The Misty Demon and the Delicate Youth

"Mm," Kakashi nodded. "What are you planning to do?" He knew Zabuza was not the kind of man who would simply surrender, especially after being humiliated like this.

"What else?" A red light gleamed in Zabuza's eyes. "Kill them all, of course!"

Kakashi did not answer right away. He merely put the Kunai back into his ninja tool pouch in silence. The lingering force of the Chidori had not completely dispersed from his palm, and faint currents still crackled with soft zzt sounds.

He looked at the near-mad killing intent in Zabuza's eyes, and at the veins bulging as he clenched his teeth. He understood—this man had only one target now, and that was Gato.

Gato had brought a large group of burly men with him. Before this, Zabuza would not even have bothered looking at such rabble, but this time they had just gone through a brutal battle. Their chakra was almost exhausted, and their bodies had already reached the end of their strength.

Even so, when Gato's filthy words stabbed at him like knives, the ferocity and last shred of dignity belonging to the "Demon" within Zabuza were completely ignited.

Dragging his heavy feet, he walked toward Gato step by step. Each step left a shallow bloody mark on the ground, blood seeping from the wound on his left arm.

The Executioner's Blade dragged along in his hand, scraping against the ground and throwing off ear-piercing sparks, like the scythe of death announcing the arrival of the end.

Seeing this, Gato's men brandished their weapons and rushed forward one after another, trying to finish off this dying "Demon" for good.

However, they had underestimated Zabuza's resolve, and they had also underestimated the power a ninja could unleash when driven into a corner.

Zabuza let out a low growl, his figure weaving through the crowd like a ghost. The Executioner's Blade brought up streak after streak of chilling blood-red light, and before those burly men could even see his movements clearly, their heads had already parted from their bodies.

Blood splattered across his cheeks, forming a stark contrast with his pale skin. At this moment, he truly looked like an evil ghost returned from hell.

Haku watched Zabuza's blood-soaked back as he fought, a trace of worry flashing through his eyes. Forcing his weakened body to hold on, he formed hand seals, and the remnants of his chakra gathered at his fingertips into tiny ice spikes that shot with precision toward the enemies trying to sneak-attack Zabuza from the sides, clearing the obstacles for him.

Though he had almost no strength left, every move he made was perfectly timed, using the last of his power to protect the person for whom he was willing to give everything.

Kakashi stood where he was and did not intervene. He only watched the scene quietly.

He could sense Zabuza's chakra rapidly draining away, his life like a candle in the wind that might go out at any moment, yet that resolute will burned hotter than ever.

The Ninja Hounds crouched by his feet, watching Gato's direction warily, low whimpers rumbling in their throats as they waited for his command.

Duanmu leaned against the rock, breathing heavily, his gaze locked tightly on Zabuza. This former enemy was now resisting an even more despicable villain with a tragic, heroic bearing, leaving Duanmu with complicated feelings.

Naruto supported the injured Sasuke and struggled to stand. He looked at Zabuza's frenzied slaughter, then at Haku standing in front of Zabuza, his young face filled with confusion, yet he seemed to vaguely understand something.

Gato watched his men fall one after another, and the arrogant smile on his face finally turned into terror. He retreated again and again, shouting in a trembling voice, "Stop him! Stop him now! Kill him!"

But his men had long since been scared out of their wits by Zabuza's ferocity, and no one dared step forward again.

Zabuza closed in on Gato step by step. Blood dripped down the blade of the Executioner's Blade, gathering into a winding line of red on the ground.

His eyes were hollow and cold. Only killing intent burned within them.

"You think... money can buy everything?" Zabuza's voice seemed to come from the depths of hell. "You think... I was really just your tool?"

Gato collapsed to the ground and crawled backward on his hands and feet, his eyes filled with fear. "Don't come closer... don't come closer! I can give you more money! I'll give you all my money!"

Zabuza ignored his begging. He raised the Executioner's Blade high. The blade had grown heavy from being stained with too much blood, yet it still carried unquestionable resolve.

