Pigs103: Okay looking back, I think cliche is the wrong word to use, but to me it feels stale and overused, so I just wanted to add a little bit of variety into my story. Also, I'm not trying to make it so Tatsu is giving orders or is really arrogant, he just knows what he's doing in these kinds of situations. As for him not referring to Kakashi as sensei, I established in the first chapter that he only believes Hayate to be worthy of Tatsu calling him sensei.

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'Summon my chakra all at once.' Sasuke summoned his chakra as they closed in 'Now!'

Haku broke away and saw that Sasuke was nowhere in sight "He vanished."

Sasuke blitzed behind him "You're not as fast as you think. From this point on, you'll be the one defending against my attacks." he thrusted a kunai forward.

Haku blocked it.

Sasuke threw a kunai with his good hand.

Haku dodged it.

Sasuke then took that opportunity to kick Haku in the face.

Zabuza froze 'It's not possible, no one's faster than Haku.'

Sasuke smirked "Thought you were quicker, huh? Now what else are you wrong about?"

"You made a big mistake insulting these ninja and calling them brats, that's just guaranteed to bring out Sasuke's attitude." Kakashi pointed out "He's one of the best young fighters of the Hidden Leaf. Sakura here is our sharpest mind, aside from being a fangirl. Tatsu Kamikaze is our most skill and most intelligent, with a good heart to back it up. And last but not least, our number one hyperactive knucklehead ninja is Naruto Uzumaki."

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Naruto sneezed "Eesh."

Tatsu sneezed too "I know."

"They say when you sneeze it's because someone's talking about you." Inari pointed out.

"No, I'm pretty sure that's when your ears are burning. Anyway, you were really brave kid. I'm impressed. Now then, Naruto, let's go." and he took off, with Naruto following "It's not easy being a hero, it's hard work."

"Believe it!"

"No! Never say that again!"

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Things on the bridge were heating up.

Zabuza smirked "Haku, if we keep going like this then we'll be the victims instead of them. Get on with it."

"Right." Haku began radiating chakra "I'm sorry it's come to this." the air turned cold as Haku formed a hand seal, and several slabs of ice formed around Sasuke "Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors." then he suddenly disappeared and reappeared inside the mirrors.

"They're mirrors. But how?"

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Zabuza stopped Kakashi from trying to assist Sasuke "If you enter this fight, you fight me. Your boy has no chance against that jutsu, he's finished."

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Haku appeared inside every single mirror "Now we'll begin, and I'll show you what speed really means." they began throwing senbon and cutting Sasuke from every angle.

"Dammit!" Sasuke found himself unable to dodge or even move.

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Sakura finally made a decision "I'm sorry but I can't stay with you, forgive me."

Tazuna nodded "I understand, go now."

"Right." Sakura grabbed a kunai and charged 'Sasuke! Take this!" she threw a kunai into the dome of mirrors.

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Unfortunately Haku caught it "A futile attempt-"

"Wind Style: Crimson Wind!"

"Wind Style: Skybound Wind!"

Two sharp blasts of wind knocked Haku out of the mirror "Number one hyperactive knucklehead ninja and both the strongest and smartest of the youngest generation."

Then, in a cloud of smoke, Naruto and Tatsu appeared "Naruto Uzumaki and Tatsu Kamikaze are here, believe it!"

Tatsu smacked him on the back of the head "Stop saying believe it, believe it! Son of a bitch, now I'm doing it!"

"Whatever! Now that we're here, everything will be alright. You know how in stories the heroes usually show up at the last minute and kick ass? Well that's what we're here to do!"

Zabuza didn't look amused 'This brat again.'

Haku recognized Naruto 'That boy.'

"Naruto, go help Sasuke while I back Kakashi up." Tatsu blitzed over to Kakashi's side.

"Right! Shadow Clone Jutsu!-"

"And don't let your opponent see your jutsu you idiot, this is a battle not a talent show! The art of the shinobi is one of deception, always keep the enemy guessing. Even when executing a single jutsu, one must distract their opponent's attention, catch them off balance and outmaneuver them. You basically turned us into human targets when you entered a battle like that and dragged me with you!"

"I'm sorry, I was just trying to rescue everybody!"

"Zabuza." said Haku "This boy, let me fight him my own way. Please."

"Bring it on!"

Zabuza let out a grunt "So you want me to leave this to you, is that it Haku? As usual, you're too soft."

Haku bowed his head "Forgive me."

'Soft?' Sasuke finally noticed something 'He's right. Look at these wounds, he cut me up with his needles and yet he didn't hit a single vital spot. Why? Is he just trying to humiliate me?'

"I'm warning you!" Naruto pointed at Haku "One way or another, I'm going to rip off that mask and take you apart!"

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Zabuza stopped Kakashi from going to help Naruto "Don't even think about it, you know the score Kakashi. You go after Haku, I go after the bridge builder."

Kakashi frowned beneath his mask 'I can't protect Tazuna and help Naruto and Sasuke at the same time, Sakura's feisty but she can't fight Zabuza alone. There's Tatsu, but I'm not sure Zabuza will let him pass either.'

"Relax Kakashi, sit back and enjoy the show. Let's see how they do, one on one."

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"That mask and your bogus story, you were with Zabuza all along!" Naruto realized "You think you can get away with a stunt like that?"

"I'm sorry." Haku bowed his head "But as your friend said, deceiving your opponent and catching them off guard, that is the art of the shinobi. Please don't take it personally."

Sasuke prepared to fire another Purple Thunder Blast 'And while you're jabbering, I'll catch you off guard. Lightning Style: Purple Thunder!" he fired the blast.

Haku dodged it "I haven't forgotten about you, not for an instant."

'So that's where Sasuke is.' Naruto noticed 'He's pinned down.'

"Some warriors accept defeat gracefully, they know when they are beaten. Others do not. So be it then, let us finish our battle to the death."

"Hey, where're you going?"

"It's alright Naruto, we'll have our fight next." he merged back into the mirror.

'What is he?'

'Here he comes.' Sasuke braced himself and noticed Haku in a mirror 'The real one is over there. Now-'

"I'm behind you." Haku appeared in the mirror behind Sasuke and prepared to attack with senbon."

Sasuke froze 'He transported himself in an instant. How?'

