Characters in order of appearance:
Transcript
- Episode begins where the last left off, Haku is within his mirror looking at Naruto*
Haku (Thinking): There’s murder in his eyes! He looks nothing like he used to!
Naruto: Ahh!
Haku (Thinking): He’s coming!
- Haku launches several senbon at the charging Naruto. Naruto roars, creating a blast of orange-red Chakra that knocks the senbon out of the air*
Haku (Thinking): What?!
- Haku’s image disappears from the mirror as Naruto reaches it. Haku’s image appears in the mirror above and behind Naruto*
Haku (Thinking): His Chakra repelled my attack!
- Haku’s image appears in each of the ice mirrors, as he launches a barrage of senbon from each mirror at Naruto. The senbon appear to pierce Naruto in the back. Naruto roars and swings his arms out to his sides, as a wave of orange-red Chakra emanates from his body and the senbon bounce off of him. Naruto charges at Haku, jumping into the air and shattering his ice mirror with a punch*
Haku (Thinking): This should do it!
- Haku emerges from a fragment of the shattered ice mirror above Naruto, descending towards his back while brandishing several senbon. Naruto suddenly launches himself to his left without looking at Haku, barrel rolling in mid-air several times before skidding to a halt, as Haku slams into the ground ejecting debris and dust from the ground*
Haku (Thinking): Why?!
- Haku launches himself towards an ice mirror. Naruto grabs Haku’s arm before he can reach one*
Haku (Thinking): It can’t be!
- Naruto emanates a wave of orange-red Chakra from his body, picking up a cloud of dust from the ground*
Naruto: Ahh!
Kakashi (Thinking): …! Could…Naruto’s seal have been broken…?! No. This feeling…True, the seal is almost off and the Chakra of the Kyubi is escaping, but…
- Kakashi pulls out a scroll from one of the pockets of his flak jacket*
Kakashi (Thinking): Fortunately, the seal is not completely broken!
- Kakashi tosses the scroll into the air after having undone the tie around it, as he smears the blood from his chest on his fingertip. Kakashi catches the scroll and opens it up, before smearing the blood on his fingertip over the length of the scroll’s contents*
Kakashi (Thinking): I still have some time!
Kakashi: Do you hear me, Zabuza? We’re both busy people.
- Kakashi twirls the scroll around him like a ribbon*
Kakashi: I know it’s against your style, but I think it’s about time we stopped playing around.
- Kakashi tosses the scroll into the air, using the force of the throw to tie it in mid-air, before catching it. Kakashi weaves a sign with the scroll in his hands*
Kakashi: Why don’t we settle this once and for all with the next move?
Zabuza: Interesting. What can you possibly do in this situation? Kakashi, go ahead. Show me.
- Naruto’s orange-red Chakra emanates from his body, creating a large amount of pressure, which causes Haku’s mirrors to crack*
Haku (Thinking): No good…I can’t hold his aura down!
Naruto: *roars*
- Naruto clenches his fist and delivers a straight right punch to Haku’s face, launching him several meters away through one of his ice mirrors, and hurtling away even further. Haku’s mask begins to crack. As Haku begins to stand to his feet, all of the ice mirrors of his Makyo Hyosho shatter completely*
Naruto: *roars*
Haku (Thinking): Zabuza…I can’t defeat this boy.
- Naruto jumps into the air towards Haku, as Haku’s mask breaks apart and falls off, revealing his bloodied face*
Haku (Thinking): Zabuza…I’m…
- Naruto descends towards Haku and swings his right fist towards his face. Naruto stops his fist just before reaching Haku’s face, as the effects of the Kyubi’s Chakra have faded*
Naruto: You…from that time…
- Naruto thinks back to the forest where he did his tree-climbing training, meeting Haku for the first time*
Haku: Why? Why stop?
Naruto: Huh?
Haku: Even though I killed your dear friend, you can’t kill me?
- Naruto looks back at Sasuke’s apparent corpse*
Naruto: *groans* Damn it!
- Naruto punches Haku in the face with his right fist, knocking him to the ground as blood flies from his mouth. Haku vomits up blood*
Haku: What happened to the force from a moment ago? You can’t defeat me with that kind of strength. Wasn’t he someone special to you?
