Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Bang!

The wide blade embedded itself heavily in a tree, slicing halfway through even a tree trunk as thick as a barrel.

Whoosh!

A figure darted swiftly through the air, landing gracefully atop the narrow hilt of the massive blade.

Looking closer, they saw a tall, bare-chested man with a lean but powerful build, his gray-yellow back muscles radiating an explosive energy, as if he could unleash a force akin to a leopard's at any moment.

He stood with his back to the group, his head turned slightly. Although his face was wrapped in bandages, hiding his features, it didn't dull the sharp gleam in his eyes.

This was the look that only someone who has taken lives could possess, cold and indifferent.

"That guy seems to be... the Missing-nin from Kirigakure, Momochi Zabuza!"

Kakashi narrowed his eye and looked serious.

'If this guy is the opponent, it would be a bit difficult!'

"It looks like you are Kakashi of the Sharingan. But I don't care who you are… just hand over the old man, now!"

Zabuza's voice was cold and commanding.

The tension in the air grew as leaves drifted down.

Kakashi slowly lifted his Konoha's forehead protector, revealing a long scar over his left eye. The covered left eye was opened, revealing a three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Oh? I didn't expect to see the legendary Sharingan so soon. It's really an honor."

Zabuza remarked with a slight note of surprise as he turned to face Kakashi more fully, his expression now bearing a hint of caution.

Hearing this, Sakura couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is the Sharingan? Sasuke has it, and so does Kakashi-sensei, but why don't I have it?"

Sasuke said in a deep voice, "The Sharingan can see through Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, and Taijutsu, and even reflect it back. It's the Dojutsu unique to our Uchiha Clan, but even among us, only a few have the special ability to awaken it. What's going on here?"

"Hmph, I heard the Uchiha Clan were wiped out, but I didn't expect to see a little Uchiha brat here."

Zabuza cast a cold gaze towards Sasuke and said in a cold voice, "But the Sharingan's true ability isn't just that. What's even more terrifying is that it can not only see through an opponent's techniques, but also copy them."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zabuza moved his fingers and formed a special hand seal.

In the next moment, the clear air around them became hazy, and soon ​​thick white mist quickly filled the surrounding.

Zabuza stared at Kakashi coldly.

"Back when I was in the Kirigakure's assassination squad, I had a personal manual with information on you. The Copy Ninja Kakashi, said to have copied over a thousand Ninjutsu!"

"What? Kakashi-sensei is such a powerful Shinobi?"

Sakura couldn't help but gasped in amazement. However, the stronger Kakashi seemed, the more puzzled she felt as to why he would heed Naruto's decisions.

'What was it about Naruto that set him apart?'

Before she could make sense of it, Zabuza said coldly, "Enough chit-chat. I need to kill that old man quickly, but Kakashi, it seems I'll have to take you out first."

As soon as he finished speaking, he pulled out the massive Kubikiribocho and lunged at Kakashi.

The sword came down ruthlessly, aimed straight for Kakashi's neck.

Bang!

The moment Kakashi's kunai made contact with Zabuza's blade, it shattered into dust, but it also gave Kakashi the time to dodge.

After failing to kill the target with one strike, Zabuza showed no interest in continuing the fight. He quickly leapt and landed lightly on the water's surface, standing effortlessly.

"How is this possible? He can actually stand on water!"

Sakura exclaimed in shock again.

At this moment, Zabuza was indeed standing on the water without falling, as if walking on solid ground, which looked so unreal.

With one hand placed on his chest and the other pointing upward, Zabuza formed a Ram seal with his fingers.

"Ninjutsu: Hiding in Mist Technique!"

As his words echoed, the mist grew thicker, almost to the point where they couldn't see their own hands. Zabuza's figure also vanished into the mist.

"Everyone…"

Kakashi was about to give an order when Naruto interrupted him, "I figured it out!"

Naruto had been lying on the ground thinking about how to change Zabuza's tragic ending ever since the encounter began. After some thought, he finally came up with a good plan.

He felt that Zabuza's death had always stemmed from becoming an enemy of Team 7. After all, anyone who became an enemy of the protagonists always met a tragic end.

So Naruto's solution was very simple, just subdue Zabuza.

"What did you figure out?" Kakashi asked.

Naruto coughed lightly and said, "I think it's better for me to deal with Zabuza."

Upon hearing this, Kakashi's expression softened with a smile.

He knew dealing with Zabuza would be difficult and dangerous for him, and he wouldn't have the luxury of watching over Tazuna's safety. Their mission was to escort Tazuna and ensure his safety, so that had to be their top priority.

So after considering the situation, Kakashi was glad Naruto volunteered to step in.

With Naruto's skills, thanks to the Flying Thunder God Technique and the power of Kyubi, defeating Zabuza would be easy. So, Kakashi was more than happy to let him take charge.

Sasuke and Sakura, who were familiar with Naruto's strength, had no objection to this decision either.

Seeing that everyone was in agreement, Kakashi nodded and said, "Alright, Naruto, handle it quickly."

"Got it!"

Naruto responded and rushed into the mist.

Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura formed a protective triangle formation around Tazuna, staying alert.

Seeing the exchange just now, Tazuna asked in confusion, "Kakashi, why did you let him go alone? Won't he be in danger?"

Hearing this, the three of them couldn't help but laugh.

Among them, Naruto was by far the strongest and also the best at escaping danger.

Tazuna didn't receive an answer, and instead, the laughter made him feel uneasy. So he didn't ask further.

Meanwhile, Naruto had already entered the thick mist.

Soon, he began to hear a sinister voice echoing from all directions.

"Eight vital points!"

"Throat, spine, lungs, liver, carotid artery, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart."

"Now, which vital point should I choose?"

Zabuza's voice was as cold as the Grim Reaper, as though he viewed Naruto as a mere plaything, with his life hanging by a thread and can be taken at any moment.

However, Naruto's face showed no sign of panic. Instead, there was a playful smile on his lips.

"Zabuza, I know you're trying to kill the tyrannical Mizukage, and after your assassination failed, you ran away. If you come out, let's talk. I can help you with the Mizukage issue."

"Little brat, wherever you got this information from, don't overestimate yourself. Right now, you're nothing but fish on my chopping block!"

Zabuza's chilling voice rang out from the mist.

"Well, if that's the case, I guess there's no choice."

Naruto shook his head helplessly. In that moment, as his body crouched, the Kyubi's power surged into him. Then, his body shot forward like a missile.

Dark red Chakra burst out, forming four massive tails that spread out in every direction, searching for Zabuza without any blind spots.

One second!

Two seconds!

Three seconds!

In just three seconds, one of Naruto's tails caught hold of Zabuza.

Whoosh!

The tail rapidly retracted, bringing Zabuza right before Naruto.

Looking at the badly burned Zabuza, whose body was scorched by the Kyubi's Chakra, Naruto shrugged and sighed, saying, "It would have been better if you had just listened and showed up earlier, then you wouldn't have suffered this pain in vain. Why did you have to make me do this? You really had to force my hand..."