Naruto : Shadow King

I knew that Haku would be depressed after Zabuza's death, but this was something else entirely. The boy was giving off suicidal vibes, which was honestly scary. It's terrifying how some people become so dependent on others that they can't find the will to live after those people are gone.

Loving someone or depending on someone is fine, but not to the degree where, without them, there's no will to live.

Sigh...

"I train hard to protect what I want to protect. In my case, that would be my friends and the people I know," I replied with a smile, trying to see what kind of reaction I could get from him.

Hearing this, Haku's eyes finally showed a little reaction. It wasn't much, but it showed that Haku was still the same Haku I remembered from the anime.

He seemed to react to his previous beliefs, the ones he displayed in the anime.

"That is…"

He paused for a moment before finally saying, "I see. Do you think that getting strong will allow you to protect them?" Haku asked. He was definitely about to say something else but changed his mind at the last moment.

When I heard this, I paused, thinking about how to respond to this boy. Finally, I said, "Hmm, I'm not sure, honestly. Power alone isn't always enough to save what you desire to protect. I've lost enough in the past to know that much.

But I honestly believe that one can only get stronger if they have something or someone to protect.

That desire to protect is what makes some people strong—or at least keeps them on the path of power without losing themselves." I cleverly sneaked in some of his own words while talking to him.

The reaction I was expecting came—a slight widening of the eyes and an astonished expression.

Haku's face went through a multitude of emotions before he finally looked at me with just one question on his lips.

"But… but what if you still fail, even after getting stronger? What if you still fail to save your loved ones?" Haku asked with a solemn expression. Perhaps this question wasn't just out of curiosity but was also him asking what he was supposed to do now—where he went wrong and what he should do now that he's lost the person he wanted to get stronger for in the first place.

"Hmm… well, honestly, I'll give my best to protect my loved ones. But just like anyone else, I'm no god. As I said before, power alone isn't enough to achieve everything. Power is just a means to an end.

But as you asked… if I really can't save them, then I can only move on. Because here's the beautiful thing about bonds—they go both ways.

If they're gone, and if they really felt the same way about you, then the only thing they would want is for you to be happy. Maybe they don't always say it, but if you think they're important to you, then most likely, you're important to them as well.

After they're gone, the best way to honor them is to be happy and do what they would have wanted you to do.

At least that's my way of ensuring that their time with me was worth more than anything." I concluded, hoping my words would lift his spirits a little. Haku blinked, as if he didn't fully understand.

"So…" Haku wanted to ask something, but then he stopped mid-sentence.

"Huh?" I prompted when he didn't say anything further.

"Hmm, nothing. Sorry to waste your time, Shinobi-kun. I was just curious. I should be going now… thank you." Haku suddenly jolted and then calmly replied before moving on.

I was left confused by what had just happened. But I could only sigh—there was no point in stopping him. Now that Zabuza was gone, I was sure he wouldn't attack, and thus, I technically had nothing to do with him anymore.

I can only hope that he lives his life well from now on. Because maybe, in the entire shinobi world I remember from the anime, this guy might be among the few who truly deserved a good ending.

Sigh...

After that, I just went back to Tazuna's house. It was getting late anyway, and I'd accomplished what I wanted to for the day. My healing ability using Round Deer's reverse curse technique had improved to the point that I could even apply as an apprentice medic-nin based on this one ability alone.

And while I was playing healer, my shadow clones were playing ninja and learning assassination—Zabuza style.

It was a productive day after all, but I have a bad feeling. And right now, there's only one person I can think of who could make me feel uneasy.

Geto!

While he himself is nothing special, he has money. What's stopping him from hiring another ninja, another Jonin?

Now, Jonin rogue ninjas are not easy to come by, but there's no shortage of troublemakers in this world.

'Hmm… I should be ready for anything.'

I really don't understand why Team 7 in the anime didn't use the time they had to set up enough traps. If they suspected that Zabuza was alive, then why waste all that time? They had time and plenty of opportunities under their control, and what did they do? Wait there for Zabuza and Haku like idiots.

Yeah, they got some training done, but can a few days of training really compare to a well-placed trap?

Just pure idiocy.

xxx 

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