Zabuza Momochi heard the name and froze.

Minato Namikaze?!

Why did that name sound so familiar?!

Where had he heard it before?!

Wait!

The Hidden Leaf Village!

The Yellow Flash!

The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze?!

That yellow hair... and that bizarre technique just now!

"You... you're the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village — Minato Namikaze?!"

"Ah... I never expected that the great Zabuza Momochi of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would actually know my name!"

"Aren't you already dead?!"

"That's right!"

Minato Namikaze gave a perfectly serious nod.

Zabuza's mind shattered.

Is it really okay for you to be so matter-of-fact about this?!

A dead man, just showing up in the Shinobi World like nothing happened, and that's fine?!

Zabuza was going numb.

That level of power, those methods, and that unmistakably golden hair, this was without a doubt the Hidden Leaf Village's legendary Minato Namikaze.

But why would a dead man appear here?!

Back in the day, that name alone had carried enormous weight across the Shinobi World. Enemy ninja who encountered him were fully justified in fleeing on sight, no one would hold mission failure against them.

How could someone like that suddenly appear in front of Zabuza?!

Why would a dead man suddenly appear in front of Zabuza?!

And what in the world was that Uchiha about?!

Could a terrifying giant like that really be a ninjutsu any normal human could produce?!

"What exactly do you two want..."

Bitterness flooded Zabuza's chest.

"Well... we don't really want much. We just want to complete our mission smoothly, nothing more than that! Oh, right, and bring you back to the Hidden Leaf Village while we're at it!"

The corner of Zabuza's mouth curled into a faint, bitter smile.

It wasn't hard to picture what waited there. A ninja captured by enemy ninja never had a good ending. By that point, even death would probably be an unimaginable luxury.

No life to hold onto. No death to escape into.

Then, at that very moment, a ninja wearing a Kirigakure Anbu mask appeared before the group.

"You two ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village... Zabuza Momochi is a Rogue Ninja of our Kirigakure in the Land of Water. Could you hand him over to me? Capturing Zabuza Momochi is my mission as well..."

Minato Namikaze smiled, strange and knowing.

"A ninja with the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai. Just as expected."

Haku knew instantly. The identity had been exposed.

In a flash, Haku activated the Body Flicker Technique and swung one hand, ice needles sliced through the air in every direction!

But at that very moment, Minato Namikaze appeared behind Haku with a whoosh.

HMM!

The Rasengan in his hand condensed in an instant.

"I'd advise you not to move. Otherwise my companion might accidentally crush Zabuza Momochi."

Killing intent pressed in from behind. Cold sweat beaded across Haku's forehead.

"I... I can offer my own life in exchange for Zabuza Momochi's life!

Since you both already know my ability, you should understand, as a ninja with a Kekkei Genkai, someone like me should be of far greater use to you, shouldn't I?!

Whether for experiments or anything else...

So... could you please spare Zabuza Momochi...

I'll let you do with me as you please!"

Held inside Susanoo's fist, Zabuza's pupils shrank.

"Shut up! What do you think you're saying over there?!

You're nothing more than a tool of mine.

I don't need a tool's life to buy back my own!

So get out of here!

A tool I can throw away whenever I want — that's all you are.

What happens to me is none of your concern!"

Haku heard every word.

And simply smiled.

"Zabuza Momochi... I know that in your eyes I'm nothing more than an expendable tool. But this life of mine, you're the one who saved it.

Growing up, everyone called me a monster. The time I've spent with you is the happiest of my entire life.

I am willing, from the bottom of my heart, to be your tool.

If I can use my life to bring back yours, I will do so gladly.

Please live on, Zabuza Momochi.

After all... Haku won't be able to stay by your side anymore."

Minato Namikaze and Fugaku Uchiha exchanged a glance, deeply strange and deeply awkward.

"You really are a fine subordinate. But aren't you two putting on this tearful scene a little too early?!

We never said we were letting either of you go!

And... we never said we were going to take your lives either, did we?!

Bringing you two to the Hidden Leaf Village is an invitation from our Hokage, nothing more.

It isn't for experiments or interrogation. Because if the two of us had wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead."

Zabuza took a slow, deep breath.

