The Sakura Legend

Forest

Three of Zabuza's Water Clones remained. Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto faced them in a tense standoff.

"Naruto, use Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu to overwhelm one, then I'll deliver the finishing blow. Sasuke, you'll have to hold off two for now. These clones can't use ninjutsu, only taijutsu, because the real Zabuza needs to conserve chakra to keep Kakashi-sensei trapped. But be careful of the Body Flicker. This mist is Zabuza's home turf," Sakura explained, relaying her strategy and observations from the previous fight.

Although the Water Clones were formidable in taijutsu, they couldn't use ninjutsu. Sakura had been fighting two-on-one earlier, and as it was her first real life-or-death battle against other ninja, she lacked experience. She'd made several consecutive mistakes, causing her to fall into the enemy's rhythm.

Now, with Sasuke and Naruto's support, she could utilize her strengths. They should be able to take them down quickly.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto activated his jutsu, and the area was instantly filled with countless copies of him.

Sakura looked around at the sea of Narutos, feeling a pang of envy. Having so much chakra would be amazing. If she had that much, she wouldn't have to be so cautious about finding opportunities to use her ninjutsu.

"Hold off two, huh?" Sasuke muttered, staring at the Zabuza Water Clones. He'd been observing Sakura's fight with Zabuza for a while. If it was just taijutsu, Sasuke believed he could hold his own for a bit.

"Let's go!" Naruto yelled.

The multitude of Narutos charged at one of the Zabuza clones. Zabuza swung his Kubikiribocho, cutting down several Narutos, but they kept coming, wave after wave.

"Hehe," one of the Narutos chuckled as he finally grabbed Zabuza's leg. Then a second, a third... Soon, Zabuza was buried under a pile of relentless Narutos. Just as Zabuza was about to exert force, a silver streak of water pierced his head, turning him into a puddle.

"Hehe, we overwhelmed you with numbers!" Sakura said to Naruto, retracting her water blade. "Quick, attack Zabuza's real body now! Sasuke and I will hold off the Water Clones. Zabuza's main body won't be making any more clones now; otherwise, he won't be able to keep Kakashi-sensei trapped."

Zabuza had not only underestimated Sakura, but also Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke had initially been intimidated by Zabuza's killing intent, but after seeing Sakura hold her own against him, his fear subsided. He realized that the Water Clones, aside from their taijutsu, weren't that formidable.

Sakura, due to her inexperience, had initially been caught off guard by the enemy's rhythm. But with her two teammates' support, the effectiveness of her powerful water blade techniques was revealed. As long as she could land a hit, the Water Clones were no threat.

Sasuke was now engaged in a desperate struggle against two Water Clones, but he showed no signs of defeat. It seemed Sasuke had also improved over the years.

Sakura's earlier sneak attack on Zabuza had actually involved transforming into Naruto and blending in with the Shadow Clones. After Naruto's clones had surrounded Zabuza, she'd struck. Now, many of Naruto's clones were still scattered around. Sakura assessed the situation with Sasuke and slowly moved closer, hoping to sneak attack another one.

"Hmph, so this is all you've got," Sasuke taunted Zabuza after maneuvering for a while, feeling confident he could take one down.

"It seems I was careless today. I underestimated you slightly," the Zabuza Water Clone admitted, sensing that the situation was becoming hopeless. He had initially believed he could quickly dispatch the brats and then eliminate Dazuna to complete the mission. However, he hadn't anticipated that these kids could stand up to his Water Clones. With his main body occupied with trapping Kakashi, he had no way to deal with them now.

Zabuza was cold-blooded, but not stupid. He didn't want to face the combined pursuit of both Kirigakure and Konoha. That's why he'd only trapped Kakashi, not killed him. Kakashi was far more significant than the three genin; killing him would definitely trigger Konoha's pursuit, and his current situation was already precarious.

Sakura stealthily approached the battlefield. Just as Zabuza swung his blade at Sasuke, Sakura abandoned all pretense of stealth and launched a water bullet at the Water Clone.

"Huff... Is it over on your side?" Sasuke asked, taking a slight breather as Sakura approached.

"Naruto's gone to rescue Kakashi-sensei. Zabuza, do you still want to fight?" Sakura dispelled her transformation jutsu and looked at the remaining Zabuza clone.

"Hmph, it seems I was careless. But don't think you've won. This is just the beginning!" Zabuza declared, seemingly having made up his mind, and charged at Sakura and Sasuke.

Sakura, seeing Zabuza's sudden attack, realized his plan. Kakashi-sensei was trapped by the Water Prison Jutsu. Zabuza probably hadn't killed Kakashi earlier to avoid provoking Konoha. But now, the three of them were beyond what Zabuza's Water Clones could handle. So, Zabuza intended to kill Kakashi-sensei and then eliminate the three of them. He was truly a Kirigakure ninja, so decisive when things turned against him.

This Water Clone was charging forward recklessly, full of openings, just to stall her and Sasuke. There was no time to go to Kakashi's aid. Only Naruto was there; she didn't know if he could save Kakashi-sensei.

There was no time to think. She had to quickly deal with this Water Clone. Sakura ducked under the sweeping Kubikiribocho and fired a water bullet at Zabuza. Unsigned jutsu were convenient, offering great mobility. It was no wonder Naruto was so fond of the Rasengan.

The instant the Water Clone before her was hit, a loud explosion echoed from the water's surface. Sakura rushed to the water's edge to check the situation. When she saw Zabuza and Kakashi facing each other on the water, she breathed a sigh of relief. Zabuza hadn't succeeded.

Naruto stood at the water's edge, kunai in hand, on guard. Sakura suddenly remembered that she hadn't taught Naruto how to walk on water. She'd only taught him tree-walking. She'd taught Sasuke water-walking under the pretense of having Sasuke prepare a birthday present for Naruto, but it seemed Sasuke hadn't shared the technique.

Sakura turned to Sasuke with a slight frown. Sasuke, seeing Naruto standing on the water and noticing Sakura's gaze, instantly understood. "Hey, I traded a birthday present for that. I'm not going to just give it to him," Sasuke said, slightly embarrassed.

Sakura listened to Sasuke's response. Was this really the same Sasuke? How had he become so calculating? Shouldn't he be training and improving together with Naruto? Shouldn't his arrogant personality disdain such tactics? Was it possible that she had somehow caused this change in him?