(Welcome to the next installment.)
The next morning, Hanabi looked into Naruto's room to see her blonde boyfriend passed out on his futon, "I guess Naruto-kun came home late last night." She said to herself as she met up with he squad.
"Since Naruto wore himself out last night from non-stop training he'll have to sit this one out until he gets his energy back." Kakashi explained.
"Don't worry I'll look after him." Tsunami assured them.
So Squad Seven went out, and about an hour later Naruto's eyes flung open and he sat straight up. He groaned from exhaustion and noticed no one was around. He got dressed and hurried downstairs finding Tsunami doing dishes, "Yo where is everyone?"
"They went on ahead, and decided to give you a day off." Tsunami answered.
"Ugh! Well we'll see who gets left behind!" Naruto exclaimed and he dashed out the door.
He started running through the forest knowing what was in store, "No doubt Zabuza and Haku are going to the bridge to try and stop Kakashi and the others. I can't let those two harm them. Even if Haku doesn't seem like a bad person I have to do whatever it takes." He said as he spread his wings and started flying off for the bridge.
About half an hour later, he was getting closer to his destination and saw a blanket of fog all around the bridge, "That's the same jutsu Zabuza used last time. I hope I'm not too late." He flew down.
Meanwhile inside the fog, Zabuza and Kakashi were going at it the same way as they were in the forest while Hanabi and Sasuke were defending themselves from Haku, and Sakura was protecting Tazuna. As Haku was about to attack Hanabi he froze upon hearing flute music approaching. Even the two Jonin froze and looked all around the bridge, "Where's that coming from?" Zabuza demanded.
"Our back up." Kakashi answered as they saw it was coming from a lone figure in the mist who came into clear revealing to be Naruto.
Naruto continued playing until he stopped in front of them and put his flute away, "Now who said you guys could start without me?"
"Naruto-kun!" Hanabi cheered.
"You're the brat who was foolish enough to take me head on last time," Zabuza began, "But this time you're the one who's gonna get it."
Naruto grew his feet big and jump forward to spin kick Haku but the boy vanished and he landed near Sakura and Tazuna, "He really is faster than he let on." Naruto noted.
Suddenly Haku appeared before Sasuke, "Now we end this." He formed a single hand sign, "Hyouton: Makyou Hyoushou!" he called as ice started forming around Sasuke like a giant dome and the boy was facing multiple mirrors that surrounded him.
"What jutsu is this?" Sasuke said to himself as he readied a kunai.
Suddenly Haku started appearing in all the mirrors and held senbon. The needles were thrown at Sasuke from all directions and started cutting Sasuke's skin and a few stuck into his body, one senbon knocked the kunai spinning out of his hand, and another knocked it away. The barrage of needles ceased and Sasuke looked up "Where the hell are these damn needles coming from?" he asked.
Sasuke was getting bombarded from all sides by flying needles, and Kakashi tried to run and render his student aid but Zabuza got in his way, "If you fight... its against me..." he said readying his sword, "You can help your precious student, but I'll kill the girls and the bridge builder... so whats it going to be? Save one and lose two or fight me and lose the boy?"
"Kakashi!" Naruto called, "You deal with Zabuza, I got Sasuke's back!" Naruto rushed over.
"No!" Zabuza tried to make a Mizu Bunshin but Kakashi attacked making sure he wouldn't have the chance.
Meanwhile back inside the dome, Haku continued throwing needles from the mirrors to attack Sasuke but much sooner the Uchiha was avoiding them much easier than before. He opened his yes to reveal he activated his Sharingan. As Sasuke continued fighting he spotted Naruto behind him, "Naruto you dobe what're you doing in here?"
"Relax Teme. I'm a clone the real me is outside the barrier," the clone explained.
"What're you trying to do anyway?" Sasuke asked.
"Saving your life!" the clone answered as he activated a shadow portal while the real one outside stood close to his clone to help strengthen it, "If you value your life Sasuke you'll jump in!"
Sasuke hesitated before speaking, "You better be right about this!" he ran and dove into the shadow portal. The Clone was then attacked by Haku which led to his dispersing. While outside the barrier Sasuke came out of the real Naruto's shadow portal. "I made it." Sasuke gasped.
"Was there ever any doubt?" Naruto asked when suddenly the barrier dropped and Haku reappeared, "Haku. I gave you a chance to reconsider your actions, but you go and waste them on Zabuza."
"I'm sorry Naruto, but it's Zabuza's order that I must kill you and your friends now." Haku began as he fired needles.
"Not if I can help it!" Naruto shouted before turning his arms into energy knives and sliced away the needles, "Time to boil you alive." Naruto got ready to use fire.
