Chapter 39: You're a Girl?

"What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"

Haku looked at the young boy lying on the ground. Although his clothes were tattered and in a sorry state, those deep blue pupils showed no sign of losing hope. Instead, they seemed even more vivid.

"It's okay. It's just that seeing you makes me realize how big the world is. I used to feel like a frog in a well (a person with a narrow view of the world)."

"Oh~ Then I really have to thank you for the compliment. But it still can't change your fate. You'll still be killed by me here. Blame it on the fact that you took this mission and made an enemy of Mr. Zabuza!"

Haku held a Senbon and was about to throw it when Naruto's words interrupted him.

"If you don't give it a shot, who knows if there'll be a chance of survival? Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu (a type of ninjutsu)!"

Naruto learned this jutsu from the Scroll of Seals. At that time, he already knew the Shadow Clone Jutsu. He just glanced at this one and only remembered the hand seals. This was the first time he was using it.

Previously, he could only create a maximum of six clones. However, now Naruto's clones have filled the area within Haku's attack range.

With so many of them, he believed it wouldn't be difficult to get out. After all, the exit was just within reach.

"Ridiculous!"

No matter how many there were, as long as they were within his ninjutsu range, Naruto's movements were no different from being paused. Haku's figure shuttled back and forth between the boundaries so fast that only a blurry shadow could be seen.

"Ah------"

He endured Haku's powerful and intense attacks again. One or two Senbon needles didn't hurt that much, but being hit by a dozen or twenty at once was unbearable for him. If he took two more of these attacks, he'd probably be full of holes all over his body, if not turned into a human hedgehog.

But what should he do? What method should he use to counter Haku's terrifying speed?

Just as Naruto was anxiously thinking of a way, Sasuke's voice came from the side, interrupting his train of thought. He looked through the gaps in Haku's Ice Secret Jutsu.

"Naruto! What are you doing? If you can't handle an enemy of this level, how do you expect to become the Hokage in the future? You might as well give up now. Just hand over the position of Hokage to me. I'll burn some incense for you every year. Don't thank me too much."

Sasuke folded his arms, looking relaxed and at ease, with a provocative look on his face.

Even with his good temper, Naruto got angry when he heard this.

"Sasuke! You bastard! Not only do you just stand there and not help, but you also mock me! Let me tell you, I'll definitely defeat this masked guy in front of me and become the Hokage! I'll make you report to me every day. Just wait and see!"

(▼ヘ▼#)

"Who did you just call a bastard? Who do you think will report to you?"

Sasuke's face turned ashen. Naruto was startled when he saw it.

This brat's already daydreaming about me being his lackey before he even becomes the Hokage. No friggin' way! He had to teach this arrogant guy a good lesson right now.

Oh no. He had spoken without thinking. Looking at Sasuke's murderous expression, he silently averted his gaze and focused on the enemy in front of him again.

"Hey! Naruto, at least say something to me..."

I can't hear you! I can't hear you!

What should he do?

Suddenly, he didn't really want to escape from this secret jutsu right away.

"Oh~ Have you finished chatting with your friend?"

"You're really kind. You just watched me chatting with him without even thinking about attacking me while I was talking to Sasuke."

"It doesn't matter. After all, these are your last words. I can put up with it since the saying goes, 'A dying man's words are kind.'"

"Then I really have to thank you!"

Just now, he was severely ridiculed by Sasuke, and his mind calmed down. In the current situation, Haku was so fast that he couldn't catch up with him even if he rode a horse. If he couldn't catch up, it would be better to make him unable to move freely and try to destroy those hateful ice crystals by the way.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu"

"You really never learn. Don't you understand that this ninjutsu is useless?"

"You'll never know unless you try!"

As soon as Haku's figure moved slightly, Naruto's clones and the real him simultaneously used Wind Release on the ground.

"Wind Release: Gale Palm"

A strong gust of wind swept across the ground, and the surrounding dust began to disperse. For a moment, the visibility dropped to zero.

Haku stood there blankly, constantly looking for Naruto's figure.

"Where is he? Where on earth is that brat?"

"Here!"

With a "bang", as the ground cracked, Naruto, with his hands wrapped in wind - attribute chakra, landed a heavy punch on Haku's chin, knocking him out of the range of the secret jutsu.

As Haku's body flew backward uncontrollably, he saw those charming, bright - blue, lively eyes.

How wonderful.

His body rolled several times after hitting the ground before coming to a stop. Haku propped himself up and stood up shakily. There was a crack on the mask on his face, and following that crack, the mask broke in two and fell to the ground. A trickle of blood slowly flowed from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing that handsome and delicate face, Naruto couldn't help shouting in surprise.

"You're a girl!"

"No, I'm a man."

"Impossible! You're prettier than Sakura and more handsome than Sasuke. How could you be a man?"

That face was really incredibly good - looking. With smooth long hair, fair skin, clear pupils, and a trace of blood at the corner of the mouth, it was as if the best lipstick had been gently applied to the lips. No wonder he mistook Haku for a girl, but Naruto's careless words made two people unhappy.

He felt as if there were needles pricking his back. He silently turned his head and saw two extremely angry faces. Naruto swallowed hard and silently prayed for himself.

Oh no! He had said the wrong thing again!

....................

"Ah----------------"

As Zabuza's body fell to the ground, his battle with Kakashi came to an end.

Lying on the ground, coughing up blood, Zabuza, whose face was as fearsome as a demon, stared fixedly at Kakashi. Truly, he deserved to be the feared Copy Ninja, Kakashi. His strength was completely different from that of the mediocre ninjas Zabuza had encountered before.

"Mr. Zabuza!"

Seeing Zabuza injured and lying on the ground, Haku ignored his own injuries, dodged the still - dazed Naruto, and rushed over.

"Mr. Zabuza, are you okay?"

Looking at Zabuza's wounds, Haku thought that with such severe injuries, Zabuza would take at least a week to recover.

No, they had to leave this place quickly and not linger in the fight.

Without any more hesitation, Haku slung Zabuza onto his back and fled into the distance.

"Naruto, they're trying to escape! Stop them quickly!"

"Huh? Huh? Yeah!"

Naruto, still in a daze, was roused by Sasuke's shout and was about to chase after them.

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