Naruto: One Eye Tenseigan

Following the resolution of threats posed by Zabuza and Zetsu, Team 7's mission was momentarily secure. Tomaru, having completed his maneuvers, deactivated his Tenseigan. The faint luminescence in his eye faded, and his right eye returned to its original deep blue hue. The Zetsu that had formed a makeshift head covering dissolved, leaving him relieved from the stifling discomfort it had caused.

The use of Zetsu as full-body armor, though tactically advantageous. Tomaru, still unaccustomed to the strain it imposed, found himself drenched in sweat. Shedding this layer, he opted for his preferred attire a Kirigakure ANBU mask paired with a black robe. The mask, far more breathable and comfortable, allowed him to regain composure and prepare for Haku's anticipated return.

—

When Haku stepped into Zabuza's dimly lit room, his sharp eyes immediately caught the presence of an unfamiliar figure standing beside the bed. The stranger's face was concealed behind an ANBU mask, and his dark robe exuded an air of quiet menace. Haku's gaze darted briefly to Zabuza, who lay motionless, still visibly weakened from his injuries. Concern flared within him, ignited by the proximity of this enigmatic figure to his master.

Before Haku could act on his unease, Zabuza's gravelly voice broke the tension. "Haku, this is our new ally," he said, his tone steady but commanding.

Though Haku's expression remained composed, a subtle undercurrent of skepticism flickered in his mind. Something about the situation felt amiss, though he could not immediately identify what it was.

Zabuza's voice cut through his thoughts once more. "Before we can trust him, you must test his worth. Use every ounce of your strength to kill him. If he cannot survive, he's not worthy to stand among us."

Haku's eyes widened briefly at the harsh directive, but he quickly masked his reaction. With a slight bow of acknowledgment, he accepted the command. Yet, unease stirred within him.

The two figures walked in silence toward a small island shrouded in thick mist. The rhythmic sound of waves against the shore was the only interruption to the otherwise oppressive quiet. As they approached their destination, Haku's mind churned with Zabuza's words: *Use all your abilities to kill him.*

Doubt crept into his thoughts: What if I fail? Would Zabuza abandon me?

The idea of being discarded gnawed at him, sharpening his focus and hardening his resolve. This was not merely a test of the stranger's capabilities but of Haku's own worthiness to serve Zabuza.

The island, veiled in fog, became their battleground. Ten meters separated the two combatants, their forms barely visible against the thickened mist. Haku studied the masked figure intently, searching for any indication of weakness.

"Are you ready?" Haku asked, his tone calm yet edged with seriousness.

Tomaru offered no verbal reply. Instead, he raised a kunai, assuming a defensive stance with measured precision. Understanding the silent acknowledgment, Haku launched the first strike, a barrage of senbon needles slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.

Tomaru's response was immediate. His kunai deflected each projectile with meticulous timing, the soft clang of metal resonating faintly through the mist. Unfazed by the failure of his initial attack, Haku surged forward with astonishing speed, closing the distance between them in an instant.

Their weapons clashed as Haku's senbon met Tomaru's kunai. The force of the impact rippled through the air, but Tomaru remained composed, his movements efficient and precise.

"Surrender," Haku urged, his voice calm but firm. "I have no desire to kill you."

Tomaru's silence remained unbroken. Instead of responding, he retaliated with a swift and calculated kick aimed at Haku's midsection. The speed and precision of the strike left Haku no opportunity to evade. The kick connected with devastating force, propelling Haku backward until his body collided with a tree trunk. The impact reverberated through the area, and Haku winced in pain as he struggled to stand.

Despite the sharp ache radiating from his waist, Haku's determination did not falter. His opponent's strength and speed were undeniable, and a pang of fear crept into his thoughts: If I lose…

Refusing to entertain the possibility of failure, Haku clasped his hands together, forming seals with practiced efficiency. The air around him grew colder as chakra coalesced into crystalline structures. In moments, shimmering ice mirrors materialized, encircling the battlefield.

"Ice Release: Crystal Ice Mirrors," Haku intoned, his voice steady and resolute.

The mirrors reflected Haku's determined gaze, each surface alive with pulsating chakra. His image multiplied, creating an illusion of omnipresence that blurred the line between reality and trickery. The fog thickened further, amplifying the eerie stillness of the battlefield.

Tomaru's stance shifted subtly as he analyzed the new formation. His gaze swept across the mirrors, unflinching in the face of Haku's display of power. With deliberate calm, he adjusted his grip on the kunai, his movements betraying neither hesitation nor fear.

