Qiuqa highlights 4 key points from Naruto Classic Episode 8.
1. Kakashi Trapped
It turned out that the Zabuza Kakashi had held at knifepoint was merely a Mizu Bunshin (Water Clone). Suddenly, the real Zabuza materialized behind him, swinging his massive sword. Kakashi ducked swiftly to evade the strike, but Zabuza brutally kicked him, launching the Jonin into the air and sending him crashing into the river.
Zabuza appeared behind Kakashi in the water, instantly trapping him inside the Water Prison Jutsu. Keeping his right arm plunged into the sphere to maintain the cage, he conjured another Water Clone to attack Tazuna, who was being guarded by Team 7.
Zabuza insulted the Genin, declaring they were unworthy of being called ninja. To him, the only true shinobi were those whose names were recorded in his notebook. Without warning, the Water Clone dashed forward, kicking Naruto in the head and sending him flying. Naruto’s Konoha headband slipped off, landing in the dirt where the clone immediately stomped on it.
2. Naruto Rises
From inside his watery cage, Kakashi shouted for Team 7 to flee and save Tazuna. He warned them that Zabuza’s real body couldn’t move as long as he maintained the water prison, and that the Water Clone was incapable of traveling too far from its caster.
Naruto trembled at the sight of the clone. However, the throbbing pain in his left hand reminded him of the vow he had made to Kakashi. Filled with renewed resolve, he charged into an attack, only to be effortlessly kicked away by the clone once again.
Undeterred, Naruto got back up. Having snatched his Konoha headband from beneath his opponent’s foot, he tied it firmly around his head. In a booming voice, he told Zabuza to write his name down in that book, because one day, he was going to become the Hokage of Konoha.
3. Zabuza’s Past
Zabuza laughed at the declaration, mocking Naruto as a little kid playing make-believe ninja. He then recounted the bloody origins of his moniker: the “Demon of the Hidden Mist.” During that era, the Kirigakure Academy forced its students into deathmatches. Only the sole survivor was deemed worthy of graduating as a Genin. In that grisly exam, Zabuza—who was exactly Naruto’s age at the time—graduated by slaughtering over a hundred of his fellow students.
Finishing his tale, the clone moved in a blur, ruthlessly elbowing Sasuke in the stomach and stomping on his gut as he collapsed to the ground. Instantly, Naruto unleashed his Kage Bunshin, completely surrounding Zabuza. Dozens of shadow clones rushed in, trying to overwhelm the assassin all at once. However, a single, devastating swing of Zabuza’s sword blew every last clone away.
4. Naruto & Sasuke’s Teamwork
Amidst the chaos, Naruto threw a Fuma Shuriken over to Sasuke. Sasuke instantly understood the plan. He hurled the massive shuriken straight at the real Zabuza, who was still trapping Kakashi in the water. Unfazed, Zabuza easily caught the spinning blade with his left hand.
Suddenly, a second Fuma Shuriken shot out from the shadow of the first, hurtling toward Zabuza. Acting on pure reflex, the assassin leaped high into the air to dodge the strike aimed at his legs. As he glanced back, Zabuza was stunned to realize the second shuriken was actually a Transformation Jutsu. The weapon reverted into Naruto in midair, who immediately drove a kunai straight toward Zabuza’s back.
