The mist churned thicker, but the fight only grew sharper.
Steel screeched as Kakashi's kunai locked against Zabuza's massive blade. Sparks lit the fog like fireflies.
"Impressive," Zabuza sneered. "But you can't hold me forever, Copy Ninja."
Kakashi's uncovered eye narrowed. The crimson whirlpool of his Sharingan spun faster, analyzing every twitch, every breath.
"You should be more worried about yourself."
Zabuza lunged, cleaver slicing down. But before his strike could land, Kakashi moved—exactly as Zabuza had intended to.
Or so he thought.
His eyes widened. Kakashi's blade mirrored his, the motion flawless, identical down to the flick of the wrist. Their swords clashed, but the Copy Ninja's movements were already a step ahead.
"W-what?!"
Kakashi's voice cut sharp:
"I can see your future… and copy it."
The pressure shifted. Every slash Zabuza attempted, Kakashi repeated at the same instant, faster, stronger. Their movements became a terrifying reflection, the Sharingan's crimson glow piercing through the haze.
He's not just reading me… he's predicting me! Zabuza realized, teeth gritting.
---
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Naruto's chest still heaved. The memory of that crimson aura burned in his mind, and his hands wouldn't stop shaking.
What was that inside me? Why… did it feel like I wasn't myself?
Sasuke stood nearby, kunai tight in his grip, but his eyes kept flicking toward Naruto. That power he saw… it scared him.
But it also made him curious.
"Dobe…" he muttered under his breath, but didn't finish.
Sakura stayed frozen, watching anxiously, powerless to do anything but trust her sensei.
---
Zabuza growled and formed hand seals in a blur.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
The lake erupted, spiraling upward into a towering serpent of water that roared as it dove at Kakashi.
But Kakashi's hands moved in perfect sync—seal for seal, faster than Zabuza himself.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A second dragon rose, identical, clashing against the first in a cataclysmic crash. Water exploded, waves splashing across the battlefield.
Zabuza's eyes widened. "He's… mocking me…"
Kakashi's tone was ice.
"You're finished."
The Copy Ninja's hands blurred again, weaving through signs Zabuza hadn't even begun.
"Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!"
The lake convulsed, a massive whirlpool erupting outward. The rushing torrent surged forward like a tidal wave, slamming into Zabuza.
The Demon of the Mist cursed, trying to brace, but the water swallowed him whole, tearing away his balance. He crashed against the ground, cleaver sinking into the mud as he struggled to rise.
---
Naruto's eyes widened. "Kakashi-sensei… he's insane!"
Even Sasuke's jaw clenched. That's the power of a jōnin… and the Sharingan.
Zabuza coughed water, glaring through the haze. For the first time, fear flickered in his eyes—not from Kakashi, but from the faint memory of that red chakra he'd sensed earlier.
That brat… if he really holds that kind of monster inside… this mission isn't worth it.
But before Zabuza could retreat, a sudden blur sliced through the mist.
Thunk!
Senbon needles pierced his neck. His body froze, then collapsed, water dripping from his lips.
A new figure emerged from the fog, wearing a porcelain mask.
"Kakashi Hatake… thank you for tiring him. I'll take it from here."
The silent hunter's voice was calm, but beneath it was an unshakable intent.
"Haku…" Zabuza thought, his mind fading into darkness as his body was taken.
---
Kakashi's Sharingan flickered as exhaustion hit him. His knees nearly buckled, but he stayed standing, kunai raised. "A hunter-nin…"
Naruto and Sasuke stood frozen, the weight of the battle still heavy in their chests. Sakura rushed to Kakashi's side, fear etched on her face.
The mist slowly cleared, but the battlefield's tension lingered.
This mission…
This fight…
This enemy…
It was far beyond a simple C-rank.
And the shadow of what slept inside Naruto had only just begun to awaken.
---
✨ End of Chapter 10 ✨