"That's right. Naruto provides the wind, Sasuke the fire, and I provide the earth. Together, the three came together to create the Dust Release."
Sakura carefully channeled the Dust Release in her hands. The barrier surrounding the technique was specifically designed to limit its attack range. Without that barrier, the indiscriminate destruction caused by the Dust Release would engulf its own user as well.
"Kakashi Hatake," Zabuza's voice was filled with determination and sorrow. "I never imagined that you Leaf ninja had colluded not only with the Mist, but also with the Stone. The Dust Release is a Kekkei Touta bloodline ability — something no ordinary person can master. These younglings must be apprentices of Third Tsuchikage. Never did I expect you'd go to such lengths just to kill me. Bringing together the Copy Ninja of Konoha and disciples of the Third Tsuchikage from Iwagakure for an ambush… I, Zabuza, shall die content indeed."
"I—" Kakashi wore an expression like he'd just been struck by lightning. What in the world was going on?!
"Kakashi Hatake, my assassination of the Fourth Mizukage deserved death. But there's one favor I ask of you!" Zabuza's voice grew softer, his eyes showing reluctance. "Please spare Terumi Mei. This child is innocent. She's from the Naminaka clan and possesses Ice Release abilities. You could take her back to Konoha. I'm sure the Leaf would welcome the chance to gain a brand-new kekkei genkai bloodline family."
"Erm, I—" Kakashi began to speak, but was immediately cut off by Zabuza.
"Don't rush to refuse. Take this as the last plea from a dying soul. After killing me, you can even take my Cleaver Sword. So long as the Leaf offers this child a place to live, it's all I ask. She's gentle-hearted by nature — never able to bear taking lives. She was never suited to being a ninja, and won't pose any future threat to Konoha."
"Zabuza-sama, I won't abandon you," Terumi Mei's voice trembled with emotion. "If it weren't for you, I would've frozen to death on the streets long ago. Today, I absolutely won't leave your side."
"Terumi Mei, you don't have to die alongside me. You're still young, with endless possibilities ahead. Your life shouldn't end here," Zabuza turned to face Kakashi. "I don't know what it takes to earn your mercy for this child — whatever you want, if it's within my power, I'll do it. Just give her a chance to live!"
"I—" Kakashi looked thoroughly exasperated. He hadn't even managed to say a single word yet! How had things suddenly spiraled into this scenario where he appeared like the villain forcing these two into their deaths?
That thought alone sent a shadow across Kakashi's face instantly. At least let him get a word in edgewise!
Chapter 139: Haku vs. Motoi [Keep It Coming!]
"Uh, Sakura, are we still gonna fight?" Naruto whispered cautiously.
"What fight? If we let him keep talking much longer, we'll start sounding like utterly despicable villains!" Sakura sighed helplessly, dispersing the Dust Release chakra in her palm.
Seeing this, Naruto and Sasuke also released their Dust Release techniques. After hearing Zabuza's plea, even Naruto and Sasuke started feeling like ruthless villains. Fighting further simply didn't seem worth their energy anymore.
"Thank you. Since you're willing to spare this child's life, I'll do what needs to be done."
Zabuza exhaled in relief, then raised his massive cleaver sword and leveled it at his own throat. His eyes lingered on Terumi Mei with deep reluctance. "Terumi Mei, from now on you'll go live in Konoha with the Konoha ninjas. Your personality just isn't suited for being a ninja. Try becoming a Medical Ninja — or walk away completely and live like a normal person. One thing: stay far away from that white-haired freak Kakashi Hatake! He's no good. You'll end up getting cheated if you deal with him."
"Now hold on, Zabuza!" Kakashi's eyes flared angrily. "Why am I suddenly the villain here?"
"Hmph! Someone who could devise such a dirty trick as using fake Konoha Genin to lure me in — you really think he's a good person?" Zabuza sneered sarcastically.
"Well...actually, we want to explain something," Sakura awkwardly raised her hand as she saw Kakashi's growing fury. "We really are Konoha Genin! We graduated not long ago! It's just...our situation is a bit special. Our strength is slightly beyond average Genin!"
"I don't buy it!" Zabuza scoffed. "If you were real Genin with this level of power, would the Third Hokage really let you leave the village? Wouldn't he fear you'd die on your first mission?"
"We have proof!" Sakura yanked Sasuke forward, forcing him to face Zabuza and Terumi Mei. "This is Sasuke Uchiha, last survivor of the Uchiha clan. You've heard of him before, right? So I think you can judge for yourself whether he qualifies as a Genin!"
"The last of the Uchiha clan, huh? I did hear about him," Zabuza muttered as he stared into Sasuke's Sharingan. A flicker of sympathy appeared in his eyes. "What a pitiful child — just like Terumi Mei, without a family anymore!"
Sasuke thought bitterly, *How should he respond?* The Uchiha clan hadn't actually been wiped out at all! But he couldn't say that outright. All he could do was accept this unwanted pity from Zabuza with a darkened expression.
"A tragedy caused by village politics again," Terumi Mei murmured, his eyes revealing traces of empathy. His Naminaka clan had been destroyed too — his mother was killed by his own father. And the Uchiha clan had suffered annihilation as well, with Sasuke's parents slain by his older brother Itachi Uchiha. Considering everything, they truly shared similar fates.
"I don't need your pity!" Sasuke spat through clenched teeth. The pitying looks everyone kept giving him made his blood boil.
"Just another dirty game of village politics," Zabuza laughed mockingly. "Looks like the Third Hokage isn't as noble as people say." Anyone with half an ounce of sense wouldn't believe Konoha's official story about the Uchiha massacre. Everyone in the shinobi world knew how powerful the Uchiha clan was. And when the Uchiha clan was annihilated, how old was Itachi Uchiha? Just thirteen. Did they really expect anyone to believe a thirteen-year-old could wipe out the entire Uchiha clan? As if we were all fools!
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