Although the fog was dense—almost unnaturally so—it was too thick for even Zabuza to see clearly. Kakashi stood tense, surrounded by the mist.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Kakashi heard the sound of shuriken from the left and instantly raised his kunai to block them.
Clang, clang! Blocked.
"You actually managed to defend—just as expected of the Copy Ninja, Kakashi of the Sharingan."
Zabuza's voice echoed from behind. Kakashi immediately turned his head.
What the—?! (O_o)
To his surprise, Zabuza had his eyes closed.
"When you see me again, it'll already be over," Zabuza said calmly. "Your Sharingan is too troublesome. First, I vanish in the thick fog—sealing away your vision. It's the perfect way to counter your Sharingan."
As he spoke, Zabuza attacked again, but Kakashi quickly retreated, avoiding the strike.
"Heh, so you're fighting with your eyes closed in close-quarters combat," Kakashi muttered, puzzled. "Why? Doesn't that put you at a disadvantage?"
"Did you forget?" Zabuza smirked. "I can locate my opponents using only sound. I'm a genius of silent killing!"
But before he could bask in his own praise—
"Hahahahahaha!"
Zabuza twitched: (へ╬)
"What are you laughing at?! What's so funny?!"
It was the red-haired brat again—Menma—snickering from the sidelines.
"Genius, huh? Zabuza, have you ever heard the saying, 'There's always someone better out there'?" Menma chuckled. He had been quietly watching, but when Zabuza started bragging, he couldn't hold it in.
"No matter how thick this fog is, I could still find you instantly. Right, Kurama?"
Then he added casually, "Mr. Kakashi, need a hand? Just say the word, and I'll go easy on him."
Kakashi: "..."
"No need."
Just one more punk... But I can't let this drag on.
"Oh? Look at you—so full of pride."
Kakashi had made up his mind. He needed to end this quickly. Reaching into his pouch, he pulled out a scroll and performed hand signs.
"Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu!"
"It's over," Menma muttered, sighing. "Just like in the original timeline—but at least there was less pointless talking. And this Kakashi is way stronger."
Inside the ice crystal mirrors, the battle had reached its climax.
Naruto had entered his Nine Tails Cloak. Working with Sasuke and his enhanced chakra, they overpowered Haku.
"Chidori!"
"Rasengan!"
Zabuza and Haku both fell on the road to the underworld.
"Sakura, I'm heading back first."
With that, Menma vanished. He still needed to check on the assault team.
"…He's gone?" Sakura was left blinking in confusion.
As the fog lifted, Sakura and Mr. Tazuna breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing their enemies defeated. Then Sakura spotted Sasuke's body covered in needles. Her heart clenched.
"Sasuke! Are you okay?" she cried out, rushing to him.
Before Sasuke could answer, Naruto butted in.
"He's fine. Not gonna die."
Sasuke: "…"
Sakura: "…"
Can you not jinx it?! She had half a mind to punch Naruto.
"Sasuke, hang in there! I'll help you pull the needles out."
Though Naruto had also been hit with many needles, his Nine Tails Cloak had already forced them out, and his wounds had healed.
Sasuke nodded.
Naruto grabbed his arm and swiftly pulled out two needles. Blood gushed, but Naruto calmly pressed his other hand—coated in chakra—against the wound, stopping the bleeding.
"I can't heal, but I can at least stop the bleeding," he said.
"You good?"
Sasuke gave a small nod.
Naruto moved to the other arm.
Sakura, watching them, felt completely useless. She couldn't fight, couldn't heal—she was just a burden. If only I knew medical ninjutsu, she thought. Even if I couldn't fight, I could still help them.
Her eyes lit up.
That's it—I'll study medicine!
If she could learn to heal, she could treat Sasuke's injuries.
Her gaze flickered to Sasuke, her cheeks turning red.
"All done, Sasuke," Naruto said after removing 11 needles.
Sasuke: "…"
That hurt, damn it! Did you have to yank them like that?! If I weren't injured, I'd knock you flat.
He glared at Naruto.
Just then, Kakashi arrived. Seeing all four of them safe, he let out a breath of relief. The mission was finally wrapping up.
"Sakura, where's Menma?"
Sakura replied, "Brother Menma said he was heading back first."
Kakashi: "…"
Seriously? He comes and goes like the wind.
"Brother?" Naruto's eyes lit up.
"My brother was here?!"
Sakura nodded.
Naruto took off like a shot, yelling, "Mr. Kakashi! I'm heading back first!" He had to find his brother.
Sasuke: "…"
You're just gonna leave me like this?!
He stared at Naruto's fading silhouette, feeling abandoned.
Sigh… he's the only one I'm comfortable with in terms of physical contact. We've been together since childhood. As for Sakura—nope. And Kakashi-sensei? We barely know each other.
Guess I'll walk it off…
Sasuke gritted his teeth and tried to move forward.
"Sakura, help Sasuke," Kakashi instructed, noticing Sasuke's condition.
His words were a blessing to Sakura.
She rushed to Sasuke's side, wrapping her right arm around his waist, supporting him with her left hand, and slinging his arm over her shoulders.
Ahhhh! Sasuke's waist! Sasuke's hand!
Sakura was giddy, barely able to contain her excitement.
Sasuke: "…" ┭┮﹏┭┮
I'm being molested.
Naruto!!!
Sasuke cursed inwardly.
Meanwhile, Naruto had just reached Mr. Tazuna's house.
But as he opened the door, he heard it—
"Brother, have some water," Inari said sweetly, offering a glass.
"You're so kind, Inari," Menma replied, smiling. He took the glass with his left hand and gently patted her head with his right.
Inari's cheeks flushed a little. The moment from earlier replayed in His mind—the time Menma had saved him and his mother from those thugs.
Naruto stood at the doorway, stunned—and furious.
"You're not allowed to call him 'brother!'" he snapped at Inari. "You have to call him Brother Menma! Only I get to call him 'Brother!' Got it?!"
Inari blinked, confused.
Menma smiled and turned to Naruto. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"No, Brother," Naruto beamed, his anger instantly melting into joy. He rushed to Menma's side, eagerly recounting his battle against Haku.
As he talked, Naruto kept glancing suspiciously at Inari.
Inari: …What the heck?
(End Of Chapter)
Gimme Powerstones :)))
Also Check out my Patreon at [Patreon.com/GGFanfiction]