"Naruto that won't work! His ice is too strong to melt." Sasuke warned him.
"Well then let's do it together." Naruto replied as his Energy Knives turned into Fire Knives. Naruto jumped into the air above causing everyone to see him and Sasuke was below him.
"Naruto and Sasuke made it out!" Sakura called.
"Thank goodness." Hanabi sighed.
While up in the air, Naruto spreaded his arm knives made from fire and began to spin rapidly, "Hotstreak Shiv style; Fire knife bombs!" Naruto shouted as knives made from fire launched from his rotating body which began raining down on Haku who jumped backwards to try and avoid them giving Sasuke an opening with his fireball jutsu.
Haku managed to use an ice shield to block it. Naruto let himself fall growing his arms into giant and bulky purple to slam into Haku's head knocking the mask of his face. Haku suddenly slipped away, "You're stronger than I gave you credit for," Haku began, "But I'm just as strong." He finished sending Ice Shards to Naruto and Sasuke.
"Don't you see Kakashi...?" Zabuza said as he slashed at him cutting his chest "I trained Haku to be the ultimate tool, to help me get my revenge on the mist village, he's the greatest weapon in the world!" he ranted.
"Is that all you consider him? A tool? A weapon?" Kakashi asked shocked.
"I wouldn't expect you of all people to understand, Kakashi." Zabuza replied.
"Do you hear that?" Naruto asked "He doesn't even think of you as a person."
"Please give up now," Haku explained, "This is your last chance. I will aim for fatal wounds now."
"We're not giving up." Naruto warned him.
"Why do you fight so hard? Is the bridge builder special to you?" Haku asked.
"Every life is special!" Naruto shouted "I mean you no disrespect on how Zabuza spared you from loneliness, but this is no way to repay him!"
"I owe it to Zabuza, he gave me my reason to live again!" Haku argued.
"Well get yourself a new reason to live pal, because Zabuza will be going down today!" Naruto said as he fought Haku head on. Naruto summoned his Kage Bunshins to assist him while Sasuke waited to get another opening. Haku managed to avoid a clone and then attack Naruto sending him crashing into the ground.
"Naruto!" Sasuke called.
"Farewell." Haku said as he rained down needles.
"Naruto move!" Sakura and Tazuna cried.
As the needles were about to land on Naruto he saw a figure throw itself in front of him. It was Hanabi who was impaled with the senbon needles. After the jump in, she fell to the ground to get caught by Naruto, "Hanabi-Chan, please can you hear me?"
"Na-Naruto-kun." Hanabi strained as her Byakugan deactivated.
"It'll be ok Hanabi-Chan, just rest now." Naruto said trying to get her to hold on.
"Sorry Naruto-kun, but I couldn't see you die," Hanabi strained, "You still have a dream Naruto-kun, and I want you to be alive to accomplish it. Tell Nee-san and Tou-san I love them." She said before closing her eyes.
"Hanabi-Chan, no!" Naruto screamed. Sasuke gritted his teeth in anger while Sakura and Tazuna looked saddened.
Haku looks down, "I'm sorry... The senbon were not meant to hit her, but losing comrades is part of our life as ninja." Haku explained.
Naruto looked up as tears flowed from his eye's like never before, and both of his irises were red and his pupils were slits which were seen even through his sunglasses with the lenses glowing red "Shut your damn mouth!" Naruto screamed as red chakra erupted from his body in a swirling fashion.
Deep within the confines of Naruto's mind Kyuubi sat in his cage, "So... he lost his mate... Normally he'd still have two back home, but in this case lives are not something that can be replaced as easy as one thinks. Naruto let's show him what happens when you mess with your friends!" Kyuubi said to himself as he poured chakra into his Jinchuriki.
"What the? Who the hell's chakra is that?" Zabuza said as he felt the dark power fuelling the area
"Naruto." Kakashi said quietly to himself.
Naruto's whiskers became more feral and his teeth sharpened, and he looked at Haku causing all his ice surrounding him to crack, "This chakra... it's not like anything I've ever seen." Haku said to him self before throwing senbon into his back. Naruto caught the Senbon and breaks them in half.
Naruto jumped at Haku in a faster rate and began punching, kicking, and beating the hell out of the Ice user who was finding it harder and harder to keep up with him. 'This power I never knew could even exist.' Haku thought.
Naruto used his fire combined with the Fox's chakra to deliver extreme fire blasts at Haku who was loosing his strength. Naruto reared his giant fist back and slammed it hard into Haku's face launching him through the air before he landed hard on the ground and slid to a stop. Haku slowly pushed himself to his feet only to see Naruto flying through the air towards him fist ready to deal the final blow.
