Terumi Mei smiled politely, but the sharpness in her tone was unmistakable.
"I hope this clarifies our intent, Kakashi.""They are criminals to you—""—but to us, they're legacy holders. Treasures of our village."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't lower the kunai.
"Ice Release, Bloody Red Eye, Seven Ninja Swords...""Too many rare elements for it to be coincidence."
Haruto stepped forward. He glanced at Haku and Ranmaru, still unconscious.
"And what happens to them if we hand them over?"
Terumi Mei paused for half a breath. Then:
"They will be protected. Studied, yes—but not harmed." "I have abolished the Bloody Mist policy. Our village is rebuilding. We're no longer the monsters people once feared."
Naruto folded his arms, looking skeptical.
"Yeah, but saying it doesn't make it true. You sure they won't be locked up in some lab like rats?"
Terumi Mei's eye twitched.
"This kid... seriously..."
She forced a smile.
"I give my word as the Fifth Mizukage. I'll personally see to their treatment."
Kakashi still didn't lower his kunai.
"Your word is powerful, Mizukage-sama. But forgive me if I say—Konoha has lost too much by trusting promises."
The tension tightened. The surrounding Mist Hunter-nin subtly shifted position—ready to move. Yamato's hands moved quietly toward a seal scroll.
Then—
"We give you one."
Haruto spoke clearly.
Everyone turned to him.
"One of them. A gesture of trust. You say you've changed. Then prove it."
Haruto nodded slightly.
"We'll hand over Raiga. He's too dangerous and not loyal to us, but Haku and Ranmaru stay—at least until we can confirm your words."
Kakashi gave Haruto a long look… then slowly lowered his kunai.
Terumi Mei smiled faintly.
"You're bold for someone so young. What's your name?"
"Haruto Itsuki."
She smirked.
"I'll remember that."
Then she turned gracefully to her Hunter-nin.
"Take Raiga. Leave the others. This is the Will of Water now. Not the Mist of Blood."
Haruto took a slow step forward.
"And we can't let them go either."
For a moment, the clearing fell into a heavy silence. The Mist Hunter-nin tensed again. Kakashi kept his hand on his pouch. Yamato's grip on the scroll tightened.
Then Haruto raised his head, eyes calm and sharp.
"So let's not make a decision right now."
Terumi Mei narrowed her eyes.
"You want to delay?"
"I want diplomacy. Give us a week. Let us return to Konoha with them, and we'll open official talks between our villages."
"You want to bring them into Konoha?"
"Under surveillance. They won't leave the village. But during that time, our elders can decide what's best—with your envoys present."
Kakashi blinked. This approach… it was political, rational, and extremely Hokage-like.
Terumi Mei crossed her arms.
"And what guarantee do I have that you won't simply keep them?"
"You have my name.""Haruto Itsuki. Future Hokage of Konoha.""If I break this word, Konoha's trust dies with it. But if we build trust here…""You'll gain more than just two bloodline holders—you'll gain peace."
There was silence again. Even Naruto stopped fidgeting.
Terumi Mei studied him carefully. After a long moment, she sighed.
"Fine. One week. But I'll send my own observers to Konoha."
Haruto nodded.
"Deal."
Terumi Mei turned, flicking her hair.
"You've got guts, Haruto. I'll be watching."
With a final glance back, the Mist-nin leapt into the trees and disappeared into the mist.
As the tension dissolved, Kakashi placed a hand on Haruto's shoulder.
"You'll make a fine Hokage one day."
Naruto raised a fist.
"That's my rival for Hokage!"
Sasuke looked away, muttering:
"Tch. You guys are idiots."
Haruto exhaled slowly.This wasn't just a victory in battle—It was his first real step into leadership.
"But we're not going to let these people get away unharmed after attacking us."
"So... leave half of them behind."
"No way." Before Haruto finished speaking, Terumi Mei interrupted firmly.
"We must take all of them. No compromises."
Haruto chuckled coldly.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't asking for your opinion. I was informing you. If you want to use force, not only will you not get them back—"
"—you'll also be at war with Konoha. And I've heard your village... has had its hands full with internal strife for years."
"Frankly, we've been waiting for an excuse."
Terumi Mei's eyes flared with fury. Her clenched teeth trembled as she tried to suppress her anger.
She couldn't deny it. Kiri was weaker. And unlike this reckless boy in front of her, she couldn't afford to talk about war so irresponsibly—not as a Kage.
Haruto nodded to Yamato.
"Loosen their restraints slightly."
He then stepped toward the captured enemy shinobi—Zabuza, Raiga, Haku, and Ranmaru—who looked up with uncertainty.
"I believe you heard our conversation."
"Now I'll give you the choice. Since you all attacked Konoha-nin, someone has to answer for it."
"Among the pairs—Zabuza and Haku, Raiga and Ranmaru—only one from each team will walk away alive."
A horrified silence followed.
Terumi Mei's eyes widened.
"What are you saying, brat?!"
Haruto didn't even glance at her. "I want to see just how far the so-called Bloody Mist will go. Let's see what's behind the myth. Let's see your true face."
Terumi Mei's voice trembled with fury. "You're going too far."
"No," Haruto said, eyes cold. "This is the price for attacking Konoha. If you don't want to pay it, then don't start a war."
Naruto stared in disbelief. "Boss, you…"
Haruto turned his stern eyes to Naruto.
"Shut up. This isn't a game. It's politics. Do you know how much power these people would bring to Kirigakure? Two bloodline users. Two Seven Ninja Sword holders. Konoha can't afford to give them away."
Without waiting for a response, Haruto flicked his wrist. Several kunai flew, embedding themselves into the ground beside each captive.
"Let's begin."
Zabuza picked up a kunai and stared at Haku.
Haku smiled faintly—just like the first day they met, so many years ago.
"Haku, as my tool, you must obey any command I give."
"...Yeah." Haku nodded quietly.
"I order you—"
"—Kill me."
Everyone froze. Shock spread across their faces as if they hadn't heard correctly.
"Don't be ridiculous! What are you—"
"I said, I order you to kill me."
"I'm sorry... If I don't kill my master, I can't... But why?"
"I don't want to return to that kind of village again," Zabuza said coldly. "Haku, kill me. I'm not the kind of man who yields."
Hands trembling, Haku raised the kunai. After a long pause... he turned the blade toward his own neck—and drove it down with force.
Zabuza lunged forward and caught the kunai barehanded. Blood trickled from his palm, dripping to the ground.
"...Haku, you disobeyed my order."
"I'm sorry... If I don't kill my master again, I really can't do it..."
Zabuza stared into Haku's eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
"You really are a useless tool. You've never been a proper one. Your kindness—so unnecessary—always puts me at risk. You hesitate. You disobey. You've even failed missions because of it."
He paused.
"Like this one... If you had attacked when they were caught in the mist, maybe we could've won. But all you did was shield me. I never needed someone to just take hits for me."
Hearing Zabuza's words, Haku's eyes dulled. His voice barely more than a whisper:
"...I'm sorry... Zabuza-sama."