Chapter 235 - 32

Chapter 32: Let Zabuza Challenge Me"Cough, cough-cough," Haku woke up amidst a fit of violent coughing.Agony surged through his entire body like a raging sea, causing his face to twist slightly.His body was weak, his head was dizzy, and he was short of breath...Haku quickly realized the weakness of his body, but supported by a firm will, he still forced himself to lift his head slightly.Looking around, Haku discovered that he was lying on an open space by the lake.Judging from the angle of the sunlight, a large part of the day must have passed since he was defeated and lost consciousness."Yo, you're awake?" Naruto's voice came from the side.Haku did not answer, only gave a bitter smile, and let his head fall back onto the grass.He knew very well that he had been defeated this time, and his heart was filled with bitterness.In fact, when he had exchanged blows with Narutobefore, Haku had already known that this guy's strength could not be underestimated.Coupled with the fact that Naruto had been training diligently during this period, his strength had definitely reached a new level.Therefore, in his plan, his task was only to delay Naruto and create an opportunity for the Demon Brothers to take back the kubikiribōchō.As long as the mission was completed, he would retreat immediately.After all, Haku was not a flower in a greenhouse; he had even surpassed the average Chunin, reaching the level of a special Jonin.In his view, even if Naruto's strength could advance by leaps and bounds, he would still be able to escape if he wanted to.Who would have thought that he had just used his trump card, the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, and hadn't even managed to complete the first round of attacks before being so easily defeated by the other party."It seems I still underestimated you." Haku sighed."It's just that your compatibility with me is too poor." Naruto waved his hand, not feeling arrogant because he had insta-killed his opponent.And his words were not wrong.As an excellent conductor for Hamon, ice naturally gave Naruto a counter against Ice Release Ninjas.Not to mention that Haku did not know that the other party had already developed 'Vibration Release', while his own ultimate move was known to Naruto, creating an information gap.In Ninja battles, at least in the battles of ordinary Ninjas, the gap in information was very fatal.Haku's expression was dim, and after a moment of silence, he changed the subject: "You... why didn't you kill me?""Because I don't want to kill anyone today." Narutoanswered indifferently.Haku sighed; although Naruto didn't say it explicitly, he already understood what had happened.The Demon Brothers had died at Naruto's hands.Was he sad? It seemed not.Apart from the camaraderie of colleagues, Haku had no other feelings for the Demon Brothers.It was just that thinking of them dying like this, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional.However, he quickly reined in his emotions and instead comforted Naruto: "You don't actually need to blame yourself, because as a heartless killing tool, a Ninja should strike ruthlessly against enemies.""Is this your view of a Ninja? A heartless killing tool?" Naruto sat down beside Haku."Isn't it?" Haku retorted, "To you, what is a Ninja?""This..." Naruto scratched his head in distress, "It's hard to say, I just feel it's similar to a 'warrior', fighting for something."As he spoke, he couldn't help but recall the years he spent on Earth.In that world, as a Hamon warrior, he had guarded the fate of humanity.Later, he became a Stand user and, to end a century-long entanglement of fate, embarked on the road to Egypt to fight Dio."Cough, cough-cough," Haku started coughing again, but a smile appeared on his face, "Although I think you are a bit naive, I didn't expect that we would unexpectedly have similar thoughts..."As he spoke, his gaze became unfocused, as if recalling the past: "Do you know the pain of having no dreams, being needed by no one, and only having the act of 'living' left?""What exactly are you trying to say?" Narutoturned his head.Haku kept his smile: "Zabuza does not need useless tools, and you have erased the reason for my existence..."Naruto curled his lip: "So for you, is Zabuza the person you want to fight for? That guy who doesn't even have eyebrows? Don't you have anyone else worth protecting and fighting for?"Hearing this, Haku was stunned for a moment, then sighed: "A long, long time ago, they had already died..."Naruto fell silent. He could see that Haku had a strong desire to confide at this moment, so he did not interrupt, but listened quietly."I was born in a snowy Village, my parents were very loving, and they were very good to me.""But in the Land of Water, which had experienced a long civil war, Bloodline Limits were regarded as symbols of disaster, so after I awakened Ice Release, my father killed my mother and even wanted to kill me.""By the time I came to my senses, not only my father, but the entire Village had been slaughtered by me.""The looks and curses they had before they died made me understand that no one in this world 'needed' me; I was just a... disaster..."Speaking of this, Haku's voice was extremely suppressed, and Naruto's gaze also became a bit heavier.Because he thought of himself; as the 'Nine-Tailedcontainer', hadn't he also experienced such emotions?It's just that he met Iruka, who saved him from the abyss.And what Haku met was Zabuza.Sure enough, Haku's next words confirmed Naruto's guess: "Just when I was wandering in a daze, Zabuza appeared. After learning of my lineage and abilities, he not only acknowledged my existence from the bottom of his heart but also took me in.""A lineage that was hated and loathed, yet he was very happy to make me feel that he needed me...""I was really happy..." Haku revealed a heartfelt smile: "From that time on, I swore that I would become Zabuza's most useful tool, and I would protect Zabuza at all costs.""I see." Naruto rested his chin on his hand and nodded slightly, "It seems Zabuza is the root cause of your idea that 'Ninjas are killing tools'.""You asked me 'what is a Ninja' before, right? I still can't answer that question now, but I know very well that the idea that 'Ninjas are killing tools' is absolutely wrong!"As he spoke, Naruto clenched his fist, and the light of Hamon radiated out: "I, Uzumaki Naruto, was labeled as the 'Nine-Tailed Demon Fox', slept every day in Ninja Academy classes, failed the Ninja exam three times in a row, and even committed the crime of knocking down the Hokageand stealing the scroll of seals...""But even someone like me can distinguish what the correct way for a Ninja to live is! Ninjas definitely do not exist to become killing tools!""Since no one has taught you and Zabuza such an important lesson..." "Then I will do it!"Haku looked at Naruto, who was shrouded in golden light, and felt that the other party was incomparably dazzling.This guy... is an existence with a philosophy completely opposite to Zabuza's..."You go." Just as Haku was thinking, Naruto said something surprising."What? You want to let me go?" Haku's eyes were full of confusion.You must know, he was Zabuza's important assistant.It was one thing for Naruto not to capture him as a hostage to threaten Zabuza, but to actually let him leave?"As a reward for letting you go, help me pass a message to Zabuza."Meeting Haku's inquiring gaze, Naruto raised his hand and pointed to his forehead protector: "As a Konoha Ninja, I absolutely do not agree with the idea that 'Ninjas are killing tools'. If he wants to deny it, then let him come and challenge me!""Also, tomorrow morning, I will bring the kubikiribōchō and wait for him at the bridge construction site."Haku stared at Naruto, suddenly feeling a tightness in his chest.He really didn't understand where Naruto's firm belief came from.On what grounds did this guy deny Zabuza's and his own philosophy?Was it because he hadn't experienced the cruel world?But the feeling Naruto gave people was by no means a flower grown in a greenhouse, but a warrior who had experienced the world.Konoha Ninja... Konoha Ninja... What kind of magical power does Konoha have?Could it be that all the Ninjas there are people as dazzling as him?With such questions, Haku nodded: "I understand."He turned and left, but after taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped."By the way, Gato is dead; it was Zabuza who killed him. When the bridge is built, this country will finally see its dawn."