CREEEEK!
The boat came to a slow stop, wood creaking softly as it settled against the shallow edge. The man rowing it gave a small nod, and one by one, both teams stepped out onto solid ground.
Tazuna lingered behind for a moment, saying a few words to the boatman before parting ways, while the others began moving ahead along the path leading deeper into the Land of Waves.
"This might turn troublesome…"
Kurenai's voice came low as she walked beside Kakashi, her eyes scanning their surroundings without making it obvious.
"Don't remind me…"
Kakashi let out a quiet sigh, one hand lifting slightly before dropping again.
His shoulders slumped, the weight of the situation settling back onto him.
"This couldn't have gotten any worse… We're bound to get attacked again… and that too by stronger shinobi."
He didn't sound panicked.
Just… tired of how messy it had already become.
Ahead of them—
Naruto suddenly dashed forward, moving past Kakashi without a word, his eyes fixed on the scenery ahead.
"Woah..."
The mist, the unfamiliar land—it all stretched out in front of him, but there was no excitement in the way he ran this time.
Not like before.
Behind him, Kiba followed at a slower pace, his expression tighter than usual.
Both of them were frustrated.
Naruto's fists clenched slightly as he moved, his thoughts stuck on what had just happened earlier.
That moment—when he froze.
Sakura, Hinata, Kiba… even if they hesitated, they still stepped forward.
And Sasuke and Rin—
They didn't just react.
They acted.
They even landed hits.
Naruto's jaw tightened.
That gap... simply didn't sit well with him.
A few steps behind, Kiba's frustration was different.
His eyes shifted, landing briefly on Rin before looking away again.
Memories started creeping back in—training grounds, academy days, sparring matches.
Times when he had the upper hand.
Times when beating Rin wasn't even a big deal, when Rin barely stood out to him at all.
Back then… Rin was just there.
Nothing special.
Nothing worth thinking twice about.
Yet his growth catapulted at such a high speed, from nothing to taking the first place.
Even though Rin wasn't someone he liked, he had respect for him for such an explosive growth.
And wanted Rin to respect him as well.
As Kiba stayed caught up in his thoughts, his eyes occasionally drifting toward Rin, the rest of the group kept moving forward through the slightly mist-covered path.
Up ahead, Kakashi was dealing with something else entirely.
Naruto.
"Take this!"
Naruto suddenly threw a shuriken off to the side, the metal spinning wildly before disappearing into the trees.
He quickly reached for another, trying to look sharp, alert—like he was making up for something.
Kakashi watched him for a second, already knowing what this was about.
Naruto wasn't being careful.
He was trying to prove something.
And he was doing it very badly.
Behind them, Rin quietly shifted his pace and moved closer to Kurenai.
"Sensei… we're being followed…"
His voice was low, almost blending into the sound of their footsteps.
Kurenai didn't stop.
Didn't turn.
For a split second, there was the urge to react—but she forced it down immediately, keeping her pace steady, her posture unchanged.
If someone was watching, any sudden movement would give it away.
She trusted what she had been told.
"Where?"
She asked, her tone calm, like nothing was wrong.
Rin's posture stayed forward.
"He's on the tree above us… the one we passed a few seconds ago."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Kurenai gave a small nod, her expression still the same—but her focus sharpened instantly. Her senses stretched out, more alert now, quietly scanning without making it obvious.
Then—
A faint rustle.
Naruto and Kakashi both caught it at the same time.
"There!"
Naruto reacted, a kunai already flying out of his hand toward a nearby bush.
And at that exact moment—
Kurenai and Rin moved as well.
Both of them pushed off the ground almost together, their bodies rising and twisting in sync as their arms snapped forward.
Two kunai cut through the air—
Straight toward the top of the tree behind them.
Because of Rin's warning, Kurenai had already focused her senses in that direction.
She felt it clearly now—the presence, hidden but there.
The kunai struck their mark—
Clink.
A sharp, metallic sound rang through as both blades connected with something above, the impact echoing faintly between the trees.
Then—
Another rustle followed.
Kakashi's visible eye widened slightly, the shift so small most wouldn't notice it—
But the danger hit him instantly.
"Get down!"
His voice snapped, cutting across the tension before anyone could even process what was coming.
And then—
It appeared.
A massive sword came tearing through, spinning with a violent force.
The sheer size of it was overwhelming, the blade wide and brutal as it hurtled straight toward them.
Sasuke and Kiba moved—their body already in motion the moment Kakashi spoke.
They shot forward, grabbing Tazuna without hesitation and pulling him out of the path of the incoming blade.
On the other side, Sakura lunged toward Naruto, who had only just started to turn at the warning.
