Tragic Gato

Returning to the hideout with Feng Yao, Zabuza's mindset had undergone a significant shift compared to before.

Initially, even though he had been defeated by Feng Yao, he had remained unconvinced in his heart.

After all, he didn't know what method the other party had used to easily lock onto his position within the mist.

But after watching the battle between Team Kakashi and Feng Yao, he was completely convinced.

With that level of strength, even if the other party hadn't broken his Hidden Mist Technique, he would have undoubtedly suffered a crushing defeat.

Upon returning to the wooden hut they used as shelter, Zabuza silently ceded the center seat.

Zabuza's subordinates in the room were somewhat surprised to see this; they hadn't expected a man as ambitious as Zabuza to submit in such a short time.

Feng Yao smiled slightly and sat down in the center seat without standing on ceremony, while Zabuza and Haku stood on his left and right.

He waved his hand to dismiss Zabuza's subordinates, and as the number of people dwindled, the treehouse felt empty.

He turned his gaze toward Zabuza and asked in a playful tone, "Zabuza, what do you think of these subordinates of yours?"

Zabuza was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, but he was a shrewd man and knew that Feng Yao was dissatisfied with their low level of strength.

He bowed slightly.

"Compared to you, Leader, their strength is naturally not worth mentioning. However, they still have many uses; some missions always require a few scapegoats, don't they?"

Hearing this, Feng Yao couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain. Needing the weak as scapegoats only proved that one's own strength was not yet strong enough.

Look at the Akatsuki organization next door; they only had a few members in total, yet they were still capturing Tailed Beasts and destroying Konoha.

Since he had established an organization, he had to be responsible. He would definitely not accept any dead weight; at the very least, one had to be a Chunin or above to join.

He said to Zabuza in a deep voice, "Our organization must be elite. There is no need for the weak to exist. Forget about these subordinates of yours, but from now on, everyone who joins the organization must undergo a strict screening process."

Zabuza pondered for a moment, appearing to have a sudden realization.

"I understand. It seems the Leader intends to build a terrifying team composed entirely of elite Jonin! You truly are an ambitious man."

Feng Yao was stunned when he heard this. He just wanted to improve the organization; when did he say he wanted to build a terrifying team composed entirely of elite Jonin? He hadn't even thought of a name for the organization yet.

Suddenly, the system spoke up again.

"Congratulations to the Host for triggering a mission: Establish a terrifying organization composed entirely of elite Jonin. Time limit: two years. Minimum of fifteen members. Reward: One lottery chance and one Divine-tier weapon. Failure to complete the mission will result in erasure."

"Slogan: You are no longer a naive youth; let the name of your organization resound throughout the heavens."

Feng Yao had been chatting happily with Zabuza, but the expression on his face suddenly froze. Ignoring the reward, he started ranting.

"Are you crazy? This organization is what Zabuza said, what does it have to do with me? Do you know that the strongest organization in Naruto, the Akatsuki, only has ten people! Fifteen elite Jonin? Even if I poached everyone from the Akatsuki, it wouldn't be enough."

"The goal of this system is to cultivate the Host into the strongest man in Naruto. The process must be painful, so please be mentally prepared. Complete the mission."

Hearing the system's indifferent attitude, Feng Yao gritted his teeth in anger, while his gaze toward Zabuza became increasingly unfriendly.

Zabuza, standing to the side, felt puzzled. Had he said something wrong just now? Why was the Leader looking at him like that? Was his flattery not well-received?

Zabuza's innocent expression only fueled Feng Yao's pent-up rage, but at that moment, a savior arrived.

The door to the wooden hut was kicked open, and several beaten, unconscious ninjas were thrown inside—they were Zabuza's subordinates.

The person responsible was Gato. Wearing sunglasses, he walked slowly into the room and stepped heavily on the face of one of the ninjas.

He spat and said, "You really are a piece of trash, Zabuza. You couldn't even kill a bridge builder twice. Although I never intended to pay you, since you messed up the job, I have to let you know the consequences of offending me, Gato."

Seeing that the other party had brought a large number of mobsters and ordinary ninjas, Zabuza's expression darkened. He had long known that Gato was no good, but he hadn't expected him to turn hostile so quickly.

