Chapter 44: [CHAPTER 44] ALRIGHT, IT'S GONNA BE THREE-TOMOE SHARINGAN NOT MANGEKYŌ SHARINGAN ALONE!!!
In the shadows, Zabuza silently stood atop the tree, observing Kakashi, narrowly locked his gaze at him. He recognized him and said, "Heh, I see, no wonder the Demon Brothers failed, they didn't stand a chance against the infamous Copy Ninja of Konoha... Kakashi of Sharingan."
His main target, obviously, was Tazuna, however he understood, without taking Kakashi out first, he couldn't directly move against Tazuna. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were ignored by him; they weren't worth his glance.
Zabuza took out his Kubikiribōchō, the Executioner's Blade from his back, and moved towards them. Kakashi noticed it, uncovered his left eye and calmly said, "Everyone, Get down, immediately!"
They were confused, but did what Kakashi ordered. However Naruto tilted his head, but Sakura tackled him down. Sasuke also grabbed Tazuna, pushed him to the ground with him.
Just the next moment, a powerful gust of wind cut through the air, as a massive spinning blade, shot from the sky towards their direction.
Kakashi, who had removed his forehead protector from his left eye, Flickered straight at the incoming Blade in mid-air, seeing the trajectory of the spinning Kubikiribōchō, with the help of his Sharingan's enhanced vision.
Just as the massive blade came closer, Kakashi moved his right hand, straight at the handle of Kubikiribōchō, gripped it tightly, reducing its momentum, and landed on the ground smoothly, with a giant Executioner's Blade on his shoulders.
Zabuza, who was about to land on where his Blade would strike, was dumbfounded and immediately changed his way and jumped to stood at the tree branch, crossing his arms, curiously glancing at Kakashi, especially at his left crimson eye, where Three-Tomoe was ever present.
"Hahaha... Kakashi of Sharingan, looks like your reputation isn't just on rumours alone." Zabuza laughed, though he was little irritated that Kakashi got his Blade, however, he knew, this was Kakashi Hatake of Sharingan, so he didn't feel much frustration over his Blade gone.
The group immediately stood straight. Sasuke finally seeing Kakashi's Sharingan, muttered, "So it's really a Sharingan, and Three-Tomoe as well."
Even though he said that, his eyes still couldn't believe it, despite hearing the full story from Kakashi, and how even the Uchiha Clan knew about it back then, he still couldn't comes to believe it.
Kakashi however didn't respond to Sasuke, but was looking at Zabuza. "The Demon of Hidden Mist, Zabuza, huh, this mission really has an A-rank difficulty, when Elite Jōnin level threat like you is included."
Kakashi immediately looked at the tensed Tazuna and said, "You didn't need to worry, as I promised, the mission now will only be labeled as B-rank one."
However, Kakashi knew that Tazuna, even Sakura are tensed upon seeing Zabuza. While Naruto and Sasuke also felt the power of Zabuza, they weren't tensed, rather excited to fight a real ninja.
Zabuza, stood atop the tree, said, "Kakashi Hatake, calling me Demon of Hidden Mist is correct, but you forgot to mention me as a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
Kakashi laughed and said, "Heh, Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? But your Blade is in my hands."
Zabuza's eyes twitched, but he didn't say anything, just vanished, Flickered at lightning speed, even Sasuke's Sharingan had a hard time capturing him. However, Kakashi's Sharingan easily captured him, who was coming straight at him.
Kakashi, in response, moved the Kubikiribōchō in his right hand, directly at Zabuza, who immediately dodged, and Flickered back.
Once again back to his position, Zabuza muttered, "I see, so that's how you are going to play, huh!" He stood tall, washing his killing intent all over the area, which stiffened everyone, aside from Kakashi.
Kakashi, however, ignored him, and turned his head to look to the left, Three-Tomoe in his left eye, spinning as his focus is intense at that direction.
Zabuza, finding that Kakashi ignored him, got angry and shouted, "ARE YOU LOOK—"
However he paused immediately, turned his head to his right, his eyes widened upon realization and thought, 'Haku is there, did he even noticed Haku, impossible.'
However, Zabuza's fear came out to be true, as Kakashi said, "Sakura, take Tazuna back, and guard him, and you two, go there, there's another enemy, fight him together." Kakashi pointed at the direction, where he sense Haku's Chakra signatures.
Naruto pointed at Zabuza, "But sensei, this Bandage man looks strong, I want to fight him."
Sasuke, despite getting little intimidated by Zabuza's killing intent, still felt the urge to face him. However, Kakashi shook his head and refused.
"No, you can't fight him, you aren't his match, and the opponent there also is powerful, you can fight him."
After hearing that the opponent there was also stronger, they looked at each other and nodded. Sakura also nodded and took Tazuna with her, several meters back from the battlefield.
Naruto and Sasuke moved towards the direction Kakashi had pointed. Zabuza wasn't the one to stand still, he also Flickered in their direction, but before he could reach them, his own large Blade, which was now in Kakashi's hand, moved at him.
Zabuza dodged it, and stepped to the side, glaring at Kakashi. Kakashi saw that now everyone was gone, leaving him and Zabuza at the battlefield, said calmly, "Zabuza, your opponent is me, but how about we have a chat rather than fighting!"