Sasuke didn't move. His Sharingan eyes were locked onto Haku's, his kunai hovering over the masked boy's chest. Haku had given up—he had chosen death.
But Sasuke hesitated.
Naruto clenched his fists. "Why… why are you just standing there?!"
Haku let out a soft breath. "Because… my purpose is already gone."
His gaze drifted past us, toward the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza. The mist was clearing, revealing Kakashi with his lightning-coated hand—Raikiri—poised to strike.
Haku had lost. Zabuza was about to die.
I could see it in his eyes. He had already accepted it.
Sasuke lowered his kunai slightly, his fingers twitching. "You're just going to give up?"
Haku's voice was gentle, but firm. "A tool without a master has no reason to exist."
That was the difference between us.
Haku fought for someone else's dream.
I fought for my own.
The realization made my grip tighten. Haku was stronger than almost anyone I'd ever faced, but his strength wasn't his own—it belonged to Zabuza.
A part of me… hated that.
But Naruto didn't see it that way. His face twisted with emotion, his eyes burning with frustration. "That's stupid! You're not a tool! You're a person!"
Haku's fingers curled slightly. His mask hid his expression, but something in his posture shifted.
Then—
His head snapped toward Zabuza.
The moment Kakashi moved, Haku was gone.
A blur of motion.
An impact.
Then silence.
We turned.
Haku was standing in front of Zabuza, his body limp, Kakashi's Raikiri piercing straight through his chest.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Kakashi's breath was heavy, his Sharingan wide in shock. "He—"
Haku coughed, blood staining his mask. "I'm… glad I could be useful… one last time."
His body wavered.
Then he fell.
Naruto's breath hitched. "No…"
The mist fully dissipated. Zabuza was staring at Haku's fallen body, his grip on his sword tightening.
Kakashi stepped back, his expression unreadable.
Then—laughter.
We all turned to see a group of armed men standing at the entrance of the bridge. Gato, the slimy businessman who had hired Zabuza, was smirking.
"Well, well, well," Gato sneered. "What a touching scene. Too bad it doesn't matter. Zabuza, you were a failure. I never intended to pay you anyway."
Zabuza's hands trembled slightly at his sides. He didn't say a word.
Gato chuckled. "What? Cat got your tongue? Or did your little pet dying make you soft?"
Naruto was shaking. I could feel his chakra fluctuating. "You… you're laughing at him?"
Gato rolled his eyes. "Please. He was just another disposable tool."
A sharp intake of breath.
Then—Zabuza laughed.
Low and bitter.
He turned his head slightly, his face still partially hidden by the bandages. His voice was rough. "You're right."
Gato grinned. "Glad you understand—"
Zabuza turned fully.
His eyes burned with rage. "You're right about me being a tool. But Haku…" His voice wavered for the first time. "Haku was too good for this world."
His grip on his sword tightened.
Then he moved.
Faster than I'd ever seen.
Blood splattered.
By the time Gato's body hit the water, the remaining thugs had already begun to flee, scrambling in terror.
Zabuza's body swayed. He was bleeding, wounds covering his entire frame. His strength was leaving him.
He dropped his sword.
And for the first time, I saw his face clearly.
He looked… tired.
Zabuza staggered forward, collapsing beside Haku's body. His fingers brushed against the boy's pale hand.
Kakashi approached. He knelt beside him, silent.
Zabuza let out a weak chuckle. "Looks like I'm going too."
Kakashi didn't answer.
For the first time, Zabuza wasn't a demon.
He was just a man.
The snowfall around us was quiet, peaceful.
And when Zabuza finally stopped breathing, he looked… relieved.
The battle was over.
But for Naruto, for Sasuke, and even for me—this was a lesson we wouldn't forget.