As he followed Feng Yao back to their hideout, Zabuza's attitude had already changed considerably.
At first, even after Feng Yao had defeated him, he still hadn't been convinced.
After all, the other man had somehow managed to pinpoint his position with ease through the mist.
But after watching Team Kakashi fight Feng Yao, he was completely convinced.
Even if the other man hadn't broken through his Hidden Mist Technique, Zabuza would still have suffered a crushing defeat against someone with that kind of strength.
Once they returned to the wooden cabin where he was staying, Zabuza silently yielded the seat in the middle.
The sight left Zabuza's subordinates in the cabin a little surprised. How had a man as ambitious as Zabuza surrendered in such a short time?
Feng Yao smiled faintly and took the middle seat without hesitation. Zabuza and Haku stood on either side of him.
He waved his hand, dismissing Zabuza's subordinates. With so few people left, the treehouse felt empty.
He turned his gaze to Zabuza and asked with a hint of amusement, "Zabuza, what do you think of these subordinates of yours?"
Zabuza was taken aback, but he was a shrewd man and knew Feng Yao thought they were too weak.
He bowed slightly.
"Compared with you, Leader, their strength is naturally insignificant. But they're useful in many ways. Some missions always require a few scapegoats, don't they?"
Feng Yao couldn't help looking down on that way of thinking. If you needed weaklings to take the fall for you, it only proved you weren't strong enough yourself.
Just look at the Akatsuki next door. There were only a handful of them, yet they still captured Tailed Beasts and destroyed Konoha.
Since he had founded an organization, he had to take responsibility for it. He absolutely wouldn't accept useless deadweight. At the very least, members had to be Chunin or stronger.
He addressed Zabuza in a stern voice. "Our organization needs to be made up of elites. There's no place for the weak. Your current subordinates are an exception, but from now on, everyone who joins must pass a strict screening."
Zabuza thought for a moment, then seemed to understand.
"I see. So the Leader intends to build a terrifying team made up entirely of elite Jonin! You really are an ambitious man."
Feng Yao froze at that. He had only wanted to make the organization a little better. When had he ever said he wanted a terrifying team made up entirely of elite Jonin? He hadn't even thought of a name for it yet.
Just then, the system spoke again.
"Congratulations, Host. You have triggered a mission: establish a terrifying organization made up entirely of elite Jonin. You have two years to recruit at least fifteen members. Reward: one draw and one divine-grade weapon. Failure to complete the mission will result in execution.
"Slogan: You are no longer an inexperienced youth. Let your organization's name resound throughout the heavens!"
Feng Yao had been chatting with Zabuza just fine, but his expression suddenly froze. Ignoring the rewards, he launched into a tirade.
"Are you insane? Zabuza said that, so what does it have to do with me? Do you realize that even the strongest organization in Naruto, the Akatsuki, only has ten people? I couldn't get fifteen elite Jonin even if I recruited every member of the Akatsuki!"
"The system's goal is to make the Host the strongest man in the Naruto world. The process will be painful, so please be prepared. Complete the mission."
Hearing the system's indifferent response, Feng Yao ground his teeth in fury. At the same time, his gaze toward Zabuza grew a little hostile.
Zabuza, standing nearby, was baffled. Had he said something wrong? Why was the Leader looking at him like that? Had his flattery fallen flat?
Zabuza's innocent expression left Feng Yao with nowhere to vent his anger. Just then, help arrived.
The cabin door was kicked open, and several beaten, barely conscious ninja were thrown inside. They were Zabuza's subordinates.
The person responsible was Gato. Wearing sunglasses, he strolled into the cabin and planted a foot firmly on one ninja's face.
He spat and said, "You really are useless, Zabuza. You couldn't kill a bridge builder even after two tries! I never intended to pay you in the first place, but since you've botched the job, I'll make sure you understand what happens when you cross me, Gato."
Seeing that the other man had brought a large group of gangsters and ordinary ninja, Zabuza's expression darkened. He had always known Gato was a bad lot, but he hadn't expected him to turn on them so suddenly.
