Boom!
A deep, thunderous blast echoed through the forest.
Zabuza Momochi was hurled away like a ragdoll, overwhelmed by the sheer force of the blow. He smashed through several trees before crashing hard into the ground, dirt and debris scattering everywhere.
The executioner's blade that had followed him for years was now nothing but shattered fragments, scattered at Naruto's feet.
Without Zabuza's chakra maintaining it, the water prison trapping Kakashi burst apart with a loud splash, water spraying in all directions.
"Cough—cough…"
Kakashi dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. Completely soaked, he looked unusually disheveled. He raised his head, his gaze sweeping past the others before settling on Naruto's back. What kind of power was that?
One punch… took down one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and even shattered the executioner's blade? And that black lightning around his fist… it wasn't Lightning Release.
Kakashi was sure of it. It was something he had never seen before purer, and far more destructive. After just one failure… had Naruto really changed this much?
He wasn't the only one stunned.
Everyone present stood frozen.
Sasuke's pupils shrank. He stood stiffly in place, the humiliation of being kicked away earlier still fresh in his mind. And now this…
The dead last… defeated a Jonin?
That's impossible.
His eyes locked onto Naruto's back.
The same Naruto he used to look down on… now felt impossibly far away. Jealousy, frustration, and unwillingness twisted inside him.
"Naruto…"
Sakura covered her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her mind had gone completely blank. Tazuna had collapsed onto the ground in fear, his straw hat falling off without him even noticing.
He looked at the half-dead "Demon of the Hidden Mist"… then at Naruto, who stood completely unharmed.
It didn't feel real. That loud, reckless kid… was actually this strong? Silence filled the battlefield. Only the rustling of leaves and the faint crackling from Naruto's fist remained.
Naruto looked down at his hand.
The black sparks of Cursed Energy had already faded, leaving behind a strange sense of control he had never felt before.
This Black Flash…
It felt different. With chakra mixed in, it seemed easier to use.
Why?
"Cough… pfft…"
In the distance, Zabuza coughed up blood.
He was still alive.
Barely. Struggling, he pushed himself up with one arm.
His chest had caved in, and several ribs were clearly broken. His entire body radiated the presence of death. He looked at Naruto, shock filling his eyes.
"Kid…"
"What kind of jutsu was that…?"
As a battle-hardened Jonin, he had never seen such a violent form of taijutsu.
That power didn't feel like chakra.
It felt like… pure destruction.
Naruto didn't answer.
He simply walked forward, calm and steady.
At Jujutsu High, he had learned one thing
Showing mercy to an enemy is cruelty to your allies.
Zabuza Momochi was an enemy. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to kill Kakashi, Sasuke, or Sakura. So He had to die here. Seeing the killing intent in Naruto's eyes, Zabuza's heart sank.
This kid… really intends to kill me.
He wanted to move.
But he couldn't.
His chakra was depleted, and that last punch had nearly destroyed his body.
He couldn't even lift a finger. Naruto raised his fist Ready to finish it.
Swish!
Swish!
Two sharp sounds cut through the air.
Two senbon needles shot out from the forest, striking Zabuza precisely in the neck.
His body jerked violently.
His eyes widened Then quickly lost their light. He collapsed forward. Motionless.
Dead?
Naruto froze, his fist stopping midair.
The sudden turn stunned everyone.
"Who's there?!"
Kakashi reacted instantly, appearing in front of the team, his eyes sharp as he stared toward the forest. Sasuke and Sakura immediately took defensive stances.
A figure landed lightly on a tree branch.
Wearing a Hidden Mist uniform and a white mask marked with its symbol, the figure appeared to be a young boy.
"Thank you."
A clear voice came from behind the mask, making it hard to tell if it was male or female.
"I've been tracking this rogue ninja for a long time. I didn't expect he would trouble you this much."
Kakashi frowned.
"You're… a Hunter-nin from the Hidden Mist?"
"Yes."
The masked figure nodded.
"I'm part of the Hidden Mist ANBU a Hunter-nin."
He jumped down beside Zabuza's body.
Using two fingers, he checked his neck.
"…Confirmed."
"He's dead."
He stood and gave a slight bow.
"A rogue ninja's body contains many secrets jutsu, intelligence… things that must not fall into enemy hands."
"I'll be taking the body for disposal."
He lifted Zabuza onto his shoulder.
"Farewell."
In the next moment He vanished. The forest fell silent once more.
Kakashi stood still, deep in thought.
Was it over? Sakura let out a long breath, finally relaxing. She looked at Naruto, her expression complicated.
"Naruto… you were amazing just now."
Sasuke clicked his tongue and turned away.
But his clenched fists revealed his true feelings.
"Let's move."
Kakashi spoke, his voice tired.
"We'll escort Tazuna home first."
Everyone nodded. They began heading toward Tazuna's house. The atmosphere felt heavy. Sasuke remained silent.
Sakura wanted to speak, but Naruto's calm expression made her hesitate. Naruto, meanwhile, was deep in thought. Battles in this world were completely different from those at Jujutsu High. Cursed Spirits were mindless. But ninja… were not.
They could think, plan, and use all kinds of techniques. If he hadn't been stronger than Zabuza expected they would all be dead right now.…He couldn't afford to relax.
Just then
Kakashi suddenly stopped.
"Sensei?"
Naruto looked up. Kakashi turned around, his expression serious.
"That Hunter-nin… was suspicious."
"What?"
Sakura and Sasuke were both shocked.
"A Hunter-nin's duty is to eliminate rogue ninja and dispose of their bodies immediately usually by taking the head."
"But that one took the entire body."
"And the weapon he used… senbon."
"They're not very lethal. Unless they strike a vital point, they won't kill."
Kakashi's gaze sharpened.
"He hit Zabuza's neck. That area can be fatal…"
"…but it can also be used to induce a death-like state."
He paused, then said quietly
"He wasn't trying to kill Zabuza."
"He was trying to save him."
Silence fell.
"Zabuza Momochi is most likely…
…still alive."