CHAPTER 17
Naruto hurriedly stopped eating and told Tsunami to close the windows and doors and not to come out of house. He asked where Inari was and got to know he was at the river behind the house. He asked her not to worry and left the house. He left a clone behind to bring Inari home and started moving to the bridge.
Naruto hadn't recovered fully from the earlier assault of memories. He was stuffed with years of memories in a day and it took a lot of chakra for his body to sustain the incoming assault. It left a lot of stain on his body and brain. His chakra had been burned at a fast rate to stop his brain from going insane. He hadn't recovered the chakra yet even though he hadn't digested most of the memories.
Naruto knew with the warning he gave, Kakashi could fare well with Zabuza than last time. He wanted to say Haku wouldn't harm Sasuke but if Zabuza was in real danger, even if Haku wouldn't kill Sasuke, he would be severely injured. He hoped Haku gave a serious thought about what he proposed. He hoped that Haku would accept. And if Gato sent other goons, Sakura wouldn't be able to keep Tazuna safe. But Gato wouldn't start killing anybody until Zabuza was done with the fight.
Naruto knew nobody's life was in danger and so he decided not to create more clones and expend more chakra to deal with any unexpected dangers. His team wouldn't have any spare chakra after the fight and he would be the only back up for any hidden dangers.
'Shit, Poor time to not have chakra. All my chakra storage seals have been used up except few. I need that to maintain my chibi form. I have to borrow chakra from kyubi and risk exposing myself if I want to create more clones', Naruto cursed himself.
As he was moving, he saw few chakra signals moving towards him rather than in the direction of the bridge. Naruto understood that they were going to Inari's house. He intercepted them and fought with them. He stopped them and double backed to Inari's house because he had a feeling this wasn't the only group that might have come. His thoughts were confirmed when he sensed few chakra presence behind the house. His clone was fighting the bandits in front of the house while some ninjas were sneaking from back to enter the house. Naruto could tell those were the new chakra signatures he sensed the other day. He created two clones to deal with them. 3 Narutos took care of the ninjas while the other one took care of the bandits.
"Heroes arrive in correct time ne Inari?", Naruto said with a smug smile.
Inari was crying with the bow and arrow in his hand.
"Inari, stop crying. You did well. You protected your mother like a grown up till I came. I have to go to the bridge and protect your grandfather. Do you think you can be brave till I return?", Naruto asked after dispelling his other two clones leaving the one behind.
"Thanks Naruto nii-chan. I will be alright. Go help my grandfather", Inari said wiping his tears.
"Alright. Good boy", Naruto patted his head and left.
A few minutes earlier on the bridge, Kakashi was talking to henged clone Naruto, away from his team, who was acting as a worker, who was yet to dispel at that time.
"Maa, Naruto, I told your original to dispel all the clones and take rest. Your chakra drain was alarming. You were barely able to move and I had to carry you home yesterday", Kakashi was worried.
"We know sensei. All the other worker clones were dispelled. The infiltrated clones made an excuse and left the base and expelled themselves. Only I and another clone who is watching Gato's base is left behind. We don't want any surprises", clone Naruto answered.
Clone Naruto tensed at the next moment.
"Sensei, Zabuza is coming with the hunter-nin", he warned.
"How long do we have?", Kakashi instantly became alert.
"3 minutes. Sorry sensei, I didn't want to spend much chakra so I am not sensing chakra over a longer distance", clone Naruto apologized.
"It's ok Naruto. Without you we don't even have that 3 minutes. Take all the workers and leave. Leave Tazuna in the bridge. Otherwise this spot-fight will turn into a chase and kill fight. Then we will not be able to protect Tazuna properly. Anything you wanna share about Zabuza?", Kakashi got ready for the fight.
"Zabuza is only cured 80% and will not be able to cope with long fight. If you can't go for an instant capture just drag him to fight longer. The hunter-nin….he wouldn't kill anyone in our team but they can be injured if you try to kill Zabuza. He is highly skilled. If Gato is coming, other clone would pass the information to the original. Don't worry about it. You have a back-up", Naruto said.
"That is helpful Naruto", Kakashi said. He was curious to know how Naruto knew the hunter-nin wouldn't kill anybody but he suppressed it for now. He turned to the others.
"Sasuke, be alert and get ready. You will deal with the hunter-nin. I will deal with Zabuza. Sakura, protect Tazuna. Be careful both of you. The missing-nins are coming. All the other workers get away from the bridge. Leave with him", Kakashi said and pointed to the henged clone Naruto. Naruto gave a nod and left with them.
