Chiba's decision

That answer left Chiba silent for a moment.

To be honest, he did not want to stand against someone so pure.

In this dog-eat-dog Shinobi World, such purity became a burden instead.

"Since the outcome of the battle cannot be avoided..."

Haku still smiled, utterly calm.

"Then let me choose what happens afterward."

"As a rogue Ninja from Kirigakure, Zabuza is constantly being hunted by the village's Anbu."

"Even after he dies, they might take his body away."

The words were cruel, yet the speaker's expression barely changed.

It was as though he were discussing something perfectly ordinary.

Chiba nodded and said:

"I'll take care of it."

"So, kill me!"

Haku tilted his head slightly and looked at Chiba.

"For a proper tool, dying in battle is the best possible ending."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Great Bridge...

The battle between Kakashi Hatake and Zabuza had also reached a stalemate.

"Ninja Art: Summoning Technique!"

Kakashi Hatake was, after all, the Konoha Technician. His repertoire of Ninjutsu covered just about everything.

The moment he pressed the Summoning Scroll against the ground, the Ninja Dog squad moved out!

The surface of the Great Bridge creaked.

Seeing this, Chiba shook his head and sighed.

"This will set us back another two days."

Kakashi Hatake's blood still stained the Kubikiribōchō.

Tracking Zabuza down was hardly difficult for the Ninja Dog squad.

Boom! Boom!

Several Ninja Dogs burst up from beneath the bridge deck, their gleaming, sturdy teeth instantly pinning Zabuza in place.

"The Sharingan isn't the only reason my name is in every major Ninja village's records."

Lightning began to shine around Kakashi Hatake's lowered right hand.

Blue chakra, almost tangible, surged around his hand.

"Lightning Blade!"

Chiba's Shadow Clone looked at Haku and said:

"Perhaps that is where your journey truly ends!"

The words had barely left his mouth before Haku vanished from in front of him.

Violent lightning flickered and leaped in Kakashi Hatake's hand.

His scarlet Sharingan took in every minute detail.

Whoosh!

Kakashi Hatake vanished, his right hand driving straight toward Zabuza Momochi's heart like a spear of lightning!

Squelch-

Zabuza Momochi stared at the figure before him, his body trembling slightly.

The outcome of the battle had not changed.

As Zabuza's tool, Haku had died before him.

The raised Kubikiribōchō swung down at Kakashi Hatake, heedless of Haku's body.

Chiba keenly noticed that both of Zabuza's hands were shaking.

His dilated pupils and unfocused gaze made him look somewhat crazed.

The moment Haku died...

The heart of Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist, fell into utter turmoil as well.

In his current state, never mind Kakashi Hatake...

Even Chiba in his normal state could easily kill him.

His attacks were completely without structure, leaving him powerless against Kakashi Hatake.

Only when the cold Kunai was about to pierce his throat...

Did Zabuza finally come to his senses.

He countered with the Kubikiribōchō, trying to take Kakashi down with him at the last possible moment.

But Kakashi, still in fighting form, would never make such a basic mistake.

With a reverse thrust, he drove his Kunai into the right arm holding the Kubikiribōchō, leaving Zabuza completely incapacitated.

The injuries to both arms, severe blood loss, and shattered composure...

Left Zabuza weaker than even a Genin.

The only thing still worth fearing was the growing madness in his eyes.

Tap, tap, tap!

The sound of something striking the ground came from beyond the thick mist.

"Is that all you've got?"

"Zabuza, you're surprisingly adorable!"

The short Gato approached, leaning on his cane.

"Sometimes, entrusting things to you Ninja..."

"Really is unnecessary!"

He embodied the very definition of a villain.

With his smug expression and swaggering stride, he showed no regard for anyone present.

"Is this brat dead?"

"Come to think of it, I still have a score to settle with him!"

As he spoke, Gato raised his cane and moved to press it against Haku's face.

Boom!

A violent gust swept between Kakashi Hatake and Zabuza Momochi.

Bang!

Terrifying force struck Gato in an instant.

Chiba's full-powered blow hit him dead center!

Gato's corpse tumbled across the ground toward the rabble he had brought with him.

"Haku's death was his own choice."

Chiba looked at Zabuza, his gaze cold.

"But protecting his body and yours is my decision!"

"Gato is dead. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Zabuza Momochi!"