Gato, the Fool, and Zabuza's Warning

"Idiot..."

Ignoring the samurai thugs, Sasuke looked at the smug Gato and mocked him mercilessly.

Although he knew this guy's thought process was bizarre, he hadn't expected him to be this impatient!

Showing himself now—wasn't that forcing Zabuza to turn on him??

"Kakashi...

Sorry, but it looks like our battle is over!

From now on, that old man is no longer our target."

Just as Sasuke expected, Zabuza, who had been preparing to leave, immediately changed his tune, his gaze turning icy.

It would be somewhat difficult for him and Haku to deal with Kakashi's group in their condition, but facing Gato was like slaughtering chickens and dogs...

"Is that so?

I understand...

Naruto, Sakura, protect Mr. Tazuna.

Leave the rest to Sasuke and me..."

After giving Zabuza a deep look, Kakashi understood and adjusted his strategy accordingly.

Although they now had the strength to deal with Zabuza, there was no need to risk themselves in an unnecessary battle!

If Zabuza counterattacked and killed someone, or targeted them after escaping...

Neither outcome was something Kakashi wanted to see...

Being targeted for assassination by an elite Jonin was no small matter!

"Huh...

It changed just like that?

They were clearly enemies fighting to the death just a moment ago!

How did they suddenly stop being opponents..."

Naruto cried out in confusion at the sudden shift in the situation, unable to accept the change for the moment.

"Exactly!

Can we trust him, Teacher Kakashi...?"

Sakura quickly asked as well, staring vigilantly at Zabuza and the unconscious Haku.

Those two had nearly killed Naruto just now.

They were dangerous enemies who had forced Sasuke and Teacher Kakashi into a hard battle!

"This is what it means to be a ninja...

During missions, we often have to face all kinds of complicated situations!

No one knows what sudden changes we might encounter next...

That is why keeping a clear mind and staying rational at all times is the foundation of a mature ninja.

Zabuza and the others no longer have a conflict of interest with us!

On the contrary, they are our allies now..."

Kakashi glanced at the silent Sasuke, secretly nodded, and took the opportunity to teach the two of them.

"A-allies?"

"How is that possible??"

Naruto and Sakura's expressions changed as they cried out again, unable to believe their ears.

Could things really change this drastically??

"You two...

Are far inferior to that brat named Sasuke!"

Zabuza glanced at Naruto and Sakura and coldly struck them down, then shifted his murderous gaze toward the merchant Gato.

The ferocious, bloodthirsty look in his eyes made Gato take a step back before he flew into a furious rage out of embarrassment...

"Quick, kill him..."

Seeing Gato's ridiculous display, Zabuza gave a chilling smile and charged forward with the Kubikiribōchō in hand...

"Kakashi, please do not interfere in the battle from here on.

This is a battle between a rogue ninja and his employer..."

As he passed the four of them, Zabuza tossed out those words and swung his blade.

The samurai and ronin he struck let out a scream and were split in two, unable to withstand even a single exchange...

"Gasp...

That's terrifying...

Teacher Kakashi, are we really not going to help?"

Naruto subconsciously asked as he watched the samurai and ronin fall in droves.

"Idiot...

Why should we do something thankless and exhausting?

They're fighting among themselves. The best choice is for us to restore our Chakra and preserve our fighting strength!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes and rebuked him before sitting down to recover his stamina.

Yet his scarlet Two-Tomoe Sharingan remained fixed on Zabuza, observing and copying his Taijutsu to gain combat experience.

Zabuza, who specialized in Mist Village assassination techniques, was clean and decisive in his attacks, ruthless to the core.

Naturally, Sasuke would not miss this opportunity...

"Naruto, Sasuke is right.

Come here..."

Kakashi agreed and called Naruto over, preparing to secretly check the condition of Naruto's seal.

At the same time, he was extremely satisfied with Sasuke's performance!

This kid truly never let go of any opportunity to grow.

While Sasuke's group remained at ease, a terrifying scene was unfolding on Gato's side...

Dozens, perhaps over a hundred thugs attacked together, yet in less than three minutes, more than thirty had been killed.

This left Gato and the remaining thugs timid and panic-stricken...

But the more they hesitated, the faster Zabuza slaughtered them!

Finally, after around ten more had been killed...

"Run..."

"He's a devil, a real Demon..."

"Mom! Ninjas are terrifying..."

As one person took the lead, everyone else's resolve instantly collapsed, and they turned to flee...

They scattered in total chaos, throwing aside their weapons and scrambling to leap toward the boats or the sea.

"You bastards, wait for me..."

Gato shouted when he saw this, threw away his cane, and ran for his life...

But how could Zabuza, who had set his sights on him, possibly let him escape!

With a whoosh...

Zabuza used the Body Flicker Technique to appear before Gato, icy killing intent erupting in an instant.

"D-don't kill me...

I'm your employer! If you kill me, no one will ever come to give you missions again!

You rogue ninjas will have only one road left if you lose people's trust—death...

I'll pay more, double... no...

I'll pay ten times the reward. Keep carrying out the mission."

Gato collapsed onto the ground, screaming miserably as filth leaked from him.

At this moment, he finally understood what Demon Zabuza meant...

"Ten times? Heh heh...

Indeed, we rogue ninjas value our reputation most highly.

A rogue ninja who kills his employer will never find another employer willing to hire him!

But you forgot one thing...

Employer betrayal is an exception. You made the first move!!"

Zabuza's eyes were cold as blades as he gave an indifferent sneer, then mercilessly beheaded Gato with a single swing of the Kubikiribōchō.

"I forgot to tell you...

We rogue ninjas actually like self-righteous employers like you the most.

Only then can we take your wealth without any reservations..."

Looking at Gato's unwilling expression, Zabuza added greedily.

As Gato died with his eyes wide open, Zabuza kicked him into the sea to feed the fish...

"Using the Sharingan to copy my Taijutsu...

Brat, I heard you learned my Silent Killing Technique just now?

The Uchiha really are terrifying...

However, this technique is a secret art of the Mist Village!

Let me give you some advice...

If you do not want to be hunted by the Mist Village Anbu, it is best not to use this secret technique carelessly.

Especially in front of Mist Ninja..."

Zabuza turned back and stared at Sasuke's scarlet eyes, speaking with a teasing sigh.

Sometimes, being too talented was not a good thing!

[Zabuza's advice detected. C-rank Reward triggered.

Mission: Do not use the Silent Killing Technique carelessly; Reward: Ninpō: Mist Body Flicker...]

Hearing the prompt by his ear, Sasuke's mouth twitched slightly...

Who would casually use a secret technique that exploded Chakra to gain a Taijutsu boost for no reason?

Wasn't this basically a free reward...

"You didn't need to remind me of that, Zabuza..."

Sasuke casually shot back, accepting the system reward at the same time.

Zabuza's expression froze, and he walked toward Haku with a dark face.

"Kakashi, this mission ends here...

If we meet again next time, I will not show mercy."

Helping up the barely conscious Haku, Zabuza turned around and gave Kakashi one final warning.

He still could not let go of this defeat...

"Of course. Neither will I!"

Kakashi replied with unapologetic confidence, paying no heed to Zabuza's threat.

If there really was a next time, Sasuke might already have grown strong enough to fight Zabuza alone...

There was nothing to fear...