章 135: Chapter 135: There’s No Savior

A dense mist engulfed everything, making it impossible to see beyond the ripples of energy caused by clashing ninjutsu.

Kakashi and Zabuza were locked in a fierce battle, evenly matched so far. Kakashi's Sharingan and Zabuza's Silent Killing Technique made them true opponents, neither able to gain the upper hand.

"Zabuza," Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he spoke, "Your ally has already been captured. Surrender now, and you still have a chance to survive."

Even though the mist blocked their sight, sound traveled clearly. Both Kakashi and Zabuza had noticed the abrupt silence from Haku's side of the battlefield.

"Captured?" Zabuza let out a cold chuckle. "Haku has Ice Release. You really think he's the one who's been captured?"

"Ice Release?" Kakashi's brow furrowed at the mention of the rare bloodline ability, but his voice remained calm. "If your ally had won, we wouldn't be standing here in silence now, would we?"

Zabuza's expression darkened. He knew Haku well—if the boy had succeeded, he would've signaled by now. Could Haku really have lost? It seemed impossible. Haku's Ice Release was something not even a typical jōnin could contend with, let alone fresh graduates like Kakashi's students.

But then Zabuza recalled Shinho, the one who had snatched the Kubikiribōchō out of the air with his bare hands. He grit his teeth. Perhaps… that boy really had been able to overpower Haku.

"Haku is not my ally," Zabuza said icily. "He's merely a tool. If he's been captured, it just means he's lost his value."

Kakashi frowned.

Typical of the Demon of the Mist. Zabuza's reputation had always been brutal, from the time he slaughtered his entire class during the Bloody Mist Village graduation exam, a ruthless tradition that was abolished after his rampage.

"Even so," Kakashi said evenly, "It's clear that you're losing this fight."

"And who will defeat me? Those three brats of yours?" Zabuza sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.

Though his words were dismissive, Zabuza wasn't foolish. He knew the situation had shifted against him.

Haku's defeat signified a significant problem, and the three students he had underestimated might indeed be stronger than expected. His odds were dwindling.

With that realization, Zabuza suddenly leaped back, disappearing into the mist. Kakashi's eyes widened in alarm.

He had anticipated Zabuza would retreat, but the direction of his retreat was not what he had expected.

"He's going for the kids!"

Kakashi immediately performed a body flicker, speeding after Zabuza, but by the time he cleared the dense mist, Zabuza was already rushing toward Shinho, Sasuke, and Naruto.

"Look out!" Kakashi shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

Naruto, catching sight of Zabuza, reacted instantly. "Leaf Strong Whirlwind!" he yelled, spinning into a powerful kick. The sheer force of his strike created a sharp gust of wind.

Zabuza's eyes widened slightly. This kid isn't ordinary. But still…

With a swift movement, Zabuza countered Naruto's kick with a leg strike of his own. The two clashed in mid-air, locked in a brief moment of struggle before Naruto was sent flying backward by Zabuza's overwhelming power.

Shinho, without missing a beat, leaped into the air to catch Naruto. "Sasuke, catch!" he shouted, tossing Naruto to his teammate.

Sasuke caught Naruto effortlessly, though the weight of the situation was heavy on them both.

Zabuza, having dispatched Naruto, now aimed directly for Shinho. The man surged forward with astonishing speed, closing in with murderous intent.

He's fast, Shinho noted, watching Zabuza's clenched fist approaching rapidly. The Demon of the Mist wore a twisted grin, fully intent on knocking Shinho unconscious with a single blow.

Just as the punch was about to land, Kakashi suddenly stopped his pursuit and smirked.

You're trying to fight Shinho in close combat?

Zabuza had vastly underestimated Shinho. While Zabuza believed his strength to be superior, the truth couldn't be further from his thoughts.

The moment Zabuza's fist made contact, a resounding crack echoed through the air. Zabuza's eyes widened in disbelief. His arm, the one he had thrown with full force, was now completely shattered.

An unbearable pain shot through his body as Shinho's punch sent Zabuza flying backward like a ragdoll. He crashed into the ground with a thunderous impact, the force of the blow creating a crater beneath him.

For several moments, Zabuza lay there, stunned. His mind raced as he tried to process what had just happened.

How… how could anyone have this kind of power? he thought, his body trembling from the shock of the blow. This isn't human.

Shinho lowered his fist, standing calmly where he had been, as if nothing unusual had happened. Kakashi approached Zabuza, now certain that the fight was over.

