Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other respective media, only my OC
Naruto – Chapter 6
Battle on the Bridge! The Weapons Known as Shinobi!
Part 3
General POV
Both groups stood their ground until Kakashi broke the silence, "Well, well; Looks I had it right, it was all an act."
"An act?" Tazuna asked. "With a cute little mask." Kakashi retorted "Phony." Sasuke joined in
"So, I guess all that talk about being a tracker-ninja, was just a bunch of bull." Tazuna said.
"They look pretty chummy to me, I bet they've pulled this stunt for quite some time." Kakashi added.
"He's mine, who does think he is, wearing a mask like some clown?" Sasuke said with a slight scowl. "Mind if I butt in?" Toshirama added as the two shared a look and nodded to each other
"Sasuke, Toshirama; your both so cool!" Sakura giggled from behind. "Wait, didn't I just say that, she'll never change." Kakashi said as he sweatdropped.
"They're both good, even if those clones were just 1/10th the strength the original, they did destroy them all." Haku added.
"That first move gave us the advantage, now use it." Zabuza stated. "Right." Haku said as he then started moving quickly spinning like a top towards Sasuke and Toshirama.
Both stood ready with Sasuke's kunai and Toshirama's tanto at the ready. The three came to blows as the three clashed. Surprisingly, Haku was able to stand his ground against two opponents.
"So, both of them can keep up with Haku." Zabuza thought. "Just as I thought." Kakashi to thought to himself.
"Sakura, cover Tazuna with me, let Sasuke and Toshirama deal with this." Kakashi said as the two continued to engage with Haku.
"We only want the bridgebuilder. Walk away and I won't have to kill you two." Haku said to the two genin as they both continued to clash back and forth.
"Save it." Toshirama retorted. "You're making a mistake; you won't be able to keep up with my speed. Besides, I've already got two advantages." Haku informed the pair.
"Oh yeah, and what are those?" Sasuke added. "One, were on water and two, I'm blocking the use of your other hands, which means…" Haku stated as he raised his free hand.
Haku started weaving hand seals with only his one hand! "What!?" Sasuke and Toshirama both said.
"Hand seals with only a single hand, I've never seen that before." Kakashi thought to himself in shock watching Haku.
"Secret Technique: A Thousand Needles of Death." Haku stepped on the water beneath him as water began to the surround the three of them.
"He doesn't kill them; does he mean that?" Zabuza thought as he watched as Haku's jutsu began to form. "Focus, maintain control and…" Toshirama and Sasuke thought as the needles began to rain down at them as both jumped up and dodged the attack.
Haku backpedaled and looked to the original spot to find both boys gone and looking above, he dodged just in time to avoid a barrage of kunai and shuriken coming at him.
Regaining his balance Haku had no time as Sasuke appeared behind him, "Seems you're not as fast as you thought, from here on you play by our game." Sasuke stated as he attempted to slash at Haku which he blocked, but Sasuke threw at hidden kunai behind his back.
Haku was forced to duck as Sasuke too that chance and kicked him away. Weaving his hand seals quickly Toshirama replied, "Earth Style: Mud Wall!" Suddenly a large earthen wall appeared just behind Zabuza and Haku slammed into the back of it with some force.
Zabuza looked on in amazement as Haku was beaten back. "It's not possible, no one can match Haku's speed."
"Thought you were quick, huh?" Sasuke said. "Now let's see what else your wrong about, shall we?" Toshirama added as the two stood ready.
"You made a big mistake calling these young ninja brats, that's liable to bring out their attitudes. Sasuke and Toshirama are some of the best young fighters in the Hidden Leaf Village, with Sakura as our sharpest mind." Kakashi informed the two-rouge shinobi.
"Last but not least, is our number one, hyperactive, knucklehead ninja is Naruto Uzumaki." Kakashi finished.
With that Zabuza started to chuckle underneath his breath, "Haku, if we allow things to go on like this, we'll be the victims, get on with it."
"Right." Haku said as he began to focus his chakra. "What, what is this, this chakra I feel, its cold?" Toshirama stated as the air became colder. "I'm sorry it's come to this." Haku said as he formed a single hand seal.
Suddenly from nowhere, ice-like mirrors appeared out of the ground around Sasuke and Toshirama, both now trembling at the sight before them. Haku then entered one of the mirrors and an image of him appeared before the two.
"Mirrors, made of ice, how?" Toshirama said to himself as he and Sasuke stood back-to-back as multiple images of Haku were in every mirror before them. "Now then, we'll begin, and I'll show you what true speed really is."
Then, senbon needles seem to come from everywhere as Toshirama and Sasuke were barraged by an endless wave of them over and over again. In the process, two senbon knocked out both Sasuke's kunai and Toshirama's tanto from their hands both landing outside the mirrors.
The barrage never seemed to stop as the two had no choice but to shield their faces to protect themselves.
Outside, Sakura watched as she made up her mind, "I'm sorry, I can't stay with you, forgive me." Tazuna looked at her and understood, "I understand, go."
Sakura picked up Sasuke and Toshirama's fallen weapons and then threw them both at the ice mirrors only for both of Haku's hands to reach out and stop them from reaching them.
"He caught it, how?" Sakura questioned as she watched the scene before her, when suddenly a shuriken came from nowhere and struck Haku in face knocking him out of the mirror he was in and dropping both weapons.
A smoke grenade went off and Sasuke and Toshirama instantly knew who it was, "Off all times Naruto, don't be a showoff." Toshirama thought to himself as he was one knee bleeding from cuts he received.
