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Chapter 39 - Chapter 39 Kano walked straight toward Haku, Naruto right behind her.

She herself was the same, yet she didn't want to kill Haku.

Haku was kind; even now he'd shown no killing intent toward her. Kano didn't want someone that gentle to die for nothing.

She would rely on Naruto's Talk no Jutsu to persuade him.

Naruto, I need your help this time.

Sure! Just name it!

Kano walked straight toward Haku, Naruto right behind her.

Haku was already weaving seals for the next assault. He was confident he could beat these two and scare them off.

Though far from peak condition, he had to defeat—or at least delay—Kano to buy Zabuza time.

Secret Art: Demonic Mirror—

Before he could finish, lethal danger struck from behind: metal claws shot at his head. He dodged, only to be snared by the Shadow Demon Brothers' flying chains.

His seals broken, he flung needles while retreating. Shadow Mizuki blocked them with an oversized shuriken and hurled another back.

Kano was no fool; she wouldn't grant him time to seal. Ambush first—and gang-up tactics too.

Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!

A swarm of Narutos charged, with three Shadow Ninjas using the clones as shields, pressing the assault.

Haku reeled, forced back step by step, unable to form a single seal. Yet the retreat was calculated, drawing him ever closer to Kano.

If he could just seize that girl as a hostage—then he found he couldn't move at all.

Ninja Art: Shadow Binding Technique—success," Kano said, fingers sealed, grinning. "Zabuza might break free, but I can hold you until your Chakra runs dry. You lose, Haku.

Struggling proved futile; he lacked Zabuza's raw strength.

Kill me. I'm of no further use.

Stop rushing to die. Can we just sit and talk? Naruto, come here.

On my way!

Naruto trotted over.

Try to reach him—convince him to stop being Zabuza's tool.

Why? He's our enemy. What good does it do?

Sighing, Kano motioned a Shadow Ninja to lift Haku's mask. Take a good look.

You're that pretty sister from before!

Naruto was speechless; the kind, beautiful girl he remembered was their enemy.

Why would you help someone like him?

He couldn't understand how a gentle soul would side with a monster like Zabuza.

I am Lord Zabuza's tool—his weapon to kill and his shield to protect. Nothing more.

Don't you have your own thoughts? Your own dreams?

Dreams? I fight for mine, just as you fight for yours.

I simply want to protect the person most precious to me. I act for that person, fight for that person, so that person's dream may come true.

That is my dream, and for it I can become a true Ninja—kill you, or be killed by you.

Defeated, I've lost my value as a tool; I can no longer aid Lord Zabuza.

Do it. I won't hate you.

You—!

Naruto punched Haku down, and Kano released the Shadow Binding. Maintaining the hold drained too much Chakra; overuse left her feeling awful.

Talk no Jutsu was Naruto's job now. With Sasuke backing Kakashi, that side should be fine—but something still felt forgotten…

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