The night air in the Land of Waves was heavy with moisture.
In Gato's mansion, lights burned all the way from the entrance to the main hall.
The courtyard had ornamental rockeries and a pond stocked with fish too fat to swim. Beneath the covered walkways, a sword-bearing guard stood every few paces.
Haku stood in the middle of the main hall, his hands at his sides and his head slightly bowed.
The carpet was so thick that footsteps made no sound.
The air reeked of alcohol, mingled with the greasy smell of leftover food.
Cups and plates lay scattered across the long table. It was covered in dishes, but barely any had been touched.
"You failed?"
Gato sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, a wineglass in his hand, and peered over with narrowed eyes.
"The target had Konoha ninja with him," Haku said evenly. "Lord Zabuza was injured. The operation has been suspended for now."
"Konoha ninja?"
Gato slammed his glass down on the table.
"I paid all that money to hire you, and this is what you have to tell me?"
"One lousy old man! One lousy bridge!" Gato rose from the sofa and walked halfway around Haku. "Where's Zabuza? Huh? That so-called Demon of Kirigakure, the one with all that big talk-where is he?"
Haku did not answer.
"All that money, and I get a useless piece of trash."
Someone beside him immediately chimed in.
"You're absolutely right, Lord Gato." A lackey came forward, bowing and scraping. "Some Demon. I think he's all reputation and nothing else."
The lackey circled behind Haku, raised his foot, and viciously kicked the back of his knee.
Haku fell to his knees on the carpet.
His knees sank into the thick pile with a faint, muffled thud.
"Lord Gato