“Good morning, everyone!”
Everyone was stunned when that familiar boyish voice spread through the air, including elite Jonin like Zabuza and Kakashi.
Bam!
At the same time, the spot where Yukigetsu had been lying dissolved into white mist, with countless senbon clattering to the ground, reflecting eerie glints that stung Haku’s eyes. Supporting himself on the ground, Haku stood up slowly, his somewhat androgynous voice filled with disbelief, “This is impossible… If you used the Shadow Clone Jutsu during the fight, there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed!”
Kakashi and Zabuza had already separated, both recalling the entire battle process, but they couldn’t even pinpoint when Yukigetsu could have created a shadow clone and hidden his real body. It seemed there hadn’t been any such opportunity.
Sakura quietly wiped her face, rubbing her eyes again. Her cheeks reddened slightly—so the guy was fine after all. She had been so upset and showed such a pitiful display, it was really… really embarrassing…
“Hey, stop wiping, I saw everything clearly before.” Yukigetsu teased, leaning in close to her ear.
Sakura’s lips trembled. This guy was teasing her, and it was all his fault to begin with. How annoying…
The more she thought about it, the angrier and more wronged she felt. She stopped wiping her face and turned around, biting Yukigetsu on the shoulder with a loud “chomp!”
“Ah!”
Caught off guard, Yukigetsu yelped, “Hey, why are you biting me?”
“Hmph!”
Sakura pouted and finally let go, pretending to be serious. The guy was a pretender, screaming so loudly despite not using force.
But… he’s still alive… that’s really good…
She quietly wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. It made her feel particularly safe.
Yukigetsu’s mouth twitched, especially after seeing Kakashi subtly give him a thumbs-up. He sighed internally, thinking it over. Seeing as the girl was genuinely worried and sad for him earlier, he would let her have her way this time…
He gently held her waist with one arm, soothingly stroking her soft pink hair with the other, while his eyes focused on the disheveled Haku. “Using half my chakra to test your ultimate move, I think it was worth it.”
“When exactly did you use the Shadow Clone Jutsu?” Haku asked, still adjusting his clothes and unwilling to let the question go.
Yukigetsu’s smile widened. “At the very beginning.”
Everyone was momentarily stunned.
Kakashi slapped his forehead a moment later, suddenly realizing why something had fallen off. It was because Yukigetsu had seemed too weak today. With his strength, how could he have struggled against Haku and been forced into using the Secret Technique: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death?
Zabuza’s face darkened instantly. This kid had only used a shadow clone with half his chakra to fight Haku to such an extent. How strong was his real body?
Haku, however, didn’t seem disheartened. Instead, he chuckled lightly, “You really are impressive. Even with only half your chakra, your shadow clone was this strong. I suppose you’ve modified it specially?”
Yukigetsu nodded, “I did improve the Shadow Clone Jutsu a bit to enhance its durability, fixing the previous flaw where it would disappear with just one hit.”
With the knowledge of the origins and creation of all ninjutsu over a thousand years, combined with his own considerable talent, improving the Shadow Clone Jutsu was within his capabilities.
“You are the strongest young ninja I’ve ever encountered, but…” Haku remained confident despite seeming at a disadvantage. “Although I can only use the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals once more, it seems you have only half your chakra left. You don’t have a good way to counter my secret technique. Even breaking one ice mirror exhausted all the chakra in your clone. How many more can you break with your remaining chakra?”
His words didn’t faze Yukigetsu. Instead, he smiled and shook his head. “But I won’t get trapped by your technique again. As long as I’m not within your secret technique’s range, my speed is much faster than yours.”
Haku chuckled, “That might not be the case!”
Just as Yukigetsu felt puzzled, Zabuza spoke up. “Let’s begin our fight as well… There’s something I’ve been wanting to say to you for a long time, something you said to me before.”
Kakashi, alert and puzzled, asked, “What is it?”
“Don’t use the same jutsu against me twice!” Zabuza coldly replied. “I’ve seen through your boring eye tricks!”
“Don’t think for a second that I was just a fool being played in our last fight. Haku saw everything clearly from the forest.” Zabuza boasted, “Haku is smart. He can figure out a counter to any jutsu he sees ten times out of nine.”
“Hidden Mist Jutsu!”
The same thick mist spread out again, hiding Zabuza from view.
Yukigetsu gently patted Sakura’s back, signaling her to move away. “Protect Tazuna!”
The girl obediently nodded, stepping in front of Tazuna and clenching her fists, determined not to be a burden and to do her part.
Yukigetsu moved a few steps away from them, frowning. This mist was too thick. Even Zabuza himself wouldn’t be able to see through it…
Clang!
From the depths of the mist came the sound of a kunai clashing with Zabuza’s Executioner’s Blade, accompanied by Zabuza’s voice, “You managed to dodge, Kakashi. But next time we meet, it’ll be over… You’re overestimating the Sharingan!”
Everyone felt a chill. Did Zabuza find a way to counter the Sharingan?
“First, I’ll use the mist to hide and block the Sharingan’s sight. Then, I’ll close my eyes so you can’t influence me in close combat.”
Kakashi was taken aback, “How? You shouldn’t be able to see either…”
Zabuza sneered, “Don’t you remember?”
“What?” Kakashi’s eyes darted around, confused.
The voice became arrogant and domineering, “I’m the genius of Silent Killing Jutsu, able to lock onto targets just by sound!”
Kakashi’s expression grew heavy. It had been a long time since he fought under such disadvantageous conditions. He needed to stay calm…
As Zabuza and Kakashi faced off through the thick mist, Yukigetsu found himself in trouble too.
Scanning the area sharply, Yukigetsu realized the mist wasn’t thick enough to obscure vision completely, but it limited visibility to two or three meters. How would the enemy attack?
Wait, how could I forget the key point… Damn it…
Suddenly, Yukigetsu turned and moved swiftly. He found the boy appearing behind Tazuna, ready to strike.
Just in time, Yukigetsu breathed a sigh of relief, quickly positioning himself behind the old man.
To his surprise, Haku stepped back slightly, forming the final hand seal and smiling lightly, “I told you, you’d get caught again.”
“Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!”
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