Hokage:The female ninjas are going crazy

Kakashi's already weak body grew even weaker due to chakra overdraft. After a week of bed rest, he finally recovered, though his condition remained fragile.

But Kakashi didn't waste that downtime. While recuperating, he taught Team 7 a vital ninja skill—channeling chakra to the soles of their feet to climb trees. It was a fundamental test of chakra control.

Naruto, unfortunately, struggled the most. Despite having immense chakra reserves due to the Nine Tails sealed within him, he couldn't effectively control it. More often than not, he would slide right off the tree.

Sasuke, on the other hand, had decent chakra reserves—not nearly as absurd as an Uzumaki, but far from lacking. Still, he was prone to using too much chakra, which caused the bark to crack beneath his feet and made him lose balance. Despite that, as a natural-born genius, Sasuke made rapid progress.

Surprisingly, Sakura excelled the most in this training. Her chakra control was precise, allowing her to master the exercise effortlessly.

Though Sasuke hadn't fully succeeded, his progress was remarkable. Naruto, on the other hand, relied solely on relentless determination and repeated failures to build muscle memory. Despite his frustration, he didn't give up.

One day, while Naruto was training alone, a beautiful girl appeared before him.

Even though Naruto's heart was already set on Sakura, he couldn't help but be moved when he saw her. Her delicate features and graceful demeanor made her stand out instantly.

This "girl" was Haku.

"You look like a ninja. Why are you training so hard?" Haku asked gently.

"I want to become stronger!" Naruto declared with passion.

"But you already look strong," she replied with a soft smile.

"No, I need to be stronger!"

"Why?" she asked.

Naruto's expression grew serious. "Because I want to become the strongest ninja. I want everyone to recognize my strength!"

Hearing those words, Haku smiled, her eyes softening.

"Don't you have someone important to you?" she asked.

The question hit Naruto unexpectedly.

Why was she asking that?

In her heart, Haku already had someone she was willing to protect at the cost of her life. That person was the very source of her strength—the reason she trained and endured.

Naruto's mind drifted to Iruka-sensei, the first person who acknowledged him, the one who treated him to ramen and always saw him as more than a vessel for the Nine Tails.

Maybe Iruka is that important person, Naruto thought.

Suddenly, everything made sense. True strength wasn't just about power—it was about having someone to protect.

Just as Naruto was about to thank the kind-hearted older sister in front of him—

Haku suddenly smiled and said, "By the way, I'm a boy."

Naruto froze.

His world shattered.

Just moments ago, he had considered replacing Sakura in his heart with Haku. Now, he was told that the beautiful girl in front of him was actually a boy?

A cute girl… with a big secret?

Naruto's heart completely collapsed.

---

Elsewhere…

Zabuza: "What's wrong with that kid? Why does it matter whether Haku is a boy or a girl?"

Jiraiya: "Wait, are you saying you forced a boy to stay by your side? Fascinating… This is giving me great inspiration for my next book!"

Zabuza: "What nonsense are you spouting? I don't understand a single word!"

Haku: "It's okay, Mr. Zabuza. I don't mind."

Kakashi: "…"

Kiba: "But seriously, isn't Haku actually a girl?"

Naruto: "Honestly, I don't know anymore. It's such a pity…"

Hinata: "Naruto…"

Jiraiya: "Well, I'll admit, the appearance and skin are 100% that of a girl."

Jiraiya (in the chat): "@Orochimaru, you're the expert in… let's say 'ambiguous identities.' What do you think? Is Haku a boy or girl?"

Orochimaru: "Hehehe… Finally, you acknowledge me! Of course I know the truth! I'm a master when it comes to cross-dressing and hidden genders. I saw through Haku instantly!"

Jiraiya: "Then tell us—Is Haku a woman?"

Naruto: "Yeah! I want to know too!"

Ino: "Curiosity +1!"

Sakura: "Although Haku is incredibly beautiful—almost too beautiful—I also want to know!"

Orochimaru: "Hmph! If you want me to spill the truth, hand over the Second Hokage's forbidden scroll!"

Hiruzen: "Silence, Orochimaru!"

Orochimaru: "Tsk. Then I guess I won't tell you."

Haku: "Why won't anyone believe I'm a man?"

Kakashi: "It's not about the truth. People believe what they want to believe."

---

After that emotional encounter, Naruto and his team eventually faced off with Zabuza once more.

But this time, Zabuza didn't fight alone—he had Haku by his side, who possessed a powerful kekkei genkai.

Sasuke stepped forward to fight Haku, who wore a hunter-nin mask. He was quickly caught in the Demonic Ice Mirror technique—a trap of reflective ice mirrors surrounding him on all sides.

Kakashi tried to help but was intercepted by Zabuza.

Inside the ice prison, Sasuke found himself overwhelmed. But then, at a critical moment, his Sharingan awakened for the first time.

With his newfound power, Sasuke could track Haku's movements, keeping up with the previously impossible speed.

But even with the Sharingan, Sasuke was badly injured when he shielded Naruto from an attack. He had once vowed to never rely on others, yet here he was, protecting someone with his life.

Naruto, seeing Sasuke fall, was consumed with rage and sorrow. At that moment, the power of the Nine Tails erupted from within him.

Red chakra flared around him like a blazing flame.

Naruto shattered the ice mirrors with ease, overwhelming Haku.

And when Haku's mask fell… Naruto saw the familiar face.

It was Haku—the person who had spoken to him so kindly before.

Despite his rage, Naruto couldn't bring himself to kill her—no, him.

But Haku made a choice.

When Kakashi launched Raikiri, Haku jumped in front of it to protect Zabuza, taking the full brunt of the deadly attack.

She—he—gave her life to protect the person she cared for the most.

> "When people want to protect something, they become stronger."

It was then Naruto realized: the one Haku had always wanted to protect was Zabuza.

Even Zabuza, the demon of the mist, was shaken.

"You said you didn't care, that he was just a tool."

"He gave you his life."

"Isn't he more than a tool to you?"

Naruto's words pierced through Zabuza's cold heart. He began to recall every moment they had shared.

He finally understood: Haku wasn't just a tool. Haku was someone who had loved and followed him wholeheartedly.

But Zabuza's injuries were severe. As Gato and his mercenaries arrived, mocking Haku's corpse, Zabuza snapped.

With a kunai clenched between his teeth, he turned into a demon one final time—fighting through the crowd and taking Gato down in a storm of vengeance.

And then, at last… Zabuza collapsed beside Haku.

In the afterlife, the two were finally reunited.

---

The mission in the Land of Waves was over.

Naruto and the others buried Zabuza and Haku side by side.

Haku: "I never thought our story would be seen by everyone…"

Zabuza: "Tch, stop talking. It's embarrassing."

Jinpachi Munashi: "Truly embarrassing… I got lectured by a brat from Konoha."

Jinin Akebino: "We're supposed to be the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!"

Kushimaru Kuriarare: "I hereby expel Zabuza from the Seven Swordsmen. Utter disgrace."

Might Duy: "Heh. Do you lot think you're strong?"

Everyone else: "…"