A Brief Alliance

Facing Zabuza's question.

Naruto held up two fingers, his gaze calm as water, and slowly said, "First, Gato must die."

"His wealth should be used for more meaningful things, like rebuilding this country he ravaged, or... funding some truly worthwhile changes. After all, the money he earned wasn't clean."

"Second, the two of you will become my subordinates."

Immediately, a brief silence spread, broken only by the sound of wind rustling through the leaves.

Naruto gazed at the two ninjas before him, ninjas he had clashed with in some reincarnations and who had been brief allies or mere passersby in most others, his heart unmoved.

There was one thing Naruto understood all too well.

Words were often pale in the ninja world; only strength and self-interest could truly move people's hearts.

Finally, Zabuza slowly, with a hint of unwillingness yet helplessness, raised his head and looked at Naruto, his voice low, "I admit your strength, and I admit your terrifying intelligence-gathering abilities, but I still find it hard to believe you."

Naruto responded coldly, "I don't need to convince you with words, because you only have two choices before you."

"Either continue to be Gato's dog and be dealt with by me right here, or seize this opportunity, join me, bring about change to this corrupt ninja world, and then achieve your dream."

"..."

"Interesting... It seems we have no other choice..."

Zabuza reluctantly dropped the Kubikiribōchō in his hand, signifying his surrender, and finally emphasized, "I hope you won't forget the conditions you promised me."

"My only goal, before and now, is to turn the Bloody Mist Village back into the open, peaceful Kirigakure, nothing more."

Naruto silently watched Zabuza, who appeared to have submitted, and knew very well.

The other party was not genuinely submitting at this moment; it was more a calculation of circumstances and interests.

But he didn't care, as long as this first step was taken.

He would find a way to handle the rest.

Naruto would use actual actions and results to make Zabuza and Haku truly recognize him and willingly follow him.

"Then, you and Haku should go back for now," Naruto began to lay out the next steps. "Tell Gato that you encountered Konoha's Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake, and therefore the mission failed."

"But this failure was just an accident, bad luck, and ask him for another chance. Given Gato's current predicament of having no one available, he will agree."

"Then what should we do?" Zabuza asked, feeling surprised again.

Besides this unfathomable Naruto Uzumaki before him, did his team also include a renowned master like Kakashi Hatake?

The Ghost Brothers really didn't lose unfairly.

Naruto said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Didn't I say? Steal his money."

"Next, you will use the excuse of needing to recuperate and replan, and temporarily hold your positions. Wait for me to come find you to continue with the next steps. As soon as the time is right, we will act, kill Gato, and seize all his assets."

"Oh... oh."

Zabuza nodded somewhat blankly.

Listening to Naruto's clear, well-thought-out plan, as if he had every detail under control.

It was as if he had long been planning to assassinate Gato and seize his wealth.

"Then, you should leave quickly. I should go back too; staying away too long will arouse Kakashi's suspicion."

Naruto waved his hand casually and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Seeing Naruto about to leave, Zabuza hurriedly called out, "I haven't told you where my base is yet. How will you contact us then?"

"There's no need."

Naruto didn't look back, merely saying lightly, "Not only your base in the Land of Waves, but every secret base you've established in other countries, I know them all."

"Hurry back with Haku, and remember to play your part well, pretend you're seriously injured..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto's figure had already leaped to a branch of a large tree in the distance.

Then he completely disappeared into the dense depths of the forest, unseen.

But Naruto's last words sent an inexplicable chill down Zabuza's spine.

He not only scouted our base in the Land of Waves beforehand, but he also scouted our bases elsewhere?

This is even more terrifying than the Kirigakure Anbu.

Naruto's figure completely vanished into the depths of the dense forest, leaving only slightly swaying branches. The atmosphere finally eased a little.

Haku finally couldn't help but speak softly, his voice laced with doubt, "Mr. Zabuza... can that Konoha ninja named Naruto really be trusted?"

Zabuza first bent down, picked up the Kubikiribōchō he had thrown on the ground, and placed it heavily on his back before revealing a bitter smile.

"What if we trust him, and what if we don't?" Zabuza's voice was even lower than before, even carrying a hint of self-mockery. "Don't you see it yet?"

"His strength is far beyond yours and mine. Not only that... he even knows all our bases in the Land of Waves, and even in other countries."

Zabuza paused, his gaze drifting in the direction Naruto had disappeared. "We have no path to escape, nor anywhere to hide."

Haku silently lowered his head, still clutching several Senbon that hadn't been thrown.

Indeed.

In just one exchange, it was clear he had been deliberately suppressing his strength.

Even someone as powerful as Mr. Zabuza had only discovered this after long observation.

Zabuza let out a long sigh, as if exhaling years of pent-up gloom. "Haku, you know my dream is to change Kirigakure, to end the 'Bloody Mist Village.' But do you know how difficult that is?"

Haku immediately nodded, his eyes gentle yet firm. "I know, but no matter what, I will always be by your side, Mr. Zabuza."

"No, that's not what I mean."

Zabuza shook his head. "I mean, if we just stay like this, holed up in a small place like the Land of Waves, working as hired Ninja for someone like Gato, doing dirty work..."

"We will never accumulate enough strength and capital to fight our way back to Kirigakure. We're just wasting time, drifting further and further from our true goal."

"So Naruto Uzumaki's appearance might be our only variable, perhaps even... our hope. Can you understand what I mean?"

As he spoke the last sentence, Zabuza turned his head and looked seriously at Haku.

Haku seemed to understand, yet not fully, but he still replied obediently, "I understand. We're in a stalemate, and Naruto's appearance might be able to break it for us."

"Exactly!"

Zabuza's voice regained its firmness. "I hope he doesn't disappoint me..."

Before leaving, Zabuza cast one last glance in the direction Naruto had gone and said coldly, "Let's go. As Naruto said, let's go back and keep that guy Gato in check for now."