The mist, thick as ever, clung to the battlefield like a living thing. Zabuza and Kakashi were locked in an intense struggle, exchanging blows that shook the very earth beneath them. The fight had escalated from a test of wits to a true clash of power. They were no longer just throwing techniques at each other—they were reading one another's every move, each strike and counterstrike a battle of survival.
Kakashi's body moved with precision, his Sharingan reading Zabuza's movements just milliseconds before they happened. His Taijutsu was fluid, every punch and kick landing with a force that forced Zabuza to retreat, but the rogue ninja wasn't done yet. He wasn't the Demon of the Mist for nothing.
Zabuza's grin never wavered. He gripped his sword tighter and lunged forward, his massive blade slicing through the air with terrifying speed. Kakashi barely managed to dodge, twisting his body just enough to avoid the slash. The sword cleaved through the air like a hot knife through butter, narrowly missing Kakashi's side.
"Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu (Suiton: Suigokurō no Jutsu)!" Zabuza bellowed, thrusting his hand forward.
A massive shark made entirely of water shot out of Zabuza's hand, its form massive and menacing, bearing down on Kakashi with terrifying speed. Kakashi jumped into the air, narrowly avoiding the shark's razor-sharp teeth as it passed beneath him. The shark splashed violently against the rocks, leaving a deep crater in the ground.
But Zabuza was relentless.
Before Kakashi could land, Zabuza appeared beneath him, swinging his sword upward in a deadly arc.
"Damn it!" Kakashi thought, his heart pounding. He twisted his body midair, using his hands to block the sword with his kunai. The impact sent a shockwave through his arms, but Kakashi was already flipping backward, landing on his feet and skidding across the wet ground.
"You're good, Kakashi," Zabuza called out, his voice tinged with admiration and something darker. "But you won't be able to dodge forever."
Kakashi's breath came in steady puffs, his mind calculating. He had to break this stalemate. I can't keep dodging forever. He's too strong, too fast. I need to find an opening.
Suddenly, Kakashi's eye flicked toward the distant trees—just for a moment, but it was enough. The trees in the distance swayed unnaturally. He knew it was the mist making things difficult, but it wasn't just the mist that was affecting the battlefield.
Zabuza's strategy isn't just about overwhelming me with power. He's trying to wear me down, use my chakra against me. He's trying to tire me out…
Kakashi tightened his grip on his kunai. He couldn't let that happen. Not now.
The Turning Point
Kakashi took a step forward, his Sharingan blazing with new intensity. Zabuza noticed the change in his stance. The air between them seemed to crackle with anticipation.
"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" Zabuza shouted again, his hands moving through seals with lethal precision. The mist thickened, and Kakashi's vision grew even more obscured.
But Kakashi was ready. His Sharingan flared to life, blazing crimson as he honed in on the sounds of Zabuza's footsteps. The mist no longer affected him the way it had before. He could feel the chakra around him, feel the vibrations of movement in the air. Zabuza was closing in—he had to act fast.
He dropped to the ground, rolling to the side to avoid the incoming attack, and as he did, he launched a series of kunai into the mist, aiming toward where he felt Zabuza's chakra was. The kunai whistled through the air, embedding themselves in the trees, but Zabuza was fast—he blocked them with a swift slash of his sword.
Before Zabuza could regain his footing, Kakashi was already on the move, his body moving with the fluidity of a trained shinobi. He closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds. As Zabuza swung his blade down, Kakashi ducked and delivered a powerful punch to his opponent's stomach, sending him staggering back.
"You really think you can match me in close combat?" Zabuza growled, his eyes flashing with fury. He steadied himself, his sword held high.
But Kakashi wasn't finished. He followed up with a brutal spinning kick, aimed directly at Zabuza's head. Zabuza blocked with his sword, but the force of the blow pushed him back a few steps. Kakashi's foot came down, and with a swift movement, he grabbed Zabuza's wrist, twisting his arm behind his back and slamming him to the ground.
Before Zabuza could recover, Kakashi was on him, his knee pressing into his back as he held him down. "You're good, Zabuza, but I'm not finished either."
Zabuza's Retaliation
Zabuza's lip curled into a snarl, his eyes flashing with anger and resolve. He wasn't going to let this fight end so easily. With a burst of chakra, he forced Kakashi off, sending him sliding backward. The water began to churn beneath them, swirling with a new, ominous energy.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu (Suiryū no Jutsu)!" Zabuza shouted, his hands moving through the seals with precision.
A massive dragon of water shot toward Kakashi, its jaws wide and teeth sharp. Kakashi's Sharingan locked onto the dragon's every move, calculating his escape route. He jumped to the side just as the water dragon collided with the ground, sending waves of water crashing in every direction.
Kakashi's mind was racing. He couldn't keep up with Zabuza's jutsu and his speed. He had to do something to turn the tide.
With a deep breath, Kakashi focused. I need to push my limits. He formed the seals quickly, not giving Zabuza a moment's rest.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu (Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu)!"
A massive fireball shot from Kakashi's mouth, blazing through the mist and crashing into the water dragon. The explosion sent a wave of steam billowing out, clouding the battlefield further. For a moment, the air was thick with mist and steam, masking their positions.
Kakashi's eyes darted through the haze. Now!