Chapter 122: Mei Terumi Teleports to the Land of Waves
Mei Terumi pressed on the Yuki clan orphan's weakness and said, "If I rescue Momochi Zabuza for you, what's in it for me?"
"Seven thousand reward points."
With a face as delicate as a girl's but in truth a boy, Haku answered without hesitation, "That's all the reward points I have. I'll give them all to you."
Right now, she was in a desperate state, grasping at straws.
The situation in the Land of Waves was dire. Even if she didn't know the woman in front of her, it was worth taking a chance.
Ever since the Samsara Game appeared, Gato had gone mad with greed in the Land of Waves, exploiting civilians to exchange for reward points.
His tyranny had even surpassed the blood mist era of the Land of Water.
Zabuza's memories of that dark past were stirred by Gato's madness. No longer willing to serve him, he had tried to leave the Land of Waves—only to be hunted as a traitor.
Zabuza had never taken Gato seriously—he wasn't even a ninja. But to his surprise, Gato had become a player and erupted with power that exceeded most Jōnin. He ambushed Zabuza and threw him in a dungeon.
To rescue him, Haku had allied with the oppressed people of the Land of Waves, launching guerrilla efforts in forests and at sea to bring Gato down.
"I don't need reward points."
Mei's eyes sparkled.
That wasn't true—she was broke. Ever since founding the Kirigakure Clan, she had poured everything into building the Materials Workshop and collecting materials to synthesize high-grade hearts. As both clan leader and Mizukage, she was nearly dirt poor.
But Ice Release—this bloodline limit—was worth far more than seven thousand reward points. She wouldn't be swayed by such a paltry sum.
"You think you can get away with this?"
One of the ronin roared with fury. "Tazuna and Haku are both wanted by the Land of Waves Shipping Company! If you dare hire them, aren't you afraid of angering Mr. Gato?"
Mei didn't even blink. She asked coolly, "Since when can a merchant issue warrants for ninjas?"
"Chigetsu."
At her call, Hōzuki Chigetsu grinned knowingly, then turned and strolled casually toward the ronin guarding the Soulcamp portal.
The ronin leader sneered. "Sending your underling to die?"
The guards stationed by Tazuna's side were elite enforcers of the Land of Waves Shipping Company.
Seven of them in total.
Each wore a full set of Level 10 green-grade armor and accessories, wielding Level 10 green-tier weapons.
They also possessed one Level 10 green-tier skill each.
Compared to average players, they were quite strong—even among rogue players.
Hōzuki Chigetsu, pale and sickly in appearance, looked like he'd be killed in an instant.
The ronin leader eyed Mei lecherously.
Her seductive figure, flawless face, and noble bearing gave her the aura of a highborn lady.
In the real world, if someone like her fell into his hands, he would enjoy every second of it.
"Kill him."
At the leader's command, the ronin moved in.
Swords tore through the air, slicing forward in synchronized formation.
But Chigetsu wasn't panicking.
Instead, he grinned with bloodlust.
He raised his arm, drew a wide-bladed Level 15 purple sword from his hip, and swung it forward with his whole body.
Demonic Slash!
A dark, chilling energy surged over the blade—like an evil spirit—and exploded forth.
It was a skill from Arad Continent: a swordsman tortured by a demonic arm who had mastered demonic power through pain and suffering.
A massive black-and-purple slash ripped through the air like a ghost, tearing apart all eight sword shadows.
The ronin didn't even have time to react before they were consumed.
Only the leader remained, dumbfounded.
Mei nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the Yuki orphan and the civilian player Tazuna.
In the game, you couldn't truly kill another player, only strip them of some reward points.
Her display was to show that she had the strength to follow through on her promises.
"Y-you'll pay for this!"
The ronin leader tried to flee, skirting past Chigetsu, but was chased down and killed again.
Haku, ever rational, asked, "Why are you helping us?"
Whether in the real world or in-game, the Land of Waves Shipping Company—known as [Land of Waves Tycoon] in the game—was a powerful and notorious force.
Tazuna was indeed a rare civilian player.
But even the Four Great Nations usually avoided crossing paths with major tycoons like Gato. It simply wasn't worth the cost.
Mei raised her arm and gently tapped her slender, pale finger against Haku's forehead.
More accurately—on her iron forehead protector from Kirigakure.
Mei smiled brightly. "Since you wear a Mist headband, shouldn't the Fifth Mizukage protect her own ninjas?"
"You're… the Mizukage?!"
Haku's eyes widened in shock. Her body froze as she stumbled back.
Zabuza had once tried to assassinate the Mizukage and become a wanted criminal.
Since she was his tool, that made the Mizukage her natural enemy.
Seeing Haku's reaction, Mei sighed.
"Don't worry. Kirigakure has changed. You must've noticed—no more hunter squads. They haven't come after you in a long time, right?"
Zabuza and Haku had fled to the Land of Waves largely to escape constant assassination attempts by Mist's Anbu Black Ops.
Thinking back on recent rumors, Haku began to relax.
Mei grew serious. "I personally revised the list of Kirigakure rogue ninja with Elder Genshō. Some names were removed. Momochi Zabuza is no longer a traitor. He's free to return to the village anytime. That's my condition for rescuing him."
"Really?"
A flicker of doubt and caution flashed in Haku's eyes.
Could such a heavy crime—attempting to assassinate the Mizukage—really be forgiven?
Mei nodded. "Aside from a few truly wicked criminals, the rest of the Mist's rogue ninjas were victims of the Bloody Mist Era."
Most rogue ninjas destroyed their headbands as a symbol of betrayal.
But Haku, who had always stayed by Zabuza's side, still wore hers proudly. That was proof of Zabuza's continued loyalty to Kirigakure.
"I'm sorry. I don't know if Zabuza would want to go back."
Tazuna looked hopeful, but Haku shook her head.
She was just a tool. She had no right to decide for her master.
Suddenly, she knelt.
"But I beg you—please save him. If I must join Kirigakure to earn that favor, then so be it. That is my fate as a tool."
Mei didn't grow angry at her rejection.
She smiled, pulled out a teleportation scroll, and handed it to Haku.
"Then allow me, the Fifth Mizukage, to ask him personally."
Haku had steeled herself for anger—but was completely caught off guard.
Worried for Zabuza's safety, she immediately logged out and redeemed the scroll into the real world.
...
Surrounded by ocean mist, the Land of Waves hid a secret sea base.
Several large ships were chained together, anchored securely to the seafloor.
Inside one cabin,
Haku anxiously channeled chakra into the teleportation scroll.
Buzz.
The scroll shattered—
and a portal opened.
"The balance of the Five Great Nations has collapsed. New ambitions will rise. Is Gato of the Land of Waves the first?"
A graceful and mature figure stepped through the portal, heels tapping lightly onto the deck.
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