Konoha: Naruto, Taught by Aizen

Elsewhere.

Within the illusion, Sasuke had successfully defeated "Naruto" and "Haku."

He stopped his attack, panting, and said with a self-satisfied air, "Hmph, your strength is decent, but I am even stronger now."

"Naruto!!" Before he could finish speaking, Sasuke heard Sakura's shriek.

He hurriedly rubbed his eyes. His vision distorted, and Kyoka Suigetsu's control vanished.

Only then did he realize that the "Haku" he had been fighting was entirely false.

"How is that possible? Have these eyes of mine been completely toyed with?" Sasuke touched his eyes in disbelief, muttering to himself.

And in his line of sight, a massive Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystal cage enveloped Naruto. The ice crystals within were filled with steel-like needles formed from ice, viciously stabbing towards Naruto.

"What kind of bizarre ninjutsu is this?!" Sasuke's expression was aghast as he roared, "Damn it, Naruto!! Stop!"

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Sasuke's fire jutsu struck the surface of the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals but failed to even create a hole.

In the end, he could only watch in despair as the ice needles drew ever closer to Naruto.

"Haku, is this your full strength? Quite surprising." Naruto's face showed no panic at all. Instead, he chuckled lightly, his eyes filled with appreciation.

Haku looked to be only two or three years older than Sasuke, yet his strength was already extremely close to that of a Jonin. Coupled with his rare Kekkei Genkai, his potential was definitely no less than Sasuke's.

Such a Haku was a worthy investment.

In the future, he would definitely possess strength far exceeding his current level.

"However, did you really think a ninjutsu like this could trap me?"

With a light chuckle, Naruto gently waved Kyoka Suigetsu, accompanied by a surge of boiling Reiatsu.

The next moment, all the ice needles stabbing towards Naruto seemed to be seized by an invisible hand, halting in mid-air, unable to advance even half an inch.

"Shhlick." A bloody gash suddenly appeared on the chest of Haku, who was hiding within the demonic mirrors, and blood began to spread.

"Though it's not the right season, it's rather nice to see ice and snow."

Naruto sheathed Kyoka Suigetsu and slowly walked towards the fallen Haku.

The ice needles in mid-air, upon Naruto's approach, fell to the ground like headless flies, creating crisp sounds.

Within the entire Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystal chamber, only Naruto's footsteps and the sound of shattering, falling ice needles could be heard.

Soon, Naruto reached Haku's side.

"Why... is this happening?" Haku struggled to lift his head, his face filled with incomprehension.

"Because, what you saw and the reality you were in were equally filled with falsehood," Naruto said softly, sheathing his sword. "You've done your best, Haku. From now on, you should live for yourself."

The Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals vanished, revealing the shocked expressions of Sasuke and Sakura outside.

Sunlight shone on the ice needles scattered across the ground, refracting light, creating a beautiful, dream-like scene.

Feeling the warm sunlight, so different from the unyielding ice, Haku clutched his chest and stood up. Blood trickled through his fingers, so real, so warm.

"Chirp-chirp-chirp." In the distance, an ear-piercing sound like a thousand birds chirping arose. Kakashi's right hand gradually gathered a blade-like current formed from concentrated lightning-style chakra.

Opposite him, Zabuza was already covered in wounds.

The battle over there had also reached its conclusion.

"Sorry, Naruto. I still have a duty I haven't completed." Before Naruto's rather surprised gaze, Haku, despite the intense pain, rapidly formed hand seals.

The instant Chidori was about to pierce Zabuza's chest, Haku threw himself in front of Zabuza.

"Screech!" Kakashi's Chidori plunged into Haku's chest. A large spray of blood splattered onto Zabuza's face.

Zabuza was first stunned, then let out a wild, ferocious laugh. "Well done, Haku! Well done! You are a perfect tool!"

In his dying moments, Haku seemed to hear Zabuza's laughter.

As a tool, he had completed his mission.

He had blocked the final blow for Zabuza-sama. But, where would his soul go after death? Could he become an ordinary person, live an ordinary life?

His consciousness drifted further and further away. For some reason, he suddenly remembered something Naruto had once said.

"Haku, if you protect him with your life, and everything between you and him is settled, would you be willing to start a new life?"

A new... life?

Haku's consciousness plunged into chaos, and he closed his eyes.

After Haku died, Zabuza, who had been laughing ferociously, was now streaming with tears, kneeling on the ground.

Having lived, supporting each other with Haku until now, how could he possibly have seen him as just a tool?

Only upon Haku's death did Zabuza realize with a start that, in his heart, Haku had already become his most important partner.

Naruto quietly watched all of this, his expression calm.

He sighed and walked towards Haku's body.

In his vision, he could see Haku's soul beginning to emerge from the corpse.

He picked up Haku's body and walked towards the distance.

Looking one last time at Zabuza, who tried to stop him, he said coldly, "Haku always hated killing. This time, let his soul rest in peace."

Under Zabuza's complicated gaze, Naruto gradually disappeared from sight.

After Naruto left, Gato arrived with a group of thugs. He first taunted Zabuza, then ordered his men to kill Zabuza, Kakashi, and the others.

The townspeople, who had been timidly watching in secret, their expressions changed drastically, and they retreated in despair.

"It's over! Gato's here with his men! They're doomed!"

"We should run too!"

"Run? We have nowhere to run! Give up! We're destined never to build this bridge!" Just as all the townspeople despaired, a small figure, fully armed, stood out.

His legs were even trembling from fear, but his small face was filled with determination.

"Everyone, we can't just give up like this! The ninja heroes are all fighting hard for the fate of the Land of Waves!" Inari's voice was young but firm. As he spoke, he thought of his father.

And the determined figure he had seen that night, and the words he had heard.

"I want to become a hero like Sasuke-niichan, not fearing the opponent's strength!"

"Everyone, take up your weapons! If our hearts don't become strong, if we never possess courage, then the Land of Waves will never have a future!"

"Please, everyone, stand up! For yourselves, for the future of the Land of Waves, let's fight!"

"Please!"

Looking at Inari's sincere face, the townspeople all fell silent.

They were utterly ashamed.

Finally, one adult stood up, then countless others followed, standing up with him. They held weapons, and though their hands trembled somewhat, their eyes were all filled with courage.

"We can't hide anymore! For the Land of Waves, we must fight!"

Under Inari's leadership, the townspeople rushed forward to stand against Gato's group.

Inari looked at Sasuke with a determined expression and said resolutely, "Sasuke-niichan, I want to become a hero! I want to possess the same resolve and courage to become stronger as you!"

He aimed his crossbow at Gato and his men. "Don't you dare take another step closer!"

"Tch, brat," Sasuke still looked smug, snorting coldly, but a smile played on his lips.

With the help of the townspeople, Kakashi and the others repelled the advance of Gato's men.

Zabuza, with a death wish in his heart, held a kunai in his mouth and charged into Gato's men's formation, trading his life for Gato's in a mutual kill.

In his dying moments, the image that appeared in his mind was Haku's pure smile.

"Goodbye, Haku. If there's a next life, please, don't ever become my tool again."