The final, selfless choice made by Zabuza—pushing Haku aside and taking the mortal blow himself—was an unexpected deviation from the cruel destiny Shen Mo had foreseen. Zabuza, the merciless killer, had demonstrated a profound, devastating loyalty.
But the battle was not yet concluded. Haku remained largely unscathed, the ice arrows on the ground his only contribution. The decision hung in the air: yield in despair, or fight for revenge and the means to resurrect his master?
Shen Mo, the silent spectator, watched intently. This was the true essence of the Stage of Destiny: witnessing the brutal, final choices of those who sought to master their fate.
Down on the scorched earth, Haku finally broke.
Large, hot tears streamed uncontrollably from his eyes, dripping onto the beautiful, transformed face of his master. He fought desperately to suppress the sound, allowing only shuddering gasps to escape.
Zabuza's expression, even in the throes of death, was one of profound displeasure. He closed his eyes, unable to bear the sight of Haku's weakness. His breathing was so shallow it was almost imperceptible, his only proof of life the faint, lingering warmth of the Kämpfer transformation.
On the other side, after the forced administration of the third life-saving potion, Sasuke's heart rate finally began a sluggish, erratic return to near-normal rhythm. The rhythm, however, was still tragically weak. Zabuza's final blow had ruptured critical arteries near the heart muscle.
Shen Mo observed the spectral reality: Half of Sasuke's soul had already been ripped free by the powerful, forbidden trauma, drifting towards the abyss. The medicine had barely anchored his body; the complete return of his soul relied entirely on Sasuke's own, battered will. If he succumbed, the Guild's membership badge, acting as an advanced anchor, would claim his soul completely, ensuring no resurrection outside the system was possible.
"Lord Zabuza!" Haku's suppressed sob broke into a cry of pure anguish.
Zabuza's life force was fading rapidly. He had successfully blocked the Celestial Ascension blade with his body, but the intense, pervasive sword energy had turned his internal organs into a pulverized ruin. Even the power of the Kempf Bracelet—the one item keeping his body functional—could only prolong the inevitable.
Naruto lifted his head, his eyes settling on Haku's tear-streaked face. He suddenly recalled the history lesson Kakashi had given them: In their original fate, Haku died for Zabuza. Now, Zabuza had forced a different outcome. Their destinies had been irrevocably altered.
Yet, Sasuke was in the same, devastating state as he should have been.
Naruto's fists clenched, a feeling of bitter, crushing powerlessness welling up. If I hadn't pushed him out of the fire, Sasuke wouldn't have taken the final blow. He was useless, reduced to a weeping spectator while his rival lay dying.
How can I ever be recognized? How can I become a hero if I am so weak?
"Damn it—!" Naruto slammed his fist onto the cracked ground, the impact shallow and weak. He had opened so few Jars! He lacked the power, the necessary edge, to protect anyone!
"Naruto..." Kakashi spoke softly, his own voice heavy with the memory of past failures. He understood that feeling of having boundless language and strategy, yet absolute physical powerlessness.
Kakashi turned his gaze to Haku. The choice was Haku's alone.
"Do you still intend to fight?" Kakashi asked, his exhaustion profound. The effects of the Forbidden Secret Medicines were wearing off, leaving his body bruised, pierced by ice arrows, and utterly spent. If Haku chose to continue the battle, Kakashi wasn't sure he had the physical means to win.
Kakashi managed a weary, bitter smile. He truly hadn't expected Zabuza's final, desperate, yet fatal blow against Sasuke.
"You..." Haku looked up, a terrible clarity returning to his eyes, as if remembering a crucial detail. "Do you have any more medicine?"
"You mean...?" Kakashi instantly understood, glancing from Haku to the dying Zabuza, and back to the fading Sasuke. He offered a truly mournful smile this time. Even if he did possess more medicine, it would have to be prioritized for the still-flickering life force of Sasuke.
Haku, reading the grim silence, understood.
He gently lowered Zabuza's body to the ground. Then, he rose, gripping his ice-crystal bow and arrows with chilling resolve.
"I must earn enough money to resurrect Lord Zabuza!"
Haku's gaze was now utterly devoid of emotion, like polished ice. He had eliminated all weakness, transforming into the perfect, ruthless Tool—a state he had once failed to achieve in his original life.
"I knew it," Kakashi sighed, taking a deep, shuddering breath. "Naruto, the fight continues. Leave Sasuke for now. Even if he truly dies, we have the means to bring him back."
Naruto rose, his body trembling not from fear, but from a profound, boiling hatred of his own inadequacy. He stared at Haku, his gaze suddenly fierce and intimidating, the deep-seated rage beginning to churn within him.
Shen Mo, observing the violent spike in Naruto's internal pressure, noted the immediate, violent reaction of the sealed Nine-Tailed Fox. The seal was at its breaking point. If this emotionally charged struggle continued, an inevitable leakage of the Tailed Beast's power and a rampage were imminent.
Looks like I have to introduce the final act.
"Eee?" Shen Mo muttered, turning his head in mild surprise.
Outside the ethereal mirror barrier, on the physical surface of the Great Naruto Bridge, a short, nervous figure holding a luminous membership badge was slowly approaching the staged arena with cautious curiosity.
Gato.
Shen Mo was genuinely surprised. The powerful illusion placed on Gato by Obito had been broken earlier, and the man now possessed a surprising amount of power from the Jars. Why was he here?
The answer was simple, yet crucial: Shen Mo had subtly infused all membership badges with a function that warmed and guided the bearer toward the Stage of Destiny once the project was fully operational.
Kakashi and Haku were locked in their final, inevitable duel—but Gato's appearance had suddenly complicated the field.
Gato, initially frozen by the terrifying sight of the charred arena and the floating Merchant, instantly forced his tense muscles into a posture of subservience.
"Your Excellency," Gato rushed forward, bowing with an obsequious, oily smile. "I didn't expect to find you here."
Shen Mo remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Haku, however, was staring at the newcomer with utter disbelief.
"Gato? Why are you here?" Haku demanded, his eyes fixed on the membership badge clutched in Gato's hand. Membership? Is this insignificant little man also a part of the Chamber of Commerce?
"Haku, I came to find you." Gato, now transformed into a member, looked at the beautiful woman and nearly failed to recognize his former mercenary. He glanced up at Shen Mo, a sly calculation in his eyes, dimly grasping the scale of the power structure.
"You're Gato!" Naruto, seeing the despised financier, exploded in rage. Kakashi barely managed to restrain the boy, who screamed accusations. "You're the one who hired Zabuza and Haku to kill Uncle Tazuna!"
Gato, the real culprit, feigned profound innocence. "I am innocent! I was entirely under the influence of an illusion! If your esteemed Master hadn't mercifully broken the control last night, I would still be unknowingly committing those terrible acts!"
Shen Mo's lip twitched—the man had a naturally black heart; Obito's illusion had only made him slightly more reckless. However, Shen Mo already knew the true, opportunistic motivation behind Gato's unexpected arrival.
The stage is set for a chaotic three-way confrontation.