Last time, Naruto had met up with Haku and became some what good friends with her.

Tazuna's house

It's been another hard day of training for both Sasuke and Sai since they have been doing the tree climbing exercise, but were finally able to make it on top of the tree with only their feet. With that, both of them went back to Tazuna's house.

Currently, it was dinner time when Sasuke and Sai made it back to Tazuna's house, which they told Kakashi that they made it to the top of the tree. Once Kakashi heard them complete the exercise, Kakashi put them on guard duty with Tazuna, which Kakashi well accompany them since he is well enough to help out as well.

As everyone was waiting for dinner, Naruto, who was came back to the house after a couple of hours of his own secret training. During that time, he sense Inari starting to feel mad about something towards Kakashi and his genin team. It wasn't until Inari yelled out at why they were bothering on training since he believed that they will die by Gatou's men.

None of them said anything, but Naruto decided to put Inari in his place by telling him that his father would be a shame of him on the way he was acting right now, and telling him that his sacrifice for his son was now worthless. He then told him that the way he is now, he well always be a cry baby forever, as he leaves the dinner table to go outside. Inari cried when Naruto told him something so harsh, while Tsunami yelled at him for saying such a thing to her son, which he didn't show or care about apologizing.

Later

Everyone was asleep, while Naruto didn't return to the house. Inari was outside watching the moon on the porch above the water. Kakashi came over to try and explain something to Inari, which helped since he has experience loss just like Inari. Once he had the conversation, Kakashi left Inari to himself for him to figure things out.

Morning

Tsunami and Inari were outside wishing Tazuna, Kakashi and the genin a good day at the bridge. Unbenouce to them, Zabuza was ready to go as well and was ready to kill Tazuna, along with his partner, Haku, by his side.

After a while of walking and making it to the bridge, everyone saw the horror that awaited them. In front of them, Tazuna's workers were lying down and injured by someone. Kakashi figured that it was probably Zabuza. While they were ready to fight for their lives, Tsunami and Inari were about to get in trouble when 2 of Gato's thugs came and were outside, ready to do something to them.

Inside, Tsunami was minding her own business, when the 2 thugs outside slice up her houses wall into the kitchen. They wanted to kidnap her as ransom to stop Tazuna from completing the bridge. Inari came down to see what happened, and saw the thugs. One of them wanted to cut the kid since they needed only 1 hostage. Tsunami, threaten to kill herself to protect her son. They took Tsunami, while Inari just cried about not protecting his mom and stuff.

He then remembered what everyone told him about being strong and stuff. Once he made up his mind, he went to defend his mother. He ordered them to stop and let her go, which he then ran towards them to knock them out. Tsunami tried to stop him, but the 2 swordman pulled out their swords to cut and kill Inari. But right before they could reach each other, both the swordsmen were thrown off over Inari and knocked away towards the house.

Inari wondered what happened, as well as Tsunami. They then heard, "Good thing I was nearby or otherwise you would have been in a troubling situation." Both Tsunami and Inari looked behind them to see Naruto standing behind Tsunami.

Both the swordmen were surprise to see him here. Both of them draw their swords out from their sheethes, which Naruto walked past Tsunami and Inari, as he was ready to fight them.

A few seconds later, Naruto was now standing on top of both swordmen, who were knocked out. Naruto just took them out so fast, that Inari and Tsunami couldn't believe how fast he was.

Once he explained something about why he was back at their house, he congratulated Inari for acting brave, since now his father must be proud of him. Once both the thugs were tied up, Naruto left Inari and Tsunami to take care of things here, while he went to the bridge to make sure that everyone was alright.

Bridge

Back on the bridge, everyone was on full gear when Zabuza and his partner, the fake masked Mizu Anbu, surprised in their arrival with in the hidden mist that Zabuza created.

First Zabuza created a few water clones, which Sasuke took care off in an instant. Zabuza was somewhat impressed that Sasuke improved in speed and power. Haku was then ready to face Kakashi and his team. Sasuke said that he well take care of Haku, while Kakashi would face Zabuza.