- Naruto remembers Haku’s words from various points in their encounter*
Haku: Is there someone special in your life?
Haku: I want to protect someone special to me. I want to make that person’s dream a reality…That’s my dream.
- Naruto snaps back to the present, as Haku stands to his feet*
Haku: Many people misunderstand. They pity and don’t finish off the enemy they ought to finish. They let them survive. To me, that isn’t compassion or anything. Do you know? How it feels to not be needed by anyone? To live day to day without a dream. The pain of it all.
Naruto: What are you saying?
Haku: Zabuza has no use for a weak shinobi. You took away my reason for existence.
Naruto: Why? Why do you have to serve a guy like that? He gets the money from thugs to do bad things! Is that “no brow” the only person special to you?!
Haku: A long time ago, I had other people special to me. They were…my parents.
- Haku’s parents are shown lovingly holding him as an infant, while outside in the snow*
Haku: I was born in the Land of Water, in a small village heavy with snow. My parents worked on a small farm. We were very poor, but my parents seemed to be satisfied with it. I was happy then…They were loving parents. But…When I was old enough to understand things, something happened.
Naruto: Something? What happened?
- Haku wipes his mouth with his hand, smearing blood on it*
Haku: My blood…
Naruto: Blood? Go on! Tell me what happened.
Haku: My father…He killed my mother. Then he tried to kill me.
Naruto: Huh?!
- A village is shown burning with several fires, as dark smoke rises into the air*
Haku: After the experience of the ceaseless civil war, people with Kekkei Genkai were hated and feared in the Land of Water.
Naruto: Kekkei Genkai?
Haku: It’s a special power or Jutsu passed on through certain clans, from parent to child, or from grandparent to grandchild. Because of their special powers, those of the clan were exploited in all sorts of battles. As a result, all Kekkei Genkai were feared as harbingers of disaster and death. After the war was over, they decided to hide their special powers. If anyone knew of their secret, only death could be expected.
- Haku’s focus turns to Sasuke’s apparent corpse*
Haku: I’m sure that boy went through so much suffering as well. The greater your power, the more you were feared. My mother had the Kekkei Genkai. She kept it secret from my father. She hoped that for a while…No, she must have thought that they could have a simple life forever.
- Haku is shown as a child, levitating a glob of icy water from a nearby puddle between his hands. Haku’s mother drops a cloth on the snowy ground*
Haku: Look, mommy! Look! Isn’t it fantastic?
- Haku’s mother grabs his arm, as the glob of water falls into the snow*
Haku’s Mother: Not you, too!
- Haku’s mother grabs both of his arms and violently shakes him*
Haku’s Mother: Why? Why him, too?
Haku: That hurts, mommy!
- Haku’s mother slaps him across the face*
Haku’s Mother: *cries* Sorry…I’m sorry, Haku…
Haku’s Mother: I’m sorry!
- Haku’s father watches from the distance, as the scene changes back to the present*
Haku: However…Father had discovered our secret.
- Scene changes back to the past, as a plate smashes on the floor. Haku’s mother’s hand is shown laying on the ground, bloodied. Haku stumbles backwards before falling over. Haku’s father walks up to him, tears in his eyes, as three villagers watch from behind. Haku’s father raises a large wooden rod above his head, as blood suddenly shoots into the air. Haku walks barefoot through the snow, before collapsing face-first, curling up into a ball and crying. Haku’s house is shown to have over a dozen large spikes of ice protruding from it. Scene changes back to the present*
Haku: When I came to…I had killed my own father. And that moment, what I thought of myself was that…no, that is what I had to think. And then knew that it was the most painful thing.
Naruto: The most…painful thing…?
Haku: That I…that my existence didn’t matter to anyone else in the world.
Naruto (Thinking): Same with me.
Haku: You told me that…You’ll be the best ninja in the village, and make everyone respect you. If someone comes along and accepts you for who you are, no one could be more important to you than that person. Even though he knew I was from a clan with Kekkei Genkai, Zabuza took me in. My power that everyone hated…He wanted it, needed it.
