Naruto tapped into Nine-Tails' power, unleashing a powerful Rasengan and sending Haku flying.
Haku fell to the ground. Naruto wasn't about to let him off easily—he created another Rasengan using his Shadow Clone technique, preparing to deliver the final blow.
But Haku's mask slowly came off, revealing his real face. Blood continuously spurted from his mouth.
Naruto and Haku were now just inches apart, while Shindai had already used Body Flicker move to appear behind Naruto, ready to stop him.
Yet Naruto stopped himself.
Naruto stared at Haku in disbelief: "Why...why are you the one here?!"
Shindai asked confusedly: "Then who else did you expect?"
Naruto's voice trembled as he spoke: "A few days ago during training, I overexerted myself and collapsed unconscious in the woods. He was the one who woke me up... If you're my enemy, why didn't you attack me back then?"
Haku gazed lifelessly at Naruto: "Why have you stopped? The most important comrade of yours was killed by me—don't you want to kill me? What happened to your momentum earlier? Isn't that person someone very important to you?"
Haku struggled to stand up, staggering toward Naruto: "People often misunderstand something—showing sympathy for enemies who should be defeated and giving them a chance to live. To me, that isn't mercy at all, you know? The pain of living without dreams, without being needed by anyone..."
"What exactly are you trying to say?!"
"For Zabuza-sama, weak ninja aren't necessary. You've taken away my reason to exist. Now that I've lost, I am no longer needed by Zabuza-sama."
Naruto couldn't understand: "Why? Why would you devote yourself completely to someone like him—who only does evil things? Is he—the one without eyebrows—the only important person to you?"
Shindai wanted to make a comment or two, but seeing Naruto already starting his verbal persuasion routine, he simply lit a cigarette and resumed watching the show again.
Hmm...this was better than those soap operas Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha usually watched.
Haku stood still on the spot, speaking with his head bowed: "Long ago, there were other important people to me—my parents. I was born in a small village deep in the Land of Water covered with snow. Though we lived a poor life through farming, my parents were content with the status quo and very happy... My parents were truly gentle people. But when I was still young, something happened..."
Frowning, Naruto asked: "Something happened? What sort of thing?"
Meanwhile, Zabuza was clearly nearing defeat; this battle could already be declared finished. Therefore, Shindai listened closely too, eager to hear every word of the drama unfolding.
"My father killed my mother, and tried to kill me too..."
Naruto looked at Haku in shock.
Haku began softly, "The Land of Water, having suffered through prolonged civil wars, has come to dread those bearing Kekkei Genkai. In this country, such individuals are seen as terrifying harbingers of chaos and catastrophe. Therefore, those with Kekkei Genkai hide their powers and live incognito. If discovered, they face only death.
My mother was one of these people. She concealed her ability and lived with Father. I'm sure she wished to live peacefully like that forever.
But when I too awakened my Kekkei Genkai, Mother's and my secret was discovered by Father. He gathered people and killed my mother, then came for me. I lost control...
When I finally regained awareness, I had already killed my father. At that moment, I thought I was like this... No, I had no choice but to see myself this way. I realized then what true pain meant—the agony of knowing you're completely unwanted in this world.
You once told me you wanted to become the strongest ninja in the world, the Seventh Hokage of Konoha. By achieving that, everyone would acknowledge you. So if someone truly accepts your existence from the depths of their heart, that person becomes the most important person to you.
Zabuza-sama knew I inherited the Kekkei Genkai yet still took me in. Despite knowing everyone loathes such power, he actively chose to need me.
Therefore, I chose to become Zabuza-sama's blade, his instrument of war. But now… I can no longer serve as Zabuza-sama's weapon.
Naruto… please… kill me."
Hearing Haku's story, Naruto felt a whirlwind of emotions inside.
He sympathized with Haku's plight, but Sasuke was gone—he could never forgive Haku.
Slowly, Naruto retrieved a kunai, looking at Haku with reluctant eyes. "I… understand."
Just as Naruto prepared to grant Haku a swift end, Shindai spoke up, "Sasuke isn't dead."
"Eh?" Naruto turned his gaze toward Shindai, who had been watching indifferently from the side.
Looking at Haku, who seemed ready to die, Shindai remarked, "This guy resembles Hinata in some ways—he's kind-hearted. Even though he bore killing intent toward you, he never actually intended to take your lives. Sasuke merely fell unconscious—he didn't die.
To be honest, if this fellow had truly aimed to kill you from the start, you, Sasuke, and Hinata would've all faced certain death. He's nothing like you three brats—he is a battle-hardened ninja."
Naruto shifted his gaze back to Haku, who remained silently bowed, saying nothing.
Scratching his head, Shindai muttered, "What a pain. I'm terrible at convincing people. Judging by your current mindset, even if I forcefully brought you to Konoha, you'd probably just try to kill yourself again. This mission originally included two objectives besides reinforcing you: bringing this Ice Release kid and that Red Eye user back to Konoha… Naruto, why don't you try talking him around?"
Naruto was completely stunned. This sudden turn of events left him speechless—how could he possibly talk Haku out of this now?
Taking a deep breath, Naruto spoke to Haku. "Since Zabuza no longer needs you, how about joining Konoha? I'm sure you'll find a new reason to live!"
Shindai frowned as he looked at Naruto.
That's it?
Predictably, Haku shook his head and declined. "If Zabuza no longer needs me… I have no reason to keep living."
Shindai sighed. "How about this then—let's make a deal. Your life in exchange for Zabuza's. How does that sound?"
Haku raised his head toward Shindai. "What do you mean?"
Shindai explained, "Exactly what I said. Whether Zabuza lives or dies doesn't really matter to Konoha, so we don't necessarily have to kill him. But you—you're valuable to us. If you agree to come back to Konoha with us, we'll let that worthless piece of trash like Zabuza live. What do you think?"
Naruto quickly added, "Come on, accept the offer! From now on, you'll live for yourself—not as a weapon or a tool, but as your own person!"
Shindai followed up, "Naruto's right. Once you exchange your life for Zabuza's, you'll be free from him."
Haku turned his gaze toward the battlefield where Zabuza stood. The swordsman was already down on one knee, his arms dangling uselessly by his sides. He was barely managing to fight Kakashi by biting down on a kunai with his teeth.
"If giving my life may allow Lord Zabuza to live… then I accept!"
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