i am kimimaro

**Demonic Ice Crystal Mirrors**

The Snow Clan's bloodline secret technique.

It condenses dozens of ice mirrors, encasing the enemy within a confined space. 

The user merges with the mirrors, able to move swiftly between them.

"Haku, show them no mercy."

Zabuza gave Haku one final warning.

Today's situation was dire; if Haku held back, they would be in grave danger.

"Yes, Zabuza-sensei."

As soon as the words left his lips, Haku's figure appeared on dozens of ice mirrors.

The red and white mask added a touch of mystery to his presence.

"What kind of jutsu is this? It looks so strange."

Naruto gulped, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

Sasuke's eyes darted around, searching for a weakness in this technique.

Kimimaro, gripping his bone sword, was ready to strike at any moment.

Outside the Demonic Ice Crystal Mirrors, Kakashi's face was etched with worry.

"It's probably hard to break this technique from the inside, but from the outside... it should be much easier."

With this thought, Kakashi began to form hand seals.

But just then, a large sword was thrown from within the ice mirrors!

Whoosh!

The giant Executioner's Blade whistled through the air, slashing directly at Kakashi!

Kakashi's pupils shrank, forced to pause his hand seals and evade the attack.

Zabuza suddenly appeared, catching the spinning blade as it returned.

"Your opponent is me."

Zabuza's body blocked Kakashi's path.

Kakashi's expression darkened, knowing that he couldn't reinforce Sasuke and the others without dealing with Zabuza first.

Within the ice mirrors, Haku shifted his form, appearing on every mirror, holding senbon needles in both hands.

"I don't want to hurt you, but for Zabuza-sama's sake, please stay still!"

Haku's voice turned cold.

Then, countless senbon needles shot from all directions!

"Ah!"

Naruto and Sasuke cried out in unison as the senbon pierced their bodies, leaving countless wounds.

But Kimimaro's situation was entirely different.

He drew his bone sword, creating a flash of light.

"Dance of the Larch!"

The white sword light flickered, deflecting each incoming senbon.

The sound of senbon clashing with the bone sword was endless, sparks flying.

After the onslaught, the dense rain of senbon hadn't even torn Kimimaro's clothes, let alone left a wound.

In contrast, Naruto and Sasuke looked rather miserable.

Their bodies were covered in countless small wounds.

Several senbon were even embedded in their arms.

The wounds weren't large, but the pain was intense.

"This guy..."

Beneath the mask, Haku frowned. He hadn't expected Kimimaro to so easily deflect his attack.

This was going to be troublesome.

In comparison, the two Leaf genin were much easier to deal with.

If he got serious, they would fall in an instant.

The first round of probing allowed Haku to gauge the three's strength.

Kimimaro was the strongest, Naruto the weakest, and Sasuke in the middle.

"Are you alright?"

Kimimaro stepped forward, shielding the injured two.

Sasuke and Naruto were surprised to see Kimimaro completely unscathed.

"We're fine, just minor injuries. What was that attack? I couldn't see it at all."

Naruto exclaimed.

"He used senbon, a massive amount, shot from all directions, leaving us no time to react. No, not us, just you and me. Kimimaro was able to track the trajectory and block all the attacks."

Sasuke's dark eyes moved faster and faster, a hint of crimson slowly awakening within them.

His words held a trace of envy for Kimimaro's strength.

What kind of training had he undergone to possess such power?

"There's no time for discussion now. Secret Technique: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death!"

Haku's figure appeared in all the ice mirrors simultaneously.

In the next moment, the Haku within each mirror lunged out!

His speed reached its peak, each hand holding a senbon, launching an attack!

Dozens of afterimages charged forward!

"Watch out!"

Kimimaro shouted, and Sasuke and Naruto immediately raised their guard.

But raising their guard wasn't enough to deal with this attack.

"Oh no! He's aiming for Naruto!"

Sasuke yelled, his Sharingan clearly seeing Haku's movements.

It seemed like a group attack on all three of them, but the real target was only Naruto.

He wanted to eliminate one first!

Sasuke's body moved, rushing towards Naruto without hesitation.

Facing the imminent attack, Naruto was terrified, but he couldn't react in time.

At that moment, Sasuke stood before him!

"Sasuke! You!"

The annoying Sasuke was actually protecting him with his life?

Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief.

Haku seemed to have anticipated this, his movements unwavering.

This strike was a sure kill!

Just as Sasuke was about to be overwhelmed by the dozens of afterimages, a blue lightning sword light swept across!

"Lightning Strikes!"

(End of Chapter)