- Scene changes back to the past, as Zabuza approaches the unkempt and barefoot Haku on a snow-covered bridge*
Zabuza: Brats like you won’t be needed by anyone and die like dogs.
Haku: You have the same eyes as I do…
Zabuza: …Brat…Do you want…to be needed by someone? Are you willing to give everything for me?
Zabuza: From now on, your power belongs to me.
- Haku stands to his feet and walks up to Zabuza, who pats his head and pulls him to his side*
Zabuza: Come with me.
- Scene changes to the present*
Naruto: …
Haku: *cries* I was so happy…
- Scene changes to the past, as Haku and Zabuza overlook a village*
Zabuza: Haku, bad news. I have to leave the Land of Water as of tonight. However, I’ll be back in this land some day. I will rule over this land. To do that…what I need isn’t consolation, encouragement or empty words. What I really need is…
Haku: I already know. You have nothing to fear. I am your weapon, Zabuza. Keep me by you as a mere tool that heeds your every word.
Zabuza: You’re a good boy!
- Scene changes back to the present*
Haku: I apologize, Zabuza. I wasn’t good enough to be the tool you were looking for.
- Haku walks closer to Naruto*
Haku: Naruto! I want you…to kill me.
- Kakashi begins weaving several hand signs with the scroll in his hands*
Kakashi: Ninpo: Kuchiyose: Doton: Tsuiga no Jutsu!
- Kakashi slams the scroll on the ground, as cracks begin to from on the ground, and the writing from the scroll spread out like waves over the ground, before dissipating entirely*
Zabuza: Whatever you do won’t work! You have absolutely no idea where I am now. However…I know exactly where you are and what you’re about. Kakashi…You are completely in my hands now.
- Zabuza notices rumbling underground*
Zabuza: Hmm?
- The ground cracks beneath Zabuza as a ninken, Guruko, emerges from the resulting hole, attempting to bite Zabuza’s left leg. Zabuza raises his left leg to avoid the attack, as another ninken, Akino cracks open the ground and emerges to bite into Zabuza’s right leg. Several other ninken, Bisuke, Bull, Pakkun, Shiba, Uhei, and Urushi, crack open the ground and jump into the air towards Zabuza. Tazuna and Sakura notice the sounds of the ninken growling*
Tazuna: W…What is that racket?
Sakura: What…Just what’s going on out there?
Kakashi: If you can’t use your eyes or ears, simply use your nose.
- The mist clears up around Zabuza, as Guruko bites into his left shin, Bisuke bites into the side of his left knee, Shiba bites his right thigh, Akino bites his right shin, Uhei bites down on his Kubikiribocho and holds it down, Pakkun hangs at his stomach biting down on the fabric of his headband, Urushi bites into his right arm, and Bull bites into this left shoulder*
Kakashi: That’s what happens when you’re closing your eyes in the midst of fog. This is the Kuchiyose no Jutsu specialized for pursuit. I deliberately shed my own blood to stop your attacks both times for this.
- Flashback shows Kakashi being stabbed in his hand by Zabuza’s kunai, and holding his chest after being slashed by his Kubikiribocho*
Kakashi: Your weapons have a thick scent of my blood on them now. Those are my adorable ninja dogs. And their sense of smell is without equal. You’re the one who was playing into my hands. The fog has lifted already. And your future is…death.
Zabuza: I’ve had enough of your bluffs!
Kakashi: Don’t act tough! There’s nothing you can do in this situation. Your death is certain. Zabuza. You were too full of yourself. You’re too ambitious for your own good.
- Flashback shows Zabuza’s silhouette cutting somebody down with his Kubikiribocho, while running through a room as a spotlight shines on him, and several shinobi pursue him*
Kakashi: You assassinated the Mizukage, but failed to pull off a coup. You left the service with few men under you, and became a rogue ninja.
- Flashback shows Zabuza and several other Kirigakure shinobi running from the burning village*
Kakashi: Soon after, your name reached our Konoha. You needed to raise funds to strike back. And you needed to hide from the tracking unit’s pursuit and retaliation. Isn’t that about the reason why you hired yourself out to scum like Gato? Zabuza. Do you really believe I’ve managed to survive with just Sharingan? Here’s something I didn’t copy, a Jutsu of my own…
- Kakashi forms a hand sign*
Kakashi: To enlighten you!
