The Tale Of Naruto Uzumaki

Chapter 8: Zabuza Defeated?

Naruto's kunai streaked through the air, aimed directly at Zabuza's head. The deadly precision forced Zabuza to release the Water Prison Technique, trapping Kakashi. If he didn't, he risked losing an eye.
Zabuza jumped back, growling in frustration as Kakashi fell to the ground, gasping for air. Zabuza wasted no time, grabbing the massive Demon Wind Shuriken strapped to his back.
Zabuza: "You're a clever little pest... but it ends here!"
He prepared to hurl the massive weapon at Naruto, who was mid-fall toward the water below.
Naruto: "Wha-!?"
Zabuza: "I'm going to destroy you!"
But before Zabuza could throw the shuriken, Kakashi intercepted him. He lunged forward, grabbing the edge of the spinning blade with his hand. Blood trickled down as Kakashi gritted his teeth, stopping the attack in its tracks.
Zabuza's eyes narrowed, and Kakashi glared back, drenched and catching his breath. Naruto hit the water with a hard splash, the force knocking the air from his lungs. He coughed, spluttering as he struggled to pull himself out.
Sakura: "Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi straightened, shaking off the pain, his Sharingan eye blazing.
Kakashi: "Naruto... that was an excellent plan. You've really grown, haven't you?"
Naruto, now standing shakily on the river's surface, burst into laughter.
Naruto: "I knew I could beat him! My clones were just bait! While he was busy fighting them, I transformed into the Demon Wind Shuriken and slipped it into my bag. When I threw it to Sasuke, it looked like a real shuriken. Sasuke caught on instantly-he spun around to hide it, then added his own shuriken to the mix. Two weapons-one real, one me. I hid in the shadow of the real shuriken and aimed right at Zabuza! I knew I couldn't take him down myself, but breaking the Water Prison? That was the game plan! And it worked! Believe it!"
Sasuke: "Don't get cocky. You just lucked out."
Tazuna: "Luck or not, it got the job done."
Sakura, however, stared at her teammates, her fists clenched.
Sakura (thinking): They're incredible. Even without talking, they knew exactly what to do. They act like they hate each other, but together... they're unstoppable. And me? I did nothing. I need to get stronger. I'll make sure of it.
Meanwhile, Kakashi remained locked in combat with Zabuza, still pressing the massive Demon Wind Shuriken against his kunai. Zabuza pushed harder, causing Kakashi to wince as blood dripped from his hand.
Zabuza: "I only lost my grip because I was distracted!"
Kakashi: "Don't flatter yourself. You were forced to let go."
Zabuza growled and abruptly snapped the Demon Wind Shuriken closed, its edges slicing Kakashi's hand further. Kakashi gritted his teeth, countering with a powerful push that knocked the weapon away. Both shinobi leapt back, preparing for their next clash.
Zabuza quickly formed hand signs, his movements fluid and deliberate: Ushi, Saru, U, Ne...
Kakashi's Sharingan mirrored his every move, matching him perfectly.
Naruto (watching): "What's happening now?"
The two shinobi completed their jutsu in unison.
Kakashi and Zabuza: "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
Two colossal water dragons erupted from the river, twisting and colliding with tremendous force. The impact sent shockwaves through the area, creating massive waves that drenched Team 7 and shook the forest.
Sasuke: "So many hand signs... and Kakashi-sensei mirrored them instantly!"
Sakura: "That's a water-style jutsu... Kakashi-sensei is amazing!"
Naruto struggled to stay afloat as the waves surged around him, while Kakashi and Zabuza clashed again, the Executioner's Blade meeting Kakashi's kunai in a fierce battle of strength.
Zabuza (thinking): The Sharingan can copy and replicate techniques... but how did he cast the jutsu at the same time as me? Is he... reading my mind?
Zabuza's frustration grew as Kakashi continued to mirror his every move.
Kakashi: "It makes you furious, doesn't it?"
Zabuza: "All you're doing is copying me like a monkey!"
The two exchanged blows, their weapons clashing violently. Suddenly, Kakashi smirked, his Sharingan gleaming.
Kakashi: "Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!"
A massive whirlpool of water surged forward, engulfing Zabuza. He screamed in rage as the powerful current battered him, leaving him unable to escape. The vortex tore through the forest, uprooting trees and leaving devastation in its wake.
Zabuza slammed into a tree, gasping for air. Before he could recover, Kakashi launched three shuriken, pinning him in place.
Kakashi: "This is your last battle, Zabuza."
Before Kakashi could deliver the finishing blow, a dozen senbon needles struck Zabuza in the neck. His body slumped, pinned against the tree.
Team 7: "What?!"
A masked figure stepped out of the shadows, calm and poised.
Kakashi: "You're a tracker ninja from the Hidden Mist, aren't you?"
Tracker Ninja: "Impressive. You're well-informed."
Sakura: "Tracker ninjas are trained to hunt down and eliminate rogue shinobi, right? To protect their village's secrets?"
The ninja nodded.
Tracker Ninja: "Exactly. Zabuza was a threat, but now his secrets will stay safe. Thank you for your assistance."
Naruto clenched his fists, trembling with anger.
Naruto: "Hey! Who do you think you are?! That was our fight!"
Kakashi (calmly): "Naruto, stand down. He's not our enemy."
Naruto glared, punching the ground.
Naruto: "How can I accept that?! He took down Zabuza like it was nothing, while we were fumbling around! What does that make us?!"
Kakashi: "In this world, there are kids younger than you, yet stronger than me. Accept it and grow stronger."
The tracker ninja lifted Zabuza's body with ease.
Tracker Ninja: "Your struggles are over for now. Farewell."
In a flash, they disappeared.
Naruto pounded the ground again, frustration etched across his face.
Kakashi: "Save that anger for the next enemy, Naruto. We're not done yet."
Tazuna: "You can rest at my house when we return to the village."
Kakashi nodded but suddenly collapsed from exhaustion.
Sakura: "Kakashi-sensei!"