"Are you really the Fourth Hokage — Minato Namikaze?!"

"The one and only."

"Fine. If it's the Fourth Hokage, I believe you. We'll both follow you back to the Hidden Leaf Village. Don't harm Haku!"

"That's exactly what we were hoping for. Half the problem solved."

Behind Haku, Minato Namikaze's Rasengan vanished in an instant. Fugaku Uchiha released the Susanoo. Zabuza's body dropped straight to the ground.

WHOOSH! BOOM!

Minato Namikaze hurled the Executioner's Blade through the air, it crashed down in front of Zabuza.

"We still have a mission ahead of us. Please follow us for now."

Zabuza swallowed hard.

"Understood."

Haku rushed to Zabuza's side.

"Zabuza Momochi, are you all right?!"

"I'm fine..."

Zabuza looked at Haku, and something complicated moved behind those eyes. This person had always been nothing more than a tool, nothing more than that. And yet, this person had been willing to lay down their life?!

Tch... truly laughable.

"Zabuza Momochi... no matter what happens from here on, I will be by your side. Even in death, I'll die right alongside you!"

"Enough. Shut your mouth!"

Zabuza picked up the Executioner's Blade and turned to face Minato Namikaze and Fugaku Uchiha.

"What exactly do the two of you intend to do next?"

"What's next?!" Minato Namikaze's grin stretched wide. "Why, of course, we're going to take back the money that belongs to the Hidden Leaf Village! Hehehehehehe..."

➤ Next: Kakuzu Appears Again?!

Chapter 204 - Kakuzu Appears Again?!

Zabuza Momochi and Haku didn't understand what Minato Namikaze was saying, but they had no choice. They followed along with Minato Namikaze and Fugaku Uchiha.

After returning home, Tazuna immediately began making preparations for the construction of the Hidden Leaf Village's bridge.

Meanwhile, the four of them headed straight to Gato's headquarters.

Gato was just an ordinary merchant with no real combat ability. The place was guarded by nothing more than a handful of hired warriors. But the moment Gato caught sight of Zabuza Momochi and Haku, the arrogance came pouring out.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Zabuza! Did you complete my mission or not?! Did you deal with that Tazuna?! I paid you good money for this!"

At this point, Zabuza Momochi still had no idea what Minato Namikaze planned to do with Gato.

So Zabuza Momochi simply shook his head.

"Sorry. The mission wasn't completed."

"What did you say?! You damned fool! I paid you! You worthless ninja! Aren't you supposed to be the great Zabuza Momochi?! One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?! And after all that buildup, turns out you're just a goddamn good-for-nothing!"

Those words hit Zabuza Momochi like a slap to the face.

"You!"

"Me what?! Damn it all! A worthless nobody of a ninja who can't even finish a simple job?! What use do I even have for you?! Guards! Kill them all!"

At Gato's single command, every warrior in the room drew steel and closed in around Zabuza Momochi and Minato Namikaze's group.

Minato Namikaze took one look at the scene and broke into the brightest, most carefree smile imaginable.

"Well now... I can see you're eager, but hold on just a second. Could you first tell me where you keep your money?"

Gato blinked.

"What did you say?! You actually want my money?! That is absolutely laughable! Bastards! Zabuza Momochi, you bastard! You dare bring people here to rob me?! You're all going to die! Kill them, now!"

The warriors swung their blades and charged.

Minato Namikaze didn't hesitate for a single moment.

A streak of yellow light wove through the crowd, back and forth, there and gone.

One breath. That was all it took. Every last one of the dozens of warriors inside the building had been dealt with, clean and effortless.

"Ah... now, can you tell me where you've hidden the money? Hehehehehe..."

Gato's legs gave out. Gato dropped straight to the floor.

"Just who are you people?!"

"Never mind who we are. We only want the money. Paying to save your own life — I imagine Gato would be quite willing to do that, yes? It just depends on how much you think your life is worth..."

Minato Namikaze glanced over at Zabuza Momochi.

"By the way — Zabuza Momochi, you should know roughly how much Gato is worth, right?"

Zabuza Momochi nodded. A wave of deep, satisfying relief washed through.

