Chapter 179: The Land of Waves Concludes, Talk-no-Jutsu Fails
"You can just call me 'Boss.' As for who I am, that doesn't affect our cooperation, does it?"
Zabuza and Haku remained silent. Although Akiyama Makoto's words were polite, in essence, they had no power to resist.
He once again took their silence as agreement. "After the Konoha ninja have finished their mission, we will meet again."
He turned to leave, but Haku spoke up. "Lord... Boss. May I ask you a question?"
"Speak."
"From your tone, it sounds like you know Konoha's Kakashi Hatake. I was wondering what your relationship is. Friends, or enemies?"
He knew Haku was trying to probe him, but he wasn't angry. Although he was currently hiding his identity, it was only so he wouldn't interfere with the smooth running of the Chūnin Exams. After the exams were over, he would have to make a trip to the Hidden Mist with Zabuza. At that time, he would naturally show his true face.
So he said, "I am a civilian. I do not participate in the killing that occurs between ninja on missions."
"You two can do as you please, but you will certainly not be their match. It's best to quit while you're ahead."
With that, he ignored Zabuza's ugly expression and his figure vanished.
Haku leaned against the door and scouted for a while. Only after confirming he was gone did he say, "Lord Zabuza, how are your injuries? And... can we trust him?"
Zabuza touched his chest and coughed lightly. "He did indeed heal my internal injuries. All that's left now are superficial wounds. After a few more days of rest, I will recover my combat strength."
"As for whether he's trustworthy, that will depend on his actions in the future."
Haku frowned. "But, my lord—"
"Haku, we can't keep running like beaten dogs. Even for that tiny possibility, I am willing to bet my life."
Hearing this, Haku no longer hesitated. "I understand, Lord Zabuza."
Makoto left Zabuza's hideout, leaving a shadow clone behind before his main body returned to Konoha. He had no intention of checking on Kakashi's situation. With Kakashi's sharp senses, he might be discovered. His simulated self had gone to the Land of Waves to protect Sakura. But the current him was here to subdue Zabuza and seize Gatō's assets. Kakashi might not stop him, but he would definitely report it. He was too lazy to argue with the Third Hokage right now.
After a few peaceful days, his shadow clone sent back a message: Zabuza had made his move.
He immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique to go to the Land of Waves, observing the battle between Zabuza and Team 7 from a great distance.
This time, because he had healed Zabuza, his strength had improved, and he was causing them even more trouble. But Kakashi, whose own students' strength had soared, had not overused his Sharingan in the first ambush, and his current combat power was also higher.
After a battle of equals, Kakashi finally took a blow from Zabuza's sword with his shoulder and a kunai, and then used his Sharingan to control him. Sakura then used her Water Prison to trap Zabuza, while on the other side, Haku, in his haste to save him, was hit by Sasuke's Great Fireball Technique.
The result of the battle was quite different from the simulation, but that wasn't surprising. A ninja battle was often decided in an instant. If the conditions changed, the result would naturally change as well.
"Kakashi-sensei, what should we do? Should we kill them?" Sakura looked at Haku and Zabuza, huddled together, and couldn't bear to do it.
Kakashi was silent for a moment. "Although they are Gatō's accomplices, they were just hired to carry out a mission."
"And they are rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist. If we kill them without authorization, it might cause displeasure with the Mist Village."
"Then are we just going to let them go?" Sasuke glared at Kakashi, dissatisfied. Haku had put him under a lot of pressure, and he naturally had to pay the price.
"Sasuke, you jerk! He's already in this state, don't make things difficult for him!" Naruto couldn't help but speak up for Haku.
Sasuke said mockingly, "You idiot. Don't tell me you think he's a girl?"
Naruto's face instantly flushed red. He was so ashamed and angry that he was about to start a fight with Sasuke, but Gatō and his men arrived to "persuade" them.
"So it's Konoha's Jōnin, Kakashi Hatake. I've heard a lot about you."
Gatō showed no fear in the face of Kakashi. Konoha was the most "civilized" of all the ninja villages. Even he had heard the legend of Konoha's Will of Fire. And Kakashi was a famous person; he certainly wouldn't attack him lightly.