Haku appeared in every single mirror surrounded Sasuke, and all of them fired a barrage of senbon.

Sasuke found himself even more scratched up 'What kind of jutsu is that? Could it be he has clones hiding in the mirrors all throwing needles at the same time? No, they're too fast for that. I can't even see where they're coming from, and if it was just a clone jutsu then he wouldn't need the ice mirrors. Those mirrors are definitely the key to his attacks, but what's my next move? Now Naruto and I need to attack from the outside and inside at the same time. Yes, it's all about positioning, and Naruto and I are in the perfect position. If I attack him from here and Naruto hits him from the outside, we can do it.'

This was ruined when Naruto appeared in front of him "Hey, I snuck in here to save you!"

'So much for that.'

"You are a complete loser! You're a shinobi, think carefully before you move!"

"What the hell's your problem? You should thank me for coming in here to help you!"

"Naruto if we're both inside here- Forget it, I've had it with your screwups!"

"And I've had it with your attitude, believe it!"

"That's it, I'm gonna destroy these mirrors right now. Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" he breathed out a fireball.

"That didn't do anything at all!"

"You'll need much more heat than that to melt this ice." Haku pointed out, then the mirrors glowed white and both were sent flying.

"Damn! Where is he? Where's the needle attack coming from? Are they clones? We've gotta find the real one. Which one is it?"

"Look into every mirror as hard as you like, you will never learn the secret."

"Oh yeah? Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto created a barrage of clones, ignoring Sasuke's yelling at him not to "You've got 100 mirrors, then 100 of me will smash them all and then I'll find out where you really are!"

Haku suddenly began blitzing from mirror to mirror throughout the dome, destroying any clone he could in the process, cutting Naruto up and sending him to the ground in the process "These mirrors only reflect my image, allowing me to transport myself at light speed. Through my eyes, you appear to be moving in slow motion."

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Tatsu froze "I knew it, that kid's got a Kekkei Genkai."

Zabuza chuckled "That's right kid, there's no way to destroy it and no way for those other brats to stop Haku."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that yet." Tatsu drew his katana "You don't give Naruto or Sasuke anywhere near enough credit, they're the 3rd and 4th best ninja of our generation."

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Naruto remained determined "I couldn't break through, so what? He's not gonna stop me. I'm not giving up and I'm not gonna lose here, I have a dream and no one's going to take it away from me. Someday I'll be respected in my village. That's my dream, to be the greatest Hokage!"

Haku paused 'Dreams?' he flashed back to the first time he met Zabuza "It was not my desire to be a shinobi. It's painful. I don't want to kill you, but if you advance then I will have no choice. Then I will kill the kindness in my own heart and fully embrace the shinobi way. And there will be no mercy, no turning back. This bridge will be the battlefield where our dreams collide, now I must fight for my dream just as you fight for yours. Please do not blame me, I fight for someone who is precious to me. I live for him, and I face death for him so that his dream may become reality. That is my dream, and for the sake of that dream, if I must then I will act as a shinobi and take your lives."

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"Sasuke, Naruto, take this guy out, you can do it!" Sakura called.

"No Sakura, don't push them." Kakashi cut her off sharply "Even if they somehow found a way to overcome the mirror jutsu, they still couldn't defeat this ninja."

"How can you be so sure?"

"They have the desire to win, but they don't have the instinct to kill. That boy is a whole other breed, he lives for pain, he thrives on it."

Zabuza smirked beneath his bandages "Exactly, your village has become complacent. Your trainees never learn the most important lesson of all, to kill the feelings in their own heart, to crush an opponent mercilessly, to destroy with no emotion or regret."

Kakashi's mind was racing 'I could make a break to save Naruto and Sasuke, but he'd kill the bridge builder. I can't use Shadow Clones or he'd just match them with Water Clones. I'd be wasting chakra. So I have no choice, it's me or Zabuza here and now. I'll have to do this the hard way.' he prepared to lift up his headband and use his Sharingan eye.

"Sharingan. You're no fun Kakashi, using the same old trick." Zabuza instantly charged with a kunai.

Kakashi stopped the kunai with his bare hand, causing it to bleed "If it's just an old trick, why did you just stop me?"

"Let your opponent see your jutsu too many times, and he'll find a way to use it against you."

"Then count yourself lucky, you're the only man alive who's seen my Sharingan twice. Show's over, there won't be a third time."

"Even if you did defeat me, you'd have no chance against Haku."

"You're unbelievable, using someone like that." Tatsu snarled "Don't you have any shame?"

"When I found him he was just a street kid, but I trained him in the most advanced ninja techniques. I taught him everything I know, plus he had special abilities that he refined on his own. The boy developed quickly, soon he could face the most powerful enemy outnumbered in total darkness. It didn't matter, he could strike with perfect accuracy. He cared nothing for his own life or the lives of others. He'd become a unique fighting machine, a shinobi. In the end, his power surpassed even mine. His bloodline trait, the Kekkei Genkai, cannot be defeated by anyone. I've created a tool that can destroy anything that stands in my way, unlike the useless punks who follow you around."

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Naruto still wasn't deterred "I didn't get to him, then I'll try again as many times as it takes. Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he summoned more clones.

"Naruto, don't!" Sasuke went ignored.

Haku blitzed through the clones, then hit Sasuke with a barrage of senbon.

"Dammit!"

Naruto fell back to the ground "How is he doing that?

'It was barely there, but I saw it. I could see the trails and follow his movements.'

"One more time! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto tried the same tactic for the third time.

Seizing the chance, Sasuke kicked some water into the air.

"Don't you see that it's useless?" Haku blitzed through them again.

'I can see his speed, but that doesn't mean I can match it. The water, it's being repelled. What if I try something else? Not water, but… yes, now it's my move.'

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Zabuza scoffed "You think those genin punks together can beat Haku? He's the ultimate, a battle tool for destruction."

"Are you finished bragging? You're starting to put me to sleep. Let's finish this, now." that was when Kakashi pulled up his headband all the way, revealing his Sharingan."

"Fine, but there's one more thing you should know. A little more bragging, as you say. Did you really think our last battle was just win or lose? That I took your attacks like some rank genin? Haku was there hiding, watching every move you made, studying your Sharingan. Haku can see a jutsu once and immediately devise a lethal counterattack. It's one of his gift. I've been waiting to see the look on your face when you realize your Sharingan has become worthless. You once said the same jutsu won't work on me twice, well now I'm telling you that." he formed a hand seal "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu." the mist grew thicker, and he disappeared.

