"..."
The little old man wearing glasses was somewhat startled, and couldn't help but take a few steps back. He had originally deceived the Konoha Ninja into escorting him for bridge construction protection, even deliberately issuing a C-rank mission due to insufficient funds.
In reality…
This escort mission is quite dangerous.
Strictly speaking, the Land of Waves is currently filled with villainous merchants' thugs, and even ninjas in service to smuggling merchants, which is hardly something a regular squad can resolve.
However…
Dazna had no choice but to do this.
Dazna dejectedly hung his head and spoke softly about the situation of the Land of Waves: "A merchant named Caddo occupied the Land of Waves, prohibiting communication between the Land of Waves and the outside world..."
"Caddo is oppressing the citizens of the Land of Waves, everyone is living poor lives, and we don't have the power to resist Caddo. Those who resist are killed..."
"I have no choice but to deceive Konoha to send ninjas to protect me. I just want to build a bridge that can communicate with the outside world, so that the Land of Waves will no longer be impoverished..."
Dazna looked at the Konoha ninjas present, wanting to use moral coercion poorly: "If no one protects me, I will be killed by them, the Land of Waves will still be poor, my little granddaughter will only wash her face with tears for life, and my daughter will hate you Konoha ninjas forever..."
"..."
The group couldn't help but want to roll their eyes.
Akihara Kagura nodded and proposed a solution: "It's okay, I'm kind-hearted, I'll kill them so they don't have to live painfully..."
"..."
Dazna was shocked!
Originally wanting to use moral coercion, turns out this seemingly high-status Konoha ninja is without morals!
"Stop scaring him."
"We also want to help you, but your request classifies as a B-level mission."
Kakashi Hatake sighed with a bit of helplessness while looking at Dazna, saying: "Issuing a false commission is quite troublesome, the village high-levels wouldn't want us to carry out this mission, and if Caddo hired ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village, should we engage in battle with an allied ninja village..."
It was at that point Kakashi Hatake began to subtly hint to Dazna: "If you want us to continue the commission, you need special permission from the village high-levels..."
"Do we need to return to Konoha?"
Dazna looked at Kakashi Hatake, as if seeing hope: "As long as special permission from the Konoha high-levels is obtained..."
"Solemn Introduction."
Kakashi Hatake's forehead twitched, frustratedly opening his hands towards Akihara Kagura while introducing: "One of the Konoha high-levels, Konoha Village's Hokage Assistant, Lord Akihara Kagura, ranking just below the Third Hokage of Konoha Village."
"Do what you want."
Akihara Kagura interrupted Kakashi Hatake impatiently: "Don't drag me in, I can pretend I know nothing..."
"You… Need to take responsibility!"
Kakashi Hatake placed one hand on Akihara Kagura's shoulder, drawing him aside to whisper: "Hey hey hey, I've always given you face, these kids are on their first ninja battle mission, can't let this task end without a hitch!"
Kakashi Hatake rubbed his palms while voicing his concerns: "I'm just worried about causing a conflict with the Hidden Mist Village, would it trouble the village..."
"Not at all."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Kakashi Hatake, continuing: "You're just conveniently going to deal with the smugglers of the Land of Waves, while I take my Root members out for a vacation..."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake rolled his dead fish eyes, feeling he had guessed Akihara Kagura's mission; this guy tossed the task to Team Seven, while he enjoyed his vacation?
"The Land of Waves is a good place to vacation."
Kakashi Hatake thoughtfully nodded.
With so many strong forces in Root, plus Akihara Kagura as Konoha's strongest force, Kakashi Hatake felt relieved; even if he led Team Seven to execute the mission of capturing the Fourth Raikage...
Though…
The Root and Team Seven didn't travel together.
After all, Kakashi Hatake led Team Seven for training and practice, whereas Akihara Kagura truly went for vacation with Root members.
However…
When Kakashi Hatake brought Team Seven and Dazna to the Land of Waves, they immediately encountered an old acquaintance of his. A Hidden Mist Ninja, carrying a scary large sword and with bandages on his face, stood on a tree, blocking their way.
"Kakashi Hatake..."
"Encountered an old acquaintance again..."
Kakashi Hatake raised his head to look at this bandaged guy, recalling their prior meeting: "Isn't this Momochi Zabuza? I heard you defected? The late Fourth Mizukage once saved your life, but it seems you didn't heed his order to return to the village..."
"Who would want to follow his orders anymore!"
Momochi Zabuza cursed coldly.
After Momochi Zabuza was saved by Karatachi Yagura, he did not choose to return to the Hidden Mist Village but instead defected and fled. He wanted to seize the position of Mizukage within the Hidden Mist Village and reconstruct it according to his ideals.
Clearly.
He intended to rebel.
Rebellion undoubtedly requires money.
Coincidentally, nobles from the Land of Water, long engaged in smuggling, found Momochi Zabuza and hired him to protect their smuggling business, even promising that if the rebellion succeeded, they would support Momochi Zabuza in becoming Mizukage, provided he agreed to cancel the alliance with Konoha and re-seal the Land of Water.
Both sides readily agreed.
Momochi Zabuza was responsible for protecting their smuggling business while the Land of Water nobles funded and recruited for the rebellion's resources and manpower.
Undoubtedly.
Momochi Zabuza is currently the strongest force in the Land of Waves.
"Be careful."
Kakashi Hatake kept his eyes fixed on Momochi Zabuza, reminding his subordinates to be alert: "This guy once tried to assassinate a Mizukage, even fought Akihara Kagura and managed to escape unscathed. If we're careless, he might kill us too..."
"..."
A vein burst on Momochi Zabuza's forehead.
Kakashi Hatake, the bastard is intentionally provoking his sore spot?
When fighting Akihara Kagura, he knew full well why he managed to retreat safely!
Kakashi Hatake called out to his subordinates to stay vigilant, but in his heart, he wasn't worried at all; he believed Akihara Kagura was surely keeping an eye on this situation.
If the fight went unfavorably, Akihara Kagura certainly wouldn't remain a bystander; if Akihara Kagura appeared, Momochi Zabuza would definitely be scared off...
However…
Akihara Kagura wasn't paying attention to this.
Just as Momochi Zabuza and Team Seven led by Kakashi Hatake were engaged in a fierce battle, Akihara Kagura sat on the sofa in the smuggling merchant Caddo's house.
As for the smuggling merchant Caddo, he had already become a corpse, with a snake coiling around Caddo's body. The killer was clearly someone else.
The killer, Orochimaru.
Shimura Danzo led his two guards, Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fuu, standing by with half-closed eyes without a word.
These two S-Class Traitorous Ninja of Konoha had just arrived at the Land of Waves, invited by Akihara Kagura to gather at Caddo's house, conveniently dealing with Caddo's gang.
"Let's split Caddo's money first."
Akihara Kagura didn't bother looking at Caddo's corpse, casually outlining the distribution ratio: "70-30 split, how does this percentage sound?"
"Only giving us 70%?"
Orochimaru licked his lips greedily, eyeing Akihara Kagura: "Kagura-kun, I remember you shouldn't have much use for money, right?"
"Konoha Orphanage, Root, both institutions rest on my shoulders."
Akihara Kagura sighed deeply, speaking of his hardships.
Akihara Kagura thought for a moment before reminding: "Oh right, forgot to mention, the 70% is mine..."