Sasuke and Haku 1st fought with their shinobi tools, Sasuke with his kunai while Haku fought with senbon needles. They were dead even and after a while, they were deadlock with their ninja tools.

"Not bad… but I don't want to kill you… of course you won't stand down, will you?" said Haku

"Don't be foolish." replied Sasuke

Haku then told Sasuke that he won't have a chance against his speed. Haku also explained that she has got 2 advantages, with the water for the water clones was around them. The other is something that Sasuke and the others didn't know it could be done. Haku went to perform a jutsu with one hand signs, which Sasuke or anyone else couldn't believe that it could be done.

Around Sasuke and Haku, Haku performed a large scale needle attack made of water. Sasuke was able to dodge the attack by remembering his training. Once Haku's water needle attack missed, Haku was put on to the defensive, which she was kicked back by Sasuke, back to Zabuza's side.

It was then at this time, that Zabuza told Haku to stop playing around. Haku began to release a large amount of chakra, which everyone could tell that something big was coming. Haku unleashed his Secret Jutsu: Demonic Ice Mirrors.

Everyone was stunned that a small doom was made of ice appeared around Sasuke. Haku stepped into the ice, which shocked everyone as he merged with it. Kakashi ordered Sakura and Sai to protect Tazuna, so he can help Sasuke. Unfortunately, Zabuza was there to stop Kakashi from helping Sasuke, since he did, Zabuza will kill Sakura, Sai, and Tazuna.

Sakura and Sai formed a plan to help Sasuke by Sai going into to help him, while Sakura would proved a distraction, while giving Sasuke a kunai to help protect him. They went with the plan, but Haku caught the kunai, while Sai was able to get inside the dome. Once Sai was inside, Haku attacked, which Sai used his nagato sword to block most of the senbon strikes that came out of all the mirrors. Unfortunately, some senbon attacks went through and hit both Sai and Sasuke.

While Sasuke and Sai fight for their lives, Kakashi was in the middle fighting Zabuza on his own. The hidden mist was so thick that Kakashi couldn't use the sharigon very well, while Zabuza had an advantage since he can fight with sound alone. At one point, Zabuza attack Tazuna and Sakura, but were saved thanks to Kakashi while taking a somewhat nasty wound.

During the battle, Sasuke was beginning to awaken the sharingon, which help in dodging and attacking Haku. Even though the sharingon helped Sasuke, Sai wasn't able to keep up with Haku's speed and was brought down. Right now, it was now between Sasuke and Haku. After battling it out, Haku put Sasuke on his knees, which Sasuke couldn't do anything since he was completely injured.

The mist was able to blow a bit to let everyone see the finishing blow that Haku was going to give Sasuke.

"It's over." Muttered Zabuza as he stares at the ice dome

"Sasuke-kun!" yelled Sakura

"Sasuke!" thought Kakashi as he sees Sasuke's demise in front of him

Haku came out of the mirror, with senbon needles in hand, while Sasuke watched in fear as Haku was about to stab him. It was then that everything changed.

Right before Haku can even strike Sasuke, her arm that had the senbon needles, was stopped. This surprised everyone since some of the mist was still blinding, so no one can tell what happened. Haku and Sasuke looked where Haku's arm was caught by someone else's hand. Sasuke thought it was Sai, but then revealed that the person that caught Haku's hand was coming out of Haku's own ice mirror.

"Im-impossible… what kind of jutsu is this… to catch my arm from coming out of my own ice mirror." Haku thought

"It's nice to see you again… Mr. Tomboy" said the hooded figure before he strike Haku by blow him away. Haku was sent flying through the other side of the dome and through her own ice mirror, into the guard rail at the end of the side of the bridge.

The sudden force that was felt when it blew the mist away to reveal another person wearing a hooded cloak and standing tall inside the ice dome. The hood that covered his face was blown off to reveal that it was Naruto.

