly cleared, Naruto sent several shadow clones to try and retrieve the broken blade that had sunk into the water.

They couldn't find it, so the clones dispersed themselves in frustration, feeling guilty for not completing their task.

Naruto rubbed his temples, a bit exasperated. "You guys tried hard, why feel bad about it?"

Kakashi lowered his headband to cover his Sharingan, sighing in relief. "Zabuza probably won't be back for a while. Let's keep moving."

Naruto watched Kakashi for a moment. "Did we win this time, or was it just another draw?" he wondered. Kakashi didn't seem too worn out.

The group of four, plus Tazuna, continued westward. Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Sakura was annoyed that she hadn't done much in the fight, despite Naruto giving her so many explosive tags she never got to use.

Sasuke, with his two-tomoe Sharingan active, was lost in thought, already thinking about when he could spar with Naruto again.

A grin spread across his face, nearly reaching his ears.

Suddenly, Naruto remembered something.

"Hey, Kurama, can you sense if Zabuza's coming back?"

"Of course," Kurama replied curtly.