Be his subordinate?
The moment Richard finished speaking, Zabuza swung the Executioner's Blade in a vicious arc.
Though Richard had just effortlessly slaughtered Gatō and his entire contingent with wind blades, this display hadn't particularly impressed Zabuza.
Just an advanced wind-style ninjutsu. Nothing extraordinary.
In an instant, the massive cleaver closed in on Richard's position.
Faced with Zabuza's sudden assault, Richard didn't bother evading. Instead, he calmly raised his left hand and effortlessly caught the Executioner's Blade mid-swing, completely neutralizing Zabuza's attack.
"You cannot defeat me," Richard stated matter-of-factly. "Don't waste your energy."
Richard wasn't surprised by Zabuza's immediate aggression. Despite possessing certain admirable qualities, Zabuza primarily embodied a ruthless mercenary mindset. Moreover, without firsthand knowledge of Richard's capabilities, Zabuza wouldn't have considered subordination even if he had known.
When Richard seized the Executioner's Blade, Zabuza's instinctive response was to retract his weapon.
He quickly discovered, however, that the seemingly ordinary Richard possessed strength vastly exceeding his expectations.
Despite exerting his full might, the Executioner's Blade remained immobile in Richard's grip.
Who is this person? Zabuza regarded Richard with heightened vigilance.
Though uncertain of Richard's identity, Zabuza had no intention of abandoning his offensive. He immediately released his grip on the Executioner's Blade and began rapidly forming hand seals.
Before Zabuza could complete more than two or three signs, Richard raised his right foot and delivered a precise kick.
WHAM!
While Zabuza's strength was considerable—having reached elite jōnin level—he utterly failed to perceive Richard's movement.
By the time Zabuza registered the attack, Richard's foot had already connected with his torso.
Predictably, Zabuza flew backward more than ten meters from the impact.
To avoid killing Zabuza outright, Richard had applied minimal force.
Nevertheless, even this restrained kick proved overwhelming for Zabuza—too powerful and swift to counter.
Witnessing Zabuza's defeat, Haku immediately launched his own assault against Richard without hesitation.
Before Haku's senbon could reach him, Richard vanished like a specter, reappearing behind Haku and using the Executioner's Blade to send him flying with similar ease.
Though neither Zabuza nor Haku currently operated at full capacity, Kakashi immediately became more alert after witnessing Richard's effortless dispatch of both missing-nin.
If Richard's initial appearance had surprised Kakashi, the wind technique Richard had unleashed against Gatō's forces had astounded him.
Kakashi's surprise stemmed not from the wind blades' destructive potential but from the complete absence of chakra within them—something his Sharingan had clearly detected.
Though Kakashi remained silent, Richard noticed his scrutiny. Turning toward the Copy Ninja, Richard spoke directly: "This situation doesn't concern you. Take your three genin and depart."
Hearing Richard's words, Kakashi deliberated briefly.
Then, closing his left eye and lowering his forehead protector, he approached Naruto and the others. As Naruto and Sakura watched, Kakashi lifted the gravely injured Sasuke with one arm.
"Aren't we going to stop him?" Naruto demanded immediately.
"He isn't our enemy," Kakashi replied concisely.
Despite Kakashi's assessment, the single-minded Naruto predictably refused to withdraw so easily.
Glancing toward Haku, who had been thrown aside by Richard, Naruto rushed forward, intent on preventing Richard from further harming Haku.
He'd barely covered any distance when Kakashi intercepted him.
In one swift motion, Kakashi delivered a precise strike to the back of Naruto's neck.
Though Kakashi had expended significant chakra during the battle, subduing an ordinary-state Naruto presented minimal challenge.
The chopping strike connected cleanly, immediately rendering Naruto unconscious.
After neutralizing Naruto, Kakashi hoisted the unconscious genin onto his shoulder and led his team away from the bridge.
Soon, Kakashi's group departed completely, vanishing from Richard's sight.
Only after Kakashi and the others had left did Richard return his attention to Zabuza and Haku.
By now, both had regained their footing, positioned on opposite sides while regarding Richard with unmistakable caution.
