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"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Ao knew the Water Dragon Bullet—that was no surprise.
What was surprising was that this time, there were two!
One of the Water Dragon Bullets was exceptionally powerful. Together, they extinguished Kagaya's five Great Fireballs.
"Hey, hey, isn't starting a big fight in someone else's village a bit rude?"
Zabuza appeared beside Ao, his headband tilted and his face wrapped in white cloth.
"I hadn't gone far when I sensed familiar chakra fluctuations over here. Looks like coming back was the right call."
The surrounding Anbu rushed to Kagaya's side, trying to subdue him, but Kagaya simply used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished, reappearing next to Haku.
"Looks like we can't continue this fight. We'll be taking our leave."
With Zabuza here, Kagaya had no interest in prolonging the battle. Chojuro was just a kid and posed no threat, but Zabuza was different.
"Wait! I told you, a certain lady wants to see you."
Ao called out to stop Kagaya, unconsciously switching his tone.
Kagaya glanced sideways at Ao.
"If you'd spoken politely from the start, none of this would've happened. Now, I've lost interest. I don't want to meet this 'lady' you're talking about."
With that, Kagaya prepared to leave again.
But Zabuza spoke up next.
"Hey, kid, I suggest you go anyway."
Kagaya let out a disdainful chuckle.
"And if I say no?"
Zabuza shrugged.
"I just saw your speed. I know I can't stop you. If you don't go, there's nothing I can do. But I still suggest you do."
Kagaya stared at Zabuza for a long while, thinking it over carefully before walking toward Ao with Haku.
"Fine, lead the way. But remember—don't use that commanding tone with me again! Otherwise, I kill you."
Kagaya decided it wouldn't hurt to go. The person Ao was taking him to was almost certainly Mei. Meeting the future Fifth Mizukage could give him something to do amid the boredom.
"I understand."
Ao nodded in agreement.
Chojuro watched Kagaya silently. His shy personality made him reluctant to speak with strangers.
So strong, this guy.
Chojuro thought to himself.
Soon after, Ao led Kagaya to Mei.
Mei smiled faintly at Kagaya.
"Hello, Uchiha Kagaya. I've heard all Uchiha are handsome. Looks like that rumor's true."
Kagaya rolled his eyes.
"Skip the small talk. Just tell me what you want."
Mei sighed helplessly.
"What a charmless man. Let me introduce myself first. I'm Terumi Mei, currently an elite jonin of the Mist Village. I called you here to ask for your help with something."
Kagaya nodded.
"I see. Then Lady Mei must know there's no such thing as a free lunch, right?"
Mei smiled sweetly, looking quite charming.
"Of course. But I don't have anything to offer you directly right now. Would you like some ordinary Mist Village ninjutsu?"
Kagaya nearly spat blood, responding with clear disdain.
"What do you think?"
Mei found Kagaya's obvious contempt amusing. This guy was incredibly strong, but still just a kid at heart.
"Of course, I figured you wouldn't want that. So, how about this: consider it me owing you a favor?"
Kagaya rejected it immediately.
"No. I need tangible, visible rewards. Favors are too vague—I don't trust them. Besides, you haven't even told me what you want me to do."
Mei signaled Ao with her eyes, and he closed the door.
"In two days, I want you to help Zabuza escape the Land of Water."
Kagaya frowned slightly. He didn't remember much about Zabuza's story.
"Escape the Land of Water? Interesting. That means in two days, Zabuza will become a rogue ninja? I'm curious—how do you know this in advance?"
Mei showed no intention of hiding it and spoke directly.
"Two nights from now, Zabuza will assassinate the Fourth Mizukage."
Kagaya was slightly surprised.
"Assassinate the Fourth Mizukage? That's bold. But aren't you afraid I'll leak this to the Fourth Mizukage by telling me outright?"
Mei smiled mysteriously.
"The Fourth Mizukage brought back Kubikiribōchō a few days ago. But I recall its wielder should be Juzo. Plus, I heard recently that you've been acting alongside Juzo, so…"
"So you think the Fourth Mizukage killed Juzo and reclaimed Kubikiribōchō. And since I was working with Juzo, I wouldn't ally with the Fourth Mizukage?"
"Exactly."
Kagaya smacked his lips slightly.
"Your information network is impressive. Fine, agree to your request. And I don't need any reward—just agree to one condition."
Mei frowned. Kagaya's making it clear this deal is only to her not her sides.
"Go ahead."
Kagaya smiled.
"At some point in the future, I want you to personally help me attack the Leaf Village!"
"That's impossible!"
Mei rejected it without hesitation.
"The Mist Village can never proactively provoke the Leaf, the strongest of the five great ninja villages. I can't agree to that condition."
Kagaya wasn't surprised at all.
"I figured you wouldn't. Then I'll settle for the next best thing: I want Zabuza to help me. Your village can't attack the Leaf, but once Zabuza becomes a rogue ninja, that shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"That's your real goal, isn't it?"
"Of course. But if you were willing to act personally, that'd be even better."
"Forget it. I won't help you attack the Leaf. But I'll talk to Zabuza about it."
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Mm."
Kagaya left, ending their conversation.
After Kagaya departed, Mei turned to Ao.
"How strong is he?"
Ao swallowed hard.
"His speed is terrifying, and he seems to know Shisui's Body Flicker Technique."
"I see…"
Mei wanted to ensure Zabuza's escape as an unsung hero went smoothly. But as mentioned before, assassinating a Mizukage could never be encouraged. No matter what, she couldn't mobilize Mist ninja to help Zabuza. That's why she thought of Kagaya, an outsider.
What she hadn't expected was Kagaya shifting the request to Zabuza. Now, whether someone helped Zabuza would depend on Zabuza himself.