Chapter 6: The Battle on the Bridge

The forest was peaceful in the early hours of dawn, the faint rustling of leaves accompanied by the occasional chirping of birds. Naruto lay sprawled on the ground, snoring softly, a small sapling growing beside him. He had done it—Wood Release. The baby tree swayed gently in the breeze, its tiny leaves catching the morning light. Exhaustion had claimed Naruto after his triumph, and he slept soundly, completely unaware of the figure watching him from above.

Haku crouched on a high branch, his expression hidden behind the mask of a Hunter-nin. He watched Naruto for a long moment, the memory of their brief meeting still lingering in his mind.

You're a strange one, Naruto Uzumaki, Haku thought, a faint pang of guilt tugging at him. He could end this now, ensuring Zabuza's victory tomorrow. But as he gazed at Naruto's peaceful, oblivious face, he found himself unable to act. Their fate would be decided on the bridge.

The bridge loomed ahead, shrouded in an unnaturally thick mist that sent a chill down Sakura's spine. She walked beside Sasuke and Tazuna, her nerves on edge as the oppressive fog closed in around them.

"Stay close," Sasuke said, his tone sharp. His eyes darted around, his senses straining for any hint of danger.

Sakura nodded, clutching her kunai tightly. "This mist... it feels wrong."

Kakashi, walking a few steps ahead, pulled back his headband to reveal his Sharingan. His voice was calm but serious. "Be ready. This isn't natural mist—it's Zabuza's doing."

They moved in somber silence, the sound of their footsteps echoing eerily across the bridge. As they reached the center, two figures emerged from the fog.

Zabuza Momochi stood tall, his massive sword slung over his shoulder. His black tank top and loose pants contrasted with the pale bandages that obscured his face. Beside him, Haku stood poised in his Hunter-nin attire, his masked face betraying no emotion.

"Well, well," Zabuza drawled, his voice low and mocking. "Kakashi Hatake. I see you're still alive. Shame you didn't finish me off last time. But then again, I guess I shouldn't be surprised—after all, you've got those three brats weighing you down."

His gaze swept over the group, pausing when he counted only two genin. A cruel smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Oh? Only two? Don't tell me the other one died in a training accident. How tragic."

Sakura bristled, stepping forward. "Naruto's not dead! He'll be here soon, and when he gets here, you'll regret underestimating him!"

"We'll see about that," Zabuza laughed, his voice echoing through the mist.

Kakashi's expression darkened. "Sakura, stay with Tazuna. Protect him at all costs."

Sakura nodded, her resolve hardening as she stepped closer to Tazuna.

Without warning, Zabuza's massive blade came hurtling toward Kakashi. The Jōnin's Sharingan flared, his body reacting instinctively as he dodged the strike by a hair's breadth.

"You'll have to do better than that," Kakashi said, his voice cold.

Zabuza smirked, his hands forming the seals for his Hidden Mist Technique. The fog thickened, swallowing the battlefield in a disorienting haze. Kakashi's Sharingan flicked back and forth, tracking Zabuza's movements with difficulty.

Meanwhile, Haku turned to Sasuke, his voice soft but firm. "Shall we begin?"

"Bring it." Sasuke smirked, his confidence unshaken.

The two launched into a fierce exchange of blows, their speed and precision evenly matched. Haku moved with a fluid grace, his attacks almost dance-like, while Sasuke's strikes were sharp and calculated.

"You're impressive," Haku said, his tone calm even as they fought. "A true prodigy of your village."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "And you're not bad for Zabuza's lackey."

Haku's voice softened. "But not all ninja are born equal. Some are born with power far beyond the reach of others. A kekkei genkai."

Haku stepped back, forming a series of rapid hand seals. "Let me show you."

In an instant, a dozen crystal-clear ice mirrors materialized around Sasuke, forming a dome that trapped him inside. Haku's reflection appeared in each mirror, his voice echoing hauntingly. "This is my Ice Release. Let's see how you fare."

Sasuke's heart raced as senbon needles rained down on him from every direction. He dodged as best he could, his mind racing for a way out. Outside the dome, Kakashi glanced at the scene, his Sharingan briefly flickering toward Sasuke, but Zabuza's relentless assault left him no room to intervene.

Naruto sprinted across the bridge, the eerie mist pressing against his skin like a cold shroud. He skidded to a stop as the scene unfolded before him: Kakashi locked in a fierce battle with Zabuza, Sakura standing protectively in front of Tazuna, and Sasuke trapped within a glittering dome of ice mirrors.

A chill ran down Naruto's spine as he stared at the mirrors. Something about them felt wrong—foreboding.

He clenched his fists, his determination flaring. "Hang on, Sasuke! I'm coming!"

The sound of shattering ice echoed through the bridge as Naruto barreled into the crystalline dome, his orange jacket standing out starkly against the cold, reflective walls. He skidded to a halt, his breath visible in the freezing air.

