All Settled

They had thought it was all over. Just as Kakashi and the others prepared to clean up the battlefield, an unexpected guest arrived.

Gato had brought a group of lackeys to block the bridgehead.

"Zabuza, you've truly disappointed me..."

"But it doesn't matter. I was planning to have all of you die here anyway. Hiring proper ninja is far too expensive, so I hired fugitive ninja like you. Letting ninja kill each other means I get to reap the benefits without lifting a finger."

"It saves me even more money and time."

With those words, he had offended every strong person present. Of course, Zabuza could no longer hear him, but Naruto stepped forward in fury.

"That's disgusting! You stunted little old man, how dare you slander ninja!"

Kakashi regarded him coldly. If his battle with Zabuza had been for the mission, then what came next would be for the honor of ninja.

[ Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the Journey to the Land of Waves mission. ]

[ Reward: Uchiha Bloodline Awakening (Intermediate). Three-Tomoe Sharingan unlocked and automatically concealed. ]

[ Ding! Severe symptoms of mental illness detected in the Host. Would you like to receive treatment? ]

"You're the one who's mentally ill! You big idiot! Did a donkey kick your head? Why don't you use that brick-sized blue head of yours to take a look at yourself? You one-eyed bastard, you blind fool, get lost!"

[...]

The others had gradually grown used to Sen's curses.

Yet they had not expected him to provoke the bystander, Gato.

Gato swept his gaze over the area. He did not see Zabuza or the ninja who had broken his hand, so he coldly instructed his lackeys behind him,

"Kill them first, then tear down the bridge. Oh, right. Give that ninja who was shouting earlier a few extra cuts."

In his eyes, these ninja were merely lowly people who drained money—or rather, tools for the wealthy like himself.

Kakashi, who had not fought earlier and was still full of energy, stepped to the front first.

"To protect the bridge and my subordinates, of course I'll have to wipe every last one of you out."

His ghostlike figure shot forward. Every swing of his kunai took a fighter's life, and before long, the group of several dozen men was reduced to Gato alone.

A breeze blew past, carrying a faint chill.

When had the usually invincible Gato ever witnessed a scene like this...

"Y-You... don't do anything reckless!"

"Heh heh, what do you think?"

Naruto rubbed his fists and was about to step forward when Tazuna arrived with a group of villagers carrying hoes.

"Kill that bastard!"

"Don't... I can give you money... lots and lots of money..."

Gato backed away in terror. The villagers' eyes were like man-eating beasts, making his scalp crawl.

"Don't listen to him! Have you forgotten how that bastard oppressed us all this time?!"

Someone in the crowd shouted those words. Everyone surged forward at once, hoes and sickles raining down on Gato. Before long, he no longer showed any signs of life.

Now, only one final matter remained...

Kakashi looked toward the thick mist behind them, which was about to disperse. How to deal with Zabuza and Haku was a troublesome problem. It was peacetime now; although they were fugitive ninja, it was not Leaf Village ninja's place to execute them. Moreover, the sole point of conflict between the two sides had already been resolved...

What a headache...

After giving Sasuke some simple treatment, they brought Zabuza and Haku down.

"Thank you, Kakashi..."

Zabuza had actually awakened long ago. When he heard Gato's words, he had been furious as well, but he had no ability to resist.

"Oh... I was only protecting the mission target."

Kakashi did not want to talk with him. Their identities were different, after all. Then he looked at Sen beside him.

"Big Sen, you defeated both of them. As for how to deal with them, you can decide."

As expected of Kakashi. With one casual sentence, he said goodbye to all his troubles.

"Uh, Big Sen is hungry and doesn't want to think about such a complicated problem. Double-Zero Two, what do you think we should do?"

Sen hated making decisions. They gave him a terrible headache.

Naruto was at a loss. Everyone present was looking at him, and he was starting to panic...

"Why not kill them both? If I remember correctly, Zabuza's head can fetch a bounty." A trace of ruthlessness flashed through Sasuke's eyes.

The moment he heard there was money to be made, Uchiha Sen immediately perked up and moved closer to ask,

"Really? We can get money too? Then let's kill them."

They were just a few native muggles. If they died, they died.

Naruto looked somewhat hesitant. It was not because of Zabuza, but Haku. In his understanding, Haku should have been a kind and gentle person...

"Ahem. If that's the case, that would be fine, but could I ask you to do me a favor?"

Zabuza looked at Sen with hope in his eyes.

"I can give you all the money on me. Can you help me take care of Haku? She has always been kind... even if..."

Sen hesitated. Money was certainly good, because once he had money, he could eat lots and lots of meat—braised in sauce, deep-fried, grilled on skewers...

When in doubt, ask Naruto.

"Double-Zero Two, what do you think?"

Why do they always ask me such important questions...? Naruto scratched his head anxiously. He did not want Haku to die...

"I think it's fine. And Hole-Hole Monster, the strongest people always have someone by their side to take care of their daily needs. Hole-Hole Monster is the strongest warrior, so of course you need someone to assist you, right!"

Sen's eyes lit up. That was right, Big Sen was the strongest warrior!

"Alright, I agree!"

Upon hearing Uchiha Sen's answer, Zabuza Momochi smiled in satisfaction. He fell onto his back and lay on the ground, gazing at the azure sky with an expression of calm acceptance of death.

Following that guy, she should be able to live a better life...

"Lord Zabuza..."

Haku had awakened long ago. With tears in her eyes, she looked at Zabuza.

"Don't be sad for me... If you can, live well. Perhaps this is my fate..."

[ Ding! Headquarters calling Hole-Hole Monster! It is recommended that Hole-Hole Monster recruit Zabuza. Not only will this add to your strength, but he can also help Hole-Hole Monster earn money in the future, laying a solid foundation for the planet's occupation of this place. ]

When Uchiha Sen saw the blue screen before him, he quickly walked away, pulled out his wooden clogs from behind his back, stood ramrod straight, and said solemnly,

"Hole-Hole Monster received! Everything is for the planet! But Double-Zero Seven said Headquarters would only contact him directly. Why are you contacting me separately?!"

[ This is a secret mission! Do not tell anyone, including Double-Zero Seven and Double-Zero Two. Acknowledge upon receipt. ]

"Hole-Hole Monster received!"

When Uchiha Sen returned, he ignored everyone's astonished expressions and said in a stern, serious tone,

"Are the two of you willing to join my ranks?"

Kakashi froze, Sasuke was dumbfounded, Sakura stared blankly, and Naruto's mouth fell open...

That was allowed??

[ This system seems to have found the best way to communicate with the Host~ ]