Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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The area where the Daimyo's mansion stood was the heart of the Land of Fire, its prosperity surpassing even that of Konoha, though the presence of active ninja was minimal. Tasks like bodyguard duty came at a steep price when hiring a ninja, far higher than ordinary security personnel.

Muzan and his companion entered the bustling city without causing a stir. According to their prearranged plan, Muzan needed to eliminate Muchuan Songhe.

The Daimyo's mansion was heavily guarded, not just by samurai but by many Jonin as well. For a daimyo, whose authority rivaled that of an emperor, such measures were necessary. Even the Hokage had to heed his commands, a power dynamic Muzan found peculiar.

"Ninjas hold such immense strength, yet they're mere tools of war," Muzan mused as he observed the streets. "Without the backing of the Land of Fire, they'd collapse instantly."

The streets were alive with vendors, music, and laughter. Lanterns cast a warm glow, and the night bustled with activity, especially among the elegantly dressed women. Beside Muzan, Haku, now dressed in simpler clothing instead of his usual black robe, attracted countless admiring glances. His beauty stood out even among the crowd.

"Who is that boy? He looks foreign," someone murmured.

"He's stunning. Our children don't compare."

"If only he were mine…"

Haku ignored the whispers, his gaze fixed on the vibrant streets ahead. This level of prosperity was unlike anything he had seen in the Land of Waves or even his old home. Yet, he couldn't afford to be distracted. Their mission tonight was one of bloodshed. As beautiful as the surroundings were, Haku's expression darkened.

He hated killing, but he had long understood that coexistence was impossible for someone like him. His time with the Twelve Kizuki had cemented that fact.

Muzan glanced at Haku's demeanor but offered no words of comfort. Whether as a demon or a ninja, survival demanded strength and resilience.

"Focus," Muzan instructed. "Once we've dealt with Muchuan Songhe, everything will fall into place."

Muzan remained in his black robe, blending into the noisy, neon-lit night. Haku, however, had to cover his face with a mask to avoid drawing too much attention.

Within the Daimyo's mansion, Muchuan Songhe sat surrounded by Konoha's elite guards, including ANBU operatives. His bodyguard, none other than Jonin Kakashi Hatake, stood watch. Despite his youthful appearance, Kakashi had already made a name for himself as one of Konoha's strongest shinobi.

"Mr. Kakashi, I'm relying on you for my protection," Songhe said, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Please ensure I return home safely."

Kakashi nodded, sensing the gravity of the situation. "No problem. I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

Although Kakashi expected trouble, he had no idea the assassins would include Muzan or that their methods would be so direct.

Muzan and Haku bypassed the main gate effortlessly, their ninja training allowing them to scale the walls silently. In the shadows of the courtyard, Muzan paused, using his enhanced sensory abilities gained through Sage Mode to assess the area.

"There's heavy security," Muzan remarked. "Our target is surrounded by three ANBU operatives, and a skilled Jonin is stationed on the roof. This Jonin is strong—likely Kakashi. It seems Songhe spared no expense in hiring protection."

Muzan smirked. "No matter. Kakashi's presence changes nothing. Haku, this is your test. You'll handle Kakashi while I deal with the ANBU."

"Understood, Master Muzan." Haku's voice was cold, his ice-blue eyes narrowing as he stepped forward. The air around him chilled, snowflakes beginning to fall despite the summer heat.

Muzan frowned slightly. "Reckless," he muttered. "This was supposed to be an assassination, not an assault."

The sudden snowfall didn't go unnoticed. Kakashi, ever vigilant, immediately sensed something was wrong. Drawing a kunai, he instructed the guards inside.

"Protect Muchuan Songhe. I'll handle this."

Leaping onto the roof, Kakashi scanned the area, his sharp gaze locking onto the approaching figure. The temperature dropped with every step Haku took, the snowflakes intensifying into a small storm.

"What kind of jutsu is this?" Kakashi wondered aloud. Lifting his forehead protector, he revealed his Sharingan. Its spinning tomoe analyzed Haku's movements, but the child's power was unlike anything Kakashi had encountered.

Haku stepped into the courtyard, his icy aura freezing the ground beneath him. Kakashi hurled three kunai toward him, aiming for a swift end, but Haku raised his hand. An ice wall materialized before him, blocking the kunai effortlessly. The sound of steel clashing against ice echoed in the courtyard.

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"Why can't I see the flow of chakra or hand seals?"

Kakashi's expression turned solemn. After throwing three kunai, he hesitated to use the remaining ones. Instead, he stood still, carefully observing Haku.

In Kakashi's understanding, even muji ninjutsu required the flow of chakra.