- Kakashi weaves several hand signs, as a ring of blue Chakra forms around his feet, and a current of lightning forms in the palm of his hand*
Kakashi: *roars* Raikiri!
Zabuza (Thinking): What the…?! His hand is visibly overflowing with Chakra!
Kakashi: You are too dangerous. Tazuna, the man you are trying to assassinate is the symbol of courage in this land! The bridge he is building is the hope of his land! And your ambitions will sacrifice countless lives. That isn’t how a shinobi is supposed to behave.
Zabuza: Who cares?
Kakashi: …
Zabuza: I have always fought for my own ideals. And that will never ever change!
- The Chakra within Kakashi’s hand becomes visibly more concentrated*
Kakashi: I’ll say it again.
Zabuza: Huh?
Kakashi: Give up. Your future is…death!
Haku: Please kill me.
Naruto: …
Haku: What are you hesitating for?
Naruto: No…What you said is ridiculous! You’re a weapon? Just a tool for him? How can you call him special to you? Are you really okay with that?
Haku: Is that wrong?
Naruto: Huh?
Haku: Tell me, what is wrong with that?
Naruto: Well, uh…It’s not…
Haku: Zabuza counts on me, even if I’m worthless. He made me feel needed.
- Flashback shows a younger Haku running through a snow-covered forest while holding a white rabbit. The rabbit jumps out of his arms and escapes into the bushes. Zabuza walks out from the other side of the bushes, holding the white rabbit by it’s ears. Haku hugs the rabbit, as Zabuza pats Haku’s head*
Haku: But now, I’ve lost my usefulness that affirmed my existence. Zabuza no longer needs me. That’s why, I am now appealing to you. Please, make it quick.
Episode Rating
Story & Pacing (9.8/10) – Every Second Feels Like a Climax
- Naruto’s first true Kurama-fueled rage takes center stage, and it’s presented flawlessly.
- Haku’s mask breaking apart as he realizes he can’t win is a symbolic and emotional gut punch.
- The battle escalates perfectly—Naruto overwhelms Haku, shattering the ice mirrors, while Kakashi sets up his decisive counterattack against Zabuza.
- The use of flashbacks is incredibly well-placed, especially Haku’s backstory—it doesn’t slow the episode down, but instead makes his plea for death even more tragic.
- Kakashi’s strategy against Zabuza finally takes shape, and it’s a brilliant tactical showcase—the way he used his own blood as a marker for his ninken is genius.
- The tension never drops for a second. The episode starts at maximum intensity and keeps escalating, setting up a heartbreaking climax for Haku and a decisive clash between Kakashi and Zabuza.
Character Development (10/10) – Raw, Powerful, and Unforgettable
- Naruto Uzumaki – First Taste of the Beast Within
- Naruto tapping into Kurama’s power is a game-changer, marking the first moment where we see just how terrifying he can be when he’s pushed past his limits.
- His aura alone cracks Haku’s ice mirrors, repels senbon, and shakes the battlefield—it’s a visually stunning way to introduce his latent power.
- His roars of rage feel primal, a stark contrast to the loudmouthed but lighthearted Naruto we knew before.
- The moment he recognizes Haku under the mask and snaps out of his rage is a critical moment. It shows that Naruto is not a mindless killer, even when overcome by grief and fury.
- His confusion and frustration when Haku asks to be killed is heartbreaking. This is the first time Naruto faces a true moral dilemma—his first lesson in the true pain of being a shinobi.
- Naruto’s line: "You’re a weapon? Just a tool for him? How can you call him special to you?" is one of the first times he questions the harsh shinobi world, setting up major future themes.
- Haku – The Most Tragic Character So Far
- Haku’s realization that he cannot defeat Naruto is a tragic moment of acceptance. He was always willing to die for Zabuza, and now he sees his purpose has ended.
- His backstory is nothing short of heartbreaking.
- The Land of Water’s civil war, the fear of Kekkei Genkai, his own father murdering his mother—it all makes his devotion to Zabuza even more tragic.
- He wasn’t born a killer—he was forced to become a tool to be needed.
