Under the dim sky, the group was still camping outdoors.
But because there were quite a few people, and everyone was a high-level Ninja who could perform various Ninjutsu with a casual gesture, the surrounding environment didn't feel like roughing it.
In fact, Naruto had even specially used Earth Release to create temporary separate toilets and a bathhouse.
Hot water was provided by Zabuza and Roshi.
These two didn't talk much between themselves.
For one, they had basically no interaction, and secondly, both were already accustomed to being taciturn outside of combat.
But it must be said, a constant-temperature hot spring made with Lava Release and Water Release was truly enjoyable.
Kisame, the captive, watched as this group showed not a trace of tension about being targeted, their relaxation level even comparable to an autumn outing.
However, it was precisely this observation that allowed him to find an opportunity.
"Phew… Haku, you go wash first. I'll keep watch."
Zabuza took the steaming hot towel off his forehead, hung it around his neck, and then said to Haku, who was poking the campfire beside him.
Hearing Zabuza's words, Haku showed a heart-melting smile, then obediently walked towards the temporary bathhouse.
It wasn't particularly late anymore. Most others in the team were already asleep or tinkering with some little secret in their own tents.
Only Zabuza and Kisame, covered in writing, remained by the fire.
Compared to the Adamantine Sealing Chains that required Naruto's constant maintenance, the [Thousand-Character Seal[ developed by Jiraiya by using Inku Inku no Mi was much more convenient.
Even Kisame, whose Chakra Reserves far exceeded ordinary Ninja, became somewhat drowsy and weak all over under the numerous effects of the seal.
They only needed to wait for Sasuke to recover his consumed Ocular Power before they could use Genjutsu on him to learn about the masked man.
"Heh heh... Momochi Zabuza... long time no see."
Suddenly, Kisame, who had been looking dazed until now, moved his small bean-like eyes and spoke in a somewhat hoarse voice.
"If you're trying to persuade me to let you go, you can save your breath."
Zabuza remained focused on the fire, seemingly not surprised that Kisame could remain conscious under these circumstances.
"I never thought that the [Demon] who had the courage to assassinate the Mizukage would willingly become a nanny."
As if not hearing the sarcasm, Zabuza remained silent.
He and Kisame both once belonged to Kirigakure, and their ages weren't far apart.
But unlike him, who had to flee early after his assassination attempt failed, Kisame worked in Kirigakure as an executioner for many years before deciding to defect after meeting the masked man.
In fact, even until his capture today, Kisame had always remembered Zabuza's name.
For someone like him, who had to betray comrades and teammates again and again, a 'senior' who would assassinate a Kage for an unreasonable policy was actually something he admired.
But… look at Zabuza now.
Spending all day with another pretty face of unknown gender revolving around a little girl, where was the Demon of old?
However, this was exactly what Kisame hoped to see now.
A softened heart is easier to provoke.
"Consider it a mark of respect for you. I can tell you a secret."
He licked his lips and sharp teeth, truly resembling a shark waiting to hunt.
Zabuza still didn't respond, but his gaze had subtly focused.
"Actually, you were right."
"The [Bloody Mist] policy shouldn't have existed, because it was implemented by the person I serve manipulating the Fourth Mizukage. If you had succeeded back then, you might have truly saved Kirigakure from Madara-san's grasp."
Regarding whether the Bloody Mist policy was proposed by the Fourth Mizukage Yagura himself or after he was controlled by Obito, even Kisame wasn't clear.
But none of that was important now.
He only needed shocking enough information to disturb the other's mind.
"Perhaps you don't know yet, but the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura has always been under Madara-san's control."
"In other words, the true mastermind behind Kirigakure for over a decade has been Uchiha Madara!"
Zabuza was somewhat dizzied by the waves of information Kisame kept throwing out. Before he could react further, Kisame added.
"Oh, you haven't returned to Kirigakure, so you don't know that Yagura is already dead, right?"
