Naruto: Bonds Unbroken

The mist swallowed the world whole. Thick, cold, and unnatural—it was a hunter's shroud. Every sound felt distant, muffled by the oppressive white void.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, the two tomoe of his Sharingan spinning as he scanned their surroundings. His pulse was steady, but his body was ready—every muscle taut like a drawn bowstring.

Zabuza's voice slithered through the fog.

"Eight points on the human body can cause death. Liver… lungs… spine… heart… Jugular vein…" He paused, the killing intent in his tone sharp as a blade. "Which one should I take first?"

Naruto, his fists clenched, growled back into the mist. "Quit hiding and fight, you coward!"

A low chuckle answered him. "Foolish boy. The dead can't talk."

Sakura's voice trembled. "Where… where is he?"

Sasuke's voice cut through the tension, cold and certain. "Calm down. Fear will only get you killed. Listen carefully… and feel it."

Naruto shot a glare through the mist. "Tch. Easy for you to say, genius."

But Kakashi's voice was next, firm and clear. "Sasuke's right. The Silent Killing Technique is deadly because it uses the fog to erase sound and presence. But there's always something—"

A flicker—movement to the left—

"DOWN!" Kakashi shouted.

---

The First Strike

A massive blade carved through the fog—Zabuza's executioner's sword—whistling through the air like death's scythe.

CLANG!

Kakashi's kunai met the blade, sparks bursting in the mist. The shockwave scattered the fog briefly, revealing the monstrous form of Zabuza Momochi—The Demon of the Hidden Mist.

Naruto's eyes widened. "What the—"

Zabuza's voice was cold, almost amused. "So… this is the Copy Ninja Kakashi I've heard so much about?"

Kakashi's lone visible eye didn't waver. "And you're Zabuza Momochi… A rogue from the Bloody Mist. I don't let people like you near my students."

Zabuza's eyes flicked toward the trio. "Students, huh?" His voice turned predatory. "You should've left them behind. They'll die first."

---

A Brother's Bond

Sasuke stepped forward, Sharingan gleaming in the mist. "Try it, and you'll regret it."

Zabuza chuckled. "A Sharingan already? You're a talented little Uchiha. But talent means nothing if you're dead."

Naruto stepped up beside Sasuke, his fists up. "You're not touching him, or anyone else!"

Zabuza paused. His eyes swept over their formation. Something was off. The Uchiha—bold and precise, and the blond brat—reckless but brimming with fire. Yet, they moved with an unspoken understanding, instinctively covering each other's blind spots.

"Heh…" Zabuza's grin widened beneath his bandages. "So, you're more than just a clan prodigy and a loudmouth. You've got… bonded fangs."

Sasuke's eyes didn't leave Zabuza for a second. "We've fought side by side since we could walk. You're not breaking this team."

---

The Fog of Death

The air shifted. Zabuza's hands flashed through seals.

"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu."

The fog thickened, devouring sight, sound, and space.

Then—nothing.

The silence was absolute, and with it came the killing intent—thick, choking, and cold as a blade to the neck.

Sakura's breath quickened. "W-we can't see anything!"

Sasuke's voice, low but sharp. "Naruto, stay close. We cover each other's backs."

Naruto grinned, his nerves hidden under bravado. "Yeah, yeah. You're not getting rid of me, bastard."

Then—

---

Predator and Prey

A whisper—

A shadow—

Zabuza was everywhere and nowhere.

The tension shattered—

CLANG! Kakashi intercepted Zabuza's sword again—

But—

A Water Clone!

"Behind you!" Sasuke shouted—

Zabuza emerged from the fog—too fast.

The massive blade swung—

---

The Uchiha Awakens

Sasuke moved—instinct and Sharingan guiding him—

CLANG!

Kunai met steel.

The impact rattled his bones, but he held firm—

Zabuza's eyes flashed. "Not bad, kid."

Sasuke's teeth clenched, pushing back against the monstrous strength. "You think… I'll let you… hurt my family?"

Zabuza grinned beneath his bandages. "Family, huh? You'll make this fun before you die."

---

Naruto's Roar

Suddenly—

"NARUTO RENDAN!"

Naruto—bursting from the fog above—

WHAM!

A flying kick to Zabuza's face—

The rogue ninja skidded back, chuckling despite the impact. "Feisty."

Naruto landed beside Sasuke, fists raised. "Told you I had your back, teme!"

Sasuke smirked. "Took you long enough, dobe."

---

The Copy Ninja Unleashed

Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "Cute. But playtime's over."

He moved to finish them—

But—

Kakashi's voice—low and cold—

"You won't touch them."

The headband lifted—

The Sharingan blazed.

Zabuza paused mid-step. "Oh?"

Kakashi's eye spun, reading every twitch of his body. "It's over, Zabuza."

---

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

Zabuza attacked—his hands weaving seals—

But Kakashi—mirrored him perfectly.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

Two colossal dragons of water erupted—one from Zabuza—one from Kakashi—

They clashed in a roar that split the mist—

Zabuza's eyes widened in disbelief. "How…?"

Kakashi's voice was ice. "I see your future."

---

The Fang and the Leaf

From behind—

Naruto and Sasuke—in sync.

Shuriken flew—

Zabuza batted them aside—except—

A transformed Naruto!

He struck—

Sasuke followed—kunai flashing—

---

Zabuza stumbled—blood trailing his side.

The demon's eyes flared with rage—then—

Thwip.

Senbon needles pierced his neck—

His body froze—

A soft, emotionless voice from the mist—

"That's enough."

---

The Masked Hunter

A figure emerged—masked, slender, and cold-eyed.

"You've done enough, Zabuza."

Naruto's eyes flared. "Who—?"

Kakashi's voice was tense. "A tracker from the Mist."

The masked shinobi bowed slightly. "I'll take care of him. Thank you for weakening him."

Zabuza's voice rasped. "Damn you… Haku…"

Then—he collapsed.

---

The Aftermath

The mist began to fade, and with it, the tension.

Naruto's fists shook. "That's it? Just like that?"

Sasuke, breathing hard, wiped his kunai. "It's not over…"

Kakashi nodded grimly. "No… It isn't."

He glanced down at Zabuza's fallen form. "We'll meet him again. Count on it."

---

As the Mist Clears

Sasuke and Naruto stood side by side, their breath visible in the lingering cold.

Naruto broke the silence with a grin. "Not bad, huh, bastard?"

Sasuke, his Sharingan still faintly glowing, gave a small smirk. "Hn. Just don't slow me down next time, dobe."

Naruto shoved his shoulder lightly. "Heh. Like I ever would."

Behind them, Kakashi watched his students—their bond, their growth. His eye softened with pride.

"They'll surpass me… together."