After he completed the exchange, his attribute overview changed immediately:
Ninjutsu: 4 Taijutsu: 3 Genjutsu: 1→3 Intelligence: 8 Strength: 4 Speed: 2 Stamina: 4 Hand Seals: 5 Chakra Natures: Fire: 6→7 Water: 1 Earth: 2 Wind: 3 Lightning: 2 Yin: 1→2 Yang: 1
Three attributes had actually improved at once. It was only fitting for the Uchiha Bloodline.
Of course, most of the boost came from activating the Sharingan. Once he turned it off, his attributes would return to normal.
Even though it was only the One-Tomoe Sharingan, it was enough for him to see through Haku's genjutsu.
Haku kept shifting positions within the Ice Mirror, then was startled to realize Keiichi's gaze remained fixed on him, as if he had seen through his tricks.
Suddenly, he regretted not killing Keiichi outright earlier. If he had, there wouldn't have been so many complications!
Chapter 21: Naruto's First Kill
Naruto gradually lost his bearings in the fog. Luckily, he was clever enough to come up with a solution right away.
Multi-Shadow Clone Technique!
Zabuza's hideout was nearby, anyway. If Naruto searched everywhere, surely he would find it!
Sure enough, it wasn't long before one of Naruto's clones found the hideout. Overjoyed, Naruto hurried over at once.
He didn't care whether there were traps. He charged straight into the building. In truth, Haku hadn't had time to set many traps, so Naruto made it inside without a hitch and soon reached the first room.
But when he opened the door, he immediately covered his mouth, nearly throwing up!
Corpses. Nothing but corpses!
Judging by their clothes, they were clearly villagers from the area. He had heard that villagers had been disappearing lately, but he never imagined all the missing people were here!
Damn you, Zabuza! What were you doing? Why were you going after ordinary people?
Naruto was furious, but when he saw the whole room, he was even more enraged!
If Zabuza had killed them to regain his health, Naruto might have understood. But when he saw the blood draining from all the corpses and being absorbed by a damaged long sword, he finally understood everything.
He had killed all those people just to restore this weapon!
No, that couldn't be right. Zabuza was gravely wounded and on the brink of death. There was no way he could have captured so many villagers. It had to be that guy named Haku!
Unforgivable!
Absolutely unforgivable!
Naruto suddenly felt the urge to turn around and fight Haku, to demand why he valued human lives so little.
But then he remembered Keiichi's instructions. Everyone's lives were in his hands. If he failed his mission, everyone would die!
He could deal with Zabuza first!
So Naruto continued up the stairs until he reached the fifth room. He caught the scent of herbal medicine through the crack beneath the door and hurriedly pushed it open. Sure enough, Zabuza was lying on the bed.
"I never thought it would be you. In the end, I, Zabuza, am going to die at the hands of a brat. How amusing." Zabuza looked up, his voice touched with faint self-mockery.
"Sorry. I have to do this to save everyone." Naruto raised the Kunai in both hands, reluctant to do it.
Zabuza closed his eyes and said nothing more, as though waiting for death.
But second after second passed, and Naruto's raised arms never came down.
"What are you waiting for?"
"I..." Naruto was confused. He didn't know why his hands wouldn't obey him.
A voice kept echoing in his mind: Did this man really have to die? Would Naruto truly have no regrets if he killed him?
"Hey, brat. Don't tell me you've never killed anyone before?" Seeing Naruto's bewildered expression, Zabuza found it a little funny.
"S-so what...?"
"I've killed people. Lots of them, ever since I was a child. One of them was even the friend I trusted most. I'm a truly heinous person. If you kill me, you don't have to feel guilty."
Naruto clenched his teeth, but still couldn't bring himself to strike.
"The people of the Leaf have enjoyed peace for far too long. They've forgotten what a ninja is supposed to be. Even a loser like you can become a ninja. The Leaf has really fallen. I suggest you find another line of work. If you can't even bring yourself to kill someone, you're not cut out for this."
"Liar! I'm going to be Hokage. I'll be a ninja my whole life!"
"Then come kill me! Kill me, Momochi Zabuza, and you'll become famous! Everyone will respect you! They'll come one after another to challenge you, then kill you with respect. That way, they'll earn a name for themselves. That's how the Shinobi World's rules work, isn't it? Hahahaha!" Zabuza laughed wildly, his eyes wide.
Naruto's hand tightened around the Kunai until it was sweaty. He closed his eyes and recalled everything he had seen downstairs, using it to steel his resolve.
To stop this guy from killing more people, I have to kill him!
But another voice said, An eye for an eye—when will it end? You kill me, I kill you. Isn't that how the Shinobi World's conflicts spiraled out of control? Communication. What the Shinobi World needs is communication.
What was the right thing to do? Naruto was utterly lost.
"A loser like you dares to come kill me? Then die!"