"What a fool." Sasuke thought to himself as well. "Number one, hyperactive, knuckleheaded ninja." Haku said as if he knew exactly who it was.
The smoke cleared as Naruto finished, "Naruto Uzumaki, is here. Believe it!"
"Please, let me handle this my own way." Haku asked as Zabuza thought to himself for a moment
"What are you doing Haku, have you gone soft?" Zabuza said ignoring the orange-clad genin. "Soft, does he mean… wait all these injuries and Sasuke's, none of them are fatal, what is he trying to achieve?" Toshirama thought to himself.
"Hey, one way or another, I'm gonna rip that mask off and make you pay!" Naruto said as he stared down Haku. "Naruto's no match for this kid, I've got to…" Kakashi thought about moving until Zabuza spoke up.
"Don't even think about it, you know the score Kakashi; go for Haku, I get the bridge builder." Kakashi looked on in agony knowing his students stood little chance against either opponent.
"Calm down Kakashi, just sit back and watch the show." Zabuza said as he continued to watch Kakashi.
"So, you were with Zabuza this whole time, why you?!" Naruto said in anger. "Deception is the basics of being a shinobi, don't take it personally." Haku replied
Sasuke then attempted to take advantage of Haku dealing with Naruto by throwing a kunai at his head, but the young man simply moved out of the way. Naruto then looked towards the mirrors and saw his teammates inside.
"Sasuke, Toshirama." Naruto said. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you two, not for an instant." Haku retorted as he never looked back at Sasuke for a moment.
"Some warriors accept defeat gracefully, some I guess do not, very well to death then." Haku stated as he walked back towards the ice mirrors. Naruto yelled at Haku, "What, were are you going?"
"Don't worry Naruto are fight will come up shortly." Haku replied as he walked through the mirror. "He's coming." Toshirama thought as the two could now see Haku looking back at them.
Sasuke looked around as he only saw the one Haku and tried to attack, but then Haku replied, "I'm behind you." The pair looked behind them to see Haku standing before them as all the mirrors started to show images of Haku with senbon in his hands.
The barrage continued as Toshirama and Sasuke were once again knocked back. "Toshirama, Sauske!" Sakura and Naruto both screamed.
"What is that, Sasuke and big bro are getting ripped up and I can't even tell where there coming from." Naruto thought to himself as he watched his teammates getting shredded.
"These mirrors, there not just made of water, there solid ice, so are these why he can attack so fast, he's using the mirrors to teleport to himself around, to us he seems to everywhere, but to him were just as slow as a slug." Toshirama thought to himself as he deduced hoe Haku was using his ice mirrors.
Sasuke and Toshirama looked at each other and knew what plan they need to use. If the two of them and Naruto could attack from within and from the outside, then maybe they'll have a chance to…
"Hey, I snuck in here to save you two pretty neat huh?" Naruto loudly whispered as he was now in front of Toshirama and Naruto both with looks of shock on their faces.
Sakura looked on in disbelief and Kakashi simply said, "Naruto, you sneak up on your enemies, not your allies."
"Naruto, I swear your hopeless sometimes, think before you act!" Toshirama scolded Naruto with Sasuke joining in, "You are such an idiot Naruto, you're a shinobi, think before you act!"
"What's your problem, this is the thanks I get for coming to save you two?!" Naruto said "That's it, I've had it with your mistakes, Sasuke replied angrily.
Weaving hand seals quickly, Sasuke prepared his jutsu, "Wait, what are you doing?" Sasuke replied, "These mirrors are made of ice, so what do you think?"
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu." Sasuke let off a great gout of flame as he tried to melt the ice mirrors but to little effect. "You'll need something hotter, to melt this ice." Haku retorted.
With that said, Haku restarted his assault and three were pushed back once more, flat on their backs. "Where is he, are they clones?" Naruto inquired.
"Look into every mirror as much as you like, you'll never learn the secret." Haku replied as Naruto was insulted once more, "Oh yeah, Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Wait, Naruto!" Toshirama tried to warn Naruto. "If you've got a hundred mirrors. I'll just make a hundred of me and smash 'em all!" Naruto exclaimed as he tried to attack Haku's mirrors directly.
As if in an instant all of Naruto's clones were destroyed and Naruto once more was knocked back. "To you I seem everywhere, but to me you appear to be moving in slow motion." Haku stated.
Kakashi then realized, "Wait now it makes sense, that's a kekkei genkai, a bloodline trait."
Zabuza chuckled almost affirming Kakashi's answer. Inside the ice mirrors, the three were still in a tight spot, "I couldn't break through, so what, he's not going stop me." Naruto said.
"I'm not giving up and I won't lose cause I have a dream, to be respected in my village, that's my dream and I won't let anyone stop me; to be the greatest Hokage!" Naruto said with passion.
With that the four shinobi stare down knowing that this would be the final battle, one side would win, and one would fall.
The standoff continued as Sakura tried to motivate her teammates, "Come on guys, you can do it!"
"Don't Sakura… don't goad them." Kakashi warned. "What do you mean?" Sakura inquired.
"They have the resolve, but not the instinct to kill, that boy is in a whole league of his own, he thrives in these situations." Kakashi explained. Zabuza laughed, "That's right Kakashi, your village has become complacent, your trainees never learn the what it means to be a real shinobi."
"That important lesson, to kill the feelings in their heart and to crush their opponents mercilessly, with no emotion or mercy." Zabuza finished. Sakura looked terrified, "Then sensei, what do we do?"
Kakashi contemplated his options, but in the end, there was only one option he had to defeat a threat like Zabuza, he reached for his headband prepared to use his Sharingan despite the risks.
