At that moment, Xia Li formed hand seals with both hands. Although he was a bit slower than Haku, he still managed to complete the seals at the same time.
"Ninjutsu—Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique."
Once the seals were finished, the kunai split into hundreds of afterimages, colliding head-on with Haku's Water Senbon. The Water Senbon lacked destructive power—how could they compare to solid kunai?
In the next instant, nearly all the senbon were knocked away. A few kunai vanished, but even more continued flying toward Haku.
Just as the kunai were about to strike him, an ice wall rose in front of Haku, blocking the attack.
"Is a bloodline limit… really so convenient?" Xia Li asked knowingly.
"Tell me—what exactly do you want?" Haku dispelled the ice wall and glanced anxiously in Zabuza's direction.
After just one exchange, Haku understood that defeating this opponent quickly was unlikely—let alone rushing to assist Zabuza. If something happened to Zabuza-sama, then even victory would be meaningless.
Since the other party clearly had a purpose, Haku immediately questioned him.
"Hm, I was only interested in your ninjutsu at first. But just now, you formed a seal with one hand. Can you teach me how to perform one-handed seals?" Xia Li asked with a smile—one that resembled a tiger's grin.
"…Fine. I don't have it on me now. I can give you the scroll later," Haku's expression shifted, but compared to Zabuza's safety, what was a technique scroll? Besides, there was no guarantee the other side could learn it.
"I don't trust you, and I won't accept it later. Write it down now." Xia Li produced a blank scroll and an ordinary brush from his own scroll and tossed them over, his smile unchanged.
"I hope you write quickly. Don't try to deceive me. Zabuza doesn't seem like he can last much longer."
Haku clenched his teeth. That smile felt demonic. But he had no choice. The one-handed seal method wasn't overly complicated—he could finish it quickly.
Without hesitation, Haku began writing.
Chapter 120 – Plot Changes
"Done. Here."
Soon, Haku tossed the scroll back and waited for confirmation.
Xia Li examined the messy handwriting. Haku had written in haste, but under Xia Li's perception, there had been no chance for deception.
As for authenticity—Xia Li was skilled enough to judge.
After reading it, he felt enlightened. If he had tried to research it himself, he would eventually have figured it out—but that would have taken time. Since the original source already existed, why waste effort reinventing it?
Time mattered.
"Please confirm quickly," Haku urged, restraining the urge to act again.
"One moment."
Xia Li formed three seals awkwardly with one hand. The next second, a clone appeared beside him.
Haku's eyes widened in disbelief. Even the simplest Clone Technique shouldn't succeed this quickly.
That level of talent…
"Not bad." Xia Li nodded in satisfaction. From now on, he could form seals even while holding a sword—an advantage in certain battles.
"You can go."
True to his word, Xia Li did not stop Haku.
Relieved, Haku rushed toward Zabuza.
Watching him go, Xia Li rubbed his chin. Why did he suddenly feel like the villain?
Must be an illusion.
As expected, although Haku had saved Zabuza, he was immediately scolded.
"Were you waiting for me to die before moving? And why didn't you follow the original plan?!" Zabuza snapped.
"My apologies, Zabuza-sama. There was an accident." Haku quickly explained Xia Li's involvement.
"A stronger Konoha ninja secretly protecting them?" Zabuza's eyes narrowed. Had that bridge builder really hired such protection? Or were those kids more special than they appeared?
He almost wanted to shout: Did the Hokage send the crown prince out to play?
At that moment, Xia Li stepped out openly.
"Don't yell. Your subordinate really wanted to save you."
"Xia Li!" Naruto and Sasuke exclaimed.
"Hmph. A small mission, yet two jōnin were dispatched. Konoha truly has resources to spare." Zabuza formed hand seals.
Mist began rising—but it did not envelop Xia Li.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough."
Xia Li casually dispersed the mist. When it cleared, Zabuza and Haku were gone—they had escaped using the cover of mist.
Kakashi sensed it but did not pursue. Their mission wasn't to eliminate rogue ninja.
Moreover, Xia Li had orders not to kill.
Turning back to Sasuke and Naruto, Xia Li nodded approvingly.
"You both did well. Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza, is an exceptional ninja."
Naruto scratched his head with a grin.
Sasuke scoffed. "We were just assistants. It was mostly Kakashi."
"For your first time, this was excellent. You'll do even better next time," Xia Li said.
Kakashi sighed. "You still interfered."
"It wasn't serious. As long as I didn't kill anyone, it won't matter much," Xia Li replied.
Naruto asked worriedly, "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing serious. I killed too many people on previous missions. A slight psychological issue. I just need some time without killing."
Naruto nodded, not fully understanding.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes—now he understood where that killing intent came from.
With the matter settled, Team Seven continued.
Later, as Zabuza rested against a tree:
"If your instincts were right, that person might be Konoha's former prodigy… perhaps the only one worthy of that title."
"You mean Konoha's White Fang?" Haku asked in surprise.
"Who else kills like that?" Zabuza muttered. "With him here, we abandon the mission."
If it had only been Kakashi, he might have tried. But now? It would be madness.
They withdrew.
Meanwhile, Team Seven reached the Land of Waves.
"Land of Waves…" Xia Li murmured, thinking of Gato. A fat sheep waiting to be sheared.
After delivering Tazuna home, the mission was technically complete. But Kakashi, weakened by overusing the Sharingan, suggested staying a couple more days to recover.
"You're this weak already?" Xia Li said bluntly.
"It's unavoidable," Sasuke added. "The Sharingan is a heavy burden for someone who isn't an Uchiha."
And so, they remained—for now.
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