Sasuke was excited for the fight and took his kunai out. Sakura was terrified but she took her kunai too. She stood in front of scared Tazuna. Tazuna didn't question Kakashi's suggestion to stay behind because Naruto had already told him, if something happened when he was away, he had to listen to Kakashi. He also informed him that his clone would let the original Naruto know immediately and he would come to save him. He trusted Naruto.
As they got ready, Kakashi sensed them and smelled them. Kakashi remembered Naruto's warning about the hunter-nin. He already decided to kill Zabuza and decided that it was best if the hunter-nin didn't see it until Kakashi came to Sasuke's rescue. So he left a significant distance between him and Sasuke and Sakura.
Suddenly, cold mist started to surround him. Kakashi could see Sasuke wasn't affected by mist and was grateful that Sasuke's visibility wasn't affected with mist. All Sasuke had to do was to hold back until Naruto come for help. Kakashi knew Naruto would come the minute his clone was dispelled. As much as Kakashi didn't want to disturb Naruto's rest, he should come for the safety of his team and political reasons of Konoha. Naruto should contribute otherwise Naruto would be put in genin reserves. Kakashi could lie that Naruto contributed but Sasuke and Sakura would not. Kakashi could only hope Sasuke would not push the hunter-nin to do something drastic until Naruto come. If Sasuke did, he hoped he would win but the chances of that happening were slim.
"Kakashi, let's finish what we started", Zabuza said hidden in the mist. Kakashi found the mist was heavier than last time.
"I hope so too", Kakashi answered slowly revealing the sharinghan.
"Where is that orange brat? He is the only one in your team worth mentioning. I was hoping to crush him", Zabuza taunted.
"You should go through me first", Kakashi's playful tone changed to a warning. That was the last warning Zabuza had before Kakashi attacked.
At the same time, Haku was in front of Sasuke. 'Naruto isn't here. Good. I don't have to fight him', Haku thought.
Sasuke was hoping to prove how strong he was and wanted to gain back the reputation he lost the last time he met Zabuza. Sakura stood in front of Tazuna with a kunai in her shaking hands.
Sasuke was faring well for first two minutes until he was imprisoned in the ice mirror. Haku was just trying to immobilise him in the ice prison until Zabuza and Kakashi stopped fighting. Sasuke was trying to break it but he couldn't. He was using fire balls to melt the ice but it didn't work.
Kakashi saw it while fighting with Zabuza.
"Ice mirror?", Kakashi was surprised.
"Haku has a bloodline limit. Your genin is going to die Kakashi", Zabuza gloated.
"He won't", Kakashi answered hoping Naruto was right about the hunter-nin but he knew ninjas couldn't be trusted. They could change their minds any time. He was worried about Sasuke.
Kakashi was facing strong attacks from Zabuza at the same time. He could see Naruto was right and Zabuza was not fully recovered. So, Zabuza was trying to rush the fight and end it sooner. Even Kakashi's sharinghan couldn't see through the mist. Unless he used chidori. Kakashi used chidori knowing he couldn't connect with Zabuza. Fire, wind, water and earth were useless at that time. Only lightning could be used to provide some visibility. But it consumed chakra. He could use it three times, maybe four, if he used Naruto's chakra storage seals.
'Damn, I hope Naruto comes soon. Where is he? If he arrives, I don't have to worry about the hunter-nin attack', Kakashi thought to himself.
He used chidori twice before missing. He was slightly injured from Zabuza's attacks. But he could already see the attack range of Zabuza. The mist was only 5 meter in diameter and his ninkens could survive the cold for few minutes before freezing and could get away the 5 meter radius in time. The fight was intense at both sides. Kakashi summoned his ninkens to smell Zabuza and the third Chidori grazed Zabuza to the side and he was bleeding. Kakashi only had one chidori and he wanted to be sure.
Sasuke was imprisoned inside the ice mirror and facing ice needles from Haku. He was injured but nothing fatal. He didn't know what to do. At that moment, Naruto arrived on the bridge.
"Naruto, go help Sasuke-kun", Sakura screamed and everyone on the bridge heard it.
'Talk about timing', Kakashi exhaled.
"Your brat has come to die Kakashi. You should worry about him", Zabuza said.
"I am not sure about that. You have to worry about yourself first", Kakashi said and a kunai attacked Zabuza.
Naruto entered the ice prison and avoided the ice needles with kunai. Sasuke scolded him and asked why he entered inside the ice prison. Sasuke said Naruto could help from outside. Somehow Sasuke had gotten in his head that he was the main character and Naruto was his sidekick assisting him rather than upstaging him.
"Sasuke, stop talking and use the fireball with me", Naruto said.
"Haku, stop. Think about what I said. I will talk to Kakashi sensei and hokage. Come with me", Naruto shouted.
