Chapter 157: Lightning Release: Lightning Flash
"Zabuza?"
Kakashi's expression changed instantly.
He immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
The Third Hokage realized it as well.
Without hesitation, he issued an order.
"Team Kakashi, depart immediately for the Land of Waves and reinforce Team Kurenai!"
"I will dispatch another team to support you afterward!"
Demon of the Mist Zabuza!
The extremely dangerous missing-nin whom Kirigakure had recently issued a bounty order against.
A criminal who had even attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage.
According to intelligence provided by Kirigakure, Zabuza was also affiliated with Akatsuki!
How could a simple C-rank escort mission encounter someone like that?
"Understood!"
"There's no time to waste. We'll leave immediately!"
Kakashi accepted the mission at once.
"Can you still walk?"
Hinata helped Sakura to her feet, concern filling her eyes.
"I-I can..."
"Please let me guide you there!"
Sakura gritted her teeth.
Pain from her wounds made tears gather in her eyes.
But what truly filled her heart was desperation to save her comrades.
They had risked their lives to let her escape and return to Konoha for help.
No matter how frightened she was, this was not the time to break down.
"Then let's move!"
Every second mattered in a rescue mission.
A single delay could mean the difference between life and death.
They didn't know Kurenai's exact location.
Nor did they know the current situation in the Land of Waves.
They needed Sakura.
Naruto immediately ran to inform Mei.
The moment she heard Zabuza's name, her expression changed.
She hurried over without delay.
At that exact moment, a red-haired girl wearing glasses happened to be passing nearby.
The instant she saw Sasuke, her eyes lit up.
She seemed ready to greet him—
Only to watch all of them disappear in a blur.
"...Why are they running so fast?"
"I'm not going to eat them..."
Karin muttered unhappily.
"Explain everything while we move."
Now speeding through the forest, Kakashi carried Sakura on his back.
It wasn't because she was injured.
She simply couldn't keep up with Team Seven's speed.
"Y-Yes..."
Though still shaken, Sakura understood the urgency.
This was a race against time.
Ever since graduating from the Academy, she had never imagined death could feel so close.
At first, everything had been normal.
She had been assigned to Team Eight under Kurenai Yuhi.
Alongside Shino Aburame and Kiba Inuzuka.
Kurenai-sensei liked her very much.
She believed Sakura possessed excellent aptitude for genjutsu.
Shino was quiet.
Kiba was loud and competitive.
Yet both had become trustworthy teammates.
Like every newly graduated team, they spent their days performing boring D-rank missions.
Then one day, Kiba suggested taking a higher-ranked mission.
Neither Sakura nor Shino objected.
Kurenai agreed.
Thus they accepted a mission to escort the bridge builder Tazuna safely back to the Land of Waves.
At first, everything seemed simple.
Even when a pair of ninja assassins attacked, Kurenai's genjutsu and Shino's insects neutralized the threat with ease.
Technically, the appearance of enemy ninja should have elevated the mission to at least B-rank.
Tazuna had clearly concealed important information.
But after learning the tragic circumstances of the Land of Waves and its people...
They hesitated.
After discussing it together, Team Eight decided the risks were manageable.
So they continued.
Until several days later.
When they finally reached the Land of Waves.
And encountered Gatō.
Only then did they realize how naïve they had been.
The wealthy tyrant had not only hired rogue ninja and mercenaries—
He had hired Kirigakure's S-rank missing-nin.
Demon of the Mist Zabuza.
Had Kurenai not managed to temporarily restrain him with genjutsu, they might have all died there.
After barely escaping, Kurenai made a decision.
She would stay behind.
Shino chose to remain with her, believing his kikaichū could buy additional time.
Kiba escorted Sakura away.
Then the pursuit began.
For days they were hunted.
Constant pressure.
Constant attacks.
Every delay only worsened Kurenai and Shino's chances.
Finally, Kiba made his decision.
He ordered Sakura to continue toward Konoha alone.
His clan's techniques were better suited for wilderness survival.
With Akamaru's Transformation Technique, they could create decoys and mislead pursuers.
He was the best choice to stay behind.
"Wait."
Suddenly, Kakashi stopped.
His face darkened.
"How many days did it take you to travel from the Land of Waves back to Konoha?"
"...Several..."
Sakura hesitated.
"With the boat trip included..."
"Change transportation methods."
"This is too slow."
Naruto and Sasuke spoke simultaneously.
"What?"
Sakura blinked in confusion.
"I roughly know the direction of the Land of Waves."
Kakashi nodded.
"We split up."
"Hinata."
"Your Byakugan has the largest search range."
"You'll search for Kiba."
"Everyone else follows you."
"Understood."
Hinata immediately agreed.
After confirming with Sakura where Kiba had separated from them, she quickly calculated the search area.
"Naruto-kun."
"I'll search from the left side toward the center."
"You search from the right."
"Got it."
Naruto nodded.
"Sakura stays with me and Sasuke."
"Hinata, you'll go with Big Sister Mei."
"Okay!"
Within seconds, Team Seven had already formed a battle plan.
Mei looked toward Kakashi.
As a former Kirigakure shinobi, she desperately wanted to confront Zabuza personally.
But she also understood the strategy.
Her strengths weren't suited for the search operation.
Protecting Hinata was the better choice.
Only Sakura remained completely confused.
She had no idea what was happening.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Kakashi bit his thumb and slammed his palm onto the ground.
A puff of smoke appeared.
"Pakkun!"
The familiar pug materialized.
"Yo."
The tiny ninja hound greeted everyone casually.
"Pakkun."
"Go with Naruto."
Kakashi turned toward him.
"Naruto, when I summon Pakkun again..."
"I'll send Sasuke immediately."
Naruto nodded.
Then tossed a Flying Thunder God kunai toward Kakashi.
Kakashi caught it and placed it into his pouch.
The group immediately separated.
Leaving only Kakashi behind.
"W-What are you doing?"
Sakura asked nervously.
"Simple."
Kakashi closed his eyes.
"Relay racing."
Lightning chakra slowly circulated throughout his body.
Every cell began activating under its stimulation.
Normally this method was used during combat.
Now he intended to use it purely for speed.
This was one of the travel strategies Team Seven had developed during their journeys.
A high-speed movement technique possible only with Naruto's Flying Thunder God support.
No conservation.
No restraint.
Maximum acceleration.
Its foundation came from Kakashi's Lightning Release blade techniques.
A form of Lightning Release taijutsu focused entirely on movement.
Instead of creating destructive chakra blades, it stimulated the body itself.
The speed was immense.
Much like Chidori, it required the Sharingan's dynamic vision to maintain control.
The advantage was clear.
Its chakra consumption was far lower than true ninjutsu.
Allowing sustained high-speed movement over long distances.
A technique created solely for rapid deployment.
Its name—
Lightning Release: Lightning Flash.
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