Haku
It turned out that Zabuza, seeing the bridge nearing completion, had ordered his men to injure all the construction workers so that construction could no longer continue.
Not only that, he also sent rogue ninja and samurai to stir up chaos throughout the Land of Waves, further disrupting the lives of the locals.
At the same time, Zabuza himself appeared on the bridge, confronting Kakashi and the others, determined to avenge his previous humiliation.
Also appearing was the Kirigakure ANBU who had "repelled" Zabuza and taken him away that day—Haku!
"So that's how it is. You two are working together," Kakashi muttered as he looked at Haku beside Zabuza, understanding everything in an instant.
There were many suspicious points about that ANBU that he had failed to notice before.
First of all, the weapon used to "kill" Zabuza was problematic.
It was a senbon, a tool with very low lethality, usually used only by medical ninja.
And the targeted point on the neck was also suspicious—there are several pressure points that can induce a state of suspended animation.
On top of that, after "killing" Zabuza, the ANBU should have simply taken the body and left. But instead, they made the extra effort of carrying Zabuza away. That had been the biggest red flag.
"It seems he's your subordinate, and the two of you worked together to deceive me," Kakashi said calmly.
But Sakura and Sasuke could clearly sense the anger hidden in his tone.
"Haha." Zabuza chuckled. "Sorry for the delay, Kakashi."
"You brought these little brats again," Zabuza said, glaring at Sasuke and Sakura. "Where's that little golden brat?"
"Hmph," Sasuke scoffed. "We're more than enough to deal with a defeated loser."
"Go," Kakashi suddenly ordered.
Sasuke darted forward and quickly eliminated the two enemies in front of him, then returned to Kakashi's side.
The Zabuza and ANBU he struck turned into pools of water and vanished.
"Hmph, you actually saw through my Water Clone Technique. Not bad."
On the other side of the bridge, Zabuza revealed himself, Haku standing at his side.
"Haku, your opponent's arrived."
"So it seems," Haku replied calmly. "Even if it was only a water clone, it still had one-tenth the strength of my real body. I didn't expect it to be taken down so easily."
"But you're not bad either," Zabuza smirked. "Go on."
"Yes." Haku spun rapidly, charging toward Sasuke like a small typhoon.
Meanwhile, Naruto had just gotten out of bed and encountered members of Gato's gang causing trouble in the village.
After taking care of them, he rushed toward the bridge.
Back on the bridge, Sasuke and Haku were already clashing.
But Haku's skill overwhelmed Sasuke, eventually trapping him.
Just as Haku was about to finish him off, lightning surged from Sasuke's body, forcing Haku back.
Sensing the change, Haku released Sasuke and shifted to close combat. But in close quarters, Sasuke was quicker.
After a few exchanges, he knocked Haku back toward Zabuza.
"Seems I'm faster after all," Sasuke said coldly.
"What's that?" Kakashi said with a grin. "If you underestimate Team 7, you'll be in trouble."
"These three are nothing like normal Genin."
"Hmph." Zabuza didn't seem fazed. "Haku, we can't take this lightly, or we'll really lose."
"Yes, Lord Zabuza." Haku rose calmly, chakra flaring. The temperature in the air suddenly dropped.
"What a pity," Haku muttered, forming a strange hand seal.
The water left behind by Zabuza's clone rapidly froze, forming a dome of mirrors around Sasuke.
"Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals," Haku said quietly.
"What kind of jutsu is this?!" Sasuke asked in alarm, drawing his kunai and falling into a defensive stance.
Then Haku stepped directly into one of the mirrors.
"What?!" Sasuke was stunned.
All around him, the mirrors reflected images of Haku—countless copies, all identical.
"What the hell is this?!"
Sasuke stared at the illusions, trying to comprehend the technique.
Kakashi, sensing danger, made a move to help, but Zabuza suddenly reappeared and blocked his path.
"Your opponent is me," Zabuza said flatly.
"Once Haku uses that jutsu, your black-haired brat is as good as dead."
Inside the icy dome, Haku's reflections spoke in unison: "Now, I'll show you my real speed."
Suddenly, multiple senbon needles flew from the mirrors, piercing Sasuke's body.
Sasuke hadn't even seen the attack coming.
"Sasuke!" Kakashi called out, hearing his student's pained cry echo from inside the ice dome.
He wanted to rush in, but Zabuza's cold stare pinned him in place.
If he moved now, Zabuza would surely intercept him.
Inside the mirror dome, Haku took out a kunai, preparing to finish Sasuke.
But just as he was about to strike, a figure crashed into him, knocking him out of the mirrors and sending both of them tumbling onto the bridge.
"Who?!"
Everyone turned, shocked by the interruption.
"Uzumaki Naruto, making his entrance!" came the voice confidently.
The smoke cleared, revealing Naruto posing dramatically.
"Hmph. Everything will be fine now that I'm here!" Naruto said with a smirk.
"Tch, that golden brat again," Zabuza said irritably.
"Haku, be careful. That one's defense is absurd—you won't break through it."
"Yes, Lord Zabuza." Haku replied, voice emotionless.
When he met Naruto in the forest before, he'd had a feeling they would clash like this.
That's why he wore his mask today—he didn't want Naruto to recognize him.
"You masked freak—you really are Zabuza's accomplice!" Naruto shouted, pointing. "Then let me defeat you!"
Haku's voice was cold and clear. "Deception and exploiting weaknesses—that's the true nature of a ninja. Your teacher should've taught you that."
"Once I finish with the one in black, you're next," he added, then disappeared into the mirrors again.
"What?!" Naruto blinked, stunned as Haku vanished from sight.
How could a living person just walk into a mirror?!
End of the Chapter.
patreon.com/Novelmaker 120 +Chapters
Update Schedule: 7 Chapter/week.
Every 300 Power Stones+1 (5 ⭐ Review)
= 1 Chapter+1Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters