Avengers

"If that punch had landed, I would have died!"

Haku watched the fist stop right in front of him, feeling the wind it generated sting his face, and he swallowed hard before turning his head to look at the motionless Zabuza.

Zabuza, too, looked at Li Chuan with an uncertain expression.

"What do you want to talk about?"

He had never expected Bai, with his level of strength, to lose to this little monk whose identity was still unknown. And from beginning to end, the little monk had appeared completely at ease.

If the little monk had not held back just now, Bai would already have been dead—and naturally, Zabuza himself would not have escaped death either.

What he did not know was that Li Chuan did not have much Chakra left in his body either. The reason he had seemed so composed throughout was entirely due to his informational advantage and the targeted battle strategy he had planned in advance.

If he had not known Bai's abilities beforehand, it would have been hard to say who would win in a fight between the two.

"Actually, I want to invite you two to join my organization!"

Li Chuan sat cross-legged opposite Zabuza and smiled slightly.

Zabuza frowned.

"What organization?"

"The Avengers!"

Li Chuan coughed and explained.

"It's simple. You can think of it as a mutually beneficial organization formed for the sake of revenge. There aren't any mandatory requirements. Everyone just exchanges intelligence and helps one another."

The Naruto World was not a safe place. If he relied on himself alone, many things would be difficult to accomplish. He also needed some capable helpers.

That was why he had specifically timed this trip to the Land of Waves. If he had merely wanted to do business in the Land of Waves, would it not have been easier to come after Gato died?

"Exchange intelligence? Help one another? I don't believe you, and I don't believe there's such a good deal in this world."

After hearing Li Chuan's explanation, Zabuza showed not the slightest hint of belief. He was even openly disdainful.

In the ninja world, where everyone schemed against one another, even ninjas from the same village often plotted against each other. To hope that ninjas from other villages would share intelligence and help one another was simply too naive.

Li Chuan had expected Zabuza's reaction, but he had made some preparations as well.

If he could not fully convince Zabuza to join his organization, then even if he used force to threaten Zabuza into agreeing now, Zabuza would still go back on his word afterward. It would be pointless.

"How about this? If you're willing to join, I can first tell you a piece of intelligence that should be very important to you. I can also return your Executioner's Blade."

"I'm in!"

Zabuza agreed almost without thinking.

He did not truly intend to join. But he could recover the Executioner's Blade and get a piece of intelligence for free, so why not?

At that moment, he suddenly felt that this little monk might be a little too naive.

Li Chuan merely smiled. He first took out a Sealing Scroll and retrieved the Executioner's Blade, handing it to Bai, who stood beside Zabuza. Then he continued.

"This intelligence concerns your Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi. The truth is, his later restoration of the Bloody Mist tyranny was not his own intention. Someone had controlled him with genjutsu."

"What!"

Upon hearing Li Chuan's information, Zabuza's eyes flew wide open, and veins instantly bulged on his forehead.

"Is your intelligence accurate?"

"The genjutsu on the Fourth Mizukage has already been dispelled. A ninja from your village named Ao saw through it with the Byakugan, and the real authority of the Hidden Mist Village has now been handed over to Mei Terumi.

"However, since letting such a family scandal get out would greatly damage the Hidden Mist Village's prestige, only its upper ranks know about it. If you have time to sneak back into the Hidden Mist Village, you'll see that they are no longer carrying out the Bloody Mist policy."

Li Chuan roughly recounted the intelligence from his memories.

He had three greatest advantages in this world.

First was his initial identity as the Prince of the Land of Fire. Though he held no real power, his status was extremely high, he possessed many privileges, and he was very wealthy.

Second was intelligence. He knew the information of nearly every ninja, as well as the hidden secrets of the Great Ninja Villages.

Third was the course of the story. Although his appearance would inevitably cause major changes later on, he could still use it to gain plenty of benefits in the early stages.

Now, he was using his advantages to draw Zabuza in as an ally.

"No wonder... no wonder he became like that."

Zabuza clenched his fists so tightly that the wounds on his joints, where Kakashi's kunai had pierced him earlier, began spraying blood again. Yet he did not care in the slightest.

By now, based on his memories, he could basically determine that Li Chuan's intelligence was probably true.

Back when the Third carried out the Bloody Mist policy, he had killed all of his fellow classmates. To end that tyranny, he, Mangetsu Hozuki, Gengetsu Hozuki, and the others had supported Yagura in becoming the Fourth Mizukage.

However, the good days did not last long. For some unknown reason, Yagura's personality suddenly changed drastically. He actually resumed the Bloody Mist policy, and he was even crueler than the Third had been.

His senior, Mangetsu Hozuki, had tried to investigate in secret, only to be killed. Left with no choice, he and Gengetsu Hozuki gathered a group of companions and planned to assassinate Yagura. The assassination failed, and only he had been fortunate enough to escape the village.

Over the years, he had kept taking missions to gather funds. He had even taken in Bai, who possessed the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, all so that he could one day return for revenge, overthrow Yagura's rule, and establish a new Hidden Mist Village.

"Lord Zabuza, please take care of your body!"

Seeing Zabuza's wounds split open from his anger, Bai hurriedly took out bandages to dress them, only for Li Chuan to stop him with a raised hand.

"I know some Medical Ninjutsu. Leave it to me."

"Thank you so much!"

Watching Zabuza's wounds gradually heal under Li Chuan's Palm Sage Technique, Haku's favorability toward Li Chuan immediately shot up by a huge margin.

"Do you know who used genjutsu to control Yagura?"

Zabuza looked up at Li Chuan, his eyes filled with hatred.

"About that, my people are still investigating. Don't worry—since you're a member of the Avengers, I'll definitely let you know as soon as there's news."

Li Chuan smiled, then extended his right hand to Zabuza.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Yuan Chuan, and I'm currently training at the Fire Temple."

He wasn't stupid. There was no way he would tell Zabuza everything. Expecting Zabuza to repay him just because he had received a favor was unrealistic.

"Zabuza Momochi. Your surname is Yuan?"

Having been treated by Li Chuan, Zabuza had basically regained his mobility and extended his hand as well.

However, when he heard Li Chuan's surname, a surprised expression appeared on his face. The surname Yuan belonged to the imperial family of the Land of Fire.

"Oh, I forgot to mention—I'm also a prince of the Land of Fire."

Li Chuan withdrew his hand and replied casually.

Upon hearing Li Chuan's identity, both Zabuza and Haku widened their eyes.

No wonder. No wonder he knew such confidential information. He had that kind of status as well.