- His "I was so happy…" line about Zabuza taking him in is devastating.
- The scene of his father about to kill him, only for Haku’s Kekkei Genkai to activate in self-defense, is chilling.
- His final request for Naruto to kill him is beyond tragic. He sees himself as useless, nothing more than a tool past its prime.
- Kakashi Hatake – The Mastermind
- Kakashi fully commits to ending the fight here and now, bringing out his personal Jutsu, Raikiri (Lightning Blade), for the first time.
- His tracking strategy is brilliant. The way he used his own blood as a scent marker for his ninken is a masterstroke of ninja tactics.
- His cold declaration to Zabuza: "Your future is… death" is one of his most badass moments so far.
- Despite this, Kakashi still expresses deep concern for Naruto’s state, showing his growing care for his students.
- His realization that Naruto is dangerously close to unleashing Kurama is another major foreshadowing moment.
- Zabuza Momochi – The Cold-Blooded Demon
- Zabuza remains a master of psychological warfare, trying to break Kakashi’s composure with every move.
- Even when completely restrained by Kakashi’s ninken, he refuses to acknowledge defeat.
- He continues to dehumanize Haku as nothing more than a tool, which makes the ending of the arc even more powerful.
- His cold "Who cares?" response when Kakashi calls out his selfish ambitions is brutal and proves how different his worldview is from Naruto's.
- Sakura Haruno & Tazuna – The Helpless Witnesses
- Sakura’s belief in Naruto and Sasuke is a key emotional thread.
- Her desperation when she hears Sasuke might be dead is one of her strongest early emotional moments.
- She stays with Tazuna as ordered, showing that she is prioritizing her role in the mission.
- Tazuna's shock at the level of power displayed reinforces how intense this battle has become.
Action & Combat (9.8/10) – Jaw-Dropping Sequences
- Naruto’s Kurama-fueled rampage is a spectacle.
- Shattering the ice mirrors, repelling attacks with his aura, moving with raw animalistic instincts—it’s a complete transformation.
- The way he dodges Haku’s attack mid-air without even looking is a terrifying display of his new instincts.
- The moment he grabs Haku’s arm in mid-air is a turning point in the fight—Haku has never been overpowered like this.
- The first-ever "Raikiri" is an iconic moment, and the visuals of Kakashi charging his Lightning Blade are phenomenal.
- The brutal takedown of Zabuza with Kakashi’s ninken is executed perfectly, making Zabuza feel truly cornered for the first time.
- Every action scene carries emotional weight. This isn’t just fighting for the sake of fighting—every blow has a story behind it.
Themes & Symbolism (10/10) – The Philosophy of a Shinobi
- Naruto vs. Haku is a battle of ideologies.
- Naruto fights to be acknowledged by everyone.
- Haku fights because he has already found someone who acknowledged him.
- The idea of being "a tool" vs. "a person" is explored deeply.
- Haku believes his worth only comes from being needed.
- Naruto cannot comprehend this worldview, which shakes his entire perception of what it means to be a ninja.
- Kakashi vs. Zabuza is a battle of what a shinobi should be.
- Kakashi fights for his comrades and their dreams.
- Zabuza fights purely for ambition and survival.
- Sasuke’s sacrifice reflects a true shinobi bond, showing that even an "avenger" has something he wants to protect.
- The mist itself is a powerful metaphor for uncertainty in battle—both literal and emotional.
Final Verdict: 9.8/10 – A Masterpiece of Emotion, Combat, and Tragedy
- ✔ Strengths:
- One of Naruto’s most important character moments.
- Haku’s tragic backstory makes his fate even more devastating.
- Kakashi’s brilliance and Zabuza’s desperation elevate the tactical side of the fight.
- Every action sequence is meaningful and driven by emotion.
- Naruto’s rage is visually and narratively stunning, making Kurama’s presence feel truly ominous.
- The transition from high-intensity action to emotional tragedy is executed flawlessly.
- ❌ Weaknesses:
- Sakura remains sidelined, though this is expected given the nature of the battle.
- The flashbacks, while excellent, might feel slightly long for viewers eager for the next action sequence.
This episode is a masterclass in storytelling and one of the defining moments of the entire Naruto series.