A Hero's Journey

by mugiwara-no-lucy

Boruto has always wanted to know more about his father, especially his past when he was younger. Thanks to a forbidden jutsu in a scroll found in the Hokage's office, Boruto and his teammates find themselves traveling through Naruto's memories. However, not all things are meant to be seen. How will Boruto react to seeing his father's various triumphs, pains, successes and failures?

11. The Great Naruto Bridge

Hello, everyone! Hope you all are doing well and if not well hopefully this chapter will help liven your day, even if slightly! ^_^

I apologize again for the delay but at least I let you guys know ahead of time! ^_^

Now…with all that said, let the chapter begin already and we can wrap up the Land of Waves Arc! ^_^

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Tension filled the air as everyone turned their attention to the obnoxious orange clad ninja standing in a kabuki like stance.

"Heh! Now that I'm here, everything will be alright!" Naruto grinned, standing up all the way as Team Konohamaru amusingly shook their heads.

"Way to make an entrance, the idiot." Boruto snickered.

"But dad, though! He's hurt!" Sarada pointed from inside of the masked ninja's ice mirrors in concern.

"He'll need to go in there and get him out." Mitsuki pointed out.

"Naruto!" Sakura beamed, surprising Team Konohamaru slightly as this was honestly the first time they had seen Sakura be happy that Naruto was within the same vicinity of her.

"Huh? Auntie Sakura's actually happy that dad's around. That's a first." Boruto muttered.

"Well events can bring people close together." Sarada shrugged as Naruto took this time to stroke his already over-inflated ego some more.

"You know how in stories, the hero usually shows up at the last minute and then kicks butt? Well that's what I'm gonna do right now! Believe it!" Naruto bragged as the more mature people on the bridge were less than impressed with Naruto's declaration.

"Ugh…I've got second hand embarrassment…." Boruto moaned, rubbing his hand through his hair.

"If he would've just stayed hidden, he could've pulled off a successful counter attack and been more effective." Mitsuki pointed out.

"I'm still wondering how this kid and Lord Seventh are the same person. Just saying." Sarada shook her head.

"Alright, you're history! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto was about to summon a hand sign before Zabuza threw several ninja projectiles at the clueless blond.

"Oh shit! Dad, move your ass!" Boruto yelled.

"It's too fast for him!" Sarada panicked at Mitsuki was silent though curious as to how Naruto had gotten himself out of this pickle.

"Naruto, move!" Kakashi tried commanding Naruto before Zabuza's weapons were stopped from hitting Naruto thanks to senbon needles from the masked ninja.

"Wait, he saved him?" Boruto asked.

"…It seems he formed a connection to Lord Seventh…" Mitsuki noted though relieved that Naruto was saved.

"This is a battle not a talent show! Don't let your opponent see your jutsu! The Shinobi's art is deception, always keep the enemy guessing. Even when exceeding a single jutsu, one must distract their opponent's attention, catch them off balance and outmaneuver them. You just turned yourself into a human target when you enter a battle like that." Kakashi pointed out to Naruto with a stern look in his eye.

"Thank you, Lord Sixth." Sarada said as Naruto was close to ripping out his hair.

"Ugh! I'm sorry! I was just trying to rescue everybody!" Naruto spazzed out as Kakashi turned his attention to the masked boy.

"But, there's another mystery." Kakashi turned his gaze to the masked ninja.

"Haku, what are you doing?" Zabuza questioned his apprentice, sounding not the least bit pleased with his subordinate's insubordination.

"Zabuza, this boy, let me fight him my own way. Please." The boy known as Haku asked his master as Naruto clenched his fists.

"Bring it on!" Naruto challenged readying himself.

"So it's about to start, huh?" Boruto gulped as Zabuza closed his eye.

"Hmph, so you want me to leave this to you? Is that it, Haku?" Zabuza asked whose silence was definitely an answer for "Yes".

"As usual, you're too soft." Zabuza seemingly scolded his lackey.

"Forgive me." Haku apologized to his superior.

"Soft? But look at dad!" Sarada pointed to her injured dad.

"He does have a point…give his jutsu which must indeed be a Kekkai Genkai, he practically has Master Sasuke outnumbered and outmatched and he could kill him with ease but yet…he's not…" Mitsuki's eyes narrowed as his teammates processed his words.

"You really think it's a Kekkai Genkai?" Boruto asked.

"It would explain why he seems so adept with his mirror usage." Sarada nodded, seemingly in agreement with Mitsuki.

"I'm warning you! One way or another, I'm gonna rip off that mask and take you apart!" Naruto arrogantly proclaimed as Haku remained unfazed with Naruto's threat while Kakashi looked pensive, like he knew how outmatched Naruto was. Just as he was about to take a step forward….

"Don't even think about it. You know the score, Kakashi. If you go after Haku, I go after the bridge builder." Zabuza threated the copy ninja, much to Boruto and Sarada's chagrin.

"Are you serious!?" Sarada yelled.

"What a nice compromise." Boruto dryly muttered.

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

"I wonder how they're gonna get out of this?" Mitsuki asked for his teammates.

"That mask and your bogus story! You were with Zabuza all along! You think you can get away with a stunt like that!?" Naruto grit his teeth, upset at getting lied to. After all, if Naruto detested anything, liars were definitely at the top of his list.

"I'm sorry….but as your sensei said, deceiving your opponent, catching them off guard, that is the art of the Shinobi. Please don't take it personally." Haku sincerely apologized.

"How can he not take it personally?" Boruto deadpanned.

"Still I kind of feel sorry for the guy…he doesn't seem as evil as Zabuza…but…why would he even work with someone like that, anyways?" Sarada asked.

"Guess we'll see later in this memory." Mitsuki asked before a kunai suddenly came flying out of the mirror prison, though Haku dodged with little to no effort at all.

"Sheesh, they're really out of place here!" Sarada ground out as Naruto and Sasuke gasped in complete and utter surprise.

"I haven't forgotten about you. Not for a second. Some warriors accept defeat gracefully. They know when they are beaten. Others do not. Let us finish our battle then. To the death!" Haku turned his mask towards Sasuke as he made his way to his mirror dome, disregarding Naruto.

"What the? Hey! Where're you going?" Naruto asked in disbelief and slight frustration that he wasn't being regarded as a threat. He was the future Hokage for god's sake!

"It's alright, Naruto. We'll have our fight next." Haku said before entering one of his mirrors.

"Yeah…that's definitely a Kekkai Genkai….but how are they going to fight against Haku if he can appear through each of the mirrors or even all of them at the same time?" Sarada asked.

"Uncle Sasuke and Dad will definitely find a way to coordinate their attacks together. If they can somehow find a way to attack from the outside and inside simultaneously, that can give them the edge over that bastard!" Boruto said.

"That would be an effective way in bringing down this Haku." Mitsuki said.

"Okay but how? If dad can't even see him!" Sarada yelled in concern as her father's pained yells rang over the bridge as he was no doubt getting attacked again.

"Sasuke! Naruto! Think! You need to attack from the outside and from the inside at the same time!" Kakashi yelled to his students, confirming Boruto's theory about that way being the most advantageous.

"Yeah if dad can do something with his Shadow Clones and Uncle Sasuke doing something with his fire, maybe they can bring that guy down!" Boruto pumped his fist, thinking his plan was fool proof.

"…Uh guys….where's Lord Seventh?" Sarada asked as there was practically a blip where Naruto once stood while Mitsuki chuckled.

"In there." Mitsuki smiled as he pointed inside of a dome as Sasuke screamed, practically like he saw a ghost.

"….You…are…kidding me!" Boruto groaned in frustration only to see Naruto happy as ever to see Sasuke while Sasuke definitely didn't reciprocate Naruto's congeniality.

"Hey! I snuck in here to save you! Pretty cool move, huh Sasuke?" Naruto grinned as Sasuke looked close to having a brain aneurysm.

"Dumb…" Boruto started.

"Ass…" Sarada finished as both Boruto and Sarada face-palmed.

"I don't think he got the memo to sneak up on his enemies not his allies." Mitsuki chuckled, definitely finding amusement in the situation as his teammates just learned to just let him laugh at stuff that they don't find funny.

"Ugh….you are a complete loser! You're a Shinobi, think carefully before you move!" Sasuke snapped at Naruto who definitely didn't appreciate Sasuke's tone.

"What the heck's your problem!? You should thank me for coming in here to help you!" Naruto spat back as Sasuke was definitely regretting giving him that bento lunch from all that time ago.

"Naruto if we're both inside here…..forget it! I've had it with your mistakes!" Sasuke turned his head to the side, wishing he had anyone else on his team. He just wished he could pile drive his head into a cliff right now.

"And I've had it with your attitude, believe it!" Naruto spat back as Sasuke definitely had to get his head back in the game before he seriously ended up killing the orange idiot.

"That's it! I'm gonna destroy these mirrors right now! Fire Style…" Sasuke summoned hand signs.

"Hey, what attack are you using?" Naruto asked while Sasuke didn't even bother turning his head to Naruto.

"These mirrors are made of ice and how do you get rid of ice? Figure it out. Fire Ball Jutsu!" Sasuke yelled as he fired the huge ball of fire at all the mirrors, hoping to turn Haku's mirrors into melted popsicles but to everyone's surprise, they didn't even look melted a little.

"Geez! What are those mirrors made of?" Boruto asked.

"He's obviously had training and expertise with them." Sarada replied.

"You'll need much more heat than that to melt this ice." Haku simply said as he gathered a handful of senbon needles before both Uzumaki and Uchiha alike were pelted with needle after needle.

