NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 36: Zabuza again
A few weeks passed in this routine, and each night I found myself meeting Haku at the same place and time as our first encounter. At first, I didn't expect we'd run into each other so frequently—I thought I'd only see her again during our final battle. But as it turned out, these nightly meetings became something I looked forward to, and our relationship gradually grew. What started as cautious exchanges eventually evolved into a bond that felt like friendship, or perhaps even closer.
Those weeks were good for me. The days were filled with training, pushing myself to get stronger, while the nights brought quiet conversations with Haku under the starlit sky. And having Sakura nearby at night, knowing she was always beside me, brought a sense of comfort and contentment that I hadn't realized I needed.
Today was an important day—Tazuna was finally set to complete the bridge. Despite the looming threat, Zabuza hadn't made a move during the past few weeks, likely due to the toll our previous battle had taken on him. We knew he hadn't died that day, but his silence was unsettling, leaving us unsure of when or if he would strike again.
Anticipating Gato's likely interference, we prepared ourselves for the worst. We gathered on the bridge, fully alert and ready for whatever might come. The completion of the bridge would mark a turning point for the Land of Waves, and we were determined to protect it at all costs.
We stood on the nearly completed bridge with Tazuna, as the early morning sun began to rise, casting a soft glow over the water. Suddenly, a thick mist rolled in, enveloping us in an all-too-familiar shroud. It was the same oppressive mist we encountered when we first faced Zabuza.
A chilling voice pierced the fog. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Kakashi?" Emerging from the mist was none other than Zabuza, his figure gradually coming into view, still exuding the same menacing aura.
Right behind him, the masked figure from before—the ANBU who claimed to be from the Hidden Mist—stepped forward. Her presence confirmed what we had suspected: they were indeed working together.
"I see you're still alive, and it looks like both of you are on the same side," Kakashi said, his tone steady but wary. His Sharingan eye gleamed, already prepared for the confrontation.
The air was thick with tension. We knew this wasn't just another encounter—this was the moment we had been anticipating. Gato's move was finally unfolding, and with Zabuza and the mysterious masked figure standing before us, the battle was about to begin.
"Kakashi, you handle Zabuza, and I'll take care of that ANBU," I whispered to Kakashi, keeping my voice low so only he could hear. He gave a subtle nod, his gaze never leaving Zabuza.
Turning to Sasuke and Sakura, I instructed, "You two stay close to Tazuna. Make sure they're safe if anyone else shows up."
With our roles set, Kakashi and I took our positions, facing off against our respective opponents, while Sasuke and Sakura moved swiftly to form a protective barrier around Tazuna .
Kakashi locked eyes with Zabuza, their tension palpable as if picking up right where they left off. Meanwhile, I squared off against the ANBU. There was no mistaking the determination in her eyes as she pulled out a set of senbon needles. I prepared myself, knowing this fight would be different from our peaceful meetings in the forest. Now, we stood as opponents, and I couldn't afford to hold back.
Kakashi stood firm, his Sharingan whirling as he kept a close watch on Zabuza, ready to anticipate his every move. However, Zabuza was no stranger to the Sharingan's abilities. With a quick sequence of hand signs, he unleashed the Hidden Mist Jutsu, thickening the mist until it became an almost impenetrable shroud. The dense fog obscured Kakashi's vision, rendering his Sharingan nearly useless.
With his sight limited, Kakashi could no longer rely on reading Zabuza's movements. He knew he had to adapt quickly or risk being caught off guard. Listening intently, he strained to catch the faintest sound—footsteps, the rustle of fabric, or even the faint hum of a blade slicing through the air.
To counter the mist's disadvantage, Kakashi began forming his own strategy. He unleashed his heightened senses, feeling for shifts in the air and using his acute hearing to detect Zabuza's position. At the same time, he kept moving, refusing to stay a stationary target. It was a battle of wits and reflexes, and Kakashi was determined not to be outmatched in Zabuza's element.
I faced the ANBU, a playful grin spreading across my face. "Do you really need to cover your face? I bet you have a pretty face under that mask. Why hide it—"
Before I could finish, she swiftly hurled a set of needles in my direction, cutting me off mid-sentence. I reacted quickly, deflecting the needles with my kunai in a single fluid motion.
"You're going to have to do better than that if you want to beat me," I said, my grin widening as I tightened my grip on the kunai. "But first, I think it's only fair that I see the face behind the mask."
She remained silent, her stance unyielding. I could sense her resolve, but I was determined to push her out of her comfort zone. If I could get her to reveal more of herself—her style, her strategy—then I'd have the upper hand. With that in mind, I prepared myself for the real battle that was about to unfold.