"You can just call me boss. Who I am doesn't affect our cooperation, does it?"
Zabuza and Haku remained silent in response. Although Ryun had put it rather politely, they essentially had no power to resist.
Ryun took their silence as tacit agreement again and said, "After Konoha finishes their mission, we'll meet again."
He turned to leave, but Haku spoke up, "Boss—sama, may I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"From your tone, it seems you know Konoha's Kakashi. I was wondering what your relationship is, friend or enemy?"
Ryun knew Haku was trying to probe his true strength, but he wasn't angry.
Although Ryun was hiding his identity now, it was only to avoid interfering with the smooth progression of the Chūnin Exams.
Once the Chūnin Exams were over, Ryun would need to make a trip to Kirigakure with Zabuza, and by then he would naturally show his true face.
So Ryun said, "I'm a civilian. I don't participate in the killing between ninjas over missions."
"You can attack if you want, but you're definitely no match for them. Quit while you're ahead."
Having said that, Ryun ignored Zabuza's grim expression and vanished.
Haku leaned by the door, sensing for a while. Only after confirming Ryun was gone did he say, "Zabuza-sama, how are your injuries? Also, can we trust him?"
Zabuza touched his chest and coughed lightly twice. "He did help heal my internal injuries. Now it's just external wounds. After a few more days of rest, I'll recover my combat strength."
"As for whether he's trustworthy, we'll have to see what he does later."
Haku frowned. "But, Zabuza-sama—"
"Haku, we can't run away like beaten dogs anymore. Even if it's just for that sliver of a possibility, I have to bet my life on it."
Haku hesitated no more. "I understand, Zabuza-sama."
Ryun left Zabuza's hideout, left a shadow clone behind, and his main body returned to Konoha.
He had no intention of checking on Kakashi's situation. With Kakashi's sharpness, he might discover him.
The Ryun in the simulation had come to the Land of Waves to protect Sakura, but the current Ryun came to subdue Zabuza and also to claim Gatō's assets for himself.
Kakashi might not stop something like this, but he would definitely report it, and Ryun currently couldn't be bothered to argue with the Third Hokage again.
After a few peaceful days passed like this, the shadow clone relayed information: Zabuza had made his move.
Ryun immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique to go to the Land of Waves, observing the battle between Zabuza and Team 7 from the farthest distance.
This time, because Ryun had treated Zabuza, boosting his strength slightly, he caused even more trouble for Team 7. However, due to the increased strength of his three students, Kakashi himself hadn't overused his Sharingan in the initial ambush and was now more combat-effective.
After a fierce, evenly matched battle, Kakashi ultimately took a slash from Zabuza on his shoulder with a kunai, then used his Sharingan to control Zabuza.
Subsequently, Sakura used the Water Prison Technique to trap Zabuza. Meanwhile, Haku, in his eagerness to save Zabuza, was hit by a pursuing Sasuke's Fireball Technique.
The battle's outcome differed considerably from the simulation, which wasn't surprising.
Ninja battles often hinge on instantaneous moments; conditions change, so results naturally change.
"Kakashi-sensei, what should we do? Kill them?"
Sakura looked at Haku and Zabuza leaning together, feeling reluctant.
Kakashi was silent for a moment, then said, "They were Gatō's accomplices, but they were just hired by Gatō to do a mission."
"Besides, they're missing-nin from Kirigakure. If we kill them without authorization, it might cause friction with Kirigakure."
"So we just let them go like this?"
Sasuke glared discontentedly at Kakashi. Haku had put him under immense pressure; naturally, he wanted Haku to pay.
"Sasuke, you idiot! He's already in this state, don't make things harder for him."
Naruto couldn't help but speak up for Haku. Sasuke sneered, "You idiot, you don't still think he's a girl, do you?"
Naruto's face instantly flushed red, embarrassed and annoyed. Just as he seemed ready to start a fight with Sasuke, Gatō arrived with his men, seemingly to mediate.
"So it's Konoha's Jōnin, Kakashi. I've heard a lot about you."
Gatō showed no fear facing Kakashi, because Konoha was the most civilized of all the ninja villages. Even he had heard tales of Konoha's Will of Fire. Kakashi was also a famous figure; surely he wouldn't act rashly.
