But his expression was just as grim and solemn.
This wasn't an opponent in the same weight class.
Both Menma and Sasuke deeply realized that the enemy before them had the power to kill them effortlessly.
Menma was slightly better off. At least he had the power of the Nine-Tails as a safety net. Although he hadn't truly released it yet, even just utilizing up to three tails' worth of power would be enough for him to sweep aside most ninja in the world.
But Sasuke couldn't do that.
In this moment, his hands were clenched tight. He bit his lower lip so hard that a trickle of blood appeared, yet he seemed oblivious to the sting.
However, this performance was already far better than in the original story.
"Don't worry, I will protect you! You don't need to be afraid!"
At that moment.
Standing at the very front, Kakashi turned his head slightly, giving Menma, Sasuke, and the others a reassuring smile.
His forehead protector had been lifted at some point.
Revealing a scarlet eye with three black tomoe spinning within it—the Sharingan!
A soaring aura erupted from him.
It almost completely neutralized the immense pressure Zabuza was deliberately releasing!
The four members of Team 7 instantly felt the weight lift off their chests.
Sakura felt like she had just survived a brush with death.
In this moment, she truly realized just how strong the enemy they were facing was, and just how powerful their Jōnin sensei, Kakashi, really was.
Sharingan! It's really the Sharingan!
Seeing the Sharingan in Kakashi's left eye socket clearly, Sasuke's pupils shook violently with shock!
"You four, use Formation B to protect Tazuna-san. Leave the enemy to me."
"Yes!"
Menma and the others responded loudly in unison.
They scattered, forming a defensive circle with Tazuna in the center, guarding against any potential ambush from other directions.
After all, Tazuna was just an ordinary person.
"Heh. Then let me experience the power of the Sharingan!"
Zabuza sneered. His hands formed seals rapidly.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
He started with the standard technique of the Mist Village.
In an instant.
Thick fog rolled in. In less than a few seconds, the previously clear view was shrouded in white mist. Within the dense fog, visibility dropped to zero. Menma and the others couldn't even see each other clearly, let alone anything further away.
They could only identify each other's positions through sensing.
Zabuza's figure was perfectly concealed within the mist. An ordinary ninja wouldn't be able to find, let alone lock onto, his position.
Kakashi went on full alert.
In this dense fog, Kakashi—who wasn't a sensory type ninja—couldn't pinpoint Zabuza's location either.
Among everyone present...
Only Menma could clearly sense Zabuza's position.
12 o'clock direction? At this angle and distance, his target is the group behind me!
Silent Killing Technique!
This was Zabuza's signature move!
Combined with the Hidden Mist Jutsu, it allowed Zabuza to effortlessly assassinate the vast majority of targets.
Menma kept his expression blank, but every muscle in his body tensed. He gripped his kunai tightly.
Whoosh!
The next second!
A figure approached rapidly.
Without making a single sound.
"He's coming!"
But Menma could sense it clearly!
Swish!
Closing in fast!
The Kubikiribōchō (Executioner's Blade) raised high!
A flash of cold steel bloomed!
"Go to hell! Brats!"
Reflecting the bloodthirsty crimson light in Zabuza's eyes...
The blade swung down fiercely.
Aiming straight for the throats of Menma and the others.
The Demon of the Hidden Mist intended to kill all five of them—Menma, his teammates, and Tazuna—in a single slash.
In Zabuza's view, a few rookie Genin and an ordinary old man could be killed instantly!
His aura concealment would definitely fool Kakashi temporarily. He didn't need much time—just a few seconds.
That would be enough to claim their heads.
Unfortunately.
Zabuza not only underestimated Menma and his team, but he also underestimated Kakashi.
The moment the cold Executioner's Blade hung over their heads...
Whoosh!
Kakashi's figure sped back just as quickly. At the same time...
Clang!
Menma, who was prepared in advance, reacted. Although his speed was far slower than Zabuza's, his ability to react preemptively allowed him to barely mount a defense.
He flipped his kunai.
Blocking the Executioner's Blade head-on.
A violent clash rang out.
Feeling the immense force transmitted through the blade, Menma's body sank, and the webbing between his thumb and forefinger felt like it was tearing.
So heavy!
Menma's face twisted into a grimace.
This truly wasn't a fight in the same weight class.
"?!"
The unexpected block caused Zabuza's expression to change slightly.
More critically, a sharp whistling sound came from his right.
Kakashi, who had initially intended to block Zabuza's attack for Menma, saw Menma's reaction.
He immediately shifted his momentum, aiming straight for Zabuza's vitals.
A chillingly sharp blade thrust forward.
Facing the attack head-on...
Zabuza's gaze hardened.
He didn't have time to crush Menma. He could only forcefully swing his blade horizontally, knocking Menma's kunai aside while blocking Kakashi.
Clang!
He blocked Kakashi's attack directly.
The reverberations shook the air.
Sparks flew.
The clash also snapped the others out of their daze.
Naruto and Sasuke reacted quickly, each pulling out a kunai and stabbing fiercely toward Zabuza's abdomen and waist!
But to Zabuza, their attack speed was pitifully slow.
Zabuza smiled disdainfully.
Swish!
He stepped back while blocking.
Avoiding Kakashi's pressure, he effortlessly evaded Naruto and Sasuke's assault.
Then he slid backward.
He tried to create distance and re-conceal himself within the thick fog.
But how could Kakashi let Zabuza do as he pleased?
His fully activated Sharingan locked firmly onto Zabuza's position.
Although it wasn't the ultimate x-ray vision and chakra sight of the Byakugan, the Sharingan could still see chakra.
At this close range...
Kakashi naturally wouldn't let Zabuza escape his lock.
He exploded his chakra with all his might.
Boom!
His aura surged.
He pressed the attack.
Clang!
Cling-cling-cling-cling!
Bam!
The two engaged in a fierce melee battle in the clearing!
Flickering figures.
The shockwaves of collision after collision.
Rumble!
Whoosh!
It was a clash where ordinary ninja had no room to intervene.
Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke watched, dazzled.
"Is this Big Brother Kakashi's true strength?!"
It was unlike anything they had seen before.
Their eyes could barely keep up with the high-speed exchanges, let alone the powerful residual chakra waves spreading out from the fight!
Naruto's eyes widened.
This battle...
Could already be considered a high-level clash rarely seen in the ninja world.