"This is it. Sakura, Tatsu, stay with Tazuna. Tatsu, you especially are needed for this."

Tatsu nodded "Understood."

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"I know you need me Zabuza, I'll finish them off quickly." Haku promised.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto summoned another 100 clones.

'He just won't give up.' Haku prepared to strike down the clones, when…

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke used the chance to launch a fireball.

'What? Fireball jutsu?' Haku quickly retreated into a mirror, then emerged and blitzed through the clones 'It shouldn't be taking this long to defeat them.'

"Fire Style: Hellfire Sphere!" Sasuke launched a bigger, even more powerful fireball.

Haku dodged it mostly, but his leg was burnt.

'Got it that time, I'm starting to get the timing.'

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Kakashi noticed something off 'The Hidden Mist Jutsu, but this mist is too thick even for Zabuza. How can he fight in it?' then he drew a kunai and quickly stopped an incoming barrage of shuriken.

"Very skillful." Zabuza's voice rang "As I'd expect from Kakashi, the Sharingan warrior." he appeared behind Kakashi, eyes shut.

'His eyes are closed.'

"The next time you see me will be the last time you see anything. Without your Sharingan, you're nothing." he disappeared "You wanted me to believe you could see through anything, even through time. You wanted me to believe that you saw into the future and that this was my last battle. But your prediction was wrong, I'm still alive. So you're a fraud Kakashi, you can't read the future and you can't read me. The Sharingan is just a cheap trick that makes you seem more powerful than you are. I know now your Sharingan has two separate elements, the piercing eye which sees every detail and the hypnotic eye which mesmerizes your opponent. Employing these abilities, you can execute multiple jutsu in quick succession to make it seem like you could see the future. First, with the piercing eye you copied my moves instantly. This replication of movement makes me doubt my own thoughts. Once I was shaken, you infiltrated my mind, waiting for the slightest flutter to anticipate my actions, seeking out any hints to my next move. You timed it precisely, waiting for the right movement. The instant my mind became unfocused, you created a new illusion. With your hypnotic eye, you induced me to make hand signs while you were making the same signs, so you seem to be copying me when actually you're controlling my movements. Now that I know this, a very simple plan can defeat you. First, neutralize your piercing eye with zero visibility mist."

Kakashi found himself blown away by an attack, but quickly recovered 'The mist is slowing my reaction time.'

"Next, neutralize your hypnotic eye by keeping my own eyes closed. You can't bore into my mind if you can't look into my eyes."

"Brilliant, except with your eyes closed you can't see me either."

"Have you forgotten who I am Kakashi? I'm the Demon of the Hidden Mist, master of the Silent Kill, I can take you out by sound alone."

Kakashi froze.

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Haku's mind was racing 'He read my movements, but that's not possible.

"I was so close, but I couldn't quite get to him." Naruto noted.

"Naruto, how many times can you use your Crimson Wind?" asked Sasuke.

"About 4, why?"

"I'm at 3 with my Purple Thunder. Anyway, can you do your Shadow Clones again"

"Of course, nothing can stop me."

'He doesn't wanna show it, but he's exhausted. The Shadow Clone Jutsu uses up so much chakra, but thanks to him I figured it out. I know how to break through.'

'The human eye cannot track my movements.' Haku thought 'It must've been a coincidence.' the mirrors began glowing.

"Naruto, run for it! Get out of here and attack from the outside, hurry!"

"Alright, you got it." Naruto started running.

"You cannot escape." Haku sent him flying back with another attack.

Naruto got back up and kept running "You think you can keep me here? Forget it."

Haku emerged from the mirror and charged forward to attack.

"That's it! Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke unleashed a fireball.

Haku quickly ducked under and threw a senbon at Sasuke, then blitzed over to Naruto and sent him flying back again before returning to the mirror.

"I couldn't get past him." Naruto muttered.

Sasuke removed the needle from his shoulder "That was good Naruto, one more time?"

"Yeah, let's do it."

'There must be a limit to his chakra too, I can feel him slowing down.'

'No more games, I need to stop this now. This time you'll stay down." Haku fired a needle, hitting Sasuke in the leg, before hitting him with several more needles.

"Sasuke!" then Naruto got hit too.

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Kakashi's mind was racing 'An enemy you can't see and can't hear, it's been a long time since I've faced anyone this tough. And Sasuke and Naruto, I don't know if they can hold out. I could sent Tatsu over, but Sakura can't defend the bridge builder on her own. Stay calm, think, where will he strike?' he froze "The bridge builder!"

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Zabuza charged and drew his blade as he saw Sakura in a ready position "Too late!" he brought down his Executioner's Blade.

Blood spewed into the air, and Sakura let out a blood-curdling scream.

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Sasuke froze 'That scream, that was Sakura. What's happening to her? Where're Tatsu and Kakashi?'

Naruto let out a groan on the floor of the bridge "Sakura, she's in trouble."

'We've got to break through.'

Despite being full of needles, Naruto stood once more "I'll bust us out of here."

'Naruto…'

"I'll fake him out."

"You've exhausted my patience." Haku sounded rather aggravated.

Naruto built up chakra and charged in different directions, with Haku following him by running through the mirrors.

"Naruto, behind you!" Sasuke called.

Haku hit Naruto square in the chest with a barrage of senbon "Your chance of escaping my House of Mirrors is zero, that is absolute."

"Naruto, are you able to get up?"

Naruto just groaned.

"Try not to use any more chakra, that's only going to help him now."

Naruto sat up "I know Sasuke, I know." then he collapsed again.

'We can't go on like this, he's blocking every move we make. I've got to find a way to outmaneuver him. My eyes have adjusted to his movements.'

"Looking for a counterattack?" Haku appeared in the mirror in front of them "I'll save you the trouble." he blitzed over to the next mirror and fired more senbon.

Sasuke picked up one and blocked the rest "Get up Naruto, we've gotta team up for this."

'I'm aiming at his vital spots now, but I can't get a direct hit.'

Naruto groaned and sat up "I know what we have to do Sasuke."

