Third Division

The of the Allied Shinobi Forces. Also known as the.

History
With the separation of the Great Battle Regiment into five distinct detachments, those in the Third Division gather together in a linear formation and begin to converse amongst themselves, where a concerned Sakura Haruno and Rock Lee anguish over Might Guy's current condition in light of the forth coming battle. It is only after Gaara, heeding Kakashi Hatake's prior recommendation, concludes his heartfelt speech, does the entirety of the Allied Shinobi Forces finally begin to manoeuvre into their respective positions in preparation for war.

Advancing ahead of the army's main contingent, the Third Division observes the distinctive red flare belonging to the Surprise Attack Division just beyond the Land of Frost's border, indicating that they require immediate assistance. Arriving just in time to intercept an elite cell from Akatsuki (consisting of Haku, Zabuza Momochi, Gari of Iwagakure and Pakura of Sunagakure), a brief yet admirable discussion ensues recollecting previous encounters between the opposing sides. However, while the remainder of the division awaits their commander's signal, a drastic alteration in the atmosphere surrounding the resurrected shinobi denotes the beginning of a fierce confrontation.

Identifying the particulars of a number of their current opponents, the distanced company attentively listens to Kakashi's assertions over Haku and Zabuza's demise despite the latter's instance for him to cease, which concludes in Kakashi resolving to heed his foes' final request to stop them no matter what it takes, as their humanity has already been lost. Warned about the respective Kekkei Genkai possessed by their adversaries as the battlefield is enveloped in thick fog, each of the battle squadrons adopt independent Manji Formations under the direction of their commander, to better protect themselves utilizing the now essential sensor shinobi. However, despite these precautions, their enemies' expertise results in a substantial quantity of deaths in just the initial moments of the conflict. As Gari and Pakura's inclusion continues to pay dividends, with the slaughter of numerous individuals before they have an opportunity to even react, lesser experienced members of the division begin to falter, forcing Guy to intervene and remind them of the horrible truths of war. Just as Kakashi then grasps the enemy's tactics with a favourable strategy in mind, Kabuto Yakushi summons the previous generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to overwhelm the remaining forces.

Appreciating the enormity of the opposition before them; Kakashi orders Ensui Nara and Maki to complete their respective preparations, while the remainder of the division buys the necessary time through an extensive barrage comprised from an excessive quantity of shuriken, kunai and various other techniques. However, with this assault proving entirely ineffective and the subsequent recovery of their characteristic blades, the visibility undergoes another dramatic reduction due to the increasing density of the mist, resulting in the swordsmen conducting their silent and indiscriminate massacre without retaliation. With casualties rapidly mounting, Kakashi devises a strategy incorporating Ensui's Shadow Imitation Technique and Santa Yamanaka's Mind Body Switch Technique, in order to approach and restrain Zabuza from behind when their shadows converge. If this attempt proves successful, Maki then intends to immobilize the captured target with her Cloth Binding Technique, thus deactivating the debilitating Hidden Mist Technique and allowing the division to mount a counter attack. Putting the orchestrated plan into motion, Kakashi manages to discretely reach Zabuza's rear with his Lightning Cutter activated but just as the decisive strike is to be delivered, Haku intercepts the blow in a similar manner to their initial encounter. Sufficiently restricted by the clutches of the immortal foe, Zabuza swings with fatal intent towards the commander.

As Kakashi narrowly avoids the deathly slash while sustaining just a minor and shallow injury, thanks only to his proficient reflexes and ingenuity, a concerned Maki is forced to simply observe. Unaware of these events, Ensui asserts that he was unable to fully bind the two opponents as one shadow did not maintain connection long enough, inciting Santa to apprehensively question about the current condition of their commander. Fortunately, after reminiscing about a conversation with Naruto Uzumaki, Kakashi's resolve returns and he prepares for another attack against the quickly regenerating targets. Committed to the delivery of this blow, Kakashi plunges his hand through the emotionless Zabuza's form, before ordering Ensui to complete the operation. After declaring that he is a shinobi with things that he desires to protect, including the manner of Haku and Zabuza's demise, Kakashi gives the signal to Maki to wrap up the incapacitated foes. With the division now able to see due to the dispersal of the obscuring mist, a secure perimeter is established around the sealed pair, causing the focus to switch towards the remainder of the recently exposed adversaries. Kakashi, with blade in hand, then states his need of the sealing abilities taught to Sai in order to prevent this unforgivable circumstance, but the young shinobi retorts that he isn't capable of utilizing them. Refuting this claim, Kakashi admits that his blood has begun to boil and that he, the man who copied one thousand techniques, is about to go on a rampage.