At Tazuna's House
Kakashi lay on a makeshift bed, his face covered by his usual mask, but his exhaustion evident.
Kakashi (thinking): I really overdid it with my Sharingan this time.
The door creaked open, and Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter, stepped inside carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of soup.
Tsunami: You're awake. Are you alright?
Kakashi: I've been better. It'll be at least a week before I can move normally.
Tsunami: Then it's better if you don't move at all. Just lie there and rest.
The rest of Team 7 entered the room alongside Tazuna.
Naruto: Hey, look! Sensei's up!
Sakura: Sensei, your Sharingan is incredible, but if it puts this much strain on you, maybe it's not worth using.
Kakashi: Sorry to worry you.
Tazuna: Worry or not, he did take down one of the most dangerous ninja assassins. We'll be safe for a while now.
Sakura: But that boy with the mask-what about him?
Kakashi: He's from the elite tracking unit of the Village Hidden in the Mist. Those masks are worn only by highly skilled shinobi.
Sakura: What exactly do they do?
Kakashi: The ANBU Black Ops, also known as the Inferno Squad, have a singular mission: to eliminate all traces of a rogue ninja's body. The corpse of a shinobi holds critical secrets-ninjutsu, chakra, even unique medicines. If an enemy finds them, the consequences can be disastrous. For instance, if I died, someone could try to study my Sharingan and potentially steal all my jutsu. It's a sacred duty to prevent this from happening.

In the Forest Clearing
The masked tracker ninja worked with careful precision, removing Zabuza's bandages and draining blood.
Haku (Tracker Ninja): First, I'll remove the bandages...
Zabuza's eyes fluttered open, and he sat up abruptly.
Zabuza: That's enough. I'll do it myself.
Haku: You're the one who's brutal. If you keep moving like this, you'll really be finished.
Zabuza: Hmph. How long do you plan to wear that mask? Take it off already.
Haku removed the mask, revealing a calm but youthful face.
Haku: I have fond memories of this mask. Besides, it was useful for tricking that ninja.
Zabuza: Putting me in a deathlike state is fine, but you're cruel as ever. The pressure points on my neck? You enjoyed it.
Haku: It was necessary, and I didn't want to mark your "flawless body," or you'd complain endlessly.
Zabuza: Hmph. Clever and innocent-rare traits. That's why I keep you around.
Haku: Next time, will you be alright?
Zabuza: Next time, I'll see through that Sharingan.

Back at Tazuna's House
Kakashi (thinking): Something feels off. If Zabuza's finished, why does it feel like I missed something important?
Naruto: Sensei, are you okay?
Kakashi: Oh, yeah. Sorry, just thinking...
Sakura: Sensei, you checked Zabuza yourself and confirmed his heart stopped.
Kakashi: Yes, it did. But only temporarily. The weapon the tracker ninja used was senbon-precisely aimed needles. They're rarely fatal unless they hit vital organs, and they're often used in medical treatments like acupuncture. The tracker wasn't trying to kill Zabuza; he was trying to save him.
Tazuna: You're overthinking this!
Kakashi: Encountering suspicion, a shinobi should be prepared immediately. Hesitation leads to disaster.
Authors Note- Between Chapter 8 and 9 Team 7 has been training nonstop