"So… you're the boss behind all this?"
Zabuza's face was frozen in confusion.
Standing behind Itsuki, Gato wore an expression of pure respect.
How could a Konoha Anbu—an Uchiha no less—be the one pulling Gato's strings?
It didn't make sense.
Itsuki didn't care about Zabuza's thoughts. He casually tossed a few fat stacks of banknotes across the table.
At a glance, it was at least over one million ryō—equivalent to the reward for an S-rank mission.
"What's this supposed to mean?" Zabuza frowned, his eyes narrowing.
Even as a missing-nin, he still had professional ethics.
Until a mission was complete, he would not take a single coin more than he was owed.
"The mission you accepted needs some… adjustments."
Itsuki calmly took a sip of coffee, his tone slow and deliberate.
"A ninja completes their mission no matter what. I'm not asking you to abandon it—this is your compensation for the changes."
Zabuza's expression chilled. If it were Gato saying such a thing, his Executioner's Blade would already be swinging.
But this wasn't Gato. This was Itsuki. And Zabuza knew—if he swung the sword here, he might be the one who died.
"You're a shinobi. You should know the rule: once a mission is accepted, it isn't withdrawn," Zabuza said sharply, refusing to touch the money.
"Relax." Itsuki chuckled.
"I'm not canceling the mission, just adjusting the plan. The difficulty will be lower than before. Your record stays clean. And in the end, your full payment remains the same."
Zabuza's brow furrowed. "If that's all, say it straight. No need to hand me extra money."
He had been betrayed enough times to know never to let his guard down.
"Even so…" Itsuki's smile didn't waver.
"You're a skilled man. I see potential for us to work together again. I'd rather you not carry resentment from this incident. Consider this money a token to clear that away."
"I'm not short of money. Any problem that can be solved with cash isn't really a problem. What matters is building trust. I'd like you and your companion to one day work with me—but I know you'd never agree if I just asked outright."
He leaned back, sipping his coffee. "This is simply my way of showing sincerity. We'll have more chances ahead."
Zabuza stared long at Itsuki. The younger man's gaze didn't waver.
"…Hmph. You're brutally honest."
At last, Zabuza grinned, dropped his inner guard, and pocketed the money without hesitation.
"But let me be clear—I won't become your subordinate just because you tipped me generously. I have my own ambitions."
Deep down, Zabuza had never truly betrayed Kirigakure. Alive, he was Mist. Dead, he would still be Mist's demon.
"I believe one day, you'll change your mind."
Itsuki drained his coffee in a single gulp.
Strength demonstrated. Gato's obedience revealed. Generosity shown. And his intentions laid out clearly.
Itsuki never expected to sway Zabuza in a single night. True shinobi carried their own ideals.
If Zabuza were the kind of man who'd throw them away cheaply, he wouldn't be worth Itsuki's attention in the first place.
"So… what's the mission now?" Zabuza finally asked.
He took a reluctant sip of the coffee Itsuki offered, nearly gagging. He hated the taste but forced it down.
"Rest for a few days first."
Itsuki's voice was calm, unwavering.
"By the time Kakashi recovers, we'll move again. But this time—your target won't be Tazuna."
Then his gaze shifted to Haku.
"Your name's Haku, right? I noticed you can form seals with one hand. Can you teach me? I'll pay you."
Konoha – A hidden tavern
Anko leaned across the table, staring at the half-drunk blonde opposite her. Her voice dripped sarcasm.
"Is this really necessary? Lady Tsunade, you're back in your own village, and you're actually using a Transformation Jutsu? That makes you even more of a target."
"With you watching my back, what's there to worry about?"
Tsunade downed another cup in a single gulp, her hazy eyes narrowing. "Now… let's talk business."
She hadn't even told Shizune she had slipped back into Konoha.
This secret meeting with Anko was to hear the results of her investigation on Itsuki in person.
But truth be told—she was nervous.
Excited, even.
She wanted the truth, yet feared it at the same time. So she poured more liquor, steadying herself.
Anko's face turned serious.
"After digging into it… yes, Itsuki carries Senju blood. But the details are muddy. There are two different versions of his lineage."
"Two?" Tsunade's grip on her glass tightened. "Explain."
"His records have been tampered with." Anko's voice was low, heavy.
"One version says his father was descended from the Senju branch family. Another claims his mother was from the Senju main line. Someone deliberately blurred the truth."
"The old man," Tsunade muttered immediately, her expression darkening.
"Most likely," Anko agreed. "I spotted Anbu interference in the archives. I couldn't dig further without exposing myself. But one thing is certain: at least one of Itsuki's parents was a Senju."
"If you want specifics… you'll have to ask the Third Hokage directly."
Tsunade's face soured. She knew it was a move to protect Itsuki, but that didn't make it easier to swallow.
Bow her head to that old man? The thought alone burned.
"By the way—there's more."
Anko leaned closer and whispered about the ambush on Itsuki outside the village.
"What?!" Tsunade slammed the table, standing with fury in her eyes.
No matter which version of the story was true, Itsuki was her blood.
Whether cousin or nephew—it made no difference.
He had awakened Wood Release. Even in its early stages, that alone made him worthy of the Senju name.
Anyone who dared lay a hand on him… was provoking the Senju clan itself.
And spitting on Tsunade personally.
The tavern went dead silent. Patrons froze under the weight of her killing intent.
Anko tugged her arm, hissing for her to calm down.
"PISS OFF!!" Tsunade roared, and half the room scrambled in panic.
A few drunken fools, thinking her beauty worth the risk, swaggered up to "test" her.
Wrong move.
They were beaten bloody in moments, leaving Tsunade a little calmer.
She dragged Anko out of the tavern with her—without paying a single coin.
...
Author's Note:
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