Zabuza chuckled once more, "The sharingan, your no fun Kakashi using the same old trick." With that Zabuza rushed the Leaf jonin and attempted to stab at Kakashi's eye, but Kakashi caught the blade with his palm.
"If it's just an old trick, then why stop me?" Kakashi wondered. "Letting your opponent see your jutsu too many times and they'll know how to deal with it." Zabuza replied.
"Well then be lucky, you're the only person ever to see my sharingan twice, show's over, and there won't be a third time." Kakashi said.
Back in the Ice Mirror Dome
Toshirama, Sasuke and Naruto once again tried to breakthrough Haku's mirrors but were once again thrown back.
"Again, how is he doing it?!" Naruto said in anger. "I could sense it for even a moment, I could see his trail he left."
Once again Naruto summoned even more Shadow Clones and tried to break through one last time with all three once again being knocked back, but Sasuke kicked some of the water in the dome into the air and once again both Toshirama and Sasuke could see the trail he left again.
Realizing the only solution both Sasuke and Toshirama share a look at themselves and without saying a word nod in agreement and ready themselves.
Naruto once again tried to break through with his shadow clones, while Haku dealt with them as Toshirama and Sasuke started weaving their respective hand seals, "Water Style: Water Trumpet/Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu", with that the two aimed for Haku but missed. As Haku went again for another pass, the two once again let off another blast.
"What, Water Style and Fire Style?" Haku thought as he watched the other two
Sasuke's fireball managed to slightly singe Haku, while Toshirama's water was able to deliver a slight cut just above the ankle.
"They read my movements, but how?" Haku thought to himself in shock. The three genin were panting as they continue to stare down Haku. "I couldn't do it; I couldn't get past him." Naruto said.
"Naruto, can you do that again?" Sasuke asked as he turned to Naruto who replied, "Yeah I can do it. Believe it!"
"I know he can, but even I can tell, Naruto's doesn't get much left in him, but it gave us the chance to follow him, now we may have a chance." Toshirama thought to himself.
"The human eye can't possibly track my movements; it must be a coincidence." Haku thought to himself as he now started getting anxious, if not nervous.
The mirrors once again glowed as Toshirama and Sasuke weaved their seals once more, "Go Naruto, get outside and attack from there!" Sasuke informed him
"You got it!" Naruto answered as he began to run for the outside, just as Haku started to move Sasuke and Toshirama caught sight of him and fired away, but both of them missed. Haku threw two of his senbon and kicked Naruto, preventing his escape.
The senbon found their way into Sasuke and Toshirama's shoulders, as all three were still on the ground. "Naruto, again go!" Sasuke told him.
This time all three ran in different directions attempting to escape. "No more games, I need to stop them, this time you'll stay down." Haku thought getting restless with this constant stalling.
All three of the boys were hit by senbon, just as before all three of them were knocked away again.
But as their fight went on suddenly a blood curdling scream could be heard on the outside, "AHHHHHHHHHH!"
Toshirama knew that voice, "That's Sakura, what could be going on could it be Kakashi-sensei?"
Toshirama looked to his teammates to see Sasuke and Naruto, the latter on his stomach seemingly unable to move, "Sakura, we have to help her."
"We could, but that means even one of us breaking out of here." Toshirama thought to himself as he saw Naruto getting up in obvious pain, "Don't worry, I'll fake him out."
Naruto began to focus his chakra and first made a dash to escape, but just as he planned backflipped and ran in the opposite direction, however Haku was not far behind and pursued Naruto.
Haku then threw out more senbon at Naruto, but none of them found their mark as Toshirama had taken the hot instead. "Big bro/Toshirama" Naruto and Sasuke thought as their teammate was injured once more.
Your chance of escaping my House of Mirrors is zero, that is absolute." Haku thought to himself as prepared himself to continue.
Naruto and Sasuke ran up to their teammate, "Big bro, you okay?" Naruto worried. "We can't waste anymore of our chakra, that's only going to help him now." Sasuke said as Toshirama now struggled to get up.
"We've got to find an opening to counter-attack." Sasuke said just as Haku appeared once more, "Then I'll save you the trouble." With that he threw more senbon, thinking quickly Sasuke picked up one off the ground and proceeded to deflect all the incoming ones.
Toshirama finally found the strength to pull himself up and replied, "I know that, but how is the question." Toshirama didn't have time to receive an answer as Haku then appeared from almost all the mirrors and began throwing needles once more.
Toshirama now joined Sasuke in deflecting the senbon barrage surrounding them with a spare kunai he had in his holster.
"No, it's not just luck, there both fighting to protect their friend, that's why there so determined, but they can't possibly see all the needles coming, I've got to end this now." Haku thought as he continued the barrage, Toshirama pushed Naruto out of the way as Sasuke and Toshirama continued to either dodge or deflect the needles, however they found that many more had still found their targets.
"Naruto, are you alright, don't pass out on us." Toshirama worried for Naruto. "Come on Naruto, we can't keep this up all day." Sasuke chimed in.
"So what, I didn't ask you to." Naruto retorted, then he fell back and fainted. Both of the boys looked at Naruto then heard Haku, "You can't revive him, your both good, but you've reached your limits too." Haku then threw even more senbon. Both boys watched him carefully and when they found their chance took it to escape.
In the moment, Toshirama scooped up Naruto and both he and Sasuke leaped to safety avoiding all of Haku's needles.
"They saw every one of my attacks, I know one of them is a sensory type, but the other one, how could he?" Haku thought to himself.