"Damn! That was one broken ability!" Boruto spat.

"He definitely gives Kagura a ride for his money!" Sarada blinked, not being able to see a thing. Granted she didn't have her Sharingan but still.

"Where is he!? Where's the needle attack coming at us from!? Are they clones? We've got to find the real one! Which one is it?" Naruto asked, darting his head frantically trying to find where the real Haku could be.

"Look into every mirror as hard as you like. You will never learn the secret." Haku stated in a voice, almost as if he were challenging the two boys to come to him.

"Oh yeah? Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled summoning as many Shadow Clones as there were mirrors as they all launched at Haku's mirrors trying to find the real one before he was swiftly dealt with.

"…Not even a challenge…" Sarada breathed out as a bead of sweat rolled down her face.

"Now I'm really curious….how did dad and Uncle Sasuke out of this?" Boruto asked.

"These mirrors only reflect my image, allowing me to transport myself at light speed. Through my eyes, you appear to be moving in slow motion." Haku said as Naruto and Sasuke grit their teeth in frustration while Naruto only looked down.

"I couldn't break through…" Naruto muttered, getting Sasuke's attention, "So what? He's not gonna stop me!", getting even Haku's attention.

"I'm not giving up and I'm not gonna lose here. 'Cause I have a dream and no one's going to take it away from me! Someday, I'll be respected in my village! That's my dream, to be the greatest Hokage!" Naruto proclaimed while on the outwardly, thanks to his mask anyways, if one could see Haku's face under his mask, they would notice his eyes soften.

"It was not my desire to be a Shinobi. It's painful…I don't want to kill you but if you advice, I will have no choice. Then I will kill the kindness in my heart and fully embrace the Shinobi way. And there will be no mercy, no turning back. This bridge will be the battlefield where our dreams collide. Now I must fight for my dreams just as you fight for yours. Please do not blame me. I fight for someone who is precious to me. I live for him and I face death for him, so that his dream may become a reality. That is my dream. And for the sake of that dream, if I must, I will act as a Shinobi and take your lives!" Haku finished, raising another senbon needle while rather than looking intimidated, Naruto and Sasuke merely smirked. Almost as if they were welcoming the challenge.

"So that's why…..he has a dream…." Sarada frowned as she thought to her dream of becoming Hokage and how she was so gung ho on becoming a Chunin…she never really considered Boruto's feelings. She looked to Boruto sadly before turning her head back.

"…It sounds like me in a way….just how I wanna become a Shinobi like Uncle Sasuke…..that Haku guy sounds like he wants to be like that Zabuza guy….." Boruto frowned.

"But how would someone like that ever end up with Zabuza? I suppose we'll just have to wait to find out." Mitsuki said as Naruto stood right back up again, glaring at one Haku that was in one mirror.

"I didn't get to him! Then I'll try it again, as many times as it takes. Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled, summoning another hoard of Shadow Clones though like last time, Haku merely cut through all of them like they were butter while he gave Sasuke another dosage of needles, senbon edition.

"How is he doing that?" Naruto grunted out in frustration.

"But wait, did you guys see that? The water that Haku guy left behind?" Sarada asked her friends.

"Yeah now that I think about it…" Boruto muttered.

"That must be how they can counter him! With the water….but can they find it?" Mitsuki asked.

"Ugh! One more time! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled, not willing to give in the towel just yet.

"Don't you see that it's useless?" Haku yelled before Naruto and Sasuke were bombarded with another helping of senbon needles.

"This is no good….if dad can't find a way to take advantage of the flying water and Lord Seventh is just wasting his chakra at this point…" Sarada bit her finger nail as Naruto took that time to get right back up again.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yelled, running towards Haku's mirrors, seemingly having no different results than the last couple of times while Sasuke took that time to fire off another Fireball at Haku only this time, the fire was able to singe off some of Haku's skirt.

"He got him!" Sarada pumped her fists, excitedly.

"Leave it to Uncle Sasuke." Boruto grinned.

"Now if he can just talk to Lord Seventh and communicate him on what to do, this fight will be over, set game and match." Mitsuki smiled.

"Talk? That idiot ain't gonna listen to Uncle Sasuke if he came to him with a fifteen inch pole." Boruto scoffed as Naruto grit his teeth in frustration, seemingly not noticing the singe in Haku's skirt.

"I got so close to him but I couldn't touch him…" Naruto spat in disdain, starting to get very annoyed with Haku and his BS.

"Naruto, can you do it again?" Sasuke asked Naruto.

"Huh? Of course! Nothing can stop me, believe it!" Naruto spat with bravado clear in his voice.

"Sure he can…" Sarada rolled her eyes.

"But if he just keeps using those Shadow Clones haphazardly, he'll just use up his chakra until it falls to zero. And if that happens…." Boruto looked down, his voice full of concern. Sensing this, Mitsuki put his hand on Boruto's shoulder.

"Look at things like this. Lord Seventh and Master Sasuke survive from this." Mitsuki smiled as Boruto blinked before smiling at his teammate.

"Right…thanks, Mitsuki." Boruto grinned as Sasuke looked unconvinced at Naruto's response though he put those thoughts to the side as Haku readied himself for another attack as Sasuke flew through another series of hand signs.

"Naruto, run for it!" Sasuke suddenly ordered Naruto.

"Huh?" Naruto asked, surprised at Sasuke's sudden proclamation.

"Get out of here and attack from the outside. Hurry!" Sasuke said as Naruto blinked before grinning.

"Right, got it!" Naruto said as he started to try to run outside of Haku's mirror range.

"You cannot escape." Haku said, knocking Naruto back with a series of needles. Though Naruto merely worked through the pain before getting back up and running off again.

"You think you can keep me here? Forget it!" Naruto yelled as Haku, the real one, appeared from a random mirror.

"That's him! That's the real one!" Boruto poined.

"Do it, dad!" Sarada yelled as Sasuke complied immediately.

"That's it! Firestyle, Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke yelled as a ball of fire left Sasuke's lips as the real Haku stopped before throwing a needle in Sasuke's direction which Sasuke painfully took to the shoulder before Haku appeared right in front of Naruto and back-handed him, sending him right to where Sasuke was.

"Damn it! So close!" Boruto cursed.

"But….at least they have a strategy now for beating him." Sarada reassured her friend.

"I couldn't get past him…" Naruto growled in irritation.

"That was good, Naruto." Sasuke said, surprising Naruto that he didn't degrade him for once.

"One more time?" Sasuke suggested, pulling the needle out of his shoulder while wincing from the pain.

"Yeah, let's do it!" Naruto said as both boys tried running to the exit in an attempt to flush Haku out of hiding but it was to no avail as both boys were knocked down and filled even more with senbon needles.

"Geesh…they're getting killed in here…" Boruto ran his hand through his hair.

However a loud familiar scream got everyone's attention.

"Mom!?" Sarada yelled.

"What's happened? Old Man Kakashi! Old Man Tazuna?" Boruto gasped out, hoping Tazuna was still in one piece.

This seemed to make the boys sit up, even for a little bit.

"Ugh…Sakura…she's…in trouble…I'll bust us out of here…" Naruto muttered, practically forcing himself to his feet as Sasuke actually looked concerned for his teammate.

"I'll fake him out." Naruto grinned.

"You've exhausted my patience." Haku said, as his voice was practically dripping with venom.

"Yeah he does that to everyone." Boruto dryly said as Naruto summoned Chakra around him with the real Haku following his movement as he jumped and dodged all around the mirror dome.

"Naruto! Behind you!" Sasuke pointed out as Naruto barely saw two needles aimed for him before he was pelted with more needles, sending him crashing to the ground below.

"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled in a voice not of irritation like normal but of actual concern, a tone that knew that if they didn't defeat Haku soon, they would die. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

"Your chances of escaping my House of Mirrors is zero. That is absolute." Haku stated in a "matter of fact" voice as Sasuke made his way over to his friend.

"Naruto, are you able to get up?" Sasuke asked as Naruto merely grunted in response. The battle was definitely starting to take his toll on him.

"Try not to use anymore chakra. That's only going to help him now." Sasuke said in an unusually soft voice as Naruto pushed himself up to meet Sasuke's eye.

"I know, Sasuke…I know…" Naruto fell to the ground, seemingly starting to lose consciousness.

"Dad!" Boruto ran to Naruto's side as he scanned him over with Sarada and Mitsuki looking him over as well.

"He's had it…Chakra Exhaustion is starting to get him…They need to find a way to stop him soon….Or else…" Sarada bit her lip as Sasuke pushed himself up to his feet, just as exhausted as Naruto but not willing to give into his body's demands.

"Looking for a counterattack? I'll save you the trouble." Haku said, throwing a handful of senbon needles at Sasuke but much to everyone's shock, Sasuke actually blocked them using one of the senbon needles that Haku left on the ground.

"Hold on, he's actually blocking them this time? What changed?" Boruto asked.

"Get up loser! We've got to team up!" Sasuke spat to Naruto who grunted before managing to sit himself up, barely.

"…I know what we have to do….Believe it, Sasuke!" Naruto said as the mirrors readied themselves for an offensive attack as Sasuke did his best to dodge and counter the hits as best as he could while Naruto was all but unconscious, meaning Sasuke had to do the brunt of the counterattack while having to protect Naruto.

"He disappeared? Where did he go? How could he just vanish?" Sasuke grunted before turning his head to his teammate who hung his head down as he sat up.

"Naruto, you better not pass out again, C'mon, let's go. I can't keep protecting you like this!" Sasuke spat as Naruto grunted in response.

"Well then don't….I never asked for your help…" Naruto moaned as he unfortunately fell over.

