"Teacher Cangwu~"
Sakura's breathing grew quick.
Seeing the unfamiliar, wicked smile at the corner of Cangwu's mouth, her heart began to race.
Teacher Cangwu was so bad~
So alluring~
Sasuke, however, didn't feel anything in particular.
"Sasuke, there'll be a trial."
"Besides, don't you want to know whether an ordinary person has more money or the Uchiha clan's inheritance?"
At that, Sasuke's pupils shrank sharply.
He lifted his head and stared at Cangwu with utmost seriousness.
Seeing that Cangwu didn't seem to be joking,
Sasuke couldn't help taking a deep breath.
"Right now, I only want to kill that man... Until I've killed him, I don't plan to worry about anything else."
Cangwu ruffled his hair and chuckled. "It won't be long. You should start getting ready. When the time comes, I'll find you a few helpers."
"Also, it's about time I taught you some new ninjutsu."
"Really?!" Naruto had joined them at some point.
At the mention of new ninjutsu, his eyes lit up.
Cangwu looked at him, puzzled. "Why haven't you left yet?"
"Go where?" Naruto was just as confused.
"Weren't you going to help for free?"
"Go on, hurry up! Go make the people of the Land of Waves accept you," Sakura chimed in.
"Uh..." Naruto looked awkward.
Then he saw the mockery at the corner of Sasuke's mouth.
He immediately clasped his hands together, bowed, and apologized. "I'm sorry. I'm an idiot."
"Naruto, there's nothing wrong with being kind, but you can't let it go too far." Cangwu patted Naruto on the head.
Then he walked over to Tazuna.
"Mr. Tazuna, we should get going."
He took the IOU from Tazuna's trembling hand.
"Okay..." Tazuna managed a smile more pained than a grimace.
"Mr. Tazuna, don't smile like that."
"Are we forcing you to do anything?"
Looking at the sweet, well-behaved girl in front of Cangwu,
Tazuna hurriedly shook his head.
"No, not at all!"
"I'm doing this willingly!"
"Thank you so much!"
Sakura turned around and flashed Cangwu a V-sign.
"See? He's even thanking us~"
Tazuna: "..."
But a moment later, Tazuna breathed a sigh of relief.
It was enough that they'd agreed to help.
And after he'd spoken his mind, the burden he'd been carrying had eased as well.
After making some adjustments, the group continued on their way.
All along the road, Naruto regretted how useless he was, so he went ahead of Cangwu and took the initiative to scout.
But he was destined to be disappointed.
No enemies appeared, even as the sun set.
Naruto, who'd wanted to prove himself, felt frustrated.
His anger soon dwindled into a fair amount of resentment.
"Seriously... Why did they stop showing up?"
"Idiot, are you actually hoping we get attacked?" Sakura teased.
Naruto drooped like a wilted plant. He didn't even feel like trading barbs with Sasuke anymore.
"Gurgle—"
Tazuna took a swig of liquor and glanced at Naruto.
"Kid, you're this weak. How can you possibly hope for enemies to show up?"
Naruto hung his head and ignored Tazuna.
At first, words like that would've made him bristle. Now, he just wanted to travel in peace.
The five of them stopped to rest.
Tazuna's friend wouldn't arrive until around midnight.
Sasuke used Fire Release to start a campfire.
Naruto and Sakura were in charge of setting up the tent.
Tazuna was in charge of... drinking.
Cangwu?
Cangwu was in charge of fishing.
Whoosh—
The fishing line went taut, and a fish the size of a palm flew onto the bank.
"Couldn't find the book by title? Try searching for the author! Maybe it just changed names!"
"Wow~!"
"Teacher Cangwu, you're amazing~!" x2
Naruto and Sakura exclaimed.
Then Naruto ran over impatiently to borrow the fishing rod.
Cangwu handed it straight to him and had Sakura prepare the fish.
When he turned around, Cangwu had vanished.
A few breaths later, he returned with an adorable little rabbit in his hands.
Half an hour later, Cangwu called everyone over to eat.
Naruto's eyes were bloodshot. He dropped his fishing rod and jumped straight into the water.
Like plenty of people, he was born to be a lousy fisherman.
At dawn, the five of them boarded the boat belonging to Tazuna's friend.
Tazuna's face was grave.
Sasuke rested with his eyes closed, while Sakura and Naruto dozed on either side of Cangwu.
Before long, the boat reached the shore.
"We're inside the Land of Waves now."
Tazuna waved goodbye to his friend, then turned to Cangwu and spoke in a solemn voice.
Cangwu nodded slightly.
"Diamond formation."
The three kids understood and formed a triangle around Tazuna.
"Let's go."
The sky was already paling in the east; sunrise wasn't far off.
After walking for a while, Sakura furrowed her brow. "Teacher Cangwu, the fog seems to be getting thicker."
At that, Sasuke glanced at Sakura.
That ugly girl...
Naruto blinked and waved at the fog around them. "It does seem that way."
"Could it be... our opponent is from the Hidden Mist?" Sakura speculated.
Cangwu stopped and looked at the three kids, the corner of his mouth lifting. "That's right."
"Now... everyone, get down."
Whoosh—
The three kids hurriedly pulled Tazuna down with them.
They only questioned Cangwu's orders after carrying them out.
Even Naruto obeyed immediately when he heard Cangwu's command.
Only then did Cangwu turn around.
In that short time, the fog had grown so thick that they couldn't see anything five meters away.
Vrrrm—!!!
Suddenly, a piercing sound tore through the air.
It came from far away, speeding toward them at an incredible pace.
Boom—
A fierce gust scattered the fog, revealing a rapidly spinning sword.
It appeared in their field of vision and reached Cangwu in the space of a single breath.
Cangwu found the right angle and raised his hand.
Vrrrm—
The next moment, the Kubikiribōchō swept through his chest.
"Teacher Cangwu!"
Naruto cried out.
Sasuke impassively scanned their surroundings.
Sakura glanced at Cangwu and confirmed that the rascal had once again ignored the attack. Only then did she turn her attention warily to their surroundings.
Cangwu gripped the Kubikiribōchō's handle with one hand, a hint of delight flashing across his brow.
This boost to my physique is great.
I can even catch the Kubikiribōchō with one hand when it's flying this fast.
"Hm?" A puzzled voice came from beyond the thick fog.
He'd been planning to wait until the Kubikiribōchō lodged in a tree trunk, then make a flashy entrance by standing on it.
How could this Konoha jōnin catch it with one hand?
Who was he?
Zabuza narrowed his eyes beyond the fog.
The information he had didn't mention anyone named Cangwu.
Little did he know, the fog did nothing to hinder Cangwu's vision.
Cangwu looked at Zabuza, hiding behind a tree, and gave the heavy Kubikiribōchō a swing.
Zabuza, huh... That works. Since he's a missing-nin, it'd be a waste to kill him outright.
Gato has a lot of assets. Danzo the old fox will probably send someone to check things out in a few days.
I'll swallow up Gato's assets, and while I'm at it...
Of course, if Zabuza is still alive... then I'll be the one who dies.
The Jinchuriki and the last Uchiha will end up in the Root Organization, too.
A cold voice, laden with murderous intent, rang out through the heavy fog:
"I didn't expect you to block the Kubikiribōchō."
"You've earned a place in my list of prey... State your name!"
Before you continue