Haku tried firing more senbon, with the same result 'It's not just luck, he's fighting to protect his friend. That's why he's so determined, but he can't possibly see the needles coming.' he fired more needles.

Sasuke pushed Naruto out of the way and dodged them himself, then winced from the pain of the needles already in his body.

'My movements are beyond human speed, and yet he's tracking them somehow. Whatever he's doing, I've got to stop him now.' he disappeared.

'Where'd he go? How could he just vanish? Naruto you'd better not pass out again. Now let's go, I can't keep protecting you like this."

"Then don't." Naruto muttered weakly "I never asked for your help." then he collapsed again.

"You can't revive him, he's reached his limits." Haku pointed out.

"Dammit!" Sasuke threw a senbon, but only hit ice.

"Impressive, you have excellent moves." Haku appeared in a mirror behind him "Your attacks are very skillful." he fired more senbon.

Sasuke dodged.

"But you've reached your limits as well." Haku blitzed from mirror to mirror "Motor functions, reflexes, judgement, your abilities are weakening slowly but surely. Now you're finished."

'Here he comes. Stay calm. Focus. Concentrate, see everything.'

Haku unleashed more senbon.

Sasuke grabbed Naruto and bolted out of the way at the last possible second.

'He saw every move, but there's no way he could do that.'

Sasuke looked up, his eyes now red with 2 tomoe in the right and 1 in the left.

'Those eyes… the Sharingan. You're…'

'It's not complete, but I could see through his deceptions.'

'So he too has a Kekkei Genkai, the power of a unique bloodline trait passed down within a clan. Interesting, even though it's not perfected. To uncover this power in the midst of a lethal attack is an amazing feat, and because of that I won't be able to fight much longer. My jutsu uses a tremendous amount of chakra, and his swift movements also take energy. There's no doubt that the longer we fight, the more he will use the Sharingan to perceive my moves. Even now, his eyes are tracking me. I can't target him directly, he'll just block a frontal attack, so I'll have to throw him off-guard by attacking his partner. Then I'll destroy him.' he emerged and charged in Naruto's direction.

'I've got to stop him!' Sasuke blitzed forward.

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Kakashi froze at what he saw "Tatsu…" he had been planning to blitz over and stop Zabuza from harming Tazuna, but apparently Tatsu had beaten him to it.

Tatsu had seen better days. He'd stopped Zabuza's blade from bisecting him diagonally, but he'd received a deep gash down his shoulder to his left breast, both the wound and his hands bleeding heavily from stopping the blade with his bare hands, seeing how he'd had to force as much chakra into them as he could "What's the matter… Kakashi… never seen… a man get… cut before…?"

"You were late Kakashi." Zabuza pointed out "You let your concern for those little punks' safety cloud your mind, adding further to the fog that already hinders your Sharingan. Your eyes are sharp Kakashi, but not sharp enough to read my moves, not anymore. Come on Kakashi, I want this to be fun. I want to enjoy myself as I exact my revenge. As for those brats, don't worry. They're at Haku's mercy, no they're breathing their last breaths right now." he braced his Executioner's blade "Relax, you'll have plenty of time to weep out an apology for failing those brats when you see them in the next life." then he disappeared into the mist.

"Kakashi…" a shaky and injured Tatsu stepped forward, using one hand in an attempt to stop the bleeding, the other holding his katana "I'm the one… who'll take him down… you stay back… and guard… the old man… and as for… Naruto and Sasuke… I have faith… in their abilities… I have… faith… in them… Naruto Uzumaki… the number one… hyperactive… knucklehead… ninja… and Sasuke Uchiha… heir to one of… the most powerful clans… in the Hidden Leaf…"

Zabuza froze where he was "Kid, you mean…?"

"Yeah… he's the last Uchiha… in the Hidden Leaf… the unique powers… of the Uchiha bloodline… run through his veins… his Kekkei Genkai… the Sharingan… is his birthright…"

"I heard that one young ninja survived the tragedy of the Uchiha Clan. No wonder he advances so quick. But so does Haku, no one match him. No one has ever stopped his secret jutsu, even the most skilled jonin fall before him. Just as you, and then Kakashi, will fall before me, right now!"

"Sakura… Kakashi… stay with… the old man…" with his katana drawn, Tatsu slowly inched his way into the mist 'He's right, it's time to end this. However, he's the one who'll fall.' he didn't notice as his pupils flickered from deep brown to light blue with golden irades in the center, then back to deep brown.

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Naruto finally came to "Wha-?"

"You always get in the way Naruto, it never fails."

His vision cleared and he sw Haku on the ground in front of him "You beat him Sasuke!" then he froze at what he saw next.

Sasuke stood in front of him, full of needles, having shielded Naruto from Haku's attack "You should see the look on your face, you-you look like a total loser."

"Why-Why did you save me? Why did you do it?"

"I don't know why, I just did… you… I hated you at first… but over time… even if I never said it… you and Tatsu… you're both my closest friends…" he fell back.

Naruto caught him as he collapsed "Sasuke!"

"He's still out there… my brother… I promised myself.. I'd stay alive… until I killed him… but now… it's up to Tatsu… to avenge my clan… and his brother… and Naruto… no matter what… never let… your dream die…" and with that, Sasuke fell still.

Naruto gently embraced Sasuke, tears streaming down his face 'Sasuke…'

Haku stared at the scene 'At the very last moment, he found the strength he didn't realize he had. Why? Because of a certain person who was precious to him. To save that person, he rushed in knowing it was a trap. He was a true ninja, worthy of honor. Is this the first time you've seen a friend die in battle. Is this the first time you've seen a friend die in battle? This is part of what it means to be a ninja." he merged back into the mirror.

"Shut up… I… I hate you to Sasuke… but at the same time… you were one of my closest friends too…" steam began circulating around him "You'll pay for this." the steam was replaced by deep crimson chakra, his whisker marks thickening and his eyes turning a menacing blood red with slits "I'm gonna kill you!"

'What is this chakra? Chakra cannot be seen, yet it's clearly visible. It's something ghastly. I can feel the wrath, the bloodlust, like evil itself.'

With the silhouette of a fox above him, the raw power of Naruto's new chakra popped the needles out of him, the power healing his wounds in the process.

'His hand is healing and changing. This boy, what is he?'