"Nice work," Kakashi said with a smile, coming to a stop beside Shinho. Even he wouldn't have been foolish enough to take that punch head-on.

Zabuza, still conscious but badly injured, stared up at Kakashi with disbelief.

"You should've used ninjutsu," Kakashi said, shaking his head. "You might have stood a chance if you did.

Naruto, now standing after recovering from his clash with Zabuza, rubbed his leg and winced.

"Wow, he was strong. If the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are all this strong, then Guy-sensei's dad must've been crazy strong!"

Shinho walked over to Naruto and held out a hand. "Need some healing?"

"I'm fine! I don't need healing," Naruto said proudly, but then yelped in pain when Shinho pressed down on his leg.

"Yeah? Seems like you're in great shape," Shinho teased before activating his Mystical Palm Technique to heal Naruto's bruised leg.

Naruto grumbled but didn't protest further. "You didn't have to press so hard..."

Can't I even brag?

Suddenly, Sasuke's voice interrupted. "There's someone coming."

Shinho and Kakashi both turned their attention to the newcomers. Emerging from the trees were eight figures, all wearing headbands with the symbol of the Hidden Mist Village—Mist ANBU.

They had come for Zabuza.

The leader of the group stepped forward. "Zabuza Momochi is a rogue ninja of the Mist Village. By order of the Mizukage, we request you hand him over to us."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "Sorry, but we'll have to decline."

The ANBU commander didn't seem surprised by the response. In fact, his tone became colder. "This is the Land of Waves, far from the reach of the Hidden Leaf. Should you refuse, your bodies may never be found."

"Oh?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile creeping onto his face. "Are you threatening me?"

He chuckled softly, amused by the situation. "Tell me, what's so funny?" the Mist ANBU leader demanded.

The voice of the Mist ANBU captain was cold and dismissive. "You may be the famous Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi, but we outnumber you."

Before Kakashi could respond, a smooth, clear voice interrupted, echoing through the surroundings.

"You'll want to take those words back."

In an instant, more figures appeared around them, revealing themselves from the shadows.

"It's our ANBU!" Sasuke sighed in relief, tension visibly draining from him. For a moment, he had been bracing for an all-out fight.

"It seems the village had already anticipated something like this." Sasuke muttered thoughtfully.

"What do you mean? What's going on?" Naruto scratched his head in confusion, his mind clearly struggling to keep up.

"..." Sasuke shot Naruto a sideways glance, deciding it wasn't worth explaining.

The atmosphere shifted drastically. With the tables turned, the Mist ANBU leader froze in place, clearly taken aback. They were now outnumbered two to one by the Leaf ANBU. The confidence he had displayed moments ago vanished.

"Zabuza Momochi is now a prisoner of Konoha," Uzuki Yugao, leading the Leaf ANBU, stated bluntly. "If you want him back, you'd better have your Mizukage prepare a proper exchange."

"You'll regret this!" the Mist ANBU leader spat before retreating with his team, disappearing into the fog.

"They're all yours," Kakashi gestured toward the unconscious Zabuza and Haku on the ground.

"Understood." Yugao nodded respectfully. Though Kakashi was no longer part of the ANBU, his reputation and rank granted him command authority in situations like this.

Tazuna, who had been trembling from fear moments earlier, was now visibly relieved. His initial terror at being caught between powerful ninjas had transformed into gratitude.

"Is it over? I was sure I was going to be killed!" Tazuna said, his voice shaking.

"It's not over yet," Kakashi replied. "Gato, the man threatening the Land of Waves, is still alive."

"We'll deal with him now," Yugao smiled faintly as she spoke, clearly amused by Tazuna's earlier panic. Konoha had already planned for this outcome.

"Thank you! Konoha's shinobi really are the best!" Tazuna exclaimed, his words suddenly much more flattering now that the danger seemed to be passing.

With Tazuna leading the way, the group soon arrived at Gato's residence. His compound was surrounded by hired mercenaries—disorganized and far less threatening than the Mist ANBU.

"Who goes there?" one of the guards barked as they approached, but the response was swift.

With a simple gesture from Yugao, the Leaf ANBU sprang into action, cutting through the mercenaries like a hot knife through butter.

It wasn't long before Gato himself was dragged out in front of them.

The man, dressed in a rumpled suit, was bald on top, and his face now displayed none of the arrogance he was once known for. He dropped to his knees, begging for mercy as soon as he saw them.

Kakashi stepped forward, activating his Sharingan. In seconds, Gato was under a powerful genjutsu, completely at Kakashi's mercy.

