Subjugating Zabuza

"Understood! Young Clan Head."

The Uchiha clansmen responded in unison, kunai in hand, as they pursued the samurai.

Instantly, miserable screams rose and fell.

Although most of them scattered in all directions, they could hardly escape the pursuit of the ninja.

Moreover, most of the Uchiha clansmen possessed the Sharingan, making their visual acuity far superior to that of ordinary people.

Zabuza, Executioner's Blade in hand, was covered in blood, but he hadn't forgotten his bet with Mingyou.

"Hey! Kid, our agreement still stands, right?"

"Of course." Mingyou nodded slightly, leaping forward to stand before Zabuza.

"Very well, I'll be taking your Sharingan then."

Zabuza grinned, planting the Executioner's Blade into the ground before him.

"Ninjutsu—Hidden Mist Technique!"

He formed several hand seals, and as a gentle breeze swept through, a faint mist began to permeate the once brightly lit street.

Soon, the mist grew thicker and thicker, until visibility was reduced to only half a meter.

[You have copied a surplus of Jonin Chakra, Chakra +35]
[You have copied a Secret Technique, Hidden Mist Technique.]

"How could this happen? Grandpa, Mingyou-niisan won't lose, will he?"

Nami watched the deepening fog, her heart filled with worry for Mingyou.

After all, the Uchiha Clan's abilities were mostly manifested in their eyes.

This kind of ninjutsu that created dense fog could be said to be a perfect counter to visual jutsu, reducing the Sharingan's effectiveness to less than a third of its potential.

"Little girl, have faith in your Mingyou-niisan. He's one of the Uchiha Clan's top talents."

The Great Elder Soki gently patted Nami's hand in reassurance.

Having witnessed Mingyou's Mangekyo Sharingan abilities, he knew very well that Mingyou possessed the strength of a Kage-level ninja and couldn't possibly lose to a simple mist ninjutsu.

Mingyou stood quietly in place, waiting for Zabuza's attack.

About a minute passed before Zabuza stealthily appeared behind Mingyou, swinging his blade at him.

"You're too careless!"

Zabuza's Executioner's Blade was only half a foot away from Mingyou's legs, and a smile crept onto Zabuza's face.

Cutting off the guy's legs wouldn't violate the terms of the bet, would it?

"What?!"

Zabuza exclaimed in surprise as the Executioner's Blade passed through Mingyou's legs without encountering any resistance.

It was as if the legs didn't exist at all, and the Executioner's Blade simply sliced through the air.

"Zabuza, if I wanted to kill you, it would only take a second. Do you believe that?"

Mingyou turned around, smiling at Zabuza, but made no move to attack.

"What's going on? Is this a genjutsu?"

Zabuza was utterly bewildered. He thought he was facing an illusion, but it could speak.

He swung the Executioner's Blade again, aiming for Mingyou's head.

Unfortunately, the result was the same as before; the Executioner's Blade met no resistance.

Mingyou spun a kunai rapidly in his hand, and in the next moment, the kunai was pressed against Zabuza's throat.

"I told you, it would only take a second to kill you."

"Either obey me and follow my orders from now on."

"Or die, and return to the afterlife."

Zabuza swallowed hard. The kunai's sharp edge had broken the skin on his neck, and fine streams of blood were slowly trickling down his chest.

From the genuine killing intent and the sensation of pain, he knew that everything was real, not an illusion.

"I... I'm willing to obey you."

Zabuza, a man who killed without blinking an eye, now truly understood the meaning of absolute power.

Before this young man, his strength was utterly insignificant.

If he dared to utter a word of refusal, he believed that the young man would not hesitate to slit his throat.

"Very good. Rest assured, the benefits of joining my Uchiha won't be bad."

"And we're in dire need of manpower right now. As long as you're willing to do your best to help me, I naturally won't mistreat you."

"From today onward, I will gradually establish a ninja village in this Land of Waves, making this country strong and prosperous."

"I will gradually step out of the Land of Waves and implement a plan to unify the entire ninja world. When that time comes, you, as a founding contributor, will naturally receive your due reward."

Mingyou gently patted Zabuza on the shoulder, starting to paint this guy as seriously ill.

This method of slapping someone then giving them a sweet date was surprisingly effective on a stray dog like Zabuza who had defected.

Zabuza was already being hunted by Kirigakure ninjas and forced to flee everywhere. Now, being able to find a powerful figure like Mingyou as a backer naturally made him even happier.

He cupped his fist in the other hand and bowed slightly, respectfully saying to Mingyou, "Zabuza is willing to follow Master's orders."

"Mr. Zabuza, are you alright?"

At this moment, the young Haku ran over with a worried expression, grabbing Zabuza's arm and asking.

"Haku, I'm fine."

Zabuza shook his head, still as cold as ever towards Haku.

Mingyou asked, "Zabuza, do you know where Gato lives?"

Zabuza nodded slightly, "Of course, Master. What are your orders?"

"Very good. You will take us there shortly. From now on, Gato's residence will be the Uchiha Clan's new home."

A smile appeared on Mingyou's lips. Gato was already dead, and the property and money he left behind naturally became unowned.

The Uchiha Clan, with its 200-plus members, didn't even have a decent set of clothes to change into.

He could use the wealth Gato had plundered as start-up funds for building a ninja village in the future.

"Dad, what do you think?"

Mingyou returned to the clan members and presented his idea to Fugaku.

"Hahahaha..."

"Good, Mingyou, you really have a good head on your shoulders. Let's do as you say."

Fugaku burst out laughing, not expecting his son to be thinking so far ahead for the clan.

As the clan leader, how could he possibly refuse?

And so, the Uchiha Clan, with its 200-plus members, led by Zabuza, set off in a mighty procession towards Gato's residence.

Gato's residence was located in the central area of the Land of Waves, a mansion with a very large area.

The entire house was surrounded by high walls.

Stepping through the gate into the house, one could see artificial mountains and ponds.

Crossing the pond along a small bridge, one would find three connected European-style mansions at the back.

Although the house wasn't made of gold bricks and jade tiles, judging from the building materials alone, they probably weren't cheap either.

One wondered how much black-hearted money this Gato had extorted from the villagers to build such a beautiful house.

There were also many thugs and servants that Gato supported in the house, and without exception, they were all driven away by Zabuza.