"I can't leave Zabuza-san", Haku answered and started fighting intensely with the needles. One needle was coming for Sasuke and Naruto pushed him behind his back. Naruto deterred it and attacked the ice mirror. There were cracks started to form on the ice mirror.
"Sasuke, fireball now", Naruto shouted but he didn't expect Sasuke to jump in front of him. He was injured and Naruto was getting angry with Haku. If Haku injured Sasuke seriously, Konoha would never accept Haku to join.
"Haku, stop it now", Naruto growled and decided to make clones for his attack. He didn't want to harm Haku but it didn't mean he couldn't punch him. Haku used this time to put two needles into Sasuke and Sasuke became unconscious.
Naruto was real angry for the first time in a long time after he collected some information about the council. He stopped forming clones and wanted to use wind release to dispose the ice mirror and pull Haku from it. He did not have enough chakra for that and had to borrow from kyubi.
"Are you sure brat? Your sensei would sensei my chakra", the fox asked,
'I will tell him that I became angry and unconsciously used your chakra. Kyubi, try to break that seal', Naruto answered and used the kyubi's chakra. Before that, his clone grabbed Sasuke and took him to Sakura. Tazuna was scared with all the things happening.
"Sasuke-kun, wake up. Don't die, Sasuke-kun. You can't die", Sakura wailed.
The clone Naruto pulled Tazuna to stand in front of Sakura and asked him not to let his teammates see him. Tazuna nodded and the clone dispelled.
The sudden burst of demonic chakra built up and Naruto used Wind release jutsu to blow up half of the ice mirrors which produced mist hiding Naruto and Kakashi from Sasuke, Sakura and Tazuna behind.
Haku was scared and pulled out of the ice mirror.
At the same time, Kakashi's ninkens managed to smell Zabuza and got him. When Kakashi heard Sakura's scream, he feared the worst. But he suddenly remembered Naruto was there. He wouldn't let it happen, would he? The next minute he was worried for whole other reason. He sensed the demonic chakra. He swiftly asked the ninken dogs to subdue Zabuza and started to explore his options.
'If kyubi managed to get loose and wreak havoc, would I be able stop it? I can only stop it with chidori but it would kill Naruto. Do I have to kill Naruto? The question is am I willing to kill Naruto for others? Will I able to harm him? Because stopping the kyubi involves harming Naruto fatally', Kakashi was thinking so many things in a second when the demonic chakra receded to normal level and Naruto was facing Haku.
Naruto pulled Haku out of the mirror and said, "Why would you spoil your chances to stop running? I have told you how important he is to the village. You harmed him and screwed all your chances of stopping your missing-nin life and having some stability".
"I don't want to join your village. It mistreats you", Haku answered calmly while Sakura was crying behind the remaining ice mirrors.
"It won't mistreat you. You aren't a jinjuriki", Naruto said back.
"I don't want to go with you. I want to go with Zabuza-san", Haku scoffed.
"So he didn't agree to stop running and join Konoha. He didn't let you either", Naruto guessed.
"I am Zabuza's tool. I like being useful to him. I don't want any village's support Naruto", Haku replied.
Naruto's receded KI was starting to come back. "Stop lying to yourself and me. You don't want it or Zabuza don't? You are not his tool. You don't believe that. You don't like being his tool", Naruto's tone was sharp.
"I like being useful to him. I want this Naruto", Haku stressed and Naruto's anger reached another level.
"Damn you want it?! Stop hiding behind that mask and answer me. I find that when you appear before me without the mask, you are more honest. Remove your mask. If you don't, I have no other option than to break it", Naruto said coldly and punched Haku in the mask.
The mask broke and Haku stumbled back a few steps with that punch. Naruto was still measured with his kyubi's strength in his anger.
"Don't lie Haku. I know your heart. I have seen how you wished you could stop being hunted and have some peace", Naruto said to his face.
Haku gave a broken smile and Naruto became sad. Haku turned to look at Zabuza and Naruto turned to look at Sasuke to salvage the damage.
Zabuza freed himself from the ninkens when Kakashi was distracted with Naruto yelling at Haku. Zabuza took a swing at Kakashi with his sword and Kakashi stopped him with one hand and created Chidori in another hand and attacked Zabuza.
When Haku saw this scene he started running and intervened the oncoming chidori attack. Kakashi heard a heart wrenching yelling next second that sounded like Naruto's voice.
Naruto turned to see Sasuke and felt Haku moving. The scene he saw next forever be etched into his mind and gave nightmares often throughout his life. Haku was standing in front of the Zabuza and Kakashi's chidori which was aimed for Zabuza, connected with Haku instead.
"HAAAKKKKKKKKUUU", Naruto yelled while following behind Haku but he was a step late.