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Tatsu and the others noticed the chakra 'This power… Zabuza isn't creating it… Naruto… that must be the power of the Kyuubi… this is bad…'

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With a rage filled snarl, Naruto charged.

'The bloodlust in his eyes.' Haku noticed 'This is no longer a child.'

Naruto let out a furious roar, the sheer force blowing Haku's senbon away.

'His chakra grows every second. I must strike now.' he fired from every mirror at once, piercing Naruto all over his body.

Naruto just blew them off and shattered one of the mirrors with one punch.

'Now!' Haku dove down from one of the mirrors on top.

Naruto dodged, his KI (Killer Intent) becoming more and more clear.

'Impossible.' Haku attempted to retreat into a mirror, only for Naruto to grab him by the arm, preventing his escape 'Those eyes…'

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Tatsu looked back "Kakashi."

"I know." Kakashi spoke up.

"It hasn't been broken, it's just been loosened."

"And a glimmer of that chakra has slipped through, but it still holds. So we've still got a chance. Tatsu, you wanted to finish this, well now's your chance."

"Right, and Kakashi, thank you. Naruto… Sasuke… Hayate-sensei… Ino… all of you… you've all helped push me to this point… your guidance and faith in me… has led me to the path I now walk… you all believed in me… I can't… no… I won't let you down!' he let out a furious primal roar and was engulfed in a white light. When it subsided, his eyes had changed from deep brown to light blue with golden irades, a blue-ish cloak of chakra engulfing his body. Then he turned his attention back to Zabuza "Hey Zabuza, I don't mean to spoil your fun, I know how you like to stretch these things out, but what do you say we just put an end to this? Come on, what do you say? We're both busy people."

Zabuza grunted from within the mist "Tempting. I'm curious how you intend to back up such brave words. Show me, Kamikaze! Show me you're worthy of wielding the Tenseigan!"

'I've gotta end this fast. The downside of my Tenseigan Chakra Cloak is that it even with all this power, it enhances the user's darkest emotions, effectively corrupting them unless they're the purest of heart like my brother. Even so, I can't stay like this for long or it could kill me.'

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Haku found himself unable to break free as Naruto's Kyuubi-chakra shattered the mirrors surrounding them 'I can't, his energy is too strong.'

With a rage and malice-filled snarl, Naruto punched Haku clean in the face, sending him tumbling outside of the dome, shattering both Haku's mask and the remaining mirrors. Still filled with rage, Naruto charged once more.

Haku slowly took off the shattered remains of his mask 'Zabuza, I am no match for this boy. Master… I have failed.'

Naruto was about to shatter Haku's skull, but stopped when he saw his face "So that guy in the woods, that was you?"

"Why do you not strike? Did you not just vow to avenge your comrade's death by killing me? Or was that just empty words?"

Naruto finally let loose and slugged Haku in the face, sending him to the ground.

Haku coughed up blood and got back up "No, that won't do. You're still holding back, if that is all the strength you can put into it then you will never keep your vow. Perhaps he didn't mean to you as much as you pretend. To show mercy to those who oppose the one you serve, to allow his enemies to live when you could strike them down. This is not compassion, it is a betrayal of your life's very purpose. For what reason do you exist then? You're of use to no one. Your life has no meaning. It is mere existence. Day after day of pain and struggle, signifying nothing."

"Yeah well speak for yourself!"

"Are you really that blind little one? I am speaking of myself. This day has shown that I am no longer of any use to Zabuza."

"Zabuza. Why that guy anyway? To devote your life to a rotten bastard who doesn't know the meaning of the word honor. If he's really the one person that matters to you, man that's the sorriest thing I've ever heard."

"There were once others who mattered to me long ago. My father and my mother. I was born in the Land of Water in a small village where the snow lies deep in the winter. My parents were farmers and very poor, our life was hard but we were content. My parents were good to each other and kind to me. Yes, we were happy once. But then everything changed. Because of something that happened long before I was even born, everything changed."

"What do you mean? What was it? What happened?"

"It wasn't my doing. It is in the blood."

"Blood? So what was it? You said something happened that changed everything."

"It was my father who changed. He killed my mother, and he almost killed me."

Naruto froze.

"After years of suffering the horrors of civil war, the people of my land had come to fear and hate anyone who carried the Kekkei Genkai in their blood."

"Kekkei Genkai?"

"The advanced bloodline trait of a clan. It's jutsu and abilities passed down from generation to generation. Because of their unique abilities, the clans were used as mercenaries. They fought in many battles and were much feared. But when the wars were over, they were despised and shunned by the people who feared their presence would only bring more war and misfortune. So it was that after the wars, these clans went into hiding, denying the bloodline trait that flowed in their veins, concealing their unique abilities, knowing that to be discovered meant certain death. If you had searched that boy's memories, I'm sure you would've found it there too. The cruelty of people, their fear of things they don't understand. For years, my mother was successful in hiding her bloodline trait. She met and fell in love with a simple farmer, and they were married. And after that, my mother thought she would lead a peaceful ordinary life to the end of her days. I discovered that I had inherited my mother's Kekkei Genkai. My father had seen, so he knew our secret, my mother's and mine. I was forced to kill him and the others to save my own life. When at last I was myself again, I was no longer myself. My father and mother were gone, but I knew that something else had been taken from me, something even more important. And that is when I truly despaired."

"More important than your mother and father? What?"

"My purpose. In all the world, there was no one who needed me. I was unnecessary."

'Just like me.'

"Why is it you're so determined to be Hokage? Because you want all eyes in your village to look on you and recognize you as a great ninja. You see, it is only through the eyes of others that our little lives have any significance. When there is no one who sees you or will even look at you, it's as if you do not exist. Then Zabuza came along and looked at me, and his eyes were not full of hate or fear. He did not shun me for my strangeness. Indeed, my special powers were just what he wanted. He made me necessary again. I was happy. I failed you Zabuza, I am like a weapon that has been broken and is of no further use." he stepped forward "Naruto. Kill me."

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Still in his chakra cloak with his Tenseigan active, Tatsu formed a hand seal "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he formed 5 clones "Restrain him!"

Zabuza remained unfazed "I don't know why you bother kid, of what use are your clones if you can't even find me? But I can find you. Blindly falling into my trap, you disappoint me boy. I think you're right, it is time to put an end to this."

