i am kimimaro

Kakashi looked at Kimimaro in surprise.

He had just seen Kimimaro's attacks, each one ruthless and merciless. Initially, he thought this was a young ninja who reveled in killing, but it turned out not to be the case.

Kimimaro knew exactly what he wanted.

His ruthless attacks were simply to end the battle quickly.

He wouldn't take a life unless necessary.

This wasn't bloodlust, but decisiveness.

In comparison, the other teenagers present were far inferior.

Zabuza was already severely injured, and his Mist Concealment Technique couldn't be maintained any longer.

The thick fog gradually dissipated, and Naruto and Sasuke rushed over.

Haku had just been telling them his story, and the two were moved when he suddenly disappeared.

They were dumbfounded, thinking they had been deceived by Haku.

Now, seeing Haku take a blow for Zabuza, they realized that everything he said was true.

Frankly, this was something that shocked them.

To protect someone with one's life was something they had never considered before.

Sasuke had just stood in front of Naruto, purely out of instinct.

But for Haku, it wasn't instinct, but a path he had already envisioned.

The most beautiful death he could imagine was to die as a tool, blocking a blow for Zabuza.

Beyond that, he didn't dare to hope for much.

"Mr. Kakashi, I and they were once ninjas from Kirigakure. We have some past ties. I want to take them away. They shouldn't die here."

Kimimaro spoke politely, but there was a hint of firmness in his words.

Strictly speaking, this matter had nothing to do with Kakashi.

After all, both Zabuza and Haku were defeated by Kimimaro.

If Kimimaro wanted to take them away, he had no reason to object.

But the two were now in a cooperative relationship, so informing Kakashi was a sign of respect.

"As long as they don't hinder us from completing our mission, everything is fine."

Kakashi also tactfully didn't object.

"In their current state, they can't stop us even if they wanted to."

"True."

Kakashi looked at the sorry state of Zabuza and Haku, knowing that the mission was complete.

"To be beaten into this state, they truly are trash. With such little skill, they dared to ask for such a high fee from me."

A sudden voice drew everyone's attention to the bridgehead.

"Gato!"

Tazuna was shocked when he saw the speaker!

Gato!

The nightmare of the Land of Waves!

At this moment, he arrived at the nearly completed bridge with hundreds of samurai, intending to clean up the mess.

"After a great battle, you're all wounded, right? Perfect, let me take care of you all at once.

Hehehe, don't call me despicable. I'm a businessman, and maximizing profits is what I pursue. Zabuza, your fee was too high. I don't want to pay it."

Zabuza remained silent, not paying attention to Gato.

Reduced to fish on a chopping block, he had no mood to deal with such a villain.

Kimimaro and the others also looked at him with indifference.

The only ones who feared Gato were Tazuna and his family.

Feeling everyone's disregard, Gato's anger surged.

"Bastards! You dare ignore me! Attack them!"

The samurai were eager to move, but Kimimaro shouted, "Wait!"

"Kid, are you scared? Want to beg for mercy?"

Seeing that these ninjas finally reacted, Gato looked smug.

"No, I just want to confirm something. Are you Gato?"

"Hehe, what a stupid question. Of course, I'm Gato! Who in the Land of Waves doesn't know me? I am the king of this Land of Waves!"

"Then it's fine."

Kimimaro extended his right index finger, pointing it at Gato's forehead.

The hairs on the back of Gato's neck stood on end, and an extremely dangerous feeling surged forth.

"One Finger White Lightning!"

Kimimaro's cold voice sounded, and then there was a whooshing sound as a white finger bone shot out from his right index finger.

Dance of the Larch!

But now, this finger bone was enveloped in a white lightning.

Binding Spell Number Four, White Lightning!

Kimimaro used both techniques simultaneously, merging them into one.

One Finger White Lightning!

The nearly fifty meters between him and Gato seemed nonexistent at this moment.

The finger bone instantly pierced through Gato's forehead, splattering blood.

The smug look on Gato's face hadn't even faded before it froze forever.

One strike, a headshot!

Gato fell straight to the ground.

For a moment, the bridge became incredibly quiet.

Killing the opponent instantly from fifty meters away, everyone was stunned by such a technique.

Dance of the Larch combined with White Lightning, their power amplified, and with Kimimaro having enough time to aim and fire, this strike was comparable to a pistol shot.

"Mons... Monster!"

The rogue samurai brought by Gato were terrified and scattered.

The once imposing hundred-man team now became a disorganized mob.

Naruto gulped, and Sasuke looked at Kimimaro with a complex expression.

Sakura covered her mouth in shock, and Kakashi's pupils contracted.

Zabuza, on the other hand, held Haku, indifferent to everything.

Kimimaro retracted his right index finger and whispered, "Done."

The power of one strike shocked the entire scene.

The speed and explosive force were both astonishing.

"Kimimaro, that move was so cool."

Naruto couldn't help but admire.

Kimimaro smiled slightly and looked at Kakashi.

"Mr. Kakashi, my mission is complete. I'll leave the aftermath to you. I'll take my leave first."

After saying that, without waiting for Kakashi's reply, Kimimaro left with Zabuza, Haku, the severed arm, and the Kubikiribōchō.

"Hey, Kimimaro, will we see each other again?"

Naruto was reluctant to see Kimimaro leave.

"We'll meet again soon."

Kimimaro said without looking back, then disappeared from everyone's sight.

"Soon? How soon?"

Naruto was puzzled, but Kakashi thought of something.

"Could he be participating in the Chunin Exams a month later? This Chunin Exams involves Sunagakure and several smaller villages, and Otogakure is also invited. He's still a Genin, so there's a high chance he'll participate.

A Genin with this level of strength is completely overwhelming for the Genin from other villages. Otogakure is about to rise."

Kakashi was already thinking about the game between the villages.

The joint Chunin Exams were originally a microcosm of war.

Every village would do its utmost to showcase the strength of its Genin during the Chunin Exams.

As long as their respective country's Daimyo were satisfied, the funding for the following year would surely increase.

But if the Daimyo were not satisfied, the funding for the next year would likely be greatly reduced.

Sunagakure had a lot to say about this.

Several war defeats had led the Kazekage of the Land of Wind to repeatedly cut Sunagakure's funding.

As a result, Sunagakure had always had insufficient funds.

Even the Fourth Kazekage had to lead the way in panning for gold in the desert to barely maintain Sunagakure's operations. It could be said that he was the least prestigious Kage.

(End of Chapter)