"Damn it! He's reaching his limit…." Boruto grit his teeth.

"Reached? I think he is at his limit…" Mitsuki's brow furrowed.

"You can't revive him. He's reached his limits." Haku was practically teasing Sasuke now as he held a hand full of senbon needles ready to make both Sasuke and Naruto pincushions to give back to Zabuza.

Sasuke growled as he glared up at Haku, definitely not ready to go down without a fight.

Sasuke then threw one of the senbon needles he retrieved from the ground before flinging it in the direction of Haku before his needle was deflected with one from Haku.

"Impressive. You have excellent moves. Your attacks are very skillful but you've reached your limits as well. Motor functions, reflexes, judgement, your abilities are weakening slowly but surely. You're finished!" Haku said throwing a handful of needles, this time going for a killing blow for Sasuke but much to everyone's astonishment, Sasuke moved quicker than the speed of sound while managing to pick up Naruto with one arm and move him away to safety.

"What the? How did-"Boruto asked as Sarada's eyes widened in realization.

"…No way…." Sarada gasped out as Sasuke's head was down before he held his eyes up, revealing his gaze to Haku.

Only….instead of his usual onyx colored eyes, his eyes were red…signifying the Sharingan.

And even more impressive, he managed to have two tomoe in his eyes.

"He finally did it." Mitsuki smiled.

"So that's how he awakened his Sharingan!" Sarada grinned, about to jump up and down in a similar fashion that her mother would.

"Somehow it doesn't surprise me that Uncle Sasuke came through in the end. Now he has this match wrapped up!" Boruto grinned, all but ready to jump in the air.

"I'd love to see the look on that masked bastard's face." Boruto snickered, whole-heartedly assured that Haku was probably pissing him.

This notion was proved to be at least somewhat right as Haku readied a hand of senbon. However…his gaze wasn't directed towards Sasuke but rather….Naruto!

"That bastard! He's going after dad!" Boruto yelled in panic.

"And he can't even defend himself! What kind of coward goes after someone defensively!?" Sarada yelled out as Sasuke's eye widened in panic as he was running on pure adrenaline at this point.

With a speed that no one could see, Sasuke had taken the full brunt of Haku's attack while managing to throw Haku to the side, away from him and Naruto.

And the end result….was sickening to say the least….

Sasuke was impaled nearly all over his body with blood coating his entire body with some of the blood forming a puddle below him. His was deathly pale as he resembled a ghost with one foot in the grave and with all of the needles piercing his body, he looked like a spiky blue hedgehog.

All of Team Konohamaru were highly perturbed at what they were seeing, even Mitsuki.

But none…were more shaken…than Sarada.

"….D…dad…." Sarada gasped out as tears started coming to her eyes.

N-no….t-this couldn't….be?

With all of the damage he took, he couldn't have survived…..right?

But…she was here…so…

"U-Uncle Sasuke…." Boruto was highly disturbed seeing Sasuke in such a state. Even when he was low on chakra during the fight against Urashiki, Sasuke still had the demeanor and appearance of someone strong.

But here? It looked like he would drop dead at any given moment…..

However…sniffles drug Boruto out of his current thoughts as his heart went out to Sarada. While he was feeling numb seeing the younger version of his master in such a state, he could only imagine what Sarada was going through.

"Hey….Sarada…" Boruto walked over to his teammate as she looked ready to break down in tears here and there.

"It's gonna be okay….remember Uncle Sasuke is still alive today so that guy must've missed." Boruto gave Sarada a soft smile, hoping that would be enough to cheer her up as despite all of their banter they had on a daily basis, Boruto genuinely cared for and loved Sarada like a good friend.

"I-I know! But how?" Sarada bit her lip as Mitsuki walked over to Sarada and put a hand on her remaining shoulder.

"Remember, this is all in the past and like Boruto said, your father is alive, well and happy so don't forget that." Mitsuki smiled with Boruto smiling in agreement.

"Y-yeah…thanks guys…" Sarada gave a smile before frowning, watching as Naruto slowly stir himself awake.

"I can only wonder what he'll think…" Sarada muttered.

"…Yeah…he could think he lost a friend…one of the first friends he ever made…." Boruto grit his teeth, not quite ready to see Naruto's angst in seeing Sasuke's state as he stirred himself awake as all Naruto could make out from his position on the ground was Haku being down and Sasuke standing tall.

"H-huh?" Naruto asked, his eyes slowly opening again.

"…You always….get in the way….Naruto….it…never fails…" Sasuke weakly said as Team Konohamaru managed to let out hollow chuckles.

"Even like that, dad can't drop their banter…" Sarada sadly smiled as she noticed Naruto's beaming face as Naruto assumed that Sasuke had beaten Haku.

"You beat him, Sasuke!" Naruto grinned as he looked ready to get up and hug Sasuke in gratitude before finally noticing the weakened state that Sasuke was in.

"….H-huh?" Naruto's heart dropped as unlike Team Konohamaru, he had no idea that Sasuke would survive this encounter.

"…And there it is…." Sarada gulped.

"…I wonder…if he thought Uncle Sasuke was gonna die here…." Boruto bit his lip, not wanting to know the pain Naruto was in.

"You should see the look on your face….y-you look like…a total loser!" Sasuke weakly teased Naruto who disregarded Sasuke's taunt for once and stood up to accurately get a proper assessment of Sasuke's injuries.

"W-why….why did you….save me….why did you do it?" Naruto weakly asked as the memory flashed as Team Konohamaru saw a flash of Iruka protecting from Mizuki before the memory flashed back to present time before the memory flashed again.

This time of Haku in the woods speaking to Naruto….

"Do you…have someone that is precious to you? When one has something precious to them, that is when they truly become strong." Haku in his pink kimono said to Naruto before the memory flashed back to present time again.

"….And that someone precious to Master Sasuke…" Mitsuki frowned.

"…Was dad…..underneath all that crap…." Boruto bit his lip.

"He really cared for Lord Seventh." Sarada turned her head, feeling awful for seeing such a private memory.

"…I…don't know why….I…just did it…." Sasuke weakly gasped out as he held his head eye, no doubt having some sort of reflection of sorts before smiling despite the blood trailing his mouth.

Naruto looked close to breaking down as Sasuke's voice got his attention.

"You….I…hated you…" Sasuke gasped out as Naruto growled, pushing himself to his feet.

Was this a game? How dare that bastard joke with him?

"Then why!? It doesn't make any sense. Why…did you…protect me?" Naruto weakly gasped out as righteous anger filled his chest, "I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask for you to save me!" Naruto yelled angrily to Sasuke as Sasuke still refused to face Naruto.

Though…if one could see his face…they could see a lone tear fill his eye.

"I dunno….My body…just moved…there was no time to think…loser!" Sasuke managed to get out before he slowly fell to the ground.

"Catch him!" Boruto and Sarada yelled as Naruto did just that.

"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled, hoping there was a way to save him. Why did Naruto care? They….were…rivals right?

No….

However…Naruto didn't have time to dwell on this as Sasuke opened his eyes again as he looked to the sky with a sorrowful frown on his face.

Almost…as if he had a regret on his face before leaving the world….

"…H-he's…still out there…." Sasuke began as Naruto and Team Konohamaru looked at Sasuke in surprise.

"Who? Who's still out there?" Boruto asked.

"My brother….I promised myself….I'd….stay alive…until…I….killed him…." Sasuke weakly admitted as Naruto, Boruto and Sarada were horrified at Sasuke's admission as Mitsuki kept a blank stare.

"Wait? His brother!?" Boruto asked, before remembering Naruto's words to him in the past that Sasuke had to avenge his clan.

Sarada looked close to panicking.

"Wait…his brother? My…uncle…but why? Why…did he want to kill his brother?" Sarada asked as Boruto's eyes widened as he finally put the pieces on why Sasuke had to avenge his clan.

But before he could explain himself to his teammate, Mitsuki spoke up.

"Because he was the one who wiped out the Uchiha Clan." Mitsuki said as Boruto and Sarada looked to Mitsuki in stunned silence.

Boruto was just lost for words while Sarada looked close to having a panic attack.

"…I…I don't understand….why? Why would my uncle kill our whole clan? Why!?" Sarada gasped out as Boruto was just as curious.

"Yeah that makes no sense!" Boruto added just as disturbed as Mitsuki was lost between admitting the truth to his comrades or letting them find out for themselves in these memories.

However, the memory soon got their attention back as Sasuke tightly grabbed Naruto's jacket sleeve.

"Naruto….don't…let your dream die…" Sasuke asked in a voice to Naruto that practically ripped away at Naruto's soul before Sasuke fell limp, presumed dead.

Naruto's eyes widened in horror as his cerulean eyes filled with tears with them actually hitting Sasuke's body as he held Sasuke's "dead" body close to him.

Even though this was just a memory, Sarada turned her head to the side as she let tears fall despite her efforts.

To think her dad would do something like this for Naruto, especially seeing how their relationship started from all those years back in the Academy.

And as such, this was following with the memory flashing to their first meeting at the Academy.

"You wanna go! You loser!?" A younger Sasuke growled as he tightly grabbed Naruto's shirt collar before the memory flashed to all the times Sasuke beat Naruto in class before the memory flashed to the current time with them bonding through their tree climbing training together and finally ending off with them noticing each other at the edge of a river pier while Naruto was walking home.

Both boys looked at each other with pure disgust that the other had the pure audacity to even dignify each other.

But before taking his leave, Naruto smiled at Sasuke with Sasuke's mouth opening in joy before smiling back.

