Yuki Haku

The next day, early morning.

Su Yu arrived at the gates of Konoha at the crack of dawn.

He carried a backpack containing a small portion of ninja tools.

He waited for less than half an hour.

Uzuki Yugao arrived.

She wore the standard Konoha flak jacket, her long purple hair tied into a single ponytail, looking quite beautiful.

Uzuki Yugao presented the travel permit to the Chunin guarding the gate.

In reality, given her status as an Anbu ninja, she didn't need to show any documentation at all.

The Anbu under the Hokage's direct command, like most ninjas in Konoha, were subordinates of the Third Hokage, and they all knew each other.

The gate-guarding Chunin took a glance and offered a friendly smile to Uzuki Yugao.

"Let's go," Uzuki Yugao said to Su Yu.

Su Yu nodded and began walking out of Konoha.

Since the client hadn't been notified, there was naturally no danger to be expected.

If anyone were to ambush Konoha ninjas on the road, they would have to be completely out of their minds.

The two did not travel particularly fast, yet they reached the seaside town by noon.

Uzuki Yugao found a boatman to take them toward the Land of Waves.

Su Yu sat obediently on the boat, watching the scenery ahead.

This world felt very foreign to him, yet it also held a sense of familiarity.

Watching the protagonist's adventures in an anime was completely different from experiencing it firsthand.

He enjoyed this moment of tranquility, while also looking forward to the battles to come.

Uzuki Yugao stood on the boat, observing their surroundings.

Anbu members were far more cautious than ordinary ninjas.

The boatman didn't say much either.

For a time, only the sounds of the boat and the waves remained.

When the boat docked, Su Yu saw the bridge under construction.

Once completed, this bridge would bring hope to everyone in the Land of Waves.

However, Gato would not allow this bridge to be built.

He wanted to keep the Land of Waves firmly in his own grasp.

Uzuki Yugao led Su Yu as they walked through the streets of the Land of Waves.

One could tell just how miserable the Land of Waves was by looking at the vegetables displayed along the sides of the street.

The best produce was likely nothing more than a patch of wilted green vegetables.

In front of the largest shop stood several men dressed as wandering samurai; this was Gato's store.

Inside the shop were fresh vegetables and various grains.

However, the prices were outrageously expensive.

"What do you think of this place?" Uzuki Yugao asked.

"There is no hope," Su Yu replied.

Uzuki Yugao nodded, agreeing with that sentiment.

"If we can help them finish this bridge, the people here will have hope. As long as there is even a glimmer of hope, they will have the motivation to keep working hard and make this place better," Su Yu said softly.

"You're not wrong," a hint of appreciation flickered in Uzuki Yugao's eyes.

"But, there are hidden dangers in doing so..." Su Yu glanced at Gato's shop.

"That is not something we should be considering; our mission is to build the bridge," Uzuki Yugao reminded him.

Su Yu said no more, understanding the meaning behind her words.

Since Uzuki Yugao didn't have any intentions of going further, he would have to act on his own.

Half an hour later.

Uzuki Yugao found the client's home.

However, the client had already been injured.

Tazuna had been preparing to head to Konoha as soon as he recovered.

He hadn't expected Su Yu and Uzuki Yugao to come looking for him on their own initiative.

However, because of his injuries, he was unable to work for the time being and would likely need to wait a few days before he could gather others to resume construction on the bridge.

"You may stay here for a few days. Once my injuries have healed, I will have to trouble you all to protect me," Tazuna said with a smile.

With the protection of Konoha ninjas, he felt quite at ease.

"Teacher Uzuki Yugao, since we cannot begin the mission immediately, may I continue training my taijutsu for these next few days?" Su Yu asked, looking at Uzuki Yugao.

"Do not take any risks," Uzuki Yugao said, giving Su Yu a deep, searching look.

"I understand," Su Yu replied with a bow, then turned and headed toward the forest.

Watching Su Yu's retreating figure, Uzuki Yugao felt no concern for his safety.

Su Yu's strength was comparable to that of a Chunin; the wandering samurai here stood no chance of harming him.

In the forest.

Su Yu stood atop a tall tree, overlooking the entire Land of Waves.

In truth, the Land of Waves was quite small. Because it lacked ninjas, a businessman like Gato had been able to seize control of the country.

He had many wandering samurai under his command, as well as one formidable ninja: Zabuza.

Su Yu did not have a bad impression of Zabuza.

However, he knew he could not persuade the man with mere words.

At the very least, he would have to defeat Zabuza.

So, the question arose: could he defeat Zabuza?

The answer was affirmative.

The Byakugan could track Zabuza through the mist, the Chakra Sealing Palm could suppress his chakra, and then there was his Shadow Possession Technique.

In a one-on-one scenario.

The Byakugan would be the key to victory.

Most importantly, there was his current status.

He was already considered an affiliate of Orochimaru, so inviting Zabuza and Yuki Haku to join them was perfectly logical.

With that thought, Su Yu leaped forward, landing steadily on the ground.

"Byakugan, activate!"

His eyes transformed into the Byakugan.

With a single glance, he perceived numerous silhouettes.

He saw the flow of Uzuki Yugao's chakra, the faint chakra of wandering samurai and rogue ninjas, and, in the forest, a figure currently in the midst of training.

"That must be Haku," Su Yu said, moving forward.

Ten minutes later.

He arrived in a tree less than a hundred meters away from the figure and began to observe silently.

Haku's full name was Yuki Haku, though the surname "Yuki" was impossible to verify.

He was a boy, yet he possessed a beauty that made him look like a girl.

Unlike other ninjas, the weapons he used did not possess high lethality.

Su Yu continued to watch.

Haku's movements came to a halt.

Then, he threw several Senbon in the direction of Su Yu.

Su Yu had already prepared to dodge the moment Haku turned his head.

The Senbon struck the tree.

Su Yu himself appeared before Haku.

Holding a Kunai, he launched an assault on Haku.

Haku was not slow either; he held his Senbon and engaged in combat.

Su Yu's attacks were merely probes, and Haku was strictly on the defensive, making no move to counter-attack.

The two continued to fight in this manner.

Ten minutes later.

Su Yu stepped back and came to a stop.

"My name is Su Yu, a pawn in the hands of Lord Orochimaru. You are Yuki Haku, are you not?"

"I am," Haku replied, taken aback.

"I know that you and Zabuza are hiding in the Land of Waves, but there is no need for you to live under someone else's thumb. Gato is clearly a villain; if we eliminate him, the Land of Waves can find new hope, and you will also be able to secure a sum of money," Su Yu said slowly.

A look of surprise crossed Haku's face.

This Konoha ninja before him was actually thinking of taking down Gato?

"It seems you cannot grasp my intentions. In that case, will you take me to see Lord Zabuza?" Su Yu noticed Haku's surprise and knew he could not possibly agree to such a thing.

"Very well," Haku thought for a moment before agreeing.

(End of chapter)