Chapter 16 The End of the DemonNot fatally wounded, Zabuza didn't stop after killing Gato; instead, he charged back into the crowd.
These thugs and samurai, gathered solely for their own interests, had few truly willing to fight. Now, their courage gone, and with Gato no longer their leader, they were practically defenseless, subjected to a one-sided slaughter.
Finally, someone couldn't take it anymore and hastily threw down their weapon and fled. One followed, then a second, then a third, then a fourth. The group frantically jumped onto a boat, abandoning even their companions who had fallen into the sea, and sailed away.
Inari, carrying a crossbow and leading several hundred civilians, arrived in a large procession, but everything seemed to have already settled.
Zabuza, his body exhausted from blood loss, slowly made his way to Haku's side.
"Haku, you've always been by my side, but in the end, let me be by your side."
"Kakashi, can I ask you a favor? Please kill me, and then bury us together."
Perhaps living is more painful for him than dying?
Kakashi silently nodded, about to take out a kunai.
"Wait!"
Naruto quickly shouted. Things had come to this point; if Kakashi killed Zabuza, wouldn't all their previous efforts have been for nothing?
"You think that guy will live alone if you die?"
Naruto roared at Zabuza, then knelt beside Haku, placing his hand on the latter's chest.
"Kid, take your hand off!" Zabuza said coldly.
"He can still be saved!" Naruto stubbornly said. He had used the forbidden technique Rashomon, which not only weakened the attack of Lightning Blade but also deflected it, preventing it from hitting Haku's heart.
Kakashi sighed, "Don't waste your energy, Naruto. There are no medical ninjas here, and that injury is beyond saving."
The next second, Kakashi obediently shut up, watching Naruto's hand indifferently. A shimmering green light appeared in Naruto's hand, and with the continuous flow of chakra, the wound on Haku's chest was healing at an astonishing speed.
"Healing Palm Technique?"
Kakashi exclaimed in surprise, and Sasuke and Sakura were also taken aback. This was an extremely demanding high-level ninjutsu, requiring very high chakra control, a sharp mind, and extensive practice.
Few talented people were willing to practice this kind of non-offensive ninjutsu, while those without the talent couldn't learn it. This resulted in very few people truly mastering the Healing Palm Technique; even not all medical ninjas in the medical team knew it.
Naruto, he can actually use it? He doesn't seem like a very bright person.
Kakashi inwardly scoffed, knowing full well that his understanding of Naruto was far from sufficient; mere tree-climbing control wasn't enough to master this technique.
After Haku's vital signs stabilized, Naruto stopped the jutsu.
"Why did you stop? Continue!" Zabuza quickly said.
"Okay, but before that, you need to promise me two things."
Naruto suddenly spoke, his tone unusually serious, unlike that of a twelve-year-old.
"Hahaha."
Zabuza let out a self-deprecating laugh. Aside from his killing skills, he couldn't think of anything else Naruto could think of that Naruto would care about. He hadn't expected this unassuming brat to be so ambitious. It seemed he was destined to be someone else's tool. Oh well, it was better than following that bastard Gato. Consider it repaying a debt of gratitude.
"Speak, brat."
"First, you're not allowed to kill innocents again. Second, you must never be an enemy of Konoha!"
"You dared to assassinate the Mizukage. I respect you as a strong person, but a strong person should have the responsibility of a strong person and shouldn't attack the weak. From today onwards, the Zabuza of the past is dead. You are no longer someone else's tool, and you should no longer be someone else's tool."
"That's it?" Zabuza asked, surprised.
"That's all." Naruto was also somewhat surprised by the question. He turned to look at Kakashi, wondering if he had said something wrong. Kakashi gave him a "please do as you please" look.
Zabuza was stunned for a long time. He finally realized that not everyone in this world was the person he hated, nor were they all filled with malice towards him.
"Okay, I promise you!"
Team 7 stayed in the Land of Waves for another 20 days to recover from their injuries and to prevent further disturbances by thugs. The bridge in the Land of Waves was finally completed, and it was time for them to leave.
A group of men, women, and children from the Land of Waves came to see them off. Zabuza and Haku were among them. Due to the severity of his injuries, Haku was in a wheelchair, and Zabuza had to push him around. However, the smile on his face was so radiant.
Inari, trying to remain calm, was reluctant to see Naruto leave. He had been holding back, but Naruto, as if possessed, mimicked Iruka and said, "Inari, you must be lonely too. If you want to cry, just cry."
"Who would cry? But Naruto-nii, it's okay to cry."
These words were like a punctured wound for Inari, causing tears and snot to stream down his face.
This made Naruto break down as well. He thought he could be strong, after all, he was prepared, but perhaps it's true that passionate people are easily moved, and tears flowed too.
Kakashi: "Zabuza, Kirigakure is currently undergoing a massive reform. Perhaps one day, you can go back and see it."
"Haku has grown accustomed to life in the Land of Waves, and I'm tired of killing. I don't want to exist as a demon anymore. I'll stay in this country and heal the wounds left by Gato."
Everyone was stunned. This guy, once so ambitious and driven by ideals, was now going to retire in this small country? But that's fine too. With Zabuza protecting him, the Land of Waves wouldn't have to worry about the likes of Gato anymore.
"Well then, farewell, everyone!"
"Goodbye!"
"Have a safe journey!"
"Take care!"
Amidst the farewells, Team 7 embarked on their journey home.
Kakashi looked somewhat dejected. He had barely earned any money this month, and it seemed he would have to make the three kids do more missions to support Jiraiya's creative endeavors.
Naruto, of course, was unaware of Kakashi's thoughts. He felt the trip had been very successful; not only had he helped the Land of Waves, but he had also prevented the tragedy of Zabuza and Haku.
Zabuza also passed on his Hearing Technique to the three of them, and even gave Naruto a separate scroll—the Hidden Mist Technique from Kirigakure.
The Hidden Mist Technique was a highly secret, advanced ninjutsu within Kirigakure. Naruto was somewhat worried that, as a Konoha ninja, using such a closely guarded secret might attract the wrath of Kirigakure ninjas.
"Just burn the scroll after you've read it. This technique might save your life in a crisis, but when things get really tough, life or death is uncertain. What else do you care about?"
Zabuza's words made sense, so Naruto readily accepted. Back in the village, the Chunin Exams were just around the corner; it was finally time to make a name for himself.
"Sasuke, when we get back, let's... okay?"
"No time."
"Sakura, I have time, I have time!"
"Idiot."