Soon the memory returned to present time as Naruto continued to lament the loss of his teammate…no…his friend…..

Boruto was quick to go into tears but composed himself….remembering that Sasuke would survive and become his trainer.

Though this didn't stop him from putting a comforting hand on Sarada's shoulder as Mitsuki watched the two without saying anything.

"He found the strength he didn't realize he had. Why? Because of a certain person who was precious to him. To save that person, he rushed in, knowing it was a trap. He was a true ninja, worthy of honor…." Haku said to Naruto, in a voice sounding like he actually sympathized with Naruto, whose head was still down before turning to the side.

"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 said before making his way back into the mirror he was in.

"Oh patronize him, why don't you!? I hope Lord Seventh gets this guy!" Sarada growled, her voice bitter and full of hatred.

"Okay but how? He has nothing left…No rasengan or anything…" Boruto bit his lip before Naruto surprisingly spoke.

"Shut up…." Naruto growled to Sasuke as he gently set Sasuke down, in a way to give his corpse the respect it deserved.

Sasuke lived and died as a ninja and he would damn well make sure his dead body received the respect it deserved.

"…I…hated you too Sasuke….And yet….." Naruto said as the air started to slowly rise around him.

"…You'll pay for this…" Naruto said through clenched teeth as the air became more visible, startling Sarada.

"What's this?" Sarada asked as Boruto's eyes widened in realization.

"This…must be…when the Nine Tails awakened!" Boruto announced getting Mitsuki and Sarada's attention.

"You're sure? But how?" Mitsuki asked as Boruto kept his eyes firmly trained on Naruto.

"It's the same feeling I felt when we fought against Urashiki!" Boruto gasped out, never forgetting when Naruto nearly killed him…..

To accentuate Boruto's point, poignant red chakra surrounded Naruto as Naruto crouched down, resembling that of a fox as all of his wounds begin healing.

"I'm gonna kill you!" Naruto growled out as his whisker marks became more pronounced with his eyes turning blood red.

Boruto grit his teeth with his heart racing through his chest while Mitsuki and Sarada were just speechless at seeing Naruto's power.

"And to think when I saw Lord Seventh's power, it was fully controlled!" Sarada exclaimed in awe.

"This is obviously before he learned to control it…" Mitsuki's eyes narrowed as he braced himself for the ass-kicking definitely to come for Haku.

However, much to the team's amazement, a silhouette of the Nine Tailed Fox appeared as it roared before leaving before the memory suddenly changed colors as the entire scene was tinted a light red color.

"What the? What happened to the memory?" Boruto asked as Sarada blinked just as dumbfounded.

"…Maybe…it's because…of the Nine Tails' influence?" Sarada surmised as Mitsuki looked deep in thought.

"…That…could be a good reason why…." Mitsuki thought though he didn't have time to dwell on this thought for long as Haku quickly readied his needles, ready to strike Naruto as he was no doubt unsettled with this recent change in events. He thought he had this fight down but it looks like the tables were slowly shifting away from his favor.

"The bloodlust in his eyes…this is no longer a child!" Haku gasped out as a roar nearly made Haku fall back as Naruto growled, lunging at Haku who through senbon needles at Naruto who deflected them with ease with a single roar.

Naruto scanned the mirrors trying to snuff out the real Haku as all the mirrors became covered with the image of Haku as Naruto felt his entire back stuck with needles before a single swipe with his wrist, dispelling all of the images except one which Naruto immediately lunged at and punched the mirror, sending it crashing into tiny little pieces as the real Haku appeared right over him, ready to impale and spear Naruto.

"I must strike now…NOW!" Haku yelled.

"Look out!" Boruto and Sarada yelled as Naruto quickly jumped out of the way, spinning around three times, snarling as he caught himself.

"Impossible!" Haku yelled, trying to escape with a window as Naruto firmly grasped his wrist as he was putting everything he had into this punch as he was definitely gonna knock the taste out of Haku's mouth.

As the chakra pooled all around Naruto's fist, before anyone knew anything, Haku was firmly sent flying out of his dome of mirrors, with the mirrors shattering into hundreds if not thousands of pieces all around Naruto as Boruto and Sarada were nothing short of unnerved at the face of Naruto.

It literally radiated murder and hatred….

"…Makes me glad he can control his Tailed Beast…" Boruto gulped.

"…Uh…huh…" Sarada whole-heartedly agreed as Naruto wasted no time, intent on putting down the man who dared kill his friend. But as Naruto's fist was merely inches from Haku's face, it was then his mask broke off entirely, revealing his true identity to Naruto who gasped in horror as he stopped right as he was merely inches away from Naruto whose rationality returned to him as his eyes returned to normal, causing the normal colors of the memory to return.

"…Wait…a second! So…that guy in the woods that was you?" Naruto asked as Haku chose not to answer Naruto's question but rather look down to the ground below.

"Why do you not strike?" Haku asked, confusing Naruto.

"Did you not just vow to avenge your comrade's death by killing me? Or was that vow just empty words?" Haku asked as Naruto took one look back at seeing Sasuke's dead body before he growled and punched Haku into the ground, making him spit blood.

"Can't say he didn't deserve that." Boruto muttered.

"You're still holding back. If that is all the strength you can put into it, you will never keep your vow. Perhaps he didn't mean as much to you as you pretend." Haku stated matter of factly, wiping the blood from his mouth.

"What's this guy talking about?" Sarada growled, not at all fond of the guy who nearly killed her father.

"To show mercy to those who oppose the one you serve to allow his enemies to live when you could strike them down….this is not compassion. It is a betrayal of your life's very purpose. For what reason do you exist then? You're of no use to no one. Your life has no meaning, it is mere existence. Day after day of pain and struggle, signifying nothing." Haku said as Naruto grit his teeth.

"Yeah, well, speak for yourself." Naruto said, not quite understand what Haku meant though he remained undeterred in his stance.

"Are you really that blind, little one? I am speaking of myself. This day has shown that I am no longer of any use to Zabuza." Haku smiled, surprising Boruto and Sarada.

"Why is he smiling about that!?" Boruto clenched his fists, not liking the fact that Haku had essentially relegated his entire life to being just a tool for Zabuza. Not a friend or accomplice like he was with Sasuke but just a tool to be used and discarded.

"And how the hell did he end up with a guy like that, anyways?" Sarada folded her arms.

"Zabuza….why that guy, anyway? To devote your life to a rotten skunk who doesn't know the meaning of the word 'honor'. If he's really the one person that matters to you, man, that's the sorriest thing I've ever heard." Naruto shook his head like he ate a mouthful of sour skittles as Haku's expression was one of somewhat amusement rather than being offended at Naruto's tactless words at insulting his master.

"There were once others who mattered to me long ago….my mother and my father. I was born in the Land of Water in a small village where the snow lies deep in the winter. My parents were farmers and very poor. Our life was hard but we were content. My parents were good to each other and kind to me. Yes, we were happy once…but then everything changed…" Haku gave a smile before losing it as he finished the end of his sentence.

"…What was it?" Sarada asked, having a disturbingly good idea of what might have changed.

"It must've been his Kekkai Genkai. After all, it's not something you'd see every day." Mitsuki assumed.

"Because of something that happened long before I was even born, everything changed." Haku continued his recap of his life's story as Naruto blinked in confusion.

"What was it?" Naruto asked as Haku looked down to his hand.

"It is in the blood." Haku answered, confusing Naruto even further.

"Blood? You said something happened that changed everything!" Naruto tilted his head before pressuring the ice style user for an answer who rewarded him with dead eyes.

"It was my father who changed. He killed my mother and he almost killed me." Haku answered, rather bluntly, unnerving Naruto, Boruto and Sarada while Mitsuki remained stone-faced.

"Wait, what the? How can a father kill his wife and nearly kill his kid!?" Boruto demanded, in a voice that didn't even bother to hide his disgust.

Sarada flinched at the notion of Boruto's words about "a father nearly killing his kid" but remembered how Sasuke nearly killing her was merely an accident.

"After years of suffering, the horrors of civil war that the people of my land had come to fear and hate anyone who carried the Kekkai Genkai in their blood." Haku began another explanation as Naruto's expression wrinkled in confusion.

"Kekkai Genkai?" Naruto asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"The advanced bloodline trait of a clan. It's jutsu and abilities passed down from generation to generation. Because of their unique abilities, the clans were used as mercenaries. They fought in many battles and were much feared but when the war was over they were despised and shunned by the people who feared their presence would only bring more war and misfortune. So it was that after the war that these clans went into hiding, denying the bloodline traits that flowed in their veins, concealing their unique abilities, knowing that to be discovered meant certain death. If you had searched that boy's memories, I'm sure you would have found it there, too." Haku explained with a mirthless smile before gesturing to Sasuke before continuing his explanation.

"The cruely of people, their fear of things that they don't understand. For years, my mother was successful in hiding her bloodline trait. She met and fell in love with a simple farmer and they were married and after that, my mother thought she would lead a peaceful, ordinary life to the end of her days though I found out when I was young and showed it to my mother and despite her attempts to hide I, my father had seen and so he knew our secrets. And with that…he killed my mother and nearly killed me….but….in retaliation…I killed him instead…" Haku said, unnerving Boruto and Sarada at his confession.

But what really bothered them was the nonchalant way Haku explained his tale.

"….He actually…killed his father?" Sarada gulped, never once thinking about killing her father even though he nearly killed her during the Shin incident.

"…And that explains why he was on his own…" Boruto shook his head, trying to process the thought of a son killing his father.

"It couldn't be helped. In the Shinobi world, it's either kill or be killed." Mitsuki reasoned, though that didn't mean he liked what happened with Haku's past either.

