"Zabuza-sama, we're almost there."
On a path in the Land of Waves, Haku and Zabuza were heading towards the heart of the Land of Waves, their target naturally being Gato.
After Zabuza's failed assassination attempt on the Mizukage, they took advantage of the Kaguya clan's rebellion to leave Kirigakure and become rogue ninjas.
However, these years of taking on assassination missions everywhere had not been easy for them.
In order to gain more stability and accumulate more funds to return to the Land of Water, Zabuza naturally set his sights on Gato, who was recruiting ninjas.
Although Gato was a villain, he was undeniably wealthy.
And Zabuza, having likely undergone professional training in Kirigakure, possessed good professional ethics, much like Kisame, and had no intention of simply killing Gato.
"Hmm, let's move faster."
Zabuza nodded, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
"Let's resolve this matter as soon as possible. If we have time, we should also return to Kirigakure to see what's happening there."
Zabuza was an extremely ambitious man, and like Kisame, he also had Kirigakure in his heart.
Otherwise, seeing the chaos in Kirigakure, he wouldn't have thought of assassinating the Mizukage, striving to change everything.
Even after leaving, he still had some lingering thoughts.
"Yes, Zabuza-sama will surely succeed." Haku nodded.
As Zabuza's tool, he would unconditionally support whatever Zabuza thought.
The two continued their journey, and before long, they both suddenly frowned.
Because they discovered that not far ahead, three figures were walking towards them, and judging by their attire...
"Are they all ninja, from Konoha?"
Zabuza glanced over. He found the white-haired old man familiar but couldn't recognize him for a moment.
He ignored the other brat, but the white-haired man with a headband covering half of his eye caught his attention.
"The Copy Ninja of Konoha, Hatake Kakashi?"
"Huh? Is this…?"
Takemi and the others also looked at Zabuza and Haku with confusion, especially Takemi, whose expression was even more peculiar.
Isn't that Zabuza and Haku?
Judging by the time, it seemed they were coming to Gato to work as laborers. He also noticed that Zabuza didn't have the Kubikiribocho on his back.
He honestly wasn't very clear about the timeline of Naruto. He seemed to remember that when the Kaguya Clan was exterminated, Zabuza already had the Kubikiribocho, and at that time he even encountered Kimimaro and almost fought him.
But at that time, Itachi hadn't exterminated his clan, and Jūzō hadn't been killed by the clear-headed Fourth Mizukage. One could only say it was a bit chaotic.
However, Takemi didn't pay much attention to that. The moment he saw Zabuza, he knew he had waited for the person he wanted.
Especially Haku, his Ice Release might even be able to help him.
"This guy seems to be a rogue ninja from Kirigakure?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and asked.
Kakashi nodded and said, "Yes, Momochi Zabuza, known as Demon of the Hidden Mist. It's said he instigated a rebellion in Kirigakure and thus left the village. I didn't expect to encounter him here."
"Huh, instigated a coup?"
Takemi blinked and spoke in a low voice, "If he could leave Kirigakure smoothly after that, doesn't that mean he's very familiar with Kirigakure?"
In fact, Takemi didn't need to say more. Kakashi and Jiraiya already had an idea.
Originally, after listening to Takemi, they had planned to try their luck at Gato's place to see if they could find a rogue ninja from Kirigakure to act as a guide. Unexpectedly, they actually encountered a big fish here.
"What a pleasure."
Although Zabuza was somewhat cautious, he didn't think he had done anything to provoke Konoha.
Completely unaware of the seriousness of the situation, he spoke first, "I never expected to have the honor of meeting Konoha's famous Sharingan Kakashi in a small place like the Land of Waves."
"I also didn't expect to meet Zabuza, the runaway ninja from Kirigakure."
Kakashi looked left and right, then nodded and spoke, "I just don't know where you're going, after all, you're still very dangerous."
"Where I'm going is none of your business."
Zabuza frowned and snorted coldly, "I think it's better if we mind our own business. Although in the past, due to various reasons, the relationship between Kirigakure and Konoha was indeed not good, I am no longer a Kirigakure ninja now."
"We know you're not anymore."
Jiraiya thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "So, we have an impertinent request."
"An impertinent request?" Zabuza snorted.
He felt that these people from Konoha were a bit strange.
"What impertinent request? Just say it directly."
"Jiraiya-sama, let me speak."
At this moment, Takemi suddenly spoke, and his words made Zabuza's eyes suddenly widen.
Jiraiya?
The Sannin?
As a former member of the Kirigakure assassination unit, he couldn't possibly not have heard of Jiraiya's name. He naturally had information on him.
It's just that Jiraiya seemed to have left Konoha for some time, and coupled with the relatively secluded nature of the Land of Water, information began to dwindle, so he naturally hadn't paid much attention to such an old man.
He encountered him now? No wonder he felt he was somewhat familiar before.
'Kakashi, Jiraiya, what are these guys up to?'
Zabuza gulped. He felt that things seemed to be getting serious, but he still remained calm.
"You want to speak?"
Jiraiya looked at Takemi with confusion, but quickly nodded.
"Alright, it's up to you."
"Okay."
Takemi smiled, then looked at Zabuza.
"Zabuza-san, in short, we have important business in Kirigakure, and you are quite knowledgeable about Kirigakure. I wonder if we can hire you?"
"Hire me? To go to Kirigakure ?"
Zabuza now realized the seriousness of the situation, and even more, that he was in trouble.
Even if they didn't say much, as a former Anbu Ninja, how could he not know what it meant for Konoha Ninja to go to Kirigakure?
Especially since the lineup this time was not to be underestimated!
Moreover, according to some practices in Kirigakure, personnel involved in confidential matters would definitely be eliminated.
This also meant that if Konoha did the same, he would most likely be discarded after serving his purpose.
Thinking of this, Zabuza's gaze slightly changed. He slowly gripped the short sword behind him, and his voice sounded somewhat low.
"Everyone, I don't understand what you're saying at all, nor do I understand your intentions. It's better if we part ways here and each go our separate ways."
"…"
Zabuza's caution made Takemi pause for a moment. He then asked with a somewhat strange expression, "So, there's no room for discussion?"
"Brat, I advise you not to force my hand."
Zabuza's voice became solemn, and his grip on his sword tightened.
Even Haku, who was beside him, sensed that something was wrong, and he also secretly gathered Chakra, assuming a combat stance.
Jiraiya and Kakashi also knew that this matter probably couldn't be settled through negotiation, so they were all ready for battle.
For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat solidified, and a hint of killing intent filled the air.
"It seems there's really no room for discussion…" Takemi sighed feignedly.
In an instant, his entire body erupted with Chakra, and purple lightning spread across him.
"Then let's settle it with our hands!"