At that moment, a loud commotion erupted from the far end of the bridge.
"Hahahaha! What a magnificent battle!"
A sharp, grating laugh rang out.
Kakashi and Zabuza both turned their heads.
Hundreds of armed thugs were swarming onto the bridge.
At their head stood a short, obese man wearing sunglasses, leaning on a cane, his face stuffed with layers of fat.
It was Gato, the underground boss of the Land of Waves.
"Zabuza… oh, Zabuza."
Gato pointed his cane straight at him.
"You worthless piece of trash! You wasted so much of my money!"
"I paid a fortune to hire you, and you still lost!"
"And that Raiga—what a joke. 'One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist,' my ass. Turns out he was trash too! Good thing he's dead—saves me the trouble of paying him!"
Zabuza clenched the Kubikiribōchō, killing intent blazing in his eyes.
"Gato… you bastard…"
"Oh? Still daring to glare at me?"
Gato sneered. "You're about to die and you're still acting tough?"
He then turned toward Kakashi, instantly switching to a sycophantic grin.
"Hey, Konoha ninja."
"I'm willing to pay."
He pointed his cane at Tazuna in the distance.
"Why don't you kill that old man for me?"
"I'll pay double—no, triple! As long as Tazuna dies, this bridge will never be finished!"
"What do you say? Sounds like a great deal, right? Your mission was just to escort him here anyway. You've already arrived, so the mission's done!"
"Kill him, take the money, and everyone's happy!"
Gato burst out laughing.
The workers trembled in fear.
Tazuna's face turned pale as he clenched his fists.
"…Damn you, Gato."
Not far away, Naruto and the others grew tense as well.
Kakashi listened quietly—then suddenly laughed.
"Interesting proposal."
Gato's eyes lit up. "So you agree?"
Kakashi shook his head.
"No."
He dispersed Lightning Release: Chidori and stepped aside.
"What?!"
Everyone was stunned.
Kakashi turned to Zabuza, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Zabuza, your employer just called you trash to your face and said your death would save him money."
"According to the rules of the ninja world, once an employer betrays a ninja, the contract is immediately void."
"You are no longer Gato's subordinate."
Kakashi took a few steps back and crossed his arms.
"I won't interfere with whatever you choose to do next."
Zabuza froze—then realization dawned.
A sinister grin spread across his face.
"Gato… you… you stupid idiot…"
Gato finally sensed the danger.
"W-what are you planning to do?!"
Zabuza tightened his grip on the Kubikiribōchō. Despite his severe injuries, the killing intent pouring from him was stronger than ever.
"You betrayed me… humiliated me… treated me like disposable trash…"
"So now—"
He advanced step by step.
"I'll show you how this 'trash' kills!"
"No—don't!" Gato screamed, backing away. "Protect me! Hurry! You useless idiots!"
The thugs hesitantly raised their weapons.
But the murderous aura erupting from Zabuza made their legs go weak.
"I said—"
Zabuza suddenly burst forward.
Even heavily injured, a jōnin was far beyond what ordinary people could handle.
"Get out of my way!!"
Slash—slash—slash!
The massive blade swept through the front line.
Several thugs were cut down instantly, blood spraying everywhere.
The rest lost their nerve.
"M-Monster!"
"Run!"
They dropped their weapons and scattered in all directions.
"Don't run! Come back! I'll pay more money!" Gato screamed hysterically.
No one listened.
In the blink of an eye, Gato was left alone.
"N-no… don't come closer…"
He collapsed to the ground, his pants soaked.
Zabuza stood before him, looking down coldly.
"Gato, do you know what a ninja hates most?"
"Being betrayed by their employer."
"The contract between ninja and client is built on trust and money."
"You broke that rule."
He raised the Kubikiribōchō.
"So go to hell."
"No—AAAH—!"
Slash!
The blade fell.
Gato's scream was cut short.
His head flew into the air before crashing to the ground.
The headless body collapsed, blood pouring out in a violent gush.
Zabuza stared at the corpse.
"Trash."
He turned to Kakashi.
"Kakashi… thanks."
"No need." Kakashi replied calmly. "I was just following the rules of the ninja world."
"The contract was void. You were no longer a threat to Tazuna, so there was no reason for me to kill you."
"As for Gato—that was your personal matter."
Zabuza fell silent for a moment.
"Then… our fight?"
"Do you want to continue?" Kakashi asked.
Zabuza looked at his wounds, then at Haku, who was being restrained by Team 7 in the distance.
He let out a long sigh.
"I lost."
He planted the Kubikiribōchō into the ground and knelt on one knee.
"Do whatever you want."
Kakashi stepped forward and studied him quietly.
After a few seconds—
"I can spare your life."
"What?!"
Zabuza, Naruto, and the others were all stunned.
Kakashi looked at Zabuza.
"But there are conditions."
"…What conditions?" Zabuza asked warily.
Kakashi turned his gaze toward Haku.
"Let Haku become my apprentice."
"…What?!"
Zabuza's eyes widened.
Haku also stared in shock.
"You… you want to take Haku as your apprentice?" Zabuza couldn't believe it.
"Yes."
Kakashi nodded. "Haku's talent is extraordinary. An Ice Release kekkei genkai is incredibly rare. Letting someone like that die here would be a waste."
"And besides—"
He looked straight at Zabuza.
"If I kill you, I eliminate one rogue ninja."
"But if I take Haku as my apprentice, I gain a disciple with a kekkei genkai."
"To me, the second option has far more value."
Zabuza fell silent.
He understood.
This was a trade.
Haku—for his life.
"And what about Haku's wishes?" Zabuza asked through clenched teeth. "Have you asked him?"