Toshirama could feel a change in Sasuke's chakra, "This change is it his…?" Toshirama looked to Sasuke and saw the young man had indeed activated his own Sharingan in the moment they had dodged Haku's last attack.
"That's impossible, the sharingan, so he's…" Haku looked as he realized how Sasuke was able to react to his attacks.
"There not complete, but I can see his deceptions." Sasuke thought to himself. "so he had his own kekkei genkai, a powerful bloodline trait, so that's how he dodged my attack." Haku thought to himself.
"With his Sharingan and the boy's sensory abilities I won't be able to do this much longer, my mirrors use much of my chakra and their movements also take up much of their energy as well, so the longer this fight lasts the more chakra they'll expend to react to me. So instead of those two, I'll get their friend and throw them off guard." Haku analyzed the situation and going out of his mirrors aimed straight for Naruto.
Sasuke and Toshirama could only respond as the two rushed for Naruto.
Sakura's POV
Kakashi had been grazed by Zabuza's sword and injured. Zabuza then went on to say that Toshirama, Sasuke and Naruto were all probably dead or dying at that point as they had chance against Haku.
"He said that Sasuke will die, no I won't believe him I know that he'll make it ("Sasuke will be them to a pulp!") …and that masked boy ("We'll make him wish that he was never born!) … I can't lose Sasuke ("Anyone who tries to take him from me will pay for it.") … and Naruto, and Toshirama."
"Exactly." Kakashi said. Sakura looked to hear Kakashi sensei, "I believe in all their abilities; Naruto, the number one, knuckleheaded ninja, Sasuke, heir to the most powerful clans in the Leaf and Toshirama, one of the most gifted prodigies and heir to other most powerful clan in the Leaf."
Zabuza gasped in shock, "You mean those two are…?" Kakashi answered for him, "That's right Sasuke comes from the legendary Uchiha clan and carries their blood in his veins, as for Toshirama, hm, I'm sure your smart enough to figure the next one out."
Zabuza was now in shock, "I had heard only one survived the incident of the Uchiha and… I thought only she was the only left in that clan. No wonder the both of them are so advanced at a young age, but so does Haku, no one can match him."
Kakashi prepared himself as Zabuza disappeared in the mist, "There's never been a jonin that has ever defeated Haku's mirrors they've all fallen, just as you'll fall to me!"
Toshirama's POV
Back in the ice mirrors, Naruto finally awoke to see Haku on the ground seemingly out cold and Sasuke standing in front of him, with Toshirama on one knee breathing heavily.
"You always, get in the way, Naruto." Naruto head Sasuke say. "At least you're alright, Naruto." Toshirama said as well.
"Alright, you guy's got him!" Naruto cheered until he looked before him at both his comrades as they were both bloodied and injured.
(Play Sadness and Sorrow)
Sasuke looked back and repeated, "You should see the look on your face, you look like a total loser."
Toshirama now struggled to stay up as he replied as well, "It's just instinct, you're my little brother aren't you, it's my job isn't it to protect you?"
"But, but why, why did you two save me?" Naruto sad with sadness in his look. Sasuke replied first, "I don't know why, I just did." Toshirama also spoke up with what strength he had left, "That's a stupid question, didn't I always say I'd look out for you if I could?"
"I hated you… both of you." Sasuke said. "Then why, it doesn't make any sense, why did you protect me?" Naruto replied. "I didn't ask for this I didn't ask for you to save me!"
Sasuke still with a slightly smug look replied, "I don't know, my body, just moved there was no time to think." With that Sasuke fell to the ground as well. Toshirama also joined Sasuke's side quickly weaving two hand seals, Ox…Tiger… Mystical Palm Technique.
Toshirama's hands then started to glow a light green color as he put his hands over Sasuke, "What… are you… doing?" The Uchiha boy asked in pain.
"Shut up and let me do this." Toshirama said sharply as Sasuke then slapped away the boys hands, "He's…still out there… my brother, I promised myself… I'd stay alive until I killed him… Naruto, Toshirama; don't let your dreams die." He tried to reach out to the two until his hand feel… lifeless and then… closed his eyes for good.
Tears weld up in both Toshirama's and Naruto's eyes as they stared at Sasuke's lifeless body, both of them held him closer as the tears began to fall.
Haku looked back up at the trio, "Both of them found a strength they didn't have before, to protect something precious to them, but one of them made the ultimate sacrifice, why… because he had certain people to protect, despite that they rushed in knowing it was a trap and they both took the it, but he couldn't take anymore.
"Is this the first time you have seen a friend die in battle; this is part of what it means to be a ninja." Haku simply said as he entered his ice mirrors again.
Toshirama still held Sasuke until he heard Naruto speak up in a growl, "Shut up". He handed Sasuke off to Toshirama who held him in his arms.
"I hated you too Sasuke and yet…" Naruto thought to himself. Toshirama looked to his childhood friend and saw the look of anger on his face, suddenly Naruto's chakra exploded around them, a crimson ring, a darkness that Toshirama never felt from Naruto before.
"I'm gonna kill you." Naruto said in a distorted growl as his eyes sowed that of a crimson red and his face was now darker
"What… what is this dark chakra… Naruto, what, what is this?" Toshirama thought to himself as he too feel to his knees. Toshirama then felt a sudden surge of energy in himself as well. Like a feeling he'd never seen before until now, it was like Naruto's but smaller, tamer.
Toshirama's Mindscape – POV
Toshirama suddenly opened his eyes and found himself in a dark corridor looking all around it was dark except for a few feet in front of him, he looked everywhere and called, "H-hello, Hello?"