"It's as if it materialized out of thin air," he muttered to himself.

As an elite member of Konoha's ANBU, Kakashi's ability to analyze the battlefield was unparalleled. With just one exchange, he could estimate an opponent's capabilities and strengths.

Geniuses were not rare in this world. After all, Pakura had made her mark at a young age, and Haku before him showed similar potential.

With Muzan's guidance, Haku's growth would undoubtedly surpass even Kakashi's expectations.

Standing amidst the snow, Kakashi felt the creeping cold slowly seep into his body. Time was against him, and he needed to act swiftly.

"All right…" He exhaled a breath of white mist and quickly formed hand seals, gathering his chakra.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Flames surged forth, pushing back the biting wind and snow. The massive fireball sped toward Haku, its heat cutting through the cold.

However, Haku remained unfazed. The fireball shrank as it approached him, and by the time it was within reach, it vanished without a trace, leaving no effect.

"It's futile," Haku said coldly. "My ice cannot be melted by fire."

"I have no intention of killing you," Haku added, his tone emotionless, "but I won't hesitate to complete my mission."

The swirling snow enveloped Haku once again, and Kakashi felt an even greater pressure bearing down on him. This was no ordinary opponent.

"What kind of jutsu is this?" Kakashi wondered, narrowing his eyes.

He realized his Fire Release techniques wouldn't suffice, but he wasn't one to panic. As a master of multiple chakra natures, Kakashi had other options.

"Rasengan!"

A spiraling sphere of chakra formed in Kakashi's hand—a technique famously developed by the Fourth Hokage. The snow around him was sucked into the spinning energy, creating a temporary vortex.

Haku stopped moving, his gaze locking onto Kakashi. The blizzard seemed to pause, but Kakashi knew better.

This was the calm before the storm.

"Ice Style: Crimson Rain!" Haku intoned.

Shards of ice rained down from above, but Kakashi's Rasengan surged forward, cutting through the icy downpour.

Their clash was inevitable.

Boom!

The Rasengan struck Haku, sending him hurtling backward. The impact left a gaping hole in the wall behind him, the spiraling energy tearing into the structure.

However, Haku's regeneration was extraordinary. Despite the damage, he recovered almost instantly.

Emerging from the rubble, Haku cast a glance at Kakashi, who had been caught in the icy rain. Frost had encased Kakashi's body, freezing him in place.

"I underestimated him..." Kakashi thought before everything went dark.

Haku walked forward, his expression calm. He reached out and lightly tapped Kakashi's frozen form. The ice shattered, and Kakashi collapsed unconscious.

"Let's finish this quickly," Muzan said, stepping forward, a ball of flame in his hand dispelling the surrounding chill.

Haku nodded, preparing to complete the mission. However, before he could strike, five ninja arrived, the blizzard parting as they entered.

"You dare attack the Daimyō's mansion?" the leader of the group shouted.

The unconscious Kakashi caught their attention. The sight of him, the legendary Copy Ninja, incapacitated, sent a wave of shock through the group.

"How arrogant! You'll pay for this!"

The leader, an elite jōnin named Yoshino, assessed the situation. His focus shifted between Haku, the source of the snowstorm, and Muzan, whose presence radiated overwhelming pressure.

"You four, stop the boy behind him! Don't let him harm the nobles. I'll handle the one in black!"

The four ninja charged toward Haku, leaving Yoshino to face Muzan.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!" Yoshino unleashed a barrage of fireballs, aiming to force Muzan into retreat.

But Muzan countered effortlessly.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A powerful gust extinguished the flames and continued forward, ripping through the ground. Yoshino barely dodged, the sheer force leaving gouges in the earth.

"What kind of power is this?" Yoshino muttered in disbelief.

This wasn't the standard Great Breakthrough technique. The sheer scale and power were beyond anything Yoshino had seen.

Before he could react further, Muzan vanished. A sharp sense of danger engulfed Yoshino as Muzan reappeared behind him.

"Substitution Jutsu!" Yoshino swapped places with a nearby log just in time, narrowly avoiding Muzan's strike.

"You're quick," Muzan remarked, his hand bristling with black, thorn-like tendrils.

Yoshino knew he was outmatched. He could only hope reinforcements would arrive before it was too late.

Meanwhile, Haku faced the remaining jōnin. Despite their combined assault, his Ice Style proved too powerful.

Muzan glanced at Haku as he toyed with his opponents. "Hurry up. We've stirred up enough trouble for one night. There's no need to push the Daimyō's forces into open war just yet."

Haku nodded, his expression cold and resolute.

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