Outside World
In the mirage, Sasuke had managed to defeat both Naruto and Shiro. He stood there, panting heavily, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. A proud smirk crept across his face as he declared, "Hmph, your strength isn't bad, but as it stands now, I am stronger."
Before he could finish his sentence, a scream pierced the air. "Naruto!" It was Sakura's voice, filled with panic and desperation.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he hastily rubbed them, his vision distorting for a moment. The illusion of the Mirror Flower and Water Moon technique dissipated, revealing the truth he had been blind to. The white figure he had been fighting was nothing more than a false image.
"How is this possible? Have my eyes been completely fooled?" Sasuke muttered in disbelief, his voice trembling as he struggled to comprehend what had just happened.
In his line of sight, Naruto was now trapped within a massive structure of magical ice crystals. Sharp, needle-like shards of ice protruded from the surface, relentlessly stabbing toward Naruto from all directions.
"What kind of twisted ninjutsu is this?!" Sasuke roared, his voice filled with horror and frustration. "Damn it, Naruto! Stop this!"
Without hesitation, Sasuke formed the necessary hand seals and unleashed his Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. The blazing inferno collided with the surface of the ice crystals, but to his dismay, it didn't even leave a scratch. The ice remained unyielding, and Sasuke could only watch helplessly as the icy needles continued their deadly advance toward Naruto.
Within the Ice
Inside the icy prison, Naruto remained calm, his expression unshaken. He chuckled lightly, his voice carrying a tone of admiration. "Bai, is this your full strength? Impressive."
Shiro, who appeared to be only a couple of years older than Sasuke, possessed strength that rivaled that of a Jonin. Combined with his rare Kekkei Genkai, his potential was undeniable—perhaps even surpassing Sasuke's. Naruto couldn't help but see the value in someone like Shiro. With the right guidance, his future strength could far exceed what it was now.
"However," Naruto continued, his voice steady, "do you really believe such a technique can hold me?"
As he spoke, Naruto raised Kyoka Suigetsu, the blade gleaming in the dim light. A surge of boiling Reiatsu emanated from him, filling the air with an oppressive energy. In an instant, the icy needles that had been closing in on him froze mid-air, as if held back by an invisible force.
"Tch." A faint sound escaped Shiro's lips as a thin line of blood appeared across his chest, hidden within the ice mirror. The crimson liquid dripped slowly, staining the pristine ice.
"Though it's not the season for it, it's still nice to see ice and snow," Naruto remarked casually as he sheathed Kyoka Suigetsu. He began walking toward Shiro, who had collapsed to the ground. The ice needles, now devoid of their deadly intent, fell harmlessly to the ground, shattering into countless fragments.
The sound of Naruto's footsteps echoed through the icy chamber, accompanied by the delicate tinkling of breaking ice. Soon, he stood before Shiro, looking down at the fallen ninja.
"Why… did this happen?" Shiro asked weakly, his voice filled with confusion and pain as he struggled to lift his head.
"Because what you see is as false as the reality you've been living in," Naruto replied softly. He knelt beside Shiro, his tone gentle yet firm. "You've done your best, Bai. From now on, you should live for yourself."
As the magical ice crystals dissolved, the scene outside came into view. Sasuke and Sakura stood there, their faces etched with shock and disbelief. The sunlight glinted off the scattered ice shards, creating a dazzling display of light and color.
Shiro felt the warmth of the sun on his skin, a stark contrast to the cold he had been surrounded by. He clutched his chest, the blood seeping through his fingers a reminder of the battle's toll. It felt real—painfully, beautifully real.
The Final Stand
In the distance, the sound of chirping birds filled the air as Kakashi's Chidori crackled to life. The battle between him and Zabuza was reaching its climax. Zabuza, already battered and wounded, stood his ground, but it was clear the fight was nearing its end.
"I'm sorry, Naruto," Shiro whispered, his voice barely audible. "I… I still haven't fulfilled my duty." Despite the pain, his hands moved swiftly, forming a series of seals.
As Kakashi's Chidori surged forward, aimed directly at Zabuza's chest, Shiro appeared in front of his master, shielding him from the deadly attack. The lightning blade pierced Shiro's chest, and blood sprayed across Zabuza's face.
