"The Uzumaki Clan's bloodline really is useful," he murmured, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Now, it's time to prepare for those uninvited guests."
He turned to the Shadow Clone, who was still squatting nearby and poking at ants. "The job's done. You can disappear now."
The Shadow Clone vanished into white smoke with a poof.
As though remembering something, Toru Kujyo called out in the direction Haku had left. "Wait!"
Haku stopped in the distance and looked back in confusion.
Toru Kujyo reached him with a few uses of the Body Flicker Technique, took a bulging money pouch from his ninja tool bag, and tossed it straight to him. "Catch."
Haku caught it instinctively. It felt heavy in his hands. "Boss, what's this?"
"Thirty million ryo," Toru Kujyo said evenly. "That's the budget for this supply run. Remember, buy only the highest-quality materials, and return within ten days. Any problems?"
Thirty million ryo! Haku was shocked. That was an enormous sum. Tightening his grip on the pouch, he answered solemnly, "No problems, boss. I'll finish on time."
Then Haku glanced again at Zabuza, whose expression was still grim, a short distance away. He hesitated before making a request. "Boss, Lord Zabuza's injuries... could you treat him too?" He had witnessed Toru Kujyo's miraculous healing ability. If Lord Zabuza recovered, their situation would improve considerably.
Toru Kujyo glanced at Zabuza. The man was glaring at him with murderous yet helpless eyes.
"My healing isn't a free lunch," Toru Kujyo said, a trace of mockery in his voice. "He's still useful to me. He won't die. Just do your job, and he'll remain safe and sound. Now get going. Don't waste time."
Haku's heart sank as he understood Toru Kujyo's meaning. In a sense, Lord Zabuza had become a hostage.