Kakashi was horrified to see a hole in Haku's chest instead of Zabuza's stomach. This picture was painfully familiar to him and brought a sense of déjà vu. But what pulled him out was his blonde student's cry that somehow downplayed Sakura's voice.
"No no no no no no. Haku, no, don't die. This can't happen, this can't happen", Naruto caught the young boy in his hands who started to fall down.
Naruto patted Haku's cheek and told him, "Haku, don't close your eyes. Sensei, give me some bandages. He is bleeding", Naruto was trying to stop him from bleeding out.
"It is ok Naruto. Don't be sad. I am happy that I am dying protecting my precious person. That's what life is all about. We talked about this remember?", Haku said looking at the tears from the boy who he had a strong friendship with in few days.
"We talked about living with our precious people, not dying. What about me? You are my precious friend and I don't want you to die", Naruto said.
"I am happy to make a friend who is crying over my death. I wish we met sooner", Haku said.
"Me too. I am sorry I can't give you the life you needed", Naruto agreed. Haku choked on blood and Naruto's tears started falling on Haku.
"Don't be. I will watch you from above or hell, Naruto. Don't become cold because of my death. I chose this fate. But you are someone who challenges fate. It doesn't matter if I am not here. Make others acknowledge you. Become stronger so that if anyone like me needs you, you can be able to protect them. Protect your precious people", Haku said with staggering breath.
"I will. I promise. I will become strong and protect all my precious people. I will protect others too", Naruto promised.
"And Naruto, don't become a tool for others. Don't let others take advantage of you. I want you to be happy. Promise me?", Haku asked.
"Ok. I promise", Naruto said. Haku reached for Naruto's hand and Naruto held it.
"Zabuza-san, I wish I could be more than just a tool for you. I am sorry I can't bring to harm these people. See you Zabuza-san", Haku said and took his last breath.
"Haku", Naruto screamed and cried over him.
Sakura chose a wrong time to speak.
"Naruto, why are you crying over someone who killed Sasuke-kun?", Sakura screamed. "Can't you see? That boy he-", Sakura started and was interrupted rudely.
"Stop, just stop", Naruto's tone was cold and Sakura got scared for a minute. His anger was so intense he could feel his rage trying to let go into kyubi's rage mood. He was barely controlling himself.
"Why are you telling you to stop? Sasuke-kun-", Sakura was talking when Naruto started walking towards her. Kakashi knew Sakura fucked up. He didn't want Naruto to do something he would regret, in anger. He followed Naruto.
Naruto walked fast and Sakura didn't even finish her sentence when Naruto pulled the needles from Sasuke's neck.
"He isn't dead. I understand you don't have medical skills but are you so dumb that you can't even see he is alive. Haku put the needles in the same place he put on Zabuza that day. If Zabuza didn't die how will Sasuke die? You don't even remember that detail? Now that you know he is alive stop yapping and take care of your Sasuke-kun", Naruto said to a shocked and happy Sakura. She was ashamed to have missed that detail and pointed by Naruto but she found her voice again.
"Don't be so proud Naruto. I was worried about Sasuke-kun and got confused a little", Sakura scolded back but Naruto had already turned his back on her.
'Yeah. You got so confused that you don't know you should pull out the needle when you got attacked with senbon so you won't be paralyzed or poisoned immediately after attack. It is a basic ninja common sense', Kakashi was disappointed with his pink student and shook his head and turned to see Naruto.
Kakashi didn't fully understand but he could see that he killed someone who mattered most to his blonde student. He didn't know how to face Naruto or worse, would Naruto even face him after this? Zabuza stood still not believing his own eyes.
"Wow, what a touching picture! Zabuza, you are useless and I could see that your bitch boy died", Gato appeared on the bridge with more than 50 goons.
He came close to Haku's body.
"He threatened me last time. Not so proud now. Is he? Too bad he died. Even though he was a boy he was young and he could have served in my brothels", Gato said and kicked Haku's body. He and his goons laughed.
"Zabuza, did you hear him?", Naruto asked. Naruto's hands were fisted and he was shaking with controlled rage. He wanted one thing for Haku for the last time. He didn't want Haku to die as tool. He had to make sure Zabuza saw that. If Zabuza didn't see it, Zabuza would pay for it.
"He said Haku was protective of you when you were injured. Haku died for you. Are you not going to stop him? Are you going to let him insult Haku like that?", Naruto asked.
"What do you know brat? Haku did what he was supposed to do. That was his job. He knew he was a tool to protect me", Zabuza said with his back to Naruto.
"I refuse to accept that. He isn't a tool", Naruto said.
"Naruto-", Kakashi started. He didn't want Naruto to be disappointed because he knew Zabuza earned his name a 'demon of the mist' for a reason.
