Chapter 33: CHAPTER 33
As Haku appeared before Uchiha Sasuke, the air around him grew colder. Mirrors of ice formed rapidly, encircling Sasuke and trapping him within a dome of reflective surfaces.
"Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!" Haku's voice echoed.
Sasuke glanced at the mirrors, his Sharingan activating. He tried to stay calm, remembering his brother's teachings. "In any situation, stay focused. Stay calm."
But beads of sweat rolled down Sasuke's face as Haku's reflection disappeared into the mirrors, moving too quickly for his eyes to track.
"Come out!" Sasuke yelled, throwing kunai at the mirrors. The weapons bounced off harmlessly, and his frustration mounted.
---
Outside the ice dome, Hatake Kakashi faced Zabuza Momochi.
"Water Style: Hiding in Mist Jutsu!" Zabuza's voice boomed as the mist thickened.
Kakashi tensed, his Sharingan spinning. A sudden roar of water erupted as Zabuza unleashed Waterfall Jutsu, a massive wave crashing toward Kakashi.
Kakashi jumped back, avoiding the attack, but Zabuza appeared behind him with his Executioner's Blade, aiming for a deadly strike.
Bang!
The blade struck a substitution, leaving only a log in its wake. Kakashi reappeared behind Zabuza, kunai slashing toward the rogue ninja's back.
Slash!
Zabuza grunted as the kunai struck his side, forcing him to retreat. Blood dripped from the wound, but Zabuza steadied himself, leaning on his massive blade.
"You're good," Zabuza growled, "but I'm not done yet."
Mist Hidden: Silent Killing Technique!
Zabuza disappeared into the mist, his movements swift and silent. Suddenly, the Executioner's Blade flew toward Kakashi at full speed.
Kakashi's Sharingan whirled, the Kamui distorting space. The massive blade vanished into a vortex of chakra, shocking Zabuza.
"My sword!" Zabuza snarled, rushing forward with a kunai.
Kakashi, distracted by his thoughts about Obito's Sharingan and its new abilities, narrowly blocked Zabuza's strike.
---
Meanwhile, Haku inside the ice dome smirked under the mask. "Sasuke, you can't win."
Haku unleashed Water Style: Thousand Flying Water Needles, launching countless senbon from all directions.
Sasuke dodged as many as he could, but several senbon pierced his arms and legs. "Damn it!" he hissed through gritted teeth.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke shouted, summoning a massive fireball. The flames collided with the ice mirrors, evaporating the surrounding water, but the mirrors remained intact.
Haku stepped through the mirrors effortlessly, senbon at the ready. "It's over."
At the edge of the battlefield, Haruno Sakura pounded on the ice wall, screaming. "Sasuke! Say something! Please!"
But there was no reply.
---
Suddenly, Naruto Uzumaki burst onto the battlefield, his eyes darting to the ice dome trapping Sasuke.
"Naruto!" Sakura shouted, relief flooding her voice. "Save Sasuke!"
Naruto's expression hardened. "I'm on it."
He turned toward the dome, noticing Haku's masked figure inside. His eyes narrowed. "So, it's you again. The shy kid from before."
Haku stepped forward, removing his mask to reveal his serene face. "Sasuke's fate has already been sealed. You can't interfere."
Naruto clenched his fists, his aura flaring. "We'll see about that."
In an instant, Naruto disappeared from his spot, reappearing behind Haku with blinding speed. The mask in Haku's hand shattered as Naruto's presence loomed over him.
---
Inside the sealed space, Shiro observed Naruto's sudden burst of power with a smirk. "That's my student. Let's see how you handle this, Haku."
---
Naruto's hand shot out, grabbing Haku's wrist before he could retreat into the mirrors. "You're not going anywhere!"
Haku's calm façade wavered. "How are you this fast?"
Naruto's grin widened. "You're not the only one who can move quickly."
In a flash, Naruto's Nine-Tails Chakra flared, shattering the nearest ice mirror.
"Sasuke!" Naruto called out. "Hang in there!"
Sasuke, battered and bloodied, managed to lift his head. "Took you long enough, idiot."
Naruto smirked. "Don't die on me yet."
Outside the battlefield, Kakashi noticed the shift in the air. He glanced toward Naruto's position and muttered, "Looks like the kid's stepping up. Good. I can focus on finishing this."
Kakashi's Sharingan flared again as he clashed with Zabuza, their battle intensifying.
Back in the ice dome, Haku's calm voice returned. "Even if you break my mirrors, you can't win. My speed and precision are unmatched."
Naruto's grin didn't falter. "Speed? Precision? Let's see how you handle this."
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Dozens of Naruto clones appeared, surrounding Haku and the remaining mirrors.
Haku's eyes widened slightly. "What is this chakra…?"
The clones attacked simultaneously, punching and breaking through the mirrors one by one.
Haku backed away, cornered for the first time. "Impossible…"
Naruto stepped forward, his eyes burning with determination. "This is the power of never giving up!"
As the last mirror shattered, Naruto lunged toward Haku, his fist glowing with chakra.
"Let's end this!"
Haku braced himself, his resolve flickering as Naruto's punch connected. The battlefield erupted in a flash of light, leaving the outcome hanging in the balance.
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