5. The Battle on the Bridge

Chapter 5: The Battle on the Bridge

The morning mist clung to the air as Team 7 stepped onto the unfinished bridge. Tazuna walked ahead cautiously, gripping his tools. The tension was suffocating.

Sasuke adjusted his Iron Sword, feeling its weight. He had spent the past few days refining his system skills, and now—now was the moment to test them.

Then, the air turned colder.

From within the thick mist, a chilling voice echoed.

"You really came, Kakashi."

Zabuza Momochi emerged, standing tall with his massive Kubikiribōchō resting on his shoulder. Beside him, a masked figure stepped forward. Haku.

Kakashi's single exposed eye hardened. "Get ready, everyone."

Sasuke's grip on his sword tightened.

---

The Trap is Set

In a blur, Zabuza vanished into the mist. Kakashi rushed forward, engaging him instantly in a deadly dance of steel and jutsu.

That left Team 7 to deal with Haku.

"You should run," Haku said, his voice calm. "You're not strong enough to fight me."

Sasuke scoffed, his Sharingan spinning. "We'll see about that."

Naruto clenched his fists. "Tch, we're not scared of you!"

Haku sighed. "Then don't blame me for what happens next."

In an instant, Haku disappeared.

Swoosh!

The next thing Sasuke saw was a dozen ice mirrors surrounding him and Naruto.

Demonic Ice Mirror Jutsu.

Haku's reflection appeared in every mirror, his masked face looking down at them. "This is the end."

A barrage of senbon rained down.

"Naruto, move!" Sasuke shouted, barely dodging the needles. A few grazed his stone armor, but his Iron Sword deflected most of them.

Naruto wasn't as lucky. "Agh!" He collapsed, a few senbon lodged in his arms.

Sasuke's Sharingan spun faster. He could see Haku moving—but he wasn't fast enough to react.

"Tch… I need more speed."

---

System Activation: New Quest

DING!

> [New Quest: Break the Ice]

Defeat Haku (0%)

Reward: ???

Sasuke exhaled sharply. No time to think—only to act.

He dashed forward, swinging his Iron Sword at one of the mirrors. The blade connected—

CLINK!

Cracks formed, but the mirror didn't break.

Haku reappeared in another mirror, sending another wave of senbon.

Sasuke leapt back, gritting his teeth. Not enough damage… I need to hit him directly.

His Sharingan flickered, tracking Haku's movements. There!

He threw a kunai, predicting Haku's path.

For the first time—it hit.

Haku staggered mid-movement.

Sasuke smirked. I can see you now.

---

Breaking the Illusion

Haku's speed was still overwhelming, but now—Sasuke could keep up. His two-tomoe Sharingan tracked the smallest movements.

He dashed forward, dodging the incoming senbon with near-perfect precision.

Naruto, struggling to stand, watched in awe. "Sasuke… how are you—?"

But Sasuke wasn't listening.

He was already mid-air, sword raised.

SLASH!

His Iron Sword struck Haku's side, sending him crashing out of the mirrors.

The jutsu collapsed.

DING!

> Quest Complete!

Reward: First Walker Enchantment Book (Locked: Requires Level 25)

A pixelated book appeared in his inventory, glowing faintly. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. First Walker? What kind of enchantment is this?

Before he could inspect it further—

"NO!"

Haku, injured but standing, dashed toward Zabuza, shielding him from Kakashi's incoming Lightning Blade.

A moment of silence.

Then—Haku collapsed.

Zabuza's face twisted with rage. But before he could retaliate, Gato's thugs arrived, betraying him.

What happened next was a blur. Zabuza, bleeding and broken, fought them off in a final act of defiance. When it was over, he collapsed beside Haku.

The battle was over.

---

The Aftermath

As the mist cleared, Naruto looked down at Haku's still body. His fists clenched. "Why… Why did it have to end like this?"

Kakashi sighed. "That's the life of a shinobi."

Sasuke, still gripping his Iron Sword, looked at his system screen.

The First Walker Book sat there, waiting. Locked. Level 25 required.

Sasuke smirked.

"This is just the beginning."

---

To Be Continued…