"When at last I was myself again, I was no longer myself. My father and mother were gone but I knew that something else had been taken from me, something even more important. And that is when I truly despaired." Haku stated as Naruto was nothing short of unnerved at the brutality of Haku's past as he actually took a few steps back.

"…More important than your mother and father? What?" Naruto gulped.

"My purpose….in all the world, there was no one who needed me….I was unnecessary…" Haku simply stated with a dead look in his eyes as Naruto's eyes widened, no doubt remembering the way he was before he met Iruka.

"…So that's why….after he met with that Zabuza guy…even if he was a tool…he must've given him a reason to live…." Sarada frowned, looking down.

"….And I used to think I used to have no purpose…" Boruto bit his lip as what he thought was suffering was nothing compared to people like Haku had to go through.

"Why is it you're so determined to be Hokage? Because you want all eyes in your village to look on you and recognize you as a great ninja. You see, it is only through the eyes of others that our little lives have any significance. When there is no one who sees you or will even look at you, it's as if you do not exist….Then Zabuza came along and looked at me and his eyes were not full of hate or fear…He did not shun me for my strangeness. Indeed my special powers were just what he wanted. He made me feel necessary again…I was happy…" Haku smiled as tears left his eyes as Naruto and Team Konohamaru's hearts went out to the boy.

With the finishing of Haku's words, came sudden flashes.

"Look! It's him…it's that boy…" The villagers all glared at a younger version of Naruto as the scene flashed to the morning of Naruto's graduation.

"Congratulations! You graduate!" Iruka beamed at Naruto with all the pride a surrogate father could muster before the memory returned back to present time.

"…Even though he nearly killed my dad…." Sarada teared up.

"…He really isn't all that bad after all…" Boruto also felt tears come to his eyes as he honestly felt sorry for this kid. With no purpose and having no friends or family, how could one hate you for following someone who made you feel validated?

…Even if that someone is a person like Zabuza….

It was then that Haku wiped his eyes before losing his smile.

"I have failed you, Zabuza. I am like a weapon that has been broken and is of no further use…." Haku murmured to himself before stepping up to Naruto, making the young boy take a few apprehensive steps back.

"Naruto….kill me…" Haku said as everyone sans Mitsuki was highly disturbed with Haku's request.

"Kill him!? But why the hell would he?" Boruto was lost for words as Mitsuki shook his head.

"He is weaker than Lord Seventh and he didn't even kill Master Sasuke so he sees himself as no longer worthy to be alive. It makes perfect sense why he would want to die." Mitsuki crossed his arms as his teammates were uncomfortable at how Mitsuki was seemingly having no problem with Haku's demands.

"But still! To kill someone like that?" Sarada asked.

"To be fair, Lord Seventh does believe that Master Sasuke is dead…" Mitsuki said as Naruto shared Boruto and Sarada's discomfort.

"W-what!? Kill you!? Are you serious!?" Naruto looked like he wanted to vomit as Haku remained undeterred with his request.

"Dead serious." Haku confirmed as he noticed that Naruto was making no direct effort to attack him.

This made Haku's lips quirk up slightly in amusement.

"Why do you hesitate?" Haku asked as Naruto clenched his fists before taking even more steps back from Haku who seemed to walk closer to Naruto.

"That's the most ridiculous story I've ever heard! I mean, he treats you like a slave! You're a human being, not a weapon or a tool. How can you care about someone like that!?" Naruto demanded as he would rather die than be seen as just some weapon for someone to use.

"For that very reason. Does that seem so strange to you?" Haku challenged Naruto's assertion as he looked down.

"…Well yeah, a little. When he found me, I was without a purpose or reason for living. Zabuza gave me both but now…my usefulness is over…the only thing that gave my life meaning…it's gone…I am a broken tool…a blunt weapon of no use to anyone…" Haku's eyes filled with tears.

"…Why do I have a feeling he won't make it past this day?" Boruto asked, more to himself, wondering if his teammates wondered the same thing.

"I doubt it…we don't even hear about him anymore anyways….." Mitsuki frowned as Sarada turned to her teammates.

"You don't think…Lord Seventh did?" Sarada asked, slightly unnerved at a child as innocent and Naruto actually killing someone in cold blood. Even if that someone, nearly killed her father.

"Go on, Naruto. Do it. For both of our sakes…do it…quickly…" Haku said as Naruto was too shaken by Haku's story and words to even more.

"Go on…finish it. Kill me. Why do you hesitate?" Haku asked as Naruto was still unmoving as Haku's expression manifested into that of amusement.

"I thought you wanted to be a mighty warrior." Haku somewhat teased Naruto as Naruto clenched his fists and grit his teeth.

"That's what what this is about! Do you really believe that's all there is to it? Just fighting and killing until there's only one man left standing? There's a lot more to being a shinobi than that and there are other ways of showing your strength than just by beating someone in battle." Naruto challenged Haku's assertion of just needing to be validated by being a tool.

"I've had a feeling all along, from the first moment we met in the woods. We are a lot alike. I'm sure you know what I mean. I'm only sorry that it must be your hand that is tainted with my unworthy blood." Haku stated as it seemed like Naruto was actually considering Haku's offer.

"…I…don't think I can watch?" Sarada shook her head.

"Me either…" Boruto sighed.

"Sure about this? And you're positive that it's the only way?" Naruto questioned as Haku remained blank-faced.

"Yes." Haku said simply as Naruto dreaded that answer before exhaling and squeezing his eyes shut.

"….The weird thing is, if we met in another time and place…we could've been friends…" Naruto clenched his jaw shut before running to Haku who grabbing a kunai from his pouch.

"This..is for Sasuke because he also had a dream!" Naruto yelled as Haku smiled in thanks before he quickly lost his smile, tightly grasping Naruto's wrist.

"Wait, what's happening? Didn't he want him to kill him?" Boruto asked.

"Yeah, what's the deal?" Sarada added.

"Sorry, Naruto. Change of Plans." Haku smiled in apology to Naruto before scowling as he looked at another section of the bridge before leaving in a mirror of Ice.

"What the? What happened?" Boruto asked.

"Hey! The fog…it's lifting!" Sarada pointed as there were a couple of figures standing feet from where Naruto was.

"Hey, what's going on over there?" Boruto pointed as Mitsuki had an idea of what may have happened but chose not to say anything as Naruto noticed the changed in the atmosphere.

"The fog's lifting! Wait, is that him?" Naruto asked as he ran before stopping cold in his tracks before gasping in horror at the sight before him as Boruto and Sarada were left speechless at what they were seeing.

Sakura and Tazuna were safely okay but that wasn't what surprised everyone. Not even Zabuza's bloodied state was of shock to everyone….

What was a shock was seeing Kakashi's right hand pierce Haku's words as blood caked the ground below while Haku's mouth was set in a smile despite the blood trailing down his lips.

"W-what the? What happened!? Did he just?" Boruto was at a loss for words.

"It seems Master Kakashi tried using the Chidori to try to kill Zabuza…but….Haku sacrificed himself…." Mitsuki surmised.

"….He gave his life….for him…" Sarada's tongue clicked the inside of her mouth as Naruto was just as shaken as the kids from the future.

"What the? What the heck's going on here!?" Naruto nearly fell on his butt from shock as Tazuna finally managed to find words to speak.

"Isn't that the young man in the mask?" Tazuna asked as Sakura was at a loss for words.

"The boy threw himself in front of my attack…He saved your worthless life…at the cost of his own…" Kakashi's eyes narrowed at Zabuza who merely laughed rather than feeling sad his disciple was gone.

"Well done Haku…" Zabuza grinned before readying his sword.

"Kakashi-Sensei, watch out!" Sakura pointed out to her sensei as Team Konohamaru were nothing short of disgusted of what they were seeing.

"He's gonna cut through him to get to Old Man Kakashi!?" Boruto growled as he wanted to throw a vanishing Rasengan at the bastard but stopped himself as Kakashi was able to jump his way to safety.

It was then that Sakura had finally taken notice of Naruto and was surprisingly happy to see him.

"Is that….Naruto? Naruto! Over here, Naruto!" Sakura waved at Naruto as he was anything but happy to see the pinkette.

Such a scene would have been comical, not given the circumstances.

"So you and Sasuke are all right?" Sakura asked as Naruto turned his head from Sakura, not having the will to tell her the truth.

"Where is Sasuke?" Sasuke asked as Naruto clenched his teeth, not having the will to tell her the truth.

Sakura's eyes widened in horror as she appeared to piece together what happened as Tazuna looked towards the young girl.

"Let me take you to him Sakura. That way you won't be disobeying your sensei." Tazuna suggested as Sakura tightly grasped his hand.

"…Thank you…" Sakura gratefully thanked as Naruto sounded close to tears as she ran right on past Naruto, seemingly paying him no mind.

"Sasuke…he….sacrificed himself…to save me…" Naruto teared up as Team Konohamaru stared somberly at Naruto.

"At least he's okay now." Mitsuki was quick to remind everyone.

"Yeah but they don't know that…they actually believe he's gone…" Boruto frowned which was proven as everyone could hear Sakura's loud, sorrowful wails.

"Poor mom…Lord Seventh…" Sarada felt tears come to her eyes as she looked to see her teammates smiling at her.

"Pull yourself together, Sarada. Both dad and uncle Sasuke are fine, remember that. Let's just get through these memories, okay?" Boruto suggested as Sarada gave a small smile in return.

"Okay…" Sarada smiled though frowned when she saw Naruto clench his chest.