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, his voice ringing with determination. "I'm here!"

Sasuke, kneeling on the icy floor and riddled with senbon needles, turned his head with a sharp glare. "I can see you're here, Naruto. Inside the dome. Trapped like me."

Naruto blinked, his bravado faltering. "What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong?!" Sasuke snapped, his voice a low growl. "You could've stayed outside and supported me with a two-pronged assault! Now we're both trapped, and we'll both die!"

Naruto frowned, his confidence slipping further. "I didn't think of that..."

"Obviously," Sasuke muttered, his tone dripping with frustration. He forced himself upright, wincing as the senbon embedded in his body shifted. "He's too fast. His kekkei genkai... it's two elemental natures combined, Ice Release."

Naruto's eyes widened as he looked at the mirrored images of their masked opponent. "Ice Release...?" His gaze narrowed, and something clicked in his mind. "Haku! You're a boy?!"

The mirrored reflections of Haku faltered for a moment before the real one spoke, his voice calm but tinged with regret. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I should've killed you that night in the forest. It would've spared you the pain that is to come."

Naruto's fists clenched. "You have a bloodline? Like—" He stopped himself, swallowing the words like me. His thoughts raced, his frustration mounting.

Haku's hand lowered, another senbon forming from ice as his voice turned cold. "It ends here."

The battle inside the dome raged on. Naruto and Sasuke fought with everything they had, their attacks relentless. Naruto created dozens of clones, each charging at Haku with unwavering determination. But it was futile—Haku moved between the mirrors with impossible speed, his movements so fast they seemed like light itself. One by one, the clones fell, vanishing in puffs of smoke.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, his sharp eyes tracking Haku's every move. But even he couldn't keep up. "He's everywhere at once," Sasuke muttered, his voice strained. "We can't hit him."

Naruto panted heavily, his body covered in shallow cuts from Haku's senbon. "We just... need to figure out how to slow him down!"

But Haku gave them no time to think. The air shimmered with icy light as more senbon flew toward them in a deadly barrage. Sasuke shoved Naruto aside, his body moving on instinct as he evaded the needles with newfound clarity. His vision felt sharper, the world around him moving slower.

What's happening to me? Sasuke thought, his heart pounding. He glanced at a fragment of ice and caught his reflection—his eyes were no longer the same. His Sharingan had awakened, bearing two tomoe in each eye.

With his heightened perception, Sasuke could predict Haku's movements, dodging the next wave of senbon with precision. But even with his improved reflexes, it wasn't enough. Haku was too fast, his mirrors too confining.

Naruto's back hit the wall of the dome, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Sasuke stood in front of him, his body trembling with exhaustion but refusing to fall. Another barrage of senbon flew toward Naruto, the sharp needles glinting in the pale light.

Time seemed to slow for Sasuke. He saw Naruto's wide, panicked eyes, the senbon closing in, and something inside him snapped. Without thinking, he moved, placing himself between Naruto and the deadly projectiles.

The senbon struck home, embedding themselves in Sasuke's back. He gasped, his body shuddering as he fell to his knees.

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, his voice cracking with panic. He caught Sasuke as he collapsed, lowering him to the icy floor. "Why did you do that?! Why?!"

Sasuke's breaths were shallow, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don't know... I just... didn't want to watch you die." He coughed, his eyes fluttering shut. "You... better not... lose to him... dope..."

Naruto froze as Sasuke's body went limp, his mind reeling. A rush of emotions surged through him—grief, anger, despair. Somewhere deep within, something stirred.

Far away, deep inside Naruto's consciousness, the Nine-Tailed Fox rumbled, its massive form shifting. Its crimson eyes opened slowly, glowing with malevolent intent.

"Finally," the fox growled, its voice a low, dangerous rumble. "You call on my power..."

Naruto's head snapped up, his eyes blazing red with slit pupils. His breath came in ragged snarls, an aura of raw, oppressive chakra radiating from his body. The air around him grew heavy, vibrating with unrestrained energy.

Haku faltered, his eyes widening behind his mask. What... is this chakra?

Naruto's voice was low, almost feral. "You hurt Sasuke... and now... you'll pay."

The dome of mirrors trembled as Naruto's newfound power surged, the ice cracking under the sheer pressure of his chakra. The battle had changed, and for the first time, Haku felt fear.

Naruto stood in the center of the shattered ice dome, his body radiating a red, ominous chakra that felt alive. The faint outline of a fox shimmered around him, flickering before it dissipated, leaving only the feral gleam of his crimson eyes. His teeth had sharpened into fangs, and his fingers curled into claw-like extensions. Every breath he took sent a ripple of tension through the air.

Haku staggered to his feet, his reflection shattered in the remnants of the ice mirrors. He stared at Naruto, who vanished in a blur, leaving a red afterimage in his wake. Before Haku could react, one of the remaining mirrors exploded with a thunderous crack, sending shards flying. Naruto and Haku tumbled out onto the bridge.

