Chapter 37: A Final Vow
Kakashi watched the resigned Zabuza, the Chidori's light flickering in his palm. The fight was over. All that remained was the execution.
But a new, grating voice sliced through the heavy silence.
"Well, well. What a touching scene."
All eyes turned. Gato, flanked by a small army of thugs, swaggered onto the bridge, a contemptuous sneer plastered on his face.
"Look at you, Zabuza," Gato taunted, his beady eyes scanning the broken ninja. "The great Demon of the Mist, brought to his knees. You're a pathetic sight."
He then spotted Haku's body. A cruel smile twisted his lips. He walked over and, without an ounce of respect, kicked the boy's head with his boot. Not satisfied, he ground his heel into Haku's pale cheek before delivering another kick that sent the body sliding across the bloody planks.
"Ah, that feels better," Gato sighed, flexing the arm Haku had once bruised. "That little freak broke my arm. Even dead, he's an inconvenience. Boys!" he barked to his men. "Chop this one up and toss the pieces to the fish!"
Zabuza watched, a silent volcano of rage building within him. The insults to him meant nothing. But the desecration of Haku's body... that was an unforgivable sin.
A calm, yet steel-edged voice cut through the air. "I suggest you show some respect for the dead."
Gato's thugs turned to see Kamikawa Hiraoka. They laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "And who are you, you little pipsqueak? Shut your mouth before we shut it for you!"
Their laughter died in their throats as Hiraoka moved. In the blink of an eye, he was among them. There was no grand jutsu, only brutal, efficient motion. He seized two of the men, his hands moving with terrifying speed. The sound of snapping bone was sickeningly clear, followed by agonized screams as he dislocated their arms. When they raised their swords in a blind rage, he finished the job, his movements a blur of controlled violence. The screams were cut short.
The bridge fell silent again, the only sound the dripping of blood and the ragged breaths of the onlookers. Hiraoka's methods had been merciless.
From his knees, Zabuza let out a low, appreciative chuckle that grew into a full, hearty laugh. "HA! Well done, kid! Well done!"
Hiraoka ignored him, walking back to Kakashi's side as if he'd merely taken out the trash. "I think we should let Zabuza handle the rest," he said, his face once again a mask of casual calm.
Kakashi, shaken by the sudden brutality but understanding the sentiment, simply nodded. "Agreed."
"Boy," Zabuza's voice was rough but earnest. "A final favor."
"Name it," Hiraoka replied.
"Pull the kunai from my arms. Put one in my mouth."
Without a word, Hiraoka did as asked, carefully removing the blades that pinned Zabuza's arms and placing one gently between his teeth. He then reached up and unwound the bandages that had long concealed the lower half of Zabuza's face.
Zabuza looked across the bridge at Haku's body, his expression one of profound sorrow. "Haku," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I will protect you... one last time."
A single tear traced a clean path through the grime and blood on his cheek. As if in response, the heavy mist began to thin, and the first, fat snowflakes of an unseasonable snow began to fall. One landed on Zabuza's shoulder, and for a moment, he imagined it was Haku, resting a comforting hand there, his gentle smile finally turning to tears.
"Don't cry," Zabuza whispered to the phantom. "I'm coming. Wait for me."
"KILL HIM!" Gato shrieked, his voice cracking with fear as he pointed a trembling finger at Zabuza. "I'll pay one million ryo to the man who brings me his head!"
Driven by greed, the mob of thugs surged forward.
With a kunai clenched in his teeth and the spirit of his lost companion fueling him, Momochi Zabuza, the Demon of the Hidden Mist, charged into his final battle. It was not a fight of ninjutsu, but a raw, visceral slaughter. He was a force of nature, a whirlwind of vengeful fury. The bridge became a charnel house, the screams of Gato's men a chorus to his grief.
Ten minutes later, it was over. Zabuza stood, bleeding from a dozen new wounds, surrounded by the fallen. He staggered towards Gato, who was cowering on the ground.
"P-Please, Lord Zabuza!" Gato begged, his expensive suit stained with filth. "Spare me! I'll give you anything! All my money!"
Zabuza looked down at the wretched man, the kunai still in his mouth. There were no more words. Only justice.
Stones