Chapter 34

A thousand needles shot out, faster than Sasuke's Great Fireball.

Almost at the same time as the sound of impact, Zabuza's water clone was struck.

It then turned into a puddle of clear water, splashing onto the ground.

"!!!" x3

The sound and the three small needles were all heard and seen clearly.

With shock and curiosity, they quickly gathered together.

They all looked towards the distant tree trunk, where Haku, wearing the Mist Village mask, stood.

"Do you guys know what kind of ninja pursuit unit this is?"

Naruto whispered to Sasuke and Sakura beside him.

Sakura shook her head, while Sasuke's expression grew serious, with a hint of caution.

"Kakashi-sensei told me before. It's a Mist Village unit specialized in hunting down rogue ninjas and retrieving their bodies."

"Because both the ninja themselves and their bodies reveal a lot of information, they need to be hunted down and recovered."

Compared to Sakura and Naruto, Kakashi was most concerned with Sasuke, who had the best talent, and taught him more.

These were the knowledge that Kakashi mentioned during his individual guidance with Sasuke.

Upon hearing Sasuke's explanation, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief.

"Just now, Kakashi-sensei mentioned that the one called Zabuza is a rogue ninja from the Mist Village."

"So he must be here to hunt down rogue ninjas and isn't our enemy."

"Otherwise, with that unexpected projectile, one of us would have definitely been in trouble."

In that situation just now, it's hard to say whether Sasuke and Naruto, who were farther away, would have been able to react in time.

But Sakura, who was closer to the woods, definitely wouldn't have been able to react.

If she was lucky, she would have only been injured if hit non-fatally, but if it hit a vital spot, she would have died on the spot!

Experiencing life-threatening situations for two consecutive days, Sakura suddenly felt weak in her hands and feet.

Her gaze unconsciously turned to Naruto, hoping that his alter ego, Kaze, would come out to protect her.

Sasuke and Sakura's words also made Naruto let go of his guard.

"Then, can't we cooperate?"

Excitement filled Naruto's face as he turned his head to glance at the battlefield obscured by thick fog in the distance.

"Kakashi-sensei is definitely caught in a tough battle. If the four of us join forces, we can definitely turn the tide!"

Just as Naruto finished speaking, a crisp voice picked up where he left off.

"Although it may be presumptuous, I do want to cooperate with you."

In the blink of an eye, Haku appeared in front of the three of them.

Although they had estimated Haku's strength, his Body Flicker technique, which was much faster than theirs, still left the three of them astonished.

The speed of Body Flicker depends on physical skill and chakra control.

His technique was faster than even their Chunin-level, his speed was atleast at Jonin level.

"Judging from your appearance, you should be of similar age to us. I didn't expect you to be this fast!"

Naruto approached somewhat familiarly, but Haku instinctively took a step back, on guard.

"My mission is to hunt down rogue ninjas, so please don't waste time."

Haku's retreat and caution relieved Sasuke and Sakura, who were observing from the side.

If he was really an enemy, he would have taken advantage of the opportunity to get closer and launch a surprise attack.

But Haku's retreat and caution indicated that he genuinely wanted to cooperate.

With the addition of this skilled ally, they could definitely join forces with Kakashi to defeat Zabuza.

After understanding the situation, Sasuke spoke up, "Then let's not waste any more time. We'll take this person with us to support Kakashi-sensei."

"What about Tazuna-san?" Sakura asked.

"Don't worry about me. Just hurry up and take down the enemy!" Tazuna's voice came from the nearby bushes.

Seeing that Tazuna agreed as well, the three of them, concerned for Kakashi's safety, nodded and rushed into the thick fog.

Haku followed immediately, but his hands were positioned behind his back, forming hand seals.

Individually, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura weren't particularly strong, but together they could defeat Zabuza's water clone.

So, Haku chose not to use his surprise attack.

But instead, he prepared to enter the thick fog and incapacitate two or all of them.

As the four of them entered the range of the thick fog, Sasuke, who was at the back, silently activated his Sharingan, gripping a kunai tightly in his hand.

Haku also approached the three of them, his hand forming hand seals behind his back, ready to strike.

Suddenly, Sasuke in front abruptly turned around, and the kunai in his hand aimed at the shoulder of Haku's arm behind his back.

Clang!

The other hand of Haku held the kunai that was coming at him, blocking the attack.

"When did you notice? I should have hidden better," Haku said, as the sound of their clash and conversation caught the attention of Naruto and Sakura, who were ahead.

The two of them quickly approached, watching Haku with vigilance. "What's going on? Why are you fighting Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke ignored the two of them and smiled lightly, raising his head. "I didn't notice; it's just that you were standing too close, and I vaguely saw one of your hands behind your back. I wasn't sure, so I made a move to test you."

"I didn't expect that you actually had a problem," he continued.

Seeing the crimson and black Sharingan in Sasuke's eyes, Haku's voice sounded slightly surprised. "So, it's the Sharingan! No wonder you were able to detect my subtle movements even with the Mist Technique obstructing them."

Although being discovered, Haku showed no signs of frustration. His tone remained calm. "But it doesn't matter. You've already stepped into the range of my jutsu."

"Jutsu?" Naruto exclaimed.

Swish!

Without giving the three of them time to be shocked or question further, numerous giant mirrors made of ice surrounded them from all sides.

At the same time, Haku, who was in front of them, took a step back and entered one of the mirrors directly.

"Ice Release Secret Technique: Ice Crystal Magic Mirror," Haku's voice echoed from all directions, while his figure appeared in the mirrors surrounding them.

"Ice Release?" Sasuke's expression changed. "Get closer together. It's a Kekkei Genkai!"

It was the knowledge passed on to him by Kakashi during their private training sessions.

"What's a Kekkei Genkai?" Naruto and Sakura were somewhat puzzled, but they still pressed their backs against each other.

"It's a powerful ninjutsu inherited through bloodline, just like my and Kakashi-sensei's Sharingan," Sasuke explained.

"Naruto, quickly notify your inner self, Kaze, we're in trouble this time."

Just as Sasuke finished speaking, Haku's voice resounded once again. "Since you know, please don't resist. I don't want to kill you."

"Stop pretending!" Naruto interrupted Haku. "Sasuke, Sakura, we've grown stronger. We can rely on our own abilities, just like when we defeated that clone!"

"He's just hiding behind an ice wall. Watch me break it and drag him out!"

After Naruto spoke, he charged towards the ice wall in front of him.

He had already made up his mind not to rely on Kaze, not even seeking tactical assistance in his mind.

He wanted to prove that even without his alter ego, he, as the main personality, could still handle it!

"Naruto, don't be impulsive!" Sasuke shouted, but it was too late to stop Naruto.

Haku furrowed his brow. "Such recklessness. Is this person really a ninja?"

"But it doesn't matter now; the battle is about to end."

"Ice Release Secret Technique: Annihilation Mirrors."