Naruto: Bonds Unbroken

The air inside the ice dome was heavy, filled with tension and the sharp scent of blood. Naruto and Sasuke stood together, their bodies sore and riddled with senbon. All around them, Haku's reflection watched from the countless mirrors, his face hidden behind the cracked porcelain mask.

"You should surrender," Haku said quietly. "I do not wish to harm you further."

Naruto clenched his fists. "Like hell we're giving up! We made a promise to protect Tazuna, and we're not backing down!"

Sasuke, breathing heavily, didn't respond. His Sharingan spun, tracking Haku's rapid movements between the mirrors. I can see it now… the way he moves, the pattern he follows.

Haku tilted his head. "You can see me, can't you?"

Sasuke smirked, despite the pain. "Yeah, and that means you're not untouchable."

A New Strategy

Without hesitation, Sasuke dashed forward, kunai in hand.

Haku flickered into motion, his speed blurring as he unleashed a rain of senbon.

But this time, Sasuke dodged.

He twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the projectiles. His Sharingan locked onto Haku's path, tracking every movement.

Now!

Sasuke threw his kunai at the exact spot where Haku was about to appear.

A sharp gasp echoed through the dome as the kunai found its mark, grazing Haku's shoulder and drawing blood.

Naruto's eyes widened. "You actually hit him?!"

Sasuke smirked, though exhaustion tugged at his limbs. "Told you… I can see him now."

The Battle Intensifies

Haku stared at the blood on his shoulder before sighing. "Impressive… but I cannot let this continue."

He clasped his hands together in a blur of seals.

The ice mirrors shimmered, glowing with an intense chakra.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "He's increasing his speed."

Naruto scowled. "Tch, then we just have to—"

Shink!

A blur of motion.

Before Naruto could react, he was sent flying backward, a sharp pain shooting through his ribs as senbon struck.

"Naruto!" Sasuke turned just in time to see Haku closing in.

There was no time to dodge.

Sasuke's body moved instinctively—

And then—

Pain.

The Turning Point

Naruto groaned as he struggled to get up, but then he saw it.

Sasuke stood in front of him, his back lined with senbon. Blood dripped onto the frozen ground below.

Naruto's breath hitched. "Sasuke?"

Sasuke barely held himself up, his breaths coming out ragged. "Hah… looks like I protected you this time…"

Then, he collapsed.

Naruto's hands trembled as he caught him. His heart pounded in his chest, emotions crashing over him in waves.

"Sasuke…?" His voice cracked.

No response.

Something inside him snapped.

A Sudden Surge

The air changed.

A powerful presence surged through the dome, heavy and suffocating.

Naruto's body trembled, but not from fear. A heat spread through him, raw and untamed, as his fingernails sharpened and his eyes burned with a deep, crimson hue.

Haku took a step back. This chakra… what is this?

Naruto's head slowly lifted, his gaze locking onto Haku with an intensity that sent chills down his spine.

"You… hurt my friend."

Then, he moved.

It wasn't speed. It was something beyond that.

With a single strike, Naruto's hand smashed into one of the ice mirrors.

It shattered.

Haku's heart pounded. That's impossible!

Naruto turned to the next mirror and lashed out again. Another mirror crumbled under his raw power.

Haku barely had time to react before Naruto lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant.

At the last second, Haku flickered away, narrowly avoiding the strike.

But he wasn't fast enough.

Naruto's attack grazed his mask, leaving a deep crack.

Both landed on opposite sides of the battlefield.

For the first time, Naruto saw Haku's face.

A boy, no older than them. His eyes were soft, filled with sadness rather than malice.

Naruto's hands clenched. His voice was still rough, but steadier. "I don't care who you are. This ends now."

Haku took a slow breath. "I see now…" He reached up, removing the rest of his mask. "You fight to protect, just as I do."

Naruto's body was still shaking with energy, but his mind hesitated.

Haku exhaled. "Then… I will not hold back anymore."

His hands moved in a blur, forming a final set of hand seals.

Naruto growled, chakra surging.

The battle was about to reach its peak.