"Shut up sensei. I am not talking to you. Zabuza, I don't believe it. He was with you for a long time. He was different. You knew that. He was someone you could trust. He was deeply attached to you. He deserved better. You know that too", Naruto knew that because Zabuza didn't stop Haku from seeing him every day for practice. He believed Zabuza let Haku go so that Haku could be happy and have a friend. That was why he proposed that Haku come to the village along with Zabuza and talk to Zabuza about it. Zabuza would think Konoha kidnapped Haku if he left alone without a goodbye. But Naruto's proposal was denied and Haku died.
"Don't be naïve Uzumaki. All ninjas are tools. It is ninja's fate", Zabuza said.
"No. I don't accept that. I will not be that. Haku isn't that. Don't tell me you don't think Haku as family. He isn't here to hear you say that but don't let him die as a tool", Naruto said and there was tears in his eyes.
Kakashi hesitated but still came and stood beside Naruto to offer support. Naruto held Kakashi's jacket on his back in a fist without looking at him.
"Stop talking brat. I admit. He wasn't a tool. He was family. He deserved better", Zabuza said with tear down his eyes. Naruto was satisfied.
'See Haku. You didn't die in vain. You aren't a tool. You are loved', Naruto spoke in his mind.
"On that case, I will send all of you to go meet him", Gato said and all the goons cheered.
"Gato, you think your bandits can kill ninjas?", Kakashi asked to stall for time to recover chakra.
"I have ninjas too. They will be here now", Gato gloated.
"You can wait but they would never come", Naruto said. His clone which watched Gato's base had limited chakra. So it chose to eliminate the high danger candidates like ninjas and let the goons be dealt with the original. It dispelled itself after that transferring the information to original Naruto.
"Give me a kunai kid", Zabuza asked.
"Here", Naruto threw a kunai to him. "Let me help", Naruto said creating some clones.
Sasuke woke up to this scene. He sensed there was something different. Sakura said that he woke up his sharinghan. He still couldn't move but he could hear some sounds. He remembered Naruto breaking the ice mirrors.
"Naruto, where is he?", he wanted to know if Naruto managed to beat the hunter-nin. He couldn't believe he was weak and got injured again while Naruto somehow managed to overcome danger both times.
Kakashi had no energy to spare. He didn't participate in the fight. Naruto created clones and suddenly demonic chakra drifted in. Naruto had to borrow kyubi's chakra to create clones. Kakashi tensed.
"Ai brat, why are you using my chakra again?", kyubi asked.
'Do it kyubi. Break the remaining seal', Naruto said.
"If I could I would have escaped", kyubi joked and Naruto wasn't in the mood to be funny.
'The other one. Use this chance. Let's say the demonic chakra corrupted the seal. I don't have any more desire to fool around. I am going to use every one of my opportunities and not be constrained by others anymore', Naruto informed and kyubi smirked.
"Finally"
The original send a wind release jutsu to break the remaining ice mirrors. It provided a cover from his teammates and he created clones. The clone's formed with kyubi's chakra and the original Naruto worked with Zabuza to eliminate the bandits. Naruto let the heavily injured Zabuza kill Gato.
"Naruto Uzumaki", Zabuza called when the last one was killed. Naruto tuned to him.
"He was very fond of you, you know? He said you are different and he believed you can change people. I was sceptical then but I see what he means. Keep up the promise you made to him. Don't betray him. He will live through you. I am happy that he had a friend when he died. I don't know if I will see him again but I know he heard me saying he was not a tool from beyond death. Thanks for making me say that. I have a request. I don't want him to vanish. Remember him as your friend for me", Zabuza said and fell from the bridge.
Naruto looked at him falling and dispelled all his clones everywhere.
When he turned to return he heard another set of yelling. The second wave of goons who was Gato's back-up arrived a little late. They saw that Gato dead. Instead of turning back, they shouted it was their chance to plunder the Wave country and decided to attack. Naruto was going to create clones when a well-aimed arrow struck the bridge as a warning.
Inari arrived with a group of Wave country people and they sent the goons running back by themselves.
"Naruto nii-chan, heroes arrive in right time correct?", Inari smiled.
"Yes", Naruto said and swallowed. 'I didn't arrive in right time to save Haku'
"Help us clean the bridge", Naruto said to everyone behind him. He didn't say anything else. He went to Haku's body and took away him and Zabuza's sword. No one stopped him.
Kakashi went to his other students. He asked them to go back to Tazuna's house with him. On the way Kakashi could see some people wounded and some trees broken. He guessed why Naruto was late to the bridge.
He reached the house to see bandits and ninjas lying inside and outside. Tsunami was trying to clean the house. He sent Sakura for help the injured Sasuke and asked them to take rest. He took a breath before clearing out the ninja's bodies and Tsunami explained what happened in the house.
