Using him to train these fresh-out-of-the-village brats?
Zabuza admitted they were geniuses.
But he was Momochi Zabuza.
No matter how strong these kids were, without killing intent or experience, they couldn't beat him.
So…
Zabuza eyed Naruto and Sasuke, who'd jumped from the tree, deciding it wasn't time to retreat. Capturing such monstrous talents could be traded for the target.
The assassination mission would be done.
"Sasuke, Naruto, this time, I won't step in. Show me your teamwork," Kakashi said, tossing Naruto a small vial. "Eat it."
"What's this?"
Naruto saw a small pill, curious, but swallowed it.
Then—
"Whoa!" Naruto felt his body undergo an incredible shift. His scrawny frame visibly bulked up, clothes straining, even his height shooting up.
Power Pill.
From Tsunade's pile of Level 2 cans, it boosted strength short-term with low side effects, even altering physique.
Only with this could Naruto barely team up with Sasuke.
Zabuza's…
Eye twitched hard.
What the hell?
"Special Bingryōgan?" Zabuza watched Naruto warily. "That effect's gotta wreck the body. Kakashi, is Konoha finally training real ninjas?"
"No need for your concern," Kakashi said, looking relaxed, but his exposed eye narrowed. "Momochi Zabuza, your deeds reached Konoha. Assassinating the Mizukage, plotting a coup, killing for funds to fuel your ambition, now working with scum like Kado… you're too dangerous."
This was for Sasuke and Naruto.
This enemy wasn't like the others.
Deadly.
And this—
Would be Sasuke and Naruto's first true life-or-death ninja fight.
"Good," Sasuke said, his usual calm giving way to an excited smirk, raising his sword. "Momochi Zabuza, you're perfect to hone my Qingfeng. Your blood will mark my first step toward revenge."
After yesterday's thrashing from Kakashi…
Sasuke was eager to prove himself.
And his sword.
"Heh," Zabuza chuckled coldly. "Revenge? Cute reason. Too bad, I fight for my ideals, no matter how many I kill, guilty or not. Ninjas are just cold, selfish tools."
His emotionless words rang like undeniable truth.
His eyes turned dead, brimming with icy killing intent.
For kids new to being ninjas, this view of ninja life was brutal.
Sasuke thought of that cruel man.
Cold, merciless.
As if that was a ninja's true form.
But Naruto—raged!
"Ninjas aren't like that!" he yelled, swinging his fists, charging Zabuza. "To protect comrades, the village, ninjas can be heroes!"
No technique, no defense.
Just wanting to smash that face.
With the Power Pill, his strength, speed, and reactions hit jōnin-level, but a prepared Zabuza wouldn't be caught again.
"Still just a naïve kid," Zabuza said, dodging easily, swinging his blade's flat side at Naruto's neck to knock him out.
But then…
A voice came from behind.
"You're the naïve one!"
Sasuke, moving with odd steps, had silently appeared behind him, thrusting his sword at a tricky angle.
—Trouble!
Zabuza switched moves, wrist twisting, clang, blocking the unblockable strike with his blade's handle.
But his chin took Naruto's fierce punch.
Boom!
As he'd feared, the dull impact sent him spinning three loops midair, crashing hard.
"No crit," Naruto said, disappointed.
Just the Power Pill's effect.
Finally hit the guy, but no crit.
Felt less satisfying.
"Cough…"
Zabuza stood, dizzy, spitting blood.
He seemed to get it, amazement in his brow.
"You actually synced with that brat."
This was to Sasuke.
Sasuke's strike timed perfectly with Naruto's, forcing him to adjust, splitting his focus.
"Hmph," Sasuke said, a cool smirk forming. "Naruto's combat skills are rough, full of gaps, so I sync with him. He seizes chances and tanks. Together, you've got no shot."
"…"
Silence fell, broken by Sakura's cheer.
"Amazing, Sasuke!"
Her eyes sparkled like stars.
"What?!" Naruto turned, annoyed. "I'm the one who hit him!"
In that split-second turn…
A giant blade's shadow loomed.
"Watch out!" Sasuke kicked Naruto aside, his Qingfeng blocking Zabuza's blade, gritting out, "Don't get distracted in a fight, idiot!"
"Sh-shut up!"
Naruto flushed, fists ready to charge again.
But Zabuza leaped back.
"I'll admit, you brats surprised me," he said, slinging his blade over his shoulder, glancing at Kakashi, guarding the target tightly, his voice tinged with regret.
These kids' strength exceeded expectations, and with Kakashi there, even Haku striking from hiding couldn't kill the target.
"Even if you ditch the mission, we won't let you escape," Sasuke said, raising his Qingfeng coldly. "A guy like you'd probably lurk for another shot. Surrender, or… it's a dead end."
He felt exhilarated.
Eager to drive his sword into this man.
His cans had taught him…
Swordsmanship was a path of battle, needing strong foes' blood to grow.
But Shen Mo, at a barbecue joint with Tsunade, stared at Zabuza in shock.
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