"Money?" He let out a low sneer, the laugh filled with endless mockery and sorrow. "Scum like you, who only knows how to measure everything with money, will never understand that some things are more important than life."

Before the words had even faded, the Executioner's Blade carried a sharp rush of wind as it chopped viciously down toward Gato's head.

Blood gushed out, dyeing the ground beneath him red. The terror in Gato's eyes froze into eternal dead silence. Even at the moment of his death, he did not understand why he had died beneath the blade of a ninja he had long considered a "beaten dog."

After dealing with Gato, Zabuza's body swayed. He could no longer hold himself up, and the Executioner's Blade in his hand fell to the ground with a clang, making a dull sound.

He slowly turned around, his gaze struggling past the crowd gathering around him, finally landing on Haku.

Haku staggered over and supported his crumbling body, and the tears finally burst from his eyes. "Mr. Zabuza..." Zabuza reached out, wanting to pat Haku's head like he had when Haku was young, but his fingertips drooped weakly just before they touched his hair.

He looked at Haku's tear-streaked face, the corner of his mouth seeming to try to pull into a smile, yet only a mouthful of blood spilled out. "Don't cry... Haku... You were always... my finest... tool..."

Those words exhausted the last of his strength. His hand fell completely, and his eyes closed.

Haku held Zabuza's body as tears slid soundlessly down, dripping onto his bloodstained lapels. His sobs were suppressed and despairing, like a young beast that had lost its master, echoing across the empty battlefield.

Seeing this scene, Naruto and Sakura's eyes filled with tears. Just as the tears were about to fall, Duanmu spoke.

"What are you crying for? He isn't dead. He just passed out from overexertion."

Hearing Duanmu's words, Naruto and Sakura snapped their heads up. The tears in their eyes had not yet dried, but their faces were full of shock.

Naruto did not even bother wiping the dampness from his cheeks and asked urgently, "Really? Duanmu! You're saying Zabuza is still alive?"

Duanmu leaned against the rock. Though he was still weak, his eyes were very firm, and he nodded.

Kakashi also nodded. "If someone dies because they've used up all their chakra, they usually need to have performed a massive ninjutsu as the trigger. Zabuza only exhausted himself in battle, so of course he wouldn't die."

At this moment, Haku, who had been holding Zabuza and crying, heard Duanmu and Kakashi's words. His body suddenly stiffened, and his suppressed sobs came to an abrupt stop. He lifted his head in disbelief, looking at Duanmu through tear-blurred eyes, then turning toward Kakashi as he confirmed in a trembling voice, "Are... are you telling the truth? Mr. Zabuza... he isn't dead?"

His hand carefully reached toward Zabuza's neck, and his fingertips felt a weak but steady pulse. That sensation was like a tiny flame, instantly igniting the hope that had gone out in his heart.

Haku's tears were still flowing, but they were no longer cold with despair. Instead, they were mixed with the warmth of surviving disaster. He held Zabuza tightly, pressing his cheek to the other man's cold face, feeling that faint, almost imperceptible breath. At last, a trace of color returned to his originally pale face, and he murmured softly, "Thank goodness... thank goodness..."

After some simple treatment, Zabuza's breathing gradually steadied, and a hint of color slowly returned to his deathly pale face.

Haku stayed by his side the entire time, using the remnants of his own chakra to carefully treat the wound on Zabuza's left arm, his movements so gentle that it was as if he were protecting some priceless treasure.

Kakashi had Pakkun go nearby to find some hemostatic herbs, while Sakura helped crush the herbs and apply them to Zabuza's wound.

Duanmu rested off to the side. The excessive consumption of chakra made even speaking feel strenuous, but looking at the hope blooming once more on Haku's face, he felt everything that had just happened was worth it.

As for Sasuke, he leaned beside Naruto. Though his face was still pale, his eyes were much brighter than before.

