Just like in the original story, Zabuza was defeated but rescued by Haku, who was disguised as a member of the Kirigakure pursuit squad.
Kakashi, however, collapsed into a coma from overusing the Sharingan.
With no other choice, Team 7 carried Kakashi to Tazuna's house so he could recover.
"What do you think?" Tenzo frowned, staring in the direction Haku had left. Something felt off.
"They're together," Itsuki replied without hesitation. "I've already investigated this. The mission isn't that complicated.
"The real problem is that Gato wants full control of the Land of Waves' shipping routes. Tazuna's bridge threatens his monopoly, so their conflict is inevitable.
"As for those so-called Kirigakure hunter-nin—they're Zabuza's allies, hiding in the shadows just to pull him back from death at the last second."
Tenzo nodded, since that matched his own suspicions. Then he sighed.
"Senior Kakashi didn't notice anything wrong with that 'hunter-nin.' It seems the Sharingan has put a heavy burden on him."
"Even if he did notice," Itsuki continued calmly, "he's already at his limit. Naruto and the others wouldn't stand a chance against Zabuza's real subordinates. This outcome was the best result for both sides."
"That's true," Tenzo admitted. "Zabuza won't be back for a while… but as for Gato…"
"He has a lot of hired thugs," Itsuki said thoughtfully. "I'll keep an eye on him and relay any information I find. Teacher Tenzo, please focus on looking after Naruto."
Tenzo considered, then nodded. "That works. You've already investigated them and are more familiar than I am. I'll leave Gato to you."
With that settled, Itsuki slipped into the forest, following after Haku.
Meanwhile, in the Itsuki harem group chat—
[Tsunade: Kakashi is way too weak. Two jutsu and he's already down? If he were at full strength, he could've cleaned this up easily.]
[Anko Mitarashi: True, but it's Sakura I'm more worried about.]
[Ino Yamanaka: Pfft. Sakura? Please. She hasn't done a single thing this mission.]
Sakura clenched her fists as she read the messages. Ino's sarcasm stung worse than usual.
Right now, there were seven people in the group.
Except for Tsunade, who had just joined and hadn't met Itsuki yet, Sakura was still stuck at Level 0.
She was basically a bystander in this mission. Protecting Tazuna? In truth, her role was next to zero.
Her low group level dragged down her task performance too.
Compared to the other three "flowers of Konoha," Sakura was crushed into dust.
Even Karin—who used to be a burden—was rapidly growing stronger, to the point Tsunade herself wanted to train her.
Anko? Tsunade? Not even worth comparing.
When it came down to it, Sakura was currently the weakest and most useless member in the entire chat group.
"Damn it, I shouldn't have been so petty back then!" Sakura slammed her forehead with her palm.
If only I'd controlled my temper at Itsuki's house… maybe I could've gained some benefits.
At least I wouldn't look so pathetic now.
But regret wouldn't help. I had to find a way to catch up before the gap grew too wide.
Sakura was naturally strong-willed. There was no way she could accept being the bottom of the group.
Quitting wasn't an option—not yet.
First, she had to push herself to the front. At the very least, she couldn't let Ino outshine her.
"How do I get stronger…?"
She had turned off the live broadcast and sat next to Kakashi, thinking furiously.
She had already decided to lower her pride and reconcile with Itsuki, but he had moved away, and they hadn't met since.
Meanwhile, Hinata had gained a powerful new technique under Itsuki's guidance—something Sakura could only envy.
Even Ino and Tenten, though not directly trained by him, had grown rapidly from the group's enhancement effects.
If Sakura wanted to surpass them, she had to level up as fast as possible, then use her boosted talent and comprehension to sprint ahead.
She knew Itsuki's departure timing overlapped with Team 7's mission, and he'd even stopped at Karin's place in between.
Had he really followed them into the Land of Waves?
Sakura felt the odds were high.
If she could confirm his presence, she'd seize the chance to approach him during this mission and improve her group level.
"Let's go all out!" she whispered to herself, eyes burning with determination.
She wouldn't let herself remain at the bottom—not anymore.
On the other side, Itsuki caught up to Zabuza and Haku.
Haku had just laid Zabuza down on an open patch of ground.
Before he could do more, Zabuza yanked the senbon from his neck and sat up.
"Mr. Zabuza! You'll really die if you push yourself like that!" Haku exclaimed.
"I'll be out of commission for a week like this," Zabuza muttered, but he waved for Haku to remove his mask.
Once he did, Haku smiled sweetly. "For you, Mr. Zabuza, you'll be moving again soon."
The mist cleared. Haku's expression grew more serious. "Next time… it will work, right?"
"Next time…" Zabuza's eyes flashed coldly. "I've already seen through the Sharingan!"
"No—you know nothing about the Sharingan."
A voice rang out from the woods.
"Who's there?!" Haku snapped, instantly raising his senbon, standing protectively before Zabuza.
"A Konoha Anbu…?" Zabuza growled. "So you had hidden backup after all. Looks like this is the end for me."
The Anbu were known to be troublesome opponents.
Zabuza knew Haku couldn't defeat one outright while still protecting him.
"Even if it costs my life," Haku declared, "I won't let anyone harm Mr. Zabuza!"
The newcomer stepped into the open—Itsuki. His mask glinted under the moonlight as he chuckled.
"If I wanted to kill Zabuza," he said lightly, "you wouldn't be able to stop me."
With a blur of movement, Itsuki slipped past Haku.
His steps looked casual, almost lazy, but his speed was terrifying—Haku couldn't even react. Cold sweat trickled down his face.
"What speed…! What killing intent!" Haku's grip on his senbon trembled.
His knuckles turned white as Itsuki's sheer aura pinned him down like a mountain.
Even without lifting a finger, Itsuki's pressure was enough to crush him.
Zabuza's eyes narrowed. His instincts screamed that this man was extremely dangerous.
Then—
Thwip!
The sharp sound of steel piercing flesh. The coppery scent of blood filled the air.
But Haku had stabbed himself with his own senbon, using the pain to break free from Itsuki's suffocating pressure.
In the same instant, he grabbed Zabuza and leapt back, weaving a seal with one hand.
All around them, shimmering ice mirrors began to form in midair…
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Konoha Harem Chat Group: I Can Fabricate the Future (Completed) is now on Patreon!
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