Konoha: The Honored One

"Gojo-sensei!"

The desperate cries of Class 7 rang out across the bridge as Gojo finally appeared on the battlefield, hands in his pockets and a lollipop between his teeth. His mere presence sent a wave of relief through his students and turned the tide of their despair into renewed determination.

Haku's face tensed as he whispered urgently to Zabuza, "Please… be careful."

Under the dim moonlight, the mist hung heavy, but Gojo's arrival was a sudden, electrifying shift. With one swift, practiced motion, he activated his Limitless technique, and in an instant, Sasuke and Sakura, who had been held hostage, vanished from their captors' grip, reappearing safely at a distance.

Gojo now stood behind Haku, looking completely relaxed. "Little slow there, huh?"

Haku's eyes widened. "What... speed!" He barely had time to start forming a hand seal when Gojo lifted his foot, delivering a sharp, almost casual kick that sent him skidding across the bridge with a thud.

Haku crumpled momentarily, the attack both simple and devastating.

"You're all safe now," Gojo announced with a reassuring grin, hands still tucked in his pockets, a lollipop stick poking out from between his lips as he nonchalantly pinned Haku to the ground with his foot.

The students of Team 7 watched in awe, their jaws practically hitting the floor. The enemy who had nearly cornered them moments ago was now lying helpless beneath their teacher. Even Sasuke, normally the picture of cool, looked shell-shocked, his Sharingan unable to keep up with Gojo's sheer speed.

Once Naruto recovered his senses, he pointed an accusing finger at Gojo. "You—irresponsible fool! If you'd shown up any later, we'd be toast!"

Just minutes ago, Naruto had been banking on his Shadow Clones and a bold attitude to tackle the enemy. But now, he saw how wide the gap was between their skills.

Gojo raised an eyebrow, feigning shock. "Oh? And here I thought I'd let you guys handle it all on your own. Thought I'd just mosey on over once things got… spicy."

He shot Naruto and Sasuke an amused look. "I mean, all that talk about 'I'll handle them myself'…then calling for me as soon as things got messy?"

Naruto's cheeks flushed, but his determination didn't waver. "Gojo-sensei, I could have handled them if you hadn't interrupted!"

"Sure, sure." Gojo replied with a smirk. "Glad to see you're still full of spirit." He looked down at Haku, still pinned beneath his foot. "And this one—no reaction to pain? Are you a puppet?"

"I'm just…a tool," Haku murmured, his voice barely audible. Even in defeat, his gaze was resigned. His mission, his life, everything he was—dedicated to Zabuza.

Gojo sighed, a trace of pity in his voice. "Now that's sad. You're letting yourself be reduced to that?"

Zabuza, blood dripping from a cut on his face, staggered to his feet, fury igniting in his eyes. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Haku's the perfect tool. Now get your foot off him!"

With a roar, he lunged toward Gojo, kunai raised, murder in his eyes.

Gojo simply lifted one finger, and Zabuza's kunai froze in midair, caught by an invisible force. Zabuza gritted his teeth, veins bulging with effort.

"If you're so eager to fight," Gojo drawled, "you should worry about Tazuna's safety." His tone was as casual as if they were discussing the weather.

With a flick of his wrist, two ninja, Zabuza's own men, appeared in midair, beaten and lifeless, their necks twisted at unnatural angles. Zabuza's eyes widened in shock. Those were the very men he'd sent to ambush Tazuna.

"Your plan?" Gojo said, smiling coolly. "Yeah, already taken care of. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to wrap this up. Kids have a test tomorrow."

Zabuza's defiant expression faltered as he realized how outclassed he was. Continuing the fight would only lead to his and Haku's defeat.

"Haku!" he barked, backing away to create distance. "We're leaving!"

But Haku stayed on the ground, her expression pained. "I... can't. Please, leave without me. I've failed you."

Zabuza's frustration boiled over. "What are you saying? Use your Ice Style and get out of there!"

Gojo shook his head, his smirk turning to feigned disgust. "Pathetic. All that talk about strength, and now you're blaming others?" He stepped off Haku, who struggled to his feet, his resolve worning thin.