"Who are you exactly?" Sasuto, Sakura, and Kakashi screamed in sync; pointing to Haku and the fused Genin respectively as the mist faded temporarily. The young Uchiha was in shock, in front of him was the same boy who spoke to Naruto in the forest a few days ago. Sasuto took a step back in confusion and shook his head; was he hallucinating?
"Why… Why are you doing this?" Sasuto murmured, clearly very shocked at the turn of events that were occurring. Meanwhile, Zabuza looked on in interest, noticing that Haku was slowly getting up; clearly still up for another bout. With a smirk, he raised the mist once again, barring the vision of his adversaries as he disappeared once more.
Kakashi silently glanced over, not knowing what was going on. This new figure looked exactly like Naruto and Sasuke, but how? What exactly took place? What was that flash of light that he saw earlier? He never heard of anything like this before, but he didn't have time to stand around and ask questions. He had to deal with Zabuza now before things got worse.
The copy ninja pulled out a scroll and flipped it mid-air. Simultaneously, he stroked some blood onto his thumb from the wound on his chest and quickly flicked open the scroll while darting his blood across the opened seals present. "Listen to me, Zabuza… I'm a busy man. You're a busy man. We've both got a lot on our plates. It goes against the grain to even suggest this but what do you say we stop screwing around…"
Kakashi proposed, sending the scroll up once more before forming a tiger hand seal, "And wrap this up right now? One big move, winner take all?"
"You've taken away my reason for living. Master Zabuza has no use for a weak shinobi." Haku mused as he silently got up, a small trickle of blood running down his busted lip. Sasuto shook his head angrily and stared down at Haku in disbelief.
"Why are you so devoted to that guy? He's just a scumbag who kills anyone for money, and you wonder if he's friend or foe?" Sasuto responded in disgust, spitting on the side. Haku simply watched on with a small but grieving smile on his face.
"Once, I was precious. I belonged to my parents." Haku began to explain the tale of his past. How his family fell apart when his father discovered their bloodline, the murder of his mother by his father's hands before the latter was killed off in a blind rage by Haku himself. How Zabuza was the only person in the world to accept him after he was left to die on the streets. The pain he felt knowing that he was unworthy to be able to serve him since he failed his task.
"Boy, I don't know how you did it… the way the two of you became one. However, you gained the power to defeat me handily. Please Naruto… Uchiha... whoever you are… take my life this instant." Haku pleaded to the boy, waiting anxiously. Instead, all he got was a punch to his cheek which made him fly back in pain.
"What the hell are you talking about? Do you think you're the only one who's had it hard in this life? Listen… I'm the result of two boys who had a very messed up past. My first half, Naruto, has been shunned from the village for as long as he can remember. He had no family, friends, or even felt what it was like to be cherished or loved. He was scorned for reasons he was unaware of! My second half, Sasuke… His elder brother killed his entire clan one day out of sheer madness. He was left to experience the scenes of death and torment over a nearly infinite illusion and was forced to bear the desire of revenge thereafter. Now, I have both scars weighing heavily on me now that I'm one; unknowing whether this is permanent or not. So don't go about trying to escape your situation like some coward!" Sasuto screamed furiously as he pointed to Haku.
Haku looked in shock, registering everything that was being said to him in his mind. He did not know what to say or how to react. He silently grimaced over everything that occurred, before slowly finding the strength to stand back up. Haku kept the despondent look on his face, sighing silently as he just did not know what to do at this point.
Suddenly, he would look alarmed before he put up a hand seal once more, "I'm sorry… I must leave immediately to return to my master's side." Haku sorrowfully muttered, giving a sincere look of pain to Sasuto, before disappearing in a subtle cloud of smoke.
However, unlike his original counterparts, this would not surprise Sasuto. The fused boy focused and saw the outline of Haku dashing rapidly, apparently heading to the location of where Zabuza was. He focused more, pushing his other senses to the limit due to the mist barring his vision a good deal. Then, he felt it all for a split second; a tremendous amount of Chakra being built up from what felt like to be Kakashi, several other foreign chakra signatures all piled around one menacing — but simultaneously weakening — presence which he deduced to be Zabuza.
In his mind raced what he could do to stop all of this. He had no grudge against Haku, but it was clear that if he did not act in time; something terrible would happen. Frustrated, a small amount of sweat dripped down from how much he was thinking, but suddenly his arm lifted on its own.
"What's going on?" Sasuto silently pondered as suddenly, a large amount of Chakra was built up before something flew out of his palm. Alarmed, the boy could do nothing but stare into the mist as he felt slightly exhausted; unsure of what just occurred.
