C11 Between Goodness and Badness

[Ding! Hatake Kakashi's moderate injuries have been healed. Ninjutsu Chidori obtained. 10,000 points awarded.]

'Chidori, that could be somewhat useful!'

After tending to Kakashi, Hong took a quick look at Zabuza, who was charred yet still clinging to life.

"Mr. Kakashi, I'll leave Zabuza in your hands!"

Noticing Kakashi was still dwelling on earlier events, Hong swiftly steered the conversation elsewhere.

"Whoosh!"

As Kakashi approached Zabuza, a Senbon darted towards Zabuza's neck.

Prepared for such an event, Hong deflected it with a Kunai.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

The unexpected incident had everyone, except for Hong who knew the assailant's identity, on edge once again.

"Apologies, but this man is my target. May I take him off your hands?"

Shui Wuyue Bai leapt from a tree branch, keeping a respectful distance from Class 7, his voice betraying his interest in Zabuza.

Kakashi immediately recognized the mask – it was that of the Shadow Department from the Fog Hidden Village.

'Has he come to apprehend Zabuza?'

As Kakashi was considering whether to hand Zabuza over, Naruto impatiently interjected.

"We defeated this man; why should we give him to you? How do we know you're not his ally?"

"True, you may be wearing a mask from the Fog Hidden Village's Shadow Department, but with an unverified identity, we cannot in good conscience hand this man over to you," Kakashi responded firmly, bolstered by Naruto's point.

Shui Wuyue Bai, thinking Kakashi's hesitation might allow him to bluff his way through, was thwarted by the unexpected interference from Naruto.

"Ah, Mr. Kakashi, don't be so petty. The man has a mission too; let's not make it harder for him. Just hand Zabuza over!"

"Hong, Naruto has a point. If he's Zabuza's accomplice, we'd be releasing a tiger back into the wild!"

"I never said I'd hand over a living Zabuza. For the mission, a head should suffice, right?"

After speaking, Hong drew the Heaven Leaning Sword, grasped Zabuza's hair with one hand, and lifted the sword with the other, poised to take Zabuza's life.

Shui Wuyue, witnessing the scene, knew that today's events were bound to end badly.

He launched a barrage of Senbon needles at the crowd, with Tazuna and Hong as his primary targets.

But for Hong, who wielded the power of a kaleidoscope, these attacks were inconsequential.

Hong had already anticipated the next move. He used Zabuza as a human shield, intercepting all the Senbon needles.

The previously unconscious Zabuza was jolted awake by the unexpected assault.

Amidst Zabuza's cries of pain, Hong used his sword to drive Bai back.

"Master Zabuza!"

Bai, eyes bloodshot, looked on at the suffering Zabuza but dared not make a move for fear of provoking Hong and having Zabuza executed on the spot.

"Sir, we surrender the mission. Please, do not harm Master Zabuza's life!"

Naruto and the others were stunned by Bai's declaration. In their minds, a ninja should never so easily abandon a mission.

However, Kakashi, upon hearing Bai's plea, was involuntarily reminded of his father, Hatake Sakumo.

"Bai, what are you babbling about? I am not one to fear death! As a mere tool, how could I dare!"

Bai, seeing the weakened Zabuza still resisting, was moved to tears.

"Lord Zabuza, regardless of how you may punish me later, I must ensure your safety. Masters of Konoha, please state your terms, and I will comply with anything!"

"Are you prepared for what comes next?" Hong's gaze was piercing.

"I am ready to pay any price, just please spare Lord Zabuza."

"If that is so, then take your own life!"

Hong's chilling command sent a shiver through everyone.

"Brother!"

"Mr. Hirome!"

Sakura and Naruto were unable to comprehend Hong's actions and exclaimed in alarm.

Kakashi gave Hong a puzzled look, hesitating to speak.

Meanwhile, Sasuke watched the unfolding drama with an indifferent expression.

"Is that true?"

"Silence! White... you are nothing but a tool. Without my permission, you can't do anything!"

Despite Zabuza's bellowing, White's resolve remained unshaken.

White simply gazed at Zabuza, a melancholic smile hidden beneath his mask.

"I'm sorry, Lord Zabuza. This will be the first and last time I defy your orders."

With those words, he drew a kunai and plunged it into his heart.

"Lord Zabuza... please... take care."

"Damn it! What are you doing?!"

As the scene unfolded, everyone fell into a stunned silence.

Hirome felt awkward as, following the silence, his Class 7 comrades gave him odd looks.

"Oops! I was only joking. I didn't expect this fool to take me seriously. Really!"

"No... I forbid it... Don't you dare call him a fool!"

Zabuza, witnessing White's fading life amidst the blood, reminisced about their past and finally understood that his feelings for White had long transcended the bounds of master and tool.

"Hirome, enough is enough! Release Zabuza as we agreed!"

Kakashi looked at Hirome with disappointment and said, "Those who break the rules of the Ninja World are considered scum... But those who don't cherish their comrades are even less than that."

"Hirome, you've let me down!"

Hirome glanced at the suffering Zabuza and then at his peers who were giving him peculiar looks. With a bitter smile, he thought to himself, Who have I provoked? All I wanted was for Zabuza and White to acknowledge their feelings for each other!

It was a truly noble deed. Yet, in the end, I'm the one who has to bear the consequences!

With a sigh, Hirome approached the still-breathing White.

"Damn you! Stay away from him!"

Zabuza struggled in vain, his severe injuries rendering him immobile.

"Hirome, enough is enough!"

Kakashi and Zabuza's pleas fell on deaf ears as Hirome employed Medicine Ninjutsu, followed by the God Level Healing Arts.

The kunai was expelled from the newly regenerated flesh of White's chest and clattered to the ground.

[Ding! Healed Water Moon White from the brink of death. Acquired Ice Escape Kekkei Genkai. Earned 30,000 points.]

"I'm not dead?"

"Bai?"

"Lord Zabuza!"

"It's quite frustrating when my close friends and sister see me as a villain who torments his enemies!"

Kakashi and the others were speechless. What was this all about?

"Hong, why are you doing this?"

In truth, Hong was simply interested in the Ice Escape Kekkei Genkai. The 'matchmaking' between Bai and Zabuza was just an added bonus, but Hong wasn't about to reveal that.

"Just consider it a whim of mine!"

Hong turned his head with a haughty twist, offering no answer.

"Kid, what exactly are you up to?"

Leaning on Bai, Zabuza also realized that this kid didn't seem to want to kill them. Yet, he was convinced the kid must have an ulterior motive.

"Really, it's nothing. I was just annoyed seeing this guy abandon his mission and sacrifice everything to save you, and you didn't even acknowledge it."

"So, I wanted you to experience the agony of loss. Maybe then you'll confront your true feelings!"

With that, Hong's tone shifted, and he continued icily, "Of course, if you're indifferent to his sacrifice, I'll still save him, but you'll have to die!"