Chapter 24

Naruto roared, engulfed in the Kyūbi's red chakra, and charged at Haku like an unleashed beast.

"Too fast!"

Haku barely had time to react. At the last second, he leaped onto a branch, escaping by the narrowest margin.

The ground exploded under the impact of Naruto's attack, raising a dense cloud of dust.

When the dust settled, Haku saw a massive crater in the ground.

If he hadn't dodged… he would have died instantly.

He clenched his teeth. He couldn't hold back. He had to give it his all.

He launched a barrage of Senbon, but Naruto instinctively dodged them.

Suddenly, Sasuke appeared behind Haku using the Body Flicker Technique. His Sharingan glowed intensely.

"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

Sasuke took a deep breath and exhaled with force.

Haku thought it was a Great Fireball and prepared to dodge.

But then, the flames took the form of a massive, roaring fire dragon before swallowing him whole.

For a moment, Sasuke thought he had him.

But Haku appeared several meters away, panting.

He had managed to substitute himself at the last second with a water clone, which had already vanished without a trace.

"These kids are monsters!"

He wasn't sure if he could hold out until Zabuza finished with Kakashi.

Then, a chill ran down his spine.

Naruto appeared above him.

"Rasengan!"

"Damn it!"

Haku tried to jump, but it was too late.

The Rasengan barely grazed his body… but his left arm vanished in an explosion of blood.

The limb was obliterated, scattering crimson droplets on the ground.

Haku fell to his knees, pressing his shoulder in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding.

Naruto landed in front of him.

Sasuke approached with his Sharingan active, observing his every move.

They both knew Haku was no longer a threat.

However, Haku gritted his teeth and, with just one hand, formed seals.

"Crystal Ice Mirrors!"

Mirrors rose around him, reflecting his image dozens of times.

In an instant, Haku began moving between them.

From all directions, a rain of Senbon fell upon Naruto.

The needles pierced his skin.

Sasuke was also struck by a barrage of Senbon. His body was covered in needles.

[Kushina Uzumaki: Naruto!!]

[Mikoto Uchiha: Sasuke!!]

[Minato Namikaze: They might have underestimated their opponent.]

[Fugaku Uchiha: I don't think so. Look at your boy.]

Naruto simply smiled and brushed off the Senbon like they were nothing.

His wounds began to heal before their eyes, leaving both Haku and Sasuke completely stunned.

Without wasting a second, Naruto rushed toward one of the mirrors and extended his hand.

"Rasengan!"

The mirror shattered into a thousand pieces.

Naruto appeared in front of Haku in an instant, grabbing him by the neck with his claws.

The remaining mirrors began to break in a chain reaction.

Sasuke, still panting, watched in silence.

Haku tried to move, but Naruto's grip was firm.

The pressure on his throat increased.

His vision started to darken.

[Ding! The member 'Haku of the Ice Release' has joined the chat group!]

Naruto dropped Haku's body the moment he felt his heart stop.

Then, both he and Sasuke turned their heads simultaneously toward the battle between Zabuza and Kakashi.

Both Shinobi stood firm, staring at each other.

When Zabuza began forming hand seals for a technique, Kakashi, using his Sharingan, copied them instantly.

Both used the B-Rank Technique – Water Dragon Bullet.

Two water dragons rose and clashed with force, canceling each other out.

At this point, any ninjutsu from Zabuza was useless against Kakashi.

Every movement, no matter how small, Kakashi could predict and copy.

He could even anticipate his thoughts… and took a moment to taunt him.

In the end, it was Kakashi who won the fight.

Zabuza, injured and exhausted, leaned against a tree.

"H-How do you do it...? Can you see the future?" he murmured in disbelief.

In his final moments, Zabuza could only feel curiosity toward his enemy.

Kakashi pulled out a kunai and looked at him coldly.

"Yes. I see a future where you die."

Zabuza lowered his head, amused, accepting his fate.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

Sakura came running, alongside an injured Sasuke and Naruto.

Zabuza looked up in disbelief and stared at Naruto.

His gaze immediately shifted… and he found Haku's lifeless body on the ground.

Tears began rolling down his face before he could stop them.

Kakashi, who was about to deliver the final blow, hesitated for a second.

But he wasn't weak enough to back down now.

And this time… Haku wasn't there to save him.

[Ding! The member 'Demon of the Hidden Mist' has joined the chat group!]

Naruto ignored the chat notifications and ran to help Kakashi stay on his feet.

Kakashi gave him a grateful look.

If not for Naruto, he would have collapsed to the ground.

The excessive use of the Sharingan had left him on the brink of exhaustion.

Surprisingly, he was still conscious.

Meanwhile, Sakura tended to Sasuke's wounds using the Mystical Palm Technique.

"When did she…?" Kakashi knew she had been trying to learn it, but he never imagined she would master it so quickly.

Controlling chakra at that level was something only top medical ninjas could achieve.

Yet, Sakura had mastered it in record time.

It was only natural that Kakashi was impressed.

Naruto, on the other hand, watched with satisfaction.

The entire Team 7 had grown much stronger thanks to his intervention.

"Guys, don't let your guard down. In my current state, the mission depends entirely on you..." Kakashi warned.

The Sharingan's strain was brutal for someone outside the Uchiha Clan.

He wouldn't be able to move for an entire week.

"Let's go to Tazuna's house. We can rest there," Sakura suggested, helping Sasuke walk.

As they walked, Naruto looked at Sasuke in surprise.

His Sharingan had evolved.

Now he had two tomoe.

[Shisui Uchiha: Sasuke's Sharingan is evolving at an impressive rate.]

[Fugaku Uchiha: It's not the fastest recorded in the clan's history, but it's still an outstanding progression.]

[Mikoto Uchiha: But how did it evolve? The Sharingan only awakens or advances after experiencing the loss of a loved one or being on the verge of death…]

[Naruto Uzumaki: Sasuke and I have a special chakra. Because of that, we progress differently from others. It's the only logical explanation I've found.]

[Fugaku Uchiha: A special chakra? Can you explain in more detail?]

[Naruto Uzumaki: That information isn't free. You'll have to pay with at least one Mangekyō Sharingan… and even then, I might still hesitate.]

[Madara Uchiha: Is that brat really as special as you say?]

[Naruto Uzumaki: Yes. And to be honest, you're more like him than I'd like to admit.]

[Madara Uchiha: Don't make me laugh.]

[Naruto Uzumaki: Aren't you curious? You just have to pay the price…]

[Madara Uchiha: Go to hell! Stop tempting me with your words, demon!]

When they arrived at Tazuna's house, Inari ran to hug him, and Tsunami came out to greet them with relief.

After settling Kakashi to rest, Tsunami assigned them rooms.

"Sakura-chan can stay here. The boys can share the room across."

"I have to room with Naruto…?" Sasuke muttered, uncomfortable.

"Got a problem, duck-hair?" Naruto complained.

Sasuke frowned at the nickname.

But then, Naruto noticed him glancing at Sakura's room with a strange expression.

…Wait.

Was Sasuke in love with Sakura!?

Impossible!

[Mikoto Uchiha: …]

[Fugaku Uchiha: …]