Stand Proud You are Strong.

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With the flickering of light, the fog completely dissipated.

Zabuza, who had been hiding in the dense fog, sensed something was wrong. The thick fog that concealed him was vanishing at an alarming rate.

Realizing the situation, he quickly formed hand seals.

"Ninja Mist Hidden Technique!"

"Ninja Mist Hidden Technique!"

Zabuza executed the technique in quick succession, hoping to once again obscure his figure and blind Naruto and the others. However, the light was too dazzling. It was like the sun itself, hot and radiant. No matter how hard he tried, the fog continued to dissipate at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"I can see now," Naruto said, confused. "That's a strange, dazzling light."

"The fog is gone; I can see you," Sakura exclaimed joyfully.

Sasuke remained silent, his Sharingan active as he analyzed the situation. Looking toward the source of the light, a relieved expression appeared on his face.

"The center of that light source is…"

Before Sasuke could finish his sentence, a series of attacks came from Zabuza.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Zabuza knew his time was running out. The fog was almost gone, and he had to finish the assassination of Dazna before Kirito could intervene. He had no interest in a death match with Naruto and the others.

"Protect Dazna. Our mission can't fail," Sasuke muttered, wiping blood from his mouth. "Wait a little longer. The fog will clear completely."

---

The hot golden light flashed again, and the last remnants of the fog disappeared. Everyone's figures were now visible, but Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were already covered in wounds, having fought to protect Dazna.

Naruto and the others looked toward Kirito, realizing the light they had seen earlier had been created by him. Shock and surprise filled their eyes.

But before they could express their gratitude, Zabuza launched another round of fierce attacks. This time, his assault was even stronger than before.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

Five or six copies of Naruto appeared in an instant.

"Naruto, find a chance to hold him off. I'll attack. Sakura, use kunai to help me."

With his instructions given, Sasuke charged forward. Without the interference of the thick fog, Sasuke could clearly see Zabuza's movements through his Sharingan.

Before Sasuke could close the distance, several of Naruto's clones, moving faster than him, surged forward, drawing Zabuza's attention. The clones continued to appear in waves, keeping Sasuke hidden behind them.

Zabuza, now visible in his true form, stood calmly, unimpressed by the organized attack of the three young ninjas. With a cold sneer, he began effortlessly cutting through Naruto's clones.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

With all of Naruto's clones gone, Sasuke finally reached Zabuza. He made quick hand seals and exhaled a massive fireball toward the enemy.

"Success!" Naruto exclaimed, but his joy was short-lived.

Zabuza's body shattered into water as the fireball passed through him.

Before anyone could react, a cold voice echoed next to Sasuke's ear.

"Ants are ants. No matter how hard they struggle, it's useless."

The massive sword came down swiftly.

Sasuke's Sharingan pupils contracted, and with instinct alone, he raised his kunai to block the blow.

Bang!

The impact sent Sasuke flying backward, crashing into Naruto, and both of them hit the ground hard.

"Failed… this guy is too strong," Sakura muttered, watching Naruto and Sasuke struggle to get up. Her eyes were filled with despair.

Their attacks had been meaningless in the face of Zabuza's strength.

Kirito watched everything unfold with a calm expression, unaffected by the chaos. Zabuza, noticing Kirito's gaze, felt a tight knot in his chest.

His heart raced—there was someone glaring at him from behind. With the fog cleared, he now had no choice but to hold Naruto and the others hostage to force Kirito's surrender.

Without hesitation, Zabuza lunged forward, intending to strike down the injured Naruto and Sasuke.

Sakura attempted to step in the way, but she was quickly knocked back, unable to withstand the force of his attack.

Naruto and Sasuke, still recovering, barely had time to react before Zabuza's sword was already at their necks.

Zabuza glared at Kirito, a cold sneer forming on his lips.

"Teach your disciples well—don't mistake them for weak rabbits. Even a tiger will fight to the death. But you? You're nothing compared to them."

Kirito's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Really?"

Zabuza paid no attention to the expression on Kirito's face.

"Go kill that old man, or I'll separate their heads in the next second."

Sakura's face drained of color. "What… What should we do!?"

Naruto shouted, his voice filled with desperation. "Teacher, don't worry about us, just kill this guy!"

"Shut up! Kill that old man, and I'll let them go. Hurry up!"

Zabuza's cold stare was unyielding.

The next moment, Kirito slowly raised his hands and began clapping.

Clap, clap, clap.

A faint smile danced on his lips as he spoke.

"As expected of Zabuza, the Demon of the Hidden Mist. Your strength is truly terrifying."

"So powerful!"

The words seemed to hang in the air, laden with irony.

In a flash, Kirito disappeared.

Swish!

Before anyone could process what had just happened, Kirito reappeared behind Zabuza as if by teleportation. Without warning, he delivered a swift kick.

Zabuza was sent flying backward, his sword flying from his hand and embedding itself in the ground.

"What!" Zabuza coughed up blood, shocked by the speed and power of the attack.

"You're strong, Zabuza," Kirito said mockingly, his figure vanishing once more.

In an instant, Kirito was back in front of Zabuza, his leg already outstretched.

Zabuza, who had just recovered from the last kick, was once again turned into a puddle of water.

Moments later, the water clone reformed, but Zabuza was panting heavily, realizing just how narrowly he had escaped being destroyed.

"What terrifying strength," Zabuza muttered under his breath, struggling to remain standing.

Kirito's voice echoed with a taunting tone.

"Too bad, that last attack wasn't aimed at your clone. If I'd been even a second slower, it would have been your real body."

With a few more swift movements, Kirito shattered yet another of Zabuza's water clones.

The attacks continued, leaving Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stunned. They could only watch in disbelief as Kirito toyed with Zabuza, mocking him with every kick.

"Teacher, what kind of hobby is this?" Sakura asked in shock. "Is he… encouraging his opponent?"

"Encouraging and destroying at the same time? Good thing we're not his enemies," she added, wide-eyed.

Naruto, slowly rising to his feet, looked at the scene unfolding before him. Zabuza, a feared killer, was now being treated like an insect, helpless against Kirito's overwhelming strength.

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