He has even mastered Haki, and you say this is Naruto?

"No, no, no. As free pirates, we don't control any country. But we can collect protection fees.

If Gato doesn't pay us, we simply won't protect his fleet."

Haku was a total novice—completely clueless about how this all worked.

Zabuza didn't usually have patience for kids. The only reason he was even teaching Haku was because of his ability and potential.

"But Gato's fleet already has hired guards and even ninja. Normal people wouldn't attack it, right?"

Haku asked, looking at the intelligence scroll Zabuza had given him.

To Haku, who had grown up in a small village, Gato's resources were nothing to scoff at.

But Zabuza didn't even consider Gato or his hired ninja a threat.

"Normal people wouldn't target him, sure. But we're pirates.

If he doesn't pay, we'll just plunder his fleet."

"Huh? So if he pays, we protect him—but if he doesn't, we attack his ships?"

Haku suddenly understood.

Even though what his captain said made sense, it still felt kind of... wrong.

It sounded like they were offering protection, but felt more like robbing someone.

"Haku, you've got a lot to learn.

Sigh... If only your mother were still alive.

She was the one Shanks once referred to as the 'Blue Pheasant.' A true powerhouse. Such a shame."

Zabuza sighed with emotion.

When he first met Haku, he had been surprised by his abilities—it was undoubtedly the Ice Release of the Yuki Clan.

However, it was clear that Haku wasn't the Blue Pheasant that Shanks had once spoken of.

That was likely his mother.

She had passed away. So, naturally, Zabuza assumed Haku's mother was the one Shanks referred to back then.

The ages matched up—she was from the same generation as Minato Namikaze and Mei Terumi.

"Captain Zabuza, do you know anything else about my mother?"

Haku asked, curiosity flashing in his eyes.

He hadn't had a happy childhood. Meeting Zabuza gave him a long-lost sense of warmth.

Not just because Zabuza didn't reject him—but because he respected Haku's mother.

"I didn't know her personally. Everything I told you came from Shanks."

"But I can tell you a little more."

Zabuza wasn't sure why, but he was suddenly in the mood to share.

Maybe it was because he hadn't talked to anyone other than Shanks in a long while.

Or maybe it was just satisfying to share a secret only he knew.

Haku's eyes lit up instantly.

"Kizaru, Aokiji, Akainu."

"These are the nicknames Shanks gave to three specific people."

"The one I know the most about is the man called Kizaru."

Zabuza gave a mysterious smile as he said that—and then suddenly stopped talking, leaving Haku hanging.

"Captain, go on!"

"Pay up. This kind of intel doesn't come free."

Zabuza held out his hand bluntly.

"Captain, that's a ninja rule. Pirates don't pay for intel!"

"Alright, fine. It's not really a secret. You'll find out sooner or later."

Zabuza shrugged, unconcerned.

After all, the legendary title of "Yellow Flash" was hardly something that could be kept hidden.

"Kizaru is actually the former Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."

"He rose to fame during the Third Great Ninja War, known for his light-speed movement across the battlefield.

No one could even see him clearly—just a golden flash, and their life would be gone."

"After the war, he became Hokage.

But he didn't last long—he died during Konoha's internal chaos."

Zabuza let out a sigh.

He wasn't stupid.

He used to believe the official story. But after witnessing the absurd power of Shanks, he understood.

The whole "Nine-Tails Incident" caused by a sealing accident? Nonsense.

With the Uzumaki Clan's sealing prowess, that shouldn't have happened.

And a ninja strong enough to earn Shanks' respect couldn't possibly fail to control the Nine-Tails.

Even if Minato couldn't handle it alone—wasn't Konoha full of elites?

To Zabuza now, Konoha was no different from Kirigakure—just another corrupt system.

No—if anything, all ninja were the problem.

"As for the one called Akainu…"

"The burn on my chest was caused by her.

She's not famous yet, but I believe she'll soon become the next Mizukage."

"And your mother, the last member of the Yuki Clan, was the one Shanks called Aokiji."

"What do you think your mother was like?"

Zabuza asked with a grin.

Hearing that, Haku's face lit up with pride.

So his mother was that strong?

She was on the same level as the Fourth Hokage, who was known across the entire ninja world?

"Get stronger, kid.

Strong enough to inherit your mother's name."

"You've inherited her power—but your kindness will be your greatest weakness if it's not backed by strength."

"Otherwise… it'll get you killed."

Zabuza stood up from the floating ice.

In the distance—over ten warships were approaching.

Behind him, Haku activated his Ice Release.

The surrounding seawater froze, extending nearly 200 meters outward—that was his current limit.

Zabuza walked to the very edge of the ice platform.

"Gato... it's time to pay up."