"What is this place?" Toshirama thought to himself as he started to venture the corridors until he came upon a turn in the path and continued on.
Toshirama walked down the corridor until he came upon a larger chamber where he saw nothing but darkness, but upon closer inspection he found a large door sealing something. The door contained a three-pronged seal which seem to be holding the door in place.
Toshirama looked beyond the door to see a large eye peering back at him through the cage, Toshirama fell on his back as he saw the large 'thing' looking back at him.
"W-what are you?" Toshirama asked in slight fear. The large beast replied, "Hmm, another Leaf ninja, huh?"
Toshirama continued to stare at awe of the beast before him as it continued, "Your eyes, they remind me of my previous keeper, and your chakra like my keeper before her. Yes, we will meet again… boy." [1]
Toshirama was still in shock over what happened but in the next few moments he finally came to in the real world.
Back in the Real World
Zabuza and Kakashi felt the surge of chakra from Naruto as both men stopped their fight to focus on it.
"Is Zabuza creating this?" Kakashi thought out loud, until he felt the nature of the chakra, "He's not, I know this chakra, there's no way, but whose?"
Zabuza too wondered what this was, "What is this, its foul, is it Kakashi; no this is too powerful even for him. Where is it?"
Kakashi turned toward the ice mirrors and knew the answer, "Naruto, Toshirama; this puts everyone in danger, now of all times the seal's been broken, I have to stop it
General POV
Toshirama awoke from his daze to see a crimson-cloaked Naruto rush toward Haku's ice mirrors but stop as the image of the Ice ninja disappeared. Naruto turned as he searched for the ninja. Haku once again tried to stop Naruto but to no avail.
Naruto then by sheer force alone pushed out all the senbon that had just hit him and were gone as if he were never hurt. He then rushed and destroyed one of the ice mirrors with just a single punch.
Haku then leapt from one of the mirrors aiming for Naruto's heart but missed as Naruto dodged the attack, as Haku attempted to retreat Naruto was able to grab him, his grip as strong as steel, with a killer intent that Toshirama had never felt before.
"Naruto, is that really you? W-what are you?" Toshirama thought as he shielded himself and Sasuke's body from the amount of pressure Naruto's chakra was exerting from himself.
Naruto threw pack his fist and with even more of this demonic chakra landed a clean hit on Haku with such force it blew him away and destroyed another ice mirror in the process, with that all the others started to crack and then disappear as well, shattering.
Naruto stood still for a moment as he then looked at Haku once more that dark face still there and he then took off with no warning towards him.
Toshirama screamed out to the boy he considered his brother, "Naruto, stop he's finished!" Not seeing him stop, Toshirama left Sasuke's body and immediately took after Naruto.
The two boys were still several feet away from each other, as Naruto looked to be about to land his final blow, Toshirama was able to miraculously grab Naruto from his armpits as then Naruto came to a sudden stop.
The two looked at Haku and it dawned upon them, he was the same boy from the woods, "So, that guy in the woods it was you?"
"Why do stop, did you not vow to avenge your fallen comrade or were those empty words to?" Haku stated blankly no emotion in his face.
Toshirama who had seen Naruto calm down let go of him as Naruto let off a punch, but one with barely any force behind it as Haku immediately tried to get up, coughing up blood.
"No, that won't do, your still holding back, you'll need more force if you want to kill me. Perhaps he wasn't as important as you said?" Haku taunted trying to goad Naruto.
Naruto let off a small growl as he heard Haku, Toshirama putting his arm in front of him to stop him.
Haku then went on to explain to the two how that to him that as a shinobi that showing "compassion" to your enemy even though he wishes to harm the things you serve and protect, was nothing but a betrayal of what being a "shinobi" means. That your existence is simple a thing that is there with no meaning to it at all.
"Yeah, well speak for yourself." Naruto answered. "Are you really that blind little one, I am speaking of myself, this has shown that I am no longer of any use to Zabuza." Haku answered back.
Naruto got angry at how easy Haku disregarded himself, "Zabuza, why that guy anyway, to devote your life to rotten skunk who doesn't even know the meaning of the word honor, if he's really the one person who matters to you, man that's the sorriest thing I've ever heard!" Naruto answered in anger.
"They're were once others who mattered to me, long ago. My father and my mother." Haku started as he explained how he accidentally activated his kekkei genkai which he had inherited from his mother, it was during that time that the Land of Water, where Haku lived clans with kekkei genkai were mostly wiped out and exterminated either by ANBU or mobs of civilians out of fear.
He then continued on how his father one day discovered the secret of his mother and himself and how a mob would storm their house and it was his father that killed his own mother right before him and would have if he had used his kekkei genkai to kill his attackers.
"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 was when I truly despaired." Haku said with a sullen, broken face.
"More important than you mother and father, what?" Naruto inquired. "My purpose, in all the world there was no one who needed me, I was… unnecessary." Haku answered.
"Just like us." Toshirama and Naruto thought together finally realizing what Haku meant. "Why is it that your so determined to be Hokage, because you want everyone to look at you and know that you are a great ninja." Haku began.
"You see it is only through the eyes of others that our little lives have any significance, when there is no one that will even look at you, it is as if you do not even exist, then Zabuza came along and his eyes were not filled with hate or fear; he did not shun me for my strangeness it was just what he wanted, he made me necessary again." Haku said.
Both boys looked on at Haku as he now had tears going down his eyes, "I was happy."
