Zabuza's Death; Obtaining a Lottery Gift Pack.

They were just about to obtain the Lottery Pack when, damn it, Yuki Haku suddenly appeared!

This little cross-dresser was really good at causing trouble!

Who cared about protecting some important person? Was that more important than me obtaining the Lottery Pack?

Naruto Uzumaki stared at Yuki Haku's face and said blankly, "You're that pretty... big brother from that day?"

"Sorry, Mr. Cangyue, but even if it means breaking your rules, I have to protect the most important person. I'm Mr. Zabuza's tool. Fulfilling his dream is the meaning of my life!" Yuki Haku rapidly formed Hand Seals with one hand.

"Ice Release: Ice..." Yuki Haku was just about to attack.

"Release this, release that. No matter what you release, it's meaningless." A flash of lightning-blue lightning transformed Hyuga Cangyue, and he instantly appeared behind Yuki Haku. He then raised his foot and kicked Haku in the butt.

"Smack!" Yuki Haku was kicked down and slammed heavily onto the ground.

The attack was simple, but very effective.

"See? This release and that release are completely useless. Often, it's the most sincere attacks that can touch an enemy's heart." Hyuga Cangyue sat on Yuki Haku, legs crossed, eating Ramen with both hands in his pockets.

Hyuga Cangyue looked toward the members of Team 7, took a mouthful of Ramen, and mumbled, "You brats all right?"

"So... so strong!"

The members of Team 7 stared blankly at Hyuga Cangyue, completely dumbfounded. None of them could believe that the enemy who had just forced them into a desperate situation had been casually defeated by Cangyue-sensei.

Was this Cangyue-sensei's strength?

Although Cangyue-sensei was frivolous and nasty, he really was a man who made people feel safe!

"Was that Lightning Release just now?" Sasuke Uchiha was stunned. Cangyue-sensei had moved so quickly that even with his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, he had been unable to capture his figure.

Rather than the speed of the Body Flicker Technique, it looked more like he had moved using Lightning Release!

After recovering, Naruto Uzumaki angrily pointed at Hyuga Cangyue and shouted in annoyance, "You bastard, why are you showing off? If you'd been one second later, we'd all be dead! And you still have the nerve to eat Ramen—my favorite pork-bone char siu, too!"

Damn it!

I want Ramen too!

Give me a bite!

Chapter 53: Zabuza's Death, Obtaining the Lottery Pack.

"Don't say that. You all performed very well just now. With the strength of three Genin, you actually forced a Jonin into a desperate situation. This achievement is completely worth bragging about." Hyuga Cangyue drank a mouthful of soup, tossed the bowl backward, slowly stood up with both hands in his pockets, and pressed his foot against Yuki Haku's back, gradually increasing the pressure.

"If nobody had interfered, you would already have won."

"Isn't that right, little cross-dresser?" Hyuga Cangyue bent over with both hands in his pockets and looked down at Yuki Haku with cold arrogance. He increased the pressure again, and cracks spread across the bridge. Yuki Haku's entire body sank into the ground.

Although the Demon Zabuza of the Mist Ninja had not fully recovered from the injuries caused by Black Coffin, Team 7's performance had indeed been surprising. They had actually forced the Demon Zabuza of the Mist Ninja into a desperate situation.

At first, Cangyue had thought Team 7 would need Naruto to unleash the Demon Fox Cloak before they could force the Demon Zabuza of the Mist Ninja into a desperate situation.

Cangyue had even prepared a backup plan: control Sakura Haruno with Genjutsu and have her get injured, then enrage Naruto into unleashing the Demon Fox Cloak.

But given the current situation, there was no need for a backup plan.

"I still have a long way to go. At present, I can only throw one punch." Sakura Haruno appeared modest on the surface, but her eyes were full of smugness.

You lecherous teacher!

You know how amazing I am now, right?

"Hmph." Sasuke Uchiha snorted coldly and turned his head away, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.

Cangyue-sensei can actually praise people?

Honestly, it feels pretty good.

Naruto Uzumaki planted one hand on his hip, raised his little head proudly, rubbed the tip of his nose, and said, "Of course, Cangyue-sensei! If you hadn't shown up, I would have defeated them already!"

