Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Naruto had devised a total of 26 plans for today's events.

Plan T is one of them.

Naruto expected Zabuza to be careless, and sure enough, he guessed right.

Making so many plans was just a precautionary measure, and Naruto didn't even want them to be used if possible.

The essence of Plan T was to stage a convincing battle, creating the illusion of one death and one severe injury, mimicking events from the original work.

Of course, Haku wouldn't truly die, as he would simulate it using senbon to induce a temporary 'death' by halting his breathing.

"Are you ready?"

Naruto raised his thumb, signaling for confirmation.

Zabuza and Haku returned an 'OK' gesture. Seeing this, Naruto's gaze turned sharp.

"Kakashi, go retrieve Sasuke. Sakura, stay here to protect everyone. I'll take care of those two!"

With that, Naruto launched himself forward, his figure blurring into a dark red streak as he rushed toward Zabuza and Haku.

"Be careful!"

Sasuke, barely conscious, staggered to his feet and shouted a warning as he saw Naruto charging in.

Seeing Sasuke was getting up, Kakashi said in a deep voice, "I will deal with how you act alone just now later. Now, you go back to protect everyone, and I will cooperate with Naruto."

But before Kakashi could act, Naruto had already collided with Zabuza.

Boom!

The impact sent up a massive cloud of dust, with loud 'clang' and "clash" sounds echoing within. Just from the sounds, the intensity of the fight was evident, with sparks flying as kunai clashed.

But even amidst the violent melee, the clash was far from over.

"I'll kill you! Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Zabuza growled as he unleashed a massive water dragon. It burst forth from the dust, roaring ferociously as it lunged for Naruto's head, a blow that could easily be lethal.

In that moment, the dark red aura around Naruto intensified.

"Roar!"

Naruto's battle cry was even more ferocious than the dragon's roar. The red cloak around him flared dramatically, giving him an imposing, wind-swept look.

Four massive red tails extended from him, each over ten meters long, transforming into giant hands that swung fiercely at the water dragon.

"Take this—Buddha's Palm!" Naruto shouted

Boom!

The enormous hands met the water dragon in a fierce clash, locked in an intense battle.

However, anyone with a trained eye could tell who had the upper hand.

Sasuke, who is watching, urged anxiously: "Kakashi-sensei, aren't you going to help?"

"There's no need… it's over," Kakashi replied with a resigned shake of his head.

To Kakashi, Naruto's advantage was obvious. Kakashi himself, known as a genius, had simply started further along the path than others.

But Naruto had been born at the finish line. By drawing from the immense power of Kyubi, his Chakra Reserve was unmatched in the entire Shinobi World.

The water dragon appeared menacing, yet Kakashi knew it was merely a B-Rank Ninjutsu, so it's not that formidable. Meanwhile, Naruto's four enormous Chakra-formed hands might not look as flashy as the water dragon, but they were solidified Chakra, which is far stronger than the water dragon by a significant margin.

The outcome was obvious.

Boom!

In a split second, the roaring water dragon shattered under the force of Naruto's giant chakra palms, scattering into nothing more than a light drizzle.

"There, see? No need for my help." Kakashi remarked with a hint of envy. Even for a genius like Kakashi, it was frustrating to see Naruto's prowess.

Although Sasuke was shocked, he was still a little confused, "Kakashi-sensei, how can you read this battle so easily?"

"Activate your Sharingan, and it'll be crystal clear." Kakashi said lightly.

Sasuke nodded, and his black pupils instantly turned into two-tomoe Sharingan.

Then, his body shook violently and he almost fell to the ground.

"What is that thing? How can something be so sinister and overwhelmingly powerful? It's too terrifying!"

Sasuke, who was supported by Kakashi, still couldn't help trembling.

Kakashi shook his head and said, "Naruto hasn't explained everything, and I'm not at liberty to share. I'll just tell you that this is the village's matter. If you want to know, wait until this matter is over and then ask Naruto yourself."

"Okay!"

Sasuke nodded heavily and said no more.

On the other side, Naruto, having shattered the water dragon, showed no signs of stopping.

Seeing this, Zabuza took a cautious step back, his face filled with alarm, "Naruto-sama, what are you trying to do? You didn't say the attack would be this intense!"

Naruto snorted, "If you hadn't been careless, we wouldn't be in this situation. Even for a fake fight, you shouldn't involve Haku. Now, face the consequences and enter a 'death-like' state."

Zabuza's expression changed as he urgently turned to Haku, "You are my most valuable tool. At a time like this, you must endure on my behalf!"

Haku nodded without hesitation, then took the initiative to advance towards Naruto.

"Naruto-sama, please forgive me!"

As he said this, he quickly formed hand seals and sent a barrage of ice senbon aiming at Naruto's vital points.

"Really, Haku? I'm your superior's superior! Are you defying my orders?"

Naruto's Kyubi's Chakra flared, incinerating the ice senbon on contact.

His patience wore thin. Zabuza's insubordination was irritating but tolerable since he was his servant. Haku, however, was willfully defying Naruto's authority, and this disobedience truly enraged him.

"You want to die, then? I'll grant you that wish!"

Naruto snorted coldly, and the Kyubi's Chakra surged toward Haku, flooding into his body with crushing force.

"Naruto-sama, please stop! Haku will really die! " Zabuza cried out, his face filled with panic.

Naruto said coldly, "I won't tolerate disobedient subordinates. This is the consequence of defying my orders."

Naruto was usually lenient, but betrayal from his subordinates, especially in such a critical moment, left him deeply disappointed.

"Please, Naruto-sama, Haku was only following my orders. I'll enter the death-like state as planned, please spare Haku! I'll ensure he understands the consequences."

Desperate to save Haku, Zabuza knew that any further exposure to the Kyubi's Chakra could cause permanent damage.

"Oh, now you realize your mistake? Fine, I'll give you both a chance."

Naruto snorted coldly: "I'll spare you from death, but you won't escape punishment. Haku will enter the death-like state. Afterward, find a doctor and arrange for a gender reassignment surgery… strip away his dignity as a reminder that I am not to be trifled with!"

"Thank you for sparing us, Naruto-sama!"

Zabuza bowed, not daring to protest, and used the dust as cover to put Haku into a death-like state.

When the dust cleared, Zabuza was half-kneeling on the ground, blood trickling down his battered form, giving him the appearance of someone on the brink of death.

Only Naruto knew the blood on his body was animal blood...