Gato would reveal everything—his hidden fortunes, his secret dealings—but Kakashi kept that part discreet. It wouldn't be good for too many people, especially Tazuna, to know all the details.

"Tazuna," Kakashi spoke gently. "As per our agreement, Konoha will assist with the construction of your bridge."

"Thank you!" Tazuna rubbed his hands together, his earlier terror replaced with overwhelming gratitude. "You shinobi of Konoha are truly kind-hearted."

"Just don't forget the terms of our contract," Kakashi reminded him calmly.

"Of course, of course!" Tazuna nodded emphatically.

The terms of their agreement were simple but shrewd. Konoha would provide protection and assist with the bridge construction, but in return, the bridge would be under Konoha's control, and merchants from the Land of Waves would be required to pay a toll, including hiring Konoha shinobi for any protection they required.

In Tazuna's mind, it was a win-win situation. The Land of Waves would be safe, trade would flourish, and the bridge would be completed with Konoha's protection.

[Achievement Unlocked: "Shinho the Strong and Reliable." Reward: Ten Jin of Strength Gu.]

[Ten Jin of Strength Gu: A rank 2 Gu worm that permanently increases the user's strength by ten Jin.]

"Strong and reliable?" Shinho raised an eyebrow, bemused. "Well, standing around really does pay off sometimes."

Though the reward was minor, it was permanent increase in strength, so he considered it worth the effort.

[Achievement Unlocked: "There Are No Saviors." Reward: Iron Bone Gu.]

[Iron Bone Gu: A Rank 3 Gu worm. Once consumed, it permanently strengthens the user's bones to be as hard as steel.]

Another achievement? Shinho was slightly surprised, but pleased. The second reward was much more valuable. Though it was a one-time-use Gu, the effects would last forever.

Now I really will have iron bones, Shinho thought, amused by the idea. He could see the connection—the first achievement was for devising Konoha's financial gains, while the second came from "saving" the Land of Waves without truly liberating them.

After all, Konoha had simply taken Gato's place, albeit with a much gentler hand.

"We'll leave the rest to the ANBU," Kakashi said, coughing lightly. "We've just been through a tough battle. It's time for a little rest."

In reality, Kakashi was thoroughly drained. His fight with Zabuza had taken more out of him than he liked to admit. Were it not for pride, he would have collapsed on the spot.

"Understood." Yugao didn't question him, already moving to secure Gato.

"I've placed Gato under genjutsu. He'll tell you everything," Kakashi added. "You know what the Hokage wants."

"Yes, we'll handle it." Yugao nodded again.

Meanwhile, Team 7 took a much-needed break inside Gato's luxurious mansion. Shinho sat cross-legged on a bed, examining the Iron Bone Gu in his palm.

The Ten Jins of Strength Gu was already working its magic, having been absorbed into his qi, but the Iron Bone Gu required activation.

With a focused thought, Shinho released a stream of primeval essence from his core. His silver-colored true essence, enhanced by the Seven Fragrance Wine Gu, was that of a rank three Gu master.

As the Iron Bone Gu dissolved into his body, he felt an unusual energy surge through his skeleton, fortifying every bone in his body to a hardness beyond steel.

"How am I supposed to test this?" Shinho mused, rubbing his chin. The idea of testing his new durability by smashing something hard didn't seem particularly appealing. After all, it wasn't like he enjoyed self-inflicted pain.

"If only I had Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku," he thought wistfully, imagining how the Iron Bone Gu would complement the Kekkei Genkai.

After resting for a full day, Kakashi's chakra reserves finally recovered, and Team 7 prepared to return to Konoha. The ANBU would handle the rest, including securing Gato's wealth and ensuring the Land of Waves remained under Konoha's protection.

…

Kirigakure, the Hidden Mist Village.

In the Mizukage's office, Terumi Mei listened as one of her ANBU captains reported the details of their failed mission.

"So Konoha beat us to the punch?" Mei rubbed her temples, feeling a headache forming.

Since she had taken over as the Fifth Mizukage, she had been left with a mess to clean up. Kirigakure's resources were stretched thin, and the village was struggling economically.

Mei had been eyeing Gato's operation as a potential windfall for Kirigakure, but Konoha's Hokage, Tsunade, had acted first, seizing the opportunity. And that opportunity was worth billions.

"I'm trembling with rage… and sadness," Mei muttered, her frustration clear.

"What are your orders, Mizukage?" the ANBU captain asked.

"Reach out to Konoha," Mei sighed. "Do whatever it takes to negotiate for Zabuza and Haku's return."

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