"I have failed you Zabuza, I am like a weapon that has been broken that has no further use." With that said Haku walked towards the two and sked them both a simple request, "Naruto, Toshirama… kill me."
"Do it, why do you hesitate?" Haku continued on as Toshirama and Naruto backed away from the boy this time Toshirama was the one to speak up, "Why, why do you let Zabuza treat you like this? Like a slave, everything you've told us, he sees you as nothing but a tool, that can be thrown away and replaced, like a piece of property. It just sounds like you're a slave, you're a human being Haku, not some thing to be thrown away, how do you even know he cares about you?"
"For that very reason, does that seem strange to you?" Haku asked. "Well, in a way…yes." Toshirama answered.
"When Zabuza found me, I had no purpose or a reason for living, Zabuza gave me both." Haku responded.
"Toshirama, didn't you also say you had no purpose before as well, are we not one and the same?" Haku asked the white-haired boy. Toshirama's face was awe-struck at the realization of the boy's words.
Toshirama looked back at Naruto for a few seconds as the orange-clad ninja stared back at each other as he remembered some of his own childhood, all the memories he could remember:
How during his childhood he never made friends, always spent his free time alone without other people and shut himself out from others. That all changed when he met Naruto in his first year in the Academy.
All the memories when they first met, sharing a meal together, training, playing pranks and being punished together, meeting some of the other rookies like Kiba, Shikamaru, Choji and how he met all the other rookies.
Toshirama couldn't help but let out a small cry out as he realized that in some way all three of them were the same in more ways than they knew.
"Do you see know, I have lost the thing that has given me purpose… go on one of you… do it, for all our sakes, do it quickly." Haku said with a dead face. The boys still hesitating.
"Go on, finish it, kill me!" Haku begged. The two boys back away still as Haku continues, "Why do you hesitate?"
"I thought you wanted to be mighty warriors." Haku stated. "That's not what its about, do you really think that's what this is all about fighting and killing till there's no one left standing, there's a lot to being shinobi than that and there are other ways of beating other people in battle." Naruto tried to persuade Haku to stop.
"I had a feeling, ever since we all meet in those woods, were a lot alike, I'm sure you know what I mean, I'm sorry its you two that must be tainted with my unworthy blood." Haku said.
Naruto and Toshirama realized what he meant; both knew he would not stop. Naruto drew one of his kunai and charged Haku who stood waiting for the death blow.
But it never came as suddenly Toshirama felt a massive surge of chakra nearby, with the fog gone he knelt down and searched for the chakra he felt before and realized it was coming from Kakashi-sensei.
"What, what is that jutsu? It's like a ball of chakra in his hand and I can hear it, like a thousand birds chirping in the morning sun." Toshirama thought to himself when he saw Naruto was stopped by Haku.
"Sorry, you two, but there's been a change of plans; I'm not ready to die just yet." With that Haku vanished and Toshirama tracked his signature the best he could until he felt it come to an end.
He opened his eyes when he felt a surge of energy come from Kakashi when he looked, he saw that Kakashi's "lightning blade" had pierced Haku, who had used himself as a human shield for Zabuza.
Everyone looked on in shock at what had happened, even Zabuza who thought he was dead, was in complete shock to see Haku in front of him. Haku with the last of his strength to hold Kakashi in place
Zabuza recovered as he said, "So, my future is up, huh Kakashi?" Naruto seeing Haku suddenly vanished looked down the bridge to see Haku he gave chase to finish him but stopped when he heard Toshirama.
"Naruto, no!" Toshirama screamed. The Uzumaki boy stopped as he saw the scene before him, "What the, what's going on?"
"He-he sacrificed himself." Toshirama answered plainly. "What, he did what?" Naruto asked in horror.
With the chance he wanted, Zabuza brought down his Executioner's Blade, but Kakashi reacted just in time and dodged his attack.
"Ha-ha-ha, pretty quick with a corpse in your hand." Zabuza said as he laughed on. Naruto growled at the rouge shinobi, "You'll pay for that!"
"Naruto, stop this isn't our fight, don't get involved!" Toshirama yelled at Naruto "He's right Naruto, this is my battle, I'll handle this."
Sakura who noticed Naruto and Toshirama near Kakashi called out to them, "Naruto, Toshirama is that you, where's Sasuke are you all alright?"
Toshirama and Naruto both despaired at the name she called out, "Sakura…" Toshirama said beneath his breath. Naruto couldn't say a word as he struggled to even try to speak.
Sakura noticed their destroyed looks and knew what they meant, "No… it can't be…"
Sakura was now almost in a look of utter horror as her, Tazuna and Toshirama ran over to Sasuke's body.
Sakura looked over the body and saw how still and lifeless Sasuke was, even Tazuna had a look of anguish as well knowing that a young man had sacrificed his life all for a bridge.
Sakura reached out to Sasuke's body and touched his cheek his body was cold, "He's cold, this isn't another one of his genjutsu is it?"
Sakura then spoke up as Toshirama heard her loud whispers, "I was the best, aced every test at the Academy, the perfect student. You know there are over 100 principles of shinobi, we had test on them, I got them right of course. I remember one #25…"
Toshirama looked up at Sakura's tear-stained face as she said it aloud, "A shinobi never exposes his feelings, it shows his weakness and clouds his judgement."
The two then let it out as both leave tears on Sasuke's face and headband. Toshirama then laid his own head on Sasuke's chest when he suddenly heard…
Ba-dum…
It was only for a slight second so Toshirama listened carefully once more, putting his ear closer to Sasuke's chest.
