The mist hung thick around them, a heavy fog that threatened to swallow them whole. The air was thick with tension, and the sound of battle crackled in the space between the two sides. Kakashi stood tall now, his eyes fixed on Zabuza, the rogue ninja still poised for the next strike. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, his body still aching from the moments trapped in the Water Prison, but now, he had a window of opportunity.
The initial chaos had subsided, and Naruto and Sasuke stood behind him, catching their breath but ready for anything. They were still relatively new to this kind of mission, but seeing their resolve, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. They had just proven themselves capable of stepping in when the situation got desperate.
But now, it was Kakashi's turn to lead.
"Naruto, Sasuke," Kakashi said in a calm voice, "stay back for now. I'll handle this."
Zabuza's eyes flickered as he watched Kakashi. "You're still alive, huh? I thought that Water Prison would be enough to finish you off, but it seems you're more resilient than I expected. No matter, though." He raised his sword again, readying himself. "It'll just make breaking you more satisfying."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable behind his mask. "You're not the only one who's been underestimated," he muttered, then flicked a glance back at Naruto and Sasuke. "Trust me."
With that, Kakashi took a step forward, his chakra flaring. His Sharingan spun to life, and he shifted into a fighting stance, preparing for the final confrontation. Zabuza's smug grin never faltered, but the air between them grew charged with the impending clash.
The Tide Turns
Zabuza lunged, his sword cutting through the mist with terrifying precision. Kakashi reacted instantly, sidestepping the strike and dodging just enough to avoid being cut down. The blade missed, but the force of the swing created a gust of wind that nearly knocked him off balance.
Kakashi planted his feet firmly on the ground, his Sharingan tracking Zabuza's movements. He knew he couldn't afford to make a mistake now. Every time Zabuza swung that massive sword, the power behind it was enough to split stone. Kakashi's only advantage lay in his speed and precision.
With a swift motion, Kakashi darted forward, closing the distance between them. Zabuza's sword came down, but Kakashi was already gone, his body vanishing in a blur of speed. Before Zabuza could react, Kakashi reappeared directly behind him, striking with his kunai aimed at Zabuza's back.
Zabuza turned just in time to deflect the strike, his sword colliding with Kakashi's kunai. The clang of metal ringing in the air echoed throughout the fog, but Kakashi was already moving again. He used the force of their collision to push off, flipping backward into the mist to regain his footing.
Zabuza grinned. "You're fast, but you can't keep dodging forever. You'll slip up eventually."
Kakashi remained silent, keeping his eyes locked on Zabuza, never letting his guard down. He could see it now, the faint openings in Zabuza's strikes—small, subtle gaps that hadn't been there before. Kakashi had been holding back, conserving energy, but now, with the momentum shifting, it was time to push forward.
He raised his hand, forming a quick set of seals.
"Chidori!" Kakashi's voice rang out as lightning crackled to life in his palm. The air seemed to warp as the crackling energy intensified, and with a burst of speed, Kakashi charged forward, aiming the lightning-charged attack directly at Zabuza.
Zabuza's eyes widened for just a fraction of a second, but that was enough. He moved to intercept with his sword, but Kakashi was already too fast. In the blink of an eye, Kakashi closed the gap, and the Chidori struck.
CRACK!
The sound of the Chidori piercing through the air was deafening, and Zabuza staggered back, his sword trembling in his hands as he tried to regain his balance. The Chidori had made a direct hit, the lightning energy sending shockwaves through his body. Zabuza barely managed to stay on his feet, but his breath was ragged, and his confidence seemed to waver for the first time.
"Impressive," Zabuza grunted, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "But it's still not enough to—"
Before he could finish, Kakashi was already on the move again. His speed was overwhelming, and he struck with a series of rapid, precise blows aimed at Zabuza's vital points. Zabuza barely managed to block and parry, his sword movements becoming more frantic, his focus split between defending and trying to land a counterstrike.
Kakashi danced around him like a shadow, the Sharingan tracking every shift in Zabuza's stance, every twitch of his muscles. Zabuza's attempts to retaliate were growing weaker, his exhaustion evident. Kakashi could see it—Zabuza was running out of steam.
A Final Blow
Kakashi knew this fight was nearing its end. Zabuza was strong, but he wasn't invincible. Kakashi could feel his chakra reserves slowly depleting, but he also knew that the end was in sight. He couldn't afford to hesitate now.
He reached for a kunai on his belt, slipping it into his hand with the practiced ease of a seasoned ninja. As Zabuza prepared to strike again, Kakashi took a deep breath, using the brief moment of pause to focus.
"Let's end this."
In a flash, Kakashi disappeared from Zabuza's sight, reappearing behind him with terrifying speed. Before Zabuza could react, Kakashi thrust the kunai into the side of Zabuza's sword arm, forcing the rogue ninja's weapon out of his grip. The force of the blow left Zabuza staggered and open to attack.
This time, Kakashi didn't give him a chance to recover.
"Lightning Blade!" Kakashi shouted, his body surging with chakra as he thrust his Chidori once more—this time, straight at Zabuza's chest.
Zabuza's eyes widened in disbelief as the Chidori connected, the lightning surging through him and causing his body to convulse. The rogue ninja let out a strangled cry as the electrical energy wracked his body, forcing him to the ground. His sword fell from his grasp, clattering to the wet earth.
Kakashi stood over him, breathing heavily but unwavering. "It's over, Zabuza."
Zabuza, barely conscious, looked up at Kakashi with a grimace. "You've... won... for now."
Kakashi nodded, wiping his brow as the mist began to thin. "You're strong, but your time is up. I'm not done yet. Not by a long shot."
Zabuza fell silent, his body slumping to the ground as the battle came to an end.