Compared to Sakura and Sasuke's startled looks, Naruto's whole body trembled slightly with excitement.
But before Naruto could ride that excitement for long, Kinoshita Jiro's voice sounded again.
"Unfortunately, the Land of Whirlpools has already been destroyed."
Kinoshita Jiro lowered his head a little, a somber note in his voice.
"Destroyed? No way..." The excitement froze on Naruto's face.
That wild swing from elation to despair was the perfect picture of Naruto right now: a moment ago he thought he might finally learn something about his parents, and in the next instant it was shattered.
"Yeah. It was wiped out many years ago."
Sakura nodded, muttering under her breath as if finding herself an acceptable explanation: "No wonder the academy had no records about the Land of Whirlpools."
Sasuke shot Naruto a complicated look, thinking to himself: So his situation is similar to mine?
"I've said a bit too much today. My injuries haven't fully healed—I should head back and rest first."
Kinoshita Jiro let out a wry smile, slowly stood, and walked toward the door.
Naruto still stood there, dazed, as if trying to digest what Kinoshita Jiro had just said.
Kakashi kept his silence, watching the scene, trying to gauge what that man's true aim was.
Although Kinoshita Jiro had never shown hostility from beginning to end, a faint unease lingered deep in Kakashi's heart.
Kakashi glanced at the still-stunned Naruto and sighed softly.
What Kinoshita Jiro had said wasn't exactly some great secret, but for Naruto, who'd known none of it, it would be hard to process in the short term.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly. He needed to recover quickly—and that self-proclaimed wandering ninja warranted attention.
Was his target Naruto? Or was that just a smokescreen?
As for the exchange just now, Tazuna hadn't understood a word—nor did he care much.
"Anyway, it's finally over. After defeating such a strong ninja, we should be safe at last." Tazuna said, relief on his face as he looked at Kakashi.
At Tazuna's words, Kakashi's expression dimmed a little. "I don't want to spoil the mood, but Zabuza may not be dead."
Tazuna froze, panic flashing across his face. "How is that possible!"
The others also jolted—even the spaced-out Naruto snapped back to himself, staring at Kakashi in disbelief.
Kakashi then laid out his reasoning, and, because of his own condition, decided to put Naruto and the other two through training to boost their strength in case of any surprises.
—
In a dim room.
Gato wore a mocking smile as he looked at the man lying on the bed:
"So this is the so-called Demon, huh? Didn't expect you to come back with your tail between your legs. Ninja from the Hidden Mist Village really are useless."
Sitting beside Zabuza, Haku's face darkened at the sneer.
Just then, a chill voice cut through the room: "Insulting the Hidden Mist Village is something you pay for with your life."
Pfft! Blood sprayed. Gato clutched at the stump of his severed arm and let out a shrill scream!
"Who's there!"
The two samurai behind Gato blanched, yanked their blades free, and stepped in front of him, scanning the room with wary eyes.
Crack!
With a flash of lightning, a red-haired girl appeared in front of Gato. The two samurai shielding him clutched at their throats, blood geysering between their fingers; without even a scream they toppled stiffly to the floor.
"My, my—pretty ruthless."
Suigetsu's teasing voice came from behind Gato.
Gato collapsed to the ground in terror, stammering, "D-don't kill me... I-I have money, lots and lots of money."
"Is that so? If we kill you, your money becomes ours."
Ringo grinned and brought down the Raitō (Thunder Blade) in her hand.
Blood splattered everywhere.
The tycoon Gato, whose wealth could sway an entire country, died just like that—clean and simple.
Suigetsu couldn't help but shuffle back a few steps, lest Gato's blood splash onto him.
"Who are you people!"
Haku planted himself in front of Zabuza's bed, tense from head to toe.
"Cough... cough... That's a Raitō (Thunder Blade). Looks like that bastard Kurosuki Raiga is dead."
Zabuza coughed twice, sat up, and eyed the blade in Ringo's hand with a cold snort.
"Zabuza, you've got two options: die, or become my tool."
A faint voice drifted from the corner of the room.
Zabuza's face changed. He snapped his gaze toward the sound. In one corner, a young figure leaned against the wall. If he hadn't spoken just now, Zabuza wouldn't even have noticed he was there.
"Heh. Two options? I'll take a third."
Zabuza gave a cold laugh. His body hadn't fully recovered, but basic movements were still doable.
As the words fell, he sprang off the bed, grabbed the decapitating greatsword at his side, and hacked down toward Yuto.
At the same time, Haku moved, rushing at Ringo to tie up her and Suigetsu, hoping to create an opening for Zabuza.
Crack!
A crisp shattering rang through the room. Staring at the decapitating greatsword broken cleanly in two, Zabuza froze in place, momentarily unable to react.
"Too slow."
Yuto was already behind him; with a casual pat, he sent Zabuza flying, smashing a gaping hole through the wall.
"Zabuza-sama!"
Panic flashed across Haku's face, and he made to give chase in the direction Zabuza had been swatted.
But Yuto's hand was already resting lightly on his shoulder, pinning him where he stood. No matter how Haku strained, he couldn't break free.
"You're Haku, right?"
Yuto's lips curved in a faint smile.
Facing the terrifyingly strong youth before him, Haku gritted his teeth. "Who are you? What do you want!"
"My name is Yuto," he answered, still smiling.
"Let go of Haku!"
A furious roar and a black blur came from the hole in the wall.
Clutching the remaining half of his blade, Zabuza charged straight at Yuto and brought it down in an overhead strike.
Seeing this, Yuto simply lifted a finger and tapped the descending shard of steel.
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