Ba-dum… Ba-dum… Ba-dum…
This was Sasuke's…
"He's…" Toshirama whispered but Sakura could hear him as she lifted her head to ask him, "What?" Her tear stained face still there.
Toshirama's frown now turned to a small smile as he thought to himself, "Zabuza was right all along, he was soft to bitter end, and after all that talk…
"Toshirama, what do you mean?" Sakura said as she asked Toshirama what he said. The white-haired boy then looked up at the pinkette with a smile om his face still with tears, but with joy now.
"He's… alive Sakura." Toshirama answered. Sakura stopped crying and listened to the boy, "You mean he's alive?" Toshirama couldn't speak as he simply nodded up and down. The tears of sorrow now became tears of joy as the two hugged each other in happiness.
Even Tazuna smiled as he too, lifted his spirits. "Sakura, I know a jutsu that can help Sasuke, you can help but you have to pay attention okay?"
The pinkette was now listening at attention as Toshirama demonstrated the Mystical Palm Technique he tried to use earlier.
"This requires intense chakra control okay so just remember the exercise and follow me. First is Ox, then Tiger and now focus your chakra to the palms of your hand." Toshirama explained as they both focused their chakra.
Sakura opened her eyes and was stunned when she saw her hands glowing a light-green color, "Now what Toshirama?"
"Now we'll lay our hands over Sasuke's wounds, this'll help close up any through our chakra and help restore his. You ready?" Toshirama sked the girl. She nodded vigorously as the two began to hold their chakra-laced hands over Sasuke.
After a few seconds later, they both saw Sasuke stir awake as he opened his eyes slightly, both teammates topped and watched as Sasuke opened his eyes fully and spoke for the first time, "Toshirama… Sakura… your crushing me."
Both teammates looked on in happiness when suddenly both heard a voice from down the pier, "Well, well, well; look at you Zabuza you like sliced sashimi." A rather small man with a small moustache and dirty yellow hair appeared on the bridge, the tyrant Gato.
"I just came to say; there's been a change of plans; your gonna die on this bridge here and now." Gato stated.
"What?" Zabuza asked. "Your too expensive, so I cut you off the payroll, and if you could kill a few of these guys before hey kill you it be a big help." Gato replied.
"Well, Kakashi it seems our fight is at an end." Zabuza said as he didn't look at team 7 or Kakashi at all. "Since I'm no longer in Gato's employ, Tazuna is safe, we have no quarrel."
"Yes, I suppose your right." Kakashi said. Gato then walked up to Haku's corpse and said, "Oh yeah that reminds me and nearly broke my arm, I've been meaning to repay you for that."
Gato then took his cane and smashed it into Haku's head, "Ha, almost wish he was alive to feel it."
Naruto in anger replied, "Get away from him." He then tried to charge at Gato when Kakashi grabbed him and stopped his suicidal charge.
"Stop, use your head." Kakashi told Naruto as Toshirama had left Sakura to Sasuke and joined the group with Naruto and Kakashi.
Naruto, upset with Zabuza's silence then berated him, "Well Zabuza, you just going let him do that?"
"Be quiet boy, Haku's dead what does it matter." Zabuza answered annoyed. "What, you mean you can just stand there and watch him be treated like a dog; you and Haku were together for years doesn't mean something to you?" Naruto fired back.
"You don't understand the way of shinobi, I used him, just as Gato used me. Now it's over, his usefulness is gone; the loss of his skill and strength, yes that means something to me but the boy… nothing." Zabuza said.
"If you do believe that, than you're a bigger rat than before." Naruto chided the Demon of the Mist. "Alright Naruto, he's not our enemy anymore, enough." Toshirama tried to calm Naruto as he placed a hand on his shoulder which Naruto knocked away.
"Shut up, as far as I'm concerned, he's enemy #1!" Naruto said as he pointed at Zabuza. Naruto was breathing heavily as he continued, You…you ungrateful, 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 everything for you, you didn't feel anything at all for him, and if I become stronger does that mean, I'll be as heartless as you. He threw his life away, and for what? For you and your 'dream'. Naruto was now starting to gather tears in his eyes.
When Naruto couldn't continue Toshirama took up the torch, "As he said, Haku never had his own dream, but he never cared for things like that, and now you just toss him aside like he was nothing, a broken toll he said was, why a human being would even call himself that, why… why degrade yourself like that, why it's so wrong."
"You both talk too much." Zabuza said as both boys looked up to see the great Demon…crying.
Both boys watched as the Demon of the Mist was crying as he spoke, "Your words cut deep, deeper than any blade, when he fought you, his heart was breaking in two; you see Haku was always to soft and kind; he felt pain and sorrow and curse him; I feel them too and I now I feel content tat this is how it ends." Zabuza stopped as he tore of the bandages surrounding his mouth.
"Well, cat got your tongue, are you surprised to discover I'm human even shinobi are human, no matter how hard we try to escape that fact we always fail. Well, at least I have failed. Boy, give me your kunai!" Zabuza demanded of Naruto.
Zabuza then caught the kunai in his mouth and from there he charged toward Gato and his band of thugs, killing some of them as they stood in his way and without suffering some damage along the way. It wasn't until Zabuza finally caught up with Gato that Zabuza proved his name as. "The Demon of the Hidden Mist" After that Zabuza, finally killed Gato, Team 7 watched as Gato's body fell into the river below.
Meanwhile Sasuke had finally found the strength to sit up, he looked at Sakura and asked, "Were are Naruto and Toshirama, and what about the guy in the mask?"