Naruto went to the place where he usually trained with Haku and buried him there. He made another one for Zabuza. It didn't have his body only his sword. He didn't wait there anymore and wanted to go straight to Gato's base to finish the other things. He activated his remaining chakra seals. He took his ordinary mask and broke it with chakra to fit the broken mask of Haku. He combined them both and painted the mask blue colour on his side and white colour on Haku's side with a black line separating two. He adorned the mask, removed his henge, wore the dark red cloak and started towards Gato's den.
He eliminated the other goons and collected all the documents from the base. When he went to Gato's vault, he met with a ninja. He was in bingo book, called Ichiji, a metal release ninja. Naruto advised kyubi not to give chakra. He didn't want anyone to know that he was a jinjuriki in this adult form. He decided that he should start practicing his own skills without having kyubi as 'bottom of the box' skill. If he were to create an alias, he should fight with his own pure chakra. So, he fought with pure physical strength first and finished him with ninjutsu. It was hard since he was already tired but he won.
He took the entire wealth and rounded up the remaining goons and set them straight. He met with the one goon he let alive when saving the women and assigned a job the other day. He gave him another work and paid him. He created clones to pack up all the money that should be returned to the people and read through all the documents to decide how he could safe guard Wave further.
He was there well into the evening. He was trying to organize everything and he gave serious thought to what to do from now. He used to think that he fooled an entire village, so he could outsmart everyone. He thought everything was in his control but reality knocked him down today, hard.
"People die. Don't think hard", kyubi said.
"I think I have to be more careful and plan far ahead. If I fail again, at the least, I don't want to think I could have done more", Naruto said.
"You would still blame yourself. That's how you are. In the path you have taken, there will be tragedies. If you are not strong enough to face it, you will break down under its weight", the fox advised.
"How do I deal with it?", Naruto asked.
"You mourn, you grieve and you move on carrying their dreams", kyubi said.
"You talk like you are experienced. Have you lost someone too?", Naruto said.
"Only the man who created us", the fox said and closed its eye.
Naruto understood the fox would not talk anymore and he was not in the mood to be curious.
Naruto sat in silence for few minutes before he proceeded towards Zabuza and Haku's hideout. He wanted to salvage the things before some bandit looted the hideout. He entered the cave and saw two beds and one table. There was an envelope on the table addressed to him. Probably Haku's. Naruto steeled himself before opening it. It read:
'Dear Naruto,
If you are reading this letter either I am dead or ran away with Zabuza-san without a goodbye. I know that Zabuza-san and I don't stand a chance to win. After all, your sensei was your precious person just like Zabuza-san was to me. You wouldn't let us harm him. Zabuza-san didn't agree with your request but I can't blame him, provided his history.
Sometimes, I wish he hadn't helped me so that, even though I would be still hungry but would have a life of my own. I am glad he found me though. I am not alone anymore and if not for him, I would not have met you.
You are a great person to be friends with. You are loyal to fault. After everything that happened to you, you still have hope. Don't let my departure change you. Don't see this as an act of betrayal because people has their own paths to take. I decided on this path knowing the consequences. You always say that ninjas are not tools. Be a ninja who is different from us.
I honestly wish that I could see you become hokage by your side. You would be a great one. Achieve your dreams. Be happy.
P.S. The chain and locket in the envelope is for you. It was something precious to me and I wish to leave that to my precious friend.
Your friend,
Haku.'
Naruto looked at the locket and chain. It was a chain with baby green tear shaped translucent locket with a red snow flake in it. It looked like a red light inside a blue dome. It was a gift from Haku's mother to him. Naruto broke down then and there on the floor.
He gathered himself after some time and collected some things, destroyed other things and cleared the area. It was dusk when he returned to Haku's grave. He sensed his team's chakra there. Kakashi should have guessed that he would be there. But Naruto didn't know why his teammates were there. He turned into chibi form and reached the grave.
"You are here", Kakashi said. He noted Naruto still kept his disguise. 'Good. He didn't lose his mind in grief. I would have still supported if Naruto wanted to stop hiding his strength after what happened. I am here. Be strong Naruto'.
"Where did you go Naruto?", Sakura asked.
"You didn't help with the clean-up", Sasuke said. He was happy about his sharinghan and decided to grace everyone with words.
Naruto didn't say anything to them but offered the flowers he collected to Haku's grave. He remembered Haku telling him that his mother liked Crocus flower. He took a minute of silence before speaking.
"What happened after I left?", Naruto asked and he had yet to take his eyes off the grave.
"Sasuke-kun activated his sharinghan", Sakura gloated.