"And we'll be the ones to do it!" the clones all suddenly appeared and grabbed Zabuza by the arms and legs, while the last one put him in a full-nelson.

"What?!"

The real Tatsu smirked "I realized that if I couldn't see you, I'd have to sense out your chakra. You may know about my clan's eyes Zabuza, but you've clearly forgotten that we're some of the best sensory types this world has seen in decades. Surprised? Looks like I wasn't the only one who was blind. Falling into the trap of an elite genin, not gonna lie Zabuza that's pretty disappointing." then he noticed something "Good, the mist is finally clearing, and you know what these eyes see? Your death."

"Talk talk, do you mean to talk me to death?"

"In a way, yes. Right now, my Shadow Clones are just f*cking with you. One word from me, they'll unleash my Skybound Wind jutsu and Purple Thunder jutsu and fry and slice you from every angle. Poor Zabuza, see where your ambitions got you? You were always pushing things too far. There was the failed assassination of the 4th Mizukage and your attempted coup d'etat. You were forced to flee with the few followers you had, your country's tracker ninja hot on your heels. You became a rogue ninja whose name was quickly known even in the Hidden Leaf. Now you're crazy enough to want to go back and try it again, but for that you need money, and to get it you stooped so low as to be the hired thug of a swine like Gato. Alright Zabuza, enough talk. Time to finish it, and it'll be with my brother's legacy. One of the jutsu he created before his untimely demise." he formed a hand seal, purple lightning surrounding his fingertips "I taught this to Sasuke during the week between our last fight and this one, but there's one thing I didn't tell him. While this attack can be fired at long range, that's also its weakness. The longer the range it's fired, the weaker the attack gets. It's at its strongest when it's still in my hand, being supported by the power of my chakra cloak."

'The chakra's so strong it's visible, he holds it in his hand!'

"I won't allow you to kill Tazuna, he's a brave man with a noble dream. The bridge he's building is the hope of this land and all its people. You're like a disease, by attacking one you infect all and you don't care. That's not the way of the shinobi."

"You're right, I don't care! These useless little people and their petty little dreams, why should they matter to me? I have a dream of my own."

"But to have a dream, you need to have a future, which you don't. Your future doesn't exist."

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"Go on, strike, kill me." Haku urged "Why do you hesitate?"

"That's the most ridiculous story I've ever heard!" Naruto barked "I mean, he treats you like a slave. You're a human being, not a weapon or a tool. How can you care about someone like that?"

"For that very reason. Does that seem so strange to you?"

"Well yeah, a little."

"When he found me, I was without a purpose or reason for living. Zabuza gave me both. But now, my usefulness is over. The only thing that gave my life meaning, it's gone. I am a broken tool, a blunted weapon of no use to anyone. Go on Naruto, do it, for both of our sakes. Do it, quickly."

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Inari had been trying to rally the villagers support for the bridge, with disappointing results.

Disappointed but not deterred, he set out alone but found a crowd waiting for him.

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The battle on the bridge was nearing it's conclusion.

"This is it Zabuza! Purple Thunder Fist!" Tatsu charged, his Tenseigan Chakra Cloak fading as the lightning increased.

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"Go on, kill me." Haku urged once more "Why do you hesitate? I thought you wanted to be a mighty warrior."

"That's not what it's about!" Naruto barked "Do you really believe that's all there is to it, just fighting and killing until there's only one man left standing? There's a lot more to being shinobi than that, and there are other ways of showing your strength than just by beating someone in battle."

"I've had a feeling all along, from the first moment we met in the woods. We are a lot alike. I'm sure you know what I mean, I'm only sorry that it must be your hand that is tainted with my unworthy blood."

"Sure about this? And you're positive that it's the only way?"

"Yes."

"The weird thing is, if we met in another time and place, I think that maybe we could've been friends." then he suddenly drew a kunai and charged.

'Yes, that's right. Hold fast to your dreams.'

"This is for Sasuke, because he also had a dream!"

'Thank you Naruto, strike true.'

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"At last, I think this blasted fog is lifting." Tazuna noted.

"Look, they're standing still like they're squaring off." Sakura noticed.

"Really? I can't see a thing."

"Which one of them's Tatsu? One's moving."

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Haku suddenly realized something and stopped Naruto's kunai at the last second "Sorry Naruto, change of plan." he formed several one-handed signs "I'm not ready to die quite yet." and he suddenly vanished.

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"Purple Thunder Fist!" with his chakra cloak disappearing and the lightning in his hand getting stronger, Tatsu thrusted the attack forward.

Blood spewed as the attack hit, and Zabuza's eyes shot wide.

Tatus froze at what happened, his Shadow Clones disappearing.

Haku had appeared with his Crystal Ice Mirror and taken the hit for Zabuza at the last possible second, and when the attack subsided, he grabbed Tatsu's hand "Zabuza…"

Tatsu suddenly coughed up blood.

Zabuza smirked "So my future's all used up huh? Wrong again kid."

Then Naruto came over as the fog lifted and saw the scene "Tatsu, what the hell are you doing?!"

"Isn't that the young man in the mask?" Tazuna muttered.

"Haku…" Tatsu coughed up blood "He threw himself… in front of… my attack… He saved your worthless life… at the cost of his own…"

Zabuza let out a chuckle "Well done Haku." he drew his Executioner's Blade.

'He'd hack right through Haku to take me down.'

"I knew I'd found a treasure when I'd found you boy. You've not only give me my life, but this boy's as well!" he prepared to swing his Executioner's Blade.

Tatsu leapt away, blood still pouring from his wound.

"Not bad for having a corpse in your arms."

"You'll pay for that!" Naruto snarled.

"No." Tatsu cut him off sharply "Stay out of this… Naruto…" he lad Haku on the ground and closed his eyes for him "This is… my battle… Zabuza's mine…:

"Hey Naruto, over here!" Sakura called.

Naruto froze 'Sakura… well, f*ck.'

"So you and Sasuke are alright?"

"Um…" Naruto looked away.

"What's wrong? Where is Sasuke anyway?"

Naruto said nothing.

Sakura froze "No…"

Tatsu hung his head 'I'm sorry Naruto, Sasuke… I failed you two…'

"Hey kid, I'd stay focused if I were you!" Zabuza charged forward.

"Sakura, let me take you to him." Tazuna offered "As long as we stay together, you won't be disobeying your sensei's orders."

