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After Kagaya left, Ao asked Mei.
"Lady Mei, do you think Zabuza can kill the Fourth Mizukage?"
Mei shook her head.
"I don't know, but…"
A spark of interest flashed in her eyes.
"But from the look on that kid's face just now, it seems he's planning something."
"You mean…"
"Let's just wait and see."
The next afternoon, Kagaya brought Haku to a secluded forest in the Land of Water.
Finding a hidden spot, Kagaya instructed Haku.
"Hide here and wait for me to come get you, okay?"
Haku hesitated and asked, "Can't I go with Kagaya?"
Kagaya rejected the idea.
"No. If it was just covering Zabuza's escape, I could bring you. But my plan is more than that."
"Then Kagaya, be careful."
"Yeah. Stay here and protect yourself. Your Ice Release isn't proficient yet, but it should be enough for short-term defense."
"Okay."
After that, Kagaya left.
Tonight was destined to host a spectacle that would shake the entire Mist Village.
Time quickly reached nightfall.
The Fourth Mizukage sat in his office, quietly awaiting that person's arrival.
The person didn't disappoint. He arrived soon.
Zabuza knelt on one knee, facing the Fourth Mizukage.
"Lord Mizukage."
The Fourth Mizukage smiled knowingly.
"It seems you've made your decision?"
"Yes!"
Zabuza's response was firm and resolute. He had made up his mind—and he wouldn't change it!
The Fourth Mizukage nodded in satisfaction.
"Excellent!"
He stood, picked up Kubikiribōchō, walked to Zabuza, and handed it over.
"From today onward, you are the next wielder of Kubikiribōchō."
Zabuza accepted it respectfully.
"Yes!"
"Don't bring shame to this blade!"
"Please rest assured, Lord Mizukage—I won't!"
The Fourth Mizukage was very pleased.
"Then, when do you plan to defect from the village?"
"Tonight!"
The Fourth Mizukage was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Zabuza to be so decisive—defecting the moment he said he would. But that was good. Someone with no attachments to the village was exactly what the Akatsuki needed!
"Zabuza, your determination impresses me. After defecting, what do you plan to do?"
The Fourth Mizukage began luring Zabuza toward the Akatsuki.
Zabuza lowered his head.
"I have no plans after defecting. But before that, there's one thing I must do."
"Oh? Tell me."
"Does Lord Mizukage want to know?"
The Fourth Mizukage turned, walking back to his seat while speaking.
"Of course. Maybe I can help."
He didn't notice that his back was now to Zabuza!
Zabuza's hand gripped the handle of Kubikiribōchō tightly!
"Then, please help me, Lord Mizukage…"
In an instant, Zabuza lunged forward, swinging Kubikiribōchō toward the Fourth Mizukage's head!
"Please die!!"
"!!!"
Sensing the killing intent from behind, the Fourth Mizukage's eyes widened. Chakra surged to his feet—Body Flicker Technique!
Slash!
He ultimately couldn't fully dodge the fatal strike. A wound opened across his back, blood flowing endlessly.
"Zabuza!!!"
The Fourth Mizukage's furious roar echoed, drawing many Anbu ninja rushing toward the office!
Zabuza grinned.
"Lord Mizukage, didn't you say you'd help? Please stand still—I'll make it quick!"
As he spoke, Zabuza raised Kubikiribōchō and slashed at the Fourth Mizukage again.
"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"
A mirror made of water appeared before the Fourth Mizukage. From it emerged another Zabuza, and the two Decapitating Carving Knives clashed.
Clang!
This technique could copy the target ninja, using identical ninjutsu with the same power.
Both Zabuzas were repelled. The Fourth Mizukage's copy dissolved into water and vanished. The real Zabuza showed no hesitation—upon landing, he immediately raised the blade and charged again!
The Fourth Mizukage was enraged. He hadn't expected Zabuza's resolve to be so absolute, wasting no time on words—just aiming to kill him!
Red chakra erupted from the Fourth Mizukage. He decided to kill Zabuza! The Akatsuki didn't need him anymore!
But just as he was about to enter tailed beast mode, a ghostly figure suddenly appeared, slashing at his neck.
Hum!
Facing that terrifying speed again, the Fourth Mizukage barely reacted in time. His neck wasn't severed—only a gash appeared.
"We meet again, Fourth Mizukage!"
Kagaya smiled faintly.
But the Fourth Mizukage had no time to respond—Zabuza's blade came slashing once more!
Under the relentless assaults, the Fourth Mizukage finally failed to dodge and suffered a severe injury.
One arm was brutally chopped off by Zabuza!
"Ah!!! Bastard!!"
The Fourth Mizukage retreated rapidly, then tailed beast-ified at extreme speed before Kagaya could stop him.
"You both die!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
At the same time, the Mizukage's office was surrounded by countless Anbu.
Kagaya looked at the severed arm and spoke regretfully.
"Just an arm? I thought we'd get the head."
Zabuza replied, somewhat dissatisfied.
"Kid, don't just talk. He's the Mizukage—chopping off an arm is already impressive."
The Fourth Mizukage looked up, a black Tailed Beast Ball condensing above his mouth.
Kagaya's mouth twitched.
"Hey, hey, are you insane? This is your village—you're really using a Tailed Beast Ball?" Zabuza shouted loudly.
"Interrupt him!"
Kagaya sighed helplessly.
"You owe me for this."
Then, Kagaya instantly appeared beside the Fourth Mizukage.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball."
A fireball struck the Fourth Mizukage's severed arm, disrupting the Tailed Beast Ball.
When fully intact, Kagaya's weak attack couldn't interrupt it. But now, with an arm missing, even with tailed beast chakra protection, a Great Fireball to the stump was excruciating. The intense pain caused the condensing Tailed Beast Ball to collapse.
The next instant, Kagaya was back beside Zabuza.
"Time to retreat. I don't think we can kill him in tailed beast form."
"No need to tell me—I know!"
Zabuza raised his blade, cutting down an Anbu charging at him.
Kagaya's figure vanished. The next moment, several Anbu had their throats slit.
"Hurry!"
"I know!"