"I'll say this just once more… Give up. Your future is death." Kakashi solemnly warned Zabuza as a wild amount of lightning-sparked furiously around his right hand. A sad look passed through Kakashi's eye that Zabuza noticed for a split second, but decided not to comment as he readily accepted his death.
Kakashi dashed toward his adversary, his ninja hounds holding Zabuza in place, as he readied his hand to pierce the mercenary's chest. Suddenly, Haku would appear in front of Zabuza with his arms spread out and a dead look in his eyes; the shield of the demon ready to block any incoming attacks. It was too late for Kakashi to turn trajectory, and the opportunity was golden in the perspective of his mission as a Shinobi.
'Rin, Obito… I'm sorry that I must go through this again.' Kakashi pondered solemnly as the flashback of his comrade jumping in front of him blurred his perception of reality at that moment. However, the sins of his past would not be repeated that day as something else occurred; a deviation in fate. A round object hit the ground in front of Haku's feet, and suddenly, a moment before Kakashi could make contact; a large tree sprouted quickly and began to soar from its sheer growth.
Kakashi's Raikiri slammed into it, but the bark was unbelievably resilient; he was only able to shave off a few inches, unable to pierce it. Kakashi leaped back as the roots began to spread out onto the bridge as he tried to comprehend what was going on. His ninja hounds decided to retreat from the hold they formerly had on Zabuza; returning to their master's side. Haku, shaken by the turnof the events as well as the fact that he narrowly avoided death, forced his body to move once more. He grabbed onto the wounded Zabuza and leaped away from the expanding tree.
Finally, after a solid minute, the fifty-meter oak tree stood in its glory; the leaves finally showing their vibrant green color as the mist slowly dissipated entirely. Surprisingly, the unfinished bridge remained steady; not being dealt much damage despite the large roots that were present and spread across the area.
"Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, Haku, Old Man Tazuna… are you guys alright?" Sasuto asked, breathing slightly hard from the exertion from earlier, as he appeared next to Kakashi. The Jonin just looked in shock at the massive tree before turning his attention to the fusion, "Naruto… I mean Sasuke… My bad, are you the one responsible for creating this?"
"Well my body acted out from instinct as I wanted to protect Haku from doing anything rash, so some seed erupted from my hand and I expended a great deal of Chakra. I'm just as confused as you are… Was I always capable of doing this?" Sasuto pondered to his teacher, his Sharingan still activated from his earlier fight.
Kakashi hid his shock well, a skill he learned from his lifetime of being a ninja as well as his former occupation in the ANBU. This boy was both Naruto and Sasuke, but he was much stronger. He even had the Sharingan as well as the Wood Release that the First Hokage possessed. He was unaware of how he possessed the last one, however… Was it as a result of a hidden ability of Naruto, or could it be because of the Nine Tails' influence also? He had so many questions that he did not know where to begin.
"Kakashi, you bastard. You didn't tell me you had such a freak on your team this entire time." Zabuza growled as he was supporting himself via his sword which was planted firmly on the ground. Haku remained on his side, unsure of what to do now. Zabuza placed one foot back, looking ready for another round until he was stopped by Haku placing a hand in front of him.
"What's the meaning of this, Haku? Do you want to slice off your arm? Have you gotten soft, what the hell are you doing?" Zabuza threatened menacingly, confused as to what the boy was trying. Haku did not back down, only glancing at Zabuza with a stern look.
"If you try to fight now, you'll only die. That boy… it was obvious that he had the advantage over me the entire time, yet he spared me and refused to kill me. He even saved you and me from certain death. Let's hear them out," Haku whispered to his master, before taking a step forward before speaking up to the Konoha shinobi, "What are your plans for us now? We're obviously at a disadvantage and there's no way we can win nor escape. Even if we try to fight back, it will just mean that we'll be beaten down."
Sasuto took a step as well, standing in front of Kakashi and his hounds, "My proposal was for us to end this fight. There's no need for us to continue this needless bloodshed. Haku, you and I are similar… I don't want to kill off someone I can consider a potential friend. It's obvious that you two are on a contract to kill Tazuna, but it is our job to defend him. If you back down from it, we can forgive you and even bring you back to the village. I'll make sure to speak to the Hokage and plead to him to forgive you guys, especially you Haku."
Zabuza, Haku, and Kakashi all looked shocked at the diplomatic offer the boy was bringing up. However, Zabuza would not let down, "Don't listen to him Haku. If we go with them, they'll just kill us both and claim the bounty on my head. This life is cold and merciless, it's a dog-eat-dog world; we both know that!"
