We continued traveling, and before long, we approached the location. Through the misty water, we could see a large stone bridge under construction."This bridge is something we've been trying to build... Honestly, my son was a great driving force behind it, but sadly... he's no longer with us."His voice carried sadness, and it was clear he didn't want to go deeper into the subject.
A few seconds later, Naruto asked,"What is the purpose of the bridge?""The bridge is being built to connect the Land of Waves with the main continent. For us, it symbolizes economic, political, and even ideological freedom. Honestly, our country has been constantly threatened and controlled by criminals, especially by the criminal Gato. They have been restricting all our routes, so building this bridge is like a dream — wings for our freedom."He spoke with a strong, hopeful tone.
As I listened, I glanced at sensei.In truth, I suspected there was another reason the Leaf Village and our sensei wanted to pursue this mission.A direct connection between these two countries through a structure like this bridge would allow trade in goods, finances, and even people. And as the village that played a crucial role in ensuring the bridge's safety and construction, it would certainly consolidate the Land of Fire's and the Leaf Village's image in the minds of the people here.
Of course, I didn't care much about village politics — at least, not for now. In the future, when I work alongside my brother, I'll have time to study and dive deeper into these matters.Before that, I need to become strong enough to protect the village and everything important to me.
Soon after, we reached land and made our way toward Tazuna's house. As we traveled, I remembered a key figure from the story — someone incredibly strong: Zabuza, the "Demon of the Hidden Mist."I couldn't recall exactly when and where we encountered him. Still, I remained highly alert and kept my sensory abilities active.
As we passed a certain area, I sensed a sword moving toward us.Sensing danger, I immediately positioned myself in front of my brother and our client.The sword flew past, aimed directly at sensei, who easily defended against it.The sword continued flying and embedded itself into a tree, and in a brilliant move, a figure landed gracefully on top of it.He looked like either a hero or a brilliant assassin. And before he could speak or act, I launched a lightning spear toward him.
The enemy didn't even flinch. With a mere hand movement, he spat out a water bubble from his mouth, colliding with my spear.Both attacks canceled each other out. He had clearly used enough chakra to destroy my attack.Kakashi glanced at the new enemy and gave me a subtle thumbs-up.I smiled and immediately started executing my own plans. I created four shadow clones, and my brother followed by creating four more.Sasuke and Sakura also got into fighting stances.
"Zabuza, the Demon of the Hidden Mist. I didn't expect to see you here. May I ask what brings you?"Sensei questioned him.
Zabuza stared at Kakashi and spoke slowly,"Kakashi, the Copy Ninja. Master of over a thousand jutsus. I didn't expect an S-ranked ninja here. As for why I'm here, it's simple: to kill the target you're protecting."He spoke arrogantly, unleashing a horrifying bloodlust that paralyzed my teammates in fear.
Sensing it, and before sensei could act, I released my own wave of bloodlust and chakra."Please, behave yourself," I said calmly, which made him glance at me with curiosity."A bold brat," he muttered, but I could tell he took mental note of me. The bloodlust and chakra I displayed could pose a problem for him.
"I agree with my student. Please behave and let us pass," Kakashi added.
In response to our words, he moved at an incredible speed that even shocked me.Suddenly, his body landed in the middle of the lake. With quick hand signs, he prepared a jutsu."Hidden Mist Jutsu."A thick mist spread across the entire area. My vision was heavily affected, but my sensory skills remained sharp.
I sensed a presence forming at the center of our formation. However, I did nothing.Sensei appeared in front of him and stabbed a kunai into his stomach — but it was clearly just a clone.What followed was an intense exchange of blows, with multiple clones appearing and disappearing.
I didn't intervene. I had my own preparations.One of my shadow clones stayed beside Tazuna, using chakra to create a Fuinjutsu-based barrier.Symbols spread across the ground, protecting both Tazuna and the clone.The other clones followed my instructions, each carrying out their tasks.
Then something shocking, at least for Sasuke and the others, happened.The revelation of the Sharingan.
"As expected… Kakashi of the Sharingan."
Of course, Kakashi's possession of the Sharingan wasn't exactly a secret — it was listed in the Bingo Book.Implanting kekkei genkai wasn't unheard of; it had happened even during the founders' era.After all, powerful abilities like the Sharingan and Byakugan were highly prized.
