Tatatata...

Swiftly running away underfoot, the surroundings continuously retreated on both sides of his vision.

Activating the Body Flicker Jutsu, Zabuza blinked and arrived at the edge of the small town. Gazing ahead at the forest covered with accumulated snow, a hint of fear and relief flickered in Zabuza's eyes.

Reluctant to give up on the tool he had set his sights on, and curious to witness the strength of the ninja who had supposedly killed the Fourth Mizukage, Zabuza chose to conceal his true form and used two Water Clones to test Yu's power. If the situation turned unfavorable, he planned to immediately retreat a thousand miles away.

Unexpectedly, after the battle began, Yu not only completely ignored Zabuza's hidden in the mist Jutsu but also demonstrated mastery in Water Release Ninjutsu far surpassing his. In the blink of an eye, he annihilated Zabuza's two Water Clones.

Having witnessed the terrifying strength of Yu firsthand, Zabuza, who had successfully escaped, began to feel fortunate that he had initially chosen the tactic of hiding his true form and testing with Water Clones.

'So Terrifying...

But from such a distance, he shouldn't be able to catch up, right?'

As he was about to enter the forest covered with accumulated snow in front of him, Zabuza, who had escaped death, subconsciously looked back at the terrifying small town behind him. However, with just one glance, his pupils suddenly enlarged!

Time seemed to freeze at this moment, and everything in front of his eyes was cut apart. Zabuza's eyes were completely overwhelmed by the extreme brilliance before him.

Just a short distance away, the entire snow-covered town was cut apart by a terrifying beam of light. Zabuza hadn't even made a move to evade, and his body had already been pierced through by a huge hole!

'How... is it possible...'

In his wide-open eyes, an expression of disbelief emerged. The dreadful God-Killing Spear slowly disappeared, and Zabuza, whose heart had been pierced, fell to the snow-covered ground. His tall body stirred up the accumulated snow on the ground.

Before he could inherit the title of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in Kirigakure, the man known as the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Momochi Zabuza, had turned into a lifeless corpse on this desolate snowy ground.

"The entire town has been cut apart..."

"Big brother... This... What is this?!"

In the snow-covered town, all the buildings along the way were sliced in half by Yu's God-Killing Spear.

Staring at the entire town cut in two by Yu, the young and naive Haku was left with his mouth wide open, unable to speak for a while, shocked beyond words.

Although he had awakened the power of the Kekkei Genkai at a very young age, this was the first time Haku truly witnessed a ninja battle, and it had opened up a completely new and mysterious world for him.

"Just an overconfident guy..."

Ignoring the astonished and amazed gaze of Haku beside him, Yu slowly retracted his right hand that had unleashed the God-Killing Spear.

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Observing the crowd and some approaching ninjas who were attracted by the commotion, he furrowed his brows slightly.

"Let's go, Haku."

As he spoke, Yu once again pulled the hat down over his head and left this small town in the Water Country, accompanied by Haku.

.....

"Big brother, what's your name?"

Along the way, Haku curiously observed Yu, crossing long mountain paths and arriving at a village.

"I'm Yakushi Yu."

Yu smiled gently and glanced down at Haku, revealing his name.

"Yakushi Yu..."

Murmuring softly, Haku repeated this name over and over, firmly etching it into his memory.

"We're here."

Continuing their journey, Yu led Haku into a village and casually chose an inn. After going in and securing a room for Haku to take a bath, Yu went out to buy some fresh clothes for Haku and ordered some food.

In the inn's lounge, Yu rested his chin on his hand, quietly gazing at the falling snowflakes outside the window. Beside him, Haku, who had bathed and changed into new clothes, looked even more elegant and charming. He was devouring the food that Yu had ordered. Since wandering the streets, he hadn't had a proper meal like this.

"That um..."

Swallowing the last bite of food, Haku hesitated a bit before speaking, "Should I call you Yu-sama...?"

"Call me whatever you like, whether it's sama or brother, it doesn't matter..."

"However you address me, just remember that you're my companion, and we're a family."

Without turning his head, Yu continued to gaze absentmindedly at the snowflakes outside.

"Companion, family..."

Whispering these two words softly, Haku finally felt the meaning of his existence in this world. However, soon a sense of unease and hesitation appeared on his face. "But I... I have a cursed Kekkei Genkai..."

"A cursed Kekkei Genkai?"

Sensing Haku's concerns, Yu finally turned to look at him. The power of the Thread Fruit gently activated, lifting a finger and instantly throwing and shattering a nearby table.

"Widen your eyes and pay attention. This power... in other countries, it's an extraordinary ability surpassing ordinary people. You shouldn't feel troubled about it..."

"Do you also have a Kekkei Genkai?"

Haku stared in astonishment at Yu's ability to effortlessly destroy a nearby table with a snap of his fingers. Recalling the immense power Yu demonstrated earlier when he killed the formidable Zabuza, Haku's expression gradually became clear. "So, this isn't a cursed ability after all..."

After hearing Yu's explanation, Haku couldn't help but think of his own father—who heartlessly killed his mother because of her Kekkei Genkai and even attempted to kill him, shattering what was once a warm family.

"Sigh..."

Seeing Haku recalling his painful past, Yu couldn't help but let out a sigh.

Everyone has their own wounds and haunting pasts, Just because of Rin's death, Obito initiated the mist policy in the Water Country, destroying the lives of so many. Even the members of the Uchiha Clan and the family of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze his sensei, were not spared. 'It seems it will be necessary to teach you the lesson of treating others as you would like to be treated, Uchiha Obito...'

Thinking about Uchiha Obito, who orchestrated all of this, Yu couldn't help but sneer inwardly. The next time he encounters him, he must teach that guy a lesson and straighten him out.

"Don't dwell on those unhappy memories anymore. From now on, I'll take care of you and teach you various Ninjutsu."

Putting aside his thoughts, Yu looked earnestly at Haku.

"Ninjutsu?"

Haku looked at Yu with confusion. He knew that Ninjutsu was the skill of killing employed by ninjas, the same kind of ability that killed his father.

"Yes, don't you want to have powerful abilities?"

Staring at the child in front of him, as pure as snow, Yu persuaded him fruther, "Don't you want to protect those important to you?"

"Protect those important to me?"

Haku listened dumbfounded to Yu's words. Being inherently kind, he didn't have much desire or pursuit for power.

"Yeah... Without power, you can't protect those important to you," Yu continued to gently persuade Haku.

"Power, huh..."

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Suddenly, a strong thought flashed through Haku's mind. 'Yes, I want to protect those important to me, I want to... protect Yu-sama!'

"Yu-sama, I want to learn Ninjutsu!"

Quickly, Haku's gaze became incredibly resolute. He no longer wanted to experience the loss of someone important to him.

"Very well. Starting tomorrow, I'll begin teaching you the techniques of being a ninja."

Seeing that he had finally planted a seed of the desire for power in Haku's heart, Yu wore a satisfied smile.

The wind carrying snowflakes outside gradually subsided. Perhaps tomorrow would bring the first sunlight of this winter.

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