Haku's voice cut through the dense fog of the battlefield, calm yet resolute. "Surrender," he commanded, his tone carrying a trace of reluctance—a final effort to avert needless bloodshed.

Tomaru remained unmoved, his twin kunai held steady in both hands. His silence was deafening, an unspoken defiance that stoked Haku's simmering impatience. With a decisive movement, Haku initiated his assault.

From within the crystalline ice mirrors, Haku's reflections multiplied, each one moving in perfect unison. The array of duplicates blurred the lines between illusion and reality, their synchronized movements creating a disorienting spectacle. Without hesitation, the reflections launched their attack, a relentless storm of senbon needles converging on Tomaru from every direction.

Tomaru's sharp gaze tracked the incoming assault. Gripping his kunai tightly, he moved with calculated precision, deflecting the barrage of senbon with deliberate, fluid motions. The sharp clang of metal on metal echoed through the mist, each parry executed with near-mechanical efficiency. Yet despite his efforts, several senbon slipped through his defense, embedding themselves into his arms and legs. Tomaru winced but stood his ground, his composure unbroken.

From the safety of the mirrors, Haku observed the outcome, his initial confidence giving way to measured surprise. Tomaru's resilience defied expectations. Without hesitation, Haku intensified his offensive. The next wave of senbon came faster, their trajectories more erratic, designed to exploit any weakness in Tomaru's defense.

Tomaru adapted swiftly. His movements became sharper, more instinctive. Each parry carried a precision honed by rapid learning and heightened focus. Though a handful of senbon managed to graze his sides and arms, his breathing remained steady, and his resolve unwavering. The rhythm of the battle seemed to align with his growing mastery, each exchange further fortifying his defense.

Haku's unease deepened as the battle unfolded. What had begun as a calculated test of strength now felt like a perilous gamble. Each strike he launched was met with a counter that reflected not only skill but also adaptation. Tomaru was learning, evolving, and steadily shifting the balance of power in his favor. The realization sent a ripple of doubt through Haku's typically composed demeanor.

Desperation creeping into his movements, Haku exhaled sharply and launched another volley. This time, the senbon fell with greater intensity, their sheer volume a testament to his diminishing options. The fog thickened, amplifying the oppressive atmosphere of the battlefield. Yet, despite the relentless assault, Tomaru's defense held firm. His movements, now almost second nature, carried an air of effortless precision. Each deflection spoke of a confidence that belied the fierce tempo of the fight.

As the storm of senbon continued, Tomaru's instincts sharpened even further. Choosing not to rely on advanced techniques such as Earth Spear, he instead honed his reflexes and heightened his awareness of danger. Every needle that approached seemed to trigger an automatic response, his body moving with fluid efficiency to intercept or evade. With each passing moment, fewer senbon found their mark until none could penetrate his defenses.

Haku, now visibly fatigued, felt his chakra reserves waning. The relentless pace of his attacks had taken a toll, and he knew the battle could not continue much longer. Determined to end the fight decisively, he prepared his most powerful technique.

"Certain-Kill Ice Spears," Haku whispered, his voice tinged with desperation and resolve. The mirrors surrounding the battlefield shimmered with renewed intensity as sharp, spear-like constructs of ice began to form, their lethal intent unmistakable.

The attack came swift and sudden. The ice spears shot forward with unparalleled speed, converging on Tomaru's position with deadly precision. Yet even in the face of such an overwhelming assault, Tomaru's resolve did not waver. A surge of awareness coursed through him, and he reacted with precision born of confidence.

Channeling earth-natured chakra throughout his body, Tomaru's skin darkened, hardening to a diamond-like toughness. His hands formed a cross-shaped seal, completing the defensive technique just as the ice spears closed in. The enhanced durability of his body rendered the assault ineffective, the spears shattering harmlessly upon impact.

When the barrage subsided, Tomaru emerged unscathed, his calm demeanor unbroken. His eyes met Haku's across the battlefield, his measured gaze a stark contrast to the exhaustion etched across Haku's face. Kneeling amidst the dissipating mist, Haku's breath came in ragged gasps, his chakra reserves nearly depleted.

Tomaru's stance and absence of visible injuries sent a chilling wave of despair through Haku. The failure of his strongest techniques weighed heavily on him, each moment of realization chipping away at his confidence. The specter of Zabuza's potential disappointment loomed large, the fear of being deemed disposable gnawing relentlessly at his resolve. Exhaustion amplified his anxiety, and his breaths became shallow and labored. As his strength faltered under the strain of both body and mind, Haku's vision darkened, his knees giving way. Overcome by the crushing burden, he collapsed onto the mist-covered ground, unconscious before he could muster the will to rise again.