Kakashi vs. Zabuza – The Battle on the Great Naruto Bridge
Seeing the kunai embedded in his stomach, Momochi Zabuza's eyes widened in disbelief. It was as if he couldn't accept that he had been struck down so easily.
"Kakashi-sensei!!"
"Alright! Sensei won!"
Just as Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura thought the battle was over, Zabuza's form wavered. Water began to drip from his body before it completely dissolved into a puddle.
"A Water Clone!?"
Realizing the deception, Sasuke immediately tensed, his Sharingan scanning the battlefield. But before he could warn Kakashi, Naruto's panicked voice rang out:
"Kakashi-sensei, behind you!!"
Kakashi reacted instantly, but it was too late. A short blade slashed cleanly through his neck.
"Kakashi-sensei!!!"
Naruto's scream echoed, his eyes wide in horror. But then—Kakashi's body, too, splashed into a pool of water.
"Another Water Clone?"
Zabuza's eyes narrowed. He hadn't noticed when Kakashi managed to create a clone. But before he could process it, he felt cold steel pressing against his neck.
Kakashi was behind him, a kunai poised at his throat.
"It's over. Don't move," Kakashi stated, his voice calm and unwavering.
But rather than concede, Zabuza chuckled.
"Hah… So, you even copied my Water Clone Jutsu, huh?"
His voice dripped with amusement.
"Let me guess… It must've been when you were lecturing your students, right? That's when you secretly copied my technique. Then, while your clone kept me occupied, you waited for the right moment to strike."
Zabuza smirked.
"As expected of you, Copy Ninja Kakashi. But copying me… won't be enough to defeat me!"
Suddenly, the Zabuza under Kakashi's grip rippled—then collapsed into water.
"What!? That was a clone too!?"
Kakashi's instincts flared, but before he could react, Zabuza appeared behind him.
With a vicious kick to the stomach, Kakashi was sent flying backward, crashing onto the bridge.
"Guh—!"
The battle was far from over.
Kakashi, who was sent flying by Zabuza's powerful kick, crashed into the lake, causing a large splash. Without hesitation, Momochi Zabuza followed, diving into the water with precision.
Moments later, Kakashi surfaced, taking a sharp breath. As he prepared to swim back to shore, his expression suddenly darkened. Something felt off.
"Strange... why does the water feel so heavy? Wait—!!"
His instincts screamed danger, but before he could react, a massive sphere of water surrounded him. Zabuza stood outside the sphere, his arm fully extended into the jutsu, sealing Kakashi inside.
"The Water Prison Jutsu!"
Zabuza smirked. "Kakashi, you're not going anywhere. You'll stay in this water prison while I deal with your students."
With his free hand, Zabuza quickly formed another set of hand seals. A Water Clone emerged from the lake and effortlessly walked across the water toward the shore.
Trapped inside the Water Prison, Kakashi struggled but found himself unable to break free. He clenched his teeth and shouted, "Run! Get Tazuna out of here! His water clone has a limited range—if you escape into the forest, it will disappear!"
However, on the shore, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood frozen. The sheer killing intent radiating from Zabuza's clone left them paralyzed with fear.
In situations like this, people either succumb to fear or find the courage to act. As expected, Naruto was the first to snap. His frustration boiled over, and he charged straight at Zabuza's clone.
"Hah! You think just wearing a forehead protector makes you a ninja?" Zabuza sneered. "A real ninja is forged in the midst of battle. A weakling like you is nothing but a brat playing dress-up."
With a swift motion, Zabuza kicked Naruto square in the chest, sending him tumbling backward. Naruto's forehead protector flew off and clattered onto the ground. Zabuza stepped on it dismissively, not even bothering to glance down.
Watching Naruto struggle, Sasuke's fear twisted into frustration. His pride as an Uchiha wouldn't allow him to cower any longer. Gritting his teeth, he let out a sharp battle cry and lunged forward.
"Ughh!!!"
Sasuke dashed toward Zabuza's clone, feinting at the last second and leaping high into the air.
"Die!!!"
Zabuza merely chuckled at the predictable move. With inhuman reflexes, he reached up and caught Sasuke by the throat mid-air, lifting him effortlessly.
"Tch. You're not even worth remembering."
With a flick of his wrist, Zabuza hurled Sasuke aside. He hit the ground hard, rolling several times before coming to a stop.
Sasuke groaned, struggling to push himself up. His earlier bravado had vanished, replaced by the bitter realization of just how outmatched he was. He could do nothing but tremble as Zabuza's clone advanced.