The mist thickened over the bridge, wrapping around the combatants like a predator's breath, swallowing their forms into the fog. Each breath was damp and cold, but the heat of battle burned through it.
Sasuke Uchiha gritted his teeth, blood dripping from his arm as another senbon needle pierced his shoulder, fired from Haku's mirror prison.
He darted left, trying to read her movements reflected in every icy surface, but she was too fast. Each attack was precise, targeting non-lethal points, but Sasuke knew he was being toyed with.
"Damn it…" Sasuke muttered, panting as he dodged another volley.
His sharingan hadn't awakened, and his pride was starting to crack under the pressure.
"You should surrender," Haku's voice floated through the mirrors, calm but sorrowful.
"I don't wish to kill you."
"Shut up!" Sasuke snapped, hurling a fireball jutsu at the nearest mirror.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Flames collided with the ice, but it only cracked briefly before repairing itself.
Haku darted between the mirrors like a ghost, her form blurring from one reflection to the next.
Elsewhere on the bridge, Zabuza Momochi's massive blade cleaved through another wave of clones, dispelling Naruto's Ramen Noodle soldiers in bursts of smoke.
Naruto leapt forward, determination burning in his eyes, his kunai clashing against Zabuza's sword.
The impact sent a shockwave through his arm, but he stood his ground.
"You think numbers can overwhelm me, brat?" Zabuza growled, his voice like gravel.
Naruto grinned through the strain. "They got me this far!"
"Ramen Noodle Clone Technique!"
Another dozen Narutos appeared, rushing in with kunai drawn, their formation tightening as Raven Kamizuki advanced beside them.
"Pizza Clone Technique!"
Raven's pizza warriors flanked Zabuza, their movements perfectly synced with Naruto's clones.
There were no jokes now—just battle precision.
Zabuza scowled, forced into a defensive dance, his blade cleaving through clones, but never reaching their creators.
Raven weaved seals in the background, her eyes sharp.
"Fire Style: Ember Scatter Jutsu!"
Small bursts of flame erupted near Zabuza's feet, forcing him to adjust his footing as the heat clashed with the damp mist.
Kakashi Hatake observed from the side, his Sharingan tracking every movement.
He was impressed—Naruto's clone tactics were maturing, and Raven's control over the battlefield was precise.
"They're learning," Kakashi thought, but Zabuza is still too much.
Zabuza's frustration grew, but his mind kept drifting to Haku—her safety—her future.
He pushed the thoughts aside, swinging his blade with deadly precision, but Raven's clones diverted him again.
"I see you holding back, old man," Raven taunted, her voice low but confident.
"You can't afford to hesitate here."
Zabuza snarled, but her words cut deep—because they were true.
Back in the Ice Mirror Prison, Sasuke was slowing down.
Blood loss was taking its toll, and his movements were getting sloppy.
"I won't… lose," Sasuke panted, his eyes flicking from mirror to mirror.
Haku paused briefly, her heart twisting with guilt.
She thought of Raven's offer—a life beyond this, beyond the killing.
"I admire your strength, but this is my duty," Haku whispered.
She launched forward again, senbon needles ready, but this time, Sasuke pivoted faster.
He ducked under her attack, his kunai slicing through the air, nicking her wrist.
Blood splattered onto the ice.
Their eyes locked.
Haku's heart skipped a beat.
"You're holding back," Sasuke said, voice low.
"Why?"
Haku flinched, but before she could respond—
A harsh voice shattered the mist.
"Zabuza, you miserable dog!"
All combat paused.
Everyone turned toward the source.
Gato stood at the far end of the bridge, flanked by a small group of thugs armed with makeshift weapons.
His smug expression twisted into cruelty.
"You're pathetic! After all the money I paid, you can't even kill a few brats?" Gato sneered.
Zabuza's eyes narrowed, his grip on his sword tightening.
"You planned to betray us from the start," Zabuza's voice was low but dangerous.
Gato laughed. "Of course! Why pay you when I can just finish you off after you've done the dirty work?"
Naruto clenched his fists, anger boiling in his chest.
"You scumbag!"
Gato grinned, motioning toward Haku.
"And that little tool of yours? Maybe we'll keep her around for… entertainment."
The temperature on the bridge dropped.
Haku froze, her blood running cold.
Zabuza's eyes burned with rage, his mask of the Demon of the Mist cracking.
Raven watched intently, her mind racing.
This is it.
She glanced toward Haku, who was staring at Zabuza—wide-eyed, fearful—but hopeful.
Zabuza lowered his sword slightly, his voice a low growl.
"You shouldn't have said that."
He moved like a phantom, his blade cutting through two of Gato's men before they realized he had shifted.
Gato stumbled backward, terror flooding his face.
Naruto blinked in shock.
"He's… helping us?"
Kakashi relaxed slightly, but stayed alert.
Haku dispersed the mirrors, rushing to Zabuza's side.
Sasuke collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily, but victorious in his survival.
Raven smirked inwardly, but kept her face neutral.
Perfect.
Zabuza loomed over Gato, Kubikiribōchō dripping with blood.
"You thought you could buy me," Zabuza growled, his voice colder than the mist.
"You thought Haku was just a tool."
He raised his sword.
Gato whimpered, shielding his face.
But Zabuza lowered his weapon.
"We're leaving," Zabuza said, his voice softening.
"Haku, we're done here."
Haku's eyes filled with relief.
Raven stepped forward slightly, locking eyes with Zabuza.
"You know where to find me," Raven said softly.
Zabuza gave the smallest nod, his rage fading into resignation.
"We'll talk."
With that, he grabbed Gato by the collar, dragging him away into the mist.
The battle was over.
But the real war—the revolution—had just gained powerful allies and tools.
Join my patreon today to read up to chapter 247 in advance your support is my inspiration join for only 3 to 5$
patreon.com/everstone