"Who do you think you're fooling? The Fifth Mizukage of the Mist village has already sent official notices throughout the entire ninja world. Everyone knows all the crimes you've committed!" Zabuza sneered. Though he had become a rogue ninja after trying to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage, his motive for that assassination was to end the Bloody Image era. He never truly harbored hatred toward the Mist village itself and had kept track of its affairs over the years. Naturally, he'd heard about the false accusations Terumi Mei had made against Yagura, so he didn't believe a word of what Yagura had just said.
"Terumi Mei actually framed me?" Yagura's face darkened with rage as he thought about how unfairly smeared he'd been, his heart feeling heavy with frustration.
"Ahem... Well, I suppose I should say a word of apology on behalf of Obito," Kakashi awkwardly scratched his head and said. Since Yagura had been controlled by Obito, Kakashi, as Obito's close friend, felt sorrow inside but could only offer this mild and somewhat ineffective apology.
"Obito again? Who is he?" Zabuza frowned, narrowing his eyes. What did this masked man with the wild white hair want now?
"Obito is the one who controlled Yagura using genjutsu. He's also Kakashi-sensei's really close friend—the kind you'd consider inseparable." Sakura explained to Zabuza. "The reason Yagura went into hiding and faked his death was to avoid being found. Actually, those actions he took in Mist village weren't really his fault!"
"Hey, Sakura, what exactly do you mean by 'really close friend'? Obito and I are just regular friends, okay!" Kakashi quickly argued. As soon as he heard Sakura mention "inseparable," he thought about that book she had written, regretting it deeply. He shouldn't have carelessly shown her that photo back then or personally taught Naruto Transformation Jutsu; otherwise, he wouldn't have dug himself into quite the hole.
"People usually call something they can't openly admit 'just ordinary friendship.'" Sakura rolled her eyes secretly. With the relationship between them, if they still insisted they were just ordinary friends, no one would believe it.
"What do you mean by love? Obito only loved Rin!" Kakashi weakly countered. This girl seemed to always have messy thoughts running through her mind; everything sounded twisted once it came out of her mouth.
"You're just a stubborn old duck refusing to admit anything!" Sakura scoffed dismissively before turning to look at Zabuza again. "I mean, Mr. Bandage-face, have you made your choice yet? If you join Konoha, I guarantee you won't have any problems afterward. Plus, you'll be able to live a peaceful, happy life with your Haku. You could run a butcher shop while Haku learns life-saving medical techniques, without worrying about possibly getting killed even in your sleep. Such benefits—you miss this opportunity, and you'll never get another chance!"
"Hmm..." Zabuza glanced behind him at Haku, who silently followed him. He saw the longing in Haku's eyes as Sakura spoke about living in Konoha and clenched his fist tightly. "Fine, as long as you can guarantee our safety in Konoha, we'll go with you. Do whatever you want—kill or cut, it's up to you!"
In the end, Zabuza still made his decision. Haku really wasn't suited to being a violent ninja. If wandering day after day had already grown tiresome for him, it must have been exhausting for the child as well. Well then, this time he'd find a place to settle down. At worst, he might be betrayed and killed in Konoha. But since running for his life every day had already worn him out, maybe dying wasn't such a bad idea.
Chapter 141: The Hollowed Land of Waves
"Zabuza," Yagura said before their departure, "after helping clear your name later on, remember to return the Cleaver Sword back to Kirigakure. Since you've decided to join Konoha, you are no longer part of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Naturally, you can't continue using the Cleaver Sword anymore!"
Before leaving, Yagura's expression looked rather grim. Another one of Kirigakure's people had been poached again. At this rate, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would soon become nothing more than a mere memory.
"Yeah, yeah, got it," Zabuza waved off dismissively, slightly annoyed. "You little runt, why're you butting in anyway? You've got your own scandals to deal with!"
"And who exactly are you calling a little runt?" This was always Yagura's sore spot—his appearance. Upon hearing Zabuza call him short, he nearly smacked him over the head with his staff.
Seeing the two about to start bickering again, Sakura swiftly booted Yagura into the Spatial Passage before things could escalate.
"Haku, go ahead and take off your mask now," Zabuza added. "You don't need to wear it all the time anymore." Although he still felt uneasy about what lay ahead in Konoha, things seemed under control—for now, at least. After all, resisting was pointless. One move of Dust Release from any of those brats, and he'd be done for. Might as well relax and wait it out.
"Yes, sir."
Haku hesitated briefly, then slowly removed her mask, revealing a face so stunningly beautiful it took one's breath away.
"Um... can I ask something?" Sakura spoke up uncertainly. "Are you actually a guy or a girl?"
"I am a girl," Haku replied shyly, her cheeks faintly blushing as she glanced down.
"What?! You're a girl?!" Zabuza gasped in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. All these years living side by side, and he hadn't noticed at all? Then again, considering they were constantly on the run, perhaps it was understandable he never gave Haku's gender much thought.
"Yes!" Haku smiled gently, her radiant smile prompting all the men nearby to instinctively glance away, even making Sakura feel her heartbeat quicken just a little.
"But then why pretend to be a boy?" Sakura asked. Had she not spoken up, nobody would've ever guessed her true gender.
"A few years ago, while I was wandering alone, I almost got taken advantage of by some perverted man. I managed to escape thanks to my Ice Release, but it served as a warning. Ever since then, I've dressed and acted like a boy to avoid similar incidents. Later on, when I met Master Zabuza, wanting to become a useful tool for him, I simply kept pretending to be male."
Haku briefly explained her situation. As she finished, Sakura and the others suddenly exchanged strange looks toward Zabuza.
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