Her hand caught him, pulling him down hard as they dropped to the ground together.
The others had also moved, instincts finally catching up as they scattered just enough to avoid the strike.
The sword flew low.
And then—
It began to rise while spinning.
THUD!
It slammed into a tree. The blade buried itself into the bark, sinking deep, the trunk trembling slightly from the force.
And in the very next second—
A figure appeared.
Both feet landed on the long handle of the sword, his weight settling like it belonged there.
He stood tall, unmoving, his back facing them as if he had no concern at all about being outnumbered.
The mist curled faintly around him, brushing against his silhouette.
Then—
Slowly—
He turned his head.
Just enough to look over his shoulder.
One eye visible.
Kurenai's expression tightened slightly as she looked up at him.
Kakashi's gaze hardened at the same time.
There was no mistaking it.
No doubt.
They both knew exactly who this was.
Zabuza Momochi.
Naruto's eyes locked onto the man standing on the sword.
That presence should've warned him.
But Naruto being Naruto.
All he saw was an opportunity.
His body tensed, feet already shifting forward as he leaned into a run.
He was about to charge Zabuza.
Then—
A hand caught his shoulder.
"Eh?"
Naruto's body jerked back slightly from the sudden pull, he turned his head sharply—
Kurenai.
She stood right behind him, her grip steady.
"Don't interfere, Naruto."
She spoke as she kept her eyes on Zabuza.
"This one's not like our previous opponents, give Kakashi room…"
As she spoke, Kakashi stepped forward.
His movements were slow, his gaze fixed entirely on the man ahead.
The usual laziness in his posture was gone now, simply ready to deal with this situation.
"…Protect Mr. Tazuna, and stay out of this fight. That's the teamwork this situation demands."
Her words came steady, clear, leaving no room for argument.
Behind her, the six genin moved.
They gathered around Tazuna, forming a loose circle, each of them pulling out a kunai.
And ahead of them—
Kurenai stepped forward slightly, placing herself between the genin and Zabuza.
A clear line.
Behind her—the ones she would protect.
In front of her—
Stood possibly the most dangerous opponent of her life.
The mist drifted slowly between both sides, the space stretching thin with tension as Kakashi faced Zabuza.
"Kakashi… the Copy Ninja of the Hidden Leaf…"
Zabuza's voice cut through the mist, low and rough, carrying a strange kind of ease—like he wasn't facing a group of shinobi, but simply acknowledging something mildly interesting.
His gaze stayed fixed on Kakashi, sharp and unblinking, studying him from where he stood balanced on the massive sword.
"If it's not too much to ask… could you surrender that old man to me?"
Behind Kakashi, the genin stiffened at that.
Kakashi didn't answer right away.
He just stood there, facing Zabuza.
Then—
His left hand moved.
It rose to his forehead, fingers brushing against the edge of his headband—the one that always sat tilted, covering his left eye.
"I assume you understand my answer with this."
His voice came calm.
Zabuza's gaze sharpened slightly.
Kakashi's fingers tightened around the cloth.
And then—
He pulled it up.
The fabric slid over his forehead, revealing what had been hidden beneath all this time.
A single eye.
The Sharingan.
Zabuza's gaze was fixed onto that eye…
A 3-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Ah… to have the honor of facing the legendary Sharingan so early in our acquaintance…"
Zabuza's voice came out with a faint hint of amusement, something dark sitting underneath it. His head tilted just slightly before he turned fully, no longer just glancing over his shoulder—now facing Kakashi completely.
The air between them felt heavier.
"That's good."
There was no fear in his tone.
If anything… he sounded pleased.
"I'm already on a very tight schedule to skin that old man."
The words were said so casually it almost didn't register at first.
Then—
He moved.
Without warning, Zabuza's foot slammed against the tree trunk next to his sword, the force of it sending a sharp crack through the bark as he kicked off.
In the same motion, his hand grabbed the massive blade, ripping it free from the tree.
Wood splintered.
The sword came loose.
And his body shot backward, propelled away in one smooth motion.
The mist shifted around him as he landed—
Right on the surface of the water.
No splash.
He just stood there, the massive sword now resting behind his back like it weighed nothing at all.
His hands came together.
Chakra began to gather around him, as he built up a fair concentration of chakra.
"Water Style—Hidden Mist Jutsu."
The moment the words left his mouth—
The mist answered.
What was once a light fog began to thicken rapidly, rolling in from all directions. It crept across the water, slipped between the trees, and spread toward them like something alive.
In seconds—
Visibility dropped.
The world around them blurred, shapes fading, outlines dissolving into white.
Zabuza's figure—
Gone.
Completely swallowed by the mist.
