Naruto: The Player's Ascent
Chapter 44

Zabuza, You're Going to Be the Mizukage

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Tazuna told a story about the wealthy merchant Gato, who lorded over the land, and the Land of Waves, which was dirt poor.

Tazuna also specifically emphasized that the bridge they were currently building was the country's only hope.

Finally, he guilt-tripped them into continuing his protection.

Naruto couldn't help but think, Guilt trip? Is that even necessary?

The moment Sasuke heard he could spend three weeks outside with Naruto, his eyes lit up. It looked like he was about to skip evolving his Sharingan and jump straight to the "Shining Eye" evolution.

Besides, what the Land of Waves lacked wasn't bridges or ninja, but a dragon-slaying manual.

Where there's oppression, there's resistance!

If you don't resist, even if the bridge is finished, it'll just be blown up by the tyrant Gato sooner or later.

Naruto had nothing to say about their naive thoughts.

"What do you guys think? Should we continue?"

Teacher Kakashi turned back to ask Naruto and the other two for their opinions.

"Of course, we're continuing, Teacher Kakashi!" Sasuke immediately answered. He still needed the Naruto Power Bank.

Three weeks with Naruto was more effective than half a year of his usual training.

Sasuke was afraid Naruto would refuse, so he couldn't help but glance at Naruto provocatively. "Hey Naruto, aren't you scared?"

"Continuing."

Naruto ignored the kid's provocation. He took an apple from his inventory and began peeling it with a high-quality kunai from the game.

Fruits are good, rich in Vitamin C, gotta eat them.

"I want to continue too, Teacher Kakashi."

Sakura was performing exceptionally well today. She felt herself getting stronger so quickly. The reason, she thought, was that she wanted to be closer to Naruto. With that thought, she stole a glance at Naruto.

Snap~

Noticing Sakura's gaze, Naruto, who was eating an apple, instantly felt like his life was over. He had completely become a tool!

I really want to go back to Konoha!

Wait, something's wrong!

Naruto felt he was too kind. Possessing such a treasure, he wasn't even bossing people around in the team, and he had no room to resist?

Fine, he'd make Sasuke wash his smelly socks tonight.

The group continued on their way.

Swish~

Naruto, with nothing better to do, waved the kunai in his hand and sliced a passing fly in half.

After slicing it, he remembered that the kunai was supposed to be used for peeling apples.

Ugh~

Casually wiping the kunai on Sasuke, Naruto glanced back at Teacher Kakashi, who was covering their rear.

Another question suddenly popped into Naruto's mind.

How did Teacher Kakashi get the Sharingan?

Was it during the Uchiha clan massacre?

No, Kakashi didn't seem like that kind of bad person.

Could it be that Teacher Hatake Kakashi's real name was Uchiha Kakashi?

Seeing that Teacher Kakashi didn't seem inclined to explain, Naruto could only bury his questions deep in his heart.

"We're here."

Tazuna's house was up ahead.

The architectural style of the Land of Waves was indeed different from the Land of Fire. At least this building was quite unique.

Tazuna had a daughter and a young grandson.

His daughter was the type Cao Big Official liked, while the grandson was quite annoying, bluntly stating they would all die.

This brat!

Finally, Naruto bribed him away with a bag of chips and a cola.

Then, Naruto discovered something strange: the chakra of the person marked as Momochi Zabuza had become active.

Is Zabuza still alive?

Wasn't he taken away by the pursuing ninja?

Suddenly, Naruto thought of a possibility: the people who pursued him and Zabuza might be working together.

Good grief.

This move even impressed Naruto.

As expected of a ninja who's been around the ninja world for years, his tricks run deep.

However, even the best strategies are no match for absolute power.

Earlier, to prevent Zabuza from escaping, Naruto had planted a Flying Thunder God seal on him.

With the Flying Thunder God tattoo, how could he possibly run away?

Still, this also piqued Naruto's interest in Zabuza.

"Teacher Kakashi, tell me about Zabuza?"

Naruto wanted to learn about Zabuza and the Land of Water from Kakashi.

The ninja world is vast, and there are too few clones.

Up to this point, the map of the Land of Water was still completely black.

He wanted more intel!

"Zabuza..." Kakashi recounted the known information.

Graduating by killing all students in his class, the Bloody Mist Village, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, assassinating the Fourth Mizukage, becoming a rogue ninja.

The trio was stunned by this series of events, and Naruto was utterly dumbfounded.

He had thought it was twisted enough that Konoha trained 12-year-old boys into capable assassins.

He never expected it.

There were even more extreme cases. Whose subordinate was this?

The Fourth Mizukage, right?

It felt like that person truly didn't want the Hidden Mist Village to prosper.

As a Kage, he couldn't be a spy from another village, could he?

Zabuza was truly ruthless, having wiped out his entire graduating class.

But.

Looking at it from another perspective, why did it feel like Zabuza was actually a good person?

He killed his peers, forcing the village to stop the Bloody Mist Village, and then he assassinated the Fourth Mizukage for it.

By all accounts, it was for the good of the Hidden Mist Village.

Although his strength was insufficient, leading him to become a rogue ninja, his motives were commendable.

"Today's events are rather strange; I feel like we've overlooked something," Kakashi, who had been telling the story, realized something was amiss.

Naruto grinned.

He almost wanted to say, "Teacher Kakashi, your intuition is correct; Zabuza is alive and well."

However, Zabuza probably wouldn't have the chance to cause trouble.

Because Naruto planned to select him as one of the executors for the "Cuckoo's Nest Plan."

Despite being a rogue ninja, all he needed was to clear his name, making him the best candidate for the Mizukage position.

Yes.

It would be him.

Now, only one question remained.

"Teacher, does the Mist Village have a Mizukage right now?"

Kakashi was interrupted from his thoughts and answered Naruto's question, "Not yet. After the Fourth Mizukage was assassinated, the position of Mizukage has remained vacant."

Still vacant?

Naruto nodded. That's great; the plan is perfect!

At this moment, Kakashi had also recalled the entire incident. He reminded everyone that Zabuza wasn't dead and then emphasized.

"As for you three, you need to train hard! You can defeat Zabuza today, and next time you can defeat Zabuza and that boy."

"Especially you, Naruto," Kakashi praised Naruto specifically. "Your strength is the greatest; keep up the good work!"

"Mhm." Naruto nodded, a smile on his lips.

Looking at the smiling Naruto, Kakashi felt quite conflicted.

Perhaps Naruto is already stronger than me now, just lacking a bit in combat experience.

Kakashi prepared to take the three to the forest for training.

"Teacher Kakashi, I need to go to the restroom," Naruto used an excuse to leave midway.

Finding a secluded spot, Naruto put on his cloak, donned his mask, and activated his Sharingan.

After getting ready, he sensed the location of the Flying Thunder God seal.

Whoosh~

The moment he reappeared, he saw Zabuza lying on the bed, unable to move, and a beautiful-looking ninja beside him.

"Zabuza, the organization has decided; you will become the Mizukage!"

Thanks for the five monthly votes from Guanggu Hua Yi Jia Yi, thank you.

Also, thank you to all the readers for your recommendation votes and continued support, thank you.

End of Chapter
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