"Take this!!"

Naruto roared as he drove the spinning chakra sphere hard into Zabuza's abdomen.

Boom!

The Rasengan exploded with terrifying force, blasting out a violent shockwave. Dust and rocks tore up from the ground, leaves were ripped into the air, and nearby tree trunks groaned and creaked under the pressure.

At the center of the raging blast, Zabuza's chest took the full brunt of the Rasengan. He only managed a muffled grunt before his body was hurled away, sent flying like a broken kite into the depths of the forest.

No one could tell how far he was flung.

Silence fell.

Kakashi slowly lowered his right hand, which had been half-raised to his forehead. He had been ready to uncover his Sharingan and enter the battle himself, but instead, he let out a quiet chuckle.

It seemed there was no need for the teacher to intervene this time.

Naruto landed and stayed frozen in his stance, staring at the fading chakra remnants dissipating from his palm. His mind went blank.

So this is... the power of the Rasengan.

Even as the one who unleashed it, the overwhelming destructive force made his heart tremble.

Several seconds passed before Naruto snapped back to himself.

He looked at his hands, then toward the direction Zabuza had vanished, and suddenly burst into laughter.

"Success! I did it!!"

An uncontrollable thrill erupted from his chest. Naruto leapt into the air with joy, spinning around before darting straight up to Sasuke.

Hands on his hips, chin tilted up, he laughed proudly. "See that, Sasuke? This is my secret technique! Way stronger than your Sharingan, hahahaha!"

Sasuke had already released the genjutsu. He leaned back against a tree, breathing heavily, his body drained.

He raised his eyes at Naruto's smug face, ready to fire back with a sarcastic jab. But before he could speak, dizziness hit him like a wave.

His vision darkened. His knees buckled. And then he collapsed to the ground.

"Sasuke!!"

Sakura had been watching anxiously the whole time. She screamed and rushed forward, catching Sasuke's limp body before it hit the earth.

"Sensei Kakashi, please! Come check Sasuke!" she cried, half-supporting him with panic in her voice.

Kakashi appeared beside them in an instant. He gently took Sasuke, laid him flat, and checked his pulse and pupils carefully.

After a moment, he exhaled in relief. Turning to Sakura with a faint smile, he reassured her, "Don't worry. He just used up too much chakra. His body is exhausted, that's all. He only needs to rest."

Hearing this, Sakura finally let out a long breath, her fear easing. Cold sweat trickled down her face as she sank to her knees beside Sasuke, still trembling.

Naruto glanced over at Sasuke, lying unconscious and pale, and his expression grew complicated.

This guy, who just moments ago had been so arrogant, now looked fragile and weak, his eyes closed, his body limp.

Naruto scratched the back of his head, muttering suspiciously, "Hey... is Sasuke faking it?"

Damn it!

This was supposed to be his moment to shine!

But Sasuke had been smug before, and now he was stealing sympathy by looking pitiful?

Too much!

Naruto grumbled to himself, pouting as he muttered, "Hmph, you really know how to steal the spotlight..."

"What was that?" Sakura turned her head, glaring at him with sharp eyes.

Naruto flailed his hands in panic. "N-no, nothing!"

Before he could finish, a sharp smack landed on his forehead.

Kakashi had seen right through his thoughts. He rapped Naruto on the head and scolded sternly, "If it weren't for Sasuke's Sharingan illusion holding the enemy in place, do you really think that reckless charge of yours could have hit a jonin? Without Sasuke's help, you would've been in grave danger. Don't be so careless next time. Don't drag everyone down."

"Ah?!"

Naruto clutched his forehead, his lips curling in protest. "But I clearly..."

The words trailed off. Deep down, he knew he had no way to refute them.

His shoulders slumped, and he muttered gloomily, "...I get it."

Though still unconvinced, he understood Kakashi was right. He swallowed the frustration and quietly vowed to work harder, so he could stand on equal ground and reclaim his pride in the future.

Seeing Naruto back down, Kakashi gave a small nod of approval.

Still, his gaze drifted to the shattered marks of the Rasengan nearby, his heart far from at ease.

Though Naruto and Sasuke's combined assault had ended the clash in an unexpected way, Kakashi knew the truth. That man was no ordinary opponent.

He had recognized the massive blade instantly the Executioner's Blade. And with it, there was no doubt the enemy was the infamous "Demon of the Hidden Mist," Momochi Zabuza.

A man like that wasn't supposed to fall so easily.

Kakashi's mind stayed sharp, wary of a sudden counterattack.

But aside from the whisper of the wind, the forest remained silent.

Zabuza seemed to have vanished completely, leaving no trace.

Could it be... was he already ?

Kakashi frowned. His thoughts turned briefly to Naruto. Could his Rasengan really have taken down even Zabuza...?

