Zabuza didn't know what he possibly had to trade at a moment like this.
But he was already in a desperate situation, and the only person who could save him now was Naruto.
So he asked, "What deal?"
"I'll help you deal with your problem," Naruto said directly, "and in exchange, you'll become my subordinate."
Zabuza's face darkened. He sneered.
"I believe in your strength, but I won't bow to anyone."
Naruto was a little surprised.
"Really? That's a shame."
He hadn't expected Zabuza to be so stubborn.
Since that was the case, Naruto didn't push further.
He instead turned to the Kirigakure Anbu.
"The Land of Snow counts as my territory now. Leave immediately after you finish your mission."
The Mist Anbu were confused.
They had heard of Naruto's feats, but they didn't recognize his face.
So when a blond kid told them something like that, they burst out laughing.
But they didn't take him seriously—their priority was still capturing Zabuza.
Naruto stepped aside and simply watched the fight.
Zabuza snorted coldly and continued his desperate struggle.
On the other side, Haku was also reaching his limit.
The Anbu fighting him was clearly stronger—they intended to finish him quickly.
But they underestimated Haku's skill.
A single Jōnin was held back by him, preventing the main force from joining the assault on Zabuza.
Even so, the pressure on Zabuza was immense. He was quickly being overwhelmed.
When Haku saw Zabuza get injured, he immediately abandoned his current opponent and rushed to assist.
But both of them were soon swallowed by the encirclement. Their situation turned completely hopeless.
"Hahaha!" Zabuza suddenly let out a wild laugh.
"After running for so many years, I've had enough fun. Let's end this!"
He was tired—tired of running, tired of living like prey.
"Haku!"
"Yes, Zabuza-sama!" Haku's expression was solemn, prepared to die alongside him.
But Zabuza barked out an unexpected command:
"Get out of here. Become that kid's subordinate. That way… you'll live."
"What…?" Haku's eyes widened.
Before he could understand why, Zabuza pressed the blade of the Executioner's Blade against his neck.
Zabuza growled, "Looks like you still don't understand your place, Haku of the Yuki clan. You're just a tool. I can give you to anyone I want! Now go!"
Haku froze as if struck by lightning, disbelief written all over his face.
Naruto, watching from afar, instantly understood.
Zabuza had already accepted his own death.
But Haku was still too young. He didn't want to drag him down with him.
It was touching—tragic, even.
But the Kirigakure Anbu were unmoved.
They tightened their formation.
"The Executioner's Blade will finally be returned to the village."
"Hmph. Traitor—go to hell!"
Zabuza lifted the massive blade, his expression twisted with fury.
"Kill me? It won't be that easy!"
His words were fierce, but in reality he was deliberately drawing the fight away from Haku.
Haku tried to rush back into the battle but was blocked by another Anbu.
All he could do was watch helplessly as Zabuza sank deeper into the hopeless melee.
Cornered, Zabuza finally caught sight of Naruto in the distance.
Haku didn't hesitate anymore—he sprinted straight toward Naruto.
He fell to his knees in the snow with a heavy thud.
"Sir—please, save Zabuza! I'll become your subordinate from now on! I'll do anything you ask!"
Naruto looked down at the boy kneeling before him and agreed without hesitation.
He needed people to maintain the barrier.
And Haku was the perfect candidate.
His original plan to recruit Zabuza had always been for Haku's sake anyway.
Of all characters in the Naruto story, Haku was one of the most loyal.
Now that he was offering himself, Naruto had no reason to refuse.
If he acted any later, Zabuza would be dead.
Naruto formed hand seals.
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Crack—crack—crack—
Thick wooden branches burst out of the frozen ground.
The battlefield shifted instantly.
The Wood Style branches swept across the area, pushing the Kirigakure Anbu back—anyone caught within the wood would be finished.
In moments, a sea of towering trees swallowed the battlefield.
The Mist Anbu were forced hundreds of meters away.
They stared at the enormous forest in disbelief.
"Wood Style? That's Wood Style!"
"What do we do now?!"
"We can't beat someone who uses Wood Style. Retreat?"
"Retreat? And leave the Executioner's Blade?!"
"Then what? Die here?"
"…Right. According to the rules—if you encounter Wood Style, retreat is allowed."
After a brief discussion, they turned and fled.
Naruto didn't chase them.
They were from Kirigakure. As long as they survived, tensions between him and the Mist wouldn't worsen.
Haku stared at the forest in awe and fear before rushing toward where Zabuza had fallen.
After leaping across dozens of branches, he found Zabuza collapsed on the ground, blood soaking his body, still gripping the Executioner's Blade.
"Zabuza-sama, are you all right?!"
Haku cried while desperately tending to his wounds.
Zabuza didn't respond. His hollow eyes were staring blankly at the sky, lost in thought.
He had fully intended to die.
But Haku had gone and begged Naruto to save him.
Zabuza wasn't sure what the point of living was anymore.
Naruto approached slowly from behind.
Looking at the two of them, he suddenly felt he might've acted too soon.
If he had waited just a little longer, Zabuza would've been hacked to death.
And Haku wouldn't have been guilty of not helping.
That way, he could've guilt-bound Haku into becoming his subordinate, and Zabuza would've died cleanly—leaving Haku free to serve him wholeheartedly.
…No. No. No.
Thinking that, Naruto was startled.
He hadn't expected himself to think such a dark thought.
He pushed the idea away and focused on the situation.
"He won't die," Naruto said. "His injuries look bad, but they're not fatal."
Haku finally exhaled in relief, though he continued bandaging Zabuza's wounds with trembling hands.
Naruto suddenly asked,
"Zabuza… why did you become a missing-nin in the first place?"
Zabuza's eyes shifted slightly. He looked at Naruto—the Wood Style user—standing beside him.
He thought:
If Haku follows this guy… maybe he'll actually have a good life.
Zabuza had seen too much cruelty in the ninja world.
Strength dictated everything.
He didn't hide anything.
In the calmest tone, the eyebrowless Demon of the Hidden Mist said the most ruthless words:
"Assassinate the Mizukage."
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