"He's gone!"
Naruto's voice broke out, sharp, his head snapping from side to side as he tried to find anything through the growing haze.
"Wh—where is he?!"
Sakura's voice followed, her grip on her kunai tightening as her eyes strained against the white.
Kiba's posture dropped lower, his senses trying to adjust, trying to lock onto anything in this thick mist.
"Can you locate him?"
Kurenai's voice came out as a whisper, low enough that it barely carried beyond the small space around them.
She didn't look at anyone in particular when she asked, her eyes still scanning the mist, her posture steady.
She was being careful.
Very careful.
Calling out a sensory-type directly in a situation like this was dangerous.
The first targets were always the same—medical shinobi… and then sensory types. Anyone who could track, detect, or disrupt the enemy's movements.
She wasn't about to hand that information over so easily.
Beside her, Rin understood immediately.
He didn't speak.
He just gave a small shake of his head.
For a brief moment ago, he had felt Zabuza—the shift from the lake, the few movements after the jutsu was casted.
It had been clear till then.
But after that—
Nothing.
Like the man had simply… vanished.
No presence. No trace.
Zabuza was gone.
Kurenai caught that answer without looking at him directly, her expression not changing—but the weight of the situation settled a bit deeper.
"Stay on your guard, everyone,"
She said, her voice still controlled, but firmer now.
"He will most likely try to get rid of Kakashi first. Stay focused."
It was the most logical move.
Take out the strongest one first.
Behind her, the formation tightened just a little.
With Rin unable to track him, they had to rely on what they had left—Kurenai's own sensory perception, Kiba's sense of smell, and Hinata's Byakugan.
Three different ways to find what couldn't be seen.
Kakashi looked over his shoulder for a second, he was relieved to have Kurenai here to protect the kids.
For the next whole minute, nothing happened as they all waited for something.
Suddenly, Rin's body tensed a little.
Hinata took a small breath, steadying herself.
Her hands lifted slightly as she prepared to activate her Byakugan.
Hinata's fingers had just begun to settle into position—
Then a voice slipped through the mist.
"Haa… 8 targets."
That voice came out almost lazily.
"Throat… Spinal Column… Lungs… Liver… Jugular Vein… Subclavian Artery… Kidney… and Heart."
Each word landed slowly.
"…So many vital and vulnerable options to choose from… Heh-heh."
A low, amused chuckle followed, echoing faintly through the thick mist, bouncing between trees, making it impossible to tell where he actually was.
For a second—
No one moved.
A thin layer of sweat formed almost instantly across their skin.
Naruto's grip tightened around his kunai.
Sakura's breath hitched.
Hinata was beyond nervous.
Kiba's stance faltered.
Even Sasuke's eyes narrowed further, trying to pinpoint the direction of the voice—
But it was useless.
Rin's gaze shifted slightly, his attention snapping toward Kurenai.
He tried to catch her attention, even if just for a moment, to signal something—anything.
But before he could—
It hit.
A sudden, crushing wave of killing intent flooded the area.
It pressed down on all of them at once, thick and suffocating, like the air itself had turned heavy enough to pin them in place.
Raw and overwhelming.
Their bodies reacted before their minds could.
Naruto froze completely, his muscles locking up, breath catching in his throat.
Sakura couldn't move, her eyes wide, her body refusing to respond no matter how much she tried.
Kiba's instincts screamed at him to move—but his limbs wouldn't listen.
Hinata's stance broke slightly, her hands trembling as she struggled just to stay upright.
Sasuke—
He had it worse, as if that intent was targeted only at him.
His body stiffened, jaw tightening as he forced himself to stay standing, but even that took effort.
No one blinked.
No one moved.
Even breathing felt… wrong.
Like the smallest motion might give them away.
Like if they did anything—
Anything at all—
They would die.
That was what their instincts told them.
Stay still.
Don't be seen.
Somewhere in the mist—
There was a hunter.
And they were the prey.
Even Kurenai—
Her composure cracked just slightly.
She held her ground, forcing herself to stay steady, forcing her breathing to remain controlled.
She knew she had to stay calm—for them, for her team—but even she couldn't ignore it.
"Haa… Haa… Haa…"
The sound broke through the suffocating silence.
Rough and uneven.
Too loud in a moment where no one else could even breathe properly.
Kurenai's eyes shifted immediately, her head turning slightly over her shoulder despite the pressure weighing down on her—
And she saw him.
"Rin...?"
He wasn't still like the others.
His head was lowered, chin almost touching his chest, his shoulders rising and falling sharply with each breath. Sweat had gathered heavily along his skin, slipping past the edge of his blindfold, trailing down the sides of his face and along his jaw before dripping down to his neck.