Just as he was about to strike, Feng Yao stopped him, a chilling smile appearing beneath his mask.

"Let me handle this. Step back."

Seeing a masked brat step forward, Gato was also confused. His subordinates had arrived near the bridge long after the battle had ended; they had only seen that Tazuna was still alive and had returned to report, so Gato had no idea who Feng Yao was.

Seeing the other party charge forward alone, he sneered and waved his fat palm, sending the nearby mobsters and ronin rushing forward.

These people only knew some basic swordsmanship. Gato wanted to rely on human wave tactics to exhaust Zabuza.

Feng Yao activated Iron Body, focusing the hardening effect on his fists. With a single punch, he caved in the chest of the nearest mobster, demonstrating the sheer power of the blow.

But this only incited the ferocity of those around him. They roared to bolster their courage and charged at Feng Yao together, but they were all hammered away by his punches, one by one. The number of mobsters in the room decreased at a visible rate, and as Feng Yao fought, he muttered to himself.

"Terrifying organization, my foot."

"Elite Jonin, my foot."

"Why don't you go to heaven? Giving me a crappy weapon."

"I've been putting up with you for a long time!"

Amidst the shocked expressions of everyone, Feng Yao fought his way to Gato. His mask and body were stained with blood, looking like an Asura claiming lives.

The remaining mobsters and ninjas in the room dared not step forward. The tycoon of this world trembled, his legs giving way as he stumbled to the ground.

"What... are you... doing? Come and protect me! I'll pay you ten times the amount, hurry!" The people around him remained unmoved.

Feng Yao, who had intended to finish Gato off, suddenly thought of something upon hearing this.

Establishing an organization requires money; ninja tools, locations, equipment, and recruitment—not a single one can be missing. Thinking of this, he leaned down and patted Gato's fat face with one hand.

He asked in a demonic tone, "You fat pig, how much do you think your life is worth?"

Seeing Feng Yao ask such a question, a glimmer of hope appeared in Gato's eyes. In his view, as long as a problem could be solved with money, it wasn't a problem at all.

He hurriedly begged for mercy, "As long as you are willing to let me go, I am willing to give you whatever amount you want."

Feng Yao looked at the now-obedient Gato and smiled, draping an arm over his shoulder while taking the opportunity to lecture him earnestly.

"Money can always be earned back if it's gone, but if your life is gone, you have nothing. I want half of your assets! That wouldn't be too difficult, would it?"

Upon hearing this figure, Gato shuddered all over and said with some difficulty, "That is not a small amount. Could you allow me some time to manage it?"

Unexpectedly, Feng Yao flipped his attitude instantly and pointed at Zabuza standing behind him.

He feigned anger and said, "Where would I find the time to give you? I'm still being reasonable right now. If the one behind me were to come over, you would have already been hacked to pieces. Have the money ready in one day, or I'll just erase you."

Gato looked at Feng Yao, who didn't seem to be joking, gritted his teeth, and said as if he had made a firm decision, "Fine, rest assured. After one day, I will hand all the money over to you."

Feng Yao nodded with satisfaction and let the surviving mafia members carry him away as they scurried off in a panic.

So, telling someone that you'll erase them once the time is up feels this refreshing. No wonder this lousy system of yours is always talking about erasing me.

Feng Yao said to the system in his mind with a hint of disdain.

"Does the host feel that there aren't enough missions?"

"Cough, cough, enough, enough. You win, alright?"

Just then, Zabuza stepped forward and whispered into Feng Yao's ear, "Gato is an extremely treacherous man. I fear he will not easily agree to our demands. What if he brings ninjas back with him when he returns?"

Feng Yao looked at Zabuza, then sat back down in his chair and chuckled lightly.

"I know, but we can't get his money here anyway. It's better to let him go back, then interrogate him to find out where his money is hidden. I'll leave this matter to you. Remember, no matter what, do not let him live. A person like this holds grudges and will be a nuisance."

Feng Yao was not a person who killed indiscriminately; he only killed when it was necessary, or rather, to achieve a certain means. He wouldn't kill someone just because they looked unpleasant on the street.

Upon hearing this, Zabuza strapped his Kubikiribōchō onto his back and smiled grimly.

"Rest assured, he will not appear again."