Naruto: Divine Reward System

The air was eerily still.

No sound, no movement—yet, an ominous presence crept closer to Tatsuya and the others, hidden within the thick mist.

Kakashi's [Sharingan] was powerful, but with his vision hindered by the fog, he couldn't pinpoint Zabuza's exact location. However, Tatsuya's own [Sharingan], unburdened by such limitations, caught the slightest shift in the mist.

Just as Zabuza's silhouette materialized near them, Tatsuya's sharp voice cut through the silence.

"Scatter!"

In an instant, he grabbed Tazuna and dashed to the side. Naruto and Sasuke, reacting to his warning, leaped in opposite directions, positioning themselves on either side of Tatsuya.

A split second later, a massive blade cleaved through the spot they had just occupied. The air howled as the weapon sliced through it, barely missing its intended targets.

Kakashi, now fully alert, turned swiftly and locked eyes with Zabuza, his stance shifting into battle readiness. But before engaging, he acknowledged Tatsuya's quick response.

"Tatsuya, nice work!"

Zabuza, however, was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected anyone—let alone a genin—to see through his [Hidden Mist Technique]. Even Kakashi, an elite jonin, hadn't reacted in time.

His eyes narrowed as he muttered, "Is this the true power of the [Sharingan]?"

A cold realization settled in. "I'll need to take this kid out first."

Without another word, Zabuza adjusted his grip on the [Executioner's Blade] and swung it in a lethal arc toward Tatsuya.

Tatsuya instinctively prepared to counter, but before he could move, Kakashi shot forward in a blur. His [Sharingan] had already deciphered Zabuza's attack pattern.

A kunai struck Zabuza's chest with pinpoint accuracy.

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Is it over…?"

Before anyone could celebrate, the struck figure dissolved into a puddle of water.

"A water clone?" Naruto exclaimed, his voice laced with unease.

Before Kakashi could react, the real Zabuza emerged from behind him, his massive blade already mid-swing.

"Sensei, behind you!" Naruto yelled, but it was too late.

The blade slashed through Kakashi's body—

Only for him to turn into water as well.

Zabuza's eyes flickered with shock. "Water Clone Jutsu? Did he copy my technique while still inside the mist?"

A voice rang out behind him. "Don't move."

It was Kakashi.

He stood behind Zabuza, a kunai pressed against his throat.

"It's over, Zabuza."

Naruto clenched his fists in excitement. "Kakashi-sensei is incredible!"

But Zabuza didn't panic. Instead, he smirked. "You're good, Kakashi."

His voice dripped with amusement. "But if you think you can take me down that easily—"

Without warning, the Zabuza in front of Kakashi dissolved into water once again.

The real Zabuza appeared behind him, bringing his blade down in a devastating slash.

Kakashi dodged in time, but Zabuza capitalized on the moment, kicking him away with a powerful strike. Kakashi barely managed to land safely, but before he could counter, Zabuza's plan unfolded.

The second Kakashi's feet touched the water, Zabuza's hands flew through a series of hand signs.

"[Water Prison Jutsu]!"

The water surged up, trapping Kakashi in a solid, swirling sphere. He struggled, but the jutsu's strength held firm.

Zabuza chuckled darkly. "You made a mistake, Kakashi. The water is my domain."

Tightening his grip, he sneered, "Now that I've caught you, dealing with the kids will be easy."

He formed another set of hand signs. "[Water Clone Jutsu]!"

Another Zabuza clone emerged, stepping toward Naruto, Sasuke, and Tatsuya with deadly intent.

"You brats call yourselves ninjas?" His voice was laced with scorn. "You're nothing but weaklings playing soldier."

His eyes gleamed with malice. "Only those who have survived life-and-death battles deserve the title of shinobi. And you—" he gestured toward them with his massive blade "—aren't worthy."

Naruto and Sasuke hesitated. Kakashi had been their strongest fighter, yet now he was trapped. How were they supposed to fight against someone so powerful?

As doubt clouded their minds, Tatsuya stepped forward, his expression calm and unwavering.

"In that case," he said, his voice filled with quiet confidence, "I guess I'll have to prove you wrong."

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "But the real question is… will you even be alive to remember my name?"

The sheer boldness of his words made everyone freeze.

Even Zabuza arched a brow, intrigued.

"Well now," he mused, a low chuckle escaping his lips. "You're an interesting one."

His grin turned savage. "It's a shame, really. I was starting to like you. But it doesn't matter—" he lifted his massive blade, resting it on his shoulder "—because by the end of today, you'll be nothing more than a corpse on this battlefield."

Seeing Tatsuya preparing to face off against Zabuza, Kakashi called out urgently.

"Tatsuya!"

His voice was strained. "Forget about me! Take Tazuna and get out of here. Zabuza's water clone can't last long when it's too far from the real body!"

