Aboard a merchant ship sailing away from the Land of Waves, Haku, dressed in a pale yellow dress, stood facing the wind, gazing at the gradually receding island.
"Um, Haku, do you really have to keep dressing like that?
"Wouldn't it be better to go back to wearing something more gender-neutral?" Zabuza walked out from the ship's cabin and said helplessly.
"No way. I promised Natsuki that I would always wear girl's clothes from now on," Haku shook their head.
"Damn it, that brat again!" Zabuza grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"You can't talk about Natsuki like that," Haku said, turning around and wagging a finger. "He is our benefactor."
Indeed, Zabuza hadn't crashed into the hill in the end because Natsuki had used the power of the Tenseigan.
That boy had also used this ability many times during the subsequent battle where he and the Giant of Light exhausted the hellhound.
"Hmph, at worst, I'll repay him with my life."
"What about mine? Should we repay them together?" Haku asked.
"Yours is out of the question... Fine, I admit he's our benefactor. Do whatever you want. Anyway, he's good-looking, and after just a few days together, you talk about him all the time," Zabuza conceded, grumbling.
"Hee hee, Lord Zabuza, you're getting grumpy again," Haku tilted their head and walked over with a giggle. They gently shook Zabuza's arm, whispering, "Lord Zabuza will always be the most important person to Haku."
"Humph!"
Although Zabuza still wore his usual deadpan expression, he was secretly pleased.
"By the way, we have new identities now," Haku announced.
"What identities?"
"Members of the Dimensional End's Congregation."
"Codenames: Demon of the Hidden Mist without Eyebrows! And Angel of Dawn!"
Zabuza's face stiffened.
"Your codename, 'Angel of Dawn,' is pretty good," he admitted. "But what the hell is mine? Is having no eyebrows something to be ashamed of?!"
"Hee hee hee, I came up with it," Haku giggled.
"What?! Change it! 'Demon of Hell' would sound better than that!"
"No can do, Mister. It's already decided."
"Haku, you're getting cheeky."
The ship sailed further and further away.
Two figures, one tall and one short, stood side by side at the edge of the ship, gazing at the sea. The organization's emblem on their chests gleamed in the morning light.
…
Back in the Land of Waves, at Tazuna's house.
"Natsuki, when will my Akamaru wake up?" Kiba asked, holding his listless Akamaru in his arms.
"He'll be fine. He just needs some rest," Natsuki replied, glancing at Akamaru.
Akamaru, having mistakenly evolved into a zombified hellhound and rampaged through a group of rogue ninjas, was thoroughly beaten down by the Giant of Light controlled by Natsuki.
After completely depleting his evolution energy, he finally reverted back to his normal form.
Meanwhile, upon learning that Gato had been killed by Zabuza, Tazuna and the entire population of the Land of Waves sprang into action.
The Great Naruto Bridge was slowly completed through everyone's collective efforts.
The Giant of Light and Natsuki's team became famous in the Land of Waves. People even erected statues in their honor.
"Teacher Kurenai has already finished the handover with Tazuna. Mission accomplished. We'll rest for two days and explore the Land of Waves. We can head back the day after tomorrow."
"Really? That's great! I'll take Akamaru out for some fresh air and check out that flower field," Kiba said, excitedly running off.
Natsuki shook his head, thinking that Kiba was destined to be disappointed. The "Little sister" he longed for was a gentle boy, and had already left by sea.
"Natsuki, shall we go for a walk too?" Hinata asked, her face flushed.
It was a rare opportunity, just the two of them, without any interruptions and away from the watchful eyes of the village elders.
She wanted more beautiful, carefree memories.
"Sure!" Natsuki readily agreed.
They soon arrived at the seaside.
The cool sea breeze was refreshing.
"The sea is a rare sight for us from Konoha. Want to go play in the water?" Natsuki asked Hinata.
"Yes…" Hinata nodded slightly, her ears already tinged with pink, lost in her thoughts.
They both took off their shoes and socks and started splashing each other in the knee-deep water.
At first, they simply used their hands.
Later, caught up in the moment, they unconsciously used the powers of the Tenseigan.
Countless water spheres rose from the surface of the sea, suspended in mid-air.
Then, they shot towards each other.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Under the clear blue sky, the dense water spheres collided and burst in the air, transforming into a curtain of artificial rain that fell with a pitter-patter.
Through the dazzling sunlight, three rainbows shimmered in the misty rain.
"... Natsuki, look, look! It's so beautiful!" Hinata exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the mist-filled sky.
Her cheeks were flushed, making her look incredibly cute.
"Yes, we created this rainbow." Natsuki walked to Hinata's side, and they looked together at the artificial rainbow that appeared briefly in the mist.
It truly was beautiful.
But in the next moment, Natsuki found something even more beautiful.
From the water fight, Hinata's cheeks were flushed crimson, and her wet hair reflected a soft sheen in the dazzling sunlight.
Crystal clear water droplets dripped onto her delicate shoulders, soaking her clothes. Her every smile and frown was captivating.
"Emerging from the water, a hibiscus drags its long silk, bathed in the rising sun, it blooms like colourful clouds," Natsuki couldn't help but recall a poem from his past life. [tl/n: this is not a classic poem, at least not to my knowledge and searches.]
"What?" The rainbow in the sky gradually disappeared as the mist dissipated. Hinata reluctantly withdrew her gaze.
Hearing Natsuki mutter something incomprehensible, she couldn't help but ask.
"Uh, it just means…very beautiful," Natsuki explained casually.
"Mhm, it really is, so beautiful," Hinata nodded, thinking Natsuki was referring to the rainbow.
Only then did she realize that Natsuki's attention had shifted to her.
She looked down slightly and realized that the water fight had left her clothes completely soaked.
"Ah! Don't look, Natsuki!" Hinata cried out in alarm, frantically trying to cover Natsuki's eyes. But her foot slipped, and she fell face-first into the sea.
"I'm so embarrassed…" Steam practically rose from Hinata's head.
In the last moment before she lost consciousness, she vaguely saw Natsuki shake his head and gently pick her up.
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