The Only Chance in This Life

"Although I hate to admit it, you really do seem like the kind of man who can bring about change to this world..."

The tea liquor was a vibrant jade-green color, with a delicate orchid-like aroma, fresh, sweet, and mellow. The long-awaited hot tea seemed to soothe Zabuza's fatigue somewhat, and he squinted slightly as he looked at Kato Osamu.

"Perhaps it's better for you to stick to your own opinion..."

Kato Osamu glanced at Zabuza, wondering where he had come to that conclusion.

"I want to know, what is your purpose...?"

"Or rather, why did you say back then that the Land of Water wouldn't change...?"

The flattery of a straightforward man always sounds a bit strange, but such a person often reveals his true intentions in the second sentence. Perhaps in the world of Kirigakure Ninja, they can never learn to be hypocritical.

Zabuza Momochi is one of the best among them.

"Hehe..."

Do you think you're qualified to know?

"Or do you feel that after spending a year in Kusagakure, you've become 'one of us'?"

Kato Osamu didn't even look up, simply studying the scroll in his hands. Haku stood beside Zabuza, his brow slightly furrowed, a soft sigh escaping his lips, "Just as I expected..."

This is probably not the first time Kato Osamu has mocked her like this.

"Zabuza; the most valuable quality in a person is to know their own limitations..."

Zabuza's hand was already gripping the hilt of the Kubikiribōchō tightly, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. His teeth were grinding slightly, and the scars on his body seemed to remind him of the pain he had endured. In the end, he glared fiercely at Kato Osamu but did not make a move.

"It makes me want to chop your head off..."

Even words of appeasement were infuriating. Kato Osamu glanced at Zabuza, a slight smile in his eyes, and raised his head slightly.

"You might as well give it a try..."

"Snort..."

Zabuza silent, responding with a hum. After the usual taunts, it seemed they were finally getting to the point of the conversation. Kato Osamu put down the scroll in his hand, took a sip of tea, but didn't speak. Zabuza, finally losing patience, tapped the table lightly.

"I will take Bai away from here and return to the Land of Water..."

"Too early..."

Seemingly surprised by Kato Osamu's response, Zabuza frowned slightly. "Why?"

"The Land of Water is not yet a place you can interfere with. If you want the Land of Water to truly shed its reputation Blood Mist Village..."

"I need an explanation..."

Kato Osamu was silent for a moment, then tilted his head as if considering something. His gaze fell on Zabuza, with a hint of scrutiny.

"I'll be leaving for a while. You might be free to treat the Land of Grass like the Land of Water, according to your own wishes..."

"How can the Land of Grass be compared to the Land of Water? Kato Osamu, you're seriously underestimating the Land of Water..."

Upon hearing this, Kato Osamu couldn't help but chuckle, Zabuza. How on earth did someone like Zabuza get to where he is today...?

"I suspect you've misunderstood something. The Kusagakure doesn't need you; it's you who need the Kusagakure..."

"Zabuza Momochi, what an idiot..."

" In the Land of Water, there are three great families, and they still possess power you cannot resist. You are too weak, so weak that I cannot bear to even look at you..."

"A person who lacks the ability to protect themselves, even if they possess the wisdom to change the world, will find it all nothing but a Suigetsu..."

He paused, a hint of a smile flashing in Kato Osamu's eyes, as if he had thought of something interesting, his gaze also carrying a strange quality.

"Zabuza, you want to know if there's anyone who can change the Land of Water...?"

"Then why can't that person be yourself?"

Zabuza paused, perhaps he had thought about this question several times. Ultimately, he knew himself well enough that the thought of becoming the Mizukage seemed somewhat strange and unrealistic, and his voice hesitated for a moment...

"You... want to use me?"

"Hahaha..."

"That's truly unexpected. Your brain is capable of navigating such a complex problem, and you've even arrived at the correct answer..."

The building in the center of Kusagakure, the landmark of the entire Kusagakure, echoed with Kato Osamu's laughter throughout the office; it seemed like it had been a long time since anything so amusing had happened.

Finally suppressing her smile, Kato Osamu looked quietly Zabuza Zabuza's face, which had grown somewhat cold, and said softly, "You can interpret it as exploitation, or you can immediately interpret it as a transaction..."

"I'll probably be away for a while. I need you to provide as much funding as possible for Kabuto's experiments. Whatever method you choose, Kusagakure is at your disposal, but anything needed for the experiments is the top priority..."

"I thought you really looked down on my meager tricks..."

"Perhaps, the Demon of Mist Shinobi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, has a tiny bit of reputation in this Shinobi World..."

"Intimidating these lowlifes by handing over enough money should be enough..."

Haku's eyes flickered, as if he had thought of something. Seeing that Zabuza oblivious, he couldn't help but speak softly.

"If Lord Kato leaves, what about the safety of Nonō and the others...?"

Sometimes, being too smart isn't a good thing...

Kato Osamu glanced at Shiro, his gaze deep and Zabuza seemed to have realized what was happening as well.

Zabuza wasn't truly a fool. After being slightly reminded by Haku, he frowned, understanding Kato Osamu's meaning, and his eyes involuntarily showed a strange light.

Zabuza would never believe that Kato Osamu didn't care about the lives of Nonō.

Therefore, it can only mean that there are other people who will provide them with sufficient military protection, and this person must be much stronger than themselves, which is why Kato Osamu doesn't care about their existence.

He didn't think Kato Osamu would consider him a trustworthy person.

"It seems you have other helpers... your teacher Orochimaru... or someone else...?"

"Hahaha... Zabuza, you're really something... It's amazing that a ninja like you has survived until now..."

"So, what other changes does Mist Shinobi want to make?"

"Knowing too much about some things isn't necessarily a good thing..."

Kato Osamu stared coldly at Zabuza, but other thoughts arose in his mind. His foundation was still too weak; he didn't have many capable men under his command. Kabuto and Rin were unreliable. If Zabuza left, there wouldn't even be anyone to hold things in check...

"As payment, I will give you everything you want at the right time..."

"Zabuza, perhaps you need to consider whether this is the only chance you'll ever have in your life..."

Zabuza seemed to want to say something more, but Kato Osamu's words silenced him, and he fell into deep thought.

Kato Osamu downed his tea in one gulp, turned and walked to the window, his gaze falling on the vast sky—the clouds were churning in the southern corner, as if a torrential downpour was brewing within the thick clouds, about to erupt with overwhelming force.

"The Land of Rain seems to be getting rather restless lately..."

"I really want to see the Rinnegan that Obito Uchiha own eyes..."