"Y-you!" said Sasuke

"Hmph… now then emo-boy, you've have debt to me which I intend to collect on… Got it…!" smirked Naruto

Naruto stood tall in front of Sasuke inside the dome, as he looked where he thrown Haku outside the dome. Haku struggled a bit, but got herself up on her 2 feet. As soon as Haku was on both her feet, the mist starting to cover the area again, which Haku thought it would be better for her to fight in.

When Kakashi saw Naruto appear out of nowhere and saved Sasuke from death, he was very grateful, but also now curious to see on what he can do. Sakura and Tazuna were please to see Naruto appear in front of her (even though they knew him as Thomas). Zabuza was stunned to see someone was able to catch Haku, when he was at full speed. Of course, both Kakashi and Zabuza immediately brought back their attention to each other.

Haku and Naruto stood in front of each other, while having a hard time looking through the thick mist. For Haku, having the mist cover the area was a good thing since she can use the water on the bridge and mist to help her attack Naruto.

Haku used her ice mirror jutsu again to try and get behind Naruto. Sasuke looked back as he saw the puddle of water that was in front of him freeze into ice. In an instant, Haku came out from behind Naruto, which Sasuke would have tried to warn him, but was too weak to say it fast.

Haku had her senbon needles in front of her, ready to put down Naruto since she needed to end this battle quickly to help Zabuza. Right before Haku could even reach Naruto, Naruto instantly moved to the side so fast that Haku didn't notice it. She then saw Naruto caught her left hand which held the senbon needles with.

"Why are you trying to kill Tazuna? Why are you trying to stop a person who only wants to bring hope back to his people in this country?"

Naruto asked this question, as they both stood in the stance that they were in.

"It because I'm trying to help someone I cheerish realize his dream." Answered Haku

Haku used this moment to try and kick Naruto's head by using her caught arm for support. Naruto was already a step ahead of her in that department, since he pulled Haku forward before she can began her attack. He then used his right hand to throw her over his shoulder. Haku did a front flip, which he landed and then look back at Naruto.

Haku would have continued her attack, but was surprised when Naruto was now behind her without even her noticing it. Naruto held his arm out at Haku face and unleashed a large amount of chakra shockwave. It sent her flying back near Sasuke, who was still too exhausted to move, just kneel. Haku landed about 5 meters away. Sasuke got one of his kunai and was prepared to throw it at her, but Naruto caught Sasuke's hand and put it away.

The force of Naruto's attack was so strong, that the ice dome that Haku created, around Sasuke, Sai and Naruto started to shatter since Haku couldn't hold it anymore. Along, with Haku's mask, the dome breaking apart, as a result of Naruto's attacks.

Haku stood up with the last of her strength, when Naruto calmly walked towards him. He was about 2 meters away when Naruto stopped advancing, which she wondered why.

"Naruto… finish me… I lost… so there for, I'm nothing more than a broken shuriken or kunai. I lost my purpose in life. So please… finish me." Sadly said Haku

Naruto just looked at Haku calmly. He took a couple of moments before speaking up.

"Haku… why are you doing this…? More importantly, why are you helping a man like Zabuza kill someone who is trying to help his people?" asked Naruto

As Naruto was hearing about Haku's sad life story and why he was helping Zabuza, Kakashi and Zabuza were finishing up their fight.

"What's going on…? I can't hear any type of fighting… is the battle over? Did Naruto lose? I need to finish this fight now to find out." Thought Kakashi

Kakashi then grabbed a scroll from his jonin vest and put both his hands on it in a ram sign. He then yelled, "Hey Zabuza… I know we want to continue this fight, but were both busy people… so why don't end this fight here and now… come on what do you say?"

"Interesting words Kakashi… I would consider your words to be a bluff, but let's see what you have in store… show me Kakashi." Yelled Zabuza through the mist

Till Next time