Even though Kakashi was nearly certain Gato had no connection to Kirigakure or the Land of Water, a veteran ninja like him knew better than to lower his guard. Missions involving any of the Five Great Nations required absolute certainty — not ninety-nine percent.
The mist hung thick around the sea as Kakashi, Menma, and Naruto approached the large cargo ship from the left side. None of them bothered to conceal their chakra. The ship's crew immediately noticed the three figures racing across the water, and panic spread like wildfire.
"E–Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" one of the sailors screamed.
The cry threw the deck into chaos.
"What!? Who dares attack Gato's ship!?"
"Whoever it is, they're dead! Let's gut them!"
"Hahaha! Been a while since I've cut anyone down!"
Dozens of thugs rushed from every corner of the ship, brandishing machetes, clubs, and rusty blades. They looked fierce enough to terrify villagers — but to trained shinobi, they were little more than flies buzzing around a storm.
If not for Kakashi's intention to capture Gato alive, he could have ended this entire farce with a single Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique.
And then, through the crowd, the short, smug figure of Gato himself emerged. Dressed in an expensive coat, a cigar dangling from his lips, he sneered at the trio standing on the bow.
"Well, well," Gato said mockingly, his voice dripping arrogance. "So you're the Konoha shinobi? Heh. Zabuza really was a worthless fool — died without even killing one of you brats. But lucky for me, I still have an army of men loyal to money, not failure. You should run along, kids. Maybe I'll let you keep your lives if I'm in a good mood. Otherwise…" His grin widened. "You'll be feeding the fish today!"
Menma's expression didn't change — but his patience thinned. Even knowing he's facing ninjas, this man still talks like he's untouchable.
Kakashi didn't move. He simply exhaled, pulling out his Icha Icha Paradise and leaning against the mast, his visible eye narrowing lazily.
"Menma, Naruto — take care of it. Don't bother holding back."
Menma gave a calm nod. "Understood."
"Leave it to us, sensei!" Naruto said, grinning with determination.
In the next instant, both of them burst forward. Chakra surged beneath their feet with twin shockwaves as they launched themselves onto the deck.
"Kill them! Don't just stand there — double pay for whoever brings me their heads!" Gato shrieked, his false confidence cracking.
The mercenaries howled in reply. "You heard the boss!"
"They're just kids!"
"Let's finish them quick!"
Menma's eyes sharpened. He whispered coldly under his breath, "Fools."
A glint of steel — shing! — flashed in his hand as his kunai materialized.
Then he moved.
"Pffft!"
"Guh—!"
"Wha—!?"
Menma cut through them like a blade through mist. His movements were precise, merciless, efficient — the clean brutality of a true shinobi. Every step left another body collapsing into a growing pool of blood. Within seconds, his black combat gear was splattered crimson.
He didn't pause. He didn't flinch. His expression remained cold and unreadable — the embodiment of what it meant to be a weapon forged in darkness.
Naruto, meanwhile, fought in his own chaotic style. He charged straight toward Gato, forming hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
In an instant, dozens of Narutos filled the deck, swarming the remaining thugs. Instead of killing, he blasted them back with raw force, sending men flying overboard or crashing into masts. He held back instinctively — unwilling to take lives.
But Menma did not share that restraint.
When the last thug dropped beside him, Menma's kunai dripped blood onto the soaked wood. The metallic scent filled the air.
The surviving mercenaries froze, horror flooding their faces.
"D–Devil! He's a devil!"
"Run! Run away!"
"Forget the money! Get off this ship!"
Panic overtook greed. The surviving men threw down their weapons and leapt into the sea, splashing wildly as they tried to escape the slaughter. Some even dove overboard without hesitation, preferring the cold embrace of the waves to facing Menma's dead eyes.
Within moments, the deck was silent — littered with bodies and blood.
Gato's cigar fell from his mouth as he stumbled backward. His earlier smirk was gone, replaced by sheer terror.
"W–Wait! Don't just stand there, get back here! I'm paying you! I'll triple it! Don't run away!"
His voice cracked with desperation.
But when he met Menma's gaze — that calm, piercing stare devoid of mercy — his legs gave out, and he collapsed, trembling uncontrollably.
Kakashi didn't look up from his book. "Looks like that's settled," he muttered, turning a page.
Menma wiped the blood from his kunai without emotion, the wind carrying the metallic scent away. Naruto dispelled his clones, looking pale but resolute.
The difference between their paths had never been clearer.
One walked with compassion.
The other, with unflinching resolve.