Those Secrets That Couldn't Be Told

"Mr. Cangwu... We're willing to pledge our loyalty to you!"

Haku suddenly dropped to one knee and spoke respectfully to Cangwu.

"We'll talk about it later."

"Wait here for a while. In the meantime, get breakfast ready." Cangwu turned and said.

In the distance, Sakura hurriedly asked, "Teacher Cangwu, where are you going?"

Could it be...

No! Absolutely not!

How could Teacher Cangwu possibly be interested in a boy?!

Still, looking at Haku's face, which was even prettier than hers, Sakura began to feel a little unsure of herself.

She didn't want to admit it, but... the facts were right there in front of her.

If this guy hadn't been introduced as a boy, Sakura would have thought he was a girl.

Honestly!

He's a boy, so why wear makeup... and look so much like a girl?

Cangwu ignored Sakura and casually lifted Zabuza, who had been knocked unconscious after senbon struck his vital points.

"Let's find somewhere else to talk."

As he spoke, Cangwu placed one hand on Haku's shoulder.

His forceful manner made Haku's "delicate body" tremble.

Whoosh—

In the next instant, the three of them disappeared.

After a while, Haku gazed at Cangwu's handsome profile and lowered his head slightly.

That was an ordinary Body Flicker Technique... nowhere near as fast as before.

Was it because he was carrying me and Mr. Zabuza?

At the thought, Haku hurriedly cut off the jumble of thoughts in his mind.

I mustn't think about these things!

If Mr. Cangwu wants to take Mr. Zabuza's life... I definitely won't be able to stop him.

"You're a good kid." Cangwu raised his hand and gave Haku a familiar head pat.

Haku didn't dodge.

Feeling Cangwu's warm hand, he lowered his head slightly.

"You really like Zabuza, don't you?"

Haku's "delicate body" trembled, and his face, cuter than a girl's, gradually grew warm.

"Mm..." he answered softly.

"Do you think Zabuza likes you too?" Cangwu asked with a mischievous smile.

"I... I don't know..."

"Mr. Zabuza has said it before."

"Ninja are nothing but tools."

"Both me and Mr. Zabuza himself."

"Mr. Zabuza needs my abilities."

"Not me..."

At that, Cangwu smiled. "Is that so?"

"But I can tell he cares about you."

"What?!" Haku suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of disbelief and intense delight.

"Really."

"Before you struck his vital points with the senbon, Zabuza's face was filled with panic."

"I think he'd already guessed what you were going to do."

Haku instinctively looked down at Zabuza.

"Don't doubt it." Cangwu stroked Haku's head and spoke softly.

"Truthfully, your abilities aren't particularly strong."

"But he's always said he values your abilities, your Kekkei Genkai."

"That was just another way of protecting you."

"If you don't believe me, I can prove it."

As he spoke, Cangwu reached for the senbon in the back of Zabuza's neck.

Haku hurriedly stopped him.

"N-no need."

At some point, Haku's face had turned as red as his backside.

"You two... If you don't have to keep running for your lives, maybe you'll be able to break through that barrier between you."

"But Zabuza won't make the first move."

"What happens next is up to you."

Cangwu crouched down and pulled the senbon from the back of Zabuza's neck.

Whoosh—!!!

At once, Zabuza's tightly shut eyes opened, bloodshot.

His chakra erupted in an instant.

"Haku..."

Zabuza sprang to his feet and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings.

Then he saw the boy's face.

He froze for a moment.

The sunlight was somewhat blinding.

Zabuza narrowed his eyes slightly.

"So we're all dead... That guy really..."

Zabuza closed his eyes helplessly.

In his subconscious, he had already accepted that he was dead.

But he didn't blame Haku for knocking him unconscious with the senbon.

Having accepted his death, he wasn't angry anymore. He only regretted that Haku had died with him.

"Mr. Zabuza..."

Haku called to him softly.

He'd seen Zabuza's expression just moments ago.

It was just as Cangwu had said.

Haku felt genuine joy.

So... Mr. Zabuza cares about me too.

At the thought, an involuntary smile appeared on Haku's adorable face.

Zabuza glanced at him and roughly guessed what he was thinking.

"Mr. Zabuza, we're not dead."

"What?!" Zabuza froze, then sensed a somewhat familiar presence.

He whipped around and saw Cangwu casually sitting on a broken tree limb nearby.

"Cangwu... How could..."

After a moment's hesitation, Zabuza understood.

He gave a cold snort.

"Hmph! You ninja who've never been baptized in the blood mist are so naive."

"Do you think this is enough to make me bow down to you?!"

With that, Zabuza launched an attack without warning.

He leapt into the air, drew the Kubikiribōchō from his back, and swung it at Cangwu.

But the outcome was still the same.

Cangwu turned into an element, and the Kubikiribōchō cut through empty air.

The instant Zabuza landed, Cangwu's eyes turned scarlet.

In the next moment, Zabuza was utterly horrified.

He realized he couldn't move!

"An Illusion Technique? When did you—?!"

"Those... red eyes... Are you from the Uchiha clan?!"

Zabuza said in utter disbelief.

The Uchiha clan... Their name had long since spread throughout the shinobi world.

Wasn't there only one brat left?

"Mr. Zabuza, Mr. Cangwu..."

Haku's eyes widened too.

So this was the Sharingan?

"Don't get so worked up."

Cangwu stood up.

After the Sharingan turned for a moment, it slowly faded.

"What exactly do you want?"

"If you're going to kill me, then get on with it!"

"I'll never pledge my loyalty to you!"

Zabuza's voice was ice-cold.

But as he said this, his back was turned to Haku.

"Kirigakure doesn't need you anymore."

"You won't be able to realize your ambition."

"Still haven't recognized your own strength?"

This time, Zabuza didn't argue with Cangwu.

He just closed his eyes, as if he couldn't care less what happened to him.

Seeing this, Cangwu went to Haku's side.

He pinched Haku's chin. "Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"What about this kid?"

Zabuza opened his eyes and stared coldly at Cangwu.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Then you've miscalculated."

"Haku is just my tool..."

Cangwu waved a hand, cutting Zabuza off.

"So quick to deny it?"

"Because you're afraid of people judging you?"

"Shut up!!!"

Zabuza roared.

Haku kept his eyes fixed on Zabuza.

He smiled.

At that moment, even if he died for Zabuza, he would have no regrets.

Zabuza felt Haku's gaze, but still didn't dare look at his face.

He was afraid that if he did... he would soften, and yield to Cangwu.

"You really can't be honest."

"My Illusion Technique... can make you speak your true thoughts. Want to give it a try?"