Hyuga Cangyue said casually, "Is that so? Seeing how good your mental states are, I can rest assured about whipping you into shape. Of course, wait until we get back and prepare yourselves, you brats."

Team 7's performance had indeed been good.

However.

The Nine-Tails brat's performance had been terrible, while the Uchiha brat's had been the best.

As for Sakura Haruno... average.

Sasuke Uchiha's performance just now had already surpassed that of many Chunin!

If he had to give Naruto Uzumaki's performance a rating... it had been very stupid!

Blood trickled from the corner of Yuki Haku's mouth. Even though his entire body was in excruciating pain, he stubbornly did not make a sound. With a bitter smile, he said, "Mr. Cangyue, you're really strong."

Strange.

Why couldn't he move?

It was as if an invisible force were pressing down on his entire body, making movement impossible!

He couldn't even move a finger!

Was it because of the Sealing from before?

"Are you some kind of adult doll? If it hurts, make a sound." Hyuga Cangyue increased the pressure of his foot again, creating a small pit in the ground. Yuki Haku sank into it.

Hyuga Cangyue had previously placed a Sealing on Yuki Haku. Now that the Sealing had been activated, Yuki Haku couldn't even condense Chakra, much less move.

Yuki Haku said, "I'm a tool."

His entire body really did hurt. It felt as if all his bones were about to crack, and after the Sealing activated, he suffered an even more agonizing pain, as if his whole body were burning.

But so what?

Being abandoned had hurt even more.

Zabuza had always told him that he was only a tool, that he had no need for feelings or emotions, and that he was merely a tool for completing missions.

He wanted to be needed by Zabuza. He wanted to give everything for Zabuza.

That was his Ninja Way!

"Twisted love." Hyuga Cangyue slightly furrowed his brows.

"He has no heart. He's even abandoned the very concept of life." Zabuza Momochi struggled to climb to his feet. Blood flowed all over his body as he shakily pulled out a Kunai and stared coldly at Hyuga Cangyue.

"There is no tool more perfect than Haku. He is a better Ninja than I am. By using him, I can accomplish my ambition."

"So... take your foot off my tool!" Zabuza Momochi gripped the Kunai and dragged his unsteady body toward Hyuga Cangyue in a swaying attack.

"What a terrifying expression. What are you, some domineering CEO? Watching a weakling struggle is rather amusing, but you're my students' experience pack." Hyuga Cangyue pulled one hand from his pocket and caught the Kunai between two fingers.

He did not attack.

Because he was genuinely afraid now. He was terrified that a single slap might kill Zabuza Momochi. If he accidentally killed Zabuza Momochi, the reward for the Side Mission would be gone!

"I said, take your foot off my tool!" Zabuza Momochi drew another Kunai and viciously slashed it toward Hyuga Cangyue's neck.

"Your relationship is pretty twisted." Hyuga Cangyue pulled out his other hand, aimed at Zabuza Momochi's forehead, and very carefully flicked him with one finger.

"Bang!" Zabuza Momochi was sent flying. His body scraped across the ground for a long distance before slamming heavily into the wall.

Hyuga Cangyue asked curiously, "Are you still alive?"

"Don't underestimate me!" Zabuza Momochi grabbed the bridge railing and used it as support to struggle to his feet. He stared coldly at Cangyue in the distance.

The mission had completely failed. Now he had to find a way to retreat.

Although Hyuga Cangyue had a ten-billion bounty on his head, Zabuza could make a comeback if he obtained that money. But Hyuga Cangyue's strength was... somewhat ridiculous.

He was as unshakable as a mountain!

They could only retreat for now.

"Whew." Hyuga Cangyue secretly let out a sigh of relief.

As long as he was still alive, that was good.

Hyuga Cangyue looked toward all of Team 7 and said with a faint smile, "You brats, go settle this."

All of Team 7 answered, "Yes!"

Cangyue-sensei didn't eliminate the enemy. Instead, he left him for Team 7 to deal with. Is he trying to temper our resolve?

As expected of Cangyue-sensei!