Kakashi hung his head 'Obito, Rin, sensei, I've failed another one…'

Naruto shed a single tear "Sasuke…"

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Upon seeing Sasuke's body, Sakura broke down crying over it.

Tazuna hung his head 'To put such an unbearable burden on a young girl's shoulders, if that's the shinobi way then you can have it.'

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Following another clash, Zabuza fell to one knee 'Why… Why can't I keep up with him?' still refusing to give up, he charged once more.

"No." Tatsu merely punched him aside, disabling one arm.

"I'll split you in half!" he swung the blade wildly.

Tatsu appeared behind him, and Zabuza could only see one thing in his eyes; rage "Look at you, you're falling apart. I knew you didn't have what it takes for the long haul."

"What did you say?"

"You have no idea what real strength is, and you never will." he braced his sword "Game over, you lose." he prepared to slash with it, stabbing him in the shoulder.

Zabuza stabbed him in the exact same moment, damaging Tatsu's right arm and throwing away his Executioner's Blade in the process.

"Now both of your arms are useless. What now? You can't even make hand signs."

"Well well, so this is how it turns out huh?" a new voice cut in "Did quite a job on you didn't he Zabuza? You look like yesterday's sashimi. I must say I'm disappointed."

Zabuza looked to see Gato show up with an army of thugs "Gato? I don't understand, what is all this? Why are you here, and who are these thugs you brought with you?"

"Well you see, there's been a slight change in plan. According to the new plan. You die right here on this bridge Zabuza."

"What?"

"That's right, you're too expensive so I've decided to take you off the payroll. Of course, even these thugs I brought with me cost something so if you could manage to slaughter a few of them before they take you down I'd appreciate it. Do you think you can manage that, Demon Ninja of the Mist? Look at you, you look as demonic as a wet kitten."

"Well well kid, Kakashi, it would seem our fight is at an end. Since I'm no longer Gato's employee, Tazuna's safe. We have no quarrel."

Tatsu nodded "Yeah that sounds about right, the name's Tatsu by the way."

Gato stepped up to Haku's corpse "That reminds me, you grabbed me and nearly broke my arm. I've been meaning to repay you for that." he brutally kicked the body "I only wish he was alive to feel it."

"GET AWAY!" Naruto roared "Get away from him you scum!"

"Stop… Naruto…" Tatsu grabbed Naruto with his one good arm "Use your head… you idiot…"

"Well what about you Zabuza, you gonna let him do that?!"

Zabuza remained unfazed "Be quiet you fool. Haku's dead, what does it matter?"

"What?! You mean you could just stand there and watch him get treated like a dog? You and Haku were together for years, doesn't that mean anything?"

"You don't understand the way of shinobi, I merely used him as Gato used me. Now it's over, his usefulness is at an end. The loss of his strength and skill yes, that means something to me. But the boy- nothing."

"If you mean that, you're an even bigger rat than I thought."

"Okay, that's enough." Kakashi came over" Calm down Naruto, he's not the enemy, not right now."

"Shut up! As far as I'm concerned, he's enemy #1! You ungrateful son of a bitch, after everything he did for you! Haku lived for you! You were the most important thing in the world to him, and he meant nothing to you?! Nothing at all? While he was sacrificing himself for you, you never felt anything at all for him? And if I become stronger, does that mean I'll become as cold-hearted as you are? He threw his life away, and for what? For you and your dream! You never let him have a dream of his own, but he didn't care, and you just tossed him aside like he was nothing. A broken tool, man that's so wrong. So wrong!"

"You talk too much." tears began streaming down Zabuza's face "Your words cut deep, deeper than any blade. While he fought you, his heart was breaking in two. You see, Haku was always too soft and too kind. He felt pain and sorrow, and now, curse him I feel them too. And something else, I feel content that this is the way it ends." he roughly shook the bandages from his face "Well, cat got your tongue? Are you so surprised to discover that I'm human? Even shinobi are human, no matter how hard we try to escape that simple fact we always fail. Well, at least I have failed. Boy- Tatsu. Give me your sword."

"Alright… here…" Tatsu tossed over his katana.

Gripping the handle with his teeth, Zabuza charged.

"That's enough of this!" Gato retreated back "Do it, take him down now!"

With merely Tatsu's sword in his mouth, Zabuza charged, killing several thugs with just the sword, despite taking several weapons to his back.

Gato froze when he saw Zabuza charge at him "He-He's th-the devil!"

Zabuza stabbed Gato using the sword in his mouth, only to be stabbed by several of the remaining thugs.

"You crazy fool, if you're so eager to join your friend then go ahead. But you're not taking me, not this time."

"No… I won't be joining Haku… Where he's gone, cannot follow… We wouldn't be welcome where Haku's gone to, Hell is where we're going Gato. I can't think of a more fitting destination for a demon ninja can you? I'm told there are many demons down there of all shapes and sizes. Oh yes, I should fit right in. You on the other hand Gato, well I fear you're in for a long and very painful eternity!" and with that, he slashed Gato and kicked him off the bridge, sending him to his watery grave in the sea below, the sword still embedded in his body. He then shot a glare at the thugs, causing them to clear out of his way as he waltzed forward "Haku… so this is goodbye at last… not once did I ever thank you Haku, forgive me for that.' then he collapsed.

"I can't…" Naruto turned away.

"Don't turn away." Kakashi told him "When you live like a warrior, this is how it ends."

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'Where am I? Am I alive? Or- Sakura?' he opened his eyes 'Can it be? It is.' he found Sakura sobbing onto his chest "Sakura… it's hard to breathe with you on top of me- oh shit you didn't rape me did you?"

Sakura froze "Sasuke… Tazuna, he's alive!" she wrapped her arms around.

"Seriously, you didn't rape me did you?" Sasuke slowly tried to sit up.

"No, what're you doing? You shouldn't move?"

"How're Naruto and the others, and what happened to the guy in the mask?"

"The others are just fine, but the one in the mask is dead."

"Dead?! But how? Did Naruto do it?

"I came in late, I'm not sure what happened? He was protecting Zabuza, and Tatsu struck him down. I had faith in you Sasuke, I knew you'd pull through. You're too cool a guy to stay down for long."

"No… from the very beginning, he never came at me with the intent to kill."

