Kakashi Got Trapped: Zabuza’s Cunning Strategy:
Kakashi senses the threat of Zabuza and reveals his Sharingan, a powerful eye technique that allows him to predict and copy his opponent’s moves. Zabuza targeted Kakashi first, as Kakashi is the greatest threat to Zabuza. As Zabuza is the master of Water Style, he creates water clones to manipulate Kakashi. Despite this, Kakashi, with his Sharingan, follows every move of Zabuza. During the battle, Zabuza traps Kakashi in a Water Prison, immobilizing him and putting Team 7 in a troublesome situation.
With Kakashi trapped, it’s up to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to fight Zabuza and rescue their sensei. At first, Naruto trembles in fear, but then he remembers his promise to never give up. Naruto’s main strength is “never give up.” First, Naruto creates the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and creates multiple shadows of himself, which distract Zabuza. Naruto smartly disguises one of his shadow clones as a shuriken and gives it to Sasuke. Sasuke, being intelligent, instantly becomes aware of the situation. Sasuke throws the shuriken toward Zabuza. Zabuza thinks it’s a normal shuriken, so he dodges it. But suddenly, the shuriken transforms into Naruto. Naruto attacks with his kunai, then Zabuza has two choices: be killed by his kunai or block his kunai, but then Kakashi will be freed. He blocks the attack, and Kakashi is freed from his prison. That was an excellent example of teamwork. As a team, Naruto and Sasuke are unmatched; they planned this without talking to each other, as if they were communicating with their minds.
Kakashi vs. Zabuza:
Freed from the water prison, Kakashi resumes his battle with Zabuza. They fought like pros. Zabuza uses advanced techniques and skills. But always, Kakashi copies his jutsu and defends himself. Sometimes, Kakashi can tell what Zabuza is thinking or what jutsu he is preparing, as if Kakashi can see through the future with his Sharingan. As an example, Kakashi uses his own Water Dragon Jutsu by mimicking Zabuza’s technique perfectly.
But just when it seems that Kakashi had the upper hand, a masked boy named Haku appears, claiming he is a tracker ninja. {A tracker ninja eliminates rogue ninjas as they are entrusted with the village’s special secrets.} Haku strikes Zabuza with senbon needles, and Zabuza goes down. Kakashi checks the body and claims he is dead. Team 7 is relieved but exhausted and continues their journey to their bridge builder’s house.
But all that was a lie. Haku is with Zabuza. He keenly avoided the vital spots of Zabuza and stabbed the needle, which created a temporary heart stop, making Kakashi think that Zabuza was dead.
When people are protecting something truly precious to them, they truly can become as strong as they need to be.”
– Haku
Recovery and Training:
At Tazuna’s house, Kakashi realizes that Zabuza isn’t truly dead. Haku’s intention was to save Zabuza. Kakashi decides to train his team to prepare for a rematch as Zabuza is alive. Kakashi starts training to learn chakra control because it’s a basic skill to master any jutsu. By climbing up the tree without using hands, they are practicing chakra control because, in order to climb up a tree without hands, one needs great control over chakra. If they learn this, they will be much stronger. They start the training, but unexpectedly Sakura did it on her first attempt, and Sasuke suddenly tops it, but Naruto just a bit. But they train a lot, day and night. Actually, their rivalry made them stronger. They look up to each other, and eventually, by immense training, they achieved the goal and mastered control over chakra. During this time, we learn more about Haku’s tragic past. Haku, like Naruto, grew up as an outcast due to his unique abilities. But only Zabuza takes him as a mentor and protector. For that, Haku’s loyalty to Zabuza is unmatched.
The Rematch:
As expected, Zabuza and Haku return to finish their unfinished mission. The rematch takes place on the unfinished bridge, a symbolic battleground representing the struggle between oppression and freedom. Zabuza, with Haku by his side, is ready to face off against Kakashi and Team 7 once again. The battle begins with Sasuke and Haku. Haku has a speed that no human can match. But Haku doesn’t know that Sasuke had an eye that is very rare and can see
very sharply. But when Haku sees that normal attacks won’t work on Sasuke, he uses his Demonic Ice Mirror Technique, trapping Naruto and Sasuke in a deadly maze of mirrors. Haku’s movements were extremely fast inside the mirrors. With this extreme speed, he launches a relentless barrage of needles at the trapped Naruto and Sasuke.