"Haku, how long are you planning to lie there? It's time to retreat!" Zabuza Momochi glanced at Yuki Haku, who was pinned beneath Cangyue's foot.

Yuki Haku lightly bit his lip. A bitter trace appeared at the corner of his mouth. "I'm sorry. Please abandon me."

He wanted to move, but he couldn't. He was completely a burden.

A Ninja who became a burden had no right to be a perfect tool.

Zabuza Momochi frowned and shouted in a deep voice, "What foolishness are you talking about? Use your ability and leave that place immediately!"

What was going on?

Why couldn't Haku move? What had Cangyue done?

Hyuga Cangyue wore a look of disgust. Covering his mouth with his hand, he whispered, "Look at how annoying this person is. Even though I'm handsome and overwhelmingly strong, he's blaming you for being useless."

"If you were a woman, you'd probably be crying and screaming right now, wouldn't you?"

"Isn't that right, little cross-dresser?" Hyuga Cangyue suddenly stamped down hard. The entire bridge shook violently. Yuki Haku's bones trembled, and cracks appeared across his spine in particular. His entire body gradually sank into the concrete.

"Pervert... My name is Haku." Sweetness rose in Yuki Haku's throat, and he spat out a large mouthful of scarlet blood. This was the first time he had encountered a Ninja so absurdly powerful.

No wonder a saying circulated throughout the Shinobi World: if you encountered Hyuga Cangyue, run first and ask questions later. Never provoke Cangyue, that madman, because Cangyue would trample an enemy's dignity until the enemy died completely.

Yuki Haku softly called out, "Mr. Zabuza, please abandon me!"

He could die.

But Mr. Zabuza had to live, because Zabuza still had a dream to fulfill!

"..." Zabuza Momochi said nothing. He lowered his head, and no one could see his expression. He neither retreated immediately nor launched an attack.

Damn it!

Haku was clearly just a tool, a tool I used to accomplish my ambition. Whether he lived or died shouldn't matter.

But... why?

Why couldn't I move?

Hyuga Cangyue smiled faintly and teased him, "Give up. He can't possibly escape while he's in my hands. If he really abandons you and runs away, he'll be a failed gay."

He had not used his ability to stop Zabuza. Zabuza simply had not fled on his own.

Hyuga Cangyue waved his hand and said in a commanding tone, "Go, Sasuke. Use Chidori."

"You didn't need to tell me. I was going to do it anyway." Sasuke Uchiha activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, then rapidly formed Hand Seals. He grabbed one wrist with his other hand as lightning-blue lightning gathered in his palm.

"Remember my name. The one who defeats you is Sasuke of the Uchiha Clan!" Sasuke Uchiha held the lightning-blue lightning in his hand and walked step by step toward Zabuza Momochi. With his scarlet Sharingan, he looked down at Zabuza with cold arrogance.

Hyuga Cangyue raised a thumb and pretended to praise him. "Mm, very good. Very showy. Of course, you have to talk trash before defeating an enemy."

Children these days are hopeless. Their heads are full of showing off.

"Sasuke..." Naruto Uzumaki moved his lips. He glanced hesitantly at Yuki Haku, then at Zabuza Momochi, but ultimately could not say anything.

Did the enemy have to die?

There was clearly no irreconcilable hatred between them. It was merely a conflict of positions.

"Die." Sasuke Uchiha gripped the lightning and viciously thrust it toward Zabuza Momochi's heart.

In an instant.

"Mr. Zabuza!" Panic flashed through Yuki Haku's eyes. He had rarely experienced emotional fluctuations before, but when he saw Zabuza facing death, the emotions in his heart completely erupted.

"Buzz!" Yuki Haku released his Chakra and used the Body Flicker Technique to block Zabuza.

"This guy..." Hyuga Cangyue was slightly surprised. The little cross-dresser had actually broken free of the Sealing. He really was a remarkably talented genius.

But...

To die for another person was utterly foolish!

What was most foolish was that the little cross-dresser was far too damn kind.

He could have defeated the Uchiha brat in an instant, but the little cross-dresser had not done so. Instead, he had taken the blow for Zabuza Momochi.