The air hung heavy with tension. The thick mist that surrounded them wasn't just fog—it was a weapon. A blinding shroud that limited vision and made every move feel like a gamble. Kakashi stood still, Sharingan spinning, trying to make sense of the swirling gray around him. He could hear the faint sound of Zabuza's steps, but the rogue ninja was already hidden, lost within the fog.
Kakashi, stay calm. He reminded himself, his breath steady but his mind sharp.
The Hidden Mist Jutsu. Kakashi had seen this technique before, but it was different now. Zabuza wasn't just trying to hide—he was toying with him.
Suddenly, a whistle through the air—a kunai shot out of the mist, cutting the space just inches from Kakashi's head. He dodged instinctively, his body twisting with fluid precision as he dropped into a low crouch. But before he could react, another shuriken followed, grazing his shoulder.
"Damn it," Kakashi muttered, pulling his kunai from his pouch.
A chuckle echoed through the mist, dark and mocking. "You're still too slow, Kakashi. Your Sharingan may see through the mist, but it won't save you from my blade."
Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu (Suigadan no Jutsu)!
Before Kakashi could fully react, a massive bubble of water formed around him, locking him inside. The water was dense, pressing in on him from all sides. It was difficult to move, and his chakra was quickly being drained by the water's pressure. His Sharingan flickered as he scanned for an escape.
"Ugh, this again?" Kakashi hissed. The same trap Zabuza had used on others. He couldn't let it happen again.
The Struggle Within
The mist was so thick now that Kakashi could barely make out his own hand in front of him. Zabuza's silhouette was barely visible in the haze, but the weight of his chakra was unmistakable.
Zabuza's cold laughter reverberated in the fog. "I don't know how you survive every battle, Kakashi. You're a smart man, but it's just a matter of time before this jutsu takes its toll."
Kakashi gritted his teeth and tightened his stance. His hands were locked against the water prison, trying to focus his chakra to break free. The coolness of the water seeped into his bones, making it hard to maintain control.
I can't let him win. Kakashi's mind raced, but his instincts told him that this wasn't over yet. He couldn't let Zabuza's psychological game work on him.
Suddenly, the sound of metal clashing broke the silence.
Clang!
Kakashi's eyes darted to his left. Through the mist, he saw a shadow moving quickly, too fast to track. The blur was Zabuza, sword raised.
Kakashi reacted in an instant, using his feet to push off the water's surface. In a single leap, he flipped out of the bubble, narrowly avoiding Zabuza's cleaving strike. The force of the water prison's release sent a rush of chakra through his body, giving him just enough leverage to escape.
Zabuza's sword swung downward, cutting through the air with deadly intent. Kakashi was forced to dodge, but this time, there was no mist to obscure his movements. He used the momentum from his jump to land gracefully on the ground, his feet sliding across the wet earth.
"You're fast. I'll give you that," Zabuza sneered, his blade gleaming in the foggy light.
But Kakashi wasn't done.
Taijutsu Breakthrough
Kakashi's hands moved quickly, forming the seals for a technique. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu (Suiro no Jutsu)!"
A massive dragon of water shot out from Kakashi's mouth, crashing into Zabuza's path, forcing the rogue ninja to leap back to avoid the torrent.
For a brief moment, there was silence. The air hung heavy again, the mist swirling with the aftermath of the jutsu. Kakashi breathed deeply, his body tensed, ready for whatever came next.
Zabuza's eyes narrowed as the mist shifted. Then he charged.
This time, Kakashi didn't use ninjutsu. Instead, he prepared for something more personal: Taijutsu.
The moment Zabuza closed the distance, Kakashi dodged his sword strike with a fluid sidestep, his hand shooting out to block the next swing. Kakashi's body moved like a well-oiled machine, his knee thrusting into Zabuza's side as he spun to the side. The force of the impact sent Zabuza staggering back.
Zabuza growled. "You dare…"
He swung again, but Kakashi was already there. A quick jab to Zabuza's midsection sent him back a few steps, his breath leaving his body.
"Taijutsu isn't just about brute force, Zabuza," Kakashi said coolly, his voice steady despite the rising adrenaline. "It's about understanding your opponent."
He closed the gap again, moving faster than Zabuza could react. Kakashi grabbed Zabuza's wrist mid-swing, twisting his arm behind him in a swift maneuver, using Zabuza's own momentum against him. With a twist of his leg, Kakashi sent Zabuza tumbling to the ground.
But Zabuza wasn't finished.
Zabuza's Retaliation
Before Kakashi could get too comfortable, Zabuza's chakra exploded, and with a ferocious roar, he kicked off the ground, his sword rising in a brutal slash. Kakashi dodged just in time, but Zabuza was relentless, his strikes coming faster and harder.
In the midst of the furious battle, Kakashi's Sharingan burned bright, reading every move, every feint, and every slight shift in Zabuza's stance. He blocked, countered, and attacked, using his Taijutsu to keep Zabuza off balance.
Zabuza's sword swung down again, but this time Kakashi spun beneath it, landing a clean punch to his opponent's gut. The impact made Zabuza cough, but he grinned.
"This is the fight I've been waiting for, Kakashi." Zabuza smirked. "I can feel it. We're just getting started."
But Kakashi wasn't slowing down. His breath was steady, his movements precise. He wasn't just using his Sharingan to copy techniques—he was using it to feel the rhythm of the fight, anticipating every strike, every move.
The battle was only beginning, but Kakashi knew that Zabuza was pushing him to his limit. This wouldn't be easy, but he would never let his guard down.