 I always say that we yearn for a companionship. To be recognized and to be loved. We want to be looked at and appreciated. We want to be needed. We want to feel worthy. So we cling on to those who make us feel this way, especially when we have nothing and no one. In short, this is the story of Zabuza and Haku. Haku was born to two farmers in the snowy village inside the land of water. Haku and his mother possessed a bloodline ability of ice. Those in the land of water with the keke genkai of the ice release were feared and used as mercenaries. And when the wars ended, they were hunted. After discovering that Haku and his mother shared this ability, Haku's father killed his mother and before he could kill Haku, the young boy defended himself, returning the favor to his father and the rest of the villagers. After that night, Haku became an orphan and homeless in a time before the cold winter. The demon of the mist or a man by the name of Zabuza Momochi found him. Zabuza was looking for someone to be of use to him and Haku was the perfect tool. Although Haku did not want to become a shinobi, he stuck by Zabuza's side, owing his survival to the swordsman. Zabuza Momochi started his journey off as a young academy graduate out of the village hidden in the mist. However, before the fourth mizukage's term, the graduates were placed against each other in a battle to the death, where Zabuza emerged as the victor, giving him the nickname demon of the hidden mist. This change was to determine the candidates for the next seven-inch swordsman of the mist. And Zabuza would receive the executioner's blade after his time with the Anbu and after joining the seven swordsmen. Zabuza was blunt about his intentions, as he was used, he used those around him, including Haku, and his goal was to plan a kurita on the mizukage, which he failed once before. So he gathered funds by any means necessary and took a job working as a mercenary for Gato, who employed him to kill Tazuna, that Team 7 was tasked to protect. After successfully defending him, they returned for their final encounter, where Naruto and Sasuke would take on Haku and Kakashi would take on Zabuza, which left Sakura to protect Tazuna. Prior to this, Haku not wearing his mask met with Naruto, and Naruto believing it was a girl in the forest spoke to him. This is where Haku would tell Naruto that his only dream was to protect the person who was important to him, to be of use to the demon. He would also instruct Naruto that those who fight for others are the strongest. After Naruto wounds Haku in their battle, he finds himself weak and no longer of use to Zabuza. Now willing to give his life to protect Zabuza, Haku jumped in front of Kakashi's lightning blade and would be impaled, protecting the demon. Zabuza tried to fight back, but without the use of his arms, he was not a threat anymore. And Gato who had arrived, paraded over Haku's dead body, kicking the kid and calling him weak. A statement that Zabuza agreed with. This being Naruto's first mission showed off his naive outlook on the world, but it also displayed Naruto's personality. He was headstrong and unwavering in his beliefs that people should be compassionate no matter what. And he berated Zabuza because of this. It was Naruto's words that brought the demon of the hidden mist to tears. When begging Zabuza to have compassion, to show that he cared for his partner. Naruto would open Zabuza's eyes and his heart for how much Haku cared for him. So that Zabuza could truly show how he felt about his fallen partner. These tears and Naruto's words would send Zabuza into a final rage. To kill the one person who used both himself and Haku, that person being Gato. The demon wanted to tell Haku who was already dead that they were equals, and that they were partners. That Haku was not a tool. That their bond was mutual. In this introduction and tonal shift to the series, it hammers a few concepts that echo throughout the rest of the series. Shinobi live an especially fickle life. They live to be used and to use others. In a vicious cycle that exists because of fear, hatred, and a lust for power. They live through terrible traumas and on top of that, they are taught to be emotionless and to be tools. When Naruto asked Kakashi if that's what they are meant to do, he had no true response for his pupil. The world of Shinobi is no place for a kind and loving heart. It rewards only the ruthless and the strong. However, the story of Zabuza and Haku displayed that even in their Shinobi world, having a heart that is gentle will resonate with people. It also showed the trauma that Haku went through. The attachment issues created from his past resulted in the willingness to follow a demon like Zabuza. From his perspective, it was either survive with the stranger or die. Haku was alone. No one even looked at him or paid him any mind. He had no worth, no purpose, and no dream. Haku always said how this brought him immense sadness. How much it meant to him to have a purpose. So this is what Haku wanted. To feel needed. To feel worthy. Haku wanted to feel loved no matter by who. What I loved most about Haku's character was that through his hardships, he was still so peaceful. Though Zabuza taught him about the cruel world, his kind heart was unscathed by the damage that others caused around him. Haku never wanted to be a shinobi. He avoided killing until it was absolutely necessary, instead incapacitating his opponents. And Haku was sympathetic, as he showed towards Naruto and towards Kimimaro in their youth. He had a rare purity in a world charged with hate and with darkness. This arc kick started Naruto's motivation and his ninja way. It established the type of person Naruto was and who he strived to be. A character that would represent kindness and empathy, while also being the strongest he could possibly be. A shinobi that wouldn't use others and would not let himself be used. Zabuza and Haku were victims of a vicious cycle. However, they would also be the inspiration for the one person who aimed to end that cycle. Naruto had the unique ability to see the good in all of those he encountered. And Naruto was certain that they were not bad people. And it would be Naruto's words and Haku's warm heart that were able to melt the cold demeanor and the cold heart of the demon. To bring him to tears either. Zabuza even asked Naruto to not be emotionless in a world that demanded it. To feel everything. The land of waves arc was built on a premise that would drive the series to its end. One inspired by Haku Yuki. When a person has something important to protect, that is when they can become truly strong.