Almost as if Sakura's cries were ripping into his very soul.

However the sound of fighting got everyone's attention.

"I'll rip you in half!" Zabuza growled as he tried slicing and dicing Kakashi but what everyone noticed was that he was moving slower than normal.

"He's nearing his end. Good too. Rat bastard." Boruto growled, upset at how Zabuza scoffed off Haku's sacrifice.

"Those kunai in his arm aren't helping his sword swinging. He should've gotten them up the ass." Sarada scowled as Kakashi appeared right behind the rogue ninja and clenched his temples.

"You have no idea what real strength is. Game over, you lose" Kakashi growled, as he narrowly dodged another attack from Zabuza's blade meant to cut him in half as he stabbed Zabuza's remaining arm.

"And that's essentially wrapped this match up. He can't even make hand signs." Mitsuki said.

"C'mon, Kakashi! Finish him!" Boruto cheered as Naruto was stunned at what was now turning out to be the downfall of the demon of the Mist.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes, ready to end this fight before the tapping of a cane got everyone's attention.

"Well, well. So this is how it turns out, huh? Did quite a job on you, didn't he, Zabuza? You look like yesterday's sashimi." A new voice on the bridge announced as everyone turned to the source.

Across from Zabua and our heroes stood a very short man wearing a business suit with his left arm in a sling who was surrounded by a lot of mercenary and thug like ninja.

"Who is this short dupe?" Boruto bluntly asked.

"…This must be Gato…." Mitsuki surmised as Sarada face-palmed.

"Great. This whole day just keeps on getting better." Sarada sighed as Zabuza was less than happy to see his employer.

"Gato, I don't understand. What is all this? Why are you here? And who're these thugs you've brought with you?" Zabuza asked as Gato merely snickered at Zabuza's lost expression.

"Well you see, there's been a slight change in plans. According to the new plan, you die right here on this bridge, Zabuza." Gato's grin only widened as Zabuza's eyes widened in horror.

"Wait what? But he was just doing what he told him to!" Sarada exclaimed as Mitsuki shook his head.

"In the end he failed to kill Mister Tazuna and is on death's doorstep. As far as Gato's concerned, he's pretty much expendable at this point." Mitsuki said as Boruto couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I don't like that rat bastard Zabuza but still….." Boruto couldn't wrap his mind around betraying someone who was loyal to you.

"What!?" Zabuza asked in voice full of disbelief and anger.

"That's right. You're too expensive so I've decided to take you off the payroll. Of course, even these thugs I brought with me cost something so if you could slaughter a few of them before they take you down, I'd appreciate it. Think you can manage that, ninja of the mist?" Gato asked in a voice that was no doubt patronizing to the Mist ninja that was irritating to both the ninja in and out of the memory.

"Help me out before I kill you? What a very generous offer." Sarada rolled her eyes.

"Okay I don't like that Zabuza guy but this guy is way worse already." Boruto said as neither of his teammates could disagree with him.

"Look at you. You look as demonic as a wet kitten." Gato and his men all snickered as Naruto looked around at all the ninja as he realized they were outnumbered and exhausted from the earlier fight.

Despite this, Zabuza didn't seem all too fazed with these seemingly impossible odds stacked against them.

"Well, well, Kakashi. It would seem our fight is at an end. Since I am no longer in Gato's employ, Tazuna's safe. We have no quarrel." Zabuza informed everyone.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Kakashi replied, seemingly relieved as he was no doubt at the end of his rope.

"At least they don't have to worry about Zabuza anymore." Boruto said before he noticed Gato walking straight up to where Haku was.

"That reminds me, you little punk….You grabbed me and nearly broke my arm. I've been meaning to repay you for that." Gato murmured and before anyone knew anything, he kicked the dead body of Haku, straight in the face.

Sarada gasped as Boruto's eyes widened as he growled.

"That bastard!" Boruto yelled as he summoned the wind chakra in his palm before throwing it as it went right through Gato.

"Damn it!" Boruto growled, seriously hating this man as Haku never deserved this treatment. The hatred he had for Momoshiki, Kinshiki and Urashiki were really paling in comparison to the hatred he had for this guy.

"Huh, I only wish he was alive to feel it." Gato taunted, pushing his cane into Haku's face as Naruto was nothing short of pissed while Kakashi's face was blank as Zabuza's eyes were shadowed.

"Get away! Get away from him, you scum!" Naruto yelled, ready to charge and kick this bastard's ass but thankfully Kakashi caught him in his arms.

"Hey stop! Use your head." Kakashi tried talking some sense to Naruto though this didn't improve Naruto's mood in the slightest as he glared at Zabuza's back who was still unresponsive to what was happening.

"Well, what about you, Zabuza? You gonna let him do that?" Naruto asked, not wanting to believe Zabuza would be so cold as to allow someone piece of pond scum to treat someone so tactless and coldly.

"Be quiet, you fool. Haku's dead, what does it matter?" Zabuza bluntly spat as this made Naruto, Boruto and Sarada all the angrier.

"What does he mean what does it matter!? That was someone who literally gave his world for him!" Boruto clenched his fists.

"You mean you could just stand there and watch him get treated like a dog? You and Haku were together for years, doesn't that mean anything?" Naruto pressured as Zabuza remained unmoving in his stance.

"You don't understand the way of Shinobi. I merely used him just as Gato used me. Now, it's over. His usefulness is at an end. The loss of his strength and skill, yes, that means something to me. But the boy? Nothing." Zabuza finished as Boruto and Sarada couldn't believe what they were hearing as Mitsuki was stone-faced.

He merely stared at his teammates in sadness as they were innocent in the sense that they had never seen cold-hearted ninja such as Zabuza before while he…he was practically born into those circumstances.

"That bastard…he died…and he could give a shit less!?" Boruto clenched his fist as he wished that he could just shove a Rasengan right in his skull. He would no doubt deserve it.

"In a just world, Haku would still be alive and Zabuza would be the one gone like a dog." Sarada spat disdainfully as Naruto's expression manifested the anger radiating within him.

"If you mean that you're an even bigger rat than I thought." Naruto spat, his voice surprisingly calm which was a contrast to the anger within him.

"Okay, that's enough. Calm down, Naruto. He's not the enemy, not right now." Kakashi tried reminding his student who would hear none of it.

"Ugh, shut up! As far as I'm concerned he's enemy number one!" Naruto yelled pointing at Zabuza, growling as he snarled his teeth as Zabuza merely cocked one eye in his direction.

"Why 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 never felt anything at all for him? And…if I become stronger…does that mean…I'll become as coldhearted as you are? He threw his life away and for what!? For you and your dream! You never let him have a dream of his own….but he didn't care…and you just tossed him aside like he was nothing. A broken tool….man….that's just wrong…so wrong!" Naruto finished his declaration to Zabuza as emotions overtook him as he was actually crying outright with Boruto and Sarada in tears with Naruto's words.

"Haku…didn't deserve that…." Sarada turned her head.

"Even if he tried killing my dad and Uncle Sasuke….He's just…a victim…used by Zabuza…." Boruto's eyes watered as he tried keeping the tears back but to no avail.

Mitsuki was silent, wondering if Naruto's words meant anything to Zabuza or not.

"Kid…you talk too much…" Zabuza stated suddenly getting Naruto's attention although much to everyone's surprise his voice sounded like it was breaking.

"…Zabuza…?" Boruto asked with teary eyes as everyone looked to see tears falling down in front of Zabuza as they looked to see Zabuza turn to Naruto, crying silently.

"Your words cut deep…deeper than any blade….while he fought you…his heart was breaking in two….You see, Haku was always too soft and too kind. He felt pain and sorrow and now curse him, I feel them too….." Zabuza said as Team Konohamaru couldn't believe what they were hearing….It was beyond anything they expected from the rogue ninja.

"And now…I feel content that this is the way that it ends." Zabuza said before using his teeth to bite down the bandages covering his face, revealing his sharp teeth.

"…So…he really cared about him…deep down underneath all that crap…" Boruto wiped his eyes.

"….I guess…even the rockiest surface has a soft bottom…" Sarada muttered, her mind flashing back to her father as Zabuza turned to Naruto, an expression seemingly full of bemusement.

"Well? Cat got your tongue? Are you so surprised to discover that I'm human? Even Shinobi are human, no matter how hard we fight to escape that simple fact, we always fail. Well…at least I failed…" Zabuza actually smiled as Team Konohamaru stared at Zabuza with feelings of surprise and even…a little respect?

"To think…..he's a big softy under all that…" Sarada said.

"He doesn't even realize it yet but his words change Zabuza…" Mitsuki smiled.

"Yeah….it's like a jutsu of talking that dad has…" Boruto slightly joked.

"Boy! Give me your kunai." Zabuza ordered Naruto as Naruto was slightly surprised at Zabuza's request but decided "why not?". After all, Zabuza wasn't an enemy anymore, right?

"Here." Naruto said, throwing Zabuza his kunai which he instantly caught with his teeth and in a flash that no one could see, Zabuza was bum rushing Gato and his thugs for one target in particular, Gato.

"Whoa! Look at him go! He's like…a demon!" Boruto exclaimed, admiring how fast and strong Zabuza was, even with one foot in the grave.

Sarada cringed, noticing all the blood flying at how vicious and brutally Zabuza was literally slicing and dicing Gato's men though he was also in turn getting impaled with several different swords. Despite this, Zabuza was unfazed or rather, this seemed to give him even more adrenaline.

Before anything knew anything, Zabuza finally caught Gato and deciding to greet him with a kunai straight to his chest, causing him to vomit out a mouthful of blood.

