The Neutral Faction's Resolve

After Hōzuki Mangetsu reassured her again and again, Terumi Mei finally left, satisfied.

She hadn't really meant to go after Zabuza. What she wanted was to make Hōzuki Mangetsu owe her a favor.

"Sorry for causing you trouble again!"

Zabuza said sheepishly.

He had become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen thanks to Hōzuki Mangetsu.

And it was Hōzuki Mangetsu who had helped him escape the entanglements of Suikazan Fuguki and Terumi Mei.

Zabuza owed Hōzuki Mangetsu so much that even if he gave his life, he could never repay him.

"It's nothing."

Hōzuki Mangetsu waved a hand. Zabuza was one of Kirigakure's top shinobi, and having a man like him would greatly benefit Mangetsu's ambitions.

"You can't stay at your old place anymore. Come with me."

With that, Hōzuki Mangetsu set off.

Zabuza followed without hesitation.

Now, no one in the village cared for him. The only thing he could do was stick close to Hōzuki Mangetsu.

Hōzuki Mangetsu led Zabuza to a corner of the village and stopped.

An elderly man wearing glasses came out to greet them.

"Ah, Mangetsu, you finally remembered this old man."

Hōzuki Mangetsu gave an embarrassed smile. "I've been very busy lately. I'm really sorry!"

The old man's gaze shifted to Zabuza.

"Demon Zabuza, welcome!"

Then he noticed the long sword in Zabuza's hand, and his expression shifted slightly. "A long sword indeed. The Seven Swordsmen have gained another member."

"Teacher Harusame!"

Zabuza's pupils contracted as he immediately recognized him.

The old man was Harusame of the Neutral Faction. He had once taught at the Kirigakure Academy and had instructed many students.

But in the Bloody Mist Era, Kirigakure Ninja were emotionally detached. They could even turn on their comrades to complete a mission, so they didn't feel much attachment to their teachers either.

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled. "Teacher Harusame, I've come to ask a favor."

He had come to find a place for Zabuza to stay.

Zabuza had offended the village's two major factions, Suikazan Fuguki and Terumi Mei. If he remained in the village, he would likely have a hard time.

That was why Hōzuki Mangetsu had brought him to Harusame.

Aside from this old man of the Neutral Faction, no one would dare take Zabuza in.

Harusame adjusted his glasses and smiled. "I knew you wouldn't come all this way to visit an old man for no reason."

He naturally understood why Hōzuki Mangetsu had come.

Besides, the Neutral Faction couldn't possibly have missed such a major incident.

Harusame gestured toward the room.

"Please, come in."

Then he went inside.

Hōzuki Mangetsu and Zabuza followed him in.

Harusame's room was rather plain, but it was very clean.

"Demon Zabuza, from now on, you'll be one of the Seven Swordsmen. What do you think of the village?"

He served them two cups of tea and asked calmly.

Zabuza was taken aback. He didn't understand why Harusame was asking him this, but he was clever enough to grasp the implication.

"Whatever Lord Mangetsu wants is what I want. From now on, I'll follow his wishes."

"Excellent!"

Harusame nodded. He had already realized that Zabuza had pledged himself to Hōzuki Mangetsu.

Then he turned his gaze to Mangetsu.

"What about you, Mangetsu?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu smiled. He knew Harusame was pressing him to declare his position, and that their earlier conversation had been leading to this moment.

"I, Hōzuki Mangetsu, swear in the name of the Hozuki Clan that I will do everything in my power to protect the village and my comrades in it. I will make Kirigakure rise above the other hidden villages."

He spoke with unwavering conviction.

"That's how a son of the Mist should speak!"

A gleam flashed in Harusame's eyes as he began to applaud.

Even Zabuza, usually so cold, felt his blood stir as he listened.

To make Kirigakure rise above the other hidden villages—what a lofty ideal! How many people would have to spill their blood and lay down their lives to achieve it?

He realized once again that Kirigakure's shinobi had a purpose beyond being killing machines.

Harusame said excitedly, "Hōzuki Mangetsu, I knew I was right about you. Since you have such ambition, this old man would be glad to lend you a hand."

He represented the village's moderate Neutral Faction. His words made it clear that the faction was now standing behind Hōzuki Mangetsu.

Zabuza quickly added, "I'll also do everything I can to serve Lord Mangetsu and the village."

Hōzuki Mangetsu felt a slight sense of relief. With the Neutral Faction's support, he was one step closer to becoming Mizukage.

"Zabuza!"

Harusame suddenly smiled. "A-Jian is short one Anbu. Would the famed Demon be willing to take the position?"

Zabuza was delighted.

A-Jian was the famous leader of the village's Missing-nin Hunter Corps and one of the Neutral Faction's senior members.

Among Kirigakure's Anbu, there was a special unit called the Missing-nin Hunter Corps. It operated independently and was made up mostly of the village's elite shinobi. It reported directly to the Mizukage.

They didn't handle the village's ordinary missions. Their sole responsibility was hunting down the village's missing-nin.

The corps was led by A-Jian, who was also a representative of the Neutral Faction. That meant the corps was under the faction's control.

Though small in number, they were crucial to the village and often took on important missions. That was why both Terumi Mei and Suikazan Fuguki gave them some respect.

If they stepped in to protect Zabuza, he would be safe for the time being.

"Thank you, Teacher Harusame!"

Zabuza bowed respectfully.

Harusame laughed. "With Demon Zabuza and his long sword on our side, the Missing-nin Hunter Corps will strike fear into the hearts of every missing-nin. Perhaps the Silent Killing Technique can flourish in the assassination corps."

Zabuza nodded and gripped his long sword tightly with both hands.

He used to think shinobi were merely tools for killing, but after Hōzuki Mangetsu and Harusame had spoken with him, he began to feel that killing could be a contribution, too.

Soon, under Harusame's arrangements, Zabuza reported to A-Jian and joined the Missing-nin Hunter Corps. For now, he was safe.

"Mangetsu, let me introduce you to someone!"

Harusame said with a smile.

Just then, a huge bubble appeared in front of them.

The bubble burst, and a tall, thin figure dropped down.

"Teacher, you called for me?"

The newcomer seemed half asleep.

"Where are your manners?"

Harusame chided him with a laugh, then said to Hōzuki Mangetsu, "Mangetsu, this is my junior disciple, Utakata. He's about your age, but he's nowhere near your level."

Hearing his teacher praise someone else while putting him down, Utakata was displeased.

He gave Hōzuki Mangetsu a cold once-over.

"You're Hōzuki Mangetsu, the leader of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"