"You think you've won?" From the gaping wound on Zabuza's body, a torrent of water gushed out just another water clone.
At that exact moment, another Zabuza appeared behind Might Guy, cleaving down with his massive blade.
Catching it in his peripheral vision, Might Guy didn't flinch. Twisting his body in a seemingly impossible motion, he lashed out with a powerful reverse kick.
But his foot sank directly into Zabuza's torso another water clone.
Suddenly, the real Zabuza came charging in from a short distance away, dragging his Executioner's Blade along the ground, screeching with a menacing metallic rasp.
"Might Guy, this match is over."
Zabuza leapt into the air, swinging down with ferocity in his eyes.
At that moment, Might Guy abruptly planted his hands on the ground. With a swift motion, his left leg kicked the massive blade skyward, while his right foot struck Zabuza squarely on the chin.
"Leaf Shadow Dance!"
Zabuza was launched into the air, followed by a spiraling, high-speed dive from Might Guy.
Boom!
The impact carved a deep crater into the earth.
Kneeling at the bottom, Zabuza was visibly shaken. "Heh… As expected of you Konoha's Blue Beast, Might Guy. But you can't win this."
Grimacing, Zabuza forced a smirk as he grabbed his blade and leapt onto the water's surface.
"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu."
Instantly, the already thick fog became nearly impenetrable.
"So he finally used that trick," Neji murmured, massaging his forehead. "Do the people from Kirigakure all have waterlogged brains?"
Maybe they'd soaked so long their minds had turned to mush.
"Byakugan."
No way he'd miss out on this fight.
Seeing the heavy mist roll in, Might Guy only smiled wider.
"I get it. You want to settle this with pure taijutsu, man-to-man. That's the spirit of youth!"
Hidden in the fog, Zabuza was momentarily stunned. "I have no idea what you're talking about. You're just trying to act tough while you still can."
Gripping his blade, he charged. "I'm the Demon of the Hidden Mist Momochi Zabuza! Prepare to die!"
"Opening Performance: Dynamic Prelude!"
"Leaf Adamantine Hurricane!"
"Konoha Crumbling Rock Ascension!"
"Argh!"
A pained scream echoed through the mist. Zabuza was smashed into a tree with bone-crushing force.
After two heavy blows, his breath was ragged, and his strength nearly gone.
"Why…?" he gasped, struggling to get up. But the injuries were too much he couldn't even crawl.
"Tsk, tsk…"
Watching the bruised and battered Zabuza, Neji clicked his tongue and shook his head.
What a mess. Even Haku probably wouldn't recognize him now.
As Might Guy approached, Zabuza looked up with a bitter smile.
"To die at the hands of Might Guy… Guess that's not such a shame. Go ahead."
"Farewell, then."
Whizz, whizz, whizz
Just as Might Guy prepared to deliver the final blow, several senbon needles zipped through the air, embedding themselves in Zabuza's neck.
"What?" Might Guy's expression changed instantly.
A masked ninja stood atop a tree in the distance.
"I'm part of Kirigakure's Assassination Corps. I've been ordered to eliminate Zabuza."
"Is that so…"
"Yes. Please hand over his body. I need to report back," said Haku calmly.
As protocol dictated, Might Guy inspected Zabuza's "corpse" and, seeing nothing amiss, gave Haku a nod.
As Haku passed Neji with Zabuza slung over his back, Neji whispered so softly it was nearly imperceptible:
"You're working with him, aren't you? For your own sake, I hope you tread carefully. Next time… I might not let you walk away."
Haku's body stiffened. He turned his head slightly to glance at Neji, then quickly carried Zabuza away.
It was, of course, a calculated move. Neji knew they wouldn't give up easily, but a single seed of doubt might yet grow.
If they did take his warning to heart, he wouldn't bother chasing them down. But if they didn't well, that was on them.
"Come on, everyone! Let's pick up the pace. We're almost done here! Burn bright with youth!" shouted Might Guy.
"Youth!!" Lee echoed with fervor.
Neji shot a look at Guy, exasperated. This man's nerves were thicker than steel.
Later, in a dimly lit room, Zabuza slowly regained consciousness from his fake-death state.
"You really didn't hold back, huh?" he grumbled.
Haku chuckled. "If I hadn't, we wouldn't have fooled Might Guy. But…"
"But what?"
"Well, that boy from the Hyuga clan he saw through your act. He even warned us to watch ourselves."
Haku hesitated before relaying Neji's message.
"The one with the Byakugan, huh?" Zabuza's expression turned grim.
That brat could track him even in the mist. Luckily, that had only been a clone if it had been him, he'd be dead.
"And that Might Guy… His hearing's way too sharp."
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. "This really wasn't my day!"
Just then, a short, squat man burst into the room, flanked by a group of bodyguards.
"So you failed, huh? I paid top dollar for your skills"
Zabuza's irritation boiled over. He swung his blade, stopping it an inch from the man's face.
"Kado. Today has been a terrible day. Say one more word, and I'll split you in two," he growled.
"Yes, yes of course!" Kado nodded furiously and retreated with his guards.
"Tch. A powerless worm like him dares order me around?"
"Zabuza, should we still go on with the mission?" Haku asked.
"Of course we're going on! I'll use this blade to take them down myself."
Several days later, Neji and the others finally arrived at Tazuna's home. Everything was progressing as expected.
As for Tazuna's grandson, Neji didn't bother with him. Once his mother was captured, he'd rise to the occasion like he always did.
Still, Neji wasn't about to let Tazuna's daughter get taken. Not that it mattered much he'd just received a reward.
"Host dined with Tsunami. Reward: 100 silver ryo."
The next day, Kado sent two samurai to kidnap Tsunami. But they were quickly dispatched by Neji, who had been lying in wait.
"What a hassle. Took them long enough to show up."
"Host saved Tsunami. Reward: 100 silver ryo."
Another nearly worthless reward. With a sigh, Neji headed toward the bridge.
"Honestly, these interactions with regular people are barely worth it."
Time to check in on the others.