This- works. Haku is knocked down, and their mask comes off, revealing the very pretty face of a person the same apparent age as them.

Chihiro moves to strike to take advantage of the moment.

"- Don't kill them - " Sugira says, somewhat softly. He's killed in his past life - but death's permanent here in a way it isn't back home, and even there it's still not something to do to a kid.

He doesn't move out of his illusion's cover, though, but does take the advantage to refresh his shield spell. It's close to running out.

Chihiro pulls her strike, blade stopping just short of Haku's neck.

     "Finish it," they say. They haven't moved. "I am not strong enough to help Master Zabuza. I have no other reason for living."

"That's bullshit. You're a kid. You think you're going to beat every opponent ever at - what, thirteen? And - you exist to learn. So when you're not a fucking child what the fuck is wrong with this world you can pick whatever the fuck you want to do with your life. Fixing this stupid world, if you want a goal bigger than yourself."

"Master Zabuza saved me," they say, face blank. "I am his tool."

"That's not how it works. The older generation owes the younger everything they can give."

He might have forgotten his body is currently shaped like a twelve year old.

(He doesn't have an objection to adults choosing to devote themselves to someone, just. Kids. Especially in vulnerable situations. No.)

"You do not understand," Haku says.

(Chihiro looks very lost.)

"He saved you. You feel obligated, or grateful, at least initially, and he's protected you or trained you or shown positive traits since, and serving him gives you a place in things. That doesn't make it your only place."

"It is all I have." There is a sound like a thousand birds chirping. "I am sorry." They move, suddenly, pushing Chihiro's unresisting arm away and leaping.

And back near Tazuna, Kakashi stands with a fist wreathed in lightning, looking like what Shocking Grasp wants to be when it grows up, and his arm passing straight through Haku's chest, prevented from reaching Zabuza.

...Shit.

He takes an aborted step forward. If - he doesn't have any healing spells - 

Shit shit shit.

Zabuza takes a swing with his sword. Kakashi dodges backwards, moving Haku's body with him. He lowers it to the ground and withdraws his arm. Then he dashes into the fray. Steel rings against steel once, twice. There's a spurt of blood and Zabuza's left arm goes limp. After another brief exchange, his right arm fails and he drops the sword.

A large yacht pulls up alongside the bridge. Its deck is crowded with fifty or so thuggish mercenaries that don't have the look of shinobi about them. A shortish, balding man in a suit stands at the prow. He taps his cane. "Zabuza, you disappoint me once again," he calls. "At least you've worn down the opposition. Now I'll take you all out at once. Get 'em, boys." The crowd begins to swarm onto the bridge.

"Naruto!"

And there's now a much thicker crowd of blonds around Tazuna.

"Where's that little toy of yours, Zabuza? Hiding again? I'll have its pretty face cut off and framed on my wall."

     "Kakashi." Zabuza's voice is quiet and chill as ice. "It seems my contract is over. We no longer have any quarrel. Let me borrow a knife, and I'll thin the herd for you before I go."

...Kakashi tosses one of his kunai over. Zabuza snatches it out of the air with his teeth. His eyes glisten in the sunlight as he does so. He charges the mob and rips a bloody path through them, hampered as he is, making straight for Gatou.

Sugira mostly keeps watch, tense, ready to defend his team if any of Gatou's men turn on them.

They're too busy trying to take Zabuza down, but the man seems a juggernaut, unstoppable. He makes it all the way to Gatou and takes out his throat in one clean blow before finally falling, victim to a hundred wounds obtained during his single-minded charge.

The mob seems a bit stunned, after that.

Sugira steps forward and holds his sword in plain view, a quick incantation setting lighting to sparking along the blade.

"Go," he says, voice low. "Do not trouble this place again."

The mob looks undecided. Kakashi rolls his neck and cracks his knuckles. They start looking more in favor of fleeing.

And they are now outnumbered by some agitated blonds -

And there's a shout from another set of clones, by the end of the bridge - the ones Naruto had left to guard the house, with backup.

Yep, they're definitely running now. Back onto the boat and away, with shouting and urgency.

"Phew," says Kakashi, relaxing. "I really didn't want to have to fight all of them."