A few days later, the group arrived at the Land of Waves through the underground waterway.They saw uniquely styled houses neatly arranged on the water, with tall aquatic plants scattered among them. The clear view gave off a peaceful and calming feeling.
"This is amazing," Naruto said excitedly, seeing everything for the first time after leaving the village.
"Yeah, it's beautiful," Haruto took a deep breath, inhaling the sea breeze mixed with fresh plant scents. "Feels like a place to retire."
Sasuke's face relaxed. "So this is the Land of Waves? It's really different from Konoha."
"Thanks for escorting me home," Tazuna said awkwardly. "My house is just over there."
As they walked, Murasame in Haruto's arms suddenly vibrated violently. Haruto's relaxed state vanished. He glanced at a black shadow and shouted, "Get down!"
At the same time, he pushed Tazuna to the ground. A loud "chi" sound rang out as a large blade sliced halfway into a big tree. A moment later, a figure appeared standing on the blade.
"Oh, it's Momochi Zabuza, the rogue ninja of the Hidden Mist," Kakashi said, stopping Naruto from rushing in. "Don't move. Protect the client. This opponent is too dangerous for you."He lifted his forehead protector, revealing the Sharingan.
Zabuza smirked in his gloomy tone. "Unlucky that I ran into Sharingan Kakashi. Hand over the old man."
Sasuke's expression changed upon seeing Kakashi's Sharingan.
"Form the swastika formation and protect Mr. Tazuna. Leave the rest to me," Kakashi instructed, eyes fixed on Zabuza.
Haruto had intended to stay back and observe, but sword in his arms shook harder. He tightened his grip, sensing his sword emotion."You want to fight?" he whispered, drawing Murasame. A single droplet of water ran along the blade. His sword's desire trembled clearly.
Though Haruto trained daily in the dungeon using his sword, the one in the dungeon was just a projection. This sword had never fought in the real world.
Haruto hesitated.He had fought Zabuza in the dungeon several times. With his growing strength, while still below Chunin in stats, his movements had reached Chunin level—especially after using the Hatake clan's lightning-based body enhancement technique, temporarily boosting his agility to Jōnin level.
Even though Haruto lacked strength in close combat, Murasame's sharpness evened the gap. Zabuza's silent killing technique was especially ineffective, since once he got within three steps, Murasame could sense his killing intent, allowing Haruto to counter.
In pure close combat, Haruto could beat Zabuza if he used the Eight Gates. But in the dungeon, Zabuza always avoided when Haruto activated it, preventing him from going all out. Thinking this, Haruto made his decision.
"If he uses ninjutsu, Kakashi can handle it," Haruto said. "But let me fight him in close combat."
"Kakashi, let me handle this battle," Haruto said as he stepped forward.
"That's a rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist, Momochi Zabuza. This isn't your usual training. Only I can deal with him," Kakashi said, placing a hand on Haruto's shoulder. "You're a genius, Haruto, but you're still too far from him. Go protect the client with Naruto and Sasuke. Don't be reckless."
Zabuza on the opposite side burst out laughing after hearing that Haruto wanted to challenge him."A kid is a kid. Do you even know what a ninja is? Only those who've killed countless times and survived many battles deserve that title. Brats like you don't qualify."
He looked at the group grimly. "By your age, my hands were already soaked in blood."
Kakashi couldn't help but sweat. "Demon."
"Back then, the toughest part of graduating from the Hidden Mist—also called the Bloody Mist Village—was killing your own companions. Ten years ago, during one exam, a single academy kid killed over a hundred others. That's when the name 'Demon' was born."
Naruto and Sasuke swallowed hard, clearly shaken.
"So, do you still want to challenge me, kid?" Zabuza asked, releasing a wave of killing intent. Naruto and Sasuke were frozen in fear.
But the more Haruto thought, the more confident he became. No matter how strong Zabuza was, his silent killing technique was directly countered by Haruto. Kakashi could handle the ninjutsu—this was a perfect chance, with Kakashi as backup.
In the ninja world, strength alone doesn't guarantee victory. Shikamaru, a genius strategist was still just a Chunin when killed Hidan in the battle. Jiraiya's intel allowed Naruto to stand a chance against Pain. Even the Third Raikage, who was said to be unbeatable, was eventually brought down after his weakness was found.
