IN NARUTO AS KURAMA

The four-man team, along with Tazuna, adjusted their gear and set off toward the Land of Waves. The tension from their earlier battles hung in the air, but they pressed on.

Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura occasionally glanced at Naruto Uzumaki, a new sense of respect evident in their expressions.

Naruto, noticing their looks, turned and grinned. "Don't make such a big deal out of it. After we finish this mission, I'll treat you all to barbecue!"

Sasuke nodded slightly, his expression more serious than usual, and Sakura gave a small smile before they both refocused on the road ahead.

From behind, Hatake Kakashi observed his team and nodded to himself. "They're growing, slowly but surely."

After some time, a thick mist rolled in, enveloping the group. The air grew colder, and visibility dropped rapidly.

Kakashi's Sharingan activated instantly as he motioned for the team to stop. "Everyone stay close. Protect Tazuna!" he ordered, pushing the bridge builder into a defensive position.

Suddenly, a Water Prison Jutsu formed around Kakashi, trapping him.

A figure emerged from the mist—a tall, muscular man with short black hair and a forehead protector worn on the side, bandages covering his lower face and neck. He wielded a massive broadsword.

It was Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!

He swung the Executioner's Blade at Kakashi's head.

Bang!

The sword struck, but instead of blood, there was only a puff of smoke and a wooden log left behind—Substitution Jutsu.

Kakashi appeared behind Zabuza, kunai in hand, and slashed at him.

Clang!

The kunai struck the massive blade, sparks flying. Kakashi used the impact to leap away, landing a safe distance from Zabuza.

"Impressive," Zabuza said, clapping mockingly. "As expected of Konoha's Copy Ninja. I see the rumors about you aren't exaggerated."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "And you're Zabuza Momochi. The Demon of the Hidden Mist. A rogue ninja from Kirigakure. What brings someone like you here? Surely it's not just to harass a bridge builder."

Zabuza chuckled darkly. "Keep your guard up, Copy Ninja. There's a bounty on your head, and taking you down will make me rich."

With that, Zabuza formed a rapid series of hand seals, and the mist around them thickened.

"Hiding in Mist Jutsu!"

The battlefield became shrouded in dense fog, limiting visibility to almost nothing.

From the shadows, Shiro, watching through Naruto's subconscious, smirked. "Let's see if Kakashi can handle this. Or if I'll have to step in."

As the mist consumed the battlefield, Naruto stepped forward, his aura flaring. The Nine-Tails Chakra began to leak from his body, and a faint fox-like figure appeared behind him.

Naruto positioned himself protectively in front of Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna. "I'll hold them off. Stay behind me!"

"Don't do anything reckless, Naruto!" Sakura shouted.

But Naruto was already focusing, the chakra flowing through him sharpening his senses.

Kakashi, meanwhile, remained calm, listening for Zabuza's movements.

Suddenly, Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi, swinging the Executioner's Blade with terrifying speed.

Clang!

Kakashi parried with his kunai, the force of the collision sending shockwaves through the mist.

"You're as good as they say," Zabuza said with a grin before vanishing into the mist again.

Kakashi's Sharingan spun rapidly, analyzing the terrain and listening for the faintest sound. He blocked another strike, only for Zabuza's form to disappear once more.

"Your tricks won't work forever," Kakashi muttered.

But before he could react, Zabuza's Water Clone appeared behind him, the Executioner's Blade slicing toward his waist.

Bang!

Another substitution.

Kakashi reappeared behind the real Zabuza, his kunai crackling with Lightning Release Chakra.

"Lightning Blade!"

The kunai slashed toward Zabuza, forcing him to block with his sword. The impact sent Zabuza flying backward, but the rogue ninja recovered quickly, his expression twisted in rage.

"You're pushing your luck, Copy Ninja!" Zabuza roared.

He formed a long series of seals, his hands moving almost too fast to follow.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

A massive dragon-shaped wave rose behind Zabuza, its jaws opening as it surged toward Kakashi.

Without hesitation, Kakashi mirrored the hand seals.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

Another water dragon appeared, colliding with Zabuza's attack. The two forces clashed violently, sending water cascading across the battlefield.

Kakashi and Zabuza glared at each other through the mist, the tension between them palpable.

As the battle raged, Zabuza suddenly vanished. Moments later, his figure reappeared—behind Tazuna.

The Executioner's Blade gleamed as it descended toward the terrified bridge builder.

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