Zabuza suddenly sat up in bed, and a powerful killing intent poured from him. Though he couldn't move his arms or legs, that sheer presence alone made Naruto stagger backward several steps, his face deathly pale.
This was Zabuza. How could Naruto have forgotten just how terrifying he was?
The next moment, Zabuza's head lunged toward him. He opened his mouth, baring his teeth.
Even without my arms and legs, I still have my teeth. My body is the ultimate weapon!
Naruto only narrowly escaped. If he hadn't instinctively stepped back, Zabuza would have bitten through his throat!
So this was what it meant to be a ninja? They'd give everything to kill you!
Naruto knew Zabuza was gravely injured and that the advantage was his, but the killing intent had overwhelmed him. He couldn't bring himself to attack.
Heh. If you don't dare kill him, I can do it for you.
A voice appeared in Naruto's mind out of nowhere, though it was unlike any voice he had ever heard.
I don't need your help!
If Zabuza doesn't die, your companions will.
Naruto fell silent. He couldn't let his companions down...
At long last, someone had taken him seriously. He couldn't go back to the way things had been...
Then I'll leave it to you, Naruto thought wearily.
He was tired. So tired. He didn't want to think about any of this anymore.
The next instant, an immense mass of chakra rose from within him, so thick it seemed almost tangible. It gathered in midair, taking the shape of a demon fox.
A vicious aura erupted, easily scattering the killing intent Zabuza had unleashed. This time, sweat began to bead on Zabuza's forehead.
Had this guy suddenly become someone else?
Who...
Who are you?
"I'll kill you. I'm going to kill you!" Naruto raised his head. His blood-red, slit-pupiled eyes were fixed on Zabuza, and he seemed like a completely different person.
Five crimson claws sprang from his fingers, formed of chakra so dense it was clearly visible. Even Zabuza, who had seen plenty in his life, couldn't tell what kind of jutsu it was.
He could only rely on the battle instincts he had honed over the years to sense the immense danger it posed.
But with his body in its current state, how could he dodge?
So I really am going to die after all...
Naruto joined his fingers together like a blade and thrust forward. Just as he was about to pierce Zabuza's abdomen, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him, taking the fatal blow in Zabuza's place.
It was Haku.
Who else could it be?
Sensing the surge of killing intent, Haku had abandoned the battlefield and raced back as fast as he could. He arrived just in time.
His mask slipped, revealing Haku's true face. Naruto froze, and the Nine-Tails Chakra quickly faded, as if what had just happened had been nothing but an illusion.
Only Haku, pierced through by the blow as the light slowly faded from his eyes, showed Naruto that it had all been real.
He...
had killed someone.
Chapter 22: Taking Advantage of Someone's Vulnerability
"Hahaha! That's my tool, all right—so obedient!"
"Other than not being too bright, you're practically perfect!"
"Idiot. You're a complete idiot."
"In the state I'm in now, I can't fight at all. If I die, then I die."
"What good did it do you to take that blow for me? Once you die, I'll die too. That was the stupidest choice you could have made!"
"I spent all this time teaching you, and you've thrown my investment down the drain. Do you have any idea?"
"You idiot! I raised you for nothing!"
"And you're still smiling. What an awful smile. How many times have I told you not to smile like that?"
"I'm not going to bury you. Go be a wandering ghost!"
At first, Zabuza had continued shouting at him. He even forgot the pain in his leg, lightly kicking Haku's arm as if trying to wake him.
But as Haku's breathing grew faint, Zabuza's voice sank lower and lower. He stared at Haku's face, his gaze growing unfocused.
He sounded like he was rambling about everyday family matters. When had he become so long-winded? No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop himself.
Haku's eyes reflected Zabuza's face. He knew he was about to die.
Mr. Zabuza, thank you for treating me as a tool. You were the only one in this world willing to accept a ninja with a Kekkei Genkai like mine...
Blood filled Haku's mouth, leaving him unable to speak. He could only manage a smile—a smile Zabuza had taught him to make after hundreds of tries.
He had told him—
That smile could make people lower their guard.
But for some reason, in this final moment, Haku found that he couldn't control the muscles in his face. His smile came out wrong.
It was like the first time he had met Zabuza, when Zabuza had told him he needed him. Haku had smiled just like this. He had nearly forgotten what that felt like.
Zabuza, over all these years, was I a good tool for you?
I'm sorry... I've still let you down...
But how am I supposed to live without you...?
His thoughts faded, and Haku breathed his last.
I killed someone?
Naruto was completely stunned.
"Ugh..."
Then his stomach lurched, and he uncontrollably threw up a mouthful of gastric fluid. His face turned deathly pale.
Hadn't he been prepared to kill ever since the day he resolved to become a ninja? Why, then, did he feel so utterly unprepared now?
Every ninja had to go through this first time, but he hadn't expected it to feel this awful.
Before you continue