Chapter 69: Third Hokage: Oh no, gave him the wrong book!
Haku clawed his way over, tears clouding his eyes. "No! Zabuza-sama, if we die, we die together!"
Kakashi glanced toward Asuma, a silent question in his eyes.
Asuma spun the lighter across his knuckles; sparks traced a bright arc in the dusk.
He drew a long pull, the crackle of burning tobacco loud in the heavy air.
"The Old Man said 'as much as possible,' not 'absolutely.'"
"All he told us was to take Zabuza out if we could. Doesn't matter if we botched it—he's one of the Seven Swordsmen, master of silent killing."
He shrugged. "We never had a personal grudge; we were just following orders. Kurenai's wounded, and I've got a nice slash from Zabuza myself."
And now Zabuza's killed his own employer and helped the people of the Land of Waves. I can't bring myself to hate the guy."
Work is work, and the boss's word is the boss's word.
Asuma wasn't afraid of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Genin nearby stared, stunned.
They'd thought Jonin always carried out their missions to the letter.
Naruto swung his wooden sword, layering wind Chakra along the edge until it shone.
When he treated Zabuza, Naruto deliberately picked the Life-Reducing Regeneration Technique—huge side effects—so Zabuza could finish off Gato and be too spent to fight again.
It was all for reputation; why else bother?
Would've been simpler to just land the final blow.
Reputation's just a fig-leaf: useful in daylight, forgotten by nightfall and trampled underfoot.
"We can let you walk, but you hand over the Executioner's Blade so we can report success."
From now on there's no Zabuza, no Haku—deal?"
Neither side was hostile any longer; Naruto was willing to let them go.
The offer saved their lives and gave Konoha something to show for the mission.
"Fine."
Hearing he'd be spared but the blade must stay, Zabuza didn't hesitate.
A single sword—he'd been strong before the Seven Swordsmen, and he'd stay strong without it.
Life or death hinged on someone else's whim; even if he refused, the blade was gone.
He knew that better than anyone.
While dawn mist still clung, Zabuza and Haku slipped away.
Their silhouettes blurred into the haze, swallowed by the horizon.
Zabuza's strides were heavy but sure; Haku followed, glancing once toward the Land of Waves, eyes unreadable.
Kakashi sat on an unfinished pier, Executioner's Blade jutting from the dirt beside him.
He watched the people of the Land of Waves—Tazuna waving blueprints, workers hustling to finish the bridge.
The breeze carried the scent of fresh-cut timber and brine across his face.
"Here."
Asuma sat down and handed him a cup of water.
Kakashi lifted his mask just enough, sipped, then lowered it again before Asuma could blink.
His gaze stayed on the far horizon.
"Tell me, Asuma—what do you think?"
Kakashi spoke suddenly.
Asuma didn't answer right away.
He flicked his lighter, lit a cigarette, inhaled, smoke curling in the morning light.
He narrowed his eyes, remembering.
"If they were Leaf missing-nin… I'd kill them myself."
Smoke drifted between them, scattered by the wind.
"But they're different."
Asuma tapped ash into the breeze, voice slower now.
"They're products of the Bloody Mist, cornered strays. Even so, they've got hearts."
He paused. "Zabuza's final choice proved he wasn't pure evil."
Kakashi turned, his single eye thoughtful.
"Peace between the Five Great Nations never lasts."
Asuma exhaled a ring of smoke, eyes distant. "Letting Zabuza live—someday he might be the Mist's headache. Enemy of an enemy can be a friend."
Kakashi chuckled. "Didn't expect you to think that far."
Asuma shrugged, a faint grin. "Years in the capital taught me politics."
He stubbed the cigarette, clapped Kakashi's shoulder. "Let's head back."
Kakashi nodded, hoisted the Executioner's Blade onto his shoulder.
They turned away; behind them the bridge blazed in the sunrise, a new era beginning.
Across the sea, Zabuza and Haku had vanished—two drops swallowed by the ocean, leaving no trace.
——————————
The Leaf party no longer hurried. The mission was done, the Land of Waves safe, Zabuza and Haku free in their own way.
They walked the forest path; Kiba and Choji bickered when Kiba scarfed Choji's last bag of chips.
Still, Ninja pace was swift; two days later the walls of Konoha loomed.
High walls, familiar watchtowers, the Hokage monument carved into the cliff.
Everything felt like home again.
Hokage Office.
Kakashi stood before the Third Hokage, briefing him in concise sentences.
Hiruzen listened, pipe smoke curling, hiding his thoughtful frown.
"You handled it well."
His gaze settled on the Executioner's Blade lying on the desk—black steel etched with strange seals.
The Third's brow creased at the sight of the seals.
"A Contract Seal?"
Kakashi nodded. "Naruto used the sealing scroll you gave him. It keeps the Mist from summoning the blade back."
Third Hokage: ???
He nearly dropped his pipe. "The introduction to sealing techniques had Contract Seals?"
That's one of the Uzumaki Five Great Seals, as tough as the Four Symbols Seal!
The Third rummaged through his drawer and pulled out the introduction to sealing techniques.
Third: !!!
Oh no—he'd given Naruto the Complete Collection of Seals!
Kakashi studied the Basic Primer, recalled Naruto's flawless technique, and understood.
He decided to keep the secret buried.
"Ahem—Kakashi, go get some rest."
"Yes, Lord Third."
After Kakashi left, the Third set off for Naruto's house.
He had to find that Complete Collection and learn just how many seals Naruto really knew.
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