Naruto Shadow Emperor - Chapter 35
“Sorry, but this chat ends here!”
Zabuza turned around and squatted on the hilt of his sword, facing the group below with a daunting aura, “I need to finish off the old man quickly!”
Yukigetsu instinctively tightened his grip on the kunai, feeling Tazuna tremble slightly behind him.
“Ninjutsu… Hidden Mist Jutsu!”
The thick fog gradually rose, filling the already misty forest until visibility was almost zero.
Yukigetsu frowned and whispered to the three guarding Tazuna, “From what I know, Zabuza Momochi was infamous for his Silent Killing Technique when he was in the Hidden Mist assassination squad. He could kill his targets before they even knew what was happening. Be careful!”
“He’ll probably come for me first…” Kakashi said seriously, “I can’t use my Sharingan fully… So you must stay on guard!”
The oppressive atmosphere made Naruto break out in a cold sweat, “The fog is getting thicker!”
“Eight points!” A sinister voice echoed from within the thick mist.
“Huh? What… what?” Sakura stammered.
“Throat, spine, lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, carotid artery, and subclavian vein…”
“Tell me… which one do you want me to target? Heh heh…”
Zabuza’s chilling laughter continuously struck fear into the hearts of the group. The intense killing intent made them feel that even a slight movement could lead to their death.
This feeling would keep their nerves on edge. Yukigetsu couldn’t imagine what would happen if these three, who had never killed anyone, were to stay here for an hour.
On the other side, Sasuke was drenched in sweat. He had never imagined that one person’s killing intent could be so terrifying. It felt as if he were completely at the mercy of the enemy, and he couldn’t endure it for even a moment longer. It would be better to die quickly…
“Sasuke…”
Kakashi suddenly turned and smiled, “Don’t worry! I’ll protect you with my life! I won’t… let him kill my comrades!”
The three of them were shaken, but Yukigetsu’s body shivered as he channeled all his strength to the limit!
Whoosh!
The ghostly figure of Zabuza appeared among them, wielding his massive sword.
Bang!
In the next instant, Yukigetsu pushed Tazuna aside, kicked Naruto, and somersaulted through the air. The three of them rolled away, avoiding the attack.
Clang!
The sword clashed with a kunai, and Kakashi appeared instantly.
Sasuke pulled Sakura back while the fallen Naruto looked back in shock, “Sensei! He’s behind you!”
Whoosh!
The giant sword slashed horizontally, cutting Kakashi in half, causing Sakura to scream.
Bang.
A water clone!
Kakashi reappeared behind Zabuza, holding a kunai to his neck. His Sharingan spun slowly, “It’s over.”
Naruto cheered, “Awesome!”
Sakura smiled excitedly, but Yukigetsu’s expression turned serious.
Sure enough, Zabuza showed no fear, “Heh heh… really? You’re too naive! This won’t stop me… absolutely not!”
Kakashi: “…”
Yukigetsu pondered. Kakashi’s earlier words were not just to reassure Sasuke and the others. The main purpose was to make them relax and reveal an opening, acting as bait to draw out Zabuza. Kakashi used a water clone to defend and then restrained the enemy with his real body.
Yukigetsu reacted in time, but did Zabuza, a rogue ninja skilled in assassination, see through Kakashi’s plan?
If it were me, an elite Jonin facing four kids and an old man, would I need to use my real body?
“Be careful! That’s a water clone!” Yukigetsu shouted.
Kakashi flinched and immediately pierced the enemy’s throat.
Bang!
It was indeed a water clone.
Kakashi rushed forward, barely dodging Zabuza’s sweeping blade. His heart sank. As expected, Zabuza’s right leg kicked…
Bang!
Kakashi could only cross his arms to block, but he was sent flying.
Yukigetsu was alarmed by the opponent’s strong taijutsu.
Great opportunity!
Zabuza’s eyes gleamed as he prepared to charge at Tazuna. However, he suddenly backflipped. The area where he stood and the path to Tazuna were covered in caltrops!
Zabuza glared coldly at the boy in the trench coat standing in front of Tazuna, snorted, and chased after Kakashi…
That kid reacted well, or else the old man would be dead!
Bang!
Kakashi fell into the water, struggling to get up. Suddenly, his heart tightened: What… what’s happening? This water is so heavy…
“Fool!”
Zabuza’s cold voice came from behind. He formed a hand seal, “Water Prison Jutsu!”
“What?!”
Kakashi was shocked. In the next moment, he was trapped in a water sphere, with Zabuza’s hand inside, grinning, “Heh heh heh… fell for it! You won’t escape from here!”
“I need to trap you first, then I can kill the others! So, Kakashi, we’ll settle this later. I’ll kill them first!”
Zabuza formed a seal with his left hand, and with a splash, a water clone rose from the water, walking slowly toward the group.
Kakashi, how could I trust him so much? In the end, it’s always fifty-fifty…
Yukigetsu’s lips twitched, his mind racing. Even with only one-tenth of Zabuza’s chakra, a water clone was as formidable as the real Zabuza for them. The same combat experience, the same powerful ninjutsu and taijutsu… a head-on fight was unwinnable!
But Yukigetsu, also proficient in water jutsu, knew the weakness of a water clone. It couldn’t move too far from the real body. Since Zabuza’s target was Tazuna, their best tactic was to flee with the old man!
As long as they escaped the effective range of the water clone, the crisis would be over.
Just as Yukigetsu was about to signal the others to run, Zabuza’s oppressive voice came, “Heh heh… don’t think that having a ninja forehead protector makes you a real ninja… To be called a ninja, you have to survive life-and-death situations!”
Zabuza’s figure faded into the mist, “In other words, only those recorded in my handbook are real ninjas. You guys don’t qualify!”
“Run! Take Mr. Tazuna and run! He’s not someone you can handle! He won’t leave this area to keep me trapped! Just escape the range of the water clone! Run!” Kakashi’s urgent voice pierced through the mist.
Controlling the water prison, Zabuza smirked, “They’re just a few kids.”
Before Sasuke and the others could react, a terrifying killing intent enveloped them, freezing them in place!
Whoosh!
The wind pressed on their nerves. Yukigetsu dodged, but it was too late. The blade slashed, tearing his left sleeve, and something fell…
Clink!
A crisp sound and a foot stepped on it. The trench-coated boy turned back, eyes filled with rage!
He stepped on… my forehead protector!
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