'I'm sorry Zabuza I've failed you, I am no match for this boy,' Haku thought. Haku took the powerful punch and fell onto his back. He looked up with bruised eyes and the enraged Naruto looking down on him, "Go ahead. I deserve it."
Naruto looked back over to Hanabi's motionless body and Sasuke who was frozen in fear seeing Naruto's power and rage. Naruto looked to the girl he loved. He looked at her for a few seconds before he saw her move slightly, and his rage subsided and he turned to Haku and reared his fist back. Haku shut his eye's awaiting Naruto's final strike. He felt the powerful wind of Naruto's punch ripping through the air, but he felt nothing impact with his face. He opened his eyes to see Naruto's fist had flew past his head and over his left shoulder, and then a burst of red chakra shot from his fist and hit an unnoticed group of thugs with Gato behind them all, knocking a few of them flying into the water over the bridge.
Zabuza was getting exhausted as he continued fighting with Kakashi which didn't go unnoticed by the copycat ninja, "You're going to lose Zabuza, give it up!" Kakashi ordered as he started throwing kunai which lodged into Zabuza's arms and his chest making him slow down.
"Why give up? It's the only thing I have to live for!" Zabuza called, "That damn Mizukage was always screwing me over making my life hell and causing the only other six people I thought of as a family to be disbanded. I was only going to give him what he deserved." he defended his case.
"Stop trying to take the bridge builder!" Kakashi ordered.
"Its not about Tazuna anymore... this is between me and you!" Zabuza said as he swung his sword horizontally at Kakashi who disappeared and reappeared a few yards behind him forming hand signs. Using his summoning jutsu he summoned all his ninja hounds who lodged their teeth into Zabuza's body to hold him in place.
Kakashi formed more hand signs and gathered electricity into his right hand, "I'm sorry Zabuza, but this time it really is time for you to die!" he charged for Zabuza aiming to nail him in the heart, "Raikiri!" before he could reach the mist ninja a giant icicle nailed the ground between the two stopping Kakashi's attack.
Naruto stared at Haku and then turned back and looked at Hanabi who was pushing her self to her feet, "She, she's alive." Naruto gasped as his bijuu chakra wore off and his face turned to normal. He looked down at Haku, "So you didn't kill her after all?"
"I couldn't," Haku admitted, "When I spent that time with you in the woods, I grew envious of you. Like I wanted to be more like you. I couldn't bring myself to be a real killer."
"Why are you even doing this?" Naruto asked "I know you don't like it."
"Because Zabuza gave me a purpose" Haku reminded him what he's been saying.
"Zabuza couldn't care less about you! He only uses you for your skill," Naruto began and hit a nerve of Haku's that made Haku rethink his actions, "I know you don't think its a good existence to be nothing more than a tool, for some ones else' own ambitions of power." Haku couldn't find a word to say to protest.
"You can find something else precious to fight for," Naruto continued, "I know what its like to have been lonely. I found people besides Hanabi-Chan to save me from the hell I went through. I love them more then words could describe." Naruto explained remembering the training he went through with the Meta-Breed, the dates he and his girls were on, and all the times Sarutobi gave him the courage to stay strong.
"But what would I have to protect?" Haku asked looking at the ground.
"You'll never know unless you look for people to be your friends and true allies with," Naruto held out his hand as an offering, "What do you say… we can be friends or I can kill you where you stand. The choice is yours." he said rather cold and bluntly.
"I... I..." Haku stammered speechless.
Kakashi held up his attack and looked at Zabuza "Last chance Zabuza, back down now!" Kakashi warned him.
Gato had seen enough "YOU DAMN WEAKLINGS! I SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO TRUST YOU!" He shouted at Zabuza.
They soon saw a Gato with an army of thugs. Zabuza scowled in fury, and he tore through the nin-dogs' grip and Kakashi acted quickly and jumped into the air and tried to hit him in the chest, but Zabuza went to his right and Kakashi's attack slammed into the top of his left shoulder, "URGH, I'm not attacking you! I want him dead!" Zabuza said as he glared at Gato past all of his men, before rearing his sword back and charging in at them.
Zabuza cleaved through five of the gangsters in one swipe of his massive sword then he ran forward towards Gato, "S-Stop him you fools!" Gato ordered in fear.
Zabuza slashed through gangster after terrified gangster, slicing them, and continuing toward the object of his blind fury. Zabuza tore through five more guys before he was inches from Gato's petrified by fear face. Zabuza forcefully grabbed his throat, with his free left hand, "I'll show you who's the weakling!" He used his sword to decapitate Gato's head leaving his body lifeless.
"He killed our meal ticket!" A thug shouted as each of them
"H-He just killed our meal ticket..." one said. They were all overly pissed and went to Zabuza only to have one get an arrow in his leg. They all looked ahead and saw Inari, his mom, and all the good people of the land of waves holding something to use as a weapon.