After observing them momentarily, Richard sighed.
Though recruiting Zabuza and Haku as subordinates presented an intriguing prospect, clearly neither would surrender readily.
Had his telepathic abilities remained accessible, Richard could have simply altered their minds, making them "willingly" accept subordinate positions.
Unfortunately, this option remained unavailable in his current state.
After brief consideration, Richard transported the Executioner's Blade to his system space and addressed Zabuza: "I'll keep your Executioner's Blade. If you wish to reclaim it, you'll need to find me."
"By the way, my name is Richard. For the foreseeable future, I'll be moving between Kirigakure and Konoha. You're welcome to seek me out whenever you choose."
With these parting words, Richard activated his flight ability and soared skyward, quickly disappearing from Zabuza and Haku's view as he accelerated toward Kirigakure.
After Richard vanished completely, Zabuza and Haku turned and departed from the bridge.
Though frustrated, Zabuza reluctantly accepted the loss of his Executioner's Blade to Richard.
Given his considerably depleted chakra reserves, Zabuza stood little chance against Richard. Even at full strength, victory against this mysterious stranger remained highly uncertain.
After leaving the Land of Waves, Richard flew directly toward Kirigakure without detours.
Following approximately thirty minutes of flight, he arrived above Kirigakure.
The Land of Water comprised an archipelago nation. Its central island represented the largest landmass, surrounded by several smaller islands.
Kirigakure occupied mountainous terrain on the western portion of the Land of Water's main island.
Though an island nation, the Land of Water featured numerous mountain ranges, with distinct cultural variations between islands.
Unlike Konoha's scenic beauty, Kirigakure—nestled within the western mountains of the main island—remained perpetually shrouded in dense fog.
This atmospheric condition posed no impediment to Richard's super vision, however.
After surveying Kirigakure from thousands of meters above, Richard decided to employ the most direct approach for his meeting with Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi.
Locating the Mizukage's office and confirming Mei's presence through his super vision, Richard descended without hesitation.
Soon, he positioned himself outside the Mizukage office window.
Before he could open the window and enter, a kunai pierced through the glass, aimed directly at him.
As the projectile approached, Richard leisurely raised his right hand and intercepted the kunai mid-flight.
The attacker was none other than Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi herself.
Though Richard had approached silently, Mei had nonetheless detected his arrival.
Shinobi who attained Kage status were exceptional by definition. For Mei Terumi, already serving as the Fifth Mizukage, sensing Richard's chakra presented minimal difficulty.
After catching Mei's kunai, Richard calmly pushed open the shattered window, entered unhurriedly, and approached the Mizukage.
Just as he recalled, Mei Terumi possessed striking green eyes and long, auburn hair styled in a herringbone pattern. Her right eye remained concealed beneath her bangs, with only her left visible.
Her figure appeared curvaceous yet athletic, with fair, unblemished skin.
Currently, Mei wore a blue, high-collared dress secured by a white belt at the waist, with dark blue polish adorning her nails.
Whether regarding appearance, physique, or attire, Mei Terumi matched Richard's recollection precisely—though noticeably younger.
Within the manga, Mei wouldn't appear until the eve of the Five Kage Summit. Currently, several years remained before that conference would convene.
While Richard examined Mei, she likewise studied him—though her expression conveyed wariness rather than Richard's calm assessment.
"Who are you?" Mei inquired.
"My name is Richard," he responded deliberately. "A shinobi unaffiliated with any village."
An unaffiliated shinobi?
Hearing Richard's self-description, Mei immediately classified him as a missing-nin.
Noticing Mei preparing defensive measures, Richard continued: "I harbor no hostile intent. I've come merely to visit Kirigakure and meet the future Fifth Mizukage and jinchūriki of the Three-Tails."
Though the Fourth Mizukage Yagura had been deceased for several years, Mei hadn't yet officially assumed the Mizukage mantle.
Currently, Kirigakure's administration remained under Elder Genji's oversight.
Following Yagura's death, Mei hadn't immediately succeeded him as Fifth Mizukage. The ceremonial hat symbolizing the Mizukage's authority still resided with Elder Genji.