Then Sakura called over to the others "Naruto! Tatsu! Kakashi-sensei! Over here, it's Sasuke! He's alright!"

Sasuke waved a hand "Yeah yeah, miracles happen, get over it."

Kakashi smiled underneath his mask "Well well, will wonders never cease. Amazing."

"So he's alive…" Tatsu managed a weak smile "I'm glad…" then he collapsed.

Kakashi caught him "I've got you, great job out there…"

"Thanks… Kakashi…" then he passed out.

"Hey!" the thugs got their attention "Don't go getting too comfortable, this party ain't over yet. Who's gonna pay us now that Gato's gone? No way we're gonna leave empty-handed, so we'll just have to hit that village and see what they've got for us."

"Not good…"

Naruto turned to Kakashi "You must have a jutsu that could take care of this bunch of losers."

"Not right now, I used too much of my chakra."

"Get em boys!" and the men charged.

That is before and arrow shot down between the two groups, courtesy of Inari and the other villagers "There's one little thing you're forgetting about, before you set one foot in our village you'll have to go through all of us."

Tazuna shed a tear "They've all come, the whole village."

'No way I'm gonna miss out on all the fun. Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto summoned 4 Shadow Clones.

"I think I have just enough chakra left to help you out." Kakashi formed a hand sign "Shadow Clone Jutsu: Kakashi style!" he summoned several dozen clones "Okay, still wanna fight?"

"No thanks!" and they all ran off, retreating onto a boat.

"Victory!" and everyone cheered.

Kakashi made his way over to where Zabuza lay "Zabuza…"

"Sounds like it's over…" Zabuza's voice was soft and hoarse.

"Yeah…"

"Those kids… they'll be something great someday…"

"I know."

"Kakashi… I have a favor to ask."

"What is it?"

"Take me to him, before I go I need to see him one last time."

Kakashi quickly covered his Sharingan using his headband "Sure thing." he slowly pulled out the weapons and carried Zabuza over to Haku's corpse as snow began to fall.

Only Zabuza knew what it meant 'Is it you Haku? Are you weeping?'

Kakashi gently laid Zabuza down by Haku's body "There, now you can see him before you pass on."

"Thank you, Kakashi… truly…" Zabuza reached out and touched Haku's face "You were always at my side, the least I can do is to be beside you at the end. I know it cannot be… but I wish I could go to where you have gone… how I wish I could join you there… Haku…" and with that, he fell still.

Naruto had tears streaming down his face "He told me that where he came from, it was always snowing, all the time."

Kakashi sighed "Of course, his spirit was as pure as the snow itself. You never know Zabuza, maybe you will join him there. Is there really any way to tell?"

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Sunset came.

Tatsu had been treated for his wounds, but he was still unconscious, and the battle would leave a scar on his chest.

Graves had been dug for Haku and Zabuza, with the Executioner's Blade being placed as a mark on Zabuza's grave.

Naruto finally spoke up "Is that really it Kakashi-sensei?"

"What do you mean?" asked Kakashi, carrying an unconscious Tatsu on his back.

"Is that the ninja way? To use and be used by people like tools?"

"Shinobi are all merely tools in the hands of destiny, no point in wondering whether it's right or wrong. It just is. It's the same in the Hidden Leaf."

Naruto didn't take very kindly to it "Well if you ask me if that's what being a ninja is all about, something's out of whack. Is that why we go through all this training? Just to end up like them?"

"What is the reason for that?" Sasuke questioned.

Kakashi sighed "Well, it's a question without an answer, and that is something we ninja have to deal with every day of our lives, like Zabuza and the kid."

That was when Naruto made a decision "Okay, I've just come to a decision. From now on, I'm finding my own ninja way. A way that's straight and true without any regrets. From now on, I'm following the way of Naruto!"

Sasuke sighed "That's incredibly cheesy."

"Hey it's what I picked, deal with it!"

Kakashi looked on with a small smile underneath his mask, then he glanced at where Tatsu was lying against his back 'Can you sense it? You're the one who's always before his eyes, inspiring him and pushing him to keep going even further than anyone thought possible. It's you who makes him strong, you who pushes him to be a better person, a better shinobi. You know that, don't you Kazuma? Well he might not be as young as you were, but I think it's safe to say he's ready for that jutsu. I'll teach it to him once we get back to the village and he's had some time to recover.'

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Next morning, the group was getting ready to leave.

"We could never have finished the bridge without you." Tazuna told them "I can't tell you how much we're going to miss you."

"Do be careful." Tsunami warned.

Kakashi gave an eye smile, still carrying a wounded Tatsu, the only difference being that now he was conscious "Thank you for everything."

Naruto grinned "Now don't get all choked up, we'll come back and visit real soon." and with that, they set off.

"It was all his doing." Tazuna spoke up, referring to Naruto "That boy and his spirit was what made you stronger Inari, and you in turn made the rest of us stronger."

Inari grinned "Not just him, all of them. It was thanks to all of them we were able to build a bridge to a place we've never known, a place where we found our courage, a place to fulfill our dreams."

"Say, speaking of the bridge, now that it's finished, shouldn't we name it?" one man spoke up.

Tazuna nodded "Yes of course, and I know just the name."

"You do? What?"

"We'll call it the Great 7 Bridge, named after the team that gave us hope again."

A/N:

I made Tatsu get that scar on the bridge against Zabuza to prove a point. Tatsu is strong yes, but he's not invincible. He's not Saitama and I have no intention of making him so. While making someone powerful enough to be pretty much indestructible and able to destroy any opponent with one blow does prove to be entertaining at times, stories like that lack a proper amount of substance.

Yes, Tatsu has the Tenseigan, the same eyes used by Toneri Otsutsuki in The Last movie. That Kekkei Genkai has too much potential to be wasted on one movie, so I gave it to the Kamikaze clan as a clan based ability. In addition, gaining access to the Tenseigan also gives the user access to the Tenseigan Chakra Mode, but I added in the concept of the power corrupting the user so that Tatsu wouldn't end up being too ridiculously overpowered. I intend to solve that later on when I cover Shippuden in this fic, before the Fourth Great Ninja War breaks out.

Next chapter will be somewhat filler, having Tatsu learning a certain A-rank jutsu while the others fulfill the plot of a certain filler episode revolving around a certain jonin.