Naruto: Shadows of the Divine Flame

Zabuza vanished into the mist once more, his presence slipping away like a ghost. The weight of his killing intent pressed down on us, thick and suffocating.

I didn't let it rattle me. If anything, it sharpened my focus.

Kakashi tensed beside me. "Stay close. Don't let the mist separate you."

Easier said than done.

A faint whisper of movement—then a flash of silver.

"Above!" I shouted.

Kakashi barely dodged as Zabuza's blade came crashing down, splitting the ground where he had stood a second before. Water exploded in all directions.

Kakashi twisted mid-air, kunai in hand, aiming for Zabuza's ribs.

But the Mist Ninja was already gone, dissolving into water.

"A Water Clone…"

A cold chuckle echoed around us. "Not bad, kid."

My fists clenched. He was toying with us.

Sasuke's grip on his kunai was tight, his eyes scanning the fog. Naruto was tense, but not panicking—which was progress.

We needed to force Zabuza out of his advantage.

I formed a seal. "Wood Style: Forest Grasp!"

Vines erupted from the earth, spreading outward in all directions. I didn't try to aim for him—I let them spread wildly, creeping through the mist.

And then—

A sharp crack to my left.

I whipped around, already moving.

Zabuza's real body emerged from the mist, blade swinging toward Naruto—fast, too fast for him to dodge in time.

My body reacted on instinct.

I appeared in front of Naruto in a blink, my forearm snapping up to block the massive blade with my bare hand.

The force sent a shockwave through my arm, but I didn't falter.

Zabuza's eyes widened in disbelief. "What—"

I twisted, forcing his blade to the side, then slammed my palm into his chest with all my strength.

The air shuddered as he was launched backward, skidding across the water before he flipped to regain his footing.

Silence.

Then, he chuckled darkly, rubbing his chest. "Interesting. Very interesting."

Kakashi took the chance to move. "Enough of this."

In a blur of speed, he appeared behind Zabuza, kunai at his throat.

"It's over."

Zabuza smirked. "Is it?"

The body in Kakashi's grasp melted.

"A Water Clone?!"

The real Zabuza appeared behind him, blade poised to strike.

I moved.

Before he could land the hit, my wooden tendrils shot forward, wrapping around his wrist and yanking him away.

"Tch—!"

Kakashi took the opportunity, darting forward with Sharingan spinning. "I see your movements now."

The fight exploded into another rapid exchange of blows, too fast for Naruto or Sasuke to keep up. Zabuza was strong—very strong—but Kakashi was relentless.

And for the first time—Zabuza was losing.

He realized it too. His smirk faltered as Kakashi's Sharingan mirrored his every move, predicting his attacks before they even happened.

A final clash—then Kakashi's kunai pressed against Zabuza's throat.

"It's over," Kakashi repeated.

Then—

A sharp whistle.

Out of nowhere, a flurry of needles struck Zabuza's neck.

His body stiffened. His eyes widened.

And then—he collapsed.

I froze. "What?"

A small figure appeared from the mist—a masked boy, dressed in the uniform of a Hunter-nin.

"I'm sorry," the boy said softly. "But this fight is finished."

Kakashi's Sharingan narrowed. "A Mist Hunter-nin…?"

The boy nodded. "Momochi Zabuza was a dangerous criminal. It is my duty to take his body back."

I didn't trust it.

But before I could speak, the boy grabbed Zabuza's body, vanishing into the mist as quickly as they had come.

For a long moment, none of us moved.

Then, Kakashi exhaled and lowered his kunai. "Let's move. This isn't over."

I watched the mist settle around us.

Somehow, I knew he was right.