"Ah... I'd say I know a fair bit. After all, Gato is the foremost wealthy magnate in the Land of Waves, the single richest person in the whole country. There should be several hundred million in cash on hand."

Minato Namikaze's smile got even wider.

"Hehehehehe... then that's perfect! Hand it over, Gato!"

In the end, Gato had no choice. Every last bit of cash on hand, 860 million ryo, was handed over. All Gato wanted now was to buy back a life with it.

After the money changed hands, Gato stared up at Minato Namikaze, trembling.

"I've already given you the money. Now you'll spare my life, right?!"

"But of course! As a ninja, I keep my word, I will absolutely spare your life.

However, you just humiliated Zabuza Momochi. Some ninja have very short tempers. Especially a Rogue Ninja like Zabuza Momochi.

Killing a few people is the simplest thing in the world for someone like that.

I'm letting you go now. But whether Zabuza Momochi lets you go? Well, that's none of my business~"

As those words settled in, Gato felt the cold spreading through every inch.

Especially because that blond figure was still wearing that same bright, easy smile while saying all of it.

"You despicable creature! You liar! You won't die well!"

"Won't die well? What a pity... I've already died once. And honestly, that death really wasn't much to speak of either..."

Still talking, Minato Namikaze tucked the money away and walked out the door alongside Fugaku Uchiha.

Zabuza Momochi looked at Gato and cracked a slow, wide grin.

SPLAT!

The Executioner's Blade flashed once.

Gato's head went clean into the air.

With that settled, Minato Namikaze still had business to attend to, an agreement to sign with the Land of Waves. After all, that bridge would be the Hidden Leaf Village's property.

......

The Akatsuki had not been in a good mood lately.

The organization's biggest bankroll, Kakuzu, had been robbed a while back. The culprits left behind only two names, Dahuang and Xiaohei, and nobody had the faintest idea who had actually done it.

Kakuzu had survived from the Warring States Period all the way to the present, and had donated every last bit of accumulated personal wealth to the organization.

Absolutely the organization's greatest benefactor.

And that greatest benefactor had just been robbed?!

Was the money that got stolen Kakuzu's money?!

That was clearly the organization's money!

On top of that, there was one more thing eating at the Akatsuki.

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki had gone missing. Word had come in a while back that something had happened at the Hidden Leaf Village, so Nagato dispatched someone to go investigate. When Itachi Uchiha heard it involved the Hidden Leaf Village, Itachi immediately volunteered, heading out with Kisame Hoshigaki in tow.

The two of them went.

And then simply vanished.

Not one scrap of news came back.

Left with no other option, Nagato sent out the immortal duo, Kakuzu and Hidan, to go get a read on what had happened to Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki.

After leaving the organization this time, Kakuzu began hoarding money with even greater ferocity than before. The entire stash from last time had been cleaned out, after all.

Kakuzu had completely lost it.

Candy was snatched from small children. Dogs that crossed the path had hairs yanked right off them.

Robbing along the road the whole way, Kakuzu's wallet had swelled back up, already past a hundred million and closing fast on two hundred million.

"Hey! Kakuzu, aren't we supposed to be heading to the Hidden Leaf Village in the Land of Fire to gather intel?! Why are we taking a detour through the Land of Waves?!"

Hidan squinted over with some confusion.

"I heard there's an incredibly wealthy magnate in the Land of Waves. Goes by the name of Gato. The detour's not even that far out of the way. We rob this magnate, then we head to the Hidden Leaf Village."

"Fine, whatever. It's not like I've got anything interesting going on in the organization anyway.

Oh, right — Kakuzu, don't you want to join me in devoting yourself to Jashin?!

Jashin is the most powerful existence in this entire world!

Devote yourself to Jashin and you live forever. Completely undying!"

"Not interested. Money is my life."

"Tch... boring..."

The two of them kept talking as they walked, moving steadily toward the Land of Waves.

......

(Five updates today!

Truly sorry to all you wonderful readers.

This author's brain just isn't cooperating.

These five chapters took a full day to write.

It's been painful, not a single spark of inspiration the whole time.

Completely dizzy and disoriented at this point.

This author needs to sit down and think through the next stretch of the plot first.

Will work hard to keep updating after that!)

➤ Next: How Does Kakuzu Use the Bathroom?