Not until the eve of the Five Kage Summit would Genji formally transfer the Mizukage hat to Mei.
Technically speaking, Mei currently possessed neither the Mizukage's administrative authority nor the symbolic hat denoting the position.
Nevertheless, regarding combat prowess, Mei already represented Kirigakure's strongest shinobi.
According to Kirigakure tradition, the village's most powerful ninja qualified for Mizukage appointment.
The manga never explicitly explained why Mei—already Kirigakure's strongest shinobi—hadn't directly assumed the Mizukage position instead of allowing Elder Genji to retain administrative control.
However, judging from Mei's apparent deference to Genji's directives, Richard suspected the elder likely served as Mei's mentor.
Beyond this possibility, Richard couldn't formulate a plausible alternative explanation.
Though Elder Genji wielded equivalent authority to the Mizukage and required consultation on significant village matters, his status ultimately derived from political rather than martial influence.
In terms of combat ability, Genji couldn't approach Mei Terumi's level.
Even compared to Mei's subordinates Chōjūrō and Ao, Genji's fighting capacity remained markedly inferior.
The Naruto universe, unlike certain fantasy settings, didn't feature perpetual power escalation with age. After reaching a certain point, even Kage-level experts experienced declining strength corresponding to diminishing physical capability.
Though Richard projected no detectable hostility, Mei became extremely vigilant after hearing his references to "Fifth Mizukage" and "Three-Tails jinchūriki."
The Fourth Mizukage Yagura's death remained highly classified within Kirigakure.
Beyond external ignorance, few Mist shinobi possessed knowledge of this development.
Though uncertain how Richard had acquired such sensitive information, Mei's immediate priority shifted to neutralizing the potential security breach. Without further deliberation, she began forming hand seals to activate her Lava Release kekkei genkai.
Compared to conventional ninjutsu, bloodline techniques demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness.
However, Richard denied Mei sufficient opportunity to complete her Lava Release.
Observing her hand seals, Richard activated his super speed, materializing behind Mei instantly.
Without hesitation, he grasped her shoulder firmly with his right hand.
Thundaga!
Electric Shock!
The moment Richard's hand contacted Mei's shoulder, powerful electrical current surged from his palm through her body, inducing immediate paralysis.
Despite Mei's extreme caution, her defenses proved inadequate against Richard's superhuman velocity.
Her reaction speed fell catastrophically short of matching Richard's super speed.
The intense current flowing through Mei's body inflicted overwhelming nervous system disruption, creating irresistible paralysis.
Though undeniably powerful, Mei discovered her abilities rendered meaningless against Richard's overwhelming capabilities.
Before Richard, even Kirigakure's strongest shinobi functioned effectively as an ordinary civilian.
The paralyzing shock not only interrupted Mei's Lava Release technique but caused her legs to buckle, sending her collapsing involuntarily to the floor.
"I've already stated my peaceful intentions," Richard emphasized. "Furthermore, you cannot possibly oppose me. If I harbored lethal intent, you wouldn't have survived even a single exchange."
Though Richard lacked kekkei genkai abilities like Mei's, his power nevertheless vastly exceeded hers.
Throughout the Naruto world, only a handful of individuals could compel Richard to approach combat with genuine seriousness.
Hearing Richard's declaration, the vigilance in Mei's expression intensified rather than diminishing.
Witnessing her heightened wariness, Richard sighed resignedly.
Without further discussion, he grasped Mei's shoulders once more.
Thundaga!
Electric Shock!
Once again, Richard employed electrical discharge—this time with significantly amplified intensity.
While the previous shock had merely disrupted Mei's Lava Release and inflicted minor injury, this enhanced current completely eradicated her capacity for resistance.
Despite her status as Kirigakure's strongest shinobi, Mei remained fundamentally human.
After this intensified electrical assault, Mei transitioned from paralyzed sitting to completely prone, her body involuntarily trembling from neurological disruption.
Had this confrontation occurred somewhere besides the Mizukage's office—with an attractive woman rendered helpless by electrical current, her body convulsing uncontrollably—the scene might have evoked inappropriate associations unsuitable for younger audiences.
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