You Can Rely on Me Too!

The girl looked about fourteen or fifteen, with neat, long, straight black hair. Her pretty face, still faintly drowsy, was full of confusion before it gradually turned to fear.

"Who... who are you?" The girl's eyes widened as she stumbled backward in panic. "Dad! Mom!"

But naturally, no one answered her cries.

"Hehe, Zabuza, there's something dangerous in your eyes." Hiruko watched Zabuza Momochi's conflicted expression with interest. "Want to save her? Don't forget—you're a Missing-nin!"

Zabuza Momochi: "You..."

"How about I teach you how to become a qualified Missing-nin?" Hiruko pushed off with his toes and rushed toward the delicate-looking girl. "Explosion Release—Landmine Fist!!"

"Bastard!"

Zabuza Momochi had intended to simply leave, but his legs moved against his will. He rushed forward, raising his blade across his body and forcibly blocking the Landmine Fist.

Boom!

The violent blast wave once again ravaged the blade of the Kubikiribōchō.

Zabuza Momochi looked down. Spiderweb-like cracks spread across the gleaming blade once more.

"Hahaha, Zabuza, don't tell me you've fallen for this woman." Hiruko excitedly threw another punch.

Zabuza Momochi grabbed the girl, who had collapsed behind him in terror, and leaped onto the rooftop.

"Trying to run?" Hiruko rapidly formed Hand Seals. "Wind Release—Great Breakthrough!"

A violent gale came roaring toward them. With one hand gripping the girl and the other holding the Kubikiribōchō, Zabuza Momochi had no choice but to endure it as he dodged to the side. Before long, cuts had been carved all over his body.

In the shadows, a White Zetsu Clone silently gathered intelligence on the two fighters.

Hiruko doesn't seem to want Zabuza to join Akatsuki.

Although Zabuza is a Missing-nin with a cold, battle-hungry personality, it seems he isn't a heartless man after all.

*The combination of Dark Release and Explosion Release is unexpectedly