"So, you're claiming you were controlled by a genjutsu?" Kakashi asked, his voice strained from exhaustion and disbelief, yet laced with a growing flicker of consideration.
"That's exactly right! Absolutely!" Gato cried, shaking his head with exaggerated distress, his face contorted into a mask of righteous indignation.
"This organization—this Akatsuki—not only manipulated me into committing terrible deeds but also systematically looted every last coin I possessed! They are utterly despicable and have brazenly violated the sacred treaties of the shinobi nations. Konoha, you cannot possibly ignore this egregious breach of contract!"
Kakashi was acutely aware of the pacts among the Great Villages: a prohibition against ninjas wantonly attacking civilians, particularly wealthy merchants or nobility. While enforcement was often lax, the scale of Gato's claim—that a rogue organization was actively controlling and stripping assets from rich, influential figures—was a matter of serious, global concern.
Listening to Gato's frantic, self-serving explanation, Kakashi found himself subconsciously glancing upward toward Shen Mo. The key piece of evidence was the luminous membership badge clutched in Gato's hand. Gato had clearly encountered Shen Mo, and in Kakashi's logical deduction, only the Merchant could have possessed the power to "dispel the illusion." No ordinary mortal would dare spin such a transparent lie directly in the Merchant's presence.
Beside the dying Zabuza, Haku stood like a statue carved from ice, the cold aura radiating from him intensified tenfold.
"So, you truly have no money left?" Haku's voice was a chilling whisper, stripped of all emotion.
He and Lord Zabuza fought a battle of life and death, paid the ultimate price, all for a bounty that Gato had already squandered?
"That is correct," Gato wailed, his grotesque face pulling into a pitiful expression. "After your honorable Master shattered my dreams and broke the control, I rushed to terminate all missions. Haku, it is not my fault! We have all been betrayed by that wretched, evil organization!"
On the ground, Zabuza's transformed body visibly convulsed. The sheer, colossal irony of his sacrifice for an empty purse was nearly enough to kill him outright.
The unbearable tension nearly snapped Haku's composure. "Even mission cancellation requires a penalty fee..." Haku stared intently at Gato, the chilling aura around him sharpening into a lethal focus. If Haku could secure the money through robbery or threats, he would not hesitate for a second.
Gato, the master opportunist, instantly shifted his tactic, bowing low.
"I will pay it! Absolutely, I will pay every coin!" Gato cried, a momentary, triumphant flash of malice dancing in his eye.
"As soon as I reclaim my stolen capital from that despicable Akatsuki, I will pay you double! No, I'll pay triple the original contract fine! Furthermore, what will become of Zabuza? You are both now members of your esteemed Master's organization. If you are willing to assist me, I will certainly ensure you are rewarded handsomely."
Gato's tone had a subtle, calculated urgency. Since the mysterious figure had broken the illusion and stripped him of his cash flow (while coincidentally leaving him with a membership badge), Gato had been thinking like a businessman. Retaliation was costly. Delegation was profitable.
He immediately sought the protection of the shinobi villages—the perfect way to recoup his losses and rebuild his empire. He needed a powerful, new scapegoat. Akatsuki was the perfect target. Recognizing Haku's new affiliation, Gato deftly extended an olive branch, hoping to recruit the skilled warrior.
Shen Mo watched the entire manipulative charade unfold. He remained silent, choosing not to expose Gato's true, avaricious nature. The system was designed to be self-regulating. Whether Akatsuki spent the stolen money on Jars or whether Haku ultimately got the money to buy Jars for Zabuza, the final revenue would flow back to the Chamber of Commerce.
"Which organization are you referring to?" Kakashi interjected, his curiosity overriding his immediate exhaustion.
"Akatsuki!" Gato spat the name, his voice thick with calculated hatred. "I had tracked them before. A mercenary organization composed of S-rank rogue ninja from various villages, often accepting large-scale contracts from minor nations. But I never imagined they would stoop to controlling me and secretly looting my accounts with such contemptible methods!"
The Akatsuki organization was, at this early stage, publicly known in certain circles as a powerful, albeit rogue, mercenary group. Gato, as an international financier, would certainly have dossiers on them.
"Akatsuki..." Kakashi muttered the name, his face growing grim. He was very much aware of the organization's existence.
"Ah, wait, I recall!" Gato exclaimed, looking pointedly at Kakashi with an insidious hint of malice. "Konoha also has an S-rank rogue ninja who joined this group, does it not? What was his name... Uchiha Itachi? I heard he is a master of Genjutsu. I believe he was the one controlling me! Konoha must share the responsibility for the damage he caused!"
The mention of Uchiha Itachi caused a physical reaction in the arena.
Not far away, Sasuke, barely conscious, felt a searing spike of pain and rage cut through his haze, his heart momentarily seizing. Kakashi's eyes darkened considerably beneath his headband. If Itachi was involved in this widespread, high-level control scheme, the entire geopolitical stability of the world was at risk.
"I must return to the village and report this immediately to the Hokage," Kakashi said, making his final decision. He looked at Gato. "Since you wish to retain our services, you will come with us and relay the full story to the elders."
"No problem at all!" Gato agreed instantly. He had never been welcome in Konoha due to his reputation, but now, he was protected. He had successfully shifted the blame for his crimes onto a terrorist organization, establishing them as the perfect new enemy for the entire world.
Gato suddenly paused, nodding thoughtfully.
"I still have many crucial financial matters to attend to. I will follow immediately after settling my affairs. Please convey my sincere request to the Hokage. I am prepared to offer 20%, no, 30% of my entire remaining wealth as a retainer reward! If Konoha refuses, I will have no choice but to seek help from the other Great Shinobi Villages!"
Though a large portion of Gato's liquid cash was gone, his fixed assets were enormous. Thirty percent of his remaining wealth was an astronomical sum, enough to destabilize entire minor nations. The money stolen by Akatsuki, now included in the bounty, only made the reward even more irresistible.
Kakashi said nothing more, his gaze moving to Haku.
Haku's frozen posture softened slightly. The bow in his hand lowered. The immense fight was pointless now. The money was gone, and the only potential source was a gamble that was now strategically channeled through Konoha.
Haku silently turned and knelt beside the dying Zabuza.
"It is finally over..."
Kakashi let out a deep, shuddering breath of relief. His legs buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground. Avoiding a final, fatal duel was the only acceptable outcome.
The show was over. It was time for the Merchant to collect the fees.
Shen Mo suddenly materialized directly in front of Gato. Gato shrieked and instantly threw himself onto the ground in a perfectly rehearsed, humble prostration.
"Your Excellency..." His tone was pure, groveling flattery.
Shen Mo looked down at the man—a contradictory mix of extreme humility rooted in fear and an overwhelming resentment towards that very humility. A perfectly twisted soul.
The battle has ceased and the stage is set for a political crisis involving Akatsuki.