Chapter 071

"He effectively stopped Kakashi-sensei's attack to protect that hunter nin and Zabuza," Sakura said in disbelief as she and Tazuna lookd on in astonishment, "But why would Naruto do that?"

"Naruto," Kakashi asked with a shocked and serious tone, "Why are you protecting them, knowing that they're our enemies?"

"Kakashi-niisan listen to me," Naruto requested as he was about to give his explanation when suddenly…

"Aaaaaaaaaggggghhhhh!"

Everyone turned to see that Zabuza's left arm was struck from behind from a surprise attack. The attack wounded his arm and rendered it useless.

"My oh my! You sure are getting beat up, aren't you Zabuza," a short man in expensive clothes said. Behind him was a literal army of thugs and rather rough looking men.

"Gatō…," Zabuza said as he eyed the man and his army of thugs.

"Oh, there's been a little change in plans. You see, I never intended to pay you," Gatō said and laughed.

"What," Zabuza asked angrily.

"Hiring normal ninjas is expensive, so I hire missing nins like you. Then I dispose of them when they're tired from battle and no longer serve any use for me. No one misses missing nins like you; the Demon of the Hidden Mist, what a joke! You are just a little puppy demon," Gatō said and his thugs laughed at the pitiable joke.

He planned on double-crossing me the entire time…I should have known, Zabuza realized, "Haku, stand down. Kakashi, I'm sorry, but this fight between us is over. I have no reason to fight you anymore."

Kakashi nodded as he signaled his dogs to release the Mist nin.

"Hey Zabuza, I can beat them for you if you'll let me," Naruto declared. Zabuza, Haku and Kakashi looked at Naruto.

"Heh, the boy has spirit. But that doesn't matter. You'll all die here," Gatō said. Zabuza growled slightly before he removed the bandages around his mouth.

"Thanks Naruto," Zabuza said, "But I would rather you look after Haku instead. This is something I wish to take care of by myself with no interference."

The blonde shinobi looked at Zabuza questionably.

"Kakashi, can I borrow a kunai," Zabuza asked. Kakashi responded by pulling out a kunai and flipping it towards Zabuza. He caught the kunai in his mouth and ran towards the group of thugs. Gatō panicked and ran behind his thugs. Haku called after Zabuza but he didn't respond. Cutting through the group of thugs, Zabuza went after Gatō, who turned and just saw a flash and had a kunai imbedded in his stomach. Zabuza pushed the kunai deeper into Gatō, ignoring the pain he had from the multiple weapons stuck in his back from the thugs.

"A puppy am I? Well, even a puppy demon can go to hell and become a real devil, which I will be for you! You and me are going to hell together," Zabuza said and pulled out the kunai. He then spun around Gatō and severed his head, sending it flying off his body to the floor.

As Gatō's headless body slumped to the ground, Zabuza glared at the thugs around him. They shivered and backed up. Zabuza began walking back towards Haku, when he lost his strength and fell down to the floor. Kakashi appeared next to Zabuza and grabbed him. They disappeared and reappeared next to Haku and Naruto. Kakashi, Naruto and Haku pulled out the weapons stuck in Zabuza's body. Gently laying Zabuza down, Kakashi and Naruto stepped back a bit.

"Thanks Kakashi," Zabuza said. Kakashi replied with a nod. Haku took Zabuza's head and laid it in her lap. She was crying, knowing that he would die soon.

"Haku, I want you to promise me something," Zabuza said softly.

"What Zabuza-sama," Haku asked, sniffing slightly.

"Live. Be a happy girl and live. Find a new purpose, and new precious people. I don't want you to end up like me. I'm just an empty human shell, and I don't want you to suffer my fate," Zabuza said and Haku nodded, "I will try Zabuza-sama."

Zabuza smiled at her. Sai came with the unconscious Sasuke and rested him down by Kakashi and Naruto. Sakura and Tazuna came and hurried over to them. Sakura ran over to Sasuke and knelt down next his motionless body before pulling his body into her lap with tears running down her face.

"He's alive," Sai said, "Naruto examined Sasuke earlier. But I don't know for how long he'll be unconscious."

Sakura just nodded while holding onto the Uchiha. Naruto knelt down and examined Zabuza. Naruto said, "Zabuza I can try to hea-"

"Save your strength Naruto," Zabuza told the blond-haired shinobi, "I made this choice. I knew I was going to die when I went after Gatō and his thugs. Don't try to help me. I'm not deserving of it."

Sighing, Naruto complied before Zabuza turned his head and looked at Kakashi.

"Kakashi, can I ask you something," Zabuza said and coughed up some blood. Kakashi replied with a nod.

"Tell me…is it possible…for Haku to return to Konoha with you," Zabuza asked. Kakashi's eyes widened, before slightly narrowing.

"Why do you ask," Kakashi asked, slightly suspicious.

"I know Konoha is a good place to live. I would like for Haku to live as good as possible, and I know that you and the others can take care of her, and teach her how to be a shinobi and a human with emotions," Zabuza said. Kakashi looked between Haku and Zabuza.

"Do you want to come with us to Konoha," Kakashi asked the girl. Haku slowly nodded, "Naruto-kun already offered me the chance to return with him and the rest of you to Konoha. I would like to accept the offer."

"Alright. Naruto and I can talk to Hokage-sama, and at least get you a citizenship," Kakashi said and Zabuza smiled before Kakashi turned and looked at the group of thugs.

"Thanks…Haku…for everything. Live well…," Zabuza said as his life left him. When Haku saw he was dead, she cried.

"So, she will come with us," Sakura asked and Kakashi nodded.

"Sure," Naruto spoke, "She only attacked us because of her mission. No personal feelings involved. She had no actual ill-willed intentions on killing any of us."

"Good, but if she tries anything, I'll kick her butt," Sakura said.

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