Samehada swung forward, its movement accompanied by a roar that tore through the air.
However, Fuguki Suikazan did not witness Ameyuri Ringo being decapitated with blood splashing everywhere. Instead, a loud and majestic dragon roar echoed, followed by the sound of rushing, churning water.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
An incomparably fierce water dragon surged forward with tremendous momentum, smashing heavily into Fuguki Suikazan with lightning speed.
The powerful force brought by the water dragon directly sent his mountain-like, 2.5-meter-tall physique flying. He crashed through several thick tree trunks before slowly coming to a halt.
Seeing this scene, a look of complete shock surfaced on Ameyuri Ringo's face.
As she looked in the direction from which the water dragon had come, Zabuza Momochi, known as the "Demon," was slowly lowering his hands from forming hand signs.
Clearly, the Water Dragon Jutsu just now had been executed by Zabuza, and it had successfully saved her life.
After confirming this fact, a wave of confusion immediately ensued.
Why did Zabuza save me?
The guy is clearly a staunch member of the Blood Mist Faction and has even committed the horrific act of slaughtering all his classmates. No matter how you look at it, his behavior doesn't seem to match the Survivor Faction, right?
Not to mention Ameyuri Ringo's lack of understanding, Fuguki Suikazan understood it even less.
He spat out a large mouthful of blood, leaning on Samehada as he struggled to stand up.
If Samehada hadn't automatically protected its master just now, standing in front of him to absorb a portion of the chakra from the water dragon, he might have completely lost his fighting capacity by now.
Despite Fuguki Suikazan's imposing 2.5-meter stature, very few shinobi could actually withstand a direct hit from a B-rank ninjutsu.
"Zabuza, what do you think you are doing?"
His gaze locked onto Zabuza with deadly intensity.
Before this mission, the Mizukage had explicitly told him in private that Zabuza would cooperate with him to eliminate Ameyuri Ringo for opposing the Blood Mist policy.
So what was going on now?
Not only did Zabuza fail to help, but he even stood on the opposing side of the Blood Mist Faction.
"Have you already defected to the Survivor Faction?"
Fuguki Suikazan asked coldly.
The so-called Survivor Faction was the general term for those within the Hidden Mist who opposed the Blood Mist policy. Their intention was to wipe away the bloody regime and restore peace to the village.
Facing the interrogation, Zabuza slowly shook his head, saying, "I don't belong to any faction. If I must claim one, then I suppose I belong to the Freedom Faction."
"Freedom Faction?"
Fuguki Suikazan's expression turned bizarre. He had never heard of such a faction before.
Could this be a faction Zabuza fabricated just to compete for the position of the next Mizukage?
"That's right. What I pursue is absolute freedom," Zabuza explained calmly.
He raised his ninja sword, pointing it at Fuguki Suikazan as he said, "Now it's your turn to choose. Either choose to become a hidden pawn lurking by Yagura's side, or choose death."
"Death? Right now, you lack the qualifications to decide my death!"
Fuguki Suikazan suddenly stood up straight. All the chakra absorbed by Samehada earlier was completely returned to his body, causing his previously dying countenance to instantly become radiant with vitality.
Seeing this, Ameyuri Ringo also grew solemn. Taking a step forward to stand in front of Zabuza, she said, "I'll deal with him together with you!"
However, this gesture was sternly rejected by Zabuza. He stepped past Ameyuri Ringo, walking straight toward Fuguki Suikazan.
"If I don't even have the ability to deal with him, then what qualifications do I have to pursue that so-called freedom?"
Ameyuri Ringo was momentarily stunned, remaining frozen in place without moving.
Fuguki Suikazan was similarly taken aback for a moment, but he quickly erupted into a mocking laugh.
"Zabuza, aren't you overestimating yourself a bit?"
Fuguki Suikazan knew Zabuza's strength like the back of his hand.
When all was said and done, the boy merely relied on his mastery of Water Style ninjutsu and decent taijutsu.
Yet the greatsword Samehada happened to perfectly counter both ninjutsu and taijutsu. Therefore, even though Fuguki Suikazan was heavily injured at this moment, he still possessed the confidence to survive against Zabuza and even launch a counter-kill!
Hearing Fuguki Suikazan's words, a hard-to-fathom smile curled up at the corner of Zabuza's mouth.
He drew his palm from his pouch, taking the opportunity to stuff an insect into his mouth.
In the next split second, the smile on Fuguki Suikazan's face froze solid.
Wild, violent Tailed Beast chakra erupted frantically from Zabuza's body. The air across the entire battlefield became ominous, while Zabuza himself clearly endured immense agony.
