A Qualified Tool

"Huh?!"

Zabuza's eyes widened, his face filled with ferocity.

It seemed like a warning to Cangwu not to mess around.

Otherwise, he'd rather kill himself.

However, when he saw Cangwu's eyes had turned into the scarlet Sharingan again.

He subconsciously looked at Haku.

He noticed that on Haku's face, besides panic and reluctance, there was an almost desperate anticipation.

Zabuza's eye twitched.

Like a deflated ball.

"You win."

With that, Zabuza slumped to the ground.

Seeing this, Haku's heart ached.

"Mr. Zabuza… I'm always ready to die for you…"

"No need." Zabuza interrupted Haku, closing his eyes and refusing to look at him.

Haku's meaning was clear; he didn't want Zabuza to feel humiliated.

If Zabuza felt disgraced, he'd rather 'take the first step'.

"Since that's the case… then, from today on, your lives belong to me."

"Hmph!" Zabuza crossed his arms and snorted coldly.

However, his lack of objection meant he accepted this reality.

"What do you want to do?"

Cangwu ignored Zabuza and looked at Haku instead.

"Aren't you tired of years of running and hiding?"

"Go back and investigate all of Gato's assets thoroughly."

"Find the right opportunity, kill Gato, and seize all his assets at the same time."

"What?!" Zabuza's eyes widened.

This meant they wouldn't be able to mix in the ninja world anymore.

Killing a client… that was a major taboo.

"Okay."

Haku agreed without hesitation.

He even gave Zabuza a sweet smile.

"Mr. Zabuza." Haku called out softly.

"You said that we ninjas are all tools."

"Since our lives belong to Mr. Cangwu… then Mr. Cangwu is the owner of the tools."

"Tools only need to follow orders."

"I believe Mr. Cangwu won't send us to our deaths."

"Besides… we have no other choice now."

Haku's words silenced Zabuza.

Looking at Haku's pleading eyes.

Zabuza sighed.

"Heh heh…"

As if mocking himself, he chuckled and then said:

"You're right."

"Besides that, there's also the trial for those three brats, right?"

Zabuza wasn't stupid.

Earlier, when he split into a water clone, Cangwu had specifically left one to deal with Team 7.

He knew Cangwu's intentions.

Since he had accepted his fate.

Then… it wasn't much different from their previous life on the run.

If he had to say, accepting his fate and shedding the burden of survival felt… not bad.

But he wouldn't admit it.

So, since there was no other choice, he might as well do it well.

Seeing Zabuza take the initiative, Cangwu was a little taken aback.

However, this was perfect, as he had indeed planned for it.

After all, he hadn't forgotten that his golden finger was about teaching and nurturing.

His rewards were tied to Team 7's strength.

"No rush, you two finish Gato's asset mission first."

"Money is still very important right now."

"Also, if possible, gather more people."

Cangwu planned to keep them in the Land of Waves.

Of course, he couldn't say this outright.

Hearing about gathering people, Zabuza and Haku could roughly guess.

It was also like Cangwu was painting a picture for them.

When managing subordinates, painting a picture is a good skill.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

The premise is how you paint it.

"Yes!"

Haku respectfully bowed to Cangwu.

He had already guessed that after this job, he and Zabuza would disappear for a while.

However, as rogue ninjas, they were mostly like rats crossing the street, living in constant fear.

Now, they just needed to obey orders obediently.

Moreover, he believed Cangwu would provide them with an escape route.

In short, the future was not entirely dark.

Even if it was dark... as long as he could be with Zabuza, he would be content.

"I can't be bothered to say anything else."

"I value your identities, not your strength."

"Remember, absolutely do not have any ulterior motives, otherwise... I will take your lives at the first opportunity."

"Living is good, and living well is even better."

"Yes, Lord Cangwu!"

Haku quickly knelt on one knee.

Subconsciously, he looked at Zabuza.

Zabuza asked in a deep voice:

"Will the Blood Mist policy of Kirigakure continue?"

"No, once the Fourth Mizukage recovers, he will likely be eager to put an end to the Blood Mist policy."

Cangwu thought for a moment, then added, "This is a great achievement, and it will surely be completed by the future Fifth Mizukage."

"The Fifth Mizukage... hehe, I hope so."

Zabuza slung the Kubikiribōchō on his back.

Cangwu's words didn't sound like a lie.

Even if they were a lie... so what?

His strength was not enough to turn the tide in the Blood Mist.

Looking at the slowly rising sun.

Zabuza bathed in the morning sunlight.

"Is that so... I have only one request... a plea."

"Afterward, I want to live in the sunlight."

Zabuza looked up at the azure sky.

Then he looked at Cangwu.

"It will take some time."

"But you just need to know that after the Konoha Chunin Exams, I will fulfill this request for you." Cangwu looked back in the direction he came from.

"By then, everything will be ready."

"Chunin Exams... I understand." Zabuza took a deep breath and, like Haku, knelt on one knee.

"Before that, is there anything else you need me to do?"

Cangwu chuckled, "Just finish the mission here in the Land of Waves."

"When the time comes, I will have someone notify you."

"I think you won't have any psychological burden in taking action against Gato."

Although in the original story, Gato would have double-crossed them, they didn't intend to make a move.

But, that was all based on Zabuza's blind confidence.

Of course, Zabuza was actually in a dilemma.

On one hand, he couldn't defeat Kakashi and couldn't complete Gato's mission.

On the other hand, if he refused the mission, with Gato's influence, and the backing power that allowed him to do such dark deeds and remain unharmed.

Even if he abandoned the mission, no one would hire him again…

As for robbing him of his wealth?

Many people coveted Gato's wealth.

If they actually robbed him, they would just be killed by the people of the Five Great Villages and then Gato's wealth would be legitimately divided.

"We've already been exposed, and we can't clear our names no matter what. Also… if we kill Gato…"

Zabuza paused, not continuing.

The implication was already obvious.

Cangwu smiled.

"Zabuza, you were once an Anbu ninja from Kirigakure, weren't you?"

Although Zabuza didn't understand, he still nodded in affirmation.

"Then let me put it another way."

"When a client issues a mission, do you need to verify if the mission is legitimate?"

Huh?!

Zabuza's eyes widened, "You mean…?!"

Cangwu smiled without speaking.

"Hoo~!"

"I understand."

After Zabuza calmed himself, he replied in a deep voice.

"After I return, I will say that I failed and need some time to recover from my injuries."

"Gato will be displeased and will also question us… After investigating clearly, Haku and I will leave a few 'witnesses' stating that Gato intended to double-cross us, and we acted in self-defense to take him down."

"We will do our best to ensure this matter does not implicate you."