Haku slightly shook in his stead, unsure of what to process out of all of this. Minutes prior, he should have been dead after serving his purpose of being Zabuza's shield and tool, but this boy saved him. Even after giving many opportunities to get rid of him, he only continued to seek to protect him. Now, he was offering them both a new chance at life? Haku was reaching his limits, as he wavered back and forth between his personas; the merciless killer of Zabuza or the young boy who tried to bring kindness to a bleak world.
"Tch, of course, useless sacks of shit could not do a damn job. Look at you two, calling yourself mercenaries and having a hard time against some kids and a one-eyed scarecrow. I guess in the end I'll have to do things my way and have everyone here killed, Zabuza included!" The fat and balding man by the name of Gato shouted, breaking the silence, as he stepped forward. Behind him, was an army of thugs who carried every possible weapon in their arsenal; all with hungry grins and violent looks in their crazed eyes.
"Gato, you bastard. After all this, you decide to show your shit-stained presence to everyone?" Zabuza questioned as he was upset by what transpired, "Kakashi, I'm sorry. It looks like my contract to kill Tazuna is now void and there's no more reason for us to fight anymore."
'Tch, even if I go right now, I'll just end up dying with how bad my wounds are and how many guys are there. Haku isn't in any better shape than I am, he already expended most of his Chakra fighting that runt earlier. I guess this is where our story ends.' Zabuza mentally mused as he limped a few steps forward before pointing his blade toward the thugs and Gato, "Just because I'm injured doesn't mean I'll slaughter every last one of you here!"
'Zabuza, that fool. If he fights now, he's only going to get himself and Haku killed. I guess I'll have to put an end-all of this!' Sasuto angrily thought before dashing forward in a burst of speed, going so fast that he even surprised Kakashi from the feat shown. Putting up a cross-hand sign, The boy leaped to Zabuza's side; faster than the swordsman could even react.
"Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Smoke filled up the air instantly, and after seconds of clearing up, there stood hundreds — possibly closer to a thousand — copies of Sasuto, their Sharingan spinning furiously as they all readied themselves for battle. Gato's men looked unnerved but were soon snapped back to reality when Gato spoke up.
"Who cares if there are a million of those runts, you'll kill them all the same. Now stop standing there and hurry to do your job or I'll have you and your families killed!" The threat rang across the bridge, Gato's men grunting before screaming a battle cry at the top of their lungs, launching forward at Zabuza and the multiple clones of Sasuto. The latter only grinned before rushing forward themselves, a huge battle taking place.
It was obvious to everyone, from the trained eyes of Kakashi and Haku to even the likes of civilians like Tazuna and Gato, that Sasuto had the upper hand entirely; making short work of each thug in both quantity and quality. As the brutal massacre took place, Gato looked around in fear before trying to run back; the last moment attempt of escaping. However, he was stopped in his tracks as he bumped into Zabuza; almost falling back at landing head-on into the brick-like physique of the mercenary.
"Forgetting something, Gato? I'm not the kind of guy to nearly get myself killed and not get rewarded for it. If I can't get paid my due share, I guess I'll just have to collect the collateral with your life." Zabuza grinned under his bandages as he hoisted his massive Executioner's Blade up. Gato tried to squeal for mercy, but it was too late for that.
A moment later, something would soar through the air before landing in front of a poor thug who just received a roundhouse kick to the face before being stomped on by a pair of Sasuto's clones. A scream of malicious joy echoed as Zabuza leaned back; bathing in the feeling of overwhelming joy. He was now a free man, a man not shackled by chains anymore.
The dozen or so men of Gato who remained all looked at the corpse of their boss, confused at what happened. It was only when the head of Gato was kicked by a clone into a nearby thug's arms, that they realized what happened. In fear, they all scurried away in defeat; clearly showing no more resistance as both their comrades and boss were defeated. The unconscious men of Gato laid disorganized, foaming at the mouth unconsciously from the merciless beating they received.
Haku only looked on speechlessly. There he was, shielded from a former adversary, now freed from their contract with Gato, "Sasuto… you are the light of this world." The boy spoke as a tear ran down his eye; overwhelmed by the emotions that he felt.
A/n: Chapter two has come to a close. There's a likely chance that everyone will question as to why Sasuto has Mokuton/Wood Release, but all of that will be explained next week in chapter three. Although, I'm sure many of you will have your own set theories and guesses as to why that's the case, so you can do so in your reviews. I'm glad with the positive feedback that I got from the first chapter. This means I'm more motivated to work on releasing these chapters every week.
Updates will remain every Sunday, possibly Friday or Saturday depending on how early I finish working on the chapter. I'm also going to have to just go through these first two chapters and ensure there's minimal grammar mistakes; something I have not been too vigilant on so far. Anyway, I'll see you guys next week.