HINATA IS BROKEN

Hatake Kakashi remained bedridden for a week after the initial encounter with Zabuza. During his recovery, he taught Team 7 how to use chakra to climb trees. This exercise became an opportunity for growth, but amidst the training, Uzumaki Naruto encountered Shiro, a mysterious figure dressed like a girl.

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"You look like a ninja. Why are you practicing so hard?" Naruto asked curiously.

"I want to become stronger," Shiro replied simply.

"But you already seem strong."

"No, I must become even stronger."

"Why is that?"

Naruto's question caused Shiro to pause. "Why indeed?" Shiro mused, reflecting on his own reasons. Naruto, however, responded confidently. "I want to become the strongest ninja so everyone will recognize my strength. But right now, I have to prove my progress to someone special."

This intrigued Shiro. "Someone special? Or is it for yourself?"

Naruto hesitated. Shiro's words confused him, leaving him unsure of his motivations. Meanwhile, Shiro recalled his own painful past—being homeless, fighting for scraps of food, and being rescued by Zabuza, who became his sole purpose in life.

"Do you have someone important to you?" Shiro asked, his tone gentle. "People become truly strong when they want to protect something."

Naruto remembered the moment he fiercely protected Iruka from Mizuki, realizing the truth in Shiro's words. It felt like an epiphany.

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A few days later, Zabuza and Shiro struck again. This time, the clash was inevitable. Team 7 divided their efforts: Hatake Kakashi engaged Zabuza, while Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke faced Shiro, who now wore his signature mask.

The battle ignited instantly, with Shiro proving to be a formidable opponent. Trapped in his Demonic Ice Mirrors, a technique from his Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, Naruto and Sasuke were unable to keep up with Shiro's incredible speed.

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In a moment of desperation, Sasuke's Sharingan evolved further, enhancing his perception and reflexes. Despite his efforts, he was forced to shield Naruto, becoming a human pincushion for Shiro's deadly senbon needles. Sasuke collapsed, and Naruto believed him to be dead.

Overcome with grief and rage, Naruto tapped into the Nine-Tails' chakra. The sudden surge of power turned the tide of battle. Shiro, despite his skill, was overwhelmed.

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As the fight reached its conclusion, Kakashi defeated Zabuza using his signature Lightning Blade. Shiro, still loyal to Zabuza, shielded his master and died in his place. Naruto, deeply shaken, confronted Zabuza with raw emotion.

"Does being a powerful ninja mean being cold-blooded? How can you not care?" Naruto yelled. "He admired you so much! He sacrificed everything for you—even his own life! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Zabuza, initially stoic, finally broke down. Tears streamed down his face as he admitted, "We ninjas are human too. How could I not care?"

In the end, Zabuza turned his blade on Gato, the man who had hired him. Mortally wounded, Zabuza succumbed to his injuries, but not before reconciling with Shiro in his final moments.

Team 7 buried Zabuza and Shiro together, honoring their bond. Dazna, inspired by Naruto's determination and courage, named the bridge they had fought to protect "The Great Naruto Bridge," symbolizing hope for the Land of Waves.

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Reflections and Reactions

The aftermath of the mission left many pondering the complexities of being a ninja. Haruno Sakura's tearful embrace of Sasuke, Naruto's raw grief, and even Zabuza's unexpected vulnerability revealed the harsh realities of their world.

The legendary shinobi watching from the ethereal plane shared their thoughts.

Senju Hashirama: "That kid Naruto... I really like him."

Senju Tobirama: "He reminds me of you, brother—naive, yet surprisingly effective in handling matters."

Onoki: "Lord Tobirama, isn't Naruto's approach overly simplistic for someone as pragmatic as you?"

Tobirama: "Perhaps. But the results speak for themselves. He united the villagers, defeated Gato, and restored peace to the Land of Waves. That's no small feat."

Terumi Mei: "Naruto's actions are hard to understand, but they were undeniably effective."

Fourth Raikage: "Minato's son is extraordinary. I'm eager to see what the future holds for him."

Even Zabuza, observing from beyond, reflected on his actions. "That brat's words had a strange power. They made me feel... human again."

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Naruto, on the other hand, felt conflicted about the mission's outcome. "Did I do something wrong? I only wanted to protect everyone and prove myself."

Shiro's earlier words echoed in his mind: "People become truly strong when they protect something important."

Naruto's journey had only just begun, but it was clear that his encounters with Shiro and Zabuza had left a profound impact on his heart and his path as a ninja.

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