A figure appeared on a tree branch, wearing a Kirigakure ANBU mask.
Naruto, knowing the story, recognized them immediately—Haku.
"He's really dead," Haku said in a calm voice.
"Thank you. I've been waiting for a chance to kill Zabuza."
Naruto remained unfazed, simply watching Haku.
"I am a member of Kirigakure's Hunter-nin. I must dispose of this body quickly. He holds too many secrets."
With that, Haku prepared to carry Zabuza's body away.
But Naruto suddenly spoke. "If that's the case, wouldn't it be easier to just cut off his head?"
Haku froze.
What the hell? Are Konoha's ninjas this ruthless?
Before Haku could respond, Naruto continued, "I may not be the smartest, but I'm not an idiot… Haku."
"Run!"
Hearing Naruto call out Haku's name, Zabuza stopped pretending to be dead and pushed Haku away, urging him to escape.
There was no chance of winning against an opponent like this.
But Haku took out a shuriken and stood in front of the injured Zabuza.
"Alright, enough with the touching scene! I never planned to kill you two in the first place—I just wanted to recruit you."
At this moment, Zabuza said, "As long as you let Haku go, I'll do whatever you say!"
He was thinking that as long as Haku could leave safely, he would agree to whatever Naruto wanted for now.
"I'm talking about both of you—you two are my targets!"
Naruto pointed at them.
"What do you want us to do? With your strength, I doubt you need small-time ninjas like us."
"Nothing complicated, just having you two act as guides for my big brother."
"Guides?"
Momochi Zabuza, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, would rather die than be someone's guide.
"That's right! My big brother said that if you agree to be his guide, he'll help you achieve your goal when he has time."
"My goal? What goal could I possibly have?"
"Let my big brother explain it to you."
Yang Tao, who had been watching the show from above, suddenly flew down. His futuristic armor left both Zabuza and Haku stunned.
"He actually flew down!" Haku said in shock.
"Zabuza! Your goal is to change the Blood Mist and replace the Third Mizukage, isn't it? Even as a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, your headband is still perfectly intact. Haha, why keep lying to yourself?"
Yang Tao exposed Zabuza's true thoughts in one breath.
Zabuza's expression changed. "Hmph, so what if you know? You have no idea how strong the Fourth Mizukage is. As the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails, he has the power to take on an entire ninja village by himself."
Yang Tao smirked. "Ignorance really is bliss. Let's not even mention anything else—just now, you fought against Naruto, who's the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. The strongest of all the Tailed Beasts. And he hasn't even complained. Yet you're already scared? If the Fourth Mizukage was really that strong, he wouldn't have been controlled by Genjutsu for so many years!"
Zabuza, shaken by two shocking revelations, could no longer keep his usual calm expression.
"How is that possible? The Fourth was under control this whole time?"
The area fell silent, giving Zabuza time to process this news.
After a while, Zabuza looked at Yang Tao and Naruto.
"Thank you for telling me this. But I can't join you just yet. I need to find a way to break the Fourth's Genjutsu and save Kirigakure. Once I succeed, I'll find you both and follow you."
Yang Tao sighed. "With your strength, you think you can break that Genjutsu? I doubt you can even get close to the Mizukage, let alone deal with the one controlling him from the shadows!"
"You should just be my guide for now. When I have time, I'll help you save Kirigakure. Oh, and I can also turn Haku into a perfect woman~"
Yang Tao whispered the last part mischievously into Zabuza's ear.
As a ninja with sharp hearing, Haku, who was standing at a distance, visibly flinched. No one knew what was going through his mind.
Zabuza, the Demon of the Mist, turned red.
"You're really willing to help me? Then... I'll be your guide for now."
The "too-proud-to-accept-help" act crumbled once again.
"These are all small problems for me, whether it's the first or the second one. Haha!"
Zabuza looked uncomfortable hearing that, but he didn't argue.
Yang Tao pulled out a healing potion and handed it to Zabuza. Without hesitation, Zabuza took it and drank it down without asking any questions. If the other person wanted to kill him, they could have done it with just a flick of their hand.
Yang Tao then turned toward the trees and shouted, "Come out, Hatake Kakashi!"
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