Several hours later.
On the deck of a wide, massive cargo ship.
Zabuza, his right hand wrapped in bandages, sat solemnly with his blade resting in his left hand. His expression was grim.
Beside him stood Haku, a small figure with a gentle demeanor, holding gauze and carefully cleaning Zabuza's wound on his shoulder while standing on tiptoe.
This sweet moment instantly earned a few distant "third-wheelers" — and more than a little envy.
"Master Zabuza," Haku whispered cautiously, glancing at Shimoku and the others in the distance, "do you really trust them?"
Especially that young boy who seemed about his own age — that kid was just too damn strong!
Even now, Haku still hadn't fully recovered from the shock of their sudden defeat earlier.
"Haku, how many years have you followed me now?"
"Six years, seven months, and twenty-three days… exactly…" Haku replied softly, almost to himself.
"Then tell me this — do you believe I could ever truly return to Kiri by myself one day?"
"I… Well…"
"It would be extremely difficult — practically impossible…"
Haku bit her red lips and honestly replied.
Zabuza let out a quiet sigh.
"Yes… We've barely survived under constant pursuit by the village's Anbu. There's virtually no chance we could ever overthrow the rule of the Fourth Mizukage."
"That brat was right. Even if I saved money my whole life, I couldn't afford enough ninja to make it happen."
"So then, what difference does belief make?"
"All I need is an opportunity."
"One shot to throw away all fear and gamble everything. That's enough."
"What he wants doesn't matter."
"Whether or not I die also doesn't matter."
"I'm already a criminal who should've died long ago!"
Zabuza murmured these words, his eyes flickering faintly like nearly extinguished flames.
That final spark reflected the last hope he held for his former village.
"No! You won't die! You can't die!" Haku said firmly.
"A shinobi's path ends in death. Haku, when we reach shore, run away quietly."
"They probably won't care about you. If you're fast enough, you might survive."
Zabuza stared at the youth before him and warned gravely.
It felt more like a final goodbye.
Honestly speaking, in his view,
this mission was nearly a suicide mission!
No matter how strong those Uchiha ninja were, they stood no chance against all of Kiri!
"I won't leave Master Zabuza's side — wherever you go, I will follow!"
Gently leaning against Zabuza's broad shoulder, Haku replied resolutely.
After all, the life he lived now was given back to him by Master Zabuza.
He would never abandon him to save himself alone!
...
Right now.
Far across the deck, witnessing this overly emotional and mushy scene,
Shimoku and the others couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed.
For real, someone should just chuck that Demon of the Hidden Mist straight into the ocean and let the fish deal with him — so he'd stop showering everyone with couple drama…
Seeing this, Gin immediately whispered beside him.
"Young Master, I think that little guy there looks quite cute and beautiful. Why don't you—"
"Pfft! That 'guy' is actually a guy!"
"Put away your dirty thoughts!"
"Aww, he's a guy?"
"C'mon, Young Master. Didn't you yourself say: 'As long as they're pretty, gender doesn't matter'..."
Shimoku irritably jumped up and slammed his head into Gin's again.
"Geez, you never remember anything wise I say—except for that one line?"
"Hehehe, just kidding."
"But seriously, Young Master,"
"Honestly speaking,"
"Are we really going to directly confront the entire Mist Hidden Village?"
Shimoku raised an eyebrow, "What? Scared?"
Gin: "Of course not!"
"It's just that... with only us few people, won't we be too underwhelming?"
Not only Gin, even Riyō and Yueji beside him still felt somewhat apprehensive upon hearing this news.
This feeling was like what Shimoku experienced in his past life—
It was just as crazy as if a special forces unit suddenly declared it would destroy one of the Five Great Hidden Villages.
It was hard to feel confident at all!
Shimoku: "Don't worry, I've got this."
"It's about time you see my true strength."
"Just leave the enemy's main force to me, and you guys handle the finishing blows!"
Shimoku reassured them confidently.
At this moment,
He possessed: a Sharingan comparable to the Eternal Mangekyō, three S-rank ninjutsu, a divine weapon... plus tens of thousands of coins in reserve.
