"Even demons can cry."
---
Zabuza didn't speak for a long time.
He just held Haku.
Hands trembling.
The mist, once his cloak, felt too thin to hide him now.
Kakashi stepped back, silent. His Sharingan faded. His stance relaxed, but his expression was drawn—guilt flickering behind his calm.
The wind was the only sound for a moment.
Until Naruto stepped forward.
"You never cared about him, right?" he said—voice breaking. "He was just a tool to you. That's what you said."
Zabuza didn't look up.
Naruto's fists clenched. "Then why are you crying?!"
---
Zabuza Raised His Head.
His eyes—bloodshot, wet.
"I was a fool," he said, voice hoarse. "I used him. I never said thank you. Never asked if he was happy."
He looked at Haku's still face.
"And now… I'll never get the chance."
Naruto didn't say anything.
Neither did I.
Because there was nothing to add to that kind of truth.
---
Then we heard them.
Footsteps.
Dozens.
Gato's men.
---
They spilled onto the bridge with swords and clubs, laughing.
Gato stepped out from the crowd, smirking like a man who thought himself untouchable.
"Oh, how touching," he sneered. "The demon has feelings. How pathetic."
He kicked Haku's body.
Zabuza didn't move.
Didn't blink.
But something snapped.
---
Zabuza Stood.
Slowly.
With Haku still in his arms.
Then he laid him down gently.
Whispered something we couldn't hear.
When he turned to face Gato and his army—
His eyes were fire.
His face—death.
"Give me a kunai," he said.
Kakashi hesitated.
Then handed one over.
---
He charged.
No jutsu.
No blade.
Just one knife and a mountain of rage.
---
They tried to run.
They didn't get far.
Zabuza moved like a phantom—cutting through Gato's men like mist through leaves.
Even with wounds bleeding.
Even with his body failing.
He carved a path.
And reached Gato.
Who begged.
Who cried.
But Zabuza's hand didn't waver.
---
Then he collapsed.
Right beside Haku.
---
The bridge was silent again.
No laughter.
No fog.
Just the soft hush of the tide below.
---
Aftermath
We buried them side by side.
Two weapons, discarded.
Two people, remembered.
Naruto cried openly.
So did Tazuna.
Sasuke stayed quiet, still bandaged.
Even Kakashi looked… tired.
I stood over their graves, arms folded.
And whispered:
"You were more than what they made you."
---
Later, Tazuna looked at the finished structure and smiled.
"We'll call it the Great Naruto Bridge," he said.
Naruto gawked.
"What?! Me?! Why me?!"
"Because you inspired us," Tazuna said. "Because you reminded us what courage looks like."
Naruto went quiet.
Then beamed.
And for a moment, the world was light again.
---
Journal Entry 4:
> He was a weapon who learned how to love.
The man who claimed he had no heart cried the loudest.
I don't think I'll ever forget this mission.
This world… it hurts.
But there's beauty in it, too.