Kakashi knew Tatsuya had defeated the Demon Brothers, but Zabuza was in a completely different league. He wasn't just strong; he was ruthless.

Back in the Blood Mist Village, Zabuza had killed over a hundred students before even becoming a shinobi.

So...

Even with Tatsuya, Naruto, and Sasuke together, Kakashi wasn't sure they could take him.

"Sensei!"

Tatsuya's voice was firm.

"During the assessment, you told us we are a team!"

His eyes burned with determination.

"And as a team, we don't abandon our comrades!"

"I refuse to be a trash shinobi!"

Kakashi blinked, momentarily stunned. Naruto and Sasuke, inspired by Tatsuya's conviction, straightened their backs. The hesitation in their eyes vanished.

"Tatsuya's right!" Naruto shouted, stepping forward to stand beside him.

Sasuke, silent but determined, took his place on Tatsuya's other side.

Seeing them lined up, Kakashi felt a surge of pride.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Zabuza is as strong as me in close combat. Be careful," he warned.

"Also…"

Tatsuya didn't waste any more time. He took a deep breath and activated the Second Gate of the Eight Gates.

Gate of Rest, Open!

A burst of energy surged through his body, muscles tightening as the strain of fatigue was overridden.

Whoosh!

In a blink, Tatsuya vanished from sight. When he reappeared, he was right in front of Zabuza.

Zabuza's eyes widened. "Fast!"

He barely had time to react before Tatsuya struck. Zabuza swung his massive Executioner's Blade, intercepting Tatsuya's attack.

Clang!

The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward. Tatsuya gritted his teeth, struggling against Zabuza's immense strength.

"Not bad, kid!" Zabuza smirked.

Then, with a burst of power, he swung again, forcing Tatsuya back.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Zabuza unleashed a relentless assault, each strike heavier than the last. Tatsuya's arms trembled under the force. Then—

Slash!

Tatsuya's body was cut in half!

Kakashi and the others paled.

But before panic could set in, Tatsuya's body splashed into a puddle.

"A water clone?!" Zabuza's voice sharpened with shock.

Kakashi and the others exhaled in relief, though their awe deepened.

Tatsuya had copied Zabuza's Water Clone Jutsu?

Even Zabuza hesitated. "What? This brat can copy my techniques too?"

Before he could dwell on it, he felt a presence behind him.

"Too slow!"

Tatsuya struck, aiming a kunai at Zabuza's back. But just before impact, Zabuza spun around, catching Tatsuya's wrist mid-air.

"I'll admit, I underestimated you," Zabuza said with a dark chuckle. "But this is as far as you go!"

Without hesitation, he swung his Executioner's Blade.

Slash!

Tatsuya vanished into a puff of smoke.

"A shadow clone?!" Zabuza barely had time to react before he heard Tatsuya's voice from above.

"Now it's too late for you to dodge!"

Tatsuya plummeted from the sky, kunai aimed straight for Zabuza's skull.

Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke executed Tatsuya's plan.

Using Wind Demon Shuriken: Shadow Windmill, they forced Zabuza to release the Water Prison Technique, freeing Kakashi.

The moment Kakashi was free, he moved with lightning speed.

Zabuza barely managed to evade, but Naruto's shuriken nicked his mask, drawing blood.

Zabuza's expression darkened.

"Damn brat!" he snarled.

With a furious roar, he swung his Executioner's Blade at Naruto.

Whoosh!

Before the blade could connect—

Clang!

A sharp metallic clash rang out. Kakashi had intercepted the strike with his bracer.

"Nice teamwork, you three," Kakashi praised. "I'll be adding extra meat to your dinner tonight."

He straightened. "Now, leave the rest to me."

Tatsuya didn't argue. With his current strength, taking Zabuza down alone would be tough.

But since Kakashi was volunteering to finish the job, why waste the effort?

A mission's a mission. Whether he or Kakashi took Zabuza down didn't matter, as long as it got done.

Tatsuya stepped back, watching the battle unfold.

Kakashi smirked. "Zabuza, I won't fall for the same trick twice."

Zabuza growled and leaped back, rapidly forming hand signs.

Kakashi did the same, perfectly mirroring his movements.Ox — Monkey — Hare — Rat — Boar — Bird — Ox — Horse — Bird — Rat — Tiger — Dog — Tiger — Serpent — Ox — Ram — Serpent — Boar — Ram — Rat — Monkey — Bird — Dragon — Bird — Ox — Horse — Ram — Tiger — Serpent — Rat — Monkey — Hare — Boar — Dragon — Ram — Rat — Ox — Monkey — Bird — Rat — Ram — Bird.

Hand seals flashed at blinding speed.

Then, in perfect synchronization, both shinobi shouted—

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

As twin water dragons surged into existence, ready to clash, Tatsuya watched, arms crossed.

If the Second Hokage saw this, he'd probably shake his head.

After all, he could perform this jutsu with just three hand seals…