Clang.
Zabuza swung Kubikiribōchō at the Sharingan in the illusion, but the blade struck the ground instead.
The Sharingan then appeared directly behind Zabuza.
"Heh heh. What, don't believe me? Want to know how things will end for you and those around you?"
The scene inside the illusion quickly shifted.
On the Great Naruto Bridge.
Zabuza was about to face Kakashi for the second time.
Not far away, Haku had already used the Secret Technique, Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, to trap Naruto and Sasuke.
Haku was the child Zabuza had taken in before preparing to flee the Land of Water.
When Zabuza had first met Haku, he had decided to take him along.
That was because Haku looked almost exactly like the kindhearted girl Zabuza had accidentally killed in the arena.
Soon, Zabuza and Kakashi's battle began.
The illusion.
"Kakashi, after our last fight, Haku analyzed your Sharingan. I've completely figured out its secret."
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"
After speaking in a low voice, Zabuza closed his eyes.
The bridge was soon shrouded in mist. Kakashi could no longer see through Zabuza's movements with his Sharingan, nor could he use genjutsu.
The next second, Zabuza used the Silent Killing Technique to appear behind Tazuna, ready to finish him with one strike.
But the blade struck Kakashi's right shoulder instead.
Blood splattered across Kubikiribōchō.
Zabuza soon disappeared into the thick mist, and his whereabouts were impossible to trace.
Just then, Kakashi, with his wealth of combat experience, found a way to defeat Zabuza.
He immediately opened the Summoning Scroll and rapidly formed Hand Seals, then shouted.
"Ninja Art: Summoning Technique!"
"Earth Style: Tracking Fang Technique!"
"Pointless. Whatever you do, you can't track my presence. You've fallen completely into my jutsu."
Hidden in the thick mist, Zabuza sneered.
Just as he was gloating, the ground around him suddenly cracked. Several Ninja Dogs burst up from beneath the earth and clamped down on him.
Kakashi's blood had gotten on Kubikiribōchō, allowing the Ninja Dogs to track Zabuza by its scent.
"Since you say I rely on the Sharingan in every fight, let me show you one of my own jutsu."
As Kakashi spoke, chakra surged through him, and blue lightning instantly enveloped his body.
The lightning quickly gathered in his hand, and Kakashi's killing intent surged.
Meanwhile, Haku was defeated by Naruto, who was using Nine-Tails Chakra. The ice mirrors shattered, and his mask fell, revealing his true face.
Sensing danger nearby, Haku used the Body Flicker Technique and appeared in front of Zabuza.
Chidori pierced Haku's heart.
"No!"
Seeing Chidori pierce Haku's heart in the illusion, Zabuza cried out in anguish.
After Naruto's Talk-no-Jutsu, Zabuza finally faced his feelings for Haku after his death.
Only then did Zabuza understand that his long-frozen heart had already been melted by all the time he and Haku had spent together.
Then Gato appeared with a group of rogue shinobi. They not only intended to kill Zabuza, but also abused Haku's body after his death.
Covered in wounds, Zabuza killed Gato and the rogue shinobi with a Kunai clenched between his teeth.
With blades embedded in his back, he collapsed in a pool of blood beside Haku.
"Haku, at least I can be by your side in the end. If this mission had never happened and we could start over, how wonderful that would be."
He gazed tenderly at Haku's dead face and used the last of his strength to gently stroke his delicate cheek.
After gazing at him for a long while, Zabuza slowly closed his eyes.
Afterward, though it was autumn in the Land of Waves, snowflakes began drifting down from the sky.
Pure and flawless, just like Haku.
"I'll make Lord Zabuza's dream come true. That is my dream."
"I'm truly happy to be Lord Zabuza's tool."
"People only truly grow stronger when they have something precious to protect."
In reality.
"Ah..."
Haku's heartfelt words echoed over and over in Zabuza's mind.
Thud.
He dropped to his knees, his face twisted with pain.
Then he collapsed at Lin Fan's feet, repeatedly murmuring his remorse.
"Hey, Lin Fan! What kind of genjutsu did you use on Lord Zabuza? Why has he become like this?"
Haku pointed the Senbon in his hand at Lin Fan and spoke coldly.
"You'll understand soon. Maybe we won't be enemies much longer."
Lin Fan couldn't help smiling.
To be honest, Lin Fan didn't dislike Zabuza.
When he had watched this scene in a rental apartment in his previous life with his first girlfriend, she had been deeply moved by Zabuza's heartfelt confession to Haku and cried her eyes out.
Naturally, Lin Fan had comforted her tenderly.
After that, the two of them had let things progress naturally, their feelings had grown, and one thing had led to another.
So he really did have to thank Zabuza and Haku for helping bring about his first time.
Actually, Zabuza had only accepted the mission to assassinate Tazuna because Gato had deceived him. That was how he had unexpectedly crossed paths with Team 7.
Neither of them should have died.
"Ha... Haku, please don't die."
Zabuza murmured, then jolted awake from the genjutsu.
His chakra had been completely exhausted in the illusion, and he was kneeling on the ground, gasping for breath.
"Lord Zabuza, I'm here."
"How are you feeling?"
Haku quickly helped Zabuza up from the ground, asking with concern.
"Haku, you really are still alive. Let's never be apart again."
Zabuza opened his eyes and saw Haku's pure face. Overcome with emotion, he pulled him into his arms and refused to let go.
Soon, a large crowd surged onto the bridge.
At their head was a man with golden, curly hair.
He wore a suit and tie.
He was short and wore sunglasses.
It was Gato.
"You really are useless. You can't even beat a kid."
"But it doesn't matter now. You're both badly wounded, and I've brought all these men with me."
"I'll have you fight each other first, saving me a fortune in commissions, then I'll take care of Tazuna."
Gato took a puff of his cigar and spoke mockingly.
"Lin Fan, kid! Can your Sharingan really predict the future?!"
Zabuza stared at Gato, who was trying to double-cross them, and asked in shock.
Just then, Naruto, Kakashi, and Sasuke led a group of villagers from the Land of Waves onto the bridge, carrying shovels, poles, and other weapons.
Lin Fan didn't hesitate. He used the Body Flicker Technique and appeared right in front of Gato.
"Go to hell!"
"Zzzzt!"
A streak of lightning appeared in Lin Fan's hand and pierced Gato through the chest in an instant.