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[+1200 AC from Hiruzen Sarutobi (Third Hokage)]
[+1050 AC from Saburo no Shazan (Third Kazekage)]
…
…
[+2000 AC from Kamizuru Onoki (Third Tsuchikage)]
…
…
[+1700 AC from Hozuki Mizuro (Third Mizukage)]
…
[+2009 AC from A (Third Raikage)]
…
Rob's eyes instinctively darted toward the shining names among the notifications—names that undoubtedly belonged to the leaders of this generation of the Five Great Villages. Beneath them were countless others, their names far less radiant and, naturally, far less generous in the amount of coins offered.
There were thousands of names. Between each Kage's name on the notification list, Rob felt a surge of astonishment; he couldn't even begin to imagine the accumulated total of Art Coins produced by Chapter 32 alone.
Rob was well aware of the primary reason behind the mining of Art Coins—they were born from the readers' emotions.
Without a doubt, this chapter has provoked the greatest storm of conflicting emotions in the hearts of readers so far.
For that reason, this explosive surge in production was entirely expected.
"Even EXP has started moving again after being stuck for a while."
His Art Publishing System was currently at Level 4, yet it wasn't far from leveling up once more.
That would grant him a new feature in the Art Store. Wasn't that wonderful?
Rob was eagerly awaiting the system's arrival at Level 5, despite how difficult that would be.
"The last time the system leveled up, I gained the feature Fortress Beyond the Fortress, which made an unbelievable difference in capabilities—thanks to it, I can control everything within a ten-kilometer radius."
"I can't even imagine how incredible the next feature will be…"
Rob smiled as he whispered to himself. No one could hear him; everyone was completely immersed in Zabuza's final moments.
They were contemplating the battle of a shinobi who had abandoned his old convictions, his identity as a devil, and embraced his identity as a human.
Rob's smile softened as he watched.
'To think my future had such a surprise waiting for me…'
'I always admired Zabuza's character… perhaps because I saw myself in him. I, too, was steeped in hollow convictions that eventually led to my imprisonment…'
'Back on Earth, I had people who cared about me, yet I kept pushing them away behind the mask of mystery I wore at all times… until, in the end, I truly became alone.'
Rob sighed as memories of his life on Earth resurfaced.
When he had read the Naruto manga in prison, he had been deeply moved by the bridge arc starring Zabuza. That ending had left a profound mark on him.
And now, here he was, immortalizing that memory in the Naruto world itself—perhaps twenty-two years before the time this ending was originally meant to occur.
The end of a shinobi who had lived his entire life in cold detachment, only for all that ice to melt at the end, leaving behind a broken human who realized the value of what he had only after losing it.
While Rob was lost in his memories, the world outside was boiling.
On the pages of the manga, something unfolded that would remain etched in the memory of every shinobi for centuries to come.
[— Manga Scene —]
"He was too kind."
Zabuza said this as he looked at Haku's lifeless face.
"I'm glad I got to face you guys in the end. Yeah, kid… You may be right."
"A shinobi is still a human… we may not be able to become emotionless tools. I've lost…"
The bandages fell from the lower half of his face, revealing it completely.
"Kid, let me borrow your kunai!"
"Yeah…"
Naruto's tears were still clearly visible, but he didn't refuse Zabuza's request. He quickly threw the kunai toward him.
Zabuza caught it with his sharp, shark-like teeth.
He charged forward. With no arms to use, he held the kunai in his mouth.
"Stop him!!"
Gatou screamed as he retreated behind his army of mercenaries.
Zabuza surged through the crowd like a raging storm, a devil of chakra forming behind him, terrifying the mercenaries.
Swords stabbed into his back, spears pierced his body, yet he didn't stop. He tore through throats with his teeth and the kunai clenched between them, carving a path through dozens, leaving behind a pool of blood—his eyes fixed on a single target: the man who had dared to kick Haku.
"If you want to go to the same place as your friend… then go…"
Gatou screamed, trembling.
"Unfortunately, I don't plan on going to the same place as Haku…"
"What? You won't survive—"
"You and I together… ARE GOING TO HELL!!"
"Even the unremarkable Devil of the Hidden Mist can die and become a real devil in hell…"
"This will be fun!! We'll have plenty of time to see if I'm a baby devil down in hell!!"
Gatou's head separated from his body.
[— End Scene —]
Kakashi's mouth trembled beneath his mask as his eyes filled with tears.
He couldn't control his emotions at this moment; his deep immersion in the events made him feel as if he were standing right there, witnessing the heroic scene—just like his counterpart who had closed his eyes to contemplate it.
Tears fell from behind his mask, soaking his clothes.
Sakumo placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"It's okay to cry, boy. Your tears are proof of your humanity."
Even Sakumo couldn't hold back his emotions. In the end, a single tear slipped from his eye.
Let me stay by your side.
In the manga, Zabuza recalled the face of his companion and disciple in his final moments, drawing closer and closer to his lifeless body, wanting to remain by his side at the end.
This is goodbye, Haku…
Thank you for everything… I'm sorry…
At the chapter's end, Zabuza collapsed completely.
At the same time, two fountains of tears erupted from Maito Dai and his son, Gai—it was simply too much for them.
"Oooow! This isn't the springtime of youth—it's the winter of men… I—I truly don't know what to say or how to describe my feelings right now…"
Dai tried to wipe his tears, but it was impossible to stop the flood, which ended up soaking Sakumo and his son.
"Oooow! What a manly death… I want to live a life without regret and die with honor, just like Zabuza-san!"
His son was a smaller, near-perfect copy of him.
Hearing that, Rob merely smiled to himself, thinking, 'You truly have no idea what awaits you, my little friend.'
…
"Haaah…" Hiruzen could only sigh at the scene.
He had never known how he'd become so engrossed in this manga, but now he understood.
"This manga shows reality—and nothing but reality… Now I understand why I've become so absorbed in this book."
Don't look away.
The end of a man who lived a difficult life.
The Third Hokage silently watched as Kakashi maintained his composure and reminded Naruto not to avert his gaze.
"That's right. Keep your eyes open, Naruto, in respect for this man."
"Hiruzen, don't become too emotional," Danzo said calmly.
"Don't forget—he feeds on that to grow stronger. Don't forget that he controls everyone this way."
Danzo gestured with his eyes toward Rob sitting there.
"Danzo, I know. But it can't be helped—I'm human, after all."
"You should be affected too, shouldn't you?"
"…"
Danzo had no desire to admit anything, so he remained silent.
'Unfortunately, he died in the end… How could a devil who lived without emotions for years be shaken by the words of a crying child?'
Danzo truly didn't understand that point.
All along, he had admired Zabuza for his personality—but he didn't like his ending at all.
After all, he hadn't wanted to see him die.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 110: Life in Exchange for Death.
Chapter 111: Snow? No—Haku's Tears.
Chapter 112: The Land of Waves' Art Store!
Chapter 113: Characters from Suna Visit Konoha in the manga.
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