Haruto felt Murasame's desire—its pain from decades away from battle. It was born to fight.
"Mr. Kakashi, please trust me just this once. I don't want to disappoint Murasame."
"Haruto, you..." Kakashi wanted to stop him, but remembered the Third Hokage's orders to train Haruto, and that Haruto had already learned the Eight Gates. He decided to observe. "Be careful. I still have that technique ready if needed... though I'm not skilled with it yet."
"Understood." Haruto nodded and stepped forward.
"Hahaha! Sending a kid to die—this is Konoha's style? Let me teach you—being a ninja isn't child's play." Zabuza charged forward with his executioner's blade.
Haruto stood still. When Zabuza got close, Haruto unleashed the true killing move from the White Fang sword style.
A flash of white light. Zabuza hurriedly retreated, but a shallow cut appeared on his chest.
The sword-draw technique is basic, known to nearly all swordsmen. It's easy to learn but hard to master.
The wound was light, but Zabuza felt very angry because he was hurt by a kid he didn't even take seriously—and that the wound was real—left him with a feeling of unease.
"Looks like I've been out of battle for too long. My reactions are dull. Even a lion should go all out against a rabbit. I never forget that."
Zabuza's once-arrogant eyes turned calm. "Next, I'll be serious, kid."
With a loud clash, Haruto's Murasame collided with Zabuza's Executioner's Blade. Although chakra-enhanced Murasame was extremely sharp, the Executioner's Blade was no ordinary weapon. With chakra infused in it as well, Haruto could only leave a small chip. But even that tiny mark made Zabuza's pupils shrink.
"What a sharp sword... what an impressive brat," Zabuza said in his gloomy tone. But then his expression turned cold. "It's a shame—you're still just a kid. Not enough to count."
Zabuza suddenly pushed forward and knocked Haruto back several steps.
Haruto rubbed his chest, which felt a bit tight. The physical gap was hard to ignore. Still—he felt something off. Zabuza didn't seem as strong as the one in the dungeon.
To test his theory, Haruto rushed in again. As expected, he was knocked back once more, this time with pain in his chest. Yet he smiled. It was true—dungeon enemies were stronger than the real thing. If the real Zabuza was weaker, then his chances of winning increased.
What Haruto didn't know was that the Zabuza in the system was at peak condition. The current Zabuza, having been on the run from the Mist Village for years, had accumulated hidden injuries. Though the drop in strength was small, in ninja combat that made a big difference—especially with Kakashi quietly watching nearby. Zabuza couldn't be sure Kakashi wouldn't act, which split his focus.
Haruto had thought he'd need to use the Eight Gates, but now it seemed unnecessary. With that realization, he let go and committed fully to the fight.
Murasame flashed silver and spun like a windmill in Haruto's hands, forming a white blur from afar. This was a move Haruto had developed himself—applying clone technique principles to Murasame to create afterimages, confusing the opponent.
Zabuza, unlike the emotionless dungeon version, couldn't keep calm. The Executioner's Blade was also less agile than Murasame , and gradually Zabuza found himself at a disadvantage.
Suddenly, Haruto felt a sharp pain in his body. He realized the electric current technique to stimulate his body could no longer be used—his level wasn't high enough. He decided not to risk the Eight Gates, especially since even that might not guarantee a win, and Zabuza had yet to show any major weakness.
Haruto decided to make one final push, then retreat. That would be enough.
But Zabuza was also feeling the pressure from Haruto's swordplay. Seeing Haruto still had energy left, he rushed an attack in frustration—and Haruto slashed his arm.
Zabuza quickly backed out of his attack range.
He was briefly confused at Zabuza's sudden mistake—but then his voice came from within the mist.
"I admit—you're one of the most talented little devils I've ever seen. To push me this far at your age... You deserve to be called a ninja."
"Next, I'll use my famous technique—Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
A moment later, a thick fog rolled in, and he disappeared into the mist.
"Eight points," Zabuza whispered. "Throat, spine, lungs, liver, carotid and subclavian arteries, kidneys, heart..."