Shape Transformation, Rasengan!

Death.

What a disgusting phrase—to die for someone important?

Utterly foolish.

Only living is better than everything else!

Yuki Haku said calmly, "Without ideals, without being needed by anyone, all I had left was the pain of staying alive. It was Zabuza who gave me a place to belong. He once said that he needed my strength."

"To fulfill his dream, I can become a tool without emotions. He gave meaning to my existence." Yuki Haku cupped the Kunai in both hands and lowered his head slightly. "Take my life, and I beg you to spare Zabuza."

As long as he could protect the person most important to him, he could become a tool without emotions. He was willing to do anything—even lower his head and beg an enemy.

"What do I want your life for? Sell you to a brothel so you can make money for me? Someone would probably like that, since people always have strange preferences." Aogetsu Hyuga knocked Yuki Haku's Mask away, pinched Haku's smooth, fair chin, and studied his delicate, adorable face.

He really was cute.

If only he were a woman.

"You..." Yuki Haku retreated in panic.

Sold to a brothel?

Just imagining it was terrifying!

Was Cangyue a demon?

"Let's play a game. I'll give you five days to recover. During that time, my students will grow stronger. After five days, I'll have them fight the Demon."

Aogetsu Hyuga smiled. "After all, I'm an excellent teacher. I have to give my students a chance to show what they can do."

"Of course, if the Mist Ninja's Demon loses, all of you will die." Aogetsu Hyuga reached toward Yuki Haku's neck, and a thread of pale-blue Chakra appeared at his fingertip.

Yuki Haku felt a burning sensation in his abdomen, where a strange Rune emerged.

Yuki Haku asked warily, "What is this?"

"Don't even think about escaping. I've already put Collars on all of you." Aogetsu Hyuga's smile turned dangerous as he whispered into Yuki Haku's ear, "As long as it's there, I'll be able to find you instantly no matter where you run."

Yuki Haku asked, "If Zabuza wins, will you let us leave?"

Fight Team 7 five days from now?

How could those children from Team 7 possibly defeat Zabuza?

Besides, what could Team 7 change in just five days?

Aogetsu Hyuga said indifferently, "Do you have a choice?"

"We accept your proposal." Yuki Haku's heart felt heavy.

They truly had no way out now.

Accepting Cangyue's proposal would let them live a few more days. Refusing it meant dying immediately.

"You're a very good teacher. You're even willing to go this far to help your students grow. They must be very important to you." Yuki Haku's legs gave out, and he fell to the ground. He sat with his knees bent and his arms around them, glanced at the unconscious Zabuza beside him, and revealed a trace of warmth in his smile.

Aogetsu Hyuga spoke in a casual tone. "In any case, work hard. Maybe I'll spare you on a whim."

The plan had been temporarily completed. Everything had been laid out, and all that remained was for those bratty little kids to work hard and defeat the Mist Ninja's Demon, helping him obtain the benefits of the Lottery Pack.

He could also use this opportunity to teach Team 7 that troublesome Rasengan nonsense and advance the Master-Disciple Main Mission.

Two birds with one stone!

Perfect!

He had even found the actors for them. Now they just had to work hard and grow stronger, you little brats.

In short.

The five of you tools should work hard and help me obtain the rewards from the Master-Disciple Mission.

That was right. Five tools.

In Cangyue's eyes, Yuki Haku and the others were tools for completing this Side Mission. This was the proper way to use enemies!

"May I take a look at those important students of yours tomorrow?" Yuki Haku tilted his head and put on a cute expression. "Consider it scouting the enemy."

Although Zabuza was the most important person in his life, he was also worried about the members of Team 7, afraid that these children would die in battle.

He could become a cold, emotionless tool for someone important to him, but deep down, he was still a kind Ninja.

"Go ahead." After Aogetsu Hyuga finished speaking, he transformed into a bolt of Lightning and vanished into thin air.

The sun was setting over the western hills, and the evening glow faded.

Land of Waves.

Forest border.

Sasuke Uchiha sat before the campfire, watching the flames sway in the breeze. His eyes were filled with anxiety. He crossed his hands against his forehead and clicked his tongue irritably.

"Tsk."

He had said he would grow stronger, but how was he supposed to do that?

The whole of Team 7 sat around the campfire, thinking about what had happened that day.

Teacher Cangyue had told them to fight the rogue Ninja Zabuza Momochi five days from now. But could they really defeat Zabuza?

After all, Zabuza Momochi was a powerhouse with Jonin-level strength!

Five days.

In a mere five days, even if they trained as though their lives depended on it, there was no way three Genin could gain power to match a Jonin!

Naruto Uzumaki crossed his arms over his chest, thought for a while with a frown, and then said, "Once Teacher Cangyue finishes what he's doing, let's ask him to help us train."

Sakura Haruno hesitated. "Teacher Cangyue hates trouble. Will he help us train?"

"Heh heh heh, I came prepared with tuition." Naruto Uzumaki took out a Frog Wallet. The thought of using the money to pay tuition pained him so much that he rubbed his face against the wallet and said pitifully, "My poor little frog. This is my last stash of private money."

He was truly out of money.

This was his last private stash!

"I brought money too." Sakura Haruno took out a Pink Wallet. Before she had left the village for the mission, her family had given her money to buy some Ninja tools and protective gear.

"..." Sasuke Uchiha felt around in his pocket. There was only a single Soldier Pill inside. He glanced at Naruto's Frog Wallet, then at Sakura's Pink Wallet, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

When he had paid tuition before, he had given all his money to Teacher Cangyue!

So now he was completely penniless!

Naruto Uzumaki held up the Frog Wallet and said smugly, "Sasuke, you don't have any money? Then watch me become stronger!"

Chapter 44: Shape Transformation, Rasengan!