Just him alone against Kiri? He couldn't even picture a way he'd lose.
And besides, now he had nearly semi-god-tier equipment.
Staying cooped up at home like a coward until he scraped by—how incredibly dull would that be?
A real man charges headfirst!
Time to face the challenge head-on!
Even though right now he was still just a boy...
When they heard that, Riyō and the others exchanged glances.
They could only reluctantly agree and prepare to tag along with their Young Master on his wild scheme.
If things really went badly and they couldn't win,
The three of them would desperately buy time, hoping to give their Young Master opportunities to escape.
"But why choose the Mist Hidden Village specifically?"
Riyō asked, puzzled.
Shimoku: "Because Kiri's a pushover!"
Riyō and others: ...
The Mist Hidden Village: ...
Of course, this 'pushover' here was all relative.
Among the Five Great Hidden Villages,
Except for Konoha (Hidden Leaf Village), which had countless kinjutsu and numerous overpowered experts,
The overall strengths of the other four among the Five Great Hidden Villages weren't significantly different.
However,
Because both The Third Mizukage and The Fourth Mizukage had been secretly controlled by someone else previously,
Implementing the "Blood Mist Village" policy,
This had caused serious internal conflicts within the Mist Hidden Village.
In such brutal environment filled with mutual slaughter, often only a handful of students from each class in the ninja academy could survive until graduation.
Over years of accumulated carnage, the number of ninjas in the Mist Hidden Village naturally declined sharply, greatly weakening its overall strength.
Of course, besides the Mist Hidden Village being slightly weaker,
There were many other reasons as well.
For example, our own Homura Hidden Village had just been established and desperately needed a major victory to boost its deterrent power.
Nothing could grab more attention or provoke more fear than decisively defeating one of the Five Great Hidden Villages in open battle!
And with the Demon of Kiri, Zabuza Momochi, leading the way.
This war could very well be categorized as an internal coup within Kiri.
He was merely an 'external aid' hired by Kiri's ninja.
A completely justified cause, avoiding any image of Homura Hidden Village being overly aggressive or cruel.
Besides, that Kiri vault looked mighty tempting! Time to rob from the rich and give to the poor.
Finally.
If they really toppled Kiri and subdued the Land of Water,
Then throughout these surrounding seas, there would be no more opposition.
Their own Sea Trade Company could operate freely across more than ten neighboring nations, expanding maritime commerce vigorously.
Even tapping directly into the densely populated Land of Water itself, raking in cash—and blood.
Look at it this way—this one move gets us four wins… or maybe even five?
Doesn't matter.
Bottom line is: plenty of advantages, definitely worth the fight!
This was the true reason Shimoku planned to strike against Kiri.
Absolutely not due to short-sighted greed for Zabuza Momochi's one-million-ryo reward.
And certainly not for those fresh-faced, tender kunoichi from Kiri!
...
Thus, the cargo ship roared full speed through sea waters.
Traveling half a day straight until dusk arrived.
Finally reaching a harbor port within the Land of Water.
At the harbor, all regular workers had been cleared out. Only ship after ship sat moored at docks, silently bobbing up and down.
"They're here!"
Zabuza stood up gripping his blade, eyes locked solemnly on the distant harbor.
Clearly, his sharp instincts already detected countless hidden dangers lurking ashore.
"Who?"
Zabuza: "Anbu from Kiri."
Gin: "Impressive—an Anbu squad sure knows how to show up fast!"
Zabuza: "You still have time to back out. Their target should only be me..."
Shimoku chuckled, cracking his knuckles.
"Come off it. Can't even swing your sword anymore, yet still playing hero?"
"Step aside now, do us all a favor."
"Open those eyes wide, and witness real efficiency—how true killing gets done!"
Shimoku strode forward several steps.
Stepping onto the prow of the merchant ship, facing head-on the numerous Kiri ninjas hiding within the harbor.
Then, right hand shot out.
Instantly solidifying dense chakra into tangible form—a tanto materialized within his grasp.
Clearly, slaughtering these underling ninjas didn't require the Dragon-Weaving Blade.
In the next instant, he pushed off with his toes and vanished from sight.
The massacre officially began!
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