Battle Against Zabuza

Boom!

Naruto unleashed a serious punch at Zabuza, his fist wrapped in crimson energy as it barreled toward his opponent. The wind from the blow whipped through the air, sending both fighters' hair flying like seaweed in a storm.

Zabuza barely had time to react. He raised his massive beheading sword, bracing it against his chest to absorb the impact. Watching from the side, Sasuke felt a pang of anxiety. He worried that Naruto's punch might actually break the legendary weapon.

"Naruto, stop!" Sasuke shouted reflexively.

Bang!

Naruto's fist collided with the sword, sending Zabuza skidding backward. The force of the blow left Zabuza's shoulders numb, and to his shock, he noticed small cracks forming on his prized blade.

Who is this brat?! Zabuza thought, his eyes widening in disbelief. The sheer strength of Naruto's punch was like nothing he had ever encountered. It was clear that he couldn't afford to clash with this kid head-on again.

Zabuza, a seasoned warrior who had faced countless foes, knew better than to continue a direct confrontation in such a disadvantaged position. Besides, the ominous scent of blood clinging to Naruto told him that this incredible power must have come from some kind of forbidden jutsu.

He's risking his life to fight me... A respectable opponent, Zabuza mused, quickly retreating to put some distance between himself and Naruto. But Naruto, not one to let up after committing to a powerful move, grabbed Zabuza by the collar and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches.

Trapped and unable to escape, Zabuza's anger flared. Fine! Let's see how long this brat can keep up with his forbidden jutsu!

The battle turned into a brutal exchange of blows, with both Naruto and Zabuza coughing up blood and the sickening sound of bones breaking echoing through the air. After more than ten seconds of intense fighting, Zabuza's movements grew sluggish, his body riddled with fractures.

Yet, when he looked at Naruto, the yellow-haired boy seemed... unfazed. If anything, Naruto appeared to be getting stronger, his determination only growing.

What the hell is this kid made of?! Zabuza thought, despair creeping in.

"Zabuza!" A voice cried out, breaking the stalemate. Haku, Zabuza's loyal companion, finally intervened, leaping into the fray.

"Ice Release: Thousand Needles of Death!" Haku's technique sent a barrage of Senbon needles flying toward Naruto's feet. Instinctively, Naruto released Zabuza and dodged to the side.

Where are my teammates?! Naruto fumed internally. We're in the middle of a team fight, and they're just standing around? Get in here and help!

As Haku swiftly formed more hand seals, he glanced at Zabuza with concern. Despite being revealed by Naruto earlier, Haku couldn't help but feel a sense of duty to protect his comrade. But this was a mission between ninjas—a battle where sentimentality had no place.

"Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!"

Whoosh! Haku's jutsu created a series of suspended ice mirrors that surrounded Naruto and Zabuza. The mirrors, smooth and reflective, displayed Naruto's own bewildered face back at him.

For a moment, Naruto couldn't help but feel like he was in an amusement park's funhouse. But he quickly refocused. This jutsu feels like a trap... but it's useless against me! Didn't that guy notice me using the space portals earlier?

Distracted by his thoughts, Naruto didn't realize Zabuza had taken advantage of Haku's interference. The wounded swordsman managed to put distance between himself and Naruto, disappearing into the mist after forming hand seals.

Through the gaps in the icy walls, Sasuke watched Zabuza retreat, a wild grin spreading across his face.

"Naruto!" Sasuke called out. "I'll take care of that guy!"

Naruto paused, blinking up at the sky in confusion. It's cloudy today, no sun at all... So why is Sasuke acting like he's on top of the world?

Naruto slowly raised his hand and flipped Sasuke the middle finger, irritation simmering.

Whoosh! Thousands of Senbon launched from all directions within the ice mirrors. Sasuke's dodge maneuver flashed through Naruto's mind, and he began moving in a blur, executing a series of acrobatic flips, rolls, and spins that rivaled anything Sasuke had ever done.

Despite his efforts, the needles found their mark, turning Naruto into a pincushion. The sound of Senbon hitting the ground was almost drowned out by Naruto's displeased grunt.

Damn it, Naruto thought, plucking a few needles from his shoulders. Sasuke's fighting style is really not for me...

From within the ice mirrors, Haku watched in disbelief. What... What is this guy doing?

The Senbon were supposed to be precise, and yet, it seemed like Naruto had intentionally gotten himself hit by almost all of them. And yet, despite the numerous needles sticking out of his body, Naruto appeared completely unfazed.

Is this some side effect of a forbidden technique? Haku wondered, preparing to try reasoning with Naruto instead.

"Give up on the mission," Haku urged. "I don't want to kill you."

Naruto yanked the Senbon out of his body, realizing his Wind Release: Bloodstorm Technique was nearing its limit. Without missing a beat, he summoned a portal and jumped through it, disappearing from Haku's sight.

Haku blinked, stunned by Naruto's sudden exit. Just as Haku's mind tried to catch up, Naruto reappeared—this time next to Kakashi.

"Kakashi-sensei! Tag out—I need a break!" Naruto announced, startling his mentor.

Kakashi's eyes widened at the sight of Naruto, who looked like a bloodied hedgehog. He opened his mouth to ask what happened, but before he could utter another word, Naruto shoved him through a portal, depositing him within Haku's jutsu.

Kakashi sighed as he found himself in the middle of the battle. Uzumaki Naruto, you're going to be the death of me, he thought, resigning himself to his role as the substitute. Slowly, Kakashi pulled up his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan.

Oh well. That kid needs a rest anyway.

Back outside the icy battlefield, Naruto quickly rid himself of the remaining Senbon, then summoned a sofa and collapsed onto it. Before the side effects of his jutsu could kick in, he chugged a life potion, the tingling in his body gradually subsiding.

As Naruto sipped on a cup of milk tea, he heard Sakura approach him, her voice hesitant.

"Naruto... what is the 'Xuan Zhong Ruler'?"

Naruto froze, the straw still in his mouth. "Huh?"

Sakura bit her lip, glancing at Sasuke, who was now locked in combat with Zabuza. "Sasuke just shouted something about 'Xuan Zhong Ruler'... then he rushed forward."

Naruto's teeth began to ache as realization dawned on him. No way... Does Sasuke want Zabuza's beheading sword?!

Naruto shook his head, a pained expression crossing his face. Great. Sasuke wants to be Uchiha Xiao Yan now...