"We're not going to run and hide from you!" Inari began.
"Inari." Naruto gasped as the villagers were shouting at the thugs to leave their country.
The thugs still wanted to fight so they attempted to rush them, but no one not even Inari flinched. Before the thugs could make it a fire wall blocked them off and it went down revealing Naruto, "Time to teach you all a lesson!" Naruto called as he inhaled a deep breath and unleashed the biggest harpy screech ever heard sending all the thugs flying backwards and getting their ear drums broken. The people who were behind Naruto covered their own ears to avoid losing their hearing. Naruto ceased his screech and saw the thugs were down.
"It's finally over." Kakashi put down his headband closing his Sharingan eye.
"Yeah," Naruto said as he walked to Hanabi being treated by Sakura. He hugged his little girlfriend, "I thought I lost you forever, Hanabi-Chan." He shedded some tears.
"It's okay, Naruto-kun. I'm ok." Hanabi assured him and they kissed.
Kakashi then looked to Zabuza who was staring out into nothingness, "You know Kakashi I lied to you before about Haku," He began grabbing the Konoha shinobi's attention, "He isn't just a tool. He's like a son to me. Even though I hid the feelings and such, he's always been precious to me." He said shedding a tear.
"I see." Kakashi replied in understanding.
Zabuza turned to everyone, but before he could walk he clutched his heart and fell back. Everyone rushed over to see what was wrong. "Zabuza!" Haku cried.
Zabuza let out a faint chuckle, "Guess that fight took more out of me that I thought."
"I'm sorry this had to happen to you." Kakashi apologized.
"Nah, don't be. I kinda figured my death would be soon." Zabuza replied.
"Zabuza please. I don't want you to go!" Haku pleaded in sadness.
"Haku you're free now. You're no longer my weapon, but promise me, don't go down the kind of path like me. And remember I love you, my son." Zabuza said before shutting his eyes and died.
"Arigato, Zabuza," Haku sheds a tear. Haku felt Naruto's hand on his shoulder and next to Naruto was Hanabi, "Hanabi was it? I am sorry for what I did to you."
Hanabi hugged him, "It's ok. The point is you learned from your mistake."
Everyone on the bridge was in silence for the death of the Swordsman who defeated the one man who caused them so much grief, and for the heroes who saved them all. Next morning, the guys were back at Tazuna's and Naruto came out of a room with energy scissors as hands, "It was a success, come on out, Haku."
Haku stepped out of the room with a whole new look. He stood there wearing his sandals, icy blue jeans, a dark blue shirt with the kanji for Ice embedded on front, and his hair was cut to the length of a regular haircut. And what's more he didn't look as feminine as he once did. "How do I look?"
"Much better." Hanabi said.
"Yeah real better." Sakura added with a hint of pink on her face.
"One last thing to complete the ensemble," Naruto began as he pulled out an extra pair of sunglasses and tossed them to Haku who put them on. "Better than wearing a face mask that's for sure." Naruto said and the two chuckled.
Later on they were all meeting at the bridge that was finally completed where everyone in the Land of Waves were bidding them farewell, "Goodbye and thank you for everything." Tazuna thanked them.
"You're welcome." Kakashi says and his squad nods especially Naruto.
"Naruto." Inari began, "Did I do good?"
Naruto smirked and pat the boys head, "You did great Inari you showed no fear out there even if the odds were against you all."
"Thank you." Inari hugged him while shedding tears of happiness.
Haku then turned to the leaf ninja, "I want to thank you all for giving me a new purpose," He began, "Especially you Naruto. If we ever meet up again, you know I will have your back." Haku said before vanishing into mist.
"What's say we head home?" Kakashi asks and they all take off.
"Now the bridge needs a name. I think I'll call it, the Great Naruto Bridge." Tazuna declared.
Elsewhere in the city of Dakota, Ebon and the Breed were defending themselves from Static and Gear, "Why don't you just leave us alone, hero?" Ebon asked standing on one side with his partners.
"Oh yeah like we're really gonna do that, Ebon!" Static says sending a shock of electricity at Ebon who forced him back.
"All right guys we're gonna ask you again," Gear began, "Who's the kid in that picture you have?"
"And we're gonna tell you again, it's none of your business!" Hotstreak replied as he used his fire to attack the two heroes long enough for the Breed to retreat into a shadow portal.
"Darn it." Static cursed.
"They seemed real sensitive about that boy." Gear noted.
"Sensitive or not if they're keeping that boy captive somewhere we have to find him." Static reminded him as they flew off.
(And that's the chapter friends.)