"Just like you said," Naruto began, his voice low, "you can do anything to protect the most important person in your life. Unfortunately, we are on different sides. So I can only ask you to die. I'm sorry."
Haku lay on the ground, his face showing little fear, only a hint of detached indifference and a touch of resentment. "Kill me," he said, his voice mechanical. "I am a tool to protect Zabuza-san. If I cannot do that, then I am useless. The only option is to die."
Naruto wasn't particularly moved. He was no longer the Naruto he once was. He had killed before, starting with Mizuki, and his mentality was completely different. "You can say whatever you want, whether you see yourself as a ninja or a tool. It doesn't matter. In the end, you are a bad person. You were hired by someone like Gato to assassinate Mr. Tazuna, and you wanted to kill Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke, and Hinata. I don't care about anything else. You wanted to kill the people I care about most. I will never let you go."
He showed no mercy and wasted no more words. He gathered his last bit of chakra in his hand, transforming it into a raging gale around his fist. "Goodbye. Wind Style: Whirlwind Fist!"
The powerful blow struck Haku squarely in the chest. His body caved in, his bones shattered, and his internal organs were completely broken. Blood flowed from all seven of his orifices. But he still didn't die immediately. With his last bit of strength, Haku turned his head to look at the dying Zabuza. "Zabuza-san... I'm sorry... I failed to protect you. But at least... I can die with you..." With a relieved smile, Haku closed his eyes. The battlefield fell silent.
Zabuza stared at Haku's body, his eyelids twitching. But he still managed a cold retort. "Useless trash."
Hinata's expression changed. "He risked his life to protect you, and you still say that?"
Naruto stepped forward and shook his head at Hinata. "Such a person doesn't understand the meaning of bonds. Hinata, can you really do this?" She had risked everything to save him, but now that he was out of danger, she hesitated to deliver the final blow. It was only natural. Even in the original timeline, Naruto had never killed anyone himself. This was Hinata, a genin fresh from the academy.
"Then let me do it," Naruto said. He gently took the kunai from her hand and aimed it at Zabuza's throat.
"Hahahaha!" Even in his final moments, Zabuza managed to laugh. "I never imagined I, Zabuza Momochi, would die at the hands of such a brat. How ironic. Perhaps this is retribution for killing all those kids from my generation. It doesn't matter anymore. I've killed my whole life... it's just a pity I couldn't kill that bastard Mizukage—"
"I don't know anything about the Mizukage," Naruto said, his voice steady. "But you almost killed Kakashi-sensei and Sasuke. If you hadn't died, they would have. So..." Without further hesitation, he plunged the kunai deep into Zabuza's throat. Blood gushed out as Zabuza tried to speak, but only spat out mouthfuls of blood foam. He glared at Naruto, hatred burning in his eyes, but in his final moment, his gaze flickered to the one who had died with a smile on their face... Haku. Then, it was all over.
Naruto finally exhausted all his strength and collapsed. "Naruto, are you alright?!" Tazuna asked, rushing to his side.
Naruto forced a smile. "Of course! I, Uzumaki Naruto, am a genius!"
Tazuna just shook his head with a wry smile. "What a show-off." He checked on Kakashi. "Mr. Kakashi, how are you?"
"It's... alright," Kakashi rasped. "Naruto, you did a great job. You saved everyone." He smiled slightly, then fainted from exhaustion.
Naruto knew he had just overexerted himself and wasn't too worried. Sasuke, too, was weakened but had struggled to his feet. "I'm fine," he said, his tone filled with complex emotions. Naruto had risked his life to save him. Seeing him stand, Naruto finally breathed a sigh of relief. This battle had been the first true test for Team 7. Despite the ups and downs, the bond between them was now fully formed. They supported each other as they walked back to Tazuna's home.
Inari witnessed these scenes. As the sun set, Naruto's shadow stretched long, reaching all the way to where the boy stood in the middle of the road. It seemed to gild Naruto with a golden glow, making him appear almost divine. "That is..." Inari murmured to himself, "a hero?"
Team 7 spent almost half a month resting at Tazuna's house. Kakashi was the weakest, having overexerted his Sharingan, and he was bedridden for more than ten days. Sasuke and Hinata, having only suffered from chakra depletion, recovered quickly. Naruto, though seriously injured by dozens of Haku's needles, recovered to about 70% in just a few days, his powerful vitality surprising everyone.
While they rested, they also trained. Sasuke completed his tree-climbing and began water-walking. Hinata and Naruto received special instruction from Kakashi, making up for their shortcomings and enhancing their strengths.
After half a month, Tazuna resumed work on the bridge. Gato and his thugs attempted to stop him but were easily defeated by Team 7. It would still be a long time before the bridge was fully completed, but Tazuna had already decided on a name: The Great Naruto Bridge. Naruto was thrilled, craving this feeling of recognition.
The moment of parting finally arrived. The Tazuna family and many villagers came to see them off. "Big brother Naruto!" Inari shouted, waving his arms. "I'll do my best, too! We'll definitely meet again!"
"Yeah!" Naruto clenched his fist. "Next time we meet, I'll probably be Hokage!"
"Then it's a deal!"
The small boat gradually moved away, disappearing into the thin mist. The mission to the Land of Waves had ended. It had been less than a month, but it felt like an incredibly long journey. Having survived the test of life and death, Team 7 was reborn, completely renewed.
Finally back in Konoha, Naruto was excited and wanted to wander around, but Kakashi reminded him that they needed to report the mission's completion first.
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