"And…there's the finisher." Boruto cringed as Zabuza released Naruto's kunai from Gato's chest.

"Y-you crazy fool….If you're so eager to join your friend, go ahead. But you're not taking me. Not this time!" Gato spat out despite the blood trailing from his mouth.

"Huh, I won't be joining Haku. Where he's gone, I cannot follow." Zabuza muttered, feeling a little woozy as it seemed everything was finally catching up to him but despite this, he would ignore his body's demands.

"Stay back! Stay back!" Gato nearly fell back as Zabuza's face was mere inches from his.

"WE wouldn't be welcome to where Haku's gone. Hell's where we're going, Gato! I can't think of a more fitting destination for a demon ninja, can you? I'm told there are many demons down there, of all shapes and sizes. Oh yes, I should fit right in! You on the other hand Gato, well I fear you're in for a long and very painful eternity!" Zabuza smiled with a deranged look, making him look like a true demon as he picked back up the Kunai he dropped as he slashed across Gato's chest three times before finally ending everything with a sharp slash across Gato's neck, sending his decapitated head flying into the sea below.

Naruto gasped taking a couple of steps back as Gato's thugs looked horrified at the death of their leader while Kakashi watched everything with a neutral facial expression.

"Holy shit! He cut his head off!" Boruto pointed as Sarada cringed.

"I'm all in for getting your just desserts but wasn't that a bit too much?" Sarada shook her head, clearly unnerved at what she was seeing as Mitsuki shook his head.

"Given this is obviously not his first betrayal I'd say he definitely got his just desserts." Mitsuki stated in a plain tone.

"I don't understand how you can watch stuff like this unfazed…" Sarada sighed as Zabuza turned his eyes to the rest of Gato's men, the look in his eye daring one of these idiots to even try to attack him.

After his brutal and vicious murder of their leader, they knew they'd only be seeing Gato.

As Zabuza slowly made his way over to where the heroes were, Zabuza's knees started to slowly buckle as he fell to his knees.

"Haku…so this…is goodbye at last…not once did I ever thank you, Haku…" Zabuza said with a face full of despair and regret before he fell face down to the ground below.

"Oh no…is he?" Boruto asked as Naruto turned his head away, not wanting to see Zabuza the way he was. The way he was….he deserved to be remembered with at least some dignity.

"Don't turn away." Kakashi commanded to Naruto.

"When you live like a warrior, this is how it ends…." Kakashi stated as Naruto could say nothing.

"He's right…it's said how you die determine the matter of your person…" Mitsuki solemnly said.

"And with all of that…maybe…that Zabuza guy wasn't all that bad himself…" Boruto frowned.

However, before their conversation could continue any further, a happy scream from Sakura got the attention of everyone both in and out of the memory.

"Naruto! It's Sasuke! He's alright!" Sakura exclaimed, happy that the love of her life was still alive.

For validation, Sasuke weakly waved one hand to Naruto as Naruto's eyes filled with tears, nothing short of happy that not his rival, but his friend was alive and well.

"That's Uncle Sasuke for ya!" Boruto grinned as Sarada smiled, wiping her eyes as Mitsuki also smiled.

"Like Master Zabuza said….Haku was too kind…..he never meant to kill the two of them from the start…" Mitsuki smiled as Boruto turned to Haku with a sad frown.

"…Still…he's gone…and he doesn't deserve to be gone….or Zabuza…they were just used…." Boruto frowned.

Sarada was silent but she seemed to be receptive to Boruto's words alongside Mitsuki.

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

"Hey! Hold on!" A thug from Gato's side got the attention of all our heroes.

"Don't start getting too comfortable." One of Gato's men jeered at Team Seven.

"Yeah, this party ain't over yet. Who's gonna pay us now that Gato's gone? No way we're gonna leave here empty-handed. So we'll just hit that village and see what they have there." Another of Gato's thugs grinned as they all seemed elated at that idea.

"Bastards!" Boruto growled, wishing he could smack these bastards and give them their just desserts.

"And it looks like Team Seven is barely running at this point." Mitsuki noticed how exhausted and wounded everyone was.

"Not good." Kakashi scowled under his mask as Naruto turned to his sensei, definitely not ready to throw in the towel.

"C'mon, Kakashi-Sensei! You must have a jutsu that could take care of this bunch of losers!" Naruto pressured his sensei, having no intention of giving up.

"Not right now. I used too much of my chakra." Kakashi shook his head as Gato's men were all but ready to gang rush the Team.

But before they could reach one step, an arrow landed right in front of them, surprising everyone.

"What the?" Boruto asked.

"There's one little thing you're forgetting about. Before you set foot in our village, you'll have to go through all of us!" A villager from the Land of Waves yelled as it turns out Inari had managed to rally all of the villagers to stand up against Gato and his men. However….what everyone noticed was the look in their eyes.

Gone was the look of absolute hopelessness in their eyes and in its place was a burning will to protect their loved ones. And in the middle of them all stood none other than Inari, holding an arrow slinger in hand.

"About time they're ready to fight back!" Boruto pumped his fists.

"And it's thanks to Lord Seventh…I wouldn't be surprised if they named this bridge after him…" Sarada smiled as Boruto shot her a questionable glance while Mitsuki simply chuckled.

"Inari!" Naruto couldn't stop the proud grin from adorning his features.

"Heh! Heroes usually shop up at the last minute, you know?" Inari pumped his fist, grinning back as such a sight was enough to bring tears to Tazuna's eyes.

"They've all come…" Tazuna couldn't stop the proud tears from leaving his eyes as finally his village had found the will to fight back.

"Heh, no way I'm gonna miss out on all the fun! Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto grinned as he summoned four clones by his side as the remnants of Gato's men looked like they were starting to bite off more than they could chew.

"Huh, I might have just enough chakra left to help you out. Shadow Clone Jutsu…Kakashi-Style!" Kakashi said as he summoned nearly a hundred Shadow Clones.

"Enough chakra, huh?" Boruto snickered as he couldn't believe how much chakra Kakashi had despite his weakened and bloodied state.

"Okay, still wanna fight." Kakashi challenged Gato's men as that was enough of an incentive for them to all leave, nearly tripping on each other as they barreled out of the bridge in literal waves.

"Pfft, what cowards." Sarada rolled her eyes.

"I know…I wanted to see their asses get kicked." Boruto sighed, shaking his head in disappointment.

"At least it's all over." Mitsuki smiled as Inari took this chance to celebrate their victory.

"VICTORY!" Inari cheered as this chain of events not only meant the downfall of Gato's men but rather for a chance for their land to be rebuilt and reborn.

While everyone was happily cheered and celebrating the event, Kakashi took this time to go over to Zabuza's body.

"…Sounds…like…it's over…" Zabuza weakly noted.

"He's still alive!? After all that!?" Sarada adjusted her glasses, not believing that Zabuza could still be alive with so many wounds.

"He is the 'Demon of the Hidden Mist' for a reason." Boruto shrugged though he was slightly happy. Zabuza had really gotten his respect with his last action.

"Yeah…." Kakashi answered as he gravely looked down, knowing that Zabuza's end was soon coming. It was all but confirmed at this point.

"…Kakashi…I have a favor to ask…" Zabuza asked in his weakened state.

"What is it?" Kakashi asked though he already had an inkling of an idea of what Zabuza's request would be.

"Take me to him….before I go, I need to see him one last time…" Zabuza requested as Team Konohamaru's hearts started to sink as Kakashi finally put his headband to the normal position he normally put it.

"…Sure…" Kakashi looked at Zabuza with empathy in his eye as he gently took the swords that impaled him out of Zabuza's body so as to not accidentally kill him.

"This is it….he's about to go…" Mitsuki solemnly stated as Boruto and Sarada felt tears prickle their eyes though this was a bit of a surprise for the two given how much they disliked Zabuza and Haku not too long ago.

"Wait….it's snowing?" Boruto asked.

"It's almost symbolic….almost….like if….Haku….is crying that his master died despite everything he did for him…." Sarada bit her lip as everyone in the memory started to take note of the change in temperature and weather.

"It's snowing? At this time of year?" The villagers asked as it was asinine for it to snow in summer time.

Zabuza merely stared at the snowy sky with a blank expression as he seemed to voice what Sarada actually verbalized before Kakashi gingerly set Zabuza down by the boy he loved despite everything.

"Thank you, Kakashi…" Zabuza thanked Kakashi as he looked ahead….not to Kakashi but rather to the sky before turning to his precious subordinate as he looked to him with a teary eye.

"…You were always at my side….the least I can do is to be beside you at the end…." Zabuza started to move his hand as the snow started to pick up and get heavier.

"I know it cannot be…but I wish I could go to where you have gone…how I wish I could join you there…..Haku…" Zabuza gently caressed Haku's cheek before he was gone….

But almost as if Haku was welcoming him to the afterlife with him, the sun peered through the cloudy sky, illuminating Haku as if he were an angel welcoming Zabuza to Heaven with him.

Mitsuki was able to reign in his emotions the most while Boruto and Sarada didn't even bother to hide their tears.

"…He….they….weren't all that bad…" Boruto wiped his eyes on his jacket sleeve, not expecting to be feeling actual sadness and sorrow over two people he hated nearly thirty minutes ago. Or however how long they've been in these memories.

"….If there's a heaven…I hope they're together…" Sarada took her glasses and wiped her eyes as Naruto was just as distraught as those two.

"He told me…where he came from…it was always snowing…all the time…" Naruto didn't even bother being dignified as he was openly crying at the loss of the two.

