Sasuke's face darkened further. Could everyone just stop bringing this up? His parents and other relatives were still safely staying in the Land of Snow. Hearing about it over and over just felt so awkward.
"Those shady dealings among the higher-ups don't concern us much!" Sakura shrugged. Zabuza was right—the Uchiha massacre had been orchestrated by Danzo, though secretly approved by the Third Hokage. But those matters weren't worth their attention since the Uchiha clan remained unaffected. Ultimately, most of the problems stemmed from Danzo anyway. Anyone holding a grudge could just go after him instead.
"If you're so worried about your Haku, why don't you return to Konoha with him?" Sakura asked.
"My Haku? What are you talking about?" Zabuza suddenly flushed suspiciously red, then shook his head. "Come on, I'm a rogue ninja. How could Konoha possibly accept someone like me? And look how prepared you were to kill me—I don't think you're going to let me walk away freely!"
"For crying out loud, how many more times do we have to explain? We really aren't here to kill you! We simply took on a mission, and bumping into you was purely accidental!"
A vein popped on Sakura's forehead. How many times would this overly suspicious guy need them to spell it out? With how much he imagined conspiracies everywhere, he should just star in a royal court drama.
"You're really not targeting me on purpose?" Zabuza realized things might not be as he'd thought, and now felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Puh-lease, do you really think an ordinary Jonin-level rogue ninja like yourself is worth a joint hunt by Konoha, Kiri, and Iwagakure? You've seriously overestimated your own importance!" Sakura rolled her eyes. This guy sure had a high opinion of himself. If a single Jonin rogue ninja could force three great villages into alliance against him, the Five Great Shinobi Villages wouldn't deserve their reputation—this would be embarrassing for them!
"Cough cough..." Zabuza felt awkward. It seemed things were indeed exactly as she described, although it stung a bit. Truthfully, being only a rogue ninja of Jonin rank didn't warrant a combined operation by three major villages. "Well, I've been chased so often that I instinctively thought you were another hunter squad..."
"Let's turn the page. Now, getting serious, we officially invite you—how about working for Konoha from now on?" Sakura offered something extremely tempting, something Zabuza couldn't easily refuse. "Once you come to Konoha, I guarantee Kiri will no longer pursue you. Then you and Haku can settle down peacefully there. You can continue being a ninja if you want—join the Third's ANBU or stay a regular ninja, your choice. As for Haku, violent combat doesn't suit him. He'd be better suited as a medical ninja. Konoha has some of the best medical resources around. So, what do you say? Ready to accept?"
"I want to believe you, but... remember, I became a rogue ninja because I tried to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage!" Zabuza started feeling tempted but still hesitated, unsure whether he should trust Sakura.
Chapter 140: Haku Assassination Mission [End]
"Assassinate the Fourth Mizukage? What if the Fourth Mizukage himself helps clear your name?"
Sakura said with a smile. Back then, Zabuza's successful escape had been part of her plan with Yagura. Otherwise, given the gap in strength between both sides, Zabuza would've surely died. When the right time came, Yagura would simply take responsibility and clear away all of Zabuza's crimes. As for Kiri's pursuit? Did that really matter? The forces she currently possessed were more than enough to face any threat from the Mist Village.
"That cruel guy Yagura has long been dead. How could he possibly help me clear my name? Besides, back then I was the one who tried to assassinate him. Even if he were still alive, he'd probably be eager to kill me himself," Zabuza shook his head. He had tried to kill Yagura years ago; how could the latter possibly help him?
"Just wait a moment!" Sakura extended her hand and drew a circle nearby, then pointed her finger. The air began rippling like water waves, and instantly a spatial passage formed.
"Look who it is. Zabuza, your skills have come a long way these years. You not only escaped Kiri Anbu's hunters but also picked up a sidekick from the Naminaka clan. Truly impressive!"
A child-sized Yagura peeked out from the spatial passage. Seeing Zabuza, his eyebrows lifted slightly, and with an expression halfway between amusement and mockery, he continued, "So now even Kiri's Anbu has fallen so far? Unable to deal with a Jonin-level rogue ninja?"
"The Fourth Mizukage? You're supposed to be dead! How are you even alive?!"
Zabuza's eyes widened, his voice trembling with fear. "Did you actually slither all the way back from the Pure Land just to get revenge on me? But that doesn't make sense. I tried to kill you back then, but I failed. And come on, if you're after revenge, go after the one who actually did it!"
"Zabuza, are you kidding me? Have a few years as a rogue ninja fried your brain?" Yagura's expression darkened. How embarrassing could this guy get? And to think he used to be an elite member of Kiri's Anbu!
"Hold on...this tone of voice..." Carefully taking a few steps closer, Zabuza stretched out his finger and gently tapped Yagura's forehead, immediately freezing in shock. "It's warm...Yagura! You're actually still alive?"
"Zabuza, what do you think you're doing? You dare to poke my forehead with your finger?" Yagura grabbed the iron rod behind him, nearly bursting with anger as if ready to smash Zabuza's skull. This idiot startled him constantly, and now had the audacity to poke him on the forehead? Had people forgotten his terror while he'd been out of action for a few years?
"He's actually alive? Yagura, you tyrant, today I'll take you down once and for all!"
Eyes bloodshot, Zabuza hoisted Cleaver Sword onto his shoulder, charging straight toward Yagura. His loyal follower Haku ran to Zabuza's side, clearly prepared to join the fight at any moment.
"Who's the tyrant here? I was under Genjutsu control back then! None of those things were done by my own will!" Yagura stamped his foot in rage. He was the most wronged person here, wasn't he? Clearly manipulated into committing those acts, yet somehow ended up shouldering all the blame.
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