"Naruto and Toshirama are just fine, but the one in the mask, he's dead." Sakura answered. Sasuke went wide-eyed, "Was it Naruto or Toshirama, do you know?"
Sakura shook her head no, "I came in later, so I couldn't tell, besides it was Toshirama that helped bring you back by the way. We knew you couldn't stay down for long."
"Naruto!" Sakura yelled. Naruto turned around to hear Sakura's voice as he saw that Sasuke was alive and well, "Look, Sasuke's alright, its all thanks to Toshirama, he showed me, and we got Sasuke back to normal again."
Naruto was elated as a relieved smile touched his face, he then looked at his older brother with pride as he was the one to help Sasuke even though the two were rivals, he proved over and over they were comrades more times than not.
"Well, will wonders never cease, and good work Toshirama, I didn't know you knew medical ninjutsu, when you pick that up?" Kakashi asked his student. "During the night, I'd read one of the manuals made by Tsunade of the Sannin on the basics of medicine and the basic techniques that was one of them." Toshirama answered.
One of the thugs then got their attention again, "Woohoo, don't go getting to comfortable." Another thug spoke, "This party ain't over yet, whose gonna pay us now that the boss is dead?"
"This is not good." Kakashi stated. "Come on sensei, you must have something to take on this lot?"
"Not really I've used too much chakra." Kakashi answered. The band of thugs charged forward when suddenly an arrow came and landed at their feet.
On the other side of the bridge a voice could be heard, "There's one little thing you're forgetting about, before you set one foot in our village, you go through all of us first!" The crowd of villagers cheered as they held up various makeshift weapons from pickaxes to pitchforks and other farming tools.
"Inari!" Naruto said. The boy laughed and replied, "Heroes always make a late entrance, right?"
"No way I'm missing out on this!" Naruto said as he made the seal for the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. Toshirama caught on and made the same symbol, "Oh no you don't, your not counting me out!"
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Both boys called out as about 10 clones appeared; 4 for Naruto and 6 for Toshirama. Kakashi decided to join in the excitement, "Well I may just have enough, Shadow Clone Jutsu: Kakashi Style, in a puff of smoke tens of Kakashi clones appeared and the thugs were not petrified of facing down an army of both ninja and villagers.
With the odds against them, the thugs ran away to the getaway boat they had but some fell into the water while some were able to make it to the boat. A cheer among the villagers could be heard as the thugs ran away.
After the crowd had died down, Kakashi then came over with Zabuza's body as he lay it next to Haku's. Everyone was silent as Zabuza let out all his regrets that he would not join Haku were he went and hoped that one day just maybe…
After the evening arrived the team decided that is what the right thing to do to respectfully bury both of them and laid the Executioner's Blade with Zabuza's grave.
"Is that really it Kakashi-sensei, is that the ninja way, to use and be used by others as tools?" Sakura inquired of her sensei.
"Shinobi are all merely tools in the hands of destiny, no point in wondering if its right or wrong it just is, it's the same for the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto however disagreed.
"Well if that's what being a ninja means then something's out of whack." Naruto said. "Is the point of all this training, just to be like them?"
"Is there truly a real reason for that?" Toshirama inquired as well. Kakashi sighed coming up with an answer, "Well, it's a question without an answer and that's a question we ninja have to deal with every day; like Zabuza and the kid."
Toshirama and Naruto looked out to the distance and in one-word Naruto said, "Okay."
The others were curious what he meant, "I've come to a decision; I'm going to find my own ninja way, a way that's straight and true without any regrets. From now on I'm following the Way of Naruto!"
Toshirama let out a small chuckle, "Well when you say it like that, guess I can't be left behind can I?" Everyone now turned to the white-haired boy, "If your way is to be straight and true; then I'll make sure your dream is safe, along with everybody's."
Everybody looked at Toshirama with a bit of wonder in their eyes. Naruto looked at his big bro, "Well, what's your dream big bro, tell me?" Toshirama shook his head, "Ah, ah; no telling."
Naruto then relented as the group started heading back to the bridge as it had now been completed.
"We never could have finished the bridge without you, I can't tell you how much were going to miss you." Tazuna said thanking Squad 7. "Please, do be safe." Tsunami added
"Your welcome." Kakashi replied. "Now, now; don't get choked up, we'll come back and visit real soon." Naruto added in.
Inari then spoke up on the verge of tears, "You swear you will?" Naruto then looked and too almost started crying, "Of course, you know Inari it's alright to cry it's okay, go for it."
"Who says I want to cry, besides if there's nothing wrong with it, then why don't you go ahead?" Inari countered as he now had mucus coming out his nose.
"No, you first." Naruto, with that both boys started to cry as Naruto had turned around in time for Inari to miss him cry.
"Always with the drama, little bro." Toshirama thought as he watched both boys. "Boys can be so pathetic." Sakura thought to herself as she watched both of them cry as well.
The team finally began their journey back to the Hidden Leaf, as they left the villagers decided on a name for the bridge… named for a hero who helped to bring back hope to the village.
The Great Naruto Bridge…
AN#1 – And so ends the Land of Waves arc…next up is the Chunin Exams! Although many mysteries have appeared for Toshirama.
What was that dark chakra that Naruto was using, and that large beast with one eye what did mean by "previous keeper" and "keeper before her"?
What do you think?
With the Chunin Exams coming up, more mysteries and answers will be revealed, but first a bit of R&R for Team 7, don't you agree?
AN#2 – Remember to favorite, follow and review! I wouldn't be here without you guys! :)
AN#3 – Many of Toshirama's love interests will also be appearing in the Chunin Exams so watch out for them!