Chapter 3:

Kirigakure.

After watching the video, Terumi Mei and others couldn't help but remember the turbulent history of Kirigakure.

During the reign of the Fourth Mizukage,

The living conditions of the Mist Shinobi ninjas had reached the most brutal stage in history.

And if you didn't make the cut, you were likely to be defeated when attempting a rebellion at that time.

However,

It's worth mentioning that

Many of the new generation Mist of Shinobi admired Zabuza for killing all ninja students at the time. After all, it was his decision of killing them despite not being a ninja student himself that spurred reform among the Mist Shinobi, sparing them the pain of fighting their peers during graduation assessments.

Ao: "It's a shame to let this guy live!"

Kai: "His demeanor is still too cold; even fellow villagers wouldn't dare to meet his murderous gaze."

Chojuro: "I quite admire the fact that he spared our senior."

Terumi Mei: "Alright, enough with your sympathy for a traitor. Why would you want to defect as well?"

Everyone quickly fell silent and continued to watch the screen in the sky.

[On the bridge, Kakashi, little Sakura, Sasuke, and Tazuna are preparing to repair the bridge.]

[Suddenly, a thick fog envelops them, and a voice from the mist says, "I've kept you waiting, Kakashi!"

Zabuza, accompanied by Haku, appears before them with a calm expression.

"Haku!"

"Yes!"

Haku, acting like a tool, follows Zabuza's orders and attacks Sasuke like a whirlwind.

But his attack is easily evaded by the agile Sasuke, who kicks him into the air.

Zabuza is surprised Haku is repelled.

Then he sneers and says, "Haku, do you know? At this rate, they will counterattack!"

"Yes!"

Blue chakra emanates from Haku's entire body, condensing into icy mist, and he performs hand seals, declaring, "Secret Art: Mirror Ice Crystal!"

Haku's body transforms into an ice mirror,

Enveloping Sasuke within.

Seeing this, Kakashi attempts to step forward to resist,

But he is once again blocked.

"Is your opponent me?"

"With this trick, that guy is basically useless."

Sasuke, trapped in the ice, endures a barrage of ice needles and cries out in pain.

Little Sakura wants to step in and help,

But her kunai is effortlessly intercepted by Haku and does not harm him in the slightest.

The situation looks grim.]

The image fades.

Inside the barbecue shop.

Upon seeing Sasuke seriously injured, Ino can't help but curse, "If that guy didn't spare him, he wouldn't have these allies!"

"He even hurt Sasuke. If I were there, I'd teach him a lesson!"

Seeing that Sakura remains silent on the other side, Ino angrily questions her, "Forehead girl, why aren't you speaking up? Sasuke was injured by him. Do you have no opinion?"

"I..."

Ultimately, Sakura doesn't have much animosity toward Haku,

She can't bring herself to say anything hateful about him.

...

In the Shinigami world, inside the school.

Kurosaki Ichigo says to Ishida Uryu, "Doesn't Sasuke's voice sound similar to yours?"

Uryu adjusts his glasses, and he retorts, "I'm not as weak as that guy. I wasn't beaten to the ground."

Ichigo sneers and remarks, "The other day, when we were comparing who had killed more, you were the one lying on the ground!"

Uryu gives Ichigo a wry look and says, "You passed out first, you idiot."

Just as the two are about to continue arguing,

The screen scrolls again.

[On the bridge, the two sides are deadlocked.]

[Suddenly, a loud bang!

A thick cloud of white smoke emerges,

Naruto appears in an extraordinarily flashy manner.

"Hey, sorry to keep you waiting!"

"The main character in these stories always shows up like this and instantly defeats the enemy!"

Everyone is left speechless,

Clearly, a battle is taking place.

Yet, he enters so conspicuously,

Doesn't he know what a sneak attack is?

Haku glances at Naruto, recalling their chance encounter in the woods a few days ago.

Over there,

He learned that Naruto's dream was to become stronger and gain recognition from others.

"Alright, I'll go!"

"Shadow Clone..."

Before he can even complete the seal,

Not making the cut throws several shuriken at him.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Haku throws out a few iron needles to deflect them.

"Saved!"

"The enemy's attack was blocked by Haku!"

Not making the cut asks coldly, "Haku, what's your plan?"

"If you spare him, will you let me handle this... this battle my way?"

"Meaning we should do nothing, right? Haku, you're still the same, so naive!"

"I apologize."

Sasuke also notices this,

Although he's being attacked by flying needles, they don't seem to target vital points, as if the other party is deliberately showing restraint.]

The image fades.

Seeing Zabuza sneak up on Naruto,

The people in the barbecue shop are filled with righteous indignation.

Tooth says with a displeased expression, "It's downright despicable not to make the cut!"

Choji chews on his roast and mumbles, "That's right, Naruto would have been done for if he hadn't been saved for no reason."

Shikamaru wipes sweat from his forehead and scolds, "Naruto, the essence of being a ninja is deception, confusing your opponents, catching them off guard. Your entrance like this makes you an easy target!"

Though Shikamaru's tone is stern,

Naruto knows that Shikamaru is looking out for him.

"I won't do it like that next time..."

Seeing how despicable Zabuza can be, Naruto's opinion of him sinks even lower.

Facing a child,

He's still resorting to such low tactics,

It's truly disappointing.

Genos: "This man is as despicable as Sonic, who's always after the teacher! If I were in their world, I'd blast him with an energy cannon!"

Akainu: "No one should trample on justice!"

Tosen Kaname: "A man with no moral boundaries!"