“It was me who saved you… big sister!”
Haku blinked in surprise and looked up to see the familiar coat-wearing boy smiling at him. Though they had only known each other for a few days, there was a strange feeling of familiarity, as if they had known each other for years. Perhaps it was fate…
Haku smiled brightly, “So, it was you…”
Yukigetsu tilted his head, gesturing for Haku to look to the side, “Look over there.”
“Ah! Zabuza… sensei…”
Haku’s eyes widened in disbelief, “What is going on? Why is Zabuza-sensei also…”
Yukigetsu shook his head and spoke softly, “It’s a bit complicated. Let me explain it to you slowly.”
…
A long while later.
Haku stood before Zabuza’s light orb, gently stroking it with his right hand, a tear slipping down his face. “So, Zabuza-sensei did care about me after all…”
Yukigetsu stood beside him silently, his eyes reflecting a mysterious light as he spoke softly, “I’m not sure if this counts as bringing you two to the same place…”
“It does… it counts!”
Haku’s face lit up with a smile, his pale hand brushing through his hair, “I’ve never been as happy as I am right now!”
Yukigetsu watched Haku’s joyful expression and couldn’t help but pursed his lips, “But his memories were taken, leaving only a soul. This isn’t the complete Zabuza.”
Haku turned to Yukigetsu, a smile curving his lips, “You’ll figure it out, won’t you?”
Yukigetsu was momentarily stunned before laughing confidently, “Of course! I’ll make it happen.”
Haku’s eyes sparkled, gazing at the breathtaking scenery around them, “This must be your biggest secret, right?”
“Yeah, this is my Kekkei Genkai—Spirit Release. Come, I’ll show you around.”
Yukigetsu nodded, leading Haku past the two light orbs, and walking along the Chakra Bridge.
Soon, the usual stunning sight of the Spirit River appeared before Haku.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful…” Haku exclaimed in awe.
Yukigetsu shook his head, hands in his pockets, cautioning, “It may look beautiful, but it controls the life and death of countless souls. So, it’s best to admire it from a distance and never get too close! It took a lot of effort to save both of you this time…”
Haku pursed his lips at Yukigetsu’s words, realizing that this boy had taken a great risk to save him. He then spoke earnestly, “Yukigetsu, thank you…”
Yukigetsu scratched his head and laughed it off, “Aren’t we friends, big sister?”
Haku blinked before smiling beautifully, “Yes, we are friends, Yukigetsu!”
He lowered his head slightly, smoothing his long hair, his gaze softening. You are my only friend in this life…
Haku didn’t mind being called “big sister,” and Yukigetsu seemed unaware of any impropriety in the term. Both of them accepted this form of address, perhaps unwilling to change anything from their initial meeting in the forest.
“Look, the most helpful part of Spirit Release is over there.” Yukigetsu pointed ahead.
Haku looked curiously and saw the information streams connected by moonlight bridges and countless colorful orbs flowing continuously.
With Yukigetsu’s explanation, Haku quickly understood the purpose of these orbs, displaying an incredulous expression. He murmured, “It’s unbelievable that such a Kekkei Genkai exists… It encompasses all the ninjutsu in the world and can continuously unlock other Kekkei Genkai for you. It’s truly amazing!”
Yukigetsu shook his head, his eyes deepening, “Great power always comes with a price, something you must deeply understand, big sister. And in this Spirit River space, I’m fighting for control against another incredibly powerful existence. If I lose…”
Haku looked up in confusion, “What will happen?”
Yukigetsu took a deep breath, his expression serious, “I’ll lose my personality and become someone else.”
“This…”
Haku was stunned, but he didn’t feel worried. It wasn’t because he didn’t care, but since waking up, he felt a special sense of trust in Yukigetsu. After all, he had crossed the distance of death. He couldn’t help but feel that nothing could stop this miraculous boy. Besides, he would be relying on Yukigetsu for survival from now on, and he seemed to have a certain dependence…
Haku’s face showed strong trust, “If it’s you, I’m sure you can do it!”
Yukigetsu blinked, his mouth curling up, “Big sister, why do you have so much confidence in me?”
Haku retracted his dependent expression, smiling softly, “Because you are the most impressive person I’ve ever met! By the way, can I look at your connected areas?” He pointed to the Water and Wind Release areas.
Yukigetsu nodded affirmatively, “As long as it’s my territory, it’s completely safe for you.”
They walked along the moonlit bridge, first observing the Water and Wind Release areas before arriving at a place Yukigetsu had longed to access but couldn’t open—the Ice Release.
“This must be my Kekkei Genkai, right?” Haku stood before the large snowy light orb, feeling the extreme cold within, and turned back curiously.
Yukigetsu walked up and spread his hands helplessly, “Yeah, I’ve been coveting your Kekkei Genkai for a long time, big sister!”
“Why can’t it be opened… Let me try.” Without much thought, Haku instinctively wanted to help. He reached out with his pale right hand towards the light shield…
Yukigetsu was startled, quickly stepping forward, “Be careful!”
After all, this Ice Release area wasn’t his yet. Haku’s actions were like playing with his life!
Boom!
Sure enough, a violent burst of spiritual light erupted in the next instant, throwing Haku back. Yukigetsu leaped up, catching him mid-air. The force was entirely unexpected, and they tumbled together, finally stopping on the Chakra Bridge, having dissipated the force.
Before they could stand, a buzzing sound erupted from the front. With a bang, the protective light shield of the Ice Release area shattered. Simultaneously, a massive cold enveloped both Yukigetsu and Haku…
Crack, crack, crack!
Outside, Kakashi’s eyes widened as he quickly pulled Sakura and Tazuna back.
In front of them, an ice pillar suddenly shot up where Yukigetsu sat, enveloping him. Ice pillars appeared one after another around him, covering almost the entire bridge in an instant.
If Kakashi hadn’t reacted quickly, they might have been frozen as well.
“Ah!” Sakura exclaimed, “What’s happening? What’s happening to Yukigetsu?”
Kakashi frowned deeply, sweat beginning to form on his forehead. This unknown change worried him.
…
Cold!
An extreme cold!
It felt like his entire body was freezing. Yukigetsu instinctively resisted, but the cold continued to pierce every nerve, even slowing his thoughts, turning them blank…
“Yukigetsu… Yukigetsu…”
He gained some awareness until someone called by his ear, his nerves barely transmitting the message. Then two soft hands held his, transmitting a different kind of cold, one that was soothing and comfortable.
“Don’t resist… accept it…”
“Cold, cool, soft, harsh… it’s all ice…”
Yukigetsu hesitated, then gritted his teeth, choosing to trust Haku. He released his resistance, fully accepting the cold stream.
Boom!
In the next moment, he was submerged in an overwhelming coolness, his consciousness floating, unable to focus…
A long while later.
Yukigetsu slowly opened his eyes, the changes in his body reflecting through his nerves. He felt newly born, with an extreme coolness flowing within, but it was no longer uncomfortable, instead soothing and refreshing.
He instinctively turned his head, seeing Haku kneeling beside him, her long hair cascading down, extraordinarily beautiful.
Remembering the soft hands, Yukigetsu’s eyes warmed, and he couldn’t help but smile, “Big sister if only you were really a girl!”
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