“You need me?”
Haku opened his eyes, clearly taken aback, “Becoming a qualified weapon or tool is the entire meaning of my life… Can you understand such a thought?”
Yukigetsu pursed his lips and lowered his gaze, “It’s those experiences that made you define yourself this way. No matter how much you’re not accepted, you still strive to prove your value… Will you follow me?”
The beautiful boy smiled quietly, “Actually, you already know the answer in your heart, don’t you?”
Yukigetsu slowly closed his eyes.
“If I truly chose to follow you… then I wouldn’t be me anymore…” Haku said softly.
Indeed… This pure-hearted boy is attractive because of his single-mindedness, kindness, and beauty. If he easily followed someone else, he wouldn’t be who he is… and wouldn’t be so heart-wrenching and likable…
Yukigetsu, with his eyes closed, said softly, “Is this the only way?”
“Yes… Maybe in another place, we could have been friends… Please, you must become stronger, you must realize your dreams!”
Haku looked up at the gradually clearing sky and smiled slightly, “That day in the forest, meeting you was truly joyful…”
“Thank you…”
…
At one end of the bridge, Sakura and Tazuna, who had returned at some point, stared intently at the bridge surface.
“The fog, which was thick just now, is starting to clear,” Tazuna said.
Sakura focused her gaze, “There seem to be two people facing off over there… Which one is Kakashi-sensei?”
“Ah! It’s moving!”
…
“My future is death… Cut the crap!” Zabuza said coldly.
“Stop bluffing. Now you can’t do anything, you’re dead!”
Kakashi took a few steps forward, his eyes sharp, “Zabuza, you went too far… Konoha has long received news of you defecting from the Land of Water, becoming a rogue ninja, assassinating the Mizukage, and failing in a coup. To raise funds for revenge and avoid ninja pursuers, you even sided with scum like Gato.”
He formed three seals and a concentrated lightning chakra appeared in his right hand, “Lightning Blade!”
Sizzle, sizzle!
Zabuza’s eyes reflected the intense lightning, and his expression changed drastically. He broke into a cold sweat. This guy can materialize chakra to the point where it can be seen with the naked eye.
“You’re too dangerous… Killing Tazuna-san would destroy this country’s courage, and this bridge is this country’s hope!”
Kakashi raised his head solemnly, “Too many people have died because of your ambitions. This is not what a ninja should do!”
“I don’t care, I’m fighting for my own ideals!” Zabuza shouted, sweating, “I won’t change even in the future!”
Kakashi firmly stated, “I’ll say it again, your future is death!”
…
Meanwhile, as the fog gradually dispersed, a clear scene emerged on the other side.
“Sorry, Yukigetsu…” Haku looked in that direction weakly, “Can I ask you a favor?”
“What?” Yukigetsu frowned.
“I want to do one last thing for Zabuza-sensei…” Haku stared at the helpless Zabuza, pleading, “Please!”
Yukigetsu pursed his lips, guessing what Haku intended to do, and shook his head, “The outcome is decided. Stop struggling. Maybe if Zabuza dies, we can spare you.”
“If Zabuza-sensei dies, what’s the point of me living…” Haku looked despondent, “I want to do one more thing for him, to die as a qualified tool…”
Meeting Yukigetsu’s eyes, he looked up and begged, “This is my final wish… Please!”
“Please…”
“Please…”
…
Yukigetsu showed a bitter smile. This was the day he had softened the most…
He slowly released his right hand, letting go of Haku…
Then he saw the beautiful boy form a seal with his right hand, a breathtaking smile appearing on his face.
“Thank you… and… bless you…”
…
Zzzz—
The thunder roared, freezing everyone’s thoughts at that moment…
Only an ice mirror that suddenly appeared in front of Zabuza reflected a sorrowful light…
Slash!
Blood splattered, landing on the shocked faces of Kakashi and Zabuza. The boy, with a blood-stained hand piercing through his chest, coughed up blood, yet a look of satisfaction slowly spread across his face.
Zabuza-sensei… In the end, I helped you…
“My future is only death?”
Zabuza glanced at Haku and said grimly, “Heh heh heh… Kakashi, you were wrong again!”
“Is that the masked boy?” Sakura, who had come near with Tazuna, exclaimed in surprise.
Bang!
Two hands firmly grasped the hand that had pierced through his chest. Kakashi was startled, trying to pull back his right hand, but couldn’t break free. His eyes darkened. This boy was clearly dead, yet he still had such strength… And he came to protect Zabuza…
“Well done, Haku!”
Zabuza lifted his Executioner’s Blade again, “I really picked a gem! Helping me in the final moments!”
The blade reflected his blood-covered face, looking so ironic, “Heh heh heh… Haku’s death gave me freedom again!”
Slash!
The blade swung down towards Kakashi and Haku. Sakura screamed in terror, “Kakashi-sensei!”
Boom!
At that moment, Yukigetsu suddenly appeared in front of Kakashi and Haku, kicking Zabuza away with a single blow and sending him crashing to the ground.
He turned around, helping Kakashi free himself from Haku’s grip, laying the lifeless boy gently on the ground and lightly closing his eyes, his expression somber.
Seeing him like this, Kakashi asked worriedly, “What’s wrong with you?”
Yukigetsu clenched his fists, slowly rising, murmuring, “I feel a bit sad…”
“Heh heh heh…”
Zabuza, who had stood up again at some point, sneered, “Feeling sympathy for an enemy, how naive, kid!”
Kakashi frowned slightly and was about to step forward but was stopped by Yukigetsu’s right hand, “Leave it to me.”
The boy’s determined gaze made Kakashi instinctively halt. He felt Yukigetsu had changed… Beyond simply pursuing strength, he now seemed supported by something fundamental… This child had truly grown!
Whoosh!
Yukigetsu appeared before Zabuza in an instant, turning into a blur of shadows, his fists and feet moving swiftly like the wind, pressing Zabuza relentlessly.
Zabuza struggled to parry, his heart filled with shock. How could this kid still have strength after fighting Haku for so long…
Such strong endurance, no wonder Haku lost to him…
Bang!
Yukigetsu coldly broke Zabuza’s left arm.
That guy gave everything for you, even his life…
Bang!
Another chop struck, breaking the right arm.
And you remained unmoved, treating him like a tool…
Bang!
The boy’s blood-stained coat fluttered as he delivered a powerful kick, sending Zabuza flying.
Such a cold-blooded guy, if I don’t beat you into a pulp… I won’t be Yukigetsu!
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