Two Missions

Compared to Yi Xiang's thrust, Sasuke was far too slow in Zabuza's eyes. He held Kubikiribōchō across his chest and easily blocked the lethal strike. Then he swung the great sword with a whoosh that cut through the air, the blow powerful enough to slice Sasuke in half.

With a bang, Yi Xiang's Shadow Clone appeared and, as if it had anticipated the move, kicked the would-be ambusher Zabuza under the chin with Shadow Leaf Dance, sending him tumbling backward.

Before Zabuza could regain his balance, another of Yi Xiang's Shadow Clones suddenly appeared behind him. A well-placed Kunai pierced the back of his head, but Zabuza once again dissolved into a stream of water.

At that moment, Kakashi, his left eye showing Three-Tomoe, flashed into motion. Another Body Flicker brought Zabuza behind Yi Xiang's real body, and Zabuza reacted instantly, swinging his sword backward.

Kakashi ducked nimbly, and Kubikiribōchō swept through the air before plunging diagonally into the earth. Zabuza immediately grabbed the hilt, using it as leverage to turn and kick Kakashi into the river.

"Found you~ Heh heh."

Before the words had even faded, a splash sounded as Zabuza narrowly dodged the attack from behind. The attacker had timed it so well that the Kunai still carved a deep wound from the back of his head down to his back, and blood welled up in an instant.

"Damn Uchiha brat! Haku, stop him!"

Enduring the pain in his back, Zabuza used Body Flicker to reach the river where Kakashi had fallen. He formed Hand Seals and sprang the trap he had prepared specifically to deal with Kakashi.

"Water Prison Technique."

"Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals."

Yi Xiang had been prepared and used Body Flicker to reach the treetop. Several ice mirrors now covered the spot where he had been. His Shadow Clones had pulled the other three away, leaving only Naruto, whose real identity was unclear, unable to escape.

Yi Xiang paid it no mind and charged straight at Zabuza on the river. With Three-Tomoe active, Yi Xiang could now see through Zabuza's Taijutsu and ninjutsu.

After clearing a path with Kunai and using Shadow Clones to hold off Zabuza's Water Clones, Yi Xiang's real body attacked Zabuza, whose right hand could no longer move.

After a few exchanges, Zabuza found himself unable to handle Yi Xiang's underhanded tricks and was forced to stop restraining Kakashi. Freed from the Water Prison, Kakashi struck like lightning, pressing a Kunai to Zabuza's throat.

"Let Lord Zabuza go, or I'll kill this kid! Do you hear me?"

Haku, wearing a Mist Assassination Squad mask and with long hair falling past his shoulders, held a Senbon to Naruto's throat as well. Naruto had several cuts on his body and looked furious, feeling that he might have held everyone back.

Ugh, this is the part of the story I hate. Naruto, if you can hold on a little longer, I can use Zabuza to threaten him instead.

Sighing regretfully to himself, Yi Xiang prepared to release the hostage. Zabuza had taken a serious beating this time, after all; if he had any sense, he would look for a new place to settle.

"Hey, you over there, don't hurt Naruto. If we're letting them go, we do it at the same time."

"Fine."

[ Ding! System mission triggered ]

[Mission One: As a future powerhouse, how can you have no capable people under your command? Recruit Zabuza and Haku and lead them to reform. Reward: 60 Luck Points. Failure penalty: ...]

[Mission Two: If the gentle approach won't work, use force. Eliminate Zabuza and Haku so they can no longer do evil. Reward: 60 Luck Points. Failure penalty: ...]

That's it? Only two missions. The system's missions really are random. Could there be times when it gives me only one?

After grumbling to himself for a moment, Yi Xiang's mind raced. He realized Mission Two would be much easier than Mission One. According to the original story, both of them eventually died.

[ Ding! Mission One selected ]

"Hey! Your name's Haku, right? The guy you're holding isn't as strong as me. How about we switch? Use me as your hostage and trade me for Zabuza."

As he spoke, Yi Xiang had already walked from the water onto the bank.

"Haku, take him up on it."

Zabuza had been considering the same thing. Kakashi and Yi Xiang working together would be a major problem for them. It would be best if he could keep one of them out of the fight.

And so, amid Naruto's vehement refusal, his physical resistance, and the worry on his face, Yi Xiang had no choice but to sternly warn him to cooperate.

"Phew."

Once the hostages had been safely exchanged, Haku let out a quiet breath. He couldn't help thinking of his bond with Zabuza. He believed he could give more than Yi Xiang ever could, and that the sole meaning of his life was to obey Zabuza's every command.

As the two hostages walked toward each other from opposite directions, Zabuza made his move just as Yi Xiang had expected. Yi Xiang pretended to resist, but Zabuza still captured him.

"Ha ha ha ha! You'd better stay back, or I can't guarantee what'll happen to this brat."

The lightning in Kakashi's hand quickly faded. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes at how quickly Zabuza had captured Yi Xiang. He knew Yi Xiang's strength well; the boy was already close to Jonin level.

"Relax. I'm not going to kill the brat. I only captured him because I was worried you'd chase us. After all, none of you are hurt too badly."

Handing Yi Xiang over to Haku to hold as a threat, Zabuza cast Hidden Mist Technique once more, and the three of them disappeared into the mist.

"Big Brother Yi Xiang!"

"Big Brother!"

"You bastards! If you dare hurt him, I swear... I swear I'll kill you!"

As Naruto roared, a vicious, malevolent red chakra suddenly surged from his body. The shockwave rattled the surroundings, making the grass and trees rustle.

Seeing this, Kakashi abandoned his plan to look for Yi Xiang. He decided to first bring Naruto back to his senses, trusting that someone as clever and steady as Yi Xiang wouldn't do anything without a plan.

Zabuza had tied Yi Xiang up and slung him over his shoulder. He stopped walking. They had already escaped several miles, and if they went any farther, they would reach Gato's base.

[ Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained the elite ninja Momochi Zabuza ]

As expected, the ninja you draw depends on the place where you draw. If only I'd known, I would've drawn in Konoha. Who could compare with Konoha's bloodlines and high-tier talent? It was the birthplace of the Shinobi World.

Seeing that he had only 521 Luck Points left, Yi Xiang felt a headache coming on. The high-tier draw cost 100 Luck Points—that was nearly a year's worth of earnings.

With no time to grieve, Yi Xiang whispered, "System, use Momochi Zabuza."

[ Ding! Remaining duration: 23:59 ]

"Kid, aren't you worried we'll kill you? You haven't shown the slightest sign of resistance this whole way."

Zabuza had just set Yi Xiang down when the boy suddenly flipped backward. A chilling killing intent and chakra erupted from him in an instant, blasting away all the Senbon Haku had used to block his acupoints and stop him from moving.

The killing intent, combined with Yi Xiang's own, left even Zabuza stunned, unable to react in time.

As his strength surged, Yi Xiang tore through the ropes binding his hands by brute force, then used a Kunai to cut the restraints around his feet. He formed Hand Seals, and eight or nine Shadow Clones appeared in an instant.

"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"