"Hn", Sasuke smirked. He was probably happy that he could become strong easily now.
"Congratulations", Naruto replied and there was no emotion in his voice.
"Ok. Enough of that. We are here to offer our thanks to Haku. He could have killed Sasuke and Sakura but he didn't. He had a good heart and didn't want to kill people. Offer your thanks", Kakashi said and both of the mentioned students frowned. Sasuke was irritated that Haku could best him and Sakura was angry that Haku harmed her Sasuke-kun and made her worry.
But they did as Kakashi said. After they said their thanks, Naruto expected them to leave.
"How do you know that Haku, Naruto?", Sakura asked. Even Sasuke was curious after he heard Sakura's account of how Naruto cried over Haku.
Naruto turned and looked her in the eye without any emotion. It made Sakura uncomfortable. Before Kakashi could intervene, "Met him in the market place buying medicines without the mask few times. Met him on the bridge today and guessed it was Haku", Naruto explained.
"Oh. It is a pity. He was our age", Sakura said.
"Hn", Sasuke agreed.
"Take a good look. This is the life of ninja. Any ninja can be killed no matter your skills. There is no logic and no precedence. The strong can die. The weak can die. Don't be too arrogant. Don't be complacent about others. Don't be quick to judge others. You don't know what will happen. It could be you or me on that grave easily", Kakashi felt compelled to say that words after listening to what Tazuna said when he returned home in the evening.
FLASHBACK
"Kakashi-san, Naruto hasn't come home yet?", Tazuna asked after inviting him to talk separately.
"Not yet. He needs some time to grieve. Don't mind him not helping with the clean-up", Kakashi said.
"I don't blame him after that", Tazuna replied and Kakashi hmmed.
"You know Kakashi-san, you should keep an eye on Naruto and protect him more. He is a good kid. He only helps your team people but I don't know why they hate him like that", Tazuna sighed.
"They don't hate him. They just haven't understand him yet. Naruto understands that", Kakashi said feeling uncomfortable with the conversation.
"I don't think Naruto will understand what that girl said to him. How can she even say that? Other things are acceptable even if it is wrong, but this is outrageous. If he is my grandson, I would advise him to change from the team that girl was in", Tazuna was worried for Naruto.
Kakashi was confused. His gut was telling something serious happened and that he missed it. "What did she tell him?"
"So you didn't know? Naruto didn't tell you?", Tazuna's tone was unbelievable.
"He never complains. Can you tell me?", Kakashi's tone was bitter.
"When Naruto's clone came to deliver that Sasuke boy to that girl after he became unconscious, she assumed that boy was dead. The clone was asking me to watch over them when she started crying over that boy. She told 'Sasuke-kun, don't die. You can't die. You are strong. If anyone has to die here it makes sense that useless and weak Naruto dies, why should it be you. I wish you are alive. It doesn't make sense Sasuke-kun'. Naruto's clone stiffened at that, gave me a nod and disappeared. I am worried about him. Take good care of him Kakashi-san", Tazuna finished and Kakashi was shocked, angry, disappointed and sad all at once.
He gathered his emotions and replied, "I will take care of him. Thanks for telling me Tazuna-san".
FLASHBACK ENDS
Naruto didn't know what happened but he realized Kakashi's tone was forceful than usual.
"Sensei, do you think what he said was true about ninjas?", Sakura asked.
"Yeah", Kakashi replied. "Every ninja is a tool to the village, good or bad and most ninja's life ends this way. Some die on missions with or without body being returned to the village." Everyone except Naruto looked grim at that comment.
"No. I don't accept that ninjas are tools. I will find my own way", Naruto answered still looking at Haku's grave.
"Sasuke and Sakura, go home and rest. I will see if the clean-up on bridge was done properly. I think Naruto needs some alone time", Kakashi replied.
"Hai sensei", "Hn", they replied and left. Naruto sat under the nearby tree facing the grave while looking at Haku's chain in his hands.
It was getting dark fast. Kakashi didn't leave but went and sat beside him.
"I am sorry for your loss", Kakashi said.
"Hmm" Naruto replied and continued "Sensei, I want to learn senbon (needle) skills".
"I will ask Genma to teach you", Kakashi said.
"Thanks sensei"
"I am sorry that your friend died in my hands", Kakashi apologized.
Naruto stopped playing with the chain and looked at Kakashi. "It is not your fault. You went for Zabuza. Haku knew he would die. I think that he wanted to die. He was tired of running but he didn't want to part with Zabuza", Naruto said.
"Doesn't mean he didn't die on my hands", Kakashi said. Both he and Naruto were facing Haku's grave.
"I guess you aren't just talking about Haku. I am sorry you had to go through that again", Naruto said after few minutes.
"Don't be. It is on me", Kakashi said.
