Chapter 42 : Frozen Haku

"Sister Haku… Brother?!"

"How can this be?!"

Uzumaki Naruto rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Once he realized he wasn't seeing things, he turned to Kakashi and asked, "Kakashi-sensei, didn't you finish off Brother Haku with the Chidori?"

Fortunately, Naruto still remembered the name of Kakashi's technique, which seemed to be a profound memory of Haku's demise.

He recalled how he believed that Sasuke had been slain by Haku, his anger driving him to unleash the power of the Nine-Tails for the first time, only managing to defeat the opponent when Haku's mask accidentally fell off, revealing the face of a girl illuminated by the moonlight.

Kakashi, at the same time, had summoned his ninja dog to catch Zabuza, ready to use Chidori to dispatch his opponent. However, Haku's body had intervened.

In that instant, the hand crackling with thunder pierced through Haku's body.

Because of Haku's death, it would have been against the ninja code for Zabuza to not strike down again.

Why was Haku alive now?

"Could it be Haku's twin sister... or brother?"

Kakashi also speculated with some uncertainty.

After learning from Haku, he knew better than to assume that the person on the list had to be female just because they wore a kimono. It was entirely possible that they weren't necessarily a man either.

"If it really is Haku, there might be a chance to save them."

"And to heal wounds that were inflicted by my Chidori piercing through the chest, Tsunade-sama is probably the only one in the ninja world who can..."

"No, there's another person."

A sudden realization crossed Kakashi's mind, and he turned to look at Uchiha Ran.

Aside from Tsunade, there was another medic-nin whose skills were on par with hers, if not greater.

That person was Uchiha Ran!

Back in ninja school, Uchiha Ran was renowned for being a prodigious genius. It seemed that any jutsu or skill he attempted could be mastered in a short span of time. Additionally, he possessed an abundance of chakra and had been taken on as a disciple by Sarutobi Hiruzen himself.

Uchiha Ran had rapidly become a master of healing jutsu at the Ninja Hospital and had even been appointed as its director by the age of thirteen.

Rumors suggested that Uchiha Ran had also forged a contract with Tsunade regarding the Shikkotsu Forest Sacred Land, cementing their close relationship.

If anyone could heal Haku, it was likely to be him.

But how was that possible?

Could Uchiha Ran, who authored the Flying Thunder God Technique, really undertake a covert mission outside the village?

As a disciple of the Third Hokage, there didn't seem to be a valid reason to save a Kiri Rebel who had been confronted and slain by a Konoha Shinobi during a mission, right?

It was baffling...

"What's the matter?"

Sensing someone's gaze on him, Uchiha Ran cast a warm smile towards Kakashi.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just wanted to express my gratitude to the Fourth Hokage."

Kakashi suppressed his thoughts and spoke earnestly, "Namikaze Minato was my teacher. Thank you."

Speaking of which, Namikaze Minato had initially been just a mentor to Kakashi, Obito, Rin, and other Jōnin—akin to the relationship between Senju Tobirama and Danzo. It wasn't like the bond shared between the Third Hokage and the Sannin. However, after Obito and Rin were 'killed,' Namikaze Minato had taken Kakashi under his wing as an apprentice, deepening their connection.

But following the loss of his father, Obito, Rin, teacher, and mother, Kakashi had found solace through his own strength, and it wasn't a stretch for him to find camaraderie with Naruto when others had been distant—especially since Sarutobi Hiruzen aspired to be the only beacon of light in Naruto's heart.

Subsequently, when Kakashi instructed Sasuke, it was due to the synergy between Sharingan's power and his Thunder Chakra nature, while Naruto received guidance from Jiraiya.

"The Fourth Hokage belongs to Konoha. There's no need for gratitude."

Uchiha Ran's smile remained unchanged, as if he weren't seeking credit, even though this exchange might be his opportunity for recognition.

Then, he casually asked, "Kakashi, if there came a chance to resurrect people in the future, would you want me to revive Nohara Rin first, or Uchiha Obito?"

Kakashi hesitated for a moment.

How did Uchiha Ran know about Obito and Rin?

Being a disciple of Sarutobi Hiruzen, it wasn't unusual for him to know.

Could Uchiha Ran actually help?

So, should he resurrect Rin first, or Obito?

Hmm... it's better to revive Rin first.

After all, if Obito were resurrected first, he might be upset to learn that he hadn't managed to protect Rin. It would be better to take it step by step.

Yes, he definitely didn't choose Rin because he wanted to bring her back more than Obito.

For a while, Kakashi found himself lost in contemplation.

Uchiha Ran could basically guess the answer from Kakashi's contemplative expression and inwardly chuckled, "Kakashi isn't truly an Uchiha, and his sentimentality isn't quite like that of a true Uchiha. Even the pseudo-Uchiha, Obito, isn't much different."

"Nohara Rin..."

"What!"

Suddenly, a cry echoed through the air, capturing the attention of both Kakashi and Uchiha Ran.

"Kakashi-sensei, it's really Haku!"

Uzumaki Naruto pointed at the Gold List in the sky.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow and projected directly onto the Gold List.

The live stream revealed an expansive ice cavern. Within it stood a massive freezer, containing an ice-sealed figure. A gaping hole was visibly pierced through the chest.

From the perspective of the live stream, the person encased in ice appeared to possess an otherworldly pallor, their skin almost translucent, as if emitting light—an awe-inspiring sight.

Under normal circumstances, anyone would assume that a deceased person had been frozen in this container. However, ever since the Golden List ranking had been announced, it was established that this individual was not dead.

"It really is Haku!"

Kakashi's eyes flickered with surprise, recalling the attire Haku had worn.

At that moment, a burst of light emanated from the Gold List, enveloping the figure in the freezer.

Soon after, everyone witnessed Haku's complexion returning to a healthy flush at a visible pace.

Then, with a sudden movement, Haku's eyes snapped open, and they sat up, seemingly emerging from a state of suspended animation.

Observing this scene, Uchiha Ran silently commended Gold List's efforts.

"The Gold List works remarkably well—it's saved me a great deal of trouble!"

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