Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

Kakashi had no time to worry about Sakura or Sasuke's emotions. Right now, his only thought was to defeat Zabuza as quickly as possible before the enemy who killed Naruto showed up. Then, maybe he could retreat with the remaining two Genin and request backup from the village.

Naruto's death already weighed heavily on his conscience. He had no idea how the Third Hokage would punish him. And if Sasuke—the last of the Uchiha clan—were to die too, Kakashi felt the only option left for him would be death as penance.

Zabuza, meanwhile, was much more relaxed. At this point, both he and Kakashi were drained. They were at such a low state that even a strong Chūnin could kill them with ease. As long as he could stall until Haku arrived, this battle would be as good as won.

Suddenly, Kakashi dropped to one knee, clutching his Sharingan eye in pain. Zabuza's eyes lit up. This was the chance he had been waiting for. He moved swiftly, forming hand seals to deliver a finishing blow.

But then, to his shock, Kakashi—who had appeared weakened—abruptly stood up straight and mirrored his hand seals.

"Genjutsu? Since when?!"

Zabuza's mind blanked for a moment. And in that brief second of confusion, he lost his chance. A massive Water Dragon Jutsu slammed into him, sending him flying and crashing through several trees.

It had to be said—those who reach the rank of jōnin are incredibly resilient. Even after a direct hit, Zabuza wasn't dead. But he had clearly lost the will and ability to continue fighting.

"It's over, Zabuza," Kakashi muttered, raising his kunai as he staggered toward him, body exhausted.

He had to finish Zabuza off before the enemy reinforcements arrived. If Zabuza managed to recover and pursue them, things could quickly turn fatal.

"Rustle… rustle…"

Footsteps echoed from within the forest.

Kakashi's expression froze in fear.

"Sakura, Sasuke—run! No matter what happens, just run!"

"...It's no use. We can't escape. Might as well try and fight," Sasuke panted as he pulled a kunai from his pouch, glaring toward the source of the noise. His Sharingan had fully awakened—now showing two tomoe in each eye.

He hadn't even realized it himself, too tired to notice. When Naruto's clone had vanished earlier, Zabuza's water clone had severely beaten him. That helplessness—it brought him right back to the night his entire clan was massacred by Uchiha Itachi.

Fear. Rage. Despair. And yet, he could do nothing.

Sakura was worse off. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she couldn't even form words. It was as if something had clogged her throat.

"Kakashi," Zabuza said smugly, "even a child understands how hopeless your situation is. Those two Genin are going nowhere. You're all going to die here."

"...Rin. Obito. Sensei…" Kakashi's head dropped. "I really am trash… dragging these kids into a mission I knew was beyond them…"

The wind howled. Leaves swayed in the cold breeze. In the sky, a few crows cawed, as if sounding the death knell for Team 7.

"Hey now... shouldn't you be the one dying?"

Suddenly, a calm, lazy voice echoed through the forest.

Everyone turned, stunned.

From the shadows of the trees emerged a boy with short blond hair and striking blue eyes, lazily kicking stones as he walked.

Kakashi: ? ? ?

Sasuke: ? ? ?

Sakura: ? ? ?

If Zabuza's mouth weren't wrapped in bandages, it'd be hanging open.

It was... the blond kid? He won?! Then where's Haku?

Did he kill her?

Zabuza's heart clenched. Grief and rage surged inside him, directed squarely at Naruto. He wanted to kill this boy with his own hands.

But before anyone could speak, another figure stepped out from behind Naruto—a person wearing a mask with the Mist Village insignia.

It was Haku.

Why is Haku with that brat?

Zabuza's mind reeled. He wanted to shout, to ask what was going on.

But before he could say a word, Haku silently raised three thin senbon needles and drove them into his neck.

Zabuza collapsed to the ground.

"Naruto… you're alive?!"

Sakura's eyes welled up with tears again. She stumbled forward, arms open, wanting to hug him.

"???"

Naruto sidestepped, eye twitching. "What, are you cursing me now? I'm alive and well, thanks!"

"Aces full!" Sakura shouted joyfully through her tears. "Wait… what's that supposed to mean? Is that some kind of curse?"

Naruto sighed. "Forget it."

Then he turned to Kakashi and Sasuke, both still wide-eyed with shock, and gestured toward Haku.

"This is a kind-hearted ninja I just met. She helped me deal with Zabuza's subordinates."

Only now did the tension in Kakashi and Sasuke's shoulders start to ease. Kakashi nearly collapsed from relief.

"I'm a hunter-nin from the Hidden Mist Village," Haku said, placing a hand over her chest and bowing politely. "Today, I was lucky enough to bring down the rogue ninja, Momochi Zabuza. I truly appreciate all of your help."

"No problem," Kakashi said, trying to appear unfazed as he approached Zabuza's body. "Taking out rogue shinobi is a duty for all five of the great ninja villages."

He crouched beside Zabuza and checked his pulse. "He's dead. You can take the body."

"Thank you," Haku replied.

Then, seemingly without warning, she turned and walked back to Naruto's side.

Naruto blinked. "Huh? Something else?"

In front of everyone—Kakashi, Sasuke, and a very confused Sakura—Haku stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Naruto in a tight embrace.

She was taller than Naruto, so his chin rested just beneath her shoulder.

"See you next time, Naruto-kun," she said softly. Her voice was light, musical—distinctly feminine.

So it's just a goodbye...

Feeling the warmth of her body and the subtle scent from her neck, Naruto nodded. "Yeah. See you."

Sasuke froze in place.

Kakashi's face twitched.

Sakura exploded. "HEY! What are you doing?! Let him go!"

Haku chuckled. "I wish I could stay longer, but I really have to go."

She released Naruto, picked up Zabuza's limp body with one hand, and vanished into the mist using the Body Flicker Technique.

While running, she removed her mask—her face flushed red all the way to her ears.

So embarrassing! Why did I hug him like that?!

She had no idea what had come over her.

Maybe it was when she saw that pink-haired girl trying to throw herself into Naruto's arms...

A strange voice in her head had whispered:

Touch him first. Hold him. Claim him. Fight for him.

Was this… a side effect of the contract?