#hakunaru

I went into this edit thinking that I'd be comparing Haku to Reze because they have very similar storylines. But when you look closer it's actually Naruto and Reze who have the same motivations when it comes to their counterparts. How can I convince this person to leave their abuser or at the very least see how they're being used by them?

Reze does get Denji to attempt to leave Makima only to be thwarted at the last minute. Haku, on the other hand, was so convinced of his own worthlessness outside of Zabuza that nothing Naruto said could get him to leave. Because Haku didn't have a life outside of Zabuza as he was "adopted" as a toddler. Thus he didn't have a dream outside of being useful to Zabuza as a weapon so that he wouldn't be left alone. Meanwhile, Denji's dream was to live a normal life and get a girlfriend. It's a dream that can be accomplished with or without Makima hence his decision to leave.

This difference is why I'm still so disgusted by the Naruto manga and the fandom's response to Haku's character. His relationship with Zabuza is romanticized (and even sexualized) despite Naruto even going so far to call Haku Zabuza's slave. While Zabuza was a victim of his society (much like Makima is a victim of the Japanese government), I don't think he deserves to be buried next to his victim or receive any audience sympathy. That's why Haku's ending still leaves a bad taste in mouth tbh he deserved so much better.

But beyond that, I do love how Haku is the canary in the coal mine when it comes to how fucked up the shinobi world is and has a lasting impact on Naruto's outlook. I'm sure Denji did the same to Reze by exposing her own dissatisfaction with her life. I hope she's happy wherever she is.