- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 42
Sure enough, Kakashi managed to neutralize the water clone in front of him and then turned to block Zabuza’s attack just in time. However, because he was slightly delayed in dealing with the water clone, Zabuza landed a kick that sent Kakashi into the nearby river.
“Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!”
Seeing Kakashi fall into the water, a smirk appeared on Zabuza’s face. He swiftly moved forward and activated his pre-prepared ninjutsu. From the beginning, he never expected to quickly defeat the renowned Kakashi. Everything he had done up to this point was to push Kakashi into the river and trap him with the Water Prison Jutsu.
Zabuza’s goal wasn’t to kill Kakashi or even to defeat him in a fair fight, but to kill Tazuna. His battle plan had always revolved around this strategy. To reach the rank of elite ninja through sheer survival in a bloody battlefield and escape after an assassination attempt on the Mizukage, Zabuza’s skill and tactical mind were certainly on par with Kakashi’s.
Despite the initial mishap where his Executioner’s Blade was taken by Leo, Zabuza’s preparation paid off. In ninja combat, aside from strength, intelligence is key. Zabuza had detailed information on Kakashi but none on Leo, making unexpected outcomes plausible.
Just like in a large-scale battle, even if both sides are evenly matched, an unknown soldier with extraordinary combat ability could change the tide. Zabuza’s real body performing the Water Prison Jutsu was hard for Kakashi to break free from, but it also immobilized Zabuza himself.
However, Zabuza had planned for this and formed another water clone with one hand while maintaining the Water Prison Jutsu with the other.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for!”
As Zabuza’s water clone approached them, Leo grabbed his staff and stepped forward. “You guys protect Mr. Tazuna; I’ll handle him!”
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, having lost their confidence from witnessing the earlier clash between Zabuza and Kakashi, hesitated. Even Sasuke, the strongest among them, trembled slightly while holding his kunai. Thankfully, Leo, who was evidently much stronger than them, stood ready to fight.
“Little monk, I might just consider adding you to my ninja manual, but it won’t matter soon enough.”
Zabuza, wasting no time, lunged at Leo with his kunai. Leo’s presence in his manual indicated recognition of his skills, but dead ninjas didn’t need recognition.
“Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura, protect Mr. Tazuna and move farther away. His water clone can’t stray too far from his real body. Leo, you don’t need to fight head-on; just hold out for five minutes. Once his water clone dissolves, I can break out of the Water Prison with his chakra divided.”
Though trapped, Kakashi quickly devised a plan. He was thankful for the capable monk from the Fire Temple, for without him, facing Zabuza’s water clone with Naruto’s team alone would have been impossible.
“Five minutes, that’s manageable,” Leo thought as he gripped his staff, ready to use the unadorned but powerful Shaolin Dharma Staff technique he had learned from a Shaolin lay disciple. This technique, while simple in its moves, maximized the staff’s potential. Though defeating an elite Jonin like Zabuza was beyond his current abilities, he was confident in holding off the water clone for five minutes.
Creating this scenario also served Leo’s purpose of testing his current strength against a formidable opponent like Zabuza’s water clone.
“Clang! Clang! Clang!”
A series of rapid metallic clashes ensued, forcing Zabuza’s water clone to retreat. Despite several attempts, the clone couldn’t penetrate Leo’s defensive staff techniques.
Weighing nearly 200 pounds, Leo wielded the staff skillfully, preventing any opportunity for a decisive strike. If Zabuza had his Executioner’s Blade, he might have had a chance, but using a kunai, every clash risked the stability of the water clone.
“Up until now, you’ve only used Taijutsu. It seems…you’re not very skilled in Ninjutsu,” Zabuza’s water clone observed, slowly retracting his kunai.
During their fight, Leo had not used any ninjutsu, opting for risky maneuvers to force Zabuza on the defensive. “Indeed, I’m not skilled in Ninjutsu, but holding out for five minutes with Taijutsu alone is within my capability,” Leo admitted, purposely revealing this information to maintain his image as a Taijutsu specialist and conceal his true abilities.
“You underestimate me!” Zabuza formed hand seals swiftly. “Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!”
Zabuza’s water clone unleashed a massive water dragon, a B-rank jutsu, rushing towards Leo with tremendous force. Being hit by such an attack from an elite Jonin would cause significant harm even to someone with Leo’s physical resilience.
Reacting quickly, Leo hurled his staff at the water dragon to slow it down, then jumped out of its path with all his might. The water dragon’s speed was too great to evade while holding the heavy staff.
“It’s over!”
As Leo leaped, Zabuza’s water clone appeared behind him, kunai aimed at his neck. “Behind you, watch out!” Naruto and the others shouted in alarm, but it would have been too late.
“It’s you who are finished,” Leo smirked, seemingly expecting the attack. He thrust his hands backward, and a sharp blade materialized out of nowhere, piercing Zabuza’s water clone before it could strike. The clone dissolved into a puddle of water, disappearing without a trace.