ALL NOVEL Chapter 57: The Curtain Falls
Chapter
59: The Curtain Falls
Menma didn't have any special
feelings towards Haku. At best, he just regarded Haku as a whetstone for
himself. He didn't hesitate to kill Haku, as this is the mindset of a normal
ninja. If you are the enemy and want to kill me, then I will kill you; it's as
simple as that.
After previous experiences, Menma
could already face killing as a routine part of life. This is the most
realistic portrayal of this world and the "daily life" Menma must
quickly adapt to.
Sasuke felt the same. Looking at the
lifeless Mist Ninja lying in a pool of blood, his face remained unchanged.
Compared to the hell he had seen before, this was child's play.
Only Naruto still had an unnatural
expression. Despite knowing it was normal to kill enemy ninjas, under the 12
years of sheltered upbringing in Konohagakure, it wasn't something one could
quickly adapt to. This hesitation was why Naruto faltered at the last moment.
When Menma and the others completed
the encirclement and killing of Haku, the cover Haku provided for Zabuza was
lost. Kakashi, not holding back, released all his strength. Zabuza was no match
for Kakashi, highlighting the gap between elite jonin.
"Zizizizizizizi!" The
sound of lightning erupted. "Boom!" A terrifying might roared up.
When the ninja dogs completely
restricted Zabuza, Kakashi rushed in.
"Puchi!" He easily broke
through Zabuza's final defense, penetrating his heart.
"Huh!?" Instantly,
piercing pain and severe numbness spread throughout Zabuza's body. As his body
trembled violently, blood spurted from his mouth.
"Wow!" His energy faded
rapidly. His vision darkened, and he looked into Kakashi's emotionless eyes.
'Haha, is this my fate?' This thought flashed in his mind as he turned to see
the thick fog dissipate, revealing Haku's lifeless body. His pupils showed an
infinitely complex emotion, and countless past memories flashed like a
revolving lantern. 'Haku...'
Zabuza remembered the day he found
Haku, a lonely boy with the unique Ice Release kekkei genkai, shunned by his
own village. Haku's unwavering loyalty, gentle nature, and the way he called
him "Master Zabuza" warmed a part of Zabuza's heart he thought was
long dead. He recalled the times Haku tended to his wounds, the unspoken bond
they shared, and the promise that they would change the world together.
Despite his ruthless exterior,
Zabuza felt a pang of regret. He regretted not expressing his gratitude to
Haku, not showing him the kindness he deserved. As his vision blurred, the last
image he saw was Haku lying lifeless in a pool of blood, a silent testament to
their shared struggles and dreams.
Tears mingled with blood as Zabuza's
body grew cold. "Haku... forgive me," he whispered with his last
breath, his voice barely audible. His head drooped, and he breathed no more,
dying directly in Kakashi's hands.
After confirming Zabuza's death,
Kakashi sighed in relief. Despite always having the upper hand, a ninja battle
could turn with the slightest mistake. Kakashi had to pay attention to Menma, Tazuna
, and others, considering many factors. Fortunately, he achieved final victory.
"Release." Kakashi lifted
the summoning technique after confirming there was no other threat and sealed
Zabuza's body and beheading sword in a sealing scroll. He then jumped toward
Menma and the others.
With the fog dissipated, Haruno
Sakura and Tazuna stepped closer.
"Teacher Kakashi (Big Brother
Kakashi)!" They called.
"Didn't I tell you to stay by Tazuna
-san's side? Why are you running out one by one? What if something went
wrong?!" Kakashi reprimanded with a stern face, though he was relieved
with the result. Naruto scratched his head awkwardly, "Ahaha, it was a
moment of restraint, Big Brother Kakashi. Next time, we will pay attention, for
sure!"
Sasuke's expression remained
unchanged, like an iceberg. Menma changed the subject, "This Mist Ninja
has the blood limit of Ice Release. It's worth studying, Teacher Kakashi."
The value of ninja corpses was
taught in ninja school. Besides the bloodline limit, the information in their
brains was valuable. Kakashi sealed Zabuza's body, considering the important
information about Kirigakure in Zabuza's brain. Zabuza was one of the first
seven swordsmen of Kirigakure, and a ruthless person who assassinated Mizukage,
making his research value immense. Haku, with the bloodline limit, was also
valuable.
"Is it Ice Release? It is
indeed worth studying." Kakashi nodded, sealing Haku's body into a scroll.
"The bloodline limit? What is
it?" Naruto asked, confused.
"The bloodline limit is when
two chakras combine to create a new escape technique. Naruto, the teacher
explained this before. You forgot again?" Sakura explained, recovering
quickly after seeing the powerful enemies dealt with. She felt Menma was
overreacting, thinking the enemies were successfully dispatched without worry.
But she kept these thoughts to herself.
"Oh? Really? Haha, maybe I
forgot," Naruto laughed awkwardly.
Tazuna, who followed closely, looked
at Kakashi, Menma, and the others with lingering emotion. He didn't expect Kado
to hire such powerful ninjas to kill him. He felt lucky to have such strong
Konoha ninjas protecting him with the reward from a C-level mission. 'God wants
me to build the bridge. This is the hope of our country of waves!' Tazuna 's
heart filled with confidence.