"You are Gatō?"
Kakashi straightened up, pretending his chakra was still plentiful. He naturally wasn't worried about the small-fry ronin around Gatō, but his three students were exhausted. Gatō's men were at most at the Chūnin level, but many ants can kill an elephant. He didn't want to start a fight with him.
"That's right. It's me." Gatō stroked his chin. "Since Lord Kakashi is here, I don't want to have a conflict with Konoha either."
"Your mission is to protect Tazuna's safety, correct? I hereby guarantee that I will not harm him anymore. So, can we avoid a conflict?"
Kakashi's brow relaxed. It seemed this Gatō wasn't a complete idiot.
He was just about to agree when Naruto stepped forward. "You also have to promise to let them finish building this bridge!"
"Otherwise, I'll definitely send you flying!"
Gatō looked at the future God of Shinobi with disdain. "I'm talking to a Jōnin. What right does a Genin like you have to interrupt?"
"Besides, just sending me flying won't do any good. After you leave, won't I still be the one in charge here?"
Naruto froze, as if he had never even considered this problem.
He then said furiously, "Then I'll just—Ouch!"
Kakashi's fist slammed into his head. "Naruto, this battle with Zabuza can already be rated as an A-rank mission."
"Are you going to continue making trouble and start a war between Konoha and the Land of Waves?"
"Or are you planning to kill everyone on the other side by yourself and become the next 'Demon' of Konoha?"
Naruto froze on the spot. He had no way to solve the things Kakashi had just said. Reality was just like that. If sending one enemy flying could solve all conflicts, then this world would be too beautiful.
"Then... what should we do! After we leave, this guy will definitely get revenge on Old Man Tazuna! He's already lost his son! Are you going to let his whole family also—"
Kakashi didn't answer. This question had no solution.
Sakura couldn't bear to watch and turned her head away. Sasuke, on the other hand, looked at Gatō, eager for a fight. It was clear that if a fight really broke out, he would not hold back.
"Alright, alright, I give up, you little brat."
Gatō picked his nose. "I swear on my name, I will absolutely not get revenge on Tazuna's family. And I can even allow him to finish building this bridge."
"It's just that when the time comes, the ownership of this bridge will have to be mine—"
Naruto wanted to say something more, but this time, Kakashi directly covered his mouth.
"We agree to this condition. But as for the ownership of the bridge, you must sign an agreement with Tazuna."
"No problem."
Only then did Kakashi let go of Naruto. This was the limit of what he, as a Konoha Jōnin, could do.
Seeing that Kakashi was done talking, Gatō pointed at Zabuza and said with a smile, "Now, can you let us solve our internal problems?"
"This guy has threatened me more than once, taken a high salary from me, and in the end, couldn't even get the job done. It's time to make him understand that my money isn't so easy to take."
"And that masked guy, I don't know where he ran off to. If he were here, maybe I could have asked the Konoha Jōnin to take care of him—"
Gatō grumbled, then waved his hand.
Dozens of ronin under his command, holding various weapons, walked towards Zabuza with grim smiles.
Naruto wanted to step forward and stop them, but was directly lifted up by the collar by Kakashi.
Haku struggled to his feet, gave Naruto a farewell smile, and then stood protectively in front of Zabuza.
Zabuza leaned on his broken Executioner's Blade, blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth, but the madness in his eyes was no longer concealed.
It's time to kill.
Although he was seriously injured, Zabuza, the Demon, was not someone a mere group of trashy ronin could match.
If only there was a thick fog right now...
As if his thoughts had been answered, a large mass of fog drifted over from two kilometers away.
The moment he saw the fog, Kakashi's expression changed drastically.
He quickly pulled his students and retreated. Only after there was no one else around did he look warily in the direction the fog had come from. Unfortunately, there was nothing there.
Immediately after, Zabuza's ferocious laugh came from within the mist.
The blood in his throat dyed the mist red. Finally, when the fog dispersed, Zabuza and Haku were standing back-to-back, covered in blood. On Gatō's side, he was the only one left alive.
At this time, Zabuza looked over. "Konoha's little ninja brats, this is the best way to deal with villains."
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