Their fight continued, but not favorably — Kakashi was trapped underwater.Afterward, two Zabuzas approached us.One tried to attack Tazuna, but his sword was repelled by the barrier.
"Fuinjutsu..." he muttered, but he had no time to react.I used Body Flicker and appeared beside him.My hands acted as twin blades: Martial Art: Phantom Lotus Sword.
Sensing danger, the clone defended with his sword, but two of my clones also attacked, performing quick hand signs.One launched the Water Blade Jutsu — two water blades shot toward him.Meanwhile, I threw four kunai charged with lightning chakra.
The real trick came from another clone, who used all his chakra to launch Great Breakthrough — a powerful gust of wind that shattered one of the water clones.
"Definitely the best technique for dealing with clones," I muttered, focusing on the battle.
The real Zabuza was quickly overpowering my teammates.Seeing that, I used Body Flicker again to close the distance.
My hands moved swiftly."Water Bullet Jutsu!"Zabuza was surprised but quickly defended with his sword and created two more clones.
I was getting irritated.But at that moment, three clones hidden in the trees launched their attacks:
"Wind Blades!""Wind Bullets!"
Seeing that, Zabuza muttered,"Wind clones... what an annoying girl..."
Before he could act further, Naruto created over 50 shadow clones.They rushed at Zabuza's real body and the remaining water clone.
I moved faster, while two of my hidden clones used a phasing technique.Locking eyes with the clone attacking me, I smiled cruelly.Realizing something was wrong, he tried to escape, but was dragged underground — the clone was destroyed.
Without wasting time, I dashed toward Zabuza's real body.
Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura launched their own plan.Sasuke threw a giant shuriken — classic Uchiha style — and used the Shadow Shuriken Jutsu.The weapons multiplied, flying toward Zabuza.At the same time, a wind clone of mine and a shadow clone swam through the water, launching their jutsus:One fired a lightning spear, the other Wind Bullet Jutsu.
Unexpectedly, a water clone emerged from the lake depths, blocking the attacks with a water wall.But I smiled — one of the shurikens transformed into Naruto, who immediately attacked.The water clone tried to move, but one of my wind clones released a flurry of Wind Blades, forcing the clone to retreat and freeing Kakashi.
And when sensei was freed, he immediately counterattacked the clone of Zabuza.
While surprisingly he saw the real Zabuza being shot into the lake.
...
On the ground...
When I saw Naruto, Sasuke, and my clones moving forward with the plan,I acted.
"Sakura!" I called out loudly, and Sakura immediately followed the instructions I had given her.She pulled out several kunai and threw them at Zabuza. He blocked with his powerful sword, deflecting all the attacks. Meanwhile, one of my other clones charged forward, wielding kunai infused with lightning chakra, while another clone followed, their weapons enhanced with wind chakra.
Another of my clones moved his hand and launched a powerful lightning spear.
As Zabuza became slightly overwhelmed by the barrage of my attacks, I appeared directly in front of him.
He immediately sensed the danger. I gathered a massive amount of my internal energy and unleashed one of my strongest moves.
"Martial Art: Blooming of the Phantom Lotus."
My hands moved in a beautiful, flowing motion before I struck him directly in the center of his chest.Behind me, a ghostly lotus projection blossomed into view.
Before the enemy could react, he was blasted straight toward the center of the lake.It didn't seem like he had taken major external damage, but I was sure his body had been internally shaken, judging by the phantom-like imprint left by the lotus.
I took a deep breath. I had not only used chakra to enhance my speed and the strength of my attack, but that technique, a major chapter in my martial arts, had consumed a great deal of my physical energy.
But at least now, sensei was free and able to take over the fight.
Exhausted, I stayed back.
My brother immediately rushed to my side, his face full of concern."Sister, are you okay?" he asked."Yes," I said with a reassuring smile.
We still had three clones protecting our target, and two more moved closer to support me. Naruto also had a few shadow clones guarding our perimeter tightly.
For now, all we could do was watch the rest of Kakashi-sensei's battle against Zabuza.
The clash of swords, weapons, and jutsus was truly shocking.Especially the Great Water Vortex and the Water Dragon Jutsu... The anime and manga definitely don't capture just how amazing and powerful these A- and B-rank jutsus are.
It also made me feel both fear — and a desperate, urgent need to grow stronger,especially when I remembered the existence of even more powerful figures in this world.