Compared to Sakura Haruno and Sasuke's surprised expressions, Naruto's entire body trembled slightly from excitement.
However, before Naruto could get too excited, Kinoshita Yoshiro's voice rang out again.
"Unfortunately, the Land of Whirlpools has already been destroyed."
Kinoshita Yoshiro lowered his head slightly, his voice tinged with sadness.
"Destroyed? How is that possible…?" Naruto's excited expression instantly froze.
The phrase "great joy and great sorrow" perfectly described Naruto's current state; he had just thought he might learn news of his parents, only for that hope to be shattered in an instant.
"Yes, it was destroyed many years ago," Kinoshita Yoshiro nodded, speaking softly.
"It was destroyed long ago? No wonder there are no records of the Land of Whirlpools in the Ninja Academy."
Sakura Haruno nodded, muttering softly, as if trying to find a suitable reason for herself.
Sasuke looked at Naruto with a complex gaze, thinking to himself, "Is his situation similar to mine?"
"I've talked a bit too much today. My injuries haven't fully recovered, so I need to go back and rest first."
Kinoshita Yoshiro gave a wry smile, slowly got up, and walked towards the door.
Naruto remained frozen in place, seemingly processing the information Kinoshita Yoshiro had just shared.
Kakashi did not interject, quietly observing the scene, wondering what that man's true purpose was.
Although Kinoshita Yoshiro had shown no hostility throughout, Kakashi felt a slight unease deep down.
Kakashi glanced at the somewhat dazed Naruto and sighed softly.
What Kinoshita Yoshiro had just said was not exactly a secret, but for Naruto, who had never known these things, it would probably be difficult to process in a short time.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly; he needed to recover quickly, and that man who called himself a wandering Ninja was worth watching.
Was his target Naruto? Or was it merely a cover?
Tazuna, standing to the side, naturally didn't understand the conversation between the others, but he didn't care either.
"Anyway, this matter is finally over. Having defeated such a powerful Ninja, I suppose we can finally rest easy," Tazuna said to Kakashi with a happy expression.
Hearing Tazuna's words, Kakashi's expression became slightly grim: "While I don't want to be a spoilsport, Zabuza Momochi might not be dead."
Tazuna froze, a look of panic on his face as he looked at Kakashi: "How is that possible?!"
The others also froze simultaneously; even Naruto, who had been spacing out, snapped back to reality and looked at Kakashi with an expression of disbelief.
Kakashi then analyzed his suspicions and, due to his own physical condition, prepared to improve the strength of Naruto and the other two to prevent any accidents.
— — — —
In a somewhat dim room.
Gato looked at Zabuza Momochi, who was lying on the bed, with a mocking smile:
"So this is the so-called Demon? I didn't expect him to return in defeat. The Kirigakure Ninja are truly useless!"
White, sitting beside Zabuza Momochi, heard Gato's mocking words, and his face instantly turned ugly.
Just then, a chilling voice suddenly sounded in the room:
"Insulting the Kirigakure requires you to pay with your life."
Pfft!
Accompanied by a splash of blood, Gato clutched his severed arm and let out a shrill scream!
"Who's there!"
The two samurai standing behind Gato's face drastically changed, and they quickly drew their samurai swords, blocking Gato's front, cautiously surveying their surroundings.
Crack!
Accompanied by a flash of lightning!
Suddenly, a red-haired girl appeared in front of Gato.
And the two samurai blocking Gato's front were now clutching their necks, which were gushing blood, and without even a single cry, they fell straight to the ground!
"Oh my, that was quite ruthless."
Suigetsu Hozuki's slightly teasing voice came from behind Gato.
Gato was so scared that he slumped to the ground, stammering:
"Don't… don't kill me, I have a lot… a lot of money, a lot… a lot of money."
"Is that so? After we kill you, your money will be ours."
Ameyuri Ringo grinned, raised the Thunder Blade in her hand, and directly struck down!
Blood splattered!
Gato, a wealthy man with vast riches who could even control a country, died so directly and simply.
Suigetsu Hozuki couldn't help but retreat a few steps, fearing that Gato's blood would splatter on him.
"Who are you people!"
White completely blocked the front of Zabuza Momochi's bed, his face full of tension.
"Cough… cough, that's the Thunder Blade. It seems Raiga Kurosuki is dead."
Zabuza Momochi coughed twice, sat up from the bed, his gaze fixed on the Thunder Blade in Ameyuri Ringo's hand, and let out a cold laugh.
"Zabuza Momochi, you have two paths now: one is death, and the other is to become my tool."
A faint voice came from the corner of the room.
Zabuza Momochi's face changed, and he quickly looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a young figure leaning against the wall in a corner of the room.
If he hadn't spoken just now, Zabuza wouldn't have even noticed his presence.
"Heh heh! Two paths, huh? I choose the third one!"
Zabuza Momochi let out a cold laugh. Although his body hadn't recovered yet, he could still perform basic movements.
As soon as his words fell, Zabuza Momochi leaped directly from the bed, grabbed the Kubikiri Bōchō (Executioner's Blade) nearby, and slashed towards Yūto.
At the same time, White also moved, rushing directly towards Ameyuri Ringo, wanting to block both Ameyuri Ringo and Suigetsu Hozuki to create an opportunity for Zabuza Momochi.
Crack!
The next moment, a crisp cracking sound echoed in the room!
Looking at the Kubikiri Bōchō (Executioner's Blade) broken into two pieces, Zabuza Momochi froze in place, unable to react for a moment.
"Too slow."
Yūto stood behind Zabuza Momochi, casually patted him, and Zabuza Momochi was sent flying, crashing through the house in front of him, creating a large hole.
"Lord Zabuza!"
White's face showed a panicked expression, and he was about to chase in the direction Zabuza Momochi was sent flying.
Yūto's hand had already gently pressed White to the ground, and no matter how hard White struggled, he found himself unable to break free.
"Your name is White, correct?"
A faint smile appeared on Yūto's face.
Looking at the terrifyingly strong young man in front of him, White gritted his teeth, his voice serious: "Who are you? What do you want to do?!"
"My name is Yūto."
Yūto's face still held a faint smile as he looked at White.
"Let White go!"
An angry roar and a dark shadow came from the direction of the large hole that had been smashed.
Zabuza Momochi, holding the remaining half of the Kubikiri Bōchō (Executioner's Blade), rushed directly in front of Yūto and chopped down at Yūto's head!
Seeing this, Yūto casually raised his finger and lightly tapped the half-blade that was coming down.