(T/N: Please consider reviewing this Fanfic. Thanks and appreciate all who support me.
(T/N: Enjoy!)
<><><><><><>
When Goku recited Master Roshi's classic philosophy, a clear ripple of emotion passed through Haku's otherwise calm eyes.
Not only that, but Zabuza, who was kneeling nearby, and the trio of Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke, who had just arrived, each had their own distinct reactions to the words.
"Work hard, study well, and play... Live a full and fun life with gusto?" Kakashi repeated the phrase, a look of deep admiration appearing in his eyes.
"This Master Roshi sounds like a great sage who has reached an extremely high level of spiritual enlightenment!"
Beside him, Naruto stroked his chin and nodded sagely. "Hmm... Isn't that basically my life right now?"
He used to do sit-ups all the time, and for the past two days, he'd been doing weighted training; that was definitely working hard.
As for studying, he had actively sought out Goku to learn about ki training and playing... well, that time he painted graffiti on the Hokage Rock should count, right?
He was also doing a good job of eating and resting. In summary, just as Kakashi-sensei said, he was a great sage!
"Hehehe~" He couldn't help but let out a silly laugh at the thought.
Seeing this, Sasuke turned his head away and muttered, "Idiot!"
At the same time, he thought to himself, 'Full and fun? Ever since that man did what he did, my life has been completely devoid of those things!'
Click.
Just then, Haku slowly removed the mask from his face, revealing a countenance of such delicate and breathtaking beauty that it could outshine the moon and make flowers feel shame.
"A... a girl?!!" Upon seeing Haku's face, Naruto yelled out in shock.
He never would have imagined that the person who had so thoroughly thrashed him and Sasuke was a girl their age.
Just as shocked was Sasuke, who looked over upon hearing Naruto's shout. 'I... I lost to another girl!' He clenched his fists tightly, filled with dissatisfaction with himself.
Losing to Sakura in the tree-climbing exercise was one thing, but now he had lost in combat to a girl his own age.
How could he, so weak, ever get his revenge on that man!
Just as he was about to be overwhelmed by his own weakness, Haku's reply helped to calm him slightly.
"No, I'm a boy," Haku said with a gentle smile, looking at Naruto.
He then turned to Goku and said with utmost sincerity, "Excuse me, who is this Master Roshi you speak of, and where does he live? If it's possible, I would like to ask him some questions in person."
Hearing this, Goku scratched his face, looking a bit troubled. "Ah, well..."
He quickly asked Shenron in his mind if it was possible to bring Master Roshi here or send Haku there.
After receiving a negative answer, he gave an apologetic smile. "You probably won't be able to meet him."
Haku looked a little disappointed at the answer, assuming Master Roshi had passed away. He didn't press the matter further and instead turned to the silent Zabuza.
"Lord Zabuza, is this a kind of life you would like?" he asked. "Or rather, would you accept living this kind of life with me?"
Zabuza glanced at Haku, then at Goku and the surrounding Team 7, and let out a cold sneer. "Haku, you're too naive. Do you really think they won't kill us?"
Before Haku could answer, Goku looked at him strangely and said, "You aren't truly evil people. Why would I kill you?"
Kakashi glanced at the numerous yet non-fatal wounds on Naruto and Sasuke, then stepped forward in agreement.
"As long as you no longer intend to kill Mr Tazuna, we can let you go."
Hearing their words, Haku looked at Zabuza with a faint smile, as if to say, Lord Zabuza, do you have any reason to refuse now?
Just as Zabuza's expression shifted uncertainly, an arrogant voice from nearby drew everyone's attention.
"Tsk, tsk, if it isn't the infamous Demon of the Hidden Mist. How did you end up beaten and kneeling on the ground? Look at him now, doesn't he look just like a dog? Hahaha!"
A short, stout man in a suit and sunglasses strode forward from the end of the bridge, laughing loudly to the hundred or so men at his side.