For a moment, Zabuza was stunned. Then, he let out a wild, almost manic laugh. "Well done, Bai! Well done! You've proven yourself to be the perfect tool!"
But as Shiro's life faded, his thoughts drifted. He had always believed himself to be nothing more than a tool, a weapon to be wielded by Zabuza. Yet, in his final moments, he couldn't help but wonder: where would his soul go after death? Could he ever live as an ordinary person, free from the chains of his past?
Naruto's words echoed in his mind: "Bai, if you protect him with your life, and you've settled everything with him, will you still be willing to start a new life?"
A new life… The thought lingered as Shiro's consciousness slipped away, and his eyes closed for the last time.
Aftermath
Zabuza's laughter turned to tears as he fell to his knees beside Shiro's lifeless body. The realization hit him like a tidal wave—Shiro had never been just a tool. He had been his partner, his companion, the one person who had stood by him through everything.
Naruto watched silently, his expression calm but his eyes reflecting a deep understanding. He stepped forward, lifting Shiro's body with care. As he turned to leave, Zabuza reached out, his voice choked with emotion. "Wait…"
Naruto paused, glancing back at Zabuza. "Bai always hated killing," he said coldly. "This time, let his soul rest in peace."
With those words, Naruto walked away, disappearing into the distance with Shiro's body in his arms.
The Townspeople's Resolve
Meanwhile, Kado and his men arrived, their presence casting a shadow over the battlefield. They sneered at Zabuza, mocking his defeat before turning their attention to Kakashi and the others. The townspeople, who had been watching from the shadows, trembled in fear. Despair hung heavy in the air.
"It's over," one of them whispered. "Kado's here. We're all dead."
"Run! We have to run!" another cried, but their voices were filled with hopelessness.
"Run? Where can we go? This bridge… it's never going to be built. We're doomed."
Just as despair threatened to consume them, a small figure stepped forward. It was Inari, his small frame trembling but his eyes filled with determination. He stood fully armed, his voice ringing out with a strength that belied his age.
"Everyone, we can't give up now! The ninja heroes are fighting for us, for the future of the Land of Waves!" Inari's voice was firm, his words carrying the weight of his father's legacy and the courage he had found in Sasuke's example.
"I want to be a hero, just like Brother Sasuke. I want to be strong and brave, to protect what matters most!" Inari continued, his voice growing louder. "If we don't stand up now, if we don't fight for ourselves, the Land of Waves will never have a future. Please, stand with me! Fight for our home!"
His words struck a chord. One by one, the townspeople rose to their feet, their fear replaced by resolve. They picked up whatever weapons they could find, their hands trembling but their hearts steady.
"We can't hide anymore," one of them declared. "For the Land of Waves, we have to fight!"
The Final Battle
Under Inari's leadership, the townspeople charged forward, joining the fray against Kado's men. Inari stood beside Sasuke, his crossbow aimed at their enemies. "Brother Sasuke," he said, his voice filled with determination, "I want to be a hero. I want to have the courage to become stronger, just like you."
Sasuke, though his expression remained stoic, allowed a small smile to tug at the corner of his lips. "Tch. You've got spirit, kid."
With the townspeople's support, Kakashi and the others managed to hold off Kado's forces. Zabuza, driven by a final burst of willpower, fought with everything he had. In a last, desperate act, he took down Kado, sacrificing his own life in the process.
As Zabuza fell, his thoughts turned to Shiro. In his final moments, he saw Shiro's smiling face, free from the burdens of their shared past. "Goodbye, Bai," he whispered. "If there's an afterlife… don't become my tool again."
Epilogue
The battle was over, but the scars it left behind would remain. The Land of Waves had been forever changed, not just by the destruction wrought by Kado, but by the courage and unity of its people. Inari had proven that even the smallest among them could make a difference, and the townspeople had found a strength they never knew they had.
As the sun set over the battlefield, Naruto stood alone, gazing at the horizon. The weight of the day's events hung heavy on his shoulders, but there was also a sense of hope. The Land of Waves had taken its first step toward a brighter future, and Naruto knew that, no matter the challenges ahead, they would face them together.