He did not possess an immortal body like Hidan, nor did he have an innate Sage Body like Jugo.
Consequently, the pain he endured when utilizing Tailed Beast chakra was something unimaginable to ordinary people.
Even so, Zabuza still embraced it willingly.
Only this kind of power could carry the freedom he desired!
"Roar!!!"
Enveloped by the crimson chakra, Zabuza let out a beast-like howl.
The ground beneath his feet shattered under the immense force, and his body appeared right in front of Fuguki Suikazan in the blink of an eye!
The burning, flame-like chakra illuminated Fuguki Suikazan's terrified expression.
"Why does a guy like you possess Tailed Beast chakra?!"
Zabuza naturally had no intention of answering Fuguki Suikazan's question at a time like this.
A single punch came crashing down.
Accompanied by a terrifying gale from the fist, the violent chakra poured out formatlably.
Fuguki Suikazan subconsciously placed Samehada in front of him to block this heavy punch.
He immediately activated Samehada's ability, beginning to frantically absorb the Tailed Beast chakra from Zabuza's body.
Upon seeing that the chakra on Zabuza's body was continuously being absorbed by Samehada, Fuguki Suikazan's expression gradually shifted from initial terror to smugness.
"Zabuza, although I don't know why you suddenly possess Tailed Beast chakra, as long as it's chakra, it's nothing more than food for Samehada!"
Fuguki Suikazan roared aloud. He subsequently swung the greatsword Samehada, bringing it down violently toward Zabuza.
Just as Zabuza intended to dodge, he discovered that Fuguki Suikazan's movements had come to a highly bizarre halt.
This was because countless sharp spikes had suddenly protruded from the hilt held by Fuguki Suikazan, piercing right through his palm.
The sudden, intense pain caused Fuguki Suikazan to subconsciously drop Samehada onto the ground.
"Damn it, what are you doing, Samehada?!"
Fuguki Suikazan shouted curses at his former partner.
He never expected that at such a critical juncture, he would actually be betrayed by the weapon he had used for so long!
After Samehada fell to the ground, it wriggled its body, crawling right up to Zabuza.
"It seems Samehada prefers me a little more."
Zabuza reached out to pick up the greatsword Samehada. As he continuously channeled his chakra into it, the weapon's compatibility with him grew higher and higher.
However, there was a problem.
Zabuza was not a true Tailed Beast Jinchuriki after all, meaning it was impossible for him to have a limitless supply of chakra to constantly feed Samehada.
He had to finish off the enemy in front of him before his Tailed Beast chakra was completely exhausted!
Having lost Samehada, Fuguki Suikazan was utterly no match for Zabuza in his Tailed Beast state, let alone now that Zabuza possessed this powerful weapon.
Consequently, the battle instantly lost all suspense. Realizing he stood no chance of victory, Fuguki Suikazan decisively chose to surrender.
The speed of his surrender left both Zabuza and Ameyuri Ringo completely dumbfounded.
In their eyes, a fellow like Fuguki Suikazan should have been a loyal dog of Yagura Karatachi and a staunch member of the Blood Mist Faction. Who would have thought he would choose to surrender so easily?
"Spare my life! I can become your mole by Yagura's side, passing all his intelligence and movements to you!"
Fuguki Suikazan guaranteed without a shred of dignity, seemingly terrified that Zabuza might slaughter him right then and there.
"This guy..."
Ameyuri Ringo knitted her brows, her expression filled with utter contempt.
Instead, her gaze toward Zabuza was filled with scrutiny.
She was highly curious about how Zabuza, whose strength had originally been on par with hers, managed to obtain such a massive upgrade in such a short period of time.
Furthermore, she was also extremely interested in the concept of freedom Zabuza had spoken of.
Since Fuguki Suikazan chose to surrender, Zabuza deactivated the chakra supply from the "Shell."
After merely a few minutes of combat, the Tailed Beast chakra stored within the "Shell" was already pushed to its limits.
Deprived of the chakra supply, the Tailed Beast cloak enveloping his body gradually vanished. Unable to absorb any more Tailed Beast chakra, Samehada twisted its body, struggling to break free from Zabuza's grasp.
As expected, relying solely on my own abilities is still insufficient to satisfy Samehada, Zabuza thought to himself.
Ameyuri Ringo paid no mind to this scene, instead staring at Fuguki Suikazan who was kneeling before them as she said, "Do you really plan to use him as a hidden pawn planted next to the Mizukage? How can you guarantee his loyalty?"
In Ameyuri Ringo's view, a treacherous, double-crossing scumbag like Fuguki Suikazan should be killed immediately. Otherwise, the moment he returned, he would likely report everything that happened here to Yagura.