Outside the mirrors, Kakashi engages Zabuza in a fearful duel. Both ninjas push their abilities to the limit, with Kakashi relying on his Sharingan to predict Zabuza’s movements. Zabuza, aware of the Sharingan’s capabilities, uses the environment and his own skills to counter Kakashi’s attacks. The intensity of the battle highlights the level of skill possessed by both ninjas.
Inside the mirrors, Naruto’s frustration and anger grow as he and Sasuke are repeatedly injured by Haku’s needles. Sasuke, determined to protect Naruto, activates his own Sharingan for the first time, surprising both Haku and Naruto. Although Sasuke gives an attitude that he doesn’t care for anyone, in this intense moment, he only thinks about his friend Naruto. But the situation changed. With the Sharingan, Sasuke can now track Haku’s movements more accurately, giving them a fighting chance.
But Sasuke got badly injured to save Naruto from Haku. When Naruto saw Sasuke lying down like a dead body, Naruto suddenly found the power of the Nine-Tails Fox within him. He suddenly got a lot more chakra from the fox inside him, transforming him into a more powerful and fearsome version of himself. With this newfound strength, Naruto shatters Haku’s mirrors and frees himself and Sasuke from the deadly trap.
The Climactic Battle:
The battle reaches its climax as Naruto and Sasuke, both exhausted and injured, face off against Haku. Naruto’s anger and determination drive him to fight with everything. Just as Naruto is about to kill Haku, Haku reveals his true face and backstory, causing Naruto to hesitate. Haku’s unmatched loyalty to Zabuza and his tragic past matched with Naruto, who understands the pain of being an outcast.
Meanwhile, Kakashi prepares to deliver a finishing blow to Zabuza using his original Lightning Blade technique. It’s the first time we see this fearsome jutsu; even Zabuza gets scared. Haku, seeing Zabuza in mortal danger, sacrifices himself to save his mentor Zabuza by taking Kakashi’s attack head-on. Haku’s selflessness had a great impact on Naruto and Team 7, highlighting the deep bond between Haku and Zabuza.
Despite Haku’s sacrifice, Zabuza remains resolute in his mission. However, Naruto’s impassioned plea about the importance of bonds and friendship begins to reach Zabuza. The corrupt businessman Gato arrives with his men, revealing that he no longer needs Zabuza and plans to kill everyone to tie up loose ends.
The Turning Point:
Zabuza, realizing he has been used and betrayed by Gato, turns against his former employer. And no longer an enemy with Team 7. Zabuza was mortally wounded but driven by a sense of honor and respect for Haku’s sacrifice, Zabuza takes down Gato and his men in a final, heroic stand. This moment of redemption for Zabuza is both tragic and powerful, as he acknowledges the bond he shared with Haku.
With Gato and his men defeated, the villagers are freed from unethical control. Zabuza, gravely injured, wants to share a final moment with Haku, expressing his gratitude and regret. In his last moments, Zabuza asks Kakashi to be placed beside Haku, showing the depth of his feelings for his loyal companion.
Aftermath:
The battle leaves a lasting impact on Team 7, especially Naruto, who is deeply affected by Haku’s story and Zabuza’s redemption. The experience of this battle strengthens the bond between Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, and they understand the complexities of the ninja world. Tazuna the bridge builder completes the bridge, which becomes a symbol of hope and freedom for the villagers. In honor of Naruto’s determination and bravery, Tazuna names it the “Great Naruto Bridge.” Team 7 gives farewell to Tazuna and the villagers and returns to their village with newfound strength and resolve.
“In the end, a shinobi’s true strength is determined by his will and his courage.”
– Zabuza Momochi
Conclusion:
The Zabuza arc is a pivotal moment in the Naruto series. It showcases intense battles, character growth, and powerful themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and redemption. The encounters with Zabuza and Haku leave a lasting impression on Team 7, shaping their journey as ninjas and their understanding of the world. This arc is a testament to the strength of bonds and the impact of compassion, even in the harshest of circumstances.
In the next blog post, we’ll explore
the aftermath of the Land of Waves mission and the new challenges that await Naruto and his friends as they continue their journey to become stronger ninjas. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures in the world of Naruto!