Kakashi looked at Haku.
"Haku, are you willing to become my apprentice?"
Haku froze.
He turned to Zabuza.
Zabuza said nothing.
After a long silence—
Haku lowered his head.
"If… if this means Zabuza-sama can live…"
"I'm willing."
"Haku!" Zabuza exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, Zabuza-sama…" Haku sobbed. "But I don't want to see you die…"
"Even if we have to be separated… I don't want you to die…"
Zabuza clenched his fists, veins bulging.
At last, he loosened them.
"…I understand."
He looked at Kakashi.
"Kakashi. You win."
"I'll leave Haku to you. But promise me one thing."
"Say it."
"Treat him well," Zabuza said seriously. "If you ever abuse him, I'll hunt you down even if I have to chase you to the ends of the earth."
Kakashi smiled.
"Relax. I don't mistreat my own apprentices."
"And Haku becoming stronger benefits me as well. I'd have no reason to harm him."
Zabuza nodded in silence.
Kakashi turned to Team 7. "Release Haku."
Naruto stepped aside.
Haku struggled to his feet and walked toward Zabuza.
"Zabuza-sama…"
"Haku." Zabuza looked at him with complicated eyes. "Learn well from Kakashi."
"He's strong. You'll learn a lot."
Then he gripped Haku's shoulder.
"But never forget who you are."
"You are Haku—not a tool, not someone's shadow."
"You are yourself."
Haku's tears poured out uncontrollably.
This was the first time… the first time Zabuza had treated him as a person rather than a tool.
"I… I won't forget… Zabuza-sama…"
Zabuza took out a small pouch from his clothes and handed it to him.
"This is what I've saved over the years. It's not much, but it'll last you a while."
"Zabuza-sama…" Haku choked up.
"Take it." Zabuza shoved it into his hand. "Don't make me worry about you starving."
Haku clutched the pouch tightly.
"I'll… I'll become stronger… Zabuza-sama…"
"Strong enough… to help you fulfill your dream…"
Zabuza patted his head.
"I know."
He turned away, picked up the Kubikiribōchō, and faced Kakashi.
"I'm leaving."
"Wait," Kakashi called.
Zabuza turned back.
Kakashi took out several rolls of bandages and hemostatic medicine from his ninja pouch.
"Take these. Don't die on the road."
Zabuza froze.
"You…"
"Don't misunderstand," Kakashi said calmly. "I just don't want my apprentice's former master dying on the way. Haku would be sad."
"Consider it… severance pay."
Zabuza accepted the items in silence.
"…Thanks."
"One more thing," Kakashi added. "Three years from now."
"If you're still alive, come to Konoha and see Haku."
"You'll see how much he's grown."
Zabuza's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"Really."
After a moment, Zabuza nodded.
"I understand. Three years—I'll remember."
He turned away.
"Haku, wait for me. Three years from now, I'll come see how strong you've become."
With that, he left without looking back, disappearing into the mist.
Haku watched him go, tears streaming endlessly.
"Zabuza-sama… please… please stay alive…"
Kakashi walked over to Haku.
"Sakura, treat him."
"Yes." Sakura stepped forward, green chakra glowing as she began healing.
"From today on, you're my apprentice," Kakashi said.
"Apprentice—not an official disciple yet. You'll need to pass an assessment for that."
"But until then, I'll teach you."
"I'll teach you how to become truly strong."
Haku wiped his tears and nodded.
"Yes… sensei."
---
System Notification
"Ding! Special event detected!"
"Successfully accepted Haku as an apprentice!"
"Reward obtained: B-Rank Special Character Card — Haku (Wandering Samurai Form) ×1"
Card Description:
Haku, apprenticed under Kakashi Hatake, learns Hatake-style swordsmanship and fuses it with Ice Release, forming a unique combat style.
Attack +300, Agility +250
Special Skills: Ice Blade Slash, Snow Moon Flower
"Reward obtained: System Points ×800"
"Special Achievement: First Apprentice Accepted!"
"Bonus Reward: System Points ×500"
"New Quest Triggered: Train Haku into an official disciple"
"Quest Reward: A-Rank Character Card Draw Voucher ×1, System Points ×1500, Card Slot +1"
Kakashi suppressed his excitement.
This Land of Waves mission had yielded absurd gains.
Team 7 had grown stronger, the team bond multiplier increased, he acquired Kiba, accepted a genius apprentice, gained a special card, unlocked a future card slot, and even earned Zabuza's goodwill along with a three-year pact.
Perfect returns.
Kakashi glanced at Haku and nodded with satisfaction.
"With proper training… he'll become a top-tier ninja."
Sasuke looked at Haku thoughtfully.
"Kekkei genkai… Ice Release…"
Then he turned to Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei, what about me? I want to become stronger too."
"You will," Kakashi said with a smile. "When we return to Konoha, your training will continue."
"Haku's presence will give you more chances to improve."
Sakura smiled gently. "Welcome to Team 7, Haku."
Haku blinked, then returned a weak smile.
"Thank you… please take care of me."
Naruto grinned. "Welcome, Haku! From now on, we're comrades!"
Haku's eyes welled up again.
Comrades…
To him, that word was priceless.
Kakashi patted Naruto's shoulder.
"Alright. Mission complete. We rest tonight and return to the village tomorrow."
The workers approached, full of gratitude.
"Thank you!"
"You saved the Land of Waves!"
Tazuna wiped his tears. "I'll name this bridge after you!"
"Let's call it… the Team 7 Bridge!"
Kakashi smiled faintly.
The Land of Waves mission—
Perfectly concluded.