His breathing was off.
Too fast.
Too strained.
Around him, Sasuke and Kiba weren't much better—but they were still holding.
Sasuke stood rigid, his body locked in place, every muscle tense as he forced himself not to move.
Kiba's posture had dropped lower, his instincts screaming at him from the inside, his body trembling slightly—but he hadn't moved an inch.
They felt that killing intent more because of their own sharp instincts.
But they seem to be enduring it by staying still.
Rin… wasn't.
He was reacting in the opposite way.
His body wasn't locking up—it was struggling.
Trying to process something that pressed down too hard, too fast.
Kurenai's expression tightened, concern flashing across her face.
This wasn't good.
If he kept reacting like that—
Her lips parted slightly, about to call out to him, to steady him—
"Calm down, everyone."
A firm voice came from ahead.
Kakashi.
Kurenai's attention snapped forward again.
Through the mist, Kakashi stood there, his figure steady despite the pressure around them.
His hands were raised, fingers locked into a hand sign.
Unshaken.
"I'll protect you... all of you."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it cut through the fear, reaching them, especially to Kiba and Sasuke in a way nothing else had so far.
Slowly, he turned his head just enough to look back at them.
"I will not allow my comrades to die… trust me."
There was a small smile on his face.
And somehow—
That was enough.
Kakashi's words settled over the group.
They settled into the air, into the fear that had wrapped around everyone like chains—
But not everyone heard them.
Or rather—
Not everyone registered them.
Rin didn't.
For him, they may as well not have been said at all.
His head was still lowered, his breathing still rough, uneven, like his body refused to calm down no matter what.
The killing intent pressing down on him didn't freeze him like the others.
It did something else.
It irritated him.
No—
It angered him.
"I wouldn't bet on that…"
Zabuza's voice slipped through the mist again, calm, almost amused—
And that was the moment everything broke.
Rin moved.
No hesitation.
No warning.
His body launched upward from the ground in a sharp burst, dirt scattering beneath his feet as he shot into the air.
At the same time—
Zabuza appeared.
Dropping down from above, his massive frame cutting through the mist as he was moving straight toward Tazuna, sword already raised for a killing strike.
"Huh?"
For a split second—
Zabuza was caught off guard.
Not completely though, as Zabuza has his own suspicion on the boy from the start.
'Good reaction time... but wrong move kid...'
Still, Zabuza reacted instantly as he regained his composure.
His grip tightened around the sword as he shifted mid-air, bringing the massive blade down in a brutal arc aimed straight at Rin.
Enough to cleave straight through him.
But Rin didn't dodge, didn't even flinch.
Right as the blade came down—
His arm shot up.
His palm met the sword.
Not the edge—
The flat.
Right along the fuller.
For a split second, it looked insane.
Then—
Chakra surged.
It flowed into his hand, anchoring it, letting his palm stick to the moving blade just for an instant.
The force of the swing still carried through—but instead of being cut or thrown off—
Rin used it.
His body shifted with the motion, his feet lifting as he pushed off the blade itself, using it like a surface mid-air.
The momentum redirected, carrying him upward, above the arc of the slash as he flipped cleanly over it.
All of it—
In a single breath.
Mid-air.
'What—?!'
Zabuza's thoughts spiked for a fraction of a second, genuine surprise breaking through his focus.
That wasn't normal.
That kind of reaction—at that speed, at that timing—
But before he could adjust—
Rin was already above him.
Still flipping, his body turned slightly to the left, his movement sharp, controlled despite the speed.
And then—
His leg snapped out.
Hard.
CRACK!
His right foot drove straight into Zabuza's face with aggressive force, the impact landing clean and solid in mid-air.
It was too fast for most of them to understand.
One second, they were frozen under that crushing killing intent, barely able to breathe—
And the next—
Rin was already in the air.
Zabuza had already struck.
And somehow… Rin had already answered it.
Kurenai turned the moment Rin moved, her body reacted, her head snapping back over her shoulder, eyes lifting sharply toward the air above them.
And she saw it all.
The genin followed a moment later.
Naruto's head jerked up, eyes wide.
Sakura looked up almost immediately after, her breath catching.
Kiba blinked, trying to process what he was seeing.
Hinata's gaze lifted as well.
And so did Sasuke.
All of them saw the same thing.
Then—
Something felt off.
Zabuza's body shifted.
His form… loosened.
And in the next instant—
It broke apart.
Water.
The entire figure collapsed into a splash.
The image of him—
Gone.
Replaced by nothing but falling water.
Kurenai's eyes sharpened immediately.
"It was a water clone?!"
.
.
.
.
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