"You're Gatō?"
Kakashi straightened up, pretending his chakra was still plentiful.
He naturally wasn't worried about Gatō's rabble of underlings, but his three students were exhausted.
The ninjas on Gatō's side were at most Chūnin level, but quantity has a quality all its own. He didn't want to start a fight with Gatō.
"That's right, it's me."
Gatō rubbed his chin. "Since Kakashi is here, I don't want to start a conflict with Konoha either."
"Your mission is to protect Tazuna, right? I guarantee here and now, I won't harm him anymore. So, can we avoid conflict?"
Kakashi's brow relaxed. This Gatō didn't seem entirely unreasonable either.
He was about to agree when Naruto stepped forward. "You also need to promise to let them finish building this bridge!"
"Otherwise, I'll definitely knock you flying!"
Gatō looked disdainfully at the future God of Shinobi. "I'm talking to a Jōnin. What business does a Genin like you have interrupting?"
"Besides, just knocking me flying is useless. After you leave, I'll still be in charge here, won't I?"
Naruto was stunned, seemingly never having considered this issue.
He then exploded in anger. "Then I'll— Ouch!"
Kakashi punched Naruto on the head. "Naruto, this fight just now with Zabuza could already be rated as an A-rank mission."
"Do you want to keep causing trouble and fighting, starting a war between Konoha and the Land of Waves?"
"Or do you plan to kill everyone on the other side yourself and become Konoha's next demon?"
Naruto stood there dumbfounded. He had no way to solve any of the things Kakashi had just mentioned.
Reality was like this. If just knocking out one enemy could solve all problems, the world would be too wonderful.
"Th-then what should we do! After we leave, this guy will definitely take revenge on Uncle Tazuna! He's already lost his son, are you going to let him lose his whole family too—"
Kakashi didn't answer. This problem had no solution.
Sakura couldn't bear it and turned her head away. Sasuke, however, looked at Tazuna eagerly, as if itching for a fight.
Clearly, if a fight really broke out, Sasuke wouldn't hold back.
"Alright, alright, you little brat are persistent."
Gatō picked his nose. "I swear on my name, I absolutely will not take revenge on Tazuna's family, and I'll even allow him to finish building this bridge."
"It's just that, when the time comes, the ownership of this bridge will have to become mine—"
Naruto wanted to say more, but this time Kakashi directly covered his mouth.
"We accept these terms. However, regarding the bridge's ownership, you'll need to sign an agreement with Tazuna."
"No problem."
Only then did Kakashi release Naruto. This was the limit of what he, as a Konoha Jōnin, could do.
Seeing that Kakashi had nothing more to say, Gatō pointed at Zabuza and said with a smile, "Now, can we settle some internal matters?"
"This guy threatened me more than once, took a huge salary from me, and then couldn't accomplish anything. It's time he understood my money isn't so easily earned."
"And that masked guy, no idea where he ran off to. If he were here, maybe we could ask Konoha's Jōnin to deal with him—"
Gatō muttered to himself, then waved his hand.
Several dozen of his ninja underlings, grinning savagely and wielding various weapons, approached Zabuza.
Naruto tried to step forward and stop them, but Kakashi simply lifted him by the scruff of his clothes.
Haku struggled to stand, gave Naruto a farewell smile, and then stood protectively in front of Zabuza.
Zabuza, leaning on his broken Executioner's Blade, blood trickling from his mouth, no longer hid the madness in his eyes.
It was killing time!
Though heavily injured, the Demon Zabuza was no match for a mere group of trashy, untrained ninjas.
If only a thick fog would descend now...
As if answering Zabuza's silent plea, a massive bank of fog drifted in from over two kilometers away.
The moment he saw the fog, Kakashi's expression drastically changed.
He quickly pulled his students back at high speed. Only when there was no one else around did he warily look towards the direction from which the fog had come.
Unfortunately, there was nothing there.
Immediately after, Zabuza's sinister laughter echoed from within the mist.
The blood from his throat stained the fog red. Finally, when the fog dissipated, Zabuza and Haku stood back-to-back, drenched in blood. Gatō was the only one of his group still alive.
At that moment, Zabuza looked over. "You little Konoha brat ninjas, that's the real way to deal with scum."
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