He was the man who had hired Zabuza to assassinate Tazuna, one of the wealthiest men in the shinobi world—Gato!
He had accumulated his vast fortune by controlling the sea trade routes of island nations like the Land of Waves.
The bridge Tazuna was building would connect the Land of Waves to the mainland, breaking his monopoly and ruining his money-making scheme.
That was why he had paid a hefty sum to hire a ninja to eliminate Tazuna. As long as Tazuna was dead, the bridge would never be completed, and his business could continue as usual.
However, after the repeated failures of Zabuza and the other ninja, he had lost faith in their abilities.
He had secretly hired a large number of rogue samurai, planning to wait until both sides were weakened and then wipe them all out.
That way, he could achieve his goal and also save the money he was supposed to pay Zabuza—a classic case of killing two birds with one stone!
Hearing his laughter, his men chimed in with sneers. "Yeah, yeah!"
"Some 'demon.' I could take him down with one hand!"
Faced with this overwhelming mockery, Zabuza didn't respond, his head bowed as if deep in thought.
Seeing that Zabuza wasn't taking the bait, Gato lost interest and turned his wicked gaze to Tazuna, who was standing behind the group.
"Old man, do you recognise these two?" He clapped his hands, and his men dragged two figures out from the crowd.
"Tsunami! Inari!" Tazuna, who had been relatively calm upon Gato's arrival, cried out.
He had thought that since even a powerful ninja like Zabuza had been defeated, the men Gato brought with him would pose no threat.
He never imagined Gato would be so despicable as to capture his daughter and grandson secretly.
"Old man, if you want them to live, you'd better finish yourself off right now," Gato said, drawing a sword and placing it against Inari's neck.
To give himself an advantage, he had sent men to capture Tazuna's family before coming here.
While this leverage was no longer strictly necessary, he couldn't resist seeing how Tazuna would choose, so he decided to use it anyway.
"You! You despicable coward!" Tazuna roared, about to rush forward, but Sakura held him back firmly.
"Mr Tazuna, I'm sure Kakashi-sensei and the others can save them!"
Seeing that Tazuna wasn't obeying, Gato raised the sword, his face turning vicious. "It seems you want your grandson to die!" With that, he made a motion to strike.
At that critical moment, Goku suddenly appeared in front of him. He reached out and grabbed the blade, then squeezed.
CRUNCH! CRACK!
The hard, tempered steel sword, as if it were made of tofu, was effortlessly crushed by his bare hand.
"You really are a disgusting guy," Goku said, opening his hand. A shower of metal fragments fell to the ground.
"Y-y-you!" Gato's face turned pale with terror as he stumbled backwards.
At the same time, Kakashi appeared and rescued Tsunami and Inari.
Seeing his leverage was gone, but remembering the hundred rogue samurai behind him, Gato flew into a rage. "Get them! Kill them all!"
Hearing their boss's order, the men brandished their weapons and charged at Goku.
But in the next instant.
"HAAAAAH!!!"
Goku clenched his fists and let out a low roar. A powerful aura erupted from his body.
The pressure felt almost tangible, crashing into the charging samurai like a tidal wave.
"Waaaahhh!!"
Before the rogue samurai could even touch Goku, they were all sent flying backwards, flailing through the air before landing on the ground, unconscious.
In less than two seconds, Gato was the only one left standing, a general without an army, all alone in front of Goku.
Thud!!
"I surrender! I surrender!" Gato's legs gave out, and he began bowing his head to the ground so rapidly it was a blur. "I... I have a great fortune! I can give it all to you, my lord, please spare my life!"
"You say you have much money?" Goku asked, stroking his chin.
"Yes, yes, yes! I have lots and lots of money!"
(T/N: Please give me some power stone, I hope it can at least reach the top 100)
If you want to support me, join my patr**on. Have 20 advanced Chapters for you guys.
patr**n.com/saitamablast > SGJM NOVEL TIER