"You said... what?"
Hearing Zabuza's incredulous voice, Kisame grinned.
"You should know, if the Tailed Beast inside a Jinchuriki is forcibly..."
His voice grew softer and softer towards the end, as if weakened from lack of food and water.
Zabuza, momentarily relaxed, subconsciously leaned in to listen.
Just as he was less than twenty centimeters from Kisame, Kisame suddenly mustered all the strength he had accumulated over this time, forcibly using the muscles near his spine to bounce his upper body.
Then he opened his serrated mouth wide, aiming to bite Zabuza's throat.
How could such a sneak attack succeed against Zabuza.
Although he wasn't like Sasuke or Konohamaru, who had been taught Haki and could predict enemy movements, as a veteran assassin, even if his mind was disturbed, his body's instincts would subconsciously defend and counter.
And this was exactly what Kisame wanted to see.
Under his gaze, Zabuza easily dodged the serrated bite.
Immediately after, Zabuza, his mind shaken and reacting defensively, slid a kunai from his sleeve, preparing to stab Kisame's throat.
Crunch-
A large hand firmly grasped the kunai.
"It's you..."
Naruto gently took the deformed kunai from Zabuza's hand, then casually squeezed it into a lump of scrap metal.
"Don't fall for his trick, Zabuza."
"After we get the information, you can kill him then."
Kisame's suicide attempt was doomed from the moment he chose to carry it out in this camp.
After all, what movement could possibly escape Naruto's perception here?
"Coward!"
Pinned back to the ground, Kisame's face suddenly turned ferocious as he shouted at Zabuza.
But his voice quickly vanished under Naruto's seal.
"Go rest, Zabuza. I'll handle him."
Hearing Naruto say this, Zabuza didn't insist further, just silently nodded to the other and walked towards the tent he shared with Haku.
'Indeed, I had been somewhat off my game tonight.'
'Was it because he hadn't worked with weapons for too long?'
Zabuza reflected silently in his heart.
As for Kisame on the other side, he could only wait for dawn under Naruto's smiling gaze.
...
The next day, before the group set off, the interrogation of Kisame was effectively over.
Sasuke, with his recovered Sharingan's Ocular Power, hypnotized Kisame with almost no effort.
After all, Kisame's Chakra was completely sealed, and his mental will was already weakened by the Thousand-Character Seal.
Coupled with the fact that no one present would willingly use their own Chakra to disrupt his, it wasn't strange for him to fall under Genjutsu's control.
Just like the Fourth Mizukage, whom he had mocked, he too had his mind completely controlled by another pair of Sharingan.
"...That's how it is. We've already collected the Three-Tails' Chakra, but Madara-san ordered everyone to abandon their missions and immediately head to a place called Roran in the southern part of the Land of Wind."
Under the control of the Sharingan, Kisame spoke all the information he knew like a puppet.
This even included the masked man's true appearance.
From his description, the other party was quite old, likely the legendary Madara who fought to the death with Hashirama.
But considering this guy might have also fallen under the other party's Genjutsu, this point wasn't reliable.
After Kisame finished speaking, Sasuke released the Genjutsu control on him.
"...Huh? You all are...?"
Kisame first seemed dazed, then, looking at the expressions of the people around him, seemed to guess something.
"It seems... I've betrayed my comrades once again..."
For the first time, they saw such a pained expression on this shark-faced man's face.
"Kill me..."
Hearing this, Sasuke looked at Naruto.
Naruto's response was to silently cover Kousei's eyes.
Ssshhhk-
The corpse slowly fell, and then the soil automatically parted to bury it.
Samehada, which had somehow ended up in B's hands from Zabuza at some point, seemed to sense its master's death and began to squirm uneasily.
They say when a whale dies, its body becomes nutrients that support other life in a part of the ocean.
Hence the saying, 'A whale fall gives life to all'.
But for Kisame, his death could probably only be called a [Shark Fall].