One After Another

But that calm was shattered as a shadow approached from the distance. Gato, the notorious underground boss responsible for much of the area's troubles, appeared with a substantial gang of menacing-looking individuals. Their intentions were clear: sabotage the bridge and eliminate anyone in their way.

"Seems like Gato can't keep away," Samui remarked, her expression serious.

Mabui nodded. "This bridge means a lot to him. Financially, that is."

Tazuna, apprehensive but inspired by the youngsters' resolve, said, "I'll continue working. I have faith in you all."

Gato, relishing the scene before him, sneered, "You think these children can stop us? Tear it down!"

The gang charged forward, weapons drawn, expressions twisted with malicious intent.

Hanabi, agile and adept, swiftly released a volley of kunai, halting the first wave of Gato's men. "Not so fast," she said, brandishing her weapon confidently.

Hinata followed close on her sister's heels, her Byakugan activated. As they engaged Gato's men, Ryomaru kept a close watch. They weren't fighting shinobi – these were just thugs, and they were clearly outmatched by two skilled Hyuga.

Allowing them this chance at real combat experience was intentional on Ryomaru's part. However, his sharp eyes caught something unexpected. A henchman Hanabi had taken down earlier, one that everyone assumed had been knocked out cold, slowly and stealthily got back on his feet. With malicious intent clear in his eyes, he lifted a gleaming sword, aiming straight for Hanabi's exposed back.

Time seemed to stretch for Ryomaru as his instincts kicked in. In an instant, an ice mirror materialized beside him, reflecting the frantic scene unfolding. The chilling sensation it emitted was oddly familiar.

But as he stared into the mirror, a rush of vivid visions consumed him. First was Zabuza, trapped under a pack of summoned dogs, unable to move. Then came Kakashi, someone Ryomaru had met a handful of times in Konoha. The man's hand was enveloped in a crackling surge of lightning, aimed straight for Zabuza's heart. The last vision was of an unfamiliar face, stepping out from a mirror, intercepting the deadly blow meant for Zabuza.

Ryomaru heard Zabuza's voice, laced with a tone of twisted affection, "Good job, Haku. Now hold him tight."

These images caused a momentary lapse in Ryomaru's focus. But his will to protect those he cared about soon took over. He wasn't Haku. He wasn't being used. He emerged from the ice mirror's reflection, positioning himself between Hanabi and the would-be assailant. The sharp blade meant for Hanabi found a different mark, piercing Ryomaru's side instead.

Hinata, seeing Ryomaru hurt, let out a gasp, "Ryo!" She moved with incredible speed to his side, her face etched with worry.

Hanabi, turning and realizing what had just occurred, looked mortified. "I-I didn't see him. No, Ryomaru!"

Mabui, with her skilled perception, swiftly sent a jolt of electricity towards the henchman, incapacitating him. "Stay alert," she advised, casting a quick glance at Hanabi, who nodded in acknowledgment.

Ryomaru clutched his side, feeling the warmth of his own blood seep between his fingers. The cold sting of his own ice mirrors was a distant sensation compared to the burning pain that now consumed him. But the immediate sensation wasn't what troubled him most. As the visions flashed before his eyes, a growing realization dawned upon him.

"This isn't the same," he hissed through gritted teeth. The memories of Haku's loyalty and sacrifice, seemingly imprinted in his mind, juxtaposed against his own motivations. Ryomaru wasn't acting on manipulation or brainwashing. No, he was acting on genuine care and concern. "Protecting because I've been brainwashed isn't the same as protecting because I care."

Hinata's anxious voice brought him back to the present. "Ryo, hold on! We need to get this wound treated."

Hanabi, looking pale and horrified, added, "I'm so sorry, Ryomaru. I should've been more careful."

But Ryomaru didn't respond, the hazy fog of a realization he had long avoided threatening to pull him under. His thoughts were consumed by the parallels of his life with Haku's. He might have been Haku in another time, treated as nothing more than a tool by Zabuza, to be used even in death. But in this existence, he wasn't that person. Yet, the link between him and Haku was undeniable. The visions reminded him of a life that could have been, a life bereft of the comforts he now had. A mother whose love was immeasurable, friends he cherished, mentors who shaped him, and a home he felt grounded in.

Hinata, kneeling beside him with tears in her eyes, pleaded, "Stay with us, Ryo! We need to get you out of here and treat that wound!"

Hanabi's voice was thick with guilt, "It's my fault... I should have seen him."

Noticing he had unintentionally distressed his friends, Ryomaru's ice-blue eyes met each of theirs as he forced a smile, trying to put them at ease. "This is nothing," he reassured, still feeling the slight sting of the wound on his side. "Sorry for worrying you."

It truly was just a surface wound, one that might have looked worse than it felt. It hadn't hit any vital areas and Ryomaru was more resilient than most, both mentally and physically. While the sudden confrontation with his inner turmoil had momentarily shaken him, he was not one to be brought down by a mere scratch. His upbringing, the intense training under the Raikage, and the time spent with B had prepared him for much more dire situations.

Ryomaru grappled with the profound revelation that surged within him, a truth that had remained elusive until this very moment. However, just as the waves of this realization began to crest, the tumultuous sea of reality crashed down upon him once more.

Mabui's hand involuntarily twitched, catching his attention. He knew that beneath her sleeve lay a unique seal, used only in the gravest of situations. Activating her renowned Space/Time Jutsu, she swiftly summoned a scroll into her hand. The urgency in her movements was enough to make anyone's heart race.

As Mabui's eyes darted across the script, they widened in uncharacteristic alarm. She looked up, meeting Ryomaru's gaze with a sorrow he had never seen in her before. Her voice, a soft tremble, carried the devastating news. "Raikage-sama is dead."

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