A few days later...
After ensuring no one was around, Tenzo slipped into the room and looked at Kakashi, who was recovering from his injuries, with a grin.
"Captain Kakashi, I never thought I'd see you like this..."
Kakashi replied calmly, "Shouldn't you be on duty? What are you doing here?"
Tenzo scratched his head and chuckled, "At first, I thought we could just team up with you and capture Zabuza right away."
"But after seeing how much those three kids have improved, I finally understand your good intentions, Captain."
Kakashi remained calm and said, "Oh, then it seems you have the makings of a good instructor."
Tenzo continued, "Although you're doing this to train the genin... when can we step in? I can't wait to see the look on Zabuza's face when he realizes what's happening."
Kakashi glanced at Tenzo.
"I called you here to protect Naruto and the others. As for me, I haven't even gone all out yet."
Tenzo raised an eyebrow and asked suspiciously, "Really? But last time, you got caught in Zabuza's Water Prison Technique. If it weren't for those three kids, you'd have been in trouble."
Even though his weakness had been exposed, Kakashi didn't seem bothered.
"Tenzo, do you remember the last few lines of the Land of Waves Volume?"
Tenzo wondered why Kakashi had to bring that up at this time.
But he asked anyway, "Which lines?"
Kakashi already had the answer in mind.
He then said, "What does it mean to be a Ninja? What is the true way of life for a Ninja?"
"These questions were deeply engraved in Naruto and the others' hearts…"
"Along with their own Ninja Way."
After finishing, before Tenzo could respond, Kakashi continued, "At first, I also thought about leading you all to capture Zabuza directly."
"But after seeing Sasuke's progress and Naruto's determination, it dawned on me..."
"As their Jonin Instructor, I shouldn't be so selfish. This is a rare experience in their Ninja Life..."
"So... I want to play out this story as it was in the plot. That's why I need you all to cooperate."
Seeing Kakashi get serious again, Yamato quickly said, "Of course, you can count on us."
"Oh, and one more thing... you seem to be underestimating my ability?"
"Or have you gotten too cocky since I left the Anbu? "
Kakashi brought the conversation back to the earlier topic, catching Tenzo off guard.
"Cough... that's not what I meant. See you later, Captain."
After saying this, Tenzo disappeared.
---
The three Anbu members spent their days catching fish and living in their makeshift hideout, while Yuto, who wasn't skilled in such things, had to shuttle back and forth like a mole.
When he got hungry, he'd spend a little time returning to Konoha to buy food, and he always slept at home.
Knowing there wouldn't be any major conflicts in the next couple of days, since both Kakashi and Zabuza were recovering, Yuto only went over to check on them occasionally.
However, this time, Yuto saw that Kakashi was already up and about, even following Tazuna onto the bridge.
He couldn't help but feel excited.
'Finally, the big moment was coming!'
---
Sure enough, after exchanging a few words, Kakashi and Zabuza quickly clashed.
Kakashi maintained his full power with the three-tomoe Sharingan to deal with Zabuza!
After their last encounter, Kakashi knew Zabuza was no pushover! In terms of strength, Zabuza was at least on par with him!
On the other side of the battlefield, Haku faced Naruto and Sasuke alone.
Sakura was tasked with protecting Tazuna.
With his three-tomoe Sharingan, Kakashi's strength was on par with Zabuza's. However, Kakashi's Chakra Reserves had increased recently, so he didn't have to worry as much about running out of Chakra.
For a while, Zabuza was at a disadvantage.
Even though he had prepared, Zabuza still struggled against Kakashi.
---
Time passed, and Sasuke was already covered in wounds from Haku's senbon.
If Haku hadn't deliberately avoided vital points, Sasuke would have been done for long ago.
The three hidden Anbu's members also noticed this, which was why they didn't immediately step in to help Sasuke.
After all, this was shown in the storyline... Since Sasuke wouldn't die, everyone felt reassured and didn't rush to intervene.
However, just as Sasuke fell, Naruto, who had long been exhausted, began to emit a crimson Chakra... which gradually formed a cloak-like shape around him.
'Is that... the Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak?!'
As experienced Anbu Ninjas, the three of them naturally didn't see Naruto as the demon fox like ordinary people would.
Instead, they immediately thought of 'Tailed Beast Jinchuriki.'
"Shouldn't we step in? If the Tailed Beast goes on a rampage..."
As someone who had lived through the Nine-Tails Attack, Elephant was dead serious. He knew all too well the consequences of a Tailed Beast's rampage.
Tenzo hesitated for a moment before saying, "No... we wait for Captain Kakashi's orders."
"But…"
"We are Anbu, and this is not Konoha."
…
After Naruto got the Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak, the tide of the battle turned almost instantly!
Naruto began overwhelming Haku single-handedly.
Meanwhile, Kakashi also felt the timing was right and delivered the line he had prepared for Zabuza.
"Your ambition has caused too much sacrifice. This is not the behavior a Ninja should have."
As he spoke, Kakashi's Raikiri formed instantly, aiming straight for Zabuza's heart.
'How... is this possible? How can I fall here?'
Zabuza was completely exhausted, and even though his eyes could keep up, his body couldn't dodge Kakashi's Raikiri.
He knew very well that if he took this hit head-on, it would mean certain death.
But... he couldn't accept it!
Suddenly, a small figure stepped in front of him.
It's Haku.
Haku had broken away from Naruto's assault to shield Zabuza from Kakashi's Raikiri.
Zabuza stared blankly at the figure in front of him, 'This tool.'
He even forgot about Kakashi, his opponent, whose three-tomoe Sharingan was now morphing into the shape of three sickles...
And the lightning wasn't as blinding as before.
When the Raikiri was less than an inch from Haku's heart, the lightning vanished.
Kakashi let out a sigh of relief, his entire body relaxing.
Thankfully, this time, with prior preparation and the power of his Mangekyo, he had managed to hold back the Raikiri.
Though Haku's heart wasn't pierced through, the blow still knocked him unconscious.
Looking at the fallen Haku, Zabuza didn't know how to feel. There was shock, relief at having narrowly escaped death, and a hint of... sorrow.
Even though his body was on the verge of collapse, Zabuza forced himself to stand.
The battle wasn't over yet...