IN NARUTO AS KURAMA

Haku stared at the shattered mask pieces slipping from his hands, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Naruto Uzumaki. For the first time, the usually calm and collected Haku clenched his fists in anger.

Countless senbon appeared in his hands, forming an impenetrable shield of needles.

Naruto, unfazed, grinned. Nine-Tails Chakra flared around him as he dashed forward, his fist glowing with energy.

"Let's end this!" Naruto shouted, his punch aimed directly at Haku.

"Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness!"

A thick ice barrier erupted in front of Haku, but Naruto's chakra-enhanced punch slammed into it with devastating force. Cracks spiderwebbed across the surface, and with a loud crash, the once-unbreakable ice wall shattered into pieces.

The shockwave sent Haku flying backward, landing hard on the ground.

Naruto stepped forward, standing over Haku. "I told you not to get in my way!"

At the same time, the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals surrounding Sasuke Uchiha shattered, revealing Sasuke's limp body. Dozens of senbon pierced his arms, legs, and torso, making him look like a human pincushion.

"Sasuke!" Naruto called out, turning his head sharply.

Haruno Sakura rushed forward without hesitation, carefully lifting Sasuke's battered body. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "Hang on, Sasuke. I've got you."

Meanwhile, Haku lay unconscious on the bridge, completely defeated.

Naruto turned to the ongoing battle between Hatake Kakashi and Zabuza Momochi. The two clashed with ferocity, water splashing and mist swirling around them.

Naruto frowned. "Kakashi-sensei, why does it feel like you're holding back?"

Suddenly, a puff of smoke appeared beside Naruto, and Shiro materialized. He sat calmly on a small chair, cracking open a handful of melon seeds as if watching a casual show.

"Good timing, Naruto," Shiro said, tossing a melon seed into his mouth. "Want some?"

Naruto stared at the seeds, then nodded enthusiastically. "Sure, Master!"

Shiro smirked, dumping the seeds into Naruto's hands. But before Naruto could eat them, a large golden hand made of Nine-Tails Chakra appeared beside Shiro, revealing a massive pile of fresh melon seeds.

Naruto glanced at his pitiful handful, then at the pile, and narrowed his eyes at his master.

"Master," Naruto began suspiciously, "why do you get the good stuff?"

Shiro grinned and lightly smacked Naruto on the head. "Listen, kid, I'm doing this for your own good. Too many melon seeds and you'll rot your teeth. Master is protecting you from yourself!"

Naruto sighed, glaring at Shiro's exaggerated self-righteousness.

"Now," Shiro continued, taking a large bite out of a fresh watermelon that had suddenly appeared in his hands, "watch carefully. Kakashi is giving you a live demonstration of what a real ninja fight looks like."

Naruto's attention flickered between Shiro and Kakashi. He finally nodded and focused on the fight.

---

Zabuza's Executioner's Blade clashed with Kakashi's kunai, the force of their strikes sending ripples across the waterlogged battlefield.

Kakashi's Sharingan spun furiously, reading Zabuza's every move. But Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling that someone—namely, Shiro—was watching him closely.

"Damn," Kakashi muttered under his breath. "I need to finish this before I embarrass myself."

Suddenly, Zabuza's blade came crashing down again, but before the strike could connect, a green blur darted between them.

"Take this!" Naruto shouted as he delivered a flying kick directly to Zabuza's chest.

The rogue ninja was sent sprawling, landing hard on his back.

Both Kakashi and Zabuza froze, staring at Naruto in disbelief.

Naruto stood tall, his face calm but his outfit… bizarre. A hollow watermelon rind sat atop his head, courtesy of Shiro.

Kakashi blinked. "Naruto, what are you wearing?"

Naruto pointed to Shiro. "Master made me wear it. He said it's a special gift!"

Shiro, sitting on his chair in the distance, waved cheerfully.

Zabuza, regaining his footing, glared at Naruto. "You little brat! You think this is funny?"

Naruto smirked. "You're the one who looks ridiculous, Zabuza. Let's finish this!"

From his vantage point, Shiro called out, "Naruto, don't just talk. Use your fists!"

Naruto nodded, rushing Zabuza once again. His Nine-Tails Chakra flared, and Zabuza found himself on the defensive.

"You're stronger than before," Zabuza admitted, parrying Naruto's strikes. "But strength alone won't save you!"

Kakashi watched the exchange, impressed by Naruto's growth. "He's really pushing Zabuza back… Maybe I can finally end this."

Shiro, still munching on watermelon, raised his hand and gestured to Kakashi. His message was clear: Finish him.

Kakashi sighed, "Alright, let's end this."

Zabuza, enraged and exhausted, launched one final desperate attack. His Executioner's Blade, reforged with Haku's help, swung toward Kakashi and Naruto.

Kakashi's Sharingan glinted as he dodged effortlessly. Naruto, meanwhile, countered with a powerful Shadow Clone Barrage, landing multiple hits on Zabuza.

Finally, Kakashi charged his Lightning Blade.

"Zabuza," Kakashi said, his voice steady. "This is the end."

Before Zabuza could react, Kakashi's blade pierced his side, sending him to the ground.

As Zabuza lay defeated, Haku, who had regained consciousness, rushed to his side. "Zabuza-sama!"

Naruto hesitated, watching the scene unfold.

"Master," Naruto whispered, "is this really how it ends?"

Shiro's voice echoed in his mind. "This is the path of a ninja, Naruto. Strength, sacrifice, and decisions that leave scars. Watch closely—this lesson will stay with you forever."

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