Sakura Haruno said worriedly, "Sasuke... I can lend you some."

Sasuke Uchiha's face reddened slightly. He crossed his hands beneath his chin and said coldly, "Idiot. This was Teacher Cangyue's suggestion. We're going to train for five days and defeat the enemy. Even if we don't pay tuition, that guy will still teach us."

"Really?" Sakura Haruno blinked. If Teacher Cangyue did not charge tuition this time, she could save a large sum of money and buy new clothes after returning to the village.

"Tch, what are you acting so smug about? We'll see!" Naruto Uzumaki curled his lips.

"Hmph." Sasuke Uchiha snorted coldly.

Naruto Uzumaki copied Sasuke, pursed his lips, and snorted coldly. "Hmph!"

A flash of blue lightning streaked past, and Aogetsu Hyuga appeared out of thin air in front of the three members of Team 7.

"Having a meeting? A meeting to condemn me for being cold and heartless and making you Genin fight an enemy?" Aogetsu Hyuga placed a soft sofa on the ground, crossed his legs, sat down, and calmly looked at the three members of Team 7.

"Not at all." Sakura Haruno's fair face flushed crimson. She subconsciously avoided Cangyue's gaze. She had indeed just complained about him.

Teacher Cangyue could easily and casually deal with enemies whenever he encountered them. There was no need for the three of them to face such a powerful opponent, was there?

Naruto Uzumaki ran over, hugged Aogetsu Hyuga's leg, and said expectantly, "Teacher Cangyue, help me train! Teach me that incredibly powerful thing called Black Coffin!"

"Brat, you couldn't learn that even if you died." Aogetsu Hyuga kicked Naruto Uzumaki away in disgust.

A Ninja wanted to learn Kidō?

Dream on!

Naruto Uzumaki climbed to his feet and complained helplessly, "What do you mean? Then how are we supposed to get stronger?"

"I can help you become stronger, but have you heard the saying that if you teach your apprentice everything, the master will starve?" Aogetsu Hyuga stroked his chin, pretending to be troubled. He muttered to himself, "What should I do? I've been a little short on spending money lately."

"..." Everyone in Team 7 was speechless.

They knew it would be like this!

Was Teacher Cangyue hinting at something?

He was openly asking his students for money!

What kind of teacher did that? What kind of adult did that?

The entire Ninja World probably had no one but Teacher Cangyue who could do such a thing!

Of course, they only dared to complain inwardly.

"Don't look at me like that. Even I get embarrassed." Aogetsu Hyuga spoke as though it were only natural. "Adults are all filthy."

Aogetsu Hyuga said mysteriously, "The technique I'm going to teach you is super powerful."

"Is it really powerful?" Naruto looked at Cangyue expectantly.

"Super—powerful!" Aogetsu Hyuga drew out the final word.

"Can it beat that Turtle Man?" Naruto Uzumaki swallowed. Just how powerful would a super-powerful technique be?

Sakura Haruno glared at Naruto and corrected him irritably. "It's Demon Man!"

"It's hard to say. If you work hard, there should always be a way." Aogetsu Hyuga said, "After all, the Demon is a Jonin."

"Teacher Cangyue, she clearly said Turtle—cough, cough." After realizing what she had said, Sakura Haruno's face reddened, and she coughed twice to hide her embarrassment.

She had thought Teacher Cangyue would fool around with Naruto too.

"Teacher Cangyue, please teach me that super—powerful technique!" Naruto Uzumaki placed the Frog Wallet beside Cangyue. He then put on a fawning expression, kneaded Cangyue's shoulders, and said ingratiatingly, "Don't worry, Teacher Cangyue. Once I learn the powerful technique, I'll definitely defeat that Turtle Man."

"You're quite rich for a brat." Aogetsu Hyuga picked up the Frog Wallet and opened it, revealing a large amount of banknotes inside.

The money in the wallet looked old. It had probably been saved for several years.

"Teacher Cangyue, please trouble yourself..." Sakura Haruno held out her wallet and walked awkwardly up to Cangyue.

"Do you want me to teach you how to develop huge breasts?" Aogetsu Hyuga accepted the Pink Wallet and calmly glanced at Sakura Haruno's chest.

"I'll develop just fine in the future!" Sakura Haruno's pretty face turned bright red. She crossed her hands over her chest, backed away several steps, and glared at Cangyue angrily.

Teacher Cangyue was so annoying!

She would definitely develop beautifully in the future. Just wait and see!

"What about you?" Aogetsu Hyuga glanced at Sasuke.

Sasuke Uchiha turned his head away and snorted. "I have no money!"

"No money is fine. After all, I'm still an adult, more or less. I should give children some opportunities." Aogetsu Hyuga smiled faintly. "From now on, I'll gladly accept the rewards from your missions. Consider it your tuition for this time."

"You..." Sasuke Uchiha's face darkened. He was about to say something, but when he saw Cangyue's indifferent gaze, he swallowed the words.

Was this collecting tuition?

It was protection money!

Did this bastard Teacher Cangyue want to starve him to death?

Naruto Uzumaki gloated, covering his mouth as he snickered. "Pfft, pfft, pfft."

Luckily, he had saved his money properly!

"Sit properly. Class is starting." Aogetsu Hyuga picked up Naruto Uzumaki and casually threw him onto the ground ahead.

"Bastard!" Naruto Uzumaki climbed to his feet and knelt on the ground, covered in dust. He glared furiously at Cangyue through gritted teeth.

Just wait, Teacher Cangyue. One day, sooner or later, I'll make you pay!

Sasuke and Sakura Haruno also sat properly.

"Where should I begin?" Aogetsu Hyuga crossed his legs and looked down at everyone in Team 7. After thinking for a moment, he said, "First, I'll teach you Shape Transformation, Nature Transformation, and how to release Chakra."