Chapter 178 Is the Water Shadow Controllled?
"So, what about Gato?"
Zabuza ignored Naruto's smug face and turned to Kakashi, asking a question.
Knowing Gato as he did, he knew he would never let things end like this.
Kakashi shrugged and then said, "Indeed, Gato came once while you were unconscious, with his henchmen."
At the time, Gato was in high spirits, and with nearly a hundred henchmen, he was confident enough to flatten the bridge.
The sea breeze that day carried a faint fishy smell.
Gato led his henchmen to the bridge, each armed with an iron weapon, and they swarmed toward the cabin.
Naruto saw so many people, and their auras were all so unpleasant, so he simply gave them a brief welcome.
[Wood Release: Wood Clone]
Ten Narutos were separated, and each of them then formed hand seals and used the Wood Golem Technique.
Since Kurama's chakra wasn't used this time, these ten wooden figures might be a bit short, but that's in comparison to the magnificent wooden figures that stood before at the Hokage Building.
Their height was three or four times that of the herd of horses.
In other words, even if Gato jumps up, he can't touch the wooden figure's knees.
Well, Naruto had absolutely no liking for this group of henchmen who exuded murderous intent and aided and abetted evil.
So, under the dance of the ten wooden figures, the henchmen were sent flying, their white buttocks exposed.
Kakashi's lips twitched as he watched, secretly praising himself for finishing early when he was trying to steal the bell.
If Naruto had played like that back then, wouldn't I have been played to death?
"But Naruto was on guard duty that day, so the result was similar to yours, but no one treated them."
To be honest, Zabuza's actions were no different from those of his henchmen.
The main reason why Naruto and the others were willing to give him a chance was that Haku's chakra was warm inside, and he was also good-looking.
Another reason is that Zabuza is a ninja from Kirigakure, so the specifics of how to deal with him should be left to Kirigakure.
This is a perfect opportunity to make contact with Kirigakure. I believe Kirigakure wouldn't leave Zabuza, who carries one of the Seven Ninja Swords, out there.
"I see, huh?
You people in Konoha really are a bunch of monsters."
Zabuza closed his eyes and spoke his true feelings.
"Well, it's not so bad, it's just that all the weirdos in this year's class are in my class."
Kakashi stroked his chin.
All the weirdos were in his class; he didn't know about the other prodigies.
"You should rest first. Come back to Konoha with me later, and we will communicate with Kirigakure."
Upon hearing this, Zabuza opened his eyes instantly, which had been closed.
"no!"
Kakashi paused, speechless, and stared into Zabuza's eyes.
"I...can't go back, and Haku can't go back either."
Is it because of the Village of Blood Mist?
Kakashi had heard of the training methods in Kirigakure, the kind of method that relied on killing to create ninjas, and he couldn't accept it either, but that couldn't be a reason for Zabuza's refusal.
Looking into Kakashi's eyes, Zabuza knew that he was most likely doomed.
After all, as a rogue ninja who had assassinated the Fourth Mizukage, he would most likely become the wedge that started the conflict between Konoha and Kirigakure.
But, white...
"I can do whatever I want with you, but Haku absolutely cannot go back."
Zabuza said resignedly, then solemnly addressed Kakashi.
"Why? He didn't do anything wrong."
"Lord Zabuza, I want to go with you."
Haku had been listening intently to Zabuza and Kakashi's conversation, and now he could no longer remain silent.
Although he was merely a tool, he didn't want to leave Lord Zabuza.
"Under the blood mist, nothing is innocent, and even the Mizukage has been controlled.
What will Kirigakure be like now?"
Zabuza sighed and casually revealed some important information to Kakashi.
"The water shadow has been controlled?!"
"Yes, the Fourth Mizukage."
Knowing he was doomed, Zabuza decided to say these words to Kakashi as his last.
"Do you know why I assassinated the Fourth Mizukage?
It's because I discovered that the Mizukage was being controlled by a mysterious person, and I wanted to rescue Kirigakure."
"But the Fourth Mizukage is dead, and now the Fifth Mizukage has taken over."
Kakashi squinted, considering the credibility of Zabuza's words.
"So what?
As long as that mysterious person doesn't die, who knows if the current Mizukage is still a puppet?"
Zabuza said helplessly, staring blankly at the ceiling, secretly wishing he were a little stronger.
If he were strong enough, he could prove to Kirigakure that the Mizukage was being controlled, thereby changing the village under the blood mist.
"Don't worry, if what you say is true, Konoha won't hand you over to Kirigakure."
Controlling the Mizukage and manipulating Kirigakure, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, is no small matter.
Moreover, this audacious act bears a strange resemblance to the Nine-Tails' rampage back then, the mysterious man...
"Hehe, I don't care, but it's white."
Zabuza stopped, then turned to look at Haku, enduring his own pain, and said to Haku.
"Haku, I command you, if I am sent to Kirigakure, you must live well as a human being."
Surprise and reluctance flashed in Haku's eyes, but he finally nodded and said, "Yes, Lord Zabuza."
Zabuza continued, "Kakashi, I beg you, protect Haku, and I'll tell you everything I know."
Kakashi scrutinized the two of them, remained silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Don't worry, if there's really a problem with Kirigakure, I'll protect you and Haku."
Zabuza smiled, his face, wrapped in bandages, looked somewhat ferocious, but he was smiling very happily.
"Alright, Zabuza, you'd be better off begging me than Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto broke the somewhat somber atmosphere and spoke frankly.
"You?
A Jinchūriki who hasn't even grown up yet?"
Zabuza glanced at Naruto. Although Naruto was very strong, in exchanges between villages and countries, a strong Jinchuriki had no say.
Even if he knows Wood Release, it's still the same.
"Ahem, let me reintroduce myself.
I am Naruto Uzumaki, son of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and adopted grandson of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Naruto raised his head and said proudly.
"Ha, he's just a child."
Although Naruto's identity did surprise Zabuza for a moment, so what?
A child's suggestion cannot influence the Hokage's decision.
"What if I join you?"
A gentle voice came into the room.
Zabuza's pupils contracted sharply as he looked at the golden figure that had appeared beside Naruto.
Kakashi stared blankly at Minato's figure, the book he hadn't closed falling to the ground.
"Hey, Kakashi, long time no see. You've grown up."
Minato smiled at Kakashi, just like always.
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End of this chapter...