MWM Chapter 39

“Mr. Tazuna, we’re almost there. It seems like Gato hasn’t noticed us yet.”

The young man rowing the boat breathed a slight sigh of relief as the bridge tunnel came into view. He knew that leaving the island without Gato’s permission, especially while escorting Tazuna, the bridge builder, could mean he wouldn’t see the light of the next day if they were caught.

“Thank you for your hard work,” Tazuna said, lifting his hat slightly, his expression turning serious.

Hearing their conversation, a sharp gleam flashed in Leo’s eyes. He knew that they were about to face two Jonin-level ninjas: Zabuza Momochi, the Demon, and Haku, who possessed the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.

From his daily training with Delu, Leo had a good sense of what a Jonin’s strength was like. This was why he had chosen to accompany Kakashi and his team to the Land of Waves. Without Kakashi’s help, dealing with Zabuza and Haku alone would be beyond his capabilities.

As they passed through the bridge tunnel, the mist dispersed, revealing a beautiful island gradually appearing before them. The only downside was the island’s somewhat dilapidated houses, and the emaciated, apathetic expressions of the residents on the shore.

“I live a bit further from here. Follow me,” Tazuna said after they landed, leading the group through the small town on the dock and along a dirt road shrouded by dense forest, heading into the island.

“I can’t let Sasuke show off again!” Naruto, who was walking ahead of Leo, looked at Sasuke, who had his hands in his pockets and an arrogant look on his face. He immediately ran ahead, pretending to inspect the area and even throwing a few kunai from time to time.

However, his eagerness to show off was evident to everyone, prompting Sakura to start scolding him loudly.

At that moment, Leo became more alert. His martial arts training had given him a keen sense of awareness, and he had felt a gaze filled with killing intent sweep over him briefly. Yet, he couldn’t pinpoint the exact location of the gaze.

“There!” Because of Naruto’s random kunai throws, Leo sensed something amiss. He pushed aside the dense bushes on the side of the road and carefully examined the area.

Naruto’s kunai had hit the root of a large tree, and beneath it, a small white rabbit was trembling with fear.

“Did it use the Substitution Jutsu to escape?” Leo remained highly vigilant, scanning his surroundings while outwardly retrieving the kunai and tossing it back to Naruto. He picked up the trembling rabbit with a smile and walked back.

Kakashi’s eyes narrowed when he saw the rabbit in Leo’s hands. With his experience, he recognized that this was no ordinary rabbit but one specifically raised by ninjas to use for the Substitution Jutsu to confuse enemies.

On the other side, Sakura scolded Naruto once again for nearly harming the cute rabbit.

“Such a cute rabbit,” Leo said as he approached Tazuna, lifting the rabbit up. Then, he added, “What do you think…should we roast it or steam it?”

Zabuza, who was hiding in a dense tree above, using a prepared rabbit as a substitute, was taken aback by Leo’s unexpected words, causing him to lose his perfect concealment for a moment.

That slight mistake was enough for both Leo and Kakashi, who was already suspicious, to pinpoint Zabuza’s location.

“Since I’m exposed, let’s start directly!” Realizing that his brief lapse might have alerted the famed Copy Ninja Kakashi, Zabuza drew his massive sword and hurled it toward Tazuna.

“Everyone, get down!” Kakashi shouted. Seeing the massive sword hurtling toward them like a meat grinder, encompassing everyone in its attack range, he quickly decided that the safest response was for everyone to duck.

Trying to block the giant sword could leave them vulnerable to a hidden attacker, and with its speed and force, Naruto and the others wouldn’t be able to block it. Ducking would allow them to avoid the attack and remain alert for any ambush.

Leo was impressed by Kakashi’s quick and strategic decision-making, befitting an elite Jonin. However, instead of ducking like the others, he stood his ground. Just as the sword was about to reach him, he dodged backward, then swiftly raised his staff and accurately caught the sword’s circular hole with it. Using his solid stance, he managed to stop the sword’s momentum and pull it back.

With Kakashi watching, Leo wasn’t worried about a sneak attack from Zabuza. Instead, he seized the opportunity to take Zabuza’s weapon.

“What?” Kakashi was surprised to see Leo manage to intercept the massive sword with his staff. To catch it so precisely in the hole to prevent it from flying away required exceptional strength, speed, and precision.

This young monk from the Fire Temple clearly had remarkable skill in taijutsu. The Fire Temple was known for its prowess in physical techniques, and as the disciple of the head monk Delu, it made sense that Leo had such abilities.

Zabuza, having thrown his sword, quickly leapt to the tree where he expected the sword to land. He knew that his initial attack wouldn’t take down someone like Kakashi but hoped to make a dramatic entrance to set the tone for the battle.

Ninja battles involved various aspects: ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, battle strategy, chakra reserves, and psychological warfare. Especially when facing equally skilled opponents, even a small factor could tip the scales.

However, upon arriving at the spot, Zabuza found it empty, with no sign of his sword.

“Where’s my sword? Where’s my huge sword?” Standing on the tree branch, Zabuza was bewildered, feeling that his dramatic entrance had failed miserably.

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