The End of the Battle on the Land of Waves Bridge and Haku's New Beginning

"You can't buy your life with money."

The broken blade sliced across Gato's neck. His remaining words caught in his throat as his small body slid down the silver-white roots, and scattered banknotes were pushed by the blood toward the edge of the bridge.

The mercenaries watched their employer fall. No one dared squeeze forward again.

Zabuza pulled out the broken blade and pointed its tip at the crowd.

"Who else wants to make money for him?"

Someone in the back dropped a spear.

"Gato's dead. Who's going to pay us?"

"The ships are still down there! Run!"

"Don't push! Lower the rope ladder first!"

The retreat spread from the other end of the bridge. Swordsmen scrambled over the railings, tossing iron shields and crossbows aside one after another.

Several leaders still blocked the bridge entrance.

"There's still cargo in Gato's warehouse! Kill them, and the keys are ours!"

Chiba drew his long spear. Freed from its restraints, Gato's corpse fell face-first onto the banknotes.

"You can try."

Silver-white roots rose from beside his feet and spread across the bridge deck. The wood grain behind his spearpoint was still stained with blood that had not yet dried.

Those who had just picked up their weapons froze in place.

More footsteps came from the shore. Tazuna looked up and saw a group of villagers approaching along the unfinished road.

They carried fishing spears and wooden clubs. At the front, Inari hugged a short crossbow taller than he was.

Tsunami followed behind him.

"Inari, don't point that crossbow at our people!"

"I know!"

Tazuna supported himself on the bridge railing as he stepped out of the protective circle.

"Why did you come?"

A foreman rested an iron hammer on his shoulder.

"Gato's men went into the village to seize workers. Inari knocked