Joining

"How could this be?"

At this moment Zabuza experienced despair. His body was beginning to give way, and the speed of his sword swings began to slow down. He had already been seriously injured in his fight with Kakashi, and had only just stabilized when he began fighting the man in front of him, which aggravated his injuries.

"Your strength is unworthy of your name, Demon Zabuza."

The Masked Man was disappointed with Zabuza's performance.

"You, pfft."

Zabuza help but vomit blood.

"Um?"

The Masked Man noticed Zabuza's unusual behavior at that moment.

"Did you just go through a battle? With whom?"

Even if the Masked Man was stupid, he would know that Zabuza was injured.

"That's right, Kakashi from Konoha."

"Oh, it's him. No wonder."

After learning that Zabuza's opponent was Kakashi, the Masked Man said nothing more. After Zabuza match for Kakashi, who was Konoha Kakashi whose strength had reached the Kage Level. Zabuza's ability to escape from him showed that he was quite skilled. This made the Masked Man even more eager to Zabuza.

"Do you want revenge?"

"What's the meaning?"

Zabuza asked, bewildered. Just moments ago, this guy wanted to take his life, and now he's asking if he wants revenge? Is this guy out of his mind? He needs to get treatment; he shouldn't be scaring people like this.

"Do you want to kill Kakashi?"

"My strength is completely useless against Kakashi, so how could I possibly kill him?"

Zabuza thought to himself that this man was not just sick, but had gone mad. He actually dared to boast that he could kill a Kage Level ninja with the strength of a Jonin.

"With your abilities, it's certainly not enough, but with my help, it's not impossible."

A professional capitalist must be able to paint a rosy picture, one that is irresistible.

Upon hearing the Masked Man's words, Zabuza began to ponder. He wanted Zabuza Kakashi to dust to vent his hatred, but reason told him he could only bury his hatred deep inside and could not appear before Kakashi. When had Zabuza suffered such humiliation? But under the pressure of absolute power, Zabuza could only swallow his anger.

Now someone is saying that he can have a chance for revenge, like the whispers of the devil tempting him to sell his soul.

Zabuza, who had fought alone in the Ninja World for so many years, knew that you must give before you receive. No one is kind to you for no reason; they always want something from you.

What do I have to give in return?

"It's so nice to talk to smart people; you don't have to waste your breath."

"As long as you join us and complete the tasks I assign you, I can guarantee your safety and cultivation resources."

The Masked Man spoke to Zabuza in an unyielding tone. In Masked Man mind, "I'm only trying to recruit you because I'm doing you a favor. If you don't give me that respect, then you should just reincarnate." That's how domineering he was.

Zabuza knew that from the moment he and Haku met these two men, he could no longer back down, because the price of backing down was something Zabuza afford.

"I don't think I can refuse your invitation."

"A wise decision."

The Masked Man was not surprised at all by Zabuza's choice. Not everyone can face death calmly, let alone Zabuza, who had someone he cared about.

"I think I know our organization and your name now, right?"

Zabuza voiced his doubts. He had been wandering the Ninja World for so long, and he had never seen anyone dressed like that before. Besides, he knew all the powerful figures in the Ninja World, so this way he could avoid offending people he couldn't afford to mess with.

"Akatsuki Organization, Madara Uchiha."

As each word came from the Masked Man's mouth, Zabuza's eyes widened.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

Zabuza staggered backward. Madara Uchiha, the Asura of the Ninja World, this name only appeared in Ninja World textbooks, and besides, Madara Uchiha had long since died at the hands of Hashirama Senju.

"Nothing is impossible."

The Masked Man's single eye changed from black and white to a scarlet blood color.

"Sharingan."

Those eyes, just like Kakashi's, brought Zabuza painful memories for Zabuza.

"Is this why you hate Kakashi?"

The Masked Man appeared directly in Zabuza's mind.

"How did you get in?"

Zabuza was extremely wary of the Masked Man who appeared in his mind; Zabuza didn't know why he had fallen for the man's Genjutsu so easily.

"Because you are powerless against this eye."

The Masked Man pointed to his Sharingan and said.

"Feel the pain."

After the Masked Man finished speaking, Zabuza was tied to a pillar.

"How so."

This Genjutsu was far beyond Zabuza's comprehension, because it wasn't an ordinary Sharingan, but the Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Ah!"

The Masked Man experienced indescribable pain Zabuza a brief test of his skills with Zabuza.

The Masked Man knew when to stop; he didn't want Zabuza badly injured, which would affect his efficiency in handling things later. What a bloodsucking capitalist!

"Puff."

Returning to reality, Zabuza knelt on the ground, his legs buckling, and coughed up blood. He never wanted to be subjected to such Genjutsu again. The psychological trauma inflicted on Zabuza by the Masked Man Zabuza a lifetime to heal.

"Cough cough."

Zabuza took a while to recover. He struggled to prop himself up with his Kubikiribōchō. Even this simple movement left Zabuza heavily.

"Can we wake Bai up now?"

"Zabuza," he said in a hoarse voice.

"Of course, with you and Bai working together, I think things will definitely be much more efficient."

"Untie."

The Masked Man made a hand gesture to dispel the Genjutsu.

Haku awoke from the Genjutsu, feeling somewhat disoriented by the scene before him. In the Genjutsu, the Masked Man had woven a beautiful dream for him; he and Zabuza had escaped from this place. Zabuza, unwilling to let Haku face further danger, chose to live a secluded, ordinary life with him. Haku became hopelessly enamored with this lifestyle, willingly succumbing to it.

"Lord Zabuza, are you alright?"

When Haku saw Zabuza's pale face, he immediately ran over to support him, his face full of worry.

"I'm just a little exhausted, I'll be fine after a rest."

"That's good."

After confirming that Zabuza alright, Haku looked at the Masked Man warily. Even though he knew he was no match for him, Haku was fearless for Zabuza- sama's sake.