Momochi Zabuza.
The man who could take on Indra and Asura, go toe-to-toe with the Sixth Hokage, and leave the monstrous strength of Haruno Sakura, frozen in place—the most outstanding battle record in the entire Naruto series!
Karatachi Yagura clenched his fist, feeling an itch in his palm.
He hadn't expected to run into this man so soon.
It was worth mentioning that before defecting from Kirigakure, Momochi Zabuza had attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage—him.
But at the end of the day, Zabuza was just an elite jōnin.
To assassinate the Fourth Mizukage, he would have had to overcome not just a perfect Three-Tails Jinchūriki but also the ever-present Uchiha Obito in the shadows.
Like hell that could have succeeded.
He failed and defected from Kirigakure.
The rest of the story was well-known—picking up Haku on the roadside, later encountering Team 7 and Kakashi in the Land of Waves…
Zabuza's expression was a mix of tension and disbelief, as taut as the bandages around his neck. He stared at the figure before him.
The tension came from the undeniable strength of Karatachi Yagura.
The disbelief? Well… what the hell was this guy talking about?
Fourth Mizukage?
Did he think this was Konoha, where every brat went around playing Hokage make-believe?
...
"Hey! What are you doing back here?!"
Hōzuki Mangetsu's face turned slightly red with embarrassment.
He had been careless—too confident.
He had let his guard down and gotten ambushed by an explosive tag. And worst of all, Karatachi Yagura had witnessed the whole thing.
And even saved him.
Just moments ago, Yagura had flashed in front of him, plucking the explosive tag off the kunai. Coral then rose from the ground, blocking the ensuing blast.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. If I hadn't come, you might've been done for."
Yagura turned to Mangetsu with a gloating grin.
"Overestimating yourself is a bad habit, Mangetsu."
Did they really think he hadn't noticed someone tailing them?
But since Mangetsu wanted to go solo, Yagura had gone along with it—leading Kaede and the others away before circling back for a surprise counterattack.
"I had it under control. You interfered unnecessarily."
"Sure, sure~"
Indulging Mangetsu's pride, Yagura let it slide.
Then, he turned his gaze back to Zabuza.
"You're strong."
Zabuza lifted his kunai, eyes burning with battle intent. "Fight me."
"Ah…"
Yagura sighed.
This felt like taking advantage of someone. Zabuza had just fought Mangetsu, so he wasn't in peak condition—neither physically nor in chakra reserves.
But looking at him now…
"Sigh, I guess you're not going to calm down unless I knock you down first."
Water chakra rapidly gathered and condensed in Yagura's palm, forming a short water blade.
"Didn't bring my sword, so this will have to do."
He twirled the blade once, smiling. "Let's have a little spar."
...
A weapon?
Zabuza's wariness deepened. He gripped his kunai tighter and began forming hand seals.
No seals? He can precisely control his chakra and condense it into a blade just like that?
The level of chakra control needed for this was immense.
As expected—he was strong!
"Hmph, sharp eyes, Zabuza."
Yagura tucked the water blade at his waist, lowering his stance. His right foot slid back, pressing into the ground.
He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with air.
Focus.
Lightning Release.
With a sudden burst of crackling blue chakra, Yagura's presence shifted dramatically.
"Lightning Flash!"
The ground beneath him shattered with a boom.
A streak of blinding speed!
Neither Mangetsu nor Zabuza could track his movement!
"Checkmate."
A voice, cold as ice, whispered into Zabuza's ear.
Gulp—
Mangetsu's eyes widened in shock, swallowing hard.
During their last spar, Yagura had only used Lightning Release to enhance his body. He hadn't seen this technique before.
But now, this "Lightning Flash" swordplay was clearly an evolution—an advanced form of that enhancement.
He had been holding back.
Mangetsu imagined himself in Zabuza's place and realized he'd fare even worse.
...
Sparks crackled.
The water blade, surging with Lightning Release, stopped just a hair's breadth from Zabuza's throat.
Instinctively, Zabuza raised his kunai to block, but the blade sliced through it effortlessly, the broken tip clattering to the ground.
His pupils remained locked on where Yagura had stood just moments ago.
And then, as realization struck, his body trembled.
Even though he was undoubtedly among the strongest of his generation, he was still just an eight-year-old child.
Now, facing the very real threat of death, his legs shook involuntarily.
No.
He had lost.
This guy… could have killed me without effort!
Taking in Zabuza's fear, Yagura chuckled softly.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, he reversed his grip, pulling the blade away from Zabuza's throat.
In the next instant, the Lightning-infused water blade dissolved with a splash, sending droplets tingling against Zabuza's skin.
The residual static made him shudder.
Zabuza instinctively checked his limbs and touched his throat.
He was alive.
Noticing his reaction, Yagura clasped his hands behind his back and took two steps away, smiling.
"I have no grudge against you. Why would I kill you?"
He had only meant to give Zabuza a little scare—any more would've been too much. Leaving a childhood trauma wouldn't be very courteous.
"Quite the opposite, actually. I like you, Momochi Zabuza."
Yagura lightly patted Zabuza's shoulder.
Only to realize something awkward—he had to reach up to do it.
Mangetsu was around his height, but Zabuza was taller.
Keeping his expression steady, Yagura continued, "Zabuza, is your dream to join the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?"
Mangetsu, who had been ready to mock Yagura's height, suddenly froze.
Wait.
That line sounded oddly familiar…
"A dream?"
Zabuza scoffed, tucking away his broken kunai. He stared sharply at Yagura.
"I just want to get stronger. I will defeat you."
Stronger.
To challenge and surpass the strongest—until he stood at the very top.
"Not bad. Keep it up."
Yagura smiled, neither affirming nor denying Zabuza's resolve. "My dream is to become the Fourth Mizukage and end the era of the Bloody Mist. Mangetsu's dream is to lead the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Kaede's dream, at least for now, is to join them. Right, Kaede?"
Silent until now, Kaede stiffly nodded, avoiding eye contact.
Fine. You're a social menace, I have social anxiety. If you say it's my dream, then sure.
Satisfied, Yagura turned back to Zabuza, extending his hand with a smile.
"Join my Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Zabuza. I'll give you the Executioner's Blade. What do you say?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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