However, Zabuza did not have any concerns in this regard because he was not acting alone.
"Since he lacks loyalty, then we shall simply help him become loyal."
Simu's calm voice echoed. Clad in the Akatsuki organization uniform, he walked out slowly from the woods accompanied by Hidan.
Hidan was also carrying a white-haired youth in his hand, who happened to be the very one who had launched the assault against Fuguki Suikazan earlier.
The moment Ameyuri Ringo saw Simu, she bristled like a cat sensing danger, entering a state of high alert.
Her intuition told her that the man before her possessed a terrifying power beyond her imagination!
Zabuza, who had just displayed fearsome power, bowed respectfully to the newcomer, saying, "Lord Simu."
"Lord... Simu?"
Ameyuri Ringo was stunned. Quick-witted as she was, she rapidly deduced something, instantly connecting Zabuza's explosive increase in strength to this mysterious man.
Simu nodded slightly to Zabuza, subsequently arriving in front of Fuguki Suikazan.
Before the opponent could even react, Simu's eyes shifted into the Mangekyo Sharingan. A massive amount of ocular power poured directly into Fuguki Suikazan's mind, shattering his mental defenses in an instant.
"Lord Simu."
Having been placed under the genjutsu, Fuguki Suikazan displayed a level of respect that far exceeded Zabuza's. He prostrated himself completely before Simu, his attitude incredibly humble, with none of his past arrogance remaining.
Even Samehada on the side actively slid over to Simu's feet, rubbing against his shin in a highly flattering manner.
Its current behavior stood in stark contrast to how it had abandoned Zabuza the moment his Tailed Beast chakra ran out earlier!
Simu raised an eyebrow, slightly opening his palm. Samehada on the ground immediately nudged forward with immense joy, presenting its hilt into Simu's hand at the most optimal angle.
Feeling the delight transmitting from Samehada in his hand, Simu gently pushed up his glasses.
To be honest, he was quite curious about Samehada.
After all, its ability to absorb the chakra contained within ninjutsu bore a striking resemblance to a certain ability of the Rinnegan. It was certainly worthy of thorough research.
Seeing this scene, Ameyuri Ringo was completely dumbstruck.
One had to know that Samehada was arguably the most powerful and the most difficult to tame among the seven ninja swords.
Yet right now, it actually displayed such sycophancy.
Yes, sycophancy.
She had never seen any previous wielder of Samehada receive such treatment.
This could only prove that the man before her was indeed ridiculously powerful!
"Since Fuguki Suikazan has been dealt with, what about you, Miss Ameyuri Ringo? Do you choose to join the Freedom Faction to liberate the Hidden Mist Village, or..."
Simu's gaze locked onto the woman through his flat lenses.
This commanding aura almost rendered Ameyuri Ringo unable to move, but out of a certain conviction, she still gritted her teeth and asked, "I want to know, Mr. Simu, what exactly is your true purpose?"
"My true purpose..."
Simu pushed his glasses again, seemingly searching for a suitable answer.
Ultimately, he spoke, "If I must name a purpose, it is to overthrow this decadent world so that no one will be shackled by their physical flesh, achieving true freedom in a spiritual sense."
"Freedom... in a spiritual sense?" Ameyuri Ringo murmured, clearly finding it somewhat difficult to comprehend.
To this, Simu continued to explain, "That's right. Creating a world that disregards background and bloodline, looking only at the soul. Whatever your soul is like, that is who you are. That is true freedom."
"Disregarding background, disregarding bloodline, looking only at the soul..."
Ameyuri Ringo repeated the words to herself. Along with her murmur, her eyes gradually grew brighter.
"I am willing to join."
Hearing this, Simu nodded with satisfaction, "Then you shall temporarily remain by my side. Have Fuguki Suikazan and Zabuza convey the news to Yagura that you have perished, and then try your best to uncover the whereabouts of the Six-Tails from Yagura's mouth."
"Yes."
Zabuza and Fuguki Suikazan both responded respectfully in unison.
Under Simu's arrangements, the news of Ameyuri Ringo's death and the total annihilation of the Kaguya clan was rapidly disseminated.
Fuguki Suikazan led several hundred Mist shinobi successfully back to the Hidden Mist Village to report back to the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi.
Meanwhile, at the border of the Land of Water, a stronghold was quietly established.
A dozen or so Kaguya clan survivors, including the white-haired youth, along with Ameyuri Ringo, were all transferred here.
"What is your name?"
Simu looked down at the white-haired youth who possessed an explosive talent for combat.
The boy looked back at Simu, opening his mouth to reply, "My name is Kimimaro."