"Of course…his spirit was as pure as the snow….And you never know Zabuza…maybe….you will join them…." Kakashi said as everyone took a moment to bow respectfully for the two, despite everything that's happened.

"…It's weird…we're all collectively mourning two people who were initially main detractors in the formation of this bridge…." Tazuna solemnly stated.

"It's like…they're like us….victims…." Tsunami frowned, muttering a respective prayer for the two.

"I'll explain everything back home…" Kakashi said, in a voice full of sadness. It was unlike anyone had ever heard before….

"Wow…it even affected Old Man Kakashi…" Boruto wiped his eyes…..feeling a bit numb after what he had seen.

"Of course….he has been around for a long time…" Mitsuki replied as his heart went out to his teammate. Unlike him, Boruto and Sarada were innocent of the darkness of the Shinobi World and sometimes, he envied them for that.

"What're we gonna do with them?" Sakura pointed at their dead bodies, feeling just as numb as Naruto, Boruto and Sarada.

"Take them with us….." Sasuke answered as he was still leaning onto Sakura for support.

"Sasuke?" Sakura asked.

"They….were Shinobi with honor and respect….they deserve…to be…buried as such…." Sasuke simply stated.

"Sasuke…" Sakura muttered as Team Konohamaru smiled at the younger version of Sasuke.

"Even if he's an arrogant little snot…" Sarada began with a smile.

"He's still honorable…" Boruto grinned, happy to have someone like Sasuke Uchiha as a teammate.

Team Konohamaru watched as everyone returned to the Land of Waves before Zabuza and Haku were given proper burials near the outskirts of the village and it was here that Team Seven all gave respectful prayers to the duo.

"…Is that really it, Kakashi-Sensei? Is that the ninja way? To use and be used by people like tools?" Sakura frowned as Naruto had definitely clued both her and Sasuke as to what happened when Sasuke was "dead".

"Shinobi are all mere tools in the hands of destiny. No point in wondering whether it's right or wrong. It just is…It's the same in the Village Hidden in the Leaves…." Kakashi frowned as Boruto and Sarada were silent.

"It is wrong….no one should be just a tool for someone…after all…people are free to live and die however they choose….but….even if it's like that here…" Sarada softly smiled.

"It's different now…" Boruto smiled as Naruto stopped any further conversation from proceeding.

"Well if you ask me, if that's what being a ninja is all about, something's out of whack. I mean is that why we go through all this training? Just to end up like them?" Naruto sadly frowned.

"What is the reason for that?" A bandaged Sasuke asked as Kakashi sighed, wondering how to explain things to his teammates. Even if Sasuke lived through the hell of losing his clan, he only had to experience that hell for one night. Other people in the ninja world had to live through even worse and harsher conditions for days upon weeks upon years.

"Well it's a question without an answer and that is something we ninja have to deal with in every day of our lives….like Zabuza and the kid…" Kakashi stated before Naruto suddenly perked up.

"Okay…." Naruto began, getting the attention of everyone.

"I've just come to a decision. From now on, I'm finding my own ninja way. A way that's straight and true and without any regrets. From now on, I'm following the way of Naruto!" Naruto vowed as the sun seemed to illuminate his face as everyone both in and out of the memory smiled at him.

"And it's what way that's given us the world we have now…" Mitsuki smiled.

"Heh…I'm just interested in seeing just how he got everything to how it is now." Boruto chuckled as Team Konohamaru watched as Team Seven assisted with the building of the bridge in the coming weeks before finally…it was time for Team Seven to finally return home.

And as such, the entire village had chosen to see off the heroic team.

"We ever could have finished the bridge without you. I can't tell you how much we're going to miss you." Tazuna smiled at the team.

"Do be careful." Tsunami added as the team all smiled at the villagers.

"Thank you for everything." Kakashi smiled back at the village.

"I dunno about you guys but I was getting a bit homesick…" Boruto chuckled.

"Even though it's not our Leaf Village." Sarada giggled as Naruto turned to everyone, or rather Inari, in particular.

"Now, now…don't get all choked up….We'll come back and visit real soon." Naruto grinned in a voice that was clearly trying to hold back his tears.

"You swear you will?" Inari asked in a choked voice.

"H-huh…Y-you know Inari…it's alright to cry if you want…there's nothing wrong with that…go for it…" Naruto grinned, trying to choke down their tears.

"Oh boy." Sarada rolled her eyes.

"Who's gonna choke first? My money's on dad." Boruto grinned.

"I wage 100 ryo on both of them." Mitsuki grinned back.

"Who says I wanna cry!? Anyway, if there's nothing wrong with it, why don't you go on and cry?" Inari grinned despite the tears filling his eyes.

"No…you first…!" Naruto grinned as both boys looked close to breaking down right then and there before they turned away from each other, both boys were a sobbing mess.

"How pathetic." Sarada rolled her eyes as Boruto growled as he paid Mitsuki his money.

"Thanks for the money!" Mitsuki cheerfully thanked as Boruto sighed.

"How uncool…" Boruto laughed as Naruto managed to recompose himself as the team started on their way home.

"Haha! As soon as we get back, I'm gonna have Iruka-Sensei fix me up a whole mess of ramen to celebrate a mission accomplished. Oh and just wait till I tell Konohamaru about all my adventures! The kid's gonna worship me!" Naruto grinned.

"Of course!" Boruto rolled his eyes, albeit in good nature.

"Hey…" Sakura began.

"Yeah?" Naruto asked.

"Not you, Naruto." Sakura rudely chided Naruto before turning to her real target, "Hey Sasuke, when we get back, you wanna go out and so something together?" Sakura asked as Sarada leaned in, clearly interested. Sasuke however wasn't interested.

"I don't think so, thanks." Sasuke bluntly declined Sasuke's offer as Sarada nearly fell as she was frozen in place with her mother.

"Oh c'mon, how do they even get together if they're still like this!?" Sarada exclaimed in a voice full of annoyance as it seemed they were still like this nearly two decades later.

Boruto and Mitsuki however found the rejection nothing short of hilarious.

"Can we say friendzoned?" Mitsuki held out a hand.

"Totes!" Boruto grinned, high-fiving Mitsuki's hand.

"You guys are awful!" Sarada growled at the two who snickered at her.

Naruto, taking this time to use some of his "Uzumaki Charm" on Sakura decided to hit on her.

"Hey Sakura, I'll do something with you if you want." Naruto grinned as Sakura was less than flattered with Naruto's invitation.

"What!? That was a private conversation! Beat it!" Sakura yelled, punching Naruto straight off of ironically his own bridge!

"Geez! Younger Auntie Sakura was even scarier!" Boruto yelled as Sarada was too scared, remembering a certain memory that involved questions and a house.

"Note to self…never piss off mom…" Sarada gulped as Kakashi was able to fish out Naruto as Naruto decided to walk side by side with Kakashi as Sasuke and Sakura walked on ahead.

"You wanted to talk with me?" Kakashi asked, surprised that Naruto would ask to talk to him out of the blue.

"Gimme another A-rank mission!?" Naruto demanded as Boruto and Sarada were quick to face-palm.

"Is he stupid!? The only reason they came through this alive was because Haku didn't want to kill them! If he did…" Sarada gulped already realizing the ramifications on what could've happened. She wouldn't even exist for one.

"No way! I can't believe everyone came out unscathed…" Kakashi said as Naruto actually stopped in his tracks as he looked thoughtful about something.

"Well…learn more jutsu to become stronger, then you tackle more A-ranked missions." Kakashi suggested as that answer didn't seem to satisfy the blond.

"Well…you're right about learning more jutsu but I've also got to find other things that I want to protect. After all…Haku said to me when a person has something precious they want to protect, they can truly become strong…" Naruto looked down as the memory flashed to their meeting in the forest before quickly flashing back to present time.

"Huh…he really took his words to heart huh?" Sarada asked as Boruto was silent….remembering his father's sacrifice in the fight against Momoshiki and Kinshiki.

"I see…so do you feel the same way?" Kakashi asked the young boy who grinned.

"Yeah! After watching Haku and Zabuza, I started to realize that…." Naruto grinned as Kakashi smiled back as Naruto decided to speak up what else was on his mind.

"Hey, hey, Kakashi-Sensei, what do you think about this?" Naruto asked, confusing Kakashi.

"About what?" Kakashi asked as Naruto smiled softly.

"Even if they were our enemies…I kinda liked them!" Naruto proclaimed, surprising Kakashi as Team Konohamaru couldn't disagree with Naruto's feelings.

Taking Kakashi's silence as a sign of something going wrong, Naruto lost his smile as he raised an eyebrow.

"Is that wrong?" Naruto asked before Kakashi smiled again.

"No…I feel the same." Kakashi smiled before the bluish-purplish mist surrounded the two before the memory started to slowly die away….

---

And the Land of Waves arc is INDEED FINISHED! ^_^

Man going through this arc again made me remember just how GOOD of a first arc that was!

Like for me, the first arc of an anime can be hit or miss!

For example, One Piece for me didn't pick up until Arlong Park while I found the Saiyan Saga in DBZ to be a bit boring XD

I used to wonder if Zabuza actually went to heaven or not BUT I now know:

If OBITO can go to Heaven, then anyone can! XD

Also I hope you all liked how I had Naruto's nine tailed influence actually change the color of the memory!

I figured since the chakra is so powerful, it'd make sense for the memory to change as a result!

Nothing much more to say than thank you for all the support and Chapter 12 will OFFICIALLY START THE CHUNIN EXAMS! =D

And that lovely chapter is coming Wednesday, June 17th 2020 so kindly look forward to it then! ^_^

And until next month, stay safe and stay happy friends! ^_^