"I have to say, your ability to sense murderous intent is so precise it's astonishing..."
Kazeka looked at the mirror in front of him, the corner of his mouth curving into a complicated smile.
"But to stop for now based on murderous intent alone... You really are kind, aren't you?"
"It's not just that. As far as I know, whenever Konoha sends out a team with three Genin, they usually have a capable Jonin leading them as well..."
The White in the mirror spoke in a cool voice.
"I can handle one fully equipped team alongside Lord Zabuza. But two teams, with a Jonin of unknown ability lying in wait...
"Most importantly, you didn't attack right away. That was reason enough for me to stop for now and hear what you have to say!"
"Hmm, that's a very precise assessment. In that case, I won't beat around the bush..."
Kazeka spoke.
"I want you to stop pursuing Mr. Tazuna and leave Gato's side.
"I know it sounds ridiculous, but I've received some information.
"Gato intends to deal with you after you finish the mission!
"Is that enough to get you to stop?"
"I'm sorry, but it isn't!"
Hearing Kazeka's information, White stiffened slightly for a moment, then gently shook his head.
"We already had a pretty good idea of what Gato was planning.
"But as long as we kill Tazuna and withstand Gato's pressure, we can still get money from him. That means we'll have completed the mission.
"It's cruel, but that's how it is for Rogue Ninjas. Those are the rules!"
"Since you're insisting on talking about rules, it looks like there's no way to make peace..."
Kazeka shook his head helplessly. He glared at Kiba Inuzuka, who looked as if he wanted to say something, then took up a fighting stance.
"Naruto, Sasuke, we'll attack White from both sides, inside and out. Focus on protecting yourselves and keeping him occupied.
"I've already secretly used a volatile potion on White. Just hold out for a while, and victory will be ours!"
"Kazeka, is your potion reliable?"
The negotiations had failed, and the other side had launched another attack. Feeling that it was even more vicious than before, Naruto couldn't help complaining.
"You didn't use the wrong potion, did you?"
"I didn't!"
White's control over Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals was clearly excellent. Somehow, he could even move them after they'd formed.
In an instant, they enclosed Kazeka and Kiba Inuzuka, giving the others no chance to attack from both sides.
But Kazeka wasn't worried in the slightest. Instead, he wore the manic expression of a deranged scientist.
"What I just used was a gender-changing potion!
"As time passes, the target's body will keep changing toward the other sex!
"A ninja's body is exquisitely balanced, and even the slightest change can have a huge impact.
"A complete change of sex in such a short time will magnify that impact beyond measure.
"The body's lack of coordination, the panic, the mental confusion...
"When all those things add up, that'll be our chance to strike back!"
"Wow, Kazeka, you're seriously a pervert!"
Even while fending off attacks, Naruto couldn't help staring at Kazeka, dumbfounded.
"If I'm not mistaken, this change is a real change, right?"
"That's right. It's a real change, inside and out, and the potion lasts a long time.
"By my estimate, unless the target takes my potion, they'll stay like this for ten years!"
Kazeka gave Naruto an approving look.
"You know, I got the idea from your Sexy Jutsu!"
"Hey, don't just pin this on me!"
Naruto was stunned. He roared at Kazeka.
"That was just a prank. It's nothing like your perverted methods!
"Sasuke..."
Naruto turned to Sasuke.
"You saw how terrifying this guy's experiments are, right? Do you still want to go work with him?"
Sasuke: "..."
Kazeka's potions were undeniably terrifying, but they were also bizarre beyond belief.
Such an outrageous method left Sasuke deeply conflicted. Even his defense against the attacks began to slow.
But Sasuke wasn't the only one whose attacks were slowing. White's attacks were slowing, too.
A little while later, White's attacks stopped completely.
Clutching his chest as it gradually swelled, his face flushed red, White dispelled Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals. He stared at Kazeka for several seconds, then asked hesitantly:
"Do you have any of that potion left?"
Naruto: "..."
Sasuke: "..."
Kiba Inuzuka: "..."
Kazeka's potion was bizarre enough, but White's question was even more explosive.
Still, seeing that White no longer seemed interested in attacking, the others didn't say anything to provoke him further.
Clearly, White's question had caught Kazeka by surprise, too.
But Kazeka had never been one to pass up a chance to watch the spectacle. Without hesitating, he pulled out a strip of ten potion bottles and tossed them to White.
"Drink them all at once, and your condition will become permanent. The ingredients are scarce, so this is all I have left.
"Hardly anyone likes this stuff, so you can have it!"
"Gulp!"
White caught Kazeka's potions and downed every last one without hesitation.
After confirming his new condition, White stopped wasting time with Kazeka and the others and headed straight for the battlefield where Zabuza and Kakashi were fighting.
"Lord Zabuza, stop. We're abandoning the mission and leaving!"
"White, what nonsense are you talking about? What happened to you?
"Damn it, go capture that kid named Kazeka right away..."
Even while fighting Kakashi, Zabuza knew what had just happened to White. Seeing him now, Zabuza couldn't help calling out anxiously.
"Make him turn you back to normal!"
"I'm fine the way I am. The other side has two teams. There's no point in continuing to fight!"
White cried out in embarrassment, looking at Zabuza with clear displeasure.
"Lord Zabuza, I didn't have the right to ask before, but now... Can't you stop for my sake?"
Zabuza: "..."
Hearing White's words, Zabuza instinctively sensed that something was off. But he pushed those chaotic thoughts aside and continued:
"White, you said it yourself: as my weapon, you would erase your own thoughts completely and exist only to destroy my enemies. I'm ordering you to..."
"I was going to be a weapon without thoughts because I was a boy. But things are different now..."
White looked at Zabuza with fervent warmth, and his words were already becoming a little unreasonable.
"My sex has changed, so I can ask for more.
"Zabuza, I'm ordering you to stop right now. Otherwise, I'll team up with Kakashi and the others to fight you!"
Zabuza: "..."
Before you continue