Haku scrambled to his feet, barely deflecting a wild slash from Naruto's claws. He managed to dodge another strike, but the sheer speed and ferocity of Naruto's attacks wore him down. The red aura surrounding Naruto pulsed with every movement, his attacks unpredictable and relentless.

Haku panted, his mask cracked. "What... power is this?" he whispered, his voice trembling with both awe and dread.

On the other side of the bridge, Kakashi and Zabuza's battle raged on. The thick mist blanketed the area, Zabuza using it to vanish and strike in rapid, precise intervals. Kakashi countered each attack, his Sharingan tracking the faintest movements, but the hit-and-run tactics kept him on edge.

Suddenly, the air shifted. Kakashi clapped his hands together, summoning a pack of dogs that materialized from the mist. The hounds darted toward Zabuza, their sharp teeth sinking into his arms and legs, immobilizing him.

Zabuza grunted, struggling against the canine grip, but it was no use. Blood dripped from his wounds, pooling on the bridge below. Kakashi stood a few feet away, a crackling ball of electricity forming in his palm. The air was filled with a deafening screech as the energy grew, illuminating the mist with its glow.

Kakashi's voice was steady, tinged with finality. "It's over. Lightning Blade."

With a blur of motion, Kakashi dashed forward, his arm extended, the lightning in his hand roaring like a caged beast. The attack was aimed directly at Zabuza's chest, the immobilized swordsman unable to dodge.

But then, Haku moved.

The masked shinobi leapt between Kakashi and Zabuza, ice mirrors manifesting in a desperate attempt to block the attack. It wasn't enough. Kakashi's Lightning Blade pierced through the mirrors and into Haku's chest, shattering the ice and driving both of them to the ground.

For a moment, the world stood still.

Kakashi stared in horror at his hand, still lodged in Haku's chest. A dreadful sense of déjà vu washed over him, memories of another innocent life he'd accidentally taken flashing before his eyes.

Haku coughed, blood dripping from his lips as he looked up at Kakashi. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice faint. "For giving me purpose."

Kakashi pulled back, his hand trembling as Haku's body slumped to the ground.

Zabuza, still restrained by Kakashi's hounds, stared at Haku's lifeless form. His expression was unreadable, his voice low and gruff. "You want to know why he did it?" he said to Team 7, his tone devoid of his usual mockery. "Haku... was my tool. My weapon. But to him, I was his everything. His precious person."

"How... how could you use him like that?" Sakura's eyes filled with tears.

Zabuza chuckled bitterly. "Because that's what this world is. Tools and masters. But... Haku was more than that. He gave everything for me, and I let him."

Before anyone could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the mist. Gato appeared at the far end of the bridge, flanked by a group of samurai-like thugs. He sneered as he took in the scene.

"Well, well," Gato said, his voice dripping with disdain. "What a touching display. Too bad it's all for nothing."

Zabuza's gaze hardened, his teeth gritting against the pain. Kakashi released the hounds, stepping back as Zabuza staggered to his feet. His arms hung limp at his sides, useless after the hounds' bites. But his resolve burned brighter than ever.

"Gato," Zabuza growled, his voice low and menacing. "You're going to pay."

With a kunai gripped between his teeth, Zabuza charged forward. The thugs moved to intercept him, but he tore through them like a whirlwind, his sheer willpower driving him. Despite the blood dripping from his countless wounds, Zabuza fought on, cutting down every last one of Gato's men.

Finally, Zabuza reached Gato. The terrified man stumbled back, begging for mercy, but Zabuza showed none. With a final, brutal strike, Gato fell, his reign of terror ending on the cold steel of Zabuza's blade.

Zabuza collapsed moments later, his strength finally giving out. Kakashi approached, his expression somber. Zabuza glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Take care of Haku," Zabuza murmured, his voice fading. "He deserved better."

And with that, Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist, passed away beside the boy who had given him everything.

The mist cleared as the sun broke through the clouds. Team 7, along with Tazuna, buried Haku and Zabuza on a hill overlooking the bridge. Naruto stood silently, his fists clenched as he tried to process everything.

"They... they weren't just villains," he said quietly. "They had dreams, too."

Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "The ninja world is complicated, Naruto. Not everything is black and white."

As they prepared to leave, Tazuna approached them with a smile. "Thanks to you, the Land of Waves has a future. And we'll never forget what you've done for us, what you did for my grandson, Inari. That's why we're naming the bridge after you, Naruto."

Naruto blinked, surprised. "Huh? Me?"

Tazuna chuckled. "That's right. From now on, it'll be called The Great Naruto Bridge."

Naruto grinned, his spirit lifting as the team began their journey home. The battles they'd fought and the lives they'd touched would stay with them forever, shaping the ninja they were destined to become.