[Demon of the Hidden Mist]
[Hatake Kakashi: Zabuza... your ambition has become too dangerous...]
[Momochi Zabuza: Kakashi... you've finally come...]
[Hatake Kakashi: Last time, you escaped. This time, I won't let you go!]
[Momochi Zabuza: Kakashi, your foolishness blinds you to reality. As for me, I've already seen through your techniques! Hidden Mist Jutsu!]
---
[Your ambition has caused too much sacrifice. This is not the behavior a Ninja should have.]
After some effort, Kakashi barely managed to defeat this enhanced version of Zabuza.
If it weren't for two mistakes in his combo... he wouldn't have lost half his health bar for nothing.
But at least he made it through...
Kakashi stared at the screen, where Zabuza lay motionless.
'It seemed this time, he was truly done for.'
'I'm afraid my next move would be Raikiri... using it to end the enemy's life, ensuring no chance of survival.'
'So... in the upcoming reality, is this how Zabuza dies?'
When the battle ended, the word [Victory] appeared on the screen, but no further plot unfolded.
This left Kakashi feeling a bit puzzled.
'This doesn't seem right... logically, this should have been the conclusion. Could there be more?'
At this point, Kakashi couldn't help but think of that Ice Release Ninja.
Although Kakashi had never personally experienced the power of Ice Release, he dared not underestimate it.
Any Kekkei Genkai, no matter how obscure, was a hereditary talent that ordinary people, and even ordinary Ninjas, could only dream of!
Kakashi clicked to continue, and sure enough, he saw... Level 13!
However, when he opened this level, it was different from the previous ones where he could choose a Ninja.
A line of text was specially highlighted.
[When the Snow Falls (Story Restricted)]
Kakashi lightly tapped [Deploy]
Sure enough, the plot that hadn't appeared at the end of the previous level now continued...
[Momochi Zabuza: Damn it! How could I lose to you!?]
[Hatake Kakashi: Your ambition and your life end here! Let me give you a taste of my personal Ninjutsu! Raikiri!]
However, what no one expected was...
Haku…
As Kakashi delivered the final blow, Zabuza, with no way to retreat and unwilling to let his efforts go to waste…
In his struggle between despair and resentment, a small figure stepped in front of Zabuza.
Beneath Zabuza's towering frame, this figure seemed even more insignificant.
Yet, it blocked Kakashi's finishing ultimate, Raikiri.
The Raikiri pierces through the chest... there was no chance of survival.
This was something Kakashi had long understood.
Watching this delicate-faced child slowly fall, both the pre-programmed Kakashi in the game and the real Kakashi were struck with shock and silence.
A burning sensation spread through his left eye... his blood-stained right hand felt as if it could never be cleansed.
At this moment, the usually meticulous Kakashi overlooked Zabuza's own shock.
The screen turned black, with white text appearing:
[Haku stood in front of Zabuza, taking the blow for him]
[Later, when Gato led his men to the bridge, he spoke disrespectfully of Haku's sacrifice.]
[Zabuza, shedding his cold mask, decided to use his last ounce of strength to defend Haku's honor!]
---
But at this moment, Zabuza's body in the story was clearly on the verge of collapse.
[Momochi Zabuza: Damn it... my body...]
[Thug 1: Look at how pathetic he is, haha!]
[Thug 2: Zabuza, you've always been so arrogant. Did you ever think you'd end up like this?]
[Thug 3: That fierce little follower of yours... has finally shut up, hahahahaha.]
[Momochi Zabuza: You bastards... get your filthy hands off Haku!]
…
After the dialogue ended, Kakashi looked at the Zabuza he was now controlling.
He knew this was similar to the earlier scenario where he controlled Minato.
However, this Zabuza could no longer wield his masterful sword techniques, nor could he form hand seals for his proud Hidden Mist Jutsu.
Relying on the last shred of his willpower, he struggled to defeat wave after wave of Gato's thugs.
But even the strongest fists couldn't hold off countless hands, especially in Zabuza's condition...
Kakashi endured the discomfort and continued to watch.
Fortunately, in the end, Zabuza burned brightly one last time before his flame extinguished.
But his body had completely broken down. Kakashi could hardly imagine what kind of immense willpower Zabuza had relied on to keep going...
[Momochi Zabuza: This is... snow...]
[Momochi Zabuza: Haku... are you the one crying...?]
[Momochi Zabuza: Cough, cough… Kakashi... could you do me a favor?]
[Hatake Kakashi: I'll take you there...]
[Momochi Zabuza: Ah... Thank you, Kakashi...]
Finally, with Kakashi's support, Zabuza was able to collapse beside Haku.
[Momochi Zabuza: Haku, if possible... I really wish I could go to the same place as you...]
…
[The battle on the bridge finally came to an end.]
[The people of the Land of Waves achieved ultimate victory.]
[Gato and his many thugs were driven away by Zabuza's desperate efforts.]
[And Zabuza, who had burned out completely.]
[passed away alongside Haku, as a true Ninja.]
[What does it mean to be a Ninja? What is the true way of life for a Ninja?]
[These questions were deeply engraved in Naruto and the others' hearts…]
[Along with their own.]
[Ninja Way.]
[The Land of Waves Volume: End]
---
Kakashi looked at the concluded story and sighed, "In the end, Zabuza died as a Ninja, not as a principle-less butcher..."
Upon hearing this, Yuto asked, "Oh? What's your take on Zabuza now?"
Kakashi replied with a hint of regret, "At first, I looked down on him."
After a pause, Kakashi continued, "Assassinating the village's Kage, betraying the principles of the Ninja Village, interfering in the conflicts of neutral nations during peacetime, and... treating his subordinates as tools."
"That's true."
Yuto chimed in, then looked at Kakashi with anticipation, waiting for him to continue.
Kakashi didn't disappoint Yuto and continued, "But later... when he went to such lengths for that Ice Release Ninja named 'Haku'..."
"At least in that moment... until his death, he was a true Ninja."
Yuto fell silent. The story of Haku and Zabuza was the first emotional gut-punch in the Naruto storyline.
As for whether it would be the most profound one... that remained to be seen.
But judging by Kakashi's somber expression, it was clear he had been deeply affected.
Kakashi's heart was also tangled. Facing this 'unmet' opponent, he felt a sense of mutual respect for Zabuza.
However, if they were to truly face each other as enemies one day, neither would likely hold back.