"Kakashi sensei, I don't have much energy to argue. So, listen to me well the first time. Neither Haku nor Rin is your fault. They choose to interrupt chidori and die. You didn't mean it", Naruto said.
Kakashi flinched at Rin's name. Naruto didn't stop and continued.
"Haku chose to die on his own terms. It was unfortunate he chose you. So does Rin. Rin was made into three tails's jinjuriki. She knew what will happen if a jinjuriki lost control. She wanted to protect Konoha. She knew the life she was heading for. So she decided to end her life on her terms. It was unfortunate that she chose you. But as a jinjuriki, I understand her. I would rather die as a human in my friend's hand than losing control over biju and die as a monster in other's hands. If you ask me I am glad that she is dead", Naruto said and Kakashi swallowed. Whenever kakashi learned about jinjuriki's life it was bad.
"Don't mistake me sensei. But if you think, being a jinjuriki is bad but being a female jinjuriki without anyone to back up is worse. My father alone wouldn't have been able to save her. The council and Danzo would have imprisoned her and had gotten her married to one of the non-clan ninjas against her wishes. Unlike my father who protected my jinjuriki mother, that ninja wouldn't be able to. How much do you want to bet that ninja would be under council's control? They also would have transferred the biju from her to her child after pregnancy or childbirth. Her child's life would have been ruined. You have no idea sensei. You think jinjuriki's are someone who imprison the bijus, but in fact, it was a jinjuriki who is being imprisoned by people. If you ask me, the biju inside us isn't as bad to us as the people outside", Naruto said.
"I never thought about it like that", Kakashi said with a sad tone.
"That's because you don't have any idea what being a living human sacrifice means", Naruto said in a non-committal tone.
"I am sorry that you have to go through that. I know I cannot understand that but I am willing to listen if you want to talk", Kakashi said.
"Hmm"
"Does it hurt? The demonic chakra. Is there any after effects?", Kakashi asked.
"It will hurt if my body cannot withstand the demonic chakra output"
"Does it hurt now?", Kakashi was worried. Naruto's body was already under strain before today.
"Ah, you mean the bridge incident. No, it doesn't. I was angry but it was controlled. A jinjuriki's negative emotions feed the biju. So, it leaks out when we are in fear, anger and grief. If you are a jinjuriki and don't want to kill anyone accidentally, you shouldn't feel common human emotions intensely. If your feelings are uncontrollable, you lose control over the biju. Jinjuriki's aren't allowed to feel those emotions if they don't want to be killers", Naruto said with ironic smile. "Funny though, you would think people would try to keep us happy and try not to enrage us but they keep mistreating us and expecting us not to give in to the anger. Normal people can get angry over bullying and retaliate. It is called standing up to the bullies. If we do it, we are awakening the monster and giving into evil", Naruto said but Kakashi didn't find it funny.
Kakashi was seeing just how hard the life as a jinjuriki was. When Rin died, he went into a rampage and destroyed half of the training ground. He vented his anger but if Naruto vented his anger over Haku in the training ground, he would accidentally give into kyubi and the whole Konoha would be destroyed. He had to be careful in his grieving. It was unfair for a human to not have feel his emotions as they were evoked. Kakashi couldn't help but curse his sensei for imposing this kind of life upon Naruto.
Kakashi was also proud of Naruto. Imagine if the kyubi was sealed inside Sasuke, after Uchiha massacre, he would have unleashed the kyubi upon Konoha in anger. That was the difference between his two students. That led to another thought.
"Tazuna mentioned what happened at the bridge", Kakashi said.
"What?"
"Sakura shouldn't have said that", Kakashi said.
"Oh that! Pretty much everyone in Konoha would have reacted the same way", Naruto said. It explained Kakashi's speech earlier.
"Not everyone Naruto. And you know she isn't everyone. She is your teammate who was supposed to react better than that", Kakashi said.
"I have heard comments like that all my life. She is like everyone. I don't really care", Naruto said.
Kakashi thought Naruto would feel bad but this was much worse. He labelled Sakura as everyone after that comment. She was nothing special. So he didn't care. She had to change if she wanted to be something to Naruto. Kakashi also understood how easily Naruto let go of people who he thought didn't deserve his effort. Kakashi decided not to end up like that. Kakashi knew that Naruto would still save her if she was in danger but it would be because he would protect anyone and nothing special about her.
"Konoha will know of my demonic chakra outburst", Naruto warned.
"Don't worry. I will protect you", Kakashi said. He already planned what he was going to say.
"You will protect him? How?", an austere voice asked surprising Kakashi.
A figure in black cloak appeared suddenly and pulled Naruto to its side.
"Itachi?", Kakashi was shocked.