Just then, Dazna's trembling voice broke the silence. "That... that guy who flew off... is he dead?"

Kakashi stayed quiet for a moment, then shook his head. "Hard to say. But at the very least, he won't be fighting again anytime soon."

His voice hardened as he raised it. "Everyone, don't let your guard down! There could still be an ambush. We move out quickly, then regroup later."

"Right!"

They answered in unison. Under Sakura's prodding, Naruto reluctantly crouched down and hoisted the unconscious Sasuke onto his back.

The team hastened their pace, leaving the battlefield behind as quickly as possible.

…

Zabuza had no idea how long he had been unconscious.

Slowly, he regained awareness.

Not yet fully lucid, he gasped as a surge of pain flooded through his body like a crashing tide.

A low groan escaped his lips.

It felt as if multiple bones had been shattered. Even the slightest movement sent agony lancing through him, beads of sweat breaking out across his forehead.

Then, a voice reached him anxious, but filled with relief.

"Mr. Zabuza, you're finally awake!"

The tone carried an uncontrollable joy.

Zabuza shifted his eyes with effort. He found himself lying in a small, simple wooden hut, his body wrapped head to toe in bandages.

Beside the bed sat a beautiful young boy, his eyes red and swollen from crying. The moment Zabuza looked his way, the youth leaned closer in concern.

"Mr. Zabuza, how are you feeling? Are you in pain?"

Zabuza let out a bitter, rasping laugh. His voice was hoarse. "So... this is our hideout? Bai... I really took a heavy loss this time."

A flash of regret and frustration flickered in his eyes. "Tell me... how bad is the damage?"

The boy by his side was his devoted follower Haku.

At the question, Haku quickly wiped at his eyes, his voice trembling. "You've got more than thirty fractures... That Rasengan sent you flying hundreds of meters. The impact alone nearly tore you apart."

Zabuza shut his eyes, letting out a long, rough exhale. He forced a strained whisper through clenched teeth.

"What a terrifying ninjutsu..."

The memory of that last moment replayed in his mind a brat with messy blond hair driving a sphere of pure destruction into his chest.

That kid...

Haku's expression shifted instantly, anger and guilt burning in his eyes. "Damn it! For them to hurt you like this... Mr. Zabuza, don't worry. I'll make them pay."

"No."

Surprisingly, Zabuza lifted a bandaged hand, signaling him to calm down.

He fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "Bai... we're giving up on this mission."

"What?!"

Haku's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Give it up...?" His voice rose, trembling. "Mr. Zabuza, you've never given up before! For the sake of power and resources, haven't we even braved things far more dangerous than this..."

He trailed off, unable to continue.

Still, the shock in his gaze was impossible to hide.

In his heart, Zabuza had always been an iron-blooded man, ruthless and unyielding, never stopping short of his goal. The word "give up" had never once left his lips.

But this time, Zabuza gave no immediate answer. His eyes darkened, drifting toward the broken eaves of the hut as if staring through them, lost in thought.

"Bai... have kids these days really become so terrifying?"

Haku froze, staring at him in confusion.

Zabuza's mind replayed the moment before he lost consciousness.

The instant they clashed, that black-haired boy's Sharingan had locked onto him, dragging him into an illusion and binding him in place.

And just as he broke free, before he could even counterattack, another blond brat's strange ninjutsu had slammed straight into him...

If luck hadn't been on his side, he would've died on the spot.

Zabuza shook his head, his expression complicated.

Those two kids had worked together seamlessly.

One locked him down with genjutsu, the other followed immediately with a devastating strike.

That kind of coordination was something most shinobi couldn't achieve even after years of fighting together.

The brats of Konoha are truly frightening...

Lying on the crude bed, Zabuza fixed his gaze on the ceiling. His voice was low, but resolute.

"Bai, listen carefully. This mission is over. We pack up and retreat immediately."

"But your body hasn't even recovered..." Haku's voice wavered as he tried to protest.

"I don't care!" Zabuza snapped, forcing himself upright. His face turned ashen with pain, but his eyes burned with determination. "If we stay here any longer, we'll lose our lives. Don't forget their leader is the Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi. You've already seen how frightening his students are. How much stronger do you think their teacher must be?"

Even as he said it, a flicker of fear passed through his eyes.

If just two children could push him to this state... what would happen if Kakashi himself got serious?

Haku bit his lip, stunned into silence by Zabuza's words.

At last, he clenched his teeth and nodded. "...I understand. I'll get things ready."

Zabuza gave a slight nod. He reached out to steady himself against Haku's shoulders, trying to stand. But the movement tore at his wounds, forcing a sharp hiss of pain from his throat.

Haku quickly rushed forward to support him, half-carrying his battered frame.

Ignoring the agony, Zabuza leaned against him heavily, staggering step by step as the two of them left the shack together.

....

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