Strictly speaking.
Gatō is a smart man.
Gatō, who was born in an ordinary family in a small country in his early years, was able to truly "start from nothing" and painstakingly build such a huge commercial empire. This alone is worthy of recognition. He is very clear about his identity and the role he plays. He understands expectations, positioning, and profit distribution extremely well. What is even more exaggerated is that in his early years, Gatō not only served certain nobles, but also operated in the Lands of Fire, Water, Lightning, and Earth. There, he gained the trust of high-ranking politicians, undertaking all kinds of dirty, unspeakable work for them, accumulating capital step by step, and gradually expanding his influence.
In recent years, Gatō finally became the "white glove" of the ministers within the Land of Water. Even the Water Country daimyō himself was indirectly restrained by the ministers Gatō served. Such a leap-forward rise in status inevitably caused Gatō's ambition to swell uncontrollably.
Serving under the name of the Land of Water.
And even being personally received by the daimyō.
This was the point where Gatō believed he had the greatest backing.
As an ordinary civilian, being able to develop to this degree.
Gatō was naturally proud of himself.
However, this so-called "smart" Gatō possessed an extremely foolish and fatal misconception.
After reaching the level of dealing directly with the daimyō.
Gatō believed that, aside from the true power-holders of the Five Great Nations, there was no one left whom he needed to fear.
He failed to clearly recognize—
What kind of existence a ninja truly was.
Perhaps from Gatō's perspective, ninja were merely tools similar to himself: subordinates employed by the daimyō.
In particular, he failed to understand the essential difference between rogue ninja and elite shinobi trained in the great hidden villages.
He believed he could command all wandering ninja as he pleased.
And even more arrogantly, he treated an existence like Momochi Zabuza of Kirigakure as something he could order around at will.
This was Gatō's greatest stupidity.
It was precisely because of this distorted mentality.
That even when facing the former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—known as the "Demon of the Hidden Mist"—Momochi Zabuza, Gatō showed not the slightest reverence or fear. He did not understand at all that killing him would be as simple as crushing an ant. Whether before or now, Gatō always spoke with an overbearing and superior tone.
"There was a slight accident this time, and the assassination did not succeed."
Zabuza did not even look at the arrogant Gatō before him. His expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly, his voice indifferent and flat.
And that very tone.
Instantly enraged Gatō.
Indifference.
Disrespect.
Despite being nothing more than a hired rogue ninja.
How dare he speak so presumptuously in front of himself!?
Gatō felt his dignity had been gravely provoked. Almost instantly, his eyes turned cold, and a ferocious expression appeared on his face.
"What!? You failed!? You couldn't even kill a half-dead old man? Aren't you called a demon? Is that all you've got? And you still dare to act arrogant!? You failed such a simple task, and you still have the nerve to stand there!? What use is trash like you!?"
Gatō nearly roared, his eyes blazing as he shouted at Zabuza.
The group of well-dressed but vicious-looking underworld thugs standing behind Gatō also reacted instantly. At the moment Gatō spoke, their faces twisted into fierce expressions, staring maliciously at Zabuza and the masked youth behind him. It seemed that as long as Gatō gave the order, they would immediately rush forward.
At this moment.
These so-called "tough guys" had no idea at all.
What kind of terrifying existence was standing before them.
Even if Haku stepped forward alone, it would be more than enough to slaughter this entire group of men who looked fierce like tigers but were soft as sheep.
"If it weren't for trash like you, the old man providing funds, you would have died long ago—"
"Enough."
"Whoosh!"
Before Gatō could finish his furious rant.
Zabuza's expression suddenly changed. In an instant, his face twisted into a ferocious snarl as killing intent erupted violently. The surrounding temperature seemed to plummet, and the overwhelming murderous aura froze everyone present.
The gangsters who had just looked aggressive began trembling uncontrollably, as if they were being stared down by a ferocious beast.
Gatō himself stiffened like a duck whose neck had been seized.
He could not utter a single word.
This was not merely because of Zabuza's killing intent.
The most important reason was the senbon pressed lightly against Gatō's neck.
The biting chill and faint stabbing sensation instantly told Gatō one thing—
Death was right beside him.
Cold sweat poured down Gatō's face as he swallowed hard.
"Mind your tone. If you dare to insult Zabuza-sama again, I will kill you immediately."
Haku's calm yet icy voice sounded from behind Gatō. His hand holding the senbon shifted slightly inward, just enough to deepen the pressure. The words caused Gatō's fear to explode uncontrollably.
At this moment, Gatō truly felt the presence of death.
He had no doubt that the masked boy behind him possessed absolute resolve to kill.
Desperately nodding was the only thing Gatō dared to do.
"Haku."
After the killing intent dissipated as quickly as it had appeared.
Zabuza returned to his usual cold indifference and called out softly.
"Yes, Zabuza-sama."
Haku responded respectfully, retracting the senbon and instantly returning to Zabuza's side.
"Ahem… Don't worry. This was merely an early probing attempt. The mission will not fail. In a few days, I will bring that old man's head to you."
Zabuza spoke without turning his head, his tone still calm and detached.
"Good… good. Then I'll wait for your good news."
Gatō clutched his neck, his face pale, fear still lingering in his eyes as he responded shakily. At this moment, he finally realized that Zabuza was nothing like the rogue ninja under his control.
Provoking this madman was not worth the risk.
His own life was far more precious than any hired betrayal.
It had taken him too long to climb to this position.
Gatō still wanted to enjoy the life of a ruler for a few more years.
"Then that's all for now."
Zabuza waved his hand casually, as if swatting away a fly, his voice cold and dismissive.
In truth, Zabuza had never cared about Gatō.
He was nothing more than a vulgar merchant.
If it were not for Gatō's money and the political backing behind him in the Land of Water, Zabuza would have killed this annoying fly long ago.
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