CHAPTER 31

Tazuna crouched, trembling as Zabuza Momochi's Executioner's Blade descended toward him. His body curled into a tight ball, and his pants were noticeably wet from fear.

Zabuza's cruel grin widened as he prepared to strike. "You're mine!"

Clang!

The massive blade clashed against the glowing Nine-Tails Chakra enveloping Naruto. The legendary sword—renowned for its unbreakable strength—shattered, half of its blade embedding itself in the ground.

"What?!" Zabuza stumbled back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "The Executioner's Blade… broken?!"

Naruto moved faster than Zabuza could react, grabbing the rogue ninja by his collar and hoisting him into the air.

The sight of Naruto Uzumaki holding Zabuza Momochi aloft stunned everyone on the battlefield. For a moment, there was only silence, save for the sound of the wind rustling through the broken mist.

Naruto's expression was cold, his voice low. "If I weren't still getting used to this, you'd already be dead."

He hurled Zabuza to the ground with incredible force, creating a massive crater and sending dust and debris flying into the air.

From the treetops, a masked figure tensed. Without hesitation, they leapt toward the battlefield.

As the dust settled, Zabuza lay defeated, embedded deeply in the earth. Naruto stood over him, his aura radiating menace.

Zabuza grinned through the pain, blood dripping from his mouth. "Do it, kid. Kill me if you think you can!"

Naruto raised a hand, chakra swirling in his palm as he prepared to strike.

High above, the masked figure—the hunter-nin, Haku—arrived, holding senbon needles. Without hesitation, Haku hurled the needles directly at Zabuza's neck.

"Sorry," Haku said coolly. "Zabuza Momochi is a rogue ninja from Kirigakure. He's our responsibility. I'll take him back."

Before Haku could grab Zabuza, a flash of steel passed before their eyes.

Shing!

Naruto's blade slashed through the air, nicking the edge of Haku's mask. The mask cracked and slid to the ground, revealing Haku's delicate, almost angelic face.

Naruto paused, stunned by the unexpected beauty of his opponent. Even Shiro, observing through Naruto's subconscious, quipped, "This guy's prettier than half the women in Konoha. Cross-dressing king, indeed."

Haku, undeterred, straightened and fixed Naruto with a calm gaze. "Do you Konoha ninjas want to start a war with Kirigakure?"

Naruto scratched his head, his earlier intimidation faltering. "War? Sure, why not?"

Haku stepped closer, their tone sharp. "Think carefully about your actions. Do you really want to provoke an international conflict?"

Naruto blinked, taking a step back. "Whoa, don't get so close! What are you trying to do?"

Shiro, still watching, sighed deeply. "Naruto, why are you blushing? That's a man!"

"Huh?!" Naruto stammered, flustered. In his distraction, he tripped over a small rock, stumbling forward and accidentally planting his hands on Haku's chest.

The battlefield went silent.

Naruto froze, his face turning pale as realization hit. Haku's expression darkened, a faint blush creeping across their cheeks.

Naruto jumped back, horrified. "I'm sorry, Miss Ninja—no, wait, Big Brother Ninja! I didn't mean it!"

Haku exhaled slowly, his calm demeanor returning. "You're lucky I have other priorities today."

Several more masked figures appeared, swiftly retrieving Zabuza's unconscious body and disappearing into the mist.

Before leaving, Haku paused on a tree branch and looked back at Naruto. "Next time we meet, you won't be so lucky."

With that, Haku vanished into the forest.

---

As the mist cleared, Hatake Kakashi appeared beside Naruto, clapping him on the shoulder. "Naruto, I've read all the volumes of Icha Icha Paradise, but even I don't have stories like yours. You're setting new records."

Sasuke and Sakura ran over, both glaring at Naruto.

"Are you insane?" Sasuke barked. "You're crazier than my brother!"

Naruto sighed, his shoulders slumping. "You don't understand. That wasn't what it looked like."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because it looked like you were flirting."

Naruto groaned. "That's a guy!"

Sakura and Sasuke froze. "Wait… what?!"

Even Kakashi tilted his head in disbelief. "Are you sure?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Haven't you seen my master? If he says it's a guy, it's a guy."

---

Inside the sealed space, Shiro was fuming. "Naruto! How dare you compare me to that cross-dressing ninja! I'm far superior!"(T/N: 😂😂😂😂😂)

Namikaze Minato, desperate to calm things down, patted Shiro on the shoulder. "He's just a kid. Don't take it to heart."

Shiro glared at Minato. "A kid? That 'kid' is making me look bad!"

Minato sighed. "Kids say the darndest things…"

---

Back in the real world, Naruto rubbed his temples as Kakashi chuckled. "Well, regardless, you did well out there, Naruto. But next time, try not to get too… personal with the enemy."

Naruto groaned, muttering under his breath, "Why does this always happen to me?"

The group regrouped, preparing to continue their mission, the weight of their encounter with Zabuza and Haku lingering in the air.

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