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"Water Prison Technique!"
The moment Kagaya and the others arrived on the scene, they witnessed Zabuza using the "Water Prison Technique" to trap Kakashi above the river.
Due to the thick mist Zabuza had created, as long as Kagaya's group stood a moderate distance away, it would be difficult for Zabuza and the others to spot them visually.
Of course, Kagaya and his companions weren't deliberately hiding either. So, while they couldn't be seen, a simple chakra sense would reveal their presence.
Kagaya observed the situation ahead with his Sharingan activated.
Karin asked curiously, "Kagaya, why did you come looking for them? They all have chakra that feels... not very pleasant."
Karin's sensory abilities were terrifying. At this distance, Kagaya could only observe with his Sharingan, but Karin could sense everything.
Moreover, Karin was particularly sensitive to chakra, often able to gauge a person's nature through their chakra alone.
However, Karin wasn't necessarily saying Kakashi and the others were bad people here; she was simply expressing her dislike for "outsiders."
Kagaya chuckled softly. "See that guy with the big sword on his back? Later, I might need to step in and rescue him."
Haku frowned. "But, Kagaya, from what I can sense, Mr. Zabuza seems to be holding the upper hand."
Kagaya explained, "That's why I said 'later.'"
Karin spoke with an annoyed expression. "If you want to save him, Kagaya, why not just take him away now? Why wait around for him to get into trouble?"
Kagaya shook his head. "As Haku said, Zabuza is currently winning. In that situation, do you think he'd listen to me and leave obediently? Forcibly taking Zabuza away would only make him resentful. The wait shouldn't be long anyway; we can wait a little."
"Fine."
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Zabuza frowned, looking to his right. There, the mist obscured his vision, appearing empty. But Zabuza snorted coldly.
"Why is that guy here? Didn't he say it would be several more months?"
Kakashi was also startled, looking in the same direction as Zabuza.
"Kagaya..."
Then, Kakashi abruptly turned his head and shouted towards Naruto and the others on the shore, "Naruto! Sasuke! Sakura! Take Mr. Tazuna and run! Now!! Don't hesitate!"
If, a few seconds ago, Kakashi still believed he had a chance of winning, at this moment, he was completely filled with despair.
Getting trapped by Zabuza could be considered a mistake on his part, not an indication of inferior strength. Once free, going all out, Kakashi was confident he could defeat Zabuza.
But if he had to face that guy...
Thinking this, Kakashi looked again towards the mist-shrouded area to his right.
If he had to face that guy, his chances of winning were very slim!
Especially since Kakashi had heard from the Third Hokage that Kagaya had once intended to kill Naruto. Kakashi didn't believe Kagaya would harm a former friend. From beginning to end, Kakashi held onto hope for Kagaya.
However, Naruto was Konoha's trump card. No matter what, Kakashi couldn't gamble with him. If Kagaya truly attacked Naruto, it would be disastrous.
Zabuza looked strangely at the suddenly tense Kakashi. "What's wrong, Kakashi? Have you fought that guy before? What's it like when two Sharingan users clash? I'm quite curious."
Kakashi gave Zabuza a cold glance. "You don't need to know that."
Zabuza sneered. "Is that so? Fine, no matter. I'll finish my task first. Water Clone Technique!"
Water from the river gathered beside Zabuza, forming a clone of him. The clone then began walking towards Naruto and the others.
Within the mist.
Haku looked at Kagaya. "Kagaya, it seems Zabuza intends to attack the blond boy and the boy who cried that night. Do you want me to stop Zabuza?"
Kagaya glanced sidelong at Haku. "The blond one is Naruto. The one who cried that night is Sasuke."
Haku's face flushed slightly, replying somewhat awkwardly. "O-oh, I'll remember that, Kagaya."
Kagaya continued, "No need to save them. I genuinely don't want to kill them. But if they can't even overcome a minor obstacle like this, they might as well die."
Kagaya indeed still held feelings for Naruto and Sasuke. However, that didn't mean he would protect them unconditionally. Their future journeys were destined to be fraught with difficulty; they needed to face their own challenges alone.
Kagaya wouldn't interfere with their growth paths. Just like back when Orochimaru targeted Sasuke and asked Kagaya not to intervene, Kagaya readily agreed. This time was no different. Even if Zabuza's clone severed Naruto's or Sasuke's arm or leg, Kagaya wouldn't intervene.
With the Nine-Tails, the Sharingan, such trump cards at their disposal, if they couldn't defeat a mere clone of Zabuza, it would be too disappointing.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Sasuke stared intently at Zabuza. Kakashi had told them to flee, but Sasuke didn't want to run.
Sasuke understood clearly that the moment Kakashi was captured, the option to "flee" was gone. Even if they ran now, once Zabuza dealt with Kakashi, without Kakashi, Sasuke's group would be quickly caught and easily killed.
Ultimately, the only force in their squad capable of resisting Zabuza was Kakashi. Once that force was lost, they were nothing but fish on a chopping block—unable to escape, unable to survive. To break this deadlock, they had to rescue Kakashi now!
'We have to fight!'
Sasuke knew they had no other choice. Immediately, he charged at Zabuza.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Several shuriken flew towards Zabuza. Zabuza watched Sasuke coldly, saying nothing, merely swinging his sword lightly to deflect all the incoming shuriken.
However, Sasuke used the moment Zabuza swung his sword to leap high into the air, holding a kunai, and thrust down at Zabuza from above!
At this moment, Zabuza's sword had just been swung; he couldn't use it to block Sasuke's attack!
But...
"Too naive!"
Sasuke's idea was sound, but the difference in strength was too great. Before Sasuke could react, Zabuza used his free hand to grab Sasuke by the neck and hurled him away.
Then, Zabuza walked towards Naruto, who was sitting on the ground.
At this moment, Naruto, seeing Zabuza approach, trembled in fear. This tangible, overwhelming killing intent... Naruto was terrified. He was genuinely afraid.
On the other side.
Karin couldn't help but speak up. "That kid looks really scared. Are you sure you won't save him?"
Kagaya countered, "Do you think he'll run?"
Karin thought for a moment and said, "I think he'll run. After all, that guy with the big sword seems to have killed many people. His chakra has the heaviest killing intent among them all. Even I can't help feeling a little afraid."
Kagaya, however, smiled slightly and made a judgment opposite to Karin's. "I think he won't run."
Karin was taken aback for a moment, then blushed and spoke. "Ehehe~ Kagaya, want to make a bet?"
An extremely bad feeling welled up in Kagaya's heart. He looked at Karin warily. "What kind of bet?"
"We'll bet on whether that kid runs away or not."
"And then? What are the stakes?"
"The stakes are... are..."
Seeing Karin's fidgeting, bashful demeanor, Kagaya's sense of foreboding skyrocketed. He decisively refused, "No bet!"
Karin raised a fist, her face flushed, pouting. "Why not?! I'll tell you the stakes, okay? If I win... you have to... let me... kiss you! Ehehe~"
"And if I win?"
"Then... then I'll let you... kiss me..."
"So what kind of stakes are these?! They're practically the same! No bet means no bet!"
"Whaaat?! How can you do this?!"