Time itself seemed to be suspended in the frozen mist that enveloped the bridge.
Having no idea that death was coming, Gato and his hired thugs laughed insolently.
The Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi, towered above them. His eyes burned with fury, but his bandaged face was obscured. No longer driven by money, pride, or power but something far deeper.
"Zabuza-sama." Haku spoke softly, in a voice full of awe.
Zabuza did not look back. He didn't have to.
He breathed softly, "Haku, I owe you my life. Paying for it in blood is the least I can do."
Kakashi stepped forward. "Zabuza."
Zabuza growled and tightened his massive Executioner's Blade in his hand, saying, "I'm doing this for myself, not for you, Copy Ninja. But don't interfere."
Kneeling on one knee beside Haku, Naruto looked up at Zabuza with newfound understanding.
"You. You are more than a demon."
Zabuza lingered for an instant. "No. I'm man. And I had a son—in all but blood."
Zabuza attacked without further speaking.
A Steel Storm
Gato's goons hesitated, not knowing for an instant whether to attack or run. But it was too late.
They were slammed like a hurricane by Zabuza.
He bellowed as he swung his sword in a wide circle, cutting through the mercenary front ranks. The snow-dusted bridge was splattered with gore. When limbs fell, bodies soared, and terror spread like fire, screams rang out.
"No mercy!" Gato screamed. "All of you, kill him!"
Zabuza, though, was a whirlwind of vengeance.
He battled like an animal possessed although he could not use his arms completely since his muscles were seared and ruptured from fighting. With one squeeze, he strangled the throat of one of his assailants. Zabuza headbutted him so hard that the guy's skull fractured while another struck with a spear.
Zabuza was sliced across the chest by a sword, but he pressed on.
He did not even flinch.
Kakashi gazed in shock. "He's fighting. with his heart."
Naruto's eyes widened. "He's not just fighting. For Haku, he's dying."
The Last Attack
Blood now spouted from the wounds on Zabuza. Several blows had been inflicted on him, such as stabs, slashes, and even a couple of arrows on his back. However, he continued to fight, labored breathing and his vision dwindling. His body was shutting down.
Now there was only one man in his way and Gato.
The coward tried to flee.
"Please, don't—!"
With gritted teeth, Zabuza rushed forward. He hurled the Executioner's Blade like a javelin with his last burst of energy.
With a squelch, the blade shot straight into Gato's chest, impaling him against the bridge's iron scaffolding.
Quiet.
The tyrant then collapsed, dead.
Zabuza trembled where he stood.
Then he sank to his knees.
The snowflakes began to fall.
Farewell, Haku
Naruto rushed over to stand beside him. "Zabuza! Don't give up!"
A weak, rasping smile sounded from the Demon of the Mist. "Brat, don't weep. I've lived a monster's life. but I will die. like a man."
In a useless attempt, Kakashi bandaged one of the wounds while kneeling beside him. "You bled too much."
Zabuza shifted his gaze to the boy who lay nearby.
"Haku."
Haku's head was lifted softly by Naruto so that Zabuza would be able to see him.
Naruto grumbled, "He. he saved me." He said he cherished you a lot. That he would give his life to protect you.
Zabuza's face fluctuated.
"I didn't say it to him. how much he mattered to me."
Kakashi's head sank. "It's still possible."
Blood behind him, Zabuza crawled up to Haku. He stretched out a coarse, scarred hand and placed it over Haku's.
"Haku, your hands,. were always warm."
His breath shook.
"I apologise for not saying it. I'm proud. of the man you've grown into."
Zabuza wiped away one tear.
"Haku., wait for me. One last time., we'll stroll through the fog together."
The Demon of the Hidden Mist then remained still.
Snow fell silently all around them.
Aftermath
Holding on to his side, Sasuke limped over. "They've left?"
Kakashi nodded solemnly.
"There is no longer a threat."
Standing, with his face in the shadows, Naruto said, "They were tools. just as others had called me. But they were more than that."
As Kakashi told it, "they were human. With bonds stronger than most."
Tazuna led the villagers of the Land of Waves to arrive shortly afterward.
When they reached the bodies, they stood there in shocked silence. and Haku and Zabuza are side by side.
"Are they enemies?" a villager grumbled.
Naruto turned around.
"No. They were victims. Like us."
Tazuna stepped forward. "Then, let us bury them. Together."
In the Mist, Graves
Two simple graves stood side by side at the edge of the bridge the next morning.
Naruto placed flowers between them. "You two were amazing."
Sasuke crossed his arms. "Try not to be so sentimental."
Naruto frowned. "You were not as strong as they were!"
Behind his mask, Kakashi offered a faint smile. "Let them have some rest. They are deserving of peace."
For one moment, they remained quiet.
Tazuna then announced, "We finished the bridge."
Naruto turned. "What do you want to name it?"
Tazuna smiled.
"The Great Bridge of Naruto."
Naruto widened his eyes. "What—me?!"
Tazuna said, "You inspired us. You gave us bravery."
Trying to hide the tears in his eyes, Naruto scratched the back of his head.
"Hey. I guess I am now a hero."