Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

What was going on in Uchiha Haruki's mind, Zabuza Momochi didn't know—and didn't care. He was only slightly surprised that Haruki recognized the secret technique the moment he used it.

But surprise was followed swiftly by retaliation.

"Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique!"

In an instant, Zabuza concentrated a massive amount of water within his body into his right arm. Then, with explosive strength, he slashed his short sword toward Haruki's neck.

A strong sense of danger surged in Haruki's heart. He immediately stepped back half a pace to widen the distance, then raised his long blade vertically by his side to block the incoming strike.

Clang!

The clash of metal resounded, louder and heavier than before.

As the long blade met the short sword, Haruki felt a tremendous force pass through. He was pushed back several steps.

What power!So this is the Great Water Arm Technique?

His Sharingan spun slightly as he stared at Zabuza's now-massive right arm, inwardly shaken.

Seeing Haruki retreat, Zabuza refused to relent. He took another step forward and swung his short sword again.

Originally, Haruki could've dodged, but seeing Zabuza's aggressive stance, he chose not to.

Instead, he mobilized chakra throughout his body, applying medical knowledge to precisely strengthen the muscles in his arms and core. Then, he swung his blade.

Clang!

The sound of metal shrieking rang out again. Haruki's wrist went numb, and his long blade nearly flew from his grasp.

Zabuza didn't come out unscathed either. In just a flash, the swelling in his right arm faded—it was clear his jutsu had been broken.

"You little bastard..." Zabuza growled, his teeth clenched as he glared at Haruki's still-youthful face.

Haruki wasn't interested in conversation. Right after the clash, without hesitation, he struck again.

Zabuza raised his short sword to block, but without the boost from the Great Water Arm, he couldn't match Haruki's power.

He was forced to fall back step by step.

Seeing this was effective, Haruki stopped caring about swordsmanship finesse. He charged forward with brute strength, launching a relentless assault.

On the other side, Zabuza didn't dare dodge—afraid of completely losing the initiative. He could only meet the attacks head-on.

For a moment, their fight took on a primal savagery.

Just then—

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Several shuriken came flying from a distance, aimed at Haruki's vital points.

Haruki sensed the threat immediately and sidestepped to avoid them.

He looked toward where the shuriken came from—and saw another Mist Jonin, clearly poised for a follow-up attack.

Haruki recognized him. This was the same Mist ninja who had joined Zabuza earlier in killing a Leaf Jonin.

He'd been watching from the sidelines the whole time, unable to intervene until now.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

More shuriken flew.

Haruki's Sharingan spun again, tracking their paths. With precise movements, he slashed several of them out of the air.

But that moment of distraction gave Zabuza an opening. He formed hand signs, shaped his fingers like a gun, and unleashed—

"Water Release: Water Gun Jutsu!"

A single drop of water, sharp as a bullet, shot from his fingertip at blazing speed—targeting Haruki's head.

If it hit, Haruki's skull would likely burst like a watermelon.

Sensing the imminent threat, Haruki glimpsed the water droplet out of the corner of his eye. Without a second thought, he infused a large amount of Fire Release chakra into his blade.

Then—he slashed!

A tremendous resistance met his blade as it collided with the liquid bullet. A violent explosion followed.

Boom!

Flames erupted. Haruki was forced several steps backward by the recoil.

At the same time, the water bullet evaporated completely in the blaze.

"He countered that too?!"

Zabuza's eyes widened in disbelief. He had considered the possibility of Haruki surviving—but not like this.

His surprise threw off the coordination between him and the other Mist Jonin.

Haruki seized the moment.

He activated the Instant Blade Technique, becoming a blur. In a heartbeat, he appeared before the other Mist Jonin.

Slash!

Haruki swung.

The Mist Jonin, Takeshima Ichiro, sensed the deadly intent and immediately tried to retreat.

But in his vision, Haruki's single slash suddenly split into two, coming at him from different angles.

What is this?!

Ichiro's mind faltered—just for a moment.

That hesitation sealed his fate.

Rip!

Steel sliced through flesh.

Though Ichiro reacted just in time to minimize the damage, the illusion from Haruki's Phantom Blade Technique had caught him off guard.

Blood dripped from his arm.

Haruki pressed forward, ready to strike again.

But then—a bolt of lightning shot from the distance.

It transformed midair into a rope of lightning and snaked toward Haruki's wrist.

He glanced toward the source and saw Yamada Shinichi performing hand signs. A Lightning Binding Rope shot from between his palms.

Bandages were wrapped around Shinichi's chest—the slash wound from earlier had been treated, and his combat ability partly restored.

"Him...?" Haruki muttered.

He recalled the one he had previously injured with a Rasengan.

Glancing around, he spotted that man slumped on the ground in the distance. Blood soaked his clothes, and his face was twisted in pain. Clearly, the Rasengan had done far more damage than the slash Shinichi had taken.

Haruki felt a bit relieved.

Refocusing, Haruki launched himself backward with a forceful leap.

Just as he vacated the spot, the lightning rope zipped through his afterimage—missing.

Regaining his stance, Haruki locked eyes with the three Mist Jonin ahead.

He began calculating how to end this quickly.

Meanwhile, Zabuza, Shinichi, and Ichiro grouped up, also considering how to kill Haruki together.

A tense silence fell.

Seconds ticked by.

Then, simultaneously—all four moved.

Zabuza, Shinichi, and Ichiro split apart in a triangle formation to surround Haruki.

Haruki, mid-run, suddenly formed a hand seal—

Shadow Clone Jutsu!

With a flicker, he split into three—each clone rushing to intercept one of the enemies.

The battle erupted in full.