Naruto crouched beside Haku, glancing at the unconscious Zabuza one moment and at the red-eyed Haku the next. He scratched his head, wanting to say something comforting but not knowing where to start, and could only clumsily pat Haku on the shoulder. "Hey, don't cry. Zabuza's okay now, isn't he? When he wakes up, you'll still have to take care of him."

Haku raised his head and gave Naruto a tear-streaked but utterly sincere smile, then nodded gently.

Suddenly, Naruto remembered something and said, "How about you come to Konoha with us? You don't have anywhere to go anyway."

"Hey, Naruto, that won't work," Kakashi said, his expression turning serious in an instant. "Zabuza and Haku are rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist, and wanted criminals on top of that. Never mind whether the village would accept them—even our neighboring countries wouldn't be willing to let it happen, and the Hidden Mist Village probably wouldn't let them go so easily either. If we rashly brought them back to Konoha, it wouldn't just cause trouble for the village; it might not be a safe choice for them either."

Kakashi's tone carried an unquestionable firmness. As a ninja of Konoha, he had to put the village's interests and rules first.

When Naruto heard that, his eyes dimmed.

Haku looked at Naruto like that and smiled. "Thank you, Naruto. I appreciate your kindness." His voice was still gentle, yet it carried a calm beyond his years. "But Zabuza and I have our own path to walk. The Hidden Mist Village may not have a place for us, but as long as I can be with Mr. Zabuza, I'm willing to go anywhere."

He lowered his head and gently brushed aside the blood-stained strands of hair on Zabuza's forehead. The light rekindled in his eyes was firmer than ever. "When he wakes up, we'll leave this place and find somewhere no one knows us, then live properly."

Hearing that, Naruto was still somewhat unwilling to accept it, but as he looked at the certainty Haku held toward the future and his devotion to Zabuza, his clenched fists slowly loosened.

He knew Haku was right. Everyone had their own choices, and forcing him to stay might only bring even more trouble.

He sniffed and forced out a smile uglier than crying. "Then... then you two have to take care of yourselves! If you run into any trouble, just... just come to Konoha and find us! Even if Kakashi-sensei says it won't work, I'll definitely find a way to help you!"

After saying that, he even thumped his chest hard, as if that would prove his resolve.

Haku looked at his earnest expression, his eyes growing a little damp again, but he nodded firmly. "Mm. Thank you, Naruto."

After the bridge in the Land of Waves was completed, Duanmu and the others also had to return to Konoha. Before they left, Naruto specially ran over to Haku's side and stuffed a rice ball wrapped in leaves into his hands, saying he had secretly saved it and that Haku should eat it with Zabuza after he woke up.

When Haku accepted the rice ball, warmth spread through his fingertips, as though Naruto's enthusiasm had been passed along with it.

Kakashi left some medicine for wounds and clean bandages with Haku, telling him to change Zabuza's dressing on time, and also left a few instructions on basic wound care.

Duanmu quietly pulled Haku aside and asked, "Haku, are you actually a boy or a girl?"

Although the original Hokage work set Haku as a boy, Duanmu just did not believe it. He had to ask in person.

Hearing the question, Haku froze slightly, then revealed a gentle, faint smile. That smile was like ice and snow melting in early spring, pure and serene.

He raised his head, and there was not the slightest panic in his clear eyes. He only said softly, "I'm a boy."

His voice was gentle, yet carried unquestionable certainty.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves and fell across his face, outlining the fine down there. At that moment, his androgynous beauty seemed especially clear.

Duanmu stood frozen in place, opened his mouth, and in the end swallowed the rest of his words. He merely scratched his head and smiled a little awkwardly. "Sorry. You're so pretty, I thought..."

Haku gently shook his head, the smile in his eyes never fading. "It's all right. A lot of people misunderstand."

His gaze turned toward where Zabuza slept, and his eyes became gentle and firm once more, as though that little interlude just now had never happened. The only thing on his mind was still the person beside him who had yet to wake.