Zabuza held the Kubikiribōchō in his arms and snorted.
The sea breeze brushed over the bandages on his shoulder, carrying a faint scent of blood.
"I thought I made myself perfectly clear on the bridge."
"I'm repaying a debt."
"That's all."
He paused, then gave a soft chuckle and raised a hand to point at the courtyard behind him.
"But-"
"That kid has a mind of his own."
"I've spent years fighting my way through the Shinobi World. I can still judge that much."
"I can feel it."
"Stick with him, and I reckon there'll be plenty more trouble waiting down the road."
Kakashi followed his pointing finger and glanced back.
One corner of the door curtain had been lifted.
In the courtyard, Hayashi sat in his wheelchair while Sakura made him drink hot water, looking as though he had lost all will to live.
"...Trouble, huh."
Kakashi looked away and nodded.
"I can hold off on taking action for now."
"But everything else-"
"Will have to wait until you come back to Konoha with us and let the Third decide."
Zabuza nodded.
"Only natural."
"After all, I was your enemy for a good part of this mission."
Kakashi fell silent for a moment.
"As long as you understand that."
"Ha-hahahaha!"
Zabuza suddenly threw back his head and roared with laughter.
"Kakashi Hatake."
"Don't tell me you think cutting people down is the only thing I know how to do?"
"I've been making my mark in the Shinobi World for years, you know."
"If I owe someone a debt, I'll repay it."
"If it comes to that, Haku and I can stay outside Konoha for a while. We just won't enter the village."
Then his tone abruptly changed.
"Just-watch yourself."
Kakashi's listless eyes lifted slightly.
"Watch myself how?"
Zabuza looked