"Breath of Water… Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
A crisp, low breath resounded in the air.
A white afterimage flickered past, slicing through the roaring water dragon.
His body flowed with the sword, and the sword danced with the water.
Kazuki's Nichirin Blade gleamed in his grasp, its once razor-sharp edge softening into a fluid, ribbon-like arc. The blade spiraled through the air, intertwining with the surging torrent like an unbreakable current.
Kazuki moved as if gliding on the surface of a river, his steps merging seamlessly with the rhythm of his technique—Flowing Dance.
"Sever!"
With a quiet yet resolute voice, Kazuki struck.
In an instant, the water dragon behind him was shredded into countless segments, dissipating into a torrential downpour.
The rain cascaded from the heavens, but as the droplets reached Kazuki's white haori, they shimmered and rolled away as if repelled by an unseen force.
His dark pupils, calm and unfathomable, sent a chill down Zabuza Momochi's spine.
"What… what is this?!"
An unfamiliar emotion gnawed at Zabuza's core—an instinctual fear he refused to acknowledge.
"Ridiculous! Me? Afraid of some brat without even a ninja headband?!"
His mind rejected the thought, yet his body hesitated. He, the Demon of the Hidden Mist, a survivor of the Blood Mist's brutal era, was feeling fear?
Was it because the kid was too young?
Or was it because his strength was simply monstrous?
A walking, human-shaped tailed beast—that's what this boy felt like.
Zabuza clenched his teeth, his grip tightening on the Kubikiribōchō. He would not be outdone.
"Tch! Prove it! Prove you're not afraid!"
With a defiant roar, he swung the Executioner's Blade down with all his might.
"Die!!"
But Kazuki only smirked coldly.
"Useless."
"You are not my opponent," he said flatly, eyes void of concern.
His hand moved to his sheath, his stance shifting slightly.
"In the face of my swordsmanship, everything else… fades into insignificance."
A deep breath.
Blue chakra surged beneath his feet, condensing like a gathering storm.
Then—
"Breath of Water… First Form: Water Surface Slash."
The simplest yet most refined technique of the Breath of Water.
Kazuki focused entirely on his blade—
And then he struck.
Years ago, this very move had forced Might Guy to open the Eight Gates in battle against him.
Now, after countless years of training, Kazuki's mastery had reached an entirely different realm.
"Crack!"
Faster than the naked eye could perceive, Kazuki vanished.
A moment later, he was already standing five meters behind Zabuza, his blade gleaming softly in the moonlight.
Zabuza's body stood frozen.
His Kubikiribōchō trembled, then split in half, its broken remnants crashing to the ground.
"Pfft—!"
Blood erupted in a scarlet geyser from Zabuza's chest.
A deep diagonal slash, stretching from his left shoulder to his right hip, cut through flesh, bone, and will alike.
Even Tsunade, with her Yin Seal, wouldn't have been able to survive such a wound.
"It's over, Zabuza," Kazuki murmured, sheathing his blade.
He did not turn back.
"The one hiding over there… how much longer do you plan to stay concealed?"
Kazuki's voice carried across the clearing as his gaze shifted toward the distant jungle.
"Wait, there's another enemy?!"
Tazuna gasped, his body tensing.
But then he hesitated.
He had just watched this young man effortlessly defeat a legendary swordsman of the Mist.
The sheer disparity in power was undeniable.
Tazuna swallowed hard, recalling the doubt he had held toward Kazuki when they first met.
Now, that doubt had transformed into something else—
Fear.
Fortunately, I didn't truly anger this young man back then—otherwise, I might not have even known how I died!
"Hey, is someone really there?"
After Kazuki's reminder, Might Guy, who was usually brimming with enthusiasm but somewhat inattentive, finally sensed the presence of another person's chakra.
Whoosh!
A figure appeared before them in an instant.
It was a beautiful young man with delicate features, his face even softer than a woman's. He carried a gentle, almost sorrowful expression and spoke with utmost respect to Kazuki:
"We forfeit this mission, my lord. Please allow me to take my master's body. I am willing to agree to any conditions you set."
Kazuki glanced at Haku's face, which was strikingly elegant, and nodded.
"You may take Zabuza's body, but the Executioner's Blade must stay."
For a moment, hesitation flickered across Haku's face. Then, after a brief pause, he lowered his gaze and responded with calm politeness.
"Thank you, my lord."
He stepped forward with a composed demeanor, his dark eyes unwavering, showing no fear that Kazuki might change his mind. Within those deep black pupils, Kazuki caught a glimpse of something—an acceptance of death itself.
Did he truly hold no desire for vengeance for Momochi Zabuza?
Or had he simply given up after witnessing Kazuki's overwhelming strength?
Or perhaps… was it his kind heart that prevented him from continuing the fight after surrendering the mission?
Or was Zabuza's position in his heart so irreplaceable that he was willing to risk everything just to ensure his master's body was not left to rot in the wilderness?
Kazuki didn't dwell on it.
He could sense no killing intent from Haku, so he allowed him to take Zabuza's body.
Yet, just as Haku passed him—
Kazuki leaned in slightly and whispered something in a low voice.
Haku's steps faltered. He hesitated for a few seconds before bowing his head slightly and replying softly,
"Yes, Lord Kazuki."
Then, without another word, he lifted Zabuza's lifeless form and vanished into the mist.
Kazuki bent down, picked up the Executioner's Blade left on the ground, and chose to submit the mission.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on completing the mission!
Mission Reward: Zanpakutō – Blueprint of Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!]
As the system notification rang out, Kazuki felt a surge of satisfaction.
But when he examined the details of the Daiguren Hyōrinmaru blueprint, his eyes flickered with astonishment.
A six-star blueprint?!
Kazuki couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. Daiguren Hyōrinmaru—undoubtedly the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō!
He was certain: once this sword was forged, it would become a legendary artifact, capable of shaking the entire world!
Moreover, this was the first six-star blueprint he had ever obtained!
Over the past four years, despite completing numerous system-issued missions, the highest blueprint he had ever received was only five-star.
His system interface had undergone significant changes:
[Host: Kazuki]
[Age: 12]
[Forging Level: Intermediate]
[Unlocked Weapons:]
Six-Star: Zanpakutō – Daiguren HyōrinmaruFive-Star: Intermediate Space Ring, White Mist Sword, Ten Needles of Skyfire...Four-Star: Mechanical Bird, Sharingan (Three Tomoe), Nine Dragon Pearl Crown, Eight Treasure Nightshadow Helmet...Three-Star: Sun Blade...Two-Star: Kazuki's Cloak...One-Star: …
After glancing at the system panel, Kazuki closed it temporarily.
As a six-star Zanpakutō, Daiguren Hyōrinmaru required an immense variety of rare materials for forging—hundreds of them.
Although Kazuki had gathered numerous special ores and forging components over the past few years, it still wasn't enough.
Some rare minerals could only be found in the Land of Fire's territory.
Thus, he had no choice but to postpone forging the Zanpakutō until he acquired all the necessary materials.
"Kazuki, your strength has grown even more!"
Might Guy strode up beside him, clapping him heartily on the shoulder. His eyes burned with passion.
"Your relentless training, your dedication, your perseverance—I've seen it all! And now, you've become so powerful! This is the true essence of YOUTH!"
Kazuki chuckled.
"Haha, sorry, Teacher Guy… I ended up stealing your opponent."
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