Naruto The Red Spiral Rebirth

Tom and his clone shared a unique soul connection—something akin to a super-powered walkie-talkie. As long as they were within a 5-kilometer radius of each other, they could communicate directly through their souls. This range conveniently covered the entirety of the Land of Waves island.

However, such communication consumed a considerable amount of soul energy. The more complex the information exchanged, the more strain it put on the clone. In extreme cases, it could drain the clone of all combat ability, even impairing its mobility. Although memories and experiences were automatically synchronized between the original and the clone, their emotional states remained separate, allowing both to act independently without interference.

"Tom," the real Mian Ma said, "I've completed the Spiral Pill training. I'm sending you the experience—absorb it and master the technique as soon as possible. It's an essential tool for survival."

Having fully mastered one of the Naruto world's most iconic A-rank Muji ninjutsu, Mian Ma knew he had to equip his clone with the same skill to increase their overall strength and survivability.

"Got it, got it," Tom replied lazily. "But man, don't turn into a nag like the old captain. Oh, and Kado's still busy trying to buy off those who remain loyal to Zabuza."

Tom, though often sarcastic and aloof, had a sharp mind and a warm heart beneath his rebellious exterior.

"Kado's ambition really knows no bounds. What kind of chaos is he trying to stir up now?" Mian Ma muttered with a sigh.

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At the same time, on the outskirts of the village, Team 7—led by Kakashi—encountered the infamous rogue ninja of the Hidden Mist: Zabuza Momochi.

The atmosphere instantly turned tense.

"Oh? Isn't this the rogue from Kirigakure—Zabuza Momochi?" Kakashi said in a casually mocking tone, trying to lighten the mood.

Naruto, being Naruto, saw the arrival of an enemy as an opportunity to prove himself. Not wanting to be upstaged by Sasuke, he charged forward recklessly, fists clenched and mind empty.

But before he could get far, Kakashi's hand shot out in front of him, stopping him in his tracks.

"Don't be reckless. All of you—fall back."

Kakashi's tone was firm and serious.

"This guy isn't like the small fry we've faced before. He's on a completely different level."

Internally, Kakashi was already evaluating the threat. This is going to be a tough fight.

He slowly lifted his forehead protector to reveal his left eye—the crimson Sharingan, marked with three tomoe revolving around the pupil.

"Well, well. To think I'd run into the famous 'Copy Ninja Kakashi' here," Zabuza said in his deep, ominous voice. "Sorry, but I need that old man you're protecting."

"Team, form a swastika defense formation," Kakashi ordered. "Protect Mr. Tazuna. Do not engage. This is a battle that requires coordination."

Then he faced Zabuza directly. "Your opponent is me."

A wave of powerful chakra surged from Kakashi's body. The air around them seemed to grow heavier.

Zabuza chuckled darkly. "Heh, to see the legendary Sharingan so soon—what an honor."

"You keep saying 'Sharingan,' but what even is that?" Naruto blurted out, unintentionally breaking the tension with his usual cluelessness.

Sasuke rolled his eyes and explained. "The Sharingan is a special eye technique that can instantly read an opponent's ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. It allows the user to counter attacks by predicting them. And that's just one of its abilities."

"Enough chit-chat," Zabuza growled. "First, I'll eliminate that bridge builder. But I guess I'll have to deal with you first, Kakashi."

With a swift leap, Zabuza landed on the surface of the nearby river.

He performed a quick string of hand seals, and a thick fog rapidly enveloped the area.

"Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

Within seconds, visibility dropped to less than five meters.

Then came Zabuza's voice, low and chilling, drifting through the mist like a whisper of death.

"The throat... spine... lungs... liver... kidneys... heart... carotid artery... subclavian artery..."

He listed out vital strike points one by one, the voice seemingly coming from every direction.

Naruto, Sakura, and even Sasuke froze in place. The sound came from the front, then the side, then behind—distorting any sense of spatial awareness. The mist was turning the environment into a deathtrap.

Kakashi immediately released a burst of chakra to blow away some of the surrounding fog, clearing a radius of about fifteen meters. But even with improved visibility, the oppressive killing intent in the air was suffocating.

Sasuke's hands trembled. For the first time in his life, he could feel the breath of death so close.

"Sasuke," Kakashi said softly, "don't worry. I will protect you, even if it costs me my life. I won't let him harm any of my comrades."

The calm, unwavering tone in Kakashi's voice was like spring water flowing into Sasuke's turbulent heart. His panic began to ease, and clarity returned to his mind.

But the danger wasn't over.

"There you are!" Zabuza's voice came from within their defensive formation, right next to Naruto.

He moved in a blur, the massive Kubikiribōchō (Executioner's Blade) aiming directly for Tazuna.

"Bang!" and "Splash!"

Two sounds rang out almost simultaneously. The first was Kakashi disappearing using the Body Flicker Technique. The second was the kunai he had thrown, piercing directly into Zabuza's body.

Only... it wasn't blood that spilled from the wound. It was water.

"A water clone?" Kakashi narrowed his eyes.

"Behind you, sensei!" Naruto suddenly shouted.

Kakashi spun on instinct.

Zabuza was behind him, swinging his enormous blade in a deadly arc.

The blade cleaved through Kakashi's body—only for it to dissolve into a splash of water.

"Another clone?!" Zabuza cursed.

Kakashi's real body emerged from the mist behind Zabuza, a kunai pressed to the back of his neck.

"Don't move. It's over."

"Hmph," Zabuza grunted, unfazed. "You think you've got me figured out already?"

A calm smirk tugged at the edge of his lips.

"Not bad, Kakashi. You saw through my mist clone and even baited me by having your clone deliver a warning to distract me. Meanwhile, you observed me quietly through the fog."

"But," Zabuza continued, voice dropping to a darker tone, "I'm not that easy to kill."

Before Kakashi could react, another Zabuza emerged behind him.

With a wet burst, the clone Kakashi had pinned dissolved into water.

"What?! Another water clone?!"

Kakashi whirled around just in time to block Zabuza's slash with his kunai.

"Impressive," Zabuza said, grinning. "But don't think mimicry alone will be enough to beat me."

The fog began to swirl again as both combatants repositioned. Tension crackled in the air like lightning.

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura could barely process the high-speed exchange of blows. The gap between them and elite-level shinobi was more apparent than ever.

And the battle… was just beginning.

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