The way Haku’s power is ice mirrors, and he’s a mirror for Naruto, reflecting what Naruto will end up like if he continues to be a shinobi. Basing his entire worth on how useful he is to people he wants love and acceptance from (the Village). Thinking he must gain this through battle prowess. (Though ironically enough, little Naruto tells Haku, “There must be something other than fighting. There must be some other way for you to make the others accept you!”) Mistaking being useful for being loved. Developing a codependent relationship with the first person to accept him completely (Sasuke). Having no sense of self or purpose outside of fighting for/being what others want. Haku is one warning after another, and Naruto ignores every single one.
Now Sai is in little Naruto’s place, struggling to grasp the irrational, tangled up relationship Naruto has with Sasuke. Not having been there to see their friendship develop. Not understanding how you can love someone when they don’t seem to care about you. Which is a surprisingly complex and prevalent theme throughout this series, the idea that “the company of even an evil person is preferable to loneliness.” Mistreatment or a bond with someone you don’t morally agree with is better than feeling alone. And Naruto stands where Haku once did, only, unlike Haku who was dedicated to Zabuza and his cause, Naruto’s devotions are divided between the Village and Sasuke, pulling him apart, carefully destroying him. Haku telling Naruto, “You and I are a lot alike,” is much more haunting than it was before.
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