Taking Yuki Haku Away, the Strange Ninja's Objective

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Dozens of kunai shot toward the three Kirigakure assassins from every direction.

Clang, clang, clang!

The three Mist Ninja swiftly deflected them, then formed a defensive triangle and scanned the enemies supposedly surrounding them.

"We seem to be surrounded!"

"Who are they?"

"Konoha Ninja?"

As they focused on staying alert and guessing who their enemies were and what they wanted, they failed to notice the kunai scattered at their feet.

Each kunai bore a special seal marked "Fly."

Had this been wartime, a dozen years ago, they would never have allowed an enemy's kunai to lie so close.

But the Yellow Flash had long since become a legend.

Until now...

Whoosh!

Slash!

Whoosh!

Slash!

Whoosh!

"The Yell—"

Slash!

Thud, thud, thud!

The bodies of the three Kirigakure assassins fell to the ground.

Bound and lying on the ground, Yuki Haku calmly watched Naruto. After a long moment, he spoke.

"I know you. Mr. Zabuza died in the Land of Waves, where we met."

Naruto flicked the blood from the Heavenly Thunder Sword and looked down at Yuki Haku.

"You need someone new to rely on. Follow me."

Yuki Haku said nothing. His gaze swept over the kunai and the headless corpses, and mockery slowly entered his eyes.

"You killed Mr. Zabuza, didn't you? One fatal strike, the head severed. I never imagined you were this strong."

"Hah. Want revenge?" Naruto raised an eyebrow at him.

"No. There's no point anymore." Yuki Haku's eyes dimmed. "Death is a ninja's fate."

"Fate, my ass!" Naruto sneered. "You hold your fate in your own hands. Anyone who just accepts it is a coward!"

"You..." Yuki Haku began again.

"You what?" Naruto cut him off impatiently. "Just because you look like a woman doesn't mean you have to act like one."