Chapter 200: Conversation with the Prisoner

Haku's gaze trembled. After what he heard, his mind began to clear up.

"W-what ... This ..." The memories immediately appeared on their own, he instantly remembered how Kakashi's hand pierced Zabuza's chest, his spilled blood and his dying expression. After that, the memories were cut off because ...

- It is you ... What did you do ?! - for the first time, Haku showed such emotions akin to resentment or anger. Even Shikamaru was surprised, even though he understood what this is most likely to be, after what happened.

Only, Haku did not seem to decide to act by force, he fell to his knees and his lips trembled:

- No ... Why ... I ... My meaning of life ... So why ...

“Several reasons,” Shikamaru finally decided to say. “First, this is your Ice genome.

Haku immediately lifted his pale, contorted face in sadness, while Shikamaru continued.

- Secondly, it is your nature and character. You are quite flexible, moderately fair and kind. I don't need an assassin or some petty thug, a person with your abilities can come in handy in another. Third is your age and potential, you are definitely too young to die - that's why I acted like that. You may have found the meaning of life in the service of Zabuza, but goals can be changed if you really want to.

After such an answer, silence reigned in the huge cold room. But, after some time, at last he heard:

"That's ... Y-you, it's just ..." Haku was clearly not happy with that response. Definitely, Shikamaru was not going to hide something, in this situation, this is useless. So he said everything as it is.

But, Haku quickly calmed down and for some reason smiled:

`` How pointless ... you let him die ...

“Yes, but then you would have died, and then Zabuza would have followed you. If that's what you've lived for, I'm impressed! Only Naruto is a big fool, but, unlike you, he is more fortunate ...

- Fool? Haku looked up desperately.``Yes, I ...

- What? I'm not saying you were wrong guy. ”Shikamaru sighed and shook his head.“ You just followed the wrong person.

- And what are you better?

"Hmm ..." Shikamaru chuckled and pulled a small dark ball out of his pocket, then tossed it to Haku.

- W-what is it ... - the guy asked, deftly catching the pill.

“This is a pill that will allow you to reach a new level of power in your ability of the Yuuki clan. Instead of dying for a Zabuza who would have outlived you for a little while, isn't it better to keep living and find a new purpose? I could have saved Zabuza, but his death is not my problem ... I didn't kill him, I just saved you. You can be angry as much as you want, but that will not change the truth - Zabuza is dead, and you are alive. I took you for personal reasons, so don't even think about suicide. I need you Haku, whether you like it or not, now you belong to me. So take the pill and move on. The world is still full of things worth living for. You reach the age of eighteen and you can do whatever you want, then I will not bother you.

Of course, Shikamaru did not mention the seal of prohibition on Haku's heart, in fact, he simply could not kill himself even if he wanted to. Of course, this is an extreme case that was not worth talking about. In a moment of persuasion, this is not a trump card to use against a pliable boy. It is already surprising that he did not rush into battle and is angry, rather he was devastated, and this is a good chance to give him a new target.

"But ... I ..." Haku did not expect such words at all. He understood that everything that Shikamaru had said was in fact true - he was not at all obliged to save anyone. Even if he prevented him from protecting Zabuza, it is not entirely correct to blame for it ... Haku's anger immediately subsided. But, he did not know what to do now. Shikamaru's last words flashed through his head ...

"Do you need it?" - grinning wryly, the guy looked at the dark pill in his thin fingers and looked up again:

- Why ... I mean, why do you need me? I'm clearly not as strong as you, I have abilities, but what's the use of them ...

- Is it important?

“Mm,” Haku nodded slowly. He still didn't know what to do. He might have been willing to sacrifice himself for Zabuza, but with his death, he felt completely lost. What is the point of committing suicide now? Revenge, but is there anyone to take revenge ...

Remembering Kakashi, Haku somehow only sighed bitterly. He was not a fool and was well aware that their encounter with the Konoha shinobi was not just an accident, at least not the second time. Zabuza went into battle himself. This is exactly what Haku learned from him - such is the life of a shinobi. Death is inevitable, but who would have thought that the instrument would survive ...

The boy was plagued with doubts, especially after Shikamaru clearly stated what he wanted from him and that he had no choice. At that moment, a confident male voice reached his ears again:

- If you want to know ... Well, first of all, I need you as an assistant in my future laboratory. Your freezing abilities will come in handy in many ways. Also, I need someone who would be able to do the work that I would be too lazy to cope with. For example, parsing scrolls, notes, checks, reports. I'm going to seize power in some places, so I need a smart person with abilities. I'm not going to do it all myself - so someone like you might be helpful. You will have the opportunity to learn and have a certain freedom. Your life as a killing instrument is over. It is worth accepting this.

Of course, while saying this, Shikamaru knew that Haku would not be the only one. He is not averse to finding a few more people capable of fulfilling his requests. Someone like Karin or even Kabuto might well come in handy. With their skills, why not? Why not study the pills? Why not hold Daimé more tightly and generally control the entire country? Why not get shinobi to do the work that humans have been doing for years? Research, development, resource processing. All this, thanks to the chakra, can be developed at a sufficiently high level. Therefore, Haku can also come in handy, especially because he owned an Improved Genome, and even probably one of the last of its kind. Losing such a sample is simply stupid.

After answering, Haku thought again. In fact, Shikamaru could clearly see the doubt on the boy's face. He may have been ready to die, but he hardly wanted to die. Who among the living wished death at all? Anyone would have searched, perhaps, and anyone would have had their own approach. Even a madman or suicide at heart did not want to die. You can find an approach to everyone ...

Now Haku has lost the purpose and meaning of life, the pill is in his hands and the well-defined future can definitely influence him. That is why Shikamaru was patient and explained everything calmly. He hated to brainwash his memory.