Chapter 50: Zabuza: "Haku, You Smell So Good"

After resting for a few minutes, Naruto found that his injuries had mostly healed. Without wasting time, he opened a space portal and flashed to where Sasuke was battling Zabuza.

Ever since his initial fight with Naruto, Zabuza's body was a wreck—there wasn't a single part of him that wasn't injured.

His right arm was broken, and three of his ribs had been fractured.

Worst of all, that brat kept targeting his kidneys with relentless strikes.

Even breathing made his whole body ache.

Finally managing to escape Naruto and take a short breather, Zabuza found himself face-to-face with another problem—the Uchiha kid.

But this Uchiha wasn't engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Instead, he kept throwing an endless barrage of ninja tools like they were free samples, even throwing in explosive tags for good measure.

Not only that, but after throwing his weapons, he would casually cast ninjutsu on the side.

Zabuza had never encountered a fighting style so... bizarre.

First that monster-like blonde kid...

Now this Uchiha, whose ninja tools alone were worth more than Zabuza's entire mission payout.

From the way Sasuke kept pulling weapons out of his pouch, it was clear he wasn't planning on stopping.

Was this kid insane? Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can waste money like this!

In all his years as a ninja, Zabuza had never seen such an extravagant and strange way to fight.

Dodging another rain of weapons, Zabuza cursed under his breath as he narrowly avoided the onslaught.

And then, from the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar figure—the blonde menace.

"Damn it!"

Zabuza cursed aloud as a sharp sound sliced through the air near his ear. Before he could react, he heard a 'bang,' and the next thing he knew, that Uchiha brat had kicked his hand, sending his Executioner's Blade flying.

When Zabuza looked up to find Sasuke, the boy was already standing a short distance away, holding his precious blade.

Naruto arrived at the battlefield just in time to see Sasuke finishing off a severely injured Zabuza and taking his sword. The Uchiha then threw his head back in laughter.

Naruto looked around the battlefield.

Ninja tools were scattered everywhere, to the point where it was hard to find a spot to step without stepping on one.

Naruto's expression darkened.

This kid really used up all the sealing scrolls he had on him, didn't he?

Is he planning to bankrupt himself?

Zabuza was barely hanging on, already at death's door. Sasuke was like someone using a cannon to kill a mosquito!

Now Naruto understood why, in the original story, this pair had such a hard time financially.

Maybe that's why Sasuke later created Chidori Nagashi—because he couldn't afford ninja tools anymore?

Zabuza, kneeling on one knee with his arms limp at his sides, continued to spit blood.

Haku, who had been locked in a balanced fight with Kakashi, noticed Zabuza's condition and became frantic.

"Please... please stop!"

"We... we give up on the mission!"

"Please don't hurt Zabuza-sama any further!"

Haku immediately released his jutsu and removed his equipment, standing before Kakashi.

As he slowly removed his mask, revealing his delicate and beautiful features, even Kakashi was momentarily taken aback.

During their battle, Kakashi had thrown a bottle of perfume to track his enemy. He hadn't expected that his action would add an extra layer of charm to the person before him.

"I see..." Kakashi glanced over at the man a short distance away and nodded slightly.

In times of peace, when ninja from different villages clashed during missions, one side surrendering usually meant the other wouldn't go for the kill.

Seeing that his team members were unharmed, Kakashi nodded again, agreeing to Haku's request.

"Naruto, Sasuke," Kakashi called out. "You can stop now."

Sasuke, gripping the Executioner's Blade, tightened his hold just a little more.

He didn't care whether this guy lived or died...

But the blade was his now!

Haku rushed over to Zabuza's side, carefully helping him up, worry evident in his eyes.

"What... what are you doing?" Zabuza asked, turning his head and sniffing slightly before looking at Haku, struggling to speak.

"You're just my tool... what gives you the right to make decisions for me?"

"I'm sorry, Zabuza-sama!" Haku said softly. "But if we continue this mission, you'll die."

Haku placed Zabuza's arm around his shoulders, his eyes already brimming with tears.

The members of Team 7 looked on, silently watching the scene unfold.

Sakura, in particular, was visibly excited.

"So... this is love!"

"It's... it's so beautiful!"

"And that girl is so pretty," she added, sneaking a glance at Sasuke.

But Sasuke was too busy cleaning his new weapon to notice Sakura at all.

Even Kakashi couldn't help but watch the pair with interest, responding to Sakura in a rare moment of levity.

"Yeah... this is what youth... I mean, love looks like."

He quickly corrected himself, suddenly aware of how strange his words sounded.

Naruto's eyes widened in shock.

He feared that in the next moment, Kakashi might strike a certain familiar pose involving a green jumpsuit.

Was it possible that people's behavior could influence each other so much?

Naruto shuddered at the thought.

Thank goodness he hadn't gone looking for that green jumpsuit wearer!

As Sakura and Kakashi continued to gush over the heartwarming scene, Naruto couldn't hold back anymore.

Just as Sakura began to fantasize about the future of this loving couple and then drifted into thoughts of her own future with Sasuke, a goofy smile spread across her face.

Naruto's voice broke the dreamy atmosphere.

"That guy's a man."

Sakura: ?

Kakashi: ?

Sasuke: Hm?

All three of them turned to look at Naruto, then shifted their gaze to Haku, their faces filled with shock.

Sakura glanced at Haku's chest, then at her own, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists.

Remembering how Naruto had called her "Sakura-bro" earlier, the veins on her forehead throbbed in anger.

[Is Naruto really judging people by their chest size?!]

[Unbelievable!!]

[Doesn't he know that kind of comment hurts a girl's feelings?!]

[And besides, I haven't even started developing yet!]

[It'll get better in the future!]

Sakura took a deep breath, fuming as she confronted Naruto. "Naruto, it's really rude to say something like that to a girl!"

Kakashi nodded in agreement, though part of him felt that Naruto had a point.

"Actually... I'm indeed a boy," Haku admitted timidly, noticing their misunderstanding.

Everyone froze for three whole seconds—except for Naruto, who had known all along.

Finally, Sakura turned her stiff neck, screaming in disbelief.

"You're kidding... right?!"

"How can a boy be this cute?!"

Kakashi and Sasuke both nodded in agreement.

Naruto just shrugged, unable to explain further.

"We... we can go now, right?" Haku asked, his voice soft as he looked at Kakashi, pleading.

"Nope."

Before Kakashi could respond, Naruto jumped in, standing tall.

"That sword is ours now."

"And also..."

"If you kiss him, I'll let you both go."

Kakashi: ??

Sasuke: ?

Sakura: ?!

Zabuza, who had been on the verge of passing out, suddenly snapped his eyes open, clearly confused by the turn of events.

No one knew what he was thinking at that moment.

"Alright," Haku whispered, his face turning a faint shade of red. He quickly pecked Zabuza on the cheek before lowering his head, too embarrassed to look at anyone.

Once again, Team 7 stood in stunned silence.

They couldn't quite wrap their heads around the relationship between Zabuza and Haku...

Naruto waved them off, clearly unimpressed, as he shooed them away.

But just as they were leaving, Naruto heard Zabuza's faint, rasping voice:

"Haku... what's that smell...?"

"You smell... so good..."

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