Can Idle Ninja Tools Be Rented Out?

The river breeze gusted, and visibility was extremely low.

Zabuza heard Naruto's words, shrugged his shoulders, and mocked, "Sorry, I'm from the Land of Water, not a member of this godforsaken Land of Waves..."

Hearing this, Naruto became even angrier!

He pointed at Zabuza's nose and cursed, "Then you're helping that bastard Gato commit atrocities—how is that any different from being a bandit! It's a disgrace that you're an elite Jonin, just like Kakashi-sensei!"

"But you aren't even fit to be mentioned in the same breath as Kakashi-sensei!..."

His whole body trembled, his tone sharp and piercing.

Yet, upon hearing this, Zabuza burst into laughter:

"Hahaha... that's the funniest joke I've ever heard."

"Kid, you talk a big game, don't you?"

"You say I'm committing atrocities, but tell me, if a rogue ninja like me can't get missions and can't earn a commission, what am I supposed to eat? What am I supposed to drink?..."

"Sheep eat grass; the grass dies, and the sheep is innocent."

"Wolves eat sheep; the sheep dies, and the wolf is unforgivable?"

"Hahaha... Konoha is truly self-righteous, isn't it? To actually ask someone teetering on the edge of starvation why they don't just eat meat porridge?..."

His tone shifted, and he looked at Kakashi, adding, "Kakashi! Instead of having your Genin lecture me, why don't you have a good talk with him about what kind of dirty deeds the Konoha Anbu and Root have been doing in the shadows all these years to grow and strengthen themselves?"

"I don't know about you, but apparently, if you're eating well and living in luxury, that's justice."

"If we rogue ninjas struggle to survive in the cracks between life and death, that's evil?..."

Hearing this, Kakashi's expression changed repeatedly.

Having served in Root, he knew that what Zabuza said wasn't actually false...

But at this moment, Naruto jumped out, gritting his teeth and indignantly shouting, "You're lying!"

"How could an elite Jonin have no way to make a living?"

"Can't you just take a few escort missions?"

"At the very least, you could rent out your spare ninja tools when you're off the clock, right? How could you possibly not have enough to eat?..."

"Hahahaha..."

Hearing Naruto's words, Zabuza laughed until he doubled over:

"You're right, but no one is going to hire rogue ninjas like us for escort missions."

"Or rather, the five great ninja villages have monopolized that business, leaving us with nothing but the 'evil deeds' you speak of."

"As for renting out ninja tools?"

"Spare me. I really don't know how you and Sasuke could be in the same class when the gap between you is so massive?..."

"Move!..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zabuza let out a cold shout.

Immediately, Haku, wearing a mask behind him, flickered, instantly transforming into a gale and charging straight toward Tazuna, who was standing behind the members of Team 7!

Seeing this, Tazuna's legs went weak, and he stumbled, nearly collapsing onto the ground.

"Damn it!..."

Sakura stood by Tazuna's side, shielding him.

Seeing Haku lunging at them—a ninja of similar age to himself—Naruto charged forward without a second thought!

"Watch out!..."

Moving like a gale with astonishing speed, Haku's approach immediately filled Kakashi with a sense of unease.

Seeing Naruto rush toward that gale, Kakashi paused for only a moment before following close behind.

But just then, the sound of wind being torn apart rang out, and in the blink of an eye, the Kubikiribōchō was already positioned half a meter in front of Kakashi!

"Let's leave the business of the young to the young."

"But if you want to fight, your opponent should be me, shouldn't it?..."

Zabuza held his massive blade across his chest, his tone icy.

Could he bypass Zabuza to go and save Naruto directly?

He could!

However, Sakura behind him would absolutely be unable to block the menacing Zabuza.

If he did not go to help Naruto, it was highly likely that Naruto would be unable to defeat the youth who could turn into a gale just moments ago.

But if he did go, then Tazuna would undoubtedly be mercilessly slaughtered by Zabuza!

Advancing was impossible, and retreating was not an option; at this moment, Kakashi realized that this was an open conspiracy!

The only way to resolve the current predicament was to go all out and defeat the Zabuza before him in the shortest time possible.

With this thought, murderous intent flashed in Kakashi's eyes as he asked coldly once more:

"Zabuza, for the sake of us both being elite Jonin and the difficulty of our training, I will ask you one last time: are you truly determined to fight to the death?"

"Hahaha... it is you who are determined to fight me, Zabuza, to the death!"

"Stealing someone's livelihood, yet acting so righteous!"

"Come! Enough talk! If you want to fight, then let's fight!..."

Seemingly long since annoyed by the Kakashi before him, Zabuza swung the great blade in his hand, his figure flashed, and he charged straight at Kakashi!

Seeing this, Kakashi brushed his right hand against his waist.

The next moment, a Kunai appeared in his palm out of thin air, cold and incredibly sharp.

Clang!

The Kubikiribōchō collided with the Kunai, and the two figures shifted and maneuvered, instantly locked in a fierce battle!

"Damn it!..."

"Multi Shadow Clone Technique!"

As Naruto charged, he changed his hand seals, and suddenly, several solid-looking shadow clones emerged!

Haku, wearing a mask, showed no expression, but his figure remained as calm as ever.

Seeing this, he merely raised a hand slightly, then flicked his wrist gently.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The next instant, several Ice Needles shot toward the charging Naruto like a torrential rain, moving with lightning speed!

Bang, bang, bang!

A series of explosions rang out one after another, followed by puffs of white smoke as the clones were destroyed.

"Ugh... damn it... this guy is actually this strong..."

With dozens of clones dispersed, Naruto collapsed to the ground, instantly losing his ability to resist.

An Ice Needle was embedded in each of his legs.

The needles were as long as a forearm and looked truly terrifying!

"Rest assured, for Sasuke's sake, I will not kill you."

"But you must behave and not interfere with our business..."

From beneath the mask, Haku said slowly, his tone devoid of emotion, a stark contrast to his previous delicate demeanor, as if he were a different person.

"Huh?... You're actually a girl?..."

Hearing the ninja before him speak for the first time, Naruto was slightly stunned.

In his eyes, at this age, a female ninja should be like his goddess, Sakura.

But he had not expected the sense of oppression this person gave him to be so intense!

Haku did not give Naruto a chance to think further.

As soon as Haku's voice fell, he flicked his wrist again.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Several more Ice Needles shot toward the vital points on Naruto's thighs!

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

But just as the needles pierced Naruto's legs.

The next moment.

Bang!

The figure slumped on the ground suddenly burst and vanished into nothingness!

"This... this was actually a shadow clone!..."

Beneath the mask, beautiful eyes flashed with shock.

But she was only stunned for a moment before her focus sharpened, and she scanned her surroundings, remaining on high alert.

Yet at that very moment, a pair of hands suddenly grabbed her feet tightly.

At the same time, Naruto's voice came from beneath her feet:

"Hehehe... didn't expect that, did you?..."

At this moment, he felt as if Sasuke had possessed him.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel a small, inexplicable sense of pride welling up inside him.