I’M A MIST SHINOBI IN NARUTO

The reason Zabuza Momochi always kept his face partially concealed wasn't just for intimidation—it was tied to Yuto.

Back during their brutal graduation exam, Zabuza had overestimated himself and challenged Yuto to a fight. It ended poorly for him. Yuto's superior skill left Zabuza bloodied and humiliated, his face slashed so thoroughly that even years later, the scars itched whenever he thought about it.

And now, here they were again.

"Are you here looking for another beating?" Yuto asked casually, a cigarette hanging from his lips. His tone was almost bored as he leaned against the doorframe, staring at Zabuza's masked face.

Zabuza's hands clenched into fists. His bandaged face twitched with barely restrained anger.

"You've grown cocky, Yuto. I'm not the same weakling you humiliated back then. Years have passed, and I've gotten stronger." His voice sharpened, like a blade pressing into the tension-filled air. "Don't talk to me like I'm some worthless trash."

Yuto exhaled a plume of smoke and smirked. "Alright, mighty Zabuza, what do you want this time?"

Zabuza snorted, ignoring the jab. His voice turned grim. "The Fourth Mizukage has ordered a new round of conscription. The village suffered heavy losses in the war against Konoha. You've been drafted. In five days, you'll be deployed to the frontlines."

Yuto's casual demeanor shifted. His brows furrowed slightly. "You want me to fight against Konoha Shinobi?"

"Yes," Zabuza snapped coldly. "Or are you too soft to do what's expected of you? Mist Shinobi fight for their village. If you're too greedy for life to go to war, you'll be arrested. That's the law."

Yuto scratched his head, his tone deliberately nonchalant. "But I'm not feeling great these days. Honestly, I'm weak and frail. Wouldn't want to embarrass the Mist Village with my poor performance—"

Swish!

Before Yuto could finish, Zabuza lunged forward, his massive blade Kubikiribōchō still strapped to his back. His kunai gleamed in the moonlight as he drove it toward Yuto's throat.

"If you refuse, I'll arrest you here and now!" Zabuza growled, his voice dark with intent.

Yuto's crimson Sharingan activated in an instant, spinning as his casual facade vanished. "Arrest me? Looks more like you're trying to kill me."

Puff!

The kunai pierced Yuto's throat. For a split second, Zabuza's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, but it faded just as quickly.

Instead of blood, icy water gushed from the wound, splashing Zabuza's face. Yuto's "corpse" dissolved into a large puddle on the ground with a soft bang.

"A water clone?" Zabuza's eyes widened, his instincts kicking in.

"Now it's my turn," Yuto's calm voice echoed from behind him.

Zabuza spun around just in time to see Yuto's kunai slashing toward his neck. Puff! His head was severed cleanly—only for his body to collapse into water with another bang.

"Another water clone…" Yuto muttered, frowning.

The mist around them grew heavier, shrouding the battlefield in uncertainty. Zabuza's laughter echoed through the haze.

"Not bad, Yuto. You're sharper than I remember," Zabuza's voice taunted from the fog. "But this isn't over. If you refuse to fight for the Mist Village, I'll make sure you don't live to regret it."

Yuto tightened his grip on his kunai, his Sharingan scanning the mist for Zabuza's next move. The tension hung in the air, both shinobi fully aware that the fight was far from finished.

You think I'd fall for the same trick again?!" Zabuza growled, his voice echoing through the mist. His hands flew through a rapid sequence of hand seals.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

From the dense fog, a massive water dragon burst forth, surging toward Yuto with terrifying speed.

"You're done, Yuto!" Zabuza shouted confidently.

Boom!

The ground beneath Yuto exploded, the force of the water dragon launching him into the air. Its mouth opened wide, condensing a high-pressure jet of water aimed straight at him.

But instead of panic, Yuto smirked. "This is what you call a Water Dragon Bomb?" His crimson Sharingan spun ominously as his hands formed seals even faster than Zabuza's.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Yuto countered.

The ground trembled violently as if an earthquake had erupted. Cracks spread across the earth as water surged upward with a deafening roar.

ROAR!

A colossal water dragon emerged, dwarfing Zabuza's. Its roar echoed like thunder, and its presence seemed almost otherworldly. Yuto landed gracefully on its head, surveying the battlefield with an air of confidence.

"What… what is this?!" Zabuza's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched Yuto's dragon tear through his own, shattering the water projectile aimed at him. The sheer scale and ferocity of Yuto's technique were incomparable.

"Is that even ninjutsu?" Zabuza muttered, wiping his eyes as though disbelieving what he was seeing. "That looks like a real dragon!"

Yuto chuckled as he stood atop the dragon, snapping his fingers. The enormous creature opened its maw, gathering a massive orb of condensed water.

"Damn it! What kind of insane 'Water Dragon Bomb' is this?!" Zabuza cursed, instinctively retreating as the water orb fired with the force of a Tailed Beast Bomb.

BOOM!

The orb exploded on impact, carving a massive crater into the ground, its diameter stretching at least twenty meters. Despite his quick reflexes, Zabuza was caught in the edge of the blast, flung backward like a rag doll.

Yuto leapt down from the water dragon, his smirk as sharp as ever. "Honestly, using this kind of power against you feels like overkill." His voice was taunting, the arrogance in his tone unmistakable.

Zabuza growled, pulling himself up from the debris, his pride more wounded than his body. "Damn you… Don't forget who sent me!" he barked, clutching at his side. "The Fourth Mizukage will hear about this!"

Yuto's expression shifted, his smirk fading into something colder. "You think I care? You've made one mistake, Zabuza. I don't have any loyalty to this village. If things get worse, I'll leave Kirigakure without a second thought."

"What?! You'd become a traitor?" Zabuza sneered, his face twisting into a look of contempt.

Yuto couldn't help but laugh at the irony. "This coming from the guy who will become one of the most infamous rogue ninja of this village? Don't make me laugh."

Zabuza glared but remained silent, his body tense.

"The difference between us is obvious," Yuto continued. "You're not my equal. What you call 'Water Style' is nothing compared to what I wield. I've taken it to the next level."

Yuto extended his hand, and the mist around him seemed to swirl in response, his chakra resonating with the water in the air. "This isn't just ninjutsu. It's Haidon—a level of mastery you'll never reach."

Zabuza froze. He knew Yuto was powerful, but this was something else entirely. He clenched his fists, frustration and humiliation boiling inside him.

Yuto turned away, his tone dismissive. "Now get lost. Tell the Mizukage whatever you want, but don't waste my time with your petty threats again."

As Zabuza stumbled away, he cast one last glance at Yuto. Deep down, he knew this wouldn't be their last encounter.