Just as Zabuza was about to strike, Feng Yao stopped him. Beneath his mask, Feng Yao's grin looked a little chilling.
"Leave this to me. Stand down."
When Gato saw a masked kid step forward, he hesitated. His men had arrived near the bridge long after the battle ended. They had only seen that Tazuna was still alive, then gone back to report. Gato had no idea who Feng Yao was.
Seeing Feng Yao charge forward alone, Gato sneered. He waved his fat hand, and several gangsters and ronin rushed at him.
They knew nothing beyond some ordinary swordsmanship. Gato intended to use sheer numbers to wear Zabuza down.
Feng Yao activated Iron Body, hardening his fists. With one punch, he caved in the chest of the nearest gangster. The force of the blow was plain to see.
But that only roused the people around him. They shouted to work up their courage and charged Feng Yao together, only to be sent flying one after another by his fists. The gangsters in the room dwindled at a visible rate as Feng Yao fought, muttering under his breath all the while.
"Take that, you terrifying organization!"
"Take that, elite Jonin!"
"Why don't you go to Heaven yourself? All you gave me was some lousy weapon!"
"I've been putting up with you for a long time!"
As everyone stared at him like he was a monster, Feng Yao fought his way straight to Gato. Blood covered his mask and clothes, making him look like a death-dealing demon.
The remaining gangsters and ninja in the room didn't dare step forward. The great tycoon trembled all over, stumbled, and fell to the ground.
"You... what... are you doing? Get over here and protect me! I'll pay you ten times as much! Hurry!" But the people around him still didn't move.
Feng Yao had intended to finish Gato off immediately, but those words gave him an idea.
An organization needed money. Ninja tools, a base, equipment, and recruits—all of it cost money. With that in mind, he bent down and patted Gato's fat cheek.
In a devilish voice, he asked, "You fat bastard, how much do you think your life is worth?"
Hope appeared in Gato's eyes at the question. As far as he was concerned, any problem that could be solved with money wasn't a problem.
He hurriedly begged, "If you'll spare me, I'll give you whatever amount you want."
Feng Yao smiled at the chastened Gato and put an arm around his shoulder, not forgetting to lecture him earnestly.
"Money can always be earned again once it's gone, but when your life is gone, you lose everything. I want half your business. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
At that figure, Gato shuddered. He said awkwardly, "That's a considerable amount. Could you give me a little time to sort it out?"
Feng Yao's expression changed at once. He pointed at Zabuza standing behind him.
Feigning anger, he said, "You don't have that much time. I'm being reasonable for now. If the man behind me had come instead, you'd probably have been cut down already. Get the money ready in one day, or I'll kill you."
Seeing that Feng Yao wasn't joking, Gato gritted his teeth and seemed to make up his mind.
"Fine. Don't worry. I'll hand all the money over to you tomorrow."
Only then was Feng Yao satisfied. He had the surviving gangsters carry Gato away, and they slunk off in disgrace.
So that's how easy it is to tell people you'll kill them if they don't meet a deadline. No wonder that lousy system is always threatening to kill me.
Feng Yao looked down on the system in his mind.
"Does the Host feel that there aren't enough missions?"
"Ahem, that's plenty. You win, all right?"
Just then, Zabuza stepped forward and whispered in Feng Yao's ear, "Gato is an extremely treacherous man. I doubt he'll readily agree to our demands. What if he comes back with ninja?"
Feng Yao glanced at Zabuza, then sat back down in his chair and chuckled.
"I know. But we can't get his money here. We might as well let him go back, then find out where he keeps it by interrogating him. I'll leave this to you. Remember, don't let him live, no matter what. People like him always seek revenge. He'll be trouble."
Feng Yao wasn't someone who killed indiscriminately. He killed only when necessary, or when it was a means to an end. He wouldn't kill someone just because they looked ugly on the street.
Zabuza heard him out, slung Kubikiribōchō over his back, and smiled grimly.
"Don't worry. He won't show his face again."
Before you continue