Naruto World
In Konoha Village, many villagers looked at Iruka with complex expressions. They never expected he would care so deeply for Naruto.
"Wahhh, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto, recalling the events of his graduation, hugged Iruka and burst into tears.
If it weren't for Iruka, he might have been killed by Mizuki or even become a rogue ninja!
"Hahaha, Naruto, you are my outstanding student! I believe you will become a savior!" Iruka firmly believed in Naruto, even if others didn't. He knew Naruto would save the world!
"Wait, isn't this kid's chakra a bit... abnormal?" Some ninjas stared at the screen in disbelief.
The number of shadow clones was insane for a genin! Even a jōnin might not have that much chakra!
[Naruto successfully graduated and was placed in Team 7 with Sasuke and Sakura.]
[Kakashi asked them: "What are your dreams?"]
[Naruto raised his forehead protector, his eyes determined as he smiled: "My dream is to become Hokage! Then everyone in the village will acknowledge me!"]
[The boy's dream was unwavering.]
[Their first C-rank mission was to protect the bridge builder Tazuna and escort him back to the Land of Waves. But this mission was far more dangerous than a C-rank!]
[They encountered Zabuza Momochi from Kirigakure.]
[This was their first taste of the ninja world's cruelty.]
[While struggling to control his chakra, Naruto met a mysterious man who told him: "You grow stronger to protect those important to you."]
[They faced Zabuza again, but this time, their opponent was Haku, a shinobi with a Kekkei Genkai. Naruto and Sasuke were completely outmatched.]
[Sasuke, protecting Naruto, was pierced by needles, his blood splattering on Naruto's face.]
Naruto roared in anger and guilt:
[Why... Why did you protect me?!]
Sasuke trembled, weakly replying:
[Who knows... My body moved on its own...]
[Even though I hate you...]
Sasuke collapsed backward, and Naruto rushed to catch him.
Sasuke's eyes grew dim as he stared at the sky reflected in the mirrors, thinking of those cold Sharingan eyes.
[I haven't defeated that man yet... I haven't beaten my brother... I can't die like this...]
He shakily raised his right hand.
[Don't die!]
Naruto held Sasuke, his anger reaching its limit. He fell silent, his blue eyes reflecting Sasuke's fading form, with a faint red glow deep within.
Haku stood up gently and said,
[He protected his precious comrade. He is a worthy opponent.]
[Is this your first time experiencing a comrade's death? This is the path of a ninja.]
Naruto slowly laid Sasuke down, gritting his teeth.
[Shut up!]
[I won't forgive you!]
White smoke began to swirl around Naruto, and red chakra enveloped him like a vortex.
His injuries healed instantly, and a terrifying power radiated from him.
Naruto raised his head—his blue eyes now replaced with red, and the whisker marks on his cheeks grew more pronounced.
His gaze was like that of the Nine-Tailed Fox.
[I'll kill you!]
Haku was stunned by this transformation.
[Such terrifying killing intent... It's like he's a completely different person!]
[Ah!]
Naruto charged forward. Haku frantically threw needles, but they were all deflected by the chakra.
[If that's the case, try this!]
All mirrors reflected Haku's form, and countless needles shot toward Naruto—but they were all repelled.
Naruto's speed was now on another level. In an instant, he grabbed Haku.
Red chakra covered Naruto's fist as he slammed it into Haku's face!
Haku was sent flying, his mask cracking. He struggled to stand.
Looking at Naruto, he thought of Zabuza and murmured:
[Zabuza-sama, I'm sorry... I am no match for this child.]
But when Naruto saw it was Haku, he regained his senses and held back his fist.
On the other side, Zabuza was suppressed by Kakashi. Just as Kakashi was about to pierce him with Raikiri, Haku appeared and took the blow.
Blood splattered on Zabuza's face. He pretended to remain calm, but his movements became sloppy, and his arms were pierced by shuriken.
Then, Gato appeared, insulting Haku's body.
Naruto, enraged, tried to charge forward but was stopped by Kakashi.
[Weren't you his comrade?! How can you stand by while his body is treated like this?!]
Zabuza replied coldly:
[Haku is already dead!]
[A flashback showed Haku in disguise, gently telling Naruto: "People only truly become stronger when protecting someone important."]
Naruto glared at Zabuza, breathing heavily.
[He... really liked you!]
[He liked you so, so much!]
[How can you be so heartless?!]
[Does becoming strong mean becoming cold-blooded?!]
[He gave his life for you!]
[Having no dreams... dying as a tool... that's just too painful...]
Tears soaked Naruto's clothes as he grieved for Haku, who died for Zabuza.
Zabuza's voice trembled, tears streaming down his face.
[Kid... stop talking...]
[Haku didn't just fight for me... He fought for you too...]
[I know... he was just too kind...]
[In the end... I'm glad we fought you...]
[Hey, kid... lend me a kunai.]
In his final battle, Zabuza charged at Gato and his men with a kunai in his mouth, killing Gato.
The people of the Land of Waves arrived and drove away Gato's lackeys.
Kakashi gently carried Zabuza to Haku's side.
The sky seemed to mourn with them.
[It's snowing... snowing in this season...]
Zabuza looked at Haku, who seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
[You were always by my side...]
[At least... let me stay by your side at the end...]
With sheer will, he raised his shattered left arm and gently touched Haku's cheek.
[If possible... I want to go to the same place as you...]
Gentle sunlight and pure white snow fell on Haku's face, making him look like an angel.
[He was born in a place where it often snows...]
[Is that so... He was truly a boy as pure as snow.]
...
Naruto and the others buried Zabuza.
Sakura asked Kakashi confusedly:
[Kakashi-sensei, are ninjas really like what they said?]
Kakashi thought for a few seconds and replied,
[Ninjas are not supposed to seek their own reasons for existence. They are tools. Konoha is like that too, but many people struggle with it... like Zabuza and that boy...]
Naruto looked ahead, the twilight light falling on him.
[Alright, I've decided!]
[I'll follow my own ninja way! I'll walk a path I won't regret, and I'll move forward without looking back!]