Bai struggled to crawl over, his vision blurred by tears. "No! Mr. Zabuza, if you want to die, we will die together!"
Kakashi looked at Asuma with questioning eyes.
Asuma turned the lighter in a beautiful arc on his fingertips, and the sparks drew an arc in the dusk.
He took a deep drag on the cigarette, and the crackling sound of burning tobacco was particularly clear in the heavy air.
"The old man said 'as much as possible', but he didn't mean 'must'."
"What the old man said is to kill Zabuza Momochi as much as possible. What can we do if we don't kill him? He is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mists with Silent Killing Technique."
He shrugged and continued, "There was no personal grudge between us at first and we all just followed the mission. Hong was injured, and I was also seriously injured by Zabuza.
Now that Zabuza has killed his employer and helped the people of Land of Waves, I can't hate this guy anymore."
Work is work, and the leader's requirements are the leader's requirements.
Asuma is not afraid of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
These words made all the Genin present stunned.
They originally thought that Jonin would strictly carry out their tasks, but they didn't expect that they would think so.
Naruto wields Wooden Sword, and Chakra with Wind Release superimposed on it makes the blade sharp.
When Naruto treated Zabuza, he specially selected Life-for-Life Reduction Technique, who had severe side effects, in order to make Zabuza kill Gato and be unable to fight again after killing Gato.
It's just for a reputation, otherwise why would he go to all that trouble?
Wouldn't it be better to just do the last hit?
Reputation is like a fig leaf. You can use it to pull it when you need it during the day. When you don't use it at night, you can just throw it on the ground and step on it without anyone paying attention.
"We can let you go, but you have to give us Kubikiribōchō and let us go back and deliver the work.
From now on, there will be no more Zabuza Momochi and Bai, how about that?"
Now the two sides are no longer antagonistic, and Naruto is willing to let them go.
This proposal not only saved their lives, but also allowed Konoha to give an explanation.
"Okay."
When Naruto said that he would not kill them, but wanted Kubikiribōchō, Zabuza nodded and agreed without any hesitation.
It's just a Kubikiribōchō. He was still powerful before he became Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. It doesn't matter if he loses it.
Now life and death depend on other people's thoughts. Even if I don't agree, can I keep this knife?
He knows this truth very well.
Before the morning fog cleared, Zabuza and Bai had quietly left.
Their backs gradually blurred in the hazy fog, and finally merged into the distant horizon.
Zabuza's footsteps were heavy but firm, and Bai followed closely behind, occasionally looking back in the direction of Land of Waves, with unspeakable complex emotions hidden in his eyes.
Kakashi is sitting next to the unfinished bridge pier, and Kubikiribōchō is inserted diagonally into the soil beside him.
He looked at the busy figures of the Land of Waves people - Tazuna was waving drawings and directing the workers, who were working hard to build this bridge for their better life.
The sea breeze carries the fragrance of wood and the saltiness of sea water, brushing against his face.
"Give."
Asuma sat down next to him and handed him a glass of water.
Kakashi took it, quickly took off the mask, took a sip and then pulled it up, so fast that Asuma couldn't see clearly.
His eyes were still fixed on the distant horizon.
"By the way, Asuma, what do you think?"
Kakashi suddenly spoke.
Asuma did not answer immediately.
He took out his lighter, lit a cigarette skillfully, and took a deep breath. The smoke curled up in the morning light.
He squinted his eyes as if he was remembering something.
"If they are Konoha's Rogue Ninja..." His voice was low and determined, "I will definitely kill them myself."
Smoke swirled between the two men and was blown away by the sea breeze.
"But they are different."
Asuma flicked the cigarette ashes and spoke in a slightly slower tone.
"They are the products of Kirigakure Blood Mist Policy, Desperado who were forced into a desperate situation. But even so, they still have feelings and righteousness."
He paused, "Zabuza's last choice has proven that he is not a pure villain."
Kakashi turned to look at him, a trace of thought flashing in his one eye.
"Five Great Nations's peace never lasts."
Asuma blew out a smoke ring with a deep look, "Let Zabuza live, maybe one day in the future, he will become Kirigakure's trouble."
The enemy of my enemy may not be a friend."
Kakashi chuckled, "It's a bit surprising that you would consider this."
Asuma shrugged and raised the corner of his mouth slightly. "After staying at Capital of the Land of Fire for a few years, I saw too many political games, so my ideas naturally changed."
He put out the cigarette butt, stood up and patted Kakashi on the shoulder, "Let's go, it's time to go back."
Kakashi nodded, pulled out Kubikiribōchō and put it on his shoulder.
The two turned and left, with the Land of Waves Bridge behind them shining brightly in the morning sun, symbolizing the opening of a New Era.
At the other end of the sea, Zabuza and Bai's figures have completely disappeared, like two drops of water blending into the sea, with no trace left.
On the way back, Konoha and his party were no longer as urgent as when they came. The mission had been completed, Land of Waves's crisis was lifted, and even Zabuza and Bai were freed in another way.
The group of people walked along the forest path, and occasionally heard the sound of Ya and Choji bickering, because Ya accidentally ate Choji's last bag of potato chips.
Although he relaxed a little, Ninja's footsteps were still very fast.
In less than two days, the outline of Konoha was clearly visible.
The towering walls, the familiar sentry tower, and the rock mountain carved with Hokage from all ages.
Everything feels reassuring.
Within Hokage's Office.
Kakashi stood in front of Third Hokage and briefly reported the whole story of the mission.
Third Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly, the smoke in the pipe rising slowly, covering his thoughtful expression.
"Well, you handled it very well."
Third finally commented.
His eyes immediately fell on the Kubikiribōchō that was placed on the desk by Kakashi. The broadsword was completely black and covered with strange runes.
Third frowned suddenly after seeing the runes.
"This is..."
His fingers gently touched the runes on the blade, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Contract Seal?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes, Naruto said when sealing it that it was done according to the method on Sealing Jutsu Scroll that you gave him back then. This can prevent Zabuza or Kirigakure from summoning Kubikiribōchō back."
Third Hokage:"???"
He was stunned and the pipe almost fell from his mouth.
Is there Contract Seal on "Introduction to Sealing Jutsu"?
This is one of the five Sealing Jutsu Uzumaki Clan, and the learning difficulty is the same as Four Symbols Seal!·
Third rummaged around in his drawer and found a volume of "Introduction to Sealing Jutsu".
Third:!!!
Oops, the one given to Naruto back then was "Complete Sealing Jutsu Compendium"!
Kakashi looked thoughtfully at the "Introduction to Sealing Jutsu" in Third's hand, and then remembered the exquisite Sealing Jutsu Naruto had performed, and suddenly understood something.
He decided to keep this secret in his stomach.
"Ahem, Kakashi, you go back and rest first."
"Yes, Lord Third."
After Kakashi left, Third got up and went to Naruto's home.
He must confirm the whereabouts of the book "Complete Sealing Jutsu Compendium", and also find out how many Sealing Jutsu Naruto actually has.