Naruto sat cross-legged in Tazuna's house, carefully engraving a new seal on a kunai. His fingers moved with precision, his chakra flowing into the seal to stabilize its function. Tsunami was busy in the kitchen, and Inari sat silently in the corner, still skeptical of Naruto despite everything.
Suddenly, Uzuhiko's voice echoed in his mind.
"Naruto, the seals you placed on the bridge have been triggered. Zabuza is engaged with Kakashi, and Sasuke is currently fighting Haku."
Naruto's eyes snapped open, his grip tightening around the kunai.
"Already?" he muttered.
"Yes. It's time for you to move. If you delay, the battle's outcome could change."
Naruto stood up, slipping the newly sealed kunai into his pouch. He glanced at Tsunami and Inari.
"Tsunami-san, lock the doors and don't leave the house no matter what happens. If anything strange occurs, activate the seal I gave you."
Tsunami nodded, sensing the seriousness in Naruto's voice. Inari, however, looked away, still refusing to acknowledge Naruto as a real shinobi.
Naruto sighed and turned toward the door. Time to end this fight.
The Battlefield – The Bridge
The thick mist blanketed the unfinished bridge, making visibility nearly impossible. The sound of clashing steel and bursts of chakra echoed through the fog.
Kakashi and Zabuza were locked in fierce combat, their movements fast and deadly. Sparks flew as their blades met, and the force of their attacks sent ripples through the mist.
Nearby, Sasuke gritted his teeth as he dodged Haku's ice senbon, his Sharingan spinning. Haku moved like a ghost, phasing in and out of the Demonic Ice Mirrors that surrounded Sasuke.
Sasuke panted. This is bad… I'm getting slower.
Haku's cold voice echoed. "You cannot win. Give up."
Sasuke clenched his fists. "Shut up… I won't lose!"
Just as Haku was about to launch another wave of ice senbon—
BOOM!
A powerful gust of wind burst through the mist, dispersing it for a brief moment. A familiar blonde figure landed in the middle of the battlefield, his blue eyes sharp.
"Yo! Miss me?" Naruto grinned as he cracked his knuckles.
Kakashi glanced toward Naruto. He finally arrived.
Zabuza scowled. "Tch. Another brat joins the fight."
Haku's eyes widened slightly. "Naruto…"
Sasuke smirked despite his exhaustion. "Took you long enough, dobe."
Naruto simply grinned before his expression turned serious. His chakra flared, and a gust of wind kicked up around him.
"Alright, let's wrap this up."
The Ice Maiden's Dance
Naruto narrowed his eyes as he stepped into Sasuke's battle with Haku. He could sense her chakra flow clearly now—sharp yet refined, controlled with a precision that few Genin could match.
Haku stared at Naruto through her mask, her voice calm. "You should not have come, Naruto-kun."
Naruto smirked, playing the role of the impatient Genin. "What kind of teammate would I be if I left Sasuke alone?" He cracked his knuckles. "Besides, I owe you for that surprise attack the other day."
Sasuke, still panting, glared at Naruto. "If you're gonna fight, don't get in my way."
Naruto chuckled. "Relax, I'll cover you."
"Naruto, remember, you must suppress your true strength. Keep it at an elite Genin's level." Uzuhiko's voice reminded him.
Naruto gave a mental nod and formed a single Shadow Clone.
Haku took a slow step back into her Demonic Ice Mirrors. As she disappeared into the reflection of the frozen panels, her voice echoed.
"You will not defeat me."
Naruto's eyes flicked around, analyzing the mirrors. He already knew the mechanics behind Haku's technique, but he had to act as though he didn't.
Sasuke activated his Sharingan, the red glow piercing through the mist. "I can see her movements, but she's still too fast."
Naruto smirked. "Then let's try something crazy."
Sasuke arched an eyebrow. "Crazy?"
Naruto formed a hand seal. "Yeah. Try to hit her while I distract her."
Sasuke clicked his tongue. "Fine."
Suddenly, Haku blurred between mirrors, moving like a ghost. Needles rained down upon them.
"Move!" Naruto yelled.
He dodged, but some senbon grazed his skin. He winced but kept his pace, dashing forward.
Wind Style: Gale Palm!
Naruto released a burst of wind, throwing his kunai toward multiple mirrors at once. The kunai bounced off the reflective ice, missing Haku completely.
Sasuke tried to follow Haku's movement with his Sharingan, but her speed still overwhelmed him.
Haku suddenly reappeared beside Naruto, a senbon aimed at his neck.
Damn! She's fast!
At the last moment, Naruto twisted his body, barely dodging the attack. He countered with a sweeping kick, but Haku vanished back into the mirrors.
Haku's voice was gentle, almost regretful. "You cannot win against my technique."
Naruto grinned, but inside, he was analyzing. She's holding back. She doesn't want to kill us.
Naruto caught Sasuke's eye. He tilted his head slightly—a signal.
Sasuke understood. He gripped a kunai tightly and prepared himself.
Naruto suddenly rushed toward the mirrors recklessly. Haku, thinking it was a desperate move, moved in for another strike.
Just as she did—
"Now, Sasuke!"
Sasuke unleashed a burst of fire. Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!
The flames roared toward the ice mirrors. The intense heat caused some of the ice to crack, forcing Haku to retreat slightly.
Naruto used this moment to dash forward. His Shadow Clone threw kunai toward the weakened mirror, breaking one of them completely.
For the first time, Haku's breathing became slightly uneven.
Naruto smirked. "Gotcha."
Haku's masked face tilted slightly. "You're clever, Naruto-kun… but you will still lose."
Naruto saw something shift in Haku's expression behind the mask. He realized something—Haku was prepared to finish the fight.
Naruto's smirk faded slightly.
I can't let her sacrifice herself for Zabuza.
It was time to change the game.