"Hey, no eyebrows, how much does this guy owe you in wages?"
Sen tossed the gleaming golden key in his hand and asked casually.
Kneeling on the ground, Zabuza raised his head with difficulty.
He looked at Gato, begging for mercy in midair like a beaten dog, then at the key in Sen's hand that represented all the wealth in the Land of Waves.
An immensely complicated sorrow flashed through his eyes.
"Wages?" Zabuza gave a bitter laugh that sounded worse than crying.
"I, Momochi Zabuza, the great Demon of the Hidden Mist, have actually sunk so low that I'm risking my life for scum like him..."
He turned his head with difficulty toward Sasuke in the distance, who had been protected by Haku and was unharmed, though still unconscious.
Then he looked at his Kubikiribōchō, lying in the seawater, broken in two.
"My sword is broken, and Haku has lost."
"What right do I have to talk about money?"
Zabuza took a deep breath, as though using the last of his strength.
"Kid, kill me or torture me. Do whatever you want."
"But... please spare Haku. He's just an obedient tool. All the sins are mine alone."
Sen raised an eyebrow, looking at the infamous killer with some surprise.
He hadn't expected the man to care so much about his companion.
"Relax. I'm not interested in killing an unconscious masked kid."
Sen put away the key, turned around, and looked back at Gato in midair.
Gato was so terrified that he had wet himself.
The stench drifted over on the sea breeze, making Sen pinch his nose in disgust.
"M-my lord! Divine lord!"
When Gato saw Sen looking at him, he seized on it like his last lifeline and began shouting frantically.
"I have money! I have loads and