Haku's Death, Gato Waits in the Wings

"Squelch!!"

Just as Shinki's hands passed through what he expected to be Zabuza's body,

The expression on his face suddenly froze!

Because...

The person he should have killed, Zabuza, had been replaced by Haku!

A few seconds earlier.

After fighting Shinki for so long,

Haku knew that Shinki had placed a Flying Thunder God Mark behind Zabuza.

So when he saw Zabuza restrained by Kakashi's Ninja Dogs, he guessed that Shinki would surely follow up with an attack using Flying Thunder God.

And so, he resolutely stepped behind Zabuza.

Things happened just as he had expected.

Shinki arrived as expected, and he was using Piercing Hand with both hands.

Both arms pierced straight through the left and right sides of Haku's chest.

With his last breath, Haku used the last of his strength to hold Shinki.

It was the last thing he could do for Mr. Zabuza.

Kekkei Genkai were valued in every country, and their role in war was particularly evident.

But Haku, who had inherited Ice Release, had suffered a tragic childhood.

Haku was born in a small village in the Land of Water where it always snowed.

Because of the wars, the villagers feared and hated Kekkei Genkai.

So, after learning that his wife and daughter possessed the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, Haku's father led a group to kill Haku's mother. Just as the villagers were about to attack Haku, he used Ice Needles and killed everyone present.

Overnight, Haku became an orphan.

Later, while living on the streets, Haku met Zabuza, who had defected from Kirigakure.

Zabuza saw value in Haku's Kekkei Genkai, took him in, and taught him Ninjutsu.

Haku had always known that Zabuza was using him, but he willingly fought for Zabuza.

From the moment Zabuza took him in, he lived only for Zabuza.

Even in death, he would do as much for Zabuza as he could.

Shinki was held in the dead Haku's embrace.

Their noses were nearly touching now. He could see Haku's unfocused pupils and feel his body temperature dropping.

This person was already dead, yet he still helped Zabuza one last time.

In front of Shinki,

Zabuza turned around.

When he saw that Shinki had pierced Haku's body, his pupils widened, and his emotions wavered for a moment.

Then he calmed down and smiled cruelly. In a hoarse, trembling voice, he said, "Haku, you actually held the red-haired brat who uses Flying Thunder God in place for me before you died. Well done."

With that, Zabuza swung his Great Sword!

"Since that's the case, brat, I'll send you on your way to keep Haku company!"

The enormous Great Sword fell!

It struck a log on the ground!

The sharp blade split the log cleanly in two, and the force of the slash had yet to run out!

Seeing that the Great Sword would strike Haku's body if it continued downward, Zabuza jerked his wrist in haste, stopping its momentum.

Some distance away, Shinki had used the Substitution Technique to move dozens of meters away. Still shaken, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Now that Shinki had escaped and Haku was dead, Zabuza no longer had any chance of winning.

Just then, a group appeared at the end of the bridge.

The newcomer was none other than Gato!

His plan was simple: Zabuza would fight the ninja protecting Tazuna.

Once both sides had suffered heavy losses, he would appear and reap the benefits.

Not only could he save the commission for hiring Zabuza, but he could also prevent the Land of Waves from building the bridge!

Looking at the battered Zabuza, Gato mocked him. "How pathetic, Zabuza. You really are useless."

Zabuza had guessed Gato's intentions as soon as he saw him, but he still asked, "Why are you here? What are you going to do?"

Gato looked at Zabuza mockingly, his eyes gleaming behind his sunglasses. "What am I here for? To kill you, of course!!"

"You didn't really think I'd pay you that huge commission, did you?!"

"Now I'm going to kill all of you while both sides are battered!"

"I see."

A cold glint flashed in Zabuza's eyes.

He had nearly lost his life on this mission, and he had lost Haku, the only one who cared about him.

And now Gato had actually come forward and said he didn't want to pay, and that he was going to kill them to silence them.

Zabuza spoke in a chilling voice. "Kakashi, it looks like we'll have to call a truce. Without a mission, I have no reason to keep fighting you."

"Yeah."

Kakashi nodded, holding a Kunai in a reverse grip with one hand as he protected Tazuna, Naruto, and Sasuke behind him.

"Ninja can't just hurt civilians. I'll handle this."

As soon as Zabuza finished speaking, his figure blurred!

Carrying the Kubikiribōchō, he charged at the group of Samurai Gato had brought!

As he charged, red Chakra once again enveloped his body!

Terror filled Gato's eyes, and he frantically shouted for the Samurai to protect him.

Zabuza's cold, cruel expression made him feel as though he were facing a demon!

The Samurai around Gato were also frightened by the force of Zabuza's charge.

"Protect me! Protect me!"

The terrified Gato ordered, "Zabuza is badly injured right now. There are so many of you, so what are you afraid of?!"

"He's coming!"

A ninja shouted in panic!

The next second,

Zabuza plunged into the crowd with the Kubikiribōchō, like a tiger among sheep!

"Whoosh!!"

He swung the Kubikiribōchō in his hand with overwhelming force!

In less than half a minute, Zabuza dealt with the Samurai guarding Gato.

Then Zabuza brought his long blade down!

"Squelch!"

The Kubikiribōchō, more than two meters long, split Gato's body straight down the middle!

The remaining Samurai were scared out of their wits and fled in all directions.

In an instant, Zabuza was the only one left at the end of the bridge.

Shinki, who had just used the Substitution Technique to teleport away, was now the closest person to the dangerous Zabuza.

So Shinki remained on guard against a sudden attack from him.

Just then, Shinki felt a faint vibration in the ground.

He looked back and saw a vast crowd heading toward the bridge!

As the crowd drew closer, Shinki saw that the one leading them was none other than the short Inari.

"Brother Shinki, I brought all the islanders here!"

"We came to support you!"

Inari shouted excitedly when he saw Shinki.

Now, more than a hundred people had Zabuza surrounded.

Everyone looked tense, surrounding Zabuza without daring to breathe too loudly.

"Zabuza..."

Kakashi called out. He was afraid Zabuza would do something rash and attack Shinki.

Unexpectedly, Zabuza simply turned and walked over to Haku's body on the ground.

"I'm going to bury Haku," he said hoarsely. "You'd better not stop me."

With that, he picked up Haku's body.

Before leaving, Zabuza turned to look at Shinki.

"Hey, red-haired brat! You really are full of surprises!"

"But don't think things are over just like that."

"We'll meet again someday."

With that, Zabuza walked away.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke were taken back to the island for treatment.

Gato was dead, and no one would stop the bridge from being built anymore.