Naruto didn't give himself the time to think nor hesitate.
Tall, massive trees grew all around him and they swiftly burst towards the enemy, effectively cornering him. In doing so, his enemy's ice mirrors were easily torn down as if they were wet papers.
The enemy didn't move even the slightest bit of a twitch. No fear to be found in his body language nor his chakra. With narrowing eyes, Naruto stopped his charge towards the enemy.
They were in this situation because they were hired by different factions and protecting different people, for that he allowed himself to stop. But one wrong move and Naruto would will the trees to indiscriminately impale the enemy.
But then the enemy surprised him. He giggled.
"To think that you are a kekkei genkai user as well and the legendary Mokuton at that. Truly fascinating," he whispered. He inclined his head. "Naruto-san. This is my defeat."
Naruto sniffed. That was too easy. "What do you want?"
The enemy removed his mask and Naruto blinked. "You're the boy at the forest." Not that it'd change anything if the boy went for Sasuke again.
"I am." He smiled and it was beautiful. "It'd be an honour to die by your hand, Naruto-san."
One sharp inhale and Naruto was left reeling. He had heard that once before.
Madara.
What a dilemma for him to be faced with a similar situation. Would it be kindness or cruelty to grant the enemy's wish? To Naruto, it'd be neither. He'd learned it in his previous lives that there was no clear definition of right or wrong in the ninja world.
"You are kind," Naruto states, his mind elsewhere for a moment. He exhaled. "I won't kill you. I'll allow you to go to your partner's place and help him. Do whatever you want. But heed this; Uchiha Sasuke is off limits for he is dear to me. Any further harm done to him will be met with swift retaliation." No mercy. Naruto would not be continuing his past lives' feud with Sasuke.
"Understood. May I spread the word around?"
Naruto grinned. "Go ahead 'ttebayo." His hands twitched and the trees rapidly receded to the ground. That'd left a mark on the bridge, but who cares. Naruto couldn't bring himself to.
The boy bowed. "My name is Haku. I hope to meet you and Sasuke-san again in the future." Then he disappeared, or more like he went to Zabuza's side.
Naruto absently thought that it was very anticlimactic. He shook his head and went to pick Sasuke up and gingerly cradled him to his chest.
He was home.